According to TravelMole
ABTA Spokesman Sean Tipton implied that many of those stranded at UK airports should not have been there in the first place.....
Tipton added: "I suspect that, in spite of the media reports, there are not many thousands of holidaymakers stuck at UK airports.
"The majority of those who are stranded at airports this weekend are foreigners trying to get home for Christmas. I would think that, in spite of the media reports, the majority are not British holidaymakers because if you are going on holiday the sensible thing to do when your flight is cancelled is to go home, or simply to stay at home in the first place."
Um Ok Mr Tipton - we guess you live in London - so if you have travelled from Wales , Cornwall, or Newcastle ( for example ), parked your car and get turned away from entering the Heathrow Terminals What are the passengers supposed to do - struggle through the snow back to Wales etc then repeat the journey ?
How to stop passengers sleeping on the floor - make sure they are not allowed to enter the terminal !
Do they have the same problem in Canada, Sweden, Russia and other countries .... no - snow is normal . Are the RAF transport planes taking off from airbases in England - we would guess yes
Our advice - always avoid Heathrow - fly long haul via Amsterdam or another European airport - always !
Monday, 20 December 2010
Tesco Delivery - or not
Really BAD service from Tesco today.
Delivery date was picked weeks ago and those tasty Tesco treats ordered - until this morning - what a farce.
A man rings up - "About your TESCO grocery delivery today..."
Me: Yep
Tesco Man: "It's been cancelled"
Me: Why
Tesco Man; "Snow - all deliveries cancelled if you want to re-book cal the call centre Sorry - bye"
Um wait a minute Tesco's I don't have a car and the whole idea of ordering is so I don't waste time in supermarkets.
Called the call centre o 0845 7225533
Me: I'd like to re-book my delivery from Tesco's
Tesco Call Centre : "You can't "
Me: The man on the phone says I can
Tesco; "He's wrong - you can pick up in-store - he should have said that - was it a Christmas order ?"
Me: Yes
Tesco: "Oh sorry we can't deliver until after Christmas - due to the weather"
Me: But there's only a little snow - traffic is going past my house I live in a town not Exmoor so the roads are clear
Tesco: "Um OK I'll call the store, I'll ring you back"
Rings back
Tesco: "Um no - all deliveries are cancelled - but you can pick up in store the manager has decided to cancel"
Me: But there's clear roads
Tesco: "No sorry no deliveries going out no-one can get out of the store"
Me: So you say I can go to Tesco's if I can go to the store why can't they come to me ?
Tesco: "Good point, but the weathers bad 130 orders to go out but only 40 going out"
Me: So some are going out then ?
Tesco: "No I didn't say that and I admit the store didn't say that no-one can get out of the store I sort of made that up"
Me: So if I go and get you will compensate me as we have a contract for you to deliver ?
Tesco: "Yes we can refund the delivery costs and give you some Tesco vouchers - but it may be difficult to get to the store"
Me: £5 ?
Tesco: "No a bit more than that £20"
Me: I'll call a local taxi company using the other phone. ( So I call the taxi company)
Me: Taxi company says no problem - bit busy call back later
Tesco: "Um oh - so you can get there "
Me: "Yes but a taxi to Tesco will cost me - I want compensation not vouchers"
Tesco: "Oh I'll ask..... OK we will give you £25.00 off the order"
Me: OK I'll arrange a taxi
Tesco: "You have to confirm as we need to pick your order"
Me: OK - I'll call back
So it goes on - booked a taxi, called again to say I was coming over . When I got there it was all ready ( a rather sheepish Tesco man ) and guess what NO SNOW, CLEAR ROADS.
The store, I guess you wondering which one , is TESCO BARNSTAPLE
I spend a lot of money over the year with Tesco's I'll go somewhere else now - its not much but multiplied by a few thousand angry customers that' s a lot of money
Shame on Tesco's - just don't shop there
Delivery date was picked weeks ago and those tasty Tesco treats ordered - until this morning - what a farce.
A man rings up - "About your TESCO grocery delivery today..."
Me: Yep
Tesco Man: "It's been cancelled"
Me: Why
Tesco Man; "Snow - all deliveries cancelled if you want to re-book cal the call centre Sorry - bye"
Um wait a minute Tesco's I don't have a car and the whole idea of ordering is so I don't waste time in supermarkets.
Called the call centre o 0845 7225533
Me: I'd like to re-book my delivery from Tesco's
Tesco Call Centre : "You can't "
Me: The man on the phone says I can
Tesco; "He's wrong - you can pick up in-store - he should have said that - was it a Christmas order ?"
