Travel Bulletin 14th August 2020

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August 14 2020 | ISSUE NO 3,154 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Giving agents the edge

AGENT INSIGHT

AGENT BULLETIN

BULLETIN BRIEFING

FESTIVE BREAKS

Sandra Murray on booking with confidence

Incentives and training opportunties for Australasia

Not Just Travel’s Cherie Richards on mental health

Christmas market trips for shopping and sightseeing

ROMANTIC ESCAPES

Cover pic : Adobe Stock

A new era for weddings and honeymoons

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NEWS BULLETIN

AUGUST 14 2020 | travelbulletin.co.uk

THIS WEEK 04

TESTING TIMES Compulsory pre-flight testing for COVID-19 could have a positive impact on travellers booking with confidence, according to new research. Georgia Lewis reports.

NEWS BULLETIN The latest news from across the travel industry, locally, regionally and internationally

06 AGENT INSIGHT Sandra Murray shares some optimism, along with event news, for UK travel agents

COVID-19 testing is seen by many UK travellers as important for booking with confidence.

07 AGENT BULLETIN Incentives plus top training opportunities for Australasia

08 BULLETIN BRIEFING Cherie Richards writes her first column for us in her new role with Not Just Travel

10 WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS Romantic escapes for two

GRAPHIC IMAGES of coronavirus tests, which have been seen on social media and news broadcasts, have not put travellers off booking holidays. Indeed, the opposite may be true, according to research by travel sector research specialists BVA BDRC. The research found that compulsory pre-flight testing for air travellers and airline staff would have a significant impact on consumer confidence that it is safe to fly and this, in turn, would have a positive effect on the likelihood of British travellers booking flights.

Major findings of the study included 62% of UK adults saying that such a testing protocol would increase their confidence that it would be safe to fly, compared with

15% saying that it would decrease their confidence.

Nearly half of all adults surveyed (49%) said that such a facility would increase their likelihood to book, while 16% said that it would decrease their likelihood to book – in the knowledge that a positive test would prevent them from flying.

Furthermore, when the results were filtered on active air travellers (those who have booked a flight since the start of 2020), the proportion saying that a testing facility would increase their likelihood to book rose to 68%.

The study also found that 85% of adults agreed they would be willing in principle to share their test results with public health authorities to help track rates of infection and, for those

testing positive, to ensure support during the recovery period.

“A number of different approaches to testing for air travellers are being floated, many with the primary aim of minimising infection rates from inbound travellers to the UK. However, our research underlines the scale of the challenge facing the aviation and travel industry – in the absence of a vaccine, radical solutions will be needed to get British travellers flying again,” commented Matt Costin, managing director, BVA BDRC. “Conceptually, the appeal of a pre-flight check is the dual impact on both safety and traveller confidence that they will not contract the virus while on a flight or in the airport.”

14 CHRISTMAS MARKETS Opportunities for festive fun at the end of the year

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

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NEWS BULLETIN

AUGUST 14 2020 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Aviation expert offers long-term optimism for airlines despite warning from British Airways COMMENTING ON the warning from British Airways that demand will not recover until 2023, Professor Loizos Heracleous, an aviation industry expert at Warwick Business School, said, "Airlines may have finally resumed flights, but they continue to face a number of challenges. Airlines have been forced to conserve cash to survive, cutting flights, reducing their workforce, and postponing capital investment.”

However, the professor offered some good news:

“For example, airlines will benefit from lower oil prices.

Social habits like the urge to travel, have not changed despite the pandemic and lockdown. If any way to control the virus, through testing, treatment or a vaccine, can be found, the industry should be back to pre-pandemic levels within two to three years.”

“Aviation is too essential to wither. It is here to stay and

the market system is resilient enough to ensure the industry thrives after this temporary setback," he said.

“If a way to control the global pandemic could be found, the demand for flights are likely to get recovered in the next three years. Ways to control the virus need to be found soon in order to combat with the losses.

This is a time of difficulty for everyone to work together towards a better future along with keeping safety and security as the top priority.”

Intrepid runs first tour since lockdown DESPITE COVID-19, Intrepid Travel has officially departed on its first tour since March 2020.

On August 6, six UK travellers, departed from Athens on Intrepid Travel’s new five-day Greece Retreat: Syros Island tour. The trip is part of the newly launched product range, Intrepid Retreats, where groups immerse themselves in one location, in handpicked accommodation ranging from small boutique properties to glamping.

