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August 30 2019 | ISSUE NO 2,120 | travelbulletin.co.uk
Giving agents the edge
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August 30 2019 | ISSUE NO 2,120 | travelbulletin.co.uk
Giving agents the edge
AGENT INSIGHT
SCANDINAVIA
AGENT BULLETIN
Discover what makes Austria’s St Anton a great option for clients
Find out why families are flocking to Finland
Pick up prizes with Premier Holidays
THEME PARKS & ATTRACTIONS An Epic Universe comes to Universal Orlando
Cover pic : © Аrtranq
Hit your stride & the slopes with these winter sports
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NEWS BULLETIN
AUGUST 30 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk
THIS WEEK 04 NEWS Industry updates to assist agents in finding great holidays
ECO-FRIENDLY EFFORTS UKinbound released its Business Barometer results, highlighting the measures British tourism businesses are putting in place to reduce their impact on the environment. The British tourism industry is looking for ways to implement environmentally friendly practices.
08 AGENT INSIGHT Jenny from Blue Eye Travel on selling ski holidays in St Anton
11 PUZZLE BULLETIN Win a Jet2holidays goody bag by completing the Su Doku
14 SCANDINAVIA Help travellers to live like a local in West Sweden
17 WINTER SPORTS Japan is a strong new addition to Inghams’ ski brochure
UKINBOUND ASKED its members to comment on their sustainability practices for its Business Barometer report. It revealed that more than 81% of tourism businesses think it is important to implement sustainable and environmental policies for their businesses and clients. These companies are actively taking steps to minimise the impact of their tourism business on the environment, with 59% reducing single use plastics, 49% reducing their carbon footprint, and one in five using renewable energy. Two-fifths of respondents said that they are working with eco-friendly partners, have green groups in the workplace and are
recycling and reducing their food waste. Many of the hotel groups and other hospitality businesses are seeking validation and accreditation that their practices are being managed efficiently and cost effectively, particularly the new energy audit, which guarantees significant cost savings. Joss Croft, CEO of UKinbound, commented: “It is great to know that our members care deeply about the environment and are taking positive action to minimise the impact of their businesses and clients. After all – it is in all our interests to nurture and take care of our beautiful landscapes, cities, towns and villages, as this is
one of the main reasons why the majority of international tourists visit the UK.” Additionally, the Environmental Audit Select Committee is holding a sustainable tourism inquiry, making recommendations to businesses on how to be more eco-friendly. Andrea Nicholas, managing director of Green Tourism, added: “Over the last two years, we have seen more than a 400% increase from tourism and hospitality businesses wanting to explore how to improve their sustainable practices and how to evidence their achievements to their increasingly inquisitive consumers.”
21 THEME PARKS & ATTRACTIONS A Sesame Street mystery comes to PortAventura
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CMV bowls over cruisers with cricketing capers The cricketing legends-themed Cruise will set sail in November.
FOLLOWING THE England cricket team’s success in the World Cup, Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) will launch a cricketing legends themed cruise that is set to sail later this year. CMV’s Columbus will leave from London Tilbury on November 3, on a South Norway Discovery and Oslo itinerary. Columbus will cruise the Oslofjord calling in the Norwegian cities of Oslo, Kristiansand and Stavanger. The cruise will be hosted by TV presenter Nick Hancock, star of ‘They Think It’s All Over’, while cricketers such as Graham Gooch and Roland Butcher will be among the sporting celebrities on board. Passengers can look forward to themed events including big screen cricketing highlights, the ‘Question of Cricket’ challenge, plus a
chance to mingle informally and meet with cricketing legends Paul Downton, Paul Grayson, Ray East and Jack Shantry. Destination highlights of this six-night cruise include a visit to Norway’s capital. With the medieval Akershus Fortress set alongside its modern City Hall and Opera House, Oslo offers visitors an engaging mix of old and new. There’s the Viking Ship Museum and Kon Tiki Museum which tell of Norway’s rich seafaring heritage – a consistently popular optional excursion during Columbus’ voyage through. There is also the chance to visit the Cathedral, Parliament House and National Theatre, all found in the city’s main thoroughfare, Karl Johans Gate. The main thoroughfare leads up to the
attractive Royal Palace, or passengers may prefer to visit the remarkable Vigeland Sculpture Park. Kristiansand sits on Norway's southern tip, a small 17th-century town with a marina, museums and shops, whilst a call into Stavanger will provide guests with the opportunity to explore its’ 18th-century old town, which has one of northern Europe's bestpreserved communities of wooden houses. There is also the option to take an excursion to the Iron Age Farm at Ullanhaug, providing an insight into how life was around 1,500 years ago. Fares are available from £419 per person, included in the buy-one-get-one-halfprice offer. Full details can be found at www.cruiseandmaritime.com
A family trip back in time in Istria THE STRAWBERRY-shaped peninsula, Istria, off the east coast of Croatia, is offering excursions for families who are interested in history. Pula Arena has museums for adults, featuring relics from the 1st century AD, while children can watch gladiator fights and climb the ancient towers. The historical coastal town of Rovinj has many shops and restaurants offering the Istrian delicacy of truffle-infused dishes. These include a risotto prepared with white truffle as well as truffle ice cream. Families can go truffle-hunting with an expert, before learning how to prepare regional specialities.
Families seeking activity and adventure can hire bikes and pedal their way around the peninsula, with pit-stops at blue flag beaches, parks and medieval hilltop towns. For more information, go to www.istra.hr
dusitD2 hotel to open in the heart of Bangkok DUSIT INTERNATIONAL has signed a hotel management agreement with Tian Teck Property Company Limited to operate dusitD2 Samyan Bangkok – the first dusitD2 branded property in the heart of Bangkok. It will be a 181key property with two swimming pools and a fitness centre. Slated to open in June 2023 on Si Phraya Road, a thoroughfare which runs parallel to Silom and Sathorn Roads in Bangkok’s Central Business District, the new hotel will be designed to meet the needs of business and leisure travellers alike, offering access to major business and lifestyle hubs in this strategic area of Bangkok city.
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NEWS BULLETIN
AUGUST 30 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk
Ring in the new year in opulent Dubai style THE BURJ Al Arab is offering guests a new series of experiences to welcome in the New Year. For the first time, the Burj Al Arab will be inviting guests to the private royal cabana for the midnight gala dinner, situated on the terrace of the hotel. Guests will be waiting for the clock to strike midnight while sitting alongside the hotel’s infinity pool, surrounded by food stations and live entertainment. There will be access to the pool and jacuzzi, with a complimentary bottle of champagne per cabana, followed by direct views of the midnight firework display. Guests will be able to choose food from Al Muntaha, Al Mahara, or Scape Restaurant, the Burj Al Arab’s signature restaurants,
The midnight gala dinner will be the hotel’s first New Years celebration.
with each outlet presenting six-course dining menus. Those who are checking into the hotel over the festive period can spend time on Jumeirah’s private beach and Summersalt Beach Club, with access to Talise Spa’s mixed and female-only facilities, unlimited entry to Wild Wadi Waterpark, daily breakfast, a
personalised butler service and Hermès amenities. A minimum of three nights is required with these offers. Guests can book a deluxe one bedroom suite or a sky one bedroom suite by September 30 for savings of 15%. For more details, visit www.jumeirah.com.
