Winter Sun - Travel Bulletin

Transcription

TB1508 2014 Cover_TB Front Cover.qxd 8/13/2014 10:26 AM Page 1
August 15 2014 | ISSUE NO 1,884 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk
Winter Sun
Entice your clients to book
an escape with new deals
& destinations
DON’T
M I SS. . .
All Abo
Luxu
ut
August
Your o
n
e-stop
2014
ry
to all th
e latest
news
in Luxu and develop
ments
ry Holid
ays
with th
guide
Produced
by
www.t
ravelb
ulle
i s i ss u e
tin.co.uk
this week
puzzle bulletin
play Su Doku for a chance to
win a £50 M&S voucher
11
12
bulletin briefing
ANTOR directors of tourism
offer autumn booking tips for
agents
training
new online modules, agent
incentives & events
uk airports
a round-up of the
latest news &
developments
15
19
S01 TB1508 Start_Layout 1 8/13/2014 2:14 PM Page 2
newsbulletin
Superbreak
launches Jersey
Boys short breaks
in Edinburgh
BIRTHDAY BASH...Avro Flights recently celebrated its 30th anniversary at its Bromley office in Kent, with a red, white
and blue themed day to coincide with last month's American Independence Day. Pictured enjoying the celebrations are
the team - from the left: (back row) Sharon McKenna, Josh Gregory and Richard Burke with (front row) Roshni Patel,
Michael Vinales, Tracey White, Carolyn Roberts and Neil Payne.
Cover Pictures: Main - Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Inset - Bristol Airport
This Week
news
3
8
horizon brighter for UK
tourism & leisure sectors,
says MHA
10
agent bulletin
9
notes from normanton
11
agent review
15
bulletin briefing
12
18
19
23
Sandy enjoys a day at the
races with TIPTO
agent fam trip offers &
incentives
what one agent thought of
her fam to Saint Lucia
puzzle bulletin
play Su Doku for your
chance to win a voucher
the latest booking tips from
ANTOR
training
a round-up of new online
modules, agent
incentives & events
personality bulletin
Audrey Singh from
Sandals is in the hot seat
this week
uk airports
a round-up of the latest
news & developments
winter sun
operators boost
programmes with new
destinations and hotels
www.travelbulletin.co.uk
Horizon brighter for UK tourism &
leisure sectors, says MHA
AROUND ONE third of staff working in guest houses,
hotels, restaurants and pubs are now employed on zero
hours contracts, according to the latest Travel & Tourism
Survey conducted by MHA, a UK-wide association of
chartered accountants and business advisors.
Yet, despite the flexibility that this arrangement offers
employers, more than 60% of these staff regularly work 20
hours or more – with more than three quarters of these
routinely employed for 40 hours per week.
The survey paints a picture of an industry starting to
benefit from an upturn in trading conditions, with 56%
reporting improved profitability in the last 12 months and
58% predicting that 2014 will be better still. However, 50%
cited turnover either stagnant or growing by less than 5%
over the last 12 months.
The association's head of travel and leisure, Andrew
Burnham, said: “The travel and tourism sector is emerging
from a sustained period of low growth, but with
discretionary spending improving across the economy as a
whole, the hope is that – weather permitting – the year
ahead will see the return of profitability capable of
supporting future investment plans.
“One indicator of this growing confidence is the number
of employees working extended hours on zero hours
contracts – this sector was always going to be an adopter
of this employment option, but the numbers working what
might be considered a ‘standard’ working week suggest
that this arrangement is working for both parties.”
Almost a quarter of the operators covered by the survey
look set to increase investment this year in premises
refurbishment, while 16% will be spending more on
marketing – particularly social media – to support
business development.
AGENTS IN Scotland can
now book packages to see
the musical Jersey Boys at
Edinburgh’s Playhouse. The
show arrives this autumn
for a short 17-night run
from October 8 to October
24. The show is embarking
on its first UK and Ireland
tour and these are the only
Edinburgh dates on sale.
The operator has launched
packages that include
overnight accommodation
and tickets to see the
musical.
Graham Balmforth, the
company’s national sales
manager, said: “Jersey Boys
has not been to Scotland
before and we expect this
show to draw customers
from a huge catchment.
Agents have a real
opportunity to generate
interest and sales. This will
undoubtedly be one of the
hottest theatre tickets of
2014. Agents shouldn’t
underestimate how popular
Jersey Boys is – it has been
seen by over 19 million
people worldwide and won
over 55 awards. Tickets are
expected to sell fast so I
urge agents to start
promoting it now.”
Prices are from £56.50
per person including
overnight accommodation
and a ticket to the show.
For more information visit
www.superbreak.com/agen
ts or call 01904 -436000.
August 15 2014
3
newsbulletin
New Spanish law could see UK motorists face speeding fines
EUROPCAR IS warning holidaymakers
heading to Spain this summer to be
aware of the country’s new driving
laws, where Brits could be hit with
fines of up to £488 for speeding.
In Spain, motorists can now be fined
€407 for going just 1km per hour
above the speed limit. Serious
speeding offences could rise to £488.
A new EU directive could see UK
motorists getting penalty points on
their licence for any driving offences
committed on the continent. On the
spot fines are the big risk for
motorists heading to France, with
reports of drivers accompanied to
local cashpoints if they don’t have
enough cash to pay the fine.
“Driving abroad can be daunting for
some motorists as echoed by a new
survey revealing that 75% of women
have never driven abroad and almost
half aren’t going to bother,” said Ken
McCall, managing director, Europcar
UK Group. “In contrast, men are more
likely to break the law when driving
abroad but that could result in them
coming home with more than a
suntan.
“The greater focus on speeding and
dangerous driving in Spain and France
should reassure British motorists that
other drivers will be keeping to the
speed limits. And that should help to
boost confidence when driving on
foreign roads.
“We advise drivers to familiarise
themselves with the driving laws of
any countries they are visiting if
they’re planning to drive either their
own car or a hire car. For instance, in
France it is a requirement for drivers
to carry a breathalyser kit in their
vehicle; in other countries there’s a
zero alcohol limit. Whichever country
you are visiting, don’t get caught out
by assuming that foreigners will be
exempt from the law. Make sure you
do your homework before arriving at
your destination so that you remember
the trip for all the right reasons.”
Survey highlights Brits' holidaying habits and motivation for taking a break
A SURVEY of 2,000 people
has found that Brits are not
necessarily using their
summer holidays to simply
bask in the sun. As it turns
out, our biggest pleasures
on holiday are escaping the
every-day such as having to
clean the house and do daily
chores.
The study, commissioned
by bathstore, looked into
Brits holidaying habits, and
66% of those surveyed said
that the best part of their
holiday was the relief of
stepping away from the
domestic drudgery of
cleaning.
To further highlight that
we are a nation of simple
pleasures, more than one in
six (17%) respondents
admitted that one of the best
things about being on
holiday was stealing the
toiletries, with Norwich and
Southampton being the
cities that admitted to
stealing the most mini
shampoos. Other popular
perks of staying in a hotel
included not having to cook,
having the luxury of an
ensuite and a comfy bed.
However, when it comes
to taking the journey, many
participants highlighted that
using a 'toilet-in-transit'
was their worst experience
of the trip. Nearly a third of
us (31%) hate using toilets
on aeroplanes, and a further
fifth of us won't go to toilets
on trains or coaches, instead
choosing to ‘hold it in’ for
the full course of the
journey.
Bourne Leisure latest sponsor of
Travel Bulletin's Star Awards
BOURNE LEISURE is announced as the
latest sponsor of the Travel Bulletin
Star Awards.
The operator's national sales
manager, Louise Tansey, said: “We are
delighted to be supporting the Travel
Bulletin Star Awards once again this
year. Travel agents are an integral part
of our team who are increasingly
recognising the potential of the domestic booking market with
its cross sell opportunities from their existing overseas clients.
"We not only support events such as the Travel Bulletin Star
Awards but our travel trade team is also proud to deliver a
high level of support and training to agents throughout the
year. We host thousands of agents with free day passes, group
fam trips, open days and onsite events, so that every agent is
able to experience our products first hand. We also offer 24hour support on our dedicated agent website which has
recently had a 40k investment to enhance its features even
further including selling support, product information, booking
incentives and much more.
"We would like to thank our travel agent friends for their
ongoing support of our ever popular UK holidays at Butlins,
Haven and Warner Leisure
hotels and we will continue to
support them in every way we
can."
4
August 15 2014
ROAD TO CATHY…Throughout the recent World Cup, Jetset ran an
exclusive competition with Travel Bulletin called "The Road To
Rio". Cathy Ellis of Traveltime in Beaconsfield emerged as the
overall winner of the grand prize - a hamper containing a variety
of items representing some of the World Cup's top teams. Cathy is
pictured (right) receiving her prize from Jetset's Nisha Tailor.
S02 TB1508 News 1_Layout 1 8/13/2014 10:52 AM Page 5
newsbulletin
New Qatar
development from
Pullman
One of The Original
Tour’s new eco-friendly
buses passes the Houses
of Parliament
The Original Tour introduces new fleet for summer
THE ORIGINAL Tour has
broken sales records for
2013 and for the first quarter
of 2014, crediting the support
of agents as it introduces its
most high tech fleet to the
capital’s roads.
