Uk Tourism Industry News
Amanda Hills-Balfour, founder, Hills Balfour, and Craig Compagnone, executive vice president, MMGY
Hills Balfour has officially joined forces with MMGY Global, the world’s largest integrated marketing company specialising in travel and hospitality, with the deal announced at ITB Berlin. Here Breaking Travel News speaks to Amanda Hills-Balfour, founder, Hills Balfour, and Craig Compagnone, executive vice president of business strategy for MMGY Global, about the deal and what it means for their respective clients.
Hills Balfour acquired by MMGY Global
Hills Balfour has officially joined forces with MMGY Global, the world’s largest integrated marketing company specialising in travel and hospitality.
US-based Travel Leaders Group snaps of Barrhead Travel of Scotland
Travel Leaders Group has reached an agreement to acquire Barrhead Travel Group. Barrhead is one of Scotland’s largest retail travel companies and one of the largest in the United Kingdom, with more than 75 locations and more than 900 employees and agents.
Finn Partners acquires UK-based Brighter Group
Global marketing and communications firm, Finn Partners, has acquired The Brighter Group, a London-based PR and marketing firm focused on the travel and tourism sector. Debbie Flynn, founder of the Brighter Group, will serve as managing partner, while Steve Dunne, current chairman of the Brighter Group, will become senior partner, strategy.
On-demand coach service Sn-ap secures £2m in funding
Sn-ap, an on-demand intercity coach travel service that is changing the face of coach travel, has announced that it has raised £2 million in equity funding led by early stage VC fund Kindred Capital.
Major improvements for group visitors at Stonehenge
English Heritage has opened a newly-designed permanent coach park at Stonehenge. It marks the completion of the first phase of a major improvement project aimed at giving tour groups arriving by coach a better and more streamlined welcome to the World Heritage Site and at easing pressure points for all visitors at the popular site at peak times.
Lotus LATAM launches in London
Off the back of record growth in 2016, travel focused PR consultancy Lotus has set up Lotus LATAM. The new division has been created to target specifically the Latin American and Spanish speaking markets.
British Museum holds on to UK top tourism spot
The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions has announced its members’ visitor figures for 2015 today, which saw an average increase of 1.61 per cent on 2014 visitor numbers to London attractions. Scottish attractions had the greatest increase of 5.48 per cent. Overall 124.4 million visits were made to the top 230 ALVA sites in 2015.
Wratten takes over leadership of CTI
CTI, the leading regional business travel provider, has announced the appointment of Clive Wratten as its chief executive. Wratten, 52, joined CTI in June 2015 as commercial director, and since joining has already restructured the sales and client management teams and evolved CTI’s positioning to be a Travel Partnership Company.
Alton Towers founder outlines plan for new UK park
John Broome, founder Alton Towers theme park, has revealed he has begun work on a new attraction in Cornwall. Hoping to create a “premier European resort,” Broome has taken over Crealy Great Adventure Park in Wadebridge. To be rebranded Camel Creek Resort, the project will include up to 236 holiday villas, courtyard properties, tree houses, a pool, spa, restaurant, pub and convention centre.
VLM Airlines to link Birmingham to Antwerp, Belgium
Birmingham is set to have a direct connection to the thriving commercial and tourist centre of Antwerp in Belgium, thanks to a new service by European carrier VLM Airlines launching on October 5th, 2015. Passengers will be able to choose from daily return Birmingham-Antwerp flights, three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Millennium Hotels acquires Hard Days Night Hotel in Liverpool
Millennium Hotels & Resorts has completed its acquisition of a Beatles inspired hotel located in the heart of Liverpool’s increasingly popular Cavern Quarter. Hard Days Night Hotel, situated on the city’s North John Street, will now become the group’s 24th property within the UK and Europe; adding to the diversity of the hotel group, which operates a dynamic and impressive worldwide portfolio.