La Manga to ‘putt’ on its 19th golf open GOLFERS ACROSS the UK are invited to mix a holiday with sport at Spain’s La Manga Club by competing in the resort’s annual La Manga Club golf open. The event will be taking place for its 19th consecutive year from December 2-7. Played with a stableford format, this year’s tournament will see golfers of all abilities compete in a number of different categories over 54 holes on La Manga Club’s North and South courses for an array of prizes. Event packages feature five nights bed-and-breakfast accommodation in the five-star Hotel Principe Felipe or four-star Las Lomas Village, with packages starting from £495 per person.
A lot of Villa Choices in the Sunshine State SPECIALISING IN villa holidays to Orlando, Debbie's Villas now has a dedicated website for travel agents - www.villachoices.co.uk – through which agents can make bookings and earn commission too. The new Villa Choices website, with live availability, offers a choice of more than 900 properties, from two-bedroom condos to 11bedroom luxury villas, in Kissimmee, Davenport and Clermont. All are close to the major theme parks and each one hand-picked and inspected by the Villa Choices/Debbie's
Villas team based in Orlando. Once registered, agents will be able to search through all the properties to find one suited to their customer’s needs. Full property details and photographs, as well as quotes, can easily be sent to customers to view prior to booking. All villas have free Wi-Fi and air con as standard, and all bookings will receive a free welcome pack on arrival, including essentials such as milk, tea, coffee, bread and more. Go to www.villachoices.co.uk or email info@villachoices.co.uk to register.
Prices include a welcome pack and drinks reception, a gala dinner and prize-giving ceremony as well as tournament entry and a practice round, practice balls and on-course refreshments during the event. In addition, event guests will gain discounts of 15% when eating at any of the resort’s restaurants plus complimentary access to the five-star spa.
Princess Cruises rocks on the high seas PRINCESS CRUISES has revealed details of its newest production show, Rock Opera, onboard the the Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess cruise ships. Rock Opera will feature costumes, a musical soundtrack spanning classic rock, musical theatre and opera, as well as songs performed in a variety of languages, including English, Spanish, Latin and sign language. The show will open on the 3,660-guest Sky Princess in December, as it sails the Caribbean and will feature special guest Brian Justin from the TV show, America’s Got Talent.
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CLIA Cruise Conference comes to Ireland CLIA will be hosting a series of ship visits, including one aboard Princess Cruises’ Crown Princess.
CLIA HAS announced that it will host it’s first-ever cruise conference dedicated to Irish travel agents, in Dublin on November 20. The cruise association has created the 'Ireland Cruise Conference' to work more closely with Irish agents and to offer expert knowledge, selling advice and industry insights so as to help sell more cruises. This is in line with the expanding Irish cruise market, which grew by 8.3% in passenger numbers in 2018 compared to the previous year, with 48,300 cruises taken. The inaugural event is open to all Irish travel agents and will include conference sessions with industry experts, a trade
fair offering agents the chance to meet with cruise lines faceto-face, plus the choice of special breakout sessions, with one being aimed at ‘New to Cruise’ agents. Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland director, said: “We are delighted to announce that CLIA will be hosting its first ever cruise conference in Dublin. By attending this exciting event, Irish agents will have the opportunity to connect directly with cruise lines and learn about the latest news, trends and updates in the ever-changing industry. “Through the Ireland Cruise Conference, CLIA aims to help bring together the Irish travel community
who are extremely important in the growth of the Irish cruise sector. There is an undeniable growing demand for cruises in Ireland and so it’s important for CLIA to help equip agents with the knowledge and experience in order to feel confident in selling the right cruises to the right customer.” Registration for the conference opens this week and is one in a series of events the association will be holding in the country. This includes day visits to ships, such as Princess Cruises’ Crown Princess on September 13. For more information go to www.cruiseexperts.org/cliaagents/uk-ireland-events
Vaka Eiva is back THIS YEAR marks the 16th edition of the Cook Islands’ traditional Vaka Eiva paddling competition, which will be held from November 22-29 and is sponsored by Matson. The event attracts participants from all over the world, many of whom return year after year to paddle Vaka outrigger canoes in a celebration of Cook Islands culture and heritage.
The festival is more than just a challenging canoe race, with several novelty races as well as events taking place across the week celebrating the Cook Islands’ culture, customs, food and entertainment. The ultimate paddling prizes are the ‘Pacific Cup’ and ‘Pacific Paddle’ trophies for the open women and men’s 36km changes race around Rarotonga. Vaka Eiva caters for all ages and paddling ability and everything will be supplied for racing, including canoe and support boat. For more information, go to www.cookislands.travel
Warner Leisure Hotels launch 2020 preview brochure WARNER LEISURE Hotels has launched its 2020 preview brochure with savings available on many breaks throughout next year. The online brochure, which is now live, launches distinct break categories based on Warner’s entertainment and activities to allow for easy selling of the brand’s live music line-up. It additionally outlines several updates and revamps to the company’s hotel portfolio. Designed as an online reference guide, this brochure features details of breaks available until end of June 2020. Agents can save guests up to 50% on breaks between January and December 2020. For more details, visit warnerleisurehotels.co.uk
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AUGUST 30 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk
Buoyant bookings boost agents AGENTS FROM Not Just Travel and its sister company, The Travel Franchise, broke five commission records in July, including the highest financial value of commission payouts, highest average payout, highest number of people earning more than ÂŁ5,000 per month and the highest number of people earning more than ÂŁ3,000 per month and the highest number of payouts. The homeworking agency attributes the healthy figures to a number of factors, including a 20% surge in last-minute bookings in July, and a rise in sales to long-haul destinations due to Brexit uncertainty.
Not Just Travel co-founders Steve Witt and Paul Harrison with brand ambassador and Olympic gold medallist Daley Thompson (centre).
SeaWorld San Diego starts work on record-breaking new coaster SEAWORLD SAN Diego has commenced construction on California’s tallest, fastest, longest dive coaster. Work began on August 16, which was National Rollercoaster Day in the US. It is scheduled to open in summer 2020. The ride, built by Switzerland-based Bolliger & Mabillard, will climb to 153ft. Riders, with their feet dangling in the air, will be suspended on a 45-degree angle at the crown of the ride before plunging down a 143ft. face-down vertical drop, accelerating to more than 60 miles per hour. During the two-minute experience, visitors will experience inversions, a barrel roll and Immelmann loop, a hammerhead turn and a flat spin as they race along nearly 2,500 feet of track. Each of the floorless ride cars will hold 18 passengers in three, six-person rows.
