Selling Travel January 2016

JANUARY 2016 • SELLINGTRAVEL.CO.UK

TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR

GUIDING LIGHTS THE WORLD IN ONE MAGAZINE

Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi and the beauty of Vietnam

Indian Ocean Israel Macau Kentucky Mexico and much more...

Plus programmes, incentives, competitions and prizes from our online training partner

www.cookislands.travel

2015 W I N N E R

contents

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this issue - we travel further to bring you more GREECE

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FEATURES 8 Vietnam: Top touring options 24 Israel: From the Red Sea to the Dead Sea 30 Macau: Old and new; East meets West 33 Indian Ocean: Families: A look at familyfriendly options in the 'paradise islands'

40 Kentucky: Bourbon, horses and music in the USA's Bluegrass State

45 Greece: Increased flight capacity boosts visitor figures

59 Bermuda: A new range of local experiences helps visitors get under the island's skin

62 Mexico: Beyond the beach 67 Worldwide Train Journeys: A round-up of the best rail trips across the globe

QUICK READS 7 Introducing: St. Kitts 38 My Journey: Maldives 48 Introducing: Kansas and Oklahoma: Byways and State Park Lodges

BERMUDA

M ACA U

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57 Six of the Best: Alberta Adventure 65 Six of the Best: Colombia 70 The Final Word TALKING SHOP 17 Trade news, competitions and incentives, Barbara Charlton, On Location, Travel Uni

THE REVIEW 49 Top news stories plus a report from Travel South USA International Showcase

Please note that Selling Travel, owned and published by BMI Publishing Ltd., is not connected in any way to Selling Travel e-magazine published by SMP Training Co. and based in British Columbia, Canada. The latter online publication focuses exclusively on sales skills and all aspects of professional selling within the travel and tourism sectors. To benefit from this travel industry sales training resource visit www.sellingtravel.net

Julie Baxter

Caught a fish, chased a dolphin and played Robinson Crusoe on her own island in the Magical Maldives.

Andy Hoskins

Headed to Chicago for a Star Alliance and United Airlines media briefing – and fitted in time for a deep pan pizza.

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Steve Hartridge

Attended the Travel South show in Charlotte, NC, followed by a trip to the country roads of West Virginia.

Jo Austin

Walked through the vineyards on the lower slopes of snow-capped Mont Ventoux in Provence, France.

welcome

Travel Trade Publication of the Year

Proudly published by BMI Publishing Ltd 2016 © 2016.

Suffolk House, George St, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 1SR, UK T 020 8649 7233 | F 020 8649 7234 enquiries@bmipublishing.co.uk www.bmipublishing.co.uk www.sellingtravel.co.uk Publishers: Steve Thompson & Sally Parker Editorial Director: Steve Hartridge Group Editor: Jo Austin Journalists: Andy Hoskins, Julie Baxter & Laura Gelder Junior Journalists: Ben Coren & Cameron Roberts Business Development Manager: Craig McQuinn Advertisement Manager: Lisa Merrigan Creative Director: Matt Bonner Art Director: Tina-Lee McDougall Designers: Louisa Horton & Ross Clifford Junior Designer: Zoë Tarrant Production Manager: Clare Hunter Circulation Manager: Cheryl Staniforth Managing Director: Martin Steady We are members of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Visit USA Association, LATA, PATA, MENATA, SATOA, the Foreign Airlines Association and the Institute of Travel & Tourism.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, BMI Publishing cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

ISSN: 2056-9319. Cover image: Caribbean © istockphoto.com

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welcome

– dedicated to those who love selling travel –

J

anuary always delivers to our Editorial desk a batch of reports predicting the ‘hottest destinations’ over the coming year.

Whether it is a tour operator – Hayes & Jarvis and Kuoni produce two of the most comprehensive overviews – a global travel search engine such as Travelplanner, a hotel search website like trivago.co.uk or a representation or marketing company, often these ‘hot’ lists can be somewhat self-serving as they push forward destinations newly featured in programmes or client account portfolios.

However, for more dispassionate readers they do at least provide a snapshot of destinations that clients are likely to be mentioning over the coming months.

Steve Hartridge Take just one of the above, the Hayes & Jarvis findings, which places New EDITOR York City at the top of its pile of top sellers for the coming year, followed

by Thailand, Maldives, Las Vegas and Mauritius. Vietnam, Japan, Costa Rica, the Deep South USA and South Africa get honourable mentions as ‘ones to watch’ in 2016.

You can read about several of these inside our first issue of the year: Vietnam (p 8), Maldives (p 33 and 39) and Deep South (Kentucky p 40 and Travel South International Showcase review, p56).

Kuoni’s annual travel index suggests that despite a turbulent financial year in 2015 Greece will enjoy a bumper year out of the UK, as Brits' love affair with the country proves as enduring as ever. New easyJet flights from Gatwick to Kalamata will certainly make the popular Costa Navarino resort more accessible. Catch up with all that’s new in the country on page 45.

It is probably safe to say that 2016 will throw up its fair share of challenges, as every year does.

But our appetite for holidays is unlikely to diminish and wherever your clients choose to go in 2016 here at Selling Travel we will be striving to present you with ever-more reasons and sales hooks – for destinations as diverse as Antigua, Kazakhstan and Zimbabwe!

Happy New Year!

INDUSTRY COMMENTS...

“We sell Vietnam as the gateway to Indochina.

Siem Reap is big and a lot of clients go to Luang Prabang in central Laos. Emerging is Sihanoukville on the Cambodian coast, Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island and the Mekong Delta area."

“Kentucky’s equestrian heritage, bourbon and bluegrass experiences are just the beginning. There’s the great outdoors: lakes and trails for hikers and bikers and Mammoth Cave National Park, which has its 75th anniversary in 2016."

David Cook, UK & Ireland Sales Manager

Viara Challier, Kentucky Tourism UK, Ireland & Europe

Vietnam Airlines. See feature, page 8

Promotion Authority. See feature, page 40

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events & festivals

reasons for seasons – travel experiences that help

shape a booking –

The festival of John the Baptist is most famously recognised in the Portuguese city of Porto. The festival involves a variety of firework displays, ornate decorations and locals hitting each other with plastic hammers to display their affection for one another. The festival will be held from June 23-24, 2016. visitportugal.com

CREDIT: WORLD BODYPAINTING FESTIVAL, AUSTRIA, CARSTEN-RENTZ, TATIANA PROSHCHEKALINKOVA

FESTA DE SÃO JOÃOPORTUGAL

WORLD BODYPAINTING FESTIVAL,AUSTRIA Taking place in southern Austria, this weeklong festival gives artists and models from around 40 different countries the chance to wow audiences with their body painting skills. There are firework displays and a myriad of activities on offer aimed at the kids. The festival takes place between June 27-July 3, 2016. bodypainting-festival.com

GION MATSURI-JAPAN The month-long celebration of Gion Matsuri was originally held to appease the gods and ward off famine. Now it serves to honour Japanese traditions and bring together the people of Kyoto. The festival features a parade called the Yamaboko, at which colourful wooden floats fill the streets. It also includes a myriad of cultural shows and markets. The festival is held throughout the month of July. japan-guide. com

INTI RAYMI, PERU This Peruvian festival is a day-long worship of the sun held every June.

Celebrations attract thousands of onlookers to Cuzco to watch a re-enactment of an ancient Inca ceremony praising the sun. It’s a great way for visitors to get a taste of Peru’s heritage as well as interact with the Peruvian people. visitperu.com

BASTILLE DAY-FRANCE July 14 sees the annual Bastille Day in Paris, celebrating the storming of the Bastille in 1789. Visitors can enjoy banquets, wine and military demonstrations, with the highlights being a fireworks display that lights up the Eiffel Tower and a military parade. Both events – a celebration of history and culture – are free and sure to enrich any visit to the French capital. uk.france.fr

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introducing

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St. Kitts – Adventure and nature go hand in hand –

Y

ou'll never be short of discovery and adventure on the island of St. Kitts – whether you're hiking Mount Liamuiga or enjoying a game of cricket.

The Caribbean destination is home to a lush, growing rainforest packed with wildlife, and its warm climate enjoys cool winds from the north east, keeping it comfortable throughout the year. Regular festivals and events just add to the island's buzz.

St. Kitts is 69 square miles in size and is just under 10 hours from London-Gatwick, with British Airways, including a short stop in Antigua.

WHAT TO SELL Events: Festivals serve as a fantastic opportunity to experience the people, colour, culture and traditions of the island. And 2016 is an exciting year with regular West Indies cricket fixtures at Warner Park Stadium from January through to June, culminating in the Caribbean Premier League in July. The 20th annual St. Kitts Music Festival in June brings international headliners to the island for three days of music: the event has previously welcomed Lionel Richie, Courtney Pine and Aswad.

Adventure activities: Thrill-seekers can fly through the air at 80mph on a state-of-the-art zip-line over the rainforest or join a quad bike tour exploring St. Kitts history off the beaten

track. The island’s waters are home to coral reefs, shipwrecks and caverns waiting to be explored by novice or experienced divers. Other watersports include sailing, paddle boarding, kiteboarding, surfing and 'snuba diving' (a cross between scuba-diving and snorkelling).

Nature: More than a quarter of the island is designated as a National Park and various nature trails and hikes can be undertaken with expert guides. Birdwatchers will be in paradise, with the diverse number of species living on the island, and visitors can also spot the island’s Green Vervet monkeys at play.

Dolphin Discovery has recently opened. Here guests can interact with these intelligent mammals.

HIGHLIGHTS A good starting point on St. Kitts is the capital of Basseterre, where short walking tours are available to explore Independence Square and the Circus.

The island’s most famous historical attraction, Brimstone Hill Fortress, provides views of the surrounding landscape and neighbouring islands and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

St Kitts is also home to the only historic scenic railway in the Caribbean, previously used to bring cane to the mills of Basseterre. Visitors can hike the volcanic peak of Mount Liamuiga, guided or alone, and can watch bubbling hot springs in the crater.

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“Although still relatively undeveloped, St. Kitts offers a blend of authentic Caribbean charm with elegant architecture and contemporary hotels” MALCOLM DAVIES PRODUCT MANAGER, FUNWAY HOLIDAYS UK

THE DETAILS

Time Zones: -4 GMT Getting there: British Airways operates a twice-weekly direct service on Saturday and Wednesday from London Gatwick.

British Airways also operates a daily service to Antigua enabling travellers to reach St. Kitts via Caribbean carrier, LIAT. All flights arrive at R.L. Bradshaw Airport, two miles from the capital.

Climate: Daily temperatures average around 26 degrees Celsius year round.

There are around 12 hours of sunshine a day, humidity is low

and St. Kitts has no distinct rainy season.

Visa: No visa is required for UK passport holders.

Passports must have at least six months validity. On entry, visitors are granted a specific period to stay – they must apply for an extension if wishing to stay longer.

Language: The official language of St. Kitts is English.

Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), U.S. dollars are accepted.

More information: stkittstourism.kn, ba.com, liat.com

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vietnam

roll

Spring

Debbie Ward makes an early start to maximise time during a whistle-stop tour of Vietnam’s spectacular offerings that take visitors far beyond its beaches

vietnam

I

was first up in a class teaching us how to make spring rolls. This meant – as if I was in some Vietnamese version of the Generation Game – I had to copy the chef’s technique in front of an audience: add the vermicelli, chop vegetables and herbs into the rice paper circle then neatly roll it up Then came the surprise: the chef demonstrated how the fresh cold version of the Vietnamese spring roll that I have long loved becomes the crunchy cooked version of spring roll simply by being lowered into hot oil. I had always assumed they were two different culinary ‘species’.

My cooking class took place on a small cruise vessel in Halong Bay. Another learning experience came when my party joined a convoy of small rowing boats in the bay. We visited not only a floating pearl farm but also a floating school, dropping in to hear the end of a lesson

then watch the children play a game of catch on deck without loosing the ball into the water.

I was a little startled, visiting a floating market just outside Hanoi to see what looked like Vietnam’s old leader Ho Chi Minh rowing some tourists along. The elderly man had cultivated his very long beard and added a familiar hat to gain more trade.

I saw the real Ho Chi Minh later, in a mausoleum in Hanoi. A visit here is a sombre experience for locals and I digested the long list of rules before I entered.

I didn’t chat or chew gum but still earned a sharp ticking off from a soldier for folding my arms in the queue.

I kept them by my side as I filed past the waxen figure in the glass coffin. It was one more in what was proving to be an array of cultural learning experiences.

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vietnam

From top: Beach at sunrise from Avani Quy Nhon Resort; dining onboard a Halong Bay cruise; (right) restaurant by the beach at Six Senses Con Dao

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Despite its long white-sand beaches, Vietnam Another element of exclusivity is offered remains primarily a touring destination. Most

by Insider Journeys with its private Halong itineraries will include the cities of Hanoi and Bay junk cruise for honeymooners.

Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), the heritage centres Hue Many authentic experiences focus on food. and Hoi An and an overnight cruise through Regent’s Culture and Cuisine tour includes the spectacular karst scenery of Halong Bay. food shopping, cooking and dinner with a Hue Many operators also offer longer voyages from family. “It’s a perfect chance to safely sample the Mekong Delta local dishes you may up to Cambodia’s have never tasted Angkor Wat. “Link the historic towns of Hue before and possibly Train touring is also and Hoi An by taking the road never will in the possible including on UK,” explains South across the Hai Van Pass. There East Asia Product the newly-refurbished are spectacular views in all Reunification Express Executive Stef Studley. featured by Regent Unusual transport directions” Holidays and others. features in STEVE JOHNSON, INSPIRED BY ASIA, MANAGING EXECUTIVE Those who do TransIndus’s new linger for beach tailor-made Southeast stays concentrate on Danang (handily Asia brochure, with Ho Chi Minh City Vespa situated near Hoi An), Nha Trang or Phu tours. Motorbike sidecar sightseeing is offered Quoc island. Longer adventure-themed tours by the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort and Spa. include treks among the rice terraces of On the Go Tours has, with agents in mind, former French colonial hill retreat, Sapa. split its tours into four different styles, with its.

Authentic experiences are a key trend for ‘Select’ option focusing on cultural experiences Vietnam with operators and hotels featuring with local partners. In a similar move, Wendy lesser-visited spots, new twists on old favourites Wu’s new Discovery tours focus on experiences or facilitating interaction with locals.

Khiri Tours’ new Off the Beaten Track Vietnam tour offers neighbouring Bai Tu Long as a crowd-free alternative to Halong Bay. Country manager Florenica Allo Moreno says: “Last year I visited Bai Tu Long and had the bay all to myself! The landscape’s very similar to Halong and most tours also include a stop there.” Khiri also has a new Hanoi Like a Local excursion.

UK luxury operators should soon start featuring Vietnamese DMC Journeys to the East. Its signature tours include Halong Bay by seaplane and the remote Hai Giang mountains villages. Founder and socialite Loan Foster accompanies clients and hosts them at her French colonial villa in Hanoi.

Luxury Travel is an award –winning specialist in Vietnam and Asia Visit: www.luxurytravels.asia

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vietnam

VIETNAM & CAMBODIA

like hiking in the rice terraces at Sapa.

A current good sales point for Vietnam in 2016 is that it’s visa-free until June 30.

The country is often featured in combination with Cambodia and Laos. “We sell Vietnam as the gateway to Indochina,” explains Vietnam Airlines’ UK & Ireland Sales Manager, David Cook. “Siem Reap is big and a lot go to Luang Prabang in central Laos. Emerging is Sihanoukville on the Cambodian coast, also Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island. More people are finding interest in the Mekong Delta area.”

With a growth in operators’ Vietnam programmes and the inclusion of more authentic experiences to whet customers’ appetites it seems right to be optimistic about the destination.

Cook certainly is: “Vietnam’s infrastructure now caters for from two-or three-star to six-star in all the main areas. The whole country is on the crest of a wave again.”

16 DAYS FROM £1,969PP SO MUCH MORE INCLUDED: • Return flights from London Heathrow • Four and five-star hotel accommodation with breakfast, plus five meals • Stay and tour Phnom Penh, ‘Pearl of Asia’ • Visit the vast ancient city and temples of Angkor • Tour of Vietnam’s beautiful capital Hanoi by cycle rickshaw, including the Temple of Literature, its wide tree-lined avenues, colonial belle-époque villas and Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum • Cruise aboard a converted Chinese junk in Halong Bay’s beautiful limestone archipelago • Visit the Citadel and Forbidden City in Hue • Stay in the heart of exciting Saigon visiting the fascinating Cu-Chi tunnels • Enjoy a full day cruising the Mekong River delta • Escorted by a friendly and experienced tour manager

Perfect ten

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR AGENTS NEWSLETTER, EMAIL: agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk To book, call: 01283 744370 or visit: rivieratravel.co.uk/agents

Naman Retreat in Da Nang, a resort featured

by Premier Holidays

Heritage heroes: Halong Bay, Hue and Hoi An are UNESCO-listed. Wider Indochina tours can also take in the World Heritage sites of Angkor Wat and Luang Prabang.

Shopping star: Leave suitcase space for silk, laquerware, bamboo bowls and lanterns. Hanoi and Hoi An are top shopping spots.

Some Hanoi streets are labelled according to the goods they produce.

Tee off: Vietnam has many good golf courses of international standard. Combine these with a luxury hotel, spa and beach for a leisurely holiday.

Choose cruise: A Halong Bay cruise of overnight or longer is a must, while many Mekong cruises now link Ho Chi Minh City with Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat. History lessons: The history of the Vietnam War can be explored in city museums, the Chu Chi tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City and on Regent Holiday’s legacy tours.

Now open: Mon - Fri 9am-7pm Sat - Sun 10am-4pm Visit our website for full booking terms and conditions.

ABTA No. V4744

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vietnam

Luxury lovers: Recommend beach stays with luxury accommodation.

There’s a good range of upmarket hotels around Hoi An and Danang and on Phu Quoc island.

Dive in: Good dive bases on the Vietnamese coast include Nha Trang, Cham Island near Hoi An and the Six Senses hotel at Ninh Van Bay. Adventure seekers: Northern Vietnam’s hill country around Sapa is featured by many operators for trekking and homestays.

Great gateway: Use Vietnam as a gateway to Indochina using Mekong cruises or regional flights from Vietnam Airlines and others. Thailand also makes a good twin.

Foodie favourite: Vietnamese spring rolls, noodles and curries all taste better in a heritage or beach setting in Vietnam.

Suggest a cooking course or foodie tour.

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Avalon Waterways UK (avaloncruises.co.uk) has launched its first dedicated Asia brochure with departures to April 2017. Agents can now book flights separately if they prefer.

The Amalotus, featured by APT, will relaunch in June with its bottom deck transformed into a spa (Apttouring.co.uk).  Operators: The Alma Oasis and the Fusion Resort Nha Trang are among Travel 2’s (travel2.com) new Vietnam properties.

InsideVietnam (insidevietnamtours.com) has a new

What’s new  Cruising: Insider Journeys (insiderjourneys.co.uk)

Freshly-made spring rolls; a fisherman throws his net in traditional style

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has three new Asia river cruise vessels. Debuting in 2016 is the 11-day Red River Cruise from Hanoi, while the Vietnam Discovery tour now features an overnight on a converted rice barge.

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vietnam

tuk tuk. It costs from £2,990pp for a September 30 departure including Heathrow flights.

Wendywutours.co.uk

INSIDER JOURNEYS

 INSPIRED BY ASIA – 01423 565111 The operator has a four-night Sapa remote village trek with a homestay, from £499pp.

Hiking through terraced rice paddies and jungles in a small group, clients will meet brightly-clothed ethnic minority villagers and stay overnight with a local family. The tour departs and ends in Hanoi. The operator also offers a half-day cycling tour (from £42 pp) of Hue that concludes with lunch with local nuns.

