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Issue 63 Autumn 2015 £2.75
Tourism figures reach new first quarter record By Christina Eccles ENGLAND’S domestic tourism industry achieved a record breaking performance in the first quarter of the year, according to figures from the Great Britain Tourism Survey, published by VisitEngland. The findings show there were 28.7m trips recorded in England between January and April this year, which represents an 18 per cent increase year on year and is the highest number of trips recorded during the first quarter since the survey began in 2006. The survey also revealed: An 18 per cent increase in expenditure in total to almost £5b compared to 2014. The number of holidays taken in the first four months of 2015 increased by seven per cent – the best performance for holidays taken in England for this period since 2012. For the month of April, the number of domestic overnight trips increased for the fourth consecutive month, with a 10 per cent increase to 9m trips taken and a five per cent increase in spend to £1.5bn. This is the best April performance since 2012. The early months of the year were characterised by above average weather and a number of high profile
anniversaries including the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta and the 50th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s death. Major events also proved a major draw including the first ever Tour de Yorkshire in May, hundreds of family friendly Easter activities across the country in April and a host of music, food and walking festivals, which all contributed to high levels of confidence amongst businesses. Tourism minister Tracey Crouch said: “The growing numbers of people making the most of England's world-beating destinations is brilliant news for the industry and our economy as a whole. “We are committed to supporting the tourism industry, helping it to grow and creating jobs throughout the country. “I look forward to working with the industry to implement our new Five Point Plan to further strengthen tourism across the UK.” VisitEngland CEO James Berresford added: “The tourism industry’s confidence demonstrates the resilience of businesses who bounced back after the severe weather conditions that impacted destinations at the beginning of last year. “We know that England has a fantastic range of standout product and generates high levels of satisfaction for visitors.”
Strictly Come Dancing winner Pasha Kovalev is taking his latest dance spectacular on tour next year, calling at venues around the country. Audiences on his It’s All About You tour can expect an evening of music, dancing, energy, lights and sparkling costumes, with the show suitable for all the family. Pasha will be appearing at venues including Torquay’s Princess Theatre.
Try before you buy Britain LISTENING to the grandfather clock chime in Anne Hathaway’s cottage, take a leisurely stroll on the beach at Durdle Door, or enjoy the choir singing at Rosslyn Chapel are just some of the things international tourists can now do in Britain – before they even arrive. National tourism agency, VisitBritain, has commissioned a series of immersive 360 degree experiences giving overseas visitors an opportunity to step inside some of Britain’s most-loved attractions. As part of the Government’s GREAT tourism campaign, this activity aims to drive more international visitors out across the nations and regions
of Britain. Marketing director at VisitBritain Joss Croft said: “Not only will this immersive experience allow potential visitors to snoop around some of our greatest tourist attractions before they arrive, but it will inspire and motivate more travel across the country. “London is a huge global asset for Britain – a dynamic, cosmopolitan and well-connected city that visitors aspire to visit. Our challenge is to encourage visitors to add to their holiday experience by exploring even more during their short time here and making sure they know how easy it is to get around.”
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Final tickets now available for Coronation Street The Tour By Christina Eccles CORONATION Street The Tour will come to an end on December 31, with final tickets on sale now. The Tour, operated by Continuum Attractions, opened initially in April 2014 for a six-month period but due to public demand, extended planning was granted by Manchester City Council, allowing visitors to continue enjoying the unique experience over Christmas and throughout 2015. Since opening, the attraction has welcomed over half-a-million visitors to the former site where Coronation Street was filmed before its move to MediaCityUK. Visitors can explore behind the scenes of the sound stage studio featuring the green room, dressing rooms, interior sets such as The Rovers Return, The Kabin and The Duckworth’s and the backlot set of Coronation Street’s famous cobbles. CEO of Continuum Attractions Juliana Delaney said: “We are incredibly proud of the unique experience we have been able to
Contacts EDITORIAL Judith Halkerston group editor 01226 734639 jh@scriptmedia.co.uk Christina Eccles reporter 01226 734463 ce@scriptmedia.co.uk Olivia Taylor reporter ot@scriptmedia.co.uk Dominic Musgrave reporter dm@scriptmedia.co.uk
PRODUCTION Stewart Holt – studio manager – sth@scriptmedia.co.uk Laura Blackburn – graphic designer lb@scriptmedia.co.uk Scott Firth – graphic designer sf@scriptmedia.co.uk ADVERTISING
Visitors can explore The Rovers Return as part of the tour. deliver for hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the world. “This December we’ll be saying farewell to something extraordinarily special and are truly privileged in operating the attraction to have played a part in making this unique opportunity available for the public to enjoy.” ITV controller of partnerships
(commerce and ventures) James Penfold added: “The tour at Quay Street was always for a limited time and the demand has exceeded all our expectations. However, all good things have to come to an end and the Coronation Street lot will be removed in early 2016 for the site to be returned to Allied London for future development.”
Tony Barry sales and marketing director 01226 734605 CIRCULATION Kelly Tarff 01226 734695 kt@scriptmedia.co.uk Web: www.destination.uk.com
At Script Media, we try to get things right but occasionally, we make mistakes. If you have a complaint about a story featured in our magazine or on our website, please, in the first instance, contact us by email: ce@scriptmedia.co.uk We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice as demanded by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. For details on the code and what to do should you be unsatisfied with the way we handle your complaint, please visit www.ipso.co.uk
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Marketing campaign showcases more of the second city By Christina Eccles
Ryan Giggs with some of his memorabilia.
