Best Holiday Lettings

Category: Holidays

  • Robert Mercure appointed to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Tourism Commission

    The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry and Minister liable for the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), announced last February 22nd the appointment of Mr. Robert Mercure to the Canadian Tourism Commision (CTC) Board of Directors.

    Robert Mercure, brings over 30 years of hospitality experience, including his current position as General Manager, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. From 1999 to 2002, he was Director of Food and Beverage on the Fairmont Royal York. He then moved directly to become Hotel Manager on the Fairmont Monte Carlo and Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth. Mr. Mercure holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics/Accounting from the University of recent Hampshire and a diploma in Hotel Asset Management from Cornell University.

    «i’m extremely pleased to affix the Board of Directors of the CTC,» commented Robert Mercure. «It’s a thrilling challenge in order to contribute to the strategic decisions of the CTC in such a crucial time for our industry.»

    Amongst the responsibilities of his role, Mercure will sit on various advisory committees to help in defining the strategic direction of the CTC. The CTC is Canada’s national tourism marketing organization. A federal Crown corporation of the govt of Canada, it leads the Canadian tourism industry in marketing Canada as a premier four-season tourism destination.

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  • Sainsbury’s Bank reports record sales in travel money orders

    Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Money saw online orders for foreign exchange almost triple last Sunday.

    The supermarket bank, that is committed to competitive rates and regular supplementary deals, reports that last week it received a 182% increase in online orders for travel money in comparison to a standard Sunday. Moreover, the transaction value was 33% higher than average.

    Sainsbury’s Bank believes the rise, which has continued both in store and online this week, could partly, be as a result of holidaymakers seeking to secure current rates amongst concerns that the pound could fall further against the worth of the euro and dollar. The bank is encouraging anyone purchasing currency during periods of heightened volatility to make sure that they’re shopping around to secure the most effective deal.

    Simon Taylor, from Sainsbury’s Travel Money, commented: “We saw an actual increase fashionable for foreign exchange on the weekend and into this week which we believe may partly be as a result volatility of Sterling and reports around economic uncertainty and the hot change to the UK’s credit standing. It’s impossible to assert when things will improve, so we’re committed to providing great rates for the Sainsbury’s shopper and at the moment in store, if a customer finds a much better rate advertised at a ‘walk-up’ bureau within 5-miles of a Sainsbury’s Bank bureau, we’ll offer to overcome it. 

    Sainsbury’s Travel Money provides customers with the choice of ordering foreign currencies online, over the telephone or in-store at some of the bank’s 126 bureaux at selected Sainsbury’s stores around the UK. Customers even have the benefit of ordering currency online or over the telephone and collecting it in-store or having it delivered on to their home

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  • The F1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix now lower than a month away

    The Sepang International Circuit, 50km from Malaysia’s Capital of Kuala Lumpur is once more preparing to welcome over 100,000 spectators for The F1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix from 22 – 24 March 2013.  The race is now in its 15th Anniversary and promises to be probably the most biggest sporting activities in South East Asia in 2013.

    Sepang’s circuit isn’t just used for the Petronas grand prix, but has events all year round from the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, to the Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race. For people that want to emulate their heroes, Sepang International Circuit also offers track days for both cars and motorcycles.

    Whilst in Malaysia enjoying the grand prix, visitors are encouraged to use the Malaysia Grand Prix Sale that runs nationwide from 08 March to fourteen April 2013 with bargains on offer around the country.  Kuala Lumpur alone is home to 23 world class shopping malls, all fully equipped with the most recent designer stores and has recently become an obligation free shopping destination. a visit to the enduring Petronas Towers, the tallest twin structure building on earth at 452 metres, is a must-see in Kuala Lumpur and the Skybridge at the 41st floor provides breathtaking panoramic views of the town. Malaysia’s capital can be renowned for its diverse range of food from around the globe and the celebration of a colourful mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures.

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  • VisitBritain India Mission lands in Delhi

    Representatives from the likes of Wimbledon, Westfield UK and Historic Royal Palaces are in India this week, encouraged by the emergence of the rustic as a first-rate player when it comes to visits to friends and household across Britain.

    They are there as portion of VisitBritain India Mission 2013.

    The national tourism agency is hosting its annual trade extravaganza in Mumbai and New Delhi, and is derived after Prime Minster David Cameron’s visit to the rustic.

    The Mission provides UK suppliers with the chance to fulfill over 200 agents from across India, promoting British holiday destinations, tour packages and attractions from around the UK, highlighting the price-for-money deals, family attractions and unique experiences available to Indian visitors inside the lead as much as their popular summer break. 

    Latest figures for India suggest that 2012 witnessed a record numbers of ‘visits to friends and relatives’ in addition to general ‘holiday’ trips.

    With the primary three quarters of 2012 showing a 10 and 6 per cent rise respectively. Britain has always been a first-rate beneficiary of outbound travel from this market with worthwhile performing quarter being April-June 2012 (the most important holiday season for Indians) where 145,000 visits happened.

