Travel Bulletin 6th July 2012

TB0607 2012 Cover_TB Front Cover.qxd 04/07/2012 11:14 Page 1

July 6 2012 | ISSUE NO 1,786 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Pacific Islands

Samoa introduces ÂŁ200 shopping voucher incentive for agents this week agent bulletin 9

win an all-inclusive seven-night holiday to Sharm el Sheikh

13

agent review find out what one travel agent thought of her trip to Alton Towers weddings & honeymoons new research finds destination weddings increasingly popular for Brits

18

21

spain operators respond to demand by adding new products & destinations

S01 TB0607 Start_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:15 Page 2

For all the latest information, and for your chance to win a Kindle visit our trade site

www.orlandoflexticket.co.uk/trade HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s12) *The Orlando FlexTicket Plus is valid for fourteen (14) consecutive days of unlimited access to Universal Studios, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, Wet ‘n Wild – Orlando, Aquatica and Busch Gardens during regular theme park operating hours.

Not valid for separately ticketed special events. For terms and conditions please see www.orlandoflexticket.co.uk/trade © 2012 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved. © 2012 Wet ‘n Wild Orlando. All rights reserved. THE SIMPSONS RIDE TM Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. The Simpsons TM & © 2012 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2012 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

S01 TB0607 Start_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:15 Page 3

newsbulletin

This Week news 3

Cover Pictures: Main - Samoa Tourism Authority

Inset - Reefs Hotel & Club, Bermuda

a round-up of industry reports, trends & new offers

8

notes from normanton

9

agent bulletin

10

hotel bulletin

11

puzzle bulletin

13

agent review

15

pacific islands

18

weddings & honeymoons

21

spain

find out what the owner of Sandy Travel has been up to lately win an all-inclusive sevennight holiday to Sharm el Sheikh survey reveals hotel development takes off in Sub Saharan Africa you could win a £50 Hotel Chocolat voucher by playing Su Doku find out what one travel agent thought of her trip to Alton Towers Samoa introduces £200 shopping voucher incentive for agents new research finds destination weddings increasingly popular for Brits operators respond to demand by adding new products & destinations

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED...taking part in a Sandals and Beaches Training Academy (SABTA) hosted in Canterbury are, from the left: (back row): Camilla Brooker, Thomson in Faversham; Kelly Trice, Thomas Cook, Hempstead Valley; Lizzie Warner, Thomas Cook, Broadstairs; Jemma Barrett, Thomas Cook, Hearne Bay; Helen Jacobs, Virgin Holidays, Maidstone and Sash Robinson, Virgin Holidays Westwood Cross, Broadstairs; with (front row) Peter Phelan, Virgin Canterbury; Grace Down, Virgin, Maidstone; Leanne Turnidge, Virgin Holidays, Westwood Cross, Broadstairs; and Judith Chaney, First Choice ,Canterbury.

Brits choose holidays in the UK to allow more breaks away A SURVEY of more than 2,500 respondents has found many Brits would rather holiday in the UK and Ireland than go abroad.

The survey conducted by car hire comparator Carrentals.co.uk, found that nearly a third of respondents chose the UK and Ireland as their favourite holiday destination, despite the wide selection of locations to pick from, including France, Turkey, Portugal and Egypt. Spain is the second most popular destination, preferred by 16% of holidaymakers.

A recent poll by the company also found that many Brits are planning more holidays this year compared to 2011, with nearly 50% of respondents budgeting for extra holidays despite the poor economy. Only one in five people in the poll said they were cutting back on their breaks away, claiming they will be going on holiday less in 2012 compared to last year.

The company's managing director, Gareth Robinson, said: “These results show that our customers are choosing to book holidays in the UK and Ireland in order to have more breaks away this year. When considering the national and global events surrounding the UK this year, such as the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics, it’s not surprising that many people have realised the great holiday options on offer in the UK.”

Four in five travellers rely on customer reviews RECENT FINDINGS released from Reevoo, the social commerce solutions provider, reveal that almost four in five travel customers (78%) ‘always’ or ‘often’ read reviews prior to choosing to book their next holiday.

The research of 1,000 UK consumers also found that consumers are more likely to buy from a site that offers customer reviews, with 60% reporting being ‘much more’ or ‘more’ likely to make a purchase if the travel provider’s Web presence includes customer reviews. The findings highlight how offering potential travellers’ customer

reviews can underpin a successful sales and customer service strategy.

The company's founder, Richard Anson, said: “There’s a real opportunity for the travel industry to leverage and benefit from the wealth of customer opinion available to them online, without necessarily having to send consumers to third party sites. In fact, based on the consumer behaviour we have seen in the travel industry, the addition of customer reviews can result in consumers spending ● continues on next page

July 6 2012

3

S01 TB0607 Start_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:15 Page 4

newsbulletin ● continued from previous page

●

up to five-and-a-half times longer on the site, ultimately resulting in a tripling of conversion rates. Therefore, the potential benefit of ensuring consumers can see reviews online is significant for travel businesses.”

The study also found that 78% of respondents reported customer service as ‘very important’ or ‘important’ when deciding where to buy products or services, highlighting that customer service is increasingly becoming a key differentiator. Hence, reviews from real travellers are a central part of customer service, as they can help build a trusting relationship between the consumer and the business, as well as provide information on the travel destination and service.

While the research points to the importance of offering customer reviews online, it’s equally key to ensure that these are honest and transparent about the service they describe. According to the company's research, major concerns for consumers when it comes to online reviews include:

● ●

36% are concerned that reviewers have been paid to write positive reviews 34% are concerned about ‘consumer’ reviews that aren’t written by consumers 33% are concerned that only good reviews are shown

Anson said: “In recent years the consumer purchase journey has changed dramatically and this has had a particular impact on the travel sector. Brick and mortar travel agents are seeing a marked decline in footfall, with many of those customers already having researched potential destinations before visiting or planning to afterwards. Consumers now have a host of online information available to them, including advice from Websites and social media platforms, in addition to customer reviews. The result of which is that most consumers make their decision from the information available to them online.

Therefore, travel businesses need to not just have a nice Website with high quality pictures of their prospective destinations, but also be able to demonstrate their great customer service online. Ensuring that it’s their site the customer uses and, more importantly, keeps coming back to.”

Great Rail Journeys issues 2012/13 Worldwide Holidays by Rail brochure GREAT RAIL Journeys has launched its 'Worldwide Holidays By Rail 2012/ 2013’ brochure featuring three new tours to new destinations – Kerala & Exotic Southern India, Ecuador and Sri Lanka.

The new destinations have been introduced due to demand for the operator’s special brand of ‘safe’ tours to more adventurous locations and the brochure is a collection of worldwide holidays by rail exploring six continents. The operator has also expanded the range of

unescorted extensions which can be added to its holidays at the end of the tour.

They include a nine-day extension to Ecuador: The Avenue of Volcanoes tour which is a seven-night cruise around the Galapagos islands and includes a daily programme of excursions including island visits, land excursions – such as a visit to the Tortoise Reserve at Cerro Colorado, boat rides and guided walks.

Overall, the brochure features a total of 40 tours with various departure dates between next month and December 2013, with a lead in price of £1,338 per person for the seven-day Fjords of Norway tour.

For more information or to book call 01904-521980 or visit www.greatrail.com/UK

Cox & Kings offers Botanical tour to Jordan

A SLICE OF THE ACTION...pictured marking Caribbean Airlines' first non-stop flight from Gatwick to Trinidad are, Robert Corbie (left) from Caribbean Airlines with Guy Stephenson, Gatwick Airport Authority. The new service offers onward connections to Tobago, Barbados and Georgetown, Guyana.

For details email cto.uk@caribbean-airlines.com or call 0870-774 7336.

4

July 6 2012

COX & Kings has launched a one-off escorted botanical tour to Jordan from April 18-27, 2013.

Led by English garden and landscape designer Paul HerveyBrookes, the ten-night tour leads in at £2,195 per person, with a single supplement of £395, and includes flights with Royal Jordanian, transfers, excursions and breakfast accommodation.

Jordan has more than 2,500 plant species, of which 100 are endemic, and the tour includes visits to Dihbeen Forest, Dana Biosphere Reserve, Wadi Rum desert and the Royal Botanic Gardens, where it is possible to see some of these.

The archaeology of Jordan is also explored; including the ruins of Iraq al Amir, the desert 'castles’ of Qasr Amra and Qasr Kharanah, and Petra, which next month celebrates 200 years since its rediscovery.

For details call 020-7873 5000 or see www.coxandkings.co.uk

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S02 TB0607 News 1_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:17 Page 5

newsbulletin Travelsphere adds Panama Canal tour to new ‘Holiday Collection’ 2012/13 brochure TRAVELSPHERE’S NEW ‘Holiday Collection’ 2012 & 2013 brochure has been launched, featuring early booking savings of up to £200 per couple on selected departures and a new tour along the Panama Canal.

The brochure covers European and worldwide destinations, including city breaks, river and coastal cruises, rail holidays, wildlife and walking holidays, with prices starting from £399 per person.

A new 19-day 'Panama Canal Adventure’ leads in at £2,795 per person and includes 14 nights' full board on the Coral Princess

and three nights' room-only accommodation, as well as flights, transfers, and several excursions including a full day tour of Los Angeles and a city tour of Miami, and calls at destinations including Columbia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico.

The operator is also featuring a range of prebookable excursions, as well as special departures, stopovers or ‘extend your stay’ options. Regional flights are also available on selected tours.

For more information visit www.travelsphere.co.uk or call 0844-567 3319.

Newsbites ●

●

●

●

MSC Cruises launches e-learning Website MSC CRUISES has launched a new online training Website for travel agents to learn about its cruises, destinations and services. The site details information about the fleet, including the exclusive MSC Yacht Club and the MSC Aurea Spa, and also offers insights into the company's customer profile and details on extra packages that agents can add on at the time of booking to earn additional commission.

Throughout the course, agents are asked to answer a number of questions to see how much they know about the product and on successful completion of the course, agents will become MSC Experts and receive a personalised certificate. The first 100 travel agents to complete the training will also be automatically entered into a draw to win a 2013 Med cruise for two including flights.

Agents that want to become MSC Masters will need to attend one of the line's ship visits and all MSC Masters will be entitled to special travel agents rates (subject to availability and dates) and will have priority to participate in 2013 fam trips.

