Travel Bulletin 10th February 2012

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February 10 2012 | ISSUE NO 1,765 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

this week

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agent review find out what one agent thought of her Las Vegas wedding puzzle bulletin can you solve this week’s Travagrams?

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brainstorm bulletin NEW for 2012! Agents work together by pooling ideas and sharing problems & solutions

Malta Book your clients a home away from home at this year-round destination

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escorted trips how this market is bucking the trend to become a rare success story

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newsbulletin

Cover Pictures: Main - Malta

Inset - Cappadocia, Encounters Travel

This Week 3

news

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agent review

a look at the latest reports, industry updates & offers find out what one agent thought of her Las Vegas wedding

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agent bulletin

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puzzle bulletin

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brainstorm bulletin

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hotel bulletin

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W-AITO-Go!

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escorted trips

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malta

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accommodation-only

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Slovenia

win tickets to see Coldplay in concert with DFDS Seaways' booking incentive can you solve this week's Travagrams?

NEW for 2012! Agents work together by pooling ideas and sharing problems & solutions a round-up of the latest property launches & offers

the latest news & views from AITO Agents how this market is bucking the trend to become a rare success story book your clients a home away from home at this year-round destination Mallorca Farmhouses offers discounted Easter holidays the destination is celebrating its European Capital of Culture year

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A HEARTFELT OFFER...To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Funway Holidays is offering agents two different ‘love’ themed incentives this month. For every package holiday booking made, agents will receive a fun treat in the form of a heart-shaped cookie, and at the end of each week, agents that make three bookings (at least one online) will receive a ‘Smartbox’ experience including a choice of a three-course meal for two or a Zen & Spa experience. To enter visit www.funway4agents.co.uk and print a log sheet or call 0844-557 0649. The sheet can then be faxed to 0844-557 0349 or scanned and emailed to win@funway.co.uk Pictured marking the new incentive is the operator's team - from the left: (back row) Kathryn Fairbairn, Holli Bennett, Casey Hurford, Stephen Rhodes, Rob Thornton and Katharine Sullivan with (at the front) Cheryll Bisram and Nandita Patel.

Post-Concordia figures show cruise market is still buoyant say cruise.co.uk CRUISE BOOKINGS appear to be weathering the storm in the aftermath of the capsizing of the Costa Concordia according to www.cruise.co.uk In the two weeks prior to the incident, visitors to the Website were up on the previous year with 100,000 unique visitors, making 157,000 searches for cruise-based information, and in the seven days following the incident there was roughly the same number of hits, with searches for cruise ship videos up by 150%, with more than 45,000 videos viewed.

Up to January 13, the big UK and American brands such as P&O accounted for 25% of the clicks to the site followed by Royal Caribbean with 21% and Cunard third with 9% - the three have more than 55% of the enquiry market.

Following the Concordia incident, site hits showed a slight change with 25% of searches on P&O and 20% on Cunard. And as an indicator to the strength of the market, over the last three weeks, 70% browsers were looking for cruises in the first seven months of the year with both March and July showing the biggest percentage number of hits – possibly showing the market is being led by late bookers and those who need to go during the kids’ summer holidays.

The company's managing director, Seamus Conlon, said: “Like everyone in the industry we’re truly shocked and saddened by the Costa Concordia accident last week but already our figures show that the accident is having little or no effect on bookings for the key brands.

“Early January showed that P&O, Cunard and Royal Caribbean are still top with British browsers but we’ve also noticed that the interest in the luxury brands such as Seabourn, Holland America and Oceania has risen 100% over this time last year.

“River Cruising is up 50%, showing strong growth with more interest in both the specialist operators and the less well known destinations such as the Far East and Russia."

Cheapflights suggests unusual places to propose CHEAPFLIGHTS.CO.UK’S IN-HOUSE romance experts have searched and selected the world's best places to propose to mark Valentine’s Day. The operator’s list highlights unusual locations in the usual places, with the top five consisting of: ● London - but not the London Eye: A private capsule on the London Eye with truffles and champagne is one way to do it, but an alternative suggestion is Monument, the 17thcentury flame-topped tower that stands in the heart of the City of London. Climb the 311 stone-cut steps to the top and see London laid out in all its glory. The candle-like construction with its fiery orb suggests love's eternal flame and a new beginning. ● Continues on next page

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Paris - but not the Eiffel Tower: Jardin du Luxembourg was much loved by writers such as Baudelaire, Victor Hugo, Balzac, Hemingway and Sartre and a favourite spot for a proposal is a shady one by the Medici Fountain.

Commissioned by a king's widow in the 17th century, the focal point is the statue of Acis and Galatea, young lovers embracing, watched over by the powerful Polyphemus.

Flights to Paris start from £102 return.

Verona - it's not Venice: "In fair Verona, where we lay our scene," is Juliet's House. Verona's romantic credentials are well established but if you're thinking about proposing to your beloved here, forget about the Via Cappello and take a stroll through the Giardino Giusti instead. From the belvedere of the Renaissance garden are tower-strewn and timeless views of Verona. Flights to Verona cost from £102 return.

New Orleans - not New York: Pop the question on a romantic

old mahogany-lined streetcar or under the ancient mossclothed oak trees in Audobon Park. Flights to New Orleans start from £436 return. ● India - but not the Taj Mahal: There are few more enduring testaments to true love than the Taj Mahal, but Ram Bagh, the oldest Mughal garden laid out in a way that suggests paradise, is a less clichéd location. The pathways and waterways are fed by the Yamuna River while the shady pavilions offer an unparalleled setting for that all-important question. Flights to India are from £358 return.

The company’s travel expert, Nadine Hallak, said: "A wedding proposal is the height of romance, making Valentine's Day a natural time to pop the question. Our advice is to skip the flowers and chocolates and take romance on the road for the moment that neither of you will ever forget."

For the full Top 10 Best Places to Propose, visit http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/top-ten-places-to-propose/

First flights to France take off from Blackpool Airport BLACKPOOL AIRPORT is gearing up to launch a new seasonal service to and from Albert Picardie Airport in northern France from April.

The service will bring tourists into Lancashire as it gears up for an exciting year of iconic celebrations, such as the Preston Guild and sporting events including The Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s Golf Club.

Albert is twinned with Ulverston in Cumbria and teams representing the two towns meet to play football at Easter with the Cyril Barker Shield being contested every year.

Flights will be available on selected dates from April to August and will also take passengers from Lancashire and The Lake District to Albert in the heart of the Somme region.

Flights will be operated by Danish Air Transport (DAT) on an ATR 72-200 aircraft which holds up to 66 passengers.

Prices start from £95 and bookings can be made by visiting DAT’s Website at https://dat-charter.worldticket.net or by calling Blackpool Airport on 01253-472507.

SUPER SALES...the Superbreak sales team have been calling on Affinion agents to promote its new Eurostar packages. Pictured from the left are: Scott James, Superbreak; with Lorena Gray, Donna Starsmore and Kylie Bowyer from Affinion.

h c t a W Ones to rammes avel prog tr p to e th A pick of ant to miss... w 't n o d u yo

One Man and His Campervan: Northumberland on BBC iPlayer - available until 29th February Martin Dorey, campervan lover and passionate foodie, journeys around Britain in his 1970s classic campervan on the ultimate escapist adventure. In this episode Martin's campervan adventure continues in Northumberland. It's an early start on Holy Island and he has to beat the tide to join local fishermen Sean and Richard on a quest to pick up fresh lobster for a campervan feast.

Mailbox Mailings with Travel Bulletin this week include: ● Canvas Holidays - Specialists in Camping,

Mobile Home and Lodge Holidays across 8 European Countries.

Visit www.canvasholidays.co.uk for information or to book call 0845 268 0858 ● Amathus Hotels latest newsletter with all the

hotel developments, full of all the details on the hotels and their upgrades for 2012.

For further details on the special agent offers and what the hotels have to offer visit www.amathus-hotels.com For further details and special offers please read the mail shots that accompany this issue

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newsbulletin Join us for a Southern & East Africa Showcase treat!

TRAVEL BULLETIN is inviting travel agents to join us for an informative and fun networking evening on Tuesday March 6.

The Southern & East Africa Showcase evening takes place at Shaka Zulu restaurant in London’s Camden Town from 17:30-21:30.

Agents will have the opportunity to learn more about the destination through combined networking and presentations and will also have the chance to win a range of prizes –

from a luxury rail trip and fam trip places to flights, theatre tickets and more! A delicious buffet featuring authentic Southern African food plus evening entertainment is also on offer!

To confirm your place at this exciting event, email the names and job titles of up to three staff members to jeanette@travelbulletin.co.uk or call 020-7834 6661 for more information.

Newsbites ●

AIR FRANCE is continuing to innovate its Business Class services and product as part of its efforts to provide a more refined service. Examples include the enhancement of its menu, two thirds of the fleet equipped with the new Business Class seat by the end of this year and a more personalised service on board.

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CRUISE & Maritime has revamped its Website which now has the facility to track Marco Polo and Ocean Countess live at sea and view films at www.cruiseandmaritime.tv Users can view the description, route, itinerary and fares all on one page.

For details see www.cruiseandmaritime.com

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GREEN HOLIDAYS Website Greentraveller.co.uk and the West Sweden

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Tourist Board have published a Guide to Green Holidays in Gothenburg & West Sweden to show how travellers can make the most of the region in a way that has a low impact on the environment and a positive impact on biodiversity conservation and on the local economy. ●

TRAVELPORT AND TAP Portugal (TAP) have announced a continuation of their global content agreement. The new multi-year deal continues the long-standing relationship between the companies and secures full access to all TAP fares and classes for Travelport-connected travel agencies worldwide.

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VOYAGES TO Antiquity has become a cruise partner of Advantage Travel Centres.

Tucan Travel offers clients 15% savings TUCAN TRAVEL has launched a February sale and is offering clients 15% off their next adventure, departing anytime this year when booked by February 29.

The discount applies to all group tours, except Just Go Tours on all departure dates listed at www.tucantravel.com For more information about the range of tours available visit www.tucantravel.com/ travel-styles

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newsbulletin Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter...

FredOlsenCruiseLines Cruise with F.OCL from Dover, Southampton, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Rosyth and now Harwich and Belfast for 2013! bit.ly/AiE5l5 DERTOUR UK Want to go to Germany but don't speak German? To ask for a beer in a pub, use your thumb to indicate 'one', rather than your index finger.

Cunard Line A great blog from guests on Queen Elizabeth's World Voyage: karenandrecruise2012. wordpress.com Sunvil Geocaching - what is it and is it a good way to explore the Azores?

