About Subscribe Submit news Get in touch
 
Home Opinion In depth Video LIVE news Interviews Company profiles Events diary Jobs
'Culture' on Planet Attractions | Planet Attractions
 
'Culture' on Planet Attractions


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


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.


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.


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


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.


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


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


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.


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


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, 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’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 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


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


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


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.


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


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


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


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).


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


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.


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


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


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


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


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


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.


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.


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


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


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 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


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.


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.


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


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


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.


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


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


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 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 have made a triumphant return to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, US.


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.


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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.


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


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


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


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


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


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 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


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


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



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.


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”.


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


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


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, Liz Truss, has named Michelle Donelan as culture secretary.


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


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


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


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


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’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.


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.


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.


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, 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


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


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.


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.


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


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


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



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


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.


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


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


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.


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


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


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


‘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


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.


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


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.


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


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


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


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


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.


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


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


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



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.


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


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 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


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.


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.


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


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


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


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


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


Here are all the events you should be attending this month


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


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


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


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


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


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.


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


Art and entertainment collective Meow Wolf has partnered with audio simulation platform Spatial to create a ‘never before seen’ pop up experience at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.


The Museum of East Anglian Life is set to undergo a name change in the hopes that a new emphasis on food will broaden its audience appeal


Honouring East Asian traditions, Disney’s Lunar New Year celebration has returned to the Disneyland Resort in California


Political unrest in Kazakhstan has seen a group of protestors invade the state museum in search of priceless ancient armour


The Smithsonian's Washington DC area museum and the National Zoo have introduced a new schedule in response to staff shortages caused by the Omicron wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.


Martin Luther King Jr’s original ‘I have a dream’ speech is now on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which is open in observance of Martin Luther King Jr day


The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has announced US$24.7m in grants for 208 humanities projects across the US


Design group and immersive experience creators Thinkwell have announced the promotion of Jason McManus to the new role of principal.


McDonald’s has lost a high court appeal to build a €1.3 m drive-through restaurant directly next to Rome’s historic Baths of Caracalla


While many animal attractions have struggled through 2020 and 2021, the news is more positive in Florida, with ZooTampa reporting an attendance record of 1.2 million visitors last year.


Design firm Mather & Co has revealed that it’s working on the redevelopment of Ipswich Museum in Ipswich, UK, following a £4.3m (US$5.8m, €5.15m) grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.


An additional £30m in emergency funding has been made available through the UK’s Culture Recovery Fund to support museums, cinemas, theatres and heritage organisations with the impact of the Omicron variant this winter


One of the UK’s leading scientific figures has weighed in on the row over fossil fuel sponsorship at the London Science Museum.


The Met is taking its first-ever look at Disney’s theme parks as part of a special exhibition dedicated to the inspirations behind Walt Disney’s most iconic creations


Visitor attractions in Ireland are set to get a slice of a €50m pie to created to support the country’s tourism industry in 2022


Several species have received a double dose of the animal-specific vaccine


According to John Cena, the time to visit Ferrari World, the Louvre and the rest of Abu Dhabi is now


Set up by tech entrepreneur Frédéric Jousset, Art Explora will go on a tour of the Mediterranean in 2023 with a €32m catamaran the choice of transport for the floating attraction


The Smithsonian is vaccinating species susceptible to COVID-19 at both its National Zoo in Washington and its Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia





The UK government has rejected Unesco’s recommendation that it reconsider the ownership status of the fabled Parthenon Marbles held in the collection of the British Museum.


Pokémon is set to make its mark at Universal Studios Japan following a landmark deal to bring the popular IP to the park starting in 2022


With Evergande at risk of complete collapse thanks to US$305bn worth of debts, the future of its portfolio of 15 theme parks across China is currently uncertain


J. Tomilson Hill is the new chairman of the Guggenheim, while Claudia Rankine becomes only the second ever black female to be named a trustee for the institution





IAAPA’s international trade show is back with IAAPA Expo Europe emanating from Barcelona, Spain. Here’s everything you need to know about the event


Rounding up all the biggest news from both publications and associations, here is your latest edition of From the Industry from Planet Attractions


The British Council is scaling back its work in more than 20 countries due to a pandemic funding shortfall


The new Ilulissat Icefjord Centre is part of Greenland’s plan to attract more tourists to the country


Rounding up all the biggest news from both publications and associations, here is your latest edition of From the Industry from Planet Attractions


The tourism development plan will encourage the predicted 10 million visitors a year to Universal Studios to explore the wider Beijing area


The Taliban has vowed to protect Afghanistan’s heritage but concern is still extremely high following destruction seen in previous years


China has welcomed a flying theatre to its Changbaishan Biosphere Reserve with Brogent Technologies supplying the landmark new attraction


The newly opened museum is hoped to boost dive tourism in the country


Details of the gagging clause were shared by campaign group; Culture Unstained, which described the agreement as ‘problematic’.


