Issue 54 September/October 2013 £2.75 Figures show record spend and visitors By Christina Eccles A YEAR after Britain hosted some of the largest events in the world, inbound tourism is holding strong, according to the latest figures from the International Passenger Survey. Figures for the first half of 2013 show record levels in spend and the strongest visitor numbers since 2008, with Britain attracting 15.2m visitors and a record £8.7b spend over this period. Over 2.89m overseas visitors were welcomed in June alone, up 12 per cent compared with last June. Expenditure over the same period saw overseas visitors spend a total of £1.84b, an increase of 13 per cent from June 2012. This was also a new high, up eight per cent on the existing June record set in 2011. June also saw more than 1.22 million holiday visits, 17 per cent up on the previous year, followed by a new all-time record for the first six months of 2012 (two per cent). Overseas director at VisitBritain Keith Beecham said: “This is the second consecutive month we have seen record visits and spend, while the first six months of the year have also delivered a record. “In June the UK welcomed more than a visitor every single second (67 overseas visitors a minute). “If this trend continues it would see us welcome one overseas visitor every second of every day of every week of every month of the year. “This is great news for the econo- my and a further sign that tourism is delivering growth across the coun- try. “Particularly encouraging is that we’ve witnessed a record 18 per cent rise in visits from Rest of World markets, the first time June has ever seen us welcome over half-a- million visitors from these markets. This growth has been sustained over the first half of the year, up 11 per cent and also a record.” Minister for tourism Hugh Robertson added: “These record fig- ures for June show that our tourism strategy is working. “We did all we can to showcase the best of Britain to the world in 2012 and it’s paying off. The tourism sector has a big role to play in delivering economic growth and we must keep up this momentum and continue to promote Britain as a great place to visit.” ■ What do you think to the findings? Send your views to our editorial team by emailing [email protected]THE warmest July in eight years has seen year-on-year spending at UK tourist attrac- tions boom – with figures showing a 99 per cent increase in spend at aquari- ums and a 64 per cent increase at amusement parks. Brits came out in force this summer and spent consider- ably more on leisure activi- ties than during the same period last year according to Barclaycard, which processes nearly half of all debit and credit card transactions in the UK. A Barclaycard spokesman said: “The warmest July since 2006 really drove a boom in spending on domestic leisure activities. “A series of soggy summers has taken its toll on UK holi- day resorts as Brits jetted off to sunnier climes at every opportunity, and these fig- ures will come as a sigh of relief for those bidding to resurrect the ‘staycation’. “We saw how spend in July climbed 4.8 per cent on last year and this latest data reinforces our view that British shoppers are finally shaking off the longest peri- od of austerity in a genera- tion and are more readily parting with their money.” BBC Radio One DJ and Blackpool native Danny Howard has made history by becoming the first DJ to play at the top of Blackpool Tower. Danny officially launched the SKYWALK Sunset Sessions, a collaboration between The Blackpool Tower and North West club- night supremoes Randy Ron which ran every Saturday in August. He also set a world record for performing a DJ set at the highest height – 420ft above the ground. Warm July leads to a spending increase
Transcript
Issue 54 September/October 2013 £2.75
Figures showrecord spendand visitorsBy Christina Eccles
A YEAR after Britain hosted some ofthe largest events in the world,inbound tourism is holding strong,according to the latest figures fromthe International Passenger Survey.
Figures for the first half of 2013show record levels in spend and thestrongest visitor numbers since2008, with Britain attracting 15.2mvisitors and a record £8.7b spendover this period.
Over 2.89m overseas visitors werewelcomed in June alone, up 12 percent compared with last June.Expenditure over the same periodsaw overseas visitors spend a totalof £1.84b, an increase of 13 percent from June 2012.
This was also a new high, up eightper cent on the existing June recordset in 2011.
June also saw more than 1.22million holiday visits, 17 per cent upon the previous year, followed by anew all-time record for the first sixmonths of 2012 (two per cent).
Overseas director at VisitBritainKeith Beecham said: “This is thesecond consecutive month we haveseen record visits and spend, whilethe first six months of the year havealso delivered a record.
“In June the UK welcomed more
than a visitor every single second(67 overseas visitors a minute).
“If this trend continues it wouldsee us welcome one overseas visitorevery second of every day of everyweek of every month of the year.
“This is great news for the econo-my and a further sign that tourismis delivering growth across the coun-try.
“Particularly encouraging is thatwe’ve witnessed a record 18 percent rise in visits from Rest of Worldmarkets, the first time June hasever seen us welcome over half-a-million visitors from these markets.This growth has been sustained overthe first half of the year, up 11 percent and also a record.”
Minister for tourism HughRobertson added: “These record fig-ures for June show that our tourismstrategy is working.
“We did all we can to showcasethe best of Britain to the world in2012 and it’s paying off. Thetourism sector has a big role to playin delivering economic growth andwe must keep up this momentumand continue to promote Britain asa great place to visit.” � What do you think to the findings?Send your views to our editorial teamby emailing [email protected]
THE warmest July in eightyears has seen year-on-yearspending at UK tourist attrac-tions boom – with figuresshowing a 99 per centincrease in spend at aquari-ums and a 64 per centincrease at amusementparks.
Brits came out in force thissummer and spent consider-ably more on leisure activi-ties than during the sameperiod last year according toBarclaycard, which processesnearly half of all debit andcredit card transactions inthe UK.
A Barclaycard spokesmansaid: “The warmest July since2006 really drove a boom inspending on domestic leisureactivities.
“A series of soggy summershas taken its toll on UK holi-day resorts as Brits jetted offto sunnier climes at everyopportunity, and these fig-ures will come as a sigh ofrelief for those bidding toresurrect the ‘staycation’.
“We saw how spend in Julyclimbed 4.8 per cent on lastyear and this latest datareinforces our view thatBritish shoppers are finallyshaking off the longest peri-od of austerity in a genera-tion and are more readilyparting with their money.”
BBC Radio One DJ and Blackpoolnative Danny Howard has made historyby becoming the first DJ to play at thetop of Blackpool Tower. Danny officiallylaunched the SKYWALK SunsetSessions, a collaboration between TheBlackpool Tower and North West club-night supremoes Randy Ron which ranevery Saturday in August. He also seta world record for performing a DJ setat the highest height – 420ft abovethe ground.
GROMIT Unleashed, a unique publicart trail that has been delightingvisitors to Bristol this summer, isoffering people the opportunity to seeall 80 iconic giant Gromit sculpturesexhibited together in one place.
The Gromits have each beenindividually designed by a prestigiousline-up of artists and celebrities andare in locations in and around Bristoluntil September 8.
Then for five days only, fromSeptember 18 to 22, all 80 Gromits
will form a public exhibition – TheGreatest Dog Show on Earth – at theRoyal West of England Academy inClifton, Bristol. This will be the onlychance for the public to see theunique collection of Gromitsdisplayed together before they areauctioned in October to raise fundsfor Bristol Children’s Hospital charity,Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal.
Destination Bristol’s head ofmarketing Kelly Ballard said: “Allsummer groups have been visitingBristol and embracing the challengeto track down the Gromits, which
have been lurking around almostevery corner in and around the city.
