Travel Bulletin 13th September 2019

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September 13 2019 | ISSUE NO 2,122 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Giving agents the edge

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Giving agents the edge

EVENT BULLETIN

CARIBBEAN

TRAINING

CYPRUS

Fun in the sun with AMResorts’ Summer Vibes

How you can show your support for the Bahamas

Make it Michigan & be on your way to Detroit

Giving clients the best of both worlds in Larnaka

SEE THE WORLD SOLO

Cover pic : © Kar Tr

September 13 2019 | ISSUE NO 2,122 | travelbulletin.co.uk

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NEWS BULLETIN

SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

THIS WEEK 04 NEWS Industry updates to help agents sell more great holidays

HASHTAG HOLIDAYS A study by M&S Bank suggests that millennials are prepared to pay an extra £1,075 per trip, in a bid to create the perfect Instagrammable break.

Young Brits are splashing the cash on photogenic holidays.

08 AGENT INSIGHT Andy La Gette from Travel Counsellors on effective time management for travel agents

13 TRAINING Become a pro on all things Sonoma County

19 CARIBBEAN Go Beyond the Reef in the British Virgin Islands

23 SOLO TRAVEL Appreciate life’s simple pleasures in Denmark

M&S BANK has revealed that as many as a quarter of millennials admit to choosing destinations solely based on how attractive the resulting pictures will be, compared to just one in twenty of the over-50s surveyed.

It seems that keeping up appearances comes at a price, as one in ten have forked out on business class flights, a further 11% want a boutique hotel, and 8% would not book a holiday unless it was close to a Michelin star restaurant.

The study of 2,000 Brits of all ages, uncovered a list of 30 Instagrammable holiday ‘must-haves’ for millennials, including gyms (11%), local artisan

delicacies (18%), yoga retreats (8%), and boozefree drink options (12%).

Temples (16%) and volcanoes (14%) made the list of essential sights to see, along with balconies with sea views (32%), palm trees (26%), and bustling street markets (16%).

While on their holiday, millennials will spend two hours a day on their own social posts, taking shots and videos, as well as editing and posting.

Additionally, the research found the average millennial will spend three hours a day in the run up to booking a holiday looking for travel inspiration on social media channels.

“Our research has confirmed that social media is having an undeniable impact on how we plan, budget and experience our holidays today. From where we go, to what we do when we get there, the hashtag holiday is more prevalent than ever before,” said Liam O’Hara, head of network and bureaux, M&S Bank, of the study. “That’s why it’s even more important for Brits to do their research when purchasing travel money and shop around for a provider that offers competitive exchange rates and the convenience of collecting their currency at a bureau, or a store close to them.”

28 CYPRUS Bring on the sun with these great winter escapes

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NEWS BULLETIN

SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Olympic winners for winter sun 2019 and 2020 OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS has released a wide range of short-haul winter sun options for booking at the end of this year, and into 2020. The itineraries include the Canary Islands, Gambia and Goa. For Tenerife, the island specialist is offering seven nights B&B at the four-star Blue Sea Interpalace from £295 per person; and seven nights all-inclusive at the four-star Labranda Isla Bonita Hotel from £475 per person.

These trips, based on two adults sharing, depart from Gatwick on December 10.

On Gran Canaria, Olympic is offering a family deal of seven nights all-inclusive at the four-star Labranda Riviera Marina Hotel from £445 per person, based on two adults and one child sharing, departing from Gatwick on December 9. For an April 30, 2020 departure from Gatwick, the company is offering seven nights B&B at the four-star Bohemia Suites & Spa Hotel for £855 per person, based on two adults sharing.

On Lanzarote, Olympic is offering seven nights on a room-only basis at the twostar Labranda Los Cocoteros from £319 per person, based on two adults sharing, departing from Gatwick on January 26, 2020. For families planning well in

The Canary Islands are known for their volcanic rock formations.

advance, seven nights allinclusive at the four-star Labranda Alyssa Suite Hotel is priced from £415 per person based on two adults and one child sharing, departing from Luton on November 30, 2020.

For families, Olympic is offering seven nights allinclusive on Fuerteventura at the three-star Club Caleta Dorada from £269 per person, based on two adults and one child sharing, flying from Gatwick on December 7. Also on Fuerteventura, seven nights all-inclusive at the four-star Golden Beach Hotel is priced from £435 per person based on two adults sharing, flying out of Gatwick on December 8.

Moving to Africa, Olympic is offering two deals for Gambia, a six-hour flight from the UK. Seven nights B&B at the three-star Palm Beach

Hotel is priced from £469 per person based on two adults sharing, departing from Gatwick on January 21, 2020.

For luxury travellers, seven nights all-inclusive at the fourstar Labranda Coral Beach Resort is priced from £735 per person based on two adults sharing, flying from Birmingham in November 12.

For Goa, Olympic is offering 14 nights allinclusive at the four-star Club Mahindra Emerald Palms Resort Hotel from £979 per person based on two adults sharing. Alternatively, a luxury holiday is available for 14 nights all-inclusive at the five-star Radisson Blue Resort Goa from £1,275 per person, based on two adults sharing. Both Goa trips depart from Gatwick on March 25, 2020.

Go to www.booking. olympicholidays.com

Make the most of the coast for a very English autumn THE NATIONAL Coastal Tourism Academy and Visit England have launched a campaign to encourage bookings to the English coast over autumn, and to promote coastal regions as year-round destinations.

The campaign focuses on warm sea temperatures, birdwatching, attractions and experiences, and the ability to book from more than 1,700 accommodation options on a website with a portal for agents.

"Autumn is an ideal time for visiting our English coastline, beaches that were packed with sunbathers and families just weeks before are quieter, making them perfect for wind-swept walks," says Samantha Richardson, academy director of the National Coastal Tourism Academy.

"The sea is actually at its warmest in September, so it's an ideal time for water sports, and when hunger strikes there are countless cosy English pubs up and down the coast with roaring log fires offering heart-warming local food and drink and of course our seafood is second to none."

Visit www.englandscoast.com/en/tradeportal/register

Tickled pink with fabulous flamingos in Florida DISCOVERY COVE in Orlando has introduced a flamboyance of flamingos to the park. Comprised of four males and four females, they arrived from SeaWorld Orlando in June and have settled in well. They are already known among guests for taking morning strolls along the pathways and beaches. The only flamingo species to naturally inhabit North America, adult Caribbean flamingos stand between 122 and 137cm tall, weigh up to 2.7kg and can have a wingspan of nearly 152cm. They have the brightest plumage of all flamingo species, and guests can hear the bold birds approaching because of their distinctive honking call.

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NEWS BULLETIN

SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Gardaland becomes a horror haunt for Halloween GARDALAND PARK and Resort in northern Italy will be running a series of Halloween-themed events between October 5 and November 3. On October 31, the park will host its annual Halloween party.

“Venerdi da Paura” or “Fearful Fridays” will be held on October 11, 18 and 25 with the park open from 18:00 to 23:00. This will feature interactive performances with zombies, witches, vampires and monsters, and admission will be for the special price of 20 euros, while season ticket holders will pay 10 euros.

