Travel Bulletin 27th January 2012

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January 27 2012 | ISSUE NO 1,763 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

USA

A round-up of the latest offers, promotions & new programmes

this week

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at home with eileen homeworker Eileen offers her views on the latest industry news

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pix mix the AITO Specialist Travel Agents’ domestic conference in pictures

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training Richard English explains how agents need to get to grips with probing questions

seat-only new routes, codeshares & the latest flight deals

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DISCOVER MEXICO

NEW NEW B BROCHURE RO C H U R E OUT OUT N NOW! OW !

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ALL--IN ALL INC CLLU USI SIV VEE HO HOLID DAYS AYS

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SO MUCH TO EXPLORE...

C CANCUN ANCUN

ALL-INCLUSIVE C ANCUN & RIVIERA MA AYA HOLIDAY YS AT THE BEST PRICES

BARCELO TUCANCUN BEACH HOTEL 7 nights fr fro om

THE BEST CHOICE ;I SJJIV XLI YPXMQEXI ¾I\MFMPMX] [MXL E ZEWX range of hotels across all of our products – WYTIVF GLSMGI SJ EMV PMRIW ZEVMIX] SJ LSXIPW EPP EX JERXEWXMG TVMGIW ;I [SV O LEVH XS IRWYVI ]SY LEZI XLI GLSMGI 8LMW SRP] KMZIW E WQEPP WIPIGXMSR SJ XLI HIWXMREXMSRW ERH LSXIPW [I JIEXYVI TPIEWI GLIGO SYV [IFWMXI SV GEPP YW JSV YT XS HEXI EZEMPEFMPMX]

£1099PP

Tra ravel based between: 19 August – 15 October 2012

FLAMINGO CANCUN ANCUN RESOR RT T & PLAZA 7 nights

ffrrom o £1159 £1 PP

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MAYA RIVIERA M AYA

THE BEST SECURITY ;MXL *YR[E] ]SY GER VIPE\ ]SYV QSRI] MW WEJI [LIXLIV ]SY EVI FSSOMRK E TEGOEKI LSPMHE] SV PERH SRP] TVSHYGX EW [I EVI JYPP] FSRHIH [MXL %830 ERH %&8%

BARCELO MA AYA COLONIAL OLONIAL & TR ROPIC O AL BEACH

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C CALL ALL OUR R FRIENDLY FRIENDLLY TRAVEL TRA AVEL V ADVISERS ADVISERS ON:

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newsbulletin

MOSELLE MATES...Dertour took a group of agents on a fam to Germany last month to visit the Christmas markets in the Moselle area, including Trier, Cochem, Bernkastel and Koblenz. Pictured taking in the sights are, from the left: Darren Wilkins, Dertour; Manfred Huth, Rhineland-Palatinate; Jane Jackson, Toucan Travel; Hilary Honess, Independent Holiday Shop; Eva Müller, Rhineland-Palatinate; Ashleigh Murray, Martin Singer Travel; and Cecile Musgrave, Wexas Travel.

Cover Pictures: Main - Grand Canyon - Great Rail Journeys

Inset - Germanwings

This Week 3

news

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at home with eileen

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agent bulletin

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puzzle bulletin

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W-AITO-Go!

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pix mix

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cruise news

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training

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USA

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seat-only

a round-up of the latest industry news eileen offers her thoughts on the Costa Concordia disaster agent booking incentives plus TIPTO & BRIGHT training dates win a £50 Love2Shop voucher in our prize Su Doku puzzle news & views from AITO Agents the AITO Specialist Travel Agents' domestic conference in pictures last minute cruise offers to promote to your clients how to ask the right questions to get results the latest offers, promotions & new programmes new routes, codeshares & the latest flight deals

Study reveals how new technologies and social change will combine to transform travel by 2020 A NEW global study commissioned by Amadeus outlines how transformative technologies and evolving social values and trends will combine to establish a new era of collaborative travel over the next decade and beyond.

The report, ‘From chaos to collaboration: how transformative technologies will herald a new era in travel’, demands increased partnership across the travel industry, in turn removing the stress, uncertainty and chaos which is usually associated with travelling in the 21st Century, as well as providing much richer, deeper and more personal travel experiences at the same time.

Developed by The Futures Company, a global foresight and futures consultancy, the report details a clear qualitative shift where service-users become partners rather than customers and where context is as important as the transaction. And at the heart of this new era of collaboration is a set of discrete ‘enabling’ technologies and innovations.

Based on extensive research and input from key industry experts – including technologists, leading travel industry representatives, social trends experts and futurists – as well as quantitative traveller research in Brazil, China, Russia, Spain, United Arab Emirates, the UK and the US, the study explores six key areas in which future technology and innovation could be deployed. ● The next generation of experience: Travel is increasingly about depth rather than

breadth of experience. Technologies such as augmented reality, gamification mechanisms and smart mobile devices will transform the travel experience. ● Automatic transit: Checking-in could become the exception rather than the norm,

with the rise of faster and more efficient identity management systems. Chips, biometrics, long range fingerprinting and near field communications (NFC) can be deployed in a more integrated way to fast-forward how people move around. ● Payment with memory: All data on payments made before and during a trip will be

integrated, acting as a digital memory of expenditure and activity for individuals, groups and travel industry operators. Intelligent passenger records, ‘digital breadcrumbs’ and contactless technologies could be used to personalise and bundle services delivering higher value and more profitable relationships. ● Intelligent recommendation: As technologies make it easier for people to tag and

review all aspects of travel experiences, travellers will be more influenced by peer ● continues on next page

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

January 27 2012

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groups and expert curators. The prospect of personal travel guides and mobile tour representatives will give travellers the tools they need to enrich their experience. ● Taking the stress out of travel: The wellbeing agenda

and changing demographics will place greater emphasis on removing travel stress. Intelligent luggage tags and tickets will give greater reassurance whilst mHealth (mobile-Health) applications will allow travellers to manage and monitor their health and wellbeing as if they were at home. ● The business tourist: Continued emphasis on work-life

balance and wellbeing at work may see the rise of the

business tourist which will demand speed and efficiency as well as a home-away-from-home.

Executive vice president - global operations of Amadeus, Eberhard Haag, said: "Over the next decade, there is a significant opportunity to redefine how the industry delivers and packages services to meet changing traveller needs. Key to this is more intelligent information exchange, a willingness to challenge the status quo and greater two-way partnership between travellers and travel players. We are committed to stimulating debate within the travel sector about how the world is changing, what travellers will increasingly expect and how the industry can evolve in a way that secures growth and profitability for our customers’ future success.”

To download a copy of the report visit: www.amadeus.com/blog

Newsbites ●

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AMADEUS HAS announced a distribution deal with Travelodge, which enables the hotel brand to expand its distribution reach to budget conscious travellers using the services of travel professionals. Around 80% of Travelodge hotels are located in major city centres and popular holiday locations. The budget hotel chain is also growing rapidly with plans to operate 70,000 rooms (approximately 1,000 hotels) by 2020.

FIESTA HOTEL Group has opened its largest kids club in the Caribbean at the five-star Grand Palladium Punta Cana Complex located on the seafront of the Playa Bávaro in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

JEBEL ALI Golf Resort & Spa, the flagship five-star Dubai beach resort of Jebel Ali International Hotels, has won a World Travel Award in the category of ‘World’s Leading Family Resort’. The property has made significant improvements in recent years including a complete refurbishment of both five-star beachfront properties and the introduction of new family initiatives and facilities.

ORBITAL TRAVEL has launched its Indian Ocean destinations of Mauritius, the Seychelles and the Maldives. Accommodation ranges from four- to fivestar deluxe hotels, resorts and private islands. All packages are tailor-made. Seychelles packages include a Fast Track Service and VIP Lounge on arrival and departure, while a sunset cruise or dolphin cruise is included in all packages to the Maldives and complimentary gifts are offered to clients holidaying in Mauritius. For details email info@orbitaltravel.co.uk

Exclusive Siam Park & Loro Parque tickets from Attraction World ATTRACTION WORLD has launched exclusive four-day tickets to Siam Park water park and Loro Parque parrot and animal kingdom in Tenerife.

The four-day tickets for both attractions can be used any time over a 14-day period. Prices for Siam Park lead in at £78 for adults and £67 for children aged three-11 years, and prices for Loro Parque cost £64 for adults and £54 for children aged six-11 years. All bookings are fully commissionable to agents.

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

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January 27 2012

BIKE BUDDIES...pictured marking the launch of a complimentary Sports Buddy programme at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa in Cape Town is the property’s manager, Brett Davidge (left) and duty manager, Alex Burgess. The new programme allows staff at the hotel to train with guests who might be looking for a partner to play a round of golf, a game of squash, attend a yoga class or take a hike in the nature reserve.

Mailbox Mailings with Travel Bulletin this week include: ● Transun have launched their latest offers to

Lapland and special offers within their new Santa's Lapland brochure.

