Travel Bulletin 13th April 2012

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April 13 2012 | ISSUE NO 1,774 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Holiday parks How the evolution of holiday parks has boosted demand

this week agent bulletin 9 booking incentives & giveaways for agents

puzzle bulletin win a ÂŁ50 M&S voucher in our prize Su Doku puzzle

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seat-only a round-up of new flight schedules & promotional fares

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central & eastern europe operators highlight new tours in latest brochure launches

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newsbulletin

SWEET TREAT...Las Vegas celebrated the first anniversary of its direct flight route with Virgin Atlantic from Manchester with a surprise visit to the city’s travel agents recently. The LVCVA team visited agents at Manchester’s Trailfinders, North America Travel, Thompson and The Co-operative Travel retail outlets with Easter baskets full of Las Vegas goodies such as cookies and Elvis gingerbread men. Pictured marking the anniversary are, from the left: a Las Vegas showgirl; Lizzie Herring, LVCVA; Gail Ryan, The Co-operative Travel; and Julie Sykes, Virgin Atlantic hostess. Agents keen to learn more about Las Vegas and receive access to incentives and online training should visit www.virtuosovipclub.co.uk

This Week news 3

Cover Pictures: Main - Stonerush Lakes, Hoseasons

Inset - Istanbul Galata, Atlasjet

the latest product launches, deals & discounts

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notes from normanton

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agent bulletin

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puzzle bulletin

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personality bulletin

find out what the owner of Sandy Travel has been up to lately booking incentives & giveaways for agents win a £50 M&S voucher in our prize Su Doku puzzle which sales & marketing dirtector would like to swap places with Cameron Diaz’s husband?

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seat-only

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holiday parks

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central & eastern europe

a round-up of new flight schedules & promotional fares how the evolution of holiday parks has boosted demand operators highlight new tours in latest brochure launches

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Love isn't in the air for British passengers AS AIRLINES test new "social seating" software which enables travellers to browse fellow passengers' Facebook or LinkedIn profiles in order to choose their ideal neighbour, HolidayExtras.com customers give the concept a big thumbs-down.

A wary 38% of those polled thought it "a completely scary idea", and a further 19% were concerned that it could be dangerous. Some 64% of women compared to 51% of men had safety worries about the new technology.

For 12%, social seating could provide the dream travel scenario - whether romantic interest or a way of avoiding "passengers from hell". Men were more taken with the online dating possibilities (4%) than women (1%).

The results also revealed that 13% of people would consider opting in to the service if they could have total control, with 18% of those polled not bothered either way.

Anthony Clarke Cowell, the company’s associate merchandising director, said: "It's great to see the travel industry using the latest technology and harnessing the power of social media, but judging by these survey results, social seating could be a step too far for British travellers."

50% of attraction tickets redeemed via mobile phones within two years ATTRACTION WORLD is working towards having half of attraction tickets redeemed via mobile phones within two years.

Ticketless entry via a barcode displayed on a mobile phone is very much a reality in modern society and is becoming more and more popular across the sector.

For example, Siam Park and Loro Parque in Tenerife were among the first attractions to go live with the technology in December 2011, following a relatively

small investment in front line software and hardware.

The operator is now working with other park partners around the world, who have the right technology available to them or are able to invest in it, to introduce ticketless entry to more excursions and attractions.

The company's group sales & ● continues on next page

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

VisitBritain Check out the Diamond Jubilee exhibition at Kensington Palace, http://bit.ly/Hzh2i3, thanks to @AboutLondon Trafalgar It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's a BA plane painted like a bird! http://shar.es/rnzb0 cottages4you Check out our Late Deals section to save up to 50% on last minute holiday cottages around the UK: http://bit.ly/g5wBV5.

OnlineTravelTraining Complete Alfresco Holidays training course before 30th June to win a £50 Love2Shop Voucher or 6 bottles of wine! http://bit.ly/HifSrj Thomson Missed the announcement? Thomson Cruises is going Platinum! More here http://bit.ly/HeWb1L LEGOLAND Florida Look who is filling up the LEGO® Wave Pool! http://bit.ly/HoBHPH LEGOLAND® Water Park opens May 26th!

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

FLORIDA FRIENDS...pictured promoting a range of agent giveaways to mark Funway Holidays’ new 2013 Preview Florida brochure are, Casey Hurford (left) from Funway with Nichola Parr from SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Incentives include the chance to win a place on a megafam in June, Love2Shop vouchers & SeaWorld goody bags for each booking and Disney giveaways.

For details see www.funway4agents.co.uk ● continued from previous page

marketing director, Tony Seaman, said: “This is another step in the direction of a paperless world. It’s better for the environment, easier for customers as they don’t have to carry reams of paper on holiday with them and great for the attraction as they have quicker access to valuable customer data.

“The main challenge to implementing this across the board is ensuring supplier technology is suitably advanced to be able to accept nonprinted tickets.

“We think it’s highly achievable that 50% of all tickets should be redeemable via this method within two years.

It’s the way the world is moving and the travel industry has to keep up.”

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

Children go free with Belleair Holidays BELLEAIR HOLIDAYS has announced a special bonus for families booking a holiday with them and travelling by October 31, where one child goes free (both accommodation and flights) and the second child stays free.

The first child will be entitled to free flights and

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accommodation, and the second child will have free accommodation. The offer is subject to availability, on selected flights only and at selected properties.

Children must be under 12 at the time of travel.

For details see www.belleair.co.uk/agents or call 0845-365 3412.

April 13 2012

easyJet launches winter schedule EASYJET HAS launched its winter schedule with seats now available throughout October and February half-term as well as across the festive period on 259 routes from its 11 UK bases. Some 79,000 winter flights are on sale, with more than 11.5million seats available for travel. Capacity has been added to popular sun and city destinations including Tel Aviv and popular routes such as Istanbul, Sharm el Sheikh, Venice, Nice, Barcelona and Madrid. The carrier is also continuing to expand its offering to business passengers with routes to Cologne, Naples and Milan available on this year’s winter schedule. Meanwhile, the airline has launched flights from Southend Airport to the destinations of Amsterdam, Alicante, Barcelona, Belfast, Faro, Ibiza, Malaga and Mallorca, with fares starting from £23.99.

For more information visit www.easyjet.com (Seat-only feature - page 13)

New 11-night China trip from Bamboo Travel BAMBOO TRAVEL has introduced a new 11-night trip to China entitled ‘A Taste of Sichuan’.

The itinerary examines the province's culture, discovering its national parks and monuments and sampling the cuisine.

The holiday commences in the capital of Chengdu, with a visit to the Giant Buddha at Leshan, the largest Buddha statue in the world carved out of stone, followed by a chance to try the street food during a tour of the backstreets of Chengdu, and join in a tai chi session with the locals before taking part in a cookery class in a local restaurant.

The final part of the holiday is spent in the north of Sichuan to explore the Jiuzhaigou National Park (Nine Village Valley), famous for its scenery of ice blue lakes and pine forests, and stay overnight in the historic town of Songpan to explore the Mouni Valley and surrounding Tibetan villages either on foot or horseback.

The holiday, which can commence any day of the week, costs from £2,895 per person, based on two sharing and includes flights, 11 nights' breakfast accommodation, six lunches, all transport, private tours and an English-speaking guide. The tour can also be combined with a visit to Lhasa and the Tibetan Plateau.

