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'Culture' on Planet Attractions | Planet Attractions

'Culture' on Planet Attractions

		Myths come to life at Ripley’s Aquarium’s newest Toronto exhibit Fantasy fans and nature enthusiasts rejoice! There’s an epic new exhibit at Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto and it’s all about legendary dragons. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 06 Sep 2024

		Government probe announced as dynamic pricing takes the spotlight in Oasis ticket controversy The British government has announced a probe into the use of dynamic pricing after ticket seller Ticketmaster significantly increased costs for the Oasis reunion while customers sat in a virtual queue Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 03 Sep 2024

		Busch Gardens' oldest rollercoaster set to close after 44 years Lines were long on Saturday for Busch Gardens’ oldest roller coaster, Scorpion, that had just a few days left before it closes operations. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 02 Sep 2024

		Alterface, ETF and Jora Vision unveil new dark ride attraction coming to Six Flags Qiddiya City A trio of suppliers have joined forces on Enchanted Greenhouse - an interactive dark ride attraction coming to the under-development Six Flags Qiddiya City Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 13 Aug 2024

		Network of 40 French museums hit by ransomware attack Hackers have targeted the central data system for 40 French museums, unleashing a network-wide ransomware attack on the country's culture sector Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 07 Aug 2024

		Lincoln Park Zoo recognised as botanic garden Lincoln Park Zoo will now be recognized as an accredited botanic garden by the Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 07 Aug 2024

		Tottenham Hotspur launches heritage tour Tottenham Hotspur is delighted to launch its first-ever Heritage Tour, detailing the incredible story of the history, architecture and people that make up the past, present and future of the Club and its local area. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 06 Aug 2024

		Russian culture ‘fully returning to 1930s era of control and censorship’ says critic A prominent Russian critic has said that the country’s culture scene is ‘fully returning to the 1930s era of control and censorship’ following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 06 Aug 2024

		Government to meet Universal theme park bosses The government has said it will meet with a company that has plans to bring a new Universal Theme Park to the UK. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 05 Aug 2024

		France's Rodin Museum moves from Shenzhen to Shanghai for China outpost plan The Paris-based Musée Rodin will open its first international branch in China this September, after changing its plans to open in Shenzhen, opting instead for a satellite site in Shanghai. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 01 Aug 2024

		Fantawild’s Glorious Orient theme park opens in China A new theme park has opened to the public in Jining China, with Glorious Orient the fourth such branded attraction to open from operator Fantawild Dark Ride Database \| 22 Jul 2024

		What’s the latest? There’s been a lot going on in the world of attractions over the last week. Here are some of the headlines: Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 22 Jul 2024

		Former British Museum director Hartwig Fischer gets new role in Saudi Arabia Last summer, Hartwig Fischer resigned as the director of the British Museum, just days after it emerged that the museum had fired a curator who was suspected of looting gems from its storerooms. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 19 Jul 2024

		Record-breaking stegosaurus could be making its way to US institution following US$44.6m purchase The buyer of a record-setting stegosaurus skeleton has said it is going to ‘stay in America’, with the US$44.6m ‘Apex’ thought to be making its way to a US institution in the near future Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 19 Jul 2024

		Former BBC director general Lord Hall named new Natural History Museum chairman Lord Hall has been appointed chairman of the Natural History Museum, his first major appointment since quitting a previous post over his involvement in a BBC scandal Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 17 Jul 2024

		Culture sector must move past the 'climate of distrust', says Arts Council chief executive With a change in government following last week’s General Election, the culture sector must move past the “climate of distrust” created by the stoking of the culture wars, says Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England (ACE). Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 16 Jul 2024

		London’s Science Museum cuts ties with oil giant Equinor for failing to meet climate goals The London Science Museum has cut ties with oil giant Equinor after it was revealed the museum had voiced concerns over the energy giant's decarbonisation efforts Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 16 Jul 2024

		Nazi-era bunker undergoes €100m transformation to become green attraction and hotel A fort-like structure built by the Nazi’s during World War II has undergone a €100m transformation to reopen as a green hotel, bar and events space complete with a rooftop public garden Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 15 Jul 2024

		Puy du Fou reveals plans to expand into UK with £300m theme park in Oxfordshire French historic attraction operator Puy du Fou has announced plans to open its first UK theme park in Oxfordshire Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 08 Jul 2024

		Plans for Spain's first national civil war museum stall over Franco era representation Disagreements and disputes over the representation of Spain’s civil war years have slowed the development of the country’s first national civil war museum. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 08 Jul 2024

		Dundee’s £130m Eden Project gets council approval The highly-anticipated Eden Project Dundee has received planning permission from councillors, meaning the £130m (US$165.3m, €153.5m) project can now go ahead Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 19 Jun 2024

		Paris welcomes France’s first cheese museum The French are famous for their cheese and now it’s being celebrated with the launch of a new cheese museum in Paris - the first in the country Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 14 Jun 2024

		King Charles III becomes Royal Patron for UK’s Art Fund King Charles III has taken up a position formerly held by his mother Queen Elizabeth II, becoming Royal Patron for the UK’s Art Fund Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 13 Jun 2024

		Museum plans included as Italy begins major redevelopment of one of Europe’s largest historic buildings The Albergo dei Poveri, one of Europe’s biggest historic buildings, is undergoing nearly €150m worth of work that will see it house the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, as well as university facilities and the city’s National Library Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 10 Jun 2024

		Egyptian Prime Minister reviews final preparations ahead of Grand Egyptian Museum launch Egypt’s Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, has assessed final preparations for the opening of the highly-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and the development of its surrounding areas. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 07 Jun 2024

		The world is on fire, so why should we care about cultural heritage? In a world affected by conflict, climate change and economic uncertainty, culture and cultural icons are under threat, but the British Council and its partners are leading projects across 19 countries to protect and preserve the world's cultural heritage. Stephanie Grant, director of the Cultural Protection Fund explains how this work is being done and why it is essential Stephanie Grant \| Cultural Protection Fund \| 28 May 2024

		Eden Project plants 1400 trees thanks to marathon runners Tree saplings have been planted for every runner who took part in the Eden Marathon and Half Marathon last October (2023). Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 15 May 2024

		Museums and galleries join Museum Transformers programme V&A Dundee, Culture Perth and Kinross and Paisley Museum are among 19 museums, galleries and heritage organisations that will be participating in Museums Galleries Scotland’s (MGS) Museum Transformers programme. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 02 May 2024

		Getty to return illegally excavated bronze head to Turkey The Getty Museum is set to return an ancient bronze head to Turkey after it discovered that the artefact was excavated illegally Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 26 Apr 2024

		Chuck E. Cheese and American Society for Deaf Children partner on inclusivity initiative Chuck E. Cheese and the American Society for Deaf Children have partnered up on an initiative that aims to foster greater inclusivity for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 17 Apr 2024

		Bright and beautiful: How Europe’s biggest light festival delivered with Christie Already the largest of its kind in Europe, here’s how the Signal light festival worked with Christie to bring the spectacle to life Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 02 Apr 2024

		Wellbeing created by local heritage in England creates £29bn a year in economic benefits, says study First-of-its-kind research from Historic England has quantified the impact of local heritage on residents, with the annual economic benefit of historic sites in the country worth an estimated £29bn Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 22 Mar 2024

		SEA Expo positioned as key industry event as Saudi attractions market continues to surge With the entertainment industry expected to contribute around US$23bn to Saudi Arabia by 2030, it’s no wonder that SEA Expo continues to grow at pace with the rapidly expanding market. Here’s what to expect for its sixth edition this May Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 14 Mar 2024

		Disney’s Bahamas getaway takes shape as company shares construction update The Disney Cruise Line has shared new details about its upcoming island destination Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, the tropical retreat in the Bahamas promising to bring the magic when it opens to guests this June. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 13 Mar 2024

		Adirondack Studios appoints cruise and theatre veteran Jeff Moulton to executive team Adirondack Studios has named Jeff Moulton, former director of Client Delivery for RWS Global’s Holland America Line division, as the company’s new VP of Project Delivery Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 12 Mar 2024

		Science Museum Group to develop Riyadh hub after announcing partnership with Saudi Ministry of Culture The UK’s Science Museum Group has revealed a significant partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Culture which includes the development of a new Museums Hub in Riyadh as the two nations focus on boosting co-operation, cultural exchange and more in the museum sector Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 26 Feb 2024

		McDonald’s to host immersive anime and manga dining experience as restaurant chain launches ‘WcDonald’s’ campaign McDonald’s is bringing its manga counterpart to life with its new ‘WcDonald's’ campaign introducing an immersive dining experience among other anime-themed products Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 23 Feb 2024

		V&A museum seeks Taylor Swift super fan as advisor London’s V&A museum is on the hunt for an official adviser to share their knowledge of Taylor Swift. 23 Feb 2024

		Eiffel Tower should be classed as historical monument, says France’s culture minister following strikes As staff at the Eiffel Tower continue to strike over the monument's management, France’s culture minister has suggested classifying the iconic building as a national monument, which would allow the state to help fund necessary works Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 23 Feb 2024

		Influencer causes social storm as British Museum’s Instagram account inundated with calls to return Easter Island statues The British Museum has been bombarded with social media messages from Chilean Instagram users demanding the return the institution’s iconic Easter Island statues from its collection Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 19 Feb 2024

		County seeks to end lease with Miami Seaquarium over animal welfare violations The troubled Miami Seaquarium is facing further problems, with the county the animal attraction is located inside seeking to terminate its lease. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 24 Jan 2024

		Tourist admission fee implemented at Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry has implemented an entrance fee at a Unesco World Heritage Site in Istanbul. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 17 Jan 2024

		Rachida Dati named culture minister of France following controversial reshuffle Rachida Dati has been appointed culture minister of France following a reshuffle announced by new French prime minister Gabriel Attal in January. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 16 Jan 2024

		Artists descending on Lithuania for Vilnius Light Festival Artists from across the world are set to travel to the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius later this month as they display their illumination projects for the sixth annual Vilnius Light Festival. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 12 Jan 2024

		China’s Great Wall Museum set to reopen in 2025 following major renovation A cultural attraction dedicated to China’s Great Wall will become a national museum when it reopens in 2025 following an extensive renovation Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 08 Jan 2024

		France’s culture minister suspends demolition of Marie Curie’s Paris laboratory Heritage bodies have welcomed a last-minute intervention by Rima Abdul Malak - France’s culture minister - who has halted the demolition of a building once part of the laboratory for famous French scientist Marie Curie. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 08 Jan 2024

		British Museum criticised after signing record-breaking £50m funding deal with BP The British Museum has been branded ‘astonishingly out of touch’ after announcing its decision to accept a record-breaking £50m donation from oil giant BP Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 22 Dec 2023

		Manchester City launches interactive attraction in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Mall A new visitor attraction dedicated to Manchester City has opened its doors in Abu Dhabi, with the new City Challenge offering visitors a chance to show off their footballing skills through a range of immersive experiences Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 20 Dec 2023

		‘Ambitious plans’ in store for China as Alterface announces country’s first Action League Interactive Thrill Ride for Suzhou Alterface is eyeing malls and FECs in China for its Action League Interactive Thrill Ride, after the company announced its first such attraction in the country is set to open at Suzhou Paradise Forest World in May next year Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 19 Dec 2023

		Argentina’s new President Javier Milei abolishes Ministry of Culture after one day Argentina no longer has a Ministry of Culture after its new President Javier Milei abolished the government office one day into his four year tenure Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 18 Dec 2023

		Russia’s Ukraine invasion sees 863 cultural heritage sites damaged or destroyed Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture has revealed its latest set of data on the war-torn country’s cultural and heritage sites, with 863 confirmed to have been damaged or destroyed since the start of Russia’s invasion. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 14 Dec 2023

		Manatees Romeo and Juliet to be released from Miami Seaquarium following campaign Two manatees reportedly kept in “ever-deteriorating conditions” at the Miami Seaquarium will soon be released to a sanctuary following a campaign by animal rights activists. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 06 Dec 2023

		Mariët Westermann to lead Guggenheim Museum and Foundation following extensive search The Guggenheim Museum has announced that Mariët Westermann - the current vice chancellor of NYU Abu Dhabi - will be the next director and CEO of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 01 Dec 2023

		Everything you need to know about IAAPA Expo 2023 IAAPA Expo is making its grand return to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center this week, with the 2023 edition of the event selling out its trade show floor for the first time since 2019 Lauren Heath-Jones and Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 13 Nov 2023

		US$1.2m underwater museum to open in the Caribbean A US$1.2m underwater museum is set to open to the public by the end of the year, with the Spirit of SXM Sculpture Park coming to the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 03 Nov 2023

		Unesco travels to Ukraine to assess damage on cultural sites from Russian attacks Unesco representatives have travelled to Ukraine to asses damage on cultural sites in the city of Chernihiv. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 01 Nov 2023

		UK’s largest cultural investment in a generation opens doors in Manchester A major cultural attraction has opened its doors in Manchester, with the £210m Aviva Studios representing the largest investment in a national cultural project since the opening of Tate Modern in 2000 Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 20 Oct 2023

		Dubai Parks and Resorts and Global Village partner with Pink Caravan for breast cancer awareness initiative Dubai Parks and Resorts and Global Village have joined forces with charity Pink Caravan to provide direct, accessible support and raise awareness about breast cancer. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 19 Oct 2023

		Craven Museum named winner of Family Friendly Museum Award 2023 Yorkshire’s Craven Museum has beaten off competition from some of the UK’s top museums, galleries, historic homes and heritage sites to be named the winner of this year’s Family Friendly Museum Award Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 19 Oct 2023

		British Museum ‘victim of an inside job’ says chair The British Museum was “the victim of an inside job” when a string of items were stolen, the chair of trustees George Osborne has said. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 18 Oct 2023