Every day during the promotion, the “Welcome, it’s Halloween” show, featuring friendly vampires will greet guests, and the

Family-friendly Halloween fun is the priority for Gardaland next month.

park will be decorated with scarecrows, pumpkins, gigantic spider-webs, skeletons, large haystacks and caskets.

After last year’s success, Gardaland Theatre will again offer “Horror Hotel”, a Halloween-themed musical.

The Theatre of Fantasy will host a family-friendly, one-

man-show featuring a friendly clown and a bewitched pumpkin.

At the SEA LIFE Aquarium, the scariest creatures, such as sharks and piranha fish, will be on display, and guests can attend educational sessions.

To find out more, go to www.gardaland.it

E-visa for easy Ethiopian access a success AS PART of an initiative to offer international visitors, particularly business travellers, easy access to Ethiopia, an e-visa service has been launched successfully, eliminating the need for international visitors to report to embassies prior to travelling.

The government reports that since its inception in July last year, tens of thousands of travellers have used the online service predominantly to attend conferences, as well as tourists.

Conference organisers can issue letters of invitation which business travellers can upload on the website at www.evisa.gov.et. For visitors seeking tourist visas, the online service is available when they log on and upload a passport copy and recent passport photo.

European Commission quells no-deal flight fears AGENTS WILL be able to reassure their clients that flights will be operating as normal between the UK and the EU until at least October 24, 2020. This is thanks to the European Commission extending the deadline on unilateral contingency legislation.

Under previous legislation, the deadline for the contingency plan was set for March 2020, but this extension will now allow customers to book their travel arrangements further in advance in the confidence that flight schedules will not be affected.

The move follows lobbying by ABTA with strategic EU countries, which promoted the mutual benefits of increasing consumer

confidence for next summer’s peak season.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive, says, “ABTA has been pushing hard for this extension, which is to the mutual benefit of UK customers and the EU, and we are encouraged that the European Commission has responded today by extending the deadline. This legislation was originally passed as a contingency measure in the event of a no-deal scenario – an extension until at least October 2020 will give customers much-needed confidence in making their travel plans.”

For more information, go to www. abta.com/brexit

“We found the e-visa system extraordinarily easy to do. Very user-friendly,” said Derek Houston of Houston Travel Marketing Services which organised the Spotlight Travel Expo in Addis Ababa. “The customer service by Immigration Personnel [at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport] was very good.”

Verona made easy from Edinburgh Airport A YEAR-ROUND service between Edinburgh and the Italian city of Verona will take off on December 7. easyJet will be launching the service, which will fly on Tuesdays and Saturdays on A320 aircraft. It is the airline’s 40th route from the Scottish capital.

Gordon Dewar, Edinburgh Airport’s CEO, commented: “We know there’s a desire to travel and take in the sights and culture of other cities across the world and we are always working to build and grow our destinations list. We also look forward to welcoming people from Verona to Scotland and showcasing what our fantastic country has to offer.”

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SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Agent accommodation discount on offer with Accor hotels AGENTS CAN enjoy a discount of up to 30% when they book accommodation for personal trips with hotels in the Accor group.

The group includes 27 brands available across the world, including Ibis, Raffles, Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure and Fairmont.

To take advantage of the special rates, agents need to go to the trade section of the Accor Hotels website, create a trade-only account, and fill in the online form with identification information and details about their holiday destination by either city or hotel, travel dates, number of people in your group and budget. Agents can also specify which of the group’s brands they prefer to stay with, as well as preferences about hotel services and facilities.

As well as the personal travel discount, trade-only account holders can use the agent portal to access special rates for their clients, collect commission and undertake e-learning courses.

To find out more and to create a trade-only Accor account, go to www.travelpros.accorhotels.com

A Haven of agent savings HAVEN IS offering agents discounts on a range of educational breaks for autumn across 36 holiday parks.

This month, agent prices for a four-night midweek break start from £99 per family or £129 per family for a three-night break in a Deluxe two-bedroom caravan that sleeps up to six people. A Deluxe three-bedroom caravan is available from £139 per family when staying for three nights and £109 per family when staying for four nights.

Four-night midweek October breaks start from £79 per family and again, agents can opt for a three-night weekend break from £129 per family, based on the family sharing a Deluxe two-bedroom caravan.

To book, agents can email their ABTA number, contact details, dates, preferred park and group size to trade.sales@bourne-leisure.co.uk

Haven is offering discounted family fun for agents.

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Trams, trains and tailormade tours on the tracks Rail is a great way to experience Germany’s Black Forest.

FFESTINIOG TRAVEL has launched its 2020 collection of rail holidays.

Trams & Trains of Italy departs on April 23, 2020, and is priced from £2,415 per person. This ten-day tour features a train journey from Rome to Naples and an excursion to the Rome Porta San Paolo Railway Park. The 15-day Northern France tour, departing on June 3, 2020, includes journeys on the Baie de Somme and Vapeur du Trieux railways. It costs from £2,365 per person.

The 12-day Wines of Southern Romania tour includes a journey on the Raşinari heritage tramway. Departing on June 16, 2020, this holiday costs from £2,185 per person. The seven-day Discover Puglia Grand Tour includes a train journey along the southern coast of Italy. Departing October 4, 2020, it costs from £1,275 per person.

In Germany, the Black Forest Discovery Grand Tour is an eight-day journey which includes the Black Forest resort of Titisee. It departs on September 3, 2020, and is priced from £1,495 per person.

The 16-day Taiwan Rail Adventure tour includes a chartered steam journey on the Alishan Forest Railway. It is priced from £3,870 per person and departs on February 14, 2020.

The 11-day Kyrgyzstan – Mountains, Lakes & Nomads Small & Traditional Tour includes the Ala-Archa National Park. It is priced from £2,350 per person and departs on July 21, 2020. Armenia – A Cradle of Civilisation runs for ten days, including a journey on the express train from Yerevan to Gyumri. It departs on September 8, 2020, priced from £1,950 per person.

The Middle East, the Jordan: Steam, Petra & the Dead Sea tour is a nine-day trip featuring the only two sections of the Hejaz Railway which are still operable. It costs from £2,525 per person and departs on November 2, 2020.

All prices are based on two people sharing and include Eurostar or air travel, visas, tour guides and accommodation. www.ffestiniogtravel.com

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NEWS BULLETIN

Time management for travel agents EFFECTIVE TIME management is the bedrock of any successful travel agent or agency. Variety is the bane and the beauty of our industry, with no two days the same. Workload can be seasonal − and if not predictable − it certainly peaks and troughs. The busiest times can leave us not knowing where to start. Quieter times (from what I can remember!) can leave us wondering what to do with our time.

The solution to effective time management is to find routine and structure. Write daily lists, including a mix of urgent items with less pressing admin and client calls. Keeping in touch with customers is of paramount importance, but it is easy to neglect if it’s not on a list. Replying to enquiries and generally keeping customers in the loop throughout the lifecycle of a booking is one thing, but beyond that, schedule time to keep in touch with those who haven’t contacted you for a while. Reconnect with customers when they least expect it and they will think of you the next time they need to take a well-earned break.

I’ve learnt that while it may feel counterintuitive at the time, building breaks into your schedule saves a lot more time in the long run because a fresh mind is twice as effective, so step back, reassess, and go again.

