Travel Bulletin 28th March 2014 by Alain Charles Publishing

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March 28 2014 | ISSUE NO 1,865 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Cruising The latest cruise line developments plus an update from CLIA

this week agent bulletin 9 Spanish Tourist Office hosts new ski & sports webcast

puzzle bulletin try your luck at Su Doku to win a ÂŁ50 M&S voucher

bulletin briefing find out what life's like on the road for a sales and business development manager

uk & ireland survey reveals majority of adults have not visited Britain's top attractions

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Experience a feast for fo your ur senses. THE OMAN SHORT FILM SCREENING AND TOURISM SOUK – CO COMING TO O A LUXURY VENUE NEAR YOU! Join us for an evening of fun and discovery in n our Omani Souk and private viewings wings of a selection of short ﬁlms. perts from Oman and the UK. WIN prizes both big and small and meet experts Venue and Dates: otel Dublin 29th April - Brook otel Southampton 28th April - Grand Harbour Hotel Brooks Hotel vid Hotel & Spa Birmingham 30th April - MAC Birmingham Arts Centre Cardiﬀ 1st May - St David’s All timings 6pm - 9.30pm tionplus.co.uk or call 020 8877 4524 Reserve your place by email – oman@representationplus.co.uk

Beauty has an address For more information on Oman please con contact: Ireland Representative Oﬃce Oman Ministry of Tourism UK & Irelan oman@representationplus.co.uk | Visit: www.omantourism.gov.om Tel: 0208 877 4524 | Email: oman Study: www.omanacademy www.omanacademy.com

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OFF SKI GO...Balkan Holidays recently hosted an educational for travel agents, visiting the winter ski resorts of Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo. Pictured ready for take off at Manchester Airport are, from the left: Andrew Rabbitts, Co-operative Travel; Leah McMullen, Wisteria Travel; Rachael Coulson, Anglia Co-op; Rupert Diggins, Balkan Holidays; Sara Jane Oakes, Co-operative Travel; Rebecca Petryszyn, Travelhouse; Kimberley Fazackerley, Althams Travel; and Daniel O'Hagan, Lincoln Co-operative.

This Week news 3

Cover Pictures: Main - Viking River Cruises

Inset - Haven

the latest industry announcements & special deals

notes from normanton

agent bulletin

puzzle bulletin

bulletin briefing

hotel bulletin

personality bulletin

uk & ireland

cruising

find out what Sandy has been up to lately Spanish Tourist Office hosts new ski & sports webcast try your luck at Su Doku to win a £50 M&S voucher the latest news & views from The Global Travel Network a round-up of new hotel openings & special offers the co-founder of Powder White answers our quickfire questions survey reveals majority of adults have not visited Britain's top attractions the latest cruise line developments plus an update from CLIA

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Skyscanner offers clarity on cabin baggage restrictions ACCORDING TO a survey by Skyscanner, the majority (82%) of British travellers would like all airlines to adopt a standardised cabin bag allowance. The survey of 1,000 Brits found that there is a great deal of confusion surrounding baggage charges, with just under a quarter of passengers surveyed having been caught out and forced to pay additional fees to check in their luggage at the airport. Despite recommended guidelines from the International Association Transport Aviation, airlines are free to enforce their own weight and size restrictions on cabin baggage and this has resulted in huge differences between airlines. easyJet guarantees the smallest cabin bag at just 50x40x20cm, while Thomas Cook offers a weight allowance of just 5kg. Iberia is the most generous airline with a baggage size of 56x45x25cm and unlimited weight allowance, closely followed by BA which restricts the weight of hand luggage to 23kg. However, the survey found that passengers have resorted to devious methods in an effort to get around restrictions with 30% wearing their heaviest clothes to travel and 12% smuggling an additional bag on board. In an effort to provide some

clarity to customers and reduce the number of passengers being caught, Skyscanner has created a table on cabin baggage restrictions on leading European airlines. The company's chief marketing officer, Mary Porter said: “We believe that travel should be as simple as possible. Variable cabin baggage sizes and weight allowances can be an added complication for travellers. It is our hope that by providing some clarity to passengers and raising awareness of this issue to airlines, there will be less confusion and ideally a simple solution can be found.”

March 28 2014

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newsbulletin Mallorca's Hotel Bon Sol marks Andalucian festival with weekend activities HOTEL BON Sol Resort & Spa in Illetas, Mallorca is celebrating ‘Feria de Abril’, a well known Andalucian festival that originates from Seville. The four-star property is hosting celebrations over two weekends (April 11-12 and April 24-25) which feature flamenco, paella cooking and tasting demos, tapas and Manzanilla sherry tastings, classical guitar evenings, cava breakfasts and mojito bars. The property is located ten minutes from Palma and offers a spa and leisure

Hotel Bon Sol

centre with a secluded sandy cove for swimming, as well as three swimming pools and acres of tropical gardens. Classic Collection Holidays offers three nights at the hotel from £597 per person next month. The price is based on two adults sharing a classic room on a halfboard basis and includes flights from Gatwick and private transfers. To book call 0800-294 9318 or see www.classic-collection.co.uk and for more information on the property visit www.hotelbonsol.es

Taber Holidays adds new itineraries in Norway, Sweden & Denmark for summer TABER HOLIDAYS has launched a number of new itineraries across Norway, Sweden and Denmark from May to October. As an example, a seven-night The World of Hans Christian Andersen itinerary in Denmark leads in at £1,036 per person. Starting in Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, guests will get the chance to visit a museum dedicated to the author, while in Copenhagen, a visit to Tivoli Gardens is next on the itinerary. The price includes seven nights’ breakfast accommodation, flights from Heathrow to Copenhagen and the return rail journey from Copenhagen to Odense. The price is based on two sharing and daily departures are from May 1 to September 30. Alternatively, an Arctic Wonders tour in Norway costs from £1,635 per person and takes travellers to the capital, Tromsø, before flying to Spitsbergen, exactly halfway

between Norway and the North Pole and well-known for its polar bears, walruses, arctic foxes and puffins. Included are boat trips to the Russian mining settlements of Barentsburg and Pyramiden and the Esmark and Nordenskiold Glaciers. Prices for the seven-night trip include flights, breakfast accommodation and two boat trips in Spitsbergen. It is based on two sharing and the tour departs daily between May 29 and September 30. Meanwhile, the operator has unveiled its newly designed website which features scrolling video footage, larger images, links to social media and a more prominent search function which allows searches by destination, season and holiday type plus new categories such as places offering unique accommodation. For more information call 01274-875199 or visit www.taberhols.co.uk

Summer deals from Seabourn

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS...Pictured marking the 20th anniversary of Finnair flights to Helsinki from Manchester Airport are, from the left: Fredrik Charpentier and Heidi Ahonen from Finnair with Mats Sigurdson from Manchester Airports Group.

March 28 2014

SEABOURN HAS released a selection of offers for clients seeking a cruise this summer. Examples include a seven-day Adriatic & Greek Isles cruise which departs on August 23 and leads in at £1,899 per person. The itinerary, on Seabourn Odyssey, calls at destinations in Italy, Croatia, Montenegro and Greece and includes a complimentary suite upgrade from Ocean View to Veranda. The price is based on cruise-only (fly/cruise prices start from £2,619), based on two sharing a suite and includes all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bars and a fully stocked mini bar. Alternatively, a seven-day St. Petersburg & The Baltic option departs on June 29 and costs from £1,999. The cruise takes place on Seabourn Quest and calls at destinations in Denmark, Estonia, Russia, Finland and Sweden. A complimentary suite upgrade from Ocean View to Veranda is also included. The price is based on cruise-only (fly/cruise prices are from £2,429), based on two sharing a suite, including all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bars and a fully stocked mini bar. For further information or to book call 0843-373 2000 or visit www.seabourn.co.uk

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

Save the date for the Star Awards!

@yourHeathrow ‘Sky-high value’ @HeathrowAirport welcomes report by @newsfromfta showing the value of hub airports to UK economy: http://bit.ly/1hFAqr9 @Irish_Ferries Holyhead to Dublin in 1 hour 49 minutes. What else takes that time? Favourite film? Daily commute? http://bit.ly/MoOrjg @traveltraining WIN WITH AGENT ELITE! Earn Free Nights, Free Flights, High Street Vouchers, Porsche... http://bit.ly/1miwimo @Monarch Want to get fit? Win a luxury bootcamp in Ibiza! Enter here http://bit.ly/LuxIbzBC @mwholidays We have some amazing #Easter ski deals for you - incl FREE lift passes. http://www.markwarner.c o.uk/special-offers/ski … @ukcruising Cunard Issues Full Programme For 2015, Its 175th Year In Business http://bit.ly/1oyKoPk @bhx_official Hello China! New direct charter flights to Beijing this summer with China Southern Airlines http://bit.ly/1prIU8c pic.twitter.com/ fDgKdpaJdJ

CLASS ACT…To celebrate a record-breaking year for sales in 2013/14, Titan threw its staff a school-themed ‘Class of 2013’ fancy dress party. Exams were taken throughout the day, testing the ‘pupils’ on everything from how many clients the VIP Home Departure Service had carried over the past year to how many emails the company sent in 2013. The day culminated in an assembly and subsequent prize-giving before the bell rang to signal the end of the day. Pictured are, from the left: Jill Godsell, Lynne Trill, Edwina Coppock, Laura Barwood (front), Matthew Gauntlett, Matt Norgrove, Joe Abbot (below) and Suzanne Lucking.

TRAVEL BULLETIN is hosting its prestigious 2014 Star Awards at the five-star Landmark Hotel in London on Monday September 8. To join in the celebrations and help mark the best of the best in the industry, book your tickets now by emailing jeanette@travelbulletin. co.uk. For more information call 020-7834 6661.

