Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

Today, the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and Outdoor Foundation (OF), longtime authorities on outdoor participation data, jointly released findings from the 2023 Annual Outdoor Participation Trends Report. The report reveals that the outdoor recreation participation base grew 2.3% in 2022 to a record of 168.1M participants, or 55% of the U.S population over the age of 6. The report also found that the new participant base is becoming increasingly more diverse in terms of ethnicity, race, age and sexual and gender identity.
“For any business that wants to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace, understanding the evolving consumer base and how they choose to spend their time outdoors is essential knowledge,” said Kent Ebersole, President of OIA. “Industry growth is dependent on attracting and retaining the “core” and increasingly diverse “casual” participant through innovation, valued sustainability practices and pursuing policies for increasing equitable access to the outdoors for everyone.”
Key findings in the report include:
The participation rate for Hispanic people increased from 34% in 2015 to 56% in 2022, the highest participant growth rate for any single group.The participation rate for Black people increased more than 5% in 2022 to 40.7%, the only group with increased average outings and the highest number of outings on average compared to any other ethnic or racial group.LGBTQIA+ participants make up 11% of the participants base and are the most active of any adult cohort.A significantly higher percentage of seniors are participating in outdoor recreation. At 35% of the base, seniors now represent 1 in every 5 outdoor participants.  Gateway activities, where new participants begin their outdoor recreation journey, continue to drive new entrant outings and frequency of participation.80% of outdoor activity categories experienced growth, including camping, fishing, sport climbing, skateboarding, and hiking.Record growth in the participant base does not translate to participation rates, which are down for the first time since the pandemic, especially amongst “core” and “youth” segments.“The findings of this year’s report underpin the critical need for initiatives like Thrive Outside that seek to address outdoor equity barriers,” said Stephanie Maez, Outdoor Foundation Executive Director. “While the growth in ethnic and racial diversity in the participant base is encouraging, we must strive to do better. Outdoor participation should reflect the diversity of the U.S. population overall and currently it does not.”
For over 15 years, the report has served as the most trusted and comprehensive source of insights and narratives around who’s doing what, when, and how outdoors. The Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Outdoor Industry Association, funds the research and publishes the findings in partnership with OIA every year.ADVERTISEMENTThe 2023 report reflects data gathered during the 2022 calendar year and garnered a total of 18,000 online interviews consisting of people ages six and older. While the executive summary of the report is available to the public, the full report is available exclusively to OIA members and OF partners.

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Is that the sound of wedding bells we hear? If so, we should share a little secret about the region’s most breathtaking wedding venue. Perched atop scenic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire — in a spectacularly restored, circa 1905 gathering space — Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club is the perfect place to host the wedding of your dreams.The high-touch hospitality team at Jimmy’s is dedicated to delivering everything you need to host the most elegant, unforgettable wedding you can imagine. We invite you to explore the features and amenities that make Jimmy’s a one-of-a-kind wedding venue for up to 300 guests. 
The Wow FactorLocated in the heart of historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire this architecturally stunning local landmark is built to bring people together…and set your wedding apart with a rare, one-of-a-kind “wow factor.”
A towering glass-and-steel atrium. Intimate rooms with fireplaces and bay windows. Balconies overlooking the grand main stage. Opulently appointed rooms with captivating artwork. Original arched stained-glass features. And so much more.
The flexible, high-ceilinged spaces — alive with the vibrations of such world-class musical artists as Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Mavis Staples, John Scofield, Taj Mahal, Robert Cray and Wynton Marsalis — can be configured to meet your needs.
Extraordinary Culinary ExperienceWedding dinners are also memorable at Jimmy’s, where our team works with you to design a delectable culinary experience that lives up to their flavorful motto, “The Pursuit of Deliciousness.”ADVERTISEMENTAt Jimmy’s, we cultivate personal connections with the local farmers and fishermen who supply the fresh local ingredients used to create a unique New England-inspired cuisine. That same personal touch extends to coordinating with you to create your ideal wedding day menu.
Wired to InspireEngineered with the leading-edge sound and lighting systems required to showcase world-class musical artists, Jimmy’s also offers in-house theater and projector capabilities, plus a seven-camera video system to capture key moments or record your entire ceremony for future viewing and sharing.
Making Your Special Day “Extra Special”Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club is a singularly spectacular, full-service wedding venue with a personality and charm unlike any other — a place where the hospitality team puts heart and soul into curating a truly memorable wedding day experience for you and your guests.
To start a conversation about hosting your special wedding event at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, please fill out our Event Request Form. Or contact 888-603-JAZZ.

