Latest news with #leisure
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Winchester centre's pool partially open as roof fix continues
A main swimming pool that was shut when problems were found in the roof of a sports centre has partially 50m (164ft) eight-lane pool at Winchester Sport & Leisure Park closed temporarily just over a week Everyone Active said sessions in the main pool were "currently limited" with swimmers advised to check the centre's app or website for availability. Its 20m (66ft) teaching pool remains fully centre said repairs to the section of roofing over the main pool were ongoing and "we anticipate that we will be able to reopen more areas of the main pool later this week". The leisure centre, managed by Everyone Active in partnership with Winchester City Council on Bar End Road, opened in May 2021. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Flanagan & Gerard and Sun International to develop GrandWest Mall in Cape Town
Flanagan & Gerard Group, in partnership with Sun International, hosted the leasing launch of GrandWest Mall recently, drawing interest from more than 100 national, regional and local retailers. The enthusiastic turnout reflects strong interest in this bespoke 22,000m2 shopping centre that will form part of GrandWest and elevate convenience retail in the Western Cape. With leasing now officially underway, GrandWest Mall will build on the reputation and range of experiences at the entertainment destination. Approximately R600m will be invested in the new GrandWest Mall, which will be two-thirds owned by Flanagan & Gerard and one-third by Sun International. Following the redevelopment of the Boardwalk Mall in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, Sun International are partnering with Flanagan & Gerard again, this time through GrandWest, to bring a bespoke community retail development to the precinct to enhance its leisure and hospitality assets. Community shopping centre Flanagan & Gerard and Sun International are developing a new single-level community shopping centre which will link into GrandWest's redeveloped children's entertainment area to enhance the overall family appeal. GrandWest Mall will further enhance the shopping and entertainment for the Western Cape's local communities and regional visitors. Featuring two grocers, two pharmacies and an array of specialist food retail, the mall will cater to everyday essentials and culinary cravings. Fashion, health, beauty and athleisure retail will offer trendy options for all, while books, stationery, home décor and gifting stores will spark creativity and celebration. New eateries will enhance the popular range of family-friendly restaurants and coffee shops at GrandWest, adding more opportunities for socialising and enjoyment. With comprehensive services and a vibrant mix of offerings, GrandWest Mall is poised to become the go-to destination for convenience in the area. Sun International's CEO, Anthony Leeming, says, 'We believe that our investment in the GrandWest Mall will add enormous value to GrandWest and will become a vital asset for the broader Goodwood area. As the experience with our Boardwalk Mall in Gqeberha has proved, we have full confidence in our partner Flanagan & Gerard to deliver a world-class retail development that will enhance our GrandWest visitor experience.' Flanagan & Gerard undertake extensive research before committing to a new development, and GrandWest Mall is no exception. Paul Gerard, MD of Flanagan & Gerard, says, 'Our demographic research shows there is a very real need to create a retail centre that answers the everyday shopping needs in this community. GrandWest Mall is being carefully designed to satisfy its immediate market and regional entertainment customer. We are thrilled to be working with Sun International again and to create the ultimate shopping experience at GrandWest.' Not only will the retail mix be selected especially for locals' needs, but getting to GrandWest Mall will be convenient for those living in the area, and commuters travelling to and from work will enjoy easy, direct access from the N7, N1 and N2 highways. Grandwest Mall will offer a range of convenient on-grade parking to ensure ease of access. The development will include full backup power, protecting it against power disruptions. Resource efficiency is a key consideration for the developers and will include water-wise indigenous landscaping, waste recycling, water savings and energy efficiency by incorporating natural light into its design. The GrandWest Mall project will also boost local employment and opportunities. A development of this scale creates about 2,500 jobs during construction and roughly 2,000 permanent posts. In keeping with the team's commitment to economic development, local contractors and materials will be used wherever possible. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Travel Weekly
5 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
AAA Travel
2024 sales: $3.96 billion Previous ranking: 14 Employees: 3,878 full-time, 126 part-time 1000 AAA Drive Heathrow, FL 32746 Phone: (407) 444-8402 Website $3.96 billion143,878 full-time, 126 part-time1000 AAA DriveHeathrow, FL 32746Phone: (407) 444-8402 Executives CEO: Gene Boehm VICE PRESIDENT, TRAVEL: Stacey Barber COMPANY FACTS * Privately held. * Owned by AAA members. * Sells directly to consumers. * Sales: 95% leisure, 5% business. DEVELOPMENTS * Expanded its digital presence and tools to enhance the member experience. * Implemented an online international driving permit application. LOOKING AHEAD * Implementing a new GDS across all AAA clubs. * Launching destination-based AAA TourBook content in its TripCanvas dreaming, planning and booking tool. * Seeing strong demand for cruise and tour in first two quarters of 2025 * Expecting strong domestic demand, including tour and cruise, for the remainder of the year.
Travel Weekly
5 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Cruise Brothers
2024 sales: $191.5 million Previous ranking: 63 Employees: 55 full-time 820 Bald Hill Road Warwick, RI 02886 Phone: (401)780-0903 Website $191.5 million6355 full-time820 Bald Hill RoadWarwick, RI 02886Phone: (401)780-0903 Executives OWNER: Steven Gelfuso PRESIDENT/COO: David Accetturo CFO: Joseph Giampietro VP TECHNOLOGY: Jonathan Gelfuso VP MARKETING & PARTNERSHIPS: Steven Eidelberg COMPANY FACTS * Privately held. * Hybrid of retail direct-to-consumer and a host agency. * Works with more than 6,000 independent contractors. * 90% of sales completed by hosted advisors. * Sales: 97% leisure, 2% meetings/incentives, 1% other. * A member of Travel Leaders Network. DEVELOPMENTS * Redesigned and launched consumer website. * Launched individual websites for each agent. * Launched the CBAT University interactive tool for those new to the business. * Added team leaders to guide new agents. LOOKING AHEAD * Adding customization to agent sites with a booking tool that automatically uploads into the agent portal. * Adding several management positions and expanding the customer care department. * Automating and integrating hotel and excursion bookings into the booking tool and agent portal. * Growing the luxury segment. * Cautiously optimistic moving forward while continuing to grow revenue and clientele.
Travel Weekly
5 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Gifted Travel Network
2024 sales: $218.7 million Previous ranking: 58 Employees: 27 full-time 197 Medical Park Road, Suite 202 Mooresville, NC 28117 Phone: (704) 585-7732 Website $218.7 million5827 full-time197 Medical Park Road, Suite 202Mooresville, NC 28117Phone: (704) 585-7732 Executives CEO: Jennifer Cochrane CHIEF VISIONARY OFFICER: Meredith Calloway CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Sandy Saburn COMPANY FACTS * Host agency, a subsidiary of Trevello World Holdings, a Canadian holding company. * Works with 370 independent contractors. * 100% of sales completed by hosted advisors. * Sales: 100% leisure. * A member of Virtuoso. DEVELOPMENTS * Became a subsidiary of Trevello World Holdings on Jan. 1. * Enhanced its professional development programs and advisor tools and resources. LOOKING AHEAD * Improving internal technology as well as technology for advisors to promote efficiency. * Boosting management reporting for better real-time business analytics. * Reviewing its compensation plans for advisors and looking to optimize their offerings. * Expanding awareness of travel as a career option. * Still seeing strong growth in overall sales and transaction sizes, though the growth rate is not as rapid as what the company experienced in 2024.
