Travel Bulletin 9th August 2013

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August 9 2013 | ISSUE NO 1,837 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Middle East Abu Dhabi sees 12% rise in hotel guests in first half of year this week

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agent bulletin a round-up of agent offers, fam trips & booking incentives event bulletin the night in pictures from Travel Bulletin’s Far East Showcase event

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NEW! bulletin briefing Advantage explains why customer service should be top of the priority list xmas markets the latest getaway deals and market programmes

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BOOK YOUR SEATS NOW Monday 7th October 2013 TThe hee Landmark, 222 M Marylebone Road, London NW1 6JQ Dress Code: Black Tie

To attend the UK Travel Industry’s Premier Event call 020 7834 6661 or book online at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/awards/reserve-tickets Sponsors

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This Week news 3

Cover Pictures: Main - Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

Inset - Cologne Cathedral, Grand UK Holiday

the latest industry announcements, plus discounts & deals to highlight to clients

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at home with eileen

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agent bulletin

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notes from normanton

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puzzle bulletin

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event bulletin

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Eileen’s back from her trip to Cornwall a round-up of agent offers, fam trips & booking incentives Sandy reflects on events from the Yorkshire Travel Ball play Su Doku for your chance to win a £50 M&S voucher the night in pictures from Travel Bulletin’s Far East Showcase event in Birmingham

NEW! briefing bulletin Advantage explains why customer service should be top of the priority list for agents

xmas markets the latest deals & programme additions, plus market date opening announcements

middle east Abu Dhabi reports 12% rise in hotel guests in first half of year

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BEACH BUDDIES…Sales development managers from Sandals Resorts and Funway recently travelled to Jamaica to learn about the upgrades and developments taking place across Luxury Included resorts and to experience Island Routes tours.

Both sales teams participated in team bonding sessions, while the Funway annual overseas sales meeting also took place.

Pictured are, from the left, Fiona Boss, Funway; Gary Atwell, Amanda Lucas, Neil Read, Donna Brooks and Faye Shepherd from Sandals; Jodean Whittington, Funway; Lorraine Adams, Sandals; and Gary McIntyre, Funway.

Two thirds of Brits confused about tipping etiquette BRITISH HOLIDAYMAKERS are tipping too much in foreign countries because they’re confused about the etiquette, according to a report by Travelex.

In the study of 2,000 Brits, two thirds (65%) said they were confused about how much to tip when abroad, with one traveller in four (26%) tipping too much as a result.

The research found that on an average seven-day holiday in Spain, British families could be spending £40 unnecessarily on tips for evening meals alone, due to confusion over how much to leave, and in pricier destinations such as Croatia, they could be wasting £65 by tipping too much.

Findings also revealed that 54% of British holidaymakers don’t think about carrying the right change to tip, while 70% fail to learn the tipping rules of a country before they travel.

Currency experts from Travelex in Germany say that if Brits want to tip a waiter, the money must be placed in their hands rather than on the table, whereas in Italy the service charge is usually included in the bill and there is no need to tip.

In holiday destinations further afield, such as New Zealand and Australia, there is no need to tip anywhere unless service is exceptional, but in Qatar, it’s advised to tip at least 15% to 20% on top of a restaurant meal.

Travelex spokesperson Elvin Eldić said: “There are so many different rules and customs when it comes to tipping in different countries, that it can be hard to know when to pay extra, and when you could save money. No one wants to cause offence, and it’s very much a personal choice, but with budgets so tight, no one wants to be paying over the odds on holiday.

“To help travellers get to grips with the etiquette we’ve used expert insight from our stores across 25 countries to put together our top tipping tips. This free guide is available online and in store across the UK. We would always recommend taking a mixture of local currency in cash, and on a prepaid card, which means that you can pay for those bigger items on card and have that loose change to hand for tipping.”

One in five social network users likely to share data with holiday, travel & leisure sites MORE THAN half of social network users in the UK (53%) are willing to share data from their social media profiles for a more personalised experience and one in five (22%) say they are most likely to do this for travel and leisure sites, according to research from Intent HQ.

The study reveals the top three personalisation elements that consumers are willing to share their social data with the travel and leisure sector for: Offers and ● continues on next page

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newsbulletin Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter... @Travelpack Day trips from Barcelona and Madrid http://ow.ly/nuf4r @TravelodgeUK Check out our new Family Staycation Planner.

Discover top attractions, events & restaurants on our interactive map! http://ow.ly/nwFwR @EtihadDeals You don't want to miss these amazing deals from #Germany to Abu Dhabi, Sydney, Manila and many more. Sale ends 19th Aug. http://bit.ly/1bMIOGs @contikiuk Ever been to Oktoberfest? We have 10% off our last spots on our 7 day tour starts London. Bring on the beer! http://bit.ly/16lB49u @FirstChoiceUK Check out our blog to see some of the most alternative #festivals across the globe. http://bit.ly/1aMMAf2

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

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discounts (57%); Deals, holidays and travel based on their interests (41%); and Seeing bookings and other content their friends and family have engaged with (34%).

The study, conducted among 2,000 UK adults who use social networks, also highlights the data that social media users are willing to give to online travel and leisure operators for personalisation, with 30% actively sharing information about holidays and 35% about events and places they’ve been to.

Two thirds of social media users said they only follow brands they have a genuine interest in and 32% agree they have become more selective in the information they share, suggesting the high value that can be placed on the credibility of the social data.

Jonathan Lakin, the company's CEO, said: “Travel and leisure is a natural sector fit for social personalisation. People love to tell their social networks where they’ve visited and what they’ve done, as well as share travel tips and hotel recommendations with their friends. By enabling social personalisation, the travel, tourism and leisure sector has an enormous potential to tap into this data in order to drive greater engagement.”

BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS…35 independent agents recently attended a BRIGHT workshop and dinner at The Palace Hotel Manchester. The event, sponsored by The Malta Tourist Board, focused on recent trends and news from operators such as Kirker Holidays, Viking River Cruises, Cox & Kings and Attraction World.

Pictured receiving a Champagne prize from Zoe Holt of Attraction World is Sabah Ghafouri from Colours Travel Centre.

Hurtigruten to mark autumn arrival in Norway HURTIGRUTEN HAS launched a new ‘Autumn Gold’ theme, celebrating the best things about the season in Norway.

Guests travelling with the cruise line between September 1 and October 31 can experience their journey under the new theme.

Highlights include ‘A Taste of Norway’ excursion, offering guests the chance to explore the Hjørundfjord region, visiting the village of Urke before continuing on to Lake Lyngnstøyl.

The next stop is the Hotel Union in Øye which was built in 1891, two years before the cruise line began its service along the Norwegian coast Food will play an important role, with the on board menu being tailored to the seasonal delicacies of the regions the ships visit.

Music will also be a focal point. For example, in Bergen, passengers can listen to music performed by the Grieg Academy prior to departure, while in Tromsø, students of the local music conservatory come on board and in Vadsø, Sami and Russian-inspired songs are performed.

Three new excursions are available including a trip through the Trondheim fjord to the island of Munkholmen, a ‘Sami Autumn’ excursion travelling between Kjøllefjord and Mehamn and an ‘Arctic Bushcraft’ excursion in Kirkenes.

Prices for a Classic Round Voyage in October lead in at £1,398 per person.

For more information call 020-8846 2666 or visit www.hurtigruten.co.uk/agents

H-C Travel marks 18 years of touring in India with new programme additions TO CELEBRATE 18 years of touring in India, H-C Travel has introduced new tours to its 2014 programme.

In Kerala, a slightly shorter 12day Tea and Spices tour has been added to complement its Mountains, Beaches and Wildlife tour, while other new additions are in the far north of India, in the Himalayas.

As examples, a Ladies of Ladakh adventure offers the company’s first women-only tour to the World's highest pass, Khardung-La, with a range of riding and sightseeing

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featured in the itinerary.

