Best Holiday Lettings

Category: Holidays

  • Britain’s parks attract overseas visitors

    National tourism agency VisitBritain has released research which reveals that a staggering £7.8 billion was spent by tourists enjoying a garden within the UK, with a big chunk coming from younger visitors.

    A VisitBritain study identified that of the 31 million those that are likely to visit Britain annually, around a 3rd (11.1 million) enjoy a park or garden, with around 2.4 million aged between 25-34 against just 1.4 million aged between 55-64.

    There were 2.1 million visits from those aged 35-44 involving parks or gardens, while nearly three-quarters of one million were aged 65+. Overall those aged under-35 were particularly more likely to visit a park or garden, with 41% of visits doing so in comparison to 33% of visits from those aged over 35.

    The latest figures confirm that going to a park or garden is without doubt one of the most excellent activities for our overseas guests, accounting for 36% of all visitors, placing only behind eating out, going to pubs and shopping. It means visitors are surprisingly likely to spend time in a park or garden than a museum, castle, historic house or art gallery.

    Over half all ‘holiday’ visitors (54%) explore our green surrounds every year, a favorable indication that admiration is growing internationally for Britain’s attractive scenery and wonderfully crafted gardens. It remains an activity which visitors can enjoy whatever their age group, from Bodnant Gardens with spectacular views across Snowdonia to the intriguing Muncaster inside the Lake District or the realm famous world-famous historic gardens at Inverewe within the Scottish Highlands. London has also just celebrated 100 years of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and is home to 8 Royal Parks and the globally acknowledged UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kew Gardens.

    Unsurprisingly the most well liked time of year to go to gardens is the summer months, with July to September accounting for 4 million of the yearly tally. In contrast, just 1.6 million visited gardens within the first quarter of 2011.The rationale visitors come here plays a powerful role in determining what they do during their trip with tourists on ‘holiday’ making up the majority of visits (6.4 million) followed second by those here to work out their family and friends (3.2 million).

    The French, as our largest market, appear to prefer our parks and gardens over the other country with 1.25 million visits, spending £406 million inside the process. Visitors from America are second within the table with 1.23 million visits, but they spend nearly triple the volume of the French during their visits, at around £1.1 billion. Completing the highest three are the Germans, 1.15 million were enchanted by our array of natural beauty and likewise spent more within the UK than top placed France at £629 million.

    Looking at length of stay and propensity to go to a garden produces similarly interesting results. We discovered that almost all of visits are by those holidaying in Britain for between 1 and three nights, but that the longer the duration of stay, the greater the chance of a trip to a garden, with 56% of 15+ night stays including time in a garden or park.

    The Brazilians (61%), Russians (51%) and Chinese (45%) have among the highest propensity to go to our gardens than any market, which shows the growing and prominent interest from Britain’s increasingly important BRIC markets.

    Recent post-2012 Olympic Games NBI research seems to back up the claim that our parks and gardens are as popular as ever. In a study where Britain’s ‘Overall Nation Brand’ and ‘Welcome’ saw significant improvements, much was also said about tourists now desirous to see ‘more than simply London’. A staggering 75% of respondents the world over agreed that the Games coverage made them desire to venture out and make the effort to go to other parts of the rustic. In a separate question a big 70% of respondents claimed that once watching the Olympics, they agreed that Britain had ‘lovely countryside’.

    In an Ipsos MORI study for VisitBritain in 2013, work was done to evaluate the impact of Britain’s GREAT image campaign internationally. Findings indicated that the activity helps showcase the entire of england. Across all the survey cities, many respondents strongly agreed that the promotional work made them wish to visit places outside of London, and to enjoy our natural scenic beauty.

    Sandie Dawe, Chief Executive of VisitBritain said: “We’ve completed three big pieces of study which all indicate that our parks, gardens and natural beauty are a valuable tourism asset, admired internationally and enjoyed by our visitors.

    “It’s hugely encouraging to work out our gardens are as well liked by the more youthful generation as they’re with 55-plus age groups. Post-Games perceptions of england have shifted for the easier and time spent in any of our glorious parks is something to be cherished- especially when the sun is out.”

  • St. Eustatius Tourism joins International Coalition of Tourism Partners council

    The St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation (STDF) has recently joined the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP). ICTP is a grassroots travel and tourism coalition of world destinations, committed to quality service and green growth.

    The STDF has teamed up with ICTP experts and partners to assist educate people at the island about sustainable development and to improve Statia’s green growth and travelism initiatives.

    “Green Growth is a method for achieving sustainable development, and the STDF have been kick-starting growth for decades, with regards to sustainability and quality. The 1st sustainable conference brought plenty of awareness inside the area people,” said Maya Leon-Pandt. “We had been educating our area people concerning the importance of sustaining a more nature and efficient island.”

