SkyAlps has unveiled a new route connecting London Gatwick to Bolzano, providing UK travellers with an easier way to explore the renowned Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Italian boutique airline now offers twice-weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays, featuring complimentary South Tyrolean wines, local delicacies, and no middle seats for a more comfortable journey.

Key Highlights of the New Route:

Time-Saving Travel: The new route by SkyAlps offers a convenient shortcut to the Dolomites, with a flight time of approximately two hours. This significantly reduces transfer times compared to other airports such as Innsbruck and Venice. Bolzano’s smaller regional airport ensures quick security checks and stress-free return flights with shorter check-in times.

Seasonal Delights: Spring travellers can enjoy late-season skiing in the Dolomites, along with warmer temperatures and blossoming landscapes. Bolzano, rich in culture and cuisine, offers attractions such as the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, the Fountain of Neptune, and the historic Piazza delle Erbe. As the ski season ends, numerous hiking trails and outdoor activities become accessible.

Scenic Flights: SkyAlps’ propeller planes fly at lower altitudes, never exceeding 25,000 feet, allowing passengers to enjoy stunning views of the Dolomites. This lower altitude can also reduce tiredness upon arrival and contributes to lower emissions, offering a reduced climate impact.

Local Culinary Experience: Onboard, passengers can indulge in a premium complimentary menu featuring South Tyrolean wines from 48 local producers, with four quality wines showcased monthly. The in-flight snacks, such as full-fat yoghurt and fennel-flavoured Schüttelbrot, provide a taste of Italian regional specialities.

SkyAlps’ new route not only offers a faster, more enjoyable travel experience but also showcases the best of South Tyrolean hospitality and the natural beauty of the Dolomites.

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SkyAlps Launches New Route from London Gatwick to Bolzano

The pandemic brought business travel to a halt, shifting meetings to virtual platforms like Teams. However, today’s business travel has not only rebounded but surpassed pre-pandemic levels, transforming the industry in unexpected ways.

The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector is seeing a significant revival, presenting new opportunities as corporate travel evolves.

Hyatt’s European portfolio reported a 20% increase in MICE enquiries from 2022 to 2023, with Spain experiencing a nearly 50% rise. The UK and German markets saw interest in MICE increase by 25% and 31%, respectively. Clearly, the business trip is back in full swing.

Paul Dalgleish, Vice President of Sales, Revenue, and Business Development in EMEA at Hyatt, acknowledges the shift in corporate travel needs. “Fast Wi-Fi and sleek meeting rooms are no longer sufficient,” says Dalgleish. “Over 80% of corporate travellers now participate in ‘bleisure’, blending business trips with leisure activities and experiences.”

The Grand Hyatt Barcelona exemplifies this trend, offering unique MICE facilities alongside stunning views of Barcelona’s iconic sights. Data indicates that a third of business travellers want to involve their families, prompting companies to extend trips and choose hotels with comprehensive amenities.

Dalgleish emphasizes Hyatt’s commitment to this new demand. “Our hotels and brands in EMEA provide unique MICE offerings catering to a wide range of events, from team building and staff incentive trips to traditional corporate travel.”

Hyatt boasts over 200 hotels and 45,000 rooms across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, with 70 new openings planned in the coming years. Dalgleish is confident in the continued success of Hyatt’s MICE offerings. “Our philosophy, Together by Hyatt, addresses evolving preferences by offering bespoke event experience guides, sustainability fact sheets, and advanced technology tools to streamline event planning.”

With the rise of remote working and the digital nomad trend, the line between business and leisure continues to blur. In today’s world, where travel is no longer taken for granted, combining work with leisure activities has become the norm.

Hyatt’s Unique Venues platform highlights singular MICE spaces in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. For instance, Andaz London Liverpool Street offers not only a convenient gateway into the City but also a historic 111-year-old Masonic Temple. Similarly, Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower provides easy access to the city’s financial districts and features a glass dome with 360-degree city views.

As business travel gains momentum across Europe, corporate travellers are seeking more diverse and enriching experiences, making trips more exciting. “Who needs a Teams background when you can have the real thing?” Dalgleish concludes, underscoring the newfound vibrancy in corporate travel.

Read more:
Business Travel Resurges with a New Focus on ‘Bleisure’

Virgin Atlantic has capitalised on the recent BA Tier point year change controversy to attract customers with a tempting status match offer.

Until Valentine’s Day, Virgin Atlantic is extending an upgraded status match to members of the British Airways Executive Club.

To take advantage of this offer, Executive Club members simply need a Virgin Atlantic Flying Club account and must book a Premium or Upper Class flight with Virgin Atlantic. Whether it’s a cash ticket or a redemption flight, all qualify for this generous offer.

Interested members can apply by filling out a form, with the caveat that those who have previously undergone a status match with Virgin are ineligible.

Qualifying members will see their status upgraded 72 hours prior to their flight, and the upgraded status will be valid for 12 months.

While Virgin’s status benefits were previously less enticing for frequent business class travellers, their recent inclusion in SkyTeam makes this offer particularly appealing.

Gold members enjoy Upper-Class check-in and private security at London Heathrow, access to exclusive Clubhouses and the Revivals Lounge, 60% more Virgin Points on bookings, and SkyTeam Elite+ benefits.

Silver members receive 30% more Virgin Points, free extra checked luggage, Premium check-in, priority boarding, and other perks, including SkyTeam Elite recognition.

Another incentive for obtaining Virgin status is the opportunity to earn vouchers through the Virgin Atlantic Mastercard. Currently, there’s a special offer for double points until April 14, 2024, or £5,000 spend, whichever comes first, for those who sign up for a Reward+ credit card before March 4, 2024.

Spending £10,000 or more on card purchases within 12 months on the Virgin Rewards+ card earns a Companion Reward Ticket or an upgrade voucher. Having Virgin status enhances the benefits of the companion voucher, with Silver or Gold members able to book without using points for the companion reward seat.

Additionally, a new bonus point offer is also available as travellers can earn bonus points on round-trip routes taken until June 30, 2024, with 2,000 Virgin Points for Economy, 5,000 for Premium, and 10,000 for Upper class trips.

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Virgin Atlantic tempts British Airways Executive Club Members with Upgraded Status Match

When it comes to business travel, most SMEs are itching to get back on the road! But this uptick in demand combined with lingering airline capacity issues, not to mention increasing fuel costs, means higher prices – at a time when most business’ budgets are under pressure.

Luckily, there are ways to make significant savings on business trips. It means making the shift from unmanaged travel to managed travel (in other words, partnering with the right travel management company) but you’ll reap the benefits when it comes to both time and money.

These days, booking travel isn’t actually about getting the cheapest rate. It’s about the T&Cs, flexibility and ease of booking – how does five minutes instead of 50 sound? Then there’s the access to an impressive range of deals and fares to think about, and instant support if a flight gets cancelled or needs to be rearranged.

More than that, it’s about looking at your costs from a higher vantage point and making savings across every step of the journey, from pre booking to what’s happening a month down the line.

Here are 7 ways to save time and money on business travel.

Look into your data

Imagine the value you’d get from seeing your actual travel numbers in black and white. Yes, you want to know what you’re spending on flights and hotels but there’s a bigger picture. For example, how often does your team travel? Can it be booked in advance?

There are endless ways of finding efficiencies and identifying small changes (big ones too) in order to get the most out of your travel budget. Our teams find new ways to optimise our customers’ travel spend every day.

Set the rules

Did you know that putting form travel rules, aka a travel policy, in place is the number one way to save money on travel? Let’s be honest, it’s very difficult to keep a handle on costs if everyone can book where, when and what they want.

Boundaries are good. And there don’t need to be many, even the simplest travel policies can make a huge difference.

But it helps to get it all on paper, including:

• The airlines you’d prefer your team to book with
• Guidelines around economy, premier and business class
• If there’s a cap on how much they can spend per night in a hotel
• Who gets to sign off on it all

Take the pressure off your ‘go to’ person

Many SMEs have one person who takes care of all the travel bookings. Often it’s tacked onto their day-to-day responsibilities, but they’re great at it so it’s easy to keep the status quo.

It can be a lot to keep on top of, especially if the team is growing quickly and travel requests are coming in thick and fast.

One of our clients, Holovis (the brains behind theme park rides and AR/VR experiences around the world), discovered this when their team grew from 32 to 125. As an experience design company, they needed to get their engineers and designers travelling across the globe, often in groups, and with multiple stops along the way. It all got a little complicated.

In-house travel bookers carry a lot of responsibility on their shoulders when it comes to managing requests, costs and post-trip admin. And you’ve really got to feel for them if things go wrong.

Corporate Traveller has saved Holovis plenty of time and money by taking care of all their bookings, including last-minute trips and changes. And if there is ever an incident or event (think unexpected border closures) we’re on hand to bring their travellers home.

Keep your team focused on the day job

Even when things go right, booking travel on the internet isn’t the best use of your team’s time. It can take up to 49 minutes (or more) to book a business trip on the internet by the time you’ve searched, compared prices, checked availability and booked. With a TMC onboard you’ll be able to do it in five minutes (and get the best available prices on the day).

To be blunt, is Mary in Sales spending too much time on InsertAirlineHere.com, when she should be closing deals or running sales training?

Trade SOS calls for 24-hour support

Why when things go wrong, is it always after hours? Bosses and travel arrangers get an SOS call from a distressed traveller late on a Saturday evening. Not how you want to spend your weekend – on hold to a call centre!

With the right travel partner, you’ll be never in that position. Dedicated after-hours support teams mean your travellers can go direct to the experts.

Make any crisis that bit more manageable

How do you even begin to measure the stress that unexpected travel changes or incidents causes your team, especially if they’ve been travelling through COVID? It’s not something you have to consider if you have a managed travel programme in place.

In any crisis, big or small, a TMC will take care of all the admin and arrangements as quickly and painlessly as possible. And they’ll ensure the related costs don’t go OTT!

It’s nice to know that when things go pear-shaped, a travel expert can take the reins.

Knowledge is power

In fact, this travel expertise is invaluable. You might be a pro at launching a start-up or running your business…but travel in 2022 is whole new ball game.

Our team has tonnes of experience and industry knowledge – and all the travel connections you could hope for (if things don’t go according to plan, we can get fees waived).

Knowledge is power. It’s why we’ve put together a SME Corporate Travel Toolkit. It’ll give you pointers on how to craft the perfect travel policy, where to find savings without compromising traveller safety, the pitfalls of unmanaged travel and so much more.

Read more:
7 ways to save time and money on business travel

If you thought Uber was already a pretty ginormous company, well, it’s about to get even bigger.

In the UK, the American mobility giant already offers taxis, bikes, boats and scooters. But it’ll soon make inter-city trains, coaches and nationwide car rental available on the app, too.

Whichever way you look at it, Uber’s expansion will almost certainly prompt a major shake-up of the UK transport sector. Promising greater integration of travel than ever before, the idea is that you’ll be able to book a coach or train and then have a cab waiting to pick you up at the station – and then, if you’re in the mood, also have an Uber Eats ready at your destination. It could pave the way for a much more seamless, hassle-free form of travel.

Uber wants to add trains, coaches and car rentals to its app by this summer, but its longer-term plans go even further. By the end of the year, the company wants to be able to offer flights and cross-Channel trains, too. Eventually, it wants to also include hotels – truly trying to make sure that, for any kind of travel, there’s no need to leave the Uber app. Pretty bold stuff, to say the least.

Under the new plans, Uber won’t actually be providing its own trains, coaches, cars, planes and hotels. Don’t expect to see Uber Rail or Uber Air anytime soon. Instead, it’ll be working with a number of partners which will be fully integrated into the app. Those firms are set to be confirmed in the coming months.

Read more:
Uber set to let you book trains, flights and even hotels via the app

Business travel is back! In fact, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) believes that global business travel spend will reach 2019 levels by 2024, a full year earlier than previously predicted.

It’s an exciting time. Even more so because it’s the small to mid-sized companies powering the recovery, rather than the corporate giants.

On the other hand, managing travel is more complicated than you think when it’s for multiple people, and it’s a little more complex right now. Think border closures, travel restrictions and Covid regulations. It’s daunting – and time consuming – for that one person that books travel for everyone in your company.

A business making 50 travel bookings per month is losing over £10,000 annually on wasted time by doing it themselves (that’s our own calculations). It can take as long as 49 minutes to research and book even the most straightforward trip online. And a company can spend up to 10% of their travel budget on change and cancellation fees alone.

Most SMEs don’t have the time to manage their own travel, especially when the team expands quickly and they’re travelling to all corners of the world.

That’s exactly what happened to Bennett Aviation when they had a growth spurt. Suddenly, booking travel whenever and wherever they wanted became far too much for one person to handle. There was little way of easily tracking where people were at any given time and how much it was all costing. Processes were clunky and it wasn’t long until the PA at Bennett was swamped with complicated travel requests and changes.

But don’t fear! There are ways you can get your business travel under control.

Understand the frustrations your team face

Ever been stuck on the phone to an airline call centre? It can take hours when there’s a major incident. It’s a big pain, especially if you’re a traveller stuck in a country or if you’re the executive assistant that has travel tacked onto their regular day-to-day duties. No one wants to spend all that time on hold during what’s already a stressful time.

Imagine if someone needed help out of work hours or over the weekend. Who do they call at your company, what support do they receive? Given how the last two years have been, it’s a big thing to consider.

Then think of the admin. The receipts, the expenses and keeping track of vouchers and credits. How much time is being wasted by travellers and the finance team making sure everything’s in order? How do you know the true cost of business trips once you total up the airline, hotel, taxis and meals?

Reduce the stress on people and risk

Safety and wellbeing is a big deal now across all parts of business. And it doesn’t stop when your team are out on the road travelling to other countries.

If your travellers are booking their own trips, how do you know where they’re travelling to, who they’re booking with, and whether they’re at risk? Scary. As their employer, you’re ultimately responsible for your people when they are out on the road.

There’s companies and technology out there to help. It makes all the difference for travellers to know you have their back, especially if there’s an emergency and they need to be contacted and to travel home.

Know what you’re spending

Business travel usually features in the top three spots on a company’s profit and loss statement; it’s a big spend category. Which means it’s important to keep a handle on your spend and identify savings wherever you can.

How do you start? It’s all in the data, such as:

• Annual spend on flights
• Annual spend on hotels
• Popular routes flown eg London – Berlin or Edinburgh – New York

When you have that information to hand, you have a base to start saving money in all kinds of ways. A specialist business travel agency like Corporate Traveller has all the tactics and contacts to help. If you’re using an airline regularly, we can talk to the airline and get preferential prices. Dashboards can show you booking information in real-time and you can pull reports in minutes.

Reconsider booking on loads of different websites

Connor in Sales should be focused on his clients instead of spending hours searching for flights and hotels. Endlessly searching the internet and having all those open tabs is wasting so much time. With the right tech it can take less than five minutes to book a trip (including the hotel and car hire).

We’ve estimated that would save you on average £12.96 per booking if you’re using a tool like ours. Plus when you’re thinking about data, with everything booked in one place you can get discounts and access to special corporate deals and perks you can’t get anywhere else. It’s a win-win however you look at it.

Pick a travel partner that works for you

Does your business use Teams or Slack? Quickbooks or Sage? Like all platforms, they have their own pros and cons, capabilities and features. You chose the best tool to suit your needs.

Travel companies, aka travel management companies (TMCs) in our world, are no different. You can choose to work with a local travel company, a global TMC or to book travel through multiple websites and providers. Ultimately though, you need to consider three things:

1. Culture – choose a company that aligns with your vision and values
2. Tech capabilities – never settle for less than what your business needs
3. Pricing, including hidden costs

There’s no doubt that small to mid-sized companies will drive the UK’s post-pandemic economic recovery. That’s why we’ve created a SME Corporate Travel Toolkit. It will give you pointers on where to start with formalising travel booking processes, where to find savings without compromising traveller safety, the pitfalls of booking randomly online and so much more.