Magnificent Vietnam itinerary focusing on Hue and recommends a visit between April 29 and May 4 for the huge Hue cultural festival.  Hotels: Six Senses Con Dao (sixsenses.com) has added four new four-bedroom villas and a three-bedroom villa.

The 163-room Hotel des Arts Saigon from Accor’s MGallery Collection is now open in Ho Chi Minh City, with a rooftop bar and infinity pool. In Hanoi Sofitel is discounting longer stays at the Metropole. (sofitel-legend.com/hanoi/en) On the coast, recently renovated AVANI Quy Nhon Resort & Spa (avanihotels.com) offers Japanese dry sand treatments and salt saunas.

Thailand’s Onyx Hospitality (onyx-hospitality. com) will open the 364-room beachfront Ozo Hoi An in late 2016. The first quarter of 2016 will see the debut of The Wyndham Legend Ha Long Hotel close to the famous bay of the same name (wyndhamworldwide.com).

Looking further ahead, the Mövenpick Resort Phu Quoc will open on the island in 2017. It claims to be Vietnam’s first integrated destination resort and will include a themed retail village, a water park and amphitheatre.  Air: Budget carrier VietJet (vietjetair.com) launched flight last October.

Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport (hochiminhcityairport.com) is set to expand to receive 25 million passengers annually by 2020, up from the current 20 million.  Events: PATA Exchange, featuring over 60 Asia Pacific exhibitors, will take place on March 14. Email secretariat@pata.org.uk for details.

inspiredbyasia.co.uk

 AVALON WATERWAYS – 0800 668 1843 Avalon Waterways’ 16-day Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong tour includes two UK operators. Now we’re at Heathrow we want to nights at the InterContinental Asiana Saigon encourage ‘niche’ travellers like rail enthusiasts.

Hotel in Ho Chi Minh We’ll be running City, a seven-night consumer offers to “Exploring with an experienced cruise on the River promote economy deluxe tour manager gives people a Mekong aboard the and also agent chance to go further afield and Avalon Siem Reap and promotions and fam trips. There’s no UK visit new countries, secure in two nights at Park Hyatt Siem Reap with tourist office so we have the knowledge everything is excursions including to take up the mantle.” being looked after” the Cu Chi Tunnels and David Cook, Sales LOUISE HEATLEY, HEAD OF PRODUCT AND Angkor Wat. £2,627pp Manager UK & Ireland CONTRACTING, GREAT RAIL JOURNEYS excluding flights.

Vietnam Airlines

Where to book it  WENDY WU TOURS 0800 9888 209 A ride on a vintage Vespa through Hanoi, hiking rice terraces and bicycle tours of Hue, rural Hoi An, Ben Tre and the Mekong Delta are among special experiences on Wendy Wu’s Vietnam & Cambodia Discovery tour. The 20-day trip also takes in Halong Bay, before heading into neighbouring Cambodia to visit Angkor Wat by

“Our Dreamliner service started at Heathrow last September and the obvious benefit has been an uptake on business class and economy deluxe, not just with international traffic from the UK but from the US and other points over Europe. The new economy deluxe cabin is being well supported by high-end Clockwise from top: the ancient rooftops of Hoi An; exploring the Mekong in Can Tho; women in traditional Ao Dai dress

PREMIER HOLIDAYS

Tourism talk

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Avaloncruises.co.uk

 INSIDER JOURNEYS – 01865 268 941 A new 16-day cruise and tour called Mekong & Beyond. It travels from the Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia, to Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An, including an eight-day Mekong River cruise, on the boutique Jayavarman vessel.

From £2,720pp excluding flights.

Insiderjourneys.co.uk 

TA L K I N G S H O P

talking shop

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- I N SP I R E D B Y YOU The stuff that happens when agents get involved...

Agents discover Orlando SPOTLIGHT ON...

THIRTY AGENTS visited some of Florida’s top theme parks on a SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s joint annual Super Fam with the St. Pete/Clearwater tourist board. Agents in the group included staff from Virgin Holidays, Attraction World, Attraction Tickets Direct, Ocean Holidays, American Holidays, Tour America, Gold Medal and Travel Republic.

They visited SeaWorld, Aquatica Orlando, Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens Tampa before heading down to St. Pete/Clearwater for some relaxation on the beach. seaworldparksagents.co.uk

Go Dominican!

THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Tourist Board celebrated a 14% increase in sales with a trade event at The Royal Horseguard Hotel, London.

Agents, operators and trade press were invited to thank them for their support in 2015. godominicanrepublic.com

Selling stars visit Hong Kong GOLD MEDAL'S top performers enjoyed a fam trip to Hong Kong in association with Gold Medal, Cathay Pacific, Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong and the HKTB. The Cosmopolitan Hotel showcased its recently-renovated rooms by hosting the three-night stay and the group explored Hong Kong, visiting Lantau Island and taking the cable car to visit the Big Buddha site.

Gold Medal's Jane Langford said: “I really loved Hong Kong. The city had an amazing buzz

and was completely different to anywhere else I had visited.

Jo Moss, also from Gold Medal, said: “We managed to see the top highlights and also got to see some of the real Hong Kong by going to a local seafood restaurant most tourists don’t get to see.

Exploring on foot was easy thanks to the great location of our hotel.” goldmedal.co.uk

Contents 18 Wise Counsel 19 On Location 20 Out and About 22 Travel Uni 23 Competitions

Saga training DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE OVER-50S

SAGA Travel has a new online training programme designed to give agents a better understanding of its over-50s expertise and products. Within the first 24 hours of going live, 260 agents completed the 'Saga Experts' course, with 473 doing the training in the first week. travel.saga.co.uk

Filipino show ASEAN TOURISM FORUM 2016

THIS year's ASEAN Tourism Forum will take place in Manila, Philippines, from January 18-25. The travel trade show attracts 1,600 delegates from around the world and Selling Travel will be there. Look out for our report in the next issue. atfphilippines.com

WISE COUNSEL 18

talking shop

Barbara Charlton

 Barbara.Charlton@travelcounsellors.com  01293 737290

Safety first a new year wish HAPPY New Year to one and all! Let’s hope that it proves to be an amazing and memorable one for good reasons only. Hopefully you have returned to work after a peaceful and relaxing Christmas and are now inspired to kick this January into touch with great sales, memorable customer service and returning happy clients.

Certainly I am looking forward to a busy few months booking regular loyal clients and I’m sure I will be helping new customers as well, to get the holidays that suit them and fit them perfectly. It’s not called tailor-making for nothing is it?

GOALS FOR WORK December seems like a distant memory now. It was filled with preparation for Christmas of course, but also with preparing my business for the coming year. Setting my own personal and professional goals is just one way to shift from the off-season and get into the groove for the mad one coming. Product and destination training is always high on my agenda and this can take many forms.

“For this coming year we will have to be ever-more sensitive to our clients hopes and fears for what their trips will allow them to do safely” Online, Travel Uni is an excellent training resource. Attending group-hosted training events and reading trade publications are also very beneficial. But I have also found that there are so many interesting documentary programmes these days that not only give the travelling public insights into the world at large but act as great training tools for us.

I really enjoyed last autumn's Chasing the Midnight Sun with Alexander Armstrong.

The programme visited places I have never been to, and that’s invaluable, especially as our clients become more and more adventurous. We should fill our knowledge banks with treasure gleaned from these sorts of programmes.

RESOLUTIONS FOR YOU January is also the time we think about resolutions, which is really just an old term for ‘goals’ but does relate more to personal plans. As I get older the list gets shorter and mainly just consists of staying in reasonable health, in order to continue visiting new and interesting places on our planet.

I found it hard to think of anything new to add to that this year, except for the very important old Miss World statement of ‘world peace’. It seemed trite when the contestants said that back in the 80s, but without a doubt it has to be top of everyone’s list these days. Just as people have had the power to make bad things happen, surely collectively we (the people) have voices to make good things happen as well?

One thing is certain though for this coming year, and that is that we will have to be ever-more sensitive to our clients hopes and fears for what their trips will allow them to do safely. Of course we have had this issue in the past and it usually results in more people using agents so that they can get expert advice and not just a price. Things can definitely change quickly in our industry and we all know first-hand that on-hand help cannot be equalled So we must get even more in touch with our clients, letting them know we are always here for them, no matter what – both for the fun touchy-feely planning and booking as well as for the crisis management fixer-upping times!

So welcome 2016! Let’s go grab it by both horns!

Happy selling!

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O N L O C AT I O N

talking shop

19

Caribbean Gurus enjoy Saint Lucia and Grenada THE DETAILS WHAT: SEVEN - NIGHT FAM TRIP TO SAINT LUCIA AND GRENADA WHEN: NOVEMBER, 2015 WHO: CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANISATION, SAINT LUCIA TOURIST BOARD, GRENADA TOURISM AUTHORITY, VIRGIN ATLANTIC AND LIAT AIRLINES WHY: A 'COURSES IN THE CARIBBEAN' FAM TRIP FOR AGENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE CARIBBEAN TRAVEL GURU TRAINING PROGRAMME

What they said...

“I had the best experience and will have memories for life which I will certainly share with my customers.”

Daniel Pule, Thomas Cook

THE HOSTS

THE TRIP

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), in association with Virgin Atlantic, Saint Lucia Tourist Board, Grenada Tourism Authority and LIAT Airlines, hosted a 'Courses in the Caribbean' fam trip to Grenada and Saint Lucia.

Seven agents who had already participated in the CTO’s online training programme (Caribbean Travel Guru) stayed at and visited a number of properties in both destinations and explored key attractions. Highlights included the mud baths of Sulphur Springs and the Rainforest Adventures centre in Saint Lucia, and the River Antoine Rum Distillery and Grand Etang National Park in Grenada.

The fam trip started in Saint Lucia, where agents checked out Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, Capella Marigot Bay and Windjammer Landing.

They then visited Sulphur Springs Park to experience the warm sulphuric pools and see the bubbling hot springs, before moving onto the rainforest and trying the activities on offer at the Rainforest Adventures site where thrills include zip-lining and aerial tours in the tree canopy plus a number of hiking trails.

After three nights in Saint Lucia the group travelled to Grenada to familiarise themselves with the Grenadian by Rex Resorts, Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, True Blue Bay Resort, Mount Cinnamon Resort and Beach Club and Spice Island Beach Resort, amongst others.

They explored Grenada's top sites including St George’s Market, Concord Waterfall, the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Plant, River Antoine Rum Distillery and the Grand Etang National Park.

They enjoyed evening entertainment from local band FLOM (For the Love Of Music), dinners showcasing local cuisine and day excursions including a snorkel trip to see the underwater sculpture park in the Molinere/ Beausejour marine protected area.

The journey was rounded off with a trip to the West Indies Cricket Heritage Centre.

THE VERDICT "This fam showcased the destinations and allowed agents to gain a first-hand experience of the great accommodation and activities available on these wonderful islands.

"It also showed the ease of travelling to and between these destinations with Virgin Atlantic and Liat Airlines.

"We hope they will now share their experience with clients and increase their bookings to the Caribbean!"

Lorraine Grant Caribbean Tourism Organization

sellingtravel.co.uk

“The trip has given me great insight into what both islands have to offer those seeking an authentic Caribbean island experience with more to do than just the traditional beaches and resorts – I cannot wait to go back!”

Roberta Gordon, HolidaysPlease “This was an amazing trip with a lovely bunch of people. The whole visit was really fantastic from start to finish.”

Susan Hepburn, The Co-operative PTA “This was a fabulous trip! I really enjoyed the two islands and have been telling all my customers about them too.”

Sonya Kaur, Barrhead Travel “Working with the CTO, Virgin Atlantic and Saint Lucia on this trip was great for the island. I was delighted to welcome and host the agents on Grenada and know they really came to love the island and appreciate what it has to offer, beyond the beaches. This was a great opportunity to showcase the two islands unique differences. I feel they compliment one another very well and seeing this will assist agents in selling twin-centre holidays ."

Lisa Braithwaite Grenada Tourism Authority

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talking shop

OUT & ABOUT

JA Resorts showcases luxury portfolio

Agents came together in London and joined representatives from JA Resorts & Hotels' leisure sales office to discover more about their portfolio of properties and enjoy food, drink and some great prizes.

keeps clients coming back year after year. Each JA property offers a wealth of dining and activity options and the evening's event helped agents match their clients' demands to the perfect choice.

THE CHALLENGES With so many properties in Dubai and further afield in the Maldives and the Seychelles it can be a challenge for agents to find the right property for clients. The company's ethos is ‘heartfelt hospitality’ and this practice of making their guests feel welcome and at home

JA JEBEL ALI BEACH HOTEL Located within the JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort complex, this five-star property was refurbished a few years back and has expanded a number of its rooms to make it a great choice for families. More than 50% of all rooms are interconnecting for families, with a 40% room rate reduction offered on the second room. Guests have access to 10 restaurants and bars on a full dine around on the popular all-inclusive programme.

Half- board and bed and breakfast options are available. Resort facilities include riding stables, spa, shooting club, and two kids' clubs and a créche (from four

months). Access to the new Wibit inflatable waterpark is now included in the price along with all non-motorised watersports.

JA PALM TREE COURT Also located along the same 800m stretch of private beach within JA Jebel Ali golf resort, the five-star resort has access to all of the facilities at JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel and more. This all-suite property offers Beachfront and Garden View Junior Suites and One Bedroom Suites – perfect for families. But there are also options to stay in Royal Jasmine and The Residence, which offer a host of additional benefits including a private butler, complimentary transfers and access to the exclusive signatures lounge and pool. With up to 15 restaurants and bars included, all-inclusive is a must and includes the JA signature White Orchid restaurant offering Asian-fusion cuisine.

JA OASIS BEACH TOWER For a self-catering option, the Oasis Beach Tower has 180 two-, threeand four-bedroom apartments.

Premium apartments also offer

sellingtravel.co.uk

breakfast, an espresso machine, and premium lounge access amongst other benefits. There are a number of third-party restaurants and the ‘thyme’ restaurant serves an all-day buffet with live cooking stations.

For those self-catering there is a small supermarket in the tower and a Waitrose at the nearby Marina Mall.

JA OCEAN VIEW HOTEL Near Dubai Marina on the wellknown promenade, The Walk, is the Ocean View Hotel.

The unique sell on this property is that every room enjoys an ocean view and has a private balcony. There are 342 rooms, 153 of which are interconnected.

Sold on a B&B rate with half-board options, it is popular with those who want the flexibility to check out the 300 restaurants located on The Walk.

Bars and restaurants in the property include the popular ‘Girders Pub’ and P25 – The Top Bar located on the 25th floor. There is also a kids’ clubs and spa.

JA MANAFARU – MALDIVES This small island resort in the northern tip of the Maldives is a

talking shop

“JEBEL ALI REMAINS OUR FLAGSHIP HOTEL BUT OUR REBRAND TO JA RESORTS & HOTELS THREE YEARS AGO REFLECTS OUR DEVELOPMENT INTO NEW MARKETS”

WHO: SELLING TRAVEL AND JA RESORTS AND HOTELS WHAT: DESTINATION DIALOGUE JA RESORTS & HOTELS WHERE: DOUBLETREE BY HILTON HOTEL, LONDON WHEN: DECEMBER 1, 2015 WHY: LEARN MORE ABOUT JA RESORTS & HOTELS, ITS PROPERTIES AND CLIENT SERVICES

GILL SHANNON, JA RESORTS & HOTELS

Did you know?

The Walk runs parallel to Dubai Marina and is 1.7km long.

JA Resorts & Hotels has a portfolio of six properties in Dubai and the Indian Ocean.

The currency of the Maldives is the Rufiyah. However, most resorts accept U.S. dollars.

The Jebel Ali Beach Hotel was established in 1981, one of the early tourism pioneers in Dubai.

Congratulations to all our prize draw winners on the night. Elizabeth Mowatt from Babycham Travel won a three-night stay at JA Ocean View and

hidden sanctuary with options for all kinds of travellers. The resort can be accessed from Malé airport

by JA’s own seaplane transfer, which takes around 75 minutes.

All villas and suites have private pools, with the lead-in rooms Beach Bungalows featuring plunge pools.

Moving up the scale, clients can choose from Sunrise Water Villas, Sunset Water Villas on either side of the island, one-bedroom Beach Suites or a two-bedroom Grand Water Villa, where guests can enjoy both sunrise and sunset views.

Top of the range are the two- bedroom Royal Island Suites spanning two floors.

The island has seven bars and restaurants including the unique Cellar, full of vintage wines. There is a dive centre, spa, kids’ and teens’ club and a range of excursions

and activities. Board basis options include bed and breakfast, halfboard and all-inclusive.

any excursions, spa treatments, leisure services and meals are provided at guests request.

ENCHANTED ISLAND RESORT – SEYCHELLES This natural island is located within the National Marine Park in the Seychelles. It has one of the shortest transfers from Mahé at only 10 minutes by road plus 15 minutes by motorboat.

The resort is primarily aimed at adults, catering to couples and honeymooners. There are 10 private villas on the island, each with their own private plunge pool and butler style service. There are private invilla dining options and one bar and restaurant offering all-day dining, with the option to meet the chef in person and discuss your favourite dishes. All services are a-la-carte,

BOOKING IT Holidays at any of the JA Resorts' properties can be booked through various tour operators including If Only…, Kuoni, Travel 2, Gold Medal and Sunset Faraway.

Various packages are available at each resort, ranging from B&B to all-inclusive.

There are direct flights from London and various regional airports to Abu Dhabi with Etihad, and Dubai with Emirates, British Airways and Qantas, to name a few. Flights to Malé and Mahé are available via Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.

sellingtravel.co.uk

Rathi Sivasothy from Cox & Kings won a five-night stay at JA Palm Tree Court.

Darryl Glean and Gail O'Donohue from Travel Counsellors and Eleanor Kania from Cox & Kings won bottles of Champagne.

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TRAVELUNI.COM

talking shop

training partner

Raising the bar

ACTION STATIONS: JAMAICA

Recommend White River, just 10 minutes from Ocho Rios, and Calypso Rafting, which runs exciting rafting and tubing activities. jamaicatravelspecialist.co.uk

TRAVEL UNI gave agents the perfect opportunity to prepare for the booking season with its new and improved website.

In the run-up to the busiest booking period of the year, agents have been preparing to meet client demands by learning about the hottest destinations on the planet.

In December, over 1,700 exams were taken through Travel Uni and more than 550 new agents registered. Agents clearly took advantage of the calm before the

WHAT'S ON THE MENU THIS MONTH?

storm to learn and earn. The new site is a tool for agents and a great way to up your game in the quieter months. Current Travel Uni users can link their old profiles to the new site in just a few clicks.

There’s a host of programmes, features and prizes to be explored – so what are you waiting for? Sign up to Travel Uni today!

For more information on the new website and to check out courses and prizes on offer, visit: traveluni.com

TRUE OR FALSE

CONCHE is a mainstay of the cuisine in Nassau. Its firm white flesh makes it a great option when dining out. The mollusk can be prepared in a number of ways, such as stewed, steamed and fried. But perhaps the most popular serving is ceviche style, where the conche is raw and soaked in lime juice.

Learn more seafood tips at: nassau.traveluni.com

Test your Barbados knowledge: barbados training.traveluni.com

1. Barbados is a pearshaped coral island TRUE / FALSE

2. The Soup Bowl is a surfer's paradise

WHERE ON EARTH?

TRUE / FALSE

3. Barbados has over 1,600 rum shops TRUE / FALSE

4. Test Matches are held in Barbados between January and March

I am a Midde Eastern country that became independant in 1971. I have year-round sunshine and an inland sea alongside the best in luxury hotels. I offer top sports and recreation facilities and I am historically famous for pearl trading: traveluni.com

TRUE / FALSE

For foodie facts and more visit: tenerife.traveluni.com

We've got chocolate to give away! Find these words at: grenadaambassador.co.uk

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5. Garrison Savannah is the home of poker in Barbados

SWEET-toothed travellers will want to pay attention to Tenerife's Bienmesabe. The dessert is made from egg yolk, honey and ground almonds. On the island it is usually accompanied by 'cat's tongue' cookies and may contain rum for that unique Canary Islands twist.

