Travel Bulletin 18th May 2012

TB1805 2012 Cover_TB Front Cover.qxd 17/05/2012 09:59 Page 1

May 18 2012 | ISSUE NO 1,779 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Turkey Destination capitalises on demand with new developments

this week cruising is ACE 6

Kathryn Beadle of Hurtigruten explains why cruising is still a lucrative industry for agents

15

training how to manage conflict in the workplace

21

wildlife & safaris a round-up of new tours, programme additions & offers

25

theme parks rollercoaster your way to happy clients & extra commission

S01 TB1805 Start_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:57 Page 2

S01 TB1805 Start_Layout 1 16/05/2012 10:53 Page 3

newsbulletin

This Week news 3

BIRTHDAY BONANZA...pictured celebrating Contiki Holidays' 50th birthday are, from the left: Caroline Calvert, Samantha Hussey (in the foreground), Catherine Thomas, Paul Melinis, Hollie Smith and Liz McNulty, all from the One Stop Touring Shop. The operator features more than 190 itineraries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, South America and Canada & the USA, with the latest additions being tours to Costa Rica, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

6

cruising is ACE

CIPP survey finds more than a third of Brits have no holiday savings

8

at home with eileen

9

agent bulletin

10

W-AITO-Go

11

puzzle bulletin

14

personality bulletin

15

training

17

turkey

21

wildlife & safaris a round-up of new tours, programme additions & offers

25

theme parks

Cover Pictures: Main - London Turkish Tourist Office Istanbul

Inset - Migration - Asilia, African Pride

new product announcements plus the latest deals Kathryn Beadle of Hurtigruten explains why cruising is still a lucrative industry for agents find out what homeworker Eileen has been up to lately strike it lucky with Travel 2 by testing your knowledge of Dubai the latest news & views from AITO Agents

can you solve this week's Travagram puzzles? which business development manager would like to go on ITV's The Cube?

Hoda Lacey explains how to manage conflict in the workplace destination bucks the global downturn trend & capitalises on demand with new developments

rollercoaster your way to happy clients & extra commission

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

THE CHARTERED Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) has found, following a recent survey, that more than a third (41%) of workers either don’t save for their summer holiday or they put it all on their credit card.

The survey, which polled 153 professionals, looked into how people budget their salaries when planning their holiday and found that 15% of people rely on their credit card to cover the cost and over a fifth (26%) do not save at all.

Diana Bruce, the institute's senior policy liaison officer, said: “With the economy still in a fragile state it comes as no surprise to find that many employees do not have the disposable income available to put money by for their holidays. The public sector is facing a third year of pay freezes and even those who are lucky enough to get a pay rise may find it is barely matching inflation. Coupled

with the increases in the cost of running a home and getting to work, many have had to start paying serious attention to their spending habits.”

The survey also found that relaxation on holiday doesn’t come easy to professionals; when respondents were asked if they found it difficult to stop thinking about work on holiday 42% said yes. This statistic is not helped by nearly a fifth (19%) of people taking their work smart phone on holiday to keep in touch.

Diana adds that having a work-life balance is of paramount importance. She said: "If care is not taken this is where stress levels can increase and actually make the pressure of work even more difficult. There is a very good reason that by law employees must take a minimum of 5.6 weeks annual leave per year."

Free Rocky Mountaineer upgrades from Prestige PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS is offering complimentary and discounted upgrades on Rocky Mountaineer’s two-day all-daylight journeys taking in the scenery of Alberta and British Columbia.

Agents booking the RedLeaf Service on the 'First Passage to the West Route' (Calgary or Banff to Vancouver and vice versa) through the operator will receive a free upgrade to the SilverLeaf service for their clients. If they book the SilverLeaf service clients receive a complimentary upgrade to GoldLeaf.

On other routes, such as 'Journey Through the Clouds', (Jasper to Vancouver and vice versa) and 'Rainforest to Gold Rush' (Jasper to Whistler and vice versa) agents receive a 50% discount when upgrading clients to the GoldLeaf service. The promotion is valid for bookings made by June 30, for travel until October, subject to availability.

The operator also offers preferred partner rates with BA, which flies daily to Vancouver and Calgary.

For more information email canada@prestigeholidays.co.uk or call 01502-567222.

May 18 2012

3

S01 TB1805 Start_Layout 1 16/05/2012 10:53 Page 4

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

TNZ & Qantas partnership TOURISM NEW Zealand (TNZ) and Qantas have announced a new marketing partnership worth NZD four million over two years, aimed at boosting visitor arrivals into New Zealand on Qantas flights.

Each party will invest NZD one million (approximately £480,000) each year for two years from July 1 to June 30, 2014.

Planet Food on Tuesday 22nd May at 19.00 on The Travel Channel Rosie Lovell heads to England; home to black pudding, oysters and a nice cup of tea, before travelling to Provence for a taste of the finest French cuisine. Dessert is prepared by Bobby Chinn in exotic Zanzibar. Here, Bobby finds a fusion of African, Arabian and Caribbean cooking, with the wholesome Ugali a perfect example of the merging of influences.

The street food stalls offer a riot of colour and smells, with plates piled high with fresh seafood or goat meat curry.

Balkan Holidays launches 2013 first edition summer brochure BALKAN HOLIDAYS has launched its 2013 Summer first edition brochure featuring holidays to Bulgaria and Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Romania.

Prices start from £229 per person, for a sevennight break on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. Also featured are 60 allinclusive properties, lakes and mountains holidays, cruises from Dubrovnik and Split, guided coach tours to Bulgaria’s wine and historical regions, health, spa, and golf holidays.

The operator is also offering charter flights from all major regional UK airports to Bulgaria and from selected airports to Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Romania.

Other new features of the programme include a highlighted ‘Premier Selection’ hotels section, with additional benefits including priority transfers and extra luggage allowance; new hotels in Golden Sands, Bulgaria – the four-star Gladiola Hotel and the three-star Gladiola/Acacia; the

4

addition of the five-star Thracian Cliffs Golf and Beach Resort at Cape Kaliakra on the north Black Sea coast, expanding the golf holidays programme to Bulgaria; and a new threestar all-inclusive property, the Osmine Hotel in Slano, Croatia.

The new brochure also features a range of discounts and offers, including a low deposit offer of £70 per person, early booking discounts of up to £402 per couple, special offers throughout the season saving customers up to £286 per couple, 5% loyalty bonus for previous bookers, free child places and insurance and child prices from £99, 20kg standard luggage allowance per person on charter flights and 30kg free luggage allowance on charter flights staying at a Premier Selection hotel, no single supplements and group discounts. Flightonly options are also available.

For more information call 0845-135 1114 or visit www.balkanholidays.co.uk/ agents

May 18 2012

BRIGHT GOES for 10 X 10...BRIGHT (Bringing Real Information & Guaranteed High Quality Training) is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and is encouraging independent agents to take part in the celebrations by joining a 10km run with members to raise money for charity. The run takes place on October 20 in Richmond, South West London, and participants are requested to raise a minimum of £50 each for the nominated charity, The Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Chester. There are 20 spaces available (on a first come first served basis) to independent agents wishing to enter the charity run. Entry fees and team t-shirts will be provided and participants are invited to join members after the event for a celebratory lunch at The Richmond Gate Hotel. For details email bookings@eventsfortravel.com. Pictured at a recent event at Queens Hotel, Chester, are some of the members - from the left: (bottom row) Andrew Schweitzer, Viking River Cruises; Hisham Mahmoud, chairman of Bright (and Kirker Holidays); Robin Segal and John Markham, Jersey/Preston Travel; (middle row) Maxine Dunsdon, Hurtigruten; Bob Moore, Crystal Cruises; Kathryn Coles, Kirker Holidays; Steve Wilkinson, Mosaic Holidays; Jonathan Whiteley, vice chairman of Bright (and 1st Class Holidays); and on the top row: Xavier Blanco, Tenerife Tourism and Colin Sanderson, Events for Travel/Sanderson Consulting. For more information visit www.brightconsortia.com after the event for a celebratory lunch at The Richmond Gate Hotel.

For details email bookings@eventsfortravel.com or see www.brightconsortia.com

Mailbox Mailings with Travel Bulletin this week include: ● Travel Bulletin Star Awards - make your vote count in

the only truly open vote for agents nationwide! visit www.travelbulletin.co.uk/awards ● Transun have launched their new 2012/13 Arctic Spirit brochure..experience the magic of the northern lights!! New regional departures added, prices from just £649PP, for details call 01865 265200 or visit www.transun.co.uk ● A2B Transfers are offering a fantastic 20% agents concession on both transfers and airport parking, see the enclosed mailing for more details.

For further details and special offers please read the mail shots that accompany this issue

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S02 TB1805 News 1_Layout 1 16/05/2012 10:44 Page 5

newsbulletin Jet2.com launches new ski route JET2.COM HAS announced the launch of its latest ski destination to the French city of Grenoble, taking its total ski destinations from Leeds Bradford Airport to four.

Flights to the alpine city, gateway to the ski resorts of Les Deux Alpes and Alpe d’Huez, are now on sale, with prices starting from £31.99 including taxes. The weekly flights will commence on December 15 through to April 13, 2013, with free ski and snowboard carriage available on all flights booked by May 31. To take advantage of this offer, agents need to enter the promotional code ‘FREESKI’ when booking their clients' flight.

See www.Jet2.com/ski

FUELLING THE GROWTH...pictured marking Thomson's summer 2013 expansion from Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA), with the introduction of four new routes is the airport's James Broughton and Emma Holliday.

The new brochure includes the new destinations of Dalaman, Paphos, Sharm el Sheikh and Tunisia. As an example of prices, a seven-night stay at the 5T Sensatori Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt on an all-inclusive basis costs from £905 per person, based on two sharing for a May 2 departure.

Flights, accommodation, transfers and all taxes are included.

For details see www.thomson.co.uk or call 0871-230 2555.

Kuoni features 26th Annual International Climbathon ONE OF South East Asia’s highest mountains, Mount Kinabalu in Borneo, Malaysia plays host to the 26th Annual International Climbathon this October. The event takes place on October 13 and 14 and will see hundreds of mountaineers attempt to complete what is widely known as ‘The World’s Toughest Mountain Race’. The endurance race takes climbers to more than 2,760m above sea level and spans a total distance of 23km. For details see www.climbathon.my Kuoni is offering a seven-night stay in Borneo on a room-only basis, staying five nights at the Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu in a superior rainforest room and two nights on the Mount Kinabalu Climb, including flights with Malaysia Airlines from Heathrow and transfers.

Prices start from £1,698 per person, based on two sharing.

For more information call 01306-747008 or visit www.kuoni.co.uk

S02 TB1805 News 1_Layout 1 16/05/2012 10:44 Page 6

cruisebulletin Cruising is

by Kathryn Beadle, managing director of Hurtigruten OU COULD be forgiven for thinking that we should all 'shut up shop' at the moment and retreat to a darkened room. Every news report cites more bad news with regard to the economy and certainly offers no flickering of light at the end of a very long tunnel. As a result, sales in general across the travel industry are down and surprisingly are not being entirely blamed on a summer of UK events from the Queen's Jubilee to the Olympics.

However, our own experience at Hurtigruten totally contradicts all the reports of declining sales and we are not alone. At the recent Advantage Conference they reported that specialist cruise sales are up 25% (it is even higher with us) so there are fantastic opportunities to be had and, more importantly, money to be made. Our customers are older, their kids have mainly left home, they have no or small mortgages and are well travelled. Therefore the recession does not have such a drastic impact on their disposable income and one thing they are not going to give up is their holiday or perhaps more appropriately their opportunity to notch up another 'life experience'.

