Travel Bulletin 4th October 2019

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Giving agents the edge

October 4 2019 | ISSUE NO 2,125 | travelbulletin.co.uk

AGENT INSIGHT

EVENT BULLETIN

GREECE

AUSTRALASIA

The travel industry bids a fond farewell to Thomas Cook

We welcome Cambridge agents to our cruise showcase

No matter the season, there’s a reason to book a Greek escape

Build the perfect itinerary with these top tips from Tourism Australia

Cover pic : © mbrand85

ESCORTED TOURS THAT DISCOVER MORE

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NEWS BULLETIN

OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

THIS WEEK 04 NEWS Updates from the industry to help agents sell more fantastic holidays

REBELS WITH A CAUSE A MoneySavingHeroes survey has found that more than a third of parents would rather take their children on holiday during term time and risk a fine from the school.

08 AGENT INSIGHT Eileen from Travel Counsellors on the demise of Thomas Cook.

16 EVENT BULLETIN All the fun of our latest Cruise Showcase in pictures

19 GREECE All seasons & plenty of reasons to tempt your clients with a Greek escape

21 ESCORTED TOURING Adventure’s a-knockin’ with these top escorted tours

MONEYSAVINGHEROES CONDUCTED a study of 2,100 British parents, all with a child under the age of 16, to find out how UK families approach their holidays. The study initially found that more than one in three British parents would rather take their children away in term time (34%) and face the fines enforced by their school.

It was found that the main reason for taking children away in term time was to save on the cost of the holiday.

The top five reasons include: hotels are less populated during term time (85%); it is cheaper to go on holiday in term time (76%); there are many more choices

available (71%); the need to use up annual leave before the year ends (33%); and the desire to give children breaks from school (24%) What’s more, 10% of parents would take their children away regardless of what exams they had coming up.

The favourite holiday destination for Britons travelling in term time was found to be Spain (54%), followed by Portugal (20%) and Turkey (10%).

Additionally, it was discovered that 37% of British parents who take their children on holiday during term time wouldn’t do so if there were stricter, steeper fines related

to skipping school.

George Charles, spokesperson for MoneySavingHeroes, commented: “When you look at the cost of taking your child abroad in the summer holidays compared to the winter there isn’t actually that much difference, unless you are utilising offers and discount codes. By the time you consider the fine you may receive from the school and the way it could harm your child’s learning, there isn’t much to gain. The curriculum is designed in such a way that allows for enough of a break for children in order to keep their minds fresh and rested.”

28 AUSTRALASIA Say ‘Good Morning World’ with New Zealand’s latest trade campaign

Published by : Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place London, SW1W 0EX

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NEWS BULLETIN

OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Ras Al Khaimah sees record tourist footfall THE RAS AL KHAIMAH Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has announced record-breaking visitor numbers to Ras Al Khaimah in August of this year.

The Emirate recorded a 5% growth in overall visitor arrivals year-to-date, with the peak reaching 117,995 visitors in August. Reports also revealed an 8.4% increase in domestic visitor arrivals. In August, hotels and resorts also reported a 3.7% increase in occupied rooms propelling a 3.1% growth in occupancy rates compared to the same period last year.

Raki Philips, CEO of the tourism development authority, said: "We are extremely proud to announce the record-breaking number of visitors we welcomed to the Emirate in August 2019.

Nearly 118,000 visitors have chosen to explore Ras Al Khaimah and experience the diversity of its landscapes and offering from pristine beaches, undulating

terracotta desert, to aweinspiring vistas of the majestic Hajar mountains, including the country’s highest peak – Jebel Jais.

"Earlier this year, we revealed a host of attractive summer offers as part of the Emirate’s ongoing destination marketing campaign – ‘Kids go Free’ - which highlights the hidden gems, diverse attractions and adventures on offer across the Emirate. We believe that these efforts played a vital role in increasing the number of visitors during

the summer period, especially with such a huge variety of accommodation options offering unbeatable deals for families as well as significant discounts on some of the Emirate’s key adventure attractions including the Jebel Jais Flight: The World’s longest Zipline."

Over the next three years RAKTDA will continue to capitalise on the Emirate’s specialities to attract close to 1.5 million visitors by 2021, and three million visitors by 2025.

Striving towards sustainability SUSTAINABLE TOURISM was a hot topic at this year’s Tourism Symposium in Blackpool, with many of the topics focused around how tourism can be maintained long-term without harming natural and cultural environments.

With the global tourism industry not reacting particularly well to environmental challenges, Professor Richard Sharpley gave a well-received talk to agents, advising attendees and tourism boards to strive towards a more sustainable model of travel. He said: “On the global level, arrivals have increased by one billion in the last 30 years, of course the impact is easy to see – global warming, which is the most visible – but all the other impacts too, including over-tourism, many destinations are simply suffering, including this country too.”

“My view is that we’re ignoring the greater problem.

The tourism sector, which is hugely valuable, is just one of many economic sectors that comprise the global economy. We’re still fixated on a growth economy, but sustainability does not go hand in hand with this notion.”

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NEWS BULLETIN

OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Easing clients into African safari holidays WHEN BOOKING African safaris, agents can explain to clients the benefits of booking a night in a hotel in the city where they land rather than going direct from the airport to the destination.

Speaking exclusively to Travel Bulletin, Nicholas Best, group commercial director for Latitude, an African boutique hotel group, said that especially for safari holidays that are not "soft-landing" destinations, such as Malawi, Uganda and Zambia, a night in a hotel on landing can be a good way for clients to ease their way into their holiday.

Mr Best explained that a night in a hotel to rest and recover from jetlag can be a better way to start a safari holiday, especially if the flight lands at a time when the client will not arrive at the safari destination until after dark.

All aboard with VIA Rail Vacations brochure RAILBOOKERS HAS announced the launch of its 2020 VIA Rail Vacations brochure for the UK market.

The itineraries detailed in the brochure feature immersive Canadian Rockies and cross-Canada journeys inclusive of rail, accommodations and sightseeing, and can be tailormade. Customers have the option to add a Canadian or US rail excursion to the beginning or end for a full North

He said that safari breaks are "the holiday of a lifetime ... especially for the intrepid traveller" and they are not cheap, so starting the itinerary with a hotel night "helps to set up a great experience."

"We often get guests who say they had an argument

with their travel agent about booking a night in a hotel but when they arrive at the hotel, they are so glad the agent convinced them," Mr Best told Travel Bulletin. "Their expectations are exceeded."

For more information about Latitude properties, go to www.latitudehotels.com

Let them eat chocolate in Scotland THE CHOCOLATARIUM, a store that is completely dedicated to telling the story of chocolate, has opened in Edinburgh.

Located just off the Royal Mile on Cranston Street, The Chocolatarium comprises of ‘a tour of chocolate’ which takes visitors on a journey of uncovering the history of chocolate, ‘how it’s made’ (with the opportunity to make and take away your own chocolate bar) and a tasting session.