Another new addition is Bear's Himalayan Adventure, led by Route 66 guide, Gary 'Bear' Fleshman for two weeks. The tour is open to

clients who have toured or hired with the operator, or ridden with Bear. Meanwhile, in India, a 'Little Tibet Adventure' travels to Spiti, taking in the destination’s stark geography and Buddhist culture, travelling through valleys and remote villages.

The company is also offering clients who book a 2014 India tour before August 31 a free day's offroading in the UK or a £100 discount.

For details see www.hctravel.com

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newsbulletin Cox & Kings issues new India & Beyond brochure

cottages4you takes to the seas in new partnership with SLSGB COTTAGES4YOU HAS announced a new partnership with the charitable organisation Surf Life Saving GB (SLSGB) to support its 2013 Junior Lifeguard programme.

The operator will be working with the charity to encourage young people to get involved in the programme, which gives children who live or are holidaying near the sea the opportunity to take part in activities designed to improve beach safety and increase water confidence.

Marking the official launch of the new partnership at the Devon Country Show, children from Torbay Boys Grammar School, along with volunteers from Torbay Surf Life Saving Club, demonstrated activities that form part of the programme,

including basic first aid and CPR, board skills and beach flags – a sprint racing competition that lifeguards use to keep their reaction skills sharp.

Khiri Travel adds bicycle & walking trips in Southeast Asia KHIRI TRAVEL has launched seven urban and rural walking and cycling trips in Southeast Asia.

Walking tour examples include the Phnom Penh tour, which allows guests to sample assorted street stall noodles, sweet meats and delicacies including apaing (deep-fried spiders), before visiting a brewery.

Meanwhile, bike riders have the choice of Cycling the Plain of Jars in Laos, Bicycling Bagan Without Temples (a trip across the Irrawaddy River to new Bagan), and Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, which celebrates family traditions across three generations of a rural household and lets clients participate in an ancestral death ceremony.

For further information and bookings email enquiries@khiri.com

Kuoni expands Far East and China programme for 2014 KUONI HAS launched a new Far East and China brochure for 2014.

Valid from this September until December next year, highlights include a new cruise on the Irrawaddy River in Burma on the Orcaella by Orient-Express; new hotels in Bali, including Uma by COMO; 20 new hotels in Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, including Thailand’s Treasure Koh Madsum, situated on its own island and featuring 37 villas; more extensive itineraries for the company’s popular tours, such as the inclusion of Phnom Penh in Highlights of Laos; new tours, including an island-hopping cruise from Bali to the Komodo dragons, a Cambodia to Vietnam river cruise and a 13-night tour following the iconic Ancient Silk Route in China; and more flexible tours, including a two-night cruise around Halong Bay in Vietnam and touring Japan on its famous bullet train.

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COX & Kings has launched its new India & Beyond brochure, the first in its collection of brochures for next year.

It features a range of escorted group tours and tailor-made private holidays throughout India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives, including a new group tour to Kashmir, a luxury tented camp and suggestions for venturing away from tourist hotspots.

As an example, prices for a nine-day Heart of the Kashmir Valley lead in at £2,395 per person, which includes a two-night stay in a traditional Kashmir houseboat and a ‘shikara’ cruise across the Dal Lake to explore narrow canals and waterways. Meanwhile, the Chamba Camp in Thiksey, Ladakh, will be the first of the luxury camps to open and is located close to Thiksey Monastery. Activities include boat trips on the Indus River, polo games, walking, picnics and birdwatching. A ten-day trip, including five nights’ fullboard at the camp costs from £3,595 per person.

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

For more information visit www.coxandkings.co.uk

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newsbulletin JTA launches Needacruise.co.uk

A CLASS ACT…Three members of staff from The Global Travel Group were recently awarded their National Vocational Qualifications in Business Admin (level 3). In addition to travel training, the group also offers employees the opportunity to study for NVQs while they work full-time. Pictured with their certificates are, from the left: Sarah Rose, Cherie Richards and Pascale Tanton.

Premier Holidays unveils Faraway brochure with new additions for 2014 PREMIER HOLIDAYS has launched its 2014 Faraway brochure featuring a selection of new additions.

The operator has introduced tailor-made cruising in collaboration with Celebrity Cruise Line, with new offers covering a range of destinations throughout Asia and prices starting from £2,149 per person including full board on each cruise.

A new Philippines section features the Traders Hotel and the Shangri-La Hotel in Manila, as well as Maribago Blue Water Beach Resort and Shagri-La Hotel on Mactan Island.

The operator has also added the new island of Khao Yao Yai in Thailand, while new Thai hotels featured include Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas, Aloft Bangkok, Khao

Yao Yai Village, Regent Cha Am Hua Hin Beach Resort & Spa, Hotel de la Paix Cha-Am, Holiday Inn Pataya and Centara Grand Modus Resort Pattaya.

Also new in the 2014 brochure is the Anantara The Dubai Palm Jumeriah, which will officially open on September 15; the fourstar all-inclusive Centara Fushi Resort in the Maldives; and an expanded Sri Lanka section which includes a range of new East Coast beach hotels.

Agents making any Faraway booking can earn between £25 and £150 depending on the booking value.

For more information or to book call 08444-937 444 or visit www.trade.premierholidays.co.uk

JTA HAS launched a new trade-only cruise product, Needacruise.co.uk The new system brings together airlines including schedule, low-cost and charter with cruise fares and hotels, enabling agents to build cruise packages with savings of up to 40%. All packages are covered by ATOL and have delayed departure cover.

The operator has also set up a dedicated team of cruise experts to support agents and work with cruise partners.

Wayne Darrock, managing director of the operator, said: “We have been working on this project for over two years and know the complexities of developing such an advanced system focusing on cruise.

We recognised the frustrations of agents booking cruise with lengthy booking processes and restricted flight choices.

“Our system will provide agents with access to all major airlines and fares including cruise IT fares and all complimented by a significant hotel programme for pre- and post-stay to deliver the cruise package in minutes. We are committed to working with our cruise partners and airlines to drive more sales via travel agents and giving agents the competitive prices to compete in such an aggressive marketplace.”

Tasty offer for 2014 early bookers!

FREE Disney Dining* + 14 Disney Park days for the price of 7!* When your customers book their 2014 Walt Disney World Resort Hotel & Ticket *>V >}ià v À wÛi } Ìà À Ài] iÛiÀÞ i Ì i «>ÀÌÞ ` ià v À FREE! U ÕiÃÌà ÃÌ>Þ } >Ì Ã iÞ `iÀ>Ìi ,ià ÀÌà i Þ FREE Disney Quick Service Dining Plan v À Ì i À Ü i `>Þ U ÕiÃÌà >Ì Ã iÞ i ÕÝi ,ià ÀÌà À Ãi iVÌi` i ÕÝi 6 > ,ià ÀÌà ÀiVi Ûi FREE Disney Dining Plan for the entire stay U PLUS iÛiÀÞ i V> i Þ £{ à iÞ *>À `>Þà v À Ì i «À Vi v Çt

†For arrivals on selected dates 1 Jan–8 Apr 2014 and 27 Apr–30 Nov 2014 inclusive.

Make family memories that will last a lifetime!

disneytravelagents.co.uk *Terms & conditions apply. See disneytravelagents.co.uk for full details. ©Disney.

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SCREEN SAVER...In partnership with Wi-fi specialist BitBuzz, Leeds Bradford Airport is now offering half an hour’s complimentary Wi-fi to all passengers in the terminal. After completing registration and a survey, customers will be able to use the service on all future visits to the airport for one session up to a maximum of 30 minutes per day. Pictured using the new service is the airport’s chief financial officer, Sophie Brown.

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Collette set to continue RHS Garden Holidays programme COLLETTE WORLDWIDE Holidays has confirmed prices for its RHS Garden Holidays up to April 2015 following its successful launch in January.

The programme features a total of ten tours, each of which is accompanied by a tour leader, with local guides also being used where appropriate. In addition, some departures will also be accompanied by an RHS horticulturist.

