Travel Bulletin 1st November 2013

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November 1 2013 | ISSUE NO 1,848 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND

THAT HAS IT ALL

Message from Jean-Marc Flambert, Director of Marketing, UK & Europe Dear Partners, Sa-ka fete! (our traditional greeting which means how are you? or how is it going?)

Saint Lucia is the Caribbean island that has it all, whether you are looking for romance, rejuvenation or adventure. From November 2013, we will have 13 direct flights a week to our beautiful island so we have ambitious plans for 2014 and need your help.

There is so much happening and changing in Saint Lucia that we have to do an update every year. For those of you who have already done the training, all you need to do is follow the “Refresher” module which will take 10-15 minutes. You can then download your up to date certificate. Unless you have done the refresher module, you do not get any benefits of being a Saint Lucia Specialist.

On behalf of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board team, I would like to thank you for supporting us in 2013, and invite you to continue to work with us again next year. Together we could make 2014 a historic year for Saint Lucia.

The Star Tourist Board team Travel agents and tour operator reservations staff are at the core of our success and we want to increase our support to you. We have two strategies, one for those of you who have been to Saint Lucia and one for those who have not visited yet.

For those who have been, we will invite you to our 2nd annual Saint Lucia Showcase for Agents to get an update on the island, and hear from our hotels. We will list you on our website www.stlucia.org so that customers can find you when planning their next holiday, and we will offer bigger incentives and rewards when you log your bookings on our training site www.saintluciaexpert.com For those who have not been, the first step will be to complete the training course which will take you under an hour. We will then be able to invite you to attend our fam trips and other events throughout the year.

Our online training programme www.saintluciaexpert.com is the gateway to your journey with us. All the benefits begin from this point. See the back page for more information. Please note that every January we re-launch Saint Lucia Expert.

We are on the look-out for stars amongst you. 2014 will see an increased effort to work and build relationships with agents who sell the island. You need to log your bookings on www.saintluciaexpert.com to help us identify you. This will give you the opportunity to win quarterly prizes, plus receive an invitation to our Saint Lucia Showcase for Agents in June and to win places on our fam trip for the Top Sellers.

Win a pair of flights to Saint Lucia Simply complete our online training programme at www.saintluciaexpert.com or the refresher module(as relevant)

by Monday 18th November and you will be entered into a draw to win one pair of flights to Saint Lucia! If you have completed the course and logged a booking in the last 3 months, your name will be entered twice into the draw.

Five runner-up prizes - £50 shopping vouchers

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November 1 2013 | ISSUE NO 1,848 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

L A I C E SP N O I T I D E

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newsbulletin

This Week news 3

this week's latest reports & industry developments

Cover Pictures: Main - World Tour Market

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at home with eileen homeworker Eileen offers her advice on Thomas Cook’s new rebranding

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agent bulletin

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travel talks

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puzzle bulletin

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convention update

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event bulletin

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wtm preview

Travelodge unveils its most bizarre requests John Guinn shares his thoughts on WTM try your luck at Su Doku for a chance to win a £50 M&S voucher news & emerging trends from ABTA's Convention in Croatia images & news from the 'Celebrate Africa' workshop, in association with Travel Bulletin our special preview guide to next week’s WTM covers news, destination updates, who’s where, floorplans and an exhibitor list

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

ASHFORD ACTIVITIES...Independent travel agents from 21 agencies in Kent and Surrey joined members of BRIGHT (Bringing Real Information & Guaranteed High Quality Training) for a training workshop and dinner at Eastwell Manor, near Ashford, Kent recently. A variety of members, including Kirker Holidays, Jersey/Preston Travel, Prom Peru, Jordan Tourist Board, Viking River Cruises, Cox & Kings, 1st Class Holidays, Canada Tourism, Turismo de Canarias and Veloso Tours gave presentations and discussed the latest travel trends. Pictured enjoying the event's networking opportunities are, from the left: Nick Goodchild, Veloso Tours; Tahir Bolton, Travel Counsellors; Lara Perez, Prom Peru; Erika Fernandez, Turismo de Canarias; Rosanna Pearce, Cox & Kings; and Nico Fournier, Canadian Tourism.

ABTA unveils 2013 booking habits of UK holidaymakers NEW RESEARCH released by ABTA at its convention in Croatia has revealed that six out of ten consumers (62%) have booked an overseas holiday with a travel agent or tour operator in the last 12 months.

One in five (19%) booked through a High Street agent, a quarter booked with a travel agent online (23%) and one in five booked directly with a tour operator (20%).

For domestic holidays a third (33%) booked at least one holiday with a travel agent or tour operator.

The research also revealed that a quarter (24%) of 16-24 year olds booked at least one overseas holiday through a High Street travel agent. Travel agents’ expertise also scores particularly highly amongst the younger generation with more than four out of ten 16-24 year olds (44%) saying that they value the services that a travel agent offers. The age group also feels strongly that using a travel professional can save them time (62%) and money (52%), as well as making the booking process easy (64%).

Other findings from the survey revealed that 55-64 year olds were the only age group to take more holidays per person in the 12 months to 2013 compared to the same period the previous year. This correlates with an increase in the number of 5564 year olds booking at least one holiday abroad directly with a tour operator, with 28% making this type of booking compared to 23% in the previous year’s study.

Victoria Bacon, the association's head of communications, said: “It is clear from our findings that consumers are making full use of all of the booking options available to them.

"Travel agents and tour operators play a vital role in helping consumers to research and book holidays with two thirds of consumers using their services when booking their overseas holidays. Goodwill towards travel professionals is particularly strong amongst younger consumers so it is important travel businesses build on this, as these customers mature.”

(ABTA Convention update - page 12)

November 1 2013

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newsbulletin Kuoni issues dedicated 2014 Italy brochure with new resort & hotel additions KUONI’S 2014 dedicated Italy brochure is out now, with new additions including the towns of Lucca and Pietrasanta in Tuscany, 35 hotels, a Royal Clipper cruise, more multi-centre suggestions and a Highlights & Hidden Treasures of Sicily tour.

To highlight rail travel in Italy, details have also been brought to the front of the brochure with information and suggestions on how to get from city to city.

The brochure includes the Forte Village in Sardinia, which features 21 restaurants, eight hotels and bungalow style properties, sports academies including Chelsea Football Soccer School for children, sports, leisure and health facilities and The Thaermae del Forte Talasso & Spa centre, a member of ‘The Leading Spas of the World’.

Featured properties include the five-star family-owned Capo La Gala in Sorrento, which is set on a cliff edge overlooking the Bay of Naples; the Tenuta Monacelle in Puglia, which was formerly a convent but has now been converted into a ‘Truli village’; and the Boscolo Aleph in Rome, situated in a quieter area of the city but within walking distance of the main sights.

The brochure can be downloaded at www.kuoni.co.uk/brochures

Luxury boating collection by Hoseasons HOSEASONS HAS announced an exclusive new collection of first class boating escapes called ‘Starboard’, which is aimed at families, couples and groups of friends looking to try a new holiday experience coupled with a high level of service and amenities. A total of 20 Starboard boats will be available at four bases across the canal network of England and three bases on the Norfolk Broads, with boats sleeping between two and eight people.

While each boat will have its own individual feel, there will also be a universal level of quality across all the fleet with flat screen TVs, DVD players, welcome packs, games and binoculars, guides to local wildlife and the ability to carry bikes on board.

For more information visit www.hoseasons.co.uk or call 0844-847 1100.

Hotwire.com report: Brits' shifting attitudes to spending impacts industry A RECENT survey, carried out by Hotwire.com, looked at the shift in Brits’ attitudes towards spending and saving on travel and everyday objects and the impact that this has had on the travel industry, and hoteliers in particular.

Results from 'The Britain on Sale' report found that Brits are saving £32.1bn each year on all their purchases by using saving techniques such as shopping for sale items and using discount codes, and that increasing numbers of Brits are not afraid to negotiate for a bargain.

According to the survey, travel has been strongly affected by this shift in attitude. When asked ‘how often they pay full price for something’, 30% of Brits surveyed revealed that they rarely, or never, pay full price for hotel stays. Some (21%) say that they rarely, or never, pay full price for flights, and to save money on travel, 26% of British travellers use flight comparison websites and almost one in four (24%) booking with discount travel websites.

Hoteliers are experiencing the same shift from the other side of the coin. Some 75% of hoteliers are concerned that the omnipresent discounting is having a negative impact on their brand, and are worried that if their brand is seen as always on sale, it will be devalued. As such, the report says that many hoteliers have had to become more sophisticated in the way they manage discounting, responding fast to changing occupancy levels.

New AI hotel from Cape Verde Experience

FLAGGED UP FOR EUROPE...Pictured marking Cruisingexcursions.com's expansion into Europe with the launch of dedicated language websites for the German, French and Dutch markets are, from the left: the company's Simonne Fairbanks, Simon Purchase and Graham Chuter. A European office has opened in Germany and Rob Knoedl has been appointed regional sales manager for Benelux countries, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

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A NEW four-star, all-inclusive hotel on the island of Sal is now on sale through The Cape Verde Experience.

The property features in the operator’s November 2013 – October 2014 brochure and has been carefully designed to make the most of its sought after beach location while being just 400m from the centre of Santa Maria town.

The hotel offers 338 furnished rooms, a swimming pool, children’s pool, wellness centre & spa, outdoor theatre, gym and daily sporting activities. A number of water sports centres are also available along the beachfront.

To celebrate the hotel's opening, the operator is offering £75 per person discounts on holidays of seven nights, with prices leading in at £1,089 per person, based on two sharing a garden view room, including flights, transfers and visa arrangement.

For details call 0845-330 2046 or visit www.capeverde.co.uk

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newsbulletin Cox & Kings adds new group tours to Europe brochure FOLLOWING A passenger number increase of 10% on last year, Cox & Kings has launched its Europe programme for 2014, which features five new tours in the destinations of Crete, Iceland and Italy.

They include an eight-day Highlights of Crete itinerary, which explores the scenic and cultural highlights of the island and leads in at £1,295 per person, with the option to further extend the trip to include one of the nearby Greek islands.

Alternatively, the tour can be arranged as a self-drive basis from £850 per person.

The operator’s Scandinavia programme has also been expanded to include a new five-day/four-night escorted 'In search of the Northern Lights' tour, which is based in Reykjavik. Prices lead in at £955 per person and departures are offered from December to March, including a Valentine’s Day departure.

Meanwhile, three new Italy itineraries include a seven-day Lake Maggiore from £1,545 per person, a seven-day Classic Tuscany tour from £1,595 and an eight-day Puglia & Basilicata tour from £1,695.

All prices include flights from London, transfers, excursions and breakfast accommodation.

For more information or to request a copy of the brochure call 020-7873 5006 or email katie.parsons@coxandkings.co.uk

Newsbites ●

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Viking launches new cruise line VIKING CRUISES has announced the launch of its ocean product line, Viking Ocean Cruises, marking the introduction of the industry’s first new cruise line in almost a decade.

The line will begin sailing with its first vessel, the 930passenger Viking Star, in May 2015. The ship will embark on maiden voyages in Scandinavia and the Baltic and the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.

Features of the ship include all veranda staterooms, with five room categories available; 14 two-room Explorer Suites; two pools; a spa; the Explorers’ Lounge and Wintergarden; multiple restaurant locations and food choices; a three-deck atrium with musicians playing regional and classical music; the Star Theater; the Viking Piano Lounge; and sustainable features.

An example of itineraries is an eight-day Romantic Mediterranean itinerary which travels from BarcelonaRome and visits Toulon, Corsica, Monte Carlo, the Tuscan region of Italy, Barcelona and Rome. Prices start from £1,499 per person.

Agent webinars and new online training will be available to agents keen to learn more about the product.

A copy of the brochure can be downloaded at www.vikingcruises.co.uk/oceans

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THE TRAVEL Network Group has announced a new deal with Ideal World that will see the launch of Worldchoice TV. The deal involves six, eight-minute programme slots where Worldchoice TV will feature mainstream sectors, including: Summer Sun; Coach; UK; Long-stay, Escorted Tours; and Long-haul holidays. The first show will be aired on Thursday November 14 and subsequent programmes will run until June 2014.

NO EXCLUSIONS Limited has announced the launch of a new partnership for Missed Flight Cover. Spanish airline Vueling has added the consumer protection to its online flight bookings which offers passengers a practical solution for continuing on their journey, with the choice at the airport of a new ticket on the next available flight or a full flight refund. By registering their claim at the carrier's sales desk within four hours after their scheduled departure, the policyholder will receive immediate assistance from the 24-hour Missed Flight Cover Helpline.

THE TOURISM Authority of Thailand (TAT) is keen to reassure the trade that a proposed new 'tourist tax' in Thailand has not yet been approved and is still to be passed by government. At this time, it is still one of several ideas the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism & Sport are considering helping boost investment in their industries.

THE ASSOCIATION of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) has welcomed three new trade-friendly tour operator members – China Links Travel, the Curzon Corporation (with its two brands, Inspired by Asia and African Pride) and Planet Holidays and Weddings.

Fred.\ adds new Canaries product FRED.\ HAS introduced the Hotel Jardin Tecina, located on the Canary Island of La Gomera which features the UNESCO site of Garajonay National Park, to its portfolio.

The four-star hotel offers 434 rooms and is situated on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with views of the neighbouring island of Tenerife.

Surrounded by a garden of more than 70,000sq m, the property offers a range of leisure and sporting activities that includes an 18-hole golf course.

A seven-night stay at the hotel, including flights and transfers, costs from £654 per person.

For more information call 0808-159 5256, e-mail lawrence@fred.travel or visit www.fredhoteljardintecina.co.uk

Bales Worldwide launches three new 66-day tours to mark 66th anniversary BALES WORLDWIDE is marking its 66th anniversary by launching three 66-daylong tours that traverse Asia, Latin America and Africa and the Middle East.

The Asia tour leads in at £20,945 per person and travels to India, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Burma (Myanmar), China and Japan, with highlights including the Taj Mahal, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Angkor

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Wat and the Great Wall of China.

The Latin America tour costs from £26,495 and travels to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru and the Galapagos Islands. Highlights include Rio de Janeiro, trekking in the Amazon rainforest, Iguassu Falls, the Machu Picchu and the Galapagos archipelago.

Alternatively, the Africa & Middle East itinerary costs from £29,950 and

visits Turkey, Oman, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. Highlights include the ancient monuments of Turkey, the souqs of Oman, Lalibela, the Masai Mara Nature Reserve, Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta.

For details or to book visit www.balesworldwide.com or call 0845-057 0600.

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newsbulletin Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter... @visitwales #Halloween is around the corner here's a few spooky locations to explore: http://bit.ly/VWSpooky @BBC_Travel The newest attempt at space tourism is a helium balloon flight offering views of Earth from 20 miles. http://dld.bz/cSWFX @UKHurtigruten This video displays the journey from Bergen to Kirkenes in 5 minutes! http://fb.me/6t3iyzi7R @RipleysLondon Planning a #weekend treat? The BIG Ripley’s Weekender offers groups of 7 or more people entry from just £11.95pp! http://bit.ly/134ArjF @CruiseLineUK @WindstarCruises launch NEW loyalty programme http://www.cruiseline.co.u k/Windstar-CruisesLaunch-New-LoyaltyProgramme … @STATravel_UK Sydney vs Melbourne.

Who wins in the battle of these two legendary traveller hubs? http://sta.travel/17ctG1P

Follow us on Twitter! http://twitter.com/ TravelBulletin

STORE RESTORE...Attraction World helped mark the launch of the new Thomas Cook Hanover Street Concept Store after it was closed due to fire damage. Pictured are, from the left: Lynsey Dunn, Karen Buchanan, Liam Main, Leanne Riley, Jennifer Hodge and Rachel Owen from the agency; Miya Gilritchie, Attraction World; and the agency's Emma Morgan, Sarah Cooper and Alfie Hainie. The operator has also launched a new range of gift experiences in time for Christmas, and is giving agents the chance to win an Ultimate Spa Day for two . The winner will be the top selling member of staff and will receive three spa treatments for themselves and a friend.

Shearings expands Grand Tourer programme for next year SHEARINGS HAS expanded its range of Grand Tourer escorted tours for 2014.

Following an increase in sales of holidays to Germany by 64% year-on-year, the operator has introduced a selection of new tours, including an eight-day Wiesbaden & Rheingau Wine Festival tour from £749, which includes the Rheingau wine festival and a trip to the Rhine Valley, plus a new nine-day Discover Bavaria itinerary, which includes visits to Lake Chiemsee and the UNESCO site of Regensburg old town for £799.

Meanwhile, three new Italian holidays have been added following a 44% year-on-year sales increase, with a 12day Hidden Apulia & Vieste tour from £1,049, which explores the history and culture of south-east Italy, as well as a 15-day Classic Italian tour from £1,549, taking in the key Italian cities.