Visitors can sample craft chocolates from Scotland, Colombia and Madagascar.

There’s everything from camel milk chocolate, vegan options, haggis, gin & tonic, chilli through to the old-fashioned favourites like milk, mint, and salted caramel chocolate, all available for tasting.

Owner of The Chocolatarium, Jenny McLay, said, “We want visitors to get a real sense of the whole chocolate experience, like seeing and touching a real cacao fruit, smelling the roasting beans, and making their own personalised bar,” Book online at www.chocolatarium.co.uk

American holiday experience.

Once on board, travellers can take in views of snowcapped mountain peaks, vast forests, and glacier-fed lakes from the car, enjoy culinary delights, and travel in style by upgrading to ‘Sleeper Plus’ or ‘Prestige Class’ for an overnight rail experience.

When clients upgrade to ‘Prestige Class’ on VIA Rail, their cabin will feature a large double bed and full ensuite restroom facilities, as well as all-inclusive meals and unlimited bar service, full access to the ‘Prestige Park’ car with its dome and lounge, as well as a personalised concierge attendant.

Brits are still bonkers for Buenos Aires ACCORDING TO Travel Buenos Aires, more than 34,000 Brits visited Buenos Aires in the first half of 2019 meaning around 15% more visitors arrived from the UK than in the same period of 2018.

Research commissioned by the Latin American Travel Association (LATA) and conducted by travel intelligence specialists, Forward Keys, shows that Argentina has seen a significant increase (4.6%) in booking figures between August and December, making it the fourth most popular destination in Latin America among Brits up until early 2020.

For more information, visit www.turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar/en

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NEWS BULLETIN

OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Agent

INSIGHT EILEEN SAUNDERS TRAVEL COUNSELLOR IT’S THE end of an era − that pretty well summed up the feelings of most people hearing the devastating news of the Thomas Cook collapse last week. September 23, 2019 will go down in travel history as the day we bade a fond farewell to our oldest, and the world’s best-known, travel company.

Thomas Cook was a true pioneer when he started the very first travel agency back in 1841. The brand has survived two world wars, the reigns of six British monarchs and numerous changes throughout that time, not least the invention of flight.

It’s really hard to believe that such an iconic name, and one that we’ve all known throughout our lifetimes, had received its “final call” and it’s inevitable that we will all feel the loss in some way or the other.

Personally, Thomas Cook played a big part in my life so I’m very sad to see them go. I was barely “out of nappies” when I started working there – actually, I was a teenager so maybe just “wet behind the ears”.

I trained there, spent many enjoyable years there, made lifelong friends, and even met my husband via the company, so unsurprisingly my Thomas Cook days hold very special memories for me. I’m sure many of you have your own special memories too.

While agents and suppliers have been working hard to sort out their current Thomas Cook bookings, some (including Travel Counsellors) have taken time to reach out to Thomas Cook staff and even customers who haven’t booked with them, to offer help and advice. Meanwhile, some are arranging recruitment roadshows around the country. It’s great to see the way our industry rallies round to help each other when faced with difficult events like this and I’m sure this assistance and care will reap its own rewards.

On a lighter note, did you know that Thomas Cook was a committed teetotaller and that the first escorted tours he organised were for the Temperance Society?

I thought you’d enjoy the irony in that!

PRESERVING PANGOLINS… In a conservation first, travel company andBeyond has reintroduced the highly endangered Temminck’s ground pangolin at its flagship game reserve in South Africa to reverse the local extinction of the species in the province. andBeyond has launched a ‘Pangolin Conservation Experience’ that will bring in additional income for the project and highlight the threats facing the pangolin.

Chill out with Arctic Elements Lakeside Spa THIS WINTER, a new wellness concept – Arctic Elements Lakeside Spa – will open in Finland’s far north, with an elemental and ecological focus. Due to open on December 1, it will be the first of its kind in Finland and is available to book through the Northern Lights holiday company, The Aurora Zone.

Situated in Muonio, the spa sits on the shore of Lake Jeris, next to the Pallas-Ylläs National Park – a location said to have the cleanest air in the world for an inhabited area (according to WHO studies).

The spa uses electricity that is entirely renewable, taken from wind, water and solar sources, and the geothermal heating is generated by Lake Jeris and enhanced by extracting heat from shower water. The shower water itself is collected from the nearby natural spring.

Alongside the five saunas, Arctic Elements Lakeside Spa will also offer a range of experience and wellness showers, relaxation areas and a revitalising external ice hole swimming area, all set against a backdrop of frozen lake waters, pines, thick snow and the rolling landscapes of the third largest National Park in Finland.

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OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

AGENT BULLETIN

AGENT TRAINING

PEARLS OF WISDOM… Hummingbird Travel hosted their annual training event, ‘Uncover Maldives.’ 71 hotels from the Maldives and 150 agents from tour operators and travel agencies across the UK, Europe and America attended the event. L to R: Iva Acrabova, Jodie Collett, Roy Collett (Colletts Travel), Tom Chambers and Kit Chambers.

AGENTS CAN stay competitive in selling the theme park destination of Orlando to clients with the Orlando Travel Academy programme, which features seven learning modules in an upgraded platform. If agents complete the programme by October 27 they will be entered into a draw for a chance to win one ticket to see Little Mix from the comfort of a VIP suite, on November 14 at the Manchester Arena. Winners will receive a complimentary reserved parking space, dedicated VIP entrance at the arena, and light food and beverages during the concert. Agents should visit www.visitorlando.com/en/trade/ota_incentives for more information.

AGENT INCENTIVES ● GOLD MEDAL has teamed up with Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways to give agents the chance to win a three-night stay in Abu Dhabi at the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri as well as five nights in the Maldives at Shangri-La’s Villlingili Resort & Spa. For a chance to win the holiday, agents need to book Abu Dhabi packages between now and October 31, and send their booking references to win@goldmedal.co.uk to enter the prize draw. The winner will be announced in November. Full details of the incentive and prizes are available on www.goldmedal.com ● TRAVEL 2 is giving agents the chance to let off some steam on board the Rocky Mountaineer train that travels across Canada, and down to Washington in Seattle. The FAM trip, taking place in 2020, will offer six agents the opportunity to fly with Air Canada to board the train, where they’ll see many incredible views of Northern America.To be entered into the prize draw for a chance to win a place, agents must make a qualifying booking with Travel 2 between now and November 18. A minimum of £100 deposit per person must be paid for the prize to be received. For more details of the incentive and prizes, agents should visit www.travel2.com

COMPETITIONS! NEW: £100 Amazon voucher to be won with Villa Choices

Win six luxury chocolate boxes with Quito Tourism

Win a £100 Majestic wine voucher with Premier Holidays

Deluxe Spa Break for two with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

FOR ALL COMPETITIONS VISIT travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

AGENTS HAVE the opportunity to address tax challenges facing travel businesses with ABTA’s travel tax briefing on October 23. The event will feature experts in tax sectors providing an update on hot topics like international tax and establishment overseas; changes to cancellation charges; IR35 and non payroll employees; and an update on global mobility. Agents are encouraged to bring questions for the experts who will be on hand to give tailored advice during the networking breaks. For more information and to register, agents should email events@abta.co.uk

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NEWS BULLETIN

OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

‘Tis the season for Les Airelles

Advantage opens hotline after Thomas Cook collapse ADVANTAGE TRAVEL Partnership has implemented its comprehensive ‘Operator Failure Plan’ to assist its members following the collapse of Thomas Cook. The 24/7 hotline has been opened for agents to contact for support and advice.

