Travel Bulletin 14th September 2012

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September 14 2012 | ISSUE NO 1,794 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Australasia Tourism New Zealand unveils new campaign

this week agent bulletin 9 win a two-night all-inclusive break to Morocco by dressing up your shop window

puzzle bulletin win ÂŁ50 in Pizza Express vouchers, courtesy of The Holiday Team

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russia

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operators & hoteliers launch new tours & packages

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short breaks the latest deals & product additions for a quick getaway

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Just 21/2 hours away cometotunisia.co.uk

Basking in over 12 hours of gorgeous sunshine every day in summer and some of the most beautiful beaches on the southern Mediterranean coast, Tunisia will surprise, delight and amaze.

But there’s much more to Tunisia than just wonderful beaches. You can marvel at the Þ nest surviving Roman ruins in the world, experience the mighty Sahara, rise to the challenge of our world-class golf courses or enjoy a blissful Thalassotherapy spa session at your luxury hotel.

Tunisia is only 21/2 hours ß ight away, but as itÕs outside the eurozone, youÕll Þ nd your money goes further. Tunisia has so much to oȔ er, youÕll Þ nd that your customers will want to return again and again.

For more information about Tunisia and for further details about transport, attractions and accommodation visit cometotunisia.co.uk or email info@cometotunisia.co.uk or call 020 7224 5561 Search ‘Come to Tunisia’

Top Tunisia Facts ¥ Just 21/2 hours from London ¥ Fantastic year-round weather ¥ Beautiful Mediterranean beaches ¥ Excellent value for money ¥ Great choice of luxury hotels ¥ Delicious traditional cuisine ¥ Thousands of years of history ¥ High quality luxury spas ¥ Stunning Sahara desert Popular resorts ¥ Port El Kantaoui ¥ Yasmine Hammamet ¥ Djerba

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CHOCS AWAY...In celebration of National Cruise Week and the Association of Cruise Experts' (ACE) afternoon tea challenge, Hurtigruten is giving away a chocolate cake mixture to any agent who makes a new booking for any of its voyages and destinations between September 15-23. The company is also running a competition to find the best cake made by an agent using the mixture. Agents are asked to send in photos of their cake to uk.agency.sales@hurtiguten.com to be in with the chance of winning afternoon tea at a five-star hotel. Pictured marking the new incentive is the line's sales team, from the left: Simon McDermott, Lucy Hone, Maxine Dunsdon and Danny Giles.

This Week news 3

a round-up of industry news, reports & offers

Cover Pictures: Main - Tourism New Zealand/Fraser Clements

Inset - Riviera Travel, St Petersburg - Peterhof Gardens

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notes from normanton find out what agency owner, Sandy Murray, has been up to lately

agent bulletin win a two-night AI break in Morocco for two by dressing up your shop window

cruise bulletin Swan Hellenic issues new price promise

puzzle bulletin your chance to win £50 Pizza Express vouchers, courtesy of The Holiday Team

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hotel bulletin

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personality bulletin

2013 Gulf expansion from Rotana which sales director is smart enough to know not to eat yellow snow?

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russia

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short breaks

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australasia

operators & hoteliers launch new tours & packages the latest deals & product additions for a quick getaway Tourism New Zealand unveils new campaign

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Europe & North Africa 2013 programme launch from Cosmos COSMOS TOURS & Cruises has launched its 2013 Europe & North Africa programme with a new holiday concept, new itineraries and a range of early booking offers.

The new holiday concept ‘Relax & Explore’, which is based on single or twin centres in a choice of destinations, gives customers the option to set their own pace by adding excursions, in addition to the ‘must see’ sightseeing already included in the holiday.

Options range from the four-day Venice Carnival (from £549) to the sub-tropical island of Madeira (eight-day Taste of Madeira from £735) to the volcanic landscape of Iceland (five days from £765) and eight-day Turkey’s Turquoise Coast (£579).

The range of early booking offers include a saving of £50 per person on bookings made before October 31. Single travellers can take advantage of no single supplement on a choice of tours on selected departures, with a saving of up to £375 per person. Clients can also avoid the hassle of an early morning flight departure from the UK with a special Airport Hotel Offer of £29 per room for an overnight stay at a four-star hotel which also includes up to 14 nights' airport parking.

Meanwhile, examples of new tours include the 13-day ‘Mediterranean Flavours’ (from £1,259) and the nine-day ‘Lake Garda by Rail’ (£1,169).

New cruise companies featured for 2013 include Amadeus, Pullman and Royal Crown and holidays are packaged with flights and transfers. Cruise offers on selected cruises include free cabin upgrades, free drinks vouchers and up to €80 onboard credit per couple. Drinks with meals are included on individual cruises plus an all-inclusive option on the new Magnificent Rome and all-inclusive Mediterranean Cruise.

For details call 0844-573 0668 or visit www.trade-gate.co.uk for brochures

Save up to 30% with a last-minute Hebridean Island cruise HEBRIDEAN ISLAND Cruises is offering up to 30% off last-minute bookings for autumn.

Guests can save up to £1,720 per person on cruises departing between October 2 and November 6.

For example, a seven-night ‘The Small Isles and Skye’ itinerary costs from £3,410, offering a saving of £1,140 per person, and is based on an October 9 departure.

Alternatively, a ‘Gems of the Inner

Isles’ cruise costs from £2,750 for seven nights based on an October 16 departure, and offers a saving of up to £1,190 per person.

Prices include all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, shore excursions, gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, along with transfers between Glasgow and the ship or free car parking in Oban.

For more information or to book call 01756-704704 or see www.hebridean.co.uk

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newsbulletin Superbreak issues Christmas and New Year brochure SUPERBREAK HAS launched its annual Christmas and New Year brochure, which features a selection of new hotel packages and events, along with a range of flight-inclusive packages to key European Christmas markets, plus a festive murder mystery break in Wetherby, York and a Fawlty Towers-themed break in Edinburgh.

New hotel packages include a three-night stay at the Hatton Court Hotel near Cheltenham, for £375 per person. Guests arrive on Christmas Eve and are presented with mulled wine, scones and clotted cream, a three-course dinner and post-Midnight Mass hot chocolate and cookies. Christmas Day will include a Bucks Fizz breakfast, a five-course lunch, a buffet dinner in the evening, along with games and a quiz, while Boxing Day offers a hot buffet and live music.

Meanwhile, two nights at the four-star The Angel Hotel in Cardiff costs £220 per person for arrivals on December 31. The break includes half-board accommodation, a New Year’s Eve gala dinner with table magician, live band and disco and an afternoon at the races.

For more information or to book call 0871-221 4444 or visit www.superbreak.com/agents VRA VRA VROOM...travel agent Sharon Hudson, from Newell's Travel in Tavistock, Devon, is pictured taking delivery of a Kia Rio for a year after winning Affordable Car Hire's prize draw at the annual Global Travel Group conference, which took place at De Vere Carden Park Country Golf Resort and Spa near Chester.

New analysis concludes ski industry not in terminal decline RESEARCH FROM a new SkiBase Report has revealed that demand in the ski market is being sustained by experienced, mature skiers, providing an opportunity for commercial organisations to actively engage and encourage new prospective customers to ski.

The survey, which examined the prospects of the ski industry, found that mature skiers were taking advantage of the cheaper euro to head off on one or even two ski holidays in a single season.

The research also found that one of the major reasons people gave for not skiing was cost, which the report says is partly due to the fact that disposable incomes have been squeezed in the past few years and the perception continues to be that skiing is too expensive.

More than 18,000 people took part in the survey, which quizzed respondents about every aspect of their skiing habits.

Italy was chosen as the top quality skiing destination by UK skiers, narrowly beating France. The survey also asked people to give overall ratings for accommodation, value for money, restaurants and bars, lifts and activities outside skiing.

The results showed that France had the most loyal skiers, with more than 74% of people who skied there saying they were likely to choose the country for their next winter break.

Switzerland was rated as the least value for money, while Canada’s Whistler resort was considered the best overall ski resort in the world, with a satisfaction score of 72.9%.

Mailbox Mailings with Travel Bulletin this week include: ● IntouristUK invite you to celebrate their 75th

anniversary, with the launch of the Russia & Beyond 2013 brochure. Along with their excellent value bestselling favourites, discover new tailor made and group tours, all selected with you in mind.

Reservations: 0844 875 4026 ● Cyprus Tourist Office's newsletter..all the latest from

Aphrodite's Island as the island gears up for Summer.

Further details on all the news on 020 7569 8800 For further details and special offers please read the mail shots that accompany this issue

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Newsbites ●

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HATS THE WAY...Travel 2 has been celebrating the success of its online education programme, T2 Academy, which combines the operator’s product and Website training with modules provided by destinations, products and airlines it partners with. Pictured are Sherie Stembridge, Lesley Pile and Nicholas Harding-McKay from Travel Designers, who all achieved bronze status after completing ten modules.

For more information visit www.t2academy.co.uk

ERcom T IS on.