The World Heritage Committee has inscribed 13 new sites in Europe, Asia and the Middle East to Unesco’s World Heritage List


Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein has opened its doors to the public a stone's throw away from where the famous author first dreamt up the legendary monster


The Smithsonian has received the largest donation in its history with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos donating US$200m for the development of two key projects for the institution


Disney’s Jungle Cruise has undergone a full reimagining, with the ride experience completely modernised to ‘better reflect and value diversity’


South Korea’s global contribution to pop culture is set to be explored in a new exhibition from London’s V&A museum


The migration of artefacts will be the largest since the 1880s and will see more than a third of the museum’s collection relocated to the brand-new Harwell Campus


IAAPA supports the lifting of US travel restrictions, Donkey Kong could be making his way to Universal’s theme parks, George Osborne becomes British Museum chairman and Portugal has welcomed Europe’s first five-person water coaster. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions.


Castles and palaces in Germany are set to receive a huge investment into refurbishing existing tourist attractions.


Just ahead of it coming home, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club has announced the opening of a new arts space inside the club’s stadium


Funded in-part by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Manchester Jewish museum has reopened its doors following a multi-million pound redevelopment


Rounding up all the biggest news from both publications and associations, here is your latest edition of From the Industry from Planet Attractions


The Museum of the Home has been refused permission to remove a statue of Robert Geffrye despite public calls to ditch the controversial work


Sport and culture, the spirit of Ancient Greece and the thousands of missing spectators for this year’s Olympics will be celebrated in a series of installations celebrating the event in Tokyo


Osborne will join the museum’s board of trustees on September 1, taking up the position of chairman in October


Three British art galleries will present a series of exhibitions and collaborations looking back at the past year to explore the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic


As the COVID tide begins to turn, the recreation sector looks set to bounce back with a new report suggesting the market could be worth as much as US$1.92tn by 2025


US$4m has been gifted to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, with the funding being used to explore American history through the ‘all-encompassing lens of food’


Belgium agrees to help the Congo recover its lost heritage, Ireland’s €73m tourism investment, Africa remodels its tourism outlook and a snow-topped waterpark comes to China. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions


Brand Africa will place an emphasis on people as the continent attempts to lure visitors with new narratives and a new unified tourism approach


In a bid to boost tourism post-Covid in Ireland, Fáilte Ireland has announced plans for major investments into four tourism sites across the country


A new permanent immersive light and spatial audio installation at St. Michael’s Cave will boost the Rock’s visitor experience in time for Summer 2021


Tower Bridge is set to welcome man’s best friend for a very special dog-friendly ‘VIPooch’ event


Emergency restoration work was carried out on the Megalosaurus after its jaw collapsed last year


Kazakhstan has welcomed the country’s first flying theatre ride with Brogent Technologies behind the landmark new attraction


Where exactly is the line when it comes to improving the visitor experience and interfering with historic sites?


The US Justice Department says it will work to ensure that the rescued big cats go to animal preserves where they can be ‘safely maintained rather than exploited’


Vietnam’s largest theme park, a game-changing aquarium project and 12,000 hotel rooms are just a few of the features of the new Phu Quoc United Center


The Smithsonian has partnered with cruise operator Ponant to offer educational voyages to a number of destinations worldwide


Going behind-the-scenes for the development of Legoland Windsor’s newest attraction, an evening with a videogame industry legend, the immersive Doctor Who experience coming to London and the Smithsonian’s latest out-of-this-world acquisition. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions


Research has revealed that 26% of British festivals have been called off due to a lack of COVID-related cancellation insurance


Ticket-holders had to provide a negative COVID test to gain entry


The Dundee Cultural Recovery Fund will support cultural institutions through financial difficulties and bring tourists back to the area


A new ride from Triotech celebrating 100 years of Knott’s Berry Farm, the Jurassic world exhibition coming to North America, Disney’s next step in robotics and WWE looking at building a physical Hall of Fame. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions


The Smithsonian Institute has announced the launch of a new initiative aiming to provide US citizens with information about COVID-19 vaccines


The US cruise industry is a step closer to resuming operations, the creation of the Lego Sky Lion at Legoland Windsor, the fan who built a gargantuan rollercoaster entirely out of K’nex and the operator’s role as a custodian of treasured memories. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions


Ningbo and Ganzhou to open second gates in the next stage of the Beautiful China Trilogy resorts


The Mr & Mrs Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum boasts an impressive collection of Impressionist and Classical works


Lithuania’s government is backing plans to transform its famous Lukiškės Prison complex into a multifunctional hub featuring museums, restaurants, hotels and other commercial and cultural spaces


In recent years, museums across the US, Europe, Australia and beyond have had to face up to the issue of decolonisation. Cultural institutions possess artefacts historically taken from colonised countries and are now having to face up to that reality. But that’s not all...


