2009 Articles

London 'is a great place for a staycation'

Visiting the capital this summer could be the perfect option for those looking for a budget break this summer.

Not only does the capital provide a wealth of attractions, it also provides top-class accommodation, according to VisitBritain.

The national tourism agency has pointed out that London is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations and is increasingly attracting more and more people from the UK.


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Manchester Airport prepares for year's busiest weekend

Manchester Airport is getting ready to receive hundreds of thousands of passengers this weekend.

Some 350,000 people are expected to pass through the airport this weekend, representing the airport's peak season.

According to the Manchester Evening News, some 350 aeroplanes will be arriving and departing, with destinations including Turkey, Cyprus and the US.

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UK airports could become hotspots thanks to staycationers

Flights to tourist hotspots like Edinburgh, Belfast and Inverness could become increasingly popular this summer as Brits decide to holiday at home instead of flying abroad.

According to research carried out by Sainsbury's, 63 per cent of all Britons planning a summer break will be travelling domestically in a bid to save money amid the credit crunch.

The East Midlands was the area where most of these 'staycationers' were found to be from, while people from Yorkshire and the south-east were also keen to explore the UK instead of foreign shores.

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Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow airports to offer free travel mags

People travelling to Poland from Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted Airports may be pleased to know that they will now be able to pick up a free magazine about their destination.

Fortis Media is to distribute the Discover Poland magazines within the three London airports every month. The title contains information about cultural events, lifestyle and places to visit which could be invaluable to tourists heading there for the first time.

Tomasz Kmiecik, managing director of Fortis Media, said that Heathrow Airport and the other hubs are so popular that they made an obvious choice for an effective distribution channel.

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Harry Potter is on his way to Boston

An exhibition of costumes and props from the Harry Potter films is to open in Boston this autumn.

The 10,000-square-foot exhibition, updated to include artefacts and costumes from the final installments of the Harry Potter series, is to open on 25th October in the city's Museum of Science.

The museum's director Ioannis Miaoulis said he was "excited to offer visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in a world that has so richly bridged cultures and generations".

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Madame Tussauds is coming to Hollywood

The world famous collection of waxworks Madame Tussauds is to open a new attraction in Los Angeles.

Merlin, the attraction's operator, says that the $55 million (£33.5 million) Hollywood arm of the franchise is set to become a "must-do" for visitors.

Like the Madame Tussauds sister venues in London and New York, Merlin says that the new location will be the ideal place for visitors to get close to such Hollywood greats as Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.

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Edinburgh Airport linked to city thanks to new bus route

A new hourly bus service will connect Edinburgh with its nearby airport from early morning till evening.

The Edinburgh Evening News reports that the service will connect Edinburgh Airport with the city's train station, the areas of Cramond, Davidson's Mains, Muirhouse, Pilton and the Western General Hospital.

Speaking to the paper Gordon Dewar, managing director of Edinburgh Airport, said the airport has "never been more focused on increasing the percentage of airport passengers that use public transport".

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Air Passenger Duty increase 'should not make too much difference to passengers'

As airfare prices fall passengers are not likely to feel the effects of an increase in passenger duty, says one airline users body.

James Fremantle, industry affairs manager at the Airline Users Council (AUC), said that prices of flights including those to the Far East had fallen so significantly that passengers would not notice a small rise in duty costs.

Asked whether he thought airlines might choose to operate abroad to avoid charges Mr Fremantle said that unless they were willing to abandon the UK market they would have to "put up" with the charges.

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Dirty Dancing at the West End

Visitors to London theatres are guaranteed the time of their life when the stage adaptation of Dirty Dancing comes to the West End.

Leanne Rowe stars as Baby and Martin Harvey takes on the role of Johnny Castle, which was immortalised by Patrick Swayze in the 1987 film.

Showing at the Aldwych Theatre, the play contains all of the classic dances and songs from the original film.

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Heathrow Airport supports plans

Heathrow Airport has submitted plans to the transport secretary which could revolutionise the connecting rail links.

Under the plans Heathrow would be linked to the rail network south and west of the airport.

Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA, said: "These plans will improve rail services to Heathrow from areas to the south-west of London and the Thames Valley."

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Glasgow Airport given ticket deal

Teleticket Scotland has offered Glasgow Airport's passengers discounts on flights and holidays.

To celebrate the launch of the travel company's first flight of the summer season, Teleticket has given holidaymakers who were flying to Tenerife this summer ten per cent off an October 2009 flight or holiday.

Hannah Wheeler, head of sales and marketing at Teleticket, said the company was excited about the first summer flight.

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