G RE lond

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industry professionals from 182 countries

£164m

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ICELANDAIR HAS confirmed a new route to Anchorage (via Reykjavik) with connections from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow, starting in May next year.

COMPAGNIE DU Ponant has joined the Passenger Shipping Association.

ADD-ON provider, Essentialtravel.co.uk, is offering a 10% discount to passengers opting to travel with hand luggage only. The new policy means that a family of four holidaying with just hand baggage, rather than a suitcase each, could save up to £340 on baggage charges from their flights.

For details see www.essentialtravel.co.uk/handluggage THE HOLIDAY Malta Company Limited (HMCL), parent company of Belleair Holidays, has announced its imminent acquisition by the Malta-based SMS Group of Companies. The tour operator is reassuring its trade partners and customers that, despite the changes, business will continue as usual, as will the tour operator’s relationship with Air Malta.

EASYJET IS to roll out allocated seating across its network from November. The airline has been trialling allocated seating since April and research shows that more than 70% think allocated seating is better than the current system. On allocated seating flights passengers who do not wish to pay to select their seat will be allocated a seat free of charge.

WTM. WTM. Means M Me eans business business bu i 5 - 8 November Novem mber 22012 012 ExCe ExCeLL London

of travel industry contracts signed for UK destinations

85%

of visitors gain a competitive advantage at WTM

W WTM TM Official Pr Premier em mier P Partner artner

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newsbulletin Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter... @BourneLeisure Tots can catch Mike the Knight in his very own mini adventure at @Butlins resorts on midweek breaks until 30 December. @AceAndyHarmer ACE Columbus Day 2012: Birmingham: Sep 20: Join us if you are serious about growing your cruise business: http://ow.ly/dp6K2 @coxandkingsUK This winter will be another fantastic season for Northern Lights. We have holidays in Finland, Sweden, Norway & Iceland http://bit.ly/SmszGT @pierrevacances_ Did you know... There's plenty for non-skiers to do on a winter holiday! http://ow.ly/dvtqJ @BolsoverCruise Check out our official blog page today for an experts thoughts on small ship cruising! http://bolsovercruise. blogspot.co.uk

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

Dedicated Facebook page from RCL RCL CRUISES now has more options for travel agents seeking special offers, selling tips and competitions with a new dedicated travel agent Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rcltra velagents The former Cruising for Excellence page has rebranded as RCL Travel Agents and provides an online community for agents to engage and interact with Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.

The site includes the latest news, deals and information about the cruise lines, as well as a forum.

VIP SKI has launched a new hotel in the St Anton resort for the 2012/13 season. Hotel Montjola is the second hotel in the region to join the company’s portfolio and will receive an overhaul by a team of interior designers. The hotel features 33 guestrooms, all with ensuite facilities, flat-screen TVs and Wi-fi, and most have balconies or terraces. Other features of the hotel include a games room/library, a relaxation suite with twin outdoor hot tubs, sauna, steam room and massage/treatment room. Prices for seven nights start from £949 per person based on two sharing, including flights, transfers, breakfast and evening meals. Guests will also receive a bottle of Champagne and canapés on arrival. A complimentary ski and snowboard hosting service is available for three days as well as daily newspapers.

For details call 0844-557 3119 or see www.vip-chalets.com

Sandals by Funway wedding brochure FUNWAY HOLIDAYS has launched its new, dedicated, Sandals by Funway WeddingMoons brochure which provides couples with details of all their wedding choices from pre-designed wedding themes, inspiring colour choices and customisable wedding options. It also offers information on Love Nest Suites, a Personal Butler service and the different legal wedding requirements for each wedding island.

Highlights include seven nights at Sandals Carlyle, Montego Bay in Jamaica from £1,299 per person, including flights with Virgin Atlantic and transfers. The price is based on two sharing, with travel based on selected dates until December 8 and between September 1 and November 30, 2013.

For more information see www.sandals4agents.co.uk

Free private guided vehicles from Abercrombie & Kent THROUGHOUT AUTUMN, Abercrombie & Kent is offering guests complimentary private-guided vehicles for safaris in Kenya, Zambia and Tanzania which allow travellers to explore some of the most remote parts of the bush, and are worth up to £2,225 per booking.

Safari highlights include the ‘Sanctuary Swala’ Tanzania trip, which allows travellers to explore the watering holes of Swala, which attract groups of elephants, lions and the occasional leopard, as well as birdlife.

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Clients can also explore the Ngorongoro volcanic crater, a World Heritage Site, which is home to numerous forms of wildlife. The experience is available until December 15.

Alternatively, on offer from October 1 until December 15, the ‘Zambian Water Holes’ tour includes accommodation at Sanctuary Puku Ridge Tented Camp, which is close to the Lungwa River and oxbow lagoons where game and birds congregate.

For more information visit www.abercrombiekent.co.uk

Soulful sailings from P&O Ferries MOTOWN AND Northern Soul DJs will be playing tracks from the 60s, 70s and 80s on P&O Ferries' mini cruise in January next year.

The Northern Soul mini cruise will feature sets by Ginger Taylor, Danny Clegg, Carol Gilboy and BBC Radio DJ Keith Fletcher, who will perform during a twonight round trip on the company’s overnight service between Hull and Rotterdam, departing on January 16.

Prices lead in at £44 per person, based on two people sharing an inside cabin. Coach transfers for a day’s sightseeing in Rotterdam city centre or Amsterdam are also included in the price, and the cruise is available to book until September 30.

For more information call 0871-664 6464 or visit www.poferries.com

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newsbulletin Seven-night ski breaks in Bulgaria from £244 from Balkan Holidays BALKAN HOLIDAYS has launched its second edition Winter Ski & Board 2012/13 brochure, offering new accommodation with prices starting from £244 per person, based on a seven-night break in a two-bedroom self-catering apartment in Pamporovo, Bulgaria, in March next year.

New accommodation in Bulgaria includes the self-catering four-star Aparthotel St George’s Lodge in Bansko, while in Borovets Club Hotel

Yanakiev and Hotel Iceberg, both four-star self-catering properties, are also offered.

Meanwhile, the operator is giving away free lift passes in both destinations at selected hotels on selected dates, along with free night skiing when staying at the Hotel Perelik in Pamporovo.

Also available is free ski or board storage in Bansko, plus half-price ski or board equipment carriage.

Families can also receive free child

ski places and other discounts, while a complimentary luggage allowance of 20kg is offered on all charter flights to Bulgaria.

Booking incentives include a deposit of £70 per person and early booking discounts of up to £150 per couple. A 5% loyalty discount for customers who have travelled with the operator for the past two years is also available.

For details call 0845-130 1114 or see www.balkanholidays.co.uk/agents

‘Warmer Cruising’ from Fred. Olsen FRED. OLSEN Cruise Lines has launched a ‘Warmer Cruising’ brochure, offering a selection of cruises, departing between October and March 2013.

Prices start from £59 per person per night, with the opportunity to save up to £1,000 per person. The cruises, on the company's four ships, Black Watch, Boudicca, Balmoral and Braemar, depart from Southampton, Dover and Portsmouth and destinations include the Caribbean, Canary Islands, Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Norway, ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ as well as taster mini-cruises.

Two longer voyages are featured, as well as a new programme of Canaries fly/cruises on Braemar launching in January next year. As an example of prices, a seven-night Braemar Canaries fly/cruise, departing on January 6 from Southampton, and visiting Madeira, La Palma, Gran Canaria and Tenerife, costs from £459 per person.

The price includes flights, twin cabin accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board and port taxes, and offers a saving of £140 on the original price.

For details see www.fredolsencruises.com or call 01473-742424.

TOP TIPS FOR TIPTO...To mark the start of TIPTO’s new year, which commenced at the beginning of this month, the organisation's new chair, Zena Calderbank from Hoseasons, hosted a travel agent focus group to review industry issues and discuss ways in which TIPTO can work more closely with agents. Pictured with Zena (middle, front row) are, from the left (back row): Robert Saunderson, Barnes Worldwide Travel; Bill Low, Park Travel; Francis Proctor, Many Happy Returns Travel; and (front row) Caroline Jeacock, Deva Travel; and Rita Hunter, Rita Hunter Travel.

The Private Travel Company & Caribtours launch 2013 programmes THE PRIVATE Travel Company and sister company, Caribtours, have launched their 2013 programmes featuring a range of new destinations and hotels.

With a renewed emphasis on the Indian Ocean, Arabia and North Africa, The Private Travel Company collection has been expanded to offer more hotels in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, the Maldives, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Marrakech and Sharm el Sheikh, alongside a new concierge service.

Examples include a seven-night allinclusive stay at Sainte Anne Resort & Spa in the Seychelles, with prices starting from £2,165 per person staying in a Garden Villa.

Alternatively, seven nights’ half-board accommodation at LUX Le Morne in Mauritius costs from £1,769 per person staying in a superior room.

Meanwhile, Caribtours has added Puerto Rico to its portfolio and has increased the number of all-inclusive

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breaks to Antigua, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. There is also the option to extend the Cuba tour and explore additional cruising options with Silversea and Royal Clipper.

