Travel Bulletin 6th June 2014

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June 6 2014 | ISSUE NO 1,875 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Luxury Holidays Suite deals to tempt discerning clients

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with this issue

this week notes from 8 puzzle bulletin 11 normanton Sandy gets to grips with a football booking to Brazil

play Su Doku for a chance to win a ÂŁ50 Love2Shop voucher

17 israel airlines, hoteliers & operators unveil their latest offers & product additions

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dynamic packaging boost commission by tailor-making holidays to suit your clients

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THE SKY'S THE LIMIT...Pictured celebrating the inauguration of Qatar Airways' new all-premium daily service ‘Business One’ between Doha and Heathrow is John Holland-Kaye (left) from Heathrow Airport and Richard Oliver from Qatar Airways.The new daily flight is serviced by an Airbus A319, configured with a single aisle, 2-2 seating configuration, plus an all-Business Class service, offering 40 premium seats. The additional flight will step up the frequency on the Doha to Heathrow route from 35 to 42 weekly services and comes just before the airline commences operations on the Doha to Heathrow route with its new A380 aircraft, which will operate on QR003 and QR004 from June 17.

This Week news 3

Cover Pictures: Main - Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority/fotoseeker.com

Inset - Jerusalem, IGTO

a round-up of this week's industry announcements & product developments

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notes from normanton

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agent bulletin

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puzzle bulletin

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Sandy makes an interesting booking for the World Cup

updates on the latest booking incentives & agent offers play Su Doku for a chance to win a £50 Love2Shop voucher from Voyages-sncf

bulletin briefing Elite Travel Group’s views on industry news hitting the headlines

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luxury holidays

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israel

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dynamic packaging

the latest suite deals to tempt discerning clients

airlines, hoteliers & operators unveil their latest offers & product additions

boost commission by tailormaking holidays to suit your clients

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Survey reveals half of hen & stag dos are spent abroad ACCORDING TO new research by Sunshine.co.uk, more hen and stag dos are now being spent abroad; with the main reason for heading overseas for premarital celebrations being ‘to have a more memorable experience’.

The company conducted the poll with 2,196 people aged 18 and above as part of ongoing research into the holiday experiences of Brits, all of whom had been on a hen or stag do in the last six months (either their own or someone else’s). Just over

51% of those polled said that the last hen or stag do they attended was abroad, and the results showed that stag dos were more likely to be spent overseas than hen dos; with men equating to 77% of the total respondents.

Respondents were also asked to name the destination of choice for the pre-marital celebration which revealed that for men Prague was popular for 17% of respondents, followed by Amsterdam, Krakow, Barcelona and Benidorm.

The women taking part who had been on a hen do abroad in the last six months were asked the same question, which revealed the top five most popular overseas destinations to be Albufeira, Benidorm, Marbella, Ibiza and Barcelona.

The average total spend for a stag do attendee heading overseas was revealed to be £512, compared to a total spend for a hen do attendee heading abroad of £320.

Skyscanner unveils real cost of car hire in new guide WITH CAR hire prices increasing by as much as 400% once the cost of extras is added, travel search site Skyscanner has produced a guide to the real cost of car hire in Europe www.skyscanner.net/news/carhirecharges.

According to the company's statistics, 56% of Brits fork out more than they expected when hiring a car, and the newly launched guide aims to provide greater clarity around the costs charged by the top car hire companies.

The guide looks at the costs of car seats, additional drivers and excess waivers charged

by the biggest car hire suppliers (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, Sixt and Thrifty) and how they differ across the nation’s favourite European holiday destinations (UK, Spain, France, Germany and Italy).

The study reveals that the initial cost can increase by 400% once all the charges are added and, in most cases, the supplier that appeared the cheapest for basic car hire is not the best option once car seats and additional driver charges are added - highlighting the ● continues on next page

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need to understand the full cost of car hire.

The guide also highlights the huge variations between these charges by country so while one company may be cheapest for car seats when hiring a car in one country, this is not necessarily the case when hiring a car in a different destination. In fact, no one company came out best for all the categories showing that it is vital for consumer to compare providers when making their car hire decisions.

However, the study also

offers good news for families heading to Spain this year as the familyfriendly destination was found to be the cheapest for car hire when all costs were factored in (on average £258 for the week). What’s more, holidaymakers can drive worry free on the Spanish roads, as the majority of companies cap their insurance excess (payable by the driver) at less than £500, a bargain compared to some Italian quotes of almost £2,000.

(Dynamic Packaging page 20)

A NIGHT ON THE TILES...Pictured is Sara Lewer of Travelplanners in Waterlooville receiving two cinema tickets and £40 in restaurant vouchers from Paul Mellon of Funway, as part of a recent Tipto training competition.

Tailor-made trips to Madagascar & Sierra Leone from Africa & Beyond AFRICA & Beyond has launched tailormade trips to Madagascar and Sierra Leone.

The operator's travel specialist, Rob Morley, said: "We specialise in offering tailor-made holidays to East, West and Southern Africa, and the Indian Ocean.

We pride ourselves on not only sending people to the more wellknown areas of Africa, but also offthe-beaten-track areas and supporting new emerging destinations, which is why we are so excited about Madagascar and Sierra Leone. We also plan to launch Ethiopia on the website shortly and, in the future, further destinations where we feel tourism is vital to the countries

development."

As examples of prices, a 12-night wildlife and beach trip to Madagascar including three nights in the rainforest of Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, seven nights on the beaches of Il St. Marie and two nights in the capital Antananarivo – including flights and local guides- costs from £2,850 per person.

Meanwhile, a ten-night wildlife, culture, history and beaches trip to Sierra Leone including flights, a private guide, accommodation, trips to wildlife sanctuaries and islands, plus a guided tour of Freetown costs from £1,775.

For more information or to book call

0161-789 8838, email – enquiry@africaandbeyond.co.uk or see www.africa-and-beyond.co.uk

Emerald Waterways announces launch of second ‘Star-Ship’ for 2014 featuring 72 suites EMERALD WATERWAYS has launched its second ship for the 2014 season.

Emerald Star, a sister ship to Emerald Sky – which was launched in April with British style icon Twiggy as Godmother – carries 182 guests in 72 suites and 20 staterooms, including two specifically built for solo occupancy.

Facilities unique to both vessels include a heated pool with a retractable roof, which transforms into a cinema in the evening, and two restaurants. There is also a new type of cabin design that replaces the run-of-the-mill French

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balcony, common to most ships, with an indoor balcony complete with decked area and an open-air system.

A hairdresser, massage therapy room and fitness area are also featured and all cruises include transfers to and from the ship; all meals on-board; unlimited tea and coffee; wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; bottled water restocked daily in the cabins; continental breakfast, pre-dinner canapés and after-dinner sweet treats served in the top suites; Wi-Fi; at least one included shore

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excursion almost every cruise day; visits to many UNESCO WorldHeritage Sites; and all tips.

The company is offering six itineraries this year, including an eight-day Nuremberg to Budapest Danube Delights cruise, an 11-day Classic Prague and Danube Delights cruise that adds three days in historic Prague, and a festive 15-day Christmas Markets of Europe tour.

Next year the company plans to launch two further ‘Star-Ships’ – Emerald Sun and Emerald Dawn – as well as additional routes.

These include an 11-day

French sailing between Lyon and Arles; a ten-day Eastern Europe itinerary that takes visitors to explore the far reaches of the Danube; and an eight-day Netherlands and Belgium exploration.

For clients booking their 2015 river cruise in advance, a £500 discount per person is being offered on all river cruises – as well as up to £250 worth of on-board credit for free, dependent on the duration of the river cruise.

The offers are valid for bookings made by June 13.

For more information or to book visit www.emeraldwaterways.co.uk

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newsbulletin Transun adds series of wedding packages in Croatia TRANSUN HAS launched a series of new wedding packages in Hvar.

The three hand-picked venues – including a beach club, roof terrace and traditional old town setting – offer a selection of alternatives for agents to add to their Mediterranean weddings and honeymoons repertoire.

