Travel Bulletin 13th January 2017

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January 13 2017 | ISSUE NO 1,997 | travelbulletin.co.uk

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January 13 2017 | ISSUE NO 1,997 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Caribbean

St Kitts & Nevis capitalise on repeat visitor demand

this week agent bulletin 9 new incentives for the peak booking period

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malta & gozo it’s a musical month for Malta with the International Baroque Festival

24 dynamic packaging why more agents are choosing to embrace DP holidays

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india & indian ocean operators unveil latest programme additions & offers

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UNIVERSAL’S VOLCANO BAY™ WATER THEME PARK OPENING EARLY SUMMER 2017

EXPECT

Artist conceptual rendering

EPIC. When Universal’s Volcano Bay joins Universal Studios Florida™ and Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ in early summer 2017, Universal Orlando Resort™ will offer three amazing parks to go along with its spectacular on-site resort hotels, unforgettable dining, and incredible entertainment. It’s the epic Orlando holiday every family is looking for.

LOEWS SAPPHIRE FALLS RESORT NOW OPEN

Contact Your Preferred Travel Provider SKULL ISLAND: REIGN OF KONG™ NEW RIDE NOW OPEN

HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s16) Sapphire Falls Resort TM & © 2016 UCF Hotel Venture III. All Rights Reserved. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2016 Universal Studios. © 2016 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved.

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Paradise pop-up...

A GROUP of eight agents took a fam trip to Mauritius with Travel 2 in conjunction with the Mauritius Tourist Board and British Airways. Pictured at the Indgio Restaurant and Pop-Up bar at Paradise Cove are, from the left: Steph Watson, Holidays Please; Abi Hyslop, Pure Destinations; David Walker, The Travel Snob; Carla Hutchings, Travel 2; Michelle Stammers, Perfect Weddings Abroad; Jo Taylor, Holidays by Design; Tuesday Bain, Broadway Travel; Komal Rajani, Your Holiday Booking; and Cathy Hearne, East Travel.

Brits can save up to 80% by booking at the right time reveals KAYAK.co.uk survey TIMING IS everything when it comes to scoring the cheapest prices for flights and hotels in 2017, according to new analysis by travel search engine KAYAK.co.uk. By analysing data based on millions of searches, the company has found that with a little planning, travellers can save huge amounts of money.

For example, Brits can save up to 80% on flights to Europe and internationally by booking their airfares at the right time.

compared to the worst time, and flights to Tenerife and Rome are 66% and 61% cheaper respectively when booked one month in advance.

However, more forward planning is required for certain destinations to get the best deals. When it comes to the increasingly popular destination of Reykjavik for example, five months in advance is the best time to book, which offers savings of up to 61% with an average price of £69.

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This week

Inset - NicoElNino Cover Pictures: Main - Anna Jedynak

The best prices for mid-haul flights can generally be found just one or two months in advance. The biggest savings can be made when flying to the popular destination of Faro in Portugal, where flights are 80% cheaper when booked one month in advance compared to the worst time to book.

And similar savings can be made for other key destinations. Flights to Mallorca can be 75% cheaper when booked two months in advance

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news the latest industry news & developments

at home with eileen discover what Eileen has been up to lately

agent bulletin new incentives for the peak booking period

travelbulletin.co.uk

puzzle bulletin play Su Doku for your chance to win a £50 M&S voucher

bulletin briefing news and views from the Elite Travel Group

caribbean St Kitts & Nevis expand their offering to capitalise on repeat clientele

malta & gozo it’s a musical month for Malta with the launch of the International Baroque Festival

dynamic packaging why more agents are choosing to embrace DP holidays

india & indian ocean Experience Travel Group launches bespoke India holidays to trade

January 13 2017

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continued from previous page To get the best savings on flights to the most popular long-haul destinations, the best deals can also be found by waiting until nearer to the departure date. The research found that booking two to four months in advance of the departure date secures the best deals on the majority of destinations in the top ten.

For certain popular international locations huge savings can be made if Brits are prepared to wait until two months before departure to book.

Orlando can be as much as 41% cheaper, while travellers to Los Angeles can save up to 40% and for Bali the savings can go up to 45%.

Again, there are some exceptions.

Holidaymakers aiming to visit New Zealand can secure the best price if they book a trip to Auckland seven months in advance, resulting in savings of up to 58%, when compared to the most expensive booking time.

The analysis of the best days of the week on which to travel answers the ‘when to fly’ question, showing that with a bit of flexibility and the right itinerary, the best flight prices can be secured. On all routes, both long and short, flying out in the middle of the week is the cheapest option. The best departure and return days generally fluctuate between Tuesday and Thursday.

Huge savings can be made - for example, flights to Mallorca departing on a Tuesday with return on Tuesday, can be up to 75% cheaper than those booked to depart on a Saturday with return on Wednesday. It is a similar story for Rome, where the savings are up to 72% for a departure on Tuesday, returning Thursday compared to departing and returning on a Saturday.

As with flights, Brits can save up to 60% by booking three- or four-star hotels at the right time. On average, booking accommodation in the most popular holiday destinations one to two months before arrival can result in significant savings.

For example, booking a hotel two months in advance can result in savings in Benidorm of up to 50%, in Dublin up to 46% and in Krakow up to 56%. Those happy to leave it until even nearer to their trip can score the highest savings on some of Brits’ most popular destinations. By booking Venice one month in advance, savings can be up to 60% on the hotel room per night.

Booking one month in advance is also the golden rule to save money on accommodation for Amsterdam, Barcelona or Paris. However, if Brits want to stay in Reykjavik or Maspalomas they should be prepared to book well in advance as six and eight months respectively, can offer savings

of up to 38% and 41%, in comparison to the most expensive month.

Destinations further afield can have quite different levels of flexibility depending on where the traveller is heading to. Cancun or Dubai require the most planning and pre-booking is vital; securing a three- or four-star hotel six and nine months in advance respectively is needed to score savings of up to 22% and 16%.

Less planning is required to reduce spending for certain destinations.

New York offers savings of up to 47%, Orlando up to 38% or Singapore up to 25% when booked one to two months ahead.

For Brits looking for the ultimate budget trip, the company's research also identified the cheapest destination to fly to, both within the EU and out. Madrid (£66 on average) is the cheapest destination for Brits wanting to travel mid-haul in 2017, while perennially-popular Marrakech in Morocco (£93 on average), tops the list as the cheapest airfare internationally.

For both destinations the best airfare can be secured one month prior to departure, resulting in savings of up to 55% and 62% respectively. The best days to travel are Sunday to Tuesday for Madrid, while Brits planning a trip to Marrakech should book a Friday to Friday trip to score savings on their airfare.

New destinations for TAP Portugal TAP PORTUGAL has announced the launch of six new destinations for summer.

As of June and July, the carrier will fly via its hub in Lisbon to the new countries of Canada (Toronto), Hungary (Budapest) and Romania (Bucharest), as well as new destinations in Spain (Las Palmas and Alicante) and Germany (Stuttgart).

Details at flytap.com or call 0345-601 0932.

Brexit & weaker pound ‘has little impact' on Brits taking luxury trips

STANSTED AND DELIVER...Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have responded to customer demand for flights and package holidays from their new base at Stansted Airport by adding four new routes, extra capacity and more aircraft. Ahead of its first flights launching from the airport on March 30, the airline and package holiday specialist have added new routes to Antalya, Corfu, Dalaman and Split which are all on sale now. Pictured marking the new launches are Andrew Cowan (left) CEO of Stansted Airport and Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays.

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A NEW survey of those taking luxury trips abroad by travel brand Red Savannah suggests that Brexit negotiations and the weaker pound will make little difference to 2017 holiday plans.

The poll of 9,468 travellers was carried out at the end of December, with the majority of respondents (78%) saying that Brexit made no difference as to whether they were going to undertake luxury travel or not in 2017. A similar figure (75%) felt that the weaker value of the pound would not impact on the number of holidays they would take this year.

The areas most respondents said they would be most likely to visit in 2017 are Europe – 35%, Asia – 15%, Africa – 12%, North America – 11%, Australasia – 8%, South America – 6%, Indian Ocean – 6% and Indian Subcontinent – 6%.

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New Year Saga gem in Croatia from £879 for 14 nights CLIENTS CAN now compare coastal Solin, Tucepi and the island of Brac on Saga’s 14night Jewels of Croatia holiday which starts from £879.