Football legend opens exhibition at museum FOOTBALLING legend Ryan Giggs has opened a dedicated exhibition at the Manchester United Museum and Tour, celebrating his time at the club. Ryan Giggs: The Man for All Seasons will comprise over 40 items, including Giggs’ Treble medals, his FIFA Club World Cup medal and the ball from his very first Manchester United goal. The exhibition also features objects relating to his personal achievements; such as his PFA Player of the Year Award 2009, his BBC Sports Personality of the Year award 2009 and his OBE, awarded for his services to football in 2007. Manchester United Group managing director, Richard Arnold, said: “There are very few players who can boast a CV like Ryan’s. He
is one of the most decorated British sportsmen of our time with a career spanning across more than two decades. His achievements are a big part of the club’s history and the Museum’s dedicated exhibition gives fans a chance to relive some of those celebrated moments. “Many of the pieces on display are from Ryan’s personal collection and we are delighted to be able to share these with fans for the very first time. “The Manchester United Museum and Tour is an award winning attraction, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each season, and I am sure the addition of Ryan Giggs: The Man For All Seasons will make it all the more popular with our fans.”
MARKETING Birmingham has launched a new microsite as part of its long-term campaign, Welcome to More. The site builds on 18 months of marketing and communications work targeting overseas visitors and investors, which has ranged from advertising campaigns to attending international tourism events. This has focused on European markets such as Spain, Germany and France – plus long haul destinations including the East Coast of the United States and Asia. Welcome to More highlights the transformation the city is experiencing, with over £1b in investment now coming to fruition. It encompasses everything the city region will have to offer – from the £600m redevelopment of New Street station, to major cultural events. The microsite will become a central information point, providing further details about the milestones taking place across the local area. Marketing Birmingham has developed a range of other tools for Welcome to More, including a
downloadable festivals planner, digital advertising campaign and door drop leaflets targeting national audiences who can take a direct train journey into Birmingham city centre. A social media campaign will also be rolled out using the hashtag #morebirmingham. Director of marketing and communications at Marketing Birmingham, Emma Gray, said: “This is such an exciting time for Birmingham and its surrounding areas. “Anticipation is already starting to build for the launches, cultural celebrations and sporting fixtures taking place within weeks of each other. “We have been targeting a number of key overseas markets for some time, but Welcome to More is really ramping up now. By capitalising on everything that’s taking place in the coming months, we want to encourage more people to experience for themselves why Birmingham has become a must-see destination. “Building on the momentum of 2015, we will also be using Welcome to More to promote the region into 2016 and beyond.”
Hotel invests in 107 new beds GUESTS will sleep in comfort at the Yorkshire Hotel after the business invested in over 100 comfy new beds. Located in the heart of historic Harrogate and on the doorstep of the Yorkshire Dales, the hotel has introduced 107 brand new beds for its 81 standard, feature and signature rooms. General manager Rob Warren said:
“Guaranteeing a comfy and cosy stay, along with an exceptional and memorable experience is what we strive to offer each and every customer. “We hope our investment in over 100 new beds will provide even more of a homely feel and ensure a restful and relaxing sleep all round. The only pitfall is that guests may not want to get out of bed.”
Tourism increases in city and county
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THE value of tourism to Leicester and Leicestershire has grown for the sixth consecutive year to reach a record high of £1.571bn, according to Leicester Shire Promotions. This is a six per cent rise on the previous year and a total increase of over 20 per cent over the last six years. Chief executive of Leicester Shire Promotions, Martin Peters, said: “These figures demonstrate that tourism is making an important and growing contribution to the economy of Leicester and Leicestershire. “This strong growth in the visitor economy in the city and county has been achieved by a number of strategic factors including continued improvements to the quality of the visitor experience and tightly focused destination marketing activity. “With local visitor attractions
including Conkers, the National Space Centre and Twycross Zoo all announcing major visitor milestones recently and major infrastructure developments planned for Connecting Leicester, King Richard III, Foxton Locks and others, we are confident that this sustained growth will be a continuing trend for future years.” Chief executive of the National Space Centre and chairman of Leicester Shire Promotions, Chas Bishop, added: “This is more welcome news for an industry that provides fantastic experiences and facilities for locals as well as holiday-makers. “The growth of Leicester and Leicestershire as a genuine tourism destination is brilliant for the economy and for people looking for an exciting and rewarding job.”
Encore Tickets’ head of sales Jo Bachelor and Shrek’s Adventure general manager Helen Bull got up close and personal with some of the attraction’s iconic characters to promote the company’s available group packages. Shrek’s Big Adventure is open now at County Hall’s Riverside Building on the Thames near Westminster Bridge. Packages available include entry to the attraction and lunch at Pizza Express or a return river cruise to the Tower of London. Jo said: “We are delighted to be one of the few preferred ticketing partners for this fabulous new Merlin attraction.”
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Keeper hand-rears baby two-toed sloth
The Pheasant has created a peaceful break for those looking to take in Cumbria’s autumn colours this year. The coaching inn is nestled at the foot of the fells, just a few minutes’ walk from the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake. Its Autumn Colours Break is available throughout September and October and includes two nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation, plus afternoon tea, a lavish cheese board with a bottle of good wine to indulge in one evening and use of the tranquil spa facilities at nearby Armathwaite Hall.
Major recruitment drive begins TRAVELODGE is embarking on a major recruitment drive, with the creation of 750 new jobs, including 250 positions as a result of 10 new hotel openings across the UK. Positions include hotel manager, receptionist and housekeeper, as well as roles in the company’s hotel
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support centre in Oxfordshire. The company has also launched a brand new careers website to support the drive, which includes all current vacancies, as well as information about working at Travelodge, including video testimonials from staff.