“Control the controllables”, they say. I agree this is vital but only gets us so far. We are blighted and blessed in equal measure with the unexpected. Short notice trips, late changes, weather disruptions, and dare I say, airline industrial action – things inevitably happen without warning and we need to be ready. Where possible, try not to put things off until tomorrow.

Tomorrow may not be as free as you thought. Try to wake up to a clear desk so that you’re ready if and when the next unexpected challenge arises.

Companies as a whole aim to keep one step ahead of the competition, and as a home working travel agent, I strive to keep one step ahead of myself. Plus, when it all feels like it’s getting too much, speak up! There is never any shame in asking for help. Building a safety network of trusted colleagues and a support team around me has proved to be invaluable in increasing my efficiency, and what’s more, resulted in time well spent.

SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

GIFTS GALORE…Global Travel Group’s Business Development team partnered with the Gold Medal and Travel 2 team during their visits to Independent Options agents and Global Travel Group agents to surprise them with a range of prizes. These included Disney cuddly toys, Prosecco, Love2Shop Vouchers, T2 Rewards and boxes of beer.

andBeyond introduces afterdark game drives AVAILABLE AT andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa, the Night Eye Experience makes use of infra-red technology to allow guests to see in the dark, watching the night life of the bush come alive around them.

With predators such as lion, leopard and hyena frequently preferring to hunt in the dark, this experience will give guests a clear glimpse into what happens once the sun goes down.

The andBeyond Night Eye Experience includes the use of a vehicle, accompanied by a guide, tracker, and specialist cameraman. The vehicle is equipped with three separate screens, mounted in such a way that the occupants of each row of seats have a clear view of the action. The cameraman uses an infra-red camera that is connected to the three screens for real-time viewing.

The game drive departs in the early afternoon, so that guests can make the most of the camera’s zoom function, which is twice as powerful as the average pair of binoculars.

As a bonus, guests are provided with a short, high-quality video at the end of their trip, including some of the highlights of their night safari experience.

To book, go to www.andBeyond.com Once the sun has set, the guide is able to switch off the vehicle and the headlights at sightings.

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SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

AGENT BULLETIN

AGENT TRAINING AGENTS CAN become experts of the Vancouver region with the help of The Vancouver Specialist Programme. When agents earn accreditation as a Vancouver Specialist, they will receive access to special benefits and sales resources. Agents who complete the course will be eligible for invitations to fam opportunities, industry rate accommodation prices and sightseeing activities in Vancouver. Sign up at www.tourismvancouver.com/VSP THE KENNEDY Space Center Visitor Complex is offering agents a training course on all things NASA related, enhancing their ability to sell holidays to clients who are space enthusiasts. When the course is completed, agents will gain two free general admission tickets to KSC and will be entered into a monthly draw for a chance to win a goodie bag, including a signed piece of KSC merchandise by an Astronaut. Go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/travelgym/ other-travel-training

BOLTON-BASED TRAILBLAZER... Travel agent Sue Mulligan is celebrating 40 years working for Althams Travel. Sue is regional manager, and is responsible for 15 branches and 80 staff.

AGENT INCENTIVES ● TO CELEBRATE CLIA Cruise Month, agents will earn 25 points for making a booking on one of Silversea’s 25 ‘Cruise Month’ cruises.

Agents need to make a booking on one of the 25 voyages by September 30 to qualify for 25 points, which can be used to redeem £25 Love2Shop or Amazon vouchers. Claims must be made within 60 days to qualify. To register, visit www.silverseaagentrewards.com ● DRIVEAWAY IS offering travel agents the chance to win one of two prize bundles – the Nutribullet Magic and Air Fryer, or a Fitbit and In Ear Beats by Dre. Prizes will be awarded to the agent who books the most car rentals in September. Agents must request a booking record and entries need to be submitted no later than October 4. The two winning agents will go into a draw and the winner will choose a prize bundle. To request a booking record, email UKSales@drive-away.com ● AGENTS WHO book at any participating Youtravel hotels throughout September will go into a draw to win prizes including Love2Shop vouchers and seven-night hotel stays. For more information, go to www.youtravel.com/news/chase-the-sun

COMPETITIONS! NEW: Delxue Spa Break for two with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

NEW: Win a two night stay in Lucerne

Win a £50 Love2shop voucher with Via Rail

Win a four-night stay at the St Elias Resort in Cyprus!

FOR ALL COMPETITIONS VISIT travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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NEWS BULLETIN

SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Portugal’s 2027 Vision for eco-friendly tourism IN AN ambitious bid to become one of the world’s most sustainable tourism destinations, the Portuguese tourism board, Turismo de Portugal, has updated the 2027 Sustainable Tourism Strategy, a framework launched in 2015 to cover environmental, social and economic factors. Within this framework, Turismo de Portugal has developed a set of monitoring indicators, known as SITS (Sustainable Tourism Indicators System,) based on recommendations from international organisations such as UNWTO and Eurostat.

Environmental targets include boosting the number of tourism companies developing energy efficiency measures, water-saving measures and sustainable waste management measures by 90% in 2027.

The social sustainability goals are to improve qualifications for local tourism workers, reduce tourism seasonality so that Portugal becomes a year-round destination, and improve residents’ satisfaction with tourism development.

Economically, the strategy outlines a plan to have

Sustainable surfing is part of Portugal’s ambitious tourism plan.

overnight stays in the country rise from 48.9 million (2015) to 80 million by 2027, with a corresponding increase in revenue. There will be an aim to increase the average stay and average spend of guests in certain regions to help economic progress and achieve a more balanced distribution of tourists across the country.

The tourist board will promote cycling and walking routes with the Portuguese Trails action plan, and the Portuguese Waves programme will highlight sustainable surfing areas.

Speaking at the evaluation of the first two years of the 2027 strategy,

Luis Araújo, chairman of Turismo de Portugal, said: “To achieve what we have set out, it is essential to define implementation measures with adequate funding, investment in technology, infrastructure and human resources. It was in this sense that specific funding lines were created to promote the development of tourism in the interior and instruments that allow the mobilisation of tourism companies and public entities in order to guarantee a more sustainable, accessible and inclusive tourism offer.”

For more details, go to www.turismodeportugal.pt

Walk this way – to the Canary Islands as Camino Ways grows CAMINO WAYS, which organises pilgrimage walking holidays along the Camino Way, has expanded, launching Canaria Ways, which will specialise in walking tours in the Canary Islands.

Packages will include accommodation in boutique-style properties, transfers to the trail head, luggage transfers, airport pick-up, information packs, and a 24/7 support number.

The week-long “La Gomera, A Hidden Gem” tour (pictured) is priced at 815 euros per person, offering a chance to explore the island known for its own UNESCOlisted whistling language.

On Tenerife, the four-night “Anaga Rural Park, Tenerife” tour takes in coastal paths in the northern part of the island and is priced at 575 euros per person.

The ten-day “Grand Walking Tour of Tenerife” takes in trails across the whole island, including Mount Teide National Park, Garachico and Anaga Rural Park. This tour is priced at 1,017 euros per person.