The company's managing
director, Colin Atkins, said:
“We broke all our records
last year and have already
beaten our targets for the
first quarter of 2014 and with
all the signs pointing towards
a very healthy summer for
London’s tourism we look
forward to doing more
business with our trade
partners than ever before.”
The company offers
competitive commission
rates backed by a dedicated
account manager, plus
training and promotion
support. A choice of flexible
ticketing options includes the
purchase of pre-printed
vouchers in advance,
production on demand by the
agent, or a web affiliate
programme.
At the same time the
company is celebrating its
recent 62nd anniversary with
the introduction of its most
modern, high tech, low
emission fleet of 32 buses at
a cost of £4million in time for
the summer season.
The new fleet exceeds
requirements for the London
LEZ standards and features
the latest exhaust treatment
systems to reduce
admissions. In addition, all
older buses have been fitted
with new low emission
engines. The revamp also
marks the rollout of the
company's new wheelchair
restraint system which is
less intrusive and quicker
and easier to fit for
wheelchair customers.
Grenada records double digit growth from UK in 2014
PRELIMINARY FIGURES for the first half of
this year released by Grenada Tourism
Authority (GTA) show that UK tourist visits
to the Caribbean island have increased by
16%, year-on-year.
Overall, Grenada recorded a 14%
increase in visitors from January to July
2014 compared to the same period last year
with arrivals totalling 214,403. Cruise
visitors, who remain on Grenada for one
day, grew by 12% to 149,073.
The island welcomed 12,477 UK visitors
between January and June 2014, up from
10,758 for the same period in 2013. The UK,
which accounts for 23% of all Grenada
tourism arrivals, benefits from four flights
each week from Gatwick - two with British
Airways and two with Virgin Atlantic - with
most travellers originating from the Greater
London area.
Sharon Bernstein, Grenada Tourism
Authority general manager UK & Ireland,
said: “These figures are very encouraging
and come within months of the launch of
our new brand, Pure Grenada, Spice of the
Caribbean. The UK has always been one of
the most important overseas markets for
Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique,
and we’re confident that, with our new,
more targeted approach to promoting the
island with Pure Romance, Pure Diving and
Pure Adventure, in addition to new
accommodation and new attractions in the
pipeline, we’ll continue to secure tourism
growth.
“Sandals LaSource Grenada has
provided a boost to tourism and, along with
investment by Spice Island Beach Resort
and the renovation of Calabash Hotel this
summer, bodes well for the future. The
Tourism Authority continues to promote
initiatives including regattas and cultural
festivals with international appeal, and this
December will see the first ever
transatlantic yacht race to end in Grenada,
positioning the island as a truly world-class
yachting destination.”
Pure Grenada, Spice of the Caribbean launched by Minister for Tourism and Civil
Aviation, Hon. Alexandra Otway-Noel, on
February 14 this year - promotes the
authentic experience visitors enjoy in
Grenada with a basis in sustainability and
geo-tourism.
PULLMAN, ACCOR'S
upscale brand, has
announced the opening of
a new hotel in Qatar,
Pullman Doha West Bay,
due to open in 2015.
The Pullman Doha
West Bay will feature 373
rooms and 97 serviced
apartments, extensive
meeting space including
a ballroom of more than
1,300sq.m and an
extensive range of food
and beverage facilities,
including three
restaurants.
Hurtigruten offers
two free nights in
Bergen with
Voyage of the
Vikings bookings
HURTIGRUTEN IS
offering two free nights
accommodation in
Bergen for customers
who book a 12-day
‘Voyage of the Vikings’
departing on September
9. During the trip from
Bergen, up to Kirkenes
and back again, British
Museum Curator and
Viking expert Gareth
Williams will be giving
lectures on board as well
as leading tours and
excursions on land.
Customers can choose
from five hotels for the
extra nights in Bergen,
which will be on a bedand-breakfast basis. The
12-day voyage, combined
with two nights at the
Radisson Blu Norge
Hotel in Bergen costs
£1,736 per person, based
on two people sharing an
inside cabin on a full
board basis.
For more information
call 020-3582 6642 or
visit
www.hurtigruten.co.uk
/agents
August 15 2014
5
newsbulletin
New flexible tour category from Cosmos Tours & Cruises
COSMOS TOURS & Cruises has
launched its full range of 2015 North
America and Worldwide holidays with a
new flexible tour category, Relax and
Explore’, a significant increase in
cruising and touring holidays, as well as
a private home pick-up service included
in the holiday price.
A choice of smaller group tours in
Asia, Africa and the Middle East has
been added as well as new classic tours
in North America and new options to
extend a holiday with another tour or
cruise to experience the most of a
specific destination.
The popular ‘Start in Style’ service
offers customers a home pick up service
in a chauffeur-driven car and assistance
with luggage on arrival into the terminal
building with the same service offered on
the return journey home.
The operator's head of product, Amy
Shine, said: “To meet demand from
the changing touring market, we have
introduced a new tour classification
‘Relax & Explore’ to our Worldwide
and North American programme.
Already popular in the European
programme, it offers the flexibility of a
single or twin-centre, combined with
the choice of doing and seeing as
much with a range of optional
excursions. Our customers want more
of a flexible style holiday and the
ability to decide on arrival what they
want to experience and see.
“There are many incentives for
booking early with our ‘Start In Style’
private chauffeur driven home pick up
service included in the price and a low
deposit of £175 per person on
bookings made before December 19”.
New Relax and Explore holidays
include an eight-day ‘Hanoi & Ho An’
(£1,579 per person), a five-day ‘Dubai’
option (£945), 15-day ‘Sydney, Rock &
Reef’ (£2,699) or 15-day ‘Highlights of
Australia’ itinerary (£2,629), a nine-day
‘Contrasting Costa Rica’ tour (£1,389)
and a ten-day ‘Tale of Two Cities –
Tokyo & Kyoto’ (£2,435).
To meet demand for small group
touring in worldwide destinations, the
new range includes a nine-day ‘Wild &
Scenic Sri Lanka’ from £1,549, a 16day ‘Enchanting Kerala & Southern
India’ from £1,875 and an eight-day
‘Through The Savannah’ tour from
£1,835.
To add to the choice of themed and
worldwide special events available,
several new options have been added
for next year. New winter holidays
include an eight-day ‘Alaska’s Iditarod
Trail Dog Sled Race' from £2,169 and a
nine-day ‘Cape Town & Winelands
Culinary Delights’ from £2,075.
Special offers for the new brochure
include an Airport Hotel Offer of £29
per room available at a four-star rated
airport hotel for a one night pre- or
post-tour stay and includes up to 14
nights' parking. And to meet demand
from single travellers, a wider choice
of departure dates and itineraries with
no single supplement has been added
to the programme.
A number of direct flights are
available to North America and many
long-haul destinations from Heathrow,
Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester,
Edinburgh and Glasgow.
For further information visit
www.cosmostoursandcruises.co.uk
Inghams adds three- and four-night
Xmas Markets breaks from £399
SPEARING AHEAD...Pictured at the opening of Spear Travels'
ninth branch office in Skipton, following the recent acquisition of
Neil Rankin Travel, are Peter and Libby Cookson of Spear Travels
with the Mayor of Skipton, John Dawson.
6
August 15 2014
INGHAMS HAS issued a new Christmas markets
programme for 2014 featuring three- and four-night breaks
throughout November and December to six cities in three
countries.
The new short breaks programme departs Wednesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays and is bookable online at
inghams.co.uk/christmasmarkets.
Holiday prices include flights from a choice of regional
airports, transfers, three- or four nights' breakfast
accommodation in prime locations within walking distance
of the Christmas markets, plus a range of extras including
free day trips and excursions, free use of city transport, a
free city map or guide book and free rail upgrades and
vouchers to exchange for drinks at the Christmas markets.
Prices are based on scheduled and low-cost flights where
fares traditionally increase closer to departure and therefore
guests are encouraged to book early for the best value.
As well as the Christmas market short breaks, the
company is offering a value seven-night, all-inclusive Winter
Wonderland holiday to Hotel Karwendelhof in Seefeld, with
departures on December 13 and 20 and prices leading in at
£939 per person.
The operator's executive director, Hugh Walton, said: “We
have long been asked for a winter programme for nonskiers and we’re excited about our Christmas markets
brochure which we’re sure will appeal to our loyal summer
Lakes & Mountains guests. They will find all the usual
benefits they expect from us including an excellent selection
of departure airports, quality-checked hotels and a huge
range of added value offers such as free excursions and free
upgrades.”
newsbulletin
RABBIES IS highlighting two short breaks with prices from £159. A Heart of England, Wales and Yorkshire leads in at £289 per person and
highlights include Shakespeare country, Conwy Castle, the mountains of Snowdonia, Ironbridge World Heritage Site and the historical Chatsworth
House, owned by the Duke of Devonshire. The four-night trip includes transport by Mercedes mini coach and the services of a guide and departs
every Friday until October from London Victoria. Meals, accommodation and attractions are extra. A three-day Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Bath and
the South West Coast is also being highlighted with prices from £159. Highlights include Stonehenge, the Jurassic coast of Dorset, Dartmoor,
Glastonbury and the historic cities of Exeter and Bath. The trip departs every Wednesday year-round from London Victoria.
