Travel Bulletin August 7th 2015

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August 7 2015 | ISSUE NO 1,929 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Weddings & Honeymoons Top advice from the experts on how to create the perfect day

this week news 3 Spain tops poll of holiday searches survey

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bulletin briefing AITO’s Kate Kenward talks ‘green teams’ and sustainability

Christmas Markets operators get festive with new tours

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Middle East openings, visitor forecasts and commitment to the UK travel trade

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newsbulletin

This Week 3

news Spain comes out on top in holiday-searches survey

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aviation bulletin Aegean Airlines sees passenger numbers soar agent bulletin a selection of new competitions and booking incentives

Cover Pictures: Main - Shutterstock - Copyright: AlexSutulax

Inset - Hills Balfour

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cruise bulletin all the latest news from the cruise industry

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bulletin briefing AITO’s Kate Kenward talks about the need to be green

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hotels bulletin a round-up of all the latest hotel news

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london life new attractions, hotel offers and experiences from the capital

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weddings and honeymoons top advice for agents from Planet Holidays’ Mathilde Robert christmas markets

23 middle East 27

Operators add new tours

Uk visitor boost for Dubai

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ROYAL RAMBLE… The team from Delmar World in Gresford, Wrexham hit the road to raise money for the Royal British Legion. Ten staff from the agency took part in a sponsored walk around Llangollen in Wales to raise £555 for the veterans’ charity. In the picture are, from left, Russell Gilmartin, Paul Anglesea, Sally Anglesea, Ann Anglesea, Jack O’Gorman, Claire Lewis, Mair Davey, Ceri Jacks, Chloe Griffin and Anita Kelsey.

Spain tops poll of holiday searches for Brits looking to get away in third quarter of 2015 UK TRAVELLERS looking to get away in the third quarter of this year have been searching for trips to Spain, UK and Italy with the top three cities for the next quarter listed as Malaga, Alicante and Barcelona, according to the results from the latest Global Travel Insights Report from travel data analytics company Sojern.

The research, based on UK traveller searches in the second quarter of this year, also found that in the fourth quarter, UK travellers are planning to head to Spain, US and Portugal. Those seeking some sunshine are planning to visit Australia which is coming in as the fifth most popular country for UK travellers in the fourth quarter. The top three cities for UK travellers in this quarter are currently Alicante,

Tenerife and Malaga. New York City is currently listed as the eighth most popular city for Q4 breaks for UK travellers.

Other key findings from the research show that Greece is still the eighth most popular country for European travellers despite its recent political unrest and financial troubles.

The Tunisian terror attack led to an immediate increase in travel interest from the UK with flight searches up 11% and travel intent doubling.

This is most likely due to increased awareness and interest in the country following media coverage and government announcements.

In the days following the attack flight searches dropped by 16% and from July 14 travel intent from the UK fell well below pre-attack levels to only

60%.

Cuba looks set to become a popular destination for Western European travellers – it is the destination which has climbed the most in the past year, pushing up 12 places to position 41 as a result of the recent improvement in relations between the US and Cuba.

Sojern has also seen Czech Republic, Iceland and Romania rise as popular destinations for Western Europeans. New Zealand however suffered a substantial drop in popularity, falling 30 spots in European rankings.

Meanwhile, London remained the US’s favourite international destination, even on the July 4 this year, a preference reinforced by the Wimbledon tournament overlapping with the holiday.

August 7th 2015

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newsbulletin If Only launches campaign to help agents sell Dubai LUXURY TOUR operator If Only has launched a marketing campaign designed to help agents promote Dubai to a wider audience.

Working in partnership with Dubai Tourism and Emirates, the tour operator has launched a series of offers and factsheets to help make Dubai more appealing.

The campaign will feature hints, tips and personal recommendations from the operator’s Arabia team which they believe will help agents secure bookings from a wider range of clients. The offers and factsheets highlight the benefits of Dubai for different types of customers, such as families, groups of friends, luxury, etc.

The operator has also identified the growing trend for mini-moons, citing Dubai as the mini-moon destination for those newlyweds who might not have the time or budget for a longer honeymoon.

Agents booking the Dubai offers promoted during the campaign will benefit from a £10 bonus on their normal MoneyCard rewards and can win an Apple Watch by entering the Dubai quiz on If Only’s trade only website.

Tony Seaman, Group sales and marketing director and co-owner of Attraction World ATTRACTION WORLD is always delighted to be involved in key industry events such as the Travel Bulletin Star Awards and is proud to be sponsoring once again both Star Worldwide and Star European Themepark/Attraction Awards.

Naturally being a B2B business we are keen to support and encourage agents to sell attractions to the best of their ability and we do this in conjunction with key partners including the main USA and European theme parks, so sponsoring these awards is our way of saying thank you to our partners for their commitment to Attraction World and indeed to the UK travel trade.

Thomson makes capital move with new Holiday Design Store THOMSON HAS opened its first London-based Holiday Design Store at Westfield Stratford City.

The new store combines personalised service and technology, featuring high-definition screens and projections with destination and hotel content and the latest technology including an 84” touch screen interactive map designed to inspire customers.

Visitors to the store will be able to view ‘top ten’ lists and live weather information, read reviews and view videos of destinations and hotels. Social media feeds will also be streamed onto the screens, with customers encouraged to celebrate their holiday bookings by tweeting to see their name and holiday destination appear live on the screen.

The store is zoned with specially designed areas for customers to browse for holidays on their own devices or use interactive screens. The Advice bar has dedicated self-service computers for customers to access reviews and destination, excursion and visa information or even book their own holiday – with staff on hand to answer questions. Customers can also sit in booths with relevant holiday images and video content projected on the walls so retail agents can bring the resort or cruise to life.

The launch follows the opening of similar stores in Bluewater Shopping Centre, Gateshead’s Metrocentre and Sheffield’s Meadowhall as well as Liverpool, Bristol and Glasgow city centres in the last two years.

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August 7th 2015

As per the above, Attraction World is 100% committed to the UK travel trade and to helping agents make the most of the sales opportunities available to them through ancillaries.

There are so many advantages of pre-purchasing attractions, excursions and gift experiences to both the customer and the agent and it’s our job to get the message out there.

So any agent who feels they would benefit from a dose of Attraction World then please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we promise not to bite!

Anatolian Sky Holidays slashes rates off August Turkish holidays ANATOLIAN SKY HOLIDAYS is offering savings of up to 50% off a range of holidays to Turkey before the end of this month.

Week-long cruises on board traditional Turkish gulets are available from £549 per person, departing on a choice of dates throughout this month with savings of up to £350.

Prices are based on two adults sharing a cabin and include return flights from Gatwick or Manchester, transfers and accommodation on full-board basis with all soft drinks included.

Savings of up to £660 are available on luxury breaks to destinations including Kalkan, where a week at the Likya Residence starts at £699 per person. The price is based on two adults sharing, including return flights from Gatwick or Manchester, transfers and accommodation on a bed-andbreakfast basis.

For more information visit www.anatoliansky.co.uk or call 0844-273 3585.

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newsbulletin Monarch Airlines ramps up 2016 summer seat offering by adding 3200 flights MONARCH AIRLINES has added an extra 3,200 flights to its summer 2016 schedule. The additional services include two new routes, Leeds Bradford to Malaga and Manchester to Gran Canaria.

Additional routes now on sale for summer 2016 include: Birmingham to Gibraltar and Ibiza; Gatwick to Ibiza, Rhodes, Paphos and Verona; Leeds Bradford to Malaga and Naples; and Manchester to Gran Canaria and

Ibiza.

Talking about the extra services Marjan Schoeke, head of network development for the airline commented: “Following the strategic review of our network and looking closely at where and at what time our customers want to fly, we have launched an additional 600,000 seats to our summer 2016 flying programme. “Next year’s schedule offers more

flights to our most popular destinations as well as two new routes. This follows the launch of our summer 2016 programme last month where more than 80% of the summer schedule went on sale.�

In addition to the newly added flights, Monarch are currently running a Payday flash sale for a limited period featuring seats costing ÂŁ35 to European destinations such as Barcelona, Malaga and Venice.

The Villa Collection sets sights on travel trade by launching into UK market THE VILLA Collection which features a select range of private villas, villa resorts and private islands, has launched in the UK market.

Company directors Andrea Lovering and Gemma Lewis are keen to build their relationships with the trade and are inviting agents to book villas with

commissions being offered.

Lewis said: “The brand and our product offering has been carefully designed and selected with the target market in mind.

We will be offering a highly personalised service to all agents ensuring we assist them in choosing the right villa or villa resort for their client.�

Lewis and Lovering launched the business after identifying a growing trend of travellers seeking the privacy, luxury and independence of villa accommodations for their holidays. The collection features a range of Caribbean islands including Barbados, St Lucia, Anguilla and Antigua

alongside the Seychelles, with new Indian Ocean destinations including the Maldives and Mauritius coming on stream. Luxury properties in the Hamptons, New York and Miami are also currently being added to the website.