For more information or to make a booking call 020-7720 9285 or visit www.bambootravel.co.uk

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newsbulletin Discounts for kids in Antigua & Barbuda THE TWIN island destination of Antigua and Barbuda is running a series of special offers for children and their families this summer. Discounts are available on some of the destination’s top familyfriendly attractions and also on accommodation and activities. As examples, children under 12 can take a guided tour through Nelson’s Dockyard National Park for free and kids aged between three and 16 can stay and eat for free at Antigua’s allinclusive Jolly Beach Resort when booked by May 15 and sharing with two adults.

Other discounts include 'two for one' rates at Jabberwocky for children aged 11 or under when accompanied by two full paying guests. The experience offers a private crewed yacht combining sailing, swimming, and snorkeling with lunch and an open bar.

At Carlisle Bay children up to 15 years old stay for free for up to three nights. The offer is valid from April 25 to August 24 and October 13 to December 20.

For more information visit www.visitantiguabarbuda. co.uk or call the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority on 01245-707471.

Newsbites ●

THE ASSOCIATION of Cruise Experts (ACE) has teamed up with technology provider Traveltek in a partnership which will see the company supporting ACE over the next three years. The collaboration gives Traveltek preferred technology supplier status at all ACE events including the ACE Cruise Convention taking place in May and September.

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TRAVEL AGENT consortium Advantage has changed the fee structure of its managed service scheme (Advantage Managed Services) and reaffirmed its transparency and independence in a bid to attract new agents. The AMS joining fee has been significantly reduced and the one-off payment method scrapped so that new members can carry the sign up costs over a 12-month period. It has also made its fee structure as transparent as possible so there’s no hidden costs and has given AMS members full membership status, and with it, part ownership of the organisation, so ensuring each member maintains control of its own business and what it sells.

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HOLIDAY EXTRAS’ online training tutorials have been recognised by the Accredited Travel Professional Scheme (ATP); a programme that identifies individuals' success within the travel sector. Agents who want to further their expertise can now take part in the operator's training tutorial and obtain five ATP points to add towards their Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

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HILTON HHONORS, the loyalty programme for Hilton Worldwide’s ten hotel brands, has launched its latest global promotion, Double Your HHonors, where members can register to earn double points or double miles for hotel stays completed by June 30.

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CARNIVAL IS offering a nine-night Caribbean cruise for £1,189 per person, departing from New York on May 13. It includes scheduled flights and the cruise on a full board basis.

For details see www.carnivalcruise.co.uk or call 0845-351 0556.

H&J marks Vietnam expansion with new Far East brochure FOLLOWING THE introduction of Vietnam Airlines’ direct service from the UK with two flights a week to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Hayes & Jarvis has earmarked Vietnam as the next big destination for holidaymakers looking for a culture and beach fix.

To cater for expected demand, the operator has boosted its Vietnam programme to include more beach resorts, which feature in a new product leaflet that spotlights one week packages at six luxury beach holidays, with prices from £1,229 pp at the four-star plus Evason Ana Mandara Resort, Nha Trang.

The leaflet, which has been inserted into the company's Far East brochure, also spotlights the operator’s ten-day Highlights of Vietnam tour, rated an ideal introduction to the country. The itinerary takes in Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi Tunnels. Prices start from £1,849 for a May 16 departure based on two sharing and includes Vietnam Airlines flight from Heathrow, bed-and-breakfast accommodation and transfers.

For more information call 0844-686 0064 or visit www.hayesandjarvis.com/agents

A&K launches tours to Sudan’s Kingdom of the Black Pharaohs & South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal ABERCROMBIE & Kent has teamed up with African historian and storyteller, Rob Caskie, to launch two exclusive tours for this year.

Caskie will lead trips to Northern Sudan; The Kingdom of the Black Pharaohs and South Africa’s famous Zulu Battlefields of KwaZulu Natal.

The Battlefields of

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KwaZulu Natal tour takes place from April 7-13 and guests will visit the battlefield sites of Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift to learn about the missionary post defended by 139 British soldiers in the face of 4,000 Zulus and Spioenkop, where guests will learn about the crushed hopes of British forces when daybreak

revealed the disastrous position of the trenches they had dug throughout the night.

The Kingdom of the Black Pharaohs tour in Sudan runs from October 14-21 and guests will trace the footsteps of the outnumbered Sudanese army in their battle against the Ethiopian forces.

Highlights include visiting the battlefields of Metemma, Jebel Abu Tulayh and Abu Kru; learning about Nubian culture from historic tales; and staying in a tented camp in Meroe, overlooking the floating pyramids of the Black Pharaohs.

For more information visit www.abercrombiekent.co.uk

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

Inside Luxury Travel: Kwazulu Natal on Monday 16th April at 19:00 on The Travel Channel

Varun Sharma begins his travels of South Africa at the luxurious Oyster Box Hotel in Durban, a newly refurbished gem of a property overlooking the Indian Ocean and boasting its own lighthouse. In the course of some adrenaline-filled shark diving - he gets to meet Black Tip, Dusky and Tiger Sharks. Varun then embarks on a game walk tracking Black Rhino at a luxury game reserve and is coaxed into a canoe-trip out on the river amongst the crocodiles and hippos.

Fleewinter adds 'Walking the Cape' route FLEEWINTER HAS introduced a new ten-night itinerary called Walking the Cape, which combines a stay in Cape Town with five days’ guided walking, including a hike to the highest point of Table Mountain reachable on foot.

The first four days are spent at leisure in Cape Town, staying at ‘Casa’, a luxury apartment in Camps Bay. During the hiking part of the holiday, accommodation is in tented camps (permanent tents supported by solid structures) and lodges.

At the end of the five walking days, two nights will be spent in Franschhoek to discover the local restaurants for which the area is renowned.

Prices lead in at £990 per person including transfers, four nights’ self-catering in Camps Bay, five guided hikes, four nights’ full-board accommodation on the hike, daily luggage transfer, entry to Cape Point and Silvermine Nature Reserves and two nights’ self-catering accommodation in Franschhoek.

For more information call 020-7112 0019 or visit www.fleewinter.com

DoSomethingDifferent highlights risks of booking attractions and tours in resort DOSOMETHINGDIFFERENT.COM HAS launched a new advertising campaign created by Mercieca in a bid to highlight the dangers of booking attraction tickets and tours from in-resort outlets, reps and concierge desks.

In the new adverts, the company highlights that they will act as the principal for all of the excursions and attraction

Major Travel unveils new cruise portal MAJOR TRAVEL has launched a new agents’ cruise product, offering online searches, comparison and booking facilities across 15 major cruise lines with more to be added.

The site’s comprehensive yet simple format allows agents to search across a wide option range.

As an example, Mediterranean cruises departing Rome in May 2013 will return every available cruise from Rome in that month so agents can discuss all the options with their client, comparing ships, cabins, promotions, itineraries and prices.

Pricing on the site is commission included which allows agents to share the screen with their customers and use the information as a discussion and sales tool.

For information on how to acquire a log-in agents should email Andrew McKenna at andrew@majortravel.co.uk For more information see www.major4agents.co.uk

CYPRUS Cyplon Supreme Agents Club

Specialist in Tailor-Making Holidays matched by product knowledge & 40 years experience

email sales on how to join and what the benefits are

Price Matching Will be Considered Book on line www.cyplon.co.uk or Email: sales@cyplon.co.uk To request brochure or booking call us on 020

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8340 7612 April 13 2012

tickets they sell and urge agents to pre-book their customers’ tickets before they travel so that they can be sure that claims regarding the quality of the excursions supplied, and for personal injury, are covered from a reliable source.

For more information visit www.dsdagents.com or call 020-8090 3890.

Half Moon's royal summer offer

Prince Harry charms the staff at Half Moon, A RockResort, during his tour of Jamaica to mark The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

TO MARK Prince Harry’s stay at Half Moon, A RockResort in Montego Bay, Jamaica recently, the resort is offering travellers a summer promotion offering 20% off its 33 four-, five-, six- and sevenbedroom staffed villas.