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I HAVE been skiing since I was three, hitting the slopes in resorts across Europe and North America, but one of my favourites is St Anton, Austria. Set in the Tyrolean Alps, St Anton can be accessed from different airports including Innsbruck within a 75-minute drive, Friedrichshafen with a 90-minute drive and Zürich, a two-hour drive. Clients can also access the resort via direct trains from Innsbruck and Zürich. St Anton is one of the largest connected ski resorts in Austria as the lift pass now covers the surrounding areas of Lech, Zurs and Stuben. This means access to more than 305km of pistes, via cable cars and chair lifts. The resort is focused on intermediate-to-advanced skiers as most of the slopes are red runs, and there are good off-piste sections to explore. Although the main slopes are geared towards advanced skiers, St Anton has a fantastic ski school for children and those wanting to learn to ski or snowboard. It is well organised and the nursery slopes can be accessed via the main lift stations in the village so you don’t have to travel far for lessons. The centre still has a Tyrolean village feel with a pedestrianised centre making for easy walking. Free from high-rise, there is a traditional feel with hotels, B&Bs, chalets and apartments. I have stayed in all types of accommodation − they’re of a good standard and great for couples, groups or families. Après ski is a big deal in St Anton with plenty of bars and restaurants. For buzzy crowds, go to the bars at the bottom of the main lift station − try Galzigbahn or the Krazy Kanguruh just before the bottom of the main slopes. For something relaxed, head to the main street where there are cute cafes for Gluhwein and Apfelstrudel. For lunch on the mountains, there are plenty of options − prices vary so have an idea of where you want to eat beforehand. Dinner is no issue, with options from traditional Austrian to high-end dining such as Ooben im Mooser, near the village centre. For authentic schnitzel and the best strudel I’ve ever tasted, head outside the main village to Hotel Tenne, in a traditional wooden house − you won’t regret it! For non-skiers and snowboarders, there is plenty of entertainment from shopping to the Arlberg Wellcom facility which offers indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms, massages and a gym with fitness classes. Arl.rock Sport Park is an activity centre with climbing, bouldering, bowling and tennis, or head to the toboggan run from Gampen to the Rodelstall. St Anton remains one of my top resorts in Europe, with ease of access, great skiing and entertainment for everyone.
AUGUST 30 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk
LEARNING IN LIVERPOOL... Global Travel Group held a cruise training event in Liverpool, supported by 11 ocean and river cruise suppliers. After training at Mercure Atlantic Towers Liverpool, agents were treated to lunch and a tour of Azamara Journey. Highlights included the spa, onboard service, staterooms and deck, emphasising the comfort and luxury onboard.
Wile away winter with Oceana’s new programme P&O CRUISES has announced details of the winter 2019-20 cruise programme, a schedule of 14 cruises aboard Oceana between October 10, 2019, and April 9, 2020. There are seven itineraries, taking in five different regions, including Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands, two Northern cruise breaks and an extended Caribbean cruise roundtrip setting sail from Southampton. These voyages are book-ended by repositioning cruises to and from Malta, which include ports such as Rome and Barcelona. The Christmas and New Year cruise takes in Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Madeira, Lisbon and La Coruna, departing from Southampton on December 22, and priced from £999 per person. Extra onboard spending is available on certain holidays, as well as a 5% deposit. Guests can use their onboard spending money in a number of ways such as shore excursions, spa treatments, hair and beauty appointments, gym classes, shopping on board and dining in the speciality restaurants. For more information, go to www.pocruises.com
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AUGUST 30 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk
AGENT BULLETIN
AGENT TRAINING AGENTS CAN win a Florida Keys goodie bag when they become a Florida Keys & Key West expert via an e-learning platform. The training contains detailed information on the sights, beaches, nature parks, accommodation and sales tips. At the end of the online course, agents will be put to the test. Those who score at least 60 points will receive a training certificate. To take the course, go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/travelgym HOT ON THE TRAIL... Jacob Cairns, assistant air product manager, and John Sheffield, head of airline product, both for Trailfinders, were presented with an award for outstanding sales performance by Annie Huang, general manager for UK and Ireland, China Airlines, and Andy Nunes, sales manager for China Airlines with Aviareps.
AGENT INCENTIVES ● EUROPEAN WATERWAYS has announced a 10% discount off the 12-person charter price of one of its 2020 hotel barge cruises. The six-night voyage starts in Paris, departing on May 24, 2020, and takes in France’s Champagne region, visiting Moët & Chandon and Reims Cathedral. With the 10% off, the charter price for this cruise is now £44,550 for 12 people, representing a saving of £4,950. Agents will earn 10% commission on this booking as well as all other bookings with the cruise company. Go to www.europeanwaterways.com for more information. ● SANDALS RESORTS has been giving top-selling agents Chairman’s Royal Club-branded luggage. The Chairman’s Royal Club (CRC) rewards agents who make 100 or more room bookings per year. As well as winning the luggage, the agents are invited to the CRC retreat to celebrate achievements and provide feedback. For more information, go to www.sellingsandals.co.uk
STUDENT TRAVEL company GROUND Asia has developed responsible travel training modules which can be used by anyone in the travel industry, including agents. The modules cover issues such as informing customers on singleuse plastics, responsible photography, child safety and giving donations. The company created the modules to address issues their customers faced on trips to Asia. For more information about the responsible tourism modules and to access the training, log on to www.GROUNDAsia.com
COMPETITIONS! NEW: Win a four-night stay at the St Elias Resort in Cyprus!
● TO CELEBRATE the launch of the new 2020 Africa brochure, Premier Holidays is giving agents the chance to win a £100 Majestic wine voucher. Runners-up can win restaurant vouchers. To enter, agents need to answer three questions about the new brochure on Premier’s trade website before September 16. The brochure includes holidays to South Africa, Victoria Falls, Botswana, Namibia, Uganda, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Madagascar, and is valid for travel until December 2020. For more information, go to www.trade.premierholidays.co.uk ● AS WELL as the 2020 Africa brochure incentive, Premier Holidays is giving agents £5 in vouchers for every Christmas package booked to Jersey or Guernsey by October 31. If the agents make the booking online before September 30, they will earn a £10 voucher. The four-night festive breaks packages start from £359 per person and based on two adults sharing, travelling by ferry from Poole on December 23 of flying from a range of regional airports on December 24. Visit www.trade.premierholidays.co.uk for details and to make bookings.
Win a Spa Day for two and Yoga goody bag with The BodyHoliday
Win a city break for two people with Railbookers
Win an amazing three night golf & spa stay for two people, at the Quellness Golf Resort
FOR ALL COMPETITIONS VISIT travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions
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PUZZLE BULLETIN
AUGUST 30 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk
WIN A GOODY BAG EACH WEEK!
SUDOKU
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 Thursday, September 5th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.
D
WHERE AM I?
