Author: News Team
At a press conference in London at the Grand Connaught Rooms on March 14 at 11:00 am, the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) will highlight three major problems that affect incoming tourism: tax, visas, and the impact of the Olympic Games. CURRENT PROSPECTS FOR LONDON 2012 As happens in nearly all Olympic destinations, demand is suppressed during the year of the event. Regular bookings are drying up, and the volume of inquiries is down. According to a survey of BIM attendees, demand for 2012 is 20% on 2011. Demand is reduced, but the industry is unable to meet even reduced…
At a press conference in London at the Grand Connaught Rooms on March 14 at 11:00 am, the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) will highlight three major problems that affect incoming tourism: tax, visas, and the impact of the Olympic Games. Visas are a major problem for inbound tourism from long-haul markets such as China and India. A third of the buyers at BIM are directly affected by this. These concerns are backed up by ETOA’s visa survey. This showed high dissatisfaction with the UK and Ireland visa process. It revealed for the first time the loss of business due…
There are already a plethora of apps catering to every conceivable aspect of modern living and the development of these often whimsical, frequently rather handy and sometimes near indispensable little applications is set to accelerate in 2011. One area that is sure to see a surge in smartphone apps this year is the travel sector. Apps seem set to impact the travel sector in a big way and DialAFlight, one of the biggest providers of cheap flights worldwide, have lead the way by launching an iPhone application that gives some indication of how Smartphone technology can improve the traveller’s experience.…
Accommodation in London looks set to rocket during next year’s Olympic Games. Many hotels will be increasing their prices in view of influx of tourists and one hotel intends to charge five times the normal tariff, according to a report by the Financial Times. The four-star hotel quoted £1100 for a room that would normally cost £200, according to a wholesale tour specialist who asked for neither the hotel nor his company to be named. Another four-star hotel quoted £297 per room per night during the Games compared with £131 this year, and a three-star hotel has more than doubled…
It’s early afternoon and, as the TGV high speed train descends through a cutting into the Ouche valley, Lake Kir shimmers in the spring sun. Minutes later, little more than five hours after leaving London, I’m arriving in Dijon, the jumping off point for a short stay in Burgundy, arguably France’s finest wine region. The nearest French airport to Dijon with direct flights from the UK is almost two hours away by road so, in addition to the ‘green’ considerations, travelling by train is the quickest and most comfortable way of reaching Burgundy. My high speed train journey comprises a…
Camping for the glamorous has just got even more stylish so get ready for the summers festivals and the Royal wedding. Glamping is for those that like the great outdoors and their creature comforts too. And if you cant fork out for a hotel for the long waited Royal Wedding, glamping could be the answer. One of London’s most prominent parks is being turned into an enormous campsite for the wedding of Prince William andKate Middleton. Clapham Common in south London will be transformed into the most glamorous campsite in the country, union flags and bunting will be hung for…
Marseille has a foot in two continents. It may belong to France, but it has a feel of North Africa about it – a throwback to its booming days as a port in colonial times. France’s second largest city is raw and racy, mysterious and exotic, proud of the rough-edged glamour portrayed in the cult film The French Connection. Although it has many fine buildings, you wouldn’t describe it as picture-postcard pretty. But it does provide an attractive city break option. For my weekend away, I let the train take the strain. Opting out of the long queues and security…
Amsterdam is the ideal city for a short break. And now there is a quick and environmentally friendly way of getting there. Abandoning the hassles of travelling by air, I decided to let the train take the strain by using the new fast rail link between London and Amsterdam, via Brussels. On a bright winter’s morning I left London’s restored St Pancras station at 8.27 and, even with the one hour time difference, Eurostar deposited me in Brussels on time at 11.33. From there the new Thalys high speed train whisked me to Amsterdam, pulling into the city’s Central Station…
British Airways has set a new Guinness World Records title with comedians Dara O Briain, Jack Whitehall and Jon Richardson, for hosting the ‘highest stand-up comedy gig in the world’. The smile high gig, which took place on Saturday, March 12, raised almost £100,000 for Red Nose Day, as part of the airline’s partnership with Comic Relief. The comedians performed for 45 minutes at 35,000ft, to a crowd of 180 guests and prize winners, to set the new world record. The comedy gig was hosted on flight BA9230c, on a dedicated British Airways A321 aircraft from London Terminal 5, flying…
Carnival Cruise Lines today announced a unique and exciting new “Fun Ship” cruise program from Port Canaveral, Fla. The 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy will operate four- and five-day Bahamas cruises from the Space Coast beginning November 7, 2011. The move further bolsters Carnival\’s position as Port Canaveral\’s largest cruise operator with three year-round ships carrying approximately 600,000 guests annually. “In addition to offering a convenient departure point for millions of consumers in the southeastern U.S., along with attractive port facilities and excellent flight options into nearby Orlando, Port Canaveral is an extremely popular homeport and we\’re excited to provide our guests…