    ICTP President Professor Geoffrey Lipman said: “Statia is a small island with a huge green growth vision. This is the reason at ICTP we’re convinced that it may become the working example of successful green transformation. We won’t only support its Sustainable Conference in September and help bring distributed renewable energy solutions to the island, but we’re going to also strive to point out how one of these microcosm of four,000 inhabitants can become a frontrunner in green growth – attracting more visitors sustainably.”

    This year’s conference is geared towards water preservation, and ICTP could have a robust presence on the event. The coalition looks forward to a protracted-term fruitful collaboration with Statia.

  • Visitor spending increases in UK despite drop in numbers

    International figures for April 2013 have seen a majestic 13 per cent rise in visitor spend within the UK, despite a one per cent drop in visitor numbers.

    It comes as Britain attempts to keep up momentum from the picture boost of hosting the 2012 Games.

    The results mean that over the yr to April 2013 there was record spend (in nominal terms) of £19.19 billion.

    The 2.88 million visits for the month is a slight decrease from a robust 2012, although around the first four months of 2013 there were one per cent more visits than inside the same period in 2012.

    Of the overseas visitors who came here in April, there have been record levels from remainder of world markets – together with the likes of giant spending Australia, Brazil, China and the UAE.

    This implies that there has been an encouraging nine per cent change in April, and leaves these highly fashionable markets nine per cent higher in 2013 up to now.

    Visits from Europe around the first four months of 2013 are higher, with one per cent growth in visits from the main EU15 markets.

    Visits from non EU European markets have slowed slightly but remain at a record level over the one year to April 2013.

    North American visits saw a seven per cent drop in April, resulting in a four per cent drop for the year to this point.

    Looking at visitor profiles, Business visits in April show continued growth, up eight per cent from 2012.

    In the primary four months of 2013 Business and VFR visits were higher than the identical period in 2012, both showing the strongest begin to a year since 2008.

    Holiday visits within the first few months of the year are just below (down three per cent) the 2012 record.

    Sandie Dawe, VisitBritain chief executive, said: “While these latest figures indicate that we’re on the right track with our 2013 forecast, it’s clear that we’re fighting hard to extend visitor numbers against better resourced competition who recognise that inbound tourism can deliver economic growth and jobs in a hard climate.

    “The USA, still Britain’s most respected source of overseas visitors, continues to struggle. We simply haven’t got the resources currently to arrest that.

    “Like others within the public sector, we’re creating a strong case for extra funding throughout the Spending Review.

    “Our GREAT campaign is having a favorable impact, but we mustn’t ever be complacent.

    “We must continue to make further inroads in key inbound markets if we’re to extend visitor numbers to 40 million a year by 2020.

    “The world travel picture remains highly competitive and our GREAT activity is building good momentum on what it’s that makes Britain any such wonderful destination, especially at a time when other countries are dramatically raising their game and their funding.”

  • Middle earth top spot for tourists

    The famous ‘filmscapes’ of Middle-earth which feature in Sir Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey have played a number one role in boosting tourism to New Zealand, consistent with new figures.

    A 10 per cent increase in international visitors from January through to April compared with a similar period last year shows the impact The Hobbit is having on increased motivation and arrivals, says Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler.

    Survey results show 8.5 per cent of holiday makers cited The Hobbit as a reason behind their visit and 13 per cent took part in some sort of hobbit-themed tourism along with visiting a movie set.

    100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand
    Tourism New Zealand’s investment in marketing New Zealand’s association with The Hobbit Trilogy was paying off, said Bowler.
    “Information gathered from three separate research sources is basically beginning to present a favorable picture for the rustic because of The Hobbit Trilogy and our 100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand campaign.

    The results coincide with the discharge of the trailer for Film 2 – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – which features additional New Zealand landscapes and holds some surprises for fans, based on filmmakers. The movie will premiere in L. a. this coming December.

    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    When the primary instalment inside the trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey premiered in Wellington on 28 November last year, the eyes of the movie world were on New Zealand.

    Around 100,000 fans turned out to peer the film stars walk the red carpet and greater than 200 international media covered the highly-anticipated event. Film one earned a bit over $1 billion on the box office. The DVD of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which included a distinct feature of the solid on location in New Zealand during filming, sold nearly one million copies in the course of the first week on sale.

    Filming came about over 10 weeks in 40 locations throughout New Zealand for The Hobbit Trilogy and visitors can experience the truth of the locations through a great number of different experiences – from visiting the real film set of Hobbiton to canoeing down the river where the ‘dwarves in barrels’ scene was shot.