ZOO keeper Kelly-Anne Kelleher, with the help of a special teddy-bear, has taken on the role of surrogate mum to ZSL London Zoo’s newest arrival; a tiny baby sloth. The seven-week-old two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus), born to second-time parents Marilyn and Leander, needed a helping hand when his mum stopped producing milk, and was unable to care for her infant. Keepers have named the young male Edward after Johnny Depp’s famous character, Edward Scissorhands, due to his impressive claws - which will grow up to four inches in length and enable him to cling on and climb easily through the tree-top branches of his Rainforest Life home. To help build up the muscles that Edward would normally use holding on to mum, keeper Kelly-Anne customised his sloth-teddy with carabiners so that it can be hung from a branch, enabling the youngster to climb on and strengthen his little limbs. The nocturnal mammals, native to South America, are notoriously slow, and baby Edward is no exception, with Kelly-Anne often having to wait for him to stir from a deep slumber before being able to feed him. Kelly-Anne said: “We’re bottlefeeding Edward every three hours
with goat’s milk, topped up with some vitamins to keep him fit and healthy. “Just like with human baby formula, we heat it up until it’s at room temperature, and test its warmth on our wrists – it took him a few days to get used to the bottle, but now he’s hungrily suckling as soon as we give it to him. “If he’s feeling particularly hungry he makes a very funny noise to let us know – a sound somewhere between a squeak and a sneeze, but it’s very loud and he makes his point!” Keeping detailed records on everything the infant does, from eating to sleeping, zookeeper KellyAnne even logs Edward’s pottyhabits. Sloths leave their high treetop habitats only once a week to go to the toilet, so by keeping track of his poop, Edward’s keepers can account for any weight losses or gains.
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WTM London gives economy massive boost WORLD Travel Market London, the leading global event for the travel industry boosts the London economy by more than £244million. WTM London 2014 – which ran from Monday 3 to Thursday 6 November at ExCeL, London exhibition centre – attracted a record 51,500 participants from the global travel and tourism industry’s most senior executives, who all came to London to profile the hottest travel destinations. Business deals worth more than £2.5billion were triggered by the event, while £244,340,223m has been pumped into the economy through money spent on hotels, restaurants, flights and other discretionary spend by those visiting
England’s capital city. To put this figure in context, The British Fashion Council’s London Fashion Week estimated it generates £100million for the London economy. While Cardiff’s hosting of
seven games at the Rugby World Cup will generate £316m. In fact, out of the 11 host cities of the 2015 Rugby World Cup only Cardiff and London (£1,203m from 13 games at Wembley, the Olympic
Stadium and Twickenham) will generate more than WTM does for the London economy. An October 2014 Deloitte report in to London’s hosting of two NFL games in 2013 revealed it was worth £32m to the local economy. While a London NFL team playing eight games a season would benefit London to the tune of £102m, according to the report. World Travel Market showcases around 186 countries and regions through its almost 5,000 exhibitors. The deals agreed at WTM will be the product content in travel companies’ brochures and on their websites, which will ultimately decide where holidaymakers visit in 2015 and beyond.
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Complimentary G&Ts and CTs for Excursions 2016 IN honour of the UK’s leading one day group travel exhibition’s 40th birthday, global brand Bombay Sapphire will be premiering an exclusive ruby red gin cocktail, free to all visitors from the Bombay Sapphire Cocktail Lounge at Excursions™ 2016. Complimentary coach transfers to the show have also been increased to accommodate an even wider reach of free travel for organisers to attend the 2016 show, which is taking place on Saturday, January 23 at Alexandra Palace in north London (10.30am-4pm). Nigel Smith, chief executive of organisers Tourism South East, said: “Bombay Sapphire is one of the newest and most exciting attractions in the UK and we are so pleased that they are partnering with us on such a landmark year.” Will Brix, estate manager at Bombay Sapphire Distillery, added; “This is a great opportunity for us to introduce the many visitors to Excursions™ to the tours and experiences we offer to groups. “We hope they enjoy our special ruby red gin cocktail and look forward to celebrating the show’s 40th anniversary.”
Complimentary transfer coaches Getting to the show is easy, Excursions™ is once again extending its already successful programme of free coach transfers for visitors with the addition of one new route and eight pick-up points; this increases the number of coaches to 14 transferring visitors from 57 locations to Alexandra Palace. The new coach will call at two points in and around Bristol offering, for the first time, visitors from the South West the opportunity to attend the show on a complimentary service. New pick-up points will also extend the coverage of major towns across the Midlands, South East and East Anglia; they include Birmingham, Canterbury, Sittingbourne, Dartford, Leigh-on-Sea and Winchester. For those that find the pick-up points
out of reach there is also a morning service operating from six central London main line railway stations. These popular coaches are organised in partnership with Confederation of Passenger Transport UK and members of the Coach Marque quality scheme. Although the coach travel is free, it is essential to pre-book a seat. Visit the show website for full route information or call 02380 625 506 to book your seat.
Registration opens soon To keep up-to-date with the show and anniversary celebrations, organisers and itinerary planners are encouraged to pre-register for Excursions™ 2016 online at www.excursions2016.com from mid-September onwards. Travel trade manager at Tourism South East, Joanne Channon, added: “As the year unfolds we are
excited to share new stories and themes to bring alive the 2016 show in its special anniversary year. “This already includes Bombay Sapphire, a VIP coach tribute to the 400-year legacy of world famous playwright Shakespeare and familiarisation weekends in London and the Cotswolds. “And we have many new exhibitors including Goodnestone Park and Gardens, University of Wolverhampton, Brighton i360 and Sussex Prairie Garden.” Excursions™ is organised by Tourism South East supported by London & Partners and VisitEngland and, for the first time this year, welcomes Group Leisure magazine as the show’s main media partner. With an expected attendance of 1,300 quality buyers and some 300 exhibitors from the UK and Europe, Excursions™ will be the place to meet, network and pick up new inspiration for group day trips, short breaks and holidays. For more information visit www.excursions2016.com; follow Excursions™ 2016 on Twitter @Excursionsshow or visit the show’s Facebook page at ‘Excursions: Group Travel Trade Exhibition’.