The Jet2Holidays Su Doku winner for August 2nd is Jessica Shone from Hays Travel in Selby. August 2nd Solution: A=1 B=5 C=4 D=2
Across
Down
1. Name the Jet2.com and Jet2holidays onboard flight magazine (7) 6. Picturesque Cyclades island, known for its blue-domed churches (9) 7. Capital of Bulgaria (5) 10. Currency of Nigeria (5) 11. Eilat is a popular resort on the shores of this Sea (3) 12. Type of curry served in a metal bowl (5) 13. This mountain overlooks the town of Grindelwald (5) 15. Alaska's largest city (9) 17. Albufeira is a popular resort in this region of Portugal (7)
1. Former England goalkeeper, David ___, soon to appear on Strictly (5) 2. Australian state, in short (3) 3. Capital of Cameroon (7) 4. City, formerly known as Peking (7) 5. Prince Harry and Meghan recently took a break on this Spanish isle (5) 8. Traditional sailing boat, often seen on the Nile (7) 9. US state (7) 12. One of the Spanish Costas (5) 14. Flows through Cologne (5) 16. Go astray but find in Canberra (3)
Solution: Across: 1. JETAWAY, 6. SANTORINI, 7. SOFIA, 10. NAIRA, 11. RED, 12. BALTI, 13. EIGER, 15. ANCHORAGE, 17. ALGARVE. Down: 1. JAMES, 2. TAS, 3. YAOUNDE, 4. BEIJING, 5. IBIZA, 8. FELUCCA, 9. ARIZONA, 12. BRAVA, 14. RHINE, 16. ERR. Where am I? - Paphos
CROSSWORD
Cyprus’s west coast comes with Blue Flag beaches and buckets of historic charm. Plus, you’ll catch some of the best sunsets in the Med.
For more games and prizes please sign up for emails on the jet2holidays trade site and Partners2success on Facebook…
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AUGUST 30 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk
Sustainable city breaks growing in popularity LESSER-VISITED European cities are growing in popularity among holidaymakers, according to a Post Office Travel Money study. The study, which analysed growth in demand for Airbnb accommodation over the past 12 months, could help travel agents point their city break-seeking customers in the direction of destinations which offer good value for money and have not been affected by overtourism. Little-known Lviv in western Ukraine heads the list of ten cities, which include Tirana (Albania), Katowice (Poland), Kosice (Slovakia), Kaunas (Lithuania), Antalya (Turkey), Bari (Italy) and Alkmaar (Netherlands). Moscow and Lisbon complete the top ten and are the only better-known city destinations to make the list. The study found that Lviv was cheapest by far. At £137 for a basket of ten items, the cost in Lviv was more than 10% lower than in runner-up Tirana (£153) and a third of the total charged for the same items in Alkmaar (£410), the most expensive of the ten growth
& MOVERS
SHAKERS
•PRINCESS CRUISES has appointed Karen Cameron to the position of territory business manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland. She will be responsible for managing relationships with the trade through agent training, the ship visit programme and other regionspecific initiatives.
Solomiya Krushelnytska State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in Lviv.
cities, but one that offers the benefit of its close proximity to Amsterdam. The pricing research was based on items that are suitable for a celebratory break. This was because 44% of those who had been on a city break said they had done so to celebrate an
anniversary. Two-thirds took a celebration break to mark a birthday but only 15% went for a hen or stag party. The items surveyed were for two people and included sparkling wine, cocktails, bike hire, museum entry, heritage attractions, and a celebration dinner.
Hybrids for Hurtigruten as they go green at sea HURTIGRUTEN IS introducing three hybridpowered cruise ships to its fleet, after upgrading three vessels. As they are transformed into premium expedition hybrid cruise ships, the current MS Trollfjord, MS Finnmarken and MS Midnatsol, will be renamed MS Maud, MS Otto Sverdrup and MS Eirik Raude. This follows on from the cruise company launching the world’s first hybridpowered cruise ship, MS Roald Amundsen, this summer. Equipped with battery packs and other green technology, the latest ships will operate yearround expedition cruises along the Norwegian coast from 2021 on yet-to-be disclosed itineraries.
•EXODUS TRAVELS has appointed Kasia Morgan to the newly created role of head of sustainability and community. Her team will develop a strategy to expand Exodus Travels’ sustainability initiatives, through the core business and the Exodus Travels Foundation. •G ADVENTURES has expanded its team of Global Purpose Specialists with the appointment of Jayne Lambert to cover sales for the London and South East regions. She will lead training on the company’s Tailor Made tours. •NOT JUST Travel and The Travel Franchise have appointed Annabel Wathen as managing director and David Pope as head of sales and training. Annabel will focus on strengthening stakeholder relationships in the field, and David will be helping franchisees build their travel businesses. •THE ABTA board of directors elected Alistair Rowland, chief retail officer of Mid-Counties Co-operative, as the association’s new chairman. He replaces Noel Josephides of Sunvil Holidays, who completed his six-year term.
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NEWS BULLETIN
AUGUST 30 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk
Hahn Air launches tickets to meet IATA NDC standard HAHN AIR has welcomed its first passengers using the tickets issued via its New Distribution Capability (NDC) solution on a flight from Luxembourg to Düsseldorf. This system means that the airline’s tickets will comply with IATA’s NDC standard. In a statement, the airline outlined the benefits of the new tickets for travel agents. According to the statement, all travel agents, regardless of which system they are using, can connect to Hahn Air’s NDC platform. Only one implementation is needed to gain access to multiple partner airlines of Hahn Air. This, in turn, enables agents to find exclusive carriers and flights
From left to right: Phil Douglas, CEO of 2e Systems, Christopher Allison, head of NDC at Hahn Air, and Andrew Hurst, CTO of 2e Systems
via Hahn Air’s NDC platform. Travel agents can continue to use their preferred forms of payment in almost any market,
including cash, credit cards and BSP transactions. For more information, go to www.hahnair.com
Eurowings links Vienna to Pristina EUROWINGS HAS added a new inter-European route with a direct connection between Vienna and Pristina starting on November 2 as part of its winter 2019/20 flight schedule. The airline will fly once a week between the two cities, using an AirbusA319. This route is the latest Eurowings connection for Pristina, complementing existing routes between the city and Düsseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart and Geneva. The Lufthansa Group budget airline has been based in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, since June.
Centara Hotels and Al Bandary sign up for a Doha double CENTARA HOTELS & Resorts has signed an agreement to manage two new Doha hotels owned by Al Bandary Hotel Management. The B Premiere Hotel is an 85-key boutique property located on Al Rawabi Street, close to many of the Qatari capital’s popular attractions, shopping malls and event venues, and 20 minutes by car from Hamad International Airport. The hotel is expected to open by the end of 2019. It will feature a rooftop bar and restaurant, four room categories, fitness centre, swimming pool with Jacuzzi, male and female spas, meeting spaces, and a separate bath and rain shower in every room. Meanwhile, the 167-key Centara Al Bustan Hotel Doha is under construction and expected to open in the second quarter of 2021. The agreements represents the third and fourth properties to be managed by Centara in Doha. The company also owns the five-star Centara West Bay Residences & Suites, which opened earlier this year, and the Centara Grand Hotel, which is slated to open next year.
WHAT A TRIBUTE! Michael Bowers from Shearings Holidays popped into Cumbria Travel in Carlisle to promote the operators’ new Tribute Breaks in Llandudno, Eastbourne, Torquay and Bournemouth. The breaks feature a host of acts to suit all tastes, from Elton John to Dolly Parton. Getting musical at Cumbria Travel is Michael Bowers, national sales manager at Shearings (centre), pictured with travel agents embracing the tribute act spirit.