These types of customers typically do not want to 'drop and flop' - they did that and have quite a few tshirts to prove it. They want to have an experience when they go on holiday, something a bit different that they can brag about with their friends. The price is not the main factor; what is key is that they feel what they are paying affords them good value. A trip to Arctic Norway and the opportunity to see the Northern Lights where they can also experience a ride on a husky dog sled, a voyage to Spitsbergen where they encounter Polar Bears in their natural environment, a trip along the coast of Norway in June where they are on deck at 2am in the morning in sunshine experiencing the midnight sun - all of these factors are examples of trips that offer customers great experiences and therefore represent to them excellent value. We, as an industry, get fixated on price and money off and this is particularly an issue when sales are slow. There are some fantastic deals to be had but please do not forget that you should not just sell on price.

If you aren't doing so already I strongly urge you to go out and target those lucrative customers who are looking for a 'value' proposition. When you find them our call centre is ready to take your bookings!

Y

6

May 18 2012

Cruise incentive offers free break for two MY AEGEAN Friends on Board Cruise is offering a seven-night cruise that takes in nine Aegean Islands from £230 per person.

The price includes half-board accommodation in airconditioned cabins with private bathroom and shower facilities and entertainment. The cruise is also available as a charter boat for weddings, incentives and team building activities.

The cruise is bookable with Olympic Holidays, Amathus Holidays and online at www.myfobcruises.com.

As a special incentive, agents booking ten passengers by May 31 will receive a free week's cruise for two people.

Save up to 50% with Swan Hellenic SWAN HELLENIC is offering up to 50% on cruises departing later this month. As an example, a 16-day St Petersburg and the Baltic cruise on Minerva, departing on May 22, costs from £1,245 per person for an inside cabin, offering a saving of £1,250 on the original price. An outside cabin fare costs from £1,765, offering a saving of £1,760.

For details see www.swanhellenic.com or call 0844-822 0679.

RCI's Freedom of the Seas sails from Florida’s Space Coast ROYAL CARIBBEAN International’s Freedom of the Seas will sail 26 new cruises between May and October 2013 every Sunday from Port Canaveral of Florida’s Space Coast.

The cruises – alternating between seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries – will feature stars of DreamWorks entertainment such as Alex the Lion, Po the Dragon Warrior, Shrek and Fiona.

The proximity of Port Canaveral to the theme-park packed destination of Orlando means that holidaymakers can combine the cruises with three- and four-night stays at Universal Orlando Resort and benefit from savings. The package includes hotel and shipboard accommodations, multi-day passes to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, complimentary admission to select live entertainment venues at Universal CityWalk and ground transfers between airport, hotel, theme parks and the ship at port. On board the ship families can continue their entertainment theme with activities from the DreamWorks experience such as character breakfasts, parades and themed shows. Guests of all ages also enjoy the newly installed oversized video screen overlooking the main pool deck, while the youngest of the cruise line’s guests, six to 36 months old, are catered for in the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery.

This summer, Freedom of the Seas will be among the three Royal Caribbean International ships in the Caribbean to exclusively feature Madagascar 3 in 3D. The film is released in the UK in October.

On the Eastern Caribbean sailing, guests will call at St. Thomas, St. Maarten and CocoCay, the line's private island in the Bahamas. The Western Caribbean itinerary calls at Falmouth, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Labadee, the company's private beach destination on the north coast of Haiti.

Meanwhile, the ship's summer 2013 season is now open for bookings. Prices for a nine-night fly/cruise including flights from Manchester, one night’s pre-cruise hotel accommodation and a seven-night cruise including all meals and entertainment costs from £1,595 per person for departures in June 2013.

Visit www.royalcaribbean.co.uk and www.cruisingpower.co.uk or call 0844-493 2061.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S02 TB1805 News 1_Layout 1 16/05/2012 10:45 Page 7

THE HE E

TRAVEL AGENCIES

SU

M

AFFILIATE PROGRAMME

M

R E

A E W V I AY G Book & E

arn a

SUMME

R H O Fancy LIDAY w ith earning EXPEDIA some vouchers

to put towards booking your summer holiday?

Now you can, by booking accommodation with Expedia.* Make 3 bookings and earn 1 x £20 Expedia voucher.

Make 5 bookings and earn 2 x £20 Expedia vouchers.

Then, for every 5 bookings you make, earn another 2 x £20 Expedia vouchers!

To qualify for the vouchers you must be an Expedia travel agent affiliate – REGISTER for free at www.expedia.co.uk/travelagents Simply make your bookings via the normal process and we’ll send you your vouchers at the end of the campaign. Then all you have to do is decide where to go on holiday!

Enjoy your

SUMMER SUM MMER

HOLIDAY HO OLIDAY DA AY with AY TRAVEL AGENCIES

T W

AFFILIATE PROGRAMME

020 7107 2304 E taexpediauk@expedia.com www.expedia.co.uk/travelagents

*T *Terms Terms e & Conditions - Eligible booking per period riod to earn vouchers is May 10th - June 10th 10th 2012 (inclusive).

An inccludes at least £100 Expedia Special Rate Rate e (ESR) hotel. n eligible booking is any booking that includes V o ouchers must be redeemed by Septemberr 30th 2012, with date of travel no later than December 31st 2012.

Vouchers

See Se ee www www.expedia.co.uk/information/UKTAAP_MAY2012.aspx w.expedia.co.uk/information/U .

UK KTA AP_MA AY Y2012.aspx for full ter terms rms and conditions.

S02 TB1805 News 1_Layout 1 16/05/2012 10:45 Page 8

newsbulletin

e m o h At en...

e l i E with

Eileen worker nth? e m o h o as What h n up to this m e e b s ha

HE COUNTDOWN to the London 2012 Olympics has now begun and with the Olympic torch arriving in Britain next week, unfortunately the excitement has been dampened by the current controversy raging over UK border security. Even before the massive influx of overseas visitors arrive for the games, we are hearing reports of chaos at some of the country's busiest airports. Long and lengthy waits at passport control and safety issues with crowd control are causing great concern. Staff shortages, poor planning and a fear of racial profiling are just some of the reasons being blamed for this.

The investment in Olympics security has been massive.

Troops, armed police, warships and air-to-surface missiles will all be on standby to protect the public. However, when it comes to airport border control, it seems to be a different story. The BBC reports that leaked figures show that 880 officers (10%) have been cut from the UK Border Force since 2010 and even more staff cuts are planned-presumably as part of the government's austerity measures.

However, in the face of recent criticism, the government's response to the unacceptable queues at Britain’s airports has been to promise around 500 volunteers from across the Home Office and Revenue and Customs. They will be given four days' training at a cost of £2.5m and used to ensure all the passport desks are fully staffed at peak times for the four weeks of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. That's all very well but outside of these four weeks, it is still going to be a summer of airport chaos for all other travellers?

Everyone was led to believe that with the issue of biometric pasports and compulsory APIS information, this would make for a smoother transit through the airport but this doesn't seem to be the case. Few of us want border security to be compromised by waving everyone through passport control, but with ever increasing numbers of travellers and UK Border Force staff being cut, unfortunately this problem will only get worse unless this is given urgent attention.

There is one bit of good news, it's reported that about £85m has recently been spent on new Border Agency uniforms so staff look smart for arriving visitors.

Well, we wouldn't want to give a bad impression, would we?

Star Awards 2012 Vote for your industry favourites!

THE VOTES have been flooding in for Travel Bulletin’s 2012 Star Awards, which take place on Monday September 10 at the luxury fivestar Landmark Hotel in London, and there’s still time for you to vote!

You can vote online at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/awards or complete the loose insert in this issue.

By voting you’ll also have the chance of winning one of three top prizes, kindly donated by Jetset, including flights for two to any Spanish destination and a mixed case of fine wines.

To reserve tickets for this prestigious event or to discuss sponsorship opportunities email jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk or call 020-7834 6661.

T

Go

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

WEBSCLUSIVES ●

Don’t forget to cast your votes for the 2012 Travel Bulletin Star Awards – all completed entry forms are placed in a prize draw to win 2 return flights to Spain, courtesy of Jetset Flights. Closing date is Friday 1st June 2012. Go to: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/awards

●

Missed Travel Bulletin’s All About The Caribbean 2012 Supplement? You can still view it in digital format on www.travelbulletin.co.uk

●

Win a place on a Fam Trip to Hong Kong, courtesy of Funway and Hong Kong Tourism Board.

See www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions for entry details.

All this and more at:

by EILEEN SAUNDERS of Travel Counsellors To respond to any of Eileen’s comments email jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk

8

May 18 2012

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

S03 TB1805 News 2_Layout 1 16/05/2012 12:34 Page 9

agentbulletin Booking incentive ●

ANATOLIAN SKY Holidays is offering agents the chance to win a luxury boutique hotel stay in the UK for two people, a spa break or £50 worth of Love2Shop vouchers – available to the top three agents booking travel to Turkey before the end of June.

WIN A FAM WIN FAM TRIP T RIP TO O HONG G KONG! KO ONG

Shoppi ng in Mong Kok

Play & win AGENTS ARE being given the opportunity to strike it lucky with Travel 2 by testing their knowledge of Dubai. In a fun twist on hit Channel 4 show ‘The Million Pound Drop’, the trade-only operator has launched an online game called ‘100,000 Dirham Drop’, which will culminate in a live event giving three lucky agents the chance to play the game for real and win up to £5,000 in cash. The online game challenges agents to answer questions about Dubai and the operator's key partners in the region. Throughout this month up to 30 agents will win a place on a VIP fam trip to Dubai by playing the game. The VIP fam trip will include Business Class flights with Emirates, staying at the five-star properties of Atlantis The Palm and One&Only Royal Mirage.

All agents that participate in the game will also be invited to a special live ‘Dirham Drop’ event taking place on May 31 at Revolution in Manchester – where there will be more fam trip places up for grabs and three agents will be selected to play for £5,000 cash.

To register and play the game (by May 25) visit http://inputgames.co.uk/dirhamdrop

Dim Sum

La m m a Isl an d

B E IIN BE NW WITH ITH A C CHANCE HANCE T TO OW WIN IN AP PLACE L AC E O ON N THIS T H I S YEAR’S Y E A R ’ S FAM FA M H O N G KONG! KO N G !

TRIP T R I P TO TO HONG W With i t h 3 options options o off entr e n t r y available av a ila b l e ggiving i v i n g you y ou 3 chances c h a n c e s tto ow win, i n , yyou ou ccould ou l d ag e n t s jetting j e t t i n g off bee one b o n e of o f 9 lucky l u c k y agents of f o onn a 44-day - d a y trip t r i p in i n no ttime! ime!

11.. ENTER OUR O CHOPSTICKS CHALLENGE CHALLEN NGE BY VISITING WWW.TRAVELBULLETIN.CO.UK WWW W..T TRA AV VELBULLETIN CO VELBULLETIN.CO O.UK UK 2. BECOME EA KONG HONG K ONG O SPECIALIST WWW.SPECIALISTHK.COM WWW W..SP PECIALISTHK.COM KONG 3. MAKE A HONG K ONG O BOOKING FUNWAY! NG WITH FUNW WAY !

