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February 17 2012 | ISSUE NO 1,766 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk
Weddings & Honeymoons Tips on how to sell a wedding abroad
this week agent bulletin 9 Win the cost of your living expenses for a year with Etihad
cruising is ace NEW for 2012! A cruising column from ACE
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training Nine steps to improving your resilience
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north africa learn how mastering a product can increase sales
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STAFF AT Affionion International in Kettering were treated to Champagne by Page & Moy Travel Group to congratulate them on being the first agency to use the new online booking engine. Pictured from the left are the agency's Carla Phillips, Mandeep Bains, Julie Franklin, Claire Armstrong and, Melissa Almond. The online booking facility was added for travel agents in December. To register to use the online service, agents should email agencysales@pageandmoytravelgroup.com
tCover Pictures: Main - Gazebo on Secrets Maroma Beach
Inset - TNTO
This Week 3
news
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notes from normanton
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agent bulletin
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cruising is ace
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puzzle bulletin
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agent review
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training
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north africa
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weddings & honeymoons
a look at the latest industry research find out what Sandy has been up to lately win your cost of living expenses for one year with Etihad a new column for 2012 from Andy Harmer at ACE win a £50 M&S voucher in the prize Su Doku puzzle find out what one agent thought of her SeaDream Yacht club cruise nine steps to improving your resilience learn how mastering a product can increase sales tips on how to sell a wedding abroad
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Travelport reveals views on selling ancillary services TRAVELPORT HAS unveiled findings from a global airline merchandising survey which shows strong support amongst travel agencies to assist airlines in selling ancillary services through the GDS. The survey also highlights the challenges travel agents face in the selling of these services, amid their own pressures to grow revenues, reduce costs and increase productivity. The unbundling of fares and services in recent years has seen the growth of ancillary products such as checked baggage, meals, lounge passes and upgrades. Agency respondents were asked to specify how this change has impacted their businesses. Top impacts included confusion around what services were offered by each airline, productivity and the need to offer these services to remain a full-service agency. Only 16% of responses saw unbundling as an opportunity to charge or increase fees and 44% of respondents said they did not impose additional charges for booking optional services. Travelport found that agencies would be more interested in selling optional services if the process was more efficient. Survey respondents indicated that booking optional services currently required approximately 29% more time. At the moment, some services are available through the GDS while others are sold via airline websites or by phone. The findings indicated a strong demand for a
single aggregated source of information and sales capability and the GDS was listed as the most preferred channel to book and sell optional services by 70% of respondents. The GDS also ranked highly with agents when asked if they were interested in having the GDS assist them in accommodating the offering of unbundled services, with 84% of respondents saying it would be a considerable benefit. The top two reasons cited were time savings and improved service for customer. The majority of agencies (77%) are currently booking additional services for their customers compared to just 8 % of agencies who said they didn’t offer these services. Reasons cited for not offering these services varied, with agents in Europe reporting that ‘it doesn’t generate any additional revenues’ (41%), whereas in the Americas, 33% of agents said ‘most services are not available for agency booking’. Respondents were also asked to define the value they place on having branded fares available for sale via the GDS. Branded fares are fares that are bundled together with optional services, such as preferred seat assignments and checked baggage fee. Agents indicated that branded fares would enable them to offer a full service to clients, as well as allow them to stay competitive with airline websites. ● Continues on next page
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The company’s vice president, content, Fergal Kelly said: “This research offers valuable insights on how travel agencies view and sell airline ancillary services. Agents understand that as the airline product continues to evolve and ancillaries form an increasingly significant role in the purchase decision and buying process. Travel customers continue to look to agents to support them in purchasing itinerary solutions” Travelport’s Merchandising Survey was conducted with 610 travel agencies in 12 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa.
Newsbites ●
AER ARANN has announced its summer 2012 Aer Lingus Regional flight schedule which will see increased frequencies on its Edinburgh-Shannon and Edinburgh-Cork services from March 25. It will also operate almost 40 weekly direct flights to Dublin, Cork and Shannon. Flights are available for booking on www.aerlingus.com.
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FRONTIER CANADA has launched a new website which includes holiday ideas from Toronto city breaks to canoeing the Yukon River Visit www.frontier-canada.co.uk to see more.
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PEGASUS HAS launched flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city. Flights will operate on Mondays and Thursdays from Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen airport at 19.30, returning on Tuesdays and Fridays from Almaty at 05.50. For more information visit www.flypgs.com
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HELVETIC AIRWAYS has published its summer schedule to Cardiff. It will operate the Cardiff to Zurich route during Summer 2012 from March 25. Flights between the cities will operate on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday via Bristol. Tickets can be purchased via www.helvetic.com
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to return to Liverpool FRED. OLSEN Cruise Lines will return to Liverpool in spring/summer 2013. The cruise line’s Boudicca will operate ten cruises from the city on worldwide itineraries, between April and August 2013. Matt Grimes, director of planning for the company, said: “After a year’s absence, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is excited to be returning to Liverpool for the summer 2013 cruise season. Our loyal guests have asked us to do so and I am sure that they will be delighted that, once again, they will be able to enjoy a Fred. Olsen cruise without having a long journey to a south coast port to start their holiday.” Boudicca will be offering a range of cruise itineraries from a 12-night Canary Islands cruise in April to a fournight mini-cruise in August. The cruise line will also be adding Harwich and Belfast to its list of regional departure ports in 2013 For more information visit www.fredolsencruises.com
Mailbox Mailings with Travel Bulletin this week include: ● Atlantic Airways is moving its summer UK schedule
TO CELEBRATE its 30th anniversary, Sandals and Beaches Resorts has announced the launch of a new fleet of branded taxis across the United Kingdom. The company has sponsored wraps on 200 taxis nationwide, with a primary focus on London, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham and Newcastle. The Sandals taxis celebrate our ‘Love is all you need’ concept and the Beaches taxis portray the family fun to be had across the resorts.
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to London Gatwick Airport, from where it will operate and extended 2012 season. The FAROESE flag carrier will operate Services from London Gatwick will operate on Mondays and Thursdays, from May 31 to September 17, with additional flights on April 4 and 9. The flight time is a little over two hours. Return fares start at £263 including taxes and charges. For further details and special offers please read the mail shots that accompany this issue
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newsbulletin Join us for a Southern & East Africa Showcase treat! TRAVEL BULLETIN is inviting travel agents to join us for an informative and fun networking evening on Tuesday March 6. The Southern & East Africa Showcase evening takes place at Shaka Zulu restaurant in London’s Camden Town from 17:30-21:30. Agents will have the opportunity to learn more about the destination through combined networking and presentations and will also have the chance to win a range of
Tweets of the Week
Who’s saying what on Twitter...
Hays Travel The lowest temperature recorded at the weekend was a chilly -18°C. Time for a late escape to sunnier shores? bit.ly/ypFA1r #holidays HaslemereTravel What is happening to travel? Hotels built around smoking culture and divorce holidays??? It's not April Fools day is it?? Gatwick Airport LGW Morning, looking good at Gatwick. We're operating a full and busy schedule today. Magical Kenya UK Good morning #London! 28 degrees and beautiful #sunshine? Who else wants to be on one of the lovely beaches in #Kenya? We certainly do! Aito Agents Ready for departure to #Madeira to check out our conference venue for June @PestanaHotels
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prizes – from a luxury rail trip and fam trip places to flights, theatre tickets and more! A delicious buffet featuring authentic Southern African food plus evening entertainment is also on offer! To confirm your place at this exciting event, email the names and job titles of up to three staff members to jeanette@travelbulletin.co.uk or call 020-7834 6661 for more information.
Germanwings launches flights to Rijeka in Croatia GERMANWINGS HAS launched flights to Rijeka in Croatia with a new connection to the coastal city from Stuttgart, Cologne/Bonn and Berlin. The airline will serve the city this year from July 30 until September 6. An important harbour city, Rijeka lies at the Kvarner Gulf. Its Croatian, Slovenian and
Italian name denotes the presence of the Rjecina river which joins the Adria in the city. The third largest city in Croatia, it has a long and varied history, with origins going back to the Stone Age and the Neolithic era. Since 1982 the city has held a yearly carnival, visited by more than 120,000 people. To book flights, go to www.germanwings.com.