In Spain, the ‘Andalucia: Land of Castles, Palaces & Gardens’ tour includes two nights’ accommodation in Granada, with visits to the Alhambra and a tour of the Generalife Gardens, plus four nights in Seville, including visits to Cordoba, a tour of the Royal Palaces of the Alcazar, a guided tour of the Maria Luisa Park in Seville plus trips to Sanlucar de Barrameda and Ronda. Prices lead in at £1,639 per person and include flights, many meals, excursions, the services of a tour leader and door-to-door transfers within 100-miles.

For more information call 0800-804 8710, visit www.rhsgardenholidays.com or email worldwide@rhsgardenholidays.com

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GUERNSEY HAS welcomed the first inbound flight from Glasgow, a new route launched by The Channel Islands Travel Group. The weekly flights depart from Glasgow on Saturdays at 17:30 and arrive into Guernsey at 19:30 and will run until September 14.

Call 01534-496600 or visit www.guernseytravel.com THOMSON AND First Choice have announced that they will be launching a new Saturday flight to Palma, Mallorca next summer. Thomson Cruises will also be exclusively operating its cruise and cruise and stay programmes from Southampton to Mallorca, where customers can sail on its Platinum ship Thomson Dream, which has recently undergone a multi-million pound makeover.

THREE CITIES Group has expanded its management and marketing services into East Africa with the acquisition of the Zanzibar Beach Resort and Kunduchi Beach Hotel and Resort in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

See www.threecities.co.zan VIRGIN LIMITED Edition is celebrating the opening of Sir Richard Branson’s new Kenyan safari camp by offering guests a free night when booking a five-, six- or sevennight stay at the camp in September or October. The Mahali Mzuri’s rates include meals and drinks as well as game drives and walks.

See www.mahalimzuri.virgin.com THE TEL Aviv-Yafo Municipality has announced the launch of a new smartphone and GPS service, allowing visitors to tour the ancient city of Jaffa with audio explanations and video content.

For details see www.thinkisrael.com ADVANTAGE TRAVEL Centres will be holding two Cruise Champions Conference days this year, on October 3 at the Holiday Inn Kings Cross-Bloomsbury in London and on October 8 at The Queens Hotel in Leeds.

For details or to register email cruise-champions@advantagetravelcentres.com MONARCH AIRLINES has appointed CarTrawler as its exclusive car rental partner.

DFDS SEAWAYS has launched two new menus in its à la carte and steakhouse restaurants on Princess Seaways and King Seaways, which operate a Newcastle to Amsterdam route this summer.

For details or to pre-book meals see www.dfds.co.uk/restaurants or call 0871-522 9976.

Eurostar launches pre-bookable gift service

New brochure launch from Riviera Travel

EUROSTAR HAS introduced a new pre-bookable gift service giving customers the chance to surprise their travel companion with chocolates or Champagne delivered to their seat.

In response to customer demand, passengers can now pre-order a gift of sparkling wine, Champagne or chocolates when they book their ticket.

Prices range from £5 for a small 20cl bottle of sparkling white wine, £6.50 for a box of O’Brien’s chocolates and £22.30 for a 37.5cl bottle of Pannier Brut Sélection Champagne or £38.90 for a standard-sized 75cl bottle.

For more information call 08432-186 186 or visit www.eurostar.com

RIVIERA TRAVEL has announced the launch of its 'More than just a City Break' brochure, available to order through www.trade-gate.co.uk The brochure covers remaining 2013 departures and 2014 breaks and features mini-tours by Eurostar to Bruges, Paris, Loire Valley, Rhine Valley and Moselle Valley.

Prices lead in at £249 per person for three nights. The brochure also offers short breaks by air to Rome, Venice, Berlin, Prague, St Petersburg, Krakow and Marrakech, with prices from £379 for three nights. Both examples include all transport and excursions, plus the services of a tour manager throughout.

For details see www.rivieratravel.co.uk

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with

e m o h At ...

Eileen

ileen orker E w e m o as h th?

What h p to this mon u n e be

MOVERS ● YOUTRAVEL.COM HAS appointed Andy Baker as sales

director and Ranj Kundi as head of commercial. ● SUE MCALINDEN has joined Nordic Experience as general

manager. ● STARWOOD HOTELS & Resorts Worldwide has appointed

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WAS so pleased that summer finally arrived just in time for my recent trip to Cornwall. I enjoyed day after day of hot sunshine and found it hard to believe I was in England. After all, Cornwall is so beautiful, but particularly when the sun shines! It was like being back in the south of France where I’d been some weeks earlier when I took a short break to the old medieval walled city of Carcassonne.

On the drive from Carcassonne airport, my first sight of the old city, set high up on a hill, really took my breath away.

It was a magical sight and had a fairy tale look about it. Not altogether surprising as it was reputedly the inspiration for the castle in the Disney film ‘Sleeping Beauty’.

I stayed at the Hôtel de la Cité located within the citadel itself. As there is no public parking within the old city, the taxi from the airport dropped us off at the car park at the base of the city walls. From there hotel guests are greeted and driven at whirlwind speed to the hotel in a vehicle small enough to negotiate its way through the moat, the narrow ancient city gate and the narrow cobbled streets. It was an interesting ride to say the least and a great way to arrive. All in all, with beautiful public rooms, extremely comfortable bedrooms, excellent service plus a Michelin star restaurant, Hôtel de la Cité really is the ideal place to stay in Carcassonne.

The hotel also has lovely gardens with an outdoor summer swimming pool and the views from the hotel are truly amazing. The hotel overlooks the castle and its ramparts. On the horizon, you can see the snow-clad Pyrenees to one side and the imposing Massif Central to the other. It was so beautiful and relaxing in the gardens, I actually found it hard to tear myself away and venture out to explore.

The hotel was an idyllic oasis away from the hordes of day trippers that visit the old city during the summer months. Early in the morning and late in the day, without the visitors there the city is quiet, beautiful and extremely atmospheric.

I had a wonderful few days in Carcassonne. It was the perfect choice for a short break. Next time maybe I’ll stay longer and take time to explore more of the beautiful surrounding area. Languedoc has a reputation for being stunning with many castles, lush vineyards and the lovely Canal du Midi.

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Even Frydenberg as senior vice president, Western Europe and Global Initiatives.

CHAMELEON WORLDWIDE, which owns Walks Worldwide and Families Worldwide, has appointed Nicola Green as marketing manager.

THE SHERATON Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh has promoted Melissa Raffaelli to director of sales.

GEMMA WALKER has joined Newmarket Holidays' agency sales team and will be responsible for looking after agents in the North of England and Scotland.

LORNA WILLIS has been appointed account manager for TIPTO at The Network.

OCEANIA CRUISES has appointed Lisa Clarkson in the newly created role of national account manager.

MSC CRUISES has appointed Giles Hawke as UK & Ireland managing director. He will take up the position on November 13.

THE LANDMARK London has promoted Maarten Geschwindt to chef patron for the Winter Garden and Gazebo and has appointed Laura Truesdale to its engineering department as its first female plumber.

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WEBSCLUSIVES ●

Here’s a competition to warm your cockles – Frankfurt Tourist & Congress Board is giving travel agents the chance to win food and drinks vouchers to be spent at the Frankfurt Christmas Markets in Birmingham and Leeds later this year.

To enter, go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Win a £100 Love 2 Shop voucher with our Great Rail Journey and Treyn competition.

Go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Win a place on the California Superfam 2013.

For details, go to www.superfam.visitcalifornia.co.uk

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Congratulations to Donna Hill of Carrick Travel, who won a retro goodies hamper for being the winner of Jetset’s PacPal game – which was hosted exclusively on www.travelbulletin.co.uk

All this and more at:

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

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

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agentbulletin Booking incentives ●

MAJOR TRAVEL and Thai Airways have teamed up to offer an August incentive for agents. A £10 shopping voucher is offered for every adult booked on the airline, regardless of the destination. Every booking made will also guarantee entry into a prize draw. The top prize is a trip for two to Bangkok including flights and five nights' accommodation in a luxury hotel plus transfers.

