Travel Bulletin 7th April 2017

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April 7 2017 | ISSUE NO 2,009 | travelbulletin.co.uk

austria

the hidden gems to promote to clients this summer this week puzzle bulletin 11 win an Amazon Echo with Jet2holidays

personality bulletin Intrepid’s Andrew Turner takes the hot seat

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14 london life find out what’s new in the capital this month

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holiday parks Away Resorts unveils next generation of caravans

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Invites you to attend a

CARIBBEAN ISLANDS SHOWCASE An agent networking evening

MONDAY 10TH APRIL

Double Tree by Hilton, Edinburgh

TUESDAY 11TH APRIL Newcastle County Hotel

Agents, come and join us at one of these informative, fun events and learn more about the accommodation and flight options available to this amazing part of the world. Soak up the Caribbean ambiance and discover the diverse range of activities, wedding and honeymoon and tailor-made packages on offer to meet your customers’ needs.

These evenings will involve a combination of networking and presentations, delicious authentic food and drinks, exciting entertainment along with a free prize draw with a number of fabulous prizes to be won.

Registration: 18:00 hours Networking & Presentations: 18:30 hours Buffet, Entertainment & Prizes: 20:00 hours Carriages: 21:30 hours To con rm your place at this amazing event, email the names of up to 5 staff members by Friday 31st March to: oliver.barton@travelbulletin.co.uk or telephone:

020 7834 6661 for more information.

SPONSORS

EDINBURGH

NEWCASTLE

These events are by invitation only and will be booked on a rst come rst served basis

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AN ELITE PERFORMANCE… AS PART of its 40th anniversary, Elite Travel Group recently held its annual awards night, combined with a dinner to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, at Jury’s Inn in Hinckley, Leicestershire earlier this month. Awards for suppliers were voted for by the consortium’s members and head office, while suppliers voted for their favourite Elite agents and individual members of staff. Frances Peake from Peakes Travel Elite was given the special Andy McNamara award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the travel industry and to the consortium – and we’re pleased to report that Travel Bulletin won the Best Media Partner award. Pictured with our very own sales director, Simon Eddolls (bottom right) are winners from the evening.

Cover Pictures: Main - Andrew Mayovskyy, Shutterstock

Inset - The Roof Gardens, Virgin Limited Edition

Today's traveller wants more redemption choice to help secure loyalty A SURVEY of 2,250 airline and hotel loyalty programme members across the US, UK, UAE and Singapore from Collinson Latitude, part of Collinson Group, reveals that most travellers expect greater choice and flexibility in how they redeem their loyalty currency.

The research reveals that three quarters of loyalty programme members are looking for more choice of rewards besides the traditional offerings of flights and hotels, with more than half (52%) of respondents describing redemption programmes only offering these rewards as ‘dated’ and ‘old fashioned’.

In addition, the study also reaffirms the clear commercial benefit for travel loyalty programmes providing a broader redemption offering, beyond their core inventory. A total of 51% of airline members went on to book a flight and 53% of hotel members went on to book a hotel room (core inventory) following a redemption on non-core inventory rewards such as electrical goods or day experiences.

Now in its second year, ‘The Value of Redemption’ survey also showcases the particular value of a broader redemption

This week

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news a look at this week’s industry announcements, offers & developments

agent bulletin a round-up of new fam trips, booking incentives & training

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proposition for both inactive, as well as those members living outside of the programmes core domestic market.

This year’s study also finds that almost seven in ten of airline and 64% of hotel loyalty programme members would like to be able to redeem their points in retail outlets and more than half (58% of airline and 48% of hotel members) agree that that the value of a loyalty programme decreases if they cannot redeem points in-store.

Guy Deslandes, the company's e-commerce sales director, said: “These findings show that travel loyalty programme providers must extend their member engagement capabilities so they can cater for the changing and ever increasing expectations of their members.

"Members want their programmes to provide them with experiences and rewards that suit their lifestyle so it’s imperative that loyalty programme providers have an ecosystem that allows for increased engagement touchpoints. This is a huge opportunity for brands, as we all look to intertwine more tightly to our member’s everyday lifestyles.”

puzzle bulletin play Su Doku for your chance to win an Amazon Echo with Jet2holidays

bulletin briefing news & views from ANTOR

personality bulletin discover which industry personality is in the hot seat this week

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london life find out what’s new in the capital this month

austria new gems to highlight to clients seeking a summer getaway

holiday parks Away Resorts unveils next generation of caravans

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MINI GAIN...Nicola Irving (LEFT) from Wythenshawe, Manchester, has beaten thousands of other people to win a MINI courtesy of Manchester Airport’s MAGnificent trade incentive. To enter, agents had to book a holiday or flight out of Manchester Airport. Pictured handing the keys to Nicola is the airport's deputy CEO, Collette Roche.

Youtravel.com unveils new website and revamped company logo YOUTRAVEL.COM has launched a new website that reflects the company’s continuous progress and development, along with a revamped logo.

The company's head of distribution, Matthew Carpenter, said: “The purpose of the new website is to optimise our partners’ experience by providing them easy accessibility to all of our products, best deals and latest news.

"I am thrilled to have the website live now and I’m confident that the fresh look and feel, along with the faster search response times will enhance our growth and increase our presence in the UK Market.”

The company's new website offers enhanced search engine support and features exclusive products in 42 LABRANDA Hotels and Resorts. More product is expected to be added including new destinations in Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and Rome.

Two-fifths of millennials choose their holiday destination based on how ‘Instagrammable’ holiday pics will be IN A WORLD where more and more people are sharing their lives online, new research has revealed that the drive to have the perfect online life is starting to affect real life decisions.

The results released from a recent study have shown that more than 40% of millennials are choosing their holiday destinations based on how socially shareable their holiday will be, particularly on Instagram.

The survey of more than 1,000 UK adults, aged between 18 and 33 which was undertaken by holiday home insurance company Schofields Insurance, has revealed that ‘how Instagrammable the holiday would be’ has been identified as the number one motivator for millennials when they are deciding on their holiday plans.

The concern as to how holiday snaps would appear online proved more of a motivating factor than the opportunities to immerse themselves in the local culture, local sightseeing and even the cost and availability of alcohol.

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The results in order of popularity were how ‘Instagrammable’ the holiday will be (40.1%); cost/availability of alcohol (24%); personal development (22.6%); chances to experience the local cuisine (9.4%); and opportunities for sightseeing (3.9%).

Commenting on the findings, Phil Schofield, head of inbound marketing at Schofields, said: “I have to admit to being a little astonished by these results. We have recently seen a lot of news coverage around how millennials are making more and more decisions guided by how their life would appear online and so we thought we would see how much they let their portrayed social media presence affect their real life. To see how the holiday snaps appear online being identified as the number one reason to choose a holiday destination really did take us all a little bit by surprise.

“We are constantly being told how much of an affect digital marketing can have on a person. However, it’s only when you see results like this that you become aware of just how much effect living in a world where everything is online can have on a person.”

Flight upgrade offer from Scenic SCENIC RECENTLY launched its 2018 Southeast Asia river cruise and escorted touring collection with a luxury Business Class flight upgrade which ends on April 15.

The new programme includes a range of new Freechoice excursions and dining options; as an example, guests cruising the Mekong can enjoy two new Freechoice activities in Siem Reap – a tethered balloon ride to experience spectacular aerial views over Angkor Wat, and for the more adventurous – a vintage Vespa tour off the beaten track.

Freechoice Dining options now include Square One at Park Hyatt Saigon and a Vespa foodie tour of Saigon by night, and the Cargo Club in Hoi An. As an example of prices, a 12-day Luxury Mekong itinerary offers a river cruise full of history, wildlife and energy and includes ports of call in Vietnam and Cambodia from £4,195 per person.