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Ferrari World Abu Dhabi welcomes over 1,000 participants at this year’s edition of ‘Formula Run’

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Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has once again organized a successful Formula Run hosting over 1,000 participants with a passion for adventure and sports across four racing tracks last week.The race comprised of four separate routes for each running level, including a 2.5km, 5km and 10km route and a complementary 499-meter mini run tailored for little ones under 8 years old.Each race included three podium spots where top runners were crowned and awarded gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively, in recognition of their achievement. All participants received a bespoke Formula Run finisher’s medal embroidered with Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s logo and a complementary Formula Run T-shirt at the end of the race.
Ferrari World is an award winning entertainment hub, winning the World Travel Award in 2022 for World’s Leading Theme Park based on Yas Island which itself won the award for World’s Leading Theme Park Destination.

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PortAventura World has inaugurated its new attraction ‘Uncharted: The Enigma of Penitence’, the only one in the world inspired by the Uncharted movie, from Sony Pictures Entertainment. It is an indoor roller coaster with five launches, with unexpected twists and turns, and the first in Europe to have a lateral drop.
David García, Managing Director of PortAventura World, articulated, “this attraction is the outcome of a pivotal agreement with an industry giant in entertainment, Sony Pictures. The alliance permits us to extend our global footprint, by means of a product that is truly state-of-the-art on an international scale and stands equal to the finest attractions globally. With this ride, our guests can anticipate an unmatched, innovative experience that enhances the diversity and quality of attractions offered. All of this reinforces our position as one of the premier tourist destinations in both Europe and the world.”
Jeffrey Godsick, Executive Vice President, Brand Strategy and Partnerships, Head of Location Based Entertainment of Sony Pictures Entertainment, said “the opening of Uncharted, the ride, is a testament to PortAventura’s expertise in attraction development. A display of safety and care with the IP was evident from fabrication through completion. PortAventura World is known for adventure and our global teams, including PlayStation, have worked collectively to ensure all guests can look forward to becoming Uncharted explorers.”
Built on a base measuring 4,800 m2 and standing 16 metres high, this dark ride roller coaster, designed as a family concept, takes visitors on a 673-metre journey completely in the dark where they will be amazed by a multitude of audiovisual effects and immersive experiences, all based on Uncharted, released in cinemas in 2022.
As part of PortAventura World’s social commitment to offer inclusive leisure, the attraction has developed an exclusive experience for visitors with functional diversity. This is a virtual reality space where they can delve into the story of the attraction as if they had been on the ride. In addition, the roller coaster has barrier-free access.ADVERTISEMENT

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Harry Potter Stars Return to Hogwarts to Celebrate the Opening of Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo

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Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo celebrated its grand opening with a magical red carpet event attended by Harry Potter actors Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) and Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) who joined local stars to mark the occasion.
Excited fans lined the red carpet to see the Harry Potter actors as well as celebrities including voice actor Mamoru Miyano, musician DAIGO, Kabuki actor Matsuya Onoe and NiziU member Nina. Guests to the event were amongst the first to experience the wonder of the Studio Tour in its entirety. After walking through the iconic Great Hall, they ventured into the Forbidden Forest, explored Diagon Alley and discovered sets only available in Tokyo, including the Ministry of Magic.
Torben Jensen, GM Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo said “After two years of hard work and preparation, we couldn’t be more excited to open the doors and welcome Harry Potter fans to experience Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo.”
The attraction officially opens to visitors for the first time today with fans coming from across the globe to experience the magic. The Studio Tour is the first of its kind in Asia and offers fans the chance to discover the behind-the-scenes secrets that went into creating one of the most successful film series of all time.
Actor Tom Felton, known for portraying Harry Potter’s enemy Draco Malfoy, returned to the Studio Tour this morning for the official opening ceremony. He was joined by Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Kazushige Tanaka, Director-General of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Rumi Furuya, Commissioner of the Bureau of Construction to cast the ‘alohamora’ spell to officially welcome guests to the Studio Tour.ADVERTISEMENTAbout Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo will officially open its doors on Friday 16th June 2023. Opening for the first time in Tokyo, this brand-new Studio Tour will invite fans to step onto breathtaking sets including the iconic Great Hall at Hogwarts, Diagon Alley and the Forbidden Forest where they will see exquisite costumes and come face to face with magical creatures while learning filmmaking secrets. Fans will also enjoy lots of fun activities including riding a broomstick, drinking a refreshing Butterbeer, appearing in a moving portrait in the halls of Hogwarts, stepping into the crowd of a Quidditch game and shopping from a huge range of products, many of which are only available at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo.
The Studio Tour will also be home to the largest Harry Potter shop in the world, featuring 14 themed sections that are decorated with over 7,000 bespoke and specially sourced props. The areas are beautifully designed and take inspiration from elements of the shops on Diagon Alley including Honeydukes, Ollivanders and Flourish and Blotts. A huge range of products will be available to buy, many of which have been exclusively developed for Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo. In addition, visitors can enjoy a choice of restaurants and cafés which will serve a celebration of traditional British fare such as fish and chips, roast beef, English breakfast and Afternoon Tea.
This will be the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world and visitors can expect to spend around four hours exploring the only Warner Bros. Studio Tour to open in Asia. Building on the phenomenal success of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – the Making of Harry Potter which opened in 2012 and has maintained exceptional visitor reviews, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo will feature exclusive sets only available in this location, providing visitors with an experience like no other.

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The National Park Foundation and partners are excited to announce the winners of the 2022 Share the Experience photo contest and launch the 2023 contest.The Share the Experience photo contest invites amateur photographers to share photos of their favorite views, moments, memories, and adventures from national parks and public lands across the United States, with safety top of mind.
“America’s national parks are home to a tremendous diversity of natural landscapes, wildlife, history and heritage,” said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “Congratulations to this year’s contest winners whose images capture the beauty of parks inspired by each photographer’s unique personal connection to these places we share.”
Nearly 8,000 photos were submitted to the contest which ran from June 22, 2022 through December 31, 2022. The winning image is featured on the America the Beautiful: The National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Annual Pass, which covers entrance and standard amenity fees for participating federal locations throughout the country.
Top Three Winners
ADVERTISEMENTFirst place: A colorful Eastern Collared Lizard stands out bright and beautiful among the desert landscape of Wupatki National Monument. This photo, captured by Paulette Donnellon, will be featured on the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.Second place: A photograph by Aaron Enloe of a sunlit creek with a backdrop of snow-covered mountains in Inyo National Forest. Third place: Josh Keogh’s photo captures a peaceful moment while kayaking at sunset along the minor islands at Isle Royale National Park.The National Park Foundation is also excited to launch the 2023 Share the Experience photo contest with co-sponsor Booz Allen Hamilton, the contractor and partner for the Recreation.gov platform. This year’s contest invites amateur photographers to submit their favorite recent shots.
The grand prize for the winning image is $10,000, followed by $5,000 and $3,000 for second and third place. Winners also receive outdoor gear provided by Celestron and Hydro Flask, hotel vouchers courtesy of Historic Hotels of America®, and an annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
Prizes will also be awarded for the following six categories:
Outdoors for All
Demonstrate how public lands welcome and connect us by highlighting the diversity of locations, activities, and visitors. This category spotlights people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, exploring and enjoying the spectrum of experiences available at our public lands and waters.Everyday Adventures
An incredible experience doesn’t require visiting an iconic destination. Adventure can be found in the everyday. Discover new places and capture activities and imagery from lesser-known public lands and waters across the country.History & Heritage