BOOKIN

FAJITA FRIENDS...pictured celebrating Virgin Atlantic's plan to start flying to Cancun from July 12 is Funway Holidays' Claire Campbell (left) and Cheryll Bisram . The operator is marking the new route with the launch of a new incentive for agents.

For the first 50 Mexico bookings made by May 31 featuring the new Virgin Atlantic route from Gatwick to Cancun, agents will win a 'Perfect Fajita Kit' by Discovery Foods. To apply, email the booking reference to win@funway.co.uk www.travelbulletin.co.uk

FOR MOR MORE RE DET DETAILS TAILS A VISIT USS A AT T

OR C CALL ALLL OUR EXPERIENC EXPERIENCED ED TRA TRAVEL VEL V AD ADVISORS VISORS ON 0844 0 557 3131

S03 TB1805 News 2_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:03 Page 10

opinionbulletin

W-AITO-Go!

by TED WAKE Deputy chairman, AITO Specialist Travel Agents and director, Kirker Holidays

How to convince your clients they need a great holiday

ORDON BENNETT! It’s official...the wettest April for a hundred years. We may arrive at the office a little damp, but at least the weather should help to encourage our beloved clients to book. We also have Her Majesty to thank for the forthcoming Double Jubilee Bank Holiday week coming up, low interest rates continue and, if that wasn’t enough, anyone travelling to the Eurozone will find that their spending money goes much further. So why aren’t the bu**ers rushing in droves to their favourite local agent to book a holiday?

Well it is, of course, more complicated than that. The general economic outlook remains poor, and whatever Dave & Nick do at Westminster, and whatever Brother Boris and local governments can do throughout the regional councils, there is still a high degree of anxiety about future prospects, and an overall lack of confidence.

And it is this last factor – the lack of confidence – that dampens demand and deters clients from making the commitment to book. BUT, however challenging the current market conditions, we have to hold our nerve, and we have to believe that what we are doing and the service we provide is relevant to the consumer’s needs. Indeed, there is an argument relating to the ‘age of austerity’ that says consumers need a holiday now more than ever and, if we remain upbeat and confident in our ability as the client’s ‘lifestyle management consultant’, our carefullycrafted tailor-made solutions will be impossible to resist.

At Kirker, although the last month has been tricky in terms of achieving the same booking-to-enquiry conversion rates that we managed last year, overall for 2012 we are running at +6% versus last year and, like a number of other specialist independent AITO operators, we remain cautiously optimistic about the remainder of the year. None of us takes anything for granted, and we are constantly reviewing our added-value offerings to include more concierge services within the holiday and, crucially, we spend more time in the pre-booking consultation phase.

As the clients’ ‘lifestyle consultant’ – rather like a doctor in a consultation room – we focus on diagnosing each patient’s condition before prescribing the perfect holiday solution, tailor-made for their specific needs.

One theme that is becoming increasingly relevant is the consumers’ view that booking online is a soul-destroying process – Internet Fatigue Syndrome is setting in, and we should all refocus our attention on the great advantage we have over any supplier who sells only via Websites. It is a bit obvious to say it (and younger readers can start

G

10

May 18 2012

smirking now), but clients love the interaction with their fellow human beings - whether on the telephone or face to face. However tough current trading conditions may be, in the age of austerity it is much easier to convince consumers that they need a great holiday – and you are the right person to ensure that their next holiday will be a sublime, relaxing experience that will exceed their best expectations. Look them in the eye, tell them that they look miserable, and remind them that life is far too short to risk it! Cheapness is not what they need. The reality is that now, more than ever before in the last five years, they need a damn good holiday – and they deserve it.

None of us expect the second half of the year to be easy, but there is good reason to remain confident and optimistic – discerning consumers need the help of an expert human being more than ever, and we need discerning consumers – so surely there must be great potential for both of us?

Returning briefly to my start-point, who was Gordon Bennett anyway?

He was a flamboyant New Yorker born in 1841 who was prone to somewhat erratic behaviour – hence the expletive often issued as an ‘expression of incredulity’ (see above). He had a controversial reputation but was a wealthy chap, prone to indulge in the purchase of elegant yachts, and he developed a taste for lavish mansions, but his favourite indulgence was to travel extensively in opulent style – whenever he possibly could. Have a quick check on your database under the name Bennett - you never know your luck!

Good luck and happy selling!

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

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S03 TB1805 News 2_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:03 Page 11

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: 065

Ma Bi Mu

A➠

B➠ The most populous city in India

C➠

Slang Primps

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:

City located within a famous Californian valley

Where Am I?

competition@travelbulletin.co.uk Closing date for entries is Thursday, May 24th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for 4th May is Pauline Dougherty, Travel Counsellors in Kent.

May 4 Solution: A=2 B=8 C=1 D=4

Colourful water in China

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

Number: 065

Across 1. Carrier with a logo of six linked rings, ___ Air (7) 4. Istanbul airport code (3) 6. Eurostar stop (5) 7. Capital of the Gem State (5) 8. Cradle Mountain is a popular tourist destination on this island (8) 11. This actor is The Lucky One, at a cinema near you (3,5) 14. Currency of Iceland (5) 15. Cruise company (5) 16. Digital TV and radio network (3) 17. Arctic holidays are their speciality (7)

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Down 1. First name of Essex lad featured in Life on Murs (4) 2. Popular Ukraine resort on the Black Sea (5) 3. Current movie Reunion: American ___ (3) 4. This island Rocks each summer with popular bands (5) 5. Mr Nelson, BBC DJ (6) 7. Canada's oldest National Park (5) 9. Holy city in Saudi Arabia (5) 10. Take to the helm with this holiday specialist (6) 11. Currency of Poland (5) 12. Royal Caribbean cruise ship, ___ of the Seas (5) 13. Historic city in Normandy (4) 15. Their hub is Prague Ruzyne airport (3)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 30 May 18 2012

11

S03 TB1805 News 2_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:03 Page 12

newsbulletin Jebel Ali on track to open four-star Dubai property JEBEL ALI International Hotels is preparing to open the Ocean View Hotel on The Walk at JBR beach in Dubai. The property, which will be Dubai’s only four-star beach hotel, is already built and all of the 341 rooms and suites feature sea views. Interior decorating and associate training procedures are presently in process and on track to be completed in time for the hotel’s late 2012 opening. The hotel will also offer five restaurants and bars, an executive lounge for guests staying in club rooms and suites, a pool, spa, health club, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

Qatar Airways announces new routes

VIRGIN LAUNCH...Virgin Atlantic has announced that it will launch new flights to Mumbai from October 28 from Heathrow. The daily flight will serve the UK and will also offer easy connections to cities in the US including New York, Boston, Chicago and Washington as part of the carrier's strategy to build a connecting network at Heathrow. The new route will be served by A330-300 aircraft configured in three classes: Upper Class with 33 seats, Premium Economy with 48 seats and Economy with 185 seats.

CYPRUS Widest selection of quality accommodations from 5 Boutique Hotels to Villas with Pools matched by product knowledge & 40 years experience

£40

incentive for every package holiday booking until further notice

To request brochure or booking call us on

020 8340 7612

Holidays Bookings over

£7,000

will receive an amazing gift of Bubbles & Truffles

Cyplon Supreme Agents Club email sales on how to join and what the benefits are

Price Matching Will be Considered Book on line www.cyplon.co.uk or Email: sales@cyplon.co.uk

12

May 18 2012

MYANMAR AND Iraq are among the highlights of Qatar Airways’ announcement of launch dates for new routes in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, with capacity hikes being introduced to a number of other international destinations from the carrier’s Doha hub.

Scheduled flights to Iraq will begin on May 23 with Erbil in the north, followed two weeks later by services to the capital Baghdad on June 7. Each route will be served with four non-stop flights a week from Doha.

From July 25, the airline will launch flights to Kilimanjaro, its second gateway in Tanzania and the daily services will operate via Nairobi.

From August 15, the carrier introduces its third African destination this year with the launch of flights to Mombasa – its second point in Kenya after the capital Nairobi. Each of the daily services will operate via the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam.

And starting from October 3, the company resumes operations to Myanmar following a fouryear absence on the route, linking Doha with the capital Yangon.

Meanwhile, the airline reports that new route Perth is experiencing "excellent sales" for its three times weekly flights which will commence on July 3. The Perth route goes daily in December at the peak of the holiday season.

For more information visit www.qatarairways.com

Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter... @AITOHQ Learn how to make authentic south Indian food on a gourmet cookery class with AITO member Kerala Connections: http://bit.ly/Ksoome @cottages4you Save up to 50% on last minute holiday cottage arrivals all over the UK. Take a look at our Late Deals list http://bit.ly/g5wBV5. @Travelbag1979 Supermodel Miranda Kerr & husband Orlando Bloom spotted in Tahiti. 7nts @ 5* Radisson Plaza ResortTahiti frm £1,619 pp inc flights-Travelbag @FunwayHolidays Think Cancun? Book Funway! 7 nights 3* The Flamingo Cancun Resort & Plaza All-inclusive Hotel, BA flights & Transfers £735pp!! @AKVillas We're always on the lookout for a good read.

What was the last book you read while travelling?

Join in on facebook > http://on.fb.me/IVXuDy @tropicalsky Tropical Sky is pleased to announce the opening date of its exclusively featured The SoCo Hotel http://bit.ly/K2OL2u #barbados @ACEtweeting RCL Cruises Ltd has seen sales leap in the early part of May as travel agents get behind its recently launched marketing campaigns

Follow us on Twitter! http://twitter.com/ TravelBulletin www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S03 TB1805 News 2_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:03 Page 13

newsbulletin Virgin Holidays issues Florida 2013 brochure VIRGIN HOLIDAYS has launched its Florida Brochure 2013, featuring Rockstar Service benefits, early booking discounts and exclusive offers.

The brochure offers flexibility and choice on a wide range of hotels and seat availability, as well as a range of new additions, such as the Providence Golf & Country Club - a new village complex that offers four- and five-bedroom superior Orlando villas with their own pool and screened-in porch, 15 minutes from Walt Disney World Resorts.

Also new is a pre-bookable ‘Dine Around’ package which includes meal vouchers for breakfast and the option of lunch and dinner at a variety of restaurants in the International Drive, Kissimmee and Lake Buena Vista areas.

The package can be booked for seven- or 14-day durations with prices starting from £149 per adult and £99 per child for seven breakfasts and seven lunch or dinners.

Customers can also save up to £248 per family of four when booking a seven-day package and staying at the exclusive NV Hotel, the Quality Inn International, The Enclave Suites, Clarion Inn or Radisson Resort Orlando.

The offers are valid for bookings made before June 30.

Prices in the new brochure start from £699 for seven nights in Kissimmee on a room-only basis.

For more information visit www.virginholidays.co.uk or call 0844-557 3859.

Newsbites ●

●

●

●

●

CENTARA HOTELS & Resorts has opened Centara Hospitality Centre at Phuket International Airport designed to provide guests and travel representatives with a meet-and-greet point and to provide support and information on the growing number of Centara properties on the island.

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES has introduced an improved summer schedule from Heathrow to Lilongwe effective from June 16. Three weekly flights will operate via Addis Ababa and another three will operate via Addis and Lubumbashi.

Visit www.flyethiopian.com, call 020-8987 2480 or email lonso@ethiopianairlines.com NYC & COMPANY, New York City’s official tourism and marketing organisation, has announced that New York City has set a new goal to generate $70billion in annual economic impact from travel and tourism by 2015.

