howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
19 January 2011
20:1289598in a poll of travellers the number one in ranelagh road deal was named 5th best bed and breakfast in the world.
the winner was based in the scottish highlands and one in tuscany came second, a whole host of countries had establishments placed.
sadly no mention of our new 15 quid a night one in the folkestone road.
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
19 January 2011
20:3789601Great result for local B&Bs. Of course what we really need is some five star hotels to attract business travellers and those high-spending cruise line passengers. Some more family orientated accommodation, e.g. Centre Parcs, would also be a real boon to the tourism economy. That way we would develop the tourism offer beyond the day trip or overnight stay.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
19 January 2011
21:2689603hopefully the the new "dover marine" hotel will cater for the cruise passengers kevin.
i don't see anythnig happening over tourism, it is hardly budgeted for and there seems to be no great joint effort from agencies.
the last couple of years has seen an increase in overseas visitors to the town, but as few if any local businesses accept the dollar or euro, or even have a sign outside welcoming visitors then we canot expect much.
19 January 2011
21:4489604It is simply outrageous that local councils and reps do not promote Dover effectively. Tourism could be huge - Dover has so much to offer.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
19 January 2011
21:5489605Just a thought of mine, but I estimate that cruise-liners calling in at Dover have rooms on board for all their passengers. The room, with bed and shower, is probably included in the price.
It might just be that even breakfast, dinner and supper are included in the ticket, but one would have to check with Olsen on this to be sure.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
20 January 2011
08:0089628All cruise liners have the "fully inclusive" - apart from drinks Alexander.
Congratulations to the one in Deal.
I appreciate that not every B & B/Guest House in the World was visited, but it is still a great accolade for them.
I'm not going to run down the Tourism Manager here as he is a very good guy, a very hard-working man who does more than most to try and promote Dover, but there is always more that could be done.
Initiatives to smarten up the Town should be made - a good task for the Dover Chamber's Business Support Manager, if he's still there ?
Working on making the market a success for one - is it still going ?
Run-down buildings - writing to the owners about them.
More litter bins and more enforcement on litter and dog-poo etc.
More flowers
More police presence to stop cars driving into the Market Square and then up Cannon Street and Biggin Street - applies to cyclists too of course.
Cleaning schedule for chewing-gum removal.
Some small things, but together they will make the Town look more attractive
I know I've spoken about Group Travel (many times), but this is still very important and something we should be into, in a proper business-like way, but no one is prepared to do it.
We have so much here it's a crime we don't promote it properly.
A travel guide recently described Deal as "delightful", then went on to say about "Dodgy Dover seven miles down the road". Not good.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 January 2011
10:3089648i don't know who organised the poll but there were no official visits, only responses from travellers that used them.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
20 January 2011
10:3789650A good Euro Conference Centre on the disused DTIZ site maybe an idea for bringing in expenses paid top and middle management type courses.Good road,rail and ferry links plus cheaper rates than London (hopefully) would attract some serious money to the town.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
20 January 2011
13:0089657Now that is one of the best ideas I have seen in a while!! Conference centres turn over a huge amount and we are really well placed. Nice one Marek!
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
20 January 2011
16:4389670Yes that is a good one Marek but we are back to who would raise the investment. There is a group currently working on behalf of DDC searching for a replacement for ASDA. Gawd my oul brain is going..can anyone remember their name? ..Gosh - but anyway these people are scouring the known earth looking for takers to replace ASDA....so far without success as we know. I wonder if they have looked at such an option.
Just to go back to the poll and how they reach their conclusion. I use Booking.com to book holiday hotels and it always works well for me... after each visit they ask me to volunteer an assessment of the hotel which I mostly do. Thousands do it for the website over time...and this is how they reach these conclusions. Overall its quite effective..cuts through some of the brochure baloney like "3 minutes from beach!!"
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 January 2011
17:1989674there are hopes for a hotel/conference centre up at the western heights in the future.
a much better location in my book, would attract lot of corporate interest.
with the dtiz there has been talk of moving the town centre and football club there.
just have to wait for the developers to come up with a plan.
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
21 January 2011
19:5489843The point about the passengers off the cruise ships is that US visitors in particular often add on a hotel stay before or after their cruise. If we're serious about developing the tourism industry, and getting more people to visit the town centre, then we need a high quality hotel.
I think a conference centre and hotel on the Western Heights would be fantastic. Sympathetically done, it could really put Dover on the map. That's exactly the sort of vision - or grand project - that Dover needs.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
21 January 2011
20:0189845i think the churchill is more suitable for the cruise passengers, i envisage that the proposed conference centre/hotel on the western heights will be for business people either for conferences or as a reward for good performance at a blue chip company.
Unregistered User
21 January 2011
20:5589849Why not go back to renaiming the White Cliffs Hotel , people knew it as that.
Has much more clout.
Or have they lost the name to the old Cliffe Tavern at St.Margaret's who appear to have pinched it.
Watty
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
21 January 2011
21:0389852Yas I again with what Mr Watkins is saying,it should be called the White Cliffs Hotel, it would be then the right hotel,in the right place,with the right name.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
21 January 2011
21:2989860no chance!!
having two "white cliffs hotels" within 4 miles of each other would cause confusion and drive visitors mad.
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
21 January 2011
21:3689862Reminds me of the time I arrived at LA airport and had to find the Ramada Hotel I'd booked. They were all Ramada Hotels! Took me ages to find the right one.....
Unregistered User
21 January 2011
21:3789863Yes,Howard but the original would have more kudos.
Well done the Oakley's at St Margaret's for making the running.
Watty
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
21 January 2011
21:4189865Of course, Dover Marina Hotel will be the perfect name if, and when, the marina is moved from its present location to the outer harbour....
