Travel Bulletin 27th September 2013

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September 27 2013 | ISSUE NO 1,843 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

USA Operators add new itineraries & destinations for 2014/15

this week

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agent bulletin win a stay for four at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida

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showcase bulletin news & pictures from our North America showcase event

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red sea Red Sea Holidays announces winter educational programme for agents

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accommodation-only new trends reveal seaside hotspots in UK plus boost in long-haul bookings

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This Week 3

Cover Pictures: Main - Grand Canyon, USA - Trafalgar

Inset - Grand Hotel, Sharm el Sheikh - Red Sea Holidays

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news a round-up of the latest industry announcements & offers

notes from normaton find out why Sandy dressed up as a ship's captain!

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agent bulletin

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staff review

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puzzle bulletin

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training

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showcase bulletin

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focus usa

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red sea

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accommodation-only

win a stay for you and three friends at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida Jill Sayles gives us the lowdown on her stay at the Hotel Armoni by Elegancia in Paris play Su Doku for your chance to win a £50 M&S voucher the latest updates on programmes to boost your product knowledge news & pictures from Travel Bulletin’s North America showcase event in London operators add new itineraries & destinations to 2014/15 programmes Red Sea Holidays announces winter educational programme for agents new trends reveal seaside hotspots in UK plus boost in long-haul bookings

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JUNGLE JINGLE...Guoman and Thistle Hotel hosted their annual ‘Guoman and Thistle agent challenge’ recently where agents had the chance to take part in the “I’m an agent, get me out of here’’ themed event, with challenges that included ‘Survival of the Fittest,’ ‘The Real Bush Tucker Trial,’ and ‘Strictly Jungle Dance’. Pictured taking part in the Jungle Dance challenge are, from the left: Callum Duckworth and Dan Christie from Guoman Hotels with Kat Lowen Bulger and Charlotte Bancroft from Hogg Robinson Group.

£5bn goes down the drain on unwanted gifts, reveals Skyscanner BUYING A gift for those back home may seem a nice gesture while away, but holidaymakers would be better to save their pounds as more than two thirds (69%) of people admit that they don’t appreciate holiday souvenirs and 15% bin them as soon as they receive them, according to Skyscanner's latest survey of 2,000 travellers.

The results found that ornaments ranked top as the most disappointing gift to receive (14%), with comedy t-shirts (9%) and cheap jewellery (9%) following closely. Souvenir classics, keyrings and fridge magnets also fail to impress (7%), while food items (4%), snow globes (4%) and fake DVDs (4%) were equally as disheartening.

More than eight out of ten holidaymakers (82%) across Europe are pointlessly shelling out an estimated £5billion a year to share a little of their break with those at home, with each holidaymaker wasting on average £23.24 on unwanted gifts. More than one in ten holidaymakers (14%) admitted to spending more than £40 on gifts for those back home, while 9% have parted with in excess of £50.

In terms of what happens to unwanted gifts, the survey found that 4% of people find their gifted souvenirs any use, 18% of gifts are hidden away in cupboards, while 10% are donated to charity. A cheeky 6% even owned up to re-gifting an item they didn’t like and 3% sold their holiday gifts on online shopping sites like eBay, while 2% have gone to the lengths of ‘accidentally’ breaking their gift so that they don’t have to keep it.

Leger's new survey reveals quarter of Brits lie about their holiday details NEW RESEARCH from Leger Holidays has revealed that one in eight Brits (12%) has turned down a holiday in fear of what others might think, and 47% automatically discount a certain type of holiday because of the stigma attached.

Those holidays most likely to be dismissed without due consideration were revealed to be 18-30s holidays (22%), coach holidays (13%), cruises (12%), holiday parks (11%) and single traveller holidays (9%). The research, which polled 1,000 holidaymakers, also found that one in four people lie about their holiday, because they are afraid others will judge them on it.

Even though they had the holiday they wanted, 25% of people admit to embellishing or playing down elements of their trip in case it reflects badly on them, with more than half of people saying they believe a holiday choice reflects on how interesting, cultured or affluent people are. Results also revealed that 61% of people who go on cruises are far more likely to lie about their break than other types of holidaymakers.

People most commonly exaggerate details of accommodation, travel or the amount of sunshine they’ve enjoyed. In order to make the weather look better ● continues on next page

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than it was, one in eight people (12%) even admit to using fake tan before they return home.

The operator's head of retail sales Ashley Dellow said: “Our research makes it clear that agents might have a big job on their hands trying to convince people to try a new type of holiday! It’s a shame that holidaymakers are worrying so much about what others might think that they’re actually turning down opportunities to try new travel experiences. It seems to be a combination of fear of what others might say and fear about whether they’ll like a different kind of holiday, with a third of people admitting they’re scared to try something new in case they don’t like it. You’ll never know unless you try, and often the misconceptions are totally out of line with the reality. We know from experience that people can sometimes have very preconceived ideas about escorted coach tours, but actually when they come and try it for themselves, they’re amazed at the places they see, the experiences they have and the comfort and ease of it all.”

‘I CAN’T SING! - The X Factor Musical’ goes on sale with Superbreak AGENTS HAVE the chance to earn commission from selling tickets to ‘I CAN’T SING! – The X Factor Musical’, which opens at The London Palladium on March 26, 2014, with previews from February 27.

Superbreak's packages combine tickets and overnight accommodation and the musical comedy, written by Harry Hill and Steve Brown, will star Nigel Harman (best known for playing Dennis Rickman in BBC1’s Eastenders) as Simon Cowell with The Color Purple’s Cynthia Erivo and Alan Morrissey as lovestruck hopefuls Chenice and Max. The show goes behind the microphones and under the judges’ desk and follows Chenice and her faithful talking dog as she encounters crazy contestants, ruthless judges, a rapping hunchback and a handsome eco-warrior plumber called Max on her X Factor journey.

Nigel Harman, Simon Cowell, Cynthia Erivo and Alan Morrissey

Prices start from £73.50 per person including one night’s breakfast accommodation at a three-star hotel and a ticket to the show.

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

New tourism minister for Malaysia announces tour operator packages for 2014

CLIA CUT...Pictured enjoying a tour of Seabourn Sojourn at CLIA UK & Ireland's recent Luxury Cruise Expo are, from the left: Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland; Helen Malan, Cruise Holidays; Carly Perkins, Seabourn; and Alex Loizou of Mundy Cruising.

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DURING HIS recent first official visit to the UK, Malaysia’s newly appointed Minister of Tourism and Culture, The Honourable Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, announced a series of packages for the UK market for Visit Malaysia Year 2014, which Tourism Malaysia has developed in conjunction with 14 UK tour operators. He also touched on the diverse range of activities and highlights that Malaysia has to offer which makes it the tenth most visited country in the world. In his speech, the minister also explained that Visit Malaysia Year 2014 will be based on four experiential themes which highlight the diverse attractions in Malaysia - Heritage & Culture, Adventure & Nature, Luxury, Wellness & Spa and Island & Beaches.

The destination is expected to welcome around 28million tourists during Visit Malaysia Year 2014 and generate around Ringgit 76billion in income, with the UK as its top European market for inbound tourism and tenth worldwide.

For more information visit www.tourism.gov.my

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Newsbites TOURISM AUSTRALIA has signed a new £6m ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ (MoU) with STA Travel to promote youth travel Down Under from many of Australia’s largest and most valuable inbound tourism markets. The three-year agreement will see the two partners work more closely to promote travel to Australia from a number of key international markets, including the UK. ● CITYJET HAS launched its autumn sale where flights from London to Dresden, Antwerp, Dundee, Brive, Luxembourg, Paris and Rotterdam, plus other destinations are available with fares starting from £99 return until October 2. ● &BEYOND has announced an investment of its safari camps and lodges across Africa. The initial phase aims to reinvent &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and redefine the classic Kenyan safari at &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp on the Masai Mara. Both lodges will be completely rebuilt and re-launched in July 2014 as part of the company's planned investment of ZAR 230 million (US$23million) into its luxury safari camps and lodges. ● MANCHESTER AIRPORT Lodge is marking its opening by offering rooms from £39 for bookings made by October 1.

For details call 0161-980 2593 or see www.manchesterairportlodge.co.uk ● TAXI FARE price comparison site, Londoncitytaxis.co.uk has been officially launched. The site enables London travellers to compare prices from more than 80 taxi firms for journeys in and around the capital. ● TRAVELPORT AND Finnair have announced a new, multi-year global distribution agreement. For details see www.travelport.com ●

Thomas Cook Airlines confirms new long-haul Manchester hub with connections from Flybe THOMAS COOK Airlines UK has announced the schedule for its partnership with Flybe, providing connecting flights from a network of regional airports across the UK to the Caribbean, Florida, Las Vegas, Mexico and Goa via Manchester Airport, which include the only routes outside London to Antigua and St Lucia, and one of only a handful of flights from the UK to Barbados.

Holidaymakers can now catch a morning flight to Manchester followed by a flight to their long-haul holiday destination – and be relaxing by the pool or bar later the same day.

The company's head of air travel Christoph Debus said: “It’s fantastic news that we’re able to offer holidaymakers from across the UK flights and holidays via Manchester to some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean and popular resorts in the US, Mexico and Goa. “As we develop Manchester Airport as our UK hub – working in partnership with Flybe we’re pleased to be able to offer more flexibility and choice for our customers, competing with the very best scheduled and charter carriers with a range of connections ensuring they don’t have to rely on London’s airports.”

Flight-only prices start at £499 return to Cancun, £549 for the Caribbean and £549 to Goa, including connecting flights.

For more information see www.netflights.com or call 0844-692 6792.

Citalia highlights new properties in latest 2014 brochure CITALIA HAS launched its new 2014 brochure featuring a range of new hotels which will form part of its extensive collection of Italy holidays. Showcasing a total of 290 properties across Italy, Sardinia and Sicily, the brochure features 14 new hotels in some of the country’s most popular destinations.

Accommodation ranges from three-star hotels through to the ultra luxury Exclusive Collection and suggested breaks range from cultural city breaks and family beach holidays to romantic lake retreats and tailor-made multi-centre trips.