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Holiday Extras offers extra gadget cover IN RESPONSE to the recent changes to airline security measures, Holiday Extras along with its insurance partners Allianz Global Assistance and Taurus Insurance Services, has updated its insurance policy to cover items placed in the hold for the flights affected.

The introduction of the extended gadget cover will bring peace of mind to thousands of passengers travelling on selected inbound UK flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tunisia.

Under the new government restrictions, phones, laptops, kindles and tablets that are larger than 16cm long, 9.3cm wide and 1.5cm deep will no longer be allowed in the cabin and shall be required to be checked in as hold baggage.

The company's head of insurance, Paul Paddock, said: “Airline security is integral to the safety of passengers, and it is essential for us to ensure that customers can travel with the peace of mind that their belongings are covered. Subject to the usual policy cover limits we are pleased to be able to extend our cover to to include items that are placed in the hold of aircraft for all flights affected by this change.”

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TOP GEAR…Flexible Autos, a preferred car rental partner to the Travel Network Group, has announced Kennedy Travel as the group's top performing member in terms of car hire bookings made in 2016. From the left: Kim Greenwood, Lisa Oxley, Tanya Parkin and Jacqui Wilkinson, all from Kennedy Travel, are pictured with Flexible Autos’ sales director, Chantal Tomlinson, accepting a chocolate and wine thank you hamper.

Trade portal & customer app makes Thames travel easier MBNA THAMES Clippers is helping agents promote holidays to the capital with a series of visitor-friendly initiatives including a free virtual guide and moneysaving offers.

Clients will be able to benefit from the operator’s free in:flow app, a handy geolocation-based tool which delivers real-time audio guides (available in English, French, German and Spanish) to bring the city’s iconic skyline to life as visitors travel along the Thames.

Moneysaving offers for London attractions

and restaurants are also available along with useful city information, from opening hours to map directions.

All of the company's range of tickets – including its hop-on, hop-off River Roamer and joint tickets with Emirates Air Line cable car – can be easily booked by trade partners via its dedicated agent booking portal, Mercatura.

For more information or to book email sales@thamesclippers.com, call 020-7001 2201 or visit thamesclippers.com

New wellness programme from Regent Seven Seas Cruises REGENT SEVEN Seas Cruises has added Seven Seas Wellness, a new programme aimed at holistic wellbeing with opportunities that nurture the body and nourish the soul.

The programme, which debuts this summer on Mediterranean sailings on the line's Seven Seas Voyager, pairs a new collection of wellness-themed excursions with a curated selection of rejuvenating, signature Canyon Ranch SpaClub services; providing guests with the opportunity to create their own invigorating and individualised wellness programme.

Guests who choose a Seven Seas Wellness experience will enjoy a wellness-themed excursion from a collection of more than ten options across Mediterranean destinations.

To complete the distinctive, body and soul-enriching experience, they then select one of five, 50-minute Canyon Ranch spa services: World of Relief Body Buff, Tangle Me Up Wrap, Ocean Scrub, Sole Rejuvenation and Vitamin Infusion Facial.

The new programme is available on seven- to ten-night Mediterranean itineraries from late-May to September, except on the July 25 voyage. There is a supplemental charge of $299 per guest, per port experience and spa service pairing.

For more information see rssc.com or call 02380-682280.

Honey Bee package from D-Resort Grand Azur TURKEY'S D-Resort Grand Azur in Marmaris has launched a new Honey Bee experience for guests to embark on a journey to discover the natural powers and distinctive elements of Turkish pine honey.

Guests staying at the property between now and May 31 can benefit from the experience from £300 per person which includes three nights’ accommodation in a standard sea room, a tour of the ‘Marmaris Castle’, a guided trip to the Osmaniye Honey House, sauna and Hammam sessions, along with a 'Honey & Milk' full body treatment for adults.

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Titan issues dedicated MS Serenade 1 River Cruise brochure for 2018 TITAN HAS exclusively chartered a river cruise vessel, the MS Serenade 1, for a full season in 2017 and 2018.

The company took ownership of the four-star, 68 cabin vessel last month to sail the Rhine, Danube, Main and Dutch Waterways.

Having already sold well for its 2017 departures, the new brochure features 18 varied itineraries for 2018 departures and three new Christmas 2017 itineraries to some of Europe’s finest festive markets.

Prices start from £629 per person for a five-day Rhine Christmas market cruise, plus early booking discounts of up to £250 per person on selected departures, subject to availability.

The ship has been refurbished to the company's specifications and feature 68 superior outside cabins located across three decks, with French balconies on

the two higher decks. The cabin interiors offer a contemporary décor with minibars, tea and coffee-making facilities and generously sized

bathrooms, with each having a bath as well as a separate shower. To the rear of the ship are two 22sq.m Suites with full private balconies and a private seating area.

The spacious Panorama Lounge provides a place to relax during the day and is the hub for musical entertainment or to enjoy a cocktail by night. The Sun Deck and Sky Lounge provide scenic 360-degree views and for those looking to keep active there’s an on-board gym and revitalising sauna.

As an example of prices, a new fiveday ‘ Traditional Christmas Markets on the Rhine’ leads in at £629 per person based on a December 14 departure and includes a saving of up to £100 per person.

Agents can claim a £20 lifestyle voucher for any MS Serenade 1 booking until April 30.

Center Parcs to unveil two new water rides at Longleat Forest this summer THIS SUMMER, Center Parcs is launching two new rides as part of Longleat Forest’s revamped Subtropical Swimming Paradise.

The waterslide additions, named Tropical Cyclone and Typhoon, both feature light and sound experiences offering an immersive nature-inspired theme for the rider to select ahead of a bespoke experience.

There are also two new areas included in the revamp; a family water play area and a toddler pool. These new areas will see families whizzing down brightly lit tubes, spraying each other with spouts and having fun in the water from the hidden giant tipping buckets and more.

Visit centerparcs.co.uk for more details.

NEWS BITES ● THE NUMBER of British tourists visiting Lithuania has increased by 7.6% over the past year according to the Lithuania State Department of Tourism. More than 58,200 British holidaymakers visited the destination in 2016, staying at least one night, making it the fifth consecutive year for growth from the UK market. ● ENETT INTERNATIONAl is calling on the travel industry to enhance its financial and operational processes to free up employees to spend more time with customers. One-click payments, contactless services and direct mobile billing have revolutionised payments in many B2C industries, but B2B payments in the travel sector are often still handled manually. The company says that technology such as Virtual Account Numbers (VANs) can be used to automate this process, speeding up customer-to-intermediary payments to enhance the customer experience of online checkouts. It also says that automating the payments process enables employees to take on higher value, more motivating activity with customers.

FLYBE HIGH...Pictured marking the launch of new Flybe flights to Aberdeen and Edinburgh from Heathrow are Vincent Hodder from Flybe and Carol Benzie from Aberdeen International Airport. With up to four daily services to Edinburgh and three to Aberdeen, prices lead in at £29.99 and £34.99 one-way respectively.

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● BRIGHT HAS presented ABTA Lifeline charity with a cheque for £3,720 collected at its workshops throughout 2016. The sum collected was doubled by Bright and a cheque was presented to ABTA Lifeline last month.

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Emirates introduces laptop & tablet service for US flights EMIRATES IS introducing a new service to enable customers to use their laptops and tablet devices until just before they board their flights to the US. Customers travelling to the US via Dubai will be able to utilise their laptops and tablet devices on the first part of their journeys, and also during transit in Dubai.

