Travel Bulletin 25th November 2022

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Agent Bulletin

The latest incentives and training to maximise your sales. Pg. 7 Cruising

The latest offers and packages from the world of cruising. Pg. 11 Star Awards

Pictures and winners from the return of our Star Awards. Pg. 20

Chris Crampton Pacific Asia eyes 2023 for its long-awaited return (Pg. 10)

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Earn a £20 M&S voucher with our Sudoku!

C’EST LA VIE

BULLETIN BRIEFING

Insight from the ‘Booking Boom’ from Chris Crampton of PATA

EDREAMS ODIGEO, the online travel company and e-commerce business, unveiled its 'Year in Travel' report this month, showcasing insights into the year ahead and predictions for 2023.

The report analyses booking data from key European markets and the USA, unveiling top destinations and booking habits.

For global travellers, London came second, only to Paris, as the most popular booked destination.

Nationally, Dublin took the top spot as the most popular destination this year, followed by Barcelona, Paris, Málaga, and Alicante. Top destinations for Britons were all shorthaul, reflecting long-haul border closure and potential pent-up demand for longer stays that may be capitalised on in 2023.

Long-haul searches from British travellers included Dubai, Istanbul, Bangkok and New York City, spotlighting these destinations as potential post-pandemic long-haul escapes to be taken in 2023.

Despite the strength of short-haul trips abroad, London took the top spot for hotel stays booked by Brits this year, followed by Istanbul, Dublin, Paris, and Barcelona.

The data also reveals that 41% of all bookings globally were for trips of seven days or more; a quarter of all bookings sat between the seven- and 13-day mark.

Last-minute bookings also grew in popularity this year. 45% of all bookings were made within two weeks or less of departure, compared to 36% last year. This trend shows no signs of slowing.

Dana Dunne, CEO of eDreams ODIGEO, comments: “The data speaks for itself, consumers are embracing the opportunity to travel whenever they can. Our bookings data shows short breaks are currently the most prominent, revealing that consumers are looking to squeeze in holidays wherever possible, with almost a third of trips lasting for just threefour days.”

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OCEAN

PARIS TOOK the top spot as the most popular booked destination in 2022, with London coming second, as per data from eDreams ODIGEO's 2022 bookings.

Jet2 launches extended City Break programme

JET2.COM AND Jet2CityBreaks have announced their summer 2024 City Breaks programme, featuring 10 destinations on sale from six UK bases. The programme, which is on sale earlier than ever before, introduces a brand new route from London Stansted to Nice, and offers unrivalled choice and flexibility to other top city break locations.

Customers and independent travel agents can choose from destinations including Athens, Barcelona, Budapest, Krakow, Prague, Nice, Paris, Pisa, Rome and Venice. The scale of the programme has meant an additonal 35 routes have been added to the company’s roster, equating more than one million extra seats going on sale.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2Holidays, said, “We have received a very positive response from customers and independent travel agents since going on sale early with our Summer Sun programme for 2024. Whether it is a weekend, long weekend or something longer, our City Breaks programme for summer 24 offers something for everyone.” www.jet2holidays.com

Full steam ahead for the Flying Scotsman

THE FLYING Scotsman is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary in style as the JG Travel Group has put together its specialised 2023 breaks programme, allowing customers the chance to get up close and personal to the iconic locomotive. Agents can book a choice of two and three day breaks through both the Just Go! Holidays and National Holidays brands. The two-day breaks are avaliable on March 12 and 18, 2023, for £149pp, where customers can experience a picturesque

steam-hauled round-trip journey on the East Lancashire Railway, meandering through postcard villages before arriving back in Bury.

Claire Dutton, trade sales manager at JG Travel group, said, “Every year our Flying Scotsman breaks are a sell out and we expect the same for our 2023 trips. Being part of its centenary year will be a once-in-alifetime experience for many.”

www.nationalholidays.com/agents

THE ARGYLL and Isles Tourism Cooperative has launched its new dedicated travel trade resource to provide support for destination management companies (DMCs), tour operators and travel agencies in developing repeat business opportunities.

Travel trade specialist, Yvonne Wagoun, said: “At a time when new product planning is at the forefront of the incoming operators’ minds, we hope this new platform will inspire operators to take clients further into the beautiful corners of Argyll and onto the islands which make this boutique region so special.”

www.wildaboutargyll.co.uk/travel-trade

CELESTYAL HAS launched its Black Friday sale, offering huge savings on more than 90 sailings with kids cruising for free. The offer will run from November 14 to December 6, 2022, with savings of up to £771 up for grabs.

www.celestyal.com

Travel trade platform showcases the best of Argyll and surrounding islands

Celestyal promotes huge Black Friday sale on 90+ sailings

Image Credit s : Top: JG Travel Group, Left: Adobe Stock, Right: Celestyal, Bottom: Wild About Argyll

Winter walking tours in Oxford from Oxford Official Walking Tours

WITH THE holiday season upon us, Oxford Official Walking Tours has unveiled a seasonal addition to its walking tour programme, the ‘Festive Private Group Tour’.

The tours, led by a jolly festive guide, take in the city’s Christmas lights and sights. Annie Macdonald, tour desk group leader at Experience Oxfordshire, said: “We’re so excited for the launch of our seasonal tour, as are our guides, who can’t wait to get into the spirit of Christmas!”

www.oxfordofficialwalkingtours.org

hotel bites

HOTEL CHAIN Travel Hotels, in conjunction with the Tel Katzir Kibbutz, is aiming to create a village of 120 rooms, a kilometre above the Sea of Gallilee. With an ocean view pool and training centre, the complex will provide modern facilities and a gateway to the activities on offer in the region, from hikes to hot springs.

Ticketpipe: new West End ticket agency hopes to boost trade sales

TICKETPIPE, SET up by industry veterans John Wales and Sean Sweeney, has launched, focused on optimising trade business for West End tickets.

Ticketpipe will streamline the process for agents to book the shows their clients want to see.

John Wales explained: “Tourism to London is returning, and those visitors want to

experience the capital’s theatreland and see the shows they have heard so much about. During the pandemic there has been a void in serving the travel trade... we understand the needs and working solutions that make it easy to book London theatre, which Ticketpipe now provides.”

www.ticketpipe.co.uk

THE WESTIN Grand Frankfurt has reopened following a 25month renovation, embedding a well-being concept across its 372 refurbished rooms.

CÉ BLUE Luxury Villas, on Crocus Bay, Anguilla, has reopened under new management, with eight threeand five-bedroom villas on offer with views across the bay. Rates start at £1,595 per night.

HELPING GUESTS beat the January blues, Serco Caledonian Sleeper is offering a 25% discount off all January travel until November 28, 2022.

The code SLEEPERSALE can unlock the discount on all routes, guestroom types and seats for travel from January 3 to February 8, 2023. www.sleeper.scot

Last-gasp escapes with G Adventures

G ADVENTURES is offering up to 30% off select trips departing before April 30, 2023.

