Issue 69 Spring 2017 £2.75
Literary attractions a holiday draw for over half of Brits
By Christina Eccles
MORE than half of British holidaymakers would visit a literary attraction on holiday in England, research has revealed. VisitEngland research to mark the 20th anniversary of World Book Day also found that one in four Brits visited a literary location in England during a holiday break in the last year. The same amount had read literature relating to a place they had visited in the country. VisitEngland’s first ever research into literary tourism, which surveyed more than 1,200 people, found that 21 per cent of trips with a literary link were to London. Famous for its connections with Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes and Charles Dickens, the capital just pipped Yorkshire to pole position. The figures also show that 20 per cent of trips with a literary link were to Yorkshire, home of Haworth and Brontë country and Whitby Abbey, which inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The North West, the setting of Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons and the home of Beatrix Potter, was the destination for 18 per cent of literature-related travel. VisitEngland director Patricia Yates said: “Books fire up our imagination, they conjure up people and places and they inspire us to explore locations and landscapes associated with our favourite stories.
“Our literary heroes have created a wealth of must-see literary attractions across the country, motivating generations of readers to explore and discover more of regional England.” World Book Day director Kirsten Grant added: “World Book Day is all about celebrating and promoting the pleasures of books and reading. We know that, for readers of all ages, interest in characters and book settings extends well beyond the page. “We are delighted to be partnering with VisitEngland and National Trust to celebrate our special anniversary year.” England is home to more than 50 literature-related attractions, spanning authors’ homes, dedicated museums and world-renowned libraries. Sites associated with writers Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare were the most popular among the English authors the research asked about, with half of respondents expressing an interest in visiting. Also high on the wish-list were locations associated with Roald Dahl, JK Rowling, Beatrix Potter, JRR Tolkien and Arthur Conan Doyle. VisitEngland has named 2017 the ‘Year of Literary Heroes’ in recognition of this year’s milestone literary events including the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death, the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and 75 years of The Famous Five.
Boost in UK city breaks reported
TV personality Myleene Klass joined in the celebrations at London King’s Cross Station to mark the completion of Virgin Trains’ total rehaul of its east coast fleet. The classically trained musician dazzled surprised commuters with a live performance on a baby grand piano before joining customers on board the inaugural journey of the final train to receive a stylish makeover. The moment marks the completion of a £40m investment by Virgin Trains in its entire fleet of east coast trains.
UK Aparthotel brand Roomzzz has reported up to a 17 per cent increase in bookings post-Brexit as British holidaymakers seek out low cost city breaks in the UK. The brand of award winning serviced apartments has experienced an increase in bookings across the group as the falling value of the pound has fuelled a trend towards the staycation. COO Mark Walton said: “We’ve seen a huge surge in bookings in the months following the Brexit vote and it seems that the fall in value of the pound encouraged more UK residents to look at city breaks at home, rather than abroad. Equally, we’ve experienced an increase in bookings from international tourists who are capitalising on their favourable exchange rates and visiting UK cities. “We hope accommodation providers will continue to benefit from the increased investment in the UK tourism industry as we look to open our first Aparthotel outside the North of England in London in Spring 2017.”
DESTINATIONNEWS
Theme park set to recruit 80 new staff members By Christina Eccles
A THEME park in Cornwall has announced a major recruitment drive in the run up to the start of the 2017 season. Flambards, which fully re-opens to visitors on April 1, is midway through its winter programme of development and re-investment. As part of this investment, the park is looking to recruit around 80 new members of staff for roles ranging from customer service hosts to catering assistants and ride operators. One of the more unusual vacancies is for a new recruit to take on the role of their famous costume character – Ferdi the Fox. Flambards’ Richard Smith said: “Ferdi plays a vital role at Flambards and it’s crucial we get the right person for the job. “Ferdi’s main tasks include featuring in selfies, meeting and greeting younger visitors and generally overseeing the enjoyment of all our guests to Flambards, however
Flambards, which fully re-opens to visitors on April 1, is looking to recruit around 80 new members of staff. it’s a demanding job and we need “It is vitally important for us to someone pretty special who’s willing get people who understand the to take on the challenge. importance of quality customer “As well as Ferdi, we are also service, we want everyone that comes looking for a great team who need to Flambards to have the best day to be well presented, confident in of the week – from the moment they dealing with the public and happy to work in an outside environment. arrive to the moment they leave.”
HF Holidays’ Derwent Bank country house has been granted Green Tourism’s Silver status in recognition of its sustainability efforts. The Lake District property has been commended for initiatives including using locally sourced restaurant produce, resident beehives, planned roll-out of an LEDlight replacement programme throughout the property and the highly committed staff. House manager Mariano Marcos said: “Derwent Bank is the first of HF Holidays’ properties to be assessed by the Green Tourism association and so we are delighted our commitment to sustainability has secured silver status.”
at the launch of The List’s annual supplement The Guide to Scotland’s Festivals 2017 as part of Showcase Scotland. The campaign will include targeted social media promotion with electronic Celtic fusion band, Niteworks, who hail from the Isle of Skye, providing the soundtrack to an emotive promotional film. In addition, a dedicated page on visitscotland.com will highlight a calendar of Trad events and showcase some of the bands which are setting the scene alight. Chief executive of VisitScotland Malcolm Roughead said: “Of all aspects of our rich Scottish heritage I think it must truly be in our music that we see the true spirit of Scotland come to life.
STAYCATIONS are booming, according to Sykes Cottages, which has seen a 32 per cent increase in domestic holiday bookings in January 2017 versus last year. According to figures, the Lake District in particular is proving popular with customers, with bookings up 67 per cent. Wales is following closely with a 40 per cent increase. CEO at Sykes Cottages, Graham Donoghue, said: “We’re seeing holidays in the UK fly off the shelf this January with greater demand than ever before. “Our website has handled over 4.2m holiday searches since Christmas proving the current strength of the market. It’s phenomenal to see how many people are choosing to holiday in the UK rather than go abroad this year. “This trend is a huge opportunity for our property owners to increase bookings. We’ll be helping them to take full advantage of this surge by continuing to invest significantly in marketing our website.” Inbound tourism is also going from strength to strength, with a 71 per cent increase on UK holiday bookings from overseas visitors booking in January 2017.