The eagle-eyed fan who might have spotted Wakanda is Disneyland’s expansion plan, vital funding for the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, a long-awaited ban on cruise ships in central Venice and the technology powering Legoland New York’s most anticipated attraction. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions


Cruise ships are no longer welcome in Venice following a ruling by the Italian government


The fourth shrine of Tutankhamun is heading to the Grand Egyotian Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe reopens for business, Paul Chutter on his new role at WhiteWater and Boris Johnson sparking controversy over the Elgin Marbles. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions


The partnership will see the launch of an initiative that aims to facilitate greater representation in the arts.


The sweet shop of space is most certainly open for business and some of the world’s richest people have their face pressed up against the window, but is there room for the visitor attractions industry?


With Warner Bros ending its live owl performances, Benedict Cumberbatch sending out a message of hope for the struggling culture sector, the first apes to be vaccinated against Covid and the luchadores taking a stand against non mask wearers, welcome to the latest edition of The Week with Planet Attractions


The Disney Cruise Line’s Lighthouse Project second port in the Bahamas has taken another step to becoming a reality after passing its environmental impact assessment


Mexico’s famous luchadores are taking a stand against COVID-19, touring Latin America’s largest wholesale food market to promote mask wearing


With a Eurovision Museum making its way to Iceland, Michael Mack on ‘the toughest year in the history of our business’, Beetlejuice returning to Horror Nights and a man who owns an army of robot dinosaurs, welcome to the latest edition of The Week with Planet Attractions


In part two of our exclusive interview with the man who advised on Jurassic Park and has his own army of robotic dinosaurs, ‘Dino’ Don Lessem returns to talk everything from the business of dinosaurs to the world-famous Trump Toilet


Isle of Wight festival organisers say that they hope to bring back as many artists as they can for the later dates


DriveINSIDE Theatre will allow visitors to get a dose of culture right from their cars


Museum spaces should be a source of joy, debate, learning and fun


Coming to New York City in 2023, the Universal Hip Hop Museum (UHHM) is funding for its new home in the Bronx


Coral bleaching caused by climate change is turning the famous wonder white


With a Disney legend joining Virgin Galactic, Edvard Munch making like Banksy, Boris Johnson setting a roadmap and Peppa Pig making her way to Florida, welcome to the latest edition of The Week with Planet Attractions


Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes is designed for diehard and casual fans alike


UK lockdown restrictions have left six in 10 museums, galleries and historic houses concerned for their survival post-pandemic


Louis Ailot - mayor of the French city of Perpignan and deputy leader of far right National Rally political party - has reopened the city’s museums, claiming that the French need “access to culture”.


Geoff Ellis says the vaccine rollouts are ‘encouraging’ for the festival sector, which has been hard hit by the Coronavirus pandemic


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


As the world fights back against Covid, so does the visitor attractions community, which is offering its sites up as mass vaccination centres


Cruise Saudi will develop ports and terminals in several cities and tourist destinations, as well as itineraries that explore Saudi heritage and culture


Featuring Men in Black, Willie Nelson, Chernobyl and of course Yoda, welcome to the latest edition of The Week with Planet Attractions


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


In the pandemic world, museums engaging with their audience through digital has become an essential process. Klaus Sommer Paulsen explores this evolution to and asks how it will define the museum of the future


There are parts of Chernobyl so dangerous you could die in minutes just standing there but that’s not stopping tourists who are visiting the exclusion zone in record numbers


Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition has been touring since 2012


A converted steel factory and Butchart-inspired gardens are at heart of Shanghai’s newest and largest parkland and culture zone


Taking a look at all the top stories from the last seven days, The Week will be available right here on planetattractions.com


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


The world-famous Glastonbury music festival will not go ahead in 2021 ‘with great regret’


Imagineering veteran and founder of the Designer's Creative Studio, Theron Skees, reveals how to take a brand concept and transform it into a physical environment


Work has begun to redevelop Berlin’s former Spreepark into a cultural attraction


‘Sparking visitors with hope, light and connectivity’, Bruge’s WinterGlow returned in December for a series of installations across the historic city


Traditional audiences need to broaden their audiences and generate some much-need income by partnering with big-name IPs


The second round of NLHF’s Culture Recovery Fund makes £36m available for sites across Britain


Industry leaders have urged the British government to set out reasonable return timetable for mass gatherings and to introduce insurance policies to provide stability for the country’s music festivals


The Gold Coast theme park and animal attraction is bringing back its popular Carnivale festival later this month


