Peter Visser
Maritieme CV
A profile of Peter D. Visser in the April 2003 Splash magazine of the World Waterpark Association (WWA).
Education and Professional Experience:
My formal education took place in the Netherlands and Spain.
High school and College: Amsterdam, Holland.
Merchant Navy Acadamy: Amsterdam, Holland.
History of Art – Spanish Language: University of Madrid, Spain.
Business Administration-Marketing: Madrid, Spain and Luxemburg.
For a period of seven years I served as a ship’s officer on passenger and cargo ships of the Dutch Merchant Navy.
From home bases of Singapore and Hong Kong, the company I worked for provided line services covering the
Far East, India, Africa, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. The experience made me feel global long
before globalization set in.
After seven years I decided to leave the Merchant Navy and try my luck ashore. The decision had something
to do with my love life at that time, of which I’ll spare you the details. A radical change in my education was
necessary. I went to Spain and took a degree in the History of Art and Spanish language at Madrid University
while simultaneously taking courses in Business Administration-Marketing and languages.
Afterwards I went to work and climbed the ladder to become director of “Keyfund S.A.”, an international mutual
fund based in Madrid and Luxembourg. The job required intensive travel in Europe and Latin America. It made
me feel even more global if possible. I then thought I had to become an entrepreneur.
With a partner I founded two companies, Brovis Projects S.A. and Brovis Trade S.A., dedicated to the develop-
ment and promotion of real estate projects (condominiums and senior citizen retirement centers). When I
received an interesting offer, I sold my majority share in the companies and took a leave of absence.
With my wife and young son I cruised the Mediterranean on my 40 feet ketch “Jol 2” for more than a year.
What made you go into this field?
I met an old friend of mine in one of the marinas where we called. He was starting a waterpark in the southern
part of Spain and needed someone with international business and marketing experience. He offered me the
job of Marketing Director.
It was not easy in the beginning as I had become used to self-employment, but I was promised relative freedom
of action, and in the end it worked out well. One thing I learned in the Merchant Navy was to take and give
orders and get out of the way in time.
What has been the greatest challenge in your waterpark career?
The greatest challenge was at the beginning, starting the waterpark from scratch as fas as the commercial
aspects were concerned, getting the marketing strategy right, getting the attendance, the per caps, the
bottom line results.
What has been the most enjoyable moment in your career?
There have been many moments, or rather, timespans. I get a lot of satisfaction out of creative work and good
results.
How did you first get involved with the WWA?
I attended the WWA convention in Orlando in 1989. I needed to become familiar with the industry in a rush, and
the WWA seemed the vehicle “par excellence” for that purpose. I am very grateful for the information provided
by and through the WWA. Especially Al Turner and Dave Brushi have been very helpful, and I feel indebted to the
WWA in many ways. Through them I was fortunate to meet many knowledgeable people in the business.
What is your current role/involvement with the WWA?
Since 1989 I have attended several WWA conventions, and over the years I have contributed with a few presen-
tations and articles on expansion, marketing and tourism for the Association’s Magazine.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
A number of things are going to happen. First of all my retirement age is coming up next year (Something I may
ignore or not). I also have a long list of things I want to do, so I want to take the time to do them.
How would you describe yourself to people who don’t know you in 100 words or less?
I am a competitive individual and team player in business and in sports. I like the game even if I can’t win.
I am interested in results but even more in how the results came about and why things happen. I like to work with
young people and give them as much freedom on the job as possible, so they can develop their potential quickly.
The good ones always respond well. I am impatient with incompetence and arrogance, and I have a quick temper.
Certain things can make me very angry. I have a keen sense of humour and enjoy a good laugh.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
As most people I enjoy spending time with friends and my family. I love sports and like to keep fit. In my younger
days I used to run 800 and 1500 meter races. Now I still take pride in running a marathon in just over three-and-
a-half hours. Apart from athletics, I enjoy sailing and skiing. I take great interest in art, with a preference for
music (classical, jazz, fado, tango etc.), literature and painting. It is the supreme expression of human talent and
genius, and this can really move me.
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
Sunday mornings.
Ships I sailed on:
Tsjisadane (assisant R/O) K.J.C.P.L.
Stanvac Sunda Stanvac
Kaloekoe K.P.M.
Straat Malakka K.J.C.P.L.
Eumaeus (two terms) Blue Funnel Line
Themis (coastal trip) K.N.S.M.
Pericles K.N.S.M.
Leiderkerk (coastal trip) V.N.S.
For more specific details of my life in the Dutch Merchant Navy see my websites in English and Dutch:
http://sites.google.com/site/fromboatingtosailing
and
