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This Week news 3
Cover Pictures: Main - Riviera Travel - Portovenere Village
Inset - Sandos Hotels & Resorts
AITO offers its views on the school holiday price hike
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notes from normanton
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agent bulletin
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puzzle bulletin
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bulletin briefing
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training
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italy
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weddings & honeymoons
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middle east
Sandy spots some suspicious characters while working at Idle Travel Cyplon Holidays announces latest booking incentives last minute winter savings of up to 30% from ibis play Su Doku for your chance to win a £50 M&S voucher the latest news & views from ANTOR a round-up of new online modules, agent incentives & events Geoff Manchester from Intrepid is in the hot seat this week new city break options & tours to inspire your clients research reveals one in three marriage proposals take place abroad Israel welcomes 5% increase in British visitors
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TREKKING TREAT...Ethos Marketing, the UK office for Serena Hotels, hosted a fam trip to Rwanda for a group of seven tour operators, which included a trek into the rainforest and Volcanoes National Park to spot gorillas. Pictured enjoying the sights at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel are, from the left: Claire Chant, Audley; Rose Gemmel, Scott Dunn; Gemma Smith, Ramblers; Karine Loupy, World Odyssey; Peter Felix, Africa Travel; Ali Whitfield, Ethos Marketing/Serena Hotels; Andy Fielding, Kuoni; and Bina Patel, Trailfinders.
AITO argues why prices shouldn't be capped in school holidays THE ASSOCIATION of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) says that the debate on the price of holidays during school holiday dates could be resolved by Government action to spread summer holiday dates over a longer period of time. Key questions raised have included whether parents should be allowed to take children out of school in term time to avoid paying peak season prices. AITO believes that they should and says that in exceptional circumstances, and with the head teacher’s permission, parents are allowed to do this. Examples might include instances where the family has experienced a tough time due to marital problems, illness or bereavement, for example. Other questions raised have included why prices remain high in peak season. AITO says this is due to supply and demand, much like the demand for roses on St Valentine’s Day. It says that a hotel, villa, apartment or campsite has just six weeks in the summer in which largely to cover its costs for the year – and that might equate to just three family holidays lasting two weeks each. The association also believes that prices should not be capped in school holidays as it says that this ignores the core problem and will make holidays year-round more expensive. Instead, it says that the answer is to spread the peak school holiday period over a longer time-span. The association's chairman, Derek Moore, said: "The peak summer holiday dates cover, in the main, just a six-week period. AITO urges the Government to vary holiday dates from region to region in the UK and to stretch the peak season from six to 12 weeks, i.e. from mid-June to midSeptember. This would allow holiday companies to reduce peak season prices. It would also offer huge economic benefits to some of the key holiday destinations (many of which are suffering huge unemployment and other financial problems) by lengthening their seasons.”
BOGOF ski passes with Powder White POWDER WHITE is offering two ski passes for the price of one for clients travelling in March and April, providing savings in the ski resorts of Courchevel, Meribel, Verbier and St Anton. The offer is valid with the purchase of a local area six-day ski pass. The company's fully catered chalet offering includes Champagne and canapés on arrival, cooked breakfast, afternoon tea, unlimited house wine and a three-course dinner with select dinner wines. Flights are not included but the operator can arrange them (and transfers) on request. As an example of prices, a stay at Chalet Eleanor in Meribel from March 29 leads in at £649 per person, with ski pass savings of £95 per person. For further information visit www.powderwhite.com or call 020-8877 8888.
February 14 2014
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