Saturday, November 30, 2024
Incorporating a water park into a hotel property goes beyond adding a fun attraction — it’s about enhancing the overall guest experience. As Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North Resort celebrates its successful first year, it sets a new benchmark in the hospitality industry, reshaping what guests can expect from a luxury getaway.
Collaborating with WhiteWater, the top manufacturer of aquatic attractions, the resort features 53 state-of-the-art water slides at the adjacent Meryal Waterpark. This innovative addition highlights how unique amenities can appeal to a wide range of travelers, boost guest satisfaction, and position hotels as frontrunners in the world of immersive leisure experiences.
Creating unforgettable experiences to boost bookings
The demand for hotels and resorts to enhance guest experiences has reached new heights, with 84% of travelers prioritizing unforgettable moments and 80% seeking authentic, culturally meaningful experiences. Adding water parks not only meets these expectations but also transforms hotels into sought-after destinations. A prime example is Meryal Waterpark, where Rig 1938 stands as a striking homage to the country’s oil and gas legacy. Soaring 85 meters, this towering structure features 12 exhilarating water slides spanning 3.7 kilometers, setting world records for the tallest water slide and the most slides on a single tower. By creating such iconic attractions that guests can instantly recognize, resorts can boost their appeal and drive higher bookings.
Catering to a wide range of audiences
Family-friendly features, such as water parks, enhance a resort’s appeal to a broad range of age groups, helping to drive bookings throughout the year. Meryal Waterpark takes this concept further by offering a variety of attractions for younger guests, including two multi-level aquatic play structures—an AquaPlay 550 and a RainFortress 5. Together, they boast 255 interactive features and 13 slides of varying heights, from 1 to 6 meters, ensuring endless fun without long waits. Additionally, the park offers a splash pad with ground-level activities for toddlers. With a focus on safety and comfort for both children and parents, the area spans over 1,300 square meters (15,000 square feet) of Life Floor, ensuring a soft and safe experience for little ones.
Using aquatic attractions to boost per capita revenue
With the water park spanning over six acres, families often spend the entire day enjoying its rides and attractions. This extended stay benefits the nearby Rixos Premium Resort, as longer visits to water parks significantly impact profitability through ancillary revenue streams such as food, beverages, and retail. According to a 2022 IAAPA study, visitors to water parks typically spend an additional 30-40% on dining, drinks, and merchandise. By offering a variety of dining options and strategically placed retail stores, resort operators can capitalize on these extended guest stays, making water parks a key driver of profitability for neighboring resort properties.
Water parks as a strategic advantage for top hotels
WhiteWater has helped more than 300 prestigious properties, such as Waldorf Astoria, Le Meridien, Westin, and JA Resort, stand out by incorporating exceptional aquatic amenities. In collaboration with Hotel Leisure Advisors, WhiteWater conducted a 2024 study examining the impact of these features on hotels and resorts. The findings highlight a positive global trend over the past three years, demonstrating a clear link between the addition of aquatic amenities and higher occupancy rates.
