City folk seek water parks to beat the heat

As summer days approach and high-temperature lock people, especially children, in their homes, one activity that would have given an occasional reprieve is the water theme park.

Even the famed beaches are a no-go during summer.

Apart from two such parks in Nizwa and Salalah, children of the Sultanate of Oman are deprived of such activities, forcing them to look for avenues in neighbouring countries or elsewhere.

According to industry analysts and the World Waterpark Association, water parks in North America, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America generate over $10 billion in revenues from millions of visitors.

“Water park is the only good outdoor option during summer, and we just do not have it here in the Sultanate of Oman. Now, we have two snow parks, but they are expensive and cannot be visited regularly. Some water parks, even small, in and around the city, would have been useful,” said Mustafa al Balushi, who takes his children to water parks abroad every year.

Several countries, including less developed countries, have water parks attracting many visitors and revenues every year.

“I come from Dhaka; we do have a couple of good water parks in the city to take our kids during summer vacation. It is a long time since we have it here in the Sultanate of Oman, which everyone has missed,” said Mustaq Hassan, an expatriate from Bangladesh.

Park operators do have their challenges, like uninterrupted water supply, water treatment, and round-the-clock maintenance. Now all eyes are on the development of Hayy al Sharq, a world-class multi-cluster 1.5 million sqm entertainment and leisure theme park, which will be built in Barka.

Apart from an integrated theme park and other entertainment options, it will also have water parks.

Hawana Aqua Park in Salalah is the first entertainment venue of its kind in Oman. It has been hugely popular since opening its doors, while Wadina Waterpark in Nizwa is around an hour and a half away from Muscat. However small, it is the only one available nearest to the capital.