Grupo Xcaret says its new landmark attractions will now open at the end of the year - 12 months later than originally planned


The new museum will include unreleased music and other memorabilia from the late EDM artist


Take a look at the Australian Museum’s A$57.5m redevelopment


Recognising the world’s most astonishing attractions, Planet Attractions names 2021’s Wonder Award winners



Illuminarium Las Vegas launches space-themed experience





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




Dutch museum faces backlash over Nas-Inspired Tutankhamun bust




Industry insights



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




Video



WATCH: Hersheypark unveils first-person look at Wildcat’s Revenge

In Depth



Bridging realities: How Miirage’s no-glasses holographic experience could change the game for immersive experiences



© Kazoo 5 Limited 2023
About Subscribe Get in touch
 
Opinion In depth Interviews
LIVE news Profiles Diary Video
Jobs
'Culture' on Planet Attractions | Planet Attractions
'Culture' on Planet Attractions

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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’

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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).

Everything you need to know about SeaTrade Cruise Global 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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

‘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.

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.

‘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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Anime robot maids serve customers in Japanese café



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.

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”.

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

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

‘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.

Britain’s new Prime Minister names Michelle Donelan culture secretary


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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



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).

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum inaugurated



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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Attractions Calendar: March


Here are all the events you should be attending this month

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Meow Wolf heading to SXSW 2022


Art and entertainment collective Meow Wolf has partnered with audio simulation platform Spatial to create a ‘never before seen’ pop up experience at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.

UK’s Museum of East Anglian Life to rebrand as National Museum of Food


The Museum of East Anglian Life is set to undergo a name change in the hopes that a new emphasis on food will broaden its audience appeal

Year of the Tiger: Disneyland marks Lunar New Year with return of celebration at California Adventure


Honouring East Asian traditions, Disney’s Lunar New Year celebration has returned to the Disneyland Resort in California

Protestors in Kazakhstan storm museum searching for ancient armour


Political unrest in Kazakhstan has seen a group of protestors invade the state museum in search of priceless ancient armour

Covid staff shortages see Smithsonian adopt modified schedule


The Smithsonian's Washington DC area museum and the National Zoo have introduced a new schedule in response to staff shortages caused by the Omicron wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Martin Luther King’s original ‘I have a dream’ speech goes on display at National Museum of African American History and Culture


Martin Luther King Jr’s original ‘I have a dream’ speech is now on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which is open in observance of Martin Luther King Jr day

More than 200 projects to receive share of US$24.7m in US culture funding


The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has announced US$24.7m in grants for 208 humanities projects across the US

Jason McManus promoted to principal for Thinkwell Group


Design group and immersive experience creators Thinkwell have announced the promotion of Jason McManus to the new role of principal.

McDonald’s loses appeal to build drive-through next to ancient Roman baths


McDonald’s has lost a high court appeal to build a €1.3 m drive-through restaurant directly next to Rome’s historic Baths of Caracalla

ZooTampa shatters 2021 attendance record


While many animal attractions have struggled through 2020 and 2021, the news is more positive in Florida, with ZooTampa reporting an attendance record of 1.2 million visitors last year.

Ipswich Museum to undergo major redevelopment following £4.3m Lottery grant


Design firm Mather & Co has revealed that it’s working on the redevelopment of Ipswich Museum in Ipswich, UK, following a £4.3m (US$5.8m, €5.15m) grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Emergency funding available for arts, culture and heritage doubled to £60m as British government tackles impact of Omicron


An additional £30m in emergency funding has been made available through the UK’s Culture Recovery Fund to support museums, cinemas, theatres and heritage organisations with the impact of the Omicron variant this winter

Sir David King steps into Science Museum fossil fuel sponsorship controversy


One of the UK’s leading scientific figures has weighed in on the row over fossil fuel sponsorship at the London Science Museum.

New York’s Met explores inspiration behind Walt Disney’s iconic creations


The Met is taking its first-ever look at Disney’s theme parks as part of a special exhibition dedicated to the inspirations behind Walt Disney’s most iconic creations

€50m Tourism Business Continuity Programme to help sustain Ireland's tourism businesses in 2022


Visitor attractions in Ireland are set to get a slice of a €50m pie to created to support the country’s tourism industry in 2022

Cincinnati Zoo vaccinates 80 animals against COVID-19


Several species have received a double dose of the animal-specific vaccine

WATCH: The time to visit Abu Dhabi is now, says John Cena


According to John Cena, the time to visit Ferrari World, the Louvre and the rest of Abu Dhabi is now

Art Explora: The travelling museum set to operate onboard a €32m catamaran


Set up by tech entrepreneur Frédéric Jousset, Art Explora will go on a tour of the Mediterranean in 2023 with a €32m catamaran the choice of transport for the floating attraction

First COVID vaccines administered to at-risk species at The Smithsonian National Zoo as presumptive positive big cats recover


The Smithsonian is vaccinating species susceptible to COVID-19 at both its National Zoo in Washington and its Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia

J-Lo X Triotech



British government rejects Unesco plea over Parthenon Marbles


The UK government has rejected Unesco’s recommendation that it reconsider the ownership status of the fabled Parthenon Marbles held in the collection of the British Museum.

