BBC buys last of Lonely Planet

Source: Reuters

We were alerted to this little newsflash by Matador Radar. According to The Guardian, BBC is set to acquire the remaining 25% of Lonely Planet. The BBC bought 75% of the shares back in 2007 for a paltry £88.1m. The remaining 25% were put options left in the hands of Tony and Maureen Wheeler — the founders of Lonely Planet — who have decided to exercise them. The buyout will cost the BBC £42m.

Explains Marcus Arthur, chairman of Lonely Planet and managing director of BBC Worldwide’s global brands division:

The put option enabled us to benefit from the Wheelers’ experience over the last three and a half years. They have supported Lonely Planet’s ongoing migration from a traditional book publisher to a multi-platform brand.

Of the initial decision to purchase LP, BBC News reported that “The purchase fits in with BBC plans to grow online revenues and expand operations in America and Australia.”

After the initial acquisition, the LP brand saw a fall in revenue, reporting a loss of £3.2m loss in March 2009. Since then, though, its digital (non-print) revenues — which include 140 applications and 8.5 million unique visitors to lonelyplanet.com — have risen by 37% in the year ending March 2010. LP’s print magazine, launched in 2008, has seen a 33.4% year-on-year increase in the UK and Ireland.

Little plug: whoever said print is dead?

Keeping Up with the Travel Media

If you want to know how to work with the tourism and lifestyle media effectively then ask a travel journalist.

Leading travel journalist, Rachael Oakes-Ash, has developed a number of workshops specifically for tourism operators, in house marketers and public relations professionals. Her PitchIt2Me series of PR training for the tourism industry will be in Sydney and Melbourne this March.

The world of traditional travel reporting has changed and understanding which PR strategies work and which ones are obsolete will help your tourism product stay ahead of your competitors. PitchIt2Me has surveyed the travel media for you with surprising results that will change the way you promote your tourism product or client.

PitchIt2Me has trained delegates from Abercrombie & Kent, Hilton Hotels, Vail Resorts, Huka Retreats, Leading Hotels of the World and more. Choose from the original half day Pitch It To Me workshop for a comprehensive overview of tourism PR and travel media or focus purely on press releases in the Write On workshop. If pitching to media is a challenge then the So You Think You Can Pitch workshop will get your voice heard every time.

For more information on the Sydney workshops on March 22 and 24 and the Melbourne workshops on March 30 and 31 visit www.pitchit2me.com.au or email rachael@pitchit2me.com.au

Quake Rocks Christchurch - Major Damage, Casualties

Rescue workers search for survivors in Christchurch. Photo: Martin Hunter/Getty Images

Source: Travelmole

A large 6.3 magnitude earthquake has struck Christchurch leaving badly damaged buildings in the city centre and reports of extensive casualties.

It is the second quake to hit New Zealand in five months. A 7.1 magnitude quake caused extensive damage in the city last September.

First photographs carried on news websites show badly damaged buildings around Cathedral Square, one of the city’s tourist draw cards.The cathedral itself was extensively damaged.

There were reports of people being trapped in buildings across the city and bus passengers were reported to be trapped under falling debris.

The airport was closed after its tower collapsed.


Christchurch YHA reported to be badly damaged

The YHA building in Christchurch was badly damaged in the earthquake that struck the city today.

Bodies were seen being removed from the building, local media reported.

Early reports indicate IHG’s three hotels in Christchurch have suffered damage in this afternoon’s earthquake.

All guests and staff at Crowne Plaza Christchurch, Holiday Inn City Centre Christchurch and Holiday Inn on Avon Christchurch have been evacuated.

All three hotels are now closed until such time as a full damage assessment can be undertaken.

Hospitals around the South Island of New Zealand have been cleared to take the earthquake injured.

St John's Ambulance had run out of ambulances and was using four-wheel drives to get the injured out.

Defence forces have been called in to assist with the earthquake recovery.

Christchurch Cathedral, the heart of the city, has largely collapsed.