AIR CHINA is expanding its services from Gatwick with the launch of a non-stop service to Beijing four times weekly from the beginning of next month.

CARRENTALS.CO.UK HAS chosen the 4 Cancer Group for its upcoming ‘Book & Donate’ campaign. The company has selected six days over the next quarter where £1 of every booking made on the site will be donated to the charity.

All About Me Job Title: Manager Company: Intrepid My Adventure Store Location: Islington, London

STRANGE BUT TRUE...

MY BIG MISTAKE...

I was once asked by a customer to guarantee that there would be no insects at a Bedouin camp in Iran.

On my very first day in my first travel agency job, I had a customer who wanted to go to Egypt. They were not impressed when I couldn't find it on a map!

WHAT’S WORKING FOR ME...

No. of years in current job: 3

If you’d like to take part in ‘All About Me’, send an email to jill.sayles@travelbullin.co.uk or call 020 7834 6661

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Rebecca McKernan

We specialise in selling adventure holidays and recently there's been more interest in walking and cycling trips. Maybe Olympic fever is inspiring people to get active!

MY FAVOURITE DESTINATION IS…

Guatemala, particularly the Mayan ruins at Tikal and the nearby town of Flores. It's a beautiful place and it sounds clichéd, but you'll meet some of the nicest people in WHAT’S HOT & WHAT’S NOT... the world there. I'd happily pack my bags We've been selling a lot of trips to Peru and and move there tomorrow!

Latin America lately, and Vietnam and MY TIP FOR INDUSTRY NEWCOMERS...

India are always strong sellers for us.

I'd tell anyone new to the industry to be Egypt is not hot right now, but should be. patient and not expect to know everything Passengers are still wary of booking trips straight away - it's a big world out there! to Egypt, but the country needs their Also to enjoy it and stay passionate about tourism. travel - it shouldn't just be about making I WANT TO LEARN... money.

I speak some Spanish, but I'd like to learn CLOSING THE DEAL...

French so that I could work there later in I tend to be quite direct and just ask if my career. they're ready to go ahead and book, or if OVERHEARD IN MY AGENCY... they need more information.

One of my colleagues said to a customer IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING... that they shouldn't book their own flights I'd like more solidarity between travel because he'd spent three weeks getting agents, so that we don't snatch clients just intensive training on flight bookings, and he wanted to put his expertise to good use! by offering them a cheaper price.

May 18 2012

13

S03 TB1805 News 2_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:03 Page 14

personalitybulletin

Nicky Yates The business development manager north from Attraction World is partial to Double Decker chocolate bars and would like to appear on ITV’s The Cube to see how she’d get on...

Who is your ideal travelling companion?

Someone organised (because I’m not), easy going and up for a laugh.

"If I were not doing this job I would probably be a dolphin trainer or perhaps a crime scene investigator"

What's your earliest childhood memory?

I have a bit of a bad memory so my earliest memories are from our family holidays to Beesons Holiday Camp in Devon.

Where was your last work-related trip?

Mallorca – ABTA Conference in October 2011. My colleague and I flew in to help host our sponsored party night and then flew back out again - it’s a tough job but somebody has to do it!

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

I would probably be Ellen DeGeneres because she is extremely funny and attractive, and has a great outlook on life.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Funny, kind and caring.

What have your travels taught you?

There are so many wonderful places in the world to discover...many different cultures and interesting people to meet.

What is the best advice you recall?

You only live once, so try and experience everything you possibly can.

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

Probably Double Decker chocolate bars.

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

1) Fewer discounting – by discounting so much we teach the customer to expect a discount and ask every time they book a holiday whereas, in fact, the customer should be paying full price for the

14

May 18 2012

Career path ●

● ● ● ● ●

1989-1991: Airtours Holidays PLC - kids’ rep/overseas rep.

1992-1997: Cresta Holidays – reservations department 1998-2000: Holiday Autos – sales exec north 2000-2003: Cresta Holidays – account manager north 2003-2006: Holiday Extras – account manager north 2007-2010: Hotels4u.com – sales manager north – Retail 2011-present: Attraction World – business development manager north

specialised advice and first class service the majority of agents offer. 2) Paperless travel – we are now in the 21st century so everything in our pioneering industry should be paper-free to help the environment. 3) I’d like to see travel agents earn even more profit – at Attraction World we constantly see agents work hard to get customers through the door then find a holiday to match their requirements but they then let the customer leave the shop without pre-booking the main activities they’re going to do when they get there. The extra commission earned from ancillary providers can make a massive difference to an agent’s bottom line.

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

There are two people. The first was the late and extremely great Keith Byrne from my Cresta Holidays days – he would enter the room like a whirlwind, lift your spirits and keep you motivated. Weirdly enough, the second is the ‘big boss’ of my current employer Attraction World – Mr Tony Seaman. I promise I’m not after a pay rise here but I worked for Tony for four years at Holiday Autos when I first started my career as a business development manager many moons ago, and his sales meetings were the best; not only were they extremely funny, but they were unbelievably motivating. The good thing for me is that I now get to work for him again.

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

I think I would like to be a dolphin trainer or perhaps a crime scene investigator.

What is your motto in life?

Keep smiling; there is always someone worse off than you.

What was your nickname at school and why?

‘Smiler’...quite apt I think, still smiling to this day.

Is there anything that you dislike about the travel industry?

The only thing I would say is the money sometimes isn’t as good as in other industries, but we’re not all in it for the money, thank goodness.

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

Apart from my soaps that would be The Cube. I always wonder how I would get on in there and would I know when to stop and not gamble?!

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S04 TB1805 Training_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:14 Page 15

training You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist!

by Hoda Lacey

M

ANAGING CONFLICT in the workplace is an essential skill. If you work with other people, not only will you come into conflict with some of them but you will also be called upon to resolve conflicts at some point. That is why identifying and minimizing interpersonal conflict is recognised by the Management Charter Initiative as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Occupational standards for Managers.

Resolving conflicts Resolving a conflict and solving a problem are two different matters. Problems may be resolved rationally. Conflict is emotional and messy. You need to examine your own part in a conflict and put aside pride, resentment, fear, anger and guilt.

Conflict is neither good nor bad. How you deal with it is what matters. Resolving conflict is not avoiding or suppressing it.

My work brings me face to face with conflict on a regular basis. I see its effect on morale, on team behaviour, on motivation, on productivity and, ultimately, on profit.

Unmanaged employee conflict may be the largest reducible cost in organisations today and probably the least recognised.

It is estimated that there was a 50% jump in the use of industrial tribunals between 2009 and 2010 alone!

Conflict costs money The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development estimates that poorly managed conflict in the UK costs £24billion per annum. People don’t leave poor jobs, they leave poor managers and 50% of employees caught in a conflict situation at work will leave their jobs.

Many managers tell me that if they did not have to spend so much time solving problems, they would have more time to do their job properly. In a recent survey, respondents estimated

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

that they spent between 10% and 20% of their week dealing with disagreements and more than a third said that managers do not have the necessary skills to deal with it. Can you imagine how much lost time that represents? Surely the time spent on training managers to deal with the emotional fallout is just as important as learning the legal and HR procedures?

Stress, de-motivation, anxiety or resentment are direct results of conflict and they are the main contributors to lack of productivity and performance.

I have seen good employees leave organisations because they could not handle conflict. And top management turn a blind eye, denying that such problems exist within their organisation. They hope that by ignoring conflict for long enough it will resolve itself. Unfortunately, conflict may go underground for a while, but it will resurface with a vengeance when we are least expecting it.

Adopt a win/win outlook There are specific skills required to manage conflict at work.

You may be skilled in one aspect but not another. The danger is that if you are skilled in using a hammer, then every problem will probably look like a nail! If an approach has worked in the past, we tend to make the problem adapt to our solution next time.

Everyone can become more co-operative, adopt a win/win outlook and be the one to take the first step– even if you think the other person is at fault! We are often prepared to accept apologies or let bygones be bygones so long as someone else takes the first step! No one said resolving conflict is easy. ✦

For more information call Hoda on 01923-828085 or visit www.hodalacey.co.uk

May 18 2012

15

S04 TB1805 Training_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:14 Page 16

training Heritage Hotels, Kenya launches new agent training

TABLE MANNERS... Serenity Holidays held an agent training workshop earlier this month, which focused on the appeal of Corsica and Sardinia, as well as the product offered through Corsican Places and Sardinian Places brands. Pictured enjoying refreshments at the training are, from the left: Ed Texier, Southsea Travel@21; Sandra Tuck, Chandelle Travel; Louise Davies, Roger Walker Travel; Julie Hanby and Catherine Allison, Winchester Travel Service; Kimberley Boyton, Ambassador Travel; Frances Cloude and Lucie Jones, Liphook Travel; and Edward Waite-Roberts, Chandelle Travel.

Las

t ch

anc

e to

boo

k!

Invites you to attend a

Greece & Cyprus Showcase Agent Networking Evening

Tuesday 29th May 2012 Elysée Restaurant, London W1 Travel Bulletin is delighted to invite you to this informative, fun event involving a combination of networking, presentations, exciting entertainment, delicious food and wine and a free prize draw with a number of fabulous prizes to be won!

To confirm your place at this amazing event, email the names and job titles of up to 4 staff members to jeanette@travelbulletin.co.uk or telephone 020 7834 6661 for more information.

Exhibitors

16

May 18 2012

HERITAGE HOTELS, Kenya has launched a new online agent training programme with Online Travel Training (OTT).

The new tool is accessible to more than 33,000 agents on OTT's database and includes key selling points, details about all seven properties and the latest news.

The site also features maps, tour operator listings and wildlife updates, all designed to boost agent sales and confidence. Agent concessions and booking rewards are also featured.

For details visit www.heritage hotelstraining.com and www.heritageeastafrica.com

Put a face to a place with the Canadian Tourism Commission THE CANADIAN Tourism Commission and industry partners are inviting travel agents to put a face to a place at its free training events.

Agents looking to sort out the Rocky Mountaineer from the Rockies and the “Canadian” from the “Chaleur” (both trains) and be able to tell clients the best ways to experience Niagara Falls up close, will learn about a range of facts and experiences the destination has to offer.

The training events take place in Southampton on June 27, in Birmingham on June 28, in Hertfordshire on September 12 and in Newcastle Upon Tyne on September 13.

The events commence at 18.30 and finish at 22.00 and include dinner and drinks.

Agents interested in attending should email visitcanada@dial.pipex.com stating which city they are interested in attending.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S05 TB1805 Turkey_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:19 Page 17

turkey Destination capitalises on demand with new developments

by LAURETTA WRIGHT

T

URKEY HAS long been a popular holiday destination for UK visitors, and despite the global downturn the destination is continuing to buck the trend and attract holidaymakers seeking a variety of experiences.

The Turkish Culture and Tourism Office (TCTO) reports that British visitor numbers to Turkey were up by 8.63% in the first three months of this year and that with its burgeoning economy, Turkey offers a great draw for British business travellers as well as holidaymakers.

Capitalising on this demand, operators, airlines and hoteliers are all expanding their programmes to include new destinations and increase capacity.

For example, a number of airlines have increased frequency and added new routes, including Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Atlasjet and Jet2.

Tolga Tuyluoglu, the director of the TCTO, said: “Airports are also expanding with Istanbul's Ataturk Airport doubling its capacity within a year to 70 aircraft an hour with a new fourth runway meeting its estimated needs for the next ten years. A new terminal will also open at Bodrum's Milas airport in spring with a capacity of up to five million passengers and serving around 40 destinations.”

