Rank Group to sell Hard Rock chain for £490m 07 Dec 2006 Rank, the UK leisure group, has reached an agreement with the Florida-based Seminole Tribe of Native Americans to sell its Hard Rock café and casino business for US$965m (£490m).
MFS acquires tree-top walk attraction 05 Dec 2006 MFS Living and Leisure, the Australia-based investment vehicle which earlier this year acquired the world’s largest aquarium owner and developer, Oceanis, for AUS$150m (£63.5m, US$110.6m, 93m euro), has announced the latest addition to its growing leisure portfolio, a tree-top walk business.
‘Unfriendly’ bid for Euro Disney 04 Dec 2006 Euro Disney SCA has announced it is aware of a reported “unfriendly takeover offer” by Switzerland-based Center Tainment, but said it has been “unable to secure material information on the company”.
Tourism travel patterns focus on British beaches BY Sarah Todd | 29 Nov 2006 VisitBritain has released an analysis of its research into the different travel patterns of international visitors and UK residents in 2005 when visiting Britain’s towns and cities.
Merlin to launch mini-Legoland in Germany 29 Nov 2006 Merlin Entertainments has unveiled plans to open the first of a new mini-Legoland concept in Germany next year.
Free gym at Israel’s activity beach 29 Nov 2006 A free-of-charge activity beach has recently opened in Herzlia, Israel, to encourage beachgoers to engage in more physical activity during their leisure time.
Strata Partners opens 25th health club 29 Nov 2006 Russian fitness chain Strata Partners is set to launch its 25th health club, a US$3m (£1.6m, 2.28m euro) Orange Fitness-branded site in Moscow, this month.
Spa opens at Budapest New York Palace 29 Nov 2006 The Budapest New York Palace hotel in Hungary, part of the Boscolo hotel chain, has reopened with a luxurious spa area which incorporates a selection of fitness equipment throughout its modern design.
Kravitz wins fitness educator award 29 Nov 2006 The American Council on Exercise (ACE) has awarded the title of Fitness Educator of the Year to Len Kravitz PhD, associate professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
Mosaic Spa rollout continues BY Sarah Todd | 28 Nov 2006 French skincare brands Decléor and Carita have opened their second Mosaic Spa at Hotel Georges Blanc in the village of Vonnas, near Lyon, in France.
Merlin plans to accelerate expansion 28 Nov 2006 Merlin Entertainments, the UK-based attractions operator which now owns the Sea Life, Legoland and Dungeon brands, has appointed a three-man team to spearhead the company’s growth.
AED2.8bn Palazzo Versace resort for Dubai BY Helen Patenall | 28 Nov 2006 Italian fashion house the Versace Group is set to develop its second resort on the banks of Dubai Creek in the UAE.
Discovery at Marigot Bay spa opens BY Sarah Todd | 27 Nov 2006 A new spa has opened on St Lucia in the Caribbean as part of the Discovery at Marigot Bay resort development.
December launch confirmed for Tschuggen Bergoase BY Sarah Todd | 24 Nov 2006 The Tschuggen Group – which operates four luxury hotels in Switzerland – is to open a new CHF35m (£14.8m, US$28.1m, 21.9m euro) spa facility on 1 December.
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.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Researchers in the US have identified an antibody which could greatly reduce the loss of lean muscle mass in people who are taking weight-loss medications.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
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.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day (GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation experiences.
Crunch Fitness has announced the launch of Crunch Reform Pilates – its own reformer concept designed to bring this fast growing, but rather expensive, modality into the mainstream.
The 20th State of the Industry Report from LeisureDB has revealed a resilient, expanding and competitive sector, the importance of differentiation and the ongoing challenge of tackling inequalities.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-focused care at scale.
Purpose Brands has announced its entry into the Italian market, having sold the franchise rights for four Orangetheory Fitness studios to Icon Palestre.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and 2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given equal access to treatments to prevent discrimination
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