NEWS
Enjoy the greatest headlines as we head into our last news round-up of the year.
MTTC PIX MIX
The Midlands Travel Trade Club partied the night away at its annual end-of-year celebration!
THEME PARKS & ATTRACTIONS
LONG-HAUL LUXURY
Next year travellers are waving goodbye to short-haul jaunts in favour of lavishing the long-haul.
AS THE sun sets on 2024, it is time to look more closely at the year ahead and the trends and factors that are primed to shape the next year of travel.
20 PEAKS INCENTIVES
According to ABTA’s new Travel Trends for 2025 report, it shows that travellers are loving long-haul holidays, with more than a third (34.2%) of people stating they will be visiting locations outside of Europe and North America in the upcoming year – up from 28.2% last year.
In terms of travel styles gaining momentum, it seems that Gen Z in particular are looking to splash the cash and enjoy five-star stays over the next 12 months. More than one in five (22%) of Gen Zers say they are planning to spend more on their holidays next year in the form of accommodation upgrades to enjoy their travel with a more luxurious touch.
It comes around fastest each year so stay ahead of the curve with our peaks round-up!
The latest thrills across the world. 13 WEDDINGS &
Tie the knot in style with our
Sights are firmly set on Asia as the region of choice for long-haul travellers as the continent has welcomed the biggest yearon-year rise in visitors, with 11% of people planning to travel within the next year. Topping the tourist charts currently are Japan, Thailand, India and China. Both Africa and Oceania are also set for a busy year, ready to welcome 7% and 6% of travellers respectively.
This trends follows on from the spending patterns witnessed this year, with 47% of Gen Z having stayed in five-star accommodation while holidaying, compared to the overall average of 35% of people who enjoy the life of luxury while abroad.
Other trends set to make a mark next year are the rise of ‘baecations’ – holidays enjoyed while loved up with a significant other; experience holidays during the winter months; and the rise in adopting new technology for travel inspiration.
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Air Transat unveils summer schedule
THE CANADIAN airline has released its summer 2025 schedule, which is now bookable for travel between May 5th to October 26th, 2025.
Travellers can fly direct to Toronto from £375 for a return fare, with services increasing from the airline’s UK and Ireland hubs.
Flights from London Gatwick have
increased to double daily, Glasgow and Dublin both offer daily services, and Manchester is offering flights to Toronto up to six times per week.
During the season guests can also fly direct to Montreal up to eight times per week from £443 per person for a return fare.
www.airtransat.com
Uniworld releases ‘world’s greatest’ brochure
UNIWORLD HAS launched its first-ever standalone brochure, ‘The World’s Greatest River and Rail Journeys’, to showcase the operator’s collection of land, river and rail journeys. The brochure comes on the back of recent research which indicates 73% of Uniworld guests favour
luxury rail travel and longer stays, as well as the exponential growth the operator has seen in its long-haul portfolio. The brochure includes a range of new itineraries for the operator, including the 14-day Paris to Istanbul journey. www.uniworld.com
Cunard ends the year on a record-breaking high
IT HAS been a record-breaking year for Cunard as the luxury cruise line has reported an impressive 73,000 additional reservations compared to the same period in 2023 – a 23% year-on-year increase.
The growth can be attributed to both the UK and North American markets, accounting for a 24% and a 29% increase in bookings respectively compared to 2023. The arrival of Cunard’s latest ship, the Queen Anne, has also been a key factor to the growth, as well as the launch of three new cruise programmes this year.
Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, said, “These results are a testament to the hard work of our teams and partners worldwide, who ensure Cunard remains at the forefront of luxury travel.” www.cunard.com
Flight bites
EMIRATES HAS announced a third direct service from Dubai to Melbourne, taking flight on March 30th, 2025. www.emirates.com
VISIT MALTA celebrated easyJet’s new service from Liverpool John Lennon, operating year-round on Tuesdays and Sundays. www.easyjet.com
Special guests join Celestyal
32 AGENTS voyaged aboard Celestyal Journey as it docked in Doha ahead of the cruise line's inaugural Arabian Gulf season, with two specially-themed F1 voyages kicking off the programme this month. The celebratory 'super fam' blended a three-night land stay (including a trip to ATM) and two days aboard the ship in Doha. Select guests opted to attend the Qatar Grand Prix. All agents walked away with a free 'Desert Days' credit to experience the full voyage.
www.celestyal.com
Protected Trust Services increases Franchise ATOL by 4,000
AFTER WELCOMING 126 new members this year, Protected Trust Services has bolstered its Franchise ATOL limit to 5,000 passengers, up from the existing 1,000 capacity.
The licence increase marks a five-fold passenger increase for members, with PTS users empowered to hold their own ATOL licence without the need for a bond.