Contacts EDITORIAL
VisitScotland targets young Scots during year of history, heritage and archaeology YOUNG Scots are being encouraged to connect with the Spirit of Scotland through an innovative VisitScotland marketing campaign highlighting the country’s dynamic musical heritage. Throughout 2017, the national tourism organisation will inspire young Scots to engage with their country’s contemporary traditional (Trad) music scene and discover the many Trad concerts and festivals held across Scotland, as part of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. The campaign aims to tap into the millennial Scots visitor market which is worth on average £267m a year to the Scottish economy. The national tourism organisation unveiled its Trad music campaign
Staycations on the rise, firm claims
“Scotland is home to a fantastic array of music festivals which provide a platform for our exciting and evolving traditional music scene. We want to share this incredible part of our culture with our young people and show the changing face of traditional music, in the Year of History Heritage and Archaeology. “This year Scotland will celebrate both our tangible and intangible heritage – everything from our buildings and archaeological sites to our diverse stories, traditions and culture – of which our traditional music is a key part. “With millennial Scots already spending £267m each year travelling in Scotland, there is huge market potential for our traditional music events to tap into.”
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
Judith Halkerston group editor jh@scriptmedia.co.uk Christina Eccles reporter 01226 734463 ce@scriptmedia. co.uk Olivia Taylor reporter 01226 734407 ot@scriptmedia.co.uk Dominic Musgrave production editor 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 Tony Barry sales and marketing director 01226 734605 CIRCULATION Kelly Tarff 01226 734695 kt@scriptmedia.co.uk Web: www.destination.uk.com
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DESTINATIONNEWS
New website to boost tourism in Derbyshire and the Peak District By Christina Eccles
Mums can enjoy a celebratory lunch this Mother’s Day in a floating restaurant with the best views in London. On March 26, Bateaux London, at Embankment Pier, Victoria Embankment, is celebrating the occasion with a special lunchtime cruise, where guests will be served a three-course meal, prepared and cooked on board, while enjoying sights including the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral during a two-and-a-half hour river cruise.
Merseyside the best place to stay based on guests’ feedback LATEROOMS.COM has named Merseyside the UK’s best place to stay in 2017, based on feedback from hotel guests. The announcement comes as the hotel booking site unveils its official Top Rated hotels list for 2017 – the first stage in its annual Simply The Guest Awards which reveal the UK’s best-loved hotels, according to guest reviews. Top rated status is awarded to hotels according to average guest review scores over the past year and properties must have an average review rating of 80 per cent or above to receive the accreditation, as well as a minimum number of reviews over 2016. According to the data, Merseyside has come out on top as the county in the UK with the highest proportion of Top Rated accommodation. 41 per cent of all hotels in the county achieved the accolade, with an average guest satisfaction score
of 87 per cent. In addition to this, when it came to UK cities with the highest proportion of Top Rated properties, Liverpool took the top spot, with a Top Rated hotel for every square mile of the city. In comparison, London came in at position 43. LateRooms.com spokesman Andrea Tarpey said: “Guest reviews give a genuine, unbiased insight into the experiences other guests have had at a property, which is so important in helping customers decide on the best hotel to book for their stay. “They’re also a great way for hotels to receive feedback on the experiences and service that they’re providing. “We see a clear increase in bookings for properties with Top Rated status and guest reviews are increasingly important to bookers looking for peer feedback and recommendations to help inform where they choose to stay.”
Gulliver’s Hotel in top one per cent in UK for family breaks
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STAFF at Gulliver’s theme park resorts’ Warrington hotel are celebrating after being listed in TripAdvisor’s top 25 hotels for families. The Gulliver’s Hotel, adjacent to Gulliver’s World theme park, has picked up the accolade based on reviews left on TripAdvisor by happy guests. Director of guest services at Gulliver’s theme parks, Dean Kimberley, said: “We’re delighted to be in TripAdvisor’s top 25 family hotels. Families are, after all, our target market and it means a lot to us that this listing is based on their feedback.
“Our guests have praised our staff for their friendly customer service and for going all-out to make their stays the most enjoyable they can be. “And we know that our younger hotel guests adore the little surprises awaiting them in our themed hotel suites – it’s extra features like bunk beds, bright furnishings and sweets in the room that really appeal to them.” The top 25 listing from TripAdvisor puts The Gulliver’s Hotel in the top one per cent of UK hotels providing accommodation for families, alongside other leading family attractions across the UK.
MARKETING Peak District and Derbyshire has launched a new website offering visitors information on everything they need to know about planning a trip to the area. The easy to use platform helps holidaymakers track down all the details they need to make their visit extra-special, including a wide variety of activities, events and the best places to eat and drink. Visitors can now cherry pick their own individually-tailored itineraries thanks to a new planner tool, as well as tracking down a host of special offers on everything from accommodation to eating out. Managing director of Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire, Jo Dilley, said: “People are right at the heart of the best practice we have drawn on to develop our new website, so that visitors can access the information they need quickly and easily, whether they’re researching on a desktop computer
before their visit or using a mobile device while they’re here. “It’s specifically designed to build on the success of our previous website, and to be more mobilefriendly, to reflect the changing ways our visitors are accessing information about, and special offers in, the Peak District and Derbyshire throughout the year. “As well as improving our online relationship with holidaymakers, its new features will also bring benefits for all our members, businesses and organisation showcased on the site – by attracting even more people to browse, take advantage of key promotions and check how close they are to some of our leading attractions. “We’d love to hear from more businesses who would like to be part of the success of the new site as it attracts even more visitors to come and stay and spend more money to boost the economy in our worldclass destination.”