Dean of Cathedral Peter Beck said they tried to get out whom they could but it was now in the hands of emergency services. "It doesn't look good".

A police statement said the earthquake struck at 12.51pm local time on Tuesday.

The statement went on, “Multiple fatalities have been reported at several locations in the central city, including two buses crushed by falling buildings.

“Other reports include multiple building collapses, fires in buildings in the central area and persons reported trapped in buildings.

“Christchurch Hospital is not evacuated and is in operation. No injuries reported at Christchurch Airport."

The Upper House awarded "Hotel of the Year"

By Preferred Hotels & Resorts 

The Upper House has been awarded "Hotel of the Year" after 16 months of opening, by Preferred Hotels & Resorts.

Preferred Hotel Group recognised the best of the best in awarding "Hotel of the Year", honours to hotels and resorts in each of its brands.  Hotels were selected based upon excellence in customer service, guest satisfaction and the embodiment of Preferred Hotel Group's value.

Preferred Hotel Group represents more than 800 independent, best-in-class hotels and luxury shared-ownership residences in over 70 countries across a collection of six distinct brands.

Dean Winter, General Manager of The Upper House said, "The award is a reflection of the hard work and strong customer commitment of The Upper House team.  It also demonstrates the development of Swire Hotels into a preferred brand for business and leisure travellers globally – it is a great honour."

"All of this year's award recipients are the embodiment of Preferred's 'Standards of Excellence' which is the defining element of our brands," said Lindsey Ueberroth, President of Preferred Hotel Group, "We applaud their continued commitment to excellence in hotel keeping and their ongoing leadership within the industry."

Since opening in October 2009, The Upper House has scooped top awards and is recognised for its fresh approach to personalised service and stylish design by Andre Fu of AFSO. Fu has been hailed by Vogue UK as 'Design Wunderkind' and Conde Nast Traveller US as an 'Asian Design Sensation'. Café Gray Deluxe by celebrated chef Gray Kunz has recently been awarded one star Michelin at the Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau 2011.

Expedia expands into Southeast Asia with the launch of new Singapore site

Expedia, Inc., the world's leading online travel company, has announced the launch of its new Singapore website – www.expedia.com.sg – a travel booking website designed specifically to meet the needs of travellers from Singapore.

The new website marks the company's entry into Southeast Asia, and is the fifth Expedia® site in the Asia Pacific region, adding to its existing regional presence in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and India. Expedia, Inc. also has a presence in China through a controlling investment in eLong™.

The new Expedia Singapore website currently offers hotel bookings and will include air fares and packages later this year.

"As one of the fastest growing online travel markets in the world, Southeast Asia represents an extremely important part of our Asia Pacific growth strategy. In 2011, you will see a significant acceleration in the points of sale that we actually launch. There is plenty of scope for growth in the online travel market in Asia as recent survey findings have shown that travel purchases top the list of online shopping here, a trend that is set to grow exponentially, presenting us with great opportunity for Expedia. The launch of the Expedia Singapore website is the first step of further investment in this region with new sites in Malaysia, Korea and Thailand to follow within the first half of this year," said Dan Lynn, Vice President and Managing Director, Expedia Asia Pacific.

"Singaporeans are keen travellers and with the launch of our newest website, we empower the customer to research and book their perfect holiday, selecting from Expedia's global product range and highly competitive prices. The new website will also provide in-depth travel and destination information, trusted by more than 25 million shoppers per day on Expedia globally," added Lynn.

"Expedia's unrivalled technology, unique product offering and global foot print give us the confidence to replicate the success of our operations in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and India," Lynn concluded.

Expedia also has localised sites for travellers in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Mexico.

 

CABLE BEACH GOES GRAND WITH NEW GRAND MERCURE APARTMENTS

Accor has added the Grand Mercure Apartments Cable Beach Resort to its fast-growing franchise network, with the former Broome Sanctuary Resort (originally opened by Rendezvous) rebranding from 1 March. The resort comprises 150 studios and self-contained one- and two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom villas, some with private plunge pools.

