Travel Bulletin 27th June 2014

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June 27 2014 | ISSUE NO 1,878 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Romania Increased accessibility opens up destination to new opportunities

this week

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puzzle bulletin play Su Doku for a chance to win a ÂŁ50 Love2Shop voucher

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cruise bulletin new poll reveals itinerary & destination are more important than price

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pix mix images from Jetset’s World Cup party latin america

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operators boost programmes with new destinations & tours

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MADE UP IN MACAU...30 operators and agents recently visited Macau and Hong Kong as part of Cathay Pacific's mega fam trip to the Far East. The group spent three nights in Macau courtesy of the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), giving them the opportunity to explore and experience the diverse and unique Chinese region. Pictured at the Sofitel Macau are, from the left: (front row) Mark Harris, Wendy Wu; Jas Anand, MGTO; and Janet Evans, Travel Counsellor; with (second row) Chris Briggs, Dial a Flight; Martin Spencer, Gold Medal; Ian Wilkinson, Keith Harrison and Jenny Liu, Cathay Pacific; Fernando Dicolli, American Express; Jerome Cartier, Cathay Pacific; Sharon Haynes, Audley Travel; Gareth Rogers, Cox & Kings; with (back row) Gary Kirby, Trailfinders; Gayle Nicholls, Worldspan; Peter Ellis, Destinology; Hannah Turck, Flightcentre; Steve Yates, Kuoni; Samantha Kitchener, Flightcentre; Heathe Anderson and Nicola Kerr, Travel 2; Lisa Harris, Travel Counsellor; Sam Henderson, Trailfinders; Sarah Armstrong, Major Travel; and Sarah Roff, Hong Kong Tourism Board.

This Week news 3

Cover Pictures: Main - Bran Castle, Romania. Image by Doug Goodman

Inset - Machu Picchu, Peru - Collette

a round-up of industry announcements, product developments & launches

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agent bulletin

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staff review

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puzzle bulletin

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cruise bulletin

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pix mix

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bulletin briefing

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romania

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latin america

the latest agent booking incentives, training updates & fam trips we check in at the Mercure Windsor Castle Hotel play Su Doku for a chance to win a £50 Love2Shop voucher from Voyages-sncf new poll reveals itinerary & destination are more important than price images from Jetset’s World Cup party news & views from The Global Travel Group increased accessibility opens up destination to new opportunities operators boost programmes with new destinations & tours

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Research from Budget finds Brits wish they had more freedom MORE THAN half of Brits (51%) wish they had more freedom to be spontaneous, according to new research from Budget Car Rental.

The study of 1,000 British adults was conducted by the car rental company to launch its Budget & Go campaign, which encourages people to see and do more.

The research revealed that many of us have become set in our ways, with only 24% claiming to live life spontaneously.

This fear of leaving our comfort zone even extends to our travel habits, with many Brits stuck on repeat with their holiday choices, with almost one in three Europeans returning to the same holiday destination each year.

Nearly a third of those surveyed (32%) have already planned their holidays for the year – thereby closing the door to new opportunities and the

possibility of a last-minute adventure.

Commenting on the findings, behaviour expert, Jez Rose said: “Humans are creatures of habit, however, very quickly we can find that we feel stuck in the same daily routine, occupied with mundane activities such as grocery shopping or cleaning the house. Meanwhile there is a whole world waiting to be explored and the change in routine is often the very thing we need to inspire us, motivate us or simply do something different.

“As a nation we need to re-think our leisure time and try something new once in a while: it is only through doing something differently that we can expect different results.

New and varying experiences help make us more confident, balanced and interesting. But they also put us very firmly in charge of our own destiny

– and it’s only by trying something new that we can decide if we like it or not.”

Mark Servodidio, managing director for Budget UK, said: “We want our Budget & Go campaign to help people understand that in an overly complicated and stressful world, taking to the road and seeking out new places, spaces and faces can inject a much-needed sense of adventure. The cost associated with doing things last-minute is often seen as a barrier to being spontaneous but we think that trying something new shouldn’t cost a fortune – all you need is a desire to do something new and a car to get you there.

“We’ve just introduced mobile Wi-Fi access to our product range, which can be used anywhere for only £8.50 a day, making those last minute road-trips even easier to plan whilst on the move.”

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newsbulletin Moroccan tours from £1,395 per person from Travel The Unknown TRAVEL THE Unknown is highlighting three tours in Morocco.

They include a 13-day Classic Morocco tour which features a trip around the major sites of Morocco including Marrakech, the Imperial Cities of Fez and Meknes, the coastal fishing town of Essaouira and a camel ride in the Sahara Desert, with prices leading in at £2,095 per person.

A 14-day Southern Morocco Explorer takes visitors off-thebeaten-track into the Anti Atlas Mountains and Berber villages to lesser-seen Atlantic coastal towns, with a relaxing break sipping sundowners at a luxury camp in the Sahara desert, with prices from £2,295.

Meanwhile, an eight-day Exotic Flavours of Morocco tour is suited to clients with an interest in both sightseeing and food, with highlights including spice shopping in the souks of Marrakech and cooking classes

Southern Morocco Explorer tour

from local chefs in Fez. Prices lead in at £1,395.

Tours are commissionable to agents at 10% and all include ground transport, accommodation, some

meals, entrance fees, activities and English speaking guides. Flights are excluded.

For more information see www.traveltheunknown.com/morocco

Geckos Adventures announces small group adventures for 18-39 year-olds GECKOS ADVENTURES is now offering trips exclusively to 18 to 39 year-olds, making it the first small group adventure tour operator for younger travellers.

The Melbourne-based adventure travel company has made the decision following feedback from travellers who say they want to travel with people their own age.

The company's managing director, James Thornton, said: “Our customers in their 20s and 30s have told us that they want to feel like they are travelling with a small group of friends to explore a destination - and that they want to travel with people their own age. We’ve listened to this feedback and identified an opportunity in

the market.

“The Geckos’ style of travel is perfect for younger travellers who aren’t interested in the ‘big party bus’ style of group travel out there. Our trips are for a younger crowd of discerning travellers, who are looking for local experiences on small group trips with likeminded people.”

The change will apply to trips in 2015, with 18-39 year-old trips highlighted in the brochure release later this year. The company will also increase trip frequency by adding more departures for the 18 to 39 year-old trips, giving travellers more choice on dates.

For more information visit www.geckosadventures.com

Funway Holidays teams with Aer Lingus to grow US services

KOALA FUN...Pictured on a fam to Queensland for the 2014 Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) with a carer from Australia Zoo are, from the left: Victoria Haining, Travel 2; Claire Woods, Trailfinders; and Amy Cripps, Flight Centre.

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FUNWAY HOLIDAYS has announced that it has signed an agreement with low-cost airline, Aer Lingus, to sell services to America, for the first time, as it looks to grow business in Ireland.

The operator's marketing manager, Nick Talbot, said: “We have been listening to our customers and the new service offers great benefits for them. One of the main advantages being regional departures, allowing customers to connect to their holiday destination via Ireland saving time and avoiding having to travel via London."

Irish holidaymakers can take advantage of the new agreement including US immigration and Custom PreClearance - making arrival into the US quicker and smoother.

As an example of prices, a three-night stay at the fourstar Sheraton Boston including flights leads in at £799 per person, based on two sharing on a February 19, 2015 departure.