Located in Rome, Venice, Tuscany, Sicily,

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Liguria and Sardinia, the new hotels offer customers more choice when deciding on their holiday to Italy, while flexible holiday durations and departures from regional airports throughout the country are also offered, as well as the option to tailor-make an individual multi-centre holiday.

As an example, a three-night city break to Rome costs from £219 per person including one free night, flights from Gatwick with easyJet and three nights' breakfast accommodation at the Hotel Ariston, based on a January 10 departure.

For more information call 0843-770 4443 or visit www.citalia.com

New brand identity from Sunsail designed to promote sailing experiences SUNSAIL HAS announced the launch of its new brand identity to provide UK travellers with a clearer definition of its brand and product and help strengthen the sailing appeal to a worldwide customer base.

Recent market research undertaken by the company has revealed that new potential customers find it difficult to engage in a sailing holiday as there is a long list of perceived barriers to entry including it’s expensive, it’s too hard, it takes too long to learn, it’s cramped and uncomfortable and it’s “not for me”.

As a result of the findings, the priority is to cater for the needs of customers who are new to sailing, helping them to more easily discover and experience the broad range of activities and holiday options now available in destinations worldwide.

The operator has been visually refreshed to reflect the brand positioning of ‘A lust for life’ that has been defined to engage more people in the idea of having a sailing experience.

Alongside independent charter and Flotilla sailing holidays, the company also offers a beach club in Greece, sailing schools, team building and events, yacht ownership and racing, as well as holidays and activities to suit both sailors and non-sailors alike.

Holidays start from £399 per person for a beach club holiday for seven nights on a half-board basis at Sunsail Club Vounaki, Greece, including flights from Gatwick, transfers and watersports.

For more information visit www.sunsail.co.uk

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newsbulletin Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter... @ClassicHols Luxury Deal of the Day, Dalyan Resort, Turkey, 7 nights, HB deptarting from 15 Oct, from £639pp http://www.classic-collection.co.uk/deal-of-the-day @KuoniTravelUK Our NEW Africa 2014 brochure is out now! http://bit.ly/1abjn06 @GreatRail Delighted to be featured on the new British German Royal Heritage Route microsite from @GermanyTourism http://ow.ly/oYJMP @KuoniTravelUK Our NEW Italy 2014 brochure is out now! Order or download your copy today http://www.kuoni.co.uk/ brochures @KentFocus Want to try some 'Glamping' this Autumn maybe a pod? http://buff.ly/13VBa7h

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

New trade website from Singita SINGITA, AFRICA’S luxury safari brand and conservation company, has announced the launch of its new website for travel trade partners agents.singita.com. The site offers a comprehensive tool for the travel trade that provides access to rates, ebrochures, lodge information and more.

In addition to marketing collateral, the site also features extensive video and photography of the Singita experience, plus direct access to an ereservation system to check availability.

RAISING THE BAR....Pictured arriving at If Only...'s Movie Premiere by rickshaw are Laura Beattie (left) and Brenda McCready of The Travel Bar. The operator held the event at the five-star Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow to mark the launch of its 2014 and 2015 brochures and newly introduced destinations.

Some 35 Scottish agents, who had qualified for an invitation by booking high value holidays, turned up in their finery for a Hollywood/Bollywood night of glamour.

Airport hotels highlight range of stay, park & fly deals HOTELS ARE increasingly offering stay, park and fly packages in conjunction with airports across the UK. At the Holiday Inn Express Dunstable, near Luton Airport, rates start from £74.95 including breakfast and discounted transfers, while parking alone costs up to £90 for a week’s stay. The brand’s Antrim hotel offers a similarly priced package for those travelling through Belfast Airport, which also includes breakfast and transfers.

Located minutes from Glasgow Airport, the Erskine Bridge Hotel and Spa is offering travellers up to two weeks parking from £53 on a room-only basis. The package includes overnight accommodation and either a full Scottish or continental breakfast for those with earlier flights.

The packages also offer notable savings with larger airports. At Heathrow, the Holiday Inn offers a stay, park and fly package from £75 including a hot buffet breakfast and parking for up to 21 days.

At Gatwick, packages at the Ramada Plaza London Gatwick start from £82 per room compared to airport parking charges of up to £100 per week.

Holiday Inn, Heathrow

Europe & North Africa brochure launch from Cosmos Tours & Cruises COSMOS TOURS & Cruises has launched its 2014 Europe & North Africa programme with a new choice of all-inclusive holidays, leisurely tours and cruise holidays, as well as a range of early booking offers.

To meet demand for luxury all-inclusive holidays, a new range of destinations and resorts in Europe and North Africa, featuring mostly four-diamond rated hotels, has been introduced, and many holidays include an excursion for added extra value.

As examples, the Iberostar Founty Beach at Agadir (from £585) and Hotel Marhaba Palace (from £575) at Port El Kantoui in Tunisia have been added. In Malta and Turkey, new four-diamond rated hotels include Hotel Pasabey in Marmaris (from £445), Hotel Aqua, Icmeler (from £639) in Turkey as well as the Seabank, Mellieha Bay (from £539) in Malta. Adding to the existing choice in Sicily, the four-diamond rated Atahotel Naxos Beach (from £855), Giardini Naxos is now available.

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Early booking offers are available for bookings made before December 19 and include a new airport car parking offer of £9 for up to 14 nights as well as an airport hotel stay offer for £29 per room pre/post the holiday to include up to 14 nights' airport parking. Customers booking the eight-day ‘Highlights of Morocco’ tour also receive a free two-night Marrakech extension on a wide choice of dates, subject to availability.

Additionally, customers booking cruise holidays before December 19 can take advantage of ‘Start in Style’, a private home door-to-door home pick-up service included in the price. Other value added offers include free cabin upgrades on a selection of CroisiEurope cruises, a free excursion with the Russian River Cruise (if booked before November 1) as well as included excursion packages available on selected cruises.

For more information call 0844-573 0668 or visit www.trade-gate.co.uk

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newsbulletin Conservation education with The Adventure Company THE ADVENTURE Company is offering family safaris in Tanzania that enable children to get hands-on with elephant conservation.

On an ‘Elephants & Spice’ safari, families with children aged seven and above can spot zebra and giraffe on game drives in Saadani National Park, as well as hippos and crocodiles on a river boat safari, while staying in Tent with a View’s tented safari lodge.

There is also the opportunity to learn about wildlife conservation by spending time with experts at an elephant collaring project. There is more wildlife viewing on offer with two days at Mikumi National Park, where lions, leopards, buffalo, wildebeest, impala and other antelope can be spotted on game drives, with two days on the island of Zanzibar also offered. Prices for the 12-day itinerary start from £2,754 per child and £2,899 per adult including flights, transfers, accommodation, game drives and most meals.

BRAND NEW for 2014 from

Fred. Olsen commences new partnership with Eavesway Travel WITH EFFECT from April 2014, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will be working with Wigan-based Eavesway Travel Ltd as its preferred supplier of coach services for cruise guests.

The company will offer the following routes for cruise guests: Scotland and North West – to and from Southampton, Dover and Tilbury; North East and Yorkshire – to and from Southampton, Dover and Tilbury; North Wales – to and from Southampton, Dover and Tilbury; South Wales – to and from Southampton; Norfolk and London – to and from Southampton; South Wales and London – to and from Dover and Tilbury; and East Anglia and Essex – to and from Dover and Tilbury.

In addition to the above services, Eavesway Travel will be operating airport transfers – to and from the port to the airport – at the beginning and end of the cruise line’s fly/cruise programmes.

For more information see www.fredolsencruises.com and www.eaveswaytravel.com

Free dining at Walt Disney World Florida WALT DISNEY World Resort Florida is offering visitors the chance to dine for free during their stay when they book a selected Disney Hotel and ticket package for a minimum of five nights for 2014.

Clients booking the Free Dine offer by November 5 for arrivals between January 1-April 8 and April 27November 30 can choose from two dining plans; those booking a Disney Moderate Resort break can opt for a Quick Service Dining Plan, while those selecting a Disney Deluxe Resort or Deluxe Villa Resort will be eligible for the Disney Dining Plan.

The Quick Service Dining Plan is ideal for visitors who want to maximise their time in the parks and grab food on the go with two Quick Service meals and one snack per night’s stay, while the Disney Dining Plan includes one table service meal per night’s stay along with one Quick Service meal and one snack for everyone in the party.

For more information visit www.disneypackages.co.uk

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Featuring Italy’s favourite regions, with a wonderful hand-picked selection of country retreats, historic hotels, castles and even wineries.

Our new programme offers flexible, tailor-made holidays for those who love Italy as much as we do!

WIN TWO AMAZING HOLIDAYS PLUS FREE WINE BOOKING INCENTIVE See your brochure packs for details, or visit inghamsitaly.co.uk/agents

Please order brochures on Tradegate at www.trade-gate.co.uk Reservations: 01483 79 11 00 Agency Sales Support: 01483 79 11 77

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MOVERS Notes from . . . n o t n a m r o N

● HOLIDAY EXTRAS has appointed Clare Purvis as account

manager for The South. ● LOWCOSTBEDS GROUP has appointed Sarah Dooley as key

account manager. ● LISA BATTY has been appointed spa manager of Feversham

Arms Hotel and Verbena Spa in North Yorkshire. ● TIM FLODIN has been appointed general manager of

London’s five-star boutique hotel, Andaz Liverpool Street. ● RASHID AL Gaoud has joined Gulf Air as country manager for

the UK. ● AIR FRANCE KLM has appointed Warner Rootliep as general

manager for UK and Ireland. ● DAVID SHIELS has joined Jurys Inn Edinburgh as general

TTENDED THE Northern Ball at the Lancashire Country Cricket Club at Old Trafford recently (stayed at the Old Trafford Lodge Hotel which was excellent). The ball was ‘uniform’ fancy dress. Have to say I am not really a lover of fancy dress but as I had been invited by Wayne Beard from Cruise and Maritime I thought I would stick with the nautical theme and went as a ship’s captain. I decided to alter the bought fancy dress captain outfit – it had long sleeves which I don’t do so I cut them down and stitched on stripes. I also bought some anchor motifs and stuck those on the pocket and changed the front of the outfit to a tie on a white top – job done.