They must then declare and hand over their laptops, tablets and other banned electronic devices to security staff at the gate just before boarding their US-bound flight. The devices will be carefully packed into boxes, loaded into the aircraft hold, and returned to the customer at their US destination. There will not be any charge for the service.

Passengers on US-bound flights starting their journeys in Dubai are encouraged to pack their electronic devices into their check-in luggage in the first instance, to avoid delays. Customers should be aware that there will be a detailed search of all hand baggage on non-stop flights to the US from Dubai. They should therefore declare their devices before the search, or ensure their electronic devices are packed into their check-in luggage in the first instance.

For further information see emirates.com/electronicsban

New brand offers all-inclusive villa holidays in Malta THE SKI tour operator, SnowChateaux has introduced a new summer brand called SunChateaux, a new summer holidays arm which offers luxury, allinclusive villa holidays in Gozo, Malta, which will be sold through the trade.

The company has self designed and built four villas each located in a relaxed and tranquil setting on Gozo, with luxury services and facilities such as indoor plunge pools, en-suite bedrooms, complimentary car hire, mountain bikes, tennis facilities and coaching all available. Each villa also offers uninterrupted views across open countryside and has a private outdoor infinity pool.

Tim Locke, managing director of the companies, said: “For the past 15 years we’ve successfully specialised in fullycatered ski chalets across the French Alps, so we’ve decided to take what we have perfected across to the sunny island of Gozo in Malta and apply the same concept to four fantastic catered villas which have been designed and built by us.

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"We are confident that this summer product will be popular with agents, especially those with clients looking for first class accommodation, delicious Mediterranean dining and fantastic hospitality. Essentially we wanted to offer a summer product which takes all the elements of our ski chalet holidays and offers them in a luxury summer environment. For us, Gozo was the obvious choice owing to Malta's enduring popularity with the UK market."

Prices start from £745 per person, per week based on two sharing a room including flights from Gatwick and seven nights ‘villa board’ accommodation which includes continental breakfast, al-fresco lunch and a four-course evening meal on six nights, accompanied with wine, beer and soft drinks.

Infants are charged £150 per week and child discounts are also available.

Return flights are with Air Malta from Gatwick departing on Sundays mid-morning and regional flights are also available.

For more information see sunchateaux.com

London & Paris announce tourism partnership THE MAYOR of London, Sadiq Khan, and the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, have announced new business and tourism collaborations to attract international visitors to both cities and help companies based in London and Paris to expand into new international markets.

The agreement will, for the first time, jointly showcase London and Paris to overseas visitors, while a new initiative called the 'Paris-London Business Welcome Program' will encourage and facilitate the flow of trade and investment between the two cities.

Khan said: “Never underestimate the incredible benefits to be found when major cities do business together. Our great friends in Paris and across the continent are well aware that working closely together remains to our mutual benefit.”

The tourism agreement, which will launch in 2018, will focus on key drivers for international visitors to both cities, such as culture and heritage, and combine the resources of VisitLondon.com and Parisinfo.com

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Norwegian launches global hotels partnership with Expedia Affiliate Network NORWEGIAN HAS launched a global partnership with Expedia Affiliate Network (EAN) giving the carrier’s loyal customers access to exclusive rates at a broader range of hotels whilst earning cost savings on all Norwegian flights.

In an exclusive agreement, Norwegian has added nearly 300,000 of EAN’s hotel accommodations and more than 100 million trusted reviews to its flight offering with EAN’s ‘Hotels.com for Partners’ product.

EAN’s ‘Hotels.com for Partners’ is a high-converting, constantly optimised retail platform. Available as both a white-label and co-branded solution, Norwegian opted to co-brand its hotel offering to benefit from the strength of the Hotels.com brand.

Along with access to an extensive selection of hotels, Norwegian customers will benefit from EAN’s discounted package rates when booking a flight and a hotel together on the airline's new co-branded website. EAN will provide online accommodation suggestions in Norwegian’s flight booking confirmation emails. The airline's customers will also have the choice and flexibility to pay for their hotel reservation at the time of booking or upon arrival.

The new partnership comes as Norwegian is gearing up for the launch of ten new transatlantic routes from the UK and Ireland to three new destinations in the US this summer.

City hotspots brochure launch from Jet2CityBreaks to 26 cultural destinations JET2CITYBREAKS has launched its new 2017 brochure, showcasing the company’s range of city hotspots including world famous capitals and cultural centres.

The collection features two- to five-star hotels across 26 destinations, including new for this year, Girona, alongside its biggest New York programme to date.

The brochures can be found at https://jet2holidays.inbro.net/

Alan Cross, head of trade at Jet2holidays, launches the new brochure.

and agents can access ATOL protected city break packages via https://trade.jet2holidays.com The programme also offers a £60 per person deposit along with friendly flight times with Jet2.com, with increased departures from next month and 22kg baggage allowance.

The company's head of trade at Jet2holidays, Alan Cross, said: “There is something for everybody in our 2017 Jet2CityBreaks collection. We have added a fantastic new destination in Girona, and are opening our other city break packages to more people by adding more flights and hotels in addition to our new base launches at Stansted and Birmingham."

For more information or to request a copy of a brochure call 0800-408 5587.

New winter & spring brochure launch from Great Rail Journeys GREAT RAIL Journeys has released its latest 'Winter, Festive & Spring' brochure, complete with seven new itineraries to destinations including Sweden, Russia, Italy, England and Germany.

One of five tours to Italy is a new five-day Christmas in the Dolomites option. It includes a visit to Trento Christmas Market, a Christmas Eve feast, Christmas Day in Verona, with a guided tour followed by three-course lunch, and a rail excursion to Bolzano including a guided tour and lunch in a local brewery. The tour departs on December 23 and leads in at £1,145 per person.

Closer to home, Festive Bath offers a Christmas getaway for four days. With a Christmas Eve arrival, the break includes four-star accommodation, a Christmas Day Bucks Fizz celebratory breakfast followed by a leisurely morning and delicious Christmas Lunch. The rest of the stay includes a guided tour of Bath, a tour of the SS Great Britain, and a steam-hauled journey on the heritage Dean Forest Railway, complete with a mince pie. Prices start from £595.

Alternatively, a six-day Russian Winter Wonderland includes a city tour of Moscow including the Kremlin, Red Square and the Bolshoi Theatre, a tour of Catherine’s Palace and Park and a sightseeing tour of St. Petersburg, including a visit to the vodka museum complete with tasting.

Prices start from £1,395 and there are four departures available between January and March 2018.

To book or for more information see greatrail.com

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• They’re here: The official PortAventura World and Ferrari Land brochures • NEW: Brochure Preview from Voyages to Antiquity • NEW: Luxury Swarvoski gifts to be won, courtesy of Swarovski Crystal Worlds, Austria • Win a stay for the family at Europa Park Theme Park & Resort in Germany

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Booking incentives ●

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Agents who book a tour for their customers from Kuoni’s new escorted touring brochure have the chance to win a place on the Highlights of Sicily tour, a culinary journey that explores the multicultural history of the island along with its landscapes.

The prize includes travel for two departing on September 12 including flights. Names will be automatically added to the draw, which will take place at the end of this month. Details at kuoni.co.uk Insider Journeys has launched a ‘Join us in Asia’ travel agent incentive to reward bookings of its Small Group Journey product.

For bookings made between now and June 30, 2018, agents can earn one of three levels of reward: Book five travellers to earn a ten-day trip to Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos; book ten travellers to earn a 14day tour to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China, Bhutan, India, Thailand or Burma; and book 15 travellers to travel on any of the company’s Small Group Journeys.