From monuments and battlefields to re-enactments and cultural celebrations, this category is meant to showcase the rich history and diversity of the United States and the special places and traditions that preserve and promote them.Scenery & Seasons
The scenic vistas, sweeping landscapes, and beautiful flora of public lands can be found in far-off locales or closer to home than you think – capture fall foliage, forests, winter wonderlands, flowers, mountains, deserts, canyons, lakes, seashores, rivers and more.Wildlife
Take a walk on the wild side with photos of the incredible array of animals that call federal lands and waters home. Remember to always keep your distance and stay safe!Night Skies
Starlight and starbright, capture the magic of a night out under the stars. Slow the shutter speed down and see what develops! Remember to stay in designated areas and follow all guidelines about hours for visitation.The 2023 Share the Experience photo contest is hosted by the National Park Foundation and Booz Allen Hamilton in partnership with the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and Recreation.gov. Share the Experience is the official photo contest of America’s national parks and federal recreational lands and waters, showcasing the more than 500 million acres of federal lands and waters and drawing entries from across the United States. The 2023 contest is now open and accepting entries through December 31.
Please visit sharetheexperience.org to learn more about the contest, including how to submit an image, the full list of prizing, and contest rules. You can also follow @NationalParkFoundation on Instagram for photo inspiration.

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Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) CEO Issam Kazim has told the emirate’s hospitality leaders he wants to convert holiday-makers into residents.
Speaking at DET’s latest City Briefing, held at Dubai World Trade Centre on Thursday June 15, Kazim said: “Today we have two new KPIs. We want to make sure Dubai continues to be one of the best cities to work in, and more importantly, one of the best cities in the world to live in.”Around a quarter of all Dubai tourists return within a year. Kazim said convincing those people to make Dubai a permanent home is key.He added: “Once you bring them in, you’d hope they spend more money next time and stay for longer. Eventually, they would consider living in Dubai, and we have all the visas to facilitate that. We’d like them to work here, live here and retire here.
“It’s all about closing the loop.”
Dubai has a high proportion of tourists visiting friends and family, Kazim explained. “The more we grow the community here locally,” he added. “It both retains spend, and it brings in even more first-time visitors. That needs to continue.”
The latest data from Dubai’s tourism performance (which goes up to April 2023) shows that the average length of stay in the city is four nights. Increased from 2019. In total, 6.02 international visitors came to Dubai from January to April 2023, closing the gap on 2019’s 6.26 million during the same period.ADVERTISEMENTDubai’s population is around 3.5 million, 85 percent of which are expats.The Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) plans to add billions of dirhams to the economy across more than 100 projects in the next 10 years. It was announced at the start of the year by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
By 2033, Sheikh Mohammed would like to see Dubai one of the top four global financial centres, doubling the city’s economy.
The plan includes a programme to support 30 private companies to achieve unicorn status ― worth more than US$1 billion (about AED3.67 billion). Other business incubators will support the growth of private companies, with 400 of the most promising identified.
Dubai was voted Middle East’s Leading City Destination 2022 at last year’s World Travel Awards.
Source: Hotelier Middle East

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A new project from Modon Properties has been announced, located on Abu Dhabi’s Hudayriyat Island, and featuring what they’re calling the world’s “largest man-made wave pool.”
“Set to open by the end of 2023, Surf Abu Dhabi will be the biggest and most advanced artificial wave facility in the world. Designed in partnership with Kelly Slater Wave Co., the landmark destination will offer a high-performance surfing experience, featuring the world’s longest ride, biggest barrel, and largest man-made wave pool. Underscoring Abu Dhabi’s sporting and leisure credentials, the exclusive surfing complex seeks to attract everyone from beginners to pro-surfers. Surf Abu Dhabi will provide an ideal location to host major international events and will play a major role in developing the surfing community locally, regionally, and globally.”
Specifics on just how big the pool will be, and the size of the waves it will be able to produce, are still scarce. However, per a report from TimeOut, the pool will span 51 million square meters. The Surf Ranch in Lemoore, CA is reportedly 2,300 feet long – that’s only 700 meters.
So, it’s bigger. Much bigger. You do the maths.

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