I’ve collated various tips for hot travel destinations in 2010, and displayed them all, with explanatory description, in one Google Map. Click the grab below to go through to the map itself – and enjoy! Richard.
Posts Tagged ‘cool’
A map collating 2010′s hottest destinations
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009Hot Destinations for 2010
Friday, October 23rd, 2009Here’s a vision of 2010 vogue – predictions of the hottest travel destinations in the coming year, made by our most expert clients:
Brittany
Reasoning: Brittany is a fantastic destination for families due to its proximity to the UK and excellent beaches. The summer season during the last two years has been slow, resulting in a notable drop in property rental prices and making it excellent value for money in 2010. A resurgence for this charming region of France seems inevitable, blessed as it is with considerable nostalgic appeal. (VFB Holidays*)
Nicaragua
Reasoning: Nicaragua is set to be the next big Latin American destination du jour. Visitor numbers to the country have been increasing steadily in the last few years, and there are now ritzy hotels appearing. In June, the country’s first boutique hotel, the Contempo, opened complete with marble bathrooms and canopy beds; an all-suite beach hotel on Yankee Beach followed in September, boasting an infinity pool and spa. Still, neither place competes with the remote Corn Island for indulgent isolation. (Tailormade Explore*)
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Reasoning: Yala is perhaps the world’s best place for leopard-spotting, but it’s been off the map for many travellers in the last decade due to the Civil War. However, the end of the conflict has seen Foreign Office warnings on the area softened, and so visits are once again possible for UK operators. Sri Lanka generally looks a great bet for 2010, as prices are really low after years of low tourist numbers. Get there before the hordes catch on… (Real Holidays)
Praa Sands, Cornwall
Reasoning: The village of Praa Sands, centred around an attractive, broad golden swathe, is said to enjoy the longest hours of sunshine in the UK. If that wasn’t enough, its consistent waves make it perfect for savvy surfers, yet is is nowhere near as well known as hotspots like Newquay. A couple of restaurants specialising in local seafood complete the wholesome taste of Cornwall’s south coast. (Classic Cottages)
Papua New Guinea
Reasoning: This autumn’s awesome Lost Land of the Volcano series on BBC1 has placed Papua New Guinea firmly on the radar of intrepid travellers planning their next adventure. And rightly so: this is the place to marvel at masked fire dances, test your mettle amid the dense jungle of the Baining Mountains, snorkel the azure blue waters of the Duke of York islands and camp by an active volcano, Tavurvur. With an experienced guide in tow, travel Ray Mears-style to one of Earth’s last truly untouched regions. (Baobab Expeditions)
Bulgaria
Reasoning: Perhaps better known as a busy Black Sea enclave, there’s a quieter side to Bulgaria just waiting to be discovered. Currently a very inexpensive destination, there’s never been a better time to explore Bulgaria’s impressive array of monuments, monasteries and museums, and beautiful, diverse landscapes. History buffs will be bowled over, too, by the tangible evidence of the many ancient civilisations that have left their mark on Bulgaria – including the Thracians, Greeks and Romans. (Voyages Jules Verne)
Bhutan
Reasoning: Hidden in the Himalayas, Bhutan is eternally overshadowed by its powerful neighbours, India and China. It ought not to be: having been inaccessible for years, Bhutan boasts a unique, traditional Buddhist culture, as well as gorgeous scenery and rich biodiversity. A democracy since 2008, the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ is now much easier to reach, although tourist numbers remain controlled. Smoking-ban stalwarts will love it though: Bhutan is the world’s only country to prohibit the sale of tobacco. (The Traveller)
South-Eastern Sicily
Reasoning: Most of Sicily’s very well-trodden in tourist terms, but much less so the island’s Baroque south-east. This is a region of long sandy beaches, river valleys, Greek heritage sites, sprawling farms and honey-coloured, crumbling towns that stay hot well into October. Whilst Taormina to the north – a great two-centre combination with south-eastern Sicily – has long been lauded, this more rustic corner of the island receives far fewer visitors… for the moment, anyway. (Real Holidays)
Northern Peru
Reasoning: Although less accessible than the south, Northern Peru is deeply intriguing – pre-Inca archaeological sites and cultural treasures are both abundant and still being discovered. Take the Tombs of Sipan: discovered largely intact in 1987, with many precious gold and ceramic artefacts. Other sites include the Huacas del Sol y Luna (adobe pyramids) and the amazing Gokta Falls, while pink dolphins even swim in this region’s section of the Amazon.
