www.ba.com
Officials at British Airways (BA) are predicting a continued slump in business class travel and are suggesting that the downturn could continue for another five years. The high end market of business and first class used to be the main source of revenue for BA. That came to a screeching halt with the start of the recession and it has company executives at BA worried. (more…)
www.travelandleisure.com
Sixt car rental has just been voted the World’s Best Car Rental Agency in the 14th annual Travel and Leisure Magazine reader’s poll. The survey is a benchmark of consumer opinion on a variety of travel related topics, services, and destinations worldwide.
Consumers cast votes in categories that include best cities, hotels, airlines, tour operators and car rental agencies just to name a few. (more…)
www.hertz.com
In refreshing news for the economy, Hertz, a world leader in car rental, has announced a profitable second quarter and that rental car demand is stabilizing. The car rental giant reported earnings of close to 10 cents a share for the quarter.
At the outset of the economic crises, Hertz posted two disappointing quarters of consecutive losses causing worry throughout the industry. (more…)
www.heathrowairport.com
Heathrow’s failure to expand with a third runway is costing the UK about a billion a year according to a recent study by the British chamber of Commerce (BCC).
Heaviest losses are said to be in the North East region which is taking at least a £115 million hit a year from the lack of action on the part of Heathrow. The BCC estimates that completion of the runway would result in a £30 billion countrywide income increase over the next 60 years. (more…)
www.corwallbeachguide.co.uk
The section of Cornwall beach that is reputed to have inspired Virginia Wolfe to write To The lighthouse was sold at auction yesterday. The beachfront property is comprised of 76 acres and was sold to an anonymous female bidder rumored to have Cornish connections.
Offers came in from bidders in the US as well as Russia causing somewhat of a bidding war. (more…)
www.ips.gov.uk
As Britons cut back on travel, the number of people who intend to renew their passports is declining. According to research experts ICM, as many as 2.5 million UK citizens have said that they will not renew.
The government recently announced increases in fees for passports and this is apparently having a chilling effect on renewals. Another increase scheduled for September will drive up the cost of a passport all the way to £77.50, a staggering 85% increase. It was only four years ago that the cost of a passport was £42. (more…)
www.cotswolds.com
Visit Cotswolds has put together a map showing the most popular locations featured in the smash hit movie Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Fans of the film will be able to follow in their hero’s footsteps as they travel around the UK this summer. The map adds a new level of enjoyment to car rental.
The movie starring the familiar faces of Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliff, and Rupert Grint is proving to be a sensation this summer. (more…)
The UK has amended its travel advisory for the second time this year for the Philippines to allow what they call “essential travels” throughout most of the Mindanao region.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) had previously lifted restrictions affecting the east side of Mindanao back in May. The new travel advisory expands the permitted region for travel and now includes most of Mindanao. The only part of the area remaining under travel advisory is Southwest Mindanao, as well as the Sulu Islands.
Travel to the region has been banned for the past three years. Following discussions with the Philippine Embassy in London, the SCO decided to lift the ban, signaling an improved outlook for Mindanao. Diplomats from the Philippines met with the FCO in London last July and hammered out the details.
Lifting of the ban allows British holidaymakers to, once again, visit some of the top tourist destinations in that region, which have suffered economically as a result of the three-year travel advisory.
British holidaymakers comprise the largest segment of the European tourism market in the Philippines. Approximately 87,000 British travelers visited the Philippines in 2008 and the number is increasing every year.
Eco-tourism is popular with Britons, especially in terms of bird watching. There are nearly 2 million birdwatchers in the UK, many of whom would like to visit the Philippines.
Thanks to www.dfa.gov.ph for the above information. For more about this article, visit their web site.
VW Drafter recently won the 2009 Van Fleet World award for best large Van. The honors were accepted at a ceremony in Pall Mall at the Royal Automobile Club. After winning the award The Drafter vans were added to the VW van rental fleet.
The award is presented annually to vehicle manufacturers, who achieve a high level of excellence.
“Despite the difficult economic conditions, we had a tremendous number of entries in this year’s Fleet World Honours – a sign not only of the significance of the awards themselves, but also of the tremendous level of service, innovation and competition that exist within the fleet industry today. Those who have won can be justifiably proud of their achievement,” commented Fleet World editor, Ross Durkin.
The Crafter line of rental vans is available through Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. For customers needing to transport a small group, the Crafter mini bus is available at select locations in a 17-seat version. Besides a wide range of hire vans, the Volkswagen van rental program also rents out a full complement of passenger vehicles.
Volkswagen belongs to the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association and follows the group’s tough industry guidelines. If you’d like to rent an award-winning van, contact the team at Volkswagen.
Thanks to www.theautochannel.com for the above quote. For more information about this article, visit their web site.
Ryanair will no longer be able to gouge German residents as a result of a Superior Court of Justice ruling last month.
The airline routinely charges customers what many have called exorbitant fees for the use of debit and credit cards when purchasing tickets. German residents have been getting charged a fee of €8 every time they book a flight and use a debit or credit card.
The German court ruled that since the airline doesn’t offer free online booking, the charges are unacceptable and will not be allowed.
The airline claims that the ruling is unsound because free reservations are available to customers using a Visa Electron card. Since Ryanair makes in excess of £650 million in profits each year on the extra fees, they intend to appeal the ruling.
Ryanair charges UK residents, on the other hand, a fee of £10 for the use of the credit or debit card and Brit’s are equally displeased with the fee. Should the German ruling hold up, a similar case would probably be put before the UK courts.
Earlier this year, Ryanair had to deal with the Office of Fair Trading as a result of complaints about exorbitant hidden fees being charged on their web site. That matter was resolved by agreement when Ryanair changed their online booking procedure.
Thanks to www.telegraph.co.uk. For more information on this story please visit their website.
