Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Print
Email
Discuss this article (0 Comments)Making waves
by ArabianBusiness.com staff writer on Wednesday, 07 November 2007
zoom
The recruitment of lifeguards, however, has been a challenge in itself at Lost Paradise. Delays in construction and the delivery of equipment, which put the opening back from March to September, meant a late date for recruitment. The park employs 150 people, and around 60% are expats.
"This industry is quite specialised, so there are not people waiting around for these jobs," explains Blunt. "We've had to go to other countries to recruit. That was one of our main problems in setting up the park - difficulties with work permits and locating the employees."
All lifeguards must have an internationally recognised pool lifeguard certificate, such as one from the UK's Royal Life Saving Society.
"Once we've established this, then we do our own in-house training," says Blunt. "It's tailor-made to the type of park we're operating. Once trained, we then audit staff and run tests on them throughout the season."
Safety is key at Lost Paradise waterpark.
"We have specific needs for each ride, which are controlled by queuing systems" explains Blunt. "We can control the crowd by keeping them in one area then dispatching them to the ride."
Future plans
In terms of expected annual turnover for the park, Blunt says it's too early to tell.
"This year, we've only had a three month season, so there are no annual predictions yet." However, he explains that SLC work on a per cap basis, aiming for around BHD 1 ($3) per cap for retail and BHD 1.5 ( $4) per cap for food and beverage.
Next year, Lost Paradise is hoping to attract 350,000 visitors throughout the season, which will run from March through to November, or possibly December depending on the weather. The park has capacity for 5000 visitors in any more day.
Blunt adds: "Next year we will be heating and cooling the water for the first time, to both extend the season and make it more comfortable in the summer when the temperature goes up too high."
Marketing Lost Paradise will also be a priority.
"Most of the visitors at the moment are from Bahrain and recently people have been coming over the Causeway. We'll be focusing on marketing to that region and developing an awareness campaign for Saudi. It's very easy even as far as Riyadh for people to come to Bahrain for the weekend," says Blunt.
Looking further ahead, Blunt says there are plot areas in the park earmarked for two new rides.
"They're usable areas in the waterpark such as gardens and soft landscaping, but they are actually there for future development. We hope to put in two more rides in two to three years," he explains.
Sustainability at the lost paradise of Dilmun
"Obviously when building a waterpark in this part of the desert, the first question you have to ask is: where do you get your water from?" says Blunt.
In Bahrain, water can be found just two to three metres down. However, the water is not usable at this stage. Blunt explains the subsequent process: "We have a Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant, which has been commissioned as part of Al Alreen and that water is enough to sustain the waterpark and the Banyan Tree. From the source the water goes into a holding area, is treated through the RO plant, moves to another holding area and then is distributed to us through a network of pipeline, taking it to a reservoir from which we distribute it to the park.
"That's enough for all our needs; to fill our pools, cook, supply changing areas and toilets, do our back washing and be used for landscaping," he continues.
"The water will then be discharged and recycled for landscaping in other areas. It's 100 per cent recyclable. We don't waste any water," says Blunt.
"Obviously when building a waterpark in this part of the desert, the first question you have to ask is: where do you get your water from?" says Blunt.
In Bahrain, water can be found just two to three metres down. However, the water is not usable at this stage. Blunt explains the subsequent process: "We have a Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant, which has been commissioned as part of Al Alreen and that water is enough to sustain the waterpark and the Banyan Tree. From the source the water goes into a holding area, is treated through the RO plant, moves to another holding area and then is distributed to us through a network of pipeline, taking it to a reservoir from which we distribute it to the park.
"That's enough for all our needs; to fill our pools, cook, supply changing areas and toilets, do our back washing and be used for landscaping," he continues.
"The water will then be discharged and recycled for landscaping in other areas. It's 100 per cent recyclable. We don't waste any water," says Blunt.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM
TOP IN MIDDLE EAST TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY
TOP MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS STORIES
ALSO IN MIDDLE EAST TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY
From 
SHARE PRICE CHECK
RELATED STORIES
Al Areen Holding Company
| 8 stories- Building a better Bahrain
26 Apr '08 | Features - Lost Paradise waterpark opens in Bahrain
30 Sep '07 | News
Banyan Tree Al Areen
| 13 stories- Banyan Tree back to basics
30 Mar '09 | Interviews - Ultimate Valentine’s destinations
29 Jan '09 | Features - Banyan Tree beds in
16 Nov '08 | Features
Mobile