“There has been a real buzz here,with yelps of triumph coming frompeople clutching their trail maps asthey encounter each Gromit.
“This dog show with a difference atRWA is a not-to-be-missedopportunity to see the Gromits allgathered in one place, which isespecially good for those people whoare less mobile and may have foundit difficult to get to the Gromitsaround the city or those who are onlyin Bristol for a short visit.”
Gromits gather forfive-day exhibition
The Gromits are transported around the city on the back of a steam train.
MARKETING Lancashire haslaunched the 10th LancashireTourism Awards, which will takeplace on November 7 atBlackburn Cathedral.
The awards will be hosted bytourism expert, broadcaster andtravel editor of The Independent,Simon Calder.
Chief executive of MarketingLancashire Ruth Connor said:“The tourism sector is crucial tothe economic success ofLancashire, contributing £3.4bto the local economy, and isdeserving of an awards eventthat recognises and rewardsthose who are at the forefront oftheir industry.
“This year is the 10th year ofthis celebration and the awardshave been through a majoroverhaul, with more categoriesthan ever before, a new judgingprocess and a fantastic newlandmark venue in Blackburn’sdeveloping cultural quarter.
“We hope that colleagues fromthe sector, whether they enterthe awards or not, will join us tocelebrate the achievements offriends and fellow tourismbusinesses in this landmark yearfor the Lancashire TourismAwards.”
Simon tohost 10thceremony
A collection of Gromits in front of the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Sponsored by
03 29/8/13 13:54 Page 1
DESTINATIONNEWS
4
By Christina Eccles
TOURISM and trade links betweenDerbyshire and Japan have beengiven a major boost with the launchof a new web microsite that aims toattract more visitors and investmentto the county.
Attractions, accommodation andthings to see and do – plusopportunities to develop furthertrade links – are some of thesubjects featured on the microsite,which has been created by officialtourist board Visit Peak District andDerbyshire and sits on its website atwww.visitpeakdistrict.com/japanese
It has been compiled as part ofcelebrations to mark the 15thanniversary of twinning betweenDerbyshire County Council, DerbyCity Council, South DerbyshireDistrict Council and Toyota City –and hopes are high that it willstimulate even stronger cultural andeconomic ties between the county,the wider Peak District tourismdestination and Japan.
Information has been translated
into Japanese by Takashi Hirata, ofToyota City Council’s internationaldivision, who has just spent sixweeks in the county on a fact-finding mission to explore ways inwhich Derbyshire and Japan canwork even more closely together.
Chief executive of Visit PeakDistrict and Derbyshire David Jamessaid: “Latest official figures fromVisitBritain indicate that Japan is theeighth most valuable internationalmarket, yet only one per cent ofvisitors who came to Britain in 2012were Japanese.
“Clearly there’s more that can bedone to foster links that will bringboth cultural and economic benefitsfor people and businesses acrossthe area, and we are pleased tohost this web page, which we hopewill encourage even closer ties inthe future. We look forward towelcoming more Japanese visitors tosample the quality and variety thatDerbyshire and the wider PeakDistrict tourism destination bring tothe regional, national andinternational marketplace.”
Peak web boostfor tourism andtrade with Japan
David James, chief executive of Visit Peak District and Derbyshire;Takashi Hirata, senior staff of Toyota City’s International Division;Derbyshire County Council Chairman Councillor Dave Wilcox andCouncillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Memberfor Jobs, Economy and Transport.
STAFF from Thistle Hotels will betaking part in a mammothfundraising relay from Invernessto London as part of theoperator’s Lite@Nite charitycampaign.
The challenge will see stafffrom all Thistle hotelsthroughout the UK running,swimming or cycling to the next
property on the route, all in aidof five children’s charities.
The relay will take 28 days,with the longest leg a huge 136miles between the ThistleAberdeen Altens and the ThistleGlasgow.
It will end in central Londonon September 14 after visitingseveral hotels in the capital.
Relay to support charities
A TRIP to Stirling Castle has beenhighlighted in a new internationalguidebook as one of the mostamazing experiences in Europe.
Along with Mull, the HistoricScotland property is one of only twoScottish locations to feature inEurope – 40 Amazing Experiences,an e-book specially created tocelebrate the 40th anniversary ofLonely Planet.
The invitation to “lay siege toStirling Castle” features alongsideactivities such as marveling at theColosseum in Rome, chilling out in a
beach bar in Barcelona and enjoyinga boat trip in Southern Crete.
Regional director at Visit ScotlandLiz Buchanan said: “The team atLonely Planet are renowned foroffering valuable insights into someof the world’s most extraordinaryplaces, and I am delighted to seeStirling Castle featured on their newlist of 40 Amazing Experiences inEurope. A visit to Stirling Castle, ashighlighted in this new guide – is anexperience that is definitely not tobe missed, particularly in the Year ofNatural Scotland.”
Castle trip ‘one of Europe’smost amazing experiences’
A NEW festival in the Lake District isset to highlight the creativity anddiversity of comic art.
Based on a similar format to thepopular comic art festivals on thecontinent, The Lakes InternationalComic Art Festival will be the first ofits kind in the UK and will take overKendal between October 18-20.
The festival’s line-up includes morethan 50 writers and artists and willinclude more than 50 events,ranging from panel discussions, tointerviews, live drawing, films andexhibitions.
Managing director of CumbriaTourism Ian Stephens said: “Kendalalready has an enviable reputationfor creative and contemporaryevents and we’re all looking forwardto seeing the town transform itselfinto a centre for comic art thisautumn. Events of this calibre putthe Lake District; Cumbria firmly onthe map and visitors from far afieldcan expect a warm welcome. Localpeople and those who perhaps havenot picked up a comic book sincechildhood will also be fascinated bythis festival.”
New festival to showcasethe world of comic art
Sponsored by
04 29/8/13 13:55 Page 1
05 29/8/13 14:11 Page 1
DESTINATIONNEWS
6
By Christina Eccles
RAPPER Jay Z has visited historiclandmark Salisbury Cathedral to takea look at the Magna Carta document,which provided inspiration for hislatest album.
The cathedral was chosen as thelocation for the global launch of theartwork of Jay Z’s latest albumMagna Carta… Holy Grail before thestar made a private visit to see thefamous work.
The visit coincided with theannouncement that the foursurviving original copies of theMagna Carta – two held by theBritish Library and one each bySalisbury and Lincoln cathedrals –will be brought together for the firsttime in history at an event in Londonin early 2015, marking its 800thanniversary.
The Dean of Salisbury, the VeryReverend June Osborne, said:
“Magna Carta’s clauses on socialjustice are as relevant today as theywere 800 years ago and are at theheart of all we aspire to.
“We hope the publicity generatedthrough the planned unification and800th anniversary year will increaseawareness of its importance, values,ideals and modern significance.
“It was great to welcome Jay Z toSalisbury Cathedral. He was clearlymoved by seeing the original MagnaCarta, which to so many peoplerepresents the values of humanrights and fairness that are soimportant to us today.
“He was a delightful guest and weenjoyed sharing some of our life withhim and discussing the work weseek to do here to further the causeof social justice. I think it may havesurprised some of our visitors asthey explored the cathedralthemselves to recognise Jay Z doingthe same thing.”
Jay Z with the Magna Carta at Salisbury Cathedral.