Pokémon is coming to Universal Studios Japan in 2022


Pokémon is set to make its mark at Universal Studios Japan following a landmark deal to bring the popular IP to the park starting in 2022

Evergrande collapse puts theme parks in jeopardy


With Evergande at risk of complete collapse thanks to US$305bn worth of debts, the future of its portfolio of 15 theme parks across China is currently uncertain

Guggenheim names new chairman and second ever black female trustee


J. Tomilson Hill is the new chairman of the Guggenheim, while Claudia Rankine becomes only the second ever black female to be named a trustee for the institution

Port of Call



Everything you need to know about IAAPA Expo Europe 2021


IAAPA’s international trade show is back with IAAPA Expo Europe emanating from Barcelona, Spain. Here’s everything you need to know about the event

From The Industry: Theme Index and Museum Index released, TEA establishes formal presence in China and tourism stakeholders facing ‘massacre’ in Italy


Rounding up all the biggest news from both publications and associations, here is your latest edition of From the Industry from Planet Attractions

COVID-hit British Council cuts overseas culture funding in more than 20 countries


The British Council is scaling back its work in more than 20 countries due to a pandemic funding shortfall

The new visitor attraction that just opened its doors 250km north of the Arctic Circle


The new Ilulissat Icefjord Centre is part of Greenland’s plan to attract more tourists to the country

From The Industry: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Ubisoft’s leap into themed entertainment and does the art world have a sense of humour?


Rounding up all the biggest news from both publications and associations, here is your latest edition of From the Industry from Planet Attractions

Beijing plans tourism development around Universal Studios


The tourism development plan will encourage the predicted 10 million visitors a year to Universal Studios to explore the wider Beijing area

Concern over danger to Afghanistan heritage sites still high despite Taliban pledge to protect culture


The Taliban has vowed to protect Afghanistan’s heritage but concern is still extremely high following destruction seen in previous years

Soaring through Changbaishan with new attraction from Brogent Technologies


China has welcomed a flying theatre to its Changbaishan Biosphere Reserve with Brogent Technologies supplying the landmark new attraction

Cyprus’ Museum of Underwater Sculpture welcomes first visitors


The newly opened museum is hoped to boost dive tourism in the country

Greta Thunberg condemns Science Museum for signing Shell gagging order


Details of the gagging clause were shared by campaign group; Culture Unstained, which described the agreement as ‘problematic’.

Thirteen sites added to Unesco’s prestigious World Heritage List


The World Heritage Committee has inscribed 13 new sites in Europe, Asia and the Middle East to Unesco’s World Heritage List

Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein opens in Bath


Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein has opened its doors to the public a stone's throw away from where the famous author first dreamt up the legendary monster

Jeff Bezos donates US$200m to Smithsonian


The Smithsonian has received the largest donation in its history with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos donating US$200m for the development of two key projects for the institution

WATCH: Reimagined Jungle Cruise reopens at Disneyland


Disney’s Jungle Cruise has undergone a full reimagining, with the ride experience completely modernised to ‘better reflect and value diversity’

The rapid rise of K-pop to be explored in new V&A exhibition


South Korea’s global contribution to pop culture is set to be explored in a new exhibition from London’s V&A museum

Natural History Museum to transfer 27 million specimens to new state-of-the-art research centre


The migration of artefacts will be the largest since the 1880s and will see more than a third of the museum’s collection relocated to the brand-new Harwell Campus

The Week: Easing US travel restrictions, Donkey Kong, George Osborne and a new addition to Portugal’s largest waterpark


IAAPA supports the lifting of US travel restrictions, Donkey Kong could be making his way to Universal’s theme parks, George Osborne becomes British Museum chairman and Portugal has welcomed Europe’s first five-person water coaster. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions.

German government approves €400m plan to restore some of country’s most important castles


Castles and palaces in Germany are set to receive a huge investment into refurbishing existing tourist attractions.

