MSN UK Travel

Yes, it's that time again when we rifle through last month's mailbag to see what the hot topics were for the readers of MSN Travel. And in May, there were several stories that grabbed your attention.

 

First up was the news that holidaymakers to Spain face potential delays this summer due to the introduction of new security measures requiring passengers to provide detailed personal information. Many airlines are not equipped to automatically handle this requirement, which is likely to lead to hold-ups as travellers complete the info using good old fashioned pen and paper. On our message board thread on this topic, views were largely postive, with many of you welcoming the increased security measures. While acknowledging that they might lead to some delays, Brit_Steve observed that "surely anything that helps to combat global terrorism is a good thing". Tiny Sue concurred, adding, "I think Spain has made the right decision and we should all do the same now, not next year and combat the terrorists out there that are causing us to take these measures."

 

Not everyone shared these views however, with Stig of the Dump saying "whatever happened to the idea that people of EU member countries could travel freely across its borders? The EU is now nothing more than a police state making travel throughout Europe a nightmare with increased delays and stress." Fairways says "I intended going to Spain later in the Summer, but now I'm not."

 

However, steveandkaren2 took a slightly more optimistic view of things, joking that "it should give us something to do while we wait for yet another delayed flight to arrive to give us a plane to fly in!"

 

The next hot topic on the boards this month was the results of a survey by Expedia.co.uk which claimed that British tourists are among the worst in the world, 'thanks to their noisy and untidy holiday habits, bad behaviour and miserly tipping'. There were dozens and dozens of comments on the boards on this subject, with an overwhelming majority of them agreeing with the results.

 

Seymour Bush says, "the survey holds no suprises for me.  When I go on holiday I try to hide the fact that I am British because the majority of the British just don't know how to behave themselves." bimjammyjamjam agrees, "I'm a Brit but I live in Barbados and work in a hotel and I have to say, we are the worst tourists, noisy, always complaining even on the cheap package deals and just don't make life any less difficult for us hoteliers." Meldrew Double adds, "the British appear to have a large contingent of 'louts'".

 

paulrich74 believes that "its the British mentality of not wanting to embrace other cultures that lets us down mostly, behaviour wise we are no worse than anyone else, except where you find 18-30." Currently_Content agrees, saying 'People need to realise that the point of a holiday abroad is not to forget the whole thing through a state of permanant drunkeness, but to enjoy the local culture and cuisine, and to relax (this does not mean get paryletic)". However, qsdl agrues the opposite, saying, "give people a break; if someone wants to go on hols and not enjoy another culture that's up to them".

 

Dohhhh agrues that the problem is caused by "the advent of cheap flights, self catering and cheap drink' which he says has "opened the door to some people who simply do not know how to behave when they are with other people", while ausbas thinks that "the holiday companies should take some of the blame for treating British holiday makers like cattle and sending them to some undesirable hotels with very poor food".

 

However, not everyone agreed with the survey, marion26, who says she's French (the French came out as the worst tourists in the poll), claims that "I don't really agree with this survey, to my mind, English people are very nice." And, finally, on the topic of socks worn with sandals, Lulu Superboots says, "Does it really matter how people dress? Okay, so socks and sandals may not look that fantastic really, but for some people it stops rubbed ankles if they do a lot of walking when they are on holiday."

 

The month ended with the news that a new Harry Potter theme park is to be built at Univeral Studios in Orlando. On the message boards, the news was greeted with cautious optimisim, though the general consensus seemed to be that the park ought to be built in the UK, rather than the US, given Harry's heritage. bimjammyjamjam asks "how can a Harry Potter theme park be outside of Britain?" while kc3003 says "it would make so much more sense if it was actually in England". However, most of you couldn't wait for it to open, with livy x01x saying "I would absolutely go to the Harry Ppotter theme park, it sounds really magical, I cant wait!" and allmar3 agreeing, "I will be booking my holiday as soon as they give us a definite opening date".

 

The results of a survey released today by Expedia.co.uk suggest that us Brits are amongst the worst tourists in the world, 'thanks to our noisy and untidy holiday habits, bad behaviour and miserly tipping.' Read the story on MSN Travel.

 

Whilst there's clearly a lot of sweeping generalisations in this claim, I wonder if there might also be a grain of truth in it?

 

To be fair, those surveyed were European hoteliers and as many parts of Europe are known to attract a particular type of Brit abroad, I wonder if we would have fared so poorly in a world-wide survey.

 

Nevertheless, there's undoubtedly a sector of British tourists whose idea of a perfect holiday is to create a little piece of England (ususally) in the Spanish or Greek sun, complete with the local pub, greasy fry ups and English football on the big screen.

