Travel Bulletin 8th November 2013 by Alain Charles Publishing

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November 8 2013 | ISSUE NO 1,849 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Croatia Demand for Dubrovnik reaches new heights

this week

puzzle bulletin play Su Doku for your chance to win a ÂŁ50 M&S voucher

bulletin briefing Advantage explains why risk management is not just about bonding and liability insurance

dynamic packaging product updates & new launches from ancillary services

winter sun winter escapes from ÂŁ399 from Belleair plus new programme additions

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newsbulletin

This Week news 3

Cover Pictures: Main - Insight Vacations Dubrovnik

Inset - Europcar, InterRent Taxi

the latest product announcements & reports

notes from normanton

agent bulletin

staff review

puzzle bulletin

bulletin briefing

hotel bulletin

personality bulletin

croatia

dynamic packaging

winter sun

Sandy has been busy attending industry events CroisiEurope offers fam places on river cruise we check out the Family Room at Travelodge Southwark play Su Doku for your chance to win a £50 M&S voucher Advantage explains why risk management is not just about bonding and liability insurance a round up of the latest hotel openings & developments which agency sales manager fancies spending the day as Rick Stein? tourist office welcomes boost in Dubrovnik visitors product updates & new launches from ancillary services winter escapes from £399 from Belleair plus new programme additions

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CLASSIC LINE UP...Classic Collection Holidays recently hosted an educational trip to Liguria and the Italian Riviera, including Portofino, Alassio, San Remo and Santa Margherita. Pictured on the seafront of its newest featured resort, Sestri Levante, are, from the left: Nicolo Mori, Hotel Vis a Vis; Sam Burberry, Tickets Anywhere; Ivan Camilleri, Classic Collection Holidays; Felicity Turpie, Premier Travel; Helen Linford, Lincs Coop; Sally Robinson, Holt Travel; Shelley Pettit, Andrew Earle; Phil Ross, Travel Bureau; Maxine Morris, Westway Travel; and Byron Guilhaumaud, Kitts Travel.

Research reveals lost calls spell danger for travel agents TRAVEL AGENTS and tour operators are at serious risk of losing business by leaving customers hanging on the telephone for almost 30 seconds at a time, new research has revealed. A survey of 3,630 UK companies by audio branding specialist PH Media Group discovered they leave customers on hold for an average of 27.34 seconds per call, and says that the implications for profitability are grave. Previous research has shown 50% of callers will hang up within 20 seconds if forced to listen to silence while on hold. The company's group sales and marketing director, Mark Williamson, said: “These results represent a significant challenge for travel agents and could pose a threat to profitability. Callers are simply unwilling to wait on the end of the line while subjected to silence, poor quality music or beeps so firms are putting themselves at serious risk of losing business. “Good call handling is often overlooked as a key sales and marketing tool but the telephone still acts as an important touchpoint and first impressions count. If each caller enjoys a positive experience, customer service standards will go through the roof.” Of all callers placed on hold, 34% were

subjected to silence, 26% were made to listen to music, while 26% heard beeps. As part of the study, the company also audited each company, giving them a score out of 100 based on overall call handling practice. Travel agents and tour operators averaged at 31, compared to an average of 33. Elements including the time taken to answer a call, the number of tiers a caller experiences before reaching the necessary department, use of consistent voice and music, professional and personalised voicemail and out-of-hours messaging were weighted to reflect their importance. Williamson said: “Good customer service is paramount for any business so it is important to evaluate all aspects of call handling to ensure calls are dealt with appropriately. Inevitably, not every call will be answered within a matter of seconds, so when callers do need to be placed on hold for any length of time, informative and entertaining audio messages can help to maintain their attention and decrease perceived waiting time. “Brand congruent voice and music are also vital in order to present customers with a consistent image of the company, reinforcing brand values and establishing a reassuring, coherent presence.”

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newsbulletin Funway marks launch of dedicated California brochure with agent comp FUNWAY HOLIDAYS has introduced a new standalone California 2014 brochure. The 52-page programme offers examples on things to do and holiday themes, along with tailor-made and flexible self-drive holidays, five must-do’s for the destination, upcoming events and festivals, detailed maps and recommendations, a selection of multi-stop itineraries and the inclusion of all focus destinations in multistop/fly/drive itineraries. To mark the new launch, the company are calling for agents to test their culinary skills in a Master Chef Competition. All agents can enter the first

stage of the competition whereby they need to take a short quiz of five questions – see http://svy.mk/1dFNdLo. Agents who successfully answer all questions correctly will be invited to the second stage of the competition where they need to create a Californian inspired dish and then submit a picture of their creation on Funway’s Facebook wall (Funway4Agents). Funway, Visit California and United Airlines will mutually decide on ten winners who will receive a place on a fam trip to California. For further information or to book call 0844-557 0626 or visit www.funway4agents.co.uk

A CRACKING DEAL...Leeds Bradford Airport and Transun Holidays have launched a promotion where agents can win a special Christmas cracker for every booking made on the LBA/Transun programme to Lapland or the Northern Lights. Prizes include Champagne, shopping vouchers and perfume. To claim their special cracker, agents should email emma.holliday@lbia.co.uk with the booking reference by November 30. Pictured promoting the offer is Emma Holliday and James Broughton from LBA.

New Newquay flights and adult-only hotels from Balkan Holidays EXTRA FLIGHTS from Newquay to Bourgas, Bulgaria, a new resort – Obzor – on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, and adult-only hotels are new features in Balkan Holidays' Summer 2014 Second Edition brochure to Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro. Adult-only properties include the Hotel Metropol, Golden Sands, and the Marina Palace, Nessebar, both in Bulgaria. The four-star Hotel Metropol has been completely rebuilt and renovated this year and adults staying at the property will be offered an all-inclusive package in a sea view room, plus facilities including an outdoor infinity swimming pool.

Also new for 2014 are three departures from Newquay Airport in May and September and four, fourstar hotels in the newly featured resort of Obzor, plus a range of other accommodation. The brochure offers more than 60 all-inclusive properties, lakes and mountains holidays, cruises from Dubrovnik and Split, guided coach tours to Bulgaria’s wine and historical regions, health, spa, and golf holidays. Prices lead in at £259 per person, for a seven-night break at Sunny Beach, Bulgaria. To book or for further information call 0845-130 1114 or see www.balkanholidays.co.uk/agents

Virgin Holidays launches new Far East & Australasia brochure for 2014/15 VIRGIN HOLIDAYS has issued its new Far East and Australasia brochure for 2014/15, on sale for departures from January 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015. The brochure features a range of programme additions including new destinations such as Cambodia, a selection of new hotels and

tours, and the introduction of private car transfers as standard for all holidays to Thailand. Covering Indochina, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Bali and beyond, the brochure offers inspirational ideas for a diverse selection of holidays designed to appeal to a wide range of

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travellers. In addition to the company's hotels, the brochur also includes a selection of the the operator's Worldwide Product Team’s favourite properties. It also offers a range of Worldwide Journey tours such as the Highlights of Japan Tour, the Outback Panorama Tour in Australia

and the Northern Spotlight tour in New Zealand. For every adult taking out the company's insurance, one child under the age of 18 is covered at no extra cost. For more information or to book visit www.vhols4agents.co.uk or call 0844-557 3973.

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newsbulletin Special festive feature from Warner Bros. Studio Tour London A SPECIAL festive feature is planned at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter this year when the Hogwarts castle model is covered in a blanket of snow. The 'Hogwarts in the Snow' offers visitors the chance to see the castle as it has never been seen before, with its iconic festive look recreated for the first time. Some of the intricately-detailed sets showcased at the attraction will be given a festive makeover using the actual decorations and food props seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Eight Christmas trees will line the Great Hall, along with festoons of holly, mistletoe and golden wreaths. Two long dining tables will be dressed as they were for seasonal feasts with prop versions of turkeys, hams, fruit, vegetables, plum puddings and snow

cakes. The food featured in the feasts throughout the early films was real; however, the Set Decoration Department later used artificial food created from powder and resin. Tickets are available at www.wbstudiotour.co.uk and must be prebooked in advance by selecting tour times throughout the day. Prices lead in at £29 for adults, £21.50 for children and £85 for a family of four. The attraction is located just north of London at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. Fast train links are available from Euston and shuttle buses for ticket holders to and from Watford Junction. Hogwarts in the Snow runs from November 15 to January 6 and all extra activities are included in the ticket price. Hogwarts in the Snow

Kuoni partners up to launch selection of stay and cruise holidays A NEW collection of stay and cruise holidays has been launched by Kuoni, available to book from this month. The operator is working with a number of partners including Celebrity, Azamara, Seabourn, Cunard, Crystal, Regent and Compagnie du Ponant. Itinerary examples include an 11-night USA and Caribbean holiday, featuring a seven-night Caribbean voyage on Celebrity Silhouette and

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a four-night stay at the Gotham Hotel in New York, plus an Artisan tour and a helicopter tour of the city from £2,704 per person. A 23-night holiday to Australia, including a Perth and Fremantle city tour, a day visit to Rottest Island, 17 nights on Celebrity Solstice and three nights in Sydney with a Blue Mountain eco adventure, costs from £3,960 per person. For more information see www.kuoni.co.uk

Leeds Bradford Glasgow summer 2014 schedule launched FLYBE FRANCHISE partner Loganair has introduced new aircraft to the Leeds Bradford - Glasgow route, operating with a 31-seat Dornier 328 plane, cutting flight time to less than one hour. Services to Glasgow and connecting flights to the Highlands and Islands are now available to book up to and including September 9, 2014, with seats after that date available in early December. The airline has also announced increased services to Shetland as part of its summer 2014 schedule. Additional Monday and Friday flights have been introduced as a result of strong growth in the oil and gas sector, via optimised connections with Glasgow. To mark the fifth anniversary of the Flybe/Loganair partnership franchise, Loganair is running a ‘Double Points’ promotion on its 'Rewards4All’ loyalty programme. Customers who take advantage of the scheme will be able to redeem a bonus complimentary flight in as little as two return journeys. Flights are available online at www.flybe.com or by calling 0871-700 2000.