For details call 01865-268944 or visit insiderjourneys.co.uk

Fancy a fam?

TRAFALGAR IS giving UK agents the opportunity to win a place on an upcoming fam trip to Costa Rica, departing on June 10. For the chance to win a wild card place, agents should email bookings secured by April 13 to agency.sales@trafalgar.com. Agents submitting bookings will also receive a £50 Love2Shop voucher per booking along with 7.5% off the customers’ trip and up to 50% off for the agents for their own holiday.

AGENT TRAINING INGHAM'S HAS launched The Academy, a bespoke Learning Management System for travel agent partners. The new launch helps agents build on their knowledge of the company's Ski, Lakes & Mountains portfolio plus tailor made Italy programmes via a range of videos and interactive courses, separated into modules. On completing a minimum of three modules over the next six months agents will be automatically entered into a monthly prize draw. Prizes include a holiday to Lake Garda, £200 worth of Love2Shop vouchers, an iPad, flights with BA, a £150 experience day voucher and a holiday to Austria. For details see https://learning.inghams.co.uk

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HAVING A JOLLY...Three travel agents have won a prize in Monarch’s February pea ks competition. To enter, agents had to make a holi day booking with the operator to win prizes includin g a three-night city break for two at the Teatro Hot el in Porto, a £50 Love2shop voucher and a Monar ch goodie bag.

Pictured with his Love2Shop vou cher is Keith Jolly from The Holiday Warehouse UK with the airline's Kirsty Bachelor.

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Experience Latin America showcases 27 new companies for 2017 trade event THE LATIN American Travel Association (LATA) has announced 27 new exhibitors for Experience Latin America 2017 (ELA 2017), its travel trade event dedicated to Latin America.

Returning to CCT Venues in Canary Wharf, London from June 12-14, ELA 2017 will feature more than 130 exhibitors for a three-day by-invitationonly event offering the Latin American travel community the opportunity to

present their products to the UK and European tourism industry during scheduled meetings, seminars and networking events.

New exhibitors include local operators Catherwood Travels, Albee Adventures and Coltur Peru, hoteliers such as Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa in Cartagena, Colombia, Hotel del Parque in Guayaquil, Ecuador and Casa Natura Lodge in the Galapagos Islands.

Returning to ELA 2017 are tourist boards from Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Mexico airlines such as LATAM Airlines, AirEuropa, Aerodiana and Copa Airlines and hotels and DMCs from across the region including Alvear Palace Hotel, AMResorts, Tierra Hotels Chile, Aqua Expeditions and Belmond.

For further information visit experiencelatinamerica.co.uk

British Airways announces additional flights to Mauritius from Gatwick THE MAURITIUS Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) and British Airways have announced an increase in direct flights from the UK to the popular Indian Ocean destination.

BA flights from Gatwick will now include two additional departures per week, bringing the total to five, with departures on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The added flights have been confirmed for the entire winter season with five departures per week available from October 29 to March 21, 2018.

The MTPA's director, Kevin Ramkaloan, said: "More and more British travellers are looking to combine the opportunity to unwind and enjoy the benefits of an all-inclusive package, with the chance to get under the skin of the culture and landscape of the destination that they are visiting. It’s great to see British Airways responding to this demand by offering additional flights to Mauritius – a destination that marries these experiences perfectly.”

For more information and to access training modules visit mauritiusexpert.com

Canada seat sale from Air Transat AIR TRANSAT has launched a seat sale on flights from the UK to major city destinations in Canada.

Travellers can save on the cost of their flights to Canada when booked by April 17, with prices leading in at £345 return to Toronto.

The carrier flies directly from Gatwick to Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal, from Manchester and Glasgow to Toronto and Vancouver, and from Birmingham to Toronto. In-flight meals and a generous luggage allowance are included in all flights.

For details see airtransat.co.uk

Luxury cruising from Premier

TANTALISING TANZANIA...Ethos Marketing, representing Serena Hotels, along with Kenya Airways and KLM hosted a group of agents on a recent fam trip to Tanzania's highlights on the northern circuit. The itinerary included visits to Lake Duluti, Lake Manyara, the iconic Serengeti Game Reserve and Ngorongoro Game Reserve, as well as Lake Duluti and Nairobi in Kenya.

Pictured on safari are, from bottom left going clockwise: Farhana Mubarak, KLM; Sophia Wallace, Virgin Holidays; Lydia Barron, Trailfinders; Karen Hardy, Kuoni; Lynsey Cuthbertson, Travel 2; Alison Whitfield, Ethos Marketing/Serena Hotels; Sian Evans, Hayes & Jarvis; and Natalie Evans (middle) from Visions of Africa.

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PREMIER HOLIDAYS has introduced cruising itineraries with some of the world’s finest liners into its 2017 Luxury Collection.

The new brochure features a number of new hotels as well as four Cruise and Stay packages with Silversea Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, offering clients the opportunity to stay in a destination before and after their cruise.

Itineraries include a seven-night Singapore to Bali cruise with two nights at the Shangri-La Singapore before the voyage followed by five nights at the Grand Hyatt Bali post-cruise, from £3,399 per person.

Agents can also benefit earning between £25 and £150 for every inclusive luxury booking made, dependent on the booking value.

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Win an Amazon Echo with Number: 014

A➠

B➠ Complete this Su Doku puzzle and then go to the competition section on travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions and submit the highlighted numbers.

C➠

A...

B...

C...

D...

Closing date for entries is Friday, April 14th.

D➠

Crossword

#Chris from the Jet2Holidays’ Tradeteam this week?

A Jet2CityBreaks with ancient castles, gothic churches and a bridge named Charles For the solution to the Crossword and Where Am I? Please see page 22 The winner for 24th March is Zena Wilkins, Cannon Travel in Herts.

March 23 Solution: A=6 B=8 C=3 D=9 travelbulletin.co.uk

Number: 014

Where is

Across 1. How many £ is Jet2holidays deposit? (5) 3. Popular resort town in the Canadian Rocky Mountains (5) 5. Spanish city, sounds like a bank (9) 6. Airport code for 4 Down (3) 7. City on the Costa del Sol (6) 10. Company specialising in boating holidays (6) 11. African country, initially (3) 13. South American country (9) 15. Airline operating out of a Zurich hub (5) 16. New England state (5)

Down 1. They're small and blue at a cinema near you (6) 2. Currency of Japan (3) 3. Popular Albert Dock tourist attraction, The ___ Story (7) 4. Main airport serving the Algarve (4) 5. Capital of South Korea (5) 7. Windmills are an iconic feature of this Greek island (7) 8. Picturesque Italian lake (5) 9. Flows through Vienna (6) 12. UK's largest independent travel agent (4) 14. Island in the Irish Sea, initially (3) 16. Norwich International airport code (3)

April 7 2017

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Industry Insight by...

After the triggering of Article 50, ANTOR’s chair Tracey Poggio, asks: ‘What now for outbound European travel?’

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S THE ink dries on Theresa May’s letter to Donald Tusk signalling the official two year process to exit the European Union, the industry sits and waits to see how this will impact on our vibrant outbound travel sector.

As tourism stalwarts we have survived numerous crises in recent times which have threatened to slow an imperturbable growth of British travellers abroad.

Through volcanic eruption, political anarchy and the horror of terrorism, the industry has rallied and the British public has remained stoic and unmovable. Hail the referendum of last June and we face the biggest eruption of a lifetime.