For more information see www.funway4agents.co.uk

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newsbulletin GRJ launches 'Winter, Christmas & New Year' 2014/15 brochure GREAT RAIL Journeys has launched its new 'Winter, Christmas & New Year' brochure for 2014/15, featuring a selection of winter, Christmas and New Year holidays and Christmas Markets, as well as special event tours by rail including three new tours to the US and Russia.

The three new tours include ‘Southern States and the Everglades’, ‘New York & Vermont at Christmas and New Year’ and ‘A Russian Tsar’s New Year Ball’.

As an example, clients can celebrate New Year by taking a trip through Russia's history and heritage and visiting iconic attractions such as the Kremlin and the Hermitage, before marking the New Year itself with a gala ball in an ornate Tsar's

palace on ‘A Russian Tsar’s New Year Ball’ tour.

The six-day adventure leads in at £1,995 per person and includes scheduled flights; standard class rail travel; five nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast; five dinners; and a selection of tours and excursions including a guided tour of Moscow, a visit and entrance to the Kremlin, an excursion to the Hermitage in St Petersburg and a sightseeing tour of St Petersburg.

Overall prices for the new brochure lead in at £265 for a fourday ‘Bath & Bristol Christmas Markets’ tour.

To book or for further information call 01904-521980 or see www.greatrail.com

New Caribbean activity tours for 2014/15 from P&O Cruises

KEA Campers, a provider of campervan holiday experiences for hire and sale in New Zealand, has launched its new KEA 2+1KQ. The purpose-built vehicle sleeps three and offers a fully equipped kitchen complete with a three-burner stove, microwave, fridge and slide out gas barbecue; one king size bed and a single bed; a DVD with 19in flat screen and surround sound speakers; and a bathroom with hot water.

For details see www.keacampers.com

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P&O CRUISES has introduced new activity tours in the Caribbean for cruises departing in 2014 and 2015.

New activities in the Caribbean include a coral restoration dive experience in Bonaire, with prices from £89 per person; a Segway, sights and beach tour in St Lucia for families (children must be aged eight and above) from £56 per adult and £45 per child; and a 30-minute helicopter flight in St Kitts from £168.

Clients booking a Select Price fare may be eligible to receive additional on board spending money, which can be used towards shore excursions.

Transatlantic cruises start from £989 per person departing on March 14, 2015. It includes 13 nights in an inside cabin on family friendly Ventura, full board meals, entertainment, round the clock kids’ clubs and £80 additional on board spending money per person.

Fly/cruises start from £1,549 based on a December 6 departure, and include 14 nights in an inside cabin on Ventura, full board meals, entertainment, kids’ clubs and £80 additional on board spending money per person.

For more information or to book see www.pocruises.co.uk or call 0843-373 0111.

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newsbulletin Monarch Travel Group launches new bookable trade website THE MONARCH Travel Group (MTG) has launched a dedicated trade website providing agents with a faster booking process, increased flexibility, quicker access to new products and advanced administration capability.

With only one agent log-in required, the website home page hosts links to all four of the Group’s brands; Cosmos Holidays, Somewhere2stay, Avro Flights and sister company, Cosmos Tours & Cruises to offer an easyto-use holiday search and booking process for each company.

Whilst flight-only operator Avro Flights and accommodation-only provider Somewhere2stay have previously offered trade bookable websites, this is the first time that all four brands are united in one portal all featuring enhanced booking capabilities. As well as the booking process, the site will also host sections providing agent support, special offers, key selling points, agent incentives as well as trade guides.

Meanwhile, an advanced administration capability gives agents greater control of bookings with the option to amend or cancel, review documentation and supply the customer with necessary paperwork including ATOL licences and booking confirmations. All bookings taken by the agent can be easily reviewed with a summary of costs including earned commission.

For further information email agentweb@cosmos.co.uk

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GLASGOW GET-TOGETHER...27 independent travel agents from 18 agencies in Glasgow, Stirling, Renfrew, Lanark, Lancashire and South Yorkshire attended a BRIGHT (Bringing Real Information & Guaranteed High Quality Training) workshop and dinner at The Radisson Blu in Glasgow recently. Pictured enjoying the event are, from the left: Robin Segal, Jersey Travel; Rosie Hackett and Chris Malone, Flight Centre; and Alistair Maclean, Viking River Cruises.The next events take place on September 9 on the Isle of Man, September 10 in Chester, October 7 in Tunbridge Wells, October 8 in Guildford, October 21 in Bodmin and October 22 in Exeter.

For details visit www.brightconsortia.com

Travelport unveils details of new global brand vision TRAVELPORT HAS outlined details of its new global brand vision and strategy in a bid to more accurately describe the role it plays in the global travel distribution chain.

The new vision has been developed to more closely align with what the company now offers the industry, rather than more than 40 years ago when it was first developed by airlines and largely concentrated only on basic air transaction processing.

The company's differentiated content and product offering now includes eNett payment solutions, which are fully integrated into the travel agent’s desktop and workflows to enable secure, electronic payments between travel agencies and travel providers; enhanced air content distributed through its platform to include fares and ancillary products from low-cost carriers, as well as network carriers through the same point of sale and workflow management tools; expanded hotel content

offering the ability to travel agencies to make real time reservations for more than 580,000 individual hotel properties; and airline merchandising providing functionality which allows airlines to connect to Travelport and distribute their ancillary products and fares, through either traditional fare filing methods such as ATPCo, or via XML APIs (Application Programming Interfaces).

As part of the brand re-launch, the company has also taken the opportunity to more clearly define its key business activities by re-naming its two main operational areas. First, its Travel Commerce Platform, including merchandising, reservations, payments and workflow management, which accounted for 95% of its revenue in quarter one this year, and second, its Technology Services business through which it provides critical IT services to airlines for their internal and direct channel use.

For details see www.travelport.com

Outlet shopping experiences from SuperBreak from £51.50 SUPERBREAK HAS launched a range of overseas outlet shopping experiences in key European cities such as Barcelona and Milan. Ideal for customers on a city break who want to enjoy some retail therapy, the day trips can be added to any hotel booking and are fully commissionable to agents.

June 27 2014

Available in Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Milan, Bologna Munich, Dublin, Brussels, Antwerp and Cologne, the breaks include coach transfers to the outlet, a VIP card with various benefits, a gift card of either €25 or €50 and lunch.

As examples, a La Roca Village Shopping Day trip in

Barcelona costs from £55 per person with a €25 gift card, a Las Rozas Shopping Day in Madrid leads in at £51.50 with a €25 gift card and a La Vallee Village Shopping Day in Paris costs from £71 with a €50 gift card.

For details see www.superbreak.com/agents or call 01904-436000.

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newsbulletin Channel Islands & Isle of Man summer sale from Premier Holidays PREMIER HOLIDAYS has put together a summer sale campaign for travel to the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, including a series of tactical offers valid for travel until the end of September.

The dedicated campaign is comprised of both short breaks and seven-night stays, and incorporates a range of added-value extras such as free nights, free meals and reduced prices on selected deals, with varied meal plans included and regional airport departures available.

Clients can take advantage of the operator’s added-value offers for

travel during the summer months, with a choice of holidays available.

All offers are based on two adults sharing and include flights, transfers and breakfast throughout (unless specified otherwise), for travel throughout July, August and September. A £35 reduction on each offer price is valid for departures by sea from either Poole or Weymouth, including transfers.

As an example, a four-night stay at either of Jersey’s three-star Mayfair or Metropole hotels costs from £345 per person, while a seven-night stay at Jersey’s two-star Norfolk Hotel

costs from £419.

