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  • Discover more about Royal Greenwich during English Tourism Week

    After a year which showcased its riches to a worldwide audience, the Royal Borough of Greenwich is encouraging visitors to ‘Discover More’ in 2013.

    And what better time to return and explore the exciting activities than during English Tourism week from 16 – 24 March.

    From the splendour of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site in Greenwich Town Centre, to the lovely riverfront and memorable architecture of the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich; from the magnificent Eltham Palace to Greenwich Peninsula, one in every of London’s most enjoyable new destinations and residential to the world’s most successful entertainment venue, The O2 Arena. This list barely scratches the skin of a location which boasts probably the most impressive collections of attractions within the UK – the majority of that are totally free to go to. ‘Discover More’ also has a chain of exclusive special offers for visitors available at the Royal Borough of Greenwich website (see notes to editors).

    Some of the highlights in the course of the week include:

    Enjoy free lunchtime recitals from the Royal Academy of Music and Guildhall School of Music until the tip of March in a single of London’s finest Jacobean mansions – Charlton House.

    Visitors and native residents may have the chance to explore the hidden gems of Eltham with the yearly ‘Be an area Tourist Day’, hung on Sunday 24 March 2013. From historical adventures at Eltham Palace to free guided tours, it’s to not be missed – whether you’re seeking to discover more in regards to the local area or simply in search of a fun day trip.

    Gaze on the beautiful etchings and drawings using early 20th century watercolours, by Gertrude Ashworth and Daniel Warry, depicting Eltham in all its splendour at ‘This Eltham of Ours’ exhibition, Greenwich Heritage Centre open until mid-May.

    Explore the vital role of girls serving within the British Army during World War II and in today’s Afghanistan at a thrilling new exhibition at Firepower, until mid-April on the Royal Artillery Museum.

    Learn concerning the creator of the fantastic interior of the Painted Hall, Sir James Thornhill, the 1st English artist to receive a knighthood. Hear about his influences, his techniques and his rivals and just why it took 19 years to finish his masterpiece. Saturday 16 March on the Old Royal Naval College.

    Experience a spectacular journey around the Universe on the Peter Harrison Planetarium – London’s only planetarium, with new weekend shows in the course of the day – now better and brighter than ever.

    2013 marks the bicentenary of the publication of Jane Austen’s celebrated Pride and Prejudice. To mark this occasion the National Maritime Museum are hosting a chain of lectures discussing Austen and her links with the Navy. Join them for a desirable in-depth examine Georgian Britain and its dependence on seafaring from March 7.

    Whilst on the Old Royal Naval College, don’t forget to take a look across the historic site which was used because the set for a massive range of movies, including the new box office hit Les Misérables.

    Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Councillor Chris Roberts said:

    “Royal Greenwich is recognised as a great spot of culture, its rich mixture of arts and entertainment helping to draw millions of tourists from everywhere in the UK and worldwide each year. From the once a year Royal Greenwich festival to breath-taking attractions just like the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, the Jacobean wonderful thing about Charlton House to the fantastic Eltham Palace, our museums in Woolwich and the breath-taking architecture of the Royal Artillery Barracks. With quite a bit to do within the borough you will need greater than an afternoon to explore what’s on offer.”

  • Air Seychelles and Seychelles Tourism Board ink deal

    Air Seychelles and the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) geared toward increasing Seychelles’ visibility all over the world by leveraging the airline’s expanding international network and growing collection of airline partners.

    The agreement was signed by Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive Officer, and Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt, STB’s Chief Executive Officer, at a ceremony held on the Ministry of Tourism and Culture on the National Library building, within the presence of Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St. Ange; Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, Joel Morgan; and Principal Secretary for Tourism, Sherin Naiken.

    Under the recent agreement, both parties will jointly explore how you can interact to advertise Seychelles around the globe, providing more opportunities for visiting journalists, travel agents, and tour operators.

    Mrs. Grandcourt said: “I am grateful we’ve been ready to sign this MOU today which reaffirms our engagement with the national carrier in promoting the Seychelles destination. We’ve already been working very closely together, and that i believe with this signing today, we will only take a look at more positive things one day.”

    Cramer Ball said the airline’s expanding international schedule and partnership strategy could be a key enabler of boosting tourism and contributing to the growing diversification of tourists arriving to Seychelles.

