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(Clockwise from top left) Pirañ a water ride; the Fairytale Tree; Polle’s Kitchen; one of the park’s golf courses; Donkey lift your tail; The wolf and the seven little kids


Polle’s Kitchen opened this year and is the fi rst part of Fantasy realm – Efteling’s most expensive expansion


ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY Despite embracing technology, Efteling is still very aware of its environmental policies, although de Boer points out that they have quite a mixed approach. “Of course we use as many environmental systems as we can,” he explains. “We purify sewer water from the community of Kaatsheuvel with our own helophyte fi lter. This water is used for watering Efteling’s


parks and greenery, the Efteling Golf Park and for Efteling’s lakes and water-based attractions as well as the lake in Efteling Village Bosrijk. We’ve been doing that for 10 years so were very advanced in that area. However, we offer people a day away from everything and don’t want them to be worrying about how they can save the envi- ronment – we want them to relax.


AM 2 2012 ©cybertrek 2012


CAREER HISTORY De Boer was approached for the role of CEO in 2008, but had offi cially applied for the appointment a decade before. “Back then they said I wasn’t qualifi ed, so to later be approached for the role is sweet revenge,” he laughs. Prior to Efteling, de Boer worked at


a company which is now part of Center Parcs, for fi lm distributor Filmnet and then for Eindhoven Airport. Efteling’s product and its broadness appealed to de Boer. “How many jobs involve making a tv series, expanding a resort and choosing a new dragon?” he asks. “Yes, the job involves managing 2,200 staff and we have to make a profi t and big investments, but it’s a job with a very intriguing product and I have the ability to expand it, which makes it


wonderful. And everyone loves Efteling,” he adds. “The name always brings a smile to people’s faces.” De Boer is actively involved with IAAPA and is president of the European Advisory Board. “The contacts at IAAPA are very good,” he remarks. “In just three years I got to know many people in the attractions industry and that’s remarkable.” De Boer is keeping quiet about future


developments for Efteling. “We have growth plans and know exactly what we want to do, but I’m not going to tell you what they are,” he laughs. One thing’s for sure, he’ll be involved in ensuring those plans come to fruition. “I’m 61, but I’m not even thinking about quitting – I like it here much too much,” he says. “As long as they want me here, I’ll stay.” ●


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