The company has created a page on its extranet to host information shared by Thomas Cook, ABTA and CAA which all of its members will be able to view, and alerts will be sent to members via email and social media to notify them of any updates.

LES AIRELLES, located in the heart of the Jardin Alpin, will open its doors for the 2019/2020 ski season on December 13.

The palace resembles a 19th century AustroHungarian castle and is home to 32 bedrooms, 15 suites, a private 550sqm apartment, as well as a spacious spa, bar and three restaurants.

This winter season, guests can look forward to ‘Picnics on-Piste’, featuring freshly prepared baskets brimming with local goodies from the kitchen to be enjoyed while taking in the scenery.

Guests staying in the

Penthouse Suite, situated on the top floor with private access, will experience a number of exclusive amenities, including: a private butler, a chauffeured Rolls Royce Cullinan, a helicopter for airport transfers, a private spa featuring sauna, steam and indoor hot tub, as well as special gifts in the form of a pair of skis designed for Les Airelles by Olympic champion Antoine Dénériaz, and a Céline handbag for female guests.

As well as entertainment in the newly renovated La Table des Airelles restaurant,

guests will be able to relax over a glass of wine or cocktail to the sound of live music in the bar, with a selection of artists and bands lined up for the season.

Activities are planned for families with children, including a heated treehouse, a private ice rink, and an indoor arcade and cinema room. During the school holidays, there is a daily programme of alpine-themed activities, including, dog sledding, snow mobile rides, pastry workshops, magic shows and dressing up.

Les Airelles will close for the season on April 13, 2020.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “Our focus is now solely on supporting our members to ensure that their customers return home and those that have booked holidays are still able to enjoy their much-anticipated break. We encourage any member who has a question to contact us via the dedicated hotline.”

Advantages’ in-house tour operation, Advantage Holidays, will assist all members with rebooking of customers holidays.

Portugal wins first accessible tourism award PORTUGAL HAS been awarded the Accessible Tourist Destination 2019 award from the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), recognising Portugal’s efforts to promote tourism accessibility.

In Portugal, the ‘All for All Programme’ was launched with the aim of empowering the tourism sector with initiatives, including accessible roadmaps, good practice guides for the tourism sector, and a specific financing line was launched to support accessibility projects in tourism.

In Europe there is a market of 90 million tourists with specific mobility needs, meaning that this is an important milestone for Portugal.

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PUZZLE BULLETIN

OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

WIN A GOODY BAG EACH WEEK!

SUDOKU

A

B

Complete this Su Doku puzzle and then go to the competition section on travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions and submit the highlighted numbers.

C

A... B... C... D...

Closing date for entries is Thursday, October 10th.

Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

D

WHERE AM I?

The Jet2Holidays Su Doku winner for September 20th is Gillian Jeffrey from Martins World Travel in Chesterfield September 20th Solution: A=2 B=1 C=9 D=7

Across

Down

1. How many brochure titles do Jet2holidays currently distribute to the trade? (5) 4. Italian city known for its fashion and design (5) 6. Greek port (7) 7. Currency of South Africa (4) 8. Addams Family member, Uncle ___ (6) 11. One of Elgar's Enigma Variations (6) 12. Singer and actor Lee, currently seen in Holby City (4) 14. Capital of the Solomon Islands (7) 15. Impressionist with a famous garden at Giverney (5) 16. One of the Scilly Isles, St ___ (5)

1. The Queen's country retreat in Norfolk (11) 2. Hanoi is the capital (7) 3. Valley in California, known for its wineries (4) 4. Flows through Liverpool (6) 5. 16th century French astrologer, best known for his prophecies (11) 9. State capital of New Jersey (7) 10. Capital of Tasmania (6) 13. Jakarta is located on this island (4)

Solution: Across: 1. SEVEN, 4. MILAN, 6. PIRAEUS, 7. RAND, 8. FESTER, 11. NIMROD, 12. MEAD, 14. HONIARA, 15. MONET, 16. AGNES. Down: 1. SANDRINGHAM, 2. VIETNAM, 3. NAPA, 4. MERSEY, 5. NOSTRADAMUS, 9. TRENTON, 10. HOBART, 13. JAVA. Where am I? -Tenerife

CROSSWORD

An island of volcanic sandy beaches, with the mighty Mount Teide waiting to wow and playful resorts like Playa de las Americas that are built for fun.

For more games and prizes, please sign up for emails on the jet2holidays trade site and Partners2success on Facebook…

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BULLETIN BRIEFING

OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Industry insight by...

As the collapse of Thomas Cook sends ripples through the country, David Moon, head of business development at Advantage, discusses the potential ways in which the industry can better prepare for the future.

WALKING PAST a closed Thomas Cook shop in Hastings last weekend really rammed home the impact that the failure of this muchloved brand will have on our industry. It was very poignant to see the shop closed on a busy Saturday morning in a bustling shopping environment.

I’ve never experienced a failure that has had such far reaching consequences, when considering the different types of businesses that Thomas Cook had.

These events really do test the industry to the max, as agents and operators grapple with trying to rebook existing customers, while trying to convert new business,

notwithstanding the significant price increases that inevitably follow.

For those who were employed by Thomas Cook, the impact is more deeply felt as they come to terms with losing their job and the source of income that helped support themselves and their families.

The stories circulating about Thomas Cook staff continuing to work after the business had failed, knowing that they would not be paid, is nothing short of remarkable and speaks volumes for the individuals involved. We wish all the staff from Thomas Cook well for the future.

ABTA and the CAA have

I’ve never experienced a failure that has had such far reaching consequences, when considering the different types of businesses that Thomas Cook had.

done a fantastic job in keeping the industry informed as much as possible under very difficult circumstances and it's been a monumental effort to repatriate so many customers.

Coming so soon after the failure of Superbreak, it’s been a difficult few months for the industry.

And what now?

It’s obvious that we have a tough winter facing us. With the Thomas Cook capacity now gone from the market and along with their extensive flying programme, it seems inevitable that prices for next year will increase. Will the shortfall in capacity be taken up by other carriers? Let’s hope so.

We've already heard whispers that the APC charge could be going up in order to replenish the Air Travel Trust Fund, which will have been significantly impacted.

The demise of Thomas Cook, so soon after Superbreak, brings into sharp focus the parts of our industry trade that are without any consumer protection in place.

