Two attractions operators with very different concepts show the value of embedding passionate environmentalism into the heart of the business and refining a strong operating model before going global
Therme has commissioned work from major artists, including Es Devlin / Credit: ES DEVLIN Forest of Us Therme Group
This issue, we reveal the latest updates from two dynamic and innovative organisations – Therme Group and the Eden Project.
Both have incubated groundbreaking, concepts and are now in the thick of global rollouts, both spoke to Attractions Management from COP26 in Glasgow and both are focused on creating a sustainable future for people and planet.
Therme Group has the potential to be a category killer and disruptor across multiple sectors, blurring the boundaries between attractions, wellness, hospitality, fitness and art – via Therme Art – creating new synergies between them.
Starting out as a thermal spa operator in Germany before diversifying, the company is building vast ecologically-based properties globally, with new developments underway in Canada and the UK, as well as plans outlined for additional facilities across the US, Asia and Europe.
Therme Group’s philosophy is that environmentalism must be the bedrock of any business and that wellbeing is about fun, culture and socialising, as much as it is about waterpark thrills, massages and steamrooms – its new carbon positive resorts will feature waterslides and wave pools, thermal spas, immersive art installations, vertical farms, sustainable food offerings and innovative technology.
The way Therme is straddling sectors, coupled with its scale – locations will welcome 7k people a day – makes it a company to watch, as the boundaries between markets continue to blur.
The Eden Project is also going global, building on the success of the original UK attraction to reach a wider audience, with the message that individuals and governments must act now to protect the future of the planet.
In addition to its work on geothermal power, Eden has seven locations underway globally, partnering with ‘like-minded organisations’ and CEO, David Harland, told Attractions Management it’s vital they’re built and operated in line with the Eden ethos. “You have to work with people, rather than just criticise from the outside,” he says.
The way Eden’s powerful environmental message is resonating with consumers, 20+ years since it was founded, shows how environmentalism is hitting the mainstream, while its growth illustrates how sustainability contributes to commercial success by reducing costs – something all attractions can work towards.
Interview: David Harland & Sir Tim Smit
With projects underway around the world, the Eden Project is going global with its call to arms for the future of the planet
Museums: Getting creative
How the Young V&A will aim to provide children with the creative tools stripped out by the pandemic
Interview: Richard Land
Mixing waterslides with wellbeing, the Therme Group is creating a category all of its own while taking on the world, says the group’s chief development officer
Museums: Kunsthaus Zurich completes
A David Chipperfield extension has more than doubled the museum’s exhibition space, making Zurich a major destination for the arts
Interview: Julien Kauffmann
As Farah Experiences prepares to open SeaWorld Abu Dubai, its CEO talks COVID-19, branding and branching with David Camp
Research: Making pre-booking work
Attractions are benefiting from the switch to pre-booking, but must cater for spontaneous, disorganised visitors too, says Jon Young
Research: All creatures great and small
Zoo enrichment and research can’t just be focused on the large animals most popular with visitors, argues Dr Paul Rose. All must be represented
Research: Popularity game
Research on zoo animals focuses more on ‘familiar’ species such as gorillas and chimpanzees, rather than less well known ones such as the waxy monkey frog, scientists say
Analysis: Light in the dark
A successful winter light show can see margins upwards of 30 per cent. Kathleen LaClair and
Yael Coifman look at some of the operators getting it right
Museums: Munch Museum opens in Norway
The iconic new attraction has opened on Oslo’s waterfront with the world’s largest collection of works by Edvard Munch
Mystery Shopper: Galleries & Gourds
It has transformed the sleepy town of Bruton, UK, but does Hauser & Wirth Somerset live up to the hype? Magali Robathan mystery shops to find out
Two attractions operators with very different concepts show the value of embedding passionate environmentalism into the heart of the business and refining a strong operating model before going global
Therme has commissioned work from major artists, including Es Devlin / Credit: ES DEVLIN Forest of Us Therme Group
This issue, we reveal the latest updates from two dynamic and innovative organisations – Therme Group and the Eden Project.
Both have incubated groundbreaking, concepts and are now in the thick of global rollouts, both spoke to Attractions Management from COP26 in Glasgow and both are focused on creating a sustainable future for people and planet.
Therme Group has the potential to be a category killer and disruptor across multiple sectors, blurring the boundaries between attractions, wellness, hospitality, fitness and art – via Therme Art – creating new synergies between them.
Starting out as a thermal spa operator in Germany before diversifying, the company is building vast ecologically-based properties globally, with new developments underway in Canada and the UK, as well as plans outlined for additional facilities across the US, Asia and Europe.
Therme Group’s philosophy is that environmentalism must be the bedrock of any business and that wellbeing is about fun, culture and socialising, as much as it is about waterpark thrills, massages and steamrooms – its new carbon positive resorts will feature waterslides and wave pools, thermal spas, immersive art installations, vertical farms, sustainable food offerings and innovative technology.
The way Therme is straddling sectors, coupled with its scale – locations will welcome 7k people a day – makes it a company to watch, as the boundaries between markets continue to blur.
The Eden Project is also going global, building on the success of the original UK attraction to reach a wider audience, with the message that individuals and governments must act now to protect the future of the planet.
In addition to its work on geothermal power, Eden has seven locations underway globally, partnering with ‘like-minded organisations’ and CEO, David Harland, told Attractions Management it’s vital they’re built and operated in line with the Eden ethos. “You have to work with people, rather than just criticise from the outside,” he says.
The way Eden’s powerful environmental message is resonating with consumers, 20+ years since it was founded, shows how environmentalism is hitting the mainstream, while its growth illustrates how sustainability contributes to commercial success by reducing costs – something all attractions can work towards.
Interview: David Harland & Sir Tim Smit
With projects underway around the world, the Eden Project is going global with its call to arms for the future of the planet
Museums: Getting creative
How the Young V&A will aim to provide children with the creative tools stripped out by the pandemic
Interview: Richard Land
Mixing waterslides with wellbeing, the Therme Group is creating a category all of its own while taking on the world, says the group’s chief development officer
Museums: Kunsthaus Zurich completes
A David Chipperfield extension has more than doubled the museum’s exhibition space, making Zurich a major destination for the arts
Interview: Julien Kauffmann
As Farah Experiences prepares to open SeaWorld Abu Dubai, its CEO talks COVID-19, branding and branching with David Camp
Research: Making pre-booking work
Attractions are benefiting from the switch to pre-booking, but must cater for spontaneous, disorganised visitors too, says Jon Young
Research: All creatures great and small
Zoo enrichment and research can’t just be focused on the large animals most popular with visitors, argues Dr Paul Rose. All must be represented
Research: Popularity game
Research on zoo animals focuses more on ‘familiar’ species such as gorillas and chimpanzees, rather than less well known ones such as the waxy monkey frog, scientists say
Analysis: Light in the dark
A successful winter light show can see margins upwards of 30 per cent. Kathleen LaClair and
Yael Coifman look at some of the operators getting it right
Museums: Munch Museum opens in Norway
The iconic new attraction has opened on Oslo’s waterfront with the world’s largest collection of works by Edvard Munch
Mystery Shopper: Galleries & Gourds
It has transformed the sleepy town of Bruton, UK, but does Hauser & Wirth Somerset live up to the hype? Magali Robathan mystery shops to find out
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
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.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
Simworx Ltd The company was initially established
in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew
Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
Sally Corporation Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
Clip 'n Climb Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and
investors more than 40 colourful and unique
Cha [more...]
Polin Waterparks Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin
has since grown into a leading company in
the waterpa [more...]
