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August 14 2015 | ISSUE NO 1,930 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk
Spa Holidays
Take time out to relax this summer with these new spa options
this week agent bulletin 9
a round-up of the latest agent incentives & fam trips
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puzzle bulletin play Su Doku for your chance to win a ÂŁ50 M&S voucher
14 training new roadshow dates plus the latest online programmes
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winter sun find out where’s trending to make the most of the sunshine
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THAMES TREAT... This Week
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Cover Picture: Main - Shutterstock Copyright: Eduard Derule
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news the latest industry developments & product announcements
at home with eileen find out what homeworker Eileen has been up to lately
agent bulletin a round-up of the latest agent incentives, offers & fam trips
puzzle bulletin play Su Doku for your chance to win a £50 M&S voucher
bulletin briefing news & views from The Advantage Travel Partnership
To celebrate the launch of its new 2016 Worldwide Brochure, Titan hosted a party on the Thames welcoming agents from across the country on the Golden Salamander. A presentation and three-course meal followed, with prizes and a disco rounding off the evening. Pictured enjoying the sights are, from the left: Alex Reed, The Cruise Line; Jenny Jackson, Travel PA; Alana Jones, Titan; Gavin Murray, The Cruise Line; Emma Esue, Titan; and Geoff Monk, Global Coach Tours. For details see page 12.
Survey reveals British travellers stick to their traditional destinations and maintain confidence in Greece DATA FROM Hotelbeds supports the company’s optimistic forecast for the year that shows that British travellers still follow the historic pattern of preferring destinations offering sun and sea holidays. Unsurprisingly the Mediterranean remains their preferred holiday region, with the US ranking second. According to the new research, Spain continues to be the top destination for UK holidaymakers, with almost one out of three travellers flying to the country to enjoy their summer vacation. The Balearic island of Mallorca registers as the top destination with the US following in second place some distance apart. Orlando, Florida remains the most important US destination for British
holidaymakers, with more than half of those crossing the ocean spending their holiday in this classic destination. Meanwhile, despite the fact that the country’s uncertain economic and political situation have led recently to a slowdown in the creation of new bookings, Greece still ranks third in the list of preferences for British travellers. The Hellenic country is followed by Turkey, Portugal and Italy in the top destinations ranking for British tourists. The importance of the Mediterranean region as a leading destination does not just apply to visitors from the UK, with all of the above countries plus France also topping the rankings for visitors from all source markets, according to the company's data.
training an update on new roadshow dates plus the latest online training programmes
winter sun a look at where’s trending for holidaymakers wishing to lap up some winter sun
spa holidays take some time out to relax this summer with this round-up of spa breaks
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Stats reveal most coupled-up Brits prefer holidays with friends NEW RESEARCH undertaken by Vouchercodespro.co.uk has revealed that the average Brit will spend an average of £275 more on a holiday with a group of friends than they would on a vacation with their partner. The research polled a total of 2,394 adults aged 18 and over who had been in a relationship for at least two years and who
had also been on a holiday abroad during that time period. Almost two thirds (63%) confessed that a holiday with a group of friends appealed most to them (despite the fact they were in a relationship), with the most popular reasons including 'I have more in common with friends and would enjoy activities with them more' and 'I don’t see my friends as much as I see my partner/family'.
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New 164-passenger ship officially welcomed to the AmaWaterways’ fleet AMAWATERWAYS CELEBRATED the christening of its new 164-passenger vessel AmaSerena in Vilshofen, Germany this month. The line’s co-founder, Kristin Karst, said: “It is an exciting time for us as we welcome AmaSerena, our most innovative ship to-date, to our European fleet. We take great pride in selecting godmothers and we are honoured to have Michelle Fee join our family. She has been a fantastic partner of ours over the years, always supporting AmaWaterways and encouraging her network of franchise owners and travel professionals to do the same." AmaSerena joins sister ships AmaReina, AmaPrima, AmaCerto and AmaSonata and features the line’s first
AmaWaterways' executives join AmaSerena's Godmother, Mayor Florian Gams of Vilshofen, and 2nd County Commissioner, Rainmund Kneidinger at the ship’s christening.
connecting staterooms. Other features include twin balconies, salon and spa services, sun deck, multiple dining venues, including The Chef’s Table restaurant, and intimate wine rooms, as well as fitness rooms and heated sun deck swimming pool with swimup bar.
Itineraries for AmaSerena include The Enchanting Rhine, Magnificent Europe and The Romantic Danube, visiting France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other locations. For more information visit www.amawaterways.co.uk or call 0808-256 8422.
Warner Leisure Hotels introduces new premium drinks package across properties Guests visiting one of Warner Leisure Hotels’ 13 properties during 2016 will now receive more value for money by upgrading to the brand’s new premium drinks package for £20 per person on top of the Standard Drinks Inclusive package. The new package has been introduced following guest feedback and includes
big brand beers such as Cobra and Budweiser; high end spirits such as Grey Goose, Glenfiddich and Bombay Sapphire; as well as a selection of wines and port. A three-night weekend break at Lakeside Coastal Village, Hampshire starts from £202 per person based on a January 22, 2016 arrival and two sharing
a standard chalet. The price includes the Simple Dine package (half-board). The premium drinks package is bookable now for 2016 stays can be added to the overall cost of a break at the time of booking. The package must be added as an upgrade for all guests who have already opted for the standard drinks package.
New lounge opens at Heathrow T5
TEAM TOBAGO...Funway Holidays has added Tobago to its portfolio and has put together a four-page ‘Sizzling Summer’ flyer with prices starting from £1,069 per person for seven nights at the three-star, all-inclusive Turtle Beach By Rex Resort including flights with BA from Gatwick on May 2, 2016. A dedicated standalone 16-page brochure is due to be launched with the company offering a choice of six hotels in Tobago. Pictured marking the new launch is the operator's Laura Smith (left), Nick Talbot (back, left), Melissa Tilling, Malcolm Davies and Avion Hercules (front).
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COLLINSON GROUP, owners of Priority Pass, and Swissport, have announced the opening of the first independent, shared use lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5. ‘Aspire, the Lounge and Spa at LHR T5’ will be jointly owned and operated by Swissport and Airport Lounge Development (ALD), Collinson Group’s lounge operating arm. Located at Gate A18 in Terminal 5, it will be the first lounge open to all travellers. Priority Pass members will have access to the lounge as part of their membership, while travellers without membership can enjoy three hours in ‘Aspire, the Lounge and Spa at LHR T5’ for £35 when booked in advance at www.executivelounges.com or for £40 at reception on the day, subject to availability. The lounge is open from 05:00 until 23:00 daily. Errol McGlothan, general manager EMEA, Collinson Group said: “Using insights gained from frequent travellers, we are confident that we’ve delivered the most compelling destination lounge where travellers can relax and refresh ahead of their next journey. Developed in partnership with Swissport, we are delighted to offer travellers access to an independent lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 for the first time.” The 4,000sq ft. lounge space offers a British-inspired seasonal food and drink menu which includes a wide range of complimentary as well as premium (chargeable) options. A highlight of the lounge is the ‘Bliss Spa at Aspire’ which includes a range of treatments, while business travellers have access to work stations, free high speed Wi-Fi, charging posts and designated quiet zones.
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Saga Holidays introduces new price packages SAGA HOLIDAYS has taken into consideration its discerning guests’ requirements and now offers a choice of three price packages at a collection of resorts across Spain, the Balearics, the Canary Islands and some individual hotels in Portugal, Croatia, Malta, Greece and Cyprus. Guests now have the flexibility to decide what they want from their holiday and what they want to pay for. An 'Essential' package offers breakfast and dinner, a welcome drink, fruit and water in the room on arrival, porterage, flights, return shared transfers and a representative. A 'Signature' option offers the same as the Essential package but, from £70 extra per week, also gives guests the option to go all-inclusive which includes all meals, a free bar up to 13 hours a day, travel insurance and some excursions at selected hotels. Meanwhile, a 'Signature+' package, which costs from £200 more than the Signature price, guests receive everything in the Signature package plus UK travel service to and from the airport, an airport lounge pass, selected local flights and taxi transfers from the arrival airport to the resort. As an example, a newly featured holiday to the Olé Olivina Signature Hotel in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, starts from £429 for seven nights with the Essential package; from £499 with the Signature package and from £699 for Signature+. For further details call 0800-092 1178.