For details call 0131-226 3133 or see www.rabbies.com
Kuoni adds new boutique hotels to latest Far East brochure launch
KUONI HAS launched its latest Far East brochure valid from
September this year to December 2015. It features 21 new
boutique hotels, including the SALA Rattanakosin in
Bangkok, Thailand which has 15 rooms and floor to ceiling
windows with views over Wat Arun; the Princess d’Annam in
Phan Thiet, Vietnam, designed by award-wining architect Tan
Hock Beng; and the Essence Hoi An Hotel & Spa, Vietnam,
which opened last year and has 70 rooms. There are 12 new
hotels exclusive to Kuoni guests in the UK, such as the
recently opened Bandara Villas Phuket; plus exclusive room
types, some including free spa treatments. New destinations
in the brochure include the Palawan in the Philippines, ideal
for divers and kayakers; and the island of Gili Meno located
off the north west coast of Lombok in Indonesia.
More experiences have also been added such as a Street
Food tour in Hanoi, Vietnam. Customers will join a culinary
expert to visit the markets used by locals that aren’t featured
in guidebooks. The tour includes sampling Vietnamese
cuisine and learning about local traditions, daily life and the
culture of Vietnam. Cruise additions include a Princess
Cruises tour of Japan and an Azamara Quest Stay & Cruise
holiday, discovering Indonesia.
Book 24 Apr–4 Nov 2014, for arrivals on selected dates
from 1 Jan–30 Nov 2015**, and everyone in the party
dines for FREE for the entire stay.
CUSTOMERS STAYING AT A
DISNEY MODERATE RESORT
enjoy FREE Disney Quick Service Dining Plan.
CUSTOMERS STAYING AT A DISNEY DELUXE
RESORT or selected DELUXE VILLA RESORT
receive FREE Disney Dining Plan.
Our most popular special
is still on the menu!
FREE Disney Dining
Find out all the details now at
Upgrades can be made
between plans (including
the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan)
for an additional charge.
After that, all they’ll pay
is the tip.
COMBINABLE WITH
14 DISNEY7
PARK DAYS
FOR THE PRICE OF
disneytravelagents.co.uk
*Terms and conditions apply — see disneytravelagents.co.uk for details. **Excludes arrivals 25 Mar–11 Apr 2015. ©Disney.
newsbulletin
Notes from
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Nor
B
EEN QUITE busy the last couple of weeks –
was helping out at Oakwood Travel one day
when Richard Hey came in from Bedsonline.
He is always so passionate about his company and
what they are doing. He mentioned about their
directly contracted Disney offers for Orlando - they
have all the WDW Florida hotels on sale up to
Christmas/New Year 2015/16 with their usual
terms of business on Accommodation-Only,
Accommodation and 14-Day Ultimate Ticket and
each of the Dining Plans available at each hotel. He
said they will soon have deals for all The Universal
properties too, and he reckons they also have some
of the best prices around on just the tickets
themselves for both Disney and The Orlando Flexi
Tickets, throughout this year and next. The
company also has great deals on a range of hotels
throughout the rest of USA & Canada, the Middle
East, Far East and even Down Under – with a
fantastic range of transfers, attractions and
excursions too. Sounds like Bedsonline have got
everything covered - have a look at their website at
www.bedsonline.com
Thank you to TIPTO for inviting me to Ladies Day
at Pontefract Races (right on my doorstep!) to help
celebrate 15 years of successfully supporting
independent agents. They have great a website for
training and the latest updates - if you want to join
email [email protected]
What a great day with Champagne to start with
followed by a fantastic lunch and afternoon tea, and
it was nice to catch up with some of the suppliers
there in a nice informal atmosphere.
‘If you are doing your best you won’t have time to
worry about failure’ and ‘The heaviest thing you
can carry is a grudge!’.
MOVERS
● HOLIDAY EXTRAS has appointed David Hinder Edwards as
account manager for the Midlands.
● FIONA FOSTER has joined Innstant Travel as head of operations.
● Oman Air has appointed Abdulrahaman Al-Busaidy as chief
operating officer.
● DISCOVER NEW England has announced Lori Harnois as its
new executive director.
● PARK RESORTS has appointed Iain Richards as sales and
marketing director.
● THE SMALL Maldives Island Co. has appointed Alexa Sinzig-
Mootoo as director of sales for Europe.
● CONDOR FERRIES has announced that Graham Hopcraft, group
sales manager, has been elected to join the Board of the Coach
Tourism Association Limited.
● ESTHER LAPOLE has joined The Doyle Collection's The
Kensington Hotel as director of sales.
Trafalgar offers 'The Balkans and
Venice' from £2,268 for 12 nights
TRAFALGAR IS offering a 13-day 'The Balkans and Venice' itinerary.
Starting the journey in Zagreb, Croatia, guests will stay for
two days before moving on to Sarajevo in Bosnia &
Herzegovina for a further two nights.
The itinerary then travels (en route to Dubrovnik) to the
bridge at Mostar, followed by a day trip to Montenegro to see
some of the various cities along its coast before heading back
to enjoy the last night in Dubrovnik. Leaving Bosnia &
Herzegovina, the ship then sails back to Croatia to the ancient
roman city of Split, where guests can take in the city sights,
including the roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. Other ports
of call include Plitvice, Ljubljana, Lake Bled and Venice.
Prices lead in at £2,268 per person land-only, including 12
nights’ breakfast accommodation, VIP door to door airport
transfers, sightseeing and a travel director.
To book or for further information see www.trafalgar.com
WEBSCLUSIVES
●
●
●
by SANDRA MURRAY
in Normanton, Yorkshire
Win a 100 Euros train voucher with Deutsche Bahn.
To be in with a chance of winning, enter today at
www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions
Last chance to win £75 worth of duty free vouchers
with Birmingham Airport at
www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions
Check out our All About Luxury Holidays supplement,
hard copy enclosed with this edition of Travel Bulletin
or digital edition at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/
travel-bulletin-back-issues
All this and more at:
To respond to any
of Sandy’s comments email
jill. [email protected]
8
Go
August 15 2014
The home of the web savvy travel agent
S03 TB1508 Puzzle Page_Layout 1 8/13/2014 3:14 PM Page 11
puzzlebulletin
Su Doku
Win a £50 M&S voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle
Number: 031
Travagrams
Can you solve the following anagrams to decipher the destination & tour operator?
A Changed Ninths Oily
A➠
B➠
Let this Mauritius specialist captivate you
C➠
A Factorial Shinier Sun
D➠
[email protected]
Closing date for entries is Thursday, August 21st. Solution and new puzzle
will appear next week.
The winner for 25th July is Linda Isgrove, Izzy Tours in
Birmingham.
July 25 Solution: A=9 B=6 C=8 D=2
Crossword
Where Am I?
This company’s motto is: “Africa’s Most Awarded Airline”
Village formerly known as Karatoprak, renamed
after a Turkish admiral in 1972.
Fill in the crossword to reveal the mystery location highlighted by the green squares.
Number: 031
Across
1. The UK's leading travel association (4)
3. Travel group, ___ family of brands (6)
7. Number of players in a volleyball team (3)
8. One of the Baltic countries (7)
10. Bay and scenic resort on the Costa Brava (5)
11. Film and Television award (5)
12. Edinburgh airport code (3)
13. Salford Quays theatre and gallery complex,
The ___ (5)
15. Rome is the capital of this region (5)
17. State capital of Georgia (7)
19. Norwich International airport code (3)
20. Biblical character featured in a Lloyd
Webber/Rice musical (6)
21. Villas specialist, part of TUI (4)
Image Credit: Garry Knight
Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the
3 x 3 squares contains the digits 1-9.
Once you have completed the puzzle, simply identify the numbers that relate
to the letters, A, B, C and D then e-mail the solution, with your name,
company name, and full postal address plus phone and ABTA number if
applicable to:
Down
1. The Inbetweeners cause havoc in this country at
a cinema near you (9)
2. Nicknamed The Lone Star State (5)
4. Flag carrier of Poland (3)
5. Town and national park in Alberta (5)
6. Island home of the annual Battle of Flowers
carnival (6)
9. Turkey specialist, ___ Sky (9)
11. The Guggenheim Museum is located in this
Spanish city (6)
14. Country famous for its National Eisteddfod (5)
16. In Greece it's known as Zakynthos (5)
18. Naples International airport code (3)
For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I?
and Travagrams, please see page 30
August 15 2014
11
S03a TB1508 News 2_Layout 1 8/13/2014 12:51 PM Page 12
bulletinbriefing
Industry Insight
by...