VIP coach parties taken back to Elizabethan times
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GUESTS of coach and tour operators brought to Excursions™ 2016 at Alexandra Palace, North London on January 23 will be invited to an afternoon session of ‘Elizabethan Dressing’ in honour of Shakespeare’s 400-year legacy. As VIP visitors they will also have fast track entry and receive complementary drinks and a welcome bag with lots of goodies. In partnership with Shakespeare’s Globe, guides will explain the intricacies of dressing and the significance of clothing in
Elizabethan society. Do you know the origin of the phrases ‘straight-laced’, ‘loose women’ and ‘pin money’? And what did Shakespeare’s contemporaries use as a stain remover? Guests will be able to find out as they dress a willing group organiser as a character from a Shakespeare play. This opportunity is only open to coach and tour operators, and other travel trade professionals, bringing along a private coach of bonafide group travel buyers to Excursions™ 2016.
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New Komodo dragon arrives at London Zoo RAZOR-edged teeth, long sharp claws, scaly skin and a huge muscular tail make ZSL London Zoo’s newest arrival an enthralling sight to behold. Ganas, a seven-year-old male Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) has moved to the UK from Randers Zoo in Denmark to take up residence at ZSL London Zoo’s ‘Land of the Giants’ exhibit. Native to Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands, and named after the island of ‘Komodo’, the dragons, which are the largest and heaviest lizards in the world, have survived on Earth for millions of years but are now classified as ‘Endangered’ due to competition with humans for their habitat. Able to eat up to 80 per cent of their body weight in one feed, Komodo dragons will target a variety of animals, from pigs to huge water buffalo, and rely on camouflage to patiently wait for the perfect moment to ambush their prey. Zookeepers at ZSL London Zoo will replicate the wild eating patterns of a Komodo dragon when it comes to feeding Ganas, hiding food around his enclosure, and encouraging him to use his keen sense of smell to sniff it out. With a name meaning ‘fierce’ in Bahasa Indonesian, Ganas’ keepers are getting to know the personality of the giant monitor lizard, and they
have already seen a positive response to his new training sessions. Deputy team leader of ZSL’s herpetology team, Iri Gill, said: “Ganas is a really exciting new arrival here at ZSL London Zoo and we’re really enjoying getting to know his character. “He’s really eager to get going when it’s time for his training and enrichment here at the Zoo, which involves rewarding him with his favourite snacks when he responds to a target – we use a coloured ball on the end of a stick. “This means that if we ever need to move Ganas to a different area of his enclosure, weigh him, or give him a health-check, he will happily walk to where he needs to be or get on to the scales himself as he knows there’s a treat waiting for him at the end.” Already more than five-and-a-half feet (1.75metres) long, and weighing 29kg, Ganas could eventually grow to ten feet long and weigh more than 136kg (300lbs). Visitors to ZSL London Zoo can see Ganas the dragon at ‘Land of the Giants’, which is also home to giant Galapagos tortoises and Professor Wu, the Chinese giant salamander. To find out more visit www.zsl.org
Experience Oxfordshire unveiled its new brand identity at a summer networking event held at the Holiday Inn Oxford. 130 attendees came from all sections of the visitor economy, and were the first to see the new brand and learn more about how Experience Oxfordshire aims to grow as an organisation and make the county a great place to live, work, visit and do business. The new logo was designed by London based design company made.
User-friendly website launched VISITWILTSHIRE has unveiled a new look website – www.visitwiltshire.co.uk – featuring a series of new functions and interactive elements to make it more user-friendly for tablets and smartphones. The website currently receives 1.2m unique visitors a year and is one of the main ways people find out about what the county has to offer.
The website has been redeveloped to reflect Wiltshire tourism’s new Timeless brand positioning and is now fully responsive for all devices ranging from super desktop to mobiles. Marketing manager Fiona Errington said: “We are delighted with our new-look website which is an important resource for consumers wishing to visit Wiltshire.”
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Gardeners’ World presenter Joe Swift (left) and presenter and author Simon Reeve (right) are among the free seminar programme.
Stellar celebrity line-up revealed for Group Leisure & Travel Show ORGANISERS of this October’s Group Leisure & Travel Show at the NEC have announced a line-up of leading speakers and celebrities for its free seminar programme, including TV adventurer and presenter Simon Reeve, TV gardener Joe Swift and TV’s money saving guru Jasmine Birtles, along with other industry experts. The GLTS is Britain’s leading exhibition for people who organise group trips and holidays or coach tourism activities and takes place on Thursday, October 22. Visitor registration is free and available now at leisureshow.com/ register which also entitles qualifying visitors to free parking*. After a successful seminar programme last year that included travel expert Simon Calder, organisers wanted a strong line-up for GLTS 2015 to complement a fantastic array of exhibitors. The full Seminar Theatre line-up is:
A Q&A with Simon Reeve
Simon Reeve is an adventurer, TV presenter and New York Times bestselling author with a passion for travel, wildlife, history, current affairs, conservation and the environment. Simon is the presenter of the BBC TV series Indian Ocean and has been around the world three times for the BBC series Equator, Tropic of Capricorn, and Tropic of Cancer. He recently presented Caribbean with Simon Reeve on the BBC and 10
gardening show Gardeners’ World since 1998 and also regularly appears in the BBC's coverage of RHS Chelsea, Hampton Court, Gardeners’ World Live and Tatton Park Flower shows. He has designed many gardens for TV and his writing includes a regular column in The Times Weekend section. Visitors will also be able to quiz Joe about his favourite gardens to visit.
Jasmine Birtles has travelled extensively in more than 110 countries.
Saving money and getting value with groups – Jasmine Birtles Jasmine Birtles is a financial expert, TV presenter, author, journalist, business commentator and humourist. She has money saving and money making ideas as well as wise spending habits. Jasmine regularly appears as a financial expert on Good Morning Britain and This Morning and can also be heard on radio, regularly contributing to LBC, Steve Wright on Radio 2, and You and Yours on Radio 4.