“The fact our first trip is to Syros, and not somewhere like Santorini, shows our commitment to combatting mass tourism,” said James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel.

Airlines will continue to face a number of challenges.

Pure Grenada invites tailored holidays Just-For-You PURE GRENADA, Just-For-You is the new lifestyle campaign launched by the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) to showcase the varied bespoke offerings to be enjoyed while observing safety and wellbeing in the three-island destination of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

For the phased reopening of borders, the Ministry of Health and the GTA have trained and certified more than 1,800 tourism industry stakeholders recently across accommodation, attractions, food and beverage, tourism services including marinas, tourism transportation such

as airport taxis and water sports.

GTA CEO Patricia Maher said: “Grenada provides travellers with a dynamic variety of boutique accommodation and hospitality services that range from approved certified hotels, apartments and villas to casual and fine dining restaurants. The added bonus of the small islands’ unspoiled tropical surroundings and uncrowded white sandy beaches makes it easy for us to say Pure Grenada, Just-For-You.” www.puregrenada.com

Intrepid ran its second tour on August 7, the four-day Cycle the Peak District, another new product developed in response to the global pandemic.

It has also introduced a Flexible Bookings policy, which permits changes to travel plans 21 days before a scheduled departure.

Travellers want to travel: European Waterways DESPITE HEALTH concerns, travel industry will rebound in 2021 because travellers are "unquestionably optimistic" about the future, says European Waterways, a hotel barge cruising specialist. They report that more than 90% of customers whose cruises were cancelled rebooked for a future date.

Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways said, “For many people, hotel barge cruising is an once-in-a-lifetime experience, and they want to do it at the first opportunity they get.”

European Waterways is offering a “Book with Confidence” policy for flexible rescheduling and a 10% off in advance bookings for 2021.

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NEWS BULLETIN

AUGUST 14 2020 | travelbulletin.co.uk

BoB Earth’s aid to businesses affected by COVID-19 BUSINESS OF Brand (BoB) has launched the #UniteonPurpose campaign which has brought together more than 1,200 business from around the world to support the industries and businesses impacted by COVID-19, through training and professional advice, including travel businesses.

As a part of the initiative, the L&D foundation, set up

by BoB, is gifting 100 places on the BoB Earth platform, to people and businesses around the world, including the UK, who would not be able to access them otherwise and start their own businesses.

The campaign #help100 will support businesses through a training programme, and will run through an entire year, shaping 21st-century,

Linzi Boyd, founder of BoB Earth, wants to train the businesses which wouldn't receive the means for learning and development otherwise

thinking and innovation to transition through a challenging period. At present 144 businesses are going through the L&D Recovery programme, and BoB intends to gift 16,000 more such places to drive the value of purpose within

businesses.

“The BoB school L&D Recovery program has been invaluable during the lockdown. It has ensured that our focus remains firmly fixed on the future, while making sense of the turmoil in the present.The development path, built upon economic realism and creative flair, has refined our strategy and purpose on creating connections that deliver exceptional travel experiences,” said David Langdown, PTA Travel.

“This is just the beginning,” said Linzi Boyd, founder of BoB and BoB Earth. “We want to encourage businesses to come and join the quiet revolution and help 100 businesses during this difficult period by sharing our knowledge,” she added.

A romantic getaway in Northern Ireland STENA LINE ferry services has come up with holiday packages for couples in the seaside towns, mountains or the countryside of Northern Ireland, priced between £249 to £379 per person; with a car ride to Belfast via Cairnryan or Liverpool included.

The seaside town of Bangor is a short drive from Belfast and offers a chance to enjoy the sea air, with long walks through the promenade and a two-night stay at the Salty Dog Hotel & Bistro, along with a full Irish breakfast. The self-catering accommodation at Cordia Services Apartments in Belfast comes for £269 per person, while The Marine Hotel in County Antrim, Ballycastle, at £295 comes second only to the five-star room service at the Peartree Hill, with an á la carte breakfast, and the green hillsides of Ireland as the background, at £309

Back to the future: Adelaide trip in three days in 2021 THE SOUTH Australian tourism board released a statement about inter-state border closures. “We don’t know when the borders will re-open and international tourists will be able to visit us again. However, we know from our industry partners in the UK, that demand for Australia is still high and that British travellers are planning big trips for 2021.

