Author: Sam Allcock

Richmond Bridge, the oldest surviving Thames crossing in Greater London, has been transformed with a spectacular floral display to celebrate its 250th anniversary. The floral makeover is part of the “Be in Bloom” initiative, a new campaign launched by Richmond’s Business Improvement District (BID) to enhance the town’s historic landmarks and foster community pride. The floral installation, created by renowned London florists WildAbout, covers the bridge with fresh flowers and plants, using eco-friendly moss as the base. The initiative seeks to honour Richmond’s unique heritage while beautifying the town for residents and visitors alike. The celebratory display coincides with the…

A recent study has revealed that Wakefield is the area of the UK most eager for a Greek holiday, topping the list of Greek-related searches. The study, conducted by Thames Acropolis Tickets & Tours, analysed Google search data to find out which areas of the country were most interested in Greek getaways. Using search terms like ‘Santorini flights’ and ‘Athens holidays,’ the study examined the average number of Greek holiday-related Google searches each month. The data was then compared against the population of each area to determine which regions had the highest interest in a Greek escape. Wakefield came out…

At the G20 Tourism Ministers’ meeting in Belém, Brazil, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasised the critical need for tourism to play a central role in building a fairer, more sustainable future. With international tourism set to fully recover from the pandemic by the end of this year, Pololikashvili called on the global sector to focus on empowering local communities, addressing climate change, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices. The latest data from the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) shows that international tourist arrivals reached 80% of pre-pandemic levels during the first half of 2023, with some regions even surpassing those…

A new study has revealed Westminster as the top area in London for food enthusiasts, boasting the most restaurant options per capita. Travel experts from London Tickets and Tours analysed data from Bing Maps to rank the top 10 London boroughs based on their number of eateries per 100,000 residents. The findings show that Westminster, home to famous attractions like Chinatown and Westminster Abbey, topped the list with an impressive 3,838.44 restaurants per 100,000 people. Scoring a perfect 10, Westminster has cemented its reputation as a prime destination for food lovers, catering to both tourists and locals. Travel expert Magdalena…

Woburn Safari Park has announced the arrival of two new Southern White rhinos, Granville and Azeeza, as they prepare to bid farewell to Bonnie, a much-loved resident rhino. The new additions arrived on August 20, with Granville, a five-year-old male, coming from West Midlands Safari Park, while Azeeza, a three-year-old female, was transported from Safari Zoo Cumbria. Granville, known for his friendly disposition and affinity for human interaction, is expected to settle in well with the existing rhino herd. His curious nature was evident even as a baby, when he would approach the giraffes in his previous mixed species home.…

As universities across the UK welcome new and returning students this September, Oxford and Cambridge prepare for a different seasonal rhythm, with terms not commencing until mid-October. This timing creates a unique opportunity for visitors to stay in the historic colleges of these iconic cities at affordable rates until the end of the month. Coinciding with this period are the Open-Door events, offering free access to many of the cities’ most significant colleges and landmarks. According to travel expert Lily Smith from UniversityRooms.com, both cities—often referred to as “Oxbridge”—come together to provide access to their renowned buildings during this time.…

The 3rd Hunan Tourism Development Conference is underway in Hengyang City, Hunan Province, Southern China, from September 20 to 22. This year’s conference, themed “Polishing Hunan’s Historical and Cultural Card through Culture-based Tourism,” aims to enhance the region’s cultural tourism through a series of key events and activities. The conference features three main events: the Opening Ceremony and Cultural Tourism Promotion Conference, the Promotion of Key Cultural and Tourism Projects, and the Hunan Tourism Industry Development Promotion Conference. Additionally, five supporting activities are scheduled, including the 2024 Hunan Cultural and Tourism Industry Investment and Financing Conference and the 3rd Hunan…

HotelPlanner, a prominent travel technology platform, has announced a new partnership with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), aimed at providing the organisation’s 100,000 members with access to excellent hotel rates both in the UK and globally. This collaboration enhances HotelPlanner’s existing relationships with various sporting governing bodies and seeks to improve the accommodation management for the RYA, benefiting its members and athletes. Under this partnership, RYA members will have the opportunity to book hotels at competitive rates for both national and international travel, as well as for the numerous events hosted by the RYA. This initiative aligns with the RYA’s…

A new report on business travel and events has suggested that after years of sharp price increases, costs are expected to stabilise over the next two years. According to the 2025 Global Business Travel Forecast, published by travel specialist CWT and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the rate of price rises will slow significantly, offering companies greater predictability in planning budgets. While costs for airfares, hotels, car rentals, and meetings will still increase, the pace is expected to be far more moderate through 2024 and 2025. This follows the volatile trends seen in recent years, when the global pandemic…

Niagara Falls has topped the list of the most popular bucket list destinations for British travellers, according to a new study that ranks the world’s most-searched landmarks. The research, conducted by travel experts at Dubai Tours & Tickets, analysed Google search data to identify the top dream travel spots for Brits. The study found that Niagara Falls, spanning the border of Canada and the US, is searched for an average of 160,661 times each month, making it the most desirable destination. This figure is a staggering 1,087% higher than the average number of searches for other landmarks on the list,…