8 Ski Holidays: What's new as clients head for slopes around the world
Four-sight: We ask our columnists: Is the cost of living crisis affecting bookings?
Globe-hopping
Sustainable Thailand: Why Thailand is a top sell for eco-conscious clients
On Location: Romance Summit in Saint Lucia
Introducing: YOLO County, California, USA
48 hours in... Lake Como
Dubai: From futuristic technology to sweeping desert sands
Long weekend in... Boston, USA
Steve Hartridge
d eputy e ditor
Jessica Pook
W riter S
Lauren Jarvis, Julie Baxter, Charlotte Flach, Jo Gardner, Bev Fearis & Jeannine Williamson
p ubli S herS
Steve Thompson steven.thompson@sellingtravel.co.uk
Sally Parker sally.parker@sellingtravel.co.uk
a dverti S ing Manager
Lisa Merrigan lisa.merrigan@sellingtravel.co.uk
c irculation M anager
Shani Kunar
M anaging director
Matt Bonner ceo Martin Steady
d e S igner S Caitlan Francis & Paul Lynan
p roduction & S tudio Manager
Clare Hunter
Elaborate stands, colourful dancers and a record high step count can only mean one thing…the return of World Travel Market.
Aside from racing red-faced from one end of the Excel to the other, there’s nothing like seeing the travel industry congregate under one roof, hearing about the exciting new developments in varying destinations and enjoying a delicious coffee from the Costa Rica stand or a Caribbean cocktail hour.
It seems that long-haul travel is definitely back on the agenda with destinations such as Japan, Thailand and Australia enjoying booking surges into 2023. Events such as WorldPride and the FIFA Women’s World Cup are inspiring itineraries Down Under whilst exotic sailings are steering the way for cruise bookings.
Although the cost of living crisis doesn’t seem to be putting people off booking a holidayaccording to our agent columnists - all-inclusive packages look set to be even more popular as clients look to get value for money and avoid any hidden costs along the way. You can read more about our travel trend predictions on page 28.
For clients looking to embrace the colder months, we have plenty to inspire: from winter ski holidays across Europe to alternative winter activities such as dog-sledding and snowshoeing in Canadadiscover more in our new bumper SellingCanada guide, distributed with this issue.
Delta is expanding its 2023 network with new services from London-Heathrow to Los Angeles, London-Gatwick to New York-JFK and from Edinburgh to Atlanta. Delta and partner Virgin Atlantic will offer up to 40 daily flights between the U.K. and the U.S. in summer 2023.
Scan to learn more.
Set to open in late 2023 is the 200-room Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou in historic Suzhou, China. Guests will be transported to a private island surrounded by the Jinji Lake to enjoy facilities such as a spa, indoor and outdoor pools and lakeside dining.
The city of Suzhou is home to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Classical Gardens, dating fom the 11th to 19th centuries, picturesque pagodas, and canals. fourseasons.com
Inspired by nomadic Bedouin culture, eco-hospitality group Habitas has created Caravan Agafan, a desert glamping facility 45 minutes from downtown Marrakech. The site features 20 stylish Moroccan canvas wall tents, a gourmet restaurant, two swimming pools, a horse and camel stable, outdoor cinema, wellness centre, and agora communal gathering spaces. ourhabitas.com
The wellness-focused Sensei brand will open its first retreat on mainland USA with Sensei Porcupine Creek opening in Greater Palm Springs, California, in November 22. At the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains in the Coachella Valley, the 230-acre property has golf and tennis facilities, a stadiagnostic centre, spa gardens and Sensei by Nobu. Guests can book wellness packages that focus on mindset, nutrition, yoga or fitness. visitgreaterpalmsprings.com
This winter’s ski season will see Brits heading to the slopes in huge numbers, with Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria and Canada leading the way for bookings, says Jo Gardner
“We are managing to meet demand except for key dates; agents will be able to find space for holidaymakers that can be flexible on dates and the number of nights”
Williamson, Frontier Travel
MichaelIbet by the end of the week they’ll have us doing that,” says Rich, my fellow ski school traveller pointing at a child no older than seven effortlessly jumping over a hump in the snow. I look on in horror.
It’s day two of a Crystal Ski beginners course in Austria and we’re already on a blue run. We spent yesterday learning how to master the plough stop on the nursery slope – kids as young as two flying past us as we reached the bottom – and now we have moved onto runs.
I am finding the lift experience scary enough but this skiing-across-theledge-while-trying-not-to-look-down business has my stomach in knots.
rich falls over – and takes me with him. We land on the ground in a heap. my left ski tries to escape down the mountain without me, clearly mortified by my performance.
I drown my sorrows that night in beer, fully embracing the après culture, hoping tomorrow will be better.
Yet by the end of the week I’m managing blue runs (and the lift) by myself, and a few red runs with the instructor’s help.
on the last day, we try the jumps –as rich said we would – and I manage it without falling over. If that doesn’t deserve a Jägermeister, I don’t know what does!
This upcoming ski season is set to be the first full, undisrupted season since winter 2018/19, following three years of travel restrictions. despite rising costs leading to uncertainty in the market, it’s set to be a busy one on the slopes. Club med’s annual ski report suggests that, despite the current cost of living crisis, more than half of British skiers are prepared to book a ski holiday away and 60% of frequent skiers are planning to spend more on a luxury ski holiday this year.
The survey did find that value for money is now the single most important factor however, with 53% of those polled considering a different winter sports destination for that reason.
France comes out on top as the destination perceived to provide the best value for money.
Christophe Lavaut, managing director of Val d’Isere Tourisme, reports that some hotels are already at 90% occupancy for the entire season. He says: “It’s still early, but we are seeing signs that customers and tour operators have a lot of trust in this season.”
In terms of destinations, Switzerland (38%) continues to be the most popular for skiing, followed by France (37%), Austria (28%), Italy (27%) and Canada (23%), according to Club med’s report.
michael Williamson, Ski Product Manager for Frontier Travel, confirms that Christmas and half-term are already full at Canadian resorts, with Whistler, Sun Peaks and Big White all proving popular.
“We are managing to meet demand except for key dates; agents will be able to find space for holidaymakers that can be flexible on dates and the number of nights.” He added: “Anything beyond the typical seven-night Saturday to Saturday holiday should work out.”
meanwhile, Crystal Ski Holidays has unveiled Japan as its new skiing destination with holidays to the resort of niseko running until december 2.
“With an average of 15 metres of snowfall each season – and 51 kms of pistes – the resort caters for all levels of expertise and offers the chance to relax at the end of the day in a traditional Japanese hot spring known as an onsen,” says Chris Logan, managing director.
“Whether it’s knee-deep powder, beautiful bluebird days, a different culture or distinctive cuisine, Japan won’t disappoint. “Agents can sell extras such as tobogganing, snowshoe walking, snowmobiling, reindeer sledding and snowcat skiing, too.”
New lift: easyJet will launch twiceweekly flights from Newcastle to Geneva on december 10 for the ski season, departing Wednesdays and Saturdays. easyjet.com
British Airways has relaunched its winter ski routes, with London gatwick to Salzburg running from october 31 until march 25, 2023, including three flights a week until December and daily for the remainder of the season. The airline’s daily London gatwick to geneva route will also recommence on december 4. britishairways.com
Jet2 has launched its winter ski programme for 2023/24 with ski services operating from 10 uK bases to Chambery, geneva, grenoble, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Turin, from december 2023 to April 2024. jet2.com
The French resort of Val d’Isere is offering free lift passes for children under eight from November 26 until next April, as well as more in-resort dining options. A number of electric buses will also shuttle skiers to and from the airport. valdisere.com
Accommodation: Onefinestay has introduced luxury chalets in Colorado’s Blue mountains for the 2022/23 ski season
including Poma Lodge north in Steamboat, The Bear’s den in Breckenridge, Stag Lodge in Vail and Pioneer Lodge in Beaver Creak. onefinestay.com
Inghams’ Winter 22/23 Ski Holidays features 44 new properties across 25 ski resorts in Italy, Switzerland, Canada, France, Lapland and Austria. inghams.co.uk desolation Hotel is now open in South Lake Tahoe. The hotel – comprised of 21 suites, each with al fresco soaking tubs –is within walking distance of South Lake Tahoe’s ski slopes. desolationhotel.com
The Mandarin Oriental will open its first mountain resort in Cortina, Italy, in the summer of 2025, ahead of the milanoCortina Winter olympics. mandarin oriental Cristallo sits above Cortina d’Ampezzo in the dolomites. The hotel will feature 83 guestrooms, many with balconies. mandarinoriental.com
Club med’s new mountain resort in Val d’Isere is due for completion on December 18. An Exclusive Collection space is due to open at La rosière, offering 43 suites, from December 2023 and a new resort in San Sicario in the heart of the Italian Alps will debut for the 2025/26 season. clubmed.co.uk
Hokkaido shows its dark side: Located in northernmost Hokkaido, niseko is known for its powder snow. Keen skiers can test their skills with newlyopened night skiing routes at the Hanazono niseko resort. Shuttle services and bar opening hours have been extended to accommodate. Try a highball, made of one part whisky and three parts soda.
Train with Olympians in California: mammoth mountain boasts the highest summit of any California resort and
overlooks California’s High Sierras. The unbound Terrain Park, a favourite of the olympic uS ski team, has three halfpipes, 100+ jibs and up to 50 jumps spread across seven parks. Those looking for a slower pace should try cross country skiing with views of ice-covered lakes.
Enjoy small town skiing in Austria: Innsbruck in Austria is a prime location if clients fancy a short city break and ski holiday all rolled into one. Buy a SKI plus CITY Pass and enjoy 13 ski resorts around Innsbruck, which boast more than 300km of pistes. Kasespatch, a traditional Tyrloean dish, can be enjoyed in many traditional tavernas in the resort.
Adrenalin kick in British Columbia: British Columbia is the “home” of heli-skiing, where adventure enthusiasts get dropped at the top of a mountain and ski down the fresh powder snow. Extremely Canadian offers a full guided day of backcountry skiing zones such as mt. Currie, Cayoosh, Birkenhead or Snowspider.
A night under the stars in France: opened in winter 2021 is the Chéry dôme in the picturesque hamlet of la Sarre near Les gets in the Portes du Soleil, France. The bubble accommodation provides 360° views of mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks. Clients can ski by day and enjoy a night stargazing beside the wood burner.
SkI INdepeNdeNce
Ski Independence offers a nine-night Easter break departing April 6, 2023 from £1,846pp based on a family of four sharing a one bedroom suite at the five-star Western Whistler Resort & Spa, including flights from edinburgh to Vancouver and transfers. The resort has on-site childcare. ski-i.com.com •
snoWsHoe Walking in niseCo, JapanAustrian Alps and plenty of après-ski to enjoy, Austria is an easy sell for ski enthusiasts, says Charlotte Flach
With its towering mountainscapes, charming villages and guaranteed snow often well into spring, Austria is a skiers paradise. As one of the birthplaces of alpine skiing, Austria’s network of pistes and gondolas offer state of the art infrastructure to the slopes.
Austrians are also huge fans of Gemütlichkeit, a concept that most closely translates to ‘cosyness’. Sip on delicious Glühwein or hot chocolate in front of a crackling log fire in a traditional mountain hut, which is more often than not family run, adding to the sense of homelines.
Austria is great value for money for families on a tight budget, while couples and groups can make the most of the après-ski with Jägertee, local beer or schnaps available from the early afternoon.
Foodies will appreciate local dishes including Knödel, Goulash and Käsespätzle after a day on the slopes. Zillertal and Ischgl spoil with award-winning restaurants.
Austria provides pistes for all ages and skill levels, all accompanied by stunning scenery. Skicircus and Arlberg are some of the largest resorts in Austria and are considered
to be some of the most modern in Europe. For intimate resorts choose St. Johann in Salzburg or Hochkönig. For a combination of lake, glacier and mountain, ski in Zell am See-Kaprun where a new cable car will take clients directly from Kaprun to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier.
Austria’s ski regions continue to work hard to make winter holidays more environmentally friendly, with lifts, cable cars, and even snowmaking machines
running on mostly green energy.