		ASTC launches Seeding Action initiative to cultivate a ‘culture of planetary health action’ The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) in the US, has announced the launch of Seeding Action; a new initiative to support science centre, museums and other public engagement networks to cultivate “a culture of hope and action” on environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 17 Oct 2023

		Using technology to take the visitor experience beyond the four walls Alex Book, co-founder and chief strategy officer at Arcade – The Creative Reality Company, explains how attractions and cultural institutions can make use of immersive technologies to reach new audiences Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 11 Oct 2023

		Universal leans on horror portfolio for licensing opportunities Universal is planning to further capitalise on its portfolio of horror IPs, utilising more than 90 years of cinematic experiences to further boost its presence in the licensing sector. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 10 Oct 2023

		Records broken as Brand Licensing Europe focuses on LBE Record numbers of retailers and visitors from France, Germany, Italy and Spain were in attendance at this year’s Brand Licensing Europe (BLE), with this year’s event placing special emphasis on location based entertainment (LBE). Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 09 Oct 2023

		Saudi Arabia announces plans for royal nature reserve Saudi Arabia has announced plans to create a giant new nature reserve in the kingdom. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 09 Oct 2023

		Everything you need to know about IAAPA Expo Europe 2023 IAAPA is gearing up for its largest EMEA event ever, with the 2023 edition of IAAPA Expo Europe taking place in Vienna between September 25 - 28. Here’s everything you need to know about the event Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 22 Sep 2023

		Hot air balloon rides and water sports planned for tent city attraction in Varanasi Plans have been announced to develop a ‘tent city’ in northern India offering visitors to the destination water sports and hot air balloon rides among the activities available. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 14 Sep 2023

		Starmer appoints shadow secretary for culture, media and sport Sir Keir Starmer, British leader of the opposition, has named Thangam Debbonaire, MP of Bristol West, as shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 07 Sep 2023

		Lifesized: How Path Entertainment and Hasbro brought Monopoly to life as a visitor experience Path Entertainment Group and Hasbro recently worked together to produce a world-first immersive Monopoly experience. Path CEO David Hutchinson shares all with Planet Attractions Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 31 Aug 2023

		Blackpool’s £13m Showtown Museum finally gets opening date The long-awaited Showtown Museum in Blackpool, UK, finally has an opening date. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 31 Aug 2023

		Home of Carlsberg to reopen with extended exhibition in December Visit Carlsberg in Copenhagen, Denmark, is to reopen as Home of Carlsberg this December after undergoing extensive improvement works Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 30 Aug 2023

		Ukraine World Heritage sites given Unesco disaster risk reduction training Unesco recently organised an intensive training course for representatives of cultural heritage sites across Ukraine threatened by increasingly frequent attacks. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 30 Aug 2023

		UK public concerned spending cuts could force closure of heritage sites and attractions, new research reveals New research has found that the majority of the UK public is concerned that funding cuts will lead to the closure of heritage sites and cultural attractions. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 30 Aug 2023

		Evolving the industry of fun: Peter van der Schans on the attractions markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe Peter van der Schans has now been at the helm of IAAPA’s EMEA operations for more than a year. He shares with Planet Attractions how that year has gone and the progress being made in the global attractions markets of Europe, the Middle East and Africa Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 23 Aug 2023

		Museums in Wales may need to start changing, says ex-minister An ex-Welsh government minister is calling for the free entry policy to Wales' museums to be reconsidered due to financial pressures. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 21 Aug 2023

		IAAPA reveals show highlights ahead of IAAPA Expo Europe 2023 in Vienna IAAPA has offered a first glimpse at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe, taking place in Vienna, Austria, in September Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 16 Aug 2023

		J.K. Rowling scrubbed from Museum of Pop Culture’s Harry Potter displays over transphobic views The Museum of Pop Culture (Mopop) in Seattle, US, has removed all mention of J.K. Rowling from its Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 15 Aug 2023

		Lord Mendoza appointed chair of Historic England Historic England has announced the appointment of Conservative peer Lord Neil Mendoza as its new chair. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 11 Aug 2023

		JRA-designed Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame opens to the public The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame has opened following a two-year planning and design process led by JRA, part of RWS Global Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 10 Aug 2023

		Work set to start on Paramount’s Bali theme park development Work is set to start on Bali’s highly-anticipated Paramount theme park, with the major development representing the largest of its kind for the Indonesian tourist destination Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 04 Aug 2023

		Horniman Museum’s Nature + Love project awarded £5.7m in Lottery funding London’s Horniman Museum has been awarded £5.7m by the National Lottery Heritage Fund for its Nature + Love project Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 02 Aug 2023

		Italy calls on Louvre to return seven archeological objects The Italian state has called on France’s Louvre to return seven archeological treasures currently on display at the famous museum. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 01 Aug 2023

		Saudi Arabia’s PIF announces launch of Saudi Tourism Investment Company The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of Asfar - a new company designed to support the growth of the kingdom’s tourism sector Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 28 Jul 2023

		Abu Dhabi designates 64 sites for cultural protection Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has announced the protection of 64 cultural sites in line with the new Cultural Heritage law. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 28 Jul 2023

		UK’s National Railway Museum launches STEM-focussed Wonderlab The National Railway Museum in Yorkshire, UK, has opened its largest new gallery in more than a decade, with the launch of the £6m ‘Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery’. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 28 Jul 2023

		Climate change threatens ancient Chinese heritage sites New research from environmental group Greenpeace has found that extreme weather conditions, caused by climate change, are already a significant threat to ancient heritage sites in China Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 27 Jul 2023

		Smithsonian Latino museum under threat after Reublican lawmakers move to block funding A new bill passed by the US’s House Appropriations Committee could jeopardise the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino by effectively banning the institution from spending tax payer money on the project Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 26 Jul 2023

		VisitBritain to open new headquarters in Birmingham The UK’s national tourism board VisitBritain/VisitEngland is to open a new head office in Birmingham. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 25 Jul 2023

		Unesco and Zelenskyy condemn Russian attacks on historic World Heritage Site Unesco says it’s deeply dismayed over an attack carried out by the Russian forces, which hit several cultural sites in the city centre of Odesa, while President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pledged retaliation for the act Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 24 Jul 2023

		Plans announced for US$2bn theme park and resort development in Oklahoma A major US$2bn theme park and resort development comparable to the likes of Disney and Universal is set to open in 2026 in the state of Oklahoma Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 20 Jul 2023

		Entrepreneur eyes ‘TexasLand’ theme park A young entrepreneur has raised upwards of US$100,000 in her ambition to build a theme park dedicated to the US state of Texas. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 18 Jul 2023

		Applications open for 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy Disney is seeking 100 applicants from black and underrepresented communities across the US for the 2024 edition of its Dreamers Academy scheme Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 12 Jul 2023

		France passes law allowing institutions to easily return Nazi-looted objects France’s National Assembly has voted unanimously to adopt a new law that makes it significantly easier for public institutions to return Nazi-looted objects in their collections. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 11 Jul 2023

		Rijksmuseum to return colonial objects from its collection for the first time The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is set to return six objects currently in its in collection to Sri Lanka, marking the first time colonial objects from the museum’s collection will be returned to their point of origin. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 10 Jul 2023

		Skegness waterfront to be revitalised after £5m plans approved Officials have approved plans to regenerate the pier, theatre and seafront of a British seaside town, with the £5m set to see Skegness transformed in the coming years. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 07 Jul 2023

		Ireland introduces panel to advise on restitution and repatriation of contested cultural heritage Ireland’s government is introducing an expert committee to create national guidelines for any cultural institutions’ handling of items of unknown provenance, as well as advising the government on how to handle restitution and repatriation of culturally sensitive items. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 07 Jul 2023

		Registration opens as IAAPA Expo Europe prepares for return to Austria Registration is now open for this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe event, which is set to make its return to Vienna, Austria, in September Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 05 Jul 2023

		Abu Dhabi announces ambitious growth plans focused on tourism and culture Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism board has revealed ambitious plans to grow its tourism economy to 24 million visitors a year Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 03 Jul 2023

		Museum Theatre Project aims to revitalise Ghanaian heritage attractions Heritage sites in Ghana are planning to revitalise the African country’s museum experience with the introduction of the new Museum Theatre Project. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 28 Jun 2023

		Met and Smithsonian team up to train US Army to protect cultural heritage The Met and the Smithsonian have worked with the US Army to help train soldiers in preserving and protecting cultural heritage in conflict zones Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 27 Jun 2023

		UK’s Peace Museum to reopen in Unesco World Heritage village in 2024 The UK’s Peace Museum has been awarded a £250,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund that will see the museum relocate to Saltaire, a World Heritage village in West Yorkshire Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 23 Jun 2023

		African King sits on throne at museum taken from descendants by colonisers An African throne taken by European colonisers in more than a century ago has had a King take a seat in it once more. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 23 Jun 2023

		First-of-its-kind cultural event brings Morph to London for wheelchair-friendly public art trail Morph has arrived in London for a wheelchair accessible public art trail, with the event to run until August in an effort to raise money for the children’s charity Whizz Kidz Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 22 Jun 2023

		Strawberries threaten Spanish World Heritage site Concerns have been raised after local government passed a bill allowing intensive irrigated strawberry farming on a World Heritage-protected wetland in Spain Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 22 Jun 2023

		New exhibition at Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum explores the city’s links to slavery A new exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, UK, will explore the city’s, and its famous university’s, links to the slave trade and exploitation. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 21 Jun 2023

		SNC-Lavalin awarded contract for Historic Jeddah development in Saudi Arabia Leading engineering and construction group SNC-Lavalin has been awarded a two-year project management consultancy services contract by the Saudi Ministry of Culture to support the development of Historic Jeddah, a Unesco World Heritage site. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 21 Jun 2023

		Saudi Arabia introduces midday work ban Saudi Arabia has introduced a midday work ban to protect the safety and health of workers operating in direct sunlight at the hottest point of the day. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 21 Jun 2023

		Italian Capital of Culture celebrates cities of Bergamo and Brescia A summer of pop-up events is planned for Bergamo and Brescia - two cities that have been jointly named the 2023 Italian Capital of Culture. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 15 Jun 2023

		Saudi Arabia plans further US$800bn investment in tourism projects Saudi Arabia is set to invest a further US$800bn on top of the US$1tn investment it has already made in tourism, with even more new projects set to come up in the kingdom over the course of the next decade Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 14 Jun 2023

		Multi-million dollar attraction celebrating the hot pot breaks ground in China A new attraction combining food, culture and tourism has broken ground in Chongqing, with the Dezhuang Hot Pot Manor now under construction in the Chinese city. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 14 Jun 2023

		Theme parks and family attractions to drive tourism in Malaysia, says minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Malaysia’s deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture minister, has said that the theme park and family attraction industry will be an important hub for the country’s tourism industry. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 14 Jun 2023

		‘Game-changing’ waterpark and spa development about to open in Hungary The RQ Water Experience Park and Spa, a new waterpark offering 21 pools and a spectacular water slide tower, will open in Hungary in June Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 14 Jun 2023

		Giant wheel at heart of rural attraction to open later this month in China A new Ferris wheel attraction in China will open later this month on the traditional holiday of the Dragon Boat Festival. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 13 Jun 2023

		Italy raises museum prices as part of €2bn flood aid package With huge floods hitting northern Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region in May, the country’s museums are playing their part in helping recovery, raising prices by €1 as part of a wider €2bn aid package. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 12 Jun 2023

		House of Hype: New immersive attraction to open at Dubai Mall A new immersive visitor attraction will open its doors at the Dubai Mall later this year Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 12 Jun 2023

		Biden bans drilling around Unesco World Heritage Site to preserve archaelogical ruins The Biden administration has banned all new gas and oil drilling at Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site in New Mexico, US, for the next 20 years. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 09 Jun 2023

		British Museum denies ending controversial BP partnership The British Museum has refuted claims that it has ended its commercial partnership with BP following reports that the institution had ended its 27-year relationship with the fossil fuel giant Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 08 Jun 2023

		Qatar unveils ‘next generation’ of cultural institutions at Venice Biennale Qatar has launched an exhibition showcasing plans for four new museums, with the Art Mill Museum, Lusail Museum, Qatar Auto Museum and Dadu Children’s Museum of Qatar all to open in the country by the end of the decade Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 02 Jun 2023

		Adjaye expansion will turn museum into India’s largest art and culture centre An expansion of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in Delhi will make the institution the largest art and culture centre in India when it opens in 2026. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 02 Jun 2023

		Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund commits £22m to attractions in the Scottish Highlands Scotland’s Natural & Cultural Heritage Fund (NCHF) has awarded a share of £22m (US$27m, €25m) to more than a dozen tourist attractions in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, as part of a new scheme to promote tourism in the area. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 01 Jun 2023

		San Francisco seeks World Heritage status The city of San Francisco is aiming to become the first in the US to achieve World Heritage status, with a task force launched to pursue a nomination from Unesco. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 01 Jun 2023

		BBC Studios developing immersive experiences for the metaverse BBC Studios is to launch a collection of immersive experiences on metaverse platform; The Sandbox later this year Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 30 May 2023

		Denver Museum to close ‘harmful’ Indigenous people gallery The Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Colorado, US, is to close a gallery dedicated to Indigenous people and culture, which it says perpetuates racist stereotypes. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 25 May 2023

		Architects Kengo Kuma to design visitor centre for Albanian World Heritage site Japanese architecture firm Kengo Kuma & Associates has won an international design competition to design a new visitor centre at Butrint National Park in Albania Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 23 May 2023

