Thursday 30 August 2012

Jumeirah Carlton Tower invites guests to channel their inner Agent in true British style

Jumeirah Carlton Tower is inviting guests to celebrate the latest installment in the famous secret service series throughout October and November, with its espionage inspired packages.

The 'Shaken' package is the ultimate secret agent themed experience. Designed to give spy aficionados a glimpse into the life of Britain's most infamous secret agent, the package includes one night's accommodation in Jumeirah Carlton Tower's opulent Royal Suite and return airport transfers in an Aston Martin. On arrival, guests will be greeted by their very own bartender who will fix them the hotel's signature martini, shaken or stirred of course.

In the evening, guests are invited to indulge in a three-course dinner in the iconic Rib Room Bar & Restaurant. The menu, featuring an array of modern British dishes redefined for the 21st century by head chef Ian Rudge, is accompanied by a bottle of wine to share and followed by a martini nightcap in the hotel's glamorous GILT Cocktail Lounge.

During their stay, guests will also be treated to a 60-minute relaxing massage per person in The Peak Health Club & Spa. On waking up to breathtaking views of Knightsbridge from The Royal Suite, guests will start their day with a traditional Full English breakfast for two in The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant, and the option of late check-out (subject to availability).

The 'Stirred' package invites guests to stay at Jumeirah Carlton Tower in a room of their choice, over a hundred of which have been recently refurbished to a new level of luxury. Guests will be treated to a welcome martini on arrival in true secret agent style at GILT Cocktail Lounge. During their stay, guests will also enjoy unlimited access to The Peak Health Club & Spa and Full English breakfast in The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant.

The essence of Knightsbridge, Jumeirah Carlton Tower is the perfect setting for guests to experience quintessentially British tastes in the heart of London.

To book either package, visit www.jumeirahcarltontower.com or call +44 (0)20 7235 1234

Jumeirah's global brand ambassador Rory McIlroy wows youth golfers in NYC

Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts and its global brand ambassador, Rory McIlroy, joined forces to support a local community initiative in New York. Fresh from his second Major victory, Rory got back to basics with a junior golf clinic at the City Parks Foundation's Junior Golf Center in Brooklyn.

The day was organised by City Parks, a New York City organisation, and Rory's principal sponsor, global luxury hospitality company Jumeirah Group.

During the clinic, 50 junior golfers from the City Parks golf centre, aged 10 to 17, got the opportunity of a lifetime to receive coaching from the current world number one golfer. Rory led the day with a demonstration of his practice routine and answered questions from participants. The young golfers then rotated through driving, putting and chipping stations while receiving tips and techniques for improving their game.

"I spent my day with Jumeirah in one of my favorite cities, New York," said Rory McIlroy at the end of the clinic. "It was great to see so many kids enjoy the game of golf and for me to be able to help them in some way."

Jumeirah Group has sponsored Rory McIlroy from the very first year he turned professional in 2007. Spotting his prodigious talent early on, Jumeirah invested in the young golfer's career and has followed it with great passion ever since. After winning the PGA Championship in the US with a record eight strokes, Rory recently reclaimed the top spot as world’s number one golfer.

"Did you mean that?" Britain's holiday howlers

Does the ferry sail straight to Disneyland Paris? How much does the free shuttle bus cost? Apparently, asking a holiday howler is becoming an increasingly common affair amongst Brits arranging their holidays, as the excitement about escaping abroad truly sets in.

According to the UK’s leading European escorted tour operator Leger Holidays, the closer you get to your getaway the more likely you are to trip yourself up with a question you later laugh about. The company also believes that ‘booking brain’ may also lead to lost luggage, a packing faux pas and relationship hiccups in the build up to your break.

Speaking about the holiday howler trend, Leger Holidays’ Marketing Director Huw Williams said:

“It’s only natural that our minds start to wonder as the prospect of a holiday draws closer. Having spent all year battling the daily grind, we need to be able to drop the pace for our holidays and this is when even the most focussed of minds will begin to wander off to an exotic beach or cosmopolitan cityscape.