Guests looking for a short break to Guernsey can spend four nights at the three-star Hougue de Pommier from £349 by air, including one free night, while those looking for weeklong stay can opt for a seven-night stay at the two-star Pandora from £449.

Agents can take advantage of the operator's booking incentive, earning £5 for every Channel Islands or Isle of Man booking.

For further information or to book see www.trade.premierholidays.co.uk or call 0844-493 7532.

The Travel Network Group announces new marketing investment with launch of new portal THE TRAVEL Network Group has launched its new marketing portal.

Group managing director of the group, Gary Lewis, said: "As part of our commitment to the Growth Strategy, we made a pledge at the end of last year to

develop a marketing portal that would enable our members to get even greater support with their local marketing activities."

The new portal, which follows several months of development and member consultation, is now live

and allows members to download artwork to support their local marketing activities, as well as the facility to incorporate their own branding and messages into artwork and thereby personalising it to their

agency.

Also available is a catalogue of current and previous group marketing campaigns, a catalogue of webinar recordings, an image bank and a portfolio of branding images and icons, such as logos.

Connect with your customers on every device Our industry leading travel technology solutions are now avaialble across all devices, connecting you with your customers at every level. And because our technolofy is powered by our ‘future-proof’ CMS eVolve, you’ll always stay in complete control.

Call us today for the full picture.

“Now your customers can search & book, any time, anywhere and on any device!”

Talk to the travel technology experts today:

0844 357 7973

info@digital-trip.co.uk | www.digital-trip.com

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Newsbites ●

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MALAYSIA AIRLINES is offering savings of up to 30% on fares to a range of destinations in Australia for bookings made by June 30. Return Economy fares from Heathrow start from £699 to Darwin and Perth; £749 to Adelaide; and £779 to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. The offer is valid for Economy travel between August 14-31 and November 1 and December 4 and for Business Class travel up to December 4.

For details see www.malaysiaairlines.com or call 0871-423 9090.

JETRADAR, THE flight comparison website, has announced the launch of Magic Fare, a new tool to discover the cheapest airline tickets available. The search tool allows users to find long-haul flights for up to 30% less than on other price comparison websites.

THE GATWICK Service Centre has launched its Summer of Care campaign for customers to see its newly refurbished service centre. This is the first customer initiative from Gatwick Airport’s official Service Centre, which partnered with Skybreak earlier this year. The campaign highlights the different services on offer including being able to offer printing for customers plus email assistance for rebooking missed flights and arranging onwards travel, accommodation and attraction tickets. The Service Centre’s new and improved refurbished facilities in the South terminal include an extended desk with more customer service representatives present, which is open from 04:00 to 22:00 daily.

HARD ROCK Hotel Ibiza has revealed some of the world’s best-selling artists across a range of genres as the first acts to play at the hotel this summer.

They include Chic & Nile Rodgers, Ub40, robin Thicke, Icona Pop, Jason Derulo, Ellie Goulding, Kylie Minogue, Snoop Dogg and Placebo. ‘This Is Hard Rock…’ events start at 18:00 at tickets cost from €40 at www.ushuaiaibiza.com/tickets. Rooms at the property lead in at £194 based on two people sharing and including breakfast.

For details see www.hrhibiza.com

Rocky Mountaineer marks 25 years with special offer of up to £1,400 in added value NEXT YEAR will mark Rocky Mountaineer’s 25th anniversary and the company is celebrating early with its biggest offer yet. From now until August 31, new qualifying bookings of seven nights or more in GoldLeaf or SilverLeaf Service with travel dates in 2015, receive up to £1,400 per couple in added value.

One of the packages eligible for the offer is a 15day/14-night Coastal Passage Western Explorer with a post-tour cruise. The Rail and Cruise package includes land excursions and destinations such as Vancouver, Whistler, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper, followed by an Alaskan cruise with Holland America.

For further information visit agent.rockymountaineer.com

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June 27 2014

PARENTS HAVE voted coffee as the best theme park beverage over tea for the second consecutive year. According to Gulliver’s, parents sipped their way through 17,534 coffees in August alone last year, compared to a more modest 10,409 teas, with lattes, cappuccinos and Americanos proving the caffeine boost of choice overall at its theme parks throughout the year.

For more information visit www.gulliversfun.co.uk

Go

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WEBSCLUSIVES ●

Devise a new slogan for the China National Tourist Office for your chance to win an iPad Mini.

To enter today, go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Win a superb World Cup hamper with Jetset’s “Road To Rio” World Cup competition.

See: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Win an iPod Shuffle, courtesy of Innsbruck Tourism.

Enter now at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Win a £50 Air Malta voucher courtesy of Air Malta at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Win 1 of 3 cases of Spanish wine in our Voyages SNCF competition.

Enter via www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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 incentive ●

PREMIER HOLIDAYS has put together a selection of new tactical offer posters, promoting regional departures to the Channel Islands as part of its new Summer Sale campaign. The selection of offers includes departures from airports such as Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Manchester, Stansted and Southampton; with a range of summer holidays available to the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. The operator has teamed up with Flybe to launch a new ‘selfie’ incentive for agents to win two pairs of flight tickets with Flybe. Agents need to take a ‘selfie snap’ of Premier Holidays' new regional departure posters displayed in their agency windows and upload it to the operator’s trade Facebook page to be entered into the prize draw. Agents can also earn £5 for every Channel Islands or Isle of Man booking.

For more information or to download a copy of the new regional departure posters visit www.trade.premierholidays.co.uk or call 0844-493 7532.

Fancy a fam?

THE CATALAN Tourist Board’s ‘Buy Catalonia Workshop’, which combines a fam trip and workshop, offers agents the opp ortunity to get to know the destination and liaise with around 170 suppliers that specialise in ma jor tourism experiences. The event takes place from October 6-10 and fam trips range from ‘100% for families’ and ‘A taste of wine near Barcelona’ to ‘The roots of Catalonia’ and ‘Ad venture into the wilds of Catalonia’.

For details or to register see http ://buycatalonia.meet2b.org/eng, email trade.uk@act.cat or call 020-7583 8855.

Agent training ning TIPTO HAS launched a summer trai the nts age t den pen inde ng incentive givi Party den Gar mer Sum a win to opportunity plier pack when they complete all 14 sup gain fivetraining modules this month and sa star status. The party pack contain cream and s rrie wbe stra ms, Pim barbecue, deck and some summery decorations to sen at out the garden. A winner will be cho random at the beginning of July.

To complete the modules see www.tipto.co.uk

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POULTON POSE...Pictured in Dubai, hoping to bag herself a Tipto prize, is Rebecca Poulton from TravelandMore. Agents are encouraged to submit their picture holding their Tipto bag in a glamorous, weird or wonderful location for a chance to win a range of prizes. The competition runs until the end of July and agents should email their photos to tipto@thenetwork-uk .com

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staffreview Lauretta Wright checked in at the Mercure Windsor Castle Hotel to check out its facilities. Here's what she thought...

First impressions ..............................10/10 A very warm welcome by the receptionist and I was seen to immediately. The hotel is right in the heart of Windsor and parking (in the hotel's car park) costs £12 per day.

Comfort ............................................9.5/10 My Prestige room was immaculate and the bed was super comfortable. The room had hot drink facilities, aircon/heating and a free mini bar.

Quality..............................................9.5/10 The four-star hotel offers beautiful furnishings, a great buffet breakfast selection and I felt quite the discerning client. Apart from the low water pressure in the shower, I wouldn't change a thing.