All the villas feature private pools, two golf carts to explore the resort, as well as the services of a personal cook, butler and housekeeper on hand to cook gourmet meals, lend advice on the resort and cater to every need. The package also includes a private poolside barbecue.

The promotion requires a minimum stay of four nights between April 16 and November 16 and includes transfers.

For more information visit www.halfmoon.com/royalsummer

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newsbulletin Debut India & Nepal programme from Insight Vacations INSIGHT VACATIONS has launched its 2012/13 India & Nepal programme.

The inaugural programme features 12 itineraries in total, including two luxury Gold tours, four Premium escorted tours and six optional extensions covering India (including Rajasthan, Kerala and India’s Wildlife), Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

Guests have the opportunity to stay in royal palaces, participate in exclusive cookery demonstrations, experience vibrant cities and meet colourful artisans, expert chefs and naturalists.

As examples of prices, a ten-day

Splendours of Taj & Tiger (Gold tour) costs from £4,385 per person, based on twin share, land only and visits Delhi, Agra, Ranthambhore and Jaipur.

Departures are available from October 1 through to April, 15, 2013.

A ten-day Enchanting Kerala option, which visits Kochi, Thekkady, Kumararkom and Kovalam, leads in at £1,950 per person, based on twin share, land only, with departures available from August 25 until April, 20, 2013.

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

Belgian Grand Prix for £399 LEGER HOLIDAYS is offering Formula 1 fans the chance to experience the Belgian Grand Prix for £399, including travel, bed-andbreakfast accommodation and entry into both the main event and preceding qualifying session.

For details see www.legerbreaks.info or call 0844-504 6250.

Prestige Holidays offers Bermuda savings of up to £1,026 per couple PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS is offering savings on Bermuda breaks at 11 hotels, valid for bookings made between now and May 31 and available for travel on a selection of dates up to September 30.

Holidays lead in at £1,065 per person this month at Grotto Bay including a saving of £1,026 per couple with roomonly accommodation, BA flights from Gatwick, private transfers and two free nights accommodation.

The operator is also offering seven nights at Fairmont Southampton in a double room on a room-only basis with flights from Gatwick and private transfers from £1,465 per person this month. The price includes one free night and offers a total saving of £908 for two.

The company offers connecting flights to Gatwick from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey and Manchester for

£25 return per person including taxes.

Other hotels taking part in the promotion include: Cambridge Beaches, Elbow Beach, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Newstead Belmont Hills, Reefs, Royal Palms, Pompano Beach Club, Rosedon and Rosewood Tucker’s Point Hotel & Spa For more information visit www.prestigeholidays.co.uk or call 01425-480400.

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newsbulletin 2013 Saga cruise dates now bookable through Titan

Notes from . . . n o t n a m r o N E AND my big mouth - what happened to the sun?

As soon as I said how nice it was it went! And I can’t believe when I pulled back the curtains the other day it was white all over - we had six inches of snow!

Let’s hope that it will make people think of booking to hotter climates!

I think we would be a lot busier if tour operators didn’t have such high prices for school holidays. It is making families take their children out of school time and risk getting fined, which sometimes is still cheaper than paying the school holiday price! If the prices were more reasonable then I think more people would certainly book and we would all gain and make more money instead of cutting back all the time – simple!

Well done to ABTA - I was reading that they have launched an ABTA-ATOL Administration Scheme which will save costs and ease the administrative burden for small and medium-sized travel businesses – that is just what we want to hear. I think it will probably persuade quite a few smaller businesses who had decided not to have an ATOL licence that it might now be a viable proposition to have their own ATOL – especially if ABTA are going to make it simpler and more cost effective; it then becomes a possibility for a lot of the smaller travel agents and I am sure they will feel safer having ABTA being able to fast-track the ATOL application process and guide them through it, especially if they will not be required to deal directly with the CAA - that has got to be a bonus as well as saving money!

I hope you all had a lovely Easter break – not too many Easter eggs! And I hope the weather will have stayed fine so that we can get out into the garden and get some sun - I can dream!

And let’s hope it put everyone in the frame of mind of wanting to go on holiday so that we are nice and busy when we get back.

‘Giving up doesn’t mean that you are weak – sometimes it just means you are strong enough to let it go’ and ‘Doing nothing is very hard to do – you never know when you have finished’.

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by SANDRA MURRAY of Sandy Travel in Normanton, Yorkshire

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TITAN HAS introduced its Classic Cruise Collection 2013 brochure, featuring three superlative Saga cruise ships sailing a range of itineraries, to its trade partners.

Savings of up to 35% are available, as well as a range of other special offers, and every cruise includes as standard scheduled flights and door-to-door transfers as part of the VIP Home Departure Service.

‘Don’t Wait’ campaign from RCI promotes value deals ROYAL CARIBBEAN International has launched a new marketing campaign featuring a selection of fly/cruises from regional airports.

The new ‘Don’t Wait’ campaign includes value deals with strong, simple pricing from cities including Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow.

Cruise itineraries featured include seven-night western Mediterranean fly/cruises on Adventure of the Seas from £699 per person, with departures from Manchester, Newcastle or Glasgow and ten-night Canary Islands cruises on Independence of the Seas from £799 per person in May. The cruise departs Southampton and calls at destinations such as Madeira, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote For more information on the campaign visit www.cruisingpower.co.uk

Go

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WEBSCLUSIVES ●

Watch the video clip of Joanna Lumley becoming God Mother of Viking River Cruises’ new longship, the Viking Odin. Viking Odin is one of four longships the operator has launched simultaneously, to sail along their numerous routes through Europe – along rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Elbe. View at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/video-box

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The Slovenian Tourist Board is inviting agents to attend its Slovenian Incoming Workshop, which takes place from May 17-19. Registration is 200 Euros per person, including Adria Airways flights, admission to the workshop, transfers, daily meals, social events and more.

For details see: www.slovenia.info/siw.

All this and more at: To respond to any of Sandy’s comments email jill. sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk

April 13 2012

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

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agentbulletin Booking incentives ●

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CRYSTAL CRUISES has launched a new incentive offering a £50 Love2Shop voucher to agents booking selected 2012 Mediterranean voyages between now and April 30. The incentive is valid for new bookings on all of Crystal Serenity’s Mediterranean voyages departing between June 19 and November 28. Agents must claim their vouchers by May 15 by emailing Crystal at claire@cruiseportfolio.co.uk Any claims received after this date will not be considered. Vouchers will be dispatched to agents by May 31. The incentive is in addition to the line's “Sell 3 Sail Free” incentive whereby agents who make three new bookings on any 2012 Mediterranean departures on Serenity can earn a free cruise for themselves and a partner on any departures this year.

For details call 020-7287 9040 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk AGENTS WHO make a booking on selected departures with Hebridean Island Cruises this month have the chance to win a new iPad or iPhone. The gadgets are up for grabs as the operator rolls out a selection of special fares on Hebridean Princess and Hebridean’s Royal Crown. Discounts of up to £3,770 per person are being offered on selected itineraries taking in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, Ireland and river trips on the Rhine. In addition to the prize draw offer, the cruise line is giving all agents who make a booking a Hebridean Princess teddy bear.

For more information visit www.hebridean.co.uk or call 01756-704704.

TIFFANY'S TRIUMPH...TIPTO has announced Tiffany Woodley (right) of Myrad Travel as the winner of its Independent Agent of the Year Award. The award was presented at the Agent Achievement Awards last month , where Affinion Travel and Garstang Travel were also both highly commended for their submission of strong business models. Pictured making her debut appearance to present the award to Tiffany is 'TIPTO Terri' (TIPTO’s cartooned mascot).

