British government offers £1m prize to encourage heritage railway tourism
The British government has launched a £1m (US$1.4m, €1.3m) competition open to rail and heritage rail operators in an attempt to encourage more tourists to use the UK’s railways.
Set up by the Department for Transport, the competition offers grants to rail operators to fund innovative ideas and is aimed particularly at the nation’s heritage railways and community rail partnerships (CRPs).
The majority of heritage railways are located outside the capital, with a key objective of the competition to encourage overseas tourists to travel to destinations beyond London. According to government statistics, around 10 million people visit heritage railways in the UK every year, with the sector thought to be worth around £250m (US$352m, €323m) to the nation's economy.
The UK’s community rail lines – lines and stations supported by local organisations, usually through CRPs – account for around 40 million journeys each year, mostly in rural areas which use rail lines to support tourism.
The government expects the competition to generate around 20 winners, with grants ranging from £25,000 (US$35,000, €32,000) to £75,000 (US$106,000, €97,000) to develop winning ideas.
“We want more tourists to experience the best of Britain beyond the capital and help boost local economies across the country,” said tourism and heritage minister, David Evennett. “Heritage railways are a huge draw for tourists and this competition will encourage more visitors to see some of the hidden gems this country has to offer.”
Entries for the competition must be submitted by 4 April, with a pitching event taking place in London on 10 May.
heritage railway department for transport David Evennett Flying Scotsman train locomotive steam engineFlying Scotsman ready to ride the rails after £4.2m restoration
Cuba celebrates rail heritage by restoring 40 locomotives for grand exhibition
Thomas ‘key’ to the survival of heritage railways
Southwest rail reconnected to rest of UK after £50m storm damage
Mail Rail plans get the green light
Steam-train centre to get new attraction
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Bionic leaves, breathable metals and selfgrowing bricks... Biomimicry in architecture has come a long way. Christopher DeWolf takes a look at the latest advances