Affordability ........................................9/10 Rooms start from £189 room-only, and the price reflects the level of service, quality of the surroundings and food choices guests receive.

Service ..............................................10/10 Staff were very welcoming and helpful, even suggesting local sights to see and places to visit. It seemed like nothing was too much trouble for them.

Good to know ............................................

Take a short walk to the river for a stroll along the banks.

There are plenty of ducks and swans to feed along the way.

Overall scoring: ..............

9.5 / 10

If you'd like to take part and receive a free voucher email jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk or call 020-7834 6661 with your name and contact details.

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June 27 2014

DUBAI DEAL...Dubai Tourism hosted a fam trip for its top ten performing agents in conjunction with Etihad and JA Resorts. The theme was luxury and the fam offered first-hand experience for agents on how to sell Dubai. Pictured taking in the sights are, from the left: Debbie Bray, Cruise.co.uk; Emma Johnson, Direct Travel; Elaine McKenna, Adeona Travel; Sangita Makwana, DTCM UK; Emma McDaid, Eshores Travel; Julie Birch, Personal Travel Agent; Patricia Stephenson-Foster, Excelle Travel; Stephanie Robinson, Moorend Travel; and Bill Edward, Park Travel.

Cruise industry contribution to UK economy grows to more than £2.5billion THE CRUISE industry’s contribution to the British economy grew substantially in 2013, as did the number of UK jobs it supports, according to a report released by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

The cruise industry’s direct contribution to the UK economy, including items such as goods and services purchased by the cruise lines, and the salaries of their employees, grew by 6.5% to £2.54billion (€3.125b) in 2013 from £2.38billion (€2.935b) the year before.

The cruise industry’s direct contribution to the combined economies of Europe grew by 4.7% to £13.2billion in 2013 with the UK economy the second highest beneficiary after Italy. The overall contribution of the cruise industry, including indirect items such as spending by cruise line suppliers, to the economies of Europe jumped 22% to £32.03billion.

The report also revealed that the number of British jobs supported by the cruise industry also grew strongly to 70,241 in 2013 – a growth of more than 4,000 jobs or 6.3%.

More than a fifth of all the jobs the industry supports across Europe are now to be found in the UK, which is also home to more cruise line employees than any other European nation, being the country of residence of more than a third (37.8%) of them.

The UK remains Europe’s biggest cruise market, with a 27.2% share of passenger numbers in 2013 – a year in which 1.72 million British passengers took an ocean cruise – an increase of 25,000 from 2012.

The number of British and overseas passengers joining their cruise at a UK port passed the one million mark for the first time in 2013, jumping 8% to 1,062,000, while the number of passengers on day visits to one of the UK’s 51 cruise ports jumped by 20% to 866,000.

Jo Rzymowska, chair of CLIA UK & Ireland, said: “The cruise industry’s multi-billion pound investment in UK plc is paying ever-increasing dividends for the British economy.

The UK leads the field, accounting for more passengers and more jobs than any other European country and we are confident this growth in cruise travel will continue as we see new cruise ships dedicated to the UK market being introduced in 2015.”

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puzzlebulletin Travagrams

Su Doku Win a £50 Love2Shop voucher in the

Su Doku prize puzzle

Number: 025

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

A Trap Gulp To

A➠

B➠ This household appliance shares its name with this airline

C➠

Tana Rana

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, July 3rd. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for 13th June is June Riggs, Symphony World Travel in Surrey.

June 13 Solution: A=4 B=5 C=2 D=1

This hotel group’s name literally means “without end” in Sanskrit

Where Am I?

The capital of the department of Isère in France.

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

Number: 025

Across 1. Japan Airlines, initially (3) 3. Central American country (6) 7. Barbados born female singer (7) 8. India's smallest state and popular holiday destination (3) 9. Lausanne is the capital of this canton (4) 10. Scottish resort town (4) 13. Scenic lake in the Julian Alps of Slovenia (4) 14. Capital of the Apulia region of Italy (4) 16. Asian currency (3) 18. Texas city (7) 19. Kigali is the capital (6) 20. Airport code for 2 Down (3)

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Down 1. Story of The Four Seasons at a cinema near you (6,4) 2. DFDS and Brittany Ferries sail to this French port (2,5) 3. Capital of The Gambia (6) 4. Traditional Hawaiian party or feast (4) 5. Historic Swiss city and lake (3) 6. Comedienne, currently on her 30 Million Minutes tour (4,6) 11. Brunel's ss Great Britain is a popular tourist attraction in this city (7) 12. Indonesia's flag carrier (6) 15. British boxer, Amir ___ (4) 17. Australian state, initially (3)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 22 June 27 2014

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cruisebulletin Princess Cruises’ 2015/16 voyages on sale PRINCESS CRUISES has announced its worldwide cruise programme for 2015/16 is now on sale.

The programme will take in more than 300 ports of call to more than 150 itineraries, visiting locations such as Brazil, Japan, Australia, Hawaii, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal.

Highlights include an increase in Australia cruises, with 33 different sailings covering 105 destinations.

These include roundtrips of Australia itself or via calls in New Zealand, Bali, Fiji and Singapore. More voyages around Mexico are also featured, including a one-off cruise on December 3, 2015, exactly 50 years to the day when the line's first ship sailed on its inaugural journey.

The 14-day sailing encompasses ports from the maiden voyage such as Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Manzanillo with newer destinations including La Paz and Loreto. Two ships will also be based in the Mediterranean as opposed to one this year, to cover the UK demand for visiting destinations such as Venice, Barcelona and Rome, while wider choices of durations are available including seven, 14 and 21 days.

The company can also book guests’ flights, many of which have special rates. Discounted fares and reduced deposits are also offered to previous passengers.

For more information or to book visit www.princess.com/holiday or call 0843-374 2402.

Solo sailing savings from Carnival CARNIVAL CRUISE Lines has added further offerings for holidaymakers travelling alone, halving the price of single occupancy rooms.

The company has reduced single occupancy room rates in a move to encourage would-be cruisers to holiday, regardless of their travel preference.

The updated savings can be found on a range of the line's ships including Breeze and Splendor which will be sailing the Caribbean throughout 2014 from destinations including Port Canaveral and Galveston.

Solo travellers exploring the Caribbean on eight-day itineraries can stay in an Ocean View room from £419 on Freedom, while inside cabin room prices start from £139 on Sensation.

For details visit www.goccl.co.uk

Fred. Olsen poll reveals itinerary & destination more important than price FRED. OLSEN Cruise Lines has conducted a survey of its guests post-cruise to determine their motivation in booking, and has found that, out of approximately 20,000 responses, itinerary and destination are more important factors than the price of the cruise holiday, scoring 39% and 16% respectively.

In addition, the convenience of regional departure ports has also proven to be a key factor for guests when booking their cruise holiday, scoring higher than onboard facilities and entertainment.

In 2015/16, the line's cruise programme will see its four ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – visit 245 destinations in 81 countries around the globe, including 42 countries on its 2016 ‘Grand Voyages’ alone.

Sailing from ten regional UK departures ports – Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Bristol (Avonmouth), Liverpool,

Newcastle, Rosyth (for Edinburgh), Greenock (for Glasgow) and Belfast – the company's ships will be positioned within a 90-minute drive from 80% of its guests.

Following their popularity this year, the company will also be offering more river cruising itineraries in 2015/16 on Braemar – which is ideal, with its shallow draft – taking in the French rivers, the German waterways and a Spanish itinerary, cruising up the Guadalquivir to the centre of Seville.