For more information, go to www.canariaways.com or email info@canariaways.com

Free festive feasts in the French Alps SKIWORLD HAS introduced a free Christmas dinner for guests staying in selected self-catered properties in the French Alps over the 2019 festive season. Thanks to a partnership with Huski, a food delivery service, guests will have their Christmas dinner prepared and delivered.

The offer will be available for guests who depart for France on December 21 for the resorts of La Plagne (pictured), Les Arcs, Les Menuires, Meribel, La Rosiere, Tignes, Val d’Isere and Val Thorens. The delivered food, which guests can put in the oven at their convenience, will include stuffed turkey breast, pigs in blankets, gravy, parsnips, honey-glazed carrots, brussel sprouts, roast potatoes, and vegetarian options.

Offers with the Christmas dinner include Le Cheval Blanc Apartments, Val Thores, at £741 per person; Kalinda, Tignes at £694 per person. All offers include seven nights accommodation, return flights and transfers. www.skiworld.co.uk/ski-deals/free-christmas-dinner

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PUZZLE BULLETIN

SEPTEMBER 13 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, September 19th.

Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

D

WHERE AM I?

The Jet2Holidays Su Doku winner for August 30th is Nicki Tanner from Wallace Arnold Travel in Halifax.

August 30th Solution: A=6 B=4 C=3 D=7

Across

Down

1. Name the famous restaurant that Jet2holidays have partnered with for our new onboard snacks (6) 3. Capital of Samoa (4) 7. State capital of New Mexico (5,2) 8. Spice Girls members B and C (3) 9. US coin worth ten cents (4) 11. Eleftherios Venizelos international airport serves this city (6) 14. Capital of Turkey (6) 15. City on the French Riviera (4) 17. London Luton airport code (3) 18. Capital of Georgia (7) 19. Passport endorsement (4) 20. The largest city in Saudi Arabia (6)

1. Prestigious resort area of Bali (4,3) 2. Arab sultanate (4) 4. Ruined city at the foot of Mount Vesuvius (7) 5. Auckland international airport code (3) 6. The Royal Yacht Britannia is moored here (5) 10. Popular Cyclades island with a party atmosphere (7) 12. Nationality of 13 Down (7) 13. First name of teenage environmentalist who recently sailed across the Atlantic (5) 16. Suva is the capital (4) 17. Currency of Bulgaria (3)

Solution: Across: 1. NANDOS, 3. APIA, 7. SANTA FE, 8. MEL, 9. DIME, 11. ATHENS, 14. ANKARA, 15.

NICE, 17. LTN, 18. TBILISI, 19. VISA, 20. RIYADH. Down: 1. NUSA DUA, 2. OMAN, 4. POMPEII, 5. AKL, 6. LEITH, 10. MYKONOS, 12. SWEDISH, 13. GRETA, 16. FIJI, 17. LEV. Where am I? - Florence

CROSSWORD

This city has an incredible historic landscape just waiting to be discovered. With a skyline sculpted by grand cathedrals and pristine palaces.

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

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NEWS BULLETIN

SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Shearings Holidays launches new tours brochure SHEARINGS HOLIDAYS’ UK and Ireland programme is designed to offer products for those who are seeking a holiday with an experiencebased focus. Experiences include: hot air ballooning over the Sussex countryside; whale watching on Scotland’s west coast; braving the Velocity2 zipwire at Zipworld in Llandudno, the fastest zipwire in the world, and an evening fishing trip on the English Riviera.

The self-guided walking breaks are designed to give customers the chance to get back to nature. These breaks are marked throughout the brochure with a walking logo. Walks range from light ambles of around one mile, to more challenging options such as Ben Nevis in Scotland, Mount Snowdon in Wales, Helvellyn in the Lake District, Bedruthen Steps in Newquay, and the Sandown to Ryde coastal walk on the Isle of Wight. Each break includes a pack of selfguided walks from the hotel, and a packed lunch for those

Part of the tour is a hot air balloon excursion over the Sussex countryside.

who want to explore on foot.

In total, the brochure features more than 90 tours, catering for customer interests such as history, culture, adventure, and relaxation, as well as those who enjoy a traditional coach break.

Jane Atkins, managing

director at Shearings Holidays, comments: “2020 is all about choice and flexibility. We recognise that everyone does not necessarily want to do the same thing while away and therefore we are allowing customers to choose different options.”

Nobu Hotel makes its debut in Los Cabos, Mexico OPENING IN April this year, Nobu Los Cabos offers guests a range of experiences, providing a base from which to explore the nature and culture that the Mexican region has to offer.

Guests can enjoy snorkelling with whale sharks in the Pacific Ocean off the Baja Peninsula, a tequila tasting and ceviche pairing with the resident mixologist, or explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of The Arch of Cabo San Lucas.

Upon arrival, guests of Nobu Hotel Los Cabos will be greeted by their personal butler, available at the exchange of a WhatsApp message to cater to their needs, 24 hours a day. Additionally, the Nobu concierge will be on hand to organise experiences and excursions.

For more information, visit www.nobuhotels.com/ loscabos

Trouble-free travels with JR West regional rail pass THE SETOUCHI Travel Authority has partnered with the JR West regional rail pass to aid overseas travellers in Japan, and provide easy access to previously unexplored regions. The rail pass works across five of the seven prefectures in the Setouchi region; Hyogo, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, and Kagawa.

The JR West pass services the Kansai, Sanyo and Hokuriku regions, with key destinations including: Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima.

The line connects Honshu with Kyushu, the southern island, arriving into Hakata in the Fukuoka Prefecture. The pass works on various different local train lines including some of the Shinkansen routes. For the Kawaii enthusiasts, this pass will work on selected Hello Kitty Shinkansen.

Tickets can be bought in the station or online, prior to travel, and come in a variety of date ranges from one to seven days. The Sanyo Shinkansen running from Shin-Osaka to Hakata operates 100 services a day.

Home to four UNESCO World Heritage sites, Setouchi is known for its produce, such as Kobe beef, Hiroshima oysters, traditionally made udon noodles in Kagawa, and 275 Sake breweries. It is being promoted as a destination for culture and gastronomy, away from the bustle of Tokyo.

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TRAINING

WINE COUNTRY Become a pro on all things Sonoma County with this new training programme SONOMA COUNTY Tourism has launched its first training platform designed to certify travel professionals as Sonoma County destination experts.

Created in coordination with TravPro Mobile, Sonoma County Travel Pro takes agents through an introductory course to “all things Sonoma Wine Country”, to help them feel better prepared to share, sell, and promote the destination to their clients.

Deleyse Langdale, Sonoma County Tourism’s vice president of global tourism development, said: “We’re delighted to partner with TravPro for the development and launch of our innovative industry training programme. In addition to becoming a

certified Travel Pro, the ‘always-on’ platform gives travel agents access to an online tool kit, plus it provides targeted content that can be shared directly with their customers. We see this as a win-win on many levels.”

Sonoma County is located 30 miles north of San Francisco and can offer holidaymakers a genuine and adventurous wine country experience.

It features more than 425 wineries, over 100 organic farms, acclaimed restaurants, a thriving arts community, and 50-plus miles of Pacific coast.

The platform is desktop and mobile-friendly and includes an advisor-training and client-facing mode.