Emma Collis, Protected Trust Services' executive director, reported, "There has been a visual turn in membership dynamics in 2024 compared to previous years, prominently those joining us now are larger trading businesses who are focused on growth and the freedom and flexibility PTS offer to take their businesses to the next level.”
www.protectedtrustservices.com
● AGENTS WHO book any Tunisian hotel for their clients in 2025 with Cyplon Holidays will earn a complimentary allinclusive seven-night stay for two. The ‘Make Just One Booking’ incentive is valid for any Cyplon holidays booked at a Tunisian resort between January 3rd to December 23rd, 2025. The stay must be for a minimum of two adults for seven nights to be included in the offer. Agents who complete bookings within the time period will enjoy a sevennight all-inclusive stay of their own in the four-star Les Oranges Beach in Hammamet. www.cyplon.co.uk
● NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICLINDBLAD Expeditions has launched its first-ever booking incentive; throughout January 2025, every booking will earn agents a lucky dip-style prize. Polar bear and penguin plushies, £100 shopping vouchers and bottles of champagne are just some of the goodies up for grabs. Danielle Bates, Lindblad Expeditions’ head of UK sales, said, “I’m thrilled to be bringing the first trade incentive to the UK market to support the peak booking period. Our agent partners are vital to our success whilst we grow the National GeographicLindblad Expeditions brand in the market, so to be able to introduce an incentive of this scale, backed up by some strong sales messages and offers, is really exciting.” The incentive aligns with the cruise line’s first-ever UK-specific brochure, which can be ordered by emailing agency.sales@expeditions. co.uk
Agent bulletin
AMY SUDELL from Garstang Travel was one of two lucky winners in our competition with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex earlier this year! Amy and Sarah Hewitt from Millington Travel in Leicestershire both won a whole host of space-themed goodies after completing the attraction’s training course. Find out more about the attraction’s upcoming openings in our Theme Parks & Attractions feature on page 13!
● THE NEW ‘Celestyal Compass’ trade portal includes the ‘Celestyal Campus’ training platform, showcasing the brand, life aboard its two ships, excursion information and more. The first 250 agents completing all modules on the course by January 3rd, 2025 will win a £20 Amazon voucher. www.celestyalcompass.com
● ON THE back of Fiji welcoming a record number of visitors in 2024, further airlift via Dallas will make the destination more accessible than ever. The dedicated Matai Specialist training programme showcases everything you need to know about the 333 islands of Fiji. www.specialist.fiji.travel
● ANY AGENTS who complete Quark Expeditions’ Polar Pro training course and follow it up with a booking will earn a £100 incentive. Becky Francis, EMEA sales director (who is due to return from maternity leave next month) said, “I am unbelievably excited to return in January and to see what will be our biggest and most successful wave season ever... with the knowledge gained from Polar Pro, agents will be equipped to offer their clients the best polar experiences available and of course my team will be on hand to support throughout wave Season.’
www.quarkexpeditionspolar pro.com/login
● WHILE PLENTY of operators have already kicked off their peaks campaigns (more on that note on page 17!), Riviera Travel’s ‘Primed for Peaks’ module on the Riviera Explorer programme can still help you get ahead! Vicky Billing, head of trade and partnerships, noted "how important the next few weeks are for the trade as they prepare for the allimportant peaks," adding that the new module "will ensure [agents] are primed and ready to take full advantage of this key selling period.”
www.rivexplorer.com
MTTC Christmas Ball
THE FESTIVITIES ran long into the night as the annual Midlands Travel Trade Club Christmas Ball returned to Moxhull Hall in Sutton Coldfield on December 5th, 2024.
It was a night full of good food, toptier entertainment and questionable dance moves throughout! Sponsors this year included JTA Travel, Emirates, Birmingham Airport, Belleair Holidays and Travel Bulletin.
Want to get in on the #TBShowcases action? Our next event will be the Africa Showcase taking place in Basingstoke on January 20th. To confirm your place or find out when we will be hosting our next event near you contact events@travelbulletin.co.uk
SUDOKU
Win a £20 M&S voucher in the SuDoku prize puzzle
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 9th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.
November 29th Solution: A=1 B=6 C=5 D=9
For all competitions visit http://www.travelbulletin.co.uk/component/r sform/form/1593-Travel-Trivia-Quiz
Luton airport code (3)
Mariah Carey hit, All I Want For
(9)
(5)
___ Lang Syne (4)
Flag carrier of Australia (6)
Long-haul tour operator, part of DER (5)
This little bird is often pictured on
cards (5) 15 One of the gifts brought by the Three Kings (4)
Destination Insight by...