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental is home to the first solar lift in the world and cable cars, lifts, mountain restaurants, and snowmaking machines have been running on 100% green energy in Ischgl since 2021.
New for 2022 is the Schatzberg Zwergenland in SkiJuwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, featuring a snowball playground, a ski carousel, an igloo and a toboggan run. Children born in 2017 or later also ski for free from March 19-April, 2023. Kids will love JoKiWo Winter Edition in St. Johann in Salzberg (April 3-7 2023), now in its second year, with behind the scene tours at the cable cars, treasure hunts and fairytale walks as well as the Kid’s Olympics.
Book it with... Inghams
A seven-night stay at four-star Hotel Jagerhof in Ischgl on a half board basis is priced from £1,248pp including fights from London Gatwick. inghams.co.uk
With pistes to suit every level, views across the
As I write, my dad (Trevor) is off exploring Western Australia and the Top End and will end his trip in Sydney, to scatter some of my lovely Mum’s (Penny) ashes in Manly –one of her wishes, as this was a place she loved dearly.
So, that leaves Liz and I holding the fort. It has been a little quiet for us this last week, so we’ve used it as a chance to work on marketing ideas and streamline some of our processes – something we often talk about, but rarely get the chance to action!
That said, we’ve had some great 2023 bookings including Iceland, Indonesia, Norwegian Fjord cruises and African safaris. It’s been very varied!
It seems a lot of clients are catching up on lost time, and we’ve seen a trend for multi-generational holidays too.
Lots of clients are also visiting relatives in Australia and New Zealand, making up for the last few years apart.
I’m staying in the UK for the winter but Liz is off to the Gambia on a fam soon –hooray! And Liz and I are both attending the TTNG Business Partner day in December. We’re looking forward to some updated training and catching up with the TTA team and industry friends!
For river cruising, long-haul trips to the Mekong are back and selling well but Myanmar remains closed.
Equally, the visa complexity is restricting bookings to India despite it being in demand. Meanwhile, European trips are now looking to return to pre-Covid levels. I myself am back on the water as I write this, enjoying a Europe’s Rivers and Castles cruise with Amawaterways, which sails the Moselle, Rhine and Main rivers from Luxembourg to Nuremberg.
We can only hope that the ongoing airline and airport problems, rising airfares and shaky economy does not put people off making travel plans into 2023.
As agents, it is frustrating to find that tour operators still have staffing challenges which leaves phones unanswered. At the same time, clients are more demanding than ever and feel they can cancel or change their minds at will.
Perhaps we need to look seriously at charging a fee for our time and effort rather than relying on commission.
For agents with winter sun bookings, may all the flights depart on time and the luggage arrive at the right destinations!
are keen to visit relatives in Australia and New Zealand
What’s trending for 2023?
what trends
James enjoys a cruise with Amawaterways THE FAMILY BUSINESS Anneka
Lanka is popular for
Our customers are definitely feeling more confident travelling long-haul and we are busy creating itineraries to various destinations including Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Jordan and South Africa.
We are also seeing demand for longer stays in far-flung places such as Australia and New Zealand, particularly for those visiting family that they haven’t seen since before Covid. Airfares have increased significantly since their last visits though. This seems to be the latest challenge across the board into 2023.
I’m feeling ready for a holiday after missing an autumn break to Cyprus but it will have to wait until after Christmas.
Despite travel being our job, does anyone else find it hard when it comes to looking for their own holiday?
I struggle finding the right ‘deal’ and just finding the time to search for it too!
Talking of Christmas, it feels too early but the shops are full of it so we are advertising Travel Gift vouchers too.
In the past we have had customers that have bought holidays for their loved ones – so we will be putting ideas in the windows too to hopefully inspire some new bookings.
I think people are desperately wanting to go abroad and I haven’t had any negative comments despite the cost of living crisis. And it seems that long-haul is back in the mix. My neighbour cant wait to go to Australia and has flights booked for the end of January. I think all-inclusive is always popular with families as they can judge what they want to spend. I personally like to eat where the locals eat.
I was recently hosted on a press trip to Las Vegas and have to say it is so accessible for clients who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Cloud of Goods offer an excellent and affordable service that includes drop-off and pick-up to all the main hotels and attractions. As for taxis, we used Desert Cab, who offer a reliable service with a maximum 15 minute wait for an accessible taxi, and the driver even puts it in the back for you! I can’t stress enough how easy it was to use the mobility scooter. I kept getting told of for going too fast!
I hope the trend will be to book with a ABTA and ATOL protected Travel Agent in 2023. There is just so much uncertainty and danger in doing it yourself now.
It’s an exciting time for Bermuda as we have now scrapped all entry requirements from the UK as well as launching a daily direct service from London Heathrow to Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport, beginning March 26, 2023.
We’re also promoting our new Lost Yet Found campaign, which showcases the destination from Bermudians themselves.
Our people want to give visitors a local experience. It’s not uncommon to be invited
to someone’s house or to a raft-up where locals link boats for an on-the-water party.
We also have year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, pristine marine life, a vibrant culinary scene and a great historic tapestry that people can discover on their own, through a tour or just by talking to locals on the island.
We haven’t been as present in the market as we should have been, so one of the things that we’re looking to do is build on that and create frictionless travel. We have a whole ethos about making Bermuda an easier
destination, not only to get to but to sell. We sometimes get lumped into being a Caribbean destination, but Bermuda is a boutique island and very unique.
There’s also the opportunity to sell Bermuda as a twin-centre destination with New York, which is a 90-minute flight away. We’re encouraging people to have that shopping experience in the city and then come to Bermuda to decompress and relax.
And for the eco-conscious traveller we have a Living Reefs Foundation which educates visitors on our conservation and sustainability efforts. We’re also focusing on Blue Tourism into 2023. gotobermuda.com
Guests staying on Level 45 or above at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers are now part of an elite members club
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, the stylish and enrapturing destination in the heart of the UAE Capital, is proud to further strengthen its position as a Forbes Five Star hotel by unveiling a new elite lifestyle space.
Launched on October 15, 2022, Level 45 is an ultraluxe floor exclusively reserved for hotel guests who have booked one of the luxurious ”Level 45” executive guestrooms or luxurious suites.
Adding to the hotel’s award-winning array of dining destinations, bars, lounges and leisure experiences, the private escape takes luxury to even greater heights. Presenting a fusion of first-class services, panoramic views, world-class cuisine, stateof-the-art business and leisure facilities and
exceptional cocktails and refreshments, the new club ensures that every Level 45 guest experiences an extra special and unforgettable holiday or business trip.
Those staying on Level 45 can enjoy suites complete with views over the azure waters and striking skyscrapers of the Abu Dhabi Corniche, as well as amenities such as ultra-soft and embroidered Level 45 robes and slippers. Meanwhile, every stay is made even more blissful with access to a dedicated guest experience team, and unlimited opportunities to relish in the peace and serenity of the private Level 45 member’s club.
Level 45 guests are free to return to the new lifestyle space whenever they require a refreshment or a moment to recharge and revitalise. •
“We
Tennessee may be best known for its music and whiskey but the state beyond the bars and crowds of the main cities lies in wait for visitors in search of off-the-beaten-track experiences. Eastern Tennessee offers an authentic alternative with natural gems ranging from hiking the Appalachian Trail, whitewater rafting on the Ocoee, Nolichucky or Pigeon Rivers or taking in the views of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which was the U.S.’s most visited national park in 2021 with over 14 million visitors.
For music lovers there’s still plenty of foot-tapping to be done in the east, especially in Bristol which is the birthplace of country music. Follow the Tennessee Music Pathways in Bristol, Chattanooga, the Smokies or Knoxville to discover festivals, attractions and live music venues.
For families, there’s Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium in Kingsport or Navitat in Knoxville. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking, biking, boating and more in the many state and national parks.
Eastern Tennessee has a year-round calendar of events, but a highlight is Schulz
Brau Brewing’s Oktoberfest in Knoxville: two-weeks of live music, bratwurst eating contests and plenty of craft beer.
Chattanooga’s Riverbend Festival offers three days of rock, country, urban and bluegrass music while during the colder months Pigeon Forge Winterfest brings Christmas cheer to the Smoky Mountains.
There’s also a Harvest Festival, Flower and Food Festival and a Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration at Dolly Parton’s Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.
Tennessee is famous for its whiskey and the Whiskey Trail shows off the state’s signature spirit at over 10 distilleries.
The state also produces premium craft beers and wines. Suggest a guided craft beer experience with Knox Brew Tours or Chattabrew Tours. Tennessee also makes wine: the Wine Trail offers everything from dry Chambourcin to cherry jalapeno wine.
Eastern Tennessee is the perfect road trip destination with several self-guided driving
routes already mapped out.
Follow the Rocky Top Trail for nature and wildlife or check out the childhood home of Dolly Parton on the Sunny Side Trail. Or hire a motorhome and explore Chattanooga and the Tenessee River Gorge before heading to Knoxville and the edges of the Smokey Mountains and finishing in Bristol discoverTNtrails.com.
Dollywood will open a new resort, HeartSong Resort and Lodge, and a new roller-coaster in late 2023.
Ride a scenic chairlift to a mountain-top farm at the newly opened Skyland Ranch or stay in a luxury treehouse at Sanctuary Treehouse Resort, both in Sevierville.
•
Book it with... America As You Like It
A 14-night Tennessee itinerary including return flights with British Airways, car hire and accommodation, plus all local taxes, is priced from £,2465pp. americaasyoulikeit.com
Clients that venture east in Tennessee will find natural wonders and authentic musical gems, says Jessica Pook
It’s 10.00am and time for breakfast at Samui Elephant Sanctuary on the island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. A banana truck rumbles up and unloads, while excited tourists roll up their sleeves and get to work making sticky balls of rice, banana and tamarind for the 13 elephants that call the sanctuary home.
Filling our tote bags with pachydermfriendly delights, we follow our guide, Win, through the gate and into the land of giants.
Wise, long-lashed eyes watch, as we gently hold bananas within reach of inquisitively twirling trunks, before the day’s heat begins to rise and our ele-friends head for a cooling dip in the pool.
Founded by Wittaya Sala-Ngam, Samui’s sanctuary opened in 2018, inspired by conservationist Lek Chailert, founder of the Save Elephant Foundation and the larger Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Honoured with the Best Animal Welfare award for two consecutive years from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the non–profit organisation
offers a refuge for elephants rescued from the gruelling logging industry, and from the unethical elephant camps that unfortunately continue to tout rides to tourists across the country. Samui Elephant Sanctuary is a sign that tourism here is changing for the better, and a reminder of the power of travel to do good. samuielephantsanctuary.org
For countries welcoming travellers back after the pandemic, offering a greener, more sustainable way to enjoy their destination is emerging as a key selling point. Booking.com’s 2022 Sustainable Travel Report revealed that an astonishing 71% of UK travellers now consider sustainable travel to be important.
For these conscientious travellers, Thailand is an excellent holiday choice.
“Around 20% of Thailand’s landmass is protected within national parks, forests and wildlife sanctuaries,” says Sam Clark, CoFounder and Director of specialist Asia tour operator, Experience Travel Group.
“This makes it a fantastic place to visit for
activities such as tracking elephants in the wild and exploring by bicycle or on foot. There are also good birding possibilities.”
An excellent national rail network and community projects offer travellers the chance to travel lightly and ‘give back’, while discovering local culture and gaining an understanding of the country and its people.
“Thailand is an exceptional destination for community-based tourism,” explains Clark. “Village home stays are remote yet easily accessible and feel a million miles away from the tourist trail. Plus they offer interactive activities where you get a real understanding of local life.
“The Thais’ legendary hospitality mean the stays are comfortable and guests are well looked after, and the food is often better than you’ll find in many hotels!”
Thailand relaxed all Covid restrictions from October 1, 2022, meaning travellers are no longer required to possess Proof of Vaccination or a pre-departure COVID test.
