It's been another momentous year in the attractions industry and Attractions Management has been there reporting the big news, good and bad, all the way. After yesterday's look at the events of January 2019, today we move on to February 2019, considering some of the biggest stories that made the headlines.

A family favourite came to the end of its days in Arizona, as Bedrock City closed after almost 50 years, but there was big news for Cambodia with a proposed new aquarium and wildlife sanctuary on the cards. In Turkey, ground was broken on what will be Europe's largest science centre.

Cambodian wildlife sanctuary moves forward

Attractions Management reported that the Cambodian resort city of Siem Reap could become home to a new US$70m (€62.7m, £53.1m) aquarium and wildlife sanctuary, following a meeting between potential investors and the city’s governor.

Angkor Wildlife and Aquarium, a joint venture of Cambodian, Japanese and US investors, proposed a project comprising freshwater and saltwater fish displays and a wildlife sanctuary on a 100-hectare site in Sout Nikom district.

Roger Reynolds, a member of the board of directors of Angkor Wildlife and Aquarium, told the Khmer Times newspaper that the project would be completed in three phases, the first of which could start in March, with the aquarium operational by the end of 2020. However, Siem Reap governor Tea Seiha said there were a number of challenges still to overcome.

Ground was finally broken on the construction site in May 2019.

From Flintstones to Falconry

Bedrock City, a Flintstones-themed roadside attraction in Arizona, US, closed after nearly 50 years, and was set to be replaced for the 2020 tourist season by a showcase for falconry called Raptor Ranch.

First opened in the 1970s, Bedrock City was run initially by Francis Speckels, and, following his death more than 25 years ago, thereafter by his wife Linda. In 2015, Linda decided to retire and the site was put up for sale.

The new attraction will allow visitors to wander among habitats featuring eagles, falcons, hawks and other birds of prey, with daily shows demonstrating the birds’ hunting prowess. Some features of the Bedrock City park, such as statues of a brontosaurus, a sabre-tooth tiger and a woolly mammoth, will be kept as centrepieces in a children’s playground.

Ground-breaking development for Turkey

Ground was broken in Turkey in February 2019 on what is expected to become the largest science centre in Europe, attracting upward of 30 million visitors per year.

The Tersane Istanbul project will feature three museums – including the first museum dedicated to women in Turkey – as well as hotels, retail stores, entertainment facilities, offices and a mosque in an area of 238,000sq m (781,000sq ft).

Also included are the Sadberk Hanim Museum, a private archaeology and art history museum that will be relocated from its current site in the Sarıyer district of Istanbul, and a Turkish-Islamic arts museum. With DP Architects named as the appointed Design Architect for the project, the first phase was expected to open in November 2020.

Check back with Attractions Management tomorrow for a look back at the highlights from March