YACHT SEAFARIS

RUM SPICE

NAME:...........................................................................................................................................................................................

ADDRESS: ................................................................................................................................................................................. ..................................................................................................... POST CODE: .....................................................................

The prize, if you win, will be a delicious box of chocolates courtesy of Hotel Chocolat. Learn all about the company's beautiful Saint Lucian cocoa plantation hotel, Boucan by Hotel Chocolat, at: boucantraining.com ENTER BY JANUARY 30. SEND TO: TRAVEL UNI, BMI PUBLISHING, SUFFOLK HOUSE, GEORGE STREET, CROYDON, SURREY, CR9 1SR OR FAX 020 8649 7234

sellingtravel.co.uk

ANSWERS: 1.T/2.T 3.T/4.F/5.F

COMPETITIONS

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& incentives

to Win a fam trip

Thailand!

Unwind, Thai style Tourism Thailand is giving away a host of fabulous goodies including three spa hampers, three cooking hampers, Thai wine and Thai beer The prize: ONE agent will also win big – by securing a place on an Amazing Thailand all-expenses paid fam trip.

Closing date: January 31, 2016 Learn more: training.tourismthailand.co.uk

The challenge: Complete the Tourism Thailand Training programme to be in with a chance of winning.

AVA LO N ' S D O U B L E I N C E N T I V E

W I N A N I P H O N E 6S WIN one of three fabulous iPhone 6s's with Travel Uni's Macau Specialist programme. The new programme will teach you about this unique destination.

www.traveluni.com

The challenge: Agents who successfully complete the Macau Specialist programme in January will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win one of the iPhone 6s's.

Closing date: January 31, 2016

WIN A WEEK IN THE MALDIVES

AVALON WATERWAYS is offering agents double value Love2shop vouchers on every booking they make, including any early-booking deals.

Angelfish is offering a sevennight holiday for two staying at Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat, Maldives. The prize includes flights and transfers.

The challenge: Make a booking on a 2016 or 2017 Avalon cruise during the peak booking period.

The challenge: Make a Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat booking including SriLankan flights.

Closing date: January 31, 2016

Closing date: January 31, 2016

Visit: avaloncruises.co.uk

Visit: angelfishtravel.com

Visit: macauspecialist.co.uk

www.traveluni.com

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israel

ready

salted

Israel offers a host of diverse and unique experiences, from famous Biblical sites, modern city experiences and flyand-flop breaks by the Red Sea, says Jeannine Williamson

sellingtravel.co.uk

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here are times when you need to take in terms of our underlying philosophy. Israel is things with a pinch of salt, and this was located on ancient land, which is well-known for certainly one of them. Driving along the its religious significance, and whilst fascinating Dead Sea coast the white-tipped ‘waves’’ created and unique in this sense the country has much a perfect optical illusion of movement on the more to offer beyond its religious heritage.” totally still water, but on closer inspection A high spot – or to be technically correct they turned out to be salt formations. low point – of any trip is the salty Dead Sea, Twenty minutes later, after turning off the geographically the lowest point on earth. road and heading into the Judean Desert, Don’t be fooled by the name, as the area our guide Gili turned off the engine and we is full of life, with lush green oases, luxury walked across the sand to the foot of a barren spa hotels and the mineral-rich waters and hill. Picking up a small sun-bleached ‘rock’ he therapeutic black mud of the sea itself. encouraged us to taste it. Once dubbed the Galilee is another beautiful area, renowned for white gold of the desert because of its trading its wines as well as its history and scenery, and value, a tentative lick revealed that what we the landscape provides plenty of opportunity for had in our hands was nature’s own salt cellar. active holidays, including cycling and walking.

We drove on across the rugged landscape for Perfect ten our next stop at the spectacular Nahal Perazim Jaw-dropping Jerusalem: With more gorge, where swirling patterns on the towering than 3,000 years of history, Israel’s capital, sides were created over the centuries by different largest city and centre water levels. Further on, of the Jewish, Muslim at the Flour Cave that and Christian religions takes its name from “Recommend visiting the powdery limestone, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, to see is a must-see.

City living: A the walls left a light the dramatic contrasts between buzzing 24-hour dusting on our clothes. the two largest cities. Tel Aviv city with fantastic night At the end of our life, beautiful beaches jeep safari Gili brewed is a modern, non-stop, and cool cafe culture. up sweet herb tea at cosmopolitan city, whilst Swim without the summit of Mount Jerusalem is steeped sinking. Strike Sodom, the lowest in history” a classic pose floating in mountain on earth, MICHAEL FLEETWOOD, the salty Dead Sea, and we admired MIDDLE EAST PRODUCT MANAGER, COX & KINGS where it’s impossible to panoramic views sink (and fun trying to across the Dead Sea. Where the Judean Desert ends the Negev Desert get your feet back on the bottom!).

Tuck in: Known as the land of milk and – covering more than half of Israel – begins, so honey, from Jaffa oranges to cheap, and you never have to travel very far to explore the tasty falafel stands to gourmet restaurants in the dramatic landscape. For independent clients, the big cities, the food in Israel is super-fresh and Negev is now even easier to explore thanks to nothing less than tasty. a new website for English-speaking travellers.

Herod’s high spot: The impressive The natural starting point for most tours ruins of Mesada, King Herod’s is the main airline gateway of Tel Aviv, and mountaintop fortress overlooking the Dead with a flying time of less than five hours it’s also a viable weekend break destination.

It is known as the ‘White City’ due to the Bauhaus quarter housing the world’s largest concentration of modernist 1930s buildings.

A big plus point is that distances between sightseeing highlights are short and it is easy to pack a lot into a visit. From Tel Aviv it’s only a one-hour drive to Jerusalem, another half an hour to the Dead Sea and a one-hour internal flight or five-hour drive to Eilat on the country’s southernmost tip – an alternative to Sharm el Sheik for sun-seeking clients.

New Monarch flights, coupled with an increase in product, have made Israel even more accessible.

New operator Battered Suitcase is targetting welltravelled clients looking for cultural adventures.

Product Director Vivienne Yip said: “With nine From left: the unusual landscapes of the Dead Sea and World Heritage Sites, it is a naturally good fit impressive sightseeing opportunities

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israel

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food stalls. Hiking in the Negev has become easier with the launch of the first dedicated English website with maps and trail guides for hikes ranging from easy two-hour walks to five-day expeditions (negevtrails.com).

Tourism talk

Sea, can be reached via the winding ‘snake path’ weekly to Ovda, a 45-minute transfer from Eilat. Scheduled to be completed in 2017, or cable car.

Eilat’s new international airport will provide Desert adventure: Around 160,000 Bedouins live in the Negev Desert; a meal another major boost to the region. under the stars and entertainment with them is a  Hotels: The 40-room Brown Beach House Hotel (brownhotels.com), marks the arrival of great way to learn about their culture.

Back to nature: A traditional communal boutique properties on Tel Aviv’s waterfront way of living, a stay on a self-supporting and a lounge bar with a sand floor. kibbutz is a must for  Operators: eco-travellers and Launched through visitors in search of a selected travel agents “From riding on the forested simpler lifestyle. slopes of the Carmel Range and is Battered Suitcase Luxe-life: There along the Sea of Galilee, biking (battered-suitcase.com), are plenty of specialising in luxury, offers a chance to experience bespoke cultural tours. upmarket hotels for the culture and history from a A nine-day heritage discerning clients. Dan Hotels is the largest tour with boutique different perspective” luxury hotel group and hotel accommodation JAMES ADKIN CYCLING PROGRAMME MANAGER, EXPLORE its countrywide portfolio leads in at £2,028pp includes Jerusalem’s with flights. landmark King David Hotel.

Monarch (monarch.co.uk) has added more than Marine moments: Snorkel and dive with 30 new hotels to its programme including dolphins at Eilat’s Dolphin Reef attraction the Herods Tel Aviv (herods-hotels.com) and the Eilat properties Astral Village (english.astralhotels. and then chill out with a floating massage co.il) and U Coral Beach Club (fattal-hotels.com). experience complete with underwater music.

Shopping and sunsets: Jaffa, the ancient Explore (explore.co.uk) has introduced a new Arab port south of Tel Aviv, has a maze of nine-day guided bike tour, which includes Tel winding streets lined with small shops and art Aviv, Galilee and a night ride through Jerusalem galleries, plus waterfront bars that are the perfect with transport between destinations.

Trade: The IGTO attends roadshows and spot to watch the golden sunset. offers frontline training and a six-module What’s new online training programme (israelforagents.co.uk)  Air: Monarch Airlines (monarch.co.uk) that agents can complete at their own pace. launched two new scheduled services,  Attractions: The second phase of Tel Aviv’s flying three times weekly to Tel Aviv and Sarona Project, which has transformed the Templer area into a trendy lifestyle destination, features a food market with 100 culinary From top: The ancient port of Caesarea Maritima and businesses including restaurants and artisan traditional Israeli cuisine

sellingtravel.co.uk

“As the land of creation Israel is one of the world’s most exciting and innovative countries, with an abundance of diverse experiences on offer. Peppered with history and artistic flair, Israel holds an undeniable allure for foodies and cultural aficionados alike. The Israel Government Tourist Office (IGTO) has developed an online training programme to aid agents in familiarising themselves with the country, highlighting Israel’s many qualities, in order to better tailor client recommendations.

“Last December we welcomed the first passengers from Monarch Airlines’ inaugural flights to Tel Aviv and Eilat. Services will run until May, and we are hopeful they will continue until later in the year.

We are currently speaking to a number of airlines about launching new services in the future.”

Naama Oryan-Kaplan, Director UK and Ireland, IGTO

Where to book it  MONARCH - 0333 777 4744 A seven-night half-board stay at the four diamond rated Leonardo Royal Resort, located on the Eilat Marina waterfront, is priced from £484pp departing April 14, including flights from Luton. monarch.co.uk

 SUPERSTAR HOLIDAYS - 020 3204 0490 A three-night B&B stay at the Prima Hotel Tel Aviv situated on the city’s waterfront is priced from £513 with El Al flights from Luton. Until March 31 Superstar has midweek business class fares from £895pp. elal.com

 LEGER HOLIDAYS - 01709 833 805 The seven-night half-board Highlights of the Holy Land escorted tour, takes in the Dead Sea, Galilee and Jerusalem, from £1,349pp (May) including flights. agents.legerbookings.co.uk 

Visit USA news January 2016

t h i s m o n t h ' s t o p s t o r i e s f r o m v i s i t u s a ' s m e m b e r s • v i s i t u s a .o r g .u k Airlines

Free snacks with United

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Events

Unite Visit USA March date Unite Visit USA will be returning on March 17 with association members once again meeting with buyers and tour operators at the Mermaid Conference and Events Centre in Blackfriars, London.

In 2015 some 25 different organisations participated, including Discover New England, Kentucky Tourism and United Airlines and, with over 40 different tour operators attending for pre-arranged meetings with exhibitors, the event proved to be an effective place to do business and explore new commercial opportunities.

The all-day event has become a ‘must-do’ for many members, said Tracey Spuyman, CEO at Visit USA. “Unite is a good example of the way in which Visit USA members can benefit from our combined strength to attract the number and quality of tour operators to a ready-made business environment that makes life easier for buyers and sellers alike," she said.

“It is also a great opportunity for our members to network with each other and to keep up to date with developments within the industry.

“Unite Visit USA has quickly established itself as a permanent fixture in the Visit USA calendar and we are looking forward to another successful event on March 17.” visitusa.org.uk

“Unite Visit USA has quickly established itself as a permanent fixture in the Visit USA calendar and we are looking forward to another successful event on March 17" Tracey Spuymen CEO, Visit USA

United Airlines is bringing back free snacks in Economy class on its North American and Latin American routes.

The ‘freebies’ make their return in February 2016. Morning snacks will consist of a Dutch-style caramel-filled waffle while afternoon and evening flights will feature a selection of various snacks. United will still offer its Choice Menu of foods to buy while free snacks will continue to be served on international routes. united.com Trade

TENNESSEE TRAVEL GUIDE TENNESSEE has launched the 2016 version of its Holiday and Travel Guide. Music fans will be particularly interested in the unveiling this spring of the Tennessee Music Pathway, a driving trail that connects the state's music history. Tennessee's music scene is world-renowned for blues, rock'n'roll, soul, country, gospel and everything in-between. The Music Pathway connects Memphis, Nashville and Bristol while also showcasing the state's scenic beauty by taking in the Great Smoky Mountains and scenic rivers. A copy of the guide was distributed with this issue of Selling Travel. deep-south-usa.com/Tennessee

the usa in brief...

Attractions Space center in Houston's multiexhibit complex, 'Independence Plaza', is set to open its doors on January 23. The centre's star attraction will feature the historic Boeing 747 shuttle carrier aircraft and a shuttle replica of Independence. The world’s only shuttle replica, mounted onto the carrier aircraft, has been specifically remodelled to offer visitors unprecedented access to previously restricted areas. spacecenter.com

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Hotels event Florida keys' accommodation options are growing with eight new properties having opened or scheduled to open in 2016.

The additions will see just over 1,000 rooms added to the island chain's bed stock.

Key Largo is to receive a new Marriot Autograph property, while Banana Bay at Marathon will welcome 59 newly renovated rooms. Key West will also see a number of new properties and bed stock in early 2016. fla-keys.co.uk

Destination event Virginia'S recently-launched Oyster Trail offers visitors a way to enjoy the state's seven 'oyster regions'. The trail connects travellers to oyster purveyors, raw bars and restaurants throughout coastal Virginia. The regions produce the largest quantity of wild-caught and farmraised oysters in the U.S. The trail takes visitors to the distinctive river and bay towns throughout the Chesapeake Bay area, including Cape Charles and Irvington. virginiaoystertrail.com

Look out for our Visit USA Association online Travel Update for the pick of members' news

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MeMBer sPotliGHt

introducing...

colorado is highlighting must-do year-round activities in its 2016 campaign promotions. At November’s World Travel Market in London, the Colorado Tourism Office’s International Marketing Manager, Jennifer BartlettAlpert, stressed the destination’s bid to become the most cycle-friendly U.S. state. The state launched one of the largest cycling events in U.S. history in 2011.

The USA Pro Cycling Challenge, which will run again in 2016, is the largest spectator event the state hosts. colorado.com

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FUnWay Holidays has compiled a list of Bond-inspired U.S. destinations following the recent release of the 24th Bond film.

The list of location backdrops includes Mexico, which featured heavily in Spectre, and Las Vegas, which was featured in Diamonds are Forever.

Florida's Seven Mile Bridge, which appeared in License to Kill, is also on the list. Funway offers packages to all the locations listed to cater to those budding Bonds who want to follow in the suave spy's footsteps. funway4agents.co.uk

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Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) TIM DAVIS, GLOBAL DIRECTOR

OF MARKETING, SMALL LUXURY

cities

Detroit enjoys new growth tHe city of Detroit, Michigan, which became a byword for urban deprivation and population flight, is once again bustling with new activity. David Lorenz, Vice President, Travel Michigan, said the improvements focused on a major investment in 46 blocks turning it into a world-class sports and entertainment district.

The development will connect existing and new development efforts in downtown and midtown Detroit, with five walkable, livable mixed-use district neighbourhoods.

“It's a huge open space at the moment but once complete by 2017 the development will see the addition of the world’s most advanced hockey arena, new apartments, hotels and restaurants."

Construction is currently continuing on the M-1 Rail streetcar which is due for completion in late 2016. The streetcar will serve Detroit’s most visited destinations and largest business areas.

A brand-new state park and various outdoor centres are also encouraging people to move back to the heart of the city. michigan.org

MISSISSIPPI AND MEMPHIS GUIDE OUT

AttrActions

Palm Springs tours palM Springs Bureau of Tourism has created three celebrity-themed itineraries designed to let visitors follow in the footsteps of some famous Hollywood stars.

Options include the 'Follow in Frank's Footsteps' tour, to coincide with Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday, and two others that offer glimpses into the desert lifestyles of Elvis Presley and Lucille Ball. visitpalmsprings.com

MeMpHis and Mississippi have launched their 2016 Holiday and Travel Guide. It provides in-depth coverage of each destination including the new GRAMMY Museum in Mississippi that chronicles the state's musical past. Meanwhile, Construction of The Guest House at Graceland is underway and reservations are being taken for the 450-room resort through to December 2016. You'll find a copy of the guide with this issue. deep-south-usa.com/mississippi

HOTELS OF THE WORLD

When did slH join Visit Usa? We became a Visit USA member in July 2015.

What are you hoping to gain from your membership? The USA is a key focus for SLH development in 2016. We have 520-plus hotels around the world and the U.S. is currently our biggest source market for guests. But we still have a comparatively small brand presence there (USA) and are looking to drive expansion of our collection.

How important are agents for slH member bookings?

Travel agents account for two-thirds of all SLH reservations and are thus vital to our business. Our sales team uses various channels to keep agents up to date on SLH initiatives, including new hotels joining the brand, so they really are best placed to sell our global collection to their customers. do you have any current agent incentives? Our first travel agent recognition programme, Small Luxury Heroes, rewards any SLH bookings registered on agents.slh.com with vouchers and SLH gift certificates.

Any agents who registers before January 31 stands a chance of winning one of 25 $1,000 gift certificates.

What is the best bit about your job? I love that we get to champion these special and unique hotels on a global stage. They deserve all the recognition they get. slh.com

Subscribe to the Visit USA Association online travel Update at visitusa.org.uk

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macau

Oriental meets occidental A host of attractions old and new are fast making Macau Asia’s most exciting destination. Judith Baker looks at the latest developments in this ‘East meets West’ city

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macau

I

n Cotai, Macau, the ‘hungry tigers’ (the name locals call the slot machines in the casinos) are pulling in the punters but I’m having dinner in a little piece of Portugal. Antonio’s Portuguese restaurant is in a narrow street with mosaics and sunny Mediterranean cottages. The eponymous owner and larger-than-life chef Antonio Coelho waxes lyrical about his love affair with Macau, where he has lived since 2008.

Food, like everything in Macau, reflects the country’s fascinating mix of cultures, where Chinese temples stand cheek by jowl with Catholic churches, and Macanese cuisine includes African chicken (made with coconut and spices) and Gambas a Macau (grilled prawns with chilli).

Portuguese wines are as plentiful as on the continent and are as drinkable with Cantonese dishes as they are with Antonio’s Portuguese duck rice. And after dinner Antonio brings out his finest port – of course.

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A number of upmarket properties and thousands of new hotel rooms are under construction and the destination has seen a flurry of openings. Glamorous new shopping outlets, exciting shows and a thrilling interactive theme park are just some reasons why 2016 is a great time to be selling Macau.

And it is easier than ever for British travellers to get to Macau. They can fly to Hong Kong and take the direct fast ferry from HK International Airport, which takes less than an hour, or utilise numerous new flight options from other regional destinations direct into Macau International Airport.

Perfect ten

East meets West: Macau combines thrills, adrenalin and city energy with a taste of the Orient’s calm and culture, providing an accessible way to discover China.

Why go?

Family time: “Visitors who have spent A Portugese colony Many hotels are time in lively Cotai might until 1999, Macau appreciate a few days relaxing family friendly and offer is now a Special kids’ clubs as well as in a quieter part of Macau Administrative some great attractions such as Coloane” Region of China and rides youngsters JUDITH BAKER, TRAVEL WRITER and lies on the will love. Look for western bank of the Planet J, a playerPearl River Delta in southern Guangdong, centric ‘live-action role-play’ (LARP) family China, some 60 kilometres to the west of Hong theme park coming soon to Macau’s Sands Kong. Its location makes it a great short-stay Cotai Central (sandscotaicentral.com).