Let’s talk about gardens – Joe Swift Joe Swift has been one of the main presenters on BBC2's flagship
An expert’s guide to ocean and river cruise holidays – Jane Archer As the UK’s leading cruise expert, Jane Archer spends around 150 days a year either sailing the oceans or exploring the world's rivers. Her travels have taken her around the globe, from the Arctic to Antarctica and numerous ports in between. She is the Telegraph Travel cruise expert and a regular presenter at cruise shows.
How to choose the right tour operator – Nick Greenfield Nick Greenfield is the main point of contact for the tour operator members at the European Tour Operators Association. As well as running workshops and seminars, he works on issues affecting the travel industry. Nick has worked in the travel industry for 19 years and also guided groups in more than 20 countries across Europe.
Visitors will also be able to meet a range of hotel chains, tour operators, museums, stately homes, gardens, theme parks, cruise lines, tourist boards, theatre ticketing providers among many others. Expect exciting launches, new offers, exclusive deals and fun competitions. The show is open from 10am until 4pm and there will be a complimentary bacon butty breakfast for all visitors and exhibitors before 11am. There is also a range of free prebookable coach transport provided from various locations*. To register for free entry visit www.leisureshow.com/register or use the freepost ticket in this edition of Destination UK. For information about exhibiting telephone Sharon Yandell on 01908 613323 or e-mail sharon.y@yandellmedia.com * Terms and conditions apply, visit leisureshow.com
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Could dogs be boost UK tourism needs?
A rare red panda cub has been born at Longleat after keepers launched an international lonely hearts ad to find a mate for their male. It’s the first time the famous Wiltshire safari park has successfully bred red pandas and keepers are delighted with how well the cub, which has yet to be named, is doing.
Visitor guide launched as part of campaign MAKE It York, the city’s new destination management organisation, has released a second edition of York’s Visitor Guide in Chinese, as part of a wider marketing campaign underway in China. 35,000 copies of the brand new guide, written in Simplified Mandarin, will now be distributed via five inbound airlines from China, VIP airport arrival lounges at London and Stansted as well as visa application offices in Beijing and Shanghai. It will also be available in York’s Visitor Information Centre for Chinese travelers arriving into York, distributed at major hotels in London, Manchester, Leeds and
UK tourism could benefit from an extra £5.8bn annually if more businesses opened their doors to dogs, research has claimed. New research from the Kennel Club has revealed 72 per cent of dog owners said they would take more holidays in the UK if we had a better attitude towards dogs and this figure rises to 77 per cent when looking at the UK’s biggest earners, with salaries at £40,000 or more. With 26.2 per cent of the population planning on taking a holiday abroad this year and spending on average £2,000, the research suggests that 2.9m dog owners may swap overseas plans for a dog friendly UK option, injecting a potential £5.8bn boost in to the economy, if more dog friendly options were available. Kennel Club secretary Caroline
Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire has launched a new exhibition showcasing dresses worn by the celebrities and professional dancers from the 2014 cast of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Visitors to Strictly Dresses: Woburn Abbey will have the chance to view 16 of the dresses from last year’s show, designed by Strictly Come Dancing’s current dress supplier, Dancesport International. The line-up of fabulous frocks includes winner Caroline Flack’s charleston dress (pictured left) and outfits worn by Pixie Lott, Frankie Bridge and Strictly professionals Ola Jordan and Natalie Lowe.
York, at airport gate services in Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh airports and via train and coach services including Virgin Trains, Gatwick Express, Stansted Express and Heathrow Express Leisure marketing manager at Make It York, Michelle Brown, said: “This will be our second edition in Simplified Mandarin following the success of the first one which was released in summer last year. “We’ve seen even more interest from local businesses and we have increased our travel trade distribution channels, ensuring the guide will reach at least 100 Chinese tour operators.”
Science Museum launches Cosmonauts exhibition
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THE most significant collection of Russian spacecraft and artefacts ever to be shown in the UK will star in Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age, supported by BP, a new exhibition at the Science Museum. Tickets are now on sale for Cosmonauts which tells the remarkable story of the scientific and technological ingenuity that kick-started the space age with a record number of firsts for the Soviet Union. From the work of late 19th century Cosmist thinkers who first proposed that humanity's destiny lay in space, to the reality of living in space on board Mir and the International Space Station, the Cosmonauts exhibition will give visitors a unique opportunity to get up close to many of the key innovations that made space exploration possible. Ian Blatchford, director of the Science Museum, said: “Cosmonauts is a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition that has taken years of dedication and skill from the Science Museum team to make a reality. “The Russian space programme is one of the great intellectual, scientific and engineering successes of the 20th century and I am thrilled
that we have been able to bring together such an outstanding collection of Russian space artefacts to celebrate these achievements. “I want to thank all our partners and funders who have made this exhibition possible.” The exhibition will run until March 13 at the Science Museum in London. The Museum will be open until 10pm every Friday during this period to allow visitors more opportunities to see the exhibition. Tickets are on sale now. Visit sciencemuseum.org.uk/ cosmonauts for further details.
Kisko said: “The research suggests that local tourism could lure holiday makers away from extravagant holidays simply with the promise of a dog friendly getaway, so this could be a real boost to the British economy. “There are a number of trailblazers already reaping the benefits of opening their doors to dogs and being creative with what they offer, such as the Beach Café in WellsNext-The-Sea, Norfolk, which last year won the Be Dog Friendly Awards Café/Restaurant category. “We really need to listen to the public – the vast majority of dog owners are responsible and crying out for places they can go with their dogs without feeling victimised, offering a real financial incentive for businesses opening their doors to dogs and their owners.”
