It looks as though Air is getting a new virtual reality addition Credit: Alton Towers
With Merlin bosses hoping to rekindle interest in Alton Towers after a poor summer, the UK theme park has revealed a teaser for “Something Exciting!”, rumoured to be the addition of virtual reality to its Air rollercoaster.
Attractions Managementexclusively revealed last month that Mack Rides and VR Coaster are working on at least nine new virtual reality rollercoasters, with the new technology to be announced for a major attraction in January. Prior to Alton Towers releasing the teaser trailer, there were rumours that Air would be getting a VR addition – a first for the UK.
The 21-second teaser indicates a space theme for the addition, using the line “in space you can’t hear yourself scream because there is no Air”. The online spot also promises an “out-of-this-world” experience, which will be officially revealed on 12 January.
Alton Towers would be leading the way for VR coasters worldwide, with Mack telling Attractions Management that it is working with several major IPs for branded VR ride experiences for 2016, which will be revealed in the coming months.
The £12m (US$17.7m, €16.2m) Air rollercoaster, designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), first opened in March 2002. The ride was the first flying rollercoaster and at the time of opening was one of the most expensive rollercoasters ever made and among the most technologically-advanced.
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). GWD ...More
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. Founded in 2012 by Belgin Aksoy in Turkey, GWD ...More
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los Cabos. The not-for-profit movement, ...More
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark 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. Founded in ...More
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day (GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in alignment with ...More
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group. With decades of experience in immersive water-based attractions, Maelzer will lead the development and global delivery of the company’s recreational ...More
Lithuanian care operator Addere Care has launched a “wellness care hospital” in Vilnius. It's the company’s second Lithuanian site, following a hospital in Trakai, but the first to offer professional medical care in a spa ...More
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing. Van Phu Real Estate Development JSC owns ...More
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 ...More
Wellness and hospitality thought leaders gathered recently for a workshop at Yasuragi, the Japanese spa and conference hotel near Stockholm. The purpose was to shape the FIBO Longevity and Hospitality Summit, which will happen in ...More
LVMH-owned beauty house Guerlain will launch up to five spas with partners a year as part of its plan to expand globally, according to the brand’s international spa and wellness director, Diane Davody. In an ...More
A new global study by Kevin Kelly and Peter Yesawich, called WELLSurvey 2.0, has revealed more than half of consumers in the UK, US and Germany would not choose numerous high-profile wellness resort brands for ...More
It looks as though Air is getting a new virtual reality addition Credit: Alton Towers
With Merlin bosses hoping to rekindle interest in Alton Towers after a poor summer, the UK theme park has revealed a teaser for “Something Exciting!”, rumoured to be the addition of virtual reality to its Air rollercoaster.
Attractions Managementexclusively revealed last month that Mack Rides and VR Coaster are working on at least nine new virtual reality rollercoasters, with the new technology to be announced for a major attraction in January. Prior to Alton Towers releasing the teaser trailer, there were rumours that Air would be getting a VR addition – a first for the UK.
The 21-second teaser indicates a space theme for the addition, using the line “in space you can’t hear yourself scream because there is no Air”. The online spot also promises an “out-of-this-world” experience, which will be officially revealed on 12 January.
Alton Towers would be leading the way for VR coasters worldwide, with Mack telling Attractions Management that it is working with several major IPs for branded VR ride experiences for 2016, which will be revealed in the coming months.
The £12m (US$17.7m, €16.2m) Air rollercoaster, designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), first opened in March 2002. The ride was the first flying rollercoaster and at the time of opening was one of the most expensive rollercoasters ever made and among the most technologically-advanced.
The £12m (US$17.7m, €16.2m) coaster, designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), first opened in March 2002 Credit: Shutterstock.com
RELATED STORIES
Human error caused Smiler crash at Alton Towers; ride will re-open POSTED 24 Nov 2015. BY Alice Davis A rollercoaster crash which seriously injured a number people, including two people who
underwent leg amputations, was the result of human error when an operator manually overrode
the ride safety system, it was revealed today (24 November).
Alton Towers to cut up to 190 jobs following Smiler accident POSTED 11 Nov 2015. BY Tom Anstey Alton Towers is to cut around ten per cent of its staff following a drop in revenue in
the wake of its serious rollercoaster crash earlier this year.
Merlin records weak summer at UK theme parks after Smiler accident POSTED 17 Sep 2015. BY Tom Anstey After suggesting that the rollercoaster crash that seriously injured four people in June
could affect profits by up to £50m (US$77.6m, €70m), Alton Towers operator Merlin
Entertainment has confirmed a notable slump after weak trade through the UK’s summer
months.
Alton Towers teams up with university for theme park degree POSTED 08 Jan 2015. BY Tom Anstey Alton Towers and Staffordshire University have teamed up to offer a Foundation
Degree in Visitor Attraction and Resort Management at the UK university’s
business school.
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
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