Training mode allows

advisors to take information learned in the course “Essentials and Discovering Sonoma County” and share the unique experiences with clients. The Toolkit and Promote tabs contain a mix of product information, maps, shareable images, trade events, and links to a full list of other practical information.

A comprehensive directory of accommodation options, attractions, activities, and events is available.

The first 20 agents that complete the training course will receive a £40 Love to Shop voucher – this incentive launched on August 27 and will last for seven weeks.

Go to www.sonomacounty.com/tra vel-trade

Missouri Mission THE DIRECTOR of tourism for Missouri, Ward Franz, headed up a delegation from the state for a UK sales mission of travel agent training and meetings with tour operators.

Travelling alongside representatives from St Louis, Kansas City and Independence, Franz said: “The UK is a major overseas market for Missouri and our meetings with key industry partners enable us to strengthen existing relationships and forge new ones. The sales mission continues our commitment to the UK marketing campaign and strategy. In addition to the key icons of Route 66, the Gateway Arch, Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum and the Lake of the Ozarks, we have several key anniversaries which we are promoting, including the 100th anniversary of Prohibition in 2020 and Missouri’s bicentennial in 2021.”

Go to www.visitmo.com

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TRAINING

SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Train, win and explore Michigan’s great outdoors MICHIGAN HAS refreshed its online training course and is offering agents the opportunity to win themselves a five-night trip.

All agents who pass the course by October 31 will be entered into the draw to win the grand holiday prize, which consists of two return air tickets to Detroit, two nights in Detroit and three nights in the state (courtesy of Pure Michigan, Visit Detroit and Delta Virgin Atlantic).

Carved by glaciers more than 12,000 years ago, the Michigan landscape is quite expansive in its offering to holidaymakers. With three national forests, seven national parks and two national lakeshores, it is home to 100 state parks offering hiking, biking, camping, canoeing,

fishing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and other recreational activities, as well as 650 public golf courses – the Great Lakes state really embodies the great outdoors. It has over 100 public beaches, some of the highest freshwater sand dunes in the world, multicoloured sandstone cliffs and the only national marine

sanctuary in the Great Lakes; the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron.

There are more than 129 lighthouses, numerous maritime museums, ten shipwreck-diving preserves and historic military fortifications that rim Michigan's Great Lakes shoreline.

On location in the Caribbean THROUGHOUT OCTOBER, Funway Holidays and AMResorts are offering onlocation training, with a series of joint fam trips to the Caribbean.

The week-long fams will travel to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Cancun to visit AMResorts properties, including the new Now Emerald Cancun.

Christian Brett, marketing executive for Funway, said: “This is another example of our commitment to supporting agents with valuable training and what better way to equip them with the latest destination updates than by having them experience the offerings firsthand? We understand the importance of fam trips as a vital training tool for travel agents.”

For more details, go to www.funway4agents.co.uk

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Check out these shots from the Summer Vibes tour by AMResorts!

The AMResorts team had a fantastic time taking over carnivalstyle at a selection of cities across the UK in August! See if you can spot yourself in our round up!

AMResorts are this year’s winner of Star Specialis Don’t forget to book the Amazing Sale by AMResorts with savings of 50% at s

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alist Hotel Brand category at the Star Awards 2019! at selected properties until 30 September 2019, for travel until 31 October 2020!

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CARIBBEAN

REEF REVIVAL Beyond the Reef creates artificial reef in the British Virgin Islands to help marine life and boost tourism AUGUST SAW the British Virgin Islands sink three disused aeroplanes and the islands’ Willy T Ship into the ocean to create a hub for marine life and a new diving site.

With the support of the local BVI community, Beyond the Reef’s artificial coral reef system will have a positive impact on the marine life and the local community through a charitable project.

The project hopes to generate increased tourism in the area as the dive site will be an intrepid addition to the island’s list of scuba diving destinations, joining existing sites such as the Kodiak Queen, another sustainable artificial reef which was sunk in 2017, and the RMS Rhone, a British Royal Mail steamship that sank in 1867.

The three responsibly sourced planes have been turned into metal shark sculptures, lurking at the

depths of the seabed and waiting to be discovered by divers with the iconic old Willy T Ship, a famed floating bar which has always held a special place in the hearts of both locals and tourists alike, sitting nearby. In the months prior to their sinking, the vessels were stripped of all hazardous materials and had cavernous holes cut into their surfaces to create deep dive access.

The BVI dive companies have committed to asking each diver who explores these dive sites to donate $5, which will go back into the community through an initiative that teaches local children to swim. This pledge will shed light on the importance of swim safety, as well as respect for the ocean. These donations are at the forefront of the passion driving Beyond the Reef’s project forward. After discovering that less than

one-third of children living in the BVI know how to swim, the Beyond the Reef team hopes to have every child swimming in the next ten years.

Rhodni A. Skelton, deputy director of tourism in the BVI, said: “We believe that these artificial reefs, created from abandoned wreckages by an inspiring and passionate group of individuals will become a valuable tourism asset for the territory and brings a fresh new look to our dive product. I am ecstatic about the chosen charitable cause to which funds generated by the project will be directed, that of teaching BVI children to swim. This is not only an important skill for living in the British Virgin Islands but a foundational skill for any number of jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities in the marine sector.”

To find our more, go to www.bvitourism.co.uk

An Amazing Sale from AMResorts AMRESORTS HAS kicked off its ‘Amazing Sale’ campaign, offering customers savings of up to 50% on adults, teens and kid’s rates at selected properties.

The campaign booking period runs until the end of this month and is valid for departures up until October 31, 2020.

The saving means that at some resorts, customers can book higher room categories for a lower rate than the lead-in room type.

For example, adults looking to stay at the Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa can enjoy 50% off the xcelerate Junior Suite Tropical View room category and upwards.

For families seeking extra luxury for less, at Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun the Preferred Club Junior Suite Tropical View room is cheaper than the lead-in room type.

For full details go to https://amragents.blog/specialoffers

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CARIBBEAN

SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

An Elegant transformation at Tamarind TAMARIND BY Elegant Hotels will be converted into a premium all-inclusive resort, operating from October 1.

Located on the Platinum West Coast of Barbados, the property will offer an enhanced dining experience to guests including the opportunity to dine in one of Barbados’ most iconic restaurants, Daphne’s, throughout their stay.

The resort is bolstering its family offering by enriching its entertainment, activities and kids’ programmes, whilst extending the hours of its Flying Fish Kids Club to 9:00-21:00. The resort will have a strong focus on outdoor and local educational activities, to get kids and teens outside and active on their holiday.

Sunil Chatrani, chief executive officer for Elegant Hotels Group, said: “We see enormous potential for Tamarind under the popular all-inclusive model, and we are excited about the prospect of repositioning the resort that will complement our existing portfolio and

attract discerning families seeking an active allinclusive adventure holiday.”

A seven-night stay starts from £399 per night based on double occupancy in a Pool or Garden view Room.

For more information go to www.eleganthotels.com or call 0800 917 3078.

Check out this Jewel JEWEL RUNAWAY Bay is offering agents travelling to Jamaica a free day at the resort. All agents have to do is undertake a short site inspection, and then all the facilities, including the waterpark, are at their disposal for the rest of the day.

The family friendly allinclusive resort is now on general sale with all tour operators for travel from November 1 onwards.