Hit the water: Galaxy Macau’s Grand destination as a twin-centre holiday with Hong Resort Deck features the world’s Kong or as a two-three night addition to a longest sky-top aquatic adventure river ride, Far East holiday or Australia route stopover. at 575 metres long. Day visitors can also Macau comprises the Macau Peninsula enjoy the white sands, swimming pools, and the islands of Taipa and Coloane. While beach lagoons, cabanas and Skytop Wave pool Macau Peninsula has been called The ‘Vegas of (the world’s largest)(galaxymacau.com).

Asia’, away from the casinos it has a colonial Feasts and festivals: These range from charm found in its historic squares, sleepy Chinese New Year in February to outlying islands and fascinating architecture.

Christian festivals such as the Procession of the The landmark ruined St Paul’s church has Passion of Our Lord, the God Jesus – a unique a restored facade including Chinese dragons Macau religious celebration when an image alongside Christian saints while the historic centre of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is said to be the most complete array of European architecture standing on Chinese soil.

Macau will celebrate Chinese New Year in February but also celebrates Catholic festivals like the Procession of our Lady of Fatima in May. It is its mix of excitement and culture, East and West, that gives Macau its unique appeal.

You can be riding high on the world’s largest skytop wave pool by day, watching breathtaking shows by night, visiting giant pandas in the zoo and exploring museums and cathedrals on an historic walking tour the day after. The city even hosts the world’s highest commercial bungy jump (233 metres) at the Macau Tower.

Other draws include designer shopping in some of region’s top boutiques and world-class sporting events such as the Macau Grand Prix.

From left: Macau Tower and the Ruins of St Paul’s

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macau

Tourism talk “Last year (2015) saw lots of exciting new hotel openings in Macau, from global brands such as Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott to the Studio City Resort which features the world’s highest figure-of-eight Ferris wheel between its two towers. There are more hotel launches planned this year, with the Wynn Palace, Hollywood Roosevelt Macau, MGM Cotai and Parisian Macao all due to open their doors.

“Macau’s world-class food scene was recognised

by Michelin with 16 restaurants receiving between one and three stars in its 2016 guide.

“We will continue to keep travel agents up to date with all the new happenings in Macau through a year-round programme of fam trips, training, promotions and events, as well as enhancing our Macau Specialist online training scheme.”

Sue Whitehead, UK Representative Macau Government Tourist Office

Where to book it: of Christ carrying the cross is taken in Tying the knot: In Macau a couple solemn procession from St. Augustine’s Church could marry in the fabulous Ritz Carlton to the Cathedral for an overnight vigil. and then honeymoon in ‘Venice’ at the Venetian Walk the walk: Macau has four new or another themed hotel (VenetianMacau.com). walking routes which encourage visitors What’s new to explore lesser-known districts on foot using  Attractions: One of the most spectacular mobile apps (macautourism.gov.mo).

Sporting chance: The Macau Grand Prix openings in 2015 was the cinematically-themed is a favourite for motorsports fans, while entertainment and leisure destination, Studio golf lovers will enjoy the 18-hole Macau Golf & City Macau (studiocity-macau.com). The opening was Country Club on Coloane, considered by many as attended by Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese, one of Asia’s most who, together with Brad beautiful golf Pitt, star in The Audition, courses. Sports fans “Chinese New Year is a the first Hollywood can even follow in the popular time to visit but the footsteps of Sylvester weather is mild from October to production tailor-made for Macau. Madonna Stallone, with a visit December making an ideal will bring her Rebel to Macau’s winter break” Heart Tour to Studio home of boxing The JUDITH BAKER, TRAVEL WRITER City in February.

Cotai Ring Club at The Boulevard at The Venetian Macao (venetianmacao.com).

Studio City will offer shopping in a movieFoodie trail: As well as top Michelinstudio-style environment with lifelike starred eateries, Macau is full of quaint streetscapes to add to the experience .  Hotels: Numerous 2016 openings will hidden gems.

Island life: Seek out Portuguese custard include the Hollywood Roosevelt Macau, (with tarts at Lord Stow’s bakery in laid-back a style described as Hollywood 1950s glamour). nostalgic Coloane, or the only Madonna and Looking further ahead, new destination resort Child depicted with Chinese features in the tiny in Cotai, the Lisboa Palace Hotel, will open church of St Francis. in 2017 and the five-star family Legendale Show time: Top productions such as the will also open in the Fisherman’s Wharf area House of Dancing Water are breathtaking (macaulegend.com). The world’s first Karl Lagerfeld hotel is also in the pipeline and will feature but Macau also has some of the hottest night 270 rooms and suites (sjmholdings.com). clubs in Asia, including Club Cubic (cityofdreamsmacau.com).

Training: Travel Uni has relaunched its Macau training programme. Agents who train up before January 31 will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three iPhone 6Ss (macauspecialist.co.uk).

From top: Macau Panda Pavilion and traditional street view

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 WENDY WU TOURS – 0800 9888 209 Two-night/three-day stopovers are from £290pp, including transfers from Hong Kong to Macau, a day’s touring with an English-speaking guide, entrance fees to attractions (during tour), accommodation, two breakfasts and one lunch. Upgrade to a five-star hotel for £100pp. wendywutours.co.uk

 HAYES & JARVIS – 01293 762404 Offers three nights in Macau staying at the fivestar The Venetian Macau on a room-only basis from £799pp. The offer includes airport transfers and flights (from Heathrow) with Turkish Airlines.

The deal is based on a March 7 2016 departure. hayesandjarvis.com

 TRAVEL2 The operator has return flights from London to Hong Kong, the ferry to Macau, transfers and four nights at the five-star Sheraton Macau. The deal is priced from £999pp and is based on travelling between February 17 and March 17 2016.

Travel2.com 

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indian ocean: families

award-winning five-star Enchanted Island Resort to Expert Africa’s child-friendly lodges and beach retreats are giving families a range of price options.

“The Indian Ocean is a fantastic family destination, with direct flights from the UK to Mauritius and the Maldives and an easy hop off in Dubai or Abu Dhabi for our Seychelles clients; we have seen a sizeable uplift in our family business,” states Jonathan King, UK Head of Sales and Marketing for Constance Hotels.

Mauritius is becoming increasingly popular with budget-conscious families.

“In Shandrani Resort & Spa in Mauritius we cater specifically to families and there is absolutely no hassle about the parent being called every single time a child orders a burger or a milk shake at the pool side bar as all this is included!” Bhaskar says.

Sri Lanka is back on the radar as a safe destination and operators including Kuoni have a wide range of family-friendly resorts, including Jetwing Beach in Negombo which has extensive childcare facilities.

Perfect ten

by the Chinese, lacquerwork, or laajehun Bhaskar, Group Director, Sales and Marketing at as it’s known, was once done in countless Atmosphere Kanifushi. “The Indian Ocean has in atolls, but these days Thulhaadhoo is the many ways become a hot favourite amongst the only place in the Maldives where they still discerning traveller for family holidays,” he adds. make these beautifully handcrafted items.

JA Resorts & Hotels (jaresortshotels.com) agrees. Its Shy, but friendly young children come out to chat JA Manafaru positions itself as a perfect familyfriendly paradise island, with two complimentary as we watch the skilled craftsmen carving and kids clubs – cool zone and chill zone (for teens) lacquering wooden bowls and boxes. When we – with accommodation options specifically leave the island carrying bags of gifts, a fishermen suited for families. lets the kids climb in The Maldives is top of his white-sailed narrow the Indian Ocean pops wooden dhoni fishing “Remember: for UK travellers and boat. We speed back if the kids are happy, as more resorts start to to Coco Palm Dhuni the parents are happy!” welcome families, prices Kholu feeling like SARAH LAKE, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE are coming down too. we’ve sampled a small VERANDA LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY, MAURITIUS “We want to encourage slice of the real way of parents to know that life in the Maldives. the Maldives is also a fantastic holiday destination Beyond romance for families – not only as a perfect sunshine Long seen as a destination for honeymoon couples escape all year round. But because resorts are and wealthy holidaymakers, the Indian Ocean, now catering for families with children of all ages, with its crystal-clear seas, fun water activities and with watersports and diving activities becoming rapidly improving child-friendly infrastructures, increasingly popular, says Sandrine Kaiser, General is increasingly appealing to the family market. ‘ Manager at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu in the Maldives.

‘The UK is the biggest source market for us.

“We are definitely seeing an increase Business has doubled year-on-year and the family in families seeking Indian Ocean holiday segment has seen the biggest growth,” says Dinesh destinations where they can spend truly quality family time together,” Kaiser says.

Families are also heading to the Seychelles, Clockwise from top left: Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Spa where a plethora of new luxury hotels, and budget Resort, Mauritius; Family beach villa, Loama Resort, Maldives; accommodation ranging from JA Resorts & Hotels’ Constance Le Prince Maurice kids’ club, Mauritius

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Reap the benefits: Veranda Leisure and Hospitality is partnering with My Booking Rewards, so every booking an agent makes is rewarded with a voucher.

Meet the wildlife: Suggest dolphinspotting tours, superb snorkelling and the likes of Coco Collections’ turtle protection project.

Mum’s the word: Family-friendly resorts have facilities for kids so mum and dad can do their own thing too.

Swim with wild whale sharks: The Maldives is one of the few destinations where you can do this.

Enjoy the transport: Kids and parents love the seaplane and speedboat transfers between islands.

Special treats: With sea adventures, marine discovery centres and amazing resources like the children’s Ice Cream Spa at Conrad Rangali, kids will be even keener than their parents to go

indian ocean: families

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A FA M

TRIP A D AY

“Explain the value to families.

Mauritius and the Maldives during the UK children’s summer holidays are in low season, so 10-14 nights in these destinations can prove better value than a short or mid-haul break to Europe”

KEEPS THE

WINTER

BLUES AWAY

JONATHAN KING, UK HEAD OF SALES AND MARKETING CONSTANCE HOTELS

Sell the value: Increasingly, resorts are offering free or low-cost options for younger children, and family-friendly, all inclusive packages.

Enjoy entertainment: Many resorts, such as Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives, now offer kids activities ranging from sushi-making classes to discos.

Quality island time: Safe and friendly, Indian Ocean resorts are ideal for families.

Discover the local lifestyle: Family-friendly resorts offer a wide range of immersive experiences.

What’s new  Hotels: Frontiers International Travel has opened Astove Atoll Lodge on a remote Seychelles Island with six en-suite single occupancy bedrooms.

Kids travel for free at Hideaway Beach and Spa Resort (hideawaybeachmaldives.com), which recently reopened following a $50-million island renovation.

Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts has opened OZEN

by Atmosphere at Maadhoo, just 35 minutes away from the Maldives’ International Airport in Male.

With 10 beach villas and 20 over-water villas, the newly-opened Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat, the first resort from Castaway Hotels & Escapes, works with angeltours (angelfishtravel.com) in the UK. Loama Resort (loamahotelsandresorts.com), which opened in February, offers interconnecting villa rooms for families and a kids’ club with experiential

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my journey

n a i v i d l a M My journey...

the Maldives to rm fo t a th p a m e the dots on th beds ance and the sun Julie Baxter joined m ro e th d on y be ng nation discover a fascinati

T

he chug of the traditional wooden dhoni boat fades as the vessel disappears across the horizon. I am castaway with just my companion, a lavish picnic, sun umbrellas and snorkels for company.

- the ocean e e h t ov in Dots es from ab v i d l Ma

All set for my cast away experience

All around is a 360-degree view of unbelievable aqua-blue ocean, gently striped with lazy navy lines of coral and topped off with clear-blue endless skies. The only sound is the gentle lapping of the waves and an occasional splash as a fish jumps and dives.

And then suddenly a buzz vibrates from the bottom of my beach bag - it’s a text message from Vodaphone.

‘Welcome to the Maldives’, it reads! Although I have already been here for some days the very fact that the signal has found me here, cast away, seems something of a metaphoric message because this barefoot, privacy just off Loama Resort in the Raa Atoll truly does epitomise the Maldivian experience.

This is my first visit to the 2200 islands that make up the Maldives and I struggle for a while to work out just how so many tiny and disparate island locations can coalesce to create a single nation, but as I relax into the island vibe and lifestyle it becomes clear that they absolutely do.

An island nation

The islands of the Maldives are largely governed locally by atoll or group of atolls - with each of the 26 atolls comprised of up to 50 islands. Many are uninhabited and others are known as ‘local’ islands, with schools and mosques, medical clinics and small shops for daily life. Interspersed amongst these are the 70 or so resort islands developed and run by big international hotel names or small private entrepreneurs.

These resorts and the access they give My ma divers and snorkellers to gical m oments some of the world’s most Lit by la nterns our din stunning coral and marine n e r table beach is set o just fee life have put the Maldives n the t from the gen on the international map.

Above tl y la p ping sh us there ore. are mo Tourism is the number one re stars imagin than yo e and b u can industry and for the 350,000 efore u s come after an s one d population it is their lifeblood. other fu eliciou s dish ll of stu nning fl Many live away from their with pa avours ssion b c re ated y Loam families, staying mostly on the a Re sort’s ta lented

chefs

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resort islands.

The contrast between the lavish, luxurious resorts and local island life is striking. While pampered tourists have their every whim catered for, locals live a simple life and much of the infrastructure is rustic in the extreme.

Maldivians are particularly welcoming to the British, who in the 19th century made the Maldives a British Protectorate, sparing it from conflict as Portuguese, Dutch and French battled to secure key trading routes.

The islands recently celebrated 50 years of independence and perhaps the secret to their nationhood is that the acres of water between each tiny island dot are to them just a part of the one. Boats and seaplanes are a way of life: you might take one to the dentist or the maternity ward, or to visit a friend.

Trans Maldivian Airways is the largest seaplane operator in the world with 46 Twin Otter aircraft and 1000 staff connecting those dots on the map year round.

And transfers by seaplane are a unique part of the holiday experience and should be encouraged. They are well organised and quick, but also put your clients’ resort island in its true perspective as a small dot in an epic aqua sea. It is only from the air that you get any real sense of this destination’s true character, its special geographic and obvious climatic vulnerability.

One island, one resort

The ‘one island, one resort’ concept makes a great Visit Maldives tag line but it’s not until you see the nation from the sky that you realise there was really very little alternative! Most islands are only big enough for one resort and the stunning over-water bungalows built on stilts have surely evolved as much from necessity - as the only way to develop beyond the limited island land mass - as a designer plan for an inspirational wow factor.

Personally I preferred to open the curtains on a view of the beach and to feel the sand between my toes, and my Loama Resort beach villa allows me to do just that. Just steps from the shore and a few swimming strokes from the kaleidoscopic fish of the house reef, it is a cool and stylish sanctuary with landscaped open-air bathroom, deck and sunbeds all nestled among natural tropical foliage.

The resort opened last February and has just started to woo UK visitors, but it has a unique back story which helps shed light on the wider Maldivian story.

Walk its jetty and the first

my journey

39

Careful carv ing makes food a work of art!

Dozens of playful dolphins frolicked around the bow of our boat

Unbelievab le! I caught a huge red snapp er that Loama’s ch ef cooked for dinner

stilted building you pass makes you do a double take – it’s an art gallery! Yes, the only art gallery outside the nation’s capital, Male. It currently showcases local artists and the island will soon have its own artist in residence too.

My s u a vie nbed wi th w

Treasure island

Arriving at reception, as the sound of the traditional welcome drums fade, I realise this main public area is much more than a space for checking in. It’s a heritage museum in its own right. This was never part of the original game plan for the resort but when the building work began developers quickly discovered they were breaking ground on a veritable treasure island. Work stopped, archaeologists were called in and an amazing slice of Maldivian history was revealed.

They found an ancient bathing pool and well defined cemetery showing a truly sophisticated community had once inhabited the island; and deeply buried were millions of cowrie shells (once the currency) and terracotta storage vessels loaded with fine Chinese porcelain and packed around with protective sand so they were still in perfect condition.

The haul inspired a new direction for the resort to combine all the expected island retreat luxury and style with a position as the destination’s leading cultural and heritage centre. It’s a combination that works well and adds a new dimension to the ‘no shoes, no news’ tradition of a Maldivian holiday.

Take a break from the beach and you can trace 5000 years of Maldivian history, learn about Buddhist settlers from northern India and Hindu influences from India and Sri Lanka; hear legends of sea demons defeated by exotic traders, and then see how the locals lived by visiting a reconstructed traditional village within the resort.

The Maldives has certainly made an asset from its limitations, its people have turned remote dots into romantic havens and established unquestionable credentials for honeymooners and families alike. But look beyond the romantic candlelit beach dinners, private barbecues, couples massage and memorable sunsets and the Maldives has an even more fascinating story and a cultural sales pitch you can tell too.

lane A seap r is a e f s n ust’ tra ing ‘m stunn

“Take a break from the beach and you can quickly trace 5000 years of Maldivian history”

Over-the-water stilted buildings abound

White-san d beaches, aqua ocea ns and w ide blue skies

Loama Resort’s infinity pool

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40

kentucky

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kentucky

Hooch Horses

Happenings

The Bluegrass State offers visitors a tradition in equestrian excellence, bourbon tastings, arts, crafts and music - amply justifying its ‘Only in Kentucky’ marketing tag, says Mary Moore Mason sellingtravel.co.uk

A

s Maureen and I settled down – mint juleps in hand – to watch the Kentucky Derby at Louisville’s renowned Churchill Downs we discovered that our tablemates were two aloof Hollywood honchos here to research an equine-focused film.

In spite of my attempts to open up conversation by flirtatiously soliciting their expert advice on the betting procedure, I was unable to inspire any response until Maureen, a chain smoker, set her elegant – and very expensive – hat on fire.

Then one of the duo, without missing a beat in his monologue to his mate, leapt to his

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kentucky

feet, seized a soda siphon, hosed her down Capital of the World’) or in Shelbyville, ‘The and saved the day even as he demolished her American Saddlebred Capital of the World’. chapeau and diminished her joie de vivre.

But even if you never warmed to National Making my excuses, I fled to place my bets Velvet, My Friend Flicka, Seabiscuit or any other with impressive professional flair on any nag horse-racing film, never read a horse-focused graced by a feminine thriller by Dick Francis name. Much to my or been tempted to give surprise, I chose a “As a relatively new addition your daughter a My couple of ‘winners’, Little Pony, Kentucky to the UK tourism market, ‘placers’ and ‘showers’, has much to offer.

Kentucky is a fresh and thereby finally eliciting For not only will appealing destination for the Kentucky inspire you the attention of our previously disinterested to horse around, it more imaginative and/or tablemates. adventurous visitor to the U.S.” will literally drive you “How did you to drink. Picturesque MARY MOORE MASON do that?” asked Bardstown, ‘The TRAVEL WRITER one in admiration.

Bourbon Capital of the Airily and aided by World’, is the gateway retroactive research, I answered: “We come to The Bourbon Trail which links numerous from the UK and thus know a thing or two well-established distilleries offering fascinating about horses so I noticed that one of the horses was owned by Sheik Mohammed and another was ridden by none other than Frankie Detorri, one of the world’s most famous jockeys. I’m surprised you didn’t know that.”

Horse sense It all goes to show that a little bit of horse sense goes a long way in America’s Bluegrass State.

Lacking that, or wishing to improve upon it, you can easily do a little research prior to the annual early May Kentucky Derby by visiting Louisville’s Kentucky Derby Museum (or various relevant sites in Lexington, ‘The Horse This page clockwise from top: Northern Kentucky Aquarium Newport; the Belle of Louisville; Bourbon by the barrel.