The Crime Museum Uncovered FOR the first time ever, objects from the Metropolitan Police’s Crime Museum go on public display in this major new exhibition. Since its establishment in the 1870s, the Crime Museum has only been open to police professionals and invited guests – until now. Using original evidence from this extraordinary collection, we unlock selected real-life case files to take you on an uneasy journey through some of the UK’s most notorious and historically significant crimes, from Dr Crippen and the Acid Bath Murderer to the Krays, the Great
Train Robbery to the Millennium Dome diamond heist. The exhibition considers how specific cases have led to developments in policing, advances in detection or changes to the law over the last 140 years. Telling the stories of the real people behind these objects – victims, offenders and police officers – we’ll explore the impact of crime, personalising what is so often depersonalised, forcing us to question our enduring fascination with this collection and its stories. It runs from October 9 to April 10.
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Brodie Donougher (Billy Elliot) with Ruthie Henshall (Mrs Wikinson) (left) and Billy Elliot (Bradley Perret) and cast of Billy Elliot the Musical. Photographs by Alastair Muir
Billy Elliot goes from strength to strength BILLY Elliot continues to be one of SuperBreak’s top selling shows and until 18 October the operator is offering a great value package that makes the show more accessible than ever. Combining overnight accommodation in a three star hotel with top priced tickets to the show from just £99pp there has never been a better time for agents to sell this hugely popular show. The deal is available Monday to Thursday and selected Friday nights and Saturday matinees (subject to availability). This incredibly moving story of a
young lad from the North-East’s dreams of becoming a ballet dancer, boasts an emotional score cowritten by Elton John. 11-year-old Billy stays late one night after boxing practice and stumbles into a ballet class – he soon finds himself taking lessons with ballet teacher, Ms Wilkinson. Billy has to hide is new-found love of dance from his stern and maledominated working class family, already torn apart by the miners’ strike. When he gets the chance to audition for the Royal Ballet School however, Billy must decide to either
risk disappointing his family, or give up on his dreams. Some toe tapping facts about the show in London: There have been 41 Billy Elliot’s in the London show to date. Over 3,000 pairs of ballet shoes have been worn. Over five million people have seen the show in London. There have already been over 4,000 performances.
For more information on SuperBreak visit www.superbreak.com/agents
SuperBreak national sales manager Graham Balmforth.
News from around the theatres ... By David Thomas TO The Adelphi Theatre in the Strand, formerly the stately art-deco home of such mega-musicals as Me And My Girl, Sunset Boulevard, Chicago, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Bodyguard, to tiptoe into the rehearsals of Kinky Boots. Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Musical, with lyrics and music by Cyndi Lauper (Girls Just Want To Have Fun, Time After Time) book by Harvey Feinsten (La Cage Au Folles) and directed by Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) the show is inspired by the true story of a Northampton shoe factory that escapes bankruptcy by diversifying into gloriously glamorous female footwear… for men! Starring Matt Henry (Avenue Q, Saturday Night Fever, Miss Saigon) and Killian Donnelly, one of the 14 brightest new talents to explode
David Thomas onto the West End stage in decades, you can bet your boots on a great night out! This is your last chance to see two of Killian’s former shows. At The Palace Theatre, The Commitments (run ends November 1) will make way for Derren Brown: “Miracle”, and at the Shaftesbury Theatre
Memphis The Musical (run ends October 31) will make way for The Illusionists starring Britain’s Got Talent runner up Jamie Raven. Fast forward to February 2016, and the Shaftesbury will then be the West End home Broadway smash-hit Motown The Musical, which tells the story of Berry Gordy, the man who discovered a string of legendary musical performers such as Diana Ross and the Supremes, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye. Next February will also see Cameron Mackintosh’s phenomenal Miss Saigon, winner of a recordbreaking nine awards at the 2015 What’s On Stage Awards flying out of The Prince Edward Theatre, ahead of the forthcoming Broadway Production – with Disney’s magical Aladdin the Musical, based on the much-loved 1992 Disney movie, beginning its London production at the Prince Edward in the summer. From the summer of 2016 the
Palace Theatre will be the home of someone new to the West End, but whose name may well be familiar... Harry Potter And The Cursed Child. But if all this coming and going has left you feeling dizzy, the next couple of month sees some West End longrunners celebrating major landmarks: October 9 – The Phantom of the Opera is 29 years old. October 8 – Les Miserables is 30 years old. October 6 – The Mousetrap is 63 years old. November 25 – The Mousetrap, the world’s longest running play, will be celebrating its 63rd birthday in London’s West End. And when I finish this article I am off to the Trafalgar Studios to see (for the second time) the Almeida’s extraordinarily powerful production of Aeschylus’ Oresteia – a play that was first performed in Athens in March 458BC.
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The Lion King celebrates 16th year DISNEY’S award-winning musical The Lion King is now in its 16th triumphant year at London’s Lyceum Theatre. Since the UK premiere in London on Tuesday October 19, 1999, The Lion King has entertained over 12 million theatregoers and remains the West End’s best-selling stage production. It also recently became the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time. Tickets are on sale until March 2016 for individual bookings and July 2016 for group bookings. Julie Taymor’s internationallycelebrated stage adaptation of Disney’s beloved animated film premiered on Broadway in 1997 and has now been seen by almost 80 million people across six continents. Nine productions are running
concurrently around the globe: In addition to the record-breaking productions in London and New York, The Lion King can currently be seen in Hamburg, Madrid, Tokyo, Brisbane, Basel and on tours of the North America and Japan. A 10th production is currently in rehearsal in Mexico City, and due to begin performances in May. In the future the production is set to open at Shanghai Disney Resort. Julie Taymor, one of the world’s most innovative directors, brought a vast array of disciplines to The Lion King, including extensive experience staging epic theatre and opera productions, exploring classic myths through ritualised puppetry, mask, and movement. The Lion King was the first musical she directed in the commercial
theatre, and Julie made Broadway history by becoming the first woman to win the Tony Award® for ’Best Director of a Musical’. The show’s full creative team, all of whom won Tony Awards® for their work on The Lion King, reunited in 1999 to recreate the show for British audiences. Julie and Michael Curry created hundreds of masks and puppets. Scenic design is by leading British designer Richard Hudson and lighting is by Donald Holder. Costume design is by Julie Taymor, and choreography by Garth Fagan. The book was adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who cowrote the screenplay of ‘The Lion King’. The original score from the
animated film was expanded for the stage and now features 15 musical numbers. As well as writing completely new songs, South African composer Lebo M created an evocative blend of African rhythms and chorales, with additional material by Julie Taymor and Mark Mancina. Elton John and Tim Rice have added three new numbers to the five that they wrote for the awardwinning score of the animated film. The resulting sound of ‘The Lion King’ is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, including the Academy Award®-winning ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’ and the haunting ‘Shadowland’. The Lion King is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.