Me: Yes
Tesco: "Oh sorry we can't deliver until after Christmas - due to the weather"
Me: But there's only a little snow - traffic is going past my house I live in a town not Exmoor so the roads are clear
Tesco: "Um OK I'll call the store, I'll ring you back"
Rings back
Tesco: "Um no - all deliveries are cancelled - but you can pick up in store the manager has decided to cancel"
Me: But there's clear roads
Tesco: "No sorry no deliveries going out no-one can get out of the store"
Me: So you say I can go to Tesco's if I can go to the store why can't they come to me ?
Tesco: "Good point, but the weathers bad 130 orders to go out but only 40 going out"
Me: So some are going out then ?
Tesco: "No I didn't say that and I admit the store didn't say that no-one can get out of the store I sort of made that up"
Me: So if I go and get you will compensate me as we have a contract for you to deliver ?
Tesco: "Yes we can refund the delivery costs and give you some Tesco vouchers - but it may be difficult to get to the store"
Me: £5 ?
Tesco: "No a bit more than that £20"
Me: I'll call a local taxi company using the other phone. ( So I call the taxi company)
Me: Taxi company says no problem - bit busy call back later
Tesco: "Um oh - so you can get there "
Me: "Yes but a taxi to Tesco will cost me - I want compensation not vouchers"
Tesco: "Oh I'll ask..... OK we will give you £25.00 off the order"
Me: OK I'll arrange a taxi
Tesco: "You have to confirm as we need to pick your order"
Me: OK - I'll call back
So it goes on - booked a taxi, called again to say I was coming over . When I got there it was all ready ( a rather sheepish Tesco man ) and guess what NO SNOW, CLEAR ROADS.
The store, I guess you wondering which one , is TESCO BARNSTAPLE
I spend a lot of money over the year with Tesco's I'll go somewhere else now - its not much but multiplied by a few thousand angry customers that' s a lot of money
Shame on Tesco's - just don't shop there
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
City Inn Hotels rebrand
One of our favourite hotel chains, City Inn, are rebranding as Mint Hotel, which sounds rather cool.
A new Mint Hotel is due to open in the City of London and in Amsterdam, just by Central station.
We actually stay in City Inn hotels ourselves when we visit Bristol or London so it would be interesting to see any decor changes next time we stay. Maybe we will get free mints !
A new Mint Hotel is due to open in the City of London and in Amsterdam, just by Central station.
We actually stay in City Inn hotels ourselves when we visit Bristol or London so it would be interesting to see any decor changes next time we stay. Maybe we will get free mints !
Royal Wedding gives London Tourism a boost in 2012 ?
"This is very, very good news for tourism in England," according to James Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland
Especially good news for London hotels, who are already being booked out for the Royal Wedding on the 29th April 2012.
We have even heard that hotel rates are suddenly 300% higher for dates around the Big Day.
We guess all hotel rooms around Westminster, Pimlico and even good hotels in Victoria ( ideal for popping-in to have tea withe Queen ) are all booked up by now.
May be good news for rich tourists - not sure about the others. Historical Britain is always a big draw anyway, especially with the current Euro rate attracting European tourists all year round.
Especially good news for London hotels, who are already being booked out for the Royal Wedding on the 29th April 2012.
We have even heard that hotel rates are suddenly 300% higher for dates around the Big Day.
We guess all hotel rooms around Westminster, Pimlico and even good hotels in Victoria ( ideal for popping-in to have tea withe Queen ) are all booked up by now.
May be good news for rich tourists - not sure about the others. Historical Britain is always a big draw anyway, especially with the current Euro rate attracting European tourists all year round.
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Hotels in the UK - registration scheme
It's about time there was a compulsory hotel registration scheme in the UK
As long as the premises pass health & hygiene laws and the self-assessed fire regulations anyone can open a "hotel" - even if it is actually a bed and breakfast.
With the Olympics coming up some visitors are going to be disappointed about the quality of their London hotel.
With a compulsory registration scheme hotel guests would be assured that the accommodation has been inspected.
We call on the Goverment to make all accommodation providers register if they have more than 4 bedrooms.
The owners may not like paying a fee for the inspection - but I would guess it will be much smaller than than the marketing gain they would get.
Our call to accommodation owners is this - get registered - get your stars - get known and get guests confidence.
As long as the premises pass health & hygiene laws and the self-assessed fire regulations anyone can open a "hotel" - even if it is actually a bed and breakfast.
With the Olympics coming up some visitors are going to be disappointed about the quality of their London hotel.
With a compulsory registration scheme hotel guests would be assured that the accommodation has been inspected.
