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Saudi Arabia is increasing its investment in water parks to support its Vision 2030 goal of attracting more than 150 million people by decade's end.

One of the key advantages of water parks in the Middle East is their ability to provide year-round entertainment, making them highly attractive to visitors seeking respite from the heat.

Attractions such as Aquarabia at Qiddiya City (located 40 minutes from Riyadh centre), have the potential to improve the entertainment options available in the kingdom and form part of Saudi's overriding plan to turn its oil-based economy into one that's based on tourism.

Work on Aquarabia Qiddiya City is currently underway and is expected to be completed in 2025, though its opening date is yet to be revealed. The water park joins other Qiddiya projects including a cliff-hanging stadium and an Esports arena.

WhiteWater announced in May 2024 its collaboration with Aquarabia Qiddiya City for which WhiteWater will design and deliver 22 exhilarating rides and attractions, including record-breaking and signature experiences.

One of the standout areas of the park for the entire family to play together features a FusionFortress which boasts a staggering 181 interactive play features, 11 diverse water slides, two tipping buckets, and a water geyser spraying nearly 30 meters into the air. Covered in hand-carved desert animals and vibrant geometric patterns to engage the imagination, the FusionFortress  is an accessible attraction that is designed to create hours of entertainment without long wait times.

The park will feature many attractions not yet seen before in the Middle East, including a Mat Blaster water slide where guests will ride headfirst on a series of gravity-defying blasts and an AquaLoop + Flatline Loop Fusion, merging two of the world’s most heart-pumping drop slides into one slidepath. Both attractions will be in the centre of the park at the iconic Camel Rock.

Mike Rigby, GM & RVP, Middle East at WhiteWater shared “we are deeply honoured to be a partner of the groundbreaking Aquarabia Qiddiya City and eager to bring our innovative water slides, attractions, and experiences to this remarkable destination in Saudi Arabia.”

Kelly Sall, General Manager of Water Rides at WhiteWater added “At WhiteWater, our commitment to creating water rides that entertain diverse audiences is integral to our mission. We believe that these attractions should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or attire. Our Shoot the Chute and Spinning Rapids Ride exemplify this commitment, offering unforgettable experiences that bring people together, fostering unity and fun for all who visit this Water Theme Park.”

Aquarabia will also be the site of the first inland surf pool in Saudi Arabia. Powered by Endless Surf technology, the pool will deliver the most authentic surf experience outside of the ocean with its limitless wave customisation potential and surf zones to accommodate surfers of all skill levels. The revolutionary technology allows waves to be produced every 8-16+ seconds with custom waves delivered to match the abilities of those in the pool using Endless Surf’s proprietary Swell Studio software. This flexibility ensures that multiple surfers can enjoy the pool simultaneously, accommodating beginners near the Shore and advanced surfers testing new tricks on a variety of waves peeling from the Peak—together in one session.

Paul Chutter, President of Endless Surf advised “Surfing is a rapidly expanding global sport, and we’re excited to introduce it to the people of Saudi. Our state-of-the-art technology is poised to empower surfers to push the boundaries of their skills, offering a showcase for spectators as they watch riders conquer waves from the proximity of the pool’s shoreline. This development is expected to substantially enhance Qiddiya’s capacity to grow the sport of surfing, while hosting surf competitions in the future, solidifying their position as industry trailblazers in this space.”

Expected to attract 48 million visitors a year - 1.8 million of those will be visiting purely to watch football matches - Qiddiya says its main waterpark is 61% built, the Six Flags is 59% complete, and all its golf courses have been ‘shaped’ over land equal in size to 215 football fields.

Speaking to Arab News, Devanshu Mathur, managing director and partner at Boston Consulting Group said that the emergence of aquatic attractions such as Aquarabia Qiddiya City will diversify the Kingdom’s entertainment offerings, attracting a broad range of visitors, domestic and international.

Mathur noted “In neighbouring countries like UAE and Qatar, water parks have proven to be powerful tourist magnets, drawing millions of visitors and boosting their economies.”

Mathur also noted that facilities such as Water Village and the recently launched Cyan Water Park in Jeddah showcase the strong domestic appetite for water-based entertainment in the Kingdom.

BCG conducted a recent survey on the popularity of water parks among Saudis which revealed that over 70% of the Kingdom’s residents are interested in visiting water parks, indicating the mammoth potential of this sector in contributing to the county’s gross domestic product.

The report also highlighted an example of success which happened in Atlantis Dubai, which features over 2,300 rooms with additional villas.

According to the analysis, after the opening of Adventure World in 2008 Atlantis Dubai was able to fund its expansions through the profits of its investment in the park, along with attracting repeated guests.

The report noted “In 2023, the water park attracted 35-40% of visitors from the connected hotels and 60-65% from tourists and residents who purchased day passes for an approximate attendance of 1.8 million over the year.”

Mathur also echoed similar views and noted that an integrated resort accommodation within the water parks could positively impact their profitability.

“Integrated on-site accommodations is a game-changer for water parks, turning them into comprehensive leisure destinations. This approach invites visitors to extend their stay and significantly boosts spending. For example, Dubai’s Atlantis the Palm is a prime example of how integrated resorts can captivate local and international audiences.”

According to Mathur, another way to enhance the appeal of water parks in the Kingdom is by offering diverse dining and retail experiences.

He noted that a wide array of dining options and retail outlets are essential to enriching the visitor experience, catering to diverse tastes and preferences, and creating additional revenue streams.

“For instance, Qatar’s Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park, nestled within the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort, demonstrates how well-curated dining and shopping venues can enhance guest engagement and satisfaction beyond the water attractions themselves.

“These enhancements are essential to create memorable experiences, encourage repeat visits, and establish the parks as must-visit destinations.”

For more information on Endless Surf visit EndlessSurf.com

More information on WhiteWater 

Image top. Aquarabia Whitewater and Endless Surf's Surf Lagoon render; image below: Aquarabia attractions will be in the centre of the park at the iconic Camel Rock

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