Rapper Jay Zlaunches albumartwork duringCathedral visit
VISITENGLAND and National ParksEngland have committed to a three-year partnership designed to boostrural tourism and stimulatesustainable economic growth inEngland’s countryside.
The partnership statement outlinesa number of areas that the twoorganisations will work on together.
These include promoting NationalParks to inspire more visitors;encouraging greater collaborationbetween National Park Authoritiesand Destination Organisations at thelocal level and sharing intelligenceand collaborating on research
programmes.VisitEngland chairman Lady
Cobham said: “Visitors to nationalparks spend at least £4bncontributing about one third of thespend from rural tourism in England.
“They are part of the fabric of ourrural tourism offering and sustainthousands of businesses which inturn employ 140,000 people. Thispartnership outlines a number ofways we can work together toensure tourism works hand-in-handwith our natural assets to furtherboost rural tourism and ensuresustainable economic growth.”
New partnership aimsto boost rural tourism
AN important era in Yorkshire’shistory was commemorated when theowner of one of the county’s top ruralvisitor attractions donned Victorianattire and began a walk with a trio ofalpacas in tow.
Jamie Roberts set out fromSaltaire in West Yorkshire to returnhome to Kilnsey Park in theYorkshire Dales as part of the park’s35th anniversary celebrations.
The walk is also honouring animportant anniversary in the historyof Salts Mill, one of Yorkshire’s andthe world’s greatest industrialpowerhouses in Victorian times andnow a cultural centre and UNESCOWorld Heritage site.
It was 120 years ago when Jamie’sgreat great grandfather Sir JamesRoberts took over Salts Mill from thefamily of the founder, Sir Titus Salt
and saved it from bankruptcy.As the Mill’s fortunes – and those
of his family – were largely built onspinning alpaca wool, Jamie decidedit was a fitting tribute to start thewalk with the trio before they takeup residence at Kilnsey Park.
He said: “Bringing home thealpacas to Kilnsey is a fantastic wayof celebrating my family’s heritageand connections with Salts Mill.
“The success of the Mill enabledmy ancestors to purchase theKilnsey Estate in 1911 and it hasremained in our family ever since.
“In 1978 we opened a trout farmand trekking centre and since thenthe Estate has gone from strength-to-strength not only as a visitorattraction but also as a centre forconservation and as one of the mostsustainable businesses in the UK.”
Alpacas take part intrek to commemoratecounty’s mill heritage
Jamie Roberts with the alpacas.
Sponsored by
06 29/8/13 13:56 Page 1
DESTINATIONOXFORDSHIRE
7
Cotswold Wildlife Park has announced the birth of the first WhiteRhino calf to be born in its 43-year history. Mother Nancy andfather Monty have produced a girl, which has been named Astrid. Managing director Reggie Heyworth said: “Astrid is an old familyfriend and great fan of the park. Her family were the first to havethe idea of our annual charity fundraiser Roar ‘n’ Snore. Astrid waswidowed at a young age and remarried this July. Naming the babyrhino was a late wedding gift.”
GILES Ingram has taken the post ofdirector at Experience Oxfordshire, anorganisation comprising VisitOxfordshire which is responsible fortourism and Oxford Inspires whichdevelops and promotes the arts inOxfordshire.
Giles has extensive experience inthe field of tourism and culture,having cut his teeth as a tourdirector for groups to Oxford in hisearly career, via marketing andoperations manager at DestinationBristol, followed by Interim CEO atBath Tourism Plus and finallyheading up Northumberland Tourism.
He said: “I’m delighted to return toOxford and Oxfordshire after a gap ofmany years. Oxfordshire is a trulywonderful destination to promote,with internationally-recognised iconslike Oxford University, BlenheimPalace, the Cotswolds and RiverThames all within the county. AndOxfordshire’s starring role in TVseries like Morse and Midsomerkeeps it in the public eye.
“Oxfordshire’s arts scene is thrivingtoo, offering everything fromclassical music to outdoor theatreand pub science lectures. It’s a mixthat’s a sure-fire winner.”
Organisation appointsGiles as new director
VISIT Oxfordshire has launched aGroups Travel Desk to provide arange of services for groups visitingOxfordshire.
Organisers can benefit fromservices including a free group
accommodation booking service,discounted attraction ticketing forgroups, booking Blue or GreenBadge guides, itinerary ideas, helpand advice with planning a groupvisit and a welcome pack.
Desk to provide services to groups
07 29/8/13 13:59 Page 1
08 29/8/13 14:13 Page 1
DESTINATIONOXFORDSHIRE
9
THE Cherwell Boathouse is an iconicOxford punt station and restaurant onthe banks of the river Cherwell, closeto the centre of Oxford.
Both the restaurant and themarquee on the terrace overlookingthe river are wonderful places tocelebrate all types of occasion.
We can cater for corporate daysout, functions and parties withconference facilities and the optionof punting alongside.
From mid-March to mid-October,the marquee can accommodategroups from 25 to 125 guests in avariety of formats from informal tothree course sit down meals andincorporating music and dancing.
The restaurant can accommodate
parties of up to 75 gueststhroughout the year offering a finedining experience, with an awardwinning wine list and friendly,attentive service. Al fresco diningavailable overlooking the river.
For more information contact:Cherwell Boathouse, Bardwell
OXFORD Castle Unlocked iscelebrating its busiest month onrecord, having welcomed 10,868visitors through its doors during July.
The successful period follows theintroduction of a living exhibitionspace in the Georgian prison wing ofthe visitor attraction, offering visitorsthe chance to meet characters from
throughout its 1,000-year history.14 per cent of the monthly totalvisitors came from ArdmoreLanguage School, a new relationshipformed in 2013 which saw theschool bring 1,595 pupils.
Group sales manager at ContinuumLeading Attractions, ElizabethMounser, said: “Oxford Castle
Unlocked this summer has reallymade its mark in the languageschool market with a range ofexciting products and a host of newlanguage schools visiting for the firsttime. With tours designed to fitwithin students’ budgets, there hasnever been a better time to pre-book a visit.”
Castle records its busiest monthAlmost 11,000 people visited Oxford Castle Unlocked during July.
THE popular Oxford ThamesFour Pillars Hotel has added22 newly designed bedrooms,along with a multi-functionalconservatory, following acomprehensive six-month,£2m refurbishment andexpansion programme.
The 22 new doublebedrooms have increased thehotel’s capacity to 84 roomsand have been designed byaward winning interior designpractice DeSallesFlint, withinspiration from the hotel'sclose proximity to the RiverThames and Oxford’s boatingheritage.
The concept and designincorporates traditional'college' colours alongsideBritish influences, such assumptuous floral fabrics andtraditional tweeds, but withcontemporary twists.
There are two room designs– the blue-toned river roomswith river and boating relatedartistry and the green-tonedgarden rooms with flower andgarden related picturesadorning the walls.
Hotel addsnew roomsas part of£2m refurb
09 29/8/13 14:00 Page 1
DESTINATIONOXFORDSHIRE
10
LETTING Off Steam in Oxfordshire isjust one of several itineraries forgroups, designed to inspire one, twoor three-day visits to this part of thecountry.