ILENIA COCCO spent 25 years as trade manager for the Italian Tourist Board; now, she has returned to her homeland of Sardinia to drive tourism development in partnership with local tourist boards
I HOSTED the first UK press trip focused on Sardinia's Nuragic history and its nuraghe— considered some of the most significant megalithic constructions in the Mediterranean, second only to the Egyptian Pyramids Our journey began in the vibrant capital of Cagliari. We visited the Archaeological Museum, which showcases artifacts spanning nearly 7,000 years of history. After wandering through cobbled streets, we enjoyed a delightful seafood lunch
at Sa Schironada accompanied by a few glasses of chilled Vermentino wine. We strolled along the Poetto Beach, one of Europe’s longest sandy beaches, and rented a bike to explore Molentargius Park, a sanctuary for elegant pink flamingos. Driving less than an hour north of Cagliari, we arrived in the stunning countryside, stopping in Gergei, one of the charming little villages. We spent the night at the quirky small hotel Domu Antiga, where the lovely Giulia made us feel right at home with her extraordinary homemade food. The following day, we visited the majestic Nuraghe Su Nuraxi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, followed by a vineyard experience at Tenute Olianas, set against the breath-taking backdrop of lush green hills. Another astonishing marvel of the Nuragic civilization on our itinerary was Nuraghe Arrubiu (the Red Giant) in Orroli, followed by an extraordinary meal at the family-run agriturismo Sa Sienda. We also enjoyed a
cheese workshop at Sinnos, a remarkable cheese factory, and sampled extra virgin olive oil from the Dedoni family. Our adventure culminated in Nurri, where we participated in a bread-making workshop that allowed us to create the most flavorful and soft bread I’ve ever tasted. We then spent our last few nights at the romantic rural hotel Is Perdas, featuring unique themed rooms and a distinctive suite called "The Grotto," located in a real cave. We enjoyed an amazing sunset, took a dip in the swimming pool, and experienced their lavish
spa. Our culinary experiences continued at the hotel's restaurant, and unexpectedly, we had the chance to visit one of the largest experimental archaeology sites in Italy just next door. Here, two visionary owners, the local community, and a group of international experts have started a community project to build a full-scale replica of a nuraghe. For details or training opportunities email incoming@veritalytravel.it
Cyplon Holidays introduces five new destinations
THE MALDIVES, Mauritius, Seychelles, Qatar and Türkiye are now available to book with Cyplon Holidays for 2025, with bolstered programmes in Spain, Italy and Tunisia.
Stephanie Robins, Cyplon Holidays' sales director, said the new additions "wouldn’t have been possible without the support from our trade friends... this expansion is a testament to our ongoing commitment to offering unparalleled holiday experiences
supported by our invaluable partnerships within the travel trade." Jerome Downer, product manager, added, "These additions perfectly complement our existing destinations, enhancing our diverse range of travel experiences."
The 2025 brochures, 'Cyprus & Greece' and 'The Collection' star the new destinations and expanded range.
www.cyplon.co.uk
movers shakers&
CELLET PR & Marketing has appointed Michelle MacBeth as head of trade development for the UK & Ireland.
LEE AINSWORTH has been promoted to head of strategy at The Advantage Travel Partnership. FRED. HOLIDAYS has recruited Joseph Grimley as head of sales for Pandaw.
27% of travellers set sights on Christmas markets
NEW ABTA data has revealed that 27% of winter holidaymakers are heading on a Christmas market break this year. The association's new Travel Trends for 2025 report revealed that Christmas market breaks have been reported as the third most popular holiday style this festive season, beaten only by city breaks and winter sun holidays.
Northern Lights trips come in fourth. The natural phenomenon's appearance across the UK throughout this year has evidently enticed guests to head and catch them 'in situ'. Nearly one in five (18%) will pursue the Aurora Borealis this winter, up from 16% in 2023. www.abta.com
Earn $10,000 commission on Virgin Voyages annual pass
RICHARD BRANSON & co. have announced a new $120,000 year-long cruise pass, allowing guests to sail on unlimited Virgin Voyages sailings for a year. Agents who book the pass can earn almost £8,000 in commission.
The annual pass is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with start
dates on January 1st, February 1st, March 1st or April 1st available for 2025. www.virginvoyages.com
Inspire My Holiday’s new lead gen tool
AGENTS CAN register to be listed in Inspire My Holiday's new ‘Find an Agent’ tool, which will see them included in relevant holiday search results in less than 10 minutes. Inspire My Holiday users will be able to search by holiday type, class of holiday, agent location and the destinations in which specific agents specialise. Going one step beyond the traditional store search function, search results will display individual retail agents with a bio and contact details. www.inspiremyholiday.com
WITH CRUISE sales for 2024 up 68% year-on-year, Carrier's new lookbook hopes to capitalise on the growth and equip agents with the knowledge and tools required to convince sceptics and continue selling to repeat cruise customers. Distinct chapters cover a range of cruise styles and destinations, from ocean cruising (a 'tried-andtested classic') to voyages to Antarctica (for the 'intrepid explorer' types). www.carrier.com
Theme Parks & Attractions A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD
Türkiye's first-ever Nickelodeon land, opening at The Land of Legends in Antalya next month, has been described as “a significant step forward for the Turkish tourism industry”
DUE TO open its gates on January 15th, 2025, Nickelodeon Land marks a significant expansion ahead of The Land of Legends’ 10th anniversary in 2026. For Rixos Hotels, the owner-operator of the park, however, it represents much more than that. A spokesperson for the brand said the new land “is a key project and investment” for Türkiye.