Christopher Wayne-Wills has been appointed by QHotels as general manager of The Midland Hotel in Manchester. With over 22 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Christopher has most recently worked as general manager at QHotels’ luxury resort hotel, Slaley Hall, in Northumberland. He has also previously been regional managing director for Macdonald Hotels and chairman of the Edinburgh Hotels Association.
Campaign aims to boost region’s golfing profile A NEW campaign has launched to market the north east of Scotland as a key golfing destination. Bringing together golf courses, hotels and tour operators, GolfAberdeenshire will raise the profile of the area and work to further develop the golf product. Golf tour operators will also be a partner in the initiative which aims to establish the area as a golfing hub for domestic and international golfers. Chief executive of VisitAberdeenshire Steve Harris said: “Golf Aberdeenshire will draw on the region’s rich golfing
heritage; attracting more new visitors to play golf on our magnificent courses, whilst also looking forward to future developments as it encourages partners to work more collaboratively. “We have already lined up a presence at two internationally recognised golf events; the PGA Exhibition in Orlando in January 2018 and at the Northern Ireland Open in August 2017 in Ballymena. “We’ll interact with golfers, group buyers and tour operators from across the globe to sell what is a world class golf offering.”
DESTINATIONNEWS
The animation of The Duchess of Cornwall outside the Tower of London (left) and Chris Evans with a Yeoman Warder at the launch (right).
Tower of London set to host 500 WORDS final
RADIO 2 Breakfast Show host Chris Evans has launched this year’s 500 WORDS short-story writing competition for children aged between five and 13 years of age. HRH The Duchess of Cornwall returns as honorary judge and, to mark the launch of the competition, features in a very special animation. Chris revealed that this year’s live final on June 16 will take place at the Tower of London and all those attending the final will receive free entry to the Tower for the day. In the specially created animation, The Duchess of Cornwall, who is a passionate advocate for children’s literacy, appears as the 500 WORDS Fairy Godmother who encourages a little boy to jump inside his imagination – a world of pirate ships, dragons and giant gingerbread man – which inspires him to put pen to paper. It can be viewed at bbc. co.uk/500words. The initiative, created by Chris, is now in its seventh year and encourages children around the country to get creative and send in their stories of no more than 500
words. Lewis Carnie, head of BBC Radio 2, said: “We’re very excited to welcome back Radio 2’s 500 WORDS competition for the seventh year. “From 30,000 entries when it first launched in 2011 to over 123,000 in 2016, I’m so proud that Radio 2 is able to inspire so many children to get involved, writing their fabulous stories.” Richard Harrold, governor of the Tower of London, added: “Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that cares for the Tower of
London, is thrilled to host the live BBC Radio 2 final of 500 WORDS at the Tower of London. “The Tower has nearly 1,000 years of stories, from the grand to the ghastly, and we hope they can inspire as many children as possible in their future storytelling.” Joining HRH The Duchess of Cornwall on the esteemed 500 WORDS judging panel is Malorie Blackman, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Charlie Higson and Francesca Simon. They will all read the shortlisted entries, debate them and ultimately decide who will be the Bronze, Silver and Gold winners in the two age categories. The competition asks children in the UK aged between five and 13 to compose an original work of fiction using no more than 500 words. Entries are in two categories: 5-9 years and 10-13 years. For the final all the finalists will be invited to The Tower of London for a special live broadcast of The Breakfast Show where the winners will be revealed. The winning entries
will be announced and read out by some superstar narrators. Previous readers of the winning stories include Tom Hiddleston, Julie Walters, Benedict Cumberbatch and Sir Kenneth Branagh. Last year a record 123,436 children put pen to paper and entered the competition. All of the stories were analysed by Oxford University Press to find out more about the words and language used by children. In 2016 OUP selected ‘Refugee’ as the Children’s Word of the Year, owing to a significant increase in its usage by entrants writing in that year’s competition, combined with the sophisticated context that children were using it in and the rise in emotive and descriptive language around it. 500 WORDS also went interstellar in 2016, as British astronaut Tim Peake became a new entry in the top 10 list of famous people appearing in the stories. Words associated with space also showed significant increases in usage on previous years.
‘Cathedral of the canals’ wins award
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CHESHIRE’S Anderton Boat Lift near Northwich has been awarded VisitEngland’s Best Told Story Accolade. The award recognises the unique storytelling experience the lift’s staff give its 120,000 plus visitors each year. Visitors can visit the Canal and River Trust’s Anderton Boat Lift free of charge, gaining access to its exhibition, play area, shop and its tree-top coffee shop overlooking the giant lift. General manager Timothy Turner said: “I am delighted that the hard work and commitment of all the staff and volunteers at the lift is recognised with this sought-after and prestigious accolade.
“We are all very passionate about the lift and its history and try to go that extra mile to create an enjoyable and memorable experience for all our visitors. “A great deal of thought has gone into telling the fascinating story of the world’s first successful boat lift and how it is still working today. “At all stages we aim to engage the audience. So whether visitors come to visit the free exhibition, listen to our experienced boat guides as they float through the lift and along the River Weaver or simply read the display boards as they walk through the terraced site, we aim to interest and educate visitors from young to old.”
Timothy Turner, Anderton Boat Lift’s general manager, with Lift staff, from the left: Rachel Matzen, Sue Tomlinson, Amy Chambers and Denise Chambers.
