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Are you one of the 12% driven abroad when the Olympics start?

Jan 31

Posted by elisa in Events, family days out, Fun, London, Olympics, reports, Surveys | No Comments

The clock is ticking! Picture by Flickr User Ben Sutherland

 

Over 1 in 10 Brits will be going abroad on holiday specifically to avoid the London 2012 Olympics. 12% of the 2,018 adults asked in the ABTA commissioned poll, said they would b going overseas between 27th July and 12th August to get away from the games. Whereas 9% said they were looking for a holidays in the UK that was Olympics free.

Of those who were staying put, 30% said that they ignore the Games completely, whereas 11% are planning to take time off to watch the Games on TV, and 5% will take time off to attend events. 31% said that although they will not take time off during the events, they are excited about them nonetheless.

ABTA head of communications Victoria Bacon said: “With only six months to go until one of the biggest sporting events in our country’s history, it’s clear that hundreds of thousands, especially the young, will be taking time off to enjoy London 2012. However, for those who don’t love sports or want to escape the crowds, going abroad will provide a welcome alternative.”

The research was conducted by Arkenford Ltd, which specialises in tourism and leisure market research.

 

So, will you be staying for the Olympics, going away, or ignoring them? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

Self-catering holidays still popular for 2012

Jan 6

Posted by elisa in Coast, Cornwall, Cottages Search, reports | No Comments

One in three travellers are opting for self-catering holidays in order to keep control of their budgets this year.

Research from the TravelSupermarket Travel Trends Tracker has revealed that of the 5,000 people questioned, only 8% intend on taking a short city break this year, compared to 11% last year. The research indicated that this is because holidaymakers are less likely to plan for an ‘extra’ break away this year, making all short breaks on the decline.

Bob Atkinson, of TravelSupermarket said: “We have seen that in 2012 there will be a significant decrease in those taking a short break of less than seven nights.

“Perhaps thought of as an ‘extra’ break the research also shows a reduction in the number of people going away for stag and hen dos, nights away for a special occasion and for friends or family weddings.

“However, the reduced demand may well lead to an increase in the number of bargains around, in which case we may see short breaks pick up again in the second half of the year.”

The most popular holiday (37%) is by the beach. For those of you in this camp, you can find plenty of beach-based cottages on the Holiday Cottages site.

 

South West bookings soar

Jun 23

Posted by jason in Cornwall, Devon, dorset, Holiday advice, reports, Somerset | 1 Comment

Early bookings this year for self-catering rental properties in the South West were up by almost 70 per cent compared with the same time last year, according to data from the Exeter office of estate agent Knight Frank.

And properties in the region are also being let out for longer. Miles Kevin, head of Knight Frank’s residential development team in the South West, says that existing holiday property owners should be optimistic:

“The number of letting weeks has increased significantly in recent years. Five or six years ago, it typically was around 25 weeks but now it runs for around 32 weeks, driven in part by people opting to take long weekends earlier and later in the year – in the softer climate of Devon and Cornwall, this can be as late as November. The signs suggest that holiday properties will remain in demand as the economy improves.”

Knight Frank has also seen a rise in the number of people considering a second home as a stable, long-term investment. Many holiday home buyers are approaching retirement age and looking for a wise use of equity released from selling the large family property; some relocate to the area and live in their property while they search for a new primary residence. There has also been a rise in the number of buyers who see a second home as a mixture of business and pleasure, planning to use the property themselves for leisure as well as to rent it out.

“Current yields for new-build properties in prime (coastal, or historic town) pockets of the South West are healthier than ever,” says Miles Kevin. “We are seeing some of the schemes we’re selling achieve a yield of up to eight per cent. For example, a two-bedroom flat with a modern interior in Newquay, Cornwall, can command £1,000 or more a week during July and August. However, a less-modernised property might only bring in £650. The holiday letting market looks for quality and will not put up with ‘Granny’s furniture’ any more, so a newly built, well furnished property often better fits the bill.”