Hotels & resorts: Tembo Beach Club &
While Thailand has suffered from over-tourism in the past, a range of eco-conscious initiatives are helping to shape the country’s sustainable post-pandemic recovery, says Lauren Jarvis
resort opened in 2021 on Koh Samui’s Bangkok Beach. The resort supports local projects including Save Elephant Foundation, Samui Street Dogs and Sisters on Samui, which helps communities impacted by covid. tembo-samui.com
The Sarojin, a five-star beachfront resort in Khao Lak, has invested $50,000 in a new on-site water bottling plant to reduce plastic waste. The hotel already implements initiatives to reduce energy, water consumption and waste and supports local community projects. sarojin.com
Multi-eco-award-winning resort The Tongsai Bay on Koh Samui sits within 28.5 acres of unspoiled jungle habitat and has introduced a new vegan menu in its Polad Beach Bistro that uses local ingredients from its organic garden, plus innovative energy and waste-saving initiatives. The family-run resort also has a non-motorised water sports policy to protect marine life, and supports local animal, community and educational projects. tongsaibay.co.th
Sustainable luxury resort Soneva Kiri on Koh Kood island offers 34 spacious
pool villas, with 2% of the cost of a guest’s stay helping to fund the Soneva Foundation, which supports community and environmental initiatives including the Soneva Hornbill Project, which has just seen the first pair of oriental pied hornbills reintroduced to the island. soneva.co
Bangkok-based architect and interior designer Bill Bensle, takes up-cycling to another level with this November’s opening of the InterContinental Khao Yai National Park resort, which includes luxury suites repurposed from heritage train cars. The property is set within a 100-acre site enveloped by 50,000 trees and overlooking seven lakes. ihg.com
Tour: Akorn DMC’s new Made in Chiang Mai excursion offers guests the opportunity to explore the city’s creative community and meet local designers, village weavers and hill tribe craftspeople. akorndmc.com
Flights: Singapore Airlines’ budget carrier Scoot now offers two direct flights a week from London-Gatwick to Bangkok, with one-way economy fares starting from £212. flyscoot.com
Stay with the hill tribes: Northern Thailand offers some of the country’s deepest cultural experiences. G Adventures has opportunities to trek off the beaten path and stay overnight in hill tribe communities. “Staying with a family while you’re travelling is one of the simplest, purest ways of getting money into people’s hands,” writes Bruce Poon Tip, G Adventures’ Founder in his book Unlearn: The Year The Earth Stood Still. “It’s also about the best way to get to know a place.”
A five-day round-trek from Chiang Mai costs from £271pp and contributes to the non-profit Planeterra Foundation, which supports global community tourism projects. gadventures.com
Visit an animal sanctuary: Spread some love at the excellent Gibbon rehabilitation Project in Phuket, Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand or Lanta Animal Welfare centre on Koh Lanta.
“Visits to animal sanctuaries are a highlight of many Thailand holidays, but not all are what they seem. Be sure to do your
Take a bike ride for unbeaTbale views beach cleanup projecT in phukeT Thailand’s iconic longTail boaTs in krabi Thailand’s floaTing markeTs eco-friendly soneva kiri, koh koodresearch and avoid anywhere offering rides, painting and performances,” advises Justin Francis, Founder and CEO of holiday company, responsible Travel. responsibletravel.com
Let the train take the strain: “Many relatively unexplored places are easily accessible on Thailand’s excellent train network”, says Clark. riding the rails will add to your adventure rather than your carbon footprint. From Bangkok, catch the train to the Historic City of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, book a cabin on the overnight sleeper train north to Chiang Mai, or take a four-hour journey south to Thailand’s royal Beach resort, Hua Hin, and watch the stalls of the Maeklong railway Market fold away as the train trundles through the Samut Songkram Province. railway.co.th
Rustle up a local feast: Thailand’s restaurants serve up some incredible authentic cuisine, but for a meal you’ll never forget join the Cooking With A Local Family
half-day tour offered by Tripseed. Patan Village near Chiang Mai is home to the Yong people and guests have the chance to visit the local temple, hear about Yong culture, and learn how to cook a traditional meal, before joining a family in their home for the feast. The experience is priced from £43pp including lunch, transfers and a guide. “remote communities have few means of income, so working with villagers to create unique experiences like this brings in vital revenue,” says Ewan Cluckie, Tripseed Founder. tripseed.com
ExpEriEncE TrAvEl Group
A two-week adventure by private vehicle and train, combining a community experience in Phayao Province with a week at The Tongsai Bay in Koh Samui and stays at Ariyasom Villa in Bangkok and raya Heritage Hotel in Chiang Mai costs from £3,450pp, including international flights. experiencetravelgroup.com •
“Staying with a family while you’re travelling is one of the simplest, purest ways of getting money into people’s hands”
Bruce poon Tip, G Adventures’ Founder
Travel Counsellor Zoe Palmer found several ways to love Saint Lucia whilst attending the tourism authority’s Global Romance Summit on the island
Falling in love with Saint Lucia is easy. From the picture-postcard beaches to the lush rainforests, deep history, Creole culture, warm and friendly locals and, of course, the iconic Pitons – it really captures your heart.
Which is rather apt given that the recent trip I attended was centred on Saint Lucia as a destination for romance!
I was one of eight UK agents and tour operators invited to explore the island as part of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority’s Global Romance Summit – a week-long trip that offered us access to the island’s top resorts, activities and wedding suppliers.
The special guest at the Romance Summit was Dr Ernest Hilaire, Minister for Tourism, who explained his ideas and vision for encouraging visitors to explore and experience all the island has to offer.
So that’s precisely what we did. From hiking to the top of Pigeon Island to dancing the night away at the Gros Islet street party to chocolate making at the Howelton Estate.
Then there was sailing to the Pitons aboard a catamaran, ziplining through the rainforest, bathing in mud at the sulphur springs and dashing through the hills on Segways.
We also squeezed in 16 site visits and some sensational lunches, dinners and rum cocktails enroute….all in the name of research!
Weddings are easy to arrange in Saint Lucia and there is a broad range of options to suit all budgets and preferences. It’s worth noting that the island does not have a residency period, meaning marriage licenses can be obtained within 24 hours of arrival (same day application) or a regular application where the couple is required to be in Saint Lucia two days prior to
their wedding. When planning a wedding, you can either work with the team at your resort or one of the independent wedding experts on the island. The latter all have their own unique style and are a close-knit community so they will happily refer you to a colleague if they think there will be a better fit for your clients. It’s also worth reaching out to the tourist authority for contacts. The island is a story of two halves and so a split stay is a great idea.
Head north first for fun and adventure, ensuring you include a Friday for the street party at Gros Islet. The transfer takes 90 minutes and the roads are bumpy, so if budget allows then a helicopter or ferry transfer is a good alternative.
Then head south for some nature and serenity. My favourite properties include Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet for the views, Cap Maison for the beach and Sugar Beach for the spa.
SAINT LUCIAIt was hard saying farewell, but I took with me huge amounts of knowledge, insight and enthusiasm – and I will definitely be sharing my love for Saint Lucia with my clients.
With attractions that include orchards, vineyards, farm-to-tableinspired restaurants and much more, authentic Yolo County, California, quite literally offers visitors a breath of fresh air
Located in Northern California, Yolo County is adjacent to the state capital, Sacramento, and close to iconic locations in the region like Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Sonoma – and even San Francisco.
Framed by the main east-west corridor of I80 and the north-south I5, the area is easily accessible yet seems a world away from the hustle and bustle of those main routes.
Served by flights from several U.S. cities, Sacramento International Airport puts visitors right at the doorstep of Yolo County, along with many of Northern California’s (or ‘NorCal’ if you’re local!) best tourism assets.
Yolo – or ‘You Only Live Once’, as the area is known – is a vast territory, dotted with a few cities with a special, small-town feel: think open landscapes of thousands of acres of farms, orchards, vineyards, rolling hills, hiking trails, streams and lakes. It is also a primary bird watching area: 250-plus species of migratory birds pass through on their way from Canada to Mexico.
Check out some of the reasons why Yolo County is moving from a ‘well-kept secret’ to a ‘must-visit stop’ on any NorCal itinerary:
Winters: Winters is calling foodies! This characterful small town was voted fourth in a list of the Top 10 Best Small Town Food Scenes by USA Today. It is a convenient base from which to explore the local attractions. Tucked into the heart of the town the four-star, all-suite Hotel Winters offers simple country luxury.
Wineries: Having long provided grapes to neighbours Napa and Sonoma, Yolo’s 12 boutique wineries are buiding their own reputations. You will enjoy delicious, affordable and authentic tasting experiences provided by winemakers and owners who want to share their family story along with the (liquid) fruits of their labours.
Farm to Table: Many Yolo restaurants focus on locally sourced seasonal produce, meats and other accoutrements. A weekly Farmers’ Market in the city of Davis is recognized as one of the nation’s best.
Ag Tourism Experiences: Yolo County is the genuine farm and field experience destination. Farms are open during seasonal periods to provide visitors with a close-to-the-earth-experience. Sunflowers in the summer, the almond bloom in February, lavender in the spring, and grapes and olives in the fall are among the many ways visitors can connect with their food sources by signing up for a tour.
Festivals and Events: Explore by foot, boat, bike, car and rail. Hiking trails, hundreds of miles of bike routes, boating activities on streams, rivers and lakes, scenic train rides, adventuresome drives and classic car shows are all available year round.
Arts, Culture and Entertainment: First-class theatre and unique musical performances, museums, art galleries and trails, music festivals, and more are on offer.
Attractions: Yolo County’s attractions largely consist of those provided by Mother Nature. Honey, mead, olive oil, winery tasting rooms, local distilled spirits, wildlife viewing, massive bat fly-outs, and open landscapes with amazing sunsets comprise just a few of the offerings.
Lodging: Elegant, comfortable and affordable options – from a five-star B&B to four-star country luxury to limitedservice properties from familiar brands –cater to all budgets and preferences. visityolo.com •
With family-run wineries, honey tasting rooms and an abundance of local produce at farmers markets, Yolo County showcases California’s ‘local side’
The River Fox Train, a sister of the worldfamous Skunk Train that runs through the redwood forests of Northern California, traverses the countryside of Yolo County with rail adventures offered weekly. Visitors enjoy railbike rides, beer and wine trains, nostalgic railroad charm, ivy-covered woodlands and glistening riverfront views with every travelled mile.
RiverFoxTrain.com
Founded in 1979, Z Specialty Food is a pioneer for varietal honey and home to Island of the Moon Apiaries and Moon Shine Trading Co. All are based at The HIVE Tasting Room and Kitchen, off Highway 5. Visitors to the first tasting room to show off the vast array of flavours, colors and textures of varietal honey can taste 30-plus honeys from all over the world, along with mead tasting in the pollinator gardens.
thehivewoodland.com
The family that helped ignite Napa Valley with its premium grapevines and rootstock is pioneering fine wine production in Winters. Enjoy wine tastings – Petite Sirah, Tempranillo and Albariño – and food and wine pairings at the chic downtown tasting room on the estate winery at the start of scenic CA Highway 128. Tour the facility and enjoy stunning views. berryessagap.com
Davis Farmers Market at Central Park in downtown Davis has connected both residents and visitors to local food suppliers since 1976. Open year-round, the market is held every on Saturday morning and Wednesday afternoon. Stalls are lined with farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, choice meats, seafood, eggs, honey, fresh-baked breads, hot foods, plants, flowers, wine and crafts.
DavisFarmersMarket.org
Quaint winding streets, authentic Italian food and Lombardy’s finest wines await those who venture to Lake Como, says April Waterston
Morning: The shores of Lake Como are easy to reach in under an hour from Milan Centrale station, with direct trains running regularly and costing around €10 each way. Aim to catch an early morning service to Varenna, arriving in time to spend a few hours exploring the village before refueling with lunch in Piazza San Giorgio. Here you’ll find the Albergo del Sole Ristorante Pizzeria – a perfect pitstop for a pizza and traditional tirimasu. Afternoon: Head back to the shoreline and catch a quick ferry across to one of Lake Como’s bigger towns, Bellagio. Take the afternoon at a slow pace, meandering through the winding
streets lined with boutiques and art galleries selling locally-produced goods and handmade souvenirs. Stop off to sample cheese, wine and, of course, gelato at any of the numerous eateries on offer. If there’s time a visit to the Villa Melzi botanical gardens won’t disappoint.
