Sniff! Ah, Yes, That's Blackpool All Right
Sun Herald
Sunday January 26, 1997
TOURISM chiefs in Blackpool, England, are giving away brochures that smell like seaside rock from the resort.
They hope the smelly brochures will banish winter depression and bring back memories of happy holidays.
Minty aromatherapy oil has been impregnated into the pages in a bid to combat seasonal affective disorder, which leaves an estimated one million people gloomy and lethargic during winter.
The brochures will be given away at holiday exhibitions and through the post. Head of tourism Jane Seddon said: "The minty smell of Blackpool rock is one that stays with us from childhood, bringing back happy memories.
"Although there is no hard medical evidence to support our research, we have found the brochure, with its evocative scent and photographs of good times on sunny days, produces a feel-good factor."
KEEP YOUR SHIRT ON
MASSAGES are supposed to relax you, not stress you out. But Ansett reports that some shy and retiring visitors to the Golden Wing lounge have been a little reluctant to try out the new massage service.
"Do I have to take my clothes off?" they squeak nervously to club staff.
The answer, says Ansett, is no. Customers who have availed themselves of the hand, neck and shoulder massages have not had to disrobe and have given the service the (de-stressed) thumbs up. Massages cost $20 per quarter hour and can be booked at the lounge or by calling (03) 9623 5003.
INSEINE ABOUT POM PUBS
IF you thought no-one could like warm English beer, think again. The French love the brew so much that the Frog and Rosbif, the first English pub and brewery in Paris, has spawned a daughter. Pints are now being pulled by the score in The Frog and Princess, in the French capital's trendy St Germain des Pres area.
Both the new pub and the Frog and Rosbif brew on the premises and serve beers with tongue-in-cheek names such as Inseine, Parislytic, Dark de Triomphe, and Raspberet.
QUIET DOWN THE BACK!
FIRST-class passengers on Singapore Airlines are being offered "superior" quality headphones. Apparently the new ones allow passengers to enjoy "crystal clear" sound by electronically "neutralising any unwanted background noise". That means you and me and the rest of the rabble down in economy.
WHEN ONLY THE BEST WILL DO
BRITISH restaurant critic Egon Ronay is forming a society to protect the rights of top international travellers to excellent food and service.
The group, which boasts members including Alan Whicker, Lord Archer and British Airways president Lord King, will hold its inaugural dinner at London's Dorchester Hotel next month.
For an annual fee of ?240 ($518) members of Egon Ronay's Inner Circle will be given the password to an Internet site where they will contribute to and read a "barometer of satisfaction" detailing fellow-members' experiences at the world's top watering holes.
The critic, who has become the scourge of the soggy chip and limp lettuce since launching his restaurant guide in 1957, plans to tailor his existing World Wide Web site to the needs of his high-fliers.
The new scheme will cover every aspect of airline, restaurant and hotel service and is designed to help movers and shakers plan their journeys around the globe with gastronomic peace of mind.
© 1997 Sun Herald