UK and International travel and tourism
England is full of quaint customs - some funny and others frankly bizarre. Some with origins lost or simply re-invigorated to suit modern tastes and bank holidays. Swan Upping is neither. Firmly routed in the 12th century, it is both necessary for conservation of mute swans and acts as a gentle reminder of just who … Continue reading Mind the Swan Uppers on your way up the river!
I have lost many friends in the essential early Sunday morning break-for-the-beaches, picnic packed and flask of coffee to hand, essential in avoiding the miles of grinding traffic queuing on the coast approaches. Heading to south coast favourites, Bournemouth and Poole offer seven pebble-free miles of Blue Flag beaches. The sunshine is estimated to be worth … Continue reading Just me and 250,000 at the seaside
The High Commission of South Africa in London is the diplomatic and public face of South Africa in the UK and has one of the best addresses in town - right on Trafalgar Square. I have visited many times, and it certainly feels like stepping into a time capsule that takes me back to a … Continue reading Just because the lady loves flowers.
There are some parts of the world where crime flourishes, and gun crime in particular. This article is not about the rights and wrongs of gun ownership, but the impact it has on international tourism which is vital for job and wealth creation in all participating destinations. As an ex-pat living in the UK, I have read … Continue reading Gun Crime and Tourism – reality vs perceptions
Some businesses continue to moan about the impact the internet is having on their profitability, and in some cases viability. I listened to a lively discussion on the radio this morning with representatives from the book trade on how they are trying to deal with those annoying people who are ‘skim-browsing’ in their shops, checking … Continue reading Sometimes Industry Needs a Crisis
It has always puzzled me how marketeers can be so arrogant to think their brand can appeal to everyone, all of the time. Do they think they will miss some customers with this “catch all’ approach? Now that we can theoretically reach all of the citizens in all of the world, without I suspect, really … Continue reading Is Yours a “Something for Everyone” Destination?
The UK is fortunate to have some of the best museums in the world, stuffed full of treasures and cultural gems that are a veritable feast for visitors. It’s been more than 11 years since the government’s decision to stop charging for admission to England’s national museums. Figures released by the Department for Culture, Media … Continue reading There is no such thing as a free lunch, in a free museum
People visit townships for a variety of reasons. For us, it was to re-acquaint ourselves with what Cape Town has to offer the visitor In our roles as UK and USA Reps for Cape Town Tourism. We were invited to explore the unexpected Cape Town and experiencing the townships formed a key part of this … Continue reading Township Tourism. What’s in a name?
Expect the Unexpected Cape Town is full of things for the visitor to do; from the majesty that is Cape Point to the breathtaking views atop Table Mountain. But, as I discovered earlier this year, Cape Town is also full of the expected. What I experienced is surely part of the reason Cape Town has … Continue reading Unexpected Cape Town
What is the point of trade shows? Ever since I started in the tourism business, trade shows have been an integral, if misunderstood part of the communications landscape. On the one hand you were excited because it meant getting out of the office for a few days with the occasional bonus of not having to … Continue reading What is the Point of Trade Shows?
Mary Tebje 