AITO Specialist Travel Agents announces spring training roadshow AITO Specialist Travel Agents will hold a product training roadshow across England this spring to update its membership base with developments, including new operators amongst members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO). Taking place in London, Birmingham and North Midlands/Cheshire from March 13-15, the training sessions will act as a refresher for delegates and assist AITO Agents to continue to sell AITO product offerings. The roadshow will begin in London at the Marylebone based Swedish Church. Hosted by Visit Sweden, the training session attendees will also be updated on developments in Sweden – including Daniel Craig’s starring role in the new Stieg Larsson film - and food at an award-winning gastro pub. The Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre in Macclesfield will host the North Midlands/Cheshire training session on March 15 – home of the world-famous Lovell Telescope recently featured on the BBC programme Stargazing Live. The venue for Birmingham training session will be announced soon. Oliver Broad, AITO Agents’ chairman, said: “These one-toone ‘speed-dating’ style training sessions are such an effective way to keep up to date with the latest news and inspiring trips offered by AITO operators. Our domestic conference in January saw the biggest number of attendees yet, with much networking taking place to reinforce and establish new working relationships, and it’s great to build upon this with these training sessions.” For more information visit: www.aitoagents.com
Marketing Blackpool launches new destination guide MARKETING BLACKPOOL has launched a new 2012 Destination Guide. The guide is available from Blackpool’s Tourist Information Centre. Selected tourism businesses in the resort and can also order it directly from Marketing Blackpool. It is also distributed nationally to other TICs and selected outlets. This year’s guide is available in a number of digital formats. For the first time, it can be downloaded as an app which can be from the Visit Blackpool website. For more information visit www.visitblackpool.com/ maps-and-guides
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Three Men in a Boat: The Best Bits On Sunday 19th February at 22:00 on BBC2 A compilation of the better bits from the first six series of Three Men in a Boat. It all started with a jaunt down the Thames in a skiff when the three men of Griff Rhys Jones, Dara O'Briain and Rory McGrath recreated the Victorian journey first made famous in Jerome K’s book, Three Men in a Boat. Since then the modern day trio have travelled all around the British Isles and abroad.
BRIGHT WELCOME… Ray Steward, sales & marketing director at Crystal Cruises, is welcomed into the Bright Consortia by chairman, Hisham Mahmoud, of Kirker Holidays
Getabed.co.uk launches beach hotels GETABED.CO.UK HAS unveiled a new range of European beach properties in response to demand from agent partners. Hotels in Turkey, the Balearics, the Canary Islands, Cyprus and in Greek Islands including Rhodes, Crete and Corfu are now available. Managing director Matt Stuart said: “We have been continually asked, by our key agent partners whether when we were going to expand, we would look at European beach resorts, and so, by popular demand, we have. “However we wanted to ensure that we added the right properties in the right location at the right price and so we have added the new beach properties into our popular ‘Directors’ Choice’ portfolio. Around 40% of our Directors’ Choice properties are the new beach hotels.” As an example, a stay at the four-star Columbia Beach hotel on half-board in August is from £56 per person per night. The three-star Lato Hotel in Crete in August is from £21 per person per night.
EURO 2012 will stimulate post event city breaks according to Dertour DERTOUR IS predicting that Euro 2012 will stimulate city break bookings to Poland following the international sporting event. The company's head of sales, Lawrence Peachey, said: “During Euro 2012, the eyes of the UK and Europe will be on this region, highlighting Poland as a possible city break destination to people who might not have considered it before. Therefore, we are predicting that this will be a great selling opportunity for agents.” The operator is featuring Krakow city break packages from £279 per person for a post Euro 2012 break staying two nights in the three-star Chopin Hotel including flights from Gatwick. Wroclaw city break packages are priced from £299 per person for a post Euro 2012 break staying two nights in the three-star Mercure Panorama Hotel including flights from Luton. For more information or to book call 0203-131 2895 or visit www.dertour.co.uk
Balkan introduces new five star resort in Bankso
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BALKAN HOLIDAYS has launched its Winter Ski & Board programme for 2012/13 which features a new five star hotel and spa in Bansko, Bulgaria. Called ‘Premier Luxury Mountain Resort’, the new hotel is situated at the foot of the Pirin Mountains and is within walking distance of Bansko’s gondola ski lift and the historic Bansko town centre. Features include two restaurants, a bar and a Spa and Wellness Centre with heated indoor pool and outdoor Jacuzzi. Other highlights in the brochure include: New flight programme from Luton to Ljubljana, Slovenia Three- and four-night ski weekends departing on Thursdays and Fridays from Gatwick to Bulgaria from January 2013
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Value for money breaks with prices from £219 per person for 7 nights ● Free night skiing in Pamporovo, Bulgaria, staying at the Hotel Perelik ● Free lift passes in Bansko & Borovets, Bulgaria ● Free ski/board storage in Bansko, Bulgaria ● 50% off Ski and Board packs in Borovets when staying at the Hotel Rila Booking incentives include a low deposit of £70 per person, early booking discounts of up to £150 per couple, a 5% loyalty discount for customers who have previously booked with Balkan Holidays for the past two years, free child places and free luggage allowance of 20kg on Bulgarian charter flights Departures are from seven regional airports - Gatwick, Heathrow, Bristol, East Midlands, Manchester, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. For bookings visit www.balkanholidays.co.uk or call 0845-130 1114 ●
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newsbulletin TIPTO signs Great Rail Journeys TIPTO (TRULY Independent Professional Travel Organisation) has signed Great Rail Journeys. Tony Byrne, national sales manager for Great Rail Journeys said: “TIPTO is a tried, trusted and tested organisation that we know independent agents love to support. We are confident that TIPTO will increase our exposure and aid in developing new and existing relationships with the retail travel trade.” Allan Lambert, chairman of TIPTO said: “We are pleased to welcome Great Rail Journeys to TIPTO. Their unique speciality will further diversify our variety of members and their determination for improved trade relations means that both agents and Great Rail Journeys will benefit from using the tools TIPTO offers including the website, agent training and workshops.” TIPTO’s series of national workshops started on February 1 and will be spanning 16 locations.
Car hire by the hour from Europcar EUROPCAR IS now offering car and van hire by the hour, giving individuals and businesses more choice and flexibility, as well as cost-savings over daily car hire. Prices start from £10 an hour for car hire and £11 for van hire and a minimum two-hour and a maximum of eight-hour hire is offered for Monday to Friday check-outs only and only Monday to Wednesday for Central London check-outs. Van hire excludes all airports. For more information visit www.europcar.co.uk
Tony Byrne
* Terms and Conditions apply. Please visit www.tttandt.com/incentives.aspx for details ** Terms and conditions apply. Please visit www.tttandt.com/incentives.aspx for details. Travel Trade Tickets and Tours is a trading name of NAR UK Ltd, an ABTA bonded tour operator established 1981.