Funway Holidays expands US product to southern states THE SOUTHERN states of America represents Funway Holidays’ newest addition to its product line. The company's standalone brochure, ‘The South 2014/15’ covers destinations including Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, and is valid until March 31, 2015. Highlights include free car rental upgrades, buy-one-get-one-free on excursions and £75 savings on multi-centre holidays. For each of the featured destinations, the company offers a list of ‘Top 10 Experiences’ and ‘Don’t Miss 2014…’ attractions and events. As an example of prices, a 14-night fly/drive holiday leads in at £1,099 per person including flights, accommodation and car rental. For more information see www.funway4agents.co.uk

The West End comes to Warner Leisure Hotels WARNER LEISURE Hotels has launched a new tribute show, ‘Curtain Up’, which salutes a selection of classic West End shows. The line-up of performances includes a selection of music and songs from shows such as ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Miss Saigon’, ‘Anything Goes’, ‘Me & My Girl’ and ‘A Chorus Line’. The travelling show will be available across a range of hotels and will be shown on specific dates until the end of this month. A break featuring tickets to the show costs from £198 per person based on two adults sharing a Standard Chalet for a three-night, half-board break arriving on March 30 at Gunton Hall, Suffolk. The company has also launched daytime entertainment across its portfolio of properties in the form of movie matinees that will show some of the nation’s favourite classic films. Guests will have a traditional movie-going experience complete with ushers, popcorn, snacks and drinks whilst they watch the film. Each month, five new films will be introduced to each hotel, with the most recent films to be added to the hotels’ movie collection including Mamma Mia, The King’s Speech, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Ladies of Lavender, Hairspray, Slumdog Millionaire, Skyfall, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Casablanca and Billy Elliot. Prices for a three-night break at Norton Grange Coastal Village on the Isle of Wight lead in at £169 per person. The price is based on two adults sharing a Standard Chalet on a half-board basis for a March 31 arrival. For more information or to book call 0808-141111 or visit www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk

March 28 2014

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newsbulletin New fuel policy for Goldcar GOLDCAR, ONE of Spain's leading car hire companies, has announced that it has introduced a new fuel policy, the 'quick return system' for all its rental locations. Clients can now pay for the new policy on arrival which includes a full tank of fuel and a small service fee (depending on car size). Clients will then be reimbursed for the remaining fuel on return of the vehicle, rather than having to leave the unused fuel at their own expense. Ruth Bligh, managing director of Your Car Hire, said: “This is a massive breakthrough for car hire, especially in Spain, where most car rental suppliers operate on a full to empty basis, leaving some clients severely out of pocket. This will hopefully force other car rental suppliers into changing their own fuel policies, which can only be good news for the consumer." For details see www.goldcar.es/sdr

FLYING HIGH…More than 200 guests ranging from MPs, regional business leaders to representatives from councils, airlines and transport operators gathered at Duxford Imperial War Museum near Cambridge last month to mark Stansted’s first anniversary under new ownership. Pictured speaking at the event is Andrew Harrison, managing director of the airport.

Newsbites CYPLON HOLIDAYS has announced that it is launching a new and improved website, which will be accessible via mobiles, tablets and laptops. The site will offer information on how to book, as well as a price match policy, flexible commission and an online chat service. ● DIRECT CHARTER flights between Beijing and Birmingham are being launched this summer with China Southern Airlines. The programme runs from July 22 until August 6. For details see www.birminghamairport.co.uk ● THE SOLOMON Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) and Solomon Airlines have signed an agreement aimed at boosting the destination’s overseas profile and increasing international visitor numbers. Under the contract, both parties will jointly explore and implement activities to promote increased tourist traffic to the destination. ● FROM NEXT month, the airlines in the Lufthansa Group are to introduce a new system for calculating ticket surcharges. Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines will introduce a standardised international/domestic surcharge levied on intercontinental connections on the basis of the entire flight route, replacing the current system based on individual flight segments. ● THE FOUR-STAR Palm Beach Hotel and Bungalows, located on the coast just outside Larnaka in Cyprus, has reopened following extensive renovations. For details see www.palmbeachhotel.com ● THE MINISTRY of Tourism and Creative Economy for the Republic of Indonesia (MOTCE) has revealed plans to develop 561 tourism villages in 2014. The project will span 19 provinces and is designed to help visitors discover traditional life at local Indonesian villages, where residents maintain indigenous cultures and live just as their ancestors did centuries ago. For details see www.tourism-indonesia.co.uk ●

P&O Cruises gets ready to rumba with new Strictly Come Dancing themed itineraries P&O CRUISES has announced new-look Strictly Come Dancing-themed cruises for this year. The four cruises, in partnership with BBC Worldwide Ltd, will have two pairs of the programme’s professional dancers, judge Craig Revel Horwood and one of the show’s previous celebrity contestants travelling at different stages of the journeys. Passengers can dust off their dance shoes, release their inner tango and learn to rumba with Robin Windsor, waltz with Ian Waite or cha cha cha with Camilla Dallerup. Regular dance classes will be on offer throughout the cruise and passengers can participate in a dance competition, with the grand finale performances taking place in the main theatre, judged by Craig and the celebrity guest. The stars will offer up close and personal interviews on board, photo opportunities and signing sessions, plus official showcases. A selection of costumes from the show will also be on display around the ship. The cruise line-up includes a 14-night Canary Islands cruise on Oriana departing on April 20, with prices from £1,149 per person; a 13-night Canary Islands cruise on Aurora, departing on September 25, which leads in at

March 28 2014

£1,199; a 14-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Oceana departing May 31 and leading in at £1,319; and a 12-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Azura, departing August 2, with fares starting from £1,349. Meanwhile, the cruise line has announced that it will operate its largest ever programme next year featuring eight ships, 211 cruises and 81 different ports in 61 countries, covering 662,000 nautical miles and sailing 25 seas. The 2015/16 launch programme is open for preregistration until April 2 and the cruises then go on general sale from April 7. Highlights of the programme include 15 new destinations including Belem, Bonifacio, Fort William, Fredrikstad, Gozo, Haugesund, Jacksonville, Killybegs, Sevastopol, Tobermory, Georgetown, Gijon, Porto Santo, Villagarcia de Arosa and Wismar. Ten 'ports of special interest' have also been brought back for 2015 including Charleston and New Orleans in the US; Georgetown in Grand Cayman; Hamilton in Bermuda; Hvar in Croatia and Manaus in Brazil. For more information or to book call 0843-374 0111 or visit www.pocruises.co.uk

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YOUR JOB IS ABOUT TO GET

MyMagic+ at Walt Disney World Resort unlocks a new dimension of Disney magic to give your customers an opportunity to customise and personalise their visit in exciting ways. While the testing continues, visit disneytravelagents.co.uk for online training to help you prepare for MyMagic+.

WIN A HOLIDAY! Complete our new Disney Stars MyMagic+ training module for your chance to win a trip to Walt Disney World and experience MyMagic+ for yourself and three friends.

WATCH & WIN! Watch our MyMagic+ training video to receive a FREE The Incredibles DVD!

To enter, visit disneytravelagents.co.uk Terms and conditions apply — see disneytravelagents.co.uk for details. ©Disney ©Disney/Pixar

COMPETITIONS END 31.03.14

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Notes from . . . n o t n a m r o N HAT A mad couple of weeks – got invited to the Geordie Ball by Darren Phillips – THANK YOU Darren for an excellent night and well done for raising just over £3,000 on the night - and with the tax thing and Barclays contributing he will probably get closer to the £7,000 mark. That’s a fantastic amount of money for Cash for Kids! Next year will be the 15th Geordie Ball on the 12th March so get your tables booked! Have to say though Darren, you are still behind me - I think the Yorks Ball is in its 18th or 19th year! See you on the 17th July if not before! I only have half a table left so it is going brilliantly. It was really nice to catch up with different tour operators and everyone seemed to be in a very positive mood. What on earth has happened to the Malaysian Airlines plane? With all our advanced technology for tracking things I can’t believe that no one knows anything about what has happened - the whole thing is so dodgy. I feel an airline disaster film coming on, bit like the Bermuda Triangle. They now think some debris has been spotted and also that the crew were somehow knocked out and it flew for 5 to 6 hours until running out of fuel. What about the passengers - surely some of them could use their mobiles to text? Yet not one message has been received by anyone! I feel so sad for the relatives who are having this horrendous long wait, but I was even sadder to read that a grief counsellor in Beijing said that elderly relatives who had only one child due to China’s long held one-child policy were thinking of committing suicide because they feared their son or daughter on the plane would not be around to look after them! It’s like dropping a stone in water and the ripples continuing after the stone has sunk! ‘Life is like a coin, you can spend it anyway you wish but you only spend it once’ and ‘One who smiles rather than angers is always stronger’.

by SANDRA MURRAY in Normanton, Yorkshire

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WEBSCLUSIVES ●

Win a trip to Cologne, courtesy of Viking River Cruises. Enter today at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Win a memorable 2 nights city break to Salzburg, courtesy of the Salzburg Tourist Office. Go to: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Win a Kindle Fire HD with Carnival Cruise Lines. Enter now at: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Fight the frizz. Banish the bad hair days. Win a set of GHDs, courtesy of Hoseasons at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Win a Kindle Fire courtesy of Atmosphere Kanifushi resort in Maldives. Go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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

KIRKER HOLIDAYS is promoting its five-night Grafenegg Music Festival cultural tour in Austria. It includes three concerts given by three orchestras - the St. Petersburg Philharmonic; the Filarmonica della Scala, Milan; and the Vienna Philharmonic, plus an optional visit to the Vienna State Opera and a visit to Dürnstein (pictured). Prices lead in at £1,996 per person based on a September 3 departure including flights with BA from Heathrow, breakfast accommodation, four dinners and one lunch, three concerts at Grafenegg, all transfers, entrance fees and sightseeing and the services of a tour lecturer.

March 28 2014

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

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agentbulletin Booking incentives ●

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SILVERSEA HAS announced a new trade incentive for agents booking guests on any 2014 departure. To qualify, agents making a booking by April 30 will be entered into a draw for the chance to win one of ten spaces on a luxury London day. The prize includes return travel to London, afternoon tea at a top London hotel, overnight accommodation at a five-star London hotel including a spa voucher and dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant. There is no limit to the number of bookings that an agent can enter, and the more bookings made, the higher the chance of winning. Silver Discoverer voyages count as two entries into the prize draw. Bookings must be confirmed with deposit applied by April 18 on any 2014 departure in order to be valid. To enter, agents should return a complete redemption form to salesuk@silversea.com by May 9. AGENTS HAVE until the end of this month to earn themselves chocolate bonuses by booking their clients’ Travelsphere and Just You trips online. Every time an agent makes an online booking for either operator they will receive a chocolate treat. Each booking made will also be included in a grand draw to win an exclusive Chocolate Tasting Adventure with Hotel Chocolat. For details see www.travelsphere.co.uk/agents and www.justyou.co.uk/agents

A NIGHT ON THE TILES...Superbreak recently ran an incentive with all 45 Barrhead Travel shops to help grow their business with the operator. The Stirling branch saw the largest percentage growth and won £100 towards a shop night out. Pictured receiving the prize is the agency's manager, Steven Anderson, with Superbreak's Wendy Cameron.