South Australians across the state are looking forward to welcoming back visitors from the UK and sharing their wildlife, beaches and wineries,” the statement said.

UK tourists can plan a South Australian trip in 2021, with itineraries which will introduce some of the major tourist attractions of Adelaide, through road trips, such as The Adelaide Botanic Garden, the Penfolds Magill Estate, well known as the birthplace of the Penfolds Grange wine and The Commonwealth Bank Roof Climb Adelaide Oval, which offers a 360-degree view of Adelaide, its coastline and the foothills. A swim with the dolphins at Glenelg will round off the trip. www.southaustralia.com

per person. To enjoy quality time with your special someone, amid breathtaking landscapes of the Mourne mountains or the Irish sea side of Newcastle, the deluxe resort of Slieve Donard Resort & Spa offers impressive services, complete with a golf club and pampering session, which comes at £379 per person, on a double sharing basis.

Lisbon’s newest attraction is historically fishy THE LISBON tourism board (Turismo de Lisboa) has announced the opening of the Interpretative Centre of the History of Cod in the waterfront area of Terreiro do Paço in the Portuguese capital. The centre recreates an immersive experience of the challenges faced by the fishermen and the famous ship Creoula, which is considered part of Portugal’s legendary white fleet, and invites visitors to contribute newer recipes of consuming the fish. Visitors learn about the story of cod (bacalhau) from the fishermen, who left their families to embark on a fishing voyage of the icy seas of Newoundland and Greenland in the 15th century and ways to cook cod. www.historiabacalhau.pt

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NEWS BULLETIN

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Airlines remain cautiously ambitious as routes reopen

AGENT

INSIGHT

SANDRA MURRAY NORMANTON, YORKSHIRE JUST AS you think nothing else could happen in the travel industry this year, a Japanese ship runs aground in Mauritius, causing a huge oil spill in the Indian Ocean, and the explosion in Beirut caused unbelievable damage and led to many deaths. It was felt as far away as Cyprus, which must have been frightening. Closer to home, 166 TUI stores are set to close, Hays, Travelex and BA have made staff redundant. It feels like a tsunami racing through the industry, but everyone needs to stay positive.

The good news is that some people are still booking and thinking about holidays, a lot of shops have reopened, there are plenty of travel agents doing great things from home, and quite a lot of people are now coming off furlough.

Right now, we need everyone to be positive and not always talk about the bad news.

I’m fed up with seeing so much bad news, especially on Facebook – let’s get social media loaded with the many good and happy things happening at the moment.

It’s time to move forward – that’s why I have booked my flights to Crete for August 31 with Jet2.

I’ll be departing from Birmingham because they had some great fares and I can’t wait.

In events news, ABTA has launched its latest programme of regional business meetings, which start on September 15 in the south and run until October 29, concluding with Northern Ireland. There are 11 meetings in the programme which are free for members. I am sure the meetings will be invaluable in helping agents to find a path through this crisis. Check their website for further details about meetings in your area.

And finally, I’d like to remind you all that the Yorkshire Travel Ball has moved to November 19. It will still be held at the Village Hotel at Junction 28, M62, South Leeds. The animal charities are desperate because of the effects of COVID-19, so we don’t want to let them down. Email me at s.murray922@btinternet.com for information.

AIRLINES ARE keen to get their planes back in the skies after the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on revenues.

On August 31, LOT Polish Airlines will be resuming its service between London City Airport and Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.

The service will initially run up to 12 services a week. The airline has already restarted flights between Heathrow and Warsaw.

Jet2.com will resume its flights and holidays programme to Cyprus from August 17, with flights to Larnaca. On August 18, the company will resume flights to Paphos. Flights will depart from Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle.

From August 16, Emirates will be restarting its flights to Toronto on the A380, travelling via the airline’s hub airport in Dubai. The airline is boosting capacity on routes to Pakistan by increasing its services to Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, and Sialkot; and resuming passenger services to Peshawar. COVID19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving to Dubai.

Elsewhere in the UAE, Etihad is reopening individual markets, and the airline aims to fly to 61 destinations worldwide from its Abu Dhabi hub, operating approximately 50% of its pre-COVID capacity. The plan is to resume these routes throughout August and September, subject to the lifting of international restrictions and the re-opening of borders.

