Travel Bulletin 21st June 2019

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Giving agents the edge

AGENT INSIGHT

MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

ESCORTED TOURS

AGENT BULLETIN

It’s time to tick off those bucket list experiences

We bring a dose of summer sun to agents in Sheffield & Oxford

Sri Lanka: back on the map

Pick up prizes galore with these summer incentives

AUSTRALASIA Discover the best Australia has to offer with these ‘Signature Experiences’

Cover Image - Title: Jacobs Creek, Barossa Valley, SA, Creator: Adrian Brown, Image Credit: Tourism Australia

June 21 2019 | ISSUE NO 2,113 | travelbulletin.co.uk

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NEWS BULLETIN

JUNE 21 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

THIS WEEK 04

GROWN-UP GAP YEAR Instead of setting off to go backpacking as wide-eyed teenagers between school and university, career breaks to go travelling are becoming more popular among Brits.

NEWS The latest news from the UK and beyond for selling all types of trips

08 AGENT INSIGHT Neil from Travel Counsellors on bucket list experiences

09 AGENT BULLETIN Incentives and online training for eager agents

15 AUSTRALASIA Tourism Australia puts the country’s cultural hotspots in the spotlight

22 MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS It’s never been easier to help clients try one of Malta’s themed trails

Mundane work is becoming a popular reason for Brits to take a career break for travel.

THE TRADITIONAL gap year trip, long seen as a rite of passage for many school leavers before they take on the challenges of university or the workplace, is falling out of favour, according to a global report.

The study, conducted by Hostelworld, found that while 16% of modern day Brits took a gap year trip, 34% are more likely to take a career break to go travelling instead, or have done so already.

Those surveyed were older than the millennial demographic, where the desire to take a break of three months or longer from work within the next three years is not as strong at 24%, according to research

commissioned by VisitEngland late last year.

While this may not be great news for purveyors of cheap accommodation, it could be a bonanza for agents booking career break trips for customers with bigger budgets and higher expectations.

As well as the 34% who have either taken or are planning to take career break trip, 8% of survey respondents said they would take such a trip if they were not working, rather than seek a new job immediately.

Among the reasons for Brits choosing to take a career break trip were stresses of day-to-day life (36%) and mundane work lives (36%).

South America is popular with these later-in-life gappers, with Peru, Argentina, Brazil and Chile all expecting to welcome increased numbers of guests from the UK in the coming years. Europe, however, remains the most popular destination for these tourists at 54%, with France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands proving the most popular on the continent.

In a three-month career break trip, the average Brit will visit nine different cities in five different countries, and these travellers are committed to the adventure with only 6% cutting their journey short to come home.

25 ESCORTED TRIPS Tap into Titan Travel’s travel agent incentives

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Promoting Bahrain as an alternative Arabian escape BAHRAIN IS seeking to attract visitors looking for an alternative city break, an extended stopover or a new option for a Middle Eastern holiday. It is a six-hour flight from London with a threehour time difference, making it an option for a “long-haul short break”.

The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, one of a growing number of luxury hotels in the kingdom, has released a sample itinerary for visitors on a short break or extended stopover to enjoy over a weekend.

On the first day, the hotel suggests diving for pearls or simply exploring the coastline by day on one of the many boat trips available, allowing visitors to sail around the archipelago of 33 islands which make up Bahrain. For the first night, it is suggested that a traditional Bahraining barbecue dinner is taken on Jaranda Island, a strip of land only visible for a few hours each day before the tide washes it away.

& MOVERS

SHAKERS

Bahrain’s Al Fateh mosque at sunset.

AITO HAS promoted Bharat Gadhoke to the newly created role of Head of Commercial. Formerly AITO’s membership manager, he will now have a broader remit, including liaison with all government departments on major topics affecting members.

For the second day, the hotel suggests taking in the local culture by visiting the ancient ramparts of Manama, the capital, as well as Al Fateh mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, the Gold Souq, the National Museum, and Bahain Fort, the country’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. By night, it is suggested that visitors explore the alleyways of the historic Bab Al Bagrain district for fabric, clothes, gold and perfumes, as well as traditonal spices. Ritz-

Carlton guests can take these spices back to the hotel for the resident chef to use in authentic local dishes.

This itinerary is reflected in the latest campaigns by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, with recommendations along the lines of historic, religious and cultural attractions, as well as shopping, wildlife and Adhari Park, the kingdom’s theme park, based around a freshwater spring.

For more information, go to www.btea/bh

LUTON AIRPORT has appointed Keith Ludeman as the new chairman. Mr Ludeman is the current chairman High Speed One and former CEO of Go-Ahead Group. He took up his role at the end of last month.

JOSEFA TUAMOTO, CEO of Tourism Solomons, will join the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) executive board. The move follows his address to the PATA Annual Summit 2019 sustainable development.

MARIE-PAULE Nowlus has taken over as general manager of the Sofitel London St James. She will be overseeing a £16.5 million transformation of the flagship hotel.

Singapore and the UK celebrate tourism growth SINGAPORE AND the UK celebrated close ties, including a surge in tourism.

Last year, Singapore welcomed nearly 600,000 visitors from the UK, a 14% increase on 2017’s figures. Leaders from both countries, including the CEO of the Singapore Tourism Board, Keith Tan, and the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Peter Estlin commemorated this relationship with the opening of a multi-sensory garden at Finsbury Square in central London. Singapore’s latest tourism campaigns focus on gastronomy, discovering lesser-known parts of the city and surrounding areas, adventure tourism and culture.

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NEWS BULLETIN

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Abu Dhabi tourist board hits the road in the UK THE DEPARTMENT of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has concluded its annual roadshow around the UK, with events held in Chester, Manchester and London.

The roadshow, in partnership with Etihad Airways and Experience Hub (the company behind Yas Island), allowed 178 agents, tour operator reservation staff, and product managers the opportunity to learn about the Middle East destination from 17 stakeholders.

Attendees were provided with destination information and hotel updates, as well as details of the partnership between DCT Abu Dhabi and

Expo 2020, which will take place in the UAE from October 2020. Agents were presented with the new Qasr Al Watan site, located in the Presidential Palace, and received updates on Etihad Airways’ extended routes and the Extraordinary Abu Dhabi Pass.

All events ended with a prize draw which saw 20 agents win Abu Dhabi holiday prizes after they completed a tour between partners to prove their destination knowledge.

The UK remains the leading European source market and the second largest overseas market for Abu Dhabi, having seen a

rise of 6% in UK visitors during 2018, where numbers reached more than 277,000.

Jane Dawkins, Country Manager UK and Ireland, DCT Abu Dhabi said: “This roadshow has been our best yet, with our highest number of roadshow attendees who have been wowed by Abu Dhabi thanks to our stakeholders. We hope we’ve given agents the knowledge and drive to continue selling the destination into the summer months and beyond, thanks to great hotel offers and an increase in flights from our partners at Etihad Airways. There really has been no better time to sell Abu Dhabi.”

Families in focus on Moana Explorer trips to Tahiti PAUL GAUGUIN Cruises is introducing the Moana Explorer programme, so families can explore Tahiti, French Polynesia and the South Pacific during summer and holiday voyages.

In partnership with Te mana o te moana, a South Pacific marine education and conservation foundation, the Moana Explorer programme invites children and teens aged seven to 15 to discover the natural wonders of the South Pacific through interactive learning both on board and ashore.

Ibraheem Maki of DCT Abu Dhabi at the London event.

Princess Cruises breaks its own booking record PRINCESS CRUISES has hailed the efforts of UK travel agents after it experienced its largest-ever booking day earlier this month.

The milestone was achieved on June 12 during its last £1 deposit day. The offer, which allowed guests to secure a holiday on any Princess Cruise departing on or after January 1, 2020, for £1 was held for the third year in a row. Bookings for that day were up by more than 40% year-on-year.

