Author: News Team

Visit Britain, the promotional guise of the tourist board of Great Britain, is looking to the enduring popularity of movie secret agent, James Bond, to boost tourism for the country. The organisation has announced plans for a massive tourism campaign to coincide with the release of Skyfall, the latest blockbuster to feature the super-spy. The campaign will target 21 countries from this Friday, October 5, using the slogan, ‘Bond is GREAT Britain,’ to encourage fans of the film franchise to choose Bond’s home country for their next holiday. Cinema, press and outdoor advertising formats will all be exploited during the…

Thomson Airways, a UK based charter airline company, will be the first leisure carrier to operate a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airline is planning to induct the initial aircraft to its flight schedule from May 1, 2013. The aircraft should be delivered to the airline by the first quarter of 2013, and it is intended to offer better travel options to the airline’s passengers. Thomson proposes to redesign the aircraft to carry around 291 passengers, with a Premium Club cabin seating 47 passengers, and the Economy Club cabin seating 244 passengers. The airline intends to acquire eight of the 13…

Those tourists holidaying in Bath, UK, this month will have the opportunity of joining in the Great Bath Feast, where local chefs gather to show off their creative talent. The Great Bath Feast is held every year to celebrate culinary delights and local produce, and this year will feature talented chefs including Mark Hix, Angela Hartnett and Raymond Blanc. The events will include street food, specialist producers, a celebrity book release and signings, guest appearances by celebrities at local delis, and wine tasting at various venues. The city’s restaurants are gearing up to offer seasonal and local ingredients, with their…

Glasgow Airport, in Scotland, is providing passengers with a guide to its 2012 winter schedule. The new handy, pocket size, comprehensive winter 2012 flight guide is designed to ensure that travellers have the latest information at their fingertips. The guide focuses on all types of flights to various holiday destinations, and is claimed to be ideal for city breaks, adventure trips, skiing holidays or business travel. The book also offers information on parking options, shopping outlets, eating venues and the relaxation options that are available at the airport. Francois Bourienne, the commercial director at Glasgow Airport, said, ‘We have worked…

First TransPennine Express, a British train operating company, has reported that its modernisation project for Stalybridge station is expected to be completed by November 2012. The £20m modernisation project includes the addition of platforms; a new coffee shop; the redesigning of tracks around the station and at junctions; and an upgrade of all signals. Jo Kaye, the route managing director for Network Rail, said, ‘The old design dates back nearly 100 years and simply does not meet the needs of a modern railway. The extra platforms and new design will make it much easier to operate trains and improve reliability…

Eurostar International, a UK-based high-speed rail service between the UK and mainland Europe, has reported that its service to Brussels will be hampered by strike action called by workers in Belgium. The train operator is likely to cancel its services from London to Brussels between 21.00 hours on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, and 21.00 hours on Wednesday, October 3, 2012, due to the impending industrial action. The company statement said, ‘During this period of industrial action, Eurostar services to and from Brussels will terminate and commence at Lille Europe station. Eurostar strongly recommends that all passengers travelling to or from…

Rail passengers in the West Midlands area of the UK will now be able to report antisocial behaviour onboard trains through a text message to the nearest authorities. Centro, a UK based organisation operating bus, rail and Midland Metro Tram transport in the West Midlands area, has announced that the ‘See Something, Say Something’ scheme, which had earlier been introduced on the West Midlands bus and tram network, has also been launched on the rail network across the West Midlands. The programme aims to empower commuters to report against any antisocial behaviour onboard trains, in order to help police maintain…

Half term holidays are gaining favour with UK families, following the recent spate of rain. While severe weather warnings are only just abating in the UK, many parents are considering a holiday to warmer locations of Spain, Turkey and Portugal for the October half term breaks to take advantage of the bargains that are currently on offer. According to the UK based car hire comparison company, comparecarhire.co.uk, in 2012 October half term bookings are on an increase over October 2011. Andy Hemmington, the spokesperson of Comparecarhire.co.uk, said, ‘For some families the September storms have dampened spirits and driven Brits to…

Transport for London (TfL), a UK-based government agency responsible for transport in Greater London, is partnering VisitBritain, the official tourism website for Great Britain. The agency is partnering with VisitBritain to promote and distribute the Visitor Oyster card, a smartcard that allows travellers to use public transport without tickets. VisitBritain will be a single point of contact for all distribution channels and for sale of the smartcard outside London. This would imply that visitors to the city can directly access trains, buses, and the underground in London using a single smartcard. This is expected to reduce long queues at boarding…

Travelodge Hotels, a UK-based company that owns and operates hotel properties, has announced the opening of its newest hotel in Burton-upon-Trent, in UK, where in 1985 it opened its first hotel. The new Travelodge Burton-upon-Trent Central will be opened by the Mayor of East Staffordshire, Cllr Len Milner, and Judy Harper, a receptionist at the company’s first hotel, Travelodge Burton A48 Northbound, and one of the first employees of the brand. Burton-upon-Trent Central Travelodge is offering 68 guestrooms in an iconic Midlands Grain Warehouse constructed in the late 19th Century. Melissa Wilson, the hotel manager for Burton-upon-Trent Central, said, ‘It…