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Issue 41 July/August 2011 £2.75
Call for live music plan after study By Christina Eccles UK Music has urged the government to implement a live music tourism strategy to increase overseas visitor numbers to Britain’s festivals and events, following a landmark study. The organisation, which represents the collective interests of the UK’s commercial music industry, has released the findings of Destination: Music – the first study of its kind to scope the economic contribution of music festivals and major concerts to tourism throughout the UK. By studying more than 2.5m ticketing transactions, the report – carried out by Bournemouth University’s International Centre for Hospitality and Tourism Research – found large-scale live music events across the UK attract at least 7.7m attendances by domestic and overseas music tourists, who collectively spend £1.4bn during the course of their trip. Although only five per cent of these visitors come from overseas, they contribute 18 per cent of the total spend and from these findings, UK Music has issued a list of recommendations to Government – including the implementation of a strategy, with the immediate goal of increasing the number of overseas
music tourists. Chief executive Feargal Sharkey said: “I am hugely excited by the findings of this research. Its message is crystal clear: music provides a huge boost to UK tourism, it drives growth, it sustains thousands of jobs across all regions and it enhances our lives. “I am optimistic that policy-makers will view this data and acknowledge there is even more we could achieve, especially when it comes to attracting overseas visitors. The rest of the world clearly recognises the importance of music to the UK. It is time we did similar.” The Association of Independent Festivals represents events all over the country including Bestival, Creamfields and the Belladrum Tartan Heart festival. General manager Claire O’Neill added: “The UK Music research has set out and achieved filling a gap in knowledge as to what the economic and tourism impact of music festivals and concerts is in the UK. “We are very happy to see the depth and detailed look into the impact festivals have regionally as well as nationally, and are very supportive of the work that UK Music are doing to represent this sector to Government.”
Holiday money prompts 2nd job
The National Trust has launched a new movie map to help film fans follow in the footsteps of their favourite stars. The downloadable map showcases Trust properties used as filming locations including Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire where sections of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was filmed and Antony in Cornwall, seen in box office hit Alice in Wonderland, starring Johnny Depp, pictured. Full story, Page 3
INCREASING numbers of Brits are taking on second jobs to ensure they don’t miss out on their summer holiday this year, new research has claimed. In the last six months, freelance jobs specialist PeoplePerHour.com has seen a 90 per cent rise in the number of second job workers and over the last 12 months, the figure is up 177 per cent. The company claims that as the cost of living rises, more Britons are becoming worried they won’t be able to afford to go on holiday this year and are willing to work longer so they don’t miss out. CEO Xenios Thrasyvoulou said: “Instead of turning their back on the summer, more and more British people are summoning up the British spirit and working harder in order to play harder this summer. “Thousands of British people are now taking second jobs on PeoplePerHour.com and coming up with original ways to earn money in order to make the most of what looks set to be the best British summer on record.”
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Entertainment news in Centrestage starting on Page 13
Celebrities issue invitation to the world Page 4
North East
Pages 8&9
Scotland
Page 12
Contacts EDITORIAL
Stunt rider Dave Mackison, from Peebles, makes a grab for An Appetite for Adventure from Chris Percy-Davis, head chef at Floors Castle, Roxburghshire. Picture: Chris Watt
‘An Appetite for Adventure’ VISITORS to Scotland can now combine some of the country’s most exciting outdoor adventures with the best places to eat, thanks to a new guide. An Appetite for Adventure – A Gastronomic Guide to Scotland’s Great Outdoors has been created as part of VisitScotland’s Surprise Yourself campaign and the year of Active Scotland. The book is available free from VisitScotland’s information centres and branches of
Waterstones and highlights 10 outdoor pursuits, including sea kayaking around Arran and cycling in the Borders alongside lists of cafes, tea rooms and restaurants at which budding adventurers can recharge their batteries along the way. Chief executive Malcolm Roughead said: “Scotland’s magnificent landscapes make it the perfect place to go for a walk, a bike ride or a paddle, and all that fresh air and exercise is bound to build up an
appetite. Good food and drink is an increasingly important part of the overall visitor experience and we are lucky that this country has such a fantastic menu. “From fresh fish on the Fife Coastal Path to Michelin-starred restaurants around Edinburgh’s Water of Leith, An Appetite for Adventure offers a mouth-watering choice for anyone enjoying our great outdoors.”
Team takes new business of the year award THE team at Premier Inn Gatwick Manor Royal have scooped an award at the Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants annual conference. They were named as New Business of the Year, beating off
strong competition from the 32 other new Premier Inn hotels that opened last year. General manager Stephen Clayton said: “We are absolutely thrilled. This award is a testament to the team’s hard work over the last
year in helping deliver our business goals. “To achieve so much in our first year is a true reflection of their commitment and passion, and we are looking forward to growing on our success in 2011.”
Andrew Harrod group editor 01226 734639 ah@whpl.net Christina Eccles reporter 01226 734463 ce@whpl.net Dominic Musgrave reporter 01226 734407 dm@whpl.net
PRODUCTION Judith Halkerston – group deputy editor – jhalkerston@whpl.net Stewart Holt – studio manager – sth@whpl.net Laura Blackburn – graphic designer lb@whpl.net ADVERTISING Andrew Loades assistant product manager 01226 734482 Tony Barry sales and marketing director 01226 734605/01226 734333 CIRCULATION Kelly Tarff 01226 734695 kt@whpl.net Fax: 01226 734477
Web: www.destination.uk.com
Trust creates movie map for film fans THE National Trust is capitalising on its success as a filming location to attract more groups to its properties. From rural Victorian sagas to modern day wizardry, the organisation has provided a host of locations and landmarks for the small and silver screen. Now to celebrate the films and make planning a group day out easier, the Trust has created a movie map, available to download on its website, allowing film fans to follow in the footsteps of their favourite fictional characters. Filming locations mentioned include: Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts One and Two. Ham House, Surrey – Never Let Me Go and The Young Victoria. Antony, Cornwall – Alice in Wonderland.
Osterley Park and House, Middlesex – Gulliver’s Travels. Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire – Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, The Other Boleyn Girl. Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire – The Duchess. Knole, Kent – The Other Boleyn Girl. Lyme Park, Cheshire – Pride and Prejudice. Broadcast and media manager for the Trust Harvey Edgington said: “Our locations are chosen time after time because of the diversity of the places the National Trust cares for. “We have everything from deserted beaches to ornately decorated mansions on offer to production companies, all of which can be transformed into incredible sets.”