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newsbulletin Cresta launches new edition Ireland brochure for 2012
Notes from . . . n o t n a m r o N ALAM – that’s Egyptian for hello/peace and appropriate just having got back from a very hectic educational with Red Sea Holidays. David Castle, trade relations manager for the operator took the trip and certainly knew his stuff having stayed at some of the properties before. We did three nights in Hurghada at the Grand Resort Hotel, one night in Luxor on the lovely Grand Rose cruise ship, one night in Sharm at the Grand Hotel Sharm and two nights in Makadi Bay at the Grand Makadi Hotel. What can I say? Five-star and fantastic all the way. The food was excellent. We tried Egyptian, Lebanese, Thai, Caribbean, Indian, Italian and Mexican and I cannot imagine anyone not liking the food at the hotels we stayed at. I even enjoyed the coach journey to Luxor. It was fascinating seeing the different countryside and the manic traffic as you got closer to Luxor. I was very impressed with the Grand Cruise Fleet – their ships are lovely, the cabins were more spacious and luxurious than I expected. It is 11 years since I did my PADI dive course in Sharm and I was amazed at how much it had grown and changed. It is huge now and if anyone wants lively then Na’ama Bay is the place the hustle and bustle is great. If you want to shop hassle free then Soho Square is the place to be in front of the Savoy and it is like a gated shopping area with an Ice Bar and all sorts of wonderful statues. Our tour guide was a lovely young man called Bahaa who was excellent and knew everything that we asked him so Shoukran (thank you) Red Sea Holidays for inviting me it certainly was very informative and I learnt a lot. I just also want to thank Jason Salkeld from Regal Travel in Wales for saving my sanity by getting my mobile phone working after two days of not being able to get any network! I can’t wait to get selling Red Sea Holidays and I know my clients will be well looked after whichever hotel they going stay in.
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by SANDRA MURRAY of Sandy Travel in Normanton, Yorkshire
Go
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WEBSCLUSIVES ●
There are 3 great prizes on offer with Villa Select’s competition, hosted at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions. 1st Prize: One week’s accommodation at a Villa Select property. 2nd Prize: £100 in Love2Shop vouchers. 3rd Prize: A luxury hamper.
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Agents, sign up for the Travel Bulletin Southern & East Africa Showcase, taking place at Shaka Zulu restaurant in Camden Town on 6th March. The event includes networking, presentations, delicious contemporary African food & drink plus a free prize draw with some fantastic prizes. For more details, email jeanette@travelbulletin.co.uk
All this and more at: To respond to any of Sandy’s comments email jill. sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk
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CRESTA HAS launched its new edition Ireland brochure for 2012 departures. It includes new road and rail tours, new hotels and free night offers at properties all over Ireland. New for this year is The Irish Explorer CIE tour, a ten-day itinerary with sightseeing and stays in Dublin, Donegal, Galway and Killarney. It complements the 5, 7, 8 and 12 day itineraries carried over from the 2011 edition. The short haul specialist has also added one day rail tours to its Irish program. Departing from Dublin, the trips are fully escorted and accompanied by a guide. Cresta is offering a free Liffey River Cruise for all Dublin stays and CIE Tours if booked by February 29 with up to £130 off per couple.New hotels added include the four-star Carlton Hotel Tralee, Co Kerry and the four-star Renvyle House Hotel, Renvyle Co Galway. For more information call 0844-800 7017 or visit www.bctagent.co.uk. Order a brochure online at www.trade-gate.co.uk
February 17 2012
www.travelbulletin.co.uk The home of the web savvy travel agent
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agentbulletin Booking incentives ●
TRAVEL TRADE Tickets and Tours will give you one lucky dip National Lottery ticket for every booking you make with the operator and if your ticket wins, you keep the prize. The lucky dip ticket will be sent to you with your client’s travel documents. The ticket will be for the following Saturday’s main Lotto draw. The company will keep a record of all the tickets it sends out and it is your responsibility to check if your ticket is a winner.
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ETIHAD AIRWAYS has launched a trade incentive promotion whereby the airline will cover the cost of living expenses for one travel agent in the UK for an entire year. One grand prize will include funds to cover personal bills for rent/mortgage, utilities, transportation and groceries. To enter, travel agents must register at www.etihad.com/livefree. Once registered, agents can log into the site to enter details of Etihad Airways flight bookings made during the entry period, February 1 and February 29. Points will be awarded for each booking made: five points for Diamond First Class; three points for Pearl Business Class; and one point for Coral Economy Class. To be eligible to Live Free for a Year, an agent must accumulate 12 points during the entry period. One grand prize winner will be randomly drawn from the eligible entrants. The airline will also offer daily mini-prizes, with one iPad and one iPhone to be won for bookings made every week day in February and one iPad and one iPhone to be won for bookings made at weekends in February too. There are 25 iPads and iPhones to be won in total. There is no minimum entry to win one of the daily prizes so all bookings are entered in to the mini-prize draw. For more information see www.etihad.com/livefree
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PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS is offering agents the chance to win a place on a Calgary Stampede fam trip during the event’s centennial celebrations in July. For every Canada booking made with the operator, agents will be entered into a prize draw to win one of two places. All bookings made by March 15 will be eligible for entry. The six day fam includes return economy flights from Heathrow to Calgary, five nights accommodation, gate admission and tickets to various Stampede events and activities plus most meals. Agents need to be a certified Canada specialist to participate. Register at www.canadaspecialist.co.uk. For full terms and conditions email Canada@prestigeholidays.co.uk.
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Agent offer KEYCAMP HAS launched two concession deals for 2012, allowing agents to make savings when experiencing its product in Europe. Agent discounts are available on both low season and school holiday getaways. Those travelling outside school holidays, and completing their break by June 29 2012, can have seven-nights mobile home accommodation for £99 per party at selected parks. Bookable before May 31, agents should contact the Keycamp call centre direct on 0844-844 0000.Meanwhile, book before February 29 and families travelling at peak season can save up to 25% on the base price per night, plus accommodation, decking and air conditioning supplements.This deal, available solely on new bookings, is valid on mobile home accommodation only, and is bookable via keycamp4agents.co.uk, quoting 12-AGENTS. Michelle Betley-Jones, national sales manager at Keycamp, comments: “We recognise only too well the passion with which an agent who has road-tested Keycamp is then able to go on and sell our holidays; and as such, were keen this year to deliver even better offers. The 2012 concession deals give truly excellent value and we hope agents take advantage of these savings to enjoy a great break away with their famili es and partners. Certainly, we look forward to welcom ing them to our parcs.” For further information, visit www.keycamp4agents.co.uk.
Did you know? IT’S IMPOSSIBLE to make a good cup of tea on a plane. Because of reduced air pressure, water boils at 90 °C, so it’s never hot enough. (It would be even worse outside the plane – at cruising height, water would boil at 53°C.) And apparently airline food’s bad reputation isn’t entirely their fault: with a loud background noise, we seem less able to detect flavour in food. The 2002 news story about a woman trapped on an aircraft toilet for 2 hours by the vacuum suction is a myth. It was a story used in crew training about checking the toilet – in practice it’s almost impossible to do. The risk of being killed in any one year when flying is three times less than travelling by train, and 12 times less than travelling by car.
Source: Inflight Science by Brian Clegg
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newsbulletin Cruising is
Balkan and LBA offer Bulgaria summer holiday options
Andy Harmer chairman of ACE introduces the first in a new series of cruise articles. 012 was inevitably going to be a challenging year for the travel industry. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the UK and European economies and the continued political unrest in various holiday destinations will inevitably make people think harder about their holiday plans. Then, of course, we have a number of special events taking place in the UK, not least of which are the Olympics and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. And, for the cruise sector in particular, the tragic incident of Costa Concordia in January is the most recent reminder of how so much of what we do is subject to worldwide events. Cruising still remains one of the safest forms of holiday available. This is an important message to remember. Cruise lines, partners and travel agents who specialise in selling cruise are remarkably resourceful and innovative so we have great confidence in the ability of cruising to remain one of the growing sectors within travel in the UK. Cruising has been adapting and changing for many years and we’ve seen huge investment and innovation. More than 2.4 million new to cruise customers have been attracted over the past six years which has resulted in a change in the dynamics by which cruising is sold in the UK. ‘Traditional’ cruising remains strong but customers’ requirements are diversifying. We have seen more people than ever before deciding to begin their holiday from a UK port – customers can now choose from at least 20 British departure ports. There’s also growing interest in family cruising and new, emerging destinations where cruising is simply the only way to travel, just think of Borneo and the Galapagos Islands. And a river voyage, of course, can provide such a wonderful ‘close-up’ way to see and visit great European cities, towns and villages while further afield the rivers in Russian, Asia and even Africa continue to appeal. And with these changes has come a different way of thinking by travel agents – in how they go to market, in the products they sell and the way in which they sell them. The propensity of customers who use travel agents to book their cruise has not diminished, with almost 80% of cruises booked with an agent, but in many cases the way in which they are now sold has changed. And since 1986 ACE has been supporting agents through these changes to offer practical support and help, backed by award-winning learning. This year ACE is increasing its practical support through new Think Differently Seminars and the new-look ACE Cruise Convention. We are all facing a challenging time ahead but together we can take advantage of the opportunities that will arise within the cruise sector.