“A few minor mishaps and a holiday howler can be expected on every break and for some they make the most interesting memories, providing a bit of light-hearted relief and humour to share. However, to stop things turning sour, the trick is to start your preparation early so that you can truly enjoy the build-up without any major complications. Or, for an even easier experience, hand all the organising over to an escorted tour provider like Leger and let someone else take care of all the details for you.”

According to research, here are a few of the travel industry’s top booking bloopers. Recognise any?

Transport traumas
· In relation to self-drive holiday - Booking agent: “What car are you taking?” – Holidaymaker: “John's”
· Holidaymaker: “How much does the free shuttle bus cost?”
· Holidaymaker: “Can you explain what self-drive means?”
· In relation to a journey back from the continent – Holidaymaker: “When you say we would gain an hour on the way back, is that because the wind is behind us on the ferry?”

Geography gems:
· Holidaymaker: “Does the ferry sail straight to Disneyland Paris?”
· Holidaymaker: “Is Dover in the UK?”
· Holidaymaker: “At Disneyland Paris, can I have a room with a sea view?”
· Holidaymaker: “What language do they speak in France?”

Come again?
· Booking Agent: “How is your party made up?” – Holidaymaker: “They're ecstatic!”
· Holidaymaker: “Are the Disney hotels ok for kids?”
· Holidaymaker: “I need to change my mum's name to what’s on her passport. Her date of birth is still the same though.”

For further information about Leger Holidays visit www.legerbreaks.info or call 0844 504 6250.

Tuesday 28 August 2012

British Airways launches worldwide sale

British Airways has launched a 'Go after the Games Sale' offering savings of up to 27 per cent off flights and holidays. The sale follows the airlines recent 'Home Advantage' campaign encouraging Brits to stay in the UK during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to support Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

The sale, which is now on, includes over 90 worldwide destinations and is based on travel dates from September 10, 2012 to July 12, 2013.

Great value deals include holidays in Orlando and holidays in New York with flights and accommodation.

In the Caribbean, the best deals include seven nights in Tobago and all-inclusive holidays in Cancun with return flights from Gatwick and four-star, all-inclusive accommodation.

Fly-drives are also included in the sale with seven night deals to Boston with return flights and inclusive Avis car rental great for discovering the New England region.

Closer to home, two night city breaks include holidays in Amsterdam, Dublin, Edinburgh, Jersey, Nice, Pisa, Rome or Venice with return flights and accommodation.

The best flights savings are to be found in North America with savings of up to 27 per cent on return flights from Heathrow to Montreal and Toronto and Dallas and flights from Manchester to New York. In South America savings of up to 35 per cent can be found on flights to Rio de Janeiro and 22 per cent on flights to Buenos Aires.

In the Far East, Bangkok flights include a saving of up to 22 per cent and up to 15 per cent on flights to Shanghai. For guaranteed sunshine head to the Middle East, where British Airways is offering savings of up to 21 per cent off flights to Dubai and 20 per cent off flights to Beirut.

For further information customers can visit www.ba.com/sale.

Monday 27 August 2012

Beaten to August holiday dates by your colleagues? Don’t despair!

With August being one of the most fiercely fought after holiday times in offices, some workers are forced to sacrifice their vacation plans as other employees pip them to the post. Many want to make the most of the ‘free’ days holiday and with the bank holiday weekend fast approaching, leading car hire comparison site carhiremarket.com, is expecting to witness a flurry of last minute deals as people look to book their short getaways.

However, work calendars cannot be lucky for everyone and three days can seem like a very short amount of time to play with if you can’t extend it any further. As a result, holidaymakers are anxious to discover a destination that will allow them to take full advantage of their mini-break.

Andrew Shorrock, Marketing Manager at carhiremarket.com says: “August is always the peak reservation period, and despite all the excitement this year, 2012 is no different. However, holidaymakers should realise 3 days can be a perfect amount of time to get away from the stress and strain of work life.”

Common destinations for Brits include the typical beach breaks such as Dorset, Cornwall or the Lake District. However for those looking for something a bit quirkier, carhiremarket.com has complied a list of top 5 locations accessible enough to help those with only a short while to play with:

1) Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland

This diverse location has a breadth of exciting activities and iconic landmarks to visit across a 3 day visit – with the additional benefit of being only a 4 hour train journey from London.