Facing page from clockwise from top: Kentucky glass craft, Bardstown and bourbon on the rocks

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tours. Both Louisville and Lexington are now increasingly promoting their new distilleries whereas Newport in northern Kentucky cashes in on its colourful heritage as a bootlegging and gambling Mecca during the Prohibition era.

With all this potent golden liquor on tap it may be no coincidence that Kentucky natives also love their food and burst into song at the slightest provocation.

In Bardstown you can not only attend a Kentucky Bourbon House course on how to make the perfect mint julep but also visit a number of music attractions.

Visit Federal Hill, the ‘Old Kentucky Home’ that inspired 19th-century composer Stephen Foster, known as the ‘Father of American Music’ (a summer musical on the plantation grounds is inspired by his songs); or take The Country Music Highway which celebrates superstars from the Appalachian hills and hollows such as Ricky Skaggs, Billy Ray Cyrus and Crystal Gayle. Owensboro is home of the International Bluegrass Music Museum and is dedicated to the likes of Bill Monroe, ‘The Father of Bluegrass Music’, as well as being known for its International BBQ Festival held each May. Kentucky is also famous for its arts and crafts.

Where better to begin than at Harrodsburg’s idyllic Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, 25 miles southwest of Lexington? Here you can go back in time by overnighting, dining, admiring and perhaps purchasing the highly collectable baskets and furniture crafted by the residents of 19th century America’s largest and best-known communal society.

Even more crafts are available in the shops and studios and Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, home to Berea College where students pay no tuition but work as craftsmen and in other disciplines. And then there is delightful Ohio riverside Paducah, one of only three American UNESCO-designated Creative Cities and home to The National Quilt Museum, the world’s largest museum of fibre art.

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43

(creationmuseum.org), known as Ark Encounter, this

Perfect ten

Park yourself: Kentucky has 18 state Find a niche: Kentucky will appeal to resort parks, notably the 27,000-acre those into horses, bourbon and great food. park surrounding the sparkling Dale Hollow Horse around: Visit the Lexington area’s Lake. Locatied on the Tennessee border, it has Keeneland. Founded in 1936 it is emerald-green islands, fishing and boating included in the National Register of Historic opportunities, modern lakeside accommodation Places and is both a racetrack and training/sales and a challenging 18-hole golf course.

Mammoth appeal: Mammoth Cave facility. Also see the Kentucky Horse Park, home National Park features the world’s to more than 50 breeds of horse as well as the longest cave system. A visit in 2016 will be fascinating Museum of the Horse. Tours to local stud farms explain the important but frustrating particularly timely as this is the year America’s National Park Service celebrates its centenary. role of the ‘teaser stud’ stallion.

Take a bourbon trail: On Louisville’s Rev it up: Visit Bowling Green’s Corvette Urban Bourbon Trail 30 restaurants and factory, home of ‘America’s true sports bars all offer bourbon car’. And include the flights (tasters) and adjacent National ”Kentucky’s equestrian special bourbon cocktails.

Corvette Museum. heritage, bourbon and Patch it up: Each establishment on Each spring, AQS the trail stocks at least 50 bluegrass experiences are Quiltweek transforms different bourbon labels. just the beginning. Then The massive Jim Beam there’s the great outdoors - the city of Paducah into a quilters’ paradise.

Distillery at Clermont, 30 lakes and trails for hikes Thousands visit the miles from Bardstown, is and bikers, and the town to celebrate the run by the seventh art of quilt making. generation of its great Mammoth Cave” founding family and VIARA CHALLIER KENTUCKY TOURISM UK, IRELAND & EUROPE What’s new offers tours.

History buffs:  Cities: Louisville For Civil War enthusiasts Kentucky is the (gotolouisville.com) is experiencing a ‘bourbon renaissance’ with the opening of new distilleries birthplace of both of the leaders of the complete with visitor centres. “International American Civil War: U.S President Abraham visitors will be surprised at (the city’s) Lincoln (Hodgenville) and the President of the Southern Confederacy Jefferson Davis (Fairview). unexpectedly hip scene and its growing food Go cruising: Paddlewheel boat cruises reputation”, says Dineene Bradley, Vice President of Tourism for the Louisville operate along the Ohio River. Take a Convention and Visitors Bureau. cruise on The Belle of Louisville, reputedly the Williamstown in Northern Kentucky world’s oldest operating paddlewheel will add a new attraction in the steamboat. Or, alternatively, head for Newport, summer of 2016. Adding to also in northern Kentucky, where you can pick up a B&B riverboat for sightseeing and lunch or the appeal of dinner cruise.

Petersburg’s Thrill seekers: For those looking for an controversial adrenaline rush, try the thrilling zip-line anti-evolution Creation Museum over the Red River Gorge

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full-scale reproduction of Noah’s Ark is expected to be the largest frame building in the USA. “Aside from unique attractions such as the Newport Gangster Tour (americanlegacytours. com/newport-gangster-tour) and the town’s Aquarium, Northern Kentucky offers visitors ‘world-class arts, sports and dining in a history-filled, riverfront setting,” says Eric Summe, President and CEO of Meet NKY/ Northern Kentucky CVB (meetnky.com).  Attractions: The state that produced Colonel Sanders wants you to know that it has more to offer than succulent Southern fried chicken, a point made by Lexington’s new Beyond Grits gourmet trail (visitlex.com/flavors/beyond-grits) which is complemented by the new Brewgrass Trail (visitlex. com/flavors/brewgrass-trail), linking up numerous craft breweries in Lexington, Danville, Kentucky’s first capital, and the surrounding areas.

The city is also producing its first bourbon in 60 years and in March next year will open a branch of the 21C Museum Hotel (21cmuseumhotels.com) group, voted #1 in the South by Conde Nast Traveler.

The International Bluegrass Music Center (visitowensboro.com) in Owensboro is planning a new $15 million facility which will replace the existing museum. It will be much larger, have a 500-seat concert hall, 2,000-seat outdoor concert arena, a research library, teaching rooms and a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Ohio River. It is scheduled to open in 2017.  Operators: The number of UK tour operators featuring Kentucky has risen significantly in recent years – and now numbers around 20.

Tourism talk “Kentucky has much to tempt UK visitors. For the last two years we have been working hard to raise awareness of the fantastic – and surprising – experiences it has to offer, many of which are

44

kentucky

only available in Kentucky. Its equestrian heritage, bourbon and bluegrass experiences are just the beginning. There’s the great outdoors – lakes and trails for hikers and bikers, and the great Mammoth Cave National Park, which in 2016 celebrates its 75th anniversary – icons like the Corvette sports car, the Paducah National Quilt Museum (25 years old in 2016) and, of course, Muhammad Ali. “Each year, Kentucky hosts diverse festivals such as ROMP, a Bluegrass roots and branches music festival held in Owensboro; the Forecastle Music festival; the International BBQ Festival (Owensboro); the Kentucky Bourbon Festival (Bardstown) along with many more.

“Kentucky is a great gateway to the Deep South and a must addition to every southern fly-drive”.

Viara Challier Kentucky Tourism UK, Ireland & Europe

Where to book it

Clockwise from top: Foggy Horse Farm

 COSMOS TOURS AND CRUISES – 0800 668 1702. The touring specialist has a new nine-day tour of the state called ‘Kentucky Classics’. Highlights include visits to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Churchill

Downs for a Kentucky Derby tour, Keeneland Race Track, the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey and Jim Beam’s American Stillhouse. Flights are into Nashville (for a two-night stay) and prices start from $1475pp. cosmostoursandcruises.co.uk  THG HOLIDAYS – 01792 482 432

An eight-night package combining Covington, Lexington, Louisville, Bowling Green and Nashville (Tennessee) starts from £1,529. A 10-night version, adding Pleasant Hill, Paducah and Memphis starts from £1,619. Thgholidays.co.uk  AMERICA AS YOU LIKE – 020 8742 8299 A 14-night Bourbon, Bluegrass and Blues flydrive package, leading in at £1,500pp, includes Lexington, Louisville, Bardstown, Paducah, Owensboro, the Renfro Valley and Nashville. americaasyoulikeit.com

 NORTH AMERICAN TRAVEL SERVICE – 0131 557 7540. The 14-night Bluegrass & Country

tour combines Covington, Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green and Paducah with Memphis, Nashville and Chattanooga (Tennessee), Atlanta (Georgia), and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Prices from £1,899pp, with flights, rental car and accommodation. northamericatravelservice.co.uk 

NEW 9 day ‘Kentucky Classics’ tour from £1475 per person Visit the home of bluegrass music, bourbon whiskey and American style Derby horse racing on this classic tour highlighting the best of Kentucky: • Bardstown, Bourbon capital of the world • National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, • A Kentucky Derby tour at Churchill Downs • Lexington’s Keeneland, home of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup • Bourbon tasting at the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History

Visit our website at www.cosmostoursandcruises.co.uk or call us FREE on 0800 668 1702 We are a member of ABTA and our flight inclusive holidays are protected by the CAA’s ATOL scheme meaning you and your money are protected. Prices are based on London Heathrow, 11th May 2016 departure and subject to availability, alternative airports also available. Correct at time of print (23 December 2015).

sellingtravel.co.uk

ABTA No.V3031 COSMOS COACH TOURS LTD

greece

45

G going further in

greece Increased flight capacity and growing visitor numbers show Greece as a destination with more to sell than ever before, says Benjamin Coren

reece is well down the recovery road.

Despite some rocky press coverage, first over its parlous financial situation and then it’s unwitting position as a major launch pad for refugees heading to othe European countries, the destination still recorded a record year for tourism.

In fact, Greece saw an almost nine per cent increase in year-on-year arrivals from all overseas markets (January to September 2015), welcoming around 21 million visitors compared to 19 million in the same period last year.

Of those, 2.1 million were visitors from the UK – a rise of 17.5%.

Christina Kalogera, Director at Greece National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) UK and Ireland, said: “Despite everything we went through, 2015 proved to be a fantastic year for Greek tourism and we are proud it is one of the main factors driving recovery our economy.

“Moreover, we anticipate 2016 to be an even better year, particularly from the UK market, which is continually growing for Greece with tour operators and airlines introducing new holiday packages, niche experiences in newly-featured destinations and additional flights year after year.

“We attribute this growth to the fact that Greece still has just about everything most holidaymakers are looking for. We are a safe destination, with great weather, amazing landscapes, warm hospitality and a fascinating history and culture.

“On top of this, we are continuing to improve and widen our products year on year, not only in our best-loved locations – such as the Greek islands – but also throughout mainland Greece.”

“Some of the coverage we received, such as the availability of credit card facilities and cash for tourists, was unfounded. Greece has always been, still is and will continue to be a very welcoming and safe destination, added Kalogera.

With more airlines adding new routes and flight capacity for 2016, the destination is optimistic for another big year.

Above: Athens’ timeless Acropolis illuminated at night; Facing page from left: Kalamata Marina; Spinaloga Island

greece

sure there is a healthy mix of mainstream and niche tour operators covering a wide spectrum of destinations and types of holidays to Greece, such as sea and sun, walking, sailing, luxury, weddings, wellness, and culture, with an aim to keep growing the network of tour operators we work with.

Moreover, co-funded marketing campaigns is only one of the tools utilised to support our industry partners, in our multi-dimensional trade strategy, which also includes online travel training, fam trips, educational events and roadshows and call centre training in order to update agents on new developments in Greece and train them on existing trends, destinations and routes.”

Christina Kalogera, Director, GNTO UK & Ireland

REGION OF PELOPONNESE

46

Where to book it

sellingtravel.co.uk

sunvil.co.uk

 NEILSON – 0333 014 3351 The operator has a seven-night package at Messini Beachclub, priced from £640pp. The offer is based on two adults and includes accommodation, flights and transfers. neilson.co.uk

 OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS – 0844 499 4449 Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the five-star Kresten Royal Villas & Spa in Kalithea, Rhodes, in a standard garden view room, is priced from £705pp, departing June 11 2016. The price includes return flights with Germania from Gatwick and taxi transfers. olympicholidays.com  WHO FLIES THERE Aegeanair.com; Britishairways.com; easyjet.com; ryanair.com; Thomascook.com;

REGION OF CRETE

What’s new Jet2.com (jet2.com) and Jet2holidays announced  Airlines: British Airways (batraveltrade. its biggest growth at Edinburgh Airport for com) is increasing capacity to Greece by summer 2016 with 12 new destinations introducing two new destinations to its 2016 including Crete and Rhodes. Thomas Cook (thomascookairliens.com) has added new direct flights summer schedule: Chania and Kalamata. to the island of Thassos for summer 2016.

Flights will take off from April 30, 2016.  Attractions: A new ‘Premium Cycling’ Fares to Chania in Crete – perhaps best experience will launch in 2016 from the Neilson known for its Venetian harbour – will start from £111pp, while holidaymakers looking to soak up Messini Beachclub. The resort will also offer new upgraded water ski and wakeboard packages the sun in Kalamata, world-famous for its olive for 2016.. groves, will be able to do so from £93pp return.

The historic Nemean Games is set to take The flights to both destinations will be served place in June 2016. by a mixture of A319 The competition is and A320 aircraft “We have had programmes in free to enter and out of Heathrow.

Flights to Kalamata Chania for many years. Located competitors can race from Heathrow will in Crete, you have the Knossos just as athletes did in 573BC.Participants will have a capacity ruins which are absolutely take place in a race in of 168 and are stunning and definitley worth the traditional white scheduled twice a the effort and time” tunic. Sunvil (sunvil.co.k) week – on Thursdays is offering packages and Saturdays.

PHOTIS LAMBRIANIDES, COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS but participants Neil Cottrell, must register British Airways’

by May 1, 2016 to compete.

Head of Network Planning, said: “We’re  Operators: Best of Greece (bestofgreece. delighted to be offering our customers more co.uk) has four new properties in the choices to popular holiday hot-spots.

Peloponnese: Symyros Resort, Hotel With so many new routes from London, Byzantino, Eumalia and The Westin Costa. our customers will have greater choice Destinology (destinology.co.uk) is featuring three with even more value-for-money holidays new properties in 2016, with two at Porto Heli. to choose from, whether it’s a family It is also adding Romanos, exclusive villas with break or a short weekend trip away. views of the Ionian Sea. “We are confident these new holiday routes are going to prove incredibly popular.

Tourism talk We increased our number of flights to “On an annual basis we run extensive Santorini last year year and we are thrilled joint marketing campaigns with UK tour we can give our customers an even greater operators and airlines to promote their choice of places to get away from it all.” holiday packages and flights to Greece.

Ryanair (ryanair.com) will be opening a new base at Corfu from April 2016.

“Our partners are carefully selected and we make

 SUNVIL HOLIDAYS – 020 8758 4758 A seven-night holiday to Greece, with six-day car hire included, is priced from £969pp, based on B&B accommodation in Athens and flights and transfers. Single room supplement is available on request.

From no-time to

YOU-TIME Welcome to the happy world of Olympic Holidays – magical places in the Greek Islands and Cyprus, where the sun shines, the sea is as warm as the welcome, and everything runs on island time – aka you time.

Time to rediscover the important things in life.

#RekindleYourFlame

THE SPECIALISTS IN GREECE AND CYPRUS To book your holiday call 020 8492 6881 or go to olympicholidays.com

48

introducing

Kansas and Oklahoma - Byways and state park lodges -

E

pitomising the rich ecology and history of Kansas are its Scenic and Historic Byways, while Oklahoma's state park lodges offer a perfect base for exploring the great outdoors.

Both Heartland States resonate with American history and culture and celebrate its great wilderness regions. In Kansas, the cowboys are still for real – working their ranches every day. And today Oklahoma is still home to nearly 40 Native American tribal nations.

The Scenic and Historic Byways of Kansas and the state parks of Oklahoma are a source of pride and passion for their welcoming citizens. The cowboys driving their cattle from Texas to Dodge City and the settlers steering their covered wagons along the Santa Fe Trail were events key to making the U.S. what it is today. Signs and symbols of passing are found across the states’ byways and parks.

INTRIGUING BYWAYS Choose a byway that matches your clients’ interests. Each of these comfortably drivable Kansas routes (on average around 75 miles long) dissects an area of rich scenic or historic interest.

The clue to each is in the name – the Native Stone Scenic Byway, the Frontier Military Historic Byway, the Historic

Route 66 Byway and the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway are just some examples.

Each byway shatters the myth that the Sunflower State is flat and featureless. Your clients will enjoy negotiating the backroads of the Gypsum Hills, Wetlands and Wildlife, the Flint Hills and the Smoky Valley.

The nation's growing pains are easily charted along the Western Vista, and 'quirky at its best' is found throughout the 400-plus miles of Route 66 within Kansas and Oklahoma.

Strung together in short trips, these routes offer a jewelled bracelet of experiences.

COSY LODGES Oklahomans love the outdoor life. Its state parks offer a host of popular outdoor activities on land and on its many lakes.

Sailing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, hiking and trail bike riding are popular.

Overnight options range from comfortable lodge bedrooms to cosy cabins and cottages.

Beavers Bend State Park at Broken Bow has a nature centre, riding stables, canoes and paddleboats, fishing and hiking trails with incredible views, as well as a beach and a golf course. Lodge rooms have a private patio or balcony overlooking a crystal-clear lake.

ITINERARY IDEAS The Heartland States offer an authentic group of working cattle ranches, where visitors can contribute to the cowhand’s day’s work – from

sellingtravel.co.uk

feeding to herding – rounded off with a wellearned down home supper, often under the stars.

Combine a ranch stay with a road trip along the Kansas Byways and time out in an Oklahoma State Park – swimming, hiking, biking or just chilling.

On each end of the trip, plan time in the cool urban spaces of Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Wichita and Lawrence. All these cities offer an eclectic world-class music and culinary scene with a hip vibe of local history, culture and art.

The details TIME ZONE: -6 GMT VISAS: For stays of under 90 days, UK passport holders are exempt but must have a valid ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) number.

GETTING THERE: Fly to Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Wichita or Tulsa, connecting via Chicago, New York, Atlanta or Dallas/Fort Worth.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.travelksok.co.uk or contact: North American Travel Service (NATS):

email: travel.agents@ nats-uk.com Ranch Rider:

Tel: 01509 618811 Western & Oriental:

Tel: 020 3733 5779 American Holidays

(N Ireland): Tel: 028 9051 1800

The Review O N LY T H E T R AV E L N E W S T H AT R E AL LY M AT T E R S

51

A U S T R A L I A : Why a trip down under is a value proposition

53

D O M I N I C A : Back in business after storm damage GET ONLINE

55

CHECKING OUT Luxury in the Maldives

56

TRAVEL SOUTH SHOWCASE USA: Regional show review

R E A D A L L O U R M A G A Z I N E S A N D C H E C K O U T O U R D A I LY S E L L I N G T I P S AT S E L L I N G T RAV E L.C O.U K

sellingtravel.co.uk

the review

50

Tourism update

Virgin to up services to top destinations Virgin AtlAntic is to offer flyers more opportunities to visit some

CAROL HAY UK Manager, Caribbean Tourism Organisation

of

its

most

popular

destinations by increasing services to Havana, Las Vegas and Orlando, with services to all three scheduled

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

to increase from the late summer.

THE Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO)

There will be additional flights

would like to wish all Selling Travel readers a

from Gatwick, Manchester and

very happy and prosperous 2016!

Glasgow airports.

Throughout the year there will be lots of

An additional weekly service to

Caribbean-themed activities and events you

Havana will run from November

can get involved with, so keep abreast of

2016 to March 2017. The seasonal

these by joining the CTO’s online training

service from Glasgow to Orlando

programme,

will be extended to November

Caribbean

Travel

Guru!

programme then make sure you keep

Cycling through the trade

checking the news section for updates.

BsPOKe tOurs and Cycling For Softies

luxury operator

Each month, all registered agents will have

have launched a public relations and

cycling holidays in rural France.

the chance to win one of the great monthly

trade campaign to raise the profile of the

prizes. Our December 2015 winners were:

two brands’ cycling and walking tours.