Films starring Colin Firth and Emily Blunt have been filmed at National Trust properties.
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The best in ‘glamping’ sites named THE country’s top 10 ‘glamping’ sites have been revealed, following a poll to find the nation’s best Glamorous campsites from the Lake District to Cornwall beat off competition from thousands of entries to make it into the top 10. The top 10 (in no particular order) were: Hot Tub Safari – Pentre Mawr, Wales Yurts Away – North Devon Ekopod – Cornwall Jolly Days – Yorkshire Yarlington Yurt – Bath Happy Days Retro – Wimborne Long Valley Yurts – Great langdale The Dandelion Hideaway – Leicestershire Deepdale Farm – Norfolk Pot-a-Doodle Do – Northumberland A spokesman for Sudocrem Antiseptic healing Cream, which set up the award, said: “Happy Glampers enjoy the romance of staying in luxury tents, teepees, yurts and retro caravans. “They love waking up every morning with the countryside on their doorstep, but without the hassle of having to put up a tent or tow a caravan along a winding country lane.”
Island guide launched A NEW guide which covers the Channel Islands’ best coastal walking routes has been launched in time for the peak summer season. The Channel Island Way showcases a 110-mile walking route bringing together the best coastal walks in Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm. Published by Channel Island map specialists Coast Media, with words by Blue Badge Guide Arthur Lamy, the new guide covers all five islands in careful detail and includes information about points of interest and local history, public transport, toilet facilities and places where walkers can find food and refreshment.
Offering the personal touch A LAKE District hotel has become the first to give its guests the opportunity to personalise rooms. The four star Waterhead hotel on the shores of Lake Windermere has given visitors a choice of 10 different categories, including the paintings, tea-pots, sweets, pillows and even aromas. With thou-sands of different combinations to choose from, guests will be able to give their room a personal touch.
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Celebrities to invite world to visit Britain VISITBRITAIN has unveiled an international TV campaign, featuring globally recognised British celebrities inviting the world to visit the country. Stars including Dame Judi Dench, Slumdog Millionaire actor Dev Patel, fashion icon Twiggy, pictured, and chef Jamie Oliver will invite the world to experience all that Britain has to offer and enjoy the mood of celebration extending from the recent Royal Wedding to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Games. The global TV campaign marks the start of a major marketing push and will be shown in Britain’s key inbound tourism markets that deliver revenue now – such as the US and near Europe – and future growth areas such as China and India. Shot all around the country, the adverts will be seen on BBC World News in Europe and on BBC America and on slots donated by the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum across the Americas and Asia. As part of a global deal with BBC Worldwide, the adverts will also be seen on BBC.com and VisitBritain will become the first advertising partner on BBC Worldwide’s global iPlayer pilot.
To maximise online coverage, the adverts will be complemented by short films from each celebrity shown on VisitBritain’s websites and on third-party websites such YouTube. Chief executive Sandie Dawe said: “This is our first global TV campaign for ten years and marks the start of an ambitious marketing programme. With the eyes of the world on us, we have an unprecedented opportunity to showcase Britain and then to close the sale with great travel deals and offers from our partners. This campaign aims to inspire visitors to come and explore for themselves. Over four years, we aim to attract 4m extra overseas visitors, who will spend £2b across Britain. “These films and TV adverts are just the start – in the next few months we will roll out the invitation from the industry and from the British public. This is Britain’s moment – and, working with our partners, VisitBritain plans to capitalise on that.” The campaign marks the start of VisitBritain’s new four year tourism marketing programme, which is being match funded by a number of partners including American Express, British Airways and Hilton.
The announcement that BBC Radio One’s Big Weekend would be held in Carlise led to a 3,000 per cent increase in activity on the city’s leading tourism website. Discovercarlisle.co.uk, which is run by Carlisle Tourism Partnership, clocked up 17,000 page views in a few hours of the announcement, with over 7,000 unique visits and 85 per cent having never been on the site before. Performers at the two day event included Foo Fighters, Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga (pictured). Picture courtesy of the BBC
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Winning trio for Wirral tourism bosses TOURISM bosses in Wirral are using a combination of coast, countryside and food to successfully attract more visitors to the area. Tourism is worth about £250m to Wirral and visitor numbers have increased steadily over the past few years – despite a difficult economic climate – thanks to a joined up approach to marketing. Visitor research in 2006 identified the three key themes of coast, countryside and food as the most popular reasons why people visit Wirral. So to capitalise on that, the local council launched the Play, Eat and
Stay campaign to highlight local gems, including a Michelin star restaurant, five-star accommodation, award-winning bars and popular golf courses. And according to Wirral Council’s destination marketing manager Juggy Landay, focusing on the themes which make Wirral special, rather than generic campaigns, is working well for them. He explained: “The themes have worked really well for us. We did some visitor research in 2006, which told us what does and doesn’t work. “We are an undiscovered jewel in
the North West and have a wonderful offering.” Working in partnership with local tourism businesses and organisations such as The Mersey Partnership has also been key – with the council working hard to produce a joined up offering with nearby destinations such as Liverpool and Chester. Juggy added: “We work very closely with The Mersey partnership and are also trying to make close associations with Visit Cheshire and Chester. “Activity is led by the businesses. We have the Wirral Tourism
Business Network and we liaise with them to form our action plans.” Following a busy summer of events, such as The Mersey Pirate Muster, September will see the return of The Wirral Golf classic – a special offer allowing golf fans to play on four of the area’s best golf courses combined into one package. The destination is also gearing up for a themed year of coast and countryside starting in January 2012, as well as launching the Wirral Circular Trail – a 35 mile route around the perimeter, which takes in the best local views.
Shropshire attraction Ironbridge Gorge is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a series of events and activities. The high point of the celebrations will be on September 24 with the World Heritage Site Festival, where the famous iron bridge will be illuminated as part of the event.