The ‘Cyber Sale’ is running until November 30, 2022, and applies to over 700 trips in the adventure operator’s portfolio.

Trips include ‘Inca Discovery’ from £804 per person and ‘Antarctica Classic’ from £5,249. www.gadventures.com

TUI unveils ‘Green & Fair’ label

RECOGNISING HOTELS’ eco credentials, TUI is highlighting sustainable properties with a new ‘Green & Fair’ label.

TUI will donate £1 per adult and 50p per child for every stay booked to a ‘Green & Fair’ property as part of its launch alongside the summer 2024 programme. www.tui.co.uk

CLASSIC PACKAGE Holidays has expanded its property portfolio by adding 1,000 hotels to their roster, with the addition of Mauritius and Jamaica to its long-haul destination programme and Barcelona and Lisbon to its city break calendar.

Alex Gavalda, director of Internal Sales, Product and Commercial, Classic Package Holidays, said, “We are increasing our portfolio by 1,000 properties by adding a mix of new destinations, and new hotel products within existing destinations.

“We’re offering our trade partners more choice than ever

before, and further enhancing our price competitiveness with the inclusion of a wide selection of two star hotels, but without compromising on quality. We will continue to monitor the performance of hotels by checking on customer satisfaction, and will not feature hotels that fail to meet our quality criteria.”

www.classic-package.co.uk

European Waterways’

£12,000 Black Friday savings

EUROPEAN WATERWAYS is offering an explosive Black Friday sale wherein guests can save 25% on charters for two of the company’s most luxurious hotel barge cruises; La Belle Epoque and Enchante.

Guests can save up to £12,250 on the whole vessel charter of the 12-passenger La Belle Epoque on April 9, 2023, costing £36,750, and savings up to £9,125 on the eight-person Enchante departing April 2, 2023, at the discounted cost of £27,375. Guests who charter La Belle Epoque can expect world-class cuisine from the Northern Burgundy region, whereas guests on the Enchante can cruise up the Canal du Midi in Southern France.

The offer is only valid when booked between November 25 and December 2, 2022.

www.europeanwaterways.com

huge

Classic Package Holidays adds 1,000 hotels to portfolio

Image Credits:

AGENT INCENTIVES

● CELESTYAL, THE cruise line specialising in Greek Island and Eastern Mediterranean cruises, has unveiled a Black Friday incentive, offering three travel agent partners the chance to win £150 towards a Christmas night out at one of 25 The Real Greek restaurants. To be in with a chance of winning, agents must make a booking with Celestyal and send the booking reference to tradesupport@celestyal.com by December 7, 2022. Celestyal will pick three winning agencies at random, with vouchers valid until December 31, 2022. There is no limit to bookings or entries. www.celestyal.com

● DOUBLE WU Breakaways points are available until the end of November, in celebration of Wendy Wu’s new collection of spring 2023 tours. Points are included on any Group, Tailormade or Private tours, and can be redeemed for a free Wendy Wu tour of agents’ choice. www.wendywutours.co.uk

● TITAN TRAVEL is offering ‘double bubble’ on November bookings aboard MS River Discovery II or MS Serenade I. A £20 Lifestyle incentive is available with all departures booked for 2023. Regional flights on the ships are available at a fixed £100 per person supplement across select UK airports. Titan escorted tours and third-party river/ocean cruise bookings include the £10 voucher as standard. www.titantravel.com

● WITH 2022 seeing turnover growth of over 300% on 2021, Fred. Holidays Rail Journeys is rewarding agents with a £50 Amazon voucher on any bookings made by November 30, 2022. www.fredholidays.co.uk/railjourneys

Agent bulletin

BANYAN TREE Group’s Angelika Marsh was the lucky winner of a premium economy return ticket from London to Bangkok at World Travel Market 2022! Pictured here with Sarah Wu, general manager at EVA Air.

AGENT TRAINING

● VISIT ICELAND is continuing to update the Iceland Specialist programme with a choice of webinars, videos, and the ‘Inspired by Iceland’ specialist course. Webinars are broken down by region, offering general introductions to the area, geography, wonders, culture, seasons, weather, and transportation. www.traveltrade.inspiredby iceland.com

● WIN £50 Love2shop vouchers or a pair of Manchester City tickets when registering and completing the Abu Dhabi Specialist Programme. A monthly draw will take place in both November and December. www.travelbulletin.co.uk/tra velgym/destination-training

● THE NEW Italy Online Training course provides agents with the knowledge and confidence to sell and upsell unforgettable trips to the land of ‘La Dolce Vita’. Completing four modules gives agents the chance to be included in incentive draws including fam trips and Italian treats.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk/tra velgym/destination-training

Webinar

Register for our Travel Training Virtual Showcase, taking place on December 7, 2022, with a number of supplier partners including Borgo Di Colleoli and the Arizona Department of Tourism!

Register here: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/webinar

● COMPLETE THE UK Travel Agent Training Programme from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and earn two complimentary admission passes upon completion. www.travelbulletin.co.uk/tra velgym/other-travel-training

● TAKE THE Malta Training Programme to be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 Amazon voucher or Maltese gastronomy bag. The more courses taken, the more entries agents will earn. Training covers the diverse experiences on offer on the island, from eclectic music festivals to UNESCO-listed heritage. www.travelbulletin.co.uk/tra velgym/destination-training

AGENT INSIGHT

SANDRA MURRAY

NORMANTON, YORKSHIRE

MY TRIP to Las Vegas and my mobility scooter discovery already feels like a lifetime ago! Don’t let any disability concerns put you off Las Vegas as it truly is the most accessible destination that I’ve ever visited. While I was there I saw Mad Apple, Cirque du Soleil’s latest show, which blew my mind with its performers, acrobatics and eclectic mix of music, dance and comedy.

Las Vegas’ food scene is one that I won’t be forgetting, from Beast by Todd English, Noodle Den, and Esther’s Kitchen, which is a must-visit gem with creative dishes. For those wanting a unique and elevated dining experience, they must visit Mayfair Supper Club, which offers live music in a Gatsby-esque setting and unbeatable views over the Bellagio fountains. Lip Smacking Foodie Tours offers a range of culinary tours, where guests are whisked through a selection of the hottest restaurants, tasting the chefs' signature dishes. Las Vegas’ culture and history must also be discovered. Learn about gangster history at the Mob Museum and how to track down criminals in the Crime Lab experience, analysing previous crime scenes and suspect fingerprints.

Just an hour away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip is Eldorado Canyon Gold Mine that takes you back in time and teaches you all about what it was like to be a gold miner all those years ago. My favourite experience was the helicopter flight with Maverick Helicopters over the Strip at night, a Las Vegas classic!

Hope everyone is positive – I think people are so fed up of the bad news and doom and gloom that they will want to go on holiday so get some fantastic offers in your windows!

