Destination UK Summer 2016

Issue 66 Summer 2016 £2.75

London sets new record with over 30m tourists

By Christina Eccles

LONDON has set a new tourism record after more than 30m visitors came to the city last year, figures have revealed.

Attracted by global sporting events such as the Rugby World Cup and blockbuster exhibitions at its museums and galleries, a record 31.5m Great Britain residents and international tourists came to the city in 2015 – an increase of 20 per cent compared to five years ago.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics, International Passenger Survey, revealed there were 18.6m international visits in 2015 compared to 17.4m in 2014, a previous record year.

Separate data from the Great Britain Tourism Survey carried out by VisitEngland, also revealed GB residents made 12.9m visits to London last year, another new record. International and GB visitors also spent £15b on hotels, restaurants, shopping and attractions – an increase of 35 per cent compared to 2010.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “It is fantastic that more people than ever before are opting to visit London, to sample the best of our capital and the best of Britain.

London has something for everyone and an appeal that clearly extends across the globe.

“I’ve pledged to do all I can to

support our vital tourism industry so London continues to be a top choice for travellers.”

Director of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions Bernard Donoghue added: “London, the world’s favourite city, continues to draw visitors from around the world thanks to our globally-known and loved attractions.

“Our palaces, cathedrals, museums, galleries, heritage sites, zoos and gardens are some of the principal reasons why record numbers of visitors come to London.

From Harry Potter to Beatrix Potter, Shakespeare to shopping, the diversity and excellence of our tourism experiences are world class.”

Separate research by independent forecaster Oxford Economics predicts that London will welcome 35.6m UK and international visits to the city by 2020.

Gordon Innes, CEO of London and Partners, the Mayor’s official promotional company for the London, added: “Millions of people want to come to London from all over the world because the city has an unrivalled mix of culture, art, music, theatre, restaurants and major events.

“Tourism is a crucial part of the city’s economy and we anticipate a significant increase in the number of UK and international visitors for many years to come.”

Leicester City’s win may help tourism

Hit West End musical Wicked has announced its 10th anniversary London cast. From September 5, the new cast, which will lead the award-winning show through its birthday celebrations at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, will include Rachel Tucker as Elphaba, Suzie Mathers, who joins from the Australian production to star as Glinda, and Anita Dobson (pictured) who will play Madame Morrible.

THE value of ‘football tourism’ to the UK’s visitor economy could be in for a boost following Leicester City’s historic Premier League win, with Britain in the global spotlight as the ‘home of football.’

Football is the number one sporting draw for international tourists to Britain and VisitBritain director Patricia Yates said Leicester could expect a visitor boost with the city now on the global football tourism map.

She explained: “Leicester City’s fantastic win is truly the stuff of legends and has thrust the players, the fans, the city and Britain as the ‘home of football’ into the global spotlight.

“Football has mass international appeal and a global fan base of billions and we know that people like to visit the home of their sporting heroes.

“We encourage visitors from all over the world to travel to Britain and enjoy a Barclays Premier League football match with our Football is GREAT campaign, as part of our drive to get tourists out exploring more of regional Britain.”

DESTINATIONNEWS

South Tyneside gears up for spectacular summer

By Christina Eccles HOTELS and leisure operators across South Tyneside are preparing for an influx of visitors, as one of the region’s most popular events gets underway.

The South Tyneside Festival, which attracted more than 120,000 visitors in 2015, has returned to the seaside town of South Shields on the North East coast.

Event organisers, South Tyneside Council, are hopeful the 2016 festival will contribute more than £1.5m to the regional economy, with free live music and entertainment for all ages drawing in visitors from across the UK. One of the event’s busiest periods will likely be in July when it hosts a Maritime Mayhem-themed parade through the streets of South Shields, as well as a series of high profile, open air concerts in Bents Park.

The Sunday Concert series will include free performances by artists such as Alexandra Burke, Tony Hadley, The Proclaimers and UB40.

Contacts EDITORIAL 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

South Tyneside Council hope the 2016 festival will contribute more than £1.5m to the regional economy.

Deputy leader of South Tyneside Council, Coun. Alan Kerr, said: “Visitor numbers for the South Tyneside Festival have been growing year on year.

“Last year our parade through South Shields attracted a record breaking 25,000 spectators, with the

Sunday Concert series alone, also contributing more than £940,000 to the local economy.

“This year we’re hoping the event will be bigger and better than ever and accommodation across the borough is already in high demand, especially during July.”

Tony Barry sales and marketing director 01226 734605 CIRCULATION Kelly Tarff 01226 734695 kt@scriptmedia.co.uk Web: www.destination.uk.com

At Script Media, we try to get things right but occasionally, we make mistakes. If you have a complaint about a story featured in our magazine or on our website, please, in the first instance, contact us by email: ce@scriptmedia. co.uk We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice as demanded by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. For details on the code and what to do should you be unsatisfied with the way we handle your complaint, please visit www.ipso.co.uk

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DESTINATIONNEWS

Winners of annual Visit York Tourism Awards announced

By Christina Eccles

YORK’S top tourism businesses have celebrated a win at the Visit York annual Tourism Awards.