Wayne was an excellent host and it was a fantastic table with great people. As we were walking into the venue a taxi pulled up and I said to Wayne (who was dressed as a policeman) – tell him he can’t stop there, so Wayne knocked on the window and told him to move and the poor taxi man started to move and then realised he was kidding! Saw lots of people I hadn’t seen for ages and it was nice to say hello again and catch up.

It was amazing to see the Concordia being raised out of the water – can’t believe it has been stuck on the rock for 19 months and took 19 hours to raise at a cost of 600million – wow it only seems as if it happened a few months ago. It is lucky that it has not done any damage to the environment. Bet it won’t be long before they make a film about it!

‘When you remember how hard it is to change yourself, you begin to understand what little chance we have of changing others’ and ‘You will learn more about a Road by travelling it, than by consulting all the maps in the world’.

A

manager. ● TUI UK&I has appointed Fraser Ellacott as customer

operations director. ● HONG KONG Tourism Board (HKTB) has announced three

new appointments to its London office team. Rose Garber has joined as an executive to the Meetings and Exhibitions team (MEHK), Jessica Au has been appointed as marketing executive and Laoise Collins has been appointed as public relations executive..

Go

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WEBSCLUSIVES ●

Missed Travel Bulletin’s North America Showcase event? You can watch video highlights now at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/video-box

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Register now for WTM 2013 – see www.travelbulletin.co.uk for details.

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Recent additions to Travel Bulletin’s digital brochures library include the 2014 releases from IntoRussia, Carnival and Enchanting Holidays.

Go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/brochures to view them now!

Wayne Beard, C&M; Denise Hodgson, Travel the World 2 and me!

by SANDRA MURRAY in Normanton, Yorkshire

All this and more at: To respond to any of Sandy’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 ●

FUNWAY HOLIDAYS is offering travel agents the chance to earn up to £35 per booking on their Funway MoneyCard in conjunction with The AMResorts Collection. Agents have until September 30 to book online to receive £10 per booking or book via the call centre to receive £5 per booking….then add the following amounts depending on which AMResorts property is booked: Zoetry Resorts and Spas - £25, Breathless Resorts and Spas - £20 and Now, Dreams and Secrets Resorts and Spa - £10.

For details see www.funway4agents.co.uk or call 0844-557 0626.

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TO CELEBRATE the sixth ‘National Cruise Week’ (which runs until this Sunday) Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering a ‘20% : £20’ incentive to its travel trade partners, whereby agents taking bookings until Sunday will benefit from an enhanced commission rate of 20% on invoice. The offer applies to all departure dates and all fares, including special offers.

Agents who are members of CLIA will also receive £20 Love2Shop vouchers per booking for all cruises booked by Sunday.

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QANTAS AIRWAYS has launched a new incentive to offer loyal agents the chance to win a pair of return Economy tickets to Dubai including transfers and a three-night stay at the Park Regis Kris Kin hotel. The incentive runs until October 20 with two prizes being given away each week – one for corporate bookings and one for leisure. Agents can enter when they reserve and ticket a booking on Qantas (081) ticket stock for one-way, return or multi-destination travel originating in the UK, where at least one international sector must be operated by Qantas and booked under the QF code. The more bookings made the higher the chance of winning.

For details see www.qantas.co.uk/agents

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TITAN TRAVEL is offering agents a £15 Love2Shop voucher for every passenger booked on a programme from its new Saga Cruises brochure, which features 37 new cruise itineraries. To claim, agents should email agentadmin@titantravel.co.uk within seven days of the booking with the booking reference, ABTA reference, agency and agent name.

For details see www.titanagents.co.uk

Agent offer THE COLONY Hotel in Florida's Palm Beach is giving agents (and three of their friends/family) the chance to win a five-night breakfast stay in one of its two-bedroom villas, valid for stays between June 1 and September 30, 2014. The hotel's rooms and one-bedroom suites have recently been given an injection of colour by interior

designer Carleton Varney, and now feature floral prints, ranging from Carleton Blue and Windsor Pink to Irish Mint Green and Hibiscus Red. Several technological improvements have also been made to the property including state-of-the-art air-conditioning with thermostats in every room and ultra-contemporary high definition media centres.

To be in with a chance of winning, answer the following question: Who was responsible for designing The Colony Hotel's new rooms and suites? Send your answer by email, with the subject box market 'Colony Hotel Competition', to CStanton@aviacircle.com.

For more information see www.thecolonypalmbeach.com

GREAT WIN...Great Rail Journeys ran an online competition in conjunction with Travel Bulletin to promote awareness of its Battlefield Tours for 2014, where agents had the chance to win a £100 shopping voucher. Pictured presenting the winner, Ruth Littlewood of Travel Experience in Kirkburton, Huddersfield, with her prize is the operator's Tony Byrne. www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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newsbulletin New product from DoSomethingDifferent

staffreview Jill Sayles from Travel Bulletin took a two-night break at the Hotel Armoni by Elegancia, Paris. Here are her thoughts...

First impressions ................................8/10 On entering the hotel which is situated down a small side street off a main boulevard, I was met by two friendly staff in the small reception area and one of them showed me to my room. The boutique hotel was opened recently so it has a modern feel.

Comfort ..............................................9/10 My Superior room had a large double bed, ensuite with a bath and L’Occitane products. All 45 rooms have a flatscreen TV with satellite channels and an Apple Mac Mini.

There’s free WiFi throughout the hotel, a concierge service and a business centre.

Quality ................................................9/10 It’s a three-star hotel but it feels and looks of a better quality.

Affordability ........................................8/10 Superior rooms are 149 euros per night, double rooms 109 euros, with breakfast 15 euros

Service ................................................8/10 Service at reception and during breakfast was good.

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

A NEW portfolio of tickets, tours and experiences from Dublin has been launched by www.DoSomethingDifferent.com.

Clients can now be whisked away for the day to Cork, Belfast or to the wild-west of Ireland to the Connemara National Park which also includes time in Galway City. The one-day Celtic Tour takes travellers to the most ancient parts of Ireland including the Jumping Church, while a visit to Giant’s Causeway is also now available to book with the operator.

Festive additions from Butlins NEW FOR Christmas, Butlins' three resorts will be hosting their own ice rink for all festive breaks so families can skate together listening to their favourite festive tunes.

Little ones are catered for with Winter Wonderland, a wintery walk experience where they will get to meet friendly characters including the Ginger Bread Man, Snowman, Rudolf the REAL reindeer and Santa, who will present them with a surprise Christmas gift.

Guests can also get into the Christmas panto spirit at Centre Stage where they can get involved in a classic Christmas family panto set around a giant storybook with great costumes, sound effects and funny acting. Beauty and the Beast will be showing at Bognor Regis whilst Snow White will take to the stage at Minehead and Skegness.

The three-night Christmas Fantasy breaks start on Friday 13 and Friday December 19 and lead in at £54 per person for a family of four sharing a standard self-catering apartment at Minehead on December 19.

Four-night Christmas breaks cost from £100 per person for a family of four sharing a standard self-catering apartment at Skegness from December 23-27. If guests have added a dining plan to their booking or are staying in one of the three resort hotels, a five-course Christmas dinner is included in their stay.

For more information visit www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk or call 0845-070 4742.

The hotel is located in the northwest of Paris, part of the 17th arrondissement and less than a minute’s walk to Porte de Champerret metro which takes you to the city centre in 15 minutes. L’Arc de Triomphe is within walking distance.

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

8

/10

If you'd like to take part and receive a free £10 Love2Shop voucher please email jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk or call 020-7834 6661 with your name and contact details.

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September 27 2013

Autumn deals from Belleair Holidays BELLEAIR HOLIDAYS is offering late deals on selected departures this month and next in popular properties in Bugibba, Mellieha and Qawra.

As examples, a seven-night breakfast stay at the fourstar Maritim Antonine Hotel and Spa costs from £494 per person, offering a saving of £210 per couple. The deal is based on an October 22 departure and includes direct flights from Exeter, transfers and complimentary entrance to a selected Malta attraction.

The company is also offering one-way fares from £87.50 per person including taxes (Atol protected), on Air Malta and Monarch Airlines departing on October 26 and 29.

Departure airports include Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Exeter, Newcastle and Norwich.

For details see www.belleair.co.uk/agents or call 0845-365 3412

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puzzlebulletin Travagrams

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

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

Number: 129

Rain Ray

A➠

B➠ An Irish airline which shares the first part of its name with this actor

C➠

Recur Me

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, October 3rd. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for 13th September is Sue Winsby, Cruise Connections in Lancaster.

September 13 Solution: A=3 B=2 C=5 D=8

Crossword

Change one letter in the name ‘Mercury’ and you will have the name of this hotel brand

Where Am I?

I start in the Black Forest and end in the Black Sea.

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

Number: 129

Across 1. Operator, specialising in Greece and Cyprus (6) 3. Scottish town, known as the Gateway to the Isles (4) 7. Spanish city with a famous Moorish palace (7) 8. Major car hire company (5) 10. Athens international airport code (3) 11. Funway specialises in holidays to this country (3) 12. Sydney is the capital of this state, initially (3) 14. European capital city (5) 16. Peninsula and popular Mexico holiday destination (7) 17. Ms Stefani, American singer/songwriter (4) 18. P&O ship, exclusively for adults (6)

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Down 1. He has recently written a sequel to The Shining (7,4) 2. African country and river (5) 4. Lloret de Mar is a popular holiday resort on this Costa (5) 5. Bismarck is the state capital (5,6) 6. Australia's flag carrier (6) 9. Swiss city and lake (6) 13. First name of double century goal scorer for Man U (5) 15. Septuagenarian Jane, the face of L'Oreal (5)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 30 September 27 2013

11

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trainingbulletin Kerala Tourism Office runs Manchester workshop for agents next month THE KERALA Tourism Office will host a workshop event in Manchester on October 3, offering a chance for agents to meet the tourist office’s team as well as hotel suppliers and DMCs who have travelled from Southern India to Manchester especially for the event.