The three-centre holiday includes flights, all-inclusive accommodation and four tours, and each hotel has a dedicated lounge with a free bar open from 11:00-23:00, serving local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Guests fly to Split and travel to the historic town of Solin for a four-night stay at Hotel President. Here on the Dalmatian Coast guests can relax or join excursions to Salona, the fourth-largest city of the Roman Empire, and historical Trogir.

There are further optional trips to Krka National Park and the harbour town of Sibenik, where St Jacob’s Cathedral dominates the promenade.

The itinerary also includes a walking tour of the UNESCO-protected city of Split, before the itinerary continues to Brac, via a 50-minute ferry ride to Supetar.

Here guests spend seven nights at the waterfront Hotel Kaktus Resort, which is close to the town centre. Brac is a sleepy haven of traditional villages, olive trees, fragrant pine forests and rugged cliffs with

peaceful bays, and an included tour takes guests around the island.

On day 12, guests return to Split and travel south along the coast to the fishing village of Tucepi, on the Makarska Riviera.

During the three-night stay there is an optional tour to walk inside the walls of the restored medieval city of Dubrovnik or take an excursion to the coastal town of Omis.

An expert tour manager is available throughout the holiday and can advise on car hire and local bus services for guests who want to further explore the region’s charming historic towns and spectacular scenery.

Departures are on selected dates between April and October and prices include flights, airport taxes, full-board accommodation, a tour manager, welcome drink reception, 12 hours a day free bar in a dedicated lounge at each hotel, porterage at all hotels, tours to Salona, Trogir, guided walk of Split, island tour of Brac, use of audio headsets on selected guided tours, optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount if clients have their own insurance.

To book call 0800-300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/croatia

CroisiEurope introduces new themed holidays AS A result of the popularity of its current theme cruises, CroisiEurope has introduced a new theme for 2017. The company’s CroisiBike cruises are available on five European rivers – the Danube, Loire, Gironde, Rhone and Rhine – and are ideal for clients wanting to explore by bike and on water.

All of the cruises include a number of escorted bike tours, as well as the services of an English-speaking tour leader, bicycle and on-call maintenance and repair service.

As an example of prices, an eight-day Biking Along the Danube option travels round-trip from Vienna. Guests will cycle through the Wachau Valley from Melk to Durnstein; to the Freedom Cycling Bridge, the Schloss Hoff and Devin Castle in Bratislava; Castle Hill and Margaret Island in Budapest; through the countryside of Esztergom; and to the Klosterneuburg Monastery just outside Vienna. They will also experience a city bike tour of Vienna and a choice of optional non-biking excursions.

Departures are on May 5, July 14, August 11 and September 29 on MS Beethoven, with cruise-only prices starting from £1,640 per person.

For reservations and further information call 020-8328 1281 or visit croisieurope.co.uk

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Rocky Mountaineer celebrates Canada’s 150th birthday ROCKY MOUNTAINEER has launched its Stay & Play offer in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday.

From now until March 3, new bookings are eligible to receive up to £350 per couple to spend on dining, cruises, sightseeing and more.

One of the many eligible vacation packages the offer applies to is the Canadian Rockies Getaway, travelling between Vancouver and Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff, AB. The nine-day/eight-night holiday comprises four days on the train, eight nights’ hotel accommodation plus a number of tours and activities including an Ice Explorer tour to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier.

At the time of booking, guests are also able to add an Alaska cruise to make it a two-in-one holiday by rail and sea.

The maximum credit of £350 is exclusively applicable to qualifying 2017 Rocky Mountaineer packages of eight days or more in GoldLeaf or SilverLeaf Service on select dates between April and October.

For more information visit rockymountaineer.com or call 0800-0606 7372.

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Free cruises up for grabs with Voyages to Antiquity WAVE offer VOYAGES TO Antiquity is celebrating the busy turn-of-year period with an offer to drive bookings for agents including five cruises for two people up for grabs.

To be in with a chance of winning one of the five cruises, agents must confirm a new booking for one of the company's new dedicated WAVE ‘SailAway’ offers before February 10.

The turn-of-year offer will be supported with the destination focused cruise lines’ agent ship visit programme being doubled for 2017.

Registration is now open and agents can select one of five dates upon completion of the online training course at vtaexpert.com.

The online training encourages agents to complete all modules and gain ‘luminary status’ which unlocks exclusive offers, VIP fam trip invitations and advance notice of new programmes.

As an example of a new SailAway offer, a 17-day Voyage through the Middle Sea cruise costs from £2,195 per

January sale from Caribtours CARIBTOURS HAS announced the launch of its January sale along with a new magazine; The Luxury Travel Magazine.

The new edition features holiday ideas from the Caribbean, Mexico, Indian Ocean, Arabia and Europe, along with editorial on Must Pack Lists, Destination Features, Interviews and Competitions. Exclusive offers are also available such as savings of up to 55% on bookings made by February 11.

The company is also offering voucher incentives for all trade bookings, with earnings of up to £200 in Capital Bond Vouchers. On top of this, bookings that include flights with BA will earn more vouchers and for every booking made, agents will be entered into a draw to win a holiday to St Vincent and the Grenadines.

person, based on an April 17 departure and two people sharing a standard inside cabin.

The price includes flights, transfers, gratuities, a guest speaker session onboard and shore excursions. The cruise has no single supplements.

All agent bookings will be automatically entered into the prize draw for one of the five holidays and the winners will be notified by the end of February. Bookings must be made by February 10.

NEWS BITES ● QATAR AIRWAYS has launched a new partnership with The White Company to provide exclusively-designed sleepwear to First and Business Class passengers travelling across its global network. ● WENDY WU Tours has launched its largest selection of offers this month, with flight upgrades on Air China, Cathay Pacific and Etihad Airways flights when customers book selected tours to China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, India, Sri Lanka or Japan.

Details at wendywutours.co.uk/januaryupgrade

Over 150,000 holidays reduced† Everyday low deposit

SALE NOW ON

59 5

£

per person^

Visit Monarchagents.co.uk or call 0333 777 4740 ABTA No.V0531

†T&C’s apply. Selected dates and airpor ts only.. ^ When booking 10 weeks or more prior to depar ture.

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with

e m o h t AEileen...

r Eileen eworke h? m o h s a t What h p to this mon been u

Happy New Year everyone!

HOPE YOU all had a good Christmas and that 2017 has got off to a great start for you. I was at home for Christmas this year for the first time in three years.

I’d almost forgotten how much hard work it is hosting a family Christmas and it made me realise how easy it had been in previous years staying in a hotel over the holiday and having everything laid on for you.

Although I missed out on going away over the festive season, I did manage to escape to the Caribbean for a couple of weeks in December to get some much needed sunshine and avoid the madness in the runup to Christmas. We flew from Gatwick to Barbados and spent a few days at Waves Hotel before heading off on a wonderful seven-night Silverseas cruise and then an overnight stay at Ocean 2 Hotel before flying home. Our flights were with BA and overall they were good: on time, comfortable seating and the cabin service was good on the way out (although not quite so good on the way home).

When we arrived in Barbados, we had to stay on the plane for about 20 minutes due to heavy rain. It seems that the week before we arrived, the weather had not been good and it had been wet on most days.

However, we were very lucky as the sun shone every day from then on! We loved our stay at Waves and Ocean 2 and I would have no hesitation in recommending both these hotels to clients. As far as the Silverseas cruise was concerned, all I can really say is WOW! The service on board was excellent, and our balcony cabin was quiet, spacious with elegant décor and best of all it had the most comfortable bed.

There was a choice of six restaurants on board and the choice and quality of the food was first class.

Unfortunately, I was only able to try two of the restaurants as the others did not cater for vegetarians, but I was more than happy with the meals I had. All good things must come to an end though and before we knew it, it was time to disembark and say goodbye to the Caribbean sunshine and head on home for all the Christmas fun to come…

NEWS BITES ● G ADVENTURES has strengthened its position in the escorted tours market with the acquisition of the Travelsphere and Just You brands. ● ENABLE HOLIDAYS has launched its largest brochure to date following a successful 2017, which saw both an expansion of its product range and an increase in business. The company is offering new accessible holidays and adapted tours in South Africa, Antigua, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Argentina and Peru, as well as its popular beach destinations that continue to sell well. Royal Caribbean International has launched a search for an ‘extraordinary explorer’ to fulfil the company’s first Instagram ‘Intern-ship of the Seas’, as new research confirms that social media is a key source of inspiration in consumer holiday booking habits. The successful candidate will travel three oceans, on three cruises over three weeks and will be paid £3,000 for their time on top of all expenses. Applications are now open and are being taken strictly via Instagram. ● BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT has been named the world’s most punctual airport in 2016 by air travel intelligence company OAG, with 91.28% of arriving and departing flights operating on time. ● THE REPUBLIC of Kazakhstan has introduced a visa-free regime for all the European Union and OECD countries, where citizens of these countries will be able to travel without a visa for a period of up to 30 days.