A seven-night room-only stay at El Convento, a former convent in Puerto Rico, costs from £1,495 per person, staying in a Superior Room, while a sevennight full-board stay at Petit St Vincent in the Grenadines costs from £3,645 per person, staying in a one-bedroom cottage.

All holidays booked with the companies up to October 19 for travel on selected dates between October 1 and March 31, 2013 include a complimentary one-way upgrade to Club World on BA. For any bookings made until October 19 agents can earn up to £200 in Capital Bonds vouchers, subject to terms and conditions.

To claim email werewardagents@caribtours.co.uk with the booking reference by October 31.

Fly for free with Powder White POWDER WHITE is offering winter sports enthusiasts free flights to the resort of St Anton, for ski holidays booked this month.

For example, clients booking the company's latest addition to its chalet portfolio, Chalet Fritz, will receive free flights from any UK airport, offering a potential saving of £2,400 per group.

New for this year, the traditional style Chalet Fritz has been recently renovated and sleeps up to 20. The property features its own bar and is ideal for large groups of family or friends or smaller groups or couples.

For more information visit www.powderwhite.com or call 020-8877 8888.

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newsbulletin Hoseasons’ autumn short break promo offers savings at 98 lodges

Notes from . . . n o t n a m r o N AD A quick week at the lovely Kaissa Apartments again in Gouves, Crete & went on a lovely excursion to Spinalonga - an island you will know about if you have read Victoria Hislop’s book 'The Island'.

It is famous for being Europe's last leper colony that housed lots of people that had leprosy, and that is where they were sent and stayed, even if they had family on the mainland. I think it was still in use up until 1951. Much earlier of course there was a lot of ignorance about leprosy so it seemed to be a sad and they say haunted island - not surprising really. It is certainly a good day out and well worth it.

Heard another tale from a rep about a family of Germans that had gone into a Greek Taverna to have their meal and when it came for time to pay the bill they told the Greek owner that no they were not paying because Germany had just bailed Greece out - how bad is that? What an awful situation for the Greek owner to be in, but thankfully they were not allowed out of the restaurant until they had paid - can you image it if they had got away with it? It would have happened many times after that wouldn't it? Just shows how all this business with the banks etc., can have a knock on effect.

Whilst doing my Shirely Valentine, I had the misfortune of falling whilst there was a power cut and ended up with a fantastic black eye, thick lip that looked like I had had botex and 2 grazed knees. But special thanks to Natasha & Yanni at Kaissa Apartments, administering ice packs on my lip & eye. Thankfully it happened at the beginning of the week and luckily I didn’t break anything this time and so should not look out of place at the Travel Bulletin Awards!

I think one of the nicest things about our industry is the repeat customers and the customers that you see starting off as a couple (or even coming in as young adults not going with parents any more) getting married, going on honeymoon, then coming in with their children etc., “Love is not gazing at each other – love is staring together in the same direction” and “The best way to shape your future is to create it”.

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by SANDRA MURRAY of Sandy Travel in Normanton, Yorkshire

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HOSEASONS HAS launched a special autumn short break promotion at holiday parks across England, Scotland and Wales.

The operator is offering savings on autumn short breaks at 98 lodge and holiday parks throughout the UK, with breaks starting from £56 for couples (based on three nights in October) and from £66 for families for up to six people, for three nights next month.

One example of a park taking part in the promotion is Brynteg at Llanrug, Caernarfon. As one of the operator's 14 flagship ‘Go Active’ parks, it offers a wide range of activity breaks and facilities, including an indoor tropically-heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, adventure play park and ten-pin bowling.

Activities include archery, fencing, trampolining, indoor climbing wall, fishing, tennis, inflatable canoes and disc-golf.

Accommodation is in luxury caravans and timber lodges, some with games consoles and private outdoor hot tubs. A three-night break starting on October 12 for a family of four costs from £99.

For details visit www.hoseasons.co.uk/agents or call 0844-847 1222.

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WEBSCLUSIVES ●

Win a 4 nights stay for 2 people at the 5-star Dubrovnik Sun Gardens hotel in Croatia. The prize is for a Deluxe room on a B&B basis. To enter, go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Win a Virgin Experience Day with Club Med. Enter at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Make sure you enter our crossword, sponsored by The Holiday Team. Full details can be found on Puzzle Bulletin, page 11 of this issue. Send your entries to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/crossword, for your chance to win £50 of Pizza Express vouchers.

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Don’t forget to check out the digital version of our ‘All About Luxury Holidays’ supplement – an in-depth guide on all that is new in the luxury travel sector.

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Madeira and Porto Santo now on sale from Anatolian Sky – fantastic two-island holidays available.

Go to www.anatoliansky.co.uk/holidays/Madeira for full details.

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

September 14 2012

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

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agentbulletin Booking incentives ●

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ALL DISCOVERY Cruising is encouraging agents to make the most of National Cruise Week (September 17-23) by offering up to £100 worth of wine for bookings made with any of the company’s three brands - Voyages of Discovery, Swan Hellenic and Hebridean Island Cruises.

Agents who make a booking will automatically qualify for a free wine voucher, which will vary in value depending on the size of their booking.

To claim, send an email with your name, agency name, ABTA number and booking reference to prizedraw@alldiscoverycruising.com within seven days of the booking.

AGENTS BOOKING any 2013 holiday with Caribtours and The Private Travel Company from now until October 19 can earn up to £200 in Capital Bonds vouchers. All bookings must include flights and seven nights' accommodation for a minimum of two adults.

For bookings under £5,000, agents will earn £25 in vouchers, up to £200 for a £30,000+ booking. To claim, email werewardagents@caribtours.co.uk with the booking reference. All claims must be received

by October 31.

VIRGIN LIMITED Edition’s exclusive trade partners have the opportunity to win a luxury two-night stay for two people at its Moroccan property, Kasbah Tamadot, on an all-inclusive basis. To be in with a chance of winning, agents should dress up their shop front window 'Virgin Limited Edition' style and send in a picture displaying their creative flair. Agencies can choose any or all of the properties within the portfolio to promote and the winning entry of the best shop window display will be announced the week commencing November 5. To enter, email katherine.beach@virginlimitededition.com to receive a Window Dressing pack. All entries must send photographic evidence of their window to the email address above by October 31.

AGENTS CAN receive Love2Shop vouchers in a new promotion from The Holiday Team in partnership with KLM, Air France, Delta and Alitalia. To claim, agents should book and ticket clients on any of the partner airlines through The Holiday Team by September 30. For each adult or child Economy seat booked agents will receive £5, for Premium/Business Class agents receive £10 and for First Class, £15. There is no limit to the number of entries.

For details see www.theholidayteam.co.uk

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SUPER AGENTS…Barrhead Travel in the Gyle Centre, Edinburgh, was named Superbreak’s Scottish ‘Agent of the Month’ in July for outstanding sales performance. Pictured receiving their certificates and wine from the operator's Wendy Cameron (left), are the agency's Liam Hunt and Marie Buchanan .

Win a trip to Croatia AGENTS HAVE the chance to win a four-night breakfast stay for two people at the five-star Dubrovnik Sun Gardens Resort & Spa in Croatia. To enter, agents need to answer three questions. The prize is valid for stays between October 1 and May 31, 2013.

For details see http://tinyurl.com/copft3d

Fancy a fam?

THE LAS Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s ‘Virtuoso VIP Club’ weekly quiz returns this month, to educate and reward the trade for its support in promoting the city.

From today, agents will have the chance to win places on the December Las Vegas fam, along with a variety of Vegas hotel stays. The online programme offers members access to a range of selling tools including an instant message ‘ask the experts’ function, which allows agents to speak with the LVCVA team, alongside monthly newsletters, open forums, downloadable brochures, images, and videos and exclusive travel industry discount rates with Las Vegas hotel and tour partners.

To be in with a chance of a place on the fam or win prizes, agents should complete the online training programme at www.lasvegasvirtuoso.com and then register for the VIP Club at www.virtuosovipclub.co.uk

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cruisebulletin Cruise & Maritime Voyages makes new Discovery CRUISE & Maritime Voyages CMV has published a new brochure for 2013/14 following the recent announcement that All Leisure Holidays' ship, Discovery will join the fleet in 2013.

The 700-passenger vessel will sail alongside Marco Polo from next February after an extensive winter dry-docking and refurbishment programme, replacing the Ocean Countess.

Ocean Countess will continue her remaining 2012 ex-Liverpool programme with a revised final 13-night Canary Islands & Madeira Farewell Voyage now finishing in Barcelona instead of returning to Liverpool with flights back to the North West.

The new brochure features 80 cruise holidays sailing from seven British ports covering departures from February 2013 through until May 2014. Highlights include additional Discovery Northern Lights cruise from Bristol, new Marco Polo ‘Escape the Winter’ West Indies cruise sailing from Tilbury and Bristol, live new Discovery sailings from Harwich including an 18-night Summer Solstice & White Sea voyage to the Russian Arctic, UK no-fly cruises from a choice of seven British ports and new fly/cruises with various options to the Med and Black Sea. To book or for more information call 0844-414 6185 or visit www.cruiseandmaritime.com

Discovery

Fred. Olsen marks National Cruise Week with new brochure TO MARK National Cruise Week (September 15-23), Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a brochure of cruises to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Northern Europe, the Arctic, Iceland and Norway, from a choice of regional UK ports.