Tony Roberts, vice president Princess Cruises UK and Europe, said: “We want to thank all of our agent partners for the fantastic support they gave us on £1 deposit day. To

receive such strong backing from across the trade was greatly appreciated by the team and I, and I’m sure the spike in Princess bookings many agents experienced will have made all their hard work worthwhile.

“It’s clear the offer has now become a real feature in the travel agent calendar and we’re thrilled by its success. £1 deposit day perfectly exemplifies the pledges we made in our recently launched ‘travel agent promise’, which states we will be easy to do business with, reward our partners and ensure we provide agents with all the brand knowledge they need to sell Princess Cruises,” he added.

Every day of the voyage, there is a combination of naturalist-led island and/or beach excursions, science activities, crafts, games and other adventures. Depending on the itinerary, children and teens might explore underwater life, conduct water experiments, create natural jewellery, go on a treasure hunt, learn about Tahitian culture, discover island legends, or design a Polynesian tattoo.

The programme is available on selected voyages in July, August and December. For more information, call 020 7399 7891 or visit www.pgcruises.com

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Vegas, baby! KLM’s new route from Amsterdam AGENTS WILL have an additional option for booking customers on flights to Las Vegas with the launch by KLM of direct flights from Amsterdam to the popular American party city.

The flights started operating this month and will take off three times a week between the two cities. Flights will be operated by B787-9 Dreamliners, seating 294 passengers.

The flights will depart from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 12:30, arriving at McCarran International in Las Vegas at 14:15 local time. Flights from Las Vegas to Amsterdam will depart at 16:05, arriving the next day at 11:05.

“Las Vegas is widely known as the Entertainment Capital of the World and it’s a reputation that is welldeserved,” said Steve Hill, CEO and president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).

“Whether traveling to the destination for business or leisure, visitors can expect world-class hospitality and experiences. We look forward to sharing Las Vegas’ unique offerings with guests traveling on KLM’s new direct service and are confident this partnership will pave the way for tremendous opportunities in the future.”

The new KLM flight to Las Vegas offers a new option for agents.

Cyplon gets in early with winter sun collection LUXURY TOUR operator, Cyplon Holidays, has released its new Winter Collection Brochure, for escape-the-cold-weather trips booked between November this year and March 2020.

The brochure features the newest destination from the company: the Portuguese island of Madeira; along with a selection of topselling properties in destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

Aiming to attract a wide range of holidaymakers, the brochure includes luxury beach getaways, all-inclusive family adventures, city breaks and romantic trips for two.

Additionally, there is a strong focus on exotic cruises, such as a voyage on the River Nile, allowing guests to discover 5,000 years of Egyptian history and culture. Stand-out tours include a journey through the rich heritage of the Holy Land and Jordan.

Agents should regularly check the Cyplon website for the offers of the week, which can be customised to suit the needs of clients.

The brochure is available to order via the website at www.cyplon.co.uk/bulk-order-brochures, along with region-specific brochures. These can also be downloaded as PDFs for agents who prefer an electronic copy.

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ALL ABOARD! Silversea hosted a group of 52 agents and their guests on its biggest-ever fam trip. Silver Shadow departed Nice on May 27 for a three-night voyage to Barcelona, with a stop in Marseilles, a cabaret show, and a full day at sea to explore the ship at their leisure. On board, agents tried a range of dining options, including fine Italian cuisine at La Terazza and a gala dinner in The Restaurant.

T

HIS WEEK I booked a holiday for myself.

Hardly ground-breaking news as I’m a travel agent. However, this one was different as it’s number one on my bucket list. You are probably assuming I’m swimming with dolphins or trekking Machu Pichu. But no, my dream trip is Indianapolis to see the NFL team I’ve supported all my life play at home for the first time! It’s a long story...

This got me thinking about bucket lists. What else is on my ‘to do list’ and how does it differ from other people? Many are specific destinations. I hear people say it’s the dream to visit the likes of Australia or New Zealand. These sort of destinations all have the ‘big trip’ feel to them that elevates them to bucket list status.

But it’s not always the destination as much as the experience that is the pull. Experiences can range from seeing the Northern Lights, to seeing a specific animal in its natural habitat. For me, it’s the leopard. I’ve been to South Africa, Sri Lanka and Oman, but the closest I’ve got is at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. For others it’s polar bears, orangutans or, in one case, a honey badger. Yes, I have put together a trip to South Africa and Botswana with the main aim to see the elusive honey badger. If you’ve not heard of these amazing creatures before, look them up on YouTube!

Being in Japan for the cherry blossoms in spring or seeing the autumn foliage in New England have both appeared on people’s lists. Route 66 doesn't even technically exist anymore but the dream of driving across America in a red Mustang convertible excites.

Sporting events can be part of the dream, whether it’s as simple as going down to London to watch a day’s play at Wimbledon to seeing an Ashes test match. I have sent people all around the world to watch Formula One races in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Monaco.

But I will stick with seeing the Colts and hopefully a leopard. Along with visiting Bhutan, Fiji and Argentina and I’d love to see the Northern lights and a Polar Bear. With the excitement of my Indianapolis trip I’ve decided to stop waiting and to start doing.

Iceland is next!

Online booking portal to keep agents on the rails THE PROCESS of booking rail travel has been made easier for agents with the introduction of a new online portal.

RailTourGuide’s Agent Rail Portal allows for a wide range of point-to-point journeys in Europe and beyond to be booked live with real-time timetables, availability and pricing.

Popular routes that can now be booked via the platform include Eurostar, TGV in France, other high speed services in Europe and local and long-distance rail services in Canada.

Some rail passes, including Interrail, BritRail and Japan Rail, can also be booked live on the portal.

“We are delighted to launch our enhanced online Agent Rail Portal, where agents now have the ability to look up live prices and book e-tickets for their customers,” said RailTourGuide’s owner David Glover. “Our portal has been designed with the agent in mind, to simplify the process of booking rail travel and overall, to make it more efficient. What’s more, commission rates will stay the same or in some cases they will improve due to some routes being cheaper if booked directly through a supplier’s system.

Agents can access the portal at http://portal.railtourguide.com/login/, where new users can also register (http://portal.railtourguide.com/registration/) using their ABTA number or TTA number.

Booking European rail travel has been simplified thanks to a new portal.

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JUNE 21 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

AGENT BULLETIN

AGENT TRAINING The first 500 agents to register for the Thailand Expert online course in June and July will win a sarong. Additionally, agents who complete the training modules by July 30 will go into a draw to win one of five £50 Love2Shop vouchers. As well as training, the portal features webinars, events and discounts. To find out more, go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/travelgym

LIFE IS A CABARET... Agents and suppliers donned their best 1920s attire for a series of speakeasy-themed events across the UK with If Only..’s ‘Blinding Peaks’ campaign partners, Palladium Hotel Group, Visit California, Six Senses and Atlantis The Palm, Dubai. Caroline Fenech from Cannon Travel (centre), pictured with Jorge Quibell and Tracy Docherty, won a trip for two to Thailand courtesy of Amazing Thailand at the Birmingham event.

AGENT INCENTIVES ● BOURNE LEISURE’s annual summer incentive offers agents the chance to win £100 in Love2Shop vouchers every week. The theme is ‘Unwrap the Great British Summer’ and to enter the weekly draws, agents need to make a booking for any of Bourne Leisure’s three brands. Bookings need to be valid for guest arrivals throughout July and August. Agents can register these bookings by logging them at www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk. The incentive runs until August 11.

Additionally, Bourne representatives will be visiting agents in-store with lucky dip games for on-the-spot prizes, as well as offering bonus goodies via the Brainz Agent Hub Facebook page.

