| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 15/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 48 |
| Copyright: Other |
Hanover exhibition by Susan Amos
Operators make a show of latest options for Expo
UK itineraries get a boost
TOUR operators have lined up a range of accommodation for Germany’s Expo 2000 show, putting together twin-centre breaks to encourage visitors to extend their stay beyond the exhibition in Hanover.The exhibition – which follows in the footsteps of Seville in 1992 and Lisbon in 1998 – will have humankind, nature and technology as its theme. The main draw will be the 50 national pavilions built by architects from around the globe, showing their vision of the future.
The most radical will be the Dutch stand, built in several layers, with a lake and wind-powered generators on its roof, a forest on the next level down and sand dunes below that. It represents a solution to the lack of space in Europe’s most densely populated country.
Also of note is the impressive desert fort of the United Arab Emirates; the Swiss pavilion’s futuristic maze with sound and light effects; the Japanese pavilion made out of recycled paper; the Ethiopian stand housing the oldest human skeleton excavated so far – 3.5m years old – and the handcrafted temple and pagoda from Nepal.
In the evening, when the pavilions are closed, visitors will be able to choose from a range of pop and classical music events, including a concert by German electropop artists Kraftwerk. At dusk there will be a nightly laser light and fireworks show. Other attractions include a ferris wheel, constructed half underground and half above ground, symbolising heaven and hell.
For those who want to spend the maximum amount of time taking in Expo, DER Travel Service offers three nights in Hanover in three-star accommodation with breakfast for £375 including flights from Gatwick or Heathrow to the city.
Clients who want to combine a visit to the new capital Berlin and Expo could opt for a three-night £399 package with the company.
The price includes flights from the UK to Berlin, bed-and-breakfast accommodation, a one-day ticket to Expo and a high-speed rail transfer.
DER business development manager Babette Braun said: “The new high-speed link from Berlin to Hanover takes just 90 minutes.”
Moswin Tours has spent the last three years planning for the event and has an impressive range of accommodation lined up. Managing director Marita Seth said: “We have everything from budget to five star, from self-drive to air-inclusive. It does not matter how much you’ve got to spend, we want to show that it is affordable.”
The lead-in price is a three-night break based on coach travel and budget accommodation for £245. At the other end of the scale, the operator offers a 10-day package combining Hanover with Hamburg and Berlin for £1,095, based on two people sharing four-star accommodation.
The price includes flights from Heathrow to Hanover and return flights from Berlin to the UK. Also in the deal is high-speed rail travel to Hanover and a two-day ticket to Expo. Regional departures from Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh are also available.
Neither DER nor Moswin thinks the steady stream of negative press about London’s Millennium Dome – a similar type of project – will affect the UK public’s desire to travel to Expo. Seth said: “The Millennium Dome was created on a smaller scale and for just one country. Expo is huge – it is on a global scale. I think the British visitor will want to go along as so many countries – around 190 – are participating and showing their designs for the future.”
Appliance of science: visitors to Expo 2000 will discover visions of the future in the many pavilions
Hanover:the city will play host to 50 national pavilions
Factfile
expo 2000 -Êthe info
Best month to go: July, when demand from the domestic market is expected to be at its lowest.
Worst month to go: September, as demand from the domestic market will be at its highest.
How to get there: Cityflyer from Gatwick to Hanover; British Regional Airlines from Manchester to Hanover; BA from Glasgow to Hanover via Birmingham; British Midland/Lufthansa codeshare from Heathrow to Hanover; Lufthansa from Stansted to Hanover; Lufthansa from Manchester to Hanover; Eurolines coaches from London to Hanover; also many regional departures, including Manchester to Hanover.
Visitors expected: 20m people visiting for two days.
Number of daily visitors: 300,000 (80% of these expected to be German).
Estimated cost of Expo: £1.1bn.
UKsales agents: Moswin Tours, DER Travel Service, German Travel Centre, Scandinavian Seaways, Travelscene, Eurolines, Kuoni and Groupways Leisure.
Sample package: German Travel Centre offers a one-night break in a three-star hotel in Hamburg with breakfast for £190. The deal includes an adult entry ticket to Expo and return train travel from Hamburg to Expo, which is a 50min journey.