To register visit www.msccruisestraining.com

Atlasjet focuses on value with ekonomiplus PRIVATE TURKISH airline Atlasjet, which has recently launched daily flights from Stansted, is capitalising on the demand for all-inclusive holidays by highlighting its ekonomiplus value-led approach to air travel, which it says will appeal to the 2 million plus Brits travelling to Turkey each year.

The airline’s standard ekonomiplus fares include complimentary meals with drinks, free online seat selection and check-in, 20kg hold and 8kg hand baggage allowance, 30-inch leg-room and free airport shuttle bus from Turkish airports such as Bodrum, Antalya and Izmir to nearby resorts.

The carrier says that it is keen to work with the travel trade and pays agents a per passenger service charge.

For more information email the UK sales manager, Sacit Bag, at sacit.bag@atlasjet.com

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

●

●

THE ASSOCIATION of Cruise Experts (ACE) has announced that its second River Cruise Expo will take place in Amsterdam on November 18 and 19.

For details see www.cruiseexperts.org Afriqiyah Airways has launched flights to Tripoli in Libya from Gatwick. The three times weekly flights, using an Airbus A320, offer eight Business Class seats and 170 Economy seats.

THE GREEK National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) has introduced a new Web-based platform designed to promote the positive aspects of Greece as a tourist destination. The new initiative also utilises social media, with a focus on three aspects - business as usual, value for money/affordability and safety.

VIRGIN HOLIDAYS is marking the opening of its 100th store by creating 100 retail apprenticeships, giving 1624 year olds the opportunity to work for the company whilst studying for a nationally-accredited vocational qualification in customer service excellence. The programme, which is backed by the City of London Corporation, will begin this summer and will be open to applicants from across the country. Individuals interested in learning more about, and applying for, the programme can email apprenticeships@virginholidays.com HURTIGRUTEN HAS announced a 12-day cruise to the Northern Lights with a one-off charter flight from Leeds Bradford Airport on February 6, 2013 to tie in with the cruise along the Norwegian Fjords. Prices lead in at £1,372 per person including flights, 11 nights' full board on the ship, transfers and taxes.

MONARCH HAS recorded strong passenger numbers for May, with more than 519,893 customers travelling to hotspots across Europe and the Mediterranean. The airline saw passenger numbers increase by 16.61% in May this year over May 2011. In comparison to the previous year, capacity increased by 80,443 as well as load factor improving by 1.47% points.

Titan adds new rail-sail, no-fly packages TITAN HAS launched its new 'No Fly Holiday' brochure featuring travel-inclusive, no-fly holidays for the UK, Scandinavia, Baltics, Mediterranean, Black Sea and West Africa, with guests able to travel by rail, coach or sea.

A total of 25 tours are featured to destinations including Greenland, Cape Verde and the Ukraine, while six new UK short breaks will appeal to the staycation market.

New UK short breaks include Cornwall, Devon, Bournemouth, Lake District, Llandrindod Wells, Harrogate and York. The operator's no-fly cruising options have expanded to Norway's Fjords, Cape Verde Islands, the Iberian Peninsula, the Black Sea and France's River Seine and Oise.

Examples include a 22-day Taste of the Cape Verde Islands cruise, leading in at £1,995 per person, while an eight-day 'Fjordland Splendour' no-fly cruise in early September costs from £995.

UK itineraries include a five-day Llandrindod Wells short break in mid Wales from £635.

For more information or to book call 0800-988 5858 or visit www.titantravel.co.uk

July 6 2012

5

S02 TB0607 News 1_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:17 Page 6

newsbulletin Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter... @ThanosHotels Want your kids to learn about social media and staying safe online? Enroll them in our Digital Workshops http://bit.ly/LPoOTy @ParkResorts Looking for a last minute holiday? Get away this Friday to the Isle of Wight – from only £199 per holiday home http://bit.ly/Mv1T0G @pierrevacances Love beautiful Belle Dune as much as we do? Check out this video guide to our holiday village in the north of France: http://ow.ly/bOeCK @HeathrowAirport Some @flybmi routes are changing terminal at Heathrow. Check before you fly here: http://ow.ly/bPTye @BourneLeisure Agents - win a free break at the new Wave Hotel at Butlins Bognor Regis, complete & pass our @traveltraining course http://ButlinsSpecialist.co.uk

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

Cyplon adds bowls package in Cyprus CYPLON HOLIDAYS is offering an exclusive bowls package to Cyprus, where agents can add flights from any departure airport with any airline for their clients and receive 10% commission.

As an example of prices, a seven-night breakfast stay at the four-star Athena Beach in Paphos departing between October 1 and April 30, 2013 costs from £200 per person including transfers. Flights are excluded and free room upgrades are available during the low season.

The bowls package includes a guaranteed minimum of five sessions per person per week; a bowls coordinator (between October and April) to organise competitions, matches, fun bowls, knockouts and coaching; 18 outdoor bowls rinks and six indoor rinks.

To book or for more information call 0800-074 8888 or visit www.cyplon.co.uk

ALL ABOARD...pictured receiving a pair of Eurostar tickets from Kirker Holidays at the recent Bright training event in Cobham, Surrey is Susie Atkinson from Haslemere Travel with chair of Bright, Hisham Mahmoud.

For details on upcoming workshops visit www.brightconsortia.com or email bookings@eventsfortravel.com

Summer launch to Tours from Flybe FLYBE HAS commenced operations of its new twice-weekly summer route from Southampton to Tours, with Wednesday and Saturday flights available through to September 12.

Tours, a picturesque city on the lower reaches of the Loire river, is in a region often referred to as ‘The Garden of France’ renowned for its wines.

For more information see www.flybe.com

On the Go Tours launches online agent booking system ON THE Go Tours has launched a new online agent booking system that features the latest offers, agent incentives plus new products and information about each destination.

Agents can place and manage all bookings online, download client documentation, order brochures, request a store training session and browse through information on all products.

The company offers guaranteed departures on all group tours (for a minimum of two passengers); no mandatory single supplements on group tours; regular agent fam trips, incentives and agent discounts; tailor-made itineraries plus add-ons and upgrades.

For details visit www.onthegotours.com

Vacations to America offers selection of exclusive tours to the US for summer VACATIONS TO America is offering fly/drives, escorted and tailor-made tours covering both classic and lesser-known tours across the US this summer.

As examples, The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll tour in Memphis, Tennessee offers an Elvis Presley tour and includes a seven-night stay for two at the Hearbreak Hotel on bed-andbreakfast, with prices from £1,449 per person. Flights from London or Manchester are also included.

6

July 6 2012

A seven-night stay for six in Sarasota, Florida at Bayfront Bliss, leads in at £1,629 per person, while an eight-day Majestic California Family Adventure escorted tour through San Francisco, the Redwoods, Yosemite and Monterey costs from £2,745 per person.

Other examples include a 15-day Southern Coastal fly/drive tour, which explores the areas of Virginias and the Carolinas, as well as Colonial Williamsburg, Charleston,

Savannah, Georgia's coastal islands, Amelia Island and St Augustine.

Prices start from £1,975 including car hire with driving directions, maps and guide books.

Meanwhile, a 14-night New England Country Inns fly/drive tour through Boston, Cape Cod, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine costs from £1,765 and also includes car hire.

For more information call 01582-469777 or visit www.vacationstoamerica.com

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S02 TB0607 News 1_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:17 Page 7

newsbulletin Activities Abroad adds new destinations in UK, Europe & beyond for summer ACTIVITIES ABROAD is offering a variety of energetic pursuits for families in the UK, Europe and beyond this summer, and the list of activities has been extended to include trips that offer something different to the usual activity holiday.

For example, in Montenegro, Kotor Valley is home to spectacular mountain scenery. Amid reminders of the region’s medieval Venetian rule,

visitors can enjoy snorkelling, white-water rafting, kayaking, orienteering and hiking, with instruction and supervision provided.

Bulgaria’s Rila National Park offers outdoor activities in a region known for its biodiversity. There are horse-riding trails, mountain-biking and jeep safaris through forests, canyons and waterfalls, plus sailing and wake-boarding at the Iskar Dam lake.

The equatorial jungles of Borneo provide unique backdrops for trekking, rafting, rainforest trips to the Gormantong caves, plus the chance to meet endangered species such as the pygmy elephant.

Trips start and end in the coastal resort of Kota Kinabalu.

Peru offers an energetic tour taking in the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, rainforests and arid desert beside the Pacific, with

activities taking advantage of river canyons, mountains and Lake Titicaca.

Meanwhile, visitors to Ecuador can mountain-bike down volcanoes, experience white-water rafting and ride zip-wires through canyons. Scubadiving and exploration of the Galapagos Islands are also available.

For details visit www.activitiesabroad.com or call 01670-789991

SPICE IT UP...Encore Tickets is selling tickets to The Spice Girls Musical, Viva Forever!, which is being produced by MAMMA MIA!’s Judy Cramer. For groups of ten people or more, prices lead in at £47.50 and for groups of 40-plus, prices are £39.50. Bookings made

by September 28 will benefit from an additional Accelerator Rate of £42.50 and £35 for the same seats respectively. Performances start on November 27 at the Piccadilly Theatre, and the production follows the story of Viva, a girl who is following her dream into the world of overnight celebrity from London to Spain and back again, and its effect on her friends and family.

Although they do not appear in the show, which is named after their 1998 number one hit, all five Spice Girls have been actively involved with Judy Cramer and their exmanager Simon Fuller in planning the new production.

For details email traveltrade@encoretickets.co. uk or call 020-7492 1500.

Virgin Holidays launches new ski & board brochure VIRGIN HOLIDAYS has launched its new winter 2012/13 Ski & Board brochure, featuring a selection of exclusive offers.

A seven-night stay in North Conway, New Hampshire, leads in at £799 including car hire, while early booking discounts include 50% off lift passes for customers booking a package before September 30.

Customers can also benefit from free equipment carriage when flying with Virgin Atlantic to the ski gateways of Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as free baggage allowance up to 23kg.

For more information visit www.virginholidays.co.uk/bro chures/ski

New 24-night South America itinerary from Crystal Cruises VISITS TO the Chilean Fjords and Puerto Chacabuco plus nearly 100 adventures on shore are just a couple of the highlights of Crystal Serenity’s new itinerary around the tip of South America next winter.