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newsbulletin Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter... @KuoniTravelUK NEW Discover Latin America 2014 brochure is out now! Order or download your copy. http://www.kuoni.co.uk/b rochures #brochure http://ow.ly/i/3zFZ1 @VisitBritain Food festivals, feasts and foraging: Britain's tastiest days out: http://dexpr.es/1amKVzU @PalmBeachLCA Strictly Come Dancing, watch out we've got lots of talent on our shores too! http://fb.me/2ZBOVyxu6 @Accorhotels Treat yourself: Get 3 nts for the price of 2 when you book our Wellness Package @ Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre: http://bit.ly/19UMW3D @oneworld365 Life is like a camera, focus on what's important, capture the good times, develop from negatives & if things don't work out take another shot

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DESTINATIONS: THE Holiday & Travel Show takes place from February 6-9, 2014 at London’s Earl’s Court. Tickets (£11 in advance) can be booked online at www.destinationsshow.com or by calling 0871-230 7141. POWDER WHITE has expanded its Powder Shuttle service from Geneva airport to the resorts of Courchevel and Meribel this season, with more vehicles added to the fleet and a daily transfer service now available. For details see www.powderwhite.com or call 020-8877 8882. GATWICK AIRPORT has announced that contemporary Lebanese canteen Comptoir Libanais is now open to passengers travelling out of its North Terminal. AIR MALTA has launched its new winter schedule of operations running up to end of March 2014 and offering customers a choice of 26 scheduled destinations. The carrier has increased frequencies to Russia and will operate three weekly flights on a charter basis to Israel. For details see www.airmalta.com FOLLOWING THE success of the inaugural Meetings Show in July, a range of new exhibitors are committing to exhibit for the first time at next year's show, which takes place from July 810 at Olympia, London. New exhibitors for the 2014 show include Accor Hotels, Choose Chicago and the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office.

Debut Short Film Festival & Tourism Souk from Oman THE OMAN Ministry of Tourism recently welcomed nine partners and more than 200 travel trade and media guests to participate in the 2013 Roadshow in the form of a short film festival and tourism souk in private cinemas across the UK including Glasgow, Manchester and London. Throughout the roadshow guests had the opportunity to network with partners including The Oman Ministry of Tourism, Oman Air, Shangri La Barr Al Jissah Resort, Almouj Golf at the Wave, Tour Oman, Intercontinental Muscat, Oman World Tourism, Sama Travel and Tourism, Juweira Salalah and Sifawy Muscat Boutique Hotels and Al Nahda Resort and Spa. Each event was themed as a Tourism Souk with guests being issued with 'passports' on arrival. After an evening of networking and a stamp from each of the partners, guests were eligible to enter a business card draw to win prizes including an iPad Mini courtesy of the Oman Ministry of Tourism, a variety of hotel stays in Oman and a selection of activities including a kite boarding course.

Suzanne Hall (left) from the Oman Ministry of Tourism presents Aida Taylor from Travel Counsellors with an iPad Mini.

The short film festival about the destination allowed guests to get a feel of Oman's natural beauty and to learn about the wide range of activities, cultural tours and health and spa options on offer.

Western & Oriental highlights new programme to India & Sri Lanka for 2014 WESTERN & Oriental has launched a new programme to India & Sri Lanka for 2014 travel – a collection of experience-led journeys and suggested itineraries that include Bhutan and Nepal, as well as multi-centre options that take in Dubai and the Maldives. A range of offers are available for holidays booked by November 30 including complimentary experiences such as yoga sessions, cookery demonstrations as well as game drives and boat cruises. The programme includes a greater focus on Eastern India, in and around Kolkata (Calcutta); diverse national parks; the

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state of Karnataka including wildlife options at Nagarhole and Kabini; and an expanded Sri Lanka portfolio including the up and coming Eastern Coastal areas for the first time. Throughout the brochure are insider tips – from the new flight connecting Agra and Mumbai to the best time to hit town for a festival. Prices start from £1,749 per person for an eight-day Golden Triangle Tour, India in mid-range hotels, based on two sharing on a bed-and-breakfast basis and including flights and transfers. For more information visit www.westernoriental.com or call 020-7666 1234.

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MOVERS ● JAMIE MANSER has joined Flexible Car Hire as commercial

Notes from . . . n o t n a m r o N

director. ● DOVER HARBOUR Board has appointed Tim Waggott as chief

executive. ● AIR NEW Zealand has appointed Antony Price to the role of

general manager UK & Europe. ● MICHELLE BURGE has been appointed travel trade sales

executive of Crusingexcursions.com ● MACDONALD HOTELS & Resorts has appointed Graham

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HAT A couple of busy weeks with events attended the Jet2 Tapas night in Leeds hosted by Iberostar. Keiran and Anna from Jet2 looked after us very well and attending from Iberostar Hotels was Simon Mackenzie who did a great job. Next event was Sheffield at the Kenwood Hall Hotel with short presentations from luxury hoteliers Bahia del Duque, Adrian Hotels, Iberostar, from Tenerife, Quinta do Lorde from Madeira and Jardines Tecina La Gomera. A lovely evening with a nice meal and company plus great prizes to be won. Over the last few months I have had a couple of calls to tell me there is a technical problem with my computer or even a virus and they need to sort it out. They always sound nice and friendly but they are scams! Do not give them any sort of information at all - you could almost believe them! Just put the phone down and don’t be drawn into any sort of conversation as to why don’t you want help etc. Was reading that pearls of wisdom passed on by our grandparents stay with most of us for the rest of our lives – ‘practice makes perfect’ – ‘never go to bed on an argument’ – ‘good manners don’t cost anything’ – ‘ a smile can get you a long way’ and especially ‘if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything’ and what about ‘I want never gets’ just to name a few apparently there are 30 top ones! ‘Never let your memories be greater than your dreams’ and ‘One who smiles rather than angers is always stronger’.

From the left are: Keiran Jackson, Jet2; Tony Mann Idle Travel; Sandy; Simon Mackenzie, Iberostar; and Anna Kershaw, Jet2

by SANDRA MURRAY in Normanton, Yorkshire

To respond to any of Sandy’s comments email jill. sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk

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Campbell as head chef at Macdonald Pittodrie House by Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. KEVIN O'REGAN has been appointed marketing & commercial director of the Monarch Travel Group. EUROSTAR HAS appointed Christopher Jenner to the newly created role of creative director. THE ISRAEL Government Tourist Office has appointed Janice Grant as its MICE specialist. TITAN HAS added two additional heads to its growing agency sales team. Sandra Bolton has joined the team to cover Northern UK, Scotland and Northern Ireland and Louise Sword will cover Southern UK & London. TRAVELPORT HAS appointed Bret Kidd as vice president & general manager, Airline IT Solutions. FEVERSHAM ARMS Hotel and Verbena Spa in North Yorkshire has appointed head chef, Jason 'Bruno' Birkbeck to take charge of its 3 AA Rosettes restaurant. TRAVEL-PA HAS appointed Shirley Bell as general manager. TOURISM NEW Zealand has appointed Kate Fenton to the newly created position of premium trade manager – Europe, based in London.

Double sign ups for Affordable Car Hire in Ireland AFFORDABLE CAR Hire reports that travel agency account wins in Ireland have more than doubled since the start of the year. The number of new agents signing up with the company has reached an all time high with Travelsavers Group in Ireland amongst the latest to appoint the company its preferred supplier. The company's CEO, Angela Day, said that the recent launch of the company’s new website would make the company’s car hire product even more transparent and easy to understand. She said: “With the new website and our on-going training support we have made it simpler for agents to sell car-hire to their clients when they are discussing holiday options. “Working with ATTS, we have exciting plans for Irish agents in 2014 and are looking forward to offering more opportunities for them to grow their add-on car hire sales and produce profitable results.” The new website offers a range of time-saving features including enhanced features that allow users to find more easily on the car results pages details about fuel policy, excess policy, airport location and availability. (Dynamic Packaging - page 21)

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agentbulletin Incentive winners QANTAS HAS announced the final winners of its ‘Hop Onboard’ trade incentive programme, which offered agents the chance to win a pair of return Economy tickets to Dubai and a three-night stay at the Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel including transfers. Peter Carradice from Gold Medal won the incentive in the Leisure bookings category and David Parker from BCD Travel won from the corporate bookings category. The airline also recently announced the extension of Select on Q-Eat to Premium Economy customers travelling on select international flights including Heathrow to Dubai. When agents upsell passengers to the Premium Economy cabin they will be able to choose from a wider menu choice online. In addition, First and Business passengers receive the carrier's complimentary chauffeur drive service. For details visit www.qantas.co.uk/agents

Agent offers FUNWAY HOLIDAYS is treating travels agents to an Advent Calendar next month , which includes special offers plus chocolate treats in the run up to Christmas. The calendars are guaranteed to be delivered in time for Decem ber 1 and agents have the chance of winning a place on a sevennight fam to the US, including Virgin Atlantic flights. Throughout December , the operator is also treating agents to a special discount for their customers, a buy-one-g et-one-free offer and an extra MoneyCard bonus. The offers will be revealed on selected dates throughout December. For details visit www.funway4 agents.co.uk 40 MEMBERS of Hotels & Pre ference are offering 15% commission to travel age ncies instead of the usual 10% for all reservatio ns made, based on arrivals until February 28, 2014. Commissions will be paid automatically thr ough a centralised system such as TACS or WPS. For details see www.hotelsprefe rence.com

PRIZE PAIR...David Parker of BCD Travel with Qantas’ Leanne Gander.