The operator's fully licensed venues include Bonj Les Bains Beach Club, which is surrounded by the Adriatic Sea and offers views across the Pakleni Islands from private pontoons; The San Marco Terrace, which is set in the heart of the old town of Hvar and is located at the top of Empress Elizabeth’s Palace; and the Top Bar at the Adriana Spa Hotel which offers a roof terrace with an

intimate, modern design with views across the old town, yacht harbour and the Pakleni Islands.

The three venues can accommodate between 50 and 200 wedding guests, with the operator's wedding coordinators ensuring that important details are taken care of. A range of romantic accommodation is also available for agents to sell as part of a wedding package, including spa hotels, yacht hotels and beach resorts.

The company's director of trading, Nico Kostich, said: “At Transun we have built up 30 years of specialist knowledge of Croatia and it is a region we are very passionate about. Hvar’s Dalmatian Coast crystal clear waters and aromatic lavender fields make for the

perfect wedding setting and the added plus for clients is that it is just a two and a half hour plane journey from the UK, and hassle-free for wedding planning. The three venues that we have selected to host our wedding packages offer unique experiences but all are truly memorable.”

Agents can reassure clients that getting married in Croatia is simple for UK and Irish residents. There are no minimum residency requirements and the bride and groom need to meet with the local registrar a few days before the ceremony. As with all weddings in the UK, the couple must hold a certificate of no impediment.

For more information see www.transun.co.uk/agents or call 01865-265200.

GRJ introduces 53 Days by Rail as part of 2014/15 Worldwide Collection GREAT RAIL Journeys has created its first 53day around the world tour, priced from £21,995 per person and taking guests from London across the US, China, Russia and back through Europe before returning to London.

Highlights of the 'Around The World in 53 Days' option include New York, Washington DC, Chicago, a flight over the Grand Canyon, LA and Hollywood, San Francisco, Shanghai, the Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wall of China, travelling on Tsar's Gold Private Train, Mongolia, Moscow, Warsaw, Prague, Vienna, Venice and trips on the Venice Simplon OrientExpress and the British Orient Express Pullman.

The price includes four- and five-star accommodation, all air and rail travel, most

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meals and the services of a tour manager throughout.

The tour is part of the operator's latest collection of 54 tours spanning six continents and featuring a total of 14 new tours.

The company's national sales manager, Tony Byrne, said: "This is our most comprehensive programme of worldwide rail holidays yet. I put this down to the growing trend towards people looking for even more choice of the kind of 'safe' adventure holidays we offer. And our ultimate 53 day round-theworld tour is perfect for the traveller seeking the ultimate experience and enjoying some of the world's best rail travel along the way."

For more information call 01904-521980 or see www.greatrail.com/uk

Ceviche making with Ben Fogle in Ecuador from Virgin & Bales VIRGIN HOLIDAYS Worldwide Journeys and Bales Worldwide have tasked their new Worldwide Touring Ambassador Ben Fogle to help host an exclusive journey around Ecuador this summer.

Ben has picked some of his ultimate Ecuadorian highlights to create a one-off trip with only 12 spaces available.

Highlights of the tour include exploring Quito by foot on a walking tour; a visit to the markets; Ceviche making and dinner with Ben; visits to Cotopaxi National Park, Cuenca and Guayaquil; and a five-day cruise to explore The Galapagos Islands, Santa Cruz Island and Espanola Island.

The ‘Highlights of Ecuador’ tour takes place from July 28 to August 8 and costs from £5,935 per person. It includes all accommodation, transfers, excursions on a full board basis and flights from Heathrow.

For further information see www.balesworldwide.co.uk and www.virginholidays journeys.co.uk

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newsbulletin Attraction World promotes Cirque du f o s t Twee Soleil show at Spain’s PortAventura k e e ATTRACTION WORLD is now the W Who s saying what on Twitter... @ukcruising Celebrity Cruises And Canyon Ranch Launch The Largest And Most Comprehensive Spaclub At Sea http://bit.ly/1opRZ5w @Expedia What are the best/worst airports in America? We asked our frequent fliers.

Find out what they said: http://expd.us/Qf43WG @VoyagesSncf_UK Travelling with kids?

Check the age rules for each train. Under 4s go free in Europe. Find more #TheEasyWay on http://www.voyagessncf.com

offering tickets to a new Cirque du Soleil show at PortAventura theme park in Salou.

Cirque du Soleil will be performing KOOZA, an adrenaline rush of acrobatics presented in a zany kingdom, in the grounds of PortAventura this summer.

Tickets through the operator cost from £38 for adults and £29 for children aged two-12.

Performances will take place between July 11 and August 30 on Mondays and Fridays at 21:30 and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 18:30 and 22:00.

Lufthansa's Boeing 747-8 Premium Economy Class available for bookings

LUFTHANSA’S NEW Premium Economy Class is now available for booking on @Irish_Ferries flights flown by Boeing 747-8 Let the summer fun aircraft. begin! When you take From December 10, the your car on any sailing on Premium Economy Class will the Irish Sea the Kids Go have guaranteed availability Free! on all flights served by the http://bit.ly/1fde6sg new jumbo. Destinations that can now be booked for @imtrav onward connecting flights 35 funniest animal from Frankfurt include photobombs of all time!!

Buenos Aires, Chicago, Hong http://bit.ly/1tK57Cl Kong, Mexico City, São Paulo, Seoul, Beijing and @IATA Washington, D.C. More choice or more From late January 2015, regulation? Rigid the first retrofitted A340-600 passenger rights aircraft are scheduled to take regimes reduce connecoff from Munich for Hong tivity & increase airfares.

Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo http://ht.ly/xc4mG and from late April 2015 retrofitted A380-800 aircraft @SagaUK are planned to fly from You don't have to be over Frankfurt to Johannesburg, 50 to enjoy our tweets!

New York, Miami, Houston, Follow us for health San Francisco, Shanghai and news, money saving tips, Singapore. free legal guides and To mark the start of travel offers.

Premium Economy ticket sales, a range of special promotional return fares are Follow us on Twitter!on offer for UK passengers http://twitter.com/ travelling from London, Manchester, Birmingham, TravelBulletin Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

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These include £909 to Seoul, £949 to Hong Kong, £999 to Beijing, £1,099 to Sao Paulo and £1,199 to Buenos Aires.

Fares are inclusive of all taxes and charges and can be booked up until June 12 for travel between December 10 and March 28, 2015.

The carrier's general manager UK & Ireland, Christian Schindler, said: “We have had an incredible response to our Premium Economy Class since its launch. With the attractive introductory fares this new travel experience is now within more reach, allowing our customers to benefit from up to 50% more personal space. The design and features of the seat are based on extensive passenger surveys and workshops with sales partners. More than 1.5m passengers per year will be able to enjoy a new travel experience with the installation of 3,600 seats in all 106 long-haul aircraft in just one year.”

For further information visit www.lufthansagroup.com/de /themen/premium-economy

Digital marketing campaign from Visit Orlando VISIT ORLANDO has increased its investment in driving visitation within the young adult travel audience, specifically focusing on engaging with travellers without children. The destination has launched a five-week digital marketing campaign with a call-toaction which directs consumers to forthcoming deals available at visitorlando.com/escape, benefiting industry operators and travel agents in driving sales during the off-peak seasonal periods.

Campaign partners include British Airways, Cosmos Holidays, Thomas Cook, Thomson and Virgin Holidays. The destination has also enhanced its online training programme for agents at www.orlandotravelacademy. com For details see www.visitorlando.com/trade

Pandaw explores Western Burma RIVER EXPEDITION company, Pandaw, has announced that it will become the first operator to explore the rivers of the Arakan region in Western Burma.

A series of seven-night expeditions will operate weekly from October 2, 2015 and will take guests into the heart of one of the most interesting areas of Burma on the RV Katha Pandaw, a replica of the original 19th century Irrawaddy Flotilla Company boats.

The Ancient Arakan expedition will visit a range of sights best accessed by river, and prices lead in at £1,866 per person based on two sharing for seven nights, including all food and drink, gratuities and all shore excursions.

