I’d like to invite you to respond to what is both a serious and a joyful invitation.
Serious because we live in serious times – advancing sustainable development, overcoming polarisation and enabling dialogue on complex ethical issues has become an urgent priority and, therefore, central to many cultural organisations’ missions, in particular in the field of science engagement.
I believe fostering critical thinking, scientific literacy and dialogue is more crucial than ever: we have an important role to play in both “post truth” and “anti-expert” contexts.
It’s also a joyful invitation because I am pleased to introduce PlayDecide, a card game for simple, respectful and fact?based group discussion.
The game enables players to get familiar with a question, see it from different perspectives and form or clarify their own opinion.
PlayDecide also invites players to look at issues as a group: can they reach a positive consensus? Can they propose solutions, define strategies and policies for action, and put themselves in decision and policymakers’ shoes?
Originally developed in 2004, the game has just been offered a brand new web platform by Ecsite, allowing players and facilitators to share games and create their own versions.
PlayDecide is being used today in a wide range of dialogue events, by a diverse community of users, including teachers, science engagement professionals, civil society organisations, professional trainers and more. Game topics vary from vaccination to football refereeing.
Rides: Themed dreams
We take a look at some of the major
openings at visitor attractions worldwide
Theme Parks: Fan power
Jordan Middleton explains how operators
can best work with their audiences
Tourism: The Tourist Trap
What role could attractions play to keep
tourism beneficial for residents and
visitors alike? Kath Hudson reports
Conference: Creativity Cocktail
This year’s SATE conference came to the global epicentre for themed entertainment – Orlando – as the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) searched for the secrets to “The Experience Recipe”.
Promotional feature: Whitewater
WhiteWater is branching out of the waterpark business as it
introduces two new attractions products and its brand new
Vantage guest engagement and management software
Show report: Enabling fun
Tom Anstey was on-hand to see what was
on offer at this year’s Euro Attractions Show
Promotional feature: Simtec - forward thinking
Simtec is a flying theatre and simulator ride supplier
for the attractions industry, as well as a manufacturer
of driving and flight simulation applications
I’d like to invite you to respond to what is both a serious and a joyful invitation.
Serious because we live in serious times – advancing sustainable development, overcoming polarisation and enabling dialogue on complex ethical issues has become an urgent priority and, therefore, central to many cultural organisations’ missions, in particular in the field of science engagement.
I believe fostering critical thinking, scientific literacy and dialogue is more crucial than ever: we have an important role to play in both “post truth” and “anti-expert” contexts.
It’s also a joyful invitation because I am pleased to introduce PlayDecide, a card game for simple, respectful and fact?based group discussion.
The game enables players to get familiar with a question, see it from different perspectives and form or clarify their own opinion.
PlayDecide also invites players to look at issues as a group: can they reach a positive consensus? Can they propose solutions, define strategies and policies for action, and put themselves in decision and policymakers’ shoes?
Originally developed in 2004, the game has just been offered a brand new web platform by Ecsite, allowing players and facilitators to share games and create their own versions.
PlayDecide is being used today in a wide range of dialogue events, by a diverse community of users, including teachers, science engagement professionals, civil society organisations, professional trainers and more. Game topics vary from vaccination to football refereeing.
Rides: Themed dreams
We take a look at some of the major
openings at visitor attractions worldwide
Theme Parks: Fan power
Jordan Middleton explains how operators
can best work with their audiences
Tourism: The Tourist Trap
What role could attractions play to keep
tourism beneficial for residents and
visitors alike? Kath Hudson reports
Conference: Creativity Cocktail
This year’s SATE conference came to the global epicentre for themed entertainment – Orlando – as the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) searched for the secrets to “The Experience Recipe”.
Promotional feature: Whitewater
WhiteWater is branching out of the waterpark business as it
introduces two new attractions products and its brand new
Vantage guest engagement and management software
Show report: Enabling fun
Tom Anstey was on-hand to see what was
on offer at this year’s Euro Attractions Show
Promotional feature: Simtec - forward thinking
Simtec is a flying theatre and simulator ride supplier
for the attractions industry, as well as a manufacturer
of driving and flight simulation applications
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
Holovis Holovis is a privately owned company
established in 2004 by CEO Stuart
Hetherington. [more...]
Alterface Alterface’s Creative Division team is
seasoned in concept and ride development,
as well as storyte [more...]
Sally Corporation Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