FANCY A FAM? CROISIEUROPE HAS announced that there are still a few places available on its ‘Romantic Rhine Valley’ river cruise fam which takes place at the end of the CLIA River Cruise Convention. Departing Cologne on November 18, the cruise, on MS Gerard Schmitter, visits Koenigswinter, Koblenz, Rudesheim and Mannheim before arriving in Strasbourg on the morning of November 21. Included will be full board from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the final day, wine and beer with meals, accommodation in a double air-conditioned cabin with shower and WC, entertainment, welcome cocktail, gala evening, insurance for medical repatriation and port taxes. Agents interested in joining the fam should call 020-8328 0439 or email galam@croisieurope.com

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HAIR-RAISING....Sarah Rowbotham (top) from Hoseasons presents Charlotte Anson from Midcounties Coop Travel, Walsall with a new pair of GHD hair straighteners after entering the ‘Name the Hoseasons Seagull’ competition. For news and competition updates visit www.hoseasons.co.uk/agents November 8 2013

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staffreview Travelodge is benefitting from a £223m brand investment this year, which includes a £57m refurbishment programme. Travelodge Southwark is just one of the hotels that has reaped the benefits of investment. Lauretta Wright from Travel Bulletin spent a night in a Family Room to see if the money was well spent...

First impressions ................................9/10 Located just a few minutes' walk from Southwark tube station, the hotel is located on Union Street next to a 24-hour shop. I received a warm welcome and my room was spacious, immaculately clean and tidy and aesthetically pleasing.

Comfort ..............................................9/10 The new room features the Travelodge Dreamer, a new luxury king-size bed deemed in the industry as the ‘Rolls Royce’ of beds - and it didn't disappoint, with excellent quality bed linen thrown in for good measure.

Quality ..............................................10/10 Top marks for quality in the room – from the LCD TV (featuring 18 channels), down to the soft-close doors. Looks like they've covered pretty much everything.

Affordability ........................................9/10 Room rates in London start from £39 per night. Hotels that have a Bar Café offer an ‘eat as much as you like’ breakfast buffet for £7.50 per person and for each paying adult children under the age of 16 eat for free. See www.travelodge.co.uk

Service ................................................9/10 Service was always with a smile and staff were keen to help. Even when I managed to lock myself out of the room, another key was issued promptly and with no fuss.

Good to know ............................................ Take a stroll to the nearby South Bank to take in the lively shows, watch kids on bikes and skateboards and treat yourself to an evening meal in one of the many restaurants lining the Thames.

Overall scoring: ........................................

9/ 10 If you'd like to take part and receive a free Love2Shop voucher email jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk or call 020-7834 6661 with your name and contact details.

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SUPER SELLERS....Five travel agents recently enjoyed a break to the Algarve courtesy of Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) and Cosmos Holidays. The top selling agents won a place for themselves and a colleague in the sun at the 4D Dom Pedro Golf Hotel in Vilamoura. Pictured are, from the left: (top row) Debbie Wharton, Cooperative Travel; Denise O'Melia, Thomas Cook; Mark Slater, Dawson & Sanderson; Sarah Nowicki, Thomas Cook; Elaine Wilde, Co-operative Travel; and Stephen Harper, Dawson & Sanderson; with (bottom row) Michelle Valentine, Thomson; Laura Wood, Thomson; Emma Holliday, LBA; Zoe Chater and Charlotte James, Thomson; and Simon Garrido, Cosmos.

Explore expands offering with launch of foodie tours across range of destinations EXPLORE HAS expanded its product range with a new collection of food and drink tours across India, Turkey, Morocco, Thailand and Vietnam. The expanded product also includes the introduction of a selection of walking and cycling tours with a special ‘foodie’ focus. As an added incentive for bookings, agents can take advantage of 5% discounts on all new tours between now and November 18. As examples, an eight-day ‘A Taste of Turkey’ tour offers a mix of traditional and modern cuisine. Providing an introduction to Turkish food culture, customers will visit a Turkish wine estate that grows its own grapes, one of the country’s oldest restaurants, local markets, tea shops and traditional mountain villages where they can watch food being prepared by hand. The tour includes opportunities to sample local dishes including dolma, baklava and Kofte, as well as cooking lessons. Departing in May, June, September and October 2014, prices lead in at £895 to include flights, hotel and village house accommodation, most meals, transport and the services of a tour leader and driver. A 14-day ‘Taste of India’ tour combines Tibetan settlements, markets and plantations with interactive cooking demonstrations and cook-offs. Concentrating on Southern India, the tour visits Devaraj market where customers will be accompanied by Hema Nandi - a member of the Mysore royal family from whom they will learn traditional family recipes. Other highlights include learning to make momos (Tibetan dumplings) in a Tibetan settlement and visiting Attumukham Restaurant, as featured in Rick Stein’s India. Costing from £1,319 per person and departing in October, November and December 2014, the tour includes flights, hotels and an overnight train, transport and the services of a tour leader, driver and local guides. For cyclists, a new eight-day ‘Gourmet Cycle to Bordeaux’ travels through the heart of Tarn-et-Garonne - the market garden of the Midi-Pyrenees known locally as the ‘land of 1,001 flavours’. The tour includes two evening meals at Michelin listed restaurants, a gourmet picnic by the canal with food selected from the local markets and wine tasting at two local vineyards. The easy graded tour, departing in April, June September and October, costs from £1,199 to include train transfers, seven nights’ breakfast accommodation, two other meals, bike hire and the services of a tour leader and driver. For further information or to book visit www.explore.co.uk or call 0844-499 0901.

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puzzlebulletin Travagrams

Su Doku Win a £50 M&S voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle

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

Number: 135

Tack Lap Rev

A➠

B➠ Replace the first part of this object’s name for ‘travel’

C➠

Scowl Debt So

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, November 14th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week. The winner for 25th October is Linda Isgrove, Izzy Tours in Birmingham. October 25 Solution: A=8 B=4 C=9 D=1

Inexpensive furniture to sleep in

Where Am I?

World's longest freshwater lake in Africa.

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

Number: 135

Across 1. Family-friendly P&O cruise ship (5) 3. Picturesque village on the north Cornish coast, St ___ (5) 5. State capital of Arkansas (6,4) 7. Nassau international airport code (3) 9. Welsh waterfront city and bay (7) 11. Popular Turkish holiday resort (7) 13. Auckland airport code (3) 14. Ancient Greek mathematician who cried Eureka! (10) 16. Country with coastlines on the Med and Adriatic (5) 17. Shearings offers WW1 tours to this battlefield (5)

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Down 1. TV drama, sounds like a lost city (8) 2. North African mountain range (5) 3. Haven's Craig Tara holiday park is close to this Scottish town (3) 4. Capital of Cyprus (7) 6. Cumbrian city situated on the path of Hadrian's Wall (8) 8. Crete national park, ___ Gorge (7) 10. River forming part of the border between England and Wales (3) 12. American country / pop singer, LeAnn ___ (5) 15. Located on 10 Down, it's known as the Town of Books (3)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 30 November 8 2013

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bulletinbriefing

Industry Insight by... David Sharp, director of Advantage Financial Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Advantage Travel Centres Limited, explains why risk management is not just about bonding and liability insurance... RAVEL AGENTS and tour operators alike know that they are obliged to protect consumers’ interests and typically this is done by a variety of long - established methods. Typically by being a bonded member of a trade association e.g. ABTA and/or having an ATOL licence both (very importantly) backed by either agent or tour operator liability insurance. However, in such a competitive industry, many agents will look at increasing their margins by servicing their hard-earned clients with bespoke packages. This immediately changes the relationship with the client and while margins may be higher, the risks increase proportionately as they move from being an agent to being a Principal. Advantage prides itself on being able to service the needs of its members, so much so that uniquely we established a Guernsey based insurance company 20 years ago, specialising in travel bonds and, more than ten years ago our own fully authorised insurance broker, Advantage Financial Services Limited (AFS), specialising in travel industry risks. As such we are in a prime position to advise all our clients, members and non-members about the potential risks of being a Principal, and have been at the forefront of developing a range of insurance products specifically designed to protect Principals against the financial implications of the failure of any one of their suppliers (as well as a number of force majeures). Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance has been around for many years but with the increase in dynamic packaging we realised that only covering one (albeit important) element of a typical package could leave you financially exposed to the failure of the other components. What about accommodation, car hire, transfers, in-resort tours and attraction tickets? The infamous Icelandic volcano prompted us to design a product to protect against force majeure that not only covers “volcanic ash” but also provides protection against other major causes of travel disruption such as strikes, adverse weather conditions and even the public sector employees suspension recently in the USA. For an affordable premium per passenger any Principal can protect their booking against any supplier failure and many forms of travel disruption. In a competitive age when customer service is of paramount importance being in a position to minimise the

November 8 2013

"Even seasoned professionals who are undoubted experts in the travel industry can sometimes fall into the classic trap of concentrating too hard on the front-end sales and marketing of their business" disruption to a customer’s travel arrangements is of utmost importance as you will want them to come back and make a repeat booking. A combination of Supplier Failure and Travel Disruption insurance will give you the best chance of looking after your client by allowing you to attempt to rescue their travel arrangements safe in the knowledge that you can recoup from the insurance any additional expense incurred. The alternative would be to self-fund but this would typically result in a net loss on the booking as the additional cost would in most cases wipe out the profit margin. The long-term effects of a series of failures could be disastrous with the impact on your cash flow ultimately leading to insolvency unless you had large reserves of cash. So why take this risk when there are cost-effective options for protecting your company and giving you the ability to look after your customers? Good risk management is not only recognising what the risks are to your company but also ensuring you have a robust risk management programme in place to protect you against the financial implications. The risk management advice we give to our members holds true to any independent agent (who dynamically packages) or tour operator. Even seasoned professionals who are undoubted experts in the travel industry can sometimes fall into the classic trap of concentrating too hard on the front-end sales and marketing of their business, after all without customers there would be no business. However, without having adequate financial protection in place, all the hard work could still result in hard times through no fault of your own but because of the failure of a third-party supplier or a force majeure. www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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golfbuadllveretotin rial

TUNISIA - AN OASIS OF PERFECT GREENS ination, with Tunisia is a renowned world-class golfing dest s prevailing ition cond ten varied courses and ideal weather astic golfing option fant a ts throughout the year it represen only two and a half hours away. Many hotels will arrange pre-set tee-off times and provide complimentary transfers to and from courses, and everything from clubs to caddies can be hired at very reasonable rates. Boasting year-round sunshine and championship courses, Tunisia is becoming a golfing 'must' to be enjoyed by professionals and amateurs alike.