Antor directors of tourism offer tips to help with your bookings
A
fter a summer of excellent English weather jampacked with top sporting events, agents should
not feel disheartened as it’s now an ideal time to
sell holidays and benefit from last minute summer
deals. Agents should encourage Brits to book an
autumn holiday to stave off the impending autumnal
chill and instead enjoy an endless summer by exploring
the wide variety of places on offer from ANTOR
members. See www.antor.com for more details on our
members. Below are some tips from our Directors of
Tourism to help with your bookings. Tracey Poggio,
ANTOR Chairman.
"Agents should encourage Brits to
book an autumn holiday to stave
off the impending autumnal chill
and instead enjoy an endless
summer by exploring the wide
variety of places on offer from
ANTOR members."
“Bored with end to end sports on every channel? Fed up
with endless queues for the outdoor terraces for dinner or
miles of slow traffic, packed parks and beaches full of
crowds trying to soak up the sun? Escape to Quebec,
Canada. We have wide open spaces, lakes with beaches,
millions of acres of forests, mountains, rivers and vast
empty roads to travel on – and more moose per square
kilometre than people! You can even rediscover your
partner and children as there are some areas where you
can have a total detox and disconnect from your laptop,
tablet or phone.” Josephine Wiggall Lazarus, Destination
Quebec UK, ANTOR Board Member.
“I’d focus on digital detox, escaping sport banter, drunk
Brits and experiencing the best of other destinations that
blossom in the summer. Lithuania has fantastic spas,
beautiful hikes and trails all throughout the country,
festivals, great food and a rich and varied culture that is
evident in the architecture in Vilnius Old Town and the
country homesteads and farms. Only a two and a half hour
flight away with Wizz Air offering flights twice a day there’s
the added beauty of no jet lag!” Alexander Gray, Lithuania
Tourism Office.
“Having enjoyed watching the Commonwealth games
why not escape to the clean, warm and calm sea of
Cyprus, enjoying all kinds of water sports. Followed by lazy
al fresco dining under the stars.” Oretis Rossides , Cyprus
Tourism Organisation, ANTOR Vice Chairman.
“My top tips for agents would be to highlight Abu Dhabi’s
reliably pleasant winter climate and combine their package
with a ticket to one of our international sporting events
from November onwards. With such a stellar line-up of
diverse sporting events, including the season finale of
Formula OneTM Eithad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on
23 November, the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final between
26-30 November, the highly anticipated Volvo Ocean Race
Abu Dhabi Stopover from 15 December – 3 January and
the Abu Dhabi HSBC Gold Championship from 15 – 18
January next year UK holidaymakers will be more than
tempted to leave their sofas for a sporty sunshine break in
the UAE capital.” Nabeel Al Zarouni, UK Country Manager,
TCA Abu Dhabi
“If you did watch the Commonwealth games I hope you
saw our three medallists. Samoa is one of the more
untouched destination in the South Pacific where finding
wifi to stream a football match may present more of a
challenge, but you will find rugby being played everyday
around the island. The ten islands of Samoa provide the
perfect tropical oasis of calm to escape to. The two main
islands of Upola and Savai’i offer a mix of natural beauty
and soft adventure with lots of snorkelling and diving
around the coral reefs, hiking up volcanoes, kayaking
between islands and numerous pools, caves and waterfalls
in swim in and explore. The annual Teuila Festival at the
end of August is a celebration of all things Samoan and a
great introduction into the different culture and lifestyle.
Alternatively head to the Robert Louis Stevenson’s home
and burial ground.” Eve Gardiner, Samoa Tourist Office
“Oman is a year round destination with summer
temperatures similar to Turkey and Greece but if you want
a cooler climate head to the mountains or south to
Salalah. The newly opened Alila Jabal Akhdar resort, part
of the Al Haja mountain range is also one of Oman’s most
spectacular regions to explore and guests can indulge at
the luxurious Spa Alila, a peaceful sanctuary dedicated to
pampering you from head to toe. Alternatively,the recently
refurbished luxury mountain camp The View is on the
Jabal Shams Mountain.” Suzanne Halil, Travel Trade
Manager, Oman Tourism Office
12
August 15 2014
S03a TB1508 News 2_Layout 1 8/13/2014 12:51 PM Page 13
newsbulletin
Thomson selects
Airways Holidays
as Channel Island
supplier
PRESTIGE STAMPEDE... Prestige Holidays awarded staff at C The World Travel in Bristol with a hamper in
recognition of a £55,000 booking to Canada, taking in the Calgary Stampede, Vancouver; the Rocky
Mountaineer; and a seven-night cruise. Pictured receiving the prize from Louise Stambury of Prestige Holidays
(middle) are Claire Rosser, travel consultant (left) and Carolyn Park, owner of C The World Travel, Bristol.
Travel 2 launches new Africa brochure for 2014/15
TRAVEL 2 has expanded its offering with a
newly released 2014/15 Africa brochure. With
new properties across a variety of locations,
plus new tours available, the brochure offers
an even greater choice to clients.
The operator has added 13 new hotels to its
existing list of accommodation. As examples,
the four-star Victoria and Alfred Hotel in Cape
Town is ideal for clients looking to explore the
famous waterfront with a huge selection of
shops, bars and restaurants set in the heart of
a working harbour, with prices from £1,869
per person for 14 nights. On the other end of
the scale, the Garden Route Game Lodge
offers clients ‘Big 5’ game viewing at the start
of the Garden Route – and is an ideal hotel for
a stopover before the self-drive tour. Dreams
of Zanzibar and the DoubleTree by Hilton
Zanzibar are also featured in the brochure for
the first time.
Three new tours have been added to the
brochure giving agents more options for
clients looking to explore more of the
continent. As an example, a six-day Highlights
of Botswana tour takes clients on a journey
through the Okavango Delta and Chobe
National Park.
Meanwhile, the company's Advance
Registration Policy makes it easier for agents
to book. If the fare increases by more than 5%
on airline bookings, the operator will cancel
free of charge or the customer can pay the
difference in cost. If the fare has increased up
to 5%, the company will guarantee the price
and cover the difference.
For details visit www.travel2.com
AIRWAYS HOLIDAYS,
which is part of Jerseybased C.I. Travel Group,
has been selected as
Thomson’s preferred
Channel Island supplier.
Thomson travel advisors
will now proactively
promote the operator
through its retail shops
across the UK, and will
be incentivising its
dedicated sales teams to
drive sales to the
Channel Islands. Agents
can also benefit from the
local advice provided by
the company's
reservations team which
is based in Jersey.
As an example of
prices, a seven-night
Jersey break departing
on August 23 leads in at
£476, staying at the twostar Talana Hotel with
flights from Oxford.
Prices for four-night
short breaks start from
£245 at the three-star
Beachcombers Hotel and
£246 at the three-star
Saints Bay based on an
October 3 departure and
including flights from
Gatwick or Southampton.
Friendship Travel boosts programme with 2014/15 winter brochure launch
SINGLES SPECIALIST, Friendship
Travel, has launched its winter
2014/15 brochure in a buoyant mood,
following record-breaking early
summer sales which are currently
running 18% up on the same period
last year.
The company's managing director,
Colum McLornan, said: “This year we
have seen a notable increase in
demand for four- and five-star
properties. To this end, we have
expanded our programme of
upmarket hotels this summer in
Turkey, and have just introduced the
new five-star Garcia Hotel in Olu
Deniz.
“We have also seen an increase in
last-minute bookings, particularly for
our house party holidays in Turkey
and Greece, where we have exclusive
use of ‘small and friendly’ familyowned hotels."
Turning to winter, the company
continues to expand its offerings to
solo travellers and has introduced
special interest breaks such as
Bordeaux Wine Weekends.
Highlights of the Bordeaux breaks,
which depart in November and March
and offer wine-based excursions,
include a visit to the Ecole du Vin and
a trip to two wine producers in the
Medoc region – along with a walking
tour of the city. The cost of £595 per
person includes Gatwick flights,
transfers, five nights' breakfast
accommodation and excursions.
Other short-haul options making
their debut this winter include
Marbella in Spain, Cyprus, Marrakech
and the High Atlas mountains and
Malta packaged with Gozo
New long-haul holidays include the
Breathless Punta Cana Resort in the
Dominican Republic, a luxury allinclusive property where facilities
include a casino, spa, fitness centre
and watersports. On offer between
November and April, prices start
from £1,665 per person including
Gatwick flights, transfers and seven
nights’ accommodation in a junior
suite.
On all holidays guests enjoy sole
occupancy of a double or twin room
and the services of a travel host.
For more information or to make a
booking call 0844-800 2770 or visit
www.friendshiptravel.com
August 15 2014
13
S03b TB1508 News 2_Layout 1 13/08/2014 12:21 Page 14
trainingbulletin
Bright announces post-summer workshops for independent agents
BRIGHT (Bringing Real Information
and Guaranteed High Quality Training)
has announced dates for its postsummer workshops for independent
agents.
They are as follows: September 9 at
the Claremont Hotel, Isle of Man;
September 10 at the Best Western
Queen Hotel, Chester; October 7 at the
Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells; October 8
at the Mandalay Hotel, Guildford;
October 21 at the Lanhydrock Hotel,
Bodmin; October 22 at the Woodbury
Park Hotel, Exeter.
All events begin at 18.00 with a
reception followed by a session with
each of the ten Bright members and
then a dinner and raffle prize giving.