 

To me, it seems a terrible shame to go all that way and not then embrace the culture of the country whose hospitality you're accepting. Whether that's trying the local food, learning a few words of the language or trying to blend in a little with the locals, there's a lot to be said for scratching the surface of a country to see what you might discover.

 

Ultimately it's what makes travelling so addictive - unearthing the subtle and not so subtle differences between our own culture and those of other nationalities. Discovering what makes other countries tick and why doesn't suggest that our own culture is lacking, but does make for a far more rounded view of the world, not to mention some incredible travel tales to look back on.

 

So I would encourage those socks and sandals tourists, the 'Brits on Tour' posse, next time they're on holiday in Spain, to give the Dog and Duck a miss, and try the tapas bar, or that incredible fish restaurant loved by the locals. And rather than watching the big match on Saturday afternoon, why not visit the catherdral or even take a trip out of town to the countryside. You'll be amazed at what you discover - and who knows, we might even fare slightly better in the next version of 'Best Tourist League' survey...

 

What do you think about the results of the survey? Post a comment below, or alternatively, join the debate on the MSN Travel Message Boards.

It's probably no surprise to hear that I get an awful lot of press releases in my inbox every day. I don't always succeed in plowing my way through every one of them, but I received one this afternoon with the same subject line as this blog entry. Well, you would open that email straight away wouldn't you?

 

Remarkably, the awards are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, as they seek to 'flush out' (their words) the best places 'to go' in Britain and Ireland. There are an incredible 57 categories, including regional awards, best corporate providers, best nappy changing facilities and even awards for the best Loo Attendants.

 

The award organisers, The British Toilet Association, are seeking nominations for all award categories. According to the press release, anyone can nominate any number of 'away from home' loos, via the 24 hour hotline on 01962 850277; by email nominations@loo.co.uk, or online at www.loo.co.uk. The closing date for nominations is 31 July and the awards will be presented at a fancy lunch event in December.

 

As well as submitting your nominations as outlined above, if you do know of a remarkable loo that you want to share, wherever it is in the world, tell us about in on our MSN Travel Message Board thread about the world's top toilets.

I really picked the wrong weekend to go away. Last weekend, when I was in France, I hear that the weather in the UK was glorious, yet this weekend, when I have no plans, it's due to rain. So unfair

During April, Michael O'Leary, of Ryanair announced plans to offer transatlantic flights from just £7 within the next three years. We asked for your views on the message boards. Most of you shared the opinion of RWN79, who said of the news, 'Cheap flights to the US? Great news. I haven't been to NY for a while so fancy a little trip!' inerlink agreed, stating 'I would certainly use the new airline.. seems like a real bargain to me, and I don't mind taking sandwiches, and I don't have a problem with landing at smaller airports either!' Aye McHunt put it simply, 'Well, I think this is the first time the cost of the taxi-fair to the airport would be more than the actual cost of the flight.'

 

Not all of you were so impressed by the news however, with some of you concerned about the environmental impact of such cheap flights becoming available. DavidH1948 says, 'Any move to encourage air flight, with it's attendant contribution to the destruction of our planet, is DISGRACEFUL. The government should step in, and if it can't stop this suicidal move, perhaps it should introduce a new tax, so that each passenger crossing the Atlantic by air should pay a minimum total (fare plus tax) of, say, £1,000 each way.' my4dogs concurred, saying, 'Definately no, not at the expense of the planet.'

 

However, Nagrom disagrees with their logic, claming that 'Cheap flights means full airliners and more economic use of fuel and CO2. Expensive fares means ths same number of aircraft fying half empty but flying none the less.

 

Others felt that the offer might be a good one, but the discomfort of flying with a budget airline to the US was too great to ignore, with K_abraham83 saying, 'Come on, this is a joke. Who wants to fly so cheaply all that way to North America?' Len24 agreed, saying 'I don't mind going cheap on short haul but long haul no way. I would be all cramped, cold and hungry, might as well go in luxury and get cheap accomodation.'

However, perhaps the final word should go to pyedog, who welcomed the news, writing, 'The sooner the better......just hope a round the world ticket is not too far behind.'

 

Also in April was the annoucement of the winners of the 'World's 50 Best Restaurants' award. Whilst this was far and away the most read item we've ever had on MSN Travel, not everyone thought these were the most worthy awards, with one person sending feedback that said 'This list places pretention over taste and substance. The French topping the list emphasises this.' Not wishing to nitpick, but actually, E Bulli, in the number one spot is Spanish and the UK had a pretty respectable showing with seven of the top 50 restaurants. However, it's fair to say the restaurants on the list aren't necessarily the types of establisments you'd head to for a comforting plate of beans and mash, prefering to challenge their diners with menus including items such as sardines on toast ice-cream (The Fat Duck).