Find out here fb.me/BrndHlsR lastminute.com Worked out Valentine's Day treat yet? We've got the ultimate location, with champagne and chocolates, and a #top #deal bit.ly/zxgw81

Follow us on Twitter! http://twitter.com/ TravelBulletin

Pegasus unveils new Website PEGASUS AIRLINES has redesigned the home page of its Website to deliver a smarter look with new user-friendly features.

The site aims to make it even easier for users to book tickets and other services online and features a more spacious ticket sales section; a check-in tab; a Book Hotel tab; easier access to flight services including excess baggage, seat selection and inflight meals; campaigns and routes on offer for passengers seeking value deals; on-time performance display; and a news section.

For more information see www.flypgs.com

MAKEOVER MAGIC...An exclusive pamper evening at Benefit Cosmetics Boutique in Covent Garden, London took place recently in aid of Funway Holidays' ‘Makeover Campaign’. A total of 20 agents were invited to a night of pampering including makeovers, canapés and bubbly, and agents were also treated to a £20 Benefit Cosmetics gift card, to spend on any product of their choice. Pictured receiving a makeover is Daisy Maguire from Thomas Cook.

Explore launches new holiday brand for the 18-30s adventure travel market EXPLORE HAS launched a new holiday brand called edge, which caters for the 18-30 adventure travel market. A total of 75 smallgroup trips are featured, offering flexible itineraries in more than 40 countries, available for sale through the trade.

Tour durations range from four to 82 days and customers can choose whether to explore a specific place, region or whole continent. The trips are run by a group leader and free time is also built into the itineraries for independent exploration.

As examples, for guests who can only spare a long weekend but are looking for an adventure, a four-day Iceland Weekend offers the opportunity to experience Iceland’s glaciers on snowmobiles, ride giant superjeeps into the wild or horse-ride across lava landscapes. With time factored in for sightseeing and a visit to the Blue Lagoon, the tour also provides the chance to

spot the Northern Lights during the winter months.

Year-round departures are available and prices lead in at £279 per person, which includes breakfast accommodation, transport and the services of a group leader.

A 15-day Cuba Adventure incorporates music, mojitos and revolution, taking in highlights such as Trinidad, Vinales, Camaguey, Santiago de Cuba and Havana.

The trip also includes some down-time on the beaches of the island of Cayo Levisa, as well as a trek in the Escambray Mountains. With departures from June to December, prices lead in at £799 per person including breakfast accommodation, six other meals, transport, a group leader and local guides. Flights are excluded but can be arranged if required.

For more information visit www.edgeadventures.com or call 0844-225 3135.

A&K introduces new city tours for in-transit destinations ABERCROMBIE & Kent has introduced new cities to its lineup of top destinations, where travellers can make the most of in-transit hours by seeing the sights rather than the airport.

City tours can now be booked in Madrid, Dubai, Johannesburg, Singapore, Bangkok and Delhi, the company’s top in-transit destinations and are part of the operator's Airport Concierge service.

Tailor-made tours include a private guide to take travellers on a sightseeing excursion of the city or offer an interesting experience tailored to personal interests and time available.

City sightseeing tours can be arranged alongside the

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traditional 'Meet and Greet' portion of the Airport Concierge service which includes being met directly from the plane and guided through security, customs and immigration.

Airport Concierge VIP packages start from £183 for up to four passengers and are available for single independent travellers or for groups in more than 350 airports in destinations including Hong Kong, Beijing, Delhi, Bangkok, London, Istanbul, Nairobi, Cape Town, Dubai, Cairo, Vienna, Miami, JFK and Paris.

For more information call 0845-618 2220, email enquiries@akairportconcierge.co.uk or visit www.akairportconcierge.com

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newsbulletin Superbreak & DFDS Seaways team up

agentreview Gina Keane from Thomas Cook in Ruislip booked a Classic Wedding Package in Las Vegas with Attraction World for five nights. Here’s what she thought of her wedding…

First impressions ..............................10/10 Best Chapel (Special Memories) in Vegas. Very warm welcome and we were seen to straight away. We knew we'd chosen the perfect place.

Comfort ............................................10/10

DFDS SEAWAYS and Superbreak have announced a new partnership this year. As part of the commercial joint venture, the ferry operator will provide crossings from Newcastle to Amsterdam for a range of Superbreak’s hotel breaks to Amsterdam.

The line offers daily return sailings from Newcastle to Amsterdam giving the operator's customers a greater choice and flexibility in terms of their travel to the Dutch capital.

When booking Amsterdam hotel breaks including a DFDS Seaways’ ferry crossing, agents will also be able to choose from the operator's hotel range.

Ferries to Amsterdam depart daily from Newcastle, with three-night hotel breaks booked via the operator starting from £89 per person, including ferry crossings, coach transfers and a one-night hotel stay.

For more information call 0871-221 4444.

The surroundings were very comfortable and we felt at home.

PTA flights back for travel agents

Quality ..............................................10/10

PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL Advisors has launched a new global campaign to win back business that has been lost to the internet for travel agents and, at the same time, help agents acquire new clients.

The campaign, available online, gives agents the opportunity to share their experiences and expertise with the general public, along with details of their company and personal profiles.

The site encourages the public to contact the travel agent in order to have the comments that have been made clarified or expanded upon, providing agents with the opportunity to secure new business.

For details visit www.professionaltraveladvisors.com

The quality was excellent. There were two chapels to choose from and we chose the largest one as we had 14 guests with us. Everything ran as smooth as clockwork and it was the best wedding chapel in Vegas without a doubt.

Affordability ......................................10/10 The total wedding package was originally £250 but we did upgrade it (£300). It was the best money I've ever spent more than worth it.

Service ..............................................10/10 Service was brilliant – very efficient and all staff were warm, welcoming, friendly and they couldn't do enough for us. I had a choice of three colours for the bouquet but I wanted a different colour and they were happy to oblige at no extra cost.

WEBSCLUSIVES

Good to know ............................................

Anyone thinking of marrying overseas...go Vegas...go Special Memories Chapel, best ever. Joe the limo driver was very good, as were all the staff.

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Agents, this is your last chance to banish those winter blues! Enter the Air Europa competition for the chance to win either a Salsa Workshop or a delicious Afternoon Tea for two. To enter, visit www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions. Closing date is 20th February.

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There are 3 great prizes on offer with Villa Select’s competition, hosted at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions. 1st Prize: One week’s accommodation at a Villa Select property. 2nd Prize: £100 in Love2Shop vouchers. 3rd Prize: A luxury hamper.

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Agents, sign up for the Travel Bulletin Southern & East Africa Showcase, taking place at Shaka Zulu restaurant in Camden Town on 6th March. The event includes networking, presentations, delicious contemporary African food & drink plus a free prize draw with some fantastic prize. For more details, email jeanette@travelbulletin.co.uk

Overall scoring: ......

10 / 10

Gina receives a £10 Love2Shop voucher for her review.

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

Go

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

All this and more at:

www.travelbulletin.co.uk The home of the web savvy travel agent 8

February 10 2012

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agentbulletin Booking incentives ●

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CRUISE & Maritime Voyages (CMV) is offering agents the opportunity to earn up to 17.5% commission on bookings made before February 29.

The company is aiming to boost early bookings by offering up to 25% off published fares on certain cruises - available to view at www.cruiseandmaritime.tv For more information see www.facebook.com/cruiseandmaritime, www.cruiseandmaritime.com or call 0844-414 6185.

TRAVEL 2 is urging agents to encourage their customers to move away from short-haul destinations and consider booking long-haul, with the launch of its latest campaign in partnership with Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways‘Upgrade to Amazing Thailand’. To coincide with the campaign the company is giving agents the chance to win an iPhone 4S. To enter, agents must make a booking to Thailand with a minimum three nights’ accommodation or retweet the operator's

Thailand offers to their customers.

Agents will receive double entries with every booking secured and retweet made. The campaign runs until the end of this month.

For details see www.travel2.com ●

DFDS SEAWAYS has launched an incentive for travel agents to win VIP tickets to see Coldplay in concert. Between now and April 30, two agents will win a VIP ticket every month to see lead singer Chris Martin and his band at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. Winners will also have a pre-concert three-course meal and Champagne reception, before watching the band perform favourites including Yellow, The Scientist and Mylo Xyloto, followed by after-show refreshments. To enter agents should make a booking on the line's Newcastle to Amsterdam or Harwich to Esbjerg routes and submit the booking reference to the agent Website at www.dfds.co.uk/agent or email resource.admin@dfds.com along with agency name, ABTA number, name and email address.

m LED BY SALES... Lesley Hougha (right) from Triangle Travel in for Pangbourne won a 42” LED TV cated signing up to Titan’s new dedi ts.co.uk agents' Website www.titanagen the Pictured delivering the prize is operator's agency sales manager, Edwina Coppock.

Agent offers ●

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced that The Travel Channel (Sky, channel 251) is currently broadcasting a new review on its ‘Cruise Today’ programme throughout this month, showcasing the line's flagship, Seven Seas Voyager. To encourage agents to view the report, the line has launched a ‘Tune In And Win’ competition to give agents the chance to win one of three places on a ship tour, lunch on Seven Seas Voyager, an overnight luxury hotel stay, three ‘Red Letter Day’ experience vouchers and

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L’Occitane goodies. Cinemastyle tickets are being sent to agents and to enter, agents should email their name, agency name, ABTA number and contact details to agents@rssc.co.uk At the end of this month the company will email entrants with three questions to answer about Travel Channel’s report. If agents answer all three questions correctly they will be entered into the prize draw. ●

The Hotel Dania Magec in Puerto de la Cruz Tenerife is

offering agents the opportunity to visit and experience the hotel and its facilities and rediscover the North of Tenerife. Agents and a companion [sharing the same room] pay €20 per person per night on a half-board basis, subject to availability. Speedy Transfers [www.speedytransfers.co.uk] is offering agents a special rate of £31 return for transfers to the property. To book the Dania Magec and transfer offer contact Sarah Wright, Dania Magec UK account manager by emailing daniamagec@lloydstravels.com

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Ma ke any Voy ages of Make Voyages Dis scovery booking to be Discovery d make sure you send eligible to enter and 2 or 29th February your email before 15th, 22nd th he prize draws. Y ou o to be eligible for one of the You a you like, so the more can enter as many times as m chance you hav bookings you make, the more havee of winning this amazing prize! priize!

newsbulletin Launch of Lawrence of Morocco product THE FOUNDERS of The Best of Morocco, Chris and Max Lawrence, have launched a new bespoke programme called Lawrence of Morocco.