Agents can win goody bags with delicious Greek products with the Greece All Time Classic online course. Agents who study the material, answer questions and enter their details will be in the draw, as well as boosting their knowledge of the islands of Rhodes, Kos, Samos and Naxos. See www.travelbulletin.co.uk/travelgym for more.

Moving to northern Greece and Central Macedonia, Greece All Time Classic is offering online training for agents on the stunning regions of Thessaloniki and Halkidiki. Again, Greek goody bags are on offer for agents who answer the questions at the end of the module.

Go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/travelgym to start learning.

● SHEARINGS HOLIDAYS has launched a booking incentive attached to its new brochure. For every 2020 worldwide booking made between now and July 14, agents can earn a £50 Love2Shop voucher plus Shearings cuddly toy. Agents need to email their booking reference to win@shearings.com by July 21. The 2020 brochure offers 42 tours, with itineraries to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Central America, Antarctica, the USA and Canada. Highlights include a Maasai Mara safari, an Abu Dhabi desert discovery trip and a 30-day around-the-world voyage. ● TRAVEL 2 IS offering agents an incentive to coincide with the launch of its new Dubai, Arabia, Indian Ocean & Beyond brochure. The brochure includes 44 new hotels, new Indian desert experiences, and Qatar has been added to the Arabian destinations. Agents who make a booking to these destinations between now and July 8 will be entered into a draw to win one of five £50 spa vouchers. Qualifying bookings need to include return flights, a minimum of three nights’ ground arrangements and a minimum £100 deposit or balance paid in full. Go to www.travel2.com for more information.

COMPETITIONS! Win an Amazon Echo & a signed astronaut picture with Kennedy Space Center.

Pick up a £100 Love2Shop voucher with Air Mauritius.

Win a Michael Kors designer watch with Macerich Shopping Centers & Fashion Outlets.

FOR ALL COMPETITIONS ON THE SITE VISIT travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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An agent-friendly portal for powderhounds The portal is aimed at making ski trips easy to book for nonspecialist agents.

POWDER WHITE has created a portal to help travel agents search and book a wide range of hotels, self-catered Apartments and catered Chalets in more than 80 of the leading ski resorts in Europe and North America.

“Many non-ski travel agents shy away from ski holiday requests as they don’t know where to turn to

easily find availability, prices and, most importantly, advice,” says Cahal Kane, business development manager at Powder White.

“With the new Powder White Agency Portal, agents will not only be able to access an enormous range of live prices, availability and instant booking, but also have dedicated agent support.”

The portal offers live rates and availability, instant booking confirmation, competitive commissions visible during the search and booking processes, instant booking without payment, and a post-booking invoicing system.

For more information, agents can email agents@powderwhite.com or call 020 8877 8883.

BA boosts Ljubljana with new route FROM JULY 15, British Airways will launch a new route between Heathrow and Ljubljana.

The the capital of Slovenia is becoming increasingly popular as a European city break destination, particularly as it is easily accessed with a flight time of two hours and 20 minutes from Heathrow.

Last year Slovenia welcomed more than 160,000 visitors from the UK, compared to around 130,000 in 2017 and less than 110,000 in 2016. As well as city breaks, Slovenia’s compact size means Ljubljana is a good base for exploring other parts of the country, including the Julian Alps to the north and the Mediterranean coast to the south.

This new flight will run in addition to established routes to Ljubljana, with easyJet departing from Stansted and Gatwick, and WizzAir departing from Luton.

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PUZZLE BULLETIN

JUNE 21 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, June 27th.

Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

D

WHERE AM I?

The Su Doku winner for June 7th is Andy Scase, Rediscover the World Ltd in Herefordshire.

June 7th Solution: A=7 B=8 C=5 D=6

Across

Down

1. How much is an infant on a Jet2holidays booking? (4) 3. Halifax is the capital of Nova ___ (6) 7. Aka Ayers Rock (5) 9. Andy Murray recently received this title from Prince Charles (3) 10. One of the Saronic islands, sounds mythological (5) 11. Repeat for a Black Forest spa town (5) 13. Golfing term (3) 14. Homer Simpson's wife (5) 15. Mediterranean country (5) 17. Home to Carisbrooke Castle, initially (3) 19. Flows through Spain and Portugal (5) 20. County town of Devon (6) 21. Actress and comedian, ___ French (4)

1. English singer/songwriter, Paloma (5) 2. Quito is the capital (7) 4. Australian state, in short (3) 5. Scottish island (5) 6. Capital of Hungary (8) 8. The last Underground station on the Piccadilly and Metropolitan lines (8) 12. Salt lake bordering Jordan and Israel (4,3) 14. One of the New England states (5) 16. Whitehorse is the capital of this territory (5) 18. River and Valley, sounds like a question (3)

Solution: Across: 1. FREE, 3. SCOTIA, 7. ULURU, 9. SIR, 10. HYDRA, 11. BADEN, 13. PAR, 14. MARGE, 15. ITALY, 17. IOW, 19. TAGUS, 20. EXETER, 21. DAWN. Down: 1. FAITH, 2. ECUADOR, 4. TAS, 5. ARRAN, 6. BUDAPEST, 8. UXBRIDGE, 12. DEAD SEA, 14. MAINE, 16. YUKON, 18. WYE. Where am I? - Benidorm

CROSSWORD

The resort clocks up 6km of luxuriously golden, sandy beaches, with the two largest being lush Levante and the slightly quieter Poniente

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

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Scenic Eclipse succeeds with pre-guest sea trials

Guyana honoured for sustainable tourism in Latin America GUYANA HAS been named the ‘Best in Sustainable Tourism’ at the Latin American Travel Association (LATA) achievement awards, which took place during the Experience Latin America conference in London this month.

“Guyana has expended considerable effort in recent years not only to develop an eco-friendly tourism product, but also to incorporate sustainable tourism best practice into all aspects of its tourism strategy, policy, planning and programming,” said Brian T. Mullis, director of the Guyana Tourism Authority.

Scenic Eclipse combines adventure and premium accommodation.

SCENIC ECLIPSE, the world’s first discovery yacht, has successfully completed her first sea trials conducted

by Captain James Griffiths ahead of the launch on August 15. With sea trials complete, Scenic Eclipse will now undergo the final touches to its interior and exterior and the training of the onboard teams before the maiden voyage sailing from Reykjavik to Quebec.

Inspired by the contours of sailing yachts and custom-built with a commitment to safety and excellence including the highest passenger ship ice class rating – Polar Class 6,

state-of-the-art bridge systems and GPS dynamic positioning system, Scenic Eclipse combines worldclass facilities for her guests, along with the opportunity for memorable exploration experiences, with two sixguest helicopters and a six-guest seater submarine Scenic Neptune.

“It was a real pleasure to take Scenic Eclipse out to sea for the first time,” said Captain Griffiths, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours.

“Sea trials are a critical milestone in the construction process as the first time all ship systems are operated together and is

a key opportunity to confirm the theoretical information from the tank tests and computer modelling. The results from these trials surpassed every expectation.

“I was also delighted with how quiet the ship is. She was vibration free and virtually silent during all our trials, exceeding our expectations in terms of stability, manoeuvrability and performance ... it’s quite remarkable to experience it”, he added.

The sea trails of the 17,085-ton ship took place earlier this month off the coast of Pula, Croatia.

Guyana is the only country in South America where English is the official language, and it is marketed as a destination for culture, wildlife, mountains, beaches and tropical rainforests.

The judging committee praised Guyana for its “impressive sustainable tourism practices and community-led tourism framework which promotes job creation, helps preserve local traditions and customs, promotes low-carbon lifestyles and provides a livelihood for indigenous communities.”

