Author: Shawon Hannan

National Trust, the nonprofit organisation that looks after around 250,000 hectares of countryside, 720 miles of coastline, and numerous historic places in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, is now on a mission to save the great British pudding. After Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson, asked people in the UK to support traditional British pudding recipes over foreign counterparts, the non-profit has also joined the cause and will be launching an autumn pudding campaign. The organisation will be offering a free pudding treat for the entire October of 2012 at chosen cafes and restaurants to encourage British travellers to be patriotic to…

Accor, a France based hotel company and owner of brands such as ibis, ibis budget, and ibis Styles, among others, will be reviewing its economy hotels in 56 countries. The company is planning a transformation of all its economy hotel brands in 2012, which will include new beds switched with around 66,000 old beds; refurbished public areas in 50 hotels; and a new marketing campaign. The relaunch of the hotels will be in keeping with changing customer demands of today. Denis Hennequin, the company chairman and chief executive officer, said, ‘What we are doing with ibis is reinventing economy hotels…

TAP Portugal, a Portugal based airline, has announced an increase in its flights to the UK. The airline is extending the Anglo-Portuguese connection by increasing its five- times a week service from Manchester Airport in UK to Lisbon Airport in Portugal to a daily service. The newly expanded service commences from October 28, 2012, with the airline offering twin-class fares, which includes complimentary food and drink, complimentary advance seat choice, a 23kg baggage allowance, and the Executive and Victoria frequent flyer services. With this extension, the total number of flights offered by the airline increases to 74 every week. The…

Centro, a UK based organisation operating bus, rail and Midland Metro Tram transport in the West Midlands area, has responded to a reduction in ticket office hours announced earlier by London Midland. The lead member for transforming rail in Centro, Cllr Roger Horton, said, ‘Passengers tell us they like to see a staff presence at stations because it makes them feel safe. Not only do staff perform a critical role in customer service but they act as a deterrent to criminal or anti-social behaviour. You don’t get that from a ticket machine. This decision does nothing for passengers. It is…

Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), a US-based company focusing on the business travel industry, is reporting that although business travel will slow down in 2012, its will still show some growth in the European markets. In its second semi-annual GBTA BTI Outlook for the five most critical business travel markets in Europe of Germany, the UK, France, Italy and Spain, the company is reporting that while Italy and Spain are likely to continue to be in recession, Germany, France and the UK are expected to see a minor growth in GDP, of less than 1% in 2012. UK business travel…

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, an agency in the UK promoting tourism in Birmingham, is reporting that congestion on the roads is a major factor of delays in project completion and escalating costs for businesses in the area. A recent survey by the Chamber of Commerce suggests that 61% of respondents are upset as they felt road congestions are causing an increase in the costs of business, while 42% feel that road congestions are causing delays that are detrimental to their business reputations. Geoff Inskip, the chief executive officer of Centro, the UK based organisation operating bus, rail and Midland Metro…

The government of Egypt, with its Islamist leanings, is not expected to remove beach resorts in the nation. According to Reuters, Egypt would retain its beach tourism even though this might be against hardcore, conservative Islamic norms. In a message that was received with much relief by the tourism sector in the nation as well as outside Egypt, the tourism minister of Egypt said that any Islamic investment in the sector would complement and not replace beach resorts. The minister also acknowledged that the famed beach resorts in the nation were a vital source of revenue. Egyptian tourism minister, Hisham…

Connecticut is to unveil the second part of its tourism campaign to coincide with the autumn foliage season. The state would launch the second phase of a two-year campaign that is worth nearly $27m. The second phase of the tourism promotion would focus on the state’s economic development efforts. Governor Dannel P Malloy’s office said that the state would – through the campaign – highlight the economic revival of the state, and also showcase how companies in the state have been ‘inventing the future today through innovation.’ Companies such as ESPN, Alexion Pharmaceuticals and Pratt & Whitney would be featured…

easyjet has announced that the airline has appeared before the House of Commons Northern Ireland affairs committee to highlight its commitment to serve the region, and clarify its stand on the Airport Passenger Duty tax. The airline’s UK director, Paul Simmons, at the session with the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, said, ‘easyJet started its Belfast operation on 18 Sept 1998; we have a local base located at Belfast International Airport and we directly employ over 230 local people. Northern Ireland has seen several airlines come and go from Belfast, but easyJet’s consistence in the Northern Ireland market…

Four Seasons Hotel Canary Wharf in London, UK, is launching a series of art exhibits from September 20, 2012, which will continue for the entire autumn season. The art exhibits, made by local talented artists, will be located in the hotel lobby and other public spaces. Some of the artists whose work will be on display are paintings by Alexander Johnson and screen prints by Jason Keeley. The hotel will also be hosting an entertainment programme to compliment the exhibits. Live DJs will organise music on Thursday evenings, with cocktails and snack foods on offer for guests. Michael Purtill, the…