For more information contact enquiries@thevilla collection.co.uk

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newsbulletin Egypt extends opening times of major cultural sights to boost tourism THE EGYPTIAN Ministry of Tourism has confirmed plans to extend the opening times of archaeological sites in Luxor and Aswan in a drive to boost cultural tourism to the country.

The sights will now be open from 06:00 to 23:00 during the summer season and from 06:00 to 21:00 during the winter. This move follows on from the completion of the lighting project at the Valley of the Kings and Queens, Hatshepsut Temple, Ramesseum and Luxor Temple. It comes in response to the demands of the tourism sector

and in co-operation with the governorates of Luxor and Aswan in order to raise the inbound level of tourists.

Meanwhile, Egyptair Express has launched two new domestic routes between Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada. The services, which will start on August 15 will operate there times a week on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with prices from £33 per person. Egyptair Express already operates 77 weekly flights from Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh and 62 weekly flights from Cairo to Hurghada.

Trafalgar launches first standalone Asia programme for 2016 TRAFALGAR HAS launched its first-ever standalone Asia programme for 2016 which features 14 itineraries in five different trip styles, including the new Secrets of Myanmar tour.

The new 11-day itinerary is part of Trafalgar’s Hidden Journeys, a collection of trips to less-visited places in smaller groups of up to 26 guests,

which was introduced across the global portfolio in 2015.

Insider Experiences include a Be My Guest dining experience of regional specialities at the home of a local family in Bagan, the opportunity to witness the Intha fisherman on Inle Lake as they row standing on one leg, plus the chance to take part in a hands-

on cooking class with a local specialist.

Prices for Secrets of Myanmar start at £2,645 per person, land only, based on two people sharing and include ten nights’ bed-and-breakfast accommodation, transfers, 11 additional meals, sightseeing and the services of a professional travel director throughout.

Ski operators launch recruitment drive INGHAMS, ESPRIT and Ski Total have launched a recruitment drive for the winter season.

The ski specialists have a number of vacancies in a variety of positions at resorts in Austria, Andorra, France, Switzerland, Slovenia, Lapland, Italy and Canada from November to April.

The posts available are resort managers, drivers, head chefs, chalet hosts, nannies and Lapland Elves.

For more information, go to www.workaseason.com

Tourism Ireland sees visitor figures hit record high TOURISM IRELAND has seen visitor figures hit record high with the number of arrivals between January and June reaching 3.9 million, an 11.7% increase on the same period last year.

The figures from the Central Statistics Office show that more than 1.6 million arrivals were recorded from Britain, Ireland’s largest market, representing a growth of 9.4%, almost 140,000 extra British visitors compared with the first half in 2014.

Tourism Ireland chief executive officer Niall Gibbons welcomed the figures, saying: “Our aim is to ensure that 2015 is the best year ever for Irish tourism. Promoting the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route continues to be a major focus for Tourism Ireland around the world in 2015; we are also showcasing the new Dublin Discovery Trails and paving the way for Ireland’s Ancient East and the Gobbins Cliff Path. This year marks 150 years since the birth of Nobel laureate, WB Yeats, and Tourism Ireland is promoting Yeats2015 – particularly to our ‘culturally curious’ audience. This year has also been designated ID2015, a showcase year of the best of Irish design.”

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August 7th 2015

BOOKING BOUNTY…Congratulations to Pamela Brown of B and A Travel in Irvine, Ayrshire who is the winner of Your Car Hire’s June incentive of £100 in Love2shop vouchers. In order to qualify she had to make two bookings with the company in the month of June, including the operator’s Super Damage Excess Waiver, to be entered into the prize draw. Monthly incentives are ongoing for agents who can find more information on the car rental company’s newsletters.

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newsbulletin SuperBreak serves up a BBC Good Food package from £46 SUPERBREAK has launched packages to the BBC Good Food Show, which celebrates 25 years at the NEC Birmingham from November 26-29.

Visitors can browse the range of stalls selling tasty dishes and cookware as well as enjoy live cooking demonstrations from some of the nation's favourite chefs including James Martin (Saturday Kitchen), Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry (The Great British Bake Off), The Hairy Bikers, Tom Kerridge and Michel Roux Jr. Packages lead in from £46 per person staying one night at the Travelodge Birmingham Central and a ticket to the show. All packages are fully commissionable.

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

SPECIAL OFFERS

NIKA ISLAND RESORT MALDIVES EXCLUSIVE O&E TRAVEL TRADE OFFER!!!

Last-minute availability on CMV bank holiday cruises CRUISE AND MARITIME Voyages has availability on two departures from its London Cruise Terminal over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The voyages include a six-night Norwegian fjords cruise on Magellan, which departs on August 28 with prices starting at £499 per person.

There is also a nine-night British Isles Discovery cruise on Marco Polo which has a gardening theme. This cruise visits the Orkneys, Hebrides, Ullapool, Tobermory in Scotland Dublin, Isles of Scilly, Guernseyand Honfleur in Normandy and prices start at £899 per person.

Garden Villa on FB basis for 5 Nights with Return Seaplane Transfers. Valid for stays now through to 31 Oct 2015 From £ 599 per person

RONIL ROYALE GOA, INDIA FANTASTIC OFFER!

7 Nights from £59 per person based on Bed & Breakfast Extra Nights £8 per person per night Valid for stays between 01 Oct 15 – 30 Apr

Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel in North Wales

Warner unveils group incentives for agents WARNER LEISURE Hotels is offering agents the chance to earn Love2Shop vouchers for every 2015 group booking they make until August 16.

Agents can qualify by making large group bookings at any of the 13 Warner Leisure Hotel properties with a 2015 arrival date. Agents that make group bookings of between 20-29 guests will receive £100 Love2Shop vouchers, for 30-44 guests, it’s £200 Love2Shop vouchers, for 45-59 guests it's £300 Love2Shop vouchers and for 60-74 guests, it's £500 Love2Shop vouchers.

For more information email Trade.Sales@Bourne-Leisure.co.uk

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THE BAREFOOT ECO HOTEL HANIMADHOO, MALDIVES 5 nights from £729 per person based on Half Board Above includes Return Transfers by Domestic Flight Run of House accommodation - Ex night £52 Valid for stays from now through to 31 Oct 2015

MORE EXCLUSIVE DEALS FORTRAVELTRADE PERSONNEL ONLYVISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION SRI LANKA - MAURITIUS - SEYCHELLES - INDIA - UAE Over 150 hotels and a selection of tours available on our website Including exclusive offers for Summer 2015 and Winter 2015/16

www.osborneandebel.com All above offers are subject to availability.

Terms & Conditions Apply

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airbulletin

Emirates increases flight capacity with fourth daily service to Bangkok EMIRATES HAS added a fourth daily Airbus A380 service from Dubai to Bangkok.

The new two-class A380 service will operate daily as flight EK376 from Dubai to Bangkok and EK377 from Bangkok to Dubai.

The up-gauge from its current

Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will see an increase in capacity of 255 seats per flight and 3,570 seats per week to and from the Thai capital city.

Meanwhile, the airline recently phased out A6-EMF, the last remaining Boeing 777-200 from its fleet. The aircraft departed from

Dubai International to Arizona via Boston for de-registration last month. The phasing out of this latest aircraft is part of the company’s long-term strategy to retire its old fleet and roll out new aircraft with 26 new aircraft planned to enter service this year.

Turkish Airlines launches new services

Oman Air cracks down on credit-card fraud

TURKISH AIRLINES has launched flights to two new destinations.

Round-trip flights between Istanbul and Erbil in Iraq launched last month and are operating four times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. From September 16 these flight times will be increased to seven times per week.

Meanwhile, round-trip flights to Bahrain from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport will operate three times week.

Additionally, for the operations to these destinations, there is a special offer for Miles&Smiles members, with a 25% reduction in the miles needed to redeem either award tickets or upgrades.

OMAN AIR has launched an initiative to crack down on credit-card fraud.

The campaign will see a tightening of checks on the validity of credit-card transactions. It will be backed up with social media announcements, e-flyers and newsletters, aimed at raising awareness among customers of the potential for credit card fraud and the steps the airline is taking to protect its customers from such fraud.

Customers who use credit cards to book tickets will be required to carry the same card with them at check-in. If a third-party card has been used for the booking and the cardholder is not present, the passenger should carry relevant authorisation from the person named on the card.

Random checks by flight staff will be carried out to ensure the legitimacy of the booking.

Star Alliance rolls out RTW fares to include Premium Economy STAR ALLIANCE has expanded its Round-the-World fare to include travel in Premium Economy class.

The new fare can now be booked for travel in the Premium Economy cabins on the following airlines: Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, EVA Air, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, SAS, Singapore Airlines, THAI and Turkish Airlines.

To provide customers with full flexibility, itineraries may include any other Star Alliance member airlines as well. On flights where Premium Economy Class is not offered, travellers will be accommodated in Economy Class.

