Corporate travel continues to be an essential part of any business and statistics highlight the industry is continuing to grow, with the average travel spend for European businesses more than doubling between 2016 – 2019*. To help the rising number of UK business travellers prepare for international trips and to ensure they are as successful as possible, the award-winning airport parking operator, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com), has put together a guide highlighting the cultural customs when it comes to polite etiquette in popular destinations for business travel. Continue reading
Tag Archives: travel pr
Maldives Marketing And Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Announces New Tourism Strategy For 2020 With Stronger Focus On Sports, Culture and MICE Tourism
The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) announced the new tourism strategy for 2020 during a press conference at World Travel Market 2019, which will include a stronger focus on promoting the rich culture of the Maldives and attracting niche markets such as MICE, culture and sports tourism. Continue reading
Women In Travel And Odgers Berndtson Host Networking Breakfast For Female Travel Industry Professionals
Women in Travel (CIC), the social enterprise dedicated to empowering women through employability and entrepreneurship in the travel industry, hosted a networking breakfast in collaboration with the executive search firm Odgers Berndtson on Tuesday 5th November 2019. Continue reading
Madhya Pradesh Shines at World Travel Market 2019
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board’s stand attracted non-stop attention at World Travel Market in London’s Docklands (November 4-6, 2019) as UK interest in the Indian state’s unique tourist attractions continues to grow.
The Maldives Brings The ‘Sunny Side Of Life’ To London With The Destination’s Largest Outdoor Advertising Campaign In The UK
The Maldives brought “The Sunny Side of Life” to the grey skies of London this autumn with the launch of the advertising campaign on London buses and bus stops, and at Waterloo train station. Continue reading
Where to find GEC PR at World Travel Market London 2019
With just one week to go until this year’s WTM London, here’s all you need to know about where to find our team and meet our clients.
World Travel Market will take place from 4th – 6th November at ExCeL London, offering an opportunity to meet, network, catch up with the GEC PR team and brush up on the latest industry trends.
You can find us at the following stands at WTM:
Stand AS140 – Visit Maldives / Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation – Experience the “Sunny Side of Life” of Indian Ocean’s paradise destination
Stand AS530 – Madhya Pradesh Tourism – Explore the “Tiger State” of India
Stand AS800 – Kyoto Traveler’s Inn (exhibiting as part of Kyoto DMC Hotel and Experience) – A traditional hotel experience in the heart of Kyoto, Japan
Stand AS410 – Odisha Tourism – Discover India’s ‘Best Kept Secret’
Stand NA340 – Philadelphia CVB – The World Heritage City famous for its cheesesteaks and cultural attractions
Client Activities at WTM
Visit Maldives (Stand AS140)
The Maldives has welcomed an influx of new resorts this year, including several new family-friendly and adult-only properties, as well as expanding its luxury portfolio with high-end properties. In 2019, the Maldives also welcomed an increase in airlift for UK travellers with the launch of a new five-times-weekly flight from London Heathrow to Malé, via Bahrain, with Gulf Air in late October. In 2020, developments at Velana International Airport will continue with a terminal expansion, which will mean the airport will be able to cater for over 7.5 million passengers.
Competition: Travel agents joining us at the @VisitMaldives stand will have the exciting chance to win a holiday to the Maldives. Visitors to the stand can also travel to the island nation virtually through the magic of virtual reality and enjoy on-stand Maldivian music performances from a band, as well as traditional snacks.
Madhya Pradesh Tourism (Stand AS530)
Madhya Pradesh is the second largest state in India and along with six tiger reserves, is home to mountains, architectural wonders, holy cities and three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The state’s rich forests, which form about 25% of its land area, are a refuge for barking deer, leopards, cheetal, wild boars, blackbucks, nilgais and crocodiles. Sir David Attenborough’s recent BBC wildlife documentary series Dynasties included an episode filmed in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. The central state has also been shortlisted in two prestigious categories at the International Travel and Tourism Awards, which will take place at WTM.
Competition: Delegates from Madhya Pradesh Tourism will be available for meetings and are looking forward to showcasing their extensive wildlife offering, exquisite traditional culture, rich heritage, cuisine, and Indian hospitality. One lucky travel agent will win a FAM trip to Madhya Pradesh, India’s ‘Tiger State’ and one of Lonely Planet’s ‘best value’ destinations for 2020. To stand a chance of winning, agents should book in a meeting with the tourist board by emailing MPT@gecpr.co.uk and answer a question about the state in order to enter a business card prize draw.
