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From The Industry: Notre Dame two years on, Tracy McGrady’s new restaurant and the plants of Jurassic World

Rounding up all the biggest news from both publications and associations, here is this week’s edition of From the Industry

In this week’s edition of From The Industry, damage caused by COVID and the hope for recovery are two big themes. Meanwhile projects continue to move forward, while attractions operate the best can in a pandemic world.

Rebuilding, reopening, releasing

First up is James Longman, foreign correspondent for ABC News, who this week took a tour of Notre Dame Cathedral nearly two years on from the major fire which nearly destroyed the centuries-old icon of Paris. Through a Twitter thread, Longman offered a behind-the-scenes look at the ongoing renovations to the building against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, with Disney’s California Adventure set to temporarily reopen as a dining experience, Inside the Magic asks: How much would you pay to experience Disneyland without rides?

At Blooloop, the industry source has spoken to Frank Dame, CEO of Florida’s Clearwater Marine Aquarium, who detailed its mission to rescue, rehab and release marine animals.


Credit: Unsplash

The impact of COVID

In a new report, the Network of European Museum Organisations (NEMO) has analysed how museums have been affected by the pandemic, with emerging themes including consequences of losses, digital offers and organisations' readiness to adapt.

Staying in the world of museums, in the UK, the announcement of a government summit on contested history has raised alarm bells over the editorial integrity of the sector, according to the Museums Association’s Museums Journal.

Meanwhile, in a report from Attractions Magazine, Tracy McGrady, NBA Hall of Famer and former Orlando Magic player, has announced plans to open a restaurant later this month.

Helsinki is set to host its first ever biennial in 2021 and the Museums + Heritage Advisor asks if the inaugural event set the standard for other international events to follow in areas such as sustainable tourism and making positive contributions to the local community and economy?


Credit: Universal

Jurassic plants

Discover Universal Blog has continued to highlight the upcoming VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, this time taking a deep dive into the plant life included in the attraction.

Speaking to “The Tree Guy” Neal Diebold, the blog looks at how Universal have created a prehistoric jungle environment for the Jurassic World-themed ride.

From Tourism Review, the US has recommended its citizens avoid travel to Tanzania, which has denied having any Coronavirus cases despite reports suggesting the opposite, while the country's authorities are refusing to vaccinate and suggest using traditional medicine as prevention for the disease.

In the art world, Art News has covered the resignation of the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s president, Charles Venable, after the institution listed a job seeking a director who could maintain its “traditional, core, white art audience.”

Connect - the official publication of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) - has written about creating safe visitor experiences within the community of animal attractions.

Ready Player One

Sound designer Jerry Thompson is in the spotlight at Amusement RC, with the Stern Pinball worker explaining how he puts together sounds in pinball machines.

And finally, RePlay Magazine has highlighted a new project from Atari founder Nolan Bushnell, who is crowdsourcing the world’s first act-it-out party game offering enhanced gameplay through the smart speakers Amazon Alexa and Google Home.