The Brits love of Europe has flourished since the Grand Tour of Europe of the seventeen and eighteen hundreds formed part of the education process for the social elite, but as we rolled into the 1900’s the European package tour truly took off. Since Sir Cliff Richard boarded a No. 9 bus and sang his way across the continent as part of his summer holiday, the public have followed in their droves, albeit not on a route master, but inspired by climate, sophisticated dining, chic clothing and a little je ne sais quoi.

Surely this love affair can’t come to a crashing end, or can it? While goodwill and promises will continue to drive sales this summer, it’s all going to come down to one thing - price. Currency fluctuation will be the new buzz word and creative packaging and perceived value for money will remain the driving force. How will this change our travel patterns? Will we see fewer city breaks and longer annual summer holidays or will the cruise industry offering all inclusive and an opportunity to see several destinations in one trip become the new norm?

The UK trade manager of the Belgian Tourist Office Wallonia, Philippe Maree, is positive about the situation and recommends fellow members embrace it. Maree commented: “People will still travel and go on holidays and people will still have to change pounds into euros.

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Everybody knew the pound was overvalued; it will be a bit more expensive but I don’t think it will put people off travelling. Once the dust has settled - of course it is like a big tremor at the moment - it will be ok”. Maree continued stating that destination representatives should not be negative about Brexit and they should respect and accept the will of the British people. Maree concluded: “It was a referendum – people expressed their views – now let’s get on with it. Keep cool, keep positive and carry on”.

The Dominican Republic Tourist Board’s UK director, Sabrina Cambioso, agreed and said: “We are trying to remain optimistic but the reality remains that we are all traipsing on very uncertain territory at the moment - currency fluctuations, new regulations, security issues, to name only a few.

Let’s fasten our seatbelts and hope that we all get through this Brexstorm safe”.

The director for the UK & Ireland of the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions, Sandra Ishmael quoted some very positive statistics. She said: “In 2016, annual visitors from the UK to Holland exceeded two million for the first time ever, giving an increase in arrivals of 4% year on year. These record-breaking results were achieved despite the uncertainty created following the EU referendum. However, we will be monitoring future arrivals carefully now that Article 50 has been actioned”.

Maybe Brexit will indeed encourage British visitors to discover as much of Europe as possible over the next two years while there is a status quo that they are familiar with as the strength of the pound affects all currencies not just the Euro.

So is this a time for doom and gloom? ANTOR members don’t believe so, it is a time for innovation, a time to be creative and inspirational and although it may not be ideal, above all else in true British fashion the industry and destination representatives in the UK will just have to ‘Brexit and Carry On’.

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g in t ra ars b le Ye e C 21

Travel Bulletin Star Awards 2017 categories revealed.....

Tickets for the Travel Bulletin Star Awards Gala Dinner on 4th September at London’s Langham Hotel are on sale at a discounted rate, book now. www.travelbulletin.co.uk/starawards #TBStarAwards

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personalitybulletin

Andrew Turner Head of Industry Sales, Intrepid Travel

On weekends I like to...

See my family, especially my nephew I make a bacon sandwich on Sunday morning and call my parents at the last minute to tell them I am on my way over for roast dinner.

What is the last picture you took on your phone?

A picture of the Natural History Museum as I walked past on route to meet some agents for dinner in South Kensington – it was a total hit on Instagram.

What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten?

Duck tongue in Vietnam, the strangest tongue on tongue experience I have ever had.

What has been your most extravagant purchase?

Other than my flat, my Samsonite suitcase was a tad pricey – price per use it’s a bargain!

What's been your latest DIY project?

Decorating my spare bedroom, from white to white – exciting!

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April 7 2017

What's your most embarrassing moment?

One time whilst in France...I definitely can’t share this story (ask me in person!).

What do you love about the travel industry?

Meeting new people, talking about amazing destinations and travelling the globe.

My greatest strength is...

Communicating with different people from all walks of life - I basically love to talk.

What's the best thing about your job?

The people I work with, talking to awesome agents on a daily basis and spreadsheets!

My one weakness is...

Being indecisive when it comes to anything food related. I LOVE food and want everything.

What is your top travel tip?

Ditch your friends, travel solo as part of a group holiday and meet likeminded people.

What gives you the greatest satisfaction?

Seeing a booking come in from an agent that you have recently trained; adventure is for everyone.

Where currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

Borneo, I want to climb Mount Kinabalu at sunrise.

What’s your favourite quote?

An investment in travel is an investment in yourself.

Anything else that you’d like people to know about you?

I hate peanut butter and have a fear of wriggling feet.

Which fictional character do you most liken yourself to?

Buzz Lightyear, taking Intrepid industry to infinity and beyond!

What other companies have you previously worked for?

I worked overseas for TUI for five years being a resort rep in Mallorca, France, Mexico and Tenerife – it was an amazing experience in my younger years.

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Hotel Updates The Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington has unveiled a new London Explorer package. The family-friendly hotel conducted a review that asked 2,000 children and their parents what makes for the perfect trip to the capital to create the ideal family room package. Available from £375 per night for a family of four, the package includes an overnight stay at the five-star hotel for a family of four, Big Bus Tour tickets and exclusive discounts to attractions including the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Sea Life and the Tower of London. Families can enjoy a two-night stay in either a Park Suite or Executive Room with breakfast, with wigwam tents in the rooms and a special rucksack for children that includes the essentials for an explorer. For a family sleepover, the hotel has designed a ‘Flicks and Food’ offering, providing unlimited films for 24-hours and movie treats. Visit royalgardenhotel.co.uk

Just in time for the onset of spring, DUKES LONDON is offering guests the chance to indulge in a gourmet picnic with delectable treats served by a private picnic butler in Green Park, a short stroll from the hotel. The Traditional British Picnics with butler service is priced from £39.50 per person for a minimum of two people per picnic with vegetarian picnic hampers available as are children’s picnics priced at £12 per person. Picnics are available throughout the summer from this month. Nightly rates in a DUKES room start from £320 inclusive of VAT and full English breakfast, with welcome amenities on arrival.

Visit dukeshotel.com

Hilton London Bankside has launched new ‘Spa To You’ treatment rooms, bringing a new wellness space to the hotel. The two treatment rooms provide a wide range of treatments from traditional Chinese medicine practice Tui Na to Hot Lava Shell massage as well as facials from Caudalie and Bee Good - inspired by honey made from the rooftop beehives at the property. The interiors of the new treatment rooms are designed in warming wood tones and softly lit with candles providing a calming sanctuary in the heart of Bankside. Visit londonbankside.hilton.com

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Nestled amongst one-and-a-half acres of themed gardens, The Roof Gardens is getting ready to welcome the return of summer with a series of events; from gardening clubs, afternoon tea and comedy nights to smooth jazz, barbecues on club nights and special events designed to see in the summer in style. More information can be found at roofgardens.virgin.com

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Theatre News

SuperBreak is now selling packages to see the musical Annie, which opens at The Piccadilly Theatre on May 23, in which English actress and comedian Miranda Hart will make her West End debut as the infamous Miss Hannigan. A range of packages are available which include overnight accommodation at a choice of hotels around the capital and tickets to the show, starting from £122 per person including a night at the three-star St Giles Hotel including breakfast and a top priced ticket to the show. Visit superbreak.com/agents

April 7 2017

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Musical Vienna from SuperBreak SUPERBREAK IS promoting its concert and dance packages in Vienna, which give customers the opportunity to pre-book concerts in iconic locations.

During ‘The Sound of Vienna’, clients can enjoy daily Strauss and Mozart concerts in Kursalon Palace and admire the masterpieces of Johann Strauss Jr. in the same hall where he used to perform with his orchestra.

The performances are accompanied by opera singers and ballet dancers with a selection of waltzes, polkas, arias and duets, and are performed daily at 20:15.