The operator has also added three new UK holidays, including a five-day Royal Bath, Houses & Gardens holiday from £359 and an Enigma Code & the Blitz fiveday itinerary from £369, which gives an insight into the code-breaking work done at Bletchley Park.

The premium tours offer accommodation in four- or five-star hotels, free added extras, dedicated tour managers, door-to-door pick-ups for coach holidays, airport lounge passes, meet and greet and a free tag and track service, which provides assistance with lost luggage.

Early booking incentives are available, with savings of up to £50 per couple until November 15.

For more information call 0844-824 6359 or visit www.shearings.com

Eurostar announces plans to launch service between London and Amsterdam EUROSTAR HAS signed an agreement with the Dutch railways to launch direct services between London and Amsterdam from December 2016.

The service will feature the company’s new e320 trains which will be interoperable and will be compatible with the Dutch high-speed signalling systems.

The London-Amsterdam route is the largest, international airline market in Europe, attracting more than three million business and leisure passengers. The

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company plans to run two services daily between London and Amsterdam with journey times of around four hours.

The services will run via Brussels to Amsterdam, stopping at Antwerp, Rotterdam, Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Central.

In addition to providing a direct high-speed link between the UK and the Netherlands, the service will also enhance the scope for customers to connect to a range of destinations in mainland Europe.

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FR 4 N O IG M H £6 T S 95 P P

COCOA BEACH

The Space Coast boasts 72 miles of beaches, the longest stretch in the state of Florida and is home to the famous beach resorts of Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay and Titusville. Home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the region obtained its name from its historic relationship with the nation’s space program.

WIN A FLY DRIVE HOLIDAY TO THE FLORIDA BEACHES* If you would like to escape the UK and fly with Virgin Atlantic to the Florida Beaches for a 7 night duration - look no further! With so many must-see destinations, a fly drive holiday is the perfect way to discover the true diversity that Florida has to offer.

To be in with a chance of winning one of our fly drive holidays, simply visit www.funway4agents.co.uk and complete our short survey. With 8 up for grabs, you have more chance than ever before! All completed surveys will be entered into a prize draw with the winners being chosen at random shortly after the closing date.

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We are 100% financially protected - ATOL: 2853 / ABTA: V000X / IATA: 91273442

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newsbulletin More choices in Sicily from Prestige

e m o h At en...

e l i E with

ileen orker E w e m o as h th?

What h p to this mon u n e be

AD A really good time at the Travel Bulletin Star Awards a few weeks ago. It was held at the Landmark Hotel in London which is a lovely venue. After an enjoyable meal, the winners of the 34 awards were announced by our host for the evening, BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull. Then it was time for the entertainment which this year was a performance by the West End cast of the show “Stomp”. Many congratulations to all the worthy winners and nominees.

Here at Travel Counsellors, we’re all looking forward to our annual conference which is now only a couple of weeks away.

The conference sessions are always interesting and informative, updating us with all the latest company news and future plans. It is also a great opportunity to catch up with old friends. This year the conference is being held at Telford and promises to be another great weekend.

There has been mixed reactions to the new Thomas Cook rebranding that was announced recently. We’ve been told that the new yellow heart logo and the new slogan will make the company “more relevant to more people” and sell more holidays. I personally find that surprising as Thomas Cook has been established for more than 150 years and already has a historic global brand identity and after all, isn’t it the quality of the product and great customer service that produces brand loyalty and sells more holidays, rather than logos and slogans?

Apart from the current cost-cutting measures and new branding now in progress, it will be interesting to see what Thomas Cook are going to do differently in the future to turn the company’s fortunes around. Perhaps now is the time for them to differentiate themselves from the competition, be more innovative and get back to their roots as a pioneer in travel, as they once were.

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PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS has expanded its holiday selection in Sicily.

New for 2014 are the Aeolian Islands, a bed-andbreakfast in the Baroque town of Ragusa in the South East and a self-drive Montalbano tour.

The operator has also added a boutique hotel in Palermo, new hotels in Castellammare and San Vito Lo Capo on the west coast and a boutique hotel in the resort of Taormina.

Week-long stays start from £479 per person at the La Dimora Di Piazza Carmine, a nine-room bed-and-breakfast in the historic part of Ragusa overlooking the village of Ibla di Ragusa. The package includes flights with Ryanair from Stansted to Comiso, private transfers and breakfast accommodation. A short break costs from £359.

The Aeolian archipelago, which comprises nine islands, is located between the North East coast of Sicily and the toe of Calabria in mainland Italy and is a new addition for next summer. The operator is featuring the Lipari and Salina islands, with properties including the three-star Hotel Rocce Azzurre in Lipari. A week’s two-centre stay costs from £769 per person comprising flights to and from Catania on BA, private transfers, three nights at Villa Belvedere in Taormina and four nights in Rocce Azzurre.

The seven-night, self-drive Montalbano Experience visits Scicli and Ragusa and leads in at £635 per person, including a week’s breakfast accommodation with flights from Gatwick and transfers.

For more information call 01425-480400 or visit www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/sicily

Go

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WEBSCLUSIVES ●

Win up to £150 of Love2Shop vouchers courtesy of Iceland Travel. Just answer 3 quick questions and Like the Iceland Travel Facebook page to enter. Runners-up prizes are a £50 Love2Shop vouchers and a Blue Lagoon skin care hamper.

Enter now at: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Win a fantastic fly-drive fam to the Florida Beaches, courtesy of Funway. Just take a quick survey to enter.

Visit: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/funway

‘STOMP’ at Travel Bulletin’s Star Awards

All this and more at:

by EILEEN SAUNDERS of Travel Counsellors To respond to any of Eileen’s comments email jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk

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www.travelbulletin.co.uk The home of the web savvy travel agent www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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agentbulletin Booking incentive ●

TRAVEL AGENTS can holiday like an X Factor judge following the launch of a new incentive from Hayes and Jarvis and St James’s Club in Antigua. Agents have the chance to spend a week on an all-inclusive basis in the luxury villa that Nicole Scherzinger stayed at while filming The X Factor's judges' houses episode. To be entered into the prize draw, agents need to make a booking to St James’s Club with Hayes and Jarvis. Each booking made counts as an entry. Bookings must be and 16 November before made all entries should be emailed to incentives2@specialistholidays.com

by November 18.

Bizarre hotel requests TRAVELODGE HAS revealed the most bizarre requests that some of its 16.5m customers have asked whilst staying in one of the company’s 513 hotels during the last 12 months.

The oddities include everything from: ‘How do I cross Spaghetti Junction to get to the Balti Triangle?’, ‘Can you get me a real stag for my friend’s stag night?’ and ‘Do you offer a sleep sitting service, so that someone can watch over me as I tend to sleep walk?’.

One customer who was staying at Birmingham Airport Travelodge asked the reception team if they could find a local hairdresser who could come out to style her Afghan hound (Betsy’s) hair.

A guest at Perth Travelodge asked if the hotel’s pet policy included a pair of Llamas. Other strange customer requests have included one guest staying at Chelmsford Travelodge asking the housekeeper if she could arrange for her bath to be filled with fresh milk – so that she could bath in it, like Cleopatra.

At Birmingham Bullring Travelodge, the reception team received a call late one evening from a business customer asking if it was possible for someone to go into his room and lay in his bed in order to warm it up for him.

And the hotel manager at Oxford Peartree Travelodge was put on the spot when he was asked by a male customer if he could borrow his wedding ring as his best man had lost his rings and he was getting married within the hour.

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Agent training

FOLLOWING THE success of its inaugural Partners First roadshows las t year, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced tha t it will hit the road again this month.

The events take place in Glasgo w on November 11, Belfast on the 14th, Bristo l on the 19th and Birmingham on the 20th.

The roadshows, which run from 09:30-16:00, will ask agents three key questions: ‘Who are your customers?’, ‘Where are you going to send them cruising?’, and, ‘How are you going to do it?’.

For more information or to reg ister your place visit www.roadshow-uk.ncl.eu

AGENT OFFER FRHI HOTELS & Resorts' (FRHI) travel agent education and rewards programme, Famous Agents, is offering members two exclusive bonus offers. Until the end of the year, Famous Agents' members can receive bonus points redeemable for getaways in exotic destinations when they book clients at select FRHI hotel locations.

Agents who share experiences from any Raffles, Fairmont or Swissôtel visit will also have the opportunity to receive additional bonus points.

For more information visit frhi.com/promo/go

HAMPER PAMPER...Sarah Willis from Bath Travel in Hythe, Kent was the winner of Warner Leisure Hotels’ ‘New Warner Dining Choices for 2014' competition. Sarah is pictured with her prize of a luxury food hamper prize.

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newsbulletin

nn, holiday

by John Gui

researcher

Gearing up for WTM

THE MARBELLA Beach Hotel in Corfu has partnered with The Poseidonia Dive Centre to launch new scuba diving courses for guests of all levels and abilities. ‘Two Dive Packages’ cost from €70 while refresher courses (from €50) are also available for guests who need to brush up on their theory before getting back in the water. The dive centre also offers longer SSI courses for those looking to become Junior (minimum ten years) or Adult SSI certified Open Water Divers from €350. Classic Collection Holidays offers seven nights at the property from £2,088 per person, based on two sharing an executive two-bedroom deluxe suite sea view on an allinclusive basis. The price also includes flights from Gatwick and private transfers.

For details see www.classic-collection.com or call 0800-294 9315.

John Guinn runs Holiday Hut, and has a weekly travel show on internet radio station Secklow Sounds. He also contributes regularly to UK Health Radio. Here, John shares thoughts from his previous experience of WTM and why he's looking forward to this year's event...

T’S WORLD Travel Market time. It’s a chance to get out of the office or shop so you can get up-to-date, make new contacts and stock up on pens.

My first ever exhibition wasn’t travel related. I was on an engineering apprentice programme and one of the lecturers fancied attending an IT event.

He decided that it would be of benefit to us, so off we went. That’s the Civil Service for you.

We had no buying power, or even any interest in the event.

So to pass the time the 12 of us moved around like a swarm of locusts and lifted whatever freebie we could get. I’ve actually still got a paperweight from back then.

Fast forward more years than I care to think about and I attended my first WTM. I had been a homeworking franchisee for nearly two years and the first thing I discovered once I entered the ExCel Centre is that I didn’t know travel. By the end of my first visit I discovered more about the world of travel than I had in the previous 24 months.

The other thing I noticed was that some visitors were dragging an overnight case behind them. It wasn’t until the train journey home that I found out why. I had grabbed so many leaflets and brochures (old habits die hard) that my hands were in absolute agony from carrying all the carrier bags. The cases were used to carry all the stuff back. Doh! If, like me, you are slow on the uptake, it does take a few years of visiting before you really get the hang of this event. So I now drive down instead of getting the train and I take a case with me. Of course driving does mean that the drinks events aren’t as much fun.

I still need to improve on one thing. Making a plan and sticking to it. I’m still arriving and then wondering around aimlessly sounding like a Minion from Despicable Me. So if someone gets in your way and seems oblivious to the world, it’ll probably be me. So please stop me to say hello.

I

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November 1 2013

Monarch announces second ski season from Leeds Bradford BUILDING ON the success of last year’s ski season from Leeds Bradford Airport, Monarch is operating flights to the key ski destinations of Grenoble and Munich from Yorkshire’s gateway airport again this winter.

As examples of fares, flights to Munich commence on December 13 with prices from £120.98 return, while flights to Grenoble, from December 14, lead in at £106.48.

For details see www.monarch.co.uk

Guests at Nidd Hall will be Walking in the Air this December FANS OF Welsh singer, actor, author, radio and TV presenter and part time dancer Aled Jones can head to Warner Leisure Hotels’ Nidd Hall Hotel in Harrogate this December as he takes to the stage.

Aled and his band will be performing on Saturday night of the three-night weekend break, and for fans wanting to get up close and personal with Aled, 50 spaces are available for an exclusive Star Break Platinum VIP Experience package.

Packages are available for £50 per person and include the best seats in the house, a reserved VIP dressed table, a complimentary drink, Aled Jones bottle of Champagne per couple, VIP waiter service and an Exclusive Green Room Experience to meet Aled.

Prices for the three-night break start from £329 per person based on a December 6 arrival and two adults sharing a standard room on a half-board basis.

For more information visit www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk or call 0808-141111.

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puzzlebulletin Travagrams

Su Doku Win a £50 M&S voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle

Can you solve the following anagrams to decipher the destination & tour operator?

Number: 134

And Lass

A➠

B➠ A popular form of summer footwear

C➠

Ethical Rave Oil

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: competition@travelbulletin.co.uk Closing date for entries is Thursday, November 7th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for 18th October is Beccy Doyle, Pearl King Travel in Liverpool.

October 18 Solution: A=8 B=4 C=9 D=1

The name of this hotel is similar to the name of the supporters of King Charles I in the English Civil War

Where Am I?

County in Ohio, near the Parthenon?

Crossword Fill in the crossword to reveal the mystery location highlighted by the green squares.

Number: 134

Across 1. Hotel chain (5,3) 6. This leaf is the national symbol of Canada (5) 8. Ferry line (5) 9. European country (6) 10. 1 Across has a hotel in this Irish city (4) 12. Mount in Australia's Northern Territory (4) 14. Region in northern Italy (6) 17. Yorkshire national park (5) 18. French city with a Flemish influence (5) 19. Minehead is a popular resort in this county (8)

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Down 1. He plays the part of Paul Potts in One Chance at a cinema near you (5,6) 2. Currency of Mauritius (5) 3. Scottish loch (4) 4. Scenic area of Germany which gave its name to a gateau (5,6) 5. Nevada city, famous for its casinos (4) 7. Hip Hop group, The Black ___ Peas (4) 11. US Navy commando, sounds aquatic (4) 13. Flag carrier of Bahrain, ___ Air (4) 15. Historic island attraction in New York Bay (5) 16. European capital city (4)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 51 November 1 2013

11

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conventionupdate The 60th ABTA Travel Convention recently took place in Dubrovnik, Croatia under the theme 'Travel in a Connected World'. Here’s a round up of news from the event...

TUI Travel offers steps on how travel companies can use mobile to engage customers MITTU SRIDHARA, chief information officer of TUI Travel PLC, outlined three steps to help travel businesses use mobile as a way of engaging their customers at the convention.

He said: "Being present says it all. The mobile channel has been proven to work, again and again. If businesses want to compete, then they have to have a mobile offering. This is a digital age and everyone has a smart device. As a business, why wouldn’t you want to have a presence in the consumer’s pocket?

This is about getting the basics right the interface and the content. The right interface for the customer allows them to absorb the content you’re providing

easily and immediately. For example, basic research shows you that a lot of the time users of smartphones use it in one hand and therefore simply use their thumb, so create your interface around that proof point. It’s then about creating your content - beautiful, digitally enabled, multi-channel content with enhanced search capabilities.

"The second step is to be relevant; people will only engage with you as a business if what you give them is relevant to their situation, which changes throughout their engagement or journey with you. If you can provide something that has a unique aspect to it, even better.

"Finally you need to be one step ahead

by being able to understand your customers’ needs and innovate around them. Use the context that you’ve been using to help personalise your content and draw insight from it. For example, on the customer’s holiday, if you know it’s going to rain tomorrow, push a notice to the customer telling them and suggest booking an excursion for the day. You should also ask for customer feedback, ask them what they want. We must remember that we’re talking directly to the customer one on one, not even the best focus group could have this kind of power. Give them the ability to suggest improvements, or what they would find useful and innovate around it.”

Josephides reminds delegates complacency comes at a cost as Brits' booking options grow ABTA CHAIRMAN, Noel Josephides, highlighted the latest travel industry challenges, opportunities and successes since last year's convention.

Josephides said that he was, on the whole, optimistic and looking forward to 2014 but added: "We cannot take the continued health of destinations for granted. Never forget that consumers have many different options when looking to book a holiday."

In other news, Josephides informed delegates that ABTA's collective member turnover last year was £31.5billion, its highest ever figure, and that January and February this year saw the best early booking season in years. According to

Josephides, there has also been a resurgence of the package holiday where, according to ABTA research, 46% of consumers who took an overseas holiday in the past 12 months booked a package holiday.

On future trends, the research revealed that 10% are considering cruising in 2014; London will be the focus with the opening of a port in Greenwich in 2016; and the airport expansion in the South East will address the urgent need for flight capacity. On the subject of new regulations, including Atol reform and the Package Travel Directive, Joesephides urged members to 'relax' as any changes will be made as "as palatable as possible".

InBrief ● IN A session entitled 'Trending in Travel', Nigel Huddleston, industry

CROATIA CATCH UP...Pictured catching up (and enjoying some sun) at the convention are, from the left: Lorna Willis and Zena Calderbank from TIPTO; Jane Atkins, Superbreak; and Manda Churchill, Travel Indochina. Meanwhile, TIPTO has announced its upcoming roadshow dates for this month. They take place on the 12th in Cheltenham, the 13th in Coventry, the 14th in Shrewsbury, the 19th in Portsmouth and the 27th in Durham.