• Win a 32GB iPad Mini 2 courtesy of Novasol.

• NEW BROCHURE - Scenic Rail Journeys 2017 with Experience Switzerland.

• Win Antler Luggage with the launch of Scandinavia Only.

Visit www.travelbulletin.co.uk/ for details on the above websclusives.

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

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AGENT TRAINING ●

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Agents who book client stays of ten nights or more to the Caribbean’s Canouan Island properties will be rewarded with up to £500 per booking thanks to a new ‘Canouan Rewards Programme’ incentive launched by MyBookingRewards.com (MBR). The company, which provides a cohesive online platform to help hotels and tourist boards to incentivise and reward UK travel agents for their booking loyalty, has secured three levels of incentive for its new Canouan Reward Programme – which features The Pink Sands Club, The Canouan Estate and The Tamarind Beach Hotel. A £50 booking reward is offered for every booking between five and nine nights at the Tamarind Beach Hotel, up to a £500 booking reward for ten nights or more at The Pink Sands Club and Canouan Estate.

To celebrate the launch of a new year and a new film in the 50 Shades trilogy, Attraction World is giving away 50 pairs of cinema tickets to agents making any booking this month for a minimum value of £99. To enter, agents should email booking references to ilovegreen@attractionworld.com.

Winners will be notified by February 3. In addition, agents making a booking for Universal Studios Hollywood have the chance to win a VIP pre-launch screening of the film for two people on February 9 in London.

Booking references should be emailed to universal@attractionworld.com Agents can win a luxury holiday for two to Sydney and New South Wales with Travel 2’s latest campaign ‘Take a Fresh View of Sydney & New South Wales' in conjunction with Destination New South Wales and Qantas. The winner will receive three nights’ accommodation in Sydney, nine days’ campervan hire and flights. For a chance to win agents should make a booking with the operator including flights with Qantas and three nights’ ground arrangements by January 31. For details see travel2.com

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Fancy a fam?

AGENTS WILL have the chance to gain first-hand experience of Australia’s northeast charms in June with 15 fam trip places available as part of Gold Medal’s upcoming Queensland campaign. The operator has teamed up with Tourism and Events Queensland plus Qantas to showcase the region’s natural and cultural highlights. Agents will spend time in Cairns before travelling to the Sunshine State’s vibrant capital, Brisbane.

To earn their place, agents need book any of the operator's Queensland packages including Qantas flights by February 15. The ten agents with the highest revenue sales will win a place, as will the four agents with the most improved sales versus last year. The final agent place will be given to the agent who best showcases their support of Queensland on Australia Day (January 26).

LYNNE HAMMOND (left) from Marion Owen Travel has won a place on APT’s eight-da y New Zealand fam incentive after successfully complet ing the company's training modules through OTT. Pic tured congratulating Lynne on her prize is the operat or's Laura Dawson. For details on the training programm e visit apt-experts.co.uk

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newsbulletin New Cuban sailing from The Moorings

COMO MAALIFUSHI MALDIVES EXTENDED LOW SEASON RATES FOR SUMMER 2017 FREE NIGHTS – Stay 4 Pay 3 / Stay 7 Pay 5 PLUS 10% Discount Di when h booked b k d 60 days before PLUS Complimentar y Half Board PLUS 50% Reduction on Seaplane Transfers Valid for stays between now – 30 Sept 17

VIVA ANTA BY Y TAJ CORAL MALDIVES NEW 2017 R RO OLLING OFFER V VALI ALID YEAR R ROUND OUN ND Book any villa categor y and receive 40% Discount on Room Rates PLUS Complimentar y Return Speedboat Transfers Valid for all stays between 11 Jan 17 – 05 Jan 18

AT TMOSPHERE KANIFUSHI MALDIVE ES

AGENTS CAN now book a new all-inclusive sailing holiday to Cuba through yacht charter company, The Moorings.

The unique seven-day holiday combines five-star accommodation on a yacht (complete with private captain, chef and host) and offers an insight into the people and culture of Cuba with a private tour guide.

The company's UK head of sales, Sebastian Hirst, said: “This year looks to be a big year for Cuba with new regulations allowing more access than ever before. Our product offers something unique for agents to promote, making it ideal for customers who are looking for guaranteed luxury and who want to learn more about this fascinating island, its history and its culture from their own personal guide.”

Available weekly between March and May, the Cuban crewed yacht charter explores the region between Havana and Varadero on the north of the island. Throughout the week, guests will disembark to meet their personal local guide and driver and head out to learn more about Cuba and its history and culture.

Highlights include visiting local artists in Jose Fuster; a visit to Revolution Square; a walking tour of Old Havana; an evening stop at the Buena Vista Social Club; a tour of a local tobacco farm to meet the family and workers; and a visit to Hemmingway’s home.

The Moorings 5800 flagship catamaran is air-conditioned and features five guest cabins, all with private en-suite bathroom and room for up to ten guests.

A seven-night Moorings 5800 private charter in Cuba costs from £3,038 per person (based on ten sharing) including captain, chef, host and all meals, plus snacks and beverages on the yacht. All tours and attractions in the itinerary are also included, as are the private local tour guide and driver. Flights are extra but can be arranged by the company.

For more information or to book call 03303-321520 or see moorings.co.uk

EXTENDED MEGA-SALE OFFER – Book by by 28 Feb 17 UP TO 35% DISCOUNTED RA ATES TES IN ADDITION TO FREE NIGHTS: Stay 4 Pay 3 / Stay 7 Pay 5 PLUS – ROOM UPGRADE OFFER – Sunset Beach Villa to Sunset Junior nior Suite!

Valid for all stays from now – 31 Oct 17

PER AQUUM NIYA AMA MALDIVES FLASH SALE SALE OFFER!!

ENJOY 40% DISCOUNT ON ALL ROOM CA ATEGORIES TEGORIES Book by 21 Jan 17 Valid for stays between 08 May – 27 Dec 17

NEW WEBSITE SOON TO BE RELEASED SRI LANKA - MAURITIUS - SEYCHELLES - INDIA - UAE - CARIBBEAN Over 230 hotels and a selection of tours available on our website Including exclusive offers for Summer 2017 2018 RA ATES TES NOW RELEASED

www.osborneandebel.com All above offers are subject to availability.

TTer erms & Conditions Apply

SEATED SERVICE...Leeds Bradford Airport hosted around 200 agents and travel bookers at trade event ‘Connecting you to the World’ at the Leeds First Direct Arena last month. The annual event saw 30 airline and tour operators showcase their products and services. Each of the 30 companies then donated prizes, winners of which had to correctly answer questions about their destinations and products. Pictured enjoying a brief rest are, from the left: Shevaun Joy from Destination Travel with Jodie Mann and Tony Mann of Idle Travel.

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Su Doku

Where Am I?

Win a £50 M&S voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle Number: 002

A➠

B➠ C➠

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, January 19th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

Crossword

Running 4.2 miles between Sahara Avenue and Russell Road, this stretch is world famous for its high concentration of large hotels, amusements and casinos.

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

Number: 002

Across 1. German airline (9) 6. Kitzbuhel is a popular skiing resort in this region (5) 7. Capital of Morocco (5) 8. West African country (4) 10. Capital of Iran (6) 12. Jose Marti International airport serves this city (6) 13. Leipzig is home to a museum dedicated to this classical composer (4) 15. Spanish resort famous for its caves and Balcon de Europa (5) 16. First name of Strictly dancer tipped to take over from Len (5)

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18. The largest county in England (9) Down 1. Gary Barlow's Saturday night TV talent competition (3,2,5) 2. Florence international airport code (3) 3. It welcomed in the New Year as UK City of Culture 2017 (4) 4. Jasper National Park is in this province (7) 5. World famous Wiltshire monument and tourist attraction (10) 7. Lively Scottish folk dance (4) 9. Location of Claude Monet's gardens (7) 11. Ancient civilisation (4) 14. UK's largest independent travel agent (4) 17. Major travel group (3)

For the solution to the Crossword and Where Am I? Please see page 28 January 13 2017

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Industry Insight by... e l i t e TRAVEL GROUP

Neil Basnett, chief executive of Elite Travel Group, reflects back on the events of 2016 and offers idea suggestions for 2017...