EASTERN PROMISE...Insider Journeys recently hosted a group of eight agents on a sales fam to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The trip was designed to give agents first-hand experience of the operator’s destinations and immersive insider experiences, helping them to sell its escorted small group journeys and tailormade tours with confidence. Pictured ready to have dinner in Halong Bay are, from the left: Anna Reed, Ocky White Travel; Kirsty Kitching, Tickets Travel Ltd; Anita Kelsey, Delmar World Travel; and Tim Lean, Pound Savers.
HARD ROCK HOTELS All Inclusive Collection is latest sponsor of Travel Bulletin’s Star Awards THE HARD Rock Hotels All Inclusive Collection in Mexico & Punta Cana and the UK Team are extremely dedicated in supporting and recognising our travel agent colleagues and are therefore proud to be sponsoring Travel Bulletin's Star Awards. Throughout this year Hard Rock Hotels AIC have delivered a taste of rock glory with Double Limitless Resort Credit, turning up the excitement for little rockers with The Ultimate Playtime Packages, which include babysitting plus never-ending activities for all ages. Music Labs offers four awesome music-learning experiences for all skill levels, with teens starring in a music video, spinning the decks with DJ Masterclasses, recording a track or jamming out on stage. Adults have also embraced our VIP Rock Royalty Concierge Level, and in our renowned Rock Spas, the new ‘Rhythm & Motion’ spa treatments (the world’s first fully immersive music-centric spa menu) utilises amplified vibrations, pressures and patterns as the foundation of its treatments. And still to come, 'Woodward Riviera Maya' will offer dryland skiing & snowboarding, parkour, cheerleading, trampolining and more to go along with a state-of-the-art skate and BMX park. It’s time to add some high-flying action to the day at the beach, and the addition of two new allinclusive hotels in Los Cabos & Riviera Cancun. Agents play an important and integral role in our growing success throughout the UK so we would like to reward you with complimentary nights on our agent incentive, Relax'n'Rock and you can take advantage of our generous travel agent rates, both of which include our Limitless Resort Credit. Keep a look out for other incentives and competitions where you can earn tickets to events like Ascot, the Grand National and Hard Rock Cafe Music Events. Look out & listen for the next Hard Rock Hotels AIC vibe! All Day. All Night. All Included.
bmi regional and Loganair now part of new regional airline group, AIL A MAJOR shake-up in the regional airline business has been established with bmi regional and Loganair becoming part of a new regional airline group, under newly appointed chief executive, Peter Simpson. A new holding company, Airline Investments Limited (AIL), acquired the shares in bmi regional and Peter
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Simpson will adopt the position as group CEO of the combined businesses. The AIL Group will create a regional airline group with substantial scale and reach - 46 aircraft, carrying approximately 1.5 million passengers each year, with a turnover of circa £200m. The new group will employ 960 people and will operate 47 routes across
ten countries across Europe - from Sumburgh in the Shetland Isles to Toulouse in the south of France. The new structure will cement the position of both bmi regional and Loganair as strong regional players in the UK and European aviation markets, and each carrier will continue to operate as a distinct business and brand.
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Bristol welcomes new Wizz Air service WIZZ AIR has announced that it will expand its route network from Bristol Airport and will commence a new scheduled service to Sofia, Bulgaria. Starting from March 28, 2016, flights will operate twice weekly on Monday and Friday and the new direct scheduled service will bring the total number of capital cities served by Bristol Airport to 17. The new flight is the second of the carrier's routes from Bristol and offers fares from £24.49 per person.
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MARKING A MILESTONE...Ace Rooms is celebrating receiving its 1,000 customer and reports that sales are up by 100% in the last 12 months. Pictured marking the milestone are, from the left: the company's Paul Pau, Rima Seth, Aleksandra Piasecka, Anna Kawa, Joyce Osborn, Amisha Pau and Simon Curran. The company now covers more than 100,000 hotels worldwide and airport transfers in more than 50 destinations with its user-friendly three stage booking system. For details call 020-8432 9922.
EGYPT HAS announced the completion of construction of the new Suez Canal extension, a multi-billion pound project that will boost the country’s trade and economy. The new project was completed in one year and adds 35km of new channels and 37 waterways in order to allow the passage of larger ships. FERRY TRAVEL comparison site Direct Ferries has announced a partnership deal with the Avios Travel Rewards Programme. Under the new partnership, Avios booking agents can benefit from progressive ferry search and comparison software, with access to 1,550 ferry routes and more than 357 ferry ports, offering connections by sea to more than 96 countries and islands. For details see www.directferries.co.uk FOR A limited time, SuperBreak is offering families the chance to enjoy a UK short break where the kids go free. Agents can now book packages where up to two children can travel, stay, eat and play for free when they are travelling with two full paying adults. Bookings must be made by the end of August for travel before the end of October. For details call 01904-436000. LATER THIS year Soneva Kiri in Thailand is hosting a Wellness Retreat in partnership with its ‘Healer in Residence’, Jacqueline Bourbon. The resort is inviting its guests to Connect. Balance. Rejuvenate. Rebuild over a five-, seven- or nine-day retreat from November 1 to December 7. HOSPITALITY LINE, in partnership with a select group of traditional London pubs, has launched a new way of experiencing British culture in the capital - Pub Passports. The pass has been created to showcase the best of the capital’s pubs and the vital role they play in an ever changing social scene. For details email adam.sharpin@hospitalityline.co.uk or call 020-8289 9595.
New brand announced for LAN Airlines, TAM Airlines and Affiliates AFTER AN extensive integration plan following the merger of LAN and TAM, LATAM Airlines Group has announced the adoption of the name LATAM. The name will be used for all companies in the group, including LAN Airlines and its affiliates in Peru, Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador; TAM Linhas Aereas SA, TAM Transportes Aereos Del Mercosur SA (TAM Airlines (Paraguay); and cargo airlines of LATAM Group integrated by LAN CARGO LAN CARGO Colombia, ABSA (TAM Cargo) and Mas Air.
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The new brand will incorporate the most important attributes and strengths from both LAN and TAM from their 86 and 39 years of operation respectively, and the group aspires to become the first global leader with a genuine Latin American identity. Mauricio Amaro, chairman of LATAM Airlines Group, said: "The brand LATAM is the most natural result of the union of LAN and TAM brands. We knew that having a single brand was essential to solidify this partnership and in this sense 'LATAM' has strength in uniting
and consolidating the two identities as Latin America's largest airline. The new brand retains the best elements of two identities and their legacies whilst encompassing the unique Latin American essence of each. For more information see www.latam.com/building-latam
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Guests invited to go back in time at Arundel Castle over Bank Holiday weekend ARUNDEL CASTLE in West Sussex is set to take visitors on a journey through time this August Bank Holiday weekend (29-31), as it presents its History In Action (Multi-Period) event, charting almost two millennia of local history. The three-day event explores the time of Roman Gladiators, when there was a Roman Villa at Arundel, and travelling through the Norman, Medieval and Victorian periods, the event aims to show visitors how Sussex developed into the county it is today. Castle manager, Bryan McDonald, said: “Arundel Castle is one of Sussex’s
leading landmarks. We are all very proud of the Castle’s history, as well as that of our town and county – this History In Action event is an apt opportunity to celebrate that rich past.” From exploring costume through the ages, to enjoying combat demonstrations, falconry and artillery displays, there is entertainment for guests of all ages and interests. For those visiting on the concluding day of the event there is added excitement, as performers representing each historical era battle it out to be crowned ‘the last period standing’.
