Holiday & Travel

Green Globe recently recertified Bay Gardens Inn, Bay Gardens Hotel and Bay Gardens Beach Resort situated in Saint Lucia in the West Indies.

Sanovnik Destang, Executive Director at Bay Gardens Resorts, said: “As a locally owned and operated chain of resorts, it’s very important to us to maintain, sustain and achieve key sustainable initiatives that will not only benefit us but our island and our people. We are fully committed to continuing and developing new sustainability initiatives in order to do our part for the environment we all share and benefit from.”

Green efforts at all three properties have concentrated on increased efficiency in resource consumption, and the development of environmental and community initiatives that have resulted in positive outcomes for guests, local residents and staff.

Electricity usage is now managed by a metering system that monitors overall consumption in accommodation, dining areas and departments. With this data, areas of high consumption are pinpointed and energy saving measures put in place to decrease usage. This includes the changeover of refrigerators and other appliances to equipment with energy star ratings. In addition, there has been a substantial reduction in energy usage by 20% as a result of changing incandescent lighting to LED lighting and occupancy sensors to inverter AC units. Energy consumption used for lighting at the property has also dropped from 9w to 5w per LED bulb.

The island properties focus on water conservation and limiting waste volume in order to reduce their footprint and protect their unique geographical location. Showerheads and aerators in all guest rooms and public washrooms have been replaced with low flow water fixtures. The flow rate of showerheads is now 1.5 gallons per minute as compared to 2.5 gallons per minute. Furthermore, in line with waste management strategies, the resorts use biodegradable takeaway boxes instead of styrofoam thereby reducing the amount of garbage transferred to landfill.

Bay Gardens Resorts assist in spearheading connections between local farmers and hotels through the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism’s VACH program. The aim of the Virtual Agricultural Clearing House program is to stimulate economic activity within the region. The VACH operates on a Whatsapp platform to provide information on the availability of local crops to hotels, restaurants and food and beverage distributers.

Bay Gardens Resorts strive to organize meaningful community initiatives that will assist those in need. Over the past year, the properties continued to work with their adopted elementary school. Staff helped with planting a new school garden, assisting with building repairs such as paint touch ups and providing children with a healthy breakfast.

The Green Team have also been busy coordinating various environmental initiatives. On Earth Day this year, the team along with other staff members planted cherry trees, carambola, sugar cane, different varieties of mangoes, oranges and more in the kitchen garden for use in resort restaurants.

Pottermania is back! From its humble beginnings as an idea born on a train journey, and laid to paper in a small café in Edinburgh, the first book in the Harry Potter series sparked a global phenomenon. 20 years on, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has sold over 450 million copies worldwide, in 79 languages, inspired a major movie franchise, a spellbinding theatre production, and a number of thrilling sightseeing experiences.

Yesterday the British Library has launched a dedicated exhibition called Harry Potter: A History of Magic, and Evan Evans, London's largest sightseeing company, which specialises in city tours and out-of-town excursions, has launched a brand new specially-themed walking tour, Harry Potter Film Locations. So what better way to get your Hogwarts fix than enjoy a wizard-themed day out in London?!

The British Library's ticketed exhibition features rare books, manuscripts and magical objects, capturing the traditions of folklore and magic which are at the heart of the Harry Potter stories. Visitors can marvel at original drafts and drawings by J.K. Rowling and illustrator Jim Kay, both on display for the first time.

Evan Evans' half day tour transports Muggles into the magical world of Harry Potter as they discover the London locations that played starring roles in the film series and inspired the books. Stand in the footsteps of the world's most famous wizard at the entrance to the Ministry of Magic, stroll through the alleyways that inspired Diagon Alley and see the very spot where Death Eaters destroyed the Millennium Bridge. Visitors will then try their luck at getting onto the famous Platform 9¾ as the tour concludes. This two and a half hour morning tour is the perfect way for avid “Potterheads” to explore the capital.