Read more:
5 ways to get your corporate travel under control

British Airways will return to short-haul flying from London Gatwick next year, the airline has said as it confirmed the go-ahead of its planned subsidiary, BA Euroflyer.

BA, which stopped flying from the West Sussex airport soon after the Covid pandemic started, will relaunch its short-haul leisure network in late March 2022, ending a break of almost two years.

Flights will initially be operated by BA itself, but the airline intends to hive off the business to the subsidiary later next year once it has received regulatory approval. Its parent group, IAG, has said that a new standalone business was needed to make the resumption financially viable, citing years of losses for BA at Gatwick even before Covid hit.

Tickets for flights to 35 short-haul destinations went on sale on Tuesday. Three Airbus short-haul planes will start operations in March, with the active fleet growing to 18 by the end of May.

BA Euroflyer will – like the BA CityFlyer operation at London City – remain BA-branded. Its launch came after unions initially rejected the plans, which are understood to demand much more flexibility from pilots and crew in seasonal work than permitted under normal BA rostering. Thousands of staff were laid off during the pandemic, and many now could be rehired under inferior terms and conditions.

The pilots’ union Balpa said the final agreement would “create up to 160 much needed pilot jobs in 2022” and had been tailored to fit the point-to-point flying model used by other major airlines.

BA said fares would start from £39 each way, to be competitive with Gatwick’s no-frills carriers, led by easyJet, but would come with the airline’s usual luggage allowances and basic snacks onboard.

The BA chief executive, Sean Doyle, said it was a “landmark moment” for the airline, adding: “The creation of a new British Airways short-haul organisation means Gatwick customers will benefit from access to a premium service from the UK’s flag carrier at competitive prices.”

Stewart Wingate, Gatwick’s chief executive, said: “Despite the ongoing public health situation, today’s announcement is a positive signal that consumer confidence is returning as people start thinking about making travel plans for next summer.”

While Gatwick and BA were upbeat about the launch, the air and travel industry was left dismayed again after the government chose not to lift the testing regime in a travel announcement on Tuesday.

The health secretary, Sajid Javid, confirmed the removal of the last 11 countries from the red list but did not follow through on suggestions that the recently reimposed requirement for expensive PCR testing would be scrapped.

Tim Alderslade, the chief executive of Airlines UK, said: “If the red list isn’t necessary given that [the Covid variant] Omicron is established here at home, then neither are the costly emergency testing and isolation measures imposed on even fully vaccinated travellers, which again put us completely at odds with the rest of Europe.”

The travel association Abta – which has reported autumn bookings being at less than 30% of normal levels – said the government needed to explain why tests would be retained through the Christmas period, adding that it should give financial support to the sector. Abta’s chief executive, Mark Tanzer, said: “With the industry quickly approaching peak booking season for summer 2022, travel businesses are facing a very serious situation. Consumer confidence in travel has suffered a significant setback, which will outlast these restrictions.”

The tourism body UKinbound said tests for vaccinated international arrivals were “stifling businesses across the inbound tourism industry”.

Eurostar said it had seen the rate of bookings halve since PCR tests were brought back, with more cancellations or rearranged trips than new bookings for the Christmas period. Its chief executive, Jacques Damas, said the restrictions came “at a heavy price for the industry”.

Read more:
British Airways to restart short-haul London Gatwick flights from March

Amazon is to start selling low-cost Covid PCR test kits to travellers in a move that promises to shake up a market that has been described as a “rip-off jungle” for consumers.

The government-approved tests, which will be valid for the UK’s day-two, day-eight and “test-to-release” arrivals programmes, cost £34.99 each but will also be offered in discounted bundles. The retailer’s international arrivals service could be launched and listed on the government’s approved list of suppliers as soon as today.

The tests will be processed at Amazon’s lab in Salford, which the retailer set up last year to process tests for employees. It also set up a lab in the US, where it started selling home testing kits in the summer to US shoppers via its website.

Earlier this month Amazon started selling testing kits in the UK too, although they were not suitable for travellers. However it meant the company’s name was added to the official list of Covid test providers.

Amazon’s entry into the market for travel PCR tests follows complaints from some people travelling to the UK that tests provided by some of the small companies that have sprung up to serve the market arrive late or sometimes not at all.

The government has been accused of failing to get a grip on the test market which is once again of vital importance to people in the UK who are hoping to travel abroad this Christmas. It has reintroduced mandatory PCR tests to track the progress and limit the spread of the Omicron variant.

It was recently revealed that a slew of PCR testing deals had been removed from the site amid fears consumers were being misled by companies advertising tests for less than a £1. It is understood officials acted on complaints from within the industry that certain providers were manipulating the rankings by advertising ultra cheap deals that were in reality hard to access.

Last week Lord Tyrie, the former chairman of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), called the marketplace a “rip-off jungle”. He said misleading online advertisements, overpricing and unacceptably poor service, had not been eradicated despite having come to light months ago.

The CMA says it has written to 25 PCR providers, warning them to get their house in order or risk enforcement action. It has also begun formal investigations into two companies: Expert Medicals and Dante Labs.

In the autumn, the watchdog made a series of recommendations to the Department of Health and Social Care, which manages the list of test providers. These included “significantly” improving the basic standards needed for inclusion on the list and a “comprehensive monitoring and enforcement programme”.

However, little appears to have changed. Rory Boland, the travel editor at consumer group Which?, said travellers were being “badly let down” in a dysfunctional market where they were exposed to extortionate prices and unreliable providers. “We are yet to see the government take any meaningful action following the CMA’s audit of the private testing system,” he said.

Francis Ingham, the independent director of the Laboratory and Testing Industry Organisation (LTIO), a trade association where members have signed up to a code of conduct based on the CMA’s recommendations, said customer choice was a “good thing”. “We welcome Amazon’s new offering. Reliability and transparency are vital, so we hope that the company will meet the standards set by LTIO members.”

Read more:
Amazon to sell low-cost PCR Covid tests for UK travellers

Virtually all use of mobile phones at the wheel will be banned from next year, with guilty motorists facing six points on their licence and a £200 fine.

Drivers will be banned from activities such as scrolling through playlists on handheld devices as part of a crackdown on road safety. The Highway Code will also be updated to make clear that even casual fiddling on a phone at traffic lights or in a jam is illegal.

The changes, announced by the Department for Transport, will make it easier to prosecute drivers using and holding their phones at the wheel.

Under current laws, drivers are banned from texting or making a call while driving, unless it is hands-free. Under the new rules drivers will not be allowed to take photos or videos, scroll through audio playlists or play games.

Drivers will still be permitted to use their device for satellite navigation, provided it is secured in a cradle. It will also be permissible to swipe the screen to answer a call, as long as the phone does not leave the cradle.

An exemption will allow drivers to make a contactless payment using their phone while stationary, in places such as drive-through takeaways or at tolls.

The law will make the UK one of the toughest countries in the world on phone use at the wheel. Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, said: “By making it easier to prosecute people illegally using their phone at the wheel, we are ensuring the law is brought into the 21st century while further protecting all road users.”

The change in the law was welcomed by motoring groups.

Edmund King, the president of the AA, said: “By making mobile phone use as socially unacceptable as drink-driving, we are taking big steps to make our roads safer. For years, the AA has campaigned hard and helped educate drivers to the dangers from bad mobile phone use.”

Simon Williams, the RAC’s road safety spokesman, said: “While today’s announcement is clearly good news, it’s absolutely vital that the new law is vigorously enforced otherwise there’s a risk that it won’t deliver the sort of change that will make our roads safer.”

Read more:
New laws to clamp down on mobile phone use at the wheel

Business travel is set to bounce back to two thirds of pre-pandemic levels by next year, research has found.

Experts had predicted that video calls and online conferences would sound the death knell for overseas jaunts, while airlines feared that businesses would slash their travel budgets.

However, spending on business travel looks set to rise by more than 25 per cent this year, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and by a further 34 per cent in 2022.

Business travel was disproportionately affected by Covid-19 and has been slower to resume as a result of the trend towards working from home.

Foreign travel collapsed in March 2020 when travel restrictions closed borders. Spending on trips fell by 61 per cent overall last year.

Businesses in the Middle East are leading the bounce-back with a 49 per cent return to pre-Covid levels, while Europe is set to rise by 36 per cent this year. The research was carried out with McKinsey & Company, the management consultant.

“Business travel has been seriously hit but our research shows room for optimism,” Julia Simpson, chief executive of the WTTC, said. “Our research shows room for optimism with Asia Pacific and the Middle East first off the starting blocks. We expect to see two thirds back by the end of 2022.”

Business tips only accounted for 21 per cent of the travel market in 2019, but was responsible for the highest spending in many destinations.

Before the pandemic, it accounted for about 70 per cent of revenue for high-end hotel chains. Between 55 and 75 per cent of airline profits came from corporate passengers.

Chris Nassetta, the chief executive of Hilton, the hotel group, said: “A return to business travel will be critical in our industry’s recovery from the pandemic.

“We’re continuing to see incremental progress and this report illustrates just how important business travel is to the economy.”

Experts predict that many companies will have amended their travel policies to save money as a result of the pandemic.

New data from the International Air Transport Association revealed that the number of trips made in first or business class, the so-called premium cabins, has recovered more slowly than in economy over the past year.

Passenger journeys in these cabins were down by 56 per cent this summer compared with the same period in 2019. Economy-class journeys were down 46 per cent.

Airlines are gearing up for a boost to travel once the USA reopens its borders on Monday. They are preparing for their busiest day of transatlantic flying in 602 days as strict entry rules, first introduced by President Trump, are finally relaxed.

President Biden made the surprise announcement that the country would reopen its borders in “early November” on the eve of meeting Boris Johnson in Washington last month.

Despite lobbying by Westminster, the decision surprised the prime minister who had told reporters on his flight to the US that any reopening was unlikely in the near future.

Pandemic restrictions on non-US citizens from 32 other countries will be lifted at the same time. Only those who have had two doses of a Covid vaccine authorised by US regulators or the World Health Organisation, will be permitted entry.

The WTTC report was published at World Travel Market, which is taking place in London this week. The Business Travel Association estimates that, in a normal year, £220 billion is added to UK GDP, as a result of overseas business trips made by Britons.

More than nine million trips were made by Britons for work in 2019 — with more than half being for less than three nights.

Read more:
Business travel starts bouncing back despite switch to video calls

Tesla is opening its charging network to other electric cars for the first time with a pilot programme in the Netherlands, as the world’s most valuable carmaker looks to bring electric vehicles into the mainstream.

The programme will be tested at 10 locations in the Netherlands, the company said on Monday, adding that Dutch non-Tesla electric vehicle drivers can access the Tesla stations, or Superchargers, through the Tesla app.

Tesla drivers can continue to use these stations and the company will closely monitor each site for congestion.

Tesla operates more than 25,000 Superchargers worldwide, while other carmakers have formed alliances or invested in startups for networks as they rush new electric vehicles to market.

The Superchargers are open to cars with the Combined Charging System (CCS) favoured by BMW, Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler, Ford and the Volkswagen group, which includes Audi and Porsche.

Tesla uses the CCS standard in Europe, allowing a wide range of cars to charge in stations without an adapter that uses a similar connector.

Charging prices for non-Tesla drivers would include extra costs to support a broad range of vehicles and site adjustments to accommodate these vehicles, Tesla said. “This move directly supports our mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”

Tesla, which crossed $1tn in market capitalisation for the first time last week after receiving an oder for 100,000 cars from rental firm Hertz, has defied supply chain issues and global chip shortages to mark a record quarter for car deliveries as demand ramps up and its investments in new factories pay off.

Read more:
Tesla to open Supercharger network up to other electric cars for first time

Self-catering can be a bit marmite; many people who love their all-inclusive packages think it sounds just a bit too much like hard work but a self-catering holiday cottage in Cornwall is anything but.

Here are some of the best reasons to go self-catering when you next visit Cornwall or why not consider trying it if this is your very first visit?

• Flexibility – this is one of the biggest attractions of self-catering, come and go when you please, eat when you like, perfect if you have small children or are in a large group as you can set your own agenda. Self-catering perfectly accommodates different plans within the group without the restrictions of hotel schedules and mealtimes. Get up when you want, go to bed when you want
• Space- enjoy all the advantages of a traditionally laid out property so that children can go to bed any time of the day if they need to and if you want to spend time at home watching television when the others are out then you have all those choices. Large properties can accommodate more than one family – Cornwall has some super spacious farmhouses – so you can holiday with other family members or friends and all stay together in the same place.  The properties are proportional so if the house sleeps eight then there will be a correspondingly large dining area which can seat eight people and a living area too.  If you just like lots of room but are not a big party then why not hire a bigger house than you need and take advantage of some extra living accommodation
• Meals – don’t think you need to slave away in the kitchen, you can eat out at a modest rate if you are clever – a pasty on the beach won’t break the bank – and most cottages have a barbeque to make light work of evening meals after a long day on the beach. For those who really want to take advantage of the lovely local produce and seafood Cornwall has to offer, self-catering cottages come with fully equipped kitchens if you enjoy cooking and want to spend time perfecting your cuisine and self-catering cottages make it easy to manage special dietary requirements for members of your party.  There is a usually a welcome hamper to get you started with some tea, coffee and milk, otherwise, place an online shopping order from a local supermarket to coincide with your day of arrival
• Housekeeping – a cleaner once a week with a linen change is all you need think about if you are away for a fortnight
• Privacy – for romantic holidays or families with young children having peace and privacy to organise your day can make life much less stressful. Choose a hidden hideaway in a quiet leafy lane or tucked away behind a pretty fishing harbour.  Many Cornish cottages have spacious gardens so you can enjoy sunny evenings with friends and family cooking on the barbeque or eating al fresco
• Peace and quiet – hotel accommodation can be unpredictable and noisy but if you opt for the right Cornish cottage, you can enjoy the sound of silence – no other guests, no traffic noise, no streetlights, just the sound of the sea
• Economy – it can represent really good value for money to share a large property across a group of friends or family members particularly if you are doing your own catering. Source local produce and take it in turns to cook.  Treat yourself one evening to a private chef who can come in and prepare a special meal for your party, all the advantages of restaurant cuisine in the comfort and privacy of your own Cornish cottage
• Pets – virtually every Cornish holiday cottage company has a pet filter on their website so you can select from a list of properties designed to cater for pets. Self-catering makes it so much easier for your pets, such as your dog to go on holiday to Cornwall with you
• Babies and infants – Cornish holiday homes are well equipped and your housekeeper can leave high chairs, travel cots and stairgates for families with little people. Self-catering offers the ultimate in flexibility for small children and infants
• Home comforts – take those little bits and pieces that you wouldn’t be without at home although you will find that most Cornish cottages are amazingly well equipped. Driving to Cornwall allows you to pack all those special extras to make your holiday both memorable and comfortable
• Location – some of the best located holiday homes are in areas where there are no hotels, caravan parks or campsites and you simply wouldn’t be able to stay in anything other than a house or cottage
• Variety of accommodation – Cornwall has everything from pretty harbourside fishermen’s’ cottages to uber-chic contemporary apartments, large granite farmhouses and barn conversions plus more unusual properties like converted net lofts, mill houses and chapels

Self-catering in Cornwall is a home from home, with immaculately appointed cottages, houses and apartments, with every convenience right down to the last detail.  Self-catering allows you to experience staying in properties which may be very different from your own home – perhaps, a beamed and pretty cottage or a modern apartment, the very opposite to what you are used to.  With clever planning on the food front, you can eat well and flexibly at a much lower cost and eat the food that you want rather than pay for an all-inclusive hotel package where you are served food you may not want to eat and in large quantities.  All-inclusive packages are priced to reflect all the food and drink and are typically priced higher because of this.