For details see www.major4agents.co.uk or call 0800-035 5681.

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AGENTS BOOKING a Travelsphere or Just You holiday online can claim a £10 Love2Shop been has booking the Once voucher. or www.travelsphere.co.uk/agents (at made www.justyou.co.uk/agents), agents should email their name, ABTA number and booking reference to agencysales@allleisuregroup.com. The offer is available on all online bookings made before September 30.

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AGENTS HAVE the chance to win up to £50 shopping vouchers and Capital Bond vouchers every time they make a booking with Affordable Car Hire this month.

The draw to win the shopping vouchers will be made every Friday and winners will be notified by the following Tuesday. Agents can also claim up to £10 of Capital Bond vouchers, which can be exchanged in High Street stores, for bookings made in August. For every booking made agents receive £3 of Capital Bond vouchers, £5 per booking when Top-Up Maxi insurance is included, and £10 when Supermax insurance is included. NETT agents are excluded from the £3 incentive.

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RUNNING UNTIL August 14, Travel 2’s latest campaign – Every Day’s a Pay Day with Travel 2 Car Hire offers agents the chance to earn up to £20 in Capital Bond vouchers and up to 15% commission by making a new car hire booking. Now available to book online at www.travel2.com from £22 per day, agents can add car hire options to destination bookings including the US & Canada, New Zealand, Australasia and South Africa.

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TRAVELPACK HAS launched its ‘Summer of Love’ promotion and is giving away a £25 Love2Shop voucher for every tailor-made holiday booked to Canada, the US, Far East, India, Indian Ocean, Africa, Middle East and Goa between August 19-31. To qualify, the booking must consist of return flights and at least seven nights’ accommodation.

Visit www.agents.travelpack.co.uk for details.

Agent offer TUCAN TRAVEL has launched an Agent Adventures Booklet which offers value trips exclusively for travel agents.

The six heavily discounted trips (which exclude flights) are open to any agents who have booked a tour with the operator in the last 12 months.

For details see http://issuu.com/tucantravel/docs/ agent_adventures_gbp

Fancy a fam?

CLEAR MARKETING International is giving agents the chance to win a place on a fam trip to Antigua and Barbados in October. Seven places are available to win and include flights, transfers, a full itinerary for the five-day trip (from October 9-14), all meals and drinks. To be in with a chance of winning, agents should make a minimum of one qualified booking to Blue Waters or The Cove Suites in Antigua or Ocean Two or Sea Breeze in Barbados by September 15. All bookings must include flights by British Airways only and agents should send details (client name, hotel name, date of travel, BA ref number, the tour operator booked through and date the booking was made) to Sam by

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September 20 at admin@clear-marketing.com FUNWAY HOLIDAYS is offering agents the chance to win a place on one of two fam trips - one to Mexico and the other to the Dominican Republic. The Mexico trip departs on September 22 from Gatwick to Cancun with British Airways, staying at an AMResorts property for a four-night duration. The Dom Rep trip departs on September 18 from Gatwick to Punta Cana with BA, staying at an AMResorts property for a four-night duration.

For a chance to win agents should visit http://svy.mk/1aI9kwL and complete the short quiz by August 31. No bookings are required and the winner will be selected at

random and informed by September 9. To coincide with the fam, the company is offering savings of up to 30% on holidays to Mexico and the Dominican Republic when booked by August 31 for travel between October 3-10, with prices starting from £989 per person.

See www.funway4agents.co.uk for details.

THE TOP five agents that book the most LBA/Cosmos Summer 2013 passengers by August 12 will each win a place for themselves and a colleague on September 12 for two nights at the Dom Pedro Golf Hotel in Vilamoura. A minimum of eight passengers must be booked to qualify.

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Notes from . . . n o t n a m r o N HAT AN exciting couple of weeks! The Yorkshire Travel Ball was brilliant (if I do say so myself!) and everyone loved the new venue Village Hotel Leeds South junc 28 on M62. The food was excellent; no mean feat to serve over 200 hot meals! The entertainment from boy group The Future was amazing - they sang everything and everyone was up dancing and we raised £1,100 for the West Yorkshire Dog Rescue and £1,100 for Reuben’s Retreat. A big THANK YOU to LBIA for predinner drinks, Jet2 Holidays for the DJ, ‘The Future’ and thank you to all the sponsors of tables.

I am sure most of you will have heard of Reuben’s Retreat. It is an inspirational charity set up by Nicola & Mike Graham (many of you will know Nicola from working in Travel latterly at Red Sea Holidays & Mike is at Celebrity Cruises) - they lost their little boy Reuben aged just 23 months last Aug after a short battle with a rare and aggressive cancerous brain tumour (ATRT – Atypical Terratoid Rhabdoid Tumour) which affects only 4 to 5 children in the UK. They are hoping to raise £1million by July 2014 so that the charity can open a countryside retreat in the North West where families who have a child suffering a life limiting or life threatening illness can take respite breaks. Reuben’s Retreat will be a home from home, a place to relax, recharge, remember and rebuild. It will also serve as a bereavement counselling and support centre for families who have lost a child. Have a look at www.reubensretreat.org. I wish them all the very best, they do lots of events to raise money so follow them on www.facebook.com/reubensretreat and perhaps you can help support as well.

‘What you see depends on what you are looking for’ and ‘Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were but without it we go nowhere’.

W

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

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August 9 2013

HEN-PACKED…Superbreak has created its first dedicated brochure for the hen and stag market. The brochure, designed specifically for agents, includes a step-by-step booking guide and a list of the top ten hen and stag locations plus details of the accommodation, activities and travel options available. Pictured getting out the ‘L plates’ are, from the left: the operator’s Rosie Bowes and Carol Hepworth. Copies of the brochure are being posted out to agents while a pdf of the brochure is also available at www.superbreak.com/agents

Inghams charters new Innsbruck ski route from Southampton INGHAMS IS chartering a new flight from Southampton to Innsbruck, Austria.

The new ski route, which will run on Saturdays from December 21, will take travellers into the heart of the Tirol region in the Austrian Alps.

There are 21 skiing resorts to choose from in Innsbruck including Kitzbühel, Mayrhofen and St. Anton. Customers travelling with the operator can also travel to one of nine resorts in Italy via Innsbruck.

Ski packages to Austria with flights from Southampton to Innsbruck are available to book now, with some early booking offers also available.

For more information visit www.inghams.co.uk/ski-holidays

Norwegian Cruise Line and Belleair Cruise Holidays launch new brochure NORWEGIAN CRUISE Line and Belleair Cruise Holidays have partnered with Midcounties Co-operative to offer rail and stay cruise packages and fly-and stay-cruise packages to Co-operative Travel customers.

The brochure showcases a portfolio of holiday options including new rail and stay-cruise packages between eight and 12 nights, combining rail journeys from St. Pancras with hotel nights and cruises in Western and Eastern Mediterranean, including Barcelona, Marseille and Venice.

In addition, guests can choose from fly-and-stay cruise packages offering flexible departures from most regional airports with a selection of hotels in each destination.

The packages will take guests to the Mediterranean, the Baltics, the Caribbean and Bahamas on a choice of five Freestyle cruising ships.

Itineraries include an eight-night Norwegian Epic Western Mediterranean Rail & Stay-Cruise from Marseille leading in at £1,099 per person. The trip includes rail travel from London to Paris, one night’s hotel stay in Paris and rail travel to Marseille to join the ship going to Palma.

Cruise stops include Barcelona, Naples, Rome and Florence before returning to London by rail. The price is based on a September 12 departure.

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

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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puzzlebulletin Travagrams

Su Doku Win a £50 M&S voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle Number: 123

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

Sunset Faraway

A➠

B➠ These tour operators aren’t fond of sunrises

C➠

Gorgonzola

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:

This village in northern Italy has a cheese named after it

Where Am I?

competition@travelbulletin.co.uk Closing date for entries is Thursday, August 15th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for 19th July is Deena Paul, Bath Travel in Dorset.