For details visit www.pandaw.com

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newsbulletin Track the herd across the Masai Mara with Discover Africa TECHNOLOGY RECENTLY launched by safari operator Discover Africa has shown that this year’s migration across the Masai Mara is happening earlier than usual.

Animals are expected to cross the Mara River this month rather than in July, meaning that clients hoping to catch the natural event should book now.

Migration patterns have been easier to spot following the launch of the operator's web app, Herdtracker. The real time Google maps show instant updates of the migration’s precise location and is coupled with a migration map which publishes accurate monthly predictions.

Although forecasts are showing an earlier than usual migration, discounted deals are available for potential safarigoers at a time when camps and lodges are traditionally quiet.

This means travellers can be in the right place at the right time for less, as well as reducing vacancies at local accommodation spots.

As an example of prices, a stay at the Serengeti's Lemala Kuria Hills costs from £1,308 per person for travel this month, based on two sharing.

For more information visit www.discoverafrica.com

Follow Mozart's steps with Headwater HEADWATER HAS added a ten-night self-guided walk in the Austrian Lakes to its portfolio.

Combining relaxed marked walks with four-star hotels throughout, the route offers scenic views and cultural highlights including the antique cog railway in St Wolfgang and Mozart's Museum in St Gilgen.

The holiday departs every two days until September 22 and costs from £1,057 per adult (tour only) and £728 for children.

Options for self-drive (with Eurotunnel) lead in at £1,076 per adult, while flight-inclusive bookings cost from £1,387 with Austrian Airlines from Heathrow.

Prices include ten nights' breakfast accommodation in fourstar hotels, nine evening meals, local transfers, detailed maps and walking route notes, transport of bags between hotels, and 24/7 support both in the UK and overseas.

For details call 0845-322 4672 or email sales@headwater.com

REGENT HOLIDAYS has added an 18-day ‘Cruise the Mergui Archipelago’ itinerary to its Burma programme. Setting sail in November this year and with departures available until July 2015, the holiday showcases the destination's highlights as well as exploring some of its less visited regions. The trip includes a visit to the former Burmese capital, Yangon, and a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda. A highlight of the tour is a luxury cruise around the Mergui Archipelago, which remains relatively untouched. Prices start from £4,250 per person including flights from Heathrow, breakfast accommodation, full board on the cruise and all tours.

For details see www.regent-holidays.co.uk or call 020-7666 1244.

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Cottages4you responds to demand with new Luxury Collection properties

Notes from . . . n o t n a m Nor

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HAVE booked my flights to go back to Gouves again, staying at the Kaissa Apt for 10nts - I can’t wait! I’m also going to meet up with a couple of people that help the Greek Cat Welfare Society and earmark a few cats to be spayed/neutered (if they have not got kittens) or try and get the boy done BB (big balls!), but at least it is one small step in the right direction. Will let you know how I get on. As I finish this, I just got an email from the lady in Gouves asking if I would be prepared to escort a kitten back to the UK as a holidaymaker has seen it and wants to bring it back. Will have to contact Monarch and see whether I can – would be nice if I could – watch this space!

Was doing an interesting booking for flights to Brazil for the football and Tom was very helpful at Gold Medal. I’ve learnt a lot about where the matches are and all the different places. A single guy wanted to go and watch the matches, so we managed to fix him up and he is very happy – so a big thank you Tom, and I have learnt a bit about football matches in Brazil. If someone mentions Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Recife, Rio etc. I know where they are. I can just picture those places when thousands of people descend on them to watch the matches – though I am told that for those that can’t get in, they have big screens up in parks for people to watch.

What brilliant news that dolphin and whale shows are getting a hammering – about time! I hate to see animals in captivity especially those that are made to perform - it is not what they would be doing if they were in the wild! I realise that if we didn’t intervene on rare occasions to help with breeding, a species would become extinct, but I do hope loads more support is given and we can finally do away with shows.

‘Yesterday is but today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream’ and ‘Times have not become more violent , they have just become more televised’.

COTTAGES4YOU HAS added 40 new properties to its Luxury Collection since January and 150 in the last 12 months.

Examples include The Water Tower, the tallest building on the Staffordshire Moorlands. Set in 137 acres of private park and woodland, the grade II listed Victorian water tower dates back to 1896 and is on eight floors. The tower combines character with the latest technology and conveniences, including a built-in Bang and Olufsen music system, a games room and a luxury bathroom.

Prices lead in at £1,421 (£18.45 per person, per night) for seven nights’ self-catered accommodation, based on a September 5 arrival. The property sleeps 11 in five bedrooms and up to three (house trained) pets are welcome.

Alternatively, clients can opt to stay at Eagle House which was formerly the village inn and dates back to 1830. The property, which sleeps eight in four bedrooms, has been transformed into a detached holiday home featuring a spacious garden and large patio.

Prices start from £1,361 (£24.30 per person, per night), for seven nights’ self-catered accommodation, based on a July 5 arrival.

For further information or to book see www.cottages4you.co.uk or call 0845-268 1560.

(Luxury Holidays - page 13)

WEBSCLUSIVES ●

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by SANDRA MURRAY in Normanton, Yorkshire To respond to any of Sandy’s comments email jill. sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk

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Win one of three cases of Spanish wine, courtesy of our competition with Voyages SNCF. Enter today at: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions Create a new slogan for the China National Tourist Office in London for your chance to win an iPad Mini. Get your thinking cap on, then enter your slogan at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions Win a Kindle Fire HD courtesy of Nira Caledonia.

Enter our competition at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions Win a fabulous case of wine courtesy of the region of Sud de France. Go to: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

All this and more at:

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agentbulletin Booking incentives ●

GOLD MEDAL has launched a new incentive for agents to win a dream holiday to Australia, tailor-made by destination specialist Matt Greenwood. The incentive forms part of the firm’s commitment to offer packages that meet the needs of both agents and customers, and comes on the back of the introduction of a sales development manager (Matt) dedicated to the growth of Australia business through independent travel agents. All agents booking an Australia package holiday with the operator

by July 31 will be entered into a prize draw.

For details or to book call 0800-014 7777 or visit www.goldmedal.co.uk

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BOURNE LEISURE has announced new developments to its agent website including downloadable selling tools, incentives & competitions, weekly offers, product news and an educational and day pass request facility.

Supported by a dedicated trade campaign, ‘Explore with Bourne’, the launch is accompanied by a new Warner Leisure Hotels’ agent booking site which offers a flexible sixstep booking process and allows agents to add on extras. Agents can also view properties by price range and break type.

Bourneleisuresales.co.uk offers each agent a personalised experience via a user friendly interface. Agents have access to a personalised home page and the site also includes an interactive UK map that allows agents to explore Butlins, Haven and Warner properties in detail. To mark the launch, agents have the chance to enter a prize draw to win an iPad mini when they make an online booking. A supporting social media campaign with a Kindle Fire up for grabs is also being offered.

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TO CELEBRATE Silversea's 20th anniversary this year, the company is offering agents who make a booking before June 30 for any 2014 or 2015 sailing the chance to be entered into a prize draw to win a night in a London hotel and one of 20 1994 themed prizes. Winners will be drawn at random and invited to London on August 3 for an exclusive prize-giving event.

Each agent will choose a prize from a lucky dip with top prizes including return Eurostar tickets for two, Lion King theatre tickets for two and an Amazon Kindle Fire. Following the prize draw, agents will join the line's team to watch Silver Cloud sail under Tower Bridge before enjoying a night in a London hotel. A surprise bonus prize will also be available on the night for the top seller. To enter, agents should complete a redemption form and return it to sales support by July 4. Winning agents will be notified by July 8. For details call 0844-770 9030 or email salesuk@silversea.com

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Agent offer DUSIT INTERNATIONAL has ann ounced a special offer exclusively for members of the travel industry looking for some well-earned rest and relaxation.