Meanwhile, new hotels include four new Hiltons in Kusadasi, Malatya, Samsun and Istanbul and Turkey's first Le Meridien hotel overlooking the Bosphorus in Istanbul's Etiler district.

There are also some significant events happening in the medium term, which will help to encourage even more visitors to Turkey. These include the 2020 World EXPO in Izmir where 16million visitors are anticipated and Istanbul's bid for the 2020 Olympics.

Tuyluoglu believes that British holidaymakers will positively receive any campaign that highlights the destination’s lifestyle. And the TCTO’s latest campaign, Unlimited Turkey, does just that.

Primarily focusing on culture and history in order to show how Turkey differs from other destinations, the strategy behind the campaign is to communicate Turkey as an eclectic destination with modern cities, beaches, historical landmarks and mountains that have the old-world European charm.

Tuyluoglu said: “We are also increasing the promotion of our city-break destinations around Turkey such as Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara. For instance, being 2010 European Capital of Culture has brought Istanbul into the spotlight and we are continuing this promotion through advertising and PR; indeed, Istanbul is now regarded as one of Europe’s top city break destinations and the figures prove this, with a spectacular

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

year-on-year increase of 46.68% in foreign visitors to Istanbul in the first three months of 2012, equating to 1,605,741 visitors.

“Ecotourism is also becoming increasingly important in Turkey with, for example, organic farms offering holidaying opportunities. We have a policy of encouraging 'green' hotels and are giving special licenses to environmentallyfriendly properties.”

The wide variety of accommodation in Turkey, complemented by an abundant choice of attractions and activities, is another plus point for the destination’s popularity.

Tuyluoglu said: “There are world-class archaeological sites to explore (Perge, Side, Phaselis, Demre), cultural attractions to enjoy (Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, Golden Orange Film Festival), stunning natural wonders to appreciate (Manavgat and Kursunlu waterfalls, Saklikent Gorge) and trekking, wildlife and even skiing (in and around the Taurus mountains) to try.

“Turkey is also proud to be hosting ABTA’s 2012 Travel Convention in Belek in October, the first time in more than two decades that it will be held in Turkey.”

Turkey’s value for money has been a main contributing factor for its continued popularity and this shows no sign of abating; the Post Office Travel Money’s 2012 Holiday Costs Barometer has found that falling prices in Turkey have meant that prices are now on par with 2008 when Turkey was a magnet for UK tourists in search of a bargain deal. The 2012 turnaround comes as restaurants and bars appear to have cut prices to bring back business, resulting in a drop of 12% in local costs. This benefit has been compounded by the stronger pound, which is currently giving UK tourists 14% more Turkish cash in their travel wallets.

Add to this new events and developments and the wider choice of operator programmes to choose from, and it comes as no surprise that predictions for visitor arrivals for the next 12 months are ambitious, with the TCTO expecting more than 2.5million arrivals from the UK this year, and the figures so far are looking promising.

Tuyluoglu said: “There is high consumer satisfaction with Turkey by British visitors according to research conducted by Mintel; moreover, the same research cites half of British visitors from the UK are repeat visitors.

“Turkey is also one of the leading short-haul destinations for travel from the UK, increasingly serving niche markets such as adventure travel and city-breaks such as Istanbul, which has become a huge and growing hub to connections around the world.” ✦

May 18 2012

17

S05 TB1805 Turkey_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:19 Page 18

turkey Jet2.com announces summer 2013 prices from £68.99 including taxes JET2.COM HAS today announced that Eastern Mediterranean favourites, Turkey and Cyprus, are now on sale for summer 2013, with more flights to the holiday hotspots and prices starting from £68.99 including taxes.

The airline has launched new direct flights from Glasgow to Bodrum and has also increased the number of flights to

Bodrum and Dalaman from Leeds Bradford Airport.

Flights to Bodrum depart from East Midlands, Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Glasgow and Newcastle airports up to twice weekly from £69.99 including taxes.

Flights to Dalaman depart from East Midlands, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle airports up

to four times a week from £69.99 including taxes.

Package holidays from sister company, Jet2holidays, lead in at £365 per person including flights, transfers and a 22kg baggage allowance.

For more information or to book visit www.Jet2.com and www.Jet2holidays.com PETER SOMMER Travels has introduced a six-day 'Exploring Cappadocia' tour for this year. The tour departs on September 3 and includes an early morning balloon flight over the landscape. Prices lead in at £1,375 per person, based on two sharing, including transfers , five nights' breakfast accommodation, most meals, all entrance fees and guides. Flights are extra. The operator has also introduced a 15-day gulet cruise, A Carian Odyssey, which departs on September 8. The cruise sails along the Carian coastline and is led by archaeologist Heinrich Hall, visiting sites such as the marbled harbour city of Knidos and the cliffface tombs of Kaunos, with time to enjoy quiet coves, scenic walks and local food.

Prices start from £3,425 per person, based on two sharing, and include 14 nights’ fullboard on the gulet, all entrance fees and a guide. Flights are extra.

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

Gourmet Istanbul tour from Arblaster & Clarke

SALE now on!

Early B

ooki Discountsng Save £100 per couple Free upgrades

ARBLASTER & Clarke Wine Tours has announced a new gourmet tour to Istanbul for November.

The four-night Gourmet Istanbul tour is from November 19-23 and leads in at £1,499 per person.

Accommodation is in a traditional four-star boutique hotel in the heart of the Sultanahmet, the Kensington of Istanbul. Over the five-day tour guests will receive an insight into the country via its food, culture and wine.

The tour includes breakfast accomodation, two participatory cookery lessons with a lunch and dinner respectively with wines, one gourmet walk with lunch, dinner with wines on the first evening and tutored wine tasting. An optional tour of the souk is also available for a small additional cost.

For more information visit www.winetours.co.uk

Unspoilt Turkey & North Cyprus with your award winning specialist tour operator Specialising in boutique, family-run and luxury hotels in authentic resorts plus tailor-made itineraries and guided tours for your clients to really explore our destinations.

Remember we pay £5 Love2Shop vouchers for every package holiday you book, plus fantastic prizes for the top selling agents.

Visit www.anatolianskyexpert.co.uk to take our online training course!

For expert advice, reservations and agency support call:

08445 71 91 12 or visit

www.anatoliansky.co.uk.

To order brochures visit www.trade-gate.co.uk

18

May 18 2012

Viewdata ASK#

New four-day Cappadocia break from Intrepid INTREPID'S NEW Short Break Adventures brochure includes a four-day break in the Cappadocia region in eastern Turkey.

A 'Cappadocia Explorer' leads in at £350 per person and includes three nights' accommodation in Goreme, a guided tour of an underground city, dinner with a local family in a cave house, a full day walking tour to the valleys, canyons and vineyards, an evening Sufi performance at a restored historic inn that was once a stop on the silk route, half-day guided bike tour to the best viewpoints, and a Turkish folklore performance and feast held in a cave. An optional balloon ride can also be added to bookings for €165.

For details see www.intrepidtravel.com

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S05 TB1805 Turkey_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:19 Page 19

turkey Neilson unveils new property developments NEILSON HOLIDAYS has unveiled new developments in Turkey including the newly refurbished Neilson Seaside Beachclub in Ortakent, which has undergone a â‚Ź500,000 makeover in time for summer.

The company's Adakoy Beachclub has also recently been expanded with an additional 36 new rooms plus upgrades to public areas.

While the operator's board offering currently includes daily breakfast, daily lunch and four evening meals, customers can now also opt in for a full board upgrade at all Beachclubs.

For more information visit www.neilson.co.uk

Mark Warner promotes reduced prices at Sea Garden Resort MARK WARNER is highlighting its all-inclusive Sea Garden Resort near Bodrum, where prices have been reduced from ÂŁ771 to ÂŁ595 per person.

The new price is based on departures from London for seven nights on an all-inclusive basis, plus flights and transfers.

The property has also doubled its sailing area to offer better opportunities for sailors and windsurfers.

The operator's head, Robert Sanday, said: "Our Sea Garden Resort sells very well with our travel agent partners and our guests who stay there have a very high level of satisfaction. This suits agents very well as it is very likely that they will book to go again.

"Also good for agents to know is that we have an all-inclusive hotel within our portfolio, and particularly one which is popular with active customers who enjoy the added benefits of watersports and childcare, which are included in the holiday cost.�

For more information call 0844-273 6826 or email agencysales@markwarner.co.uk

Sea Garden

TURKEY Prestige Holidays offers a hand picked selection of luxury boutique hotels to larger resort properties near Antalya, Fethiye, Gocek, Dalaman and Bodrum. All include private transfers and the usual exceptional Prestige service and value.

Ask us about our offers for summer 2012, including children stay free and reduced rate offers. Prices from ÂŁ643 per person for 7 nights in October.

Don’t forget you will receive Love to Shop vouchers for each booking made.

More affordable luxury holidays from your local airport.

Prestige Holidays on 01425 480400 or www.prestigeholidays.co.uk

S05 TB1805 Turkey_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:19 Page 20

turkey Anatolian Sky Holidays adds new properties for summer ANATOLIAN SKY Holidays has added a selection of properties to its portfolio for summer.

Within easy reach of the cobbled streets and picturesque harbour of Kalkan, the Asfiya Hotel offers a tranquil setting with a large freshwater pool, wellness centre and rooftop terrace with views of the bay. Also in Kalkan, the adults-only Likya Residence & Spa offers luxury spa facilities which include a traditional Turkish bath and a range of pampering therapies. Also new is the Bay Beach Club near the harbour town of Fethiye. The wooden bungalows are set in gardens which lead down to the seafront and secluded beach.

Meanwhile, the operator has added a new destination to its programme. The Princes' Islands are a chain of nine islands in the Marmara Sea and lie an hour’s ferry ride from Istanbul. The islands are a popular summer retreat with pine forests, monasteries, historic villas, as well as beaches and markets. No cars are allowed on the islands so they are very peaceful and visitors travel at a leisurely pace on foot, by bicycle or in a horse-drawn cart. The operator is featuring seven-night twin centre holidays including four nights in Istanbul and three nights in Heybeliada, the second largest of the Princes’ Islands. The

company has also included several new tailor-made sample itineraries for 2012, including the seven-night ‘Traditional Turkey’ self-drive tour, which includes a stay in Istanbul before heading to a traditional Turkish village, where visitors can experience all aspects of village life including milking cows, collecting eggs, playing folk games and watching a reenactment of a village wedding. The tour ends with a trip to the Ottoman-style town of Safranbolu and a stay in the capital, Ankara. Prices start from £1,129 per person.

The operator's managing director, Akin Koc, said: "Our luxury gulet cruises are selling well and we have chartered four boats this year and added one further, the Lycian Princess, to meet demand. These traditional Turkish boats offer a unique experience and are a great opportunity to explore more unusual and unspoilt parts of the coast. The cabins are luxurious and fully equipped, and dining on board is excellent, with homemade specialities usually cooked by the captain’s wife.

"Our tailor-made holidays are also doing well as we are finding that more and more clients want to explore the historical and cultural background of Turkey – 10,000 years of history and 16 different civilisations have made modern day Turkey.”

Attraction World offers free boat trip when booking selection of tours ATTRACTION WORLD is offering a free 'Cruise the Blues' boat trip with lunch to holidaymakers booking one of eight specific tours in the Marmaris and Icmeler area.