Joss heads marketing team VISITBRITAIN has appointed Joss Croft as head of marketing. Joss is a key appointment for the organisation as it prepares for the roll out of its £100m public/private marketing programme over the next four years. Director of marketing Laurence Bresh said: “I am delighted to have
such an experienced professional leading our marketing team. Joss will be ensuring the marketing programme is relevant and compelling for consumers, delivers for our commercial partners and on the Government targets of 4m additional inbound visitors spending £2b across Britain.”
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Holidaying at home trend set to grow THE trend for holidaying at home is set to be bigger than ever this year, according to a survey by hotel operator Travelodge. According to the responses of 5,000 adults, 80 per cent are refusing to give up a summer break, which could in turn inject a £7.2b cash boost into the British tourism industry. Further findings revealed: Over a third of Britons (35 per cent) will holiday in the UK only this summer (up +10 from 2010) The average seven day UK holiday will cost £422.69 (down £144.31 from 2010) £232.23 will be spent on travel and accommodation (down £20 from 2010 ) £172.23 will be spent on visiting attractions (an increase of £67.23 from 2010) The average Briton will take
Bookings treble after documentary A QUIRKY British hotel has seen bookings treble since starring in a Channel Four documentary. Business has boomed at The Damson Dene since it appeared on The Hotel, with the property experiencing both an increase in bookings and views of its webpage on booking site, LateRooms.com – up by over 2000 per cent. Channel Four made the series as a look into the secret life of the Lake District hotel, including testimonials from both customers and staff. Lynda Matthews from LateRooms.com said: “We were astounded to see such a big increase in page views, for the Damson Dene, and so pleased that people are using LateRooms.com to search for this property,. “The hotel is such a great property, and despite the mishaps and comic happenings unearthed by Channel Four on the show, it is still proving popular with people booking a short break this summer.”
three short UK breaks this year The report also revealed 41 per cent of respondents are finding this year more financially difficult in comparison to 2010, resulting in many people choosing to book their main holidays at the last minute instead of in advance. And when quizzed why they are choosing a British break, 38 per cent stated it was cheaper than going abroad and a fifth of adults stated they took a Staycation break last year and loved it so much they are doing it again. Travelodge spokesman Shakila Ahmed said: “It has been a tough year for many British adults with rising household costs and Government cutbacks but our research shows that cash strapped Britons are clinging onto their annual holiday; in order to add some cheer into their lives. Due to hefty
financial cutbacks, more Britons are opting for a Staycation break this year, which is great news for the British tourism industry. “Britons are definitely waiting last minute to book their Staycation break this summer as we have seen a rise in summer bookings following the royal wedding weekend. Top locations are Cornwall, Devon, UK capital cities as well as the coastal locations such as Blackpool, Brighton, Scarborough, Eastbourne and Bournemouth.” Respondents from the travel survey were also asked if they could take a celebrity guest on holiday, who would be their top choice. Findings revealed the top holiday companion was Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, followed by the Geordie stars Cheryl Cole, pictured left, and Ant and Dec.
‘Derbyshire Day Out’ just the ticket for London visitors By Christina Eccles EAST Midlands Trains has launched a new all-inclusive ticket to encourage visitors from London to have a summer day out in the Peak District. The new ‘Derbyshire Day Out’ ticket provides First Class return rail travel from London to Chesterfield with a full English breakfast, as well as a bus transfer by Stagecoach bus to three of the Peak District’s popular tourist attractions; Chatsworth House, Bakewell and Haddon Hall. As part of the package, passengers will also benefit from two for one vouchers for Chatsworth House and gardens, Le Mistral
restaurant in Bakewell, and entry to Haddon Hall house and gardens. East Midlands Trains’ sales manager Jayne Moyses said: “We’re pleased to be working in partnership with our colleagues at Stagecoach bus to launch our new Derbyshire Day Out ticket. The allinclusive ticket will provide a costeffective, easy and stress-free way for travellers from the south to see some of the fantastic sights on offer in the Peak District.” Chief executive of Visit Peak District and Derbyshire David James added: “We’re delighted that East Midlands Trains has launched this attractive new dea l for customers, and hope it will encourage even more people from the south to
come to the area by public transport and discover the huge variety of attractions we have, just a couple of hours from London. “At a time when many people are having to tighten their belts and look closer to home for interesting ways to spend their leisure time, the Derbyshire Day Out ticket offers a stress-free, value-for-money introduction to the Peak District and Derbyshire.” Tickets are available for travel on any Monday on a selected service up to to October 3 and can be purchased through East Midlands Trains’ website or at any station.
Superbreak teams up with Liverpool
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SUPERBREAK has formed a strategic marketing alliance with the City of Liverpool, the first time the operator has done this with a destination outside London. To help agents drive sales into Liverpool, Superbreak has created what it believes to be the ultimate short break package for any
customer wanting to visit the city. The ‘Liverpool – The Beatles and Beyond’ product combines overnight accommodation and entry into The Beatles Story where customers collect a VIP ‘Imagine Card’ which entitles them to a wide variety of discounts
and benefits in the city while they are visiting. National sales manager Graham Balmforth said: “Liverpool is a popular short break destination, especially for Beatles fans. “Our new alliance will provide
agents with great new products. The Beatles Story recently celebrated its 21st birthday and will be announcing exciting developments during 2011. “We want agents to get behind the city and promote all it has to offer.”
Royal Beasts return to the Tower of London Groups will get even more value for their visit from spring 2011 when the incredible story of the Tower of London’s menagerie will be revealed as it is brought to life through a selection of specially commissioned animal sculptures installed around the Fortress. Wild and exotic animals were kept at the Tower for the entertainment and curiosity of the royal household and visitors for over 600 years. Kings and queens kept these extraordinary creatures as symbols of power. Visitors can discover the amazing tales of how animals were fed, watered and housed, and compare how animals and prisoners were kept at the Tower. The experience will include displays along the recently restored
and opened north wall walk and Brick Tower where numerous interesting exhibits will be included. The Tower of London is the world’s most famous Fortress and Britain’s most visited paid for historic site. Home to see the priceless Crown Jewels and legendary ravens that strut in the grounds, the Tower also has a stunning new permanent exhibition showcasing 500 years of royal arms and armour Fit for a King: making this a truly unique visit and great value for money. For help and advice in organising group visits to any of the historic royal palaces, contact the Groups and Travel Trade Team on +44 (0) 20 3166 6311 or e-mail groupsand traveltrade@hrp.org.uk. Please quote “Destination UK July” when contacting us.
