Uk Tourism Industry News
UK’s winter wonderland opens for Christmas
No childhood memory quite matches the magic of meeting Father Christmas. And LaplandUK is the nearest you’ll find this side of the Arctic Circle.
Ski Club of Great Britain report 6% decline in UK snowsports market
The UK snowsports market fell by 6% across all sectors in 2008/9 according to the Ski Club of Great Britain’s annual Snowsports Analysis report. The total UK snowsports market is now reported at 1.27 million people.
Staycations boost Haven sales
Britons speculating on the rise in popularity of “staycations” has resulted in Haven Holidays reporting a 38 percent rise in sales of “static” caravans this summer. The company said that it had sold 2,500 caravans since March, meaning that 25,000, or about half, of the caravans in its 34 holiday parks are now owned by third parties.
ONS UK Travel Statistics
Following the release of today’s ONS UK Travel Statistics, Chris Lee, Head of Travel, Barclays Commercial has words of wisdom.
Destination Hidden Britain
British people are generating a staggering £21billion* for local communities each year simply by holidaying at home.
Brits stay at home for vacations
1.2 million more holidays taken in England as Brits take breaks closer to home
£1bn to electrify 300-mile Great Western rail line
Great Western train line to be electrified… Electrification will reduce carbon dioxide emissions and will mean faster and more reliable services for millions of passengers
London visitors rise but provinces struggle
Occupancy rates increased again for London hotel in May on the back of the attractiveness of cheap Sterling and improved economic outlook. However regional hotels continued to struggle, according to monthly figures released today by PKF Hotel Consultancy Services.Occupancy across London’s hotels increased 1.3% year on year in May, from 81.0% last year to 82.1% this year. Room rate did not do so well, dropping 7.3% to £116.49, as hoteliers looked for ways to attract visitors. As a result, rooms yield fell by 6.4% from £101.77 last year to £95.59 this year.
London Eye begins Olympics upgrade
The first stage of a £12.5 million upgrade to Britain’s iconic London Eye has begun with the removal of the first of its 32 capsules. The remaining capsules will be taken down for renovation one-by-one, with a dummy unoccupied capsule replacing them. The work is expected to be completed in time for the 2012 London Olympics.
UK tourism bodies attack lack of Government support
Leading tourism bodies in the UK have called into question’s the Government’s support for the tourism sector, following a tightening of visa requirements and new air passenger duty regulations.VisitBritain has said the high cost of visas and the bureaucracy obtaining one is putting off people from visiting Britain. UKinbound has taken a similar stance, as well as calling for a delay in the new system for Air Passenger Duty, which comes into force later this year.
Andrew Cornish, Managing Director, Manchester Airport @ WTM 2007
Breaking Travel News interviews Andrew Cornish, Managing Director, Manchester Airport gives BTN an update on £45 mn terminal upgrades and train station developments.
UK tourism industry values people
Corporate values of UK retailers are more focussed on environment, integrity andsocial responsibility than they are on quality, performance or competitiveness- indirect contrast to trends in Europe, the US and Asia.