Agents can find out more at www.playarewards.co.uk In addition bookings at Jewel Runaway Bay or any of the Playa Resorts properties can also see agents earn up to £25 per booking.

Get set for Caribbean adventures SANDALS AND Beaches Resorts’ tour partner, Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours, has launched its first dedicated UK trade-facing brochure with more opportunities for agents to increase their commission.

The new brochure, created by Sandals and Beaches' UK tour operator, Unique Caribbean Holidays Ltd. (UCHL), includes a selection of the company’s most popular island tours in destinations including Jamaica, Barbados, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Antigua, Grenada and Saint Lucia, starting from £59 per person.

Agents can earn commission on every tour booked, allowing them to increase their earnings alongside flight and luxury accommodation packages. UCHL launched the tours alongside spa treatments, airport lounges and private candlelit dinners, as Sandals Extras which are now available for agents to book online or via the call centre. On average, two add-ons are booked per holidaymaker, worth an average of £200-300 per booking.

The brochure includes personal anecdotes from the brand’s UK sales team about the tours that they have experienced and enjoyed as well as a selection of the best excursions on offer on each island. Helpful information for agents such as what clients must bring with them on their tour, duration, and frequently asked questions are featured.

In addition, agents who make a booking at a Sandals or Beaches Resort qualify for the Sell & Go rewards programme which provides free nights that can be redeemed for their own holiday. Every Luxury room booking earns agents one free night, Club level bookings earn two nights and Butler level bookings result in three free nights.

Agents can benefit from 10% off their own Island Routes Adventure Tour when they’re on their holiday by emailing trade@islandroutes.com

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CARIBBEAN

SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

WEATHERING THE STORM

Hurricane Dorian delivers a devastating blow to the Bahamas but the spirit & resolve of its people remains strong

AGENTS WILL be aware that early September saw Hurricane Dorian bear down on the Bahamas, causing significant damage to the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama.

As this magazine goes to press, Bahamian officials continue to assess the damage to these two islands, which felt the biggest brunt of the category 5 hurricane when it swept through the Northwest Bahamas. Relief teams have been deployed and are providing assistance to those in need.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation (BMOTA) is encouraging travellers to keep and continue their holidays to the islands that were not affected and that still remain open. In the Northwest, these include the capital of Nassau and neighbouring Paradise Island, as well as Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Andros, Bimini and The Berry Islands. The Islands in the Southeastern and Central Bahamas remain unaffected, including The Exumas, Cat Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Long Island, Acklins/Crooked Island, Mayaguana and Inagua. However, it’s advisable for agents to check directly with airlines, hotels and cruise lines regarding any possible impacts to their client’s travel plans.

In a statement to travellers, Ellison Thompson, deputy director general for the BMOTA, said: “While we are still processing the impact that Hurricane Dorian has had on our country, we must stay strong for our friends, loved ones and neighbours on Grand Bahama Island and The Abacos.

“We appreciate the outpouring of support from citizens around the world and we ask that you continue to donate, continue to send prayers and continue to visit Nassau, Paradise Island and the Out Islands that were not affected.”

The Caribbean Tourism Association, which traditionally earmarks September for Caribbean Month in the UK by engaging with the travel trade, expressed its sadness over the loss of life and damage done in the Bahamas. In a statement of support, the organisation said: “In the wake of this monstrous storm, we have witnessed the pain of those who lost loved ones, the agony of so many who lost their homes and all their belongings, and the angst of an entire Caribbean concerned for the welfare of the people of these islands.

“However, as has been demonstrated so many times in the past, we have weathered many storms, we are a resilient people who refuse to surrender even in the most difficult of times, and we are confident that the people of the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama, with the full support of the Islands of the Bahamas and the Caribbean tourism family, will navigate the road to recovery together and emerge stronger.”

For agents who would like to help and offer a donation to the relief efforts, visit either www.bahamas.com/relief or the CTO Hurricane Relief Fund which has been activated at www.gofundme.com/hurricanerelief-fund-cto

Increasing ease of travel to Jamaica JAMAICA NOW offers an online version of the Immigration and Customs Declaration form for arriving travellers to the island’s international airports.

The online form has been designed to enable passengers to be processed more seamlessly through arrivals on the island, leading to reduced waiting and processing times in both Immigration and Customs.

Once travel has been booked, clients have the option to complete the Online Passenger Declaration Form prior to their journey as opposed to filling out the physical form upon arrival at their respective airport.

“As Jamaica’s arrivals numbers continue to soar, it’s important that we offer a speedier process at our airports, so our visitors spend less time waiting in immigration and customs and more time enjoying the destination,” said Elizabeth Fox, Jamaica Tourist Board's UK and Northern Europe regional director. “We’re continuously seeking ways to enhance our visitors’ experience while in Jamaica and we hope this improved experience also promotes greater return visits for our guests.”

As part of its continuing efforts to improve the arrival experience, the customs agency’s next project is to launch a mobile application for visitors.

Agents can signpost their clients to make the most of this service and complete the form at https://c5online.pica.gov.jm/apply

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SOLO TRAVEL

EVERYDAY WONDER VisitDenmark encourages agents & holidaymakers to appreciate life’s simple pleasures WITH SAFETY an allimportant factor for many solo travellers, VisitDenmark is highlighting itself as not only one of the safest countries in the world to enjoy, but one of the happiest too.

Most Danes can speak English and are friendly and open, helping clients to feel welcome and quickly get a sense of the Danish way of living. With a population of 626,000, Copenhagen makes for a comfortably sized city destination for a solo traveller too, where top sights and attractions are within walking and cycling distance of each other.

Travellers can explore Copenhagen on water with a boat tour that departs from Nyhavn or Gammel Strand for a trip through the canals of Christianshavn and Frederiksholm and to see famous city sights such as Christiansborg Palace, the

Opera, The Little Mermaid statue, Our Saviour’s Church and the Black Diamond.

Once the tour is over, a great place to grab some lunch is the food market Reffen in Refshaleøen, where clients can indulge in street food and mingle with the locals. Other cool Copenhagen experiences to try include swimming in the city’s harbour baths or a trip to Freetown Christiania, an alternative neighbourhood of homemade houses complete with workshops, music and organic eateries.

For those solo travellers seeking to explore more of Denmark, the country’s small size and good infrastructure makes it easy to get around.

Holidaymakers can take the train an hour-and-a-half west to Odense, home of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, or go on a day trip from Copenhagen to Elsinore, stopping at the

world-renowned Louisiana Museum of Modern Art on the way.

To help agents get more familiar with the destination, VisitDenmark offers an online training course which taps into it’s most-recently launched brand proposition: ‘The Land of Everyday Wonder’.

Focusing on those transformational travel experiences, the inspirational campaign encourages clients to do just that by becoming a participant in the Danish way of living, where the qualities of the simple things in life are celebrated by adding a sense of play to the everyday. Many of these elements are picked up on over the training’s five modules; with a chance to learn more about the different regions, the Danish lifestyle, biking in Denmark as well as itinerary examples.

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

Wandering for longer SOLO TRAVEL may be trending, but according to Acacia Africa solo travellers are bucking the trend for shorter hops on the continent and choosing to book longer itineraries.

