Riding the heatwave: Water parks in India see surge in summer footfall

The rush is part of a larger trend where theme parks are seeing a surge in footfall, translating into a significant chunk of their annual revenue

With an early onset of summer and mercury levels rising, crowds are making a beeline for water-themed parks to escape the relentless sun. The rush is part of a larger trend where theme parks are seeing a surge in footfall, translating into a significant chunk of their annual revenue.

This demand spike is not confined to India alone, the global water rides market was valued at $2.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to nearly double to $4.6 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.7 per cent, as per a report by Data Intelo. The Asia-Pacific region, in particular, is witnessing rapid growth, driven by evolving consumer preferences and rising investments.

In India, summer demand has translated into a robust visitor turnout for players like Wonderla and Imagicaa. Imagicaa has recorded a 60-70 per cent rise in footfall compared to last year, despite ongoing school exams. Meanwhile, Wonderla reports that summer alone contributes nearly 40-45 per cent of its annual ticketing revenue

While water parks in most states are largely seasonal, drawing the biggest crowds during peak summer, some regions experience sustained demand. “In states like Tamil Nadu and possibly Kerala, where the summer season stretches longer, it’s business is as usual almost every day,” says Harish Bijoor, Business & Brand Strategy Expert.

Wonderla has observed significant seasonal spikes in specific locations. Its Bhubaneswar Park attracted nearly 60 per cent of its annual footfall during this period, while Hyderabad saw close to 50 per cent of its total visitors in the summer months.