UK government splits on China visa issue

UK home secretary Theresa May has questioned plans to simplify the visa application for Chinese visitors, claiming it would create a security risk.

Jeremy Hunt, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, outlines plans earlier this week for an £8m extension of the GREAT marketing campaign into secondary Chinese markets in an attempt to boost visitor numbers from the country.

This would be accompanied by a “streamlining” of the visa process, Hunt added.

However, in a letter obtained by the Daily Telegraph May states she believed the move would pose a security threat.

The letter, which is written by May’s private secretary, states she believes the plan is “unacceptable”.

The plans have also been questioned by the World Travel & Tourism Council, which argued Air Passenger Duty reform would be of more benefit to the UK.

Hunt had presented the strategy earlier this week, claiming it could triple the number of Chinese visitors to the UK to 500,000 annually.

This in turn would add £500 million in revenue to the UK tourism sector, and create 14,000 jobs.

Currently, visitors can apply for a single Schengen visa to visit much of Europe - but a separate one is required to travel to the UK.

Olazabal names vice-captains ahead of Ryder Cup

Jose Maria Olazabal has named Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn as three of a potential four vice-captains ahead of the Ryder Cup next month.

Europe will defend the title they won during the 38th Ryder Cup, which was held in October 2010 at the Celtic Manor Resort in the city of Newport, Wales.

The 39th Ryder Cup will be between September 28th–30th this year, at the Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois.

Olazabal will announce his fourth vice-captain, as well as his two wildcard picks, on August 27th.

Clarke, McGinley and Bjorn were all named as vice-captains by Colin Montgomerie when he captained the site during the 2010 Ryder Cup.

“For me to have these guys by my side is fantastic,” Olazabal told a press conference earlier.

“All three are world-class golfers with tremendous experience of playing in the Ryder Cup which is absolutely invaluable.”

The trio have played in ten Ryder Cups between them, with nine wins to their credit.

EPAM Systems reaffirms Hotels.com deal

EPAM Systems has reaffirmed its status as a Hotels.com’s strategic delivery partner.

Working alongside the hotel booking portal, EPAM is one of the few selected partners that provides engineering services for the Hotels.com brand.
 
Since 2007, EPAM has been working with Hotels.com on an expanding set of initiatives ranging from online customer experience optimisation and localisation, to mobile and location-based services.

The combination of EPAM’s travel industry expertise, tailored agile approach, and the geographical proximity of EPAM’s Hungary delivery centre has led to a partnership that has evolved over time to support a portfolio of points of sale around the world.

The combined efforts of the Hotels.com and EPAM teams has resulted in significant gains in the quality of the customer experience, increased online revenue and an overall improvement in the stability and performance of the technology platform.

“We constantly track metrics on our multiple vendors and EPAM consistently achieves high scores in assessment of the teams’ average experience, seniority, level of English language skills, low staff turnover and in their ability to scale as we need to add resources to meet our growing demands and to adapt to our changing needs of technology skills.

“Overall the flexibility, agility, domain and soft skills are a significant differentiator that allows us to continue to build out our strong product offering and grow the overall business,” said Scott Booker president, Hotels.com Worldwide.

Рhoto of the week

Polar lights

New Bermuda Challenge Record Set

At 8:09 AM Bermuda Time - 7:09 AM EST, Sunday, Aug 5 2012, Chris Fertig and Tyson Garvin aboard Mercury Diesel TDI, a Statement Marine 37, set a new Bermuda Challenge Record of 21 hours and 39-minutes.

Check out this report  from Bernews   for more information, photos and video:

Chris Fertig came roaring into Bermuda from New York aboard his 37-foot boat, with his time of 21 hours and 39 minutes setting a new record for the 760 mile ocean crossing. On the boat with Mr. Fertig was his good friend and ‘throttle man’ Tyson Garvin from Missouri.

                    Bermuda Challenge Update
                    Photo by: Sharkey Images

WTTC calls for further tourism reform

WTTC president David Scowsill called for further reform

New plans announced to boost UK tourism are unlikely to have the desired effect unless much more fundamental reforms are implemented.

That is according to the World Travel & Tourism Council, speaking in response to plans from Jeremy Hunt, the secretary of state for culture, media and sport for an £8m extension of the GREAT marketing campaign and a further £2 million to promote domestic tourism.

Commenting WTTC David Scowsill said: “Jeremy Hunt should be congratulated for recognising the huge economic and social potential of tourism in the UK.

“His plans to invest in a new domestic marketing campaign to draw on the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics and to specifically target the high-spending Chinese market are sensible options.

“Figures from VisitBritain show that the average spend per visit of Chinese visitors to UK is £1,677, compared to the average spend per visit from all countries of £563.

“But, the UK is beckoning tourists with one hand and pushing them away with the other,” added Scowsill.

“The UK has the highest air tax of any country in the world.

“Heathrow and Gatwick are effectively full and there is no discernible long-term aviation policy that will provide the routes to China on the scale being provided by other European countries.

“The UK’s visa policy which requires visitors from key growth markets, such as China and India, to go through an expensive, time-consuming and cumbersome process to obtain visas is also a clear deterrent.

“Jeremy Hunt is right to want to “turbo-charge” UK tourism, but a much more fundamental reform of visa, taxation and aviation policy is required to make a real difference.”

FCO urges Brits to play safe overseas

There have been 13 incidents of young people falling from balconies so far this year, three of these cases resulting in death.

In response, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and ABTA have joined forces on a campaign to help prevent balcony incidents among young people in popular holiday resorts.

In Majorca and Ibiza, for instance, two of the UK’s top tourist destinations, there have been nine cases – already matching figures for 2011, despite only being half way through the season.

Most incidents involve young people between the ages of 18 and 35 and while not always the case, alcohol often plays a part.

Paul Abrey, consul in the Balearics, said: “We’ve already seen some tragic cases this summer which have had devastating consequences for the individuals and families concerned. 

“This year there’s been a particular spike early on in the holiday season with figures already matching last year’s.

“Some people have fallen whilst climbing to a friend’s apartment, others have simply lost their footing after a few too many drinks and a few have deliberately jumped off aiming for the pool below.

“It should go without saying these practices are extremely dangerous and can cost them their life or leave them permanently disabled. Many young people also arrive without travel insurance.

“The FCO can’t pay medical bills and holidaymakers may end up paying out thousands for medical bills and flights back to the UK.”

ABTA predicts around 3 million young holidaymakers will head overseas this summer with Spain, Greece and Turkey favourite destinations.

Young people travelling out to resorts will be handed leaflets which include the story of Jake Evans, 18, from Liverpool, who narrowly survived a fall from a 7th floor balcony last year after a few too many drinks.

Jake also tells his story in a video, which can be viewed on the FCO’s website and on YouTube, in an attempt to get young people to think twice before they engage in risky behaviours.

The video accompanies a short radio feature which will be sent out to radio stations in the UK.