Call 01865 265200 or visit www.transun.co.uk ● Atlantic Holidays have launched their most

comprehensive and flexible programme to mainland Portugal, offering flights from 20 regional airports nationwide.

For further details call 01452 381888 or visit us online at www.atlanticholidays.net For further details and special offers please read the mail shots that accompany this issue

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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

NCL UK Missed us on the @travel_ch_intl this week?

Watch it again here & discover everything about cruising on board N. Jade! bit.ly/zOjnf2 Longwood Holidays Have you seen the newest addition to our programme? bit.ly/u3cCiY Door2Tour How do you weather a hurricane when on cruise holidays? tinyurl.com/6ry4b7s Birmingham Airport Why not visit Turkey this year? 7 Nights at the Green Nature & Spa,Marmaris, 5* All inclusive, departing 15th May 2012. bit.ly/z5CeTw Visit Britain On your marks, get set, and... get ready for the Games bit.ly/wWQNf5 Cruise International Here's our pick of the top 10 Caribbean & Central American ports! bit.ly/wkAjvf

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

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Save up to £300 on Titan Travel’s escorted tours TITAN TRAVEL has unveiled its second edition Worldwide brochure with more than half of the 153 itineraries featured at lower prices than in the first edition of the brochure and, in some cases, with savings of up to £300 per person for bookings made before January 31.

The operator has also introduced new features to add flexibility for clients to tailor-make elements of their trip. For example, on North American tours there is now an optional ‘meal plans’ element for breakfasts to be booked and paid for in advance and flight upgrades to be added.

Extra hotel nights, available stopovers, airport lounge access, extended dates or flight changes are also available.

North America retains its wide choice of holidays in the brochure, with some of the largest discounted offers. As an example, a saving of £300 per person is available on the 11-day ‘Rocky Mountain Railtour’ that departs on August 21. The price was originally £3,095 and is now reduced to £2,795 per person. In South America there are savings of up to £280 per person on the 14-day ‘Footsteps of the Incas’ tour which has been reduced from £3,375 to £3095 per

person departing on January 13, 2013.

Closer to home a large number of European escorted tours feature savings of up to £100 per person. These include the ten-day ‘Classic Croatia – Star of the Adriatic’ tour that travels from Venice to Dubrovnik. The tour features eight departures from May to September with prices reduced from £1,595 to £1,495 per person on a September 4 departure.

Meanwhile, the company has released a new brochure to sell Saga cruise products to the travel trade for the first time.

In a bid to offer agents a wider choice of products, the operator has expanded its portfolio of cruise journeys to include all the itineraries on the SAGA RUBY and the new SAGA SAPPHIRE (due to launch in March).

In addition the brochure features the new ‘Quest for Adventure’ vessel which has its maiden voyage in May this year.

Itineraries range from the Med, North Africa and the Canaries to the Baltic, a British Isles cruise (to see the Edinburgh Tattoo) and a 15-day ‘mystery’ cruise.

For details call 0800-988 5858 or visit www.titantravel.co.uk

New boat-based whale watching tours make Nelson Mandela Bay in Eastern Cape home of wildlife’s Big Seven NELSON MANDELA Bay in the Eastern Cape of South Africa is offering wildlife’s Big Seven, with the addition of boat-based whale watching tours.

Local eco-tourism operator Raggy Charters has been awarded the first permit to operate whale watching tours from Port Elizabeth, which borders the Addo Elephant National Park.

The new permit will allow the company to take their boats as close as 50m on whale watching tours, offering visitors up-close encounters.

The new tour includes a harbour cruise before setting sail for the St Croix islands in a specially designed catamaran, with viewing platform to allow for the best wildlife spotting opportunities. The St Croix Island Group is home to 20,000 African penguins, while dolphins, gannets and other sea birds may be seen on the 25km trip to the island.

A half-day tour from Port Elizabeth leads in at R800 (approximately £68.50) per person.

For more information visit www.ectourism.co.za

January 27 2012

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

Tracks of Empire: Unite and Divide on BBC iPlayer (available until 17th February) John Sergeant embarks on a unique 3,000 mile journey through the history of the greatest legacy the British left to India - its rail network. The biggest in Asia, it runs on 40,000 miles of track and reaches every corner of the subcontinent. Even though Mahatma Gandhi denounced the railways as evil, Sergeant reveals how it became a civil engineering triumph that united the country and played a crucial role when India became independent in 1947.

Launch of UK's first Montenegro operator EXPLORE MONTENEGRO, a new UK tour operator that specialises in Montenegrin villas and apartments, has launched ahead of the 2012 summer season. It is the first and only operator to offer a portfolio solely focused on Montenegro to the UK market.

The company offers a handpicked selection of more than 40 holiday villas and apartments within its 2012 portfolio, catering for between two and 14 guests.

Properties include lakeside Venetian palaces, traditional stone farmhouses and mountainside apartments.

To celebrate its launch, the operator is offering an early booking discount of 10% for holidays booked before the end of January. The discount applies to all holiday costs except flights, which are available from £189 return from Gatwick.

For more information visit www.exploremontenegro.com

Dedicated family brochure from Classic Collection Holidays CLASSIC COLLECTION Holidays has issued a new 68-page dedicated family brochure featuring 53 hotels across Spain, Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Turkey, Madeira, Portugal, Morocco, Egypt and Bermuda.

Reference panels on each hotel page of the new brochure highlight family facilities at each hotel. Many of the featured hotels offer free or reduced rate rooms where children share a room and reduced meal supplements for younger members of the family.

The operator also offers free inflatable car booster seats to all children aged four to 11 years who are booked to travel with the operator.

As an example of prices, a seven-night breakfast stay at the Don Carlos Leisure Resort and Spa on the Costa del Sol costs from £794 per adult and £269 per child in April, including flights and private transfers.

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

Summer savings from Red Sea Holidays’ 2012/13 brochure RED SEA Holidays has released a new 2012/13 brochure featuring new hotels and resorts.

Building on its existing offering, the brochure features more added value options including savings on summer packages, pre-bookable family suites and connecting rooms, as well as fleixble cruise and stay packages for nine, ten, 11 and 14 nights.

New resorts include Dahab, Taba and Taba Heights, while new hotels have been added in Sharm el Sheikh, El Gouna and Makadi Bay. The brochure also features new multi-centre tours, such as the ten-night Cairo & The Nile tour from £999, based on two sharing.

The operator has put together a range of offers to tempt early sales. For example, clients can save up to £100 per booking and benefit from a low deposit of £50 per person across all seasons. In addition there are guaranteed child prices on Red Sea Hotels and Grand Cruises, subject to exceptions. All offers must be booked by February 28.

As an example of prices, a seven-night stay at the four-star Sun Sharm Resort in Sharm el Sheikh costs from £399 person, based on two adults sharing. The price includes allinclusive accommodation and flights and the offer is valid for travel during December.

For more information visit www.redseaholidays.co.uk or call 0845-072 2477.

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January 27 2012

Sunvil Traveller adds familyfriendly itineraries for 2012 SUNVIL TRAVELLER has expanded its familyfriendly, tailor-made itineraries to Ecuador, the Galapagos and Costa Rica this year.

As examples, a 15-night Ecuador and the Galapagos trip costs from £16,499 for a family of four, including flights; 11 nights' accommodation with some meals, visits to Quito and the Equatorial Line, a stay in the cloud forest, a journey down the Andes and a four-night full-board cruise to the Galapagos.

In Costa Rica an eightday trip costs from £4,814 for a family of four and includes visits to the capital, San Jose, the mountains and volcanic peaks of Central Valley, a trip on a white-water rafting river, the Pacuare, a visit to the active Arenal volcano, car hire, private transfers, excursions and some meals.

The Costa Rica trip can be added to the Ecuador and Galapagos itinerary or booked as a separate entity.

Flights are excluded.

For more information call 020-8758 4774 or visit www.sunvil.co.uk

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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New brochure out now.

Prices start from ÂŁ999

Adventure more. Pay less.

No Single Supplements on every tour Private tours available Choose from 21 enlightened tours including NEW destinations; Cuba, Costa Rica, Borneo and Burma!

Any questions?

Talk to us on 0161 491 7616 or visit www.jod.uk.com

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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

appy New Year everyone! An encouraging start to 2012 here at Travel Counsellors as we have been celebrating record sales this month with 13th January giving us our best sales day in the company’s 16year history.

Traditionally January is the month for summer holiday bookings but I’ve noticed that almost all the bookings and enquiries I’ve had so far have been for the spring.

Last year was notable for the high number of late bookings so I wonder if this trend is set to continue in 2012?

I also wonder how the Jubilee celebrations and particularly the Olympics are going to affect business this year. Some people may be keen to get away during this time while others may want to stay home. This could result in a large number of unsold holidays during these dates and perhaps some bargains for those that want to go away. However, for those staying at home, there could be a shortage of holidays immediately after the events particularly in the latter part of August.