Images courtesy of Tun isia First

Selling The Destination The Tunisian National Tourist Office are keen to promote all aspects of tourism and with winter sunshine in abundance the destination has plenty to offer the golfer on and off the course. Hotels offering fantastic spa treatments, with fine dining and boutique shopping all add to the options available for golfers and their spouses, with history, culture and adventure tourism options all catered for in Tunisia.

The Courses - What's on offer? Ten championship courses ranging from coastal to olive groves, from the historical backdrop of Carthage to the beautiful island of Djerba the championship courses will challenge and delight the golfer in equal measure. Shaped within the landscape by renowned golf course designers the courses have been constructed to satisfy golfers of different levels, often complimented by practice areas, minicourses and golf academies.

Expert Help With over 40 Tour Operators offering holidays to Tunisia, many with specialist golf knowledge, there is a wealth of information available to help plan and book the perfect golfing break. The Tunisian National Tourist Office also offers plenty of practical information via their website www.cometotunisia.co.uk and in recent campaigns they have used golf images overlayed onto other attractions to further promote golf.

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November 8 2013

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hotelbulletin Bailbrook House Hotel opens for business following investment FOLLOWING A £10m investment programme, Bailbrook House Hotel in Bath is open for meetings, conferences, events and weddings. The hotel offers 94 refurbished bedrooms, including 13 feature rooms in the sympathetically restored Mansion House, a conference room hosting up to 160 guests and a suite of training rooms, plus four boardrooms. A new Brunel Suite attracts corporate celebrations, award evenings and weddings and offers capacity for 160 guests, a separate bar area and conservatory. In addition to the four boardrooms, other areas newly opened in the restored Mansion House include a new fine dining restaurant, Cloisters, three lounges and a conservatory bar. With the restoration project now complete, the Grade II hotel has reopened to officially become part of Hand Picked Hotels, bringing the total number to 20 hotels across the UK. The four-star country house setting also offers an ideal backdrop for weddings, with the hotel holding a licence for marriages and civil partnerships. Couples who book a wedding at the hotel by December 30 can take advantage of an early bird package priced from £75 per person. It includes one glass of sparkling wine for the reception drink; a selection of three canapés; a threecourse wedding breakfast; half bottle of house wine per person; a glass of Champagne for the toast; room hire for the wedding breakfast and drinks

reception; a personal Toastmaster and a complimentary bedroom on the night for the wedding couple. General manager of the hotel, Jonathan Squire, said: “We are attracting a lot of interest in our wedding offering. The hotel is in a stunning location overlooking Bath and also close to motorways and good transport links – so perfect for couples getting married with families from outside Bath. "We also have a variety of different spaces, so can accommodate celebrations both large and intimate, as well as competitive package prices." For more information visit www.handpickedhotels.co.uk or call 0845-458 0905.

Mansion House bedroom, Bailbrook House

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts confirms investment to offer free WiFi across group MACDONALD HOTELS & Resorts, recently awarded AA Hotel Group of the Year 2013/14 for the second time in six years, has confirmed it has signed a deal with WiFi provider, The Cloud, to provide free Wi-Fi across its UK-wide owned hotels. Implemented across 39 hotels, the latest £1m investment ensures conference, business travel and leisure guests will be able to take advantage of unlimited and free WiFi internet access in public hotel areas, all bedrooms and meeting rooms. The company's decision to roll out free Wi-Fi comes as BDRC Continental’s 2013 Hotel Guest Survey reveals 82% of business travellers now own a mobile device while free Wi-Fi in hotels is seen as the top functional product and service priority for business guests in their hotel selection. For more information visit www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

InBrief ● THE PROTEA Hospitality Group is expanding into its tenth African country, the Republic of Rwanda. A 25-room hotel in the upmarket suburb of Nyarutarama in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali, will become Protea Hotel Kigali when it opens later this year. ● ROTANA WILL be welcoming guests to its first Oman property, Salalah Rotana Resort, from December 25. The five-star resort will offer 399 rooms and suites, each furnished with modern amenities, as well as 45 exclusive villas. See www.rotana.com ● LONDON'S THE Bloomsbury Hotel has completed a £1m investment project to install a new, state-of-the-art air-conditioning system throughout the Grade II listed building. ● SWITZERLAND'S TSCHUGGEN Grand Hotel in Arosa is offering a complimentary second room for children up to 12 years old. The offer also includes an Arosa all-inclusive card, which allows guests complimentary access to many local leisure facilities. The three-night half-board offer is available from approximately £1,379 for two adults and up to two children under 12 and is valid between November 22 and December 4. For details see www.tschuggen.ch

November 8 2013

● COTTAGES4YOU HAS added The Dovecote in the tiny hamlet of Deerhurst Walton. The Grade II listed property features Freeview TV, DVD player and WiFi as well as a washing machine and tumble dryer. Prices start from £498 for seven nights' self-catering. The property sleeps four people and one pet. For details see www.english-country-cottages.co.uk or call 0845-268 0788. ● JURYS INN has introduced new gift options and has lowered the amount of points, by up to 22%, needed to redeem free room nights. Guests can now redeem points against 24-hour Wi-Fi, a two- or three-course dinner and breakfast. A one-night stay at Jurys Inn Sheffield for example, based on two sharing and including dinner, was 14,000 points and is now 10,900, a saving of 3,100 points. For details see www.jurysinns.com/jurysrewards ● MANDARIN ORIENTAL Hotel Group has signed an agreement to manage a luxury hotel in Shenzhen, Southern China. The property is scheduled to open in 2017 and will form part of the premier Shum Yip’s UpperHills mixed use project, which will comprise office towers, a residential complex, significant retail and extensive outdoor space and parkland.

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JAM FAM...Funway Holidays hosted a fam trip to Jamaica for agents to explore the destination first hand. The trip was in conjunction with Sandals Luxury Included Resorts and included four nights at Sandals Grand Riviera Beach and Villa Resort. Pictured are, from the left: (front row): Fumika Brown, Travel Club Elite; Claire Oliver, Dreams Travel Group; Lindsey Bailey, Hays Travel; Natalie Walsh, Co-Operative Travel; Taylor-Ann Dutton, Anglia Co-Operative Travel; Mandy Nash, Perfect Weddings Abroad; with (back row) Colin Watkins, Bath Travel; Fiona Boss, Funway Holidays; Sharon Sturton, Meadway Travel; and Paul Wells, Midcounties Co Op.

Insight adds San Marino, Moldova and Andorra to Europe programme for 2014 INSIGHT VACATIONS has introduced new destinations – Moldova, San Marino and Andorra - to its Europe programme for 2014, with 13 new itineraries. The 2014 Europe, Eastern Mediterranean & Morocco programme also features an expansion of the Country Roads style of touring and a selection of new Signature hotels, dining and experiences. As examples, an 11-day Ukraine, Moldova and Crimea itinerary takes guests to Moldova, while the 14-day Principalities of Europe introduces San Marino and Andorra to the countries visited on the itinerary. Other new itineraries include more independent breaks such as two Greek island-hopping holidays and some mini trips, including the five-day Golden Ring, or the four-day WW1 Battlefields launching on the eve of the anniversary year of the start of the First World War. The Country Roads programme, which offers guests a more in-depth experience of a country as it travels away from the major cities and off the beaten track, has been expanded to include the Country Roads of Croatia, the Country Roads of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, and French Elegance – A Country Roads Itinerary. The new itineraries

Keeping an i on Apps

ps 2014 Z Cruise Shi THE BERLIT Ward has by Douglas publication Available ed as an app. ch un la en be .99, it devices for £6 on all Apple cruiseviews to help offers 285 re . The ip the right sh unt goers choose co ac to takes in em st sy ng ti ra onal sed on pers 400 items ba clude five in s ht ig hl Hig experience. ch options, ar ter and se fil s, ip sh w ne parison of n and a com a FAQ sectio ning. s, food and di cabin facilitie sit For details vi litz/berl des.com/ber ui tg gh si .in w ww itz-cruising

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enhance the existing programme, which includes more than 100 unusual gems and best sellers such as Treasures of the Balkans, Northern Spain, Italian Vogue, Natural Wonders of Iceland, Turkish Delights and Russia, Warsaw and the Baltic States. As an example, a new 16-day Principalities of Europe starts in Barcelona and visits the Principality of Andorra, Montpellier, Aix-en-Provence, the Principality of Monaco, Santa Margherita, Siena, the Republic of San Marino and Rome and the Vatican City, staying in some of the world’s smallest countries. Highlights include a visit to an olive farm in Provence to meet the family and try the high quality olive oil; a French cookery demonstration in Aix-en-Provence; a visit to a perfumery on the Cote d’Azur; the coastal town of Portofino; and a small boat cruise to visit two of the villages of Cinque Terre. Prices lead in at £3,575 per person, based on two sharing, and include flights, private VIP door-to-door transfers, 15 nights' breakfast accommodation with a further eight meals, included sightseeing and the services of a tour director. For more information visit www.insightvacations.com or call 0800-533 5622.

SANI RESO RT in Greec e has developed a new, free ap p which helps travel lers plan w hat to do during thei r time at th e resort. Guest can vi ew special offers available at the resort’s spas and restaurants , and by opti ng for push messa ging, can be kept up to date with new offers, initiatives and calendar updates. W iFi is free at the resort, so g uests can access the app on dem and throughout their stay. T hey can also place th eir room se rvice order using the app afte r viewing an e-versio n of the room service menu. The resort offers nightly rates at San i Beach Hot el from €126 per ro om per nigh t.

signed to a new app de ROAMER IS roaming to steep call bring an end oad for nl ilable to dow to 90% charges. Ava up s er saves us p ap e th , ee fr s abroad. roaming bill on their call ‘park’ a p, travellers To use the ap r that obile numbe landline or m road and, ab t ls use whi to e lik ’d ey th install any r destination, once at thei e parked d activate th local SIM an ude efits also incl number. Ben s, an ge ar aming ch lower data ro d an t lis ntact integrated co rs before ‘park’ numbe to rs de remin be e app can travelling. Th Store and om the App fr d downloade rry and with Blackbe Google Play, e. lin ps in the pipe Windows ap m co merapp. Visit www.roa

November 8 2013

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personalitybulletin

Joseph Grimley The happy, go-lucky agency sales manager of Riviera Travel would like to see more publicity on the dangers of booking online and increased government support...