By hiring a car upon arrival you can make the most of the spectacular golf courses and romantic castles on offer. With the magnificent Scottish wilderness of the Galloway Forest Park, enjoying the great outdoors can help blow away any stresses with canoeing, hiking, white water drafting or mountain biking all readily available.

2) Black Forest, Germany

Not just a delicious cake, this must-see location is considered one of the most beautiful cities in southern Germany!

Easily accessible from Frankfurt airport, any traveller can jump in a car after a short direct flight from London and begin to enjoy the fairytale villages, thermal baths, casinos and pine-filled mountains. With an abundance of popular activities for the adventurous, including skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, boating and ice-skating there really is something for everyone.

You can even take your car down to the town of Baden Baden and visit the Roman Irish baths, in which you can enjoy an invigorating 16 step bathing sequence to regenerate your mind and body! The changing temperatures and varying baths, with their precious thermal waters, guarantee a feeling of complete relaxation on your short break away.

3) St Lawrence, Jersey

Head over to the stunning Channel Island of Jersey - famous for having more sunshine hours than any other corner of the British Isles.

Step back in time and learn about the German occupation in the Second World War at the Jersey War Tunnels in the spooky setting of a hospital bunker, before heading over to the 13th century Mont Orgueil above the eastern harbor of Gorey, and the simple yet evocative 19th century communal washing areas, such as the Lavoir de La Rue des Prés near Five Oaks junction.

Car hire from carhiremarket.com across the bank holiday would set you back as little as £64 for the whole weekend, and will provide a quick and convenient way to discover all of the historical monuments Jersey has to offer.

4) Corsica, South of France

Well known to many UK holidaymakers the South of France really does boast some outstanding backdrops for a perfect for a short getaway. Corsica offers great driving roads through lavender fields and vineyards leading to ancient hilltop villages, and the rugged surroundings of the several national parks in the area will satisfy anyone looking for relaxtion close to home!

For something a bit different, grab your car and head down across the spectacular coastal road along the French Riviera. Here you can peer down at the blue azure water of Southern France, a perfect chance to take some stunning photographs and show off to those back home.

5) Saltzburg, Austria

Famous as the birthplace and home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the legendary music composer who was born and raised in Salzberg in the early 1700’s, the city is only a short flight direct from Stansted airport.

Austria also boasts spectacular scenery and brilliant roads for any keen driver and their families to enjoy. After a day trip you can head back into the city centre to do a whistle stop culture tour of the locations made famous by “The Sound of Music”. By hiring a car you can save money on expensive coach tours and give yourself the freedom to see the statue of Pegasus, Leopoldskron Palace, Hellbrunn Palace glass pavilion, Nonnberg Abbey and Lake Fuschl at your own leisure.

For more information on the best value car hire visit www.carhiremarket.com

Tuesday 21 August 2012

British Airways doubles winter 2012 frequency between Dublin and Heathrow

British Airways has announced it will double the number of flights between Dublin and London Heathrow on its service this winter.

Following the acquisition of bmi by International Airlines Group (IAG), British Airways now operates this important air link after taking over the route at the end of June.

The changes will take place when the airline introduces its winter 2012 schedule and launches a new timetable which sees the number of daily services increase from four to eight return flights, enabling it to offer thousands more seats a week between both cities.

The new schedule, effective from October 28, will also include the introduction of a new early morning departure time of 6.25am benefiting both business and leisure customers.

Commenting on the announcement, Simon Daly, British Airways' Sales Manager Ireland, said: "I am delighted to see the British Airways colours back in Dublin after an absence of 20 years. We appreciate the importance of air links to London and are pleased to announce that less than two months after taking over this route, we are now able to respond to customer demand and increase capacity.

"Our improved schedule also sees us adding a new early morning departure time from Dublin which will mean that passengers will be able to extend their working day should they need to.

"In addition, it offers both business and leisure passengers greater choice in terms of connections to our extensive global network at London Heathrow bringing destinations on the world map closer to Ireland, benefitting Irish businesses, tourism and Ireland as a whole."