I

start by extending warm wishes for the New Year to all readers of Travel Bulletin! We have moved on from a turbulent 2016 with many surprising outcomes to what is likely to be another year of conflicts and issues over which none of us has any control but which could have impact on our businesses.

Despite negative warnings about what the future could hold for the UK, booking levels held up well in 2016 and early bookings for 2017 are encouraging. With fears about holidays costing more owing to the lower value of the pound, there is no general surprise that there has been much interest in all-inclusive properties.

Perversely, there would seem to have been good levels of bookings for self-catering holidays. It could be that families have assessed that it will be cheaper to fend for themselves rather than eating out in restaurants: how many times have we tried to convince parents that self-catering does not mean that they have to spend their entire holiday having to prepare meals?

Sad that we start the year with the demise of a wellknown tour operator – All Leisure. Swan Hellenic in particular is a brand that has been around for a long time, so it is not nice to see their demise. It is good news that Travelsphere and Just You have been rescued by G Adventures: good for the consumers and also good for the staff whose employment has been secured. If All Leisure had concentrated solely on touring (which had remained the profitable side of their business), then there is no question that they would still have survived. Going into the highly competitive cruise market turned out to be a big mistake for them – a capacity-saturated market that remains driven by price.

"With fears about holidays costing more owing to the lower value of the pound, there is no general surprise that there has been much interest in all-inclusive properties" 12

January 13 2017

I was intrigued about a news bulletin concerning Steve Bloom who levies a 50p charge for customers who visit his bookshop – Bloomingdales Books. Upon entering his shop, he asks people whether they have bought from him previously and if not, they have to pay 50p to browse, which will be taken off the price of any purchases they make. His local council is upset as it has received complaints from the public, but he is not doing anything wrong at all: he spells out his terms at the outset and if customers don’t like it, they can leave his shop. I then relate this to the travel industry as for years, there have been concerns raised about how much time is wasted researching holidays for clients, only for no booking to materialise. Sometimes customers change their minds or there may be legitimate reasons why they can’t book i.e. illness: often they claim that they can buy cheaper online! This brings me back to the argument as to whether travel agents should, from the beginning of the enquiry, make a charge for their time which is then used towards the cost of the holiday once something is booked. It would certainly cut down the number of clients who pass the same enquiry on to four or five agents, as I am sure that consumers would not want to pay four or five sets of fees! All of us have regular clients who always book and we would use common sense in not charging them a fee but how many genuine time-wasters could we get rid of? It would of course only work if all agents in an area agreed to implement these fees as it would only need one not to charge for the system to fail: the counter-argument would be that the one agent who does not charge ends up with all the time-wasters!

I had a wonderful holiday at the Makadi Palace hotel near Hurghada in Egypt. Good hotel, wide variety of food, lovely staff and a week of winter sunshine. Nearly 80% of the guests were German, which makes me very sad: why do such nations consider Egypt to be safe whilst the British do not? Apart from Russia, why is the UK still the only country not to resume flights to Sharm el Sheikh: what do our security advisors know that the others seemingly don’t? The locals want the British back: it is just our Foreign Office that don’t! travelbulletin.co.uk

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09:45

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caribbean

ST KITTS AND NEVIS - TWO GEMS IN A SEA OF JEWELLED CARIBBEAN CHARM by PAUL SCUDAMORE OF ALL the hundreds of islands spread like jewels across the Caribbean, there are two absolute gems that stand out – St Kitts and Nevis. The twin-island state is a member of the Commonwealth and along with the rest of the Caribbean, steeped in colourful history.

Today, the islands have developed a solid repeat clientele while expanding their offerings for those with individual interests in a broad range of subjects including culture, action, heritage, adventure, sport, cuisine and a wide range of other activities both on land and water.

Among the key attractions of the islands is their size – St Kitts is just 69sq.m while Nevis covers just half that area, with populations of 40,000 and 10,000 respectively so the visitor gets that uncrowded feeling on arrival. Add to this the unspoilt nature of both islands and the attraction just multiplies.

Accommodation ranges from budget to five-star and worthy of mention on Nevis is the Four Seasons Resort, Montpelier Plantation, Hermitage Plantation Inn, Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, Paradise Beach and the Mount Nevis Hotel.

On St Kitts there is the Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino, Ocean Terrace Inn, Timothy Beach Resort, Ottley’s Plantation Inn and Sugar Bay Club – while the big news this year is the opening in the spring of the five-star 125-room Park Hyatt St Kitts at Banana Bay on the south-east peninsula.

The destination is served by two flights a week by British Airways from Gatwick via Antigua, with transfers to Nevis in 45 minutes by passenger ferry or water taxi. There are alternatives – for those with big budgets a 32-passenger ATR42 is available as is a helicopter transfer, and for those with no budget it is a two-mile swim.

The tourist office describes the two islands as offering very different holiday experiences while complementing each

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other. St Kitts appeals to those attracted to discovering historical landmarks such as the Unesco heritage site of the Brimstone Hill Fortress, or a wide range of activities including a high-speed (80kph) rainforest zipline, buzzing nightlife and shopping, while Nevis is for those looking for a more relaxing laid-back experience.

One of the highlights of a visit to St Kitts would be the narrow-gauge Scenic Railway two-and-a-half hour journey through old sugar plantation fields between the outskirts of the capital Basseterre to Sandy Point in the far north of the island. Said to be “The last railway in the West Indies” the journey includes refreshments (free rum) and a choir performance.

The islands have established a close working relationship with the UK trade including its annual autumn Destination St Kitts and Nevis roadshow and specifically for travel agents the online St Kitts My Booking Rewards programme and the St Kitts Specialist Programme of online training.

While the weakening pound has raised some concerns on UK arrivals this year, there is a solid core of repeat visitors and with various marketing campaigns and initiatives the tourist office has set out to counteract any negative impact.

As examples of prices with BA Holidays, a week at the three-star Timothy Beach Resort on St Kitts in October costs from £549 including flights, while a week in September at the five-star Four Season on Nevis costs from £1,492.

On the events and sports front, the Admiral’s Cup Pro-Am Golf tournament is being held next month, from February 4-9 followed by the England Cricket Tour of the West Indies with fixtures in St Kitts on February 25 and 27. In May there is the Johnny Walker St Kitts Golf Open, from June 23-25 the 21st St Kitts Music Festival and from July 19-30 the St Kitts and Nevis Restaurant Week.

For further information see stkitts-tourism.com

January 13 2017

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caribbean Sandals reveals plan for new resort on Saint Lucia SANDALS RESORTS International has announced its plan to add a fourth resort on Saint Lucia.

Named Sandals LaSource Saint Lucia, the new resort is set to break ground this spring on 19 acres of land next to the existing Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Resort. With the new addition, guests will now have the option of ‘Stayingat-One, Playing at Four’.

The property will offer an infinity-edge sky pool bar featuring views of the island’s north coast, 350 rooms and suites inclusive of the exotic SkyPool Butler Suites, plus all-butler signature swim-up Rondoval Suites, the first of its kind in the chain. The resort will also offer an elaborate entertainment package to include a main stage and a mobile DJ party scene.

Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, chairman of the resort chain, said: “We pride ourselves on continuously raising the bar and Sandals LaSource Saint Lucia will completely reenergise the tourism market in Saint Lucia.

“Since we first opened Sandals Regency La Toc in 1993 we have consistently invested millions of dollars to reimagine our offerings to ensure our resorts and the Saint Lucian destination is among the best in the world and thereby boosting the local economy.”

For more information call 020-7590 0210 or visit sellingsandals.co.uk

Cuba on a roll following successful 2016 reveals Cuba Holidays CUBA HOLIDAYS reports that last year proved ‘very successful’, with Cuba seeing a significant increase in interest towards the last quarter and early indications reveal that this trend is set to continue.

Alan Meadows, the company’s national trade sales development manager, said: “The interest from our trade partners exceeded all expectations, especially in the latter half of the year, and the levels of calls being received have increased dramatically since the end of the festive period.”

According to the operator, one of the main contributing factors to the increase in popularity was positive media coverage on the Pope’s visit and a host of celebrities, which helped put Cuba in the spotlight.

Moreover, the thawing of US relations with the Cuban government has prompted some holidaymakers to make their bookings and visit the island before its way of life possibly changes.

