Travel & Tourism News
Charming Scottish island might be yours for £2.5m
You have a chance to buy a snap of the paradise as a charming Scottish island is on a market for £2.5 million. It is not an exorbitant price for owning an island,Tanera Mòr, which has its own input in film history as it is widely believed to have inspired unforgettable and spine-chilling horror film The Wicker Man.
Packer to turn Sri Lanka into casino hub
James Packer, who is ranked in the top 200 richest people in the world, has ambitious plans of expanding his gambling empire. These days he is vitally interested in expanding in Sri Lanka as the small India Ocean island is considered a perfect place for a casino hub.
London puts an eye on business
Back in the XIXth century, Benajmin Disraeli said: “London is a modern Babylon.” Time passed, yet the Prime Minister’s allegation is still up to date. Once you visit London, you will not only feel that it is full of tourists from all around the globe as it is full of historic and cultural heritage but you will inhale the air sated with the international business and unlimited possibilities.
Most expensive package holiday ever available for just $1.5m
Are you ready to spend a rather hefty sum for arguably unforgettable moments? If yes, just be prepared to dive deep into your pocket as the world’s most expensive holidays ever costs around $1.5 million or £990,000 per couple. UK-based VeryFirstTo.com, the luxury travel agency, now offers the most expensive package holiday. But do not worry… If you want to embrace this lifetime experience by yourself, it is also possible for just the half of the sum and you will be able to admire every single UNESCO World Heritage Site.
BBC Worldwide is to get rid of Lonely Planet for £50m
At last, BBC Worldwide, the entertainment company, informed that after all it sold its Lonely Planet to NC2 Media for slightly over £50 million. Fortunately for Lonely Planet, it is now in hands of US-based NC2 Media which has plans what to do with it and how to run it to make it even more successful.
Thomas Cook focuses on its turnaround strategy
On the 13th of March, British travel firm Thomas Cook informed that it aimed to improve its profits by around £350 billion by 2015 through its turnaround strategy. The 171-year-old UK tour operator plans to reduce the number of its stores, dispose non-core businesses and concentrate on online sales as it is trying to stand on its feet.
The Top Five Most Luxurious Trains in The World
The carriages, the most luxurious trains in the world, are truly built for kings and queens or the crème de la crème of society. But anyone willing to part with some good amount of money can enjoy this travel luxury.
Tourists love UK shopping experience
While the UK economy, including the high street, is still not in the best shape, the country might glory in the title of the world’s most sought-after destination for foreign shoppers looking to splash out their hard-earned money. A study by VisitBritain indicates that the UK has still its magic that lures overseas shoppers to come and spend cash in British shops.
Replica of Titanic to set sail in 2016. Interested in cruise?
A replica of famous and tragic Titanic is expected to set sail and start the virgin trip from Southampton to New York in 2016. Clive Palmer, an originator of Titanic II, attempts to bring the legend to life… But, do not think that prices will be the same as in 1912! If you want to get on board of Titanic II, you will have to pay a hefty sum – nothing to sneeze at!
Island of the Richest. Lusting for Temptation Island?
Imagine yourself on a beautiful island. You can feel indescribable sea breeze on your face and hear sounds of nature. As private islands for sale can be found in many sizes, and they have different locations and other distinctive features, the initial price may not surprise you, though.
UnderWater World is closer with World Discus Hotel
Some unimaginably futuristic plans will never be pursued, but some will… Despite the fact that idea of the cities of the future is still more or less on paper, underwater hotels are going to get us closer to a vision of our fate. Even though the Rangali Islands Resort in the Maldives glories in the title of the world’s first “underwater hotel”, on the horizon there is a new project which will certainly be revolutionary – the World Discus Hotel as it is to be the largest underwater building.
Russian splendor amounts to $50b for 2014 Winter Olympics
Getting a chance to organize and host the 2014 Winter Olympics is one of few opportunities when Russia can show the whole world how big and powerful it is. And it is – nothing to sneeze at. Yet, the preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi amounted to record $50 billion. Billions of dollars are being spent to rebuild national prestige and pride
TUI Travel in merger negotiations with parent TUI AG
TUI Travel informed that it started merger negotiations with its German parent TUI AG. The merger is aimed at cutting costs and focusing mainly on tourism. Analysts estimate that the merger could bring as much as €100 million in savings. News on the merger talks between TUI Travel and TUI AG sent UK-listed comapny’s shares up approximately 4 percent, while shares of the German company jumped approximately 9 percent.
MGM China’s plan of new casino in Macau approved
MGM China Holdings Ltd, a venture between Pansy Ho and MGM Resorts International, received an approval from the Macau government to build a second casino in the world’s No. 1 gambling hub, according to a statement released on the 9th January.
Fed up with boring life? Ready for change? Gear up for Mars!
The colonization of the Red Planet is not only a topic of science fiction films or books; it is becoming a reality. More and more people believe that the human life on Mars is just a matter of time. Elon Musk, who is one of adherents of the human colonization of Mars, has just announced plans of building a 80,000 city on the Red Planet in the 2020s. Plans are getting more realistic, but daredevils, who want to take part in the project, should be prepared to stay there for the rest of their lives.
Macau sees gambling revenue grow 14% to $38bn in 2012
On the 2nd of January, official data showed that Macau saw gambling revenue increase approximately 14 percent to about $38 billion in 2012. The figures also indicated that Macau casino revenue jumped as much as 20 percent in December, surprisingly topping analysts’ estimates. The results support the Macau’s title of the world’s biggest gambling market.
Thomas Cook remains optimistic despite £590m loss
Thomas Cook Group PLC, which is the UK’s second-largest travel company, reported a £590 million overall annual loss. Even though Harriet Green, the new chief executive officer at Thomas Cook Group PLC, expressed her dissatisfaction regarding the loss, the company remains optimistic about its future. The UK’s travel company tries to reorganize itself to get back in the game. The high annual loss was caused by reduced capacity and higher fuel costs as well.
Dubai aims high as it plans to open world’s biggest mall and tallest hotel
Dubai aims high as it has announced its plans to build the world’s biggest shopping mall and tallest hotel, not to mention gardens that are said to be larger than London’s Hyde Park. Dubai revives its property projects which have been postponed due to the global financial crisis. And it is not surprising that Dubai wants everything to be big as it always aims at showing off. So its big comeback is not unexpectedly revolving around the business of biggest.
Priceline.com to acquire travel research site Kayak for $1.8bn
On the 8th of November, Priceline.com Inc. informed that it would acquire Kayak Software Corp. for $1.8 billion in cash and stock. The acquisition of Kayak, which is a buying price-comparison site, underlines ongoing changes in the internet travel business.