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newsbulletin 10% deposit terms from RSSC TO KICK-OFF the launch of its new 2012/13 Cruise Atlas, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is halving its standard 20% deposit to 10% when clients book a cruise departing this year before April 30. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information or to make a booking call 02380-682280.

Mombo Camp switches to 100% renewable energy FOLLOWING AN investment of US$860,000, Wilderness Safaris' Mombo Camp in Botswana has switched from dieselpowered generators to renewable solar energy.

The reduction in expected carbon emissions for the camp this year is 97%, with the property estimating that it expects to emit 6.5 tonnes of CO2 equivalents over the course of 2012 compared to 215 tonnes during 2011.

For more information visit www.wilderness-safaris.com

Figari flight from Corsican Places TREAT FROM TIPTO....pictured at TIPTO's recent roadshow in Ashford is Sally Coker (left) of Sunpex Travel, who won ÂŁ200 worth of shopping vouchers, and Karen Milward from Travel2. The next roadshows take place on April 17 in York, April 18 in Chester, April 24 in Plymouth, May 3 in Peterborough, May 17 in Watford, May 23 in Manchester and May 24 in Newcastle. To find out more or to register to attend visit www.tipto.co.uk

CORSICAN PLACES is to launch a new flight to Figari in South Corsica from Stansted with Titan Airways.

The new service will operate from May 27 to September 30, with afternoon departure times on a Boeing 737-300 aircraft.

Pre-allocated seats will be available free of charge and customers will have an increased passenger baggage allowance of 23kg per person.

For more information call 0845-330 2345 or visit www.corsica.co.uk

S03 TB1304 News 2_Layout 1 11/04/2012 11:43 Page 11

puzzlebulletin Travagrams

Su Doku Win a £50 M&S voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle Number: 060

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

A Dahlia Any Stinky Solo

A➠

B➠ This operator is well known for its Turkey & North Cyprus breaks

C➠

castuli

D➠ Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the 3 x 3 squares contains the digits 1-9.

Once you have completed the puzzle, simply identify the numbers that relate to the letters, A, B, C and D then e-mail the solution, with your name, company name, and full postal address plus phone and ABTA number if applicable to: competition@travelbulletin.co.uk Closing date for entries is Thursday, April 19th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for 30th March is Estelle Pitman, Wayfarers Travel in Guernsey.

March 30 Solution: A=9 B=5 C=1 D=8

You’ll find a small and a large peak on this island

Where Am I?

A monster is currently in this famous city.... at the movies

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

Number: 060

Across 1. Greece holidays specialist, part of Thomas Cook (5) 3. Ferries operate from this peninsula to Hong Kong (5) 6. Sea, popular with scuba divers (3) 8. Family friendly P&O ship (7) 9. Paris airport (4) 10. Captain and explorer whose centenary was commemorated earlier this year (5) 14. Capital of Liechtenstein (5) 15. Part of the Accor group (4) 18. First name of actor whose surname sounds like a bird (7) 20. Major travel group (3) 21. One of the island destinations featured by 1 Across (5) 22. The popular Jumeirah Beach is located here (5)

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Down 1. On reflection, repeat for a movie showing at a cinema near you (6) 2. Capital of Fiji (4) 3. Bavaria's capital city (6) 4. Airport code for 21 Across (3) 5. Brigham Young founded the capital of this US state (4) 7. Carrier with its HQ in Atlanta (5) 11. Country, known as "Roof of the World" (5) 12. State capital of Alaska (6) 13. Historic town in Perugia (6) 16. Famous comedian with a statue in Morecambe (4) 17. Popular alpine resort and lake in Slovenia (4) 19. Title conferred with a dub (3)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 22 April 13 2012

11

S03 TB1304 News 2_Layout 1 11/04/2012 11:37 Page 12

personalitybulletin

Ray Steward The sales & marketing director of The Cruise Portfolio/Crystal Cruises is partial to mojitos and would like to trade places with Cameron Diaz’s husband

What's your earliest childhood memory?

Queuing up outside the workhouse.

“In the grand scheme of things we’re all pretty insignificant”

Where was your last work-related trip?

Naples, Rome & Barcelona onboard Crystal Serenity – amazing!

If you were a celebrity who would you choose to be and why?

Is Cameron Diaz’s husband a celebrity?

Career path ●

Western & Oriental: Sales manager - 2008-2011

●

Mundi Color Holidays: General manager - 2006-2008

●

Caravela Tours: General manager 1996-2006

What is the best advice you recall?

Always double check before you leave the lavatory.

●

Meon Travel Group: Commercial manager from 1995-1996 and operations manager from 19891995

If you could have a room full of any one thing, what would it be?

Oxygen.

●

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

“Ray?..........oh, God”.

What have your travels taught you?

In the grand scheme of things we’re all pretty insignificant.

If you could change three things in the industry, what would they be?

“Early Booking Discounts”, “Late Booking Discounts” and “Special Offers”.

Who has been the biggest inspiration/influence in your career?

I’m still waiting...

What's your favourite city and why?

Madrid – mojitos....lots of mojitos.

12

April 13 2012

Lunn Poly: Sales clerk - 1985-1989

If you were not doing this job, what would you be doing?

Applying for this job.

What is your motto in life?

What’s the worst that can happen?

What is your favourite mode of travel?

A cruise ship of course!

If you had a super power what would it be and why?

To press ‘pause’ and re-arrange everything just the way I would like it to be.

What was your nickname at school and why?

Stewpot (after a popular Radio 1 DJ of the day).

What item do you always take with you when travelling?

Pants.

What's your favourite airline and why?

The airline featured in the film Airplane - I’ve travelled on worse!

How do you deal with stress?

Alcohol.

What song would you have played at your funeral?

‘The Only Way Is Up’ by Yazz.

Is there anything that you dislike about the travel industry?

Yes, but I may need a job in the future!

What special skill do you have?

I am incredibly funny.

How do you cope with the advances in technology?

I ask my team!

What’s your favourite movie of all time?

The Poseidon Adventure.

What’s your favourite programme on the TV right now?

Anything on Sky Sports 1.

If your life was turned into a movie, which actor would play you?

Jimmy Krankie.

What do you love about your job?

My boss.

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S04 TB1304 Seat Only_Layout 1 11/04/2012 11:46 Page 13

seat-only PEGASUS AIRLINES recently marked its five-year anniversary of flight operations to Stansted, having also recently become the airport's fifth largest airline in terms of numbers of guests carried. In response to passenger demand, the carrier has also launched double daily flights to Istanbul.

For details visit www.flypgs.com

Emirates announces new global brand platform – “Hello Tomorrow” EMIRATES IS set to launch a new global brand platform and direction, themed "Hello Tomorrow,” which positions the airline as the enabler of global connectivity and meaningful experiences.

The carrier is embarking on an integrated marketing communications campaign with a new brand promise as the company continues its evolution from a travel brand to a global lifestyle brand.

The company's vice chairman, Sir Maurice Flanagan, said: "Our new corporate image and global marketing campaign both underline the confidence we have in our existing products and services, and the vision we have for the future growth of the airline.

“We are not just offering a way to connect people from point A to point B, we are connecting people and cultures creating relevant and meaningful experiences that are shaping the world."

The carrier will launch a series of campaign messages that represent the spirit of tomorrow and will feature in print, TV and digital advertising.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

SATA International resumes direct flights to the Azores SATA INTERNATIONAL has resumed direct flights from the UK to the Azores. Flights depart every Saturday until October 27, with early afternoon departures from Gatwick to Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel, the largest of the Azorean Islands.