Winners were announced at a prestigious black tie ceremony, held in the Grand Station Hall of the National Railway Museum, compered by breakfast show host Ben Fry from Minster FM radio station.

Now in their 19th year, the Visit York Tourism Awards celebrate individuals and companies who offer that extra special service and experience for York’s 6.8m visitors, recognising and rewarding excellence in the city’s multi-million pound tourism sector.

This year’s event was attended by almost 500 tourism businesses, as well as the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress.

The winners were: Bed & Breakfast of the Year – Sponsored by Little Hotelier The Bloomsbury

Winners of the Visit York annual Tourism Awards celebrate their success.

Caravan Park or Holiday Village of the Year – Sponsored by Lloyds Bank Robin Hood Caravan Park

York North Yorkshire East Riding Enterprise Partnership Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens

Conference Venue of the Year – Sponsored by Saville Audio Visual The Royal York Hotel

Visitor Attraction of the Year (Over 50,000 Visitors) – Sponsored by F.R. Fowler & Son York Art Gallery

Family Friendly Experience of the Year – Sponsored by P&O Ferries York Maze Hotel of the Year – Sponsored by Streamline Taxis The Royal York Hotel

Outstanding Customer Service Award – Sponsored by HIT Training Stevie-Jo Todd, York Marriott Hotel Pub/Bar of the Year – Sponsored by Webmart Walmgate Ale House

Café/Tearoom of the Year – Sponsored by Booker York – The People’s Choice Award El Piano

Restaurant of the Year – Sponsored

by Morrell Middleton Accountants The Whippet Inn

Visitor Attraction of the Year (Under 50,000 Visitors) – Sponsored by

York Tourism Ambassador – Sponsored by Veeno, The Italian

Wine Café Flying Scotsman Self-Catering Venue of the Year – Sponsored by Be Independent Lendal Tower Shopping Experience of the Year – Sponsored by Fulprint Il Gusto Visitor Experience of the Year – Sponsored by York Data Services HallowScream at York Maze Head of tourism at Make It York, Kate McMullen, said: “For our tourism sector to be successful York needs exceptional people, as well as exceptional businesses and this is what these tourism awards celebrate.

“Our panel of independent judges has spent many hours analysing the

entrants supported by a dedicated team of mystery shoppers.

“It is a testament to the quality of businesses in York that we’ve seen such a high standard this year and such close scoring. We’d like to congratulate all our winners and finalists.”

Paul Kirkman, director at the National Railway Museum, who collected the ambassador award for Flying Scotsman, added: “From glamorous modernist icon, film star and world record breaker, to sixties globetrotting symbol of the preservation movement and modern day national treasure, Flying Scotsman has captured the imaginations of generations worldwide.

“It’s a great thrill for all of us that Scotsman can add another accolade to its belt.”

Warwickshire named as a top European destination

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Perthshire’s multi award-winning sound and light show, The Enchanted Forest, is to release more than 65,000 tickets for its Autumn spectacle. The state-of-the-art show, which runs throughout October, attracted a record 62,000 visitors last year and smashed box office records. This year, more than 65,000 tickets are going on sale, with organisers Perthshire Big Tree Country advising customers to book early. Acting chairman of The Enchanted Forest Ian Sim said: “Every year our show lights up the countryside of Perthshire and boosts our tourist trade. The show we have planned for this year is remarkable and will prove to be a must-see for visitors.”

LONELY Planet has named Warwickshire as one of Europe’s top destinations for travellers this summer – the only UK entry on the list.

The county received the accolade in Lonely Planet’s Best in Europe 2016 list, which highlights the European destinations that should be on travellers’ radars right now.

Lonely Planet’s editorial director Tom Hall said: “Warwickshire is best known for Stratfordupon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, but Warwickshire has so much more to offer.

“Check out the atmospheric remains of Kenilworth Castle, experience the wonderful mix of Tudor, Georgian and Victorian architecture of Charlecote Park, or sample some culinary wizardry at Michelin-starred The Cross.

“Whether travellers are seeking

sublime scenery, historic market towns or perfect ruins, Warwickshire has them all, making the county one of our top European picks this summer.”

Chief executive of destination management organisation Shakespeare’s England, Helen Peters, added: “I am delighted Warwickshire has been selected by Lonely Planet as one of Europe’s top destinations.

“2016 has been such an important year with the county celebrating so many important events and anniversaries, not only Shakespeare’s 400th but also the 300th anniversary of Capability Brown and 750th anniversary of the Siege of Kenilworth Castle.

“To be awarded this accolade is testament to all that this fantastic county has to offer both domestic and international visitors alike.”

DESTINATIONNEWS

London museums named in global top 20 by study

Drayton Manor Park is preparing for its biggest and best fireworks event yet, complete with lasers, lights and a special screening of the popular film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The park will host its annual spectacular on October 28 to 30, with families able to enjoy the film outdoors before the show concludes with a firework and laser show set over the lake. CEO of Drayton Manor Park Colin Bryan said: “This is going to be our biggest and best ever fireworks spectacular. We’re really excited to be adding a new element to the evening with a special showing of the much loved Star Wars film and we hope families and fans of the film can join us to celebrate the end of another fantastic season.”