Another feature of the line's 2015/16 cruise programme is its series of ‘Into the Heart of the Baltic’ voyages.

These specially-written Baltic itineraries allow Braemar to dock at ports and berths right in the city centre, giving guests easy access to some of the Baltic’s most spectacular sights.

For further information visit www.fredolsencruises.com or call 0800-035 5242.

CLIA’s River Cruise Convention returns to Amsterdam in November AMSTERDAM IS to host the fourth CLIA UK & Ireland River Cruise Convention with travel agents able to take advantage of at least six ship visits. The Convention, which is expected to attract 300 delegates, will take place on November 16 and 17. The conference and trade fair will take place on the Sunday followed by ship visits on Monday, with tours confirmed so far on ships offered by Uniworld, A-Rosa, Amadeus River Cruises, AmaWaterways and Tauck.

According to CLIA, more British passengers than ever before are taking a holiday on Europe’s waterways, with

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2013 seeing a rise of 22% in the number of passengers choosing a river cruise taking the total number to almost 110,000 passengers. The growth on Europe’s rivers has been underpinned by a significant increase in the number of new cruise ships. The 260 river cruise ships currently sailing the European waterways will be supplemented by a further 24 presently on order – an increase of 12%.

CLIA's UK & Ireland director, Andy Harmer, said: "With a record number of British passengers taking a river holiday, more travel agents than ever are

becoming interested in selling river cruises. There is no other event in the world that offers agents the opportunity to see firsthand so many different styles of river ship and to hear from key speakers on the latest industry developments. We have recently welcomed into membership an additional three river cruise companies – A-Rosa, American Queen Steamboat Company and Mekong Waterways – bringing the total number of river cruise companies in our membership to 15."

For further information visit www.cruiseexperts.org

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pixmix Jetset hosted an exclusive World Cup party at the City of London branch of Gaucho Bar & Grill. More than 60 agents and suppliers enjoyed a taste of South America including a buffet and bar, before steeling themselves to watch England’s crunch match against Uruguay. Sponsors and partners for the evening included Travelport, Affordable Car Hire, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, Qatar Airways, Air Canada and United Airlines.

IT'S A GOAL...Marking En gland's goal are, from the left: Nilo Sirinivasan , Trav elpor t; Adrian Smyth, Jetset ; and Tim Wright, Tr avelpor t.

Mehta UL... Jetset's Lorraine IF T U A BE E M R U COLO Travel ready for c si as Cl om fr ll ie Sh (right) gets Jackie the big game.

ed ing forward to an action-pack GET SET FOR JETSET... Look mstrong from Jetset.

Ar n iso Al d an ft) (le r ilo Ta a evening are Nish

ROOTING FOR THEIR TEAM...are, from the left: Sharon with Ahmed and Darrell Toakley from Darrell James Travel Chrissy Mackenzie-Cooper from Ottery Travel.

MAP MATES...from the left are: Jo Piani , The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel; Jane Hoyes, Qatar Airways; and Matt Gill, Travel Bulletin. www.travelbulletin.co.uk

FLIGHT FRIENDS...Pictu red in celebratory mood are, from the left: Lynn Griff iths, United Airlines; An drew Edmonds, Air Canada; an d Clare Webber, United Ai rlines.

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Industry Insight by...

Andy Stark, managing director of The Global Travel Group, says there's never been a better time for a career in travel & tourism...

HILE THE travel and tourism industry might conjure up images of balmy beaches and hip hotels, there is a world of career opportunities much closer to home.

Indeed, as more and more CV’s from hungry young graduates find their way across my desk, the end of the school year is a fitting time to shout about the tremendous opportunities that exist in our industry.

For kids fresh out of university or those just looking to make a career change, in my mind there really is no other sector that allows you to have great fun whilst developing your career – where else can you take an educational trip to the Galapagos Islands or Gobi Desert?

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Long known for his fondness of ‘chillaxing’ on the Algarve and Costa del Sol, even David Cameron is getting in on the action, with the Conservative government recently launching an apprenticeship scheme dubbed ‘Trailblazers’ to attract more young people into the industry. As part of the scheme, both business and leisure travel employers are working together to shape the onthe-job training

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"Travel and tourism is now a much more recognised and respected industry. College courses on travel, tourism and hospitality are packed to the rafters, schools are reflecting it in their curriculums and foreign language classes – it’s a huge boon for those looking to become an overseas rep or tour operator” opportunities and the professional qualifications for a brand new Travel Consultant apprenticeship.

Travel and tourism is now a much more recognised and respected industry. College courses on travel, tourism and hospitality are packed to the rafters, schools are reflecting it in their curriculums and foreign language classes – it’s a huge boon for those looking to become an overseas rep or tour operator.

Moreover, with some of the world’s most successful and influential ambassadors singing its praises – think Richard Branson – it’s easy to see why a career in ‘sun and sand’ is an increasingly attractive option.

The sheer range of opportunities is massive, from entry level High Street travel agent roles for those just leaving school to specialist management and C-suite

June 27 2014

executive level roles for those who have the qualifications and experience needed to make their mark in what is an incredibly exciting industry. Not surprisingly, with a whole host of new consumer technologies blurring borders and shrinking boundaries, there is an increased need for people with specific IT skills including web development, SEO optimisation, graphic design, business analysis and the like, in addition to the more background departments of travel business such as finance, marketing and HR. In terms of advantages, getting out on fam rips, meeting new people and experiencing exotic destinations is just the tip

of the iceberg…quite literally if you find yourself Antarctica bound for a spot of penguin watching! But, in addition to gaining a chance to learn about the world, the commercial opportunities are quite good and you can make a decent buck from a sales perspective if you’re savvy enough.

With increased airline capacity and more far flung routes now allowing people to travel further afield, there has never been a better time to escape the ordinary and take off on an exciting career in the travel industry. So whether you’re eighteen and eager to explore what’s out there or forty and fancy a career change, now’s your chance.

"In my mind there really is no other sector that allows you to have great fun whilst developing your career" www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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romania Increased accessibility means Romania is closer than ever

by Razvan Marc, director of the Romanian National Tourist Office in London

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HERE’S NEVER been a better time to travel to Romania. No fewer than 49 flights a week connect various London airports with Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Besides Tarom (Romania’s national airline) and BA which fly from Heathrow, there are also flights from Luton, Gatwick and Stanstead with low-cost airlines Blue Air, Wizzair, easyJet and Ryanair. In addition to the capital city of Romania, Luton serves seven other airports with direct flights - to Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, Timisoara, Tirgu Mures, Craiova, Bacau and Sibiu.

Wizzair also connects Doncaster Sheffield Airport to Bucharest from this month. So whichever region of Romania your clients want to visit, an airport with a direct connection to London is not far away.

The next Ibiza Although not directly connected to any airport in the UK (yet), Romania’s Black Sea Coast is tipped to become the Ibiza of Eastern Europe. With Mamaia as its flagship resort, the Black Sea Riviera boasts fine accommodation options, sandy beaches and luxury clubs that never close. Fly to Bucharest from London then transfer by train, bus or car to Mamaia (about two-and-a-halfhours to the East).

Romania is a rich country when it comes to tourist attractions - from the Danube Delta to the Merry Cemetery in Northern Transylvania (Maramures) - you will be spoilt for choice. Culture tourism, nature

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circuits, adventure tourism, city breaks, rural circuits and wellness holidays are the main tourism products. But if your clients are in the mood to party, they will be in the right place. A pint of beer won’t set you back more than 50p and in Bucharest, the bars, terraces and restaurants of the old city centre stay open the whole night – making Bucharest the only capital in the EU that doesn’t impose a curfew on parties.

