Author: admin
China Climbing Blog
Calling all Climbers: We’re going to China! We’re launching a brand-new China Climbing tour for November 2019 and we want you to be a part of it. Climbing is set to make its debut at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and is an ever-growing pastime in the UK and across the world. Over 100,000 people […]
No tickets? No problem. Don’t let it stop your Japan Rugby World Cup adventure…
[text_output] No tickets? No problem. Don’t let it stop your Japan Rugby World Cup adventure… [/text_output][gap size=”1.313em”][text_output]You did everything right, you knew the release time, you logged in poised to take your place at the front of the queue, a smug glow inside as you think of those less savvy than yourself. Then you double take as you find yourself peering over the shoulder of the thousands in front of you. You’ve been left empty handed and there’s nothing you can do about it. That’s Japan cancelled then. Well, we don’t agree. We’re here to help you find a way to turn the tables on those who elbowed their way through cyberspace to the front of the line. They might get the games they want, but there’s so much more to a tournament than just the rugby. Check out this amazing video demonstrating the nightlife and culture to be found in Shizuoka. There’s atmosphere-a-plenty to be soaked up and we want to turn you into the proverbial sponge capable of doing so.[/text_output][text_output][/text_output][text_output]We’ve put together an itinerary that will throw you head first into a world of sushi, sake and Shinkansens (bullet trains to you and I), that will ferry you to top class rugby in world class venues.[/text_output][text_output]There’s a chance to take in South Africa V Italy in Shizuoka on the 4th October. South Africa V Canada on the 8th in Kobe, just a short Shinkansen (try saying that quickly) ride from Osaka, or Australia V Georgia on the 11th in Shizuoka. Suddenly it’s not all doom and gloom, maybe Japan doesn’t need to be cancelled after all![/text_output][text_output]We’ve done our research on the best fixtures still to offer tickets, the best routes, hotels, venues and more. So let us help you plan the trip of a lifetime to Japan, get you to some top class matches of international rugby and help put a smile back on your face by exploring this incredible country with the support of MSG Tours! Please note: None of the trips or tours contain match tickets for the Rugby World Cup™. Our itineraries are designed to work around your match tickets. We are not affiliated to Rugby World Cup™ and have no association with the tournament [/text_output]
Japan 2019…what’s next
So your patience has paid off. Those hours banging your head against the wall as you crept from 99,891st in the queue all the way to confirming that payment have borne fruit. You’ve shattered 2 laptops and an ipad in response to scheduled maintenance on the website and your dog pulling out the charger but it’s […]
Introducing Mike Hendey | The Editor
[text_output] INTRODUCING MIKE HENDEY [/text_output][text_output] Fresh from the wonders of the far-east, Mike explains what drew him to MSG Tours [/text_output][text_output] It’s always daunting, stepping into an office on your first day. It didn’t help that I’d also been away from an office for the past 14 months. Where do you sit? When do you offer to make a brew? What is everyone thinking about the new guy? How do you turn on this stupid computer? I’m a week in now, have switched on the computer several times (by myself) and today received a detailed tutorial on how to make coffee to MSG standards (no mean feat when your boss’ alias is ‘The Barista’), so all is going well. Firstly a little on my background. I’ve worked in travel for around 8 years now in one capacity or another. It’s taken me to some weird and wonderful places and introduced me to some fantastic people. I began by working overseas as an English teacher in Chengdu, China. On my return I fortuitously stumbled into a job assembling round the world trips for excited back packers at STA Travel. Next followed a stint arranging event weekends (particularly hen and stag dos) before my love for China overcame me and I found myself back out east guiding for tour groups in Yangshuo. Below: Mike working with local masons in Nepal for All Hands and Hearts, helping to rebuild schools following the devastating earthquake in 2015[/text_output][image type=”thumbnail” src=”18871″ alt=” href=” title=” info_content=” lightbox_caption=” id=” class=” style=”][text_output] Sadly I couldn’t sustain the pace my party loving tour groups set so I decided to give my body a rest by returning to England and beginning work arranging educational tours for school groups. After two years of both operating and selling these trips, I decided I wanted to try educating them myself, I mean how hard can it be? Absolutely exhausting is the answer as it turns out. So it was bags packed again as I began work once more in the far east as an Outdoor Educator. Primarily it involved teaching kids, through activities and team challenges, how to communicate and develop social confidence. Long days, lots of noisy students, hundreds of flights all over China but an incredible and eye-opening experience that took me to every corner of that amazing country. [/text_output][image type=”rounded” float=”left” info=”popover” info_place=”right” info_trigger=”hover” src=”18866″ alt=”Mike and his team on tour in the deserts of Inner Mongolia ” href=” title=”Mike and his team on tour in the deserts of Inner Mongolia ” info_content=”Mike