Photo credit: Ashley Gardner

City’s international visitors pass the one million mark

By Christina Eccles

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BIRMINGHAM achieved a recordbreaking 1m international visits last year – more than ever before – according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.

The research highlights that the city is the fourth most visited place in the UK by global guests, with an increase of 163,000 visitors (17.3 per cent), up on the figure for 2014 (944,000). For the second consecutive year, this was the largest increase for any city outside London.

Consumer spend by foreign visitors reached £386m – an increase of £87m on 2014 figures. Similarly, this was the fourth highest of any UK city and only eight per cent lower than London.

The research also indicates the city’s strong tourist appeal was further enhanced in 2015 by a high proportion of international business visitors.

With 619,000 visits recorded, Birmingham again saw the highest growth of any city outside London.

This is 120,000 (19.4 per cent) up on the figure for 2014 (499,000) and the largest rise of any UK regional city.

Director of marketing and communications at Marketing Birmingham, Emma Gray, said: “It

is heartening to see the economic growth in Birmingham – we are now very much on the map with global visitors thanks to an outstanding tourism offering including a packed festivals calendar.

“As global competition to attract tourists remains fierce, we have been actively promoting Birmingham more widely than ever before, targeting markets with large numbers of potential visitors from Germany, China and India.

“We have also helped showcase some major cultural celebrations including the 25th anniversary of Birmingham Royal Ballet and 50 years of the contemporary art gallery Ikon.

“Major sporting activity in 2015 included the Rugby World Cup, England v Australia Ashes Test Match at Edgbaston Stadium and the AEGON Classic tennis tournament.

“Our offer was further boosted in 2015, with a focus on enhancing Birmingham’s business tourism sector.

“Events play a vital role in the city’s visitor economy, which hit an all-time high of £6.2b in 2015.

By launching new spaces including the Vox Conference Centre and accommodation providers such as Park Regis – we’re ensuring we remain attractive to this valuable market.”

LONDON’S status as the global capital of museums has been reaffirmed by a new study, which shows the capital has six museums in the global top 20 by visitor numbers.

The findings are part of the 2015 TEA/AECOM Theme Index and Museum Index report, compiled by the Themed Entertainment Association and the economics practice at global infrastructure services company AECOM. Visitor numbers at the British Museum, the capital’s most attended museum, were up 1.9 per cent in 2015 over the previous year, earning it fifth place in the global table with its 6.8m visitors.

Other London museums making the global top 20 were the National Gallery (ninth), the Natural History Museum (11th), Tate Modern (13th), the Victoria and Albert Museum (18th) and the Science Museum (20th).

London also has eight entries in the top 20 table for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, with the National Portrait Gallery and the National Maritime Museum joining London’s six global entries on the EMEA list. Both these museums had strong years in 2015, with visitor numbers up 4.0 percent and 10.6 percent respectively.

Director at AECOM, Margreet Papamichael, said: “This year’s Museum Index confirms London’s status as the global capital of museums, with all of the city’s entries in the global top 20 still free to enter.

“Museums and galleries play a vital role in the UK, contributing to the economy and bringing social benefits for UK residents.

“Many of these museums rank among the nation’s top visitor attractions, bringing in tourists from all over the world and enriching our lives.”

Operator opens Bicester hotel TRAVELODGE has opened a new hotel in Bicester, which includes a tailored service for Chinese visitors.

The hotel is situated close to designer outlet Bicester Village – a popular attraction for Chinese visitors – and to welcome them, Travelodge has enrolled the help

of Katy Wang, a Chinese tutor at Oxford University to teach its hotel team Chinese etiquette and key welcome phrases in Mandarin.

The hotel is also trialling noodle kettles and has created a bespoke Oriental snack box, which visitors can buy from reception.

George is Scotland’s top dog GOLDEN retriever George from Glasgow has been chosen as VistScotland’s Ambassadog, beating off competition from over 200 other entrants.

Owners Victoria and Emma Rae put George forward for the coveted role in March, after VisitScotland launched the search for a canine ambassador to represent the spirit of Scotland around the world.

George and his owners will now have the job of being an ambassador for Scotland on social media, attending red carpet events and generally being in demand as a VID

– or very important dog.

Victoria said: “It’s really unexpected and I still can’t quite believe George has been chosen; especially as there were so many lovely dogs in the final. I am very proud of him.

“George is a great ambassador for Scotland as he is always looking for to his next voyage. A golden retriever is also a Scottish breed, which a lot of people don’t know.

“My ambition for him in his new role as ambassadog is that he takes us on a lot more journeys and we can inspire others to plan their next exploration around the country.”

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Exhibition remembers the Battle of Jutland PORTSMOUTH Historic Dockyard’s National Museum of the Royal Navy has launched a three-year major exhibition in collaboration with the Imperial War Museum to commemorate 100 years since the largest naval battle in history, the Battle of Jutland.

Through never-before-seen displays and immersive galleries, the ‘36 Hours: Jutland 1916, The Battle That Won The War’ exhibition will highlight the essential role of the British Royal Navy in winning the First World War, challenging the belief that the Battle of Jutland was a German victory.

The exhibition also provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to

hear the stories of those brave men who fought heroically in the greatest naval battle ever, which involved 250 ships and 100,000 men.