Kyoto Traveler’s Inn (exhibiting as part of Kyoto DMC Hotel and Experience on stand AS800)
Kyoto Traveler’s Inn, which is a seven-minute walk away from Higashiyama Subway Station, is well-suited for those who want to see the sites of Kyoto when visiting Japan for the 2020 Olympics since many of the city’s shrines and temples are located within walking distance from the hotel. For those looking for a truly Japanese experience, the hotel offers guests the chance to stay in traditional Japanese accommodation with futon bedding and tatami flooring.
Competition: Try on a real kimono from Kyoto DMC Hotel and Experience on the Japan National Tourism Organization stand (AS800) for a chance to win a three-night stay for two at Kyoto Traveler’s Inn when you post your kimono selfie and tag #KimonoKyoto and @kyototravellersinn on Instagram or @kyoto.travellersinn on Facebook.
Odisha Tourism (Stand AS410)
The ‘soul state’ of Odisha is India’s best kept secret and a hidden gem for UK travellers planning a visit to India. Situated on the east coast of India, Odisha is gifted with uncrowded and unspoilt beaches such as Gopalpur, Chandipur, Puri and Konark. A land steeped in history and mythology, the serene state is well-known within India for its ancient temples, tribal cultures, and abundance of natural beauty, including Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and Chilka Lake, which is Asia’s largest inland salt water lagoon and home to large flocks of flamingos.
Competition: To stand a chance of winning a trip to Odisha, book in a WTM meeting with the tourist board by emailing odisha@gecpr.co.uk to learn about Odisha’s secrets and enter a business card prize draw during your meeting.
The social enterprise dedicated to empowering women through employability and entrepreneurship in the travel industry, will host the following events at WTM this year:
- Women in Travel and The TreadRight Foundation present: ‘Céline Cousteau on the Transformative Power of Travel for Women’: Monday 4thNovember from 14:00 – 14:45 at the Americas Inspiration Zone
- How Can We Use Travel and Tourism to Stimulate Women Empowerment and Gender Equity at the African Continent: Tuesday 5thNovember from 13:30 – 14:15 at the Middle East & Africa Inspiration Zone
- Technology is a Girl’s Best Friend: Tuesday 5thNovember from 15:30 – 18:00 at South Gallery Rooms 20 & 21
- WTM & Women in Travel Presents Group Mentoring and Networking:Tuesday 5th November from 16:30 – 18:00 at South Gallery Rooms 20 & 21
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Launches Holiday Competition For Travel Agents Attending World Travel Market (Stand AS530)
To arrange a meeting or interview with Madhya Pradesh Tourism at WTM,
please email Fiona and the team at mpt@gecpr.co.uk
Madhya Pradesh Tourism will showcase the state’s rich wildlife offering to UK and international travellers during World Travel Market from 4-6 November 2019. This year, Madhya Pradesh’s Tourism Minister, Shri Surendra Singh Baghel, will be attending the London event. Mr Baghel not only champions eco-tourism initiatives, he is also dedicated to female and Tribal empowerment and quality health, education and sports facilities. Continue reading
Have A Haunting Halloween In Frightful Philadelphia This October
Thrill-seeking visitors to the east coast city of Philadelphia this autumn can enjoy a frightful line-up of Halloween entertainment suitable for all ages.
GEC PR HIT THE ROAD THIS SEPTEMBER AND HEADED TO BELFAST FOR TTG LUXPO
It’s been a busy month for GEC PR with the team hitting the road (and air!) for various client events and roadshows. One of those events was TTG Luxpo in Belfast, during which I spent a very productive and informative afternoon meeting with the Irish travel industry to talk about the new luxury product offerings in the Maldives.
The event was the perfect opportunity to meet with premium travel agents during one-to-one meetings and to update them on all the new tourism developments taking place across the Maldives including the opening of the ground-breaking multi-island Crossroads project which will be the largest integrated resort in the Indian Ocean.
Other exciting news included the developments at Velana International Airport which will provide capacity for the terminal to cater for over 7.5 million passengers and the continuous expansion of luxury hotel product in the Maldives with the opening of international brands such as Waldorf Astoria Maldives, Lux* North Male Atoll and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives this year alone.
The venue itself, The Merchant Hotel in Belfast, was also a beautiful location for the event and provided the perfect backdrop to showcase all the wonderful new luxury tourism products taking place.
Next on the agenda is World Travel Market so stay tuned for more updates on what’s to come……
Airport Parking & Hotels (APH.Com) Compares Best Airport Parking Options For UK Travellers
From Meet and Greet to Park and Ride, it can sometimes be tricky to understand which airport parking offering is the most suitable type for a traveller’s individual needs. The award-winning operator and retailer Airport Parking & Hotels (APH) has therefore compared the different types of airport parking services available in the UK to help travellers choose the right option and get their holiday off to the best possible start.