Get outside the Orlando theme park bubble
VISIT ORLANDO recently bolstered the Orlando Travel Academy with a module spotlighting the outdoor adventures on the doorstep of the city’s iconic theme parks.
The Outdoor Adventures Specialisation module features a comprehensive guide to eco-tours, wildlife habitats and animal encounter opportunities; an overview of the surrounding aquatic environments; interactive quizzes; and an Orlando Adventures Specialist badge upon completion. www.orlandotravelacademy.com
“The collaboration between The Land of Legends and Paramount Global’s Nickelodeon, one of the world’s biggest entertainment brands, reflects the growth of the Türkish hospitality and entertainment industry.”
Beyond the theme park, which will be home to three lands inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol and Star Trek: Prodigy, guests will also be welcomed at another Türkish first: the nation’s first and only Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts property. The spokesperson continued, “Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Antalya offers guests the opportunity to live out their dreams
and let the imagination run wild, all for an affordable price.
“A key differentiator for The Land of Legends is the fact guests staying at Rixos Properties in Antalya have complimentary, unlimited access to the theme park – taking away the additional cost of park admission and allowing guests to visit as frequently as they like.”
Naturally, Rixos is positioning The Land of Legends as a hub for family entertainment, but the spokesperson did note that “our target markets are of course expanding with this global brand joining our world.”
www.thelandoflegends.com/en/
Blackpool unveils 88-page destination guide
VISITBLACKPOOL’S NEW Destination Guide for 2025 spotlights all the new and returning attractions for the year ahead, from a new February half-term festival to musicals fresh off the West End. Agents can also get the lowdown on all of the town’s iconic attractions from Pleasure Beach to the Winter Gardens. www.visitblackpool.com/plan-your-trip/request-a-brochure/
Parc Astérix’s record milestone
THERE HAS been plenty to celebrate at Parc Astérix this year; as well as its 35th anniversary, the park set a new attendance record. 2.842 million guests passed through the park’s gates this year, up over 10,000 against 2023. Delphine Pons, the theme park’s general manager, said, “The continuing growth in our visitor numbers and the enthusiasm surrounding our new attractions are testament to the quality of our offer and our ability to renew ourselves.” www.parcasterix.fr
The London Pass turns silver
THIS YEAR marked the 25th anniversary of Go City’s inaugural product, The London Pass. Offering access to over 95 attractions in the capital, the pass still features 25 attractions from the original launch in 1999.
Jon Owen, Go City CEO, is looking forward to the next 25 years of “enhancing the traveller experience through new technologies and innovations.” www.gocity.com
US theme parks earn the largest share of Brits' favourite attractions
RESEARCH BY OnePoll, commissioned by Ocean Florida, has revealed the top 20 global attractions as voted for by Brits; eight of the top 10 were or are situated at theme parks across the pond.
Despite the Stateside dominance, Nemesis at Alton Towers took the top spot, favoured as the world's best theme park attraction by 12% of Brits. The Swarm at Thorpe Park and Vampire at Chessington World of Adventures rounded out the trio of top domestic attractions breaking into the top 20.
Six of the top 10 (and 13 of the top 20) attractions cement Florida, and Orlando specifically, as the theme park capital of the world. Those include iconic rides like Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom in Florida and Pirates of the Caribbean, found at Disneyland Park in California as well as the flagship Magic Kingdom.
said "It’s great to see the UK topping the poll... but the overwhelming presence of US attractions – particularly in Florida – highlights its status as the global epicentre of theme park entertainment.”
www.ocean-florida.co.uk
New heights at Kennedy
KENNEDY SPACE Center Visitor Complex’s iconic Launch Complex 39 gantry will be reimagined as 'The Gantry at LC-39', an interactive attraction within the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's neighbouring Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour will take guests to the transformed launch gantry, which offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding Space Center and its active launch pads.
Due to open early next year, The Gantry will include an Earth Information Centre (EIC), home to an immersive theatre show and digital displays and galleries; a Rocket Build Interactive experience to virtually build and launch rockets; a Launch Viewing Area to watch real rockets launch from Kennedy; several other interactive exhibits; and an outdoor dining area.
Therrin Protze, chief operating officer at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, said, "The Gantry at LC-39 is an exciting next step in our mission to inspire and educate the next generation of explorers.