Dublin Airport Authority's Director of Strategy Vincent Harrison welcomed British Airways decision to double frequency on its Heathrow service, saying it underscored the importance of the Dublin-London route.

"We have worked closely with British Airways since the bmi takeover and are delighted that the airline has decided to significantly increase its services on the Dublin-London Heathrow route. This is excellent news for business and leisure travellers, as British Airways doubling of its existing Heathrow service will offer additional choice and flexibility for passengers. Dublin-London is Europe’s busiest international city pair with 3.7 million passengers travelling by air between the two capitals last year."

The route will be operated by a 150-seater A319 aircraft offering the choice of both Club Europe and Club Traveller cabins and passengers can enjoy a full onboard experience with complimentary food and drinks.

British Airways offers city breaks in Dublin and a variety of hotels to suit all budgets, right in the thick of the action.

British Airways offers all-inclusive fares which include a generous 23kg baggage allowance, free online check-in and seat selection 24 hours prior to departure.

Flights to Dublin are now available to book on ba.com.

Sunday 19 August 2012

Olympics ‘Marry Mound’ Inspires the Proposal, Planet Holidays inspires the wedding destination

weddings in Greece and beyond
weddings in Greece and beyond
With the recent flurry of ‘Olympic inspired’ engagements taking place at what has been dubbed ‘Marry Mound’ by Bride’s Magazine aka Park Live, operated by British Airways in the Olympic Park, specialist wedding operator, Planet Holidays & Weddings (www.planetweddings.co.uk) offers up some exciting overseas destinations for couples looking to tie the knot.

Planet Holidays offers overseas weddings in Lapland and Italy for the first time this year, as well as in Cyprus, the Greek Islands, Malta & Gozo, Antigua, Portugal and Croatia, with some of the most stylish, as well as unique venues for couples to have their own gold plated ceremony.

Venue options range from an ‘ice chapel’ or ‘under the midnight sun’ in Lapland, overlooking Lake Garda in a Tuscan castle or a spectacular count’s villa in Italy to luxury yachts, cliff tops, historic buildings and lake and beach locations to name just a few. Planet Holidays can also organise same-sex civil ceremonies at a number of locations in The Algarve.

If couples want to continue the Olympic theme they could opt for a wedding in Greece. Planet Holidays offers civil weddings on 10 Greek Islands including Santorini, one of the most romantic, Rhodes and Crete, two of the most popular islands and Thassos and Amorgos, two of the lesser known islands.

The lead in price for an overseas wedding starts from £500 per couple which includes the venue hire, legal paperwork and marriage certificates.

Planet Holidays can also organise all the little extras a couples may want to include in their special day such as flowers, button holes, photography, DVD, car hire and wedding cake; the whole range of ‘finishing touches’ that can be added to their wedding day, plus ideas for the ‘hen and stag’ do. The operator can also look after all the travel arrangements for the couple and their guests.

Planet Holidays are now taking bookings in all destinations through to 2014.

For personal advice on weddings and prices contact Planet Holidays’ wedding assistants on 0871 871 0405 or visit www.planetweddings.co.uk

Wednesday 15 August 2012

Famous family home now open


Plas Dinam
A descendant of famous Victorian railway and mining entrepreneur David Davies has launched a new business welcoming guests to the family’s magnificent country house for their UK holidays.

Home to five generations of the famous Davies family for 128 years, Plas Dinam in Mid Wales, is enjoying a new lease of life as an exciting luxury venue for weddings, holidays, corporate events and special occasions.

Overlooking the scenic upper Severn Valley on the edge of the award-winning village of Llandinam, near Llanidloes, the Grade II listed house has 14 bedrooms and six bathrooms on two floors.

The house is a perfect base for a huge variety of things to do in the area, ranging from shooting, hunting and fishing to mountain biking, sailing, kite surfing, golf and walking.

The property has 37 rooms, including a grand dining hall that seats up to 40 people, a drawing room with a grand piano, comfortable sitting room, cinema room, library, billiards room, table tennis room, large kitchen, sunroom, drinks room, cloakroom and bootroom.