(Sunvil Traveller*)
Mirleft, Morocco
Reasoning: Morocco’s always got a trendy new emerging destination, and The Best of Morocco suggests it’ll be Mirleft in 2010. An ancient, traditional village on the country’s southern Atlantic coast, it is an intimate world away from the rainy days and recessions of home, and a great place to relax and reflect. A Saturday morning camel market provides local colour, and daytime temperatures rarely drop below 22ºC.
California by rail
Reasoning: California’s picturesque railroads offer a fascinating way to see America’s Wild West, with giant redwoods, rugged coastlines and historic gold rush towns providing a unique holiday combination. The pristine wilderness of Yosemite and a ride on the renowned Skunk Train – so called because of its gas engine’s distinctive smell – never cease to impress. And an escorted tour with door-to-door transfers from home to airport and several meals included provides excellent value for money. (Ffestiniog Travel*)
Kosterhavet, West Sweden
Reasoning: Sweden’s first marine national park opened in autumn 2009, meaning 2010 represents the first opportunity to see this beautiful area in the height of summer. New experiences will be available, such as hands-on boat trips with a marine biologist to explore the life in the park. Stay at Sydkoster Hotel Ekenas, located on the island of South Koster in the heart of the park, and just 45 minutes by ferry from Stromstad.
Beirut, Lebanon
Reasoning: Whilst Lebanon’s popularity as an escorted tour destination has increased recently, it’s still a relatively undiscovered gem for the independent traveller. The fascinating history and beautiful coastline are reasons enough to visit its vibrant capital Beirut, but what’s less well-known is the emergence of quirky boutique-style residences – an appealing alternative to the anonymous chain-style hotels of old. Combine these with improvements in infrastructure, and now’s the perfect time to enjoy a Beirut break. (Kirker Holidays*)
Isle of Youth, Cuba
Reasoning: The Isle of Youth’s always been underestimated: a lack of gold lost Columbus’ interest, while Spanish conquistadors merely built a prison there in 1928, one that later housed Castro. Post-revolution, young Cubans (hence the name) cultivated the island, establishing the varied plantations that today provide many of Cuba’s fresh vegetables. And now tourists are arriving – in 2009, the Hotel Colony was refurbished, making visits to the Isle’s perfect beaches, ecological zones, cave paintings and crocodile farms that much more attractive. (Captivating Cuba)
The Faroe Islands
Reasoning: Nestling within the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic, the unique and stunning Faroe Islands boast the highest sea cliffs in Europe, a virgin landscape unlike anywhere else on earth, and a unique culture and architectural heritage. As a tourist destination, the islands are little known, but with an increase in direct flights from London planned for 2010, that’s likely to change. (Sunvil Discovery*)
Tien Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan
Reasoning: After the success of its Mt Damavand hike in Iran, new in 2009, adventure specialist Explore is introducing another Kilimanjaro alternative in another unheralded walking destination. The Tien Shan Trek follows nomadic routes across remote mountains, travelling through blue fir and juniper forests, red sandstone canyons and alpine flatlands. There’s wild camping en route, and the shepherds you meet will offer a glasses of kumyz (fermented mare’s milk) to those lacking pep.
*This company is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO): 140 independent and specialist travel companies providing an unrivalled collection of holiday ideas that cover every corner of the world. Consumers booking with AITO are assured of 100% financial security, high-quality holidays and excellent personal service.
Roller babies
Monday, July 27th, 2009A few of us have little girls under the age of three waiting for us at home every evening, so it’s no surprise to read that we’re suckers for cutesy videos of toddlers that make us laugh. It probably takes our mind off the reality of having young kids – food flying in all directions at dinnertime, disastrous potty training, clothes regularly covered in puke, the screaming in public places…you get the idea!