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SCANDINAVIA
FLOCK TO FINLAND A new connection from London Luton makes Turku a great new option for family holidays NOT ONLY is Turku Finland’s oldest and most historic city, it is the country’s second largest, and now benefits from a new non-stop Wizz Air flight from London Luton. The region offers a variety of family-friendly experiences, from visiting the well-known Moomin World in Naantali or going on a ‘Little Knight’s Tour’ of Turku Castle, to learning about archaeology in the Aboa Vetus Museum, or participating in the workshops at the Luostarinmaki Handicrafts Museum. During the summer months, visitors can travel from Turku to Naantali on the steamship Ukkopekka. There are adventure parks and botanical gardens at Kupittaa and Ruissalo, as well as biking and kayaking activities across the archipelago for more adventurous families.
Lotta Bäck, international marketing manager of Visit Turku, said: “Turku is one of the most popular cities in Finland and with the launch of this new route we have already welcomed many more visitors to the region. Families can spend their days travelling through the picturesque archipelago on bicycle, taste the delicious culinary delights of our growing food scene, experience the wonders of the nearby Moomin World as well as cruise down the River
Aura on electric boats.” The city is fast becoming a culinary hub with a wide range of food options, including top restaurants such as Kaskis, Smör and Mami. Another must-visit for local cuisine is the Turku Market Hall; opened in 1896, the second-oldest market hall in Finland features restaurants, cafés, butchers, cheese shops, fishmongers and bakeries. For more information, about the destination, go to visitfinland.com
Arctic Bath and a treetop escape WITH NORWEGIAN opening a sale of seats between Edinburgh and Nordic destinations (including flights to Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo) Magnetic North Travel is suggesting that now could make for a great time for Scottish travellers to consider their winter getaway. The much-anticipated Arctic Bath, in Harads, Sweden, is scheduled to open in February 2020, with Lulea the closest airport. Available through the operator, this circular floating spa offers hot and cold baths and saunas, as well as upscale accommodation in floating hotel rooms or stilted cabins. This can be combined with the striking Treehotel on a three-night Arctic Northern Lights package from £2,300 per person. This includes flights from Edinburgh or London, transfers, a two-night stay at the Treehotel, an overnight stay at Arctic Bath, and half-board lodging. To find out more go to www.magneticnorthtravel.com
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SCANDINAVIA
AUGUST 30 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk
SAS delivers UK’s only direct flights to new Scandinavian Mountains Airport SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES (SAS) has announced the only direct flights between the UK and the new Scandinavian Mountains Airport for this winter, alongside direct services from the new airport to Aalborg and Copenhagen. The new SAS flights from Heathrow to Scandinavian Mountains Airport will operate throughout the winter season, from December 29 through to April 11, 2020, and are now on sale. Flights are approximately two hours in duration and will operate each way every Saturday: departing LHR at 06:40 to arrive at SCR 10:00; and departing SCR 11:25 to arrive LHR at 12:55. Prices start from £73 each way, or from £128 return in SAS Go Light. The airport and flights offer British skiers easy access to approximately 250 ski slopes which can be found in the Sälen and Trysil regions of Sweden and Norway. Karl Sandlund, the airline’s
executive vice president of commercial, said: “We are delighted that SAS is able to offer the first international flights to the new Scandinavian Mountains Airport. A short transfer time and weekend flights from the UK mean we hope lots of British winter sport enthusiasts will travel to explore one of Scandinavia’s leading winter sport regions.”
All about Aalborg ONCE A city where Viking ships sailed past on the Limfjord, Aalborg is today a vibrant cultural hotspot with an eye-catching waterfront of iconic architectural buildings. In fact Denmark’s fourth largest city is making great strides among travellers, recently taking eighth place (ahead of Las Vegas and New York City) on New York Times’ list of ‘52 places to go in 2019’. For clients keen to explore more of Denmark, when travelling to Aalborg one of the must-see buildings is the Utzon Center; an experimental cultural and knowledge centre, designed by local Jørn Utzon, the architect of the Sydney Opera House. A five-minute walk further down the waterfront will see guests arrive at Musikkens Hus, an architectural gem that also ranks as one of the best concert halls in Europe. Moreover in 2020, the Aalborg Akvavit Distillery will play host to Cloud City by Tomás Saraceno, the world's largest display of glass artwork and which will further cement the area as a new cultural district in the city. Looking to gastronomy, Aalborg has six restaurants which are part of Gastro North – a network of ten restaurants working together to increase international awareness of North Jutland’s top gastronomy (www.gastronorth.dk). But for something, a little more informal – and a chance to indulge in some Aalborg Street Food – ‘The Lighthouse’ makes for a good recommendation. With local produce and gastronomic experiences in firm focus, the kitchens here serve up dishes from 50DKK (approximately £6.21) a piece. Visitors can wander the cosy cobbled streets and crooked houses of Aalborg’s old town (Instagram favourite Hjelmerstald makes for a good stopping point) and admire the 50 pieces of impressive street art that adorn the city, all of which feeds into Aalborg’s colourful and unique feel. In terms of access to the city, RyanAir frequently flies from London Stansted to Aalborg. For more details go to www.visitdenmark.com
SAS flights between the new airport and Copenhagen will be bi-weekly (Thursday and Sunday, 1hr 20mins) and weekly to/from Aalborg (Sunday, 1hr, 10mins). All services to and from the new airport will be operated on a new SAS Airbus 320neo aircraft. For further information, visit www.flysas.co.uk
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AUGUST 30 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk
MEET THE LOCALS New experiences in West Sweden give travellers a chance to live like a local
Image Source: Tina Stafrén via imagebank.sweden
LAUNCHED IN 2017, West Sweden’s ‘Meet the Locals’ initiative allows visitors to explore the Swedish lifestyle from a local perspective. For 2019, West Sweden has introduced new locals to the scheme, bringing the total number that have signed up to 28, along with some exciting new experiences and destinations that can be shared with visitors. Holidaymakers can now explore the island of Hönö, in Gothenburg’s northern archipelago, with host Sarah. Keen to show visitors the beauty of the island, from its harbour to the Ersdalen nature reserve, Sarah invites visitors to walk or cycle around the island, and even take a dip in its clear waters. Those making their way through Västra Götaland County might like to make a stop at
Uddebo and pop in for a fika (a relaxing coffee and cake break) with local Claes. Claes loves to show his guests what makes his little village, 100km north of Gothenburg, unique – from its natural surroundings to the Viking rune stones. For those who want to explore from the water, Carolina offers kayak tours in the Kållandsö archipelago. Sharing her love for the area’s nature and history, Carolina can meet visitors at ‘Navens Kajak’ where she can help with the Kayak booking or during the summer months at Läckö Slott, complete with its dramatic medieval castle. Go to https://meetthelocals.se/en/ or https://visitsweden.com to find out more about living like a West Swedish local.