The weekly direct flight from Gatwick to Sao Miguel takes under four hours, with prices starting from £311.70 return, including taxes and charges. Weekday flights will also be available, flying from Ponta Delgada to Heathrow via Lisbon.

The airline offers passengers complimentary catering and 20kg checked baggage allowance.

For more information call 0844-482 1678 or visit www.sata.pt

Avro reports demand for regional flying to Orlando AVRO FLIGHTS reports that its newly added departures to Orlando from Newcastle and Cardiff for May-September and added capacity from Glasgow and Gatwick during peak time holidays has seen strong demand.

Offering the flexibility of flying from local airports, the Newcastle and Cardiff flights were launched in November last year and are offered on 14-night durations, ideal for fly/drive holidays or for independent travellers.

Prices for a 14-night duration from Cardiff leads in at £379 per person in Economy and £579 in a Premium cabin. The flights depart Cardiff on Mondays and return in the early hours of Tuesday mornings.

Prices for a 14-night duration from Newcastle cost from £399 per person in Economy and £599 in Premium, departing

Newcastle on Tuesdays and returning early on Wednesday mornings.

The airline also reports that increased capacity from Glasgow airport, with the addition of another flight during the school summer holidays, has performed well with high demand for peak season flights between June 26 and July 12. Flights operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will operate on Tuesdays from Gatwick between July 17 and August 28.

Prices start from £399 per person and the new service is in addition to the existing Thursday and Saturday flights, bringing the total number of weekly flights available from Gatwick to three and durations available from seven-28 nights.

For more information call 020-8313 8000.

Air Malta to operate charter flights to UK regional airports THIS SUMMER Air Malta will resume charter flights to six regional airports in the UK. From May 1, the carrier will operate weekly charter flights to Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Newcastle and Norwich Airports, running until October 30. The charter operations to these airports will be in addition to the airline’s regular schedule

services to Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester Airports.

Philip Saunders, the airline's chief commercial officer, said: “These charter flights increase accessibility to Malta and Gozo from regional UK airports and therefore offer travellers the opportunity to reduce travelling time and costs.

"These services were made possible following the support received from the respective airports as well as from tour operators and travel trade partners in the area and we expect to carry around 48,000 passengers on these services."

For more information see www.airmalta.com or call 0906-103 0012.

April 13 2012

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S04 TB1304 Seat Only_Layout 1 11/04/2012 11:46 Page 14

seat-only Atlasjet launches Stansted flights ATLASJET IS launching daily flights from Stansted to Turkey on May 5.

Offering EkonomiPlus and Business class services, the new flights benefit from early afternoon departure times, with fares starting from £138 return to Istanbul including taxes and service charges, £171 return to Antalya and £168 to Ercan in North Cyprus (via Turkey).

Mark Souter, head of airline relations at Stansted Airport, said: “Turkey has developed into one of the leading markets for shorthaul travel from the UK and we’re delighted to welcome direct flight connections to Istanbul’s major hub at Ataturk International Airport back onto London Stansted’s network. This is great news for business and leisure passengers alike and we look forward to supporting Atlasjet as they prepare to launch this new daily service in May.” Fares include 30-inch legroom, complimentary food and beverages, 20kg luggage allowance and allocated seats. Passengers can choose from a complimentary soft drink, beer or wine served with their in-flight meal.

The carrier says that it is interested in working with the trade and is inviting agents to contact them by emailing the UK sales manager, Sacit Bag, at sacit.bag@atlasjet.com For more information visit www.atlasjet.com

THE FIRST Alitalia flight has taken off from London City Airport to Milan. The new service operates twice daily between the two cities from Monday to Friday, plus a daily flight on Sunday. The new Embraer E-190 aircraft offers 100 seats with a two by two configuration with two classes - Ottima (Business Class) and Classica (Economy).

InBrief ● VIRGIN ATLANTIC Airways, Virgin America

and Virgin Australia have announced that all three airlines are fully linking their frequent flyer programmes to offer global benefits to passengers. The airlines have agreed to a global partnership that for the first time allows each carrier's loyalty programme members to redeem miles or points when taking flights on any of the sister-branded airlines across their respective route networks.

For details see it www.virgin-atlantic.com ● AIRLINE MEMBERS of the European

Regions Airline Association (ERA) have reported average scheduled passenger growth of 4.8% in 2011 compared with 2.5% in 2010. The ERA says that while this figure is encouraging, it must be remembered that the closure of airspace caused by the volcanic ash disruption in April 2010 created a distortion which has resulted in a somewhat inflated 2011 growth rate.

over a six-month period starting in May. New freighter services will be introduced to Korea, Pakistan, South Africa and Oman, while the frequency of passenger flights will be stepped up to destinations in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

For more information visit www.qatarairways.com ● STAR ALLIANCE has announced that its

Chief Executive Board (CEB) has unanimously accepted the membership application of EVA Air. ● GERMANWINGS HAS launched its new

summer flight schedule with several new destinations. From the Rhine region, the airline now flies to nine new destinations from Baden-Württemberg and has also launched flights to Casablanca from its hub Cologne. Other new destinations include Heathrow, Naples, Jerez de la Frontera, Catania and Rijeka.

For details see www.germanwings.com

● QATAR AIRWAYS has announced further

expansion of its network with five new passenger routes, more cargo services and capacity increases to a number of destinations served direct from the airline’s Doha hub. Iraq, Tanzania, Serbia and Myanmar are featured in the passenger route expansion programme

● SINGAPORE AIRLINES has launched a

new route to Darwin, Australia (operated by regional full service sister carrier, SilkAir). Departures are available from Manchester and Heathrow via Singapore on a daily basis.

For details visit www.singaporeair.com

Flybe's summer schedule takes off with 3,080 weekly flights across 145 routes FLYBE HAS launched its summer schedule which offers up to 3,080 flights weekly on 145 routes, eight of which are new, including the reintroduction of popular sea and sun destinations such as regional France, Portugal, Spain and Croatia.

The carrier has also launched new Manchester hub operations that offer an additional 86 regional point to point connections and 12 new flights through Manchester airport. The new initiative will benefit in particular passengers travelling to and from Aberdeen, Belfast City, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Inverness and the Isle of Man, as well as those flying with its franchise partner Loganair from Norwich. Regional highlights

14

April 13 2012

for summer include two new summer routes from Manchester to Newquay and Knock in Western Ireland, to where a new service from Leeds Bradford will also start; also Newcastle to Bergen (Norway); Newquay to Belfast City and Norwich; between Birmingham and Waterford (Ireland) and from Southampton to Tours in France.

Meanwhile, Loganair is offering four new flights out of Norwich to Exeter, the Isle of Man, Manchester and Southampton.

Fares lead in at £19.99 one-way including taxes and charges for travel until October 27.

For more information see www.flybe.com

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S04 TB1304 Seat Only_Layout 1 10/04/2012 16:14 Page 15

Still the UK Travel Trade’s

In the trade FOR the trade

No. 1 choice for flights

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ABTA No.V1021

S05 TB1304 Holiday Parks_Layout 1 11/04/2012 11:52 Page 16

s k r a p y a d i l ho y a d li o h f o n io t lu o v How the e d n a m e d d e t s o o b parks has ANK, head

by ZENA CALDERB

I

of sales, Hoseasons

T’S NOT that long ago since most travel agents tended to regard UK holidays as a secondary market for them, and many viewed holiday parks as being firmly at the unglamorous end of the market.

