Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Winter Holiday Budgets Up Forty Eight PCT This Year

http://westhillconsulting.info/blog/winter-holiday-budgets-up-forty-eight-pct-this-year/

According to the report, high inflation is not coming in the way of holiday spends as more and more travelers are booking longer and expensive holiday packages this winter compared with last year.

"The average holiday budgets per person per night have increased to Rs 2,325 this winter from Rs 1,564 in 2012, indicating a 48 per cent rise.

"Trips have become longer by 36.3 per cent with travelers taking an average trip of 3.8 nights this year," says holiday information portal HolidayIQ.com's report 'Insights: Winter Holidays Prediction Report 2013'.

In the middle of November 2013 and January 2014, it analyses the patterns.

People are preparing trips in smaller groups with group size decreasing 16 per cent even though not being thrifty on the budget.

Beach and hill station destinations are most popular this winter, accounting for almost 78 per cent of the holidays planned, according to the report.

Families form a significant part of tourist traffic because of the winter holidays in schools.   This is 26 per cent of planned trips.

The report says traditionally, travelers prefer to travel within the region they reside in. However, this winter there is a marked increase in travelers choosing holiday destinations outside their region.

In the previous year merely forty one per cent of winter trips were intended outside the traveler’s region of residence whereas in the current year the said trips account for sixty six per cent of all trips planned.

People from east and north-east travel outside more while majority of south Indian travelers have a preference travelling within the region.

Couple travelers plan longer and more expensive holidays allocating the highest average budget of Rs 2,611 per person per night, followed by family travelers at Rs 2,137, group travelers at Rs 1,974 and single travelers at Rs 1,693, it said.

Holidays planned by women have 8 per cent higher budgets than those planned by men, it added.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

First images of the New Great House on Necker Island

http://westhillconsulting.info/blog/first-images-of-the-new-great-house-on-necker-island/

The Great House on Necker Island now complete and ready to welcome its first guests.  It is the private home of Sir Richard Branson and part of the Virgin Limited Edition collection.

Following a two-year project the exterior and interior layout of the new Great House has been remodeled on the original design, with the addition of some innovative design twists.

The inspiration is from the beautiful features and Balinese style of the original structure, the new Great House offers breath-taking panoramic views of the Caribbean, the Atlantic and neighboring islands.  Each one of the eight guest rooms has a balcony, and all come with king-size beds and spacious en-suite bathrooms.  The Master Suite is on the upper level, which is a whopping 1,500 square feet and has been designed for panoramic views from virtually every angle and includes a two-person Jacuzzi, a stand-alone outdoor bath and a kitchenette area with a fully-stocked fridge.

The Great House is the located where people get together and has an open outdoor terrace with hammocks and sofas and a large dining table for everyone to gather round to enjoy their meal.  There’s a fully-stocked bar for favorite cocktails and up on the roof the crow’s nest has stunning views where you’ll find a Jacuzzi - perfect for sipping champagne as you watch the sun set.  And if you feel like a quick dip in the sea before lunch, then hop on the zip-line that quickly transports you from the Great House terrace all the way down to the sandy white beaches.

Sir Richard Branson commented: “Necker Island has been my home for more than 30 years and for me it is the most beautiful place in the world. The brand new Great House is the heart of the island and I’m thrilled with the results. This signals a new dawn for Necker, which I’m very excited about.”

For exclusive use bookings, accommodation on Necker Island includes nine bedrooms in the Great House including the stunning Master Suite and six individual Bali Houses dotted around the island.  There is also a bunkroom in the Great House that sleeps up to six children.  In totality, the number of guests that can be accommodated on Necker Island is 30 plus six children at a nightly rate of USD $60,000 until the 31st December 2013.

Apart from being the ultimate relaxing paradise, the island can also be your perfect setting for a wedding or a celebration with family and friends that you’ll will forever cherish.

There is also an option if you do not want to hire the entire island but you want to enjoy the full Necker experience, you can try ‘Celebration Weeks’ provide the opportunity to book an individual room ‘hotel-style’ for seven nights.

This ravishing Necker Island is located in the British Virgin Islands, a spectacular and unspoilt area of the Caribbean and is surrounded by turquoise waters and coral reefs and fringed with beautiful white sandy beaches.