Agents can now receive up to 50% off a stay in Mudhdhoo Island in the Maldiv es, Bangkok, Thailand or Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Valid airline, hotel or travel agent employee identif ication must be presented upon check-in and the rate is subject to availability.

For details visit www.dusit.com/travel-industry -rates

PEDAL POWER ...To mark Holiday Lounge’s 10th year of trading, the Leicestershire based agency pledged to raise £10,000 for its selected charities, and the team at DoSomethingDifferent .com were in store to help the agency with their latest feat; a gruelling 150k Tour-de-Store . After nine hours and 52 minutes of constant cycling, the sweaty pack concluded their final 'lap' of the Lutterworth store and freewheeled to victory at the 150k finish line. Pictured are, from the left: Lucy Jones from DoSomethingDifferent .com with the agency's Paul Lane, Zoe Isherwood and George Reynolds.

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Newsbites

Anantara opens third resort in China ANANTARA HOTELS, Resorts & Spas has opened its third resort in China – Anantara Emei Resort & Spa. The 150-room resort, which is made up of 90 guestrooms, 40 pavilions and 20 villas, is located at the foot of Emei Mountain in Sichuan Province.

Onsite facilities include an all day dining restaurant offering Chinese and European cuisine; a lobby lounge; wine cellar; meeting and event venues; swim-up bar; outdoor pool and Jacuzzi; fitness centre; spa; table tennis; tennis courts; yoga and Tai Chi classes; children’s pool; children’s club; and a games room.

For cooking enthusiasts or guests interested in

taking home Sichuan recipes, the property's cooking classes – ‘Spice Spoons’ – offer an ideal opportunity to explore local food markets and participate in the food preparation process with guidance from the Sichuan cuisine sous chef.

Visitors to the area can also hike or take the cable car up to the summit of Mount Emei and can also visit a Buddha statue, whose 48 metres height represents the 48 wishes of Amitable Buddha.

Additional Anantara resorts are currently under development in Guiyang in Guizhou Province; Quindao Lake in Zhejiang Province; Baoting on Hainan Island; Dong Guan in Guangdong Province and Shanghai.

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Jet2holidays unveils trio of new destinations for summer 2015 following demand JET2HOLIDAYS HAS revealed three new holiday destinations for summer 2015 – Antalya, Kefalonia and Malta.

With up to 13 flights a week available, the holiday specialist is anticipating the trio of sunshine hotspots will add more than 100,000 passengers for summer 2015, bringing further growth to three of its UK bases – East Midlands, Leeds Bradford and Manchester airports.

The additional expansion in its package holiday offering comes on the back of a successful year for the operator and sister airline, Jet2.com, with the businesses taking more than 5.6m passengers to and from top European destinations during 2013/14 – a 15% rise on the previous year.

The company's tour operations director, Peter Kearns, said: “We are continually looking to expand our range of

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destinations and product offering to give our customers an unrivalled selection of great value holiday options direct from their local airports. We chose Antalya, Kefalonia and Malta because they really compliment our existing mix of top European leisure destinations and, judging from feedback from agents, we think they will be a very popular choice for our customers."

The new destinations are included in the operator's brochure collection for summer 2015, which includes a Beach Holidays range, with 173 new hotels and 34 new resorts, plus Family Holidays, City & Short Breaks, a lifestyle collection, On Tour, and luxury option, Indulgent Escapes.

For more information call 0800-408 5587 or visit https://tradesite.jet2 holidays.com

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FAMILIES WITH young children booking a holiday to Guernsey, Jersey or France can benefit from extra savings with Condor Ferries, as toddlers (aged three years and under) sail for free up until March 24, 2015 when booked before June 10.

For details visit www.condorferries.co.uk MOTTS TRAVEL, a coach operator offering day trips, coach hire and holidays in the UK and Europe through the Crusader Holiday brand, has announced a new brand structure. Under the new structure, the company will focus solely on coach hire, corporate and contracting whilst Crusader Holidays will offer short breaks and up to 12-day holidays in the UK and on the continent to as far flung destinations as Croatia, Southern Italy and Poland to customers based across the South East of England. Motts Holidays will now become Motts Leisure and continue to offer day trips within the local area which will still be sold on its own dedicated website, as well as its shop in Aylesbury.

CITYJET HAS announced a successful complete integration with Travelport. The move enables Travelport connected travel agencies using Galileo and Worldspan to take advantage of the seamless bookability of CityJet fares and ancillaries within their normal workflow.

NEILSON HAS announced the launch of two new Beachclubs for summer 2014; the Andriake Beachclub in Turkey and the Messini Beachclub in Greece. Both properties are five-star and offer inclusive activities and watersports.

For details visit www.neilson.co.uk or call 0844-879 8155.

ST. KITTS’ new state of the art private terminal with YU Lounge service, one of the key tourism projects announced by the St. Kitts & Nevis Government, has opened its doors for business at The Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport, and is now welcoming guests.

For details see www.veling.aero and www.yulounge.com

ENCORE TICKETS has set up a new Training Academy to give education providers hands-on experience of the company’s range of workshops and bespoke master classes for students. The central-London based day courses will show teachers how they can work with Encore to bring groups of pupils into the West End and experience the magic of the theatre first hand through the company’s theatre packages for school and student groups. The workshop is followed by a meal at nearby restaurant partner, Café Rouge to sample a typical pre-theatre menu supplied to school groups, and then a visit to War Horse itself, followed by a Q&A session with the leading actors and puppeteers. Based on a group of 25, a 90-minute workshop costs £12.50 per student, plus the cost of the show. The trip can be extended into a Junior Grand Day Out which includes a show, lunch and workshop from £37.50.

For details call 020-7492 1500.

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puzzlebulletin Travagrams

Su Doku Win a £50 Love2Shop voucher in the

Su Doku prize puzzle

Number: 022

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

A Sweetener Shrill Our

A➠

B➠ Part of this hotel company’s name is shared with a film production company

C➠

Bias Hairy Wrist

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, June 12th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for 23rd May is Eddie Doyle, Pearl King Travel in Liverpool.

May 23 Solution: A=3 B=4 C=5 D=7

This airline’s motto is ‘To Fly. To Serve.’

Where Am I?

British sitcom written by Derren Litten

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

Number: 022

Across 1. Launched in 1841, now a leading leisure travel group (6,4) 5. Historic city in Lombardy (7) 6. Juan Carlos is to abdicate as monarch of this country (5) 7. In-car technology, ___ nav (3) 9. Island in short also known as The Rock (3) 10. Amsterdam Schiphol airport code (3) 11. Racecourse home of The Derby (5) 12. State capital of Nebraska (7) 14. Angelina Jolie plays the villain in this Disney movie (10)

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Down 1. North African country (7) 2. French city with an annual Joan of Arc festival (7) 3. Cuba is the largest island in this region (9) 4. Airline with its main hub at 10 Across (3) 5. Indian city (9) 7. Famous Vatican City Chapel (7) 8. Free guide to what's on in London (4,3) 13. Douglas is the capital, initially (3)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 22 June 6 2014

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bulletinbriefing

Industry Insight by...

Neil W Basnett, chief executive of the Elite Travel Group, offers his views on industry news hitting the headlines EWS HAS recently been dominated by the European elections and the very rapid rise of the UKIP party.

We have always had a large number of fringe parties in our electoral system but for a party to achieve such a large percentage of the vote, this would suggest that this could be a major development. Some have argued that their triumph could have a devastating effect on the influence that British MEPs have on reforms to the dreaded Package Travel Directive. The European Parliament will probably still decide to go its own way anyhow regardless of the input from the British MEPS of whichever party they represent. It does not say much about the fairness of the system that the views of democratically elected representatives could potentially be ignored as they are not pro-European!

I have spent much time this month helping our members with a variety of issues for which they needed assistance. I was staggered that one of our members faced a situation where some long-standing clients of theirs were bumped off a cruise because it was overbooked! These particular guests had previously travelled seven times with this particular cruise company and had also booked another cruise with them to travel in July. It beggars belief therefore that if the cruise was over-booked (how could this happen in the first place?), why were these particular clients off-loaded? Does common sense not come into it? No client ever deserves to have his holiday cancelled, but please...