This week the UK's number one holiday company, Thomson, became the world's biggest travel company, TUI, bringing six decades of experience and knowledge to an aligned, global brand with the unique capability to offer unrivalled choice and flexibility.

To mark the transition TUI has unveiled a ground breaking new prototype that reveals how customers could be using their subconscious to choose holidays in just a few years' time.

Developed exclusively by world leaders in the field of facial coding and emotion measurement, Realeyes, the futuristic 'Destination U' prototype is a first of its kind, innovative way for holidaymakers to choose a trip that matches their emotional needs. It uses sophisticated facial coding and emotion measurement technology to trigger imaginations and tap into the subconscious. A unique algorithm computes every subtle facial response to a rapid series of evocative moving images of destinations and experiences, and uses that data to calculate a 'perfect holiday' prescription.

Known as 'la isla bonita' (the pretty island), La Palma is also recognised by UNESCO as an official Starlight Reserve and boasts the highest quality night sky for stargazers to observe the countless stars from its mountainous terrain.

Found on the island at an altitude of 2,420m, The Observatory of El Roque de Los Muchachos, referred to as the 'Balcony to the Stars', is one of the three best observatories on earth, and home to the largest optical telescope in the world. Being above the cloud level for more than 300 days a year enables visitors to experience incomparable astronomy as well as mesmerizing views of the surrounding landscapes.

Visitors to La Palma can take part in a wide range of stargazing activities. From independent hikes from Roque de Los Muchachos (2,426 m) along the rim of the Caldera crater – the ideal place to enjoy sunset, dusk and the night sky - to overnight stays in romantic rural cottages.

Local stargazing companies on the island offer a variety of authentic stargazing activities from astronomical dinners under the stars combining the hypnotizing night sky with traditional Canarian cuisine, to themed nights such as 'Moon and Wine' nights, including guided tours of the Teneguía wine cellar, captivating talks about the process of the night grape harvest under the moonlight and tastings of the best Teneguía wines.

Flights to La Palma are available with EasyJet from London Gatwick and with Thomson from Manchester and London Gatwick.

After damages sustained during Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Jose in September 2017, the Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in Dutch St. Maarten will reopen to commercial flights on October 10, 2017. SXM is a critical airport for much of the Caribbean, and its return to active service will bring much-needed aid and tourism back to St. Maarten as well as neighboring islands.

Delta Airlines, Seaborne, Pawa Dominicana, Insel Air, and Winair will resume service at SXM on Oct. 10. Seaborne will be code sharing with American Airlines, JetBlue, and Delta. Additional airlines will announce their service in the coming days.

“While damages to our airport are extensive, we are incredibly pleased with the progress made to repair it,” said Director of Tourism Rolando Brison. “St. Maarten is both a friendly island and a resilient one, and we are excited to share our island with the world once again.”

The airport will reopen in a phased approach. Employees of SXM and volunteers have worked tirelessly, their dedication resulting in the reopening of the airport’s two smaller terminals. The main terminal is currently under repair, and its reopening anticipated mid-2018.

“My friends, trust in the process,” said Minister of Tourism Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher in an official statement. “Adversity gives birth to opportunity and struggle builds character: St. Maarten will rise again, better and stronger. ”

Additional information about the airport and tourism recovery efforts will be released as soon as it becomes available.

 Brief Encounter, North by Northwest, The Lady Vanishes, Some Like it Hot….. What do all of these films have in common? A thrilling train journey. Ahead of the release of Kenneth Branagh's Murder on the Orient Express in UK cinemas on 3 November, visitors to Scotland can have a train journey to remember with stunning landscapes to explore every corner of the country.

From overnight journeys deep into the Highlands to quick round trips perfect for all of the family, Scotland's railways offer dozens of options with great service and amazing views. Train fans can also pretend they're on the Orient Express with a journey across Scotland via the ultra-chic Belmond Royal Scotsman, with afternoon tea and elegant cabins.  All aboard!

