As our natural world increasingly comes under threat, we’re learning more
about how being in nature underpins our wellbeing and this precious
resource is becoming an important part of the attractions industry
By Liz Terry | Published in Attractions Management 2018 issue 3
People are increasingly interested in spending time in nature
Which areas of the attractions industry are going to grow fastest in the future? This is one of the questions we’re asked most frequently here at Attractions Management magazine. Everyone wants to know where the next opportunity lies. One strong trend we’re spotting at present is towards ‘rewilding’ – giving people time in nature to recharge and to reconnect with their wild side.
This trend is driven by a bigger movement towards health and wellbeing, which is permeating every market sector from food production to cosmetics, travel, manufacturing, transport and everything in between.
There’s now clear scientific evidence that time spent in nature is good for humans’ mental and physical health.
One example is Japanese healing modality Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, which involves spending time in forests of all kinds, from bamboo to deciduous trees.
The results of over 100 adacemic studies show hormones secreted by the trees boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure and stress, enhance mood and energy levels, improve sleep and increase happiness.
As scientists learn more about how being in greenspace and nature is beneficial, so the public’s appetite for these experiences grows and well-designed attractions which have an authentic base in nature thrive and grow as a result.
Rewilding takes many forms. In this issue, we hear about an initiative by Merlin Entertainments to move two beluga whales to a wild Arctic inlet in Iceland, where they will live out their days in safety, but in a natural environment.
Merlin inherited the whales as part of a theme park buyout and its policy of not keeping cetaceans in captivity raised issues, as they could not be released into the wild.
The company will build an attraction on-site, so visitors can learn more about the creatures and the rewilding process.
In another wonderful example, the success of the extraordinary Atlanta Botanical Garden is celebrated on page 66 in our interview with CEO Mary Pat Matheson.
Gardens, arboretums and forest parks have traditionally been very low-key parts of the attractions industry, but we envison them blossoming and growing in importance as rewilding becomes a major trend for the sector.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Anton Vidal
Anton Vidal is director general of Poble Espanyol which has completed a 10-year, €10m improvement plan
Interview: Coen Bertens
Fairytale theme park Efteling has
gone from strength to strength
during its 65-year history, enchanting
more visitors last year than
ever before. We talk to COO Coen
Bertens about its success
Promotional feature: EAS - Learning curves
This year’s Euro Attractions Show promises to
be the biggest in the history of the event, with
a brand new schedule of seminars to match
Aquariums: High Waters
We visited the brand new Aquatis
Aquarium-Vivarium in Switzerland
for a journey through our planet’s
freshwater environments
Promotional feature: nWave - The big picture
With more than two decades
of experience creating high quality
original content, nWave looks
ahead as it continues to produce
its own industry-leading creations
Analysis: TEA/AECOM Theme Index 2017
The TEA/AECOM Report 2017 shows major theme park
operators had an outstanding year, while stabilised global
economies and strong investment planning bodes well
for the global attractions industry going forward
Analysis: EMEA Focus
Margreet Papamichael, founder of CLEAR Associates about what The TEA/AECOM Report 2017 means for the EMEA region
Review: MuseumNext
Intellectuals from across the
museums sector gathered recently for
the European edition of MuseumNext
Theme parks: Playing the Looney Tune
As new and exciting leisure opportunities
increase in the Middle East, Yas
Island welcomes the US$1bn Warner
Bros World Abu Dhabi. We speak to
the two key members of the team
behind the landmark project
Museums: License to Thrill
A brand new James Bond visitor attraction,
nestled snugly inside a mountain peak
in Sölden, Austria, opened this July. We
talked to the operator and architect
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customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
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As our natural world increasingly comes under threat, we’re learning more
about how being in nature underpins our wellbeing and this precious
resource is becoming an important part of the attractions industry
By Liz Terry | Published in Attractions Management 2018 issue 3
People are increasingly interested in spending time in nature
Which areas of the attractions industry are going to grow fastest in the future? This is one of the questions we’re asked most frequently here at Attractions Management magazine. Everyone wants to know where the next opportunity lies. One strong trend we’re spotting at present is towards ‘rewilding’ – giving people time in nature to recharge and to reconnect with their wild side.
This trend is driven by a bigger movement towards health and wellbeing, which is permeating every market sector from food production to cosmetics, travel, manufacturing, transport and everything in between.
There’s now clear scientific evidence that time spent in nature is good for humans’ mental and physical health.
One example is Japanese healing modality Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, which involves spending time in forests of all kinds, from bamboo to deciduous trees.
The results of over 100 adacemic studies show hormones secreted by the trees boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure and stress, enhance mood and energy levels, improve sleep and increase happiness.
As scientists learn more about how being in greenspace and nature is beneficial, so the public’s appetite for these experiences grows and well-designed attractions which have an authentic base in nature thrive and grow as a result.
Rewilding takes many forms. In this issue, we hear about an initiative by Merlin Entertainments to move two beluga whales to a wild Arctic inlet in Iceland, where they will live out their days in safety, but in a natural environment.
Merlin inherited the whales as part of a theme park buyout and its policy of not keeping cetaceans in captivity raised issues, as they could not be released into the wild.
The company will build an attraction on-site, so visitors can learn more about the creatures and the rewilding process.
In another wonderful example, the success of the extraordinary Atlanta Botanical Garden is celebrated on page 66 in our interview with CEO Mary Pat Matheson.
Gardens, arboretums and forest parks have traditionally been very low-key parts of the attractions industry, but we envison them blossoming and growing in importance as rewilding becomes a major trend for the sector.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Anton Vidal
Anton Vidal is director general of Poble Espanyol which has completed a 10-year, €10m improvement plan
Interview: Coen Bertens
Fairytale theme park Efteling has
gone from strength to strength
during its 65-year history, enchanting
more visitors last year than
ever before. We talk to COO Coen
Bertens about its success
Promotional feature: EAS - Learning curves
This year’s Euro Attractions Show promises to
be the biggest in the history of the event, with
a brand new schedule of seminars to match
Aquariums: High Waters
We visited the brand new Aquatis
Aquarium-Vivarium in Switzerland
for a journey through our planet’s
freshwater environments
Promotional feature: nWave - The big picture
With more than two decades
of experience creating high quality
original content, nWave looks
ahead as it continues to produce
its own industry-leading creations
Analysis: TEA/AECOM Theme Index 2017
The TEA/AECOM Report 2017 shows major theme park
operators had an outstanding year, while stabilised global
economies and strong investment planning bodes well
for the global attractions industry going forward
Analysis: EMEA Focus
Margreet Papamichael, founder of CLEAR Associates about what The TEA/AECOM Report 2017 means for the EMEA region
Review: MuseumNext
Intellectuals from across the
museums sector gathered recently for
the European edition of MuseumNext
Theme parks: Playing the Looney Tune
As new and exciting leisure opportunities
increase in the Middle East, Yas
Island welcomes the US$1bn Warner
Bros World Abu Dhabi. We speak to
the two key members of the team
behind the landmark project
Museums: License to Thrill
A brand new James Bond visitor attraction,
nestled snugly inside a mountain peak
in Sölden, Austria, opened this July. We
talked to the operator and architect
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Borghese Roma Borghese is an Italian luxury skincare brand founded in 1957 by Princess Marcella Borghese. [more...]