    “This is a thrilling time for Air Seychelles. We’ve had an immense year. We took delivery of our first Airbus A330-200 last year, and next week we’re going to welcome our second. We’re trying to expand our network to over 750 destinations weekly to and from Seychelles. We see great opportunities in markets like Hong Kong, Greater China, Europe, South East Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa. All year long we can be expanding our airline partnerships and expanding our links to those destinations.”

    “The signing of this MOU, our partnership with STB, is key to the way forward for how we recommend Seychelles around the globe. This new bond is a huge section of the way forward for Air Seychelles, and we’re delighted.”

    Minister St. Ange added: “The Ministry of Tourism and STB have always been committed to the national airline, and formalizing this agreement today ties our two organizations together and provides us an exceptional way forward to interact. We’re enthusiastic of the support being offered by the Air Seychelles within the marketing of the destination, which remains the core role of the STB. We shall work hand in hand with the hot Air Seychelles and its partners, similar to airberlin, and people to come back, who’re opening up new avenues and opportunities for Seychelles, because the world continues to diversify.”

    Minister Morgan said: “Today marks a vital moment for Seychelles. This agreement not just reflects the goodwill and motivation of the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Tourism and STB to interact however it presents the chance for a brand new synergy in going forward in relation to our planning between tourism and transport sectors for the continuing development of Seychelles as a tourism destination. i need to claim thanks to everyone at who worked so hard to make this event happened today. Air Seychelles today has taken on a completely new dimension. We’ve access to an enormous variety of destinations through our partnership with Etihad Airways, but additionally in our own right as an airline, and we are going to seek more partnerships in Africa, South East Asia, Europe, and Eastern Europe.”

    Minister Morgan added that this new agreement will guarantee the ongoing development of this industry that’s so vital for the economy of Seychelles and its people.

    “The relationship that exists between Air Seychelles, STB, and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Ministry of Home Affairs and Transport has now attained a brand new and better level of collaboration, and henceforth we are going to see an enhanced product for the selling of Seychelles,” Minister Morgan said.

  • IHIF: Johannesburg Tourism arrives in Berlin

    Joburg Tourism is at it again. So as to promote tourism investment opportunities within the city, MMC Ruby Mathang is leading a delegation to Berlin where the town of Gold would be participating within the 16th International Hotel Investment Forum.

    “As the city’s leadership, we recognise that tourism is a vital economic growth imperative and a fantastic catalyst for building a colourful city.

    “We also appreciate our role to create an enabling and supportive environment wherein the non-public sector can thrive and feel confident to speculate within the tourism sector and create new and plenty-needed jobs,” explained Mathang. 

    “The City of Johannesburg’s leadership is therefore committed to offering a favourable climate for investors, creating opportunities and offering incentives as a way to make this city an engaging destination for them.”

    Following on from the International Hotel Investment Forum, the Joburg Tourism team will then be participating inside the annual ITB, one of the most world’s leading travel trade shows, to be able to be happening in Berlin from March 7th-9th. 

    Joburg Tourism’s participation in international trade shows forms portion of its way to maintain and increase Johannesburg’s market share in both the business and leisure travel arenas. 

    “As ITB is likely one of the largest global platforms for the leisure travel market, we can once more be presenting Joburg’s position as a colourful, cosmopolitan all year round destination for business, leisure and lifestyle, using the chance to launch our Autumn Campaign, entitled “Explore Experience Enjoy Joburg q4,” added Phelisa Mangcu, acting chief executive, Johannesburg Tourism.

  • Sydney becomes more appealing destination for business events

    New South Wales has had one in every of its most successful business events years ever, hosting 91 events worth almost $220 million to the State’s economy, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, announced today.

    “I am particularly buoyed to work out that regional areas of NSW also are major beneficiaries of industrial events last year and i’m encouraged by Business Events Sydney (BESydney) reporting that NSW’s regions were enjoying increased opportunities for hosting national and international business delegates.

    Business Events Sydney is a not-for-profit, independent proprietary company.

    “The NSW Government is committed to expanding some great benefits of business events to the regions by enacting a recommendation of the Visitor Economy Taskforce so one can see the advance this year of an integrated Regional Conferencing Strategy led by Destination NSW and Business Events Sydney.

    “Destinations equivalent to the Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains and Wollongong have traditionally been key markets for incentive and reward trips, however the growing sophistication of regional facilities and the cultivation of specalised knowledge hubs are making these destinations increasingly more appealing to the conference and association market.