Starting with a seven-mile ride withextensive views of the Chiltern Hillson the Chinnor and PrincesRisborough Railway, the itineraryrecommends Pendon Museum ofMiniature Railways, probably the firstand oldest miniature railwaylandscape of its kind, recapturingthe beauty of the Vale of WhiteHorse in the 20s and 30s. Amodern contrast is Williams at Grove
for lunch, followed by a tour of theWilliams Grand Prix Collection, thelargest private collection of FormulaOne cars in the world.
Day two takes the group to DidcotRailway Centre for its uniquecollection of Great Western Railwaylocomotives, rolling stock, EngineShed and Carriage Shed.
There’s a main line rail-side picnicspot and the option to samplesnacks in the Refreshment Room.
Head of tourism and marketing atVisit Oxfordshire Jo Butler said:“Within two hours’ travel of most ofEngland, Oxfordshire is an excellent
year-round destination for groups. “Visit Oxfordshire’s itineraries will
encourage groups to explore lesswell-known attractions and parts ofthe county, with the option ofovernight stays to extend their visit.”
Letting Off Steam, together withthe itineraries Dukes and Lords, APageant of Oxfordshire Gardens, ADay in Oxfordshire, William Morris inOxfordshire, Oxfordshire for ArtLovers, and Books n Murders Tour,can be downloaded free from thegroup travel section of thewww.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.comwebsite.
Letting off steam in OxfordshireThe itinerary can be downloaded from the website. Picture credit: Didcot Railway Centre.
Top five attractions withthemed tours for groups:� Ashmolean Museum� Bodleian Library� Oxford Official Guided WalkingTours.� Blenheim Palace� River and Rowing Museum
Top five venues for afternoontea:� Oxford Malmaison – MadHatters Afternoon Tea.� Heythrop Park Resort – Teaserved in the grandeur of theWedgewood Room.� Newington Nurseries – Dineamong flowers in the OrchidHouse.� Macdonald Randolph – Thequintessential British experiencewith cake stands and cucumbersandwiches.� Blenheim Palace – Champagnetea served on the water terraces.
Oxfordshire’s hidden secretsfor groups:� Broughton Castle will openespecially for a private tour for agroup.� Learn how to grow an orchid bya Chelsea Gold Winner atNewington Nurseries.� Take a curator tour of theAshmolean Museum and discovermore about this fabulousmuseum.� Didcot Railway offer eveningvisits for groups.� Get up close and personal withthe animals at the CotswoldWildlife Park.
10 30/8/13 10:52 Page 1
DESTINATIONNEWS
11
A North East hotel is celebrating after becoming the only one of its kind in the country to make it ontoa new list of top hotels. The Doubletree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport Hotel is the onlyairport-based property in the UK to feature in the prestigious Expedia Insiders’ Select list for 2013. Therecently released list, based on reviews submitted by users of online travel agency Expedia, isdesigned to recognise hotels which consistently deliver superior services, an exceptional guestexperience and notable value.
VisitScotland nets £310mfor economy since 2012By Christina Eccles
VISITSCOTLAND’S marketing activitieshave generated nearly £310m worthof additional economic benefit for thecountry since January 2012, a rise of14 per cent on the same period theyear before, it has been revealed.
VisitScotland’s internationalcampaigns target Scotland’s mainmarkets across the globe includingNorth America, Germany andFrance, as well as emergingmarkets, such as India and China.
This is done through an array ofcross media marketing such as e-zines, multi-lingual websites,competitions and social media, aswell as partner offers withinternational transport and tourproviders such as US Airways andCIE tours.
The domestic market, whichaccounts for 84 per cent ofScotland’s annual visitor numbers,has been targeted since 2012through the organisation’ssuccessful Surprise Yourselfcampaign. The promotion includes aseries of Neil Oliver narrated TVadvertisements that highlighted theYear of Creative Scotland 2012 andthis year’s promotion of the Year ofNatural Scotland 2013.
These figures come as theorganisation gears up to for thebiggest opportunities for Scotland’stourism industry in a generation nextyear; Homecoming 2014, Ryder Cup2014 at Gleneagles and theGlasgow 2014 CommonwealthGames.
Chairman of VisitScotland MikeCantlay said: “The latest results of
our domestic and internationalcampaigns show just how muchVisitScotland continues to deliver forScotland. As Scotland prepares towelcome the world in 2014, we’reworking extremely hard to grasp themagnificent opportunities there arefor growth.
“We believe the tourism industryaffects all walks of life and we wouldcall on everyone to recognise thepotential that next year’s uniqueevents can have for the whole ofScotland.”
In recent weeks, the organisationhas announced details of activitieshappening across Scotland as partof the Homecoming celebrations, aswell as a multi-million poundmarketing campaign to promote theCommonwealth Games across theglobe.
MONKEYS at Longleat enjoyed a treatwhen an ice cream van entered theirdrive through enclosure.
Safari keepers at the Wiltshirewildlife attraction had enlisted thehelp of local ice cream seller Colin
Robb to provide some cooling treatsfor their troop of rhesus monkeys.
Longleat’s Ian Turner said: “Colin’sice cream van is a familiar sight ashe lives on the Longleat estate, sowe thought it would be a nice idea
to ask him to come along andprovide the monkeys with a coolingtreat. Obviously it was just a one-offand we did it under closelycontrolled conditions but it certainlyseemed to go down well.”
Monkeys go ape for Colin’s ice cream vanThe monkeys at Longleat cool down with an ice cream.
THE Cottage in the Wood,nestled on Magic Hill inEngland’s only mountain forest– Whinlatter near Keswick – isoffering a cosy escapeenabling guests to enjoy anAutumnal break in the LakeDistrict.
The Autumn Colours Breakincludes a range of treats.
These include two nights’accommodation in a CottageRoom for two people;afternoon tea in front of thefire on arrival; a map of prettylocal walks; a hearty breakfasteach morning; The TasteCumbria tasting menu oneevening.
The Cottage in the Wood’sAutumn Colours Break isavailable from October 1 untilNovember 30.
The Cottageoffers cosyescape
ChocolategetawayAN inn and restaurant on theborders of the Lakes and Dalesis marking National ChocolateWeek with a chocolate ladengetaway.
Guests at the Sun Inn inKirkby Lonsdale can enjoyluxurious, locally madechocolate biscuits in theirrooms, as well as a specialchocolate dessert in therestaurant, during the week,which takes place fromOctober 14 to 20.
Director rolefor Sam
Holiday parkunveils pods
VISIT Heart of England hasappointed Sam Warnock astourism marketing director.
Sam takes responsibility forgrowing the region’ssuccessful tourism websiteand working with regionalattractions, destinations andaccommodation suppliers toincrease visitors to the area.
He joins from travel tradeshow Best of Britain andIreland, where he was eventdirector.
AWARD winning holiday parkcompany Holgates haslaunched new camping pods atits scenic Silverdale site.
The pods at the site inCumbria comfortably sleep afamily of four and enjoy viewsover the local coast andcountryside.
Sponsored by
11 29/8/13 14:07 Page 1
DESTINATIONNEWS
12
Birminghamset to soarwith IndianmarketBy Christina Eccles
BIRMINGHAM is looking to build onits growing Indian tourist market witha new Air India flight, now operatingfour times weekly betweenBirmingham Airport and Delhi.