I’m sure everyone was as shocked and horrified as I was seeing images in the media of the Costa Concordia lying on its side and to hear of the tragic loss of life. It’s a sight that none of us ever expected to see and one that I’m sure we’ll never forget. The safety record for modern-day cruising has, until now, been excellent so this was all the more shocking.

Given the ever increasing size of cruise ships being launched, the logistics of getting thousands of passengers safely off a ship, should a similar incident occur, is a matter of great concern and one that must be urgently addressed by all cruise companies.

In regard to the few cruises that I’ve been on, the safety drill was not undertaken until the day after we sailed which is surely not acceptable and needs to be changed. Thank goodness on the Costa Concordia this wasn’t the case or the consequences may have been even more tragic.

Confidence in cruising has obviously taken a serious knock but although this incident may put a few people off booking in the short term, I feel confident that there will not be any long lasting effect.

H

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

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January 27 2012

MOVERS CLC Leisure has announced the appointment of Max Ali to the newly created post of general manager of CLC Holidays. ● Silversea Cruises has appointed Nathasha Lewis as regional sales manager for the London and South East market. ● Affinion International Travel has appointed Simon Applebaum as online manager. ● Nigel Lingard has joined All Discovery Cruising as business development consultant to help develop trade awareness and sales of Voyages of Discovery, Swan Hellenic and Hebridean Island Cruises. ● The four-star Harte & Garter Hotel in Windsor has appointed Rob Grandison as head chef. ●

Irish Ferries clarifies ‘pets abroad’ ruling AGENTS SHOULD be aware that despite the new EU rules on pet travel, British and Irish governments have agreed that no compliance checks will be made on pets travelling between the two countries, making Ireland one of the easiest options for taking pets abroad.

The new EU rules state that pets visiting France (and all other EU destinations) should be micro-chipped, vaccinated against rabies and hold an Official Veterinary Health Certificate or EU Pet Passport.

However, the DEFRA says that as both the Republic of Ireland and the UK have had no indigenous rabies for many decades, compliance checks on pets travelling between the two countries will not be applied.

Pets are carried free of charge with Irish Ferries, whether they occupy an on-board kennel (limited number, prebooking essential) or remain in the car during the voyage.

Pets are also welcome at various holiday cottage locations and selected B&B’s offered by Irish Ferries Holidays.

Fares to Ireland lead in at £79 one-way for a car and driver.

For more information visit www.irishferries.com and www.defra.gov.uk/pets ●

Go

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WEBSCLUSIVES ●

Air Europa – Fulfill not one, but two New Year’s Resolutions courtesy of the Air Europa competition on www.travelbulletin.co.uk: exercise more and learn something new! Just answer seven simple questions and you could win a salsa dancing workshop for two!

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Kirra Holidays – View the Kirra Holidays 2012/12 Complete Travel Guide in digital format at www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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All About The Indian Ocean – View Travel Bulletin’s annual Indian Ocean supplement in digital format at www.travelbulletin.co.uk

All this and more at:

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

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agentbulletin Booking incentives ●

AIR EUROPA is offering travel agents the chance to win an intensive Salsa workshop for two. To be in with a chance of winning agents need to answer six simple questions - see http://tinyurl.com/7q9wtev

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VIRGIN ATLANTIC Flightstore is offering agents a £10 Love2Shop voucher for every passenger booked on any airline until February 29. Agents that are members of its Pointstore scheme will earn double points with each booking.

Send an email to vfs.salessupport@fly.virgin.com for more details and terms and conditions.

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UNTIL MARCH 2 the Expedia Travel Agencies Affiliate Programme is offering agents and homeworkers the chance to win one of 18 prizes as part of its ‘Great Expedia Prize Draw’ campaign. For every eligible booking (at least £200 accommodation, car hire or activities) an agent makes, they will receive an email containing an entry ticket into the prize draw in addition to the usual rate of commission.

There are no limits to how many entry tickets an agent can have and the more bookings made, the more entries are given. Agents must be members of the TAAP. To register for free visit www.expedia.co.uk/travelagents.

The prize draw will be held in March and prizes to be won include an iPhone, Amazon Kindles and travel vouchers.

For details call 020-7107 2304 or email taexpediauk@expedia.com

Training Events BRIGHT (Bringing Real Information & Guaranteed High Quality Training) has outlined its calendar of training events and venues for 2012.

They are: Tues Feb 7th: Chester – Best Western Queen Hotel; Weds 8th Feb: Wetherby – Hazlewood Castle Hotel, North Yorkshire; Tues 20th March: Glasgow – Grand Central Hotel; Weds 21st March: Edinburgh – The Scotsman Hotel; Tues 17th April: Ascot – The Royal Berkshire Hotel; Weds 18th April: Oxford; Weds 2nd May: Belfast; Weds 16th May: Cornwall (town TBC); Tues 12th June: Cobham; Weds 13th June: Tunbridge Wells; Tues 11th Sept: Liverpool; Weds 12th Sept: Kendal; Tues 16th Oct: Norwich; and Weds 17th Oct: Cambridge.

Registration and bookings are now being taken for events up to April.

For details or to book a place at these events email bookings@eventsfortravel.com For more information see www.brightconsortia.com

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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THE BLUE Train is giving agents a £25 gift voucher for every new booking made on departures before March 31. To claim, send details of the booking, including the client's name, date of travel agency and operator booked to info@ethosmarketing.co.uk. The operator is featuring two last minute offers - if one guest travels in a deluxe suite their partner pays half price when booked before the end of March and two free hotel nights in partner hotels are also offered to all guests travelling throughout this year when booking and paying before the end of March. Guests can opt to spend a free night in Pretoria and the other in Cape Town – or choose to spend both nights in Cape Town. Accommodation includes breakfast and a station transfer.

For details see www.bluetrain.co.za

TIPTO HAS announced dates and locations for its new series of workshops which take place from February 1 to May 24. A new format means that the workshops are conducted in a more intimate style allowing members the chance to engage with a smaller number of agents over the evening. The interactive workshop format is also accompanied by quizzes followed by drinks and a hot buffet dinner. The dates and venues of the TIPTO workshops are as follows: Feb 1: Hull – Mercure Hull West; Feb 2: Bolton - Holiday Inn; Feb 7: Cheltenham – Racecourse; Feb 8: Solihull – St John’s Hotel; March 14: Belfast - Europa Hotel; March 20 location TBC; March 21: Brighton – Hilton Hotel; March 22 location TBC; March 27: Glasgow – Marriott Hotel; April 17: York – Hilton Hotel or Racecourse; April 18: Chester – Best Western Premier Queen’s Hotel; April 24: Plymouth – Holiday Inn; May 3: Peterborough (venue TBC); May 17: Watford – Hilton Hotel; May 23: Manchester – Marriott Renaissance Hotel; and May 24: Newcastle – Marriott Gosforth Park.

For more information on the workshops or how to get involved visit www.tipto.co.uk and www.youtube.com/user/tiptoterrri

January 27 2012

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newsbulletin African Pride sees demand for safari enhancement options AFRICAN PRIDE reports that it has seen several trends which have developed and grown over the past few years where clients are looking to enhance their safari experience.

The operator’s general manager, Liz Hall, said: “Safaris by foot, horseback, canoe and overland camping are proving more and more popular. Whilst the first three safari options are fairly self-explanatory, overland camping safaris may be a little less familiar: a support crew travel in separate vehicles and erect a camp every evening comprising of spacious tents, beds, pillows, duvets

and private en-suite facilities. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience Africa at its rawest.”

As examples of prices, a threenight canoe trail in Botswana costs from £1,149 per person, while a 14night ‘Namibia Adventure Safari’, which includes both overland camping together with hotels & lodges starts from £3,429 per person.

The operator also reports that there has been an increase in demand from clients interested in staying at properties which support the indigenous community and responsible tourism.

Hall said: “Organisations such as Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) awards certificates to properties who are committed to fair trade criteria including fair wages and working conditions, equitable distribution of benefits and respect for human rights, culture and environment.

“We have a wide range of hotels and lodges throughout South Africa which adhere to these principles, where clients can really make a difference.”

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

Contiki Holidays invites travellers to join the Rio carnival CONTIKI HOLIDAYS is inviting travellers to immerse themselves in the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, which takes place next month from February 17-22.

The operator is promoting a six-day stay in the city with optional add-on trips for clients choosing to attend the carnival parade. As an example, clients have the opportunity to participate in the Samba parade in costume.

Clients will stay at the Ipanema Inn, located close to

wall

North Corn

s

lley Lodge

Leycroft Va

from total price

£245*b*

the shopping district and the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, with a bike ride and city tour included in the price, which leads in at £999 per person, land-only, based on two people sharing. It includes breakfast accommodation, a highlight dinner and some activities such as a locally guided city bike tour and tour of Rio’s favelas.