I never cease to be amazed by Dubai! Although it would never be on my personal list of favourite holiday destinations, I have just returned from the Advantage Conference there and, as with all my previous visits, I returned yet again marvelling at the continuing development of the emirate. Many in life have a vision: HH Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed al-Maktoum (Dubai’s ruler) had such a vision for the future of Dubai as he was quick to acknowledge that Dubai’s oil would not last for ever. He therefore recognised tourism as the best solution to diversify their economy and to reduce their dependency on oil revenues. Unlike many with a vision however, Dubai (with the assistance of Abu Dhabi) had the money to help achieve its objectives and today’s city is just the start of the fruition of their dreams. Love it or hate it: one has to be full of admiration.

Whenever a holiday destination is successful however, it can be tempted to take visitors for granted and as such,

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"I never cease to be amazed by Dubai! Although it would never be on my personal list of favourite holiday destinations, I have just returned from the Advantage Conference there and, as with all my previous visits, I returned yet again marvelling at the continuing development of the emirate" can over-price itself. All of us want value for money wherever we go and no matter how much money one has, nobody likes being ripped off. At The Conrad Hotel in Dubai, a group of delegates converged into the bar after one of the evening functions and a few ordered a vodka: they were politely told that it would be cheaper to buy the bottle rather than having individual drinks. None of them were however expecting a bill for £350: how much would it have cost them to have had the drinks separately? Such greed on the part of hotels could quite rightly deter guests from returning: word of mouth is the best and worst advertisement. I am fully aware that tax levels on alcohol in Dubai are very high but if the destination seriously wishes to compete on the world stage, they must not forget that there are many other destinations out there that currently provide better value for money.

It was enjoyable and motivating to listen to Martina Navratilova’s chequered story in Dubai and she came across as a very likeable person who had to face many challenges in her life including her decision to leave for a new life in the US and her more recent fight against cancer. Sophie from Classic Collection was mortified that time ran over in the Q&A session and she was therefore not able to ask Martina whether, having hit a serve far too long at Wimbledon resulting in the linejudge shouting “Out”, she was ever tempted to reply: “Well yes... actually I am!” www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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luxuryholidays WESTERN & Oriental is offering seven nights' breakfast stay at the five-star Akaryn Samui in Thailand for £1,439 per person, based on two sharing. The package includes flights with Singapore Airlines from Heathrow or Manchester and is valid for travel from September 1 to October 31. It also includes a 20% early booking discount (which must be booked 45 days in advance).

To book call 020-7666 1234 or for more information see www.akaryn.com

This is for clients who want to be Shanghai'd into a five-star heavenly choice

by PAUL SCUDAMORE For clients looking for opulence, luxury or a once-in-a-lifetime treat in some far-flung corner of the world which offers a real buzz of excitement, then Shanghai has to be up there on the list. Here is a vibrant city that is stacked with history, architecture both ancient and ultra-modern, and is the very focus of the modern China.

On the luxury front when it comes to hotels, there is a wide choice of topof-the-range properties - Waldorf Astoria, Hyatts, Peninsula, Jumeirah, Shangri-la, Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Westin, Royal Meridien... the list just goes on. Five stars don't get any more difficult to choose from.

However, there is one historic

property that does stand out, and that is the Fairmont Peace Hotel which was built virtually on the famous riverside Bund in 1929 and has really stood the test of time (as has its Guinness Book of Records entry for its Old Jazz Band who play nightly and have been doing so for 33 years, with ages in their 70s and 80s. A sight and sound to behold).

The 270-room property also offers a Fairmont Gold executive floor of luxury suites with butler service and private check-in, plus access to a top floor luxurious lounge that features a concierge reception, butlers and a chef offering complimentary breakfast, afternoon canapes and evening snacks as well as a complimentary bar.

The hotel underwent a $100 million refurbishment four years ago to preserve its art deco heritage and

incorporate all the latest modern technological innovations such as WiFi, large flat-screen TVs and in-room entertainment sound systems.

General manager George Wee sums up the philosophy behind the hotel: "This is a great hotel with great history and soul that oozes magnificence but with staff that are spontaneous, warm and friendly. We just tick all the boxes."

For clients who want to tick a couple more boxes, the hotel is offering 20% off for stays of two nights or more until September 30, plus an extra 5% off for members of Fairmont's President's Club, which is free to join. The code to use is FAMILY20 on www.fairmont.com UK operators which feature the hotel include British Airways Holidays.

Prestige Holidays reports strong demand for luxury bookings in European destinations PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS reports that bookings to five-star hotels in European destinations remain strong.

John Dixon, the company's chairman and managing director, said: "We haven’t see any significant changes in booking patterns at the top end of the business.

Luxury clients will travel on low-cost and charter carriers to destinations like the Canaries, Sicily and Croatia, but once there, they still choose to stay in the

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suites and the higher class rooms of five-star properties.

“However, long-haul travellers tend to book Business Class or seats with increased leg room, particularly to Canada and Bermuda. They also plan these trips further in advance, often being swayed by the strength of the pound and exchanges rates, which can affect the cost of the break quite considerably."

The operator is also

noticing a trend for tailormade two- or three-centre breaks in Sicily and Croatia, and says that luxury travellers want to experience the diversity of a destination rather than simply relax in five-star surroundings. Top hotels like the Old Government House in Guernsey and St Brelades in Jersey are also selling well.

The company is offering a range of savings at five-star hotels in its portfolio for this summer. As examples, a

week’s stay at the Redlevel Gran Melia Resort Palacio de Isora in Tenerife costs from £1,189 per person, which offers a saving of £652 per couple; a week at the Blue Palace Resort & Spa in Crete costs £1,175 per person, saving £919 per couple; and a week at Madeira’s Belmond Reid’s Palace is from £1,378 per person, saving £334 per couple.

For more information see www.prestigeholidays.co.uk or call 01425-480400.

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luxuryholidays Family-friendly fitness meets laid-back luxury at Skiathos Princess Hotel AS PART of an on-going mission to offer some of the best health and fitness offerings to parents and their children, Skiathos Princess Hotel and luxury family holiday specialists Tots Too have announced a new collaboration with former Olympic pentathlete, Greg Whyte OBE, later this year.

Following an extension of the successful YOGAqua at the property, an upcoming collaboration with boutique fitness specialist Sandy Feet and a 1.5m refurbishment, the property promises to offer more for families and their children including complimentary swimming classes for adults and children on August 31 and September 1.

A former modern pentathlete, Greg Whyte competed in two Olympic Games and has won European bronze and World Championship silver medals. Greg has undertaken a number of educational swimming programmes for children of all ages – most notably his work with Turtle Tots, which introduces newborns to swimming.

The resort's business development manager, Katerina Santikou, said: “We are huge advocates of health and fitness, and working with the likes of Greg helps guests make the most of their stay with us.�

Tots Too offers seven nights from ÂŁ4,150 per family based on two adults and two children under 12 years staying in a family room for an August 27 departure. It includes flights, breakfast accommodation (excluding drinks) and private transfers.

For more information call 020-7284 3344 or visit www.totstoo.com

RED SAVANNAH IS offering a seven-night breakfast stay at the newly opened five-star D-Hotel Maris in Turkey's Marmaris from ÂŁ1,095 per person, and ÂŁ2,190 per couple sharing a Couple Room Mountain View. The price includes flights and private transfers.

For details call 01242-787800 or see www.redsavannah.com and www.dhotel.com.tr

WŚŽƚŽ ĆŒÄžÄšĹ?ƚ͗ ^ƚĞĨĂŜŽ 'ÄžĆŒÄ‚ĆŒÄšĹ?

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luxuryholidays Home comforts at Oriental Residence Bangkok ORIENTAL RESIDENCE Bangkok, a luxury property which features 145 residences, has launched a new package for Brits seeking home comforts.

The ‘Marmite and Marmalade Traveller' package caters for those who seek independent living but still enjoy VIP treatment.