Add to the above the largest building in Europe, the painted monasteries, the Dracula Castle and HRH Prince Charles’s affection for

Romania and you’ll find yourself wondering why you haven’t visited this country yet.

Upcoming activity The Romanian National Authority for Tourism is planning a promotional campaign for the UK market for 2014/15.

Late this autumn (and into 2015), there are plans for the Romanian National Authority for Tourism to join an online travel training platform, aimed at familiarising the travel industry in the UK with Romania as a tourist destination.✦

GO BAREFOOT is promoting stays in a Count’s estate in the Carpathian wilderness. Guests can explore the surrounding woodland, meet woodcarvers and the village blacksmith, visit traditional workshops, see the totem poles in a village graveyard and visit ancient churches. Guests can also visit an ancient volcanic lake, Saxon heritage sites and even go bear-watching. The seven-day trip costs £630 per person based on a group of four travelling, and includes six nights’ full-board accommodation.

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romania Discover the mountains of Romania with Balkan Holidays this summer cher liday resear

nn, ho

by John Gui

John finds there's more to Romania than Count Dracula John Guinn runs Holiday Hut and has a weekly travel show on internet radio station, Secklow Sounds. He also contributes regularly to UK Health Radio.

F YOU haven’t visited a country it is very easy to have a blinkered view on the destination. For example, when it comes to Romania perhaps, like me, when you think about Transylvania you visualise scenes from old black and white Dracula movies, all dark and dangerous. Why would anyone want to visit there?

It didn’t take long for Razvan (from the Romanian Tourist Office) to put me in my place when I suggested to him that the Dracula story may have given the largest region in Romania a bad press (note to self – do more research before asking a question). It turns out that for tourism purposes the legend of a blood sucking vampire is a good thing.

So from the undead to the dead. Cimitirul Vesel, or to you and me, the Merry Cemetery, is an unusual tourist attraction.

This surprisingly colourful graveyard is in the village of Săpânța, in Maramureş. Here the graves are marked by colourful tombstones. If you were to look closely you would find the colour is due to paintings that describe the life of the deceased. As well as the paintings the tombstone may also have a poem telling us more about their life.

I can imagine the picture on my tombstone. It’ll show me on a sofa watching the telly. I have looked at finding some of these poems. My favourite was about a mother in law. It basically said that if she was just sleeping, please don’t wake her up. I can’t face anymore nagging. The Merry Cemetery became an open-air museum and a national tourist attraction.

I did know a little bit more about Romania than the undead Count. Thanks to Top Gear, I was also aware of the Transfagarasan Highway, but there was no way that I was going to bring it up during my conversation with Razvan. I know my limit when it comes to pronouncing words on air, and it is set very low. This mountain road is something that has to be experienced at least twice. Once to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Fagaras Mountains and the second time to really enjoy driving down this twisting road.

The Transfagarasan Highway is only open for a few months as it spends most of the year blocked by snow, but it looks well worth the wait. I can’t think of a better way to spend travelling 56 miles. I was trying to find a good way to get from talking about driving through the mountains to an unusual place to visit that Razvan mentioned, but my built-in bad taste filter kept going into overdrive. The unusual feature of this cemetery is that it diverges from the prevalent belief, culturally shared within European societies – a belief that views death as something indelibly solemn. Connections with the local Dacian culture have been made, a culture whose philosophical tenets presumably vouched for the immortality of the soul and the belief that death was a moment filled with joy and anticipation for a better life.

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BALKAN HOLIDAYS is offering seven-, ten-, 11- and 14night holidays to Romania this summer, visiting Poiana Brasov in the Carpathian Mountains in the heart of Transylvania. Flights to Bucharest from Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Doncaster Sheffield are available until October.

Rupert Diggins, the operator's sales and marketing manager, said: “As well as offering stunning mountain scenery the region is ideal for hiking or horse-riding.

“As we already offer a 'Winter Ski & Snowboard' programme to Poiana Brasov, it seemed like an ideal opportunity to open up this beautiful resort to UK holidaymakers during the summer.

“This area of Transylvania is famed for its beautiful medieval towns such as nearby Brasov, Sibiu or Sighisoara.

Brasov is home to the first-ever Romanian School and the impressive gothic Black Church. The old town of Sighi oara is dubbed the most beautiful inhabited medieval fortress in Europe, while Sibiu is the former European capital of culture. There are also excursions to Bran Castle, home of Dracula.

“Other experiences include the natural wonders of the Carpathian Mountains such as the St Ana volcanic lake, the Bâlea glacial lake located at an altitude of 2,000m, as well as the Red Lake, the largest mountain lake in the country.”

Accommodation is at the four-star Hotel Bradul or Sport Hotel & Spa in Poiana Brasov. After a day’s hiking or horse-riding, the spa at the Sport Hotel offers relaxation and facilities including a heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi, as well as a gym.

Seven nights’ half-board accommodation at the hotel costs from £513 per person based on a September 22 departure and two people sharing. Flights from Gatwick and transfers are also included.

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

EXODUS IS offering a 16-day ‘Winter in Transylvania’ tour from £1,349 per person including flights, accommodation and most meals, with the first departure on December 6. The Carpathian Mountains mark the backdrop for the journey, which explores Transylvania’s history and folklore, visits Christmas markets (in December) and spends a night at the Ice Hotel.

For more information or to book visit call 0845-863 9601 or visit www.exodus.co.uk

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romania Rolandia promotes seven-night ‘Explore Transylvania’ self-drive option ROLANDIA IS featuring a seven-night Explore Transylvania selfdrive/escorted tour, which offers visits to the major tourist attractions.

The journey takes guests through picturesque Transylvanian villages where countryside dwellers still work using traditional methods and takes in fortified churches and old towns.

Prices lead in at 440 per person for a minimum of four people including car hire.

For further information visit www.rolandia.eu or email info@rolandia.eu

FFESTINIOG TRAVEL has issued its 2015 brochure offering a preview of its forthcoming escorted tours programme. New for next year is a 15-day Mountain & Forest in Rural Romania option which combines rural life with five narrow gauge steam lines, mostly using special charter trains. Guests will stay in family-run ‘homestay’ accommodation in remote villages and enjoy locally-grown produce, as well as visit a range of sights including the famous Painted Monasteries. Prices lead in at £2,300 per person, based on two sharing, with departures on May 12 and June 2.

For details see www.ffestiniogtravel.com or call 01766-772030.

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romania

Romania revealed Travel writer Doug Goodman toured Romania last month and suggests that the varied delights of the country need much more promoting...

MENTION TRANSYLVANIA and what comes to mind is Dracula. Vlad Tepes, a cruel ruler in the middle ages, liked to impale his victims and this inspired Bram Stoker to write his famous book.

Much-visited Bran Castle, the setting for parts of the horror story, has dominated the pass between Wallachia and Transylvania since 1377 and is one of the top tourist sites. But remember Stoker never visited Romania and while tourist authorities try not to overdo the Dracula legend – Vlad was revered as a national hero – fans of Bram Stoker won’t feel too neglected.

But of course Romania is so much more than legends and folklore. I took a five-day Explore tour to Bucharest and the Carpathians. The 15-strong group was expertly managed by a very knowledgeable guide Cristian. Bear spotting, visits to Peles and Bran Castles, a tour of Brasov, excellent suggestions for restaurants and accommodation in a Swiss-style B&B in Moeciu was what the Explore brochure

promised. And that’s what we enjoyed during a delightful holiday.

