Some of the world’s most cherished attractions will soon be closed to travellers. From museums and popular performances to an award-winning restaurant and a Disneyland ride, the year brings both temporary and permanent closures that will reshape the travel and entertainment landscape.
Whether it's extensive renovations or shifting priorities, here are the destinations and experiences that will not be available to visitors in 2025.
Blue Man Group, New York
It is truly the end of an era. On February 2, the Blue Man Group will officially conclude its 34-year run in New York City. The popular Off-Broadway production has entertained millions with more than 17,000 performances since its debut at the Astor Place Theatre. It is known for its unique blend of comedy, music and acrobatics, and features a trio of bald men in blue body paint.
Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, Shanghai
Known for its avant-garde dishes and dining experience, the three-Michelin-starred Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet will suspend operations indefinitely in 2025. The restaurant, celebrated for its immersive, multisensory dining experiences since its opening in 2012, has drawn global acclaim for blending theatre, music and food.
The closure is influenced by surrounding construction work, which has impacted the restaurant’s operations. Reservations are being accepted on the restaurant's website until February 22.
Chef Paul Pairet has hinted that Ultraviolet may re-emerge, potentially serving the industry in new ways. In the meantime, Pairet has already embarked on a fresh endeavour with La Baraka, a food truck showcasing French flavours in Shanghai’s Xuhui district.
Centre Pompidou, Paris
The Centre Pompidou, an architectural marvel in the heart of Paris and a hub for modern art enthusiasts, will close its doors in September 2025 for renovations.
Renowned for its inside-out design and groundbreaking exhibitions, the cultural landmark has drawn millions of visitors since its opening in 1977. The closure will allow for extensive upgrades to its facilities, ensuring the building meets modern safety and energy standards. The museum is set to reopen in 2030.
Bayeux Tapestry Museum, Normandy
From September, the Bayeux Tapestry, an 11th-century embroidery detailing the Norman Conquest of England, will be temporarily removed from public view for renovation work at the museum.
Located in France, the museum’s refurbishment aims to enhance the visitor experience while preserving this artefact for future generations. The tapestry, which attracts about 400,000 art and history enthusiasts each year, will be placed in secure storage during the renovations, which are expected to last several years. The museum is scheduled to reopen in the spring of 2027.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Florida
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a popular attraction in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, will temporarily halt its tracks in January for a major refurbishment. The ride is scheduled to reopen in early 2026.
Promising the “wildest ride in the wilderness”, the attraction has been a family favourite since its debut in 1980. The renovations aim to enhance the ride’s safety features, improve its storytelling elements and introduce modern technologies for a smoother experience.
Geneva International Motor Show, Geneva
More than a century after its launch, the Geneva International Motor Show will not return to its home city starting next year.
First staged in 1905, the motor show has been the go-to fixture for vehicle launches. Despite a relaunch attempt in February this year, declining interest from manufacturers, competition from the Paris and Munich shows, as well as financial challenges have led to its discontinuation.
The show’s future now lies in the Middle East, with Gims Qatar scheduled for November.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Syria squad
Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Manchester United v Barcelona, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
Major honours
ARSENAL
BARCELONA
- La Liga - 2013
- Copa del Rey - 2012
- Fifa Club World Cup - 2011
CHELSEA
- Premier League - 2015, 2017
- FA Cup - 2018
- League Cup - 2015
SPAIN
- World Cup - 2010
- European Championship - 2008, 2012
Top 5 concerns globally:
1. Unemployment
2. Spread of infectious diseases
3. Fiscal crises
4. Cyber attacks
5. Profound social instability
Top 5 concerns in the Mena region
1. Energy price shock
2. Fiscal crises
3. Spread of infectious diseases
4. Unmanageable inflation
5. Cyber attacks
Source: World Economic Foundation
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 850Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