Visitors can relax in their pad equipped with a kitchen-living area and a pantry stocked with goods.

Prices lead in at 9,600 baht (approximately £178) per night, and throughout their stay, guests can choose from utilising the butler service or privately and independently making themselves at home in their suite, whether by preparing their own meal or enjoying a private Thai cookery lesson.

On arrival, guests can choose to be collected from the airport by Jaguar limousine, and following a speedy in-suite check in, they will enjoy the familiar face of a loved one via a prearranged framed photo.

Ahead of a day spent discovering the city’s temples, shopping malls and street food stalls, visitors can opt to enjoy breakfast in their suite with a carefully stocked pantry of bread, milk, cereal, English Breakfast tea and Marmite and Marmalade. The morning routine is completed with a British daily newspaper of choice.

Evening meals also give a sense of home, with British comfort food available at Café Claire and via in-suite dining. Menu options include fish and chips or bangers and mash. The package is valid until December 25.

For more information and to book email reservations@orientalresidence.com and quote ‘Marmite and Marmalade’.

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Olympic promotes Gold & Platinum Collection properties OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS' 2014 Gold & Platinum brochure has 132 pages to remind agents of its high-end properties, mainly in Cyprus and the Greek islands but also in selected Mediterranean resorts in Turkey, Malta and Egypt.

The company's commercial director, Photis Lambrianides, said: "Our Gold & Platinum Collection properties combine the highest quality with outstanding value and appeal to discerning travellers. Though we are recognised as primarily a mid-range massmarket operator, producing a brochure dedicated to the luxury market shows our firm commitment to the top end of the holiday spectrum."

The collection offers a wide price range, with seven-night Greek holidays priced from

£479 for seven nights' half-board at the Dassia Chandris Hotel in Corfu, while for peak season luxury, the operator offers seven nights' breakfast stay at the Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel in Elounda, Crete, in August for £1,759 per person.

Featured for the first time is the new fivestar, 110-room Diamond Deluxe Hotel in Kos Town on the Greek island of Kos, where seven nights' half-board leads in at £679 or £1,039 for 14 nights.

Properties in the Gold & Platinum Collection offer full-board, half-board and bed-and-breakfast options, and range from spa properties, all-inclusive resorts and adultonly hotels.

For more information or to book see www.olympicholidays.com

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luxuryholidays Thanda Private Game Reserve marks anniversary with trade discounts THE THANDA Private Game Reserve in South Africa's KwaZulu Natal province is celebrating its tenth anniversary with gifts for guests staying throughout the year, as well as commission boosts for the trade.

The resort is offering guests '10 Random Acts of Love' to celebrate its anniversary until May next year, which include a gift from the staff – a song, play or game; traditional Zulu poems or love letters with guests' evening turndown; a celebratory cocktail and dessert, both specially created using local flavours; plus a photo

collage of their stay as a keepsake.

For trade partners, the resort is offering 10% extra commission on every tenth booking agents make during the year. Agents signing up to the company's newsletter will also automatically be entered into a prize draw to win two-night stays for two, drawn at random ten times during the year.

Agents will also be able to share their own Random Acts of Love on the resort's Facebook and Twitter pages to win further prizes.

For more information visit www.thanda.com

HALF MOON, a luxury resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica has introduced two tennis options for guests wanting to improve their game, with one-to-one coaching sessions, access to 13 floodlit tennis courts and the advice of tennis pros. The packages offer a choice of three or five one-hour coaching sessions as well as drill sessions and a soothing massage at the Fern Tree Spa. Prices start from US$230 and can be added to a stay at the resort.

For details see www.halfmoon.com

Jet2holidays promotes Indulgent Escapes range in five-star properties

TROPIC BREEZE is offering a seven-night breakfast stay at the five-star Sun Siyam Iru Fushi in the Maldives for £1,799 per person, based on a July 2 departure. The price offers a saving of £220 per person and is based on two sharing. It includes flights with British Airways and sea plane transfers.

To book see www.tropicbreeze.co.uk or call 01752-880880.

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JET2HOLIDAYS’ INDULGENT Escapes range is an opulent collection of five-star hotels in destinations chosen for their surroundings, world-class service and quality facilities. A total of 64 of the finest hotels are featured, some offering Michelin-starred dining options and luxury spas.

As examples, a seven-night breakfast stay at the fivestar Tivoli Marina in Vilamoura, Algarve leads in at £549 per person. The price is based on two sharing a twin deluxe room with a garden view and includes a 22kg baggage allowance and private transfers.

Meanwhile, a family break at the five-star Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort and Spa in Sarigerme, Turkey costs from £799.

The price is based on two adults sharing a guest room with a mountain view on an all-inclusive basis for seven nights, and includes a 22kg baggage allowance and private transfers.

The new addition to the Sarigerme coastline offers a mix of contemporary minimalism and state-of-the-art facilities.

Onsite amenities include 18 bars and restaurants, ten pools, a mini-waterpark for children and a full daytime entertainment programme.

For more information call 0800-408 5587 or visit https://tradesite.jet2holidays.com

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israel

LOCATED ON the site of the former Palace Hotel, the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem is the latest luxury addition from Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts. The new property is just a stone’s throw from the old city, the famous Jaffa Gate and the upscale Mamilla shopping centre, and blends Greco-Roman, Gothic and Ottoman architecture to offer a melting pot of cultures within its preserved, 80-year old façade. Featuring 226 rooms and suites, a range of facilities and dining options, rates lead in at £338 per night in a King Superior room.

Dan Hotels introduces free Wi-Fi in guestrooms GUESTS STAYING at all of Dan Hotels' properties are now able to use the internet for free on up to three devices in all guestrooms and designated public areas.

The company's vice president marketing and sales, Rafi Baeri, said: “We introduced free Wi-Fi zones towards the end of last year in all of our 14 properties, and after listening to what many of our guests are saying we saw the need to increase this to include guestrooms as well. We are sure that this facility will add to the enjoyment and comfort of all our guests – whether they are visiting Israel as holidaymakers or business travellers.”

Meanwhile, the company has announced that renovations have taken place in Dan Panorama Jerusalem with the introduction of a new category of 'Deluxe Rooms' providing guests with an additional dimension of style and comfort.

In the south of the country, the lobby of Dan Panorama Eilat has also undergone a transformation with new furniture, carpets, curtains and wallpaper, resulting in a spacious area where guests can relax.

Swimming pools of properties have also opened, many of which have been renovated and improved with the most noticeable changes in Dan Caesarea.

‘Dolls Art' exhibition in Tel Aviv museum THE OLD Jaffa Museum of Antiquities in Tel Aviv is holding a ‘Dolls Art’ exhibition until June 15 which celebrates the art of doll-making and features the work of local and international artists.

On selected dates, the exhibition will also hold puppet theatre performances, workshops, discussion sessions and other activities.

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The exhibition opens a window into the world of contemporary doll artists and displays a wide range of work including classic porcelain dolls, wooden marionettes and commedia dell’arte dolls.

The exhibition also includes drawings, illustrations, photography and animation.

For more information see www.thinkisrael.com

Here the pool has been divided up into three different areas – one for small children, one half an Olympic size and another section for guests to enjoy while sitting on deckchairs and dangling their feet in the water.

For more information see www.danhotels.com

July offer from EL AL EL AL is offering its lowest return fare next month.

Fares from Luton to Tel Aviv lead in at £349 all inclusive, subject to the availability of W Class.

From July 1 the airline will offer 16 weekly flights out of Luton alongside its regular 11 weekly flights from Heathrow to Tel Aviv.

For further information or to book see www.elal.co.uk or call 020-7121 1400.

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israel Heritage tour from Discover Israel from £1,399 DISCOVER ISRAEL'S ‘Discover Israel Heritage’ tour is a popular introduction to the destination. The seven-night guided tour offers a comprehensive overview, visiting some of the most ancient and iconic sights. Highlights include the Old City of Jerusalem, the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea and the scenery of the Jordan Valley.