A Finland first from Sunvil SUNVIL WILL be launching a new holiday programme to Finland. To meet the requests from Sunvil’s agency partners, it will launch the programme in two stages: firstly, a winter programme focused on Helsinki and Lapland with Igloo hotels, a Snowhotel, Aurora hunts and activities; and secondly, a summer programme focusing on Helsinki, Finland’s archipelago and the lakes. Twin-centres between the capital and Lapland, multi-country trips and tailor-made itineraries will be available. The operator is still working on its full Finland programme, but as an example of packages, a five-night stay at the Wilderness Boutique Hotel, Nangu starts from £2,355 per person (based on two sharing). Located above the Polar Circle, the Wilderness Hotel is a cosy boutique, offering a combination of luxurious log cabins and remote arctic wilderness in which the Northern Lights can be viewed. The price includes flights and transfers, full board accommodation, a snowmobile excursion, husky safari, snowshoe trip, aurora camp and aurora snowshoe tour. For further details call 020-8758 4722 or visit www.sunvil.co.uk
Regent expands Northern Lights programme REGENT HOLIDAYS has expanded its programme of Northern Lights tours in Scandinavia and the Arctic to offer intrepid winter breaks featuring Aurora hunting, sea kayak expeditions, whale watching and winter safaris. This includes the eight-day ‘Northern Lights & Whales Cruise’, circumnavigating Northern Norway’s westerly island of Senja in search of sperm whales along the edge of the continental shelf. While taking in the coast’s craggy mountains, colourful fishing villages and dramatic fjords, the itinerary includes exploring the hidden bays of Sommaroy island; hiking along the coast in search of the Northern Lights; attending onboard lectures by noted naturalists; and a chance to visit Tromsø’s museums at leisure. Prices start from £2,015 per person, based on two people sharing on a full-board basis, including excursions and lectures, transfers and flights from London to Tromsø. There are five dates departing between November 30 and December 28. Go to www.regent-holidays.co.uk or call 020-7666 1290 to find out more.
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WINTER SPORTS
PEAK PERFORMANCE Japan makes for a strong new addition to Inghams’ latest ski brochure INGHAMS HAS launched a new version of its Ski Main Edition brochure, inviting clients to discover its winter holiday programme and fresh additions for the 2019/20 season. Among the highlights is the introduction of a new destination from the operator: Japan. Sitting on many skiers' bucket lists thanks to its powder conditions, featured ski resorts include Hakuba Valley with many off-piste opportunities spanning across ten diverse ski areas, all included in one lift pass. Inghams guests will be able to stay in the main resort of Happo-One, with easy bus links accessing the other resorts. Put on the map after the 1998 Nagano Olympics, the Japanese alps provide abundant snow for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities to enjoy. Nozawa Onsen started life as a hot spring village for resting travellers. Today, the onsens are still managed by the local people and make for a great remedy to aching muscles after a day on the slopes. Skiing in Nozawa offers a varied terrain, long runs and a section of tree-lined off-piste skiing. The area has a
reputation for the heaviest snowfall in the Nagano district. Accommodation in these resorts range from Western in style to traditional Japanese hotels, with communal onsens. There is plenty to discover beyond the ski runs: guests can immerse themselves into the bright lights of Tokyo, experience the tranquil temples in Kyoto, or spot the Snow Monkeys at Jigokudani. This is why the company’s ski holidays to Japan also encompass an immersive city break. Combinations and durations are flexible, with the option to ski in either one of Inghams' resorts and add on Kyoto. All trips start with at least one night in Tokyo. Inghams can offer a five-night trip to Tokyo and Hakuba from £1,869 per person based on two sharing. This price includes direct flights from Heathrow, coach transfers, accommodation with en-suite facilities, five breakfasts and the Hakuba lift pass. The launch comes alongside a specialist Lapland brochure for Winter 2019/20. Paul Carter, chief executive
officer of the operator, said: “We're so excited to not only again be bringing our guests extended choice with our new range of ski and snowboard holidays, but to showcase these in fresh-style brochures which have a new look and feel. The brochures are full to the brim with inspiring snow adventures and itineraries to ignite our guests' excitement for the coming winter. There is lots to shout about, my favourite being Japan, which is a highlight I'm sure many skiers and snowboarders are dying to explore, due to its outstanding reputation for incredible snow. We remain committed to offering our guests great value for money, going the extra mile for groups, families and individuals who pre-book their lift passes and ski/board and boot hire early, thus benefitting from big savings. We can't wait for winter and we look forward to welcoming our guests out on the slopes.” For more information visit www.inghams.co.uk or call 01483 938047.
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OLYMPIC RUN Innsbruck announced as new ski destination from Jet2 for winter 2019/20
JET2 IS giving more options for skiers and snowboarders seeking to slope off to the snow this winter, with the introduction of Innsbruck to its expanded ski programme. The airline has put flights on sale to the Tyrolean capital (which has been the host city for the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics) from Birmingham, London Stansted and Manchester. It means the company will fly to eight ski destinations this coming winter with over 400,000 ski seats on sale. Moreover, the company’s biggest ever ski programme includes two other new routes – Verona from Manchester and Grenoble from East Midlands – and will have a focus on the February school holidays, to provide more
choice and flexibility for major booking periods. Steve Heapy, CEO of the holiday brand said: “We enjoyed another successful ski programme last winter, and with skiers and snowboarders already looking ahead to Winter 19/20 so are we. With a new ski destination in Innsbruck on top of two new ski routes, and more perfectly timed flights at the most popular times, we are putting on our best-ever ski programme. With more choice and flexibility, skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes for a weekend, a short break or for longer, whilst flying with our awardwinning airline and benefitting from 22kg of baggage and ski allowance.” Visit www.Jet2.com/ski to find out more.
Take the stress out of the slopes THE FRENCH Alps remain an ever-popular choice for clients keen to maximise their winter holiday time on the slopes, so Eurostar is highlighting the convenience of being able to offer a high-speed rail journey, direct from St Pancras International or Ashford International. Tickets are now on sale for services between December 20 and April 11 with stops at Moutiers, Aime-La-Lagne and Bourg St. Maurice. This gives skiers access to top resorts like Courchevel, La Plagne, Tignes, Meribel and Les Arcs, all of which are a short coach ride from the stations. Two services a week will leave London on Friday evening and Saturday morning and additional trains will be available over the February half-term. Agents should be aware all overnight Eurostar journeys won’t sell alcohol on board or allow travellers to bring their own alcohol with them. This is to provide a relaxing ambience on board and to ensure that all travellers arrive fresh-faced and set for the slopes. Ticket prices start from £160 return. Go to www.eurostar4agents.com
Whistle-r down the mountains with Canadian Affair FOR CLIENTS keen to speed their way down the runs of the Rocky Mountains, Canadian Affair has a series of adventures available to popular ski spots such as Whistler, Jasper and Banff. For example, ‘Ski Whistler’ starts from £1,463 per person based on a February 2020 departure, which includes economy flights to Vancouver, ten nights’ hotel accommodation and transfers. The world-famous ski resort is one of North America’s largest, offering 8,100 acres of combined skiable terrain, more than 200 marked trails, three glaciers, 37 lifts and 16 alpine bowls. The season runs over a long duration along with fresh powder, clear runs, steep bowls, couloirs and tree skiing in abundance. Additionally, the Alberta Ski Safari is priced from £1,147 per person, which covers skiing in Banff National Park and the scenic area of Marmot Basin, Jasper and the chance to skate on the ice of Lake Louise, all in a single trip. For more information call 020-3424 6850 or visit www.canadianaffair.com
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AUGUST 30 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk
Break out the skis (and not the bank) in value-for-money Bansko TWO NEW hotels in Bulgaria, a lead-in price of £299, plus a new weekly charter flight from Belfast, are among the main features to be found in Balkan Holidays’ Ski & Snowboard brochure for 2019/20. With winter breaks available in Bulgaria, Slovenia and Romania, the operator has a range of incentives in place to help encourage bookings from clients. These include early booking discounts with savings of up to £225 per couple, a 5% loyalty discount (subject to conditions), low deposits of £70 per person available for a limited time, free child places and special offers on most hotels with free nights on selected dates. With a lead-in price of £299 per person – the same price as last season – clients can spend seven nights at the Hotel Victoria, Borovets, Bulgaria flying from Gatwick based on two sharing, departing January 11, 2020, including accommodation, flights and transfers. Agents can further make the most the
value-for-money proposition of Bulgaria with free lift passes – buy one get one free – at selected hotels in Bansko for bookings made by August 31 and free ski/board storage. Chris Rand, sales and marketing manager for the operator, said: “With Bansko topping the Post Office Ski Resort Report in terms of value for money, for the second year running, you would be hard pressed to find a better ski deal this winter. We shall also be launching a new ski training video
available to agents very soon.” New from the operator this season is the MPM Hotel Sport Bansko, a ‘ski-in, ski-out’ four-star hotel set next to the ski road at the western edge of the Bansko resort; and the four-star Grand Hotel Murgavets in Pamporovo. A new weekly, direct charter flight from Belfast to Sofia will start on December 29 and continue through to March 1, 2020. For more information go to www.balkanholidays.co.uk/agents or call 020-7543 5555.