Evening: As the sun sets, soak in the sweeping views of the lake with a glass of Lombardy’s finest sparkling wine in hand. Pick from one of the many restaurants and bars lining the shore for unforgettable views and traditional Italian cuisine like risotto Milanese or cacio i pepe. Round up the day like the locals with a cappuccino – and maybe another gelato!
Book it with... British Airways
British Airways offers a two-night stay at Hilton Lake Como, near the western lakefront and overlooking the lake, including return flights departing LondonHeathrow on September 23, priced from £644pp. britishairways; hilton.com
Morning: Start the day as last night ended with a cappucino by the shore. Say a reluctant goodbye to Bellagio and board the fast ferry down to Como town, located at the bottom of the lake. Make sure you’re on the right service as the ‘slow’ ferry takes a few hours longer. You won’t quite feel like George Clooney jetting about on his private yacht, but the ferry journey down does offer some amazing views of the lake.
Afternoon: Como is the biggest of all Lake Como’s towns, with familiar high-street brands and chain restaurants. It may lack the village-like charm of Varenna and Bellagio, but it still has plenty
to offer. Spend the afternoon shopping for designer goods, or soak in more of the lakeside atmosphere with a walk along the promenade. If heights don’t scare you, take a few hours to walk along the coast to the Como–Brunate funicular and ride up to village of Brunate.
Evening: End your trip to Lake Como in luxury with a night at the Hilton Lake Como. Its rooftop bar, Terazza 241, offers fine dining with unbeatable views. Expertly curated cocktails (the ‘Smoked Negroni’ is quite the showstopper!) compliment a well-designed menu to suit all tastes. It’s a popular spot, so booking is recomended. •
From a buzzing city bursting with futuristic technology to evenings spent stargazing in the desert, April Waterston discovers why Dubai ticks all the boxes
It’s the year 2071. I have just boarded a spaceship at Dubai’s Museum of the Future and been transported to a new era where many of 2022’s environmental concerns have been answered.
Trees are biologically engineered to withstand extreme heat, energy is accrued from solar panels lining the moon and laser-beamed back down to earth, and children have their very own virtual pet to meet their emotional needs. Hundreds of sadly extinct species are documented in luminescent jars and the technology we once dreamt of is now a reality.
The next day I do the exact opposite: I head back to a simpler time, with evenings spent laid back on Arabic jalsa seats set upon sprawling ornate rugs in a Bedouin camp deep in the Arabian Desert. I am told to keep my shoes on, in case scorpions or other poisonous creatures are buried in the sand – not a warning I need to hear twice.
I worry for my eyebrows as an expert fire dancer hurls flaming batons above my head, and find myself mesmerised as a
traditional skirt dancer spins both himself and plates around with an admirable amount of balance and coordination.
We end the night with all the lights turned off, gazing up at the clear night’s sky. The bright lights of the city feel much farther away than a 45-minute drive.
The stark juxtaposition of the new and the old is just part of Dubai’s charm.
To say there is something for everyone is no exaggeration: beaches laid with Maldivian sand, futuristic museums, impressive skyscrapers, fine dining, theme parks and adventure – there’s even an indoor ski resort in the Mall of the Emirates that seldom feels warmer than two degrees celsius.
Yes, it is artificial but for clients looking to escape reality this perfectlyarchitectured city fits the bill.
“What makes Dubai unique is the versatility it offers,” says Jameela Ahli, Head of Region for the UK, Ireland, and Italy within the International Operations
department at Dubai Tourism. “It is a destination that has something for every type of traveller and budget.”
The UK remains a key market for Dubai – between January and August 2022the UK was its third largest source market, with over 823,000 Brits taking travelling to the city. And there’s no bad time to go – Dubai is a year-round city with pleasant weather almost guaranteed, although July and August can be uncomfortably hot for some, with the average day
Dune BAshinG in The DeserTtemperature hitting over 40C.
“There’s an abundance of exciting experiences,” says Ahli, “from At the Top, Burj Khalifa, which gives a bird’s eye view of the city, or for the more daring Edge Walk at Sky Views Observatory through to relaxing at the beach or getting a spa treatment. Alternatively a trip to the desert to watch the sunset is a must-do experience.”
And with year-round sun, every day is a beach day in Dubai. There’s a range of beach resorts to choose from, including JA Resorts, Atlantis, the Palm with Aquaventure for families, Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai for couples.
One of Dubai Tourism’s key objectives is to increase visitation through trade partners by ensuring agents have all of the necessary tools available to help sell the destination.
“In 2023 we will have a number of incentive programmes in place for both summer bookings and also extended stay stopovers,” explains Ahli. “We’ll also be back with our annual summer training roadshow, and we’ll be hosting agent fams throughout the year.”
Step into the future: Dubai’s Museum of the Future has been open for less
than a year but it has quickly cemented itself as one of the city’s top attractions. The building – a stainless steel circular structure with Arabic calligraphy engraved on all surfaces – is something of an architectural marvel, and at 77 metres tall is a huge step away from the towering skyscrapers Dubai is known for. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the interactive and informative exhibits alluding to what life will be like in 2071. Tickets sell out quickly, so book in advance. museumofthefuture.ae
Desert adventures: With its perfectlymanicured, lush green lawns and extensive infrastructure, at times it’s hard to imagine the land Dubai sits upon was once a vast desert. However, just a short drive out of the city is the gateway to the Arabian Desert, where the nature and wildlife remain as they would have been centuries ago. For clients wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, an evening safari with Arabian Adventures is sure to transport them back in time.
Featuring hotel pick-up and drop-off and transfers to and from the desert, clients can expect an evening of adrenalinefilled dune smashing and sandboarding followed by a relaxing BBQ dinner in a modern Bedouin-style camp with a fire and dance show. They’ll also have the chance to receive a henna tattoo, and see
“What makes Dubai unique is the versatility it offers. It is a destination that has some thing for every type of traveller and budget”
Jameela Ahli, Dubai TourismThe iconic pAlm JumeirAh The BurJ KhAlifA sTAnDs AT 2,217 feeT TAll
some of Dubai’s camels up close. Prices for an evening safari start from £125pp, with part of the fee going towards local conservation. arabian-adventures.com
A day at the parks: For families and kids-at-heart, a trip to Dubai Parks and Resorts will not disappoint. Home to the Motiongate and Bollywood parks, attractions range from movie-themed rollercoasters to a new green-screen experience at Bollywood Film Studios.
For little ones aged two-12, LEGOLAND® Dubai Theme Park and Water Park features rollercoasters, car racing, water slides and a lazy river. Guests can also stay in the LEGO-themed hotel. The brightly-coloured hotel opened in early 2022 and features family-favourite characters and LEGO or Duplo bricks to play with in each of its 250 rooms. dubaiparksandresorts.com
NH Dubai The Palm: The NH Dubai The Palm will open in late 2022, offering unmatched views of the Arabian sea, Marina skyline as well as Dubai’s famed Burj
Al Arab. This new hotel spans 14 storeys, offering 227 hotel guest rooms and suites as well as multiple restaurants, a spa, a kids’ club and four meeting rooms. seventides. com/nh-dubai-the-palm
Terra Solis: Opening imminently is Terra Solis by Tomorrowland, situated in the heart of the Dubai desert. Offering luxury glamping experiences, rustic dining and an expansive pool, Terra Solis is looking to attract international DJs and artists. The sprawling desert chic oasis is set over 371,000 square metres with guests able to choose between three accommodation options named after stars, meteor showers and constellations. terrasolisdubai.com
Golden Sands: Golden Sands Hotels and Apartments is taking its visitor experience to the next level with improved technology and automated processes. It offers family-size hotel apartments. goldensandsdubai.com
Dubai Parks offer: A Black Friday offer from November 18-December 2 means every adult day ticket booked for the Bollywood and Motiongate parks will get a
free child’s ticket, for entry up to 90 days after purchase. dubaiparksandresorts.com
A four-night stay at the LEGOLAND® Hotel costs from £829pp. Price is based on two adults and two children under 11 sharing on a B&B basis and includes access to LEGOLAND® Water Park and LEGOLAND® Dubai theme park and return flights from London Heathrow with Royal Brunei. Price based on April 2 2023 departure. jtatravel.co.uk •
Come discover our unique property that provides exceptional boutique services. Visit us at WTM-Dubai Stand ME550
Retrace the steps of the American Revolution, savour the freshest of lobster rolls and cheer on the Boston Red Sox says Jessica Pook
Morning: Get a caffeine fix at the Thinking Cup, a favourite coffee shop serving muffins, quiche and sticky pastries.
Time to get the step count up by walking The Freedom trail, a 2.5-mile red-brick trail through Boston’s historic neighbourhoods, recounting the story of the American Revolution. The trail tour lasts 90 minutes and highlights 11 of the 16 spots, plus you’ll get to enjoy the company of a colonialcostumed historical interpreter.
Afternoon: The tour finishes at Faneuil Hall, which leads nicely into lunch at the adjoining bustling Quincy Market Colonnade. Grab a bite to go and walk the cobblestone promenades lined
with street performers and musicians. For a less touristy alternative, cross the street to the Boston Public Market and snack on Apple Cider Doughnuts from Red’s Apple Farm. Then head to the Seaport District to relive the historic Boston Tea Party, a protest against the tax of tea which is said to have sparked the American Revolution. Climb aboard an 18th century ship and recreate the ‘Destruction of the Tea’.
Evening: Head to the city’s North End, to sample some authentic American Italian food. Boston’s Little Italy is the oldest part of the city, home of the first immigrants, and lined with restaurants and bars offering pasta dishes piled high.
Book it with... United Airlines
Launched earlier this year, United Airlines operates a daily non-stop service from London Heathrow to Boston. Return fares start at £529 (Economy), £1,520 (United Premium Plus) and £5,719 (United Polaris business). All fares include taxes and checked baggage. united.com
Morning: Spend a cultured morning in Boston’s beautiful art galleries. Located a short walk from one another are the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – a reconstructed 15th century Venetian palace filled with European, Asian and Islamic art – while the Museum of Fine Arts has a collection that spans 100 galleries.
Afternoon: Boston is known for its seafood and a lobster dish is a menu staple. For lunch seek out Yankee Lobster which serves lobster roll, clams and steaming bowls of chowder.
You don’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy a visit to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. At 109 years-old, it’s one of
America’s oldest ballparks and still has the original chairs. Revisit the careers of famous Red Sox players and explore the grounds on a 60-minute stadium tour.
Evening: If clients are visiting during baseball season (April-October), be sure to book an evening game under the floodlights. Friday night games produce an electric atmosphere and visitors will feel like a true Bostonian celebrating the seventh innings with a Fenway Frank!
Out of season, head for an American IPA at the Hopsters Brewing Company to sample hoppy craft beers, and even make your own. Or head to Harpoon Brewery for a ‘flight’ accompanied by a giant pretzel. •
As travel continues its recovery, many in the industry are keen to discover what’s going to be trending in 2023. Despite a summer of overwhelmed airports, flight cancellations and now a cost of living crisis, clients seem to be determined to plan their next holiday.
In fact, recent research from Virtuoso shows that 76% of travellers have accepted a “new normal”, with many having “made peace” with all the uncertainty and volatility.
Tour operators are echoing this sentiment. “We have seen a great recovery in the travel sector in recent months, with many postponed trips able to go ahead at last,” says Alex Bentley, Head of Product at Audley Travel. “We expect to see this continue, with client confidence growing in terms of the type of destinations chosen.”
With bookings for travel in 2023 pacing 47% higher than 2019, according to Virtuoso, agents should brush up on what’s hot for next year so they can capitalise on the renewed appetite for holidays.
“As consumer confidence grows we’re seeing further afield destinations such as Australia and New Zealand become more popular,” says James Treacy, Senior PR & Communications Manager at Abercrombie & Kent. “This means that people may reduce the number of holidays a year or make their choices on destinations more carefully.”
He also points to the rise in singlecentre touring and the popularity of smaller, more compact, destinations such as Cuba. “We’ve had to pivot our product slightly – introducing single centre group tours. Our Spotlight tours were created so that clients didn’t have to move around so much on a tour.”