We call on the Goverment to make all accommodation providers register if they have more than 4 bedrooms.
The owners may not like paying a fee for the inspection - but I would guess it will be much smaller than than the marketing gain they would get.
Our call to accommodation owners is this - get registered - get your stars - get known and get guests confidence.
Monday, 6 September 2010
Holidays in England still on the UP ?
With Coop travel not forecasting an upswing in profits until late 2011 , are holidays in the UK still more popular then going abroad ?
Probably - as the downside to UK holidays is the unpredictable weather - the south-east got more of the summer weather than the south-west this year . The upside is you pay in pounds - and the euro rate is still not that good, even though hoteliers in Europe are discounting to counter the exchange rates.
We had a chat with the guys at http://www.touruk.co.uk/ who also run http://www.justtourfrance.com/ and a few other European sites.
It appears hotel bookings for France, Italy, and Spain are up on last year, but sales for UK hotels and holiday cottages are still storming ahead. Oddly, bookings for the European destinations are led by residents of Australia , Canada, and the USA rather tan UK residents.
Overseas bookings for UK holidays are down, despite the efforts of VisitBritain - who are probaby better off concentrating on marketing than turning visitengland.com into a pure sales site.
In our opinion http://www.visitengland.com/ ( also known as http://www.enjoyengland.com/ ) should leave the sales to commercial organisations who don't get Goverment grants and concentrate on marketing.
Last time we looked http://www.visitengland.com/ had never heard of Westward Ho ! using their place search. It's a small , but popular , North Devon resort, by the way.
Probably - as the downside to UK holidays is the unpredictable weather - the south-east got more of the summer weather than the south-west this year . The upside is you pay in pounds - and the euro rate is still not that good, even though hoteliers in Europe are discounting to counter the exchange rates.
We had a chat with the guys at http://www.touruk.co.uk/ who also run http://www.justtourfrance.com/ and a few other European sites.
It appears hotel bookings for France, Italy, and Spain are up on last year, but sales for UK hotels and holiday cottages are still storming ahead. Oddly, bookings for the European destinations are led by residents of Australia , Canada, and the USA rather tan UK residents.
Overseas bookings for UK holidays are down, despite the efforts of VisitBritain - who are probaby better off concentrating on marketing than turning visitengland.com into a pure sales site.
In our opinion http://www.visitengland.com/ ( also known as http://www.enjoyengland.com/ ) should leave the sales to commercial organisations who don't get Goverment grants and concentrate on marketing.
Last time we looked http://www.visitengland.com/ had never heard of Westward Ho ! using their place search. It's a small , but popular , North Devon resort, by the way.
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
The ultimate in Green Hotels
Hotels are falling over themselves to be perceived as "green"
The latest one , from America, is that they don't change the sheets. Or rather they will if you , um, pay them.
About time being Green didn't = cost saving for the hotel and , oddly, no decrease in price for the guest.
The latest one , from America, is that they don't change the sheets. Or rather they will if you , um, pay them.
About time being Green didn't = cost saving for the hotel and , oddly, no decrease in price for the guest.
Hoseasons or Holiday Cottages Group
Um been some time but one item of interest is the rebranding of the Holiday Cottage Group.
Wyndham Worldwide, who purchased Hoseasons, an old established UK British company, has suddenly decided to disguise it's American ownership of Cottages4U and other UK companies it has bought up, including Blakes canal boats, by re-branding the Holiday Cottage Group as Hoseasons Group.
So be aware Hoseasons Group is not owned by Hoseasons, it's owned by an American multi-national called Wyndham Worldwide.
If one was uncharitable, which I am, it's to try to confuse people that they are booking with the original Hoseasons. established in the UK since around 1950.
And all because an equity investment house decided to take a quick profit.
Odd really as Richard Carrick always put himself out as a promoter of UK tourism - now not to been seen and no word from him. Probably "persuing other opportunities" or "spending time with the family".
Wyndham Worldwide, who purchased Hoseasons, an old established UK British company, has suddenly decided to disguise it's American ownership of Cottages4U and other UK companies it has bought up, including Blakes canal boats, by re-branding the Holiday Cottage Group as Hoseasons Group.
So be aware Hoseasons Group is not owned by Hoseasons, it's owned by an American multi-national called Wyndham Worldwide.
If one was uncharitable, which I am, it's to try to confuse people that they are booking with the original Hoseasons. established in the UK since around 1950.
And all because an equity investment house decided to take a quick profit.
Odd really as Richard Carrick always put himself out as a promoter of UK tourism - now not to been seen and no word from him. Probably "persuing other opportunities" or "spending time with the family".
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