Was the decision to remove Thomas Cook flight only from the ATOL scheme the right decision?

The protection regime we have in place is complex and has many grey areas.

It’s difficult for the trade to keep up to date, and I struggle to see how consumers can possibly know what is and isn’t covered.

In my opinion, we are dangerously over-reliant on the credit card companies to pick up the tab for those services which are not financially protected, and the knock-on effect from this could be the merchant providers will see travel as being more risky, with a possible consequence of higher merchant fees.

I’d really like to see the regulators take a step back and re-think how our consumer protection needs to work. It’s not about tinkering with what we have, we need to start with a blank page and re-write from scratch.

Despite some of the challenges, we know our industry is remarkably resilient. From failure comes opportunity and I sincerely hope that the exemployees of Thomas Cook find the right opportunities in the future.

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NEWS BULLETIN

OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Going green with Anurak Community Lodge ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS travellers might like to consider a break at the Anurak Community Lodge in southern Thailand.

Anurak, which is situated on the edge of Khao Sok National Park, is been guided by an ethos of reduce, reuse and recycle so guests and staff are encouraged to save energy and water. Single-use plastic, Styrofoam and cardboard plates are banned, and plastic straws have been replaced with bamboo and metal ones.

A grey water treatment filter system for laundry wastewater is in place and water from this system is being used on the ‘Rainforest Rising’ project.

These efforts are a part of Anurak’s wide-ranging sustainability management

plan, which includes releasing a publicly available sustainability report every six months. Lodge manager, George Newling-Ward, said: “It’s a particular joy to see guests join in and staff take the ideas home to implement in

the community.”

The lodge offers a range of ecotourism packages ranging from two to four nights.

Activities include hiking, rafting, kayaking, forest cooking, and boat trips on the Cheow Larn lake.

A ghoulishly good October half-term with Haven FAMILIES SEEKING some spooky Halloween fun this October half-term need look no further than Haven, with breaks from October 18 until November 2.

Offering activities to occupy every age, families can take part in a whole host of ghoulishly fun activities including Halloween arts and crafts, fancy dress competitions, frightful games, ‘FunStar Production’ shows, and pumpkin carving competitions. Guests are also encouraged to wear their finest Halloween inspired gear to stand out in Haven’s fancy dress competition.

The holiday brand offers families the opportunity to embrace the wilderness with its ‘Nature Rockz’ programme, which allows adventurers to explore the great outdoors and wildlife under the watchful eye of park rangers. Families can channel their inner survival instincts with ‘Bush Craft’ activities including learning how to track unusual animals, forage for edible forest food and even master the art of water purification.

Prices for a three-night half-term break start from £129 for per family. This price is based on a family of up to four sharing a standard two-bedroom caravan at selected parks.

Shining a light on African tourism LEADERS FROM across Africa have met in Saint Petersburg ahead of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to discuss the main issues facing the continent as it looks to grow its tourism sector.

The latest data shows that international tourist arrivals to African destinations grew by 3% during the first six months of the year when compared with 2018.

In particular, North African destinations continue to bounce back from recent difficulties, enjoying a 10% increase in arrivals for the six months.

The main focus of the meeting was the UNWTO’s 2030 ‘Agenda for Africa’. This blueprint for the future of African tourism was launched after the UNWTO’s African Member States requested help in drawing up plans for growing and managing tourism and in making the sector a central driver of economic growth and sustainable development.

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HEADLINE SPONSORS

CRUISE SHOWCASE

ALISON LEEK (left) from Cruise & Maritime voyages presents a bottle of prosecco and chocolate hamper to Judith Nixon from Premier Travel.

HAVING A catch up is, from the left, Carole Daley from Explore Travel with Martin Guilford and Louise Guilford from Sun Street Travel.

TRAVEL AGENTS were warmly welcomed to the Hilton in Cambridge for our Cruise Showcase. Featuring some of the biggest names in the cruise industry, guests were able to network and gain some pearls of wisdom from an array of presentations and learn more about each line and their ships’ USP’s. The night ended with a bingo game and a free prize draw for attendees to take part in.

CHARLOTTE BRAILSFORD of Princess Cruises (centre) talks about Enchanted Princess with, clockwise from left, Tracey Fordham, Lee Chapman, Mike Johnson and Sean Wallage from Not Just Travel.

A DELIGHTED Julie Amos from Travel Sense (right) won a spot on the inaugural trip of Norwegian Cruise Line's Encore ship, gifted to her by the line's Anna Chaundy.

KRISTIE TIMMINS of Travel Counsellors (left) won a goody bag and an exclusive spot at one of Scarlet Lady’s pre-inaugural events happening in early 2020, presented to her by Sarah Jane Walker of Virgin Voyages.

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READY TO meet with agents is, from the left: John Fair, Croisi Europe; Charlotte Brailsford, Princess Cruises; Lucy Hone, Fred Olsen Holidays; Sabrina Piscioneri, Viking River Cruises; Sarah Jane Walker, Virgin Voyages; Alison Leeke, Cruise & Maritime voyages; Rebecca Osborne, Belleair Holidays; Catlin O’ Malley, Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit; Sebastian Sarrasin, Greater Miami CVB; Georgina Dawson, Riviera Travel; James Howlett, Uniworld River Cruises; Paul Mellon, Riviera Travel; and Anna Chaundy of Norwegian Cruise Line.

A DELIGHTED Martin Guildford from Sun Street Travel receives a £40 gift voucher from Lucy Hone of Fred. Olsen Holidays.

ANNA JERZANOVA (right) of Light Blue Travel was the lucky winner of a £40 Love2Shop voucher, courtesy of Belleair and the company's Rebecca Osborne.

ROGER PARSLEY of Explorer Travel was the winner of a £50 Love2Shop voucher, gifted by Rivera Travel's Georgina Dawson.

EMMA KNIGHT (right) of Savvi Travel was excited to win a £50 John Lewis voucher, presented to her by Sabrina Piscioneri from Viking River Cruises.

Want to join in on the #TBShowcases fun? Our next event will be the Airline Showcase, taking place in Chelmsford on October 14. To confirm your spot, or to find out when we will be hosting our next event, contact events@travelbulletin.co.uk

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GREECE

SPIRIT OF GREECE Angela Gerekou, president of the Greek National Tourism Organisation, shows how Greece makes for a welcoming holiday destination, no matter the season…

TAKING ADVANTAGE of the fact that many people have just returned from their summer holidays in Greece and might already feel the urge to go back, I want to take this opportunity to showcase the nearly endless opportunities and the diverse tourism portfolio the country has to offer to year-round visitors. Greece’s portfolio as a 365-day destination provides a vast variety of experiences, targeting all types of holidaymakers; from adventure seekers, to culture lovers and gastronomy aficionados.

Autumnal Athens For example, the ‘Athens Marathon – The Authentic’ taking place on November 10, follows the same route that Pheidippides ran more than 2,500 years ago and makes for an ideal opportunity for clients to not only immerse themselves in a truly unique experience but to also explore Athens. With incomparable cultural sight-seeing such as the world-famous Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum, a vibrant gastronomic scene and a contemporary feel, Athens is an ideal year-round city break destination.