"This new attraction brings the stories around NASA’s research to monitor our planet and innovative interactives to offer a deeper connection to the space programme through a unique and dramatic lens. This attraction will excite and educate all ages." www.kennedyspacecenter.com
Natalie Sexton, Ocean Florida's head of brand marketing,
A quarter of a century of seasonal celebrations at Efteling
EFTELING OPENED its gates for Winter Efteling for the first time on December 11th, 1999, meaning this festive season marks the 25th anniversary of the seasonal celebration.
Extensive renovations are currently ongoing at the park’s flagship Efteling Hotel, which will be renamed Efteling Wonder Hotel after the renovations are finished in April next year. Current renovations to the ground floor will complete the hotel’s refresh, which began with room refurbishments in 2021 and a makeover to the exterior in 2023. Nicole Scheffers, director of Efteling Parks & Resorts, said, “We wanted to position our very first hotel even more clearly. The Efteling Wonder Hotel stands out from our other overnight stay locations through strong theming.”
Along with the refresh to the park’s first hotel, a new property, The Efteling Grand Hotel, will open its doors in 2025. It will
mark the park’s largest hotel, with 140 rooms across seven floors, plus a pool with a spa, two restaurants, and two gift shops. Just in case the refreshed accommodation wasn’t enough to entice first-timers or return visitors, Danse Macabre, a first-of-its-kind ride full of dark twists and turns inspired by the music from which its name was born, also opened on Halloween this year.
www.efteling.com
A new park of Epic proportions
TICKETS FOR the hotly-anticipated Universal Epic Universe theme park at Universal Orlando Resort are now on sale.
In October, it was announced that the park will open its doors on May 22nd, 2025, featuring new areas inspired by Harry Potter, Nintendo and How To Train Your
Dragon.
For those looking to dive into the fun, a Universal 3-Park Explorer ticket, which includes a single-day admission to Universal Epic Universe, is available for £482 per adult and £472 per child. www.dosomethingdifferent.com
Fly to the Arctic, via Orlando
SEAWORLD ORLANDO has announced its latest attracton, a first-of-its-kind Arctic flying theatre. The attraction will see guests soar over icy landscapes, plunge into the depths of icecold waters, and get up-close with beluga whales, orcas, walruses and more. Jon Peterson, SeaWorld Orlando’s president, said the attraction offers guests “an unparalleled and immersive experience that will create lasting memories for people of all ages."
www.seaworldorlando.com
A NEW nighttime spectacular, Disney Tales of Magic, hopes to immerse guests in Disney Animation and Pixar’s iconic stories.
The 20-minute show will bring the magic to life with fireworks, fountain displays and projections, which all required over 17,500 hours of work. The show starts on January 10th, 2025.
www.disneylandparis.com
Disneyland Paris brings magic to life
Elvis’ story, all shook up
A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND experience is bringing Elvis Presley’s story to life in London next year with state-of-the-art AI, VR and holographic tech. JG Travel Group has opened sales on coach breaks to the capital, including admission to the Elvis Evolution experience, across the Just Go! Holidays, National Holidays and Omega Breaks brands. Coach breaks depart between June 15th and October 26th, 2025, with prices, leading in from £229 per person. www.justgoholidays.com/agents
Admission with a mission at Sea World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
LAST MONTH saw a new initiative elevate the guest experience at SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
The world’s largest indoor marine life theme park unveiled ‘Admission with a Mission’, which sees admission support marine protection efforts across the Arabian Gulf and the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center’s vital conservation work while elevating the guest experience with marine life education opportunities.
Rob Yordi, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s zoological vice president and general curator, said, “At SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, we strive to provide unique, family-friendly experiences that combine entertainment with education, but what is more important is our focus on marine conservation through the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center.
“Our new ‘Admission with a Mission’ initiative underlines our dedication to
TRAVEL BULLETIN was lucky enough to be invited along to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi for the Formula 1 Grand Prix this month! A round of golf at the Yas Links Golf Course, a visit to Ferrari World and a day at the races showcased the very best of the burgeoning resort!
marine life conservation and environmental protection. Every guest who comes through our doors will be making a positive difference to our conservation efforts.” www.seaworldabudhabi.com
BLUE DIAMOND SPLASHES THE CASH
AGENTS ACROSS the UK & Ireland will earn double awards this peaks period with Blue Diamond’s new offer, including the chance to win a place on a Caribbean FAM trip next year. Agents can earn up to £40 for each logged booking for select destinations in the chain’s portfolio.
The Peaks campaign will run until March 31st, 2025, meaning agents can
MSC announces allinclusive wave promotion
ALL-INCLUSIVE 2025 holidays are on offer this wave period with MSC Cruises’ new promotion. Travellers can set sail from £699 per person across range of departures from March to November 2025 across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
take advantage of the extra cash rewards for the next three months. For the first 10 confirmations, agents will earn £20 for each booking. That cash reward will then double to £40 for each logged booking from number 11 onwards.