The past few years have proven how misguided the attitude to domestic holidays was, as many Britons put their foot in the UK holiday water – perhaps through financial necessity – in the ‘staycation’ year of 2009, found that they liked what they saw, and came back through choice in subsequent years.

Holiday parks are easily the most popular type of accommodation for those holidaying at home, but that bald statistic hides an important fact: there are as many different types of holiday parks as there are hotels.

A match made in heaven A holiday park can now mean a small collection of luxury lodges, each with their own private outdoor hot tub, Wii console and four-poster bed, set in hundreds of acres of woodland. It can mean somewhere which offers a whole range of exciting and adrenalin-packed activities, from quad-biking to archery. And of course, it can still mean the ever-popular traditional full-facility, full-on park by the seaside.

Knowing the massive range of what is on offer at Britain’s holiday parks, and understanding what today’s holidaymakers are looking for, is the key to being able to match the right holiday with each customer.

One of the biggest developments in UK holiday parks over recent years has been the emergence of parks with significant leisure facilities, but which don’t necessarily meet the more inyour-face, full-on entertainment model. These parks offer things such as golf courses, fishing lakes, climbing, cycling and so on. They are ideal for families, not least because the range of activities available means there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

The logical next step up from that, for those seeking a really active time, has been the holiday park-based activity breaks, which offer another level of excitement, and where the park is very firmly the focus of the whole holiday. These will offer a

16

April 13 2012

huge range of activities, with qualified instructors leading the way – everything from white-water rafting to quad-biking, fencing to archery.

At the other end of the scale, many of those who have come back to holidaying in Britain are not prepared to compromise on the quality of their accommodation, and this has led to the rise of the luxury lodge type holiday park. Usually in rural locations, privacy is important to these customers, and hence this type of accommodation tends to be more spread out.

Luxury touches might mean private hot tubs (still the most asked-for facility), hi-tech entertainment systems, Wi-fi or simply the provision of traditional board games the family can play together.

Making the sale So with such a diverse market, how does the travel agent get to grips with this type of holiday and sell it effectively?

As with any types of holiday, making sure you understand exactly what each customer is looking for is vital. When you sell a holiday park break it’s important to go beyond the accommodation, and start with the whole experience. As we have seen, there will be as many different holiday expectations as there are types of parks. Knowing the product and matching the right product and holiday type to each holidaymaker is crucial, just as it is in every type of holiday you sell.

One of the reasons people take UK breaks is that they don’t have to travel too far, especially for short breaks. So destinations that are around two hours’ drive from you will be popular, and it is worth promoting these in window displays.

Just because someone has decided they don’t want to travel so far does not mean they will want to trade down in terms of accommodation, so be prepared to offer the luxury end of the market – you will find that people are prepared to pay for topend accommodation, in the UK just as elsewhere. If you have a customer who likes luxury in one destination, they might choose an extra luxury break in the UK. Be aware that everyone is looking to stretch their budget further these days – and with no flights to pay for, a holiday park in Britain can be a winner. It is always worth checking online for the best offers and deals - your customers will thank you for making the effort. ● continues on next page

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S05 TB1304 Holiday Parks_Layout 1 11/04/2012 11:54 Page 17

holidayparks ● continued from previous page

Finally, there is one incredibly strong selling point for UK holiday parks which is often overlooked.

There are 8.6million dogs in Britain, and if they holiday at a UK holiday park, their families can often take their pet with them, thus saving the expense and stress of kennels. For a nation of animal-lovers, that’s a powerful sales message.

Hoseasons offers cluster days for small groups of six to eight agents a day in its Go Active activity breaks holiday parks, experiencing activities such as quadbiking, fencing, archery, horse-riding, Water Walkerz and more. Agents interested in arranging a Go Active Cluster Day can contact their regional sales executive, or call 0844-847 1222. ✦

Keycamp highlights seven-night spring getaways WITH PRICES leading in at £182 for seven nights this spring, Keycamp is promoting a range of deals – both for couples looking for a quiet getaway and for families looking to be entertained.

The company is offering parents with toddlers a free linen and welcome pack (worth up to £33.50), for children aged five and under, valid on all bookings and all dates excluding July and August.

Seven nights at Camping la Chapelle in Languedoc from May 14 costs from £232 per family, including Dover to Calais ferry crossings. The property sleeps up to two adults and four children and features airconditioning and decking.

The company’s national sales manager, Michelle Betley-Jones, said: “Situated in the centre of Argelès Plage and with views over the Pyrénées and the local vineyard, Camping La Chapelle is a relaxing parc within easy walking distance of the nearby sandy beach – ideal for families of all ages and particularly those with young children.

“Out and about clients can visit the lively resort of Argelès Plage for a change of pace;

or stick to the many miles of great beaches along the coastline to make the most of the sun, sea and sand. There are pretty villages galore to explore in the area and a day trip to Spain is even an option.”

Meanwhile, seven nights in Royan this summer half-term costs from £597 per family, including Portsmouth to Caen ferry crossings.

The price is for a June 2 departure staying at Camping Atlantique in a Villanova mobile home, which sleeps up to two adults and four children. Accommodation upgrades are available from £70.

Betley-Jones said: “For spectacular coastlines, pine-flanked sandy beaches and fantastic surfing in Royan, Camping Atlantique at La Palmyre is the perfect option. A lively parc in a beautiful woodland setting there’s plenty on-parc to keep holidaymakers of all ages entertained, including a swimming pool, playground and even a mini farm. The local area is ripe for exploration with colourful local markets and cycle trails, not to mention the nearby Zoo de la Palmyre.”

For more information visit www.keycamp4agents.co.uk

Al Fresco Holidays highlights seven-night breaks from £161

AL FRESCO Holidays, which features 56 parks across France, Italy, Spain, Holland, Austria and Croatia, is promoting a range of breaks with prices leading in at £161.

The price applies to a stay at Les Mediterranees Beach Club in the South of France, staying in a Puccini mobile home for seven nights for arrivals between April 28 and May 17. The property features two bedrooms and sleeps up to five people.

Other seven-night examples include a stay at Les Alicourts Resort in Loire, in a Rossini mobile home, which sleeps up to six for £205.10 for arrivals between April 28 and May 17, while a stay in a Bellini mobile home at Eden in Lake Garda, which sleeps up to six people, leads in at £171 per mobile home, for arrivals between April 29 to May 17.

The operator’s sales manager, John Escott, said: “Our parcs offer something for everyone from large and lively to small and friendly. Clients are sure to find a parc that

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will suit them and keep kids of all ages happy. We offer parcs in some amazing locations offering superb facilities at an affordable price.

“All the parcs are broken down into three categories, ‘large and lively’, ‘midsize and sociable’ and ‘small and friendly’, and all offer essentials such as restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries and a friendly bar for a morning cappuccino or something a little stronger in the evening.

All parcs have secure entry to allow only fellow holidaymakers on parc.

“Large and lively parcs are action packed with organised activities, kids’ clubs, evening shows, sports and events and are ideal for families with turbo-charged kids. Midsize and sociable have all a family will need for a great holiday but on a smaller scale and our small and friendly parcs have a more laid-back holiday scene for families.”

For more information call 0871-971 0600 or see www.thomsonalfresco.co.uk/agent

April 13 2012

17

S05 TB1304 Holiday Parks_Layout 1 10/04/2012 16:42 Page 18

holidayparks New regions including South Wales & Norfolk gain popularity for Haven this summer HAVEN REPORTS that it has seen a boom in bookings this year, with figures up 10% compared to this time last year. The company says that while Devon and Cornwall are still top of the summer holiday hit list, this year’s bookings indicate a new trend in which South Wales and Norfolk are creeping up in popularity.