The Belmond Royal Scotsman The ultra-exclusive Belmond Royal Scotsman train offers a truly glamorous once-in-a-lifetime trip with fine dining and five-star hospitality.  The Royal Scotsman whisks travellers around Scotland on unforgettable luxury breaks, stopping off for day trips along the way. Stops en route from Edinburgh include the Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms, many whisky distilleries and Glamis Castle in Angus, across a variety of bookable excursions.

Borders Railway

Scotland's newest railway is the longest domestic railway to be constructed in Britain for over 100 years. The route runs from the heart of the City of Edinburgh to Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders, travelling through outstanding scenery and giving visitors the opportunity to stop off and explore some of Scotland's off the beaten track but incredibly beautiful urban and rural landscapes. From literature and history to fashion and mountain biking, the one hour journey will intrigue and excite travellers.

The West Highland Line Widely regarded as one of the world's greatest train journeys, the West Highland Line is known to millions as the railway that took Harry Potter from Platform 9 ¾ all the way to Hogwarts. The route leads from Glasgow to Mallaig on the west coast, passing over the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct and offering breathtaking views of locations such as Loch Shiel, Loch Eilt and Ben Nevis, many of which can also be seen in the Harry Potter films. For a truly magical day out, hop on the old-fashioned Jacobite steam train at Fort William, pack a picnic to enjoy as you explore the charming Mallaig Bay, or stop off at Arisaig to take a walk along one of the Highlands' best beaches.

Caledonian Sleeper

Visitors travelling from England can catch the Caledonian Sleeper at London Euston and be swept up to the Highlands overnight, waking up to stunning views of Rannoch Moor before arriving in Fort William.  Other options include waking up in Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen or Glasgow before continuing your Scottish adventure.

The 1st International Conference of Religious and Pilgrimage Tourism "Following in the Footsteps of Saint Pope John Paul II” will take place in Krakow between 8th and 12th November 2017. Professor Jacek Majchrowski, the President of Krakow, invites everyone to attend. The City of Krakow has been designated as the official partner of the Conference, His Eminence Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz has confirmed that he will be attending and Mr Jacek Krupa, the Marshal of the Malopolska Region has assumed the honorary patronage over the Conference. We will keep everyone informed about any new partners or honorary patrons, of which there surely will be more.

The city of Krakow and the whole Malopolska Region have great potential as a religious tourism and pilgrimage destination. Each year, millions of pilgrims and religious tourists, visit the area, an example of this is the most recent World Youth Day, which was held here in Krakow in 2016. This influx of visitors has great bearing on the city's and region's income as well as boosting employment in the area.

"We think there is a niche and a need to organise this new event in Krakow, a unique meeting of specialists from the religious and pilgrimage tourism sector", says Ernest Miroslaw, an organizer of the Conference and the owner of a local incoming tour operator Ernesto Travel, a leading agency specialising in religious tourism. "At this time, there is no similar event held in Central or Eastern Europe. I think it will be a perfect preparative event prior to the UNWTO 2018 conference, dedicated to religious tourism, which will also be held in Krakow. We have participated in many similar conventions and conferences but this time hope to welcome several hundred delegates in this field to Krakow and the Malopolska Region which will include specialists, tour operators, travel agents, priests and others that operate in the religious and pilgrimage tourism sector", says Dominika Krzych from Ernesto Travel, a sponsor of the Conference.

The Conference will be opened on 9th November, by both the administrative and the clerical dignitaries of Krakow. The opening Holy Mass will be celebrated at the John Paul II Centre and will be followed by speeches, lectures and a workshop with representatives of local sanctuaries and tourist attractions. The 10th and 11th November will be an opportunity for the guests from around the world to visit locations in Krakow and the Malopolska Region including Krakow Old Town, the John Paul II Centre, the Divine Mercy Sanctuary, the Salt Mine in Wieliczka, the former German Nazi Concentration Camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, the church and museum in Wadowice (Karol Wojtyla's birthplace), the Basilica in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and, of course, the Black Madonna Sanctuary in Czestochowa.