Top-selling agents experience the best of Cyprus SPECIALIST TOUR operator Cyplon Holidays took ten top-selling agents on a fam trip to Cyprus. The agents experienced a range of hotels including the Four Seasons in Limassol, the Olympic Lagoon in Paphos and Ayia Napa, the newly opened Parklane, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Limassol and the couples-only Amavi in Paphos. Additionally, agents visited the island’s cultural highlights, such as Kolossi Castle, Kourion Amphitheatre and Old Limassol. Cypriot gastronomy was another feature of the trip with agents dining at local tavernas, as well as the five-star Asimina Suites and the Columbia Beach Resort in Pissouri.

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Transforming the sports tourism sector

Qatar is getting ready to welcome tourists from across the world to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

THREE ORGANISATIONS have come together to promote sports tourism on an international level. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Barça Innovation Hub (BIHUB) and the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) have launched the first-ever UNWTO Sports Tourism Start-Up Competition, with the aim of identifying and promoting great projects and innovations to transform the sports tourism sector.

The organisations are looking for projects that will create local jobs, promote sustainable growth and attract visitors from across the world. Additionally, the

competition will be seeking out innovative companies with new ideas for addressing knowledge gaps in regard to promoting, selling and managing sports tourism.

A shortlist of 20 companies or organisations from public and private sectors will be drawn up by a panel of international experts, and they will then be invited to Barcelona to pitch their ideas to tourism business leaders, government representatives, sports experts and investors.

For agents selling trips to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, the competition could provide additional selling

points. As part of the partnership with QNTC, the winning ideas will be considered for implementation in Qatar as it gears up to host the World Cup. His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, secretary general of QNTC, commented: “At QNTC we believe sporting events have a unique power to bring people of the world together, and that is also why sports tourism is a key focus area in our tourism vision. We look forward to seeing the innovative ideas that will come through the inaugural Sports Tourism Start-Up Competition and hope that one of them will come to life in Qatar.”

New brochure taps into growing Indian Ocean demand SIXTEEN NEW hotels across the Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Seychelles and Arabia have been added to Kuoni's Indian Ocean collection for 2020.

In the Seychelles, Kuoni has added three new resorts as demand grows.

Bookings are up for 2019, with direct British Airways flights having a positive impact on the destination's tourism. As well as new hotels and resorts, there is a strong focus on Kuoni's seven exclusive properties in the Maldives.

Sheena Paton, senior product and purchasing manager said: “Our collection of resorts, exclusive to Kuoni in the UK range from great value rustic islands to barefoot luxury with extensive inclusions. They each offer excellence in their class of product, supported by outstanding customer feedback and high levels of repeat stays. These are all tried and tested favourites with Kuoni customers.”

From high-end luxury in Mauritius to rustic retreats in the Seychelles, Kuoni's programme includes more than 150 properties in eight countries across the Indian Ocean and Arabia regions.

To obtain the brochure, go to www.kuoni.co.uk

Save on Stena Line with ‘Kids Go Free’ STENA LINE has launched a ‘Kids Go Free’ offer, giving families the chance to save on trips across the Irish Sea via the Holyhead-Dublin, FishguardRosslare, Cairnryan-Belfast, and Liverpool-Belfast routes.

The offer allows children up to the age of 15 to travel free.

Available on all Economy and Flexi motorist fares on any Irish Sea route until January 5 next year, agents can book voyages online.

“With spacious ships, ease of loading up the car and setting off on an adventure, Stena Line takes the stress out of travelling.

The Kids Go Free offer not only reduces travel expense but allows kids to have just as much fun on the journey as they do at the destination,” said Diane Poole, Stena Line’s travel commercial manager, Irish Sea South. “The children will love the Happy World play area, Teen Town video game zone and free movies in the dedicated cinema – and not forgetting about the big kids, there is free Wi-Fi, great eateries and the onboard shop which is also available to passengers, offering up to 50% savings compared to the high street,” added Diane.

For more information or to book visit https://www.stenaline.co.uk/kids

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AUSTRALASIA

SIGNATURE SIGHTS Tourism Australia brings the country’s cultural highlights to the fore AN INDUSTRY-led collective of iconic Australian arts and cultural attractions have joined forces to present the best of Australia’s cultural offering to the world.

From iconic sites recognised the world over, such as the Sydney Opera House, to Victoria’s spiritual home of sport, the Melbourne Cricket Ground; from the immersive historical experience found at Sovereign Hill, Australia’s foremost outdoor museum to the wacky intrigue of the subterranean Mona (Museum of Old and New); agents can discover a wealth of ideas to suggest to their clients.

Moreover the ‘Cultural Attractions of Australia’ includes 22 premium

experiences for discerning travellers, most of which are newly created and range in price from $140 to $50,000 per person. The concept has been created to encourage more high value travellers to Australia’s most famous arts and cultural attractions with the added benefit of being able to participate in these premium and ‘behind the scenes’ experiences.

‘Cultural Attractions of Australia’ is one pillar of Tourism Australia’s wider ‘Signature Experiences of Australia’ which package and promote standout tourism experiences in a variety of niche and special interest areas.

The programme aims to grow visitation numbers and

attract high value tourists with ‘Signature Experiences’ covering themes such as wineries, luxury lodges, golf courses, guided walks, Aboriginal guided experiences, fishing adventures, wildlife encounters and now cultural attractions. In each case Tourism Australia has partnered with select industry collectives and whilst each signature collection is different, they all offer a point of differentiation for Australia, encouraging regional dispersal, length of stay and expenditure.

Go to https://culturalattractionsofa ustralia.com or www.tourism.australia.com to find out more.

Win a fam with Cruise Plus by Travel 2 TRAVEL 2 is offering agents the chance to win one of seven places on a Princess Cruises and Qantas FAM trip to Australia, taking place this November.

Agents must make a qualifying booking to be entered.

A qualifying booking is a Cruise Plus by Travel 2 booking which includes return flights with Qantas and a Princess Cruises package with a minimum of a four-night duration, made between June 1 and July 31.

Sales can be made via Travel 2’s dedicated Cruise Plus department, where a minimum £300 deposit per person must be paid. All qualifying bookings will be automatically included in the prize draw, and the winners will be selected at random.

For full details go to www.travel2.com

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AUSTRALASIA

JUNE 21 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Malaysia Airlines hosts action-packed fam to Queensland MALAYSIA AIRLINES took a group of UK travel agents on an exotic adventure to Australia’s Nature Coast as part of a familiarisation trip organised jointly with Tourism Events Queensland (TEQ), Visit Sunshine Coast (VSC) and Fraser Coast Tourism and Events (FCTE).

The 11 agents who jetted off to Queensland came from STA, ITC, Hays and Austravel, and flew from London to Kuala Lumpur and then on to Brisbane, to begin their adventure along the Sunshine Coast.

A trip to Australia Zoo, scuba diving experiences, an everglade tours and a trip to the Noosa National Park gave agents a taste of the country’s world-renowned nature and wildlife followed by a 4WD

Great Beach Drive. They also went on to Lady Elliot Island, at the southern tip of Australia’s World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef and on to Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island and home of 75 Mile Beach.

Cassie Zuill, tourism and events Queensland’s regional manager for the UK, said:

“The ‘Australia’s Nature Coast’ initiative is designed to showcase one of Australia’s most attractive and outstanding natural attractions in order to increase appeal and attract a greater share of international visitors. TEQ, VSC and FCTE will continue to join forces with the support of key partners such as Malaysia Airlines to expand their marketing into the UK, a key

international market for Queensland.”

Malaysia Airlines re-launched its Brisbane route in June 2018, and it currently operates the MH135 flight onboard the A330 four times a week from Kuala Lumpur.