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

South Cornwall

Deerpark Forest total price from

£337*

incl. hot tu

Roses are Red,

Vale of York

Woodland Lakes Lodges

Violets are Blue,

total price from

Surrey

Tilford Woods total price from

£270^

Cumbria

s ell Lodge Thanet W ce from total pri

Hoseasons

£299** incl. hot tub

has some great

Lincolnshire

ods

Kenwick Wo Lodges

om

total price fr

£282**

lodge breaks

for you!

^

£285

Southern Highlands

Lochgoilhead Lodges total price from

£315^

To book: visit www.hoseasons.co.uk/agents or call 0844 847 1144 Example prices based on accommodation only for selected accommodation types. * Based on 10th Feb 2012 for 3 nights, ^ based on 13th Feb for 4 nights and ** based on 17th Feb for 3 nights.

Deerpark Forest based on LP3118, sleeping 4. Leycroft Valley Lodges based on LP4103, sleeping 2. Woodland Lakes Lodges based on LP3880, sleeping 2. Tilford Woods based on LP2334, sleeping 4. Thanet Well Lodges based on LP3558, sleeping 4. Lochgoilhead Lodges based on LP6422, sleeping 6. Kenwick Woods Lodges based on LP1744, sleeping 6. Apply to new bookings only and are subject to availability. Prices based on maximum occupancy and may be withdrawn at any time. Booking terms and conditions apply – see main brochure or website for full details.

S03 TB2701 News 2_Layout 1 25/01/2012 14:56 Page 11

puzzlebulletin Travagrams

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

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

Ia Aw Hi

Number: 049

A➠

B➠ George has recently descended on this destination

C➠

Saddling Ooh Wooly

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

Once you have completed the puzzle, simply identify the numbers that relate to the letters, A, B, C and D then e-mail the solution, with your name, company name, and full postal address plus phone and ABTA number if applicable to: competition@travelbulletin.co.uk Closing date for entries is Thursday, February 2nd. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for 13th January is Tony Duke, Smart Save Travel in Hampshire.

January 13 Solution: A=1 B=9 C=7 D=4

This operator found some driftwood on the beach!

Where Am I?

Divine falls in Venzuela?

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

Number: 049

Across 1. City based hotel chain (5,3) 6. Runs through Chester (3) 8. First name of the US president on a five dollar bill (7) 9. Major car hire company (4) 10. Reformed British pop group will be put through their paces on tour later this year (5) 13. Asian country (5) 14. Capital of Qatar (4) 17. Home Secretary, ___ May (7) 18. Currency of 13 Across (3) 19. Lake in N America, sounds first class (8)

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Down 1. FBI director portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio at a cinema near you (1,5) 2. Soul singer, sounds like a marine mammal (4) 3. This international airport serves the capital of 13 Across (6) 4. Capital of Peru (4) 5. Royal Caribbean cruise ship, ___ of the Seas (8) 7. Flag carrier of Dubai (8) 11. Capital of Lesotho (6) 12. Mark ___, ski holidays specialist (6) 15. Canyonlands is the largest national park in this state (4) 16. Capital of the Maldives (4)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 26 January 27 2012

11

S03 TB2701 News 2_Layout 1 25/01/2012 14:56 Page 12

opinionbulletin

W-AITO-Go!

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

The older the better when it comes to clients...

E’RE ALL rushing around our offices doing our utmost to deal with the peak trading period as calmly and elegantly as possible – never forgetting that the customer is always right...There is hardly time to fit in all the essential tasks, let alone finding time to read another article written by that young man from Kirker Holidays.

Quite a few years have elapsed since 1987, when I sold my first Kirker holiday in a January peak. So, have we learnt anything over the intervening 25 years? One thing that hasn't changed is that it is critical to focus our limited sales and marketing resources to target the hottest prospects – and avoid using up energy on time wasters who prefer to extract information from us before rushing off to DIY their holiday at home. It is not easy to sort the sheep from the goats, but it is an essential task if we are to maximise sales, and having identified the sheep, how are you going to tempt them to buy?

Before inviting a customer into your shop, we have to make certain that our respective sales’ teams do everything brilliantly and make sure that we find time to squeeze in those training updates at every opportunity. Signing up for the AITO Agents’ domestic conference in January was a great way to start the year and to help us to stay ahead of the pack. In spite of time pressure to be in the office, it was fantastic to be part of the action and the event was attended by a record number of independent agents and operators this year. But don't panic if you missed it, AITO’s Specialist Tour Operators hold regular training programmes for agents throughout the year and have an in-depth understanding in the art of selling niche holidays to your customers.

Apart from key workshop sessions at the conference, there were presentations about the state of the market including a 2012 update on consumer insights by TravelVision. As ever, it was fascinating to hear about what the projected trends are likely to be and a great challenge to try to anticipate what consumers will be buying this year.

Although I believed most of the stats, I was a little sceptical about the feedback which suggested that we should be looking out for the ‘under 40s’ as they are an interesting segment to target this year. I am not so sure about these young clients – aren’t they under the greatest financial pressure? The dark shadow cast by mortgage payments and challenges in the job market – not to mention the cost of running a household that includes Wakelets (bless them) means that these younger clients are, in my view, less likely to be ready to splash out on a decent holiday. I may be a bit

W

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January 27 2012

old-fashioned, and possibly completely wrong, but the segment of the market that really excites me is the blue rinse ladies - the 60+ age group.

Not much has changed in the last 25 years – the first rule in sales and marketing is to always focus on the ladies. They make more than 80% of the decisions about whether to buy or not. The second key point hasn't changed much either – we need to focus on the most experienced consumers. It is these clients who have learnt over many years that expert travel agents and specialist tour operators provide a valuable service. Older clients have learnt from first-hand experience that a holiday is too important to risk it – they know that things can go wrong, and that it is best to leave it to the experts.

Don't forget that older consumers need to be treated differently – make sure that your sales team understand how older clients’ needs differ to those of younger customers. Of course you can impress the older generation with technology, but they will be more interested with the promise of a tailor-made itinerary including private guided tours, excursions and old-fashioned service. You can offer them the sort of reassurance and personal service that is impossible to find on the internet – and they appreciate that good value for money is not the same as cheapness.

So for me, 2012 is going to be about working with our independent agents to seduce as many blue rinse ladies as we possibly can, and then finding an elegant way to remind them that life really is too short not to book a tailor-made short break. Now that’s the sort of target marketing that I can really relate to – and the more years’ experience your sales team has, the more success you will have. Good luck and happy selling!

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

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S03 TB2701 News 2_Layout 1 25/01/2012 14:56 Page 13

newsbulletin 2by2 Holidays offers free genealogy starter package on seven-night breaks 2BY2 HOLIDAYS is offering customers who book a seven-day holiday to South Africa the chance to follow in their ancestors' footsteps with a free genealogy starter package.

The southern and east Africa specialist's connections on the ground in South Africa mean the operator is well placed to help clients with family connections in South Africa discover more about their heritage by locating one South African birth, marriage or similar certificate free of charge to help them get started on their journey of discovery.

The company's founder and sales and marketing director, Claire Farley, said: “Over the last year, we have noticed that our customers want more than just a

holiday, they want us to tailor-make an experience for them. Whether that’s horseback safaris, astronomy tours, travelling to the original location of Michael Caine’s hit movie Zulu, or tracking down the places where their ancestors lived and died. Our strong links on the ground with operators, accommodation providers, ground handlers and tour guides in South Africa mean we can honestly say we can put together a package to suit any client’s holiday request, regardless of how challenging that may be.”

The operator also specialises in providing holidays for the disabled, families, couples looking to get married, bird watchers, sports-themed breaks and voluntourism.

For more information visit www.2by2holidays.co.uk

Holiday Extras & new airline jetXtra.com join forces HOLIDAY EXTRAS has teamed up with new airline jetXtra.com to provide holidaymakers based in the North East with travel insurance products.

The companies have confirmed an exclusive, long-term contract to offer travel insurance via the airline’s Website.

The carrier sells flights from Humberside to the Southern Spain resorts of Mallorca and Malaga, targeting sun and sand holidaymakers from the North East.

JoD issues new UK tour to meet demand JOURNEYS OF Distinction has launched a new UK tour following demand from customers.

The 11-day 'Very Best of the UK' tour showcases destinations including Stratford upon Avon, The Lake District and Edinburgh.

Guests are accompanied by a tour manager who helps to organise itineraries and make the most of every moment, whether it's finding that perfect souvenir shop or advice on interesting things to do in their free time. Local blue badge guides are also on hand in various locations to provide in-depth local knowledge, allowing customers to get to know the places they are visiting.

The inaugural departures start in May, June, August and October and cost from £1,199 per person. Guests stay at a range of upmarket hotels with meals included.