The castle is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, Mondays in August and Bank Holiday Mondays. Tickets are priced from £9. For details see www.arundelcastle.org
New web launch from The Oxford Ski Company introduces improved functionality THE OXFORD Ski Company has launched its new website ahead of the 2015/16 season. The company has identified key insights and research from its established customer base to help engage more effectively with discerning clientele. Managing director, Mark Gibbins, said: “We are constantly looking at ways
to improve client engagement, particularly as the luxury sector becomes more diluted. As well as better functionality to showcase our hand-picked portfolio, it was additional premium elements such as personalised concierge services offered at no extra cost which have been represented in the new design. Our
unrivalled knowledge, experience and impartial advice is most valued and recommended by both our guests and trade partners and is what resonates more deeply with clients searching for a luxury holiday experience." For further information visit www.oxfordski.com or call 01993-899420.
Welcome To AMRAGENTS DISCOVERY! So you’ve booked your clients to an AMResorts Collection property and they’re looking forward to some serious sunshine hours, a cocktail (or two) by the pool, and some great food. But have you told them about all the special touches we offer when it comes to food? From dining experiences, to outstanding à la carte restaurants, to a simple yet stunning catch of the day, we at AMResorts like to ensure that our guests receive a culinary experience that is second to none. Over the course of the next two months, we will be tasting our way around the AMResorts Collection, meeting the chefs and divulging their secrets, posting mouth-watering recipes and exploring culinary classes. Look-out for AMRAgents Discovery in the trade press, our Facebook page – AMRAgents UK and our agent website – AMRAgents.co.uk. FAM trip places, prizes and more to follow…
ARUBA (2018) | COSTA RICA | CURAÇAO | DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: CAP CANA (JAN 2017) • LA ROMANA • PUNTA CANA | JAMAICA: MONTEGO BAY | MEXICO: AKUMAL (NOV 2015) CANCUN • COZUMEL • HUATULCO • ISLA MUJERES • IXTAPA • LOS CABOS • NUEVO VALLARTA • PLAYA DEL CARMEN (2017) • PLAYA MUJERES • PUERTO AVENTURAS • PUERTO VALLARTA • RIVIERA CANCUN • RIVIERA MAYA • TULUM | PANAMA (DEC 2015) | U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS: ST. THOMAS
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Ski Total offers December deals
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e m o h t AEileen... r Eileen eworke h? m o h s a t What h p to this mon been u
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oor old Cecil, the lion. Along with many people throughout the world, I was saddened to hear the news of the illegal killing of Cecil, one of Hwange National Park’s best loved inhabitants by a trophy hunter. The widespread media coverage and the furore that followed the news of his killing has raised many questions, many of which are hard to answer. The story may have been about one particular lion but it also highlighted the issues surrounding all animals that are legally hunted and killed as trophies or illegally killed for their horns. I have been fortunate enough to go on several safaris in Africa, one of which was to Zimbabwe where I visited Hwange. The thrill of seeing such majestic animals in the wild is something I’ll never forget and which I feel very privileged to have experienced. And I think most people lucky enough to have experienced a safari probably feel the same. I don’t think I’m the only one who finds it hard to understand why anyone would go on safari with the sole purpose of killing an animal to hang it as a trophy on their wall back home. Although this particular killing was illegal, trophy hunting is legal in many areas of Africa. This is undoubtedly a contentious issue but when rich people are willing to pay US$50000, as this trophy hunter did, then unfortunately it’s often a case of ‘money talks’. Following the international outrage created by Cecil’s killing, I understand that several airlines have now pledged to no longer transport the remains of trophy hunted animals and hopefully others will follow. Anything that can be done to discourage this practice is very welcome. Many animals, once existing in large numbers throughout the world have become endangered and at risk of extinction in just a matter of years. I think we should be doing everything we can to protect our wildlife before it’s too late. Hopefully, this news story has got people talking and it may have a positive effect by highlighting wider conservation issues and also encouraging and implementing more responsible tourism. If so, then Cecil’s death will not have not been in vain.
by EILEEN SAUNDERS of Travel Counsellors To respond to any of Eileen’s comments email lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk
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SKI TOTAL is offering early season ski deals in Meribel. Guests can stay at Chalet Le Mélèze Doré for £549 per person, down from £649, when travelling on December 13. Guests can also stay in iconic Courcheval 1650 in France, renowned for being one of the most stylish resorts in the Alps. The operator is offering the Chalet Cascades for £839 per person, down from £958 for a December 20 departure. Both prices are based on two adults sharing including flights from Gatwick, transfers, Wi-Fi and seven nights' catered accommodation including buffet breakfast, afternoon tea and a four-course evening meal with complimentary wine. For details visit www.skitotal.com or call 0148-379 1933.
AllClear aims to protect travellers against holiday disruption ALLCLEAR HAS launched Trip Disruption, a new optional extra cover to insure customers against delays or cancellations caused by natural disasters and civil unrest, as well as scheduled airline failure and supplier insolvency. Trip Disruption includes cover for travel disruption such as civil unrest and natural disasters, providing up to £1,000 per person of delayed departure cover, scheduled airline failure and supplier insolvency. The policy also offers up to £2,000 per person against the cancellation of all or part of a trip. Both these elements of cover can be purchased independently. Visit www.allcleartravel.co.uk for more details.
TUI Group & Intrepid Travel part ways TUI Group and the founders of Intrepid Travel have announced that they will end their PEAK Adventure Travel Group (“PEAK”) strategic venture. The mutually-agreed decision to end the four-year partnership will allow each group to best serve their respective adventure market segments. Under the new arrangement, Intrepid Travel cofounders Darrell Wade and Geoff Manchester will take back full ownership of the original adventure travel brand they founded in 1989, as well as a portfolio of leading brands that will make up the Intrepid Group. Darrell Wade will continue as CEO alongside James Thornton, the first managing director of the Intrepid Group, which includes Adventure Tours Australia, Geckos Adventures, Intrepid Travel, Peregrine Adventures, The Family Adventure Company, Urban Adventures plus the company’s group of destination management companies. A newly created Adventure Specialist Division sitting within TUI’s Specialist Group will bring together a collection of higher-end experiential brands - Exodus, Headwater,TrekAmerica, Grand American Adventures and Sawadee (which previously operated under the PEAK umbrella) with Quark Expeditions, Zegrahm Expeditions and International Expeditions (which previously operated within the Specialist Group’s North American Specialist Division). In addition, this division will also include UKbased World Challenge and AmeriCan Adventures, a USbased destination management company.
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agentbulletin Booking incentives ●
TYPICALLY ITALIAN Holidays is giving agents the chance to attend a live cooking demonstration by a chef specially flown in from Italy who will also prepare a threecourse meal for four in the winning agent’s home. To enter, agents need to make two or more bookings by August 31 from the 2015 programme for Italy or Spain for a minimum of two people, staying three nights in a hotel or self-catering, including flights or rail travel from the UK. Three agencies will be automatically drawn on September 1.
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LAUNCHING ITS ‘Bright Lights, Big Cities’ campaign to promote the wealth of city break options available in the US and Canada, Travel 2 has partnered with United Airlines and Air Canada to offer five agents the chance to win a £150 Sunglass Hut voucher. To enter, agents need to make a new booking by August 31 which must include flights with United Airlines or Air Canada and a minimum of three nights’ ground arrangements in a US city. For details visit www.travel2.com
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AGENTS WHO are members of Azamara Club Cruises' Club Royal loyalty scheme who make the most bookings on 2016 or 2017 voyages until August 31 will win one of 15 places on a murder mystery experience on the Belmond British Pullman. The prize includes a five-course lunch with a glass of Champagne and wine. The winners will be announced on September 14. See www.cruisingpower.co.uk
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THE RIVER Cruise Line is giving agents the chance to win a Christmas hamper by booking any of its 2015 Christmas markets or Christmas and New Year cruises, throughout this month. Agents can also offer their clients free excursion packages on their bookings this month. To enter, agents should e-mail the booking reference number and contact details to competition@diamondhols.co.uk
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UNTIL AUGUST 31 agents can earn quadruple points with Celebrity Cruises on bookings for the newly released allinclusive pricing on 2016 European sailings as part of the ‘Celebrity Rewards’ progamme. Agents will earn double points for booking inside or ocean view staterooms; triple points for Balcony or Concierge staterooms and - for the first time - quadruple points for Aquaclass or above accommodation categories on sailings to Europe during summer 2016. See www.cruisingpower.co.uk
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FANCY A FAM? GOLD
MEDAL is giving travel age nt partners the chance to win a place on a mega fam to Thailand. The fam, running in partne rship with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Centar a Hotels & Resorts, Etihad Airways and Bangk ok Airways, will take 36 agents (separated into fou r separate groups) to different destinations includ ing Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and Hu a Hin. Places will be allocated nine per region, and will be split between the top selling age nts overall, top selling Thailand agents, mo st improved performance overall year-on-year and most improved Thailand performance yea r-on-year. For more information visit www.goldmedal.co.uk or call 0800-014 7777.
