August '13 - Malta Yacht Charter business appoints The Tourism Business

 

Domina Luxury Yachts is one of Malta's leading yacht charter businesses and has appointed The Tourism Business to lead its UK sales, marketing and PR.  The company's flagship yacht is "Domina" herself, a gorgeous Dufour 405, 40 foot yacht which provides high levels of comfort and luxury, including three double cabins, ample saloon and deck area, bathing platform, barbeque and even its own wine cellar.  Skippered or "bareback" charters are available year-round, as are scuba diving days, island cruises and cruises to Gozo or Comino, and prices begin at less than £50pp per day.  The Tourism Business has been appointed as exclusive UK representative for Domina Yachts (www.dominacharters.co.uk), and will be aiming for increased business from four market segments including the holidaying public, sailing clubs, and the conferences, meetings and incentives sector.

 

July '13 - Rothay Garden wins Cumbria Tourism Hotel of the Year award

 

We're pleased to report that Rothay Garden hotel in Grasmere has just been awarded the accolade of Cumbria's Small Hotel of the Year at a glittering ceremony at Rheged in Penrith.  The award is for all hotels with fewer than 35 rooms (Rothay Garden - www.rothaygarden.com - has 30, of which 12 are luxurious suites), and that meant that owner Chris Carss was up against some nationally renowned hotels.  The judges said that the winning hotel would "demonstrate impeccable standards of accommodation and service".  Rothay Garden was judged with a mystery guest visit, and was also rated on its customer care and investment in staff training, and its links with the local community. The citation went on to say that "together with strong management, excellent customer service, loyal guest and creative marketing, the business has been taken forward to new levels, despite the current economic climate".  Fantastic comments for a unique hotel!

 

June '13 - Make your way to this year's Visitor Economy Conference

 

Once again, The Tourism Business is managing VisitEngland's Visitor Economy Conference, which will take place on Thursday 5th December at the offices of the Royal Bank of Scotland/NatWest in the City of London. As was the case last year, the programme will feature leading speakers from the tourism industry and also other sectors of the UK economy. This year's Conference will follow the theme "Securing Future Growth" and is anticipated to attract up to 200 delegates.  Limited sponsorship opportunities are also available (call 01904 438100) and the full programme is expected to be announced, and published on www.visitengland.org in September.   

 

May '13 - How seasonal is seasonal?

I thought I'd seen how damaging seasonality could be when I was working for hotels which dropped from 75% to 55% occupancy in the winter. That was before I started work for independent hotels in Scotland and the Channel Islands, hotels which would have loved to get 40%, let alone 55% occupancy some winter months! If we're not going to see a "discounting bloodbath" this winter, we have to realise that seasonality means that there just aren't going to be enough tourists in some areas to go around. For once, I have to concede that it may be better for some hotels to shut for a period of time rather than remain open for one or two guests. That, at least, will help those that do open year-round to survive - and we may all be better off in 2013 and 2014 - or at least still in business. Of course, the situation is not helped by bodies like English Heritage deciding to close key attractions in the winter. Having given a marketing presentation at the last National Visitor Attractions Conference, I firmly believe that the key for many destinations is to create out-of-season events. Have you ever seen a quiet hotel during the Blackpool Illuminations or the Lincoln Christmas Market? I haven't.