The Al Areen Holding Company appoints General Manager to steer fast-track development of The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park

Mr. Blunt brings to his new post over 20 years experience in the theme park industry, specializing in water parks, and an excellent understanding of developing start-up parks in emerging markets.

Commenting on Mr. Blunt's appointment, Eng. Waleed Saffy, General Manager of the Al Areen Holding Company, said: "The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park is a key component of the Al Areen development as well as the entire tourism landscape of Bahrain and the region. It was therefore imperative that we assigned the best person to drive the project."

"We welcome Mr. Blunt on board, and we are confident that he will contribute immensely - through his vast global experience - to the setting up and subsequent operations of The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park,"

added Mr. Saffy.

The US$50 million water park, being designed and operated by Sim Leisure, Malaysia aims to showcase Bahrain's long and rich history. Located at the northern end of the Al Areen development, it is one of the more prominent locations within the development, adding greater value to this unique recreational venue. Spread across more than 70,000 square meters, the water park is adjacent to the shopping mall complex within Al Areen, a luxury resort at the eastern edge of the mixed-use project and the Al Areen Wildlife Sanctuary.

Commenting on his new assignment, Mr. Blunt said: "I am confident that The Lost Paradise of Dilmun is going to be one of the most rewarding projects I have worked on to date. Additionally, I am confident that Bahrain will be surprised by the overall quality and excellence of the finished product. It will be a landmark in Bahrain's development as a tourism destination and will be of a standard that would rival any of the best theme parks in the world."

Mr. Blunt's interest in water parks was first sparked in the UK, from where he moved to Wet'n'Wild in Australia. In Europe, he consulted on the building and development of the first water park in Cyprus before traveling to Malaysia, where he was involved in a rooftop water park project. Mr. Blunt then worked as the General Manager of Bukit Merah Laketown Resort in Perak, Malaysia for five years before moving to the Sunway Group to oversee construction and operations of their water park venture. Mr. Blunt's last assignment was with Sim Leisure, where he was hired to consult on projects in Vietnam, Bulgaria, Malaysia, Sabah and the Middle East.