The Conference aims not just to create the opportunity for tour operators to meet local suppliers but also to promote the city of Krakow and the Malopolska Region as an important religious and pilgrimage tourist destination, not only in Europe but worldwide, and to ultimately strengthen the importance of religious tourism within the tourist marketplace.

The organisers hope to welcome all foreign travel agents and tour operators, bloggers and journalists, bishops and priests as well as other religious and pilgrimage tourism organisers such as diocesan coordinators or the leaders of foundations and congregations.

To avoid possible legal action and meet the demands laid out by the regulator Ryanair has options on offering its passengers affected by planned flight disruption to compensate them by paying for their hotel fees, amongst other forced costs that it caused.

During the budget airline's wave of cancellations it offered affected passengers a £40 voucher per cancelled flight as a way to say sorry.

Ryanair was forced by the CAA to clarify that passengers affected who previously "may have chosen an option that was not suitable for them as a result of any misunderstanding of their EU261 rights" were entitled to change their mind, for example by opting for a flight on another airline instead of a refund.

Ryanair said it had taken on more extra staff to process the expected increase in customer claims. The Civil Aviation Authority said Ryanair had "capitulated."

CAA boss Andrew Haines said that he was "furious" the airline had not been complying with the law by failing to offer to re-route passengers on rival airlines.

He confirmed that Ryanair had contacted the aviation watchdog and said; "Our job is to protect passengers' rights and ensure that all airlines operating in the UK are fully compliant with important consumer laws.”

If no Ryanair flight was available to get customers to their ticketed destination, customers can now opt for a comparable flight on Easyjet, Jet2, Vueling, Cityjet, Aer Lingus, Norwegian or Eurowings, the airline clarified.

Ryanair's Kenny Jacobs said: "We are committed to processing all such claims within 21 days of receipt and hope to have all such claims settled before the end of October."

Ryanair cancelled up to 50 flights a day through to the end of October, affecting 315,000 passengers.

There’s a chill in the air, the trees are about to shed their summer guise and the schools are back. Yes, summer might be over, but Kent has plenty of reasons to swap the end of season blues for the vibrant reds and bright oranges of autumn.

With Kent just a short ride on the train from London with Southeastern Railway, it’s the perfect place to head to for an autumnal adventure. So, grab hold of that pumpkin-spiced latte and read on to discover Visit Kent’s top five reasons to fall head over heels for the Garden of England this season…

1. Hopping Harvest

2. Auburn Autumn

3. Leaf-crunching walks

4. Back to school

5. Coffees and cafes

British Airways has announced that it will be resuming scheduled flights to Seychelles as from March 2018.

The United Kingdom’s flag carrier, also one of the world’s leading scheduled international passenger airlines, will launch direct flights to Seychelles as of March 24, 2018.

British Airways will be resuming flights to Seychelles, after over a decade of not flying to the Indian Ocean island destination. It will operate non-stop twice-weekly flights from the London Heathrow airport to Seychelles from March to October, offering more choice to sun-seeking holidaymakers.

The flights will depart Heathrow’s Terminal 5 on Wednesdays and Saturdays and will be operated by the airline’s newest fleet of aircraft, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The return flights to Heathrow will be on Thursdays and Sundays.

The British carrier says the route timetable is perfectly positioned for honeymooners and holidaymakers keen on extending their break in the Seychelles.

“The Seychelles is one of the most beautiful places on earth and we’re delighted to be adding this collection of islands to our extensive route network,” said British Airways’ Director of Network and Alliances, Sean Doyle.

“Customers can now get into ‘holiday mode’ even earlier with British Airways’ direct flights from London taking 10 hours, instead of over 13 hours with a connection in the Middle East. As one of the leading luxury holiday destinations, the Seychelles offers customers a wide range of accommodation and activities in stunning natural surroundings,” he added.

British Airways will become the only airline offering non-stop service between Seychelles and the UK, which is an important market for Seychelles. Visitor arrivals from the UK & Ireland, which is currently the Seychelles’ fifth largest market, stands at 15,427 to-date for 2017, representing a 22 percent increase over last year.

