Travel Bullletin 8th March 2013 by Alain Charles Publishing

TB0803 Cover 2013_TB Front Cover.qxd 05/03/2013 17:16 Page 1

March 8 2013 | ISSUE NO 1,816 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Czech Republic

Capture your clients' imagination through the use of emotive stories

this week

news report highlights dramatic differences in basic and actual travel costs

hotel bulletin a round-up of new property launches & developments

spain & her islands operators highlight new tours & package deals

far east Japan welcomes record number of visitors

S01 TB0803 Start_Layout 1 06/03/2013 12:50 Page 2

S01 TB0803 Start_Layout 1 06/03/2013 10:27 Page 3

newsbulletin Report highlights dramatic differences in basic and actual travel costs

THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE...To celebrate the rebrand of Geckos Adventures, the company's team took to the streets to challenge travel agents to tell them their f***ing epic stories in line with the new brand motto in the brochure “may your heart be light, your step swift and your stories f***ing epic”. The rickshaws offered agents a lift in return for epic stories which will be compiled into a short film, available on the operator's website. Pictured getting into the spirit of the adventure are, from the left: Leon Hill and Spencer Neal from Geckos Adventures with Alex Blunt and Midi Tipene from Intrepid My Adventure Store, Islington.

This Week 3

news

agent bulletin

puzzle bulletin

event bulletin

a round-up of the latest industry news, reports & developments new agent booking incentives plus training opportunities your chance to win a £50 Hotel Chocolat voucher by playing Su Doku images from Caribbean Airlines' event in London

pix mix

personality bulletin

images from BRIGHT's first 2013 workshop in Chester which senior sales & marketing manager would like a room full of Selfridge’s vouchers?

czech republic

far east

capture your clients' imagination through the use of emotive stories Japan welcomes record number of visitors

hotel bulletin

Cover Pictures: Main - Prague,

a round-up of new property launches & developments

Czech Tourism

spain & her islands operators highlight new tours & package deals

Inset - Rezidor, Gran Canaria

A NEW report reveals what almost everyone in the travel trade already knows - that the advertised price for travel is rarely, if ever, the price that people pay. But the research by Teletext Holidays exposes the sometimes dramatic differences. The company's report, The True Cost of a Holiday, highlights some examples of flights around double the original "basic" cost. For instance, the report notes that a trip to Alicante based on a family of four with Jet2 has flights at £455.92, but with the addition of taxes, airport charges, web checkin, bags and seat reservations, the total reaches £944.84. A Malaga trip based on a group of seven adults with Ryanair sees flights coming in at £1,119.86 but the overall cost soaring to £2,072.38. A similar trip using British Airways has a basic flight fare of £910 which rises to a potential total cost of £1,548.12, while with easyJet the flight fare of £1,443.96 ends up at £1,650.96. With Flybe, a trip to Paris for two adults starts out at a basic fare of £293.31 but ends up at £538.92 when taxes, ● continues on next page

BRADENTON AREA / ANNA MARIA ISLAND / LONGBOAT KEY

SAVOUR THE SUNSHINE OF FLORIDA

7 NIGHTS FROM £715PP For more details or to book, call

0844 557 0626 or visit

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

March 8 2013

S01 TB0803 Start_Layout 1 06/03/2013 10:00 Page 4

newsbulletin ● continued from previous page

COFFEE MORNING...enjoying a recent coffee & cruise morning at the Oakwell Manor Hotel in Birtstall, West Yorkshire, hosted by Cruise & Maritime Voyages and High Ridings Travel are, from the left: Mike Pickering, High Ridings, Sandy Murray, Sandy's Travel Escapes and Wayne Beard, Cruise & Maritime.

Survey reveals quarter of holidaymakers bump into familiar face on holiday RESEARCH BY www.sunshine.co.uk has revealed that a quarter of holidaymakers claim to have bumped into someone they knew on a previous holiday abroad. The company carried out the poll as part of ongoing research into the holiday experiences of people around the UK. Some 1,792 adults from around the UK took part in the study, each of whom had been on holiday abroad in the past five years. Respondents were asked questions about who, if anyone, they had seen on previous holidays abroad outside of

their actual holiday group. When asked 'On a previous holiday abroad, have you ever bumped into someone you knew unexpectedly?’, 24% of those taking part said ‘yes’, while 11% of these said it had happened to them more than once. Most respondents (27%) reported bumping into an ex-colleague, followed by a friend, relative and expartner. Of those who had bumped into someone they knew on holiday in the past, just 19% said they’d been happy about it happening.

government charges and duties, fuel surcharge and reserved seat costs are added. The report says that while some providers add extras into their pricing so customers are aware of how much they can expect to pay, others advertise only the basic cost. Teletext says: "After all, what looks more appealing - a £49 holiday to Barcelona or a £249 one?" The report looked at flights this coming August.

Price Beaters programme from Cosmos COSMOS HOLIDAYS has launched its summer 2013 ‘Price Beaters’ programme with a choice of accommodation including private villas with pools in destinations across the Mediterranean and Florida. A choice of accommodation and board options are available in Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Corfu, Parga, Lefkas, Zante, Kefalonia, Skiathos, Bulgaria, Turkey, Mallorca, Gran Canaria and Malta, with prices from £189 per person. A selection of private villa with pool holidays are also available in Mallorca, Menorca, Zante, and the Algarve, with prices from £225 per person. Packages are available with airport transfers on an optional basis enabling customers to tailor-make their own travel arrangements or opt to take the company’s pre-bookable transfer service from £20 per person. ‘Allocation on Arrival’ is a simple way for customers to choose their holiday at the lowest price possible by selecting a destination and preferred board arrangements. The specific property is then confirmed on arrival in resort. This option is available in Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Zante, Kefalonia, Skiathos and Parga/Lefkas. Mediterranean holidays are available from four UK airports including Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, and East Midlands.

Mauritius & Mexico claim top spots in latest Hayes & Jarvis' trend report IN ITS latest Long Haul Trend Report, Hayes & Jarvis found that Mauritius and Mexico were the top-performing destinations due to their competitively-priced four- and fivestar all-inclusive resorts. The report, based on sales over the October 2012 to January 2013 period, suggested that an increase in direct flights to Cancun has helped boost business for Mexico, which has experienced a 47% year-on-year growth over the past two years. In Mauritius, offers from BA and the availability of four- and five-star resorts at the same prices as threestar resorts in the Maldives have also fuelled demand. The report also revealed that clients are increasingly pre-disposed

March 8 2013

Tulum, Mexico

to trade up to five-star all-inclusive resorts. While this has been welldocumented in Mexico over the past 24 months, more recently it has been a key factor in the growing popularity of the Dominican Republic, as has increased flight capacity. Last year

the operator confirmed a 285% growth in bookings to the region and it has now built on that success with a further increase of 70% over the past four months, making the Dominican Republic the only Caribbean entry in the Top 10.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S02 TB0803 News 1_Layout 1 06/03/2013 10:19 Page 5

newsbulletin Tweets of the Week

Cox & Kings offers savings of £450 on Ethiopia tours

Who’s saying what on Twitter...

COX & Kings is offering savings of up to £450 per person on selected departure dates of its escorted Ethiopia tour. The 11-night Ethiopian Odyssey trip leads in at £2,695 per person, including flights, transfers, excursions and full-board accommodation, based on a March 23 departure. Other departure dates include August 10 at £2,902 per person, saving £450; September 14 at £2,727 per person, saving £275; October 12 at £2,752 per person, saving £250; and November 26 at £2,727 per person, saving £275. The offer is based on two adults travelling together and applies to new bookings made before March 28.

@ClassicHols Luxury Offer: 7 nights B&B at 5* deluxe Princesa Yaiza, Lanzarote. Awardwinning luxury from £809pp dep from 09 May http://ow.ly/i43Jv @JurysInnsHotels Easter rates from £49 B&B per room - the perfect excuse for a mini break! http://ow.ly/i4ek7 @SardinianPlaces Property of the week: Casa Rosa 3 bed house in Cannigione on Costa Smeralda. Now from £369pp, saving £180pp http://goo.gl/AK7wa

MUM'S THE WORD...Superbreak’s sales team has been out on the road promoting its last minute Mother’s Day Escapes and the operator has produced a dedicated flyer to help agents with ideas. Pictured visiting The Co-Operative Travel in Long Eaton is the operator's Scott James with the agency's Lisa Boulter (left) and Sarah Exton.

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 ENGLAND Rugby Travel & Hospitality Limited (RTH) has been appointed by Rugby World Cup Limited to manage the Official Travel Programme for Rugby World Cup 2015, England. RTH is seeking expressions of interest from organisations wishing to be appointed as an Official Travel Agent. To register your interest, please visit www.rth2015.com Closing date for submissions: Friday 5 April 2013 Only organisations with relevant experience, strong financial standing, and sufficient resources will be appointed.

TM © Rugby World Cup Limited 2008

S02 TB0803 News 1_Layout 1 06/03/2013 10:19 Page 6

newsbulletin

Newsbites ●

●

NEW FOR this year, Shearings has added a 12-day Classic Cities of Spain option from £999 per person. The tour takes in cities including Madrid, Valencia and Bilbao and the price includes 11 nights’ breakfast accommodation, ten dinners, three excursions and luxury coach travel. Departures are available from June to October. For details call 0844-824 6351 or visit www.shearingsagent.com (Spain feature - page 18) AVRO FLIGHTS has launched new flights to Malta and Gran Canaria and has increased capacity to Greece and Turkey. New routes for summer include Gatwick to Malta, with one-way prices from £69 per person; and Gatwick to Gran Canaria, with one-way prices from £79. Extra flights from Gatwick to both Rhodes and Corfu have been added to increase capacity, with fares from £69 one-way, while an extra flight has also been added from Gatwick to Skiathos and Volos. New flights to

●

Turkey include a departure from East Midlands to Dalaman, with one-way prices from £79 per person. EAST COAST has announced improvements to its service to tempt business travellers to use the train instead of flying between Edinburgh and London. Key changes include a fare promotion for its Anglo-Scots route, with the all-inclusive Scottish Executive package discounted to £99 from £229; improvements to its on-board Wi-Fi; changes to its Rewards customer loyalty scheme whereby points will now be provided for business travel agent bookings; and the opportunity to taste some of the products from the company's First Class complimentary food and drink service. For details see www.eastcoast.co.uk JORDAN HAS installed tourism webcams across the country following a new partnership between EarthCam and the Jordan Tourism Board. The webcams can be used by visiting www.visitjordan.com/earthcam

