Recognised for its continuous innovation and its role as game changer, Polin now has the ability to grow even faster as it is formally reorganised under Polin Group
Polin’s offering includes waterparks, attractions, game tech, aquariums, safari parks and theming
A major milestone for the Polin brand was recently reached with the establishment of Polin Holding under the brand name Polin Group. All of the companies and brands incorporated within Polin Group will to be housed under one of four main umbrellas: amusement attractions, composites manufacturing, park development and Funtastic parks.
Founded in 1976, Polin Waterparks has become a world leader in the design, production, engineering and installation of waterparks and waterplay structures while differentiating itself from competitors with its innovative solutions and sustained focus on research and development (R&D).
“This change recognises the new role that our company plays in the global amusement industry today,” says Dr Baris Pakis, president of Polin Holding. “Our company is recognised as a leader in the worldwide market. Many know us as the ‘game changer’ due to our innovation and success in completing 3,000 waterpark projects in 105 countries. We are confident that our company can become even more successful in the future.”
The company’s knowledgeable and creative team of engineers and designers have helped Polin to gain invaluable experience worldwide. Each team member shares their intelligence and successes with all other service units within the company, each now organised within its own structure and working toward the overall vision: to be “always innovative”, to deliver “worldwide superior quality” and to maintain the level of “technology leadership” for each individual brand.
The birth of Polin Holdings The internationally successful brands that Polin Waterparks created within its own organisation led to the firm’s decision to reshape its organisational structure and develop into a holding company.
With this renewed organisational plan, Polin Group aims to increase profitability, efficiency and the scope of the group by offering more integrated solutions. Ultimately, the new organisation will allow the business to meet the varying expectations for best-of-class products and services in the amusement parks industry The framework of the Polin Group will be:
• Amusement attractions, which includes Polin waterparks, attractions, game technologies, aquariums, safari parks and theming
• Composites manufacturing, which includes composites and the Fipol and Futuraform companies
• Park development, which includes the design studio, park services, project development and investment planning and management
• Funtastic parks, which includes Funtastic aquariums, Funtastic waterparks and Funtastic amusement parks
New management and structure At the top management level of Polin Holding, Baris Pakis has been named president, and Basar Pakis takes the reins as group CEO. Four units will be deliver support services to Polin Holdings: business development directorate, marketing and corporate communications directorate, strategy and human resources directorate and financial affairs directorate.
Within this context, there have been some organisational changes. Dr Kubilay Alpdogan has been appointed general manager of Polin Waterparks. Prior to this, Alpdogan was director of sales and design for five years and manager of sales and design for five years. Over these 10 years, Alpdogan has been managing the domestic and global sales teams, architectural and conceptual design teams. Before joining Polin, Alpdogan gained his career experience working with Arçelik-LG Electronics and EGS Bank and has and MSc in Engineering Management and PhD in Industrial Engineering.
Meanwhile, Bilge Pakis has been appointed to the position of sales and design director, having served as design manager of Polin Waterparks for 13 years.
Polin Group business development director Eyup Ispiroglu will be responsible for creating new products and services for the group companies. Marketing and corporate communications director Sohret Pakis will oversee marketing and communication activities of the Polin Group. Strategy and human resources director Muge Tolunay Gundogdu will handle all processes related to human resources. And financial affairs director Erdal Bulut will manage all finances.
Basar Pakis, CEO of Polin Group, says the new structure allows clients to receive all needed solutions under one umbrella with many value-added services.
“We will deliver the synergy that comes from a multi-levelled firm,” he explains. “From our fully qualified human resources staff to our self-improved organisational structure, we are truly a one-stop shop for our clients and partners.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Damien Hirst
Turner Prize-winning artist Damien Hirst exhibits a series of spot paintings and huge sculptures at a Norfolk stately home
People profile: Penka Kouneva
Movie and video game composer Penka Kouneva moves into the world of attractions with the Heroes and Legends exhibit and VR installations
Industry Opinion: Zoos & Aquariums
WAZA’s Sabrina Brando on providing animals with opportunities for choices, stimulating environments and enriching activities
Interview: Sultan Al Dhaheri
With the launch of Warner Bros World and
the Louvre in Abu Dhabi, the Department
of Culture and Tourism’s Sultan Al Dhaheri
explains how investing in attractions is
helping the emirate meet its tourism goals
Animal sanctuaries: Paws for Thought
The UK’s Big Cat Sanctuary is the subject
of a recent BBC documentary. Managing
director Giles Clark explains how the
facility works – and introduces Maya
the jaguar and Willow the cheetah
Science Centres: Getting Engaged
Researchers Dr Amy Seakins and
Dr Heather King explain how science
capital empowers science centres
to engage wider audiences in STEM,
plus European initiatives in action
Digital art: Light Fantastic
Tokyo-based digital art collective teamLab is
on a mission to change the way we interact
with and experience art. Magali Robathan
reports on the group’s installation work
and their upcoming museum launch
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
Recognised for its continuous innovation and its role as game changer, Polin now has the ability to grow even faster as it is formally reorganised under Polin Group
Polin’s offering includes waterparks, attractions, game tech, aquariums, safari parks and theming
A major milestone for the Polin brand was recently reached with the establishment of Polin Holding under the brand name Polin Group. All of the companies and brands incorporated within Polin Group will to be housed under one of four main umbrellas: amusement attractions, composites manufacturing, park development and Funtastic parks.