Agent training THE SPANISH Tourist Office in London will be holding a webcast on April 11, inviting all UK based travel agents and operators to join in the discussion focusing on Ski and Sports Activities - 365 days under the Sun. The webcast, which takes place from 11:00 to 12:00, will look at Spain as a ski destination, providing useful information on how to sell Spanish ski resorts in winter and summer. Focusing on mountains and lakes, speakers will give an insight on available leisure facilities and key selling points of Spanish ski resorts including the Sierra Nevada, Baqueria Beret and Aramón, as well as highlighting year-round leisure opportunities. Participants will also get the chance to sample the ski resorts for themselves as there will be a giveaway of 12 weekly ski passes among the first 100 participants that sign up and participate in the webcast. For details or to join the webcast email promo.london@tourspain.es WENDY WU Tours has announced details of its 2014 Belfast agent roadshow, which takes place at Ten Square Hotel on Tuesday April 15. For details see www.bambuclub.co.uk and www.wendywutours.co.uk/roadshows

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March 28 2014

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MOVERS

Early release of GRJ's 2014/15 Worldwide Holidays by Rail brochure GREAT RAIL Journeys has announced the early launch of its new ‘Worldwide Holidays By Rail 2014/2015’ brochure which is out two months earlier than last year and features 14 new tours in the full programme of 54 tours spanning six continents. For the first time, the company has created and released its 53-day round-the-world tour which costs from £21,995 per person and takes travellers from London across the US, China, Russia and back through Europe to London. The ‘Around The World in 53 Days’ tour provides the ultimate rail journey across the globe and itinerary highlights include New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Denver and the Royal Gorge Railroad, Durango and Silverton Railroad, Monument Valley, a flight over the Grand Canyon, LA and Hollywood, San Francisco, Shanghai, the Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wall of China, Beijing, travelling on the Tsar’s Gold Private Train, the Steppes of the Gobi Desert, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Lake Baikal Siberia, Moscow, Warsaw, Prague, Vienna, Venice, the Venice Simplon OrientExpress and the British Orient Express Pullman. The price includes four- and five-star accommodation throughout, all air and rail travel, most meals and the services of a tour manager. The overall brochure lead-in price is £1,395 per person for a seven-day ‘Fjords of Norway’ tour, which includes three excursions and two scenic rail journeys, as well as all air and rail travel, accommodation, most meals and the services of a tour manager. For more information call 01904-521980 or see www.greatrail.com/uk

Keeping an i on Apps

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March 28 2014

● ANNA BARNES has been appointed sales development

manager at Funway Holidays. ● PORTMAN, A travel management company (TMC), has

appointed David Thomas as senior vice president of sales. ● VISIONS HOLIDAY Group has appointed Abbey Thomas as

national account manager. ● THE BOARD of Directors of Sun Resorts Limited has nominated

● ● ● ● ●

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Philippe Cassis as chief executive officer designate of the company. SOLOS HOLIDAYS has announced the appointment of Darren Hitchcock as head of commercial. THE LOS Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (L.A. Tourism) has appointed Lisa Stewart as UK and Ireland MICE representative. JOHN WARR has been appointed head of sales at Wendy Wu Tours. AIR PARTNER has appointed Neil Morris as interim chief financial officer. DAMON PAGE has joined Starwood as area manager for the Indian Ocean and general manager of The St. Regis Mauritius Resort. MELIÁ HOTELS International has appointed Markella Votsi as director of sales and marketing for ME London, the ME by Meliá brand’s flagship, five-star property. THE ATPI Group has appointed Kelly Jones as head of regional key account management for Asia Pacific, Alison StanbrookWallis as manager, regional support for sales and marketing and Nikki Regan as operations general manager. FRED DIXON has been appointed president and CEO of NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organisation. TRAVELPORT HAS appointed Mark Meehan as its managing director for Asia Pacific.

TRISTAR W ORLDWIDE , a global chauffeur se rvice provid er, h launched an app that mak as es managing U K journeys easier. The app com bines the co mpany's knowledge of traffic pat terns with the am ount of time the customer re quires at th e airport to calculate pick-up tim es, taking the guessw ork out of jo urney planning. W hen the chau ffeur arrives, a p ush notificat ion and SMS is sent with vehicle details and a conta ct number fo r the chauffeur, w hich can be dialled directly from the app. For details see www.tristar worldwide.co m/app

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puzzlebulletin Travagrams

Su Doku Win a £50 M&S voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle Number: 012

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

Placidly Oh Nosy

A➠

B➠ This operator specialises in Cyprus holidays

C➠

An Vein

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, April 3rd. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week. The winner for 14th March is Samantha Jackson, Fusiontravel in Barnsley. March 14 Solution: A=7 B=3 C=5 D=6

Crossword

These biscuits are named after an Austrian city

Where Am I?

My capital is Nuuk.

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

Number: 012

Across 1. Sofitel is one of this group's brands (5) 3. Sounds like a rugby team with a sting in the tail (5) 6. Quito is the capital (7) 8. English river, popular with punters (3) 9. TV sitcom starring Mitchell and Webb, ___ Show (4) 10. One of the West Side Story gangs (4) 13. Capital of Togo (4) 14. The Wahiba Sands are a feature of this Middle Eastern Sultanate (4) 16. Swiss city and lake (3) 18. Italian city, famous for its Byzantine mosaics (7) 19. Popular Spanish holiday isle (5) 20. Vathy is the capital of this Aegean island (5)

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Down 1. She is The Hotel Inspector on channel 5 (4,7) 2. Corfu beach resort, popular with families (4) 3. Sun and ski holiday operator Mark ___ (6) 4. Salt Lake City airport code (3) 5. Alpine crossing linking Brig in Switzerland with Domodossola in Italy (7,4) 7. Hotel representation company (5) 11. First name of X-Factor creator (5) 12. Perugia is the capital of this region (6) 15. Major car hire company (4) 17. Guernsey Channel Islands airport code (3)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 30 March 28 2014

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Industry Insight by... Road Warrior: The Global Travel Group’s sales and business development manager, Joanne Briggs, offers an insight into life on the road...

SHOULD have asked for a shoe allowance when I took the job. Just three months into my role as The Global Travel Group’s field based sales and business development manager for the South and I’ve already covered 12,000 miles, visited upwards of 100 agents, drank more than 250 cups of coffee and perhaps most regrettably, gone through half a dozen pairs of heels. Whilst incentives, fam trips and commissions are commonplace within the industry, when my annual review comes up later this year all I’m asking for are some good ol’ Russell and Bromley vouchers to keep that spring in my step when I’m out and about. If you enjoy travel and meeting new people, life on the road can be extremely rewarding. For a company like The Global Travel Group, visiting agents is the very lifeblood of keeping members happy and helping them to succeed.

"Getting out there and meeting people is something that modern communication just can’t replicate and what has surprised me the most, now that I’m 100 days in, is just how different every agent is. In my region we have agents with no travel experience to agents with a wealth of knowledge" As sales and business development manager of the South for The Global Travel Group, I’m our trade partners’ and agents’ main point of contact and spend my days visiting our members – both High Street retail agents and home/office workers. I support them with everything from technology to marketing ideas for how to promote themselves and sometimes even give them a hand setting

March 28 2014

up their own Facebook page or Twitter handle. This personalised service is unparalleled and underlies our company’s belief in the power and importance of face to face communication. As anyone field based will be aware, you get so much more out of someone when you actually sit down with them face to face as opposed to relying on phone, email or Skype. Getting out there and meeting people is something that modern communication just can’t replicate and what has surprised me the most, now that I’m 100 days in, is just how different every agent is. In my region we have agents with no travel experience to agents with a wealth of knowledge. Again, it’s not until you sit down with them and meet face to face that you can truly understand where we can support them further. Many agents need a lot of help and guidance, and on average my meetings with them last between two to three hours. Obviously getting their name out there is extremely important so I do everything I can to encourage them to participate in events locally to spread the word, be it wedding shows, fairs, trade shows and charitable events. When I first started in this role it would have been very easy for me to have introduced myself to every member over email and followed it up with a laundry list of predetermined Q&A’s to help them troubleshoot any issue they had, but instead I’ve put the face time in to find out what makes each and every agent tick. People buy people and being able to look someone in the eye and shake their hand is absolutely one of the main reasons why High Street travel agents continue to remain so competitive despite the countless OTA’s out there. Make no bones about it, huge subsets of the population still seek out and appreciate that human touch. Knowledge, detail, navigating options, locating the best deals and understanding a client’s needs is where agents add value and excel, and it’s my job to help them get there and succeed in the role. As both myself and the average holidaymaker would agree, there’s only so much you can find out about an agent or a holiday until you walk through that door. Only then will the “what if’s” and “what not’s” swirling around your mind begin to disappear. My only advice? Make sure to wear a solid pair of shoes!

