News Archive
New ferry terminal will help cut journey times
JOURNEY times between Northern Ireland and Scotland will be cut by Belfast’s new Stena Line ferry terminal which is being built at a cost of £35 million.
The three-storey building will include a restaurant, lounges, a viewing gallery and dedicated facilities for HGV drivers and is due to open in time for the summer season next year.
To mark the scale of investment, the company’s executive board travelled from its Swedish headquarters to mark the occasion at an event hosted by Belfast Harbour Commissioners.
The port’s chairman Len O’Hagan said: “To ensure that those travelling from and to Scotland do so in the quickest time possible, the Port has physically moved itself closer. 80 years ago it began reclaiming part of Belfast Lough with millions of tonnes of stone and sand, creating a site that will allow the relocation of its Belfast operations nearer to Scotland.
“In addition, the Port will also build a new dual carriageway directly linking the new terminal with the M2 at Fortwilliam to provide easy access for drivers and hauliers. This is part of a £140 million investment programme to enhance what is Northern Ireland’s primary gateway to the world.”
Stena Line’s global CEO, Gunnar Blomdahl added: “The Irish Sea is a key part of Stena Line’s international business and also one of its strongest growing markets. Together with a new proposed facility in Cairnryan, the new Belfast terminal will reduce travel time by 20 minutes and allow Stena Line to provide additional sailings.
“Despite the impact of low cost airlines and a volatile fuel market, we have continued to grow our business and nowhere is this more evident than on the Irish Sea. I feel that this exciting development will only serve to further enhance our offering in this market.”
JOURNEY times between Northern Ireland and Scotland will be cut by Belfast’s new Stena Line ferry terminal which is being built at a cost of £35 million.
The three-storey building will include a restaurant, lounges, a viewing gallery and dedicated facilities for HGV drivers and is due to open in time for the summer season next year.
To mark the scale of investment, the company’s executive board travelled from its Swedish headquarters to mark the occasion at an event hosted by Belfast Harbour Commissioners.
The port’s chairman Len O’Hagan said: “To ensure that those travelling from and to Scotland do so in the quickest time possible, the Port has physically moved itself closer. 80 years ago it began reclaiming part of Belfast Lough with millions of tonnes of stone and sand, creating a site that will allow the relocation of its Belfast operations nearer to Scotland.
“In addition, the Port will also build a new dual carriageway directly linking the new terminal with the M2 at Fortwilliam to provide easy access for drivers and hauliers. This is part of a £140 million investment programme to enhance what is Northern Ireland’s primary gateway to the world.”
Stena Line’s global CEO, Gunnar Blomdahl added: “The Irish Sea is a key part of Stena Line’s international business and also one of its strongest growing markets. Together with a new proposed facility in Cairnryan, the new Belfast terminal will reduce travel time by 20 minutes and allow Stena Line to provide additional sailings.
“Despite the impact of low cost airlines and a volatile fuel market, we have continued to grow our business and nowhere is this more evident than on the Irish Sea. I feel that this exciting development will only serve to further enhance our offering in this market.”
Campaign will plug Devon as greenest county in England
DEVON County Council has launched a new campaign to promote Devon as England’s greenest county.
The Discover Devon Naturally campaign will highlight the importance of sustainable tourism in the UK and demonstrate why holidaying in Devon can be environmentally friendly.
It is directed at educating the country’s tourism businesses to operate in environmentally friendly ways and underwrites the cost of becoming ‘green-accredited’ via the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
There is also a website to accompany the project, www.naturallydevon.com, which provides visitors with a guide to planning environmentally friendly holidays and details green-accredited accommodation, attractions and restaurants, where to buy local produce, public transport information and a responsible visitor code.
Executive member for regeneration Humphrey Temperley said: “It is an exciting time for Devon as we roll out this new campaign across the UK. The wider activities of Devon County Council and our commitment to sustainable tourism means we really are the greenest holiday destination and the greenest county.
“With the number of travellers using UK airports expected to double by 2020 to 400 million a year, we need to think about the effect holidaying abroad will have on our environment now. It is important to set in motion a trend for holidaying in the UK before it’s too late and to provide people with information and advice on how they can help do their bit to combat climate change.”