Surrounded by 12 acres of beautiful gardens, lawns and woodland, Plas Dinam has a tennis court, outside lawn games, including croquet, giant jenga and Connect 4, stabling for up to five horses and kennels for well behaved dogs, which are welcomed.

Romans in Residence in Caerleon

Romans in Caerleon
Nearly 2000 years ago a mighty fortress stood at Caerleon, guarding the land for the Roman Empire. Home to more than 5,000 soldiers, outside its walls many local people worked hard to earn a living.

This August there’s an opportunity to relive the Roman experience for free at the National Roman Legion Museum as the Romans are in Residence from 1 to 27 August, 11am - 4pm Monday - Saturday, 2 - 4pm Sunday, making a great family day out.

Come and meet the Romans in Caerleon. Train with the soldiers, watch Roman crafts or if you’re hungry visit our ‘Popina’ for a taste of some Roman fast food. Who knows what characters you will meet at the Museum? It may be a trader, a doctor or a soldier; talk to them about their lives and try some Roman activities.

Meet some of these people and find out more about their lives. The Roman gardens comes alive with all sorts of colourful characters. You might find Amazonia, the gladiator, who can train you to fight – but watch out! She’s got a nasty temper!

Or maybe have a chat with Dorothea the basket maker as she makes things to sell in the market, or Victoria the jewellery maker. You can’t miss Marcus the friendly gardener, who used to be a gladiator, so the story goes. If you’re feeling ill, visit Victoria the doctor and she’ll use the herbs that grow around her to cure you.

Flavia and Olivia can be found chatting to the soldiers or serving drinks in the “Jolly Boar”. Here you can also gamble with the soldiers, but watch out for the Centurions, because it’s illegal! The army is recruiting, so why not join? Haggle with the market stall holders or watch the craftsmen. Visit Lady Helena in her villa, recline on her triclinium and join a real Roman feast.

Victoria Le Poidevin from the museum said, “Step back in time at the National Roman Legion Museum this summer where we’ll bringing history to life over the summer holidays. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet the Romans in Residence, before they vanish once more into the mists of time.”

Etihad Airways extends Melbourne Etihad Stadium deal to 2019

Etihad Airways has signed a new multi-million dollar agreement to extend to 2019 its naming and marketing rights for Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium, the city's premier sports and entertainment venue.

The five-year extension was announced in Melbourne by James Hogan, President and Chief Executive of Etihad Airways, and Ian Collins AM, Chief Executive of the Melbourne Stadiums Limited, the company that operates Etihad Stadium.

Mr Hogan said: "Placing the Etihad name on this world class sports and entertainment stadium, as well as activating our marketing and hospitality rights, has provided Etihad Airways with a solid platform to build our brand across the state of Victoria and the whole of Australia.

"The partnership with Melbourne Stadiums Limited gives Etihad Airways unparalleled exposure in Australia, one of the most important routes in our network, and we are delighted to extend the naming agreement for Etihad Stadium until 2019."

Etihad Airways became the stadium's naming rights sponsor on March 1, 2009, the same month it commenced non-stop flights to Melbourne (www.etihadairways.com/sites/Etihad/global/en/home/Pag...) from Abu Dhabi. By 2019, the Abu Dhabi-based airline will have sponsored the stadium continuously for 10 years.

Mr Hogan added: "More than 250 arena events have taken place at Etihad Stadium during the past three years highlighting the vital role it plays in the local community, and we look forward to strengthening those ties further in the years to come."

Mr Collins said: "Renewing the agreement is in many ways more exciting than when it was first signed in 2009 as it demonstrates how successful the partnership has been for Melbourne Stadiums Limited and Etihad Airways.

"During this time, the stadium and Etihad Airways have enhanced their reputations for delivering first class services to an international audience. Visitors from across the world now regularly fly to Melbourne, with Etihad Airways, to attend an event at the stadium during their trip."

More than 150 AFL premiership season matches have taken place at the stadium since 2009, as well as 39 soccer matches, which included internationals against Serbia, the English Premier League's Fulham and David Beckham's LA Galaxy.