Most people find self-catering much more relaxing than the conveyer belt holiday of apartments and hotels. You are completely free to make the holiday whatever you want it to be and so self-catering can be much more personal and individual than a fully inclusive package holiday.  Best of all, there are no airport queues, foreign currency, travel delays and all the hassle associated with travelling abroad – just get in the car and go.

Article by Jamie McKaye

Read more:
Cornish Secrets on the advantages of a self-catering holiday in Cornwall

Raleigh cycles have announced the launch of Electric Bike Access, their cycle to work benefit scheme where customers can save up to 42% on retail prices of electric bikes.

Now more than ever there is demand for affordable, sustainable transport that promotes good health and wellbeing whilst reducing harmful emissions. Electric Bike Access will offer a direct relationship with the manufacturer, along with an online shop and employer portal to make ordering and managing the scheme easy.

“The electric bike can be a true alternative to cars, particularly for shorter journeys. Commuters can combine the savings on fuel and parking with the enormous benefits to health and wellbeing. As well as the positive environmental impact, the bicycle could revolutionise the way we travel and dramatically reduce congestion in our towns and cities.” said Pippa Wibberley, Marketing Director at Raleigh UK.

The cycle to work benefit allows employees to purchase bikes with savings of up to 42% and spread the cost interest free over twelve months by paying for a bike from their pre tax salary. Choose from a range of bikes from Raleigh, Haibike and Lapierre, shop online and have the bike delivered to your home or one of Raleigh’s authorised retailers.

For the employer there are savings of 13.8% on the value of the agreements by reducing your national insurance bill. The scheme is uncapped with credit terms available and the online process means no unnecessary administration work. View, approve and manage the benefit centrally through your unique employer portal.

Raleigh has a network of authorised retailers across the UK, supported by their customer service teams at head office in Nottingham. Each business will have a dedicated account manager and have access to free events to engage staff with test riding electric bikes.

Read more:
Raleigh UK launched cycle to work scheme for electric bikes

Order books for the Land Rover Defender 90 have opened following the successful launch of the Defender 110.

The new Defender is the toughest and most capable Land Rover ever made and delivers 21st century connectivity with unstoppable off-road performance.

The first Defender 110 models will be delivered to customers from spring this year with three-door, short-wheelbase Defender 90 models due to arrive later this summer.

Since its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2019, Land Rover has experienced unprecedented demand for the new 4×4. More than 1.21 million people have configured a vehicle on the Land Rover website, and over half of those chose one of the four Accessory Packs.

The Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban packs give New Defender a range of distinct personalities. For the Defender 110, the Urban Pack – which includes a front undershield, bright rear scuff plate and metal pedals, plus a spare wheel cover – has been the most popular choice, selected in more than 35 per cent of the configurations that included an Accessory Pack, followed closely by the Explorer Pack.

Finbar McFall, Land Rover Global Product Marketing Director, said: “We have experienced unprecedented demand for New Defender 110 and the official introduction of Defender 90 is sure to boost interest. As the family grows to include an efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain and commercial derivatives later this year, we look forward to continuing this success. If our experience with the Defender 110 is anything to go by, we can expect over half of customers to opt for one of the four Accessory Packs, making New Defender the most accessorised and personalised Land Rover we have ever produced.”

The innovative Front Row Centre Seat (otherwise known as jump seat) allows three people to travel in the front row. Conceived and designed as an occasional seat, the practical addition means the Defender 90 can accommodate six occupants in a compact family hatchback length body. When not in use, the seatback folds down to provide a front armrest and oddment stowage, including a pair of additional cupholders. Practicality is a hallmark of Land Rover interior design and the new Defender 90 comes with an abundance of storage opportunities including a choice of high and low centre consoles.

New Defender is the most capable and connected Land Rover to date and can trace its roots back to the original Series I model of 1948. The 110 and 90 body designs will be available as practical commercial models later this year while a highly efficient Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain will also join the line-up.

The iconic 4×4 embraces 21st century technologies and introduces Land Rover’s Pivi infotainment, which features an intuitive interface and its own back-up battery for always-on responses. Advanced software-over-the-air updates also ensure customers benefit from the latest software at all times, wherever they are in the world.

The New Defender 90 is priced from £40,290 in the UK and the Defender 110 is priced from £45,240. To configure and order yours online, click here: www.landrover.co.uk/Defender. Later this year, practical commercial derivatives will join the range priced from around £35,000 (plus VAT) in the UK.

Read more:
New Land Rover Defender 90 finally goes on sale to expectant buyers

There are many hints out there for how to get the most out of your business travel, thousands if not millions of tips and tricks.

That’s why this condensed list of 6 is what we’ve found most useful when planning your first, second, hundredth or with the way society is now, millionth business trip….think about the carbon footprint for that though.

1. There’s something we all know now that we have google maps and that is of course navigation and the joys of arriving somewhere in an expected time, however imagine for a moment that your phone battery dies and you haven’t made it to the airport yet! Do yourself a favour and learn the map so that you can get there no matter what the circumstances. This goes for getting around new cities as well, never rely solely on technology it can and will eventually let you down. Charge everything before you leave.
2. Long or short always make sure you have spare essentials. Some clothing and some toiletries seem standard but if you place them in a bag that gets lost that leaves you in a spot of trouble.
3. Assume the frequent position early on. There’s no point in putting off the joining of clubs, just in case you won’t travel ‘that much’. If you join with expectation then your business will follow suit, you will commit to more meetings and travel, to make it worthwhile.
4. Compare anything and everything. There are countless comparison sites out there that will fulfil every need, Skyscanner.net or enjoycarhire.com are just a couple that will allow you to save money and see all options available.
5. Routine is key. If you have a certain breakfast at home and stick to a certain exercise routine at home, then take these with you. Your mind is a funny thing if it believes it’s at home it will operate as such, therefore the excessive travel won’t stop you operating at exactly the same heights as if you were on home soil.
6. Pictures aren’t just for showing others. If you are somewhere new it’s a lot to ask of yourself to remember where everything is, like your hotel or even where you parked the car (Very important one, has happened, we don’t like it) so that you can focus solely on the reason you are there. Funny stories about getting lost are great for being on holiday but every meeting is another job interview so treat it that way.

This can’t go in here enough, when you are on business travel keep your mind on business watch. It’s when we start to pretend that we are on holiday that’s when things slip away, then make sure that every fourth or fifth trip you tack a little day holiday on the end, for you, as a reward.

Read more:
6 tips & tricks for planning business travel

Twisted Automotive, known for producing bespoke modified Land Rover Defenders, has announced plans for a new showroom in Silverstone.

Aimed at potential customers in London and across the south of England, the new showroom will display a range of models from the company.

It forms part of grand expansion aims, revealed by Twisted exactly four years to the day that Land Rover ceased production of the original Defender.

At present, UK sales for Twisted’s products are dealt with from the company’s headquarters in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. Whilst this may suit the rural image of a Twisted Land Rover, it does mean southern customers face a considerable journey to view products.

Based at Silverstone in Northamptonshire, the location for the new showroom has been chosen to be only 30 minutes by train, or an hour by car, from central London.

Set to open in March 2020, the Silverstone showroom will offer test drives, servicing for existing customers, and also host the Twisted Cafe.

Last year saw Twisted announce an enhanced American division, located in South Boston, Virginia. Creating vehicles especially for American buyers, Twisted’s NA-specification Defenders use supercharged Chevrolet V8 engines with 650 horsepower.

The company has already finished its first North American-spec Defender, a short-wheelbase 90 model, which features air conditioning, electric windows, and central locking in the left-hand drive vehicles.

An accompanying Defender 110 is now being prepared, with Twisted planning to show both models at the New York International Auto Show in April. Prices for the American models begin at a considerable $250,000 (£192,000).

Following on from the North American outpost will be a brand-new Twisted Middle East venture, set to open later in 2020 at a facility in Dubai.

Primarily aimed at appealing to off-road enthusiasts across the United Arab Emirates, Twisted notes that the company has previously sold vehicles to customers in Qatar, the UAE, Oman, and Kuwait.

The Twisted Middle East showroom and service centre will be managed by Matt Duckett, who recently joined the company from Jaguar Land Rover. Duckett’s previous roles included engineering the stunt vehicles used in the forthcoming James Bond film No Time to Die.

Twisted has also finished building the first of a planned limited edition Lightweight Defender, inspired by Land Rovers used by the British Army between 1968 and 1984.

Painted in Twisted’s own Willow Green, and with a canvas roof, the Lightweight also gains double bumpers and half-height doors. Built from low-mileage stock, the full run of ten examples is scheduled to be completed by summer 2020.

Speaking about the continuing expansion plans, Twisted founder Charles Fawcett commented that it “illustrates the enduring passion” for the classic Defender, and that the company remains a guardian “of the heritage of this British icon”.

Read more:
Land Rover specialists Twisted plan new Silverstone showroom and US expansion

Transport currently accounts for almost a third of the world’s total energy use and around a quarter of the global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

With climate change high on the news agenda and more consumers than ever making a conscious effort to reduce their carbon footprint, there is no bigger industry that is impacted by this than the travel and motor sector

As part of our Environmental Innovations series, which looks at how British businesses and consumers are adapting to become more environmentally friendly, innovation specialist MPA looks at the biggest factors that are overhauling the industry.

The rise of electric cars

Research conducted by MPA through YouGov Profiles found that almost two thirds of Brits agreed that we should drive less to save the environment. But with 31.8 million cars on the UK’s roads, a car-less society seems a very distant memory.

One of the most environmentally friendly alternatives is electric cars, which create less greenhouse gas and other emissions than cars powered solely by internal combustion engines. It seems the British public agrees, with the research finding that 69% agree that electric cars are the future of the motor industry.

2018 saw 59,945 sales of electric cars in the UK, a record year according to the SMMT, suggesting that alternative drives are a trend that is set to continue. With an increase in consumer demand, manufacturers will have to innovate in order to keep up. One such company is The Nextrode Project, who are working with the University of Warwick to ‘revolutionise the way electrodes for Li-ion EV batteries are manufactured’.

Sustainable air travel

Air travel is a huge industry, but unfortunately is one of the biggest contributors to climate change. With the research finding that 46% of respondents are likely to book a flight within the next 12 months, travel companies need to ensure they are conscious of their carbon footprint. Researching into sustainable fuel alternatives is one way that companies can play a part.

British Airways is the latest company to announce plans to invest in this, announcing its initiative to transform household waste into jet fuel for its aircrafts. The project which will be based in Lincolnshire and is set to produce the alternative fuel from 2024. The use of alternative fuels may well be the biggest factor in the industry’s impact on the environment, as a flight completely powered by sustainable fuel has the potential to reduce the carbon emissions of that flight by up to 80%.

Embracing technology

Technology is also set to be a major contributor in the motor industry’s move to become more environmentally – particularly 5G becoming a part of mainstream life. One in seven of respondents believe that 5G will be most useful for connected cars and transport, from remote car control to driverless cars. Ericsson is one of the companies using this technological revolution to create a more sustainable business model, as it announced its use of 5G to enhance its sustainable transport system.

John Lowndes, Director at MPA said: “The travel and motor sector is one of the industries that has seen the most consumer backlash from the increase in public interest in eliminating climate change, so it is great to see that so many businesses are already investing in innovative ways to be more sustainable. Factors such an increased customer demand for electric cars and more sustainable air travel will definitely help in offsetting carbon footprints and will help the nation in living a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.”

Read more:
Majority of Brits think electric cars are future of motor industry

Ineos Automotive has announced an expansion of its partnership with global mobility technology company, Magna.

Its subsidiary, Magna Powertrain, has been responsible for chassis and suspension development since the inception of the project.

It will now be joined by Magna Steyr, which will undertake the series development phase of the forthcoming Grenadier.

Dirk Heilmann, Chief Executive Officer of INEOS Automotive, confirmed: “The transition from concept to series development is a major landmark in the evolution of the Grenadier.  We are pleased to have Magna, with their long heritage and experience in 4×4 development, with us for the next stage of the journey. With our production plans recently confirmed, we now move into all-important series development and start to set our sights on the start of production.”

Frank Klein, President of Complete Vehicle Manufacturing & Engineering at Magna Steyr, said: “Magna is in a unique position with our complete vehicle knowledge. Because of our expertise, we can continue to support traditional automakers while also becoming the go-to supplier for new players entering the space. We are excited to help INEOS Automotive bring the Grenadier to reality.”

The confirmation of Magna Steyr’s appointment follows recent announcements of BMW Group as suppliers of their world-class inline six-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines for the Grenadier, and its new manufacturing home in Bridgend, South Wales.

Read more:
Ineos Automotive announces engineering partner for new ‘Defender’ replacement

Aston Martin Lagonda have announced Johnathan Hoggard as the 2019 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award winner.

The 19-year-old Briton, from Spalding in Lincolnshire, was awarded the most prestigious honour in junior motorsport during the gala Autosport Awards ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, on London’s Park Lane, on Sunday evening.

Hoggard, who finished runner-up in the 2019 BRDC British F3 Championship with seven victories, earns a full test in an Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Formula 1 car on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit, as well as a run in the Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE FIA World Endurance Championship challenger. He also received a cheque for £200,000 presented to him by Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, a full membership to the BRDC and an Arai crash helmet.

Hoggard joins a star-studded list of former winners that includes 2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti, and several Le Mans 24 Hours class winners including Aston Martin’s Darren Turner. The roll of honour also includes current Formula 1 drivers George Russell and Lando Norris.

To win the Award, Hoggard had to compete against three other talented finalists, Japanese F3 race winner Enaam Ahmed (19), W Series champion Jamie Chadwick (21) and BRDC British F3 race winner Ayrton Simmons (18), in an intensive two-day shoot-out at Silverstone in four 550bhp Motorsport Vision F2 cars, Garage 59’s Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and a Ligier LMP3 prototype. Moreover, the finalists were subjected to an extensive fitness and simulator assessment at the Red Bull Racing headquarters in Milton Keynes, prior to their on-track examination.

“I’m over the moon and a little lost for words,” said Hoggard. “It’s been over a month I’ve been waiting to find out about this [since the end of the assessment], and it’s been agonising. I’m thankful for everyone who’s helped along the way; family, sponsors, judges and the organisers Aston Martin, Autosport and the BRDC. I knew it was a very tough competition and it’s amazing to have actually won it. It’s a great honour and I’m very proud to have joined such a prestigious roll of honour.”

The judging panel was led by Judges’ Chairman, 1992 World Sportscar champion and former Grand Prix driver Derek Warwick and included Turner, 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning engineer Leena Gade, Garage 59 team owner Andrew Kirkaldy, Jason Plato, Alexander Sims, Ian Titchmarsh, Autosport editor Kevin Turner and Mark Williams. They concluded Hoggard the winner after a fiercely-contested event that shone a bright light on the outstanding talent of all four finalists.

Turner said: “This year witnessed another exceptional crop of talent, with four very strong drivers fighting for the right to be the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year. It was great to see them battling it out of over two days at Silverstone in what were actually quite difficult conditions. Without doubt this year’s winner was phenomenal in his approach, and every time he jumped into any of the cars he was bang on the pace. It’s been a real privilege to be back involved as a judge, and I am very proud that Aston Martin is now a part of the Award because I know how important a role it plays in the development of a driver’s career and what a difference it can make to their future.”

This year marked the first time in the 37-year history of the Award that Aston Martin Lagonda has been the title partner alongside the world-renowned Autosport media platform, which celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2020 and the British Racing Drivers’ Club, owner of Silverstone, the home of British motorsport and also Aston Martin’s High Performance Test Centre.

Aston Martin Lagonda, President and Group CEO, Dr Andy Palmer said: “We have said all along that the development of British talent is vital to the future of our motorsport industry, whether that be driving, engineering or design. Securing the next generation of British world champions helps shine a light on the thriving motorsport and motoring industry that we have in this country and of course it’s hugely important that continues. Johnathan is clearly an exceptional talent and nothing we saw over the course of this year’s Awards assessments suggests anything other than that he is on the path to a very bright future in the sport and we are hugely proud to be playing a role in his development.”