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November 1 2013

head of travel at Google, unveiled the company's latest research which showed that consumers use a combination of mobile, desktop, brochures and tablet before booking a holiday. Huddleston said that maps and reviews were also important sources of information prior to booking and that, on average, consumers make 17 different search sessions over 73 days before booking. The research also revealed that six out of ten UK travellers purchase package holidays online and four out of ten purchase offline, while 60% watch video content to help them decide on a destination. The findings also revealed that store and travel agencies are the third most important drivers of purchase decisions and there is still great value in human interaction in the holiday booking process. ● TONKO RILOVIC, director UK and Ireland of the Croatian National Tourist Office, said that Croatia has seen a 25% increase in the number of Brits visiting this year, with 375,000 travellers from the UK visiting in the first nine months of the year. Meanwhile, the country's first waterpark, Isrtalandia, will open next year in Istria. ● ABTA REVEALED that the Slovenian capital Ljubljana will play host to next year's convention which takes place from September 2224. Tine Murn of the Slovenian Tourist Board said: “Slovenia and Ljubljana are delighted to welcome The Travel Convention in 2014.

Slovenia is a beautiful country and we see this as an ideal opportunity to increase the number of UK visitors to our country and to develop closer ties with the British travel industry.”

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eventbulletin CELEBRATE AFRICA, in association with Travel Bulletin, was held last month at Baden-Powell House in London and brought together leading African suppliers with local tour operators and travel agents. All guests were treated to lunch, teas & coffee, plus a prize giveaway draw...

Show News

Show News Above: INDUSTRY FRIENDS...Catching up at the event are, from the left: Emma Lenanton, Infinity Holidays; Sophie Taylor, Planet Destinations; Adam Forsdike, Namibia Tourism; and David Reading, Talking Stick Marketing.

Show News LUXURY REPRESENTATION Collection has been appointed to represent Taleni Africa, a portfolio of properties in the key tourist areas of Namibia.

Properties include Etosha Village, Hotel zum Kaiser, Sossusvlei Lodge and Desert Camp and the Sossus Oasis Camp Site.

For details email info@luxuryrepcollection. com or visit www.taleni-africa.com

SERENA HOTELS has announced the official opening of the new public areas at both Mara Serena Safari Lodge and Sweetwaters Serena Camp. Following an extensive refurbishment of the properties at a cost of more than US$2million per property, Mara Serena Safari Lodge now offers new public areas including a lobby, reception, gift shop, bar lounge, Maisha Spa and gym. The dining room also been expanded and offers a new buffet and active cooking area. There is also a new coffee station and lounge, new public area washrooms, an internal fireplace, terrace and a court yard. The new public areas at the five-star Sweetwaters Serena Camp include a reception, dining area, guest lounge, bar lounge, gift shop and kitchen.

ETHOS MARKETING introduced its newest property in its portfolio to the trade at Celebrate Africa - one of the most stylish boltholes in the Cape Winelands, the ownermanaged Majeka House.

Located in Stellenbosch, the hotel has undergone a twoyear makeover resulting in 22 individually designed suites, a bar and a restaurant. The property also features a spa and spacious grounds.

Below: Guests at Celebrate Africa enjoy the networking opportunities

Below: SOUTH AFRICA CALLING...Catching up are, from the left: Nina Farrimond, South African Tourism; Louise Dean, Jetset Holidays; and Zoe Ovens, Sun International.

AMG HAS announced that Earth Lodge in Sabi Sabi has added a new gym. It is equipped with a state-ofthe-art rowing machine, treadmills, training bike, mats, weights and exercise balls. The company has also announced that Sabi Sabi's Selati Lodge has refurbished its bar and lounge area, and that SA Airlink will fly to Skukuza in Kruger National Park as of June 1, 2014.

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eventbulletin Right: PRIZE PULL...Carole McFadden (left) from African Pride collects her goodie bag from Natalie Odenbreit of Virgin Limited Edition.

Show News LEOPARD HILLS by Seasons In Africa has undergone a complete re-styling of its eight individual suites and now offers the latest in contemporary colours and furnishings whilst not losing its authentic, luxury bush ambience. Meanwhile, the Hollows hotels in Cape Town, Knysna and the Kruger region are offering further discounts for guests staying at more than one property during their itinerary.

Above: BAGGING A BOTTLE...is Clare Bullock (right) of Travel Counsellors with Minaxi Mistry from &Beyond.

Left: TRAINING DUO...Cindy Walker from Extraordinary and Rosie Lindsell from Medina Palms showcase their latest brochures.

SAFARI SPECIALIST, Singita, has announced the launch of Singita Castleton in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

The lodge is one of the group’s 12 properties in Africa and is available for exclusive rental. It consists of a main house with communal living spaces and accommodation located in six individual cottages within the grounds, catering for up to 12 people. Onsite facilities include a large garden, swimming pool, wine cellar, gym, tennis court and spa treatment room. A stay at the property can be combined with Singita Sweni Lodge in neighbouring Kruger National Park, which is also available for private rental for up to 12 guests – or Singita Pamushana Lodge, situated in the south east of Zimbabwe, offering views over the Malilangwe dam and sandstone hills.

For details see www.singita.com VIRGIN LIMITED Edition's Mahali Mzuri, a tented camp which opened earlier this year in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, is running a four nights for the price of three offer. The deal applies to stays up to June 30, 2014, excluding Christmas and New Year, and mid-season rates (between January 2 and March 31) lead in at US$890 per person, per night. The operator is also highlighting a 'kids go free' deal at Ulusaba Rock Lodge in South Africa. The offer allows two children under 12 years to stay free throughout this year and next when they share their parents' room. A range of free kids’ activities are also offered, along with a complimentary babysitting service.

For more information email enquiries@virginlimitededition.com Below: AFRICAN DREAMS...Becca Spurgeon (left) from Visions of Africa won a three-night break to Africa courtesy of Tolene van der Merwe from Boutique Travel Marketing.

Above: KAMILI COLLEAGUES... Taking time out are Tim Henshell and Sophie Henley from Kamili.

LOUISE'S LUCK...Louise Stanion (right) from Cox and Kings won a twonight stay for two at Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. She is pictured with Natalie de la Porte from Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve.

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Destination updates & developments

17

News: a round-up of the latest developments and announcements

Who’s where

45 an at-a-glance guide to which exhibitors are where

46 Floorplan 48 Exhibitors’ listings

18 Europe 26 Americas 31 Middle East 34 Asia Pacific 37 Global Village 38 Technology 40 Africa

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WTMnews AER LINGUS CEO, Christoph Mueller, will headline this year's Airline Programme.

Mueller will discuss how he has delivered strong and improved growth for the Irish flag carrier despite its set of unique challenges as part of the session ‘Airlines in Transition: Pushing the Boundaries, acing the Challenges’, which takes place on Tuesday November 5 at 15:30 in Platinum Suite 3 & 4.

The airline’s majority shareholder Ryanair wants to take over the company, which Mueller and his management team are against.

Furthermore, Aer Lingus’ home market of Ireland is suffering severe economic problems.

Despite this challenging backdrop, Mueller – a former senior TUI executive – led the airline to a 2012 profit of €69.1million with a record 10.8 million passengers.

Mueller will explain how he led the airline to such success despite the company’s macro challenges, while also discussing the wider aviation and travel industry issues, while also looking to the future.

He is part of a heavyweight panel which also features Air Malta CEO, Peter Davies, and Icelandair CEO, Birkir Hólm Guðnason. It will be chaired

by WTM aviation expert, John Strickland, director of JLS Consulting.

Final day of WTM graced by senior business leaders and politicians WORLD TRAVEL Market has a high profile line up of senior business leaders and politicians for its final day on Thursday November 7.

The WTM Knowledge Theatre, situated on the exhibition floor at GV750, will host three back-toback sessions starting with London Deputy Mayor for Business and Enterprise Kit Malthouse at 11:00.

Malthouse is followed at 11.45 by former no-frills airline Go Fly founder and CEO Barbara Cassani, and the final session is an aviation panel debate titled - Airlines Adapting Their Business Models.

Photo: REX/Glenn Copus / Evening Standard

Aer Lingus CEO headlines Airline Programme

Barbara Cassani

Sir Stuart Rose to officially open WTM 2013 WORLD TRAVEL Market 2013 will be opened by Sir Stuart Rose, one of the business world’s most respected leaders.

Former Marks & Spencer CEO and chairman Sir Stuart led a turnaround of one of the UK High Street’s most well-known brands and fought off a number of high profile take over bids for the retailer.

Sir Stuart will open this year's event at the new-look WTM Captains of Industry Opening Lunch, with 200 of the industry’s most senior leaders in attendance.

Veteran BBC presenter Stephen Sackur will interview Sir Stuart about his career in business, which will offer the travel industry senior industry audience inspiration and practical advice as to how they can run their own businesses.

Sir Stuart is currently chairman of online delivery company Ocado.

Cash prize offered for inspirational start-ups TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN TRIP planning and travel inspiration start-ups can win £5,000 in a new WTM initiative, Fresh, sponsored by Sabre Travel Network, as part of the dedicated Travel Tech Show at WTM. WTM Fresh will focus on companies less than a year old which have innovative and viable ideas for using technology - such as web, mobile, social, app or a combination of these - to help consumers with trip planning and travel inspiration before and during a trip.

As well as a £5,000 cash prize, the winner will also receive mentoring from the sponsor Sabre and other members of the judging panel.

Senior execs from Facebook and Google to speak at Travel Perspective Programme SENIOR EXECUTIVES from Facebook and Google will be attending the WTM Travel Perspective programme, sponsored by Sabre, on Tuesday November 5.

The programme includes a keynote session from Facebook head of travel, Lee McCabe. Entitled Facebook and Targeting: Finding the People that Matter to You, the session will explore how powerful Facebook is as an advertising platform.

McCabe said: “Travel is in Facebook’s

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DNA. More people share their travel milestones on Facebook, such as departing for a holiday or sharing a photo from their travels, than any other important events.

“In fact, more than 70% of Facebook users update their status and/or share photos while on holiday. This is why travel companies are reaching out to Facebook to find the people that matter to them.”

The session takes place in South Gallery Rooms 23-26 at 10:30.

Wednesday November 6 sees Google’s industry head for tour operators, Sarah McDonald, take to the stage as the first keynote speaker of the day, followed by former WordPress user interface designer, John O’Nolan.

O’Nolan has built blogs for Microsoft, Virgin Atlantic, easyJet and Nokia, and will tell delegates about his experience at WordPress and how his new platform will shake up online publishing.

Both sessions take place in South Gallery Rooms 19-22 from 10:30.

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e p o r u e M WT THE CYPRUS Tourism Organisation (stand EM1100) will be on hand to highlight the island’s diverse offering, from food and wine to sports and ancient history. Responsible Tourism forms a core theme for this year and representatives promoting Rural Cyprus will be available to meet with agents to discuss new and recent developments.

Encore Tickets re-launches trade booking platform to offer improved usability ENCORE TICKETS is to re-launch MyEncore.co.uk, its password protected trade booking system at this year's show.

The new booking system will now add translation into Mandarin, Japanese and Korean languages to its already featured ten languages, enabling more nonEnglish speaking operators to book tickets directly on the company's website and access either commissionable or net rates on full price and discounted theatre tickets.

The system will also offer improved usability and a range of new features including direct connectivity between Encore and many theatres meaning thousand more seats will be available for The Phantom of the Opera, War Horse, The Lion King, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and many other key shows.

Visitors to WTM will be offered live demonstrations of the new website, which also offers users Flexible payment

methods (on account or using clients credit), where Encore Tickets’ newly appointed head of sales, Jo Bachelor, and her team will be on hand to show trade clients how Myencore.co.uk can help them increase their sales of theatre and attractions in London.

To make an appointment to meet one of the team email sales@encoretickets.co.uk or call 020-7492 1500.

For more information visit stand L310.

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WTMeurope

TURKISH HOTEL group Voyage Hotels will be announcing its latest five-star Maxx Royal brand at WTM. Maxx Royal Kemer, which will open next year, is located on the Turkish Riviera and will be an all-suite, all-inclusive spa hotel. The hotel’s setting spans three bays and a private beach and it is surrounded by the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean.

For details see stand EM955.

CroisiEurope launches new itineraries on three new barges for next year RIVER CRUISE line CroisiEurope is planning a number of itineraries on new ships for next year.

Three new barges will operate new itineraries on the Canal du Rhone-a-Sete through Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur and the Languedoc Roussillon; the Burgundy Canals through the Saône-et-Loire and La Côte d’Or regions of France; The Canal Lateral A La Marne and The Marne River through the Champagne region and Paris and The Canal Saint-Martin.

A new ten-day combination cruise will also be launched from Amsterdam to Avignon along the Rhine and Rhone

rivers which will pass through Holland, Germany and France.

A new nine-day cruise on the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel will meanwhile cross three countries and call at cities including Aachen, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Koblenz, Mainz, Strasbourg and Breisach.

Other developments include three new Rhine itineraries operating out of Frankfurt, a new four-star ship with a new programme, plus a new all-inclusive drinks policy.

For further details visit stand EM1605.

CNTO celebrates record UK visitors in 2013

Frankfurt am Main A Multifaceted Metropolis

FOLLOWING A record number of UK visitors to Croatia in 2013, the Croatian National Tourist Board will be celebrating at this year’s World Travel Market by promoting gastro-tourism, national parks and new festivals.

Developments in the country this year included a 27% increase in UK visitors from January-September; Jet2 doubling its regional flights to Pula from Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds; Unknown Festival and Terraneo joining the country’s music line-up; the opening of the four-star Camping Krk camping site on Krk Island; Tourdust’s launch of a new collection of family adventure packages in Dubrovnik; and the opening of the Zagreb Eye Viewpoint, which offers panoramic views of the capital.

Tonko Rilović, UK and Ireland director of the

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tourist board, said: “We’ve had a fantastic summer season but there’s still more to do if we’re to reach our record-breaking visitor figure of 500,000 in 1990.

The UK market is incredibly important to us and to maintain this growth we’re looking to show British visitors that Croatia offers more than just stunning coastline. We plan to promote our historic cities, eight national parks and the packed calendar of music festivals all year round.

“We will also look to strengthen our position as a top short-haul destination in 2014. Our joining the EU this year means it’s even easier to travel to Croatia and at less than two-and-ahalf hours away from the UK, an affordable familyfriendly holiday or an adrenaline-raising active break is actually much closer than you think.”

For more information visit stand EM1250.

e s at th Visit u

W T MNov.

th 4th – 7 ndon Lo ExCel 0 EM 54

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

An extraordinary and unique skyline 60 museums and an awarded opera Regional and international gastronomy Historical sightseeing attractions One of Europe’s largest shopping promenade A vibrant nightlife Green parks and the river embankments International sport events and festivals

… and much more. That’s what Frankfurt has on offer!

Frankfurt Tourist+Congress Board Phone: +49 (0) 69/21 23 03 98 E-Mail: tourismus@infofrankfurt.de

www.frankfurt-tourismus.de November 1 2013

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WTMeurope Turkish Culture & Tourism Office announces new social media campaign as continuing to promote Turkey's range of Blue Flag beaches and marinas and spa/thermal offerings.

The plan, to be put in action from 2014, is to boost total arrivals from 35.7 to 50million by 2023, the year that marks the centenary

THE VIEW from The Shard (UKI209) will be undertaking a series of activities during WTM with highlights including opportunities to join the team at the stand for a special tasting of their own branded Champagne at 17:00 on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th and meeting representatives to learn more about the attraction and discuss potential partnership opportunities.

anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey.

The TCTO has also announced a new social media address to accompany a new social media campaign.

By following @GoToTurkeyUK on Twitter,

Credit: The View from the Shard

THE TURKISH Culture and Tourism Office has announced that next year it will focus on cultural travel, including archaeology and its new UNESCO sites, arts and music, gourmet travel, fashion, design, literature and architecture - as well

users have the chance to win a trip to Istanbul and find out about the city's new developments in the lead up to the festive season and beyond.

For more information see www.gototurkey.co.uk or visit stands EM800 and EM850.

Poland invites agents to 'Come and find your story' THE POLISH National Tourist Office is inviting the trade to its stand to 'Come and find your story', a new campaign that highlights the destination's culture through unique photographic scenes.

Agents are also being invited to attend a networking party on Tuesday November 5 from 17:00-20:00 on the Poland Stand EM450.

RSVP to agnieszka.bigaj@poland.travel

GNTO launches new campaigns and focused marketing themes THE GERMAN National Tourist Office has announced its tourism campaigns for 2014 including two major new tourism initiatives and themes for the coming year.

