We just need the political will to reduce destructive energy prices October 4, 2012 OUT of all major economies, politicians in the UK have embraced aggressive climate policy in the most starry-eyed and expensive way. No other country has taken on more ambitious targets, done less to protect industry from the consequences or imposed more draconian unilateral regulations. We were the only country to set serious targets in the [...]
MPs urge fast action to beef up air capacity August 29, 2012 MORE MPs have waded into the row over Heathrow’s future, warning in a report yesterday that unless the coalition takes immediate action to expand Britain’s air capacity, the country will miss out on potential growth. The all-party parliamentary aviation group adds to pressure on transport secretary Justine Greening, who has spent the week insisting that [...]
Tourism bosses question Hunt’s China plan August 14, 2012 TOURISM industry leaders have been left unconvinced by government plans to treble to the number of Chinese visitors to the UK, saying yesterday there were still too many barriers to inbound travel that needed to be addressed. In a speech at the Tate Modern, culture secretary Jeremy Hunt set out how the government plans to [...]
Lake Como’s new luxury retreat July 29, 2012 LAKE COMO is not the sort of place you’d imagine having any shortage of luxury. For all that, Casta Diva is supposedly the first luxury hotel to be built there in 100 years. Originally an 18th century villa belonging to the legendary soprano Guiditta Pasta, the hotel has been expanded beyond the singer’s (heavily and [...]
Sun-seeking British passengers put a shine on EasyJet earnings July 25, 2012 EASYJET has raised its profit forecast for the year after seeing a rise in British tourists taking European holidays and a drop in fuel costs. Revenues in the quarter to the end of June rose 10.5 per cent to £1.03bn, and EasyJet now predicts full year pre-tax profit will rise to between £280m and £300m, [...]
After the Muslim Brotherhood won Egypt’s presidency, should liberals be concerned? June 25, 2012 YES Samer Libdeh Although the Muslim Brotherhood stated that it will support and defend civil and minority rights, it remains to be seen whether this will happen in practice. The first test will come over the formation of a new government and whether Freedom and Justice, the Brotherhood’s party, will reach out to all sectors [...]
Upgrade your next adventure June 10, 2012 FROM the cool and cutting-edge design scene in Copenhagen to the hypnotic charm of Cairo’s bustling markets; if you fancy exploring a new city, country or continent, now is the time to get that great escape on track. A world of adventure awaits, but you could benefit from a host of added extras by taking [...]
Tokyo is vast, fast and very interesting May 27, 2012 IT was about 7AM and the sun from my windows was beginning to wake me up. With my room on the 35th floor of a tower in the business district of Tokyo, the view of the endless city was so intense that drawing my curtains – even while I slept – seemed a waste. I [...]
Shaftesbury profits rise as West End sites fend off retail gloom May 23, 2012 THE PROSPEROUS West End continued to shelter Shaftesbury from the wider gloom in the retail sector as the London property firm posted a 15 per cent jump in first half profits. The company, which owns 500 properties across London’s key tourist hotspots including Carnaby Street and China Town reported a pre-tax profit of £16.1m in [...]
OVERSEAS BIG SPENDERS LURED TO EDINBURGH May 13, 2012 EDINBURGH enjoyed a surge in tourist spend over the past year, thanks to international shoppers flocking to the Scottish capital, particularly from China, Russia and Brazil. Tax-free shopping specialist Global Blue said tourist spending soared by 75 per cent in the twelve months to March, thanks in part to increased investment in the city centre.