Manchester Airport has announced the resumption of a number of routes. These include Air Malta restarting its service to Malta; easyJet flying to Lanzarote and Menorca again; and SAS Scandinavian Airlines resuming flights to Stockholm.

Additionally, the Escape Lounges in Terminals 1 and 2 have

reopened for passengers, albeit with restricted opening hours.

“We are thrilled to see a number of further routes resuming this week, continuing a recent positive trend, and providing passengers with even greater choice as we enter the busiest part of the summer holiday season,” said Karen Smart, Manchester Airport’s managing director.

Stobart Air, operator of Aer Lingus Regional, will introduce the Edinburgh-Belfast City service on August 27 with up to three flights a day on a ATR72-600 aircraft. It brings the number of services operated from Edinburgh by Stobart Air to four – Dublin, Cork, Shannon, as well as Belfast City.

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AUGUST 14 2020 | travelbulletin.co.uk

AGENT TRAINING

AGENT TRAINING TRAVEL BULLETIN has launched the Australasian Training Hub with a great selection of courses, with prizes to be won by agents who take part by watching the suppliers’ videos. Prizes on offer include black pearls and coffee from the Cook Islands, a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle of Sydney Harbour from Destination NSW, a goodie bag including sunglasses and mini travel speakers from Australia’s Northern Territory, a coconut box set from the Body Shop from Beautiful Samoa, and a chocolate hamper and GoPro HERO7 from Tourism Australia.

To find out more about the training hub, go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/austraininghub

CELEBRATING AGENTS... Last month saw the launch of the first-ever National Travel Agents Day UK (NTADUK) and it was so successful, the day will become an annual event.

Agents took part in a host of activities and competitions.

Hays Travel agent Aaron Petty won a place on Intrepid’s new Morocco Retreat after his colleagues nominated him for giving outstanding support to customers during the pandemic, as well helping to care for his foster siblings.

Intrepid’s EMEA managing director, Zina Bencheikh, said, "After such a tough few months, agents told us the day gave them a real morale boost and a positive message to share with their clients. We already have lots of ideas of how we can make next year’s National Travel Agent Day even bigger and better!”

AGENT INCENTIVES ● IF ONLY... and AMResorts have launched the ‘Beyond Your Wildest Dreams’ campaign, which includes offers and booking incentives for travel agents at two new properties at the Dreams Resorts & Spas group. The two agents who book the most room nights with If Only... at Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana and Dreams Natura Resort & Spa will win a £500 shopping voucher. The incentive runs until September 30 and winning agents will be selected at the beginning of October 2020, with results posted on the If Only... Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ifonlyholidays/ ● EXPEDIA IS launching a new incentive programme for UK travel agents to help maximise their commission in the wake of COVID-19. Through its Travel Agent Affiliate Program (Expedia TAAP) agents will be able to earn up to 42% more in booking revenue as the industry starts to see signs of recovery. The scheme is available to both existing Expedia TAAP partners that haven’t used Expedia TAAP for some time, and new sign-ups. For more information, go to www.expediapartnersolutions.com/ ● THE ARIZONA Office of Tourism’s wine giveaway is continuing until the end of August, courtesy of Dos Cabezas WineWorks, one of the US state’s best-known wineries. Agents who complete all five e-learning modules of ‘Arizona from A-Z’ will be entered into the prize draw to win one of nine bottles of wine. The competition closes on August 31. For more information about the competition and course, go to www.arizonafromatoz.co.uk./win

DESTINATION CANADA has launched a new Canada Specialist training portal. The one-stop shop for e-learning pulls together various training schemes of Commercial, Provincial, City and Territory Partners.

Initially, agents will find training programmes from Air Canada, Rocky Mountaineer, Vancouver, Montreal, Ontario and Alberta. The site links to virtual Canada (attractions, landmarks and festivals) and the latest videos.

A new webinar series called ‘Canada All Stars’ features filmed interviews with some of Canada’s biggest travel industry fans.

To find out more, go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/travelgym/destination-training

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BULLETIN BRIEFING

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Industry insight by...

Cherie Richards, the chief business development officer at Not Just Travel, and its sister arm, The Travel Franchise, shares some personal news with an important message.

