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News for the Hospitality Executive |
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Al Areen Holding Company Opens the Middle East's First
Fully-themed Water Park,
the US$ 50 Million Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park
 MANAMA,
Bahrain, September 3, 2007 - Signalling the start of operations for the
Middle East's newest, largest water park, H.E Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al
Khalifa, Minister of the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Bahrain, today officially
opened the US$ 50 million Lost Paradise of Dilmun (Lost Paradise) at a
special ceremony at Al Areen, Bahrain.
Lost Paradise is the most recent high tech water park in the Middle East, covering 77,000 square metres and featuring the very latest water park technology designed by Malaysia-based Sim Leisure Consultants, a leading water park designer. Constructed and installed by Canada's Whitewater West, the water slides, wave pool and interactive structures are the newest in the Gulf. Lost Paradise of Dilmun was launched at a press conference followed by a very high-profile evening function culminating in a dazzling firework finale. It was attended by more than 200 VIPs and guests including ambassadors and members of the Royal Court. The Middle East's first fully-themed water park opens to the public on 3 September. Shaikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Khalifa, Chairman of Al Areen Holding Company, said: "We're very excited and proud to announce that Bahrain's newest leisure destination is now open. Along with Banyan Tree Desert Resort & Spa and Al Areen development, we are optimistic Lost Paradise will soon become one of the region's leading tourist and leisure destinations." The Lost Paradise of Dilmun is the second component in the unique US$ 1.3 billion plus Al Areen development and is located near to the high-end luxury Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort. Spread over an area of 2 million square meters, Al Areen strengthens Bahrain's reputation as a leading luxurious family-oriented tourist destination. The park is extensively themed around the Kingdom of Bahrain's rich cultural history, from a time 4,000 years ago when Bahrain was the center of the Dilmun civilization; a place with an abundance of water, springs and shallow wells; the legendary source of eternal life. "Lost Paradise will not only act as the ideal leisure & entertainment destination for families in Bahrain but also those visiting from neighbouring GCC countries and from around the world," added Shaikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Khalifa. Divided into six zones, the park features 14 slides, pools and fountains, as well as themed food and drink outlets serving freshly-made Arab and Western fast food specialties and ice creams. Visitors are greeted by the park mascots, Delmo & Delma and an array of slides, including the Falcons' Dive, the giant Superbowl, Boomerango and the Family Raft Ride, the park's tallest water slide seating four people. 'The Souq', another unique feature of the park, is a 1,000 square meter retail area selling branded merchandise and souvenirs, resort wear and swimwear. Commenting on the uniqueness of the Lost Paradise of Dilmun, Mr. Paul Blunt, General Manager of Sim Leisure said: "What makes the Lost Paradise of Dilmun unique is that in addition to the unrivalled attraction of "Dilmun Artesian Spring", recreating the idea of Bahrain's ancient springs, Lost Paradise has the largest wave pool in the Middle East and the only one with a sandy beach, an attraction for visitors of all ages." The pool is enclosed by replicas of Dilmun ruins designed with thatched, shaded lounge areas and extensive landscaping. For children there is a large interactive wet play area, with an extensive range of theme-based play equipment offering a dozen slides, water sprays, water curtains, mini tip buckets and a host of knobs, swivels and levers to adjust and direct a series of jets and sprays. Around the wave pool, acting as a natural navigation path through the whole water park, is a lazy river which meanders through a series of themed tunnels, each with wall paintings, replicated ancient artefacts and treasures and accompanied by sounds and visual effects. Another unique feature shortly to be installed at the park is its use of 'cashless technology'. Each visitor is provided with a wristband carrying credit that can be topped-up at the park's Reload Station. Credit is then deducted from the wristband for any transaction made in the park - food, drink, merchandise and electronic lockers. While discovering the magic of Lost Paradise, the park's designers have installed the most modern water park technology on the market to protect visitors' health and safety, and reduce the park's environmental footprint. "Every one of the park's 10.5 million litres of fresh water is recycled to World Health Organisation standards and we have up to 70 lifeguards on duty at any one time," said Mr. Blunt. Inspired by Bahrain's long and distinguished heritage, in addition to the Lost Paradise of Dilmun and Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort, Al Areen is transforming its distinctive desert location into a diverse collection of themed luxury hotels, residential and commercial villages, entertainment and recreational facilities. The Al Areen Development The US$ 750 million Al Areen development is a vast and luxurious mixed-use health and family tourism development, located in the southern region of the Kingdom of Bahrain, next to the Al Areen Wildlife Sanctuary and close to the Bahrain International Circuit. Anchored around a spa and resort, operated by Banyan Tree, and a world-class water park, the project will develop a two-million square meter desert area to provide over two thousand villas, six hundred apartments, a large shopping mall, and hotels. The site is located within a thirty-five minute drive from Bahrain International Airport, and is approximately 20 minutes from the King Fahad Causeway and the central business district. |
| Contact:
Nicholas Wilson
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| Also See: | Ossis Property Developers B.S.C. Names JAL Hotels Co., Ltd. to Operate Luxury Resort on the Amwaj Islands, the Man-made Islands Off the Coast of Bahrain / August 2006 |
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