Neilson offers skiers chance to test next season's ski kit in Les Deux Alpes NEILSON HOLIDAYS has teamed up with Mountain Sports experts Ellis Brigham, BASI, the British Association of Snowsport Instructors and Acrobat TV to offer skiers a unique ski holiday experience from April 6-13 to round off the 2013 season. The package, which is exclusive to the operator, costs £225 per person and includes a six-day Les Deux Alpes lift pass, six days unlimited testing on the latest, 2014 season

Keeping an i on Apps

s launched ESORTS ha SANDALS R call ng distance a new free lo guests r fo available programme, utler B d an cierge staying in Con at any of the seven s, category room in Jamaica. ts or es R ls ts will Sanda June 20, gues om fr e bl ila va A company's wnload the be able to do s, giving smartphone app to their e UK as lls back to th them free ca lines. nd la n l Jamaica ca lo as l el w Fi will also 15, free WiFrom March ncierge or guests in co be offered to ry rooms. higher catego 10 or ll 020-7590 02 ca uk For details o. .c ls da an lings visit www.sel

March 8 2013

skis, help and advice from the Ellis Brigham & BASI teams, a chance to hit the slopes with British skier Alain Baxter, plus a variety of entertainment at the Neilson Hotel Aalborg. The holiday is aimed at good skiers who want to ski the latest kit and try a wide range of products from cruisey piste skis to high-performance freeride skis. For details see www.neilson.co.uk/ski/skitest2013 or call 0844-879 8155.

VISITORS TO Jerusalem’s Old City can now dow nload a free app that offers 16 se lf-guided au dio walking tours, compl ete with map s, videos and photos. The app take s visitors on a stroll th rough the O ld City’s historic, relig ious and cult ural sites, as wel l as known alleyw down its lesser ays. Tours in clude In the footstep s of Christia n sects; The Herodia n Quarter; Th e Jewish Quarter; Via Dolorosa; R amparts Walk, South ern Section ; Ramparts Walk, North ern Section ; and Jerusalem in the First an d Second Temple peri od. There ar e also five accessible to urs that are available for visitors w ith disabilitie s to download. See www.jeru salem-oldci ty.org.il

ted at CH Café, loca SOUTH BEA ay park, on Cliffs holid Haven’s Dev iative, the it in its latest ed ch un la s ha users the e app gives I-Waiter. Th queues by at busy bar chance to be r table to code on thei R Q a ng ni scan u and from the men select drinks ing how notes specify even attach served, e their drinks lemon. they would lik of e ic ice or a sl h it w as ch su to roll out the pipeline Plans are in r system app and orde the Qikserve ei L sure the Bourne across all of liffs start s at Devon C ce ri P . ds an br sed on four nights ba from £99 for d up to 22 arrival an an April 15 or rd twoda aring a stan six people sh van. ra ca lf-catering bedroom se s.co.uk le sa re su rnelei See www.bou

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S02 TB0803 News 1_Layout 1 06/03/2013 10:19 Page 7

WELCOME TO BRADENTON AREA / ANNA MARIA ISLAND / LONGBOAT KEY

The Bradenton Area is located on the West Coast of Florida, 45 minutes from Tampa and just one and a half hours drive from Orlando. Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key are treasured for their authentic Old Florida charm, breath-taking scenery, 16 miles of sugar-white sand beaches and wildlife, comprising what many refer to as ‘hidden Florida’. Bradenton is celebrated for its funky dining and shopping districts, including the Village of The Arts, a vibrant community home to over 35 artists.

NEW BROCHURE OUT NOW! For more details on the Bradenton Area, Anna Maria Island or Longboat Key request our brochure today at: www.trade-gate.co.uk

7 NIGHTS FROM £715PP! For more details or to book, call

0844 557 0626 or visit

S02 TB0803 News 1_Layout 1 06/03/2013 10:19 Page 8

newsbulletin Debut resort pass from Blackpool BLACKPOOL HAS launched a new Resort Pass giving visitors access to a wide range of attractions and transport at discounted rates. A number of options are available for visitors including The Original Resort Pass, which gives visitors access to six attractions – Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Nickelodeon Land, The Blackpool Tower Eye and 4D Experience, The Blackpool Tower Dungeon, SEA LIFE Blackpool and Madame Tussauds; Resort Pass+, which offers access to nine attractions – those in the Original Resort Pass plus Blackpool Zoo, Sandcastle Waterpark and Blackpool Model Village; and the option to purchase The Original Resort Pass and enhance the Blackpool experience by adding extra attractions. All passes enable visitors to add on exclusive discounted three-day and seven-day saver tickets for Blackpool Transport’s bus and tram services. The Original Resort Pass costs £52.50 per person and represents a saving of £40, while the Resort Pass+ is £77.50, representing a saving of more than £50 per person. Passes are valid for seven days and give users one visit to each attraction. For more information see www.blackpoolresortpass.com or call 01253-478222.

‘Anchor Fares’ from Fred. Olsen FRED. OLSEN Cruise Lines has brought its various special offers under a single banner, entitled ‘Anchor Fares’ to replace the existing ‘Specialsaver’ and ‘Latesaver’ fares, although fares currently in circulation in these two categories will remain until they expire. The move is intended to make it easier for consumers and travel agents to identify promotional ‘best buys’. For more information see www.fredolsencruises.com or call 0800-035 5150.

Sunvil Discovery launches 2013 real Portugal & Madeira brochure SUNVIL DISCOVERY has issued its 2013 real Portugal & Madeira brochure, featuring handpicked accommodation and flexible itineraries to the lesser-known areas. New winter and spring short breaks are offered in the Alentejo region, including the recently-waymarked coastal Rota Vicentina walking trail plus a ‘Pousadas of the Alentejo’ fly/drive from the coast in the west to the mountain ranges close to the Spanish border in the east. Other new itineraries include ‘A Luxurious Break on the Lisbon Coast’ and ‘Madeira: The Pearl of the Atlantic’. As examples of prices, a seven-night Explore Northern Portugal by train option takes in Porto, Viana do Castelo and Guimaraes, with prices leading in at £867 per person including breakfast accommodation, flights and transfers, while a seven-night Madeira: The pearl of the Atlantic offers a year-round three-centre itinerary, and leads in at £710 per person including breakfast accommodation, flights, transfers and five days' car hire. Optional excursions include visits to tropical gardens and Madeira’s Laurissilva Forest and Natural Park, recognised by UNESCO, and a hillside descent by toboggan. For details call 020-8758 4747 or visit www.sunvil.co.uk

March 8 2013

Families offered Taste of Kenya with The Adventure Company THE ADVENTURE Company has launched a new all-inclusive safari and beach break in Kenya. The nine-day Taste of Kenya package is suitable for families with children aged six and up, and offers the chance to spot big cats, giraffes, zebras and elephants on game drives plus a few days to relax on Mombasa Beach. Accommodation is in lodges (five nights at Severin Sea Lodge Mombasa and one night at Serena Kilaguni Safari Lodge) plus one night at Lion Bluff Lodge Tsavo staying in a treehouse with panoramic views. The package includes flights from the UK, all meals, entrance fees and game drives, plus services of a local tour leader and guides. Prices start from £1,991 for children and £2,489 for adults. For more information visit www.adventurecompany.co.uk

Crystal announces 2014 world cruises CRYSTAL CRUISES has released Crystal Adventures online for its 2014 World Cruise, marking the voyage’s earliest availability of guests’ outing options. More than 200 shore excursions are now described in detail and offered for pre-reservation at www.crystalcruises.co.uk. Experiences, which range from half a day to several days each, take guests from Los Angeles to London, via the Pacific Islands, Asia, Africa and more. The annual World Cruise sails for 89 nights on Crystal Serenity from January 18, 2014. For details call 020-7399 7601 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

WEBSCLUSIVES ●

Make British Airways and American Airlines bookings to the USA for your chance to win a place on the Brand USA Megafam 2013. Seven great itineraries to choose from! For details on how to apply, go to www.usamegafam.co.uk

●

Win a Fam Trip to Florida’s Beaches, courtesy of Funway. Trips take place in May/June. For full details, go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/funway

●

Make sure you complete this week’s Crossword, sponsored by Jet2holidays, for the chance to win £50 in Love2Shop vouchers. Just fill in the Crossword on Page 11 of this edition, and then submit the mystery location along with your contact details via our website on www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions.

All this and more at:

www.travelbulletin.co.uk The home of the web savvy travel agent www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S03 TB0803 News 2_Layout 1 06/03/2013 12:21 Page 9

agentbulletin Booking incentives ●

USAIRTOURS IS giving agents the chance to earn double incentive points for every Disney Deluxe Resort booked with them until April 2, for travel until December 31. For details see www.usairtours.co.uk/doubledisneypoints

●

1ST CLASS holidays has teamed up with Rocky Mountaineer to give away Kindle Fires this month as a booking incentive. Every booking made through the operator for travel on the Rocky Mountaineer in March (either booked as part of a tailor-made trip or included in a tour) will be entered into the prize draw and two winners will be drawn at the end of the month. Agents should send to references booking their om ssholidays.c sales@1stcla

●

TAILOR MADE Travel has launched a new incentive for agents to win two-week holidays for two people to Australia and New Zealand, including flights, four-star accommodat ion and transport. To be in with a chance of winning, agents must book a holiday with the operator for a minimum spend of £2,000 by June 30. For the Australia prize this must also include at least five room nights at any Accor, Quay West or Sebel property in Australia including Kingfisher Bay Resort or Fraser Island. For the New Zealand prize draw agents must also book a holiday for a minimum spend of £2,000 staying at least five room nights in a MCK property. These include the Copthorne Bay of Islands, the Kingsgate Dunedin and the Millennium Hotel Rotorua. Both prizes will be drawn on July 1. For details call 0845-456 8050.

●

CLASSIC COLLECTION Holidays is offering £10 per person Marks & Spencer vouchers on all family bookings, including children (aged two -11 years) for bookings made by March 31. The operator's complimentary UK airport lounge pass offer has also been extended to the end of March. For details call 0800-008 7288.