Head of heritage development at the NMRN Nick Hewitt said: “The Battle of Jutland is the Royal Navy’s defining moment in The Great War, and perhaps the largest sea battle in history.

“It’s the only event in the national First World War centenary programme which is wholly naval in character, and at the NMRN we’ve pulled out all the stops to put together a blockbuster exhibition that captures this epic, tragic story and ensures it will never be forgotten.”

Farm opens Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground A NEW Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground has opened at Willows Activity Farm in Hertfordshire at a cost of over £1m.

Highlights include appearances by popular characters who will be meeting and greeting visitors, the Jeremy Fisher Music Pond, where children can jump on lily pads to hear musical sounds and guess the instruments, and the Mr Bouncer Great Invention, a sensory gaming activity to help them to learn about numbers and colours in a fun and active way.

Chief executive of Willows, Andrew Wolfe, said: “We’ve always been

committed to improving the quality and range of activity at Willows but this is by far the biggest and most exciting – we can now invite our visitors to enjoy a day with one of the most famous children’s characters in history.

“This is something new for families to enjoy – the first Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground in the world!

“We’re proud to open in the year of the 150th anniversary since the birth of Beatrix Potter, author of the original Peter Rabbit children’s books, and we’re delighted that we are able to bring them to life for the next generation.”

Warner Leisure Hotels has added a new set of singing sensations to its 2016 Star Break Line up. Operatic star Paul Potts, Welsh singing brothers Richard and Adam, Collabro and X Factor winner Sam Bailey will join Star Break favourites to entertain guests across the Warner Leisure Hotels property portfolio.

Treetop attraction opens Spinnaker Tower unveils next to Lightwater Valley results of redevelopment

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A TREETOP attraction boasting the longest aerial net walkway and highest trampoline in the world is now open in North Yorkshire.

Treetop Nets now boasts a spot right next to Lightwater Valley Theme Park in Ripon and offers visitors the chance to run, bounce, tumble and slide on 2000m2 of giant trampolines, walkways and slides all contained within handmade 4m high rope nets and suspended between trees up to 50ft off the ground.

It is also home to a gigantic aerial ball pool, a tree house and a 50-foot high crow’s nest.

Suitable for everyone aged

three and up, Treetop Nets is the brainchild of one of the world’s best sailors and rope experts, inventor Cedric Chauvaud.

He came up with the concept after designing a series of rope bridges and nets for researchers in the Amazon rainforest, gaining them safe access to the high canopy, without causing any damage.

Treetop Nets has one other site at Brockhole in Windermere, the Lake District, which was named Best Tourism Experience in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence last year, along with its sister attraction Treetop Trek.

THE Emirates Spinnaker Tower has unveiled its brand new entrance experience, the result of a six-figure investment from managing operators Continuum Attractions, which includes a redeveloped admissions area and the introduction of an animated pre-show.

The entrance’s design now matches the modern, sleek design of the iconic tower with curved waveshaped walls to reflect the waterfront location and improve visitor flow for the hundreds of thousands of guests the tower welcomes annually.

The four minute pre-show film, Sail of the Solent, provides visitors with an immersive overview of the history of the tower and Portsmouth,

with cameos from key figures for which the city is famed, such as Arthur Conan Doyle, King Henry VIII and Lord Nelson, all presented in animated form.

The transformation is the brainchild of Form of Intelligence, a London based design consultancy.

General manager at Emirates Spinnaker Tower, Sarah Webb, said: “Our redevelopment project allows the tower experience to start on the ground floor and creates a real anticipation before guests reach the incredible birds-eye views available from the top.

“I am delighted with the results and am sure it will prove a hit with our visitors too.”

DESTINATIONNEWS

Two new contemporary artworks go on display

Tower of London wins prestigious accolade THE Tower of London has won an Award of Excellence based on customer feedback.

The award was given by Irish coach tour operator, CIE Tours International, which recognises the quality of the UK’s hotels and visitor attractions by awarding an Excellence Award to those who have received a greater that 90% customer satisfaction rating.

For the past four years, The Tower of London has earned an Excellence Award, which this year was based on the feedback of 12,000 visitors CIE brought to the UK last year.

CIE launched its UK awards four years ago, replicating its long running awards in Ireland.

Since then, the numbers of venues and attractions achieving a higher than 90 per cent satisfaction rating in the UK has grown from 32 to 59.

The award ceremony was held at Edinburgh Castle.

Elizabeth Crabill, managing director of CIE Tours International, said: “We anticipate that demand for our UK tours will grow considerably this year, demonstrating the significance and growing appeal of Britain’s heritage

to visitors.”

“Our Awards are well recognised and hugely respected in Ireland, and it is gratifying to see that the same has happened so quickly in the UK. “The increase in the number of awards reflects how providers have embraced our quality focus and that overall quality levels are increasing, which is great for our customers and the overall industry.

“Our visitors from North America are accustomed to very high levels of service in hospitality and to achieve an above 90 per cent rating from them is very meaningful.

CIE Tours brought 12,000 visitors to the UK in 2015, accounting for 100,000 bed nights.

The company is working with 200 tourism partners across the country.