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Pictured is Tracy Burke and Emma Holliday
BALKAN HOLIDAYS is offering free, on-site parking at Leeds Bradford Airport on holidays booked before March 31. LBA’s weekly Friday flight to Bulgaria will operate this summer from May to September. Balkan Holidays is offering a seven-night holiday to Bulgaria based on three adults sharing a room from £289 per person. Emma Holliday, Leeds Bradford Airport’s leisure sales executive said, “Bulgaria is a beautiful country, rich in culture, with exquisite beaches and a stunning coastline. And as Bulgaria is outside of the euro it is a great value option for cost conscious holidaymakers.” Tracy Burke of Balkan Holidays said: “We are delighted to announce for Summer 2012 the start of this new Friday service from Leeds Bradford Airport Direct to Bulgaria. We are confident our range of resorts from the family friendly and lively, Sunny Beach, to the cultural, historical smaller resorts of Nessebar and Sozopol plus many many more will appeal to those in the Yorkshire region looking for choice, great value, superb weather and amazing beaches.”
Cosmos Holidays and Avro add extra peak season flights to Orlando COSMOS HOLIDAYS has expanded its Florida package and flight only programme further with the addition of extra flights from Glasgow and Gatwick to Orlando Sanford during school summer holidays. Operating on a Tuesday, the new flight from Glasgow will be available for departure from June 26 - July 12 and will complement the existing Thursday flight. Package prices lead in from £936 per person and flight only prices lead in at £639 per person based on a 14-night stay. The flight will then operate on a Tuesday from Gatwick to Orlando from July 17 - August 28. Package prices lead in at £835 per person and flight-only from £449 per person. 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 728 nights.The newly launched flights follow the recent addition of other summer regional departures (May-August) from both Cardiff and Newcastle to Orlando Sanford which went on sale last month. Cosmos Holidays and Avro now offer flights to Orlando Sanford from Manchester, Gatwick, Glasgow, Newcastle and Cardiff. Package prices quoted include return flights and taxes, basic car hire and 14 nights self catering accommodation based on maximum occupancy. Flight-only return prices include taxes and in-flight meals.
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puzzlebulletin Travagrams
Su Doku Win a £50 M&S voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle
Can you solve the following anagrams to decipher the destination & tour operator?
Number: 052
A➠
A Burp Reeks
B➠
I wonder which super hero is this operator’s favourite?
C➠
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, February 23th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week. The winner for 3rd February is Jane Savage, The Co-Operative Travel in Cambs. February 3 Solution: A=1 B=6 C=7 D=9
Rave Chin Frier It would be Nice to take a holiday along this coastline
Where Am I?
I am on the third largest island in the world which is home to a 130 million year old rainforest.
Crossword Fill in the crossword to reveal the mystery location highlighted by the green squares.
Number: 052
Across 1. Part of The Hoeseasons Group (6) 4. National language of Pakistan (4) 8. Famous US national park and river (11) 9. State capital of Tennessee (9) 12. The Theatre Royal backs on to this famous London street (5,4) 14. Mount Rushmore is located in this state (5,6) 16. Book in advance and save with this fare (4) 17. P&O cruise ship (6)
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Down 1. Celebrity who recently gave birth to baby Blue Ivy Carter (7) 2. North African mountain range (5) 3. Music organisation initially, based at the London Coliseum (3) 5. European river (5) 6. Abu Dhabi is the capital, initially (3) 7. First name of Chelsea and England footballer, Mr Cole (6) 10. American actor Robert, recently seen in Hustle (6) 11. Caribbean island country (7) 12. Two in a deck of cards (5) 13. Hello or goodbye in the 50th state (5) 14. Star Alliance member, initially (3) 15. Antwerp International airport code (3)
For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 26 February 17 2012
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newsbulletin Iron Maiden frontman to address Advantage Conference 2012
agentreview Julie Rulton from World Travel in Jersey took a sevennight SeaDream yacht cruise . Here are her thoughts...
First impressions ..................................10/10 Excellent check-in, was even given Champagne whilst completing registration.
Comfort ..................................................10/10 Cabin had all facilities and amenities and even a DVD if you just wanted to just chill and watch a film, a drinks fridge and nice crystal glasses in the cabin.
Quality ....................................................10/10 This was an all-inclusive product, so I thought the food would be average, but it was outstanding. The service was to die for and the staff even came around and polished your sunglasses.
Affordability ..........................................10/10 I got mine on a staff rate as we had done a few bookings. It is expensive but you get what you pay for and I would pay full price for the excellent value.
Service ..................................................10/10 The staff were all outstanding and nothing was too much trouble. We made a special request as my partner prefers blue cheese and it was confirmed before we went on board that it would be on the buffet table daily. In the evening he just had to ask as there was always extra kept in the kitchen for him.
Good to know .................................................. When you stop in port you have access to the watersports equipment. However, some ports do not allow jet skis so check with the water sports department on the day so that you can plan an excursion instead of using the the water sports facilities.
Overall scoring: ....................
10 / 10
Julie Rulton receives a £10 Love2Shop voucher for her review. If you'd like to take part and receive a free Love2Shop voucher please email jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk or call 020-7834 6661 with your name and contact details.
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February 17 2012
ROCK LEGEND and businessman Bruce Dickinson will speak at the Advantage Conference in what will be his first address to a UK travel audience. Drawing on his experience as lead singer of Iron Maiden, a commercial airline pilot and past marketing director at Astraeus Airlines, Dickinson will talk about change management and the need to be agile and flexible in business. He has obtained government funding to establish an aircraft maintenance company creating 1500 jobs in Wales and he is involved in an airship venture to manufacture drones which have both a military and a commercial application. In his presentation, Bruce will provide an insight into how to thrive in the ultimate change management environment: one day selling out 50,000 seater arenas, the next day negotiating complex leasing agreements with aircraft providers; the need to be agile and flexible in business planning with an ability to seize an unexpected opportunity; the ups and downs of business and the sometimes hard lessons that have to be learnt; and offer a glimpse into the potential future of air travel and the opportunities it may present the travel industry. The Advantage Conference takes place from April 26 to 29 in Malta. For more information visit the Advantage Conference website www.advantage Bruce Dickinson conference.co.uk
ACE to stage series of Cruise Showcases THE FIRST in a series of ACE Cruise Showcases begins in Newcastle later this month to be followed by others in Norwich, Exeter and Belfast. The Cruise Showcases are designed to give travel agents the latest news, trends and key selling points from the cruise sector while also providing training and networking opportunities. Each of the Showcases is supported by eleven cruise lines and destination partners. ACE director, Andy Harmer, said: ‘Feedback from our focus groups has shown that agents still value face to face time with representatives from cruise lines and destinations. These Showcases provide us with the opportunity to meet with agents while updating them on the opportunities and key selling points that exist in 2012 and beyond.’ Each of the Showcases takes place between 6-9.30pm in a city centre hotel. The first event takes place in Newcastle on February 21 followed by Norwich on February 23 and Exeter and Belfast in June. For further informationvisit www.cruiseexperts.org or call 020-7436 2449
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training The nine steps to improving your resilience by Hoda Lacey
R
esilience is trending these days. But what is it and how can you increase yours?