Guests booking any of the cruises by September 30 will qualify for a free upgrade to the new ‘All-Inclusive’ package, which means that selected beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks will be included in the cruise price.

The upgrade applies to the first 100 bookings on each departure and the offer is protected by the company's ‘Price Pledge’, meaning that if the price of the cruise should fall, customers will receive benefits or a refund to the same value.

As an example of prices, a nine-night ‘Norwegian Experience’ cruise, departing from Liverpool on May 14 , 2013 leads in at £1,019 per person and visits the fishing port of Bergen, for an overnight stay, then Eidfjord, in the heart of Hardangerfjord, followed by a visit to Stavanger and, en route back to Liverpool, Kirkwall in the Orkney Isles of Scotland.

Prices are based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin, Grade ‘I’.

For details see www.fredolsencruises.com or call 01473-742424.

OCEANIA CRUISES is offering two new taster cruises on its new mid-sized, luxury cruise ship, Riviera.

The six-night sailings, which depart on November 3 and 9, cost from £1,026 per person, including a $300 shipboard credit per stateroom, free flights, all meals, soft drinks and bottled water. The first 20 bookings made will also receive a complimentary upgrade from a Veranda stateroom to a Concierge Level Veranda, which includes complimentary Champagne on arrival and free use of the Concierge Lounge.

For details visit www.oceaniacruises.com or call 0845-505 1920.

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September 14 2012

New price promise from Swan Hellenic SWAN HELLENIC has introduced a ‘Price Promise’ – a pledge to customers and agents that, if the price of published standard fares for their chosen cruise and category of cabin is reduced at a later date, passengers will be offered an equivalent benefit in value. The difference in the benefit provided will either be as a complimentary cabin upgrade or on board credit.

Coinciding with the launch of the winter 2013/14, second edition brochure, the Price Promise encourages passengers to book early and obtain the best choice of cabin on their preferred cruise. The line is also offering passengers a 10% discount on selected cruises, as well as a free chauffeur service on selected cabin grades and up to £200 on board credit per cabin.

Meanwhile, the company has expanded its 2013 river cruising programme with the introduction of the Royal Crown and sailings on the Dutch waterways.

The new vessel offers passengers the chance to visit cities including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Haarlem and the two new sailings complement the line's existing river cruises sailing on the Rhone and Danube on the A-Rosa fleet of ships.

The two new cruises are an eight-day Highlights of the Dutch Waterways from £2,250 per person, based on a June 29 departure and an eight-day The Golden Age of Dutch Waterways from 2,250 per person, based on a July 6 departure.

Prices include a shore excursion programme, all gratuities, all meals, flights and all port taxes and charges.

For more information or to book visit www.swanhellenic.com or call 0844-822 0679.

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puzzlebulletin Travagrams

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

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

Number: 080

Slaveries

A➠

B➠

The name of this cruise line may remind you of a famous racing track in Northamptonshire

C➠

avenge

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, September 20th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for 31st August is Vicky Gibbs, Sunpex Travel in Kent.

August 31 Solution: A=7 B=6 C=9 D=8

Crossword

Sponsored By

This City is famous for its lake and is famous for being known as ‘The Peace Capital’

Where Am I?

Paddington Bear's country of origin.

Fill in the crossword to reveal the mystery location highlighted by the blue squares and visit www.travelbulletin.co.uk/crossword to submit your entry. All correct entries will be placed in a free prize draw and one lucky winner will win £50 Pizza Express vouchers.

Closing date for entries is Thursday September 20th.

Number: 080

Across 1. Hotel chain (4,3) 4. Carrier initially, operating from Prague (3) 6. Paris is sometimes called The City of ___ (5) 8. Italian city, famous for its ham (5) 9. Book in advance to get this cheaper fare (4) 10. English county (5) 13. Wendy Wu specialises in holidays to this country (5) 14. City in the Galicia region of Spain (4) 17. P&O cruise ship (5) 18. Susan, who shot to fame on BGT (5) 19. This bear comes to life at a cinema near you (3) 20. European country (7)

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Down 1. US city and TV drama revival (6) 2. Organisation serving the airline industry (4) 3. Capital of the Campania region (6) 4. Inquisitive sounding Mars rover (9) 5. Islands off Galway Bay (4) 7. Intercity bus company, sounds canine (9) 11. Capital of Turkey (6) 12. State capital of Kansas (6) 15. Currency of Thailand (4) 16. Hotel brand, part of Accor (4)

THE HOLIDAY TEAM IS A CONSOLIDATOR PROVIDING BEST VALUE FLIGHTS & PACKAGE HOLIDAYS TO BOOK CALL 020-8843 4300; www.theholidayteam.co.uk

The Where Am I and Travagrams solutions can be found on page 26 September 14 2012

11

S03 TB1409 News 2_Layout 1 12/09/2012 11:33 Page 12

hotelbulletin

ON TOP OF THE WORLD…Park Inn Manchester Victoria has been awarded the World Class Service Standard 2012. The hotel and its team were judged on four key fields of service performance: Service Behaviours; Organisational Processes; Physical Environment; and Tangible Product, achieving a pass rate of more than 80%. Pictured are Neil Raw from Park Inn Manchester Victoria and Tracy Waddacor from World Class Service.

COMO Hotels & Resorts unveils new brand identity, Website & blog COMO HOTELS and Resorts has unveiled an updated brand identity, complete with a new Website and blog.

The company’s nine properties will keep their individual logos but are now underpinned with “by COMO”, in an attempt to convey the company’s personalised approach to hospitality.

New tablet- and mobile-friendly content is available on the upgraded site, such as locally-researched destination guides, chef profiles and downloadable Shambhala Cuisine recipes. Accommodation and event venue floor plans are also available, along with an improved resource library for partners.

The site also features a new blog which covers destination news and updates, while ‘Tales from the Front Desk’ offers behind-the-scenes glimpses of life on properties and ‘Out and About’ offers insider destination tips.

Meanwhile, this month, Uma by COMO, Punakha opens in Bhutan, to be followed by hotels in Phuket and other key destinations next year.

For more information see www.comohotels.com

Hilton Garden Inn opens second hotel in Poland HILTON GARDEN Inn has announced the opening of its second property in Poland. The Garden Inn Rzeszow is a short walk from the town’s Market Square and the ancient city of Lancut.

The hotel offers free Wi-fi, a business centre and fitness centre, and guests have the opportunity to earn and redeem Hilton Honors points.

Rzeszow’s Millennium Hall complex, containing 200 retail outlets and a range of entertainment facilities, is adjacent to the hotel, while transport links are provided by Rzeszow train station and the nearby Jasionka Airport.

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September 14 2012

ITC Hotels launches new Sleep Menu ITC HOTELS has introduced a Sleep Menu at each of its eight Luxury Collection properties, in response to a recent survey conducted on behalf of the group.

According to the survey of business travellers, 70% of respondents find it difficult to get a restful night’s sleep in the unfamiliar surroundings of a hotel room, while 82% of those worry that a lack of sufficient sleep will have detrimental effects on their business performance.

Created to relax tired travellers and improve the sleep hygiene of the environment, the turn-down Sleep Menu includes a range of aromatherapy essential-oil sprays and a pillow menu allowing guests to find their ideal pillow match, along with the ‘Dreamkerchief’, designed to help guests unwind when left on the pillow. In-room foot massages are also available.

For more information visit www.itchotels.in

2013 Gulf expansion from Rotana ROTANA PLANS to open nine additional properties across the Gulf by 2013.

The first properties will be opened in Bahrain and Oman, with six additional developments in the UAE, three of which are scheduled to open next month.

These include Al Ghurair Rayhaan and Al Ghurair Arjaan, both located in Dubai and Centro Capital Centre in Abu Dhabi.

The City Centre Rotana in Doha is also scheduled to open next year. As part of the city centre shopping complex, the five-star hotel will offer 400 rooms and suites, executive floors, five restaurants and a variety of meeting rooms, in addition to a fitness centre.

The Salalah Resort & Spa in Oman is another new addition for 2013 and the five-star resort will offer 400 luxury rooms and suites, a choice of bars and restaurants, a health and fitness centre, a private beach and a spa.

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S03 TB1409 News 2_Layout 1 12/09/2012 11:34 Page 14

personalitybulletin

Ben Smart The sales director of Mondial Assistance UK says he can chat for England and often finds himself in awkward situations...

Who is your ideal travelling companion?

Someone who has a clue where we are going.

“Speedy boarding does make you feel that little bit more special, if only for a brief period”

What's your earliest childhood memory?

Mud sliding with my brother in Weston Super Mare.

Where was your last work-related trip?

Barbados ITT conference. A brilliant time, especially the Virgin Holidays’ closing party.