IN THE BAG...Julie Crumpton of Travel Counsellors was the lucky winner of a Michael Kors designer handbag in the 'Great TIPTO Giveaway'. Julie is pictured receiving her prize from Scott James of SuperBreak.
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Destination Romania has tea med up with two of its members - the five-star Gra nd Hotel Continental Bucharest and the dental clin ic DentAplus - to offer agents a chance to win a weeke nd stay in Bucharest and a full dental check-up. To enter, agents should email info@visit-romania.org.u k by September 1.
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newsbulletin Autumn savings on escorted small group tours from Journey Latin America JOURNEY LATIN America is offering savings on selected escorted small group journeys departing in September and October. A ‘Tico Tico: Culture of the Northern Andes’ journey, departing on September 8, offers a saving of £300 per person and is now priced at £2,818. The 14-day adventure takes in the remote highlights of the north of Peru with an insight into the country’s rich cultural history.
Alternatively, ‘Andean Flamingo: Andes laid bare’ explores a variety of mountain landscapes over 18 days departing on September 24, with prices leading in at £4,778, down from £5,078, while a 21-day ‘Hummingbird: Ocean to Ocean’ departs on September 9 and takes in some of the continent's most extraordinary and contrasting sites with a free Andean Explorer train journey from Cusco to Lake Titicaca,
worth £130. Also being highlighted is a one-off 17-day ‘Buenos Aires, Uruguay & south Brazil’ which offers a saving of £225 and costs £3,233 for an October 9 departure. All prices include flights from London and are based on double occupancy or single travellers willing to share. For further information visit www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines returns to Belfast this autumn with Black Watch FRED. OLSEN Cruise Lines will return to Belfast this autumn, with three cruises on the 804-guest Black Watch. The liner will offer guests a choice of a 16-night ‘Scandinavian Capitals’ cruise departing on September 30 for £1,104 per person; an eight-night ‘Discovering Spain & France’ adventure departing on October 16 for £710; and a 14-night ‘Morocco, Portugal & The Canaries’ getaway departing on October 24 for £1,151. All prices are based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, and include all meals and entertainment on board, plus port taxes. Guests can also choose to upgrade to the company’s ‘All-Inclusive’ drinks package, from £10 per person, per night. For further information visit www.fredolsencruises.com
Haven launches agent family educationals HAVEN HAS launched a travel agent educational offer across 19 of its seaside holiday parks to assist agents in learning about its product by experiencing it first hand with their families. Agents can book a twonight break commencing on July 18 in a deluxe two- or three-bedroom caravan that sleeps up to six or eight
people for £89 per family. For £99 per family they can upgrade to a Deluxe Plus caravan. This offer is limited to promotional availability and is on a first come, first served basis. Agents simply need to choose two park preferences and email trade.sales@bourneleisure.co.uk
Monarch puts 2016 flights on sale MONARCH HAS announced the launch of its summer schedule for 2016 with flights now on sale from Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, Luton, Gatwick and Manchester airports. The airline has released more than 80% of its summer schedule with 32 destinations now on sale. The schedule includes some of the airline’s most popular summer beach destinations including the Algarve, Mallorca, Dalaman and Sharm el Sheikh, as well as city breaks like Barcelona, Rome and Venice. Further flights and additional routes will be added to the schedule in the coming months. For more information visit www.monarch.co.uk
IN THE KNOWSLEY…Visions Holiday Group, South Africa Tourism and Manchester Airport recently hosted agents in the North West to a training day on South Africa. The morning sessions were followed by a safari trip around Knowsley Safari Park in Prescot and high tea. Pictured ready to take the trip are, from the left: Clive Barlow, Mulberry Travel; Julie Morris, Jaunt Travel; Nina Farrimond, South Africa Tourism; Charlie Diakou, Crown Travel; Janette Ashby, Global Travel; Carol Kirkham and Julie O’Neill, Kirkham Travel; and Shaun Davies, Chester Travel Connections.
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puzzlebulletin Travagrams
Su Doku Win a £50 M&S voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle Number: 031
Can you solve the following anagrams to decipher the destination & tour operator?
He Pegs Solidarity
A➠
B➠ Luxury specialist which celebrated its 26th anniversary in January
C➠
I Jeer On Radio
D➠ 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:
Brazilian city known for it’s ‘redeeming’ landmark
Where Am I?
competition@travelbulletin.co.uk Closing date for entries is Thursday, August 20th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.
The site of a former prison off the coast of San Francisco
Crossword Fill in the crossword to reveal the mystery location highlighted by the green squares.
Number: 031
Across 1. Travel agency, part of Hays (4) 3. The African-themed Busch Gardens is located in this Florida city (5) 8. Luxury hotel located at The Shard (7-2) 9. Myleene, host of ITV's BBQ Champ (5) 11. Carrier with an Atlanta hub (5) 12. Estimated time of arrival, initially (3) 13. Major hotel group (5) 14. Kathmandu is the capital (5) 15. Garuda is the flag carrier of this country (9) 18. Iconic Cape Town mountain (5) 19. Sicily's famous volcano (4)
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Down 1. Little Mix hit, sounds like a box of chocs (5,5) 2. Hobart is the capital of this state, initially (3) 4. Algiers airport code (3) 5. Australian island famous for its penguins (7) 6. Ricky Wilson is the frontman of, ___ Chiefs (6) 7. Moroccan city and port (10) 10. P&O ship, exclusively for adults (7) 11. Type of pastry popular here but invented in Scandinavia (6) 16. Newcastle international airport code (3) 17. Tiny island (3)
For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 22 August 14 2015
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newsbulletin Titan adds new destinations to worldwide escorted tours 2016 brochure TITAN HAS unveiled its 2016 worldwide brochure of escorted tours with two new countries – Uzbekistan and Colombia – joining the portfolio for the first time. A 12-day ‘Uzbekistan – Jewel of the Silk Road’ follows the route of the Silk Road and offers the chance to explore the cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva; the rarely visited town of Nukus and the renowned Savitsky Art Museum; plus the modern capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent. Other highlights include lunch in a yurt, dinner at local folk shows and a cooking lesson with a chef in Bukhara. Departures are in March, April, September, October and November next year with prices starting from £1,849 per person based on a November 8 departure. The deal offers a saving of up to £250 if booked before September 30 and includes flights, ten nights' hotel accommodation, 25 meals, plus ten excursions and visits.
Also new for 2016 is the 15-day ‘Contrasts of Colombia’ itinerary. Prices start from £2,799 based on a January 19, 2016 departure, saving up to £300 if booked before September 30. The price includes flights, 12 nights' hotel accommodation, 24 meals and 11 excursions and visits. Both trips offer the services of a tour manager and VIP Home Departure Service. In addition, four other tours make their debut next year including revamped journeys around the Balkans, Sardinia, a Wachau Valley cruise on the Royal Crown and the poignant battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal. There are also hundreds of single places available with low or no supplements to pay, plus early discounts available on selected itineraries when booked before September 30. For details call 0800-988 5873 or visit www.titantravel.co.uk
STA Travel unveils new tailor-made Africa programme STA Travel has launched a new 'Tailor Made Africa' programme offering bespoke itineraries for customers to build their own African experience. Options include searching for the Big Five in the Serengeti, driving South Africa’s famous Garden Route, hiking the snowy peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro and bungee jumps from Victoria Falls. Tim Fryer, product and marketing director for the company, said: “We’re incredibly excited to follow the successful 'Tailor Made Asia' concept with Africa, where we offer a complete mix of experiences - from the adventure of safaris, mountains and iconic falls and the unique red sand dunes of Namibia to the stunning beaches of Zanzibar and a
Cape Town
taste of Cape Town’s cosmopolitan V&A Waterfront. There really is an itinerary that can be built for each customer.” As an example of prices, an 11-day Cape, Winelands & Safari self-drive tour costs from £615 and takes guests through the vineyards, cliffs and blue lagoons of the Garden Route. Highlights
include the chance for wine tasting in Stellenbosch, feasting on oysters in Knysa Bay and searching for the Big Five at the Kariega Lodge. The itinerary includes all accommodation, some meals, a Cape Town welcome pack and 24-hour in-country support. Flights and car hire are excluded.