We couldn’t resist this video by Evian, it even reminded us of some of the antics our little angels get up to…. and before you ask, no, Evian isn’t a client! Ian Bradley
Bruce-Mitfords take Les Borjs to the top
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009Les Borjs de la Kasbah, a Hotel de Charme in Marrakech, and one of our clients, has been rightly recognised for its high levels of customer satisfaction and selected as the No. 1 Hotel in Africa and No. 22 in the world in the latest Expedia Insiders’ Select Survey (http://www.lesborjsdelakasbah.com/news.php).
At different times over the past two years, five of us from Travel PR have stayed at Les Borjs de la Kasbah (plus one staff member’s lucky mum and brother) and we all agree that owners Mike and Francoise Bruce-Mitford’s (founders of VFB Holidays) responsible approach to running this hotel sets it apart from the rest. Through our work with AITO and its responsible tourism credentials, we can spot greenwash a mile off and there is plenty of it around, but not in this instance. This unusual cross between a contemporary hotel and traditional riad was created following the guidance of RT consultancy Dick Sisman & Associates to ensure best practice with regards to the local environment, something that is typically overlooked in Morocco.
Only local craftsmen were employed to renovate the former buildings and all the knowledgable hotel staff are local too. The Front Desk Manager, Mohammed is fondly remembered for his helpful manner and dry wit and we ladies will always remember our satisfaction at the amount of dead and dirty skin scrubbed from our bodies by the therapists Hasna Moutih and Fatiha Akhmassi during a two hour hammam in the hotel’s spa. The hotel staff receive regular English lessons, ongoing hospitality training and also, uncommonly in Morocco, the tips are shared fair and square amongst each and every member of staff.
Clearly, the dedication of the team and the pride they take in their work has played a major part in being awarded this latest gong, and long may it continue. Mika Bishop.
Kaş is king – A treasure on the Turquoise Coast
Monday, July 13th, 2009Kaş is on the southern coast of Turkey and perfect for a short holiday to get some R&R. It’s a 2.5 hour transfer from Dalaman airport and a 3:30am touchdown from Gatwick means a pretty bleary-eyed arrival at around 6:00am. Immediately refreshing, however, is the view from the third floor breakfast terrace at the Hideaway Hotel overlooking the turquoise blue Mediterranean Sea and a collection of Greek islands.
Kaş was a prominent town in Lycia, a federation of ancient cities, which later became a province of the Roman Empire. It is now a pretty tourist town which sits on a rocky waterfront, draped in bougainvillea and fragrant with lemon and jasmine scent. It remains relatively unspoilt thanks to the long transfer time from the airport and the towering cliffs behind, making the area almost impossible to develop.
With a population of just 4,000 everyone is a local, welcoming and slightly inquisitive. Several tour operators send soft adventure groups to Kaş – there’s a lot to do (apart from sunbathing!), including sea kayaking, diving, white water rafting, mountain biking and snowshoeing. A leisurely day can be spent on a glass bottomed boat peering at the underwater remains of the city of Kekova, submerged in an earthquake in 240AD, and there is plenty of opportunity for great snorkelling and swimming in the stunningly clear waters. A trip out to Saklikent, with Dolce Vita Travel, is a great day of walking through the gorge’s thigh deep waters, lunch in an overwater restaurant and stops on the way back to Kaş at the ruins of Xanthos and the sandy Kaputas Beach.
There are terraced restaurants nestled into the cliffs and bars and cafes surround the large market square. In the evenings, kids ride their bikes across the square and gatherings of people chat on the perimeter, the cobble stones of this central space have recently been paved over with large, shiny slabs, it looks neat but the locals say, with a hint of disapproval, that it “looks like Istanbul”.
Would I go to Kaş again? I’d love to, while probably not suitable for families with young children (there’s no sandy beach within walking distance), couples, groups of friends and singles looking for an uncomplicated holiday should consider this little gem. Mika Bishop.