Sailing from Lima to Buenos Aires for the first time on February 2, 2013, the world cruise segment takes guests on a 24-night journey to a selection of sites in the Southern Hemisphere, including the Seno Eyre Fjords, the landscapes and wildlife of

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Patagonia, the hillsides of Valparaíso (Paradise Valley) and the birthplace of the tango.

Adventures include a visit to Antarctica, with a guided trek on King George Island and zodiac ride to view penguins in their natural habitat; an overnight option to Perito Moreno Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; hiking to the mouth of the Iguazú Falls; kayaking through the Strait of Magellan; and exploring vineyards and tasting wines.

Prices for the 'Southern Fjord Exploration' start from £10,071 per person for a fly/cruise and can be combined with other world cruise segments.

The line's 2013 complete 74-night Grand South American Exploration sails round-trip from Miami from January 16, with fares starting from £19,197 per person fly/cruise.

For details or to book call 020-7287 9040 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk

July 6 2012

7

S02 TB0607 News 1_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:17 Page 8

newsbulletin RIU to open in New York

Notes from . . . n o t n a m r o N OOKED A week in Crete from Leeds Bradford and of course I had to try the premier lounge whether you go in leisure or business it is worth it and the girls there are lovely. I went with Jet2 Holidays and, as I write this, I am at the Kaissa Beach Apts at Gouves. It is truly a chill out place to be. When I got on the plane I was surrounded by a load of young fellers who were getting louder the nearer we got to Crete. I thought oh no! but luckily for me they were on their way to Malia - where else! The apartments are lovely and there are also some great restaurants nearby with fantastic food.

What is it with the Russians? They seem to want to take over wherever they go - though thank goodness there’s not many here. Having been on a coach trip, I was absolutely amazed at how many fur shops there were on the main highway and edges of towns. I must easily have seen about 15-20! I asked the guide why so many and who on earth bought the furs as I didn't think we Brits did - the answer was the Russians - these stores are apparently near 4/5* hotels where a lot of Russians stay and of course they want to be able to buy their furs! Ugh! It is 20+ years since I was in Crete and I think the people are just as friendly as ever - and the Greek Islands are still wonderful holiday destinations to holiday in. So don't let your customers be worried about visiting and take no notice of all the horror tales of people not being able to change money or get cash out of the machines - it is still possible and prices have not gone through the roof, so encourage customers to go self-catering so that it helps the locals as well. And of course I always manage to find some cats to feed wouldn't the same would it if I didn't?!

‘Don't be afraid your life will end! be afraid that it will never begin!' and 'Cherish your dreams, but don't let them distract you from the important business of living'.

B

RIU HOTELS & Resorts has entered into a contract to purchase a plot in New York's Manhattan, close to Times Square.

The five-star Riu Plaza New York Times Square will be located near the famous theatres on Broadway and next to 'Restaurant Row', an area that is home to modern and original restaurants which invite travellers to sample the latest gastronomic trends. Another major attraction of the location is its proximity to the city's main attractions such as Central Park, Carnegie Hall and the luxury boutiques on Fifth Avenue.

The hotel will feature more than 600 rooms, along with a restaurant, bar, café with 'take away', gym, executive lounge and wireless internet access.

Family rooms and executive rooms which will form part of the exclusive Crown Level, with extra amenities and free access to the executive lounge will also be available.

For more information see www.riuplaza.com

CLC Holidays announces first partnership NEW PACKAGE holiday operator CLC Holidays has announced its first formal partnership agreement with independent travel agency group Advantage.

The operator's general manager, Max Ali, said: “This is an important first step in increasing our distribution to the travel trade. We are delighted that Advantage will be offering CLC Holidays to its group of agents and look forward to providing them with a new resource to book unique accommodation and holidays for their customers. Our dedicated agency sales team, new online booking tool and excellent pricing structure are all designed to help Advantage member agents.”

For details see www.clcholidays.com

Go

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

WEBSCLUSIVES ●

Agents can win a 7 nights cruise for two, fullboard, courtesy of MSC’s competition on www.travelbulletin.co.uk. To enter, all you have to do is answer one simple question.

Go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

●

Exclusive offer for travel trade: Stay at the Dusit Thani, Maldives for a discounted rate of USD300 per room. For more info, email: resmaldives@dusit.com

●

Missed last week’s All About Cruising supplement? You can still view it in digital format at www.travelbulletin.co.uk

by SANDRA MURRAY of Sandy Travel in Normanton, Yorkshire

All this and more at: To respond to any of Sandy’s comments email jill. sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk

8

July 6 2012

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

S03 TB0607 News 2_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:31 Page 9

agentbulletin Booking incentives ●

●

RED SEA Holidays has teamed up with Glasgow, Birmingham and East Midlands airports to offer agents the chance to win one of three all-inclusive seven-night holidays to Sharm-el-Sheikh. To be in with a chance of winning, agents need to book any of the operator's packages, departing from Glasgow, Birmingham or East Midlands before December 31. There is one prize available from each airport.

Every holiday booked by August 31 receives one entry and there is no limit to the number of entries each agent can have. Once bookings have been taken, agents need to email the booking reference details to a dedicated email address. For Glasgow email GLA@redseaholidays.co.uk, for Birmingham email BHX@redseaholidays.co.uk and for East Midlands email EMA@redseaholidays.co.uk For more information see http://agents.redseaholidays.co.uk/travelagent holidayprizedraw or to book a package call 0845-072 2477 or visit www.redseaholidays.co.uk TO MARK the launch of Universal Orlando Resort’s new attraction, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Funway Holidays is giving agents the

chance to win their very own Minion. Minion Mayhem is based on the 2010 Universal film, Despicable Me. The movie features a new story line where guests will be transformed into Minions and taken on a wild adventure through Gru's labratory. At the end of the ride, guests can also get their boogie on in a Minioninspired dance party. To be in with a chance of winning their own Minion, agents should make a booking with the operator featuring a Universal hotel or Universal tickets by July 31.

Agents should then email their booking reference to win@funway.co.uk ●

TIPTO IS highlighting a selection of agent incentives. Hoseasons is offering agents the chance to win a short break ‘fit for a Queen’ on The Sapphire, a new contemporary built narrow boat based in Rugby. To enter agents should visit the TIPTO website and answer four key questions and be entered into the prize draw. All entries must be made before August 3. Agents can also win a theatre trip for two or up to £40 worth of Love2Shop with Newmarket Holidays.

To enter, agents should make a booking for any river cruise with the operator this month to be entered into the free prize draw.

For more information visit www.tipto.co.uk

Agent offer DUSIT THANI Maldives, is inviting travel trade partners to enter a competition to name their new elephant mascot.

The first 100 entries will receive a Dusit Thani Maldives silky turquoise elephant mascot. Entries are accepted from now until August 31 and should be emailed to dtmdprmgr@dusit.com

MATERIAL GIRL...Angela Byers (right) from Thomas Cook Edinburgh Fort was the winner of Attraction World’s competition to win two tickets to see Madonna live. Pictured popping in to deliver her tickets is the operator's business development manager, Miya Gilritchie. www.travelbulletin.co.uk

July 6 2012

9

S03 TB0607 News 2_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:21 Page 10

hotelbulletin W Hospitality Group survey reveals hotel development takes off in Sub Saharan Africa A RECENT study conducted by Lagos-based consultancy W Hospitality Group has revealed that hotel development in Sub-Saharan Africa by international hoteliers has leapt forward, with a 42% increase in pipeline rooms.

The company estimates that the hotel chains polled in its recent survey currently have almost 99,000 rooms operating in Africa, with around 44,300 in North Africa and 54,600 in subSaharan Africa. However, when taking into consideration that there are five countries in North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia and Egypt), with an average of 8,900 rooms per country, the opportunity is significant.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest country by population, (and tipped to overtake South Africa this decade as the largest economy on the continent) has almost 7,000 rooms under contract, up 2,000 on last year’s figure, with thousands more in the “nearly” category.

New openings have recently included Radisson Blu, Four Points by Sheraton, Ibis and Legacy in Lagos, and many groups have hotels under construction, including Accor, Hilton, IHG and Protea, with the last named increasing its presence in the country from ten hotels to 16 in the next three years.

Other groups hoping to enter the Nigerian market for the first time, and who have signed deals, include Kempinski, Mantis, Marriott and Wyndham.

Jonathan Worsley, chairman of Bench Events, a company that organises international hotel investment conferences, said: “A raft of economic studies show economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa to be very impressive, averaging around 6%, which is twice the global average. I expect we will see the level of interest in Africa from the international hotel investment community continuing to increase.”

Biras Creek issues new campaign to target UK market BIRAS CREEK, a boutique resort in Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, is launching a campaign to attract more visitors from Britain.

A member of the Relais & Chateaux group, the property is set in a private bay and can only be reached by boat or helicopter. It features 31 suites set along the beach or amongst gardens, with separate living rooms and bedrooms.

Many suites have outdoor showers while the Grande and Premier Suites have private plunge pools. The accommodation is ideally suited to couples looking for rest and relaxation or a wedding or honeymoon.

Sunrise Marketing has been appointed to undertake a sales and marketing campaign targeting the UK travel trade.

The campaign will include

communicating key messages about Biras Creek and setting up special promotions and packages tailored to the target clientele.

A relaunched Website features images of the resort and drop down menus to cover accommodation, activities, dining and other aspects of the resort.

For more information visit www.biras.com

Linger Longer for Less campaign from Langham Hospitality Group FOLLOWING THE success of its Linger Longer for Less campaign last year, Langham Hospitality Group is again rewarding guests with savings and value-added benefits for reservations made until August 31.

All participating hotels are offering at least 10% savings for two nights' accommodation,

while three-night stays offer guests a range of benefits ranging from complimentary breakfast, internet access and room upgrades, while savings of up to 30% are offered on fournight stays or longer.

For more information visit www.langhamhotels.com/linger

THE MARTI Istanbul is set to open this summer, in the heart of Taksim. The contemporary design hotel will feature 270 guestrooms and suites spread over 11 floors, all of which have been designed with subtle Ottoman flair. There will be four bar and restaurant areas offering a range of Turkish and international cuisines. A spa, designed to appear like a section of an Ottoman Palace, will be located on the 11th floor where there will also be a state-of-the art gym.