Members of Bright are: Kirker
Holidays, Explore, Viking Cruises,
Hurtigruten, Attraction World, 1st
Class Holidays, Veloso Tours, Mosaic
Holidays, Cox and Kings, Sunvil, The
Canary Islands, Crystal Cruises and
Jersey.
Pictured at a recent workshop in
Glasgow (above) are, from the left:
Pippa Baines of Explore with Caroline
Birse, Birse Travel Strathclyde; Arlene
Donald, Arlene Donald Travel Renfrew;
and Garry Burns, Hynds Travel
Glasgow.
For more information or to book a
place at an event email:
[email protected]
Celebrity Cruises introduces Xtra trade pack toolkit for agents
CELEBRITY CRUISES has
developed a new portfolio of
materials to aid agents. The
Celebrity Xtra trade pack
toolkit has been designed
for independent partners
and Consortia, allowing
them to produce individually
branded website banners
and posters to promote the
cruise line with
personalised materials. The
kit includes two variations of
web banners, eight
variations of wall posters
and banners and an A4 Suite
Class poster which can then
be personalised with agents’
own logos.
Nicki Tempest-Mitchell,
the line’s director of sales
UK and Ireland, said: “In
developing the Celebrity
Xtra toolkit we were mindful
of making it both personal
as well as practical with a
departure from the ‘one size
fits all’ approach. The bank
of materials has been
designed to be eye-catching,
informative and easy to use
so our agent partners will
have strong sales tools. The
feedback to date has been
hugely positive and we look
forward to seeing more and
more of our agents taking
advantage of the
opportunities this marketing
support brings.”
Agents can request the
toolkit via
cruisingpower.co.uk. As part
of the request, agents will
be asked to submit a
business case for each piece
of collateral, ensuring it is
utilised in the most effective
way and allowing the cruise
company to identify areas
where it can provide
additional support.
www.cruisingpower.co.uk
Gold Medal teams with Emirates to launch third mega fam
GOLD MEDAL has launched its third mega fam
in conjunction with Emirates.
The tour operator will be sending four teams
of independent travel agents to secret locations
on the Emirates network before jet setting back
to Dubai for an ‘Access All Areas’ training
conference. Here each group will share their
destination experience so agents benefit from
all four trips, whilst enjoying the fifth.
The trips will be hosted by the company’s
sales development managers, with places
being allocated eight per region, and will be
split between the top selling agents and the
most improved year-on-year. Agents should
book with the operator to be in with a chance of
winning.
League tables tracking agency
performances are published on the company’s
website at www.goldmedal.co.uk each week,
and highlight those that are currently in line to
secure a seat, and those in the running to take
a top spot.
The operator’s head of sales & business
development, Ruth Hilton, will be there to greet
the four trips in Dubai as they arrive for a
three-night stay at the Atlantis, The Palm.
Hilton said: “We are delighted to once again
offer our valued agents the chance to
experience five trips in one. Our unique mega
fam concept gives agents a wealth of
destination training and knowledge to take
back and share with their customers, and we
can’t wait to host them in some of the world’s
most amazing locations.
“It’s going to be an exciting few weeks
watching the league tables!”
To book call 0800-0147777 or see
www.goldmedal.co.uk
Barceló
promotes loyalty
programme for
agents
THE NEW Barceló Hotels
& Resorts online travel
training eLearning
course provides
information on Barceló
properties in Cuba, the
Dominican Republic and
Mexico, with details of
the resort credit offers in
Barceló Bavaro Beach
Resort, Barceló Maya
Beach Resort, Barceló
Costa Cancún and
Barceló Tucancun.
Agents have the chance
to enrol in the hotel
group's loyalty
programme, BPartner,
where they can earn
points for bookings and
redeem them for room
nights at 142 properties
across 16 countries.
The company is also
offering agents the
chance to win one of two,
four-night stays in one of
its luxury resorts in
Cuba, the Dominican
Republic and Mexico.
To be in with a chance
of winning one of the
three prizes, agents
should complete and
pass the course by
December 30.
August 15 2014
15
trainingbulletin
Proexport Colombia launches new e-learning programme
PROEXPORT COLOMBIA has launched
a new e-learning programme for UK
travel agents called Learn Colombia
aimed at increasing agents’ knowledge
of the country and boosting sales.
Any UK agent who completes the
course by September 30 will be in with
the chance of winning one of four return
flights to Bogota with the national
carrier Avianca or one of ten Colombian
goodie bags. As an added incentive, all
agents completing the course by
December 31 will receive 20% off flights
to Colombia with Avianca.
Maria Claudia Lacouture, president of
Proexport Colombia, described the
online educational programme, which
can be found at
www.learncolombia.com, as a ‘one stop
shop’ for travel agents selling the
country, containing information and
modules on everything from Colombia’s
range of hotels to its natural wonders
such as Tayrona National Park, vibrant
cities such as Bogotá and Cali, and
historical gems such as Cartagena.
Lacouture said: “Everything an agent
could ever wish to know about selling
our wonderful country, from the rich
history and culture to the incredibly
diverse tourism sites and experiences
we have been promoting in our ongoing
Colombia is Magical Realism campaign,
can be found in this wonderful resource.
Completing the whole course will not
just turn UK agents into Colombia
experts, it will hopefully give them a
passion for selling the country and help
them to ramp up their sales. If that
wasn’t incentive enough they also stand
a good chance of being able to
experience the country for themselves
thanks to the great prizes we are
offering in collaboration with our
partners such as Avianca.”
Once agents have registered to use
the programme they can access the
information they require via the
homepage using the themed tabs in
the left-hand navigation bar such as
History, Nature and Culture, backed by
a Suggested Itineraries option and a
General Information section containing
useful advice on areas including
geography, food and travelling around
the country.
Meanwhile, the agent’s progress and
performance is registered in the My
Space section, accessed via a tab in
the navigation bar at the top of the
screen. This can be found next to the
tab for Agents Toolbox, which contains
a range of useful sales resources
including an image gallery, the latest
news items and details of upcoming
events.
Travel 2 launches ‘T2 FAM School’
New training incentive from Tipto
TRAVEL 2 has launched a new agent training scheme, the
‘T2 FAM School’.
As part of the new scheme, the operator is sending
upwards of 200 travel agents over the course of this year
to 15 countries – an investment of more than £200,000.
Destinations on the list include South Africa, Barbados,
the Maldives, New South Wales, Dubai, Hong Kong, New
Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam and Fiji.
The main aim of the scheme is to equip agents with
knowledge gained by experiencing products on fam trips.
Gordon McCreadie, the operator’s sales and marketing
director, said: “More than 3,000 agents have registered
for the T2 Academy since its launch in 2012. With more
than 51,000 modules completed, covering destinations,
air product and ground suppliers, it’s clear that training
is a key aspect of our partnership with travel agents. The
success we’ve seen over recent years was the driving
force behind the launch of the new T2 FAM School and we
are a big believer in helping agents develop their
knowledge to improve sales. First-hand experience of
products is key to this and this is why we’re offering so
many fam trip places as part of our new T2 FAM School
this year.”
TIPTO HAS launched a new training incentive giving agents
the opportunity to win a Pandora bracelet with a charm
when they complete all 14 supplier training modules by
August 31 to gain five star status.
A winner will be chosen at random when the competition
closes.
To complete the modules and for further information visit
www.tipto.co.uk
Wendy Wu Tours announces launch of 2014 agent UK roadshow series
WENDY WU Tours has announced
details of its 2014 agent roadshow tour,
which will span across 11 UK locations
from September 2-24.
The tour begins in London and will
be supported by key partners including
Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Macau
Government Tourist Office, Hong Kong
Tourist Board, Guilin Tourism and
Emirates.
The roadshows will offer agents the
chance to meet Bambu and the WU
crew, discover what’s new, find out the
best ways to sell tours and enjoy a fun,
interactive event with the chance to win
prizes.
The dates and locations for the
events are as follows: London on
September 2 at The Wesley, Euston;
Leeds on September 8 at The Leeds
Club; Newcastle on September 9 at The
Jury’s Inn, Gateshead; Edinburgh on
September 10 at Holiday Inn Sampans
Restaurant; Glasgow on September 11
at the Hilton Grosvenor; Norwich on
September 15 at the Hong Kong Fusion
Restaurant; Birmingham on September
16 at Chung Ying Chinese Restaurant,
Wrottesley St; Nottingham on
September 17 at The Belfry Hotel;
Plymouth on September 22 at the
Holiday Inn; Bristol on September 23 at
the Dynasty Restaurant; and
Bournemouth on September 24 at the
Hallmark Hotel.
For further details visit
www.wendywutours.co.uk/roadshows
or to apply for a place email
[email protected]
August 15 2014
17
personalitybulletin
Audrey Singh
Business development manager for London, Kent, Surrey
& Sussex, Sandals
At home
What's your favourite
household gadget?
Sky+.
At work
What other
companies/organisations have
you previously worked for?
Hoseasons, Hays Homeworking, TV Travel
shop, Citalia, Horizon Holidays and a few
indies.