Resilience has been described as your “self-righting tendencies” It is “both the capacity to be bent without breaking and the capacity, once bent, to spring back”. Resilience is what enables you to become more aware of your feelings, and to choose the appropriate response. Think of yourself facing a set of traffic lights when your emotions are aroused. You have a space into which you can step to respond, rather than blindly reacting. Being resilient will allow you to choose between STOP, SLOW DOWN and GO. Of all the skills I have learnt and re-learnt, resilience remains the most challenging. People often tell me how lucky I am to be able to control my stress and remain calm under the most difficult of situations. If only……! You see, we are drawn to teach that which we most need to learn. Today, we are all facing economic and social uncertainty. You may have a job right now, but will it be there for you tomorrow? You may have your own small business, but will it survive and thrive? You may be unhappy in your job and looking for another opportunity elsewhere. But do you have the guts to make the change? You may head a de-motivated team. Are you helping or hindering? Whatever your circumstances, increasing your resilience will be of enormous benefit to you. So what can you do to increase your resilience? Here are 9 essential strategies: ● Develop a support network at home, among friends, colleagues and your community. Actively seek help and support and be there for others. ● Accept that some crises are beyond your control. Life is like a deck of cards. Every day, it is shuffled and a new set
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of circumstances are presented. Realize that change is part of life. You can't change events but you can change the way you interpret and react to them. Try to accept this and look ahead. Make your goals realistic and take regular small steps towards achieving them. Ask yourself, "What's the one small step I can take today to move me closer to my goal?" Take action by doing as much as you can rather than avoiding problems and hoping they will go away. Don’t waste time agonizing over decision-taking. Decide. And go with the decision. Ask the universe what it is trying to tell you when dealing with loss, hardship or emotional problems. Accept the learning and move on. Next time you will be better prepared. Remain positive even when everything feels desperate and be confident in your strengths and abilities. Look at the big picture and the long term perspective and don't blow the significance of the event out of proportion. Will it really matter in a few months? Look after yourself – you can deal with life’s blows so much better if you are healthy, fit and optimistic.
Do yourself a favour. Visualize yourself as a rubber ball rather than a glass one. The rubber ball will bounce back. The glass one will fall and shatter. Hoda Lacey supports people working in small and medium sized businesses so that they can be happier, more engaged, more productive, and create more profit. Contact her on 01923 828085 or visit her website www.HodaLacey.co.uk and download a FREE guide on how to have a difficult conversation.✦
February 17 2012
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Enjoy being a star in magical Tunisia
With its rich history, beautiful coastline and warm Mediterranean waters, Tunisia is a country that will take your breath away. As the smallest country in the Mahgreb it’s brimming with brilliant colours, contrasts and splendid aromas that are sure to stimulate your senses. Then there’s the unique cuisine and awe-inspiring sunsets - where the sun appears to melt into the endless golden sand of the Sahara desert. You can experience all this magical country has to offer at a choice of 10 heavenly Iberostar hotels. SPAIN • GREECE • TURKEY • BULGARIA • CROATIA • HUNGARY • MONTENEGRO • TUNISIA MOROCCO • CAPE VERDE • JAMAICA • DOMINICAN REPUBLIC • CUBA • MEXICO • BRAZIL
iberostar.com
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northafrica How mast ering a pro duct can in crease sale s by Mon
cef Bat t
ikh, he
ad of p
romoti o
ns at th
e Tunis
ian Nat
ional T ourist O
ffice, L
W
HEN I was a student in London in the eighties, my marketing teacher Mr. Markos Dimitrious said: ‘To sell a product, there are two things to remember, first, you have to create trust with the other party, i.e. the client, second, you have to present the product in the simplest way possible in order to help the third party (the travel agent) and enjoy selling it. My teacher’s recommendation has become my motto over the years and believe me, it works. I was a London based tour operator for seven years at Alpha Tours and found it quiet useful in my relations with the trade and clients alike, and ever since I joined my current employer. With all the changes occurring in the travel business, the last thing a travel consultant would look for is a complicated product to sell, i.e. a holiday destination, a flight, a coach
Moncef Battikh
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tour etc. The more he is familiar and acquainted with your product, the more dividends you will earn: online training, educationals, presentations and especially regular contact are some of the ways to increase awareness, thus higher sales. Tour operators and tourist boards must invest in the travel agent, he is important to us and we both need each other. The travel agent will recommend a particular product rather than another, based on their knowledge of it. Take selling a destination, a travel agent could increase their turnover by focusing on the resort’s merits which would create extra appeal for the client who is cost conscious and understandably on the lookout for free add-ons in these difficult times. We at the Tunisian National Tourist Office understand that and have decided to present post revolution Tunisia more as a quality destination rather than a cheap one. We are focusing rather on what Tunisia can offer. A genuine smile not a commercial one is now guaranteed from the locals, a better service for the visitor would be our best advertisement and an emphasis on the niche products the country can offer golf, thalassotherapy, boutique hotels, history etc. We must not forget that a holiday means a break from the routine, therefore it must be leisure,
ondon
enjoyment and happiness, basically getting away from it all. Don’t forget, the simpler you present the product the more it will appeal the quicker it will convert into a confirmed reservation/sale. Facilitating the way and paying particular attention to a customer allowing them to pick and choose will bring dividends. Trust is of major importance. I personally believe that the traditional travel agent will never disappear despite the advance in technology but I am afraid that only the caring agents will survive as there will always be a place for them and will be needed by the client who will continue to request a human face when deciding to travel. The traditional chat between the client and the agent will have a place for a long time to come. Over the years, ABTA has been doing a very good job on behalf of the trade. Imagine what would happen if ANTOR and ABTA jointly made the effort to work even closer by starting a new approach/initiative and be more united in the way they work, wouldn’t it be an excellent outcome? Let’s be honest, we both need each other and would both benefit from such closeness, the sky is the limit as far as the numerous ways of cooperating. In these difficult times let’s work together and stop being shy to make the first move. ✦
February 17 2012
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northafrica Olympic reports Tunisia is back on track
THE EGYPT Tourism Authority (ETA) has announced that 1,034,413 British holidaymakers visited Egypt last year, making Brits the second most popular nationality to the destination after Russia. The ETA has also welcomed increased capacity to the destination from a number of tour operators as well as Egyptair, and predicts that visitor figures will continue to grow this year.
Attraction World introduces a two day safari in Tunisia ATTRACTION WORLD has introduced a two day safari for visitors to Tunisia. The excursion departs from either Hammamet or Sousse and takes in the Roman Coliseum, the troglodyte dwellings at Matmata and an optional sunset or sunrise camel ride over the sand dunes at Douz. After an overnight stay in Douz, the safari continues across the Chott El Djerid salt lake to Gafsa for lunch and on to Kairouan for a visit to a carpet shop. The safari is fully commissionable and is priced from ÂŁ295 per person. For more information visit www.attractionworld.com or call 0871-700 8888
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February 17 2012
OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS is confident that Tunisia is now back on track according to the operator's commercial director Photis Lambrianides. "Tunisia is showing signs of recovery," he said Houda Yasmine Hotel "The country is now secure and its tourism product is as good as ever. The French market has returned in some numbers, and the British market should now be looking at Tunisia afresh. There is no reason at all not to holiday there." This summer, Olympic will feature the resorts of Hammamet, Skanes and Port El Kantaoui with three- and four-star hotels, including a selection of all-inclusives. Lambrianides continues: "In view of all that's happened over the last 12 months, we haven't gone for wide-ranging programme changes. Capacity is roughly what it was in summer 2010 and 2011. "Our prices for the coming summer compare favourably with those of 2010 and 2011, with the tourism authorities and hoteliers keen to restore the industry to its prerevolution position. "With the euro-based countries still feeling the effects of a poor exchange rate with the pound, Tunisia's competitive pricing makes it an excellent choice of destination for families in 2012. "All-inclusives in Tunisia represent particularly good value. For example, we are offering a week's all-inclusive in Skanes for a family of four for around ÂŁ1,400." Tunisia has long been underrated as a summer destination and its North Africa location gives it an extra cultural dimension that many Mediterranean destinations lack, according to Lambrianides. "Tunisia is just a short flight away with first-class sandy beaches, great water-sports and a very good tourism infrastructure that includes many excellent hotels," he said. "It certainly doesn't deserve to be overlooked as a holiday destination, especially as it enriches a stay with a spread of cultural elements that are unique to the country.