●

UNTIL MARCH 13, TIPTO member Hoseasons is giving agents the chance to win a range of prizes when they make a booking. Prizes include a GHD Cherry Blossom Hair Styler, Molton Brown pampering gift set, Ted Baker Designer man bag, Joules Premium Wellies, a Pandora bracelet, £150 House of Fraser gift card, Samsung Smart Camera, Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Tablet, Cath Kidston travel and day bags and a £150 Odeon gift card.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Agent offer CORAL STRAND Smart Choice Hotel in the Seychelles is offering significan t rebates for employees in the travel indust ry and their families until October 31. The three-star property is loc ated on Beau Vallon Beach on the island of Mahé and offers 165 rooms, including four junior suites and 21 deluxe rooms, across five floors. Agents and their families/frien ds can stay at the resort from £58 per person per night including breakfast, and will receive a free upgrade to a higher room category (upon availability ) and other benefits including a fruit basket on arr ival, free Wi-fi and free early check-in or late check-out . A confirmation showing employment in the trav el industry/aviation is necessary as validation wh en making a reservation. Accompanying family and friends also qualify for the rebate. For more information see www.c oralstrand.com

BRUGES BAGGED...Riviera Travel ran a competition in association with Online Travel Training (OTT) for agents who completed its training module . Pictured is the winner, David Carruthers (right) from Conexo Travel in Haxby, York, who won a three-night Bruges tour for two, including accommodation , sightseeing excursions and Eurostar travel. David is pictured with the operator's Joseph Grimley. For details see www.ott.travel March 8 2013

S03 TB0803 News 2_Layout 1 06/03/2013 12:24 Page 10

newsbulletin

Steigenberger Golf Resort, El Gouna

Youtravel.com highlights Easter deals at El Gouna properties YOUTRAVEL.COM HAS added new watersport activities to one of its most popular Egypt destinations, the Red Sea town of El Gouna. “Sail La Vie” sailing school is the host of a range of watersport activities, including sailing and windsurfing lessons, and the Red Sea destination is also preparing to welcome the El Gouna Watersports Complex, due to open in July.

It will house the Sliders Cablepark, which will feature two cable parks and two ‘Easy Rides’ for water skiers, wake boarders and wake skaters, plus a Malibu Beach Club. Back on dry land, holidaymakers can opt to try a range of activities including golf, tennis, horse riding and camel riding. Easter rates at the three-star Arena Inn hotel, which offers a range of

facilities and entertainment for families, start from £252 for seven nights, including a kids stay free offer. Meanwhile, golfing enthusiasts can opt to stay at the five-star Steigenberger Golf Resort located in the heart of El Gouna’s USPGA approved championship golf course, with exclusive Easter rates starting from £728 for a week, based on double occupancy.

Holland America Line marks 140th anniversary with new Mediterranean itineraries TO MARK its 140th anniversary, Holland America Line has announced that its MS Rotterdam will be sailing eight new itineraries this autumn, including a new ex-UK trip departing from Harwich. The 1,404 capacity Rotterdam will sail a mixture of ten-, 11- and 14-night cruises through Spain, Italy, the French Riviera, the Dalmatian Coast, Turkey, Greece and the Holy Land. Cruise-only prices start from £669 per person, with fly/cruise prices starting from £1,039 per person for an inside stateroom. Guests can experience a variety of restaurants on board and take cooking classes in the Culinary Arts

Centre, hone their IT skills in a Windows Digital Workshop or visit the Greenhouse Spa & Salon. An example of itineraries includes a 14-night Iberian Explorer tour, round-trip from Rotterdam departing on September 14. The cruise calls at A Coruña in Spain, Leixoes (Porto) and Portimao in Portugal, Gibraltar, Malaga and Cádiz, as well as stopping overnight in Lisbon. The cruise then pays one last stop in Vigo before returning to Rotterdam. Prices start from £893 cruise-only or £1,363 per person including flights to Athens, transfers and ten nights’ full-board accommodation. For more information or to book visit www.hollandamerica.co.uk

Alaska highlights bright outlook for 2013 tourism growth from UK

DANUBE EXPRESS has added a 'Central European' itinerary to its programme. Meandering between Budapest and Prague, the three-night tour takes in the Imperial cities and palaces of Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic, and leads in at £2,790 per person based on two sharing a Deluxe compartment. The price includes three nights on the Danube Express with all meals, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks and all scheduled sightseeing, transfers, porterage and the services of a tour manager throughout. For details call 01462-441400 or visit www.danube-express.com

March 8 2013

A TRAVEL Alaska trade mission to the UK recently highlighted the opportunities for the trade to capitalise on continuing growth in tourism from the UK, writes Paul Scudamore. The destination is forecasting increased cruise ship capacity and new flights. For instance, this year is set for an increase in Icelandair's seasonal direct flights between Reykjavik and Anchorage, with easy connections from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester. In addition, Alaska Airlines connects from cities throughout the US, Canada and Mexico, and in all serves 95 destinations including 20 in Alaska. On the cruising front, 31 large ships are due to call some 396 times this year with a total passenger count of almost 66,000. The state's Lorene Palmer said: "The expansion of cruise capacity and additional air service will make 2013 a strong year for Alaska's visitor industry. Travellers will find that Alaska is more attractive than ever, given the wide variety of large and small ship options, new domestic and international air service, and a host of new tours and attractions." Also on the UK trade mission were representatives from Anchorage, Fairbanks, the Northern Alaska Tour Company, Valdez & Stan Stephens Cruises and Within The Wild Adventure Company. Further information at www.travelalaska.com

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S03 TB0803 News 2_Layout 1 06/03/2013 12:10 Page 11

puzzlebulletin Travagrams

Su Doku Win a £50 Hotel Chocolat voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle

Can you solve the following anagrams to decipher the destination & tour operator?

Number: 102

Vein Lug

A➠

B➠ The name of this low-cost airline is based on the Spanish word for ‘flight’

C➠

Hence Winter Jowl

D➠ Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the 3 x 3 squares contains the digits 1-9. Once you have completed the puzzle, simply identify the numbers that relate to the letters, A, B, C and D then e-mail the solution, with your name, company name, and full postal address plus phone and ABTA number if applicable to: competition@travelbulletin.co.uk Closing date for entries is Thursday, March 14th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week. The winner for 22nd February is Eleanor Laidlaw, Thomas Cook in Edinburgh. February 22 Solution: A=3 B=7 C=6 D=5

Crossword

Sponsored By

This operator is locked away in the Tower of London.

Where Am I?

Formerly Slovak Presporok, city occupying both banks of the Danube. Fill in the crossword to spell the mystery location highlighted by the blue squares and visit www.travelbulletin.co.uk/crossword to submit your entry. All correct entries will be placed in a free prize draw and one lucky winner will win £50 Love2Shop vouchers. Closing date for entries is Thursday March 14th.

Across 1. Jet2holidays feature this island as one of their Top Summer 2013 Destinations (8) 6. Capital of Tahiti (7) 8. Found in the Irish Sea, initially (3) 9. Shorthand for laugh out loud (3) 10. Capital of Jordan (5) 11. This Harbor is a major Oahu tourist attraction (5) 13. LF Wade Bermuda, airport code (3) 14. Life of Pi Oscar-winning director, ___ Lee (3) 15. Historic city in Lombardy (7) 17. Popular holiday region of France (8)

Down 1. European airline (3) 2. Country bordered by India and China (5) 3. City and port in Western Australia (9) 4. Bucharest is the capital (7) 5. The Water Kingdom, found in 1 Across, ___ Park (4) 7. Camelot themed Las Vegas hotel (9) 9. Transun and Taber offer holidays to this region (7) 12. Ben Affleck recently picked up a best picture Oscar for this movie (4) 13. Actor Kevin, currently advertising 4G on TV (5) 16. Winning stroke in tennis (3)

Number: 102

Congratulations to Tanny Stoller, Kenneth Macleod Travel who won the 22nd February crossword prize of £50 Love2Shop vouchers

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Jet2holidays offers flexible and great value package holidays for just £60pp deposit

The Where Am I and Travagrams solutions can be found on page 30 March 8 2013

S03 TB0803 News 2_Layout 1 06/03/2013 12:10 Page 12

eventbulletin CARIBBEAN AIRLINES introduced its fully branded Boeing 767–300 on January 17, and to mark the occasion the carrier recently held a ‘Rum Tasting and Brochure Launch’ evening for UK travel trade partners. The event was hosted at the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission and was supported by the Trinidad and Tobago Tourist Board. Guests had the opportunity to sample the rums of the region, which can be found in the airline’s Business Class lounge at Gatwick’s North Terminal, and in an effort to familiarise the trade with its product, the carrier showcased its newly designed Product Brochure, plus its 32-inch Economy Class seating and 74-inch Business Class flatbed product.

s (left) from EUPHORIC BEST… Daron Gonzale Trudi James from Euphoria Carnival Ltd , chats with from Mot Mot Travel Bes t At Travel and Gilber t Bastyra

ROMANCE RULES… Yvon ne Joseph (left) and Sandra Dyer (right), both from Stoke Newington Travel, are pictured with Afiya Holder, director of romance at Trinidad and Tobago Tourist Board

AIRLINE CELEBR ATION…An and Arachary a (left) from Imbel Travel celebrates the launch wi Malcom Parkinson (middle) th , Caribbean Airlines, and Trev or Pe trie from Newmont Travel 12

March 8 2013

RUM PALS… Adrienne Tid (left) and Sasha Hawkins (centre), both from Tropical Sky, enj oy the rum cocktail with Casey Hurford from Let’s Go 2

INTO THE WILDERNESS…pictured from the left are: Tom Thorne of Wilderness Explorers; Claire Anell, LATA/Wilderness Explorers; Gilbert Bastyra, Mot Mot Travel; and Juanita Collins from Caribbean Airlines

GRACE & TAYLOR…catching up on the latest tourism developments are, from the left: Peter Grace, Magdalena Grand ; Victoria Taylor, Trinidad and Tobago Tourist Board; and Sam Dowling, Kuoni Travel catch up on the latest tourism developments

MASCOT MATES… enjoying the evening’s events are Edith Aidat Sarran (left) from Travel Shop with Soyini Grey of the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S03 TB0803 News 2_Layout 1 06/03/2013 12:10 Page 13

newsbulletin Spanish Thyme Traveller forges relationships with agents THE SPANISH Thyme Traveller, a boutique operator working exclusively in the Valencia area of Spain, is actively looking to work with travel agents and offer commission. The company's managing director, Patrick Waller, is keen to speak to agents who are interested in selling cultural and foodie tours. Tours range from The Valencia Paella Project, which offers a foodie mini break to The Iberos Tour, a walking tour that offers insights into history, nature, local food and wine. For details see www.thespanishthymetraveller.com and to find out more about working with the operator email Patrick at pwaller@thespanishthymetraveller.com