July 19 Solution: A=8 B=6 C=7 D=4

Largest square in Paris.

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

Number: 123

Across 1. Family-friendly P & O cruise ship (5) 3. Modern art gallery on London's South Bank (4) 5. Kind of Spanish hotel, often located in a castle or palace (7) 6. Home to the TT races (3) 8. Pakistan cricketer turned politician (5,4) 11. One of the names given to the new Prince of Cambridge (9) 13. Part of Australia initially (3) 15. Picturesque ancient city, once Sweden's capital (7) 16. Capital of Samoa (4) 17. Wine growing region of France (5)

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Down 1. Movie, Alan Partridge: ___ ___, showing at a cinema near you (5,4) 2. The resort city of Yalta is in this country (7) 3. Capital of the Piedmont region (5) 4. Major travel group (3) 7. Highest peak in the Alps (4 5) 9. Avignon airport code (3) 10. Prestigious Massachusetts university (7) 12. Orangestad is the capital of this Caribbean island (5) 14. European airline (3)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 22 August 9 2013

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eventbulletin TRAVEL AGENTS in Birmingham recently met with some of the UK's leading Far East specialists at Travel Bulletin's Far East Showcase event, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The evening commenced with a welcome drinks reception followed by a timed, circuit networking session.

Guests were then treated to some wonderful Asian food and wine and a free prize draw...

Below: BIRMINGHAM BUDDIES...Catching up are, from the left: Stefanie Bowes, Birmingham International Airport; Richard Penny, Travel Club Elite; Mandy Haque, Birmingham International Airport; and Sam Hughes, Carrick Travel.

Above: TITAN TREAT...Sharon Tait of Titan presents Champagne and chocolates to Elliot Walker of Honeymoon Dreams.

Below: IN THE BAG... Richard Swain of Travel Indochina presents Jenny Withey of Travel Counsellors with a Luke Nguyen cook book.

Right: ALL THE T’S...From the left, Julie Franklin and Hayley Anderson from Travelsphere and Kay Oram and Louise Bradshaw from The Travel Shop hook up to swap notes.

TIMED TO PERFECTION...

Attendees enjoy the speed networking session, aimed at boosting their destination knowledge Below: THE WINNING TICKET...

Raffle Winner Sue Kinton (left) of Thomas Cook Telford won two return flights from Bangkok to Krabi, courtesy of Bangkok Airways.

Pictured presenting her prize is Travel Bulletin's Jeanette Ratcliffe.

"It was wonderful seeing you and the team last night. You hosted a very professional event so thank you and the team for organising it. So much effort goes into these things behind the scenes and your efforts are really appreciated."

Sonia Dixon, director, Holidaysplease

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eventbulletin Right: FINNAIR FRIENDS...Ana Gibson and Jonathan Acosta from Finnair get ready to update agents on their latest news and developments.

"What a fantastic evening. Very well organised, great quality agents and a format which certainly made me get a lot of information across in just a few minutes. The agents all seemed to enjoy the 'speed dating' session and my various giveaways all seemed to go down well. I ran my own Thailand roadshow in Birmingham just a couple of months and I was delighted all the agents bar one that you delivered were not the same! Thank you Travel Bulletin, I would definitely support another one of these events."

Chris Lee, trade marketing manager, Tourism Authority of Thailand

Above: TABLE MANNERS...Looking forward to greeting agents are, from the left: Nick Gordon, Flight Centre; Sam Hughes, Carrick Travel; Sam Holland, Flight Centre; Maria Calvo and Anita Skiebiel, Dusit International; and Lawrie Walker and Ross McNeil from Flight Centre.

"I really enjoyed last night - it was good fun and informative! It's always great to meet suppliers face to face."

Jayne Beasley, Travel Counsellors

Above: JOINING JAPAN... Yumi Takakubo (left) from the Japan National Tourist Office is joined

by Suzanne Kimberley (middle) and Rebecca Davis from CoOperative Travel.

Above: DREAM TEAM...Pictured enjoying the evening's events are, from the left: Dominic Carrick from If Only with Lakh Hayer, Michelle Reeves and Elliot Walker from Honeymoon Dreams.

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Above: HAVING A FLY TIME...With Andrew Hoskins from Bangkok Airways are, from the left: Jenny Withey, Jan Buchan and Joanne Kemp from Travel Counsellors.

August 9 2013

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Industry Insight by...

Mark Rowe, head of marketing at Advantage, explains why it's all about customer service

NY INDEPENDENT High Street travel agent in business today faces massive competition.

Customers have never had so much choice and so many options open to book their holidays.

When I started in travel back in 1992, travel agents had a near monopoly on booking travel. We were order takers, helping customers pick a holiday from a brochure and placing the order with the tour operator. Things have changed. Travel agents are today having to prove their value to the customer.

A

"We need to become professional sales people that excel at customer service, going that extra mile to make ourselves indispensible"

“Anyone can buy any travel product

that excel at customer service, going that extra mile to make ourselves indispensible but unfortunately there is often little investment in training and support.

directly, online or package it

Make it personal

themselves but what some people want is a travel agent for a bit of oldfashioned personal service and advice and they’re prepared to pay for it” Perception V reality

We’ve recently carried out some qualitative customer research at Advantage with a series of focus groups involving some of our members’ customers.

Unsurprisingly, the impression they all had was that it costs more to book through a travel agent.

Although this isn’t necessarily the case it is the perception. What these customers did say was that they were prepared to pay more to use a travel agent if they added something to the booking process. They saw value in the fact an agent does the leg work and saves them time. They wanted face-to-face reassurance and someone there to handle everything from start to finish.

So it’s clear our USP really is service. Anyone can buy any travel product directly, online or package it themselves but what some people want is a travel agent for a bit of old-fashioned personal service and advice - and they’re prepared to pay for it.

The pressure is on and we are no longer just order takers, we need to become professional sales people 14

August 9 2013

Personal service is the one thing travel agents have over the competition so at Advantage we have been working on a solution to help our members remain ahead of the pack. For some time we have been helping members with their business plans and offering support on customer service and marketing.

In the last three years I personally have run 20 marketing workshops from Jersey to Glasgow and helped train more than 200 members in how they can market themselves better. Much of this has been with owners of the business and now we feel we need to get to the grass roots travel agents who are dealing with the public every day.

So we have created a new one-day event which we will be taking around the country in October and November this year. Aimed at selling staff, the ‘Frontliners’ workshops will equip travel agents with sales, customer service and marketing skills. The events will be free for our members to attend and packed full of quality training. We will be in Belfast, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Southampton and Newport.

The support we aim to give is all part of a wider package to help independent travel agents excel in their marketplace including leading commercial terms, technology solutions and financial services. I want to encourage as many members as possible to make the most of the Frontliners workshops and book their counter staff on an event near them. This is the start of an exciting new approach to helping our members compete in today’s environment. www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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AUSTRIA’S ORIGINAL Christmas Market is the Salzburg Christmas Market in the city’s historic Cathedral Square, which opens daily from November 21 this year from 10:00 until 20:30. The market includes a selection of stalls selling home-made gifts, Christmas decorations, glühwein, festive snacks and mementos, and highlights include the blessing of the Advent Crown and local Turmblasen (horn-blowing) on Saturdays. Other markets that open towards the end of November in and around Salzburg include those at Hellbrunn Palace by the city gates, Mirabellplatz Square, Waldbad Anif in the south of the city and the Hohensalzburg Fortress.

For details visit www.salzburgerland.com and www.salzburg.info

Vienna announces Christmas events across the city VIENNA'S CHRISTMAS Market takes place from November 16 through to December 24 and the city is also hosting a variety of events and attractions throughout the festive period.