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August 7th 2015

Aegean Airlines sees passenger numbers soar by 15% AEGEAN AIRLINES has seen a 15% increase in passenger numbers for the first half of this year, taking the total number of passengers carried to 4,962,537.

International traffic to Athens rose by 20% to 2,407,107 passengers, with the airline welcoming onboard 400, 000 more passengers compared to last year.

The company puts its first half performance down to its investment in fleet expansion with seven additional aircraft, adding 16 new destinations to nine countries as well as increasing frequencies to existing destinations.

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agentbulletin Booking incentives ●

TRAVEL 2 is offering agents the chance to win an Asian dining experience worth £500 for their team as the operator celebrates the launch of its new 2015/16 Asia brochure. To be in with a chance of winning, agents need to make a new booking to a destination from the new Asia 2015/16 brochure including return flights and a minimum of five-nights’ ground arrangements.

Bookings must be made before September 7.

For details go to www.travel2.com

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Bourne Leisure has extended its Simple Pleasures of Summer Giveaway incentive until August 9. Agents who make a booking before this date for their customers to stay at one of Butlin’s three seaside resorts or Haven’s 35 coastal holiday parks during August and September for a minimum of a three night stay can claim a £5 Love2Shop voucher for every booking by simply logging on at www.BourneLeisureSales.co.uk and claiming their voucher. For every voucher claimed, agents are also entered into a weekly prize draw to win one of the three Simple Pleasures of Summer prizes which include a free family day pass for a Butlin’s resort or a Haven holiday park with additional extras, £50 Love2Shop Vouchers or a wifi camera.

For more details, go to www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk

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MACDONALD HOTELS and Resorts has launched an Agents’ Passport Scheme to reinvigorate the traditional familiarisation trip model. As part of the initiative, the hotel group is organising a series of nine weekend events across its regions to showcase properties. All agents who sign up to the scheme are given a passport and encouraged to collect a stamp from each trip they attend, with a chance to win a trip to one of the hotel group’s resorts in the UK or abroad. For more details, go to macdonaldhotels.co.uk

FANCY A FAM THEM

EPARKBEDS.COM is launch ing its first fam trip to Walt Disney World in Florida this October.

The trade specialist Disney bed-bank, which is the sister brand of DoSom ethingDifferent.com, is hosting the five-day trip, wh ich aims to offer agents the ultimate Disney experience; staying on site, experiencing the par ks, nightlife and array of dining options.

Agents making a Disney boo king on Themeparkbeds.com before August 31 must email WIN@themeparkbeds .com with the order number and ‘themeparkbeds ’ in the subject line.

Ticket-only bookings made with DoSomethingDifferent.com are also eligible. All bookings of the Disney 7, 14 or 21-day Ultimate Pass can be entered in the same way. Winners will be chosen at random fro m all valid entries submitted throughout July and August.

The incentive is also open to those looking to start selling more Florida holidays, with a wild card space on the trip for the agent who submits the best drawing of Ariel fro m Little Mermaid.

One winner will be selected based on creativity, imagination and comic value – children’s drawings will be accepted.

Again pictures can be emailed to WIN@themeparkb eds.com or posted on the Facebook page.

EUROPEAN RAIL TRAVEL V AT YO OUR FINGERTIPS - View fares and book online in a few clicks - Great promotions and incentives - Earn commission

www.voyages-sncf.eu .

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August 7th 2015

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cruisebulletin Avalon drops single supplement on Indigo Deck cabins for European river cruises cruise on April 20. The price includes a private home pick-up service, return flights, three nights deluxe full-board cruise accommodation, four nights’ bed and breakfast hotel accommodation, guided excursions and on-board gratuities.

Other early-booking offers, based

AVALON WATERWAYS has waived the single supplement for solo travellers on all Indigo Deck staterooms as part of its early-booking offers across its 2016 European river cruise programme.

Prices lead in at £1,287 per person for the eight-day Taste of the Danube

on two people travelling, include a choice of savings of at least £500 per couple per cruise or a free two-night hotel stay pre or post-cruise in cities such as Vienna, Prague or Budapest.

This offer is available on bookings made before September 15.

Crystal Cruises moves into aviation with plans to launch private-jet experiences CRYSTAL CRUISES has unveiled plans to offer alternative luxury experiences with new ships that will establish three new classes of cruising and its own Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The first new luxury Crystal product begins with the launch of Crystal Esprit (pictured) later this year. It marks the debut of the line’s new all-inclusive Yacht Cruises programme, which will sail regional, warm-water itineraries of

seven days. The first voyage sets sail on December 23 and will cruise around the Seychelles. For 2016 and 2017, and early 2018, routes include the Seychelles, voyages from Dubai and sailings along the Adriatic Coast. All-inclusive yacht fares start at $2,690 per person for a four-day, round-trip Mahé, Victoria, Seychelles itinerary in 2017.

In the spring of 2017, the cruiseline will offer worldwide river cruising, while also in 2017, Crystal

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August 7th 2015

Launch Air takes to the skies, becoming the first in the luxury travel industry to offer around-the-world trips on the twin-aisle Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The aircraft will fly 60 guests in fully reclining business-class seats to destinations to which major airlines do not offer

nonstop services. Each itinerary will last 28 days and will visit ten to 12 remote and sought-after destinations, with accommodation in luxury hotels and resorts.

Finally, three new polar ice class cruise ships are expected to be delivered in late 2018.

Costa orders world’s largest cruise ships

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COSTA CRUISES has unveiled plans to launch next-generation cruise ships that will have the largest guest capacity of any cruise ship in the world.

The ships, which will be the first in the cruise industry to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas, the world’s cleanest burning fossil fuel, will be built by Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, with delivery expected in 2019 and 2020.

Each vessel will exceed 180,000 gross tons, offering more than 2,600 passenger cabins for a total of 6,600 passengers.

Celestyal Cruises sets its sights on Cuba CELESTYAL CRUISES has launched an all-inclusive cruise that aims to showcase the real Cuba.

The 1,200-passenger Celestyal Crystal will visit Havana, Cienfuegos, Maria La Gorda, Santiago de Cuba and Montego Bay, Jamaica on its seven-day Cuba Cruise.

The voyage spends two full days in Cuba’s capital and includes a brand new call at Maria La Gorda, known for its impeccable beachfront and underwater marine life.

Additional Cuban calls include the Cienfuegos, an 18thcentury fortress, and historic Santiago de Cuba.

A selection of shore excursions at each port of call are featured in the price, including the Havana city tour, the Maria la Gorda trip, Cienfuegos city tour, Greenwood Great House and Historic Falmouth (Montego Bay) and Panoramic Santiago.

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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: 030

Mascot Hook

A➠

B➠ Copyright: Craig Russell

Travel company which is over 150 years old

C➠

Weasel Owns Hut

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:

Copyright: Taras Vyshnya

South-eastern Australian state and home of Sydney

Where Am I? Copyright: Pakhnyushchy

competition@travelbulletin.co.uk Closing date for entries is Thursday, August 13th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

An ancient citadel containing the Parthenon

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

Number: 030

Across 1. Operator, specialising in Scandinavian holidays (5) 4. Europe's highest mountain range (4) 6. Middle East Airlines, initially (3) 7. Capital of Costa Rica (3,4) 9. Global car rental provider (4) 10. Good Morning Britain presenter, Susanna (4) 12. Trade association for the world's airlines (4) 14. Island, also known as Lindisfarne (4) 17. One of the Princess cruise ships, sounds like a gem (7) 18. Mysterious sighting, initially (3) 19. Country in the South Pacific (4) 20. First name of Swiss tennis ace (5)

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Down 1. Actor on another mission at a cinema near you (3,6) 2. One of the Costa's (5) 3. Aeroflot is the flag carrier of this country (6) 4. Flows through Tuscany (4) 5. 11 Down operate from this port (5) 8. TV drama, prequel to the Inspector Morse series (9) 11. Ferry company, sounds like a bird of prey (6) 13. According to legend, if you throw a coin in this fountain and you will return (5) 15. Will, back in the album charts with 85% Proof (5) 16. One of the Hawaiian islands (4)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 30 August 7th 2015

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bulletinbriefing

Industry Insight by...

Kate Kenward, Executive Director for AITO, asks just how sustainable are you?

NOTHER DAY at the office. You’re sitting at your desk either working on holiday arrangements for a customer or waiting for the next one to walk in or to ring your shop. Take a few minutes to think about where you will be working in five or ten years’ time – hopefully, still enjoying the satisfaction of sending people away on their dream holidays.

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“Set yourselves and your colleagues on a path of sustainability for the future of your jobs and the destinations to which you send your customers.”

But what if many of the destinations or attractions you enjoy selling today are simply not available then, perhaps because no-one at the destinations had bothered to think about how to sustain them successfully into the future? How would you feel about that? As someone who sells travel, shouldn’t you be playing a part in this potential scenario? As a front-line person in the sale of holidays, I think it’s vital that you are aware of green issues and that you use your knowledge at the point of sale.

