December 2021 - Arihant Waterslides
Rise of Resorts and Campgrounds – The short break holiday trend

Rise of Resorts and Campgrounds – The short break holiday trend

Given the fact that every individual was confined to their four walls involuntarily during the pandemic, they are now wanting to step out desperately! As we approach 2022 many countries have cautiously reopened after months of lockdowns while people are seeking to return to normal life in their own safe ways. The pandemic has not just changed the nature of work; it has also changed the way people vacation as well.

If 2019 was the year of road trips, 2020 & 2021 have been the years of Resorts and Campgrounds.

With the ongoing ‘workcation’ trend, people are now planning on spending multiple short weeks away. Of course, part of this has to do with the travel restrictions to countries, making domestic travel more convenient. These large facilities encompassed in nature give a sense of safety as well.

Short-week stays are on the rise especially with small families who are willing to spend for an all-inclusive facility with kids’ play zone, waterpark, and spas that can be enjoyed throughout their 5-7 days stay! A survey conducted among the Campgrounds in the US and Europe concluded that the campgrounds have had profitable business in the last 2 years of lockdown! Club Med Sandpiper Bay, an all-inclusive resort between Miami and Orlando, has seen a 9% year-over-year increase in 4-5 night reservations from June to October. 4-6 night stays are up 55% over last year at The Foundry Hotel, a boutique hotel in Asheville, N.C. Such growth statistics are not uncommon.

As the global phenomenon of JOLA (Joy of looking ahead) settles in, families and groups are planning way ahead and paying in advance for their upcoming short stays.

Campground chains like Jellystone in US and Capfun in Europe have benefited immensely from uplifting their spaces. North Jellystone in Texas calls it their ‘’Best Decision Ever’’ to add a waterplay structure to their facility which has helped them double their reservations.

It is evident that with families making the short stay trend famous, they are looking out for facilities where kids can enjoy the entire day and beat the heat while parents work virtually. Thus it becomes more and more important to have a play zone and a water attraction zone in your facility where kids and adults spend hours. Converting an open space in a dry play zone, revamping an existing pool with a slides tower, adding a waterplay structure, or a small spray park in a vacant space will add that extra bling to your facility and help stand out keeping the guests entertained for days. The addition of an entertainment / water zone automatically translates to added revenue for the facility.

As the after effect of the pandemic, people across the globe are ready to take the plunge, move out and spend on the travel and relaxation, and travel industry is set to move towards guest experience than just service.

Arihant’s Managing Director Accepts 2021 IAAPA Outstanding Service Award

Rajen Shah, the managing director of Arihant Water Park Equipment, received the 2021 IAAPA Outstanding Service Award at the IAAPA Expo held between 15-19th November.

His award was announced earlier this year in September; this was the ceremony where the IAAPA officially extended it to him, with the accompanying commendations and backstory.

In the online award show relayed through a live video stream, the award presenter described Mr. Shah’s extensive accomplishments in the global attractions industry, including his part in the IAAPA itself—where he has served as a member for 16 years, and whose board of directors he currently sits on.

His candidacy for this prestigious award was based on the hard-earned fruits of his 37-year career in the water park equipment industry, the highlights of which include establishing the first attractions industry manufacturing operation in India, and being the first Indian manufacturer to export attractions products globally.

Mr. Shah, responding to his award, mentioned that he was humbled by the recognition for his work, and briefly thanked the IAAPA for being instrumental in his continued success—for helping him create a significant network of business associates and friends in the global attractions industry.

He also thanked the Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industries (IAAPI) for bringing him to recognition with the IAAPA. Giving credit for the award to his team in Arihant Industrial Corporation, he extolled their hard work, customer-centricity, and dedication to the industry’s cause of bringing joy to people all over the world in this time of stress and worry.

Rounding off his words of gratitude, he thanked his wife, Neeta Shah; daughter, Niral Shah; and son, Darpan Shah, for encouraging him on the long journey with the company. He closed his address with an encouragement to the global attractions industry, urging them to press on in their cause of spreading happiness, bonding families, and using ingenuity to reduce the tension and depression all over the world.

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) represents more than 6,000 amusement and attractions industry members in more than 100 countries. Its annual IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Florida, is considered the world’s largest attractions trade show in terms of member attendance and exhibitors.

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