The Maldives has once again topped Kuoni's annual poll of where UK customers want to spend their holidays. In the company's top ten selling destinations for 2012, the Indian Ocean archipelago has held on to the top slot since 2005.

Where holidaymakers want to go is just part of leading tour operator Kuoni's annual Travel Trends Report. The 20-page report also tracks hot travel trends and the top destinations for weddings and honeymoons, for families, for solo travellers, for pampering spa holidays, for the most exciting adventures and authentic experiences as well as the best destinations for those that care about the planet.

The report also highlights changes in holiday behaviour and includes trends in holiday booking behaviour, such as the importance of social media in driving holiday choices.

The top five destinations for 2012 are Maldives holidays, Thailand, Sri Lanka, The United Arab Emirates and the USA, including New York holidays. Kuoni predicts that South Africa will witness huge growth over the next 12 months, helped by the exposure from the football World Cup last year and the weakened currency against sterling. The only mid-haul destination in the 2012 Top Ten selling destinations is the United Arab Emirates, mostly due to the popularity of Dubai holidays.

The Maldives also retained its top slot for honeymoon destinations and topped the wish list for digital natives, better known as Generation X, Y and Z. Sri Lanka holidays retained 'Number One Destination for Weddings', Kuramathi Island Resort in the Maldives kept the top slot for 'Family Destinations', as did Thailand holidays for solo travelling.

The winner of the Top 10 Adventure Holiday is the 11-day tour of culture-rich Sri Lanka on the Ceylon Tour, while those looking for the best 'Planet Friendly Holiday' voted for Governors Main Camp in the wildlife safari heaven of Kenya.

Aside from favourite and new destinations, there are changes in the type of holiday the customer wants. More destination-savvy and discerning holidaymakers are looking for different types of holiday, with four specific trends emerging:
- a thirst for discovery
- authenticity of experience
- social responsibility
- face to face contact with a travel expert when booking.

To meet the needs of a changing holidaymaker, Kuoni launched the Discover brochure for 2012, packed with experiences and tours to help get under the skin of a destination. The company has also launched ananea, a sustainable brand that stands for socially responsible holidays that empower people to protect the natural environment and local population. Kuoni has also strengthened its retail presence across the UK over the last 12 months, with more retail stores for holidaymakers to access all-important first-hand expertise and knowledge.

About the 2012 Travel Trends Report:
Figures in Kuoni's 2012 Travel Trends Report are based on multiple sources, namely statistics from booking patterns made between January to December 2011 for holidays during 2011 and 2012, actual passenger numbers, customer behaviour and feedback.

About Kuoni:
Kuoni was established in 1906 in Switzerland by Alfred Kuoni, a visionary adventurer and explorer of his time who opened some of Europe's first travel agencies. Today it has branch operations in over 40 countries. For 105 years Kuoni has been creating holidays with a spirit of adventure and has been recognised consistently, winning coveted awards such as The World's Leading Tour Operator for 11 years in a row at the World Travel Awards, Best Large Tour Operator at the 2011 Daily Telegraph Ultratravel 100 Awards for five consecutive years, best Luxury Tour Operator at the Sunday Times Travel Magazine Readers' Awards and has also scored most highly in the Which? top 20 travel company survey 2011. Kuoni has also been voted Britain's Best Long-haul Tour Operator by travel agents for the past 29 years.

PR contact:
Anne-Marie Hansen
Kuoni Travel Ltd
Kuoni House
Deepdene Avenue
Dorking
Surrey
RH5 4AZ
01306 744 173
www.kuoni.co.uk

— WebWireID152296 —

The National Trust has reported a substantial increase in its visitor numbers, and retail and catering sales in December 2011 compared to the previous December, despite a backdrop of challenging economic times and lack of consumer confidence.
 
There were more than half-a-million (521,000) visitors to Trust properties in December 2011, an increase of 74 per cent on the previous year*.

Factors affecting the large jump in visitor numbers include the mild weather (December 2010 saw heavy snowfall hitting the number of getting out and about) and an increasing number of houses running Christmas themed activity, such as lighting schemes and decorating stately homes for Christmas.

Over forty Trust pay-for-entry properties were open during the weekends in December. Attingham in Shropshire saw its busiest ever weekend with its Frost Fair which ran on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month.

The Trust is on target to have its best ever year for visitor numbers to its pay-for-entry properties, exceeding 18 million visitors for the first time in its history**.

The retail business, which includes high street shops, shops at properties and online sales, saw an increase in sales of 24 per cent and the cafes and restaurants had a 71 per cent increase in sales in December 2011 compared to the same month in 2010.  