Read more:
Johnathan Hoggard announced as 2019 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC award winner

Aston Martin Lagonda has unveiled its first sports utility vehicle in an attempt to compete in the fast growing luxury SUV car market.

The British company, which supplies cars to James Bond in the 007 films, said it hoped the long-awaited £158,000 DBX model would widen its appeal to wealthy women, as almost all of its current customers are men.

“I can’t emphasise enough how incredibly exciting and significant DBX is for Aston Martin,” said Dr Andrew Palmer, its chief executive. “We have both delivered this model through our expertise, but also by garnering invaluable experience and knowledge from external counsel, including our female advisory board. This is a real landmark for this great British brand and I promise that DBX will reward all who experience it in their everyday lives.”

Perhaps my proudest moment in my 40year career. It’s here… @astonmartin DBX! The first SUV in our 106-year history has been unveiled worldwide and I’m sure you’ll now agree, an SUV can indeed look beautiful… #DBXreveal https://t.co/d4mBlr2uGw pic.twitter.com/3u2xGHvfKG

— Dr. Andy Palmer (@AndyatAston) November 20, 2019

Aston Martin hopes the car, which will built in St Athan, south Wales, on the site where the RAF used to house Vulcan bombers, will help the firm halt a decline in sales and the steep drop in its share price since it floated on the stock market in October 2018.

The DBX is designed to compete against Bentley’s £133,000 Bentayga, Rolls-Royce’s £264,000 Cullinan, Porsche’s £101,000 Cayenne Turbo and Lamborghini’s £160,000 Urus.

At the launch event held simultaneously in Los Angeles and Beijing, Aston Martin said the DBX had been “very deliberately created with instant familiarity and ease of use from the start”.

“Each button and dial has been carefully positioned following extensive testing from external counsel, including the brand’s female advisory board and multiple customer clinics with HNWIs [high net worth individuals] of mixed demographic, ensuring the cabin develops a feeling of instant familiarity,” the company said.

A spokesman added: “We do intend to make this car much more female-friendly. Until now our customer base has been predominantly male. Except for China where it is 50-50. We want to broaden that out. We’re not talking about making cars only for women, but rather to make our cars more practical for women and families, as well as men.”

Aston Martin set up its female advisory board in 2015. In an interview with Yahoo Finance this year, Carlee Hardaker, Aston Martin’s senior manager of global customer and market intelligence, said the aim was to bring women “into the inner sanctum of Aston Martin, to understand what drives them at emotional level and understand how we can better engage with that growing group of global customers”.

Hardaker, who said that 94% of Aston Martin’s customers are male, added: “It might be that their husband, boyfriend, or son, comes home and says, ‘I’m going to buy myself a supercar’ or’ ‘I’m going to buy a Ferrari or a Lamborghini.’ And the woman says, ‘No, you’re not, it looks like you’re having a mid-life crisis, but you can have an Aston’.”

Some cities across the world are considering banning SUVs because of pedestrian safety and environmental concerns. The mayor of central Berlin has called for them to be prohibited from entering the city centre after the death of four people – including a three-year-old boy and his 64-year-old grandmother – who were hit by a Porsche Macan SUV when it mounted the pavement.

Read more:
Aston Martin aims new British built £158,000 SUV at wealthy women

The world changes on a daily basis. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.

Their website gives useful advice for countries throughout the world, including safety and security, local laws and customs, entry requirements, natural disasters, political situations, health alerts, and crime information, as well as what to do if something does go wrong.

If you are travelling within Europe, ensure you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that hasn’t expired and understand what it covers – you still need full travel insurance though!

If you are travelling to the US you will need an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) which is an automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office also provides the following advice:

You should also take out appropriate travel insurance before travelling and make sure it covers you for all the activities you want to do.

Learn about the laws, customs and entry requirements of the country you’re visiting and understand how they differ from home, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Check your passport is valid, fill out the emergency details, look after it while travelling and keep it in a safe place. Make sure you have all necessary visas.

Make copies of important travel documents, take a picture or make copies and store them securely using a secure data storage site.

Research vaccinations or any other medical requirements for your destination, and if necessary visit a travel health clinic before you travel.

Tell your friends or family about your travel plans and where you’re going and leave emergency contact details.

Take enough money with you and have access to emergency funds.

Photo by Frank Vex on Unsplash

Read more:
Advice on travelling abroad for business

Honda made several announcements today at 2019 Frankfurt motor show, giving more detail than ever before on its “Electric Vision” strategy for Europe.

Honda’s “Electric Vision” strategy commits the company to electrify 100% of its European automobile sales by 2025. The first step in this plan was the launch of CR-V Hybrid, followed by the unveil of the Honda e Prototype at Geneva motor show earlier this year. Following a summer of appearances throughout the region, Honda unveiled the final mass production Honda e for the first time at Frankfurt.

Katsushi Inoue, Chief Operating Officer and President, Honda Motor Europe, said, “Today, we take the next step towards our Electric Vision with the world premiere of the Honda e…A unique electric vehicle that only Honda could develop – a vehicle with outstanding dynamic performance and new levels of connectivity.”

While Honda e made its first public appearance, Honda Motor Europe Senior Vice President, Tom Gardner took the opportunity to confirm details of the brand’s next key launch, “In 2020, Honda will launch the next generation Jazz and today, we can confirm that this model will be introduced into Europe with hybrid technology as the sole powertrain option.”

But the story didn’t end with just automobiles. At Geneva Motor Show, Honda confirmed its intention to enter the energy business with a range of charging and energy management solutions. Here at Frankfurt, the brand showed how its technology could be used to support vehicle charging not only for users who have off-street parking, but also those who live in built up urban areas who only park on-street.

Honda Power Charger

For users who have the option of charging their EV in an off-street scenario, Honda will launch the Power Charger which allows optimal AC charging. The system consists of a charging system that can be wall or pedestal mounted, with a maximum output of 7.4kW (single phase power supply) or 22kW (three phase power supply). This output allows Honda e owners to charge to 100% capacity in 4.1 hours *, assuming a 32-amp supply, significantly faster than through a standard wall socket.

Urban charging solution in partnership with ubitricity

One of the issues for EV drivers in urban environments is a lack of charging infrastructure. In order to address this problem, Honda, in partnership with charging specialists ubitricity, have developed a solution that allows users to charge in urban on-street scenarios. This technology allows the installation of chargepoints within lamp posts, while a unique cable featuring a mobile metering device allowing charging cost to be linked to the customer’s tariff to remove the need for subscription to several suppliers.

Honda Power Manager Prototype

Honda Power Manager Prototype previews a bidirectional system that connects electric vehicles to a smart power grid. This “vehicle-to-grid” technology enables the collection and distribution of electricity between EVs and the grid to intelligently balance demand and supply of energy and make better use of renewable sources.

The development of these charging functions will integrate electric vehicles further with existing power networks, allowing energy stored in the vehicle battery to power the home, or to flow back into the energy grid during periods of high demand. The vehicle battery can then be replenished at a time when demand is lower, subject to limits defined by the user.

Honda has developed this technology with bi-directional charging specialists EVTEC Trial activity of this technology will continue before future commercialisation in the early 2020s.

A demonstration of the smart grid system on the Honda stand will show how it is possible to efficiently store energy generated by renewable sources and release it back into the home or sell it back to the grid, presenting revenue opportunities for EV owners in the future.

A demonstration project in London is using EVTEC trial units with a local authority. Energy can be used to charge EVs, power the buildings, and feed electricity back into the grid when required.

Read more:
Honda unveils its electric vision strategy for Europe at Frankfurt Motor Show

David Brown Automotive has revealed Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition, a one-of-a-kind performance version of the celebrated city car.

The highly tuned Mini Remastered, to be made on a limited production run of 60 cars to mark the first Mini launching in 1959, will be made in partnership with classic car performance specialist, Oselli.

The performance-enhanced Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition offers customers an engine unit developed by Oselli, with other tuning upgrades added. The powertrain unit is a punchy 1,420cc Stage 3 engine. The uprated engine will be paired with an remastered five-speed gearbox. With 40% more power than the original A-series engine, the powertrain unit will deliver in excess of 100bhp with buckets of torque to make for a thrilling driving experience.

The exhaust system and air intake will be specially engineered to manage the higher power output.

A strong focus on race-ready driving means the chassis is uprated with key suspension enhancements, featuring adjustable SPAX performance dampers. A race-spec brake kit comes in the form of large diameter disc brakes gripped by four piston calipers at the front of the car, and alloy rear drum brakes at the rear. Compared to the standard model, the tyres are wider and are made for performance at high speed. The tyres are fitted to 7J x 13-inch Enkei alloy wheels, finished in gold or silver. The wheels are wider and larger in diameter compared to the standard wheels in order to accommodate the larger brakes and for a more performance-focussed drive.

The styling of Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition has been honed to reflect the highly tuned nature of the rest of the car. Customers have the choice of two main colour ways; with either a primary body colour in off-white paint or dark grey and a choice of a three tier full-length racing stripe and side accents in either Crimson, Royal Blue or Racing Green.

The cast alloy engine cover will be painted to match the exterior stripe and fitted with a unique build plate. Brightware will be darkened in order to reflect the performance feel over the model, to include black wheel arches, black mirrors (including interior mirror) and door handles.

A mesh grille with two white inset LED spotlights adds to the sporty theme of Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition, while the build number is painted onto the grille and on the rear of the car. A monotone bonnet badge denotes the car’s performance ability, a hint to lineage introduced by David Brown Automotive with the same feature on the Speedback Silverstone Edition.

Inside, Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition is available to order either as a two-seater with a rear hand-trimmed roll cage, or as a four-seater car, featuring accent colours to match the chosen racing stripe colour and black accents. The two-seater version is made with hand-trimmed bucket seats and a half-leather roll cage with rear-seat storage and can be equipped with a four-point harness by Sabelt, available in a number of colours. Customers can opt for a standard seatbelt for daily use if preferred. The build number can be displayed on the glove compartment surface, and the steering wheel will be hand-trimmed and finished in Sabalt Alacantara material.

Oselli is a prominent force in the classic car performance and restoration sector, beginning business in the early-1960s and forming a niche to specialise in tuning and enhancing performance for the A-series engine. The expert team at Oselli has a wealth of experience rebuilding and improving engines for a performance experience, as well as preparing, building and racing cars in competitive motorsport events.

Like other models from David Brown Automotive, this new model further demonstrates a commitment to bespoke British handcraftsmanship, combined with modern engineering, technology and conveniences.

“This exciting new performance version of the Mini Remastered is a step forward for our company,” said David Brown, company founder and CEO. “We are thrilled to be working with Oselli and this partnership sets a marker of intent for our ambitions in the performance car sector. We are sure this Oselli Edition will prove a hit with customers looking for a fast classic car, with the Mini Remastered proving so popular in its own right and the ideal platform for performance enhancements.”

In-line with the new model’s race car pedigree, the company is also making a number of personalised matching race suits and helmets as optional extras for owners of the new edition. Pre-orders are open now for the Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition, with first deliveries scheduled for next year. The four-seater version of the car is priced from £98,000.00, while the two-seater car – complete with hand-trimmed roll cage – will cost from £108,000.00 (both prices excluding taxes).

Read more:
David Brown Automotive launches their Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition

In the beginning it was the Beetle, or the Type 1 as it was originally known, that was envisaged by the Fuhrer as the people’s car, or volkswagen.

Four decades on from the Second World War, it was the vehicle that most defined the carmaker that became Volkswagen. That was until designers at the German company in the 1970s came up with the Golf, which has dominated VW production for 40 years, as well as global retail trends, prompting a host of rival models.

Now, a little over 80 years from its creation, Volkswagen has unveiled the opening of what it calls its “third chapter”, a new people’s car, the ID.3, for the electric revolution.

The ID.3 is VW’s first purpose-built all-electric car. The company previously has electrified conventionally made vehicles, but this is the first of a new generation where the engineers and designers have had a clean drawing board from which to create a battery electric, zero-emission car from the ground up.

After months of teasers, the new car was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show yesterday. VW presented it as the output of a reborn company. Critics wondered, though, whether the carmaker would have got on this road to Damascus so quickly if it had not become an international industrial pariah for being the first company to be caught, in the United States, cheating diesel emission regulators.

Klaus Bischoff, VW’s chief designer, could not have been clearer: “It’s very important that Volkswagen should be perceived as a new brand with different values. This is a new orientation of the Volkswagen group,” he said.

VW’s industrial muscle — it is Europe’s largest carmaker — will ensure that the ID.3 is on the shopping shortlist of any motorists wanting to convert to electric. At under £25,000 after government handouts, it will compete with similar-sized electric vehicles such as the BMW i3, the Nissan Leaf and the new Mini Electric and positions it substantially cheaper than Tesla’s most accessible, most affordable Model 3, which retails post-subsidy at nearer £40,000.

Yet the Frankfurt show showed the class of the opposition coming to the market. Apart from the Mini Electric going into production in November, there was the Corsa-e, the electric version of the Vauxhall Corsa, one of Britain’s top three sellers over the past decade and, because of motoring school preferences, the car in which many younger Britons learnt to drive.

It, too, will be in the sub-£25,000 bracket and received the endorsement of the biggest celebrity at the Frankfurt show, Jürgen Klopp, the Liverpool football manager, who removed the dustsheets. An all-electric Honda has also long been in the headlights after the Japanese carmaker’s avowed plan to go zero-emission, a decision that it says was the reason to cull its Swindon car plant, with the loss of thousands of British jobs, and to concentrate on electric vehicles at plants in Japan. The Honda E may be less stylish than its new rivals, but it is also cheaper.

At the other end of the electric market, Frankfurt launched what many thought might be a contradiction in terms: an electric Porsche. Starting at more than £100,000, it is more expensive even than Tesla’s most exclusive car, the now ageing Model S.

Read more:
VW leads charge in race to electrify market

The long-awaited relaunch of the Land Rover Defender has left potential customers wondering whether the carmaker has abandoned its traditional fan base.

Three years after the Solihull-built Defender was axed after nearly 70 years in production, Jaguar Land Rover launched its successor, with a price tag from £40,000 and a range of luxury gizmos on board, at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Gerry McGovern, Jaguar Land Rover’s designer more used to creating luxury Range Rovers, said that the new Defender had kept its integrity as the sort of “vehicle that gets passed down from one generation to another”.

However, the internet was immediately alive with comments from traditional owners of the Defender, which when the model was withdrawn in 2016 could be bought from £23,000. One poster on the Auto Express website complained: “At a ‘very reasonable £40,000’. What planet are these people from?”

The Defender, in two-door or a £45,000 four-door version, will come in four “packages”, for urban, country, explorer and adventurer buyers.

Paul Horrell, car reviewer for Top Gear magazine, said it was a misconception that traditional Defender buyers — farmers, coastguards, roadbuilders, humanitarian agencies — wanted a vehicle like the old one as they had already moved on to rival brands.

“Let’s suppress the clamour for this vehicle to be a reincarnation of the original,” he said. “That’d be commercial suicide. The old [one] went out of production not just because it was dangerous and polluting but because too few people wanted it.”

Read more:
A Land Rover Defender, but not as we knew it

While SUVs dominate the sales charts, new research from What Car? has found MPVs are the superior choice for families with young children thanks to their capacity to accommodate a greater number of child seats.

Although many MPVs and SUVs feature seven seats, not all of them can fit more than two child seats into the rear rows of the car. To find out which is the best for larger families, the UK’s leading consumer champion and new car buying platform, What Car?, lined up 16 leading MPV and SUV models and tested their ability to accommodate three child seats.

Of the seven conventional-engined large SUVs tested, What Car? was able to fit all three child seats into just two models; the Peugeot 5008 and Kia Sorento. The use of a child seat in the second or third row was prohibited in four of the large SUVs tested, and the one that could take a third seat in the second row wasn’t wide enough to do this. Luxury SUVs outperformed their budget counterparts – with three of the four models tested able to accommodate three child seats.