Daniel Bainbridge, the airlines regional manager for UK & Europe, said: “We are delighted to showcase to travel agents what a fantastic holiday destination Queensland is and how valuable this route between London and Brisbane is to travellers seeking a fantastic exotic getaway. We are committed to working closely with the travel trade to show the excellent customer experience and high level of comfort and luxury that Malaysia Airlines offers.”

Visit www.malaysiaairlines.com to find out more.

Glamping in the Red Centre KINGS CANYON Resort in the heart of Australia’s Red Centre has unveiled a new glamping product.

Spacious and contemporary, six new Australian homestead-style glamping tents have been erected this season to immerse guests into the sights and sounds of the Northern Territory outback.

Three tents have been designed for couples, while three family tents feature a king bed plus two king single beds. Rates in the new glamping tents start at $390 twin share per night and include breakfast. Children aged 12 years and under stay free, making Kings Canyon Resort an attractive option for family holidays.

Michelle Ikin, the resort’s general manager, said: “The new glamping tents will offer our guests the sensory experience of the Australian outback – the sights and sounds of the desert – but with all the comforts of a hotel stay. We think this style of accommodation will be a reason for guests to linger longer at Kings Canyon and explore more of this fascinating region.

“Guests looking for more adventure can take a heli-tour over the outback or take out a quad bike. After sunset drinks and dining under a blanket of stars, our guests can end each unforgettable day at Kings Canyon in glamping-style comfort with the peaceful night sounds of the desert as their soundtrack.”

Kings Canyon is part of the Watarrka National Park, approximately mid-way between Alice Springs and the World Heritage-listed UluruKata Tjuta National Park. Kings Canyon Resort currently comprises a range of accommodation including resort rooms, value-travel lodge rooms and a camping and caravanning site overlooking Kings Canyon.

For agent rates, contact Sarah Parry on: sarah@ignite-uk.com

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AUSTRALASIA

JUNE 21 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

BROOME BOON SilkAir returns with seasonal non-stop service between Singapore and Broome, Western Australia

FOLLOWING THE success of last year’s direct flight between Singapore and Broome, SilkAir – the regional wing of Singapore Airlines – has returned with the second phase of its flights to Broome. Launching this month, the flights mark the first time a UK consumer can fly directly to Broome in Australia’s North West on an international flight.

With onward connectivity through Singapore Airlines confirmed for London and Manchester, the four return flights scheduled throughout this month will mean that UK visitors can visit Broome via a non-stop service from Singapore, offering a unique twin-destination itinerary.

The dates of the flights coincide with one of the best times of the year to visit Broome and the North West region. The pearling capital of Australia, Broome is the western gateway to

the Kimberley wilderness – home to world famous Cable Beach sunsets and the natural phenomenon of the Staircase to the Moon.

Visitors who explore this cinematic region can expect everything from ancient gorges to thundering waterfalls, luxury lodges, dinosaur footprints and priceless Aboriginal rock art.

Tourism Western Australia’s managing director Brodie Carr, said: “These flights help us offer an alternative gateway into Western Australia and come at an opportune time, given the growing desire among travellers to explore exotic off-the-beaten track destinations. Broome, in Australia’s North West, is perfectly placed to provide an entry point to the many unique travel experiences in the region.”

For more destination information go to www.westernaustralia.com

Access Adelaide’s Eco Adventures WITH HISTORIC buildings and sprawling botanical gardens, Adelaide has a lot to offer clients as a gateway to some of Australia’s best wine country and new wild adventures for 2019, fully commissionable and departing from the city.

Guests can glamp under the stars in the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary on the fully guided two-day ‘Adelaide Coastal Sanctuary Explorer’ with pureSA. With 60km of shoreline, this National Park offers a unique opportunity to observe many migratory birds and guests will also visit the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary which 30 resident wild dolphins call home. There is one tour per month commencing from October and running through to April 2020. There is a maximum group size of 12 and prices start from approximately £720.

Alternatively, ‘Deep Creek and Coorong Explorer’ is a by foot discovery of Deep Creek Conservation Park and Coorong National Park via kayak; a small group overnight adventure within an hour’s drive of Adelaide. Tours depart monthly every first Wednesday with a maximum group size of 12 and prices from approximately £380.

Visit https://puresa.com.au or for more travel ideas in the region go to https://southaustralia.com

Significant Dreamliner investment from Air New Zealand AIR NEW Zealand has announced a multi-billion-dollar investment in its international network and customer experience with commitments to purchase a total of eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircrafts powered by GE Aviation’s GEnx-1B engines.

The first of these highly fuel-efficient aircraft will join the fleet in 2022 with the remainder delivered at intervals through to 2027; together they will have the potential to save 190,000 tonnes of carbon per year. Air New Zealand currently operates a fleet of 13 787-9 Dreamliners and chief executive Christopher Luxon said: “The 787-10 is longer and even more fuel efficient. However, the game changer for us has been that by working closely with Boeing, we’ve ensured the 787-10 will meet our network needs, including the ability to fly missions similar to our current 777-200 fleet.

“This is a hugely important decision for our airline. With the 787-10 offering almost 15% more space for customers and cargo than the 787-9, this investment creates the platform for our future strategic direction and opens up new opportunities to grow.”

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MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

SHINING BRIGHT Olympic Holidays chases the sun with the release of its inaugural ‘All Year Sun’ brochure GUIDING CUSTOMERS to warmer climes and sunny skies in spring, summer, autumn and winter, Olympic Holidays has released its inaugural ‘All Year Sun’ brochure.

Designed in a magazine like style, the brochure features an increased range of islandhopping holidays, winter sun destinations, four- and fivestar options, and trips geared toward families, couples and groups to reflect the growing demand for a wider variety of holiday styles.

Ricky Wason, the operator’s head of product and purchasing, said: “The product featured in this brochure reflects the brand’s journey towards a more refined and tailored offering.

As well as keeping a muchloved selection of two- and three-star family run accommodation which offer charm, authentic experiences and local hospitality, this brochure also showcases a large

selection of high-end fourand five-star properties.

There is also a real emphasis on all-inclusive family resorts, many of which feature the outstanding Worldwide Kids Clubs and this year, our buying team have also secured some of the best family and interconnecting rooms at some of the top hotels.”

Amongst its island-hopping itineraries, there is a new ‘Chase the Sun’ tour starting from £1,449 per person with hops between Rhodes, Karpathos and Crete; new islands and destinations for 2019 include Spetses, Poros, Andros and the Athenian Riviera while Olympic Holidays is one of the only UK tour operators to feature the Greek island of Karpathos.

Twin centre year-round options include Cyprus, combining beach and mountain, beach and spa or Athens and Cyprus for a city/cultural trip. Athens is also a convenient base for

year-round island hopping and guests can choose from internal flights or ferries.

Moreover, as well as a new product selection in Malta over the winter months, the operator has also expanded its programme to beyond the Med to now include Madeira, The Canary Islands and the brochure coincides with launching The Gambia as a year-round destination.

To celebrate the launch of its ‘All Year Sun’ brochure Olympic Holidays has produced one special edition hardback cover version which will be randomly placed inside its usual distribution packs and delivered to agents and offices as customary.

Whichever lucky agent finds this special edition of the brochure will win any sevennight winter sun holiday of their choosing for two.

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

Paros aims to be first plastic-waste free island in the Med COMMON SEAS, the Municipality of Paros and WATT are launching a trailblazing initiative to support Paros in becoming the first plastic-waste free Mediterranean island.

Common Seas’ ‘Clean Blue Alliance’ supports islands in accelerating their source-to-sea solutions with the aim of eliminating plastic. ‘Clean Blue Paros’ will identify the opportunities that could stop plastic entering into its waters.