With some 13,500 people visitingBirmingham from India each year,the West Midlands remains the mostpopular region outside of the SouthEast for Indian tourists, with visitingfriends and relatives representingnearly half of Indian visitors to thecity.
Now with partners, MarketingBirmingham is working to build onthis market, raising the city’s profileoverseas as a tourism destinationthrough targeted campaigns andattendance at key trade shows.
Neil Rami, chief executive ofMarketing Birmingham – whichoperates leisure tourism programmeVisit Birmingham – said:“Birmingham has a proud reputationas one of the most diverse cities inEurope and is home to a large,rapidly growing Indian population.
“With friends and familiesrepresenting a large proportion ofvisitors, we are now looking to growthe number of Indian tourists, whoare typically keen to travel todestinations with a wealth of history,culture and good quality food anddrink.
“Securing a direct flight route tothe Indian capital is a major step forBirmingham, and the result of muchhard work by citywide partners topromote the area’s potential for theairline.
“News of Air India’s investmentcomes at a time when Birmingham’sinternational standing is at an alltime high.
“We must now continue to developour global profile – promoting thecity overseas is vital to securingmore international routes andbuilding the city’s reputation as aEuropean hub for tourism.”
Attracting new international airroutes is part of the city’s ongoingstrategy to build on the record33.8m visitors that came toBirmingham in 2012.
CEO of Birmingham Airport PaulKehoe added: “Birmingham is thefirst city outside of London tooperate a dedicated scheduledBoeing 787 Dreamliner service.
“This statement of confidence fromAir India sends a clear signal thatBirmingham is a great destinationfor not only business, but alsoleisure visitors.
“Our regular services to Delhi willencourage more Indian visitors totravel to the city and experience ourgreat culture, using BirminghamAirport as their gateway to the restof the UK.”
Joey, the puppet star of popular show War Horse, will officially openExcursions 2014 at Alexandra Palace on Saturday January 25.He will welcome early visitors to the event before leading everyoneinto the Great Hall at 10.30am.
A LEADING hotel has launched aspecial package to coincide with thearrival of the Tour de France inYorkshire next year.
With demand already high foraccommodation, the Holiday InnDarlington A1 Scotch Corner hotelhas bucked the trend for price hikesby creating a package specifically forthose watching or taking part in theprestigious event.
The Tour de France package, whichincludes an overnight stay withdinner and breakfast, is priced at£99 per room, per night and will beavailable on both Friday July 5 andSaturday July 6 2014, when theTour de France hosts its openingstages in Yorkshire.
The hotel, which underwent a £3mrefurbishment in 2012, has also
announced plans to offer a specialthemed menu in its restaurant tocoincide with the race, as well asserving French-style cocktails in itsbar, which will screen footage fromthe event.
General manager Alice Ng said:“Our close proximity to the A1means that visitors can travelquickly and easily from the HolidayInn Darlington A1 Scotch Corner toalmost any point on the Tour deFrance route.
“Our new accommodation packageis designed to make it as affordableas possible for the race’s visitorsand participants to enjoy this uniquelocation, while our French-themedfood and drinks will hopefully helpresidents from around the region toget involved.”
The Holiday Inn Darlington A1 Scotch Corner hotel.
Hotel gears up forLe Tour’s arrival
Recharge your batterieswith eco-friendly car hireA NEWLY extended fleet of electricand low emission hire cars havetaken to the roads of the LakeDistrict, giving drivers a quirky greenalternative – but with the comfort andconvenience of conventional cartravel.
The introduction of these newvehicles follows the successfullaunch of three electric and low-carbon cars at Langdale andWindermere last year and forms partof the £6.9m GoLakes Travelprogramme, which is aiming to cutcarbon emissions and give peoplenew ways to experience and explorethe area at the same time.
Sustainable transport advisor forthe GoLakes Travel ProgrammeAlistair Kirkbride said: “Both theelectric cars and our very low
emission vehicles are really handyfor anyone who wants to explore theparts of the central Lake Districtbeyond the reach of buses andboats.
“It also means that visitors cannow seriously consider leaving theircar at home, and residents can savemoney by getting rid of rarely usedsecond cars. It’s easy to sign up,and it really is then turn up and go,and pay only for what you use.”
Sponsored by
12 29/8/13 14:07 Page 1
13 29/8/13 13:45 Page 1
DESTINATIONCENTRE STAGE
14
By David Thomas
WELCOME to the second edition ofthe Destination UK West EndChronicle – and a huge thank you toeveryone who wrote in after ourinaugural feature.
September sees the launch of “ICan’t Sing – The X-Factor Musical”written by the huge-collared King ofComedy, Harry Hill, which opens inthe Spring of 2014. This is a co-production between StageEntertainment, who brought yousuch unforgettable shows asHairspray, Sister Act, Singin’ In TheRain (and who will be producing“Rocky The Musical” on Broadwaynext year) and Mr X-Factor himself,Simon Cowell. The show, a bigfamily-friendly musical comedy, willappropriately be coming from thetraditional home of familyentertainment, the world-famousLondon Palladium.
I wonder how many of you readingthis saw your very first West Endshow at the London Palladium?Perhaps it was Joseph and his
Technicolor Dreamcoat, with JasonDonavon or Philip Schofield? OrOliver!, starring a string of worldfamous Fagins including JonathanPryce, Jim Dale, Barry Humphriesand Robert Lindsay?
Sam Mendes, who directed Oliver!at the London Palladium, is also ofcourse the director of Charlie AndThe Factory at The Theatre RoyalDrury Lane –where a whole newgeneration of young theatre-goerswill be getting their first taste ofWest End magic. Once upon a time,long, long ago, I happened to beworking at Drury Lane. Oneafternoon a VERY elderly gentlemenapproached me in the foyer andasked if I could help him identify areally great show he had seen atDrury Lane as a child. He couldn’tremember the name, but he couldstill recall the story in detail, thenames of the main characters, anda fair chunk of the dialogue.
He then added: “I remember wehad to decide between taking thetram or the horse and cart fromWaterloo.”
When I went back through therecords, it turned out that the showhad been staged in 1911. It wasthen 1991. This man could still revelin the memory of a production hehad seen 80 years previous!
Now theatre tickets may not becheap, but when a great show getsit right, the memory will stay withyou for the rest of your life. Whocould ever forget the shiver up thespine the first time they heard JeanValjean sing “Bring Him Home”?The Phantom ferrying Christinethrough the underground lagoon ofthe Paris Opera House. Or BillyElliot performing “Electricity”? Thebrass section at Jersey Boysbreaking out in “Too Good To BeTrue”? The opening of The Lion Kingor the ending of War Horse?Elpheba defying gravity?
And every single one of the WestEnd’s long runners is woven out ofthese magical moments thatenchant new audiences eight showsa week, year-in, year-out, in theWest End, and around the world.
Enjoy your shows!
News from around the theatres
David Thomas
MATILDA The Musical is nowbooking until May 2014 at theCambridge Theatre in London’sWest End. This multi award-winningshow continues to be a top sellerfor short break specialistSuperbreak, appealing to bothadults and children alike.
Since it opened in October2011, the West End show hasbeen seen by in excess of800,000 people and has won 24awards, including a recordbreaking seven Olivier Awards.