The event will provide agents with the opportunity to learn more about what Kerala has to offer as a destination with information on product updates, industry news and tourism developments. Attendees will sample canapés showcasing the flavours of Southern India over drinks and will participate in a lucky draw to win a trip for two to Kerala.

The event will take place from 18:00 at the Buckingham Suite in The Palace Hotel.

For further details or to register your attendance email sarahj@hillsbalfour.com For more information see www.keralatourism.org THE SAINT Lucia Tourist Board hosted its third showcase trade event earlier this month at Luton Hoo Hotel in North London. Pictured ready to meet and greet attendees are, from the left: Dr Ernest Hilaire, high commissioner to London; Hon. Lorne Theophilus, minister of tourism; and Louis Lewis, director of tourism.

SPTO runs pre-WTM training roadshow THE SOUTH Pacific Tourism Organisation supported by Tourism Fiji, Papa New Guinea, Samoa and Tahiti will be hosting a three date pre-WTM training roadshow.

Starting with drinks from 18:15 to 19:00, this is followed by a three-course training dinner with entertainment, and the evening will end no later than 22:00.

The events will be hosted in Glasgow on October 29, Manchester on October 30 and London on October 31.

To book a place email events@destination-representation.com

New training dates from 1st Class 1ST CLASS Holidays has announced two agent training days - one on October 3 in Manchester and the second on October 10 at the Silverstone motor racing circuit.

Running from 09:30-17:00, the free events give agents the chance to meet with the operator and its supplier partners and tourism bodies from Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Agents can register by emailing sales@1stclassholidays.com

Advantage debuts 'Frontliners' events ADVANTAGE TRAVEL Centres is holding six new, one-day ‘Frontliners’ events for members’ frontline selling staff.

The free training days will equip staff with skills in customer service, marketing and sales as well as increase their knowledge of Advantage and its products, enabling them to boost sales and productivity.

Events will be delivered by the central team and will take place on October 22 in Belfast; October 24 in Leeds; November 12 in Edinburgh; November 14 in Southampton; November 19 in Newport; and November 21 in London.

For more information or to register call 020-7324 3934 or email events@advantagetravelcentres.com

New online training from USAirtours

TYPICALLY ITALIAN Holidays recently held a trade training event at the new Cambridge Airport in conjunction with the airport and Darwin Airline, which will be flying from Cambridge to various points in Europe including Milan. Paul Stowe (second from right) from Stowaway Travel was the winner of the star prize in an agents' draw and bagged flights for himself and a friend, two nights' accommodation in Milan and free parking.

Pictured celebrating with Paul are, from the left: Jeremy Moore, Cambridge Airport; Mari Ojala, Darwin Airline; and John Manson and Daniele Broccoli from Typically Italian Holidays.

12

September 27 2013

USAIRTOURS HAS launched its third module “Selling Orlando Villas” on its new USAexperts online training programme.

The new module has been designed to provide agents with sales tips and advice on how to sell Villas in Orlando, and agents can learn the USPs of booking an Orlando Villa which they can directly pass on to their clients.

The portal offers bite-size training modules that agents can complete in between their normal tasks or at a dedicated time of the day.

Every agent that successfully completes all 12 modules by the end of the year will receive a USAExpert certificate and will have priority selection for fam trip participation.

Their agency will also qualify for additional coop marketing support.

For details see www.usairtours.co.uk/agent

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Photo Coverage Sponsored By

eventbulletin

TRAVEL BULLETIN hosted the latest in its popular series of Destination Showcase events with the first-ever North America Showcase at the Intercontintental Hotel in Westminster. A total of 14 exhibitors presented their destinations and product to a roomful of eager travel agents. The evening also featured guest presentations from Brand USA and photo sponsors Titan, before drawing to a close with a prize draw. Here’s a round-up of the latest news and pictures from the event...

Show News

Right: GOURMET WINNER… Collecting her £35 Five Guys Burgers and Fries restaurant voucher prize from Rob Grover of Expedia TAP is Leah Sakhaei from Virgin Holidays, Kensington.

JETSET HAS been busy promoting how JETS has been developed to enable agents to book foreign internals in a straightforward manner.

Agents can use the same booking stages to book foreign internals, converted from the local currency into sterling, ATOL protected and instantly ticketed. Agents can also decide how much agency commission to apply to this type of fare using Commission Manager.

"Thanks again for inviting me to participate in such a great event - it was well organised and everyone at TB was thoroughly helpful, friendly and accommodating"

COSMOS TOURS & Cruises has announced that its 'Start in Style' private taxi transfer service is now included on all 2014 North America holidays booked by December 19. The service offers a private car pick-up for clients within 50-miles of the departure point. A small excess mileage fee will be applicable if over 50 miles.

Jo Piani, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Right: DISNEY FUN… Catching up with Russell Mears (left) and William Holme (second left) both from Disney Destinations International are travel agents Harv Sethi and Roy Thomas (far right) from Hackney Travel.

Show News ALL LEISURE Holidays has issued its Just You brochure which features more than 70 holidays with 26 new destinations to choose from. The brochure is divided into four sections - City, Tour, Explore and Escape. City holidays are new and offer trips to places such as Istanbul, Madrid, Rome, Berlin, New York, as well as Edinburgh and Stratford upon Avon.

Right: PALM TIME…Caroline Stanton of the Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau presents winner Russell Small from Flight Centre Islington with his prize of a six-night stay in the Palm Beaches.

Below: CALIFORNIAN TREAT…Andrea Sims of Visit California (left) presents prize-draw winner Sarahlee Ettienne from Thomas Cook, Marble Arch with an iPod Shuffle.

DESTINATION BRITISH Columbia is highlighting its Twitter and Facebook pages to agents. The Twitter page can be found at @BeHereBC, while the Facebook page is called HelloBC. For more information see www.britishcolumbia.travel

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September 27 2013

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THINK USA, THINK TITAN

SAVE UP TO £200PP* - BOOK BEFORE 31 OCTOBER 2013 DOOR-TO-DOOR TRANSFERS ON EVERY HOLIDAY

Take a look at our USA section on pages 18-85 in our new Worldwide brochure. *Must be booked by 31 October 2013 and subject to availability and change.

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.

TITAN’S VIP HOME

DEPARTURE SERVICE® INCLUDED FROM

EVERY UK ADDRESS

S03 TB2709 News 2_Layout 1 25/09/2013 11:53 Page 15

Photo Coverage Sponsored By

Below: IT'S A DATE…All set for the speed networking sessions are, from the left: Charlotte Mendoza and Lucy Northrop from Carnival; Cindy Girard and Rob Grover of Expedia TAP; and Andrea Sims, Visit California.

Left: TITAN TALES…Catching up with agents during the drinks reception are Louise Sword (far right) and Ashley Rushman (left) from Titan Travel with Gloria Gilbert, of Colletts Travel Limited (second left); and Carol Smith, Co-Operative PTA.

eventbulletin Show news THE STATE of Alaska is launching its biggest trade training programme, with the objective of training more than 1,200 new agents by October 2014. The tourist board will be taking part in roadshows and events around the UK including Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, London, Belfast, Bristol and Cardiff during October, November and December this year to ensure that the trade is up to date with what’s new in Alaska. This year the destination has also become more accessible following the launch of a new Icelandair route into Anchorage via Keflavik from London, Manchester and Glasgow, as well as increased cruise capacity.

For details see www.travelalaska.com/Travel%20Trade CARNIVAL CRUISE Lines has launched ‘Carnival Passport’, a flexible educational tool where agents can travel from one information-packed destination to another, all while receiving passport stamps. When agents participate in learning experiences on the site they will earn credits that are applied towards one of four passport stamps. After completing each level within the tool, agents are eligible to receive rewards from Love2Shop vouchers to a Kindle Fire, along with an official certificate of completion.

For details see https://carnival.learn.com TO CELEBRATE the launch of its Music, Culture & Heritage module on the USA Discovery Program, Brand USA is giving agents the chance to win VIP tickets to see Will.i.am at the O2.

To be in with a chance of winning, agents should complete the module by this Monday.

For details see www.usadiscoveryprogram.co.uk

Above: IN THE KNOW…During the speed dating sessions, Oonagh McCullagh representing Naples, Marco Island, Everglades and Jo Piani of Fort Myers & Sanibel tell agents about the latest tourism product news.

THE BEACHES of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida highlighted its latest property addition to agents at the North America showcase event. The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village offers views of the Gulf of Mexico, Caloosahatchee River and Tarpon Point Marina, and features one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with private screened-in decks. Onsite facilities include two dining options, three heated pools, a full-service spa and salon, marina, shops, kids' camp and a fitness studio.

For details see www.fortmyerssanibel.co.uk TITAN HAS just grown its agency sales team to six staff, which includes three full time on-the-road area sales executives. The latest additions to the team are Louise Sword who will look after the South and London region and Sandra Bolton who will look after the North, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

NORTH AMERICA PALS…Getting ready for the agents to arrive are, from the left: Rebecca Wilson, Alaska; Jane Fraser, Destination British Columbia; Julie Greenhill, Massachusetts; and Orla Kern, Cosmos Tours and Cruises.

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September 27 2013

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EIGHT RESORTS. ONE CLICK.

CaesarsTravelAgents.com

LESS TIME BOOKING. MORE TIME ENJOYING. Wouldn’t it be nice to have up-to-the-minute Vegas travel news all in one location?

At CaesarsTravelAgents.com, you can view current and upcoming promotions and events, book reservations for your clients, explore things to do throughout our eight iconic Las Vegas resorts, study our selling tips and more!

Visit CaesarsTravelAgents.com today to get the most Las Vegas for your clients. Caesars Entertainment, making life easy for travel agents who do the same for us.

Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2013, Caesars License Company, LLC.

S04 TB2709 USA_Layout 1 25/09/2013 13:00 Page 17

usa

THE GREAT Lakes, which is developing a new website to promote the area, is gearing up to host Pow Wow in Chicago next year, as well as pre- and post-fam trips for travel agents. The region is also hoping to see a boost in funding from the Government to promote to international markets, with the UK being its main target.

Hayes & Jarvis offers New Year trip to Las Vegas HAYES & Jarvis is offering a four-night holiday to Las Vegas from £599 per person, which includes savings of £119 per person.