10

July 6 2012

Fraser Suites Sydney introduce in-room yoga RECOGNISING THE need to offer today’s busy travellers a way to unwind and destress, Fraser Suites Sydney has partnered with Insight Yoga to offer guests in-room yoga instruction for every level, and the service can be offered as part of a meeting or conference to bigger groups.

The property's general manager, Matthew Rubie, said: "Our guests and their comfort and enjoyment is our primary concern and as such we are delighted to offer this service. Now, you truly can experience work/life balance at Fraser Suites Sydney - it is what we are passionate about."

A yoga package leads in at $304.00 per room per night, based on single or double occupancy and includes a one hour private yoga training session. The offer is available until December 30.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S03 TB0607 News 2_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:21 Page 11

puzzlebulletin Travagrams

Su Doku Win a £50 Hotel Chocolat voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle

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

Number: 072

May Peck

A➠

B➠ The key to this company is its park accommodation and campsites.

C➠

A Scaly Innards

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

The winner for 22nd June is Katie Parnell, Launceston Travel in Cornwall.

June 22 Solution: A=1 B=5 C=8 D=7

A little yellow bird will help you name this popular holiday location

Where Am I?

ITV comedy series is set in this popular Spanish resort.

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

Number: 072

Across 1. Parcs operator (7) 7. Spend them in 3 Down (5) 8. Capital of Jordan (5) 9. Popular Australian destination (6) 11. First name of Wimbledon tennis TV presenter (3) 13. Ontario airport code (3) 15. Family-friendly P&O cruise ship (6) 18. Lhasa is the capital (5) 20. Home of the Burj Khalifa tower (5) 21. Exercise and fitness method (7)

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Down 1. City host of the Euro 2012 final (4) 2. Flows through Melbourne (5) 3. European country (7) 4. Asian carrier, initially (3) 5. Greek island (5) 6. Scottish city, sounds like a cake (6) 10. Apple pastry, speciality of 3 Down (7) 12. Chat show host, Graham (6) 14. Independent operator specialising in Scandinavia (5) 16. Capital of Morocco (5) 17. Romantic term for passing the Olympic flame from one torch to another (4) 19. European airline (3)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 26 July 6 2012

11

S03 TB0607 News 2_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:21 Page 12

newsbulletin

Blaggers & Bloggers Who's doing what on social networking sites EMIRATES HAS officially launched its Facebook page to build stronger relationships with existing fans and encourage more people to become Emirates fans through interactions.

See www.facebook.com/emirates ● EMBRATUR, THE Brazilian Tourist Board, has announced the launch of two new travelling tools – an interactive Brand Channel Website and ‘Brasil Quest’, a video game app. The launch of the tools is part of an ongoing initiative to promote various destinations and cultural offerings travellers can experience in Brazil.The YouTube channel can be found at www.youtube.com/visitbrazil and the app game can be found at the app store and Google Play.

For details see www.braziltour.com ● BALKAN HOLIDAYS has launched a Facebook page for travel agents. The site features the operator's latest news, offers, fam trips and competitions.

See www.facebook.com/bhagents ●

GSR offers free upgrades on The Ghan GREAT SOUTHERN Rail is offering free upgrades to rail travellers on selected journeys on The Ghan and Indian Pacific.

The upgrades are valid from ‘Red Sleeper’ to ‘Gold Service’ southbound on The Ghan, to eastbound on the Indian Pacific, with travel dates between November 1-30. Bookings must be made by August 31 and the deal also includes meals in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, with access to the Outback Explorer lounge.

Gold Service offers an en-suite twin-berth cabin with a three-seater lounge, converting to an upper and lower sleeping berth at night, as well as a hospitality service and complimentary toiletries.

The Indian Pacific journey showcases Australia's diversity, while the Ghan is a journey through the heart of Australia.

For more information visit ww.greatsouthernrail.com.au

THE WHEEL DEAL...Thomson and First Choice have announced that in summer 2013 they will be doubling capacity at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) through the introduction of four new routes to Menorca, Ibiza, Rhodes and Tenerife, plus the addition of another weekly flight for existing Mallorca and Turkey routes. Pictured marking the announcement are LBA’s Emma Holliday, Paul Cooper (centre) of Thomson and First Choice and LBA’s James Broughton.

Olympic London rooms still available through Superbreak SUPERBREAK IS highlighting availability in London for the Olympic Games and is urging agents to maximise every sales opportunity by contacting their customers to see if anyone has tickets and is looking for somewhere to stay.

The company's national sales manager, Graham Balmforth, said: “I think many agents have assumed that London is full and that rooms are just not available. This is not the case as we still have product to sell. We want to encourage agents to get as much as they can out of this busy time and ensure that they promote the message to all their customers that it is still possible to stay in London during the Olympics if they book now.”

As examples, the three-star Imperial Hotel Russell Square leads in at £187.50 per person for three nights' breakfast accommodation for arrivals on July 27, while the three-star Premier Inn Heathrow costs £79 per person for two nights' room only for arrivals on August 3.

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

Pegasus Airlines launches new routes to Baku, Tel Aviv & Omsk PEGASUS AIRLINES’ network continues to grow with the launch of new flights to Baku, Tel Aviv and Omsk.

The airline now flies to 54 destinations in 24 countries, having expanded into the Balkans, Europe, Asia and the Middle East in recent years.

On May 10, Baku was added to the carrier's network, with the launch of code-share flights

12

July 6 2012

operated by Azerbaijani airline Azal via Istanbul, with fares leading in at £168.99 oneway.

Flights to Tel Aviv via Istanbul commenced on June 19 and are now operating six days a week from Stansted, with fares from £112 and flights to Omsk in Siberia commenced on June 21 and lead in at £152.65.

For more information visit www.flypgs.com

Free nights at Cambridge Beaches WITH A line-up of events this summer, Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa in Bermuda is offering exclusive deals including a free four-night stay, a seven-night stay for the price of five or 14 nights for the price of ten, with breakfast included. The deal is valid for new bookings made by July 31 for stays between September 1-30 and is available for all room categories.

For more information visit www.cambridgebeaches. com

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S03 TB0607 News 2_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:37 Page 13

MOVERS

&BEYOND HAS appointed Lucille Hattingh as sales executive for Great Britain. She will be supported in the role by Minaxi Mistry, the new UK-based sales representative for the region. ● CHIEF EXECUTIVE of eWaterways, Daniela Wagner, has been appointed chair of the PSA’s River Section Committee. ● AIR EUROPA has appointed Alexandra Sanchez as commercial manager. ● THE TENERIFE Tourism Corporation has appointed Katherine Warren as travel trade account manager for UK & Ireland. ● SIMON MCNAMARA has been promoted to director general of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), effective from January 2013. ● JUAN RAMIREZ has been appointed general manager at Bar Boulud, London at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. ● JAMES RAMAGE has been appointed assistant vice president of global sales for Dusit International. ● PREFERRED HOTEL Group has appointed Susan Devine as executive vice president – Europe, Sylvia Smith as director of group sales - UK & Ireland and Aysem Monaco as public relations specialist. ● CRUISINGEXCURSIONS.COM HAS appointed a dedicated trade sales team. Chris Miller has joined as head of key account trade sales, Graham Chuter has joined as sales manager, Gemma Purchase has joined as sales executive and Lee Millard has joined as travel trade support executive. ●

EAA promotes week's stay in France

Free nights from Turquoise Holidays

ESPRIT ALPINE Adventures is offering a week’s holiday for a family of four at the Chalet Hotel Des Deux Domaines in Belle Plagne, bookable before August 4.

The price, which leads in at £949, offers a saving of £767 per family and includes a seven-night stay at the hotel which features an indoor pool and spa facilities, daily breakfast and packed lunch. Also included is childrens' High Tea and five-course adult-only dinners with a choice of complimentary wines, as well as a free guided walk and nightly baby-listening service.

Ferry crossings with P&O lead in at £125 return.

For more information call 01483-791900 or visit www.espritfamilyadventur es.com

TURQUOISE HOLIDAYS is offering nine nights for the price of seven combining two properties in South Africa Steenberg near Cape Town and Garonga, a tented safari camp close to Kruger National Park.

Prices lead in at £2,285 per person including four nights (for the price of three) at Steenberg on a bed-andbreakfast basis, five nights (for the price of four) at Garonga with all meals, drinks (soft drinks, tea, coffee and local brand alcoholic beverages), a complimentary massage at each property, a bottle of bubbly on arrival at Garonga, tapas at Bistro Sixteen82, flights and transfers.

For more information call 01494-678400, email enquiries@turquoiseholidays. co.uk or see www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk, www.steenberghotel.com and www.garonga.com

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

newsbulletin

agentreview Melissa Bugby from Thomas Cook in Stoke-on-Trent went to Alton Towers for one night with some friends.

Here's what she thought of the hotel & theme park...

First impressions ................................9/10 It was a great theme park and the hotel surroundings offered plenty of open space. I was given a great welcome as the staff all said hello.

Comfort ............................................10/10 All the areas of the theme park and hotel were clean with loads of bins around. The hotel's surroundings were very comfortable and I felt at home.

Quality ................................................9/10 The theme park had lots of choice with rides, shops and food outlets. All the ten rides I went on were functioning fine and staying in the hotel felt like I was in three- or fourstar accommodation, which was nice.

Affordability ........................................8/10 We paid £144 per person which includes breakfast accommodation for one night, entertainment and an extra day around the theme park. Without the hotel it would have cost £42 pp, which is quite expensive and works out cheaper booking it online. But for the price of the hotel with everything included I would pay that again.

Service ................................................9/10 All staff at the theme park and hotel were friendly and always delivered service with a smile. Also, I wasn't kept waiting for anything as service was quick and efficient.

Good to know ............................................

I would recommend having the 8-item breakfast in the Towers Family Restaurant which is opposite the box office as it's affordable and offers great food. Also, head out early for a great day and book the hotel in advance to make sure you get it.

Overall scoring: ..................

9/ 10

Melissa receives a £10 Love2Shop voucher for her review.

If you'd like to take part and receive a free Love2Shop voucher please email jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk or call 020-7834 6661 with your name and contact details.