Paros’ mayor, Markos Koveos, said: “As a first step, amongst other initiatives, we are committed to phasing out plastic straws by next summer, ahead of the EU ban planned for 2022. We are encouraged by the businesses who have already committed to support Clean Blue Paros.

They are already acting to reduce plastic-use and better manage plastic waste, such as offering incentives for customers using refillable cups and providing alternatives to plastic straws. We will continue to support the growth of conservation and ecological awareness in Paros.”

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MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

JUNE 21 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

OLIVE ODYSSEY Foraging, farm tours and fine dining: Boutique Hotel Alhambra introduces a three-night gourmet tour of Lošinj

CROATIA’S FIVE-star Boutique Hotel Alhambra & Villa Augusta has launched a new gourmet food break showcasing the culinary traditions and ancient Illyrian heritage of the relatively undiscovered island of Lošinj on which it is located.

As part of the package, guests will be treated to tours of the ancient town of Osor and the Kucic farm in Martinscica, historic centres of olive cultivation; sample traditional delicacies such as olive pates and sheep’s cheese in olive oil; experience authentic Dalmatian specialties such as Peka, meat or octopus cooked under an iron bell covered in embers; and Brodetto, a classic tomato based seafood stew. They will also forage for wild herbs before making them into revitalising juices; and pay a visit to one of the world’s best preserved ancient Greek statues, the treasured bronze of Apoxyomenos which was found on the

seabed off the shore of Lošinj.

Part of the Lošinj Hotels & Villas portfolio, Boutique Hotel Alhambra is housed in a centenarian Austro-Hungarian Art Nouveau villa on Cikat Bay and is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. A contemporary celebration of local produce and traditional delicacies can be found at the hotel’s Alfred Keller Restaurant and wine lovers can participate in regular oenological master classes.

A Gourmet Break starts from approximately £594 per person, including three nights’ accommodation and other benefits as part of the Luxury Getaway package.

Lošinj Hotels & Villas’ portfolio also includes the five-star Hotel Bellevue and three five-star villas, Villa Augusta, Villa Mirasol and Villa Hortensia.

For further information visit www.losinjhotels.com

Make the most of 2020 with Sunvil SUNVIL WILL be marking its 50th anniversary in 2020 and is celebrating early: putting its 2020 holiday programme to Greece on sale with early booking savings of up to £100 per apartment per week; and a new agent incentive.

The company’s managing director Chris Wright, said: “Until now, Sunvil has released sales for the next season in November and December. 2019 sees a stepchange with us launching its 2020 holiday programme in June.

We have noted a trend for early bookings and our clients’ desire to secure the holiday that they want in advance.”

The operator has also noted an increase in searches for lesserknown Greek islands and an increase in tailor-made holiday itineraries. Agents are encouraged to help their clients to book early to guarantee the best airfares and availability, especially on the more popular islands. A seven-night island hopping holiday in the Cyclades is available from £1,041 per person, based on two sharing.

Wright added: “Sunvil will be launching an agency incentive.

Each month, we will be recognising the agents who have made the most of 2020 bookings.

These agents will be invited to an exclusive event in October 2020 – pack your bags!”

Go to www.sunvil.co.uk for more details.

Pick up a holiday reward to Cyprus with Cyplon WITH CYPRUS celebrating a historic number of tourists in 2018 (3.93 million, increasing by 7.8% compared to 2017), Cyplon Holidays has added the new four-star Louis Ivi Mare hotel in Paphos to its 2019-20 programme.

Opening last month, the beach side hotel overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and is located within walking distance from the picturesque harbour of Paphos. It offers tasteful décor, modern rooms, a wellness centre, children’s pool, main outdoor pool, as well as Asian and Greek cuisine that guests can indulge in on the hotel’s half-board plus board basis.

The operator is also rewarding agents who make a seven-night booking at the Louis Ivi Mare for two, by offering a free seven-night stay at the hotel on half-board for themselves and a partner.

A seven-night stay at the Louis Ivi Mare, in a Superior Inland View room on half-board, starts from £765 per person. This offer is based on a November 12 departure with easyJet from Gatwick, including bags and private transfers.

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

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OXFORD SPONSORS

MEDITERRANEAN SHOWCASE

Anita Rivas from Melia Hotels was delighted to present prize winner Chris Diasinos from Flight Centre with a two night stay at the Melia Budva Petrovac in Montenegro.

Clockwise from front left, Co-Operative Travel’s Jill Bali and Sarah Thorley meet with Sani Resort’s Claire Griffiths and Nitisha Bhougal, along with colleagues Ginny Gooding, Rachel Adams and Kelly O’Brien.

Picking up her goody bag prize from Aegean complete with a bottle of Ouzo and chocolates is Rebecca Fisher (right) from Travel Counsellors, pictured here with the airline’s Victoria Bray.

TRAVEL BULLETIN was on hand to deliver a much needed dose of summer sun to agents last week, bringing its Mediterranean Showcase to Sheffield and Oxford. Agents has the chance to learn more about a wide range of sun drenched destinations and resorts, network with well established operators and airlines and even had the chance to pick up some amazing holiday prizes!

Michelle Roberts (left) from Go Israel was on hand to tell agents all about the tourism board’s ‘Two Cities, One Break’ campaign and also presented raffle winner Maggie Bush from Travel Counsellors with a prize of Israeli wine and a Dead Sea spa kit.

Rachel Adams from Co-Operative Travel was the lucky winner of a three night at the Abaton Island Resort & Spa, presented by the company’s Yiannis Ioannou.

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Kathleen Bulmer (left) from Love Red Travel was the on-the-spot prize winner of a £35 Love2Shop voucher gifted by Belleair Holidays and company representative Rebecca Osborne.

Learning more about the smallest of Spain’s Balearic islands is, from the left: Christina Mctavish-Thompson, Lynn Kenny, Kate Crapper-Reardon, Justine Winter and Claire Winter all from Not Just Travel; with Formentera representative Minty Woolgar.

Loukia Zafeiri (right) from the Greek National Tourist Office was on hand to deliver the latest destination news to agents and presented Travel Counsellor Amanda Barker with a gift box of Greek delicacies.

Scott McGee from John Allan Travel was thrilled to win a seven-night stay at the Athena Beach Hotel in Cyprus. He is pictured here with Faye Anderson (left) from Cyplon and Ellis Burns (right) from Constantinou Bros Hotels.

Chris Wouldhave from Brilliant Travel was thrilled to win an all-inclusive stay for two to the Sandos Benidorm suites hotel, presented by Sandos Hotels & Resorts’ Eva Rubio.

Collecting her prize of a case of mixed wine is Angela Parker of Martins World Travel together with Chris Swaine from Louis Hotels.

Want to be a part of the #TBShowcases action?

Our next event will be the City Breaks Showcase taking place in Southampton on July 2. To confirm your place or find out when we will be hosting our next event near you contact events@travelbulletin.co.uk

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JUNE 21 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

MAPPING MALTA It’s never been easier to help clients embark on one of Malta & Gozo’s themed trails

2018 WAS a busy year for Malta.

Valletta was the European Capital of Culture, the island hosted the first European TropOut Festival in September, and there was the destination’s usual annual calendar of vibrant festivals and events; from Annie Mac’s Lost and Found to Isle of MTV, Birgu Festival, Jazz Festival, Baroque Festival and Gozo Marathon to name but a few.

Numbers released by the Malta Tourism Authority show that the number of UK tourists who visited the archipelago in 2018 was 640,570 – an increase of 14.2% over 2017 – and with its 300 days of sun a year and wealth of history and culture, the destination is sure to retain its appeal to British travellers this summer.