Career path

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

Russell Brand because he is exceptionally witty, has a great outlook on life and he tends to be very successful with women.

●

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

“Just one more?”

●

What have your travels taught you?

That speedy boarding does make you feel that little bit more special, if only for a brief period.

●

● ●

●

● ●

What is the best advice you recall?

Don’t eat yellow snow.

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

Love, it’s all you need.

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

More transparent pricing for the consumer, sorting out check-in to make it less painful - arriving two hours before the flight is just ridiculous and reps not trying to sell you everything on the first day when you’re all pasty and white and just want to focus on getting a tan! A hard sell is not the way to start a holiday. Maybe agents could try and sell these excursions etc when you book or at least pre-flight so you have more time to consider and plan what you want to do?

14

1991-95: Duty manager then sales & spend Manager, Ramada Jarvis Hotels 1995-96: Group manager, Compass Group - ESS 1999-2000: Conference & events sales manager, Ramada Jarvis Hotels 2000-2001: Global account manager, Guoman & Thistle Hotels 2001-2004: Head of business development, Expotel 2003-2007: Founder & managing director, Russell Corporate Contracts 2006-2007: Commercial director UK Division, Tourico Holidays 2007-present: Travel sales director, Mondial Assistance UK

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

My chairman at Mondial Assistance, Mike Webb. He took a big chance on me when he promoted me to the board.

What's your favourite city and why?

Dubai. Where else can you sunbathe in the morning, wait for a bus in an airconditioned shelter, shop at lunchtime, ski in the afternoon and then play golf at night? It’s a mad place and I love it.

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

I was planning on joining the Marines when I left school, but my mum pointed out that people would shout at me a lot and I wasn’t the best person to have

September 14 2012

access to a weapon – I shot myself doing paint ball.

What is your motto in life?

“If you can't convince them, confuse them...”

What is your favourite mode of travel?

My electric scooter, which cuts the time to walk to the pub by at least five minutes.

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

Invisibility. It would help to avoid awkward situations that I often find myself in.

What was your nickname at school and why?

Applecrumbliness. My sister-in-law coined it, as that’s what she thought I was like. It is still my personal email address, which always raises an eyebrow when I tell people.

What item do you always take with you when travelling?

Underpants. Always an essential first-pack.

How do you deal with stress?

Big deep breath and crack on. Stress is part of life and should be confronted head on. If you let it get to you, it will ruin your life.

Is there anything that you dislike about the travel industry?

There is not enough unity between the larger companies to lobby the government to get our point across. If we don’t unite they will ruin the industry.

What special skill do you have?

I was born with a silver tongue and can chat for England. Some would say this wasn’t a skill though.

What do you love about your job?

Everything. I love the travelling, my team, the company and also the people within the industry. I think we are a rare breed that should be protected.

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Picture: Regent Holidays

russia

Moscow

Regent Holidays issues 2013 river cruise programme with 12 days from £1,390 REGENT HOLIDAYS reports that its best selling tour is the Highlights of Moscow and St Petersburg, which has remained its most popular tour for a number of years.

The company's product manager, Andrea Godfrey, said: “This tour is an excellent experience for a first time visitor to Russia and for people who enjoy a more relaxed group tour. It

often prompts a return visit for clients who fall in love with Russia and come back a year or so later to explore in more depth.”

The tour departs on regular dates throughout the year, with prices for next year leading in at £1,185 per person, based on two sharing and including fourstar accommodation in each city – at the Renaissance Monarch in Moscow and the

Hotel Sokos Olympic Garden in St Petersburg.

Meanwhile, the operator has launched its Russian cruise programme for 2013 and is already reporting strong interest and bookings.

Cruises for next year include a 12-day Russian River Cruise, which sails along several Russian rivers, with prices from £1,390 per person; an 11-

day St Petersburg to Moscow cruise from £1,450, with departures throughout summer; and a 12-day Volga Dream luxury cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow, which costs from £2,510, including accommodation either side of the cruise at the five-star Marriott Royal Aurora in Moscow and St Petersburg's Kempinski Moika 22.

Intourist offers free hotel upgrade in St Petersburg FOR A limited time Intourist is offering a free room upgrade in Moscow and St Petersburg on its best selling Real Russia tour. The eight-day, half-board tour includes an upgrade to a Junior Suite in the Budapest Hotel in Moscow and to a Deluxe Room at the Ambassador Hotel in St Petersburg. Also included is a free bottle of Champagne on arrival.

The offer applies to departure dates on October 19, November 2, 7 and December 16.

Meanwhile, the operator is promoting a five-day tour in St Petersburg for New Year. It includes a gala dinner,

sledge riding, sightseeing, caviar and vodka, with accommodation at the four-star Ambassador Hotel.

Prices lead in at £1,295 per person and include flights, an excursion package and transfers. The tour departs on December 29 this year and December 29 next year.

The company has also introduced a selection of new cruise options for next year in its Russia & Beyond brochure, from Moscow to St Petersburg, in Ukraine and round the Black Sea coast.

For more information call 0844-875 4026, email info@intouristuk.com or see www.intouristuk.com

Russian National Tourist Office & BSI Group open new office in London THE RUSSIAN National Tourist Office (RNTO) is sharing London office space with a Russian tour operator, BSI Group, which operates in the UK as Business Services International UK and arranges tours from Russia to the UK. The new office is situated on Kensington Church Street, within a minute’s walk from the Russian Embassy.

Meanwhile, the RNTO's mission for this year is to organise

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and conduct congresses, conferences, exhibitions and other activities aimed at building up a positive image of Russia as a competitive destination. The tourist office provides advice, literature and city maps, and can also help with sourcing competitive prices on tours, provide information about obtaining a visa and assist with Russian visa applications.

For more information see www.visitrussia.org.uk

September 14 2012

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russia Cox & Kings reports increase in group & private tours COX & Kings reports that Russia has had a “fantastic year for bookings”, with passenger numbers on group tours up by 90% and Classic Russia is now its overall bestselling group tour.

According to the company, bookings this year for private tours have also increased and are being made significantly earlier than in previous years. The operator’s

eight-day Classic Russia escorted tour for 2013 costs from £1,295 per person and combines Moscow and St Petersburg to offer an ideal base from which to explore the country’s cultural and historical heritage.

The price includes five-star breakfast accommodation, transfers, excursions and BA flights from Heathrow.

Peterhof Palace, St Petersburg

RIVIERA TRAVEL is offering a five-day tour of St Petersburg, which leads in at £939 per person on selected departures between May and September next year. It includes scheduled BA flights from Heathrow; accommodation in a four-star centrally located hotel; guided sightseeing tours of St Petersburg and the Hermitage – the Tsars’ Winter Palace; a visit to Vasilevsky Island, renowned for its collection of museums, and cathedral; a guided visit to the Peterhof, estate of the Tsars; and the services of a tour manager.

For details visit www.rivieratravel.co.uk

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September 14 2012

Starwood Hotels & Resorts signs St Petersburg property STARWOOD HOTELS & Resorts and its destination sensation brand, Aloft Hotels, have announced the signing of Aloft St. Petersburg. The opening of the property in 2015 will mark the debut of Starwood’s Aloft Hotels brand in Russia, and will be located in an emerging business district within close proximity to galleries, restaurants and green spaces. The property will offer 200 loft-like guestrooms, as well as a fitness centre, a 24-hour food and beverage area and two board rooms.

For details see www.alofthotels.com

Russia cruise an economical alternative with Cruise & Maritime Voyages CRUISE AND Maritime Voyages suggests that a costeffective way of seeing Russia is to take its cruise to the Baltic, which offers up to two days and a night in St. Petersburg.

The line's marketing manager, Mike Hall, said “On our ships, including Discovery for next year, the normally expensive visa situation is taken care of for all passengers that book on our organised shore excursions. Also by sailing from a UK port there are no airport and baggage limitations to deal with.”

Next year the company is offering a range of cruises offering two days and an overnight in St. Petersburg, giving guests ample time to see the Hermitage, the famous palaces, the Church of the Spilled Blood, St Isaac’s Cathedral and the option to visit the ballet in the evening.

As examples, Marco Polo sails a 12-night itinerary from Tilbury on May 5, which leads in at £1,009, Discovery sails a 13-night cruise from Harwich on May 22 with prices from £1,129 and also a 14-night cruise from Newcastle on August 31, which costs from £1,219 and is also available as a Harwich connection.

Prices are per person, based on two sharing an inner cabin on a full board basis with afternoon tea and late night snacks included. Also included are daytime activities, a guest speaker programme, evening ‘big show’ entertainment, complimentary tea and coffee (06:00-22:00) and porterage of luggage. Gratuities of £5 per person per night will be debited to the on board account.

For more information visit www.cruiseandmaritime.com or call 0844-414 6185.

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S04 TB1409 Russia_Layout 1 12/09/2012 11:35 Page 17

RUSSIA AND BEYOND 2013 CITY BREAKS, RIVER CRUISING, TRANS SIBERIAN JOURNEYS & TAILOR MADE TRAVEL

BROCHURE

OUT NOW!