    “Whether it’s rural health in Newcastle, organic horticulture at Bathurst or fisheries at Port Stephens, association clients embrace the chance to take visiting delegates to the coal face to have interaction and collaborate at regional research centres and data hubs and undertake technical tours of those specialty areas,” Mr Souris said.

    Mr Souris mentioned that last year saw 60,237 delegates come to Sydney for a complete of 244,453 delegate days, many visiting regional areas and spending time there…and this year is asking much more promising.

    “2013 has only just begun, but already BESydney has secured a robust line-up of events for the town, drawing thousands of tourists which are keen to experience one of many world’s most unforgettable destinations first hand.

    “So far, 64 events will attract greater than 50,000 business visitors to NSW with an estimated economic impact of $167.1 million to the State.   

    “Among the secured events for 2013 is the LG Group’s annual incentive program, for you to be held in Sydney for the third time. 930 selected LG staff from Korea will travel to Sydney in waves of fifty – 70 delegates at a time to enjoy a fun-filled itinerary, including visits to the Blue Mountains, sand boarding in Port Stephens and, obviously, tours of Sydney’s famous landmarks.

    “Wollongong and the Illawarra have also reaped the advantages of the Government’s efforts, along with BE Sydney and Destination NSW. Wollongong played host to the 15th International Conference on Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies (AMPT) for 300 delegates in September 2012 and may host 400 delegates for the IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics in July 2013.

    “The intellectual capital of the award-winning University of Wollongong has helped to draw a various array of leading business events and that momentum is determined to continue.

    “The Hunter Valley is another destination to learn with the ideal China Leadership Seminar bringing greater than 3,000 delegates to the region in July adding millions of bucks to the local economy.

    “Many of the regions of NSW have their very own unique products, expert suppliers and natural assets to provide the business events market. BESydney and Destination NSW will develop strategies to counterpoint and enhance the opportunities for regional business, institutes and universities to tap into the business event market. The long run for business events in Sydney and NSW is bright,” Mr Souris said.

    Mr Souris congratulated BE Sydney for its success in helping to continue to draw a record number business events to NSW.

    Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of BESydney, said last year’s success can be attributed to BESydney’s expert team and long-term client relationships.

    “Critical to this success is the dynamic business environment and innovative researchers based in our State,” she said.

  • 100 top Australian travel agents to get taste of Abu Dhabi

    One hundred of Australia’s top travel agents are due in Abu Dhabi next month on a mega familiarisation trip hosted by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) together with carriers Virgin Australia and Etihad Airways.

    The 100 hail from retail travel agencies Australia-wide who’re all top sellers of The Travel Corporation’s iconic travel brands, including Trafalgar Tours, Contiki Holidays, Insight Vacations and artistic Holidays, in addition to Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia.

    Due inside the emirate for a 3-day destination fact-finding trip from March 7, the gang will stay at a variety of Abu Dhabi’s finest hotels, including the five-star, beachfront Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort,Le MéridienHotel Abu Dhabi, Hilton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi. While within the emirate they’ll have a city tour, visit the UAE capital’s stunning Corniche, its magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – just named among the many world’s most mentioned attractions by TripAdvisor – the Mina Zayed date and fish markets, Heritage Village, Falcon Hospital and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest indoor theme park with the world’s fastest roller-coaster. They’ll also head out into Abu Dhabi’s vast desert for a Sundowner Safari and dinner and be treated to a farewell dinner on the iconic Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, the sole hotel on this planet straddling an F1 race track.

    “Our aim is to more closely hook up with these important influencers, convince them of our product in order to assist us in converting more Australian travellers into actual bookings for Abu Dhabi,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director Promotions & Overseas Offices, TCA Abu Dhabi.
    “We see strong potential within Australiawith our destination now benefitting from 31 flights every week from the rustic linking Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Abu Dhabi International. The possible is both as a stopover for those travelling to Europe and beyond and increasingly as a stand-alone destination. Currently Australian guests in Abu Dhabi hotels average a stay of just over three nights – we need them to understand there’s now so much more to work out and do within the emirate so as to expand this length of stay.”

    Last year some 36,659 Australians stayed in Abu Dhabi’s hotels and hotel apartments – a five percent rise on 2011. They accounted for 118,289 room nights.
    Etihad Airways currently operates 28 flights per week from Australia, with departures from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with Virgin Australia operating three flights every week from Sydney.