The product, which offers commission to agents, introduces the latest in accommodation, adventure and travel experiences in the country - from weekends away to multicentre trips combining cities, the coast, the Atlas Mountains, the South and the Sahara.

Activities are varied and range from camel and mule trekking to Saharan stargazing and cookery lessons,

and accommodation is focused on the authentic and the unusual including riads (medina houses built around ornate courtyards), ksars (fortified Berber villages consisting of interlinked houses) and kasbahs (castles or palaces).

As an example of prices, a four-night break to Marrakech costs from ÂŁ387 per person, based on two sharing and includes flights, four-star breakfast accommodation and private transfers.

For more information call 020-7183 6401 or visit www.lawrenceofmorocco.com

Olympic Air launches Athens-Tel Aviv route OLYMPIC AIR has announced the launch of its new Athens Tel Aviv - Athens route from March 9.

The new route is tailored for both business and leisure passengers and is also intended to cover the 'religious tourism' market.

For passengers travelling on the Tel Aviv - Athens leg, the carrier offers connecting flights to destinations in the Balkans, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Greece, and the Greek islands. Travellers from Tel Aviv to Athens can access 31 domestic destinations from Athens.

Flights from Tel Aviv to Athens will be operated by an Airbus A320/A319 three times weekly and during summer the frequency of flights will increase to four weekly.

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Booking details must be sent by email to prizedraw@ prizedraw@voyagesofdiscovery.com @voyagesofdiscovery.com in or order der to be enter entered ed into the prize draw. Bookings made but not sent by email will not be enter entered ed into the draw. No limit on entries per agent. Deadlines for entries ar aree midnight on 15th 15th, h, 22nd and 29th February 2012. Draw will be made the following day day.. Entries submitted after 29th Februa February ary will not be eligible for the prize draw. Winners will EEH FRQWDFWHG ZLWKLQ GD\V RI GUDZ EHLQJ PDGH 3UL]H ZLOO EH VHQW ZLWKLQ GD\V RI ZLQQHU EHLQJ QRWLĂ€HG H F R Q W D F W H G Z L W K L Q G D \ V R I G U D Z E H L Q J P D G H 3 U L ] H Z L O O E H V H Q W Z L W K L Q G D \ V R I Z L Q Q H U E H L Q J Q R W L Ă€ H G ÂŁ69pp applies to ‘V ‘Voyage oyage to the Mediterranean Mediterranean’’ cruis cruise se depar departing ting September 17th, 2012.

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February 10 2012

AW highlights Athens city tour ATTRACTION WORLD is promoting its half-day coach and walking city tour, which takes in all the key sights of Athens.

Passing through the modern city to the remains of its past, guests will visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Panathinaiko Stadium, home to the first Olympic Games in 1896. The tour then includes 15 further landmarks and notable historical sites including the Greek Prime Minister’s residence and the Acropolis.

All tours are fully commissionable to agents and prices lead in at ÂŁ46 per adult and ÂŁ31 per child aged four-12 years.

For details visit www.attractionworld.com or call 0871-700 8888.

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puzzlebulletin Travagrams

Su Doku

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

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

Ear Dumb

Number: 051

A➠

B➠ Don’t forget your pink shorts when visiting this destination

C➠

A Jays Shiver

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:

Part of this operator’s name is the same as a well-known ‘Cocker’ singer

Where Am I?

competition@travelbulletin.co.uk Closing date for entries is Thursday, February 16th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for 27th January is Debra Webster, Claridon Travel in Notts.

January 27 Solution: A=9 B=5 C=7 D=2

I am at 350 Fifth Avenue New York City, 1,250 feet in the air!

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

Across

Down

1. Hotels and resorts group (8)

1. Thriller movie release, not for those with

6. Sydney is the capital of this state, initially (3)

vertigo (3,2,1,5)

8. Highest Mount on Tenerife (5)

2. Country on the Med and Adriatic (5)

9. Scottish isle (4)

3. Dorothy's dog in the Wizard of Oz (4)

11. British pop band, sounds out of focus (4)

4. African country (6,5)

12. Can keep you afloat in the pool (4)

5. Famous sisters, Serena and Venus (8)

13. Des Moines is the state capital (4)

7. Irish band with a farewell tour this year (8)

16. Daniel, author of Robinson Crusoe (5)

10. Edinburgh airport code (3)

17. San Francisco International airport code (3)

14. Royal Caribbean cruise ship, ___ of the Seas (5)

18. Hampshire based tour operator offering

15. Nickname for Mr Grylls, the survival expert (4)

Number: 051

More Affordable Luxury (8)

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For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 30 February 10 2012

11

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brainstormbulletin NEW FOR 2012, brainstormbulletin encourages all travel agents to work together by pooling your ideas and sharing your problems and solutions.

This week, Anneka Bones from Southern Cross Travel in Wadhurst, asked for your feedback on the following...

Like a lot of agents, we have been hit over the last few years by having to refund clients in full for cancelled bookings. Do you charge your clients cancellation fees?

And if so, what wording do you use to justify this and at what stage do you notify the client? We feel it is not fair for us to lose our commission on bookings when we have worked so hard on them – what do you think?

Here's what some of you thought...

I SYMPATHISE with all agents who have to refund cancelled bookings and lose their commission and I wish I had the answer.

All the hard work and often no commission at all. I remember a £12,000 Travel2 Australia booking, great commission - until they cancelled. Days of hard work putting the itinerary together, booking all the components and then they cancel.

In fact I don’t think there is an answer unless agents have a separate contract with their clients for cancelled bookings which in practise is impossible. The only other way would be for suppliers/tour operators to build a ‘cancellation fee’ for agents into their deposit so at least we and they cover a small amount of costs.

Regretfully not all operators are agent friendly these days.

A tough old world for the agent!

OUR AGENCY do not charge a cancellation charge as we do not want to add extra cost to the clients.

However if a customer's holiday is cancelled we feel strongly that agents should get at least 10% of the deposit paid. After all we will have put time and effort into the whole process including the administration of the cancellation.

Operators often forget how much time and effort a cancelled booking can involve!

PS... If I find a Magic Wand I will email it to all agents but regretfully I have been looking for it for 40 years!

THE NEXT BRAINSTORM QUESTION IS: One of the bug-bears in our office is that when we call certain operators we are often connected to a call centre abroad. The other day my colleague had to speak to three different people at the call centre before someone could understand what she was saying! I think if you are going to employ people in call centres they really need to know how to speak English to a high level. Do other agents feel the same and do they have any tips on how to deal with being understood?

STEVE ALLERSTON, HOLIDAY TRAVEL, BRIDLINGTON

Send your responses to lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk with the subject 'Brainstorm'.

If you have a dilemma or question that you would like to ask other agents then please get in touch by email or by calling 020-7834 6661.

12

KAREN EASON, SUNSHINE TRAVEL, CORSHAM, WILTSHIRE

STAR RESPONSE WHEN WE had the problems regarding the volcano we had no choice but to refund bookings and unfortunately lose the commissions we had worked hard for.

However, you have to look at the bigger picture and not just at the problem in front of you.

Yes, we had to lose on the bookings, but the clients did rebook later and so we made them back. If you play fair with customers, then hopefully they will come back to you and by word of mouth, hopefully pass more customers on to you because you have helped them.

This was certainly true in our case, as one guy who I helped who was stuck abroad, let it be known that his agent was

February 10 2012

WINS a £10 op Love2Sher vouch

brilliant, and yes you can book cheaper online, however when you have a problem who do you turn to? One of his friends (who booked online) was still waiting for a refund more than six months later.

Needless to say this guy is now one of our clients.

So always look at the bigger picture first. Yes it may not seem right/fair in the beginning but hopefully it will work out in the long run.

If clients are cancelling of their own volition then this would be a different ball game altogether.

GORDON LAWRENCE, GAZELLE TRAVEL, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

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hotelbulletin Check-in and get online at Premier Inn PREMIER INN is offering guests free Wi-fi for up to half an hour and unlimited connectivity for 24-hours from £3 per day.

The 30-minutes of free Wi-fi lasts for the duration of a stay with metered time, meaning the minutes are only used when guests are online.

Longer stay guests can also benefit from the new initiative, with unlimited Wifi for one week for £10.

The company's marketing director, Mark Fells, said: “We are always looking at ways to go the extra mile for our guests, and with the rise of smart phones and the demand for mobile internet access we wanted to provide guests with the opportunity to always feel connected.”

The new initiative, which has been rolled out across all of the 600-plus sites, is in addition to the free service already provided across Whitbread restaurants, Brewers Fayre, Beefeater Grill, Table Table and Taybarns where guests can connect for free at the restaurant or bar.

CENTARA HOTELS & Resorts has announced that its latest hotel in Thailand, Centara Pattaya Hotel, has soft opened. The hotel joins two other Pattaya properties that are currently open and a third that is currently under construction. The property is centrally located and within a few minutes walk of the beach. It offers 152 rooms and suites, including family-friendly units. Facilities include a swimming pool, pool bar, fitness centre and a kids' club.

For details see www.centarahotelsresorts.com

DoubleTree by Hilton opens at Newcastle Airport BUSINESS AND leisure travellers passing through Newcastle Airport can now benefit from a stay at a new onsite hotel.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport hotel has officially opened following a multi-million pound investment by the North-East based Cairn Hotel Group.

Located metres from the airport terminal and offering direct links to Newcastle city centre via the Metro, the glass fronted, modern building has been designed to cater for business and leisure travellers - including families.

The hotel offers a choice of 179 en-suite rooms, each with flat panel TVs, free high speed internet access and soundproof windows.

Facilities include car parking, five function rooms, which can accommodate between 40 and 150 people for corporate and private events, a fitness suite and a choice of dining options and 24-hour room service.

Manager of the property, Seamus O’Hara, said: “Newcastle International Airport is a key gateway for those leaving and entering the North East of England, with dozens of airlines offering flights to more than 80 destinations worldwide.

“The DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport hotel has been specifically designed to cater for the millions of travellers who pass through the airport every year and offer them comfortable and convenient accommodation that will enhance their journey.”

For more information or to book call 01661-824266 or visit www.newcastleinternationalairport.doubletree.com

InBrief ● THE GROSVENOR in Victoria is the latest member of

● FOUR SEASONS Hotels and Resorts has launched a new

the luxury Guoman Hotels’ collection following the completion of an extensive refurbishment project.

Website that offers a user-friendly experience, combined with rich global content and social media integration.