WELL, WHAT a whirlwind few months we have all had!

I hope you are taking care of yourselves during these challenging times.

I wanted to use this, my first column for Travel Bulletin in my new role as chief businsess development officer with Not Just Travel, to share with you my experience of starting afresh in the middle of a pandemic.

As many of you will know already, I worked for Global Travel for 15 years and I loved my job, so I knew the announcement that I was moving to pastures new would come as a bit of a shock to many people in the travel industry.

Major life changes Last year, my personal circumstances changed a lot. I spilt up with my husband and became a single mum to my footballmad five-year-old.

What would have been normal to me in my previous world, was now causing me worry.

My daily commute of 100 miles a day, leaving home when my son woke up and arriving home when he was going to bed, was now not as sustainable as before. It

My friend said you have to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others was a very personal decision but I knew I had to make changes so I could be there for him.

The importance of mental healthcare The reason I’m sharing this personal news is that I want

you to know that it’s OK not to be OK sometimes.

We are all going through a period of major change right now – whether that’s personal or professional or, for some of us, both.

This year has been a challenge for everyone, and

behind all our strong exteriors we all have things that are worrying us.

A good friend of mine used a great travel analogy to describe the importance of looking after ourselves as well as others.

I’m sure we can all relate to her analogy, even those of us who haven’t been able to get on a plane for a while. She said, “You have to put on your own oxygen mask first.”

It’s so true – we all need to take the time to make sure we are OK and check in with ourselves – and then we can help other people.

As a Mental Health First Aider, this is something I feel extremely passionate about – it’s OK not to be OK sometimes, and to reach out to friends, family and colleagues for support.

Looking ahead Please know that we will get through this tough time with the support of each other – we will keep going.

The travel industry is filled with the most wonderful and inspiring people. We look out for each other and support each other and together we will get through this. We stand strong, we stand together.

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PUZZLE BULLETIN

AUGUST 14 2020 | travelbulletin.co.uk

SUDOKU

Win a £50 M&S voucher in the Su Doku prize puzzle A 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:

B

competition@travelbulletin.co.uk

C

Closing date for entries is Thursday, August 27th.

Solution and new puzzle will appear next issue.

The winner for July 31st is Jane Peacock from Lincolnshire Co-op Travel.

D

July 31st Solution: A=5 B=3 C=7 D=2

?

I M A E WHER

This popular southern hemisphere ski resort is known by the country’s first inhabitants as ‘Opuke’, which means ‘place of the hill’. The ski season here runs from June to October and offers a variety of slopes to suit all levels of skill.

Across

Down

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Family friendly P&O cruise ship (5) Bonnie who had a hit with Total Eclipse of the Heart (5) European language (7) Girl band, Little ___ (3) Capital of Greenland (4) Currency of Mexico (4) Latvia's historic capital city (4) Blarney Castle is close to this city (4) Norwich international airport code (3) South American country (7) Short electronic message (5) No cars are allowed on this pretty Saronic island (5)

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Recent FA Cup winners (7) Major car hire company (4) Scenic lake surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains (5) African river (7) Male name, sounds good enough for a king (3) Country on the Black Sea (7) Pakistan International Airlines, initially (3) Capital of Indonesia (7) Flemish city (5) First name of Welsh actress who co-wrote Gavin & Stacey (4) Narita (Tokyo) international airport code (3)

Mystery Word: AMERICA Where am I? - Mount Hutt, New Zealand Solution: Across: 1. AZURA, 3. TYLER, 6. SPANISH, 7. MIX, 8. NUUK, 10. PESO, 12. RIGA, 14. CORK, 16. NWI, 17. ECUADOR, 18. TWEET, 19. HYDRA. Down: 1. ARSENAL, 2. AVIS, 3. TAHOE, 4. LIMPOPO, 5. REX, 9. UKRAINE, 10. PIA, 11. JAKARTA, 13. GHENT, 15. RUTH, 16. NRT.

CROSSWORD

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

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WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS

THE NEW ROMANTICS Weddings and honeymoons were among the many things that changed when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. But even with the so-called new normal, agents can help happy couples.

SOCIAL DISTANCING and disrupted travel plans are among the factors that have hampered many a wedding and honeymoon in 2020.

Whether clients were getting married in the UK or planning a destination wedding, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen guestlists cut down and weddings and honeymoons postponed or cancelled.