If you could change one thing in
the industry what would it be?
Discounting wars.
What personal item do you have
on your desk at work?
Lipstick.
What's the best thing
about your job?
My agents and my work buddies.
What's a typical day like?
Every day is different.
What's your favourite travel app?
London Tube Map.
Who has been your inspiration in
the travel industry?
A travel lecturer on my YTS back in 1984.
What was the last email
you received?
From a work buddy about business plans.
What skill are you most proud of?
Surviving nearly 30 years in travel.
What do you love about
the travel industry?
The fact that we survive no matter what
is thrown at us, 9/11, ash cloud, tour
operator failures, tsunami, civil unrest. .
.WE SURVIVE!
What item do you always take
with you when travelling?
Digital weighing scales. l love to shop,
and don’t want to get caught with extra
luggage allowance costs.
18
August 15 2014
What are your
favourite TV
programmes?
Sons of Anarchy.
Who does the
cooking?
Anyone but me. .. can’t
cook, won’t cook!
What's a typical
weekend for you like?
Sleep, potter about, shop,
housework.
What's your guilty
pleasure?
PJ’s all day on a Sunday.
What do you do
to relax?
Read.
What music do you
listen to?
Motown and RnB.
What's your
favourite movie?
The Wizard of Oz.
What's been your
latest DIY project?
Painting the bathroom.
“
The fact that we
survive no matter
what is thrown at
us, 9/11, ash cloud,
tour operator
failures, tsunami,
civil unrest. . .
WE SURVIVE!
At play
Where would you most like
to visit and why?
Borneo. Slightly obsessed with
Orangutans!
”
What are your hobbies?
Travel and shopping.
What's your favourite (non-work
related) website?
Facebook.
Do you use social media for work
and play?
Yes, you have to in the 21st century.
What trait do you dislike
in other people?
Bad manners.
What is your best quality?
The ability to laugh at myself.
What's your most
embarrassing moment?
Asking a lady at a mother and toddler
group when the baby was due, for her to
say the nine month-old crawling on the
floor was the baby! Ooops.
Do you have any nicknames?
Nothing that can be printed.
If you could invent a new law,
what would it be?
Three-day weekends.
S04 TB1508 UK Airports_Layout 1 13/08/2014 14:18 Page 19
ukairports
Bristol Airport
Bristol records busiest figures for June & welcomes summer Stockholm service
BRISTOL AIRPORT has recorded its
busiest June to date, serving more than
646,000 passengers during the course of
the month and representing a 3.34%
increase over the same period last year.
Passenger numbers for the last 12
months also reached 6.23 million,
surpassing the record total for a
calendar year achieved in 2008 for the
first time.
A particularly strong performance
was seen on Aer Lingus Regional’s
Dublin service, which exceeded 8,000
passengers in a calendar month for the
first time. Strong year-on-year growth
was also seen on bmi regional routes to
Frankfurt and Munich, indicating that
the airline’s codeshare agreement with
Lufthansa is generating additional
traffic.
Another factor contributing to
increased passenger numbers was the
introduction of a larger aircraft on KLM’s
four times daily service between Bristol
and Amsterdam. The airline carried
nearly 20,000 passengers on the route
which opens up connections to
destinations worldwide via KLM’s
Schiphol hub.
June also saw the launch of a
summer service between Bristol and
Stockholm, operated by Scandinavian
Airlines (SAS). The twice-weekly flight is
proving popular with Scandinavian
tourists as well as travellers from
across the South West and South Wales
visiting Sweden.
Meanwhile, a £6.5m central walkway
recently opened at the airport and
includes four new pre-boarding zones
serving up to six departure gates. The
3,880sq.m structure connects directly to
the departure lounge and is served by
an escalator, six lifts, food and drink
vending and toilet facilities.The design of
the new facility takes into account the
latest generation of twin-engine, widebody jets, such as the Boeing 787, with
provision made for the addition of an
airbridge for passengers boarding longhaul flights in the future.
Shaun Browne, the airport's aviation
director, said: “The strong performance
across all airline sectors is particularly
encouraging, with business, leisure and
inbound traffic all contributing to June’s
record passenger numbers. New
facilities are in place to ensure we
maintain service levels as passenger
numbers continue to grow, and we are
already focusing on further
improvements we can bring to the route
network from Bristol.”
Air India commits
to daily flights from Birmingham
AIR INDIA has committed to increase its BirminghamDelhi-Amritsar operation from four flights per week to
daily services from November, when its 18th Boeing 787
‘Dreamliner’ aircraft is inducted into service.
The carrier’s current schedule operates from
Birmingham on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
on its B787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport’s chief executive, said:
“We are extremely thankful to Air India for recognising
the demand from travellers needing the flexibility of daily
services from Birmingham.
“The West Midlands receives more foreign direct
investment from India than any other region outside of
London and Birmingham’s VFR market grew by 71% in
2013, now attracting more visitors from India than any
English city other than London.”
Bookings for the airline’s current operation can be made
via www.airindia.com
A PAIR of travel agents won £1,000 after entering a Facebook
competition on why they love Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield.
The airport ran the competition with agents from early July to
highlight its activity with the travel trade. Pictured outside the airport
with their winning entry are Katie Louise Gleadell (left) and Laura
Dean from Thomson Travel Agents in Gainsborough.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/dsa.trade
August 15 2014
19
ukairports
Seasonal flight additions from Flybe at London Southend
FLYBE, OPERATED by
Stobart Air, has added 2,500
extra seasonal seats on its
new routes from London
Southend Airport to France
including 28 extra flights
per week between Rennes
and Caen-Normandy until
the end of August.
The airline now operates
ten additional flights on its
Rennes route and an extra
18 flights on its CaenNormandy route.
The Caen service is now
available six instead of four
days per week, with
services operating on
Tuesdays and Saturdays.
The airline recently
launched six new routes
from London Southend to
continental Europe and also
launched a daily service
from the airport to Rennes
in June, with one-way fares
from £29.99. The service to
Caen-Normandy
commenced last month
with one-way fares from
£29.99.
Roger Clements,
managing director at
London Southend Airport
said: “This is very welcome
news for London Southend
Airport which is further
testament to the popularity
of the airport for business
and leisure travellers alike.
Adding these seasonal
flights will enable more
passengers to experience
the benefits of London
Southend Airport and I look
forwarding to welcoming
them in the month ahead.”
The airport’s new
terminal is close to a new
train station, with up to
eight rail services every
hour. It is 53 minutes by
train to Liverpool Street
Station in London.
British Airways adds direct Dom Rep flights from Gatwick
BRITISH AIRWAYS is introducing a twiceweekly, direct non-stop service from
Gatwick to the Dominican Republic this
winter.
Flights will depart on Tuesday and
Saturday from Gatwick to Punta Cana from
October and BA will use a three class, 280
seat Boeing 777 aircraft with 40 Club World
seats, 24 World Traveller Plus and 216
World Traveller seats.
UK & Ireland director of the Dominican
Republic Tourist Office, Sabrina Cambiaso
said: “This timely increase in air services
will expand on our amazing tourism
success to date by increasing visitor
numbers to the country and sharing with
them our natural beauty, culture and
friendly people.”
Flybe to continue
London City
service from
Aberdeen
PLANE PALS...To mark the arrival of Aegean Airlines to Terminal
2, The Queen's Terminal, at Heathrow, the carrier's Athens-based
ground operations director Panos Nicolaidis (right) presented a
model of its Airbus A320 to the terminal's operations and
programme director Andy Garner during a VIP reception. The
airline operates three return flights a day to Athens and serves a
total of 87 destinations in 32 countries.
Details at www.aegeanair.com
20
August 15 2014
FLYBE WILL continue its
Aberdeen to London City
route following the recent
announcement by British
Airways that it would be
withdrawing from the
route at the end of the
summer season. Flybe
will operate twice daily
flights starting from
Monday, October 27.
Seats are on sale now at
www.flybe.com from
£49.99 one-way including
taxes and charges.
Record passenger
numbers take off
from Luton
RECORD NUMBERS of
passengers took to the
skies from Luton in June as
the airport experienced its
busiest summer period on
record.
More than one million
passengers flew to more
than 100 destinations,
including 13 new routes
added so far this year.
New destinations on sale
this summer include
Naples, Catania and
Skiathos with more
announced for this winter
including Copenhagen,
Lyons and Basle.
The upward trend is set
to continue and passenger
numbers for this year are
predicted to be the highest
in the airport’s 76-year
history.
Fast Track airport
option from
Holiday Extras
HOLIDAY EXTRAS offers a
FastTrack Security Pass to
add to customers’ airport
parking or hotel bookings.
Pass holders receive a
priority service with a
dedicated lane through
security at airports across
the UK from £3 per person.
As an example, eight days’
parking with added security
passes for two adults and
two children at Luton
Airport in the summer
holidays costs from £37.99.
Clients combining an
airport hotel and seven
days’ parking, including
passes for two adults, at
Leeds Bradford costs from
£82.00.
Pre-booking a pass can
save passengers around
33% compared to buying at
the airport.