GRJ promotes Mediterranean tours GREAT RAIL Journeys is promoting a selection of escorted tours to the Mediterranean islands. An 11-day Jewels of the Eastern Mediterranean holiday includes a seven-night cruise on the Norwegian Jade. The ship departs Venice and includes ports of call such as Dubrovnik, Piraeus (near Athens), Izmir and Split. Prices start from £1,435 per person, including rail travel from London to Venice; three nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris, Venice and Turin; seven nights’ accommodation on Norwegian Jade including all meals; one dinner in Turin and all transfers. Departures are available in May, June, July, September and October. Meanwhile, a 15day Highlights of the Mediterranean tour travels through the western Mediterranean and features an 11-night cruise on the Azamara Journey, departing on September 4. The tour takes in the Côte d'Azur on the French Riviera, with ports of call in Monaco and St Tropez, before continuing on to the Italian Riviera and Portofino and Portovenere. The cruise also takes in Tuscany, Livorno, Sorrento, Amalfi and the islands of Sicily and Capri, before arriving in Rome. Priced from £3,345 per person, the tour includes First Class rail travel from London; three nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris, Rome and Turin; one dinner in Turin; 11 nights’ accommodation on Azamara Journey including all meals on board; a sightseeing tour of Rome and all transfers. For further details see www.greatrail.com

Easter Nile Cruise or Luxor city stay from £949 from Discover Egypt DISCOVER EGYPT is offering seven-night Nile cruises on the five-star Viking Princess with flights departing from Gatwick or Heathrow (Heathrow flight supplement of £99 applies) on March 25 from £949 per person, with the second person travelling from £699. An April 1 departure costs from £949 for the first person and £849 for the second traveller. Prices include flights, full board cruise with drinks and ten guided excursions. Alternatively clients can spend seven nights relaxing by the pool in Luxor, mixed with a spot of sightseeing. Package prices lead in at £799 per person staying at the five-star Maritim JolieVille on Kings Island including flights, transfers and breakfast accommodation. The property offers three swimming pools including a pool for adults only plus daily activities organised by the animation team, which includes a daily schedule of games, recreation and different sports. Other facilities include a shopping arcade, beauty salon, 24hour room service and a shuttle bus and boat to Luxor. Free Wi-Fi is also available throughout the hotel. For information and bookings call 0844-880 0461 or see www.discoveregypt.co.uk

MARK WARNER is including BA flights on all its routes out of London, as well as free Wi-Fi at all eight of its summer resorts this year. Selected resorts have also undergone renovations, including the San Lucianu Beach Resort in Corsica (pictured), with 50 rooms now upgraded to deluxe or superior standard. Other upgraded resorts include the five-star Levante Beach Resort in Rhodes, which now offers a third restaurant, the Greek Taverna. Prices start from £655 per person for a May 4 departure and include flights from Heathrow, seven nights’ half-board accommodation and transfers. For more information see www.markwarner.co.uk

Six-night music festival from £1,566 including flights from Kirker Holidays THIS AUTUMN, Kirker Holidays is offering two music festival holidays which it is highlighting to agents to sell. A seven-night holiday has been introduced to coincide with the company’s eighth Ischia Music Festival, organised exclusively for its clients. Alongside the six concerts hosted by the operator, the La Mortello orchestra will perform another concert given as part of its own series, featuring young Italian musicians. Performances take place in the Concert Hall at La Mortella on Ischia. This year’s musicians include the

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Kungsbacka Trio, soprano Sarah-Jane Brandon, pianist Gary Matthewman and violist Simon Rowland-Jones. Prices lead in at £1,998 per person based on an October 14 departure and two sharing. It includes BA flights from Gatwick to Naples, seven nights’ breakfast accommodation at the fourstar San Montano on Ischia, dinner, entrance to all concerts, a half-day excursion on Ischia and a private guided tour of the garden at La Mortella, along with a tour leader. Alternatively, a six-night holiday for the Chopin Festival in Mallorca departs on October 8. New for this year, the festival is based in the village of

Banyalbufar on the north coast of Mallorca, close to where Chopin spent one of the best-known periods of his life with his lover, Baroness Dudevant, better known as George Sand. Prices for the package start from £1,566 per person based on two sharing and include BA flights from London City to Palma, six nights’ breakfast accommodation at the threestar, family-owned Mar i Vent hotel, six dinners including two in local restaurants, two lunches, all entrance fees and gratuities, five concerts and the services of a tour leader. For more information call 020-7593 2284 or visit www.kirkerholidays.com

March 8 2013

S03 TB0803 News 2_Layout 1 06/03/2013 12:56 Page 14

pixmix BRIGHT (Bringing Real Information & Guaranteed High Quality Training) held its first workshop of 2013 in Chester at The Queen's Hotel, where some 36 agents from 12 agencies gathered to strengthen relationships with ten of Bright's members including Cox & Kings, Viking River Cruises, Jersey/Preston Travel, Kirker Holidays, Mosaic Holidays, Veloso Tours, Attraction World, Hurtigruten, Crystal Cruises and 1st Class Holidays. Bright's next two agent events take place in Exeter on March 19 and Bath on March 20. Agents can book a place on the workshops by emailing colin@eventsfortravel.com

er are, from the left: Caroline KIRKER CATCH-UP...catching up with Kathryn Coles from Kirk , all from Deva Travel. Jeacock, Amanda Hughes, Francesca De La Cruz and Kerr y Cook

LADIES IN BL ACK... From the left, Deva Travelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Amanda Hughes, Kerr y Co ok , Francesca De La Cruz and Caroline Jeacock are toas ted by Gary Wedekind (left) from M osaic Holidays and Alan Meadows of Jersey/Pres ton Travel .

CANADA COUP...The event's top prize of a place on a Canada fam , org anise by 1st Class Holidays, was won by d Tiffany Woodley of Myriad Travel. Tiffa ny (right) is pictured receiving her prize from the operator's Paula Mar tin . 14

March 8 2013

WHO YA GONNA CALL...Trying to beat the record for the maximum number of agents in a box with Greg Thurston (back) from Cox & Kings are, from the left: Gillian Wilson, Gaynor Davies, Shaun Davies and Jennie Walters, all from Chester Travel.

CHESTER CHUMS... Beccy Doyle and Eddie Doyle (right) of Pearl King Travel catch up with Bob Moore of Crystal Cruises.

RIVETING READ...Kathryn Coles (left) of Kirker Holidays offers short break ideas to Myriad Travelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tiffany Woodley and Anne Mara (right). www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S03 TB0803 News 2_Layout 1 06/03/2013 12:13 Page 15

S03 TB0803 News 2_Layout 1 06/03/2013 12:13 Page 16

personalitybulletin

Sarah Austin The senior sales & marketing manager of ONYX Hospitality Group says she can't travel without her iPod and would love a room full of Selfridge's vouchers...

Who is your ideal travelling companion? My best friends.

”I’ve recently visited Doha, Qatar, which is such an exciting destination at the moment”

What's your earliest childhood memory? I loved going on holiday as a little kid. Lots of camping trips to the South of France and walking around Paris stick in my head particularly. I was even in a photo shoot for a campsite! However, nowadays I have to say I prefer my luxury and ‘glamping’! Where was your last work-related trip? I’ve recently visited Doha, Qatar, which is such an exciting destination at the moment. Amari (one of ONYX Hospitality Group’s hotel brands) has recently opened Amari Doha, its first property in the Middle East, so it was great to go out there and check it out. I also tried out ‘dune bashing’ and crashing through the desert sands in a jeep was such an exhilarating experience. The Souqs are also amazing for discovering special treasures to take home. If you were a celebrity who would you choose to be and why? Cameron Diaz. She always seems to be having so much fun and of course she gets to work with handsome leading men, travel loads and has the money for designer purchases! What three words would your friends use to describe you? Loyal, fun and sociable. What have your travels taught you? The world is full of amazing places (luckily in my job I get to see more of them than most) and boundaries are only there if you set them for yourself.

March 8 2013

Career path ● ● ● ●

Qualified from University of Leeds in 2001 with a BA Hons in Geography Travelled the world in 2001/2002 Marketing executive at Tourism New South Wales from 2003 – 2009 Started at Hills Balfour in the sales and marketing team in 2009

What is the best advice you recall? Be nice to people, you never know when you will see them next. If you could have a room full of any one thing, what would it be? Selfridge’s vouchers! Who has been the biggest inspiration/influence in your career? The team I work with day to day, they get me through the often busy and long days. What's your favourite city and why? It has to be Bangkok. I’ve been lucky enough to visit the city on a few occasions and it is such a bustling place. Love it. You always leave feeling so energised, especially after a few spa treatments and exploring the market stalls.