The offer applies to tours booked by November 30 and all tickets are fully commissionable to agents.

As examples, a scuba diving tour costs £15 per adult and £13 per child aged seven-12, an Ephesus tour costs £55 per adult and £28 per child, a Pamukkale trip leads in at £52 for adults and £26 for children and a Koycegiz Lake and Dalyan (Caunos) option costs £25 per adult and £13 per child.

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

Prestige offers week’s stay at Gloria Golf Belek for £1,222 per adult & £293 per child beach tennis, water gym, G volley, archery, aerobics, dance lessons, bowling, billiards and air rifle tournaments.

Families wanting to stick to a budget should opt for the allinclusive option with a varied selection of restaurants to tempt. " The company is offering a week's stay for a family of four at Gloria Golf (two adults and two children sharing a suite) from £1,222 per adult and £293 for a child under seven years and a second child under 12 years on an all-inclusive basis, including easyJet flights from Gatwick and private transfers.

For more information visit www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/turkey or call 01425-480400.

PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS reports a 26% increase in Turkey sales for this year over 2011.

The operator's marketing manager, Nicky Shafe, said: "We introduced Turkey in 2009 and have seen a steady increase in sales each year. It looks like this trend is set to continue with a good rise for this summer. Our most popular hotels are the Gloria Golf and Gloria Serenity Resorts in Belek and the Ece Saray in Fethiye.

"The Gloria resorts are great for families as they offer a wide choice of facilities including two 18-hole championship courses plus a nine-hole course. There is also a waterpark, pedaloes, climbing wall, bungee trampoline, beach football,

FLEXIBLE TURKEY

Totally

–

BODRUM

–

DALAMAN

WIDE CHOICE OF FLEXIBLE DURATIONS FROM 3 TO OVER 100 NIGHTS! FLIGHTS FROM BIRMINGHAM, LUTON & MANCHESTER

May 18 2012

ected ot

ABTA No.V0531

days

0871 423 8518

(Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras) Brochure requests: www.trade-gate.co.uk

20

GATWICK, li ho

Reservations & Admin

£229pp

All package s j COBLK =?? include HFFH@=LCHG

and transfe rs

Fully pr

ANTALYA

Prices from (7 Nights)

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S06 TB1805 Wildlife & Safaris_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:23 Page 21

wildlife&safaris View from Xugana Island Lodge, Botswana

Free sightseeing pass with Botswana & Cape Town combo TO CELEBRATE the launch of the Air Botswana direct flights between Cape Town and Maun in Botswana, Visions of Africa is offering a special safari and city break with six nights in Botswana staying at three safari lodges and five nights in the V&A Waterfront, in Cape Town.

Two nights are spent in the Okavango Delta, with waterbased game viewing, followed by two nights in Savute, famous for its lion prides, and two nights in the Magkadikgadi. Accommodation is in luxury lodges on a fully inclusive basis with all game viewing activities included.

The direct flight arrives into Cape Town where a private

transfer takes guests to their hotel in the Waterfront area to spend five nights in a deluxe room on a bed-and-breakfast basis at the Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge.

For bookings made before June 30, the operator is including a free two-day pass for the Cape Town sightseeing bus, which stops at all of the top sights around the city including Table Mountain, Cape Point, Boulders Beach and wine-tasting venues.

The package includes flights from Heathrow and private transfers and leads in at £3,560 per person, based on two people travelling.

Specialist Morocco offers republicans’ Moroccan Desert Safari SPECIALIST MOROCCO is offering republicans an escape from the onslaught of flag-waving royalists who will be celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee at the beginning of next month: The Republicans’ Desert Safari.

The trip offers the option of staying two or three nights sleeping in a choice of large Caidal eco-tents under the Saharan sky.

Travelling privately the Saharan adventure starts from Marrakech and begins with a scenic ascent of the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass. After a visit to the World Heritage Kasbah at Ait Benhaddou guests will traverse the Draa Valley, which is regarded as one of the most scenic routes in Morocco.

This is followed by a brief stop in Zagora, once the final stop-off for caravans before they entered the solitude of the Hamada’s, before heading to Tagounite, one of the last major settlements before the Moroccan Sahara.

From here the Sahara Desert and the tented eco-camp await. Set in a wilderness location and surrounded by a classic desert landscape, a variety of activities are possible from camp.

As examples, short excursions can be taken to nearby small oases and dunes by 4x4 or, alternatively guests can take a walk to nearby mountains, explore adobe villages or take a camel ride. For guests spending a third night in camp there is time to

take an optional day trip to the remote wild dunes of Chegaga possibly encountering camel caravans and desert nomads on the way.

The two-night break costs from £165 per person, based on two sharing and staying in a Caidel tent with an ensuite bathroom, or from £150, also with a private bathroom but not ensuite. A three-night stay costs from £320.

Prices include pick-up/drop-off in Marrakech, travel in private 4x4, accommodation, breakfast and dinner plus one lunch on three-day safaris and two lunches on the four-day safari.

For more information or to book call 020-7193 2461 or visit www.saharasafaricamp.co.uk

Branson's Kenyan Safari Camp to open in 2013 THE KENYA Tourist Board is eagerly anticipating the newest addition to its safari camp offering, Sir Richard Branson's Mahali Mzuri luxury tented camp in Western Kenya.

Mahali Mzuri, which means 'beautiful place' in Swahili, is scheduled to open next year. It will offer an African safari

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

experience featuring 12 luxury tented suites with spacious bedrooms and decks with views, two family tents sleeping two adults and two children and game drives in 13,500 hectares, as well as an outdoor infinity pool.

For more information, visit www.mahalimzuri.virgin.com/en and www.magicalkenya.com

May 18 2012

21

S06 TB1805 Wildlife & Safaris_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:23 Page 22

splash out...

...dramatic safari experiences

+44 (0)207 647 101 1018 18 dparr@botswanatourism.org.uk dparr@botswanat tourism.org.uk botswanatourism.org.uk botswanatourism. org.uk

S06 TB1805 Wildlife & Safaris_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:24 Page 23

wildlife&safaris Disney's "African Cats" offer the purrr-fect inspiration for a Kenyan safari DISNEY'S AFRICAN Cats' opened in UK cinemas at the end of last month and it is hoped that the film will inspire many families to book a Kenyan safari this year to see the big cats first-hand.

With this in mind, two tour operators are offering a Cheetah Serena and Lion Serena safari in Kenya's Maasai Mara with flights on Kenya Airways.

Kuoni is offering seven nights at the four-star Cheetah Serena Safari in Kenya staying in standard rooms on a mixed meal plan, including flights, transfers and game drives. Prices lead in at £1,949 per person based on two sharing for departures in November.

For details call 01306 747008 or see www.kuoni.co.uk Somak Holidays is offering the Lion Serena Safari in Kenya including a two-night flying safari at the five-star Mara Serena Safari Lodge plus three

nights on the beach at the four-starplus Serena Beach Hotel & Spa, north of Mombasa. Adult prices lead in at £1,985 per person based on two sharing and one child sharing with two adults costs from £1,425 based on an August departure. The price includes flights, transfers, full board accommodation plus game drives on safari and half-board in Mombasa. For details call 020-8423 3000 or visit www.somak.co.uk Meanwhile, Serena Hotels is advising families wanting to see African Cats first-hand to stay at its properties. The company offers prime locations, personalised service and is family-friendly, catering for families with facilities such as triple rooms and family suites where equipment such as baby cots, nets, nappies and bottle fills can be provided. For older

children the company offers high chairs, kids' menus and earlier meal times, as well as activities aimed at entertaining, educating and inspiring interest and respect for Africa, its nature and its culture.

Most properties also offer a babysitting/child supervision service.

As examples, at the Mara Serena Safari Lodge, activities for children include nature walks around the Mara eco-system, watching Maasai Dancing, hippo pool picnics and family game drives at dusk and dawn to spot Africa's Big Five.

At Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge families can try drives around the lake, mountain biking, bird walks, canoeing safaris or a bicycle tour of a local cultural village.

For more information visit www.serenahotels.com

Carrier highlights range of safari experiences for agents to promote CARRIER IS promoting a selection of safaris for agents to sell to clients.

As examples, at Little Governors' Camp, the BBC's Planet Earth live film crew has set up at Governors Camp in the Masai Mara, and the latest wildlife documentary Planet Earth Live will be broadcast live this month. The team will be focusing on the Marsh Pride of Lions of the Masai Mara for the series.

The operator is featuring an itinerary that includes three nights at Loldia House, Lake Naivasha (on full board with soft drinks, beer and house wines) and four nights on safari at Little Governors Camp in the Masai Mara (on full board with game drives).

The seven-night holiday costs from £2,515 per person,

based on two sharing, and includes flights from Heathrow with Kenya Airways, internal flights and transfers and is based on a June 18 departure.

Other experiences being highlighted are a three-night stay at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort on Vancouver Island in Canada for £4,710 per person on an all-inclusive basis, excluding flights; a five-night stay split between King Pacific Lodge, a Rosewood Resort on Princess Royal Island in Canada, and Shangri-La Vancouver for £5,220 per person including flights; and a three-night full board stay at Jack’s Camp in Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana, from £1,435 per person, including local drinks and game viewing activities.

For more information call 0161-492 1353 or visit www.carrier.co.uk

AFRICAN PRIDE has reported a marked increase in enquiries and bookings to Tanzania. The operator's sales manager, David Holland, said: “Tanzania offers such a great variety of options the big game of the Serengeti and Selous, chimpanzee tracking in the Mahale Mountains, the history and beautiful beaches of Zanzibar and even the challenge of Mount Kilimanjaro.” As an example of a classic game and beach combination the operator has a three-night safari, taking in the northern circuit parks of Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire, before heading to Zanzibar for a week’s stay at the Pongwe Beach Hotel from £2,449 per person. For details call 01904-619428 or visit www.african-pride.co.uk

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

May 18 2012

23

S06 TB1805 Wildlife & Safaris_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:24 Page 24

wildlife&safaris Eight-night Zambian safari for £3,420 from Norman Carr Safaris

THE SELOUS Safari Company is offering a range of walking safaris in southern Tanzania including a nine-night bush and beach adventure with Bailey Robinson from £3,425 per person, offering a saving of £1,270 per person. The safari is available for travel in October and includes flights from Heathrow with BA, four nights split between the Selous Safari Camp and Jongomero Camp, including game viewing drives in open sided 4x4 vehicles, walking safaris and boat safaris at Selous Safari Camp, followed by five nights at the beach retreat of Ras Kutani on a full-board basis.

Concession and park entrance fees, taxes, transfers and surcharges are also included.

For details call 01488-689700.

NORMAN CARR Safaris camp in Zambia is offering an eight-night walking safari, following the Luwi River Trail. Prices start from £3,420 per person based on four sharing (two adults and two children over 12 years) and include flights, transfers, all meals, house drinks, laundry park fees, game drives, night drives and the walking safari.

The camp is also offering a seven-night safari break, staying four nights at Kapani Lodge and three nights at Kakuli bush camp. Prices lead in at £12,540 for a family of four (two adults and two children eight years and over) and include flights, transfers, all meals, house drinks, laundry, park fees, game drives, night drives and the walking safaris.

Meanwhile, the "Return to The Wild" is an add-on experience where guests can opt to sleep under the stars in the dry river bed. Prices are from an additional £180 per person per night on top of the cost of a night in one of the operator's bushcamps.