In contrast, of the four MPVs What Car? tested, all were able to accommodate three child seats with ISOFIX points*. The latest Seat Alhambra and VW Touran models both feature ISOFIX points in all five of their rear passenger seats – a record matched by only one of the luxury SUVs; the Audi Q7.

Steve Huntingford, editor of What Car?, said: “This just goes to show how important it is for new parents, especially those with multiple kids, to do their homework when buying a new car. A vehicle may feature seven seats, but if only two can accommodate a child seat, it may not be the ideal choice.”

The Tesla Model X is currently the only electric vehicle capable of accommodating the rear seats with more than two child seats.

To find the best new car deals on SUVs and MPVs, motorists should visit: www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals

Read more:
The UK’s best cars for families with young children revealed

The Toyota Camry has returned to the UK with a hybrid powertrain and company-car appeal

It replaces the Toyota Avensis, and with just one hybrid powertrain, it takes on models such as the Ford Mondeo Hybrid and Volkswagen Passat GTE, along with diesel alternatives including the Vauxhall Insignia, Skoda Superb and Mazda6.

The Camry is a big car with a neat design that’s classy and far more conservative than the more quirky Toyota Prius. That theme continues inside, where the horizontal dashboard is sedate and upmarket enough to avoid putting off executives – its target audience. There’s certainly ample room for adults in the front and back seats too, although taller passengers may find the sloping roof slightly restricts headroom in the rear.

There are just two trim levels: Design and Excel, with both offering the kit and safety features you’d expect in a car costing around £30,000, including standard leather upholstery.

Excel boosts the wheels to 18-inches in size, upgrades the LED headlights and bolsters safety technology. Both cars also come with a seven-inch infotainment display, but this lags behind rivals, with poor graphics, cluttered menus and some missing features like Apple CarPlay.

It shouldn’t take long to choose a Camry, because aside from its colour and trim, there’s just one petrol electric hybrid powertrain. This combines a larger 2.5-litre engine than the 1.8-litre found in the Prius with a powerful electric motor for a combined 215bhp. It’s sent to the front wheels via a CVT automatic gearbox, getting the Camry from 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds.

Fuel consumption of up to 53.3mpg is promised on the WLTP cycle, but a CO2 emissions figure of 98g/km is the most critical fact for business drivers. With no 4% Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) diesel surcharge to worry about, it qualifies it for a low 23% company-car tax band.

While more refined than most CVT models, revs can still flare under hard acceleration, and the Camry is at its best when driven at a more relaxed pace. In town, its combination of electric and petrol running makes it smooth and near-silent, for an easy driving experience. Its chassis is more than capable enough, with little body lean and precise steering, while still comfortable over rough tarmac.

In countries like the United States – where the Camry is a top-seller – the Toyota has an enviable reputation for dependability, so reliability is unlikely to be an issue. Plenty of safety kit and Toyota know-how should also have been baked into its design to ensure a good safety rating.

MPG, running costs & CO2

Low CO2 emissions should guarantee car’s popularity amongst company-car drivers

Engines, drive & performance

The Toyota Camry has a good chassis, but the CVT powertrain means it’s happiest at a leisurely pace

Interior & comfort

Sturdy and well equipped, but in need of much better infotainment system

Practicality & boot space

Lots of legroom and a big boot but a hatchback would offer more flexibility

Reliability & safety

The Toyota Camry has racked up millions of global sales based on a reputation for reliability and durability

Read more:
Motoring Review: Toyota Camry Hybrid saloon

The Audi S6 is a high-performance version of the Audi A6 large executive saloon.

It used to come with a 444bhp 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, but for 2019 this has been replaced by a 344bhp diesel.

Yet, with performance-boosting mild-hybrid technology and lashings of torque, it’s very nearly as fast, and sharper to drive – even if it doesn’t sound quite as good.

Amazingly, it’s not the fastest A6 variant you can buy – that honour goes to the 552bhp Audi RS6, which still uses a thumping petrol engine. The RS6 is only available as an estate, though, while the S6 comes as a saloon or Avant estate. The S6 is also around £20,000 cheaper than the RS6 and many will prefer its more demure looks.

As long as you can afford to buy and run it, there’s very little not to like about the Audi S6. The similarly powerful BMW 5 Series 540i xDrive has sharper steering and offers more driver involvement, but this is only available as a saloon and does without the added reassurance of four-wheel drive.

While many are turning their backs on diesel, Audi still sees a future for the fuel, including in its more powerful cars designed to cope with longer journeys. Thanks to its new engine and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, the Audi S6 can now cover 600 miles between service stations, which is sure to prove desirable.

It’s still reasonably pricey to run, though, with an official fuel consumption figure of up to 35.3mpg. Meanwhile, CO2 emissions of 171g/km place it firmly in the top 37% Benefit-in-Kind band for company-car drivers. This is despite fuel-saving features like stop-start and coasting as you decelerate.

Road tax will cost £145 a year, but a price tag in excess of £40,000 means a surcharge of £320 will cost the owner £465 in the first five renewal years.

Fuel and tax will be expensive, then, and so will other running costs: tyres, brakes and general maintenance for performance cars like the S6 tend to hit hard, although Audi’s fixed-price servicing plans will make the bills easier to predict.

Engines, drive & performance

The S6 offers staggering acceleration and a huge amount of grip

On all but one type of road, the Audi S6 triumphs. In town it’s docile and easy to manoeuvre, on motorways it’s genuinely hushed, while on A-roads the staggering performance and prodigious four-wheel-drive-enhanced grip ensure few cars will be able to keep up. Going from 0-62mph takes 5.1 seconds in the S6 Avant.

If winding B-roads are your thing, however, you may wish to look elsewhere: the S6 is sharper and more agile than before – especially with four-wheel steering fitted – but it’s a large car and the automatic gearbox can be a bit slow to respond when you demand snappy changes.

This aside, the S6 delights. Put your foot to the floor (or close to the floor) and you’ll be thoroughly pinned back in your seat by the acceleration. The 3.0-litre TDI diesel features an electric compressor that can instantly send boost to the engine, virtually eliminating lag. Instead it surges forward in a manner that would leave most hot hatchbacks trailing behind.

Of course, we miss the exciting noise of the old engine, and Audi has fitted a sound generator to compensate. Unfortunately, it just didn’t sound natural to our ears, and we quickly turned it off via the car’s menus.

Interior & comfort

The Audi S6 feels solid and luxurious, with excellent refinement

The Audi S6 is just as upmarket as you’d expect, with lovely materials adorning the interior and hugging, electric and heated Valcona leather seats. You also get features like four-zone climate control, keyless entry and a dual-screen MMI Navigation Plus system that’s amongst the best in the business.

Refinement is very impressive too, making the S6 a perfect car for long distances. It’s even possible to choose double-glazed front windows but in truth the S6 is quiet enough to cover hundreds of motorway miles without them.

Audi’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit comes as standard, ensuring the S6 feels thoroughly cutting-edge, while an optional flat-bottomed steering wheel lends the car a motorsport feel. Other design touches include stainless steel pedals and aluminium door sills with illuminated S logos.

Practicality & boot space

Just as practical as the regular A6

The whole point of cars like the S6 is to offer sports-car speed with decent practicality. This means you get five spacious seats with plenty of head and legroom as well as a large 530-litre boot (expanding to 1,390 litres), together with split-folding rear seats. Interior oddment spaces and cubbyholes abound, and the Avant offers even more luggage room – between 565 and 1,680 litres.

Reliability & safety

Thoroughly engineered mechanicals and a proven engine encourage

Audi has a good reputation on the whole, and its 16th-place finish in our 2019 Driver Power survey put it well ahead of BMW (25th) and Mercedes (26th) out of 30 manufacturers. A significant 22.3% of Audi owners reported a fault within the first year, however, with engine and electrical issues the most common.

Safety is unequivocally strong thanks to the A6’s full five-star rating from Euro NCAP and all S6s come with upgraded brakes to cope with the extra power. Adaptive cruise control (which will accelerate and brake the S6 based on the speed of the car in front) and autonomous emergency braking are available, although you’ll need to spend on optional extras to get the most advanced safety kit.

Read more:
Audi S6 review

As its first all-electric production model, the Audi e-tron represents something of a landmark for the German brand.

It joins an increasingly competitive electric SUV market pioneered by the Tesla Model X but now also containing the impressive Jaguar I-Pace. With further rivalry on the horizon in the shape of the Mercedes EQC, the e-tron needs to stand out.

In some ways, standing out isn’t an e-tron speciality. To look at, the electric Audi seems closely related to its conventionally powered Audi Q5 and bigger Audi Q7 SUV stablemates, with a similarly expressive ‘singleframe’ front grille and a full-width LED lighting bar at the back that salutes the luxurious Audi A7. And, although very nearly as big as the Q7, the e-tron doesn’t look enormous on the road.

At first, the e-tron will be offered in this SUV form alone, with a coupe-style Sportback expected to follow later, along with an e-tron GT saloon with a rather lower profile.

The SUV package provided by the first e-tron model will be welcomed by families – it might not offer the seven seats that conventional SUVs of this size can boast, but there’s plenty of room inside for five adults, and a pretty generous boot.

Those less concerned by the practicalities of family life, meanwhile, might prefer to concentrate on the e-tron’s superb interior design, which borrows heavily from Audi’s flagship A8 saloon.

The e-tron isn’t short on pace, either, with 0-62mph passing in under six seconds, thanks to a ‘boost’ function that allows its 355bhp twin electric motor setup to produce 402bhp in short eight second bursts.

However, despite carefully managed weight distribution, a wealth of driving modes and a clever air suspension system with adaptive damping, the e-tron isn’t a particularly rewarding machine to hussle along a challenging back road.

Although the novelty of its rapid acceleration may soon wear off, the car’s near 250-mile electric range is a far more practical virtue that could allow the e-tron to fit neatly into the daily routines of all but the most determined commuters.

What’s more, its compatibility with 150kW fast chargers will doubtless prove a boon when the UK’s charging infrastructure evolves to make such technology widespread – on the continent, existing 150kW chargers are claimed give an 80% battery charge in a little over half an hour.

The e-tron’s range comes courtesy of a 95kWh battery, and there’s no smaller, lower cost battery option offered. You can choose from any of three trim levels, though – standard e-tron, Launch Edition and Launch Edition 1, with only 30 of the latter being offered to UK buyers. Every model has LED lights all round, 20-inch alloy wheels and electrically-adjustable, heated leather seats. Usefully, there’s a charging port on both sides of the car.

While the Audi e-tron’s battery range is eclipsed by that of lighter, less expensive rivals – such as the Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona Electric – it’s a very impressive all-rounder nonetheless. Its approachable, familiar nature will doubtless appeal to Audi fans who are looking to make the switch to zero-emissions electric motoring. It’s a capable alternative to the I-Pace that offers Audi’s classy blend of technology and style in place of the Jaguar’s more sporty nature, and many families will find it slots seamlessly into their daily routine.

MPG, running costs & CO2

Some rivals can beat the e-tron’s 248-mile range, but none can match its fast-charging capability

Engines, drive & performance

Very fast in a straight line, but heavy Audi e-tron is untidy in corners

Interior & comfort

Stunning e-tron interior design combines with uncanny quietness to luxurious effect

Practicality & boot spaceAudi e-tron SUV offers loads of interior space and plenty of luggage room

Reliability & safety

Loads of safety tech, but Audi e-tron reliability is yet unproven

Read more:
Motoring Review: Audi e-tron EV review

Speed comes at a cost – That’s my first thought when I drive the Seat Leon Cupra. It’s a fast five-door hatchback and the price paid is modest economy of around 38mpg.

In these days of high insurance premiums and costly fuel is this a price worth paying for what is arguably a very stylish, well-made car?

Well, let’s see.

As I stand in the dining room I am able to savour the design of the car as it stands on our driveway. Its side profile highlights some interesting lines, slightly higher at the front and lower at the back. Then there are the bright red brake callipers inside the black alloys and their low profile tyres.

The test model is finished in a staid silvery grey; it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. There are tell tale twin tail pipes, the Cupra name and a little 300 emblem on the bootlid, giving a little hint as to what is under that bonnet – a Seat TSi engine producing… 300bhp.

This is coupled to a six speed manual gearbox. The result is a boy racer’s delight; a blisteringly hot hatch. 0 to 60mph in 5.6secs and a top speed of 155mph. These figures are quite an achievement for a family vehicle powered by a 2-litre petrol engine.

As is always the case it seems the fuel economy suffers, though. However, for those boring so-and-sos with only fuel efficiency on their minds, they can drive it with a light foot and receive 40mpg as a reward.

You might think in this day and age when the roads are swamped with traffic and the primary aim of the police seems to be to generate funds for the public purse by catching speeding motorists, that there is little place for a car like the Leon.

That was certainly my feeling. But it isn’t anymore. Because the low down acceleration is so swift, it can reach 70mph quicker than many cars could reach 30mph. And so there are times when it really does come into its own.

The other night I was driving through the New Forest with the flow of the traffic when an ageing Renault Laguna sped up behind me, after overtaking some cars behind. After a brief moment the driver visibly allowed a space to return between the Leon and himself. The threat of those 300bhp was enough to put him in his place. After a while he realised I was sensible and was not going to overtake. Off he went on his merry way tailgating more unsuspecting motorists.

The Leon demands respect from others but most importantly from the person behind the wheel. As I found when accelerating away from a roundabout onto a dual carriageway, there is so much power being fed to those front wheels that a senseless boy racer could very easily lose control. You cannot help but love the roar it makes when the accelerator is pushed to the floor. It is a joy and is sure to raise a smile from even the most dull, boring motorist.

On the motorway when there seem to be no spaces to join, the Leon quickly gathers speed and creates its own gap. The little accompanying roar is enough to make the driver next to us do a double take. “Slow down Daddy,” my whole family repeat.

To which I reply, look at the dial, I am only doing 70mph. Because the Leon is quite low to the ground and is fitted with low profile tyres it has the uncanny ability of making it feel as if you are going faster than you actually are. The addition of cruise control ensures that the speed limit can be set and not exceeded.

While driving through Kensington I have to smile as I pass Lord Alan Sugar behind the wheel of his Rolls Royce (days after his chauffeur pranged it) parked by the roadside outside the Apprentice house, deep in conversation – no doubt in the midst of another business deal.

Inside the Leon is exceptionally comfortable with supportive, almost bucket seats that are leather edged suede and it’s big enough to be a family car. I feel that the gearbox is not as decisive as it should be but overall there’s a good driving experience and all things considered the Leon makes an attractive proposition.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Model tested: Seat Leon Cupra 300 2-litre TSi

Price: £30,095

Top speed: 155mph

0 to 60mph: 5.6secs

Power: 300bhp

Economy: 38mpg

Watch the video at www.testdrives.biz

Read more:
Reviewed: Seat Leon Cupra

“It’s the best seven-seater I know,” says my dentist, during my routine examination, as we discuss the merits of the Volvo XC90… He owns both an XC90 and a VW Touareg. “And there’s still room for the shopping when all the seats are up.”

So I’m expecting great things when I test the XC90. Externally this latest model is more rounded than its predecessor making it more visually striking and attractive. Head on its headlights and large bold chrome grille are what you’d expect of a premium sports utility vehicle that’s got to compete against rivals from BMW, Porsche and Jaguar Land Rover. The rear is a little less appealing to me.

The power boot is a bit boxy and could do with more curves. And while the chrome exhaust pipes help to set off the rear their placement is not safe for little children as Henry (2) proves when his hand brushes against one of them after a long journey. They are very hot. Fortunately, I rush him to the sink and after lots of cold water there is thankfully no burn.