National Holidays grows sporting breaks range for 2023

FOR THE first time, National Holidays is offering coach breaks including tickets to women’s football matches.

Two new breaks have gone on sale, with tickets to the Women’s FA Cup Final at Wembley in May, and the Women’s Super League match between Manchester United and Arsenal in April. Breaks start from £109 per person including coach travel from selected pick-up points in Yorkshire, one night’s accommodation with breakfast and dinner, and a ticket to the match.

Other sporting options include tickets to Edgbaston for the opening test match of the Ashes in June 2023 and tickets to the Premier League Darts in Birmingham. www.nationalholidays.com/agents

News Bites

• MENORCA IS celebrating its 30th anniversary as a UNESCO Natural Biosphere Reserve in 2023, emphasising the role of eco experiences exploring its heritage and landscapes.

• RAS AL Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is teaming up with the organising committee of the Emirate’s New Year’s Eve celebration, aiming for a show-stopping fireworks display that will attempt to break a number of Guinness World Records.

LOTUS HAS been appointed as PR activity manager for Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. The 499-room-and-suite property is targeting the UK market for growth, and LOTUS will highlight the sustainability and community initiatives that make the hotel a unique proposition.

wwww.shangri-la.com/en/kotakinabalu/rasariaresort

Image Credit

Top: National Holidays, Bottom: Shangri-La Rasa Ria

Win a £20 M&S voucher in the SuDoku prize puzzle

Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the 3 x 3 squares contains the digits 1-9.

Once you have completed the puzzle, simply identify the numbers that relate to the letters, A, B, C and D then e-mail the solution, with your name, company name, and full postal address plus phone and ABTA number if applicable to:

competition@travelbulletin.co.uk

Closing date for entries is Thursday, December 8. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for November 11 is Fallon McGilloway from Lincolnshire Co-op Sleaford Travel

November 11 Solution: A=5 B=4 C=6 D=9

For all competitions visit http://www.travelbulletin.co.uk/component/r sform/form/1593-Travel-Trivia-Quiz

where am i ?

Resort and lake in Banff National Park, named for a daughter of Queen Victoria (6)

Highest mountain in Wales (7)

Resort & hotel chain and a Star Awards winner, ___ Collection (3)

Bucharest is the capital (7)

This city is the capital of the winners of Qatar 2022's opening game, and was founded in the 16th century from the ruins of an Inca city.

Captain of England's 2022 FIFA World Cup squad (5,4)

Singapore Changi international airport code (3)

English actor, Jude ___ (3)

Bali beach resort (5)

The sister ship to Disney Fantasy (5)

St Anton is a popular resort in this area of Austria (5)

East African country (5)

New Lives in the Wild presenter, ___ Fogle (3)

Oslo Gardermoen international airport code (3)

Mystery Word: HAWAII, Where Am I?: Quito

Down: 1 HARRY KANE, 2 SIN, 3 LAW, 4 INN, 5 SANUR, 6 DREAM, 7 NEWMARKET, 9 TYROL, 10 KENYA, 13 BEN, 14 OSL, 15 NSW.

Across: 1 HAYS, 3 LOUISE, 5 SNOWDON, 8 YANGTZE, 10 KEW, 11 AMR, 12 ROMANIA, 13 BOLOGNA, 16 SUNVIL, 17 WEST.

Industry insight by...

Chris Crampton, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), on the growing potential for Pacific Asia and the Far East to work its way back onto the top of travellers’ bucket lists, and how agents can offer the greatest value on holidays.

THE REOPENING of the final few key holiday destinations in the Asia Pacific brings more excitement and opportunity for agents. The region is definitely one to watch: it's going to be the fastest growing demand wise in the months ahead.

While it’s been the slowest region to fully return, huge pent up demand means we are already seeing an increase in booking volumes for winter 2022 and into 2023. Most recently, and long awaited, New Zealand and Japan reopened its borders which has contributed to a spike in bookings. Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia

and Indonesia are also ranking in operators top selling long haul destinations. This is great news for hotels, DMCs and attractions who are finally reporting a sustained source of income from tourism again. Big ticket trips are still popular too, the likes of Australia and New Zealand, as consumers seek big adventures.

It’s not always about quantity though, Bhutan’s recent re-opening comes with a firm responsible tourism policy – high value, low volume – their sustainable development tourism fee aims to mitigate the negative impact of tourism on the country.

Air Capacity Challenge

Air capacity remains the region's biggest barrier to immediate growth. There aren’t currently enough flights to meet consumer demand; this, plus fuel prices, is driving up the cost of flights but overall Asia remains good value for luxury beach holidays and experiential trips.

What’s selling for 2023

David Kevan, co-director of CHIC Locations says countries within Asia, particularly Thailand and Malaysia, are providing excellent value for money. Although air fares have increased

(worldwide) Asia is very affordable in terms of hotel rates, eating out and other holiday essentials.

Sam Collins, Far East product manager for Best at Travel says 2022 has been a year of uncertain changes as various countries amended and removed restrictions but this has settled down and consumers have more confidence in the Far East now. The initial rebound to the region has seen a surge in long stay multigenerational villa bookings. Multicentre bookings have taken longer to return but are a huge opportunity now much of the region is open. Last minute bookings are there for 2022 but we’re starting to see long lead bookings for 2023, especially as families seek to secure the best prices, and a lot of enquiries for the next 18 months for honeymoons which provide opportunities to upsell flights, room categories, experiences and tours.

This month sees PATA return with its popular Winter agent training programme including the following events to help you get ahead of the game for 2023’s popular destinations:

• Indian Ocean Virtual Roadshow November 30, 2022

• Australia Online Quiz December 1, 2022

Register at www.pata.org.uk

ocean cruises NEW SAILINGS FOR 2023

Image Credit s :

FRED. OLSEN Cruise Line has ramped up its 2023 offering for cruisers who have a sense of adventure with the addition of two new shorter sailings as part of its Around the World in 80 Days voyage in 2023 – with up to £300 per person for guests to enjoy on board.

Borealis will sail from Southampton on February 23, 2023, following in the

Azamara adds 44 new cruises for 2024/25

AZAMARA HAS unveiled its programme for winter 2024/25 featuring 44 new cruises.

Azamara Quest will be sailing around the coast of South Africa, Azamara Journey will be cruising along South America, Azamara Pursuit will be visiting Asia and Australia, and Azamara Onward will be embarking on a 2025 World Voyage. The programme also features 171 late stays and overnights in port Prices lead in at £1,315 for the 12-night Lisbon to Miami voyage. In North America, the offer includes 20% off select voyages, a US$300 on board credit, unlimited wifi and a drinks package for two. www.azamara.com

footsteps of fictional explorer Phileas Fogg in the Jules Verne novel ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’.

Cruise and adventure lovers who wish to experience part of the adventure can join one of two shorter cruises that will visit many of the wonders included within the 80-day voyage.