A package in early June costs from £337 per person including three nights’ breakfast accommodation at the Prinz Eugen Hotel, a ticket to the concert and flights from Luton.

The Vienna Residence Orchestra can also be added to a Vienna short break booking, with tickets from £36 per person.

Packages are commissionable to agents as part of a full short break package.

For more information visit superbreak.com/agents or call 01904-436000.

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INNSBRUCK HAS been the starting, staging or finishing point of various bike races on more than 30 occasions and, following the Tour of the Alps, the Otztal Bike Marathon, the Crankworx Biking Festival, the Road Race and the Haute Routes Dolomites, this year will see the city host five international elite biking events. The events will serve as a gear up to the UCI – Road World Championships, where some of the best road racers in the world will compete in September 2018. In total, around 1,000 riders will compete in 12 competitions starting in various regions in Tyrol, with Innsbruck being the finishing point for each of the competitions.

Eurowings flies to Salzburg twice-weekly from Manchester EUROWINGS HAS announced it will launch a new route from Manchester to Salzburg this winter, serving the Austrian city twice weekly from December 4.

Salzburg is famous for being the backdrop to the Sound of Music and will provide passengers with a gateway to ski resorts in the Alps.

Ivan Orec, network development and airport relations manager for the German airline, said: “We are pleased to announce this new two-weekly service from Salzburg to Manchester. Flights on the new route will operate every Monday and Friday starting from December. On this route we will also offer our passengers transport of their ski equipment free of charge.”

Stephen Turner, commercial director for Manchester Airport, said: “It’s great to see Eurowings expanding their presence here at Manchester with the introduction of this new route. We have seen this year that the ski market continues to grow and we’re confident this new route to Salzburg will prove hugely popular with our passengers looking to take advantage of the great ski resorts in the Alps.”

The service will operate until March 23, 2018 on an A320 aircraft with fares starting from £54.99 each way.

For more information visit eurowings.com/en.html

April 7 2017

Tourist board highlights hidden gems THE AUSTRIAN National Tourist Office has recommended some of the best ways visitors can ‘#uncoverAustria’ on a summer adventure that reveals some of the country’s hidden gems in its towns, cities and natural sights.

Travellers can take advantage of direct flight connections from the UK to Vienna which will have them in the Austrian capital within the space of a couple of hours. From there they can spend some time exploring the sights, or make use of Austria’s National Railway OBB and its direct connections to major Austrian cities from Vienna airport.

They could, for example, head to Graz, a young and vibrant city teeming with culture intertwined with Mediterranean influences and a reputation for food and culinary delights.

One of the highlights is the ‘Long Table’ of Graz event, where around 700 guests can dine alfresco in the main square of the Old Town.

Guests then travel to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for the ‘Sound of Music’ and can take in Innsbruck, the capital of the Alps, to experience the best of both worlds; spending the morning shopping at one of the boutiques in the historic city centre before taking a cable car up to 2000m for afternoon tea in the Alps.

Before setting off for home, clients can add extra days in the Vorarlberg region, which plays host to a floating stage on Lake Constance and the Schubertiade Classical Music Festival. The countryside between the lake and the mountains also makes Vorarlberg ideal for hikers and cyclists alike.

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austria Tirol highlights where to find ski & snowboard hotspots this summer AS SUMMER approaches, skis and snowboards start being swapped for swimming costumes and sunbeds.

However, the Austrian Tirol has a number of destinations which are still able to offer good snow conditions throughout the summer season.

Clients can make the most of one of Austria’s largest glacier areas in the Otztal region from late June to October.

Solden has two glaciers - the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach which make up 39km of beautifully-groomed pistes. Winter sport fans can take advantage of the Ski Tunnel at 3,240m that connects the two glaciers, or use the Glacier Express gondola to discover both areas.

The Rettenbach glacier has a ski test centre and a terrain park for those who want to practise on the half pipe and rails. Based approximately 70-minutes from Innsbruck Airport, guests can combine skiing with a cultural city break. Visit soelden.com Open from September or October to late June each year, and regarded as Austria's biggest glacier area, Stubai Valley in the Austrian Tirol offers 104km of pistes and reaches heights of 3,210m.

Situated 35-minutes away from Innsbruck and the airport, clients short on time can easily visit for a weekend or midweek break. The new 3S Eisgrat cable car that opened at the beginning of the season (capable of transporting 3,000 people per hour with each journey taking 11 minutes) also has increased access to the glacier. Guests can stay in one of

the three large villages – Neustift, Fulpmes and Mieders – which have their own wooded ski areas and links to the glacier. Visit stubai.at/en Meanwhile, Hintertux is less than 90-minutes from Innsbruck Airport and is Austria's only year-round ski resort.

A range of modern lifts whisk skiers and snowboarders from the centre of Hintertux (1,500m) to the top of the glacier (3,250m), where 18km of slopes can be explored.

Throughout the summer months, approximately ten lifts remain open to ensure the corduroy runs are easily accessible.

Pistes are suitable for all levels of skier, and those wanting to fit in extra turns should head to the Tuxer Fernhaus, where 2km of uninterrupted carving awaits. Visit hintertuxergletscher.at/en For more information about the region see visittirol.co.uk

» GRAZ – AUSTRIA’S SOUTHERN BEAUTY « Austria’s second largest city boasts more than 900 years of vibrant history, delightfully topped with its sundrenched, mediterranean flair. Graz connaisseurs love this city for its beauty, charm and for its warmth and joie de vivre.

For its culinary skills it is a foodies’ paradise. www.visitgraz.com #visitgraz

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austria THE VIBRANT city of Graz will be entertainig visitors at numerous culinary events this year. At the end of May, Austria’s biggest Food Symposium, CHEFDAYS, will take place in the city, attracting some of the brightest stars of modern cuisine and aspiring young chefs. In September, the capital of Styria will present its folkloric side, the ‘Aufsteirern’ festival, which celebrates Styrian folk culture in all of its facets with food, music, dance and fashion design. Visitors can spot Lederhosen and traditional Dirndl dresses all over the city and local producers, winemakers and restaurateurs will serve regional and seasonal delicacies. For details see visitgraz.com

Thermal swimming lakes & yoga days set to entice visitors to Gastein Valley THE GASTEIN Valley with its three contrasting resort communities, the spa town of Bad Gastein, Hofgastein and Dorfgastein, is one of Austria’s oldest mountain resorts.

New to the region this summer are two thermal spring-fed swimming lakes within the Kurpark area at Alpentherme Bad Hofgastein.

The two-year project, representing a 3.8 million euro investment, comes to fruition in June when it opens to the public for bathing. The larger lake is situated in the ‘Relax World’ area, while the smaller has been integrated into the sauna section.

Thanks to a high-tech organic cleansing system, no chemicals are used meaning that bathing is safe for people with allergies.

In addition, spacious flatwater areas and swimming zones will allow visitors

of all ages to enjoy the warm water for exercise, therapy or relaxation. New add-ons in the ‘Family World’ area include a four lane wave slide plus new lighting effects for the speed slide. All existing slides have been refurbished and a new baby and toddlers pool (with new water toys and play equipment plus soft non-slip flooring) have improved the children’s zone.

Meanwhile, ‘Breathe the Mountains’ is the theme of Gastein’s spring yoga days, running from May 25 to June 5, followed by ‘Source of Inspiratio’, the Valley’s new autumn yoga programme package, available from October 20-29.

Both invite visitors to broaden their personal wellbeing and prices are from 183 euros per person for four nights’ breakfast accommodation based on two sharing a guesthouse. It includes a three consecutive day yoga

pass for access to all public sessions.