See www.fourseasons.com

● KIWI COLLECTION has launched a new online guest

review system, meaning travellers staying at any of the 2,300 hotels can have their independent reviews published to the Website. To help facilitate their reviews, guests are sent a questionnaire encouraging feedback and comments following their stay.

For details see www.kiwicollection.com ● JAKES HOTEL, a boutique resort on the south coast of

Jamaica, is offering guests free two-hour “Way Back When” heritage tours of the town of Black River, capital of St. Elizabeth, when they book seven-night stays.

For details visit www.jakeshotel.com

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● NATURAL RETREATS has announced that it has received

planning permission to expand and develop its Llŷn Peninsula site in North Wales. Located on the coast of Nefyn Bay, Natural Retreats Llŷn Peninsula is currently home to eight traditional Welsh-stone cottages. The planning permission will allow the company to demolish the nearby derelict Plas Pistyll Hotel and replace it with 20 luxury selfcatering residences, plus an additional 16 residences, extending the Welsh stone cottages in the existing farmstead. A seven-night stay in a two-bedroom cottage leads in at £490.

For details see www.naturalretreats.co.uk or call 0844-384 3166.

February 10 2012

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opinionbulletin

W-AITO-Go!

by OLIVER BROAD

Oliver looks forward to rediscovering Madeira’s charm at the AITO Agents’ overseas conference in June HEN CHOOSING the venue for the AITO Agents’ overseas conference, it seems to have become a trend to alternate between a familiar destination and somewhere new and fresh.

Last year, for the first-ever joint conference with AITO operators, we did exactly this by visiting Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania - which surprised all our delegates with its local charm, culture and even warm weather!

This year it looks like we’re returning to familiar ground by holding the conference on Madeira, from June 14-17, kindly sponsored by the Portuguese National Tourist Office and the Madeira Promotion Bureau. Many of us think we know Madeira, but there is a new generation in travel that have never had the pleasure of visiting the ever-popular island.

And for those who do know it, this is a great opportunity to rediscover its charm and learn something new. Did you know, for example, that the island offers wonderful, accessible walks along its 25-miles of levadas footpaths an open canal system developed to distribute water to the drier sun parched regions of the island?

Did you know about the buzzing foodie scene in its capital, Funchal, plus the Madeira Wine Festival and other cultural events there?

For those of us new to Madeira, it will be intriguing to see what all the fuss is about. With no beaches and an image that I wouldn’t link to the younger market, I am interested to see what may appeal to me personally. I’ve certainly sold the destination over and over again and it seems to sell itself, with a high repeat clientele - perhaps because of the traditional quintas and the range of walking opportunities with jaw-dropping views over the mountainous terrain.

W

Many of us think we know Madeira, but there is a new generation in travel that have never had the pleasure of visiting the ever-popular island.

As for the conference itself, bringing both the AITO Agents and operators together for the first time in Lithuania worked really well.

Our agents had the chance to network with more operators and affiliates than ever before. We will repeat

14

February 10 2012

the format this year, with some tweaking of course. What I hope will be the same - as with all our AITO events - is what I call the spirit of AITO. There seems to be an unwritten bond between members, whether an affiliate, agent or operator, that brings us all together with a common goal – to support the independent sector.

What I hope will be the same - as with all our AITO events - is what I call the spirit of AITO. There seems to be an unwritten bond between members, whether an affiliate, agent or operator, that brings us all together with a common goal – to support the independent sector.

Last year’s conference theme was ‘The state of independence’. The 2012 theme will be announced soon and doubtless the debate about how to make the most of today’s difficult situation will be just as prevalent. AITO’s up-front involvement in ATOL reform will be central to the debate too - who knows where we may be by June!

As costs rise and consumers feel the squeeze even more, events like this adapt.

Maybe the days of overseas conferences with soaring numbers are gone, but one thing is for sure, and that is that AITO is all about quality, not quantity. I’m sure this is what will be celebrated and embraced anew this June.

To respond to any of Oliver’s views email jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk

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S03 TB1002 News 2_Layout 1 08/02/2012 11:05 Page 15

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Experience the best of Europe with Cosmos Tours & Cruises tours & cruises

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S04 TB1002 Escorted Trips_Layout 1 08/02/2012 11:11 Page 17

escortedtrips How the escorted tours market is bucking the trend to become a rare success story

by CRAIG LIDDLE, key acco unt manager, Titan Travel

T

here aren’t too many sectors of the travel industry growing at the moment, but the escorted tours market is certainly bucking the trend – up in passengers and up (nearly 10% up, in fact) in revenue, according to 2011 figures published by BEST (Better Escorted Tours).

There is great potential for agents to become more involved in this success story and earn superb commissions on what are generally high value bookings – the Craig Liddle average customer spend on escorted tours topped £1,500 per person for the first time last year. All that is required is an understanding of the many benefits of an escorted tour and the confidence to debunk a few of those myths that we hear from agents and customers alike.

At its most basic level, I would describe an escorted tour as a pre-designed itinerary accompanied by a tour manager throughout, but that definition allows for a million possibilities in destination, method of transportation, customer age group and theme. Taking each of these aspects in turn: Destination Escorted tours can take you literally anywhere in the world. The escorted tours specialist that I work for offers more than 200 itineraries to more than 50 countries and every continent.

There are some countries of the world that you can only visit on an escorted tour – North Korea, for example – and some countries that are so well suited to touring that there is simply no better way to experience them. I’d put Egypt and Jordan in this category, along with New Zealand, Vietnam, China and South Africa.

Transportation A coach might still be the most popular form of touring transport, but this shouldn’t really be perceived as a negative.

Choose a reputable operator and the coaches will be spacious, comfortable and hi-tech with large picture windows and often daily seat rotation in the interests of fairness. But escorted tour transportation is not simply limited to coaches; ocean and river cruises may feature, for example, private flights (particularly popular in top-end safari holidays) and journeys on iconic trains such as Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer, Australia’s Ghan or Europe’s legendary Orient Express. A well thought-out tour

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might even include a combination of these to offer the most appropriate and memorable perspective on a destination.

Customer age group Escorted tours are often assumed to be suitable only for older customers. If that was ever the case, it certainly isn’t any more.

You will have noticed that mature travellers are becoming more and more adventurous and ‘younger-minded’ and, as the focus of escorted tours reflects this, the mix of holidaymakers is becoming increasingly broad, from 20-somethings to 80somethings. There are very few customers these days likely to be ‘immune’ to the attractions of an escorted tour.

Theme Again, the imagination of the customer or the tour operator is the only limit. The majority of escorted tours focus on spectacular landscapes and cultural treasures, but there is also an escorted tour to suit every special interest from archaeology to watercolour painting, motorsports to Harry Potter!

In addition to this infinite variety, there are a host of other benefits to an escorted tour. Value is key – escorted tours generally include as standard scheduled flights, good hotel and cruise accommodation, a number of meals, visits and excursions, and the services of a tour manager throughout.

Some operators are even including door-to-door transfers for an extra dimension of comfort and convenience. On an escorted tour, all of the planning has been done and all the arrangements made by a destination expert. The tour manager is there to provide complete peace of mind, as well as an introductory guiding service, and your customers forge lifelong friendships amongst groups of holidaymakers with the same travel motivations and passions.

And, from an agent’s point of view, these kind of ‘prepackaged’ high value holidays can be a dream to book – as part of Titan’s ‘Five’ campaign, for example, they answer every agent call within five seconds and it takes, on average, less than five minutes to complete a £5,000 booking that earns the agent more than £500. That’s how easy it can be!

In this difficult market, I would urge you to put aside any preconceptions you may have about escorted tours, embrace the countless possibilities and benefits for your customers, and take advantage of the growing commissions to be earned from this rare success story. ✦

February 10 2012

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escortedtrips EXPLORERS ASTRONOMY Tours has released its 2012/13 brochure, which acts as a preview of what the skies have on the horizon over the next few years. The brochure includes holidays taking in two total eclipses, an annular eclipse, the Transit of Venus and the Northern Lights. All tours are accompanied by the company's Galactic Rangers to provide an insight into the celestial activity. In addition to increasing the number of departures for its sell-out tour to see the much sought-after aurora borealis, the operator has introduced a five-day family-only Northern Lights holiday this month. Prices lead in at £1,099 for adults and £1,039 for children and departures are on February 14 and February 12, 2013.

For details call 0845-609 1591 or visit www.astronomytours.co.uk

Luxury escorted tours booking boost for Grand UK Holidays GRAND UK Holidays reports that its customers are continuing to book upmarket and luxury escorted tours, and says that the success of its new ‘Gold’ coach tours and its other luxury escorted holidays is thanks to the combination of quality coaches and accommodation with value-for-money prices.

The company's sales director Harold Burke said: “We have been getting very good feedback from our agency partners and customers about our upmarket tours.

“Customers are attracted by the quality on offer and the chance to pamper themselves on a UK break – and thanks to the buying power we have as part of the UK Holiday Group, we can offer very competitive rates too.

“Many of our Gold tours are approaching capacity already, as agents and holidaymakers realise they can get a top-quality holiday with coach travel, excursions, half-board accommodation and experienced tour guide all included in the price."

The 2012 brochure features 45 new tours mainly in the UK and Ireland - ranging from special interest and themed breaks to a new holiday by train.

New hobby holidays have also been added, including bowling and ballroom dancing to cater for the growing demand for special interest breaks.

The new ‘Gold’ tours also include a departure to Floriade this year, the horticultural spectacular which takes place every ten years in the Netherlands.

Other popular new options include five-day escorted tours to Warner Norton Grange Coastal Resort and Warner Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel in North Wales.

Five days’ half-board accommodation leads in at £389 per person including coach travel, entertainment and excursions to Chester and Snowdonia.

For bookings or more information call 01603-619933 or see www.grandukholidays.com

Barcelo Buxton Palace Hotel

New agent online booking engine for Travelsphere, Just You and Page & Moy AGENTS ARE now able to make online bookings for any of the escorted tours offered by Travelsphere, Just You and Page & Moy following the launch of a new booking engine.

Agents will need to log into the relevant brand’s website under the 'Travel Agent' tab and follow the bookings procedure.

To register for the online service, agents should email agencysales@pageandmoytravelgroup.com with their chosen password of up to eight digits prior to logging in.

As an added incentive, any agents making an online booking for any of the escorted tours offered by the companies until February 29 will receive a £10 Love2Shop voucher per booking.

To claim a voucher, agents must email agency sales with the booking reference(s), their name, ABTA number and agency address. Claims must be made by March 2 to be valid and vouchers will be sent out after the claim closing date.