Historical WW1 tours from Belle France
ALL DECKED OUT...Mandy Pritchard (left), a personal travel agent for Midcounties Co-operative Travel, took advantage of a day pass for agents at Butlin's Minehead. Mandy took along her sister-inlaw, Aimee Pritchard, for the fun day out.
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BELLE FRANCE is offering holidaymakers the chance to tread in the footsteps of the heroes of World War One, through historical cycling, walking or cruise holidays in Normandy and Picardy. Tours available for 2015 and 2016 include The Great War Trail of Artois, a five-night cycling tour available on a bedand-breakfast or half-board basis, which passes through Arras and over Vimy Ridge, with prices starting from £891 per person. The Great War Walk offers a six-night easy walking tour taking in some of the most poignant sites of World War One, available on a half-board basis with prices starting from £683. The operator is also offering two World War One Commemorative Cruises for 2016 both priced at £3,150, with one departing on May 22 and other on May 29. Both will visit the main sites of the battle, as well as the evocative Thiepval memorial, which commemorates those who lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme. Both are fully inclusive with six-night accommodation, gourmet meals, wines, open bar, daily excursions, local transfers and full use of all onboard amenities. For further details visit www.bellefrance.com or call 0158-021 4010.
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Industry Insight by... Forget the stiff upper lip says Colin O'Neill, business development manager at Advantage, it’s the Great British attitude that sees us through the tough times... S WE are in the midst of what is and will remain the major holiday period of the year, it is difficult to predict how the summer 2015 period will end. Whatever the final outcome, it will be looked upon as a very testing time for the industry. And whilst the UK economy continues to tip-toe its way out of recession and consumer confidence is building and the green shoots of recovery are now healthy sapplings, price and value remain sensitive issues with agents and business partners having to work hard to close the sales on wafer thin margins. The testing bit from my point of view has nothing much to do with the competitiveness of the market, but more to do with unsettling consumer safety and security. The dreadful event in Tunisia a little time ago not only had a major impact on holiday bookings to the country itself, but the aftermath of the tragedy has had a serious effect on a much wider holiday region, most of which are innocent bystanders against the terrorist backdrop. Add to that the financial crisis in Greece and you start to potentially put out of service, a huge chunk of the traditional holiday markets - when the buying holiday market is tough, the last thing that you really want to do is to have to narrow the range of product available to sell. And if that wasn't difficult enough, we have a major incident brewing on the other side of the channel, affecting holiday traffic to the continent; an issue that
A
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appears set to continue throughout the summer. Faced with all of these difficulties, the UK travel industry could be forgiven for wishing to throw in the holiday towel but not a bit of it. The agents in our organisation that I have spoken to over recent weeks have worked very hard and with considerable degrees of success in two key areas: Helping their customers work through the fact and the fiction in relation to the realities of the situation. In Greece, for example, holiday life very much goes on as normal in beautiful tranquillity - far from the images of rioting and cashless banks portrayed in the media. In the event that a customer decides not to holiday in one of these areas, finding them an alternative holiday destination in order that the customer still gets to have a holiday. At least this is one of the major assets the travel industry does have at its disposal - access to abundant holiday alternatives which, in the hands of a professional travel agent, can ensure that all is not lost - often with the alternative proving to be equally compelling as the original option. So, despite how the rest of the summer plays out, with whatever remaining twist and turns we may face, the positive British attitude that serves us so well time and again, will once again prevail.
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training Star Clippers sets up product briefing lunch sessions for homeworkers STAR CLIPPERS is offering 110 homeworkers the opportunity to join key members of the UK sales team for lunch and a full product briefing on 11 dates between September 7 and November 23. In an informal setting participants can enjoy a two course lunch, from 12:15-14:00, and a full training session at TGI Fridays in Guildford, Norwich, Birmingham, Ellsmere Port, Bath, Glasgow, Newcastle on Tyne, Crawley, Braintree, Cardiff and Grays. The sessions are restricted to ten participants on each date. Danielle Dudley, sales manager for the company, said: “Homeworkers can often feel left out when it comes to
product training, and perks too. Star Clippers’ tall ship sailings are such a niche type of cruise that with better product knowledge homeworkers stand a very good chance of significantly increasing their revenue.
We welcome all those who would like to get to know the product better, on a first come basis”. Homeworkers wishing to take part in the lunch training sessions should email agency.sales@starclippers.co.uk
Agents can train online & win tickets to Dubai with Qantas’ new additions QANTAS HAS refreshed its Online Travel Training programme, introducing new content including a dedicated module on Premium Economy. To coincide with the launch, the company is giving away a pair of return Premium Economy tickets to Dubai to
one lucky travel agent who completes its online course before August 31. The airline’s A380 is running double daily flights from Heathrow to Dubai, and onwards to Sydney or Melbourne. Guests booked into Premium Economy can enjoy priority check-in, an
ergonomically designed seat with optimised leg room, a Rockpool inspired menu served on stylish tableware and a 10.6 inch personal touch entertainment screen. Agents can access the training course by visiting www.qantasagenttraining.co.uk
FUNWAY HOLIDAYS has stepped up its training with the introduction of more inhouse dedicated training days. The Nevada Trade Show Day was the most recent training event taking place on July 21 with a broad range of suppliers - from the Nevada Division of Tourism to Papillon Helicopters, presenting their products. Nine further training sessions are booked in before the end of 2015 on destinations such as Deep South, Alamo, Colorado and Daytona Beach, with the aim to increase reservations staff knowledge to pass on to agents when selling over the phone.
Popular demand sees BRIGHT add London workshop event next month BRIGHT (Bringing Real Information & Guaranteed High Quality Training) has added a London event to its autumn workshop programme for independent agents. Group members will be hosting a training workshop and two-course dinner at the Connaught Rooms, Holborn on September 14 from 18:00.
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There will be a welcome drinks reception as well as several member prizes on offer drawn from a charity raffle in support of ABTA Lifeline charity, which provides assistance to industry employees and their families. Hisham Mahmoud, chairman for the group, said: “We have had an incredibly
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successful year to date with more than 500 agents attending events across the UK & Ireland and we’re adding a London date due to popular demand. We’re expecting record attendances by the time we finish our events programme in October." The new line up of workshops for autumn now
includes Guernsey on September 8, Jersey on September 9, London on September 14, Gatwick on October 20 and Portsmouth on October 21. Agents are invited to register for workshops at bookings@eventsfortravel.co m and can visit www.brightconsortia.com for further details.
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training Holiday Extras offers practical advice to agents on how to sell insurance Paul Paddock, insurance product, performance and pricing expert at Holiday Extras, has put together a guide for agents to overcome top customer objections often presented to them when adding insurance to a cruise or holiday booking. Even if a client already has an annual policy, making them aware of the travel insurance that can be offered can lead to the possibility of a return for a quote when that policy comes up for renewal. Paddock says if the objection is based on the cost, agents can advise clients that although there may be cheaper
policies available, they may not provide sufficient levels of cover. He said: “We have products that can be specifically tailored to each holiday and our Latitude policy covers more than 97% of people who have preexisting medical conditions.” If a client mentions that they have travel insurance with their credit card or bank account, Paul advises: “It is important that you ask your customer to check that the bank insurance they have covers them for the type of holiday that they are taking. Many customers may have these policies but they don’t actually
have the policy documents. Therefore, it could be hard for the customers to find the details of the emergency assistance company or the claims handlers. It is worth advising your customers to check their cover.” The company is also able to provide a 14-day cancellation period with a full refund should a customer say ‘I need to check with my partner’ or ‘I want to shop around’ and offers commission to agents.