July 6 2012

13

S03 TB0607 News 2_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:21 Page 14

REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA Tunisian National Tourism Office (TNTO) INTERNATIONAL CALL TO TENDER N° 10/2012 he Tunisian National Tourism Office ‘TNTO’ is launching an international call to tender for the appointment of a specialized advertising and communication agency to undertake the design and execution of its institutional advertising campaigns in Europe, under the terms of an annual budget to be defined in advance and divided between the various markets concerned.

T

● The Special Administrative Terms & Conditions [Cahier des

●

●

Corporate bodies specializing in communication and advertising qualified to undertake such obligations and able to provide the guarantees and references stipulated by the tender specification, which are necessary to the proper implementation of the said obligations, and who wish to take part in this call to tender may obtain the tender bid documents from la Direction Centrale de la Promotion at 84 Avenue de la Liberté, Tunis. Bids shall be submitted no later than 24th July 2012, whereby the date shall be authenticated by the stamp of the Central mail reception Office of the TNTO. The bid shall be filed in a sealed envelope; the outer envelope shall bear the following reference only: " A NE PAS OUVRIR " APPEL D'OFFRES INTERNATIONAL NO 10/2012 CONCEPTION ET EXECUTION DE CAMPAGNES DE PUBLICITE INSTITUTIONNELLE SUR LES MARCHES SUIVANTS : FRANCE, GRANDE BRETAGNE-IRLANDE, ALLEMAGNE, ITALIE, ESPAGNE, AUTRICHE, BELGIQUE, PAYS BAS, SUISSE, POLOGNE, SCANDINAVIE, TCHEQUIE-SLOVAQUIE, HONGRIE, RUSSIE-UKRAINE Year 2013, and shall be addressed to: Monsieur le Directeur Général de l'Office National du Tourisme Tunisien, 1 Avenue Mohamed V 1001 - Tunis This outer envelope shall contain, in addition to the bid bond and the requisite administrative documents, two further sealed envelopes as follows: 1°/ A deposit, contracted with a bank established according to the Tunisian law in accordance with Article 10 of the present Specification, valid for a term of one hundred and twenty days (120 days) with effect from the date following the deadline for the receipt of bids. Failure to present this deposit will result in the invalidity of the bid.

2°/ Administrative documents: ● A tax statement, which shall be currently valid upon the deadline

for the receipt of bids, for bidders resident in Tunisia (certified true copy); ● A sworn declaration on oath of the bidder’s non-interference, in accordance with the outline included in the bid submission documentation, bearing the date, signature and stamp of the bidder; ● For resident bidders: a sworn declaration on oath from the bidder that they are not bankrupt or in official receivership, under the terms of regulations in force; ● For non-resident bidders: the original copy of a certificate of nonbankruptcy or non-receivership, or any other equivalent document for which law in the bidder’s country of origin provides, accompanied, where applicable, by a French translation undertaken by a sworn translator; ● A sworn declaration on oath by the bidder that they are not an

employee of the TNTO, or that they have not been in the employment of the TNTO for the last five years, in accordance with the outline included in the bid submission documentation, bearing the date, signature and stamp of the bidder; ● A certificate of affiliation to the National Social Security Fund [CNSS], which shall be currently valid upon the deadline for the submission of bids (certified true copy), for bidders resident in Tunisia; ● The bid conditions [Conditions d’Appel d’Offres: CAO], bearing the stamp and signature of the bidder;

●

●

Clauses Administratives Particulières: CCAP], signed and initialled by the bidder; A general information form on the bidder, in accordance with the outline included in the bid submission documentation, bearing the date, signature and stamp of the bidder; A sworn declaration on oath by the bidder of the accuracy of information supplied; A power of attorney or declaration to the effect that the signatory of the bid is the authentic legal representative of the agency concerned; A list of legal representatives for each market included in the scope of the present call to tender.

3°/ Envelope 1: Technical bid: The technical bid shall include the following documents: ● A schedule of references, with the necessary supporting documents; ● A memorandum, including observations, the media plan and creative elements (campaign concept, including advertising messages and texts); ● All elements pertaining to the technical and creative bid shall be included in a single document in A3 format, and shall also be submitted in a soft copy format (CD, DVD, etc.); ● Advertising slogans and messages; ● Distribution outlets (poster campaigns, press, Internet, etc.); ● Bidders shall submit their proposals in the French language in five copies and, in the case of texts and slogans, in the language of the country concerned, duly initialled and signed; ● A schedule of implementation, with timetable, shall be attached to the media and financial plan; 4°/ Envelope 2: Financial bid: This envelope shall contain the following documents, duly initialled and signed: ● The Confirmation of ability to proceed, signed and initialled; ● The financial bid, which shall be prepared with a maximum of details. It shall be presented in accordance with the conditions provided in Article 5 of the specifications, and in accordance with Annex n° 2 (schedule of overall prices and prices per market) to the specifications for the current call to tender.

Any bid which does not include the deposit, or which fails to observe the form of presentation specified, shall be rejected.

The public opening of technical and financial bids shall take place at 9:00 a.m. on 26th July 2012 in meeting room 84, Avenue de la Liberté, 1002 Tunis.

Representatives of bidders shall be in possession of signed powers of attorney, in accordance with the outline attached at Annex n° 10 to the specifications.

The bidder shall be bound by the terms of their bid for a period of one hundred and twenty (120) days with effect from the date following the deadline for the receipt of bids.

N.B.: In order to proceed with the withdrawal of the terms of the specifications, you are requested to contact the TNTO in London

Address: 77a Wigmore St., London W1U 1QF; tel.: 020 7224 5598/020 7224 5561; fax: 020 7224 4053 E-mail: info@cometotunisia.co.uk

S04 TB0607 Pacific Islands_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:24 Page 15

pacif icislands Austravel promotes add-on day tours AUSTRAVEL'S NEW Journey's brochure features day tours for four of the Pacific destinations - Fiji, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Samoa. Activities range from snorkel trips and four-wheel drive adventures to participating in cultural ceremonies and can be added on to any stay, with prices starting from £40 per person.

The operator advises agents to encourage clients to book an Island Hopping essentials package, which showcases the best of the region and allows for exploration of reef-fringed islands, lagoons and secluded beaches. In

Fiji clients can opt to twin a stay on the mainland of Viti Levu with the Mamanuca Islands and in the Cooks clients can head out from Rarotonga to the waters of the Aitutaki lagoon or in French Polynesia hop between Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea.

Flights from Auckland to Fiji start from £240 per person while a six-day Essential package, including accommodation and transfers to the Mamanuca islands costs from £895 per person.

For more information or to book visit www.austravel.com

Cook Islands Tourism celebrates agent events, fam trips & incentives COOK ISLANDS Tourism reports that the first half of this year has been both busy and productive as it has explored additional means of educating and informing agents.

Looking forward, an upcoming luxury fam trip is in the pipeline as well as its continued partnership with luxury brand Mulberry and a recently announced new home-stay product.

Meanwhile, agents can offer their clients 40% off for clients travelling before August 31 for a stay at Aitutaki Escape.

Each of the villas offer a beachfront setting, personal swimming and spa pool, large private courtyards and designer interiors.

The 40% saving means that a onebedroom beachfront villa now costs

Eight nights in Fiji for £1,579 from Jetset JETSET’S SOUTH Pacific brochure features an eight-day package departing at the end of August and staying at the four-star Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa with breakfast from £1,579 per person.

Flights are with Korean Airlines from Heathrow and transfers are also included.

The package is available until early December and 12night stays are also offered, with prices starting from £1,799 per person, based on two sharing.

On the inbound flight there is a stopover package in Seoul which includes airport shuttle and breakfast.

For more information call 0845-025 2777 or see www.jetsetflights.com and www.jetsetholidays.com

Special fares from Air Tahiti Nui AIR TAHITI Nui has celebrated the tenth anniversary of its Paris flight and is offering special rates from Paris to Tahiti with a range of onward connections to mark the occasion.

Prices lead in at £1,095 plus taxes and the special fares apply to bookings made by July 31 for travel between November 1and March 29, 2013. Fares are applicable only in conjunction with a minimum six-day stay and other conditions apply.

For details see www.airtahitinui.co.uk

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

£364 per night - the booking code is AE40OFF1B, while the saving for a two-bedroom villa means that prices lead in at £546 per night - to apply use the booking code AE40OFFULT. For more information or to book visit vacation@islandhopper.co.ck, tours@tipani.co.ck or visit www.tipani.co.ck

Paul Gauguin adds ten-night Tahiti hotel & cruise package PAUL GAUGUIN Cruises has introduced a ten-night hotel and cruise package for 2013 that includes a three-night pre-cruise stay at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa, a seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands cruise on the MS Paul Gauguin, flights and transfers.

The package is available from January 2, with rates from £4,046 per person; May 8 with rates from £4,453; July 31 with rates from £4,467 per person; and October 23 with rates from £4,598.

The MS Paul Gauguin sails round-trip from Papeete, Tahiti, visiting the islands of Raiatea and Taha’a with overnights in Bora Bora and Moorea.

Itinerary highlights include a day on Motu Mahana, Paul Gauguin Cruises’ private islet off the coast of Taha’a, featuring a barbecue lunch and refreshments and complimentary use of the line’s private white-sand beach in Bora Bora.

As part of the package, guests receive three nights' accommodation in a Lagoon-view room at InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa with breakfast and guests can upgrade to an overwater lagoon bungalow for an additional £685 per person.

For details see www.tahiti.intercontinental.com and www.pgcruises.com or call 020-7434 0089.

July 6 2012

15

S04 TB0607 Pacific Islands_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:24 Page 16

S04 TB0607 Pacific Islands_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:24 Page 17

pacif icislands Orion Expedition Cruises promotes South Pacific Golf Expedition ORION EXPEDITION Cruises is highlighting its South Pacific Golf Expedition which takes place on February 16 from Lyttleton to Auckland and allows holidaymakers access to challenging New Zealand golf courses.

The voyage, on Orion, includes green fees for five rounds of golf at Royal Wellington, Cape Kidnappers (two rounds) and Kauri Cliffs (two rounds), cart hire and golf club transport to and from the ship for each golf course visited.

The eight-night South Pacific Golf Expedition departs Lyttleton on February 16 and visits Wellington, Marlborough Sounds, Napier and Whangaroa before finishing in Auckland.