They include a new ‘Royal’ holiday route and travel website, the ‘Royal Heritage Route’ to mark the 300th anniversary in 2014 of the Hanoverian succession to the thrones of the UK and Ireland; and Discover Germany BarrierFree - a new, multi-media campaign and travel website to promote ‘Barrier Free’ (accessible) travel for the UK and Ireland market.

Focused editorial themes include a major cultural focus for next year highlighting Germany’s 38 World Heritage Sites and a major sustainability initiative.

In addition to the

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campaigns launched by the tourist office, WTM will showcase a range of major initiatives by UK organisations such as Historic Royal Palaces, The British Library and the British Museum throughout 2014, which will be in keeping with the GNTO’s ‘Royal’ theme.

Klaus Lohmann, the tourist board's director, said: “We are delighted that Germany is currently enjoying so much interest from visitors from the UK and Ireland and, with the new initiatives planned for 2014, we are looking forward to this continuing rise in visitor numbers throughout next year and beyond.”

The 'Discover Germany Barrier Free’ website can be found at www.germany.travel/barri erfree or for more information visit stand EM540.

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WTMeurope New vision for Tenerife showcased to trade THE TENERIFE Tourism Corporation (stand EM1450) is hosting a special evening event for the trade on Monday November 4 to present a new vision for the destination.

The new focus will be based on nature, presenting the new five volcanic territories and stargazing, and the event will feature a special video showcasing the island’s skies.

The event takes place at 18:45 at the Millbank Media Centre in central London and attendees will also have the chance to meet Carlos Alonso, the newly-appointed president of the Council of Tenerife. Transfers will be provided from ExCeL for those attending WTM. For more information email rsvp@humewhitehead.co.uk or call 0845-498 9980.

Stargazing in Tenerife

Netherlands Board of Tourism showcases four core areas on new stand THE NETHERLANDS Board of Tourism is presenting a new stand at this year's event which showcases four core areas that represent the story of Holland; the healthy country life; the varied coast; the inspiring meeting; and the creative city.

A highlight for next year will be the launch of the Liberation Route Europe, an international remembrance trail of more than 3,000km which will be launched on D-

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Day. The tour will follow the path of the Allies through Europe from 19441945, with the exhibition focusing on the Dutch part of the route which already exists as a trail.

Other highlights for next year include the re-opening of The Mauritshuis Gallery in The Hague; the introduction of Select Voyages' new five-star MS William Shakespeare; and the Georges Seurat exhibition at the Kröller-Müller Museum.

Meanwhile, the recently re-opened Noordbrabants Museum, with original art and heritage of Vincent van Gogh and Hieronimus Bosch, will be celebrating both of these artists with festivals and events throughout 2015/16.

The tourism board will be hosting a Happy Hour event on Tuesday with some surprise guests paying a visit.

For further information go to stand EM300.

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WTMeurope Now all inclusive on every 2014 European itinerary* Exclusive door-to-door holiday transfers

NEW 2014 BROCHURE OUT NOW!

The World’s Best River Cruises EUROPE | RU

S S I A | C H I NA | V I E T N A M & CA M B OD I A

InBrief ● WTM VISITORS will be able to discover TAP Portugal’s extensive

connections from the UK to Brazil, including new routes, in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup 2013, as well as the airline’s Manchester Airport campaign surrounding the increased flight offering to Lisbon, recently increased to ten flights per week. The airline will also be promoting the new wines now available on its network on stand EM900 on November 5 from 16:00-18:00.

For details see www.flytap.com ● VISITBLACKPOOL IS joining forces with Mamma Mia! at WTM to promote the destination and the popular musical which is coming to the resort for a ten-week run next summer. The tourist board will also be launching its 2014 Destination Guide at the event.

See stand UK1500. ● TOURISM FLANDERS will be highlighting up and coming exhibitions in the destination, as well as information about the opening of the Fin De Siècle Museum in Brussels, due to open on December 6.

Joining the newly designed stand are new carrier and transport partners including P&O Ferries, Eurostar International and SNCB Europe, BMI Regional, Brussels Airlines and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle.

Tourist offices and attractions from the region will also be sharing the stand - at EM1200. ● LITHUANIA WILL be exhibiting at stand EM570 and Dr. Raimonda Balniene, the director of the Lithuania State Department of Tourism, will be available to discuss the latest developments. Visitors to the stand have the chance to win a £25 voucher plus a unique prize in a business card draw. ● BESPOKE HOTELS is teaming up with VisitScotland at WTM to showcase its latest properties at stand UK1500. ● The Azores Islands Promotion Agency has announced that Ben Fogle will attend WTM on November 5 to discuss the Azores and his role as destination ambassador.

Visit stand EM9000. ● AGENTS VISITING Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London stand (L205) will be eligible for 50% off entry to the attraction from November 4-7. The attraction is open seven days a week from 10:00 until midnight, with last admission at 22:30.

For details see www.ripleyslondon.com ● THE VISIT Benidorm Tourist Board (stand EM1300) will be promoting a new brochure for the resort, as well as the emerging market for health tourism, the regional gastronomy of the resort and the diversity of its sport and leisure offerings.

£20 LOVE2SHOP VOUCHER FOR EVERY BOOKING †

Uniworld are on the Germany stand EM540 at WTM 2013 Call 0800 988 5166 for an appointment slot or visit us at the stand

MARKETING GREECE S.A is a new non-profit organisation promoting the Greek travel industry in co-operation with public and private institutions, with the overall aim of strengthening the Greek economy. The company will be on stand EM1000 to discuss its aims and future plans.

T’s & C’s apply. *Excludes Russia. †See website for full details

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s a c i r e m a WTM TRAVEL AGENTS can win a Jeep driving experience and practise driving on the Colorado stand at this year’s World Travel Market as part of the state’s campaign to promote outdoor adventure.

The competition is designed to encourage awareness of Colorado as a year-round destination amongst the travel trade and increase product knowledge of the wide variety of activities and attractions available. These include outdoor activities such as white water rafting, hiking, mountain biking, off-roading, golf and horseriding. Colorado will also be promoting its training programmes and fam trips, where a strong trade programme is planned over the next six months with the focus on selling spring, summer and autumn 2014.

For details visit stand NA230L.

New initiatives from the Falkland Islands Tourist Board help drive visitor numbers THE FALKLAND Islands Tourist Board (FITB) is launching a new accommodation accreditation programme at this year’s exhibition amidst plans to boost tourism to the remote archipelago and ensure that the visitor experience measures up to expectation.

The programme is currently being introduced across the islands for the start of the new season, with a one- to five-star grading system in line with European standards. The resulting accreditation comes after a rigorous assessment of all accommodation by the tourist board, and will be posted on the FITB website to enable visitors planning their trip to book and buy with confidence. Phase two will be rolled out next year to include restaurants and food outlets.

Other initiatives underway to help drive sales to the Falklands include plans for a new agent incentive programme and negotiations with IATA to change the airport code to one more readily identifiable with the islands’ capital, Stanley.

Managing director of the FITB, Tony Mason, said: "This year is a significant one for us at WTM. Last year was the best year

for tourism to the Falkland Islands since records began and we want to keep building on this momentum. Whilst our core markets remain wildlife and niche tourism, I plan to meet with as many partners as possible to find out how we can help them better sell the Falklands. By introducing a quality accreditation system and lobbying bodies such as IATA we can encourage even more visitors to discover what an amazing place this part of the world is.”

The FITB will also be introducing a refreshed look and feel to its branding at this year’s event, along with new mascot, Stanley the penguin. Visitors to the stand will be able to have their photo taken with Stanley against a Falklands backdrop to ‘share’ with friends, family and colleagues on Facebook.

Representatives will also be on hand to discuss the Islands’ digital drive across social media channels including Facebook, Pinterest and Google+ and the roll out of an e-version of the Visitor Guide. Visitors can also find out about the refurbished Jetty Visitor Centre and new cruise itineraries for 2013/14.

For more information visit stand LA320.

Florida Keys & Key West highlight historic walking tours to attract new visitors FLORIDA KEYS & Key West is highlighting new experiences for visitors including historic walking tours, where pedestrians can stroll with Keys author and historian Brad Bertelli during his Historic Upper Keys Walking Tours in small-group explorations of the region’s important locales and bygone days.

As an example, an Historic Downtown Tavernier Tour spotlights neighbourhoods developed by pineapple farmers and workers on Henry Flagler’s Florida Keys Over-Sea

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Railroad. During the hourlong strolls, Bertelli shares stories about people and incidents that shaped the downtown Tavernier community. Prices lead in at $16 per person.

A 40-minute Islamorada Hurricane Tour provides an insight into the island’s history, its monument dedicated to the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, a storm that shaped the lives of the community, and buildings that still stand today. Prices lead in at $10 and the tour is also available at night once monthly through December.

November 1 2013

For details see http://historicupperkeyswal kingtours.com Meanwhile, kids and grownups alike can build intricate, eye-catching sandcastles on the beach in Key West and craft sand sculptures of all kinds thanks to a new partnership. Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort on the Atlantic Ocean, and Sand-Isle Professional Sand Sculpting have teamed up to offer twoand-a-half-hour beachside workshops for people of all ages eager to play in the

sand. Up to six guests can enjoy the master class and participants create their own sand sculpture from scratch during the workshop, which must be booked in advance through the Casa Marina’s concierge (www.casamarinaresort.co m) or through www.sandisle.com/lessons.

Prices are $49 for adults and $42 for children aged six-11 years, with a minimum of two people required per workshop.

For more information visit stand NA300.

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WTMamericas New shopping outlet & hotel developments for Illinois DISCOVER ILLINOIS has announced that the Outlets at Springfield are scheduled to open in spring next year, offering more than 80 outlet stores across 340,000sq.ft.

Other new developments include a Virgin Hotel in Chicago, the opening of Soho House Hotel in Chicago in spring 2014 and a third hotel in Chicago from InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.

Loews Hotels & Resorts has also announced plans to open a Chicago property in 2015.

The hotel will feature 400 guest rooms, including 36 suites; a signature restaurant; and more than 25,000sq.ft of meeting space, outdoor terraces, a spa/fitness centre and an outdoor rooftop with a pool.

For details visit stand NA230J-2 or see www.discoverillinois.org

TRAVEL AGENTS can visit the Choose Chicago WTM stand (NA230j) to discuss the city’s plans for IPW in 2014, as well the increase in visitor figures and boost in new hotel openings. These include the Godfrey Hotel Chicago which is set to open in February next year.

The hotel will be located adjacent to the Hotel Felix in Chicago’s River North neighbourhood and will feature 189 rooms, 39 suites, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 10,000sq.ft rooftop bar and lounge.

Travel Alberta welcomes Glacier Skywalk in Jasper National Park TRAVEL ALBERTA, which is exhibiting at stand NA100, has announced the opening of the Glacier Skywalk in May next year, which offers a new observation platform in Jasper National Park with views from 918ft high across the park.

The glass-bottomed platform and interpretative walk will teach guests about the glaciology, wildlife and flora and fauna of Jasper National Park. For details see www.glacierskywalk.ca Meanwhile, with the long ski season looming, the ski hills of Alberta are preparing for another bumper season with the excellent conditions, quality and quantity of snow enjoyed over the last few years expected to continue.

News from the ski hills includes a new ski yoga package from Sunshine Village in Banff which combines yoga on the mountain, skiing and a specifically designed menu. See www.skibig3.com Also new is a revamp of the historic Cliff House at Mount Norquay in Banff (see www.skibig3.com) and 50th anniversary celebrations at Marmot Basin, Jasper in 2014, which is developing its best experiences available for skiers within the National Park.

For details visit www.skimarmot.com For more information see www.travelalberta.co.uk or visit stand NA100.

Philadelphia's Mayor leads consortium of travel partners to promote destination

Visit Orlando expands reach with new campaign targeting adults without children

AS PART of Mayor Michael A. Nutter’s November trade mission to London, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), Philadelphia International Airport and key partners will promote Philadelphia as a global travel destination for conventions and leisure travel at this year's WTM. Mayor Nutter will lead a consortium of area travel partners, including PHLCVB President & CEO Jack Ferguson, on the tradeshow floor at WTM. The delegation will also host an event with airline executives about new potential flights, which will provide a vehicle to drive additional business and leisure travellers to Philadelphia in the coming years.

Mayor Nutter said: “I want to thank the PHLCVB and all those who are supporting this effort and working every day to promote Philadelphia on the global stage. Through these relationships, we will attract new international travellers, students, investment and trade opportunities for Philadelphia businesses, and create new jobs for Philadelphians."

To further promote the destination, the PHLCVB has partnered with Brand USA to wrap 11 London taxicabs that will be on the streets this month. Philadelphia messaging and images will appear on the exteriors of the cabs as well as on the interior headrests and taxi receipts.

Meanwhile, the PHLCVB is launching a contest on Facebook (www.facebook.com/discoverPHL) and Twitter (@discoverPHL) for people in London to spot the cabs, share a photo, and be entered to win a VIP trip to Philadelphia.

For more information visit www.discoverphl.com or visit stand NA230F.

VISIT ORLANDO has launched a new autumn campaign that targets UK adults without children. For the first time, the tourist office has invested in new television adverts to launch the campaign, which also encompasses trade and PR activity.

The six-week campaign is designed to drive growth in footfall and sales for tour operators and travel agents from the hardto-reach, travel-savvy Generations X and Y, who have the disposable income and flexibility to take advantage of the spoils available to off-peak season travellers.

Research by the tourist office has shown that young adult couples or friendship groups, without children, have busy working lifestyles and seek a holiday that provides fun and escapism from their everyday lives. In their 20s and 30s, this group is not restricted by school holidays, yet remains highly motivated by price promotions, making them a valuable audience for off-peak travel.

Danielle Courtenay, chief marketing officer for Visit Orlando, said: “Many adults assume that they should wait until they have children to visit Orlando, but the reality is that our destination truly offers everything young couples desire in a holiday at this stage of their lives.

“It’s the ideal break from the daily routine, where these couples can escape and experience everything from thrill rides at our world famous theme parks to relaxing poolside cocktails, delicious meals and vibrant nightlife.”

A new consumer website, VisitOrlando.com/escape, will highlight information about activities and deals appealing especially to adults without children.

For more information visit stand NA300.

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WTMamericas Saint Lucia Tourist Board announces new initiatives and developments TOUR OPERATORS and travel agents visiting the Saint Lucia stand (CA200) will be updated on the island’s newest developments and programmes including the first triathlon, the Small Six Safari Challenge, plus a range of training initiatives.

The tourist board has also announced that Thomas Cook will launch a new weekly direct flight from November 10 on a specially configured Airbus A330 - 200 aircraft, leaving Manchester on Sundays at 12:00. The midday departure allows travellers to benefit from a range of connections from regional airports across the UK and Europe including Scandinavia and Germany.

Meanwhile, next year will see the relaunch of www.saintluciaexpert.com for agents with additional face-toface training, more video content and increased incentives and rewards given to those who log bookings. The first ten agents who register before WTM will be invited to a special rum and chocolate tasting on the stand.

Jean-Marc Flambert, the tourist board's director of marketing UK and Europe, said: "Saint Lucia has seen figures from the UK rise year-on-year in terms of revenue to the island. As the second largest contributor to the island’s tourism economy, the UK is an increasingly important focus for the Saint Lucia Tourist Board. WTM is an opportunity for us to meet new tour operators and agents to build on the relationship with existing partners and thank them for their valuable support.

“This year we’d like to engage with new specialist operators, particularly those operators specialising in nature and sports as Saint Lucia becomes the host of the Youth Commonwealth Games in 2017. Saint Lucia offers the widest variety of activities of any island in the eastern Caribbean, everything from adventure hikes to zip wiring, a drive-in volcano, nature trails and climbing the stunning Piton mountains."

The tourist board will also be hosting a series of fam trips next year.

To register your interest see www.saintluciaexpert.com

Come get a taste of all Louisiana has to offer, from our unique cuisine to our vibrant music scene.

Because there’s no better place to hear live music than where it all began.

Phone Number: 0208 460 7082 Brochure Request Line: 0800 652 8251 Louisiana@ttmworld.co.uk

Come visit us at stand number NA230G-3 within the Brand USA Pavilion

©2013 Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism

InBrief ● VISITORS TO the Barbados Tourism Authority stand (CA203) will be

presented with information on Barbados Island Inclusive ‘free spending money’ initiative. Guests can also sample cuisine from the tourist authority's Bajan pop-up restaurant – highlighting classic dishes as well as rum recipes.

For details see www.visitbarbados.org ● THE DOMINICAN Republic (stand CA305) has announced that Air Europa is to commence weekly flights to La Romana from Gatwick from December 16. The service will be on an Airbus A330-200 and is available with connection via Madrid, in time for the Christmas peak season. British Airways will also boost services from Gatwick to Punta Cana with the introduction of a third service this winter.