The stadium has hosted three cricket matches, seven rugby league games and three rugby union matches including the Bledisloe Cup between Australia and New Zealand in July 2010.

On the entertainment front, Etihad Stadium has hosted 11 concerts by some of the world's biggest acts including AC/DC, U2, Bon Jovi, George Michael and Eminem.

In addition, Etihad Stadium annually hosts a range of philanthropic events including the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal and the EJ Whitten Legends game.

Etihad and Melbourne Stadiums Limited regularly produce innovative sales promotions and campaigns for corporate members and visitors to Etihad Stadium. In May 2011, the stadium's 25 millionth visitor was presented with the trip-of-a-lifetime to Europe with Etihad Airways. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com
  

Aer Lingus welcomes Team Ireland home

Aer Lingus, proud sponsors of Ireland's Olympic Team, has welcomed Team Ireland on board its special homecoming flight.

Flight number EI 159, an airbus A321, carrying 200 passengers, including Team Ireland, departed London Heathrow at 12.05 and arrived in Dublin at 1.25pm. As a memento of the official homecoming flight, each passenger received a gift of a retro sports bag, designed in the vintage Aer Lingus 'Irish Airlines' colours.

The aircraft was met by Dublin Airport fire service and escorted to its parking stand at T2. The Athletes including medal winners Katie Taylor, John Joe Nevin, Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlon and Cian O’Connor were greeted by their families and friends at Dublin Airport.

Following a photo call at the steps of the aircraft, a press reception was held in the terminal building. Among the attendees who welcomed Team Ireland back were Mayor of Fingal Cian O’Callaghan, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring TD, Lord Mayor of Dublin Naoise O’Muiri, Northern Ireland Minister for Culture, Arts & Leisure CarĂ¡l Ni ChuilĂ­n MLA, acting British Ambassador Andrew Staunton, Olympic Council of Ireland President Pat Hickey and Chef de Mission Sonia O’Sullivan, amongst other dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Christoph Mueller said: "We are incredibly proud to welcome the Irish Olympic Team on board the special Aer Lingus homecoming flight. On behalf of all the staff at Aer Lingus, I would like to take this opportunity to offer our congratulations to Team Ireland on their success in the London Olympic Games."

The Olympic Council of Ireland President, Pat Hickey said, "It's been a marvellous Olympic Games for Team Ireland and we return home knowing that the Irish public fully appreciated the efforts of our athletes at the greatest sporting event on earth. We thank everyone for their support and good wishes."

Tuesday 14 August 2012

Turn those holiday photos into prizes…

If you’ve taken some great photos while on holiday, or perhaps really captured the spirit of London as it celebrated the Olympics, why not enter them into one of the world’s most prestigious photography competitions?

Entries for the international Travel Photographer of the Year awards close on September 17th, so you’ve got just a few weeks to submit your images.

Open to amateur and professional photographers from all over the world, Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) now attracts entries from over 90 countries, and features categories for all ages and levels of photographers (even beginners). And there are some fantastic rewards…

The top prize for TPOTY 2012 is the Cutty Sark Award for the Overall Winner, who will receive £2,500 in cash together with an expenses-paid international photography commission with a £2,500 commission fee. In addition, they’ll get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to work with Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky's master blender, blending and bottling their own unique whisky.

Individual category prizes include trips to Kenya with Explore, and to Morocco’s Essaouira Music Festival with Tribes Travel, the very latest Fujifilm cameras and Adobe software, plus leather portfolio cases from Plastic Sandwich. There’s also a paid commission to shoot for CondĂ© Nast Traveller magazine, in a special category to celebrate the magazine’s 15th anniversary in the UK.

The winning images from last year’s TPOTY awards are currently on show at London’s Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) until September 2nd. The Society is just along the road from the Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Science Museum and Royal Albert Hall, and the exhibition is free, and it’s open every day, so why not pop along for some inspiration?