Graham Balmforth, nationalsales manager at Superbreakcomments: “This show continuesto go from strength-to-strengthand wows audiences both youngand old each night.
“It has won a huge number ofawards with the latest productionon Broadway winning four 2013Tony Awards which has furtherraised its profile.
“Our packages combineovernight accommodation withtickets to the show that allowcustomers to make a short breakof it. With bookings now possibleuntil May 2014, agents have areal opportunity to generatebookings for this ever popularshow.”
Matilda the Musical tells Roald
Dahl’s much-loved story about agirl with extraordinary powers,written by Dennis Kelly and award-winning musician and comedianTim Minchin. Matilda Wormwood’sparents think she is a nuisanceand she thinks, quite rightly, theyare only interested in watchingtelly. Life is not much better atschool, where the monstrousheadmistress Miss Trunchbullterrifies both students andteachers alike. Then one dayMatilda discovers she has a veryspecial power and decides it'stime the grown-ups were taught alesson. Be warned, the childrenare revolting …
Sample packages include:� Three star package – from£143pp – including one night’sb/b at the three-star PresidentHotel and a top priced ticket tothe show. Based on a Saturdaynight in October and two sharing.� Four Star package – from£168pp – including one night’sb/b at the four-star LondonMarriott Kensington Hotel and atop priced ticket to the show.Based on a Saturday night inOctober and two sharing.
For more information andbookings call Superbreak 0871221 4444www.superbreak.com/agents
Matilda the Musicalis now bookinguntil May 2014
Graham Balmforth
CAMERON Mackintosh's highlyanticipated new production ofBoublil and Schönberg's MissSaigon lands in the West Endon 1 May 2014 at the PrinceEdward Theatre.
Set in 1975 during the finaldays of the Americanoccupation of Saigon, MissSaigon is an epic love storyabout the relationshipbetween an American GI anda young Vietnamese woman.
Orphaned by war, 17-year-old Kim is forced to work asa bar girl in a sleazy Saigonnight club owned by anotorious wheeler-dealerknown as 'The Engineer'.John, an American GI, buyshis friend Chris the servicesof Kim for the night. Thatnight will change their livesforever.
The most successfulmusical in the history of theTheatre Royal, Drury Lane,Miss Saigon has also beenperformed in 28 countries,over 300 cities in 15different languages, has wonover 40 awards and beenseen by over 35 millionpeople worldwide.
For more information andbookings call 0871 221 444or visit www.superbreak.comfrom the September 9, 2013.
Miss Saigonset for WestEnd return
14 30/8/13 10:35 Page 1
15 29/8/13 14:14 Page 1
DESTINATIONCENTRE STAGE
16
X Factor winner Joe McElderry is to perform at Torquay’sPrincess Theatre later this month. Joe, who has released twohit albums and also won ITV show Pop Star to Opera Star, willappear at the venue on September 14.
Hit musical Wicked has announced the full cast for its forthcomingUK and Ireland tour. The cast will include Nikki Davis-Jones asElphaba, Emily Tierney as Glinda, Liam Doyle as Fiyero and MarilynCutts as Madame Morrible. The tour will visit venues includingManchester Palace Theatre, Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre andBirmingham Hippodrome. Emily Tierney (Glinda) is pictured with Nikki Davis-Jones (Elphaba).
Picture credit: Matt Crockett.
16 29/8/13 14:08 Page 1
17 29/8/13 14:15 Page 1
DESTINATIONCENTRE STAGE
18
Theatre fans were spoiled for choice with performances of two ofShakespeare’s best loved comedies set against the backdrop ofArundel Castle. The Merchant of Venice and A Midsummer Night’sDream were performed in The Collector Earl’s Garden.
Picture credit: Chris Hopkins.
James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave are to star inShakespeare’s comedy Much Ado About Nothing, which opens atThe Old Vic on September 19. Directed by Mark Rylance, the furthercast includes Tim Barlow, Penelope Beaumont, Kingsley Ben-Adir,Katherine Carlton and Beth Cooke.
Ray Quinn
FAMILY favourite Peter Pan will beflying into Liverpool for thepantomime season this year,starring Ray Quinn and LouisEmerick.
The show will be on at theLiverpool Empire from FridayDecember 13 2013 to SundayJanuary 5 2014, with ticket pricesstarting from £10.
Liverpool Empire generalmanager Diane Belding said:“We’re over the moon thatpantomime is back at theLiverpool Empire for another year.
“Last year’s production ofCinderella was nothing short ofphenomenal and audiences andcritics alike were unanimous intheir praise for the show.
“Liverpool audiences love a good
panto and with our fantastic localcast and great price options,Peter Pan will be the perfectfamily treat this Christmas.”
Ray Quinn to staras Peter Pan fliesinto Liverpool
Encore appoints SergioENCORE Tickets has appointedSergio Cicalo as its new trade salesmanager.
Sergio, who has over 15 years’experience in the theatre industrywill be focusing heavily on thedomestic market.
He said: “My new role at EncoreTickets will enable me to build newrelationships in this ever-growingindustry.
“I will be at the Group LeisureShow in September, so I am lookingforward to getting together with oldfriends and new at this year’s tradeshow.” Sergio Cicalo
Louis Emerick
18 29/8/13 14:09 Page 1
19 30/8/13 10:39 Page 1
DESTINATIONNEWS
20
Group Leisure Show planningforward for presentationBRITAIN’S biggest group travel eventis fast approaching with organisersYPL Exhibitions very active in planningforward to ensure visitors andexhibitors have a profitable andenjoyable two days at the NEC onSeptember 18 and 19.
In particular, a major investmenthas been made to upgrade the levelof free coach transport from aroundthe UK as well as free parking,which can be claimed by pre-registered visitors.
Show organiser Emma Cash said:“The Group Leisure and Travel TradeShow is the longest established andmost important two day event ingroup travel and coach tourism, andevery year we look at how we cankeep it fresh and relevant forvisitors, and how we can assistthese visitors in achieving asuccessful visit.
“The timing of the show has alwaysbeen important of course, with anautumn date providing anopportunity to look at what isavailable during a period when manyGTOs are planning forward for thefollowing year and beyond.
“The new ideas and new brochuresor information at GLTT comes at aperfect time and of course, there is
nothing better than being able totalk about trips and ideas with anexpert face to face.”
The show boasts an abundance ofexhibitors from right across thetravel and destination sectors. GTOsand coach operators can review thelatest West End theatre productionsor, indeed, the more establishedones, consider day trips of all types,short breaks, special interestactivities or long and short haulholidays, as well as accommodation,coach operator services and theexciting range of options on offerfrom some of Britain’s leading touroperators.
A day at the races – no problem, acruise – we can help you with allyour requirements.
A major ticket mailing has recentlytaken place inviting free pre-registration for the show, but visitorscan also register to visit the GLTT bygoing online towww.leisureshow.com and clickingon the link.
It is quick, easy and free, and allGTOs or coach operators who attendand have pre-registered will beentered into a prize holiday draw toBudapest, sponsored by Jet2.comHolidays.
Emma added: “We have leadingnames at GLTT such as Travelsphere,Saga, Warner Holidays, BestWestern Hotels, Fred Olsen CruiseLines, English Heritage and theNational Trust, National FootballMuseum, Success Tours, Riviera
Travel, Encore and many, manymore.