Meanwhile, Thomson and First Choice have confirmed they will add direct Dreamliner flights from Glasgow to Punta Cana for next summer. ● VISITORS TO Alaska can now navigate their way around with a new Milepost Tour Guide App which offers interactive maps as well as details on upcoming attractions and sites along the way, acting as a personal tour guide.

For details visit stand NA230G.

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WTMamericas Atlantic Canada announces 50th anniversary of destination's longest running musical ATLANTIC CANADA, exhibiting at stand NA100, has announced that 2014 will see the return of Canada's longest running musical for its 50th season, Anne of Green Gables - The Musical, a classic tale told with modern sets, staging and choreography.

Next year, Prince Edward Island (where Anne of Green Gables is set) will celebrate an important chapter in history, as it marks the 150th anniversary of the 1864 Charlottetown Conference - where the idea of Canada, as a nation, was proposed.

The island will be hosting a year-long tribute to the

beginning of a great nation and is encouraging visitors to join in the festivities. Part of downtown Charlottetown will be turned into a celebration zone where visitors can follow the steps of the Fathers of Confederation and experience daily concerts, food tasting, kids’ games and rides and historical presentations.

Each province and territory in Canada also has the opportunity to showcase their local food, culture and history.

For more information see www.pei2014.ca and www.confederationcentre.com

New campaign from LVCVA puts focus on detox theme THE LAS Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is to launch a new campaign in 2014 playing on the detox retox theme. The city is renowned for being a retox destination but the new campaign aims to highlight the alternative detox element which the city has to offer.

The campaign will showcase spas, wellness centres, healthy eating and an active side in contrast to the more familiar retox restaurants, bars and day/nightclubs.

Meanwhile, the LVCVA has announced that a range of new resorts, restaurants and shows are scheduled to open in Las Vegas at the end of 2013 and into 2014.

The Vegas Strip will be welcoming two luxury hotel brands in early 2014 with The Gansevoort Las Vegas and the SLS Las Vegas. The Imperial Palace is being transformed into The Quad, offering 2,640 rooms and the world’s largest classic car showroom - The Auto Collections, while the all-suite hotel The Delano will be opening at Mandalay Bay. Vegas’ skyline is also set to change with the opening of The LINQ - a £343million retail, dining and entertainment district – which includes the world’s tallest observation wheel, the High Roller.

For details visit stand NA150 and www.visitlasvegas.co.uk

Utah offers business card draw prize THE UTAH Office of Tourism will run a free draw of business cards entered by the travel industry over the four days of the show, offering £100 worth of M&S vouchers to five winners drawn randomly at the end of the show.

Visit stand NA230 to take part.

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WTMamericas Sandals Resorts announces plans for double debut in Barbados SANDALS RESORTS International (SRI), parent company of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts, has announced that it will open the former Couples Resort in St Lawrence as a Sandals Resort as well as managing a new Beaches Resort, set to be built on the site of the former Almond Beach Resort in St Peter.

The former Couples property will open as Sandals Barbados on November 6 and will honour all existing commitments with guests who had booked to stay at the Couples Resort.

The company's chairman, Gordon Stewart, said: “We are delighted to announce the opening of, not one, but two of our first ever resorts in this wonderful country of Barbados.

Barbados and its people are so rich in culture, charm and personality and has been one of the leaders in Caribbean tourism for decades. In the former Couples Resort, I strongly believe that we have acquired one of the most beautiful properties in the entire island and we cannot wait to bring the full Luxury Included experience here."

Upon opening, the resort will offer a selection of 280 luxury accommodation that ranges from beachfront suites to rooms situated in the resort’s tropical garden.

Meanwhile, the company is to open a new resort, Sandals LaSource Grenada, next month and has expanded Beaches Turks & Caicos by adding a new Key West Village which offers more than 150 suites and villas, three gourmet restaurants and private pools.

For more information visit stands CA200, CA340 and CA101.

InBrief ● TRUE BLUE Bay Boutique Resort in Grenada (stand CA101) will

host its inaugural Chocolate Week from May 18-25, 2014. It will include tastings, making truffles and making chocolates using moulds. Visitors will also be able to learn more about the history of chocolate and visit the Belmont Cocoa Plantation to see how cocoa is processed. ● TRINIDAD AND Tobago is featuring a giant interactive screen on its stand for visitors to use. Set against stunning island imagery, visitors can capture themselves enjoying a beautiful private beach, taking in the tropical lush rainforest or even diving the island’s colourful reefs. Agents can take part in groups and images can be printed on-stand and taken away as a memento. Meanwhile, the team is launching a new agent initiative, ‘Just Add Four’, which aims to reward those agents that make regular bookings and to incentivise and educate agents on what the islands have to offer.

Agents that make four or more bookings by March 2014 are guaranteed a place on the first Tobago mega fam which takes place in June next year. The tourist board will also be offering two agents the chance to join the fam via a business card drop on stand.

Visit stand CA240. ● HALF MOON, a RockResort, is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2014 and will mark the year with special events and offers including a three-night, all-inclusive package with spa treatments for US$1,954, the opening up of two of the West Cottages as luxury suite retreats for up to 14 people, plus a new online agent training programme.

For details see stand CA340. ● THE ANTIGUA and Barbuda Tourism Authority will be exhibiting at stand CA220. The Honourable John Maginley Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation & Culture, Antigua & Barbuda will be available to discuss the latest developments on the island.

Joining him on the stand will be Sir Vivian Richards as Antigua’s Tourism Ambassador. Sir Vivian Richards will be available to talk about England travelling to the West Indies for a whistle stop limited-overs tour, including three one-day internationals in a week in Antigua on February 28, and March 2 and 5.

VISIT ST. Pete/Clearwater (VSPC) has announced that filming for Dolphin Tale 2 is currently taking place at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and is due for release in September 2014. The original cast from Dolphin Tale is returning, including Winter the Dolphin, Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr, Ashley Judd and Kris Kristofferson. The tourist board has also announced that Virgin Atlantic will be offering 30,000 extra return seats to Orlando from Manchester next summer in response to increased demand.

For details see www.visitstpeteclearwater.com or visit stand NA300.

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WTMmiddleeast Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

Dubai Tourism outlines plans for 2020 vision to double visitor numbers AT THIS year’s WTM, Dubai will be discussing its 2020 vision on stand ME200.

The vision is to double the amount of visitors to 20million per year and triple the economic contribution generated from tourism. To achieve this objective, the destination plans to attract more visitors to stay in Dubai for longer and spend more whilst they are there, and a key element to achieving that goal is the Dubai 2014

events calendar, where Dubai aims to be one of the world's leading key events destinations.

Another new announcement for the destination is the bid to host Dubai EXPO 2020. For the bid, the UAE has selected the theme 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future'.

Meanwhile, agents who visit the stand and take along their completed Dubai expert certificate will be entered into a draw to win a Dubai goodie bag.

One agent will also have the chance to win a place on a 2014 fam trip.

This year's stand will also feature a traditional Falconer where visitors can get up close to a trained bird of prey.

Guests to the stand can also have intricate henna body artwork done by the on-stand henna artist, plus learn about the traditional way of writing from a calligrapher.

For more information on Dubai visit www.definitelydubai.com

Yas Island promotion from Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority IN 2014 Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority’s (TCA Abu Dhabi) main message will be that Abu Dhabi is an affordable luxury destination – which is evident in the quality of Abu Dhabi’s hotels and resorts as well as the standards of service.

At this year’s WTM, the authority will be unveiling packages for the Abu Dhabi Volvo Ocean Race stopover in December 2014/January 2015, when the UAE capital will come alive with all things nautical. Visitors to Abu Dhabi over the 2014/15 Christmas/New Year festive season can look forward to a waterfront destination village offering entertainment and sailing races.

In addition, TCA Abu Dhabi will be looking to leverage, with the trade, packaging around its portfolio of major events which launches each January with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and takes in a gourmet festival, heritage shows, an international triathlon and aerobatics show, as well as the Abu Dhabi Festival of music, theatre and dance and the annual Art Abu Dhabi fair.

Part of the authority's stand at this year's WTM will be dedicated to Yas Island - home to some of the UAE’s most popular attractions, racing events, concerts and luxury hotels. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s entertainment destination, will promote the latest expansion of its Yas Marina area, which includes new retail and food and beverage and will be a waterfront leisure component in its own right. It will also

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be promoting Yas Mall – which will be Abu Dhabi’s biggest shopping complex when it opens in the first quarter of next year.

Meanwhile, visitors to the stand will have the opportunity to have their photo taken in the Yas Island interactive photo booth which will transform expressions as if people were going 240km/h in under five seconds on Formula Rossa – the world’s fastest roller-coaster at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi – or as they explore the legend of the lost pearl at Yas Waterworld.

Visitors can also join in social media competitions for the chance to win a grand prize to be unveiled on the show’s final day.

Those who put their business cards in the slots on the stand can win a range of prizes including a weekend getaway on Yas Island, Etihad Airways' Economy tickets for two to Abu Dhabi, sunset cruises along Yas Marina and Captain Tony’s and premium passes to Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi or a round of golf at Yas Links.

For details visit stand ME300.

Aerial view of Yas Island

IGTO updates visitors on airline developments REPRESENTATIVES FROM the Israel Government of Tourism will be available on stand EM650 to discuss marketing plans for next year as well as current campaigns for the Jewish, Christian and general consumer markets.

The team will also discuss product developments and give an airline update following the signing of the Open Skies agreement earlier this year, whereby Israel’s cabinet approved the signing of the agreement with the European Union which had been initiated in 2012.

The deal allows more EU flights, ultimately lowering the prices of flights to and from the country with weekly frequencies added from this year onwards from Vienna, Paris, Frankfurt, Athens, Rome, Madrid, London, Milano, Berlin, Barcelona and Munich.

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WTMmiddleeast Jordan Tourist Board promotes culinary tours

THE QATAR Tourism Authority will be highlighting the destination’s tourism development strategy at WTM, particularly leading up to hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022. This will include Qatar as an unusual winter sun destination and as a stop-over option. Visitors to the stand will also have the chance to win pearl earrings, tickets to the V&A and QMA Pearls Exhibition and a holiday to Qatar.

For details www.qatartourism.gov.qa or see stand ME100.

THE JORDAN Tourist Board's focus for 2014 is on food and promoting culinary tours to the country.

At this year's show, the tourist board will be unveiling its new website at www.visitjordan.com/food, and actress, Celebrity Masterchef winner and chef, Nadia Sawalha, will be on the stand on Monday from midday-13:00 to give a Jordanian cookery demonstration and to provide insight into her love of Jordan.

For details visit stand ME150.

Win a place on a fam to Sharjah in February 2014 THE SHARJAH Commerce & Tourism Development Authority will be announcing details of Sir Bu Nair Island at this year's show, a new development on the Arabian Gulf Island that will offer a mix of high-end luxury and comfort.

Set to be completed in 2015, the island will host a five-star hotel and resort, hotel apartments and villas, a camping village, shops, a souk, dedicated family areas, an amphitheatre, museum, education centre, harbour and an airport.

Other announcements include a new Chedi hotel, Al Jabal Resort, The Chedi Khorfakkah, which is set to open in 2015; the opening of the five-star Al Bait Hotel in Sharjah, set to open in early 2015; and promoting the fact that Sharjah has been named Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014.

Throughout this year's show, the authority will be running a competition on its stand for travel agents to win a place on a Sharjah fam trip.

To enter, agents have to answer three questions about the destination. The fam will take place in February 2014 and will coincide with the opening ceremony of the Sharjah Light Festival.

For more information visit stand ME400.

Sir Bu Nair Island

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Oman celebrates tenth anniversary of London office THIS YEAR the Ministry of Tourism of Oman will celebrate the tenth anniversary of its UK & Ireland office and His Excellency the Minister of Tourism, Ahmed bin Nasser bin Hamad al Mehrzi, will be attending WTM for the first time.

The Ministry is proposing to boost business development in key markets and accelerate Omani skills development, and has announced a number of recent developments. These include news that Oman Air is launching double daily flights to the UK; the recent launch of Qatar Airways' flights to Salalah; a new 400room Rotana Hotel, which is scheduled to open in Salalah at the end of the year; and the opening of a new Convention Centre in 2016.

Visitors to the stand during World Travel Market will be treated to a selection of goodies including Omani coffee and dates.

For details visit stand ME500.

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c i f i c a p a i s a WTM

TOURISM NEW Zealand and key inbound operator partners will join forces at this year’s show to promote a focus on growing the premium and special interest sectors. Visitors to the stand will be able to find out more about walking and cycling opportunities in New Zealand, identified as key special interest areas for UK visitors. These include the completion of Nga Haerenga next year, a Government backed project to create a world-class network of cycle trails. The team will also be highlighting to agents the opportunities to attract high-end travellers looking to enjoy world-class lodges, food and wine and culture.

For details visit stand AS355 or see www.newzealand.com/travel/trade

Agent incentive from Samoa Tourism Authority THE SAMOA Tourism Authority, exhibiting on stand AS265, will be highlighting its sustainable/eco products, in particular its wealth of locally owned accommodation options, including the traditional and unique beach fales.

The tourism authority will also be promoting its luxury offerings with the opening of several highend resorts on the South Coast of the destination's main island of Upolu.

Meanwhile, it has announced that any travel agent booking a holiday to Samoa before December 31 will be entered into a prize draw to win a five-night stay in Samoa, including flights from Australia or New Zealand.

To enter, email confirmation of the booking to samoa@representationplus .co.uk

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MTPA develops new strategic tourism direction DURING THIS year's WTM, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) will be promoting the launch of Emirates' A380 from Dubai to Mauritius.

The tourism authority is also developing a new strategic direction for next year which plays on the island’s active and wellbeing product, with the aim of attracting visitors during the low and shoulder winter season, which is traditionally a better value time to visit.

Many hoteliers are also backing the MTPA’s new focus Quad biking in Mauritius with their own individual initiatives. As examples, St Regis has launched its own kite-surfing school, LUX is providing a comprehensive sports calendar and, at One&Only Le Saint Géran, water-ski champion Francis Koot is now a resident coach.

For more information visit stand AS240 or see www.tourism-mauritius.mu ONYX HOSPITALITY Group has announced the opening of OZO Wesley Hong Kong, the first property under its OZO brand. Further OZO development plans will be revealed at WTM, including the openings of OZO Colombo (Sri Lanka), OZO Samui, Thailand, both in late 2013; and OZO Pattaya in early 2014.

The company will also be announcing its expansion into Malaysia.

For details visit stand AS300.

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WTMasiapacif ic Win a trip to a destination of choice in Japan JAPAN WILL be celebrating new transport developments at WTM including the 50th anniversary of its speedy bullet trains in 2014, the launch of its first luxury sleeper train, Seven Stars in Kyushu, which launched last month, plus a new low-cost carrier, Vanilla Air, which will commence operations from next month.

Meanwhile, the tourist board is giving visitors to its stand (AS575) the chance to win a trip for two including flights with Air France KLM. The winner can choose to visit Tokyo, Fukuoka or Osaka.

To enter, drop a business card in the entry box at the stand.

Macau Grand Prix promo from MGTO THIS YEAR'S WTM takes place just before the 60th anniversary of the Macau Grand Prix and the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) will be highlighting the event to visitors at its stand.

The tourist office will also be promoting four new walking trails, which have been designed to help visitors discover local areas of Macau away from the main tourist sites, and visitors to the stand will be able to view the tourist board's new website www.macautourism.gov.mo, which was recently unveiled.

For more information see stand AS735.

Tourism Australia promotes new Food & Wine strategy IN RESPONSE to a global consumer research project carried out for Tourism Australia by BDA Marketing, the tourist office will increase its focus on marketing Australia's food and wine experiences to potential holidaymakers.

The new approach stems from research across 15 of Australia’s key tourism markets that shows great food, wine and local cuisine is now a major factor in holiday decision making,

ranking third ahead of world class beauty and natural environments.

According to the research, only 26% of people associate Australia with a good food and wine offering but for those that have visited, Australia is ranked second for its food and wine experiences after culinary giant France and ahead of Italy.

For details see stand AS350.

Southern Ocean Lodge, South Australia and Leeuwin Estate Winery, Margaret River, Western Australia

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WTMasiapacif ic

InBrief ● VIETNAM AIRLINES is teaming up with the Vietnam National

Administration of Tourism to exhibit at WTM, this time with an expanded Vietnam stand (AS470). The stand will showcase a range of hotels, resorts, DMCs and tour companies and visitors will be able to sample ‘Bia Saigon’ beer. ● THAI AIRWAYS International (THAI) will be exhibiting at stand AS335 and will be highlighting its service and innovations, as well as its expansive route network as it celebrates the 40th anniversary of its operation from the UK. At 16:00 on both November 5 and 6, there will be a prize draw on the stand to win two Economy tickets to Bangkok. ● THE PHILIPPINES Department of Tourism has announced that its Pavillion at this year's show will house a larger contingent of tour operators, properties, PAL and local government units from destinations around the country. The tourist board has announced the return of Philippine Airlines (PAL) to Europe after more than a decade of absence. The inaugural flight is set to land at Heathrow on November 4.