(caribbeantravelguru.com).

If you are already a member of the

offering

2016 and March 2017. During September and October, Virgin will increase its Gatwick-Las Vegas

gourmet

service, with two extra flights a week, bringing the total to nine.

in

There will also be more flights

November, it sits alongside BSpoke

from Gatwick to Orlando, the three

Acquired

by

Ski

Solutions

Angela Morton of British Airways Travel, who

The company wants to increase

Tours in the company’s new Activities

extra services bringing the weekly

won a Spa Day for two for making and

awareness of its existing and new

Division. Craig

choice to 18.

logging her Caribbean bookings during the

products by forging closer ties with the

Director of Ski Solutions, BSpoke Tours

month. Rebecca Strain of Holidaysplease also

trade. Across the two brands are 26

and Cycling for Softies said: “We have

won £50 worth of Love2shop vouchers for

different cycling and walking holidays

spent the last two years developing our

completing the most spotlight quizzes and

in seven European countries: France,

Activities Division to ensure the

tests in December.

Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Germany

product meets the requirements of our

and Portugal, including a number of

loyal client base. We now need to get

new itineraries for 2016.

the word out to the trade.”

In November, the CTO joined with Virgin Atlantic, the Saint Lucia Tourist Board,

Burton, Managing

Grenada Board of Tourism and LIAT Airlines to

Launched in late 2014 by the travel

White Tiger PR has been appointed

host a Caribbean Fam Trip: read all about it

team at Ski Solutions, BSpoke Tours

by the two brands to oversee a

on page 19. To be in with a chance of joining

specialises in cycling and walking

marketing campaign.

the next Caribbean Travel Guru fam trip, make

holidays while Cycling for Softies is a

bspoketours.com; cycling-for-softies.co.uk

sure

you

do

the

virginatlantic.com

following:

* Complete all of the required programme elements to become a Caribbean Travel Guru.

meet tHe mAmmotHs in ontArio

(All you have to do is complete the CTO’s three training module tests, five partner

the OntAriO Science Centre in

spotlight quizzes, attend one Caribbean event

Toronto

and make three Caribbean bookings).

Mammoths

* Keep up-to-date on all the latest news from

exhibition –Titans of the Ice Age –

the Caribbean region by reading the CTO’s

complete with life-sized replicas.

monthly newsletter.

is

to

open

and

a

new

Mastodons

The exhibition (created by The

* Make lots of Caribbean Bookings!!

Field Museum, Chicago) will run

To learn more about the Caribbean Travel

from February 10 to April 24, 2016,

Guru online training programme, please

with

contact Ann-Marie Brooks on 020 8948 0057

scientific insights into the mighty

or email Anne at abrooks@caribtourism.com

creatures

hands-on

displays

which

roamed

and the

northern hemisphere during the last Ice Age. Visitors will be able to uncover and connect the scientific factors that contributed to the evolution and extinction of these creatures and find out what today’s

Caribbean Tourism Organization 22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1BP Tel: 020 8948 0057 Fax: 020 8948 0067 caribbean.co.uk

elephants reveal about them.

OntarioScienceCentre.ca

sellingtravel.co.uk

the review

Thai businesses win green accolades

Oz is a value proposition

Bulgaria takes aim at UK travellers

The Winners of Thailand’s

BUlgaria is stepping up its

Green Excellence Awards 2015 are

promotional efforts in a bid to

hoping their recognition results in

build its profile and increase

a surge in international business.

visitor numbers.

After landing the award for

An

ad

campaign

featuring

Animal Welfare and Volunteer

major film stars like Sylvester

Teacher, Jonathan Chell, General

Stallone,

Manager at Elephant Hills, said:

Adrien Brody and Jason Statham

“We’re not a big company but we’re

has been designed to position the

very proud and pleased to have

destination as a leading year-

been recognized for our work.”

round destination. Culture and

Antonio

Banderas,

Trash Hero won the award for

heritage will provide the primary

Nature, Marine and Heritage

focus in the coming year, with

Tourism while Local Alike landed

eco-tourism, adventure holidays,

the gong for community-based

spas, golf and wine trails all

tourism. The Green Excellence

earmarked for greater exposure.

Awards are a key pillar of The

bulgariatravel.org

Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) green tourism initiative.

“In a new documentary presented by

By Jo Austin

Wattanavrangkul,

Australia’s current exchange rate

Sir David Attenborough, viewers across

Minister of Tourism and Sports

(against sterling) is proving an attractive

130 countries are taken on a journey

said: “The trend is towards green

proposition to visitors.

through the past, present and future of

Kobkarn

tourism and encouraging that will

Says

Katherine

Drogan, Tourism

Titan adds solo tours for 2016

the Great Barrier Reef.

be part of our three-year strategy. ”

Australia: “The dollar has depreciated

“Seventy per cent of visitors to

Titan has added three new

tourismthailand.org

and we are focusing on our affluent

Australia have a coastal experience

itineraries and dedicated departure

customers, particularly out of the UK, to

during their holiday and Brits rank the

dates for solo travellers in the

promote our luxury and upmarket

Barrier Reef as their most appealing

second

products. UK visitors are our largest

attraction in Australia.

worldwide brochure. The escorted

edition

of

its

2016

spenders after China and they showed

“On a general note we are investing

tours for solo travellers include a

an increase of five per cent in the first

heavily in our digital platform with an

welcome drinks reception and

five months of last year.

aim to be tablet and mobile friendly.

feature double rooms for solo use.

“The UK market is also more

Our Aussie Specialists agent programme

Highlights include a 14-day

adventurous, spending five million

has been relaunched and now includes

footsteps of the Incas tour of Peru,

nights out of our (state) capital cities,

interactive maps and videos.

taking in Lake Titicaca and Machu

“We now have 2000 Aussie Specialists

Picchu, priced from £3,499 and the

“Another major push for us is the

in the UK and have also introduced

12-day Uzbekistan – Jewel of the

promotion of Australia as the world’s

special trainers around the world. Ricky

Silk Road tour, departing on

biggest waterpark as part of our ‘There’s

Dunn is our trainer for UK and Ireland.”

October 21 2016 and priced at

Nothing like Australia’ campaign.

tourism.australia.com

£2,099. titantravel.co.uk

exploring nature and wildlife.

NEWS TO USE IN BRIEF Oman opening: Blu Hotel, Sohar, will

Authentic Trinidad: Travellers seeking

Ghan success: The Ghan Expedition

open in early 2016. A two-hour drive from

authentic experiences in Trinidad and

itinerary will be repeated this year after a

Muscat International Airport and a 30-

Tobago can access the app ‘Wanderscape’

sell-out inaugural season. Travelling from

minute drive from the ancient city of

which offers access to resident artisans,

Darwin to Adelaide, the train journey

Nizwa, the resort will offer on-site dining

chefs and activity providers not usually

includes an optional fly-in visit to Uluru

at multiple restaurants, a rooftop bar,

found in the brochures. The app finds

and time in Coober Pedy, a opal mining

whirlpool, sauna and steam room, an

locals who will teach steel pans, jewellery

town. There will be 13 departures

outdoor pool deck and a fitness centre.

making

between August and October.

Radissonblu.com/hotel-sohar

wanderscape.me

or

local

cooking

styles.

greatsouthernrail .com.au

YOUR CURIOUS BELONGS HERE

770 Don Mills Road Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3C 1T3 www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca Group.Sales@OntarioScienceCentre.ca

An agency of the Government of Ontario

51

52

the review

Tourism update

Atlantic Holidays says trade focus pays off PO rt u g A l

and

Madeira

specialist Atlantic Holidays has

COLIN J. STEWART Chairman Foreign Airlines Association, UK

reported a spike in bookings following its relaunch to the trade in November. The tour operator

RELAUNCH AHEAD OF

kicked off its re-engagment with

70TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2016...

independent agents by introducing

ONE of my key priorities when elected

a £60pp low-deposit scheme and

Chairman of the FAA 19 months ago was

price parity guarantee.

to modernise the association.

Managing Director Chris Busuttil

With constant technological innovation

said that enquiries and sales had

and evermore savvy consumers the airline

since seen a spike and were “up

industry has changed significantly.

year on year” and that the company

To continue to deliver real value to

was “increasingly optimistic that

members, the FAA had to evolve, so with

2016 could see a return to its

our 70th anniversary approaching this year (2016), we have relaunched with a fresh new brand, website and mission.

Membership of the FAA has risen by

Ferry fortnight in March

heyday when it carried 30,000plus passengers to Madeira alone”.

The operator has also added Cape

By steVe HArtriDGe

will urge consumers to experience

Verde to its programme in 2016 and

over 25% in the past two years and with

the eighth National Ferry Fortnight

taking a ferry for the first time or

moved its entire product range to

27 airlines on board today we’re hoping to

will be staged March 5-19 2016.

‘re-discover’ the joys of ferry travel.

the ‘Top Dog’ platform, saying that

grow the member base further, by using

The two-week showcase of the UK’s

Central to the campaign will be a

our new imagery and much more coherent

extensive 75-plus ferry routes will be

series of promotional offers on ferry

distribution

messaging.

supported by the 12 members of

routes to France, Belgium, Holland,

atlanticholidays.com

Discover Ferries, the consumer-facing

Spain, Ireland, UK, the Channel Islands,

industry body for the ferry industry.

Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly

However, this modernisation goes beyond the aesthetic elements of a new website and logo; it’s also about

The ferry companies on hand will be

re-establishing trade confidence and

Brittany Ferries, Caledonian MacBrayne

providing more value to our airline and

(Cal

Ferries, DFDS

ship 39 million passengers in 2015.

associate members.

Mac), Condor

imminent.

The ferry industry was on track to

Seaways, Irish Ferries, Isle Of Man

Ferry companies have invested millions

Steam Packet Company, Isles of Scilly

in

70th birthday, it is crucial that the correct

Steamship Group, NorthLink Ferries,

upgraded services that include spas,

foundations are in place to ensure the

P&O Ferries, Red Funnel, Stena Line

first-class lounges and fine-dining

FAA’s continued success for the next 70

and Wightlink.

restaurants onboard some ships.

This year, National Ferry Fortnight

were

and Scottish islands.

As we look forward to celebrating our

years and beyond.

further announcements regarding

modern,

versatile

fleets

and

discoverferries.com

A priority of this new chapter is to identify ways of working more closely with the Board of Airline Representatives in the

GAtWiCK to HonG KonG non-stoP WitH CAtHAy

UK (BAR UK), which plays a vital role in

cAthAY PAciFic will launch a new four-times-weekly service from Gatwick from this September, making it the only airline flying non-stop between the airport and Hong Kong.

Subject to government approval, the new service will run alongside the airline’s current five-times-daily service from Heathrow, bringing the number of weekly flights between London and Hong Kong to 39.

The new service is set to run from Gatwick’s South Terminal, operated by Cathay’s new A350900 aircraft featuring Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy. cathaypacific.co.uk

representing the interests of its members and the industry as a whole.

There are obvious and natural synergies between the FAA and BAR UK and this is a relationship that I am looking forward to developing over the coming months..

I would like to end by wishing all Selling

Travel readers a very happy and prosperous new year.

FAA Secretariat: c/o Icelandair, Adam House 1 Fitzroy Square, London W1T 5HE T: 0207 874 1006 E: Mariah@icelandair.is

sellingtravel.co.uk

Dominica back in business SPECIAL OFFERS

ShANgRI-LA’S VILLINgILI RESORT & SPA, MALDIVES Treat yourself to paradise, in a world of its own

Almost all the island’s hotels, bars,

By Benjamin Coren

Dominica’s tourism chiefs have

restaurants and tourist attractions are

been in the UK pushing a ‘back in

now open. Piper said: “Our hotels did

business’ message

UK tour

suffer some cancellations, but things

operators six months on from the

are starting look brighter for 2016

devastation caused on island by

and we are expecting a healthy start

tropical storm Erika.

to the coming season (January-April).

to

After Erika hit Dominica, the

“Visitors are now able to enjoy

ensuing media coverage showing the

around 98% of the things they could

extent of the damage on the island

do pre-Erica, such as diving, snorkelling,

caused plenty of

hiking and whale watching.”

confusion and

uncertainty in the marketplace but

The DDA will run trade fam trips

Colin Piper, CEO of the Discover

this year, in particular to promote the

Dominica Authority (DDA), told the

destination’s nature and wilderness

UK trade the clean up was successful

experiences and the fact that the

and ‘relatively quick’.

destination is to become a Whale

He added: “We reached out to

Heritage Site in 2016.

banks around the world and friendly

UK tour operators are considering

governments to rebuild Dominica.

developing new Dominica products,

The entire cost amounted to around

including potential packages along

$480 million, that’s close to 90% of

the Waitukubuli Trail.

the country’s GDP.”

discoverdominica.com

NEWS TO USE IN BRIEF Dubai growth: Dubai Tourism’s

New Radisson: Radisson Blu has

latest visitor figures show a 12%

opened

year-on-year increase for arrivals

Slovenia. The Radisson Blu Plaza

from the UK. Around 1.7 million

Hotel in the country’s capital,

international overnight visitors

Ljubljana, offers 208 rooms and

arrived

10

25 junior suites. The property is

months of 2015 – an 8.3%

the first international upscale

during

the

first

a

new

property in

increase over 2014 levels.

hotel to open in the city.

visitdubai.com

raddisonblu.com/en/hotel-ljubljana

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa is luxury found, where all experiences are bespoke and tailored to suit your families passions including the fantastic Cool Zone Kids Club, Entertainment Centre and Non-Motorized Water Sports!

Memorable experiences await, in the heart of extraordinary physical beauty

Fantastic Offers are still available, in the run up to Easter!

Special Discounts on Ocean View Villa and the unique Tree House Pool Villa 20% Reduction on the room rate In addition to the below Seasonal Discount!

Seasonal Discounts!

25% Discount on Room Rates Valid for Pool Villa / Deluxe Pool Villa / Water Villa / Beach Villa and 2 Bedroom Beach Villa All above are applicable to all stays between now - 05 Feb 16 and 14 Feb – 15 Mar 16 ALSO FIND EXCLUSIVE DEALS FOR TRAVEL TRADE PERSONNEL ONLY ON OUR WEBSITE OVER 150 HOTELS AND A SELECTION OF TOURS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE MALDIVES - SRI LANKA - MAURITIUS - SEYCHELLES INDIA - UAE - GREECE INCLUDING EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR SUMMER 2016 WINTER 2015/16 RATES ARE NOW ONLINE

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

Terms & Conditions Apply

54

the review

Agents can become small luxury heroes

Sri Lanka aims to double business

smAll luXurY hOtels of the

the sri lAnKAn Association of

World (SLH) has started a travel

Inbound Tour Operators is looking

agent recognition programme

to double its business from the UK

called Small Luxury Heroes.

in the next three years.

An agent incentive will see 25

Association president Devindre

winners picking up one of 25

Senaratne, said: “The UK is one of

$1,000 SLH gift certificates.

the most important markets for us

Agents who register for the

as it is among the highest

programme before January 31

spending. UK travellers take full

will be entered into a prize draw

advantage of Sri Lanka’s diversity,

to win certificates that can be

combining time on the beach with

used towards a stay at any of the

the hills, and time visiting cultural

luxury brand’s 520 hotels in over

and historic sites with our national

80 countries around the world.

parks for wildlife experiences.”

Agents who register to become Small Luxury Heroes receive a luxury agent ID number linked to their profile on the SLH travel

Senaratne said operators such as

Travel Gossip to hit road

Audley Travel, Trailfinders, Kuoni and Travelsphere were reporting strong growth for Sri Lanka.

agents website, which they enter

By LAurA GeLDer

when making reservations via SLH

Online trAVel FOrum Travel

to learn about supplier products

on-going

channels – GDS, SLH.com or call

Gossip will be hosting a series of travel

and events will feature a social

roadshows in the UK which

centre. Bookings earn points based

trade roadshow events across the UK in

element, allowing fellow ‘Gossipers’ to

generated 120,000 tourists for Sri

on overall value. These can be

2016,

catch-up.

Lanka last year.

redeemed

suppliers

for

rewards.

The roadshows will enable agents

connecting and

agents,

relevant

trade service

The

Premier has new year booking incentives Premier hOliDAY’s has a

organisation,

partnered

with

which

established

has trade

roadshow suppliers, Intervenue, says the events are in response to feedback

slaito.net

suppliers

valuable

knowledge

and

experience. It currently has 5,400 trade-only members.

The full list of roadshow dates is as

have

already

Leeds; March 2, Nottingham; March 3,

confirmed participation at the eight

Cardiff;

for agents running alongside its

city stops, including Hard Rock Hotels,

September 27, Birmingham; September

2016 campaign. To coincide with

DFDS Seaways, Philippine Airlines and

28,

its 80th anniversary, Premier is

Voyages SNCF.

Newcastle. travelgossip.co.uk

booking

and

follows: February 29, Glasgow; March 1,

from its members.

Several

share

incentive

new

promotions

travel experts, for travel experts, to

providers.

agents.slh.com

The community was set up in 2011 by

The association will support

September

Manchester;

26,

London;

September

29,

giving away 80 prizes throughout the peak booking period of January and February, with daily spot prizes,

weekly

prizes

on tHe Go tours HAs neW ProDuCt For trADe

and

On the gO tOurs will offer four new product ranges for 2016, with the aim of simplifying the selection process for travel agents selling its 450-plus tours.

The operator unveiled the new product range at its annual product conference in Bali (pictured). Products are now separated by ‘style’ of travel across all group and private tours.

The four ranges are: On The Go Signature; On The Go Adventure; On The Go Select; and On The Go Independent, which comprises its private tours.

On The Go says the portfolio has been specifically developed to support agents. onthegotours.com

top monthly prizes. Each booking made with the operator during the period will be entered into the daily prize draw. In line with its peaks incentive, Premier has also put together a music video telling the Premier story, view it at: youtu.be/RbrkcVnUj0k. trade.premierholidays.co.uk

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the review

Checking out...

HOTELS / RESORTS / TRAIN JOURNEYS / CRUISES / AIRPORT REVIEWS

S T A Y : L OAM A R E S ORT – Maamigili, Maldives T H E V E R D I CT

BY JULIE BAXTER

THE BACKGROUND: Opened in 2015

this resort offers 105 contemporary beachfront and over-water guestrooms.

Beyond its stunning Indian Ocean location it has unique cultural and heritage credentials too, with the only official Maldivian art gallery outside of Male and a museum tracing the history of the Maldives featuring historic items found during the resort’s construction.

THE LOCATION: Part of the Raa atoll, Loama is best accessed via a 40-minute seaplane ride from Male or by speedboat from Ifuru domestic airport.

THE ROOM: My beach villa was nestled amongst lush tropical foilage, just minutes from the resort centre and overlooking its own private deck and beach frontage with loungers (pictured).

Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a great view from the expansive fourposter bed, while teak furnishings combined with a contemporary decor.

The large open-air bathroom included

Excellent! Beautiful and interesting, Loama offered many more activities than I was expecting. Fishing trips, sunset cruises, private island picnics, dolphin-spotting, diving and snorkelling – but also heritage insights at the informal museum, a village reconstruction and the gallery add a further dimension to a stay. Cookery

a deep bath, traditional shower and exhilarating, ‘waterfall’ with bamboo screening and landscaping.

KEY FACILITIES: The beach, with its teeming reef, was the star attraction for me but the large infinity pool also offered awesome views of the vast wide horizon. The signature massage combined Swedish and Thai techniques in the Loama Spa where treatment beds look down over the fish and corals .

RESTAURANTS/BARS: The Iru Cafe

classes and trips to meet the

overlooking the infinity pool was a great option for lunch; while the Athiri Club offered all-day dining. The Thundi features authentic Thai fine dining but my favourite was Meyzu, serving freshly-prepared Japanese cuisine. The Marha Bar offered the chance to sample cocktails with sand between your toes.

locals are also available.