“All of us on the exhibition teamare looking forward to an enjoyabletwo days on September 18 and 19when we see many old friends andgive a warm welcome to new ones.”
The Group Leisure and Travel Trade Show takes place at theBirmingham NEC on September 18 and 19.
Visit York and specialist cycling store Cycle Heaven joined forces tooffer a special competition prize, coinciding with the York CycleRaces weekend and just one year to go to the Grand Depart of theTour de France in York. The winners – Elaine and Andy Turnbull fromBarnard Castle in County Durham – scooped the prize out of 6,000hopeful entrants through Visit York’s website. The couple alsoenjoyed a two-night stay in the city courtesy of Visit York at theMonkbar Hotel and two VIP York Passes to visit the city’sattractions.Cycle Heaven owner Andy Shrimpton is pictured handing over thenew bicycles to Elaine and Andy Turnbill at iconic York landmark,Clifford’s Tower.
By Christina Eccles
A CROSS party group of influentialpeers has called on the Governmentto develop a new strategy to supportmusic-based tourism and help growthe UK economy.
The call was made during a Houseof Lords debate on the impact ofmusic on tourism, with the debate’ssponsor LibDem Lord Storey sayingmusic festivals have been attractingunprecedented numbers of overseasvisitors and pouring money into localeconomies.
He argued that the world’s“evident love” of the UK’s musicalheritage should now be harnessedand used to support music tourism.
He said: “I have seen first-handthe positive impact music can makeon local tourist economies. But, wemust also consider the impactmusic can have on the country as awhole. Great Britain simply has toomuch potential for musical tourismfor the Government to stand idly by.I strongly urge the Government toconsider how best to implement awell defined music strategy.”
Lord Storey suggested that toattract more overseas musictourists, the Government shouldemphasise and engage with existingtourist bodies and authorities acrossBritain and help them marketthemselves as music touristdestinations.
The concept was supported byBaroness Liddell of Coatdyke, who isalso a non-executive director ofVisitBritain. The Labour peer saidGlasgow’s indie venue King Tut’sWah Wah Hut and events andfestivals like T in the Park are wellknown. But, she claimed a lot morecould be done to support them.
She added: “We are not doing aswell as we could for music tourism.We need to have more resourcebehind promoting our music tourism.
“We have the talent, thedetermination and the worldwidefocus. Let us make this a key pillarof our tourism strategy into thefuture.”
Other supporters of the Live musicAct include LibDem peer LordClement-Jones and ConservativeLord Black of Brentwood.
Calls for creationof a music-basedtourism strategy
Advertiser’s announcement
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
20 29/8/13 14:09 Page 1
DESTINATIONNEWS
21
Tourism chiefs pledge tobuild on entente cordialeBy Christina Eccles
TOURISM experts from Kent and thePas de Calais are looking at newways to build on their long-standingpartnerships promoting each other’sdestinations – highlighting thesimilarities and differences in history,heritage, culture and landscapes.
To discuss the plans, AmandaCottrell, chairman, and SandraMatthews-Marsh, chief executive, ofVisit Kent, joined Bertrand Petit,chairman, and Diana Hounslow,director, of Pas de Calais Tourism,for a meeting followed by a tour ofWalmer Castle, hosted by EnglishHeritage. The two regions haveworked closely as partners in thepast on EU-funded cross-Channelprojects within the Interregprogramme including a £4.2mCoastal Actions for SustainableTourism programme and a £4.4mGreet the World campaign promotingKent and the Pas de Calais in therun-up to the London Games.
Chief executive of Visit KentSandra Matthews-Marsh said: “WithKent’s excellent cross-Channelproviders it makes sense for us towork together to promote two-destination breaks, and share ourcultural similarities and differences.
“Likewise, our destinations and ourtourism, leisure and hospitalitybusinesses face similar challenges.
“The success of our previouspartnerships have shown just howmuch we can learn from each otherand how, by sharing our knowledgeand experience, we can both punch
above our weight in a competitivemarketplace.
“We are both looking forward todeveloping new joint programmes,possibly in partnerships with othermainland European partners, to helpboost our tourism businesses andour local economies.”
Nik Barrie, of English Heritage, Bertrand Petit, of Pas de CalaisTourism, Abi Budd, English Heritage, and Amanda Cottrell at WalmerCastle.
Blists Hill Victorian Town, nearIronbridge will be celebratingGuy Fawkers’ foiled GunpowderPlot on November 2 with aspectacular fireworks display. Asthey make their way down to theVillage Green for the show,visitors can talk to thecostumed residents in theircottages, shops and otherplaces of work and hear aboutlife in the late 1800s. The highlight of the night will bethe fireworks extravaganzaaccompanied by music, whichwill light up the night sky.
Sponsored by
21 29/8/13 14:10 Page 1
DESTINATIONCHRISTMAS
22
SALISBURY Cathedral has launchedtwo Christmas offerings for groups.
Its popular group carol concertsare on December 10 and 12 andthe seasonal Twilight ChristmasTower Tour and Tea option is runningfrom November 28, the daySalisbury’s Christmas Market opens,until the start of the New Year.
Director of marketing andcommunications David Coulthardsaid: “We expect these two offers toreally inspire group visitors,especially in combination withSalisbury’s increasingly popular
Christmas Market. “We’ve introduced the new tour
and cream tea and believe this willbe a fabulous option as it combinesour popular tower tours, led by ourknowledgeable guides, withhomemade cream teas andwonderful photo opportunities of thecity’s Christmas lights and marketfrom the highest vantage pointpossible. We know that many willenjoy completing their afternoon byattending Evensong with its time forreflection and the beautiful sound ofthe cathedral choir.”
Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedraloffers tower toursand carol concerts
FROM Skate and Stay breaks tothe ultimate party packages,Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts,London is aiming to offereverything guests will need thisfestive season.
The boutique Jumeirah LowndesHotel is minutes from the iceskating rink at the Natural HistoryMuseum and as the partner tothe ice rink for the thirdconsecutive year, has created the
Skate and Stay package –offering guests two skatingtickets, one night’saccommodation and a full Englishbreakfast.
Other festive packages availableinclude the Stocking Fillerpackage at the Jumeirah CarltonTower, which includes a £100Harrods gift voucher and a luxurypedicure at The Peak Health Cluband Spa.
Hotel chain has apackage for everyone
A TASTE of Christmas from across thecenturies and continents is to beoffered at a Warwickshire hotel.
Coombe Abbey hotel in Coventryhas revealed plans to celebrateChristmas both Bavarian andMedieval style, as part of a packedprogramme of festive events.
The former Cistercian Abbey, whichis now a four-star country househotel, will be offering visitors thechance to step back in time everyFriday and Saturday duringDecember, with a festive medievalbanquet offering a taste ofChristmas in the Middle Ages.
The hotel will also be taking a tripto Germany for a seasonalcelebration Bavarian style.
These events, modeled on atraditional Bierkeller, will include
singing and dancing, with guestsbeing served four continental dishes,including a warm pretzel, bratwurstsausage, chicken cooked in beerand stewed spiced apple andgingerbread crumble.