For example, City Hall will be hosting international carol singing, while St. Stephen’s Cathedral chamber music and carol concerts will offer visitors respite from the crowds of Christmas shoppers outside. Choirs and brass bands can also be found performing at the capital’s other Christmas markets, including the ones in the Freyung district and in front of Schönbrunn Palace.

The Magic of Advent in Vienna also takes place from November 16 to December 24 and attractions include more than 150 stands offering Christmas gifts, candies and punch. There is also a Christmas Workshop for children.

Other markets and events include Altwiener Christkindlmarkt from November 22 to December 23 (a Christmas fair offering handcrafted pieces, glass decorations, cribs and ceramics); Christmas Village at Maria-Theresien-Platz which runs from November 20 to December 26, offering gift ideas and traditional handicrafts; Adventmarkt Am Hof from November 15 to December 23, which offers festive decorations, punch and delicacies; Winter Market at Riesenradplatz, which runs from November 17 to January 6 and offers voyages of discovery for children, plus stage entertainment and live music; and Christmas Village at the Belvedere Palace, which is on from November 22 to December 23, and offers handicrafts, Christmas decorations, punch, mulled wine and Austrian delicacies.

Inntravel adds Prague Christmas market break INNTRAVEL IS highlighting a choice of six Christmas market short breaks this year, which include Magical Gothenburg, Wonderful Copenhagen, The Splendour of Prague, The Romance of Lucerne, Magnificent Salzburg and Charming Fuschl.

New for this year is Prague, which features its main market in the Stáromestské námestí (Old Town Square). The market showcases a range of stalls selling gifts, food and hot wine, while other markets are dotted throughout the rest of the city.

Prices lead in at £445 per person based on two sharing, including three nights’ breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Leonardo, walking notes and flights from Heathrow.

For more information see www.inntravel.co.uk or call 01653-617000.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Fred.\ unveils Christmas markets brochure FRED.\ HAS launched its Christmas markets brochure which features a range of destinations that have been categorised under ‘off the beaten track’, ‘all the family’ and ‘hand-made Christmas gifts' to make it easier for clients to choose where to visit.

As an example, an offthe-beaten-track option is a visit to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, where each year the medieval town is transformed into a winter wonderland and the town's Christmas Market, known as the "Reiterlesmarkt", is one of the oldest in Germany dating back to the 15th century.

The company offers flights from London to Frankfurt, Second Class rail tickets and two nights’ breakfast accommodation at Hotel Reichskuechenmeister from £379 per person in a twin room.

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xmasmarket New Year in St Petersburg option leads in at £1,295 from IntouristUK INTOURISTUK IS highlighting a selection of itineraries for clients seeking a winter escape over the festive period, including a New Year in St Petersburg tour. The option includes a Gala Dinner to celebrate New Year, a horse drawn sleigh ride and a visit to Catherine’s Palace in the town of Pushkin. Accommodation is at the fourstar Ambassador Hotel, with four nights’ leading in at £1,295 per person including flights.

Meanwhile, in the run up to Christmas, the operator’s best selling Real Russia tour gives visitors a feel to two of the country’s enchanting wonders; the cosmopolitan hive of Moscow and the cultural haven of St Petersburg.

Clients can take in St Basil's Cathedral, visit market

stalls on the Arbat and take in the Moscow Metro system - a museum in itself with its intricately decorated walls and chandeliers.

In St Petersburg, the Winter Palace (otherwise known as the Hermitage Museum) is home to one of the largest art collections in the world and is one of the highlights of the tour. Accommodation is on half-board in centrally located four-star properties. For a limited time, the company is offering free room upgrades and Champagne on arrival for tours departing in October, November and December. Prices lead in at £1,445 per person including flights.

For more information call 0844-875 4026.

Jet2holidays & Jet2.com offer package breaks to Vienna & Cologne JET2HOLIDAYS AND Jet2.com have announced two new Christmas market destinations, Vienna and Cologne, available for 2013.

The companies also offer a choice of seven Christmas break destinations, including New York, Prague, Budapest, Barcelona and Dusseldorf, with packages for three nights from £229 per person available from selected UK airports.

CEO of both companies Steve Heapy said: “Our fabulous European Christmas market package breaks are always popular and we’re thrilled to add the magical cities of Vienna and Cologne, which is host to one of the worlds biggest Christmas markets, for this year. All our festive getaways are perfectly timed to allow travellers to really maximise their break, with our early flights ensuring they can immerse themselves in the

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Cologne Cathedral

Christmas spirit as soon as they arrive.

“Whether it’s soaking up the aroma of roasting chestnuts and mulled wine against the backdrop of snow capped landscapes in Prague and Budapest or

August 9 2013

exploring the labyrinth of stalls and ornate displays to pick up an unusual gift in Barcelona or Dusseldorf, our Christmas market trips really do have something for everyone. With limited places available we’re urging

customers to book early to avoid disappointment.”

Christmas market packages with Jet2holidays start from £229 per person, with flights available from Jet2.com from £159 per person, including taxes.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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xmasmarket Great Rail Journeys and Treyn boost Xmas market tours in response to demand GREAT RAIL Journeys and Treyn have introduced new Christmas markets tours in their winter, Christmas and spring brochures for 2013/14.

Great Rail Journeys has added ‘Lille & Brussels Christmas Markets’ as a new tour for this year, with overall prices starting from £245 per person for a fourday ‘Bath & Bristol Christmas Markets’ tour.

New Christmas markets tours from Treyn include ‘Christmas Markets of Amiens & Arras’, ‘Bavarian Christmas Markets’ and

‘Ypres & Brussels Christmas Market’.

The companies’ national sales manager Tony Byrne said: “The enduringly popular Christmas markets are included in our new winter, spring and Christmas brochures and we are delighted to introduce new ones for this year. The timing is ideal for agents to capitalise on opportunities for selling these tours ahead of the game.”

For bookings or further information see www.railholidays.com and www.greatrail.com

Rothenburg Christmas Market

Three nights for the price of two in Budapest with Kirker KIRKER HOLIDAYS is offering three nights for the price of two in Budapest, with prices leading in at £541 per person in November and December.

Clients can take in the festive markets of twin cities, Buda and Pest, browsing stalls that sell hand-crafted gifts.

The price offers a saving of £63 per person and is based on two sharing. It includes flights from Heathrow, private transfers, guide notes and concierge service.

For more information or to book call 020-7593 2283 or visit www.kirkerholidays.com

At this very moment you could be getting all warm and fuzzy with a sip of punch on the Vienna City Hall Square. Interested?

WWW.VIENNA.INFO

View of the Burgtheater and Christmas market on City Hall Square

H

O

I TI NC T M A LU E N D SE DE ’S ES RV PA VIP IC RT E® U RE

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CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR 2013/14 OUT NOW!

xmasmarket Bath announces dates for Christmas market THE BATH Christmas Market will return for another year on November 28 through to December 15.

The 18-day event consists of more than 150 decorated wooden chalets, each selling a variety of quality products such as Christmas decorations, gifts, toys, clothes, household and festive food.

Christmas in Bath starts with the Christmas Lights switch-on but other festive activities and events are also on offer including Bath on Ice for ice-skating, candlelit carol concerts, special exhibitions, shows and music events.

For more information see www.visitbath.co.uk

New festive additions from Grand UK Holidays GRAND UK Holidays has added five new Christmas market tours to its range of festive holidays in its 2013/14 brochure.

These include ‘Dunster By Candlelight and Bath Christmas Market’, with four days starting from £189 per person and ‘Christmas Markets of the Pennines’, with four days from £199, taking in the markets in Leeds and Manchester. The range of domestic markets also includes Birmingham’s Frankfurt Market, Lincoln, Grassington and Chester.

Over the Channel, the range of continental itineraries has seen the addition of three new tours for the forthcoming season - ‘Christmas Markets of Belgium’, with four and five days from £219; ‘Valkenburg & Aachen Christmas Markets’, with four and five days from £259; and ‘Cologne & Dusseldorf Christmas Markets’, with prices from £219.