75th Anniversary Incentive ÂŁ75 Love2Shop voucher for our top seller each month

Order your copies from trade-gate.co.uk T 0844 875 4026 E info@intouristuk.com www.intouristuk.com

S04 TB1409 Russia_Layout 1 12/09/2012 11:35 Page 18

russia Rocco Forte's Hotel Astoria celebrates 100 years with new Golden Age package HOTEL ASTORIA, located in St Petersburg, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and is marking the occasion with newly refurbished rooms, larger suites and special access to some of St Petersburg’s cultural attractions.

As part of the hotel’s multi-million pound refurbishment, the number of rooms has been deliberately reduced from 211 to 188 by turning three rooms into two, almost doubling the overall footprint from 25sq m to 45sq m, and enabling the creation of 23 new spacious suites. Luxury bathrooms benefit from steam showers, while a new 200 sq m. three-bedroom Royal Suite overlooking St Isaac’s Square and Cathedral will be unveiled in spring 2013 and will feature a number of new additions including a personal library and gym.

The hotel is also enhancing its existing meetings offer, which currently comprises of a Winter Garden, a large ballroom and three meeting rooms, adding three more meeting rooms hosting up to 45 people each.

To celebrate its centenary, the property has introduced a special Mariinsky Golden Age Package which includes exclusive access to private boxes at the Mariinsky and Mikhailovsky theatres, as well as backstage tour. In addition, guests can also benefit from free entrance to St Isaac’s Cathedral and access to its dome, as well as after hours visits to the Hermitage Museum.

Prices for the package lead in at £350 per room per night and can be taken any time up to December 31. It includes accommodation for two in a Superior Deluxe Room, with sparkling wine on arrival; tickets for two to the private Hotel Astoria box in the Mariinsky Theatre; after-theatre dinner at the Davidov Restaurant; and a commemorative gift.

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

View of Hotel Astoria

Crystal Ski adds ski holidays at Winter Olympic Games 2014 venue CRYSTAL SKI is offering ski holidays to Sochi in Russia, the venue for the Winter Olympic Games 2014.

The operator reports that the first resorts in the Sochi ski area are nearing completion, and anticipates that the resorts of Gasprom, Rosa Khutor and Mountain Carousel will see chalets and hotels being filled with the operator's guests. To make the transfer as easy as possible, the company has organised flights from Heathrow, via Istanbul, to Adler/Sochi.

The operator is featuring a choice of four- and eightday stays. As examples, a three-night stay at the fivestar Grand Hotel Polyana in Gasprom leads in at £745, while seven nights costs from £929. A three-night stay at the four-star Hotel Park Inn by Radisson in Rosa Khutor costs from £825 on a bed-and-breakfast basis, departing off season, while seven nights costs from £1,099.

For more information visit www.crystalski.co.uk

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September 14 2012

Gasprom

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shortbreaks THE SPORT Hotels Resort & Spa in Andorra is offering a culinary package of two nights at its five-star Sport Hotel Hermitage & Spa. Prices lead in at €624 per person (approximately £492), based on two sharing a Junior Deluxe Suite, and include breakfast accommodation, lunch for two, dinner for two and access to the spa.

Superbreak promotes Ice Age Live! deals in Cardiff, London & Nottingham SUPERBREAK IS encouraging agents to promote short break packages that include the show Ice Age Live! The production combines ice-skating, dance, acrobatics, aerial arts and characters while incorporating elements from the film.

The operator is promoting packages that include overnight accommodation and a ticket to see the family arena show, available at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff

from October 18-21; Nottingham Captial FM Arena from October 25-28; and London’s Wembley Arena from November 1-3.

Prices for London lead in at £180 for a family of four sharing a room at the Travelodge London Docklands hotel.

For more information or to book call 0871-221 4444 or visit www.superbreak.com/agents

Shearings adds new Holland breaks for 2013

TABER HOLIDAYS is offering a four-day Luleå and the Treehotel break, which gives visitors the chance to spend a night among the branches of the Treehotel (pictured), while watching the Northern Lights. Prices lead in at £1,138 per person, including flights, transfers, accommodation in Luleå and a night at the Treehotel including breakfast. Departures are daily from January 4-April 5, 2013 and prices are based on two sharing. An optional hovercraft pack ice tour costs from £237 per person.

For details call 01274-875199 or visit www.taberhols.co.uk

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SHEARINGS HAS introduced three new short breaks to Holland for 2013, based on the popularity of the destination among its customers.

A five-day Dutch Bulbfields & Windmills option costs from £349 and highlights include visits to the Keukenhof Gardens, the opportunity to see traditional Dutch windmills at Kinderdijk, and visits to Dordrecht and Bruges.

Also included in the price is four nights’ bed-and-breakfast and three dinners at the NH Atlantic Hotel, plus coach travel, with departures available in March, April and May. A seven-day Holland in Springtime is also new and costs from £549. The operator says that the trip is ideal for customers who would like to take in both the largest flower garden in the world and some of the area’s rich local history, with highlights including the Keukenhof Gardens, Volendam, Utrecht and Bruges.

Also included is six nights’ bed-and-breakfast and five dinners at the Fletcher Hotel Nautisch Kwartier in Huizen, plus luxury coach travel, with departures available in April and May. Meanwhile, the operator has added a five-day Springtime Gardens of Holland, which leads in at £359, and is ideal for green-fingered customers, as it includes excursions to Dutch flower gardens.

Highlights include visits to the Keukenhof Gardens, Het Loo Palace and gardens, and Antwerp. Also included is four nights’ bed-and-breakfast and three dinners at the Hotel Golden Tulip in Loosdrecht, plus coach travel, with departures in March, April and May. To book or for more information visit www.shearings.com or call 0844-824 6351.

September 14 2012

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shortbreaks Venice deal from Kirker offers up to £825 saving on four-night break CLIENTS CAN save up to £825 per person on a short break to Venice this autumn with Kirker Holidays.

Departing on a choice of dates next month, the operator's long-established relationship with the Venice Simplon-OrientExpress - and with the hoteliers with whom it works in Venice - has enabled the company to offer savings of up to £825 on three and four-night trips.

All holidays to Venice include water taxi transfers, guaranteed entrance ticket to the Doge’s Palace, Guggenheim or Accademia, guide notes to restaurants, museums and sightseeing, and the services of a concierge to book concert and opera tickets, arrange a private walking tour or reserve a table at a special restaurant in Venice, if required.

There are two options to choose from; a two- or three-night stay departing on October 14 or 15 by air, staying at one of the company's hand-picked hotels in the city, before heading home in a private cabin on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, arriving back in London on October 18. For this option prices lead in at £2,049 per person. The other option is departing on October 18 from London in a private cabin on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, spending two or three nights in Venice ahead of a return flight on either October 21 or 22, with prices from £1,999.

Clients can upgrade to a stay at the five-star deluxe Hotel Cipriani, which is offering Kirker clients three nights for the price of two as part of the offer.

A four-night holiday, including one night on the Venice Simplon-Orient Express and three at the Cipriani, costs from £2,599, offering a saving of £825 per person based on October 18 departures. Other accommodation options are also available.

For more information or to book call 020-7593 2283 or visit www.kirkerholidays.com

Survey suggests natural beauty key to Guernsey success AGENTS AIMING to clinch Guernsey bookings should focus on the island’s natural beauty and walking opportunities, according to the results of a new VisitGuernsey online survey.

The survey, conducted earlier this year, reveals that 66.5% of visitors to the island cited its natural beauty as an influence on their decision to visit, while 46% said that walking was a specific factor in choosing Guernsey as their travel destination, with 91.2% of people saying that they took part in self-guided walks during their time on the island.

The tourist board's marketing manager, Wendy Crame, said: “Guernsey has lots to see and experience but the survey results demonstrate that our scenic beauty is the real starting point for people planning to visit the island.

“And once they arrive more than nine out of ten visitors explore different parts of the island on foot. Travel agents can give themselves a really good opportunity of converting Guernsey enquiries into bookings if they keep this in mind, making sure they know as much as possible about the landscape, the best scenic spots and the best walks.”

A highlight of Guernsey’s landscape are the Ruettes Tranquilles, a growing network of quiet country lanes where priority is given to walkers, cyclists and horse riders, with a top speed of 15mph.

Earlier this year VisitGuernsey launched a dedicated online walking brochure to showcase the island’s clifftop paths, rural lanes and mild climate.

The brochure also includes events listings, videos, maps and practical travel information.

To download the e-brochure see www.visitguernsey.com/walking

A colourful walk into the Wight Past in 32 stops from Wightlink WIGHTLINK HAS revisited its guide to the Isle of Wight’s history and heritage with the launch of a new 2012 edition of the Wight History Trail.

The free illustrated booklet features a 32-stop tour that puts the spotlight on a colourful past that started in prehistoric times when dinosaurs roamed freely and extends through the centuries to the present day along a timeline that pinpoints the most noteworthy events in the Island’s history.