Arno Delport, sales and marketing manager for the adventure travel specialist, said: “Solo travellers don’t have to meet anyone else’s expectations when they travel whether that’s based on time, destination or the activities that interest them. They also make up a large portion of our gap year base and again, this market is time-rich. As a group, they are certainly choosing to wander for longer and see more of Africa, but there is an even split between camping and accommodated tours, with many preferring the luxury of a comfortable bed at the end of their safari.”

Acacia Africa’s camping and accommodated overland tours range from four to 62-days, with itineraries covering East and Southern Africa.

Visit acacia-africa.com

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SOLO TRAVEL

SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

FESTIVE RAMBLES

FOR SOLO travellers seeking a Christmas or New Year holiday, Ramblers Walking Holidays is offering several departures at this time of year, especially suitable for singles.

With about half of the participants of each group joining as solo travellers, whether by choice or circumstance, the operator looks to make each one feel welcome in a group bought together by an expert walk leader. As a top selling point, group walking holidays offer clients a great way to explore in the company of other likeminded travellers and often enables solo travellers to visit places they might not otherwise feel comfortable exploring if on their own.

The operator has a selection of holidays with no single room supplements, meaning single travellers can also enjoy time away from the group, if they wish, in the privacy of their own room.

As an example, solo travellers can see in

the New Year whilst walking in the German Alps on ‘Fussen – A Winter Fairytale’.

Departing on December 27, this Grade 4 (moderate) journey will have clients exploring the lakeland and woodland trails of the Königswinkel region, taking in some of Bavaria’s most beautifully located palaces and castles such as Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof. The oneweek trip also includes an excursion to the village of Oberammergau and starts from £1,129 including flights, half-board en suite accommodation and all local transportation costs. Additional departures are available on January 13, and February 17 and 24, 2020.

Alternatively for those wanting to enjoy some winter sun, ‘Undiscovered Cape Verde’ is a Grade 6 (moderate) trip that departs on December 19, with prices from £2,895.

Go to www.ramblersholidays.co.uk/no-singleroom-supplement to find out more.

September Solos BODYHOLIDAY IN St. Lucia is hosting a ‘September Solos’ month as part of its themed programme which runs throughout the year.

Solo travel has been a growing trend over the last few years; with the number one motivator being time to unwind and relax according to Agoda’s ‘Solo Travel Trends 2018’ survey. The trend has been particularly popular amongst female travellers; with almost 50% of females claiming to have taken a holiday by themselves and 75% planning a solo trip in the next few years according to a 2018 British Airways study.

Running from September 1-30, September Solos at the all-inclusive resort looks to offer the best elements of health, wellbeing and fun with other like-minded solo travellers who are looking for rejuvenation and relaxation. The programme includes a personalised schedule of daily spa treatments, dedicated fitness classes, hosted dinners and cocktail parties, and a weekly sunset cruise along St. Lucia’s coastline.

During the rest of the year, the property can offer an extensive programme of classes and activities, including training with Olympic athletes, quadrathlons and assault courses. It also has an awardwinning wellness centre, with 33 treatment rooms and complimentary spa experiences for guests to try on each day of their stay.

Go to www.thebodyholiday.com

Discover Egypt like a historian FOR SOLO travellers inspired by Channel 5’s ‘The Nile: Egypt’s Great River’ series with historian Bettany Hughes, Discover Egypt is offering them the chance to explore some of the country’s greatest treasures with no single supplement and on-board its newest ship; the MS Tulip.

The journey will see clients relive Egypt’s 5,000 years of history whilst gliding on the great river, with the option to add on a stay in Cairo too. The lead in price for a seven-night Classic Nile cruise starts from £1,097 with direct flights to Luxor and full-board cruise, plus ten guided excursions with an Egyptologist. Remaining sailings available in 2019 are on October 28, November 25 and December 2 and 9.

To add three nights in Cairo staying at Le Meridien Pyramids, prices start from £1,490 and include the single supplement at the hotel, plus internal flight to Cairo.

Call 020-8407 2111 or visit www.discoveregypt.co.uk for more.

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SOLO TRAVEL

SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

CABIN MATES

AURORA EXPEDITIONS welcomes solo passengers year-round, offering a ‘cabin mate service’ on each of its voyages.

Single travellers keen to share their adventure with new acquaintances can sign up to this service with which the line will attempt to match guests with a same-sex cabin partner and, if no suitable partner can be found, it will drop the single occupancy charge.

In addition, on selected voyages, Aurora Expeditions is offering sole use of a cabin with no single supplement. Solo passengers wishing to travel with exclusive use of a cabin would normally pay a surcharge on the per person rate of a twin cabin of 50%, offering an opportunity for some big savings to be had for those who wish to travel as a solo and not cabin share.

The voyages offering no-single supplement for solo passengers include: ‘Patagonia & Chilean Fjords’, ‘Iceland, Jan Mayen & Svalbard’, ‘Iceland Circumnavigation’, ‘West

Greenland Explorer’, ‘Arctic Discovery’ and ‘Iceland, Greenland & East Canada’.

The company also has a raft of upcoming selling opportunities for agents. Aurora Expeditions will be launching its new ship, Greg Mortimer, in October (sailing from Ushuaia, Argentina for its inaugural voyage to Antarctica) and has already announced the launch of a second new ship of the same design which will be ready to sail to the polar regions from Autumn 2021.

Additionally, Sir Chris Bonington will be joining a voyage into Antarctica to retrace Shackleton’s’ ill-fated expedition in March 2021, and later that year in November there will be a total solar eclipse taking place in Antarctica from where guests aboard Greg Mortimer and the company’s as yet unnamed second ship, will be able to join NASA scientists to better understand this phenomena.

Go to www.aurora-expeditions.com or call 0808-189 2005 to find out more.

Solo in the Saddle IT APPEARS that more solo travellers are saddling up for their holidays, with Ranch Rider reporting an increase in bookings for its tours in the USA.

Tony Daly, managing director for the specialist tour operator, said: “While September and October would usually be a key period for these clients to book with us – with many ranches dedicating these months to adult-only and ‘singles weeks’ - we’ve definitely seen a notable increase in bookings from solo travellers over the course of the entire ranch season, which runs from April through to October.”

According to the operator, working guest ranches tend to be the most popular option, as clients aren’t required to pay a single supplement at many of these properties. As an example, six nights at the Dryhead Working Ranch (popular with experienced riders and novices who want to experience the authentic cowboy lifestyle) starts from £1,529 per person with no single supplement. This includes accommodation, meals, most ranch activities and taxes but excludes transfers, gratuities and return flight.

Call 01509-618811 or visit ranchrider.com

Experience the beauty of a long polar night REGENT HOLIDAYS is expanding its range of small group tours with either reduced single supplements or removing them entirely. In doing so, solo travellers will be able to join likeminded people to destinations off the beaten track, with the advantage and safety of having knowledgeable guides.