Prices start from £4,385 per person including eight nights on Orion, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, green fees, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.

For more information or to book call 020-7399 7620 or visit www.orionexpeditions.com

Debut Tahiti Nui half marathon set for November TAHITI NUI will play host to its first half marathon on Saturday November 3.

The event is open to local and international runners of all abilities and participants will be able to experience towns and villages along the course between Tiarei on the east coast and Papeete.

A ‘marathon village’ will also be set up in the Paofai gardens of Papeete along the lagoon with views over the harbour and will be open from Wednesday October 31. A number of cultural events will be held in the village and in the town of Papeete including demonstrations of traditional dances and sports, plus art and craft activities.

Tahiti Nui Travel is offering five-night breaks in Tahiti with the possibility of extending stays on other islands of French Polynesia.

For more information visit www.tahitinuitravel.biz and www.tahiti-tourisme.co.uk

Air Niugini promotes special interest tours in PNG AIR NIUGINI, the national airline of Papua New Guinea with a fleet of 21 aircraft connecting South East Asia, Australia and South Pacific to the capital, Port Moresby, is highlighting a range of special interest tours.

The airline's UK head of sales, Vikki Joyce, said: 'PNG is still one of the last frontiers in terms of tourism in the world with some untouched and unexplored areas of the country. Special interest tours are still the main focus of tours to PNG. For example, birdwatchers can see 38 types of the 43 different Birds of Paradise in the world, most of which are endemic to specific areas of the country. Divers can see pristine coral reefs and an array of sea life without having to travel very far and the tribal culture of PNG never fails to fascinate travellers with each tribe offering different cultural experiences and costumes."

The carrier operates a modern fleet to more than 21 domestic destinations and international flights to Huli Chief - Tari Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Manila in the Far East, Cairns, Brisbane and Sydney in Australia, Nadi in Fiji and Honiara in the Solomon Islands.

Flights are available to book in the GDS under airline code PX and are ticketable through the BSP in the UK. For more information email airniugini@flightdirectors.com or call 01293-874952.

P&O Cruises offers enhanced Christmas itinerary on Pacific Pearl P&O CRUISES is offering three cruises departing Sydney and Brisbane between December 15 and 18, including a new enhanced itinerary on Pacific Pearl.

As well as a range of family-friendly activities, a range of Christmas surprises will be offered onboard.

Cruise prices start from $1,199 per person for a ten-night cruise on Pacific Pearl, departing Sydney on December 17. As

an added bonus, a $100 cashback is available per cabin for bookings made by August 31.

Pacific Pearl’s new itinerary offers additional ways to experience a festive break, with visits to the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia and Lifou in the Loyalty Islands now featuring alongside calls to Vila and Mystery Island in Vanuatu and the New Caledonian capital of Noumea.

£200 voucher incentive for agents making the most bookings to Samoa THE ISLANDS of Samoa in the South Pacific are marking their 50th anniversary of Independence this year and to celebrate, Samoa Tourism Authority, hoteliers and participating UK operators are launching ‘Mea’alofa Special’ offers to entice UK visitors to Samoa.

In the Samoan language the word ‘Mea’alofa’ means ‘gift’ and some of Samoa’s hotels are offering discounted prices between October 1 and March 31, 2013.

For example, Samoa’s newest boutique resort, the luxury Seabreeze Resort and neighbouring Sinalei Reef Resort located on the main island Upolu’s south coast are offering significant discounts on room nights, while for clients that simply want to hop over to Samoa for a few days from

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Auckland or Sydney, the hotels in the capital Apia such as the four-star Tanoa Tusitala and Samoan Outrigger are offering four nights for the price of three.

For clients with more time to explore Samoa’s islands, sister island Savaii is tempting visitors across from the main island of Upolu with similar free night offers at the luxury Le Lagoto Resort and nearby Savaii Lagoon Resort.

Meanwhile, the Samoa Tourism Authority is offering a £200 shopping voucher to the UK travel agent making the most bookings to Samoa by October 1.

For more information email samoa@representationplus.co.uk or visit the online training site at www.sellsamoa.com

July 6 2012

17

S05 TB0607 Weddings & Honeymoons_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:25 Page 18

s n o o m y e n o h weddings&

EXPERT AFRICA is offering a nine-night safari and beach honeymoon in Tanzania which leads in at £3,618 per person, saving £1,024 each.

The itinerary includes three nights on safari at Jongomero Camp, three nights at the Selous Safari Camp and a further three nights at the beach retreat of Ras Kutani on a full-board basis. On safari, accommodation is in en-suite tents, with a king-size bed and a verandah. Also included are flights from Heathrow with BA, transfers, game viewing drives, walking safaris and boat safaris at Selous Safari Camp, plus concession and park entrance fees, taxes and surcharges. The package is valid for selected departures next month.

For details see www.expertafrica.com or call 020-8232 9777.

Confetti.co.uk research finds destination weddings increasingly popular for Brits FOREIGN DESTINATIONS are proving to be an increasingly popular choice amongst couples looking for the ideal location to host their weddings, according to confetti.co.uk’s latest wedding report.

The research, which polled more than 5,000 brides, revealed that one in ten British couples are looking to escape the UK to marry abroad this year and next, despite tightening budgets and unsettling economic conditions at home.

The report also found that Europe is the most popular foreign wedding destination for British brides, followed by

the Caribbean, US/Canada, Africa and the Indian Ocean. Of those couples choosing to travel abroad for their big day, nearly two thirds of brides to be (61%) said that they will host a second ceremony in the UK to continue celebrations with a wider circle of friends and family at home.

Despite these double celebrations, the report also revealed that the majority (62%) of wedding budgets today are less than £10,000 – half the average amount spent in 2008, pre-recession.

The report is available to download at www.confetti.co.uk/wedding-report/

Hayes & Jarvis launches second edition Weddings brochure HAYES & Jarvis has launched its second Weddings brochure featuring five-star resorts, 18 wedding destinations and information on both wedding preparation and legal requirements.

The brochure also caters for other types of commitment celebrations, including same sex ceremonies.

The operator's regional product manager, Katie Parsons, said: “Many same sex partners are opting to book a romantic civil partnership abroad. The most popular options are themed ceremonies in New York and Las Vegas together with more chilled out affairs in Thailand.”

Pointe Aux Biches, Mauritius

18

July 6 2012

As an example of prices, the four-star Avani Kalutara resort in Sri Lanka offers packages and weddings from £879 per person.

New wedding choices include the Fortress in Galle, Sri Lanka, which leads in at £1,099 per person; Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Mexico which costs from £929 per person; and Buccament Bay Resort in St Vincent & the Grenadines, which includes free weddings when booked for nine nights or more in a Beachfront Villa.

For more information visit www.hayesandjarvis.com/agents or call 0871-200 2211.

Two-night honeymoon packages at Pink Shell Beach Resort UNTIL DECEMBER 20, the four-star Pink Shell Beach Resort in Fort Myers, Florida is offering a twonight honeymoon package for £529 per couple, based on double occupancy.

It includes a Beachfront Studio room which overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and Estero Beach, complimentary cocktails at Bongo’s Bar and Grill or Champagne and strawberries in the room, a 50-minute ‘Twogetherness’ massage at the hotel’s Aquagene Spa and dinner on the beach at sunset.

For more information or to book visit http://pinkshell.com

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S05 TB0607 Weddings & Honeymoons_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:25 Page 19

weddings&honeymo

ons

New honeymoon experience from Mount Cinnamon Beach Club & Resort A NEW honeymoon package has been introduced by boutique resort, Mount Cinnamon Beach Club & Resort in Grenada.

It includes seven nights' in a luxury suite, flowers, gourmet chocolates and a bottle of Champagne on arrival, breakfast, lunch, dinner and alcoholic drinks, a day trip to the 17th century Mount Edgecombe Plantation including an infinity poolside picnic, a speedboat transfer

and a return sunset cruise, a private dinner served on the couple’s suite balcony with a personal butler, a massage for the couple and transfers.

Prices lead in at $5,290 (approximately £3,320) per couple, with an upgrade to a private villa costing approximately £3,670.

For details see www.mountcinnamongrenadahotel.com or email reservations@mountcinnamongrenada.com

InBrief ● IONIAN WEDDINGS is offering the

chance to get married in a 19th century palace in Malta from £3,300 - the latest addition to the operator's portfolio. A ceremony can be arranged in one of the opulent Rococo rooms, complete with grand chandeliers and gilded mirrors, and then the newlyweds and their guests will adjourn to manicured gardens for a candlelit dinner. Prices include the private ceremony, flowers, three-course meal, photographer and documentation service.

For details or to book call 020-8892 7556 or see www.ionianweddings.co.uk ● QUARK EXPEDITIONS has introduced the option to exchange vows and honeymoon in the Antarctic on the new Ocean Diamond. Ceremonies can be conducted on the Introduction to Antarctica: The White Continent itinerary and requires a minimum booking of a Suite. The ceremony is performed by the captain on land or ship and the package includes dinner on the wedding night,

Champagne and a special gift on arrival, a spa package for the bride and groom, all-inclusive bar package and a cake. Couples bringing four or more guests will receive a 15% discount and prices start from US$8,895 per person. ● TO MEET the growing demand for wedding renewals, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is offering three Renewal of Love ceremonies, two set on the beach and one underwater. Prices lead in at US$2,200 and the packages include a wedding cake, Champagne, bridal bouquet, couples' spa treatments, a sunset cruise on a private yacht, gourmet wedding dinner under the stars and a flower adorned ‘wedding bed’. Honeymooning couples receive a complimentary fruit basket and Champagne on their first night, a half-day excursion of their choice and a three-course candlelight dinner. Room rates for a seven-night stay in a Beach Villa start from US$3,430, based on two sharing.

For details see www.conradmaldives.com

Half Moon rebuilds iconic wedding venue HALF MOON in Montego Bay, Jamaica has rebuilt its gazebo which is now open for wedding ceremonies.

A 'Just the Two of Us' package at the resort combines the wedding and honeymoon and includes a cake, Champagne, private four-course wedding dinner for two with Champagne, turndown service on the wedding night, Champagne on arrival, seven nights' accommodation and transfers.

The package also allows couples to plant a tree on the 400acre estate and donate their floral arrangements to local hospitals.