When the group headed to Otopeni Airport to return to the UK, I had a sixhour train journey from Bucharest to Suceava in the far North-East to look forward to. Explore does offer a tour to see the Painted Monasteries and will arrange independent travel, but I preferred to put together my own package.

The Gloria Hotel in Suceava was a good base for two days’ exploration of Moldova with Sorin Fodor, a local guide who drove me to 11 monasteries and covered about 300 miles. A guide with local knowledge is essential as some of the monasteries had to be opened for us.

The Painted Monasteries, many of which are UNESCO sites, date from the 16th century and are beautiful, with frescos and pictures adorning the outside walls.

Most are working churches and for one night I stayed in the huge fortified Dragomirna Monastery in the company of 70 nuns.

The region is mountainous with lush green fields, shepherds tending their sheep, horse drawn transport and storks nesting on chimneys. Food, drink and accommodation was very cheap and the people I met were so hospitable and keen to practice their English.

If more information was available on Romania and the country well promoted, agents would be better equipped to sell the various operators’ packages, arrange add-ons to the packages or tailor-make tours to their clients’ wishes. So many times I heard the lament that we want visitors from the UK but they don’t seem to know about our country.

FACTS: See www.explore.co.uk Sorin Fodor (sorinfodor1@yahoo.com) will arrange tours to the monasteries and other parts of North Eastern Romania.

Romanian Tourist office www.romaniantourism.com

IN THE past year Blue Air has made a series of changes including increasing its fleet from six to ten aircrafts (all Boeing 737); introducing a new livery; and changing the interior of its aircraft to offer passengers a more comfortable flight. In addition, the carrier has introduced new services including Blue Bistro, an online service offering a choice of six meals for passengers to choose from; coach transfers from Bucharest Airport to/from Constanta or Brasov; and a range of payment methods when booking online at www.blueairweb.com, including preferential seats, checked-in baggage of 32kg per piece (up to four bags); and free hand luggage of 10kg.

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GO BAREFOOT is highlighting a nine-day holiday in Chocoyo, Nicaragua from £1,355 per person, based on a group of four travelling. The itinerary takes in the colonial cities of León and Granada, artisan markets and the western hemisphere’s only active volcano. Guests can also spend time in the country’s eco-lodges on the coast and on wildlife-rich islands, with time for both relaxation and activities including horse-riding, surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling and sailing. There is also the opportunity to visit protected beach and wildlife reserves to witness sea turtles (August to December) emerging from the water to lay eggs.

For details visit www.gobarefoot.travel

Escape the World Cup with Inkaterra Hotels’ new packages INKATERRA HOTELS has launched several packages where guests can escape the World Cup and experience South America without a football in sight.

At the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, guests can choose either a three- or fournight, full-board package including a night in the Canopy Treehouse high above the Amazon Rainforest; private bird-watching excursions; a visit to the butterfly house; a la carte jungle excursions to watch the local wildlife; complimentary half bottle of sparkling wine and a 50-minute spa treatment. Prices start from £524 per

person, based on double occupancy.

Alternatively, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel offers a three-night, fullboard package which includes a private excursion to the citadel, as well as guided excursions around the Inkaterra Orchid Garden, guided birding and nature tours and a visit to an organic tea plantation. Also included is a half-day walk to the Mandor Waterfalls and a sauna/spa treatment in the spa. Prices start from £520 per person based on double occupancy.

The packages run from now until December 20.

Brazil invests £10b in infrastructure for World Cup & Olympics A SURVEY carried out by Embratur researchers estimates that the total spend by Brazilian and foreign tourists during the 30 days of the 2014 FIFA World Cup should reach $R25.2billion.

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Forecasted tourist numbers suggest that 600,000 foreign tourists are expected to visit Brazil across the 30 days of World Cup matches, contributing significantly to the estimated 7.2m tourists that are

forecast to enter Brazil during 2014 as a whole.

Meanwhile, Brazil's government is investing around £10billion on infrastructure for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Costa Rica to host CATM 2014 COSTA RICA will host the 10th Central America Travel Market (CATM) on October 9-10, where more than 200 tourism suppliers from across Central America will showcase their offering at the trade show, which is expected to be attended by more than 150 European tour operators.

Those attending CATM will have the opportunity to find out about the latest tourism developments in Central America and will also be able to explore the country and one other Central American country in the fam trips offered by the organisers before and after the show.

For details visit http://centroamericatm. com/index-en.html

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latinamerica Imaginative Traveller promotes Galapagos tours IMAGINATIVE TRAVELLER is offering a ten-day tour to the Galapagos Islands from £1,615 per person.

The ‘Active Galapagos’ tour bikes, hikes, snorkels, kayaks and island hops around Santa Cruz, Isla Isabela, Floreana and San Cristobal on a circular route.

Highlights include mountain biking around San Cristobal; snorkelling and swimming with sea lions; scaling Isabela’s volcano, Sierra Negra; meeting near-extinct Galapagos tortoises; and visiting the Charles Darwin Research station on Santa Cruz.

The trip departs up to four times monthly and is

available year-round. It includes seven breakfasts, seven lunches and four dinners, with a maximum group size of 16.

Alternatively, an 18-day Galapagos Wildlife Cruise costs from £4,465 per person, with flights leading in at approximately £650 per person from London. The cruise, on an airconditioned vessel, allows for a full exploration of the entire archipelago.

There is a maximum group size of 16 and

departures take place on July 7, September 22 and October 20.

Galapagos

Attraction World invites guests to embark on Rio day trips ATTRACTION WORLD is promoting a range of day tours in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro.

For clients interested in culture, a Historic Rio tour costs £49 for adults and £37 for children (three to 12 years) and is designed to give guests a feel for the legends and stories of downtown Rio. The walk includes visits to interesting points such as the São Bento Monastery; Candelaria (the candle-makers); Praça XV; the ‘Travessa do Mercado’; Imperial Palace; Banco do Brasil; the Casa França-Brasil; Ouvidor (‘the Listeners’) Street; and Gonçalves Dias Street, with its Colombo coffee shop.

A Rainforest Jeep Tour costs £64 for adults and £48 for children (three to 12 years).

Guests will visit the Tijuca Rainforest in an open-top jeep where they will see the contrast between the ‘concrete jungle’ and

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the ‘tropical forest’ in the middle of the city.

Whilst on the tour, guests will see the ‘Cachoeira dos Macacos’ (‘Monkey’s Waterfall’), ‘Vista Chinesa’ (‘Chinese View’), the ‘Mesa do Imperador’ (Emperor’s Table), Cascatinha (Taunay’s Waterfall’) and Capela Mayrink (Mayrink Chapel). The guide will explain the history of the reforestation process and the importance of the ‘Mata Atlântica’ (Atlantic Forest). Guests will also take a one-hour hike on an easy trail where they will have direct contact with the local nature ecosystem.

Meanwhile, those interested in a little luxury can opt for a helicopter tour of Rio for £208 per person. On the flight, guests will see the Maracana Stadium, the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, Christ the Redeemer Statue on Corcovado Mountain, Sugar Loaf and the Rodrigo de Freitas Lake.

17-day Galapagos Islands & Machu Picchu itinerary from £6,299 with Collette COLLETTE IS offering a range of Latin American tours to all corners of the continent.