A 26-night journey from Southampton to Singapore will see Borealis cruise the Suez Canal, with guests able to explore the temples of Luxor and Karnak, visit the secret bazaars, hidden temples and the Elephanta Caves in Mumbai or, in Singapore, witness the indigenous wildlife and the UNESCO-listed World Heritage Botanic Gardens.

From Singapore, Borealis will depart on a 53-night cruise with ports of calls in Japan in time to witness the cherry

blossom in bloom and delve into the Samurai heritage at Fukuoka and Osaka Castle. The voyage will also visit Hong Kong to experience the temples, street food and architecture of this popular destination before heading to Hawaii to visit Aloha Tower, farmers' markets, and traditional Hawaiian dance shows. It will also call in at San Francisco, San Diego, Acapulco, Guerrero, Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, Panama Canal Transit, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, Santa Marta Colombia, Tortola, Basseterre St Kitts and Nevis, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel and Azores, Portugal. The 26night voyage costs from £3,799 and the 53-night cruise leads in at £7,499 and for both voyages, there is a £300 on board spend www.fredolsencruises.com

Silversea returns to Asia after two years

www.silversea.co.uk

Top: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Bottom: Silversea

SILVERSEA CRUISES is returning to Asia next month with four ships, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, Silver Spirit and Silver Muse, set to sail in the region between December and May. The Silver Muse will become the line’s first ship to sail in Asia since March 2020 when it departs Singapore on December 2, 2022. Highlights of Silversea’s season will include calls in Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Silversea’s Asia season comprises 25 cruises ranging from 10 to 20 days.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Line introduces two shorter options to its ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ voyage.

EMERALD CRUISES is sailing to the Caribbean for the first time next year, with savings of up to 30% available on all new Caribbean and Central America itineraries

There are savings of 20% on the 10-day ‘Grenadines and Grenada Adventure’ cruise, which includes the coral reefs of Tobago Cay National Park and the palm-fronded white beaches of Mayreau Island This sailing is now priced at £4,805 per person, down from £5,145 per person, based on a November 24, 2023 departure.

Guests can save up to 30% on Emerald Cruises’ ‘Epic Voyages’, designed specifically for those in search of a longer and more leisurely sailing. Prices on the 21-day ‘Discover Southern Caribbean and Central America’ cruise start at £9,835 per person, down from £11,425 per person, based on a February 5, 2024 departure. www.emeraldcruises.co.uk

Regent

expands pre- and post-cruise trip options

REGENT SEVEN Seas Cruises is including a pre- or post- cruise land programme on 57 sailings across Europe, from April to November 2023.

The ‘Gift of Travel’ is valid for new bookings until January 6, 2023 on sailings on board Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Splendor, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Navigator, in destinations including Piraeus (Athens), Southampton (London), Copenhagen, Istanbul and Barcelona. There are seven included pre- or post-cruise land programmes to choose from.

Highlights of the ‘Gift of Travel’ include the three-night ‘Mystical Cappadocia – Istanbul’ experience; the three-night ‘London and Charming Cotswolds’ tour; and the four-night ‘Authentic Madrid and Beyond – Barcelona’ trip.

Additional voyages in the offer include ‘Andalusian Traditions’ voyage; the 16-night ‘North Atlantic Exploration’; and the 12-night ‘Bosphorus Beauty’ sailing. www.rssc.com/

Heritage adds a trio of new cruises

EXPEDITION CRUISE company Heritage Expeditions has added three new islandhopping voyages to its programme for 2023, exploring the remote tropical islands of Asia and the South Pacific on the 140passenger Heritage Adventurer.

The 29-day ‘Grand Pacific Odyssey’ departs on March 20, 2023, and cruises from New Zealand to Japan crossing both the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, and the Equator. Prices start at £8,999 per person

The 14-day ‘Undiscovered Philippines and Indonesia’, departing on June 27, gives passengers the chance to swim with whale sharks, to discover the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ on Bohol Island, delve into the history of the Spice Islands, explore coral reefs, enjoy wildlife encounters and experience cultural exchanges during voyage. Prices start at £7,562 per person.

The 27-day ‘Asian Island Odyssey’ departs from Osaka on June 14, sailing through the Philippines and Indonesia before arriving in Darwin. Cruisers will have the opportunity to experience Yakushima Island, the white sand beaches and coral gardens of Amami Oshima, Hualien's Taroko National Park and Marble Gorge, Batan Island's WWII history, Vigan's

architecture, and the Hundred Islands National Park. Prices lead in at around £15,124 per person.

All prices are based on triple share accommodation and includes accommodation with meals, house beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, Zodiac excursions, guided nature tours, one night’s hotel accommodation for Asian Island Odyssey and Undiscovered Philippines and Indonesia only, and preand post-cruise transfers.

www.heritage-expeditions.com/

A gem of an offer from Emerald Cruises

Havila deals for solo travellers

HAVILA VOYAGES is offering savings of 50% off all seaview or interior cabin bookings for solo travellers for bookings made before the end of November 2022.

The discount is valid on Norwegian coastal cruises departing before the end of March 2023, excluding December 16 and 21 departures, and guests can choose from a choice of itineraries and durations, but those booking the 12-day round-trip from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, will qualify for £220 on-board credit and Havila’s ‘Northern Lights Promise’, which offers guests on the 12-day sailing the chance to enjoy a free sixor seven-night voyage if the natural phenomenon doesn’t appear during their cruise.

The Bergen round cruise for solo travellers leads in at £1,565 including return flights from Heathrow, transfers, cruise in an interior cabin on full board basis, one night in a hotel pre- and post-cruise and £220 onboard credit.

To book tel: 0207 664 2241 or visit bestserved.co.uk.

Last-minute spaces from Ambassador

AMBASSADOR CRUISE Line has availability on two last-minute sailings

The cruise line has cabins available on its three-night ‘Festive Market Getaway ’ sailing from Tilbury on December 18, 2022. The cruise will sail to Zeebrugge to experience Bruges’ Christmas markets. Prices lead in at £369 The 42-night Cuba and Treasures of the Caribbean leaves Tilbury on January 5 and calls in at Funchal, Madeira Barbados, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica and Cuba www.ambassadorcruiseline.com

Savings on 2023 voyages around French Polynesia

ARANUI 5, the cargo and passenger ship that offers sailings around the remote islands of French Polynesia, has put together some special deals for bookings made before December 31, 2022.

Free cabin upgrades or savings of around £420 per person are available on departures from January 21 to June 17, 2023, and an upgrade is being offered in the superior cabin category, subject to availability.

Onboard credit of US$150 per person is

also available on special Pitcairn, Cook, Tuamotu island cruises.

Aranui 5 can accommodate as many as 230 guests across 103 suites, staterooms, and dormitory-style rooms, some with balconies.