To benefit from a more focused selling period, each month will spotlight a different destination and offer varied double rewards, with December dedicated to Saint Lucia and logged bookings made for seven-night stays at Royalton Saint Lucia and Hideaway at Royalton Saint Lucia. In January, the focus will shift to Grenada when all logged bookings made for seven-night stays at Royalton Grenada will receive double cash prizes. Information about
the dedicated destinations for February and March will follow in the new year. Louisa Smith, business development manager, UK & Ireland, said, “We are delighted to be able to bring such strong reward bonuses to agents during peaks 2025. Our commitment to the travel trade across the UK & Ireland is always a driving force and we hope that everyone is able to make the most of these fabulous peaks offers.”
Not only will agents receive double cash rewards during the peaks period, but will also be in with a chance of winning a spot on one of Blue Diamond’s 2025 Caribbean FAM trips. Each logged booking equates to one entry into the prize draw. www.bluediamondrewards.com
Blue Diamond Resorts is offering double cash rewards for each logged booking this Peaks period. £4,000 reasons to sail with Silversea
Antonio Paradiso, managing director for UK & Ireland, said, “This special offer presents irresistible discounts on a huge range of 2025 sailings, providing customers with the opportunity to say yes to more thanks to our best all-inclusive cruise deals.”
The Wave Sale will run until March 31st, 2025. www.msccruises.co.uk
AVAILABLE ACROSS more than 500 voyages, Silversea has launched its wave campaign ‘Up to £4,000 Reasons to Sail with Silversea’. The offer provides savings of up to £4,000 per suite or up to £2,000 per guests on Door-to-Door and Port-to-Port AllInclusive fares. The campaign is now live and will run until February 28th, 2025. The offer is not valid on World Cruises, Grand Voyages and Special Combination Cruises. www.silversea.com
The Villa Collection increases rewards
THE VILLA Collection has increased its rewards this peaks for all new bookings made between January and March 2025. For each booking made, agents will earn a minimum of £30 when they log their bookings into The Villa Collection’s rewards platform.
The company has also introduced new reward bands for high-end bookings. Agents can now earn up to £250 per booking for holidays valued at over £100,000. www.thevillacollection.com
Princess cuts prices for wave campaign
PRINCESS’ ‘COME Aboard’ Wave Sale allows guests to the reserve their voyage from £50 and features discounted fares from £499 per person for a sevennight Eastern Caribbean cruise. All 17 of Princess’ fleet are featured in the sale, including the cruise line’s brand-new vessel Star Princess who will make her debut in the autumn of 2025. The campaign will run until March 3rd, 2025. www.princess.com
Grab up to $1,000 in onboard credit with Azamara
AZAMARA MAKES a splash this wave season by offering up to $1,000 in onboard credit per stateroom on select 2025 sailings. Travellers can also take advantage of the ‘Always Azamara’ inclusions valued at £3,500, featuring complimentary room service, a vast array of food and alcoholic beverages, unlimited self-service laundry facilities and gratuities.
Some of the itineraries included in the offer are the 13-night ‘Japan Intensive Voyage’, the 11-night ‘Gems of the Adriatic & Aegean Voyage’, and the 12-night
‘Northern Cities Voyage’.
It is not only the guests who will benefit from this wave period, but agents will be rewarded for their efforts as well.
David Duff, managing director at Azamara, said, “We deeply value the hard work and dedication of our travel agent partners. As part of our commitment to rewarding their efforts and to kickstart the wave period, I’m thrilled to announce that starting January 1st, 2025, we’ll be doubling our Azamara Rewards booking uplift to £20 per booking.” www.azamara.com
Living the holiday dream with Celestyal
CELESTYAL IS encouraging guests to ‘Live Your Vacation Dream’ in its new campaign offering 50% savings and bonus credit available on all bookings made by February 28th, 2025.
The new campaign features savings of up to 50% across 2025, 2026 and early 2027 programmes. Guests can also enjoy bonus credit of up to $100 per person pre-loaded onto each of the guests’ CelestyalPay – a prepaid food and drink tab used aboard the vessel.
The 50% savings are available across a wide range of itineraries, including the seven-night ‘Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia’ cruise from £589 per person; the seven-night ‘Idyllic Greece’ sailing from £589 per person; and the three-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ voyage from £279 per person. Alongside the campaign, Celestyal will also run a special ‘Sell Three, Sail Free’ incentive where every three ‘Iconic Arabia’ or ‘Desert Days’ sailings sold, agents will be eligible for a free cruise for themselves. Bookings must be made by February 28th, 2025.
Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer, said, “Our new campaign invites guests to ‘Live Your Vacation Dream’, showcasing our destination-focused itineraries and irresistible on-board offerings [...] there is something to suit all tastes and budgets.” www.celestyal.com
Inspire ‘That Just Booked Feeling’ this turn-of-year
THE ADVANTAGE Travel Partnership is brightening up the post-Christmas period with ‘That Just Booked Feeling’, its peaks campaign, which kicks off on December 28th, 2024 and runs until the end of February 2025.
