Water Park Reopening Strategies Post-Epidemic
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The sudden epidemic has significantly impacted the global tourism industry, and it is foreseeable that water parks will face substantial operational pressures. However, crises often bring new opportunities. Post-epidemic, industries severely affected will undergo a reshuffle. Those who can seize new opportunities or prepare adequately beforehand will gain the upper hand. So, where do the opportunities for water park projects lie amidst the COVID-19 crisis? Let’s delve into it.
As operators of water park projects, what preparations and changes should we implement?
1. Prioritise Epidemic Prevention and Safety
a. Reduce the number of people queuing to buy tickets by encouraging online ticket purchases and e-ticket entry.
b. Limit the number of visitors entering the park simultaneously and restrict the number of people in wave pools, water villages, children’s pools, and other crowded facilities.
c. Implement body temperature checks, disinfection, and other safety measures before tourists enter the park or specific play areas.
d. Enhance the health image of staff by having them wear green work clothes with health cards.
e. Instead of queuing, tourists should register their names and wait to be called for individual aqua-park equipment, improving both safety and the play experience.
f. Ensure water quality by publicising real-time monitoring and contracting with a professional water quality monitoring agency. Announce the real-time status of water quality online and on-site to alleviate concerns.
g. Introduce engaging disinfection facilities, such as induction spray disinfection, interesting landscape wash basins, and disinfection foot baths or body bathing pools.
h. Add conceptual facilities related to health or immunity improvement, such as SFA facilities, whirlpool pools, and traditional Chinese medicine bubble pools.
i. Equip the park with a small number of on-site health doctors and commonly used medical supplies to ensure tourists can play with peace of mind.
j. Adopt other practices to reassure tourists about safety and sanitation.
2. Inform Visitors About Safety Measures
Implementing safety measures is not enough; they must be advertised. Ensure that these measures are visible at the water park project site, at the entrance, on the website, and during promotional activities. This will reassure tourists and their families that it is safe to visit and enjoy the park.
3. Regular Opening Planning
a. Remove debris, pickle, wet grind, polish, clean, and wax the water slides.
b. Overhaul, clean, and test pumps and road systems.
c. Conduct test skiing on water slides and inspect riding kayaks.
d. Perform inventory checks of spare parts.
e. Recruit and train employees.
4. Upgrade Water Park Equipment
If funds permit, allocate part of the budget to upgrading and renovating the park. This can attract returning visitors and give those in the core market area a reason to visit again. Upgrades can include adding new water park equipment, creating themed landscapes, or even repainting and adding patterns. The specifics depend on available capital and market competition. Generally, a minor reform is recommended annually, with a major reform every three years.
5. Maintain a Thrift Ethos
Instil a cost-saving ethos within the management team of water park projects. This is crucial in areas such as personnel, financing, and medicine. When business is good, savings translate to profit; when business is poor, savings become the cost of survival. Therefore, a daily work style focused on cost-saving is essential, regardless of the epidemic.
Opinions on the post-epidemic operation of water park projects vary. Some are pessimistic, while others are optimistic. Pessimism is the epitaph of pessimists; optimism is the passport of optimists. However, the turning point will always favour those who are well-prepared. Everyone has an innate love for water, and activities that customers enjoy will never lose market opportunities. The key is whether you are ready to seize them.
For more information on the water park reopening, visit our website.