“I am thrilled that the Tower of London has won an Award of Excellence based on customer feedback, added Lesley Terrell, sales executive, Historic Royal Palaces.

“The Tower will continue to develop its customer satisfaction and add value for operators in 2016 and beyond, we thank you for your continued support.”

THIS summer visitors can view two striking contemporary artworks in the magnificent setting of medieval Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the Houses of Parliament.

‘New Dawn’ is a six-metre high light sculpture by artist Mary Branson.

An addition to the Parliamentary Art Collection, it is the first piece of abstract art commissioned for permanent display in the Palace of Westminster.

Revealed 150 years to the day since the campaign for women’s votes began, this artwork in Westminster Hall celebrates all the individuals involved. ‘New Dawn’ is located above the entrance to St Stephen’s Hall, the site of many suffrage demonstrations as well as the route used for women coming to deliver petitions and lobby MPs. The large scale of ‘New Dawn’ is intended to reflect the size of the suffrage campaign, and the unique hand-blown glass scrolls that make up its dawning sun reflect the many individuals who were involved in the movement and the special contribution they made to modern democracy.

Visitors viewing ‘New Dawn’ will literally stand in the footsteps of the

hundreds of thousands of women and men who came to Parliament to fight for women’s right to the vote.

Commissioned and produced by Artangel, ‘The Ethics of Dust’ was created by artist, architect and conservationist Jorge Otero-Pailos.

The artwork is a 50-metre long translucent latex cast of Westminster Hall’s east wall and contains hundreds of years of surface pollution and dust.

Suspended from the hall’s 28-metre high hammerbeam roof, the latex sheet contains innumerable particles of dust, soot and dirt gently lifted from the wall during the sensitive cleaning process.

Artangel and Jorge Otero-Pailos have worked in parallel with Parliament’s restoration and stone cleaning project over a period of five years, culminating in Otero-Pailos retrieving the latex used to clean Westminster Hall to create ‘The Ethics of Dust’.

Visitors are encouraged to walk along both sides of the installation and examine the fascinating layers of Parliament’s history embedded in the latex cast.

Call 020 7219 4114 or visit www. parliament.uk/visiting.

Manager’s office opens Show to commemorate two key anniversaries to stadium tour visitors WORLD Travel Market London 2016 will commemorate two key responsible tourism anniversaries; 20 years of responsible tourism and 10 years of World Responsible Tourism Days.

The South African Government’s 1996 white paper; The Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa is widely heralded as the start of responsible tourism.

The white paper looked at how the post-apartheid South Africa can benefit from tourism and proposes responsible tourism as the key guiding principle to build the sector.

The paper puts responsible and sustainable tourism at the centre of its overall strategy, making sure both the country’s natural resources are protected and not over exploited or over commercialised while also making sure all its citizens benefit from an increase in tourists.

It also puts an emphasis on 10 tourists to respect the environment

and culture of the country.

Furthermore in 2007 WTM London rebranded its Environmental Awareness Day to World Responsible Tourism Day, broadening the agenda of the day’s programme.

WRTD, which will take place this year on Tuesday November 8, is now the largest day of responsible tourism action in the world. Nearly 2,000 delegates attend the responsible tourism programme at WTM London, organised by Manchester University Responsible Tourism Professor Harold Goodwin.

This year’s programme will explore how well the travel industry has embraced responsible tourism, celebrate best practice and ask if responsible tourism has come of age after 20 years, while also attempting to predict what the industry will look like in 2036.

WTM will be a three-day event from November 7-9, with opening hours extended from 10am to 7pm.

ARSENAL manager Arsène Wenger’s office is being opened up to visitors for the first time on the Emirates Stadium tour.

Fans will be able to get a glimpse of the boss’s inner sanctum where he discusses matches and meets the great names of football past and present.

Emirates Stadium visitors will be able to watch a video with the manager talking about his matchday routine and see what he keeps in his office, including his infamous PUMA benchcoat.

The opening of the manager’s stadium office comes ahead of the summer and is a timely addition to the tour route as essential pitch reconstruction work begins to get it ready for next season.

The tour already gives supporters access to areas normally reserved for players and officials, including the home and away changing rooms, players’ tunnel and more.

Arsenal’s head of marketing, Charles Allen, said: “Arsène

Wenger’s office has never before been opened to our fans and this, combined with everything else supporters can see, will provide an amazing behind-the-scenes experience for all lovers of football.”

The self-guided stadium tour is available in nine languages: English, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin and Japanese.

Tours run from 9.30am to 6pm Monday to Saturday (last entry 5pm) and 10am to 4pm Sunday (last entry 3pm).

Self-guided tour passes are priced £10 for under-16s and £20 for adults including access to the Arsenal Museum.

Family entry for two adults and two under 16s is £50.

Legend Tours guided by former Arsenal stars including Charlie George, Perry Groves and Nigel Winterburn are £20 for under 16s and £40 adults.

Visit www.arsenal.com/tours for further information.

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory enjoys FINAL GOLDEN SUMMER in West End

Charlie must end January 7 2017 – Book your Golden Tickets now with Superbreak ANYONE who is hoping to enjoy a chocolate filled trip to the West End to see the award-winning production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory should book now to avoid disappointment.