Someone has to get this started in your office so it may as well be you. The first thing you need to do is get everyone in your office together and look at how you work now. You may already be doing some great things and your own office is always a good place to start. Check out Sustainable Business Toolkit online.

Typing ‘Green Team’ in the search bar located on the right of their homepage results in a host of articles all offering tips for going green and advice on how to start your own ‘Green Team’.

How can you make a difference to the destinations and attractions you promote today, at the same time shoring up your job for the next five to ten years and beyond? I’d like to show you that making a difference isn’t that hard. The rewards could be great for you and for the destinations in question; quite simply, it’s a win-win situation for everyone.

Once everyone in your office is on board about sustainable tourism (ST), you can start looking at who you work with outside your office both here in the UK and abroad. Do they have the same ST values as your office? Finally, you can start promoting sustainable tourism to your customers. Located on The Travel Foundation’s homepage is a tab entitled Green Business Tools which offers dedicated step-by-step guides especially for Travel Agents.

By doing the above, you will set yourselves and your colleagues on a path of sustainability for the future of your jobs and the destinations to which you send your customers.

AITO has produced How to…? Fact Sheets for its members on sustainable tourism. AITO tour operator members have sustainability at the heart of their businesses now because they know that, if they don’t, they won’t have any businesses in the future. It’s as simple as that. So I urge you all to step forward and be the leading green person in your office - help make a difference!

I hope these few pointers will set you on the road to greener holidays, because that’s the way that our industry – and all of us working in it - will survive and prosper into the future.

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IBEROSTAR HAS unveiled plans to open its first Grand Collection Hotel in Majorca. Scheduled to open next May, the 63-room hotel will be situated on Portals Nous cove, just a short distance from Puerto Portals. Facilities at the new resort will include a biospa, complete with a Turkish bath, sauna and luxury wellness centre.

For more information visit iberostar.com

PARK LIFE… the recently reopened Paradise Park Fun Lifestyle Hotel in Tenerife hosted 23 agents during a Select Week to celebrate its relaunch after a two-month renovation project.

Agents stayed in newly refurbished superior rooms, visited Loro Parque wildlife centre, Siam Park and attended cocktail evenings and a gala dinner. Pictured taking a walk on the wild side at Loro Parque are, standing from the left: Tony Manning, Hays Travel; Carol Warburton, Travel Counsellers; Dawn Knott, Jet2 Holidays; Jim O'Dea; Ann Barber, Travel Counsellers; Cathie O'Dea, Travel Counsellors; Paul Revell; Jackie Bosley, Love Holidays; Daniel Wilson, Andrew Earles; James Daddy; Fi Shah, Hays Travel; Gaynor Tuby, Travel PA; Chris Barber, Mercury Direct; Andrea abd Tony Mann, Idle Travel; Gracie Hurrell, Thomson; Katie Jones, Jet2 Holidays. At the front are Sandra Vestjens, TUI Holland International and Sharon Robinson.

Riu Palace Tenerife undergoes £18.4 million refurbishment to get five-star status THE RIU Palace Tenerife has reopened following an £18.4 million refurbishment that has raised its rating to five-stars.

Located on the Adeje coast, the hotel, which first opened in 1999, has 334 rooms that have been completely remodelled in terms of furnishings and decor with light colours and simple lines used.

The rooms all now have 43-inch, flat-screen TVs, electronic safes and fully renovated bathrooms with walk-in showers.

Key areas of the hotel have also been redone, such as the lobby and reception area, as well as the main restaurant and the cocktail

lounge, which now has a terrace with a view of the sea. Following the renovation, the resort has two thematic spaces dedicated to food lovers: Krystal a modern option that combines the concepts of vanguard, fusion cuisine; and the Spanish restaurant focused on Spanish cuisine.

The entire aquatic zone has been redesigned to create three swimming pools, one of them an infinity pool, in addition to a children's pool and an indoor pool, all of them heated in the winter.

Additionally, around the pool a new chill-out area has been created, and in the garden a beach zone where

guests can relax and sunbathe.

The gym has also been renovated along with the Body Love wellness centre, and a beauty salon. This

renovation will be followed by that of the Riu Arecas hotel, also located on the Adeje Coast, which will open its doors at the end of October.

Jumeirah Hotels offers reduced rates on half-board breaks this summer JUMEIRAH HOTELS and Resorts in Dubai has teamed up with tour operator Destinology to launch a series of ‘Summer Flavours – Half-board’ promotions across its properties in the emirate.

Families of three can stay at Jumeirah Beach Hotel in an ocean deluxe room at reduced half-board

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rates of £1,035 per adult and £455 per child. The offer is based on travel between August 5 and 31.

Bookings made before August 14 for a three-night stay at the resort Mina A’Salam will see their half-board rate reduced to £750 per person with a complimentary upgrade to an ocean deluxe room. The holiday must be taken

between August 29 and September 9.

Finally, families of three can stay at the hotelier’s Zabeel Saray for £935 per adult and £455 per child for three nights’ half board in a deluxe Arabian seaview room. This offer is based on travel between August 5 and December 10. All of these offers must be booked

by August 14.

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‘A GREAATT BRITISH MUSSICAL ABOUT A GREATT BRITISH BAND’

BEST NE NW WMUSI MUSSICAL

The Times

THE ELECTRIIFFYING

HIT DMOUN SICAL BASE THE MUSIC OF

Music and Lyrics

E V ES RAY DAVI

Book

JOE PENHALL

RAY DAVIES EDDW THE KINKS exploded onto the 60s music scene with a raw, energetic new sound that rocked a nation.

But how did that happen, where exactly did they come from and what happened next?

This ‘Great British Musical’ (The Times) features many of the band’s hits, includinng:

EXTENDED DUE TO PHENOMENAL DEMAND, SUNNY AFTERNOON IS NOW BOOKING UNTIL APRRIL 2016.

Winner of the 2015 Olivier Award for BEST NEW W MUSICAL, with Music and Lyrics by Ray Davies (Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music), a new Boook by Joe Penhall and Direction by Edward Hall, SUNNNY AFTERNOON depicts the rise to stardom of THE KINKS.

YOU REALLY GOT ME ME, WATERRLOO SUNSET, DEDICATTED FOLLOWER OF FASHION, ALL DAY AND ALL OF THE NIGGHT, LOLA, SUNNY AFTERNOON and many more.

See this inspirational story in the heart of London’s West Ennd.

To book, speak to your preferred ticket agent, go online or call +44 (0) 844 871 7622 Calls cost 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.

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SUPERBREAK has put together a range of theatre packages to see Impossible, the biggest magic show in decades which opened at the Noel Coward Theatre on July 30. Featuring death-defying stunts, technological trickery, grand stage illusions and close-up magic, talented magicians perform a fast-paced spectacular to entertain every generation. Running until August 29, the show is directed by Anthony Owen, the magic consultant behind Channel 4’s Derren Brown and is staged at the same theatre that Harry Houdini once wowed his Victorian audiences in. Packages from the operator cost from £87 per person including one night at the three-star President Hotel and a ticket to the show.

MBNA THAMES CLIPPERS has expanded its fleet of ships with the addition of two new 150-passenger catamarans. The two new vessels, which cost £6.5 million, are the first new additions to the fleet in seven years, and have been built to a technical specification to be able to handle the tides, shallow waters and low bridges of the River Thames. They are pictured being loaded on to Hobart, the transportation vessel, in Tamania as they prepare to embark on a 10,000-mile journey to the River Thames in London.

THE FOUR-STAR DORSETT SHEPHERDS BUSH has launched a Shop in Style package which includes accommodation in a deluxe room with breakfast, a signature cocktail, bespoke summer afternoon tea served in the hotel’s Jin Bar and a VIP Shopping Pass to Westfield London Shopping Centre. The pass entitles holders to discounts of up to 25% from more than 150 stores and restaurants across the centre. The package costs £199 per person per night.

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THE HACKNEY EMPIRE has announced the line-up for its annual pantomime, which will see Clive Rowe tread the boards once again as Dame Daisy Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk, from November 21 2015 to January 3 2016.

Olivier Award-nominated Bodyguard actress Debbie Kurup will star as Jack, while Hackney Empire favourite Kat B will join the pair on stage as Snowman with further casting still to be announced.

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Wedding bells? Mathilde Robert, managing director at Planet Holidays offers agents practical advice on how to deliver the perfect day and honeymoon escape to the happy couple…

Which destinations continue to be popular for weddings and which are new emerging destinations?

Cyprus and Greece continue to be top destinations for weddings and honeymoon thanks to overall cost and ease of access with flights from many UK regional airports, thereby facilitating travel for family and friends. Over the last few years we’ve seen a healthy increase to Portugal, so much so that in 2013 we introduced the Alentejo region, expanded our Algarve product and added the Azores and Madeira. Italy is more expensive but has always been very popular and draws many UK couples thanks to celebrity ‘it’ couples such as the Clooneys and Venice last year! The choice of venues is idyllic; from vineyards to stately homes, from pretty countryside to cities such as Venice, Verona, Florence and Rome. Short-haul destinations are popular, particularly for couples that want close family and friends to attend.

