CHRISTIAN AHUIS CONSULTING
Continuously refined since 1998
A Passion for the Industry.
A Commitment to Results.
Since my first job in 1998, I have been passionate about the amusement industry and the people who make it special.
Throughout my career, I have focused on projects I believe in, bringing together industry knowledge, practical experience and a personal commitment to doing things right.
That passion still drives me today — helping businesses navigate challenges, recognise opportunities and turn good ideas into successful projects.
From World Expo 2000 till today
One of my first major consulting projects was supporting facts & fiction, a Cologne-based agency, in the development of a story-driven attraction for the VCI at EXPO 2000 in Hanover, Germany.
Since then, I have worked with a wide range of clients across the international leisure industry, including Robert Dahl with his Karls Erlebnis-Dörfer, showman and entrepreneur Roland Barth, Unibail Rodamco Westfield, Christian Freiherr von Landsberg Velen and his Schloss Dankern, Schwaben Park, GMF, Bay Laurel Advisors, Waterland, Ferienpark Plötzky and many others.
My work ranges from strategic advice and destination development to attraction projects and business opportunities. While many of these assignments involve confidential information that I cannot share publicly, the selected projects featured here offer a glimpse into my experience and the challenges I have helped address.
Karls Erlebnis-Dorf
From Attraction Development to Brand Ambassadorship
My relationship with Karls goes far beyond a single project. It combines hands-on attraction development, brand ambassadorship and the initiative to bring Karls to Oberhausen.
In 2016, Robert Dahl entrusted me with managing the development of K2, a major roller coaster project at Karls in Elstal near Berlin. From the initial concept through planning and implementation to its opening in April 2018, I coordinated the development of an attraction combining a roller coaster with a themed dark-ride experience inspired by potato chip production.
In 2022, I initiated the development of a new Karls Erlebnis-Dorf in Oberhausen. During the subsequent planning and construction phases, I represented Karls in North Rhine-Westphalia as a Brand Ambassador, helping raise awareness of the brand among key figures from politics, business and culture.
Throughout this period, I introduced the Karls concept to influential people across the region and helped build awareness of the upcoming destination ahead of its opening in July 2026.
The Oberhausen location has become the most successful Karls Erlebnis-Dorf to date, marking an important milestone in the company's development.
For me, this project brings together the different aspects of my work: recognising opportunities, building relationships, representing a distinctive leisure concept and helping turn an idea into reality.
Eifelttor Erlebnispark
Supporting a New Beginning
In March 2026, I supported and advised investor and operator Roland Barth during the takeover of the Eifeltor Erlebnispark in Mechernich, Germany.
The transition required quick decisions and a clear focus on getting the park ready to reopen. Just a few weeks later, the Eifeltor Erlebnispark welcomed its first guests under new management.
I helped Roland Barth navigate this important transition, bringing my industry experience and practical understanding of leisure operations to the process.
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Bay Laurel Advisors
Bringing International IPs to Europe
Since late 2024, I have been supporting Bay Laurel Advisors in integrating international intellectual properties (IPs) into the European theme park and location-based entertainment (LBE) market.
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in the European amusement industry, I help bridge the gap between international IP owners and Europe's leisure and entertainment landscape. My work combines in-depth market knowledge, an understanding of regional industry structures and an established network of contacts across the European amusement sector.
A key example of this work is the introduction of the Care Bears to Drayton Manor Resort in the UK, where the beloved characters made their debut in 2026. The project demonstrates how international IPs can be brought into the European leisure market to create new experiences for park visitors.
My focus is on identifying opportunities and helping international IPs find the right partners and their place in Europe's diverse theme park and location-based entertainment market.
Unibail Rodamco Westfield
Creating New Leisure Opportunities
Since 2016, I have supported the owner of Westfield Centro in Oberhausen in exploring new leisure opportunities and strengthening the destination's entertainment offering.
My involvement included supporting the introduction of LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, developing additional attraction and entertainment concepts, and identifying a new operator for the outdoor amusement park.
The work demonstrates how industry knowledge and the right connections can help unlock the potential of an established destination.
Waterland Private Equity Investments
Industry Knowledge for Investment Decisions
I have provided advisory services to Waterland Private Equity Investments, contributing my specialised knowledge of the amusement and leisure industry.
My involvement drew on my understanding of the market, its key players and the specific dynamics of the leisure sector.
Further details of this engagement remain confidential.
Bavaria Filmstadt
Finding a New Home for an Existing Attraction
At the end of the 2020 season, Bavaria Filmstadt needed to remove an ETF trackless dark-ride system to make room for a new attraction.
I was asked to find a new owner within a tight timeframe. Within a few weeks, I had identified a buyer, and the ride subsequently reopened as Drachen Magic at Magic Park Verden.
This project is a good example of matching an operator's needs with a new commercial opportunity while giving an existing attraction a second life.
Schloss Dankern
Supporting the Development of a Family Destination
My relationship with the owners of Germany's biggest holiday resort, Schloss Dankern, spans many years. From 2007 to 2018, I served as the resort's spokesperson. Between 2021 and 2024, I supported the third generation of the owner family in developing new ideas and opportunities for the amusement park, holiday resort, and related businesses.
This long-standing involvement gave me valuable insights into the strategic and operational challenges of running a diverse leisure destination.