For more information visit www.pageandmoy.co.uk, www.travelsphere.co.uk and www.justyou.co.uk

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February 10 2012

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to be won in our monthly draws from January to May

WIN AN iPad iPad2 d2

Make a book booking king fr from n any Titan pr product om January - May on oduct departure automatically be for any de eparture date and you will a entered enter ed into the draw draw! w!

There Ther e is no need d to email us and the mor more e bookings booking gs you make the more more chances you We y have to win! W e will announce the winner on www.titanagents.co.uk www.titanag gents.co.uk at the end of each mon month. th. GOOD LUCK!

To T o or order der br brochures o ochures visit www www.tradegate.co.uk .ttradegate.co.uk orr www.titanagents.co.uk www.titanagents.cco.uk

ABTA ABT TA No.Y174X No.Y174X

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PETER SOMMER Travels has added four new itineraries for 2012. As an example, a two-week Island-hopping in Greece, 'Cruising to the Cyclades’, includes more than a dozen islands, from Santorini to the tiny island of Anafi. The history of the group of islands is brought to life through an expert guide and guests will sail around the Aegean Sea on a 12-cabin gulet. Highlights include a visit to the Bronze Age town at Akrotiri (the Pompei of the Aegean), cruising around the Caldera and Kameni islets, walking through medieval Naxos and swimming in secluded bays. A departure on May 19 leads in at £3,675 per person, based on two sharing and includes 15 nights’ full board on the gulet, transfers, all entrance fees and expert guiding. Flights are extra.

For details call 01600-888220 or visit www.petersommer.com

Explore’s 2012/13 Discovery brochure features selection of 44 new tours EXPLORE HAS launched its new Discovery brochure with more than 40 new tours on offer to destinations such as Papua New Guinea and South Korea.

Destinations closer to home also make an appearance for the first time, including the Channel Islands and Wales.

As examples of prices, an 18-day Papua New Guinea Revealed tour visits the country’s remote villages, volcanoes and festivals. Using a range of accommodation including hotels, lodges, plantation resorts and village camps, the tour costs from £4,799 per person and includes flights, accommodation, some meals, transport and a tour leader.

A new 23-day Burma in Depth tour takes customers beyond the classic highlights, giving them the opportunity to learn about Mon Culture, explore Burma’s ancient temples and tribes, travel to the fabled city of Mandalay and see the floating gardens, stilt villages and leg-rowers of the Inle Lake. Costing from £2,690 per person, the tour includes flights, breakfast

accommodation, transport and the services of a tour leader.

The brochure also includes ten new budget tours, ideal for clients looking to spend less without compromising on their experience. Accommodation is in simpler hotels and customers have more free time to see what they want.

As an example, the company's new budget tour of Egypt explores the Nile on traditional felucca sailboats. The Nile Felucca Week discovers ancient Egypt’s most famous sites and visits the temples of Abu Simbel and Karnak.

Prices lead in at £497 per person including flights, accommodation, some meals, transport and a tour leader.

Carl Burrows, the operator's sales director, said: “In line with our 30th birthday this year, the 2012/13 brochure contains our best ever collection of Discovery holidays. With 44 new tours and five new countries available, there is something to suit every client.

In line with our greater trade focus, we have benefited from fantastic trade support over the last 12 months. We are committed to supporting our agents and

will be offering further training and fam trips over the next year. What’s more, we offer great commission levels and no online discounts, meaning that agents cannot be undercut by the web or our call centre."

Meanwhile, the operator has responded to a growing demand for trekking holidays with the launch of a dedicated Walking and Trekking brochure, which includes 22 new trips.

As an example, a GR20 tour is a strenuous trek along Corsica’s most challenging long-distance footpath.

Claimed to be one of the toughest treks in Europe, the legendary route crosses green meadows and rugged mountain peaks. With departures in June and August, the 15-day tour costs from £1,695 per person and includes flights, seven nights’ gite, one night mountain refuge and six nights’ camping accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis, most meals, transport, a tour leader and driver.

For more information visit www.explore.co.uk or call 0844-499 0901.

Great Rail Journeys & Treyn identify new escorted tour by rail trends INDIA, SCOTLAND, Floriade - the World Horticultural Expo, the Jungfrau Express’ 100-year anniversary, Italy and food & wine tours are just some of the popular rail holiday ideas for this year according to Great Rail Journeys and its sister company Treyn.

With more than 60 new tours across both brands for 2012, including destinations from Yorkshire to the US, GRJ has put together what it sees as its key trends for this year to help agents sell.

As an example, Italy has been huge growth area due to the ease of connection by rail and the value for money it offers. Puglia has been identified as an emerging market and the operator features a ten-day Puglia & the Delights of Umbria from £1,598 per person. The operator says that there has been increased demand for holidays to Scotland, and this has seen both companies increase their range of

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February 10 2012

tours. New for this year from Treyn is a six-day West Highlands & Skye option which leads in at £398 per person.

Other new options include a Beaune & the Wines of Burgundy seven-night tour from £1,185 per person and a 13day Andalucian Explorer from £2,475 - both from Great Rail Journeys.

The companies' marketing and sales director, Alex Roberts, said: “All of our escorted rail tours to mainland Europe depart from St Pancras International in London, which sets a relaxed and glamorous tone to the start of anyone’s holiday. We also offer escorted rail holidays to destinations within the UK as well as Europe, and to six of the seven continents, travelling as far away as India, the US and New Zealand."

For more information or to book visit www.greatrail.com and www.railholidays.com

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escortedtrips Shearings Holidays urges agents to highlight value of escorted tours to clients SHEARINGS HOLIDAYS says that agents should be highlighting the value for money aspect of escorted tours to clients watching the purse strings.

The company's Europe & Worldwide holidays manager, Patricia Birmingham, said: “Escorted holidays offer such good value because the price typically includes return travel, accommodation with dinner and breakfast, and sightseeing visits exploring the local area.

"Customers book escorted holidays knowing that everything is planned for them – they just need to make their own way to their joining point and to be picked up, after which they’ll be looked after until the end of the holiday.

“All inclusive escorted coach holidays are proving

Flying Carpet tour from £555 ENCOUNTERS TRAVEL offers a choice of tours to destinations including Egypt, Turkey, Thailand, Tanzania, Jordan, Israel, Sudan, Morocco, Bolivia, Peru and Russia.

As an example, a tenday Flying Carpet tour in Turkey starts in Istanbul, before taking in the historic sites of Troy, Pergamum and Ephesus before following the ancient silk road to the region of Cappadocia and Ankara. Available for regular departures this month and next, prices start from £555 per person including transfers, breakfast accommodation in fourand five-star hotels, some meals and a local tour leader. Flights are excluded.

For details visit www.encounterstravel.com or call 0800-088 6002.

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increasingly popular, especially in the current economic climate, as customers know they’re just paying a one-off price for everything, including all meals and drinks at the hotel.

“Escorted tours by coach offer great value because they allow travellers to visit multiple destinations on one holiday. The in-depth knowledge of the driver guides and the breadth of places visited ensure that passengers get the most out of their holiday."

The operator reports that it has seen an increasing demand for more adventurous destinations from its customers, including Morocco.

Birmingham said: “This year we have launched two new holidays to Morocco.

It’s relatively inexpensive

and enjoys a warm climate year round, explaining its popularity as a holiday destination.

“Morocco also offers customers the chance to see an exotic country and experience African culture without having to make a long journey.”

The new itineraries include a 16-day Treasures of Morocco & Southern Spain from £1,569, with departures between May and October.

Highlights include visits to the cities of Fez, Marrakesh and Tangiers, a trip to the Alhambra palace in Granada, as well as visits to Madrid, Gibraltar and a two-night stay in the Spanish beach resort of Estepona. The price includes 15 nights' halfboard accommodation, a touring itinerary and luxury coach travel.

Also new is a 12-day Historic Spain, Portugal and Morocco cruise from £1,299, where visitors can discover the history and culture of southern Europe.

Highlights include a visit to the Moroccan historic city of Casablanca, a chance to see Galicia’s unique Crystal City, a trip to the UNESCO world heritage site of Porto and trips to the cities of Cadiz and Lisbon.

The price includes all meals on board, a Captain’s cocktail party and gala dinner, entertainment programme, free parking and free cruise connect to port by luxury coach. The holiday departs on May 24.

For more information call 0844-824 6351 or visit www.shearingsagent.com

Collette reports 'recession resilient' market COLLETTE WORLDWIDE Holidays reports that it has seen sales grow by 30% last year, which it says illustrates that this sector of the market is ‘recession resilient’, highlighting what a great opportunity touring is for travel agents.

The operator's general manager, Peter Traynor, said: "Throughout 2011 we were very proactive in working with agents with mailshots and marketing activity which helped deliver such positive results, and the success continued with very strong forward bookings. USA and Canada are regaining popularity, while sales to New Zealand have been strong despite the Christchurch situation.

"New tours selling well include National Parks of America, Tropical Costa Rica and Hawaiian Adventure. We are seeing a definite trend towards a shorter window between booking and travelling – traditionally our tours were booked up to a year in advance, especially to Australia and New Zealand, but over the past year, we have seen bookings as close in as four to five weeks before departure.”

Marble Canyon, Arizona

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escortedtrips Trafalgar Tours adds Wild West Cowboys and Buffalos family tour in response to demand TRAFALGAR TOURS reports that family escorted touring holidays are proving increasingly popular, with the US and Canada seeing a growth of 65% from 2010 to 2011 and North America being the UK’s most popular touring destination.

New for this year is a Wild West Cowboys and Buffalos tour, an eight-day itinerary that travels through national parks, exploring the old Wild West. Guests will visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, experience Old West hospitality in Montana and journey through the Black Hills

National Forest before arriving in the Mile High City, Denver.

The tour runs from May 14 to October 4 and costs from £1,175 per person based on twin share, land-only, and includes private transfers, accommodation, a number of highlighted lunches and dinners, travel in luxury coaches and sightseeing. Visits include Salt Lake City, Jackson, Yellowstone National Park and Keystone.

For more information call 020-7468 4335 or visit www.onestoptouringshop.co.uk

New Southern & East Africa trips from African Pride AFRICAN PRIDE has added several new escorted trips throughout Southern & East Africa to complement its popular established tours.

Tours include private safari itineraries such as the ‘Namibia Adventure Safari’ which combines hotel and lodge accommodation in Windhoek, Swakopmund & Etosha with walk-in Meru tents set up daily prior to guests' arrival.

Prices lead in at £3,429 for 15 days.