Upon arrival, travellers are met in Tel Aviv and transferred to the Sea Net Hotel located in a quiet street in the heart of the city, a short distance from Ben Yehuda Street with its many cafes, restaurants and shops, and the beach promenade. Guests will head to Jaffa (Joppa) for a walking tour, taking in views from the hilltop, followed by a drive north along the coast to the archaeological ruins of Caesarea and then to Megiddo, known in the Book of Revelation as "Armageddon”, an ancient city inhabited continuously for more than five millennia (6000-500 B.C).

Other highlights of the itinerary include visits to Nazareth, the Jordan Valley, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, Masada and Bethlehem.

Prices lead in at £1,399 per person in July and September and from £1,499 in August, including flights from Gatwick or Manchester, breakfast accommodation and all excursions and entry fees.

For details or to book call 020-7407 2111 or visit www.discoverisrael.co.uk

THE NORMAN in Tel Aviv is set to open this month. Located near Rothschild Boulevard in the heart of the White City, the new hotel comprises two restored buildings - No 23 Nachmani Street, built in the Electric style with Renaissance influences and No 25 Nachmani Street, a grand modernist building with clean lines and wooden shutters which serve to capture the essence of the 1920s.

Explore promotes Holy Land tour plus Prophets & Petra option EXPLORE IS highlighting its eight-day Holy Land tour which explores some of the greatest cultural and religious sites.

Guests can roam through the narrow streets of the Old City of Jerusalem and visit the Church of the Nativity and the Wailing Wall.

Other highlights include taking a dip in the Dead Sea, enjoying local Bedouin hospitality and taking a cable car to the sky fortress of Masada.

Prices lead in at £1,455 per person

including flights, five nights' hotel and two nights' kibbutz accommodation with breakfast, two dinners, transport and the services of a driver and tour leader.

The operator is also featuring an eight-night Prophets And Petra itinerary which visits the historical and cultural sites of Jordan and Israel.

Guests will explore the Negev Desert, Wadi Rum and visit ancient Jerash and Bethlehem. Highlights include walking through the historic streets of Jerusalem

and rock-cut tombs at Petra, spending the night at a kibbutz and camping out under the stars in Wadi Rum. Prices start from £1,565 including flights, eight nights' hotel, one night camping and one night kibbutz accommodation with breakfast, two dinners, transport and the services of a driver, tour leader, local guides and camp crew.

For further information or to book visit www.explore.co.uk or call 0844-499 0901.

Nine-day 'Best of Israel' trip from £1,599 per person from Trafalgar TRAFALGAR IS offering a nine-day Best of Israel itinerary that takes in some of the country’s most historic sites with an in-depth exploration of the country’s rich and interesting heritage.

The itinerary begins in Jerusalem where guests will get a view of the Old City from the Mount of Olives and visit the tomb of King David on Mount Zion. There is also the chance to get a glimpse of the room where the Last Supper took place near Zion Gate, while a walk through the Jewish Quarter allows for a visit to the Wailing Wall and Dome of the Rock.

Travelling to the Dead Sea, guests will ride a cable car to the ancient fortress where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans, before an exploration of the excavations of Herod’s Place. Guests will also get the chance to float on the waters of the Dead Sea in the evening.

A tour of Yad Vesham is next on the agenda for an emotive visit to this memorial commemorating the

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World War II martyrs, followed by a journey through the Jordan Valley to bring guests to Kibbutz for the next part of the trip. There are more iconic sights to be seen including a visit to the ‘chariot city’ of Megiddo to see the excavation of Solomon’s Stables, the greatly revered Church of the Annunciation at Nazareth and the old synagogue at Capernaum, the old town of Jesus, before heading on to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount.

Guests will also visit the Jewish holy city of Tzfat before exploring the underground Crusaders City of Acre, admire the views of the Bahai Shrine and visit the Persian Gardens at Haifa. The final stop is Tel Aviv to visit its famous flea market and museums.

Prices for the trip lead in at £1,599 per person, including eight nights’ breakfast accommodation, three additional meals, sightseeing and the service of a travel director throughout.

For more information visit www.trafalgar.com

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Dan Hotels Israel Where pleasure is a way of life Gorgeous beaches Thrilling destinations Endless sunshine Discover the ongoing pleasures of a Dan Hotel vacation. Whether it’s the legendary King David in Jerusalem or resort hotels on the Mediterranean and Red Sea, every Dan hotel is a landmark destination that reflects the spirit of its surroundings. And thanks to our wide range of locations, the options are endless for enjoying the beauty, history and diversity of Israel.

For information & reservations, please call your travel agent or ISRAEL: "Call Dan" Reservation Center: 972-3-5202552 Toll Free from: UK, Germany, France, Belgium: 00-800-326-4635

King David, Jerusalem

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Dan Carmel, Haifa

Dan Panorama Tel Aviv

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Dan Boutique, Jerusalem

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Dan Accadia, Herzliya-on-Sea

Dan Panorama Jerusalem

Dan Gardens, Ashkelon

Dan Gardens, Haifa

CONNECT WITH US ON

Dan Hotels Israel

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g n i g a k c a p dynamic Holiday Extras boosts range of add-on options for agents to promote HOLIDAY EXTRAS is continuing to develop more add-on options for agents to sell.

They include a prepaid currency card for £10 which can be loaded with money before setting off and then used like a debit card anywhere that accepts Mastercard. It can also be used to take out local currency and it’s possible to add more money on the card while away.

A baby supply pack from Jowsa, delivered to destinations including France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the Greek islands, the Canary islands and the Balearic islands, is also available from £34.99.

Other add-ons include a HomingPin for £9.99, which allows travellers to trace their luggage if it becomes lost and a Combi Sim with a £20 credit from £22.95, which allows travellers to insert the sim into their phone for their holiday to receive

discounted rates on calls and texts.

The company's head of partnerships, James Lewis, said: “Agents can add value to their customers’ holiday and earn extra by offering little upgrades and add-ons that really do add up. Upgrades can be booked as a bolt-on to an airport hotel or parking booking and are easily accessed as a part of the booking flow."

Meanwhile, the company is advising holidaymakers to book Meet and Greet parking with a reputable supplier and not to be discouraged because of the handful of rogue operators who have recently hit the headlines.

To ensure peace of mind before booking Meet and Greet, the company advises travellers to check the company’s credentials; length of trading, quality and quantity of customer reviews and their broader reputation for customer service.

New website launch from Dusit International IN AN effort to boost user engagement and update its online presence, Dusit International has revamped its website, complete with a more user-friendly design and easier navigation system.

The visually-driven website offers high-impact imagery that showcases the company's international properties throughout Thailand, the Philippines, the Middle East, India, China and the Maldives.

Focusing on key source markets, phase two of the website revamp will see localised versions of the website in Arabic, Chinese, German, Japanese, Russian and Thai languages.

For more information visit www.dusit.com

HOTELBEDS HAS announced that the Mediterranean tops its European travel bookings for this summer, with Spain, Greece, Turkey, Italy and Portugal among the top five most popular destinations. The company reports that Spain is the most important destination in Europe in terms of room night bookings, with a 23% increase in reservations for this season, followed by Greece and Turkey, which are the fastest growing destinations in Europe. UK travellers are the main source market for the top five destinations, having increased their bookings in all of the five most visited countries for this summer.

For details visit www.hotelbeds.com

SuperBreak offers tours for Manchester City FC Stadium & Club SUPERBREAK IS now selling tours for Manchester City Football Club super fans which includes a stadium and club tour.

Guests can peek behind the scenes at the Etihad Stadium with a 20-minute self-guided tour and the opportunity to explore the club’s history and future plans through interactive and memorabilia displays.

A professional guide will also take guests on a 70minute journey through the inner sanctum of the stadium with access to the press conference area,

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warm-up area, home team changing rooms, the player’s tunnel and the manager’s dugout and pitch side.

As a parting gift, all guests on the tour will receive a souvenir club lanyard, membership to the MCFC supporters’ club and a 10% discount in the club shop and hospitality.

Prices start from £14 per person, commissionable to agents, and the tour can be added to any hotel booking.