Clients are “expecting value” even on their long-haul trips. “Over half of our agent network say 57% of customers seek value,” says PATA UK & Ireland Chairman, Chris Crampton. “For the budget conscious there are some great-value flight options, with new low-cost carriers making Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam more attractive.
“Asia in particular offers a great longhaul holiday option whether travellers are seeking relaxing beach breaks or adventurous multicentre itineraries.”
With many clients feeling the pinch of rising living costs, budget-friendly holidays or those with added extras will be a popular choice in 2023.
“Our clients continue to set aside budget for their travel plans in order to make up for lost time since the pandemic but, due to costs rising everywhere, many are keeping a closer eye on their spending than they perhaps did in the past,” says Audley’s Bentley.
“As a result, they are making some different decisions – such as taking advantage of the greater availability (and competitive rates) for city accommodation.”
Agents who aren’t seeing the effects of this yet, should be aware that cost could be a big factor later down the line. “We have yet to see the full impact of the ongoing
As long haul leisure travel continues to pick up, what does 2023 hold in store for clients with wanderlust? Charlotte Flach explores some of the most likely trends
cost of living crisis, and we’ve even seen a 30% increase in average booking values in 2022. However we know the crisis will have an impact and we all have to look at our value propositions versus our price,” says Abercrombie & Kent’s Treacey.
Tighter purse strings means that allinclusive is on the rise, with an increasing number of high-end properties now embracing luxury all-inclusive stays.
Resorts are reinventing the format to cater to a new generation of discerning travellers who don’t just want a traditional fly-and-flop experience. In particular, the value of all-inclusive is making waves with a younger crowd.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, travelling with purpose will be increasingly relevant in 2023. In particular, families and couples will be keen to celebrate a milestone by taking a trip, and bucket list experiences will also be high on the agenda.
“For our clients, celebratory travel is set to be a key motivator for travel in 2023, with 63% of Audley’s in-house sales
specialists naming missed milestone celebrations as a top reason for booking trips in 2023,” says Bentley. “Many clients are also determined to take a muchawaited bucket list trip, which 72% listed as a top motivation driving bookings.”
More clients are also aware of the looming spectre of climate change, so are seeking out greener holidays. “There is definitely a greater shift towards more environmentally friendly and meaningful travel as consumers seek enriching experiences,” says Crampton.
Virtuoso research backs this up, showing that sustainable travel is top-of-mind, especially among gen Z and Millennials. In fact, over 55% would pay more for ecofriendly tourism practices and travel that preserves natural and cultural heritage.
Operators are responding with no-fly options among other initiatives, says Treacey. “We’re launching our first nonflight trip, an art trip to Paris by train.”
“Popular destinations for 2023 include Australia, Maldives and the likes of Japan
and Bhutan, which have recently reopened their borders again,” says Crampton.
Bentley adds Canada, India, Costa Rica and USA to the list while Virtuoso predicts that cruising will lead the luxury market with heavy bookings in 2023.
Research from Booking.com, which polled 24,000 travellers, revealed that 57% are looking for ‘off-grid’ style holidays in destinations that have a culture polar to their own. With this in mind Brazil, Cuba, India and Mexico are top contenders.
In a complete contrast, it also named the UK as a trending destination for 2023. Top locations include Manchester, glasgow, Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne. Shearings has a dedicated ‘Discover the very best of the UK’, with 64 tours. These include a new five-night Capital Edinburgh – Castle, Stirling and Trossachs tour.
Abercrombie & Kent has a 12-night Cuba Awakened escorted tour including threedays in Havana. Priced from £5,115pp, it departs February 5, April 10 and November 13, 2023. abercrombiekent.co.uk
Steve Hartridge
This is where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed and, in more recent times, the landscape doubled as Mars in The Martian," enthuses Asis, my knowledgeable guide and driver from Nebo Tours, one of Jordan's best known Destination Management Companies.
Looking out over the vast expanse of desert, with its burnt orange and reddish hues, it is easy to imagine Peter O'Toole and the cast of 1,000 galloping camels in David Lean's 1962 film, or Matt Damon, stranded on the Red Planet.
To mark the spot where in the movie Lawrence and his army started their ride to Aqaba to banish the Turks there's a small image of him etched into a rock. Next to this, in a tent woven from sheep's wool and goat hair, we enjoy some welcome shade from the scorching heat, sip mint tea, eat sugary cakes and buy small ceramic bowls from the Bedouin traders.
Dotted among craggy sandstone mountains coloured by iron oxide, the narrow canyons and the shifting sand dunes of Wadi Rum, are a number of tented camps that have become an essential overnight stop on any tour of Jordan. The standard offering is a buffet dinner and an evening of music, dancing and, if you want, shisha pipes. However, I prefer to sit on the deck outside my tent – which comes complete with a separate bathroom and shower and
a/c unit – viewing the dazzling ceiling of stars and later lightning illuminating the surrounding towering plateaus.
Wadi Rum is one of Jordan's adventure centres with desert Jeep tours – with stops to see some of the more than 25,000 petroglyphs (rock carvings) – camel rides, balloon rides and huge sand dunes that can be 'sandboarded'.
To say that 'safe' Jordan – "due to wise leadership we are a quite house in a noisy regional neighbourhood," Asis tells me – offers a diverse set of travel experiences barely covers it.
Wadi Rum is the penultimate stop on my six-day trip that has also taken in the capital Amman, the Greco-Roman city of Jerash, the Dead Sea and Petra.
During the week, I have enjoyed the best Middle Eastern food I have ever tasted (cold and hot mezzes and wonderful salads in a restaurant in Amman called Sufra, surrounded by orange groves and deep pink bougainvillea), trodden the same stonecobbled streets walked by Roman emperors and gladiators, and been immersed in familiar stories from the Bible.
I have 'floated' in the salty Dead Sea and covered myself in its therapeutic mud, watched artists in a workshop make intricate mosaic tiles and hit balls on the range of the country's only golf course (Ayla Golf Club).
In sprawling Amman, where around 40% of Jordan's population live, I explored winding streets that led to jewellery and perfume stores and gold souks. High on
enjoys the many diverse highlights of Jordan, one of the Middle East's safest and most tourist-friendly countries
one of the capital's 21 hills is The Citadel, a complex with a section of wall dating back to the Bronze Age, and the Temple of Hercules, an important Roman site.
But Amman is more than ancient relics. Earlier in the day I explored the latest ultramodern hotel to open: the luxurious Four Seasons, replete with marble imported from Italy and panoramic views of the city.
About 45 minutes north of Amman, Jerash is the site of one of the best preserved Roman cities in the world. I entered at Hadrian's Arch, named in honour of the visit of Roman Emperor Hadrian – yes, him of UK borders wall fame – in 130AD.
Inside the Arch attractions include the Hippodrome, the Oval Forum with its 56 Ionic columns, the Temple of Zeus, the 5,000-seat South Theatre and the Temple of Artemis. It is a vast complex but archaeologists estimate that 70% of it remains underground and unexcavated.
Petra and Aqaba South of Amman, off the main north-south road known as the King's Highway, we drive up a windy road to Mount Nebo, said to be where Moses lived and was buried. From outside the Franciscan Church, with its floor of mosaics laid in various periods, the views of the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea and Holy Land are spectacular.
The next morning there are more tales from the Old testament when we visit AlMaghtas (or 'Bethany beyond the Jordan'), where John the Baptist baptised Jesus. This
complex is right next to the Jordan River, which forms the border with the Israelcontrolled West Bank. I watch as whiterobed Israeli Jews step into the narrow stretch of water for their own baptisms.
A highlight of any Jordan trip is Petra, one of the world’s most important archaeological sites. A visit shouldn't be rushed – you can spend a day here, exploring numerous temples, 'streets', tombs and walking trails that head off in many directions. To avoid the crowds, start out early.
Petra's history goes back to prehistoric times but is most known for the Nabatean (ancient Arab) civilization that carved it and flourished in its rock-cleft alleys around 500 BC. After a walk through narrow canyons, you get to Petra's star attraction, the Treasury, 40 metres high and decorated with friezes and figures. I pay 10 dinars (about £12) for a Beduoin guide who helps me scramble up some rocks for a better vantage point and photo.
My final day is spent in Aqaba, Jordan's port city and only beach resort. After a swim in the warm sea and some sweet Baklava on Al Raghadan Street, my evening and Jordan trip ends in Kempinski's rooftop 700 Lounge bar, looking across the Red Sea to the glimmering lights of the Israeli resort of Eilat.
An eight-day Highlights of Jordan tour with Major Travel includes an overnight stay in a Bedouin camp, a guided tour of Petra, a visit to the Dead Sea and a Wadi Rum 4x4 excursion. major.travel
A highlight of any Jordan trip is Petra. avoid the crowds, start out early
Cruising wll be king in 2023 with long-haul sailings and all-inclusive offerings tempting clients. Jessica Pook looks at the top trends
On-shore excursions are key Cruisers are looking for more immersive and experiential excursions for 2023. With this in mind, Celestyal has reimagined its shore excursion programme and created a destinationrich programme exclusively for smaller groups. These Authentic Encounters allow guests to pursue personal passions such as food and wine, art and archaeology, and culture and active adventure. The shore excursions are offered in ports in Greece and Turkey. celestyal.com
With long-haul favourites such as Australia and Japan open once more, it’s predicted that travellers will swap shorter holidays for bigger blowout cruises. Resilient Lady, the latest addition to Virgin Voyages’ four-ship fleet, will make her way Down Under via a 44-night transcontinental
voyage in October 2023, sailing from Athens to Sydney. Passengers will stop in Santorini and Rhodes before visiting Cairo and the Great Pyramid of Giza. From Dubai they will sail to Singapore via Mumbai and Goa and then to Sydney, with an overnight in Bali. virginvoyages.com
Seeing the polar regions is a top bucket list experience for cruisers. With additional highlights including alpine heli-trekking, alpine kayaking, ice sheet landings and more, Quark Expeditions offers a 21-night Epic Antarctica cruise on the new polar adventure ship, Ultramarine The cruise visits the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. A helicopter flight will give a birdseye perspective of the Antarctic Peninsula. quarkexpeditions.com
The ultimate add-on Extending European stays are
trending with river cruise customers looking to make the most of their experience by adding on a bucket list experience such as a ride on the Glacier Express or a tour of the Italian Lakes, for example. Fred. Holidays has launched a new 11-night trip which combines a three-night stay in Lake Garda, a seven-night Rhine cruise followed by a stint on the Bernina Express through northern Italy and into Switzerland. fredholidays.co.uk
Wellness is a key trend postpandemic and cruises have developed dedicated wellness programmes to encourage passengers to slow down. Explora Journeys has created an ‘Ocean Wellness’ concept with experiences, programmes and spaces designed to enhance sleep, relaxation, mindfulness, energy and immunity boosting. explorajourneys.com
All the single ladies (and men)
Solo travellers are praising cruise lines that have scrapped the single supplement charge on double cabins. Tauck and Windstar are two cruise lines that have waived or reduced this charge on select 2023 cruises. Tauck has eliminated its single supplement on its Category 1 European riverboat cabins whilst Windstar has done the same on select 2023 sailings to destinations that include the Mediterranean, Australasia and the South Pacific. windstar.cruiselines.com; tauck.co.uk
Doing it for the kids
ABTA’s Holiday Habits 2022 found an increase in families cruised this year and 64% of those asked are keen to go again. While typically aimed at the over-50’s market, Ambassador Cruise Line has scheduled two multi-generational cruises for the 2023 summer holidays, to give
families the opportunity to experience cruising together. Families can join the seven-night Summertime Fjordland cruise departing August 2023. The cruise line has a special launch offer where kids go for £99. ambassadorcruiseline.com
Riviera Travel is continuing to see a rise in river cruise first-timers with more guests converting from ocean to river. Inspired by smaller ships and fewer passengers, many loyal ocean cruisers are choosing to do their first river cruise in 2023 with short spring itineraries – with Amsterdam, Kinderdijk and the Dutch Bulbfields popular among newcomers. rivieratravel.co.uk
King of the swing
Azamara is capitalizing on the Covidinspired golf surge with 15 golf-specific cruises available in 2024. A highlight is
Azamara Quest’s nine-night Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil voyage. Beginning in Buenos Aires and ending with a night in Rio De Janeiro, this sailing includes a round of golf at the Olympic Golf Course in Rio. Cruisers can also add on a post-voyage land programme to Iguazu Falls from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides.
azamara.co.uk
With the rising cost of living at the top of clients’ minds, all-inclusive packages offer piece of mind as there are no hidden costs. Scenic has introduced its Truly All-Inclusive offering onboard its Scenic Space-ship, which cruises Europe’s rivers. The package includes up to five dining options, butler service, premium beverages, all gratuities, transfers and onshore experiences including a concert in an 18th century palace in Germany. scenic.co.uk
36 / Six of the best...