In the year to date retail sales have increased by 8 per cent and catering has so far seen a 14 per cent increase in sales.

Fiona Reynolds, Director-General of the National Trust, said: "In these economically tough times the National Trust seems to have swum against the tide with these fantastic results.

"As the nation tightens its collective belt people have been looking for great value and places where they can get a real feel for Christmas.'

Simon Jenkins, Chairman of the National Trust, added: "This shows that arts and heritage charities not dependent on government grants appear to be experiencing a surge in trading income. The public is turning away from more expensive leisure venues, overnight stays and foreign trips. It is a rare good news story in the gloom."

- Ends -

Notes to editors:
* Visitors numbers are broken down into members and paying visitors. Visitor figures for the year to date (2011/12) compared to the previous year (2010/11) are up by more than 9 per cent.
** Overall visitor figures are based on the National Trust financial year which runs between the 1 March and the 28 or 29 February.

About The National Trust:
The National Trust is one of the most important nature conservation organisations in Europe with over 1,000 places to visit to visit in the UK covering 250,000 hectares, including coastal sites, woodland and upland areas, including many gardens to visit; many of which are rich in wildlife.  The All 17 species of UK bat have been recorded as roosting or breeding on National Trust land and 96 per cent of all resident UK butterflies can be found on our land. Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire is our most species rich site and 93 per cent of our land has been surveyed for its nature conservation importance. The charity also offers a number of National Trust holidays, including walks throughout locations across the British countryside. Find out more at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nature   

PR Contact:
Mike Collins
Senior Press Officer
The National Trust
Heelis
Kemble Drive
Swindon
SN2 2NA
07900 138419
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

— WebWireID152292 —

Icy roads and the promise of snow makes driving stressful for many, and delays are more likely than ever. Taking the option to stay overnight at an airport hotel is the sensible choice – and ensures winter travellers do not miss their flights.
 
Passengers flying from Gatwick airport this weekend can stay at the four-star Courtyard by Marriott hotel and park their car for up to eight days for £95.00.
 
At Glasgow airport, HolidayExtras.com offers a room with up to a fortnight's parking at the Normandy Hotel, for an incredible £59.
 
Anthony Clarke-Cowell, Associate Merchandising Director, said: "The last thing anyone should be doing in bad weather is putting themselves at risk by rushing to get to the airport.
 
"Booking an airport hotel removes all the worry about getting delayed in the snow and missing your flight – you can start your holiday with a relaxing night in a warm, cosy hotel instead."
 
-Ends-
 
 
Notes to editors
 
Prices for a hotel stay on Saturday, February 4 with eight days holiday parking include the following:
3-star Express by Holiday Inn Luton Airport: £76
Undercover 4-star hotel at Heathrow: £75
4-star Hilton Manchester airport: £89 
3-star Warmans Barn Stansted: £69
4-star Erskine Bridge hotel (Glasgow airport): £59
Undercover 4-star hotel at Birmingham: £65

— WebWireID152287 —

Grimsborgir Guest Houses on the Golden Circle tour route in Iceland, just a 45-minute drive from the capital, Reykjavik, has been newly renovated and is now open, catering for Thingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir.

The country hotel is ideally located just a short drive from some of Iceland's most popular tourist sites, proving ideal for those wanting to explore the Golden Circle, where one finds the magnificent waterfall of Gullfoss; the geothermal area of Geysir; and Kerid, a water filled volcano crater.

'Due to our location, we often accommodate people who come specifically to explore the Golden Circle at their own pace. It is an ideal opportunity to fully take in and appreciate the sights. We always happy to help by providing visitors with information about the local area; there is plenty to see,' explained Ólafur Laufdal, Manager and Owner of Grímsborgir Guest Houses.

Grimsborgir offers 6 luxury apartments situated right next to the River Sog, the largest freshwater river in Iceland. The apartments vary in size, accommodating from 4 to 10 people. The largest is 200 square metres with 4 bedrooms, a large kitchen and dining room, fireplace, lounge area with a TV, and large bathroom with both a shower and bathtub.
 
All of the apartments include a kitchen, dining room, and living area, as well as an outdoor hot tub overlooking the beautiful surroundings. There is also a first class restaurant on site, serving gourmet food made with fresh, local produce.

To find out more about Grimsborgir and the surrounding area, visit http://grimsborgir.com for more information.

