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Attractions and tourism are important parts of many global economies. They need the full support of government departments, with joined up thinking to avoid conflicting priorities which undermine sustainability
By Liz Terry | Published in Attractions Management 2019 issue 2
Holiday visits to attractions are more sustainable by train / SHUTTERSTOCK/Monkey Business Images
Having efficient transport links is one of the biggest determinants of the success of an attraction – second only to having good weather. If people can’t get there, it won’t thrive.
As well as ensuring we position attractions in locations with great transport links, we must have a strong eye for sustainability and encourage people to travel by train.
This thought was going through my mind recently when I spotted a public information poster at my local railway station shouting “Do not travel this bank holiday 24th-25th August 2019.” It went on to say, “We’re starting work to improve services...and we strongly recommend customers do not travel by train on these days.”
The advert was sponsored by ‘The UK Government’ and also by six major train operators.
What were they thinking? Bank holidays are some of the most important times of year for families and friends to visit attractions. Discouraging them from doing so, and doing so sustainably, is bad for attractions, bad for tourism, bad for consumers and bad for the environment.
At the same time as attractions in the northern hemisphere are ramping up summer holiday promotions and government tourism departments are promoting travel and attractions visits, this counterforce is marketing against them, and doing so using tax-payer-funded marketing.
The scenario isn’t confined to the UK. As a global publisher, we get reports of a lack of joined-up thinking from all over the globe, with a range of government departments simply not communicating when it comes to policy which impacts the tourism and attractions industries.
The international attractions community must come together to create a charter of best practice expected from policymakers around issues such as this and to tackle governments to get them on-side in supporting the industry.
There’s clearly a lack of awareness of the impact this kind of messaging has on both the attractions sector and the opportunities which are available to people to travel by train to enjoy their leisure time in a sustainable way.
We need to unite as a sector to clearly articulate a better way forward, whereby government departments collaborate for the greater good of the industry to avoid such conflicts.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Vitali Klitschko
With the help of Europa Park, the multi-time boxing champion turned politician dreams up theme park plan for Kyiv, Ukraine
Rides: Art Attack
We look at major ride openings at
visitor attractions across the globe
Top team: Made in China
The birthplace of William
Shakespeare will be recreated at
the home of China’s most famous
playwright. We speak to the team
behind the ambitious project
Promotional feature: Animalive - Lights, camera, action!
Animalive is a premier manufacturer of interactive animation products.
Its founder, Ali Kord, explains how its recent joint venture will
take the company’s award-winning products to the next level
Museums: Day out at the museum
The Network of European Museum
Organisations has launched a Political
Internships scheme. We speak to
the programme’s creator about what
this could mean for museums
Promotional feature: Red Raion - Building a new IP
Red Raion, the CGI studio specialised in media based attractions, has
collaborated with Unlimited Leisure Holdings to create a new 4D movie, which
will be presented at Unlimited Snow’s newest park
Show report: Global Appeal
TEA Summit and SATE Europe
Christine Kerr reports from the TEA’s
Summit, Thea Awards and SATE Europe
Interview: Pure Imagication
Adlabs Imagica is India’s largest
theme park destination. Its joint
CEO speaks to Kath Hudson
Attractions and tourism are important parts of many global economies. They need the full support of government departments, with joined up thinking to avoid conflicting priorities which undermine sustainability
By Liz Terry | Published in Attractions Management 2019 issue 2
Holiday visits to attractions are more sustainable by train / SHUTTERSTOCK/Monkey Business Images
Having efficient transport links is one of the biggest determinants of the success of an attraction – second only to having good weather. If people can’t get there, it won’t thrive.
As well as ensuring we position attractions in locations with great transport links, we must have a strong eye for sustainability and encourage people to travel by train.
This thought was going through my mind recently when I spotted a public information poster at my local railway station shouting “Do not travel this bank holiday 24th-25th August 2019.” It went on to say, “We’re starting work to improve services...and we strongly recommend customers do not travel by train on these days.”
The advert was sponsored by ‘The UK Government’ and also by six major train operators.
What were they thinking? Bank holidays are some of the most important times of year for families and friends to visit attractions. Discouraging them from doing so, and doing so sustainably, is bad for attractions, bad for tourism, bad for consumers and bad for the environment.
At the same time as attractions in the northern hemisphere are ramping up summer holiday promotions and government tourism departments are promoting travel and attractions visits, this counterforce is marketing against them, and doing so using tax-payer-funded marketing.
The scenario isn’t confined to the UK. As a global publisher, we get reports of a lack of joined-up thinking from all over the globe, with a range of government departments simply not communicating when it comes to policy which impacts the tourism and attractions industries.
The international attractions community must come together to create a charter of best practice expected from policymakers around issues such as this and to tackle governments to get them on-side in supporting the industry.
There’s clearly a lack of awareness of the impact this kind of messaging has on both the attractions sector and the opportunities which are available to people to travel by train to enjoy their leisure time in a sustainable way.
We need to unite as a sector to clearly articulate a better way forward, whereby government departments collaborate for the greater good of the industry to avoid such conflicts.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Vitali Klitschko
With the help of Europa Park, the multi-time boxing champion turned politician dreams up theme park plan for Kyiv, Ukraine
Rides: Art Attack
We look at major ride openings at
visitor attractions across the globe
Top team: Made in China
The birthplace of William
Shakespeare will be recreated at
the home of China’s most famous
playwright. We speak to the team
behind the ambitious project
Promotional feature: Animalive - Lights, camera, action!
Animalive is a premier manufacturer of interactive animation products.
Its founder, Ali Kord, explains how its recent joint venture will
take the company’s award-winning products to the next level
Museums: Day out at the museum
The Network of European Museum
Organisations has launched a Political
Internships scheme. We speak to
the programme’s creator about what
this could mean for museums
Promotional feature: Red Raion - Building a new IP
Red Raion, the CGI studio specialised in media based attractions, has
collaborated with Unlimited Leisure Holdings to create a new 4D movie, which
will be presented at Unlimited Snow’s newest park
Show report: Global Appeal
TEA Summit and SATE Europe
Christine Kerr reports from the TEA’s
Summit, Thea Awards and SATE Europe
Interview: Pure Imagication
Adlabs Imagica is India’s largest
theme park destination. Its joint
CEO speaks to Kath Hudson
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.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