The 12-day ‘Discover the Marquesas’ cruise on board Aranui 5 costs from approximately £1,895 per person. Price includes accommodation, all meals, taxes and scheduled excursions. www.aranui.com

STAR CLIPPERS has unveiled a new Captain’s Collection

The bespoke packages have added luxury elements

Packages featured include a 16night St Maarten getaway with a seven-night sailing in a Category 1 cabin, Premium Economy flights and pre- and post-cruise stays in Belmond’s La Samanna, St Maarten. Prices lead in at £10,399 per person. starclippers.co.uk

Bucket-list packages from Star Clippers

RIVER CRUISES ONE FOR THE BUCKET LIST

A-ROSA

A-ROSA RIVER Cruises has extended its 2023 ‘Danube Delta’ cruise by two nights.

Ideal for agents who have customers that are looking for a bucket list experience, this 18-night itinerary now includes longer stays in Vienna and Budapest, plus Tulcea to allow for more time to explore the Delta on excursions.

The cruise travels all the way down to the Danube Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is the perfect spot for wildlife watching. It is here that the Danube flows into the Black Sea.

The longest cruise in the river cruiseline’s portfolio, the itinerary starts in Austria, and travels through six countries past the Iron Gates gorge in Europe, to Tulcea in Romania, the gateway to the Danube Delta.

Highlights include port of call such as Vienna, Bratislava Belgrade, Oltenita (for Bucharest), Novi Sad, Budapest and many more.

Departing on selected dates between April and August 2023, prices lead in at £4,589 per person to include return flights, transfers and 18 nights on board on a premium all-inclusive basis. the price is based on two sharing.

A-ROSA River Cruises recently launched a smartphone app designed to give guests information about their cruise, both prior and after departure.

The news portal holds all relevant information from the ship’s on-board programme, such as restaurant and spa opening times and details of the dailychanging evening buffet menu. Guests can even book excursions in the ‘My Trip’ section, as well as view the voyage’s full itinerary.

Lucia Rowe, managing director of AROSA River Cruises, said, “Many people use mobiles or tablets while on holiday and we appreciate how providing digital information is a great way to get information out to guests in

an easily accessible format. We have been able to combine so many useful functions into one application and we look forward to rolling it out across the fleet for next year’s season.” www.arosa-cruises.co.uk

Shearings sets sail with six new voyages for 2023

SHEARINGS HAS added six new river cruises to its Europe 2022-24 Collection. The tours include the nine-day ‘Beauty of the Rhône’ with five days on Rhône Princess with prices from £1,529. The nine-day Northern Rhine Cruise tour includes seven nights on A-ROSA AQUA with prices from £1,699 The nine-day ‘Southern Rhine Cruise’ includes seven nights’ on A-ROSA AQUA with prices from £2,099 The nine-day ‘Rhine Valley Cruise’ trip includes five days’ sailing the Rhine with prices from £1,499.

www.shearings.com/login-agent

adds extra nights to ‘Danube Delta’ voyage making it the longest cruise in line’s history.

Credits: Seaside Collection

New river cruiseline sets sail from March 2023

FAMILY-RUN HOTEL group Seaside Collection has dipped its toe into the river cruise market with the launch of Riverside Luxury Cruises following the acquisition of Crystal Cruises’ Mozart, which is described as the most exclusive river cruise ship on the Danube following extensive renovations just before the pandemic.

Riverside Mozart will start cruising in April 2023 with guests able to embark in Vienna, Budapest and Passau.

“We had been watching the market for river cruise ships for a number of years, and when the opportunity arose to take over the Mozart, we didn't hesitate for long,” says Gregor Gerlach, who owns Seaside Collection with his sister Anouchka. Together, they enter the river cruise market as the founders of Riverside Luxury Cruises.

The two see great potential in river cruises Gregor Gerlach says: “With only 100 to 150 guests on board the Riverside Mozart and around 80 crew, we can offer the highest level of personal service on the rivers.”

River Cruise expert Stuart Perl joins the team as the newly appointed managing director of Riverside Luxury Cruises. www.riverside-cruises.com/en/

Save with Le Boat’s Black Friday sale

LE BOAT, provider of boating holidays across Europe and Canada’s inland waterways, has launched its Black Friday sale.

Running until November 28, 2022, 20% across all destinations (excluding Italy) is available, with select departures including savings of 25%.

A seven-night self-catered cruise on the Thames starts from £262 per person (was £326). www.leboat.co.uk

Image

SCENIC LUXURY Cruises and Tours has launched its ‘Discover the Wonder Beyond’ campaign with some special deals.

Any customers booking a river cruise in Europe will be able to save up to 25% on bookings, with free private door-to-door transfers when paying in full at the time of booking.

On cruises in Southeast Asia, guests can save up to £2,000 per couple, also with free doorto-door transfers. These offers are available until November 30, 2022. www.scenic.co.uk

Early-booking discounts on Viking’s new voyages

VIKING RIVER Cruises has two new itineraries for 2023 with early booking discounts of £750 per person and a free drinks package on reservations made by December 31, 2022.

The 17-day ’Capitals of Eastern Europe’ sails from Vienna to Bucharest and includes stops in Mohács, Vukovar and Ilok, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Vidin, Pleven, and Constanţa. Prices lead in at £4,845 per person for sailings in March 2023 based on current availability and includes return flights, two nights in a central Bucharest hotel, a 14-night voyage and 12 guided tours.

The 15-day ‘Lyon, Provence and the Rhineland’ experience cruises from Amsterdam to Avignon with ports of call including Kinderdijk, Cologne, Kiblenz, Speyer, Strasbourg, Breisach, Basel, Burgundy, Lyon, Vienne, Tournon and Viviers and Arles.

Prices start at £5,090 per person for sailings in April 2023 and include return

flights, a 14-night voyage and 15 guided tours.

Both cruises include Standard Stateroom accommodation, in-destination transfers, all on board meals including wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, included excursion in each port of call, wifi gratuities, evening entertainment, and enrichment talks. This price is reflective of the earlybooking discount of £750 per person on 2023 river cruises plus a free drinks package. www.viking.com

New themes from VIVA for 2023

Amadeus cuts prices for Black Friday

AMADEUS RIVER Cruises has launched its Black Friday deal with savings of up to £360 per person up for grabs on selected European river cruises. The offer is valid for trips booked between November 24 and 30, 2022, and include itineraries such as ‘Christmas on the Rhine’, ‘Tulip Serenade’, ‘Classical Rhine’ and ‘Classical Danube’. Prices cover all meals, on-board entertainment and the use of port taxis. www.amadeusrivercruises.co.uk

VIVA CRUISES has launched new themed cruises for 2023 on board SWISS RUBY starting in summer 2023.

The new voyages will include historical themed and wine cruises with prices starting at £1,695 for an eight-day cruise.

New for 2023 will be the 11-night ‘Big Cities and Hanseatic Flair’ voyage, which will revolve around the theme of the Hanseatic League - a trading network that dominated northern European’s commercial activity from the 13th to the 15th century.

