TOURISM TM Scotland likely to host spaceport


The UK’s bid to become a space tourism hotspot has taken a ‘giant leap’ forward, aſt er the government unveiled eight coastal sites under consideration to host the country’s fi rst spaceport – six of which are in Scotland. Speaking at Farnborough Air Show’s ‘Space


Day’ last week (15 July), aviation minister Robert Goodwill and UK Space Agency chief executive Dr David Parker announced the fi ndings of a recent Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) report highlighting eight possible air- fields for the spaceport and the economic opportunities that this would bring. The government’s ambition is for a UK


spaceport to open in 2018 – with former sci- ence minister David Willetts having called for the industry to grow to a value of £40bn (US$69bn, €51bn) by 2030. T ere have also been calls for a collaboration that would see Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic space shut- tles take off from the new UK site. “Space is big business for the UK. It already


contributes £11.3bn (US$19.4bn, €14.3bn) to the economy each year, supporting nearly 35,000 jobs,” said business secretary Vince Cable. “T at’s why it’s important for us to prepare the UK for new launcher technology and take steps towards meeting our ambition of estab- lishing the fi rst British spaceport by 2018.” T e Department for Transport will consult on the criteria the CAA has identifi ed that will


The Awarding Organisation of Choice


Shuttles may be blasting off from the UK by 2018


make a location suitable for a spaceport. In addition to meteorological, environmental and economic factors, these include: • An existing runway which currently is,


or is capable of being extended to, more than 3,000 metres in length. • Th e ability to accommodate dedicated seg-


regated airspace to manage spacefl ights safely. • A reasonable distance from densely pop-


ulated areas in order to minimise impact on the uninvolved general public. Following the consultation, further work


will be done to develop locations which remain on the shortlist. T is would include seeking the views of local people and other stakeholders before any decisions are taken to proceed with any planned spaceport. Details: http://lei.sr?a=w9r9F


London to become number one global city


London is expected to receive 18.7 million visits from foreigners this year, making it the world’s favourite tourist destination, according to the latest MasterCard-commissioned Global Destinations report. The figures show that the UK’s


capital will now become the most vis- ited city in the world, taking over the mantle from the previous most vis- ited city – T ailand’s Bangkok. It is also predicted that foreign


visitors are due to spend £11.3bn in London’s hotels, shops, restaurants and theatres across this year. These figures would push the


London will become the most visited city in the world in 2014


capital ahead of second-placed New York in terms of nominal spend, with the American city currently attracting £10.8bn in outlay from tourists each year. T e report has been based on a detailed


analysis of offi cial tourism fi gures, the num- ber of passengers on fl ights and hotel stays for 132 destinations visited by tourists. T e progress in number of visitors coming


© CYBERTREK 2014


to London has risen even higher from a 2013 record number of 16.8 million visits, as shown by Offi ce of National Statistics (ONS) data. In keeping with London, Britain overall


saw a record number of visitors coming to its shores last year. According to the ONS, the country welcomed 32.9 million overseas visitors in 2013. Details: http://lei.sr?a=u7K9K


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