Members can make the most of a whole host of customisable marketing assets, ready-made offers, point of sale screens and, in an Advantage first, AI-generated visuals reflecting diverse holiday tastes and demands.
Forecasting the upcoming peaks period, David suggested that 2023's performance left the Partnership with one question: "How long can this last? We went into peaks last year without knowing how well it was going to perform, and it did perform well, particularly on revenue... last year was very much positioned on value, but this year it is less about the value or the deal, and more
about trying to encourage booking now. "From my point of view, the crux of it is to try and make the best of what is a golden opportunity: if the sales come, then great, but if not, there is still an opportunity, from a travel agent point of view, to capture the attention of an audience and grow their business long-term."
#ThatJustBookedFeeling runs until February 28th, 2025.
www.advantagemembers.com
FAM TRIP places, double rewards and spot prizes are on offer throughout Playa Hotels & Resorts' peaks campaign.
Six places are on offer on Playa's fam trips next year to the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Every booking logged via the Playa Rewards platform will be entered into
the prize draw, with the winners chosen at random. Bookings made and logged by March 31st, 2025 are valid for entry. Double Playa Points rewards are also on offer with bookings to several of the brand's destinations & properties. www.playarewards.com
RIVIERA TRAVEL is returning to its ever-fruitful peaks campaign with £30 vouchers for every booking confirmed between January 1st and February 28th, 2025. Select itineraries earn a double reward of £60.
Along with the £30 reward guarantee, all bookings made will be entered into a weekly prize draw for a £1000 preloaded Mastercard credit card. Free upgrades are also on offer for select October 2025 departures. www.rivieratravel.co.uk
Contiki’s tradeexclusive saving
CONTIKI’S ‘BIG Travel Sale’ lives up to its name; the peak period discounts offer up to 20% on worldwide trips, plus an extra 5% for European summer trips booked by agents. In total, more than 80 trips across six continents are eligible for the savings.
Savings are on offer between December 26th, 2024 and February 4th, 2025. www.agents.ttc.com/login
Riviera’s rave rewards
Playa’s peaks
Weddings & honeymoons
AISLES TO ADVENTURES
to Explore reveals the changing trends for honeymoons.
SPECIALSIT TOUR operator Love to Explore has taken a closer look into the evolving honeymoon market and has revealed some of the top trends newlyweds should take into consideration while planning their special getaway.
Gone are the days of enjoying a laidback romantic break as couples are seeking more adventure after their nuptials. Combining adventure with relaxation is the way forward according to the operator, with Kenya and the Seychelles currently residing in the top spot for trending destinations next year after 40% of honeymoon bookings include an African safari and a beach break in the Indian Ocean.
Ludo Bennet-Jones, founder of Love to Explore, said, “Honeymoons in 2025 are
all about blending adventure with luxury, and few combinations do it better than Kenya and the Seychelles. As couples seek more exclusive, off-the-beaten-path experiences, these destinations offer a mix of thrill and tranquillity.”
Spending patterns for honeymoons have notably shifted in recent years, with budgets now averaging around the £10,000 mark for 11-night itineraries, reflecting the ongoing trend across the industry for more luxurious stays for a longer amount of time.
Some of the operator’s bespoke honeymoon packages on offer include a nine-night option combining Kenya and the Seychelles where the happy couple will spend one night in Nairobi before heading to the luxurious Hemingways Ol Seki camp in the Naboisho Conservancy
IT IS not long now until guests can take their happy ever after to the high seas with Virgin Voyages as the cruise line’s bespoke wedding packages are set for launch in April 2025. The three packages available, ‘You, Me, and the Sea’, ‘Soulmates Set Sail’, and ‘Wedding on the Waves’ offer everything from intimate I do’s to a party for the ages. www.virginvoyages.com
in Greater Mara for three nights. Guests will experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be up close and personal with lions, wild dogs, elephants, giraffes, leopards and cheetahs. To end the romantic getaway, the newlyweds will spend five nights at the Constance Elphelia on Mahe in the Seychelles, offering both tranquillity and a sense of adventure for honeymooners. Prices lead in from £6,685 per person. www.lovetoexplore.com
NESTLED IN the heart of Ibiza, Atzaro
Agroturismo Hotel offers an idyllic setting for guests who wish to tie the knot in a wonderland of orange groves and flower-strewn gardens.