Meadows said: “More and more people are turning to the island as their holiday choice for 2017 and that comes as no surprise. Cuba can offer so much - from exploring the country’s unique UNESCO World Heritage sites like Havana and Trinidad, to relaxing on some of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Cuba truly is a unique destination in the heart of the Caribbean.”

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caribbean Gold Medal promotes multidestination escape CUSTOMERS heading to Grenada have to go via St Lucia and Gold Medal is advising agents to capitalise on the opportunity to promote a multi-destination escape.

Ashley Pilkington, US and Caribbean assistant product manager for the operator, said: “These two islands make a great multi-centre holiday as both are perfect for those looking for beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes, adventure activities and hiking.

“In St. Lucia, visitors can learn about the island’s history on a plantation tour or at Pigeon Island National Park, visit the volcano at Soufriere or go birdwatching and hiking on the Pitons.

“In Grenada they can enjoy the warm hospitality of friendly locals and discover the natural beauty of this ‘spice island’s’ untouched landscape, as well as relax on the pristine beaches.

“Other options include diving to see the Caribbean’s first underwater sculpture park or the Caribbean’s largest wreck, as well as getting involved in the many festivals.”

Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority launches ‘Unique Properties GEMS’ guide THE ANTIGUA & BARBUDA Tourism Authority has launched the ‘Unique Properties GEMS of Antigua and Barbuda Guide’.

It showcases Antigua’s smaller hotels and properties, many of which are owner managed and family owned, offering added value and a more personalised stay.

The unique properties were first formed in 2007 but the ministry of tourism has re-branded the collection and produced the guide which aims to promote independent properties to UK travel agents and operators.

Dulcie Looby-Greene, compliance and accommodations officer at the ministry of tourism, economic development, investment and industry - and who spearheaded the project, said: “I'm delighted to see the rebranding of the guide come to fruition.

“I've been involved with these properties from inception, and we have provided hoteliers with a platform and the tools to put their properties into the forefront of the UK trade.

“A stay at one of these intimate settings will offer UK visitors a ‘home from home’ experience, showcasing a new aspect of the destination as they get to know their Antiguan and Barbuda hosts and feel the genuine warmth and hospitality of the islands.”

Properties range from the classy and sophisticated to the simple and elegant.

Local insights from the owners and authentic experiences are available, including cooking classes at Villas at Sunset Lane and exploring mangroves at South Point Horizon, along with free airport transfers and vehicle hire.

For further information or to access the full guide visit http://bit.ly/2fVs4nU

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caribbean Adopt a turtle wedding package from Le Grand Courlan WITH THE BEACHES of Tobago popular nesting sites for turtles, Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort has introduced a special ‘Adopt a Turtle’ wedding package.

The property, located on a gentle hillside overlooking the mile long Stonehaven Beach, is visited by leatherback turtles between March and September and can adopt a turtle for couples marrying at the resort during the turtle nesting season.

Couples also have the chance to name the turtle that is adopted on their behalf.

Adoption is done through local charity SOS (Save Our Sea Turtles) Tobago, which provides couples with an update on the turtle at the end of the season and the opportunity to go turtle watching in the company of guides to see them laying eggs or watch the hatchlings heading to sea.

Couples can enjoy a free resort wedding by booking a stay of ten nights or more on a half-board or allinclusive basis. Those staying on all-inclusive also receive three 30-minute spa treatments each at the resort's spa.

The wedding package includes a bouquet and buttonhole, cake, decorated wedding location, ceremony, private dinner for two on the guestroom balcony and transfers.

For more information visit legrandtobago.com

s k l a t l e v Tra nn, holiday

by John Gui

researcher

What could be better for a post Crimbo pickme-up than a trip to the Caribbean?

Our regular guest columnist, John Guinn, runs Holiday Hut and regularly contributes to UK Health Radio.

W Fly Air Europa and enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches of the Caribbean.

All flight are via Madrid For more information call 0871 423 0717, email: uksales@air-europa.com or visit us at: www.aireuropaexperts.com

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January 13 2017

E’VE JUST survived the annual over indulgence period that is Christmas. Perhaps some of us are starting to suffer the consequences for longer than we used to. Unfortunately, this is a sign that we are getting old (another sign is not liking anything on the current Radio 1 playlist).

A pick-me-up is needed - and fast.

So, what could be better than a dip in the Nylon Pool in Tobago? A shallow, coral, sandbank located off Pigeon Point, and one of Tobago’s top attractions. Perhaps this is because Nylon Pool is said to grant ever-lasting youth to those who take a dip. I did feel better after visiting it, but all the good work was quickly undone by the rum on the way back to shore.

As well as possibly being the solution to consuming too much food and drink, Nylon Pool is an example of how life in the Caribbean is different to that in the UK. In the UK, a sandbank would be listed in triplicate as a hazard to shipping and surrounded by warning buoys. In the Caribbean, a sandbank is an opportunity to have fun, and perhaps make some money.

Other sandbank attractions include the Stingray Cities in Antigua and Grand Cayman. Both give tourists the opportunity to interact with stingrays in shallow water.

For those who fancy being Robinson Crusoe for a while, the islets of Mopion and Punaise in the Grenadines can offer some isolation. These shifting sandbanks are only around 50m long and 20m wide, so you can’t get lost once your boat drops you off.

If a party at an isolated place is required, then a bar around half a kilometre out to sea is difficult to top. Floyd’s Pelican Bar is a wooden shack in Parottee Bay on the south coast of Jamaica. Once you are there the water is only waist deep, which is handy as the bar doesn’t have any toilets…

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caribbean AMResorts expands presence with additional accommodation openings EXPANDING ON its portfolio, a series of new properties from AMResorts have opened their doors in the final quarter of 2016 to offer new options for guests looking to holiday in the Caribbean.

Sunscape Bávaro Beach Punta Cana officially welcomed its first guests just before Christmas. Located in the eastern region of the Dominican Republic on El Cortecito beach, the family-friendly resort is located 25 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport and 45 minutes from La Romana.

It features 452 rooms and suites and access to more than 20 restaurant and bar options. Resort guests will have the opportunity to experience the brand's signature ‘UnlimitedFun’ holiday concept, where everything is included and no wristbands or gratuities are required.

Also newly opened is the Zoëtry Montego Bay. Located on a private beach in the upscale Ironshore neighborhood, the wellness resort brings the ‘Endless Privileges’ experience, where everything is included, to the island of Jamaica.

The 49-suite boutique is just steps away from the beach and a five-minute drive from Sangster International Airport.

Designed with a holistic approach in mind, the property's three main buildings, Wood & Water, Bamboo and Blue Mountain, honour Jamaica's ecological tapestry.

Wellness offerings include a spa with gardens, yoga and meditation areas and a fitness centre. Outdoor whirlpools, an infinity pool, a flowing swimming pool winding throughout the resort and other on-property water elements complete the experience.

Sunscape Bávaro Beach Punta Cana

Under its Dreams brand, the company also recently opened Dominicus La Romana in the Dominican Republic. Set on a picturesque beach in Bayahibe, the 391-suite resort aims to attract holidaymakers seeking a luxurious family vacation or intimate romantic getaway.

Additionally, this property and many of the other resorts are offering a ‘Kids Stay Free’ promotion. For all new reservations, up to two children stay free when staying in the same room as two paying adults. Travel must be from August 19 through to December 22 to take advantage of this offer.

W

elcome to Rendezvous. Like its

name, it is designed for couples.

An intimate boutique resort on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, secluded, tranquil and

TI M E IS SO PREC IOU S, S MART COU PL ES S T EAL I T.

tailor-made for stolen moments. A corner of paradise reserved for two, it is a private oasis and – quite simply – the perfect setting for reconnecting, rediscovering and celebrating life’s pleasures together. Discover Rendezvous. And find the time and place to steal away together.

Please contact your preferred travel agent or tour operator to book, or call 0203 096 1686

or visit www.theromanticholiday.com

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malta&gozo

THE 170-ROOM Maritm Antonine Hotel & Spa Malta, which is located in the village of Mellieha to the north of the island, is offering a selection of activities and is highlighting its facilities. These include the ‘Mad Shark Malta’ diving school; an exclusive ‘Marion Mizzi Wellbeing’ wellness facility featuring an indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness room and therapeutic treatments; three restaurants; and an English pub and bar. Guests can enjoy views of the Mediterranean and sandy beaches as well as the nearby islands of Gozo and Comino.

