Archive for December, 2008
(26 December 2008)
New research shows 41% of holidaymakers plan to travel less in 2009 while just over a third fear their tour operator will go bust.
The findings come from the The Foreign Office and ABTA 2009 Travel Trends Report, which researched booking patterns during 2009. It predicts Turkey, Egypt and Mexico will be among 2009’s holiday hotspots.
Based on a YouGov inspect in November of 1,311 British adults who plan to take a holiday in 2009, 41% said they will reduce the number of holidays they detect in 2009. There is also evidence of a significant reduction in annual insurance policies being taken out for winter 2009 compared with this winter.
Results from the same YouGov poll exhibition 35% of holidaymakers planning to travel this year are concerned about their tour actor going bust. The news has prompted the FO to console consumers to ensure their tour operator is ATOL registered before they travel. Large travel companies TUI Travel and Thomas Cook are already emphasising financial protection in their new year campaigns following the failure of XL Leisure Group hindmost September.
Not having sufficiency wealth to spend on holiday is a concern for 41% of lower classes planning a holiday this year. Already this has been borne out by an increase in sales of all-inclusive holidays, which allows consumers to budget by knowing the replete holiday cost before they travel. The FO is advising consumers to have access to emergency funds and not to cut corners on travel assurance.
A second survey carried out by YouGov of 2,108 adults in November 2008 shows one in five Brits may miss out attached a last-minute transfer in 2009 as deals will be limited because of capacity cuts by greater tour operators.
The same poll predicts a tendency to the US, with 13% of Brits more likely to visit the destination now Barack Obama has been elected. Added to disgrace material for burning prices and the cheaper cost of living in the US, the report claims the strong dollar may not be enough to put off British tourists from visiting this country.
Other trends predicted for this year by the report are any become greater in Brits travelling to achieve married abroad, a go in the number of holidaymakers going camping or caravanning, and more people using their anniversary time to examine family and friends.
read comments (0)Turkey, Egypt and Mexico tipped as 2009 holiday hotspots
Author: admin
(26 December 2008)
Non-euro destinations Turkey, Egypt and Mexico are tipped to be next year’s holiday hotspots.
The Foreign Office and ABTA 2009 Travel Trends Report says the three destinations will see a significant greaten in British visitors in 2009 as bookings external appearance holidaymakers are favouring destinations that work out not use the euro because of the instant poor exchange rate with the pound.
Based on figures from data analyst Ascent MI, the number of Brits going to Egypt has risen by 38% in the last year and visitors to Turkey have increased by 32%.
The report has revealed a list of hotspots for 2009, which are: Mexico, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Dubai, Dominican Republic, St Lucia, Cuba, Aruba, Galapagos Islands, Iceland, Poland, Croatia and Australia. It says travellers are becoming more adventurous and travelling farther afield to get better estimation on this account that money on holiday.
But the Foreign Office is predicting a significant rise in the number of Brits getting in uneasiness off the course as Brits are less familiar with the laws and customs in the destinations. It has warned Brits to be properly prepared for visiting these celebration hotspots.
Director of consular services Julian Braithwaite said: “Different countries have different customs and laws and what’s acceptable in Europe may not be pleasing elsewhere. It is really important Brits familiarise themselves with the local laws and customs before they go.”
Company fights economic tide and saves 120 jobs
Author: admin
Dec 29 2008 WalesOnline
MORE than 120 jobs be seized of been saved at one of Blaenau Gwent’s biggest companies.
When Desk Link Office Furniture Ltd went into direction on December 18 it was feared the entire workforce would be made redundant.
However, shortly after the announcement was made the assets were sold to the Business Fort Group PLC and the 122 jobs were saved.
The factory, that is based on the Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate, it being so that operates under the name Desk-Link Ltd.
Managing Director Mike Bugler said: “We are now operating as close to normal since we can.
“This is very good news for the staff that are left with the company and we hope that we can be successful in 2009.”
MP Dai Davies and AM Trish Law were pleased at the news.
Mr Davies said: “There have been redundancies and our first thoughts are with those who require graceless their jobs.
“The core workforce has been saved and this is extremely important for Blaenau Gwent.
“Losing one job is big knock to a constituency like ours, never mind more than 120.
“Trish and I obtain supported a claim to the Welsh Assembly and hopefully that will come to enjoyment within a few weeks because the crew extremity help as soon in the same proportion that possible to procure their position.
“We are extremely pleased that work at the factory will continue, its saving was critical to our economy.
“It goes to show that there is faith in manufacturing, particularly in Blaenau Gwent.
“The hope now is that for the reason that the recession eases the company will stay and grow.
“We even hope that at some point they will be in a position to create verily more jobs.”
Don Wilcox, the council’s executive member for regeneration added: “This is certainly better word than a total closure.
“It shows the benefit of the council working together through the MP and AM.”
Fashion chain goes into administration
Author: admin
Dec 29 2008 WalesOnline
The British boisterous street was dealt another blow today at the time fashion retailer USC went into administration, putting 300 jobs at risk.
Fifteen of the group’s 58 shops across the UK are affected, said Bryan Jackson at PKF, who has been appointed administrator.
But he said a deal had been negotiated with crew Dundonald Holdings Ltd, that is buying up to 43 of the stores and safeguarding the remaining 1,127 jobs at the high street chain.
The remaining 15 stores will be temporarily operated by the administrator.
Professionals ‘gain an extra £152,000’
Author: admin
Dec 27 2008 by Sion Barry, Western Mail
PEOPLE with professional qualifications and membership stand to gain £152,000 in additional earnings over the course of their course.
And professionally-qualified individuals deliver higher tax revenues for the UK Exchequer.
The findings are contained in research commissioned by eight of the UK’s leading professional bodies – based on separation of data for six consecutive quarters of the Labour Force Survey.
This shows the lifetime economic benefit associated with holding professional qualifications being valued at £81,000. The study also reveals in what manner membership of a professional body can result in additional earnings of up to £71,000 in today’s money terms
Based on today’s taxation levels, the estimated additional lifetime censure reward contributed by an individual with professional qualifications and membership currently stands at &impound;53,000
Individuals with professional qualifications and membership have the advantage a 9% increase in the probability of being employed because of the transferable skills on offer, according to the study.
This figure, coupled with the 37% wage premium received by professionally-qualified staff, demonstrates the high estimation employers put at interest on the skills developed by professional bodies
The announce shows that professional training and development is a key lever of support for the Government’s Skills Strategy.
Together, the eight institutes that acquire up the Consultative Committee for Professional Management Organisations –which includes the Chartered Management Institute, Chartered Institute of Logistics and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants – resign completely 50,000 qualifications per year.
And in line with Government plans to “make sure employers take the right skills to basis the success of their business”, the majority of ‘students’ bargain qualifications while remaining in employment.
Chairman Charles Tilley of the consultative committee said: “Driving up the demand for professionalism in the UK has the potential to be immense. Not only can individuals benefit at a personal level, but the spill-over force brought about by influencing team members be possible to have a huge impact upon the body UK productivity.”
The report also highlights how professional qualifications ensure that individuals are able to build transferable skills no matter what their previous qualification level.
By demonstrating that professional qualifications are undertaken across a range of a hundred years groups, and are split evenly by gender, the study shatters the myth that professionalism is elitist, said the committee.