Winter awe Moving to winter, Christmas time is the best season to discover another side of Greece that is sure to surprise holidaymakers. With 20 ski resorts

scattered across the mainland, most of them relatively near major cities, one can find high-end skiing facilities, boutique accommodation in mountain resorts and taste local cuisine at its best in the surrounding traditional villages. Skiing, of course, is not the only option for winter holidays in Greece. Trekking mapped routes, white water rafting or climbing in specifically designated areas will leave any holidaymaker in awe. Needless to say of course, that almost everywhere one can find significant cultural sites mainly from the Ancient and Byzantine era such as Meteora, Delphi and Vergina.

Spring celebrations With nature blooming, mild weather and a vivid colour scheme, Greece in the springtime creates a unique landscape for travellers to explore.

Easter is considered one of the most significant celebrations for the Orthodox Church and visitors can experience different customs, taste traditional recipes on Easter Sunday and be part of the open festivities in every region of the country. During this time of year, holidaymakers can go cycling and mountain biking, wildlife spotting and diving. For example, the transformation of the Ancient Shipwreck of Peristera in Alonissos is an accessible archeological site, where in 2020 the first underwater

museum of Greece is expected to be fully operational.

Open invitation Tourism is one of the cornerstones of Greece’s development and therefore, we take it very seriously. Our priority is to increase revenues and improve quality in the tourism sector, through the promotion of modern sustainability practices and technological innovations.

Through continuous efforts in every segment of the industry we are trying to best showcase what Greece has to offer and I do believe that it is able to provide whatever each traveller seeks to find. We care for every visitor trying to personalise the experience at the maximum possible level and we don’t treat our guests as “customers” or “tourists” but as “friends” and “welcomed visitors”. There is a spirit in Greece, the spirit of openness and hospitality, and you can find this year-round.

Maybe this will be the year for your clients to discover a whole new Greece beyond the summer, sea and sun options. This is an open invite to them to experience the abundance of experiences Greece has to offer and we promise is to do whatever we can to exceed each holidaymaker’s expectations. An essential part of the spirit of Greece is to keep our promises.

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GREECE

OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

LIVE LIKE A LOCAL

THE MYCONIAN Collection - a family owned hotel group with nine properties on the island of Mykonos - has introduced a ‘Live like a Local’ experience.

Available to guests staying at Myconian Ambassador Resort, the special services on this experiential package will have visitors exploring the island from the perspective of Myconian locals by land, sky and sea.

Easing guests into their holiday, day one presents the revitalisation of a Thalassotherapy treatment followed by a 50 minute massage and on day two, a private afternoon mini bus tour (four hours) taking inland tracks to parts of the island which most visitors never get to see.

One of these backroads leads to a traditional farmhouse, lovingly restored by two local farmers, where guests can learn the lay of the land from those who know it best, followed by a guided on foot tour of Chora. Not only will clients visit the town’s famous sites - such as the windmills, Little Venice and Paraportiani Church – but as they are guided through the

pretty streets they can also visit a local baker, mosaic-maker, a taverna that serves up a tasty workers’ lunch and the painter of icons.

A private yacht charter awaits on day three, on which guests will either tour the beaches of the south coast or head out to the islands of Rhenia and Delos, followed by an opportunity to take to the skies on a helicopter tour on day four.

Also optional is the chance to have a professional photographer accompany guests on their tour of the island to capture those holiday memories and a Greek gastronomy experience where they will join the resort’s chef to choose organic vegetables from the market, select fish fresh off the boats, enjoy a private class in Mediterranean cuisine and a special tasting of Greek vintages with the sommelier.

Myconian Collection offers rooms at the Myconian Ambassador Hotel from approximately £212 per room per night with package prices available upon request.

For more information visit www.myconianambassador.gr

See Corfu from a new angle NEWLY INTRODUCED from this summer, the five-star MarBella Corfu is offering a new way to experience the beauty of Corfu’s coastline with a Stand-Up Paddle Board Safari experience.

With excursions tailored to all levels, guests can set off in front of the hotel and from the Posidonia Meadows, bursting with marine life and where a huge variety of fish and invertebrates can be spotted directly beneath paddle boards.

Instructors will guide and advise guests on paddle-boarding techniques as they glide along to take in multiple points of interest, including the historic Old Fortress of Corfu which dates from the 6th century and the Agios Ioannis Peristeron Castle; admire 1,000 year-old olive groves cascading along the shoreline; and Pontikonisi, a Greek islet dating back to the 11th century that boasts the Byzantine chapel of Pantokrator.

For guests who enjoy underwater photography, there will be opportunities to dive in and take some underwater shots.

The Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Safari Excursions take place at 11:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and room rates start from £117 per double room per night.

Go to www.marbella.gr to find out more.

An Aristi adventure for solo travellers SITUATED IN Zagori, Epirus in north-western Greece, Aristi Mountain Resort & Villas is nestled in a national park teeming with wildlife, rugged landscapes and hidden enclaves.

Surrounded by the Zagori region - which is currently under consideration for the UNESCO World Heritage list – this retreat is somewhat off the tourist radar and encourages its guests to connect with nature and themselves, making it a good option for active solo travel as well as relaxation.

Adventure seekers can explore the plunging Gorge of Vikos, the Towers of Astraka and the Voidomatis River; with a host of outdoor pursuits on offer including rafting, horse-riding and mountain biking.

A classic double room at the property for one person starts from £416.

For more information go to www.aristi.eu/en

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ESCORTED TOURS

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the stops on Cosmos’ ‘High Desert Discovery’, a new North American itinerary for 2020.

ADVENTURE A-KNOCKIN’ North America is one to watch with new 2020 Cosmos tours & fam trips for agents MERGING EXPERT-LED tours with the flexibility of independent exploration, Cosmos has released details of its 2020 escorted tours; talks about the importance of sustainability; and hints at two agent fam trips to North America departing next year.

Announcing its latest European brochure, which will have just landed with agents, and wider 2020 departure dates at a special trade event, the company’s marketing and digital director, Claire Hazle said: “The strap line ‘Adventure is knocking’ is really central to our brand. We've done a lot of research around the wants of our customers and the idea of personal adventure is one that consistently comes through. Our customers are very daring; they want to go out and explore and expand their horizons. The idea of Cosmos is still very much around affordability, making those transformative ‘wow’ moments accessible and in helping your customers go wherever they want to go across the globe.”

New for 2020, the company has added 44 new tours across Europe, has five new tours travelling to the South Pacific and created a 23 strong portfolio of journeys dedicated to touring the UK. However, the operator reports tremendous growth in demand for tours to North America and in response, has

added four more for 2020, bringing the total available to customers to 111. The company will be launching a consumer campaign around North America to showcase its range in 2020 - a great opportunity for agents to jump on the back of – and is planning to host two fam trips to the destination next year.