The Seychelles authorities including the Seychelles High Commissioner in the UK, Derick Ally, and the Seychelles Tourism Board through its Chief Executive Sherin Francis and the STB UK office as well as the Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Ministry through Minister Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, have been instrumental in securing British Airways’ engagement to resume flights to Seychelles.

Welcoming Tuesday’s announcement, Minister Loustau-Lalanne said this is the best news for the Seychelles’ tourism industry both for its short term and long-term viability.

“We were all devastated when British Airways pulled out in 2004. The return of British Airways to the Seychelles with two non-stop flights from London Heathrow in 2018 will provide a boost, especially to our 5 Star establishments. It will also help to further develop our USA market and elsewhere,” Minister Loustau-Lalanne added.

For her part, Mrs. Francis said: “We were all delighted to learn a few months ago that Seychelles was finally on the planning chart of British Airways amongst a handful of other destinations that were being considered. Seychelles has in the past years at every given opportunity expressed its interest to see British Airways serving the destination again and the invitation were even extended from the highest office in Seychelles. We are happy that this long-awaited day has arrived. The UK is a very important market for Seychelles and the team at British Airways can count on our support for this route.”

Ambassador Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, the Seychelles’ Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine and Dr. Li Jinzao, the Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on tourism cooperation.

The MoU was signed on Monday 11th September 2017, in the margins of the 22nd General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which is being held in Chengdu, China. The 11th -16th September gathering is being held under the theme Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals – Journey to 2030.

Also present at the signing ceremony were Mrs. Anne Lafortune, the Principal Secretary for Tourism, Ms. Vivianne Fock-Tave, Seychelles’ resident Ambassador in China and Mr. Jean-Luc Lai-Lam, the Seychelles Tourism Board Director for China.

During the meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Minister Loustau-Lalanne said the conclusion of the agreement was a positive step forward and showcases the willingness of the Seychelles and Chinese governments to renew their partnership and deepen the people to people ties in the tourism sector.

The objective of the MoU is to provide a broad framework for cooperation in the tourism sector through tourism and data exchange, support for marketing and promotion programs, training programs, exchange on tourism product development and collaboration between tourism associations.

Minister Loustau-Lalanne said: “The Chinese market is becoming more important for Seychelles. Since we would like our Chinese visitors to feel at home away from home, we would like to welcome Chinese investors to develop tourism related services that will benefit both the Chinese and other visitors. Furthermore, since we have a Bilateral Air Service Agreement in place between our two countries, we would like to see Chinese airlines flying to Seychelles in order to improve air links between our two countries.”

For his part, the head of the China National Tourism Administration, Dr. Li Jinzao expressed the willingness of China to enhance the cooperation with Seychelles in the field of tourism and emphasized on the uniqueness of Seychelles as a dream destination for the Chinese tourists.

“Seychelles has been playing an important and dynamic role in advocating the importance of sustainable tourism for Small Island Developing States. The country’s sustainable tourism policies are inspirational to other countries,” said Dr. Li.

To note that in 2011 when STB decided to tap into the Chinese market, visitor arrivals from China stood at only around 500 annually. In just under five years this figure had grown to over 15,000 in 2016, ranking China as the 6th country contributing the most tourists to the Seychelles.

This achievement has been part and parcel of the continuous success of the country’s sustainable policies that have resulted in numerous accolades. With Seychelles topping the list of 180 countries for best quality of air on the planet, according to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2016 report, the island destination has attracted many Chinese visitors through focused related marketing campaign.

You can now stay in an igloo in the French Alps while raising money and awareness towards sustainable tourism efforts, with a new eco-challenge from tour company Undiscovered Mountains.

The multi-activity holiday specialists have joined forces with ethical tourism charity Tourism Concern to raise awareness of sustainable tourism, through the launch of the Undiscovered Mountains Eco-Challenge.