For more information or to book the walking safaris or add-on experience call Aardvark Safaris on 01980-849160 or email mail@aardvarksafaris.com

Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris launches new 'Swagon' accommodation in the Outback THE "SWAGON" is a new Outback accommodation option offered by Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris, which has specialised in customised wildlife and natural history tours in and around the Eyre Peninsula for more than 20 years.

Created from an authentic early Australian style wagon, the Swagon is located at the safari company's South Australian base camp at Kangaluna near Wudinna and provides an unusual alternative to tented accommodation or sleeping out under the stars in a 'swag' bedroll.

The Swagon features recycled wood on the sides and floor, new roof hoops, a canvas cover that can be removed to allow guests to sleep under the stars, plus a queen size double mattress and luxury style swag. The Swagon also comes with its own bathroom and toilet. Guests staying in the Swagon, also

24

May 18 2012

known as the Galaxy Suite, can sit on their private deck at the front where horses or bullocks would once have been attached, for pre-dinner drinks and to take in the bush surroundings of the Gawler Ranges National Park and night skies.

A variety of one-, three- and four-day tour itineraries are available from the operator, with highlights including swimming with sea lion pups at Baird Bay and visiting unusual volcanic rock formations dating back 1,500million years.

Prices are available on request and can include accommodation in the Swagon, meals as stated in the itinerary, tour guides, entrance fees, boat charters and passes.

For more information or to book visit www.gawlerrangessafaris.com and www.southaustralia.com

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S07 TB1805 Theme Parks_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:48 Page 25

themeparks Rollercoaster your way to happy clients and extra commission

by ANNABEL COVE, business development manager, DoSomethingDifferent.com

F

ROM WHITE knuckle roller coaster rides to 3D cinematic experiences, fine dining and explosive firework displays, theme park holidays are a vibrant, amazing and infectious spectacle; with an abundance of entertainment and activities, holidaymakers can do something different each day of their stay.

This year, we have seen an incredible amount of development and reinvention from theme parks globally.

Universal Studios is creating more new entertainment experiences across its entire destination than in any other year in its history. With new and better technologies, existing rides have been enhanced including The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and new rides are being created with Despicable Me Minion Mayhem at Universal Studios Florida opening this summer.

at the crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, is still one of the world’s fastest growing tourist destinations and has been a major growth area for DSD. Spotting the sale Agents should look out for the savvy theme park traveller; they already know the best rides and attractions within the parks to visit, but are looking for new ways to experience them. For this new market ‘front of line’ passes are the hot pre-bookable ticket to add to their booking. However, whether it’s their first visit or 21st, all customers do want to know the best way to experience the theme park; from the best place for lunch, guided VIP tours, fast passes, do’s and don’t’s, to hot tips n’ tricks - customers want to get the most out of their day and here’s our pick of the bunch: ●

Reaching new heights SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has a number of exciting new experiences for 2012 including Turtletrek, a first-of-itskind 3D, 360-dome theatre film experience that’s completely immersive; and at Discovery Cove, a new Freshwater Oasis featuring swimming and wading adventures and face-to-face encounters with playful otters.

PortAventura is not being left behind and this year the park is investing 25million euros to construct a new record breaking ‘hypercoaster’, which is set to smash many of the continent’s coaster records.

At the beginning of this year, we reported a spike in sales for European theme park holidays. A double-dip recession, higher cost of living, a more than traditional British weather forecast and a growing interest in customers wishing to ‘Escape the Olympics’ have all impacted on the sales growth.

From theme parks to water parks, they’re certainly keeping their customers coming back for more and ensuring each year, is the “Year to be Here!”

Two new theme parks have been welcomed into the arena in the last 12 months with LegoLand, Florida opening October last year; and Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi at the beginning of 2012 – new rides and experiences are already scheduled and records have been broken with the world’s fastest (149mph) rollercoaster at Ferrari World. The UAE, sat

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

● ● ● ● ●

Pre-buy your tickets – save time, money and stress with pre-purchased turnstiles ready tickets PACE yourselves – especially in summer, with scorching temperatures and humidity. Ensure you drink lots of water Don’t follow the crowds – go anti-clockwise or start at the back of the park DON’T have all your meals in the theme parks – holiday costs can quickly mount up if you dine out this way Take advantage of late opening park hours – arrive late, leave late!

Don’t try to ‘do it all,’; for the larger theme parks it simply isn’t possible in a typical two-week holiday

Some of our top selling tips are: ● ● ●

Don’t leave it to the end of the sale – make the theme park tickets the talking point not just a transaction Contact existing customers and ask the question – have you booked your theme park tickets yet?

Remind customers’ pre-booking is safe-booking. For example, we act as principal, accepting full liability for your customers’ booking. ✦

Pre-book your customers theme park tickets and earn fabulous commissions while providing your customers with holiday memories that last a lifetime!

May 18 2012

25

S07 TB1805 Theme Parks_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:48 Page 26

themeparks Chessington promotes short break packages with exclusive early ride access CHESSINGTON WORLD of Adventures Resort is highlighting short break packages staying at the resort hotel just yards from the theme park and zoo.

The hotel features African adventure themed bedrooms, animal meet and greets and views of zebra, oryx and ostriches roaming on the Wanyama Reserve behind.

Facilities at the property include a spa and swimming pool, African inspired menus and a free kids' club. There is also exclusive access for hotel guests to the animals in the Wanyama Village and Reserve until dusk. Guests also have

exclusive access to 'Early Ride Time’ in ‘Wild Asia’ to make the most of more than 40 rides and attractions at the park, the zoo and Sea Life centre.

Meanwhile, the theme park has launched a new DreamWorks Madagascar Live! Prepare to Party stage show in Africa Land.

Prices at the hotel start from £154, based on a family of four sharing a standard room, including two-day entry to the park.

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

Wanyama Reserve view

Kids go free at Alton Towers & Chessington with Superbreak AGENTS CAN now promote ‘Kids Go Free’ at Alton Towers and Chessington World of Adventures when booking a theme park package with Superbreak. Offering a range of savings, one child can enter the park for free for each full paying adult when booked as part of a package including overnight accommodation between now and July 13.

At Alton Towers a package for a family of four leads in at £121.70 including one night at the Travelodge Burton on a room-only basis and entrance to the park for all.

At Chessington, a package for a family of four leads in at £120 including one night at the Holiday Inn Express Slough/Windsor on a bed-and-breakfast basis and entrance to the park.

Both offers are valid for arrivals until July 13, excluding June 4-8.

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

New attractions highlight 2012 offerings at Southern California's parks SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S top theme parks are busy putting the finishing touches on new rides, shows and attractions for this summer. And making a Golden State getaway more affordable is the Southern California CityPASS, which shaves 26% off the cost of visiting Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park.

The pass includes a three-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket, as well as one-day admissions to Universal Studios Hollywood and SeaWorld San Diego.

Prices start from $279 for an adult pass and $239 for children aged three-nine.

Meanwhile, Disneyland Resort is injecting $1.4billion into the transformation and expansion of Disney California Adventure Park. The project, scheduled for completion this summer, will add an entirely new land — Cars Land. This 12-

26

May 18 2012

acre section of the park, based on the movie Cars, features three new attractions: Luigi's Flying Tires, a spinning, bumper car-style ride; Mater's Junkyard Jamboree; and Radiator Springs Racers, a ride that includes lots of fun encounters with many of the Cars' characters and ends with a race to the finish line.

Meanwhile, as well as unveiliing its new ride Transformers: The Ride - 3D, Universal Studios Hollywood has incorporated 20-30minutes of storytelling into the queuing line for its Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction.

At SeaWorld San Diego, Manta, a new rollercoaster opens on May 26. Shaped like a giant manta ray, the ride includes such elements as a 100,000-gallon aquarium and an outdoor ray pool.

For more information, visit www.citypass.com

Attraction World offers second day free at Universal Studios VISITORS TO Universal Studios Hollywood are now able to experience a new ride, Transformers: The Ride 3D, a next generation thrill ride that fuses HD 3D media and flight simulation technology.

Based on the popular movie franchise, the new adventure puts visitors in the middle of a war zone to fight alongside Optimus and try to survive as they protect the Allspark from Decepticons more than four storeys high.

Attraction World is offering a range of options to the park including a one-day ticket with a free second day.

Tickets cost from £51 per adult and £46 per child (aged three-seven) which includes a second day for free.

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

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S07 TB1805 Theme Parks_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:48 Page 27

themeparks

VISITORS TO Florida can now get closer to sea turtles and manatees through nose-to-nose encounters combined with entertainment, with a first-of-its-kind 3D 360-degree domed cinema attraction called TurtleTrek. Guests first visit two extensive habitats, home to gentle manatees, gliding sea turtles and thousands of fish, learning about the threats the animals face, before entering a domed cinema to get a turtle’s eye view of the ocean through a hyper-realistic, 3D 360 degree film. The visual conservation experience allows visitors to learn more about the plight of a sea turtle named Nyah, highlighting the life journey sea turtles take from hatching on a beach and making the mad dash to open waters, to the dangers and hazards they face as they mature and return to the very same beach to lay their own eggs.

After the film, guests can participate in an educational family game - Race to the Beach. A three-park ticket offers 14 days unlimited entry to SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica and Busch Gardens Tampa, with prices starting from £87 per person.

For advice and tips from the park’s experts, agents can now visit the new interactive Website at www.seaworldparksagents.co.uk which includes an eight-step training module.

Futuroscope celebrates 25th anniversary with new attractions FUTUROSCOPE IS marking its 25th Silver anniversary with the launch of new attractions, a new look to some old classics such as Dynamic Vienne transferred to the IMAX screen, as well as special events and giveaways.

Two new attractions, created especially for the anniversary year, include iMagic – a show of special effects all about illusion – by Bertrand Lotth and Arthur Jugnot and a new sensory experience of The Little Prince.

There will also be a new People of the Future attraction where creatures come forth to bear witness to their

extraordinary physique and amazing brain power, while the park’s Eco-Home will also feature a new renewable energy theme.

Upcoming events at the park include the unveiling of a new Land Art Exhibition with the artists themselves in attendance on June 16; a French Festival of Music concert on June 21; a performance by a 1,000 voice choir from Vienne for charity on September 1; and a visit from Denis Laming, the park’s architect, on September 15, who will talk about his creations.

Germany's Europa-Park features new 4D-film experience EUROPA-PARK'S popular character Euromaus and his friends have made their first steps on the big screen.

In cooperation with the creators of "Animals United - 3D", Mack Media have produced a 4D-film whch is being shown at the theme park's

Magic Cinema 4D. In "The Secret of Balthasar Castle", Euromaus and his friends have to solve the enigma of the mysterious Balthasar Castle. Together, the animals have to master thrilling situations and the treasure-hunt

leads them through the mysterious catacombs of the ancient castle in the heart of Europa-Park.

The 15-minute 4D-film experience is being screened several times a day.

For more information visit www.europapark.de

Tenerife’s Loro Parque offers new shows and exhibits A NEW EXHIBITION of white Bengal Tigers, a fully renovated sea lion stadium, new parrot species and newlyborn offspring of meerkats, marmosets, parrots, orcas and dolphins are some of the new attractions at Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

The attraction is also gearing up to unveil its new parrot show this year, which will combine multimedia effects and architecture to evoke the emotions of various exotic parrot species included in the park’s conservation programme.