10 lesser-known travel websites
Thursday, June 18th, 2009Steering clear of the TripAdvisors, Expedias and WAYNs of this world, I’ve made a list of ten great, but lesser-known travel websites. Not that I don’t get out much during my lunchbreak…
(This is not an exercise to plug our own clients this time – although many of them have stellar sites – that’s for another day)
1. Raveable – The travel equivalent of a ubiquitous web trend: a website which aggregates aggregators. Raveable takes reviews from TripAdvisor, MyTravelGuide and individual bloggers, correlates them all, and calculates an overall ranking for the hotel or destination in question. In other words, rankings on Raveable are about as trustworthy as they come. Jeremy Head has also just blogged about Nextstop, another ‘review’-type website relying on User-Generated Content (and raised an interesting issue about copyright). Nextstop is in its infancy, so lots of searches will be fruitless, but it’s a very well laid-out and functional website, and cleverly attuned to Facebook.
2. Schmap – Maps are arguably the the fastest-developing area of travel websites (Guardian.co.uk/travel uses them brilliantly in its Interactive section) and Schmap is right at the forefront of this. It’s a little cumbersome, but that’s forgivable when you see the depth of its offerings: a unique digital paella of maps, photos and place reviews covering a fast-increasing range of destinations (currently 200). These guides can, of course, be downloaded to iPhones and Nokia handsets, for use while travelling. Similar cartographical cleverness is on display at Holiday Maps, which lets you create a personalised Google Map featuring places and locations you intend to visit.
3. Seatguru – This one’s been around a while, but it’s still strangely under-used despite TripAdvisor ownership. Seatguru carries plans of the aircraft of most major airlines and ranks the seats, so you can ensure you’re booking a decent spot on the plane. Seatplans.com performs the same service and boasts some extra airlines (e.g. Air Namibia) but Seatguru triumphs with its extra detail: outlining each aircraft’s ‘poor seats’, ‘power points’ and much more. A hotel-room version of this service is performed to some success by Tripkick.com.
4. FlightStats – Is your plane likely to leave on time? Will the loved-one you’ve so badly missed be arriving when promised? FlightStats is a good place to garner preliminary information – per airport it offers an average delay, and has live departure boards. Not all airports yet feature (London City doesn’t, for example), but there’s a wealth of good information, and you could well save yourself a few hours slumped in a terminal lounge.
5. PetrolPrices.com – Anyone who’s spent five minutes or more with a regular driver will have detected a deranged obsession with petrol prices; namely with tracking down the cheapest possible unleaded or diesel in town. PetrolPrices is their online heaven: join (for free) and you can tap in your postcode, or that of your destination, and find the where kerosene’s locally available for the fewest pennies per gallon. The best-priced breakdown cover and parking is also covered (for car rental, try VroomVroomVroom). This site is something of a secret, but possibly not for long: type ‘Petrol’ into a search engine and it’ll come out top of the pops every time.
6. TravelEtiquette.co.uk – Remember that HSBC advert where the man leaves chrysanthemums outside his Italian love interest’s door, only in Italy chrysanthemums are associated with death, so everyone thinks she’s dead, so everyone buys more chrysanthemums to put outside the door, except she isn’t dead…? We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Banking with HSBC is one solution to such perils, but TravelEtiquette is another. If you’re unsure about putting elbows on a table, draining a bowl of eels or making ambiguous finger gestures, this online resource should put you right.
7. Fotolia.co.uk – Holidays needn’t solely fill up the ‘outgoing’ column of your bank statement, you know. If you’re an avid, and reasonably decent, snapper, try selling your photographs post-trip to Fotolia, an online agency. It’s better than just banging them on Facebook or boring the grandkids, isn’t it? Other such agencies include 123RF and Picture Nation. If you’re still keener to make money from your getaway, start writing reviews for QYPE, for which you earn points – 1,000 of which qualify you for a bag of treats.