As an example, a 17day ‘The Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu’ itinerary leads in at £6,299 per person and begins in Ecuador, before guests fly to San Cristóbal in the Galapagos and board the MV Galapagos Legend, their floating home for five days to explore the rest of the islands.

A flight will then take them to Peru’s capital, Lima, where they will stay for a night before heading to Cuzco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas in the Andes for two nights.

Guests will then board a train to take them through the Andes, before reaching Machu Picchu.

After leaving the mountains, guests will have time to explore Cuzco for two days before returning to Lima and departing for home.

Highlights of the tour include the chance to snorkel with turtles and sea-lions and a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Centre.

The company also offers a selection of upgrades and optional excursions, including a five-day adventure through the Ecuadorian Amazon, which includes a hike to meet local indigenous tribes.

Prices are based on two sharing and include flights, selected meals, transfers, sightseeing activities and Englishspeaking guides.

For more information call 0800-804 8701 or visit www.gocollette.com

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latinamerica Guatemala launches programme to boost tourism in Peten THE GUATEMALA Tourist Board has launched a new programme to attract more visitors to the Peten region in the north of the country through the development of new facilities and the promotion of tourism products such as the Carmelita-El Mirador circuit and the new Maya Trek.

The region is home to the Maya Biosphere Reserve, the largest protected area in Guatemala occupying 19% of the national territory, as well as Maya sites like Tikal.

The tourist board is working with the town of San Andres in the Peten district to build new tourist facilities in the community of Carmelita, which is the starting point for the Carmelita-El Mirador tourist circuit. Visitors will be able to find information about the route to plan their visit, and also learn more

Guatemala

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about the area’s outstanding natural environment, its people and their way of life.

The Carmelita-El Mirador Circuit is a two-day hike through the jungle of the Maya Biosphere Reserve to reach El Mirador, the largest Maya city discovered to date (and a two-day hike back). El Mirador National Park features two major architectural groups - the Tiger Complex, which includes a 60 metres high pyramid surrounded by two smaller ones; and La Danta Complex, which reaches a height of 75 metres. A visit to El Mirador National Park itself requires a minimum of three hours to explore the different Maya monuments and roads as well as the Maya Biosphere. There are also other smaller Maya sites in the area worth visiting such as El Tintal, La Florida and La Wakna.

Another innovative way of exploring the area is the recently launched Maya Trek, a three-day adventure through the Maya Biosphere Reserve which takes visitors through different archaeological sites and protected natural spaces between the community of Cruce de dos Aguas and Tikal National Park. The 50km trek follows the Buenavista Valley, one of the main commercial routes in the Pre-Classic and Classic Maya Periods (from 800BC to 1,200AD), controlled from the city of El Zotz.

Besides Tikal, the Maya Biosphere Reserve includes other archaeological sites such as Yaxha, PIedras Negras, Nakum, El Ceibal, Uaxactun, Aguateca and Dos Pilas.

Survey names Costa Rica world's best holiday experience A SURVEY conducted by BDRC Continental among 23,000 holidaymakers across 26 countries has named Costa Rica as the destination most would recommend for a holiday based on personal experience. The UK came joint tenth in a league table of 65 countries, while the three destinations with the lowest level of enthusiasm among those who had experienced the country within the past 12 months were Tunisia, Indonesia and China.

The company's associate director, Jon Young, said: “This study is one of the most broadlybased global assessments of recent tourism experiences and future intentions. It looks at destination appeal and the likelihood to recommend a country, based solely on personal experience in the last 12 months.

"It’s a credit to the UK that it has achieved a high joint tenth position in a league table of more than 70 countries, especially given the competition of countries with more favourable climates."

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latinamerica New campaign from Ministry of Tourism promotes Ecuador to international markets We asked our staff the following question this week: If anyone at work could be your slave, who would it be and what would they have to do?

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Our accountant Carolyn, I'd make her pay me double every month!

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Tas and Nik Nak (Nicky) would do a job share and they'd fetch me sweets on the hour, every hour

Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk A tea-making slave - any colleague would do

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Thought slavery was abolished, but if it comes back then Simon not to groan at my puns

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Nicky and she'd have to change her name to something I can spell

Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Nick Boocock (Liverpool fan) to write why Manchester United have won more Premiership trophies

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk Matthew Gill, to complain whenever I don't receive 100% tip-top customer service at restaurants

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk It would have to be Chris and he would have to be Alan Carr 'Chatty Man' all day

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@travelbulletin.co.uk Tim and he would have to swap places with me

AS PART of its overall strategy and inspiration to promote Ecuador as a tourism destination, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism has launched its 'All You Need Is Ecuador' campaign, aimed at international tourism markets.

The initiative has been developed to reach more than 10,000 specialised wholesalers and travel agents in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

The destination will position itself within the tourism sector through various media outlets including a bi-

monthly newsletter and a dedicated website.

Travel agents will have access to elearning to boost their product knowledge on how to sell Ecuador.

Online seminars will also be available, as well as webinars that will be held every two months from different tourism destinations throughout the 'Four Worlds' - Pacific Coast, Andes, Amazon and Galapagos.

For more information visit http://allyouneedisecuador. travel/trade

Accessibility boost for Panama City following transport improvements & recent opening of Metro system TRANSPORT HAS improved within Panama City following the recent opening of a Metro system which allows visitors to travel quickly from the main hotel area to the Old Town, the Albrook Shopping Mall, the Seafood Market or the Cinta Costera seafront viaduct, amongst other attractions.

The new line runs for 13.7km across the city and features 12 stations with lifts and escalators. The air-conditioned trains have capacity for 200 people each.

Meanwhile, after the rehabilitation and expansion of a former terminal and runway, the new Scarlet Martinez International Airport in Rio Hato, in the Cocle province (120km from Panama City), was officially inaugurated last month with the

arrival of the first flight from Canadian carrier Sunwing Airways. The new airport will facilitate access to the Pacific beach resorts and help boost tourism to the region, which includes new hotel developments like the Riu Playa Blanca. Marriott has also announced plans to open a new hotel in the area.

In terms of flight developments, Iberia will increase the frequency of its direct flights from Madrid to Panama from five flights weekly to daily from July 6. The increase, together with the recent addition of direct Air France flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Tocumen International Airport three times weekly, have strengthened the links between the old continent and the Central American region.

Sales Executive: Matt Gill matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk Senior Designer: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@travelbulletin.co.uk Assistant Designer: Lee Telot lee.telot@travelbulletin.co.uk Production: Erica Sesay production@travelbulletin.co.uk Circulation Manager: Jim Merchant post@travelbulletin.co.uk Travel Bulletin is published by Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London, SW1W 0EX, Tel: 020-7834 6661 Printed by: Wyndeham Grange Limited Subscriptions are ÂŁ125 p.a. ÂŁ195 overseas ISSN: 0956-2419

Follow us on Twitter! @TravelBulletin

Metro in Panama City

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. JAL, 3. BELIZE, 7. RIHANNA, 8. GOA, 9. VAUD, 10. OBAN, 13. BLED, 14. BARI, 16. YEN, 18. HOUSTON, 19. RWANDA, 20. LEH. Down: 1. JERSEY BOYS, 2. LE HAVRE, 3. BANJUL, 4. LUAU, 5. ZUG, 6. DAWN FRENCH, 11. BRISTOL, 12. GARUDA, 15. KHAN, 17. NSW.

Highlighted Word: LISBON Travagrams: (top)TAP Portugal

(bottom) Anantara

Where Am I?: Grenoble

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