and his team on tour in the deserts of Inner Mongolia ” lightbox_caption=” id=” class=” style=”][text_output]Above: Mike and his team on tour in the deserts of Inner Mongolia[/text_output][text_output] So I’ve got a fairly broad background across a range of areas. Which is what has led me to this new adventure at MSG Tours. The company’s ethos of Delivering the Unexpected is exactly what I have always tried to do. I love the idea of taking your average tour and finding ways to make it stand out from the crowd. There is so much of the same out there to choose from that I’m privileged to represent a company who want to do things a little differently. I’m also that guy who claims ‘I could have made it’ when it comes to football having been involved with Nottingham Forest and Leicester City as a lad. Sadly it wasn’t to be but I have maintained a love and passion for the game that I know will translate into our sports product. So here’s to 2019 and the beginning of an exciting chapter with MSG Tours! [/text_output]
Combine your next school rugby tour with the 2021 Lions
Combine your next school rugby tour with a famous sporting pilgrimage in South Africa [text_output]Combine your 2021 long-haul school rugby tour with the opportunity to witness one of the most iconic sporting events. Why not join our tours in South Africa and watch the cream of the crop from the northern hemisphere take on the best of the Rainbow Nation whilst testing your school’s sporting pedigree and prowess in one of the most beautiful settings on the planet. South Africa offers a unique and unrivalled challenge both on and off the field and there seems no better way to prepare for yourself for the 2021 season whilst also having the chance to watch the very best the northern hemisphere have to offer against the SA’s strongest provincial teams. Internationally agreed as the toughest place to gain a victory, our rugby tours to South Africa guarantee redolent memories for life in a land that is second only to New Zealand for 100% rugby dedication. Twice winners of the Rugby World Cup in 1995 and 2007, local South African competition is a perfect challenge for your team to play against. Seemingly built of granite, players here provide an unrivalled physical test. Add to that a reputation for fast and flowing rugby and you have got a schedule that is demanding to the word and guaranteed to test every sinew as you snake through this majestic country. Is there a better land for R&R activities? From an overnight safari to diving with sharks, the adrenaline continues to pump as you explore the provinces, each competing with each other for innovation and sheer value for money. Everyone loves it here and you’ll seldom want to return home from a school rugby tour to South Africa. Not just that, but your pupils will have the chance to make their impact off the field with ‘social impact’, charity and philanthropic ventures away from the rugby. MSG Tours will facilitate the chance for students to make a very real difference through our partnerships with ‘Waves for Change’ in Muizenberg or by giving something to those less fortunate than ourselves in local townships through coaching and education initiatives. This trip will have everything: the ultimate rugby test, the chance to see the northern hemisphere’s best players embark on a sporting challenge like no other, cultural experiences that will live with you forever and the chance to change students’ lives forever through your tour planning and leadership. With schools already registered with MSG for 2021 tours, our forthcoming inspection trip (likely summer 2019) takes in the regions of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Sun City, Port Elizabeth, the Garden Route and Cape Town whilst giving teaching staff the opportunity to complete all required internal health and safety criteria. Email me (stuart@msgtours.com) for further information on the inspection trip, 2021 South Africa touring packages or any other school touring requirements.[/text_output]
Sporting Saturday 2018 Highlights
Whilst a picture paints a thousand words, there’s no substitute for capturing a great event through video. MSG’s Sporting Saturday 2018, sponsored by British Airways and Catapult, returned to Cardiff’s Radisson Blu to celebrate our 3rd birthday and the airline’s new direct routes to Durban and Osaka. Here are some highlights of a superb day […]
Sporting Saturday 2018
Sporting Saturday 2018 What a day and what an autumn! We turned three, Wales went four from four and five top speakers joined us for Sporting Saturday at Cardiff’s magnificent Radisson Blu, sponsored this year by British Airways. Old friends mixed with new, renewing touring fables from lands as far apart as Argentina and Auckland. Some lucky […]
Prep School Sports Tour Report
Our European office in Bayonne has welcome some of the country’s leading Prep Schools to the Basque region over the past year for rugby, football and hockey tours. Our activities have incorporated visits to the iconic San Mames stadium (home to Athletic Bilbao, and venue for the European Rugby Champions Cup Final between Racing Club Paris and […]
MSG Tours Ltd records market-leading NPS score
#deliveringtheunexpected 2018 Customer Service Success for MSG We are delighted at our recently released, outstanding NPS® customer service reports obtained through client feedback questionnaires. Whilst many recognised businesses celebrate their gains on what appears on the bottom line, our focus has – and always will – be centered on advocacy and building a loyal […]