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hotelbulletin DoubleTree by Hilton unveils Edinburgh City Centre hotel following £4.2m renovation HILTON WORLDWIDE has unveiled its newest DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Scotland and the brand’s first in the country’s capital with the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre. Located on Bread Street, the former St Cuthbert’s CoOperative building has been transformed, following a £4.2million renovation managed by Scottish-based hotel management company, Redefine|BDL Hotels. The new hotel joins 21 DoubleTree by Hilton properties currently trading in the UK and will be operated by Redefine|BDL Hotels. The 138-guestroom property is located in Edinburgh’s historic old town, within easy walking distance of tourist attractions and the shopping hotspots of the Royal Mile and Princes Street. Guestrooms feature the DoubleTree by

Hilton Sweet Dreams Sleep Experience and Wi-Fi, with the 'deluxe' rooms and suites offering views of the iconic castle and beyond. Dining options include the Monboddo bar and the Bread Street Brasserie. In addition, on the first Thursday of every month, the hotel transforms its Penthouse venue into a Skybar, where guests and locals can take in the city's panoramic views. The hotel also offers a 24hour fitness centre with cardio equipment and free weights, a conference venue for up to 120 guests, three additional meeting rooms and a penthouse which features an outdoor decking area with panoramic views. For more information or to make a booking visit www.doubletree.com

Half-board luxury breaks from £895 at Morocco's La Gazelle d'Or ACCESSIBLE IN less than four hours from the UK, the La Gazelle d’Or Hotel in Taroudant, Morocco, is offering three-night, half-board breaks from £895 per person including flights and private transfers. Surrounded by orange groves and citrus trees, the hotel encourages guests to embrace its natural surroundings through a range of

activities; from playing tennis in the retreat’s two clay tennis courts, to playing croquet on the lawns, or horse-riding around the estate. The offer is bookable with Abercrombie & Kent and is based on two sharing. For more information call 0845-485 1143 or see www.abercrombiekent.co.uk and www.gazelledor.com

InBrief ● CAMBRIDGE BEACHES Resort in Bermuda has announced a

THE FOUR-STAR Cosmopolitan Hotel in Hong Kong has launched a 'Best Suite Deal Ever' promotion which offers a free upgrade to a newly renovated Executive Suite, SONY's 3D Entertainment Suite or Osim Massage Suite, 24-hour high speed internet access and 50% off the original price. Prices lead in at HK$1,800 (approximately £139) after the discount and the offer is applicable for stays until July 31. For details or to book see www.cosmopolitanhotel.com.hk

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number of upgrades and changes. These include the modernising of select bathrooms, refurbishments of ten Deluxe Premium rooms, the fitting of flat screen TVs and new outdoor furniture for all rooms, a higher level of service on all beaches during the day, a new yoga studio, new fitness equipment, a partnership with Port Royal Golf Course, a new Dinner Dine Around programme for guests and a new shuttle service for transport to the Dockyard and Port Royal Golf Course. ● THIS EASTER, Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is offering a range special deals and festivities for families including signature spa treatments, special menus and Easter entertainment for children. The hotel is lso offering special rates across the period (April 13-21) with rooms available from €238 per night based on double occupancy and including breakfast. For details visit www.romecavalieri.com ● SOFITEL HAS announced that it will open its five-star flagship city hotel in downtown Dubai on May 1. The Sofitel Dubai Downtown will over views of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building and the Arabian coast. It is the seventh hotel to open in the company's Middle East network, with two additional openings coming up in Jeddah and Riyadh. ● HILTON LONDON Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 has launched its Holiday Starts Here package, tailored to offer a hassle-free start to holidays. Prices start from £109 for four nights' parking, £114 for eight nights' parking and £119 for 15 nights' parking. The package includes an overnight stay, complimentary Wi-Fi and spa access. To book visit www.hilton.com/heathrowterminal5

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Only one departure date â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 30 October 2014 Limited places available Travel by Private Jet Unique itinerary to Southern India Optional Darjeeling Pre-Tour Fully escorted throughout

jod.uk.com/passagetoindia

www.jod.uk.com/travelagents 2014 FAM Trip details Love2Shop voucher booking incentives Posters / special offers and information

on this tour visit jod.uk.com/passagetoindia or call our sales team on 0161 820 1340

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personalitybulletin

Fraser Ewart-White Co-founder, Powder White At home

At work

What's your favourite household gadget? My old fashioned Krups Coffee Machine – so much better than Caffe Nero.

What's your favourite travel app? easyJet – it is so easy. Who has been your inspiration in the travel industry? Claire Freeland – my business partner – we wouldn’t be where we are today without her.

What are your favourite TV programmes? Borgen or The Bridge. Who does the cooking? My wife and I share the cooking - but I can cook a steak to perfection! What's a typical weekend for you like? Kids! Saturday is dropping the kids off at various activities (football, Stagecoach, swimming), out with friends on Saturday night, then a big Sunday lunch with friends and kids. What's your guilty pleasure? Coffee and red wine. What do you do to relax? Jog – it clears my mind! What music do you listen to? Spotify playlists – so literally anything and everything. What's your favourite movie? True Romance – the perfect cocktail of Tony Scott and Quentin Tarantino. What's been your latest DIY project? Building a shed in the garden – it has taken a lot longer than planned.

What other companies/ organisations have you previously worked for? Netflix, Blockbuster and Sainsburys. What personal item do you have on your desk at work? A picture of a whale by my son – it is a masterpiece.

What do you love about the travel industry? The fact that we are in the business of selling dreams.

What's a typical day like? Sadly not skiing – spreadsheets, paying bills, and keeping energy levels high in the office.

What item do you always take with you when travelling? My Blackberry – there is never a day off when running your own business (sadly).

At play Where would you most like to visit and why? Scandinavia – great food, great design, skiing and polar bears (really want to go to Svalbard). What are your hobbies? Skiing, running, reading, theatre, languages, travel and food.

Do you use social media for work and play? Mainly for work – I look at my personal Facebook but rarely post. Do you have any nicknames? Fras, F, Frase, FEW

March 28 2014

What skill are you most proud of? Being able to speak to anyone, any age, from any background and engage with them.

What's the best thing about your job? I get to ski a lot!

What's your favourite (non-work related) website? Imdb – just such an amazing resource. I used it a lot in my previous job, but every movie I now watch, I look at the stats!

What was the last email you received? From our PR company trying to get the brand Powder White everywhere – they are very persistent!

What trait do you dislike in other people? Laziness and poor standards. What is your best quality? Determination. What's your most embarrassing moment? Too many... singing an unintentional solo of Away in a Manger aged 13? If you could invent a new law, what would it be? A law against Government wastage! I reckon that if even half of the wastage in Government was stopped, the deficit would be gone in a couple of years. If I let that amount of wastage happen in Powder White, we would not be here. And it is our money they are wasting – so we should all care about it.

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uk&ireland

Hoseasons highlights discounted Easter breaks HOSEASONS IS offering a selection of discounted UK Easter short breaks with a choice of three to four nights. The company's head of sales, Zena Calderbank, said: “Spring has finally sprung with lighter mornings, longer evenings, and the opportunity to swap the winter wardrobe - away with the long black rain coat, Uggs and ear muffs, and out with the thin jackets, jewelled sandals and dresses. “The beginning of the month delivered us glorious weather so now is the perfect time to think about our first UK break of the year. Easter is the ideal excuse for the first UK break with friends, family and even your four-legged friend since Christmas, where you can simply pack up the car and go. So what if the footpaths, tracks and trails are still a little bit muddy – what counts is that families and friends are together and having fun in the fresh air amongst the blossom and leaping lambs. After a funfilled date spent in the great outdoors there really is no better way to unwind than in the comfort of your very own warm lodge, a soak in the outdoor hot tub and an Easter Egg or two.” For more information visit www.hoseasons.co.uk/agent s or call 0844-847 1144.

ARUNDEL CASTLE has announced four new entries into its events schedule this year. They include Life in a Medieval Castle, a special event spanning the weekend of August 16-17; It’s the History Man!, where historical interpreter Paul Ullson can be found at various locations throughout the castle during the summer months, bringing a variety of historical characters back to life; and Jousting and Medieval Tournament Week which runs from July 22-27. For details email arundel@midnight.co.uk or see www.arundelcastle.org

Survey reveals majority of adults have not visited Britain's top attractions SYKES COTTAGES commissioned YouGov to find out how many Brits have visited the UK’s top attractions from a list of ten places across England, Wales and Scotland, including Buckingham Palace, Edinburgh Castle and the Eden Project. The results revealed that just 35% of respondents had visited Stonehenge in Wiltshire, and despite the Royal Family fever that has swept the nation since the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Royal Wedding and the birth of Prince George, less than four in ten (38%) of us have visited Buckingham Palace. Other findings revealed that just 21% of those polled had taken a trip to visit Hadrian’s Wall in Cumbria and 20% had visited Caernarfon Castle in Wales. The least visited attractions on the list were the Royal Armouries in Leeds and Durham Cathedral in County Durham. More than 16% of respondents had not visited any of the attractions on the list. The company's marketing manager, Tom Lowes, said: “It’s easy to take for granted what’s on your own doorstep, but it is surprising how few people have been to some of this country’s greatest attractions. “In particular, our survey found the beautiful monuments and historic locations in the North of England had some of the lowest visitor numbers on the list. We were also surprised by how few people had visited the Eden Project in Cornwall, which is the largest indoor rainforest in the world. “With Yorkshire being named as one of the top locations in the world to visit in 2014 by Lonely Planet, now is the time to get out and explore everything Great Britain has to offer.”

Encore Tickets predicts record summer for group theatre business ENCORE TICKETS is predicting a sell-out summer for London’s top rated West End shows with the launch of several new productions. The company's head of sales, Jo Bachelor, said: “The opening of some guaranteed hits for the groups market, along with the predictions of good weather this summer, backed up by our resurgent economy all point towards a great holiday season for London and its theatreland.” The operator's optimism is backed by its success in 2013 when it broke the three million ticket sales barrier for the first time. Bachelor said: “The important point for group travel organisers is that they have to book early if they want their

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clients to have the best tickets for the top new shows on the dates they want.” The company's predictions for up and coming big new hits this year include the return of Miss Saigon, The Full Monty, I Can’t Sing, Made In Dagenham, Skylight, The Pajama Game, and Shakespeare in Love, along with the long running musicals like Les Misérables and Disney’s The Lion King. The operator has also announced the relaunch of its booking system, MyEncore.co.uk, where users are now able to access a Flexiticket programme, giving clients the option to change the show and date of the tickets they have booked up to 72 hours in advance.

