Author: Shawon Hannan
Gatwick Express, a UK-based company providing a rail-air service between Victoria station and Gatwick Airport in the UK, has reported an increase in passenger numbers in 2011. The company has reported a 17 percent increase in passengers for 2011, compared to the figure for 2010, indicating that the service is becoming ever more popular with travellers. Alex Foulds, the development director for Southern Railway, which operates Gatwick Express, said, ‘Considering the context of a 6.9 percent rise in airport passengers at Gatwick, these figures reveal the robust health of the Gatwick Express brand. We are seeing a rise in both…
Canada-based Fairmont Hotels & Resorts will be opening a new Fairmont Hotel in Austin, US, in 2015. The company has entered into an agreement to operate the new Fairmont Austin, which will open in three years time. The new hotel, to be developed for an investment of £226.5 million, will be located close to the Austin Convention Centre, and will be featuring around 1,000 guestrooms and suites. The 50-story hotel is being developed by Manchester Texas Financial Group LLC (MTFG), and will also be providing around 70,000 square feet of function space Doug Manchester, the president of MTFG, said, ‘Fairmont…
The Guoman and Thistle hotel brands have launched new websites for mobile phones. The mobile-optimised sites for the brands will allow travellers to search and book hotel rooms from their mobile or smart phones. The mobile sites are created by using a technology platform Usablenet, a US-based company offering mobile commerce technology in UK and Europe. The two mobile sites feature capabilities such as search options for the hotel accommodations; options to book a hotel rooms; view current offers from both the brands; and options to view and cancel existing reservations. Mithu Sengupta, the eCommerce director from Guoman and Thistle…
Britain may well be a ‘pet mad’ nation, says travel comparison website TravelSupermarket. British travellers are keen to travel with their pets in the upcoming bank holidays, with 32 percent of the respondents of a recent study opting for pet friendly travel. In fact Brits miss their pets so much that they would rather take their pets on a vacation than their family members, given a choice, says the report. Around 13 percent of British travellers responded that they would choose their pet over their partner on a holiday, while 10 percent would prefer to take their pet on holiday…
Tourists tend to have misconceptions regarding the cost of travel to various overseas destinations, says a recent survey by a UK-based flight comparison site, Skyscanner. An annual study of 30 holiday destinations that are popular with British travellers brings into focus that while many think that an Indian holiday will be cheap, a holiday in Morocco is actually cheaper. An even bigger surprise to many British travellers is that Germany is one of the best destinations for a bargain holiday. In fact, the study suggests that Eurozone holidays are in reality much cheaper than many travellers perceive them to be,…
Large numbers of travellers are buying air tickets to London, to visit the city during the 2012 Olympics Games, reports Amadeus IT Group, a US-based company and technology partner for providers, sellers, and buyers in the travel industry. A report, published by Amadeus and market research company, Forward Keys, said that flight sales to London have increased by 13 percent for travel during the Olympics period, compared to the same period last year. The report indicates that most travellers to London for the 2012 Games, which will run from July 27 to August 12, will come from the US, Germany…
London Heathrow Airport has unveiled a huge Union Jack flag on the airport runway, with an image of Her Majesty the Queen, in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen’s accession to the throne. The flag, which covers an area of over 540 square metres, is intended to welcome passengers to the UK and to help generate a spirit of celebration. The 30 metre long flag is made of around 400 litres of red, white and blue paint, and is painted next to the Northern runway, so that it will be visible to passengers as their aircraft are arriving.…
For British families wanting to enjoy a holiday in Britain this summer, Dealchecker, a UK based travel comparison site, has suggested some unusual summer destinations on home soil. Staycations, or holidays at home, have gained popularity with British travellers as these options can often be less expensive and less stressful than going abroad. Ben Hatch, author of the family travel guide, ‘Are We Nearly There Yet?’ has collaborated with Dealchecker to offer a guide to 10 events, destinations and activities for families to enjoy in Britain this summer. Ben Hatch’s top five picks include an Olympian Trail from the Guildhall…
The new Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa is the first luxury resort from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company to open in Japan. The 97-room hotel opens on the island of Okinawa, which claims to offer holidaymakers luxurious golf courses, and clear, emerald green water. Herve Humler, the company president and chief operations officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, said, ‘We are delighted to be able to bring our first true luxury resort hotel to Japan to complement our city hotels in Tokyo and Osaka. We have no doubt that Okinawa has the potential to be a resort island of true international appeal, attracting visitors…
Spain is the most popular destination for travellers to hire cars abroad, says a new international car hire infographics report, released by Avis, the US-based multi-national car rental company. Topping the list of popular Spanish destinations are Malaga, Alicante, Mallorca, Barcelona, and Tenerife. The report says that Spain accounted for around 14 percent of foreign car rentals in 2011, followed by France (12.6 percent), Italy (10.5 percent), and Portugal (4.1 percent). Based on car rental, the UK is the most popular of the commonwealth countries as a destination for tourists, said the report. Car rental in the UK is most…