What about honeymoon locations - are couples still seeking the two-week beach destination or are they becoming increasingly adventurous?

Mykonos and Santorini are top places. Both destinations combine perfect wedding locations with intimate honeymoon locations but we’ve seen an increase in couples looking to stay on longer, sometimes three weeks, and add island hopping or a lesser known island. That’s why, with the launch of our 2016 brochure we’ve moved Greece to the front adding Amorgos, Ithaca, Folegandros, Milos, Sifnos, Paros, Naxos, Alonissos plus a host of boutique properties that cater for honeymooners. Some active couples will opt for destinations that offer great diving including Malta and Gizo as well as Larnaka with the Zenobia wreck, plus walking, cycling, horse riding, combining cultural, sun, sea and sand. Some also like the idea of a multi-centre honeymoon, for example one couple flew out to Naples to enjoy romantic Amalfi, then took a train to Rome for cultural site seeing, on to Florence plus a few days in a Tuscan vineyard, before arriving in Venice.

place to establish what couples are looking for, using answers to help show them the best way forward with the right proposals. Plus it goes without saying that making use of our services as a specialist they have the best of both worlds; our knowledge and expertise to help them get the most out of such lucrative bookings. Yes, it is a team effort but one that is rewarding and ensures that the couple will continue to be loyal guests, recommending their friends and family to also use the services of the retailer. There is no better advertisement than word of mouth.

What additional products should agents think about promoting?

Sell them the extras; advise the couple that booking flowers, photography etc. via the internet or through recommendations on chat rooms means they won’t have the peace of mind that the travel agent offers via the specialist tour operator. Show them that years of experience means that the best local suppliers will be recommended and that means best prices and reliable service. As an example Planet Holidays overseas wedding co-ordinators are on hand to check that all these extras arrive on time, are as per requests made by the couple and that the event goes smoothly from start to finish with minimum stress for the couple. Agents should try and also book all the family and friends travelling to the wedding, establishing what regional flights and holiday packages they can offer to the clients and what savings can be made for group bookings.

Selling Top Tips ●

Ask what type of wedding the couple want.

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Ascertain the likes of the couple – for example do they want the wedding and reception in the same venue or separate locations?

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Do they want to get married in their first week or do they want a little time on their own, then guests arrive and they plan stag and hen do’s (or a HAG party combining both) and then a honeymoon week to recover and enjoy time together again?

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Do ask the couple whether they love beach and flop or perhaps they are sports lovers and want to enjoy water sports or cycling or horse riding etc.

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Do establish a budget and encourage the couple to buy local in terms of flowers, photography, hair and beauty – the agents make commission on this and the couple can feel they’ve organised a sustainable wedding as they are using ‘local’ wedding extras. With honeymooners offer advice on venues that give a candlelit dinner or provide room upgrades or other benefits that may add to the couples special time together as Mr & Mrs.

What are the most important questions that agents need to ask when putting together their wedding and/or honeymoon package?

What type of wedding? Do the couple want somewhere that is luxurious, off the beaten track, exclusive or rustic? Why are the couple considering an overseas wedding? Are they looking for somewhere nice and relaxed, scenic but on a budget? How many people are they looking to host? Will there be many children? Or do they have elderly relatives? Many agents shy away from asking enough questions. Most couples choose to get married abroad for the weather and because they don’t want to invite so many people. Others want to turn their wedding into a whole weekend of entertainment and fun for all their family and guests. Every couples criteria for choosing an overseas wedding is different and retailers are in the right

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s n o o m y e n o h & s g in d d we Nira Hotels & Resorts launch new wedding and romance getaways

FUNWAY HOLIDAYS reports Wild West Weddings are one of the hottest trends for 2015. Rebecca Evans, marketing executive for the operator, said: “Weddings are headed west - in destination, style and design - and requests for our ranching product have increased significantly”. Tanque Verde Ranch offers a scenic backdrop and professional planning for an Arizona wedding, with indoor and outdoor venues available accommodating up to 200 guests and at £176 per person per night. Visit www.funway4agents.co.uk for details PR Image - Ritzy Ranch Weddings

NIRA HOTELS & RESORTS is promoting a range of packages designed for brides and grooms-to-be to escape the wedding stress and focus on time together.

Located on the south coast of Mauritius, Shanti Maurice’s ‘Elopement Package’ includes a three-night stay in a luxury villa with pool and an exchange of vows and blessing from the resort’s matriarchal ‘Grandma’ with two witnesses and a choice of violinist, guitarist or musical trio to accompany the ceremony. Newly weds will head to the resort's gardens to plant a tree, symbolising the new marriage before stepping aboard a private catamaran for a sunset cruise and Champagne picnic. Back on dry land, the romance continues as the bride and groom enjoy a private ‘Sega’ show, the Mauritian traditional wedding dance, before heading to the beach to release a Love Wish Lantern, sealing their union. The package also includes 50 professionally captured photos, videographer, four fruit flavoured rum cupcakes, a wedding gift, bonfire on the beach and couples massage. Rates start from £5,622 per couple.

Other romantic getaways offered through the hotelier are a ‘Night of Nudity’ package at the Caledonia in Edinburgh’s city centre from £400 per couple, a ‘Full Moon’ two-night package at the Alpina in the upper Engadin Valley from £1,367 per couple and a three-night half-board stay with his and her spa treatments at the Montana’s ‘Summer Couple Relax & Enjoy’ starting from £978 per couple.

Asda Money reveals spending habits of revellers on stag and hen do’s RESEARCH FROM Asda Money has revealed that while those attending a stag or hen party set aside an average of £318 for the whole trip, excluding travel and accommodation, they spend an average of £566 for alcohol, food, clothing and gifts alone, almost £250 over their original budget.

The biggest expense is accommodation at an average of £191. Alcohol comes in at a close second with party-goers splashing an average of £158 each. The total average spend on everything, including activities, clothing and food is £1,174.

When looking at the top overseas destinations, Barcelona proved popular with over one in ten (12%) heading there, closely followed by Amsterdam (10%), Benidorm (8%), Berlin and Ibiza (6%). It would also seem the trend of heading abroad is more prevalent among men, with women preferring to party in the UK. Some 45% of people surveyed said they only take some cash with them but tend to use their debit or credit cards. A further 7% never take cash and solely rely on the plastic.

Karen Harkin, from the company, said: “It is essential that these trips are properly budgeted for and we are encouraging people to look for the best deal on their travel money before they head off, particularly as relying on credit and debit cards while out there can result in additional fees.

Spending for stag and hen do’s can quickly mount up and we want to do everything possible to save customers money before they head off.”

Services include ordering travel currency online or over the phone with the option of collection or door delivery (free for orders over £500, £3.95 delivery charge for orders between £50-499) and a local exchange rate guarantee.

For more information visit http://money.asda.com

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Cancun named top destination for Hindu Weddings THE CANCUN Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has announced that during the press conference for this year’s South Asian Wedding Certification, Cancun was named the number one tourist destination in Mexico for Hindu weddings by Dream Weddings Mexico, one of the country’s leading wedding planning firms.

During the conference, Brenda Fernandez, CEO of Dream Weddings Mexico, announced that in the last four years the number of certified specialised wedding planners in the Mexican Caribbean had increased sharply. She went on to predict that there will be a 30% increase in the number of Hindu weddings in Cancun in the coming years.

Live Aqua is one of an increasing number of Cancun hotels answering the demand for Hindu weddings and is in the process of training its staff to attract more ceremonies.

A three-day South Asian Wedding Certification programme is set to take place at the hotel next month and is being supported by the Indian Embassy in Mexico. Expert advice on wedding traditions, cuisine, floral design, religion, dress, music, and decoration will be provided.

Hindu weddings in Cancun usually involve 100 – 700 guests and stays of about ten days. While there are options to cater for a variety of budgets, it is not uncommon for couples to splash out between $150,000 and $500,000 on a Hindu wedding in Mexico.

For more information visit www.cancun.travel

Phoenicia Hotel launches wedding packages for same-sex couples THE PHOENICIA Hotel in Valletta is hosting Malta's first civil unions fair for same-sex couples wishing to tie the knot. Taking place on October 10-11, the fair will cater for the LGBT market, with a range of local suppliers offering specialist products and services.

Boasting 12 years’ experience in the industry, the hotel’s wedding planner, Chrystelle Doublesin, said: “The Civil Unions Act officially became law in Malta last April but this will be the first wedding fair where gay couples planning to marry are fully catered for. Phoenicia has hosted Maltese society weddings for decades, as well as an ever growing number of weddings from the UK so we hope our new civil unions packages will entice even more couples to celebrate their special day here.”

Prices for civil union packages at the venue start from £800 for ten guests to £3,760 for a full-service package for up to 30 guests. This includes full organisation before and during the day, preparation of all documentation plus registry fees and registrar transport, dressed seating, table arrangements with fresh flowers, mandolin player or pianist, wine and canapés following the ceremony. A three-course dinner, with half a bottle of wine and a glass of bubbly for each guest, personalized menu cards, dressed seating, centrepieces, a handcrafted cake, wedding DJ, professional photographer, buttonholes and bouquets for the couple and witnesses, room hire and personal wedding planner are all included in the price.