8. Extravigator – “Oh please darling, I’ve simply had enough of all these ‘websites for the people’. They’re all so dreadfully common. Can’t we take Marmaduke, Montgomery, Tuppy, Duppy and Dippy orf somewhere without having to consult the hoi polloi?” “Why yes, dear dandelion – those in high society like us can use Extravigator, an internet travel site for the posh. It’s full of ruddy marvellous information, such as a list of the hotels with the best toiletries, and a round-up of Manhattan spas. Mountjoy-Fanshawe told me about it during our Park Lane pub crawl last week.”
9. The Jaded Traveller – As a travel PR, I probably should deny all knowledge of this site. But it does make me titter, casting a cynical eye over the travel media world as it does. The clichés section scores an especially direct hit – how many of us, journalists, tourist boards and PRs alike, have labelled a market ‘vibrant or bustling’, or described a remote property as an ‘oasis of calm’? Nearly all, I’d think. If you don’t mind having a giggle at your own expense, The Jaded Traveller’s well worth a quick browse.
10. Bing – The latest, and easily best, search engine offering so far from Microsoft, Bing is after a slice of Google’s pie. That’s all very well, you say, and thanks for letting me know, but why the hell have you included it on a list of travel sites? Well, say I, Bing qualifies for the simple reason that, every day, its gorgeous UK homepage has a gorgeous picture of a gorgeous location (often an oasis of calm or a vibrant, bustling market). The same is true of the American version but with two crucial differences: one, the US page has a different daily picture, and two, it tells you the location of the image, with thumbnails adding extra info. Here in the UK, our Bing site’s still in Beta (i.e. launch) mode, so there are no such explanations. Meaning you probably won’t know where on Earth the gorgeous place is. Meaning it’s bloody frustrating. But still gorgeous… Richard Mellor
Is the recession over for travel companies?
Wednesday, June 17th, 2009Overseas holiday bookings, like any industry, suffered at the hands of this recession – the Euro struggled and jobs were endangered, leaving little scope for a summer holiday booking. But recent stories quote analysts as saying that Britain may already be slowly clawing its way out of the recession; that the nadir may have passed. At the ITT Conference last week, John Walker, chairman of Oxford Economics, predicted the recession would end at the conclusion of 2009. The pound has even hit a 2009 high against the Euro. But is the recession showing signs of ending for travel companies?:
Sunvil Holidays’ Operations Director, Chris Wright, comments: “The recession may not be over quite yet, but people are certainly starting to think “I still have a job, I still have money… and I need a holiday.”
AITO Specialist Travel Agents’ Chairman, Barry Moxley: “It’s not over – but we are seeing signs that make us optimistic. People are still cautious and will remain so for the foreseeable future. However, queries are holding steady, footfall through the door is encouraging, operators are keen to provide sales & marketing support, and confidence is slowly returning.” AITO Specialist Travel Agents, a collection of 150 leading, independent travel agents, met in Gdansk from 11-14 June for their annual Conference. Barry was speaking from there.
Chairman of AITO, Derek Moore: “AITO are realists, and believe that, although things are improving, it’s going to take time. That said, travel companies are in a strong position when the economy strengthens, more holidays will be the primary purchase – ahead of a new car, or new kitchen, because people will want to treat themselves and forget these dark days.”
Clive Stacey, Managing Director of Discover The World, comments: “Until recently we were seeing passengers booking much later than previous years. But now we are seeing longer-term bookings pick up substantially, especially for next winter, as well as summer and autumn 2010. These are in respect of weekends to Swedish Lapland (and the Icehotel) and school trips to Iceland. People seem far be far more upbeat about the future.”
IS JUNE THE NEW JANUARY?
