Issue 6: November/December 2024

Do you like vanilla ice cream? Vanilla pudding? Succulent vanilla cake ...? The fact that we now have all kinds of delicacies with this sweet aroma so available to us today is thanks to the first synthesis of vanillin 150 years ago in the small German town of Holzminden. The production process laid the foundation for the flavor and fragrance industry, which is now commemorated in a special way with the new interactive Sensoria exhibition world. Multimedia-based and interactive themed islands invite visitors to discover – and smell – more...

On June 14, 2018, Oriental Land Co, Ltd. announced a major expansion for Tokyo DisneySea with a clear vision: to immerse guests into the magic and wonder of their beloved Disney stories. This idea has now been fully realized with Fantasy Springs – an amazing new area consisting of four fantastical worlds based on Frozen, Peter Pan, Rapunzel and more! Combining cutting-edge technology with Disney’s exceptional storytelling, this expansion sets a new standard for immersive experiences...

After a good three years of construction, the time had finally come: on August 25, the new Moselbad in Koblenz welcomed its first guests. This marked the end of a long period without an indoor pool. The former and dilapidated municipal pool was closed back in 2012 and demolished in 2015. In summer 2021, construction work finally began on the Moselbad, operated by Stadtwerke Koblenz, in which around 48 million euros were invested. Particular attention was paid to the large sauna area, for which a sophisticated themed concept was developed. The regional theme here is viticulture, which is known to be of great importance on the Moselle...

Zoos and animal parks today face the challenge of staying relevant and proving themselves in an increasingly competitive leisure and entertainment landscape. To successfully market a zoo, unique animal experiences must be emphasized. At the same time, a commitment to conservation and animal welfare must be demonstrated in marketing channels. The balance between education, entertainment and the protection of animals and nature requires not only appropriate principles for operations, but also well thought-out marketing that inspires visitors and raises awareness of species conservation in the long term...

Following previous editions of the Euro Attractions Show, the trade fair for the European leisure industry, which now runs under the name IAAPA Expo Europe, took place again this year from September 24 to 26 at the RAI Convention Center in Amsterdam. With 17,370 registered participants (2023 in Vienna: 13,545) and 13,195 qualified buyers from more than 11,500 companies, this year’s trade fair set new records, according to IAAPA. The Dutch capital, known for its mix of tradition and innovation, provided an interesting setting for the presentation of the latest leisure technologies. Discover exciting developments in our big EAP Show Report...

We’ve all seen or tried them – perhaps at train stations or in shopping malls: snack vending machines for a quick bite or a “sweet tooth” in between. Drinks vending machines are ubiquitous, but the “Dutch snack hatches” that some tourists to the Netherlands may have already encountered, and which have been around for decades in Efteling, for example, are experiencing a hype. Of course, opinions on vending machines – especially in theme parks – differ widely. We talked to two professionals about the advantages of vending machines in general and in particular...