		The World of Gazza!!: New exhibition explores life and times of iconic English footballer Paul Gascoigne A new exhibition celebrating and exploring the life and times of iconic English footballer Paul Gascoigne has opened its doors in London Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 20 May 2023

		Aaron Levi Garvey named chief curator of the Andy Warhol Museum The Andy Warhol Museum has named Aaron Levi Garvey as its new chief curator with Garvey set to take up the position in the summer. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 18 May 2023

		Pilsner Urquell: BRC’s Christian Lachel on Prague’s new ‘Original Beer Experience’ A new brand home dedicated to Pilsner Urquell has opened its doors in Prague. BRC’s Christian Lachel tells Planet Attractions how the attraction celebrates the brand’s place in Czech history and culture Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 02 May 2023

		Jeff Shell steps down as NBCUniversal CEO following ‘inappropriate conduct’ Jeff Shell has been removed from his position as CEO of NBCUniversal following a misconduct investigation Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 25 Apr 2023

		High hopes: Construction begins on Atlantic City’s new cannabis museum Work has started on a new agriculture museum dedicated to cannabis in Atlantic City. The museum is one of several marijuana-themed projects greenlit by the city in the hopes of attracting a new wave of ‘weed tourists’ Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 22 Apr 2023

		Centre Pompidou announces South Korea and Saudi Arabia expansion Centre Pompidou, a contemporary art museum in Paris, France, has signed agreements that will see the opening of two new overseas outposts in South Korea and Saudi Arabia. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 21 Apr 2023

		Hong Kong sees strong comeback in international cruise calls Hong Kong’s tourism board has announced its “return to its position as Asia’s cruise hub”, following 160 ship calls from 16 cruise lines so far in 2023. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 20 Apr 2023

		Sega Purchases Angry Birds owner in US$706m deal Sega Sammy Holdings has agreed a deal to acquire Rovio, with Sega aiming to accelerate its mobile gaming capabilities while also acquiring a powerful IP in the world of entertainment Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 20 Apr 2023

		Carnegie Science Center to host adults-only speakeasy event You can experience Carnegie Science Center with a roaring twenties twist on April 14, with the popular attraction set to host a special adults-only speakeasy night Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 14 Apr 2023

		Experience UK’s Experience on Main Street conference set for April Leading trade body Experience UK is gearing up for its first-ever ‘Experience on Main Street’ conference Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 29 Mar 2023

		Seatrade Cruise Global 2023: Finding the rhythm on the show floor Among the exhibitors at this year’s Seatrade are a range of tourism bodies representing all the global cruise ports and related attractions from around the world. Over at the Virgin Islands stand, this colourful character was showcasing some of the destinations culture for attendees. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 28 Mar 2023

		Eleven million pixels: Christie powers new immersive room in Brazil’s Museum of Image and Sound of Ceará Christie has teamed up with Brazil’s Museum of Image and Sound of Ceará on the installation of an immersive multimedia room as part of a revamp of the historic institution Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 24 Mar 2023

		Mexican President wants to build XCaret rival on controversially-seized cargo port A cargo port controversially seized from a US company last week by the Mexican government has been earmarked for an XCaret style water and theme park, as well as a docking point for cruise ships Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 24 Mar 2023

		Milwaukee Public Museum to celebrate Wisconsin with dedicated gallery The upcoming Milwaukee Public Museum will celebrate its home state of Wisconsin with a permanent gallery dedicated to the region. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 24 Mar 2023

		Southampton’s City Art Gallery to undergo urgent roof repairs after receiving £2.23m grant from DCMS The City Art Gallery in Southampton, UK, is set to undergo urgent roof repairs after receiving a £2.23m (US$2.74m, €2.52m) grant from the UK’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 24 Mar 2023

		Everything you need to know about SeaTrade Cruise Global 2023 SeaTrade Cruise Global is returning to Florida. Here’s everything you need to know... Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 23 Mar 2023

		UK’s culture venues, museums and libraries receive £60m funding boost More than 70 cultural organisations across Britain are to be given a financial boost by the government so they can improve people’s access to arts, support local economic growth through culture and safeguard vital local collections for future generations. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 21 Mar 2023

		UK museums workers join public sector strike Thousands of UK museum and heritage workers have joined industrial action protesting against low pay and other working conditions. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 15 Mar 2023

		International Women’s Day: Equality is the goal, but EQUITY is how we'll get there Equity is different from equality, and on International Women’s Day Una de Boer reflects how to support this foundational step towards a more just world Una de Boer \| WhiteWater \| 08 Mar 2023

		Disney World introduces wheelchair-using doll to ‘It’s a Small World’ attraction The Disney World resort in Orlando, Florida, has introduced a new wheelchair-bound character to the ‘It’s a Small World’ attraction. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 03 Mar 2023

		London’s Young V&A to open in July following multi-million-pound redevelopment The Young V&A, formerly the V&A Museum of Childhood, will reopen in East London, after a multi-year, multi-million-pound redevelopment Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 02 Mar 2023

		Treasure trove of David Bowie artefacts secured for permanent display at V&A East Original costumes, set designs, drawings and handwritten lyrics will allow visitors to V&A East to trace David Bowie’s creative process across six decades Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 23 Feb 2023

		‘Dippy’ begins three-year residency at the Herbert in Coventry Dippy the Dinosaur has been unveiled at its new home in Coventry’s Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 23 Feb 2023

		Alex McNeil Joins Hurtigruten Expeditions Cruise operator Hurtigruten Expeditions has welcomed explorer Alex McNeil to its team, with McNeil set to develop the company’s next generation of expedition cruises. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 23 Feb 2023

		Oil company’s museum sponsorship deal included gagging clause London’s Science Museum signed a sponsorship deal with Norwegian oil and gas company Equinor, with the agreement meaning the museum would not say anything that could damage the firm’s reputation. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 17 Feb 2023

		Germany celebrates first German-Jewish sites to appear on Unesco World Heritage list A ceremony celebrating the first German-Jewish sites to receive Unesco World Heritage designation was held in Germany earlier this month. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 16 Feb 2023

		London to get its own Highline after Camden plans approved London is set to emulate New York’s Highline with its own version running from Camden to St Pancras. Here’s everything you need to know about the £14m project Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 15 Feb 2023

		Centre Pompidou is about to sign a contract for a new museum in Saudi Arabia After expanding its horizons in Málaga, Shanghai and Brussels, with the prospect of a spinoff in the pipeline for Jersey City, US, in 2025, the Pompidou Center will soon be putting its expertise to work in Saudi Arabia. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 10 Feb 2023

		SeaWorld’s first rescue centre opens outside of US with launch of Abu Dhabi site SeaWorld is expanding its network of rescue centres with the launch of Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue - the first such SeaWorld site to open outside of the US Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 09 Feb 2023

		Dubai 100: Industry names among Dubai’s most powerful people Three names involved in the tourism and attractions industries have been named in the Dubai 100 - a list representing the 100 most powerful people in the UAE city. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 09 Feb 2023

		Manchester Museum to reopen this month following transformation Another cultural addition to the Manchester scene in 2023 will be the re-opening of the Manchester Museum, which closed in August 2021 to undergo a £15m (US$18.2m, €17m) renovation. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 03 Feb 2023

		Manchester’s £210m Factory International will be Britain’s biggest arts development since Tate Modern A new contemporary art museum and cultural centre inspired by the ‘Madchester’ music scene of the 1990s will open in Manchester, UK, in June. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 02 Feb 2023

		British Museum workers among those set to strike in February Workers at the British Museum along with a number of other institutions across the UK are set to go on strike in February Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 31 Jan 2023

		Spanish museum returns Nazi-looted paintings to Poland A Spanish museum has returned two 15th-century paintings to Poland after discovering that they had been looted by Nazi forces in World War II. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 31 Jan 2023

		Singapore’s Peranakan Museum to reopen following four-year renovation The Peranakan Museum in Singapore will reopen in February following a four-year refurbishment process. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 31 Jan 2023

		Kids in Museums launches ‘Future is Now’ youth summit to engage young people in the museum sector Kids in Museums has launched a new initiative aimed at having young people discuss, learn and advocate for the future of the museum sector Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 30 Jan 2023

		PIF’s Seven announces SAR1bn entertainment destination for Saudi city of Tabuk Another mega project has been announced for Saudi Arabia, with the PIF’s Seven announcing plans for a SAR1bn entertainment destination in the city of Tabuk Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 25 Jan 2023

		accesso announces 18 new strategic partnerships in the UK and US accesso has signed a series of new strategic agreements with 18 attractions, culture, hospitality and ski partners across the UK and the US. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 25 Jan 2023

		Disney’s Lunar New Year Celebrations return to Anaheim Disney’s Lunar New Year Celebrations have made a triumphant return to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, US. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 25 Jan 2023

		Eden project headlines Levelling Up fund with £50m investment A new Eden Project in Morecambe is one of the major projects to receive funding as part of the British government’s Levelling Up scheme. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 20 Jan 2023

		Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum to close ahead of year long £6m revamp A ‘radical, once-in-a-generation’ development will see Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum undergo a year-long transformation starting in June Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 19 Jan 2023

		Taliban’s application for Unesco protection of historic Kabul garden still unanswered An application by the Taliban to add a historic garden in Kabul to the World Heritage List lies in limbo. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 19 Jan 2023

		Fourteen of 2023’s most anticipated museum openings After a difficult few years the museum sector is showing promising signs of recovery with several exciting projects set to open this year. Here are 14 of 2023’s most anticipated museum openings Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 18 Jan 2023

		Lionel Messi’s World Cup accommodation to become museum Following Argentina’s historic win at the 2022 World Cup, the student accommodation that global footballing icon Lionel Messi stayed in is set to be turned into its own mini museum Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 13 Jan 2023

		Museum of London set to ‘revolutionise’ digital offer with 'stories first' platform The Museum of London is introducing a new digital platform in 2024, with the institution saying the move will “revolutionise” its online offerings. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 12 Jan 2023

		Paris’s Rodin scraps plans for €16m Canary Islands outpost Rodin Museum officials have decided to pull out of a €16m project in the Canary Islands, which would have seen an outpost of the famous institution built in Santa Cruz de Tenerife Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 11 Jan 2023

		Vikings exhibition heads to Carnegie Science Center A collection of more than 140 authentic Viking artefacts, including a full-size replica of a Viking ship, is set to go on display in the US at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Science Center. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 11 Jan 2023

		‘Spy x Family’ attraction coming to Universal Studios Japan in 2023 Spy x Family - a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo - is coming to Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in 2023. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 20 Dec 2022

		UAE introduces Golden Visa scheme for culture Professionals working in the creative field can now apply for a UAE Cultural Golden Visa, a permit which grants the holder a 10-year residency in the country. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 09 Dec 2022

		‘A first of its kind experience’: SeaWorld’s Jonathan Smith on operator’s upcoming Pipeline surf coaster The highly-anticipated Pipeline surf coaster is coming to SeaWorld Orlando this spring. SeaWorld’s vice president of rides and engineering, Jonathan Smith, spoke to Planet Attractions about the project Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 08 Dec 2022

		Monopoly Lifesized opens in Saudi Arabia Hasbro’s Monopoly Lifesized has opened in Riyadh following a three-way partnership between the toy manufacturer, the Al Hokair Group and The Path Entertainment Group Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 08 Dec 2022

		Anti-racist action in culture, heritage and sport gets £4.5m boost from Welsh government Culture, heritage and sport sites are set to receive £4.5m over the next three years to support actions in the Welsh Government’s Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 05 Dec 2022

		Merlin promotes Fiona Eastwood to oversee midway attractions and theme parks Merlin executive Fiona Eastwood has been promoted to oversee the operator’s global portfolio of theme parks and midway attractions Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 28 Nov 2022

		92 museum directors sign open letter condemning climate action against ‘irreplaceable’ artworks Directors from The Met, British Museum, Louvre and National Gallery have signed an open letter published by ICOM condemning the ‘risky endangerment’ of irreplaceable artworks in climate demonstrations Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 28 Nov 2022

		US$4.4m Mars exhibition opens at Carnegie Space Center A new permanent exhibition exploring life on Mars has opened at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, US Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 24 Nov 2022

		Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther headlines Smithsonian’s African American Museum’s Afrofuturism exhibition A new exhibition set to open in 2023 will feature the late Chadwick Boseman’s iconic costume worn in Marvel’s Black Panther. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 22 Nov 2022

		Princess Cruises unveils 360: An Extraordinary Experience Princess Cruises has debuted a brand new immersive experience that combines dining, storytelling, music, scent and more for a one-of-a-kind journey through the Mediterranean Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 08 Nov 2022

		Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi 25% complete A major project in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District is now 25% complete, tourism chiefs have revealed. 25 Oct 2022

		Cultural sites damaged in Ukrainian capital in latest wave of Russian attacks against country Russia’s lethal barrage of strikes against Ukrainian cities this week has seen a number of cultural sites in the capital of Kyiv hit Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 10 Oct 2022

		Anime robot maids serve customers in Japanese café 10 Oct 2022

		Museums in England and Wales can now dispose of objects on moral grounds Museums and galleries in England and Wales will be given unprecedented powers to dispose of objects in their collections if there is a compelling moral obligation to do so, under a new law. 07 Oct 2022

		Heygo takes streaming tours into museums sector Live streaming tour platform Heygo is venturing into the culture sector, with the company announcing a number of partnerships with various museums to “create a space for all to interact, learn and connect with like-minded people”. 05 Oct 2022

		Louvre turns the lights out amid spiralling energy costs The Louvre is among a number of French cultural institutions and landmarks turning their lights off in an attempt to cut soaring energy costs Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 03 Oct 2022

		Disney legends set to come together to celebrate 40 years of Epcot A panel of industry legends will share their stories about the creation and evolution of Disney’s Epcot at this year’s IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Florida Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 30 Sep 2022