If you were not doing this job, what would you be doing? Outside of travel, my other passion is clothes, so I’d definitely be a stylist. It would be awesome to get paid to shop! What is your motto in life? You only live once, which sometimes gets me in trouble … What is your favourite mode of travel? Flying – I love escaping from emails for a few hours and watching a great film with a G&T or two… bliss. If you had a super power what would it be and why? Super teleporting power – the ability to click my fingers and be anywhere. Just as useful for quickly nipping off to paradise as getting home at the end of a long day. What item do you always take with you when travelling? My iPod. I can’t go without music. My favourite travelling tunes are Hed Kandi, a few chilled tunes and whatever my favourite song is at that time. How do you deal with stress? I don’t often get stressed, but if I do, then I find socialising with friends is the best way to wind down. A run always helps too, or a spin session. What special skills do you have? I’m a great digital camera snapper, and am surprisingly good at DIY! What’s your favourite movie of all time? Flashdance – love it! What’s your favourite programme on the TV right now? My guilty pleasure is Hollyoaks and TOWIE! What do you love about your job? Selling dreams.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S03 TB0803 News 2_Layout 1 06/03/2013 12:13 Page 17

hotelbulletin THE MARBELLA Beach Hotel in Corfu is set to open in May following an extensive renovation. Developments include new family suites (to include ten suites, 25 family rooms, 25 interconnecting rooms and eight panoramic whirlpool rooms), a new World Wide Kids club and a new beach side restaurant. Classic Collection is offering seven nights at the hotel from £3,706 (was £4,028) for a family of four sharing a deluxe family garden view room on an all-inclusive basis. Based on an August 8 departure, it includes flights from Gatwick and private transfers, and offers a saving of £322 when booked by March 31. For more information visit www.classic-collection.co.uk

Skiathos hotels introduce YOGAqua classes from May to October SKIATHOS PRINCESS Hotel and Aegean Suites Hotel have introduced YOGAqua classes to their properties. YOGAqua, a new trend originating in LA, takes traditional yoga exercises and incorporates stand-up paddle-boarding in the sea. Classes will be offered exclusively to guests staying at the hotels from May to October and are for groups of between five and six people at a rate of €20 per person per 90-minute session. Sarah Tiefenthaler, a trained yoga instructor and founder of YOGAqua, will be visiting Skiathos to personally train the hotels’ instructors. Thomas Cook Holidays with Style is offering seven nights’ breakfast accommodation at the five-star Skiathos Princess Hotel from £729 per person, departing from Gatwick on July 10. The price offers a saving of £120 person. For more information see www.thomascook.com

InBrief ● COMO HOTELS and Resorts is opening a new beachside hotel in

Miami in autumn. The 74-room property will be located in an original 1920s building in the historic Art Deco district, offering direct access to Miami’s South Beach. Highlights of the property include a wellness area and seafood restaurant. ● ROTANA IS increasing its portfolio by a total of 410 rooms with its

first foray into Istanbul, Turkey. The company will manage the two Arjaan by Rotana properties; the Tango Arjaan by Rotana and Burgu Arjaan by Rotana for the Turkish group Dap-Yap. For details see www.rotana.com ● STEIGENBERGER HOTEL Group has expanded its sales representation

with Discover the World Marketing in five countries which are its largest international markets - the US, Canada, France, UK and Russia. For details see www.discovertheworld.com

Kimpton's Epic Hotel in Miami adds new meetings & events space KIMPTON’S EPIC Hotel in Miami has increased its meeting facilities with the launch of a Mezzanine Level space, providing both large and small groups with greater choice and flexibility at the luxury waterfront hotel, located steps from downtown Miami’s restaurants and entertainment. The property's new function area features four meeting rooms which can accommodate smaller groups of 65 to 80 guests, or larger gatherings of up to 210 people when combined to form the hotel’s second ballroom. There are also additional, supplementary rooms for groups requiring greater flexibility and privacy. The Mezzanine Level area brings the hotel’s total event space to 50,000sq.ft, with capacity for events of up to 400 people. With a dedicated team of planning experts, the

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

hotel's meeting and event facilities also include two executive boardrooms, private cabanas for unconventional breakouts, a ballroom, a pool deck overlooking Biscayne Bay, 24-hour business centre, audio-visual equipment, 24,000sq.ft of event space on the EPIC lawn for team-building activities, product launches and large-scale social events; and a marina with yacht charters available for dinners and excursions. Guests can also stay connected at all times with inroom personal computers and complimentary Wi-Fi for Kimpton InTouch members. Room rates start from $319 (approximately £205) per night. To book or for more information visit www.kimptonhotels.com

March 8 2013

S04 TB0803 Spain & Her Islands_Layout 1 06/03/2013 11:25 Page 18

s d n a l s i r e h & spain HOTEL ILLA d'or in Pollensa, Mallorca is offering 10% discounts on all new bookings made by April; free car hire plus a 25-minute spa treatment when guests book between three and six nights; and free car hire, a 50minute spa treatment, afternoon tea, a welcome gift, 10% golf discount and a visit to Campanet Caves when guests book seven nights or more. The four-star waterfront property has recently undergone the first phase of a major refurbishment programme, where 54 out of 120 rooms received a makeover, with the second phase due for completion by 2014. The hotel offers indoor and outdoor pools, tennis, bike hire, a gym, spa, plus access to a range of watersports. For details see www.hotelillador.com

12-day Classic Cities tour from Shearings NEW FOR this year, Shearings has added a 12-day Classic Cities of Spain option from £999 per person. The tour takes in famous Spanish cities including Madrid, Valencia and Bilbao and the price includes 11 nights’ breakfast accommodation, ten dinners, three excursions and luxury coach travel. Departures are available from June to October. For more information or to book call 0844-824 6351 or visit www.shearingsagent.com

Collette Worldwide Holidays promotes new Andalucia tour ANDALUCIA IS one of the highlights of the newly launched RHS Gardens brochure which has been produced in conjunction with Collette Worldwide Holidays. The brochure offers a choice of ten tours with departures starting in May. Each tour is accompanied by a tour leader, with local guides also being used where appropriate. Some departures are also accompanied by an RHS horticulturist such as a curator or specialist in their field. The ‘Andalucia – Land of Castles, Palaces & Gardens' itinerary begins in Granada, then travels to Seville via Cordoba, ending in Malaga. Horticultural highlights include a guided tour by a garden architect of the Alhambra’s Generalife Gardens; a tour of the Gardens of the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos; Seville’s Orange Tree Courtyard and tour of the Royal Palaces of the Alcázar; plus a walk through the Alcazar Gardens with a botanist. Prices start from £1,589 per person for nine days. For more information or to book visit www.rhsgardenholidays.com, call 0800-804 8710 or e-mail worldwide@rhsgardenholidays.com

Spanish Gold addition from Insight Vacations INSIGHT VACATIONS has added a new Spanish itinerary to its programme. Beginning in Madrid, highlights of the Spanish Gold itinerary include a guided tour of Madrid; a visit to the Prado museum; and a tour of Seville with a horse and carriage ride. Prices start from £2,525 per person including flights, door-to-door transfers, accommodation, eight breakfasts, one Highlight Dinner, one Celebration Dinner and one threecourse dinner. See www.insightvacations.com

Expedia sees shift in last minute booking trends from offline to online channels EXPEDIA REPORTS that the Spanish travel market has experienced a noticeable shift from offline to online travel booking channels over the past several years, and the operator has seen an increase in mobile and tablet use, particularly for last minute holidays. Bookings made through online channels are projected to grow 10% in 2013 to reach €4.1billion, and another 9% in 2014 to reach €4.5 billion. The company's director of market management Spain and

March 8 2013

Portugal Carrie Davidson said: "This type of data shows that it’s becoming increasingly important for travel agencies to consider building a strong online presence." According to industry research firm Phocuswright, bookings made through online travel agencies (OTAs) will outpace that of the traditional offline market as online bookings are expected to comprise 35% of Spain’s travel bookings by 2014, up from 30% in 2012.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S04 TB0803 Spain & Her Islands_Layout 1 06/03/2013 11:25 Page 19

spain&herislands Rezidor Hotel Group opens the Radisson Blu Resort in Gran Canaria THE REZIDOR Hotel Group has opened its first hotel on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria, the Radisson Blu Resort, featuring 189 rooms. The property offers a waterfront location on the island’s south western coast, near the village of Arguineguín, and each of the rooms and suites feature private balconies with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel’s outdoor leisure area features a garden, gift shop, boutique, supermarket, salt and freshwater swimming pools, and a kids’ club. The resort also offers visitors a range of indoor and

Radisson Blu Resort

outdoor sports facilities, including tennis courts, a paddleball court, beach tennis/volleyball court, full service spa and fitness centre. Meanwhile, the company has opened its first hotel in Corsica – the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Ajaccio Bay. The 170-room property is located near Porticcio on Agosta Beach and all rooms and suites offer furnished terraces. Other facilities include an outdoor pool with kids pool and a wellness area which includes an indoor pool, hot tub, gym, sauna, hammam, relaxing area and a spa.

Superbreak adds Seville to portfolio with a choice of ten properties SUPERBREAK HAS introduced Seville, the capital of Andalucía, to its portfolio of European city break destinations. In total ten hotels are featured with a range of star ratings available to suit all budgets, and flights can be added from a range of UK airports. All packages have full Atol protection and properties include the four-star Hotel San Gil in the Old Quarter and the three-star Patio de la Alameda apartments. Prices lead in at £57 per person per night including

Visit Benidorm Tourist Board promotes sports & leisure tourism THE VISIT Benidorm Tourist Board is promoting sports and leisure tourism as major themes for this year, tying in with their advertising campaign ‘There’s more to the resort than you think’. New brochures and two new videos on the tourist board’s website showcase the variety of sports tourism and watersports on offer in and around the resort. As well as its three Blue Flag beaches, the island offers scuba diving opportunities, walking, cycling, hiking and climbing in the Sierra Helada nature reserve and the mountains around Benidorm, as well as quad biking, jeep safaris, jet skis, kayaking and paragliding. For more information see www.en.visitbenidorm.es

Scuba diving in Benidorm

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

breakfast at Hotel San Gill, while a two-night flight inclusive package from Gatwick with easyJet costs from £318 per person, based on a May departure and two sharing. At the Patio de la Alameda apartments prices start from £29 on a room-only basis while a two-night flight inclusive package from Gatwick with easyJet costs from £266 per person, also based on a May departure. For more information visit www.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871-221 4444.

Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa promotes new conference & event facilities THE RECENTLY opened Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa, situated on the northwest coast of Mallorca, is launching a range of incentives and attractions to guests. With many facilities designed specifically for the meetings and conference market, the hotel is targeting the months of April, October and November with a range of allinclusive amenities and services for parties occupying ten rooms or more. Room rates start from €185 per night, including breakfast and taxes and, as part of arrangements for conference organisers and agents, the hotel is offering a selection of complimentary benefits. These include airport transfers, welcome drinks on arrival, VIP room amenities, up to two upgrades to the next room category when securing groups of 20 attendees or more, one complimentary room for every 40 secured rooms and access to the hotel’s Talise Spa. The hotel can also organise a selection of outdoor activities. Sporting options include golf, mountain biking, kayaking and sailing, while cultural attractions offer visits to local museums and art galleries, food markets and a historic train journey from Soller to the island’s capital of Palma. The hotel features 120 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a fine wine cellar, four bars, two swimming pools, a spa and gym. For bookings or more information email jpsgroups@jumeirah.com

March 8 2013

S04 TB0803 Spain & Her Islands_Layout 1 06/03/2013 11:25 Page 20

spain&herislands La Manga serves up spring treats for tennis fans with new training courses TENNIS FANS can follow in the footsteps of their heroes by heading to Spain’s La Manga Club this spring. Andy Murray, runner-up at Australian Open, and world number 45 Robson have both used the venue’s five-star facilities. Players of all ages and abilities can brush up on various aspects of their game at the property’s 28-court tennis academy with a wide range of different courses being staged over the coming months. Making a return to this year’s schedule are ‘Weekend Warrior’ breaks, with three-night packages starting from €289 per person. It includes ten hours’ group coaching and match play, complimentary access to the fitness centre, indoor pool, saunas and steam rooms, plus free shuttle bus transfers around the resort. Children from as young as three up to the age of 19 can also benefit from the expertise of the resort’s team of coaches with a series of regular five-day courses being held at the junior academy over Easter and May half-term. Accommodation and daily court hire or tuition costs from €94 per night for four-night stays until the end of March, based on two sharing. The price also includes breakfast and access to the spa’s fitness centre, indoor pool, saunas and steam rooms. Discounts for tennis groups are also available, with eight or more people being offered the chance to take their own pro and receive 60 hours’ court time over seven days from €278 per person per week, staying at the four-star Las Lomas Village. For more information or to book email reserve@lamangaclub.com or visit www.lamangaclub.com

Son Gual

A NEW luxury six-night golf deal from Hotel Son Julia in Palma includes tee-times at three of the island’s top courses - Son Gual, Alcanada and Son Muntaner. The package includes six nights’ breakfast accommodation in a room or suite; three dinners, six days’ car rental; one green fee per person at each of the three courses; two 30-minute shoulder and neck massages; and an hour’s body massage. Prices lead in at €1,435 for a superior room, based on two sharing. For details see www.sonjulia.com

Es Comellar

MALLORCA FARMHOUSES is highlighting a stay at Es Comellar which sleeps ten and is located between Calonge and Cala d’Or. The family-friendly villa is close to the marina, sandy coves and beaches, and features five bedrooms, four bathrooms and views of the countryside. Prices in May lead in at £1,303 per week, which equates to £130 per person. For details see www.mallorca.co.uk or call 0845-800 8080.

Classic Collection boosts Balearic offerings with property additions for summer WITH SALES to the Balearic islands finishing 11% up in 2012, Classic Collection Holidays has boosted its product in the region with the addition of 11 new properties across Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza for this summer. In Menorca families are well catered for with the introduction of the Jardin de Menorca in Playa Son Bou, and in Cala Santandria, the Prinsotel La Caleta. Also new is the optional all-inclusive Hotel Playa Azul and the adult-only Hotel Sol Menorca, where seven-night prices start from £602 per person in May. Spurred on by the success of the adult-only properties Ushaia Ibiza

March 8 2013

and DJ scene. Three-night breaks during the peak season start from £645 per person. In Mallorca, two hotels make their debut for the operator; the adultonly Iberostar Suite Hotel Jardin del Sol and, appealing to a similar crowd, the modern Beach House, which is part of the Melia Groups' new Calvia Beach Resort Lifestyle concept. Entertainment is a feature of the hotel with a resident DJ plus weekend bar and pool parties. Seven nights in June cost from £883 per person. For details call 0800-008 7288 or visit www.classic-collection.co.uk

Mallorca Beach House

Beach Hotel and Ushaia Tower in Playa d’en Bossa, the operator has introduced an additional adult-only property, the Hotel Garbi Ibiza & Spa, which has recently been renovated to appeal to those who enjoy Ibiza’s club, music, fashion

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S04 TB0803 Spain & Her Islands_Layout 1 06/03/2013 11:25 Page 21

ADVERTORIAL ADVERTORIAL

PortAventura Resort has become the perfect holiday destination for the whole family with 2 parks and 4 hotels. Join us in an unforgettable world tour to visit exotic places like China, Polynesia, Far West, México, Mediterrània or SésamoAventura, the home of Sesame Street characters in Europe! The resort is located by the Mediterranean Sea and just 1 hour away from Barcelona.

PortAventura Resort

PortAventura Park: Lots of fun in 6 fabulous worlds More than 30 rides that will delight both adrenaline junkies and small children. Adventurers will ﬁnd a great challenge in Shambhala a 3 European records rollercoaster: tallest, deepest drop and fastest in his category. Visitors can also try Dragon Khan with his 8 loops of vertigo, or vertigo, Hurakan Condor a free fall of 100 meters or Furius Baco, PortAventura fastest rollercoaster. And for children, PortAventura Park has great nice rides, shows, and games, and even a family area designed for them: SésamoAventura! PortAventura theaters are always open! Enjoy every day up to 15 unforgettable shows, from cancan dancing, acrobats or even tribal dances of Polynesia. The streets of the park are full of music and life, with dozens of actors performing and dancing.

PortAventura Hotels: enjoy a unique themed experience in our 4 hotels**** Staying in one of the fabulous 4-star themed hotels is a unique experience. You can choose PortAventura Hotel set in the Mediterranean,, or the Hotel El Paso with a Mexican appealing, appealing, the tr tropical opical e experience xperience off Hotel Hotel C Caribe aribe or the surprising surprising Hotel Hotel Gold Gold Riv River, er, a trip back back in time to to join join the American American Wild Wild West. West. The hotel hotel guests guests ccan an beneﬁt from from many many exclusive exclusive e extras xtras including including u unlimited nlimited entrance entrance to to PortAventura PortAventura P Park ark and special special shows shows in each each hot hotel. el.

Shows

Hotel Caribe**** NEW Costa Costa C Caribe aribe Aquatic Park: Park: Discover Discover the fantastic fantastic brand br and new water water experience! experience! Discover the new Costa Discover Costa C Caribe aribe Aquatic P Park, ark, with with new attractions, attractions, new pools pools and new excitement excitement ffor or the who whole le ffamily. amily. The new poo pools ls w will ill ho host st lots off ffamily amily int interactive eractive elements el eme ements like like a great great pirate pirate ship full full off Sesame Sesame Street Street characters. characters. The greatest greatest attractions attr t action ct s off the new area area will will include include a M Multi ulti B Bump ump Slide, a R Racer acer Slide w with ith 6 tr tracks acks where w here friend ffriendss w will ill ccompete ompete w with ith e each ach other other... ... but but the sstar tarr off th this hiis new p park ark kw will ill be the highest highe st ffr free ee ffall all sslide lide off E Europe, urope, 31 met meters ers high!

www.portaventura.com www.portaventura.com

+ 34 977 77 90 90

S04 TB0803 Spain & Her Islands_Layout 1 06/03/2013 11:25 Page 22

If you only knew how close to the stars you would be in Prague, you could already be touching them.

It is said that Prague has aÂ special enchantment which enlightens and inspires. It was known by such stellar artists as Mozart and Kafka, who created their best works here, but also by brilliant scientists, such as Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler and Albert Einstein, who found answers to the greatest mysteries of our universe in the Prague night sky. Spend some time roaming the legend-filled streets of the Old Town at dusk, or gaze up at the Astronomical Clock, which has been measuring celestial time for more than 600 years. Perhaps you, too, will leave Prague with the feeling that you have aÂ magically changed view of the world in which we live.

Prague

www.czechtourism.com

CzT2013_TrBulletin_297x210_clock.indd 1

26.02.13 16:17

S05 TB0803 Czech Republic_Layout 1 06/03/2013 12:05 Page 23

czechrepublic A land of stories: Capture your clients' imagination through the use of emotive stories by Katarina Hobbs, director UK & Ireland, CzechTourism ZECHTOURISM'S plans for 2013 represent a turning point. Besides completely changing our destination brand and visual style for the first time in ten years, we are also adjusting our entire strategy in presenting the Czech Republic to the UK market. Surveys reveal that the Czech Republic has the potential to become the leader in introductory tourism in Central Europe. Our aim is to fuel this potential by promoting the Czech Republic as a country where it is possible to discover and experience unlimited stories. For example, we believe it's important to present traditional tourism products such as spas, cultural heritage and activity holidays in a new way by connecting specific tourist destinations with their unique stories, using experiences that famous figures such as Goethe, Einstein, Apollinaire and Peter the Great had in the country to attract visitors from abroad. We also want to motivate tourists, not only to discover stories by such celebrated personalities, but also to experience their own stories, and if possible to do so time and time again across various regions of the country. I believe stories are a great springboard for emotional connection and therefore are something that people can relate to. By reliving stories, we can also target more sophisticated visitors who are interested in learning a bit more than just taking in the obvious tourist sites.

Ten jewels of Prague More than a thousand years of continual building has left architectural gems in Prague which are admired by millions of visitors every year. You can encourage your clients to discover the unique story of a place sometimes called the “Mother of Cities” or the “Golden City” and learn about its greatest jewels. Clients might also be interested in uncovering the mystery of the Gothic monasteries, experience classical music concerts in one of the Baroque cathedrals or relax in the beautiful Renaissance gardens. When they visit Prague, your clients will soon understand why people have been saying that it is one of the most beautiful historical cities in the world. King of the castle Prague Castle can be described as the symbol of the Czech lands, a seat of ancient rulers and, according to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest medieval castle in the world. This is a place which your clients must not fail to visit. Clients can end a tour in one of the beautiful Palace Gardens, where they will all of a sudden find themselves amongst a wonderful

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

world of plants, fountains and pavilions. Another alternative is to spend a day on Petín, where the local lookout tower offers a beautiful view over the many towers, roofs and chimneys of the whole city. Are clients interested in getting to know the beating heart of Prague? Then suggest they set out for the Old Town Square, which is one of the most beautiful in the world. Not far from here, they can then make their way into the heart of the fascinating Jewish Ghetto shrouded in legend. For old romantics, there is no more romantic place than Charles Bridge at sunrise. On the other hand, sunset is at its most beautiful viewed from the ramparts of the mythical Vyšehrad, a place where you can immerse yourself in the very beginnings of Czech nationhood. Prague is not only a city of historical monuments, but also a city for life, where culture is an integral part. Clients can enjoy a unique experience in the form of a classical music concert in the Municipal House, one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings in the world, or set out on the trail of Mozart to the Estates Theatre, where this musical genius presented the premiere of his opera Don Giovanni in person. A spring in your step The Czech Republic's capital city hosts a range of exciting Easter events. As an example, the annual Easter markets, which take place on three of Prague’s most famous squares – Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square and the Square of the Republic, are the most popular of them all. This year the markets will take place from March 16 through to April 17 offering traditional Czech products such as beautifully decorated Easter eggs, laces, wooden toys and puppets, plus various Easter decorations. Every day the markets are visited by 10,000 people looking for unique shopping opportunities as well as entertaining cultural programmes. The schedule includes music and dance performances, demonstrations of old arts and crafts, decorating Easter eggs and making candles. Younger visitors will have lots of fun in the children’s workshop in Old Town Square where they can try some of the crafts themselves. ✦ For more information visit www.czechtourism.com