The 2012 TPOTY awards feature three portfolio categories – 'People Watching', 'Wild Planet' and 'Journeys' - the CondĂ© Nast Traveller category 'Celebration', a New Talent award, Young TPOTY (for photographers aged 18 and under), an HD video category 'Travel Shorts', and a single image category 'Water'. If you’re nervous about putting your images up against professional photographers and serious amateurs, you could give the First Shot category 'Big City' a go. This is just for beginners, and you can even submit images taken on a mobile phone.

Winning images are also exhibited each year at the Royal Geographical Society and published in the Travel Photographer of the Year 'Journey' books – all fantastic exposure for the winners.

Images can be submitted as prints or uploaded online, and entries close September 17th. Entry fees start at £10 and Young TPOTY is free to enter. Full details of how to enter can be found at www.tpoty.com.

Sunday 12 August 2012

Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express expand in Europe

Region welcomes the opening of 16 Holiday Inn brand family properties

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) continues the growth of its Holiday Inn brand family (Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express) throughout Europe, with the region welcoming 2,337 new rooms from one of the world’s most recognised hotel brands, now in its 60th year.

In the first half of 2012, IHG opened 16 Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels across Europe, and signed 10.

Holiday Inn hotels were opened in United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and Poland. IHG also signed Holiday Inn hotels in United Kingdom, Algeria and Azerbaijan.

Holiday Inn Express hotels were opened in United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Turkey, Portugal. IHG also signed Holiday Inn Express hotels in United Kingdom, Turkey and the Netherlands.

IHG’s Chief Development Officer Europe, Robert Shepherd said the growth of the Holiday Inn brand family demonstrated the strength of the brand for both owners and guests.

“Holiday Inn Express is one of the fastest growing midscale hotel brands, and these openings and signings are a testament to the strength and winning formula the brand offers owners. Holiday Inn Express is a great hotel choice for guests on the go. It offers guests exactly what they need - a great night’s sleep in a quality hotel and a free breakfast. Every year 100 million people stay at Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express hotels around the world - guests know they can expect a consistent, refreshed experience at an affordable price in any of our hotels.”

Robert Shepherd said both Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express would lead IHG’s growth in Europe.

“Expanding in Europe is one of our priorities and there’s plenty of room to grow. There’s strong demand among owners and investors for a solid conversion product like Holiday Inn Express as opportunities for new builds in Europe are rare. And among consumers there’s demand for a consistently good midscale offering.”

IHG is focusing on building a presence in main centres throughout the region. Two Holiday Inn hotels were opened in London – Holiday Inn London Stratford City and Holiday Inn London Gatwick-Worth - and another two were signed – Holiday Inn London Wembley and Holiday Inn Express London-Excel. IHG also opened a new build Holiday Inn in Berlin, and the brand pipeline expanded in Paris, Istanbul, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Kiev and Algiers.

Three of the hotels – Holiday Inn Kiev, Holiday Inn Algiers and Holiday Inn Express Istanbul – are under management contracts with IHG. The remaining hotels will operate under franchise agreements.

As at 30 June, there are 494 Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties throughout Europe, with 53 in the pipeline. Globally, there are 3,389 Holiday Inn and Holiday Express hotels, with 698 in the global pipeline.

IHG’s Europe pipeline expanded by 2,900 rooms in the first half of 2012

17 hotels (2,964 rooms) were added to IHG’s overall European pipeline since the start of 2012. The hotels will operate across the IHG family of brands, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Staybridge Suites, as well as Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. The new hotels will open in the UK, Russia, Turkey, the Netherlands, Spain, Israel, Algeria and Azerbaijan.

Thursday 9 August 2012

Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express expand in Europe

Region welcomes the opening of 16 Holiday Inn brand family properties

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) continues the growth of its Holiday Inn brand family (Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express) throughout Europe, with the region welcoming 2,337 new rooms from one of the world’s most recognised hotel brands, now in its 60th year.

In the first half of 2012, IHG opened 16 Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels across Europe, and signed 10.

Holiday Inn hotels were opened in United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and Poland. IHG also signed Holiday Inn hotels in United Kingdom, Algeria and Azerbaijan.

Holiday Inn Express hotels were opened in United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Turkey, Portugal. IHG also signed Holiday Inn Express hotels in United Kingdom, Turkey and the Netherlands.