For more information call 0844-499 4449 or visit www.olympicholidays.com
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northafrica Tunisian National Tourist Office welcomes new UK & Ireland director THE TUNISIAN National Tourist Office (TNTO) has announced Wahida Jaiet as the new UK and Ireland director. Jaiet takes over from Anissa Ramoundi, who spent three years with the TNTO in London. Previously director for the TNTO in Prague, Jaiet has spent five years in senior positions at the national tourist board. She was previously head of UK and Scandinavian markets at the TNTO’s head office in Tunis and has nine years’ experience in the private sector as the director of promotion at the Tunisian Hotels Association.
Mosaic sees increased demand for tailor-made holidays MOSAIC HOLIDAYS reports that it has seen increased demand for tailor-made holidays across Egypt over the last few months. The operator's managing director, Sabina Shaida, said: “People are seizing the opportunity to visit the incredible sites in Cairo, Alexandria, the Nile, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel and more, while the crowds are not there. This is a great time to visit, and should be sold as such." The company is offering up to £150 per person off a ten-night itinerary, which includes three nights at the five-star Mena House Oberoi Cairo on a bed-andbreakfast basis with a seven-night Nile Cruise on the MS Mayfair on full board basis. The next departure is on March 9 and prices lead in at £1,899 per person. In summer, prices lead in at £839 per adult and £519 per child for seven nights' breakfast stay on a May 5 departure from Gatwick. The operator is also highlighting a special deal at the Four Seasons Sharm el Sheikh, where guests are given US$50 credit to be spent in resort, per room per night for the first six nights in a standard room. Guests can also stay seven nights
for the price of six on selected dates. Meanwhile, the company says that Soma Bay is attracting increasing numbers of holidaymakers looking to holiday in the Red Sea without the commercialism, and has seen increased interest in the highest quality hotels offered. As such, the Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay is being offered from £949 per person, based on two sharing on a bedand-breakfast basis, including flights and transfers. Shaida said: “This appeals to the more discerning guests and the Kempinski is a beautiful resort with excellent facilities and an idyllic location." The company has also seen sales to Jordan’s Red Sea resorts of Aqaba and Tala Bay showing positive booking trends, as people seek to combine sightseeing with rest and relaxation. Shaida said: “Jordan’s Red Sea resorts of Aqaba and Tala Bay offer excellent touring possibilities including Petra and Wadi Rum, combined with all you’d expect of a fabulous Red Sea beach holiday." For more information call 020-8574 4000 or visit www.mosaicholidays.co.uk
Shearings highlights selection of tours SHEARINGS IS promoting a range of tours including an eight-day Jordan, Petra and the Dead Sea, priced from £1,199. Highlights of the holiday include a Jeep ride through the Red Desert, a trip to the Dead Sea and a visit to Petra. The price includes seven nights' breakfast accommodation, six excursions, flights and transfers and departure dates are available from April to November. A 15-day Classic Nile & El Gouna option is also being highlighted, available from £1,139. A combination of a river cruise along the Nile and an all-inclusive seven-night stay in El Gouna is offered, and highlights include a trip to the temples of Karnak and Luxor, a chance to explore Aswan and the High Dam and a Felucca trip along the River Nile. The price includes all-inclusive hotel accommodation for seven nights, seven nights' full board accommodation on the cruise, sightseeing excursions, flights and transfers and departures are available through to December. For more information call 01942-823449 or visit www.shearingsagent.com
Petra, Jordan
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northafrica Encounters Travel highlights its Moroccan Mosaics tour ENCOUNTERS TRAVEL is highlighting its Moroccan Mosaics tour, which includes three days in Marrakesh before taking in the Atlas Mountains, local Berber villages and visits to gorges and canyons. The eight-day option also includes visits to the oasis town of Tinghir and the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Benhaddou. Prices for a February 25
departure have been reduced to £479 per person, offering a saving of £120 per person, and include transfers, a range of accommodation in hotels and a traditional Berber camp on a mixedboard basis, all entrance fees to monuments and a local guide throughout. Flights are excluded. For more information visit www.encounterstravel.com or call 0800-088 6002.
Winter offers to encourage Morocco sales TO ENCOURAGE winter bookings to Morocco, Classic Collection Holidays has more than 90 special offers to the destination. Early booking, complimentary room and board upgrades, and free night offers are currently available at 28 of the operator’s 32 hotels in the region. Gary Boyer, head of purchasing said: ‘We’re delighted to report that summer sales to Morocco are currently 11% per cent up year on year. Winter sales are proving to be more of a challenge, being broadly on a par with last year. We have therefore contacted our Moroccan hoteliers to secure the best possible offers to stimulate demand to this fascinating, close to home, wintersun destination.’ Savings of up to £448 per couple per week are currently available on reduced rates stays at the Villa Des Orangers, Marrakech until March 15. The recently opened Four Seasons Marrakech has three nights for the price of two on bookings between February 18 and 29 saving up to £390 per couple per week. The Richard Bransonowned Kasbah Tamadot, in the Asni area of the Atlas Mountains, a 60 minute drive from Marrakech, has four nights for the price of three until March 31, meaning savings of £370 per couple per week. For more information visit www.classic-collection.co.uk or call 0800-008 7288
LAWRENCE OF Morocco offers seven nights at the Majorelle Suites apartments in the fashionable Gueliz quarter of Marrakech with a housekeeper for £175 per person, based on four sharing and including breakfast. The offer is valid until the end of April. For further information call 020-7183 6401 or visit www.lawrenceofmorocco.com.
