Latest news with #SuzanneJenkins
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Dunedin named best peaceful getaway in Asia-Pacific
Forget places with hot and steamy climates. Dunedin has been named the best tourist destination in the Asia-Pacific for a peaceful getaway, despite struggling to reach double-digit temperatures at this time of year. Luggage storage network has analysed a raft of factors — population density, noise and light pollution, cleanliness, green spaces and park quality, spa and wellness facilities, and rental property reviews — in cities across the region, and found Dunedin city is number one, with a score of 6.60 out of 10. Close behind for peace and tranquillity were Pokhara, Nepal (6.55); Koh Samui, Thailand (6.5); Siem Reap, Cambodia (6.3); and Singapore and Wellington tied for 5th-equal on 6.26 out of 10. Also in the top 10 were Dubai, United Arab Emirates (6.11); Perth and Brisbane (6.01); and Melbourne (5.77). A spokeswoman said Dunedin took the top spot because its scores for noise and light pollution, and green spaces and parks quality were the best on the list, with 19.64 and 87.50, respectively. "The high quality of rental properties and their low population density also significantly contributed to Dunedin's first-place ranking. "Dunedin's combination of urban charm and natural beauty exuberates relaxation, with St Clair Beach one of many examples of golden sand and white-tipped waves. "There aren't many cities in the world where you can relax on beaches, explore iconic architecture, and meet penguins all in one day. "Blue Penguins Pukekura is one Dunedin's best options if you want to see some penguins." Otago Peninsula Trust eco-tourism manager Hoani Langsbury said it was fantastic recognition. "I'm not surprised by this, because when I've compared our data from people who have visited the city and the peninsula, against Queenstown and other inbound locations, we've actually performed a lot better than some of those other places. "So it's nice to be finally recognised. "And I'd like to think that us being the wildlife capital of New Zealand, and the Wild Dunedin Festival that we've run for 10 years, has something to do with that recognition." Enterprise Dunedin finance and operations manager Suzanne Jenkins said the recognition added "another string to the city's bow". "We couldn't be happier. "The city takes pride in maintaining a clean environment, providing high-quality green spaces and parks, and our investment in new LED lighting. "These initiatives not only enhance the quality of life for residents, but also make Dunedin an attractive destination for visitors." The spokeswoman said wellness tourism had boomed over the past decade and more than 800million international and domestic trips were estimated to have occurred in 2022. "By 2027, this figure is expected to double, with a projected 1.6billion wellness tourism trips expected to take place." She said a relaxing getaway — or "calm-cation" — meant different things to different people. "These stress-relieving trips aim to improve a person's mental and physical health, whether that's relaxing on the beach with a book or hiking a challenging trail for a breathtaking view. "Whatever way you choose to relax, a clean, laid-back city can dramatically improve your wellness calm-cation."
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans to revive landmark Sidmouth hotel rejected
Plans to revive the fortunes of a Sidmouth hotel have been unanimously rejected by East Devon District Council (EDDC). The scheme for the Grade II-listed Richmond Hotel, in Elysian Fields, included plans to split the site into residential accommodation and a wedding and music venue. The applicant, Richmond Estates Sidmouth, wanted to sell the residential properties to help fund renovation works elsewhere in the building. However, planners unanimously turned down the proposals mainly due to concerns about protecting heritage. Planners also noted objection from Historic England which stated that it would refer the matter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government if the scheme was approved. The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the plans were rejected despite public support for the proposal. Councillor Ian Barlow said: "I have sympathy with the applicant but we can't go against not only our officers, even though we sometimes do, and then go against Homes England too, who are the experts." Suzanne Jenkins, from Richmond Estates Sidmouth, said: "We have spent the past year trying to find the £4.5m needed to repair the years of neglect. "We consider this application a last chance for the building before the repairs become even more uneconomical," she added. The Richmond Hotel, officially called Sidholme, was originally constructed in 1823 and overlooks Sidmouth. It includes a ballroom, constructed by the 6th Earl of Buckinghamshire, Augustus Edward Hobart-Hampden and an annexe, built as a laboratory early in the last century by the engineer Frederick Lindemann, who became Winston Churchill's key scientific adviser during World War II. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Devon hotel sold for £3.5m to 'overseas investor' East Devon District Council Historic England
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plans to revive landmark Devon hotel rejected
Plans to revive the fortunes of a Sidmouth hotel have been unanimously rejected by East Devon District Council (EDDC).The scheme for the Grade II-listed Richmond Hotel, in Elysian Fields, included plans to split the site into residential accommodation and a wedding and music applicant, Richmond Estates Sidmouth, wanted to sell the residential properties to help fund renovation works elsewhere in the planners unanimously turned down the proposals mainly due to concerns about protecting heritage. 'Years of neglect' Planners also noted objection from Historic England which stated that it would refer the matter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government if the scheme was Local Democracy Reporting Service said the plans were rejected despite public support for the Ian Barlow said: "I have sympathy with the applicant but we can't go against not only our officers, even though we sometimes do, and then go against Homes England too, who are the experts."Suzanne Jenkins, from Richmond Estates Sidmouth, said: "We have spent the past year trying to find the £4.5m needed to repair the years of neglect."We consider this application a last chance for the building before the repairs become even more uneconomical," she added. The Richmond Hotel, officially called Sidholme, was originally constructed in 1823 and overlooks includes a ballroom, constructed by the 6th Earl of Buckinghamshire, Augustus Edward Hobart-Hampden and an annexe, built as a laboratory early in the last century by the engineer Frederick Lindemann, who became Winston Churchill's key scientific adviser during World War II.