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Reality show sparks wave of hotel interest HIT MTV show Geordie Shore has prompted a surge in Newcastle hotel searches, figures from LateRooms.com have revealed. Following the success of the reality show, which follows the lives of a group of young people living in the city, searches for local hotels on the site have risen by a quarter. However, rival show Made In Chelsea seems to have turned hotel guests off, with searches down by
16 per cent and less bookings being made. LateRooms.com’s offline marketing manager Lynda Matthews said: “We know that TV shows can have a huge impact on hotel bookings and influence customers tremendously. “Despite the notoriety which Geordie Shore has received in its first month of broadcast, it seems that everyone wants to flock to the North East and get a slice of the party action!”
Gateshead home to the hippest street in Britain By Christina Eccles SOUTH Shore Road in Gateshead has been crowned Britain’s hippest street in a Google poll. The street scooped the accolade at the Google Street View Awards, a nationwide poll supported by VisitBritain, Lonely Planet, Mr and Mrs Smith Guides and a host of celebrity panelists and experts. Over 20,000 people voted and the street beat off competition from 19 rivals to win. The top five were: 1. South Shore Road, Gateshead 2. Call Lane, Leeds 3. Whitecross Street, London 4. Seel Street, Liverpool 5. Henry Street, Belfast Chief executive of destination marketing agency NewcastleGateshead Initiative Sarah Stewart said: “South Shore Road really represents the cultural regeneration of NewcastleGateshead as its
home to renowned attractions BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and international music centre The Sage Gateshead, both recognised as iconic symbols of the destination. “South Shore Road forms part of the NewcastleGateshead quayside and provides unrivalled views of historic landmarks including the Tyne Bridge, Swing Bridge and the world famous St James’ Park – home to Newcastle United Football Club. “It also acts as the pathway to the world’s first and only tilting bridge – The Gateshead Millennium Bridge – which celebrates its 10th birthday in 2011. “This relatively new street, which hugs the River Tyne, is deserving of the title ‘Britain’s Hippest Street’ given its location in the ‘hipster capital of the North’, as described in the new Lonely Planet Great Britain guidebook.”
Durham set to welcome return of summer festival
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THE streets of Durham are set to come alive again this summer with the return of a successful festival. Streets of … Summer Festival 2011 will take place on August Bank Holiday weekend,
with performers showcasing their talents across the city centre. Acts on display include clowns, acrobats, jugglers and contortionists.
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Businesses urged to grasp Olympic opportunities Sarah joins board CHIEF executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, Sarah Stewart, has been selected to join the board of VisitEngland. Following the recent launch of the Government’s new tourism policy, a rigorous recruitment was undertaken to strengthen VisitEngland’s existing board with wider representation from destination management organisations across the country. Sarah joins two other successful candidates – Amanda Cottrell, chairman of Visit Kent
and John Hoy, chief executive of the Blenheim Estate in Oxfordshire. Sarah said: “I’m extremely pleased to have been appointed to the board and will now be working hard to ensure that the voice of cities and destinations across England is heard at a national level. This is a fantastic opportunity for me to represent destination marketing and management organisations, such as NewcastleGateshead Initiative, in the development and implementation of new national tourism policies.”
BUSINESSES across the NewcastleGateshead region have been urged to maximise the wider tourism benefits associated with the London 2012 Olympic Games. NewcastleGateshead Initiative held a breakfast briefing to inform and enthuse its partners about the upcoming Games and how it could benefit the area’s visitor economy. It outlined the associated events, activities and opportunities – from Olympic football at St James’ Park, the Olympic Torch Relay and cultural events across North East England – and how they could create opportunities to showcase the North East to the world’s media. Speakers included Roger Mosey, BBC’s director of London 2012, Tess Longfield, head of international destination PR at VisitBritain and NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s chief executive, Sarah Stewart. Sarah said: “We were delighted that the event was a success and really seems to have engaged and inspired our partners, which was the aim. “We feel strongly that, as a region, we can’t just sit back with a cynical smile and maintain that the Olympics will only make a difference in London; if we did, we would all be guilty of failing to seize a once in a generation
opportunity. As individuals we have unparalleled access to the world’s greatest event, but more importantly we all, as businesses and organisations, must maximise the opportunities on offer for the benefit of NewcastleGateshead and North East England as a whole.” The event, compered by BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown, also featured a question and answer session with Olympians and Paralympians Stephen Miller, Chris Cook and Allison Curbishley, who provided an insight into their personal experiences of competing and what it might mean for local young athletes as they prepare towards 2012. Sarah added: “In the work that we do to promote NewcastleGateshead as a visitor destination, our aspirations are long term. While encouraging visitors to travel here during 2012, it's equally important that we play a role in inspiring them to visit post-Games. “Having showcased the sporting venues as well as the great icons and imagery of Britain within global media coverage, which is estimated to reach an audience of four billion, we must capitalise on the increased positive coverage, to entice visitors to destinations such as ours.”
King of the castles SITTING majestically atop its basalt throne, Bamburgh reigns supreme over the surrounding landscape. With stunning views out to the Farne Islands and north to Lindisfarne, you can’t fail to be impressed before you even get inside. The state rooms are filled with the finest porcelain, china, furniture and artworks. Blood thirsty weapons glint from the walls and cases hinting at turmoil and sieges that have taken place here. An active archaeology dig reveals the dark secrets of the AngloSaxons, whilst a series of events keeps the castle alive throughout the summer. The cafeteria situated in the old library provides great food for all budgets and the gift shop holds over 200 locally made items. Free guided tours are available in
the morning and late afternoon with introductory talks available at other times. For something really special then ask about an evening tour with drinks, snacks and traditional music or perhaps drinks on the terrace watching the sun go down.
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DESTINATIONCHRISTMAS OFFERS Salisbury Cathedral has enhanced its festive offering with two special Christmas carol services for groups. The services will take place on December 6 and 15, giving visitors the chance to hear the renowned cathedral choir sing, listen to favourite Christmas readings, join in the carol singing and enjoy seasonal refreshments.