For more information or to book visit www.jod.uk.com/travelagents

S03 TB2701 News 2_Layout 1 25/01/2012 16:21 Page 14

pixmix The AITO Specialist Travel Agents' domestic conference took place recently at the Chesford Grange Hotel in Warwickshire. The programme saw a number of workshops and an engaging mix of speakers addressing key industry matters to more than 200 delegates. We captured the weekend on film....

the ir triumph as the national winner of ALL STARS...pictured celebrating the 1 is the team from Journeys a la Car te 201 e em sch ive ent inc rs Sta All O AIT Classic Collection Holidays (sponsor from ) left from rth (fou non Can ire Cla with wn , Claire Hunt, Bernadette Taylor, Bro ne Lyn : are left the m Fro ). ard of the aw antha Riley.

Melanie Sallis, Sue Richardson and Sam

SUITS YOU...getting ready for the AITO All Stars awards ceremony and gala dinner is AITO Agents' chairman , Oliver Broad (le ft) from Robert Broad Travel with Akin Koç of An atolian Sky Holidays.

MARKETPLACE MATES...from the left are: Tricia Conroy Smith, Off Broadway Travel; Nicholas Harding-McKay, Travel Designers in London; Paul Rice, Off Broadway Travel; and Kathryn Coles from Kirker Holidays.

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January 27 2012

GOING FULL CIRCLE...catching up over pre-dinner drinks are Niall Douglas from Full Circle Travel in Wallingford with Anthony and Kristina Hulme from Travel By Design, Alderley Edge.

OFF TO MARKET‌ catching up is Tony Byrne, Great Rail Journeys with Claire Moxley, Traveltime; and Sue Cooper, Great Rail Journeys. www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S03 TB2701 News 2_Layout 1 25/01/2012 16:21 Page 15

cruisenews ‘Sell to Sail’ incentive plus 20% agent commission from Silversea SILVERSEA IS offering two incentives for agents – a ‘Sell to Sail’ promotion and a chance to earn 20% commission on all January sales.

The Sell to Sail incentive offers agents the chance to win a free cruise when they book three new suites by January 31 for voyages departing until June 30. Agents who qualify must submit a redemption form by September 30 and take their cruise on or before December 15.

For all new bookings (excluding Silver Explorer) made

by January 31 for voyages departing until June 30,

agents will also earn a guaranteed 20% commission on invoice.

To redeem the commission, agents must email the reservations department at resUK@silversea.com prior to paying deposit, in order to have the booking/guest eligibility verified. The subject line of the email should clearly indicate the Promo Code: UKCOMM07 and the booking number must be indicated in the body of the email.

For details call 0844-770 9030, see www.silversea.com or email salesuk@silversea.com

Royal Caribbean International announces Caribbean & Panama Canal cruises ROYAL CARIBBEAN International has announced its Vision of the Seas’ winter 2012/13 Caribbean season. The seasonal itineraries visit smaller Caribbean islands less frequented by the line’s larger ships and guests can choose from 19 Caribbean and Panama Canal cruises, ranging in duration from ten to 15 nights, sailing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The itineraries include variations of a ten-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary which calls at Tortola, St. Maarten,

Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Croix and Martinique; a selection of 11-night Southern Caribbean itineraries calling at Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba, St. Kitts, Dominica, and St. Vincent; four Panama Canal sailings - two 14-night Panama Canal itineraries will sail from Port Everglades and San Diego on October 5 and 19 respectively and two 15-night sailings on March 18 and April 2, 2013 also depart Port Everglades and San Diego respectively.

Guests can also experience the

trans-Atlantic crossing on Vision of the Seas. A 14-night westbound itinerary sails on September 21 from Southampton to Port Everglades, calling at Gijon and Vigo, Lisbon and Ponta Delgada. The 13-night eastbound itinerary departs on April 17, 2013 from Port Everglades to Southampton, calling at Lisbon, Vigo and Normandy.

For more information visit www.royalcaribbean.co.uk and www.cruisingpower.co.uk or call 0844-493 2061.

S04 TB2701 News 3_Layout 1 25/01/2012 16:02 Page 16

training

How to ask the right s lt u s re t e g o t s n io t s que H

by RICHARD ENGLIS n my most recent feature I discussed the idea of using open questions to find out what your customers really want and every selling course talks about how useful open questions – the so-called 6ws – are. And it is quite true that when you ask simple questions to which your customer knows the answer then asking the right open question will usually get you the answer you need.

For example, questions like “When do you want to travel?”

Or, “Who will be travelling?” or “What passports do you have?” will usually get you the information you need quickly and accurately. But sometimes, as I suggested in my previous article, you might not get a useful answer. And to find out why you might not get the right answer, we need to look more closely about customers’ wants and needs.

I

Human and material needs In order to make a booking – any kind of booking – you have to find out the material aspects of the booking. The things that are found out by the open questions - when, where, who, and how.

You need to know when your customers wish to travel; where they wish to travel; who is travelling and how they will be travelling. Without this information you can’t book a holiday or indeed any other travel arrangements.

These aspects are what we call our customers’ human needs and it is important to realise that your customers are thinking about their holiday in terms of their human needs; the material needs will probably not concern them. And if you don’t find out your customers’ human needs then you might not find out the material needs that you need to know to make a sale.

The difference between human and material needs applies to just about everything you buy – not just travel.

Last time I gave the example of the paint salesman who was confusing you by talking about different kinds of paint: liquid gloss, satinwood, polyurethane gloss, silthane, thixotropic, and he was talking about the material aspects of his product. He needed to know the answer so that he could sell you the right kind of paint for the job you had in mind. But you are thinking in human needs: inside or outside? Hard-wearing or temporary? Shiny or matt? Washable or not washable? And unless the paint salesman finds out your human needs then he won’t be able to suggest the right paint for you.

The questions what? and why?

The material needs you have to find out will be affected by your customers’ human needs, and to find out what these are you need to know why they want to travel. Of course, you can’t usually ask that question so bluntly, so you will ask in a sideways kind of way: “What kind of things do you like doing on holiday?” or “What are you looking for from your cruise?”

But these questions – which are often quite personal –won’t always give you a full or useful answer. Quite often this is the kind of thing that happens: Agent, “What kinds of things do you like doing on holiday?”

Customer, “Oh, you know, sunbathing and a bit of sightseeing” Agent. “OK – well here are some brochures for you to take a

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January 27 2012

look at…” No sale!

So what should the agent have done? Let’s have another go.

Agent. “What kinds of things do you like doing on holiday?”

Customer, “Oh, you know sunbathing and a bit of sightseeing… ” Agent, “And what kind of sightseeing do you prefer…?”

Customer, “Well, we are quite keen on old buildings and museums…”

Agent. “And you said you liked sunbathing – did you want to stay in an old city or would want something on the beach and then travel around to sightsee…?”

Customer, “Oh – we want to stay in the city – we don’t want to have to drive in…”

Agent. “So are you looking for a nice city centre hotel with its own pool…?”

Customer, “Yes, that’s the kind of thing.”

Now the agent is well on the way to being able to make some proper suggestions as to a suitable destination.

The budget pitfall So, having established that this particular customer would like a hotel with its own pool area in, say, Venice, the next question might be to find out what is within the customer’s budget, since, as you will know, Venice can be very expensive. So the agent asks, “What sort of budget had you in mind? and back comes the answer, “Oh something nice” or “Well, the price does need to be reasonable” and, of course, neither of these answers will help at all. What is “nice” to your customer will probably not mean the same as does to you. Similarly, how much is “reasonable”? Your customer will have a pretty good idea of how much he or she is prepared to spend but might not know how much hotels cost in Venice. You might need to give some additional information before asking again about the customer’s budget. For example, you might say, “Well, the Hilton has its own swimming pool and sunbathing area and it’s around 400 Euros per night – how does that fit in?

If your customer was only thinking of paying around half that amount then you might quickly learn this fact. But not always since, of course, people are often a bit reluctant to admit they can’t afford something. So you need to be sensitive and listen for the kinds of excuses that customers can come up with.

And often customers will lie, rather than admit that the price is too much. So in answer to your probing question, “Well, the Hilton has its own swimming pool and sunbathing area and it’s around 400 Euros per night – how does that fit in? you might get the answer, “Well, actually I see that hotel’s not on the main island and we don’t want to have to take a water taxi every time we want to visit other areas...” Although that might be true, it could simply be a lie because your customer doesn’t want to admit that the price is too high.

So what do you need to do to save wasting a lot of time trying to find an alternative that your customer will accept? And that is for next time. ✦

For more information about this, or any other aspect of training, call Richard English on 01403-710371 or email retraining@pncl.co.uk

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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usa The Lodge at Pebble Beach

Hayes & Jarvis introduces new Californian hotels for golfing enthusiasts TWO NEW Californian west coast retreats located on the 17 Mile Drive between Carmel and Monterey have been added to Hayes & Jarvis’ Exclusive Collection of luxury properties worldwide.

