What do you think are the real hot spots right now for waterpark growth?
In our 40 years of doing business, we have increased our reach to 100 countries. We feel lucky to work with such a wide variety of clients, each with their own culture, language, and religion, who still, despite their difference, share a love of watersides!
We’re proud of the success we’ve found in such diversity. We see the world as our market. Even countries that don’t seem like potential candidates today are still candidates for the future. Take for example Iran. We are proud to say we built the very first waterpark there!
With that said, studies have shown (and our personal experience can confirm) that there is a huge demand in Asia right now.
Who are some of the key players / project developers you think industry professionals should keep an eye on in the international market?
Key players include Marvel, Merlin, Disney, Universal, Cedar, Six Flags, and Chimelong. I also believe we will see some surprising names pop up when it comes to investing in amusement parks, especially in Asia.
What effect, if any, is the Asian explosion in watermarks having on the more mature markets in the US and Europe?
Looking at the latest TEA/ECOM report, we can see that 10 out of 25 top waterparks globally are now in Asia. I think it’s safe to say that this trend will continue. In fact, studies have shown that the Asian market will surpass the US market within the next 5 years. It will be very interesting to see how this develops.
The Chinese market sometimes gets stereotyped as looking for less thrills in theme parks; is there a similar feeling for water attractions?
I wouldn’t say this is the case for waterparks. In general there is a limit to the “thrill factor” due to govenment regulations. However, despite this, the thrill expectation in this market is no less important than it is in other parts of the world. Both park planners and visitors are increasingly demanding thrilling waterslides, so in our upcoming projects, we are making sure we offer at least one fusion and signature ride, each with their own features and quirks. For example, we have completed attractions in China such as King Cobra, Family Turbolance, Sphere Combo, Looping Rocket and Space Shuttle.
What one or two installations opening soon or within the last year do you think is most indicative of the global waterpark market right now?
I love our Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark in Thailand! What sets it apart from any other waterpark is its theme. It is the home of Cartoon Network’s most beloved characters such as the Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10, and Adventure Time. It is the only place in the world where Cartoon Network fans can have meet and greets with their favorite characters while enjoying watersides and live shows. On top of this, each fiberglass waterside is designed for a specific a character. I love that in the park you can hear a kid saying, “I want to ride the Humangasour,” a character in the Ben10 animation series, instead of saying “I want ride a waterslide.” Check out this video to see what I mean: Another of my favorites is the themed Splashworld Provence Waterpark in France. After almost 30 years, the first waterpark in France has opened with a variety of its own “firsts.” Not only does the tropical-themed park feature Europe’s tallest free-fall slide, but it is also home to the region’s largest racing slide, longest toboggan slide, and longest leisure river.
These are all great locations that have very well equipped watermarks.
We also have Agagin, Dino Waterpark, which covers more than 40 acres. Dino Waterpark - as its name suggests - is dinosaur themed, and takes visitors back more than 100 million years to a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Austing Heights opened in January 2016 and expects to host almost 300,000 visits in its first year. This is a tropical-themed park which offers 12 outdoor attractions in a 33,450-square-meter (360,052.8-square-feet) area on 8 hectares (19.8 acres) of land, along with a variety of indoor attractions such as an adventure park, a trampoline park, a tropical skating rink and a drift kart. It features a unique combination of waterslide designs that were installed by us here at Polin Waterparks, which I think sets the park apart from other venues.
In what ways do you see the market evolving in the next 5 to 10 years?
Technology will be a driving factor. I believe we will begin to witness the synchronization of technology with the attractions and the parks themselves. Manufacturers are already integrating their manufacturing methods, material technologies, design programs, game technologies, virtual and augmented reality, projection technologies, media-based attractions and special effects into more and more waterparks.
As technology continues to improve, there will be higher demand for innovation, interactivity, and engagement from the customers. Social media, gamification, virtual reality, and augmented reality are all impacting the market now. However, at the end of the day, the content and storytelling in the park is still extremely important.
The waterpark industry is continually evolving. Waterparks want to offer the most attractive, exciting, and appealing rides possible. With our current society demanding unique and novel experiences, I think the biggest challenge for the waterpark operators is to make sure they continually grow and offer exciting rides that attract visitors, keep their interest, and make them want to come back again and again.
We hope to help with that effort both as a supplier and a builder!