The show, which opened on the June 25, 2013, is now in its fourth and final golden year at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and Short break specialist SuperBreak has a range of packages available that combine overnight accommodation with tickets to the show.

Based on the original 1964 book, the Charlie and The Chocolate Factory musical follows the story of a

young boy, Charlie Bucket, who wins the chance to explore the infamous Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

See his journey through despair, ecstasy, sadness and elation, all performed on a spectacular musical scale with huge stage numbers and stunning costume design.

Directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of the West End’s most popular and successful stage musicals and has broken house records at Theatre Royal Drury Lane where it has been seen by over two million people since it opened in June 2013.

It currently sits alongside Miss Saigon and 42nd Street in the top three longest-running productions of the last 50 years at the historic venue, one of London’s largest theatres.

Looking ahead, a UK tour is planned for next year and a Broadway production will open in New York in 2017.

SuperBreak’s packages start from £109pp.

For more information on SuperBreak 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 Prince Edward Theatre, on the site of the one-time home of one Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and now the home of Disney’s Aladdin The Musical, to interview Trevor Dion Nicholas, who plays the irrepressible Genie in this hugely entertaining and ravishingly beautiful show.

Trevor had taken his wife to see the Broadway production on his birthday, and a couple of weeks later he was auditioning for the show – which just goes to show that even Genie’s can have their wishes come true!

From Genies to Geniuses, and London’s very own Musical Theatre Genius-In-Residence, Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose musical version of 12 the hit movie School of Rock went

David Thomas on sale this week.

This marks Andrew’s first collaboration with Downton Abbey writer, Julian Fellowes, who also

wrote the book for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, which is currently bewitching audiences of all ages around the UK (and which ran in London’s West End for more than three years at… The Prince Edward Theatre).

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats had its latest (but not last) West End production at the world famous London Palladium (which has just gone on sale with Cinderella, its first Pantomime in 40 years) and Cats star Beverley Knight, the West End’s favourite Soul Diva, is returning to the London stage in July for a strictly limited run of The Bodyguard at the Dominion Theatre.

Meanwhile, at the New London Theatre (the original home of Cats ) the phenomenal new production of

Show Boat, the first of the modern musicals, must end on August 27.

And if the play’s your thing, the team behind the hilarious The Play That Goes Wrong have just opened the riotously funny A Comedy About A Bank Robbery at The Criterion Theatre (coincidentally the original 1980 home of Tom Foolery, an equally funny comedy collaboration between Cats Producer and Choreographer Cameron Mackintosh and Gillian Lynne).

The house next door to the Prince Edward Theatre was the site of the very first demonstration of the world’s very first television.

No disrespect to its inventor, John Logie Baird, but with all these great shows to see, the only thing you need to put on the TV is the goldfish bowl!

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The Mousetrap

Photo credit: Liza Maria Dawson

The Mousetrap to begin first UK tour in Glasgow AGATHA Christie’s murder mystery The Mousetrap will begin the final leg of its record-breaking, and first ever, UK tour at Glasgow Theatre Royal on September 12.

The tour will then visit Swindon, Cardiff, Wakefield, Perth, Ayr, Edinburgh, Guildford, Birmingham, Tunbridge Wells, Isle of Wight, Derry, Oxford, Carlisle and Aberystwyth.

The production has been the world’s longest running stage production at its London home since breaking the record in 1958 and recently celebrated its

26,000th performance.

The 60th Anniversary UK tour has now played over 1,100 performances up and down the country and been seen by over 1m people, having broken box office records in many of its tour venues.

The Autumn 2016 tour will star Anna Andresen (Mollie Ralston), Nick Barclay (Giles Ralston), Tony Boncza (Major Metcalf), Lewis Collier (Sgt Trotter), Gregory Cox (Mr Paravicini), Amy Downham (Miss Casewell),Oliver Gully (Christopher Wren) and Sarah Whitlock (Mrs Boyle).

Jason Donovan is to play legendary record producer Sam Phillips in the first UK tour of Million Dollar Quartet. The show contains more than 20 legendary rock ‘n’ roll hits, including Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, I Walk The Line and Great Balls of Fire and opens at Leicester Curve on September 14.

Disney’s new musical Aladdin has extended its booking period into 2017, with tickets now on sale for performances up to and including February 11. Dean John-Wilson plays the role of Aladdin alongside Jade Ewen as Jasmine in the new musical based on the classic Academy Award-winning animated film. Broadway cast member Trevor Dion Nicholas makes his London stage debut as Genie and is joined by Don Gallagher as Jafar, Peter Howe as Iago, Irvine Iqbal as the Sultan, Nathan Amzi as Babkak, Stephen Rahman-Hughes as Kassim and Rachid Sabitri as Omar.

Jade Ewen (Princess Jasmine) is pictured with Dean John-Wilson (Aladdin).

Photo credit: Helen Maybanks

Ian McKellen voices guide THE Society of London Theatre has partnered with VoiceMap to produce the Official London Theatre Audio Tour with Ian McKellen – a free audio guide to the West End. The tour begins and ends at TKTS in Leicester Square where free WiFi is available to download the app.