IHG’s Chief Development Officer Europe, Robert Shepherd said the growth of the Holiday Inn brand family demonstrated the strength of the brand for both owners and guests.

“Holiday Inn Express is one of the fastest growing midscale hotel brands, and these openings and signings are a testament to the strength and winning formula the brand offers owners. Holiday Inn Express is a great hotel choice for guests on the go. It offers guests exactly what they need - a great night’s sleep in a quality hotel and a free breakfast. Every year 100 million people stay at Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express hotels around the world - guests know they can expect a consistent, refreshed experience at an affordable price in any of our hotels.”

Robert Shepherd said both Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express would lead IHG’s growth in Europe.

“Expanding in Europe is one of our priorities and there’s plenty of room to grow. There’s strong demand among owners and investors for a solid conversion product like Holiday Inn Express as opportunities for new builds in Europe are rare. And among consumers there’s demand for a consistently good midscale offering.”

IHG is focusing on building a presence in main centres throughout the region. Two Holiday Inn hotels were opened in London – Holiday Inn London Stratford City and Holiday Inn London Gatwick-Worth - and another two were signed – Holiday Inn London Wembley and Holiday Inn Express London-Excel. IHG also opened a new build Holiday Inn in Berlin, and the brand pipeline expanded in Paris, Istanbul, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Kiev and Algiers.

Three of the hotels – Holiday Inn Kiev, Holiday Inn Algiers and Holiday Inn Express Istanbul – are under management contracts with IHG. The remaining hotels will operate under franchise agreements.

As at 30 June, there are 494 Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties throughout Europe, with 53 in the pipeline. Globally, there are 3,389 Holiday Inn and Holiday Express hotels, with 698 in the global pipeline.

IHG’s Europe pipeline expanded by 2,900 rooms in the first half of 2012

17 hotels (2,964 rooms) were added to IHG’s overall European pipeline since the start of 2012. The hotels will operate across the IHG family of brands, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Staybridge Suites, as well as Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. The new hotels will open in the UK, Russia, Turkey, the Netherlands, Spain, Israel, Algeria and Azerbaijan.

Wednesday 1 August 2012

New Beacon Climbing Centre attracts visitors to Wales

Climbing Wall
The Beacon Climbing Centre is now open for business at its new location in the former Barcud Studio on Caernarfon's Cibyn Estate. The popular indoor climbing wall known simply as 'The Beacon' has been an important part of the north Wales climbing scene since opening 18 years ago, and is a favourite with locals and those on a UK activity holiday alike.

The move from Ceunant's Marconi building to bigger premises, with room for 56 roped lines, has given the Beacon the chance to provide a greatly improved facility for both elite climbers and beginners. The main lead climbing wall, heavily featured with grooves and changes of angle, is 17 metres high at its tallest point and overhangs by seven metres on its steepest section. Opposite this is a gently overhanging 15 metre speed climbing wall. A further wall is available for top roping and introductory leading. All in all an ideal destination for getting active in Wales.

Currently only one of the three bouldering areas are open but within the next couple of months an impressive 11 metre long and five metre high bouldering 'routing roof' and free standing boulder will be completed.

Director Gill Lovick said: “We’ve waited a long time for this and it’s really exciting to finally realise our ambitions after months of hard work by the Beacon staff and our external contractors."

She added: "In addition to providing a top class tourist destination, the completion of the new Beacon centre has given the local community the kind of modern climbing wall it deserves and provides a much improved venue for us to continue and expand our associations with local schools and outdoor centres, military climbing events and the recently formed North Wales Youth Climbing Academy.”

Also part of the complex is the Caffi Barcud, open to people whether they are climbing or not, and features a balcony seating area overlooking the main lead climbing walls. Chef, Chris Neaum, who will be managing the cafe, said: “I’ve been fortunate to work for over 30 years in the hospitality industry including working in a Michelin star restaurant at Schloss Rhienhartshaussen near Wiesbaden, Germany and I’ll only accept the best. Most of my ingredients will be sourced locally with meat and cheeses by Owen Glyn Owen in Caernarfon and fruit and veg from Four Seasons on Anglesey. We will be providing freshly cooked food and service as it should be."