For further details visit www.weddings-malta.com or call 0800 862 0025.

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s n o o m y e n o h & s g in d d we ld its Travel Bulletin recently he ns oo ym ne Weddings and Ho Blu showcase at the Radisson ster. he nc Ma Edwardian Hotel in ffet Agents were treated to a buing ork tw ne dinner mixed with win some sessions and the chance to s. ze pri fantastic

KEY KNOWLEDGE…Lauren Syvamore from Florida Keys & Key West imparts invaluable information to a table of agents.

BANYAN BANTER…Will Taylor from Banyan Tree, third from right, presents to a table full of attentive travel agents.

KANIKA BREAK…Maria Evripides from Kanika Hotels & Resorts (left) with Mona Mikhaiel from Mina World Travel who won a seven-night all inclusive break at the Elias Beach Hotel in Limasssol.

BINGO BOTTLE…Andrea Smith (left) from Freedom Travel wins a bottle of wine at bingo presented by Travel Bulletin’s Gemma Reeve

ROCK REWARD…Hard Rock AI Resorts’ Fiona Boss (left) presents Cheryl Johnson from Access World Travel with three complimentary nights stay for two at either HRH Casino Punta Cana or HRH Riviera Maya.

THUMBS UP…Sitting at the Sandos Hotels and Resorts table are, from the left: Maureen Johnson, Cheryl Johnson and Hayley Pollard from Access World Travel; Seema Devchand and Oliver Donnelly from A2B Travel; and Juanjo Torrico from Sandos Caraco Eco.

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PLANET PRIZES…Peter Ward from Planet Weddings presents both Carol Warburton (left) from Travel Counsellors and Rachel Dartnell-Smith from Independent Travel Agents with a free holiday for two.

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FULL HOUSE…Agents and exhibitors line up and kick off the showcase in style

BUBBLES & TRUFFLES…Michelle Shore from Kuoni (left) is treated to a bottle of bubbly and champagne truffles as a prize from Jayne Scott at Cyplon Holidays

LUX LUCK…Ann Barber (left) from Travel Counsellors wins a £75 love2shop voucher from LUX Resorts’ Nicola Johnson

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LUCKY LEAH…Leah Tompfa from Independent Travel Experts (left) is presented with threenights Unlimited Luxury at Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun by Kirsty Lilley from AM Resorts

NICHE NETWORK…enjoying a chat at the start of the evening are, from left: Peter Ward, Planet Weddings; Carol Kirkham, Kirkham Travel; Graham Brooks, Hard Rock AI Resorts and Jannette Ashby with Rita Hughes from Global Travel, Bamber Bridge.

WINE WINNINGS…Oliver Donnelly (left) from A2B Travel beams after winning six bottles of Cyprus wine from Costas Catsellis representing the Cyprus Tourist Board.

SEYCHELLES SPEECH…Giving a presentation on the Seychelles Islands was Eloise Vidot from the tourist office

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s n o o m y e n o h & s g in d d we VIB experience with The Stylish Bride Academy at The Peninsula New York THE PENINSULA New York’s new ‘The Stylish Bride’ Academy offers brides their own VIB (Very Important Bride) experience. The journey begins with a bridal stylist and chauffeured transfer to designer bridal stores with a personal consultant on hand for styling and fittings. The next day, the chauffeured transfer will whisk the bride to select the gown of her dreams and take her back to the hotel, where a reserved table awaits at rooftop bar Salon de Ning for a celebratory champagne toast. The programme’s duration is one-and-a-half days and costs from £3,582 for one bride and two guests.

THE 105-ROOM LOAMA RESORT MALDIVES is an island getaway with an accent firmly on privacy. It offers private moonlit dinners, spa treatments, sunset cruises, couples’ cooking school and champagne beach picnics. The resorts proposal package gives private access to the art museum where couples are greeted with champagne, flowers and the engagement ring placed in one of the display cabinets for partners to discover. loamahotelsandresorts.com

Archipelago Choice promotes sea-life discovery package ARCHIPELAGO CHOICE is offering honeymooners a chance to discover marine life together by swimming with dolphins and whale watching. Newlyweds can spend seven nights at Quinta do Mar, located on the south coast of Sao Miguel, from £1,315 per person on a bed and breakfast basis based on August departures. The price includes one three-hour whale watching excursion, one three-hour swimming with dolphins trip, airport transfers, six day car hire, direct return flights from Gatwick with SATA International, including airport taxes.

For details visit azoreschoice.com or call 01768 775672

All-Inclusive PLUS at Elite Island Resorts ELITE ISLAND RESORTS has launched an All-Inclusive PLUS programme to offer more for those booking into the resort’s higher category Royal Suites at St James’s Club & Villas, Antigua.

Guests booking a seven-night or longer stay between June 15 and December 24 will be entitled to a catamaran cruise, two 45-minute spa massages, dinner at a la carte Piccolo Mondo restaurant, free wifi and a bottle of wine upon arrival in addition to the full board and water sports included in all room categories.

For more details, visit www.eliteislandresorts.co.uk

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THANDA Private Game Reserve in South Africa has introduced three wedding packages, designed to accommodate different party sizes and budgets. The minimum two-day celebration includes game drives, bush dinners and a wedding ceremony out in the heart of the game reserve under the sacred marula tree, also known as the marriage or fertility tree among the Zulu people. Visit www.thanda.com for more information

Hitch-free hotel options for guests with WeddingGuestRooms.com WEDDINGGUESTROOMS.COM has been launched by LateRooms.com as a new service to help brides and groomsto-be share hotel options for their big day with wedding guests.

The free service allows brides and grooms to create a personalised webpage so guests can benefit from up to date availability and prices at properties within a ten mile radius of the wedding or reception venue. Features include mapped hotel locations, booking in advance, pay on arrival, free cancellation on many rooms and hotel reviews.

For details visit www.WeddingGuestrooms.com

Walig and Weddings at Gstaad Palace THIS SUMMER season Gstaad Palace is offering the opportunity to rent the Palace in its entirety, enabling those hosting a wedding and their guests the chance to enjoy all the hotel has to offer in a winter wonderland setting. This includes access to five restaurants, 100 bedrooms and five meeting rooms (catering up to 300 people). Guests can unwind in the nightclub GreenGo; relax in an indoor and heated outdoor swimming pool and de-stress on their four tennis courts and squash courts; and the Palace Spa, which features eight treatment rooms. The package price per day is from £41,674 and is available from September 13-27 and December 13-17.

Honeymoon couples can escape to Gstaad Palace’s treasure, the Walig Hut. Set at 1,700 metres above Gstaad and the Sannenland it offers breathtaking views with a package price for two including half-board and use of the Palace Spa from £2,439. This includes two nights in a romantically decorated room with a room upgrade, one night at the alpine Walig Hut with a three-course dinner and a bottle of champagne, private hammam massage for two and is available until September 11.

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xmasmarkets ADVENT ZAGREB is a city-wide celebration where visitors can enjoy vibrant Christmas markets at every corner of the city. A traditional Christmas fair in the streets surrounding Jelačić Square, an accompanied evening music programme at European Square, specialities such as fried apples, baked štrukle, hot chocolate and mulled wine under Christmas lights at Zrinjevac park and the spectacular ice park on King Tomislav Square are just some of the highlights.

Inghams caters for non-skiers with Xmas market breaks in Germany and Austria INGHAMS is looking to appeal to non-skiers with the launch of its Winter Inspirations programme that features four short breaks in festive destinations including Nuremberg, Munich, Salzburg and Vienna.

The winter holidays specialist has a three-night break in Nuremberg to take in the city’s Christmas Market with prices from £469 per person, including bed and breakfast at the Inter City Hotel Nuremberg, flights, return rail transfers, a two-day Nuremberg card, a Christmas Market pass, guided walking

tour and a city map and guide book.

The Munich city break starts at £399 per person and includes three nights’ B&B at the G-Hotel Munich-Zentrum, flights, return rail transfers, a three-day city transport card, Christmas markets pass, a guided brewery walking tour, a city map and a Berlitz guide book.

The three-night trip to Salzburg costs from £479 and includes three nights’ B&B at the Hotel Neutor, flights, return taxi transfers, a 72-hour Salzburg card, a Panorama City Tour,

city maps, Berlitz guide book and a voucher for Glühwein at Stifskeller St Peter bar.

Finally, the three-night Vienna package starts at £499 per person and includes three nights’ B&B at the Hotel Kaiserhof or Hotel Harry’s Home, flights, taxi transfers from the airport, a 72-hour Vienna card, a Grand City Tour Excursion, a city map, a Berlitz guide book and a Vienna Christmas market voucher for Glühwein and a snack.