Founded in 1976, Polin Waterparks has become a world leader in the design, production, engineering and installation of waterparks and waterplay structures while differentiating itself from competitors with its innovative solutions and sustained focus on research and development (R&D).
“This change recognises the new role that our company plays in the global amusement industry today,” says Dr Baris Pakis, president of Polin Holding. “Our company is recognised as a leader in the worldwide market. Many know us as the ‘game changer’ due to our innovation and success in completing 3,000 waterpark projects in 105 countries. We are confident that our company can become even more successful in the future.”
The company’s knowledgeable and creative team of engineers and designers have helped Polin to gain invaluable experience worldwide. Each team member shares their intelligence and successes with all other service units within the company, each now organised within its own structure and working toward the overall vision: to be “always innovative”, to deliver “worldwide superior quality” and to maintain the level of “technology leadership” for each individual brand.
The birth of Polin Holdings The internationally successful brands that Polin Waterparks created within its own organisation led to the firm’s decision to reshape its organisational structure and develop into a holding company.
With this renewed organisational plan, Polin Group aims to increase profitability, efficiency and the scope of the group by offering more integrated solutions. Ultimately, the new organisation will allow the business to meet the varying expectations for best-of-class products and services in the amusement parks industry The framework of the Polin Group will be:
• Amusement attractions, which includes Polin waterparks, attractions, game technologies, aquariums, safari parks and theming
• Composites manufacturing, which includes composites and the Fipol and Futuraform companies
• Park development, which includes the design studio, park services, project development and investment planning and management
• Funtastic parks, which includes Funtastic aquariums, Funtastic waterparks and Funtastic amusement parks
New management and structure At the top management level of Polin Holding, Baris Pakis has been named president, and Basar Pakis takes the reins as group CEO. Four units will be deliver support services to Polin Holdings: business development directorate, marketing and corporate communications directorate, strategy and human resources directorate and financial affairs directorate.
Within this context, there have been some organisational changes. Dr Kubilay Alpdogan has been appointed general manager of Polin Waterparks. Prior to this, Alpdogan was director of sales and design for five years and manager of sales and design for five years. Over these 10 years, Alpdogan has been managing the domestic and global sales teams, architectural and conceptual design teams. Before joining Polin, Alpdogan gained his career experience working with Arçelik-LG Electronics and EGS Bank and has and MSc in Engineering Management and PhD in Industrial Engineering.
Meanwhile, Bilge Pakis has been appointed to the position of sales and design director, having served as design manager of Polin Waterparks for 13 years.
Polin Group business development director Eyup Ispiroglu will be responsible for creating new products and services for the group companies. Marketing and corporate communications director Sohret Pakis will oversee marketing and communication activities of the Polin Group. Strategy and human resources director Muge Tolunay Gundogdu will handle all processes related to human resources. And financial affairs director Erdal Bulut will manage all finances.
Basar Pakis, CEO of Polin Group, says the new structure allows clients to receive all needed solutions under one umbrella with many value-added services.
“We will deliver the synergy that comes from a multi-levelled firm,” he explains. “From our fully qualified human resources staff to our self-improved organisational structure, we are truly a one-stop shop for our clients and partners.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Damien Hirst
Turner Prize-winning artist Damien Hirst exhibits a series of spot paintings and huge sculptures at a Norfolk stately home
People profile: Penka Kouneva
Movie and video game composer Penka Kouneva moves into the world of attractions with the Heroes and Legends exhibit and VR installations
Industry Opinion: Zoos & Aquariums
WAZA’s Sabrina Brando on providing animals with opportunities for choices, stimulating environments and enriching activities
Interview: Sultan Al Dhaheri
With the launch of Warner Bros World and
the Louvre in Abu Dhabi, the Department
of Culture and Tourism’s Sultan Al Dhaheri
explains how investing in attractions is
helping the emirate meet its tourism goals
Animal sanctuaries: Paws for Thought
The UK’s Big Cat Sanctuary is the subject
of a recent BBC documentary. Managing
director Giles Clark explains how the
facility works – and introduces Maya
the jaguar and Willow the cheetah
Science Centres: Getting Engaged
Researchers Dr Amy Seakins and
Dr Heather King explain how science
capital empowers science centres
to engage wider audiences in STEM,
plus European initiatives in action
Digital art: Light Fantastic
Tokyo-based digital art collective teamLab is
on a mission to change the way we interact
with and experience art. Magali Robathan
reports on the group’s installation work
and their upcoming museum launch
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
LVMH-owned beauty house Guerlain will launch up to five spas with partners a year as part of
its plan to expand globally, according to the brand’s international spa and wellness director,
Diane Davody.
A new global study by Kevin Kelly and Peter Yesawich, called WELLSurvey 2.0, has revealed
more than half of consumers in the UK, US and Germany would not choose numerous high-
profile wellness resort brands for a future trip.
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