A trip to London to see my wife’s uncle Harry allows us to travel with her parents, which is a rare luxury. Lin and John sit next to Henry in his child seat while Harriett (7) and Heidi (5) sit in the third row of seats in the boot. Usually the third row is awkward to the say the least, when it comes to lifting the seats up and putting them in place.

But in the Volvo it is simply a matter of pulling them up and they slot into position. On opening the power boot the rear of the Volvo drops, which is quite a surprise; this self-levelling suspension is like Citroens of old. I’m not quite sure how beneficial it is but perhaps it is aimed at the older driver and passenger, perhaps making getting into the vehicle easier.

The seats are comfy too, although Harriett does complain about feeling car sick. It is strange how some new vehicles smell so strongly while others do not. We open the windows and that pacifies her. “I find this very comfortable,” says Lin.

The Volvo cruises on the motorway with no road noise in the luxury cabin. The light brown leather seats are comfortable but I do find that they make me sweat on a hot day. They are supportive and electrically adjustable. The sat nav could be easier to operate. I cannot find a postcode search, only one for a city centre or for specific things like accommodation so this is of no help for us in London. Despite motorway cruising the Volvo returns over 30mpg.

Another jaunt sees us travel to Wiltshire where we are able to use the sat nav to find a supermarket and to find Warminster town centre. It works well.

The large panoramic glass tilt/slide roof lets lots of light in and this has to be opened on a sunny day.

The second row of passengers have their own digital temperature controls, much to our children’s pleasure. At this point I should also mention how they all enjoy the touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard. I get very frustrated with these things but they love it. It does feel like technology has gone just that bit too far. Do I really need an app to pay for my parking? No, I don’t because as a rule I don’t pay for my parking.

There is a whole plethora of stuff that I can quite easily do without. I can’t see the benefit of seeing a picture of my seat and the highlighted area I am adjusting with the control on the seat. It takes me three days to find out how to open the glovebox and it is only when little Henry (2) is carrying out his research that we discover that there is a button on the dashboard.

I like a vehicle I can just get into and drive and after realising that the ignition is operated by turning a dial by the centre armrest to the right I pretty much can do this in the Volvo. But it’s these little idiosyncrasies that quite frankly, drive me nuts.

This top spec D5 model, which comes in at just under £65,000, provides comfortable surroundings and an enjoyable, if lazy, drive thanks to its automatic gearbox. It’s a big vehicle and its parking sensors make a lot of noise, audible from outside and, when I am reversing it into place on our driveway, even in our house. My wife rushes out thinking I’ve had an accident. Prior to driving this I drove a Jaguar F Pace and the similarities between its reversing cameras are striking.

Both provide all round cameras that even give you a view above the vehicle. Clever stuff. In the Volvo though the view above stays there for the whole reversing process. Now, I wasn’t sure I would warm to this but over my time with the Swede I have found it to be very user-friendly. It makes manoeuvring this very large vehicle as easy as it ever could be – it would be nigh on impossible to reverse such a vehicle without this technology due to its size and blindspots.

Family vehicles, of which this is clearly one, need to be thoughtfully designed and there are areas that need attention in my opinion. The exhausts need concealing from little hands and the electrics need to be safe, too. Look under the seats and there are wires, which an inquisitive child like Henry could pull. This is an added problem that tired and hassled parents just do not need.

Then there are the well publicised issues with power sunroofs, windows and boots, which are another hazard for children. Volvo has always had high safety standards when it comes to how its vehicles perform in accidents and it needs to be ahead of the game when it comes to the design of its luxury interiors and at the moment it is simply following the crowd. I expect more from Volvo.

Facts at a glance

XC90 D5 PowerPulse AWD Momentum Pro (MY18.5) Automatic

Price: £64,974.58

Top speed: 137mph

0-60mph: 7.8secs

Economy: 30mpg

Watch the videos at www.testdrives.biz

Read more:
Reviewed: Volvo XC90

Traveling is all about experiences and enjoying your time in a new, undiscovered place. With most travel, comes an unwanted but necessary companion, your luggage.

Hotels and luggage storage companies have dealt with luggage of travelers in centuries, but the market is changing. New players have merged in the field of luggage storage, making it more convenient than ever to drop off your heavy bags.

Luggage Storage – Now in Local shops, Available by the Hour

The Danish company LuggageHero is a sharing-economy concept that let’s travelers store their luggage in a local shop nearby.  The storage locations can be anything from a café to a hotel or even a hotel or a pub.

The common thread is capacity to store bags and the willingness to help out travelers. Travellers pay a low hourly price for the luggage storage, making it flexible and customised to your needs, whether that being a couple of hours before your flight or whole days.

Locations are available close to major stations like Victoria Station and Kings Cross and popular tourists attractions across London. You can either book in advance or on the spot using LuggageHero’s web-app with risk-free booking, meaning you’ll only pay if you actually use the service.

The service is an on-demand online platform currently available in Copenhagen, London and New York with more than 350 locations. By end of 2019 the company expects to be available in 36 new big cities, helping even more travelers across Europe and United States. Some of the first new cities to be set free of luggage struggles include Lisbon, Chicago, Rome and Barcelona.

A Perfect Match for Travelers Not Staying at Hotels

More and more people choose to use Airbnb or other rental services when traveling, making the new luggage service even more relevant as the early checkouts can be a hassle to combine with travel plans like cheap late flights, until now.

Luggage Storage in Stations

Some stations in London have lockers available, but capacity and room in the lockers can be limited. To find more information about luggage storage in London, check out this guide on the topic.

Read more:
The new solution to a common travel issue

SMEs may not be operating at maximum levels of efficiency when it comes to business travel.

Research released today has revealed that just 4 per cent of SMEs surveyed, mainly use a travel management company when it comes to booking their business trips. Instead, small to medium sized companies favour their employees footing the initial bill and then compensating their expenses, with more than one in four, choosing to organise their business travel in this way.

The survey conducted by LateRooms.com has also revealed that the average SME takes a total of 88 minutes to plan and book a business trip, which is even longer for those companies with more than 50 employees. Medium enterprises are wasting an additional 12 minutes, with individual business travel bookings taking 100 minutes to complete on average.

These results are particularly surprising given that more than half of SMEs felt that doing business and building relations was best achieved when done in person, increasing the need for business travel.

Graeme Descoteaux, Head of LateRooms.com Business, said: “It’s a shame to see that SMEs continue to feel that the use of Travel Management Companies are out of their reach. In actual fact, the use of an external company can actually save companies money, as well as time, whether they have 100 employees or 100,000, and we want to dispel the myth that TMCs should only be used by the larger corporations. With great savings and free VAT reconciliations, a service which saves the average business £14,000, it means that both the booker and traveler get to experience the wide array of hotels LateRooms.com has to offer, in a cost-efficient way.”

Read more:
UK SMEs waste tens of thousands a year on business travel

The CEO of Ferrari, Sergio Marchionne, was recently in Detroit at the American International Auto Show where he announced that Ferrari would start the production of a supercar that is battery-electric, in a bid to compete against Tesla.

He also confirmed future plans of bringing Ferrari SUVs into the market. For several years now, Tesla has dominated the electric vehicle industry with a range of luxurious electric car models that no other company has been able to match yet. They have been able to grab a lion share of the electric supercar market and other companies in the sector have been trying to come up with their own models as well. Most haven’t come forward with any concrete plans, however, but this is about to change thanks to what Ferrari is trying to accomplish.

When is the Electric Ferrari Supercar Expected to Launch?

There is not a lot of detail on the exact launch date for the Ferrari electric supercar, although most people expect it to be before 2020 when Tesla unveils its improved Roadster. Many reports speculate that more information about the electric vehicles by Ferrari will be provided when Sergio Marchionne releases the company’s five-year plan, which will be his last before he retires.

Sergio Marchionne has served the company since 2004 and is expected to retire in 2021 as one of the longest-serving CEOs in the auto industry. He has left his imprint on the company in many ways and he might be trying to cement his legacy with the carmaker with this last project. Most reports advocate for a late 2019 or an early 2020 release date for the new electric models, though some believe it may even be sooner, taking into consideration the resource capability of Ferrari.

Will the Production of Electric Cars Prove Easy for Ferrari?

Marchionne told Bloomberg that Ferrari is looking to increase their annual deliveries from 10,000, which is self-imposed. This increase in production will include the manufacture of hybrid cars according to Sergio Marchionne, and moving to an electric should, therefore, be easy and smooth. Hybrid vehicles are also gaining in popularity and performance, and many companies have recently launched a few models that have taken the consumer market by storm. These models have been able to correct some of the issues with recent hybrid models and make them more palatable to the public.

When Will Ferrari Start Rolling Out Hybrid Vehicles?

In the report by Marchionne, he also outlined that Ferrari will launch its hybrid vehicles by late 2019 including its first SUV, which according to the report will be the fastest SUV yet. Consumers expect Ferrari’s hybrids to be unique and have an equally strong engine that can deploy lots of horsepower. The Ferrari hybrid launch will mark as an essential step towards satisfying the current consumer needs especially since Ferrari was considered to lag behind when it came to technology.

What will The Electric Supercar Look Like

Marchionne was very scarce on the exact details of how consumers should expect the electric supercar to look like. He, however, hinted that they would be producing both an electric Ferrari-branded SUV and an electric supercar.

These electric supercars will “capture the electric spirit” according to Marchionne. He also emphasized that they will look like what a Ferrari utility vehicle is supposed to look like and that it has to drive with the same feel as any other Ferrari. It is expected that the external and internal look of the electric Ferrari be just a little bit different from the original Ferrari design that we are accustomed to, but it won’t be extreme.

Does the Move to Electric Come as a Surprise?

Back in 2016, Marchionne announced that they plan to have a few hybrids by 2019. He also stated in May last year that the company is planning to move towards electrification. The move to the creation of an electric vehicle should, therefore, not be surprising, but instead be long overdue. It, however, was not expected that Sergio Marchionne would release the plans to build an electric supercar in Detroit.

Almost everyone believed that Ferrari, the car brand that dominates the most expensive cars ever bought has said would make its plans for a super electric car public in its five-year plan announcement.

What can we Expect for the Future?

The Tesla Company finally has a worthy competitor, and hopefully, this will lead to the creation of amazing electric supercars. Competition is necessary to speed up production in the auto industry, and it also ensures that companies provide excellent quality and efficiency.

Soon enough the auto industry will enter a new generation of fully electrified vehicles, something that has been long-awaited by consumers. It is expected that many other auto industry companies will commence vehicle electrification in the coming years.

Read more:
Ferrari is working on an electric super car to compete against Tesla

Those who think that Israel is a small country are likely to be stunned upon exploring its big many attractions.

The number of diverse sites it offers can make a trip an overwhelming venture. The Holy Land is not just the abode of sacred and historic places but it is also the home of some most mesmerizing natural attractions. Right from the country’s north to south and east to west, there are some of the most stunning attractions that nature has nurtured on this sacred land. Here are these naturally blessed sights to savor:

Ramon Crater

The crater is a natural phenomenon in the south area in the Negev desert. It is a geological formation reflecting the area’s marine past in the desert’s heart. This region was sheltered millions of years ago by water. The natural form is the result of gradual draining of the sea that engraved and eroded it to leave behind the projected rock visible today.

The crater and its neighboring region is now the country’s largest national park. You can explore this plain lunar-like stretch via jeep or on foot, paving your trail down a deep cavity. Whether you are a part of any of the tours to Israel or not, do stop at the visitor center if you wish to know about the crater’s history in detail.

Tip: Do not hike when it is hot.

Rosh Hanikra Grottoes

The grottos in Rosh Hanikra is another natural phenomenon but it is evolving since thousands of years. It is not as old as the crater but it may seem so. All credit goes to the surf of the Holy Sea of Galilee, which has incessantly collided with the cliffs’ sides. This collision has eroded the rock to produce caves and tunnels, both of which are evolving due to the water.

At night, these grottoes illuminate very stunningly due to colorful lights and their reflection on the sea’s water. As a result, tourists tend to enjoy an exciting trip at night. The grottoes are attracting more tourists than the top beaches in Israel.

Tip: Although the water’s energy keeps these grottoes warm, a spray as high as 35 meters is likely to make you wet. So, do carry a raincoat or umbrella.

Akhziv National Park

Located on the way to Akko from Rosh Hanikra, the Akhziv national park is worth visiting if you are with kids. The major interesting sights here are blue bays, sea turtles nesting areas, rocky crevices, beach islands, rare plants, sandstone ridges, ruins of the biblical town, and shallow pools and lagoons. The water is clear, while the dunes are fine and silky. The ruins add a distinct charm but only if you are prepared to ascend a few stairs! The sea pools are a great blend of manual effort and natural phenomenon.

Tip: Kids can enjoy in lagoons and pools without any fear due to lifeguards.

En Gedi Nature Reserve

Well, this was where King David hid from King Saul. Although it is a desert area, it is surprisingly the nation’s biggest oasis. Main attractions in En Gedi reserve include springs and waterfalls, birds such as hyraxes and ibexes, and running brooks at the cliffs’ foot. The hike or trail is moderate but worth a try!

Tip: Wear water shoes!

Author Bio: Meet Morakhiya is a content strategist, expert freelance writer, and online entrepreneur. He graduated from Ahmedabad University with a degree in Communications and Journalism. In his spare time, Meet is also partial to a sport of Cricket, not that he’s very good. He is an intern at AndroidHeadlines and a Benzinga contributor.

Read more:
4 amazing natural creations to explore while in Israel

Supercity Aparthotels is profiting from a unique and still relatively new concept, offering luxurious and affordable stays to business travellers in London.

Unlike traditional hotels, Supercity Aparthotels offers a cost effective alternative for business travellers, priding itself on the added benefits of flexibility, space and second-to-none service. With competitive rates available for both short and long-term stays, Supercity Aparthotels sees repeat visits from business travellers, which enables the staff to truly understand the needs of each guest.

Supercity Aparthotels currently offer Victorian townhouses Templeton Place and Nevern Place in Earl’s Court, as well as The Rosebery, a restored 19^th-century building in Clerkenwell.

If you haven’t stayed in a serviced apartment before, the Rosebery would be enough to show that your missing out.

In the heart of Clerkenwell the one bedroom apartment that I stayed in was light, airy and fitted with every gadget that you could possibly need. Though more importantly it was comfortable and felt like a home away from home even in the heart of the city.

Everything in the apartment was high spec from the toiletries, fluffy towels to entertainment centre and coffee maker (which was greatly appreciated in the morning).

Overall I would highly recommend the Rosebery to anyone staying in the city. It matches any hotel in terms of facilities, comfort and service however, the space available to guests can’t be matched at that price point by hotels in the city.

More about the Supercity Aparthotels

While all the Supercity Aparthotels are equipped with the amenities you’d expect, each has its own unique look and feel. The Studio suites, one-bedroom suites and larger two bedroom suites combine the warmth of home with carefully curated modern artwork and bespoke furnishings, offering a luxurious living space that provides the perfect respite after a busy day at work.

As part of its 2015 growth plans, Supercity Aparthotels has also announced its acquisition of two new properties to add to its portfolio. The exciting new ventures cement the success of the group, with occupancy and turnover growing year-on-year, in line with its vision to stay ahead of the curve in the serviced apartment sector.

In the heart of the capital, Supercity Aparthotels has applied for planning permission to transform the former site of the Jewish Chronicle newspaper into approximately 50 luxury suites. With the aparthotel on the upper floors, the building will also house a gym, serviced offices and the existing pub located on the ground floor. Supercity Aparthotels hopes to open the luxury suites in 2016, when they will be well placed to serve financial businesses and the legal industry in the City.

The second property in Watford town centre is scheduled to open as Extended Stay Serviced Apartments in Autumn 2015. With only 20 minutes journey time into London Euston on the main line railway, its 19 studios and 22 one-bedroom suites will provide guests with a comfortable and spacious apartment.