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New look, new treasures

May 4

Posted by jason in art, Cottages Search, Exhibitions, Fun, Online Magazine, reports, Scotland, shopping and culture | 1 Comment


One of the largest-ever museum redevelopments in the UK will be opened on 29 July when the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh reveals its spectacularly redeveloped Victorian galleries.


The aim is to take visitors on an inspiring journey through cultures across the world, the wonders of nature and the excitement of science and discovery. Displays include 8,000 newly selected objects from the museum’s extensive collections.


The Museum was founded in the mid-19th century and has its roots in the spirit of the Scottish Enlightenment. When it opened its first bespoke buildings in 1866, it reflected Victorian ideals of education and sought to show the world under one roof.


Visitors to the new museum begin their journey in the atmospheric new street level vaulted entrance hall, then progress to the stunning Grand Gallery atrium, which has a range of spectacular large objects at floor level, including a marble statue of engineer James Watt and a lighthouse optic designed by the Stevenson dynasty.


The museum’s single largest installation is the Window on the World, a soaring display of over 800 objects which rises up over four storeys. It gives a foretaste of the inspiring themes in the galleries beyond; from the jaws of a spermwhale inscribed with the largest ‘scrimshaw’ carving in the world to the Pembridge helm, one of only four surviving 13th century knight’s helmets.


The Discoveries gallery tells the story of pioneering Scots who have revolutionised the modern world, including Sir Alexander Fleming, James Watt, Charles Darwin and John Logie Baird.


In the galleries of the natural world hundreds of zoological and geological specimens are displayed, ranging from a 4.5 billion year old meteorite from Mars that has been extensively researched for signs of life, to a breathtaking wildlife panorama suspended in mid air, a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a great white shark.


Finally, the world cultures galleries give an insight into the lives and cultures of people across the world. They display internationally important artefacts and outline some of the stories behind the early collections.


The redesign is the work of award-winning practice Gareth Hoskins Architects and international exhibition designer Ralph Appelbaum.

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Only 13% of foreign tourists visit the coast

Mar 14

Posted by elisa in Coast, News, reports, Tourist Board | No Comments

According to a new report from VisitBritain, only 13% of the 30 million foreign tourists visit coastal towns and cities when they visit the UK.

The tourist board said 3.9million overseas travellers visited the coast in 2009, spending £2 billion on trips. Scotland’s coastline attracted the highest number with 768,000 foreigners visiting Edinburgh, 312,000 heading to Glasgow and 180,000 to Inverness.

Top English destinations were Liverpool, which has the redeveloped Albert Dock and canal. Brighton and Hove, which includes two piers and eight miles of coastline and had 128,000 foreign visitors. Bristol attracted 119,000 and Cardiff’s coastline, which features the coast of Glamorgan, had 110,000 visitors.

Germans visited coasts most often – making over half a million visits – and there were over 400,000 visits from French and American visitors.

Interestingly Chinese and Russian visitors are much more likely to visit the coast (one in four visitors) than visitors from France and India (one in eight).

The report comes as VisitBritain is preparing to launch British Tourism Week with a series of parties on seaside piers across the country.

Castles more popular than Queen?!

Jan 13

Posted by elisa in family days out, reports, Surveys, Tourist Board, Wales | 1 Comment

 Caerphilly Castle photo by Flickr user Scott Kuperus

Castles are more popular to visit than where the Queen lives, according to a VisitBritain survey.

 10,000 foreign tourists were asked what they would most like to do in Britain out of 18 choices. 34% said they would like to look around a historic Welsh castle with 32% then picking Buckingham Palace as their favourite tourist trap. 29.1% wanted to spend a night in a Scottish castle, 28.9% want to watch the sun rise at Stonehenge, 19% want to watch a premier league football match and 19% shop in Harrods.