		‘Worse than Covid’: rising energy costs threaten UK museum sector and warm banks plan UK museums have warned that they may be unable to provide planned ‘warm banks’ this winter, due to rising energy bills. 21 Sep 2022

		Britain’s new Prime Minister names Michelle Donelan culture secretary Britain’s new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, has named Michelle Donelan as culture secretary. 07 Sep 2022

		Zoological Society of London names Matthew Gould its new director general The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has named Matthew Gould its new director general. 05 Sep 2022

		Tickets on sale for Battersea Power Station’s new chimney lift experience LIFT 109 - an experience coming to London’s iconic Battersea Power Station - has opened pre-sale ticket registration for the new attraction. 26 Aug 2022

		Building work begins on Shanghai’s new museum devoted to literature Hongkou attraction to honour city’s avant-garde literary movement of the 1920s and its respected authors Alice Davis \| Planet Attractions \| 18 Aug 2022

		Major Louis Vuitton exhibition comes to Los Angeles A touring Louis Vuitton exhibition has landed in Los Angeles, California, US, with 02 Aug 2022

		‘We're the industry of fun and it's time to have fun again’: Peter van der Schans on IAAPA EMEA, industry challenges and what to expect at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe Planet Attractions travelled to Belgium recently to meet Peter van der Schans, IAAPA’s new executive director and vice president for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region. Here’s what he had to say Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 18 Jul 2022

		Saudi Arabia unveils plan to transform museums sector Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission has announced plans to transform its museum sector, unveiling a new strategy, which will see the number and types of museums across the Kingdom increase in an attempt to boost visitor numbers. 13 Jul 2022

		Museum of London plans ‘epic leaving party’ ahead of Smithfield move The Museum of London has declared its final event before its demolition ahead of a move to a new site, with the institution working on an “epic leaving party” - one which could potentially last all night. 13 Jul 2022

		Clearwater Marine Aquarium opens Dolphintopia exhibit Florida’s Clearwater Marine Aquarium has debuted a new exhibit exploring the science of dolphins, while also using art and interactive activities to highlight the animals’ connection to humans. 08 Jul 2022

		Stranger Things slated for stage adaptation after fourth season receives record viewings An official stage production based on Stranger Things is in the works after the series became Netflix’s first English-language show to be viewed for more than one billion hours Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 08 Jul 2022

		Glastonbury founder celebrated with painting at National Portrait Gallery, named as patron at Radstock Museum Glastonbury founder, Michael Eavis has been commemorated with a specially-commissioned portrait at the National Portrait Gallery. He has also been named as a patron of Somerset’s Radstock Museum Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 07 Jul 2022

		The museum that’s introduced special glasses to help colour-blind people see art in a whole new light Colour deficient and colour-blind visitors to Australia’s Chau Chak Wing Museum are now being offered special glasses to see works of art in clear, vibrant colour for the first time Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 05 Jul 2022

		Fantawild Glorious Orient opens in Huai'an Chinese operator Fantawild has opened a brand new attraction today, with the Huai'an-based Glorious Orient theme park building on the country’s ‘red tourism’ drive. 01 Jul 2022

		Canada launches 76 new museums in a day in Ottawa Ottawa’s tourism body has granted special museum status to a collection of 76 festivals, restaurants, concert venues, and attractions as a way to shine a light on some of the city's cultural hidden gems. 21 Jun 2022

		Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum gifted £3m for Power Hall renovation The Science and Industry Museum has received a generous donation from The Law Family Charitable Foundation for the refurbishment of its Power Hall Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 21 Jun 2022

		SeaWorld commits to world’s oceans with UN Sustainability Development pledge SeaWorld has pledged to ensure the long-term health of the world’s oceans in accordance with the UN’s Sustainability Development Goal 14 Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 15 Jun 2022

		HK$3.5bn Hong Kong Palace Museum sets July opening date The Hong Kong Palace Museum is the newest addition to the West Kowloon Cultural District with the HK$3.5bn attraction set to open its doors to the public for the first time next month Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 08 Jun 2022

		Cirque du Soleil’s Mad Apple debuts in Las Vegas 08 Jun 2022

		Carnegie Museums names Gina Winstead its new vice president for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh has named Gina Winstead its new vice president for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA). 07 Jun 2022

		Portland Museum of Art plans US$45m expansion The Portland Museum of Art (PMA) in Maine, US, has launched an international competition for a new US$45m (€42.2m, £36m) extension that will see the historic art centre double its exhibition space. 07 Jun 2022

		Splash Mountain’s Princess & the Frog overhaul coming in 2024, says movie’s star Anika Noni Rose, who voiced Tiana in the 2009 hit, revealed that The Princess and the Frog ride could open in 2024 during an appearance on US morning show Live with Kelly and Ryan Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 07 Jun 2022

		Sofar Sounds partners with Tiqets for concert series at iconic attractions in London and San Francisco The concert series, the second such partnership between Sofar Sounds and Tiqets, will see artists perform at iconic attractions in London and San Francisco. Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 01 Jun 2022

		Universal Studios Singapore breaks ground on Minion Land attraction A new addition to Universal Studios Singapore slated to open in 2024 has broken ground, with work starting on the park's upcoming Minion Land. 30 May 2022

		Land, sea and everywhere in between: WhiteWater’s global openings for 2022 It’s a busy year for WhiteWater, which has more than 70 waterpark projects across the world opening in 2022. We’ve rounded these projects up so you can keep track of everything happening this year Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 27 May 2022

		Google uses augmented reality to bring fine art to life for International Museum Day Google Arts & Culture celebrated Internation Museum Day with the launch of three new mind-bending AR art filters Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 26 May 2022

		WhiteWater named one of Canada’s best-managed companies Waterpark supplier WhiteWater has been awarded the prestigious Gold Standard status as one of Canada’s best-managed companies. 26 May 2022

		Saudi Arabia starts work on Riyadh’s Royal Arts Complex Construction has started on the King Salman Park’s Royal Arts Complex, which once complete will act as a cultural hub for the Saudi capital of Riyadh Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 25 May 2022

		Andy Warhol Museum announces plan to launch US$60m ‘Pop District’ in Pittsburgh ‘The Pop District’ from The Andy Warhol Museum will feature a larger cultural hub for live music, events, public art, expanded programming and a home for creative workplace development Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 24 May 2022

		Rima Abdul Malak named France’s new minister of culture Following his re-election as France’s President last month, Emmanuel Macron has announced that Lebanese-born politician Rima Abdul Malak will take up the role of minister of culture. 23 May 2022

		London’s Natural History Museum announces plan to open major new research centre with the University of Reading The Natural History Museum is partnering with the University of Reading on a major new digitisation centre to be built at the Thames Valley Science Park Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 20 May 2022

		Get ready for #MuseumWeek 2022 With the support of Unesco, the worldwide #MuseumWeek event is set to take place next month, with museums being encouraged to share seven posts over seven days on seven topics with seven different hashtags on the theme of culture, society and innovation. 19 May 2022

		Industry veteran Anthony Van Dam announces retirement from FORREC after 34 years FORREC’s Anthony Van Dam is set to leave the company after 34 years following his retirement announcement Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 18 May 2022

		French Ministry of Culture invites NEMO to speak at EU event NEMO - the Network of European Museum Organisations - was recently represented at a major conference at the invitation of the French Ministry of Culture. 17 May 2022

		New LGBTQ+ arts space coming to London in June A new arts space highlighting work from LGBTQ+ artists will open its doors in London next month Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 11 May 2022

		Back with a bang: TEA Summit and Thea Awards Gala return Leaders in the themed entertainment industry gathered last month for the return of TEA Summit and Thea Awards Gala for the first time in two years. Christine Kerr on behalf of the TEA and Nicole Sangster from Thea Award recipients Simworx both report on the event Planet Attractions \| 05 May 2022

		Unesco’s World Heritage meeting in Russia indefinitely postponed Unesco’s World Heritage Committee meeting in Kazan has been indefinitely postponed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 27 Apr 2022

		Connections Café opens at Epcot As part of its continued transformation, Disney World’s Epcot has officially opened Connections Café - a new addition promising a unique dining experience for its visitors. 27 Apr 2022

		Sproutl forms partnership with Kew Gardens Online gardening marketplace Sproutl has formed a strategic partnership with one of Britain’s most-visited attractions - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 20 Apr 2022

		Katherine E. Fleming to lead Getty Trust after being named new president and CEO Starting this August, Katherine E. Fleming will take the reins at the J. Paul Getty Trust, leading the institution’s mission to advance and share the world's art and cultural heritage for the benefit of all Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 13 Apr 2022

		Pressure on Unesco to relocate World Heritage Committee meeting from Russia Organisations including the Auschwitz Memorial and Europa Nostra, as well as the UK’s culture minister Nadine Dorries, have called on Unesco to change the location of its 45th annual World Heritage Committee meeting, which is currently scheduled to take place in Russia Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 08 Apr 2022

		3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum inaugurated 30 Mar 2022

		World's most valuable T-Rex coming to Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi A T-Rex skeleton sold for more than US$31.8m (€28.9m, £25m) in 2020 has found a new home as the centrepiece of the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. 25 Mar 2022

		Cultural experiences do not boost exam results, new study reveals The study explored the impact of ‘cultural capital’ on exam results of children from different social classes Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 18 Mar 2022

		Cityneon’s VR Machu Picchu experience scoops Lumiere Award The immersive experiential design firm won in the category for ‘Best Use of VR’ for its Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor virtual reality (VR) experience Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 16 Mar 2022

		San Diego Zoo’s US$69m Wildlife Explorers Basecamp opens to the public San Diego Zoo has launched one of its most ambitious ever additions, with the brand-new US$69m Wildlife Explorers Basecamp showcasing a number of different ecosystems through a series of immersive experiences Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 15 Mar 2022

		Are two museum directors better than one? Following a move in 2019 where the German culture ministry decided that a consortium of Berlin’s major institutions, including the Hamburger Bahnhof and the Neue Nationalgalerie, would be broken up, the new structure of these institutions would see Hamburger Bahnhof gained not one new head, but two. 11 Mar 2022

		Smithsonian releases statement on Ukraine crisis Lonnie Bunch, 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, has released a statement on behalf of the organisation, pledging its support to the people of Ukraine and their cultural heritage. In the statement, Bunch revealed that the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI) is in contact with people in the country in order to facilitate the preservation of Ukraine’s history. 11 Mar 2022

		Theme parks must streamline their internal comms to ensure a smooth and successful re-opening in the summer In order for theme parks to run operations in a smooth and efficient manner, internal communications are key. Ross McCaw, CEO and founder of OurPeople, tells us more Ross McCaw \| OurPeople \| 10 Mar 2022

		Unesco 'gravely concerned' for Ukraine's cultural heritage as Russia invasion continues The UN cultural organisation is aiming to mark as many key heritage sites with the Hague Convention emblem, which protects cultural heritage in the event of armed conflict Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 09 Mar 2022

		Miami Seaquarium to end shows with 56-year-old orca Lolita following takeover Miami Seaquarium’s new owners will no longer stage orca shows following a new agreement with federal regulators Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 07 Mar 2022

		National Railway Museum axes long-awaited Trans-Siberian exhibition as Russia continues Ukraine invasion The major exhibition at the National Railway Museum is the latest in a series of events to be axed as UK cultural institutions move to show their support to Ukraine Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 04 Mar 2022

		Ukraine culture minister calls for UNESCO to revoke Russia’s membership after Russian forces destroy museum housing works by folk artist Maria Prymachenko The Ivankiv Historical and Local History Museum was burned to the ground as Russia continues its aggressive invasion of the country Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 03 Mar 2022

		National Portrait Gallery and BP to end 30-year partnership in December The National Portrait Gallery and BP have decided to mutually end their decades-long commercial partnership Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 01 Mar 2022

		Attractions Calendar: March Here are all the events you should be attending this month Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 01 Mar 2022

		Saudi Arabia unveils plans for US$750m mega waterpark development The Qiddiya Investment Company is developing Saudi Arabia’s first-ever waterpark, with the mammoth investment set to cost a whopping US$750m Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 24 Feb 2022

		Ukraine’s museums prepare for the worst as Russian conflict approaches Escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia have seen Ukrainian institutions prepare security and evacuation plans should the worst happen Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 23 Feb 2022

		Documents suggest British Museum’s controversial BP partnership will be renewed despite protests Officials at the British Museum reportedly recently met with BP officials to discuss options for support ‘post Spring 2023’, hinting at a likely renewal of the controversial partnership Lauren Heath-Jones \| Planet Attractions \| 21 Feb 2022

		Bank of America awards US$1m to Motown Museum expansion The Motown Museum has been given a million dollar boost towards its US$55m expansion campaign Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 15 Feb 2022

		Hurtigruten Expeditions to offer pole-to-pole cruises in 2023 Crossing four continents and stopping off at more than 100 landing sites, Hurtigruten Expeditions has announced a series of cruises set to travel all the way from the Arctic to Antarctica Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 09 Feb 2022

		Attractions Calendar: Your diary dates for 2022 With so many big things coming in the year ahead, we’ve rounded up all the key events taking place this year. Welcome to your attractions calendar for 2022. Tom Anstey \| Planet Attractions \| 02 Feb 2022

		Museum of Art Pudong: A look inside Shanghai’s newest art gallery The Jean Nouvel-designed Museum of Art Pudong has been in operation for six months. Alice Davis paid a visit to the cultural newcomer in Shanghai Alice Davis \| Planet Attractions \| 31 Jan 2022

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'Culture' on Planet Attractions | Planet Attractions

'Culture' on Planet Attractions

Myths come to life at Ripley’s Aquarium’s newest Toronto exhibit

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 06 Sep 2024

Fantasy fans and nature enthusiasts rejoice! There’s an epic new exhibit at Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto and it’s all about legendary dragons.