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uk&ireland Shearings predicts strong year for UK breaks with Grand Tourer sales up 32% SHEARINGS HOLIDAYS is anticipating a strong year for UK holidays, with sales of its premium Grand Tourer UK tours up 32% year-on-year, and sales of its core UK summer touring holidays up 7%. The operator's Grand Tourer products offer customers unique experiences, such as a 'Highland Safari' in Scotland, a Mountain Goat minibus tour into unspoilt areas of the Lake District and the chance to visit sites of cultural or historical importance. Caroline Brown, the company's commercial director, said: "Our customers are increasingly looking for new experiences, which is why our Grand Tourer programme and 'As Seen on Screen' themed holidays are growing in popularity.

"Our multichannel peaks campaign focused on encouraging holidaymakers to 'Keep Making Memories', and our strong sales show that many are choosing to do so here in the UK. With experts predicting the hottest summer on record for 2014, the trend of holidaying at home shows no signs of slowing down.” To meet demand, the operator has introduced three new itineraries to its UK Grand Tourer programme for 2014, including Royal Bath Houses & Gardens, Scottish Grandeur and Enigma Code & The Blitz. Prices lead in at £359 per person for a five day half-board break in Bath, including two excursions and luxury coach travel. For more information call 0844-824 6359 or visit www.shearings.com

Warner Leisure Hotels promotes spring events at Thoresby Hall Hotel WARNER LEISURE Hotels' Thoresby Hall Hotel is hosting a selection of events for guests to watch or take part in this spring. From April 12-13, the Spring Foodfest will be held in Thoresby Hall’s Courtyard and guests can wonder around the Real Food Fair trying some of the culinary delights on offer. There will also be a Kitchen Theatre for budding chefs looking for inspiration. On May 5 Andrew Greenwood’s 39th Classic Car, Bike and Mini Show will be held on the Thoresby lawns, and on May 17 and 18, the annual Thoresby

Cycle Fest will offer a unique display where hundreds of cyclists race penny farthings, unicycles and bicycles of all shapes and sizes. Guests can join in and bring their own bikes. On June 22, in honour of the Jaguar Club’s 30th birthday, the hotel will host a special exhibition of Jaguar and Daimler cars from the 1920s to the present day, while June 29 sees the East Midland Festival of Transport show off its collection of classic cars and bikes on Thoresby’s lawn. Prices for a half-board, three-night break cost from £251 per person based on two adults sharing a

standard room for a May 30 arrival. Meanwhile, the compmany has issued its second edition 2014 brochure with updated agent friendly offers, information on new breaks and the latest news on product developments. Updated early booking offers and discounts are also available with savings of up to 50% for bookings in January, February and March 2015. New price guarantees for 2015 breaks offer guests who book their break before August 1 the best possible price, or the operator will refund the difference.

Haven launches second edition brochure

CITY CRUISES reports that following a boost in revenue it has invested in and launched a new Thames Circular Cruise and a second Thamesjet RIB, BlueLightning, following the success of BlueThunder, launched last September. The Thames Circular Cruise, which launches next month, will see a £250,000 revamp of heritage vessel Eleanor Rose and offers a 45-minute round trip seven times daily from Tower Pier. BlueLightning bookings are now available for booking. The company is also increasing capacity of Riverdays lunch and afternoon teas from three days a week to five days and evening Show Boat dining from five days to seven days a week. Prices start from £13 per adult and £6.50 per child. For details see www.citycruises.com

March 28 2014

HAVEN HAS issued its second edition 2014 brochure which features updates and information on its entertainment programme, along with a selection of new offers. At all 35 of the company's holiday parks, guests can now receive up to a 40% discount when booking a seven-night break during May, June, early July and autumn, and up to a 25% discount on all other dates and all short breaks booked throughout 2014. A key feature of the new brochure is its price promise which offers guests the difference if a better price becomes available after they have booked their break. New additions for this year include the new Aerial Adventures at Hafan y Mor and Devon Cliffs, a new central play area and all-weather multi-sports court at Combe Haven, a new fish and chip takeaway at Seton Sands and the refurbishment and extension of the indoor pool at Lydstep Beach. New activities have also been added and include watersports at Devon Cliffs; Easy Gliders, which will be available at selected parks; and Water Confidence and Learn2Swim which are available throughout the season. Nature Rockz is a new programme of activities that features at seven parks and which is promoted within the ‘Great Outdoors’ pages. A short break costs from £69 per family based on a threeor four-night stay in a standard two-bedroom caravan at selected parks and dates this spring. For more information visit www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk or call 0871-230 1919.

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HELP MAKE 2014 A CRACKING YEAR FOR UK HOLIDAYS Wallace and Gromit return to campaign for Britons to book a UK holiday through you, their local travel agent. To help with this, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a huge range of UK product and unbeatable offers bookable through some of the best known UK operators. For details on how to get involved and give domestic sales a boost, contact

ÂŠ and TM Aardman Animations/Wallace & Gromit Ltd 2013

traveltrade@visitengland.com

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uk&ireland Visit England announces new marketing initiatives to boost tourism for spring VISITENGLAND HAS announced a host of domestic and UK-wide marketing activity taking place this spring to boost tourism, encourage more people to explore the destinations on offer in England and enjoy a holiday at home this year. The activity kicks off with a series of multi-channel themed campaigns in partnership with 50 destinations around England which will see a raft of advertising in national newspaper and magazine outlets on romantic getaways, city breaks, outdoor activities, English seaside, coastal escapes and English countryside. The aim is to boost domestic tourism and promote short breaks in some of England’s most iconic destinations, building on the success of the first year of themed campaigns launched early last year which VisitEngland has revealed generated an additional £132.5million in tourism spend and 2,455 jobs for the sector. The organisation is teaming up with Wallace & Gromit once again to launch its third pan-UK ‘Holidays at Home are GREAT’ campaign. Led by VisitEngland, and supported by the home nation tourist boards of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the campaign aims to inspire Brits to take a holiday at home and will see Wallace and Gromit take to the road again, exploring the country and discovering the best of the UK. The £2million Government funded ‘Great Adventure’ campaign aims to inspire Brits to book a holiday through their local travel agent and is currently running up to April 22 across cinema, TV, Video on Demand and

Digital. VisitEngland has also partnered with a number of High Street travel agents across the country and operators including Bourne Leisure, Shearings, Superbreak and Hoseasons, who have put together exciting British holiday packages for Wallace and Gromit and the rest of their customers. James Berresford, VisitEngland’s chief executive said: “There is some really exciting activity planned this spring to inspire people to make the most of the wonderful destinations, right on their doorstep. The first year themed campaigns have delivered fantastic results, providing a welcome boost to the domestic tourism economy and creating jobs for the sector, and the next raft of themed campaigns will continue to generate growth by promoting the wonderful holiday experiences on offer in England. "Following the success of their ‘Great Adventure’ last year, we are also thrilled to welcome back our animated friends Wallace & Gromit as ambassadors for the industry, who will once again embark on a journey to explore the best the UK has to offer and promote all the benefits of holidaying at home.” The range of marketing activity is in addition to the Government's £2million support for flood affected tourism businesses and attractions, which has included advice sessions for tourism businesses in flood affected areas, hosted by VisitEngland. For more information see www.visitengland.org

InBrief ● NOTTINGHAMSHIRE'S OFFICIAL guide for

accommodation, sports, entertainment, culture, shopping, drinking, dining and more has been launched by Experience Nottinghamshire, the destination management organisation responsible for driving leisure and business visitors to the city and county. The guide features nearly 400 suggestions of attractions and events to visit, places to stay and the best of where to drink and dine. For details see www.experiencenottinghamshire.com ● GRAND UK Holidays has introduced a new Corrie coach touring holiday, which visits the old Coronation Street set in Manchester. The famous cobbled street will open as a visitor attraction next

March 28 2014

month and is due to run for six months until October. A five-day escorted coach holiday costs from £229 per person including transport, admission and halfboard accommodation. The itinerary, departing on September 22, also includes a visit to the Blackpool Illuminations. For details call 01603-619933 or see www.grandukholidays.com ● SOUTH TYNESIDE Council is set to unveil a £5million attraction as part of its spring/summer events season. The borough's new promenade, Little Haven Promenade, and sea defence system will be officially opened on April 5. The new development marks the end of the twoyear project aimed at improving the beach and promenade and

strengthening the surrounding sea defences. For details see www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk ●VISIT GREENWICH is to take part in a national campaign to promote city breaks. The “English City Breaks” campaign forms part of VisitEngland’s three year Growing Tourism Locally initiative, funded in part by the government’s Regional Growth Fund. The campaign, which launches this month, aims to highlight the country’s best destinations for urban breaks, promoting locations that offer convenience, a breadth of experience and a range of attractions. For details see www.visitgreenwich.org.uk and www.visitengland.com/morecities

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uk&ireland July launch for Newcastle Pride A NORTH East festival celebrating the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community (LGBT) could attract up to 65,000 visitors after organisers announced it is tripling in size. Newcastle Pride, now in its seventh year, annually attracts thousands of music lovers and members of the LGBT community from across the UK and further afield. This year, to meet growing demand, it is being extended from one to three days – making it the biggest free event of its kind to be held in the North East and the second largest in the UK. The event takes place on July 18, 19 and 20. For details visit www.northern-pride.com

ArcelorMittal Orbit launch at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park THE ARCELORMITTAL Orbit is the UK’s tallest sculpture and, when it opens on April 5, will offer unrivalled views of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. At 114.5m high, the two viewing galleries will also offer visitors views of more than 20 miles across London, taking in the City to the west, Crystal Palace to the south and Alexandra Palace to the north. Sitting in the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which now features sports venues, restaurants, cafes and designed parklands, tickets are now on sale for the ArcelorMittal Orbit and start from £7 for children, £12 for concessions and £15 for adults. Group tickets will also be available and are £6 for children, £12 for adults and £11 for concessions. The attraction will be open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 throughout summer. For details call 0333-800 8099 or email tickets@arcelormittalorbit.com