    Middle-earth monitoring
    Fan interest in Middle-earth have been monitored by Tourism New Zealand because the launch of the 100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand campaign in August 2012.

    Tourism New Zealand questioned ‘Active Considerers’ in seven key markets and 82 per cent of these who responded said the center-earth campaign increased their interest in New Zealand, and 73 per cent stated it improved their opinions of recent Zealand.

    As well because the 10% increase in overall visitors, holiday arrivals from the us, a key target audience for the center-earth campaign, were up 23 per cent at the same period last year, said Bowler.

    “This increase in holiday arrivals perfectly coincides with the discharge of the 1st Hobbit film and an important increase in our efforts to advertise New Zealand as a vacation destination off the back of it.”

    He said the target of Tourism New Zealand’s Middle-earth marketing was to present additional motivation and reason to transform potential travellers’ interest in New Zealand, into a real booking. “And it’s working!” says Bowler.

    Spectacular landscapes and scenery
    The most dominant reason to contemplate a trip to New Zealand remains “spectacular landscapes and scenery” which was referenced by 46.7 per cent of surveyed visitors. The Hobbit rates alongside ‘getting an awful lot on flights’ at 8.8 per cent, demonstrating the facility of the relationship between New Zealand and Middle Earth.

    13.2 per cent of international visitors over January to March took in a Hobbit experience while in New Zealand, including group tours specifically visiting film sites or visiting the Hobbiton movie set.

    Bowler says leveraging The Hobbit Trilogy continues to add heavily in Tourism New Zealand’s new three-year business plan with the continuing use of the 100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand campaign with significant events being planned for the international premieres of flicks two and 3.

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  • Brand USA announces new agent training platform

    Brand USA, the official tourism marketing organisation for the usa of America, today announced the launch of a brand new online agent training program for the united kingdom and Ireland. The us Discovery Program is a web learning tool to enable the travel industry within the UK and Ireland to sell this land like never before.

    Housed at www.USADiscoveryProgram.co.uk, agents can find straightforward information on regions and U.S. states and territories, in addition to experiences and holiday themes to produce an holistic overview of america as a destination and to enable cross-selling on all aspects of sales to the usa of America.

    Agents can take interactive quizzes to become USA Specialists, and receive award badges as a recognised qualification of experience. The united states Discovery Program aims to assist agents learn more in regards to the USA as a vacation destination, both by way of this vast and sundry country and it’s regions, states and territories, in addition to specialist holiday experiences, resembling winter sport, fly-drive and family holidays.

    The online learning environment allows agents complete flexibility during the course, learning of their own time, at their very own pace. There are five regional tests that should be completed before moving onto the specialist modules, that are more experience based. It’s miles when agents pass these quizzes that they become a USA Specialist, akin to a USA Fly-Drive Specialist or a USA Great Outdoors Specialist. This system has launched with three Specialist experience modules – Big City Buzz, the good Outdoors and Winter Sports; over the arrival months further modules, including Foods and drinks, Music/Heritage/Culture, Fly-Drive, Coastal Escapes and Family can be added.

    The social side of the innovative platform may also be of benefit to agents. The us Discovery Program’s social functionality integrates with Facebook and Twitter, in addition to being an internet forum where agents can become portion of a community, sharing knowledge, asking questions and interacting with their peers. Members may also be in a position to enjoy exclusive live events and webinars with partners direct from the united states. From video training sessions to live Q&As, there’ll always be something new to guarantee agents are kept up-to-the-minute with the newest from the us of America. Other perks of this system for agents include receiving invitations to wait exclusive events, roadshows and chances to take part in familiarisation trips to the us, which includes the logo USA Megafam.

    Through this system, Brand USA aims to elevate awareness of the united states to frontline staff and to focus on the variety of holiday experiences, ensuring America is top of mind when speaking with customers. Brand USA’s objective in-market is to rekindle the holidaymakers’ love affair with America – reclaiming the USA’s share of the market and positioning the rustic as a various destination with near limitless experiences still to be explored. By highlighting the rustic as a fresh and unexpected destination, with welcoming and friendly locals, Brand USA’s intention is to advertise the U.S. because the world’s leading tourism destination for UK and Irish visitors.

    “We are incredibly excited to be launching this innovative and interactive online training course. We are hoping america Discovery Program will provide agents with the data and talents had to sell america more effectively to their customers,” said Chris Thompson, President and CEO, Brand USA. “By making a platform that enables Brand USA to talk on to the agents we are hoping to provide them a voice to deliver feedback on what they might find useful in future modules. This ever-evolving and developing program has vast opportunities for both agents and U.S. partners to have interaction, and we glance forward to working with them to supply the support and tools they should sell this land, like never before.”

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