For more information call 01483 791 116 or visit www.inghams.co.uk

Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks launch ‘biggest-ever’ Christmas market programme JET2.COM AND Jet2CityBreaks have launched their ‘biggest-ever’ range of Christmas market breaks for 2015, including two new destinations, Berlin and Copenhagen, and the return of Vienna.

A total of eight dedicated weekend trips are available, and feature the new two-night Copenhagen trip to the Christmas market in Tivoli Gardens with a two-night, bed-and-breakfast stay at the Comfort Hotel Vesterbro departing from Newcastle Airport on December 11.

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Prices start at £260 per person based on two sharing.

The new two-night trip to Berlin includes a room-only stay at the Best Western Hotel City Ost with departures from Leeds Bradford Airport on December 4. Prices lead in at £270 per person based on two sharing.

Steve Heapy, chief executive officer for the company, said: “Our Christmas market breaks are always very popular so we’re thrilled to be expanding our

range of destinations. It’s our biggest programme yet with 50,000 seats available and I’m sure the trips will be a great success.”

In addition to these dedicated festive breaks, the operator offers a range of flight-only and flight and hotel options to a host of other Christmas market destinations including Budapest, Prague and New York.

For further information visit trade.jet2holidays.com

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UNIWORLD’S

2015 C H R I ST M AS 2 M A R K E T S BOU T IQU UE R I V ER CR U ISES

Everythin ng is included in your luxurious Christmas Mark kets River Cruise so you can relax, unwiind,, and be treated to Un niworrld’s

Share in the joy of the season while cruising c in ultimate luxury along the Rhine, Danube, Main or Seine on one of seven all-inclusive Christmas ma arket itineraries.

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Award-winning service with the highest staff-to-g guest ratio in the river cruise industry

Savour ta antalising treats with Uniworld’s “T Ta aste of Christmas” programme in charming fairytale towns; enjoy a ging gerbread-making demonstration in Passau, a scenic c horse-drawn carriage ride through the Bavarian Forest, or even ring in the New Ye ear at a priivate concert in a Viennese palace.

The most elegantly appointed riverview stateroom ms and suites afloat All meals and unlimited beverages onbo oard

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For more information please call 0808 168 9110 uniworldcruises.co.uk k

* £999 is based on Parisian Holidays departing d on 13 and 20 Dec, based on a special offer valid until 31 August 2015. Price is per person, twin share, cruise only, inclusive of pport tax, based on a Category 3 riverview stateroom and subject to availability. Uniworld reserves the right to withdraw or change offers at any time. For complete details on all promotions, general information, and terms and conditions aapplicable to all Uniworld cruises, please visit uniworldcruises.co.uk.

ABTA No.Y6200

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xmasmarkets

nn, holiday

by John Gui

researcher

John Guinn is glad to see not a Y-Front in sight at the European Christmas Markets

John Guinn runs Holiday Hut and has a weekly travel show on internet radio station, Secklow Sounds. He also contributes regularly to UK Health Radio. hen I look back at markets from when I was a child, I don’t have many fond memories.

Sure, when I was at middle school, the nearby market on Fridays meant stocking up on sweets to throw around during school assembly.

However, in general, markets were not glamorous places.

Markets were the sort of place where you could see a pile of cheap, white Y-fronts piled on top of a crate of warm pop, accompanied by the smell of chip fat.

German Christmas markets are different, and I don’t just mean that the winter weather keeps the bottles of pop chilled.

Although, way back in the 14th and 15th centuries these markets may have been more like the grotty markets of my childhood and not the tourist attractions that they are now.

Some of them are held for a few weeks over advent.

Others, such as the Fairy Tale Christmas Market at the Jagdschloss only last for a weekend.

One of the oldest Christmas markets is held in

W

Frankfurt. This market does begin quite early. This year, it will open on November 25, this is still much better than starting in August like the shopping centres do here. As well as the 200-odd stalls there is a large merry-goround. Whether you should go on this before or after trying the mulled wine and gingerbread is up to you.

Something to always bear in mind is the market’s opening hours. For example, Affing Christmas Market, one of the youngest German markets (21 years old this year) only runs at weekends.

In 2004 this market was voted the most beautiful Christmas market in Bavaria. Something the organisers are holding on to like English football fans harping on about 1966 and all that.

One final thing to consider is the crowds. The organisers for the Frankfurt market expect three million visitors. So, if like me, you’re not a people person then you should look at markets in smaller towns such as Idstein and Bad Homburg.

Hopefully these will be Yfront and chip fat free zones.

DIAMOND RAIL HOLIDAYS has added four new itineraries to its European Christmas market programme. The four-day Liège, Valkenburg and Aachen Christmas Markets is new for 2015 and takes in a trio of markets. Prices lead in at £379 per person, departing on December 7 and includes return Eurostar from London to Brussels, rail transfers, accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis in Liège and the services of a tour manager.

SuperBreak offers new Christmas Markets cruise and stay package SUPERBREAK HAS introduced a new three-night Christmas Markets cruise and stay package on Cruise and Maritime Voyages’ newest ship Magellan.

The ship departs from London Tilbury and visits Amsterdam and Antwerp with prices from £267 per person including an inside cabin for three nights’ full board, coach transfers to and from Tilbury to London Victoria and one night at the three-star President Hotel in London on the night before the cruise.

A two-night trip to Antwerp on December 20 costs from £212 per person.

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

Attraction World packages up best of Berlin's festive markets ATTRACTION WORLD has put together a Berlin Christmas markets tour that takes in three of the most attractive markets in the city.

With prices from £12 per adult and

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£10 per child, the market visits Spandau in western-most Berlin, which boasts one of the biggest Christmas markets in Germany, before moving on to the market at

Charlottenburg Palace and concluding the tour at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the iconic landmark of West Berlin, near Ku'damm.

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xmasmarkets Uniworld to capitalise on Christmas spirit with new stand-alone programme UNIWORLD HAS launched a stand-alone Christmas market brochure to feature the increasing number of themed river cruises.

Sailings include Classic Christmas Markets along the Main River from Nuremberg to Frankfurt with the chance to try Frankfurt’s famous apple cider, Bamberg’s specially brewed holiday beer and Nuremberg’s gingerbread. Prices start at £1,894 per person.

Danube Holiday Markets is an

eight-day journey along the River Danube from Budapest to Passau with the chance to ramble through the markets of Vorosmarty Square in the Hungarian capital, enjoy an exclusive Taste of Christmas programme in the heart of Vienna and soak up the festive atmosphere in Bratislava where traditional Slovakian Christmas items can also be purchased. Prices lead in at £2,154 per person.

The eight-day European Holiday

Markets journeys from Nuremberg to Vienna takes guests to some of the most famous holiday markets in Central Europe including the stalls found within the grounds of the Thurn and Taxis Castle in Regensburg with prices from £1,954 per person.

The eight-day Rhine Holiday Markets takes guests along the River Rhine through Switzerland, France and Germany to take in the three countries Christmas events, with prices from £1,964 per person.

Shearings gets in the festive spirit with five new tours for 2015 programme SHEARINGS HOLIDAYS has added five new festive tours to its 2015 programme.

The five-day Reims, Paris and Champagne tour takes in the Christmas markets in Reims and Paris as well as a tour of Mercier champagne, with a champagne tasting. Prices start at £309 per person and includes four-nights’ half-board at the Novotel Reims Tinqueux, excursions and luxury return coach travel, with departures in

November and December.

Also new is the seven-day Lake Garda and Verona’s Christmas Markets which costs from £489 per person, while the five-day Venetian New Year experience starts at £499 per person.

A six-day Beautiful Bruges Christmas Markets is new for 2016 with prices from £529 per person. Highlights include Brussels, a guided walking tour of Bruges and quality time in pretty Ghent.

A seven-day Baltic and Scandic Coast Grand Tourer is the final new itinerary for 2015 with visits to Copenhagen and the Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market, shopping at Malmo’s Christmas Market in Sweden and visits to Lubeck’s historical Christmas market. Prices start at £719 per person.

For more details visit www.shearings.com or phone 0844 209 7143.

At this very moment 30,000 lamps are lighting up a pair of eyes in Vienna.

It could be yours if only you were here.

WWW.VIENNA.INFO

Christmas market: Rathausplatz

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middleeast

Dubai in demand: visitor forecasts, all-inclusives and Star Trek Beyond DUBAI’S DEPARTMENT of Tourism and Commerce Marketing have forecast that over one million visitors from the UK will travel to Dubai in 2016 should current growth rates persist. Statistics released by the tourism body reveal that the emirate welcomed 687,000 UK hotel guests in 2012, and a further 759,000 in 2013, representing a 10% year-on-year increase. In 2014, Dubai welcomed 845,000 UK hotel guests to its shores, an increase of 11%, an

influx that is expected to continue.

Also reported in the region is an increase in demand for all-inclusive hotel deals, with an increasing number of hotels, tour operators and travel agents creating packages that include flights, transfers, accommodation, meals, unlimited drinks and sightseeing. While several hotels in the country offer all-inclusive deals, only the Turkish chain Rixos operates an all-inclusive resort, in Ras

Al Khaimah. But there are signs that the trend is catching on. Spanish chain Riu Hotels and Resorts recently signed a deal with Nakheel to build Dubai’s first all-inclusive beach resort. The 750-room, four-star property will be built at its Deira Islands development.