Loama Resort Maldives at Maamigili, Raa Atoll

(approximately £289).

Private beach dinners and added touches are all delivered with style and attention to detail.

RATES: Prices start from around $430 a night

Tel +960 6588100; loamahotelsandresorts.com

F E R R Y : BRITTANY FERRIES – Portsmouth to St Malo

BY ALAN ORBELL

THE BACKGROUND: Founded in 1973

Brittany Ferries operates 10 ferry and high-speed services between Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth to France/Spain plus a Cork/Roscoff service and a Roscoff to Santander and Bilbao service. The routings can save valuable driving time and also provide a good taster for those considering a cruise.

THE ROUTE: After a speedy check-in and short wait we left on a Saturday 20.15 departure from Portsmouth aboard the 2056-passenger Bretagne, arriving in St Malo, Brittany at 08.15 on Sunday.

(Almost half of the ship’s capacity can be accommodated in cabins. Reserved lounge seats are also available).

THE CABIN: The four-berth cabin was well equipped with comfortable lower

and upper berths (with reading lights) and a small curtained window. There was a wall-mounted TV set, a side table with tea/coffee facilities and a wardrobe.

An angled door led to the en- suite shower room which has a toilet, basin, shower and toiletries.

KEY FACILITIES: Reinforcing the concept of a mini-cruise there was a wide range of facilities including Games Planet for teenagers, two kids’ play areas, slot machines, shops and two cinemas.

RESTAURANTS/BARS: There were two restaurants, the à la carte Les Abers or La Baule, the self-service restaurant, both on Deck 7. Light refreshments were served in café La Gerbe de Locronan.

Quality is high with a choice of a fixed price à la carte or buffet menu in Les Abers. The stylish Yacht Club Piano Bar adjoins Les Abers.

Brittany Ferries Tel: 0330 159 7000; Brittany-ferries.com

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55

T H E V E R D I CT Brittany Ferries is renowned for providing a range of high-quality services on its selection of long-distance routes to Brittany and Normandy in France plus northern Spain. The reality fully justifies the reputation (which even extends to quickly getting my broken down car on the move!).

RATES: Mid-season fares start from £240 return for a car and two passengers, including an en-suite cabin on the outward overnight crossing.

the review

56

Way down south

NOVEMBER 30- DECEMBER 3 2015, USA

The annual Travel South International Showcase took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the first time. The event showcased the tourism products of 12 Southern states. Steve Hartridge reports Virginia aims to put visitors on right tracks

Arkansas asks visitors to get on their bike

VIRGINIA’S regions are urging

ARKANSAS will be focusing in

international visitors to explore

2016

some of the state’s highlights by

experience the state on two

train. Virginia by Rail is a new

wheels.

initiative that encourages tourists

developed several new trails for

to

begin

their

journey

on

how

visitors

can

The destination has

in

both motorcycles and mountain

Washington D.C. before venturing

and trail bikes and produced two

either east or west across the state.

new guides to assist travellers.

.Just outside of the nation’ capital,

“We are known as the Natural

Old Town Manassas is an authentic

State but could easily be called the

American town steeped in history

Biking State,” said Tracy Morales,

and tradition. Linked to D.C. by an

NC puts on a show

Group Travel Manager for the state’s

Fredericksburg features a 40-block

NORTH Carolina hopes to benefit from

said: “We were delighted to show so

and Brashears and is regularly

National Historic District best

the exposure it received in hosting the

many show attendees from overseas

voted as one of the top motorcycle

experienced via a trolley bus tour.

biggest-ever

some of what North Carolina offers. We

rides in the U.S.

Amtrak service, the town’s historic train depot dates from 1914.

A

little

further

south,

Richmond, the state capital, is the gateway to a line-up of attractions

gathering

of

travel

rank 16th (in U.S. states) in terms of

professionals in the state.

Department of Parks and Tourism.

“Highway 23, which is also known as the Pig Trail, runs between Ozark

“Our mountain biking guide

Travel buyers and media from 14

international visitors but in many ways

features

Way

countries were in Charlotte for a show

we remain an unknown quantity,” he said.

designated

battlefields to segway tours to

that for the first time was staged away

“We are a southern state with ‘North’ in

Bicycling Association (MBA), second

tastings at breweries and wineries.

from Atlanta, New Orleans or Nashville.

that

range

from

Civil

five ‘Epic Rides’, as by

the

Mountain

our name, which confuses some. We have

only behind Colarado in number, ”

Tours of the State Capitol (below),

Before the serious business began

the coast; the Great Smoky Mountains and

she added.

which doubled for the White House

delegates enjoyed a series of fams

the Blue Ridge Mountains the two most-

Other main tourism attractions in

in Stephen Spielberg’s 2012 movie

experiencing city highlights such as The

visited national parks in the U.S.; the

Arkansas include the Clinton

Lincoln, are also available.

NASCAR Hall of Fame, The Charlotte

Piedmont area’s famous Pinehurst Golf

Presidential Library, in Little Rock,

Janie Lawson, Tourism Sales

Panthers (American Football) stadium, the

Resort, the ‘home’ of American golf; and

and the boyhood home of Johnny

Manager for Richmond Region

new Charlotte Premium Outlets and live

the largest snow product in the east of the

Cash, in Dyess.

tourism said: “We are just 100 miles

music venues (pictured). Wit Tuttell,

country, with six ski resorts,” added Tuttell.

arkansas.com

from Washington D.C. and arriving

Executive Director for Visit North Carolina,

uk.visitnc.com

by train is a fun, affordable and scenic way reach us.” visitrichmondva.com

TRAVEL SOUTH IN BRIEF A place in the sun: Hopkinsville,

Sound effects: The famous Muscle

Mighty Mississippi: The American

Kentucky, will be the place to be on

Shoals Sound Studio in northern

Queen will introduce two new three-

August 21 2017 for eclipse watchers.

Alabama is closed for renovations

week cruises in 2016, taking guests

Experts think the eclipse will last for two

until early 2016. The studio, founded

who stay the duration from St. Paul,

minutes and 40 seconds here, longer

in 1969, became one of the most

Minnesota, to New Orleans, Louisiana.

than any other place on the planet. The

influential recording studios in the

Leaving on August 14 (southband) and

Hopkinson/Christian County CVB says it

world, attracting the likes of the

September 4 (northbound) stops will

is already making plans for the event.

Rolling Stones, Paul Simon and Cher.

include

visithopkinsville.com

VisitMuscleShoalsAl.com

aqsc.com

sellingtravel.co.uk

St. Louis

and

Memphis.

six of the best

57

ALBERTA

adventure

If your client seeks action and adventure, no matter what their age or ability, look no further than Alberta.

The Rockies are the home of authentic experiences!

1

VIA FERRATA

Via Ferrata on Mt. Norquay is one of the Canadian Rockies newest adventure activities. With instruction from certified guides, your clients can climb up a steep rock face along fixed ladders, bridges and cables. All equipment is included and no previous climbing experience is necessary.

USEFUL INFORMATION: banffviaferrata.com

2

TRAIL RIDING

Banff Trail Riders bring authentic wild west experiences to the Canadian Rockies. Your clients can take a scenic trail ride along the Bow River in a horse-drawn wagon and then tuck into an authentic cowboy cookout. Or saddle up for an overnight trail ride adventure and sleep in a backcountry lodge.

There’s even the option to visit the Warner Stables and see behind the scenes at a working ranch. The stables offer fishing, photography and art trips and lodge and tent stays for riders and non-riders alike.

USEFUL INFORMATION: horseback.com

CANYONING

5

CAVING

Rocky Mountain Canyoning takes visitors on a thrilling adventure deep down into Jasper’s water-filled gorges and valleys. Geared up in wet suits and attached to safety ropes, you client will descend down waterfalls, float along streams and follow the steep curves of ancient rock canyons. All equipment, transportation from town and guide is included in what are some of Jasper’s most spectacular landscapes.

Canmore Cave Tours’ expert guides lead expeditions through the water-sculpted passages of one of Canada’s longest caves. A crystal water pool, millennia old stalactites and stalagmites and ancient animal bones, pictographs and fossils are a few of geological and historical treasures your clients will discover. Open year round, Rats’ Nest Cave maintains an internal temperature of 5°C (41°F).

USEFUL INFORMATION: maligneadventures.com

USEFUL INFORMATION: canmorecavetours.com

3

RAFTING Mukwah Rafting Tours offer adrenalin-pumping whitewater rafting trips on the Red Deer River.

Two-and-a-half or fourand-a-half hour tours are great for anyone wanting just a taste of the excitement. For a bigger adventure try the full or two-day package with a Gourmet Steak Barbeque add-on. The season runs from May to September.

Meanwhile, Jasper Raft Tours offer scenic rafting trips along the Athabasca River on a route used by fur traders.

4

USEFUL INFORMATION: mukwah.com; jasperrafttours.com

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6

CABIN STAYS

Peace River Cabins will be your base for a truly memorable overnight canoe and kayak trip into the wilderness. Your certified guide will lead you along the route of Canada’s early explorers who voyaged the river in search of the Northwest Passage.

Hike through pristine nature, visit an historic trading post and watch the river flow from your cottage deck. peacerivercanada.com USEFUL INFORMATION: peacerivercanada.com

BERMUDA DESTINATIONS November 2013-October 2014

2016

Pric es from £12 25p p

Bermuda Bonanza!

Your clients can save over £1100 per couple Book by 25 Jan 16 for some amazing deals at most of our hotels + British Airways savings too.

01425 480400 or visit www/prestigeholidays.co.uk/bermuda

bermuda

59

locals meet the

Known for its pink-sand beaches, water sports and links to the British Navy, Bermuda has a new range of ‘local experiences’ designed to let visitors get under the skin of island life, says

Steve Hartridge

F

ew destinations have to work quite as hard as Bermuda to get their unique selling points across to the trade.

Commonly but mistakenly thought of as a Caribbean island, the mid-Atlantic destination is in fact geographically much closer to North Carolina than Nevis.

Also, when it comes to climate, culture, history and other island influences, Britain is a more relevant yardstick than Barbados.

For example, Bermuda’s seasons mirrors the UK’s (but with a little extra heat) rather than the Caribbean’s, with the hotter months being from April to October.

Getting these crucial messages heard has not been helped in recent years by several changes of representation offices in the UK. There was also a short-lived spell where Bermuda had its own independent tourist office in London.

Currently the destination’s ‘image’ in the Uk is being crafted by Global Travel Marketing

whose Account Director Andy Facer says: “Our key messages are highlighting the location of the island, short flying time (seven hours) and the seasonality.

“We will also be promoting the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s strategy to provide visitors with a genuine taste of island life.

“Eighteen new experiences will be introduced in 2016 promoting activities and experiences available on island, many of them unique to Bermuda. These will include culinary, ecoand heritage tours, providing travellers the opportunity to explore beyond the beach.

Adds Facer: “They will also highlight that Bermuda is a very welcoming island.

“Experiences include a new learning to sail programme in association with the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dingy Club; a catch and cook initiative, that will see visitors buy from a local fishermen and go back to their house

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to have a meal with the family; Bermuda Baked, a hands-on evening of traditional baking while sipping a Rum Swizzle; and an evening walking tour of historic St Georges.”

The island is looking to strengthen its visitor numbers in 2016. International tourism to the island was ‘flat’ in 2015, although out of the UK there was a year-on-year increase of around 10% (until the end of October), and bookings are looking robust for long-term Bermuda supporter, Prestige Holidays.

Nicky Shafe, the operator’s Marketing Manager, says: “There has already been a positive upturn for 2016. Bermuda will host the America’s Cup sailing event in 2017, and the island received a lot of attention after the America’s Cup World Series races in Portsmouth in July last year.

“There is also considerable investment planned in Bermuda’s hotel stock, which should provide the island with a boost over the next few years or so,” added Shafe.

60

bermuda

Perfect five Hot stuff: Winter is the perfect time to visit: temperatures rarely drop below 55F. Going pink: The sand in Bermuda really is pink. The colour comes from the crushed shells, corals and calcium carbonate.

Better than par: Bermuda has several world-class golf courses.

Cut a trail: Bermuda’s Old Railway Trail, 21 miles of track that runs from St. George on one tip of the island to Royal Naval Dockyard (decommissioned in the 1940s) on the other, is great for both walking and cycling.

Island tipple: Don’t miss Bermuda’s highball cocktail speciality: a refreshing Dark ‘n Stormy. It is made of Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, ginger beer and lime, which are poured over ice.

What’s new  Campaigns: The Bermuda Tourism Authority launched its latest Pink Sale (gotobermuda.co.uk/ pinksale) on Boxing Day, with up to 50% off hotel stays during spring, autumn and winter 2016 for bookings made before January 25.

The discounts vary based on the individual hotel and number of nights’ stay booked between January 8 and April 30 and September 7 and December 31, 2016. The initiative is in association with seven tour operators and the following hotels: Grotto Bay Beach Resort; Royal Palms Hotel; Hamilton Princess & Beach Club; Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa; Rosewood Tucker’s Point; Coral Beach and Tennis Club; Newstead Belmont Hills; St Georges Club; Elbow Beach Bermuda; The Reefs; Fairmont Southampton and Dawkins Manor.  Tour Operators: Several operators are featuring Bermuda for the first time in their 2016 programmes. Premier Holidays (trade. premierholidays.co.uk) has twinned the island with New York - including an ex-New York cruise option with Royal Caribbean – and Miami. Virgin Holidays (virginholidays.co.uk) is also pairing Bermuda with a twin-centre holiday in New York or Miami. And the island makes its first appearance in Thomas Cook’s (thomascook.com) 2016 Tropical Shores brochure.  Hotels and Resorts: The Hamilton Princess Resort Beach Club (fairmont.com/hamilton-bermuda) has undergone a luxurious refurbishment. New is the exclusive Princess Beach Club, just for hotel residents. The hotel has also added two new restaurants: the casual open-air 1609 Bar and Restaurant plus the signature restaurant Marcus.

The Reefs Hotel and Club (thereefs.com) has a free night offer for stays throughout 2016 Previous page: kayaking is one of the best ways to explore the waters of Bermuda; This page: biking in Southlands; cooking up a storm at The Reefs; pink-sand beach; Bermuda is home to over 300 shipwrecks– visitors can book a full day’s diving trip

Where to Book it “You cannot hire a car on  PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS – 01425 480400 Bermuda but there is an A seven-night stay starts from £1226pp, for excellent bus and ferry service. room-only accommodation at the Grotto You can buy passes from $15 day Bay Beach Resort, a saving of £514 per – which allows travel on both couple if booked by January 31 2016. The deal includes flights with British Airways forms of transport” NICKY SHAFE, MARKETING MANAGER PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS.

for bookings made by February 29. Guests receive a free night for stays of two nights or more. Bookings of seven nights receive an extra 10% discount for stays up to May 15 and between September 1 and December 23.

Pink Beach Club (pinkbeach.com) is currently being developed into a new $51.5-million, 34-room, boutique hotel with two restaurants and six guest condominiums, two guest suites, two swimming pools and a residential building.

The opening date is still to be confirmed.  Attractions: June 2017 will see the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda. There is a huge investment programme underway – particularly reclaiming land to build the teams’ bases in the Naval Dockyard area. But throughout 2016 visitors can see teams practising on the Great Sound – including Ben Ainslie’s team.

Still on a yachting theme, Bermuda will host 14 new sailing regattas in 2016.

A new hop-on hop-off Beach Bus service connects beaches and cultural attractions in St. David’s Island and St. George (approximately £4 per day).

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from Gatwick and private transfers. prestigeholidays.co.uk

 PREMIER HOLIDAYS – 0844 937531 A 10-night holiday that twins Bermuda with Miami starts from £1999pp. Guests spend three nights at the four-star DoubleTree Ocean Point Resort & Spa in Miami then seven nights at the four-star Coco Reef in Bermuda. trade.premierholidays.co.uk  THOMAS COOK – 0844 412 5970

Seven nights at the Fairmont Southampton, on a room-only basis, departing November 1 2016, start from £1349pp. Flights with British Airways. thomascook.com 

mexico

61

beach beyond the

Mexico is a vibrant and growing destination that has much more to offer than just beaches, says Anna Maria Espsäter

R

eturning to Mexico after several years’ absence, I decided to spend my first day in the capital, Mexico City. This vast metropolis is well worth exploring over a few days. But, having visited a number of times before, I skipped the main city sights and headed down to Coyoacán to visit painters Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s home, now turned museum, La Casa Azul.

Walking from Viveros tube station was particularly pleasant. The jacaranda trees were in bloom, spreading their lovely scent across the area and I passed Viveros de Coyoacán, a lovely forested park populated by numerous joggers that morning.

The large blue house sits squarely on a

corner of two streets and has been a museum since 1958. I wandered through the many rooms replete with memories of Frida and Diego’s life together, before exploring the garden, with pre-Hispanic pieces. The museum’s historic repertoire was a good intro, as I was flying down to the Yucatán Peninsula the following day to see the real thing.

The ruins of Uxmal and Chichén Itzá are equally spectacular and fascinating, but visiting a real Maya home stands out in my memory.

From Uxmal we drove to the small town of Santa Elena where we were welcomed

by Doña Asaria and Don Hernán.

The couple have been married for almost 50 years (despite their non-too-advanced-looking

sellingtravel.co.uk

age) and they didn’t seem to mind the intrusion.

Asaria showed us how she makes hammocks and tortillas, while Hernán demonstrated hemp rope-making techniques. We had a wonderful walk around their garden where fruit like mango, papaya, tamarind, lime, plum, orange and prickly pears grew in exuberant abundance along with local herbs such as epazote and much more.

Well connected Mexico continues to grow steadily as a preferred destination for UK and international visitors.

Between 2012-15, global visitor numbers grew by more than 34.5% and Cancún alone receives some 100,000 UK visitors annually.

The country is well connected from the UK,

62

mexico

with direct flights to both Mexico City and Cancún and a wide choice of carriers flying via European or US hubs. With the Mexican peso recently dropping by almost a third in value, the destination is even better value for money – which makes 2016 an excellent time to visit.

Mexico’s beaches have remained a strong draw ever since Acapulco’s heyday in the 1940s and 50s, continuing with the rise of mega-resort Cancún, on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts respectively. The northern resort area of Los Cabos has plans for a new marina and golf course and is gaining increased interest from UK visitors.

The coastline and beaches are hardly all that Mexico has to offer and 2015 saw the Mexico Tourism Board (visitmexico.com) highlight many other aspects of Mexico as a country and destination through the Dual Year of Mexico, a year-long celebration of cultural, educational and business exchange between our Mexico and the UK (mexicouk2015.mx).

Events and collaborations have focused on sectors such as gastronomy, business, culture and academia.

Perfect ten Spice up your life: Mexican cuisine is now recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. From the humble “taquito” to the complex and rich flavours of a mole poblano, clients can eat their way around the country.

Life’s a beach: Mexico has one of the longest coastlines in the world, almost 6,000 miles, so it’s no wonder it has a fair few gorgeous beaches to choose from. These range from quiet hideaways to cosmopolitan resorts.

Sip it: Gone are the days when Mexico’s national drink, tequila, was synonymous with an evil hangover. Tequila is slowly being recognised as a drink to sip, not shoot. And

Main image left: Ik-Kil Cenote, near Chichen Itza in Yucatan province is open to the public for swiming; above: Guanajuato, in central Mexico is a charming colonial-era city; above right: God of Winds Temple, Tulum, an Aztec treasure

then there’s the home-grown mezcal, coffee and wine!

Gems of the past: The Spaniards left a lasting legacy of colonial architecture second to none all across Mexico. Colonial gems include the cities of Taxco, Puebla, Guanajuato and Queretaro.