Departing on January 9, the deal includes room-only accommodation at the four-star Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino and flights from Heathrow to Las Vegas with Delta Air Lines.

Alternatively, a three-night break in New York costs from £679 per person, with savings of £258 per person. Departing on November 10, the offer includes room-only accommodation at the three-star Affinia

Manhattan and flights from Heathrow to Newark with United Airlines.

The operator has also added the state of Utah to its latest USA brochure which launched on Tuesday and will now feature hotels in Salt Lake City. The brochure includes a number of new self-drive and escorted tours, including a Gone with the Wind escorted tour with visits to Atlanta, Charleston, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Memphis and Nashville, plus a Lighthouse & Lobsters self-drive tour which features Boston, Acadia National Park and Cape Cod.

Disney comes to life at Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry CHICAGO’S MUSEUM of Science & Industry has announced a new exhibition celebrating 90 years of Disney imagination, innovation, and entertainment.

From October 16, the Treasures of Walt Disney Archives, will display nearly 300 iconic props, costumes, artworks and artefacts from nine decades of Disney history and showcases the creative accomplishments and innovations of one of Chicago's native sons, Walt Disney.

From Mickey Mouse, to Mary Poppins and Captain Jack Sparrow, visitors will get the chance to see artefacts rarely on display to the public.

The museum will also screen clips from Walt Disney’s earliest animation works, view a partial recreation of his office and see hand-sculpted models used in the production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Dumbo.

The exhibition will also showcase Disney’s technological breakthroughs in animations and motion pictures through interactive stations, where visitors will be able to try recording sound effects for a film, explore Disney's revolutionary MultiPlane film camera and learn to draw favourite characters in the Animation Academy.

Tickets cost US$20.25 (approximately £13) for adults, US$12.25 (£8) for children and can be purchased at the museum.

America As You Like It offers a four-night holiday to Chicago flying with United Airlines from Heathrow staying at the Best Western Grant Park on a room-only basis from £695 per person, based on a family of four sharing.

To book visit www.americaasyoulikeit.com or call 020-8742 8299 and for details on the exhibition see www.msichicago.org

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Exclusive offers from Attraction World ATTRACTION WORLD is offering a number of deals on a selection of US attractions.

Offers in Florida include kids’ entry price for adults at Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Orlando, with an entrance fee of £8 for both adults and children; free entry to the Wildlife Park at Wild Florida Airboats, with tickets from £17 per adult and £14 per child (aged three-12 years); and meeting the cast of the Rat Pack Tribute Dinner Show for £43 per adult and £31 per child.

The company is also offering one extra day free with the Alcatraz Combo Package in San Francisco, with a three-day hop on/off bus package instead of two days, plus a visit to Alcatraz.

Meanwhile, agents booking any Grand Canyon helicopter flight for their clients will receive either a free souvenir DVD or a tshirt, while agents will be offered a free toy for Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris bookings made by Monday.

September 27 2013

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usa Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants highlights new fitness & wellness perks HEALTH-CONSCIOUS holidaymakers can stay fit on the road with a range of wellness perks at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants across the US. The company is promoting a range of activities, including poolside Pilates, afternoon power walks, Zumba classes and fitness centres.

Meanwhile, guests' wardrobes at every hotel are now stocked with customdesigned yoga mats, accompanied by a complimentary ‘Roll-Out Service’. Upon request, a staff member will come to the room, roll-out the mat and set the TV to the on-

demand yoga or Pilates channel for inspiration. The service includes extra towels, flavoured water, fresh fruit or a mix of dried fruit and nuts.

Guests can also explore their chosen destination on a specially customised bike.

The red, three-speed bikes are available to use free-ofcharge and visitors can order locally-sourced goodies to enjoy on their trip, including chef-curated lunches such as assorted olives, caprese sandwiches and truffles.

Meanwhile, special fitness packages include Hotel Monaco’s ‘Bike with the GM’ programme, which includes a touchscreen GPS loaded

KIMPTON HOTELS recently completed a sales visit to the UK and Ireland. Pictured at the Kimpton-sponsored USA TravelMedia.ie Summer Networking Event in Dublin, are, from the left: Alex Garcia and Cindy Brewster, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants; Garry Orr, Virgin Holidays; and Kerry Sullivan, Getabed.

with general manager Ed Virtue’s top 25 cycling excursions, plus a weekly bike ride with Ed every Wednesday from 16:30-

17:30. Overnight accommodation costs from $169 (£112) per person.

For more information visit www.kimptonhotels.com

Collette Worldwide Holidays boosts tour options in 2014/15 brochure COLLETTE WORLDWIDE Holidays has launched its 2014/15 brochure, with the addition of three new tours in the US, bringing the total number of tours to 17.

The operator says that one of the new tours expected to be particularly popular is 'Autumn in New England', an eight-day journey that takes in country stores, covered bridges, mountain landscapes and New England’s old

world charm. Highlights include visits to Boston, Salem, Vermont’s Norman Rockwell Museum, a traditional Vermont farm and Portland Head Light, as well as a chance to sample a Maine lobster dinner.

Prices lead in at £1,899 per person and bookings made by November 30 are eligible for early booking savings of £200 per couple.

All tours include flights, transfers and transport, along with breakfast, many other meals, accommodation, the services of a tour manager throughout and door-to-door pick up within 100-miles of the UK departure airport.

For more information visit www.colletteworldwide.com or call 0800-804 8700.

Chicago expansion for Getabed.co.uk

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO Resort is expanding The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida next year, while Walt Disney World Resort will complete its New Fantasyland expansion with the opening of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster at Magic Kingdom Park.

For more information visit www.trade.visitorlando.com

18

September 27 2013

GETABED.CO.UK has added three new hotels in Chicago, all of which are in its 'Preferred Hotels' range.

They include the three-star Essex Inn, which is located on Michigan Avenue in the heart of downtown Chicago; the four-star Allegro, a boutique property adjacent to the historic Cadillac Palace Theatre and surrounded by other top theatres, shops and attractions; and the four-star Millennium Chicago, a luxury hotel at the gateway to the Magnificent Mile which is celebrating its 85th birthday this year.

The company's product manager Simon Miles said: “We have just under 90 hotels on sale in Chicago and it seems to be proving a popular destination in 2013 with sales up 18% year-on-year. We’re confident that the addition of these three key properties will boost sales through our trade partners even further.”

As examples of prices, a stay at the Essex Inn leads in at £54 per person per night in October and November and £33 from December 5 to March, 2014, while a stay at the Allegro costs from £82 from October 13 to November 30 and £58 from December 5-30.

Prices are based on two sharing on a room-only basis, while transfer rates are £47 per person each way based on two sharing a luxury sedan.

For more information see www.getabed.co.uk, call 01273429000 or email agencysupport@getabed.co.uk

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Last chance to book FREE Disney Dining for 2014!

FREE Disney Dining* + 14 Disney Park days for the price of 7!** Book by 5 November 2013, for stays on selected dates 1 January–30 November 2014.*

When your customers book their 2014 Walt Disney World ,ià ÀÌ Ìi E / V iÌ *>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 for their 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

Make family memories that will last a lifetime! †For arrivals on selected dates 1 Jan–8 Apr 2014 and 27 Apr–30 Nov 2014 inclusive.

disneytravelagents.co.uk disneydining.co.uk

*Free Disney Dining + 14 for 7 Ticket offer is available for bookings made by 5 Nov 2013 for selected arrivals 1 Jan–8 Apr 2014 and 27 Apr–30 Nov 2014 inclusive. Stays are subject to room and flight availability. Eligibility for Disney Free Dining requires a minimum length of stay of five consecutive nights, and a maximum of 21 consecutive nights at the same participating Disney Resort Hotel. A Disney Dining Plan must be selected for all members of the party travelling who are aged 3 and over at time of travel and for the full duration of their stay. Children aged 3–9 (at time of visit) must order from the children’s menu where available. Not valid for children under three years. Offer is only available if a package including accommodation at a participating Walt Disney World Moderate Resort, Disney Deluxe Resort or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort, plus Disney Tickets for the whole party and a Disney Dining Plan is booked together. Gratuities are not included. The number and type of rooms allocated to this offer are limited. This ‘Free Dine’ offer provides all members of the party travelling aged 3 and over at time of travel with a free Disney Quick Service Dining Plan for participating Moderate Resort bookings, and free Disney Dining Plan for participating Deluxe Resort or selected Deluxe Villa Resort bookings. **14 day ticket for the price of 7 offer is available for bookings made by 31 Dec 2014 for arrivals throughout 2014. For this time Disney’s 14-Day Ultimate Ticket is available for the price of Disney’s 7-Day Ultimate Ticket. Disney’s Ultimate Ticket expires 14 days from first day of use. Child ages 3–9 years (at time of use). †Subject to availability on selected dates. Conditions apply. ©Disney.

S04 TB2709 USA_Layout 1 25/09/2013 13:00 Page 20

The holiday’s booked,

let’s make the memories!

I didn’ t think I’ d survive!

America’s Premier Halloween Event Descend into madness at Halloween Horror NightsŽ, a terrifying menagerie of haunted houses, immersive street experiences, outrageous live shows, and more. Experience all of Universal OrlandoŽ Resort with a Universal 2-Park Bonus with Halloween Horror Nights Combo Ticket for only £162 per adult*.

Enjoy 14 days of admission to both theme parks plus one night of admission to Halloween Horror NightsÂŽ.

SILVER RUNNER UP 2012

WARNING!

HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS MAY BE TOO INTENSE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13. NO COSTUMES OR MASKS ALLOWED.

