blooloop

The Science Museum in London has ended its sponsorship deal with British oil and gas company BP after years of criticism from environmental campaigners. The Science Museum Group academy, which was established in 2018 to provide training and resources, announced on Friday (28 August) that its partnership with BP will end on 31 August "at the end of its agreed term".

Alton Towers is enhancing its Halloween event for 2026 with a new story-driven dining experience called Dine with the Dead. The Scarefest 2026 experience is the first of its kind at Alton Towers, inviting guests to a "twisted dinner party" hosted by Lord Vincent and Lady Lucinda Vile as they celebrate 300 years of "toxic matrimony".

The Smithsonian Institution has approved the Arts and Industries Building (AIB) in Washington, DC as the permanent site of the National Museum of the American Latino. In a statement dated 31 August, the Smithsonian said it will convert the Arts and Industries Building into the new museum, meaning it can bypass congressional approval for a new site.

Choosing which industry association to join is one of the most critical decisions an attractions operator or supplier can make. With limited budgets, competing global markets, and an array of niche and generalist trade bodies, businesses must evaluate where their money—and, more importantly, their team’s time—will generate real-world returns. In Part 1 of this two-part guide, we explore how to evaluate organisational fit, balance regional vs.

With less than a month to go until entries close for the 2026 blooloop Innovation Awards, presented with AREA15, our judges explain what they will be looking for this year and what makes these awards unique in the sector. Our judges are high-profile thought leaders and industry experts from some of the world's leading visitor attractions.

Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri has been renamed Mid America Adventure by new operator Enchanted Parks. The theme park was acquired in early 2026 by EPR Properties and is now under the management of Enchanted Parks. In a statement posted on its website, Mid America Adventure said the rebrand "marks an exciting new chapter".

Legacy Entertainment, a leading theme park and resort design company, is anticipating a 2027 grand opening for Beijing Haichang Ocean Park. Designed by Legacy Entertainment and its subsidiary, The Aquarium Design Company, the facility will include an advanced aquarium and an eight-floor resort hotel. The opening date was announced as vertical construction advances on the site, which is adjacent to the Universal Studios Beijingresort in the city's Tongzhou district.

Visual Terrain, a leading lighting design company, has been honoured with three awards from the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), including the prestigious Award of Distinction for Interior Lighting Design, sponsored by Guth Charitable Trust. This recognises the company's work at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater, and was presented to Visual Terrain and lighting provider Bandit Lites, Inc. at the 53rd Illumination Awards ceremony on Friday, 14 August, in Denver.

Chance Rides, a leading manufacturer of amusement rides, has launched the electric Utility eTRAM, an all-electric vehicle designed to help maintenance, housekeeping, and facilities teams move efficiently and reduce environmental impact. Designed for commercial settings where reliability and uptime are crucial, the Utility eTRAM adds to the company's growing range of electric transportation options.

Citysaurus, an Amsterdam-based technology company providing AI-powered souvenir experiences for museums, visitor attractions and immersive venues, is celebrating a significant milestone with the opening of its 50th Photobooth location. This swift growth highlights the company’s transformation from a local Amsterdam visitor attraction operator into a worldwide provider of location-based entertainment technology. Citysaurus started in 2021 with the launch of the Rembrandts Amsterdam Experience.