For more information email travelinsurance@holidayextras.com
Prestige Holidays to host three Canada evenings PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS has announced three networking evenings to promote Canada to agents. The events will take place on October 28 at the Hoar Cross Hall Spa Hotel in Staffordshire; on November 25 at the Winchester Hotel and Spa in Winchester; and on December 2 at the Titanic Belfast. Trade partners supporting the event include Destination Canada, Rocky Mountaineer, Tourism Yukon, VIA Rail, Ontario Tourism, APT Touring, Air Transat, Fairmont Hotels, Air Canada, IcelandAir, Destination British Columbia, WestJet and Travel Alberta. Around 150 agents can enjoy informal networking over drinks and canapés followed by dinner and the chance to win prizes in a quiz. Denise Hunn, manager Canada and USA portfolio for the operator, said: “Our three trade evenings will be both fun and educational. There is plenty of opportunity for agents to learn lots about this vast and diverse country and we will, of course, be revealing our new product for 2016.” Agents interested in attending should contact Emma Pine on 01425-484262.
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NO TRAIN NO GAIN
Discover the latest additions to Travel Gym, Travel Bulletin’s online learning portal for travel agents. Log on now at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/travel-gym to complete some of the courses currently appearing, including...
WIN A LUXURY HOLIDAY TO GRAN CANARIA! This all year-round sun destination with golden sand beaches and dramatic mountain inland landscapes offers exquisite facilities for top quality golf, SPA, nature and active holidays. This prize includes 7 nights’ accommodation with breakfast at 5* Sheraton Gran Canaria Salobre Golf Resort, a unique and sophisticated retreat within a striking distance of two 18-hole golf courses & with a welcoming SPA on the side, giving way to complete serenity and disconnection. Whether looking to practice your swing, rejuvenating with exclusive natural treatments or just chilling by the pool, this luxury resort has it all covered for you! This amazing prize is for those agents who finish Gran Canaria course by end of September 2015
LUFTHANSA GROUP LAUNCHES THE LUFTHANSA EXPERTS ACADEMY The Lufthansa eXperts Academy is the brand new online training platform where you can learn all about the Lufthansa Group. Additionally, in July and August, any agent who completes the training will automatically be entered into the prize draw to win one of several amazing prizes which include anApple Watch, iPad and Amazon and Debenhams vouchers. To access the training, you’ll need to be an eXperts member. If not, you can register at www.lufthansaeXperts.com.
AM RESORTS: Discover the new UK & Irish agent portal at AMRAgents.co.uk and become a Master Agents today! Master Agents enjoy sensational master agent rates (i.e. $99 USD pppn at a Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resort), complimentary day passes, online resources and other useful tools.
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winter sun options; from busy, brash resorts to chic fivestar boutique hotels to self-contained luxury resorts, as well as fine beaches and lush mountains. The south of the island tends to be warmer and drier, but the north has its attractions and recently seen an increase in flying options. Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote have also been outperforming the market, suggesting that beaches are high on travellers’ list of priorities. The sea temperatures can be chilly though, so it might be well to suggest, especially for families with younger children to seek out accommodation with a heated pool. Barbados is the classic Caribbean destination for the UK market, offering excellent beaches, a sophisticated social life, first-class restaurants and, owing to a number of high profile residents, the winter sun X factor. The island is at its best during the UK winter, with the thermometer hovering between 84-86F and the sea temperature a kindly 79-81F. The west coast has the best of everything and early February is just about perfect…and if you do see clouds and rain, it would be rare for them to stay for more than an hour or two. For many people the marvellous thing about Madeira is that being just 300 miles west of Africa and flush between the latitudes of Casablanca and Marrakech, it ought to be sun-baked and blistering. But it’s not. It has a balmy yearround climate, from 66-74F in winter, which tends to be ideal for a clientele who don’t like it too hot, and who prefer to be active hiking and walking in a Madeiran landscape where stunning coastal views give way to emerald valleys, windswept mountain peaks and soaring cliffs. For the last three years winter sales have been soaring too, with consecutive year on year increases. The Algarve too has seen similar increases; and it sure beats Southport as a place to practice your golf swing in December.
EASTERN PROMISE
THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF ANDREW FARR from Classic Collection offers an insight into where’s trending for holidaymakers wishing to lap up some winter sun IT’S BEEN a few years since Marks & Spencer and other High Street retailers cottoned on to the fact that with so many people travelling abroad in search of winter sun it made sense to sell beachwear in January. ABTA estimated that 12 million people from the UK took a winter holiday last year, and although not all of those would be sun-seekers, you can bet your high-waisted Per Una bikini bottoms, that most were. With many parts of the country suffering from a summer that is shaping up to be one of the coolest, wettest and most unsettled on record, the travel industry could be in for a bumper winter sun exodus. So where might they all be migrating to?
GO WEST Well, early signs would seem to suggest, that rather like Village People and Pet Shop Boys, quite a few are planning to ‘Go West’. With relatively short flights operating from a vast choice of UK airports, an excellent winter sunshine record, a huge choice of accommodation and competitive prices, it has always been hard to beat the Canaries at this time of year. Tenerife is a consistently good performer. The largest and most varied of the Canaries, it offers the full gamut of
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For those heading east, Dubai is booming. It has first-class hotels, fabulous shopping, an upbeat vibe and a marvellous climate. A relatively short flight time with airlines renowned for service have made it a comfortable short break destination for couples, and the full half-term winter holiday of choice for many a well-heeled family. For the first time in three years the clouds of the unrest in Egypt might just be showing signs of lifting. The climate, beaches and hotel facilities are hard to beat for those seeking conspicuous value for money alongside guaranteed winter sun. For those preferring places in a more settled state, Cyprus tends to be warm rather than hot. But for a dry and sunny winter destination closer to home, it’s hard to beat. Just wait until late winter if you wish to sunbathe on the beach. That heated pool might be useful again, too. Of course, if clients can travel in the three-week run up to Christmas, they’ll benefit from the lowest price panels in the brochure, half-empty planes and deserted beaches, just before the crowds arrive to spend Christmas in the sun. Before our sun-starved clients get too carried away with all this solar activity, let’s not ignore the emergence of winter city breaks. ABTA noted last year that figures for under-35s taking a city break for a winter holiday leapt from a third in the previous year to a half in the last year. Cities come into their own in winter with many of the summer stresses - crowding, tourist pricing, intense heat, queues, air pollution - disappearing. Winter is a fine time to wrap up and explore a European city. Just don’t tell Marks & Spencer.
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wintersun Advance Worldwide launches ethical Colombian tour ADVANCE WORLDWIDE has introduced a new Colombian tour created especially for UK holidaymakers interested in adventure and ethical travel. The first nine-day trip is scheduled for November and is set to include the city of Medellin, Nuqui at the Pacific Coast and Colombia’s Coffee Region. The trip includes accommodation in fourand five-star hotels and in eco-lodges, meals throughout including regional dishes, all transfers, natural spa and massage treatments and a scenic light aircraft flight connecting Medellin and the Pacific Coast. The operator has tailored the itinerary to provide guests with an opportunity to participate in ethical community programmes which include working with local schools, gardening projects and wildlife protection. ProColombia, the government agency charged with promoting tourism to Colombia, reports that it is ‘delighted with the new itinerary’ and is impressed with the wide range of activities and experiences that the tour offers UK holidaymakers. For more information visit www.colombia.travel
Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat to open in Maldives this October NEWLY FORMED Castaway Hotels & Escapes is opening its first property, Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat Maldives, welcoming guests from October 15. Located in the South Ari Atoll on the island of Thelu Veliga, the resort will offer ten detached beach villas with ocean views, and 20 villas located on stilts over the water. In keeping with the honest and genuine beach experience, the retreat will offer a discreet selection of facilities, including an intimate spa, sunset-facing bar and one main restaurant. A variety of cuisine will be available, including local seafood with continental and Asian flavours, and classic Maldivian dishes. Other dining options, such as in-villa, onthe-beach private dinners, and seafood barbecues can also be arranged. In addition to an array of diving and water-based excursions available to guests, romantic experiences, Maldivian nights and an outdoor cinema are also available. In partnership with Angelfish Travel, the resort is offering a special launch offer for bookings until November 30. An introductory seven-night package is available from £1,719 per person, which includes half-board, Economy flights with Sri Lankan Airlines and seaplane transfers to and from the resort. For bookings visit www.angelfishtravel.com or call 01580-712690 and for more information see www.castawayhotelsandescapes.com
Tenerife trails from Inntravel’s Walking & More product INNTRAVEL’S NEW Walking & More 2015/16 programme offers more than 40 trails for autumn and winter. Among the new breaks introduced are two new excursions in Tenerife. ‘To the Top of Spain’ ascends the southern slopes of Tenerife’s Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak. The self-guided walking break is priced from £670 per person based on two sharing and includes seven nights’ breakfast accommodation, five dinners, two picnics, walking maps and notes, plus luggage transfers. ‘Timeless Tenerife’ explores the island’s north unravelling the history of frontier life at the crossroads to the New World. Priced from £580 per person based on two sharing it includes seven nights’ breakfast accommodation, walking maps and notes, and car hire. Flights cost extra with both itineraries. For further details visit www.inntravel.co.uk or call 0165-361 7000.