For details see stand AS600. ● MALAYSIA AIRLINES is supporting Tourism Malaysia as a lead

partner to boost UK tourist numbers to Malaysia. Key trade campaigns will include collaborations with tour operators to provide competitive fares on inclusive holiday packages, fam trips for operators and travel agents and partnership on marketing and events. Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia will be organising a Malaysia evening on November 6 at Proxy for the travel trade.

Both the airline and tourist board will be exhibiting at stand AS500. ● REPRESENTATIVES FROM the Tourism Council of Bhutan will be at stand IN410 to discuss its recent aviation news that allows visitors more choice when flying to the country. ●DECCAN DREAMS, a main tour operator in Karnataka, is launching a new product, Organic Farm Tourism, which will be promoted by the operator's director of planning and marketing, Mr S. Emmanuel Devapriya, at this year's show. The new programme focuses on rural tourism showcasing rural life, art, culture and heritage and agriculture for an enriching tourism experience which aims to support local communities and preserve the biodiversity of the region.

For details email deccandreams@airtelmail.in or visit stand IN130.

Air Astana Holidays launches Kazakhstan stopover holiday programme AIR ASTANA Holidays, a division of Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, Air Astana, has launched a new Astana & Almaty Stopover Holiday programme designed to attract increased numbers of international visitors to Kazakhstan, as well as more transit passengers breaking their journeys in Astana and Almaty, before flying on to other Air Astana destinations.

The programme provides visitors with hotel accommodation including breakfast at a choice of hotels, arrival and departure transfers by private car and optional half-day sightseeing tours

in the two cities. It launches with three participating properties in Astana: the King Hotel Astana, Grand Park Esil Hotel and Ramada Plaza Astana Hotel; and five properties in Almaty - the Rixos Almaty Hotel, the Rahat Palace, the Royal Tulip, the Grand Tien-Shan and the Iris Hotel. The programme has been designed so that visitors can build on a basic package of one night and add additional nights depending on the intended length of stay.

Prices start from US$125 per person for the first night and $75 for additional nights, based on two

sharing. City tours in Almaty and Astana cost $85 per adult and $45 per child.

In association with destination marketing company, My Destination, visitors using the stopover programme will also be entitled to use a range of privileges at leading food and beverage outlets in Astana and Almaty. Visitors will also receive a free local Active SIM card under the Welcome-15 Plan, already charged with 15 free international SMS credits.

For details see www.airastana.com or visit stand AS750.

THE TAIWAN Tourism Bureau will be focused on promoting cycling tours to the country this year, as well as the launch of its new Bike2Taiwan website. The tourist office will also be giving away two holidays to the country at the annual Happy Hour, which takes place on Tuesday from 16:00.

See stand AS450 or visit www.bike2taiwan.net/EN

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e g a l l i v l a b WTMglo Innovation and global investment drive from Affordable Car Hire AFFORDABLE CAR Hire says that it will be reaffirming its commitment to the UK travel trade and developing new global partnerships when it exhibits at next week's event.

As part of its ongoing pledge to invest in the business for the benefit of its customers, the company will be using its stand to talk agents through its new and improved website, which makes it easier to compare car hire prices and find policy details.

The company's CEO, Angela Day, said: "WTM provides an ideal platform to

develop our growing network of GSA partnerships across the globe, as well as highlight how we are supporting the UK travel trade through on-going investment, innovation and marketing support."

In recent months the company has strengthened its worldwide representation through new partnerships in Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, Ireland and Turkey, and it is now looking to capitalise on sales opportunities in other countries including Germany and the US.

The Travel Tech Show partners with Amadeus THE TRAVEL Tech Show at WTM has signed a year-round partnership with Amadeus, which sees the global distribution system and leading travel technology supplier host the event’s VIP lounge.

As well as the Amadeus VIP Lounge at WTM, the partnership includes The Amadeus & WTM Awards. The Awards will cover ten categories, rewarding tourist boards for their best and most innovative product offerings. For example, awards categories include Blow the Budget - Once in a Lifetime Luxury Holiday and Most Authentic Travel Experiences Benefiting Communities and Conservation. The winners will be announced in the Travel Tech Theatre on Wednesday November 6 at 16:45 and will be followed by a Champagne reception.

A vlogger (video blogger) will then experience the winning trips and produce vlogs (video blogs) to help promote the destinations and the winning experiences.

The Amadeus VIP Lounge at WTM (TT160) will be the centre-piece of The Travel Tech Show at WTM available for the industry’s VIPs and senior executives.

Throughout the year, The Travel Tech Show at WTM and Amadeus will host four round table discussions on travel technology-related subject, with a White Paper produced for each event.

Amadeus' managing director, Diane Bouzebiba, said: "It is vital that all stakeholders evolve to provide a superior service for 21st century travellers. This means adapting to a more customer-centric approach that reduces stress - from the initial travel search right through to in-journey information services. Amadeus is committed to helping all stakeholders succeed in travel.

“Our continuous investment in smarter technology enables travel consultants to search and match the travel options most suited to their customer’s unique needs, which is why we are delighted to be partnering with The Travel Tech Show at WTM."

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Day said: “We have in place a long-term plan of growth and investment which is designed to reaffirm our commitment to the UK travel agency sector, whilst under-pinning global growth opportunities.

“With GSAs and affiliates coming to WTM from across the world to find ways of strengthening their businesses, we believe we can offer some innovative solutions, including white label options, for the car hire market.”

As part of its ninth birthday celebrations, the

company will be holding an invitation-only, beachthemed party at its stand on Monday and Wednesday (from 16:00), where guests can enjoy cocktails, Calypso music, birthday cake and other fun activities hosted by the distinctive team of Angela’s Angels.

The company is also running a raffle in aid of the trade charity Just a Drop Travel, where visitors will have the chance to win a host of prizes.

For more information see www.affordablecarhire.com or visit stand GV255.

Digital Trip offers free demonstrations of new content management system DIGITAL TRIP, which is exhibiting at stand TT345, will be demonstrating its user friendly Content Management System ‘eVolve V3’, that gives users complete control of their website.

The company operates in 30 countries worldwide and provides clients' online travel business with the latest technology, drawing on its knowledge of the travel industry.

The company's managing director, Andy Speight, said: Andy Speight "We continue to develop and evolve our systems, ensuring our clients are always one step ahead of their competitors.

"Our mission is simple, to be the very best travel technology partner for our customers and their businesses. To work together to give you the best possible digital solution that not only improves your bottom line, but sets you apart from your competition and generates solid return on your investment.

"We created our packaged travel websites to save you time and money without compromising on quality. We’re proud that our websites are so beautiful visually that they will attract and captivate your customer, then wow them with the market-leading technology it encompasses.

“WTM 2012 was a huge success for Digital Trip, and we are excited to be returning this year with new technology that we can’t wait to share with everyone.”

For more information see the company's latest brochure at www.digital-trip.co.uk/read-new-dt-brochure/

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WTMtechnology Steigenberger Hotel Group showcases flagship Grand Hotel properties EXHIBITING FOR the first time at WTM, the Steigenberger Hotel Group will be showcasing its established hotels and resorts portfolio, including three of its flagship Grand Hotel properties.

They include Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof, which has this year completed an extensive refurbishment and conversion programme; Steigenberger Parkhotel, Dusseldorf; and Steigenberger Grandhotel, Brussels.

The group will also be using the show to announce new hotel openings in Germany, Egypt and China, including the Hotel Maximilian, Beijing, which is scheduled to open at the end of this year, and the Steigenberger Hotel Am Kanzleramt in Berlin, which is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2014. The two hotels join a portfolio of

Steigenberger Grandhotel, Brussels

14 new properties opening their doors between January this year and December 2016.

The group's CEO, Puneet Chhatwal, said: “We are in a phase of enormous growth with great new additions in European gateway locations as well as China. It is the right time to share the transition of a great German hotel company into a global

hotel group with two exciting brands comprising circa 100 hotels across Europe, Asia and Africa.

"World Travel Market provides us with a fantastic platform to showcase some of our properties that are the best in class, share our ambitious growth plans and leverage our commitment to excellence coupled with

warm-hearted service ethos.”

Meanwhile, the company has announced that from the beginning of next year, it will be providing guests in all Steigenberger and InterCityHotels with free and unlimited Internet access in their rooms and in the lobby areas.

For more information visit stand GV530.

Hotelogix demonstrates cost-effective cloud based technology HOTELOGIX HAS announced that it will be exhibiting at WTM for the second consecutive year (stand TT148) and will be demonstrating how the usage of next generation and cost-effective cloud based technology can help hotels realise maximum return of investment on their business within a short space of time.

Since last year's show, the company has enabled several hotels evolve their business operations and productivity to the next level through induction of extreme automation, transparency and technology enablement.

The company's co-founder and CEO, Aditya Sanghi, said: "Hotelogix is gaining momentum globally and we see

opportunities of scaling up in each of the countries we are present in, as well as other countries. At WTM 2013, we would like to forge effective partnerships with companies who would like to grow with Hotelogix, by leveraging their regional network with the small and mid-sized hospitality businesses.”

For more information visit www.hotelogix.com

Free calls to World Cup in Brazil next summer from TravelSim & Skype MOBILE TRAVEL expert TravelSim has teamed up with fellow Estonian-based company Skype making it free for Skype users to call all TravelSim mobile users. This first of its kind agreement means families can stay in touch for free with football fans in Brazil for the World Cup next summer.

TravelSim offers an easy to use prepaid call back service, designed to greatly reduce the cost of using a mobile phone (up to 85%) when travelling overseas, and can be used in 190 countries.

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Outgoing calls in Brazil will cost €0.75/min, while an outgoing text is €0.35/min and incoming texts are free.

Skype is a freemium voice-over-IP and instant messaging service with 44% of its development workforce in Estonia, where it originates.

To receive a TravelSim card, visit www.travelsim.com and sign-up. When the card is received, users insert it into an unlocked phone and follow the instructions to get going.

TravelSim is exhibiting at stand TT330.

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WTMtechnology Guestline launches next generation EPoS system with range of new features HOTELS AND conferencing centres across the globe can now receive the latest point of sale technology with Guestline’s next generation EPoS system.

It offers a range of new features from complete integration with PMS, optimisation on all handheld and mobile devices, detailed reporting and analysis of stock and billing information through to enhanced security and management operations.

The company offers revenue generating software technology, enabling hotel groups and independents of all sizes to achieve maximum occupancy at the most profitable rate. The cloud-based property management software is currently growing revenues in businesses in ten countries across four continents, with new offices opening as it continues to expand internationally.

For more information visit stand TT370.

Win an iPad with Tourico Holidays

Chic Outlet marks tenth anniversary

TRAVEL AGENTS can take part in an on-stand competition where those who take the Tourico Holidays' quiz will have the chance to win a luxury travel kit including an iPad, Jawbone Jambox and Jawbone up.

The operator will also be available to discuss its global expansion plans and how travel agents and tour operators will benefit. Plans include a new decentralised sales team which will grow by 50% into 2014, plus more Tourico is launching TH product options that will be Collection at WTM, a globally developed in five core magazine-style brochure areas of vacation homes. featuring top products in For details visit stand GV110. top destinations.

CHIC OUTLET Shopping, a collection of nine luxury outlet shopping villages across Europe, is celebrating its tenth anniversary of promoting shopping tourism with a birthday party on its stand (GV330) on Monday November 4.

Each of the nine Villages is located within reach of the most important gateway cities of Europe: London; Milan; Munich; Dublin; Barcelona; Madrid; Paris; Brussels, Antwerp and Cologne; and Frankfurt.

To register to attend the party (which takes place from 15:3017:30) email traveltrade@chicoutletshopping.com As a new member of PATA, the company will also be holding a networking event at its stand on Wednesday November 6.

Benefits to partner operators and agents include net rates on the Shopping Express luxury coach service, Shopping Packages (and other tourism products including a chauffeur service and personal stylists), lunch/drink voucher for tour leaders and coach drivers, additional savings throughout the boutiques for staff and clients, plus digital and media exposure.

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WTMafrica

SET ACROSS pristine islands, El Gouna is Orascom Development’s flagship town on the Red Sea. The resort is due to open a new Watersports Complex in December and a five-star, luxury apartment hotel as part of the new Ancient Sands Golf Resort in April 2014. The hotel complex will offer 261 apartments in total, with 114 apartments opening with the hotel in April. The group manages two Red Sea resorts in Egypt - El Gouna and Taba Heights and will be exhibiting at stand AF435.

Win a week's trip to El Gouna for two EL GOUNA is launching its #ReasonsToVisitElGouna Twitter competition during WTM, and is inviting agents to participate. To enter, agents should visit the stand at AF435 and have their picture taken, before uploading it to Twitter, for the chance to win a free week in El Gouna. Contestants will also need to tweet their most creative reason to visit the destination and three winners will be chosen randomly.

The last day to post on Twitter is November 15 and winners will be announced on November 18. The prize is a sevennight stay at one of El Gouna’s marina hotels for two people in a double room on a bed-andbreakfast basis.

Rotana sponsors WTM registration for fifth year ROTANA IS to sponsor registration for the fifth consecutive Grand Rotana Resort & Spa year at this year's show, as part of its ongoing strategy to promote the brand to the global travel and tourism industry.

The hotel group is particularly looking to promote its Egyptian properties and its upcoming opening in Salalah, Oman.

Azmi Sami, general manager of the Grand Rotana Resort & Spa, Sharm el Sheikh said: "We are working very hard to bring Sharm el Sheikh back to its glory days as a leading tourist destination within the region. The UK is one of our prime markets and we are placing a lot of emphasis on developing this market further and this is why we will be exhibiting amongst a large number of international and high profile companies.”

For more information see or visit stand GV400.

Trade invitation from Tourism KwaZulu-Natal TOURISM KWAZULU-NATAL (TKZN) will be exhibiting on South African Tourism's stand AF300, and is inviting the trade to join them on Wednesday at 16:30 to sample local cuisine, while meeting the team.

TKZN MEC for Economic Development & Tourism, Michael Mabuyakhulu, will also be on hand to meet the trade, answer questions and give updates on the latest destination developments and news.

The tourist office has also announced that it is sponsoring the annual SATOA Networking event, which takes place on November 5, held at Elite Dining, an Indian themed restaurant at ExCel West. Prior to a KZN-inspired dinner and networking, the evening will start with a question and answer session featuring a panel of tourism visionaries at 18:00. Entry is free, but strictly by guest list only. Places are limited, so agents are urged to book tickets on the SATOA website.

For details see www.satoa.com/events

Namibia Tourism Board renames Caprivi Strip as the Zambezi Region THE NAMIBIA Tourism Board has announced that it has renamed the Caprivi Strip as the Zambezi Region.

The region was formerly linked to the country’s colonial past and was

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named after Count Leo von Caprivi, chancellor of former colonial master Germany from 1890 to 1894.

Now under its new name, written in a local language, the area gives further

November 1 2013

recognition to its own people. The 450km (280mile) area is popular for its tropical rivers and wildlife and the tourist board has launched a new UK campaign to promote the

area, with a view to making more consumers and trade aware of its year-round game and birding opportunities.

For details visit stand AF101.

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Where you can dine out, meet new friends and have a wild time...

experience the difference

+44 (0)207 647 1018 dparr@botswanatourism.org.uk botswanatourism.org.uk

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WTMafrica South African Tourism announces range of new developments for 2014 REPRESENTATIVES FROM South African Tourism (SAT) will be on hand (stand AF300) to answer questions on what design-led initiatives visitors will be able to enjoy in Cape Town next year. The tourist office is also running a Twitter competition during WTM where Tweeters will be asked to send in photographs that capture South Africa as a centre of art and design. The competition will be judged by Nick Compton, Wallpaper’s editorial director, on the final day of WTM, and the winner will receive a piece from awardwinning ceramic designer Andile Dyalvane from Cape Town’s IMISO Ceramics.

Meanwhile, the Ubuntu Awards, which recognise new and innovative ways of promoting South Africa as a compelling destination to a consumer audience, return for next year in an updated form, influenced by feedback from the trade.