Visit Valletta for the International Baroque Festival THE PRESERVED baroque architecture of Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage City and capital of the Maltese Islands, will be reverberating to the classical sounds of the Valletta Baroque Festival this month.

Running from January 12-28, the annual event – now in its fifth year – celebrates baroque music in all its forms, with concerts and performances staged in the city's most memorable settings.

Baroque music dates from the early 1600s and is predominantly defined by spirit-lifting harmonies and the sound of the harpsichord. It is best known today by the works of composers such as Handel, Vivaldi and Bach.

Fittingly, Valletta is home to one of the best-preserved contiguous collections of baroque architecture in Europe with elegant churches, cathedrals and public buildings, making for some impressive

venues for a range of events throughout the festival fortnight.

Notable highlights include a performance by the European Union Baroque Orchestra; a baroque opera performed with puppets by the Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles; and works

by Bononcini and Hasse by the Basel Chamber Orchestra.

Peter Vella, director of UK and Ireland for the Malta Tourism Authority, said: “The Valletta Baroque Festival is an excellent opportunity for music lovers to celebrate the start of the New Year in style. And with Malta holding the EU Presidency in 2017 and Valletta being European Capital of Culture the year after, the festival reinforces how Malta's cultural stature greatly outweighs the island nation's size.”

For more information visit vallettabaroquefestival.com.mt

Belleair offers ‘Malta & More’ peaks incentive BELLEAIR HOLIDAYS is currently running a peaks incentive alongside its ‘Bringing you Malta and much more’ campaign, where agents can earn £40 in Love2Shop vouchers each time they make a holiday or cruise booking.

Agents booking any of the operator’s worldwide packages or cruise holidays (including flights) for any duration and more than £1,000 booking total can claim their vouchers by filling out the online form at belleair.co.uk/incentive The more bookings agents make, the more vouchers they can earn - valid for all confirmed bookings made by January 31.

Throughout the entire campaign the operator will be offering deals on its Malta programme, as well as its Worldwide and Cruise & Stay programs.

For more information email sales@belleair.co.uk

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Prestige welcomes 12% rise in bookings PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS has seen a 12% rise in business to Malta over the past year.

Nicky Shafe, marketing manager for the operator, said: “In tandem with the increase in popularity for the destination we have also noticed a trend for shorter stays with people booking four- and fivenight getaways. However, week long breaks are still the most popular duration.

“The Phoenicia Hotel is due to reopen next month and is sure to be a big seller this summer. The eagerly awaited reopening follows the refurbishment of its 136 guest rooms.

There is also a new outdoor swimming pool overlooking the harbour, as well as a new health club and spa.”

The operator is currently running an early booking deal at the all-inclusive property San Antonio for summer. A week’s stay costs from £699 in May, saving £51 per person with easyJet flights from Gatwick, private transfers and accommodation in a pool view room.

Visit prestigeholidays.co.uk or call 01425-480400 for more details.

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malta&gozo

Depp and Dench hop on the Oriental Express for a Malta Murder Mystery MALTA HAS long been a favourite location for Hollywood blockbusters and independent films, and this year will see Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ filmed on the island.

The adaptation of Christie’s classic novel follows Hercule Poirot (Branagh) as he solves the mysterious murder of an unpopular billionaire on board the Orient Express. The shoot will bring some of Hollywood’s biggest A-listers to the island in 2017 including Johnny Depp, Dame Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer and Daisy Ridley, while Penelope Cruz is also rumoured to be joining the cast.

The island’s turquoise lagoons, concealed coves, historic temples and unscathed cliffs have made it a popular filming location with film producers over the years; big budget blockbusters including ‘Gladiator’, ‘Troy’, ‘World War Z’, ‘the Da Vinci Code’ and ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ were all filmed there, as were some of the ‘Game of Thrones’ series.

Tourists looking to follow in the footsteps of stars such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Russell Crowe, Daniel Craig and Rachel Weis can find out more through the Malta Film Commission.

The island of Malta is also famed for its historical sites, so for those with an interest in culture and heritage, the Rotunda of Mosta is a Roman Catholic Church recognised for surviving a World War II bomb in 1942, which pierced the dome during an early evening mass. The event was regarded as a miracle by the inhabitants and a similar bomb is now displayed in the church for visitors to see.

Another cultural highlight is the National Museum of Fine Arts, the building of which dates back to the 1570s and houses art ranging from the Renaissance period to modern times.

Visitors to the destination can also take a harbour cruise around the many cliffs and secluded bays. With views of Malta, Gozo and Comino, taking a trip on the Mediterranean is a good way to view the island, enjoy the warm weather and relax stopping off at its sandy beaches.

For more information visit visitmalta.com

Battered Suitcase promotes seven-day tour to Malta and Gozo from £550

FOR GUESTS looking to take in the Valletta Baroque Festival, which runs until January 28, Battered Suitcase has put together a special package. It includes three nights’ breakfast stay at the five-star Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa including flights from Luton, transfers and tickets to two festival events from £265 per person.

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January 13 2017

INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS can discover the history of Malta and Gozo with a bespoke seven-day tour from Battered Suitcase.

With 7,000 years of civilisation, both Mediterranean islands offer an abundance of cultural and artistic treasures and events, as well as a choice of land and water-based activities, local cuisine and wine, music, theatre and luxury places to stay.

The journey includes options on full-day and half-day guided and self-guided tours, plus meals and evening entertainment.

Recommended places to visit include the islands’ World Heritage Sites of Valletta, Malta’s majestic and fortified capital city; the Hypogeum, an elaborately decorated underground temple hollowed out of solid rock dating back to around 2,500 BC; and the Megalithic Temples on Gozo.

These are said to be the oldest free-standing monuments in the world, pre-dating Egyptian pyramids by more than 1,000 years.

Guided full-day excursions can also take in Malta’s ancient medieval capital of Mdina with its impressive palaces and nearby Rabat, which claims to be where Maltese Christianity began. The tour includes a visit to St Paul’s Catacombs used for underground burials during the fourth and fifth centuries AD. Prices start from around £550 per person based on two sharing for selected departures including flights from London, transfers in Malta and six nights’ breakfast accommodation in a central five-star hotel.

For more details visit battered-suitcase.com or call 0800689 1586.

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malta&gozo

Attraction World explores Grottos, Greek Gates and Gozo SuperBreak launches new Malta excursion package SUPERBREAK HAS recently added a new excursion addon package in Malta available to agents to add to short break packages.

Agents can now book ‘Ultimate Malta’ which includes three key experiences for one price, ensuring the customer gets the most out of their short time away.

Costing £84.50 per person, the package includes an excursion to Mediterraneo Marine Park including transfers, a jeep safari and a traditional harbour cruise.

Fully commissionable, the package can be added to stays of three nights or longer.

For more information visit superbreak.com/agents or call 01904-436000.

FOR CLIENTS heading to Malta or Gozo, Attraction World has put together a series of experiences to enhance their break away and take in some of the destinations’ unique sights.

Those who want to explore Malta’s ancient citadel of Mdina can book a full day tour that takes them through the 'silent city' to admire the imposing bastions that command a unique view of most of the island.

On leaving through the ‘Greek Gate’, visitors will stop at the Catacombs before proceeding to the cliffs at Dingli. After lunch, a visit to the botanic gardens of San Anton and the dome of Mostas’ parish church are included in the visit, before some free time to explore and shop at the crafts centre Ta’ Qali before heading back to the hotel. The tour costs £51 per adult and £26 for a child aged two to 12 years.

Alternatively, guests can opt for a visit to the Blue Grotto and explore Marsaxlokk, one of southern Malta's few unspoilt villages. The fishing village offers an ideal location to spend a Sunday morning and visitors can rub shoulders with the locals as they browse the stalls of the local market.

Weather permitting, the trip continues with a visit to the Blue Grotto (boat price excluded) and the nearby caves. The halfday tour costs £30 for adults and £15 for children.

Although similar in history and development, Gozo has a character entirely of its own, with more greenery than Malta.

For clients who wish to visit Malta’s verdant sister island, the company also offers an excursion to Gozo from £62 per adult and £26 a child.

After a 20-minute ferry crossing, travellers will visit the Azur Window at Dwejra, the Citadel in Victoria and the bay of Xlendi. A cultural experience is also available, where Gozo's history throughout the centuries is brought back to life, plus lunch and free time for shopping is also included.

Malta’s popularity continues to increase for Classic CLASSIC COLLECTION Holidays has reported that its combined winter and summer sales to Malta are currently running at more than 40% up year-on-year.