DESTINATIONNEWS
Celebrate a cracking Easter in Shakespeare’s England CELEBRATE a cracking Easter with a host of fun activities for all the family in Shakespeare’s England from April 8 to 23. Search for clues to win chocolate prizes with Easter trails and egg hunts, make an Easter bonnet, wander around spring gardens or simply enjoy a traditional Easter lunch with friends and family. Visitors can enjoy a host of events across the five Shakespeare Family Homes. Join the curious creatures at Zoolab’s Tudor Workshop at Mary Arden’s Farm, build and fly a kite at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and create a finger puppet show at Shakespeare’s New Place. Take part in an Easter Rabbit Hunt at Hall’s Croft and explore the house and gardens to find William Rabbit. The Hunt is on at Shakespeare’s Birthplace! Track down the treasure with the help of music, comedy and fun with the in house acting troop, Shakespeare Aloud! Warwick Castle will launch an augmented reality experience – the first of its kind for a family attraction – to bring The Kingmaker to life. Downloadable for free from app stores, the app extension will include animations, puzzles, quizzes and a quest to become one of
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick’s loyal knights to fight the Wars of the Roses. Entry from £13 per person when booked online five days in advance. Head over to Knight’s Village for an eggs-tremely comfortable night’s sleep in a lodge before a hearty breakfast and the chance to see more of the Castle the next day. Easter breaks cost from £79.70 per person per night. As well as lots of new bizarre machines to play with, The MAD Museum has a NEW interactive area called the ‘MAD Zone’. Visitors will find a giant marble wall to build marble runs, there’s also a hands-on cogs wall to experiment with and a table full of building blocks to build crazy marble run routes on. Work together to solve and unravel puzzles in the free family activity pack and enter the design competition to win prizes! There is something for visitors of all ages to discover at Stratford Butterfly Farm. Twice daily, children can get close to some amazing creatures with ‘Meet the Minibeast’ handling sessions in the Discovery Zone. The Farm has recently opened new toilet facilities which are accessible from the Discovery
Zone and include disabled and baby changing facilities. Compton Verney Forest Schools take place on April 13 and 20 from 11am to 4pm when all the family can explore the different bugs and mini-beasts that are getting ready for spring. Discover the seasonal changes to the plants and trees with a fun selection of crafts and games. From April 14 to 17 design and create your own hat to wear over the Easter weekend. Choose flowers, ribbons, colours and stickers to decorate a bonnet, hat or crown. At Hill Close Gardens in Warwick
see heritage daffodils, primroses, cowslips and other flowers dotted around the 16 individual plots. From April 15 to 17 visitors can see themed displays of Victorian Easter traditions in the cafe and summerhouses. This year on display will be clothing from the Victorian period including gardening clothes and odd facts associated with the Victorian look. Refreshments will be served in the cafe; transformed into a Victorian tearoom. Entry adults £4, children £1 (under fives, HCGT and RHS members free).
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Tourism Association launches new Myths and Legends Trail
Historic attraction Blenheim Palace has officially been designated as a charity. The move will help enable critical restoration and conservation work to take place and brings the 18th century Oxfordshire stately home and ‘Capability’ Brown Parkland and Formal Gardens in line with other World Heritage Sites like Stonehenge. Its new status will also allow Blenheim Palace to operate the Gift Aid scheme which enables charities to claim back income tax on donations made by UK taxpayers. The palace will also be able to apply for grants to support its restoration and conservation efforts.
Big Ben voted best landmark in survey VISITING landmarks is the number one holiday activity, according to a survey; proving more popular than visits to the zoo, museums, galleries and historic houses. Research from Blue Chip Holidays has revealed that visiting landmarks has now become the most popular way to spend time when on holiday, with Big Ben being voted Britain’s best landmark. The top 10 landmarks according to a survey of over 1,000 British adults were: 1. Big Ben 2. Stonehenge 3. London Eye 4. Angel of the North 5. Edinburgh Castle 6. Tower Bridge 7. The Tower of London 8. Buckingham Palace 9. Blackpool Tower 10. Houses of Parliament Brand and communications manager for Blue Chip Holidays, Tori Kirwan-Taylor, said: “It was nice to
see that visiting local landmarks has become such a popular past time. “It’s reassuring to know that people are taking the time to get explore the local area when they go away and taking time to visit places.”
New partnership unveiled
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ONLINE accommodation site, LateRooms.com, has announced its partnership with intercity train company, TransPennine Express. The partnership means that customers looking to book rail tickets can seamlessly combine their booking with hotel accommodation for more than 14,000 hotels in the UK. Senior affiliates manager at LateRooms.com Steve North said: “As a fellow travel company, focused on making the UK even easier to explore and enjoy, working with TransPennine Express is a perfect match for LateRooms. com. “With exceptionally strong hotel product in TransPennine
Express’ destinations, our partnership will provide another way in which we can help to make booking stays around the UK even more convenient and simple for customers.” Partnership marketing manager for TransPennine Express, Lisa Hewitt, added: “We are thrilled to have teamed up with such a well-known and popular brand as LateRooms.com. “This new development will make it even easier for customers to conveniently book both their travel and accommodation for a weekend getaway to one of the great destinations we serve, whether it be sightseeing in Edinburgh, shopping in Leeds or visiting an exhibition in Hull.”
THE Wye Valley and Forest of Dean has joined forces with Visit Wales to celebrate the Year of Legends with a new website to encourage visitors to delve into the fables and folklore of the destination. The new trail showcases the great mythic tradition of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean. As an area that spans the border of England and Wales, across three counties, it boasts an eclectic mix of legends for visitors to discover including Roman curses, witch trials and King Arthur himself. Created by Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourism, the trail is the start of a year of celebrations of this legendary destination. An inspiration for iconic figures such as Henry V and J. R. R. Tolkien, the region was also the childhood home of J K Rowling as well as providing locations for key scenes for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Executive director of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourism
Association Maureen McAllister said: “The Year of Legends allows us to spread the word about all the incredible stories and legendary figures that have their home in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean. “Alongside our work with Visit Wales, we’ll be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in June as part of VisitEngland’s Year of Literary Heroes. “We’ll also be adding to our popular Film and TV Trail, when the new King Arthur film – which had scenes filmed in the Wye Valley – is released. “Over 6.7m people visited the destination last year, and we were proud to receive the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence as a result of their resounding praise for our attractions, accommodation and eateries. “We look forward to welcoming even more visitors on the hunt for a legendary adventure in 2017.”
Work is now underway at Treetop Trek’s new site in Heaton Park, Manchester. The development will see the construction of a sevenacre treetop adventure experience, suitable for all ages and abilities, due to open in June. Managing director of Treetop Trek, Mike Turner, said: “It’s a fantastic feeling to finally be underway with our work on the Heaton Park site and it means we’re now a big step closer to bringing Treetop Trek and Treetop Nets to Manchester.” Mike Turner, managing director of Treetop Trek Ltd, with Coun. Carl Austin-Behan, Lord Mayor of Manchester, and Coun. Luthfur Rahman, Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, and Saul Mearns, Heaton Park officer.
