Celebrations are underway across the world to welcome in the New Year.
Celebrations in many parts of the world have been muted for the second year running, with governments in many countries hurriedly scaling back festivities in an effort to contain ongoing infections.
Earlier this week, World Health Organization Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged people to rethink their party plans, advising "it's better to cancel now and celebrate later, than to celebrate now and grieve later.”
However, despite spiking cases, many cities went ahead with firework spectaculars albeit attended by smaller crowds.
Auckland has already marked the end of the old year and start of the new with a spectacular light show with the Auckland Harbour Bridge, Sky Tower and Auckland War Memorial Museum lit up from 9pm, with a full light show at midnight.
In Sydney, the city's world-renowned New Year's Eve fireworks display began at midnight with organisers delivering six tonnes of fireworks, 25,000 shooting effects, 9000 aerial shells and 80,000 pyrotechnic effects across two spectacular displays.
The whole 12-minute show by Foti Fireworks was preceded by a smoking ceremony around the harbour, paying homage to First Nations peoples' culture before the more family-friendly 9pm Welcome to Country fireworks.
However, despite favourable weather the event was viewed by a significantly smaller crowd witnessed in in years leading up to 2019 - the event not having been held in 2020.
Reports suggested that significant numbers of tickets remained unsold for many of the display's main vantage points.
In Singapore, where there was no fireworks display this year, a police patrolled the waterfront area at Marina Bay to monitor crowds and ensure safe distancing measures.
In India, authorities started to impose stringent rules on Thursday to prevent mass gatherings, with night curfews imposed in all major cities.
In the United Arab Emirates, the uncertainties of the past year were forgetten with a series of breathtaking firework displays.
Ras Al Khaimah broke two Guinness World Records with its fireworks show while Expo 2020 Dubai presented a New York-inspired midnight ball drop that counted down the seconds to 2022.
Looking forward
As the world battles yet another variant of the Coronavirus, we at Australasian Leisure Management hope that all in the industry can move above and beyond the challenges that the pandemic continues to present and that personally and professionally we can move forward with positivity to enjoy a safe, healthy and prosperous 2022.
Lower image: New Year's Eve fireworks on Sydney Harbour. Credit: Richard Errington.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
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