Government probe announced as dynamic pricing takes the spotlight in Oasis ticket controversy

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 03 Sep 2024

The British government has announced a probe into the use of dynamic pricing after ticket seller Ticketmaster significantly increased costs for the Oasis reunion while customers sat in a virtual queue

Busch Gardens' oldest rollercoaster set to close after 44 years

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 02 Sep 2024

Lines were long on Saturday for Busch Gardens’ oldest roller coaster, Scorpion, that had just a few days left before it closes operations.

Alterface, ETF and Jora Vision unveil new dark ride attraction coming to Six Flags Qiddiya City

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 13 Aug 2024

A trio of suppliers have joined forces on Enchanted Greenhouse - an interactive dark ride attraction coming to the under-development Six Flags Qiddiya City

Network of 40 French museums hit by ransomware attack

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 07 Aug 2024

Hackers have targeted the central data system for 40 French museums, unleashing a network-wide ransomware attack on the country's culture sector

Lincoln Park Zoo recognised as botanic garden

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 07 Aug 2024

Lincoln Park Zoo will now be recognized as an accredited botanic garden by the Botanic Gardens Conservation International.

Tottenham Hotspur launches heritage tour

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 06 Aug 2024

Tottenham Hotspur is delighted to launch its first-ever Heritage Tour, detailing the incredible story of the history, architecture and people that make up the past, present and future of the Club and its local area.

Russian culture ‘fully returning to 1930s era of control and censorship’ says critic

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 06 Aug 2024

A prominent Russian critic has said that the country’s culture scene is ‘fully returning to the 1930s era of control and censorship’ following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine

Government to meet Universal theme park bosses

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 05 Aug 2024

The government has said it will meet with a company that has plans to bring a new Universal Theme Park to the UK.

France's Rodin Museum moves from Shenzhen to Shanghai for China outpost plan

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 01 Aug 2024

The Paris-based Musée Rodin will open its first international branch in China this September, after changing its plans to open in Shenzhen, opting instead for a satellite site in Shanghai.

Fantawild’s Glorious Orient theme park opens in China

Dark Ride Database | 22 Jul 2024

A new theme park has opened to the public in Jining China, with Glorious Orient the fourth such branded attraction to open from operator Fantawild

What’s the latest?

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 22 Jul 2024

There’s been a lot going on in the world of attractions over the last week. Here are some of the headlines:

Former British Museum director Hartwig Fischer gets new role in Saudi Arabia

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 19 Jul 2024

Last summer, Hartwig Fischer resigned as the director of the British Museum, just days after it emerged that the museum had fired a curator who was suspected of looting gems from its storerooms.

Record-breaking stegosaurus could be making its way to US institution following US$44.6m purchase

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 19 Jul 2024

The buyer of a record-setting stegosaurus skeleton has said it is going to ‘stay in America’, with the US$44.6m ‘Apex’ thought to be making its way to a US institution in the near future

Former BBC director general Lord Hall named new Natural History Museum chairman

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 17 Jul 2024

Lord Hall has been appointed chairman of the Natural History Museum, his first major appointment since quitting a previous post over his involvement in a BBC scandal

Culture sector must move past the 'climate of distrust', says Arts Council chief executive

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 16 Jul 2024

With a change in government following last week’s General Election, the culture sector must move past the “climate of distrust” created by the stoking of the culture wars, says Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England (ACE).

London’s Science Museum cuts ties with oil giant Equinor for failing to meet climate goals

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 16 Jul 2024

The London Science Museum has cut ties with oil giant Equinor after it was revealed the museum had voiced concerns over the energy giant's decarbonisation efforts

Nazi-era bunker undergoes €100m transformation to become green attraction and hotel

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 15 Jul 2024

A fort-like structure built by the Nazi’s during World War II has undergone a €100m transformation to reopen as a green hotel, bar and events space complete with a rooftop public garden

Puy du Fou reveals plans to expand into UK with £300m theme park in Oxfordshire

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 08 Jul 2024

French historic attraction operator Puy du Fou has announced plans to open its first UK theme park in Oxfordshire

Plans for Spain's first national civil war museum stall over Franco era representation

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 08 Jul 2024

Disagreements and disputes over the representation of Spain’s civil war years have slowed the development of the country’s first national civil war museum.

Dundee’s £130m Eden Project gets council approval

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 19 Jun 2024

The highly-anticipated Eden Project Dundee has received planning permission from councillors, meaning the £130m (US$165.3m, €153.5m) project can now go ahead

Paris welcomes France’s first cheese museum

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 14 Jun 2024

The French are famous for their cheese and now it’s being celebrated with the launch of a new cheese museum in Paris - the first in the country

King Charles III becomes Royal Patron for UK’s Art Fund

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 13 Jun 2024

King Charles III has taken up a position formerly held by his mother Queen Elizabeth II, becoming Royal Patron for the UK’s Art Fund

Museum plans included as Italy begins major redevelopment of one of Europe’s largest historic buildings

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 10 Jun 2024

The Albergo dei Poveri, one of Europe’s biggest historic buildings, is undergoing nearly €150m worth of work that will see it house the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, as well as university facilities and the city’s National Library

Egyptian Prime Minister reviews final preparations ahead of Grand Egyptian Museum launch

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 07 Jun 2024

Egypt’s Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, has assessed final preparations for the opening of the highly-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and the development of its surrounding areas.

The world is on fire, so why should we care about cultural heritage?

Stephanie Grant | Cultural Protection Fund | 28 May 2024

In a world affected by conflict, climate change and economic uncertainty, culture and cultural icons are under threat, but the British Council and its partners are leading projects across 19 countries to protect and preserve the world's cultural heritage. Stephanie Grant, director of the Cultural Protection Fund explains how this work is being done and why it is essential

Eden Project plants 1400 trees thanks to marathon runners

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 15 May 2024

Tree saplings have been planted for every runner who took part in the Eden Marathon and Half Marathon last October (2023).

Museums and galleries join Museum Transformers programme

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 02 May 2024

V&A Dundee, Culture Perth and Kinross and Paisley Museum are among 19 museums, galleries and heritage organisations that will be participating in Museums Galleries Scotland’s (MGS) Museum Transformers programme.

Getty to return illegally excavated bronze head to Turkey

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 26 Apr 2024

The Getty Museum is set to return an ancient bronze head to Turkey after it discovered that the artefact was excavated illegally

Chuck E. Cheese and American Society for Deaf Children partner on inclusivity initiative

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 17 Apr 2024

Chuck E. Cheese and the American Society for Deaf Children have partnered up on an initiative that aims to foster greater inclusivity for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families

Bright and beautiful: How Europe’s biggest light festival delivered with Christie

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 02 Apr 2024

Already the largest of its kind in Europe, here’s how the Signal light festival worked with Christie to bring the spectacle to life

Wellbeing created by local heritage in England creates £29bn a year in economic benefits, says study

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 22 Mar 2024

First-of-its-kind research from Historic England has quantified the impact of local heritage on residents, with the annual economic benefit of historic sites in the country worth an estimated £29bn

SEA Expo positioned as key industry event as Saudi attractions market continues to surge

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 14 Mar 2024

With the entertainment industry expected to contribute around US$23bn to Saudi Arabia by 2030, it’s no wonder that SEA Expo continues to grow at pace with the rapidly expanding market. Here’s what to expect for its sixth edition this May

Disney’s Bahamas getaway takes shape as company shares construction update

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 13 Mar 2024

The Disney Cruise Line has shared new details about its upcoming island destination Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, the tropical retreat in the Bahamas promising to bring the magic when it opens to guests this June.

Adirondack Studios appoints cruise and theatre veteran Jeff Moulton to executive team

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 12 Mar 2024

Adirondack Studios has named Jeff Moulton, former director of Client Delivery for RWS Global’s Holland America Line division, as the company’s new VP of Project Delivery

Science Museum Group to develop Riyadh hub after announcing partnership with Saudi Ministry of Culture

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 26 Feb 2024

The UK’s Science Museum Group has revealed a significant partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Culture which includes the development of a new Museums Hub in Riyadh as the two nations focus on boosting co-operation, cultural exchange and more in the museum sector

McDonald’s to host immersive anime and manga dining experience as restaurant chain launches ‘WcDonald’s’ campaign

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 23 Feb 2024

McDonald’s is bringing its manga counterpart to life with its new ‘WcDonald's’ campaign introducing an immersive dining experience among other anime-themed products

V&A museum seeks Taylor Swift super fan as advisor

23 Feb 2024

London’s V&A museum is on the hunt for an official adviser to share their knowledge of Taylor Swift.

Eiffel Tower should be classed as historical monument, says France’s culture minister following strikes

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 23 Feb 2024

As staff at the Eiffel Tower continue to strike over the monument's management, France’s culture minister has suggested classifying the iconic building as a national monument, which would allow the state to help fund necessary works

Influencer causes social storm as British Museum’s Instagram account inundated with calls to return Easter Island statues

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 19 Feb 2024

The British Museum has been bombarded with social media messages from Chilean Instagram users demanding the return the institution’s iconic Easter Island statues from its collection

County seeks to end lease with Miami Seaquarium over animal welfare violations

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 24 Jan 2024

The troubled Miami Seaquarium is facing further problems, with the county the animal attraction is located inside seeking to terminate its lease.

Tourist admission fee implemented at Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 17 Jan 2024

Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry has implemented an entrance fee at a Unesco World Heritage Site in Istanbul.

Rachida Dati named culture minister of France following controversial reshuffle

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 16 Jan 2024

Rachida Dati has been appointed culture minister of France following a reshuffle announced by new French prime minister Gabriel Attal in January.

Artists descending on Lithuania for Vilnius Light Festival

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 12 Jan 2024

Artists from across the world are set to travel to the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius later this month as they display their illumination projects for the sixth annual Vilnius Light Festival.

China’s Great Wall Museum set to reopen in 2025 following major renovation

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 08 Jan 2024

A cultural attraction dedicated to China’s Great Wall will become a national museum when it reopens in 2025 following an extensive renovation

France’s culture minister suspends demolition of Marie Curie’s Paris laboratory

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 08 Jan 2024

Heritage bodies have welcomed a last-minute intervention by Rima Abdul Malak - France’s culture minister - who has halted the demolition of a building once part of the laboratory for famous French scientist Marie Curie.

British Museum criticised after signing record-breaking £50m funding deal with BP

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 22 Dec 2023

The British Museum has been branded ‘astonishingly out of touch’ after announcing its decision to accept a record-breaking £50m donation from oil giant BP

Manchester City launches interactive attraction in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Mall

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 20 Dec 2023

A new visitor attraction dedicated to Manchester City has opened its doors in Abu Dhabi, with the new City Challenge offering visitors a chance to show off their footballing skills through a range of immersive experiences

‘Ambitious plans’ in store for China as Alterface announces country’s first Action League Interactive Thrill Ride for Suzhou

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 19 Dec 2023

Alterface is eyeing malls and FECs in China for its Action League Interactive Thrill Ride, after the company announced its first such attraction in the country is set to open at Suzhou Paradise Forest World in May next year

Argentina’s new President Javier Milei abolishes Ministry of Culture after one day

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 18 Dec 2023

Argentina no longer has a Ministry of Culture after its new President Javier Milei abolished the government office one day into his four year tenure

Russia’s Ukraine invasion sees 863 cultural heritage sites damaged or destroyed

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 14 Dec 2023

Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture has revealed its latest set of data on the war-torn country’s cultural and heritage sites, with 863 confirmed to have been damaged or destroyed since the start of Russia’s invasion.

Manatees Romeo and Juliet to be released from Miami Seaquarium following campaign

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 06 Dec 2023

Two manatees reportedly kept in “ever-deteriorating conditions” at the Miami Seaquarium will soon be released to a sanctuary following a campaign by animal rights activists.

Mariët Westermann to lead Guggenheim Museum and Foundation following extensive search

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 01 Dec 2023

The Guggenheim Museum has announced that Mariët Westermann - the current vice chancellor of NYU Abu Dhabi - will be the next director and CEO of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation.

Everything you need to know about IAAPA Expo 2023

Lauren Heath-Jones and Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 13 Nov 2023

IAAPA Expo is making its grand return to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center this week, with the 2023 edition of the event selling out its trade show floor for the first time since 2019

US$1.2m underwater museum to open in the Caribbean

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 03 Nov 2023

A US$1.2m underwater museum is set to open to the public by the end of the year, with the Spirit of SXM Sculpture Park coming to the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean.

Unesco travels to Ukraine to assess damage on cultural sites from Russian attacks

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 01 Nov 2023

Unesco representatives have travelled to Ukraine to asses damage on cultural sites in the city of Chernihiv.

UK’s largest cultural investment in a generation opens doors in Manchester

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 20 Oct 2023

A major cultural attraction has opened its doors in Manchester, with the £210m Aviva Studios representing the largest investment in a national cultural project since the opening of Tate Modern in 2000

Dubai Parks and Resorts and Global Village partner with Pink Caravan for breast cancer awareness initiative

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 19 Oct 2023

Dubai Parks and Resorts and Global Village have joined forces with charity Pink Caravan to provide direct, accessible support and raise awareness about breast cancer.

Craven Museum named winner of Family Friendly Museum Award 2023

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 19 Oct 2023

Yorkshire’s Craven Museum has beaten off competition from some of the UK’s top museums, galleries, historic homes and heritage sites to be named the winner of this year’s Family Friendly Museum Award

British Museum ‘victim of an inside job’ says chair

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 18 Oct 2023

The British Museum was “the victim of an inside job” when a string of items were stolen, the chair of trustees George Osborne has said.