The operator has also issued a new eight-page supplement to the 2012 version of the Wight History Trail that features a selection of the Isle of Wight’s churches, chapels and abbeys, designed to provide an extra dimension

for short break visitors with a particular interest in religious icons.

A new church trail leads with St Mildred’s Church, Whippingham, which was designed by Queen Victoria’s Consort, Prince Albert. Others featured include the thatched church of St Agnes, near Lord Tennyson’s Farringford home; All Saints in the village of Godshill; Carisbrooke Cemetery at Mount Joy with its hill top chapel and war graves and St Lawrence Old Church, where art lovers can admire stained glass windows by Pre-Raphaelite artists including St Edward Burne-Jones.

The company's marketing manager, Kerry Jackson, said: “Three years ago

we launched the Wight History Trail and it has proved to be one of our most successful guides, demonstrating the breadth of what the Isle of Wight has to offer and demonstrating how much there is of interest for lovers of history and heritage to discover here.

"We hope that the new Wight Church Trail will prove to have a similarly strong appeal, complementing the original trail with 14 churches and chapels that demonstrate the strong historic heritage of the Isle of Wight. We have designed the trail so that it can easily fit into a two- or three-day short break.”

The Wight History Trail and Wight Church Trail are both available to download from www.wightlink.co.uk

German Travel Centre urges trade to cash in on Berlin breaks GERMAN TRAVEL Centre (GTC) is urging the trade to cash in on the sales potential of Berlin, not just for individuals looking for weekend breaks throughout the year, but also groups wanting to experience the festivals and Christmas Markets.

The company is offering short break packages, family breaks as well as tailor-made holidays. Despite the delay in the opening of the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport, additional

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September 14 2012

Lufthansa flights from Birmingham, Heathrow and Manchester have helped the operator continue to package short city breaks to Berlin.

Prices lead in at £249 per person for a two-night weekend break, including flights and breakfast accommodation.

For more information call 020-8429 2900 or see www.germantravelcentre.co.uk

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shortbreaks GRAND UK Holidays is urging travel agents to take advantage of the late booking trend, especially in the forthcoming autumn season. The operator’s 2012/13 brochure features a range of autumn coach tours across the UK, starting from £189 per person for four days on a half-board basis. For clients looking towards winter getaways, there are new Festive House Parties and other seasonal offerings, such as Turkey & Tinsel and Christmas market breaks. The operator has added 15 new themed short breaks in its 2012/13 brochure to cater for demand for hobby holidays and special interest trips. Highlights include a new ‘Torquay Rock’ nostalgia holiday, which has a ‘back to the 60s theme’ and costs from £229 per person for five days.

For details call 01603-619933 or see ww.grandukholidays.com

Inntravel adds new foodie weekend in Honfleur from £265 with ferry crossings INNTRAVEL HAS Introduced a gastronomic weekend break in Honfleur, staying at the three-star Hotel Entre Terre & Mer, situated in a quiet street, a few metres away from the old port.

Formerly a fisherman’s house, the hotel features 14 contemporary rooms overlooking the Old Quarter, with its atmospheric streets, numerous art galleries and excellent eateries. The hotel's restaurant offers a range of dishes, including organic vegetables

for 'la Terre' and fish landed daily on the quayside for 'la Mer’, and also offers an oyster bar serving Normandy oysters throughout the day.

Guests can spend time exploring Honfleur with its museums, unusual wooden church and many art galleries, or head to historic Rouen, the village of Le Bec-Hellouin or the gardens at the Château du Champ de Bataille.

The evenings are gastronomic affairs, with guests offered a fourcourse dinner on the first night in the

hotel's restaurant, and on the second night, guests are free to choose from the wide selection of eateries available locally, including a couple of Michelinacclaimed restaurants (pay locally).

Prices lead in at £265 per person based on two sharing, and include two nights’ breakfast accommodation, a four-course dinner, a bottle of Champagne on arrival and P&O DoverCalais crossings.

For more information call 01653617000 or visit www.inntravel.co.uk

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With abundant coral reefs brimful of unique marine creatures, fantastical birds of paradise displaying in virgin rainforests, colourful tribes performing in spectacular cultural sing-sings, Papua New Guinea

Visit: www.papuanewguinea.travel

is indeed the ďŹ nal frontier for the seasoned traveller.

or call: 020 7260 2993

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australasia TO HELP guests immerse themselves in their surroundings and provide local knowledge at the touch of a button, Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia has developed two free audio tours. The new additions, featuring Passage Peak and the Village Trail, enable visitors to be ‘personally' guided through the Island's history, vistas and secluded beaches. The Passage Peak tour is ideal for guests wanting to learn about the region's unique flora and fauna, while the Village Trail tour is more suited to history fans. The audio tours are available to download for free through the Apple iTunes store.

For details visit www.hamiltonisland.com.au

Papua New Guinea flights by Air Niugini AIR NIUGINI reports that it is continuing to expand its route network and has recently added an additional service from Singapore to Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea.

The new service operates on Wednesday and takes the total frequency of the route to five times weekly.

The carrier has also added a new route from Cebu in the Philippines, to open up a range of itinerary options for passengers.

For details email Vikki Joyce at vjoyce@flightdirectors.com For more information about Papua New Guinea see www.papuanewguinea.travel or call 020-7260 2993.

Win £200 shopping vouchers for registering Samoa bookings AGENTS HAVE until October 1 to register Samoa bookings and the agent registering the most bookings will win a £200 shopping voucher.

Agents are being encouraged to promote the South Pacific island to their clients by highlighting the destination as an add-on to a New Zealand or Australia holiday.

The island is four hours from Auckland or Sydney and popular resorts include the Sinalei Reef Resort or Seabreeze Resort, both boutique retreats on the south coast, 45 minutes from the airport.

Travel 2 is offering a range of offers for travel between October 1 and April 30.

Any bookings made should be registered by emailing details to samoa@representationplus.co.uk

New Alice accommodation offers oasis in the desert A NEW 66-room hotel wing has opened at Lasseters Hotel Casino in Alice Springs, following an AU$35m development.

The two-storey hotel wing contains 66 premium rooms and suites with views of the MacDonnell Ranges and golf course at one side and the new resort pool to the other.

Each room showcases original artwork from more than 20 local Central Australian Indigenous artists, as well as free Wi-fi, LCD TVs and an iPod dock.

The new wing brings the total number of rooms at the property to 205, and the next stage of the development will see work on the new 180-seat restaurant followed by a new reception, VIP gaming room and commercial gym. Room rates lead in at approximately £89 per night.

For details see www.lhc.com.au

Shearings promotes selection of discovery & explorer tours in Australia & New Zealand SHEARINGS IS promoting a selection of explorer tours in Australia and New Zealand.

As examples, a 13-day Australian Explorer gives visitors the opportunity to explore some of Australia’s most famous sightseeing destinations including Sydney, Alice Springs, Melbourne and Ayers Rock, and leads in at £4,399 per person.

Guests will also take a guided tour out to the Great Barrier Reef and sample a vintage dinner at the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.

Included in the price is ten nights’ hotel accommodation; 16 meals, including ten breakfasts, two dinners, two feature lunches and two feature dinners; flights and transfers.

Departures are available this month and next and in November.

A 20-day Reef and Rainforest Discovery tour leads in at £4,899, and takes in Australia’s Eastern coast, with visits to Ayers Rock and Alice Springs also included. Highlights include

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Sydney, Brisbane, Fraser Island, and Moreton Island and visitors have the opportunity to visit the Great Barrier Reef, Kings Canyon, and a camel farm.

The price includes 17 nights’ hotel accommodation, 11 breakfasts, six dinners, flights and transfers, and departures are available each month until the end of the year.

Meanwhile, a 17-day Grand New Zealand Explorer includes visits to Mount Cook, Christchurch and Wellington, and leads in at £3,999.

Visitors also have the opportunity to visit Waitomo Caves, embark on a Lord of the Rings tour, and travel on the TranzAlpine train across the Southern Alps.

Departures are available until the end of the year and the price includes 13 nights’ hotel accommodation, 13 breakfasts, 11 dinners, flights and transfers.

To book or for more information visit www.shearings.com or call 0844-824 6351.

September 14 2012

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australasia Culinary experts headline wine & food-themed Crystal voyage AUSTRALASIAN AND Balinese culinary arts will feature on Crystal Cruises’ 2013 Wine & Food-themed series, with regional star chefs and wine experts headlining two new, 12night Crystal Symphony itineraries: Australia/New Zealand departing on January 17 and Australia/Bali departing on February 11.

Experts will teach complimentary cooking lessons, hands-on recipe instruction, wine tasting, cocktailmixing classes and special dinner menus that all showcase the area’s unique gastronomic specialities.

Guests can also opt for optional,

intimate Vintage Room dining experiences, offering multiple courses paired with unique wines.

The voyages offer intimate access to each country’s culinary capitals, from the renowned wine regions of South Australia and Wellington to New South Wales’ fine dining and Northern Territory’s outback pubs.