Event occurs rain or shine. No rain checks, returns or refunds. Prices, dates, times, attractions and entertainment are subject to availability and may change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. *The 2-Park Bonus with Halloween Horror Nights Combo Ticket entitles one (1) guest BENJTTJPO UP 6OJWFSTBM 4UVEJPT 'MPSJEB 6OJWFSTBM T *TMBOET PG "EWFOUVSF BOE 6OJWFSTBM $JUZ8BML i$JUZ8BMLw PO BMM EBZT EVSJOH B GPVSUFFO DPOTFDVUJWF DBMFOEBS EBZ QFSJPE XIJDI CFHJOT BOE JODMVEFT UIF m STU EBZ BOZ QPSUJPO PG UIF UJDLFU JT VTFE 5IF )BMMPXFFO )PSSPS /JHIUT i))/w

portion of this ticket entitles one (1) guest admission to all of the following NON-SATURDAY 2013 HHN event dates which fall within the same fourteen (14) consecutive day period: September 20, 26, 27, 29, October 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27, 31 or November 1. The GPVSUFFO DPOTFDVUJWF EBZ QFSJPE CFHJOT BOE JODMVEFT UIF m STU EBZ BOZ QPSUJPO PG UIF UJDLFU JT VTFE 5JDLFU FYQJSFT JO GVMM PO +BOVBSZ BOZ VOVTFE EBZT TIBMM CF GPSGFJUFE ))/ CFHJOT BU QN BOE DMPTJOH UJNFT WBSZ 6OJWFSTBM FMFNFOUT BOE BMM SFMBUFE JOEJDJB 5. ÂŞ 6OJWFSTBM 4UVEJPT ÂŞ 6OJWFSTBM 0SMBOEP "MM SJHIUT SFTFSWFE %#8

S04 TB2709 USA_Layout 1 25/09/2013 13:00 Page 21

usa

PORTLAND, OREGON offers a bike and beer tour focusing on the city’s best east-side beer destinations. With more than 50 breweries within city limits which make beers of every style from Northwest IPAs to barrel-aged barley wines and oyster stouts, the bike scene is equally vibrant, with bike lanes all over the city and cyclo-cross races each autumn.

Hard Rock International announces new Palm Springs hotel PLANS ARE underway for a new Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs to open later this year.

Hard Rock International, in collaboration with Kittridge Hotel Management, will take ownership of the former Hotel Zoso in Southern California.

With 160 rooms, the hotel will offer a VIP rock star suite, spa facilities, a workout facility, Rock Shop, a range of dining options, lobby bar and poolside cocktails, chaise longues and fire pits.

The hotel will also offer 20,500sq.ft of ballroom and banquet facility space and business centre.

For further information visit www.hardrockhotels.com

Ranch Rider offers dog sledding experience at luxury resort RANCH RIDER is offering a dog sledding experience for guests staying at the Triple Creek luxury resort, an adult-only retreat situated at the base of the highest peak in Western Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains.

Clients embarking on the dog sledding experience will have the opportunity to train with Jessie Royer, 11-time Iditarod Race finisher and mushing guide, and will partake in the training of the ‘JTeam’ for the Last Great Race On Earth 2014.

Guests will receive complete instructions and learn how to harness

and hitch their team of dogs to a sled, use proper stop and go procedures and manoeuvre their sled as if they were partaking in the Iditarod Race itself.

Each log cabin at the retreat features king- and queen-size beds, log burning fireplaces, steam showers and whirlpool baths.

Six nights in a luxury cabin costs from £2,949 per person based on two sharing and includes accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes and gratuities. Transfers and flights are excluded.

For more information visit ww.ranchrider.com

Chicago’s Art Institute offers free tours for smart phone users VISITORS TO Chicago’s Art Institute can now download a free app for android and apple devices, offering more than 50 personalised tours of the museum.

Each tour features six to ten works of art, with information explaining the connection the pieces have to a particular theme or its historical significance. The app also offers visitors a self guided tour of the museum, with maps of the galleries and information about the museum’s current exhibitions.

New technology has been installed throughout the building – including free WiFi access for all visitors and 200 sensors which act as a GPS system for smart phone users. Visitors can log on to the Art Institute’s system to guide themselves through the various galleries and exhibitions.

For details see www.artic.edu/visit/maps-guides-and-apps and www.choosechicago.com

Kissimmee promotes new dinner & tribute show attractions to sell to clients KISSIMMEE IN Florida is highlighting a range of new attractions.

An Arabian Nights dinner attraction (www.arabiannights.com) is introducing a show with a new storyline this summer – The Royal Celebration which invites guests of all ages to witness the wedding of Princess Amirah and Prince Raswan alongside the magic of the Genie and the Sorcerer.

Alternatively, The Rat Pack & Friends – Dinner and Tribute Show (www.ratpackandfriends.com) is the newest dinner show in the city and offers a celebration of the years when The Rat Pack ruled the Vegas strip. During the 90minute performance, Frank Sinatra and the boys wind back the clock and remember the good old days while performing hits from the libraries of Frank, Dean Martin and Sammy

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Davies Junior. Some old friends from the past also feature in the show, including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley plus some of today’s musical stars including Lady Gaga and Madonna.

Meanwhile, Hau Hele Wai Paddleboarding (www.hauhelewai.com) has recently been introduced to the region. Hau Hele Wai (pronounced How-Haylay-Why) is a Hawaiian phrase meaning ‘Walk on water’ and guests will be able to take courses in the sport.

If clients prefer to keep their feet on terra firma, then they can now explore the backcountry areas of Lake Kissimmee State Park on a Segway (www.backtrailfla.com). Jeff Futch offers the guided tour, visiting areas of the 5,930-acre park between Lake Kissimmee and Lake Rosalie that many visitors never see.

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usa New itineraries added to Trafalgar’s 2014 US brochure with prices from £2,950 TRAFALGAR HAS introduced two new itineraries to its US programme.

A ten-day Florida Fun ‘n’ Sun, part of the operator’s expanding Family Experiences programme, is designed with activities and sightseeing that appeal to all members of the family.

Highlights include an airboat journey to see the Everglade’s endangered wildlife, a Be My Guest dinner at a local restaurant in Little Havana followed by a dance lesson, a pool party at the Omni Orlando Resort and a trip to a theme park of their choice.

Prices start from £2,950 including private door-to-door transfers, flights, nine nights’ breakfast accommodation

with a further five evening meals, sightseeing and the services of a travel director.

The second new itinerary is a 15-day Best of the West itinerary, starting and ending in LA and travelling through California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona.

Highlights include a visit to a date farm in Palm Springs followed by a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, learning from a local guide at the Grand Canyon, a hayride and barbecue in Death Valley National Park, a farm-totable Be My Guest dinner in Monterey and a city tour of LA. Prices start from £3,275 per person including flights, private door-to-door

Utah's National Park

transfers, 14 nights’ breakfast accommodation with a further six evening meals, sightseeing and the services of a travel director.

For more information call 0800-533 5616 or visit www.trafalgar.com

Washington, DC offers new and enhanced visitor attractions for autumn WASHINGTON, DC has introduced a variety of new and enhanced attractions for holidaymakers this autumn.

Examples include ‘Anchorman: The Exhibit’ hosted by the Newseum (www.newseum.org) and Paramount Pictures from November 14-August 31. The exhibition will feature props such as Ron Burgundy’s jack flute, costumes and footage from the 2004 comedy ‘Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy’, prior to the release of ‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues’ on December 20, 2014.

Meanwhile, the ‘Van Gogh Repetitions’ exhibition at The Phillips Collection art museum (www.phillipscollection.org) in the Dupont Circle will feature more than 30 portraits and landscape pictures from some of the world’s most

renowned collections and will open from October 12January 26. Tickets cost $12 per adult and children under 18 can enter for free. Visitors are encouraged to book online beforehand.

Other highlights available in the capital include ‘Romeo and Juliet’, which will run at the Folger Theatre (www.folger.edu) from October 15-December 1 and ‘The Civil War in America’ exhibit at the Library of Congress (www.loc.gov) from November 12-January 4. The exhibit will feature the Library’s Civil War collections that chronicle the events in both the north and south from 1861–1865.

To find out more about Washington, DC and the Capital Region USA visit www.capitalregionusa.co.uk

Virginia’s all-American ‘old school’ road trips VIRGINIA, KNOWN for its scenery, vineyards and Civil War history, is this autumn showcasing ‘old school’ road trips to all-American attractions on dedicated retro website www.virginia.org/oldschool Agents can find the best of ‘old school’ America in Virginia for their clients - from the birthplaces of some of the US' world-renowned diner treats including the waffle cone and Skeeterdog hotdog, to the haunts of swing legends and some of the last drive-in cinemas. Guests can also visit Foamhenge at Natural Bridge, a life-sized replica of Stonehenge made of foam and constructed by artist Mark Cline.

Meanwhile, two Hollywood exhibitions are set to open in Virginia in November. From November 9-February 17, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will be exhibiting galleries of costumes from iconic films, including Titanic, The Wizard of Oz and Superman at the new Hollywood Costumes exhibit.

The Made In Hollywood show meanwhile opens from November 23-March 10 and will feature 94 photographs drawn from an exclusive London-based archive, portraying some of the most iconic stars and memorable moments from the Golden Era of Hollywood Cinema (1920-1960).

Combined admission to the two exhibitions is $25 per person or $18 per person for groups larger than ten.

For further details about the exhibitions visit www.vmfa.state.va.us For more information about Virginia and the Capital Region USA visit www.capitalregionusa.co.uk

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THE LAS Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has completed a $20million refurbishment of the Las Vegas Convention Center, as part of the wider $2.5billion improvements being made to the Las Vegas Business District. The LVCVA implemented the changes, which are designed to enhance the visitor experience, to the 3.2m sq.ft facility over the past two years while working around shows and events in the building. All of the recent improvements will be integrated into future plans for the Las Vegas Global Business District, an overarching vision for the Las Vegas Convention Center and the surrounding area.

For details see www.lvcva.com

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usa G Adventures offers three new tours in 2014 Earth brochure G ADVENTURES has launched three brand new US trips in its 2014 Earth brochure.

An eight-day Pacific Coast California Express leads in at £1,099 per person and offers drives along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, bike riding around Monterey, eating on Cannery Row, visiting the beach in Santa Barbara, walking the hilly streets of San Francisco and searching for the stars in Hollywood.

Departures are available from MayOctober.

A nine-day Highlights of the Deep South itinerary tours the historic houses in Charleston and explores the dark and mysterious side of Savannah, as well as visiting Nashville, learning about the Blues in Memphis and partying on Bourbon Street. The trip leads in at £1,299 per person for departures from April-September.

