The solution to high summer prices being championed by the big players may not work – and could even reinforce the incorrect perception the travel industry is profiteering, says Travelzoo chief executive Richard Singer Staggering school breaks should “flatten the peak” by spreading out the natural spike in demand, says Tui Travel chief executive, Peter Long. Abta agrees, as do
The British Hospitality Association has expressed concern about the proposed strike action by London Underground and Heathrow Express staff as potentially damaging to hospitality and tourism businesses. The planned tube strikes are scheduled from 28-30th April and 5-8th May, with a 48 hour walkout on the Heathrow Express due to begin at 3am on 29th
A poll carried out for CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, showed that people in the UK are five times more likely to believe that wine is healthier to drink than beer. A survey of 1000 people showed that 67% thought wine drinking is most healthy, compared to only 13% for beer. Professor Charles Bamforth
Michelin starred cuisine served in a spectacular setting courtesy of Tom Kerridge at On 5 during Royal Ascot 2014 Ascot Racecourse is delighted to announce that Michelin Star Chef Tom Kerridge will headline its new, multi-million pound restaurant, On 5, during Royal Ascot 2014. On 5 is set to be unveiled next month
The solution to high summer prices being championed by the big players may not work – and could even reinforce the incorrect perception the travel industry is profiteering, says Travelzoo chief executive Richard Singer
Staggering school breaks should “flatten the peak” by spreading out the natural spike in demand, says Tui Travel chief executive, Peter Long. Abta agrees, as do 85% of its members according to a recent poll.
For some, this might signal the end of high summer holiday prices, but to me, it could be a PR disaster for the travel industry – particularly when the biggest players are championing a new “solution” that may well turn out to be a dead end for all concerned.
The British Hospitality Association has expressed concern about the proposed strike action by London Underground and Heathrow Express staff as potentially damaging to hospitality and tourism businesses.
The planned tube strikes are scheduled from 28-30th April and 5-8th May, with a 48 hour walkout on the Heathrow Express due to begin at 3am on 29th April.
A poll carried out for CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, showed that people in the UK are five times more likely to believe that wine is healthier to drink than beer. A survey of 1000 people showed that 67% thought wine drinking is most healthy, compared to only 13% for beer.
Professor Charles Bamforth of the University of California, Davis and author of Beer, Health and Nutrition1 said “The myth that wine is in some way healthier than other alcoholic drinks dates back many years to research carried out in France, a predominantly wine drinking country. This suggested that moderate wine drinkers were healthier than non-drinkers. The crucial point is that it was a comparison with non-drinkers. When similar studies 2 were carried out in the Czech Republic, a nation of beer drinkers, just the same protective effect was seen with beer. This study showed the lowest risk of heart attacks in men who drank “almost daily or daily” consuming between 7- 16 pints of beer a week.”
Michelin starred cuisine served in a spectacular setting courtesy of Tom Kerridge at On 5 during Royal Ascot 2014
Ascot Racecourse is delighted to announce that Michelin Star Chef Tom Kerridge will headline its new, multi-million pound restaurant, On 5, during Royal Ascot 2014. On 5 is set to be unveiled next month in its iconic Grandstand and will allow guests during the Royal Meeting to enjoy an unparalleled view across the racecourse alongside Kerridge’s modern take on British classics, with a sumptuous five course luncheon and afternoon tea.
Pubs up and down the UK will be swapping pints for piping bags as they take part in the Help for Heroes Colossal Cake Sale fortnight from 19 April – 5 May. Many have already registered to take part, with a blend of landlords, landladies, locals and their families all getting involved.
In total there are well over 500 cake sales already registered to take place across the UK, easily surpassing the total number of sales held last year. With the local pub providing a perfect venue for many cake sale organisers to hold these events at the heart of their communities, it is great to see so many lending their support, from The Plough Inn in Shropshire to The Bell in Ipswich, and from The Beacon in Whitley Bay to The Three Horseshoes in Birmingham.
Britain’s pub and restaurant groups saw collective like-for-like sales grow 4.6% in March against the same month last year, according to latest figures from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker. Total sales, including the impact of new openings, were up 7.1% on this time last year. The results mark 12 consecutive months of positive growth for the sector.
“Much of the increase can be put down to significantly better weather this March than last, when snow and freezing temperatures gripped the country, but that is only part of the story,” said Peter Martin of CGA Peach, the business insight consultancy that produces the Tracker, in partnership with Coffer Group, Baker Tilly and UBS.
The Only Way is Essex star and Sugar Hut boss Michael Norcross has acquired the Grand Hotel Leigh-on-Sea and has obtained planning permission to turn the property, closed since 2008, into a boutique hotel and restaurant. Bob Whittle, Director at Leisure Property Specialists Fleurets, handled the deal.
Bringing the quality West End hotel experience to Essex
Michael Norcross said: “I have long admired this iconic building and dreamed of rejuvenating it to reflect the original architecture. It has been my desire to bring the quality West End hotel experience to Essex and I see this building and its location as the perfect opportunity to achieve my dream.”
People may have to travel further to ensure the best spending power of the pound, according to an economic report.
As sterling hit its highest value in five years, the pound has risen in value by 30% against the Turkish lira since April last year.
Other destinations offering attractive rates on holiday costs and spending money over the past year include South Africa and Australia where £1 buys 26% more rand and 23% more Australian dollars.
The US and Canada are also relatively less expensive in sterling terms.
In response to current travel trends showing family holiday spend is significantly up this Easter, pre-school family travel specialist Baby Friendly Boltholes’ Founder, Sian William, believes several recent factors have led to a sudden shift in consumer behaviour.
“We have seen a significant increase in the average holiday spend of young families holidaying this month, which is up 34% compared with this time last year, with families spending an average of £1,383 on their accommodation (hotel or villa) this April compared with £1,039 last year.”
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed details of a new round of tests of beef products for horse meat contamination. The tests have been requested by the European Commission as part of the follow-up to last year’s horse meat incident where a number of beef products sold across Europe were found to have been deliberately adulterated with horse meat.
This new round of EU testing should give additional reassurance to consumers across Europe that the food chain is being checked for potential problems.