Giles Hawke, Cosmos Tours CEO, said: “We have some roadshows upcoming where we'll be in various parts of the UK talking about North America and introducing the trade to the Globus brand, and why it’s different to the Cosmos brand. Then in mid-2020 we're going to have a couple of fam trips in North America for agents. We're just working through the mechanics of how agents can attain a place on these fams but the plan is to have one Southern USA music-based fam trip and one to one of America's National Parks. Our view is that one of the best ways for agents to learn about the product is to go and experience it in situ as a customer would.

“We also doubled our agent facing sales team in November of last year, and those people are out there now working with travel agents. If travel agents are not already receiving all the information they need from us we can arrange a visit, do training, and can help with more sales material.”

The event also proved a good opportunity for the company to announce

its 30-year vision for its approach to sustainability, which aims to ‘improve lives and protect places, as we discover the world together in a sustainable way and our family cares’ (applying to each of Globus’ family of brands).

Referring to ABTA’s Holiday Habits research in 2018, 30% of people over-45 said they would pay more for a holiday with a sustainable tour operator and 50% said they would expect their tour operator to work in a sustainable manner. Hawke highlighted: “80% of people over-45, one way or another, are interested to know that their tour operator is sustainable, i.e. 'I want the company I travel with to care about the world.' There's real consumer demand to being more sustainable.”

Under environmental, economic and social pillars, the company is looking to numerous sustainable objectives; from sharing best practice, ideas and working with partners for more sustainable solutions; taking out 2.8 million bottles from the recycling chain completely by providing travellers with a free app to find free to fill water spots; aiming to remove single-use plastic bottles from all of its coach tours by the end of 2020; and contributing to an ocean clean up initiative, committing to a six-figure sum, as a minimum, each year.

For more call 0800-4402797 or visit www.cosmos.co.uk/agent-login

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OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

NOMADIC TRAILS Cox & Kings launches its Middle East programme for 2020 reintroducing Kyrgyzstan

COX & KINGS has launched its brochure to the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and the Gulf with its 2020 collection continuing to grow thanks to a surge in interest to the region.

Passenger numbers travelling to the Middle East so far this year have increased by 50% compared to the same time last year and Cox & Kings’ escorted tours have increased by 51% (tailor-made numbers by 48%), showing continued confidence in the region’s security.

Owen Walker, the operator’s product manager for the Middle East, said: “We are thrilled to see that customers’ confidence in

the region is strengthening. We’re particularly delighted with how well Central Asia and the Silk Road countries are doing as people look to travel to less traditional destinations. We are looking to build on that this year with the addition of the beautiful mountainous country of Kyrgyzstan.”

A new ‘Colours of Kyrgyzstan’ group tour is available. Priced from £1,995 per person, clients can spend ten days discovering the varied landscapes of this country, including an overnight stay in a traditional yurt to learn about the semi-nomadic lifestyle.

See www.coxandkings.co.uk to find out more.

New Tours brochure from Inghams FOR THE first time, Inghams has launched a dedicated Tours brochure to showcase its range of escorted and self-guided options for 2020.

The brochure features 30 tours set across eight European countries.

Camilla MacQueen, the operator’s marketing manager, said: “I love the look and feel of this new brochure.

Our tour offering has grown so much so quickly, that we wanted to dedicate a colourful brochure to really showcase our fantastic range: from hiking and wine-tasting in Italy, to sight-seeing and exploring the best of Iceland, or even fjord-hopping in Norway, there is truly something for everyone. The brochure allows agents to easily find a tour, quickly see if it’s escorted or self-guided and what the highlights are and understand the route with a little map on each page.”

There are 11 new tours for 2020, including: ‘Discover Venice, Florence and Rome’ an escorted journey to uncover some of the more authentic sites and hidden gems of these famous cities; ‘Vineyards of Tuscany & Umbria’ with chances to sample the unique wines that are produced here; and the ‘Bergen to Oslo Fjord Experience’, travelling on trains, ferries and railways to experience the natural scenery that Norway has to offer.

Visit www.agents.inghams.co.uk

Wine not indulge with these special Kirker breaks?

KIRKER HOLIDAYS has added two new wine holidays to its selection of escorted itineraries for 2019/20, led by wine guru Tim Clarke.

Clients can join Clarke and a small group of like-minded travel companions this autumn for an insider’s view of Champagne during a three-night ‘Reims & Champagne’ tour. Visiting the ‘caves’ of this famous French region’s prestigious marques, including Pol Roger and Taittinger, as well as smaller houses and growers out in the vineyard villages, clients can enjoy behind the scenes access to the cellars, with private tastings and exclusive meals. Departing November 24, prices start from £2,168 per person, based on two sharing.

Alternatively, guests can savour the ‘Wines of Rioja & Northern Spain’ on a five-night tour through Basque Country, La Rioja and Old Castille, experiencing the hospitality of the region’s bodegas and exploring historic cities such as Burgos and Segovia, where the group will also dine at one of Spain’s most famous restaurants, Méson De Cándido. Departing May 11, 2020, the price is from £2,298 per person.

Go to www.kirkerholidays.com to find out more.

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OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

European escapes from Titan EXCLUSIVE TO the trade, Titan Travel has issued its latest European and UK brochure for last minute 2019 and 2020 holidays.

Among an inspirational collection of land and river based escorted holidays, Titan’s latest brochure covers an extensive range of European escapes.

Ben Davis, head of product for the operator, said: “Europe remains one of the leading regions for British travellers to visit on holiday, so we’re thrilled to add ten new tours to our everdeveloping range of European tours.

The short flight time, varied cultures and strong heritage makes no two European holidays with Titan the same.

“Now is the time to plan ahead and book an European escape for 2020. As well as securing best availability, early bookers also benefit financially thanks to Titan’s Price Promise, protecting customers from any price increases that may occur closer to departure.”

The escorted tour specialist has three

new Italian tours, including ‘Sicilian Escape’, ‘Italian Lakes and the Shores of Dalmatia and Amalfi’ and ‘Italian Coastal Explorer with Pompeii’. As an example of prices, this latter tour starts from £2,499 per person based on a departure on September 26, 2020 and includes three nights hotel accommodation, seven nights onboard Azamara Pursuit, 25 meals, and $300 onboard credit per stateroom. The price also includes three excursions, Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service, and international flights from Gatwick.

The brochure also features a number of exclusive European itineraries for 2020 that include tickets to the once-ina-lifetime Passion Play that is performed in Oberammergau, Bavaria, every ten years. The ‘Alpine Countries and the Passion Play 2020’ escorted tour starts from £2,299 per person and includes seven nights hotel accommodation, 16 meals, and eight excursions, including tickets to the famous Oberammergau

Passion Play 2020 (in German) and is based on departures on July 17 or September 4, 2020.

