RIYADH | The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is on track to have 320,000 new hotel rooms by 2030 to accommodate the projected influx of 150 million annual tourists.
While this is great news for the Kingdom’s travel and tourism industry, it means that resorts will be highly competitive in attracting visitors to stay at their properties in the future.
To support hotel owners and investors, WhiteWater partnered with Hotel & Leisure Advisors in 2019 to study the impact of aquatic amenities on guest satisfaction and financial success, including RevPAR, ADR, and occupancy rates.
In 2024, they revisited this study to analyse five years of data to understand the long-term financial correlation between aquatic amenities and hotel and resort performance. The updated study provided insights into how these amenities can increase guest satisfaction and enhance overall property success.
Analysing Smith Travel Research (STR) data revealed a significant advantage for properties with aquatic amenities such as water slides, rides, wave pools, splash pads, surf simulators, and multi-level play structures. In 2023, Middle Eastern hotels featuring these amenities achieved an average RevPAR level 53 percent higher than the regional average.
“Adding water park features has been transformative for hotels in the UAE and Qatar,” said Jeremy Gray, VP of Business Development for WhiteWater.
“These attractions enhance guest satisfaction and create unique selling points, setting these properties apart in a competitive market. The significant uptick in occupancy and revenue metrics underscores the value of investing in such features. Water-based attractions attract families and thrill-seekers, translating into tangible financial benefits for the hotels.”
Interestingly, this trend extended beyond the Middle East. In North America, properties with aquatic amenities saw RevPAR levels 29.1 percent to 111.3 percent higher in 2023 compared to the average of all resorts and hotels in the United States.
Over 300 hotels have worked with WhiteWater to add aquatic amenities, one example of which stood out was Atlantis Dubai. With two world-class resorts on Palm Jumeirah Island, Atlantis Dubai has over 2,300 rooms and additional villas.
Opening Aquaventure World in 2008, guests staying at the resort have enjoyed complimentary access, providing an additional driver for guests to stay at the resort. With the water park growing in three phases, the property was able to fund its expansions through the profits of its investment in the park and continue to offer its guests more and more, getting them to come back after their initial opening.
In 2023, the water park attracted 35 to 40 percent of visitors from the connected hotels and 60 to 65 percent from tourists and residents who purchased day passes, for an approximate annual attendance of 1.8 million.
“Water parks are a major attraction, especially for families. This can lead to higher occupancy rates, increased spending, and improved guest satisfaction,” said Vice President of Atlantis’ Marine & Water Park division, Sascha Triemer.
“We added a surf machine in 2018, which created quite a good value for the property; followed by the opening of an additional phase, which was the largest single Waterpark extension in the world, including a third tower, saw our attendance nearly double the past three years as we continued to invest in the park.”
Large-scale water parks, like the impressive 225,000-square-meter facility at Atlantis, have been a significant draw, but data showed that even smaller aquatic features can significantly benefit hotels and resorts.
With a similar increase in the number of resorts under construction, Qatar recently saw a surge of over 100 hotels being built for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Hilton Salwa Beach Resort strategically added the Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park in 2021 to differentiate itself.
Spanning 60,000 square meters, Desert Falls boasted 18 attractions and 56 rides. Its ride mix catered to different age groups, helping keep the family market on-site longer.
This approach was crucial for maintaining higher occupancy rates and maximising revenue, as families were more likely to stay longer and spend more when various engaging activities were available for all ages. Management reported that the hotel recorded the highest occupancy and ADR of resorts in Qatar in 2021, partly due to the addition of the water park.
Properties that have added just one or two well-chosen water slides have also positively impacted their bottom line, as seen by the Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha, which has 1,500 square meters of aquatic amenities. This park offers a set of adventure-themed attractions, like an aquatic ropes course and a FlowRider Double surf simulator.
“The size of the aquatic amenity doesn't necessarily dictate success. The key lies in identifying your target demographic, understanding their desires, and curating a ride mix that stands out from your competitors,” said Jeremy Grey.
“As the research shows, by creating an offering specific to your target, properties can attract visitors and keep them engaged within the resort for longer periods.”
With an anticipated surge in visitors to the Kingdom, properties have a unique opportunity to stand out by strategically planning their amenities from the ground up.
Neighbouring destinations like Dubai and Qatar offer valuable insights, highlighting the power of well-designed aquatic features in attracting families, enhancing guest satisfaction, and driving positive financial results.
As Saudi Arabia establishes itself as a central tourist hub, incorporating aquatic attractions could be a strategic decision that propels the industry towards continued success.
With over 40 years of hotel and resort water park design and supply expertise, WhiteWater has offered tailored amenities that enrich the guest experience and encourage more extended stays. This personalised approach helps drive higher average daily rates, maximising revenue potential for hotels and resorts.