With gravity-defying roller coasters and gigantic wave pools, the Middle East has plenty to offer when it comes to exciting and imaginative theme parks. Here are six to consider
Motiongate, Dubai Hollywood’s DreamWorks Animation, Columbia Pictures and Lionsgate combine to create Motiongate, Dubai’s premier motion-picture theme park. Familyfavourite films and television shows like Shrek, Ghostbusters, Madagascar, The Hunger Games and Kung Fu Panda make an appearance in the form of thrilling roller coasters and interactive attractions. dubaiparksandresorts.com/motiongate
Yas Waterworld, Abu Dhabi
Voted the world’s leading waterpark, Yas Waterworld’s record-breaking slides and gigantic wave pool are guaranteed to provide an adrenaline rush. Take a ride on the region’s longest suspended rollercoaster, dodge the water cannons on the Bandit Bomber, or brave Dawwama, the largest and longest sixperson tornado water coaster. Yaswaterworld.com
Quest, Qatar
Launched this year, Quest brings the theme park concept indoors. Based in the Doha Oasis complex, it features everything from rides to VR and simulation experiences. Its record breaking EpiQ Coaster and Magma Blast are the tallest indoor roller coaster and indoor drop tower ride, respectively. There’s also Wings of Destiny, a 3D flying theatre attraction and a 3D motion simulator called Legend of the Golden Oryx. Dohaquest.com.
Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi Car enthusiasts will be bowled over by Ferrari World, where they can get behind the wheel of one of these iconic sports cars and take it for a spin. Or walk the iconic red roof of the building, with a zip-line experience to finish. Of course, the theme park also has plenty of rides to get your heart racing. Try out the highest loop ride, Flying Aces, or take a zero gravity fall on Turbo Track. ferrariworldabudhabi.com.
Set to open in 2023, this chapter of U.S. institution Six Flags deserves a special mention as the Kingdom’s first ever theme park. Stretched over a huge 79 acres, the park will feature 28 rides and attractions and six themed lands. It will boast recordbreaking rides such as Falcon’s Flight, a gravity-defying coaster, which will be the longest, tallest and fastest in the world once it opens. qiddiya.com
Comprising a separate waterpark and theme park, LEGOLAND® is ideal for young travellers aged two and up. Aimed at young families, The LEGOLAND® Waterpark has 20 waterslides and attractions from a lazy river to the Joker Soaker. Highlights of the LEGOLAND® Theme Park include LEGO City, where children can gain their ‘driver’s license’ and Kingdoms, a medieval land with a Dragon coaster. legoland.com/dubai
Clean, green Estonia is drawing on its national pschye to build impressive eco-credentials and a culinary scene foodies will not want to miss, says Julie Baxter
Estonians, it seems, carry a strong hunter gatherer gene, and they’re very proud of it. They love to forage – berries, mushrooms, herbs, hazelnuts – whatever is in season.
They all have their favourite hunting ground and they’re not about to tell you where that is!
But check out the first Michelin Guide on Estonia, launched this year, and you soon discover how this love of fresh produce and creative flavours are now the hallmark of dining here.
We are on our way to the Viru Bog. Admittedly it doesn’t sound like an obvious tourist attraction, but it is one of six National Parks in Estonia and if you want to understand the psyche of Estonians, it’s as good a place to start as any.
We step out along the forest trail and onto the bog boardwalk. The air is fresh and smells pleasantly organic. The landscape feels ancient and in fact some 4,000 years of sphagnum moss creep has created this bog. In every direction the yellows and rusts of autumn tint the leaves, lichen and bracken.
A connection with nature is almost a religion in Estonia and has helped the population through a chequered history – ruled by all its neighbours at some point (bar Finland), and with many years under Soviet occupation.
A cottage in the country, a sauna by the river and a bit of tree hugging are all part of the local scene, and with a maximum 25 people per kilometre outside the capital the space, quiet and natural beauty here mean a walk in the forest to destress after a busy day is as common as the foraging.
Visitors increasingly come here for awayfrom-it all glamping or to visit the 100+ country manor houses built on vodka, beer and herring wealth then turned into
collective farms in Soviet times and now run as country clubs, historic houses and hotels.
There are important bird migration paths too, so twitchers come for the thousands of transient storks and cranes. The forests are also home to more than 1,000 brown bears, wild boar, wolves, moose, deer and lynx.
Estonia is the size of the Netherlands and three-quarters of that landmass is forest or marsh. Set in the Gulf of Finland, it also has 2,222 islands dotted along its 3,800km, coastline so sailing is popular. There is a great national affinity with the Finnish, whose country is just 50 miles away by ferry.
We stop off at Estonia’s highest waterfall and step out into a pine forest. Pretty soon we have worked up an eager appetite.
And that’s just as well, as our itinerary includes a liberal smattering of Michelinrated and uniquely Estonian restaurants, including my first experience of a ‘home restaurant’. Restaurant MerMer is set on the Juminda Peninsula with stunning views of the Baltic. It is one of many home restaurants popular in Estonia, serving six-10 diners in a relaxed, informal home setting as the homeowner-host cooks up local specialities and seasonal favourites. Artisan products and local ingredients also exert a distinct influence on the kitchens of ambitious chefs in the capital – forwardthinking innovators combine traditional
cuisine with global gastronomic influences.
The Michelin Guide Estonia is the first for a Baltic country and features 31 restaurants countrywide including two honoured with a Michelin Star, five awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, and two highlighted with a Michelin Green Star for sustainability.
We check out just a few: Lore is a modern bistro created from a cavernous harbourside warehouse, Härg is a buzzy allday brasserie with the focus on the chargrill, while Mantel ja Korsten is a bright clapboard house with a sunny Mediterranean menu.
At 38, an historic Old Town building has been reworked with a cool, fashionable vibe and creative menus showcasing Asian influences. It is easy to see how they had got their place in the Guide, with interesting menus, quality ingredients and clever unexpected twists. Every dish is a gorgeous work of art and full of fresh flavour.
Tallinn, the capital, is super accessible from the airport, thanks to the city’s great tram network and it is an easy place to explore on foot. Largely pedestrianised, it is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities
and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Expect ancient city walls and cobblestones, a flower market and medieval churches, squares, merchant houses and monastry ruins.
Then there is Tsar Peter the Great’s impressive Kadriorg palace and art museum, set in manicured parklands; trendy artisan shopping areas, and the seafront, once home to Tsarist Russia’s most important submarine factory and now offering the chance to board a submarine at the Seaplane Harbour Maritime Museum.
In 2023, Tallinn becomes Europe’s 13th Green Capital and new initiatives are in hand to showcase it as a model green city.
At the heart of the Baltic region, it connects the cultural dots between Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe. It pairs well with other regional capitals but is fast making its way as a stand-out getaway with something for all.
•
Book it with... Regent Holidays
Combine Tallinn’s history, modern culture and exceptional gastronomy with time at a country estate hotel to explore the forests and coastline. regent-holidays.co.uk; T. 01174 535 461
From
I’ve not experienced a hot Christmas before. Being so far from home
I had already convinced myself that it simply wouldn’t be the same without the obligatory windswept walk, steaming cup of mulled wine and faint potential for snow.
Nevertheless, I adopt an Aussie cando attitude, grab a towel and head off to St Kilda beach in Melbourne, a four-mile stretch of sand fringed by palm trees and famous for its resident colony of Little Penguins.
Christmas Day celebrations are in full swing as I join hundreds of families and friends revelling in the festivities –passing around cold ‘tinnies’ and fresh seafood still hot off the barbecue.
The family next to us proposes a volleyball match with a bottle of the Yarra Valley’s
finest as the grand prize. I look at my warm beer and don’t hesitate. We take our positions and the game begins.
The golden hour sends wispy crimson clouds across the sky and my thoughts turn to Brits back home, waking to a frosty morning.
Somewhere in the distance Bill Crosby is singing ‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas’ as I sip my crisp Chardonnay, smugly. On this occasion I couldn’t disagree more!
There’s an electric atmosphere on Boxing Day as the city hosts its traditional cricket test match – this year it’s against India.
And the celebrations come to a climax with a New Year’s Eve extravaganza as we watch fireworks erupting from rooftops across the city, sending a kaleidoscope of colour into the Yarra River.
The City of Melbourne has promised
the largest New Year’s Eve ‘midnight moment’ it’s ever delivered this year, with free fireworks and laser displays across 30 CBD rooftops, all spiralling to an eight -minute soundtrack.
the FIFA Women’s World Cup to WorldPride to the Solar Eclipse, Australia’s packed calendar of events in 2023 is set to draw a rush of tourists to the country, says Jessica Pook St Kilda beach, Melbourne Sea cliff bridge in clifton, QueenSlandThe impressive calendar of events is set to continue into 2023 with highlights including WorldPride 2023 in Sydney between February 17 - March 5 and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup from July, with stadiums across the country hosting games and the final in Sydney in August.
“Sydney is set to welcome its biggest ever line up of music, art, culture and sporting events in 2023, attracting visitors from all over the world,” said Ben Franklin, New South Wales’ Minister for Tourism.
“Our calendar currently includes 84 major events and is forecast to deliver over $500 million in visitor expenditure for NSW.”
Meanwhile, Western Australia will be one of the best places in the world to view next year’s rare solar eclipse on April 20.
“The solar eclipse has had a huge impact on forward bookings to Western Australia,” said a representative from Tourism Western Australia. “The Kimberleys are very popular and we’re seeing packages coinciding with the eclipse selling out.”
This autumn Tourism Australia launched a global campaign, ‘Come and Say G’Day’, it’s first new major initiative since 2016. A short film features Ruby the explorer kangaroo, in the role as Tourism Australia’s long-term Brand Ambassador, reminding the world why “there’s nothing quite like Australia”.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Sally Cope, Regional General Manager UK/ Northern Europe for Tourism Australia said: “We’ve had a real surge in demand since the borders reopened. At first people were going to visit friends and relatives, now we’re seeing the leisure holiday kick in with visitors spending more money and staying for longer. They’re seeking out bucket list destinations and uniquely Australian experiences.”
Cope is particularly excited about the FIFA Women’s World Cup, saying: “An event like this will put Australia on the global stage. We can’t wait to host international visitors and celebrate with the fans.”
When asked about Australia’s post-Covid recovery strategy, she says: “We want to give the industry and the airlines the confidence that we can drive the demand and bring UK tourists back. We’re at about 63% of our aviation capacity pre-Covid and we’re hoping for more airlift in the near future.”
According to data from Booking.com, Brits were the top international nationality booking stays in Australia for trips taking place between October 1 and November 30 2022, with Sydney the top destination booked and Melbourne in second place.
Sport is set to be a big draw with half of those surveyed admitting they would travel to Australia to watch their favourite sport, and when it comes to beaches,
“At first people were going to visit friends and relatives, now we’re seeing the leisure holiday kick in with people spending more money and staying for longer”
Sally cope, tourism australiaMelbourne’S Yarra river exMouth, WeStern auStralia, iS the beSt place to See the Solar eclipSe SnorKelling in ningaloo reef, Wa vivid SYdneY, an annual feStival of light
Booking.com ranks the Gold Coast in Queensland, as Australia’s best destination.