Also new is a more leisurely paced ‘South African Panorama Tour’ which takes in many of the country’s sights, with prices from £2,889 per person for 17 days and the adventurous ‘Walking & Camping in the Kruger’, which costs from £699 for four days.

The operator's general manager, Liz Hall, said: “Escorted trips are an ideal way to see Africa, everything is organised for you, there’s no need to drive and best of all you benefit from the guides expert local knowledge which really adds to the experience.”

For more information visit www.african-pride.co.uk or call 01904-619428.

Insight Vacations adds seven new itineraries in Eastern Europe

FUNWAY HOLIDAYS' newest escorted tour addition, ‘Best of Hawaii’ (operated by Trafalgar Tours) visits three of Hawaii’s islands - Kona, Maui and Honolulu. The ten-day option costs from £1,535 per person excluding flights.

For details see www.funway4agents.co.uk or call 0844-557 0626.

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February 10 2012

IN RESPONSE to demand, Insight Vacations launched seven new itineraries in Eastern Europe for this year, including Ukraine and Crimea.

A ten- or 12-day tour in Ukraine and the Crimea is available, with prices leading in at £2,899 per person, including transfers, breakfast accommodation, seven dinners, the services of a tour director, sightseeing, coach travel and internal flights.

Guests have the choice to begin the tour in Moscow or Kiev to explore the domed churches, Opera House, Golden Gate, the Monastery of the Caves and take a cruise along the Dneiper River. The itinerary then takes in Odessa to understand more of the WWII history, followed by a trip to Kherson to explore the city. Other highlights include the seaside resort of Kurpaty and visits to Yalta, Balaklava and Sevastopol, former home of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet.

Meanwhile, the operator has extended its last minute deal on a Hawaiian Dreams itinerary until February 14.

Departing on March 14, the ten-day option leads in at £2,335 per person, including transfers, breakfast accommodation, 15 meals, the services of a tour director, sightseeing, coach transport and internal flights.

For more information call the One Stop Touring Shop on 020-7468 4335 or visit www.onestoptouringshop.co.uk

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malta Why Malta offers a home from home for your clients

by ALEX INCORVAJA, director, Malta Tourism Authority

T

HIS YEAR is set to be one of the most exciting years in recent times for Malta, traditionally the best kept secret in the Mediterranean, as it is becoming more and more popular with British tourists. Whether seeking a sun drenched escape in stunning scenery or embarking on an historical or cultural adventure, Malta provides the ideal getaway for travellers wanting both long and short stays.

This year marks the 70th anniversary since the nation was awarded the St. George Cross, making the calendar of events more jam-packed than ever. Combining this with Valletta’s preparations towards becoming European capital of culture in 2018 means there is no better time to visit the heart of the Mediterranean.

A year-round attraction In addition, from March 1-28, Harrods will be flying the Maltese flag in celebration of the hidden gems promotion at the world-renowned store. An array of stunning displays

by Maltese artists will be exhibited throughout the luxury store to give visitors a taste of the modern and traditional delights of Malta. This unique event, providing different and innovative ways of showcasing Malta is being organised by the Malta High Commission in the UK, together with Malta Enterprise, Finance Malta and the Malta Tourism Authority.

A year-round holiday destination, Malta has activities that span the seasons as well as the senses and whether customers are looking for tranquillity or hedonism, there will always be a specific reason to visit.

Only a short flight from the UK, but with a year-round temperature that rarely dips below 15 degrees, and guaranteed long, hot, dry, summers from May until October, Malta is fast becoming a winter destination for a break from the harsher climes of Northern Europe.

A family affair Malta is an ideal location for a family break or extended holiday, providing the ideal backdrop to explore the unknown. Families wanting to experience a culturally diverse destination without the ordeal of a long-haul flight are greeted with open arms by the family loving Maltese.

Away from our pristine beaches, our visitors can lose track in our 7,000 years of historic marvels, take part in one of many thrill-seeking activities, enjoy the Islands’ vibrant culture and nightlife, or just relax at one of our many chic cocktail bars and restaurants.

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Malta is the ideal destination for sports lovers, and in particular Gozo, Malta’s sister island, is a quieter haven ideal for families or those looking for a slower pace of life. Here cycling, walking, horse-riding and the outdoors in general reign supreme. Not to mention the best diving in the Mediterranean. For the culture vultures, our unique historical delights and cities built by knights, how many countries can say they have temples older than the pyramids?

Festival fun For music lovers, festivals ranging from jazz and opera to dance and rock take place and draw in the crowds year after year. With venues snuggled among cobbled streets, views of ancient harbours and drinks being among the best value in the whole of the Mediterranean, it’s easy to see why Malta remains so popular with the British. For orchestra fans the philharmonic plays in January, The Jazz festival and Malta Music Week occur at the height of summer, with Folk in autumn and Opera rounding off the year.

It has become easy to get to Malta these days, be it for a weekend or a long stay. In under three hours, our national carrier Air Malta flies from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, along with Cardiff, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Exeter and Norwich. Budget airlines also fly from many regional airports across the UK, including the recently introduced Stansted airport.

Malta is the short-haul destination that has all the appeal expected from long-haul including a diverse culture, breath-taking scenery, beautiful architecture and an action-packed calendar. All in the EU, with English speaking population and a currency that’s familiar, there are hotels from the most luxurious spas, to basic, but well placed smaller family run accommodation providers.

Its size is one of Malta’s key assets. No matter where you’re staying on the island, no place is ever far away.

After only a week or so on the islands, visitors soon become part of the Maltese culture of turning new faces into old friends, saying it feels like a home from home. I can understand why many come back to our beautiful islands again and again.

After all, Malta and Gozo is a temporary home, not simply a place to visit. The days of Malta being the ‘Mediterranean’s best kept secret’ are over. With so much to do, people to meet and events to participate in, I warmly invite you to our beautiful shores, to experience the Maltese hospitality and understand why this is a secret that was bound to escape. ✦

February 10 2012

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malta March deal from Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours

Belleair Holidays launches new cruises and Birmingham route BELLEAIR HOLIDAYS has announced a new weekly charter flight with Air Malta from Birmingham, launching from May. This will be in addition to the twice-weekly flights from East Midlands (with bmibaby) and the existing route from Birmingham with Thomas Cook.

As part of the launch of the new flight, the company is offering a £50 per person discount off all flights booked from Birmingham, available for a limited time only on a first come , first served basis.

It has scheduled, charter and low-cost flights from 13 UK regional airports, including Birmingham, Belfast International, Glasgow and Birmingham.

The brochure lead in price for seven nights' self-catering at the Clover Holiday Complex in

Qawra is £259 per person, based on four adults sharing a one-bedroom apartment and including flights from Gatwick and transfers.

For more information visit www.belleair.co.uk/agents or call 0845-365 3412.

Diving equipment flies for free with Air Malta AIR MALTA has waived all charges related to the carriage of diving equipments on scheduled flights until March 7.

The waive applies to passengers transporting one bag of personal diving equipment up to 32 kilos, saving customers up to €30, which is the applicable charge if arranged at the airport on the day of departure, or €20 charged when organised in advance.

For more information or to book visit www.airmalta.com

Blue Grotto, Malta

NEW FOR this year, Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours is offering an early spring escape to Malta from March 11-15 for £1,299 per person, staying at the five-star Hotel Phoenicia in Valetta.

Clients can spend a day on Gozo to visit the Ta Mena wine estate and the Azure Window.

The operator’s managing director, Lynette Arblaster, said: “If you know nothing about the wines of Malta, or are slightly bemused to hear that these wines are worthy of interest you will be pleasantly surprised.

We have run escorted tours to the archipelago in previous years and clients were both surprised and impressed by the quality of the wines, so we are delighted to be offering this new Malta & Gozo itinerary to our 2012 programme.

“As average day time temperatures in March are recorded as between 18 – 20 degrees and with an average of seven hours of sunshine, this is a perfect escape from our British weather.”

Olympic Holidays encourages agents to highlight Malta's affordability to entice new visitors MALTA OWES its ongoing popularity with the UK market to the fact that it offers quality holidays at affordable prices, according to Olympic Holidays' commercial director, Photis Lambrianides.

He said: "Malta has an extensive range of quality four-star hotels, below luxury level but offering much more in the way of facilities than the traditional family-run three-star. The island's four-star product has evolved over a long period of time and has been constantly refined down the years. It's as good if not better than the equivalent product elsewhere in the Mediterranean.

"Hotels like the Preluna, Fortina, Qawra Palace and Seashells Resort

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February 10 2012

at Suncrest have been around for a long time and give holidaymakers outstanding value for their money."

This winter, the company is offering value packages at the Seashells Resort at Suncrest, with seven nights' half-board starting at £389. Summer prices are from £445 for a week's half-board.

The operator features Maltese hotels of three- to five-stars across its brochure range: Summer Sun, Winter Sun, luxury Gold & Platinum Collection and budget Smart Choice.

Lambrianides said: "While Malta is well-endowed with four-star hotels, there's also a good choice of properties at the luxury and budget ends of the market."

He recommends the Alexandra in St Julian's, featuring its new trattoria restaurant, as offering particularly good value, with seven nights' bed-and-breakfast from £359 this winter or from £389 in summer.

All-inclusive options lead in at £509 in winter at the Fortina, with summer packages available from £515.

As an example of packages, a seven-night stay at the four-star Qawra Palace Hotel in Qawra on a half-board basis leads in at £455 per person, based on two sharing a twin room in May. The price includes flights from Gatwick and transfers.

For more information or to book call 0844-499 4449 or see www.olympicholidays.com

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malta Classic Collection adds new Relais & Chateaux property in city of Mdina LOCATED WITHIN the walls of a 17th century palace, and surrounded by Baroque architecture, The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel in the medieval walled city of Mdina, is the newest addition to Classic Collection Holidays’ programme to Malta for this year.

The only Relais & Chateau accredited hotel on Malta features 17 individually designed rooms and suites, each featuring a king-sized bed and combining modern comforts with unique antique furniture and artworks by Maltese masters and international artists.

Three room types comprise standard duplex rooms over two floors with a separate lounge, standard panoramic view rooms with sitting area and patio, and deluxe suites with an outdoor Jacuzzi terrace.

The operator's head of purchasing, Gary Boyer, said: "The Xara Palace is family run and deliciously exclusive. It’s ideal for the most discerning of travellers and a perfect secluded setting for anniversary celebrations or romancing honeymooners. We’re delighted to be

Xara Palace

able to feature the property for the first time in 2012 as we feel that it adds something unique to our existing Malta programme."

Three-night stays at the property cost from £701 per person this April based on bed-and-breakfast in a standard duplex room, including flights and private transfers.