Baros Maldives adds new night dive experience with seven nights from £3,582 A NEW dimension in underwater exploration has been introduced at Baros Maldives for divers and snorkelers wishing to experience “Fluo” diving. Equipped with special diving lights and masks, participants in the fluorescent night dives in the sea off Baros can discover a colourful, underwater world not seen during daytime diving. While only certified divers
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can take part in the diving, the marine biologists at the resort’s Marine Centre will also escort capable snorkelers to enjoy the unique underwater experience. The lead-in price for seven nights’ stay in a deluxe villa with transfers starts from £3,582 based on a double occupancy and is valid from October 1 to December 22.
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wintersun Explore’s new Rose Red City adventure to Jordan takes guests to the ‘Lost City’ of Petra, with camel rides and a tented stopover in the desert valley of Wadi Rum, complete with the opportunity to float in the Dead Sea. Trips depart from October –December and January – April 2016, and cost from £979 per person. The price includes flights, three nights’ hotel and one night tented camp accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis and the services of a leader and transport. For more information visit www.explore.co.uk/travelagent or contact 01252-888799.
The Cape Verde Experience adds new seven-night Island duo itinerary
Topdeck Travel has released its 2015/16 Europe winter brochure featuring three new trips. Amongst the trips launching this year is the Road to Marrakech, a 15-day journey from Madrid to Lisbon, which loops down across the Strait of Gibraltar to offer young adventurers the chance to spend six days in Morocco with a local guide, giving them an authentic inside look at the history and culture of Marrakech and Fes. The brochure is available in print and online at www.topdeck.travel/brochures/winter-europe-brochure
A NEW SEVEN-NIGHT itinerary incorporating the islands of Sal and Boa Vista has been added to The Cape Verde Experience’s selection of island-hopping itineraries. ‘Island Duo’ combines four nights’ breakfast stay at the Hotel Morabeza on Sal with three nights’ all-inclusive at the Iberostar Club Boa Vista and leads in at £998 per person including flights and private transfers, based on a December 9 departure. The operator is also now offering Cape Verde webinars to travel agents, with the next one scheduled for August 26 from 09.30 – 10.00. Agents interested in registering for webinars are invited to contact the agency sales team - Gill and Jason - via email at trade@serenity.co.uk or to call 0845-330 2066. For further details visit www.capeverde.co.uk
Funway Holidays seeks out the sunshine with special packages FUNWAY HOLIDAYS has put together some special winter sun offers including seven nights in the Dominican Republic staying at the all-inclusive five-star Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa. Based on two adults sharing, prices start from £999 per person for travel on November 17
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including flights from Gatwick. Rebecca Evans, marketing executive for the company, said: "The Dominican Republic enjoys totally tropical temperatures with averages of 24-28°C in November through to January. For clients looking for glamour and relaxation, you can't get
much more idyllic than the Dominican Republic. Offering excellent diving and white sandy beaches with bath-warm sea, it’s ideal to escape the cold British winter weather." The offer is valid for bookings by August 31.
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Kids go free at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa HIDEAWAY BEACH Resort & Spa, Maldives has launched a ‘kids under 12 go free’ promotional offer starting from November 1. The luxury resort’s complimentary children’s club offers a daily-changing programme of activities, a free babysitting
service for parents, with a new aquatic playground opening later this year. Red Savannah is offering a sevennight stay for two adults and two children (under 12) in a Sunset Beach Villa on a half-board basis from £10,048 per family. It includes
flights with British Airways from Gatwick and seaplane transfers. The price represents a saving of £3,422 and is valid for travel between November 1 to December 25. For details visit www.redsavannah.com or call 0124-278 7800.
Discover Experience Explore
Anatolian Sky recommends Madeira for a winter sun & twin-centre break FOLLOWING THE launch of its recent ‘Winter Collection’ brochure, Anatolian Sky Holidays is promoting its range of winter break options to Madeira, as well as twin-centre holidays incorporating city breaks in Lisbon or Porto. Located close to Morocco, the Portuguese island of Madeira enjoys a warm climate year-round, with the average temperature in January hovering around 20°C. The operator is promoting an exploration of the island on walking tours along irrigation channels known as ‘levadas’. These walks take visitors through some of Madeira’s lush valleys and indigenous forests, and to the island’s only World Heritage Site – the primeval forest known as the Laurisilva. A seven-night itinerary, which includes two full day guided walks of the levadas, one half-day trip including a shorter walk and visit to the Botanic Gardens, and a tour of Funchal is priced from £789 per person, based on two sharing and staying at the Quinta Bela Sao Tiago in Funchal. For more information visit www.anatoliansky.co.uk or call 0844-273 3585.
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MALTA
GOZO
&
Fly direct from up to 19 UK airports
*Based on 2 sharing, 7 nights all inclusive, departing 17 June.
For more information on holidays to the Maltese Islands Call 0800 008 7288 or visit www.classic-collection.co.uk
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Special opening offers at The Spa at Ramside from Ramside Hall Hotel TO COINCIDE with its August opening, The Spa at Ramside - based at Ramside Hall Hotel near Durham has unveiled two special full day packages for visitors to enjoy until September 30. An ‘Arrive and Revive’ package includes a drink on arrival, full use of the spa facilities and a choice of a 60-, 90- or 120-minute Pure Radiance ritual, along with a two-course lunch and use of robes and flip flops. Prices start from £115 per person Monday to Thursday and £130 Friday to Sunday,
depending on the treatment selected. ‘Just A Perfect Day’ is a limited edition gift voucher at £120 per person to be enjoyed Monday to Thursday, which again includes a drink on arrival, use of spa facilities, twocourse lunch in the Fusion restaurant and a 90-minute personalised treatment before spending time in the spa’s sleep sanctuary. The spa is part of a £16million investment in the luxury hotel and along with its five pools – including a 25m swimming pool, outdoor vitality
pool, hydrotherapy pool and infinity pool – other features include a thermal suite; state-of-the-art gym; specialised Sleep Sanctuary retreat, giving guests the opportunity to relax on soundwave therapy beds and in sleep pods; Rasul mud chamber; and a beauty snug, which can also be booked exclusively for special occasions with use of the pedicure thrones, nail bar and make-up parlour. For further information visit www.ramsidespa.co.uk or call 0191-375 3088.