Day trip spending record NEW figures from VisitEngland show Brits spent a record-breaking £45.3b on day trips across England in the first 11 months of 2016, setting a new record for the survey. January to November 2016 also saw the highest number of day trips taken in the first 11 months of the year at 1.35 billion visits in England. The figures show that the number of domestic tourism day trips in England from January to November were up 14 per cent on the same
period the previous year, with spend up seven per cent; both records for the first 11 months of the year. VisitEngland chief executive Sally Balcombe said: “It is great to see more people getting out and exploring the huge range of quality destinations and tourism products on offer right across the country. “There is nowhere like England when it comes to incredible experiences on your doorstep.”
DESTINATIONNEWS
VisitBritain opens Riyadh office to attract visitors By Christina Eccles
Steady growth at Excursions ONE-day group travel show Excursions is continuing to show steady growth, with the 2017 event attracting about 1,150 visitors. Taking place at Alexandra Palace on January 28, about 48 per cent of visitors were attending the event for the first time, keen to discover what exhibitors had to offer. The show is organised by Tourism South East in partnership with London and Partners and Group Leisure magazine. Organiser Anna Wilson-Barnes,
travel trade marketing manager at Tourism South East, said: “There was a great buzz about this year’s show with packed aisles, new contacts being made and business conducted at a high level. “We were also very pleased to see so many new and younger visitors, changing some of the long held preconceptions about group travel being just for an older market. “We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2018.”
Record number of visitors come to London
LONDON welcomed a record 14m international visits in the first nine months of 2016, putting the city on course for another bumper tourism year, according to International Passenger Survey figures. From July to September 2016, there were 5.2m overseas visits to the city, a decrease of 0.8 per cent when compared to the same period in 2015, but the second highest summer period on record. Last summer, visitors flocked to the opening of Buckingham Palace, David Hockney at the Royal Academy, and Prudential RideLondon, which saw over 25,000 amateur and professional cyclists take to the closed roads of the capital and Surrey. The River Thames was also a focal point. To commemorate the 350th anniversary of the great fire of London, a 100ft wooden replica of the city in 1666 was set alight. And ‘Floating Dreams’ by South Korean artist, Ik-Joong Kang, was another major installation on the river, as part of the 2016 ‘Totally Thames’ Festival, which was enjoyed by over 2.2m people. Separate analysis from Forward Keys, a company that predicts the number of overseas travel agent bookings to London, forecasts that 10 in the first three months of 2017,
“These figures demonstrate the phenomenal draw of our city’s world-class sport, culture, art, history and architecture.” bookings from American tourists will go up 25 per cent and up 40 per cent from China, when compared to the same period in 2016. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “These figures demonstrate the phenomenal draw of our city’s worldclass sport, culture, art, history and architecture. London remains well and truly open and welcomes visitors from every corner of the globe.” It is hoped that the opening of new hotels, such as the five star Great Scotland Yard Hotel and Nobu Hotel Shoreditch, as well as events marking the 125th anniversary of the publication of the first Sherlock Holmes story, 20 years since the first Harry Potter book, a world class season of American art and the Pink Floyd exhibition at the V&A will continue to draw in tourists from all over the world this year.
VISITBRITAIN has opened a new office in Riyadh to attract more visitors from Saudi Arabia to the UK, making it the first Western tourism board to establish a presence in the country. The announcement, which was made at a press event at the residence of the British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Simon Collis, includes the appointment of Saudi national Badr Almandeel as VisitBritain country representative. Simon said: “The appointment of Badr Almandeel to head VisitBritain’s in-country operations builds on a century of strong trade and cultural relations. “Every year Britain welcomes more and more Saudis in the UK with thousands visiting on business, for tourism or to study. I would strongly encourage Saudis to go and see for themselves everything that the UK has to offer.” VisitBritain chief executive Sally Balcombe said: “The new office in Riyadh will see us engage more effectively with potential visitors to Britain, converting aspiration to visit into bookings and inspiring more Saudi Arabians to book a trip now to come and explore our nations and
regions. “And with the UK offering excellent value at the moment, particularly for luxury goods, it is a great time to come to Britain.” The appointment follows the development of a partnership with Al Tayyar Travel Group Holding Company which includes a campaign to promote London, Manchester and Edinburgh. The campaign will offer exclusive summer family travel packages to the UK and will offer Saudi travellers an exclusive upgrade to their visa processing through UK Visa and Immigration. Research by VisitBritain shows that Saudi Arabian visitors are interested in luxury shopping and enjoy Britain’s high-end department stores and outlet shops, with more than 60 per cent likely to have shopped at an outlet or department store during their visit. They are also among the most likely to purchase clothes or shoes during a trip to Britain. Saudi Arabia is one of Britain’s top 10 most valuable inbound visitor markets with spend forecast to reach £772m by 2020. In 2015, there were 147,000 inbound visits from Saudi Arabia to the UK, with visitors spending £556m.
New floating restaurant launched in Windsor DINERS will soon be able to enjoy spectacular views of one of the UK’s oldest towns with the launch of a new floating restaurant. Bateaux London, the leading provider of restaurant cruises on the Thames in the capital, has added to its fleet with a new, sister company; Bateaux Windsor. From April, visitors to the historic Berkshire town, will be able to dine in luxury, within sight of Windsor Castle, on The Melody. The glass sided, hand crafted river boat will embark on scheduled lunch, afternoon tea, Sunday lunch and dinner cruises every weekend and can also be hired privately for
celebrations and events. Cruises last between 90 minutes and two-and-a-half hours and the lunchtime trips feature a threecourse meal, while evening diners enjoy five courses, including wine. Director of sales and marketing Samantha Hart said: “We’re extremely excited to be launching this service created especially for those who either live in or visit Windsor. “We hope they will be very proud of their new boat, which is the first Bateaux Cruises vessel to sail outside of London and Paris and which brings style and luxury back to dining.”