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Atlas Mountains
Moivaro Lodges moves into Morocco with Riad Africa MOIVARO LODGES and Tented Camps of Tanzania, in a joint venture with Specialist Morocco, has launched Riad Africa, an eight-bedroomed property located five minutes walk from Djemaa el Fna square in Marrakech. The riad is a traditionally-built property which has been restored with local materials and its courtyard has a16 square metre dipping pool. The property also has its own Hammam and massage room with a range of bookable treatments. Rooms at Riad Africa cost from £90 per night for a standard suite which includes Moroccan breakfast, wireless internet and free use of a local mobile phone. The larger suites which sleep up to three people cost from £120 per night and the Family Suite which sleeps a family of four costs from £150 per night. Specialist Morocco also arranges tailor-made and small group departure tours to Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, Sahara and Essaouira. For more information call 020 7193 2461. Visit www.riadafrica.co.uk
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weddings&honeymo
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How to offer your clients the perfect day by ascertaining their needs and knowing your product by Kevin White, sales & marketing manager, AMResorts
Y
OUR CLIENTS wedding or honeymoon will be one of the most memorable experiences of their life; and we all know they will be expecting perfection. With this in mind, at AMResorts we offer an array of luxurious resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, perfect for any couple. Secrets are our adults-only resorts offering UnlimitedLuxury®, whereas Dreams and Now Resorts provide the same level of luxury and ambience and are perfect for couples, families and friends. If your clients are looking for a boutique haven, Zoëtry Wellness Resorts & Spas offer a collection of small, intimate luxury hotels with Endless Privileges® Top tips on how to sell a wedding abroad... Ascertain the exact needs of your clients. Most importantly, select the right resort for them. What are they looking for from their wedding/honeymoon destination? Once you know what their expectations are, you can search for something which fits all of their needs and most importantly their budget. Know your product. There are many online training courses out there that will help you grow your knowledge of hotels, resorts and of course destinations. For example we have a great online training course including a module just for weddings, simply visit www.amragents.com Create a sense of urgency. If your client has a specific wedding date or room category in mind don’t delay. Advise them that their booking needs to be made well in advance but at the same time be aware that getting married abroad is a big decision and often includes multiple decision makers. For example, we only offer a maximum of three weddings per day and at Secrets Maroma Beach the swim out suites are incredibly popular for honeymooners, these room categories often sell out up to a year in advance. Honeymooners are eligible for a whole host of added value benefits. Notify the hotel before your clients’ arrival. Benefits range from flowers in their room to romantic dining options. This great added value could just ‘clinch the sale’. With the average cost of a wedding in the UK spiralling over £20,000 it’s easy to see why more and more people are getting married abroad. If clients are concerned that not everyone will be able to afford to be there with them, why not throw a party when they return home for everyone? Advice for clients Free wedding packages are in abundance. Remind your clients that legal fees aren’t included with most of the complimentary
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wedding packages and are normally paid for on arrival in resort. We find some customers are put off getting married in countries such as Mexico where blood tests are required for the bride and groom. Not many know that the blood test is a simple procedure and can be carried out in the comfort of their room. It’s not as daunting as it sounds. Twin centre options are available. Even if clients have children attending their wedding, why not head to an adult only resort after the wedding? Why not visit the resort before their big day? We are finding more clients are visiting our resorts before booking their ‘big day’. Our dedicated on site wedding co-ordinators are on hand to calm nerves and answer any questions the couple may have. How to successfully sell a wedding abroad Listen to your clients’ requirements. Remember it is quite possibly the most important day of their life. Be confident in your knowledge of the product and procedures. Use sales tools such as images, blog sites and video footage. Most hotels have wedding guides available to download from their websites. These guides are usually very comprehensive, and will help with any obscure questions. Show your clients some real weddings that have taken place at a resort then there are lots of resources at hand. For example, our resort blogs have footage and images of real couples who have been married at our resorts: http://nowresortsblog.com/ ¦ http://secretsresortsblog.com/ ¦ http://dreamsresortsblog.com/ ¦ http://zoetryresortsblog.com/ Going abroad to get married doesn’t always have to be about the beach. There are traditional options available. For example at Dreams Tulum we have a fantastic wedding chapel. New upcoming areas Renewal of Vows – we are seeing a huge increase in this area. There are so many flight options to Mexico this year, with British Airways launching direct services to Cancun in 2010 and Virgin Atlantic flying direct into Cancun starting this June. We have some fantastic new properties on the West Coast of Mexico. Now Amber and Secrets Marquis to name a few. Twin centre options are becoming more popular such as New York & Mexico. ✦
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s n o o m y e n o h & s g in d wed THE SHORE at Katathani in Thailand's Phuket resort is promoting a selection of wedding, honeymoon and anniversary packages. The resort's onsite Wedding Terrace, ‘Seacret’ provides a secluded setting and can accommodate up to 120 people for weddings, vow renewals and blessing ceremonies. Wedding packages are all tailor-made and benefit from the hotels' resident personal wedding planner and the recent addition of a team of ‘Dream Makers’, with prices starting from £1,600. For a more Thai-themed ceremony, Thai water ceremonies, Long Drum Parades and elephant blessings are also available. For more information see www.wedding.katathani.com
Traditional Bermudian weddings offered at the Reef THE REEFS Hotel & Club in Bermuda is offering couples a wedding incorporating Bermudian traditions such as stepping through a moongate to guarantee happiness and good fortune, having two wedding cakes and having the groom dressed in pink Bermuda shorts with a shirt, tie, blazer and socks coming to just below the knee. Couples can have a ‘pink’ wedding on the pink sands of the resort beach which only holds one wedding per day. The Reefs offers a tailor made service and as a basic the resort includes the ceremony with a minister, bride’s bouquet and buttonhole for the groom, photographer, license fee and marriage certificate. For more information visit www.thereefs.com
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February 17 2012
Reefs Moongate
Say I Do at C’est la Vie COUPLES BOOKING their wedding before March 31 can say “I do” for free at luxury villa, C’est la Vie in St Lucia. Wedding couples will receive the Sheer Elegance package, worth more than US$700, when booking a stay of seven nights or more. The package includes the wedding service, with a decorated location and wedding arch, the wedding service, bridal bouquet and buttonhole for the groom, wedding cake and bottle of Prosecco. Wedding location choices include the villa gardens, the pool or on the beach, which is a short walk from the villa. The honeymoon accommodation is a two storey cottage with a patio and living room on the ground floor and bedroom with private verandah on the first floor. For more information visit www.villacestlavie.com
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Time is so
precious,
great couples learn to steal it
Rendezvous allows you to find time, time to be together, time to relax, time to talk. It gives you time to reconnect and to reflect. It gives you time to concentrate on each other, to refocus. It gives you time to be together. It gives you time to rediscover what matters most – you.
Rediscover life’s pleasures together.
Visit our new website to see the results of our £10 million refurbishment.
Rendezvous, the world’s first boutique hotel for couples – St Lucia, West Indies
www.theromanticholiday.com
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s n o o m y e n o h & s g in d wed Dedicated weddings & honeymoon brochure from Cyplon Holidays CYPLON HOLIDAYS has issued a dedicated weddings and honeymoon brochure, aimed at couples looking to tie the knot in the Mediterranean. The company's team of wedding organisers can advise and assist with suggestions of the best resorts, boutique properties for wedding ceremonies and all the legalities. Prices lead in at £1,747 per couple for a honeymoon at the So Nice Boutique Suites in Agia Napa, Cyprus including flights. A wedding and honeymoon package costs from £3,067 per couple including all legal fees, in-hotel civil ceremony and flights. The property offers a collection of 60 luxury beach bungalows and a choice of wedding venues including the
beach, plus a complete wedding package, from a Champagne reception at the resident Nozomi restaurant, through to evening entertainment. The operator is also offering wedding and honeymoon packages at the five-star St Nicholas Bay Resort & Villas. Prices start from £2,560 per couple on a bed-and-breakfast basis and include flights, transfers, all legal fees and a hotel civil ceremony. More elaborate weddings start from £4,050 per couple including in-hotel civil ceremony, legal fees, breakfast accommodation, flights and transfers. For more information visit www.cyplon.co.uk, call 0800-074 8888 or email sales@cyplon.co.uk
Tanjung Rhu introduces new all-inclusive honeymoon packages TANJUNG RHU Resort in Langkawi has introduced three new allinclusive honeymoon packages, for stays of five, seven or 14 nights, featuring romantic extras ranging from cocktails on the beach at sunset to a flower drawn bath for two and luxury transfers in a Jaguar. Other features include a couples’ aromatherapy massage at the resort spa, a nature tour of the mangroves as well as flowers, wine or chocolates. The honeymoon packages has different extras depending on the length of stay. They also include accommodation in a suite-sized room, all meals and non-alcoholic drinks from bars and mini bar, in room wi-fi, non-motorised water sports and return airport transfers. For more information visit www.tanjungrhu.com.my