The awards recognise trade partners that sell South Africa in the following categories: The Most Creative JMA (Gold Award, Silver Award and Bronze Award), Best

Newcomer and Lifetime Achievement Award. The judging of the above categories will be done by Janine Hutton, chief marketing officer of South African Tourism and two travel writers. The judging criteria is based on (1) Creativity and innovation that makes South Africa stand out as a destination; (2) The quality of execution of the marketing campaigns; (3) Success in the way all marketing elements are employed to deliver a 360° campaign (including social media); (4) Engagement with the trade; (5) Return on investment; and (6) Consumer interest generated. The awards ceremony will take place on the Monday evening of WTM. SAT has also announced that following the use of the popular hashtag #MeetSouthAfrica at Indaba 2013, it will be using this hashtag, along with the official World Design Capital hashtag #WDC2014, to connect with trade partners and visitors at this year’s WTM. For details see @gotosouthafrica and @SATravelTrade.

THE KENYA Tourism Board will be showcasing the best of Kenya on stand AF450 and is looking forward to celebrating 2014 as Kenya’s 50th year of independence. Travel trade are invited to the stand on November 4 and November 6 to join the team for a traditional Dawa cocktail.

For details see www.magicalkenya.com

Eastern Cape unveils Home of Legends brand to celebrate local luminaries THE EASTERN Cape in South Africa stretches from the snow-capped peaks of the southern Drakensberg to the forests of Tsitsikamma. It is the second largest of South Africa’s provinces and offers a wealth of wildlife and adventure sports and 800km of untouched coastline.

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Tourists can explore malaria-free Big Seven game reserves (the Eastern Cape is the only place to feature the Big Five plus the great white shark and southern right whale), ski Africa’s only slopes or visit the Wild Coast, birthplace of Nelson Mandela and home to the Nelson Mandela Museum.

At this year's show, the destination will be highlighting its new Home of Legends brand, which celebrates the lives incredible people who are from the area, including Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko and Chris Hani.

For more information visit stand AF300 or see www.visiteasterncape.co.za

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WTMafrica TNTO boosts agent training for 2014 with new fam trips and roadshows

Dar HI Design Hotel in Nefta, Tunisia

THE TUNISIAN National Tourist Office, exhibiting at stand AF650, will be promoting the destination's diverse tourism offering, including 3,000 years of culture, luxury thalassotherapy centres and unique accommodation, such as the boutique Dars and desert retreats.

This year, a number of developments have taken place including the launch of Tunisair daily flights from Heathrow to Tunis-Carthage, new Radisson Blu and Thalasso hotels in

Hammamet and a new Movenpick property in Djerba, plus the launch of weekly routes from Thomson and First Choice to Enfidha from Exeter, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford and Norwich airport.

The tourist office's aims for next year are to attract more UK visitors, particularly from Scotland and Ireland, by working closely with UK trade partners and introducing additional regional roadshows, fam trips and workshops.

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WIN FABULOUS PRIZES AT WTM EVERY DAY! Abu Dhabi Knowledge Competition Entrants test their destination knowledge via multiple choice questions taken from visitabudhabi.ae. The competition is run on the ipad located at the front reception desk. Every entrant automatically enrolls to receive the online destination newsletter. All correct entrants are entered into a raffle on the last day of WTM for the grand prize of a 7 night stay in Abu Dhabi with spa and dinner vouchers included.

Abu Dhabi Falconry Photo Competition Visit the Abu Dhabi cultural zone and take your photo holding a Travel Bulletin with the falcon and falconer. Post your photos through Instagram or Twitter and mention @visitabudhabi and #abudhabi.

The 50 best photos will be uploaded to Travel Bulletin’s website and shared via Twitter. The best photo will win two stand tickets to the MCFC vs Tottenham premiership football match on 24 November.

Al Ain Zoo Challenge Beat the clock in an educational time trial race to find 9 matching pairs of animals on the free-standing touch screen. The competition should prove a roaring success!

Prize details: ● Two Return business class Etihad Airways tickets** from London to Abu Dhabi ● Airport-hotel and hotel-hotel transfers ● A complimentary suite package for 7 nights stay for two in HILTON CAPITAL GRAND ABU DHABI ● Breakfast at Oceana Grill for two – All Day Dining Restaurant ● 1 Spa Treatment each for his & hers – Treatment of your choice ● Dinner for Two at ORO – Italian Restaurant

Yas Island Photo Booth Competition A multi-layered competition for you to have a photo taken amongst Yas Island offerings, share your photo through the social media channels and take home your photo in a branded Yas Island cover.

A slide show of photos taken at the booth will be displayed on the screen at reception throughout the show. All entrants will be automatically entered into the daily raffle draw to win one of the daily grand prizes.

Competition runs Mon-Wednesday. Winner to be announced at 1700hrs.

Yas Island Travel Pass Social Media Competition Create your personal holiday itinerary on Yas Island. Invite 3 friends and gain the most likes. The Grand Prize will be announced on Thursday at 1600hrs and posted on social media channels.

Visit Abu Dhabi ME300 to WIN holidays and many more prizes!

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Who

’s wh

ere?

Your special at-a-glance guide to which exhibitors are where at ExCel next week

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Floor

Floorplan sponsored by

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November 1 2013

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rplan

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Floorplan sponsored by

November 1 2013

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s WTMexhibitorslisting

Exhibitors by region

AFRICA & NORTH AFRICA Alpha Travel (UK) LTD Amazing Excursions Ltd Anstar Travel and Tours Atta The African Travel & Tourism Association Blue Sky Group Bluebay Hotels Zanzibar Board of Tourism of São Tomé e Príncipe Botswana Tourism Organisation Classic Safari Camps Of Africa East Africa Tourism Network Echo Beach Hotel Ltd Eclipse Hotels Group Egyptian Tourist Authority Ethiopian Wildlife Lodges FAST TRACK TRAVEL AND TOUR Flash Tour Foxes Safari Camps His-Cul Tour and Travel Agency Hotels and Lodges (Tanzania) Ltd. Kamili Kenya Tourism Board Leopard Tours Libyan Ministry of Tourism Malawi Ministry of Tourism Ministry of Culture and Tourism Moivaro Lodges and Tented Camps Moroccan National Tourist Office Namibia Tourism Board Neptune Hotels Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation Orascom Development Pearlsun Hotels & Resorts Rab Consult Limited Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA) Rovos Rail Tours Rwanda Development Board Safpol Safaris Savoy Group Serena Hotels Sierra Leone National Tourist Board Sopa Lodges South African Tourism South Sinai Group Spring Tours Egypt Swaziland Tourism Authority Tanganyika Wilderness Camps Ltd. Tanzania Tourist Board The Gambia Tourism Board The Travel Foundation Travco Group

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AF350 AF172 AF442 AF248 AF405 AF374 AF565 AF200 AF436 AF376 AF180 AF184 AF500 AF150 AF170 AF502 AF358 AF178 AF366 AF235 AF450 AF250 AF660 AF140 AF145 AF360 AF600 AF301 AF372 AF560 AF435 AF370 AF174 AF444 AF402 AF230 AF182 AF439 AF369 AF380 AF254 AF300 AF501 AF401 AF400 AF357 AF270 AF345 AF101 AF550

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Tunisian National Tourist Office UGANDA TOURISM BOARD Uroa Bay Beach Resort Wilderness Safaris Zanzibar Collection

AF650 AF335 AF176 AF430 AF252

ASIA / PACIFIC & INDIAN OCEAN AAitken Spence Hotels AS200 Andhra Pradesh State Tourism IN385 Asia Aventura AS385 Asia Expeditions Travel and Tours Co., Ltd AS744 Asia King Travel AS393 Asian Luxury Villas AS601 Asian Trails Ltd AS303 Bangladesh Tourism Board IN429 Bestway Tours & Safaris Pvt Ltd IN282 Bhutan Etho Metho Tours & Treks Pvt Ltd IN101 Bodoland Tourism IN270 BRYS HOTELS PVT. LTD. IN232 Buffalo Tours AS584 Caper Travel Company Pvt. Ltd. IN256 Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group IN425 Century Cruises AS825 CGH EARTH IN220 Chariot Beach Resorts Mahabalipuram IN279 China National Tourist Office AS700 China Nimbus Travel AS830 China Vision Holidays AS800 Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts AS120 Club Bali Resorts Indonesia AS592 Constance Hotels & Resorts AS320 Cox & Kings Limited IN240 Creative Travel IN250 Destination Asia AS304 Dragon Delight International Tours Ltd. AS602 Easia Travel AS392 Eurasia Erlebnisreisen Helmut Mochel AS743 Exotissimo Travel Group AS321 Far Horizon Tours Pvt Ltd IN105 Fiji (Tourism Fiji) AS255 Focus Asia AS384 Focus Travel AS382 Footsteps Worldwide AS338 Garuda Indonesia AS760 GOA TOURISM IN180 Guizhou Lucky Roll Expo AS850 Hong Kong Tourism Board AS740 ICS Travel Group AS589 India Tourism IN350,IN300 Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd. IN201 Jammu & Kashmir Tourism IN190 Japan National Tourism Organization AS575 Kerala Tourism IN100 Kesari Tours Pvt Ltd IN280 Korea Tourism Organisation AS550

Le Passage to India Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd Lernidee Trains & Cruises Luxury Travel Ltd Macau Government Tourist Office Madagascar National Tourism Board Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. MAhout (UK) Ltd Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority Mercury Travels Ltd Mongolian Tourism Association Myanmar Tourism Federation, Marketing Committee Nepal Tourism Board Norbu Bhutan Travel Pvt Ltd Odisha Tourism ONYX Hospitality Group Orange County Hotels & Resorts Ltd Pacific Asia Travel Association Pandaw River Expeditions Philippines Department Of Tourism Phoenix Voyages Group Rajasthan Tourism Rajasthan, Palaces & Tigers Rama Naci Tours Reunion Island Tourism Board Rivages du Monde - Mekong Waterways Royal Brunei Airlines Sanyog Gupta Voyages Seychelles Tourism Board Silk Road Destinations SITA Sitara International Ltd Somatheeram Ayurveda Group South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau SriLankan Airlines Taiwan Tourism Bureau Tang Dynasty Travel Thai Airways International The Chateau Spa & Organic Wellness Resort The Imperial The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Republic Indonesia The Park Hotels, India Threeland Travel Tour East

IN245 AS101 AS587 AS735 AS348 IN185 IN255 AS500 AS201 AS240 IN151 AS460 AS640 AS150 IN415 IN420 AS300 IN142 AS280 AS380 AS600 AS387 IN140 IN202 AS590 AS342 AS391 AS270 IN234 AS140 AS790 IN200 AS855 IN210 AS265 AS100 AS135 AS450 AS810 AS335 AS603 IN301 IN281 IN400 AS650 IN230 AS480 AS501

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WTMexhibitorslisting s Tourism Australia Tourism Authority of Thailand Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd , Gujarat State Tourism Council of Bhutan Tourism Industry Committee of MINT RK Tourism New Zealand Trail Blazer Tours India Pvt. Ltd.- TBi Travel All Mongolia & High Asia Tours Travel Corporation India Ltd Travel Inn (India) Pvt. Ltd. Travel World Experiences Travelite (India) Tuan Linh Travel Vasco Travel Victoria Cruises Victoria Hotels & Resorts VIDOTOUR Co., Ltd Vietnam Airlines West Bengal Tourism Wuzhen Tourism Co., Ltd Yatra Exotic Routes Yeti World

AS350 AS400 IN145 IN410 AS750 AS355 IN152 AS465 IN215 IN278 IN150 IN102 AS485 IN214 AS701 AS386 AS580 AS470 IN380 AS840 IN235 AS375

THE AMERICAS & CARIBBEAN Aerovías del Continente Americano S.A AVIANCA LA340 Air Europa CA370 AlliedTPro NA165 AMResorts CA350 Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CA220 Argentina - National Institute for Tourism Promotion LA300 Aruba Tourism Authority CA250 ASTA NA101 Barbados Tourism Authority CA203 Bermuda Department of Tourism CA310 Brand USA Pavilion NA230 Brazilian Tourism Board - Embratur LA200 Canadian Tourism Commission NA100 Canouan Island CA201 Caribbean Tourism Organisation CA265 Central America Tourism Agency (CATA) LA250 Chile LA600 Colombia LA550 Condor Travel LA501 Costa Rica Tourist Board LA350 Cruise America & Canada RV Rentals Inc NA183 Cuba Direct CA152 Cuba Select Travel CA205 Cuba Tourist Office CA140 Deputy Ministry of Tourism Bolivia LA330 Discover New England NA350 Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism CA305 Ecuador Tourism Board LA380 Falkland Islands Tourist Board LA320 Go NY Tours Inc NA201 Gray Line New York Sightseeing NA107 Grenada Board of Tourism CA101 Group Promotions Ltd CA320 Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board CA265A Guyana Tourism Authority CA300 Havanatour UK Ltd CA145 Hilton Worldwide - Caribbean & Latam CA380 Jamaica Tourist Board CA340 Las Vegas Convention and

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Visitors Authority NA150 LATAM Airlines Group LA620 Latincoming LA660 Liberty Helicopters NA207 Mark International NA391 Marysol Travel Cuba CA150 Metropolitan Touring Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Chile & Argentina LA601 Mexico Tourism Board LA400 Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board CA260 NYC & Company NA200 Oceanwide Expeditions (Netherlands) LA595 PROMPERÚ LA500 Puerto Rico Tourism Company CA360 Resort Marketing International CA230 Saint Lucia Tourist Board CA200 Tangol LA303 The Epic American West Tour NA196 The Islands of The Bahamas CA155 The Wigmore Media Group (Belize) CA257 Travalco USA, Inc NA197 Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Development Company (TDC) CA240 United NA160 URUGUAY MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND SPORT LA310 Visit California NA140 VISIT FLORIDA NA300

EUROPE Aqua Vista Hotels EM1001 Acampora Hotels & Travel EM1801 Adriatica.net d.o.o.

EM1260,TT572 Aeroflot Russian Airlines EM169 Agjencia Kombetare e Turizmit - Albanian National Tourism Agency EM1160 ANDALUCIA EM1500 Andorra Turisme, S.A.U. EM1655 Animod EM525 Anthemus Sea Beach Hotel & Spa EM1110 Arasta Mimari Tasarim A.S. EM770 Armenian National Tourism Organization EM345 Asla Travel Group EM507 ATAHOTELS Spa EM1774 Austrian National Tourist Office EM400 Avi Travel Agency EM1778 Avra Tours SA EM1135 Azerbaijan, Ministry of Culture and Tourism EM960 Balkan Holidays Ltd (London) EM735 Belarus National Tourism Agency EM260 Beleon Tours Ltd EM957 Belgian Tourist Board Brussels-Wallonia EM1245 Bettoja Hotels EM1803 Blue Lagoon Group/Kipriotis Hotels EM1003 Bournemouth University EM1203 Breaking Bread Journeys EM575 Bulgaria, Ministry of Economy & Energy EM700 Canary Islands EM1400 CATALONIA, CATALAN TOURIST BOARD EM1640 Catania & Comiso Airports EM1787 C-hotels Italy EM1805 CICAR - Canary Islands Car EM1403 Croatian National Tourist Board EM1250 Croisieurope EM1605

Cyprotels Hotels & Resorts EM1115 Cyprus Tourism Organisation EM1100 Czech Tourist Authority - CzechTourism EM550 De Luxe Travel EM1772 Destination Ltd EM509 Destination Management Turkey EM775 Destination Of Bozcaada EM779 Diana Travel EM805 ECE Travel LTD EM203 ELITE TRAVEL EM1170 Emeco Travel EM1895 Feenstra Rhine Line EM520 Fortuna Tours DMC, Bosnia and Herzegovina EM1140 Four Seasons Hotel EM1102 France EM1700 Gartour by HTS Srl EM1925 Generator Hostels EM1762 Georgian National Tourism Administration EM1180 German National Tourist Office EM540 Giglio Travel EM1915 GOEUGO Limited EM1680 Golden Eagle Luxury Trains Ltd EM265 Gran Canaria Tourist Board EM1440 GRAN HOTEL BAHIA DEL DUQUE RESORT EM1401 Greek National Tourism Organisation EM1050,EM1000 H10 Hotels EM1570 Hospitality Line Ltd EM203,UKI309 Hungarian Tourism Ltd. EM350 Iberostar Hotels & Resorts EM1460 Ibiza & Formentera Tourist Boards EM1645 Incoming Italia EM1683 International Air Transport Association - IATA EM377 Israel Government Tourist Office EM650 Italcamel Travel Agency s.r.l EM1900 Italia Connection EM1784 Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT) EM1850,EM1800,EM1780 ITALICA TURISMO SPA EM1809 JPM Guides EM201 Karavan EM165 Lake Maggiore and surrounding mountains EM1920 Larus Viaggi EM1935 Latvian Tourism Development Agency EM560 Lithuanian State Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy EM570 LOPESAN HOTEL GROUP EM1550 LORO PARQUE EM1455 Louis Hotels, The EM1130 Luxembourg National Tourist Office EM1230 MALAGA CITY TOURISM BOARD & CONVENTION BUREAU EM1648 Malta Tourism Authority EM1150 Maxx Royal Hotels & Voyage Hotels EM955 Mazovia Development Agency Plc EM455 Meeting Point International EM742 Meliá Hotels International EM1641 MGM Muthu Hotels and Resorts EM1575 Moscow Exhibition and Convention Agency EM240 N&B S.r.l.