For customers looking for something closer to home, the brochure further features 41 tours spanning the UK and Ireland, including three new itineraries for 2020 that discover Oxford, Manchester and South Wales. There is also a selection of Christmas tours to tempt travellers away for a memorable festive holiday.

Visit www.titanagent.co.uk or call 0800-988 5816 to find out more.

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OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

LATIN FEVER

“IT’S A really great time for Latin America right now…” Martin Johnson, director and co-founder of Latin Routes, assured agents during a dedicated trade event in London, at which the operator also unveiled the debut of its escorted small group tours.

Clients can now choose from 29 departures from the operator, split into nine different itineraries and travelling to six South American countries including Ecuador and the Galapagos, Costa Rica, Peru, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina.

Departure dates run between May 2020 to March 2021.

Valeria Garibotti (pictured centre, above) product and operations manager for Latin Routes, delved deeper into their USP’s: “We decided that the best and maximum number for each group is 16 – this is a very manageable size logistically and can provide our guests with a more intimate experience. They are fully escorted so clients will have a tour leader, from the moment they land in the country to the moment they fly back to the UK and these are highly professional individuals from the country with years of experience, so they know it inside out, and this sits alongside some fantastic additions.”

The tours will feature local guides in each destination that clients travel to,

providing an additional level of specialised local knowledge, and a ‘Make Your Day Individual’ concept that will see a menu of themed activities presented to clients so they can pursue their own interests on selected days, included in the total cost of the holiday. There will also be guaranteed departures, with no minimum numbers needed and all tours are adults-only, aimed at a demographic of those aged 30 upwards who want to discover the highlights of Latin America but at a leisurely pace.

‘Peru Highlights’ is expected to be a strong contender for the operator’s best selling itinerary; with Peru its highest selling destination, the tour well suited to first time visitors to Latin America, and Machu Picchu consistently ranking high on customers’ bucket lists. The company has six departures planned in 2020, with the 15-day tour priced from £3,399 per person. The company’s ‘Ecuador & Galapagos Wonders’ also looks to offer something a little different, with a landbased tour over cruise which will see customers spend a whole week on the islands. There are two departures in 2020 with the 13-day tour priced from £4,099 per person. Both tours can be combined to create the longest escorted tour the operator can offer, spread over 22 days, at a price of £6,199 per person on two

special departure dates. Garibotti exclaimed: “It's a fantastic way for clients to tick off two of Latin America's bucket list destinations in one trip.”

The operator has now released its group brochure on Trade Gate and issued an exclusive launch offer in which clients can save £200 per person for bookings made by October 18.

During his review of Latin Routes, which is midway through a brand refresh, and in his address to agents, Johnson said: “We had a 101% increase in sales from travel agents, accounting for 46% of all our business and so we are absolutely committed to the trade and to supporting them as much as possible. That's why we've increased our business development team to four, dedicated to developing our agent relationships across the UK, and we maintain a 100% commitment to price parity. We are doing more agency visits than ever before and if you’re running your own in-store consumer events we are happy to support where we can. We've done a lot of 'Meet the Expert' events and there's been some great window displays so if you want to get it out there to your clients that you're selling Latin America, just give us a call.”

An enhanced agent portal, featuring webinars and training is planned by the close of the year.

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SIZE MATTERS Travelsphere focuses on bigger experiences from smaller group sizes & offers £35 agent incentive on every booking

LOOKING TO provide bigger experiences on its escorted tours, Travelsphere has announced that from April 2020, every touring holiday will have a maximum group size of 35 people.

Alastair Campbell, the company’s managing director, said: “We believe that our customers should be right at the heart of the adventure when they’re on a tour with us which is why we’re introducing smaller groups with a maximum of 35 people on each tour date, and on many the maximum is only 15, 20, 25 or 30 customers.

“It’s really about the ‘perfect group size’ for every holiday when considering the destination, the style of holiday and itinerary itself. Our research shows on smaller group

tours our customers consider that they can immerse themselves even more in the experiences around them, which is what a Travelsphere tour is all about.”

The operator’s ‘Real Smiles’ campaign will continue, with free private chauffer airport transfers on long haul holidays and customers can also take advantage of an Early Bird offer: saving up to 10% on selected 2020 and 2021 dates, when booked before November 18, 2019.

Campbell added: “Our trade partners continue to be extremely important to us so we will be rolling out a £35 incentive for every Travelsphere booking.”

Go to www.travelsphere.co.uk to find out more.

Immersive & luxurious from A&K IN TANDEM with reports that sales are up 57% year-on-year for Abercrombie & Kent’s Escorted Tours programme, the tour operator has also issued its latest brochure with two types of tour on offer: in-depth ‘Immersive Journeys’ and faster-paced ‘Luxury Small Group Journeys’ for clients to choose between.

With a maximum of 18 per group and travel in five-star luxury, both concepts provide the ‘Design your Day’ concept, guaranteed departures and resident tour directors. In addition, Immersive Journeys offer no single supplement for early bookers.

Responding to an increase in enquiries for multi-centre bookings and a growing demand for Egypt tours, the company has introduced to its Immersive Journeys: the 11night ‘Rhythms of South-East Asia’, exploring the rich tapestry of life from Vietnam and Cambodia to Laos from £3,795 per person; and an eight-night ‘Egypt: Cairo and Cruising the Nile’ from £3,995.

New Luxury Small Group Journeys include the ten-day ‘Wellness Bhutan: Mystical Himalaya’ from £5,500 and nine-day ‘Marvels of Chile’ starting from £7,965 based on two sharing.

Go to www.abercrombiekent.co.uk to find out more.

Arena Rail gets festive in York ARENA RAIL Holidays has expanded its programme of escorted festive breaks to include a special four-day tour that visits the Christmas markets in York and Harrogate, both of which open from mid-November.

From a base close to York’s city centre, visitors will have a chance to enjoy guided visits around the historic highlights of both destinations before heading to the twinkling Christmas markets. In Harrogate, as well as stocking up on treats and gifts from the bustling stalls, visitors will enjoy a traditional Yorkshire cream tea in the Imperial Suite at Betty's Cafe and Tea Room, while in York there's also a chance to visit the National Railway Museum. The break starts from £395 per person, based on two adults sharing and departing on November 15.

Go to www.arenarailholidays.co.uk for full details.

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AUSTRALASIA

AMAZING AUSTRALIA Sally Cope, Tourism Australia’s regional general manager for the UK & Northern Europe, shows how to build Australian itineraries that will keep your clients coming back for more!

NEARLY 720,000 Brits took a trip Down Under in the year ending June 2019, and it’s not hard to see why Australia’s popularity continues to grow – with unique wildlife, stunning landscapes, world-leading fine drinking and dining and more than 50,000km of coastline, there truly is nothing like Australia.

Where to go Australia has six states and two territories, which can be daunting for consumers to tackle, so agents play a critical role in making an Australian holiday easy to book. The Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia all have their own exceptional travel experiences and breathtaking landscapes, and each can offer your clients a holiday they and their families will never forget.

