Uk Tourism Industry News
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.
Joint venture sees £250m Chinese investment in UK tourism
The London Group and SinoFortone Group has signed a memorandum of understanding which will see more than £250 million invested in the tourism infrastructure of the United Kingdom. The British-Chinese joint venture is designed to bring British and Chinese people together during their leisure time in a stimulating harmonious but relaxed environment.
British prime minister reveals UK-wide tourism plan
British prime minister David Cameron has announced the government’s new five point plan to boost tourism right across the UK - spreading the benefits of one of our fastest growing sectors beyond the capital, helping to create jobs and rebalance the economy. A new inter-ministerial group will be formed to co-ordinate and align action across government to ensure that we have the right infrastructure in place to make it easy for visitors to discover the best of what this country has to offer.
Breaking Travel News investigates: Travelling in style with Eastpak
From well-organised, compact carry-ons with integrated laptop sleeves to dual-compartment trolleys and roomy holdalls, Eastpak’s travel bags are built tough, water repellent and lightweight and come with an assortment of handy design features to match your personality, your destination, and of course, your stuff.