WhiteWater: Innovation key to future of Saudi entertainment industry
SEA Expo 2023 is aligned with the progress of the Kingdom’s giga-projects
Riyadh;
WhiteWater participated in SEA Expo 2023 in Riyadh, which gathered influential decision-makers and innovators from across the Middle East’s entertainment industry. The event, which took place on May 28-30, spotlighted opportunities to enhance the leisure industry’s future in the Kingdom.
Saudi Shopper recently spoke with Cassidy Newman, Regional Marketing Lead at WhiteWater, to know more about WhiteWater’s participation in SEA Expo and what they aimed to achieve through this involvement.
Newman exuded confidence in joining the event for the fourth time and said the summit was well-timed to align with the progress of the Kingdom’s giga-projects that are transitioning from the design phase to realization.
“The expo gave us an insight into the trends in the marketplace and also the rising role of women in the entertainment sector,” she said.
Potential customers
Commenting on WhiteWater’s participation in such summits of global importance, Newman said such tradeshows provide a unique opportunity for company representatives to meet and interact with potential customers and individuals to collaborate with, as SEA Expo brings together professionals from various fields within the region.
Moreover, WhiteWater’s presence at the event was highly productive. The company introduced a lifelike model of the popular water slide tower called ‘Icon Tower,’ which will be located at Qetaifan Island North in Qatar. This towering structure, Newman said, will break two world records, boasting the highest number of water slides from a single tower (12) and the tallest water slide tower in the world at a height of 85 meters.
Kingdom’s Plans
Newman was quite confident about the Kingdom’s ambitious plans to invest billions of dollars in the entertainment sector. “With the Kingdom’s plans and substantial investment in the entertainment sector driven by Vision 2030, the future of the industry in Saudi Arabia is set to be characterized by innovation,” she said.
Developers are pushing boundaries, introducing concepts like integrating water ride attractions into hotel water parks for inclusivity and creating surf pools for competitions and guest enjoyment in the desert, she told Saudi Shopper.
Furthermore, sustainability will play a significant role, with giga-projects incorporating eco-friendly practices into their construction and design processes. The industry aims to align with Vision 2030’s renewable energy goals and seek responsible methods to power attractions. Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector is poised for awe-inspiring and responsible growth, merging imagination, sustainability, and thrilling experiences.
Sustainability
When it comes to sustainability, WhiteWater takes a holistic approach. Speaking about her company’s contributions to the development of sustainable water parks in the Kingdom, Newman said: “Our focus is on incorporating sustainable practices that enable efficient water filtration.”
She added: “We have a dedicated team of in-house architects who adopt a comprehensive approach to development, ensuring that our concept designs not only incorporate green materials but also enhance landscaping to promote carbon absorption, provide a natural shade, and reduce the need for excessive irrigation.”
“Moreover, WhiteWater employs advanced techniques like 3D modeling and proprietary simulations, which enable us to optimize designs, thus minimizing water loss and ensuring accurate pump specifications. By getting the pump size right, pools can be appropriately sized, leading to reduced water usage, chemical consumption, and concrete requirements. All three factors help the owner to not only reduce their carbon emissions but also their water and energy costs,” she added.
Business opportunities
Commenting on business opportunities in the Kingdom’s thriving leisure and entertainment industry, Newman said the hospitality sector holds immense potential. The influx of tourists will require accommodations, and investors and developers have a prime opportunity to capitalize on this demand.
“We are proud to have played a role in helping multiple hotels and resorts unlock their potential by identifying opportunities to drive ancillary revenue and enhance the guest experience within the GCC,” she said.
WhiteWater assisted in the addition of aquatic amenities at popular destinations such as JA Resort in Dubai, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, and Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha, Newman added.