Combining romantic luxury with rustic charm, the hotel provides a magical atmosphere for outdoor ceremonies as well as a calming and tranquil environment in the suites and spa to help the guests rejuvenate before the big day. After the vows have been said and the rings exchanged, the hotel opens The Chill area to provide an intimate space for dancing and an open bar to celebrate the night away. www.atzaro.com
Love
Virgin brings the vows to the high seas
Rustic romance in Ibiza
Create a love story to remember in Baros
AS ONE of the most decorated awardwinners for romantic getaways, Baros Resort in the Maldives paints a perfect picture for every milestone in a couple’s life, from getting down on one knee to relaxing in paradise for the honeymoon.
When it comes to that magical moment to say ‘I do’, Baros makes it a priority to ensure every couple feel special on their big day with the help of the on-island wedding planner. Whether the happy couple would prefer a beach ceremony or a private terrace under the stars, the resort can offer the dream location to add the cherry on top of the wedding cake.
Since 2022, the resort has witnessed the matrimony of 34 couples. All weddings which take place on the island of Milaidhoo include a personlised touch thanks to the wedding co-ordinator, a bridal bouquet, ceremonial wedding decorations, traditional Maldivian drummers and more.
Once the ceremony is over, Baros offers a ‘Perfect Honeymoon’ package which features romantic experiences including the opportunity for the couple to name a star together. The newlyweds will also receive complimentary 60-minute spa treatments for two, a private three-course candlelit dinner on the deck of their villa, and a romantic bath setting with rose petals, scented oils and a bottle of champagne. www.baros.com
Honeymooners head for Hawaii
HAWAII TOPS the charts as the most indemand honeymoon destination according to Google search results, securing an average of 12,273 monthly searches for honeymoon-related terms in the Aloha State.
Next in the ranks is the idyllic destination
of Greece with average monthly searches sitting at 8,401, followed by Bora Bora (7,463 monthly searches), Italy (7,428 monthly searches) and the Maldives (6,477 monthly searches). Other popular destinations include Costa Rica, Bali, the Caribbean, Saint Lucia and Thailand.
Say ‘I do’ to the perfect scent
VELAS RESORTS is letting guests customise their own wedding scent with the introduction of the ‘Scent Your Love Story’ experience. Velas will curate bespoke signature fragrances to add the final touch to the magical day The happy couple will begin with a consultation with the scent designer who will diffuse the wedding venue with the chosen aroma before the couple can take home the unique gift as a wedding favour.
www.velasweddings.com
Pop the question in style with Jumeirah
NOT ONLY does Jumeirah’s global portfolio offer bespoke luxury for all travellers, but for those looking to pop the lifechanging question they have a number of idyllic locations to choose from. For example, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray offers a ‘Million Dirham Proposal’ experience while Jumeirah Mallorca offers an enchanting setting to get down on one knee. www.jumeirah.com
WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS
Jet off for a destination wedding of your dreams
IN ASSOCIATION with Perfect Weddings Abroad, Jet2holidays is ready to walk down the aisle towards its new product: Jet2Weddings.
The new product will offer over 35 wedding venues in Cyprus with properties in Limassol, Pissouri, Paphos, Coral Bay, Aphrodite Hills, Protaras, Nissi Bay and Ayia Napa.
Guests will be able to book their destination wedding through both Jet2holidays and Perfect Weddings Abroad, with the operator providing the package holidays while the wedding specialists take care of the ceremony.
Jet2Weddings will offer a variety of wedding options to suit all customer needs, including all-inclusive hotel weddings, ceremonies on the
beachfront, weddings for guests on a budget, luxury events, winter sun options, family-friendly services and adult-only celebrations.
Three wedding packages are available to the happy couples –Classic, Deluxe and Ultimate, allowing the happy couple to find the perfect fit for their big day. www.jet2.com
Let love bloom in the Maldives
VALENTINE’S DAY is approaching at a rapid rate and Nova Maldives is offering couplesthe chance to reconnect with nature in its 2025 programme ‘Love in Full Bloom’. The programme offers the perfect opportunity for honeymooners to combine a romantic retreat with unforgettable adventures like private night dives among whale sharks, a guided marine biodiversity tour and a personalised underwater GoPro photoshoot to capture memories that will last a lifetime. www.nova-maldives.com
Sum up the year in three words.
Jeanette Ratcliffe Publisher jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Travel folk’re awesome!
Simon Eddolls Sales Director simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Train, train, train.
Sarah Terry Senior Account Manager sarah.terry@travelbulletin.co.uk Fab all-round.
Tim Podger Account Manager - Far East tim@travelbulletin.co.uk Kind, content, smile.
Matthew Hayhoe Editor matthew.hayhoe@travelbulletin.co.uk So very busy!
Melissa Paddock Events Coordinator melissa.paddock@travelbulletin.co.uk Top tier stuff!
Holly Brown Events Coordinator holly.brown@travelbulletin.co.uk Same old stuff.
Leah Kelly Acting Deputy Editor leah.kelly@travelbulletin.co.uk Social media gold!
Areti Sarafidou Events Coordinator areti.sarafidou@travelbulletin.co.uk
What a year!