Tottenham to open permanent art gallery within football club’s stadium


Just ahead of it coming home, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club has announced the opening of a new arts space inside the club’s stadium

Manchester Jewish museum reopens following £6m renovation


Funded in-part by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Manchester Jewish museum has reopened its doors following a multi-million pound redevelopment

From The Industry: World Heritage in danger, Mickey on the run and crowdfunding success


Rounding up all the biggest news from both publications and associations, here is your latest edition of From the Industry from Planet Attractions

Museum of the Home faces protests as British government prohibits removal of statue with links to slave trade


The Museum of the Home has been refused permission to remove a statue of Robert Geffrye despite public calls to ditch the controversial work

Olympic Agora culture hub launched in Tokyo ahead of delayed 2020 Olympic Games


Sport and culture, the spirit of Ancient Greece and the thousands of missing spectators for this year’s Olympics will be celebrated in a series of installations celebrating the event in Tokyo

Former British chancellor George Osborne named chairman of the British Museum


Osborne will join the museum’s board of trustees on September 1, taking up the position of chairman in October

Art for your health: NHS key workers and young people to curate National Partners Programme exhibitions


Three British art galleries will present a series of exhibitions and collaborations looking back at the past year to explore the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic

Global recreation market set to soar to US$1.4tn in 2021 following COVID-hit 2020


As the COVID tide begins to turn, the recreation sector looks set to bounce back with a new report suggesting the market could be worth as much as US$1.92tn by 2025

The Smithsonian is seeking a curator of food and wine history


US$4m has been gifted to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, with the funding being used to explore American history through the ‘all-encompassing lens of food’

The Week: Repatriating colonial-era artefacts, Irish tourism, Brand Africa and major waterpark opens


Belgium agrees to help the Congo recover its lost heritage, Ireland’s €73m tourism investment, Africa remodels its tourism outlook and a snow-topped waterpark comes to China. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions

Brand Africa: African continent comes together in effort to realise tourism potential


Brand Africa will place an emphasis on people as the continent attempts to lure visitors with new narratives and a new unified tourism approach

Investing in Ireland: Irish Government invests €73m in effort to boost tourism with development of four world-class attractions


In a bid to boost tourism post-Covid in Ireland, Fáilte Ireland has announced plans for major investments into four tourism sites across the country

Stunning immersive show transforms the Rock of Gibraltar


A new permanent immersive light and spatial audio installation at St. Michael’s Cave will boost the Rock’s visitor experience in time for Summer 2021

Tower Bridge set to host dog-friendly ‘VIPooch’ event


Tower Bridge is set to welcome man’s best friend for a very special dog-friendly ‘VIPooch’ event

Crystal Palace Park dinosaur receives ‘Roar-some’ facelift


Emergency restoration work was carried out on the Megalosaurus after its jaw collapsed last year

A flight through history: Brogent develops Kazakhstan’s first-ever flying theatre as part of government-backed tourist development


Kazakhstan has welcomed the country’s first flying theatre ride with Brogent Technologies behind the landmark new attraction

Should we interfere with heritage to improve the visitor experience?


Where exactly is the line when it comes to improving the visitor experience and interfering with historic sites?

US officials seize nearly 70 big cats from ‘Tiger King’ zoo after alleged animal abuse


The US Justice Department says it will work to ensure that the rescued big cats go to animal preserves where they can be ‘safely maintained rather than exploited’

Vietnam’s ‘Sleepless City’ open for business as US$2.8bn mega-development featuring country’s largest theme park opens doors


Vietnam’s largest theme park, a game-changing aquarium project and 12,000 hotel rooms are just a few of the features of the new Phu Quoc United Center

Culture meets cruise: Smithsonian partners with Ponant to deliver sailings steeped in history


The Smithsonian has partnered with cruise operator Ponant to offer educational voyages to a number of destinations worldwide

The Week: Lego Mythica, Nolan Bushnell, Doctor Who and the iconic X-Wing


Going behind-the-scenes for the development of Legoland Windsor’s newest attraction, an evening with a videogame industry legend, the immersive Doctor Who experience coming to London and the Smithsonian’s latest out-of-this-world acquisition. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions

Britain’s music festival industry in crisis as more than a quarter of events get the COVID-19 axe


Research has revealed that 26% of British festivals have been called off due to a lack of COVID-related cancellation insurance

Blossoms headline pilot gig trialling safety of mass gatherings in Liverpool


Ticket-holders had to provide a negative COVID test to gain entry

Cultural Recovery Fund for Dundee reaches million pound target


The Dundee Cultural Recovery Fund will support cultural institutions through financial difficulties and bring tourists back to the area

The Week: Celebrating a century of Knott’s Berry Farm, the Jurassic World Exhibition, I am Groot and the WWE Hall of Fame


A new ride from Triotech celebrating 100 years of Knott’s Berry Farm, the Jurassic world exhibition coming to North America, Disney’s next step in robotics and WWE looking at building a physical Hall of Fame. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions

Smithsonian launches ‘Vaccines & Us’ initiative to support vaccine education across the US


The Smithsonian Institute has announced the launch of a new initiative aiming to provide US citizens with information about COVID-19 vaccines