With the recession possibly ending and deals aplenty to be had – offered by accommodation-providers and airlines keen to fill their summer space – June seems like the time to book your summer holiday. It’s less brinkmanship than common sense. So is the lates-market delivering as hoped? And If June is the new holiday-booking hotbed, will it again be so next year? Or will providers react with less last-minute deals, and greater patience? Here are operators’ views on this year’s June market, and its long-term future:
Kirker Holidays reports that June sales are currently encouraging, with continued high demand for ‘last-minute’ holidays, booked within four to six weeks of departure. Ted Wake, Director of Sales & Marketing, says: “Kirker remains cautiously optimistic about its 2009 results, based on booking patterns to date. Whilst discerning clients are making their holiday decisions later than ever this year, we are finding that the array of special offers available – combined with added value elements, such as room upgrades and complimentary meals, that our reservations team can often secure at the time of booking – place Kirker in a strong position for a successful summer. We firmly believe that a Kirker short break should be an essential part of everyone’s 2009 recovery plan.”
Explore’s Product Director, Peter Crane, comments: “We have seen a late booking trend for several weeks now, and with over 150 tours in Europe departing this summer, we’re expecting this trend to intensify over the next few weeks, as the July / August / September Europe peak approaches. Many regions, including the Middle East, Turkey, Thailand and Indochina, are up on June last year. Europe in particular is booking late this year, especially non-Eurozone countries like Norway, Croatia, Montenegro and Albania. Late sales for Greece are coming in strongly now, possibly because Turkey has been popular and many peak date tours (and flights) are now fully booked.
“Customers have been reducing their booking lead times consistently for several years. This year the trend has intensified, but with many operators now reducing the number of holidays they’re selling there may well be a reaction next year – to book the trip you want on the date you want it may pay to book earlier. Explore tours operate all year round, so although we’ve seen a trend in recent years for customers to book later it’s not specifically a May or June late booking peak. We believe the internet offers the customer much greater transparency and certainty: itineraries, dates, prices and availability are all updated in real-time, and it’s easy than ever to shop around for the best itinerary and price. Fewer customers now are browsing holiday brochures in January: many feel confident to wait.”
Chris Wright, Operations Director at Sunvil Holidays, comments: “Although January was very quiet, February recovered to normal booking levels. The peak season family market seems to have been delayed, but bookings are now coming through strongly. The late market is very strong and prices are holding up. People are often shocked when they call as they are expecting availability to be wide open and often they can’t get what they want. We are seeing a recovery in Eurozone destinations, helped by the strengthening of the pound against the Euro.”
At Real Holidays, Managing Director Philip Davies says: “Before 9/11, there were very concrete British booking cycles for family holidays: a big boom of January bookings, and then a second strong wave in May. Ever since then the pattern has changed, and this year due to the recession and declining Euro, we’ve seen more late bookings than ever before. I see this trend of June bookings continuing next year; and where staff were once forbidden holidays in January, we may prohibit June breaks in 2010! It will be interesting, however, to see how property owners and accommodation providers react to all of this last-minute business – quite feasibly next year there will be a lot less resorting to special offers if they haven’t received summer bookings by the end of May, as they’ll now anticipate this June boom.” Richard Mellor.
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Vancouver 2010
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009It may be the middle of July, but winter sports enthusiasts are already looking ahead to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver next February. Making headlines recently has been Women’s Ski Jumping USA, which filed a lawsuit in May 2008 against the organising committee’s decision only to include men’s ski jumping at the Games. Despite the Canadian Supreme Court’s agreement that this was discriminatory and “distasteful”, the court ruled against WSJUSA last week after concluding that the International Olympic Committee was at fault, not the Vancouver organising committee.
The Games will also see ski cross make its Olympic debut – a new and high-octane freestyle skiing event with roots in motocross and downhill skiing. Team GB has suffered a blow as British number ones Angus Morison and Emily Sarsfield have both sustained major injuries this season, but there is strength in depth and the likes of Craig Robinson and Sarah Sauvey will have to step up.
There are also serious medal contenders for Britain in bob skeleton, snowboard cross, curling and alpine skiing (even if slalom skier Alain Baxter, who was stripped of his bronze medal in 2002 after failing a drugs test, is now looking to win a medal in 2012 on a bike!).
Tags: bob skeleton, cool, curling, ski cross, skiing, snowboard cross, travel, winter olympics, www.travelpr.co.uk, “Association of Independent Tour Operators”, “travel pr”
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