Who is your ideal travelling companion? My wife Adelle. If I forget anything she’s got it covered!

"The best advice I've had? My dad saying to me ‘If you want to stay married, don’t take up golf!'"

What's your earliest childhood memory? Jumping off the top diving board at a hotel in Jersey at the age of two. I was always adventurous! Where was your last work-related trip? Cologne to take agents to see our new five-star River Cruise ship, the MS Lord Byron. It was stunning and we had a great day! If you were a celebrity who would you choose to be and why? Rick Stein – going round the world cooking and eating exotic food . . . perfect! What three words would your friends use to describe you? Funny, open and happy. What have your travels taught you? There’s a fantastic world out there, but home is where the wife is! What is the best advice you recall? My dad saying to me ‘If you want to stay married, don’t take up golf!’ If you could have a room full of any one thing, what would it be? £50 notes then I could buy whatever I wanted. If you could change three things in the industry, what would they be? More Government support, abolish silly taxes and more publicity about dangers of booking online, to encourage more people to book with their High Street agent.

November 8 2013

Career path ● ●

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1988-2004: Training officer – Next Directory Head office 2004-2007: Overseas holiday rep/head rep – First Choice/Direct Holidays 2007-2001: Senior sales consultant – Apollo Travel 2001-2002: Senior sales consultant – Page & Moy Travel (Retail Division) 2002-2004: Commercial manager – Page & Moy Travel (Retail Division) 2004-2005: Commercial operations manager – Page & Moy Travel (Retail Division) 2005-2006: Cruise product manager – Page & Moy/Travelsphere 2007-2012: Agency sales manager – Page & Moy/Travelsphere/Just You 2012-present: Agency sales manager – Riviera Travel

Who has been the biggest inspiration/influence in your career? My resort manager in Mallorca 1994 – She had a fantastic work ethic. We worked very hard and played very hard. What's your favourite city and why? Las Vegas. We got married there in 2007 and it was amazing!

If you were not doing this job, what would you be doing? Looking after baby pandas in China or driving the Orient Express. What is your motto in life? Live for today, you never know what’s around the corner. What is your favourite mode of travel? River cruise ship. You get to see everything in comfort, and it’s a lovely relaxed pace of travel. If you had a super power what would it be and why? To cure horrible ailments like rheumatoid arthritis and take away people’s pain. What was your nickname at school and why? Grimbo, from my surname. How do you deal with stress? I just think to myself ‘It won’t make the news at 10’ and try to look at things objectively failing that a couple of large glasses of Merlot when I get home. What song would you have played at your funeral? Always look on the bright side of life from my favourite film. Is there anything that you dislike about the travel industry? We don’t get enough support from the government. What special skill(s) do you have? I’m very diplomatic and had the nickname Ban Ki-Moon at my last job. What do you love about your job? All of it! But particularly training and presenting and meeting lots of interesting people.

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croatia Dubrovnik

Classic Collection Holidays expands Croatia programme for 2014 CLASSIC COLLECTION Holidays is adding 22 new hotels to its Croatia programme for 2014, bringing the total number of properties featured to 49. The operator has also expanded its choice of resorts to include Sipan, Omis, Brac, Krk and Rab. The company's head of purchasing, Gary Boyer, said: "Croatia has sold extremely well for us during summer 2013, exceeding all our expectations, and has started very strongly for next summer. For 2014 we thought it timely to expand the number of hotels and resorts

we feature. It’s a destination well supported by regional flying allowing us to offer customers our usual service of a flexible choice of UK departure airports, airlines and holiday duration. "Beach lovers, sun worshippers and windsurfers will certainly like Brac. It’s Croatia’s third largest island and features the Golden Cape, the country’s best known shingle beach. Krk is a popular island retaining a semblance of its historic ambience, whilst the less developed island of Rab is home to the particularly scenic Rab Town, with its

well preserved old quarter punctuated by church spires and cobbled streets. "Rab’s unexpected nightlife makes it popular with a younger crowd in the height of the summer, while those looking for stunning and dramatic scenery should head to Omis where the Biokovo Mountains appear to spring directly from the old town itself, making the area popular with walkers and hikers." For further information call 0800-008 7288 or 01903 823 088 or visit www.classic-collection.co.uk

CNTO reports UK visitors to Dubrovnik up 15% ACCORDING TO figures released by the Croatian National Tourist Office (CNTO), 94,845 Brits holidayed in Dubrovnik between January-September 2013, up by 15% on the same period last year. The Dubrovnik-Neretva County, which among other destinations includes Cavtat and the islands of Mljet and Korcula, also reported a year-on-year boost of 16% with 131,167 Brits visiting the region between January-September 2013. In the same period, 675,208 tourists worldwide visited the ‘Jewel of the Adriatic’, a rise of 11% on 2012’s figures. With a strong end to the tourism year expected, Dubrovnik is looking to attract even more UK holidaymakers by improving its accommodation stock for next year. Planned Dubrovnik developments include Adriatic Luxury Hotels and Riviera Adria Hotel, the two largest hotel groups in Dubrovnik, investing €60m in their southern hotels this winter season for increased capacity in 2014; Koločep, one of the Elaphiti islands off Dubrovnik, will offer a couples-only hotel next year – an investment worth almost €9m; Hotel Dubrovnik President will undergo a €20m revamp, with plans for 113 new rooms, an outdoor pool, a larger conference room and wellness centre; The Argosy Hotel’s exterior facilities, including its swimming pool and terrace, will be improved next year; and the Kompas Hotel, located in Lapad bay, is undergoing a complete renovation to take it to a four-star hotel. UK and Ireland Director of the CNTO, Tonko Rilović, said: “Dubrovnik, with its mighty walls, designer shops and close proximity to fascinating islands has long tempted Brits to its shores, and it’s great to see that the city continues to inspire new and returning visitors.

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Dubrovnik

“However, to get back to the record-breaking visitor figures of the early 1990s, we need to show UK holidaymakers that Croatia offers much more than just beautiful coastline for a memorable break all year-round. “As such, 2014 will see us strengthening our position as a top short-haul destination by highlighting our 16 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, eight national parks and our numerous historic cities such as Rovinj, Zadar and Varaždin.” Meri Matešić, director of the tourist board, believes that the UK market has a huge potential for growth. She said: “With an ever-growing list of electronic music festivals and a range of hotel revamps and couples-only accommodation underway throughout the country, I’m confident that we will welcome a new wave of UK families, couples and young travellers in 2014.” For more information visit www.croatia.hr

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croatia Anatolian Sky adds four- and five-star properties in Istria ANATOLIAN SKY has announced plans to expand its product for 2014, with a focus on the Istria region. The operator's managing director, Akin Koç, said: "Our first dedicated Croatia brochure was launched in late 2012 and we have been very pleased with the response. For 2014, our main focus in terms of expanding the programme will be the Istria region, where on a recent visit I was delighted to find an excellent choice of luxury and boutique hotels of a very high standard. "Additions will include a range of four- and five-star hotels in destinations including Opatija, Porec and Rovinj, all of which are beautiful towns with Venetian influences and echoes of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

"During my trip I also took the opportunity to visit neighbouring Slovenia, where I found a surprising number of high end hotels along the country's tiny coastline. For 2014 we plan to offer an expanded programme of tailor-made holidays including twin and three-centre trips combining Croatia's Istrian Peninsula with destinations in Slovenia including Ljubljana and Lake Bled. "We have seen an excellent response to our Adriatic Cruising programme and plan to add more high quality boats for next year to be able to offer a choice of itineraries and departure dates. We are also planning to expand to include four- and fivestar properties on the Montenegro coast, further adding to the options for twin-centre holidays combined with Dubrovnik."

Dubrovnik

Grand UK Holidays adds 'Istrian by Air' option for 2014

exceeding expectations

GRAND UK Holidays is offering a new eight-day 'The Istrian Riviera by Air' option for next year from £599 per person. It includes flights to Pula and half-board accommodation at Laguna Hotels & Resorts, near Porec. Highlights of the trip include visits to Rovinj, Postojna Caves, Lipica Horse Stud Farm and Pula. The operator is also offering an eight-day 'Dubrovnik Riviera and a taste of Montenegro' which was introduced last year. Prices, which lead in at £559, include flights to Dubrovnik, half-board accommodation at the Valamar Club and a full-day excursion by coach along the Croatian coastline to Montenegro. For more information or to book call 01603-619933 or see www.grandukholidays.com

Eight-day Croatia & Montenegro cruise from £1,120 from CroisiEurope

Hotel Miramar, Opatija

CROATIA by Classic Collection Holidays

5030

call 0800 008 7288 www.classic-collection.co.uk

November 8 2013

NEXT YEAR CroisiEurope will offer 14 departures on its eight-day Croatia & Montenegro cruise on the 198-guest La Belle de l’Adriatique. The cruise of the Adriatic, its islands and the Kotor estuary starts in Dubrovnik and visits Mljet, Korcula, Sibenik, Trogir, Split, Vis, Hvar and Kotor before arriving back into Dubrovnik. Prices start from approximately £1,120 per person for accommodation in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, complimentary beer and wine at lunch and dinner, as well as an open bar throughout the voyage (excluding Champagne, special wines and fine brandies), onboard entertainment and port taxes.