A baby giraffe born over Christmas has ventured outside for the first time at Longleat Safari Park. The male Rothschild’s giraffe, who has been named Evan in honour of a long-time keeper, was delivered inside the centrallyheated giraffery at the Wiltshire attraction in December. Since then the youngster – believed to be the 122nd baby giraffe born at Longleat – has been sticking close to mum Gertie. Photo by Ian Turner
DESTINATIONCENTRE STAGE
SuperBreak promotes Motown the Musical as it approaches first anniversary
The songs, the sound the story
SUPERBREAK is promoting theatre packages to see Motown the Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre, which will celebrate its first anniversary in the West End in March. Featuring an incredible selection of Motown’s most recognisable hits, Motown The Musical has audiences dancing in the aisles every night and is currently on sale until February 24 2018. SuperBreak’s packages combine overnight accommodation with tickets to the show and are fully commissionable to agents. The show offers the chance to discover the story behind the sound
that moved the world. With just $800 borrowed from his family, Berry Gordy founded Motown records and launched the careers of Diana Ross and the Supremes, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and many more. Featuring fifty classic Motown hits including ‘My Girl’, ‘Dancing In The Street’, ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ and ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’, Motown the Musical is a West End sensation with real soul Graham Balmforth, national sales Manager at SuperBreak, said: “This
is such a feel good musical that will appeal to customers of all ages. “Everyone knows the songs and will be up dancing – it’s impossible not to! The show has also been showcased on TV over recent months with a performance on X-Factor before Christmas and Let It Shine a few weeks ago. “All this helps generate demand that agents need to capitalise on.”
SuperBreak packages start from £109 pp For more information visit www.superbreak.com/agents or call 01904 436000
SuperBreak national sales manager Graham Balmforth.
News from around the theatres ...
By David Thomas
TO the Aldwych Theatre to celebrate the second birthday of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, one of the finest shows to come into the West End for years. I was seated midway between a 17-year-old and a 70-year-old (both geographically and chronologically) and all three of us were blown away by the emotional (and hugely entertaining) journey through the life of one of the most influential figures in popular music. It was rumoured that Carole King herself might attend that performance. Believe me, Carole is present at EVERY performance … through her story, her songs and her indomitable spirit. From Carole King to Michael Jackson and the ninth birthday of THRILLER LIVE at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue. 12 The show features so many of
Michael’s unforgettable songs, such as ABC, Can You Feel It, Off The Wall, The Way You Make Me Feel, Smooth Criminal, Beat It, Billie Jean, Dirty Diana, …but I fear I may have entered the celebratory spirit a bit too enthusiastically with the incredible cast after the show, because the next morning, in Michael’s words, I was feeling.. Bad. Wimbledon Stadium is not usually associated with spectacular Broadway shows, but just down the road, in a state-of-the-art rehearsal studio, we were treated to an exclusive first glimpse of the classic American Show-Biz Musical 42nd Street which is previewing at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from March 20. Featuring timeless Harry Warren hits such as “We’re In The Money,” “I Only Have Eyes For You” and “Lullaby Of Broadway,” this isn’t so much a feel-good-show as a feelGREAT-show.
David Thomas with Mel Brooks.
And did I mention the dancing? Well I’ll mention it, but I am stumped for words to adequately describe the sheer energy the cast build up to in their routines. Storm Doris has got nothing on this! There are legends and then there is Mel Brooks. This pint-size colossus
bestrides the three worlds of Cinema, Musical Theatre and TV like none before him (his awards include one Oscar, three Tonys and three Grammys). His unforgettable Comedy-Western, Blazing Saddles, blazed a new trail in cinema, and the equally outrageous The Producers practically reinvented the Broadway Musical. Now Brooks is reunited with the director/choreographer of the musical of The Producers, Susan Stroman (a five-time-Tony-Awardwinner) for the hilarious musical comedy Young Frankenstein which is coming to London in the Autumn. We met up with Mel when he came to London to receive a BAFTA fellowship award and spent a hilarious hour over test-tubes of foaming chemistry-set cocktails. You can enjoy also enjoy an intoxicating cocktail of Mel Brooks mayhem and magic at The Garrick theatre from September!
DESTINATIONCENTRE STAGE Dreamcoats and Petticoats The Musical has embarked on a nationwide tour to celebrate 10 years of the multi-million selling albums that inspired the Olivier Award nominated show. Inspired by the CD albums, the musical features some of the greatest hit songs of the Rock ‘n’ Roll era including Let’s Dance, To Know Him Is To Love Him, Shaking All Over, Bobby’s Girl and Let’s Twist Again. Tour venues include York Grand Opera House, Edinburgh Playhouse and Leeds Grand Theatre. Photo by Keith Pattison
Encore launches greatest ever choice of attractions Award-winning musical Lionesses leaping KickAss.
ENCORE has launched its greatest ever choice of shows and attractions for group travel organisers and coach tour operators. For the 2017 season, Encore has teamed up with over 80 venues providing everything from afternoon tea to pre and post-show dinner and has launched new offers for both coach tour operators and GTOs. Senior sales manager Sergio Cicalo said: “We are supporting Mayor Sadiq Khan’s ‘London is Open’
campaign with our biggest and best value range of options for GTOs and coach operators. 2017 promises to be an exciting one for Theatreland, with new shows opening already in the first quarter of the year. “London is very much open for business, and so is Theatreland. We look forward to catching up with old friends and partners at BTTS in March and demonstrating the breadth of opportunities we are offering this year.”