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Savannah Stevenson and Emma Hatton. Photo credit: Matt Crockett
Stars extend Wicked contracts into 2016 A new production of Cole Porter’s classic musical comedy Kiss Me, Kate is set to heat up stages across England. Kiss Me, Kate will call at venues in towns and cities including Leeds, Newcastle, Salford and Nottingham. It will be performed by a cast of opera and West End singers, with the full scale orchestra of Opera North bringing the magical sound of Broadway and the golden age of MGM musicals to life.
WICKED, the award-winning classic musical that tells the incredible untold story of the witches of Oz, has announced that current acclaimed stars, Emma Hatton (Elphaba) and Savannah Stevenson (Glinda), have both extended their contracts and will continue with the long-running hit into 2016. Joining them shortly will be Oliver Savile (The Phantom of the Opera; Les Misérables and the UK tour of Cats as ‘Rum Tum Tugger’) as Fiyero; Sean Kearns (The Commitments; The 39 Steps; Billy Elliot The Musical) as Doctor Dillamond; current West End ensemble cast member Daniel Hope as Boq and Carina Gillespie, who played Nessarose (and the role of Glinda on many occasions) on Wicked’s multi record-breaking UK and Ireland tour, as standby for Glinda. Also continuing with the show
are current cast members Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible), Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose) and Natalie Andreou (standby for Elphaba). Acclaimed as “one of the greatest musicals of our time” (Daily Mail) and “one of the West End’s best-loved shows” (OfficialLondonTheatre.com), Wicked is now the 10th longestrunning show in the West End and has already been seen by almost seven million people and played over 3,700 performances. Wicked was recently awarded a coveted Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor® and is the first ever UK stage production to be reader recommended by both Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan magazines. It also won the 2015 ‘This Morning’ Audience Award, presented by the Olivier Awards with Mastercard.
Sunny Afternoon has announced a further extension to its West End run until October 24. Photo credit: Kevin Cummins
Sunny Afternoon extends booking period again
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CRITICS and audiences are raving about the West End’s New ‘Great British Musical’ (The Times). The Kinks exploded onto the 60’s music scene with a raw, energetic new sound that rocked a nation. But how did that happen, where exactly did they come from and what happened next? With music and lyrics by Ray Davies, a new book by Joe Penhall and direction by Edward Hall, Sunny Afternoon depicts the rise to stardom of The Kinks. Set against the backdrop of a
Britain caught mid-swing between the conservative 50s and riotous 60s, this production explores the euphoric highs and agonising lows of one of Britain’s most iconic bands and the irresistible music that influenced generations. This “exhilarating, hugely enjoyable new musical” (Financial Times) features many of the band’s hits, including: You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset, Dedicated Follower of Fashion, All Day And All Of The Night, Lola, Sunny Afternoon and many more.
Beverley Knight and Matt Cardle.
Photo: Helen Maybanks
Matt Cardle joins Memphis cast MULTI-platinum selling recording artist and songwriter Matt Cardle, who rose to fame winning the seventh series of ITVs The X Factor, will join the cast of Memphis the Musical in London. Cast and company of the awardwinning ‘Best Musical’ at the Shaftesbury Theatre are delighted to
welcome Matt who will star as radio DJ ‘Huey Calhoun’, taking over from Killian Donnelly who originated the role in the West End. Matt will join Queen of British Soul, Beverley Knight who extends her run as club singer ‘Felicia Farrell’ in Memphis the Musical through October.
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Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham.
Longleat’s Festival of Light will throw a spotlight on the Safari Park's very own 50th birthday celebrations this winter. Starting on November 13, and running through to January 3, the Christmas spectacular will once again take the age-old tradition of the Chinese lantern and completely transform it for a modern audience. But this year, it will also help to kick-off a very special year for the Safari Park, which is planning a series of celebrations to mark its 50th anniversary in 2016. The event will run alongside Longleat's traditional Christmas celebrations, which include the Santa train, giant musical Christmas tree, pantomime characters and outdoor ice skating rink.
Enjoy a pilgrim’s Christmas with the Canterbury Tales THE Canterbury Tales has unveiled a range of special group packages and events for the Christmas season. Visitors can experience a festive market with a medieval twist at the award-winning attraction’s Artisan Christmas Gift Fair on November 28 and 29. Groups are met from their coach drop-off point by a costumed medieval pilgrim and escorted to The Canterbury Tales for a
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GUESTS at one of Durham’s most popular hotels are being given the chance to treat themselves over the festive season. As part of their extensive Christmas programme, Ramside Hall Hotel will be offering a special three day residential package, which will run from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day, along with a number of opportunities for guests to enjoy its new state-of-the-art spa over the festive season. On December 24, guests will be invited to start their celebrations with mulled wine and minced pies
in the Residents’ Lounge, followed by dinner in the award-winning Rib Room and entertainment from the Ramside Carol Singers. The following morning guests will be able to enjoy a full English breakfast, with Bucks Fizz in the Pemberton Suite, followed by a four-course Christmas Day lunch, which includes a reception drink and half a bottle of wine per person, later in the afternoon. The residential package also includes a buffet supper on Christmas Day and breakfast on Boxing Day before departure.