2018 and 2019 saw the Malta Tourism Authority release a series of themed maps designed to tap into visitors’ interests and guide them across the island in pursuit of gastronomic experiences, diving sites, adventurous attractions and cinematic backdrops. The latest addition to the tourism authority’s map series is the ‘Main Attraction Trail’ which has been created to highlight the Mediterranean island’s best sightseeing experiences; from natural wonders such as the Blue Grotto to the architectural marvels of St John's Co-Cathedral.

The tourism authority has also released the ‘Pilgrimage Trail’: a map that

showcases the most beautiful churches and religious spots across the archipelago. With more than 360 churches and chapels scattered across Malta and Gozo, the sites on the map embody an integral part of the country’s history, landscape and skyline, making

“Tourists are drawn all year round to the islands as they have so much to offer, from Europe’s best diving spots to world-class music festivals and streets brimming with history and culture.” them the heart of Maltese social and cultural life. The tourism authority is soon to launch a booklet that will feature all maps in the series.

The waters surrounding Malta are bursting with reefs, caves and wrecks, making for some of the best diving spots in the Mediterranean with options for all experience levels. Ready for this summer, advanced divers now have access to eight additional deep-sea wrecks, dating back to WWI and WWII. Each wreck lies at a different depth and all trips must be booked through one of Malta’s dive-centres.

In airline news, Air Malta is treating families to a ‘Kids Fly Free’ offer on all flights to the Mediterranean island from Gatwick or Southend Airport this summer.

This offer applies to bookings made before August 16, and is relevant for travellers heading to Malta between June 1 and September 30, subject to availability.

The start of April also saw Exeter and Cardiff launch new flights to Malta with Ryanair. The twice-weekly flights are expected to attract up to 85,000 customers a year to each of these departure airports and Ryanair has announced that its services to Malta will continue through the spring and summer seasons and into winter. Peter Vella, Malta Tourism Authority’s director for UK & Ireland, said: “We are delighted that Ryanair has invested in connecting Exeter and Cardiff with Malta, which raises Ryanair’s total number of regional connections from the UK to Malta to 17.

Ryanair is Malta’s most connected airline for British tourists and with the UK market accounting for nearly a quarter of all holidaymakers to our three islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino, Ryanair is a strategic partner growing tourism.

Tourists are drawn all year round to the islands as they have so much to offer, from Europe’s best diving spots to world-class music festivals and streets brimming with history and culture.”

Go to www.maltauk.com for more destination details.

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ESCORTED TOURS

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE… Wendy Wu heads to some of China’s most rural & undiscovered places on this nature-filled tour EMBARKING ON a journey to some of China’s most impressive sights and helping holidaymakers to uncover hidden treasures along the way, Wendy Wu Tours’ ‘Dreams of Nature’ puts the county’s natural wonders and dramatic landscapes firmly in the limelight.

Clients will start this extensive trip with a cruise along the Li River, drifting towards Yangshuo to find the towering limestone cliffs that line the riverbanks and then head to the lush green landscapes of the Longji Rice Terraces, with a three hour walk to take in the rural scenes and local life.

Guests will then make

their way to Zhangjiajie National Park, the striking location used in the movie Avatar with its 3,000 sandstone pillars rising from a misty fold of subtropical forest, before a visit to the UNESCO Wulong National Park made up of limestone karsts, deep gorges and natural bridges.

After a brief visit to Chongqing, holidaymakers will then head to Leshan to see the UNESCO listed Grand Buddha and, because no trip to China would be complete without a visit to the Giant Pandas, they will head to the Chengdu Panda Base to watch these playful creatures in their natural habitat.

Company founder Wendy Wu, said: “If you think you know China, think again.

There’s way more than meets the eye when it comes to this mind-blowing destination and Wendy Wu Tours’ ‘Dreams of Nature’ tour proves just that.”

Departures are from September 5, with 22 days from £3,690 per person. The price includes international flights and taxes, three-star plus and four-star accommodation, touring with guides and entrance fees, domestic transportation, most meals and visa fees for UK and EU passport holders.

For more information visit www.wendywutours.co.uk/a gents or call 0808-239 2197.

The coast with the most FUNWAY HOLIDAYS will be showcasing one of its favourite Escorted Tours in each month of 2019 and for July is primed to shine a spotlight on its 11-day ‘Western Highlights’ tour.

This tour includes iconic North American landmarks, such as exploring Yosemite National Park, an Instagram worthy snap at the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign and excursion to the Grand Canyon’s West Rim. Travelling from San Francisco to Los Angeles, this 2019 tour is priced from £1,799 per person including flights from the UK and based on two adults sharing. Other highlights include an ‘All American’ breakfast at a surprise stop on route, a guided sightseeing tour of San Francisco including Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf, a visit to Palm Springs and a stop at the iconic California Lifeguard tower made famous

by Baywatch.

Go to www.funway4agents.co.uk

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JUNE 21 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

BACK ON THE MAP As Sri Lanka begins to welcome back travellers, Abercrombie & Kent highlight the many delights of the destination and why now is an ideal time to take an escorted tour.

EARLIER THIS month the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) changed its advice on travel to Sri Lanka; no longer advising against all but essential travel to the destination and reopening the island to holidaymakers.

Several operators and consortia have announced their support of this decision, including Abercrombie & Kent with the company’s managing director, Kerry Golds, saying: “Sri Lanka is brim with lush landscapes, ancient treasures and amazing people. Now is the time that they need our support. Tourism is a big part of their economy and the FCO update is only good news for the Sri Lankan people. Our local office on the ground there means that A&K is with you every step of the way for those who

may still be cautious about travelling.”

Much more than just a beach destination, clients can journey through Sri Lanka’s verdant interior on an escorted tour and stay on a tea plantation, visit Buddhist temples, spot leopard in Yala National Park or see historic towns such as the fortified UNESCO city of Galle; Nuwara Eliya with its lawns and Georgian properties; and cosmopolitan Colombo with its busy streets and colonial heritage.

The operator has four different itineraries travelling throughout the destination: the 13night ‘Classic Sri Lanka’ from £3,910 per person; a 12-night ‘Discover Sri Lanka’ from £2,200; a nine-night ‘Explore Sri Lanka’ from £1,950; and 15-night ‘Luxury Sri Lanka’ from £5,195.

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

USA is ‘King’ for Newmarket IN A bid to advise agents as to what’s trending and where in the world clients may be looking to book their next escorted tour, Newmarket Holidays has found that tours based around the life of The King, and those visiting East Coast America during the Fall are selling well.

‘Elvis Presley’s Memphis, New Orleans & Nashville’, which offers an insight into The King’s life in the Deep South, and ‘Texas, Presley’s Memphis & New Orleans’ that combines the musical sites of the ‘Southland’ with the ‘Big Country’ sounds of Texas, are now both on sale for 2020.

Customers are also booking now to experience ‘New England in the Fall’ later this year. The nine-day escorted tour crosses five states just as the millions of trees that carpet the northeast corner of the US change colour to red, purple and gold. This spectacle of nature can also be experienced on the operator’s nine-day ‘Washington, New York & Boston in the Fall’, also suited for any clients keen to tick this trio of cities off their bucket list.

Richard Forde, the operator’s trade sales manager, said: “When it comes to ticking off several ‘must see, must do’ destinations in one escorted tour its small surprise that the USA is top of the list right now.”

Go to www.newmarketholidays.co.uk for more details.

Escape to the Chateaux this Christmas ARENA RAIL Holidays has expanded its programme for the festive season, including a new five-day ‘Festive Chateaux and Paris for Christmas’ tour.

As well as a guided visit to the Palace of Versailles, this escorted tour includes a trip to the 17th-century Château de Vaux le Vicomte – an opulent estate featuring formal French gardens and baroque interiors which were the inspiration for the Palace. Christmas Day will be welcomed in with a guided tour of the Château de Chantilly, home to the Condé Museum art collection, followed by a panoramic tour of Paris’ iconic monuments, from the Eiffel Tower to the Champs Elysees, before indulging in a festive evening meal.