SWISS RUBY will take guests into the centre of Amsterdam before continuing on

to Dutch province of Friesland through the German river, Ems, and the Elbe-Havel Canal. On arrival into the Hanseatic city of Minden (Germany), visitors will visit the coffee museum and learn all about modern shipbuilding at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg. Prices start from £2,695.

The seven-night ‘Northern Germany Explorer’ cruise in late summer will explore modern German cities including Berlin, Hamburg and Dusseldorf and delve into culture by visiting the Ruhr coalfield (one of the world’s largest) and other buildings in northern Germany. Prices start at £1,795.

VIVA Cruises’ 2023 themed cruises will be rounded off with autumnal wine cruises on the Rhine, Neckar, Moselle and Saar. Prices for the seven-night Golden autumn in the Vineyard cruises start at £1,695. www.viva-cruises.com

Image Credit s : Top Left: Scenic, Top Right: Viking River Cruises, Bottom Left: A-ROSA River Cruises, Bottom Right: VIVA Cruises

Scenic offers savings of up to 25%

Star Awards STAR AWARDS 2022

OCTOBER 31, 2022 saw the travel industry's finest come together for a glittering awards ceremony to honour our 2022 star performers as voted for by Travel Bulletin readers.

Guests were wined and dined at the Hilton London Bankside with the 33 deserving winners being presented with their accolades by comedian, Justin Moorhouse.

The celebrations didn't stop there... as many travel industry folk partied on until the early hours enjoying live music, fun and games!

It was an emotional affair as we reunited for the first time since 2019. Of course, we’ve seen plenty of you on the road at our various events which came back in full force this year, but there’s something special about the glitz and glamour of our Star Awards – long may it continue!

Travel Bulletin would not exist without all of our

fabulous partners and suppliers, and least of all the agents who keep the industry thriving! We thought it was more important than ever to recognise just how important all you agents are, and introduced four special Star Travel Agency categories for the first time.

On that note... see you next year?

~ Jeanette, Simon, Sarah, Tim, Matt, Melissa, Holly, and the whole Travel Bulletin family.

The return of the Star Awards was a shining success, with 33 lucky winners crowned stars in their fields!

“AS THE world’s largest international airline –Emirates connects more than 130 destinations via its home and hub, Dubai. Customers choose to fly better with Emirates to experience the airline’s world-class products, exceptional services, warm hospitality and award-winning inflight entertainment system of more than 5,000 channels of entertainment.

“Emirates Gateway, the airline’s state-of-theart online gateway, offers travel industry

partners direct access to rich, personalised content that caters to each market’s business needs as well as the latest information on the airline’s products, services, and policies – helping partners provide an even better service to customers.

“The airline recently announced a multibillion dollar investment to enhance the on-board experience for customers, including: the largest-known airline retrofit programme of 120 aircraft fitted with Emirates Premium Economy cabins and latest interiors across all cabins; a new hospitality-focused service delivery model; and enhanced menus to offer customers elevated meal choices, new vegan menus, and a “cinema in the sky’ experience.

“From December 1, Emirates will serve the UK with 119 weekly including: six times daily to London Heathrow; three times daily A380 service to Gatwick; daily service to Stansted; three times daily to Manchester, including a double daily A380 service; double daily service to Birmingham; daily service to Newcastle; and a daily service to Glasgow.”

STAR UK AIRPORT: NEWCASTLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

“WE WORK closely with travel agents to ensure they are up to date on developments from Newcastle International Airport. We host dedicated training sessions, roadshows and social events to ensure we deliver a personalised service and effective engagement with the industry. We also support travel agents at their own customer networking events to help them convert enquiries to bookings.

“We are pleased that trade professionals have voted for Newcastle International Airport as their Star UK Airport. This is testament to the fact we go the extra mile to support travel trade with our on-the-road, dedicated support and the broad range of services, materials and offers that we deliver.

“JETSET ARE humbled to receive such fantastic recognition from the agent community. For us it is not about accolades and awards, but they do always help! Above all it shows the Jetset team that their hard work,

dedication and commitment to doing the right thing and delivering for agents never goes unnoticed. We have all been struggling with the effects of the last few years but it does feel that the industry is now emerging

from the dark shadow that held us all back for so long. Nights like the Star Awards remind us just what a fantastic industry we work in.”

“Teams from across the Airport work hard to deliver outstanding customer experiences and we are proud to report that, year to date, 98% of passengers have passed through security in 6 minutes or less.”

“WE WOULD like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our dedicated partners who have continued to support us throughout 2022. We’re incredibly grateful to receive the Star Leisure Airline Award, particularly as this is voted for by travel agents. It is great to see that the dedication from our colleagues has been

appreciated and recognised by travel agents nationwide.

“As the leading tour operator to destinations across Europe, the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean, it has been yet another successful and exciting year working in partnership with our independent travel agency

partners across the UK. We have enjoyed a busy and successful summer delivering our biggest ever programme, all whilst not cancelling any flights or holidays, showing that we are the airline and tour operator independent travel agents can trust.”

STAR FAMILY HOLIDAYS DESTINATION: MALLORCA

"THE MALLORCA Tourism Board is delighted that Mallorca has won the Star Family Holidays Destination Award. The island has a vast range of attractions that suit families of all age groups such as sports, outdoor activities, stunning landscapes, gastronomy and culture, white-sandy beaches and turquoise or crystal-clear water.

"Mallorca's efforts to meet the needs of UK visitors are the result of years of hard work and professionalism that has made us a priority destination. Over the years, we have

built up close ties with the UK in this long-standing relationship.

"The Mallorca Tourism Board and Mallorca Tourism Foundation, continue working towards being a top sustainable and accessible destination. Participating in events such as WTM, carrying out PR activities and presentations, and analysing and interpreting trends to continue to be a much sought-after destination for the United Kingdom.”

“WE ARE absolutely thrilled that South African Tourism has won the Star Escorted Tours Destination Award. We work very closely with the travel trade and really appreciate Travel Bulletin readers voting for us.

“South Africa has so much to offer holidaymakers - with its stunning scenery and beaches, history and culture, great climate,

once-in-a-lifetime safaris and adventures, delicious food and wine, great value for money, and virtually no time differencewhich means no jet lag!

“Anyone that has been to South Africa knows that it offers high quality accommodation, tours, food and drink at amazing prices, and this was confirmed in a recent Post Office survey where

South Africa was announced as the best value long-haul destination for British travellers.

“We predict an increase in arrivals to South Africa from the UK this Winter. This is due to the increasing appetite from British holidaymakers to return to South Africa, and the growth in direct flight capacity with BA and Virgin from London airports.”

“MALTA IS delighted to be named the 2022 Star Luxury LGBTQ+ Destination, which is a testament to its dedication to acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. In September 2023, Valletta will host EuroPride which is a 10-day event and will be the biggest Pride celebration Malta has seen.

