News and Events

Enter the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards

There are just three weeks to go for nominations for the sixth annual Responsible Tourism Awards, sponsored by Virgin Holidays and with the support of The Daily Telegraph. I'm a judge and I'm constantly astounded at the ingenuity and creativity of travel organisations around the world to ensure that the work they do can have beneficial impacts on local people and places. These awards are really important for sharing that work, telling the world what you've done and for learning about what is happening elsewhere. So if you have a passion for travel and you've come across something really amazing that helps both the people and the place you've been to, do let us know.

Kerzner appoints bgb across all its brands

We are pleased to announce that Kerzner International has appointed bgb as its UK travel PR agency of record, following our involvement in the successful launch of Atlantis, The Palm last year. The brands now promoted by bgb include One&Only Resorts and Mazagan Beach Resort in addition to Atlantis, The Palm. Our luxury team is working closely alongside our core travel team to promote all three brands to consumer and trade audiences.

bgb Travel Consultant Network expands

bgb's Travel Consultants Network service has been boosted by the appointment of a third consultant. Rob Bates has signed up to become a member of the travel specialist network after setting up his own PR business. Rob has spent nine years in travel communications, following a career in TV. He has in-house experience at Air New Zealand and Icelandair as well as agency experience working on clients such as Tourism Australia, the Spanish Tourist Office and individual members of The Leading Hotels of the World.

Staffing contingency planning

On Tuesday this week there were 726 schools shut in the USA, leaving just under half a million students at home, in an attempt to stop the swift spread of what now appears to be a mild, but very fast transmitted disease. The headlines talk about the impact on schools, but there's another less well documented impact of such closures. What happens to all the parents of these children who may need to take time off work to look after them? What happens to the businesses whose staff need to take time off so unexpectedly? It's a thought worth considering in any contingency planning. Organisations may need to allow for a certain proportion of the workforce to be off ill and then a further proportion to be off work having to look after ill relatives.

Global emergency response from UNWTO

The world has learnt a lot of lessons in the past few years. A good news update today from the UNWTO which is establishing a cross-industry information and messaging system - TERN, the Tourism Emergency Response Network.

Understanding the luxury travel market

22nd June - we have arranged for the Conde Nast Traveller team to come in to our offices and offer clients a brief insight into understanding the luxury travel market at this time. Maison Blanc will be providing an indulgent afternoon tea and this will be a great opportunity for clients and guests to meet and share thoughts and ideas, as well as get answers to those all important questions. Invitations will be sent out over the coming few weeks.

NSPCC Stop for tea (11-15th May 2009)

On Tuesday 12th May, we are hosting a cake and tea break at our offices. We will 'down tools' for twenty minutes and enjoy cakes baked by our own fair hands and hopefully raise a little for the NSPCC....

How do your friends describe you?

How do your friends describe your personality? Take the same test for your country or organisation. How would you describe it to your friends to encourage them to travel there, or with your business?