Meanwhile Dubai is to provide the backdrop to the third instalment of the rebooted Star Trek franchise, which will be shot in the emirate and entitled “Star Trek Beyond”.

Viceroy Hotels and Resorts to open first property in Dubai this summer VICEROY HOTELS and Resorts is making its debut in Dubai this summer with the opening of the Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah.

The 477-bedroom resort located on the beach at the base trunk of the Palm Jumeirah will feature ten dining venues, a spa with 14 treatments rooms, a beach club, a 100-metre-long swimming pool, multiple sporting activities and children’s clubs.

Meanwhile, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi is running several special

offers over the summer including the Splash or Speed Package, with prices for a deluxe room from £161 per night (minimum two night requirement). This offer is valid until September 30 and includes a two-night stay, two adult tickets to Yas Waterworld or Ferrari World, free entry for children under 12 and a breakfast for four.

The Family Plan deal applies to guests booking a deluxe suite and entitles them to a 50% discount on a connecting deluxe room for children under 18 years old.

Short City ity Brea aks throughout ughout Europe Paris, Pr P ague gu , Rome… … and m mo ore!

Book now on www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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middleeast MSC teams up with Etihad on Abu Dhabi flyand-cruise packages MSC CRUISES has teamed up Etihad Airways to make the airline the preferred partner for its fly and cruise packages on MSC Musica out of Abu Dhabi.

Under the terms of the agreement, MSC Cruises’ passengers will be able to fly to Abu Dhabi from UK with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, to cruise in the region in the Arabian winter.

From December 13 to March 27 2016, MSC Musica will sail 16 seven-night cruises in the region from Abu Dhabi, calling at Khor al Fakkan, Muscat, Khasab and Dubai.

BUDAPEST AIRPORT TO BE RYANAIR’S FIRST LINK TO ISRAEL BUDAPEST Airport’s route network development continues with the announcement of Ryanair’s first link to Israel and confirmation of a twice-weekly service to Eilat-Ovda Airport commencing November 7.

Its arrival in the Israeli market at Budapest gives the airline an immediate 13% share of flights and seats across all routes to the Middle Eastern country, which will now be served by three carriers.

Qatar Airways to boost Doha to Manila services from October QATAR AIRWAYS is to increase its number of services from Doha to the Philippines capital of Manila, adding six extra flights a week between the two destinations, bringing the total number of services to 14.

The additional weekly flights will start on October 26 and will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with services departing from Doha to Manila at 22:15 and returning to the Qatar capital at 23:59. The route will be operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft.

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middleeast Raffles Dubai serves up heritage experience for hotel guests RAFFLES DUBAI has put together a two-day cultural journey offering an insight into the Emirati way of life, the desert and the rich traditions and historic charm of old Dubai.

The newly created Heritage Dubai tour takes in some of Dubai’s oldest neighbourhoods along the bustling creek, which includes a visit to the

Spice and Deira’s Gold Souk, before hopping on board a traditional abra for a ride across the creek to witness potters and weavers practise traditional crafts in Bur Dubai.

On day two, the tour heads out to discover wildlife on a safari, before arriving at a local Bedouin camp to learn breakfast recipes handed down

from generation to generation.

The package includes a three-night stay at the hotel with bed and breakfast and all activities stated in the heritage tour. Prices start at £1,409 per room based on two people sharing.

For more details visit www.raffles.com/dubai

Tauck itinerary takes in Dubai and the Arabian Peninsula over 12 days ESCORTED TOURS specialist Tauck has a 12-day adventure to Dubai and the Arabian Peninsula.

The trip takes in Qatar, Oman, Abu Dhabi and Dubai with prices from £4,695 per person and includes

accommodation in premier waterfront hotels, a chance to explore the grand Sultans’ mosques, sample insider experiences at a private evening in a restored Omani seaside village house, camel rides in

the desert, an off-road adventure on the mountain roads through Wadi Bani Awf in Oman and an architectural lecture and tour from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. Flights are not included in the price.

Fam trips, training and events help Ras Al Khaimah to raise profile with agents RAS AL KHAIMAH Tourism Development Authority (TDA) has pledged its commitment to raising the profile of the emirate with the UK travel industry, organising fam trips, monthly events, product trainings, webinars and one-onone presentations.

Following the successful ITT Conference, which took place in Ras Al Khaimah, a four strong delegation of the Emirate’s hotel industry embarked on a two-day, two-city (London and Manchester) roadshow led by Ms. Kati Paasi, the TDA’ s director of business development.

UK tour operators, product managers, travel agents, MICE representatives and travel counsellors were invited

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to this showcase of the region’s five-star tourism offering, which focused on creating unique guest experiences. Ms. Paasi explained that the TDA’s overriding strategy was to establish the region as an internationally premier luxury destination, setting a goal of one million tourists by 2018.

Also highlighted was a commitment from investors and developers to build a further 2,000 hotel rooms in the emirate in the next two and a half years.

Agents interested in taking part in upcoming fam trips, events or webinars, should contact Tom Johnson by calling 0203-302 5560 or email tom@prmediaco.com

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middleeast We asked our staff the following question this week: Which fictional character do you believe is most like yourself?

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Probably Bridget Jones.

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Editorial Assistant: Adam Potter adam.potter@travelbulletin.co.uk Tintin

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Homer Simpson

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Barney Rubble

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

Account Manager: Matt Gill matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk Does Iron Man count ?

Sales Executive: Matthew Weinreb matthew.weinreb@travelbulletin.co.uk Captain Haddock

Sales Executive: Kathryn Frost kathryn.frost@travelbulletin.co.uk My boyfriend tells me the Tasmanian Devil

Events and Sales Administrator: Gemma Reeve gemma.reeve@travelbulletin.co.uk Eowyn, Lord of the Rings

Senior Designer: Lee Telot lee.telot@travelbulletin.co.uk Assistant Designer: Tom Davies thomas.davies@alaincharles.com Production: Charlie Burns charlie.burns@alaincharles.com

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: Buxton Press Subscriptions are £125 p.a. £195 overseas ISSN: 0956-2419

Dusit International ramps up Middle East presence with new landmark developments DUSIT INTERNATIONAL is ramping up its presence in the Middle East with two new landmark developments set to open in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The first new property, which is set to open in January next year, will be the dusitD2 Residence Al Manzel Abu Dhabi, a serviced residence with 216 units, a business centre, meeting facilities, two restaurants, a lobby lounge, health centre and a pool and sauna. The 235-guestroom dusitD2 TECOM Dubai, which is set to open in March next year, will feature two restaurants, a lobby lounge, fitness centre, swimming pool and spa, and an Executive Lounge, business centre and meeting rooms.

In addition the Dusit Thani Residence Dubai Marina will relaunch in July next year following an extensive upgrade. Accommodation options will range from 75sq metre one-bedroom units to three-bedroom units and a Penthouse Suite, backed by a health and fitness centre, swimming pool, steam room, restaurant, waterfront lounge and meeting facilities.

Meanwhile, the company has also confirmed plans to build a cluster of new properties in Saudi Arabia following a joint venture agreement with local operator Dyar Hotels and Resorts. Three confirmed projects are already in the pipeline. A new hotel under the Dusit Thani brand will be located in Jeddah. The other two projects, to be located in both Jeddah and Doha, will come under the company’s “next generation” dusitD2 brand.

A further five properties are currently under negotiation in the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah.

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across:1. TABER, 4. ALPS, 6. MEA, 7. SAN JOSE, 9. AVIS, 10. REID, 12. IATA, 14. HOLY, 17. EMERALD, 18. UFO, 19. FIJI, 20. ROGER. Down: 1. TOM CRUISE, 2. BRAVA, 3. RUSSIA, 4. ARNO, 5. POOLE, 8. ENDEAVOUR, 11. CONDOR, 13. TREVI, 15. YOUNG, 16. MAUI.

@TravelBulletin TravelBulletin 30

August 7th 2015

Highlighted Word: BOSTON Travagrams: (top) Thomas Cook

(bottom) New South Wales

Where Am I?: xAcropolis of Athens

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Enter our window display competition to win...

Get creative with a great window display to promote our Summer 2016 launch - during August and September The winner will receive a Mark Warner Holiday for 2!

Five runner-ups will receive £40 of Love to Shop vouchers.

PLUS - create a window display and earn £10 for every Summer 2016 booking made during the competition months.

Please post pictures of your window displays to; @mwholidaystrade MW Holidays Trade or email agencysales@markwarner.co.uk

Window display entries will be judged and announced after 30th September 2015.

Every booking that is accompanied by a Window Display receives a £10 Love to Shop voucher.

Claims to agencysales@markwarner.co.uk - to be paid after 1st October 2015.

Summer 2016 Launch