ASTC launches Seeding Action initiative to cultivate a ‘culture of planetary health action’

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 17 Oct 2023

The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) in the US, has announced the launch of Seeding Action; a new initiative to support science centre, museums and other public engagement networks to cultivate “a culture of hope and action” on environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

Using technology to take the visitor experience beyond the four walls

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 11 Oct 2023

Alex Book, co-founder and chief strategy officer at Arcade – The Creative Reality Company, explains how attractions and cultural institutions can make use of immersive technologies to reach new audiences

Universal leans on horror portfolio for licensing opportunities

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 10 Oct 2023

Universal is planning to further capitalise on its portfolio of horror IPs, utilising more than 90 years of cinematic experiences to further boost its presence in the licensing sector.

Records broken as Brand Licensing Europe focuses on LBE

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 09 Oct 2023

Record numbers of retailers and visitors from France, Germany, Italy and Spain were in attendance at this year’s Brand Licensing Europe (BLE), with this year’s event placing special emphasis on location based entertainment (LBE).

Saudi Arabia announces plans for royal nature reserve

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 09 Oct 2023

Saudi Arabia has announced plans to create a giant new nature reserve in the kingdom.

Everything you need to know about IAAPA Expo Europe 2023

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 22 Sep 2023

IAAPA is gearing up for its largest EMEA event ever, with the 2023 edition of IAAPA Expo Europe taking place in Vienna between September 25 - 28. Here’s everything you need to know about the event

Hot air balloon rides and water sports planned for tent city attraction in Varanasi

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 14 Sep 2023

Plans have been announced to develop a ‘tent city’ in northern India offering visitors to the destination water sports and hot air balloon rides among the activities available.

Starmer appoints shadow secretary for culture, media and sport

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 07 Sep 2023

Sir Keir Starmer, British leader of the opposition, has named Thangam Debbonaire, MP of Bristol West, as shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport.

Lifesized: How Path Entertainment and Hasbro brought Monopoly to life as a visitor experience

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 31 Aug 2023

Path Entertainment Group and Hasbro recently worked together to produce a world-first immersive Monopoly experience. Path CEO David Hutchinson shares all with Planet Attractions

Blackpool’s £13m Showtown Museum finally gets opening date

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 31 Aug 2023

The long-awaited Showtown Museum in Blackpool, UK, finally has an opening date.

Home of Carlsberg to reopen with extended exhibition in December

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 30 Aug 2023

Visit Carlsberg in Copenhagen, Denmark, is to reopen as Home of Carlsberg this December after undergoing extensive improvement works

Ukraine World Heritage sites given Unesco disaster risk reduction training

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 30 Aug 2023

Unesco recently organised an intensive training course for representatives of cultural heritage sites across Ukraine threatened by increasingly frequent attacks.

UK public concerned spending cuts could force closure of heritage sites and attractions, new research reveals

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 30 Aug 2023

New research has found that the majority of the UK public is concerned that funding cuts will lead to the closure of heritage sites and cultural attractions.

Evolving the industry of fun: Peter van der Schans on the attractions markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 23 Aug 2023

Peter van der Schans has now been at the helm of IAAPA’s EMEA operations for more than a year. He shares with Planet Attractions how that year has gone and the progress being made in the global attractions markets of Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Museums in Wales may need to start changing, says ex-minister

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 21 Aug 2023

An ex-Welsh government minister is calling for the free entry policy to Wales' museums to be reconsidered due to financial pressures.

IAAPA reveals show highlights ahead of IAAPA Expo Europe 2023 in Vienna

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 16 Aug 2023

IAAPA has offered a first glimpse at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe, taking place in Vienna, Austria, in September

J.K. Rowling scrubbed from Museum of Pop Culture’s Harry Potter displays over transphobic views

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 15 Aug 2023

The Museum of Pop Culture (Mopop) in Seattle, US, has removed all mention of J.K. Rowling from its

Lord Mendoza appointed chair of Historic England

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 11 Aug 2023

Historic England has announced the appointment of Conservative peer Lord Neil Mendoza as its new chair.

JRA-designed Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame opens to the public

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 10 Aug 2023

The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame has opened following a two-year planning and design process led by JRA, part of RWS Global

Work set to start on Paramount’s Bali theme park development

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 04 Aug 2023

Work is set to start on Bali’s highly-anticipated Paramount theme park, with the major development representing the largest of its kind for the Indonesian tourist destination

Horniman Museum’s Nature + Love project awarded £5.7m in Lottery funding

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 02 Aug 2023

London’s Horniman Museum has been awarded £5.7m by the National Lottery Heritage Fund for its Nature + Love project

Italy calls on Louvre to return seven archeological objects

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 01 Aug 2023

The Italian state has called on France’s Louvre to return seven archeological treasures currently on display at the famous museum.

Saudi Arabia’s PIF announces launch of Saudi Tourism Investment Company

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 28 Jul 2023

The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of Asfar - a new company designed to support the growth of the kingdom’s tourism sector

Abu Dhabi designates 64 sites for cultural protection

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 28 Jul 2023

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has announced the protection of 64 cultural sites in line with the new Cultural Heritage law.

UK’s National Railway Museum launches STEM-focussed Wonderlab

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 28 Jul 2023

The National Railway Museum in Yorkshire, UK, has opened its largest new gallery in more than a decade, with the launch of the £6m ‘Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery’.

Climate change threatens ancient Chinese heritage sites

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 27 Jul 2023

New research from environmental group Greenpeace has found that extreme weather conditions, caused by climate change, are already a significant threat to ancient heritage sites in China

Smithsonian Latino museum under threat after Reublican lawmakers move to block funding

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 26 Jul 2023

A new bill passed by the US’s House Appropriations Committee could jeopardise the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino by effectively banning the institution from spending tax payer money on the project

VisitBritain to open new headquarters in Birmingham

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 25 Jul 2023

The UK’s national tourism board VisitBritain/VisitEngland is to open a new head office in Birmingham.

Unesco and Zelenskyy condemn Russian attacks on historic World Heritage Site

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 24 Jul 2023

Unesco says it’s deeply dismayed over an attack carried out by the Russian forces, which hit several cultural sites in the city centre of Odesa, while President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pledged retaliation for the act

Plans announced for US$2bn theme park and resort development in Oklahoma

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 20 Jul 2023

A major US$2bn theme park and resort development comparable to the likes of Disney and Universal is set to open in 2026 in the state of Oklahoma

Entrepreneur eyes ‘TexasLand’ theme park

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 18 Jul 2023

A young entrepreneur has raised upwards of US$100,000 in her ambition to build a theme park dedicated to the US state of Texas.

Applications open for 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 12 Jul 2023

Disney is seeking 100 applicants from black and underrepresented communities across the US for the 2024 edition of its Dreamers Academy scheme

France passes law allowing institutions to easily return Nazi-looted objects

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 11 Jul 2023

France’s National Assembly has voted unanimously to adopt a new law that makes it significantly easier for public institutions to return Nazi-looted objects in their collections.

Rijksmuseum to return colonial objects from its collection for the first time

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 10 Jul 2023

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is set to return six objects currently in its in collection to Sri Lanka, marking the first time colonial objects from the museum’s collection will be returned to their point of origin.

Skegness waterfront to be revitalised after £5m plans approved

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 07 Jul 2023

Officials have approved plans to regenerate the pier, theatre and seafront of a British seaside town, with the £5m set to see Skegness transformed in the coming years.

Ireland introduces panel to advise on restitution and repatriation of contested cultural heritage

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 07 Jul 2023

Ireland’s government is introducing an expert committee to create national guidelines for any cultural institutions’ handling of items of unknown provenance, as well as advising the government on how to handle restitution and repatriation of culturally sensitive items.

Registration opens as IAAPA Expo Europe prepares for return to Austria

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 05 Jul 2023

Registration is now open for this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe event, which is set to make its return to Vienna, Austria, in September

Abu Dhabi announces ambitious growth plans focused on tourism and culture

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 03 Jul 2023

Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism board has revealed ambitious plans to grow its tourism economy to 24 million visitors a year

Museum Theatre Project aims to revitalise Ghanaian heritage attractions

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 28 Jun 2023

Heritage sites in Ghana are planning to revitalise the African country’s museum experience with the introduction of the new Museum Theatre Project.

Met and Smithsonian team up to train US Army to protect cultural heritage

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 27 Jun 2023

The Met and the Smithsonian have worked with the US Army to help train soldiers in preserving and protecting cultural heritage in conflict zones

UK’s Peace Museum to reopen in Unesco World Heritage village in 2024

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 23 Jun 2023

The UK’s Peace Museum has been awarded a £250,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund that will see the museum relocate to Saltaire, a World Heritage village in West Yorkshire

African King sits on throne at museum taken from descendants by colonisers

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 23 Jun 2023

An African throne taken by European colonisers in more than a century ago has had a King take a seat in it once more.

First-of-its-kind cultural event brings Morph to London for wheelchair-friendly public art trail

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 22 Jun 2023

Morph has arrived in London for a wheelchair accessible public art trail, with the event to run until August in an effort to raise money for the children’s charity Whizz Kidz

Strawberries threaten Spanish World Heritage site

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 22 Jun 2023

Concerns have been raised after local government passed a bill allowing intensive irrigated strawberry farming on a World Heritage-protected wetland in Spain

New exhibition at Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum explores the city’s links to slavery

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 21 Jun 2023

A new exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, UK, will explore the city’s, and its famous university’s, links to the slave trade and exploitation.

SNC-Lavalin awarded contract for Historic Jeddah development in Saudi Arabia

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 21 Jun 2023

Leading engineering and construction group SNC-Lavalin has been awarded a two-year project management consultancy services contract by the Saudi Ministry of Culture to support the development of Historic Jeddah, a Unesco World Heritage site.

Saudi Arabia introduces midday work ban

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 21 Jun 2023

Saudi Arabia has introduced a midday work ban to protect the safety and health of workers operating in direct sunlight at the hottest point of the day.

Italian Capital of Culture celebrates cities of Bergamo and Brescia

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 15 Jun 2023

A summer of pop-up events is planned for Bergamo and Brescia - two cities that have been jointly named the 2023 Italian Capital of Culture.

Saudi Arabia plans further US$800bn investment in tourism projects

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 14 Jun 2023

Saudi Arabia is set to invest a further US$800bn on top of the US$1tn investment it has already made in tourism, with even more new projects set to come up in the kingdom over the course of the next decade

Multi-million dollar attraction celebrating the hot pot breaks ground in China

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 14 Jun 2023

A new attraction combining food, culture and tourism has broken ground in Chongqing, with the Dezhuang Hot Pot Manor now under construction in the Chinese city.

Theme parks and family attractions to drive tourism in Malaysia, says minister

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 14 Jun 2023

Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Malaysia’s deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture minister, has said that the theme park and family attraction industry will be an important hub for the country’s tourism industry.

‘Game-changing’ waterpark and spa development about to open in Hungary

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 14 Jun 2023

The RQ Water Experience Park and Spa, a new waterpark offering 21 pools and a spectacular water slide tower, will open in Hungary in June

Giant wheel at heart of rural attraction to open later this month in China

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 13 Jun 2023

A new Ferris wheel attraction in China will open later this month on the traditional holiday of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Italy raises museum prices as part of €2bn flood aid package

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 12 Jun 2023

With huge floods hitting northern Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region in May, the country’s museums are playing their part in helping recovery, raising prices by €1 as part of a wider €2bn aid package.

House of Hype: New immersive attraction to open at Dubai Mall

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 12 Jun 2023

A new immersive visitor attraction will open its doors at the Dubai Mall later this year

Biden bans drilling around Unesco World Heritage Site to preserve archaelogical ruins

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 09 Jun 2023

The Biden administration has banned all new gas and oil drilling at Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site in New Mexico, US, for the next 20 years.

British Museum denies ending controversial BP partnership

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 08 Jun 2023

The British Museum has refuted claims that it has ended its commercial partnership with BP following reports that the institution had ended its 27-year relationship with the fossil fuel giant

Qatar unveils ‘next generation’ of cultural institutions at Venice Biennale

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 02 Jun 2023

Qatar has launched an exhibition showcasing plans for four new museums, with the Art Mill Museum, Lusail Museum, Qatar Auto Museum and Dadu Children’s Museum of Qatar all to open in the country by the end of the decade

Adjaye expansion will turn museum into India’s largest art and culture centre

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 02 Jun 2023

An expansion of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in Delhi will make the institution the largest art and culture centre in India when it opens in 2026.

Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund commits £22m to attractions in the Scottish Highlands

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 01 Jun 2023

Scotland’s Natural & Cultural Heritage Fund (NCHF) has awarded a share of £22m (US$27m, €25m) to more than a dozen tourist attractions in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, as part of a new scheme to promote tourism in the area.

San Francisco seeks World Heritage status

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 01 Jun 2023

The city of San Francisco is aiming to become the first in the US to achieve World Heritage status, with a task force launched to pursue a nomination from Unesco.

BBC Studios developing immersive experiences for the metaverse

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 30 May 2023

BBC Studios is to launch a collection of immersive experiences on metaverse platform; The Sandbox later this year

Denver Museum to close ‘harmful’ Indigenous people gallery

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 25 May 2023

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Colorado, US, is to close a gallery dedicated to Indigenous people and culture, which it says perpetuates racist stereotypes.