The operator is currently running 37 special offers including reduced hotel rates for early bookers, free night offers on a varied selection of dates for 2017, plus added value offers across the majority of its 11 properties on both Malta and Gozo.

Summer prices start from £746 per person for seven nights’ breakfast stay at the four-star The Victoria Hotel in Sliema. The price is based on two sharing and includes flights from a choice of up to 15 UK airports and private transfers.

For more details call 0800008 7288 or visit classiccollection.co.uk

Simply Luxury by Travel 2 highlights Malta’s many off-season opportunities THANKS TO its location near North Africa, spring in Malta starts earlier than most other Mediterranean destinations with summers lasting well into October.

Travel 2 is encouraging agents to capitalise on this when suggesting destinations for their clients.

The company’s Europe product & commercial manager for Simply Luxury by Travel 2 Short Haul, Lauren Ross, said: “The weather can be cooler in the off season, so is more comfortable for activities like cycling round the island with bikes that can be hired locally and for taking in the landscape on many walks and treks.

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“Travellers can also visit many of the museums to learn about the Maltease heritage or head down to St Julian’s area to experience the year-round nightlife and restaurants. Many hotels and airlines reduce their prices within low season making Malta a more affordable destination.

“I also recommend that nature lovers head on a day trip to Malta’s sister island Gozo, which is smaller and greener in comparison. Once there, a must-see is the Azure Window, the Inland Sea and Fungus Rock, a trio of natural wonders, located in Dwejra.”

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g n i g a k c a dynamicp

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Dynamic Delivery: why more agents are embracing DP bookings

by ADRIAN MARPOLE, head of sales for Europe, Excite Holidays SINCE OUR inception in 2002, Excite Holidays’ offices in the UK, Greece, Thailand, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand have seen huge year-on-year growth in bookings from a greater number of travel agents who are embracing the world of dynamic packaging.

Competitive edge Agents are finding a far larger and more varied range of accommodation options, flights, activities, transfers and other auxiliary products available to them as a result of searching for results and rates with suppliers in this sector.

Such a wide array of options allows an agent to tailor a booking to even the smallest level of detail and cater for the more specific needs, desires and requirements of an increasingly savvy client.

Dynamic packaging involves a supplier delivering product to an agent in real-time, both for live availability and for pricing. Cost point can be significantly lower for agents, changing regularly to accommodate distressed inventory at discounted rates, offering agents a competitive advantage with pricing.

Nice and niche We’ve seen growth in bookings, not just to short-haul city destinations, but to more ‘off-the-beaten-track’ specialist interest and more traditional tour operator-centric destinations worldwide.

With clients seeking a wider range of travel experiences, including more niche destinations, having access to the product range that dynamic packaging offers is increasingly important for agents.

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January 13 2017

Our agent partners have realised that this sector allows them to compete against OTAs, dotcoms and comparison sites, not only on price point, but also on finding that one specific item that no matter how hard they’ve tried, they’ve been unable to source, offering clients the highest level of service - and importantly ensuring they don’t walk away from a booking because of a single element.

Where to begin?

Where should an agent start looking in order to start dynamically packaging? It’s such a varied sector of the travel industry, with so many suppliers and products to choose from, so do your homework!

Every possible supplier available to an agent will have something to bring to market. My advice is to find one that ticks as many agent boxes as possible, in addition to the obvious features of rate, portfolio and availability.

What do other agents think? Is that supplier nominated in an industry-wide, agent voted award? Is that supplier trade-friendly? Or is it merely a sister company to one of those dotcoms that you’re desperately trying to beat a rate from?

Service is critical - can you contact someone at a supplier 24-hours a day, every day of the year if an issue arises? Are the phone numbers freephone or do they cost you a fortune? Does the supplier give the agent the ability to manage the booking and alter commission levels of each component?

Every travel agent will have differing needs and different boxes that need ticking. There will be a partner out there that works for them, whether that’s a bedbank, a flight consolidator, an activity provider or add-ons supplier, or even a partner that does some or all of those products.

Although the travel industry in the UK is extremely highly regulated, there are plenty of sites, tools and several red tape solutions available to consortias and independents that make dynamic packaging a valuable option for travel professionals. This is especially important if you’re looking to offer a more customised solution to meet the specific needs of your clients.

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DOUBLETREE BY Hilton has opened a new property in Kingston upon Thames. The hotel offers 146 guestrooms and is located in the centre of the riverside town with easy connections to Central London and Surrey. Features include its signature Chocolate Chip Cookie welcome, Hawkers Bar and Brasserie, conference facilities and fitness centre. Rates start from £83 per night based on two sharing a King Guest Room with breakfast, which includes a 20% saving as part of its winter sale. Visit doubletreebyhilton.com

12 new routes to take off from LSA with Stobart Air STOBART AIR, a franchisee of Flybe, will start flying to 12 new destinations from London Southend Airport in May. Flights to Cologne, Lyon and Milan take off on May 1, while a new route to Budapest starts on May 4, followed by flights to Venice on May 7, Prague on May 8 then Vienna and Reus on May 10.

Dubrovnik begins on May 16, while the only scheduled direct London airport route to the French city of Figari starts on May 19, followed by Perpignan on May 25 and Zadar on May 27.

The routes will be operated by two E195 aircraft, with 118 seats each.

Warwick Brady, deputy CEO for the Stobart Group, said: “The announcement of new routes from LSA further builds on the growth platform we have created in our aviation division. The airport is perfectly placed to serve London’s growing travel market especially in the face of the other London airport capacity constraints. This is also part of the next stage of our strategy to build new passenger routes and further the development of our regional franchise with Flybe, and proves that our aviation division has the capacity and ability to capitalise on the growing demand in the South East.”

Glyn Jones, CEO for the airport, said: “Our recently completed customer research shows that there is a real desire for more city breaks to cater for the emerging ‘Weekender’ trend. With six trains an hour, London Southend Airport is 45-minutes by train from the east London hub of Stratford; it means you could be in our departure lounge in under an hour. We make escaping London for the weekend as quick and easy as it can be.”

Ticket prices start from £29.99 per person including taxes.

Visit flybe.com for more information.

DFDS reveals early booking offers for discounted crossings DFDS has launched discounted rates for travel in 2017 on its NewcastleAmsterdam service.

The ferry operator is offering special early booking discounts on the route with 10% off return fares by car. In addition, the booking can be secured with a payment of a 10% deposit, with full payment not due until 70 days before the booked departure date.

Prices start from £41 per person each way for a car and four people on selected departures throughout this year, when booked before March 1.

Savings are also available on the company’s mini cruise product, with a

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two-for-one deal for travel in the first three months of this year.

The mini cruise includes two nights on board one of the two cruise ferries serving the route, a full programme of entertainment on the journey plus coach transfers to Amsterdam city centre with up to five hours to explore the Dutch capital.

The 241 mini cruise prices start from £45 per person based on two people sharing an en suite cabin and are available for travel until March 29.

For further information visit dfds.co.uk/241 or call 0871-574 7235.

AccorHotels confirms Mercure St Helens to open in April ACCORHOTELS HAS announced that the new Mercure St Helen’s, Chalon Court will be opening its doors to guests this April.

Situated close to the train station and town centre, business and leisure travellers can also benefit from the close proximity to Liverpool and Manchester. The hotel offers 84 rooms and will be run by Balaji Hotels St. Helens Ltd under a franchise agreement.

Thomas Dubaere, UK & Ireland managing director for the four-star hotel brand, said: “Accelerating the franchise growth of the Mercure brand is a key strategic priority for us in 2017 and we remain focused on seeking additional growth opportunities in the UK. This is the kind of opportunity we’re looking to replicate.”

The brand has more than 80 hotels nationwide.

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NORWEGIAN IS getting ready to take-off into 2017 with the introduction of new aircraft and routes, including its first long-haul flights outside the US. The carrier is expanding its fleet with nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft and will become the first European airline to fly Boeing’s latest aircraft, the new Boeing 737 MAX this summer. It also plans to announce a series of new transatlantic routes from UK cities to the US east coast early this year and will continue its long-haul expansion with new, low-cost routes to other global markets and destinations. Visit norwegian.com/uk

New Year getaways with Singapore Airlines’ winter fares FOR CLIENTS seeking a long-haul getaway, Singapore Airlines is promoting its winter sale fares available for sale until January 31.

They include four daily flights from Heathrow non-stop to Singapore from £545 and five times weekly from Manchester Airport non-stop to Singapore from £520.