March 8 2013

S05 TB0803 Czech Republic_Layout 1 06/03/2013 12:04 Page 24

czechrepublic Travel Counsellors return from Prague fam tour THREE TRAVEL Counsellors have returned from a fam trip to Prague hosted by the Czech Tourism board who helped them to experience many of the city's attractions. The three-night trip was a chance for the group to gain an insight into the city which has become a popular choice for couples booking a weekend away. Janet Whittingham, business development manager at Travel Counsellors, said: “Familiarisation tours are a very important element to our training and continued development. We are privileged to be able to offer a large number every year to build on the knowledge of our Travel Counsellors and to ensure they’re up to date with what’s hot and what’s not in different locations.” Travel Counsellor Dorian Hayes, said: “Visiting Prague was a great opportunity to brush up my knowledge on the city. It was a great benefit to be hosted by Czech Tourism as we were able to experience a few hidden gems. For example, we were led through what appeared to be a hole in the wall between a few shops. We wouldn’t have known it was there if we hadn’t been shown by our guide. It lead to a courtyard which offered a breathtaking view of Prague. As well as visiting the well-known tourist attractions, we were taken to an amazing microbrewery which helped to give us a snapshot of the culture. Overall, the trip was invaluable because I now have so many tips to pass on to my customers.”

Two new 'hidden gem' itineraries from Exodus EXODUS HAS introduced two new trips for this year that discover hidden areas of the Czech Republic. A ten-day Hidden gems of Slovakia and the Czech Republic introduces the region of southern Moravia in the Czech Republic, which is famed for its wine growing and home to vast wine cellars, including some used by the Templar Knights. The trip also includes visits to the Tatra and Pieniny Mountains that form some of the region's natural borders, as well as being home to natural phenomena such as the Dobsinska Ice Cave and the Dunajec Gorge. The first departure is on June 14 and prices start from £1,179 per person including flights, accommodation and most meals. An eight-day Cycle Moravia and Slovakia itinerary is based around three towns. Mikulov is a small town dominated by the castle and square at its heart. The cycling around Mikulov goes through the Palava hills, past ruined castles and through small villages, offering views of the surrounding countryside. From Breclav, cyclists will visit

the 800-year old wine cellars of the Templar Knights and see chateaux before arriving at the final stop, the royal town of Skalica in Slovakia, a springboard for river and canalside riding, as well as routes up into the southern White Carpathian mountains all the way to the Golden Valley. The first departure is on May 25 and prices lead in at £999 including flights, accommodation and most meals. The operator's product manager Tom Wilkinson said: "Prague is a wonderful city but there’s a great deal more to the Czech Republic, you just need to know where to look. Fortunately we do and judging by the uptake on our tours there our clients agree. We’ve introduced both cycling and discovery tours to regions not well known in the UK but that have a huge amount to offer, with UNESCO heritage sites, Templar wine cellars and much more. It is also one of the few great value destinations left that is right on our doorstep.” To book visit www.exodustravels.com, or call 0845-863 9601.

New cycling option in Southern Moravia from Inntravel INNTRAVEL HAS introduced a new cycling break in Southern Moravia. The six-night Wine Trails of Southern Moravia gives guests the opportunity to discover castles and chateaux while following easy cycling routes. Highlights include exploring Znojmo, one of the oldest towns in Europe; taking a trail through the wooded Podyji National Park; following sections of the Prague-Vienna Greenways cycle track as it meanders along the Thaya Valley; and following the wine trail to the wine-producing villages of Klentnice and Pavlov. Prices lead in at £698 per person based on two sharing, including six nights' breakfast accommodation, three dinners, luggage transfers between hotels, route notes, maps and cycle hire. Flights are excluded. Cyclists in Southern Moravia For more information or to book call 01653-617000 or see www.inntravel.co.uk

Ryanair announces new Ostrava route RYANAIR HAS announced that it will launch a new route to Ostrava (the carrier’s 180th destination and second Czech airport after Brno) from Stansted in June, with six weekly flights. For more information or to book see www.ryanair.com

March 8 2013

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S05 TB0803 Czech Republic_Layout 1 06/03/2013 11:32 Page 25

Karlovy Vary Region

One day is not enough This beautiful area forms the westernmost part of the Czech republic, renowned especially for traditional spas and curative treatments, people travel from all over the world to visit and enjoy the climate and hospitality of the region. A vast array of 3-5 Star hotels and guest houses are available with professional Spa, beauty and wellness treatments. A variety of sightseeing opportunities exists including museums, galleries, theatres, medieval castles, Chateaux as well as the chance to see international events such as film and music festivals. Find out more about what our wonderful region has to offer:

www.livingland.eu

S05 TB0803 Czech Republic_Layout 1 06/03/2013 11:32 Page 26

czechrepublic Superbreak offers new Prague hotel option A NEW hotel in Prague is now available for agents to book through Superbreak. The four-star Grand Majestic Plaza hotel is located in the city’s Old Town and is five minutes’ walk from the main Old Town Square. The hotel can booked as an accommodation-only option or as part of a flight inclusive short break with full Atol protection. Leisure facilities include a sauna, hot tub and treatment rooms and prices lead in at £27.50 per person per night including breakfast. For more information or to book see www.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871-221 4444.

UTRACKS REPORTS increased demand for active breaks to the Czech Republic and says that the destination is gradually building infrastructure for cyclists, most notably with the Greenways cycle project that links Prague with Vienna. The operator is promoting two self-guided cycling itineraries that both begin in Prague. As an example, an eight-day itinerary from Prague to Vienna leads in at £850 per person including accommodation, most meals, equipment rental, luggage transfers between hotels (where applicable) and maps with images. Flights are excluded but can be booked on request. For details call 0845-241 7599 or visit www.utracks.com

Kirker Holidays promotes selection of new offers on short breaks to Prague KIRKER IS highlighting a selection of short break offers to Prague. Three nights for the price of two is available at the fivestar Paris, one of Prague’s traditional hotels, which features a restaurant, lounge and Café de Paris. Other facilities include a wellness centre with Jacuzzi, sauna, solarium and Ayurvedic treatments. Prices lead in at

£579 per person, based on two sharing, offering a saving of up to £130 per person. The price includes flights, private transfers, breakfast accommodation, guide notes to restaurants, museums and sightseeing, plus the services of a concierge, and is valid yearround. Three nights for the price of two is also available at the

five-star deluxe Aria, a boutique hotel in the city’s Mala Strana district. The Aria offers a celebration of music with each floor dedicated to either jazz, opera, classical or contemporary music, and each room dedicated to a particular artist or composer. Prices lead in at £598 per person, based on two

sharing, offering a saving of £102 per person. Flights, private transfers, breakfast accommodation, guide notes to restaurants, museums and sightseeing and the services of a concierge are also included in the price, and the offer is valid for arrivals up to March 28. For more information or to book call 020-7593 2283 or see www.kirkerholidays.com

REGENT HOLIDAYS is highlighting Prague’s annual Easter markets, which take place from March 16 to April 7, with the largest in the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. The operator suggests a three-night stay at the five-star, family-run Hotel Pariz, a short walk from Wenceslas Square. Prices start from £385 per person based on two adults sharing for three nights including flights from Heathrow and breakfast. For details see www.regentholidays.co.uk or call 020-7666 1244.

March 8 2013

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S06 TB0803 Far East_Layout 1 06/03/2013 11:58 Page 27

fareast

THE ADVENTURE Company has added a new 13-day Breathtaking Burma tour to its 2013 Family Adventures programme, with the first departure scheduled to depart during the Easter break. The itinerary explores the temples at Bagan, the floating villages at Inle Lake and the rural mountain villages of Kalaw. There is also an opportunity to visit local children on an orphanage visit.

Japan welcomes record number of visitors & issues new campaign theme ACCORDING TO statistics published by the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), the number of visitors to Japan last year was approximately 8.37million. This latest figure is 34.6% higher than the 6.22m visitors recorded in 2011, the year the earthquake and tsunami occurred, and 2.8% down on 2010’s visitor numbers, meaning overall visitor numbers have almost recovered to pre-earthquake levels. The number of UK visitors to the destination also saw an increase, with 174,200 Brits visiting Japan last year, an increase of 24.3% on 2011. This year the destination is aiming to attract ten million visitors under the theme ‘from recovery to full flight’,

which will include association strengthening between diplomatic missions abroad and Japaneseaffiliated companies; building a foreign tourism framework that is not easily affected by external factors by promoting individual travel and diversifying tourism sources; and establishing a Japan tourism brand. Kylie Clark, head of PR and marketing at the tourism organisation, said: “We are optimistic that 2013 will be a very good year for tourism to Japan from the UK. Already this year, Japan has become significantly cheaper thanks to the devaluation of the yen. Many who had been considering trips to Japan had put it off because of the 2011 earthquake, but

now that has passed we hope that the realisation that Japan is now cheaper than it has been in years will motivate people to book. “Exciting developments like KLM launching Europe’s first route to Kyushu Island in Japan on April 3 and Hugh Jackman’s latest Wolverine film, to be released in July, are expected to increase interest in Japan.” The Japanese yen has dropped from 120 yen to the pound in January to currently 145 yen. For a guide to what things cost in Japan, see the Affordable Japan section of the organisation’s website. Japan specialist agent training is also free via the site. For further details visit www.seejapan.co.uk

Trafalgar introduces new ten-day Splendours of Japan itinerary from £3,999 TRAFALGAR HAS introduced a new ten-day Splendours of Japan itinerary, which leads in at £3,999 per person, with departures from next month. Beginning in Tokyo, guests visit the Tsukiji Fish Market, before embarking on a full day of sightseeing including the Imperial Palace and the Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine set in a tree-lined avenue where

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

cherry blossoms bloom in springtime. Guests partake in a cooking class and learn to make sushi in the Ginza district. Other highlights in Tokyo include visits to the Asakusa Kannon Temple and Buddhist temple called Sensoji. Guests also have a full day to explore the city at their own pace and choose from excursions to the town of Kamakura to visit the giant bronze Great Buddha “Daibutsu”. From

Tokyo guests travel on to the Five Lakes District dominated by Mt Fuji and ascend to the fifth station of Mount Fuji to take in the views from 2,300m. The itinerary then takes guests to Katsunuma, famous for the production of wine in Japan, before continuing to Lake Suwa to experience the hot spring baths. Other highlights of the tour include a visit to Matsumoto Castle, a journey

through the Japanese Alps to the hill town of Takayama, a walking tour of Takayama, a visit to the mountain village of Shirakawago in Gashozukuri and a visit to Kanazawa, a historic castle town which features preserved samurai districts. Prices include flights, VIP door-to-door transfers and accommodation. For more information or to book see www.trafalgar.com or call 0800-533 5617.