Bookings made before March 31 for stays between May 1 and October 31 will receive savings of up to £196 per couple per week. Supplements for deluxe suites start from £69 per person per night.

For more information or to book call 0800-008 7288 or visit www.classic-collection.co.uk

Attraction World highlights favourite tours on Malta & Gozo

Malta

Gozo & Comino

Comino

ATTRACTION WORLD is highlighting two tours that are frequent favourites of visitors to Malta and Gozo.

In Malta, a hop-on, hop-off, open top bus tour is being promoted as an ideal way to see all the key tourist attractions and become familiar with the geography and way of life on the island.

Two options are offered - The North Tour which costs £21 per adult and £14 per children (aged five-15) and The South Tour, which leads in at £14 per adult and £9 for children.

Meanwhile, holidaymakers have the opportunity to see the islands of Gozo and Comino on the Fernandes I, a 26.5m Schooner rigged Turkish gulet sailing vessel with a large forward deck, covered stern and a large saloon.

Once in the waters of Gozo, guests can swim, snorkel or sunbathe while the crew prepares a buffet.

After lunch, the ship sails to Comino, where it drops anchor in the Blue Lagoon and guests can then spend the rest of the afternoon swimming. Fresh fruit is served before leaving the Blue Lagoon for the return journey. Prices lead in at £51 for adults and £31 for children, aged up to 12 years.

For more information visit www.attractionworld.com or call 0871-700 8888.

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7 Night Holidays from £289pp • More choice, More flexibility & Lower prices • 13 UK Airports • Flights now with Air Malta, easyJet,Thomson,Thomas Cook & bmibaby

NEW Routes!

Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow & Liverpool

Reservations 0208 785 3266 or go online www.belleair.co.uk/agents Order brochures at www.trade-gate.co.uk ABTA No.V5323

Find us on Facebook – search Belleair Agents

February 10 2012

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ly n o n io t a d o m m o c c a

PIERRE & Vacances is to add a new residence to its summer portfolio from June. Le Coteau et la Mer in the town of Douarnenez, Brittany is a waterfront residence located 50m from Les Sables Blancs Beach. It has 64 one- and two-bedroom apartments, sleeping up to seven people, many of which offer panoramic views of Douarnenez Bay. Guests have access to a heated swimming pool and a solarium and there is a playground for children. A Thalassotherapy centre is just a few minutes walk from the apartments and treatments can be pre-booked.

For details see www.pierreetvacances.co.uk or call 0870-026 7144.

Olympic Holidays reports trade sales for accommodation-only is on the increase OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS reports that significant numbers of people wanting to build their own summer holiday package are booking accommodation-only product from £5 per person per night.

The operator's commercial director Photis Lambrianides said: "We introduced accommodation-only nine years ago and it has taken off in a big way, developing much faster than we'd expected. By booking flights and accommodation separately, clients can tailor their holiday to personal requirements, spending as much time as they want in the destination of their choice."

The company offers accommodation-only product in its main Summer Sun brochure, plus the upmarket Gold & Platinum Collection and budget Smart Choice.

Youhotels.com expands Greece portfolio YOUHOTELS.COM HAS expanded its portfolio in Greece for 2012, increasing properties on ten islands and introducing 21 hotels in the Attica.

Now on sale, the expanded collection sees new properties in Rhodes, Kos, Crete, Corfu, Zante, Kefalonia, Halkidiki, Mykonos, Santorini and Lesvos. All board bases and budgets have been catered for – from two-star self-catering such as the Boheme Apartments in Kos, to five-star allinclusive, such as the fivestar Nautica Blue in Rhodes, exclusive to the company.

The operator’s managing director, Matt Cheevers, said: “Greece is always a popular

26

destination for us Brits, with the frequency of flights making the region so accessible from across the UK. We’re expecting a good year in 2012, and our booking figures for the year to date are 53% up year-on-year for the same period in 2011.

“As well as increasing hotels on the popular islands of Rhodes and Kos, we’ve introduced properties on the western side of Crete and added in more ‘budget’ properties in Halkidiki. We’re also really excited to add a group of hotels in the Attica region. This encompasses 21 hotels located in Athens city and the surrounding resorts, such as Glyfada and Vravrona Bay.”

February 10 2012

Lambrianides said: "While package holidays will always be the bedrock of our business, we've enjoyed more accommodation-only sales through the trade than we'd originally anticipated.

"Accommodation-only sales are for all durations, from one night upwards. To this can be added the various holiday elements, such as flights from just £199, transfers and car hire."

The operator's most popular destination for accommodation-only is Cyprus. On its Website the operator also offers accommodation-only in Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, The Gambia, Goa, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Turkey.

For more information visit www.olympicholidays.com

CLC Holidays makes its debut

Marina del Sol Resort

A NEW operator, CLC Holidays, has been launched to the travel trade. As part of the international travel and leisure organisation, CLC World, that manages 250,000 holidays per annum, the new company's focus is to package holidays at CLC World resorts and provide agents and homeworkers a gateway for booking resort accommodation.

Initially 12 resorts in Austria, mainland Spain, Tenerife, Turkey, and Cornwall and Scotland in the UK are featured, with a choice of short breaks or full weeks, accommodation-only or complete packages.

Accommodation range from premium self-catering apartments, townhouses, lodges and hotel rooms in a variety of resort settings.

As an example of prices, a seven-night stay for two at the Marina del Sol Resort on the Costa del Sol costs £211.

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accommodationonly New chalethotel deals from Mark Warner MARK WARNER is offering accommodation-only bookings to its chalethotels, which have been selected for their close proximity to the slopes.

Parking is available either directly outside the property or in a nearby public car park.

Alternatively, guests can take one of the company’s transfer coaches which coordinates with its flights.

New accommodation deals include stays in Val D’Isere departing on February 19 for £740 per person at Chalethotel Moris and £875 at Chalethotel Cygnaski; stays in Tignes from £720 at the Chalethotel Hauts de Toviere and £790 at Chalethotel L’Aiguille Percee – both for a February 26 departure; and stays at La Plagne at the Chalethotel Christina for £740, departing on February 26.

Prices are based on a seven-night stay and two people sharing and include breakfast accommodation, afternoon tea and a three-course dinner with wine & ski hosting.

For more information see www.markwarner.co.uk or call 0844-884 3800.

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Getabed.co.uk sees strong US growth GETABED.CO.UK REPORTS that it has seen a significant rise in interest for its US product this year.

The company’s managing director, Matt Stuart, said: “We are delighted to see a strong performance and growth generally across all our US product of more than 60% compared to this time last year.

“Orlando, Las Vegas, New York and San Francisco are performing particularly well. We expect a stronger US performance as the year develops, as we anticipate the US representing great value as a destination compared to the Euro zone moving forward.

“On top of this, some people have been holding back on booking long-haul city breaks over the past couple of years, however it seems that confidence is returning to this sector.”

For more information visit www.getabed.co.uk or email bookings@getabed.co.uk

FUNWAY HOLIDAYS has boosted its accommodation offering in Florida with the addition of Disney’s Art of Animation Hotel, which opens in May. Prices lead in at £1,419 per couple based on two sharing a themed suite at the three-star property for seven nights, travelling in September.

For details visit www.funway4agents.co.uk or call 0844-557 0626.

Superbreak adds new hotel in Eastbourne SUPERBREAK HAS added the three-star Hydro Hotel in Eastbourne to its portfolio. The hotel features award winning gardens with elevated sea views and all of the 83 bedrooms have private en-suite facilities, satellite TV, radio, hairdryer, trouser press, telephone & modem points and tea-making facilities.

The Crystal Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, serving traditional English and French cuisine.

Prices start from £49.50 per person per night including breakfast until the end of the year.

For details call 0871-221 4444 or see www.superbreak.com/agents

Dertour becomes fully ABTA bonded for hotel-only DERTOUR IS now fully ABTA bonded for hotel-only bookings.

The company’s managing director, Julie Craig, said: “With the increase in the number of destinations we offer on our Website we received a number of requests from travel agents to be fully bonded and we have acted in response to these requests.”

Accommodation-only prices lead in at £19 per person per night.

For more information call 0203-131 2895 or visit www.dertour.co.uk

February 10 2012

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accommodationonly Discounted Easter holidays from Mallorca Farmhouses MALLORCA FARMHOUSES is offering a 15% discount for Easter bookings at selected properties, which all feature private pools and gardens.

Discounted accommodation includes Ses Mates Clares, a three-bedroom villa in Cala d'Or that costs £89 per person, per week based on six sharing. The property is available during the weeks commencing April 7 and 14.

Finca Peric, a rustic two-bedroom farmhouse set in a private location between Pollenca and the quieter beaches west of Alcudia, is also offering discounted rates from £115 per person, per week based on four sharing. The

property is available during the weeks commencing April 7 and 14.

Also available is the Sergi, a three-bedroom stone-clad farmhouse located close to Pollenca old town and within a few minutes’ drive of Cala San Vicente and its small coves and sandy beaches. Discounted prices this Easter start from £128 per person, per week based on six sharing, and the property is available during the weeks commencing March 31 and April 7 and 14.

For more information call 0845-800 8080 or visit www.mallorca.co.uk

Sergi property

Coast and Country Hotels promotes romantic breaks for agents to highlight to clients COAST AND Country Hotels is encouraging agents to highlight romantic breaks in the run-up to Valentine's Day. The company's managing director, Vince Flower, said: "Agents looking to sell hotel breaks for Valentines can attract customers by offering them extras which provide a romantic touch to the stay. We offer a romantic

welcome package, priced at £58 which includes Champagne, fresh flowers, chocolates and a fruit basket.

“We also offer the option to upgrade to a Premier room which generally has a four poster bed, as well as a 3- inch flat screen TV and seating area.”

The company's popular hotels for

romantic breaks include the Portpatrick Hotel, which costs £80 per person for a two-night breakfast stay and a three-course dinner and both the Imperial Exmouth Hotel and the Imperial Tenby Hotel which lead in at £89 per person for a two-night breakfast stay and dinner.

For more information, visit www.coastandcountryhotels.com

Somewhere2stay increases villa choice for summer

AGENTS BOOKING four consecutive nights’ accommodation for their clients at the Ritz Carlton Golf and Spa Resort, Rose Hall in Jamaica, will be able to offer them a fifth night free. Prices start from £323 per night and include full board accommodation in a deluxe guest room or suite, beverages, all taxes and service charges. The offer is available until March 31.