It’s common for first-time visitors to start with icons like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) and the Great Barrier Reef, but Australia has a wealth of regional hidden gems just waiting to be explored, and these can be easily added to any icon-led itinerary – Kangaroo Island, for

instance, off the coast of the central state of South Australia, is one of the best places to see native wildlife up close, while the stunning Bay of Fires in Tasmania boasts a dramatic coastal landscape fringed by vivid red rocks, so we urge agents to recommend their clients go beyond the cities to uncover Australia’s unknown.

Take it in two Not sure where to begin? A good place to start is by picking two states/territories and then build out a multi-state itinerary from there. Gateway cities such as Sydney and Melbourne on the east coast, and the newest gateway of Perth in the west, are popular launching pads for interstate itineraries, depending on your client’s specific interests. For example, foodies may wish to visit some of the world’s best restaurants in Melbourne and pair this with a wine journey in neighbouring South Australia, while adventure junkies may want to explore the Northern Territory’s awe inspiring national parks, before experiencing the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.

Explore Australia by map at Australia.com to see which destinations work well together.

We suggest to agents that clients book two weeks as a minimum duration. A bite-sized approach makes our big country more manageable, reducing the temptation for travellers to put off the visit until they can see all of Australia on a ‘once in a lifetime’ trip – we want visitors to return again and again!

Go wild Australia’s unique wildlife and beautiful natural landscapes continue to drive UK travel Down Under, and to us, it’s no surprise. Where else in the world can you spy a snoozing koala? Play golf alongside wild kangaroos? Or take a quokka selfie, just like Chris Hemsworth? Only in Australia are these experiences possible, and there are a range of specialised wildlife tours available. To help clients find the right Australian animal adventure try http://australianwildlifejourneys.com Learn more The Aussie Specialist Program is Tourism Australia’s online training programme, with 25 modules covering everything from Australian aquatic and coastal experiences, to youth adventures, self-drive and more. Sign up at www.aussiespecialist.com

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AUSTRALASIA

OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

GOOD MORNING WORLD! Tourism New Zealand launches new trade campaign TOURISM NEW Zealand has launched its latest brand campaign ‘100% Pure Welcome – 100% Pure New Zealand’, with the creation of 26 new educational videos specifically for the travel trade.

As part of the new sales tools on offer, 26 local guides and operators from across the country have jumped onboard the trade campaign, extending their famous kiwi hospitality in the form of their own ‘Good Morning World’ video. The videos provide a glimpse into the lives of the guides, their local knowledge and the experiences on offer.

They can be accessed on an interactive map on Tourism New Zealand’s Travel Trade website, with further details on the products and inspiration for similar experiences clients can have across the country, and all designed to help educate agents and build their confidence in selling New Zealand.

Image Credit: Julian Apse, via Tourism New Zealand

Pip Casey, Tourism New Zealand’s regional manager for the UK and Europe, said: “We are well known for our stunning landscapes, however anyone who has been to New Zealand knows it’s really our friendly people that make New Zealand special. These videos help illustrate the welcoming spirit Kiwis show our visitors.

“Around 80% of Europeans book their

Stay in lofty new Adelaide heights SEQUOIA IS soon to open in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia.

The luxury lodge development will comprise 14 contemporary villas each with private balconies overlooking the Piccadilly Valley and offering sweeping views from every angle of their interior, whether it be from the bathroom, bedroom or lounge area.

Positioned on the front escarpment of Mount Lofty Estate, the development of Sequoia is part of an AUD$14 million upgrade of heritage accommodation Mount Lofty House, which has also seen the establishment of Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, a refurbishment of all rooms and the introduction of the Stables Day Spa. The estate is within 15 minutes of Adelaide’s city centre and from its gardens, visitors can tour the wine regions in South Australia. The luxury development is expected to open for March 2020 and will be commissionable to agents.

Go to www.sequoialodge.com.au

New Zealand holiday through a travel agent, so we view the trade as our most powerful destination advocates…The new Travel Trade site and tools will give agents the knowledge to provide top-notch recommendations and sell richer and more rewarding New Zealand itineraries.”

Go to https://traveltrade.newzealand.com to find out more.

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OCTOBER 4 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

A room with a view

FROM COSMOPOLITAN Perth to the sub-tropical wilderness in Broome, to kangaroos lounging on Lucky bay to the fringing reefs of the Coral Coast; Western Australia has a lot to offer. To help educate agents on the wealth of experiences available and to confidently sell the state to their clients, Tourism Western Australia (TWA) has a dedicated module as part of the wider Aussie Specialist Program. Together with Travel Bulletin and our online Travel Gym, TWA also ran a training competition in which 15 agents who completed the course won a case of Western Australia wine. Congratulations and cheers to all the winners, some of whom are pictured here!

There’s still all to train for as those who complete the course will be eligible for events, webinars and future training opportunities from TWA, including exclusive invitations to Western Australia fams. Access the course via www.travelbulletin.co.uk/travelgym

Beth Scholes, Flight Centre Kings Lynn

CRUISE WHITSUNDAYS has opened Australia’s first underwater accommodation on the Great Barrier Reef.

Guests can stay overnight in one of two private Reefsuites – premium king or twin single with en suite – and each with floor-toceiling underwater views of the reef’s marine life. Prices start from $749 per person.

The Reefsuites are centrepiece to an $8 million redevelopment of the Reefworld pontoon, situated at Hardy Reef, accommodating up to 300 day visitors for a range of reef activities.

Cruise Whitsundays is owned and operated by Australian experiential tourism group, Journey Beyond, which expects the new Reefworld development to attract an additional 60,000 annual visitors to the Whitsundays region annually.

For more information go to www.cruisewhitsundays.com

Fiona Boase, Flight Centre Aberdeen Agnes Hammer, Travelbag, Cheltenham

Gemma Williams, Flight Centre Hove

Neil Smith, Travel Counsellors, Harrogate

Last week was our Star Awards issue. What award does the next person deserve?

Jeanette Ratcliffe Publisher jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk WPM Award (most words per minute)

Simon Eddolls Sales Director simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Most likely to have met you in Bulgaria.

Hannah Carter Events Coordinator hannah.carter@travelbulletin.co.uk Most likely to make a pint last all night!

Georgia Lewis Managing Editor - News news@travelbulletin.co.uk Adam wins king of Simpsons gifs!

Matt Gill Senior Account Manager matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk Loudest sneeze goes to Podger!

Ashweenee Beerjeraz Events Assistant ashweenee.beerjeraz@travelbulletin.co.uk To the most ‘Canny’ person ever.

Adam Potter Features Editor adam.potter@travelbulletin.co.uk Rising Editorial Star.

Tim Podger Account Manager - Far East tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Star Jimmy White lookalike Award.

Alice Tully Events Assistant alice.tully@travelbulletin.co.uk Top karaoke fiend goes to Jeanette.

Mariam Ahmad Staff Writer - News news@travelbulletin.co.uk Most likely to sleep through ten alarms!

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