The Week: Cruise resurgence, Legoland’s new attraction, the K’Nex coaster and fan revolt


The US cruise industry is a step closer to resuming operations, the creation of the Lego Sky Lion at Legoland Windsor, the fan who built a gargantuan rollercoaster entirely out of K’nex and the operator’s role as a custodian of treasured memories. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions

Fantawild set for imminent openings of new Chinese history-themed Glorious Orient theme parks


Ningbo and Ganzhou to open second gates in the next stage of the Beautiful China Trilogy resorts

Cairo art museum reopens a decade after Van Gogh theft


The Mr & Mrs Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum boasts an impressive collection of Impressionist and Classical works

Stranger Things prison complex in Lithuanian capital to be transformed into major culture hub


Lithuania’s government is backing plans to transform its famous Lukiškės Prison complex into a multifunctional hub featuring museums, restaurants, hotels and other commercial and cultural spaces

The tough challenge of decolonisation


In recent years, museums across the US, Europe, Australia and beyond have had to face up to the issue of decolonisation. Cultural institutions possess artefacts historically taken from colonised countries and are now having to face up to that reality. But that’s not all...

The Week: Wakanda in Disneyland? The Game of Thrones Studio Tour, Venice’s cruise ban and Holovis at Legoland


The eagle-eyed fan who might have spotted Wakanda is Disneyland’s expansion plan, vital funding for the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, a long-awaited ban on cruise ships in central Venice and the technology powering Legoland New York’s most anticipated attraction. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions

Cruise ships banned in Venice as city aims to protect cultural heritage


Cruise ships are no longer welcome in Venice following a ruling by the Italian government

The Week: A new home for Tutankhamun, the return of Shakespearean theatre, WhiteWater’s new president and the fate of the Elgin Marbles


The fourth shrine of Tutankhamun is heading to the Grand Egyotian Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe reopens for business, Paul Chutter on his new role at WhiteWater and Boris Johnson sparking controversy over the Elgin Marbles. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions

Chanel teams up with National Portrait Gallery to highlight women’s ‘urgent and untold stories’


The partnership will see the launch of an initiative that aims to facilitate greater representation in the arts.

The final fun-tier: Is it time to take space tourism seriously?


The sweet shop of space is most certainly open for business and some of the world’s richest people have their face pressed up against the window, but is there room for the visitor attractions industry?

The Week: Final flight of the owls at Harry Potter attractions, Benedict Cumberbatch’s message for culture and the luchadores fighting Covid


With Warner Bros ending its live owl performances, Benedict Cumberbatch sending out a message of hope for the struggling culture sector, the first apes to be vaccinated against Covid and the luchadores taking a stand against non mask wearers, welcome to the latest edition of The Week with Planet Attractions

Disney’s Lighthouse Point slated for 2024 after plans pass environmental impact assessment


The Disney Cruise Line’s Lighthouse Project second port in the Bahamas has taken another step to becoming a reality after passing its environmental impact assessment

Pro wrestling luchadores take the fight to COVID in Mexico City’s Central de Abastos


Mexico’s famous luchadores are taking a stand against COVID-19, touring Latin America’s largest wholesale food market to promote mask wearing

The Week: Eurovision in Husavik, Michael Mack on Europa-Park’s year and the man behind Jurassic Park’s dinosaurs


With a Eurovision Museum making its way to Iceland, Michael Mack on ‘the toughest year in the history of our business’, Beetlejuice returning to Horror Nights and a man who owns an army of robot dinosaurs, welcome to the latest edition of The Week with Planet Attractions

Part Two: Meet ‘Dino’ Don Lessem - The business of dinosaurs, the Trump toilet and the future of robotics


In part two of our exclusive interview with the man who advised on Jurassic Park and has his own army of robotic dinosaurs, ‘Dino’ Don Lessem returns to talk everything from the business of dinosaurs to the world-famous Trump Toilet

Isle of Wight festival pushed to September as Download and Primavera get the axe


Isle of Wight festival organisers say that they hope to bring back as many artists as they can for the later dates

Brian Blessed to perform at drive-in theatre coming to Manchester in May


DriveINSIDE Theatre will allow visitors to get a dose of culture right from their cars

Young people must be at the heart of museums’ post-pandemic plans, says Museum of London director


Museum spaces should be a source of joy, debate, learning and fun

Universal Hip Hop Museum offers virtual tours as developers seek to raise US$100m in funding


Coming to New York City in 2023, the Universal Hip Hop Museum (UHHM) is funding for its new home in the Bronx

Great Barrier Reef in poor condition as global warming drives bleaching effect


Coral bleaching caused by climate change is turning the famous wonder white

The Week: Joe Rohde shoots for the stars, restrictions lifted and Peppa Pig’s new Florida home


