Tourism, Travel and Leisure News

Getaway Breaks and Holiday Suggestions for Christmas 2007

Christmas is fast approaching and the media and commercial frenzy is upon us. However, there are still those who are unsure of what to do this year -or even where to go. Here at www.coastandcountry.co.uk we still have a number of luxury self catering properties from large seaside houses to cosy thatched cottages and stunning barn conversions with a range of unique features.

With one of the mildest climates in the UK; with idyllic coastlines and moor land - South Devon is fast becoming a major Christmas and New Year destination for families and couples looking for a festive break.....more

The Villa Book accesses some of Parrot Cay's most luxurious private villas.

The Villa Book has just taken on two exclusive brand new villas within The Sanctuary, the private estate belonging to American fashion designer, Donna Karan, on magical Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos. These are adjacent four bedroom villas, on either side of a Balinese screened-in pavilion, which are available to rent for groups of up to 16 people, from the beginning of January. These villas are part of Parrot Cay's 'private villas', accessible from the main part of the resort, but set in a more remote part of the island.

With British Airways flying direct to the Turks and Caicos island of Providenciales, via Nassau, a stay at Parrot Cay has become much more accessible as a holiday destination, and those in need of a completely relaxing break in idyllic surroundings need look no further...more

QHotels Celebrates Award Wins

QHotels celebrated two successful wins at the Meetings Industry Marketing Awards held at the Science Museum in London on Monday 15th October.

Picking up the BDRC* award for ‘Most Improved Brand Performance’ and silver for ‘Best Brochure - Venues’ Elizabeth Howe, Director of Marketing for QHotels commented: “We are delighted to win this coveted BDRC title, particularly as we were up against some strong finalists......more

NVM EXITS ITHACA BUSINESS MEDIA WITH IMPRESSIVE RETURNS

NVM Private Equity has sold Ithaca Business Media in a £14.25m trade sale to United Business Media Plc’s UK-based business information division, CMP Information. The deal realised a return of three times the original investment, with an IRR of over 60% per annum achieved over the two year investment...more

The Villa Book launches The Mauritius Villa Book with a tantalizing collection of beachside properties, ranging from luxury villas to quality family beach houses.

To coincide with an inevitable increase in the popularity of Mauritius as a holiday destination, following Virgin's new twice weekly service, starting in November 2007, luxury villa company, The Villa Book Ltd, has just added 14 new villas in Mauritius to its portfolio. Each with an outstanding beachside location, these represent some of the best independent houses available to rent on the island...more

TOURISM INCREASE HELPS TO FUEL MALTA PROPERTY SALES.

An estimated 7% rise in tourism to Malta this year, is helping to fuel a buoyant property market already adjusting to Malta's entry into the Euro in January 2008.

The opening up of the skies over Malta to operators such as Ryanair is helping Malta to reverse a decline in the traditional package holiday trade...more

NEW HOTEL IS SCOTLAND'S FIRST CASTLE OF THE 21ST CENTURY

SCOTLAND'S newest hotel has opened its doors.

The newly constructed Glenskirlie Castle in the heart of Scotland is the first new castle to be built in the country in the 21st century.

Fifteen individually themed bedrooms - including two luxurious 100 square metre suites - have been named after roses with the floral theme carried on throughout the castle's interior design features.

The room names which include New Dawn, Cupid, Sexy Rexy, Maiden's Blush and Bourbon Queen were selected with input from the UK's leading rose expert Peter Beales...more

Leading Leisure Management Contractor Automates Purchase-to-Pay Processes with Version One

SLM, the longest established leisure management contractor in the UK, is improving its purchase-to-pay processes with Version One’s document management and imaging technology (www.versionone.co.uk). Purchase orders (POs) will be created, delivered and stored electronically and users will be able to access every PO’s corresponding purchase invoice with just a couple of mouse clicks, enabling the quick resolution of invoice queries......more

Luxury villa rental company, The Villa Book, specialist in luxury villa rentals in France, highlights threat to local markets in France in its recent newsletter.

Luxury villa rental company, The Villa Book, which represents a large selection of luxury villa rentals in Provence, has drawn attention to the threat to the local French market as the subject of its recent newsletter. The Villa Book feels that one of the many attractions of a villa rental holiday in France is the fun of shopping for food provisions in a local market.

Provence has some of the best markets in France - top quality, farm-fresh fruit and vegetables are spectacularly and lovingly displayed, as if vying for prizes at a horticultural show. Local goat farmers sit quietly behind their cabinets, offering the full gamut of delectable goat cheeses, from fresh, soft and creamy discs to mature and pungent little pellets. Flowers, local wines, honey, fragrant herbs, crafts - it's a dizzying experience. But will it all last? That was the question that stalked the market stalls during the recent, hotly contested presidential elections.....more

Holidaylettings.co.uk Trend Tracker - Summer 2007

Research from Holidaylettings.co.uk shows how Spain is faring amongst new competition; Mexico marks its place on the map and what the struggling dollar is doing to Floridian beach hols.

Holiday Homes and Owners

With yet another interest rate rise in the bag for the banks, expect the British obsession with property investment to take another step towards the nearest airport and the newest investment hotspot. Holidaylettings.co.uk has seen an abundance of holiday homes being advertised in new locations since the start of the year and now offers accommodation in 100 countries...more

Brits use short breaks in holiday home rentals to enjoy both country & city life

A recent survey of site visitors to www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk* has revealed that as well as city breaks, rural retreats are also now a popular option for short breaks, with a third of respondents planning a short trip to the countryside this summer or autumn. While owning a place in the city and country was once the preserve of the rich, Brits now use their holiday time to enjoy the same lifestyle.

Our very own green and pleasant land was the preferred destination for around a third of respondents planning a short rural retreat. France was the next most popular choice, followed by Italy, Scotland, and Spain...more