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 bmipublishing.co.uk sellingtravel.co.uk Publishers: Steve Thompson & Sally Parker Commercial Director: David Clare Editorial Director: Steve Hartridge Deputy Editor: Laura Gelder Staff Journalists: Ben Coren & Cameron Roberts Contributing Journalists: Alan Orbell and Jo Austin Group Editor: Andy Hoskins Contributing Editor: Julie Baxter Business Development Manager: Craig McQuinn Advertisement Manager: Lisa Merrigan Creative Director: Matt Bonner Designers: Louisa Horton, Ross Clifford & Monica Notarnicola 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: Sossusvlei dune, Naukluft National Park, Namibia Courtesy of www.istockphoto.com
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welcome
– dedicated to those who love selling travel –
T
his month we are delighted to announce a new groundbreaking partnership for Selling Travel, one we feel confident in claiming is the single most exciting development in the relatively short history of online training for the travel trade. That sounds like – and admittedly is – quite a claim, but delve into the contents of our special section in this issue and you might just agree with us when we say that e-learning for agents has just got bigger, better and bolder than ever before. We want you to 'unwrap' what we believe is a gift to any agent serious about increasing their destination and product knowledge and maximising their earnings in the process. Steve Hartridge Without spoiling…. the two biggest names in travel trade training have EDITOR joined forces to offer one unbeatable new training platform. For readers, over 80 unique training courses are now available at one new and improved website, so check out the brand-new traveluni.com for all your training needs including information on rewards and incentives. That’s all I can say for now, but before you begin turning the pages and start genning up on all the latest news, comments and product updates from destinations such as Namibia, Slovenia, Israel, Morocco, Thailand and Latin America (to mention just a small taste of what’s on offer inside) turn first to those special pages I mentioned by clicking on this button to the right. Have you taken a peek yet? I told you so… the face of e-learning has changed forever! Before I go, it was good to see so many of you at our Selling Travel Agents Choice Awards in central London last month. Did chatting to some of our nominees help you decide who to vote for? If so, don't delay - voting closes on October 16.
e-learning
THAT'S GOING PLACES CLICK HERE
INDUSTRY COMMENTS... “The UK accounted for more than 701,000 visitors to California in 2015 and that looks set to increase with the major growth in airlift in 2016. The state now has 116 weekly non-stop flights to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland."
“Next year is set to be a fantastic year for travel to and around Latin America. The latest LATA Trends Report identified a growing demand to the region and this is supported by tourism statistics showing strong year-on-year growth."
Emma Westman, Visit California UK & Ireland
Byron Shirto, Chairman, LATA
See feature, page 46
See feature, page 76
sellingtravel.co.uk