Commenting on the acquisitions, Alexis Burton, Supercity Aparthotels MD, said: “These new acquisitions are testament to the success and hard work of the Supercity Aparthotels team. With growing understanding and demand for aparthotels amongst business travellers and tourists alike, we’re delighted to be growing and complimenting our existing portfolio in and around London. We can’t wait for the doors of our fourth and fifth sites to open!”

Supercity Aparthotels rates start from £140 per night. For more information, or to book, visit http://www.supercityuk.com.

Read more:
Review: Supercity Aparthotels

Before embarking on your European adventure, you will have to get a first or even second passport. The climate, architecture, landscapes and historical significance makes Europe ideal for anyone no matter what you want to do, or see.

Rome

The mystery of the Vatican City, ghosts of the Colosseum and an afternoon caffe on the Piazza Navona make Rome an enchanting destination for everyone. Italy, the capital city, dates back to the time of Hadrian and Julius Caesar. Some of the structures you can experience during your visiting include the Roman Forum and the Pantheon, as well as dozens of different churches and other historical landmarks. Art lovers will revel in the huge trove of art that is found at the Vatican Museums and foodies will love the traditional Italian fare – and gelato found everywhere you turn.

Rome is a destination where high-end fashion is definitely appreciated – especially the Italian designer, such as Armani, Cavalli, Gucci and Versace. While you may be planning other stops during your European vacation, Rome is definitely one that should be on your list of must visits.

Paris

Paris – a big, beautiful and historical city where sitting and enjoying your meal is encouraged and where you can use the public restrooms – if you are willing to pay. Yes the culture and environment is different, but it is a location that you don’t want to miss. No matter what you want to do or see, from the iconic Eiffel Tower to the Catacombs of Paris and Musee de Louvre, there will be something to keep your occupied and entertained.

In addition to offering all the historic sites you may be interested in, Paris is definitely a technologically advanced city. There are a number of different apps that are designed to let you get around the city more easily. From tour guides to a French language app, you can find everything you need to keep you going and finding exactly what you want to do during your visit.

London

London is an area that offers more green and open space than any other European area. In addition to these “healthy hills” some of the views are truly breathtaking of places such as Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. While visiting London it is highly recommended that you stay away from the main drags, since they are typically just dirty, crowded areas that offer nothing but cheap tourist fare.

You should also keep in mind that trying to find the “real” London is just a myth. London is considered a mish-mash of environments, which means that you should not spend all your time searching for this. Instead, take your time, window shop and enjoy what the city has to offer.

Read more:
Best Cities to Visit in Europe

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization is an online program which anyone from a visa waiver country is required to have if traveling to the US without a visa. ESTA does not guarantee automatic admission into the US, that will be determined by Customs on your arrival.

Just like VWP, citizens from visa waiver countries who apply for and are granted ESTA, can travel to the US on short notice, without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. ESTA aids DHS in screening all non-US citizens arriving the country by plane or ship. Although, you can apply for an ESTA at the point of departure, since it takes about one minute for a response to your application, it is advisable to apply within 72 hours before departure and keep a printed version of your application status for security purposes.

APPLICATION ESTA is pretty easy. There are several non government agencies which offer consultancy services for this, their fees usually include the standard $14 charged by the US government per application. You can make the application individually or in group.

The first step in APPLICATION ESTA, is to find out your eligibility status, that is if your country is one of the visa waiver countries. Currently only citizens from these countries are eligible: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan,Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand. Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales). So, if you are a national of any of these countries and don’t already have a visitor’s visa, you will be eligible to apply.

Once your eligibility has been confirmed, you can visit the APPLICATION ESTA official website, and begin your online application process, of course you will need an operational email to receive your authorization details. If using a third party agency’s website, be sure they are genuine. You will need a valid passport from your home country, a valid credit card (MasterCard or VISA), or debit card, or PayPal, or any other acceptable means for paying the standard application fee of $14 per application, but usually more at third party sites. Since April this year, citizens wishing to benefit from the VWP must use an e-passport in applying for ESTA. If you have no idea what an e-passport is, chances are high you do not have one, but it is easily identifiable due to it’s micro chip and unique international symbol on the front. Furthermore, the application will require your valid and current biodata (names, gender, marital status, etc), contact information, and where applicable, current employment details.

There is a short yes/no security section which must be answered, regardless of how strange the questions may seem. The application will request for the address where you’ll be staying during your visit. Since it’s likely you are yet to conclude on that during application, you can just fill ‘unknown’ and update it when accommodation has been concluded.

The APPLICATION ESTA can be completed within ten minutes, and you will receive your application status response within 24 hours, some have received response in a minute.

Peradventure, you are unable to complete your application same day, you can always return to the website to resume. It should be noted however, that payment for application must be concluded within seven days of applying. Where any information given for an application changes, a new ESTA has to be applied for, also where a new passport is issued, a new ESTA has to be applied for.

Not all ESTA applications are granted, reasons for denial could be incorrect answers to application questions, applying using details of previously lost or stolen passport, using a previously approved ESTA to do authorized work in the US during your last visit, or going against ESTA principles like staying beyond the 90 days bracket.

A denied ESTA application does not bar anyone from reapplying after 24 hours or going the lengthy traditional visa route.

An approved ESTA application is valid for only two years and only one year in Greece, and you can return to the US during that time but within the 90 days frame. Also, you must have at least six months left on your visa after the your return from the US. When your ESTA expires, you can simply apply for a new one and there is no limit to the number of applications for an individual or group.

As the US government, works on providing speedy ESTA services, you can now rest your mind when it comes to meeting deadlines or executing new business ideas across the ocean.

Read more:
On your marks, get set, ESTA! | The one minute dash to the US

Somewhere between the banks of wildflower hedges my mobile signal vanished and there I found Preseli Ventures; a true retreat.

In the wilderness of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park above a wooded valley just one mile from Abermawr beach; the location alone is invigorating. An eco-lodge focusing on sustainability sounded like a great place from the get go, and when I was invited to try out some of their new team building exercises, it was a no brainer.

Preseli Venture offers outdoor activities and fitness breaks for individuals and groups as well as a suite of flexible Team Leadership and Development programmes. Their newly launched Resilience in the Workplace programme is something quite special. Aiming to “boost resilience in mind, body and spirit” it combines Preseli Venture’s cornerstone activities of coasteering, sea-kayaking and surfing with team challenges and focussed mindfulness, communication and stress management workshops.

With more and more employers realising that wellness is an important part of staff development I was keen to see what Preseli Venture had to offer.

I was impressed. The activities (I tried coasteering and sea-kayaking) are well planned to match individual experience and the briefings comprehensive. There are onsite-changing facilities, which are a useful addition for corporate trips, and the activities, whilst challenging did not have anything of the boot camp mentality, the instructors were gently (and effectively!) persuasive.

The facilities are perfect for larger groups with plenty of space indoors and out. On our second day we de-camped into the garden to learn relaxation techniques in the Stress Buster Workshop run by local counsellor and life coach Heather Johnson – it struck a chord!

For seminars and downtime the large lounge and dining areas (with a well-stocked bar and cocktail menu) are bright and airy with a wood-burning stove for colder days.

The home-cooked food is plentiful. Wholesome soups and tagines were just what were needed after an active day out in the fresh air, and the option of raiding the well stocked bar a wonderful temptation!

The Eco Lodge has been awarded five stars by Visit Wales and is more salubrious than most activity lodges that I have visited. Eleven rooms sleep up to forty guests, mainly in bunk beds and have recently been refurbished. With a stylishly rustic feel and under floor heating they have a homely feel, further work is planned in the winter months, but all are warm and clean. The rooms are not en-suite but the separate modern wet rooms would not be out of place in a smart hotel.

For those mindful of their carbon footprint, the eco-credentials are impressive. The activities and the lodge itself are carefully designed to minimise environmental impact.

During your stay you’ll also be able to learn from the instructors on site. From the Risso’s dolphins in the waves to the seaweed in the rock pools the instructors enthusiastically share their knowledge of the biodiversity of the area.

Despite being remote it is quite accessible with trains from London Paddington to Haverfordwest or Fishguard & Goodwick taking about 5 hours, a good opportunity to practice those relaxation techniques in the quiet carriage on the way back.

After two days at the lodge I left feeling energised and ready for the working week ahead and would thoroughly recommend Preseli to those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the working week. Whether you’re looking for an alternative to team building or you’re just looking to escape Preseli has something for you!

Read more:
Review: Preseli Venture Eco Lodge

Supported by Fleet Alliance, an award-winning supplier of company car leasing to SMEs, The SME Company Car of the Year identifies the best cars, and the best company car programmes available for the SME business sector.

The judging panel were impressed by the recently launched Jaguar XE’s focus on driving down cost of ownership and company car taxation while still retaining sporty looks and appeal by the bucket load with its 71.7mpg combined fuel economy and CO2 emissions of just 99 g/km.

The Jaguar XE 2.0d R-Sport 163PS model was also judged the Best Large SME Company Car

Chair of the judging panel, Paul Hollick, chairman of the Institute of Car Fleet Management and commercial director of The Miles Consultancy, said: “The Panel were impressed by the new XE’s focus on low CO2 and fuel consumption figures, combined with sporty looks. Despite the low running costs and tax bills, this XE is a proper Jaguar with an equally high level of driver satisfaction and real company car appeal. The Jaguar XE is a genuine match for the best driving compact executive rivals.

The independent judging also recognised the XE’s bigger sibling with the Jaguar XF being voted the and Best Director’s SME Company Car.
In winning the 2.0-litre R-Sport 180PS Auto XF version XF has impressive fuel efficiency (65.7mpg) with 114g/km CO2 emissions and a company car tax of as little as £1,472 per year. Despite the improvements to the CO2 and fuel consumption figures, the XF 2.0d R-Sport auto, has all the performance you’d expect of a Jaguar, said the judges, with acceleration from 0-62mph takes just 7.7 seconds and the top speed is 136mph.
Awards chairman Paul Hollick added: “The XF wins, great price, good design and desirable. And it’s not just the efficient engine and high levels of standard kit that impresses. The new XF is a match for the BMW 5-Series with its keen drive, communicative steering and sharp handling, which all adds up to explaining why the new XF is our top Director’s SME Company Car choice.”
The full list of winners in Business Car Manager SME Company Car of the Year Awards is:
Best Value SME Company Car: Mercedes C 350e PHEV Sport Auto Saloon
Best Compact SME Company Car: MINI 1.5 Cooper D 5dr Hatch
Best Large SME Company Car: Jaguar XE 2.0d R-Sport 163PS
Best Director’s SME Company Car: Jaguar XF 2.0d R-Sport 180PS Auto
Best Green SME Company Car: Audi A3 Sportback e-tron
Best SME Company Car Programme: BMW Business Partnership
Best SME After Sales Programme: Hyundai
Special recognition award – Volvo’s SME Co-Pilot programme
Ralph Morton, editorial director of Business Car Manager, concluded: “It’s critical that small businesses and SME firms running company cars get the expert help that they require. These Awards highlight the best cars as well as company car and support programmes to make life easier for the SME director charged with looking after the company car programme.”

Read more:
Jaguar topples BMW to become the SME Company Car of the Year

Such a key strategic position on the Western Approaches enabled the town to flourish during the mid-17^th to 19^th centuries when, as the designated Royal Packet Station, it played a vital communications role for the expanding British Empire.

During the Packet Ship era, an outward-looking Falmouth was home to over 20 consulates and today the town retains the same cosmopolitan air. Despite the recent global economic downturn and UK recession, Falmouth’s eclectic high street punches well above its weight, which adds significant appeal to the 1.2 million visitors it attracts annually.

Brightly painted buildings house a collection of artisan shops and niche independent operators, while the town also offers a burgeoning food and drink sector and creative industries scene. There is real variety and quirkiness  to the retail offering – a business designing and manufacturing multi-million-pound superyachts sits comfortably alongside the UK’s oldest chandlery, while a recently-opened Japanese restaurant is less than two minutes’ walk away from a multi-award winning prosthetics and special effects studio that boasts clients from Hollywood and Bollywood. Move along the foreshore and you’ll discover the hub of Cornwall’s marine sector that is now one of the UK’s key influencers in terms of the development of marine renewables, engineering and design; shaping and driving products, services and solutions on a global level. Falmouth-based Fugro Seacore played a key role in raising the ill-fated Costa Concordia ship from the seabed, for example, and pioneering renewable energy devices are being tested in Falmouth Bay.

A port with a purpose, Falmouth strikes a successful balance between its multi-layered retail and business offering, and its strong sense of community. It is not for nothing that The Sunday Times cited Falmouth as one of the best places to live in Britain with its ‘eccentric and splendid surroundings’ and ‘international reputation for arts and media,’ which brings us to the influence of Falmouth University upon the town’s fortunes.

From its humble beginnings as an art school in 1902, it has evolved to become Falmouth University, which was recently ranked by The Sunday Times as the number one arts university in the UK. With one campus embedded in the heart of town and a second in nearby Penryn, Falmouth benefits from the wealth of artistic and original talent that is nurtured there as many graduates  choose  to stay and establish businesses in the town. This leads to a ‘creative corridor’ of start-ups and agencies, which adds a further dynamic to an already vibrant mix.

Sanders Shiers is one such example. Established by Falmouth University graduate, Alan Sanders in 2003, this high-end CGI illustration and animation agency has an impressive international portfolio that includes Conran, DDB and Taylor Wimpey. Sanders Shiers can offer world-class talent and professionalism from its Falmouth HQ to corporate clients across the globe – and enjoy the enviable lifestyle that Cornwall offers.

The rollout of Superfast broadband in Cornwall has helped to stimulate the growth of such businesses with Falmouth being one of the first towns in the UK to receive 95% coverage. Graduates, start-ups and would-be investors now view Falmouth as an increasingly attractive location to do business in and from. Where once the geographical distance to London and other centres of international commerce may have been a stumbling block to business growth, new technologies work very much in the town’s favour.

But it is also Falmouth’s strong sense of community that is very much at the heart of its growth and development. The recent passing of a much-admired police officer, PC Andy Hocking, brought over 6,000 people to Falmouth to walk ‘One Last Beat’, in memory of a man whose pride and passion for all things Falmouth struck a lasting chord with so many. This unique event was reported across the world’s media (a memorial walk among UK police ex-pats was even organised in Australia) and Falmouth works hard to foster and celebrate its supportive and positive community.

Staying with the community theme, Falmouth’s award-winning Cruise Ship Ambassador Scheme is the only such volunteer service in Europe. Established nearly 10 years ago, the ambassadors are largely retired residents of the town who provide an invaluable meet, greet and information service to the 20,000+ cruise visitors who disembark in the port each season. With £80 as the average day-spend of a single cruise liner passenger, the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) seeks to enhance their visitor experience by providing multi-language maps and guides, and complimentary shuttle buses so that they can explore all that the town has to offer.

The BID does much behind the scenes to drive Falmouth’s prosperity in partnership with Falmouth Town Council as part of a dynamic Town Team. Something of a trailblazer as the only such model operating in Cornwall, this Town Team comprises  BID Manager, Richard Wilcox, supported by the BID’s Board of volunteer Directors, and Town Manager, Richard Gates, representing Falmouth Town Council, who work tirelessly to engage with and support Falmouth’s thriving  community by coordinating and planning shared strategy.

The Town Council is proactive in negotiating control of some of the town’s assets from Cornwall Council, actively champions local initiatives and provides vital infrastructure for events. The BID has helped the town’s businesses through challenging times by investing their levy payments in a colourful calendar of events, festivals and year-round initiatives to drive footfall and extend the season; a community-led branding project that identified target audiences; a national PR campaign that positions Falmouth as a valued proposition for high-yield consumers, lifestyle magazine and newspaper editors, as well as would-be investors; public realm enhancements; business upskilling programmes;  and a dynamic destination website, www.falmouth.co.uk, backed by savvy social media campaigns. The fact that 87 per cent of Falmouth’s businesses voted in favour of a second five-year term for the BID – the strongest result in the region – says it all.