Visitors to both the Medieval andBavarian evenings are beingencouraged to attend in fancy dress.
General manager Ron Terry said:“Christmas is celebrated differentlyin every culture and this year we’regiving visitors the chance to see howit would have been marked in theMiddle Ages, as well as enjoying ataste of a traditional Bavarian-styleparty.
“Hopefully everyone will get intothe spirit and come in fancy dress –you don’t see many people wearinglederhosen in Coventry.”
Hotel plans Christmasacross the centuriesand continents events
Organisers of the popular BathChristmas Market have revealedsome new additions, designedto enhance the event evenfurther. Taking place fromNovember 28 to December 15,the 18-day event will see over150 traditional wooden stallslining Bath’s central streets andsquares. Over a third of thechalets will be managed by newtraders, each providing a varietyof gifts and Christmasessentials such as decorationsand locally produced festivefood, with a strong emphasis onhandmade, local and uniqueitems. Another highlight thisyear will be the opening nightHolburne Lantern Procession,when a throng of local childrenarmed with their own handmadelanterns will form a parade fromthe Holburne Museum, alongGreat Pulteney Street, over theiconic Pulteney Bridge andthrough the Christmas Market.
ST Albans has confirmed the datesfor its first German inspired ChristmasMarket.
The 24-day event will take placearound the magnificent 11th-centurySt Albans Cathedral and in theVintry Gardens from November 28 toDecember 21.
Highlights will include up to 55traditional wooden chalets selling arange of goods, from specialty foodand drink to wooden toys, Christmasdecorations, stocking-fillers,handmade clothes and gifts.
Portfolio holder for localism andcommunity engagement coun BericRead said: “We are absolutely
thrilled to be holding our firstGerman-inspired Christmas Marketthis year. We are very proud of ourfamous twice-weekly market, whichwe believe is the oldest regular towncentre market in the UK, havingbeen held in the same place forover 1,100 years.
“So this year we thought it wasabout time we had a properEuropean-style Christmas Market.
“St Albans is only 20 minutes onthe train from St Pancras and webelieve we are the nearestChristmas Market to central London,so we are expecting thousands ofvisitors.”
German market datesconfirmed for city
22 29/8/13 14:10 Page 1
DESTINATIONTOURISM SOCIETY
Marketing Workshop:A ‘Pay Per Result’ approach to marketing
Tuesday September 24, 20136.00-8.00pm
Tourism Society office, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London
Are you a small business owner or marketing manager? Have you beenstruggling to develop, and afford, an effective marketing campaign tobuild your brand and drive direct response? Fear not. Help is at hand!
Join Simon Thorp FTS and the Tourism Society for an engaging andpositive workshop where you will discover:
� The key elements of the marketing mix, how to measure, avoidinghidden costs.
� What makes an effective website.� Why social media is useful, and how to manage and monetise it.� Real client success stories.� Getting online quickly and cheaply, a no win, no fee model to deliver
return on investment.
This event is very much planned as an interactive session and there willbe plenty of opportunity for sharing issues and asking questions, as wellas networking afterwards with refreshments.
Book your place today at www.tourismsociety.org or ring 0207 269 9693.
Tickets cost just £15 for Tourism Society members or £20 for non-members.
How to turn the tide ...David Curtis-Brignell FTS,chairman, The TourismSociety*
AFTER the feel-good factor of 2012,Andy Murray winning the WimbledonMen’s Final, the Ashes (OK but it wasstill a win) and the best summerweather in the UK for years, I wasstarting to think that it would takequite a lot to depress me. But I waswrong. I picked up a copy of “Turningthe Tide” the latest report from thethink-tank Centre for Social Justice.
This looks at five British resorts:Rhyl, Margate, Clacton-on-Sea,Blackpool and Great Yarmouth. Oneof the main conclusions was thatonce-fashionable seaside addresseshave become little more thandumping grounds for people withproblems, attracting the homeless,unemployed and former offendersrather than tourists.
Poverty attracts poverty.Overstretched local authoritiesbecome even more overstretchedwith shrinking budgets needing tosupport even more people withdemands on resources than before.
The demise of ‘bucket and spade’holidays in the 1970s as a result ofthe boom in cheap overseaspackages is, according to the report,where the rot started. It goes on tosay how cheaper property prices haveled to higher concentrations ofinstitutions such as care homes forchildren in care, sometimes in
unsuitable locations. Former hotelsand guest houses have beenconverted into cheap shared housingand bedsits which are attractive tovulnerable people.
These fall into further decline due tolack of repair, maintenance andinvestment and the spiral continuesdownwards faster than a child on ahelter-skelter. To slightly adapt theLoyd Grossman catchphrase, “Whowants to live in a place like this?” Letalone visit as a tourist.
Initiatives are in place to improvematters. Councils have been givenmore powers to control the increasein HMOs (houses in multipleoccupation); the Margate Task Forcehas done “impressive work...whichother authorities should consideremulating”; Rhyl and Great Yarmouthhave both been given grants from theCoastal Communities Fund; there isevidence of better educationalstandards being achieved.
And the report does say that allresorts highlighted “haveconsiderable potential as touristdestinations” but adds that it isunlikely any could revert to the touristnumbers of their heyday.
The authors do acknowledge thatthe challenges coastal towns face arenot unique, but are different versionsof the problems found elsewhere inthe UK. Long-term unemployment,family breakdown and educationalfailure loom large alongside morecomplex social problems.
Removing barriers to work, drawingin new investment and industry,increasing local responsiveness toissues, and strengthening educationand families, can, the reportsuggests, revive Britain’s troubledcoastal towns, “not just as wonderfulplaces to visit, but also as wonderfulplaces to live and work.” Well, thatperked me up a bit. It acknowledgesthat whilst the challenges facingmany of Britain’s seaside towns aresubstantial, they are notinsurmountable. “The beauty onwhich these towns’ success wasoriginally founded remains.”
This report is not about the declineand fall of the tourist industry inseaside towns. It is fundamentallyabout social problems, thebreakdown of family life across theUK.
But does tourism have a part toplay in this recovery plan?
For those working hard in thepromotion of tourism in the fivedestinations reviewed, the reportcan’t have been welcome readingeither in its entirety or across thepages of yesterday’s fish and chipwrappings.
But we know, and we keepreminding our politicians, just howmuch of a boost to local economiesand employment tourism can be. Weknow that if we can stimulate thevisitor economy we can generate jobsbetter than any other industry.
I am one who firmly believes thatpeople are now taking holidays in theUK because they want to and notbecause they have to. TheAssociation of Leading VisitorAttractions announced a 22%
increase in visitor numbers betweenMay and August 2013 v 2012.
But we also know that there is stilla big difference between London andthe ‘provinces’ in terms of hoteloccupancy and average rate. Withouta doubt, the industry in many placesis at a tipping point.
So here’s a thought. At a timewhen public services, hospitals andschools are being cut or closed, let’snot send all of the ring-fenced,inflation-proofed £11bn of overseasaid abroad – in some cases tocountries that don’t want or need it.
Why not put just 10% into a newfund to create real jobs, and realhope in areas which have previouslybeen described as “under-demolished.”
I think that would perk quite a fewpeople up.
*Views are of course mine and notnecessarily those of the TourismSociety membership.