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An Ottawa Winterlude CAPITAL CITIES may not immediately spring to mind when it comes to a sporty winter break but Ottawa, the Canadian capital, has a lot of exhilarating outdoor experiences for visitors to enjoy. There are cross-country trails to be found right in the heart of the capital, such as the ten-mile SJAM Winter Trail with groomed tracks for snowshoeing, walking and fat biking. Cross-country ski trails can be found in Gatineau Park, just across the Ottawa River from downtown. It has trails reserved for snowshoeing with rentals and passes available at the Visitor Centre in Chelsea, Quebec. In the city, skating on the largest naturally frozen rink in the world is a must-do. The Rideau Canal Skateway is open to skaters daily from late December to late February, weather permitting and at no charge. Winterlude, the capital’s winter celebration, also takes place over three fun-filled weekends (January 31-February 17). This is a great draw for families with ice carvings, grand snow sculptures, a gigantic snow playground and firework displays. Go to www.ottawatourism.ca
AUGUST 30 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk
Gateway to the Sun PORTES DU Soleil is gearing up for the 2019/20 winter season, with lift passes now on sale and work underway on existing infrastructure and new lifts. Covering the Alpine areas of French Chablais and Swiss Valais, encompassing two countries and 12 resorts, the upgrades will see visitors able to travel across the region more easily and more comfortably, strengthening Portes du Soleil’s ski proposition in the Alps. An improved connection between the French resort of Avoriaz 1800 and the Swiss resort of ChampéryLes Crosets will open for the upcoming season. The 15 million euro construction project of two six-seater chairlifts will allow holidaymakers to travel more seamlessly between the villages and in turn the wider region. The work includes the replacement of the triple chairlift La Léchère with a high-speed detachable model,
alleviating the uplift of skiers and riders, and increasing capacity from 1,800 to 2,700 skiers per hour. The base station of the “TSD6’ Léchère is being built 80m up, with a view to reducing queues, while the arrival station of the new chairlift will be located 630m upstream than at present, at a place called Vautna, which is less exposed to winds. Situated between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, the ski area boasts 600km of riding and 190 lifts. What’s
more, Portes du Soleil, or ‘Gateway to the Sun’, enjoys an annual average snowfall of nearly eight metres and a ski season that wraps up in late spring. For those wishing to make the most of their time on the slopes, a convenient Portes du Soleil Ski pass is available, providing access to the whole region. Passes for the 2019/20 are set to cost 57 Euros per day for adults and 42 Euros a day for children. Visit www.portesdusoleil.com
Snow-stopping appeal in Antarctica ALONGSIDE THE October launch of Aurora Expeditions’ new ship, Greg Mortimer, the cruise company will be introducing a winter sports programme for its maiden voyage to Antarctica. Polar skiing will be launched for the 2019 season, giving experienced skiers the chance to traverse remote Antarctic, snow-capped peaks, which few, if any, have skied before. Led by Tarn Pilkington, a qualified IFMGA Mountain and Ski guide, skiers can head out in small groups and discover virgin glacial slopes, iceberg-studded bays, and gaze at breaching whales and penguin rookeries. Sea kayaking and polar snorkelling will also be offered following the launch, as well as the chance to try diving, ice camping, stand up paddle boarding, ice climbing, snowshoeing or even (for the brave few) a polar plunge! As an example of prices, the 12-day ‘Spirit of Antarctica’ itinerary set for November 28-December 9, 2020, starts from £9,520 per person based on two people sharing. Go to www.aurora-expeditions.com or call 0808-1592005
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THEME PARKS & ATTRACTIONS
AN EPIC UNIVERSE Universal Orlando announces an ambitious new project UNIVERSAL ORLANDO Resort is building a new, fourth, theme park which will be called Universal’s Epic Universe. Announcing its vision to create entirely new levels of experience, Universal’s latest park will take beloved stories and transport guests into vibrant lands, where the actual journey they take is as much of an adventure as the ultimate destination. It will feature an entertainment centre, hotels, shops, restaurants and will be located within a larger 750-acre site that nearly doubles Universal’s total acreage in central Florida. “Our vision for Epic Universe is historic,” said Tom Williams, chairman and
chief executive officer for Universal Parks & Resorts. “It will build on everything we have done and become the most immersive and innovative theme park we have ever created. It is an investment in our business, our industry, our team members and our community.” The news comes on the back of a raft of new introductions from the holiday destination in 2019. Earlier this year, ‘Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure’ joined the line up of experiences to be found at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter; an immersive ‘story coaster’ that takes guests deep into the Forbidden Forest. Universal’s Endless
Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites also made its debut for the summer season. Classed as the destination’s first Value Category hotel, it means that the park now offers a hotel for every style, family and budget, complete with exclusive theme park benefits for a seamless holiday experience. The 750-room property is the destination’s seventh property in partnership with Loews Hotels & Co and has a surf and beach vibe woven throughout. Surfside Inn and Suites’ sister property, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites, is scheduled to open in March 2020. For more information, visit www.universalorlando.com
Hygge returns to Europa Park EXPLORERS YOUNG and old can now step into the newly rebuilt Scandinavian-themed area at Europa Park. The Nordic peninsula has been a part of Germany's largest theme park since 1992 but following a year’s restoration has reopened with tasty fish specialties to be found at the newly designed ‘Fjord Restaurant’, and refreshed attractions amid the Scandinavian harbour houses, such as the ice cream parlour ‘Is Huset’, the ‘Poengsum’ play area and a popular photo spot with a great white shark. A new family attraction called ‘Snorri Touren’ is also to open its doors this autumn. Themed around the new Rulantica water world, which is due to open at Europa-Park, this dark ride will see visitors embark on a journey to the mysterious island with the cheeky octopus Snorri as their guide.
