Making a splash

Themed Entertainment Association/Economics Research Associates' Attraction Attendance Report 2007 lists Wild Wadi Water Park in Dubai as the world's 1

The key factor when employing staff is to ensure that they have the right attitude.

"I can teach you anything," says Perry, "I can teach you to be a lifeguard or to be a cashier. I can teach you almost any job in the waterpark as long as you have got a good attitude."

He adds: "The unique thing about Wild Wadi is that our teams work with us; it may not be the career that they've selected for themselves long-term but after working here for six months they can decide to cross train and apply to move into a different business unit or department."

While it is viable for waterparks such as Wild Wadi to entice international employees with attractive career-progression packages across the brand, the less established names in the industry may find it more difficult to attract workers. Instead they have other techniques.

Since opening last year, The Lost Paradise of Dilmun has recruited more than 160 employees, of which approximately 40% are Bahrain nationals.
 

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Blunt says: "Our staff are very important. We've got about 25 nationalities working for us but what we've primarily tried to do is employ as many Bahrainis as possible. We feel we've set a benchmark in doing this".

The Lost Paradise of Dilmun attracts local employees by offering housing, medical insurance and salaries, and providing a stable environment.

Blunt also emphasises the importance of adequate training and exemplary attitudes.

He says: "This is a new industry and people may not have the specific hospitality or leisure skills that are required to work efficiently in a waterpark."

"We've got to find the right people, with the right attitude and ambition to move forward in this new industry," he adds.

Looking to the future

If waterparks in the region can continue to juggle the operational basics with meeting growing staff demands, accommodating local culture and appealing to families, the waterpark industry looks set to take off in the Middle East and North Africa.

"This region is the place to be. We're growing, we're building new parks and attractions, we're trying new things, and it's all very exciting," says Gibbons.