Fast Track Security is
available as an add-on at
Manchester, Liverpool John
Lennon, Luton, Bristol and
Leeds Bradford airports.
ukairports
LBA invests additional £1.2million
LEEDS BRADFORD International Airport (LBA) has
announced a range of improvements in customer facilities
and service which are now operational. This latest
investment of £1.2m is the next stage of improvements
following the £11m passenger terminal development of
2012.
Long stay car park users will now transfer to and from
the terminal in new larger buses with extra luggage space
and seating. Improvement works to the terminal front
layout provide for the new car park shuttle buses to drive
up to the terminal front door to drop off and pick up
passengers at a new bus stop just outside the main
terminal entrance and under the terminal building canopy.
The bus route to and from the car park has also been
redesigned and shortened and the journey time from the
long stay car park to the terminal is faster and more
regular. An additional 500 long stay car parking spaces
have also been created to meet increased demand.
Inside the terminal, the departures area has been
upgraded to provide more space to improve the passenger
journey through the airport. A new channel to security has
also been created with the access point separated from the
check in areas to simplify the customer process.
John Parkin, chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport,
said: “Leeds Bradford Airport has experienced record
growth in recent years and it is important that we
continually deliver airport improvements to accommodate
that growth and provide the best experience for our
passengers.”
Newsbites
●
●
●
●
THOMSON AIRWAYS recently celebrated the
departure of it’s first long haul Boeing 787 Dreamliner
flight from Newcastle International Airport.
ALL BAR One is the latest brand to arrive at
Birmingham Airport, as two new bars open their
doors to passengers. The first bar, located in the
South departure lounge, launched in April this year
and has recently been followed by the opening of an
additional unit in the North landside area of the
terminal.
ETIHAD AIRWAYS will launch its first service from
Scotland next year with the start of a non-stop daily
flight from Edinburgh to its home base of Abu Dhabi.
The new route, which will commence on June 8, 2015,
will be operated with a two-class Airbus A330-200
aircraft, offering a total of 22 seats in Business Class
and 240 seats in Economy Class.
NEW RESTAURANTS, bars and cafes have been
unveiled for an £80million terminal transformation at
Stansted Airport. The additions will include famous
brands and celebrity and a chef appearance. A new
Burger King will open later this year and all
remaining cafes, bars and restaurants will follow by
spring next year. As part of the new brand line up,
M&S Simply Food will also open this November.
S05 TB1508 Winter Sun_Layout 1 8/13/2014 12:18 PM Page 22
wintersun
HOLIDAYMAKERS ARE being offered a complimentary room upgrade and a free night when booking a
minimum seven-night stay at Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The 'Great Winter Thaw' package is
available from January 4 and March 27, 2015 (except February 13-21), and includes airport transfers.
For details see www.halfmoon.com
New Tenerife
promotions from
Attraction World
ATTRACTION WORLD is
offering new products in
Tenerife including a
Medieval Night of jousting
and feasting. Participants
are collected from a
designated point in the
south of the island and
taken to the Medieval
Castle in San Miguel. Upon
arrival at the castle, a
meal is served in the main
hall and the show begins.
Following the show, the
Drifters will perform in a
nearby arena. The
excursion costs £66 for
adults and £31 for children
aged two-12.
The operator is also
offering a Kayak Adventure
from Playa Paraiso. After a
short introduction, clients
will paddle out along the
picturesque coastline to
the small and original
fishing village of El
Puertito, and there’s also
the option to take a swim
and spot ocean turtles and
dolphins. Tickets cost £36
for adults and £18 for
children.
Prestige Holidays adds new properties in the Canaries
PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS has added five properties in the Canaries for this winter which
include the H10 Playa Meloneras Palace and Cordial Mogan Playa in Gran Canaria,
the H10 Conquistador in Tenerife and the H10 Rubicon Palace and H10 Lanzarote
Princess in Lanzarote.
H10 Playa Meloneras Palace is located in a quiet seafront position on the south of
Gran Canaria about a mile from the busy resort area of Maspalomas, adjacent to one
of the island’s golf courses. The property has two pools, a spa, three restaurants and
a choice of bars. A week’s half-board stay including flights from Gatwick and transfers
costs from £854 per person.
Located a short walk from the picturesque resort and fishing village of Puerto de
Morgan, the large family-friendly Cordial Mogan Playa resort offers tennis, ten pin
bowling, boules, a gym and bike hire centre, as well as two pools and a choice of
dining options. A week’s half-board stay with flights from Gatwick and transfers costs
from £899.
New for the operator in Tenerife is the H10 Conquistador in Playa De Las Americas.
The seaside hotel offers direct access to the promenade and a choice of swimming
pools, a Thalasso centre and a range of dining options. The hotel also has adult-only
‘Privilege’ rooms with extra facilities. Prices for a week’s half-board stay, including
flights from Gatwick with BA and transfers, lead in at £724.
Meanwhile, in Lanzarote the operator has added the H10 Lanzarote Princess and
Rubicon Palace both in Playa Blanca. Set back from the seafront, the H10 Lanzarote
features three dining options, several bars, a small beauty area and children’s
facilities.
The Rubicon Palace also has extensive children’s facilities including a playground,
mini disco, a choice of pools and children’s clubs for up to 16 year olds. In addition,
there is a dive school and a disco plus a range of restaurants and an all-inclusive
option.
A week’s half-board stay at either property costs from £699 including flights from
Gatwick with BA and transfers.
The operator’s winter breaks in the Canaries start from £518 per person (including
an early booking offer) for a week’s stay at Casa La Reverica on La Palma. The price
includes room-only accommodation, car hire and flights with Thomson Airways from
Gatwick.
Clients booking a winter break with the operator also benefit from a range of added
value offers including free nights, complimentary half-board, child discounts,
complimentary spa deals, room upgrades and free rounds of golf.
For further information call 01425-480400 or visit www.prestigeholidays.co.uk
August 15 2014
23
wintersun
Classic records strong winter sun sales to the Canary Islands
CLASSIC COLLECTION Holidays has
recorded strong sales to the Canary
Islands for winter 2014/15.
The operator reports that it has
seen an average year-on-year
increase of more than 20% across
Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and
Fuerteventura, with Fuerteventura
being the strongest individual
performer amongst the islands with a
winter increase in sales of 57%.
The company’s head of purchasing,
Gary Boyer, said: “We’re delighted
with the performance of these
perennial winter sun favourites. We
continue to work closely with our
hotel partners in the islands to
deliver the best possible value to our
customers and currently have more
than 250 special offers available
across our Canary Island resorts.
“Complimentary upgrades to halfboard, reduced hotel rates, free
nights and early booking offers are
proving particularly popular with
some notable savings being passed
on to our customers. We are also very
thankful to the travel trade who have
Barcelo Castillo Club Premium, Fuerteventura
strongly backed our dedicated Canary
Islands brochure.”
New for Tenerife this winter, the
operator has introduced the Hotel
Villa Maria in Costa Adeje, a collection
of 78 exclusive villas and, away from
the tourist resorts on the south of
island, the CasaBioclimaticas
Fuerteventura, Iter, an assortment of
energy self-sufficient and carbon
neutral eco-houses.
Fuerteventura sees the introduction
of the Elba Palace Golf, the Elba
Carlota Resort and the all suite
Barcelo Castillo Club Premium.
For further information call
0800-008 7288 or visit www.classiccollection.co.uk
wintersun
Red Sea Holidays adds new flights from Newcastle & Belfast plus new hotels
RED SEA Holidays’ latest brochure
includes two new hotels in Sharm el
Sheikh - the five-star Mövenpick
Sharm el Sheikh Resort and the fivestar Iberotel Il Mercato Hotel & Spa,
as well as increased regional airport
departures to include Belfast and
Newcastle.
From February 2015, the company
will offer flights from Newcastle to
Hurghada every Wednesday, while
flights from Belfast to Sharm el
Sheikh will start in May.
Jason Hilton, the operator’s deputy
managing director, said: “We’re
delighted to be increasing our
product offering once again – and are
especially excited to be moving in to
the Irish market. This year has been
very successful; we now have flights
departing seven days a week to
Sharm el Sheikh across our 14 UK
partner airports and continue to add
quality hotels to our portfolio.”
The company is offering a range of
discounts such as £100 off summer
Siva Sharm Resort and Spa
2015 bookings and £75 off winter sun
when booked by September 30; fixed
child prices of £439 for any date and
duration (including school holidays);
and no single room supplements at
selected resorts.
As an example of prices, seven
FUNWAY HOLIDAYS is offering an 11-day Orlando
and Mexico multi-centre holiday from £939 per person
including flights with United Airlines and American
Airlines. Accommodation is at the Rosen Inn International in
Orlando and the all-inclusive Aquamarina Beach Hotel
(pictured) in Cancun, with travel based on a November 5
departure.
For details visit www.funway4agents.co.uk
nights’ all-inclusive at the Siva
Sharm Resort and Spa, departing
Gatwick on or between November 25
and December 11, costs from £379
per person.
www.redseaholidays.co.uk
Winter sun savings of up to 25% at
Barceló Hotels & Resorts
BARCELÓ HOTELS & Resorts is offering up to 25% off
bookings on holidays to the Canary Islands.