March 8 2013

S06 TB0803 Far East_Layout 1 06/03/2013 11:58 Page 28

fareast Thailand's The Sarojin offers new yacht excursion THAILAND’S LUXURY boutique resort, The Sarojin, is offering a newly-revised trip to the Similans Islands, which makes for an ideal honeymoon experience for newlyweds. The full day excursion, on the 38ft Lady Sarojin private yacht, gives couples the chance to dive and snorkel at their leisure, followed by a freshly-prepared gourmet lunch at a remote bay. Back on land, couples have the option to request a private dining setting, both in and out of the resort; or opt to travel by luxury boat, traditional longtail boat, private car or by elephant to enhance their dining experience. Land excursions are available throughout the year, while the Lady Sarojin can be chartered any time between November 1 and April 30, 2014. Prices at the property lead in at approximately £220, based on a stay in a luxury garden residence, plus all-day à la carte breakfast and sparkling wine for two people. For details see www.sarojin.com

Lady Sarojin

Fam trip offer from trade-friendly Travel Indochina SPECIALIST OPERATOR Travel Indochina has decided to sell through the trade - and consequently has become the latest member of TIPTO. The operator has also launched a new online training module for independent agents through www.tipto.co.uk that focuses on its expertise in running escorted tours for small groups of no more than 16 on bespoke itineraries across Indochina. Destinations include Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, China, Tibet, Japan, Burma and India. Membership of TIPTO means the operator will also participate in regional workshops and have a presence at key industry conferences to promote its 2013/14 Small Group Journeys and Asia River Cruising brochures. The operator has also teamed up with Vietnam Airlines to offer agents the chance to win a place on a fam trip to Vietnam in June. The trip will feature flights from Gatwick and include Saigon, Hanoi, Hoi An and Halong Bay. The incentive is based on new bookings made through the operator's UK office (01865-268944 or email agencysales@travelindochina.co.uk) from either brochure by the end of this month, with more bookings increasing the chances of being picked. Additional entries can be earned on bookings for any Vietnam Airlines international flight. The winners will be picked next month. The operator's website is at www.travelindochina.co.uk

New tours from Peregrine Adventures PEREGRINE ADVENTURES has introduced new tours and itineraries for this year to open up remote destinations that, until now, have not been easily accessible to travellers. As examples, a 12-day Secrets of Sri Lanka option leads in at £1,076 per person and highlights include a jungle exploration in Kitulgala and a cycle ride around Trincomalle, which takes in key monuments of Sri Lankan history. It departs from Colombo on April 21 and May 5. Alternatively, a 15-day Remote Burma Trek costs from £2,415 and highlights include the chance to get up at pre-dawn to see the colours on the ice mountains to the north as the sun rises and a visit to Rangoon’s Shwedagon pagoda. The tour departs on March 18 and April 15. For more information see www.peregrineadventures. com

Attraction World offers Far Eastern day trips for agents to promote

TOURISM MALAYSIA has announced that it has joined AITO in order to raise awareness of Malaysia’s tourism products among the association’s operator and agent members. The tourism board is the first to join the association from the Southeast Asia region. Pictured marking the new partnership is Derek Moore (left), chairman of AITO and Abdul Rauf Abu Hassan, director of Tourism Malaysia.

March 8 2013

ATTRACTION WORLD is offering a range of day trips in the Far East. Examples of Bangkok tours include a half-day City and Temples Tour which costs £15 for adults and £13 for children (aged two to 11). The tour explores some of the most famous temples in the city including Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Benchmamabophit (the Marble Temple) and Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha). A River by Night Dinner Cruise leads in at £38 per adult and £32 per child, and offers guests the opportunity to see the sights of Bangkok while experiencing a variety of Thai dishes. Meanwhile, a Bridge on the River Kwai tour costs £44 per person and travels to the River Kwai and its famous bridge via a train journey on the death railway, culminating in a long-tail boat ride along the river. Alternatively, Singapore offers a Night Out in Chinatown with a Trishaw tour, which costs £45 for adults and £27 for children. The tour travels to the Yong Gallery then moves on to a restaurant, followed by a trishaw ride. More tours are available in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Samui, Hong Kong and China.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S06 TB0803 Far East_Layout 1 06/03/2013 11:58 Page 29

fareast INTREPID TRAVEL has launched a new range of short breaks in Japan, Thailand and the US which introduce travellers to authentic, regional cuisine. Itineraries include a five-day ‘Tokyo Bite-Size Break’ which includes a hands-on cooking class, sushi-tasting at the Tsukiji Fish Market, and multi-course regional dinners, with a lead-in price of £995 including accommodation, transport, most meals and a tour leader. A five-day ‘Thailand Bite-Sized Break’ includes a cooking class at a homestay in Chiang Mai and visits to Bangkok’s floating markets, from £420 including accommodation, transport, most meals and a tour leader. To launch its new range of ‘Bite-Sized Breaks’, the company is offering 10% off trips departing before May 31 for bookings made by March 15. Agents should quote the promotional code 9508 at the time of booking. For details see www.intrepidtravel.com/food

Join in Thailand’s Songkran festivities with Amari this April AMARI IS OFFERING guests the chance to experience Thailand’s annual Songkran Festival which is held from April 13-15. The festival traditionally marks the beginning of the solar New Year, with locals and tourists gathering in the streets across the country to soak each other with water. The water symbolically represents a fresh start to the New Year. It is also a time for family reunions, with National Family Day taking place on April 14. The Amari Boulevard Bangkok is offering a two-night Songkran Splash Package, with prices starting from THB 7,700 (approximately £169), based on two people sharing. The offer is valid from April 10-17 and includes a stay in a superior room on a bed-and-breakfast basis, a late check-out (18:00), a Thai dinner, festival activities and approximately £11 worth of ice cream credit. Alternatively, a three-night stay at Amari Emerald Cove Koh Chang costs approximately £353 based on two people sharing. The offer is valid from April 10-17 and includes a three-night stay in a superior room on a bed-and-breakfast basis, transfers, complimentary water pistols, 15% discount on food and drink and spa treatments. Destinology is offering a seven-night multi-centre trip staying at both hotels from £1,039 per person, based on two sharing. The price includes flights with Emirates and is valid for travel between April 4 and May 31. For more information visit www.amari.com and www.destinology.co.uk

S06 TB0803 Far East_Layout 1 06/03/2013 11:58 Page 30

fareast We asked our staff the following question this week: What’s the first thing you notice about people? Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Their eyes

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Their teeth

Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk A friendly smile or otherwise

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

VIETNAM HAS experienced a 117% year-on-year growth in the long-haul holiday market, according to the first Hayes & Jarvis Trend Report of 2013. The report reveals that the destination has spearheaded a growth in demand for tailor-made, multi-centre trips, with one of the big successes being the option to explore Hoi An and Hué on a private cycling tour. Prices start from £2,100 per person and include seven nights’ breakfast accommodation, flights from London and transfers.

It begins with their gender

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Clean shoes or not!

Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Their smile

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk Face. Their rich variety - especially the sounds and expressions that come from them - are unique in the animal kingdom

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk If they can have a laugh

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@travelbulletin.co.uk Their shoes

Sales Executive: Matt Gill matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk If they're a weirdo or not

Senior Designer: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@alaincharles.com The sound of their voice & nose hairs

Assistant Designer: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@alaincharles.com Someone’s height

Production: Jeremy Walters production@travelbulletin.co.uk Their smile

Circulation Manager: Jim Merchant post@travelbulletin.co.uk Travel Bulletin is published by Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London, SW1W 0EX, Tel: 020-7834 6661 Printed by: Wyndeham Grange Limited Subscriptions are £105 p.a. £155 overseas ISSN: 0956-2419

Regent Holidays offers more options to Cambodia & Burma REGENT HOLIDAYS has launched a new programme for 2013 which includes three new itineraries in Southeast Asia. A 14-day Responsible Travel Cambodia tour costs from £2,165 per person and offers travellers the chance to experience historic sites and see the work done by some of the charitable organisations working in the country. In Myanmar, Burma, a new 17-day Explore Myanmar group tour takes in popular sites as well as offering a chance to travel overland and sample rural village life. Prices lead in at £3,780 per person for a November 1 departure. For clients who prefer a more private itinerary, a 12-day Highlights of Myanmar tour offers an introduction to the destination and leads in at £1,595, excluding flights. For more information or to book see www.regentholidays.co.uk or call 020-7666 1244.

Qatar Airways to serve sixth gateway in China this month QATAR AIRWAYS is launching scheduled flights to Chengdu, its sixth gateway in China, from March 19. The Doha-based airline will operate three times weekly flights to the capital of Sichuan Province in Southwest China from Doha, taking its total weekly frequency across the country to 41 non-stop services across six cities. The airline's CEO Akbar Al Baker said: “Chengdu is another key city in a vibrant economy looking for more air capacity and we are delighted to announce our operations this month. We are confident of buoyant business on the route, appealing to vital traffic flows linking South America, Africa, Europe and the Middle East to an important gateway in China – in fact our sixth gateway of Chengdu. “China is a market that is growing in stature and we will continue to tap into opportunities to expand our presence and provide more choice for our passengers travelling on business or leisure to and from China." The airline will operate an Airbus A330 in a two-class configuration of 24 seats in Business and 236 in Economy on the Doha – Chengdu route. Doha departures will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while departures from Chengdu will take place on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

puzzlesolutions Travagrams: (top) Vueling

(bottom) Jewel in the crown

Where Am I?: Bratislava

March 8 2013

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S06 TB0803 Far East_Layout 1 06/03/2013 11:58 Page 31

S06 TB0803 Far East_Layout 1 06/03/2013 11:58 Page 32