© Johan Persson
is a unique experience SET against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney’s multi award-winning musical is a unique theatrical experience that your groups will remember forever. Brilliantly reimagined by acclaimed director Julie Taymor, Disney’s beloved animated film has been transformed into a spectacular stage production that explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and enchanting music. At its heart is the powerful story of Simba and his epic adventure to his destined role as King of the Pridelands. Now in its 18th triumphant year at the Lyceum Theatre and ranked as one of the longest-running musicals
in West End history, THE LION KING is undoubtedly one of London’s most popular attractions and an unmissable landmark event. Enjoy a unique and personalised service when you book direct with Disney Tickets Group Sales. Offering access to the best available seats, the option to reserve now and pay later and no additional fees, there is simply no better way to secure your group’s experience. To reserve the best seats for THE LION KING call 020 7845 0949 or email group.sales.uk@disney.com “You hope all nights at the theatre will be like this” Daily Mail “There is simply nothing else like it.” The New York Times
Meat Loaf’s hits feature Aladdin is brought to life in high octane musical thanks to special effects Aladdin has been seen by more than 400,000 people.
BREATH-taking sets, astonishing special effects and 350 lavish costumes bring the magic of Disney’s Aladdin to life. Directed by Tony and Olivier Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Dreamgirls), featuring all the songs from the classic Academy Award winning film including ‘Friend Like Me’, ‘A Whole New World’ and ‘Arabian Nights’, Aladdin opened in June 2016 to critical acclaim and has been seen by over 400,000 people. Aladdin features new music
© Disney
written by Tony, Olivier and eighttime Academy Award winner Alan Menken, with lyrics from Olivier Award and two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman, three-time Tony and Olivier Award, three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice, and four-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin, and a book by Beguelin. The lead roles of Aladdin and Jasmine are taken by Dean JohnWilson (Here Lies Love) and Jade Ewen (In the Heights). Broadway’s Trevor Dion Nicholas has made his London stage debut as Genie.
JIM Steinman’s epic rock and roll theatrical fantasy BAT OUT OF HELL THE MUSICAL, the inspiration for one of the most iconic and successful albums in history, is set to explode onto the Manchester Opera House and London Coliseum stages this year. Join the eternally young Strat and his wild gang, The Lost, as they roam the streets of Obsidian, a postapocalyptic Manhattan, ruled by the wicked and tyrannical Falco. When Strat first sets eyes on Falco’s daughter, Raven, who has been locked away in the palace towers, he sets out to rescue her from her evil father’s clutches in a full throttle tale of teenage love,
youthful rebellion and living the rock and roll dream. BAT OUT OF HELL is a breathtaking new musical that features 17 of Meat Loaf’s greatest hits including I’d Do Anything for Love, Paradise by the Dashboard Light, You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night), Dead Ringer For Love, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, Bat Out of Hell and two new Jim Steinman originals written for the show. Directed by Jay Scheib, this high octane musical adventure plays limited seasons at the Manchester Opera House until April 8 and the London Coliseum from June 5.
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DESTINATIONNEWS
Warm welcome awaits at Swansea Market
The Mazda MX-5 Owners National Rally will take place on Sunday, September 24.
Museum set to host a number of unique, new events in 2017
THE British Motor Museum is to host a number of new and unique motoring shows during 2017. The Museum will also be hosting its popular regular events, shows, and workshops throughout the year including the Classic Virgins Experience Day, Gaydon Festival of Transport, the National Metro & Mini Show and Retro Truck Show. New for this year is the Harley Davidson Sportster at 60 Show which takes place on Saturday June 24. The show will celebrate this iconic American mid-weight motorcycle which is still in production today. A new show celebrating the Mazda MX-5 Owners National Rally will take place on Sunday, September 24 and will commemorate this popular Japanese manufacturer which was founded in 1920. A special forum entitled “The British Motor Industry, what is the road ahead?” will take place on Saturday, March 25. Attendees can hear from Britain’s motor industry experts in a series of lectures covering topics such as technological developments, automotive journalism and PR, motor
manufacturing and design icons. Within each topic the experts will be posing the question ‘what is the road ahead?’ And the lectures will be followed by a Q&A session allowing attendees to share their own future predictions. The hugely successful Classic Land Rover Show will return slightly earlier this year. The show, now in its third year, will take place on May 6 and 7. Plans are afoot to bring the very finest vehicles, owners and historians together for a meeting of Land Rover minds. A new exhibition will open on May 19 entitled “The British Motor Car in Fifty Objects”. The exhibition will showcase the depth and variety of the Museum’s nationally designated collections by telling the story of Britain’s motor industry and the cars it built using 50 key objects. Visitors are reminded they can also take advantage of the Museum’s great value offer. Gift Aid your ticket and receive a year’s annual pass at no extra cost, so that you can come back time and time again (terms and conditions apply).
Travelodge has opened its second and largest hotel in Kings Lynn. The 68-room hotel is situated at Hardwick Business Retail Park and represents an investment of £5m. It was officially opened by the Mayor of Kings Lynn, Coun David Whitby and Travelodge people 14 director, Hannah Thomson.
SWANSEA Market is the largest indoor market in Wales and one of the finest in Britain. Awarded ‘Britain’s Best Large Indoor Market 2015’ by NABMA and achieving a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, Swansea Market is a shopping destination of choice for both tourists and local residents alike. Open six days a week, it boasts a wide selection of fresh, local produce and traditional Welsh fayre. Renowned for its cockles, laverbread and hot Welsh cakes straight from the griddle it provides a true taste of Wales and the friendly traders are proud to be of service to customers from near and far. For group travel, free parking spaces can be arranged and information packs provided for coach operators and group organisers. These packs include a special ‘Daytripper’ discount card for group travel shoppers and handy pocket maps to help them explore the rest of the City Centre. Coach drivers can also enjoy a free lunch at one of the
many cafes in the Market. For more information on Swansea Market and to book your group visit, contact Swansea City Centre Management on 01792 633090 or email citycentremanagement@ swansea.gov.uk
Blists Hill Victorian Town to host festive weekends MAKE this Christmas extra special and visit Blists Hill Victorian Town, near Ironbridge, Shropshire over the two festive weekends of December 9 and 10 and 16 and 17. Groups can take advantage of a very special rate at just £9 per person for parties of 15 or more. Your group can travel back over 100 years to experience the festive sights, sounds and smells of a Victorian Christmas. They will be able to soak up the Yuletide atmosphere with seasonal entertainment and watch as the townsfolk busily make preparations for Christmas, Victorian style. Add a little Victorian sparkle to your groups’ Christmas as they explore streets from a bygone age bedecked with traditional seasonal decorations. They will love humming along with sensational brass bands and singing along with carol singers. Time out to relax with a delicious lunch and the chance to explore the Victorian Town from up high on a horse and cart ride make this the perfect December
day out. Groups can step in from the cold and warm up by the fireside as they discover the traditionally decorated shops and cosy cottages. Complete the visit by meeting a very special guest – Father Christmas and his beautiful reindeer. Ben Walker, group visits officer at Ironbridge Museums, said: “Christmas at Blists Hill is always a magical time but this year promises to be extra-special - we’re celebrating our 50th anniversary. Check out Ironbridge.org.uk for more great festive ideas for groups.” Blists Hill Victorian Town will be open from 10am to 4pm on these special Christmas event weekends. Discounted admission is available to groups of 15 plus with visits booked in advance. Group leaders and coach drivers are entitled to complimentary admission when accompanying a group and coach drivers will be given a free refreshment voucher. Small additional charge for some activities.