This, in turn, has kept travel agents busy during the pandemic trying to keep couples happy, even if their dream weddings had to be scaled back or rebooked.

Expedia's Summer of Britain study found that 23% of COVID-affected trips booked in 2020 were for special occasions, and of these, 82% were wedding-related, equating to an estimated six million travellers.

The good news for agents is that while nearly 75,000 weddings were cancelled between March 23 and July 3, the enthusiasm for getting married remains strong.

Wedding planning website Bridebook estimates that 80% of venues are already booked for popular summer dates in 2021. In July, Kuoni reported that inquiries about honeymoons were on the rise again.

Kuoni has seen more couples asking about taking a shorter “mini-moon” this year to a destination such as Italy, Greece or Spain, followed by a romantic longhaul holiday in 2021 or 2022, with many hotels keen to entice couples with addedvalue upgrade offers.

Derek Jones, CEO of Kuoni, commented on the new trends: “Weddings are

now back on albeit in a smaller way for now – and so is the honeymoon as couples start to re-organise their special day. Alongside that, we’re helping more and more couples each week plan what is essentially the most important holiday of their lifetime and the past week has shown a clear upswing in demand and a renewed confidence to go ahead and book.”

The Aruba Tourism Authority is doing its bit to help attract honeymoon bookings with its 'Happily Ever After Guarantee,' a postponable, destination booking policy for couples who would like to book a wedding or honeymoon for 2021, but are worried about COVID-19 affecting future travel plans. Wedding and honeymoon bookings with

participating hotels and resorts can be postponed for up to a year from the original date with 30 days notice, if COVID-19 restrictions get in the way of travel plans.

While there will always be a market for the traditional beach honeymoon, it is worth agents taking the time to find out more about the interests of engaged couples as they may want a honeymoon with a difference, such as an adventurous safari or a trip to coincide with a major cultural event.

In this new era of social distancing, destinations that are not too crowded, which are often popular with privacy-seeking newlyweds at other times, could prove even more appealing today.

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WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS

AUGUST 14 2020 | travelbulletin.co.uk

MAD FOR MONTEGO BAY For newlyweds looking to salute the sun on their honeymoon, Sandals’ Montego Bay holiday packages offer a multitude of affordable options to suit luxury tastes.

SANDALS AND Beaches Resorts’ UK tour operator, Unique Caribbean Holidays Ltd., is now selling packages to Jamaica with British Airways’ new direct flight from Gatwick to Montego Bay, starting on October 13.

Packages start from £1,780 per person including return economy flights and seven nights’ all-inclusive luxury accommodation.

Sandals Resorts has six stunning lixury allinclusive properties in Jamaica where client’s every need is taken care of. From delicious cuisine at up to 16 different restaurants per resort and premium unlimited alcohol, to land and water sports, including scuba diving.

One example of a package that agents can

Honeymoon like Harry and Meghan FOR A truly remote honeymoon escape, Ardvark Safaris offers a variety of secluded private safari houses and African island properties, where guests can enjoy thousands of acres of wilderness in almost total isolation.

Thanda Island in Tanzania is an exclusive private island, featuring a villa and two traditional thatched bandas from which to enjoy complete seclusion and a private marine reserve.

This desert island offers plenty of marine activities for couples to enjoy, including snorkelling and scuba diving on the pristine reef.

Swimming with whale sharks is possible between October and March, and sea turtles nest at certain times of the year.

On dry land, there is a pool, tennis court, a gym and spa.

This trip is available through Ardvark Safaris from £775 per person, per night.

book their clients on is the seven-night stay for two at the Sandals Montego Bay in a Caribbean deluxe suite, from £1,780 per person. This price includes all-inclusive accommodation, return economy flights to Montego Bay with British Airways from Gatwick and resort transfers.

Packages with British Airways flights to Montego Bay from Gatwick are on sale for travel up until April 2021 alongside packages with flights to Kingston from Gatwick until June 2022. Flight-inclusive packages are ATOL and ABTA protected.

The price includes full-board, a selection of drinks, a dedicated team of staff, activities and boat transfers.

For further information or to book, agents can visit www.sellingsandals.co.uk

To book, visit www.ardvarksafaris.co.uk

A gourmet wedding package at MarBella Corfu THE BEAUTIFUL MarBella Corfu, located in the south-east corner of Corfu, has launched its gourmet wedding packages for couples wishing to celebrate their big day in Greece.