DEVON County Council has launched a new campaign to promote Devon as England’s greenest county.
The Discover Devon Naturally campaign will highlight the importance of sustainable tourism in the UK and demonstrate why holidaying in Devon can be environmentally friendly.
It is directed at educating the country’s tourism businesses to operate in environmentally friendly ways and underwrites the cost of becoming ‘green-accredited’ via the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
There is also a website to accompany the project, www.naturallydevon.com, which provides visitors with a guide to planning environmentally friendly holidays and details green-accredited accommodation, attractions and restaurants, where to buy local produce, public transport information and a responsible visitor code.
Executive member for regeneration Humphrey Temperley said: “It is an exciting time for Devon as we roll out this new campaign across the UK. The wider activities of Devon County Council and our commitment to sustainable tourism means we really are the greenest holiday destination and the greenest county.
“With the number of travellers using UK airports expected to double by 2020 to 400 million a year, we need to think about the effect holidaying abroad will have on our environment now. It is important to set in motion a trend for holidaying in the UK before it’s too late and to provide people with information and advice on how they can help do their bit to combat climate change.”
Appeal may increase thanks to 'Oscar' film
OSCAR winning film The Queen’s could help increase Britain’s appeal as a set-jetter’s paradise, tourism chiefs have announced.
Film tourism or ‘set-jetting’ is an increasingly popular holiday option with 40 per cent of potential visitors “very likely” to visit places from films or TV.
Chief executive of national tourism agency VisitBritain, Tom Wright, said: “The film can act as free advertising for a destination, location or attraction; shown to millions of people around the world and whenever they watch the DVD.
“Showcasing destinations through film helps maintain the enduring popularity of our beautiful landscapes and countryside, centuries of history, iconic characters, actors and actresses and literary greats.”
British tourism is expecting a double whammy from The Queen because of the royal locations that appear on screen and the film’s resonance with Britain’s royal heritage appeal.
VisitBritain claim 82 per cent of potential visitors would be most likely to ‘sightsee famous monuments or buildings’ on a visit to Britain, while 46 per cent of Britons enjoy heritage sites and castles while on holiday.
Every year millions of visitors from Britain and overseas enjoy places and events associated with the royal family and earlier kings and queens.
Pageantry and royalty have been a part of the British tourism experience since the early days of the industry and there are no signs that interest is waning.
The top five royal attractions in the country alone account for 3.8 million visits each year. As well featuring popular tourist spots in London – such as 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace – Culzean Castle, Blairquhan Castle and Waddesdon Manor appear in The Queen.
As patron of British Tourism Week, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is undertaking a series of engagements on to draw further national and international attention to the size, value and importance of the tourism industry.
Chairman of British Tourism Week, Stephen Dowd, said: “Our unique royal heritage is critically important to Britain’s visitor economy.
“His Royal Highness’ interests in heritage and in many of the quintessential elements that constitute Britain’s tourism brand, make him a perfect ambassador for tourism.
“Royal recognition of the importance of British Tourism Week will help us redefine both the image and the reality of British tourism in the important years ahead.”
OSCAR winning film The Queen’s could help increase Britain’s appeal as a set-jetter’s paradise, tourism chiefs have announced.
Film tourism or ‘set-jetting’ is an increasingly popular holiday option with 40 per cent of potential visitors “very likely” to visit places from films or TV.
Chief executive of national tourism agency VisitBritain, Tom Wright, said: “The film can act as free advertising for a destination, location or attraction; shown to millions of people around the world and whenever they watch the DVD.
“Showcasing destinations through film helps maintain the enduring popularity of our beautiful landscapes and countryside, centuries of history, iconic characters, actors and actresses and literary greats.”
British tourism is expecting a double whammy from The Queen because of the royal locations that appear on screen and the film’s resonance with Britain’s royal heritage appeal.
VisitBritain claim 82 per cent of potential visitors would be most likely to ‘sightsee famous monuments or buildings’ on a visit to Britain, while 46 per cent of Britons enjoy heritage sites and castles while on holiday.
Every year millions of visitors from Britain and overseas enjoy places and events associated with the royal family and earlier kings and queens.