See booking conditions for full details of our ABTA membership

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uk&ireland South Downs Vineyard Walks from Arblaster & Clarke lead in at £635 for two nights ARBLASTER & Clarke Wine Tours is offering 'English South Downs Vineyard Walks' which have been inspired by the countryside surrounding the company's offices and the arrival in the region of a selection of award winning English wineries. The vineyard visits and tastings are hosted by some of the UK’s most respected producers, including the accomplished Nyetimber vineyards. This carefully chosen route criss-crosses the South Downs Way, through the vineyards of West Sussex and Hampshire. Strolling off the beaten track for between five and ten

miles each day, guests will experience picnic lunches, exclusive wine estate visits and picturesque villages. The walks, which include luggage transfers, are rated according to the degree of difficulty and take place from June 6-8, September 5-7 and October 3-5. Prices lead in at £635 per person and include two nights' breakfast accommodation, visits and tastings, simple lunches with English sparkling wines (up to half a bottle per person) and two three-course dinners with wines. For further information call 01730-263111 or see www.winetours.co.uk

Airways Holidays unveils new website

Toouli named as head of trade sales for Omega

MARKING 30 years of Channel Islands service this year, Airways Holidays has announced the launch of its newly designed website. The agent-friendly site can be used to browse hotels and exclusive air routes from regional airports, as well as lowcost air and ferry routes to the islands. Packages are easy to book with each element of the holiday clearly shown. Prices include commission and a price-matching service is offered to clients. Gill McCarthy, the company's sales director, said: ‘The new site is quick and easy to use and is a very useful tool to find relevant holiday options for the customer." Agents who book any Channel Islands package holiday with the operator can also enter a draw for the chance to win a fivestar break to Jersey and claim a £5 Love2Shop voucher. To enter, email the booking reference to sales@airwaysholidays.com

NEW TRADE partner Omega Holidays has recently appointed Dino Toouli as head of trade sales to grow its business through travel agents across the UK. The company was established in 1978 and operates from a network of 540 coach pickup points throughout the UK, as well as 112 main line railway stations, carrying approximately 80,000 passengers. Toouli said: "It’s fantastic to have secured a number of commercial agreements with key travel partners across the UK, who now have access to this superb product, offering their customers a choice when booking their UK break. "Our coach departures to London are very popular for those who don’t like negotiating the tube, but those who are more confident find our rail packages good value for money. Our UK breaks also include the Edinburgh Tattoo, Chelsea Flower Show and even the Farnborough Air Show." For further details call 01524-37500.

Away Resorts announces return of Ritz-inspired afternoon tea

THIS NOVEMBER London’s West End will welcome a new musical comedy about friendship, love and the importance of fighting for what is right. Inspired by a true story and based on the hit movie, Made In Dagenham will star international stage and screen actress Gemma Arterton in the lead role of Rita O’Grady. The show opens at the Adelphi Theatre on November 5 with previews from October 9. Superbreak now has packages available that include tickets to the show and overnight accommodation. Packages lead in at £114.50 per person staying at the three-star President Hotel and including a ticket to the show. All packages are fully commissionable and bookable online at www.superbreak.com/agents. For details call 0871-221 4444.

March 28 2014

AWAY RESORTS' holiday parks have announced the return of its Ritzinspired afternoon tea this Easter, with a seven-night break for a family of four leading in at £306 from April 11 at Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight. The afternoon tea includes plates of finger sandwiches, mini pastries, scones, jam and clotted cream and a pot of tea for two for £8.95. The company's managing director, Carl Castledine, said: "We pride ourselves on being the home of the great British holiday that specialises in offering quintessentially English retro experiences, so afternoon tea really should be on our menu. "So many other UK holiday park operators have opted to go down the American route and introduce coffee franchises from High Street chains on their parks. We thought it was time that the great English afternoon tea made a comeback as part of the whole, traditional seaside holiday experience. We have definitely got our sights on serving up the best cup of afternoon tea at any UK holiday park." The operator is also investing in the refurbishment of the park's main entertainment centre, the Culver Club. There will be a new Punch and Judy-style staging area and a tardis entrance to the Club that pays homage to the beach at Whitecliff Bay that provided the backdrop for an episode of Doctor Who.

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cruising

New optional shore excursions from Paul Gauguin Cruises PAUL GAUGUIN Cruises has released details of exotic, optional shore excursions for its Australia & South East Asia voyages. On the 14-night itineraries, The Gauguin sails between Cairns and Singapore, visiting lesstravelled tropical ports of Australia such as Thursday Island, once a World War II military outpost, and Darwin. Indonesian ports include Komodo Island, home of the Komodo dragon; Bali and Semarang, with its gateway to the temples of Borobudur. Two departures are offered on June 25 and August 4, with cruise fares from £3,890 per person if booked before March 31. Both sailings include the roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles and onboard lectures.

SHIP SHAPE AWARDS...At a recent gala gathering on the MSC Splendida during a Genoa-MarseilleGenoa two-night mini-cruise, MSC Cruises hosted operators and agents from around the world for its All-Stars of the Sea Awards. There were various categories, and from the UK the winners were: Best FIT Producer, Iglu/Planet, Wimbledon; Best Group Producer, Barrhead Travel, Glasgow; Best Network, Advantage, London; Best Online Agent, Cruise.co.uk, Birmingham, and Best Initiative Award, Fusion Travel, Emsworth. Meanwhile, the line has announced the introduction of a new pricing structure which is based on experiences rather than cabins. It will feature the categories of Bella, Fantastica, Aurea and Yacht Club. The line will also be the headline sponsor at the CLIA Selling Cruise Conference, which takes place from May 22-23 in Southampton.

Fred. Olsen on the crest of a wave of optimism at its 2015/16 launch by Paul Scudamore WITH THE cruise sector continuing to enjoy consistent buoyancy in a travel industry that seems constantly to be dealing with the choppy waters of recession, conflict in previously prime tourist destinations and a general squeeze on disposable income, the sheer optimism that comes with cruise brochure launches is like a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stuffy boardroom of general despair. And so it was with the recent announcement from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines that in 2015/16 its ships will be visiting 245 destinations in 81 countries around the world. An example of the offerings for 2016 is a 115-night around-the-world Grand Voyage on the Black Watch which will visit 27 countries on a Southampton-Southampton westbound itinerary, departing on January 8 and heading via the Caribbean and Panama Canal to the South Pacific, Australia, the Far East, Middle East and Mediterranean. This cruise, as with all those featured in the 2015/16 launch, went on sale on Monday this week. The programme also covers the company’s other three ships – the Boudicca, Braemar and Balmoral – all of which appeal to those who prefer smaller, more traditional ships that are able to access smaller ports-of-call than modern mega-ships, and are therefore easier (quicker) to board and disembark. Having been on the Black Watch on its initial leg of its current 114-day world cruise (it returns to Southampton in early May) I can confirm the joy of mostly queue-less arrival and departure at ports (in this case Funchal, Cape Verde, Recife and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil). A major observation on this Grand Voyage was the very large percentage of repeat Fred. Olsen passengers (mostly over-55s) who had booked well in advance, had world-cruised before,

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were going “all the way” and were planning to do it again. Consequently, it is likely that many will have booked on board this week for the 2016 voyage. The company’s sales and marketing director Nathan Philpot said at the launch: "We’re thrilled to be unveiling our Grand Voyages for 2016, and in particular our stunning Around Africa and into the Indian Ocean cruise on the Boudicca – the first time this ship will have embarked on a Grand Voyage.” The 76-night round-trip from Southampton on January 5 will take in destinations such as the Gambia, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius, Tanzania, Kenya, the Seychelles, Oman and Jordan before crossing the Mediterranean for its return on March 21. There are, however, shorter cruises to appeal to the widest possible market, ranging from a 35-night Voyage to the American Deep South on the Balmoral from September 14 next year and a nine-night Superbikes and Scenic Hikes cruise to the Isle of Man in May 2015, also on the Balmoral. The following month the Braemar will depart from Dover for a 15-night Film Stars and Fast Cars itinerary to the South of France. An historic occasion on July 28, 2015, will see all four ships dock alongside each other for the first time. The coming together will be in Bergen, Norway, the cruise line’s historic homeland. Philpot said: ”In an increasingly cluttered market where the consumer finds it difficult to distinguish the differences between one brand and another, we are proud to offer innovative cruise experiences and destinations that stand out.” For further information see www.fredolsencruises.com

March 28 2014

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cruising Cruise Nation capitalises on demand for combination packages CRUISE NATION has launched new combination packages to meet increased demand and broaden the cruise experience for its customers. Packages see two or three itineraries from different cruise lines combined to create an extended cruise experience. Launch packages include a Celebrity Reflection itinerary paired with Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Cunard’s Queen Mary schedule with NCL’s Norwegian Gem. Packages also include free added extras such as room-only stays in destinations including Singapore, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Developed to provide passengers with more time to explore popular far-flung regions such as South-East Asia and the Caribbean, the combination cruise line

packages are one of the company's popular ‘Smart Package’ options, which combine added extras such as regional flight departures, room upgrades and additional on-board spend with value for money prices. The operator's managing director, Phil Evans, said: “We’re really excited to launch our range of combination cruise line packages as they were specifically created with our customers’ requests in mind. The standard seven-night cruise to the Caribbean is ideal for the US market, but our UK customers wanted to spend longer soaking up the various islands, so our new packages allows them to do just that." For more information call 0800-408 0758 or visit www.cruisenation.com

Island hopping options in Croatia from Transun NEW EXCLUSIVE cruise holiday options in Croatia have been launched by Transun. ‘Southern Pearls’ offers an intimate cruise of the Adriatic coast and includes a visit to Vis, one of the country's most remote islands. Weekly departures take place throughout summer and the cruise departs from Split or Dubrovnik and calls at destinations including Hvar and Korcula. A seven-night Southern Pearls package starts from £1,095 per person (based on two people sharing) and includes flights from a range of selected national airports, transfers, breakfast accommodation and a guided sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik. Other holiday highlights include a seven-night ‘Dalmatian Voyage’ that takes in smaller ports of call and a seven-night ‘Croatia Island Hopping’ option which visits Mljet, the Markarska Riviere, Korcula and Hvar. For further information or to book visit www.transun.co.uk or call 01865-265200. VARIETY CRUISES is currently offering a Seychelles' ‘Cruises in the Garden of Eden’ (Mahe - Mahe) summer special fare. Clients booking now for trips departing on May 3, May 17 or June 21 will receive 25% off all fares. For details see www.varietycruises.com

March 28 2014

New developments for Cruise & Maritime Voyages CRUISE & Maritime Voyages (CMV) started this year with the announcement of the takeover of the tour operation of TransOcean Kreuzfahrten and entry into the expanding German market. The line now has the responsibility for the charter, operation and marketing of the Astor (which carries 600 passengers) which this summer welcomes a 7,000 passenger programme through Kiel, Bremerhaven and Hamburg. Also included in the new larger operation for the company is the charter of the European river cruise fleet - Belvedere, Bellefleur, Bellejour and the Sans Souci featuring the rivers Rhine, Main, Danube, Mosel, Neckar, Elbe, Oder, Havel, Rhône and Saône. CMV is part of the Global Maritime Group and also operates two other ocean vessels, the Marco Polo (800 passengers) and Discovery (700 passengers), plus the river vessel, Vienna I, under the new premium plus Signature River Cruises brand. This year the CMV’s combined ocean fleet passenger carryings are projected to exceed 70,000 passengers, representing almost 100% growth since 2010. Lisa Jacobs, the line's head of retail sales, said: “Trade support for CMV continues to grow. Our core product of traditional style ships providing a British cruise experience from local UK ports is easy for agents and the trade to sell. We remain committed to the trade in helping us achieve our aims.” For more information see www.cruiseandmaritime.com or call 0844-414 6140.