With a Disney legend joining Virgin Galactic, Edvard Munch making like Banksy, Boris Johnson setting a roadmap and Peppa Pig making her way to Florida, welcome to the latest edition of The Week with Planet Attractions

Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry to celebrate 80 years of Marvel when it reopens in March


Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes is designed for diehard and casual fans alike

UK museums ‘fighting for survival’ warns Art Fund


UK lockdown restrictions have left six in 10 museums, galleries and historic houses concerned for their survival post-pandemic

French mayor flouts Covid restrictions to controversially reopen local museums


Louis Ailot - mayor of the French city of Perpignan and deputy leader of far right National Rally political party - has reopened the city’s museums, claiming that the French need “access to culture”.

‘Too soon’ to axe Scotland’s summer events, says TRNSMT festival boss


Geoff Ellis says the vaccine rollouts are ‘encouraging’ for the festival sector, which has been hard hit by the Coronavirus pandemic

From The Industry: A second chance for captive cetaceans, rollercoaster innovation and virtual visitors at the National Gallery


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

Fifteen attractions that have been transformed into mass vaccination sites


As the world fights back against Covid, so does the visitor attractions community, which is offering its sites up as mass vaccination centres

Saudi Arabia has launched a new company to develop its cruise industry


Cruise Saudi will develop ports and terminals in several cities and tourist destinations, as well as itineraries that explore Saudi heritage and culture

The Week: Willie Nelson, an Olympic conundrum and a Theme Park of Perpetual Torment


Featuring Men in Black, Willie Nelson, Chernobyl and of course Yoda, welcome to the latest edition of The Week with Planet Attractions

From the Industry: VelociCoaster, Jason Avant’s new business and the 1800s version of virtual tourism


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

Successful digital transformation of museums


In the pandemic world, museums engaging with their audience through digital has become an essential process. Klaus Sommer Paulsen explores this evolution to and asks how it will define the museum of the future

A record number of people are visiting Chernobyl and Ukraine’s government is planning to welcome even more


There are parts of Chernobyl so dangerous you could die in minutes just standing there but that’s not stopping tourists who are visiting the exclusion zone in record numbers

Touring Star Wars exhibition coming to Singapore’s ArtScience Museum for final leg of world tour


Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition has been touring since 2012

Shanghai’s 2010 Expo site gets new lease of life as culture zone


A converted steel factory and Butchart-inspired gardens are at heart of Shanghai’s newest and largest parkland and culture zone

Welcome to The Week with Planet Attractions - your weekly look at the world of visitor attractions, culture and tourism


Taking a look at all the top stories from the last seven days, The Week will be available right here on planetattractions.com

From the Industry: Tom Mehrmann on Universal Beijing, diversity in zoos and Bernie Sanders does his best to keep warm


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

Cancelled: Glastonbury gets the axe as Covid continues to decimate festival sector


The world-famous Glastonbury music festival will not go ahead in 2021 ‘with great regret’

Dimensionalising Brand: How to take an IP and turn it into a physical place


Imagineering veteran and founder of the Designer's Creative Studio, Theron Skees, reveals how to take a brand concept and transform it into a physical environment

Abandoned Berlin theme park to undergo €45m transformation


Work has begun to redevelop Berlin’s former Spreepark into a cultural attraction

Painting with Light illuminates Bruge with winter light show


‘Sparking visitors with hope, light and connectivity’, Bruge’s WinterGlow returned in December for a series of installations across the historic city

Is The Mandalorian the answer to your museum’s funding problems?


Traditional audiences need to broaden their audiences and generate some much-need income by partnering with big-name IPs

Crucial funding for British culture and heritage organisations now available through Heritage Fund


The second round of NLHF’s Culture Recovery Fund makes £36m available for sites across Britain

British music festivals call on government to save COVID-hit sector


Industry leaders have urged the British government to set out reasonable return timetable for mass gatherings and to introduce insurance policies to provide stability for the country’s music festivals

Sea World’s Carnivale set to return in January


The Gold Coast theme park and animal attraction is bringing back its popular Carnivale festival later this month

Effects of global pandemic felt as Xcaret delays launch of US$50m Xibalbá experience


Grupo Xcaret says its new landmark attractions will now open at the end of the year - 12 months later than originally planned

An experience celebrating the life and times of Avicii is coming to Stockholm later this year


The new museum will include unreleased music and other memorabilia from the late EDM artist

WATCH: See the newly-renovated Australian Museum


Take a look at the Australian Museum’s A$57.5m redevelopment

Recognising excellence as inaugural Wonder Award winners are revealed


Recognising the world’s most astonishing attractions, Planet Attractions names 2021’s Wonder Award winners



© Kazoo 5 Limited 2023