The hotel is now offering four different wedding reception menus and nine cocktail packages for the bride and groom to celebrate with up to 60 guests.

The vast selection of food that is available at the wedding ranges from traditional Mediterranean flavours, to banquet food with tropical cocktails.

The happy couple can be put at ease, as all the weding planning is left up to the hotel, who will orchestrate their special day.

For more information, visit www.marbella.gr

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WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS

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MAZAL TOV IN TEL AVIV-YAFO Tel Aviv-Yafo invites couples to wed in some of the city’s most intimate, open-air locations, including the Tropical Garden, Old Train Station and Botanical Garden.

TEL AVIV-YAFO municipality is offering a special wedding package in some stunning city locations for couples whose wedding plans have been disrupted as a result of COVID-19.

Couples will now be able to celebrate their special day, with up to 20 people, in unique locations across the city, such as the Tropical Garden, Rocks Garden, Sporteque, Wohl Ampitheater, Menachem Begin Park, Botanical Garden, and the Old Train Station.

The picturesque sights will be available for wedding ceremonies six times a week, with the municipality providing couples with tables, chairs, white tablecloths and electricity.

For couples wishing to marry through the Chief Rabbinate, a rabbi and ketubah (Jewish marriage contract) will be provided, cost-free.

Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo, said, "The many challenges resulting from the coronavirus crisis obligate us to respond, in all aspects of life. As time passes by, we are aware of the additional needs of our residents.

“These include holding wedding ceremonies in public spaces, supporting couples who were unable to mark the happiest day of their lives in a large celebration due to the coronavirus restrictions,” Mayor Huldai added. “By offering public spaces for intimate wedding ceremonies, we will be able to bring sheer joy to couples and their families, and provide them with an unforgettable Tel Avivian experience, even in these complex times.”

For more information, visit www.tel-aviv.gov.il

A marriage made in Ballygally FOLLOWING THE increasing demand for outdoor weddings in Ballygally Castle, Northern Ireland, the hotel has built a new pavilion for couples to use on for weddings and civil partnership ceremonies.

The new Belvedere garden suite makes use of the stunning surrounding gardens and accomodates up to 120 guests.

Ballygally Castle itself is located on the scenic Antrim coast, facing the sandy beaches of Ballygally Bay, and is only 26 miles from Belfast.

The castle dates back to 1625 and is unique in that it is the only 17th century building that is still used as a residence in Northern Ireland today.

Hastings Hotels offers a double room at Ballygally Castle from £110 per room, per night on a bed-and-breakfast basis, based on two sharing.

Honeymoon in Grecian luxury PERCHED ON the water’s edge, boasting beautiful views across the Aegean Sea and Sitia Mountains, the Elounda Peninsula Hotel is the perfect island getaway for honeymooners. For clients who enjoy privacy, the hotel offers direct access to private jetties and the hotel’s very own beach – the only hotel in Europe to offer both these amenities at the one property.

The hotel houses the Six Senses Spa for couples looking for that extra layer of relaxation and luxury while on their honeymoon, with a newly introduced beauty and wellness spa menu now on offer.

The Elounda Peninsula offers the Peninsula Collection Suite from £552 per night, on a bed-and-breakfast basis, based on two people sharing. www.eloundapeninsula.com

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WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS

AUGUST 14 2020 | travelbulletin.co.uk

LOCAL LOVERS As international travel continues to experience uncertainty with border closures and evolving quarantine rules, agents could direct cautious couples to romantic UK honeymoon destinations.

THE STAYCATION trend has become an increasingly popular option for UK holidaymakers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and this could extend to clients wanting to book a honeymoon without the worry of unexpected changes to international travel regulations. The good news is that agents can offer cautious couples Britainbased honeymoons which offer luxury and romance without the need for a passport.

Marketing Cheshire is keen to promote the north-western English county as a destination offering fine accommodation including spa hotels, country houses and golf resorts.