Pageantry and royalty have been a part of the British tourism experience since the early days of the industry and there are no signs that interest is waning.
The top five royal attractions in the country alone account for 3.8 million visits each year. As well featuring popular tourist spots in London – such as 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace – Culzean Castle, Blairquhan Castle and Waddesdon Manor appear in The Queen.
As patron of British Tourism Week, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is undertaking a series of engagements on to draw further national and international attention to the size, value and importance of the tourism industry.
Chairman of British Tourism Week, Stephen Dowd, said: “Our unique royal heritage is critically important to Britain’s visitor economy.
“His Royal Highness’ interests in heritage and in many of the quintessential elements that constitute Britain’s tourism brand, make him a perfect ambassador for tourism.
“Royal recognition of the importance of British Tourism Week will help us redefine both the image and the reality of British tourism in the important years ahead.”
Plans for 'bed tax scrapped by Government
CONTROVERSIAL plans to introduce a tourism tax in the UK have been scrapped by the Government.
Industry leaders feared the ‘bed tax’ would have made the country too expensive for overseas holidaymakers and killed the tourism industry.
But, following a report by Sir Michael Lyons - which suggested that the Government should consult on the costs and benefits of giving local authorities the power to levy taxes on tourism - Government ministers have pulled out of the plans.
Minister for Local Government Phil Woolas revealed that the Government is not inclined to add a tourism tax due to the lack of evidence on its impact.
Kurt Janson, of the Tourism Alliance, added: “The impressive aspect about this statement is the speed with which it was issued. When an independent report such as this is released, the Government has three months to respond to the recommendations and the usual trick is to gauge public opinion over the three months and then respond accordingly just before the deadline.
“So to come out straight-away stating that the Government was not even going to consider the recommendation was a considerable step forward in the Government's understanding of tourism.”
The British Hospitality Association had planned to lobby the Government in an attempt to stop the accomodation levies and chief executive Bob Cotton has called its rejection a ‘victory for common sense’.
It claimed British people already spend £18 billion more on overseas holidays than Britain earns from overseas visitors and a tourist tax would have increased that imbalance.
Bob said: “For the last three years, we have consistently pointed out the difficulties of introducing a bed tax and emphasised how damaging it would be to the UK tourism economy. We are delighted that common sense has prevailed."
CEO of Best Western Hotels David Clarke had also expressed concern over the plans and the company had even launched on online petition.
He added: "We are obviously delighted that the Government has listened to our concerns and rejected the Lyons inquiry recommendations. It finally brings a close to the tourism industry’s long campaign against this proposal."
CONTROVERSIAL plans to introduce a tourism tax in the UK have been scrapped by the Government.
Industry leaders feared the ‘bed tax’ would have made the country too expensive for overseas holidaymakers and killed the tourism industry.
But, following a report by Sir Michael Lyons - which suggested that the Government should consult on the costs and benefits of giving local authorities the power to levy taxes on tourism - Government ministers have pulled out of the plans.
Minister for Local Government Phil Woolas revealed that the Government is not inclined to add a tourism tax due to the lack of evidence on its impact.
Kurt Janson, of the Tourism Alliance, added: “The impressive aspect about this statement is the speed with which it was issued. When an independent report such as this is released, the Government has three months to respond to the recommendations and the usual trick is to gauge public opinion over the three months and then respond accordingly just before the deadline.
“So to come out straight-away stating that the Government was not even going to consider the recommendation was a considerable step forward in the Government's understanding of tourism.”
The British Hospitality Association had planned to lobby the Government in an attempt to stop the accomodation levies and chief executive Bob Cotton has called its rejection a ‘victory for common sense’.
It claimed British people already spend £18 billion more on overseas holidays than Britain earns from overseas visitors and a tourist tax would have increased that imbalance.
Bob said: “For the last three years, we have consistently pointed out the difficulties of introducing a bed tax and emphasised how damaging it would be to the UK tourism economy. We are delighted that common sense has prevailed."
CEO of Best Western Hotels David Clarke had also expressed concern over the plans and the company had even launched on online petition.
He added: "We are obviously delighted that the Government has listened to our concerns and rejected the Lyons inquiry recommendations. It finally brings a close to the tourism industry’s long campaign against this proposal."