The ‘Valkenburg & Aachen Christmas Markets’ holiday also has a ‘Grand UK Gold’ option so customers can upgrade to a luxury coach, with prices from £369 for five days.

To book or for more information call 01603-619933 or see www.grandukholidays.com

Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® with every holiday* Over 40 truly magical itineraries including 4 brand new additions Destinations include China, Australia, Europe and the UK A range of Festive River and Ocean cruises Visit Europe’s finest Christmas Markets

To book or find out more, please call 0800 988 5859

or visit www.titanagents.co.uk Brussels Christmas Market *Terms and conditions apply, see website for full details. Home pick-up is currently unavailable for Scottish islands and Sark addresses - we invite residents to nominate a mainland address of their choice for holiday transportation.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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xmasmarket Titan promotes Paris & Down Under breaks plus cruise options from £795 TITAN HAS issued its Christmas and New Year brochure which incorporates a range of tours to suit all tastes and budgets.

The operator is promoting a range of options including a five-day Christmas in Paris break which departs on December 23 and leads in at £945 per person, plus a five-day Harrogate Christmas option from £795, also departing on December 23.

A selection of cruises are also being highlighted. As an example, a nine-day Christmas Markets Spectacular departs on December 13 and costs from £895 per person on Balmoral.

The cruise departs from Southampton and calls at Zeebruge, Bremerhaven, Hamburg and Copenhagen.

For clients looking to escape the festive trappings of the winter holidays, a Christmas and New Year Down Under departs on December 15 and offers Christmas shopping in Hong Kong.

Other highlights of the 22-day tour include spending Christmas Day watching the sunrise over Uluru (Ayer’s Rock) plus a dinner cruise in Sydney to take in the New Year fireworks display in the harbour.

Prices lead in at £6,345 per person including flights and a range of excursions and visits.

The services of a tour manager and door-to-door transfers are also included.

For more information or to book call 0800-988 5166 or visit www.titanagents.co.uk

Seven-day Dolomites option from £299 from Shearings SHEARINGS IS promoting a selection of Christmas market breaks, with options leading in at £299 per person for a sevenday Dolomites Markets break.

Clients can visit the ‘Iceman’ at the Bolzano Christmas Market, as well as taking in Bressanone and Innsbruck Market.

Prices include four nights’ half-board accommodation and return overnight coach travel and departures are available until December.

A five-day Paris, Reims & Champagne option is also being highlighted, with prices starting from £349 per person.

Customers will take in the Christmas markets across Paris and the Reims Christmas Market. Also included is a guided tour and tasting at Mercier Champagne in Epernay.

The price includes four nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast, three dinners and coach travel, with departures available in November and December.

A five-day Bruges Ice Sculpture option costs from £339 and takes customers to the traditional Christmas markets of Bruges, Lille and Brussels, as well as visiting the Bruges Ice Sculpture festival.

The price includes four nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast, three dinners and coach travel, with departures available in November and December.

Meanwhile, a seven-day Christmas Markets in Holland & Belgium break takes in the markets of Holland and Belgium with a festive cruise that takes in Amsterdam, Dordrecht, Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent.

Prices lead in at £529 and include five nights’ full-board cruise, one night’s overnight accommodation and coach travel, with departures available in December. Options to travel by air and rail are also available.

For more information or to book visit www.shearings.com or call 0844-209 7143.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

nn, holiday

by John Gui

researcher

The magic of German Christmas markets John Guinn runs Holiday Hut and has a weekly travel show on internet radio station Secklow Sounds every Monday at 12:00. Here he looks at the joy of German Christmas markets, but is he pronouncing his words correctly?...

HRISTMAS MARKETS are held throughout Germany, and for some they are an escape from the commercialisation that seems to feature so heavily here in the UK. It’s a chance to get away from all the paraphernalia that has been up in shopping malls and around town centres since August. At least in Germany they wait until November before getting into the festive spirit.

Not only are there traditional hand-crafted presents to buy, there are also the sounds and smells that accompany the markets too. There is the aroma of ‘proper’ sausages, hot chestnuts and for the child in us, gingerbread, marzipan, and other sweets. The sounds include the original German versions of the Christmas carols we know so well, as well as the traditional oompah music.

However, there is another sound that is part of the German Christmas market experience. This is the sound of UK travel agents mispronouncing the German market names.

I know that I’m terrible at getting the words right. A couple of years ago I was asked to appear on a lifestyle show to talk about Christmas Markets. I knew that I would be in trouble so I managed to change the topic to Christmas shopping in New York. I got away with it that time.

So when Travel Bulletin asked me to discuss Christmas Markets I did wonder how I was going to discuss this on air without sounding like a Minion. The more technical minded among you will know that there are at least two online resources where you can find out how to pronounce something. The first one is Google Translate, and the second is www.forvo.com/search/. For both you type in the word and hit the play button. Both are far too quick to be of any use to me.

So I contacted a previous guest on my show, Katharina Schaden from www.RosettaStone.co.uk to come up with a solution to learning how to say these German words correctly.

I’m sure that I can’t be the only one who struggles with Gedächtniskirche. Katharina with the help of a colleague spelt out the words phonetically.

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche [Geh-dehch-tnis-kirheh]; Berliner Weihnachtszeit [Vay-nacht-z-zied]; WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt [Vay-nacht-z-zou-bear Shen-darmen-margt]; and Christmas market at Winterfeldtplatz [Vinter-felt-platz].

So now you can say Geh-dehch-tnis-kir-heh with confidence when talking to your clients about Berlin markets.

Has it worked for me? You’ll just have to listen to the podcast for my August 19 show as I’ll be talking to Leger about their trips to the Christmas Markets.

C

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PALAZZO VERSACE Dubai is the newest hotel to be added to the Versace portfolio. The development consists of luxury Condominiums at Palazzo Versace Dubai, located in Culture Village Master Community on the Dubai Creek. The condominium wings, Ala Destra and Ala Sinistra, offer 169 luxury condominiums ranging from one to six bedrooms with access to the hotel's services and facilities.

For details see www.palazzoversace.ae/

Abu Dhabi sees 12% rise in hotel guests in first six months of 2013 ABU DHABI has reported a 12% increase in guests staying in its 145 hotels and hotel apartments during the first six months of 2013.

Figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) show 1,333,339 guests checked into Abu Dhabi accommodation during the first half of this year, generating 4,226,604 guest nights – a rise of 25% on 2012.

On average, guests stayed 3.17 nights – up 12% on 2012, translating into an occupancy rate of 71% - up 8% on the previous year.

During the first six months of this year, 78,053 Brits stayed in the emirate’s hotels – a 9% increase on 2012, generating 362,690 room nights, up 21%, and stayed an average of 4.65 nights – an 11% increase.

Director general of TCA Abu Dhabi, Mubarak Al Muhairi, said: “We are heading in the right direction and this heightened performance, despite significant increases in resort and hotel inventory, justifies our increased trade engagement and international marketing and the expanded product operators and investors have put into the destination.

“We anticipate the momentum building in the second half of the year which covers key events such as the Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Art, the Al Ain Aerobatics Show, a number of headline concerts on Yas Island and major sporting events including the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the Wake Park World Champonship Finals.

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August 9 2013

“We are gradually breaking the cycle of major business dips in summer. And what’s really encouraging is that guests are staying longer – which suggests our campaign to convince people that there’s now much more to do and see in Abu Dhabi, is taking hold. We’ve broken through the three-night stay mark.”

Meanwhile, TCA Abu Dhabi has added two new social media initiatives to its VisitAbuDhabi.ae online destination resource. A new Instagram account (instagram.com/visitabudhabi) invites the emirate’s visitors and residents to share their best Abu Dhabi photos, while a Facebook ‘Discover Abu Dhabi’ app (facebook.com/visitabudhabi) gives users in-depth content on the destination’s happenings.

Abu Dhabi has reported a 12% increase in guests staying in its 145 hotels and hotel apartments during the first six months of 2013.

Figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) show 1,333,339 guests checked into Abu Dhabi accommodation during the first half of this year, generating 4,226,604 guest nights – a rise of 25% on 2012.

On average, guests stayed 3.17 nights – up 12% on 2012, translating into an occupancy rate of 71% - up 8% on the previous year.

During the first six months of this year, 78,053 Brits stayed in the emirate’s hotels – a 9% increase on 2012, generating 362,690 room nights, up 21%, and stayed an average of 4.65

nights – an 11% increase.

Director general of TCA Abu Dhabi, Mubarak Al Muhairi, said: “We are heading in the right direction and this heightened performance, despite significant increases in resort and hotel inventory, justifies our increased trade engagement and international marketing and the expanded product operators and investors have put into the destination.

“We anticipate the momentum building in the second half of the year which covers key events such as the Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Art, the Al Ain Aerobatics Show, a number of headline concerts on Yas Island and major sporting events including the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the Wake Park World Championship Finals.

“We are gradually breaking the cycle of major business dips in summer. And what’s really encouraging is that guests are staying longer – which suggests our campaign to convince people that there’s now much more to do and see in Abu Dhabi, is taking hold. We’ve broken through the three-night stay mark.”

Meanwhile, TCA Abu Dhabi has added two new social media initiatives to its VisitAbuDhabi.ae online destination resource. A new Instagram account (instagram.com/visitabudhabi) invites the emirate’s visitors and residents to share their best Abu Dhabi photos, while a Facebook ‘Discover Abu Dhabi’ app (facebook.com/visitabudhabi) gives users in-depth content on the destination’s happenings.

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middleeast Qatar Airways strengthens commitment to Jordan by boosting flight services QATAR AIRWAYS has added two additional flights between its hub in Doha and Amman, bringing the total number of services to Jordan to nine weekly flights.

The carrier’s CEO, Akbar Al Baker, said the extra capacity would be a great boost as it would improve connections from Amman to around 100 cities across the airline’s global network, offering passengers more

choice with further convenience and flexibility to their travel plans.

He said: “As part of Qatar Airways’ ever-expanding route map, a key pillar is to also evaluate existing routes and increase capacity where there is passenger demand.

“We can seamlessly connect travellers from Amman via our Doha hub to diverse cities like London, Dubai, Kuwait, Khartoum,

Manila, Dhaka, Muscat and many others.

“At the same time, with our new additional services, we offer travellers from around the world increased connectivity to access popular heritage tourist spots in Jordan such as the ancient city of Petra.”

Over the next few months, the network will expand with the addition of further destinations – Sulaymaniyah,

Iraq (August 20), Chengdu, China (September 3), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (September 18), Clark International Airport, Philippines (October 27) and Philadelphia, US (April 2, 2014).

The airline has also boosted capacity on its Istanbul-Doha route, with an Airbus A330 aircraft. The new addition increases capacity on flights to the city by 166 seats per day.

Pera Palace Hotel marks anniversary with ‘Orient Express Experience’ package THE PERA Palace Hotel in Jumeirah is giving guests the opportunity to celebrate its 121st anniversary with a new ‘Orient Express Experience’ weekend package.

The hotel, which was built in 1892 for the purpose of hosting the passengers of the Orient Express, has invited the Musica Mundana Chamber Music Society from New York to perform an Orient Express concert on September 6 in honour of the hotel’s birthday celebrations.

Clients booking a two-night stay during the celebrations from September 6-8 by August 23 will be invited to a VIP cocktail reception and will also have access to the exclusive concert for €699 excluding 8% VAT.

Featuring the works of Bizet, Bartok, Debussy and Strauss, among others, the concert offers an exploration of the role of the Orient Express in cultural and musical exchange throughout Europe in the 19th century, taking the audience on a musical journey between Istanbul and Paris.

As part of the package, guests will also experience dinner at the Agatha restaurant, named after one of the hotel’s most famous guests, Agatha Christie, with its fusion menu of French, Italian and Turkish cuisine.

For details see www.jumeirah.com or email jppreservations@jumeirah.com

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middleeast Alila Hotels & Resorts expands into Oman

We asked our staff the following question this week: If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d grab to save?

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Our cat Kizzy and fish Goldy and Swiper

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Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk Photos and jewellery

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Guinness memoribilia collection

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Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@travelbulletin.co.uk A family ring that has been down from father to son

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ALILA HOTELS & Resorts will expand into Oman in early 2014 with the opening of Alila Jabal Akhdar, the first luxury resort development in the mountainous Jabal Akhdar region. The property will offer 78 rooms, six suites and two royal villas along with a cliffside restaurant, pool, spa, fitness centre and events space.

Mark Edleson, the hotel group's president, said: “The Jabal Akhdar region is the perfect location for our first foray into the Middle East.

Its combination of interesting natural eco-systems, physical beauty and intriguing history and

culture perfectly fit within our development philosophy.”

For details visit www.alilahotels.com Meanwhile, in October the Oman Ministry of Tourism is running its second agent incentive of the year encouraging agents to start and complete the four modules of its Oman training programme.

Agents who complete and pass the modules will be entered into a draw to win a selection of prizes including a Google Nexus 7 Tablet, Kindles and Love2Shop vouchers.

For details see www.omanacademy.com

Qatar properties introduce new offers to entice visitors VISITORS TO Qatar are being offered a range of accommodation offers as hoteliers seek to encourage both new and repeat visitors to the destination.

As examples, the Eid Al Fitr at Hilton Doha is offering a selection of complimentary extras when clients book one of its 309 rooms or suites. Prices start from approximately £153 and extras include breakfast buffet, access to the thermal lounge and access to Kidz Paradize. For details see www.hilton.com At the Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel, guests can stay three nights for the price of two, with prices leading in at approximately £153 for a deluxe room, £171 for a deluxe corner room, £278 for a single occupancy suite and approximately £305 for a double occupancy suite.

Other offers at the property include children under 12 eat for free; 20% off food and soft beverages in Crossroads Kitchen and Cucina the Italian Kitchen; access to a 35m outdoor pool, spa and health club, 20% off spa treatments and free internet access. For details see www.renaissancedoha.com Meanwhile, the Marriott Executive Apartments Doha City Center is also offering three nights for the price of two. Prices lead in at approximately £270 for a two-bedroom apartment and other offers include children under 12 eat for free; 20% off on food and soft beverages in Crossroads Kitchen and Cucina the Italian Kitchen; access to a spa and health club; 20% off spa treatments; and free internet access. For details see www.marriott.com/doher All offers are available until September 13 and are subject to availability.

JA Resorts teams with Yas Waterworld & Ferrari World JA RESORTS & Hotels has partnered with Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World to offer guests staying at selected resorts the chance to receive two free passes to the attraction of their choice.

Guests booking a four-night stay in a Garden View room at the JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel or four nights in a Garden View Junior Suite at the JA Palm Tree Court, will receive two passes to an attraction of their choice, with complimentary transport to attractions provided on Wednesday.

A Garden View room at JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel leads in at approximately £178 per night, while a Garden View Junior Suite at the JA Palm Tree Court costs from approximately £209 per night. Rates are subject to a 10% municipal fee and 10% service charge per room per night.

For more information email reservations@jaresorts.com

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. AZURA, 3. TATE, 5. PARADOR, 6. IOM, 8. IMRAN KHAN, 11. ALEXANDER, 13. ACT, 15. UPPSALA, 16. APIA, 17. MEDOC. Down: 1. ALPHA PAPA, 2. UKRAINE, 3. TURIN, 4. TUI, 7. MONT BLANC, 9. AVN, 10. HARVARD, 12. ARUBA, 14. TAP.

Highlighted Word: ELBA Travagrams: (top) Sunset Faraway

(botom) Gorgonzola

Where Am I?: Place de la Concorde

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August 9 2013

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60 agents will be lucky enough to experience the best that California has to offer on the FAM TRIP OF A LIFETIME. Featuring 5 itineraries which let you delve deeper into the Golden State...

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