Brighton’s Theatre Royal will be encouraging visitors through the doors over the Christmas period by hosting hit musical Spamalot. The show stars Marcus Brigstocke and Todd Carty and is on at the venue from December 15 to January 14.
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Special rates for Christmas event ENCORE Tickets has secured special group rates for a new Christmas themed event at Earls Court. The Ideal Home Show for Christmas runs from November 16 -20, featuring a range of specialist areas focusing on everything festive. Encore has secured major availability for the show and can now offer group travel organisers and coach tour operators rates from ÂŁ7, a saving of over 30 per cent.
Henry VIII continues to hold court daily at Hampton Court, where groups enter a living Tudor world and can participate in life at Henry’s palace from special Tudor cookery weekends to everyday court life. From 31 October 2011, the ever-popular Ghost Tours return. Each tour visits a variety of haunted sites where visitors walk nervously through the half-light and hear about its own ghostly story. Will your group have the courage to walk down the infamous haunted gallery where Queen Catherine Howard’s ghost has been seen on many occasions screaming for Henry’s mercy? Outside, explore the glorious formal gardens of William III and Mary II before you disappear into the maze where whispers of the past will accompany every step to the centre of this topiary puzzle. While all this is happening, the palace will be on tenterhooks awaiting the impending birth of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour’s first child. Will it be a boy? Will it survive? Will there be joy or sorrow? Join the court and be the first to hear the eagerly anticipated news!
If you’re feeling hungry after exploring the palace, the Tudor cooks will also be on hand to satisfy the requirements of the court with typical Tudor delicacies in the great kitchens or, for those seeking tranquillity, a stroll through the gardens will build up an appetite for a snack or lunch in the Tiltyard Café, where arrangements for groups can also be made. For your groups opportunity to meet Henry VIII’s wives or take part in any of the Tudor events, call our contact centre on 0844 482 7770 or e-mail groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk. Please quote “Destination UK July” when contacting us.
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Kayaking trail ‘a tour of a lifetime’ A SCOTTISH sea kayaking trail has been named as one of 50 tours of a lifetime by National Geographic Traveler magazine. The 300-mile expedition is run by Wilderness Scotland and is the only UK entry on the list and one of only 11 based in Europe. Stevie Christie, co-director of Wilderness Scotland and a face of VisitScotland’s European marketing campaign, Meet the Scots, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that our Scottish Sea Kayak Trail has been included on this prestigious list. “Paddling through turquoise waters to white, sandy beaches, you’re surrounded by the spectacular west-coast scenery for which Scotland is renowned. “It’s a trip as rich in wildlife as it is in history as we explore some of the locations made famous by the Jacobite Rebellion.”
Attraction leads the way in marketing
Father and son celebrity chefs Albert Roux and Michel Roux Jnr are to host a gourmet weekend at Inverlochy Castle in Fort William. Guests will be treated to cookery demonstrations and world class cuisine cooked by the pair during the weekend in November. Inverlochy Castle Management International’s managing director Norbert Lieder said: “We are thrilled to have secured an appearance from Michel and Albert Roux. This will be a magical, special weekend which is not to be missed.”
Bid to get youngsters closer to nature VISITSCOTLAND and Scottish Natural Heritage have teamed up to encourage young people to get closer to nature. The organisations have jointly produced a Michelin I-Spy guide called Scottish Nature, which highlights the country’s rich variety of nature, ranging from sea eagles and adders to waterfalls and heather. Chairman of VisitScotland Mike Cantlay said: “This new I-Spy book is a fantastic way for getting kids to engage with nature. “In the year of Active Scotland, we are keen to promote activities that 12
encourage individuals and families to get out and about and make the most of the natural environment. Our rich landscapes make Scotland a haven for a wide range of wildlife, and we are delighted to have teamed up with Scottish Natural Heritage and Michelin as part of our latest Surprise Yourself campaign activity.” Just like the original I-Spy books, points are awarded based on the rarity of the object, with certificates being awarded for every 1,000 points. The book also highlights Scotland’s 50-plus National Nature Reserves.
AN historic Scottish attraction is leading the way by introducing new technology to aid its marketing. The Real Mary Kings Close in Edinburgh has become one of the first attractions in Scotland to use QR codes in its promotional literature. The code is a two dimensional barcode which creates links to websites, and in the case of The Real Mary Kings Close, links to a TV advert for the attraction showcasing what it offers to potential visitors. Marketing manager Lisa Robshaw said: “We’re continually reviewing our marketing strategies, and by putting a QR code on our promotional leaflets we feel we are engaging with potential visitors even further. “There are over 11m smart phone users in the UK alone, which has seen a 70 per cent growth over the
last 12 months, and by 2015 it is expected that the number of worldwide smart phone users will have quadrupled. “The way we communicate with potential visitors is changing, and is a further extension the highly successful social media strategy for engagement we currently operate. We’re proud to be one of the first visitor attractions in Scotland to put a QR code on our promotional leaflet, which is also set to be included in our airport arrivals halls adverts and on the underside of taxi tip seats. “We’ve been working very closely with QR Scotland, and the added beauty of implementing this new marketing strategy is that it is so easy to track its effectiveness. We are sure that when people view our TV advert through the QR code they will want to visit us, and we look forward to monitoring how it goes.”
Five-star rating for visitor attraction SCOTLAND’S oldest purpose-built visitor attraction, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, has been awarded VisitScotland’s sought after five-star rating. Since opening the doors to its £1.2m expansion less than a year ago, the attraction has seen record breaking visitor numbers, including the busiest month in its 175-year history. The success story looks set to continue throughout 2011 with visitor numbers already up by 32 per cent on the previous year and revenue up 45 per cent. Director and manager Andrew
Johnson said: “We were very excited about the renovation when it first launched and we knew it would be well received, but nothing on this scale – the past 11 months have been truly overwhelming. “The recent VisitScotland accolade really is the cherry on the cake of a fantastic year. “It’s a real testament to the attraction, its staff and the quality of experience we continually strive to deliver, and we’re delighted to be recognised alongside some of the biggest players in Scotland’s tourism industry.”