Architects Kengo Kuma to design visitor centre for Albanian World Heritage site

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 23 May 2023

Japanese architecture firm Kengo Kuma & Associates has won an international design competition to design a new visitor centre at Butrint National Park in Albania

The World of Gazza!!: New exhibition explores life and times of iconic English footballer Paul Gascoigne

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 20 May 2023

A new exhibition celebrating and exploring the life and times of iconic English footballer Paul Gascoigne has opened its doors in London

Aaron Levi Garvey named chief curator of the Andy Warhol Museum

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 18 May 2023

The Andy Warhol Museum has named Aaron Levi Garvey as its new chief curator with Garvey set to take up the position in the summer.

Pilsner Urquell: BRC’s Christian Lachel on Prague’s new ‘Original Beer Experience’

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 02 May 2023

A new brand home dedicated to Pilsner Urquell has opened its doors in Prague. BRC’s Christian Lachel tells Planet Attractions how the attraction celebrates the brand’s place in Czech history and culture

Jeff Shell steps down as NBCUniversal CEO following ‘inappropriate conduct’

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 25 Apr 2023

Jeff Shell has been removed from his position as CEO of NBCUniversal following a misconduct investigation

High hopes: Construction begins on Atlantic City’s new cannabis museum

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 22 Apr 2023

Work has started on a new agriculture museum dedicated to cannabis in Atlantic City. The museum is one of several marijuana-themed projects greenlit by the city in the hopes of attracting a new wave of ‘weed tourists’

Centre Pompidou announces South Korea and Saudi Arabia expansion

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 21 Apr 2023

Centre Pompidou, a contemporary art museum in Paris, France, has signed agreements that will see the opening of two new overseas outposts in South Korea and Saudi Arabia.

Hong Kong sees strong comeback in international cruise calls

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 20 Apr 2023

Hong Kong’s tourism board has announced its “return to its position as Asia’s cruise hub”, following 160 ship calls from 16 cruise lines so far in 2023.

Sega Purchases Angry Birds owner in US$706m deal

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 20 Apr 2023

Sega Sammy Holdings has agreed a deal to acquire Rovio, with Sega aiming to accelerate its mobile gaming capabilities while also acquiring a powerful IP in the world of entertainment

Carnegie Science Center to host adults-only speakeasy event

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 14 Apr 2023

You can experience Carnegie Science Center with a roaring twenties twist on April 14, with the popular attraction set to host a special adults-only speakeasy night

Experience UK’s Experience on Main Street conference set for April

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 29 Mar 2023

Leading trade body Experience UK is gearing up for its first-ever ‘Experience on Main Street’ conference

Seatrade Cruise Global 2023: Finding the rhythm on the show floor

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 28 Mar 2023

Among the exhibitors at this year’s Seatrade are a range of tourism bodies representing all the global cruise ports and related attractions from around the world. Over at the Virgin Islands stand, this colourful character was showcasing some of the destinations culture for attendees.

Eleven million pixels: Christie powers new immersive room in Brazil’s Museum of Image and Sound of Ceará

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 24 Mar 2023

Christie has teamed up with Brazil’s Museum of Image and Sound of Ceará on the installation of an immersive multimedia room as part of a revamp of the historic institution

Mexican President wants to build XCaret rival on controversially-seized cargo port

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 24 Mar 2023

A cargo port controversially seized from a US company last week by the Mexican government has been earmarked for an XCaret style water and theme park, as well as a docking point for cruise ships

Milwaukee Public Museum to celebrate Wisconsin with dedicated gallery

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 24 Mar 2023

The upcoming Milwaukee Public Museum will celebrate its home state of Wisconsin with a permanent gallery dedicated to the region.

Southampton’s City Art Gallery to undergo urgent roof repairs after receiving £2.23m grant from DCMS

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 24 Mar 2023

The City Art Gallery in Southampton, UK, is set to undergo urgent roof repairs after receiving a £2.23m (US$2.74m, €2.52m) grant from the UK’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Everything you need to know about SeaTrade Cruise Global 2023

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 23 Mar 2023

SeaTrade Cruise Global is returning to Florida. Here’s everything you need to know...

UK’s culture venues, museums and libraries receive £60m funding boost

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 21 Mar 2023

More than 70 cultural organisations across Britain are to be given a financial boost by the government so they can improve people’s access to arts, support local economic growth through culture and safeguard vital local collections for future generations.

UK museums workers join public sector strike

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 15 Mar 2023

Thousands of UK museum and heritage workers have joined industrial action protesting against low pay and other working conditions.

International Women’s Day: Equality is the goal, but EQUITY is how we'll get there

Una de Boer | WhiteWater | 08 Mar 2023

Equity is different from equality, and on International Women’s Day Una de Boer reflects how to support this foundational step towards a more just world

Disney World introduces wheelchair-using doll to ‘It’s a Small World’ attraction

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 03 Mar 2023

The Disney World resort in Orlando, Florida, has introduced a new wheelchair-bound character to the ‘It’s a Small World’ attraction.

London’s Young V&A to open in July following multi-million-pound redevelopment

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 02 Mar 2023

The Young V&A, formerly the V&A Museum of Childhood, will reopen in East London, after a multi-year, multi-million-pound redevelopment

Treasure trove of David Bowie artefacts secured for permanent display at V&A East

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 23 Feb 2023

Original costumes, set designs, drawings and handwritten lyrics will allow visitors to V&A East to trace David Bowie’s creative process across six decades

‘Dippy’ begins three-year residency at the Herbert in Coventry

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 23 Feb 2023

Dippy the Dinosaur has been unveiled at its new home in Coventry’s Herbert Art Gallery & Museum.

Alex McNeil Joins Hurtigruten Expeditions

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 23 Feb 2023

Cruise operator Hurtigruten Expeditions has welcomed explorer Alex McNeil to its team, with McNeil set to develop the company’s next generation of expedition cruises.

Oil company’s museum sponsorship deal included gagging clause

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 17 Feb 2023

London’s Science Museum signed a sponsorship deal with Norwegian oil and gas company Equinor, with the agreement meaning the museum would not say anything that could damage the firm’s reputation.

Germany celebrates first German-Jewish sites to appear on Unesco World Heritage list

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 16 Feb 2023

A ceremony celebrating the first German-Jewish sites to receive Unesco World Heritage designation was held in Germany earlier this month.

London to get its own Highline after Camden plans approved

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 15 Feb 2023

London is set to emulate New York’s Highline with its own version running from Camden to St Pancras. Here’s everything you need to know about the £14m project

Centre Pompidou is about to sign a contract for a new museum in Saudi Arabia

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 10 Feb 2023

After expanding its horizons in Málaga, Shanghai and Brussels, with the prospect of a spinoff in the pipeline for Jersey City, US, in 2025, the Pompidou Center will soon be putting its expertise to work in Saudi Arabia.

SeaWorld’s first rescue centre opens outside of US with launch of Abu Dhabi site

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 09 Feb 2023

SeaWorld is expanding its network of rescue centres with the launch of Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue - the first such SeaWorld site to open outside of the US

Dubai 100: Industry names among Dubai’s most powerful people

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 09 Feb 2023

Three names involved in the tourism and attractions industries have been named in the Dubai 100 - a list representing the 100 most powerful people in the UAE city.

Manchester Museum to reopen this month following transformation

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 03 Feb 2023

Another cultural addition to the Manchester scene in 2023 will be the re-opening of the Manchester Museum, which closed in August 2021 to undergo a £15m (US$18.2m, €17m) renovation.

Manchester’s £210m Factory International will be Britain’s biggest arts development since Tate Modern

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 02 Feb 2023

A new contemporary art museum and cultural centre inspired by the ‘Madchester’ music scene of the 1990s will open in Manchester, UK, in June.

British Museum workers among those set to strike in February

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 31 Jan 2023

Workers at the British Museum along with a number of other institutions across the UK are set to go on strike in February

Spanish museum returns Nazi-looted paintings to Poland

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 31 Jan 2023

A Spanish museum has returned two 15th-century paintings to Poland after discovering that they had been looted by Nazi forces in World War II.

Singapore’s Peranakan Museum to reopen following four-year renovation

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 31 Jan 2023

The Peranakan Museum in Singapore will reopen in February following a four-year refurbishment process.

Kids in Museums launches ‘Future is Now’ youth summit to engage young people in the museum sector

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 30 Jan 2023

Kids in Museums has launched a new initiative aimed at having young people discuss, learn and advocate for the future of the museum sector

PIF’s Seven announces SAR1bn entertainment destination for Saudi city of Tabuk

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 25 Jan 2023

Another mega project has been announced for Saudi Arabia, with the PIF’s Seven announcing plans for a SAR1bn entertainment destination in the city of Tabuk

accesso announces 18 new strategic partnerships in the UK and US

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 25 Jan 2023

accesso has signed a series of new strategic agreements with 18 attractions, culture, hospitality and ski partners across the UK and the US.

Disney’s Lunar New Year Celebrations return to Anaheim

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 25 Jan 2023

Disney’s Lunar New Year Celebrations have made a triumphant return to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, US.

Eden project headlines Levelling Up fund with £50m investment

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 20 Jan 2023

A new Eden Project in Morecambe is one of the major projects to receive funding as part of the British government’s Levelling Up scheme.

Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum to close ahead of year long £6m revamp

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 19 Jan 2023

A ‘radical, once-in-a-generation’ development will see Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum undergo a year-long transformation starting in June

Taliban’s application for Unesco protection of historic Kabul garden still unanswered

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 19 Jan 2023

An application by the Taliban to add a historic garden in Kabul to the World Heritage List lies in limbo.

Fourteen of 2023’s most anticipated museum openings

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 18 Jan 2023

After a difficult few years the museum sector is showing promising signs of recovery with several exciting projects set to open this year. Here are 14 of 2023’s most anticipated museum openings

Lionel Messi’s World Cup accommodation to become museum

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 13 Jan 2023

Following Argentina’s historic win at the 2022 World Cup, the student accommodation that global footballing icon Lionel Messi stayed in is set to be turned into its own mini museum

Museum of London set to ‘revolutionise’ digital offer with 'stories first' platform

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 12 Jan 2023

The Museum of London is introducing a new digital platform in 2024, with the institution saying the move will “revolutionise” its online offerings.

Paris’s Rodin scraps plans for €16m Canary Islands outpost

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 11 Jan 2023

Rodin Museum officials have decided to pull out of a €16m project in the Canary Islands, which would have seen an outpost of the famous institution built in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Vikings exhibition heads to Carnegie Science Center

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 11 Jan 2023

A collection of more than 140 authentic Viking artefacts, including a full-size replica of a Viking ship, is set to go on display in the US at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Science Center.

‘Spy x Family’ attraction coming to Universal Studios Japan in 2023

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 20 Dec 2022

Spy x Family - a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo - is coming to Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in 2023.

UAE introduces Golden Visa scheme for culture

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 09 Dec 2022

Professionals working in the creative field can now apply for a UAE Cultural Golden Visa, a permit which grants the holder a 10-year residency in the country.

‘A first of its kind experience’: SeaWorld’s Jonathan Smith on operator’s upcoming Pipeline surf coaster

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 08 Dec 2022

The highly-anticipated Pipeline surf coaster is coming to SeaWorld Orlando this spring. SeaWorld’s vice president of rides and engineering, Jonathan Smith, spoke to Planet Attractions about the project

Monopoly Lifesized opens in Saudi Arabia

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 08 Dec 2022

Hasbro’s Monopoly Lifesized has opened in Riyadh following a three-way partnership between the toy manufacturer, the Al Hokair Group and The Path Entertainment Group

Anti-racist action in culture, heritage and sport gets £4.5m boost from Welsh government

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 05 Dec 2022

Culture, heritage and sport sites are set to receive £4.5m over the next three years to support actions in the Welsh Government’s Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan

Merlin promotes Fiona Eastwood to oversee midway attractions and theme parks

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 28 Nov 2022

Merlin executive Fiona Eastwood has been promoted to oversee the operator’s global portfolio of theme parks and midway attractions

92 museum directors sign open letter condemning climate action against ‘irreplaceable’ artworks

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 28 Nov 2022

Directors from The Met, British Museum, Louvre and National Gallery have signed an open letter published by ICOM condemning the ‘risky endangerment’ of irreplaceable artworks in climate demonstrations

US$4.4m Mars exhibition opens at Carnegie Space Center

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 24 Nov 2022

A new permanent exhibition exploring life on Mars has opened at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, US

Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther headlines Smithsonian’s African American Museum’s Afrofuturism exhibition

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 22 Nov 2022

A new exhibition set to open in 2023 will feature the late Chadwick Boseman’s iconic costume worn in Marvel’s Black Panther.

Princess Cruises unveils 360: An Extraordinary Experience

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 08 Nov 2022

Princess Cruises has debuted a brand new immersive experience that combines dining, storytelling, music, scent and more for a one-of-a-kind journey through the Mediterranean

Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi 25% complete

25 Oct 2022

A major project in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District is now 25% complete, tourism chiefs have revealed.

Cultural sites damaged in Ukrainian capital in latest wave of Russian attacks against country

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 10 Oct 2022

Russia’s lethal barrage of strikes against Ukrainian cities this week has seen a number of cultural sites in the capital of Kyiv hit

Anime robot maids serve customers in Japanese café

10 Oct 2022

Museums in England and Wales can now dispose of objects on moral grounds

07 Oct 2022

Museums and galleries in England and Wales will be given unprecedented powers to dispose of objects in their collections if there is a compelling moral obligation to do so, under a new law.

Heygo takes streaming tours into museums sector

05 Oct 2022

Live streaming tour platform Heygo is venturing into the culture sector, with the company announcing a number of partnerships with various museums to “create a space for all to interact, learn and connect with like-minded people”.