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(1) Ponant bonus fare based on two people sharing a cabin, excluding pre/post transport, port and security taxes. Ponant bonus fare is susceptible to change depending on the availability at the moment of the reservation. More informations at www.ponant.com Photo Credits : © Compagnie du Ponant, Istockphoto.

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Luxury Cruising by Compagnie du Ponant

ADRIATIC AND AEGEAN SEA: THE ULTIMATE YACHTING EXPERIENCE Taking a cruise with Compagnie du Ponant in the Mediterranean offers you a perfect combination of relaxation, exclusivity and cultural discoveries across a range of locations such as Venice, Kotor and Athens. The 132-cabin, 5-star yacht LE SOLÉAL reaches some of the Mediterranean’s best kept secrets whilst treating guests to unrivalled passenger service, the ﬁnest cuisine and a bilingual crew ready to tend to your every need. Discover the treasures of the World by sea.

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cruising CruiseBritain reveals British ports attract record number of cruise visitors FIGURES RELEASED by CruiseBritain reveal that more passengers than ever visited Great Britain through the country’s 51 cruise ports last year, with more than 100 ships calling into UK ports bringing a record 866,000 passengers on day calls, a rise of 20% over 2012. Last year was also a record year for passengers beginning their cruise at a UK port with embarkations topping the one million passenger mark for the first time. A total of 49 different cruise lines visited UK ports last year with passengers taking day trips to a variety of attractions and destinations across the country. Many ships were operating Round Britain cruises which offer a unique itinerary option allowing visitors to explore coasts, castles, cities and countryside in one visit. The short sailing distances between Britain's shores and a number of complementary countries adds to the itinerary possibilities. Incoming chair of CruiseBritain, Darren Taylor, said: "With a

day call growth rate of this magnitude, we are on course to see more than a million passenger day calls into UK ports this year. This represents significant tourism revenue for each of the ports visited. The rise in both the day call and embarkation figures is extremely encouraging and is a positive endorsement of Britain's value as a cruise destination and source market. The growth in passengers beginning their cruise includes overseas passengers who represented 21% of the total, a proportion which returns to 2010 levels. "We are continuing to raise the profile of Britain as a cruise destination and have just introduced a new theme based around Heritage Coasts. The theme highlights the protected coast accessible from so many of our member ports and complements the country's historical and cultural attractions." For details email info@cruisebritain.org.uk or visit www.cruisebritain.org

QUARK EXPEDITIONS reports that climate change concerns and the melting of polar ice caps have resulted in increased interest in Arctic wildlife. The line's president, Hans Lagerweij, said: “Spitsbergen is one of the greatest places on earth to observe polar bears in their natural environment. Demand is great and we now offer three Spitsbergen expeditions of varying lengths, each with ample opportunity to observe and photograph walrus, polar bears, reindeer and other species indigenous to the increasingly popular Svalbard archipelago.” As an example of prices, a 14-day Three Arctic Islands expedition takes in Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen and costs from £4,465 per person based on triple occupancy of a cabin. The price includes food, excursions by Zodiac and walks on land. For details see www.quarkexpeditions.com/gb or call 0808-120 2333.

Crystal announces details of more than 350 adventures for 2015 World Cruise CRYSTAL CRUISES has released details of more than 350 Crystal Adventures for its 2015 20th annual World Cruise - a 30% increase in shore-side options over 2014’s voyage. Half-day, full day and multiple-day excursions, more than 40 of which are new, can now be previewed and pre-reserved at www.crystalcruises.co.uk Outings to date include multiple-night Overland Adventures in Africa, the Galapagos and Andes; visits to Aboriginal, Incan and Catholic spiritual centres; dancing at South American hotspots; outdoor sporting activities through rivers, oceans, jungle and skies

from Tahiti to Turks & Caicos; and cultural liaising with Zulu, Amazonian and Easter Island villagers. As an example of prices, a 108-day World Cruise celebrates the line's 25th year of sailing with Crystal Serenity’s first circumnavigation of the globe, sailing to 44 ports of call in 23 countries, roundtrip from Miami on January 25. The cruise is comprised of six, 15- to 21night segments sailing through Central and South America, the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa and the Caribbean. Cruise only prices lead in at £27,271

March 28 2014

per person, while fares for World Cruise Crystal Adventures range from $29 to $5,699 per person. Meanwhile, as part of its ongoing support of its UK trade partners, the line has announced details of a new agent incentive aimed at encouraging team work in agencies and driving sales, with a range of prizes up for grabs. The ‘Crystal Cruises Seahorse Stakes’ incentive runs until the end of the year and sees UK agents work their way around a racetrack with prizes awarded as bookings increase. Any UK agencies who achieve the goal of 25

bookings within the incentive period will be rewarded with a private box at the races for up to 16 people. Along the way, other prizes include a horse-riding day in the country, a luxury hamper, theatre tickets plus dinner for two, a pamper day plus a number of surprise spot prizes. Agents should also look out for ‘Enhanced Sailings’ throughout the year where double points (moving forward two spaces) will be awarded for bookings made on specific sailings There is also a number of ‘Mystery Shopper’ challenges set where agents will win a spot prize if they recommend the cruise line.

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cruising Compagnie du Ponant promotes no single supplement on selected cruises COMPAGNIE DU Ponant is offering a range of cruises with no single supplements As examples, a seven-night cruise on board the new Le Soleal (which features 132 cabins and suites), departing from Athens to Istanbul on July 17, costs from €2,280 per person. Alternatively, a dedicated family

cruise departs from Copenhagen to Tromso on July 21 for a ten-day tour of the Norwegian Fjords on Le Boréal. A kids' club plus a team of animators will organise workshops and activities for children on board. Prices lead in at €3,270 (plus €450 for port taxes) and include flights; all meals on board; a captain’s cocktail party and gala dinner; mineral water,

tea, filter coffee, white, red and rosé wines served with meals; 24-hour room service (selected menu); evening entertainment and events; porterage from the quayside to the ship and vice versa; and a guestspeaker. To book or for more information visit www.ponant.com or call 0800-980 4027.

Princess Cruises offers spring deals to the Americas PRINCESS CRUISES is offering discounted rates throughout this month and next on Caribbean, US, Canada, Panama Canal and Mexico voyages, setting sail between May and November. In addition, passengers will receive up to £300 off their flight or $500 on board credit (per couple booked). The credit can be used on optional extras such as dining in one of the speciality restaurants, a treatment in the spa or a variety of drinks from the bar. Prices per person for seven days start at £499 for cruises to the Caribbean or Mexico, £529 to California and £599 to Alaska. In addition, an 11-night Panama Canal cruise is available from £1,049. The line's managing director UK and Europe, Paul

Ludlow, said: "We've seen an upsurge in demand to all areas across the Atlantic, as passengers are reporting that the lure of exotic destinations is proving particularly attractive. With the bad weather we continue to experience at home, the prospect of spending summer in a holiday hotspot like the Caribbean is very appealing. "We've just launched a new tag line, namely that one of our cruises will help you 'come back new'. With this campaign offering the choice of great savings on flights, making bucket-list destinations more affordable, or extra credit to experience more on board or at shore, these offers will help make coming back new a reality." For more information or to book visit www.princess.com or call 0843-373 0333.

Buy One Get One Hal f Price!

Magical Rhine 7 nights, 19th May 2014 A wonderful 7 night cruising holiday onboard the stylish, premium plus Vienna I. Relax and cruise the beautiful Rhine in style and comfort on a scenic and cultural discovery.

Limited availability offer! Book now and save up to £899. Double/Twin Lower Deck - River View FIRST ADULT

£1199

SECOND ADULT

£599

Double/Twin Middle Deck - French Balcony FIRST ADULT

£1399

SECOND ADULT

£699

Double/Twin Upper Deck - French Balcony FIRST ADULT

£1499

SECOND ADULT

£749

Suite Upper Deck - French Balcony FIRST ADULT

£1799

SECOND ADULT

£899

Single person fares from £1349

Premium Plus Vienna I River Cruise Includes: Flights from Gatwick or Manchester & overseas transfers between airport/ship, full board cuisine, drinks with meals*, selected half day tours, evening entertainment, complimentary tea & coffee.