The challenge will see participants building an igloo from scratch in a remote area of the French Alps before sleeping in the construction overnight. The challenge is not an easy feat with different locations, snow conditions and building techniques all affecting the quality of an igloo structure.

For every group who successfully completes the challenge, Undiscovered Mountains will donate €50 to Tourism Concern.

The Undiscovered Mountains Eco-Challenge is now available to book for the winter 2017/18 season.

The eco-challenge comes at a time when discussion around tourism overload is rife. The recent anti-tourism protests and issues with overcrowding in major European cities are shining a light on the importance of creating a sustainable and ethical tourism industry which benefits the local community in tourist destinations.

2017 has also seen the number of travellers looking to stay in eco-friendly accommodation almost double upon the previous year, with 65% of travellers expressing their intent to stay in eco-friendly accommodation in 2017 according to data from Booking.com's Sustainable Travel Report, versus just 34% in 2016.

Specialist tour operators Undiscovered Mountains have a strong commitment to ethical tourism, working only with local suppliers and creating a sustainable tourism industry in the Alps.

Sally Guillaume, Director of Undiscovered Mountains says, “Sustainable tourism is an issue which is at the core of everything we do. We believe it is crucial to continually look for new ways to raise greater awareness of the benefits and importance of responsible travel.

We chose to use an igloo expedition for our eco-challenge as we strive to promote Alps-based activities outside of ski resorts, which develop a broader tourism economy in the local area. Additionally, the igloo expedition utilises natural resources and survival skills allowing participants to get in touch with nature and truly appreciate the Alpine environment.”

The tour operators are excited to be teaming up with Tourism Concern to raise money towards the charity's work promoting tourism that benefits local people in tourist destinations.

Guillaume states, “Tourism Concern's work to promote ethical tourism and campaign against unscrupulous travel companies is admirable. We are delighted to be working together to raise awareness of sustainable tourism and to support Tourism Concern's work by donating money from the challenge.”

Mark Watson, Executive Director at Tourism Concern is thrilled to be involved in the launch of the Undiscovered Mountains Eco-Challenge. He says, "We are very pleased to be working with Undiscovered Mountains, one of our Ethical Tour Operators, on this innovative and exciting initiative and thank them for their support. This is a fun way to help Tourism Concern and raise awareness of ethical and sustainable tourism. We hope as many people as possible take part in this exciting project and support us in ensuring that tourism benefits local communities."

The Undiscovered Mountains Eco-Challenge is now available to book via Undiscovered Mountains online or by phone. The challenge can be included as part of any Undiscovered Mountains winter activity package, or alternatively Undiscovered Mountains can offer a tailor-made trip with the eco-challenge included. Trips will be taking place through the winter 2017/18 season.

https://undiscoveredmountains.com/igloo-expedition-alps

Siam Park and Loro Parque, two of Tenerife's most popular theme parks, have been honoured in TripAdvisor's highly-acclaimed 2017 Travellers' Choice Awards. The island's Thai-themed water kingdom, Siam Park, has claimed the pole position as the world's 'Best Water Park', for the fourth consecutive year, while animal paradise Loro Parque has also claimed the top spot as the world's 'Best Zoological Park'. The popular Travellers' Choice Awards celebrate the best attractions across the globe based on the reviews of millions of travellers.

Loro Parque is a 13.5-hectare zoo on the outskirts of Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife, which houses the most extensive and diverse reserve of animal and plant species. Earlier this year, Loro Parque received a 'Humane Certified' certificate from the renowned animal welfare organisation American Humane for its humane treatment of the animals, making it the first zoo in Europe to achieve this standard. Loro Parque's efforts in the matters of the conservation of biodiversity were again recognised when it received a certificate for confirming 100% compliance to the Global Welfare for Animals in Tourism guidelines, which were set out by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

Siam Park, which is set against a backdrop of spectacular Thai architecture, is located in Costa Adeje, in the south of Tenerife. It recently unveiled its newest ride, Singha, which sees a three-man float propelled uphill and downhill through water before being catapulted along a winding 200 metre tunnel.