Clients looking for some winter sun departing from London can book flights for £490 to Penang, £495 to Phuket, £495 to Saigon, and £670 to Sydney. Destinations from Manchester include £425 to Houston, £430 to Manila, £475 to Phuket and £715 to Sydney.

Fares to Southeast Asia are valid for travel from January 18 to July 6 and fares quoted to the Southwest Pacific are valid for travel from February 1 to July 6.

Visit singaporeair.com for more information.

Blue Air commences new route to Cluj-Napoca from Birmingham Airport BLUE AIR has launched three times weekly flights from Birmingham to Cluj-Napoca, the second largest city in Romania.

The new launch follows in quick succession from the airline’s announcement of its new route between Birmingham and Larnaca starting in March, plus its inaugural Bucharest launch which launched last March.

Served by a 189-seat Boeing 737800 aircraft, the carrier will fly to the city of Cluj-Napoca on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Cluj-Napoca is Romania’s secondlargest city and is brimming with Bohemian cafes and music festivals.

The city is also home to Romania’s second-largest Gothic church, as well as many baroque buildings and medieval towers.

Paul Kehoe, the airport’s CEO, said: “Blue Air has had a very successful

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few months at Birmingham, flying thousands of passengers to and from the Romanian capital city of Bucharest. We are delighted that they are already introducing this second route to ClujNapoca. The Romanian city will be a popular city break destination for our passengers as it is a cultural and historic centre home to universities, great nightlife and landmarks dating to Saxon and Hungarian rule.”

Tudor Constantinescu, chief commercial officer for the airline, added: “The West Midlands is an important market for us, building our position at the airport demonstrates an ongoing commitment to Birmingham as a valuable part of the

Blue Air family. One of the key opportunities at this airport is the mixture of leisure and business passengers allowing a strong volume of traffic year-round. Romania has excellent trade links with the UK and we are confident the route will be a success.”

Prices start from £24.99 one-way including taxes and charges.

Visit blueairweb.com for more details.

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Taj Hotels opens its first luxury hotel on the Andaman Islands UNDISCOVERED DESTINATIONS’ ‘Undiscovered Indian Ocean’ tour is a new 16-day guided tour through Reunion, Comoros and Mayotte and ideal for clients wishing to explore the lesser visited islands of the Indian Ocean. The first of these annual departures is on June 1 with the next scheduled departure on June 7. The tour costs from £3,799 per person based on two people sharing and excluding international flights. Visit undiscovered-destinations.com

Experience Travel Group launches bespoke India holidays EXPERIENCE TRAVEL Group has launched its tailor-made India trips to the travel trade and, to help agents sell this immense destination, the company have also produced a dedicated India booklet that doubles as a handy ‘cheat sheet’ for agents, or an easily digestible guide for clients.

Director and co-founder of the company, Sam Clark, said: “We’re delighted to launch our new India programme for the trade.

India is such an incredible destination and unlike England’s current cricket team! – it’s a country we really know our way around.

We’re excited to share our expertise and support agents to cut through the noise and help their clients make the right choices.

Our trips in India are totally tailor-made, from the hotels to the route and the experiences; it is genuinely impossible for us to do the same holiday twice in India, or for agents’ clients to book the same trip on the internet or anywhere else – many of the experiences we offer are completely exclusive to us.”

As an example ‘In Depth Tamil Nadu’ is a privately guided two-week tour of the southern state of Tamil Nadu and an alternative to the popular Kerala. It showcases the region’s deep-rooted religious beliefs, temple sites, remote plantations and the coastal regions of Pondicherry and Mahabalipuram. From £2,534 per person, this includes all accommodation, signature experiences, a number of meals, private guides and tours, transfers, flights, 24-hour in-country back up and access to a dedicated travel expert in the UK. The operator’s new India trips are commissionable at up to 12% for AITO agents and other preferred trade partners.

Agents can access the India booklet via experiencetravelgroup.com/dnloads/bookl et-final-new2_091057.pdf, or contact hello@experiencetravelgroup.com or 0203642 6359 to order hard copies or request a bespoke training session.

TAJ HOTELS Resorts and Palaces will be opening the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Andaman Islands in the autumn of 2017, the first from the hotelier to be built on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands located in the Bay of Bengal.

Situated on Havelock Island and located at the edge of the jungle, the ultra-luxury resort will have 75 villas, including an 8,000 sq.ft. presidential villa, and its own private beach. The hotels’ design is inspired by the traditional Jarawa huts, with a pitch-roof style, in honour of one of the Andaman tribes that have called the island home for thousands of years. It will also embody Tajness, the newly unveiled ethos from Taj, that aims to ensure unrivalled experiences and service for guests and rooted in the brand’s Indian heritage.

Go beyond the beach with The Goa Experience’s multi-centre holiday ALTHOUGH GOA is a popular destination for its palm-backed beaches, The Goa Experience is offering a 14-night multicentre holiday, designed specifically to absorb some of the destination’s best sights beyond the beaches with stays at four different properties.

Surrounded by coconut groves and rice paddies, guests will begin their journey with five nights at the luxury Alila Diwa in Majorda, South Goa. Next up is a two-night stay at Panjim Inn, an authentic family-run property discovered in the heart of Panjim's intriguing Latin Quarter.

A one night stay at Wildernest will allow visitors to experience one of the most natural settings in the whole of Goa, all the while staying in a quirky eco-cottage and treated to delicious Goan cuisine. Finally, they will spend six nights at Acron Waterfront Resort; a property boasting an idyllic river setting. This stylish modern hotel provides a sedate retreat from the fairly lively scenes enjoyed close by in Baga.

The operator is offering this multi-centre break from £1,799 per person, including flights, 20kg luggage, in-flight meals, all transfers and mixed board.

Call 014-8986 6986 or visit GoaExperience.co.uk for more information.

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SHANGRI-LA’S Villingili Resort & Spa has partnered with Yogasphere, a collective of top UK yoga teachers, to create an exclusive Maldives Yoga Journey that combines elements of yoga, life coaching and meditation in a paradisiacal setting. Open to novices and practiced yogis alike, the journey includes mindful yoga flow sessions to release tension, meditation sessions to quiet the mind and two 90-minute Thai massages at CHI, The Spa. The package starts from approximately £552 per night and is valid until January 8, 2018.Visit www.shangri-la.com

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: Buxton Press Subscriptions are £125 p.a. £195 overseas ISSN: 0956-2419

puzzlesolutions

Crossword: Across: 1. LUFTHANSA, 6. TYROL, 7. RABAT, 8. TOGO, 10. TEHRAN, 12. HAVANA, 13. BACH, 15. NERJA, 16. ANTON, 18.

YORKSHIRE. Down:1. LET IT SHINE, 2. FLR, 3. HULL, 4. ALBERTA, 5. STONEHENGE, 7. REEL, 9. GIVERNY, 11. INCA, 14. HAYS, 17.

TUI.

@TravelBulletin TravelBulletin

Highlighted Word: HOBART Where Am I?: Las Vegas Strip, Nevada, US.

We asked our staff the following question this week:

What was the last app you downloaded?

Jeanette Ratcliffe Publisher jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk

Matthew Weinreb Sales Executive matthew.weinreb@travelbulletin.co.uk

The fitbit app.

Habitica - task management app.

Lauretta Wright Editor lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk

Kathryn Frost Sales Executive kathryn.frost@travelbulletin.co.uk

MeShare.

Adam Potter Editorial Assistant adam.potter@travelbulletin.co.uk Plants vs. Zombies 2.

Paul Scudamore Contributing Editor post@travelbulletin.co.uk Nectar - although with Christmas just gone maybe it should've been nectar-ines.

Simon Eddolls Sales Director simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Tim Podger Account Manager - Far East tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Bill Coad Account Manager bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk

Catherine Dillon Sales Executive catherine.dillon@travelbulletin.co.uk The Voice.

Oliver Barton Events & Sales Administrator oliver.barton@travelbulletin.co.uk The Amazon Alexa App for my robot slave.

Nicky Valsamakis Design Team Leader nicky.valsamakis@travelbulletin.co.uk ASOS

Miriam Brtkova Designer miriam.brtkova@travelbulletin.co.uk Beauty Calendar.

Lucia Mathurin Design Apprentice lucia.mathurin@travelbulletin.co.uk The Driving Theory App

Matt Gill Senior Account Manager matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk

Nelly Mendes Production production@travelbulletin.co.uk

Guardian Podcasts.

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