Meanwhile, a 15-day Highlights of Alaska tour explores Anchorage, Denali National Park, Mt McKinley,

Windigo, California

Wrangell-St Elias National Park and the Kenai Peninsula. Prices lead in at £1,999 per person for departures between June and August, and for all

the tours, flights are excluded.

For more information or to book call 0844-272 2040 or visit www.gadventures.co.uk

Wildlife Worldwide launches new wildlife photography breaks for 2014 WILDLIFE WORLDWIDE will next year introduce new wildlife photography breaks led by wildlife photographer Nick Garbutt.

Among them is the Wild West Winter Wonderland photography holiday in Yellowstone National Park where, on arrival at Montana, guests will be met by Garbutt and will embark on full-day excursions visiting locations including Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction and wildlife hotspots such as Lamar Valley.

Moving on to West Yellowstone and driving along the river valleys of Gallatin, Madison and Firehole, two full days will be spent photographing Old Faithfull and the Upper and Middle Geyser Basins.

The next stop is Central Yellowstone, with daily snow coach trips at both sunrise and sunset to locations such as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, Mud Volcano, Gibbon River Meadows and Norris Geyser Basin.

The tour, which departs on February 8, leads in at £4,995 per person based on two sharing and includes 13 nights’ accommodation, most meals (12 breakfasts, 12 lunches/picnics and four dinners), flights, transfers, internal travel, guiding and tuition.

For more information or to make a booking call 0845-130 6982 or visit www.wildlifeworldwide.com

W&O launches premium car and campervan fly/drives WESTERN & Oriental is offering a new collection of campervans and premium car hire such as convertible Mustangs, Ferraris and Lamborghinis for its US fly/drives.

The Canyon Adventure by campervan leads in at £1,405 per person and is based on two sharing for seven nights in a Star RV Volans for travel next month. The price also includes pick-up and drop-off in Las Vegas, Virgin Atlantic flights and a fly/drive pack with driving instructions, vouchers and map.

The tour travels through the canyons of Utah, Arizona and Colorado, including the Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings.

Prices for a 'Best of the West' fly/drive with a Range Rover Evoque lead in at £3,529 per person, while with a Cadillac 1976 El Dorado costs from £4,349 per person.

Prices are based on two sharing on a two-week holiday, including car hire, flights, three- to four-star hotel accommodation and a fly/drive pack.

The tour starts and ends in Los Angeles, with highlights including Yosemite National Park, Death Valley and the Grand Canyon, as well as Las Vegas, Scottsdale and Monterey.

Alternatively, as well as new vehicle options, the operator has announced two new itineraries: Las Vegas, Palm Springs & San Diego, which leads in at £1,535 per person and Experience the Florida Keys, which leads in at £1,649 per person.

For more information visit www.westernoriental.com

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Virgin adds Philadelphia to portfolio VIRGIN HOLIDAYS' 2014/15 USA and Canada brochure launch sees the addition of Philadelphia to its range of destinations.

Known as the birthplace of America, Philadelphia features an extensive range of historic attractions, iconic foods and tax-free shopping, and the operator recommends a number of properties to experience including Hampton Inn, Lowes Philadelphia, and Hotel Monaco.

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All you have to do is relax Guaranteed sunshine, beautiful beaches and stunning scenery, above and below the water.

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RED SEA Holidays has announced a winter educational programme and is planning to take more than 100 agents to its Red Sea resorts from next month through to December. Departing from a selection of regional airports, agents will have the opportunity to see that it is ‘business as usual’ at the Red Sea resorts – participating in a variety of excursions, experiencing allinclusive a la carte dining and exploring the facilities and local areas. The operator's sales director Jason Hilton said: "We’re committed to the destination and are keen to get agents out to experience the resorts, the quality of our product and the hospitality, which is of the highest standard and remains outstanding value for money.”

redsea

New Xperience properties in Sharm el Sheikh from Olympic Holidays OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS has added two Xperience all-inclusives in Sharm el Sheikh – the Xperience Sea Breeze Resort and Xperience St George Homestay – to its Red Sea programme for summer 2014.

The 304-room Xperience Sea Breeze Resort is a five-star property in the resort's Sharks Bay area, while the fourstar Xperience St George Homestay offers 262 rooms in a hillside location.

The operator's commercial director Photis Lambrianides said: "These Xperience properties are a real boost to our ever-growing Sharm el Sheikh programme and an enhancement of our all-inclusive offer.

"Development is always ongoing in the Red Sea and it's one of our fastest growing destinations. With good charter and low-cost air capacity, prices are highly attractive."

The company has expanded its choice of Red Sea all-inclusives in its Summer Sun 2014 brochure to around 40 properties. Alongside Sharm el Sheikh, it also features Dahab and resorts in the Hurghada area.

Prices lead in at £559 for seven nights' all-inclusive at two three-star properties, the Amar Sina Hotel and Al Diwan Resort Hotel, both in Sharm el Sheikh.

Lambrianides said: "Being outside the eurozone, the Red Sea is much more affordable than many places closer to home and we have high expectations both for this winter and summer 2014.

"Hoteliers are making serious attempts to sell their rooms with many excellent prices and there are some first-class deals to be had, especially at the top end of the market.

"While the Red Sea has become a very late booking market, it has evolved into a year-round destination, with both summer and winter attracting good numbers of sunseekers. Sharm El Sheikh has the greatest number of properties and has seen the biggest discounts this summer, and we are likely to see that pattern continuing through the winter and into summer 2014."

As an example of packages, a sevennights all-inclusive stay at the newly featured five-star Xperience Sea Breeze Resort in Sharm el Sheikh leads in at £695 per person, based on two sharing a double room. The price is for departures in May 2014 and includes flights from Gatwick and transfers.

For more information or to book call 0844-499 4449 or visit www.olympicholidays.com

El Gouna launches social media campaign with creation of visitor forum EL GOUNA has launched a new social media campaign, #LiveFromElGouna, which invites guests and residents to showcase what the resort has to offer. While holidaymakers are advised to avoid unnecessary travel to much of Egypt due to the recent political turmoil in the country, the Red Sea resort of El Gouna remains a safe and stable destination welcoming tourists to its sun soaked shores. Lying at the heart of the campaign, El Gouna’s residents and visitors of the resort are invited to share live images and videos of their time at the resort through social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by using the hashtag #LiveFromElGouna.

Jens Freise, senior director of marketing & sales at Orascom Development, said: “With El Gouna, an already well-established year-round destination on Egypt’s Red

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Sea Riviera, particularly with repeat visitors and families with young children, we wanted to illustrate that the destination is still safe to visit. We decided the best way to do this was by creating a forum through which our community could share their holiday memories at the resort with other holidaymakers, and in turn encourage visitors to not be deterred by the recent events in Egypt.

"We assure all prospective guests that El Gouna has not been affected by the situation in other parts of the country. It is still a great destination to enjoy an extensive list of activities including desert safari quad biking, kite-surfing, stand-up paddling in year-round sunshine, and offers access to some of the world’s best dive sites.”

For more information visit www.elgouna.com

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ly n o n io t a d o accomm ECOMPTER, A provider of carbon footprint calculation and sustainability services to hotel and accommodation providers, recently announced that in the last year, it has helped 36 Best Western Hotels in Finland, Poland and the Baltic states slash their carbon footprints. The best performing hotel in the region saved 29%, with the decrease in carbon footprint translating into a cost saving of tens of thousands of Euros across the group.

For details see www.ecompter.com

Long-haul boom for Getabed.co.uk LONG-HAUL destinations are set to be key sellers for the winter season according to Getabed.co.uk, with the UAE and US both seeing significant year-on-year growth.

The company reports that it has seen bookings for the UAE increase by almost 10%, with particularly strong growth from Abu Dhabi, which has seen bookings soar by 48%. In terms of volume, Dubai is the number one performer and growth continues, with sales up 21% against this time last year.

Orlando is also selling well thanks to an increase in hotels and villas in its portfolio.

Other fast-growing destinations include Singapore, which is up 32% year-on-year, and Jamaica, up 27%.

Dubai deals include £53 per person per night at the fivestar Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, based on two sharing a double room in October, including breakfast.

Alternatively, in Orlando, Disney area villas cost from £9 per person per night, based on full occupancy of the villa in November, on a self-catering basis.

For further details visit www.getabed.co.uk or email agencysupport@getabed.co.uk

MARITIM HOTELS has signed a new management contract for the Hotel Hafendorf Rheinsberg in the New Mecklenburg Lake District, Germany. The hotel is located on the harbour and offers 176 rooms, including 36 Junior Suites and 24 Island Suites, plus a private boat-landing stage. Other facilities include a range of watersports, a wellness lounge offering massages and beauty treatments, sauna, pool and fitness club.

For details visit www.maritim.com

Grenada announces launch of four- and five-star properties following renovation TWO FAMOUS Grenada properties, the five-star Spice Island Beach Resort and the four-star The Calabash, will both reopen in October after several weeks of refurbishment.

Sir Royston Hopkin KCMG, owner of Spice Island Beach Resort (www.spiceislandbeachresort.com), has invested £1million in refurbishing all public areas and guest suites in addition to enhancing the Janissa Spa facilities.

Meanwhile, the 30-suite Calabash (www.calabashhotel.com) is noted for its Rhodes Restaurant – the first overseas venture by celebrity chef Gary Rhodes – and its beachfront garden location.

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Other hotels to be updated include The Grenada Grand Beach Resort (www.grenadagrand.com), which will become the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort by the end of this month and will include the transformation of all public spaces and guest rooms. The resort is located on Grand Anse beach, the longest stretch of white sand in Grenada.

The Sandals LaSource Grenada Resort & Spa (www.sandals.co.uk) is also set to welcome its first visitors in December. With 225 rooms and suites, the oceanfront property will offer its all-inclusive guests the choice of nine restaurants, along with three pools, two river pools and full spa facilities.

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accommodationonly Thailand hotel rooms from £60 per night with Amari AMARI HOTEL group is highlighting a range of affordable hotel rooms across Thailand.

