Europa-Park Plans to Build New Hotel Near Rulantica Water World

(eap) With most recently more than seven million visitors, Germany’s Europa-Park Erlebnis-Resort in Rust (Baden-Württemberg) ranks among Europe’s most visited theme park resorts. The destination comprises the theme park, which has been in operation for 50 years, the Rulantica water world, the Eatrenalin immersive dining experience, the YULLBE VR attraction, as well as six on-site hotels and soon, the Wild West-themed “Riverside Western Lodge” accommodation offer within the “Silver Lake City”. In response to growing demand for multi-day stays, the resort is planning a further expansion of its hotel capacities in the future. A new hotel development is envisaged on a 1.37-hectare site located north of Rulantica. The property is expected to offer up to 350 rooms. However, a further amendment to the development plan for the water park area would first be required. In addition, a new mobility concept would envisage, among other measures, the construction of a new parking deck to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic volumes around Rulantica.

“First of all, we want to initiate the planning procedure so that – should we decide to proceed with the hotel development – implementation can follow accordingly,” explains Michael Kreft von Byrn, Director of Rulantica, in an interview with EAP. In order to even begin the project, the zoning plan must first be adjusted. Various infrastructure measures also need to be implemented in advance. “Another key prerequisite is the development of new staff accommodation, as a hotel project of this scale naturally involves the recruitment of a significant number of additional employees,” says Kreft von Byern.

Following the hotels “El Andaluz” (1995), “Castillo Alcazar” (1999), “Colosseo” (2004), “Santa Isabel” (2007), “Bell Rock” (2012) and “Krønasår” (2019), as well as the Riverside Western Lodge, this would be the seventh respectively eighth hotel at the destination. The new hotel, which would then complement the complex between Krønasår and Rulantica, will also feature a Nordic design. “The immediate path towards the new accommodation offering will therefore be initially characterized by infrastructure measures and approval procedures, for which no clear timeline has yet been defined,” Kreft von Byrn concludes. “Given the number of projects currently in our pipeline, it is essential to identify the right timing and to align our projects closely with demand.” Incidentally, visitors to the Rulantica water world can still experience the "Nordic Festival of Lights" until 27 March, which, according to Michael Kreft from Byern, “has already been an absolute success.” ■