average 20-25 years younger than ‘normal’ visitors, and they spent nearly twice as much in retail and catering – and were five times more likely to upload images on social media during their visit, he added. Delegates heard that more


attractions are stopping their discount schemes for seniors, because older visitors are able to afford admission prices. Meanwhile, dynamic pricing is becoming increasingly common, and where it has been introduced customers rarely complained as they were used to the principle when buying hotel rooms or air flights.


� MARKET TRENDS Donoghue updated conference- goers about trends in the market, which suffered disruption during winter and spring because of snow. This was followed by a heatwave in the summer, which hit attendances at indoor attractions, but outdoor sites such as riverside venues, safari parks and gardens saw a spike in numbers.


He said there was some evidence


of slow forward bookings for 2019 from long-haul markets because of Brexit uncertainty about the value of sterling and immigration issues, such as visas and queues at borders.


The UK’s departure from the


European Union is also causing concern about the status of EU staff. “For example, 44% of the front- of-house staff at the V&A are EU workers,” commented Donoghue. Other challenges facing the


sector include ‘over-tourism’ issues in some destinations, notably Edinburgh and Cornwall, with talk of tourism taxes to tackle the problem. Fellow speaker Simon Calder also outlined challenges posed by Brexit to outbound and inbound markets. “In terms of inbound tourism, we


know that the UK government is going to end the ability of travellers from 25 EU countries to visit Britain with only an ID card, which is likely to have an impact on visitor numbers,” he warned. “A downturn would also affect the viability of some air links with the EU.” alva.org.uk


travelgbi.com


Longleat welcomes koalas and wombats


Longleat Safari Park has welcomed seven antipodean additions to its estate as part of a long-term conservation project. Five koalas and two wombats


from Cleland Wildlife Park near Adelaide were transported to their new Wiltshire home last month. Graeme Dick, a Longleat


spokesman, said: “This is the culmination of a two-year project and the beginning of an exciting new era. We hope these animals will act as conservation ambassadors for the species.” Their arrival is part of an initiative


by the government of South Australia to enhance the management and conservation of the koala. Longleat will act as a European


hub for the newly-created International Koala Centre of


Excellence (IKCE) and Longleat custodian Lord Weymouth is the international patron of the IKCE. The five koalas will spend six


months away from visitors as they settle into their new home alongside a pair of southern hairy nosed


wombats. Their enclosure, called Koala Creek, includes a natural stream, eucalyptus trees, climbing poles, viewing areas, interpretation boards and a care unit.


It is due to open in spring 2019. longleat.co.uk


Festival of Light takes visitors on a ‘fantastic voyage’


The UK’s biggest Festival of Light returns to Longleat for the festive period with the Wiltshire attraction’s most ambitious Christmas event yet (November 9- January 6). Featuring more than a 1,000


different illuminated lanterns, the festival will have the theme of ‘A Fantastic Voyage’. From Ancient Egypt, with a


20-metre-tall pyramid, to a rocket voyage around the solar system, the theme incorporates more than a dozen walk-through scenes. Visitors join siblings Harry and


Bea, and their canine companion Monty, as they embark on their journeys under the sea, back to the time of dinosaurs, across the frozen Arctic and to a castle besieged by knights in armour. Other displays feature scenes


from South America, Japan, India and Papua New Guinea, along with a 28-metre-long steam train, biplane and hot air balloon. The Musical Christmas Tree Show returns and the Santa Train will be transporting visitors to meet Father Christmas in his woodland grotto. ‘A Flight Before Christmas’ will


feature story-telling and real flying owls, and there is the chance to go on a drive-through winter safari to visit Monkey Temple and Jungle Kingdom.


longleat.co.uk/festival-of-light


Chessington World of Adventures Resort will open ‘Room on the Broom – A Magical Journey’ next spring. The ‘enchanted library’ attraction brings to life another story by author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, following in the footsteps of the resort’s Gruffalo River Ride Adventure.


Tim Harrison-Jones, divisional director at the Merlin Entertainments-owned resort, said: “We are excited, as we hope our


Chessington makes room for Room on the Broom Donaldson added: “It’s lovely


the doors to the enchanted library next year.”


guests will be, to unveil our plans for another Julia Donaldson-inspired attraction and we can’t wait to open


that families will be able to enter the Room on the Broom world and enjoy the story in a new way at Chessington World of Adventures Resort.” The attraction will be accompanied by two themed Room on the Broom bedrooms in the Chessington Safari Hotel. chessington.com


November 2018 | TravelGBI 49


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