Nelson Hotels has a ‘Summer Escape’ package running throughout August and September. Costing from £119 per room, per night, including dinner and breakfast, the deal is available at Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa on the rural outskirts of Chester, The Pheasant Inn on the Sandstone Trail near Tarporley, and The Bear’s Paw in the pretty hamlet of Warmingham. www.nelsonhotels.co.uk

While a cruising honeymoon is usually associated with the high seas, European Waterways is offering barge cruises in England, Scotland and Ireland, with small groups and en suite cabins to ensure privacy. These include voyages aboard the Magna Carta (eight passengers) on the River Thames; Scottish Highlander (eight passengers – cabin pictured above) and Spirit of Scotland (12 passengers) on the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness; and Shannon Princess (ten passengers) on the River Shannon. Summer/autumn 2020 places are still available, as well as 10% discounts on selected cabins and whole barge charters for 2021. www.europeanwaterways.com English Heritage, meanwhile, has a series of recommendations for romantic staycation honeymoons with accommodation at a range of historic properties, including a Kentish castle and a Cornwall cottage. www.englishheritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/travel-guides/ staycation-honeymoons/

Honeymoons for star-crossed lovers at Crete’s Nana Princess FOLLOWING NANA Princess’ reopening, the Royal Wellness Club at the Crete resort has introduced the Star Sign Spa Menu. It is designed to create comprehensive bespoke wellness experiences.

The Star Sign Spa menu incorporates some of the Royal Wellness Club’s most popular treatments, including Mediterranean Candlelight, Chocolate Temptation, and Ariadne’s Signature. Nana Princess is assigning each of these to its relevant star sign.

Upon booking, guests will be asked their zodiac sign and will then be given suggestions for their most suited treatments, based on the widely believed constitutions of each zodiac sign.

Some examples of the treatments include: tensionrelieving head massages and cooling massages for Aries; lymphatic massage, acupuncture and candlelit massages for Cancerians; and deep tissue back massage for Leo guests. www.nanaprincess.gr

Pioneering Taiwan welcomes same-sex couples IN MAY 2019, Taiwan was the first Asian country to legalise marriage equality and the tourism board welcomes gay and lesbian newlyweds.

Sylvia Lee, director Taiwan Tourism Bureau London Office commented, “We have been delighted to welcome so many more LGBT+ travellers to Taiwan over the last year, whether it’s been participating in gay pride celebrations or exploring the island’s vast cultural and adventure options.”

“Whenever a country legalises same-sex marriage, another barrier falls, and we’ve seen more bookings to Taiwan over the last year. Taiwan has led the way and we hope to see more Asian countries legalise same-sex marriage in the coming years," added Darren Burn, CEO of Travelgay.com.

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CHRISTMAS MARKETS

AUGUST 14 2020 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Christmas celebrations on track for 2020 ARENA RAIL Holidays has launched five festive itineraries for end-of-year breaks.

The ten-day Marrakech Express at Christmas travels by rail through Spain, before crossing by ferry to Tangier and on to Marrakech. It departs on December 18, priced from £1,795 per person, including outbound travel by rail from London and return flight from Marrakech.

A Transylvanian Christmas is a seven-day journey of markets and historic sites. It departs on December 22, priced from £1,149 per person. The Transylvanian Christmas Markets tour includes Bucharest, Brasov, and Sibiu, departing December 5, priced from £995 per person. Both trips include return flights from London to Bucharest.

Festive Cheer & Belgian Christmas Markets is a four-day break taking in Brussels, Bruges,

Small is beautiful and safe

Antwerp and Ghent. It departs on December 11, priced from £495 per person.

Christmas Markets along the Rhine Valley is a four-day itinerary, calling at Cologne, Koblenz, and Bonn. It departs on December 7, priced from £649 per person. www.arenarailholidays.co.uk

IN KEEPING with the trend towards small group travel, ECT Travel has launched four new festive itineraries, all of which will be limited to just 10 people each. The company is taking expressions of interest for end-of-year trips to the Christmas markets of Innsbruck, Zagreb, Alsace and Krakow. All trips are fully escorted and will feature private transport along the way.

For more information, go to www.ecttravel.com or call 0800 298 0588.

What is the most romantic place you've ever visited?

Jeanette Ratcliffe Publisher jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Pacific Grove, California

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

Georgia Lewis Managing Editor - News news@travelbulletin.co.uk A cabin in Australia's Hunter Valley wine region

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Sarah Terry Account Manager sarah.terry@travelbulletin.co.uk The little cove beaches of Sydney at sunset.

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