complimentary glass of mulled cider, before stepping back in time to the streets of 14th-century England and browsing gifts from a host of Kent artisans and crafters. The attraction is also offering a Christmas theatre package, which includes a visit to the Marlowe Theatre for a two-course meal before enjoying the traditional pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Packages for Blists Hill Victorian Town visitors A CHRISTMAS lunch with festive entertainment and admission package is on offer to groups of 40 or more visiting Blists Hill Victorian Town in the Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire from Monday to Friday during December. For £25 per person, groups can enjoy a day out experiencing life over 100 years ago and then sit down to three courses in the Forest Glen Refreshment Pavilion, which will be decked with greenery and Victorian style decorations for the festive season. After lunch two of the Museum’s resident performers will enthrall visitors with seasonal songs and monologues in an exclusive traditional Victorian Music Hall performance. Before and after lunch, guests can experience the atmosphere in the streets and cottages of the recreated Victorian town. There will also be a chance for some present shopping.
Hotel’s three-day treat
Visitors to York’s Chocolate Story will be in for more than just chocolate treats this Christmas. Guests will be swept back in time on the attraction’s fully guided tours to the York of Christmas past where the founding families of the UK chocolate industry walked the cobbles. They will also be able to finish their tour by making their own creations before watching master chocolatiers at work producing fresh handmade chocolates.
Hever Castle in Kent.
Experience Christmas around the world GROUPS will experience Christmas around the World when they visit Hever Castle in Kent this December. The rooms of the fairy-tale castle will be adorned with beautiful decorations, welcoming log fires and twinkling Christmas trees celebrating this year’s theme. Visitors can follow the Christmas
trail through the grounds, indulge in a spot of relaxed Christmas shopping in the festively decorated gift shops and sample a delicious festive lunch. As dusk falls, they will then be transported to a magical wonderland when the gardens are illuminated with up-lighting and beautiful colour washes.
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Developing Bridges, Bridging Development By Benjamin Carey FTS ON 5 July 2015, UNESCO inscribed The Forth Bridge as Scotland’s sixth World Heritage Site, a remarkable achievement for a small country, when there are only 1031 such sites in the whole world. The first of the three great bridges that span the Firth of Forth (the estuary of the River Forth), The Forth Bridge opened in 1890, 125 years ago, and carries two hundred trains every day. Begun in 1883, it was the first allsteel bridge in Britain and is a monument of Victorian engineering and icon of Scottish tourism. The following century, the Forth Road Bridge was added; officially this was in response to the growing popularity of cars (24 million per year), but aficionados know that really it was to give visitors a better view of the world’s most elegant and iconic bridge! To celebrate its 50th birthday, 2014 tickets were put on sale last summer to take a short tour to the top of the bridge; it was a sellout and every superlative applied is justified. Standing on top of a structure created out of 40,000 tonnes of steel and 125,000 cubic metres of concrete and held together by graceful cables spun out of 30,000 miles of high-tensile steel wires is simply phenomenal. In our century, the Queensferry Crossing is being delivered by the Scottish Government ahead of schedule and below budget. At a height of 207 metres, 50 metres taller than the Forth Road Bridge, the new bridge will open to motorway traffic in 2016, whilst the old road bridge will become a low carbon transport corridor for pedestrians, cyclists and public buses. The Forth Road Bridge will also remain the best viewing platform for The Forth Bridge. There is a fourth bridge across the Forth that is older than the others. The mediaeval crossing fell out of use in 1964 after almost nine hundred years as the main route
across the Forth. The original Queen’s Ferry was established by Queen (later Saint) Margaret c.1070 for pilgrims travelling to Dunfermline Abbey. The Ferry gave its name to North and South Queensferry, which have emerged as attractive tourist destinations and will be starting points for magnificent bridge experiences being planned for The Forth Bridge and Forth Road Bridge. Along with Iron Bridge (England), Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (Wales) and Giant’s Causeway (North of Ireland), it is the fourth ‘crossing’ in the UK to become a World Heritage Site. It is fitting that crossings should feature so prominently, because bridges are the essence of world heritage. Occasionally people misunderstand the role of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, thinking that its primary function is the celebration and preservation of old buildings and picturesque landscapes. In fact its raison d’être is the promotion and preservation of peace, and its tools are dialogue and interpretation, which typically means ‘heritage tourism’. Founded in 1945 after WW2, UNESCO declared: “That since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed; That ignorance of each other’s ways … has ... all too often broken into war; … That the wide diffusion of culture, and the education of humanity for justice and liberty and peace are indispensable to the dignity of man …; … peace must therefore be founded, if it is not to fail, upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind …” It is a call for a celebration of the diversity of humanity that enriches
Benjamin Carey FTS our lives. It is all about bridges. This most obviously applies to the 48 sites on UNESCO’s ‘Heritage in Danger’ List: these include Bamiyan, Jerusalem, Palmyra, Samarra, Sana’a and Timbuktu. The opportunity is to bring together people from different traditions and competing perspectives, so that they
create substantial destination clusters that will support a viable visitor economy, offering alternative livelihoods especially to women and young people. But the principle applies equally to any destination cluster, whether it is encouraging Israelis and Palestinians to work together in Jerusalem, different Hebridean islands to support a single visitor centre as a focus for St Kilda, or North and South Queensferry to co-operate on the creation of a new Forth Bridges Area. For tourism to succeed, it must make an enduring difference to host communities – custodians and interpreters of heritage. Celebrating heritage as a driver of sustainable social and economic development is essential. Embracing heritage as part of their identity enables communities to harness the power of their ‘local distinctiveness’ to develop markets across new bridges. Benjamin Carey FTS is managing director of Dunira Strategy and a former chair of Tourism Society Scotland.
Photo – elxeneize – fotolia.com
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The Forth Rail Bridge illuminated at dawn.
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