As part of its public realm programme, the BID has helped to ‘connect the dots’ of the town for visitors, given that the retail hub, harbour and beaches are situated along a linear coastal and harbour area.  Businesses in the town centre and its stunning beaches are now clearly linked via bespoke, branded maps, trails, storytelling boards and supporting digital literature that seek to highlight Falmouth’s history, artistic pedigree and maritime heritage, and encourage visitors to explore and return.

Falmouth’s Town Team was also called upon by retail guru, Mary Portas to provide relevant research and insight to inform her government review of the British high street. Her report went on to recommend strategic operational management for the UK’s high streets; the empowering of successful Business Improvement Districts to become ‘Super-BIDs’, and highlighted ‘the sheer importance of community spirit and reinventing towns as destinations for socialising, culture, health, wellbeing, creativity and learning’ – all of which Falmouth has long known about and continues to deliver with aplomb.

Its year-round programme of festivals not only brings the local community together, but also encourages visitors to contribute significantly to the local economy.  Last year’s Tall Ships Regatta, which was hosted by Falmouth for the sixth time in nearly 50 years, contributed £10M to the county’s coffers, for example.

To complement established events such as the Oyster Festival (October), the International Sea Shanty Festival (June) and Falmouth Week (August), the BID has developed new festivals to extend the season such as Spring Fest (March), Splash Creative (September), and this year’s ZestiFAL that celebrates wellbeing and getting active (July).

Falmouth has an empty vacant unit rate of under 5 per cent, well below the UK national average which is around 11%.

Sweetpea & Betty, a quirky, boutique establishment that sells French antiques and holds workshops on how to upcycle furniture has recently opened a second shop within the town. Willow & Stone, which offers high quality interior accessories such as door furniture, period fittings and chic homeware has opened another premises to enable it to distribute globally via its digital platforms. Artisan coffee house, Espressini, which The Independent hailed as one of the best coffee shops in the UK, has opened a second outlet in a different part of town, such is its popularity. Wild Pony, which trades in vintage apparel, relocated from Brighton to establish its cool clothing outlet and with increasing demand from Falmouth fashionistas, has recently unveiled a pop-up shop to entice yet more customers with its imaginative interiors and brand.

Bosun’s Locker Chandlery, the oldest in the country, has recently exchanged its secluded harbourside location to join the throng of Falmouth’s thriving high street, taking up residence in a prime retail location and rebranding to appeal to a cooler, contemporary customer as well as celebrate its traditional roots.

Multi-award winning Seasalt Clothing is a Cornish retail success story that also has its HQ in Falmouth. With a retail philosophy that is rooted in the creativity, maritime history and heritage of Cornwall, the company has expanded rapidly across the UK in recent years, with John Lewis and M&S among several major players who now stock the Seasalt range.

Falmouth offers the perfect environment for small and medium-sized enterprises looking to launch a new business or nurture a fledgling brand, as John and Hannah Hersey discovered when they launched their surfer chic café, Good Vibes.  Inspired by their love of water sports and great food, their blend of locally-sourced ingredients, funky recipes, laidback atmosphere and colourful interior is hugely popular with surfers, students and high street shoppers alike. Like other businesses in the town, they have found their niche.

Amanzi offers African food made from local produce, with Cornish Biltong being a particular speciality. Wildebeest serves up delicious gluten free and vegan fare, often with an Asian and Cornish influence. The Wheelhouse and Rick Stein serve the finest Cornish seafood, Ciuri Ciuri delights customers with its Sicilian gelataria, and Earth & Sea offer an unusual sausage-making and eating experience.

Richard Wilcox, Falmouth Business Improvement District (BID) Manager, says: “We have much to be proud of and to celebrate here in Falmouth. We maximise our  resources by thinking and working imaginatively, partnering with local organisations and volunteer groups to ensure that the town is a vibrant, year-round destination for visitors, residents and businesses alike. As Cornwall’s events hub, we’re constantly reviewing our offer, seeking to make the most of our natural setting and welcome visitors from all over the world. Successful high streets and communities are ones that combine local expertise, enthusiasm, pride and passion to best effect, and foster an environment that is conducive to creative thinking, and Falmouth has all that and more.”

Read more:
Cornish seaside home to entrepreneurial creative businesses, independent retailers and eateries

Virtually every BMW model would be converted to be powered by electric drivetrains, including range-extending engines and plug-in hybrids.

The transition will see even the company’s top-selling 3 Series sport saloons turned into plug-in hybrids.

The company is weary of the stringent European Union regulations that greatly reduce the average carbon emissions permitted from road vehicles. They are said to be tougher than either North American or Chinese emission levels.

The current EU limits extend only to 2021, and is expected to be pulled down further lower through 2025. Under the pressure of regulation, BMWs of the future will be smooth, powerful-and largely electric.

According to reports, BMW is now intends to convert all its vehicles to some configuration of plug-in hybrid. It will also lower their weight dramatically to compensate for larger battery packs, and make them far more aerodynamic. BMW is already acknowledged to be the electric-car leader among German makers.

The new range of cars could be driven by separate electric motors powering the front and rear wheels, with a small petrol engine to generate electricity to extend the range of the batteries.

The company has already invested billions in its Project i, a separate division dedicated to building alternative-fuel vehicles in eco-friendly factories. The project was created in the face of tightening emission standards and dwindling natural resources.

BMW has already unveiled the first of its i series vehicles last year, the i3 five-door electric car and i8 sports car. These vehicles have had a successful market run, with the i3 managing to become the fourth best-selling electric vehicle in the US region. The company sold a total of 17,793 i3s worldwide in 2014.

Ex-Dragon Duncan Bannatyne has already said that he is in for BMW’s electric cars after recently taking delivery of a £115,000 BMW i8 sports car, which uses a petrol-electric hybrid system to combine astonishing performance with exceptionally low exhaust emissions.

At the same time, electric charging points have been installed at his headquarters in Darlington. An increasing number of his visitors are said to be using electric or plug-in hybrid cars.

Bannatyne said: “I’m delighted with the new car, which combines outstanding, eye-catching design with an eco-friendly system that is just superb.

“I am a great believer in technological progress and it’s good to see the increasing number of mainstream cars that are available with hybrid or electric power systems.”

He is reportedly enjoying the head-turning styling of the car, which features gullwing doors, futuristic dashboard displays, a sleek outline and recyclable interior materials to further boost its green credentials.

Duncan quipped: “This car certainly attracts attention and won’t harm my pitch to be the next James Bond in any way!”

Read more:
BMW: All our models will be electric within the decade

The as yet unnamed programme will permit SMEs to gain benefits from flights taken by employees in addition to the mileage and tier points earned by the individual.

SIA is not a member of Star Alliance’s PartnerPlus Benefit programme, which offers similar perks to companies, and has chosen to launch its own scheme instead.

Subhas Menon, the carrier’s European vice president, said: “Our corporate frequent flyer programme is being designed and we will launch later this year.”

Image: Maxene Huiyu / Shutterstock.com

Read more:
Singapore Airlines plans to woo SMEs

While this may have held some truth 10-20 years ago, today’s hotel and vacation industry has become more auspicious to families. For example, if you are traveling to Italy you can have all inclusive family holidays in italy, for example at Cavallino Bianco. This is a luxury, family spa hotel in South Tyrol, Italy, where no member of the family, even baby, is left out of their supreme family care.

For Babies
Cavallino Bianco day-care has baby experts on-hand daily to provide and care for babies aging from 1 month to 2 ½ years-old. The day care has a nap room, ball pit, and soft-play area so baby is certain to enjoy his vacation as much as his parents. Some of the in room baby amenities, on request as needed, include bottle warmer, baby bath with thermometer, high chair, bibs, baby food, changing station or potty chair.

For Children
So many exciting adventures await children of all ages at Cavallino Bianco. Professional multilingual attendants are on staff to provide help for children ages 2-5 years. Other professionally trained child and baby care staff are available for children ages 1 month to 15 years-old.

Indoors children will enjoy the massive play area, children’s theatre, baby and child swimming pool, fairy-tale area, giant Lego building, labyrinth-fun park, miniature sports arena, and much more. Outdoors kids can play on the large, safe playground, enjoy the petting zoo, children’s car racing area, a garden for babies to crawl through, and other fun activities.

For Parents
Adults receive the royal treatment at the Aqua-Sana wellness centre. Parents can relax with several types of massage, five types of saunas, tepidarium, solarium, beauty salon, shiatsu, whirlpool, sole bath, and more. Some of the Aqva-Sana spa amenities are not included in the room price.

There is a fitness centre for adults and children, as well as use of free guest kitchen and laundry facilities.
If parents plan a special night out, evening sitters can be acquired for an extra fee.

Dining
The on-site children’s restaurant provides free drinks and ice cream to kids all day, as well as supervised lunch and dinner meals. The hotel restaurant offers breakfast and lunch served as a large buffet, dinner is a five-course meal. During the summer, barbecue may be offered outdoors.

Other Activities
The Cavallino Bianco offers walking, hiking and biking excursions. Skiing is free, skiing guides are available to help all levels, beginner to expert, enjoy a variety of slopes. Once a week the hotel organises a horse coach ride through Ortisei. There are other organized activities for all age groups, depending on the time of year. The Cavallino Bianco Family Spa Hotel certainly has a great variety of recreational and relaxation activities for, quite literally, the entire family.

The hotel is in the Alpine region of Italy, near the border of Switzerland. South Tyrol, also called Alto Adige, is a beautiful blend of mountains, rolling hills, medieval castles, forests, orchards and vineyards. The entire area is akin to a magical wonderland, with rich history, fine dining, and many more things to please any traveller.

Read more:
Reviewed: Child friendly hotels in South Tyrol

Infiniti is not a car manufacturer that many will be familiar with, however this luxury manufacturer, aiming for fourth place after Mercedes, BMW and Audi is definitely worth considering.

Given the manufacturers partnership in F1 with champion winners RedBull Racing they really are a manufacturer with impressive pedigree.

This 359bhp petrol-electric M is the fastest accelerating car of its kind on sale today, with 0-62mph taking just 5.5 seconds – rivals from BMW and Lexus need an extra 0.4 seconds.

What’s the 2012 Infiniti M35h like to drive?
The V6 petrol engine in the M is powerful and it makes the car rapid. This is true whether you’re nipping away from the lights under electric power or using the engine at higher speeds. The switch between battery and electric power is very smooth, too.

However the brakes are a little keen for town driving (queuing).

What’s the Infiniti M35h like inside?
The M35h has a classy interior built from a selection of high-quality materials that look and feel great. The model we had featured lots of pale dark wood which dated it slightly, however there are black inset options available.

The biggest downside is the vast amount of space the battery robs from the boot; the standard diesel and petrol models’ 450-litre space falls to just 350-litres, which is a long way short of the class best.

There’s room for four adults inside, but this is definitely a 2+2 as there is a large transmission tunnel eating into rear foot space.

Should I buy one?
We were very impressed and overall this car was better than the diesel Mercedes E Class it displaced for this week long trial. Given the CO2 output of sub 160g/km, the fact that for London users there are Congestion Charge advantages over rivals like the BMW 5 series, and the very personal service you get from owning an Infiniti over its, mainly German, rivals we would seriously suggest taking a look.

Read more:
Motoring Review: Infiniti M35h

Read more:
Car clubs drive commuters to public transport

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Reviewed: Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Oxford

After signing up for a free account, users can browse an online trading board for listings or post their own. Users set the terms and pay the exchange about a penny for each mile swapped. So far, the exchange works over 15 major airlines, including British Airways and Virgin, as well as the InterContinental Hotels Group.

Visit the site here: Points.com

Read more:
An online exchange for frequent-flier miles

Our guide to the best six conference hotels around the UK.

Celtic Manor Resort, South Wales

Celtic Manor has been voted the UK’s top conference hotel by Conference & Incentive Travel magazine readers for three of the past four years. Conference facilities include the Caernarfon Suite, which can seat 1,500 delegates for a keynote address or 800 guests for a gala dinner, an exhibition hall and an extra 30 meeting rooms with break-out areas. Its forte is themed events.

celtic-manor.com

Lowry Hotel, Manchester

With its curved, glass-fronted façade and chic interior, this hotel is Manchester?s most fashionable venue. There is a street-level entrance for conference facilities, where all rooms have floor-to-ceiling natural light and audio-visual technology and wi-fi. The grand ballroom caters for up to 400 people, or less if divided, and all the other conference rooms are equally flexible. The hotel has 165 stylish bedrooms, including seven suites.

thelowryhotel.com

Chester Grosvenor and Spa, Chester

The moment you step into the Chester Grosvenor, you can see why it has five AA Red stars. But its opulence isn’t spoilt by being overly formal. A £3.5m investment has led to superb, versatile meeting rooms suitable for events from two to 250 people, with cutting-edge technology. ‘Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor’ is a further attraction.

chestergrosvenor.com

The Grove, Hertfordshire

Forty minutes from central London, this 18th-century house set in 300 acres of parkland and open countryside has been transformed into a country estate with a modern twist. Since opening in 2003, it has won accolades for its contemporary design and professional service. Conference facilities cater for up to 1,000 guests and include 23 flexible rooms. There is an 18-hole championship golf course, the Sequoia spa and three restaurants.

thegrove.co.uk

Four Seasons, Hampshire

Luxury is embedded into every aspect of the hotel?s offering, and there is fine attention to detail. Set on ground level, the indoor function facilities comprise five dedicated rooms, with the capacity to accommodate 18 to 260 people. The hotel is set amid woodlands, pastures and heritage-listed walled gardens. There are 111 guest rooms and 22 suites, and an excellent spa.

fourseasons.com/hampshire

Hilton London Metropole

This hotel can manage events of up to 3,000 delegates and can accommodate 1,000 delegates. There’s 4,100m2 of flexible space. Those after a private meeting room are also catered for. Don’t miss the Nippon Tuk bar and restaurant on the 23rd floor. The views of Canary Wharf and the London Eye are great, as is the Asian Fusion menu.

hiltonlondonmet.com

Read more:
Six of the best: Conference Hotels

The full service law firm employs over 1,000 staff and chose City Car Club because they offer a much greener alternative to running a fleet. The firm will now begin phasing out their company cars and renting locally parked City Cars for as little as £4.95-per-hour as and when they need them.
 
City Car Club reduces the need for staff to commute to work by car and also leads to a significant decrease in unnecessary short car journeys during the day. On average businesses reduce their CO2 car output by around 35%** when changing from fleet cars to the car club. Across the 500 strong fleet based all around cities around the UK City Car Club saves 12,246 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year, the equivalent of 4,621 flights to Australia.
 
For work trips where a car is required, City Cars can be booked at a moment’s notice on the internet on www.citycarclub.co.uk or by phone on 0845 330 1234. The City Cars are parked in convenient on-street locations near the DWF’s offices in Manchester, Leeds and London and they are also available in 11 other cities across the UK for staff business meetings elsewhere in the country.
 
City Car Club CEO James Finlayson said: “This is a major initiative by DWF and will immediately lower their carbon output whilst reducing their costs at the same time. 2009 saw our business membership grow by over 70% as more and more businesses of all sizes realised the benefits of car club membership.”
 
City Car Club membership is much cheaper than running a fleet. DWF pay a small annual membership fee per driver and the company is sent a monthly bill with each individual staff member’s usage. The financial savings can be huge and for staff doing less than 4,000 business miles-a-year it amounts to over £1,800 per fleet car per year.
 
DWF Finance Director Arthur Ferry said: “Using City Car Club has enabled DWF not only to be more green efficient but it is also very convenient as we have cars less than a two minute walk away from the office. It’s much less hassle than running a fleet as we don’t have to worry about maintenance, depreciation and insurance.

City Car Club is not the only operator in this market as StreetCar operate a similar scheme aimed more at the private user allowing them access to a fleet of VW Polo, Golf and also Van’s on a by hour arrangement.

Read more:
Law firm goes green with car club fleet