For more information visit www.halfmoon.rockresorts.com

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

● FUNWAY HOLIDAYS has launched

its first WeddingMoons by Sandals Resorts brochure for this summer.

Couples can choose from 13 Luxury Included resorts on four Caribbean islands - Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Antigua and the Bahamas, followed by a choice of six wedding themes.

Alternatively, couples can design their own bespoke wedding using the new Sandals' online 'Wedding Designer' tool.

For details call 0844-557 0624 or see www.sandals4agents.co.uk ● THE SANDS at Khao Lak is opening on November 1, and to mark the occasion couples getting married at the property between November and October 31, 2013 receive a free room upgrade for their stay. There are two wedding reception options including the Floating Market Restaurant overlooking a picturesque lagoon or The Talay Restaurant, located above the shoreland.

For details email booking@thesandskhaolak.com or see www.thesandskhaolak.com

THE REEFS Hotel & Club in Bermuda has launched a Solutions Wedding package designed to help couples enjoy a stress free wedding at the boutique resort. It includes a wedding ceremony on the deck at Caso’s Point, a bouquet, buttonhole, minister, photographer, bottle of Champagne, 60-minute massage for the special couple at the spa and a wedding coordinator.

For more information visit www.thereefs.com

July 6 2012

19

S05 TB0607 Weddings & Honeymoons_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:25 Page 20

s n o o m y e n o h & s g in d wed Rainbow Tours adds luxury honeymoon to Peru to portfolio RAINBOW TOURS is recommending Peru as an ideal destination for couples seeking adventure mixed with a vibrant culture and iconic sites and the operator has added a new luxury honeymoon package incorporating many of the country's highlights.

The ten-night Peru: Land of the Incas, Canyons and Condors’ package is a chance for newlyweds to travel in style, experience personalised sightseeing tours and relax in luxury boutique accommodation, as well as travel to Machu Picchu by luxury train and visit the Colca Canyon at dawn to witness the condors in flight.

Priced from £2,999 per person, highlights of the trip include a tour of colonial Lima with a visit to the Larco Museum, home to a collection of pre-Colombian art; visits to Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Pisac; a journey to Machu Picchu on the Orient Express Hiram Bingham Train with an overnight stay at Machu Picchu; and two days exploring the Colca Canyon.

The price also includes VIP meet and greet, private transfers,

bed-and-breakfast accommodation in a selection of boutique hotels with some dinners included, private tours in Lima, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Colca Canyon and train travel to/from Machu Picchu.

Flights are excluded but can be booked with the operator, with prices starting from £790 return.

The company also offers a Honeymiles gift list service, allowing family and friends to contribute to a dream trip, either to the cost of the honeymoon or to purchase upgrades/additional treats for the couple to enjoy during their stay.

For more information visit www.rainbowtours.co.uk or call 020-7666 1260.

Machu Picchu, Peru

New venues for 2013 from Olympic OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS has launched its 2013 Weddings, Honeymoons & Renewal of Vows brochure covering Cyprus, Greece and Malta with more hotels and a range of other new venues for ceremonies.

The operator has added five hotels in Cyprus and others in the Greek islands of Rhodes and Kos, while introducing weddings on the Greek island of Thassos.

For next year the operator has reduced he cost of its three-tier package of Cyprus wedding extras: gold now costs £599, silver £259 and bronze £199. The inclusion of a wedding car increases the price by £120.

For details call 0844-499 0055 or visit www.olympicholidays.com

S06 TB0607 Spain_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:28 Page 21

spain

Prestige sees strong growth for summer PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS reports that it has seen a surge in Spanish business for summer, with a 21% increase in sales to Southern Spain and a 27% rise in bookings to Mallorca. La Palma has also seen a dramatic increase in business and Gran Canaria is selling well.

The company's marketing manager, Nicky Shafe, said: "Our Spanish programmes are doing very well this year. I think many clients are choosing to revisit Spanish destinations after a few years away. Also the hoteliers we work with have some great free night and added value offers which are helping to boost bookings.

"Our top selling properties in Southern Spain are the Kempinski Hotel Bahia Marbella Estepona and the Marbella club, both are very popular with our family clients. The most popular hotels in Mallorca include four-star properties the Illa D'or in Puerto de Pollensa and the Bon Sol in Illetas. In the Canaries Bahia Del Duque, the Abama and Roca Nivaria in Tenerife are also strong sellers."

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

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

THE FOUR-star Barceló Fuerteventura Thalasso Spa in the Canary Islands has devised a new integrated touch-screen system available in one of its main restaurants for summer. The 'I am what I eat' programme offers guests a complimentary click-screen option that lists all the necessary nutritional details and calorie content of food available and creates tailor-made nutritional plans. Rates at the property start from £91 per room per night including breakfast, based on two sharing. Flights to Fuerteventura start from £41.99 return from London with easyJet. For details visit www.barcelo.com

Shearings highlights popular all-inclusive packages SHEARINGS HOLIDAYS is continuing to feature three of its Spanish products for 2012/13 autumn/winter following their popularity.

The operator's worldwide and Europe product manager, Patricia Birmingham, said: “Spain is a longstanding popular winter sun destination, and customers continue to choose to holiday there due to the year-round warm climate, short travel distances and good value package deals available.”

Itineraries include Spain’s Golden Coast for nine days, which leads in at £359 per person. It includes six nights' all-inclusive accommodation at the resort of Salou on the Costa Dorada, a trip to Barcelona, three excursions to Montblanc, Tarrogona may_12.ai 1 Cistercian 21/05/12 10:44 and the Monastry of Poblet and

Cambrils Market, plus two nights' overnight coach travel. Departures are available from October to May. A nine-day Lloret package leads in at £279 per person and includes a six-night all-inclusive stay in Lloret, two excursions to Barcelona and Blanes market, a trip along the coastline and two nights' overnight coach travel. Departures are available from October to March.

Meanwhile, an eight-day Benidorm package costs from £469 per person and includes seven nights' all-inclusive accommodation, flights and transfers, with departures available from October to April.

For more information visit www.shearingsagent.com or call 0844-824 6351.

July 6 2012

21

S06 TB0607 Spain_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:28 Page 22

S06 TB0607 Spain_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:28 Page 23

spain New festivals predicted to entice more visitors to Benidorm BENIDORM REMAINS the Number 1 Spanish destination for the UK with 1.5million visitors, making up 40% of tourism to the Costa Blanca. The newly formed Visit Benidorm Tourist Board reports that it has been busy with UK trade events across spring as well as fam trips to the resort.

The tourist board's director, Yolanda Pickett Fernandez, said: “In the last few years three new five-star hotels have opened here and 90% of existing properties have been renovated and modernised. A dramatic new seafront promenade designed by Carlos Ferrater to emulate sea waves on Poniente Beach has attracted more redevelopment with new restaurants, cafes and tapas bars to the area.

"We have five world-class theme parks and awardwinning restaurants, not to mention we’ve been awarded Blue Flag & Quality Awards for our beaches again in 2012.”

The destination is now gearing up its activities for the summer season with a series of headlining music festivals, shows, events and fiestas.

As examples, Benidorm Palace is celebrating its 35th anniversary year, with a new season show “Surreal” launched in mid-June, which runs until next summer. Each show takes 12 months to plan and ten weeks to rehearse the routines.

The only night-time music festival in Spain is to be held over three days from tomorrow (July 7) at AquaNatura waterpark which overlooks Benidorm - see www.neptunalia.info, while the Lowcost Festival takes place from July 27-29 with headline acts including Suede, Placebo, The Whip and Kasabian. Tickets for the music festival lead in at €35 for a day or €55 for the whole event, including VIP privileges - see www.lowcostfestival.es Other festivals and events include the third annual Electrobeach festival party for fans of electro-disco music from August 17-18 and Festival of the Patron Saint of the Sea and Virgin of Carmen on July 16.

For more information see www.visitbenidorm.es

Kirker Holidays offers selection of savings for families throughout Spain KIRKER IS promoting a range of offers at destinations throughout Spain.

As examples, in Mallorca a seven-night stay for the price of six is available at the fivestar Gran Hotel Son Net. Prices lead in at £1,369 per person, based on two sharing, offering a saving of £182 per person.

In Seville a four-night stay for the price of three is offered at the four-star superior Dona Maria, with prices from £546. The deal is based on two sharing and offers a saving of £62 per person and is valid on stays until September 8.

In Barcelona four nights for the price of three are available at the four-star superior Duquesa de Cardona from £669, based on two sharing. The deal offers a saving of £111 per person

and is valid for stays including a Sunday night this month and next.

Family holiday suggestions include seven nights at the three-star Mar I Vent in Mallorca from £3,450 for a family of four in a family room; seven nights in a family suite at the three-star Rocamar hotel in Catalunya from £5,228 for a family of four; and seven nights in a two-bedroom villa at the four-star La Posada del Mar in Costa Blanca from £3,298 for a family of four.

All prices apply to stays for this month and next and include flights, private transfers or car hire, accommodation with breakfast and a concierge service.

For more information call 020-7593 2288 or visit www.kirkerholidays.com

Mallorca Farmhouses responds to demand with new property additions AS A result of Mallorca’s popularity this year, Mallorca Farmhouses has added a selection of new properties to its portfolio, with many of the properties large enough to host groups of friends or extended families.

The properties are all fully booked for this summer until September, but prices for next year have recently been loaded and early bookings are advised.

New properties include Sa Tanqueta which is situated on the outskirts of the small village of Calonge and sleeps eight. Prices in 2013 start from £1,750 to £2,083 per week.

Villa Marsal, which also sleeps eight, is situated close to the fishing village of Porto Colom and prices for next year start from £1,079 to £3,331 per week.

Meanwhile, Residencia Saltamontes sleeps ten and is located on a hillside position in the exclusive El Vila estate in Puerto Pollenca. The five-bedroom villa has recently undergone a £450,000 refurbishment and prices start from £1,913 to £5,244 per week.

All properties feature a private pool and maid service.

For more information call 0845-800 8080 or visit www.mallorca.co.uk

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

July 6 2012

23

S06 TB0607 Spain_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:28 Page 24

spain Classic Collection expands luxury Mallorca retreats in Cala Blava & Puerto de Soller CLASSIC COLLECTION Holidays has expanded its selection of luxury Mallorca retreats with the introduction of Cap Rocat in Cala Blava and Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa in Puerto de Soller.