To celebrate the rebranding the Grand Mercure is offering a special relaunch offer of 20% off when you stay five nights, valid from 1 April to 31 May 2011 across all room types.

Set around a huge tropical lagoon-style pool and located just a short walk from what is arguably Western Australia's most beautiful beach, the Grand Mercure Apartments are close to all the attractions of Broome and provide a gateway to the Kimberley region.

All apartments have covered courtyards or balcony areas and feature modern décor which draws on the rich colours of Broome. The resort features five swimming pools including a kids' pool, Pindan restaurant and bar and Sorbet, one of Broome's premium Day Spas which offers extensive water therapies and body treatments. There are also conference facilities for up to 100 delegates.

Gail Gower, General Manager of Grand Mercure Apartments Cable Beach Resort said she is excited to be working with Accor to relaunch the property

"To be able to access the extensive network of support services that Accor offers is very valuable and we have no doubt we will see an increase in business through the exposure of the property, especially to Accor's loyalty programs such as Advantage Plus and A|Club members," she said. "It is a real benefit for Broome as a premier tourism destination to have another well-recognised luxury brand coming into the town."

Cable Beach is renowned as one of the most stunning beaches in the world, with 22 kilometres of powdery white sand fringing the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Situated in the State's north, Broome is an oasis of colour, culture and characters, with a relaxed vibe and a vibrant landscape. It boasts a lively arts scene, sophisticated dining and plenty of attractions from the famous "Staircase to the Moon' and a rich pearling history to dinosaur footprints said to be 130 million years old.

Accor also manages the 136-room Mercure in Broome, which has been performing very strongly thanks to a booming economy in the far north of Western Australia.

Grand Mercure is Accor's upscale apartment brand, designed to meet the requirements of long-stay business guests, families and groups who prefer the 'home away from home' comfort found in an apartment. Located in major city, regional and resort locations, Grand Mercure provides stylish apartments and villa-style accommodation, often with extensive leisure facilities.

The deluxe brand targets discerning travels with the best in boutique-style accommodation and convenience of self-contained facilities. The new branding will help to bring more international visitors to Broome and attract more business tourism to the area.

With 22 hotels across Australia, the Grand Mercure brand is also represented in New Zealand, China and Thailand, with than 4800 rooms globally. Grand Mercure Cable Beach Resort joins other apartment hotels in the Hunter Valley, the Whitsundays, Melbourne's Docklands, Hervey Bay, Townsville and other key locations.

For bookings go to www.accorhotels.com

Are You a 'California Gurl' (or Guy) in Training?

California Travel and Tourism Commission rewards its online training graduates with Katy Perry California Dreams concert tickets.

California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) has launched the coolest Californian incentive to Australian and New Zealand travel agents to complete its online travel training program, California Expert.

Any graduating agents who complete the program via the online training site www.californiaexpert.travel and successfully graduate as 'California Experts' will be entered into a draw to win one of 20 double passes to see superstar Katy Perry live in concert when she tours Australia for her California Dreams tour in April/May 2011.

"We have tickets for Katy Perry concerts across Australia and New Zealand - some of which have sold out - and all agents have to do to be eligible to win is to complete all seven modules of the California Expert training program by March 31," says Tristan Freedman, CTTC's Australia/New Zealand Account Manager.

Part of a worldwide training program, "California Expert" was launched in October 2010 and is an effective learning tool for travel agents, designed to equip them with the highest level of California product knowledge and assist them to sell California to consumers. Awarded with a certificate upon completion, travel agents will find themselves armed with all the necessary tools and know how to sell California to their clients.

"It really is a fantastic training program. The different modules are a great way for agents to learn about the huge potential of California as a holiday destination. Not just Los Angeles and San Francisco, but the plethora of regional destinations such as Sonoma, Palm Springs and Lake Tahoe that are all just a short drive from those gateway cities," says Freedman.

To be eligible to win tickets to see Katy Perry agents need to go to www.californiaexpert.travel - click on the relevant country flag, register and complete the training by the end of March. All winners will be notified by email and will be posted in the travel media the week of April 4.