Examples include the 187-room Palm Reef Koh Samui, which sits on the northern end of Chaweng Beach, where prices start from £60 per night based on two sharing.

For more information visit www.amari.com

Long-haul boom for Getabed.co.uk IBEROSTAR HOTELS & Resorts has introduced a new website for agents who want to benefit from high commission levels and preferential conditions when booking accommodation with the company.

The site also allows agents to access special discounted rates.

To register and receive a higher commission level from your first booking, email aishling.mcloughlin@iber ostar.com and quote ‘Travel Bulletin’.

For more information see www.iberostarpro.com

Travelport helps agents navigate hotel booking tool GETTING TO grips with Travelport’s 'Rooms and More' hotel booking tool for agents is now easier with the launch of three new “How to” videos.

The tool brings together a choice of more than 475,000 hotel properties and more than one million room offers.

The company's Niklas Andreen, group vice president – hospitality and advertising, said: “Rooms and More isn’t like any other product out there, so we want to make sure agents know how to get started. From the very first click it’s easy and it’s intuitive and we wanted to demonstrate to agents just how easy and simple it is through these videos.”

The videos cover

Niklas Andreen

account set-up, adding agents and making a basic booking.

For more information visit www.travelportroomsand more.com

LateRooms.com sees surge in seaside bookings RECENT SPECULATION about the lack of funding for coastal UK towns has seemingly served to help these areas attract more visitors – as figures revealed by LateRooms.com show that some seaside spots have seen hotel bookings rise by up to 35% from last year.

Weston Super-Mare, Margate and Clacton are among the towns whose hoteliers have seen a rise in room bookings via the hotel booking specialist site over the last year.

Weston Super-Mare has welcomed a newly built pier and has seen 35% more hotel guests

than last year, whilst Margate has seen a 26% rise, and Clacton a 12% boost for bookings from the same period in 2012.

The company's head of marketing Lynda Matthews said: "After this year's glorious summer and with the spotlight turned on the seaside, it's great to see these towns having a revival.

"We're so pleased that our hoteliers in seaside towns have seen this boost and that people have been finding their perfect hotel by the sea around the UK."

Property additions across the US from TravelCube TRAVELCUBE HAS added more than 550 new properties across 43 of America’s states. They range from luxury hotels on the shores of Palm Beach and the tropical islands of Maui and Kauai in Hawaii, to the landscapes of the Grand Canyon at Yellowstone National Park and major cities including Washington, San Francisco, Chicago or San Diego.

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LUXURIOUS LONDON – Superbreak's sales team were recently given a tour of the five-star Corinthia Hotel in London as part of the operator's ongoing training programme for staff. Pictured in the Music Suite at the hotel are, from the left: Laura Dawson, Susan Hageman and Donna Smithson.

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accommodationonly Pegasus Solutions supports launch of AccessAllRooms.com ACCESSALLROOMS.COM, a multiple brand hotel booking website which supplies reservations for disabled and non-disabled customers, has been launched.

The site directs customers to available room types – including accessible rooms – at the cheapest available rate and features the Global Access Award Scheme (GAAS).

GAAS, which is the first global online hotel rating system, operates like a hotel quality rating with five tiers, with those achieving a level five rating judged as having an excellent level of accessibility. The system will open hotels to a new market of travellers known as TIME travellers (Tourism Industry Markets in Equality).

These holidaymakers include disabled, ageing persons, mobility, sensory and

temporarily impaired guests along with their family, friends and carers.

The site is being supported by Pegasus Solutions, which provides the site with its UltraDirect Switch, giving hotel distributors access to a guest room inventory taken directly from the central reservation systems of more than 100,000 hotels in 200 countries.

Hotel listings on the site and award grading is free of charge, but is only available to hotels which are Pegasus IDS connected and have a Pegasus hotel content database source code.

The site and award system is the brainchild of managing director and 2012 Paralympic Torch Bearer, James Price (pictured). After breaking his neck in a diving accident in 1999, Price became two-thirds paralysed, wheelchair dependent and suddenly

James Price

fully aware of how difficult everyday tasks, such as booking a holiday, can be for people like him or others with a limiting physical impairment.

For more information visit www.accessallrooms.com

Lowcostbeds.com teams up with FHA to make donations for single parent breaks LOWCOSTBEDS.COM has teamed up with the Family Holiday Association and will now make a donation to the charity for every booking it receives for single parent family hotels.

With nearly two million single parent families in the UK, the website’s newly launched programme aims to offer savings of up to 50% to parents travelling on their own with children during the peak season.

John McDonald, director of the charity, said: “Part of our vision is to work in partnership with others to increase the number of families that gain access to holidays and lowcost have been fantastic in creating this new opportunity to support single parent families. Not only will it make a difference to the actual holiday-makers but the donation will contribute to our work in helping very

disadvantaged families have access to breaks, building happier and stronger families.”

Tim Buckman, UK managing director for lowcosttravelgroup, said: “The ideals of the Family Holiday Association are admirable. We were drawn to working with them when trying to find a solution to bringing down the holiday cost for single parents. I believe this is only the start of our relationship with the charity and we look forward to helping many more families have access to what others already benefit from.”

The Family Holiday Association helps more than 2,000 families a year to have a simple break in the UK and escape the stresses of bereavement, poverty, chronic illness, inadequate housing or domestic violence.

For further details see www.familyholidayassocation.org.uk

MALLORCA FARMHOUSES is offering guests who book a property the week commencing October 19 50% off their second week if they choose to stay for 14 nights. Examples include the four-bedroom Finca Sa Cavea (pictured), which sleeps eight and is located close to local shops, restaurants and a bakery and within walking distance of the village of Cas Concos. The farmhouse is available for 14 nights from £1,088, saving up to £363 under the offer. Features include a private pool, table tennis, PlayStation2, free WiFi, barbecue patio and large gardens. All properties come with maid service, a starter pack and a private chef service with a ‘Pamper by Pool’ service available on request.

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

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accommodationonly Celebrate autumn in Oxfordshire & the Cotswolds with Four Pillars Hotels from £49 per night We asked our staff the following question this week: What kind of exercise do you do regularly?

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Verbal and non-verbal reasoning exercises.

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk You couldn't tell, but I try to run three times a week

Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk Long walks

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Walk to and from the pub

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Cricket and golf in summer, walk to the station in winter

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

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk 1x run, 1x cardio class and 2-3x weights sessions per week. Baby permitting! (It helps having a new 24hr gym right on my doorstep)

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk I go out on my mountain bike

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@travelbulletin.co.uk Sales Executive: Matt Gill matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk Football

TO CELEBRATE autumn, Four Pillars Hotels has announced a range of offers at its properties in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, with breaks starting from £49 per person per night throughout September, October and November.

The price includes accommodation, dinner and breakfast based on two sharing a standard room for a minimum of two nights over a weekend and also during the October half-term period. Under the offer, children can also stay and eat breakfast for free.

Clients interested in seeing the countryside can take in wildlife spotting during a stay at the contemporary Cotswold Water Park set on its own lake within 55 acres of Cotswold parkland. The hotel also offers private self-catering apartments with prices leading in at £80 per apartment per night.

Alternatively, guests can stay at the Grade II-listed Tortworth Court in Gloucestershire with its arboretum.

The hotel is also ideally located for families who wish to experience the low-noise Family Friendly Fireworks at Bristol Zoo from November 1-3.

For foodies, the hotel group has four properties in and around Oxford which are ideally placed to enjoy some of the key food events taking place within the region. From November 21, Oxford’s festive market in St Giles will be showcasing local produce from across the Thames Valley and Cotswolds. There is also the BigEat Cotswolds, a new food festival running from October 26-November 2.

Alternatively, guests can count down to Christmas with a visit to one of the region’s many Christmas markets and events including Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival from November 22-24, which includes a lantern parade through the streets followed by late night museum openings and two days of music and dance events.

For more information call 0800-374 692 or visit www.four-autumn.co.uk

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria offers apartment accommodation THE GRAND Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, Italy has introduced the new Excelsior Vittoria Villa, a two-bedroom apartment (which sleeps six) set in private gardens. Offering contemporary interiors with a spacious living room, fully equipped kitchen, two bedrooms and a terrace, guests will also receive the services of a dedicated concierge, a doorman and all services provided by the hotel. Prices lead in at €4,600 (£3,942) plus 10% tax for six nights.

For more information or to book visit www.exvitt.it

Senior Designer: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@travelbulletin.co.uk

Expedia expands choice of hotels

Basketball

EXPEDIA HAS increased the number of hotels available on its main site, giving agents the option to book from more than 205,000 properties. Agents can earn commission on any of the hotels, whether booked as hotel-only or as part of a package. For details see www.expedia.co.uk/travelagents Meanwhile, according to the company's analysis, hotels in the UK that have enabled the Expedia Traveller Preference (ETP) programme have experienced an increase in their standalone (room-only) year-over-year net room night production of more than 13% points on average.

ETP-enabled hotels offer travellers choice on how they would like to pay for their reservation, either at the time of the booking or at the time of stay. More than 30,000 hotels globally are now signed up to the programme and more than 840 in the UK are already ETP-enabled.

Assistant Designer: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@travelbulletin.co.uk Snowboarding down the face of Kilimanjaro

Production: Nick Salt production@travelbulletin.co.uk Playing with me pussycat

Circulation Manager: Jim Merchant post@travelbulletin.co.uk Travel Bulletin is published by Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London, SW1W 0EX, Tel: 020-7834 6661 Printed by: Wyndeham Grange Limited Subscriptions are £105 p.a. £155 overseas ISSN: 0956-2419

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September 27 2013

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. SUNVIL, 3. OBAN, 7. GRANADA, 8. HERTZ, 10. ATH, 11. USA, 12. NSW, 14. SOFIA, 16. YUCATAN, 17. GWEN, 18. ORIANA. Down: 1. STEPHEN KING, 2. NIGER, 4. BRAVA, 5. NORTH DAKOTA, 6. QANTAS, 9. ZURICH, 13. WAYNE, 15. FONDA.

Highlighted Word: SOUSSE Travagrams: (top) Ryanair

(bottom) Mercure

Where Am I?: The River Danube

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Last chance to book your seats!

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