Sydney WorldPride (February 17 –
March 5): With official events including an opening concert headlined by Kylie Minogue, Seven Rainbow Republic festival and Bondi Beach Party, Sydney WorldPride is set to be quite the event. Premier Holidays has a dedicated WorldPride 2023 package which is on sale until November 30, 2022. The starter option can be tailored accordingly for clients who want to extend their trip in Sydney and New South Wales and includes the first two events. UK travellers need to book an official ticket package being sold through Flight Centre, Out of Office or Premier Holidays. premierholidays.co.uk
Adelaide Fringe Festival (February 17 – March 19): Adelaide Fringe is Australia’s biggest arts festival with events including cabaret, theatre, comedy, circus, music, visual arts, workshops and more.
Watch a dramatic costume drama or belly laugh to the newest comedy genius, at this month-long festival. adelaidefringe.com.au
Solar Eclipse, Exmouth (April 20): Air Charter Services is offering a solar eclipse experience that will give passengers the chance to witness this spectacular natural phenomenon from above the clouds. Identified as the optimal point to observe the eclipse, the flight will take place over Australia’s Coral Coast. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will see Exmouth be one of only a handful of places in the world where you will be able to view the total solar eclipse on April 20 2023. ningalooeclipse.com
FIFA Women’s World Cup (JulyAugust): The England Lionesses will begin their bid to add a world crown to their Euros title by playing their opening match on July 22 at the Brisbane Stadium. In total, fans will see 32 nations playing 64 matches across nine host cities in Australia and New Zealand. The final will be played in Sydney on August 20. fifa.com
South by Southwest Sydney (October 15): Heading out of North America for the first time ever is SXSW, an event that celebrates creativity and innovation across music, screen, gaming and technology. It has previously included speakers and artists such as Barack Obama, Dave Grohl, Steven Spielberg, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and Snoop Dogg. sxswsydney.com
Scenic has introduced ocean cruises and land tours to/in Australia for 2023 and 2024 including the 20-day Grand Australia tour from Perth to Sydney, departing October 11, 2023 and the 14day Australia’s Top End: Cape York and Arnhem Land cruise, departing April 2024. Contiki’s first Western Australia tours include an eight-day Perth and Margaret River trip as well as a fiveday holiday focussing on the beaches of Perth and the craft breweries of Fremantle and Rottnest Island.
Intrepid Travel has a nine-day Premium Kimberley and Bungle Bungles tour which supports local communities and celebrates Australian heritage.
Premier Holidays has a four-night trip to Sydney for WorldPride 2023, from £1,799pp, travelling March 1. The package includes flights to Sydney via Singapore with Qantas, four nights at Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour, transfers and tickets to Bondi Beach Party and Rainbow Republic. Prices are based on two adults sharing. premierholidays.co.uk
Selling Travel and the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority would like to invite you to come to the Mauritian event of the year on the 8 December.
Join us from 7pm onwards for your chance to get the latest updates from Mauritian suppliers at the Caledonian Club, London.
The evening will consist of catching up over refreshments, agent speed dating with suppliers and a prize draw.
When: 8 December @ 7.00pm
Where: The Caledonian Club, 9 Halkin Street, London, SW1X 7DR Places are limited so please RSVP asap to secure your place. Meet with: Air Mauritius, Attitude Hotels, Beachcomber Hotels and Resorts, Constance Hotels and Resorts, LUX* Resorts, Marriott, Sands and Maradiva Resorts, Sunlife, Veranda and Heritage and more...
RSVP: sellingtravel.co.uk/training-events
Jordan and Cyprus have joined forces to showcase the complementary nature of the two destinations and how they can be twinned on the same holiday.
The aim of an initiative announced on the first day of World Travel Market in early November is to promote four- or five-day visits to each country, targeting those whose holidays range from 10 days to two weeks.
Jordan’s Tourism Minister H.E. Nayef Al Fayez said: “Jordan’s new national tourism strategy, launched at the beginning of the year, aims to expand the demographic of tourists planning their travel to Jordan.
“We have introduced a series of new lowcost flights from across the UK and Europe, which we hope will continue to drive the bounce back we have already seen this year.
“Cyprus is just a 50-minute flight from Jordan and together the two countries have a beautiful range of landscapes, historical history and cultural experiences to offer.
“Travellers today want to make the most of every trip, and by packaging
Newmarket Holidays has introduced Lapland Santa Experience Day Trips for 2023. The operator has put on sale 18 new dates for 2023, on specially chartered flights to Santa’s airport (Pajala) in Swedish Lapland that depart from regional airports that include Belfast, Cardiff and Norwich and new options from Bristol and Luton.
The day tours also include return transfers to Santa’s village, thermal clothing, hot berry juice, a private family meeting with Father Christmas, a token Christmas gift for every child, a snowmobile ride, a traditional reindeer sleigh ride and a husky sled ride.
Richard Forde, Head of Trade Sales, said: “Lapland is an immersive destination and our programme offers an intimate experience for families and friends.
“Demand for 2022 dates was strong with the majority of flights sold out by the summer.” Prices start from £679 per adult and £599 per child. newmarketholidays.co.uk
these two charming countries together –holidaymakers can gain more value from their time away.”
Cyprus’ Deputy Minister of Tourism, Savvas Perdios said: “Cyprus and Jordan complement each other well and we feel that the potential is great; we are ready to assist each other and become pioneers of innovative collaboration in travel.”
See My Journey: Jordan, on page 32 for more travel inspiration. international.visitjordan.com; visitcyprus.com
National Holidays’ 2023 ‘Britain & Europe’ preview brochure features 27 new breaks in Britain and Ireland and 16 new breaks in Europe.
Agents have more options to sell in popular UK seaside destinations, more tours that include railway journeys and a new range of tribute act breaks.
Capacity for Ireland has also been increased due to its popularity this year.
Eight new coach breaks to seaside destinations are now on sale.
These include a five-day ‘Eastbourne, 1066 Country and Beachy Head’ break, which departs on selected dates between April and October, priced from £279pp.
Across Europe, longer stays have been introduced with new nine-day tours, more four-day breaks and additional all-inclusive itineraries. These include ‘Imperial Cities –Prague, Vienna and Budapest’, which costs from £899pp. nationalholidays.com/agents
• BA back to Buenos Aires
British Airways has scheduled the resumption of its non-stop service to Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, from March 26 2023.
The direct flight from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires Ezeiza will operate five times a week using Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Since January 2022, flights have been operating with a stop in São PauloGuarulhos. britishairways.com
• Azamara’s world cruise
Azamara has revealed its 2025 World Voyage will depart from San Diego, California, and visit 37 countries before concluding in Southampton. Taking place on the cruise line’s latest ship, Azamara Onward, the itinerary will include 15 overnights and 31 late stays in port, giving guests more time to immerse themselves in each destination. Azamara.com
•
Aer Lingus has reinstated its Manchester-Barbados service, marking the restart of the carrier’s seasonal schedule to the Caribbean. Aer Lingus will offer a three-times-weekly service, flying direct from Manchester until April 30, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Fares start from £245pp. aerlingus.com
• Sun Resorts rebrands
Mauritian hotel group Sun Resorts has rebranded to Sunlife. Sunlife’s four luxury hotels are the five-star Sugar Beach, five-star Long Beach, four-star La Pirogue, and four-star Ambre, along with private island Ile aux Cerfs, home to the Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club. yoursunlife.com
Kuoni says sales are up for multi-centre long-haul trips as consumer confidence grows post-pandemic.
It says destinations including India, Kenya and Costa Rica have all seen an increase in sales in recent months as customers become more confident about planning more complex multi-centre trips.
Thailand and Japan also saw an immediate boost in bookings after ending their Covid entry requirements.
Bookings for late departures to Thailand for 2022 rose by 87% in the four weeks to the end of October, compared to 2019 numbers. The destination relaxed its entry restrictions at the start of that month.
Website visits for Kuoni’s specialist tailormade division were up 36%, with the most visited pages being Japan, India and African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa.
There was also an increase in customers asking about tours to India, with Kuoni reporting that group touring sales are already at 80% of 2019 levels.
Francis Torrilla, Kuoni CEO, said: “A thirst for exploration is definitely back in play for British travellers and there’s been a notable shift even in recent weeks. Many people have put their big holiday plans on hold for
three years, so they are coming to us for advice and expertise.
“Last year, people were booking more direct ‘A to B’ flights to destinations which were open for travel and opting for safer, more straightforward trips. They were just happy to just be on holiday again after the upset and turmoil of the pandemic.
“But now we’re seeing demand growing for multi-destination itineraries, and more complex travel arrangements for longer durations for up to three weeks as countries like Thailand and Japan finally drop their Covid entry restrictions and people start feeling more confident about the prospect of exploring the world again.” kuoni.co.uk
•
Malaysia Airlines unveiled a travel trade incentive during World Travel Market that sees eligible travel agents earning shopping vouchers from the airline for bookings made and ticketed between November 7 2022 and January 9 2023, for travel between January 1 2023 and June 30 2023. T&Cs apply. Malaysiaairlinesgiveaway.co.uk
•
Gondwana Game Reserve, a Big Five safari destination on South Africa’s Garden Route, has reopened its solar-powered Tented Eco Camp, sleeping up to 14 guests. Located in a biodiversity hotspot with free roaming elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino, the Eco Camp offers a luxurious off-the-grid safari experience with game drives and hands-on wildlife conservation activities. gondwanagr.co.za
Poland is due to be popular with UK holidaymakers in 2023 with 71% of respondents considering the country to be a safe destination, according to new research by YouGov.
To highlight consumer confidence in Poland as a top choice destination, the Polish National Tourist Office plans to offer a number of mainstream press and trade familiarisation trips in the coming year.
The visits will offer a variety of travel options that showcase the wide choice of things to do on a trip to the country.
Among them will be culinary experiences, nature adventures, hiking in the Tatra mountains and kayaking in Masuria.
Survey results revealed that when
choosing city break destinations, the most important factors for holidaymakers are rich history and beautiful architecture (71%), safety (53%) and good weather (50%).
Major cities such as Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw and Poznan offer history and culture in abundance.
City breaks will be a key part of the country’s tourism activity for next year, especially with the availability of regular, low-cost flights from the UK.
Dorota Wojciechowska, Director, Polish National Tourist Office, said: “Poland is made for city breaks. Our cities can easily be explored on foot and our fantastic train network also makes Poland very accessible.
“It’s vital for us to meet face-to-face with
our partners and renew our business relationships as we look to increase numbers of overseas tourists in 2023. The UK has always been a consistently successful market for us.” poland.travel/en
The Hotel: Opened in July 2020, Virgin Hotels Nashville has 262 spacious ‘chambers’, a rooftop pool, several meeting rooms and is within walking distance to the famous Broadway strip and historic Music Row, where the likes of Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley recorded. The check in: Valet parking is available directly outside the property and manned 24/7. The staff were efficient, friendly and more than happy to provide personal recommendations.
The Room: My room was modern, bright and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sliding barn-style door that allowed for separate bedroom and dressing room areas. Furnishings were tasteful and modern with homely touches including a rug, throw pillows, window seating, Smeg fridge and dressing gowns. Virgin has its own app, Lucy, which allows guests to check in, order room service and control the AC and lights.
The Facilities: The property has two restaurants and ‘Funny library’ coffee shop which offers barista-style coffee and pastries. The main restaurant, Commons Club, has a cocktail bar aesthetic and the menu is upscale American with favourites including southern fried chicken and signature burger alongside seared scallops and lobster spaghetti. The Pool Club offers sprawling views of the city and attracts a cool crowd who enjoy sun-drenched cabanas by day and DJ sets by night. There’s also a 24/7 gym and fitness centre.
The hotel has succeeded in standing out from the Nashville crowd and embracing its vibrant city location. The property is fun and charismatic. It was a treat to have a rooftop pool and outside dining area, with herb garden, in such a central hotel.
Rates: Rates at the hotel, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, start from £155. preferredhotels.com
By Steve Hartridge
The hotel: Located just back from the Red Sea-fronting white-sand beach, the Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea is one of the leading luxury hotels in Jordan’s only coastal resort. All rooms look out to the Red Sea and the old market of Aqaba city is a 10-minute walk away. The check in: Security at the hotel’s entrance gate was strict and there was a second bag check to get into the lobby. I was met with a welcome drink and plenty of smiles. A hotel staff member sat with me as I filled out the various bits of paperwork before waking me to my room.