“Malta is dedicated to providing travel agents with the tools they need to effectively sell LGBTQ+ friendly itineraries. Agents can visit the Malta Academy e-learning platform for a wealth of information and resources on LGBTQI+ history, Malta Pride and more.”

"GRAN CANARIA is feeling delighted and privileged to be voted by travel agents as Star Winter Sun Destination! What an amazing prize! Tourism on the island has already fully recovered and Winter 2022-23 looks very positive, with 30% increase in the capacity from UK, showing further increase for 2024!

"Gorgeous weather all year round, beautiful golden sand beaches, fantastic resorts and excellent tourist facilities for couples and families, just 4h away from UK, make Gran Canaria a perfect winter sun destination. It is known as a miniature continent for the variety of landscapes on the island, from the sand

dunes in the South, to breath-taking volcanic sceneries in the centre and capital city of Las Palms de Gran Canaria in the north. And now, with A much stronger focus on sustainability and more authentic experiences, Gran Canaria has so much to offer!”

STAR OPERATORS SPONSORED BY

STAR LONG-HAUL OPERATOR: GOLD MEDAL

“GOLD MEDAL are delighted to have won 'Star Long Haul Operator' at the 2022 Travel Bulletin Star Awards. It’s always extra special to win an award when it’s voted for by you, our valued travel agent partners. Thank you, from everyone at Gold Medal. “It’s not just a great offer and a beautiful destination that make booking a holiday

rewarding. Impeccable service, a fantastic Farebank Rewards scheme, and a friendly face lie at the heart of everything we do at Gold Medal, and this won’t change going forward. Throughout 2023 we will continue

STAR SHORT-HAUL OPERATOR: JET2HOLIDAYS

“WE ARE beyond delighted that our independent travel agency partners have named Jet2holidays as Star Short Haul Operator

“The Jet2holidays Trade Team is unique in that it is completely dedicated to working in partnership with independent travel agents,

and these awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication of everyone across the industry.

‘’We’re thrilled to have won not only one but two awards in this year’s Travel Bulletin Star Awards and this double win means

everything to us. 2023 is set to be another exciting year for Jet2holidays, and we look forward to continuing to work in partnership with our brilliant independent travel agents and

STAR FAMILY HOLIDAYS OPERATOR: CYPLON HOLIDAYS

“THANK YOU to every single agent that has voted for Cyplon Holidays, it really does mean the world to us knowing you’re by our side.

“We couldn’t do what we do without you and we want you to know you are valued each and everyday.”

STAR ESCORTED TOUR OPERATOR: NEWMARKET HOLIDAYS

“WINNING THIS award means so much to the team at Newmarket Holidays. So much work goes into achieving awards like this – the attention from the Call Centre team, the Sales Support team providing assistance to the agents, the Product team putting together great itineraries and of course, my energetic team out on the road! It’s the collective effort that has got us our first ever Star Award and I’m really proud of everyone involved. And of course, thank you to everyone who voted!

“2023 is an exciting year ahead, with new long haul itineraries to add to our strong performance with agents –including Mexico and On Safari in Victoria Falls. We’ve also got a new Italian product taking in Rome, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast.

STARS OF LUXURY

STAR LUXURY OPERATOR: SANDALS RESORTS

“WE ARE delighted to have won Best Luxury Operator category in the Travel Bulletin Star Award. This is a testament to our inhouse tour operator, Unique Caribbean Holidays Ltd. (UCHL),

and the team that works so hard to make it a success, especially during the pandemic.

“From saving business affected by airline schedule changes to taking new bookings out of

working hours, our team is dedicated to helping agents protect their existing business and secure new bookings, in equal measure. I’d like to thank all the agents who voted for us to

STAR LUXURY HOTEL BRAND: BANYAN TREE GROUP

“WE ARE absolutely delighted to receive the award for ‘Star Luxury Hotel Brand’ at this year’s Star Awards! Thank you to all agents who voted for us. It is a great honour to be recognised by the UK travel agent community, and we greatly appreciate the support over the years, especially in the run up to the awards. We greatly value our relationship with travel agents and trade partners – we simply couldn’t do it without them as they play a key role in raising awareness about Banyan Tree across the UK.

“As we emerge from what has been a difficult few years for the travel and hospitality industry as a whole, we are proud to have launched five

win this award.

“We look forward to working with you all and achieving another stellar year of sales!”

new brands and opened several new resorts in amazing destinations from Greece to Bali, and Japan to Saudi Arabia. Even as we forge ahead with even more exciting openings in our pipeline, we remain steadfast in our commitment to responsible tourism, and keep our ethos ‘Embracing the Environment, Empowering People’ at the heart of all development.

“Once again, a big thank you again to our loyal partners, and we look forward to welcoming you and your guests to our ‘Sanctuary for the Senses’.”

STAR LUXURY DESTINATION: SEYCHELLES

“AS A first time winner of a Travel Bulletin Star Award, Tourism Seychelles is deeply honoured to have been voted Star Luxury Destination 2022. The competition was surely tough, especially when standing against other popular destinations. It's

amazing to see that Seychelles is still relevant to the market and that all our hard work to put it back on the map following the pandemic was worth it.

“A huge thank you goes to our agent partners; we are grateful for your support and it’s amazing

to see that our presence hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“We are fully dedicated to working and supporting agents, it's a main priority for us to ensure you have the knowledge and right tools, so we will continue to organise and

participate in agent events to ensure you are abreast of all things Seychelles.”

“SILVERSEA IS absolutely delighted to be named Star Luxury Cruise Company for the fourteenth year in a row. For 28 years, Silversea has been committed to creating award-winning luxury cruise holidays and unforgettable destination immersion experiences for our discerning guests, which is why travel agents nationwide have awarded us this honour. “Silversea's itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature

worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Galápagos, both Polar Regions and hundreds of fascinating destinations in between.

“With Silversea announcing its highly anticipated return to Asia, a new collection of eight Grand Voyages and two new luxury Nova-class ships on the horizon, there is plenty to shout about in 2023. New ships Silver Nova and Silver Ray will be among the

most environmentally conscious ships ever built when they join the Silversea fleet in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

“Silversea is dedicated to providing travel agents with the tools they need to effectively sell cruises. Agents can visit Silversea’s Travel Professional Center for a wealth of information and resources to help secure bookings.”

STAR LUXURY CRUISE COMPANY: SILVERSEA

SUPPORTING STARS

STAR PR & REPRESENTATION COMPANY: DISCOVER THE WORLD

“DISCOVER THE World is recognised globally as a market leader in representation services. Our proven track record of outstanding revenue growth for a diverse portfolio of iconic brands including Expedia TAAP, JetBlue Airways and Europcar, ensures our position as the go to company for clients seeking to build relationships across the travel trade community.