Throughout the tour, listeners will hear anecdotes and personal stories about the star’s time on stage and the history that has shaped London’s

world-famous theatre district.

Ian said: “I know myself when I’m in a strange city that wandering around with your nose in a guidebook isn’t the best way to appreciate what’s going on.

“The important thing when you’re walking around a city like London is to look up and down the alleyways and round the corner.

“With a guide in your ear all this is much easier.”

An American in Paris will burst into life on the West End stage for the first time when Christopher Wheeldon’s multi award-winning new Broadway musical comes to London’s Dominion Theatre next spring.

Inspired by the Oscar winning film and featuring the music and lyrics of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin with book by Craig Lucas, An American in Paris has preview performances from March 4, with the official opening night on March 21.

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DESTINATIONNEWS

Book now for early bird discounts at Excursions 2017 David wins industry award THE Association of Group Travel Organisers board director David Steele was named winner of the UK Coach Awards ‘Services to the Coach Industry’ award at a glittering event attended by over 200 people at the Mercure Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester.

The award recognised his campaigning work for coach tourism over a career dating back more than 40 years.

The ceremony was hosted by BBC Breakfast’s Carol Kirkwood and the awards were presented by Ian Luckett, chair of the CPT Coach Commission, the industry trade association.

David has been an integral part

of the AGTO (formerly GTOA) set-up since 1998 and became a director when a board was constituted in 2014. He is also on the committee of the Institute of Directors Central Branch that organises group visits and networking events for members.

A well-known face in tourism industry circles, David was previously sales and marketing director of City Cruises and prior to that, secretary of the Thames Passenger Boat Federation.

He said: “I am overwhelmed to have received this recognition that reflects the great co-operation and professionalism that exists between coach operators and group organisers.”

STANDS at Excursions™ 2017 are now available at a special early bird discounted price until June 30.

Delivering more than 40 years of inspiration to group travel organisers and itinerary planners, Excursions™ is notably the longest established national group travel trade show.

The ‘new look’ 2017 show will be revitalised with a fresh shell scheme, carpet layout and themed areas.

Demand for space is expected to be high at this dynamic, free entry exhibition, which will be held on Saturday, January 28 at Alexandra Palace, North London (10.30am to 4pm).

It will bring together some 300 exhibitors from the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe and more than 1,200 quality group buyers and inbound/outbound itinerary planners, all meeting under one roof.

Attractions, destinations, accommodation providers and tour operators will be showcasing their latest group offer providing fresh, inspirational ideas for day trips, short breaks and longer holidays in the UK and further afield.

New themed sections will be devoted to Christmas Markets and Food and Drink, while the geographical areas for which the exhibition is renowned, will be retained.

For the second year in succession, show organisers Tourism South East welcome Group Leisure magazine as the main media partner, while London & Partners will also be

continuing their support for the show.

Joining the sales team will be Adrian Gates representing the East and South West of England as well as Ireland and overseas countries, and Karen Roebuck who will be working with new exhibitors in other parts of the UK. Looking forward to Excursions™ 2017 show organiser and travel trade marketing manager at Tourism South East, Joanne Channon, said: “Following the success of our 2016 show, the Excursions™ team will be working hard behind the scenes once again to deliver a vibrant exhibition next year.

“We are also looking forward to developing an even stronger relationship with our show partners and welcoming everyone back in January.”

Early bird booking forms are now available online or from jchannon@ tourismse.com or by calling 023 8062 5472. Additional discounted rates are also offered to members of Tourism South East and London & Partners.

Online visitor registration will open from mid-September at the show’s website www.excursions2017.com You can follow Excursions™ 2017 on Twitter @Excursionsshow for news and updates or visit the show’s Facebook page at ‘Excursions: Group Travel Trade Exhibition’.

A video with highlights from the 2016 show can also be viewed on the website.

Swansea indoor market one of Britain’s finest Group Leisure and Travel Show expands for 2016 ORGANISERS of the GLTS have revealed that the show will take over even more space at the NEC Birmingham on October 20.

The coach area of the show will allow some of the leading operators to showcase their vehicles and is increasing to occupy an extra four coaches – taking the total number up to eight, so far.

Exhibitor bookings are also expected to be at a high for 2016, with show debuts being made by big names such as Thomas Cook, Hurtigruten and Disney.

These huge brands will join the likes of show favourites, including Warner Leisure Hotels, Travelsphere, See Tickets and BBC Tours.

“Every year we try to make the show bigger and better, either by 14 featuring more big name exhibitors

or by improving the fine details of the show, like the Seminar Theatre line-up,” said sales manager Sharon Yandell. “This year, visitors should actually be able to physically feel the difference, as we’ll be taking over more floor space.

“The presence of eight coaches should be quite a visual spectacle, too.”

The expansion of the show is timely, coinciding with the event’s 20th anniversary, which GTOs will be encouraged to celebrate on the day.

To pre-register for free entry to the show visit www.leisureshow.com/ register.

Stand space at the GLTS 2016 is selling fast. For advice on how to exhibit telephone Sharon Yandell on 01908 613323 or e-mail sharon.y@ yandellmedia.com

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 TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, Swansea Market is a fantastic shopping destination.