For more information visit www.ritzcarlton.com or call 0800-234000. For information on Jamaica see www.visitjamaica.com

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February 10 2012

SOMEWHERE2STAY HAS increased its range of villas on sale for this summer with the addition of two new Greek islands of Skiathos and Parga, as well as a wider range of villas in Mallorca and Turkey.

In Skiathos villas lead in at £299 per person for a seven-night stay, while the three-bedroom villa Estella in Portugal costs from £199 per villa per week based on an April 15 departure.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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slovenia y r t n u o c ’ m e g n e This small, ‘gre s t s o h it s a r a e y is has big offerings th e r u lt u C f o l a it p a C n the Europea of UK information,

by Tine Murn, head Board London Slovenian Tourist

Tine Murn

G

reetings from the green gem of Europe, or as some like to call it The Sunny side of The Alps or even Europe in Miniature.

Capital of Culture This year, we are hosting the European Capital of Culture in the city of Maribor - the second largest Slovenian city after the capital Ljubljana - but what makes it so special in my opinion is the integration of several cities that will enhance the happening with their diverse identities. For example, Maribor with its festival experience, Velenje which has a special industry and mining heritage, Ptuj and its ethnological and historic points of interest and Novo Mesto with extraordinary archaeological findings. There are lots of things going on - more than 412 projects - from a successful opening weekend earlier this month, February’s Kurentovanje festival, a classical music concert in March, June’s opening presentation of the opera ‘The Man with the Bombs’, and the showing of Tomaž Pandur’s famous War and Peace in October, to December’s exhibition of European comedians.

You can view all the events here: www.slovenia.info.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Green country Wherever you turn in Slovenia, everything is green. Wherever you go, you can expect a rapidly changing landscape and this diversity offers a variety of recreational activities. From its rivers, the Alps with their ski slopes and other winter recreation grounds, the sea with ideal conditions for sailing, the Pannonian basin and its picturesque valleys for cyclists, to the underground karst wonders and gorges, it’s an ideal country for those in search of unique experiences and popular with visitors seeking an active break.

Offering possibilities for sports and recreation, it has been a desired destination for hikers, cyclists, lovers of various water sports and other forms of outdoor pursuits for decades. There are a variety of golf courses, and along the coast, you can regain your strength thanks to the Mediterranean climate and the riches of the Adriatic Sea. Meanwhile, you can revive your spirit in the spa and wellness centres throughout the country and among its many natural thermal springs.

In the northeast, the Alps shine with their geologically young peaks and valleys between them; in the northeast, the Pohorje mountains

stand with ancient dome-like hills. But the forests, which slowly get lost in the snow-covered peaks above Bled, reflect beautifully in the water of the lake, which is often classified as one of the most beautiful lakes in the New flight Slovenia will become even more accessible form the UK when Adria Airways launches a summer schedule from Luton four times a week from March.

Where the West and East meet, is where you will find the tiny country of Slovenia. ✦

February 10 2012

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slovenia Regent offers range of savings on city breaks

We asked our staff the following question this week: What have you got planned for Valentine's Day?

REGENT HOLIDAYS is offering Ljubljana city breaks up to £50 per person cheaper this year than in 2011 across a range of hotels. The best savings can be found on three-star hotel packages. As an example, a three-night break in a three-star hotel now costs from £335 per person, including breakfast and flights with Adria Airways from Gatwick, offering a saving of £50 per person on last year's prices.

For details see www.regent-holidays.co.uk or call 0117-9211 1711.

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk

Balkan Holidays handpicks three 'Premier Selection' hotels

Fish fingers, chips, peas and homework with my gorgeous son!

NEW FOR this year, Balkan Holidays has handpicked three 'Premier Selection' hotels in Slovenia to make it easier to make a hotel choice based on recommendations for the best service, quality, location and overall guest satisfaction.

All of the properties are five-star, with two – the Grand Hotel Bernardin and Kempinski Palace - located on the waterfront at Portoroz, while the Hotel Toplice offers views over Lake Bled.

Also new for this year is a two-centre holiday option combining a week in the lakes and mountains of Slovenia with a week in Istria, Croatia.

The operator's sales and marketing manager, Rupert Diggins, said: “We offer a range of options for holidaymakers to explore this scenic country for themselves including an extensive winter ski programme, plus in the summer, lake and mountain getaways, city, golf breaks and beach holidays on the Adriatic coast."

For skiers, the lead-in seven-night price is £494 per person, including flights and half-board accommodation at the four-star Hotel Jezero in Lake Bohini departing on March 17.

As an added incentive, the company is offering a two-for-one ski school offer and kids ski free promotion. The two for one offer is available on all ski and snowboard equipment and ski tuitions for arrivals from March 7 onwards.

With kids ski free, when two adults and two children (up to 12 years) buy any of the ski school or equipment services, the second child will be entitled to receive the same services free of charge.

For more information visit www.balkanholidays.co.uk or call 0845-520 1263.

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Staying in and watching a film, oh and quietly laughing to myself about Simon being stood-up by Paul!

Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk It's on a Tuesday and that's pub quiz night

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk I'm going to book a table for one for me, a table for one for my wife, then after 20min we get together and watch the ("Oh, bless") reactions of the other couples. Or stay at home.

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Meeting Paul for a beer

Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk It is my wedding anniversary and I am playing in a golf tournament!

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk Something soppy

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk Staying in, watching a film drinking beer and wine with a Chinese takeaway

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@alaincharles.com Meal with my girlfriend (first night out after new baby being born)

Design: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@alaincharles.com Cuddle up with my girlfriend and watch a movie

Assistant Layout Design: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@alaincharles.com Surfing on the River Thames with Jimmy Carr

Production: Jeremy Walters jeremy.walters@alaincharles.com Work all day and party all night

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 - Travel Bulletin is published weekly and distributed to every ABTA, TTA & GTG agent.

Subscriptions are £105 p.a. for tour operators and others, plus additional ABTA, IATA copies.

Overseas subscriptions by air mail: £155 ISSN: 0956-2419

30

Slovenia debut from Canvas Holidays CANVAS HOLIDAYS has added Slovenia to its programme for the first time and is featuring health resort, Terme Čatež.

For travellers looking for more than just sun, sea and sand, a stay at Terme Čatež offers rejuvenation and relaxation and the health resort caters for sporty types with two large water parks, along with a range of activities including basketball, bowling and trampolining, plus a number of walking and cycling routes.

The property's apartments sleep up to five people and are ideal for families, couples and groups. All feature an open-plan living area, terrace, barbecue and dining area.

The property is also close to the

vineyards of Bizeljsko and Pišece districts, Slovenia’s historic capital city, Ljubljana, and the Postojna Caves system. The resort runs several organised trips where visitors can discover the changing landscape, mountains and forests.

Prices lead in at £1,249 per family, based on two adults and up to three children sharing a two-bedroom apartment for 12 nights for a May 22 arrival.

A seven-night stay in an apartment that sleeps up to five people costs from £274 for arrivals between April 13 and May 3.

For more information see www.canvasholidays.co.uk or call 0845-268 0857.

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. MARRIOTT, 6. NSW, 8. TEIDE, 9. SKYE, 11. BLUR, 12. LILO, 13. IOWA, 16. DEFOE, 17. SFO, 18. PRESTIGE. Down: 1. MAN ON A LEDGE, 2. ITALY, 3. TOTO, 4. SIERRA LEONE, 5. WILLIAMS, 7. WESTLIFE, 10. EDI, 14. OASIS, 15. BEAR.

Highlighted Word: TBILISI Audit Bureau of Circulations Business magazines

February 10 2012

Travagrams: (Top) Hayes & Jarvis

(Bottom) Bermuda

Where Am I?: At the top of the Empire State Building.

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Experience Egypt with the Egyptian experts Enjoy the many faces of Egypt with Red Sea Holidays. We only sell holidays to Egypt that’s why we’re the Egyptian experts.

Best advice

Best accommodation

Best operator to North Africa

We believe that there is no substitute for experience and local knowledge. That’s why our travel advisers regularly visit our resorts and hotels to ensure they can answer your questions with facts, not guesses.

Our hand-picked selection of predominantly 4+ and 5+ hotels has been vetted personally by our team for quality, service, location and value.

We’re not just saying that: we were voted it in the 2011 British Travel Awards, plus a silver award for best small tour operator of the year. Try our award winning service for yourself.

Best value We only sell holidays to Egypt. That lets us build strong relationships which we can use to get the best deals for you; not just better prices, but better quality too. Our holidays also include more in the price, with free transfers, in-flight meals on many flights, and a generous luggage allowance as standard.

Best experiences In relaxing surroundings and with all inclusive service, it’s all too easy to forget about life beyond the pool. But Egypt can offer so much more. Our extensive range of excursions, cruises, tours, and cruise and stay holidays ensure you get to experience Egypt’s many treasures.

ABTA No.Y2507

Scan me for more information

Visit redseaholidays.co.uk/agent Call today on 0845 072 2477

S07 TB1002 Slovenia_Layout 1 08/02/2012 11:17 Page 32

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, FUNWAY HAS THE PERFECT TREAT,

! u o y r o f t Ju s

THIS FEBRUARY EARN YOURSELF A LITTLE LOVE WITH FUNWAY! For every third booking made we will give you a Smartbox experience*.

Choose between: % '3967) 1)%0 *36 % >)2 74% )<4)6-)2') PLUS, receive a heart shaped cookie for every booking made!

3-COURSE MEAL FOR 2

ZEN & SPA EXPERIENCE

Choose from 100 amazing 3-course dining experiences, sampling cuisine prepared by highly skilled chefs in wonderful locations across the UK. You could have a romantic dinner for two in a castle, try something different in a gastro pub or authentic French cuisine in a chic brasserie.

Revitalise mind, body and soul by indulging yourself with one of 200 gift experiences; offering luxurious pampering treats, well-being coaching sessions, stress busting treatments or get-away-from-it-all day retreats. Handpicked from locations across the UK, the Zen and Spa Smartbox means you can make the most of that special treat, IMXLIV GPSWI XS LSQI SV JYVXLIV E½ IPH

To enter this incentive visit our website to print a log sheet or call our dedicated agency sales team on 0844 557 0649.

This can then either be faxed to 0844 557 0349 or scanned and emailed to win@funway.co.uk

TO MAKE A BOOKING CALL US ON 0844 557 0626. *Three bookings must be made within the same working week (Monday – Sunday) with at least one booking made online. There is no destination or monetary value requirement, however this incentive only applies to package holidays booked. Applicable weeks for this incentive: Week 1: 6th – 12th February Week 2: 13th – 19th February Week 3: 20th – 26th February