Call 0844 414 6161 or visit www.cruiseandmaritime.com Prices are per person based on two adults sharing a double/twin cabin excluding gratuities. Subject to availability and may be withdrawn without notice. *House wine, house beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner. Terms & Conditions apply. Operated by South Quay Travel & Leisure Ltd trading as Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV Signature River Cruises). ABTA V9945. ATOL 4619 1134

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Experience 5,000 years of history on a Nile river cruise

Join us on a voyage of discovery as we visit the majestic ancient monuments that line the banks of the Nile from Luxor to Aswan, including the World Heritage Sites of the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Kom Ombo, Philae and an optional excursion to Abu Simbel . Enjoy your cruise in style with scheduled Egyptair ﬂights and luxurious accommodation aboard the ﬁve star MS Grand Rose. 10 free excursions

Your price includes

Luxor Temple y

Return flights with Egyptair

Karnak Temple y

In-flight meals

Kom Ombo Temple y

Personal in-flight entertainment

Philae Temple y

46kg pp luggage allowance

Aswan High Dam y

VIP airport lounge*

Unfinished Obelisk y

Resort transfers

Colossi of Memnon y

10 fully-guided excursions

Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple y

All meals on board

Medinet Habu y

Local alcoholic and soft drinks

Valley of the Kings y

Late check out cabin

7 night Nile cruise from only

7 night Cruise & Stay add-on from

£599pp

£110pp

Save

Low deposit Just

£200 this summer

£75pp

The Egyptian Experts Call today on 0845 072 2477 Visit redseaholidays.co.uk/agent ABTA No.Y2507

Subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Based on minimum 2 adults sharing. Discount is per booking, not per passenger and applies on holidays booked by 31/03/2014 and departing 01/05-31/10/2014. Abu Simbel excursion: payable locally. ºCruise & stay packages: airline may vary.*UK airport only. Other conditions apply; see brochure for details. ATOL protected 9749. ® Red Sea Holidays logo is a registered trade mark of Red Sea Holidays UK Ltd. © 2014.

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cruising Riviera Travel adds River Douro option RIVIERA TRAVEL'S 2015 River Cruise Programme is now on sale and features The River Douro for the first time. The company has also announced that a sister ship to the five-star MS Lord Byron is due to be launched and will be named the five-star MS Jane Austen. For more information email agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk or see www.rivieratravel.co.uk

Selling cruise is CLIA

Relive The Sound of Music with Titan and Uniworld this summer on selected cruises TITAN HAS teamed up with Uniworld to offer guests travelling on selected river cruises this summer the opportunity to meet and hear performances by Elisabeth von Trapp. As the granddaughter of the legendary Maria and Baron von Trapp, whose story inspired The Sound of Music, Elisabeth will share the “sounds of music” with guests on a choice of itineraries for departures from June to September. Guests sailing on the eight-day Enchanting Danube itinerary, from Budapest to Passau, will be able to join Elisabeth in Salzburg at the Mirabellgarten as she performs songs from The Sound of Music. A highlight of the performance will be the chance for guests to participate in a sing-along of “Do-Re-Mi” at the famed garden where the original 1964 scene was filmed. Elisabeth will also be performing a range of Gregorian chants, 12th-century mystic Hildegard of Bingen tunes, some early American hymns and her own original compositions. Guests sailing on the 14-day European Serenade and seven-day Danube Discovery and Prague itinerary will also be treated to “the sounds of Von Trapp” with an exclusive onboard performance. For details or to book call 0800-988 5867 or visit www.titanagents.co.uk

£100 Ticketmaster incentive from Celebrity CELEBRITY CRUISES is giving agents the chance to win one of five £100 Ticketmaster gift cards each week, redeemable on events and concerts across the UK and Ireland, including Katy Perry, Robbie Williams and Wimbledon Championships. To be in with a chance of winning, agents need to confirm a new 2014 or 2015 booking between now and April. The incentive coincides with the line’s ‘Choose and Cruise’ and ‘Discover in 2015’ campaigns running this month and next. The ‘Choose and Cruise’ campaign incorporates two offers for agents selling sailings to customers including complimentary classic drinks packages on selected sailings between May and March 2015 when booking an oceanview stateroom or above and up to $300 onboard spend per stateroom on selected cruises between May and March 2015 when booking an oceanview stateroom or above. As part of the line’s ‘Discover in 2015’ campaign, a ‘cruise fare price promise’ is being offered on all sailings, which guarantees that should the cruise price decrease at any time, guests can move into a lower price at a later stage with no amendment or cancellation charges. This applies to all bookings made before April 30. The company is also offering up to $400 onboard spend for each stateroom booking made. For more information visit www.cruisingpower.co.uk

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by ANDY HARMER, director, CLIA UK & Ireland HE RECENT announcement by P&O Cruises of its 'food heroes' that would feature on the brand new ship Britannia clearly laid out the importance that the cruise line attaches to its onboard dining experience. The likes of James Martin, Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar are in good company in an industry well known for offering exceptional food. Indeed all cruise lines offer extraordinary dining experiences, from the main dining room, to alternative dining restaurants, and even onboard venues that offer a ‘dinner with a show’ evening (such as the Illusionararium on the recently launched Norwegian Getaway). The growing trend for celebrity chefs has now been fully endorsed across the industry - from Master Chef Rudi Sodamin on Holland America Line to Silk Road by Nobu Matsuhisa on Crystal Cruises, Todd English on Cunard Line and Geoffrey Zakarian on Norwegian Cruise Lines. The chance to enjoy a celebrity chef dining experience at sea is further temptation to those yet to take their first cruise holiday. And if a cruise line is not being aligned with a specific chef then there is also a trend to associate with a restaurateur or a restaurant. Think QSINE from Celebrity Cruises and Eataly Steakhouse and Ristorante Italia on MSC Cruises amongst others. All of those partnerships bring guests even more choice to an already wide selection of dining options. Another growing dining trend is the rise of the alternative dining restaurant. Whilst with most cruise lines the main dining room remains the dining heart of the ship in the evenings (and often at breakfast and lunch-time too), these alternative spaces can offer different food choices in a very different atmosphere and environment. And do not for one moment think that this is restricted to ocean cruise ships – river cruise operators are increasingly offering that choice too. Dining is a vital part of all cruises across the whole industry with great food and service available every meal time every day. And dining takes place in equally impressive restaurant venues which are often beautifully crafted and designed spaces. Remember also that dining extends way beyond the restaurant - some cruise lines feature onboard culinary schools so guests can practise their cooking skills and learn from masters of the trade, and others operate wonderful food themed cruises where food is brought to life on board and ashore. The breadth and quality of dining proves that a cruise can offer holiday experiences that are unavailable elsewhere.

March 28 2014

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rivercruising We asked our staff the following question this week: What was the last film you watched? Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk 'Limitless' starring the gorgeous Bradley Cooper

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Non-stop with Liam Neeson - epic!

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

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Gravity in 3D in an almost empty cinema (well, three other people) in South Lake Tahoe. Got "senior" concession without asking. What cheek!

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk http://travelbulletin.co.uk/video-box

Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Gravity, I thought it was a load of Bullocks!

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk "Art Ache" - my friend's debut feature film. I have a very small speaking part in it!

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk 12 Years a Slave. NOT all that!

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@travelbulletin.co.uk Dallas Buyers Club

Sales Executive: Matt Gill matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk The Leather Boys

Senior Designer: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@travelbulletin.co.uk 300: Rise of an Empire

Assistant Designer: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@travelbulletin.co.uk End of Watch with Jake Gyllenhaal & Michael Pena

Production: Erica Sesay production@travelbulletin.co.uk Rush Hour 3

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 £125 p.a. £195 overseas ISSN: 0956-2419

VIKING CRUISES has broken its own Guinness World Record with the help of TV baker, Mary Berry as the line launched 14 of its deluxe Longships, in three countries and three cities in 24 hours. Last week Mary (pictured with daughter, Annabel Boscher) christened Alsvin in the traditional manner in Amsterdam by smashing a bottle of Champagne across its bows. As well as Amsterdam, ceremonies were held in Avignon, France and Rostock, Germany. Each of the Longships christened will now set sail along one of the company’s river routes, including those on the Danube, Rhine and Rhone. The company has also announced the return of its eight-day 'Heart of Bordeaux' itinerary for 2015, which leads in at £1,295 and includes six guided tours. For details see www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk

Travel Indochina expands river cruise programme in Burma and India with exclusive charters TRAVEL INDOCHINA has launched a new ‘Burma & India River Cruising’ brochure featuring soon-to-launch river cruises and a collection of exclusive charters for 2014-16. The 16-page supplementary brochure offers new options for agents and their customers, with the chance to discover life along the Irrawaddy and Ganges on the new Irrawaddy Explorer and Ganges Voyager I. Launching in September this year, the Irrawaddy Explorer is inspired by Burma’s British-colonial era and will offer 28 suites starting from 25m² with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto private balconies for panoramic views of the river, while other features include a fitness centre and spa offering traditional Burmese massages. Alternatively, passengers can experience life along the Ganges River as they sail on the new Ganges Voyager I. Set to launch in January 2015, the all-suite vessel offers an East India Dining Room, cultural performances in the Governor’s Lounge and 28 spacious suites starting from 25m² and offering private balconies. Extras on board will include the expertise of a western cruise director; 100% guaranteed departures; all meals (while cruising and on land); all on board beverages; on-board entertainment; and lectures. A 12-day/11-night Treasures of Golden Burma cruise on the Irrawaddy Explorer sails from Yangon to Mandalay and in reverse. The itinerary includes hotel accommodation pre- and post- the ten-day cruise, plus optional touring extensions to Inle Lake and Ngapali Beach. Prices start from £2,620 per person on the vessel’s first exclusive charter from Mandalay on November 22. A 15-day/14-night Ganges Discovery Voyage cruise on the Ganges Voyager I begins in Calcutta and includes eight days sailing on the lower Ganges, visiting countryside villages and a former French colony, before flying to Varanasi and continuing to the Golden Triangle with a visit to the Taj Mahal. Prices start from £3,670 on the vessel’s first exclusive charter on February 17, 2015. The charters complement the cruise line’s range of options featured in its ‘2013-15 Asia River Cruising’ brochure and the operator can arrange international flights under ATOL for all cruises. For more information call 01865-268944 or visit www.travelindochina.co.uk

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. ACCOR, 3. WASPS, 6. ECUADOR, 8. CAM, 9. PEEP, 10. JETS, 13. LOME, 14. OMAN, 16. ZUG, 18. RAVENNA, 19. IBIZA, 20. SAMOS. Down: 1. ALEX POLIZZI, 2. RODA, 3. WARNER, 4. SLC, 5. SIMPLON PASS, 7. UTELL, 11. SIMON, 12. UMBRIA, 15. AVIS, 17. GCI.

Highlighted Word: ACAPULCO Travagrams: (top) Cyplon Holidays

(bottom) Vienna

Where Am I?: Greenland

March 28 2014

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