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World class musicals Legally Blonde The Musical gets a new and fabulous Elle! FROM July 11 2011, Carley Stenson will play college sweetheart Elle Woods in the Olivier award-winning Legally Blonde The Musical. Stenson, who is currently playing Margot in the West End production, steps up to play the leading role, joining Lee Mead who recently joined the cast to play Emmett Forrest and Natalie Casey as ditzy beautician Paulette. Carley Stenson made her West End stage debut as Margot in
Legally Blonde The Musical last year. She is best known as C4’s Hollyoaks’ Steph Cunningham, a role she played for over 10 years. She won ITV’s Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes when she performed as Faith Hill in 2006. Legally Blonde The Musical won three 2011 Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical. It opened at the Savoy Theatre in December 2009 and is currently booking until March 31 2012.
Billy Elliot The Musical welcomes a brand new Billy TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Ryan Collinson from Southport, recently became the 26th boy to play the title role in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical. The internationally award-winning show, which opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre in 2005, has been seen by over 6m people worldwide, including 3m in the West End. Ryan becomes the 56th boy to play Billy Elliot worldwide since Jamie Bell in the award-winning film. Ryan said: “Before auditioning for Billy I had done very little
classical dance training but I had done gymnastics for two years and taught myself street dance in my bedroom. I was given the film of Billy Elliot on DVD one Christmas and I wanted to be just like Billy so I started classical dance classes. I auditioned for Billy after just eight lessons and after making it through further auditions I found out that I had got the part. It was the best day of my life and now I am living my dream!” Billy Elliot the Musical, based on the Oscar nominated film, is now booking until December 2012.
Frankie Valli visits London ... SUPERBREAK have great value packages for London Theatre Breaks featuring the World Class Musicals from only £74.25* * Based on two people sharing at the Travelodge Waterloo, with full breakfast, plus Saver Tickets to the World Class Musical of their choice. Please visit www.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871 221 4444 to book.
FRANKIE Valli visited London last month promoting a new Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons album along with paying the London production of Jersey Boys a visit. Frankie appeared on both radio and TV during his visit including This Morning on Thursday with a special performance from Ryan Molloy (Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, London) and BBC Breakfast on Friday. Picture: Frankie with Eugene McCoy, Ryan Molloy, Matthew Wycliffe and Jon Boydon Photograph by Joanne Davidson.
Show back Kids Week
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Former Olympic champion and Dancing on Ice judge Robin Cousins will guest star as Teen Angel in Grease for further dates on the show’s new tour. Robin swapped the ice rink for the stage when he joined the cast of the musical in May and is currently playing dates across the UK. He will now continue in the role as the production moves around the country, visiting towns and cities including Torquay, Woking and Manchester.
OVER 30 of London’s best-loved shows have signed up to take part in Kids Week, taking place from August 12-26. During Kids Week, a child up to the age of 16 can experience London theatre and see a selection of shows for free, plus two additional children can go at half price, as long as they are accompanied by a full paying adult. The line-up will include more than 30 of the hottest tickets in town from recently opened productions Shrek The Musical, Betty Blue Eyes and Pygmalion to long-running West End favourites We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia!, Wicked and The 39 Steps.
The event is run by the Society of London Theatre and head of media and marketing Emma De Souza, said: “This year sees fabulous new family shows on board and of course the return of some muchloved favourites. “Kids Week gives many children their first ever taste of live theatre, and it is wonderful to see them enjoy our Kids Go Free ticket deals and exclusive activities and workshops. “Whether they are peeking backstage, rubbing shoulders with the stars or enjoying the magic of performing on a West End stage it is a theatrical experience they will remember forever.”
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Classic Ealing comedy The Ladykillers will be brought back to life on stage this November, playing at the Liverpool Playhouse before transferring to the Gielgud Theatre. The Ladykillers tells the story of the eccentric little old lady Mrs Wilberforce who lives alone with her parrots in a strange lopsided house in King’s Cross. Her life is turned upside down by the arrival of Professor
Marcus and his four friends, who between them make up the most unlikely group of criminals. Planning the heist of a security van, they decide to use Mrs Wilberforce as cover and involve her unwittingly in the plot. Things do not go well and the professor’s plan starts to unravel in spectacular and hilarious fashion. The cast includes Peter Capaldi, James Fleet, Ben Miller and Marcia Warren.
Star of Jersey Boys and ex S Club 7 member Jon Lee was among the guests appearing at Julie Atherton’s first ever West End solo concert. Other guest performers at the Apollo Theatre included Richard Fleeshman, West End favourite Daniel Boys, plus Emmy Award winning composer Lance Horne, and Brit composer Michael Bruce.
Atomic Kitten singer Liz McClarnon has joined the cast of the first ever Legally Blonde The Musical tour. She will play Paulette in the show until September 17, alongside Faye Brookes as Elle, Iwan Lewis as Emmett and Neil Toon as Warner. Joint chief executive of Ambassador Theatre Group Howard Panter said: “Ambassador Theatre Group’s coproduction of Legally Blonde The
Musical is enjoying great success on the West End and it has now been decided to take it out on its first ever UK tour so regional audiences who can’t make it to London can experience this fantastic show. I am sure people will take Elle Woods to their hearts and have a fabulous night out.” The show calls at destinations including York, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Torquay and Stoke.
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Ghost The Musical has begun its West End run at the Piccadilly Theatre, with bookings open for performances until January 28. Ghost, based on the Oscar winning film, features new music and lyrics as well as the classic Unchained Melody. The cast includes Richard Fleeshman as Sam Wheat, Caissie Levy as Molly Jensen and Sharon D Clarke as Oda Mae Brown. Pictures: Sean Ebsworth Barnes
Australian soap star Ray Meagher will rejoin the West End cast of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical. Best known for playing Alf Stewart in long running soap Home and Away, he will return to the show as mechanic Bob from October 5, following a successful run last year. With booking now open at the Palace Theatre until January 7 2012, he joins Don Gallagher (Bernadette), Richard Grieve (Tick) and Oliver Thornton (Adam) in the award-winning musical at the Palace Theatre.
Artistic director Timothy Sheader will direct musical comedy Crazy for You as the final show in the season at Regents Park Open Air Theatre. The cast includes ex Eastenders actress Kim Medcalf and Michael McKell, most recently seen in Emmerdale. The show is packed full of Gershwin classics such as I Got Rhythm, Someone To Watch Over Me and Nice Work If You Can Get It.