Alicante’s Asia Gardens Hotel launches Eastern-inspired wellness programme ASIA GARDENS HOTEL & Thai Spa in Alicante is encouraging its guests to adopt an Oriental approach to health and wellbeing this autumn with the introduction of a new Rebirth Wellness Programme. Launching in September, the package can be booked on a two-, four-, seven- and nine-night basis and involves key components which are tailored to the individual requirements of each guest. These include a Bioenergetic screening on arrival to address any imbalances and create a bespoke wellness itinerary, daily 60-minute master classes with experts in the Eastern-inspired practices of yoga, meditation, Tai chi and Chikung and a full-board healthy meal plan allowing guests to dine in any of the resort’s seven restaurants. Prices start from £664 per person for a four-night package in a double deluxe room (single supplement may apply) on a full-board basis, based on a stay between November 13-22. This includes the screening and choice of daily master classes, two healthy Asian cooking classes, a kimono for use during the stay and daily snacks of seasonal fresh fruit. Guests will also have the opportunity to supplement their individual Wellness Programme with a choice of therapeutic spa treatments including acupuncture, Ayurvedic and Thai massage, body rituals as well as personal training in the hotel’s gym. For further details visit www.asiagardens.es/en/ wellness-program
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VINPEARL has opened its latest spa at the Vinpearl Premium Nha Trang Bay, located on Hon Tre Island. The overwater complex of thatched spa huts at the new property are arranged over a manmade lake and connected by lantern-lit raised walkways, enabling treatments with idyllic views particularly dramatic at sunset with spa packages available. For further details visit www.vinpearl.com
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spaholidays New five-day yoga retreat at Crete’s Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas DAIOS COVE is offering guests the opportunity to re-awaken their senses and gain an insight into yoga through a carefully planned five-day retreat. Running between September 28 to October 3, guests will take part in a morning and evening session each day, run by the hotel’s yoga specialists who create bespoke workshops to meet each person’s individual needs. Weather allowing, the yoga classes will take place outdoors with dramatic views over the cove. Alternatively, guests can work up a sweat in the state-of-the-art fitness studio. The five-day Yoga Retreat includes 12 Jivamukti Yoga sessions, free access to the Wet Spa Area on a daily basis to enjoy the Finnish sauna, the soft sauna, the Mediterraneo (a combination of sauna and steam bath) and the Nimfea reaction showers, with a 10% discount on spa treatments. Although a basic knowledge of yoga is recommended for guests interested in joining the retreat, there is an intensive introduction to yoga available throughout the programme. The five-day Yoga Retreat costs £255 per person, plus room costs. Visit www.daioscove.com for more details.
Cosmos promotes Turkish spa delight WITH MOST HOTELS in Turkey having at least a Turkish bath, Jacuzzi or Sauna and a large number of properties dedicated to spa activities, Cosmos Holidays is promoting its range of luxury spa destinations located in Antalya. Gloria Serenity Resort is a five-star hotel in Belek housing a serenity Spa Centre which features 15 therapy rooms, a spa suite, sauna, indoor pool, two steam rooms, Hamam and a private Turkish bath. Activities include body rituals, face and scalp massages, body muscle massages and body and face treatments. A seven-night, half-board stay with the operator, based on two adults sharing, costs £795 per person for an October 8 departure from Gatwick. Also located in Belek is the five-star Papillon Zeugma Hotel. Its ‘Reborn’ spa and wellness centre has a wealth of massages available and guests can try the hotel’s luxury therapies such as a Balinese aroma massage, Thai Massage, Thai foot reflexology, Shiatsu, Hot stone, African and Hawaiian massage and Aromatherapy by Charme d’Orient. For a September 27 departure from Leeds Bradford, the operator is offering a seven-night stay on an all-inclusive basis for £715 per person based on two sharing. Some spa treatments and services may come at an extra cost.
Air Malta teams up with Myoka Spas to offer selection of new treatments AIR MALTA has teamed up with Myoka Spas to launch a free in-flight spa experience, the first one of its type on board a commercial short-haul flight. The on-board Sky Spa service of spa treatments, available on selected flights, is free of charge to passengers travelling in Economy. To launch the service, two professional therapists (pictured) welcomed passengers on board flights KM 116/7 with various beauty product samples and later pampered them with complimentary treatments including hand, feet and neck massages while listening to relaxing music. For details visit www.airmalta.com
Royal spa offering from India’s ITC Grand Bharat features new range of treatments THE FIVE-STAR ITC Grand Bharat has launched Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa. The new spa offers an extensive array of rituals and treatments, with nine treatment rooms offering medicinal healing and detoxification programmes, as well as comprehensive yoga regimes. Capturing the very essence of India, ancient healing techniques and rituals of the land are reflected throughout the spa menu with each treatment designed to encompass wellbeing of the body, mind
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and spirit. The spa has an onsite Ayurvedic Doctor offering private consultations with a wealth of Ayurveda treatments available, including Synchronised Abhyanga, a massage performed by two therapists working in perfect synchronicity and Shirodhara, a treatment that sees a steady stream of lukewarm ksheerabala herbal oil poured onto the third eye. The spa also offers a traditional Turkish Bath alongside other
ancient practices including chakra balancing. Guests can dine on Swasthya’ Cuisine; a special diet planned by the resort’s chef and certified doctors which uses age-old principles combined with Prakriti, the science of how the body reacts with food, to enhance both internal and external well-being. Suites start from £169 per night. For more information visit www.itchotels.in/itcgrandbharat
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spaholidays SuperBreak promotes Scottish Spa Breaks this autumn
We asked our staff the following question this week: The song that always gets me on the dance floor is…. Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Tainted Love
Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Editorial Assistant: Adam Potter adam.potter@travelbulletin.co.uk
SUPERBREAK IS promoting two spa breaks at the four-star Roxburghe Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland. Fully commissionable to agents, packages include a range of spa treatments and meals in addition to rail into Edinburgh from a wide variety of stations across the UK through the operator. One- and two-night packages are available and include breakfast accommodation. The ‘Two Night Balance Spa Indulgence Break’ also includes a three-course set dinner on the night of arrival, a 60-minute Decleor aromatherapy full body massage, a 60-minute Decleor relaxing aromatic facial plus a Champagne afternoon tea. The package is priced from £330 per person. Alternatively ‘One night Spa Rox Relax Break’ is priced at £142.50 and includes a two-course set lunch and a three-course set dinner, plus a back, neck and shoulder massage or a mini Decleor facial. All treatments include the use of bathrobes and slippers. For more information visit www.superbreak.com/agents or call 0190-443 6000.
Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain and Tennille - it was No. 1 on our wedding day (Oh put that sickbag down).
Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Summer of 69 or Baggy Trousers
Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk The slow one at the end of the night
Account Manager: Matt Gill matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk The Logical song by Scooter - 'are you ready'
Sales Executive: Matthew Weinreb matthew.weinreb@travelbulletin.co.uk The Trammps - Disco Inferno
Lapland weekend indulgence from Taber Holidays AIMED AT rejuvenation and a true taste of Swedish Lapland, Taber Holidays is offering a three-night ‘Lapland Weekend Indulgence’ from £1,395 per person. Included is a holistic spa bucket experience in the Ripan Spa where guests can indulge their senses with a bucket full of treatments applied by themselves at their own pace, between relaxing in the pool, unwinding in the sauna or enjoying a glass or two. The price includes flights from Heathrow to Kiruna via Stockholm, transfers, accommodation at the Ripan Lodge with breakfast and dinner, the Spa Bucket experience, dog sledding and a snowmobile safari. It is based on two sharing with departures on Thursdays and Fridays from December 17 to March 31, 2016. Also new from the operator this winter is a full day snowmobile mountain tour, with the chance to spend the night in the world-famous ICEHOTEL costing from £198 per person and an optional Northern Lights photo tour for £150. For more information call 0127-487 5199 or see www.taberhols.co.uk
Sales Executive: Kathryn Frost kathryn.frost@travelbulletin.co.uk Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader!
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Travel Bulletin is published by Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London, SW1W 0EX, Tel: 020-7834 6661 Printed by: Buxton Press Subscriptions are £125 p.a. £195 overseas ISSN: 0956-2419
puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. BATH, 3. TAMPA, 8. SHANGRI-LA, 9. KLASS, 11. DELTA, 12. ETA, 13. ACCOR, 14. NEPAL, 15. INDONESIA, 18. TABLE, 19. ETNA. Down: 1. BLACK MAGIC, 2. TAS, 4. ALG, 5. PHILLIP, 6. KAISER, 7. CASABLANCA, 10. ARCADIA, 11. DANISH, 16. NCL, 17. AIT.
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Highlighted Word: BRISBANE Travagrams: (top) Prestige Holidays
TravelBulletin 22
August 14 2015
(bottom) Rio de Janeiro
Where Am I?: Alcatraz Island
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