For details see www.loroparque.com

May 18 2012

27

S07 TB1805 Theme Parks_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:48 Page 28

themeparks Legoland Windsor Resort launches Star Wars miniland experience Stormtroopers promoting the new Star Wars miniland A NEW experience has opened at Legoland Windsor Resort following hot on the heels of the new Lego-themed hotel that opened in March.

The resort has teamed up with Lucasfilm to create a fully-themed, indoor Star Wars miniland, which recreates seven of the most famous scenes from the Star Wars films including a scene from the animated series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars, using around 1.5 million Lego bricks.

The Miniland follows a chronological path through the Star Wars timeline and features around 2,000 LEGO models in 1:20 scale from the planets Naboo, Geonosis, Kashyyyk, Mustafar, Tatooine, Hoth, Endor and Christophsis.

Created by dozens of model designers and builders, landscapers, animatiors, electricians and technicians, the area also features authentic Star Wars sounds, actions and lighting.

The Miniland was opened to the public on March 25 with a whole Star Wars-themed event including actors dressed in authentic costumes at the end of this month, the Legoland Water Park will from the Star Wars movie. feature a wave pool, Build-A-Raft lazy river, tube slides, The new Legoland Star Wars Miniland experience body slides and an interactive water-play structure brings the number of interactive rides, live shows, Duplo Safari. building workshops, driving schools and attractions for The operator has a two-day Water Park Combo ticket, two to 12-year-olds to 55. which is valid for two days’ admission to both Legoland Meanwhile, Attraction World has started selling Florida and Water Park. Prices for adults are £67 and tickets to the Legoland Water Park in Florida. Opening children £60, aged three to 12.

COMEDIAN MICHAEL McIntyre recently enjoyed a visit to Universal Orlando Resort in Florida with his family, where he joked around with SpongeBob Squarepants, one of the characters that can be found at the park's new Superstar Parade.

28

May 18 2012

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S07 TB1805 Theme Parks_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:48 Page 29

Where Your Customers’ Holiday Becomes An Adventure

ĆŤĆŤ ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤ

ĆŤÄ…

ĆŤ

ÄĄ ĆŤ

ĆŤ

ĆŤĆŤ

ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤ

ĆŤ

ĆŤ

ĆŤĆŤ ĆŤ

IJƍƍ

ĆŤ

ĆŤ

ĆŤ

ĆŤ

Ä´ĆŤĆŤĆŤ

ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤ

ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤ

ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤ

ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤ ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤ

ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤ

ĆŤĆŤ

ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤ

ĆŤ

ĆŤ

ĆŤ Ä´ĆŤ

Two Theme Parks. Three On-Site Hotels. Non-Stop Nightlife. A Universe of Excitement.

Your customers can play, scream and laugh with the biggest characters in movies, TV and pop culture at two immersive theme parks — Universal StudiosŽ and Universal’s Islands of AdventureŽ. They’ll swing high above the city streets with Spider-Man™, save the day with Shrek, explore the magic and excitement of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, and enjoy the dining and nightlife of the Universal CityWalkŽ entertainment complex.

ĆŤĆŤ

ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤ

ĆŤ

ĆŤ

ĆŤĆŤ

IJ

Plus they can relax at one of three award winning on-site hotels: ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤÄ‘ĆŤ $!ĆŤ(141.%+1/ĆŤ +!3/ĆŤ +.0+ßƍ*+ĆŤ 5ĆŤ +0!(ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤ ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤÄ‘ĆŤ $!ĆŤ!(! 0.%"5%*#ĆŤ . ĆŤ + 'ĆŤ +0!(IJ ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤÄ‘ĆŤ $!ĆŤ!4+0% ĆŤ +!3/ĆŤ +5 (ĆŤ %ßƍ ĆŤ !/+.0 /ĆŤ *ĆŤ+*ÄĄ/%0!ĆŤ$+0!(ĆŤ#1!/0ÄŒĆŤ0$!5Äš((ĆŤ!*&+5ĆŤ!4 (1/%2!ĆŤ !*!ßƍ0/ÄŒĆŤ%* (1 %*#ĆŤ Early Park Admission†to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, one hour before the theme park opens.

Contact Your Preferred Attraction Ticket Supplier

HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and Š Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights Š JKR. (s12) †Requires paid theme park admission. Early Park Admission begins one hour prior to Universal’s Islands of Adventure regular opening hour for on-site hotel guests and is valid 7 days a week for travel through 12/31/12, valid only at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, Flight of the Hippogriff ™, Dragon Challenge™ and The Cat in the Hat™. Universal Express ride access is not valid during Early Park Admission. Additional restrictions may apply and the foregoing beneďŹ ts are subject to change without notice. TM & Š 2011 Marvel & Subs. Shrek 4-D Š 2012 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. Hard Rock Hotel ÂŽ Hard Rock Cafe International (USA), Inc. THE SIMPSONS RIDE TM Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. The Simpsons TM & Š 2012 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & Š 2012 Universal Studios. Š 2012 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved.

ĆŤĆŤĆŤĆŤ

S07 TB1805 Theme Parks_Layout 1 16/05/2012 12:44 Page 30

themeparks Angry Birds to land in Finnish theme park

We asked our staff the following question this week: If you could be born into history as any famous person who would it be and why?

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Walt Disney - he created so many amazing cartoon characters, films and theme parks Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Marilyn Monroe for her looks & films - but she did die at my age :-( Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk Charles Darwin - he was a true pioneer Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Neil Armstrong - the ultimate foreign trip Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Leonardo Da Vinci - Being talented in many fileds and way ahead of your time.

Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Jesus - would love to be able to turn water into wine Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk Hitler's art tutor. I'd encourage him to really make a go of it, at the expense of all other interests Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk Spartacus - famous leader of the slaves (travel agents) and caused a slave uprising against the Roman Republic (travel companies and airlines) to victory!

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@alaincharles.com Bobby Moore so I could experience lifting the World Cup Design: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@alaincharles.com Michael Jordan - basketball legend!!

THIS SUMMER, an Angry Bird themed visitor attraction will open in Tampere, Finland. As part of Särkänniemi Adventure Park, Angry Bird Land promises an 'interactive entertainment experience' where 'the physical and the virtual world combine' with children and families in mind.

Rovio, the Finnish entertainment media company behind the new attraction, first released the game as an iPhone app in December 2009.

Since then the game has been downloaded 600million times worldwide gaining national fame with fans including Angelina Jolie, Kylie Minogue and David Cameron. The company has generated £70million in revenue in just two years and has expanded the Angry Birds franchise with cook books, themed adventure playgrounds, a cartoon on Nickelodeon and merchandise galore.

With aspirations to be a global brand, the theme park attraction is the newest addition to the Angry Bird portfolio with Harri Koponen, executive vice president of licensing and merchandising, revealing that Angry Birds Land will be "the first of several Angry Bird parks around the world", with the goal being "to motivate the fans, both adults and children, to exercise and enjoy the outdoors."

Ryanair offers flights to Tampere from both Stansted and Edinburgh operating three times weekly with prices starting at £20.99. To book see www.ryanair.com For more information see www.visitfinland.com/uk and www.visittampere.fi

New VIP villa and mega ride at Siam Park SIAM PARK in Tenerife has launched a new private villa, set within natural landscapes. The villa, which features a Jacuzzi, offers accommodation for groups of up to 15 people and is ideally suited for special occasions and celebrations.

The property offers views of the Thai-themed aqua park and Costa Adeje and features hammocks, a solarium, bathroom with private shower, TV & DVD player.

Guests staying in the villa will also receive a fast pass for almost all

attractions, food in all its restaurants and drinks throughout the day.

The park is also developing a new mega ride called Kinnaree and the new attraction will offer high speeds to replicate how it feels to be caught in a tornado wave. The park's kids' zone will also be expanded and will offer new activities and facilities.

Both new developments are expected to be launched this summer.

For more information visit www.siampark.net

An artist’s impression of the new Kinnaree ride

Assistant Layout Design: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@alaincharles.com Keanu Reeves - so I can play Neo in The Matrix Production: Jeremy Walters jeremy.walters@alaincharles.com Archibald Alexander Leach (Cary Grant) - charismatic actor who played opposite some of the most beautiful women Circulation Manager: Jim Merchant post@travelbulletin.co.uk Travel Bulletin is published by Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London, SW1W 0EX, Tel: 020-7834 6661 Printed by: Wyndeham Grange Limited - Travel Bulletin is published weekly and distributed to every ABTA, TTA & GTG agent.

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

30

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. OLYMPIC, 4. IST, 6. LILLE, 7. BOISE, 8. TASMANIA, 11. ZAC EFRON, 14. KRONA, 15. COSTA, 16. SKY, 17. TRANSUN. Down: 1. OLLY, 2. YALTA, 3. PIE, 4. IBIZA, 5. TREVOR, 7. BANFF, 9. MECCA, 10. BLAKES, 11. ZLOTY, 12. OASIS, 13. CAEN, 15. CSA.

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

Audit Bureau of Circulations Business magazines

May 18 2012

Highlighted Word: TANZANIA Travagrams: (top) Mumbai

(bottom) Palm Springs

Where Am I?: Yellow River

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S07 TB1805 Theme Parks_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:48 Page 31

Orlando’s booked, so...What you gonna do when you’re there?

Splash out & dive in!

Now hatched at SeaWorld® Orlando...

TurtleTrek TurtleTrek, blends up-close animal encounters with manatees and turtles with the world’s first 3D 360 dome theatre experience!

All new for Discovery Cove® is

Freshwater Oasis A tropical oasis featuring playful otters and curious marmoset monkeys, opening May 2012.

See it all with the Discovery Cove Ultimate Package, including your chance to swim with a dolphin and 14 days unlimited entry into SeaWorld®, AquaticaTM and Busch Gardens®.

From only £180

Visit www.attractionworld.com today 2011 WINNER

The Discovery Cove Ultimate Package provides unlimited admission for 14 consecutive days from first use, with the exception of Discovery Cove which is a one day experience. Guests must be at least 6 years of age to swim with the dolphins at Discovery Cove. Guests aged 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult who is also participating in the dolphin swim experience. Discovery Cove guests aged 3-5 must purchase the non-swim package. Free bus transportation is available to Busch Gardens on the Busch Gardens Shuttle Express. Children 0-2 years of age are free of charge at all our parks. ©2012 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

S07 TB1805 Theme Parks_Layout 1 16/05/2012 11:48 Page 32

The only thing warmer than our weather is our welcome...

Fantastic late deals to Egypt from as little as £329 Resort Hurghada

Rating

Board

+ All Inclusive

From

Save

£389

£216

We know that you don’t like hidden extras.

That is why we include more in our holiday prices: Carefully selected accommodation The service of a local representative

Sharm el Sheikh

All Inclusive

£369

£176

Sharm el Sheikh

Bed & Breakfast

£329

£170

Free late checkout at all Red Sea Hotels

Makadi Bay

All Inclusive

£409

£246

Free in-flight meals on many flights

Taba Heights

All Inclusive

£499

£190

Free transfers between airport and hotel

Minimum 20kg checked luggage allowance plus 5kg carry-on

Find out more today...

All UK and overseas taxes, airport taxes and security charges

O Speak to an Expert on 0845 072 2477 O Visit www.redseaholidays.co.uk/agent O Viewdata RED# O Brochures www.trade-gate.co.uk

The Egyptian Experts ABTA No.Y2507

Terms and conditions: Based on 2 people sharing for 7 nights. Subject to availability.

Savings based against January 2012 edition. Booking conditions apply