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croatia Lošinj recognised for its commitment to sustainable development

INSIGHT VACATIONS has added a new 14-day 'Country Roads of Croatia' itinerary for 2014, with prices from £2,425 per person. Beginning in Zagreb, the journey takes guests on an adventure along Croatia’s southwest coast, visiting the coastal town of Opatija, the Plitvice Lakes, Split, two of the Dalmation Islands (Brac and Korcula) before finishing in Dubrovnik. Highlights include a day spent discovering the ‘Jewels of Istria’ in Porec, a visit to the Plitvice Lakes and learning the art of stone cutting and carving on Brac. Guests will also get the opportunity to take a detour into Slovenia to visit the caves of Postojna. The price includes 13 nights' breakfast accommodation plus a further six meals, sightseeing and the services of a tour director throughout. For details see www.insightvacations.com

THE ISLAND of Lošinj has received the Skål International "Sustainable Development in Tourism" award. The destination received top marks in the Cities category from three independent members of the panel and the island is an example of how tourism development can prosper while respecting the principles of sustainable development. For more information see www.island-losinj.com

Lipizzaner Paths successfully implemented THE 98KM walking and biking Lipizzaner Paths has been celebrating a successful first summer after the project was completed in July last year. Aided by European Union funding, the project took 18 months to complete and offers an ideal way to explore the areas of Lipik and Pakrac, within the Slavonia region.

New Year wine, gastronomy & cultural tour from Arblaster & Clarke ARBLASTER & Clarke Wine Tours has launched a New Year Wine Holiday in Dubrovnik, with prices leading in at £1,799 per person. Available from December 29 to January 2, it includes wine tasting in the

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Peljesac Peninsula, Dubrovnik and Istria; a concert on the Stradun and five-star breakfast accommodation for four nights. Also included are two meals with wines; a gala dinner; two rustic traditional lunches at wineries; a guided

walking tour of Dubrovnik; flights with British Airways from Gatwick-Dubrovnik; coach transport and a tour manager. For more information see www.winetours.co.uk or call 01730-263111.

November 8 2013

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croatia Prestige Holidays introduces naturist breaks in Istria region PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS has launched its largest programme to Croatia with 84 hotels in 32 resorts. New for next year are naturist holidays in the Istria region, along with naturist cruises from both Opatija and Split, plus a vitality cruise from Opatija featuring Pilates, stretching and aqua aerobics. The operator has also boosted its offering in Dubrovnik with three new hotels, a luxury country villa, a range of selfcatering options and a selection of simple 'allocated on arrival' self-catering apartments. A cultural tour has also been added. Slovenia is also new for next year and the operator is featuring nine hotels across the resorts of Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj and Kranjska Gora. Holidays start from £367 per person at the country Villa Kameni Dvori, a five-bedroom property located on a hill side in the small village of Lovorno, 20 minutes from Dubrovnik. The price is based on 11 sharing and includes flights with easyJet to Dubrovnik, private taxi transfers and self-catering accommodation. The company has also added a new seven-night Croatia Cultural Escorted Tour. Starting in the Kvarner region, it takes in the Kvarner Bay resorts of Opatija and Lovran and her islands and continues into the deep valleys and hilltop villages of neighbouring Istria. Included in the tour are three concerts of the Festival Kvarner with free time for swimming and personal exploration. The tour is based on two sharing a twin room with flights from Heathrow. For details visit www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/croatia or call 01425-480400.

ADRIATIC LUXURY Hotels is highlighting a new package at Hotel Bellevue, a luxury boutique hotel situated on a cliff 30m above Miramare Bay, and within walking distance of the Old Town of Dubrovnik. The Suite Winter Wonderland package costs from £228 per room per night and includes three nights for the price of two in an executive suite, which sleeps up to three; buffet breakfast; and access to wellness and spa facilities. For details see http://masonrose.com/bellevue

Balkan anticipates increase in sales following ABTA Convention BALKAN HOLIDAYS says that is hoping for further growth in demand and sales for Croatia next year following the success of the recent ABTA Convention, held in Dubrovnik. The company's sales and marketing manager, Rupert Diggins, said: “I am confident that having achieved a successful event for the travel trade so recently in such glorious sunny weather, it will have served to improve awareness of Croatia and further enhance the many compelling reasons why people should pay the country a visit." The operator is featuring seven- and 14-night stays in hotels and self-catering apartments in Dubrovnik and the surrounding Riviera, the Croatian Islands and Central Dalmatia as featured in its newly launched second edition summer 2014 brochure. The company is also offering cruises and a series of sevennight coach tours departing from Dubrovnik and Split. Diggins said: “Twin centre holidays will continue to be popular; for example, the Croatian Islands and mainland combined with Montenegro; or a stay in Dubrovnik followed by a cruise around the islands.” Prices for self-catering apartments in the resort of Cavtat lead in at £277 per person for seven nights based on six sharing a two-bedroom apartment. The price includes flights from Stansted, based on an April 25 departure. Meanwhile, seven nights in Hotel Valamar Lacroma, Dubrovnik, lead in at £642 per person for seven nights, based on two sharing a twin room, on a half-board basis. The price is based on an April 23 departure from Stansted. For more information call 0845-130 1114 or see www.balkanholidays.co.uk/agents FORT GEORGE Croatia, a 19th Century fort that has been restored, has recently been unveiled. The building, which offers a restaurant, museum and garden, is located on Vis - the furthest offshore island in Croatia. The new building is being highlighted as ideal for a special dinner and it is also possible to rent out the fort for weddings and functions. For details see www.fortgeorgecroatia.com

November 8 2013

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SILVER SHUTTLE is highlighting prices of its door-to-door service from £24 from Central London to Heathrow over the winter season. The company is promoting money-saving prices, particularly on its shared service options. The service, which offers three options SuperSaver Shuttle, Saver Shuttle and Standard Shuttle, includes a collection from home, hotel or office to the airport. For details see www.silvershuttle.com

First Luggage extends 10% commission programme with new service FIRST LUGGAGE is now offering commission to agents who sell its economical service, Luggage Delivery Company. By encouraging clients to book the service in addition to booking flights and accommodation, agents can earn up to £5.90 a time for delivery of a 25kg suitcase to Italy. The extension of commission to the new service marks the latest chapter in the company's investment in trade relationships. With business volumes from global trade partners increasing year-on-year by some 25%, the

company says that it is committed to working closely with those within the travel industry to further grow business. The company's CEO, Gideon Kasfiner, said: “The concept of First Luggage is very much in line with the direction the travel industry is taking; indeed airlines themselves are recognising the benefits of luggage travelling separately from passengers. This year has seen ‘checked luggage’ fees soar across the board and we want to make sure that agents can also benefit from the

accompanying clamour for superior luggage delivery." The company provides a solution to rising baggage costs by allowing luggage to be picked up from home to meet customers anywhere in the world. The new Luggage Delivery Company service offers those travelling within Europe a more affordable and practical way to save money whilst travelling. For more information see www.firstluggage.com and www.luggagedeliverycompany.com or call 0800-083 5503.

Sendmybag introduces travel trade affiliate scheme to incentivise agents SENDMYBAG HAS launched a commission programme for travel agents which rewards agents on both the first and any subsequent orders made. The new initiative, Sendmybag Trade, allows travel agents and consumers, both in-store and online, to add ‘sending their luggage’ to their holiday package. After purchasing flights and accommodation, consumers will either be prompted by an affiliate link online or a travel agent request, to book baggage

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shipping. In return, the participating travel site or agent will receive a commission of 10%, meaning up to £6 can be made on a return 30kg suitcase to Spain. The consumer will also receive a 5% discount on their order. The company's founder, Adam Ewart, said: “In today’s climate where we are plagued by excessive fees and lost luggage, consumers and travel businesses have become much more open to the idea of couriering baggage to

their holiday destination, however for many this is a completely new concept to them. That’s why we launched our travel trade affiliate programme with the ‘No Questions, Just Commission’ strapline meaning any customer enquiries are handled by us seven days a week via our customer service team, no matter whether they’re at home or abroad. Our app also allows for ease of luggage tracking every step of the way. “Over the past few years, as well working closely with

our customers to best understand their requirements, we have also seen sharp growth in sales thanks to our innovation in the sector, excellent customer service levels and consistently low prices. This latest initiative seemed like a natural progression for us and brings us closer to the hotels + flights + bags approach to travel which we think will be commonplace in a few years.” For more information visit www.sendmybag.com or email traveltrade@sendmybag.com

November 8 2013

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dynamicpackaging Travel Parking Group aims to raise £12,000 each year for Macmillan Cancer Support PROVIDER OF meet and greet parking at UK airports, StressFreeAirportParking.com and sister company, Looking4Parking.com, have agreed a five-year partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support raising up to £12,000 annually. The two companies, which form part of the Travel Parking Group, have made Macmillan Cancer Support their key charity for the next five years and will donate 10% of selected booking fees to the charity as it provides vital practical, medical and financial support to those affected by cancer.

Up to 60% off car parking at Leeds Bradford BRITISH AIRWAYS' customers are being offered up to 60% off their car parking fees at Leeds Bradford Airport. The exclusive money-off promotion is for both business and leisure customers using the airport’s short stay and business car park which is located just minutes from the terminal entrance. The aim is to encourage customers to fly from their local airport to London, where the carrier offers hand-baggage one-way fares from £50. The car park offer must be booked by January 6, 2014 by entering promotion code BA13 on the airport’s website www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/parking. The reduced charges are £20 for stays up to 24 hours, £30 for stays between 24 and 48-hours and £40 for stays between 48 and 72-hours. Meanwhile, the airline has rolled out its hand-baggage only and new semi-flex fare options across its entire shorthaul network, including flights from Leeds. Customers choosing the hand baggage-only fare can continue to take advantage of the airline’s hand luggage allowance and carry on a good-sized case (56cm x 45cm x 25cm), plus a handbag or laptop bag. The semi-flex fare gives customers all the benefits of a standard fare, such as a generous baggage allowance and food and drinks, plus free booking changes on the day of departure from the same airport to the same destination; the ability to select a seat for free two days prior to travel; and a no change fee prior to the day of travel. The semi-flex option offers customers an option between a standard ticket and a fully-flex one. It gives people the opportunity on the day of travel to change their booking for free and customers won’t have to pay the difference between the cost of their original ticket and the price available on the day. If a customer needs to make a change to the booking the day before they travel, they will not incur a change fee, just any fare differences. Those with a semi-flex fare will also benefit from the ability to reserve a seat on ba.com for free two days before travel, rather than 24-hours as with a standard fare.