    This represents a 10 year high, with expectations that 2013 will continue this growth.

    In 2011, 355,000 Indian residents visited Britain spending £318 million, almost 100 per cent more visits than in 2000, with a considerable collection of bookings made through trade.

    By 2020 Britain’s ambition is to draw a different 150,000 visits and this growth will deliver an ambitious 40 per cent increase, equating to 500,000 trips.

    Keith Beecham, overseas network director, VisitBritain said: “The acclaim for visits to relatives and members of the family played a big part in tailoring the content for our 2013 India mission.

    “We may also help foster relations with key trade who may help us achieve our ambitious targets for visitors from the region.

    “We’re putting family friendly British businesses in front of decision makers, generating growth from a high spending region.

    “Our research also means that potential visitors desire to see greater than just London and the Indian Trade mission will look to coach the industry, ensuring they know all there’s to grasp about Britain.”

    British High Commissioner, James Bevan KCMG said, “The links between the British and Indian tourist industries, so enthusiastically promoted by VisitBritain, make an important contribution to the special partnership between the united kingdom and India that high Minister Cameron described on his recent visit.

    “For many folks, tourism is front door to every other’s countryside, culture and character. 

    “The UK offers a feast of opportunity for Indian travellers, be it as a family holiday, as a weekend stopover after a work trip, or a surprise getaway with all of the luxuries of the high life. 

    “Our friends from India will enjoy a warm welcome, a gamble to work out things both familiar and unexpected, or simple indulgence in creature comforts in a house faraway from home.”

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  • Overseas visitors spend £4.5 billion a year in Britain’s shops

    With this year’s London Fashion Week yet again receiving international acclaim, research released today by VisitBritain shows that Britain can also be among the world’s most sought-after destinations with regards to international shoppers.

    Findings by the national tourism agency estimate that 18 million foreign visitors spent a till busting £4.5 billion in Britain’s shops(1), meaning 25 per cent of all expenditure by overseas visitors is at the UK’s high streets and within the country’s impressive range of shops.

    The VisitBritain survey reveals that almost all of the shopping spend was on clothes, with an estimated £2.3 billion generated by fashion-conscious foreign tourists. Many visitors also bought souvenirs, gifts and household goods, accounting for around £1.6 billion.

    Further analysis of the research found that a ‘shopping’ tourist spends more – a median of £680 per trip – than an ‘ordinary’ overseas tourist who typically spends £580.

    The survey also shows London’s world-class shops, stores and markets are an important attraction for foreign visitors. Around 81 per cent of holiday visitors to London went shopping. The regional benefits also are clear, with between two thirds and 3 quarters of holiday visitors shopping around the UK.

    Of the 18 million visitors, the French are our most prolific shoppers with over two million trips, followed closely by 1.63 million Germans, 1.63 million Americans, 1.3 million Irish and 1.1 million Spanish. The Dutch, Australians, Italians, Belgians and Swedes complete the highest ten. Of those, it’s the Australians who’ve the very best propensity to head shopping (over three quarters of all Australian visitors).(2)

    Looking further on the findings, the emerging BRIC markets also rank highly relating to propensity to buy, with Brazilians (73%), Russians (68%) and Chinese (65%) all having a far better than average appetite for shopping. Indians are about average, with 58 per cent inclined to head shopping.

    Breaking down shopping visitors by spend tells a good more interesting story, with tourists from the Gulf States (£442 per head), Nigeria (£432) and China (£405) leading the best way. Russians were just out of the head three, spending £362 on average. Brazilians came lower down the table at just £273 a trip – a somewhat surprising finding when contemplating their high propensity to buy.(3)

    It may come as no surprise however that almost 70 per cent of female visitors made sure they included a place of retail therapy during a visit to the united kingdom. Male shopping figures were also quite high at 50 per cent.

    VisitBritain also looked into how recent holiday visitors rated Britain for expense and worth for money. Results revealed that shopping in Britain was rated above France and kind of like Italy when it comes to value.(4) Those from long haul markets were especially positive in regards to the value for money of shopping in London in comparison to Paris.

    Additional analysis of respondents from 19 countries found ‘Shopping in Harrods’ was chosen as a top activity by almost one in five respondents (19%) when asked to choose their top three ‘only in Britain’ dream holiday activities. This was a more popular choice than visiting Harry Potter locations and taking within the theatre.

    Sandie Dawe, Chief Executive at VisitBritain said: “Shopping in Britain is seen around the globe as a good and inviting experience, and one of many things VisitBritain promotes to encourage visitors. It’s not only purchasing designer goods at Harrods, or rubbing shoulders with the wealthy and famous on Chelsea’s King’s Road that lures visitors to the united kingdom – a big number also make the trip to find bargains, whether it’s finding the smartest deals on designer goods at Bicester Village and the McArthurGlen Stores, or hitting the high street in Edinburgh or Manchester.

    “Our shopping experience is world class, with advantageous, desirable British brands enticing international visitors always of the year and providing real value for money against our competitors.”

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