Spectacular scenery: Whether it’s the jungles of Chiapas, the beaches of Riviera Maya or the deserts of Baja California, the landscapes are incredibly varied and most are easily accessible.

Riveting ruins: Mexico’s pre-Hispanic monuments are some of the best on the continent with more ruins still being excavated, particularly on the Yucatán Peninsula, home to some of the best preserved examples, including Uxmal and Chichén Itzá.

Wildlife viewing: Mexico is one of the most bio-diverse places on earth and more than 10% of the world’s wildlife can be found here, in a wide variety of natural habitats.

Frequent fiestas: Mexico has outstanding colourful festivals yearround. With each village celebrating its own patron saints at different times, visitors are bound to find a party somewhere.

Adventure bound: For those of a sporty bent, Mexico’s exciting landscapes offer activities from cenote-swimming and surfing, to jungle-trekking and horseback riding.

Market magic: The avid shopper will find Mexico’s handicraft markets a lively experience with ample opportunities to haggle and practise Spanish.

What’s new  Airlines: Aeromexico (aeromexico. com) has added a chauffeur car service

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“Mexico is a wildly diverse, exciting and culturally rich country. There’s too much to see in just one visit, so don’t try: take your time and plan to return again to discover more of this wonderful country another time” STUART WHITTINGTON, HEAD OF PRODUCT, JOURNEY LATIN AMERICA

for its business class passengers.  Accommodation: A new Hard Rock Hotel (hardrockhotel.com) will be opening in Cancún in 2017. Twelve new hotels are planned in the resort area of Los Cabos (visitloscabos. travel), including Ritz Carlton Reserve (ritzcarlton. com), JW Marriott (Marriott.co.uk) and Grand Velas (grandvelas.com). A Hard Rock Hotel with 500 rooms is also planned for 2017.

Hotel Esperanza (esperanza.aubergeresorts.com), badly damaged by hurricane Odile in September 2014, has been fully refurbished.

Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya Hotel (secretsresorts.com) opened a new adults-only, all-suites hotel in Akumal in November and this March will see the opening of another adults-only hotel, the Breathless Riviera Cancún Resort & Spa (breathlessresorts.com).  Operators: Funway Holidays (funway4agents. co.uk) has a new Mexico brochure featuring eight new hotels, including four five-star properties.  Attractions: Cancún’s Underwater Museum of Art (musacancun.org) now has nine new sculptures by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor.

The 500-piece underwater gallery can be viewed from glass-bottom boats, by divers and snorkelers.

mexico

“Tap into the ‘cool-combo’ trend and suggest a twin-centre holiday where clients visit Las Vegas or Orlando before the beautiful beaches of Mexico” REBECCA EVANS, MARKETING EXECUTIVE, FUNWAY HOLIDAYS

Tourism talk

Where to book it

“2015 – our Dual Year of Mexico – has been a great year for Mexico and the UK allowing both countries to expand on their relationships at different levels and in different disciplines.

“The Mexico Tourism Board has undertaken a strategic and integrated marketing initiative to promote Mexico’s destinations and tourism products to consumers across the United Kingdom, elevating Mexico’s visibility and profile.

“One of the areas we have focused on is gastronomy, partnering with The World’s 50 Best organisation and also with Selfridges, where a number of products are now permanently on sale at their food court.

“Mexico was recently the setting for the new James Bond film Spectre and with our Premier Partnership of World Travel Market we have promoted our country in many areas in 2015. 2016 will be a year to consolidate all the effort that we have been putting into the UK market over the past few years.”

Vicente Salas, Director, Mexico Tourism Board, Northern Europe

 JOURNEY LATIN AMERICA – 020 8600 1881 A 13-day Highlights of Mexico holiday visiting Mexico City, Mérida and the Riviera Maya starts from £1,994pp, including flights, breakfasts, excursions and comfortable mid-range hotels.

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journeylatinamerica.co.uk  TRAVEL 2 – 020 7561 2244

Seven nights at the five-star Secrets Akumal Rivera Maya is from £1,839 all-inclusive.

Valid for travel from April 9 to July 8, 2016. travel2.com

 THOMAS COOK – 01733 224 808 Offers a 14-night all-inclusive package with flights on Thomas Cook Airlines from Gatwick priced from £1074. Accommodation is in the BlueBay Grand Esmeralda on the Riviera Maya with a choice of six a-la-carte restaurants. thomascook.com  WHO FLIES THERE batraveltrade.com; aeromexico.com; klm.com; airfrance. co.uk); iberia.com/gb/; lufthansa.com; aa.com; delta.com; united.com; virgin-atlantic.com

UNLIMITED-FUN ® FOR THE KID IN EVERYONE! Sunscape Resorts & Spas offer EVERYTHING they’ll need for an entertaining, stress-free holiday and it’s ALL INCLUDED: limitless dining, snacks & beverages; spacious oceanfront accommodations; daily land & water activities, live music, spa and MORE!

Book an upgraded room category for a minimum of 10 nights and your clients will enjoy a 50% DISCOUNT on the upgrade supplement.

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New route to BOGOTA! Fly Air Europa, the Latin American specialist, and discover COLOMBIA. Launching June 28th 2016.

Daily service from London Gatwick on board our new DREAMLINER.

All flights are via Madrid.

Baggage allowance 2X23Kg. For more information call: 08714230717 or visit us at: www.aireuropaexperts.com

six of the best

COLOMBIA

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1 CARTAGENA

Colonial heritage, Caribbean coastline and coffee are among the attributes propelling Colombia’s growing popularity. Andy Hoskins highlights six of the country’s top destinations

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Cartagena de Indias is Colombia’s top destination – an unmissable melting pot of cultures in a beautifully preserved colonial setting. The city’s historic centre is surrounded by eight miles of fortified walls and is a maze of colourful streets and squares interspersed with beautiful churches and brightly-painted homes. The city was founded in 1533 and became a major port for the Spanish conquistadors’ who plundered the country.

Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is awash with lively bars, cosy cafes and boutique hotels.

SELL IT: The eight-day Classic Colombia trip from Kuoni incorporates four days in Cartagena. It starts from £3,131pp including international flights. kuoni.co.uk

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THE COFFEE REGION

Known variously as the Coffee Triangle, the Zona Cafetera and the Coffee Axis, this picturesque region in central Colombia is a major producer of the country’s highly regarded coffee beans. The rolling, green landscape and pleasant climate make for a relaxing break only an hour’s flight from the capital city, Bogota.

There’s a good choice of quaint rural accommodation – including haciendas on coffee plantations – or stay in one of the three cities that broadly define the region: Armenia, Pereira and Manizales.

SELL IT: The ‘Highlights of Colombia: culture and coffee’ tour from Journey Latin America includes four days in the

Coffee Region. It costs from £1,713pp not including international flights. journeylatinamerica.co.uk

3 BOGOTA

Once perceived too dangerous to visit, the capital city has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. It is the gateway to the country and the vast majority of visitors spend at least a couple of days in the city discovering both its modern and historic charms. Among them are its old town, La Candelaria, with its colonial buildings and sprawling plazas, and museums devoted to all things gold – the Museo del Oro – and the work of famed Colombian artist and sculptor, Fernando Botero.

SELL IT: Audley Travel’s ‘Simply Colombia: Bogota & Cartagena’ itinerary spends three days in the capital city and a trip to the ‘Salt Cathedral’ in nearby Zapaquira. It costs from £2,295pp including international flights. audleytravel.com

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TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK

Anyone visiting Cartagena – and that’s most first-time visitors to Colombia – should consider heading east along the country’s Carbibbean coast to another of its top destinations, Tayrona National Park. Here the scenery ranges from boulder-strewn, windswept beaches to pristine rainforest. Many beaches are postcard-perfect but only some are suitable for swimming and snorkelling due to strong currents.

There is limited accommodation in the park due to its

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protected status but it can alternatively be visited as a day trip from Santa Marta. The city is also a gateway to the challenging Ciudad Perdida (‘Lost City’) trek.

SELL IT: A seven-night Cartagena and Tayrona break with Imagine Latin America is priced from £2,600pp including international flights. imaginetravel.com

ANDRES & 5 SAN PROVIDENCIA

If a Caribbean beach break is in order then look no further than the islands of San Andres & Providencia.

Located closer to Nicaragua than Colombia, the pictureperfect islands are home to isolated beaches, coral reefs and dash of colonial heritage. San Andres is the larger, more commercial of the two islands.

SELL IT: Select Latin America’s Beach Babylon itinerary includes four nights in San Andres and Providencia. The 11-day trip costs from £1,929pp not including international flights. selectlatinamerica.co.uk

6VILLA DE LEYVA

Colonial towns in Colombia don’t come much prettier than Villa de Leyva with its churches, cobbled streets and white-washed houses. Located four hours’ drive north of Bogota, high in the Andes, the town is a national monument and a base for adventure activities such as horse-riding and mountain biking.

SELL IT: A Colombia Close Up tour from Sunvil visits Villa de Leyva as well as Bogota, the Coffee Region and Cartagena. It is priced from £3,169pp including international flights. sunvil.co.uk

Discover the Canadian Rockies Imagine soaking up Canada’s soul-stirring landscape from a glass-dome luxury coach while nibbling on gourmet meals created by Executive Chefs. Sound like a dream come true? It is.

by Rail

A Rocky Mountaineer rail journey through the majestic Canadian Rockies is a life changing experience that provides unparalleled vantage points to some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery. Indulge all your senses as you wind through awe-inspiring landscapes, complemented by gourmet cuisine, vibrant storytelling, and impeccable service. Our award-winning service, breathtaking scenery, and delicious cuisine will make your travel experience truly unforgettable.

To book, contact your preferred Tour Operator, visit agent.rockymountaineer.com or call free on 00800 0606 7372

worldwide rail journeys

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all

aboard Let the train take your booking strain with these options to get your clients on the right track, says Julie Baxter

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels A recent addition to the Palace on Wheels family, this rail journey takes in the stunning landscapes, havelis and palaces of Rajasthan, India, en route to the Taj Mahal in Agra. Starting and ending in Delhi, the eight-day journey also covers the cities of Jaipur and Jodhpur.

Where to book: Western & Oriental offers an 11-day rail tour priced from £3,599pp, including international flights. westernoriental.com; 0203 131 4517

Trans-Siberian Railway After Joanna Lumley’s Trans-Siberian Adventure, which aired on ITV last July, enquiries for the Trans-Siberian surged. At over 5,700 miles it is the longest railway line in the world with connecting branch lines into Mongolia, China and North Korea. The railway commemorates its 100th anniversary of connecting Moscow with Vladivostok this year.

Where to book: Regent Holidays offers a Tsars Gold package which increased sales by 60% last year. The 15-day private train travels between Beijing and Moscow from May to September. Prices start from £3,175pp full-board (flights not included). Regent also offers a 15-day trip from Istanbul to Tehran and a tour along the Baikal-Amur Mainline Railway. regent-holidays.co.uk; 020 7666 1244

The Blue Train South Africa’s Blue Train is heading up to ‘Big Five country in 2016 with new Pretoria to Hoedspruit departures. It will make two round-trips to Limpopo province in July and August, offering guests four 19-hour one-way journeys. Rail safari options take in the wildlife reserves and private lodges of the Greater Kruger and Sabi Sands area. This route takes eight fewer hours than the Cape Town- Pretoria option, with a price reduction of around £300pp.

Where to book: Africa Collection is offering a special ‘Safari by Rail Adventure’ in July 2016, from £2,395pp. This includes flights, an overnight on the train and five nights at Garonga Safari Camp. africacollection.com; 01403 256655.

Belmond’s Orient Express prepares to depart

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worldwide rail journeys

Eastern & Oriental Express South-East Asia’s most luxurious train has launched a new Royal Celebration Breakfast on the Bangkok-Singapore route. Free-flowing Champagne accompanies the E&O Eggs Royale or the locally-inspired E&O Asian Sunrise of fried eggs with rice and a fresh crab.

Where to book it: ITC Luxury Travel offers the train at prices from £1,965pp, based on two adults sharing a Pullman cabin for two nights. On a full-board basis, with flights, accommodation and transfers and valid to April 30 2016 if booked before February 14. itcluxurytravel.co.uk/luxury-rail-holidays.

Rocky Mountaineer Offering travel in style across Western Canada, RM has launched a new ‘Stay and Play’ offer. Bookings of seven nights or more made before March 4 2016 receive up to £280 per couple in added value, to use towards extra nights, meals or transfers. Four- to six-night bookings receive £190 per couple. This gives visitors the chance to stay longer in Seattle (WA), Vancouver and Whistler (BC) or Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, and Calgary (AB).

Where to book: The ‘Stay and Play’ offer is available at: rockymountaineer.com/stayandplay or 0800 0606 7372.

Hiram Bingham Pullman This luxurious service travels from Cusco to Machu Picchu in Peru, through the Sacred Valley via Ollantaytambo, with a spectacular Vistadome or budget-friendly Explorer service. Operated by PeruRail the train includes gourmet meals, guides and entrance to the ruins in its price. The operator’s Andean Explorer also departs from Cusco and it takes just over 10 hours to reach Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The lake is famous for its floating reed villages.

Where to book: Book online at perurail.com or contact reservas@perurail.com

Making more tracks Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: A new journey to Berlin for 2016 will link three historic European capital cities: London, Paris and Berlin. The inaugural departure leaves from London to Berlin, via Paris, on June 2 (belmond.com).

Belmond Grand Hibernian: The new Celtic sister to the Belmond Royal Scotsman is currently taking reservations for its luxury touring itineraries in Ireland – four nights from Cork to Killarney, Galway and Westport (belmond.com).

The Canadian: Collette’s 11-day Canadian Rockies

by Train tour is among the operator’s best sellers.

Bookings for 2016 are up 100% year on year and include VIA Rail’s The Canadian (viarail.com) through the Rockies to Jasper. Closer to home it includes three rail journeys over nine days: the GoldenPass panoramic train, the Glacier Express and the Bernina Pass in its Alpine Lakes & Scenic Train tour (gocollette.com).

Trains & Gardens: Saga has an eight-night

Gardens of Lake Garda tour in April combining Eurostar to Paris with the TGV to Basel for a series of seven garden visits and illustrated talks. Eight nights are priced from £1,299pp (saga.co.uk).

Voyages-sncf: For high-speed and conventional rail connections throughout Europe, Voyages-sncf offers a full range of rail products and services including TGV, iDTGV and Intercités in France and international rail operators such as Thalys, Eurostar and TGV in Italy and Spain (Voyages-sncf).

Vacations By Rail: New rail itineraries for 2016 have been added to meet the increasing demand for rail adventures across America. The tours include Best of the Northwest, Lodges of Glacier National Park, California Zephyr and Alaska Cruise (vacationsbyrail.com).

Great Rail Journeys: The operator has up to £300 off selected departures from its Worldwide Adventures portfolio. The range includes 32 long-haul rail holidays to North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Australasia. There are three new holiday extensions in Hong Kong, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The bestseller is India’s Golden Triangle, a 13-day tour from £1,795pp (greatrail.com).

Tren Crucero: Ecuador’s ‘Cruise Train’ offers a high-altitude journey through 280 miles of Andean landscapes between Guayaquil and the country’s capital, Quito. It stops frequently to visit local townships and other attractions. All meals are included in the price, which starts from (approximately) £970pp (trenecuador.com).

Amtrak: Services are available across the U.S. Pair The Downeaster coastal rail route with sightseeing in Boston, or take The Vermonter through New England’s most literary landscapes (amtrak.com).  Above: The Belmond Hiram Bingham Pullman. From left: the bar aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express; an Tren Crucero

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EUROPEAN RAIL AT YOUR FINGERTIPS IN 2016!

FOR ALL YOUR LEISURE & BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS ACROSS FRANCE & EUROPE - High speed European rail - Eurostar - Interrail Passes - Swiss Travel Passes

- Ski Trains - Overnight trains - Local & regional trains - AutoTrain (take the car too)

GET READY FOR THE BIG KICK OFF

HOP ON BOARD, RELAX & ENJOY

This June & July the best football teams in Europe will be gathering in France to battle it out on the pitch

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The train is the best way to get to the heart of the action.

High speed trains connecting the host towns & cities are now on sale

No airport taxes No baggage restrictions or charges Travel from city centre to city centre Reclining seats with footrests & tables Bar buffet coaches & meal at seat options Fabulous views & scenery en route The option of working or relaxing while on board Travel high speed & in comfort

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Visit our website for more details & book in just a few clicks!

www.voyages-sncf.eu Call: 0844 848 4066 Website:

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the final word

the quirky side of travel – Apps, robots and meeting up online –

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pp developers Vanilla Pixel have created an iPhone app called Am I going down? Showing how rare crashes are it aims to reassure those with a fear of flying.

The app calculates the chances of the user's flight 'going down', presenting data based on safety statistics for the airline, aircraft being flown and the airports being used.

The app was released last year and was free over Christmas to illustrate to travellers flying over the festive period just how safe air travel is.

Creator Nic Johns, said: "We wanted to make the app available free for a limited time, as a present to those with a fear of flying who were nervous travelling over the holidays."

Deadliest construction sites Here's a rundown of the 10 'deadliest construction sites' throughout history, put together by yourtradebase.com: 1

DŌMO ARIGATŌ, MR. ROBOTO Costa Cruises will be the first cruise company to trial humanoid robot staff. The bots will be working onboard the Costa Diadema and its sister ship AIDAprima from spring 2016.

Named Pepper, the robots will be able to read human emotions and interact with passengers via voice and touch. Pepper is built to service a wide variety of passengers in their native language and speaks fluent German, Italian and English.

Equipped with 'emotional recognition' and the ability to move freely across the ship, Pepper has a 3D camera to help detect passengers as well as aid in communication and facial analysis.

KARRY ON TRAVELLING Developed for iPhone and Android systems, the

Karry app allows users travelling to the same destinations and events to meet each other and explore their new surroundings or develop friendships. It also pinpoints users who are not travelling, making it possible for other users to meet people in their home town – perhaps the perfect way to find a tour guide or source of local knowledge. The app also allows users to check out recommeneded locations based on the suggestions of other users.

So for clients missing a travelling companion and comfortable meeting up with a total stranger in an unfamiliar country, Karry could well be the perfect app suggestion in 2016.

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Great Wall of China.....................1, 000, 000 deaths

2 Suez Canal............................................120,000 deaths 3 Burma-Siam Railway........................106,000 deaths 4 Panama Canal........................................25,000 deaths 5 White Sea Canal....................................12,000 deaths 6 Karakoram Highway...............................1,300 deaths 7 Transcontinental railroad....................1,200 deaths 8 Erie Canal....................................................1,000 deaths 9 Kolyma Highway......................................1,000 deaths 10 Aswan Dam....................................................500 deaths

REDS RULE IN THE MALDIVES

SPOT A FLASH OF RED AMONG THE AZURE BLUE OF THE MALDIVES AND YOU'LL DISCOVER IT'S A LOCAL LIVERPOOL FAN. THE FIRST LIVE FOOTIE MATCH SCREENED IN THE ISLANDS WAS THE EPIC LIVERPOOL-AC MILAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINALIN 2005, WHICH LIVERPOOL WON... AND SO WAS BORN A NATION OF REDS SUPPORTERS!

THE FEBUARY 2016 ISSUE OF SELLING TRAVEL WILL FEATURE: • African Luxury Lodges • Australian Adventures and Excursions • Dubai • Indonesia • Flights to North East Asia • Central America - Magnificenet Seven • USA: Gulf of Mexico States • My Journey: Japan • How to Sell: Charlotte, North Carolina • Tenerife CONTACT US sales@bmipublishing.co.uk; editorial@bmipublishing.co.uk PLUS ONLINE Daily Selling Tips • Destination Guides • Photo Galleries • Travel Uni

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January 2016 • sellingtravel.co.uk

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