With bookings up 21% in South Wales and 15% in Norfolk, the increase in popularity for both destinations shows that whilst the demand for traditional seaside holidays in the UK continues to grow, customers are looking at a wider variety of destinations within the country than ever before.

Agents looking to sell a holiday in South Wales can choose from three parks in

the region – Kiln Park, Key West or Lydstep Beach.

Kiln Park is situated on the Pembrokeshire coast, which features a Tenby Blue Flag Beach nearby and the operator has four parks on the Norfolk coastline including Caister, Seashore, Wild Duck and Hopton.

Allan Lambert, the company's head of retail sales, said: “Bookings are looking very healthy across the board as customers have been taking advantage of early booking offers with South Wales and Norfolk really standing out of the pack. Usually the south-west of England proves the most popular destination so it’s fantastic to see some lesser known – but equally fantastic – British coastal destinations doing so well.”

Prices start from £99 for a four-night break at Kiln Park on April 23, based on up to six people sharing a Standard two-bedroom caravan.

Meanwhile, the company has introduced new 'Summer House' accommodation contemporary beach style caravans with a central living area. Also new are 'Retreats' - caravans that have an internal covered deck to sit out on. Both new styles are available at selected parks across the company's portfolio, while Deluxe Plus has been added as a new accommodation grade. The models are the same as the Deluxe option but are never older than two years and have heating in the bedrooms and bathroom.

The company has also

introduced a new range of meals across its holiday parks that are designed to appeal to picky teenagers.

The aptly named Inbetweeners menu fills the gap between children’s choices and the adult meals and is designed with teenagers in mind.

The menu features generously sized dishes such as an 8oz burger with bacon and cheese, and is also aimed to be fun with options such as ‘Make your own Wrap’.

Lambert said: “We understand how difficult it is to please teenagers but we’re confident our new Inbetweeners menu will pass the teenage taste test and still be friendly on parents’ wallets!”

For more information visit www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk or call 0871-230 1919.

Pontins reinvents parks as themed seaside destinations PONTINS, WHICH features five coastal holiday parks offering self-catering and half-board options, is at the end of its £25million refurbishment programme, which began just over a year ago when the company was acquired by the Britannia Hotel Group.

The firm has pledged to reinvent the five parks as themed seaside destinations for families, groups and the over 50’s market, complete with attractions alongside the famous “bluecoat” entertainers.

For more information visit www.pontins.com/agents or call 0844-576 5959.

School holiday breaks br eaks from only

£254* per person per break

HAPPINESS IS... ...a school holiday to remember

To T o learn more, more, visit our “online training g course at training ButlinsSpecia p alist.co.uk ButlinsSpecialist.co.uk ” To T o book k visit BourneLeisureSales.co.uk BourneLeisureSales.co.uk e or call 0871 230 1919 *Price based on 2 adults & 2 children sha sharing aring a Standard self-catering apartment at Skegness resort resort on 8 June 2012 for 3 nights. Full terms and co conditions onditions apply as stated in the current Butlins brochure. Offers Offers apply to new bookings only & are strict strictly ly subject to promotional availability. availability. Butlins Skyline Limite Limited, ed, 1 Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfords Hertfordshire, shire, HP2 4YL. Registered in England No. 04011665.

18

April 13 2012

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S05 TB1304 Holiday Parks_Layout 1 10/04/2012 16:10 Page 19

holidayparks Whitecliff Bay sees surge in Website hits following BBC2's ‘A Very British Holiday’ WHITECLIFF BAY, the holiday park owned by Away Resorts on the Isle of Wight, saw a surge in Website hits following the BBC2 Wonderland documentary last month called ‘A Very British Holiday’, in which it featured extensively. The increase in hits to the site in one hour alone was up 500% on a normal day's hits.

The operator is offering a family of four a seven-night break from £260 in chalet accommodation in July. Other accommodation including luxury holiday homes and standard and serviced camping pitches are also available.

Inspired by the Isle of Wight's resurgence in the festival

scene combined with the British public's love of all things retro, Whitecliff Bay, which is on the southeast side of the island, has mixed festive and family activities to create a Canvas Village glamping area and Magic Roundabout chill-out zone. The Midnight Screen outdoor cinema is also back for this year.

Activities for kids include pool snorkelling, abseiling archery, kayaking, flying remote control helicopters, water walkerz, walking trails, cheerleading school, geocoaching (high-tech treasure hunting game using GPS devices) and archery.

Whitecliff Bay

North Wales Brynteg Beaumaris 3 Caravan, Sleeping 6 11th May 2012 – 3 Nights

From £263

tch

Brynteg

eM ric a

Gu

ara nte

^

e

Great prices that can’t be missed!

P

The widest choice of Lodges and Holiday Parks

Hemsby Beach Holiday Park

Riverside Country Park

Welcome Family

Norfolk Daytona Bungalow, Sleeping 6 18th May 2012 – 3 Nights

Northumberland Riverside Superior 2 Caravan, Sleeping 4 8th June 2012 – 3 Nights

South Devon Silver Reef Caravan, Sleeping 8 14th May 2012 – 4 Nights

From £68

From £205

From £123

Book Now! Visit: www.hoseasons.co.uk/agents or call: 0844 847 1144

ABTA No. Y0662

See booking conditions for full details of our ABTA membership

Example prices are based on accommodation only, (maximum occupancy), apply to new bookings only and are subject to availability. Please note that Hoseasons does not own or operate any of the parks and/or accommodation it features. All activities and/or events are run and operated by the relevant park and not Hoseasons. Note not all activities are available at all Go Active Breaks locations – please check www.hoseasons.co.uk/agents for full activity listing. Booking terms and conditions apply – please see main brochure or website for details. ^Price Match Guarantee – we’ll match the price of any like for like accommodation for the same dates at the same location for the same number of people. Proof of booking price required in all cases. Proof is required within 7 days of making the booking. Price match guarantee rate must be available on the day the booking is made. We reserve the right to withdraw this guarantee at anytime. See brochure for full terms and conditions.

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April 13 2012

19

S06 TB1304 C&E Europe_Layout 1 11/04/2012 11:57 Page 20

e p o r u e n r e t central&eas

UIA is 20 for Ukraine: 2012

by VALENTINA SOKOLOVSKA, account manager, Ukraine International Airlines

T

HIS YEAR is the ideal time to consider exploring the diverse, exciting and multi-cultured destination that is Ukraine. Ukraine International Airlines (UIA), now in its 20th year of service, has seen the number of visitors consistently increase since visa-free entry was granted to the European Union.

Sports focus UEFA president, Michel Platini, expressed confidence that the world will witness great football battles on the fields of Ukraine and Poland. Ukraine has significantly improved its infrastructure in the last 18 months with four new airports, three new runways and the preparation of four stadiums.

Of course, Ukraine is not just all about football. Visitors can join a river cruise on the scenic Dnepr; explore a

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1,000-year old Lavra monastery and caves; delight in the national shrine of St Sophia cathedral; and discover the museums, opera house and revitalised Khreschatik in Kiev centre.

The Ukrainian metro in Kiev is a safe and inexpensive underground system linking several great tourist attractions. Visitors can finish the day by listening to the piano at the local cafĂŠ serving delicious food and cakes with traditional Ukrainian hospitality.

Further afield, Ukraine offers the sites of Yalta on the Black Sea - the location of the Crimean battlefields, the Livadia and Vorontsovsky palaces, the Swallows Nest castle and the delights of the Massandra winery. âœŚ For more information, including travel trade incentives, email uia-uk@aviareps-group.com

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STB invites agents to sign up for May workshop THE SLOVENIAN Tourist Board is inviting agents to attend its Slovenian Incoming Workshop (SIW), which takes place in Slovenia from May 17-19.

