Examining Challenges in China’s Water Parks: Part One
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As we step into the second decade of the 21st century, it’s fascinating to reflect on the rapid growth of the Chinese amusement industry over the past ten years. A significant part of this expansion has been the development of China water parks. The number and scale of these parks have outpaced other theme park forms. According to incomplete statistics, the number of domestic water parks has surpassed a thousand, and this figure continues to rise.
Having been involved in the amusement industry for nearly two decades, I’ve witnessed firsthand the “water boom” in China water parks. I’ve observed the successes and failures of numerous parks. Here, I will discuss some prevalent issues faced by domestic water parks.
Common Challenges in Domestic Water Parks
Issue 1: Inaccurate Market Positioning
Many water parks fail to meet investors’ expectations due to inaccurate initial positioning and insufficient market research. Investors often follow trends blindly without understanding the essence of water parks. Before planning a water park, investors should consider several factors:
- Understanding the relationship between water parks and temperature is crucial. What temperature conditions attract tourists to water parks? Seasonal management is a reality for water parks, except in places like Sanya, Hainan.
- Can indoor water parks operate year-round? The answer is no. Indoor parks face higher construction and operating costs and offer a less enjoyable experience compared to outdoor parks. Many indoor parks abroad are repurposed from old buildings, unlike the trend of indoor attractions in China.
- The scale of a water park should be determined by the population within a 1.5-hour drive, local income, consumption levels, and competition. Larger parks entail higher costs and risks.
Issue 2: Lack of Professional Planning and Design
The short history of domestic water parks and the recent “boom” have led to a lack of professional planning and design. Before 2010, there were few professional planning companies in China, resulting in issues during the planning and design stages. A water park is a comprehensive experience involving numerous aspects like theme style, equipment selection, landscape creation, and various systems. These elements collectively shape the tourist experience and determine the park’s success.
Some domestic parks lack proper planning and design, merely stacking equipment without sustainable market competitiveness, leading to their eventual market elimination.
Issue 3: Project Quality Concerns
Due to the seasonal nature of water parks, many aim to open in the summer, leading to rushed construction and quality issues. This rush can compromise park quality, affect tourist experiences, and introduce safety hazards and rectification costs. Industry benchmarks have shown that quality engineering is crucial for success.
In conclusion, while China water parks have seen remarkable growth, addressing these challenges is essential for their continued success and sustainability.