Martin Mansell, managing director at Travel Parking Group, said: “We have been fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support since the beginning of the year and we are delighted they have become our chosen charity for the next five years. A percentage from each of our sales will now contribute and help the vital work they carry out across the UK. “We will be encouraging all staff to contribute with external fundraising activities, including several members of the team taking on the challenge of the New York Marathon in November to support Macmillan.”

Europcar fuels new low-cost rental brand with taxi advertising campaign EUROPCAR HAS hired taxi advertising specialists Ubiquitous to raise awareness of its latest venture. The creative cabs have been designed to promote the arrival of the company's low-cost rental brand, InterRent, in the UK and the campaign has been designed to reach frequent travellers to two of the UK’s busiest regional airports - Birmingham and Glasgow. The exteriors of 50 taxis have been creatively branded with the message ‘car hire from £10 per day’ to promote the InterRent’s competitive prices. Inside, a tip-seat campaign will reinforce the message to remind passengers of the deals on offer at their local airport. Ken McCall, the company's UK managing director, said: “Having only recently arrived in the UK, we wanted to launch a campaign that would instantly set the InterRent brand apart from other car hire companies. From rates of £10 per day, we want to make it easier for travellers to get around once they’ve touched down at the airport. The taxis will broadcast our key offering across some of the busiest cities in Britain, emphasising just how affordable hiring a car can be.”

Just Valet Parking joins Help Me Park Group JUST VALET Parking has announced that it is now part of the Help Me Park Group, offering improved facilities in which cars are looked after, plus increased benefits for customers. All cars are now watched over in car parks that have been awarded the safer parking "Park Mark" certificate. The company is now also meeting all clients at the terminal dropoff forecourt zone, rather than the multi-storey car parks. Meanwhile, the company has announced that is it adding bookings for meet and greet parking at Heathrow in the next few weeks. The company offers 20% commission to agents whereby a price discount of 20% is offered to agents so that they can up sell.

Superbreak introduces Arsenal Museum and stadium tours from £16 ARSENAL FOOTBALL fans can now book a visit to the Emirates Stadium and join a museum and stadium tour. Superbreak has two options available, one guided by a hero from Arsenal’s past or a self-guided audio tour option. Tours can be booked by agents in conjunction with an overnight hotel stay and are fully commissionable. A Legends Tour leads in at £32 per adult and £16.50 per child (aged up to 16) and guests will be shown around by a hero from Arsenal’s past who will reveal his thoughts on the current team,

November 8 2013

his playing days and any news from the inner sanctum of Arsenal Football Club. Guests will also receive a personalised signed photo and a limited edition Legends Tour gift. A self-guided audio tour costs £16 per adult and £8.50 per child and a host of Arsenal stars will share their match-day experiences with guests as they explore behind-the-scenes on an audio tour. For more information visit www.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871-221 4444.

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Cape Verde

Savings of up to £135 per person from The Cape Verde Experience THIS WINTER The Cape Verde Experience is offering three new hotels – The Tropical Residence and Salinas Sea – both located on the island of Sal and the Don Paco Hotel which is on the island of Sao Vicente. Prices lead in at £669 per person for seven nights' self-catering at the three-star Tropical Residence, offering a saving of £88 per person. The operator is also offering savings on a seven-night

Seven-night Southern California stay for £2,490 from Carrier CARRIER IS offering a seven-night stay at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, Southern California’s only Relais & Châteaux property, for £2,490 per person. The property offers a tennis programme, annual cycling and yoga retreats with internationally recognised sports professionals, and has also recently launched a partnership with Porsche, allowing guests complimentary access to a choice of cars to use in the surrounding countryside. The price applies to a December 9 departure and includes flights with British Airways and seven days' car hire. For more information or to book call 0161-492 1356 or visit www.carrier.co.uk

all-inclusive stay at the Iberostar Club Boa Vista Hotel, on Boa Vista Island. Prices lead in at £969 per person, offering savings of £135 per person. The offer, which is based on two sharing for a December 3 departure, includes flights from Gatwick and transfers. For more information email trade@serenity.co.uk or visit www.serenity.co.uk/trade and www.capeverde.co.uk/iberostar

MSC Cruises promotes Dubai cruises from £699 per person with flights MSC CRUISES is highlighting winter Dubai cruises on Lirica from £699 per person including flights with Emirates from Glasgow, Birmingham, Newcastle or Manchester. Departing from Dubai, ports of call include Abu Dhabi, the seaside town of Khor al Fakkan; Muscat; and the fishing village of Khasab, before heading back to Dubai. Cruise prices start from £699 for departures on December 14 and January 11; £749 for departures on November 30, December 7, February 22; and £799 for departures on January 4, 18 and 25. For further information or to book see www.msccruises.co.uk or call 0844-561 1955.

Fred.\ introduces Canaries winter sun product to portfolio from £654 FRED.\ HAS introduced Hotel Jardin Tecina on the island of La Gomera in the Canaries to its programme. The four-star hotel and golf complex offers 434 rooms and suites and is situated on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with views of the neighbouring island of Tenerife. A wide range of leisure

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and sporting activities are available including an 18-hole golf course. Lawrence Peachey, the operator's UK sales manager, said: “We hope that by introducing this new hotel product, we are offering agents something more from the Fred.\ brand which should appeal to customers looking for year-round sun

product from our expert team.” The company is offering flights, sevennights’ accommodation and transfer packages at the hotel from £654 per person for a week. For more information call 0808-159 5256, email lawrence@fred.travel or see www.fredhoteljardintecina.co.uk

November 8 2013

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wintersun Caribbean savings of up to 40% from The Landings THE LANDINGS, a five-star resort in the north of St Lucia, is offering up to 40% off on all its suites, plus 20% savings over the festive period. Early offers for 2013/14 travel include 35% savings between January 3 and February 7 when booked by 15 December; 30% savings between February 8 and April 22 when booked by December 15; and 40% savings between April 23 and December 19 when booked by November 30. Over the Christmas/New Year period, guests can enjoy a range of activities including a steel pan and limbo fire show, costumed carnival party and calypso-style carol singing. All villa-suites have water views and feature a master bedroom with a king-size bed, en-suite bathroom, living room, kitchen, dining area and terrace. Some villa-suites also have private plunge pools or Jacuzzis. The resort features a five-star spa with eight treatment rooms, the Beach Club restaurant and bar, plus a fine dining restaurant. Savings of up to £500 per person are available on a seven-night breakfast stay with Destinology, with prices leading in at £1,399 per person, based on two sharing. It includes flights with Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick and transfers, and is available for departures between May 5 and July 10, 2014, when booked by November 30. To find out further information or to book call 0808-231 4618 or see www.destinology.co.uk and www.thelandingsstlucia.com

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November 8 2013

Dubai & Mauritius deals from Travel 2 TRAVEL 2 IS highlighting packages to two of its most soughtafter winter sun destinations - Dubai and Mauritius. Carolina Svensson, the operator's product & purchasing manager - Middle East & Indian Ocean, said: “Dubai is the perfect destination for winter sun as the flying time is relatively short and you have almost 100% guaranteed sunshine. There are plenty of flight options from many regional airports across the UK, in particular with the expanding EK network. "Demand for beach stays in Dubai are still on the increase and a lot of our customers prefer to stay on the unique Palm Island. Anantara Dubai The Palm opened its doors last month and is unique with its Asian style. It is also the first resort in Dubai offering rooms with direct access into the pools from your balcony. "Another good Dubai option is the Sofitel built in a Polynesian. The Sofitel welcomed its first guests in July of this year and the feedback has been very good thus far. There are plenty of great deals to be had, including over the Christmas and New Year period.” As an example of prices, five nights at the five-star Anantara Dubai the Palm Resort and Spa, including flights and transfers, leads in £1,269 per person. The offer is for bookings made by November 30 for travel between January 13-31 and includes a free upgrade to half-board and a £300 per couple saving. In Mauritius a seven-night stay at the four-star Tamassa leads in at £1,479 on an all-inclusive basis. The price includes flights and transfers and is applicable for travel between January 20 and April 10 when booked by November 30. The operator's product & purchasing manager - Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles & Jordan, Michael Creighton, said: “Mauritius is the ideal winter sun getaway as it has much to offer for both families and couples. Paradise Cove has recently re-opened as an adult-only resort and will be the ideal getaway for couples looking for a romantic escape. "The newly built Zilwa Attitude will offer a unique Mauritian concept and is proving very popular already in the UK market. For families there are many choices with the popular Tamassa – an all-inclusive resort still being a great seller." For more information visit www.travel2.com

Winter escapes from £399 from Belleair BELLEAIR HOLIDAYS is highlighting winter escapes in Malta from £399 per person for departures this month and next. The holidays include mini-breaks for those with little holiday time left or longer options for those who have not had the chance to use their leave time. Example packages include four nights' breakfast accommodation at the four-star Preluna Hotel and Spa from £399, including flights from Gatwick, transfers and complimentary entrance to a selected Malta attraction. The offer, which is based on two sharing, is valid for travel on November 15. A seven-night breakfast stay at the five-star Hotel Phoenicia Malta costs from £614 and includes flights from Manchester, transfers and complimentary entrance to a selected Malta attraction. The offer is based on travel on November 21 and two sharing. Alternatively, a 14-night breakfast stay at the four-star Qawra Palace leads in at £434. Flights are from Edinburgh and transfers and free entrance to an attraction are also included, based on a December 3 departure. For further information or to book visit www.belleair.co.uk/agents or call 0845-365 3412.

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All you have to do is relax Guaranteed sunshine, beautiful beaches and stunning scenery, above and below the water.