The five day tour departs on December 23 and is priced from £895 per person, based on two sharing and includes four nights' half-board accommodation including festive meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, return Eurostar from London and coach transfers, all excursions and services of a tour manager.

For more information visit www.arenarailholidays.co.uk or call 01858-435 644.

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JUNE 21 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

Inghams in Iceland HOT ON the heels of the launch of it’s newly styled ‘Summer Moments’ preview magazine for its summer 2020 programme, Inghams has announced an enhanced portfolio of escorted and self-guided tours for next year.

One of the biggest highlight is the introduction of Iceland to its programme of escorted tours for next summer.

There are three options available: the six-day ‘Land of Volcanoes & Glaciers’, visiting the ice-capped Eyjafjallajokull volcano and the Westman Islands from £1,449 per person based on two sharing (departure dates from May - September 2020 and flights to Keflavik from Heathrow, Edinburgh and Glasgow); ‘Iceland’s Summer Explorer’, starting in Reykjavik and taking the Iceland Ring Road to embrace all the main sights in nine days from £2,499 per person (departures May - September 2020 and flights to Keflavik from Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Manchester and Glasgow); and ‘Wonders of Iceland’, a

full circle, nine-day tour to experience Iceland’s incredible nature, culture and history, from £2,999 (departures from June - September 2020 and flights to Keflavik from Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Manchester and Glasgow).

New Italy tours have also been added for 2020. For example, the escorted tenday ‘Discover Venice, Florence & Rome’ explores a mix of iconic sights and offthe-beaten track treasures and is priced from £1,795 per person based on two sharing. Departures are scheduled for June 8 and September 7, 2020.

Julie Franklin, the operator’s head of

agency sales, said: “We’re so proud and excited to launch Iceland and our other escorted and self-guided tours for next year. This summer, our tours are proving to be a success, with agents really getting engaged with our vast offering. To keep up-to-date on what’s included in our tours and to see which ones are available, keep an eye on our website and, of course, our agency sales team is also on hand to help with face-to-face training and advice too.”

For more information visit www.agents.inghams.co.uk

New destinations for Kuoni FROM SPENDING a night in a boutique hotel overlooking the Great Wall of China to discovering local life on a Mekong Discovery river cruise; Kuoni’s latest Escorted Touring programme is now on sale for January 2020 to December 2021 departures.

It comes with the unveiling of four new destinations for the brand. Paul Ingram, the company’s product and category manager said: “We’re really excited with the new 2020 range of tours and delighted to be offering our first Escorted Tours to Colombia, Israel, Greece and Turkey. We’ve also included lots of new experiences across the range, in response to positive customer feedback and the desire to experience a destination rather than just ticking off the sights.”

Colombia is featured under touring for the first time with the 12-night ‘Highlights of Colombia’ taking in the country’s coffee region and Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed old town. Also new for 2020 is the ‘Madagascar Wildlife’ tour, well geared toward nature-lovers with once-in-a-lifetime-experiences such as visiting a secluded island to see endangered aye aye lemurs and watching the sun set at the Avenue of the Baobabs.

The ‘South African Explorer’ tour has some new experiences such as a visit to the White Elephant Safari Lodge and lunch with the resident elephant researcher. All East African tours now also offer a four-night extension to Uganda to see gorillas in the wild and a visit to the local community.

All tours are small group journeys with no more than 18 people, can be done as a private touring option and have guaranteed departures, no matter how early the booking has been made.

Go to www.kuoni.co.uk for more details.

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ESCORTED TOURS

JUNE 21 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

THE TIME IS NOW… …for agents to take advantage of Titan Travel’s June incentive & help clients secure a tour on its low deposit campaign TITAN TRAVEL’S ‘Worldwide’ brochure has now landed with agents with a number of new escorted tours for 2020 to be found in its flagship collection.

From ‘The Best of Singapore and Malaysia’ to ‘Wild Costa Rica’ and ‘Cyprus Delights’, the escorted tour specialist has designed something for every type of traveller among its worldwide collection. As an example, is the new 12-day ‘Hawaiian Islands Discovery’ escorted tour, priced from £3,549 per person. Based on a September 14, 2020 departure, this island hoping experience across Hawaii includes ten nights’ hotel accommodation, and five excursions, including visits to Pearl Harbour, Haleakala National Park, the historic village of Kailua-Kona, Volcanoes National Park and Rainbow Falls, among

others. The price also includes the operator’s VIP door-to-door travel service, services of a tour manager and Heathrow flights with Virgin Atlantic.

Titan Travel is further celebrating its continued trade success with another incentive campaign timed for June.

Running until the end of this month, the company is offering agents a £10

lifestyle voucher for every Titan holiday booked through its call centre and a £20 voucher for every Titan holiday booked online. This is applicable on all escorted tours and ocean cruise holidays.

Moreover, a £50 lifestyle voucher will be given to all agents who book a river cruise departing in 2019 and a £25 voucher for every river cruise booked departing in 2020. All rewards must be claimed by emailing agentincentives@titantravel.co.uk within seven days of making the booking.

Agents should also be aware that the operator’s low deposit campaign, that allows customers to book a Titan trip with a £99 deposit, comes to an end on June 28.

For more details, agents can call Titan Travel Agency Sales on 0800-988 5166 or visit www.titanagents.co.uk

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ESCORTED TOURS

JUNE 21 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk

A Cosmos “Adventure is knocking” NEARLY 60 years on from its inception, Cosmos has been given a fresh new look within the Globus Family of Brands, complete with a cleaner, more modern logo and an “Adventure is knocking” tagline.

Designed to reflect the touring brand’s position as a leading and relevant travel style for all ages, Claire Hazle, the company’s director of marketing, said: “Our new look and feel confirms our continued commitment to the Cosmos brand.

We’re celebrating the unparalleled and attainable access to the world’s greatest ‘wow’ moments that travellers can experience on a Cosmos escorted tour. The reason we

travel is to discover new sights, experiences and sensations and on a Cosmos tour, we make those ‘I never thought I would’ moments possible by making travel easy and attainable.

The idea that ‘adventure is knocking’ captures the excitement and possibilities that travel brings.”

Janet Parton, the brand’s director of sales, added: “Our travel agent partners tell us that escorted touring holidays are more relevant and appealing today than they ever have been. Cosmos tours offer an ideal travel style for customers who want to experience the best a destination has to offer, but with the flexibility of independent exploration thrown in.

With an expert tour director and local guides to enrich the whole experience, we pride ourselves in bringing the world’s adventures within reach.”

New sales toolkits and materials will be distributed to agents to support the refreshed brand position, including an image library, window cards and a video. The move coincides with the launch of the 2020 North America programme and brochure, featuring three new tours: Grand Alaskan Adventure; Western Canada with Inside Passage; and Exploring the Eastern Seaboard.

For more information call 08004402797 or visit www.cosmos.co.uk

HIKING THE High Points of Ireland’ is a challenging peak-bagging adventure from Wilderness Ireland.

Hiking enthusiasts will summit the highest mountain of Ireland, as well as the highest peak in each corner of the country, and also visit three of the destination’s six national parks: the Wicklow Mountains National Park, Connemara National Park and Killarney National Park. Ancient monasteries, hidden glens and rugged bogs will all feature along the way, alongside ample opportunities to taste some of Ireland’s delicious seafood, rub shoulders with locals in quaint pubs, and learn about the fascinating history of three of Ireland’s most iconic regions.

Prices start from £1,710 per person sharing, including six nights’ bed-and-breakfast accommodation, lunches, two dinners, guiding and transfers.

Go to www.wildernessireland.com for more details.

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