Louvre turns the lights out amid spiralling energy costs

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 03 Oct 2022

The Louvre is among a number of French cultural institutions and landmarks turning their lights off in an attempt to cut soaring energy costs

Disney legends set to come together to celebrate 40 years of Epcot

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 30 Sep 2022

A panel of industry legends will share their stories about the creation and evolution of Disney’s Epcot at this year’s IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Florida

‘Worse than Covid’: rising energy costs threaten UK museum sector and warm banks plan

21 Sep 2022

UK museums have warned that they may be unable to provide planned ‘warm banks’ this winter, due to rising energy bills.

Britain’s new Prime Minister names Michelle Donelan culture secretary

07 Sep 2022

Britain’s new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, has named Michelle Donelan as culture secretary.

Zoological Society of London names Matthew Gould its new director general

05 Sep 2022

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has named Matthew Gould its new director general.

Tickets on sale for Battersea Power Station’s new chimney lift experience

26 Aug 2022

LIFT 109 - an experience coming to London’s iconic Battersea Power Station - has opened pre-sale ticket registration for the new attraction.

Building work begins on Shanghai’s new museum devoted to literature

Alice Davis | Planet Attractions | 18 Aug 2022

Hongkou attraction to honour city’s avant-garde literary movement of the 1920s and its respected authors

Major Louis Vuitton exhibition comes to Los Angeles

02 Aug 2022

A touring Louis Vuitton exhibition has landed in Los Angeles, California, US, with

‘We're the industry of fun and it's time to have fun again’: Peter van der Schans on IAAPA EMEA, industry challenges and what to expect at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 18 Jul 2022

Planet Attractions travelled to Belgium recently to meet Peter van der Schans, IAAPA’s new executive director and vice president for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region. Here’s what he had to say

Saudi Arabia unveils plan to transform museums sector

13 Jul 2022

Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission has announced plans to transform its museum sector, unveiling a new strategy, which will see the number and types of museums across the Kingdom increase in an attempt to boost visitor numbers.

Museum of London plans ‘epic leaving party’ ahead of Smithfield move

13 Jul 2022

The Museum of London has declared its final event before its demolition ahead of a move to a new site, with the institution working on an “epic leaving party” - one which could potentially last all night.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium opens Dolphintopia exhibit

08 Jul 2022

Florida’s Clearwater Marine Aquarium has debuted a new exhibit exploring the science of dolphins, while also using art and interactive activities to highlight the animals’ connection to humans.

Stranger Things slated for stage adaptation after fourth season receives record viewings

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 08 Jul 2022

An official stage production based on Stranger Things is in the works after the series became Netflix’s first English-language show to be viewed for more than one billion hours

Glastonbury founder celebrated with painting at National Portrait Gallery, named as patron at Radstock Museum

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 07 Jul 2022

Glastonbury founder, Michael Eavis has been commemorated with a specially-commissioned portrait at the National Portrait Gallery. He has also been named as a patron of Somerset’s Radstock Museum

The museum that’s introduced special glasses to help colour-blind people see art in a whole new light

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 05 Jul 2022

Colour deficient and colour-blind visitors to Australia’s Chau Chak Wing Museum are now being offered special glasses to see works of art in clear, vibrant colour for the first time

Fantawild Glorious Orient opens in Huai'an

01 Jul 2022

Chinese operator Fantawild has opened a brand new attraction today, with the Huai'an-based Glorious Orient theme park building on the country’s ‘red tourism’ drive.

Canada launches 76 new museums in a day in Ottawa

21 Jun 2022

Ottawa’s tourism body has granted special museum status to a collection of 76 festivals, restaurants, concert venues, and attractions as a way to shine a light on some of the city's cultural hidden gems.

Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum gifted £3m for Power Hall renovation

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 21 Jun 2022

The Science and Industry Museum has received a generous donation from The Law Family Charitable Foundation for the refurbishment of its Power Hall

SeaWorld commits to world’s oceans with UN Sustainability Development pledge

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 15 Jun 2022

SeaWorld has pledged to ensure the long-term health of the world’s oceans in accordance with the UN’s Sustainability Development Goal 14

HK$3.5bn Hong Kong Palace Museum sets July opening date

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 08 Jun 2022

The Hong Kong Palace Museum is the newest addition to the West Kowloon Cultural District with the HK$3.5bn attraction set to open its doors to the public for the first time next month

Cirque du Soleil’s Mad Apple debuts in Las Vegas

08 Jun 2022

Carnegie Museums names Gina Winstead its new vice president for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility

07 Jun 2022

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh has named Gina Winstead its new vice president for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA).

Portland Museum of Art plans US$45m expansion

07 Jun 2022

The Portland Museum of Art (PMA) in Maine, US, has launched an international competition for a new US$45m (€42.2m, £36m) extension that will see the historic art centre double its exhibition space.

Splash Mountain’s Princess & the Frog overhaul coming in 2024, says movie’s star

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 07 Jun 2022

Anika Noni Rose, who voiced Tiana in the 2009 hit, revealed that The Princess and the Frog ride could open in 2024 during an appearance on US morning show Live with Kelly and Ryan

Sofar Sounds partners with Tiqets for concert series at iconic attractions in London and San Francisco

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 01 Jun 2022

The concert series, the second such partnership between Sofar Sounds and Tiqets, will see artists perform at iconic attractions in London and San Francisco.

Universal Studios Singapore breaks ground on Minion Land attraction

30 May 2022

A new addition to Universal Studios Singapore slated to open in 2024 has broken ground, with work starting on the park's upcoming Minion Land.

Land, sea and everywhere in between: WhiteWater’s global openings for 2022

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 27 May 2022

It’s a busy year for WhiteWater, which has more than 70 waterpark projects across the world opening in 2022. We’ve rounded these projects up so you can keep track of everything happening this year

Google uses augmented reality to bring fine art to life for International Museum Day

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 26 May 2022

Google Arts & Culture celebrated Internation Museum Day with the launch of three new mind-bending AR art filters

WhiteWater named one of Canada’s best-managed companies

26 May 2022

Waterpark supplier WhiteWater has been awarded the prestigious Gold Standard status as one of Canada’s best-managed companies.

Saudi Arabia starts work on Riyadh’s Royal Arts Complex

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 25 May 2022

Construction has started on the King Salman Park’s Royal Arts Complex, which once complete will act as a cultural hub for the Saudi capital of Riyadh

Andy Warhol Museum announces plan to launch US$60m ‘Pop District’ in Pittsburgh

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 24 May 2022

‘The Pop District’ from The Andy Warhol Museum will feature a larger cultural hub for live music, events, public art, expanded programming and a home for creative workplace development

Rima Abdul Malak named France’s new minister of culture

23 May 2022

Following his re-election as France’s President last month, Emmanuel Macron has announced that Lebanese-born politician Rima Abdul Malak will take up the role of minister of culture.

London’s Natural History Museum announces plan to open major new research centre with the University of Reading

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 20 May 2022

The Natural History Museum is partnering with the University of Reading on a major new digitisation centre to be built at the Thames Valley Science Park

Get ready for #MuseumWeek 2022

19 May 2022

With the support of Unesco, the worldwide #MuseumWeek event is set to take place next month, with museums being encouraged to share seven posts over seven days on seven topics with seven different hashtags on the theme of culture, society and innovation.

Industry veteran Anthony Van Dam announces retirement from FORREC after 34 years

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 18 May 2022

FORREC’s Anthony Van Dam is set to leave the company after 34 years following his retirement announcement

French Ministry of Culture invites NEMO to speak at EU event

17 May 2022

NEMO - the Network of European Museum Organisations - was recently represented at a major conference at the invitation of the French Ministry of Culture.

New LGBTQ+ arts space coming to London in June

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 11 May 2022

A new arts space highlighting work from LGBTQ+ artists will open its doors in London next month

Back with a bang: TEA Summit and Thea Awards Gala return

Planet Attractions | 05 May 2022

Leaders in the themed entertainment industry gathered last month for the return of TEA Summit and Thea Awards Gala for the first time in two years. Christine Kerr on behalf of the TEA and Nicole Sangster from Thea Award recipients Simworx both report on the event

Unesco’s World Heritage meeting in Russia indefinitely postponed

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 27 Apr 2022

Unesco’s World Heritage Committee meeting in Kazan has been indefinitely postponed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Connections Café opens at Epcot

27 Apr 2022

As part of its continued transformation, Disney World’s Epcot has officially opened Connections Café - a new addition promising a unique dining experience for its visitors.

Sproutl forms partnership with Kew Gardens

20 Apr 2022

Online gardening marketplace Sproutl has formed a strategic partnership with one of Britain’s most-visited attractions - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Katherine E. Fleming to lead Getty Trust after being named new president and CEO

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 13 Apr 2022

Starting this August, Katherine E. Fleming will take the reins at the J. Paul Getty Trust, leading the institution’s mission to advance and share the world's art and cultural heritage for the benefit of all

Pressure on Unesco to relocate World Heritage Committee meeting from Russia

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 08 Apr 2022

Organisations including the Auschwitz Memorial and Europa Nostra, as well as the UK’s culture minister Nadine Dorries, have called on Unesco to change the location of its 45th annual World Heritage Committee meeting, which is currently scheduled to take place in Russia

3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum inaugurated

30 Mar 2022

World's most valuable T-Rex coming to Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi

25 Mar 2022

A T-Rex skeleton sold for more than US$31.8m (€28.9m, £25m) in 2020 has found a new home as the centrepiece of the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.

Cultural experiences do not boost exam results, new study reveals

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 18 Mar 2022

The study explored the impact of ‘cultural capital’ on exam results of children from different social classes

Cityneon’s VR Machu Picchu experience scoops Lumiere Award

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 16 Mar 2022

The immersive experiential design firm won in the category for ‘Best Use of VR’ for its Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor virtual reality (VR) experience

San Diego Zoo’s US$69m Wildlife Explorers Basecamp opens to the public

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 15 Mar 2022

San Diego Zoo has launched one of its most ambitious ever additions, with the brand-new US$69m Wildlife Explorers Basecamp showcasing a number of different ecosystems through a series of immersive experiences

Are two museum directors better than one?

11 Mar 2022

Following a move in 2019 where the German culture ministry decided that a consortium of Berlin’s major institutions, including the Hamburger Bahnhof and the Neue Nationalgalerie, would be broken up, the new structure of these institutions would see Hamburger Bahnhof gained not one new head, but two.

Smithsonian releases statement on Ukraine crisis

11 Mar 2022

Lonnie Bunch, 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, has released a statement on behalf of the organisation, pledging its support to the people of Ukraine and their cultural heritage. In the statement, Bunch revealed that the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI) is in contact with people in the country in order to facilitate the preservation of Ukraine’s history.

Theme parks must streamline their internal comms to ensure a smooth and successful re-opening in the summer

Ross McCaw | OurPeople | 10 Mar 2022

In order for theme parks to run operations in a smooth and efficient manner, internal communications are key. Ross McCaw, CEO and founder of OurPeople, tells us more

Unesco 'gravely concerned' for Ukraine's cultural heritage as Russia invasion continues

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 09 Mar 2022

The UN cultural organisation is aiming to mark as many key heritage sites with the Hague Convention emblem, which protects cultural heritage in the event of armed conflict

Miami Seaquarium to end shows with 56-year-old orca Lolita following takeover

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 07 Mar 2022

Miami Seaquarium’s new owners will no longer stage orca shows following a new agreement with federal regulators

National Railway Museum axes long-awaited Trans-Siberian exhibition as Russia continues Ukraine invasion

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 04 Mar 2022

The major exhibition at the National Railway Museum is the latest in a series of events to be axed as UK cultural institutions move to show their support to Ukraine

Ukraine culture minister calls for UNESCO to revoke Russia’s membership after Russian forces destroy museum housing works by folk artist Maria Prymachenko

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 03 Mar 2022

The Ivankiv Historical and Local History Museum was burned to the ground as Russia continues its aggressive invasion of the country

National Portrait Gallery and BP to end 30-year partnership in December

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 01 Mar 2022

The National Portrait Gallery and BP have decided to mutually end their decades-long commercial partnership

Attractions Calendar: March

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 01 Mar 2022

Here are all the events you should be attending this month

Saudi Arabia unveils plans for US$750m mega waterpark development

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 24 Feb 2022

The Qiddiya Investment Company is developing Saudi Arabia’s first-ever waterpark, with the mammoth investment set to cost a whopping US$750m

Ukraine’s museums prepare for the worst as Russian conflict approaches

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 23 Feb 2022

Escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia have seen Ukrainian institutions prepare security and evacuation plans should the worst happen

Documents suggest British Museum’s controversial BP partnership will be renewed despite protests

Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 21 Feb 2022

Officials at the British Museum reportedly recently met with BP officials to discuss options for support ‘post Spring 2023’, hinting at a likely renewal of the controversial partnership

Bank of America awards US$1m to Motown Museum expansion

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 15 Feb 2022

The Motown Museum has been given a million dollar boost towards its US$55m expansion campaign

Hurtigruten Expeditions to offer pole-to-pole cruises in 2023

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 09 Feb 2022

Crossing four continents and stopping off at more than 100 landing sites, Hurtigruten Expeditions has announced a series of cruises set to travel all the way from the Arctic to Antarctica

Attractions Calendar: Your diary dates for 2022

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 02 Feb 2022

With so many big things coming in the year ahead, we’ve rounded up all the key events taking place this year. Welcome to your attractions calendar for 2022.

Museum of Art Pudong: A look inside Shanghai’s newest art gallery

Alice Davis | Planet Attractions | 31 Jan 2022

The Jean Nouvel-designed Museum of Art Pudong has been in operation for six months. Alice Davis paid a visit to the cultural newcomer in Shanghai


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