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THE INDIAN Ocean's Baros Maldives is celebrating its 40th birthday next month. To mark the occasion, the hotel has launched a new dive package which offers guests the chance to discover dive pioneer, Sepp Zedelmayer’s favourite diving spots. Sepp will personally guide divers so every guest participating can benefit from his diving knowledge and experience. The property has also unveiled five new Pool Water Villas (pictured), which have been upgraded from Water Villas with the addition of private plunge pools, bringing the total number of Pool Water Villas to ten. For details visit www.baros.com

Savings of up to £500 on 14-night twin-centre Antigua and BVI stay THE INN at English Harbour, Antigua, and Peter Island Resort & Spa in the British Virgin Islands have teamed up to offer savings on a new twin-centre 14night break. Including a complimentary flight between the two properties, guests can save up to £500 per person. For the first week, guests will spend seven nights at the adult-only, 28bedroom boutique hotel, The Inn at English Harbour. A complimentary 60minute flight over the British Virgin

Islands then takes guests to Peter Island Resort & Spa, which offers access to the 1,800-acre island including five beaches, palm groves and tropical mountains. A variety of land and sea activities are available including private diving and snorkelling excursions, sea kayaking, windsurfing, tennis, sailing and hikes to the scenic Sunset Loop. ITC Classics is offering the 14-night break, with half-board at The Inn at

English Harbour and room-only at Peter Island from £3,429 per person. It is based on two sharing a double room and includes flights from Gatwick with BA, transfers and the complimentary Liat Flight from Antigua to the British Virgin Islands. The offer is valid for stays completed by December 19, 2014. To book call 01244-355527 and quote 'free flight offer' or see www.itcclassics.co.uk for details.

Kirker Holidays highlights range of savings in Oman, Tunisia & Morocco KIRKER HOLIDAYS is offering a selection of savings in destinations including Oman, Tunisia and Morocco. In Oman, a seven-night stay at the five-star Al Bustan Palace in Muscat offers a saving of more than £800 per person on bookings made by December 31, for travel between January 5-3. Prices lead in at £1,799 per person based on two sharing and include flights from Heathrow, meet and greet private transfers and breakfast accommodation. In Tunisia, a seven-night stay at the five-star The Residence in La Marsa is available for the price of five nights, offering a saving of £300 per person. The offer applies to travel between January 5 and April 10, 2014 with prices leading in at £1,072 per

November 8 2013

person, based on two sharing and including flights from Heathrow, private transfers and breakfast accommodation. Meanwhile, a four-night breakfast stay at the fourstar Jardins de la Medina in Marrakech offers four nights for the price of three with a saving of £84 per person. The offer applies to travel by December 20 and between January 6 and February 22, with prices leading in at £532 per person, based on two sharing. Also included are flights from Gatwick, private transfers and a private walking tour. For more information call 020-7593 2288 or see www.kirkerholidays.com

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wintersun New all-inclusive offer at The Residence Maldives THE RESIDENCE Maldives, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, is offering a new allinclusive package which includes luxury accommodation and dining, plus complimentary use of non-motorised watersports such as catamarans, kayaks, windsurfs and snorkelling equipment. A seven-night stay with Elegant Resorts costs from £2,765 per person on the new package, including transfers and flights. For details call 01244-897538 or see www.elegantresorts.co.uk and www.theresidence.com /maldives

Shanti Maurice offers Advent Detox Package MAURITIUS' SHANTI Maurice is offering an Advent Detox Package next month. It has been designed to help guests get in shape and feel fit before the temptations commence. The programme begins with a wellness consultation to gain a deeper understanding of their body’s makeup, followed by a series of spa treatments. A ‘Detox Bath’ helps to hydrate and release tension, while a ‘Detox Mud Wrap’ stimulates fatty cell activity to help improve circulation and lymphatic drainage. Guests will be encouraged to relax with massages on the beach, before focusing on toning up with personalised exercise classes in the Aqua Gym, Spinning Room and Yoga Room. Prices lead in at £2,250 per person based on two sharing for seven nights, and the package is available from December 1-22.

Selection of Cuba options from Journey Latin America JOURNEY LATIN America is promoting a range of Cuba options to agents with clients looking to escape the colder weather, with temperatures in the destination ranging between 18 and 27 C. As examples, a 12-day Value Cuba trip visits Havana, Trinidad and Viñales before taking guests to relax on the white sands at Cayo Levisa. Prices start from £1,516 per person, based on two sharing, and include flights, transfers, breakfast, accommodation, most meals and a walking tour of Havana. A 12-day Rum and Revolution – Selected Highlights of Cuba group trip visits Havana, authentic local bars in Trinidad, Cienfuegos and authentic salsa and rum bars in Viñales. Prices start from £2,168 including flights, a tour leader, breakfast accommodation, most meals and excursions. For more information or to book visit www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk or call 020-8747 8315. o

Morocco Magical

MAGDALENA GRAND Beach & Golf Resort in Tobago and Virgin Holidays have teamed up to offer a new winter package. It includes seven nights' breakfast accommodation at the property, scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick and transfers. Prices start from £1,153 and include a free upgrade to a Deluxe Ocean Front Room, based on two sharing for a December 3 departure. For details see www.magdalenaresort.com

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AFFORDABLE LUXURY HOLIDAYS PRIVATE TOURS & TWIN CENTRES

0800 008 7288 www.classic-collection.co.uk November 8 2013

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Image: Fotoseeker.com

Curtain Bluff unveils new kids' club & introduces extended season

Curtain Bluff

FAMILY OWNED Curtain Bluff in Antigua has reopened for the new season with a new kids' club, an extended season and a new luxury suite. The one-bedroom luxury suite (Cliff Suite) is tucked into the side of the property and features its own Jacuzzi and views.

The new kids' club is aimed at children aged three to ten and runs five times weekly. Activities range from arts and crafts, to baking and fun on the beach. The property has also extended its season for 2013/14. The resort reopened on October 26 and will remain open until

INDIA'S FIVE-STAR Alila Diwa Goa is offering a ‘Diwa by Design’ package, available from December until the end of March. It includes a seven-night stay at The Diwa Club (an exclusive private wing within the resort); unlimited spa treatments and dining at the resort’s various restaurants. Prices lead in at £1,412 plus taxes and include private transfers. For details see www.alilahotels.com/diwagoa

August 23, 2014; historically the resort has closed in July. Seven nights for the price of five is currently being offered at the hotel, saving up to £930 per person. Prices lead in at £2,815 per person, based on two sharing a Junior Suite on an all-inclusive basis. It includes flights with British

Airways and private transfers and is available to book through ITC Classics. The offer is valid for travel completed by December 19 and is based on a December 2 departure. For more information or to book call 01244-355527 or see www.itcclassics.co.uk and www.curtainbluff.com

Atlantis, The Palm unveils new development at Aquaventure ATLANTIS, THE Palm is being highlighted as an ideal base to take the kids this winter, following the property's US$27m development at Aquaventure, which offers a new waterpark. The expansion includes a variety of new water rides and a new 40m high Tower Of Poseidon that looms over the existing Neptune Tower, with views across The Palm. Travelbag is offering a three-night breakfast stay from £849 per person for departures up to December 5, including access to Aquaventure and flights from Heathrow with Royal Brunei Airlines. For more information visit www.definitelydubai.com

Autumn Suite deal at Half Moon, Jamaica UNTIL DECEMBER 19, the five-star Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay is offering savings of 35% on all suites. Accommodation choices range from individually styled spacious Junior Suites to one- and two-bedroom Royal Suites with separate living areas. Guests in the Imperial Suites receive a VIP check-in service with Champagne on arrival. ITC Classics is offering seven nights in a Junior Suite from £2,235 per person, based on two sharing on an allinclusive basis, including flights with Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick and private transfers. The price represents a saving of £550 per person. For details call 01244-355527 or see www.itcclassics.co.uk

November 8 2013

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wintersun We asked our staff the following question this week: Which historical figure would you like to see alive? Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Nostradamus...I wonder what new things he'd have to say?

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Michael Jackson

Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk Che Guevara

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

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Joan of Arc

Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Sir Matt Busby, Moyes needs a hand!

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk Martin Luther King - to see what he could have achieved in the 70s and 80s

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk Has to be Walt Disney

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@travelbulletin.co.uk My boat building hero, Noah

Sales Executive: Matt Gill matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk Egyptian pharaohs: Akhenaten and Hatshepsut

Senior Designer: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@travelbulletin.co.uk Tupac Shakur

Assistant Designer: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@travelbulletin.co.uk The Renaissance painter Raphael

Production: Nick Salt production@travelbulletin.co.uk George Mallory

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

November 8 2013

INTREPID TRAVEL is offering 15% off all South and Central America tours until November 30. The promotion is valid for small group tours departing between February 1 and September 30, 2014 and tours include a Mexico Real Food Adventure (eight days from £697 per person) and a Best of Cuba tour (15 days from £922). For details see www.intrepidtravel.com/central-south-america-sale

Caribbean winter savings on Seabourn's Sojourn SEABOURN HAS released a selection of offers for guests seeking sunshine this winter in the Caribbean. As examples, a ten-day itinerary on Sojourn departs on November 27 and costs from £2,079 per person cruise-only or £2,869 with flights. The itinerary includes ports of call at Ft Lauderdale, US; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Basseterre, St Kitts; St Johns, Antigua; St John (Cruz Bay), USVI; and Island Catalina, Dominican Republic. Alternatively, a ten-day itinerary on Sojourn, departing on December 7, leads in at £3,379 or £3,159 with flights.

Trident Holidays promotes affordable travel to India THE CURRENT strength of the pound against the Indian Rupee has made travel to India more affordable and The Oberoi Group’s Trident Hotels has launched its 'Winter Offer', giving families extra savings on luxury holidays across the sub-continent. As part of the deal, families can enjoy a classic Golden Triangle holiday, staying for a total of six nights, in Agra, Jaipur and Delhi, from approximately £778. It includes breakfast accommodation at each of the Trident Hotels, as well as access to the kids' club in Agra and Jaipur. The offer is available until December 31. For more information visit www.tridenthotels.com

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. AZURA, 3. AGNES, 5. LITTLE ROCK, 7. NAS, 9. SWANSEA, 11. ICMELER, 13. AKL, 14. ARCHIMEDES, 16. ITALY, 17. SOMME. Down: 1. ATLANTIS, 2. ATLAS, 3. AYR, 4. NICOSIA, 6. CARLISLE, 8. SAMARIA, 10. WYE, 12. RIMES, 15. HAY.

Highlighted Word: CALAIS Travagrams: (top) Travelpack

(bottom) Low Cost Beds

Where Am I?: Lake Tanganyika

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