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STREET-WISE Europe’s first Sesame Street-inspired dark ride launches at PortAventura
PORTAVENTURA WORLD kicked off the 2019 season with the arrival of its first dark ride: Street Mission. Inspired by Sesame Street, the interactive adventure will see families help Detective Grover to successfully complete his secret mission. The attraction consists of a pre-show and a 3D ride, featuring numerous animatronics and immersive experiences thanks to 3D video mapping technology. With an investment of 15 million Euros, the project has been created in collaboration with Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organisation behind Sesame Street, and Sally Corporation, one of the leading international companies in the development of dark rides and the design of animatronics. The arrival of the new attraction strengthens the existing alliance between PortAventura World and Sesame Workshop. Fernando Aldecoa, managing director of PortAventura World, said: “The agreement with Sesame Street, which has been
extended until 2031, has helped to create an attraction that will be a fantastic interactive family entertainment experience in 3D. Sésamo Aventura is an incredible area that provides memorable experiences for the whole family. With the addition of Street Mission, the first ever dark ride in Europe inspired by the iconic children’s brand, PortAventura World is strengthened as a unique family tourist destination.” June 1 further saw the grand opening of PortAventura World’s four-star Hotel Colorado Creek, the sixth hotel in the resort. A total of 150 rooms have been distributed across three buildings, with a restaurant and exclusive car park, and themed around the gold rush era of the Wild West. It brings the resort’s accommodation offering to a total of more than 2,200 rooms, expanding the hotel capacity of PortAventura World even further, and is the resort’s first zero-emission hotel. Go to www.portaventuraworld.com to find out more.
Building blocks to a LEGOLAND Water Park at Gardaland GARDALAND IN Italy has announced that 2020 will bring with it the opening of the first LEGOLAND Water Park in Europe. The themed water park will be primarily geared toward families with children aged two to 12. CEO Aldo Maria Vigevani, said: “The LEGO brand is renowned globally and will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening Gardaland Resort’s position as a major European tourist destination, as well as confirming it as a top player for family entertainment.”
The announcement swiftly follows the debut of the themed four-star Magic Hotel at a time when the park is seeing a growing interest from foreign tourists. For the UK market, a partnership was reached with Jet2holidays, ensuring eight weekly flights to Verona; starting from spring 2019 the employment of larger aircrafts has been responsible for a 22% increase in the number of visitors in the area. Go to www.gardaland.it to find out more.
Six Swans a-sailing into Efteling’s fairytale forest EFTELING, THE fairytale-inspired theme park in the south of Holland, has announced that its newest attraction, Six Swans, will open on September 28. The new attraction is based on the Brothers Grimm story and will be the 30th fairytale to join Efteling’s famous Fairytale Forest, which features scenes from tales such as Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, and The Little Mermaid. Six Swans will also be the first attraction in the forest to feature a ‘mini ride’, offering visitors the option to either walk into the scene’s castle, or to enter via the moat riding one of six swan-shaped boats. Once inside, they can follow the tale of a princess who attempts to break a curse on her six brothers who were turned into six swans by their evil step-mother. Five episodes regarding the making of the attraction are available to watch on Efteling’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRS7t82Sp54
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SLAM DUNK
Happy Howl-OScream!
New Disney attraction invites guests to enter the world of professional basketball
THIS MONTH saw the new NBA Experience ‘tip off’, on the West Side of Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort. Developed in collaboration with the NBA, this high-energy, family-friendly venue encourages visitors to feel what its like to be an NBA or WNBA player, entering as if walking through the players’ tunnel at an arena, including 13 basketball-related activities across two floors. During the creative process, Stan Dodd, executive producer of Walt Disney Imagineering, said: “When we were young, we played basketball in our driveways or in the park, creating those imaginary moments of making the game-winning shot for a championship. We want to take that energy and help you feel what it’s like to be an actual NBA or WNBA player.”
BUSCH GARDENS Tampa Bay will be celebrating two decades of its annual Howl-O-Scream event with some frightful new thrills for 2019. To mark its 20th anniversary, this season’s Halloween event will bring back some of the haunting horrors of previous years to welcome visitors as they enter into the park. New to the roster of scare zones, ‘Carpe Noctem’ will see guests enter the eerie quiet of a gothic Romanian cemetery, before the peace is shattered by the screams of vampires, or they can brave the sinister surprises to be found in ‘The Residence’, which joins the spooky selection of haunted houses. In addition, guests can try to conquer their fears and experience Tigris (Florida’s tallest launch coaster), Cobra’s Curse, Falcon’s Fury, Cheetah Hunt, Montu, SheiKra and Kumba all night, joined by some ghoulish creatures along for the ride! Howl-O-Scream 2019 is a separately ticketed evening event and will run for 22 select nights between September 20 and November 2. Visit www.HowlOScream.com
Visitors can experience what it’s like to be selected in the NBA Draft, improve their ballhandling skills and step onto the court to make clutch shots and highlight-worthy slam dunks. The experience provides ample opportunities to learn more about the NBA and WNBA via interactive displays, films and trivia and a ticket grants access to every activity, in any order guests choose. Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger unveiled the first-of-its-kind destination alongside NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and several current and former NBA and WNBA players, along with cheering fans and other celebrity guests. Iger said: “NBA Experience lets everybody who loves the game, live it. We’re excited to open the doors to a fun and unique experience for fans of all ages.”
Pair a snowy winter break with your ideal activity: Jeanette Ratcliffe Publisher jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Apres ski in Davos
Simon Eddolls Sales Director simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Cricket on Ice
Hannah Carter Events Coordinator hannah.carter@travelbulletin.co.uk Snowboarding
Georgia Lewis Managing Editor - News news@travelbulletin.co.uk Drinking red wine in the chalet
Matt Gill Senior Account Manager matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk Snowmobiles in Lapland
Ashweenee Beerjeraz Events Assistant ashweenee.beerjeraz@travelbulletin.co.uk Dog sledding in Finland
Adam Potter Features Editor adam.potter@travelbulletin.co.uk Strap on skis & hit the slopes!
Tim Podger Account Manager - Far East tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Day piste, night cuddle by a log fire
Alice Tully Events Assistant alice.tully@travelbulletin.co.uk Sledging down any suitable hill
Mariam Ahmad Staff Writer - News news@travelbulletin.co.uk Eating food
Bill Coad Account Manager bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk Apres Ski
Vidwan Reddy Online Editorial Assistant vidwan.reddy@travelbulletin.co.uk Sit by the window and sip hot tea
Sarah Terry Account Manager sarah.terry@travelbulletin.co.uk Warm drinks by open fires at Christmas
EVENTS events@travelbulletin.co.uk PRODUCTION production@travelbulletin.co.uk CIRCULATION circulation@travelbulletin.co.uk
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