— WebWireID152279 —

EduKick's Miguel Hamutenya signs one year deal with the Scottish giants…Glasgow Rangers. The 19-year-old from Namibia impressed on trial after long term development at EduKick England Football…

(PRWeb February 02, 2012)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/rangers_football_club/sign_EduKick_footballer/prweb9154780.htm

The Semi Truck Accident Victims Center says, "On January 29th 2012, 11 people died in a horrific series of crashes involving semi trucks, and numerous passenger vehicles, on Florida's…

(PRWeb February 02, 2012)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9161060.htm

This year is a pivotal year for acupuncture professionals to do short term studies in China, as the Integrative Healing Society www.ihsociety.com will be offering two short-term educational tours.  The first event will be held from April 6 – 21, 2012, and the following tour will occur in mid-October. 

The tours will be held in Hangzhou, China, which is a prime location to experience some of the best of Chinese culture.  To kick off the event there will be weekend sight-seeing at tea plantations, 800 year old temples, and Chinese medicine museums.  This will be followed by a bicycle ride around the magnificent Western Lake, which is surrounded by antique gardens, pagodas, and bamboo forests. 

During the course of studies participants will do clinical rounds in numerous Chinese medicine hospitals, and they may choose to study acupuncture or herbal medicine.  In acupuncture clinic students may study in specialty departments including neurology, gynecology, the treatment of headaches and musculo-skeletal conditions.  In herbal medicine, clinical rounds are available in gastro-enterology, gynecology, respiratory therapy, and pediatrics.

The tour is approved for continuing education credits by the NCCAOM, and it also includes 50 hours of study, 4 star accommodations, group meals, weekend events, tour guide services, and a spa treatment.

For more information about this event please visit: www.ihsociety.com     

— WebWireID152267 —

February 1, 2012 (Atlanta, GA ) 

The NASCAR season roars open this month with the 54th annual Daytona 500 at the Daytona Intl Raceway on February 26. Goss Luxury RV customers will be packing up, climbing into their luxury coaches, and heading out to follow their favorite racing teams around the country. "Daytona Beach, Florida, is a particularly popular location for Goss RV fans," says Ken Goss.

Goss RV Inc., the premier luxury motor coach rental and charter service is the first choice among renters of luxury coaches and the most prestigious race teams. "The leading race teams now seek out Goss RV for their Luxury Motorhome needs. We are able to provide luxury RVs to any venue in the nation," adds Goss.

Both Goss RV Inc. and NASCAR have made changes to their line-ups for 2012. NASCAR has some schedule change ups and Goss Luxury RV has nearly doubled its luxury coach line up since the last racing season.

"We believe the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule will once again provide fans with what they've come to expect every season — the world's most exciting and competitive form of motorsports…The schedule has a few adjustments that we think will be good for the fans and good for the overall flow of the season," stated NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France

.It's not just NASCAR fans who love to travel in luxury and comfort, of course. Goss RV has become the recognized luxury motor home rental of choice for fans of race teams in almost all the race circuits. Ferrari teams and many others around North America look to Goss RV to provide all their motor home needs. Goss offers more than 90 coach options to choose from, and can deliver their coaches right to the client's front door. They can even provide a driver and staff to set up the RV at the client's destination.

"We are seeing strong indications that the public is back at the luxury table," says Ken Goss. "And we've posted the 2012 NASCAR on our site as a planning resource for out race fan clients.

"Although Goss RV specializes in providing a luxurious motor home rental experience, many Goss RV customers find that renting their coaches actually results in significant savings when compared to the cost of staying in a quality hotel. 

"It's especially cost efficient when customers want to bring along family and friends during their travels, saving the expense of renting multiple hotel rooms throughout the various spots on the race car circuit," notes Ken Goss.

Luxury coach rentals also allow clients the freedom to be spontaneous, without having to worry about cancelled hotel fees or the obligation to stick to a strict schedule.

Goss RV Inc., a family-owned business, with national headquarters near Atlanta, Georgia, has more than 30-years-experience and provides the best full-service solutions for luxury motorhome rentals and charters, across the U.S. and Canada

• For more information, please visit www.GossRV.com.
• For 2012 NASCAR schedule visit Goss' Travel Club House News

— WebWireID152209 —

The Semi Truck Accident Victims Center is saying, "When it comes to innocent victims in a passenger vehicle involved in a crash with a semi truck, tractor trailer, or commercial vehicle we think…

(PRWeb February 01, 2012)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9107362.htm

Akaryn Samui, the latest venture by Thailand hospitality pioneer Ms Anchalika Kijkanakorn, will redefine the boutique resort experience and lift the veil on Koh Samui’s best-kept secret, Hanuman Bay,…

(PRWeb February 01, 2012)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9153143.htm