Key providers of Slovenian tourism and partners from across the world will meet in Kranjska Gora - a place for active experiences throughout the year and following and the business working days, agents can choose from a selection of tours to take in more of the destination.

The SIW registration fee is €200 per person and includes Adria Airways flights, bed-and-breakfast accommodation at a fourstar hotel, admission to SIW, transfers, conference brochure and supporting materials, daily meals, social events during the show, online "one2one meetings” appointment system between suppliers and buyers and a factfinding tour. The registration fee for agents arranging their own flights is €100, while agents are admitted to the event for free if they attend Friday's workshop only, with no accommodation, shuttle service, fact-finding tour, etc.

The closing date for registration is April 25.

For details see www.slovenia.info/siw

Sporting events to boost inbound tourism for Russia RUSSIA IS set to see a 20% increase in visitor arrivals over the next four years fuelled by the hosting of major sporting events, according to research unveiled at the recent WTM Vision Conference in Moscow.

The destination is hosting an array of sporting events over the next six years climaxing with the FIFA World Cup in 2018. The sporting schedule starts next year with Moscow's hosting of the World Athletic Championships and the Rugby Sevens World Cup. Also in 2013 is the Universiade (University games) in Kazan, while 2014 sees Sochi have the Winter Olympics.

The events are anticipated to bring an increased focus to the Russian inbound tourism industry which will help visitors peak at more than 28.3million - up 20% on this year's inbound tourists figure of 23.7million.

The Euromonitor International report reveals this increase will be mainly fuelled by European destinations with visitors from the UK increasing by 17% to 250,000.

Great Rail Journeys promotes 18-day Trans Siberian Express GREAT RAIL Journeys is highlighting its Trans Siberian Express tour, which takes guests halfway round the world – from the Russian steppes to the Sea of Japan by rail on the ‘Golden Eagle Trans Siberian Express’ train.

The tour is inclusive of rail travel from London to Vladivostok, scheduled flights, two nights’ breakfast accommodation, two nights on an overnight sleeper train on journey to Moscow, 12 nights on the Golden Eagle Trans Siberian Express with all meals and drinks, three dinners, an excursion programme, and the services of a tour manager. Tour highlights include Warsaw, Moscow, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk and Lake Baikal, Ulan Ude, Ulaanbaatar and Vladivostok.

The 18-day tour departs from St Pancras with prices starting from £9,250 per person, based on two sharing.

For more information visit www.greatrail.com

Moscow

Kuoni launches Europe 2012 brochure with Med beach & coastal properties KUONI HAS launched its latest brochure which features Mediterranean beach and coastal properties. The destinations of Croatia, Cyprus, France, Monaco, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Turkey fill the 232 pages and more than 200 four- and five-star hotels are featured.

The company's Europe market manager, Sheena Paton, said: “Our new brochure offers great value and good quality properties across Europe for those that want to holiday closer to home. Flexibility is the key, with low-cost flight options, all-inclusive resorts and accommodation-only options too.”

Highlights include cities that are ideal for short breaks

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including Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul and Venice; flights with easyJet, and Jet2; a range of discounts, free nights, room and meal plan upgrades; romantic honeymoon retreats such as the Grand El Mirador in Tenerife and the Cap Rocat and C’an Simoneta in Mallorca; child-friendly resorts, such as the InterContinental Aphrodite Hills resort in Cyprus, the Martinhal Beach Resort in Sagres, Portugal or La Manga in Spain; and flexible options featuring scheduled flights where available, low cost airlines, accommodation-only deals and car hire.

Prices lead in at £299 per person for three nights at the Barcelo Pueblo Hotel in Menorca.

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e p o r u e n r e t s a e l& a centr Sales for Italy, Turkey & Croatia escorted tours up on last year for P&M We asked our staff the following question this week: What are you superstitious about?

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk I don't walk under ladders and never keep xmas decorations up after 12th night

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Putting new shoes on a table

Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk I'm not superstitious

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Opening an umbrella indoors

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

ACCORDING TO Page & Moy Travel Group, figures for the first quarter of this year reveal that there is a strong appetite for European escorted tours, with some of its most popular tours significantly up on last year’s sales.

Those that stand out as top sellers with a significant increase in bookings include Travelsphere's Top to Toe of Italy tour, which has seen an increase of 132% and the company's Treasures of Turkey tour, which has seen an increase of up to 50%. Page & Moy has also seen its Croatia tour up by 42% on last year.

As an example of prices, the eight-day Croatia tour leads in at £959 per person with departures from May 30.

The price includes seven night’s accommodation (four nights’ half board and three nights’ bed-and-breakfast) at the three-star Hotel Rovinj, scheduled flights, transfers, the services of a local tour manager, hotel porterage, welcome drinks and meals arrangement as detailed in the itinerary.

Excursions include tours of Slovenia, Pula, Labin and Porec and a fish barbecue boat trip. There is also the option to visit Venice, Plitvice Lakes and Brijuni Islands National Park. All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a twin or double-bedded room with private facilities.

For more information see www.pageandmoy.co.uk or call 0844-567 66 25.

I gave up supersticions for Lent

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

Ryanair resumes Budapest flights

Crows - one for sorrow two for joy etc

RYANAIR HAS resumed flights to the Hungarian capital with new summer links introduced to Budapest Liszt Ferenc International from Birmingham, Bologna, Bristol, Dublin and Stansted.

The carrier estimates that it will deliver around 200,000 annual passengers to the airport.

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk I'm happily superstition-free

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk When I see only one magpie. I have to say out loud " Hello Mr Magpie, how are you today" when I do though.

It's in the song - one for sorrow, two for joy, three for a boy etc

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@alaincharles.com Walking over three drains :-(

Design: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@alaincharles.com Walking under ladders

Assistant Layout Design: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@alaincharles.com Spilling salt

Production: Jeremy Walters jeremy.walters@alaincharles.com I used to be superstitious, now I'm just paranoid

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

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Audit Bureau of Circulations Business magazines

April 13 2012

Third operator announced for Polish Pass POLISH PASS, the integrated offer for fans and tourists visiting Poland for EURO 2012, has gained a third operator - System Online from Poznań, which will mean the accommodation offering will be expanded.

Dominik Jung, coordinator of the Polish Pass project, said: "Our partners contribute their experience in internet booking and customer service in the hotel sector to the Polish Pass project, and as a result of this our guests will be provided with a comprehensive and varied accommodation offer, not only in the host cities and neighbourhood but all over the country."

Attraction World highlights Dubrovnik Panorama tour ATTRACTION WORLD is highlighting its Panorama Tour of Dubrovnik, which offers guests a bird’s eye view of the Old Town.

The half-day tour takes visitors along cobbled streets to discover the treasures of Dubrovnik's past and present and is designed to show off the city’s architectural treasures, artistic intensity and cultural opulence.

The tour is fully commissionable to agents and costs £29 for adults and £15 for children aged two-nine.

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

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. MANOS, 3. MACAU, 6. RED, 8. VENTURA, 9. ORLY, 10. SCOTT, 14. VADUZ, 15. IBIS, 18. RUSSELL, 20. TUI, 21. CORFU, 22. DUBAI. Down: 1. MIRROR, 2. SUVA, 3. MUNICH, 4. CFU, 5. UTAH, 7. DELTA, 11. TIBET, 12. JUNEAU, 13. ASSISI, 16. ERIC, 17. BLED, 19. SIR.

Highlighted Word: MAUI Travagrams: (Top) Anatolian Sky Holidays

(Bottom) St Lucia

Where Am I?: Paris

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