Hotel Online’s 2017 report for the North American waterpark industry predicts continued expansion for 2017, with more than 40 new facilities and expansions opening this year.
The report notes that there was investment of over $550 million in indoor and outdoor waterparks and related resorts in 2016.
16 municipal and nine private outdoor waterparks are due to open in 2017. This is an increase on 2016’s nine municipal and five private outdoor additions. Municipalities continue to add waterparks as recreational facilities particularly in southern states.
Growth is expected to be slower in the indoor segment, where an additional 243,000 square feet of waterpark are planned.
Most anticipate new openings for 2017 include Universal Orlando Resort’s Volcano Bay and the Kalahari Resort phase two expansion in Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania.
A new trend is the opening of large scale outdoor surf parks, for example BSR Surf Ranch in Waco, Texas.
Image: Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando Resort
