Episode 362: Neil Dwyer talks about designing through the operator’s perspective, effective service recovery, and no challenge is unsolvable

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Neil Dwyer is the Vice President of Operations at Six Flags Qiddiya City, the largest amusement park in Saudi Arabia, opening in 2025. Neil's career began when a summer job as a ride operator sparked a lifelong passion for the attractions industry. Over the years, he has climbed the ranks, gaining invaluable experience at notable parks like Blackpool Pleasure Beach, IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai, and Global Village, a multicultural heritage park in Dubai. In this interview, Neil talks about designing through the operator's perspective, effective service recovery, and how no challenge is unsolvable.

Designing from the Operator's Perspective

"We've been fortunate enough to work with some really great architects and some really great designers who've just absolutely listened to everything that we wanted to do and we wanted to incorporate."

Neil explains how being involved in the early design stages of Six Flags Qiddia has been crucial to ensuring the park's success. By incorporating the operator's perspective, Neil and his team have focused on details like the operator's visibility in the control booth and guest flow throughout the park. This level of involvement has allowed them to address potential operational issues before they arise, leveraging advanced technology like 3D modeling to visualize and optimize every aspect of the guest experience.

Effective Service Recovery

"Just giving a free ticket and saying sorry is probably not enough to recover that service experience."

Neil discusses his findings from his master's thesis on guest service and service recovery, revealing that only 30% of guests who received free tickets after a negative experience returned to the park. This insight led Neil to understand that effective service recovery goes beyond offering compensation; it requires genuine apologies and thoughtful resolutions that leave a lasting positive impression on guests. He emphasizes the importance of empowering staff to address issues on the spot, ensuring that every guest feels heard and valued.

No Challenge is Unsolvable

"No challenge is unsolvable. We're going to have all these issues, but we're going to solve all of them. That's part of the fun of the game."

Neil's optimistic outlook on overcoming challenges is a driving force behind the development of Six Flags Qiddiya. He acknowledges the unique challenges of opening a theme park in a new market like Saudi Arabia, where there is limited local expertise in the attractions industry. However, Neil sees this as an opportunity rather than a setback, allowing his team to innovate without the constraints of "how things have always been done." This mindset has been instrumental in tackling the monumental task of building the world's tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster, Falcon's Flight.

To connect with Neil and learn more about his work, you can reach out to him on LinkedIn, where he is always open to networking and sharing insights from his extensive experience in the attractions industry.  For more information on Six Flags Qiddiya, visit their website.

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