A city by the sea, Swansea is located off Junction 42 of the M4 and offers all the traditional city centre retail outlets you would expect, together with a host of bars and restaurants.

At the heart of the City Centre is Swansea Market, where shoppers are truly spoilt for choice.

Over 100 stalls sell everything from unique jewellery and gifts to its famous cockles and laverbread.

Together with hot Welsh cakes straight from the griddle, they provide a true taste of Wales.

With four entrances and stalls all on one level, under a vast dome roof, it’s easy to access and wander around. With its large dome roof, the building provides a welcoming, bright airy space for shoppers.

Coach groups can benefit from free parking and information packs including special ‘Daytripper

Discount’ cards and City Centre pocket maps to explore the area.

Coach drivers can also enjoy a free lunch and are welcome to use the Market’s rest room facilities.

For shoppers with mobility aid requirements, Swansea’s Mobility Hire is conveniently located next to the coach drop off point.

For more information call 01792 633090, email citycentremanagement@ swansea.gov.uk, or go to www. swanseaindoormarket.co.uk

DESTINATIONTOURISM SOCIETY

Surf Snowdonia.

© Crown copyright (2016) Visit Wales

Destinations – Dr Johnson, the Kiwi and the Dragon

By Peter Cole FTS Boswell: ‘But is not the Giant’s Causeway worth seeing’ Johnson: ‘Worth seeing, yes, but not worth going to see.’

James Boswell: Life of Samuel Johnson 1791 Dr Johnson may not have been a particularly enthusiastic traveller, and of course did not enjoy the benefit of the recent high quality investment in the presentation of Northern Ireland’s most spectacular natural feature, but he set the challenge for all those involved in managing destinations since his less than successful visit (and he wasn’t picking on Ireland – he was equally unimpressed by Scotland…).

If we are brutally honest the numbers of genuine ‘must see’ places are limited in number and while some endure (and as a consequence can become severely overloaded) others are subject to changing fads and fashions.

So how do other individual destinations, whose numbers grow exponentially year on year, make themselves ‘worth’ the journey, even for the most curmudgeonly of 21st

Bounce Below

Century Dr Johnsons.

Increasingly it is reputation which is driving the choice of both destination and activities undertaken in-destination – visitors trust reviews and opinions more than official ratings and indeed four in 10 will happily change those choices on the back of a bad review.

Of course some tourists, especially younger travellers, continue to ‘tick-off’ iconic attractions and ‘bucket-list’ experiences but time and again research tells us that whatever the prime motivation for a visit – culture and heritage, natural beauty, adventure activity, leisure – one of the things visitors value most about any location is simply how it measures up as a ‘nice place to be’ – its ‘liveability’ if you like.

Ironically the greater the commitment to, and successful implementation of, active destination management the less visible it becomes – from the perspective of both visitors and locals the place just ‘works’ eg buses meet trains, car and coach parking is plentiful and well signposted, wayfinding is clear and up-to-date, the environment is safe and well

© Crown copyright (2016) Visit Wales

Peter Cole FTS maintained, businesses and locals are friendly, helpful and informative, contact is easy and efficient, the hospitality and food offer meets the quality promised, the ‘story’ of the destination is well-told, consistent and engaging, there is genuine and unique ‘sense of place’ etc.

New Zealand is often cited as the destination where the marketing promise ‘talk’ is more than matched by the experience delivery ‘walk’, with industry and host communities across the country entirely buying in to the ‘100% Pure’ brand values and the fine words being backed up by targeted investment, quality initiatives and business support (all, crucially, on a long-term basis).

The same holistic approach to Destination Management has gained significant traction across the UK over the last decade – driven partly by sound principle but also by the over-riding need to pool resources and make every investment count – and hopefully you and your customers have started to notice a real difference.

At its simplest, I love the example of a resort authority in Wales which cured the issue of seagulls emptying

the bins all over the promenade in search of food at a stroke by rescheduling the recycling pickup from morning to evening – the same upfront cost has delivered huge benefits in terms of the visitor experience, community satisfaction and destination reputation.

Destination Management is facing a significant test however as reductions in traditional public finance demand new plural funding models with private and voluntary sectors increasingly stepping in to provide the core resources and leadership.

The most innovative destinations are seeing this as an opportunity rather than a threat.

Here in Wales, where I am based, the pieces of the destination jigsaw are slotting into place.

There are local destination plans covering the country and, more importantly, funding streams and partnerships of the willing making sure they are delivered.

Across the country you will find motivated groups of local, trained, Ambassadors.

The universally recognised dragon from our flag will be the most visible quality marque in a refreshed brand which is unapologetically Welsh and confident about the country’s place in the world.

To give internal focus and clearer messages to the market there are a series of ‘Years of…’ underway with Adventure in 2016, Legends in 2017 and the Sea in 2018 – all playing to aspects of product strength and guiding significant coordinated investment.

‘Adventure’ for example is clearly underpinned by projects such as Zip World, Surf Snowdonia, Bounce Below and Cognation Mountain Biking, resulting in worldwide and highly valued third party endorsement.

So, hopefully, even Dr Johnson would consider the journey worthwhile….

Q Peter Coles is a director at Cole & Shaw, Destination Consultancy and a Tourism Society board member.

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