DESTINATIONTOURISM SOCIETY
History in the making By The Rt Hon Lord Thurso PC FTS
Credit ‘VisitScotland’
The Rt Hon Lord Thurso PC FTS 2017 themes alive. A programme of brand new events, created especially for the year, was announced in December last year. These include a spectacular sound and light projection event at New Lanark World Heritage Site to bring to life the mill as it was in the heart of the Industrial Revolution (Shining Lives 20 & 21 October), a unique event in the Outer Hebrides celebrating the islands’ rich South Asian history, and on World Heritage Day 2017 (18 April) Scotland will celebrate the six iconic World Heritage Sites with six toe-tapping, mouth-watering, jaw-dropping, heartpumping events from dawn to dusk. Throughout this historical year, Scotland also celebrates a number of significant anniversaries including the 20th anniversary of the Scottish Crannog Centre, 250th anniversary of Edinburgh’s New Town Plan, 30th anniversary of the Beltane Fire Society and the 400th anniversary of the General Register of Sasines (the oldest public land register in the world) and of course the 70th anniversary of Edinburgh as the world’s leading festival city. An industry highlight in Scotland this summer is the Tourism Symposium. This two-day event in Edinburgh on 5 and 6 June is organised by The Tourism Society and will explore ‘Heritage and Innovation: The future of tourism’. Both Edinburgh and Glasgow will feature in the discovery tours available to delegates on the first day, giving an overview of the rich heritage of these great cities. Host to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Old & New Towns of Edinburgh, The Forth Bridge) and UNESCO’s first ‘Creative City’,
Edinburgh is a City of Literature, whilst Glasgow is UNESCO City of Music; this will provide excellent context for the panel discussions and debates to be held on Tuesday 6 June. Tourism experts and opinion leaders from Europe, North America and the Middle East will discuss tourism and culture, innovation and collaboration, future destination leaders and how to spread the benefits of tourism widely. The Symposium is one of the key events for the Society in 2017 as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. Since 1977 the Society has brought together professionals from across tourism’s many diverse sectors, giving individuals working in this dynamic industry access to an
incredible network of experience and expertise throughout the UK and internationally. For details of the Society’s Symposium, its annual dinner on 29 March and 40th Anniversary Party on 18 September, visit www. tourismsociety.org. Anniversaries are occasions to reflect on what has been and also to look ahead at future prospects. Both for Scotland and The Tourism Society, the business of tourism shows no sign of slowing and in 2017 (especially in Scotland) there will be much to celebrate! I look forward to welcoming many of you to Edinburgh in June. n The Rt Hon Lord Thurso PC FTS is Chairman, VisitScotland and President, The Tourism Society.
Tourism Society Annual Dinner Wednesday 29th March 2017 Drinks reception from 7.00pm ~ Dinner from 8.00pm House of Lords, London With guest speaker Nicolas Petrovic, CEO Eurostar International Tourism Society President Lord Thurso FTS will host this prestigious annual dinner, which includes the presentation of the Tourism Society Award and an address from Nicolas Petrovic, CEO Eurostar International. Don’t miss what will be an entertaining and informative evening.
Credit ‘VisitScotland’
IN the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017, Scotland will celebrate the richness of its intriguing history, impressive cultural heritage and fascinating archaeology through a range of exciting events, activity and a wealth of visitor attractions. Our Themed Years celebrate the very best of Scotland including its landscapes, people and personality. During each year, both locals and visitors to Scotland can enjoy a programme of events taking place throughout the year in celebration of the themes, as well as lots of opportunities to discover sides of Scotland they might never knew existed. They deliver impact for Scotland, too – encouraging the tourism industry and beyond to collaborate, attract new customers and generate benefits for the economy. We know that Scotland’s history and heritage is what defines the country for many visitors. It is also a key motivator for visits to Scotland and an important part of the visitor experience, with 32% of visitors citing ‘history and culture’ as a key motivator for their trip – second only to ‘The Scenery and Landscape’ (49%) (Source: The Visitor Survey, 2015). From World Heritage Sites to ancient monuments, museums to historic battlefields, cultural traditions to our myths, stories, artefacts and legends, Scotland’s current themed year will celebrate both its tangible and intangible heritage – our buildings, visitor attractions, archaeological sites as well as our diverse traditions and cultures. Alongside our country’s incredible historic sites, wealth of vibrant cultural traditions and vast range of heritage attractions, Scotland hosts an exciting annual events programme that showcases our history and heritage, bringing our traditions to life in a modern, vibrant way. From the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival to the Royal Highland Show, The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival to Scottish Archaeology Month, the annual programme is bursting with exciting experiences to bring the
Eilean Donan Castle
To book, contact Sophia White on 0203 696 8330 or reserve your place directly through the website at http://ow.ly/up08308XWvy. 15