For instance, the five-day ‘Polar Nights in Svalbard Group Tour’ allows a maximum group of 16 travellers to be based in Longyearbyen – one of the world’s most northerly towns. The tour to the remote archipelago offers the chance to experience the polar nights’ 24 hours of darkness while spending an evening in a remote wooden hut in Camp Barentz and take the reins on a dog sledding excursion through the icy plains. The itinerary will also include opportunities to learn about the region’s Arctic exploration and Longyearbyen’s coal mining history, as well as visiting the Svalbard Brewery to taste beer made with 2000-year-old glacial water.

Prices start from £1,695 per person, with no single supplement, departing January 24, 2020.

Go to www.regent-holidays.co.uk or call 020-7666 1290.

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CYPRUS

OLD MEETS NEW Larnaka welcomes strong investment from international hotel chains THE INTERCONTINENTAL Hotels Group is soon to open its first hotel in Cyprus, with the Indigo coming to Larnaka.

The Hotel Indigo Cyprus is expected to begin operations before the close of 2019 and will be situated in one of Larnaka’s most historic areas, close to the St. Lazarus Byzantine church. The hotel sees a pair of old houses gracefully combined with a contemporary four-storey building to offer a captivating blend of old and new – much like the city of Larnaka itself.

Welcoming the move is the Larnaka Tourism Board, whose vision is to maintain and enhance the city’s unique character through the restoration of listed houses.

This is the third international hotel chain to open a property in the city, following the Radisson Blu and Best Western. Dinos Lefkaridis, chairman of the Larnaka Tourism Board, said: “Larnaka is becoming a key

Concept art for Hotel Indigo

player in tourism to Cyprus, attracting the interest of investors and tour operators.

More specifically, over the last three years, nine new hotels have opened in Larnaka, with a total capacity of 614 beds. The last addition was the Hai hotel in the Traditional Neighbourhood of the city centre, which also combines a development of old and new.”

The first hotel to refurbish an old traditional building and turn it into a boutique hotel in Larnaka’s historic centre was Lokàl, a 17-room property which opened in 2015. In 2020, another seven

new hotels are expected to open, mainly in the city of Larnaka and Voroklini area.

In the meantime, long established properties such as the Palm Beach Hotel and Bungalows continue to upgrade facilities. Palm Beach will soon be entering the final phase of its five year renovation plans for the upcoming winter season and will also be celebrating its 40th anniversary in April 2021 with a host of events planned to mark the occasion with the involvement of the UK travel trade.

For details, go to www.larnakaregion.com

A tale of two cities ATTRACTION WORLD is offering a special discount throughout September for its ‘Highlights of Nicosia’ tour.

Available as an excursion from Paphos and Limassol, clients can visit Cyprus’ capital and learn more about the turbulent history of one of the world’s last divided cities.

Arriving in the south part of Nicosia, a guide will take guests to the Liberty Monument and the Cathedral of St John (with its modest exterior in stark contrast to its interior) found at its centre.

The walking tour will then make its way through the partially car-free old town within the Venetian Walls and cross the UN buffer zone into the occupied part of Nicosia (valid passport required) to visit Buyuk Han and the Ayia Sofia Church with a chance to stop by a traditional confectionary for coffee and a sweet treat.

For those interested, the guide can offer a guided visit to the Leventis Museum at 15:00 during the free time segment of the full day tour, which ends with clients being dropped back at their hotels.

Prices are £45 for adults and £22 for children.

Go to www.attractionworld.com

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CYPRUS

SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Food, glorious food − including heavenly halloumi − at the Almyra AS OF this autumn, the Almyra Hotel in Paphos is offering its guests a three-day foodie adventure.

Whilst staying at the property, which offers a laidback and elegant take on Mediterranean luxury, guests can visit the family-owned Vouini Panyia Winery, join local fisherman on a voyage, learn how to make halloumi and take a cooking class.

The Vouini Panyia Winery spans 25 hectares and sits 1,000m above sea level, surrounded by pine forests. Here, guests can embark on a private tour of the vineyard to learn how the grapes are harvested and wine produced, followed by a tasting of local vintages.

Fresh fish is an important part of Cypriot cuisine and so the experience will also include a 1.5-hour fishing trip, where guests can witness firsthand how the fisherman go about catching the fish of the day, as well as having the opportunity to cast the nets themselves.

After working up an appetite,

participants head back to shore where Almyra’s head chef will teach them how to whip up some local dishes.

A trip to Cyprus wouldn’t be complete without learning about the origins of halloumi. After a journey through the mountainous terrain, guests will arrive at the village of Galataria and visit Katsouras, a rural family-owned factory which specialises in promoting local Cypriot produce through generation-old techniques. In addition to halloumi, local

delicacies also include Anari, Trachana and Easter Cheese; Stafida raisins; Epsima concentrated grape juice and a sweet treat called Sioutzioukos.

Prices for ‘Discover the Culinary Delights of Cyprus’ start from approximately £385 per person based on two sharing a Superior View on a bed-and-breakfast basis plus activities and meals as listed in the package.

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

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CYPRUS

SEPTEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Bring on the Cypriot sun BLESSED WITH year-round sun, Cyprus continues to rank high for those holidaymakers keen to escape the dreary UK winter weather.

An island of contrasts; golden beaches and shipwreck diving sites sit alongside quaint villages and bountiful vineyards; as well as plenty of locations that are steeped in history and legend, such as Aphrodite’s Rock.

Olympic Holidays has a range of deals catering to families and couples keen to escape to the sunny Mediterranean isle in winter 2019/20.

For example, the operator can offer seven nights at the four-star Elias Beach Hotel in Limassol from £395 per person based on two adults and one child sharing on an all-inclusive basis and travelling from Manchester on December 6.

For couples, seven nights at the five-star Gold Collection Annabelle Hotel in Paphos is priced from £569 per person based on two adults sharing on a half-board basis and travelling from Manchester on February 3, 2020.

For more breaks, go to www.olympicholidays.com or call 020-8492 6868.

FROM EAST TO WEST

PLANET HOLIDAYS is highlighting the ease and benefits of booking clients on a flexible itinerary that travels across Cyprus, with a few nights enjoyed in different resorts.

Doing so will enable holidaymakers to check out local village celebrations, autumn wine festivals, and sporting events such as the annual Cyprus Women’s Cup football tournament played in Ayia Napa, Protaras and Larnaka.

Harry Kyrillou of Planet Holidays said: “Autumn is a good time to head to Cyprus; the weather is still in summer mode and this year, many five- and four-star hotels are offering special offers to suit families, couples and single travellers”. Many of these special offers extend until October, and some cover the winter sun period.

The operator is offering seven nights at the newly launched five-star Amara Hotel in Limassol from £1,725 per person. This

includes flights and private taxi transfers, accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis in a deluxe sea view room for travel on October 13. Kyrillou said: “Limassol deserves to be enjoyed and this luxurious hotel is aimed at those looking to combine a seaside escape with all of life’s little and larger luxuries, from food to the spa.” Property features include Michelin-star restaurants, Nobu Matsuhisa and Giorgio Locatelli, a cascading plunge-pool, and 180-degree sea views from every room.

Also making its debut to Cyprus’ hotel scene and the operator’s portfolio for June 2020 is the adult-only Amarande Hotel (pictured). This new hotel benefits from having one of the highest vantage points in all of Ayia Napa and will offer 168 rooms and suites set over five floors.

Go to www.planet-holidays.co.uk or call 01438-841270.

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