Save the reef, says tourists

ACCORDING to a study by James Cook (JCU) University in Australia, tourists are more worried about oil spills ruining the Great Barrier Reef than the possibility that it might lose its World Heritage status.

 A team of researchers from JCU’s Business School, surveyed 980 visitors to Far North Queensland.  

It found the tourists, mainly those from overseas, were very concerned about the impact of damage to the Reef either through climate change or from oil spills. Loss of the reef’s World Heritage was less of a concern than oil spills and climate change.

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Picture Credit: ''False Clown Anemonefish Great Barrier Reef Australia'' by Great Barrier Reef Encounter (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons

Accolade for Marlin Apartments, as hotel rates in UK capitals soar

MARLIN APARTMENTS – owner of more than 700 premium apartments in London – has won an industry award. It has been named Industry Leader by the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers.

The company, founded in 2003, says its apartments for leisure and business visitors offer almost three times the space of the equivalent standard London hotel room, plus a fully-equipped kitchen and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.

Meanwhile, the latest research has found that hotel rates in London remain the highest in Europe. 

Room rates have risen by 17 percent on those recorded in Q3 2013. They have reached £134 a night, ahead of Zurich and Copenhagen. Rates in Edinburgh and Cardiff have risen by 18 percent.

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Picture Credit: Marlin Apartments

Your partner, or your phone?

MEN AND WOMEN in the UK are often fonder of their mobile phones than their partners, according to European research by Swiss International Air Lines.

Forty percent of Britons surveyed admitted they are often fighting a losing battle when it comes to partners paying more attention to their gadgets. 

Even more (84%) think people don't connect like they used to when they are face-to-face because of the pull of the internet and easy access communications on-the-go.

Other findings show:

*Germans are the most worried that digital media has led to more superficial relationships. They are also the most upset when it comes to being ignored in favour of a mobile phone.

*The Spanish are the worst when it comes to ignoring their partners often in favour of their phones. More than half of Spaniards think nothing of checking their phone while in conversation with others.

*French are the least concerned about eye contact during a conversation.


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Picture Credit: Go Holiday BLOG via Wikimedia Commons

Savings for early birds

LIMITED early bird tickets for the 2015 National Forest Wood Fair have gone on sale in time for Christmas. 

Visitors who buy them now will get one third off the normal entry price in August next year.

The event takes place in the Beacon Hill Country Park in Leicestershire

Richard Drakeley, Tourism Development Officer for the National Forest Company, said: ‘The National Forest Wood Fair attracts more than 100 exhibitors and demonstrators, and people return year after year to this very special event. There's always loads to see and do, but also time to talk to the exhibitors, ask them about their craft, and find out more about the things you can see and do in The National Forest. Early bird tickets will save you money and you'll have a great day out to look forward to next summer!’

Tickets are on sale online at www.nationalforestwoodfair.co.uk  

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Queens tops the list

Queens in New York City has topped Lonely Planet's Best in the US 2015 list of destinations selected by US-based editors and guidebook writers.

It is the city’s largest borough and is also becoming its hippest, with micro-breweries springing up, a reinvented seaside at Rockaway and a world-class art scene.

Western South Dakota and New Orleans came second and third in the ratings.

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Picture Credit: 'Jackson Heights NY 82nd Street, by Marcuswoollen (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons.

Have pet, so can I travel?

RESEARCH by TripIt in the US highlights the impact that furry companions have on travel plans. The majority of people surveyed said their pets will influence their holiday intentions.

Fifty six percent of those polled said their pets will impact how long they travelled when on holiday, and almost half of respondents said their pets would impact where they stay (their accommodation). Almost 87 percent said they wished it were easier to travel with their animals.

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Picture Credit: Go Holiday magazine

What to do in Windsor …

ROYAL WINDSOR'S attractions are open during the Christmas and New Year holiday for winter garden walks, a peek at festive Windsor Castle, calorie burning on ice, or a gallery's cultural inspiration.

Windsor Castle is the planet’s oldest and largest inhabited castle. 

Queen Elizabeth spends Christmas at her country home in Norfolk, which means visitors can see the State apartments transformed with festive decorations. In the State dining room, a table of glittering silver-gilt from the Grand Service takes centre stage. Closed December 25-26, then open to December 31.

The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park comprises 35 acres of colour and scent. 

One of England’s finest ornamental garden includes The Queen Elizabeth Temperate House, where poinsettias provide festive cheer in the lead up to Christmas and hyacinths and scented narcissi fill the house with perfume through to January and February. The garden is closed only on December 25 and 26.

Windsor on Ice offers a great family day out regardless of the weather. The covered rink is open daily (except Christmas Day) until Sunday January 4.

Dedicated to one of the most original British painters of his generation, the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham has the world's largest collection of his works in the former Methodist Chapel he attended as a child.  Closed December 25.

www.windsor.gov.uk

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Picture Credit: FromTop - Windsor Castle - "Estatua de la Reina Victoria en la colina del castillo, Windsor, Inglaterra" by Diego Delso via Wikimedia Commons; "Bridge, Savill Gardens - geograph.org.uk - 1582279" by John Myers via Wikimedia Commons