The same package is available staying in a four-star hotel on halfboard from 330 euros. See yogagastein.com for details.

Supporting the initiative, 18 participating hotels across all categories offer an in-house yoga teacher. To launch the programme, all visitors are invited to join a complimentary introduction evening on the Saturday. Every yogi will be there and beginners to experts are welcome so that they might try different styles, talk with instructors and create their own bespoke itinerary of one or several sessions each day. This extensive choice of yoga sessions is complemented by a diverse range of classes in dance, song, cooking and nature.

For more destination information visit gastein.com

Zell am See-Kaprun makes a splash

HOTEL TANNENHOF, a five-star boutique hotel in the Nasserein area of the Tyrolean village, St Anton am Arlberg is highlighting its suite rates. Designed as a luxury bolthole with seven suites, the property offers an in-house spa with a 15-metre swimming pool complete with massage jets, a whirlpool Jacuzzi with mountain backdrop; a stream room; indoor and outdoor sauna; and a spring water plunge pool. The hotel’s restaurant offers a variety of culinary artistry using a wide range of local products. A stay in a suite costs from 1,950 euros per night for two adults.

Visit hoteltannenhof.net/en for details.

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THE ELEMENT of water is an important component of Zell am See-Kaprun, with its significance reflected in both the landscape and outdoor activities in the region.

The Sigmund Thun gorge and the Kaprun Ache which flows through it are impressive natural spectacles. During the ‘Mythical Night of Water’, which takes place at 20:15 every Monday in July and August, visitors can enjoy a hike through the gorge before rounding the evening off with music and storytelling in front of a camp fire.

For those with a penchant for yoga, qualified teachers offer a different type of connection with water, with yoga workouts performed on paddleboards on Lake Zell every Sunday in July and August.

From May 16 to October 15, holidaymakers and locals can see the ‘Magical Lake Zell’ show. New 20-minute shows with exciting themes are planned for this summer, which will offer an impressive spectacle combining water, light, music and laser elements on Lake Zell. From May to August, the lakeside magic starts at 22:00 and in September to October at 21:00.

Entrance to the music pavilion in Elisabeth park in Zell am See is free.

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UNIQUE INNSBRUCK Innsbruck - a must-see destination for your clients to visit in Europe.

ALPINE - Take the Nordkette cable cars from the heart of the Old Town to 2000m, in just 20 minutes!

A total of 7 cable cars make sure that the mountains are always at your feet.

URBAN - Modern architecture including The Bergisel Olympic Ski Jump and Swarovski Crystal Worlds, mixed with a fantastic shopping opportunities as well as international restaurants.

IMPERIAL – 800 year old gems of the Habsburg monarchy await your clients.

The Imperial Palace, Imperial Church, Ambras Castle and the Golden Roof are not to be missed!!

Best Value: Innsbruck Card – the all-inclusive card offering entrance to 19 key visitor sights, each of the 7 cable cars, public transport, sightseeing buses and much more. You can purchase a 24, 48, and 72hrs Innsbruck Card, which guarantees the best value for a holiday experience.

Sporting events, Innsbruck Innsbruck also plays a significant role as a major international sports hub, located in the heart of the Alps. The Austrian city has already hosted three Winter Olympic Games and numerous European and World Championship events.

Upcoming sporting events to save in the diary include: - Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival: 21st– 25th June - Haute Route Amateur Racing: 2nd–8th September - Youth Climbing World Championships 30th August – 10th September - Climbing World Championships 6th -19th September 2018 - UCI Road Cycling World Championships 22nd - 30th September 2018

Cultural events, Innsbruck When the temperature gets warmer, Innsbruck is ready for its annual Summer festivals.

Soak yourself into the cultural atmospheres within the middle of the Alps:

- Music in the Giant: Classical and famous pieces at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds. 19th -27th May. - Promenade Concerts: FREE classical music concerts every evening during July, in the courtyard of the Imperial Palace.

- New Orleans Jazz Festival: Celebrate the sister city of Innsbruck with great urban vibes throughout July - Festival of Early Music. Experience medieval music and instruments as well as opera productions, at the Ambras Castle Innsbruck in July and August

Getting there: Summer Flights: from Gatwick and Heathrow to Innsbruck Airport (only 5 km to the city centre)

Winter Flights: from Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham.

Daily flights from most major airports all year round to Munich Airport – 190 km to Innsbruck (2hrs by train/bus/car).

www.innsbruck.info/en

Request for more information by contacting: Peter Unsinn, Marketing Manager UK p.unsinn@innsbruck.info

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THIS EASTER will see plenty of themed activities available to families at Haven. Pictured getting ready for the popular Easter Eggstravaganza Hunt are: Lisa Butcher (left) and Beth Wimble from Hays Travel, Bognor Regis; with Haven’s Greedy, Anxious and Rory. During their stay over the holidays families can enjoy Easter bonnet-making and an evening parade, get artistically creative with ‘Make a Mess at Easter’ and party with Ned at his ‘Non Starty Easter Party’ with lots of Easter games.

Haven adds new activities to Nature Rockz programme HAVEN IS adding new activities to its Nature Rockz programme for 2017.

Following its popularity across all of the company’s 36 parks, the operator is extending the programme to encourage kids and their ‘big kid’ parents to embrace their inner Bear Grylls with additional activities such as ‘Survival Bracelet’ and ‘Dreamcatcher’ making.

Nature Rockz’s park rangers will also continue running activities from bug hunt safaris and shelter building, to fire lighting and pond dipping. These are available alongside guided nature trails, stone skimming tournaments and mini nature activities.

For a range of more unique and bespoke activities, the company’s newest holiday park, Thornwick Bay in Yorkshire, will continue running an extended version of the Nature Rockz programme led by its park ranger Elliot Banks. Activities that are exclusive to the park include ‘Storytelling’, ‘Cave Art’ and ‘Guided Bird Identification’, exploring the Flamborough coastline and taking in the park’s neighbouring nature reserve.

Prices for a four-night break at selected parks start from £99 based on a family of up to four sharing a standard two-bedroom caravan departing on April 24.

Away Resorts unveils next generation of caravans AWAY RESORTS has teamed up with holiday home manufacturer, ABI, to reinvent the humble caravan.

Recently unveiling the new concept at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, the ‘Tribeca’ has been designed as a boutique-style caravan to suit the needs of the modern family.

Its main features include a New York loft hotel feel with the adults’ bedroom at one side of the central living area and the children’s bedroom at the other. The adults’ bedroom has an en-suite with the children having access to the main bathroom.

Children’s bedrooms have been designed with timber-effect walls and large windows to create a jungle feel, with bunk-beds and dens, while the adult rooms feature a kingsize bed, flatscreen TV and a stand-alone bath tub.

Carl Castledine, CEO of the company, said: “More than 51 million nights are spent in the UK in caravans each year, a figure I suspect will rise as the impact of Brexit kicks in over the coming years. The caravan industry contributes more than £6billion a

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year to the UK economy, so it’s got no shortage of fans – but it’s never really been cool, until now.

“First of all, we know that the lifestyle and leisure needs of the modern family have changed drastically – especially in the past decade. Some 12 years ago Facebook didn’t exist, let alone Instagram and Snapchat, and just five years ago primary school aged children didn’t carry their own tech around with them.

“Add to this the massive rise in the popularity of boutique hotels and glamping, both of which have raised the expectations of families in terms of the comfort and aesthetics of their surroundings when on holiday. We are really proud of this new concept in family accommodation, which puts the modern family at the heart of its design.”

