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Chris Perry wrestles alligators on
Epic Attractions / PHOTO: Courtesy of Travel Channel
At the start of the year, WhiteWater West named waterpark veteran and TV host Chris Perry as the company’s new executive vice president of strategic partnerships.
Anyone who’s tuned into Epic Attractions on the Travel Channel will recognise the fearless host – whether he’s harnessed to the top of Cedar Point’s Millennium Force performing the safety checks, or freefalling on a 80kph (50mph) waterslide in Area 47.
Aside from his TV fame, Perry has worked in the waterpark sector for years, a passion he inherited from his father.
“My father ran aquatic facilities when I was young,” Perry says. “I grew up around the pool doing everything from picking up garbage, to cleaning toilets, to selling season passes until I eventually became old enough to become a lifeguard.”
His experience led him to Wild Wadi, where he stayed for 15 years, eight as general manager. He oversaw the waterpark and aquatic safety for a number of hotels around the world. While there, he led his team to several industry awards and oversaw the waterpark becoming ISO and Green Globe certified.
In his new job at the Canada-based waterpark supply and design firm, Perry is taking on a more strategic role, focusing on building relationships with existing clients and partners as well as finding new business avenues. He’ll also be looking for ways WhiteWater can improve the service it provides to operators and the overall experience for guests.
“WhiteWater’s vision is to ‘create play experiences that wow the world’,” Perry says. “The company really wants to be the best. Coming from many years as a waterpark operator, I’m in an interesting position to help WhiteWater understand what clients want and what they need to do in order to deliver these ‘wow’ experiences. I’m only interested in being with a company at the leading edge, so WhiteWater is a perfect match for me.”
Although there are no current plans to produce a second season of Epic Attractions, Perry and the Travel Channel have been discussing possible collaborations in the future. We’ll have to wait and see if it will be as hair-raising.
“The scariest thing I did for Epic Attractions was being in the water with the alligators at Gatorland in Orlando,” he says. “I was thigh-deep in water with the general manager and we were feeding the gators, with no real escape route if something happened. I think my producers were just as nervous as I was.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Promotional feature: IDEATTACK
IDEATTACK’s new project in Hainan, China,
introduces the storytelling elements of a
theme park to the oceanarium concept
Science Museums: Shaping Tomorrow
Brazil’s Museum of Tomorrow uses
constantly updating, real-time digital
collection to communicate with visitors.
We met members of the team
Promotional feature: EAS
This year, the Euro Attractions Show is
coming to the Spanish city of Barcelona
Disney Special: Shanghai Disney: The Best Yet?
As Disney opens its first resort in mainland
China, our special feature examines its
business model, its potential impact and
the modernisation of the Disney castle park
New Openings: Space Inversion
A new contemporary museum district
in the Netherlands – Museumplein
Limburg – features a science centre,
a design museum and an inverted
planetarium. We take a closer look
Promotional feature: Polin
Polin’s patented technologies, extensive R&D and creative flair have made it one of the world’s leading waterpark design and manufacturing companies
Waterparks: Taking the Plunge
Waterpark suppliers constantly develop
their product offers. We dive into the
world of waterpark R&D to find out more
Zoos & Aquariums: The Long Game
UK safari park Longleat is undertaking a
decade-long upgrade that starts by going
back to its roots. As the attraction turns
50, CEO Bob Montgomery explains how
he’s bridging the past and the future
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest
wellbeing innovation: Silent Loads, an approach designed to meet the needs of modern spa
guests with precision and depth. [more...]
Chris Perry wrestles alligators on
Epic Attractions / PHOTO: Courtesy of Travel Channel
At the start of the year, WhiteWater West named waterpark veteran and TV host Chris Perry as the company’s new executive vice president of strategic partnerships.
Anyone who’s tuned into Epic Attractions on the Travel Channel will recognise the fearless host – whether he’s harnessed to the top of Cedar Point’s Millennium Force performing the safety checks, or freefalling on a 80kph (50mph) waterslide in Area 47.
Aside from his TV fame, Perry has worked in the waterpark sector for years, a passion he inherited from his father.
“My father ran aquatic facilities when I was young,” Perry says. “I grew up around the pool doing everything from picking up garbage, to cleaning toilets, to selling season passes until I eventually became old enough to become a lifeguard.”
His experience led him to Wild Wadi, where he stayed for 15 years, eight as general manager. He oversaw the waterpark and aquatic safety for a number of hotels around the world. While there, he led his team to several industry awards and oversaw the waterpark becoming ISO and Green Globe certified.
In his new job at the Canada-based waterpark supply and design firm, Perry is taking on a more strategic role, focusing on building relationships with existing clients and partners as well as finding new business avenues. He’ll also be looking for ways WhiteWater can improve the service it provides to operators and the overall experience for guests.
“WhiteWater’s vision is to ‘create play experiences that wow the world’,” Perry says. “The company really wants to be the best. Coming from many years as a waterpark operator, I’m in an interesting position to help WhiteWater understand what clients want and what they need to do in order to deliver these ‘wow’ experiences. I’m only interested in being with a company at the leading edge, so WhiteWater is a perfect match for me.”
Although there are no current plans to produce a second season of Epic Attractions, Perry and the Travel Channel have been discussing possible collaborations in the future. We’ll have to wait and see if it will be as hair-raising.
“The scariest thing I did for Epic Attractions was being in the water with the alligators at Gatorland in Orlando,” he says. “I was thigh-deep in water with the general manager and we were feeding the gators, with no real escape route if something happened. I think my producers were just as nervous as I was.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Promotional feature: IDEATTACK
IDEATTACK’s new project in Hainan, China,
introduces the storytelling elements of a
theme park to the oceanarium concept
Science Museums: Shaping Tomorrow
Brazil’s Museum of Tomorrow uses
constantly updating, real-time digital
collection to communicate with visitors.
We met members of the team
Promotional feature: EAS
This year, the Euro Attractions Show is
coming to the Spanish city of Barcelona
Disney Special: Shanghai Disney: The Best Yet?
As Disney opens its first resort in mainland
China, our special feature examines its
business model, its potential impact and
the modernisation of the Disney castle park
New Openings: Space Inversion
A new contemporary museum district
in the Netherlands – Museumplein
Limburg – features a science centre,
a design museum and an inverted
planetarium. We take a closer look
Promotional feature: Polin
Polin’s patented technologies, extensive R&D and creative flair have made it one of the world’s leading waterpark design and manufacturing companies
Waterparks: Taking the Plunge
Waterpark suppliers constantly develop
their product offers. We dive into the
world of waterpark R&D to find out more
Zoos & Aquariums: The Long Game
UK safari park Longleat is undertaking a
decade-long upgrade that starts by going
back to its roots. As the attraction turns
50, CEO Bob Montgomery explains how
he’s bridging the past and the future
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest
wellbeing innovation: Silent Loads, an approach designed to meet the needs of modern spa
guests with precision and depth. [more...]
