In Emilia Romagna, tourism is multifaceted, offering an endless range of possibilities. This is the most dynamic Italian region in the tourism business. Since 1987, a remarkable attraction has opened in Riccione, named Aquafan, which is more than a simple water park, but a real testing lab for new forms of entertainment and fun addressed to children and adults. Today, after more than thirty-five years since its opening, Aquafan covers an area of over ninety thousand square metres. It includes three kilometres of slides and almost eight thousand cubic metres of water, which is heated and sanitized with cutting-edge technology. Besides, to avoid any waste, it is surrounded by a green area with more than ten thousand trees.
The park’s attractions have names that all the fans of this kind of entertainment come to learn: from Kamikaze, Extreme River, Twist, Togas and many others, to the Wave Pool. There are also three areas especially equipped for the safe fun of the youngest. Among them, the most popular is Arca Beach, together with the Elephant pool addressed mainly to children. Even if the water is obviously the most important element, Aquafan of Riccione offers many other attractions, like the “Village”, with Radio Deejay broadcasting live.
Its success is confirmed by figures: 500.000 visitors a year, consuming an average of 850.000 drinks, 90.000 piadinas (so typical here!), 180.000 main courses, 50.000 kg fruit and 200.000 coffee cups. During a whole season, 1.000 slides’ rafts are worn out, and 210 people are employed as staff for 700 beach umbrellas and 3.000 sun loungers. Aquafan is also a location for events, fashion shows and dinners, often with the typical products of the region.