The first guests will stay in the Tribeca caravans (now available to book online) this Easter at the holiday park operator’s Tattershall Lakes, Lincolnshire and Whitecliff Bay in the Isle of Wight.

Visit awayresorts.co.uk for more details.

Park Leisure unveils Yorkshire holiday lodges PARK LEISURE has unveiled a new development named ‘Hawkswick’, which will see seven new lodges launch at its five-star Yorkshire Dales Park following a £1.3million investment at the park.

The new development has reportedly received a high level of interest with three of the seven lodges having already been sold.

Mike Clappison, Yorkshire Dales’ general manager for the company, said: “The new lodges will be a great and vital asset to our park as it continues to grow and welcome new customers. As well as the site’s various family facilities including a children’s playground, Yorkshire Dales is a gateway to some of the best country walking trails, bridal paths and cycling routes in the UK and we’re at the very heart of that.”

For more information visit parkleisure.co.uk

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Get active at Landal Darwin Forest this spring LANDAL IS offering active families the chance to discover the dales on a break to the Derbyshire Peak District.

Landal Darwin Forest is highlighting its family facilities, where children can play mini golf, tackle obstacle courses and try their hand at archery and adults can relax in the spa.

Water babies can sail, windsurf and water-ski on the local rivers and reservoirs, while dry land sports fans can experience challenging rock climbing routes or head to the nearby theme park.

Accommodation is in traditional lodges, some featuring an outdoor hot tub, and a three-night weekend lodge break for a family of four costs from £319, with a week leading in at £449.

Visit landal.co.uk for more information.

Butlin’s launches new Fairground Apartments at Skegness BUTLIN’S HAS released more details about its new Fairground Apartments at Skegness which are scheduled to open later this year.

With 93 new apartments planned, the accommodation follows the opening of its Seaside Apartments, which first opened at the Skegness resort in 2015.

The modern two-bedroom apartments are designed to embrace the brand’s playful personality with fairground inspired interiors, and will offer bright open-plan living areas with a separate dining area, modern kitchen and large L-shaped corner sofa.

The apartments are located a five-minute walk from the fairground, close to Adventure Golf, The Spa, Go-Karts, Hotshots and the Skyline Pavilion, and will be available to book from this spring.

A four-night break costs from £69 per person based on two adults and two children sharing a Fairground Apartment for a May 8 arrival.

Visit bourneleisuresales.co.uk or call 0845-070 4742 for booking details.

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PARKDEAN RESORTS is investing £50million on accommodation, retail and leisure facilities across its UK parks in time for the 2017 season. The operator will be investing £17m into a range of new lodges, caravans and glamping facilities and £4m on refurbishments to existing caravans and lodges. Meanwhile, entertainment and leisure venues, as well as children's activity areas will also be refurbished at many of its 73 parks nationwide. Visit parkdeanresorts.co.uk

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Crossword: Across: 1. SIXTY, 3. BANFF, 5. SANTANDER, 6. FAO, 7. MALAGA, 10. BLAKES, 11. RSA, 13. ARGENTINA, 15. SWISS, 16. MAINE. Down: 1. SMURFS, 2. YEN, 3. BEATLES, 4. FARO, 5. SEOUL, 7. MYKONOS, 8. GARDA, 9. DANUBE, 12. HAYS, 14. IOM.

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Where Am I?: Prague, Czech Republic

We asked our staff the following question this week:

Finish this sentence: “I am a slave to…”?

Jeanette Ratcliffe Publisher jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk

Matthew Weinreb Sales Executive matthew.weinreb@travelbulletin.co.uk

my 12 year old son.

Porridge

Lauretta Wright Editor lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk

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S06 TB 0704 2017 Holiday Parks_Layout 1 05/04/2017 10:25 Page 23

For the 2018 season Riviera Travel will be operating a fleet of 12 five-star and 1 four-star superior ships along the iconic rivers of Europe. Our river cruise programme goes from strength to strength with more passengers from the UK now choosing Riviera Travel’s European river cruises than any of our competitors. We are committed to expanding our fleet and our horizons and are delighted to announce the introduction of another brand new five-star ship for 2018, the MS Robert Burns. We will also be taking passengers on a brand new exciting journey from Budapest to the Black Sea.

New for 2018: • $QRWKHU EUDQG QHZ ȴ YH VWDU VKLS WKH 06 5REHUW %XUQV • Brand new 14 night itinerary - Budapest to the Black Sea - from just £2,299pp • Optional drinks package

Included with lunch and dinner: Red, white and rose house wine and the wine recommendations from the menu, draught beer, non-alcoholic beer, soft drinks and juices.

4 nights - ÂŁ59

7 nights - ÂŁ99

14 nights - ÂŁ199

Bulk supplies of our brand new Cruise Compendium brochures will automatically be sent to independent agents w/c 27th March. In addition to our new 2018 River Cruise itineraries WKH\ ZLOO LQFOXGH IRU WKH Č´ UVW WLPH DOO RI RXU &UXLVH &ROOHFWLRQ LQFOXGLQJ 0HNRQJ DQG *DQJHV River Cruises, Tall Ships cruises, Ocean Cruise and Tour and Dalmatian Coast Yacht cruises.

Book online or call:

01283 744370

For agency sales support email: agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk Riviera Travel booking terms and conditions apply.

S06 TB 0704 2017 Holiday Parks_Layout 1 05/04/2017 10:25 Page 24

Seychelles: The place for families 7KH EHDXW\ RI WKH 6H\FKHOOHV ,VODQGV LV OHJHQGDU\ – DOO RI WKHP Accessible and affordable as never before, Seychelles is a great place to spend quality time with the family. Firstly, there are no visas required from any nationality and you can stay up to a month without extending your visit. Then there’s the fact that Seychelles is considered as the ‘land of perpetual summer’, providing day after day of balmy weather with temperatures rarely descending below 24° or rising above 32° centigrade.

A good time for the family is waiting around every corner.

The range of accommodation is vast and if you go for the ultimate in tropical pampering at any one of our 5-star resorts or exclusive island hideaways, no effort will be spared to cater to your every whim, including those of your children, as most top hotels offer Kiddies Clubs and programmes of entertainment for the young.

The Seychelles Secrets portfolio has now expanded to take in a total of 67 properties spread among the islands, making a Seychelles holiday accessible in terms of budget, authentic in terms of the diverse experiences it offers... and the adventure of a lifetime. Even many smaller hotels and self-caterings offer adjoining rooms and other amenities that are convenient for families.

Seychelles also offers excellent swimming and snorkeling in the crystal, welcoming waters just offshore and where you can discover the beauty which lies just beneath the waves. There is EPWS KVIEX ½ WLMRK XS FI IRNS]IH MR XLI [EXIVW EVSYRH XLI MWPERH or even a cruise aboard a traditional schooner, catamaran or motor yacht from where you can discover the real beauty of Seychelles – by sea.

When it comes to meal time, there is a host of hotels and restaurants to tempt the family palate, with many offering special menus for the young and Seychelles is just the place to indulge MR WSQI SJ XLI JVIWLIWX WIEJSSH ]SY [MPP ½ RH ER][LIVI Far as it is from the madding crowd, Seychelles is just the place to treat your family to a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, where welcoming, friendly smiles, a safe, pristine environment and entertainment galore will give you memories that will never leave you.

6H\FKHOOHV 7RXULVW 2IŸ FH 8. ,UHODQG *URXQG )ORRU %XFNLQJKDP 3DODFH 5RDG /RQGRQ 6: : 6$ 7HO VH\FKHOOHV#XNVWR FR XN ZZZ VH\FKHOOHV WUDYHO Images: Š Denis Island

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