The company's US product manager, Verity Rice, says that The Lodge at Pebble Beach and the Inn at Spanish Bay should have a strong appeal to golfing enthusiasts as both have world-famous golf courses on their doorsteps.

Four-night stays at The Lodge at Pebble Beach, cost from £1,699 per person, and guests can step out of the hotel onto Pebble Beach Golf Links. Nearby, The Inn at Spanish Bay is circled by America’s foremost Scottish-style 18-hole linksland course with additional access to three further golf courses. A four-night stay costs from £1,499 per person and in both cases, packages include room-only accommodation and flights departing on May 21.

Kissimmee welcomes property enhancements across range of hotels KISSIMMEE HAS recently experienced a number of property updates including name changes, new spa additions, plus numerous awards for exceptional standards, amenities and eco-friendly credentials.

As examples, the Mystic Dunes Resort and Golf Club has recently

undergone an extensive renovation providing the ten-year old property with a refreshed look. The resort features 986 refurbished one-, two- and three-bedroom villas which include new wooden furniture, new flooring and appliances. The resort also features an 18-hole

The Saguaro Palm Springs opens next month PALM SPRINGS, California has announced the opening of a new hotel next month.

The Saguaro Palm Springs, sister hotel to The Saguaro in Scottsdale, Arizona, is part of the Joie de Vivre hotel group.

For more information visit www.thesaguaropalmsprin gs.com and www.visitpalmsprings.com

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January 27 2012

championship golf course, four heated pools, tennis and basketball courts and a revamped miniature golf course.

The Celebration Hotel in the Kissimmee town of Celebration has also undergone a recent change and the property now operates under the

name of Bohemian Hotel Celebration. The boutique hotel offers lakefront views and luxury amenities.

For more information on Kissimmee’s villas, hotels and attractions, visit www.destinationkissimmee .co.uk

THE QUA Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace is launching the AURASOMA series, which combines massage and aromatherapy with the natural healing powers of colour and light. According to SpaFinder’s list of the Top Global Trends for 2012, “Colour therapy is gaining momentum as more spas incorporate Ayurvedic medicine, an approach that conceives of the body in terms of seven chakras, each associated with a specific organ, and each, in turn, associated with a colour”. The spa offers 'Aura-Soma Color Reading’ where guests select four bottles from a display of colored liquids, and a practitioner guides him or her through the significance of his or her choices and combinations. A 75-minute AURA-SOMA Colour Quest costs $210.

For details see www.quabathsandspa.com and www.caesarspalace.com

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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usa Grand American Adventures adds 15 new trips GRAND AMERICAN Adventures’ new 2012/13 brochure features 49 itineraries and 15 new trips.

For the more adventurous traveller, the new Grand Canyon Dory Experience takes explorers back in time as they follow Major John Wesley Powell’s 19th century exploratory expedition of the American West. Prices lead in at £2,399 per person for a 14-day land only tour and £3,129 including flights.

The operator's managing director, Claire Wilson, said: “With a 40% increase in Northern American adventures this year, we have expanded our new brochure in line with the growing interest for extra comfort as people explore the US. More solo travellers, couples and families are choosing the freedom of small group travel as they seek to experience active, outdoor adventures but with a comfortable bed to return to after an actionpacked day and our new brochure reflects this trend.”

For more information call 0844-576 1406 or visit www.grandamericanadventures.com

GREAT RAIL Journeys is promoting its new Las Vegas & Railroads of the Wild West itinerary for 2012. The 13-day tour costs from £2,095 per person including scheduled flights, 12 nights' accommodation, four breakfasts, an excursion programme, transfers and a tour manager. Highlights include a sightseeing tour of Denver, a scenic journey on the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway, as well as journeys on the heritage Royal Gorge Railroad, Durango and Silverton Railroad, Grand Canyon Railroad and Verde Canyon Railroad.

For details call 01904-521980 or see www.greatrail.com

Nevada Commission on Tourism applauds US strategy to boost tourism IN A first for the US, President Barack Obama recently announced a national strategy on travel and tourism to boost travel in the United States. The US travel industry is a cornerstone of the US economy, representing 1.8trillion in economic output and supporting 14million jobs.

Director of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Claudia Vecchio, said: “A national effort such as this can impact Nevada on a very tangible local level. Visitors spend approximately $46billion in Nevada, generating $2.4billion in state and local

taxes. This executive order is a major milestone that is sure to benefit our state – and the 425,000 residents whose jobs are tied to tourism.”

According to a White House statement, the announcement calls for a national strategy to make the US the world's top travel and tourism destination, as part of a comprehensive effort to spur job creation. The number of travellers from emerging economies with growing middle classes such as China, Brazil, and India - is projected to grow by 135%, 274% and 50% respectively by 2016 when compared to 2010.

Obama will also sign an Executive Order and charge several government agencies to take part in efforts and new initiatives to significantly increase travel. Some of the initiatives include: a new pilot programme and rule change for visa processing in China and Brazil, a final rule to expand and make the Global Entry program permanent, appoint new members to the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and the Nomination of Taiwan to the Visa Waiver Program.

The Nevada Commission on Tourism has partnered with the US Travel Association to increase travel

to and within the United States. Among its objectives for this year are for the US government to pursue concrete actions to increase international travel, business travel, participation in meetings and conventions and leisure travel throughout America. Policies that US Travel will champion include expansion of the Visa Waiver programme to Brazil, Argentina and Chile; further improvements to its entry process for international guests; streamlining the TSA experience for trusted travellers; and building an aviation system that encourages greater air travel.

Shearings highlights range of popular itineraries for agents to promote to clients SHEARINGS IS continuing to feature several US itineraries for 2012, following the success of last year and is highlighting a range of tours.

A ten-day Colours of New England option has departures available in September and October and visits four of the American States.

Highlights include a New England Clambake, a tour of Cannon Mountain Aerial Tram and visits to a Newport Mansion and a Shaker Village.

Prices lead in at £1,599 per person and include eight nights' breakfast accommodation, one lunch, five excursions, flights and transfers.

A nine-day Great Eastern Cities, with departures available between April and October, costs from £1,399 and gives visitors the chance to explore famous landmarks on a journey from New York to Niagara Falls.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Highlights include tours of New York, Gettysburg battlefield, Washington DC and Philadelphia, as well as visits to Niagara Falls, the Appalachian Mountains, Liberty Bell and Amish Country.

Prices include seven nights’ accommodation, nine included excursions, flights and transfers.

Meanwhile, a 16-day Western Discovery itinerary which takes in a range of national parks, leads in at £1,799.

Highlights include tours through the national parks of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Yosemite, as well as San Diego and San Francisco city tours. The price includes 14 nights’ accommodation, five excursions, flights and transfers and departures are available from April to October.

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

January 27 2012

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usa SeaWorld adds range of new attractions for 2012/13 to entice visitors GUESTS TO SeaWorld and Discovery Cove in Orlando will be able to experience a new range of attractions this year and next.

At SeaWorld Orlando a new visual conservation experience, called Turtle Trek, allows guests to get closer to sea turtles and learn more about their plight and the life journey they 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 same beach to lay their own eggs.

Guests will experience a 3D and 360º view of the film, from above and all around, where they will be given a turtle’s eye view of the ocean’s wonders.

Back in the real world, visitors can get up-close to the sea turtle at two extensive habitats next to the dome, one saltwater area which will also house more than 1,500 fish and more than a dozen sea turtles, and the other a freshwater habitat where guests can discover hundreds of freshwater fish and gentle manatees.

Meanwhile, opening at Discovery Cove this spring is Freshwater Oasis, featuring swimming and wading adventures and face-to-face encounters with playful otters and curious marmosets.

Designed with a rainforest canopy above and sparkling clear springs below, all of the family can experience this tropical setting, with most of the water at waist height and various levels of exploration where they can wade, swim and float in the water-filled trails and discover marmosets and Asian otters.

Freshwater Oasis is included with admission to Discovery Cove, where guests can swim with dolphins, hand-feed tropical birds in a free-flight aviary, snorkel among thousands of fish and rays and relax on white sandy beaches.

Spring 2013 sees the launch of SeaWorld Orlando’s Antarctica - Empire of the Penguin, where guests can explore the frozen wildernesses of the Antarctica through the eyes of the penguin on an interactive ride.

A Discovery Cove Ultimate Package includes one day reservation at Discovery Cove (with a 30-minute dolphin swim experience, all meals, snacks and beverages) plus a 14-day unlimited entry to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica.

Prices lead in at £164 per person.

For more information or to book visit www.seaworldparks.co.uk

Frontier Ski offers multi-centre option to combine ski package with Washington stay FRONTIER SKI is offering a skiing package combined with a stay in Washington to include Economy Class flights from Heathrow to Washington on United Airlines, two nights at the Crowne

Plaza in Washington, the hire of an SUV for five days and accommodation at Snowshoe Mountain Resort with a fourday lift ticket.