The hotel delivers on everything a five-star hotel should be and makes the perfect base for a few days unwinding at the end of a Jordan-wide tour. I visited in August which, due to soaring temperatures, is the perfect time to enjoy the hotel away from the crowds.
Rates: Rates for a Premier Club room start from 250 Jordanian dinars (about £300). kempinski.com
The Room: My Premier Club Room (627) was spacious, bright and comfortably airconditioned. The all-white look gave it a super fresh and clean feel and an expansive balcony looked down on the hotel’s beach. Guests in this category of room also benefit from complimentary snacks and drinks in the lounge from 18.00 to 20.00.
The Facilities: The menu at signature restaurant Rehan features hummus varietals and a staggering number of meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan dishes. There os also two al fresco restaurants: Oleo – The Grill and poolside Crust. On the top floor, the breezy 700 Lounge is a classy open-air bar that offers some of the best views across the Red Sea. There is a full-service spa (access to Steam and Sauna are complimentary for guests who book any spa experience/treatment), a fitness centre and large pool with a swim-up bar.
WHAT: The Visit USA annual roadshow
WHERE: Tara Copthorne Kensington, London, and the Radisson Edwardian, Manchester
WHEN: October 5 & 6 2022
WHO: 26 Visit USA members
WHY: To update agents on new product across the USA and offer tips on how to create the perfect itinerary.
Visit USA was thrilled to be back meeting agents in person this year. “Both London and Manchester provided us with some excellent agents who were keen to learn more from our members,” said Kate Kenward, CEO, Visit USA UK Association.
“Visit USA UK has a busy schedule ahead and we will shortly be launching our digital Travel Planner, a vital resource for those selling the USA,” she added.
The star prize on offer at the London event was two return tickets to Washington D.C., Los Angeles or San Francisco,courtesy of United Airlines, plus seven nights in a Cruise America RV. This was won by Hema Yoganathan from Ocean Holidays.
In Manchester, Diane Morrison from Not Just Travel went home with two return tickets to Philadelphia, courtesy of Aer Lingus, and a three-night stay at the Aloft Philadelphia.
“We found the evening to be very useful, and time well spent. We were able to catch up with familiar faces, many of whom we had not seen since before the pandemic.
“It was good to hear about new developments in many of the areas represented and we can see that there is a lot for us to include and add to Discover North America’s product offering.
“We’ll be busy updating and developing our website, and hopefully making additional sales to our clients.”
Steve Donovan, Discover North America
“It was a really great event and interesting to see so many exhibitors. The ‘speed-dating’ format is ideal as it gives you a glimpse into the product and the opportunity to gain valuable
contacts, so that you’re able to go back and seek more in-depth information and form lasting relationships.”
“The evening was invaluable to reintroduce Exsus and make sure we are known for U.S. travel. We needed to rebuild our contacts and make sure we’re speaking to the right people. Thank you for a great evening!”
Uma Campbell, Head of Product & Commercial at Exsus Travel
“The evening was really informative and educational and two of the ladies in our group are new to travel so it really helped them get a broad overview of the U.S.”
Stephanie Needley, Gold Travel CounsellorQatar Tourism revealed new tourism attractions, hotels and resorts that will be open for fans to enjoy during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which starts in November.
Highlights include The Ned Doha, home to 90 rooms and 12 suites, seven restaurants, a gym, spa and 30-metre outdoor pool; the newly opened Outpost Al Barari, with 21 luxury lodges with private pools that will integrate close-to-nature experiences, sustainability and luxury hospitality; The Fairmont Doha, which houses the world’s tallest chandelier and suite-only Raffles Doha, with butler service.
Football fans will also get to enjoy the launch of Qatar Tourism’s West Bay North Beach Project, with the initial launch
comprising three new beaches in the heart of Doha: West Bay Beach – an affordable public beach featuring a food court, fan zone and beach volleyball court; B12 Beach Club Doha – a family-friendly beach club with 600 sun loungers, a restaurant, and a children’s playground; and DOHASANDS Beach Club featuring a concert stage and 1,000 sun loungers. visitqatar.com
Agents can now book Atlantis The Royal in Dubai ahead of its opening in 2023.
The 795-room resort surges 43 storeys high with views over the Arabian Sea and Palm Island and offers 17 restaurants and bars. Guests staying in a suite or signature penthouse can enjoy luxury services including butlers providing mini-pillow menus to suites with private infinity pools. There is also a 90-metre long Skypool on the 22nd floor. atlantistheroyal.com
Guests staying at the new LEGOLAND Hotel Dubai for three nights or more receive access to all parks within Dubai Parks and Resorts during their stay. The hotel’s Ultimate LEGO® Sleepover Package
includes LEGOLAND® Water Park and LEGOLAND® Dubai theme park, Bollywood Parks Dubai and MOTIONGATE™ Dubai. The hotel has Pirate, Adventure, LEGO® Friends, LEGO® NINJAGO® and Kingdom themed rooms. dubaiparksandresorts.com
• W Dubai opens W Dubai - Mina Seyahik has opened on the Jumeirah Beach coastline. The 31-storey hotel features 291 rooms and 27 suites, all with private balcony and views of the Arabian Gulf. Guests also have access to an infinity pool BAR-B spa, and a selection of dining concepts. whotels.com
• Address hotels expand
Address Beach Resort Bahrain is expected to open in December 2022 on the shores of Marassi Al Bahrain. The luxury property comprises a 117-key hotel and 154key residence in a minimalist and modern design. Address Grand Creek Harbour is also scheduled to open in December in Dubai. banyantree.com
• New connections to AlUla AlUla in Saudi Arabia is now accessible via Cairo, Egypt, with direct flights operated by flynas. The Saudi carrier will connect AlUla and Cairo via two weekly direct flights, scheduled on Saturdays and Thursdays. The service began on October 6. As of this year, AlUla can also be accessed via Dubai with a twiceweekly service with flydubai. experiencealula.com
• Vegan rooms debut Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi will rebrand to Mandarin Oriental in early December 2022. A renovation will introduce the region’s first vegan rooms. There is a complete absence of silk, leather and feathers and instead vegan-friendly linens and toiletries are used. rvisitabudhabi.ae
Over 45 hotels, tourist boards and DMCs from the Middle East attended Unite this year to discover the latest developments in the region
The present ‘turbulence’ in the financial markets is a real cause of concern for ABTA members, the association’s Chief Executive Mark Tanzer told delegates in Morocco.
He said higher interest rates on top of rising energy bills are putting a double squeeze on businesses, increasing costs
at a time when clients are tightening their belts.
“Many travel businesses have come out of the pandemic with less financial headroom than they went into it, so increased borrowing at higher costs is not an option,” said Tanzer. The (travel) industry has the potential to grow by 15% over the next five years, given the right regulatory and fiscal environment, he added.
New ABTA research commissioned from York Aviation shows the outbound travel industry accounted for £49 billion of Gross Value Added pre-pandemic.
Tanzer said Covid has “shone a harsh light” on the system of money flowing through the travel industry, customer protection and “who ultimately is sitting
on the risk when things go wrong”. He added: “It’s right that we should look at the system of financial protection to remove inefficiencies and duplication but we should proceed with caution before radically changing a protection system which has served the industry – and its customers – very well through times of crises.”
Tanzer called for a freeze on the level of Air Passenger Duty “to get international travel going”.
“Over recent years, APD has increased with inflation and given the current economic backdrop, a similar rise would add significantly to the costs for customers who are already feeling squeezed,” he said. abta.com
More people are booking with a travel agent than in 2019, with a rise among younger travellers, according to a Holiday Habits 2022 Report published at the ABTA Travel Convention.
The report, based on the booking habits of 2,000 people in the 12 months to August 2022, found 36% of British holidaymakers booked with a travel professional compared with 34% before the pandemic.
More than half of those with young families (54%) booked through an agent compared to only 36% in 2019, while among 25–34-year-olds the figure was 55% compared to 38% previously.
The main reasons cited for using an agent were ease of booking, expertise and having someone to help if needed.
Packages were the most popular way to travel on an overseas holiday, with 63% of holidaymakers taking this type of trip.
There was no change in the most popular destinations with Spain (31%), France (20%) the U.S. (12%), Italy (12%) in the top four. Looking ahead, 61% said they are planning to go abroad in the next year.
Despite the increasing pressures on household finances, holidays remain a spending priority, with people more likely to cut back on non-essential spending elsewhere, such as eating out (55%), leisure activities (48%) and clothes, shoes and accessories (40%), before they’ll cut back on their holidays (35%).
“We now face an uncertain year ahead given the cost of living challenges, but ABTA’s research suggests that we should continue to see an increase in foreign holidays next year and, encouragingly, many of our members have also been reporting a high level of demand for bookings.” said Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive.
ABTA will hold its 2023 Travel Convention in Bodrum, Turkey, between October 30 and November 1 2023.
Delegates will stay at the Lujo Hotel in Bodrum, a luxury all-inclusive resort with an in-house Convention Centre where the business sessions will be held. The host partner for 2023 is the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency.
With 22 new vessels launching in 2023, more adventurous itineraries and a “ship to suit everyone”, there has never been a better time to sell cruise, said Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland Managing Director, at The Advantage Travel Partnership’s Back on the Water conference, the consortium’s first cruise-specific conference since 2019.
“There are two types of customers: cruisers and those yet to cruise,” he told the 200-plus agents that attended the convention on Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady “One in 10 package holidays sold in the UK is a cruise. For every customer there’s a cruise suited to them and the opportunity to sell cruise has never been greater.”
Virgin Voyages is doubling its sales team to 16 ahead of the launch of two more ships (Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady) in 2023, which will increase the fleet to four vessels.
The move will see additional field-based staff spend more time with agents –tagged ‘first mates’ – to help them boost sales. The announcement follows the recent introduction of the LetsGoBook online platform which accelerates the booking process. virginvoyages.com
Opening the conference sessions, Harmer highlighted recent CLIA research that revealed 66% of those questioned who had never been on a cruise said they would consider one if they could find the right sailing. He urged agents to maximise on these potential sales by boosting their cruise know-how through training courses, webinars, reading trade press, visiting the CLIA website and upping their knowledge on cruise destinations.
“There is also no such thing as a typical cruiser,” he said. “In fact, only 30% of cruisers are couples. Five per cent are singles, 15% are parties of three and 20% are parties of over six, and under-35s are showing a great interest in cruising.”
A new fly-stay and cruise offering has been unveiled by The Advantage Travel Partnership’s in-house tour operator Advantage Holidays & Cruise, giving members access to 16 cruise lines and an expanded collection of land-based products.
Members can utilise a new online booking tool to create bespoke itineraries including flight cabin options, pre- and post-stay accommodation and global cruises.
Lee Ainsworth, Head of Operations, said: “We are increasing our land-based product to include cruise and meet the growing demand for fly-stay and cruise holidays, enabling our members to serve the needs of their customers and maximise the business benefits of this growing sector.” Customers will also be able to take advantage of a low-cost deposit model. advantageholidaysagents.
cruising.org
Using images showing destinations and experiences rather than ships and avoiding cruise terminology can help attract yet-tocruise clients, said Charlotte Brailsford, If Only’s Head of Sales South, during an expert panel discussion.
“It’s about the destination first...don’t put a ship on the front cover of a brochure,” she recommended.
Andrew Schweitzer, Business Relationship Lead UK & Ireland at Explora Journeys, which launches its first ship in 2023, said the word cruise had deliberately been avoided in the line’s name.
He said the company was recruiting handpicked onboard team members, many of whom worked for upmarket resorts, and they would be called ‘hosts’ rather than crew members to reinforce the message that cruise replicates the best land-based experiences.
Jeannine Williamson reports from the The Advantage Travel Partnership’s Back on the Water cruise conference
When: November 21 from 18:00 – 21:00 Where: One Great George Street, London, SW1P 3AA Secure your spot at sellingtravel.co.uk ConneCt, engage, insPire