For more information see www.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871-221 4444.

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dynamicpackaging Luggage Mule updates consumer message following results of customer research THE HOME to hotel luggage delivery service, Luggage Mule is changing its consumer messaging, following research carried out on its first 1,000 plus customers.

The company’s managing director, Jordan Makin, said: “We were keen to understand why our average customer booking was for just one bag, with 43% of customers choosing the 20kg weight, which they could have carried on the aircraft at a similar cost to our service.

Initially, we had expected the uptake on higher weights such as our 25kg (24%) and 30kg allowances (33%) to dominate, so we suspected the use of airlines’ free hand luggage allowances had been impacting uptake. We therefore created a simple four question email survey to explore the topic.”

The survey found that 82% of the company’s leisure customers were also taking one item of hand luggage each, and the reasons for this varied.

Makin said: “The largest percentage of customers (43%) appear to be sending

their heavy items ahead with Luggage Mule whilst using their free hand luggage allowance to pack the last minute items they either wish to use in the UK before they travel or did not think about packing three days ahead of departure, which is when their main bags are collected by us.

“Surprisingly, just 28% of customers said they used hand luggage as a way of reducing the cost of taking their luggage on holiday, even though doing so gives a couple an extra 20kg allowance, which equates to one free hold bag. We were disappointed to see that 22% of customers carried hand luggage to ensure that they had clothing for the first day of their holiday, just in case our delivery service did not arrive on time, despite the operational procedure of guaranteed delivery the day prior to the customers’ arrival.

“It’s clear that a key restrictor on uptake of the service at the moment is consumer confidence. However, with our 99.6% delivery success rate (0.4% deliveries arriving before 12 noon on the

customer’s arrival date) that we have achieved to date and our 100% customer satisfaction level that we have scored on Feefo, we feel these two factors will be powerful tools to over come this fear in the next year.”

Having spent time analysing the survey results, the company has decided to reposition itself away from being an “alternative” to airline luggage services, to being a cost effective “complement” to airline hand luggage.

Makin said: “We are now actively encouraging the use of the airlines’ free hand luggage allowance for the last minute packing of clothes and toiletries, with customers just sending one 30kg bag ahead with all the heavier items they do not necessarily use in every day life.

This gives the customer a highly cost effective way to cut out the hassle of taking luggage to airports, an average of 40kg of luggage per person, and will save them on average two hours plus off their whole journey time.”

For details see www.luggagemule.co.uk

Jetset adds the ‘WOW’ to its new look Package Pal system FOR THE past few weeks, Jetset has been asking the trade the cryptic questions 'Where is the WOW?’ and ‘When is the WOW?’, and the company has announced that the 'WOW' has now been added to its new look Package Pal. Package Pal, which provides fully flexible, fully ATOL protected packages was launched a few years ago and, since then, the company has been gathering feedback on the system. At the start of the year, a window in the JETS development schedule was identified and the company decided it was time to give Package Pal an extreme makeover.

The company's sales director, Adrian Smyth, said: "The system has gone through three months of extensive styling - it looks fantastic and fits better with the mix of business booked through Package Pal. The initial design had a very definite market in mind –

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European Beach. Although the system is brilliant for flexible European beach breaks with the full suite of low-cost airlines powering great flight options, the truth is that the majority of bookings coming through are of a long-haul nature and the look didn’t properly reflect this.

"But it isn’t just new colours that are giving it the wow – it’s the very clever use of maps to home in on certain areas and landmarks. Take Manhattan, you can move the map to Times Square or Wall street and pinpoint hotels within the vicinity as the system keeps up with the roaming map. It’s a fantastic use of technology that we are seeing on the new Ryanair website and some other major players in the B2C arena – agents should have the same tools at their disposal and typically we are innovating on their behalf."

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dynamicpackaging We asked our staff the following question this week: What’s one thing you’d rather pay someone to do than do yourself?

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Clean our fish tank, empty the bins and ironing

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Do the ironing AND put the clothes away

Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk Painting and decorating - I'm too impatient and messy

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Someone's going to say "Answer these questions" but me? Queue for check-in, passport control, security, supermarkets - you name it...

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Plan my holiday for me

Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk My laundry

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk Boring stuff like washing up etc.

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk Singing ‘spice up your life’ everytime I walk into the office

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@travelbulletin.co.uk Answer these questions

Sales Executive: Matt Gill matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk

GARAGED.COM, A Meet and Greet service operating at Gatwick and Heathrow, is offering 10% commission to travel agents. Cars are parked in a secure facility and travellers can choose from a selection of car care and refurbishment services including valeting and servicing. Parking starts from £20 a day for up to five days and £10 per day thereafter.

Hat-trick offer from APH as World Cup football fever reaches boiling point WITH FOOTBALL fever now in full swing for the World Cup in Brazil, football fans planning to travel to Rio (or anywhere where they plan to watch the competition) can avoid expensive taxis and over-crowded trains with a 20% discount on airport parking, available with Airport Parking and Hotels (APH).

The offer is available for travel up to July 31 for passengers flying from Birmingham, Gatwick and Manchester airports.

Examples of prices with the 20% saving include one week’s airport parking at Birmingham from £31.94; a week's parking at Manchester from £38.34; and a week's parking at Gatwick from £55.11.

Customers can choose from off-airport parking at APH-owned car parks including 24-hour complimentary transfers to all terminals, or Meet and Greet service parking where a chauffeur meets customers directly at the airport terminal. To receive the discount, agents should visit www.aph.com/worldcup or call 0844-871 7521 and quote 'WC14'.

Wait at the bar to order me some beers!

Senior Designer: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@travelbulletin.co.uk A personal chef would be amazing

Assistant Designer: Lee Telot lee.telot@travelbulletin.co.uk Save the world

Production: Erica Sesay production@travelbulletin.co.uk Go to the gym for me

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 £125 p.a. £195 overseas ISSN: 0956-2419

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June 6 2014

AW offers 'three for the price of one' at Atlantis The Palm CUSTOMERS WHO purchase a ticket for the Aquaventure Waterpark at the Atlantis Palm in Dubai with Attraction World will receive free entry to the Lost Chambers Aquarium plus a free meal.

Guests can choose from a range of dining experiences at the waterpark including a selection of burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, shawarmas, chicken and fries. There are more than 15 meals to choose from at the two restaurants on site - Shark Bites and Barracudas, and all meals come with a fountain soda or a bottle of water.

The offer is valid for visits up until July 24.

For more information see www.attractionworld.com

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. THOMAS COOK, 5. BERGAMO, 6. SPAIN, 7. SAT, 9. GIB, 10. AMS, 11. EPSOM, 12. LINCOLN, 14. MALEFICENT. Down: 1. TUNISIA, 2. ORLEANS, 3. CARIBBEAN, 4. KLM, 5. BANGALORE, 7. SISTINE, 8. TIME OUT, 13. IOM.

Highlighted Word: CAPRI Travagrams: (top) Warner Leisure Hotels

(bottom) British Airways

Where Am I?: Benidorm

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Choo choo choose Airports by Rail

Remember to ask:

“ How are you getting to the airport?” to all your customers.

Did you know that half the customers arriving at airports don’t travel by car?

Let Holiday Extras help you tailor your customer’s holiday (and increase your own earnings) by offering them a car-free alternative - Airports by Rail.

Glasgow

Newcastle

Manchester

Birmingham

Luton

Stansted

Heathrow

Your customers can use these tickets at the top 8 airports in the UK.

Gatwick

You’re on the right track with our rail product: • Your customers get 20%* off the price when they pre-book their tickets • You can earn an average of £13 commission on each booking • You can take advantage of cheap travel to the airport too, with a 10% discount!

If you’d like to know more or book, please visit:

To start selling Holiday Extras products please visit:

www.HolidayExtras.com/railtravel

www.HolidayExtras.com/startselling

*Full terms and conditions apply. Up to 20% saving excludes advance purchase tickets. Return journey must be more than 72 hours after the outbound journey. Customers must be travelling overseas.

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