The January 'Koalas and Kiwis' itinerary explores Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney (overnight), before sailing through Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds en route to Dunedin, Christchurch/Lyttelton, Wellington and Auckland. The

February 'Reefs and Rainforest' voyage overnights in Sydney before venturing north through the Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane, the Whitsunday Islands/Hamilton, Cairns, Darwin and Benoa/Bali.

All-inclusive prices are £4,267 per person fly/cruise for a January 17 departure and £2,798 for a cruiseonly February 11 departure. Three additional Wine & Food-themed voyages are also scheduled for May, July and November in other regions.

To book or for more information call 020-7287 9040 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk

New stargazing tour from Ayers Rock Resort sheds light on outback sky AYERS ROCK Resort has introduced two new stargazing experiences.

Voyages Outback Sky Journeys will incorporate two options known as the Family Astro Tour and the Astro Tour. Departing 30-minutes after sunset, the Family Astro Tour lasts an hour and is designed for guests of all ages with limited knowledge of the universe who would like to learn more.

The Astro Tour departs two hours after sunset and lasts an hour and a quarter, delving further into the

evolution of the universe with a more in-depth exploration of the southern hemisphere sky. Guests will learn how stars are formed, why they produce light, the lifecycle of a star and the theory of “the Big Bang”.

The operator will include the use of telescopes, binoculars and interactive iPads.

Both tours cost approximately £25 per adult, with free entry for children 15 years and under.

For more information see www.ayersrockresort.com.au/astrotour/

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September 14 2012

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australasia TWO NEW snorkel trails are being offered on Magnetic Island in North Queensland. The Nelly Bay and Geoffrey Bay Self-guided Snorkel Trails give swimmers the chance to view the inshore reef corals and fish, plus the Moltke Wreck and a WWII propeller.

Additional information on specially designed Swim Cards relate to points of interest along the trail denoted by surface and sub-surface floats. The cards are available at participating retail outlets, and the $5 charge will help Tourism Operators and Businesses Magnetic Island (TOBMI) to maintain the trails and cover its costs.

Tourism New Zealand unveils 100% Middleearth, 100% Pure New Zealand campaign TOURISM NEW Zealand (TNZ) is making a significant push for new international visitors, with its latest 100% Pure New Zealand campaign, invoking the magic of Middle-earth. The campaign targets all potential travellers to New Zealand portraying the country’s scenery, activities and experiences.

The tourist board's chief executive, Kevin Bowler, says the campaign aims to leverage off interest generated in New Zealand by its starring role as Middle-earth in the Peter Jackson-directed trilogies based on The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit.

He said: “Millions of people have seen The Lord of the Rings trilogy and we expect millions more to watch The Hobbit trilogy, a production of New Line Cinema and MGM Pictures.

“Our objective is to show people that while New Zealand stars as the fantasy world of Middle-earth, what people see in the cinema is actually a real place just waiting to be explored.

Not only that but you can have some amazing adventures and experiences within movie-like landscapes.

“The campaign’s primary aim is to compel people already interested in a New Zealand holiday, to make an actual booking. Digital media, social media and public relations campaigns are all working to deliver an increase in travellers to New Zealand, unified by the umbrella theme of 100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand.”

For more information visit www.newzealand.com

Launch of new Singapore Airlines module SINGAPORE AIRLINES has launched a new module on the Aussie Specialist Website, designed to give agents the opportunity to become experts when selling SIA and Australia as a destination.

Agents completing the module by September 27 will be entered into a prize draw to win 12 bottles of Australian wines.

For details see www.aussiespecialist.com

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Malaysia Airlines issues end of summer sale from Heathrow MALAYSIA AIRLINES has launched its end of summer sale, with reduced return fares from Heathrow to 25 destinations in Southeast Asia and Australasia available for bookings made before September 17, for selected travel dates up to June 30, 2013.

The airline has also teamed up with Tourism Malaysia to offer passengers travelling to Australia and New Zealand a free one-night luxury stopover in Kuala Lumpur.

Valid for a minimum of two people travelling together, passengers can choose between the five-star Berjaya TimesSquare Hotel in the heart of the city, or the five-star Pan Pacific KLIA Hotel, a tranquil haven close to the airport but within half an hour from the city by rail.

Return all-inclusive fares to Australia are available from £759 in Economy Class, with flights to Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, while New Zealand flights cost from £799.

For clients looking to explore Southeast Asia, return Economy fares start from £599 for travel to Malaysia, Bali, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Myanmar, from £609 for travel to Thailand, from £619 for Cambodia and from £629 to Singapore.

Business Class fares are also included in the offer, with flights to Malaysia now available from £2,819, Thailand from £2,879 and Australia from £2,999.

Clients travelling from other parts of the UK can also take advantage of the airline's existing code-share operations with BA and other partner airlines to start their journeys from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Manchester for a minimal additional fare.

The all-inclusive Economy Class sale fares are valid for outbound travel before December 7 and between January 8 and June 30, 2013. Business Class sale fares are valid for the same dates and all prices include taxes, charges and fees.

For bookings or more information visit www.malaysiaairlines.com or call 0871-423 9090.

September 14 2012

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australasia Papua New Guinea cultural highlights from Orion We asked our staff the following question this week: You're hosting a chat show, so who would be your three guests?

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Lee Mack, David Bowie and Lord Lucan...he would certainly increase my viewing figures!

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

NEXT MONTH and in March and April next year, expedition cruise ship Orion will offer an exploration of the coast and islands of Papua New Guinea with 11-night itineraries.

The voyages commence and conclude in Cairns, Queensland and include a charter flight direct to or from the ship in Rabaul for boarding or disembarkation.

Guests will visit small villages to offer an introduction to a way of life far removed from the Western world and will encounter primitive tribal cultures, see unique flora and fauna and have time to snorkel and fish.

Departures are on October 2, 13 and 24 and March 16 and 27, 2013.

Prices are from £5,015 per person and include 11 nights on Orion, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.

For more information or to book call 020-7399 7620 or visit www.orionexpeditions.com

Dynamo for the magic, Michael McIntyre for the laughs & Wentworth Miller for the eye candy

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

Global launch of There’s nothing like Australia

Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp and Chris O'Dowd

TOURISM AUSTRALIA will spend approximately A$180million globally over the next three years rolling out the next phase of its consumer marketing campaign 'There’s nothing like Australia'.

The campaign has been taken a step further by focusing on the best of Australia, showcasing unique experiences to assist at the booking and conversion stage and maximise sales/commission.

For more information visit www.tourism.australia.com

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Stephen Fry, Sir Paul McCartney, Catherine Zeta Jones

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Michael Parkinson, Meg Ryan and Sacha Baron Cohen

Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Sir Bobby Charlton, Eddie Izzard & Eric Cantona

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Together.

Sat in that order. A definite ratings winner!

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk Richard Branson, Peter Kay and Price Harry

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@alaincharles.com Nelson Mandela, Adolf Hitler and Cheryl Cole

Design: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@alaincharles.com

Largest Ibis Hotel in Australia to open in Adelaide IBIS IS set to come to Adelaide following agreement of an A$65million 17-storey development in the heart of the city, situated in a prime location with immediate access to Rundle Mall shopping precinct and with panoramic views over Hindmarsh Square and the Adelaide Hills.

The largest Ibis Hotel in Australia with 307 guest rooms, it is expected to be a major boost for Adelaide's tourism sector which is currently dominated by four- and five star hotels.

The Ibis Adelaide is due for completion in early 2014 to coincide with the opening of the expanded Adelaide Convention Centre and redevelopment of Adelaide Oval.

For more information see www.accorhotels.com

Tupac Shakur, Notorious BIG and Faith Evans

Assistant Layout Design: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@alaincharles.com Bruce Lee, Kelly Slater & Abby Wambach

Production: Jeremy Walters jeremy.walters@alaincharles.com Michael Parkinson, Terry Wogan and Jay Leno

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

Follow us on Twitter! @TravelBulletin 26

September 14 2012

Girl's Night In package from Emporium Hotel BRISBANE’S EMPORIUM Hotel has announced a Girl’s Night In luxury package, offering overnight accommodation in a King Suite twin room, a bottle of French sparkling wine and chocolate dipped strawberries on arrival, a Molton Brown bathing gift per person plus access to the property's cocktail bar.

There is also a luxury Pillow Menu that gives guests the option to choose from eight different pillows, as well as access to a rooftop lap pool, sauna and gym.

For more information visit www.emporiumhotel.com.au

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. DAYS INN, 4. CSA, 6. LIGHT, 8. PARMA, 9. APEX, 10. DEVON, 13. CHINA, 14. VIGO, 17. AZURA, 18. BOYLE, 19. TED, 20. AUSTRIA. Down: 1. DALLAS, 2. IATA, 3. NAPLES, 4. CURIOSITY, 5. ARAN, 7. GREYHOUND, 11. ANKARA, 12. TOPEKA, 15.

BAHT, 16. IBIS.

Highlighted Word: NAIROBI Travagrams: (top) Silversea

(bottom) Geneva

Where Am I?: Peru

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