Queen’s New Year list honours top female travel executives
A number of top female travel executives have been honoured in the Queen’s New Year list for their services to travel and tourism.
Among those to make the roll of honour were Thomson Airways Managing Director Chris Brown, who landed an OBE for services to aviation; lastminute.com co-founder Martha Lane Fox, who also received an OBE – for services to charity and the UK digital economy; P&O Ferries Chief Executive Helen Deeble, who received a CBE for her services to shipping; British Holiday and Home Parks Association Deputy Director General Winifred Clark, who won an OBE for services to charity and the tourism industry, and Belfast City Tour Service Manager Dianne Leeman, who was awarded an MBE for her services to tourism and hospitality in Northern Ireland.
Other travel industry professionals to be recognised were Air Miles founder Sir Keith Mills, Co-operative Group Chief Executive Peter Marks, Lochs and Glens Holidays Chairman Michael Wells, and Le Mon Hotel and Country Club Managing Director Francis Brady.
UK Visa application to be simplified for Chinese visitors
Home Secretary Theresa May has vowed to simplify the Visa application process in a bid to attract more Chinese visitors to the UK.
Her pledge follows new research which shows that 61 per cent of Chinese people who chose not to visit the UK were put off by the Visa application process, whose forms are currently in English rather than Mandarin.
Mooted changes to the process are to include shortened online application forms, dedicated Embassy staff to aid business travellers and translated forms – all of which are to come into effect in 2013.
Birmingham Airport could be renamed after 70s rock legend
It’s rumoured that Birmingham Airport could be renamed after controversial Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne.
The claims were reported by The Birmingham Mail after Councillor Philip Parkin told the paper talks had been held with a view to honouring the iconic 70s rock band.
Although nothing has been confirmed, if the name change goes ahead, it would mirror the moniker choices of Liverpool’s John Lennon and New York’s JFK airports.
Thomson experiences stellar Christmas Day
Tour operator Thomson has reported a record Christmas Day after experiencing a 90 per cent increase in online sales compared to the same day last year.
The most popular destinations booked on its best ever Christmas Day were the sunny resorts of Tenerife, Majorca and Sharm El Sheikh.