Popular show Calendar Girls has returned to Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre with a new, all star cast. Following an award-winning West End season and a successful run in the city last year, the show comes back to the theatre starring, among others, Kacey Ainsworth, Deena Payne, Lesley Joseph and Camilla Dallerup.
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Kent campaign aimed at attracting Londoners LONDONERS and visitors to the Capital are being encouraged to view the Garden of England in a new light as part of the successful Kent Contemporary campaign. The campaign, now in its second summer, encourages visitors and residents in London and beyond to take a fresh look at the county. To promote the area, striking views of iconic attractions such as The Historic Dockyard Chatham and Hever Castle – the childhood home of Anne Boleyn – have been brightening up rail stations and tube lines across London. Further unusual images of Kent will also be appearing across the county itself on buses and trains during the summer – with visitors using public transport run by Southeastern, Stagecoach and Arriva able to enjoy special two-forone tickets to top county attractions. Kevin Lynes, Kent County Council cabinet member responsible for tourism, said: “With superb rail links from the capital, Kent has so
much to offer visitors and residents in London – from our dramatic coastline and family-friendly sandy beaches to our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and our wealth of boutique hotels and restaurants specialising in the finest of Kent produce. “Thanks to Visit Kent and our Kent Contemporary campaign partners, we will be welcoming visitors not only to our renowned castles and cathedrals but also to our many new venues, such as Turner Contemporary, and a wealth of special events this summer ranging from modern art installations to internationally-acclaimed music festivals.” The first Kent Contemporary campaign generated 79,000 additional overnight trips and short breaks and over 196,000 day trips from outside Kent with visitors spending £7,853,000. Kent and Medway residents were also encouraged to take more overnight and day trips within the county – with an economic impact of almost £11m.
Tourism champions rolling out the barrel for Kent in the heart of London are, from left, Sandra Matthews-Marsh, chief executive of Visit Kent, John Humphreys, of Kent brewers Shepherd Neame, Amanda Cottrell, chairman of Visit Kent, and Kevin Lynes, Kent County Council Cabinet member for tourism.
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The Dales show triggers tourism boom
Welcome to Yorkshire’s Art of Yorkshire Garden scooped a Silver medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The garden celebrates Yorkshire’s artists and those that have used Yorkshire as their muse such as Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, J M W Turner, David Hockney and Andy Goldsworthy. Picture shows Peter Dodd, head of marketing at WTY; Tom Walker, partner at Gillespies; Sophie Bowness, Barbara Hepworth’s granddaughter.
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HIT TV show The Dales has triggered a tourism boom in the Yorkshire countryside after attracting an average 4m viewers a week. The 12 part series shows Adrian Edmondson returning to the county of his birth to reveal the stories behind a summer in the life of the Yorkshire Dales. Welcome to Yorkshire assisted with the making of the programme and its dedicated website gives viewers all the information they need about visiting the area. Since it was aired, the site has notched up over 90,000 online hits and latest figures show self catering accommodation in the Yorkshire Dales was up six per cent for April compared to the same time last year and visitor numbers for attractions in the Yorkshire Dales and Harrogate area were up 35 per cent. Welcome to Yorkshire’s chief executive Gary Verity said: "The programme has been a resounding success with businesses throughout the Dales telling us that it has worked wonders for them and their communities. "Millions of viewers across the UK have tuned in every week to watch the great characters and the stunning landscape featured. This has inspired people to come and see the Yorkshire Dales first hand for themselves and we are sure that once they have been, they will come back for more." Tom Orde-Powlett who runs Bolton Castle near Leyburn added they
Adrian Edmondson Picture courtesy of ITV have seen visitor numbers surge by 50 per cent compared to last April and have been able to recruit another staff member thanks to the boom. He added: "We have had lots of people coming in and saying it's because they've seen us on the programme. I've also got a new employee starting and that's as a direct result of the growth."
A tiny new addition is being hand reared by keepers at Bristol Zoo Gardens. Sid the baby sloth is being cared for round the clock by a team of dedicated keepers as part of a European zoo coordinated breeding programme.
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Bank holiday bonanza has positive effect THE majority of England’s accommodation providers were satisfied with their performance over the Easter period – with many saying the Royal Wedding and double Bank Holiday had a positive effect on business. Research from VisitEngland showed 80 per cent were happy with their Easter performance, 36 per cent said they welcomed more visitors over the Easter period than last year and 42 per cent said they welcomed the same number. One in three business also reported more repeat visitors this year – with only 15 per cent reporting fewer – providing further evidence that the trend to holiday at home is here to stay. Chief executive James Berresford said: “The double bank holiday and royal wedding have kick-started the holiday season and proved that the trend to holiday at home is here for the long-term.
“With events such as London 2012, Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee, and the Cultural Olympiad around the corner we are entering into a very exciting time for tourism in this country, however tourism is one of the most competitive industries in the world and in order to succeed in this crowded market place we must continue to work closely together as an industry and sell our best assets in a creative and dynamic way.” In the build up to the Games, the national tourist board has also begun monitoring attitudes from the sector towards the impact the event will have on the industry. Over one in five businesses currently think the Games will have a positive impact on business. However, figures fluctuated between regions with 37 per cent expecting to benefit in the South East, 20 per cent in the Midlands and South West and 11 per cent in the North of the country.
Environmentally-friendly Operator launches its hotel thrilled by award luxury hotel programme A HOTEL in Liverpool has been accredited as one of the city’s most environmentally-friendly hotels. The Beatles-inspired Hard Days Night Hotel won Silver in the Green Tourism Business Scheme for its efforts in energy saving, waste minimisation, locally sourcing its produce and promoting conservation. Over the last year, the four-star, boutique hotel has improved its sustainable practices by installing LED lightbulbs throughout the hotel,
donating kitchen waste to local farms which diverts it from landfill, and using natural based surface cleaners that minimises damage to the environment. General manager Mike Dewey said: “We’re thrilled to have progressed from a bronze to a silver award and score a massive 93 per cent on the energy saving requirement. We are committed to continuous improvement and hope to make even more positive changes in the coming months.”