“Travel Agents are the important backbone of the

travel industry and have become invaluable since the COVID-19 Pandemic. Discover The World is proud to be associated with the Travel Bulletin Star Awards. We honoured to be announced as a winner for the second time. Sincere congratulations to all those recognised and a huge thank you to everyone who voted for us.

STAR E-LEARNING PROGRAMME: AUSSIE SPECIALIST PROGRAM

“THANK YOU for making Tourism Australia’s Aussie Specialist Program your ‘Star E-Learning Programme’ 2022!

“The Aussie Specialist Program puts Australia at your fingertips, helping you upskill in Australia, attract more clients, and sell higher value holidays.

“ The e-learning program is free to join, and you can complete the interactive online courses at your own pace. As a qualified Aussie Specialist, you are also able to access additional modules such as Indigenous Australia and attend virtual workshops, building your expertise in Australia.”

“The Aussie Specialist Program has big plans for the next 12 months and agents continue to be at the heart of our training and events.

“From virtual workshops and prize giveaways to Aus on Tour – an annual roadshow – and fam trips to Australia, there are plenty of opportunities for Aussie Specialists to connect with Australia.

“Australia is consistently voted one of the most desired destinations on earth, so sign up to become an Aussie Specialist today and help inspire your customers to book and plan an unforgettable Aussie adventure of their own.”

STAR HOLIDAY ADD-ONS COMPANY: HOLIDAY EXTRAS

“WE’RE DELIGHTED to have won the Star Holiday Add-Ons Award! We’ve been working really hard to create an innovative product portfolio to suit a new travelling market, offering complete flexibility, including enhanced insurance products, and more than 500 new airport parking products, its great that agents have responded to this. It's a sure sign that we got some things right when we engaged and listened, communicated effectively, and supported our UK selling teams and their customers.

“Now it’s time time to look to the future. 2023 is all about making the most of every customer and encouraging them to book early for the best prices. Remember to boost those baskets to help you to achieve one Holiday Extras booking in every four you make.”

STAR TRADE SALES TEAM: VIRGIN VOYAGES

"VIRGIN VOYAGES is Always Included Luxury, and that means brilliant inclusions on every adults-only voyage. Our perks put your Sailors at the helm of VIP treatment and never dim their glow with unexplained charges. This includes dining at 20+ eateries, tips, WiFi, essential drinks, and group fitness classes.

"Our sailings are transformative travels. We’ve curated itineraries featuring longer port stays and overnights in some of the most idyllic islands and effervescent cities across the world.

"In 2023 we’ll debut our third and fourth lady ships, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady, which will set sail from Piraeus (Athens) and San Juan in May and November 2023, respectively, opening two new regions—the Adriatic/Aegean and the Southern Caribbean—to our Sailors. We’ll be hosting First Mates onboard our third Lady Ship, Resilient Lady on a five-night preview voyage.

"Our partnership with you, our First Mates, means the world to us. We are so honored to have won Travel Bulletin’s Star Ocean Cruise Company award as well as the Star Trade Sales Team award. These awards speak to the incredible experience we offer your Sailors, and our spectacular support for you and your business."

STAR TRAVEL AGENCIES SPONSORED BY

STAR TRAVEL AGENCY GROUP (SMALL): BALDWINS TRAVEL

“WE ARE delighted to have been voted Winner of the Star Awards – Small category. We would like to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to all the amazing suppliers who took the time to vote for us, it means the world to us.“

STAR TRAVEL AGENCY GROUP (MEDIUM): ALTHAMS TRAVEL

“THE TEAM at Althams Travel were proud to be finalists at the Star Awards and extremely honoured to win the Star Travel Agency Group (Medium). We would like to express our appreciation to all who nominated and voted for us and thank all of our amazing staff who are devoted to giving the best service possible. Our core values have always been

to put our customers first and to look after our staff. The recent award wins we have received suggest we must be doing something right! Thanks to Travel Bulletin for organising such an amazing awards event.”

STAR TRAVEL AGENCY GROUP (LARGE): HAYS TRAVEL

“HAYS TRAVEL is delighted to be voted a winner as Star Travel Agency Group (Large) at the Star Awards. We were thrilled to celebrate with the travel industry’s finest and to be one of the 33 award winners. We would like to thank all the Travel Bulletin readers who voted for Hays Travel. We believe this award is a testament to the quality of our staff, their hard work in looking after our valued customers, and the high levels of customer service that are the hallmark of our business.”

STAR HOMEWORKING GROUP: TRAVEL COUNSELLORS

“TRAVEL COUNSELLORS are incredibly proud to be named Travel Bulletin’s Star Homeworking Group.

“What a truly fabulous event the 2022 Star Awards was!

“We believe we have built a platform, and community, like no other, so to have this recognised externally means the world to us.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for us!”

STAR ACCOMMODATION-ONLY PROVIDER: STUBA

"WE’RE SO delighted to have won Star Accommodation-Only Provider once again. Thanks to everyone who voted, it means the world to us.

"It’s been an exciting year for us here at Stuba with the recent launch of our new concept of ‘Curated hotels for travel agents’, specifically designed to help you make a booking quickly and efficiently to boost your profits and your reputation!

"A ‘one size fits all’ route no longer works when selecting a hotel as customers’ demands have become more discerning. We have done the hard work for you and our industryleading curated approach enables you to effortlessly select a hotel specific to your customer’s requirements. It will save you time in having to toggle through endless filters to reach the correct hotel and we’ll even show you

STAR RAIL OPERATOR: RAILBOOKERS

RAILBOOKERS IS thrilled to have been awarded the Star Rail Operator at this year's Star Awards! We appreciate the support from each and every agent that voted for us.

“It's great to see that the breadth of product we offer agents, along with the flexibility to create holidays just as the customer wants, has been recognised by our Agent Partners

what you’ve previously booked in the past 12 months.

"2023 promises to be an even more exciting year, so make sure you visit our Facebook page keep up to date on our latest competitions, incentives, and news. Thanks for all your continued support and here's to a great 2023 for us all."

and we look forward to working with you all in the years ahead.

“When it comes to independent rail holidays, Railbookers are the experts. Whether a luxury journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-

Express, an iconic trip through the Swiss Alps, combining a number of historic European cities or a Coast to Coast adventure across the USA or Canada, there's a holiday for everyone.

What’s the first Christmas tradition on your to-do list?

Jeanette Ratcliffe Publisher

jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Fairy lights going up in every room!

Matthew Hayhoe Editor

matthew.hayhoe@travelbulletin.co.uk

Watching The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Simon Eddolls Sales Director

simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk

Putting up the tree.

Sarah Terry Account Manager sarah.terry@travelbulletin.co.uk Booking a holiday to escape!

Tim Podger Account Manager - Far East tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk

Putting up the tree and decorations.

Melissa Paddock Events Coordinator

melissa.paddock@travelbulletin.co.uk

Christmas present shopping!

Holly Brown Events Coordinator holly.brown@travelbulletin.co.uk

Baking Christmas cookies.