As an example, clients can save 25% at the Barceló
Varadero in Tenerife, which offers views of La Gomera
and Teide and is situated next to the Playa de la Arena
and the cliffs of Los Gigantes, in the south east of
Tenerife. Facilities include three swimming pools, tennis
courts, spa, gym, sauna, Jacuzzi and solarium. Rates
are from £34 per person, per night.
Clients can also save 20% at Barceló Lanzarote whch
is ideal for families with its selection of kids’ clubs for
all ages plus special activities such as themed days,
rock climbing and a variety of sports.
To book or for further information call 0800-4227 2356 or
visit www.barcelo.com
August 15 2014
25
wintersun
Olympic Holidays promotes range of destinations & newly added properties
OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS is offering a
selection of destinations including
Cyprus, Malta, Egypt, Goa and The
Gambia plus Spain in its 2014/15
Winter Sun programme.
In Cyprus, the operator is
continuing to focus on its core winter
product of four- and five-star hotels,
using low-cost and scheduled flights
with the principal target market of
couples and older people. The island
is the leading winter sun destination
for the company that attracts sun
seekers and clients looking for a
cultural winter holiday.
The Gambia and Goa are also longestablished winter sun destinations
for the company.
Photis Lambrianides, the operator’s
commercial director, said: “The
Gambia and Goa are old favourites in
the programme and we offer some of
the keenest prices to both
destinations. Both deliver a firstclass product and represent
excellent value.”
Additional properties in the
programme include the four-star
Aqua Blue Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt
and the new two-star Casa de Chris in
Cavelossim, Goa. Additions in the
Canaries include the four-star Allsun
Barlovento Hotel in Costa Calma,
Fuerteventura; the three-star Dunas
Pirador Maspalomas in Maspalomas,
Gran Canaria; and the Mansion
Nazaret Hotel in Costa Teguise,
Lanzarote.
Cyprus prices start from £349 for
seven nights’ self-catering at the
four-star Louis King Jason in Paphos
and the Natura Beach Hotel & Villas
in Polis.
Egypt prices lead in at £515 for
seven nights’ all-inclusive stay at the
three-star Viva Sharm Hotel in
Sharm el Sheikh. The Gambia leads
in at £535 for a week’s breakfast stay
at the two-star Badala Park Hotel in
Kotu, while Goa leads in at £759 for a
week’s breakfast stay at the Falcon
Guest House in Calangute.
As a sample package, seven
nights’ all-inclusive stay at the newly
featured four-star Aqua Blue Sharm
el Sheikh in Egypt costs from £595
per person in December based on
two sharing a standard room. The
price includes flights from Gatwick
and transfers.
For more information
call 0844-499 4449 or visit
www.olympicholidays.com
Tenerife and Dubai remain popular
winter sun destinations for Travel 2
EARLY BOOKERS can secure a free night at Nisbet Plantation
Beach Club in Nevis for stays between January and April next
year. The boutique resort is offering seven nights for the price
of six for bookings made by October 31.
For details see www.nisbetplantation.com
26
August 15 2014
TENERIFE CONTINUES to be the top winter destination
for UK holidaymakers followed by Dubai for Travel 2.
Ricky Wason, the company’s general manager of
shorthaul product and purchasing, said: “Tenerife
remains the number one destination for Brits during the
winter months.
“With flights only four hours from most UK airports, it
means clients don’t have to endure a long haul flight to
find sun and spectacular scenery. This also means
clients are not restricted to a minimum seven-night
break. The destination is popular for four- and fivenight breaks and sees temperatures of between 20–25
degrees throughout the winter months.”
The operator recommends the Sheraton La Caleta
Resort & Spa Hotel, part of the Starwood Hotels
collection, which is located on the coast of Costa Adeje.
As an example, seven nights at the five-star property
leads in at £629 per person including flights from
London to Tenerife (South) with easyJet and breakfast
accommodation, based on a stay in a deluxe room
(which includes one free night) for travel on December
1.
Wason said: “Closely following the Canaries as the
destination of choice for UK holidaymakers is Dubai,
known for its high quality luxury hotels and sunshine.
The country is a little further to fly than the Canaries
but is still not considered long haul which gives clients
the chance to experience a quick four- or five-night
stay.”
The company recommends the Anantara The Palm
Resort & Spa which is located on the eastern crescent
of the iconic Palm Jumeirah and offers three swimming
lagoons, tennis courts, a gym and spa which features 17
treatment rooms. .
A six-night stay at the five-star property costs from
£1,119 including flights from London between December
6-20 with KLM for a stay in a Premier Lagoon View room
on a half-board basis.
wintersun
THE OCEANFRONT Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya Hotel in Mexico’s Riviera Maya district features 401
guestrooms and is surrounded by natural landscape, dense jungle, mangroves and indigenous fauna. The
lagoon and jungle view casitas and beach suites, located minutes from Playa del Carmen, offer luxurious
yet sustainable oceanfront living. Activities on offer include a Greg Norman designed 18-hole El Camaleón
golf course and a spa. Prices at the property start from £210 per night on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
For details visit www.fairmont.com/mayakoba-riviera-maya
Winter sun options
from Jet2holidays
JET2HOLIDAYS IS offering a
selection of winter escapes
including hotels with
Christmas and New Year
gala meals included, as well
as discounts to those who
stay longer.
As examples, seven nights’
self-catering stay at the
three-star Oasis Duna
Aparthotel in Fuerteventura,
departing from Manchester
on December 5, costs £359
per person, based on two
sharing and including
transfers and a 22kg
baggage allowance. A sevennight breakfast stay at the
three-star Hotel Dorisol
Estrelicia in Funchal,
departing Leeds Bradford on
February 16, 2015, costs
from £419 based on two
sharing a twin room,
including transfers and a
22kg baggage allowance.
Seven nights at the fivestar Vincci Seleccion Estrella
Del Mar Costa del Sol,
Marbella, on a bed-andbreakfast basis departing
Leeds Bradford on December
1 this year costs £549, based
on two adults sharing a
superior double room
including transfers and a
22kg baggage allowance.
For details or further
information call
0800-4085587 or visit the
trade dedicated website at
https://tradesite.
jet2holidays.com
August 15 2014
27
wintersun
KUONI IS offering seven nights’ all-inclusive stay at Keyonna Beach in Antigua in a beach house standard room from £1,379 per person.
The price, based on two sharing for an October departure, includes Economy flights with Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick and transfers.
For more information call 01306-747008 or visit www.kuoni.co.uk
Selection of new winter accommodation options from The Gambia Experience
THE GAMBIA Experience has added new accommodation
options for this winter including six new hotels plus
luxury tented accommodation at Fathala Wildlife Reserve
in Senegal, a short journey from Banjul, The Gambia.
The hotels include The White Horse Residence in
Batokunku, The Gambia. The new, high quality property is
built in the style of a traditional African Lodge and offers
seven rooms. Prices start from £898 per person for seven
nights’ half-board, based on two sharing a standard lodge
including flights and transfers.
The operator has also introduced The Coconut
Residence in Kololi/Bijilo, The Gambia, which is
reopening under new ownership after four years of
closure. Its 23 luxurious rooms range from a Junior suite
to a vast Royal suite. The hotel operates a shuttle service
for its guests to a nearby sandy beach. Prices lead in at
£1,047 for seven nights on a bed-and-breakfast basis,
based on two sharing a Junior suite including flights and
transfers.
Meanwhile, the Fathala Wildlife Reserve in Karang,
Sine Saloum South, Senegal is exclusive to the operator
and consists of luxury, tented accommodation set within
a nature reserve just across the Senegalese border. A
short journey from Banjul in The Gambia, into northern
Senegal, the 2,000 hectare wildlife reserve combines
luxury accommodation in air-conditioned safari tents
with the opportunity to observe buffalo, monkeys,
giraffes, zebra and rhino on safari drives. The resort’s 20
luxury tents have views across the reserve where
facilities include a swimming pool with sunbathing deck,
activity centre and an open-air Mahogany restaurant and
lounge, from where a waterhole and its frequent rhino
visitors can be spotted. The Fathala Cafeteria serves light
lunches, including fresh pizzas from its own pizza oven.
Game drives can be pre-booked and three- or four-night
stays can be combined with any of the operator’s hotels
to combine a twin or multi-centre holiday. Prices lead in
at £499 per person on a bed-and-breakfast basis for a
three-night stay excluding flights. See
www.gambia.co.uk/fathala-wildlife-reserve
For futher information call 0845-330 4567 or visit
www.gambia.co.uk
Free nights at True Blue Bay Boutique
TRUE BLUE Bay Boutique Resort in Grenada is offering
two free nights when clients stay for seven nights this
winter.
The offer is available for bookings made by August 31
for stays from November 15 to spring 2015.
Clients who opt to stay longer can secure extra free
nights. As an example, a 14-night stay will include four
free nights.
The two-bedroom villas feature a large living area,
fully fitted kitchen, private plunge pool and balcony.
For more information visit www.truebluebay.com
28
August 15 2014

Winter Sun - Travel Bulletin

Transcription

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