Dateline Monday 11th November 2024

Hello again it’s me David of MM and Company so yes you have guessed it must be Monday morning; I hope you are well and that you had a great weekend. I had a wonderful weekend, my Leyla came home on Friday afternoon for a bit of TLC, cuddles in a warm centrally heated house and chicken soup but more of that later in the email.

Low and behold what is that golden, gleaming orb in the sky beaming down from up high, is it an alien spacecraft visiting us from a galaxy far, far away I must take advice. OMG I am told it is the long lost SUN that disappeared ten days ago. It’s got chilly, last week it was once again overcast, no sunshine whatsoever. The forecast told us we might see the sun and here it is, I will now go to back to Boots and return the several packs of vitamin D tabs I purchased.

Today is 11th November, on this day November 11th, 1918, at 11 o’clock in the morning an armistice was signed between the Germans and the Allies, ending World War I. Yesterday was Remembrance Sunday where the great and good together with thousands of serving men and women and ex service men and women as well as their descendants gather to remember those brave people that served the Nation but sadly did not return, they  gave up their todays for our tomorrows.

Fireworks night was long ago but on Saturday night fireworks were still going off in our leafless neighbourhood, actually NW6 is not leafless the trees have almost lost all their leaves, but they lay strewn, forlorn and piled high on the streets unloved and uncollected by the local government to whom we pay huge taxes.

Selfridge’s Christmas windows are all dressed for the season of good will, giving, and spending as yet I have not seen the Harrods or Fortnum and Masons windows that’s this week’s task.

Soap box time

Today is ONE YEAR and 42 days or to put it another way yesterday was the 400th day the hostages wrenched violently from their homes, streets fields and places of leisure in Israel and taken to be held hostage as pawns of war in the terror tunnels in Gaza. Israeli babies, toddlers, children, teens, women, men, seniors and other nationalities have been held captive by a group of evil blood thirsty barbaric terrorists called Hamas. Yet again Hamas have proved the old adage that “you simply cannot negotiate with terrorists”, again and again Hamas have rejected ceasefire deals so much so that the USA have said “it’s enough” and told their allies Qatar to get rid of the Hamas vermin that have been stinking their country, seems like these gutless terrorists will be floating downstream similar to the jetsam and flotsam contents of sewars to a beautiful country led by another megalomanic nutter dictator. 

Off the soap box now

I went to World Travel Market last Tuesday always good to see what is going on in the leisure side of our industry, I met a few of the DMCs MM and Company represent and recommend that have leisure divisions I also met up with a few great induxtry friends who were also at WTM

Congratulations to USA President Elect Donald Trump I totally realise to some people this is bad news now I get that however, and I believe this is an important, President Trump was elected in 2018 he knew nothing about being leader of the free world, eight years later I believe will be a different President Trump due to take office in January 2025, he is older yes and I am certain wiser, for sure he is more a more experienced President having done the job for four years and having learnt on the job, as the saying goes time will tell.

Football is a strange old game Manchester City riding so high for several years consistently doing so well in all competitions do not seem to be doing so well this season it is early days but they already have a lot of work to do to regain their dominant position in the Premiere League.  

Finally allow me to send my warm wishes to Queen Camila and to wish her a full and speedy recovery.

That is about it from a David point of view for this week at least.

 MM and Company news update

Amsterdam

Alexandra, Andreas and the team at DELTA DMC Amsterdam have told us that Eurostar has announced that its direct train services from Amsterdam to London will resume operating from mid-February. Eurostar has been forced to operate services from Amsterdam to London via Brussels since June due to the redevelopment of Amsterdam’s Central station. The cross-border train operator has now revealed the return of the direct Amsterdam-London service from 10 February 2025 following the completion of the new terminal in Amsterdam. The train operator will also continue to serve routes from Amsterdam to Paris and Brussels. Currently Eurostar’s Amsterdam-London services include a 48-minute stop in Brussels Midi/Zuid station to carry out formalities such as passenger processing and customs checks.

Florida

Clem and the team at C Florida Hospitality have told us that today is Veterans’ Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States

Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, a U.S. public holiday in May: Veterans Day commemorates the service of all U.S. veterans, while Memorial Day specifically honours those who have died while in military service. Another military holiday that also occurs in May, Armed Forces Day, honours those currently serving in the U.S. military. Additionally, Women Veterans Day is recognized by a growing number of U.S. states that specifically honour women who have served in the U.S. military.

Greece

Nassos and the team at AME DMC Greece have told us that the Mykonos has a brand-new beachside resort, the Four Seasons will welcome its first guests in summer 2025. Located along the coastline of Kalo Livadi Bay, Four Seasons Resort Mykonos, Greece will offer 94 spacious rooms, villas and suites with exquisite views of the Aegean Sea spanning from the sandy beaches to the picturesque coastal cliffs. Mykonos is best known for its wide variety of white sand beaches, cobblestone streets lined with bright bougainvillea in the capital of Chora, historical and cultural sites, and an extensive culinary scene. Four Seasons Resort Mykonos, Greece joins the existing Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, which can be accessed via Mykonos by ferry or a short flight.

IBTM Barcelona 19th – 21st November 2024

It’s never too early to tell you that the following MM and Company represented DMCs have told us that they will be at IBTM :-

Hello Islands DMC Mauritius Stand M24

The J Team DMC Japan

TRAVCO DMC Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman will be exhibiting this year on the Abu Dhabi stand at IBTM World. Stand number K70.

Mi Malta DMC team of Doug and Erika will be on the Malta stand B60

The MM and Company DMC news is a bit thin on the ground as the DMCs we are proud to represent are full on delivering outstanding events after all now is the conference season.

 And that is about it, you are now totally up to date, wishing you a terrific week ahead.