SUPERBREAK has launched its 2011/12 luxury hotel programme under the new name of Luxury Breaks. Previously known as The Luxury Hotel Collection, the operator has increased its focus on packaged luxury breaks such as spa and golf and has changed the name to reflect this. National sales manager Graham Balmforth said: “We wanted to ensure it’s as easy as possible for
agents to earn more from every booking. “Alongside hotels, agents can earn even more from selling spa or golf packages or perhaps Orient Express trips or first class rail inclusive breaks. “The redesign makes it clearer for agents to see quickly what packages are available in each region as a dedicated page has been added to each region, with golf and spa breaks listed.”
2010 winners retain their titles in tourism awards
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THE winners of this year’s Mersey Partnership Annual Tourism Awards have been revealed – with four of 2010’s winners successfully defending their titles. The Wro, Herons Well Holiday Cottage, Knowsley Hall and the Hope Street Hotel all picked up awards for the second year running at the ceremony, hosted by BBC North West Tonight presenter Ranvir Singh. The winners on the night were: Excellence in Customer Service – Kevin Roberts, Liverpool ONE Tourism Marketing Initiative of the Year – Tate Liverpool for Picasso: Peace + Freedom Self Catering Accommodation of
the Year – Herons Well Holiday Cottage Culture and Heritage Experience of the Year – Tate Liverpool for Picasso: Peace + Freedom Bar of the Year – The Wro Taste – The London Carriage Works Small Visitor Attraction of the Year – U-boat Story Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – Liverpool Football Club Excellence in Business Tourism – BT Convention Centre Guest Accommodation of the Year – Knowsley Hall Excellence in Sustainable Tourism – ACC Liverpool
Retailer of the Year – Utility Tourism Experience of the Year – The John Moores Painting Prize at Walker Art Gallery Hotel of the Year – Hope Street Hotel Tourism Event of the Year – The John Smith’s Grand National TMP chief executive Lorraine Rogers said: “The Annual Tourism Awards event is an opportunity for all of the key organisations in the visitor economy to get together and celebrate the very significant collective progress and success that has been achieved. The quality and diversity of this year’s finalists was very high – each of them has demonstrated a commitment to attracting more visitors to the
Liverpool City Region and offering them an exceptional experience. Many local businesses are in fierce competition for the awards but when we, the tourist board, work with them, we’re all on the same side – collaborating to promote Liverpool City Region. The winners of the awards go on to represent the City Region at a national level and can help attract greater profile for the whole destination by being the best in their category.” The awards are supported by Merseytravel, Liverpool ONE, ACC Liverpool and BBC Radio Merseyside. The winners of 11 categories are now eligible to represent the region at the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence next year.
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Policy set to make changes to visas By Kurt Janson ONE of the key initiatives to come out of the Government’s new Tourism Policy was a series of actions to improve the ability of overseas visitors to gain visas to travel to the UK. These were to: Deliver online application facilities as fast as possible. Currently around 35 per cent of applications are made online, and we aim to reach more than 90 per cent by the end of 2012. Look at a shorter, simpler application form for lower risk applicants. Make guidance available in local languages wherever possible, and in the future to examine the case to do the same for application forms. Share visa centres with trusted allies, to increase their numbers so they’re closer together, making them easier and less expensive to reach. Being outside the Schengen area puts the UK at a considerable competitive disadvantage to other European destinations in the important emerging markets of China and India. With there being no real prospect of the Government agreeing to the UK entering Schengen, we must do all we can to improve the availability of visas for legitimate visitors from these countries. The importance of doing this is highlighted by the
low numbers of visitors we currently receive from China and India. For example, France currently receives eight times more visitors from China that we do. To put this into context, if we received the same number of visitors from China as France, the UK economy would gain around £1.2bn per annum in additional revenue which would generate around 24,000 jobs. A not insignificant number! Even more concerning is the fact that France receives 50 per cent more visitors from India that we receive – and that is despite the historic, cultural, language and family connections that we have with India. Again, if we received the same number of visitors from India as France, the UK economy would benefit by an addition £180m per annum and we would generate 3,600 more jobs. So you can see how important improvements to visa availability are if the tourism industry is to be able to provide the growth and employment that the Government wants. Unfortunately, there seems to be something of a disconnect occurring between the commitments in the Tourism Policy and what is actually occurring in UKBA offices overseas. The extent of this disconnect was revealed by a full page colour advert that appeared recently in the Mumbai Mirror. This advert was placed by a major
outbound tour operator and told people who had submitted UK visa applications that, due to problems with the UK visa service, they should withdraw their application and to apply for a Schengen visa instead so that they could take advantage of European tours that do not include the UK. Now, I’m sure that there is probably some underlying commercial reason for them placing the ad (eg. their competitor specialises in UK tours and they specialise in European tours) the fact is that the advert will (a) be based on a known problem (b) influence the perception and actions of people who are considering travelling to the UK in future. UKBA has acknowledged that there was a problem in the processing of visas for visitors from India but believes that this was a one-off created as a result of a surge in demand and that the problem has now been resolved. Something that appears disconnected from the ongoing experiences of tour operators from India. However, the main disconnect is that UKBA continues to believe that the UK receives the same number of visitors from China as France and Germany. The problem with this is that UKBA simply look at visa approval numbers and compare these with visas granted by France and Germany. This overlooks one important point –
Kurt Janson because of the Schengen arrangement, a visitor to Germany or France doesn’t need a visa granted by the German or French embassies. They can gain a visa from any one of the other 23 Schengen countries and visit Germany. Until they realise that International Passenger Survey figures and not visa approval figures are the accurate measure of revenue from China and India, then they will not see that there is a problem to solve and the implementation of the initiatives in the Tourism Policy will not receive the attention they need to redress the UK’s competitive disadvantage.
Hotel group named official 2011 partner
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HOTEL group Barceló UK has been named as the official 2011 partner of Treasure Houses of England. Members include some of the country’s best loved historic houses such as Beaulieu, Blenheim Palace, pictured, Castle Howard and Chatsworth, and as the preferred accommodation provider for the collection, Barceló is offering guests special rates for packages. Head of Marketing and E-Commerce Nicole Feldman said: “We are delighted announce our new 2011 partnership with Treasure Houses of England, which is made up of 10 of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in the country. We have created some special packages for Treasure Houses visitors on our website to raise awareness of the location of our hotels. Our portfolio of unique four star hotels are ideally located for Treasure Houses visitors, in popular destinations throughout the UK.”
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