The operator's head of purchasing Gary Boyer said: "With a host of new hotel openings and a more creative approach to luxury, mixing the traditional with the contemporary, Mallorca continues to innovate to maintain the interest of its high-end clientele.

"Sales in our part of the market-place for Mallorca are broadly on par with last year, which is a fair result given the challenging times in which we are operating.

With bookings coming in quite close to departure, we are hopeful that by the end of the summer we will finish with year-on-year increases, albeit single digit gains."

As examples of prices, the five-star Cap Rocat is a former fortress set on a private 88-acre estate on the eastern side of the Bay of Palma. The former shooting pads have been converted to luxury suites each with their own private patios and terraces. Prices for seven nights start from £1,599 per person this month, with suite supplements starting at £124 per person per night.

The Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa, which is part of the Jumeirah chain of hotels, is located on a hill-top overlooking Puerto de Soller and is divided into 11 buildings connected by walkways.

Prices for seven nights lead in at £2,148 per person this month.

For more information call 0800-008 7288 or visit www.classic-collection.co.uk

Attraction World adds Hidropark in Alcudia AGENTS CAN now book tickets to the Hidropark in Alcudia through Attraction World. Available until the end of October, the only water park in the north of Mallorca offers an ideal day out for families staying in the area and features a range of attractions including water slides, pools, paintball, mini-golf and giant floating balls.

Prices are fully commissionable to agents with tickets costing £19 per adult and £12 per child (aged three-11).

For more information visit www.attractionworld.com or call 0871-700 8888.

THE REZIDOR Hotel Group has opened its first hotel in Gran Canaria the Radisson Blu Resort, Gran Canaria, which features 189 guestrooms. Each room features a private balcony offering views of the Atlantic Ocean and onsite facilities include a range of dining options, a bar, terrace lounge, gift shop, boutique, supermarket, salt and freshwater swimming pools and a kids' club. The resort also offers visitors a range of indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including tennis courts, a paddleball court and a beach tennis/volleyball court. A full service spa featuring a selection of treatments plus a fitness centre are also onsite.

A&K Villas adds Ibiza properties A&K VILLAS has expanded its Balearic portfolio of Menorca and Mallorca to include seven new villas in Ibiza, which are available to rent this month and next.

Examples in the collection include Villa Es Verda which is five minutes from the beach and ten miles from Ibiza town.

Located in the mountains, it sleeps up to 12 people and features an infinity pool. Prices lead in at £3,332 per week or £278 per person based on 12 sharing.

Alternatively, the glass-

fronted Villa Lujosa, a mile from Ibiza town, costs from £14,161 per week or £1,416 per person based on ten sharing.

The company's head of sales and operations, Adam Coats, said: “Following a boost in enquiries over the past year we are delighted to introduce these new villas. We will continue to add to our portfolio to satisfy our clients’ interests in trendy and sophisticated places.”

For more information or to book visit www.akvillas.com or call 0845-618 2205.

f a A

24

July 6 2012

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S06 TB0607 Spain_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:28 Page 25

spain Jet2holidays offers more choice to Blackpool holidaymakers JET2HOLIDAYS HAS announced Lanzarote as its third new destination from Blackpool Airport, following the launch of Ibiza and Dalaman last month and taking the total number of destinations from Blackpool to 11.

Now on sale, ATOL protected breaks to Lanzarote will fly on Wednesdays from May 29, 2013, with package holidays leading in at ÂŁ369 per person based on two sharing for seven nights at a three-star apartment on a self-catering basis. Direct

Jet2.com flights are available from ÂŁ55.99 including taxes.

The operator's managing director and chief commercial officer of Jet2.com, Steve Heapy, said: “We are very proud to be the airline offering even more choice to people in the region - as with

Dalaman earlier in the month, Lanzarote will be the area’s first direct route to the destination. Lanzarote offers a great deal of variety from stunning beaches and volcanic plains to caves formed more than 3,000 years ago. It continues to be one of

our most popular holiday resorts and we are delighted to add it to our growing list of sun destinations from Blackpool.�

As an example of prices, a seven-night all-inclusive stay at the three-star plus Morromar Apartments in Puerto del Carmen costs from ÂŁ499, based on two sharing and includes transfers and a 22kg baggage allowance.

For more information or to book see www.jet2holidays.com or call 0800-408 5599.

Free Tai Chi classes for guests at Hotel Bon Sol in Palma HOTEL BON Sol Resort & Spa in Palma, Mallorca is offering complimentary Tai-Chi/Chi Kong afternoon classes for guests with a specialist English-speaking instructor to add to its complimentary yoga and pilates classes for guests, which takes place twice daily throughout the summer.

Gearing up to celebrate its 60th anniversary next year, the property is also planning a programme of special

events for guests.

Classic Collection Holidays is offering three nights at the hotel from ÂŁ451 per person and seven nights from ÂŁ783, both on a half-board basis, based on two sharing a classic double room and including flights and private transfers.

For details see www.hotelbonsol.es and www.classic-collection.co.uk

CANARY ISLANDS Prestige Holidays offer a superb selection of hand picked 4 & 5 star hotels, something for every client, from boutique hotels, rural properties to larger resort hotels with spa and golf.

Ask about all our latest offers including early booking offers, free half board, reduced rates, excellent child discounts, free nights and room upgrades.

Free meet & greet parking for your clients from selected airports.

Many flights from local airports‌.how can we help your clients?

Love to Shop vouchers for each booking made.

Prestige Holidays on 01425 480400 or www.prestigeholidays.co.uk

S06 TB0607 Spain_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:28 Page 26

spain Summer nanny service from Coastline Villas

We asked our staff the following question this week: What phobia do you have?

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Milk - I don't like it anywhere near me!

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Same as Chris - the dark

Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk For years it was balloons, now it's heights

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk The common old spider one, and pubs that don't do Guinness

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk It's not a phobia exactly but I'm not keen on high places/tall exposed buildings

Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk I don't have a phobia but I'm not keen on snakes

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk Wasps. Persistent, fearless, irrational, short-tempered and painful. Spiders? Pah!

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk Rodents

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@alaincharles.com Achluophobia

Design: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@alaincharles.com Snakes on a plane

Assistant Layout Design: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@alaincharles.com Manchester City’s stadium

Production: Jeremy Walters jeremy.walters@alaincharles.com Low resolution images make me come out in hives

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 - Travel Bulletin is published weekly and distributed to every ABTA, TTA & GTG agent.

Subscriptions are £105 p.a. for tour operators and others, plus additional ABTA, IATA copies.

Overseas subscriptions by air mail: £155 ISSN: 0956-2419

26

Audit Bureau of Circulations Business magazines

July 6 2012

COASTLINE VILLAS is offering a range of exclusive dance-themed nanny services for children for families booking holidays to Mallorca this summer.

Activities range from flamenco classes to disco and Zumba sessions, along with dance-inspired play.

The tailored private nanny service can also look after the children for a morning, afternoon or entire day, help them explore the island, or further their learning with an ‘education through play’ afternoon.

Alongside activities at the villa, nannies also offer a number of bespoke child-friendly trips across the island, to attractions such as the Dragon caves filled with mythical stories, which are some of the largest caves in the Mediterranean.

The services cost from £50 for half a day in September and up to £500 for five days for three children looked after by one nanny in July and August.

There are 14 villas to choose from in Mallorca. As an example of prices, Villa Olivera sleeps up to four and costs from £611 per person for seven nights during September, rising to £988 per person for seven nights in July and August. The price includes flights and air-conditioned car hire. A selection of UK regional airport departures are also available at a supplement.

For more information visit www.coastline.co.uk or call 0844-557 1020.

Superbreak adds new hotels & flight-inclusive packages in Barcelona SUPERBREAK HAS added three new hotels in Barcelona to its portfolio and agents can now book flight-inclusive short break packages. Flights are available with a range of low-cost airlines and hotels offer flexible durations allowing agents to tailor what they book to each customer.

The new hotels all include a package of a three-night stay including breakfast; the four-star Novotel Barcelona City includes flights from Manchester with Monarch on September 3 and leads in at £371.50 per person; the four-star Torre Catalunya Hotel including flights costs from £396; and the four-star Novotel Barcelona Sant Joan Despi with flights costs from £335.50.

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

Arblaster & Clarke adds new October vineyard walk in Northern Spain from £1,899 per person ARBLASTER & Clarke has introduced a Ribera del Duero Vineyard Walk for this autumn, which runs from October 15-21 and leads in at £1,899 per person.

The route explores Old Castille where the Duero river cuts through Northern Spain. The valley is a landscape of vast vistas and isolated villages that nestle under castles. Guests have the opportunity to explore the Toro and Rueda regions, before heading to the Ribero del Duero to visit a mix of small growers and top bodegas.

The itinerary includes three nights' breakfast accommodation in a four-star hotel, eight meals with wines, visits and tastings, transport and a walking guide.

For more information visit www.winetours.co.uk

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. KEYCAMP, 7. EUROS, 8. AMMAN, 9. CAIRNS, 11. SUE, 13. ONT, 15. AURORA, 18. TIBET, 20. DUBAI, 21. PILATES. Down: 1. KIEV, 2. YARRA, 3. AUSTRIA, 4. PIA, 5. SAMOS, 6. DUNDEE, 10. STRUDEL, 12. NORTON, 14. TABER, 16. RABAT, 17. KISS, 19. TAP.

Highlighted Word: MAURITIUS Travagrams: (top) Keycamp

(bottom) Canary Islands

Where Am I?: Benidorm

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S06 TB0607 Spain_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:28 Page 27

Costa Dorada’s booked, so...What you gonna do when you’re there?

Meet the locals and enjoy the ride of your life!

Show them how to pack more into their Spanish holiday with a fun-packed family day out to PortAventura – the theme park that promises six exotic lands in one great place. NEW! May 2012 welcomes ‘Shambhala’ - Europe’s tallest roller coaster will you dare take the ride of your life?!

9/ )\GPYWMZI 8MGOIXW %ZEMPEFPI 4VMGIW JVSQ EHYPX GLMPH XS ]IEVW

Visit www.attractionworld.com today 2011 WINNER

S06 TB0607 Spain_Layout 1 04/07/2012 11:28 Page 28