EM1782 National Tourism Organisation of Serbia EM340

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s WTMexhibitorslisting NBTC, Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions EM300 Network 4 Sports Travel EM1201 North Cyprus Tourism Centre Ltd EM750 Operation Europe Travel EM207 Out Now Business Class - LGBT Village EM1555 Palladium Hotel Group EM1305 PALOMA HOTELS EM745 PENINSULA TOURS EM703 Pirates of the Aegean EM959 Polish Tourist Organisation EM450 Portugal EM900 Pubbliangie Group s.r.l.

EM1760 Pugliapromozione EM1643 REGION OF MURCIA EM1475 Representation of the Government of Ivanovo Region in Moscow EM170 Rixos Libertas Dubrovnik EM1175 Rodos Tourism Promotion Organisation EM950 ROMANIAN NATIONAL AUTHORITY FOR TOURISM EM640 Rome And Italy EM1770 Room and Resort International Ltd EM1682 RSI Group EM1785 Russian Federation EM250 Saint-Petersburg Express, JSC EM163 Sarl Volga Voyages EM1136 Scenic Travel Service EM1932 Simpleview EM1125 SIREMAR-COMPAGNIA DELLE ISOLE EM1789 Slovak Tourist Board EM440 Spirit Slovenia, Public Agency/ Slovenian Tourist Board EM500 Sun Tour Travel Company EM375 SUR in English EM1603 Swiss Quality Hotels Int'l EM601 Switzerland Tourism EM600 Tapuz Enterprises Ltd EM1120 Tenerife Tourism Corporation EM1450 THE HOTEL MARKETING COMPANY CYPRUS LTD EM1101 Toscana Promozione EM1660 Travel Europe EM401 TTG Media EM1670 TURESPAÑA EM1300,EM1350 Turkish Culture & Tourism Office EM850,EM800 UKRAINE EM160 Ulusoy Travel Center EM801 UNWTO EM1594 Vatican Museums EM1940 Via Hansa Tours EM701 Visit Finland - Finnish Tourist Board EM140d Visit Flanders - Belgium EM1200 Visit Iceland EM140b Visit Norway / Innovation Norway EM140a VISITBRUSSELS EM1240 VisitSweden EM140c Vodohod Russian River Cruises EM370 Wyndham Istanbul Petek Hotel EM778 Zacchera Hotels EM1910 Zela Aviation EM1202

GLOBAL VILLAGE Abreu Online ABTA - The Travel Association Adonis.Com Affordable Car Hire

50

GV460 GV680 GV205 GV255

November 1 2013

Airfasttickets GV430 Albatravel GV100 Ascott (The Ascott Limited) GV401 Avis Budget Group GV560 Budget Rent a Car GV550 CarTrawler GV465 CBI GV515 Chic Outlet Shopping® GV330 Coming2 Destination Management S.A. GV577 DANUBIUS HOTELS GROUP GV545 Destsetters Gay & Lesbian GV280 DK & Rough Guides Content Solutions GV480 EbreezTravel GV555 Enterprise Holdings GV340 eRevMax GV140 ETOA GV300 Excursiopedia GV291 Fore Representations & Travels Pvt Ltd GV104 Fox Transfer GV573 Global Discovery / Adventure Now GV600 Global Passenger Network GV548 Go Global Travel GV450 Gray Line GV120 Groundline Enterprises Ltd GV297 GRUPO TRANSHOTEL GV565 GTA GV200 Hotelbeds & Activities GV440 HotelsPro Metglobal GV420 Hyatt Hotels & Resorts GV520 IATI GV245 Innstant Group GV115 JacTravel GV230 Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Co. Ltd. GV635 Jumbo Tours Group GV375 K+K Hotels GV630 Laico Hotels & Resorts GV470 Liberty International Tourism Group GV549 LWH Hotels GV575 MEDITRAVEL BV GV360 Miki Travel Ltd GV500 Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Plc GV650 Olympia Europe GV525 OmegaHotels.net - Global Wholesaler GV535 On The Avenue Marketing GV557 OTI Holding GV240 Planet Hollywood GV201 Pool Safe Inc. GV625 Room 54 GV665 Rotana GV400 S.C. Travel Associates S.R.L. GV299 Sakkara Group International GV610 SEH: INTER-HOTEL, RELAIS DU SILENCE, QUALYS-HOTEL, PTIT DEJ-HOTEL GV640 Sixt rent a car GV455 Special Tours Wholesalers GV445 Sports Events 365 Ltd GV675 Steigenberger Hotels AG GV530 Supranational Hotels Ltd GV501 Taj Group GV320 The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group GV235 Totalstay Group GV265 Tourico Holidays GV110 Travco LLP GV410 Travel To Marketing GV620 Travellanda Ltd GV510 TripAdvisor GV250

Warwick International Hotels Welcomebeds.com Worldcome, destination specialists Your Holiday Booking YTL Hotels

GV540 GV627 GV130 GV103 GV655

MIDDLE EAST ABU DHABI TOURISM & CULTURE AUTHORITY AITO Iran Tours - Azadi Intl Tourism Organization Arg-e Jadid Travel Company (ATC) Check-Inn TV Cyrus Sahra Co. Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, Dubai Emirates Etihad Airways Fujairah Tourism & Antiquities Authority, Government of Fujairah IRAQ / AL-RAFIDAIN COMPANY FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM Iraqi Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities Jordan Tourism Board KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN, Ministry of Culture, Tourism Sector LEBANON Ministry of Tourism Marcopolo Iran Touring Co. Oman Air Oman Ministry of Tourism & Industry PASARGAD HOTELS GROUP Pasargad Tours Qatar Tourism Authority Raihana Universal for Travel & Tourism RAS AL KHAIMAH TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority State of Palestine Uruk Tourism Investment Yemen Tourism Promotion Board

ME300 ME104 ME201 ME290 ME102 ME200 ME250 ME350 ME501 ME270 ME470 ME150 ME550 ME140 ME303 ME540 ME500 ME700 ME301 ME100 ME280 ME450 ME400 ME285 ME740 ME440

THE TRAVEL TECH SHOW AT WTM 11-Infotech System Co Ltd 15below Accord Group Ltd Accubook Ltd Amadeus (UK) Ltd AROBS Transilvania Software Bluespark BusyRooms Cancelon Cardola Ltd ChannelRUSH Chetu, Inc. Cloud9 Mobile Communications Ltd. CodeGen Ltd Comtec Group Ltd Control F1 Crossexpert LLP Cultuzz Digital Media GmbH dcs plus Digital Trip - The Travel Technology Experts DirectVision Dolphin Dynamics EbreezTech

TT120 TT591 TT388 TT368 TT160 TT293 TT483 TT100 TT347 TT386 TT589 TT254 TT571 TT300 TT260 TT491 TT488 TT101 TT318 TT345 TT220 TT131 TT349

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WTMexhibitorslisting s eMerchantPay Ltd Feefo FLATSWIRE Flip.to Gate7 Reservation Systems Gateway NV Global Innovations International FZ LLC GP software.travel Great Guide GroupLeader.com Guestcentric Systems Guestline Ltd Haymillian Ltd HotelAdvisor.net Hotelogix Hotwire & Venere, Expedia Inc ICE-ICT Illusions Online Interface Systems Group Intuitive Ltd ISO Travel Solutions GmbH Ixaris Systems Ltd Make It Social MakeMyTrip (India) Pvt Ltd. MM ONE Group S.r.l.

Newhotel Software nSight OKAYO ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. OneTwoTrip Open Destinations Parity Rate Peakwork Ltd - The Player Hub Company Pegasus Solutions PhoCusWright Inc. PriceMatch Pure360 Quadlabs Technologies Private Ltd. RateGain Reputation.com ReviewPro Revinate Rezgateway RezLive.com ROOMIZE roomsXML Solutions Limited RWA Sensible-Rez Ltd Silverpop SiteMinder Smrt.ly Mobile Travel Confirmations Survey On Tablet Ltd Sycomore T I Infotech Pvt Ltd talkholiday Tech Master/TBO Holidays tellink The Elite Collection Thermeon Worldwide Plc TourConnect Tourplan TRABASE s.r.o.

Travel Republic Travel Technology Showcase Travel Technology Systems Ltd TravelClick Inc TravelSim

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TT452 TT372 TT584 TT487 TT140 TT355 TT365 TT450 TT250 TT481 TT580 TT370 TT489 TT485 TT148 TT375 TT578 TT205 TT486 TT219 TT350 TT258 TT471 TT582 TT562 TT338 TT476 TT478 TT325 TT240 TT358 TT360 TT348 TT144 TT587 TT470 TT118 TT319 TT473 TT369 TT453 TT218 TT340 TT454 TT235 TT440 TT474 TT573 TT225 TT588 TT564 TT384 TT200 TT560 TT335 TT570 TT472 TT301 TT492 TT305 TT448 TT460 TT484 TT257 TT455 TT330

Traveltek Ltd Treovi Triometric TrustYou Ultimedia Limited UMapped umi Digital Vertical Booking Viatecla - Soluções Informáticas e Comunicações, S.A. Wirecard Technologies GmbH World Independent Hotels Promotion WorldPay XML Travelgate SL Your Car Hire Ltd YouTect ZOLV

TT236 TT248 TT253 TT469 TT380 TT586 TT482 TT320 TT477 TT249 TT475 TT357 TT498 TT130 TT480 TT245

UK & IRELAND Abbey Travel Ltd UKI422 Airport Pickups London UKI107 Amitours UKI102 ATG Tickets UKI409 Best Western Hotels GB UKI224 Big Bus Tours UKI401,NA355 Champions Travel L204 City Academy UKI449 City Sightseeing Ltd UKI450 Cutty Sark L219 Davids Of London Ltd UKI318 Encore Tickets Ltd L310 Escapism Magazine UKI120 Europe Incoming UKI425 Expedia Travel Agencies Affiliate Programme - TAAP UKI445 Gibraltar Tourist Board UKI350 Golden Tours L215 Group Line L200 Heritage is Great Britain UKI320 Hostelbooknow.com UKI101 ITB Berlin UKI346 Jersey Tourism UKI100 London Theatre Direct UKI407 National Car Parks Ltd UKI349 Piccadillybox Ltd L217 Portsmouth Historic Dockyard UKI200 Quietvox AG UKI335 Ripley's Believe It or Not! London L205 Skål International UKI118 The Leisure Pass Group UKI421 The Original London Sightseeing Tour Ltd L305 The View from The Shard UKI209 Tourism Ireland UKI600 Travel Trade Products UKI125 TravelMole UKI312 UKinbound UKI500,UKI400 VeriFone Media UKI435 Vox Tours Srl UKI440 Warner Bros. Studio Tour London UKI420 Whisper UKI430 Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and Tour L300 Worldwide DMC Ltd UKI301

We asked our staff the following question this week: If you could retire tomorrow what would you do?

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Get bored as I'd miss Travel Bulletin!

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Funds permitting, I'd try my hand at property development

Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Have a lie-in and become contributing editor of Travel Bulletin. Oh, deja-vu

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk I'd spend more time on activities (swimming, bikes etc.) with the kids each day and fit in a round or two of golf and try to learn a new skill each month!

Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Take the family on a ranch holiday to the States

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk Get cracking on the extensive project list in my "IDEAS" file

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk Go and live by the coast and play golf

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@travelbulletin.co.uk Probably have a lie-in as I wouldn't have to get up

Sales Executive: Matt Gill matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk Move to the family sugar plantation in Jamaica!

Senior Designer: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@travelbulletin.co.uk Assistant Designer: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@travelbulletin.co.uk Production: Nick Salt production@travelbulletin.co.uk Circulation Manager: Jim Merchant post@travelbulletin.co.uk 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: Wyndeham Grange Limited Subscriptions are £105 p.a. £155 overseas ISSN: 0956-2419

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. JURYS INN, 6. MAPLE, 8. STENA, 9. SWEDEN, 10. CORK, 12. OLGA, 14. VENETO, 17. DALES, 18. LILLE, 19. SOMERSET. Down: 1. JAMES CORDEN, 2. RUPEE, 3. NESS, 4. BLACK FOREST, 5. RENO, 7. EYED, 11. SEAL, 13. GULF, 15. ELLIS, 16. OSLO.

Highlighted Word: BOSTON Travagrams: (top) Sandals

(bottom) Cavalieri Hotel

Where Am I?: Athens

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Key selling points for 2014 Winter 2013/14

Summer 2014

British Airways (London, Gatwick)

Daily

Daily

Virgin Atlantic (London, Gatwick)

5 flights per week

4 flights per week

Thomas Cook (Manchester)

1 flight per week

1 flight per week

Airline

Thomas Cook has partnered with Flybe, which means that your clients travelling from Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Inverness, Isle of Man, Norwich and Southampton can easily connect with the Manchester flight to Saint Lucia.

Approximate 8 hour flight from the UK to Saint Lucia *13 direct weekly flights for Winter 2013/4. *All information is correct at time of going to press on the 1st November 2013.

Calendar of events Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival (May) Every year since 1992, Saint Lucia has held a major international Jazz festival with events taking place across the island culminating in the main stage performances at Pigeon Island National Landmark. An Arts element has been added to further increase the popularity of the Caribbean’s leading event. www.stluciajazz.org Carnival (June/July) Saint Lucia’s month long, heady carnival season culminates in mid-July with steel band and soca monarch competitions, a carnival queen show and two days of intense street partying. www.luciancarnival.com

Wedding Symposium (Sept) This new event aims to highlight why Saint Lucia has won the Caribbean’s most romantic destination eight times and to run workshops to ensure that Saint Lucia stays abreast of leading trends. www.stlucia.org/loveelevated Jounen Kweyol (Oct) Events throughout October focus on Saint Lucia’s fascinating mixed African and French creole heritage, and Kweyol, the French-based local patois spoken by over 90% of Saint Lucians. The celebrations peak near the end of the month on Jounen Kweyol or Creole Day, when chosen communities lay on traditional creole cuisine, crafts such as pottery and basket weaving, music, dance and games.

Health & Wellness Retreat (Nov) Global leaders in the field of yoga, well-being and fitness offer a series of presentations and workshops for a healthy mind, body and soul.

Triathlon (Nov) Organised by Human Race and with Daley Thompson as Ambassador, this is the foremost triathlon in the Caribbean. www.tristlucia.com Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC & ARC Plus) (Nov) Each year, 200 yachts join in the world’s largest transoceanic sailing event, from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia. The 2,700 nautical mile crossing takes two to three weeks, and ends in Rodney Bay Marina, where concerts and celebrations are held to welcome the sailors. www.worldcruising.com/arc

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Benefits of completing our online training programme Completing our online training programme will take approximately 40 minutes. There are six fun, interactive and informative modules for you to work through and upon successful completion you will receive a gift and certificate to mark your achievements.

Incentives - Simply log your Saint Lucia bookings to be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prizes through our incentive programme. Prizes include free hotel stays, shopping vouchers, Saint Lucian, Chairman’s Reserve rum, Chocolate from Hotel Chocolat and an annual prize of flights for two to Saint Lucia.

Fam trips - Completion of our online training programme will make you eligible to be invited to attend one of the eight exciting fam trips that we have planned for 2014.

Get listed on our website - Become a Saint Lucia Specialist and have your contact details listed on our website. If you have been on a fam trip to Saint Lucia, with the Saint Lucia Tourist Board or with one of our Tour Operator partners and have logged at least 4 bookings to Saint Lucia then you can request to be listed on the home page of our website. This will help drive business to you.

In-house training available - We are happy to provide your team with in-house training, please contact Chelcie Lewis on 020 7341 7008 or email clewis@stluciauk.org Evening training events - Priority for our events is given to agents registered on www.saintluciaexpert.com Saint Lucia Showcase for Agents - This fun, exciting, yet informative event is held over two days with the aim of improving your knowledge and ability to sell more holidays to the destination.

Agents who have completed the online training programme and have been to Saint Lucia are eligible to attend.

Sign up for e-newsletter Our bi-monthly e-newsletters aim to keep you updated on news, offers and information on Saint Lucia. To register, please email newsletter@stluciauk.org

Refresher module - as we have new events and developments on island, we will launch a refresher module (it will not take no more than 15 minutes to complete) in January every year which is compulsory for all who have completed our online training programme and those who are “Specialists”.

Saint Lucia Tourist Board 1 Collingham Gardens London, SW5 0HW Tel: 020 7341 7005 Email: sltbinfo@stluciauk.org Consumer: www.stlucia.org Trade: www.saintluciaexpert.com Images: http://saintlucia.fotoseeker.com /saintluciauk