Henk Bemboom Dies at the Age of 93

Henk Bemboom, founder of Dutch theme park Slagharen, recently passed away on 27 May 2014 at the age of 93. Bemboom opened the Dutch Ponypark Slagharen in 1963 which was renamed Attractiepark Slagharen in 1998. “Give people value for their money, and they’ll come back” is the motto according to which the Bemboom family developed and expanded the holiday park with Shetland pony riding and bungalows to a theme park resort with many different leisure attractions over the years. In 2012, the holiday and theme park was sold to the Spanish Parques Reunidos group. As one of the first theme park operators, Bemboom introduced to his park in 1973 what today is a standard in most of the theme parks worldwide: all-inclusive-pricing that enables visitors to only pay once and enjoy all rides and attractions in a park. Henk Bemboom received an award of the VDV (German Association of Amusement Machinery & Accessory Manufacturers) for his achievements and services within the attractions industry in 2000 and was inducted to the IAAPA Hall of Fame one year later. (eap)