Prices start from £1,175 per person

for a studio at the Silver Creek Lodge for five nights or £1,315 in a Platinum Studio at Soaring Eagle. All taxes are included.

For details call 020-8776 8709.

S05 TB2701 USA_Layout 1 25/01/2012 12:47 Page 21

usa A NEW interactive Titanic exhibit is scheduled to open in Mystic, Connecticut on April 12. 'Titanic - 12,450 Feet Below' opens at Mystic Aquarium to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the liner’s maiden voyage and tragic sinking. Entry to the exhibit is included with admission to the aquarium which costs $29 (approximately £19) for adults and $21 (approximately £13) for children aged three-17.

For details see www.mystic.org and www.discovernewengland.co.uk.

DVD release of Dolphin Tale puts Clearwater in the spotlight ST. PETERSBURG/Clearwater, the destination which laid the backdrop to last year’s 3D Major Motion Picture, Dolphin Tale, is set to dive into the spotlight again with the film’s DVD release next month.

The family favourite from Warner Bros is inspired by Winter the dolphin’s real life story. Rescued and cared for by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a unique facility dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick or injured marine animals, Winter’s heroic journey is an uplifting and heart-warming story of survival against the odds. After losing her tail in a crab-trap, she becomes the first dolphin to learn to swim again with the aid of a prosthetic tail.

With the DVD release of Dolphin Tale on February 13, fans of the film will be able to watch Winter’s inspirational story again.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium also offers visitors the opportunity to meet Winter and go behind the scenes with its newest exhibit, Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure. With recreated scenes, film sets, images and a variety of authentic props used in the film, the exhibit also showcases early prosthetic prototypes which were created in the quest to craft a successful artificial tail for Winter.

For more information visit www.visitstpeteclearwater.com

* Terms and Conditions apply. Please visit www.tttandt.com/incentives.aspx for details ** Terms and conditions apply. Please visit www.tttandt.com/incentives.aspx for details.

Travel Trade Tickets and Tours is a trading name of NAR UK Ltd, an ABTA bonded tour operator established 1981.

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usa Inghams adds new resort in Colarado Mountains for 2012/13 INGHAMS HAS introduced a new resort for winter 2012/13 with an early booking saving of £100 per couple.

Winter Park, situated high in the Colorado Mountains, offers skiing and snowboarding activities and is made up of five distinct but well-linked areas.

From the main base, a fast chair lift takes visitors to the peak of the original Winter Park Mountain from where they can descend in all directions.

A ten-night stay at the three-star Alpenglo Lodge leads in at £999 per person including flights from Heathrow and transfers.

For more information or to book visit www.inghams.co.uk or call 020-8780 4447.

Winter Park

New range of excursions from Attraction World ATTRACTION WORLD has added new excursions in the US - from Top Gun flights to Broadway shows. Travellers to Las Vegas who feel the need for speed can take part in a Top Gun flight experience featuring aerobatic stunts including loops, rolls and spins, or engage in air combat under

the supervision of expert fighter pilots.

Prices lead in at £410 for a Top Gun experience and £855 for a Sky Combat flight.

For clients interested in taking in New York, agents can suggest a Broadway show, and the operator has

added Bonnie and Clyde plus the new staging of The Gerwins’ Porgy and Bess to take its portfolio of shows to 19. All tours are fully commissionable to agents.

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

America’s Civil War Trails featured in new brochure THE AMERICAN Civil War Trails are now documented in a new brochure which features routes through six states, including West Virginia, to attract and guide history buffs to the region and experience the history found in this area.

As part of the Civil War Trails, there are a number of museums, historic small towns, plantations and military cemeteries that can be visited. All of the attractions,

including the battlefields, offer informative tours that appeal to tourists with little knowledge of the history. The trails which run through these states all include interactive stops, as well as self-guided audio tours. Tours by Segway and bus to the areas most affected by the war are also included.

For more information visit www.civilwartrails.org

Great Lakes USA debut from North American Travel Service & Vacations Group TWO MAJOR tour operators are including itineraries for the Great Lakes USA for the first time this year.

Both North American Travel Service (NATS) and the Vacations Group have joined Virgin Holidays and Complete North America in covering the diverse area of the mid-west of America.

NATS has included a 14-night fly/drive Great Lakes tour into a twopage feature in its new brochure,

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January 27 2012

including a Michigan Lakes and Mackinac Island tour, while the new Vacations' Group brochure has an entire section devoted to ‘Great Lakes and Northeast’, with one page covering a Great Lakes fly/drive tour, one for an escorted tour and a six-page tailormade section on the area.

Executive director of the Great Lakes USA, Toby McCarrick, said: “We are delighted to have four tour operators

selling the Great Lakes now. The region is a popular leisure destination, famous for its many activities in the great outdoors, sightseeing, city life, outdoor activities, water sports and adventurous pursuits. Golfers, anglers, hikers, bikers and sailors are catered for in each state. Plus the latest adventure activities are available including kite-surfing, sky-diving, geocaching, ice-climbing and kayaking."

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seatonly BANGKOK AIRWAYS is to commence a non-stop daily service between Koh Samui and Kuala Lumpur from March 31. Flights will be operated by an Airbus 319 serving 138 Economy Class seats.

For details visit www.bangkokair.com

Delta Air Lines and AVIAREPS to cooperate in Ukraine AVIAREPS HAS started this year with a new client for its growing portfolio. Delta Air Lines has chosen the partner for the territory of Ukraine.

With immediate effect, the company's team in Kiev is appointed as general sales agent by the US carrier. Future activities for the Ukrainian market will include sales, marketing, reservations and ticketing on behalf of the airline.

Flybe announces six new routes for the summer season FLYBE WILL operate an additional six new routes from the start of the summer season that offer up to 34 flights a week from March 25, expanding the airline’s schedule to a total choice of 208 routes across its network.

There are two new routes from Newcastle to Newquay and Bergen (Norway); and new routes from Belfast City to Newquay; to Knock and Waterford (Republic of Ireland) from Leeds Bradford and Birmingham respectively and from Southampton to Tours in France.

The six additional new routes have been chosen so that both leisure and business travellers have a wide variety of travel options available to them and, in the case of the Newcastle- Bergen route, re-instates a muchawaited link between the two twinned cities.

They follow hot on the heels of the

announcement of the airline’s new route between Newquay and Norwich and its franchise partner Loganair’s four new flights out of Norwich (to Exeter, the Isle of Man, Manchester and Southampton).

Fares lead in at £26.99 one-way including taxes and charges.

Meanwhile, the carrier has taken delivery of its second full flight simulator that enables its Training Academy in Exeter to offer a full range of pilot training, including recurrent and type training, for both the Bombardier Q400 and the Embraer 170/190 family of aircraft.

The new Level-D E-Jet device is convertible between both the Embraer 170 and 190 series and will be available to airlines for both wet and dry lease from March.

For more information visit www.flybe.com

Hong Kong Airlines to launch all Club Class service from London HONG KONG Airlines has announced that it will launch an all Club Class service flying daily non-stop between London and Hong Kong from March 8.

The carrier will operate flight HX876 departing from Gatwick at 21:30, arriving in Hong Kong at 18:05 the following day. Flight HX875 will depart Hong Kong at 23:50 arriving in London the next day at 05:55. The new service will be operated with a dedicated fleet of three new Airbus A330-200s which will showcase two premium cabins: ‘Club Premier’ and ‘Club Classic’.

Club Premier will include 34 luxury 6’1” fully flat beds configured 1-2-1 in the two forward cabins; a fine dining service with individual table settings, wines and Champagne; turndown service with duvets,

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pyjamas and slippers and luxury amenity kits.

Club Classic will feature 82 cradle seats configured 2-2-2 over two cabins with a 51” seat pitch with 22” width and superior dining.

All cabins come complete with Wi-fi, AVOD, digital magazines and high definition 16:9 ratio widescreens.

The airline's general manager, Gerard Clarke, said: “The concept for the all Club Class aircraft will provide passengers with a private jet style ambience and an exceptional crew to guest ratio, and we are confident that we have the right knowledge and experience to make a success of the new all Club Class daily service.”

For more information visit www.hongkongairlines.com/club

Online sales up by 46% for Monarch MONARCH IS celebrating a record start to this year, with online sales up by 46% year-on-year.

Since the start of the airlines’ January Super Flight sale, traffic through the www.monarch.co.uk Website has experienced a 25% boost in visitors; with a 30% increase in online bookings year-onyear.

The airline is launching 14 new routes to its scheduled network of flights for this summer, including the Italian cities of Milan, Rome, Verona and Venice, the Croatian city of Dubrovnik and Crete.

This month’s top three destinations for bookings were Dalaman, Sharm el Sheikh and Rome.