Tanjung beach at sunset
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weddings&honeymo
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New honeymoon package from Half Moon HALF MOON, a RockResort, in Montego Bay, Jamaica has launched an all inclusive Honeymoon to Remember package which includes romantic touches such as a massage in an over the water spa bungalow. The package also includes all meals and drinks at Half Moon’s six restaurants and eight bars and return airport transfers. For more information visit www.halfmoon.rockresorts.com
Somak Holidays offers safari & beach wedding holidays SOMAK HOLIDAYS, which has released its Weddings in Paradise 2012 brochure to download online, features a choice of beach and safari destinations in East and Southern Africa. The operator says that an increasingly popular wedding holiday is to combine a safari with a beach stay in Mombasa or Zanzibar. As an example of prices, a seven-night five-star Cheetah
Safari plus five nights at the four-star Pinewood Village Beach Resort in Mombasa costs from £2,199 per person. The price includes flights, transfers, meals and game drives on safari and a half-board stay in Mombasa. A wedding package at the beach hotel costs £830 between November 2 and December 13 and includes a couples' massage, bridal bouquet, cake and a bottle of wine. For more information visit www.somak.com
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s n o o m y e n o h & s g in d wed Funway Holidays offers a four night break staying at the 4.5 star The Mirage in Las Vegas including flights with Virgin Atlantic. Prices are from £899 per person based on travel March 12. The package price includes The Simplicity Ceremony Package at the Chapel of Flowers, Las Vegas. For more information visit www.funway4agents.co.uk or call 0844- 557 0626
Fairmont's bridal experts highlight this year's emerging trends FAIRMONT IS highlighting trends that it believes will be big this year for the wedding and honeymoons market. The company says modern couples getting married close to home are increasingly inviting friends and family flying in from all over the world and as such, the company has seen many of its city centre properties take more wedding bookings for two- and three-night room blocks, along with Sunday brunches to make sure out-oftowners also have a holiday. Wayne Harth, director of catering at Fairmont Chicago, Millennium
Park, said: "Couples want to make sure they’re taking care of guests who spend a considerable amount of time and money to be there for them on their big day,. We’ve had brides arrange guided architectural tours and trolley cars to take guests around Chicago while the bridal party prepares for the evening festivities.” The brand also says that it has seen couples invite fewer guests to their wedding but increase the amount spent on luxuries. Bruce Russell, London wedding planner for Weddings at The Savoy by Bruce Russell, said: “Our brides are
having smaller weddings but spending more per person, whether it’s on elegant menus or setting up elaborate play areas for kids. We had one couple set-up a fully supervised adjacent room with Wii games, arcade machines, sweet table and disco." Other trends identified by the company include a growth in the role of the groom when it comes to planning the wedding and more creative designs for the wedding cake, such as tiered donut cakes, oldfashioned candy bars and cookies. For more information visit www.fairmont.com
Antigua celebrates Romance Month with a wedding incentive TO CELEBRATE Romance Month (June) in Antigua, the Tourism Authority is carrying out various activities including a wedding incentive. Agents who book a wedding at the destination from February 29 to June 30 will be entered into a draw to win a holiday for two to Antigua next year. The more weddings that are booked the more chances there are of winning. For three wedding bookings logged by an agent the tourism authority will award Antigua goodies, such as cookies and cupcakes. In June, the “I Do, Antigua and Barbuda Wedding Expo” will take place in central London for members of the trade where agents can find out about getting married in Antigua and Barbuda, and learn about special honeymoon packages. The tourism authority will also be travelling round the UK to provide selected travel agents with Wedding and Honeymoon training and it has recently brought out the updated version of their Wedding and Honeymoon Guide. The newest hotel and wedding venue Keyonna Beach, St. Johns in Antigua offers a “Destination Wedding Package”. The package costs USD $1000, which includes a round trip taxi ride, taxi service for collection of marriage documents, registration fees, copies of wedding certificate, marriage officer, a cake, two bottles of wine, a bridal bouquet and decoration of the chosen area for the ceremony. Extras can be added to this package such as a video of the ceremony, a photographer, hairdresser, manicures, pedicures and a band. See http://www.keyonnabeach.com/weddings.html For more information about the Antigua Tourism Authortiy visit www.visitantiguabarbuda.co.uk or call 01245-707 471.
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IONIAN WEDDINGS has introduced new venues to its portfolio including Ayii Anargyri, Cyprus, So White Boutique Hotel, Cyprus and Melissani Lake. For couples considering a Greek island or Cyprus wedding, the company offers a two-hour consultation meeting for a small fee which is fully refundable if the couple makes a booking. Additional services include assistance with booking accommodation for the wedding party and full documentation arrangements. For more information visit www.ionianweddings.co.uk or call 020 8892 7556.
Miami wedding package offers at The Palms Hotel and Spa THE PALMS Hotel and Spa, Miami located in South Beach, is offering weddings packages. The first package is the “Essence of Summer”, which can only be booked from June to September this year. This package includes a cocktail reception, a three course dinner, open bar, champagne and a wedding cake. The second package is the “Gold Wedding Package”, that can be booked throughout the year. This
package includes the same as the “Essence of Summer” package, however additionally it has a four course dinner and a buffet. For couples who want to celebrate their wedding during the day, the Palms Hotel and Spa offers a “Brunch Wedding Package”. This package includes a three hour wine and beer service, champagne and a wedding cake. For more information visit www.thepalmshotel.com
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s n o o m y e n o h & s g in d wed Mount Harman in Grenanda offers exclusive hire
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MOUNT HARTMAN is an eight-room Grenadian property located in tropical grounds on its own peninsular with a private beach and can be hired exclusively for weddings. Seven of the suites are located in the hotel’s main building, the Cave, which is built into the hillside.The eighth guestroom – the Romantic Suite – is housed in the Folly, a tower that rises from the swimming pool. It has an additional property, the Beach House, with four guestrooms which can be rented and it is self-contained with a swimming pool, family room and indoor/outdoor kitchen. The Mount Hartman Bay Estate Wedding Celebration package includes a marriage licence, registrar or minister and fee, a flower decorated wedding arch, a posey of flowers for the bride, buttonhole for the groom, a photo CD, wedding cake for two, a bottle of Champagne and a certified copy of the wedding certificate The package costs from £570 or complimentary if the bride and groom stay at Mount Hartman for fourteen nights all-inclusive. If the couple stay for seven nights or more all-inclusive they will receive a honeymoon package including a couple’s massage, dinner for two and a bottle of Champagne. For more information visit www.bespokehotels.com/mounthartmanbay
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RAINBOW TOURS is promoting a self-drive honeymoon to the Indian Ocean island of Réunion. The 12-night itinerary costs from £2,295 per person and combines all the highlights of the island. Couples can opt to start the itinerary on the beach or in the mountains and can also choose how much time to spend in each place. The price is based on two sharing and includes flights from London City Airport via Paris with Air France, car hire and accommodation throughout on a bed-and-breakfast basis. For details see www.rainbowtours.co.uk or call 020-7666 1250.
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Sandals offers chance to secure 12/12/12 wedding date SANDALS RESORTS is offering couples a chance to book a WeddingMoon® on 12/12/12. Last year the operator saw record marriages on 11/11/11 with more than 150 couples choosing to wed at the 17 Luxury Included® resorts across the Caribbean. Prices are from £2,130 per couple (£1,065 per person) for seven nights at Sandals Carlyle in Jamaica. For more information call 0207-590 0210 or visit www.sellingsandals.co.uk.
puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. BLAKES, 4. URDU, 8. YELLOWSTONE, 9. NASHVILLE, 12. DRURY LANE, 14. SOUTH DAKOTA, 16. APEX, 17. ORIANA. Down: 1. BEYONCE, 2. ATLAS, 3. ENO, 5. RHONE, 6. UAE, 7. ASHLEY, 10. VAUGHN, 11. GRENADA, 12. DEUCE, 13. ALOHA, 14. SAA, 15. ANR.
Highlighted Word: SHANGHAI Travagrams: (top) Superbreak
(Bottom) French Riviera
Where Am I?: Borneo
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Experience Egypt with the Egyptian experts Enjoy the many faces of Egypt with Red Sea Holidays. We only sell holidays to Egypt that’s why we’re the Egyptian experts. Best advice
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We believe that there is no substitute for experience and local knowledge. That’s why our travel advisers regularly visit our resorts and hotels to ensure they can answer your questions with facts, not guesses.
Our hand-picked selection of predominantly 4+ and 5+ hotels has been vetted personally by our team for quality, service, location and value.
We’re not just saying that: we were voted it in the 2011 British Travel Awards, plus a silver award for best small tour operator of the year. Try our award winning service for yourself.
Best value We only sell holidays to Egypt. That lets us build strong relationships which we can use to get the best deals for you; not just better prices, but better quality too. Our holidays also include more in the price, with free transfers, in-flight meals on many flights, and a generous luggage allowance as standard.
Best experiences In relaxing surroundings and with all inclusive service, it’s all too easy to forget about life beyond the pool. But Egypt can offer so much more. Our extensive range of excursions, cruises, tours, and cruise and stay holidays ensure you get to experience Egypt’s many treasures.
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