EURO Disney yesterday announced increased losses after visitor numbers failed to improve on last year.

The theme park and hotel operator said about 12.4 million people visited the Disneyland Resort Paris and Walt Disney Studios parks outside the French capital this year - the same number as last year.

Higher operating costs and royalty payments to US parent company Walt Disney also contributed to net losses of £101m for the year to September 30, compared with a loss of £39m the previous year. Revenue was nearly unchanged at £731m.

The results come two months after Euro Disney announced a debt restructuring deal with its banks to keep it afloat.

Chief executive Andre Lacroix said: "The company's annual results reflect a flat attendance and revenue performance in another difficult year for the European travel and tourism industry.''

Average spending per visitor increased five per cent to £29.74. In Euro Disney's hotels, however, a decline in the average occupancy rate to 80.5 per cent from 85.1 per cent more than offset a two per cent increase in spending per room.

The company made an operating loss of £16.7m, compared to £22.4m last time.

Royalty payments to Walt Disney grew to £40.4m from £5.6m.

The lengthy negotiations that led to its September rescue deal drained a further £9.06m in fees and expenses.