The survey also separated the nationality of the respondents, finding 25% of South Koreans keen on Buck House and 18% to see any Harry Potter location. The Poles, Russians, Italians and Germans were the most excited about touring the Welsh castles. 39% of Italians, 35% of Americans and 32% Egyptians who were most excited about watching the football.

Sea sights

Dec 29

Posted by jason in News, reports, wildlife | No Comments

The Green Marine Wildlife Guide

Click to dowload

A new guide to help sea-users identify, and behave responsibly towards, marine life has been produced by The Wildlife Trusts and The Green Blue, the environment programme for the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and British Marine Federation (BMF).

The Green Marine Wildlife Guide will be launched at the 2011 London International Boat Show in January. The free guide contains beautiful, full colour illustrations of marine wildlife ranging from dolphins to jellyfish, along with key information on how to respect the space of marine animals. Under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act it is illegal to disturb wildlife, and the guide gives details of how to avoid breaking this law, providing safe distances and other advice.


Sea-users are also encouraged to report all sightings of marine animals to The Wildlife Trusts’ website. Information gathered will play a vital role in conservation work for many marine species.


Joan Edwards, head of Living Seas for The Wildlife Trusts, said: “We can all appreciate the magic of an encounter with wildlife, and how this boosts our enjoyment of the ocean. It is in all our interests to ensure our seas are Living Seas, where wildlife can thrive. We hope The Green Marine Wildlife Guide will make it easier to understand the role sea-users can play in making this happen.”


Sarah Brown from The Green Blue added: “Boaters are always keen to learn more about the wildlife they enjoy while out on their boats. This guide provides loads of important information about how to identify and enjoy wildlife without the risk of disturbance or harm to either the animals or themselves!”


The leaflet is available from The Wildlife Trusts’ website, or just click the image above for direct download.

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Women leaving travel industry

Nov 3

Posted by elisa in News, reports, Surveys | 1 Comment

A report released by People 1st, the sector skills council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism, highlighted that the number of women working in the tourism industry has fallen considerably over the past six years. The report shows that around 310,000 female workers are leaving the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry each year, costing businesses £2.8 billion in replacement recruitment and initial training.

Reasons indicated for leaving the industry are women’s lack of advancement to senior roles, the difficulty of combining work with caring responsibilities, a dominant macho culture, preconceptions and gender bias, a lack of networking and a lack of visible women in senior positions.

The sector is one of the faster growing areas in the country at the moment, but despite this the percentage of women has dropped over the past six years from 61% in 2004/5 to 56%.

Speaking at the launch of the Women 1st Top 100 Most Influential Women and Shine Awards nominations, Martin-Christian Kent, People 1st’s director of policy and research, said: “Employers in the industry are losing a valuable resource when talented women are unable to achieve their career ambitions. If we are able to develop and retain more women in the industry, it would help ensure that we have the number of skilled managers we need for the future.

“The report also demonstrates a clear link between women’s representation in senior management and business performance indicators such as financial performance and shareholder value. It makes sound financial sense for sector businesses to develop women for senior positions and consider the appointment of more women on their boards.”

The report stresses that:

•Having at least one female director on the board appears to cut a company’s chances of going bust by about 20 percent. Having two or three female directors lowers the risk even more.*

•Research has shown that the Fortune 500 companies with three or more women on the board gained a significant performance advantage including a 73% higher return on sales, an 83% higher return on equity and a 112% higher return on invested capital than those with the fewest female board members.**

•In the UK, women are expected to own 60% of all personal wealth by 2025 and there are now more female millionaires between the age of 18 and 44 than male. Businesses that don’t represent and respond to the demands of female customers at senior decision making level may lose out commercially. Only 12.2% of the FTSE 100 directors are women.

* – Leeds University Business School

** – Catalyst: The bottom line: Corporate performance and women’s representation on boards, Catalyst, New York, 2007

*** – Cunningham, J and P Roberts: Inside her pretty little head: A new theory of female motivation and what it means for marketing (2007)