Kevin George, the carrier’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to have experienced such a positive start to 2012; we are still seeing these figures continue to grow and expect much bigger days to come. It is clear as our sales continue to grow that customers value our transparent fees, preferring to eliminate the element of surprise with additional ‘hidden charges’, such as unnecessary card payment fees.”

January 27 2012

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seatonly Etihad Airways commences flights to Tripoli ETIHAD AIRWAYS has launched flights from Abu Dhabi to Tripoli.

The service, which is operated three times weekly, is the only direct commercial flight between the UAE and Libya’s capital city.

The carrier's president and CEO, James Hogan, said: “We are delighted to launch this service to Tripoli. Libya is a beautiful country that over the coming months and years will have much to offer both business and leisure travellers. Tripoli is Etihad Airways’ fifth African destination and marks the first time these two Arab capitals have been commercially linked by air.”

VUELING IS investing €325million in the addition of five new aircraft to its fleet – four Airbus A320s and one Airbus A319, taking the total fleet to 28 aircraft based at El Prat and offering 70 direct routes from the Catalan capital, 23 more than last summer. The new routes include Lanzarote, San Sebastian and Almeria in Spain, Lourdes in France, Malmö in Sweden, Nuremberg in Germany, Edinburgh and Southampton, Stavanger in Norway and Split in Croatia. The fleet expansion will also increase the number of connecting flights via Barcelona up to a potential of 900.

Germanwings celebrates tenth anniversary with launch of new destinations GERMANWINGS HAS started its tenth anniversary year by offering five new destinations from Cologne/Bonn, starting this summer.

The five new routes are to Heathrow, Catania for Sicily, Naples, Rijeka in Croatia and Nador in Morocco. Bookings for all five routes are now available.

The airline will commence flights to the first four destinations from the end of March, while flights to Nador will be available from May 25 until October 19.

There will be three flights daily to Heathrow, twice weekly flights to Catania, three weekly flights to Naples and Rijeka and twice weekly flights to Nador.

The carrier has announced that a range of special offers will be available throughout this year, with campaigns and competitions being posted on a birthday celebration Website at www.germanwings.com/geburtstag on the tenth day of each month.

For more information visit www.germanwings.com

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seatonly Blue1 launches new flights to Budapest for summer

Qantas announces new ambassador QANTAS AIRWAYS has announced Australian model and author Miranda Kerr as its new ambassador.

She joins an exclusive group of the carrier’s current ambassadors who include John Travolta, Cathy Freeman, Mark Webber, Greg Norman, Mark Schwarzer and John Eales.

Air Namibia & AVIAREPS strengthen business relationship AIR NAMIBIA and AVIAREPS have entered into a representation agreement for the Spanish market. With immediate effect, the company's office in Madrid will be responsible for the sales promotion of the Namibian carrier in Spain.

The airline currently connects Europe with the African continent through Frankfurt in Germany, with six weekly connections available.

The offer will upgrade to daily operations as from March 28.

BUDAPEST AIRPORT has announced that Star Alliance member Blue1 will begin scheduled services from the Finnish capital of Helsinki to Budapest this summer.

The flights will operate weekly from

June 2 through to September 29, increasing to twice weekly between July 4 and August 8.

The route will be operated by a Boeing 717 aircraft.

Tickets are available at www.blue1.com

Emirates adds Vietnam to global network from June EMIRATES IS continuing its expansion in South East Asia with the addition of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to its global network from June 4.

The carrier will use an Airbus A330-200 in a two class configuration on the route to Ho Chi Minh City, which is set to become the airline’s 124th destination.

From October 28 the service will be operated by a Boeing 777-300 ER in a two class configuration.

The airline's president, Tim Clark, said: “Following the signing of the Air Services Memorandum of Understanding between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates in April 2011, we have been busy planning this route and it comes at a very exciting time for the airline, as our global network continues to expand. “Emirates will offer tourists and business travellers, particularly from the Middle East, Africa and Europe, a convenient option to access Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most vibrant places in South East Asia and we are convinced that this will prove to be a highly popular route."

Meanwhile, the carrier has launched a new daily Dublin route, served by an Airbus A330-200 aircraft, providing First Class, Business Class and Economy Class travel.

Flights depart Dubai at 07:00 and arrive in Dublin at 11:30. The return leg of the journey departs Dublin at 12:55 and arrives in Dubai the following day at 00:25.

Ho Chi Minh City

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9 Dubrovnik, Milan (Malpensa) and Venice from Manchester, Birmingham & London Gatwick 9 Rome (Fiumicino) from Birmingham and Luton 9 Verona from Manchester 9 Flights commence in March 2012 with wide choice of departure days ABTA No.V1021

9 All ights are fully inclusive of taxes and are ATOL protected * The price quoted is based on a return ight departing Gatwick 12 April to Milan (4 night duration)

2ESERVATIONS !DMIN

\ 6IEWDATA )34%, !62 &!342!+ !62 \ AVROAGENTS CO UK * *Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras

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January 27 2012

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seatonly Ryanair puts one million seats on sale from £9.99 to Spain

We asked our staff the following question this week: Who was your teenage pin-up or crush?

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk David Soul in Starsky & Hutch

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Bros and NKOTB (New Kids On The Block)

Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk In my early teens it was Jason Donovan with and without mullet - Too many broken hearts...

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Hayley Mills

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Olivia Newton-John

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

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk Jet from Gladiators

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk Raquel Welch

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@alaincharles.com Louise Nurding (now Louise Redknapp)

Design: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@alaincharles.com Kelly Brooke

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

Production: Jeremy Walters jeremy.walters@alaincharles.com Lamborghini Countach

Circulation Manager: Jim Merchant post@travelbulletin.co.uk Travel Bulletin is published by Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London, SW1W 0EX, Tel: 020-7834 6661 Printed by: Wyndeham Grange Limited - Travel Bulletin is published weekly and distributed to every ABTA, TTA & GTG agent.

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

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

26

Audit Bureau of Circulations Business magazines

January 27 2012

RYANAIR HAS announced that it will be adding two new destinations to its network of routes from Liverpool John Lennon Airport for the summer schedules, operating services to Barcelona and Almeria in Spain.

Flights commence on March 25 and seats are on sale from £29.99 oneway, taking the total number of destinations served by the airline to 40.

This is the first time that the destinations have been served by the carrier and Barcelona is expected to be a popular route for passengers looking for a city break destination that combines year-round sightseeing with the benefit of a Mediterranean coastal resort.

The coastal resort of Almeria and its surrounding areas in Andalucía, Southern Spain is also a popular holiday area.

The airline's Maria Macken said, “Our new routes from Liverpool will operate throughout the summer giving passengers in the North West even more choice when booking their summer getaway.

“To celebrate the two new routes we are releasing one million seats on sale from £9.99 for travel across Europe in mid-February and March.

Since these seats will be snapped up fast we urge intending passengers to book them immediately."

For more information visit www.ryanair.com

Adria Airways announces flights to Slovenia ADRIA AIRWAYS is to resume flights from London to Ljubljana in Slovenia for summer.

The first flight is scheduled to depart on March 25 from Luton and flights will operate on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

AVRO adds new regional departures AVRO HAS increased its flying programme for 2012 with a range of new regional departures to selected Greek Islands and Florida. New routes to selected Italian cities (Milan, Rome, Venice and Verona) plus Dubrovnik in Croatia have also been introduced for this year.

The new routes with Monarch commence in March with flights to Milan (Malpensa) and Venice (Marco Polo) departing from Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester up to six times weekly and lead in at £89 return. Flights to Rome (Fiumicino) will operate from Luton and Birmingham up to five times weekly from £99 return and to Verona (International) from Manchester from £115 return. Flights to Dubrovnik will operate from Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester up to three times weekly from £99 return.

The carrier's new regional flights to Greece include East Midlands and Newcastle to both Heraklion in Crete

and to Corfu. Prices on the new charters lead in from £199 per person based on the East Midlands to Corfu which operates on Mondays from May 21 to September 24. The East Midlands to Heraklion is priced from £199 per person and will operate on Tuesdays from May 22 to September 25. Operating from May to November each Tuesday, the Newcastle to Heraklion is priced from £259 with the Newcastle to Corfu operating each Monday between May 21 and September 24 from £229.

Other new regional summer departures include flights from both Cardiff and Newcastle to Orlando Sanford between May and August.

The flights will be on sale for 14night durations and both programmes will be operated on Monarch A330 aircraft. Economy prices from Cardiff are from £479 per person and from Newcastle from £475 per person.

For details call 020-8313 8000.

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SUPERIOR. Down:1. J EDGAR, 2. SEAL, 3. NARITA, 4. LIMA, 5. RHAPSODY, 7. EMIRATES, 11. MASERU, 12. WARNER, 15. UTAH, 16. MALE.

Highlighted Word: JERSEY Travagrams: (Top) Longwood Holidays (Bottom) Hawai’i Where Am I?: Angel Falls

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

Best advice

Best accommodation

Best operator to North Africa

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

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

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

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

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

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