The stats are in – these are the news stories that attracted the most attention on the Group Leisure website in 2016.
10. Man City Football Club launches new stadium packages for groups
This story broke on the Group Leisure website on 25th March and revealed the details of three new stadium and club tour packages for groups at Ethiad Stadium. These included an afternoon tea package and the chance to take a tour with a club insider like a photographer or sports psychologist.
9. Opening date announced for PortAventura’s Ferrari Land
This summer story unveiled the April 2017 opening date for Ferrari Land in Spain’s PortAventura theme park. It also outlined what would be available at the new attraction, including a 570 metre racing track and 55-metre vertical drop thrill ride.
8. Colours of Cluny sound and light show revealed for Cluny Hill
The eighth most popular news story of 2016 was about Cluny Hill’s brand new sound and light show, which was scheduled for November. The show combined special effects and illuminations to light up Nelson’s Tower after dark.
Just like the news story, the show was a success and it will return for the second time in 2017.
Pictured: Cluny Hill
7. Port Lympne confirms spring opening for new dinosaur attraction
On 9th January the news that Port Lympne was planning on opening a dinosaur themed attraction hit the Group Leisure headlines. The story explained how more than 100 life-size dinosaur models would be displayed in their own Jurassic Kingdom to coincide with the park’s 40th birthday celebrations.
6. Stones in His Pockets tour will celebrate 20th anniversary
Published in January, this story revealed the tour dates for the 20th anniversary production of Stones in His Pockets – a comedy in which two performers play an eclectic cast of characters. The story detailed all the venues on the tour circuit and updated readers about the plot.
5. Flying Scotsman to visit Harringworth this summer
This story detailed how the iconic Flying Scotsman locomotive would make a journey over the Harringworth Viaduct in June 2016. It was published in lieu of the announcement that the £4.2 million ten-year restoration of the locomotive had been completed.
4. The best in group travel recognised at Group Leisure Awards 2016
The big reveal of the winners of the annual Group Leisure Awards is always a popular news story on the Group Leisure website and 2016 was no exception. The story broke the news of 21 award winners to readers who couldn’t make it to the ceremony in person.
3. Vertigo Adventures to open in Welwyn Garden City
Going live in June, this story unveiled the details of Welwyn Garden City’s new aerial ropes course. It explained how the course was expected to be one of the toughest of its type in the UK, featuring zip wires, plunges and a 40-foot Hawk’s View challenge with its own Trapeeze Walk.
Pictured: Cast of Aladdin pantomime
2. Aladdin pantomime: all-star cast announced
The second-most read news story of 2016 explained how Sherrie Hewson, John Thomson, Ben Adams and Eric Potts had been confirmed to star in Aladdin at Manchester Opera House during Christmas 2016. It featured a quote from Sherrie about how much she was looking forward to her role.
1. Sky Safari: Longleat announces details of hot air balloon festival
The most popular news story of 2016 announced the dates for Longleat’s first hot air balloon festival. It explained how groups attending the festival would be able to witness mass ascensions of 50 hot air balloons, twice a day, between 16th and 18th September.
