08 Four-sight: How do you ensure you are selling ethical wildlife product?
10 Spooky Travel: We look at some favourite Halloween travel haunts
13 Maldives: How this honeymoon hotspot is targetting solo travellers and groups
21 How to Sell: Mauritius
26 Introducing: Gastronomy in Tenerife
28 Travel for Every Body: How the U.S. is leading the way for accessible travel
30 Destination Update: What's new in Australia
32 My Journey: Queensland
35 The review: Event coverage from Selling Travel Connect: Caribbean & Asia
40 Selling ethical wildlife: How agents can champion ethical wildlife encounters across the globe
44 My Journey: Seeing turtles in Barbados
46 Six of the Best: Wildlife Cruises
48 Namibia: Why this southern Arican country is a top safari destination
EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Steve Hartridge EDITOR
Jessica Pook
DIGITAL EDITOR
April Waterston
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Sheena Adesilu
WRITERS
Charlotte Flach, Rowena Marella-Daw, Richard Williams Lauren Jarvis, Phoebe Smith & Julie Baxter
PUBLISHING
PUBLISHERS
Steve Thompson steven.thompson@sellingtravel.co.uk
Sally Parker sally.parker@sellingtravel.co.uk
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Shani Kunar
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Matt Bonner CEO
Martin Steady
DESIGN & PRODUCTION
DESIGNERS
Caitlan Francis & Emma Norton
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Clare Hunter
PRODUCTION ADMINISTRATOR
Steve Hunter
COVER IMAGE
Flying flamingo in Lake Nakuru, Kenya
(PRINT) ISSN 2056-9319. © BMI PUBLISHING LTD 2022.
SELLING TRAVEL IS PUBLISHED BY BMI PUBLISHING
LTD: 501
AS we wave goodbye to a very average summer in the UK, our thoughts are with those who endured some of the most severe weather over the last few months, particularly those caught up in the devastating wildfires that resulted in the loss of livelihood and, tragically, life.
Watching tourists stranded on beaches in Rhodes back in July sent many in the travel industry into panic mode, but then panic turned to despair as fires surged across Italy, Portugal, Tenerife and, further afield, in Hawaii and British Columbia, with communities grieving the destruction that ensued.
As an industry, we know how important tourism is to these destinations and how crucial it is that we continue to support them in their time of need. With that said, we're highlighting Tenerife’s thriving gastronomy scene on page 26 and exploring how the Canary Island is tempting visitors with its local produce as well as Michelin Star dining experiences.
On a more positive note, Selling Travel is proud to launch its Travel for Every Body campaign, championing and raising awareness of the importance of accessible travel.
As part of the initiative, a new Accessible Travel hub has been added to the website, with the aim of helping agents cater to clients with additional travel needs.
The new hub, which can be found at sellingtravel.co.uk/hubs/accessible-travel, will be updated regularly with first-hand accounts from travel agents with disabilities and additional needs, updates on accessibility initiatives and in-depth features on how agents can better serve clients with accessibility needs.
We have also committed to covering accessible travel in every issue of the magazine. This time we’ve focused on accessible travel in the U.S.
Also in this issue we shine a spotlight on ethical wildlife encounters in our Be Inspired Wildlife section. Here agents will find ideas on how to o er clients authentic sightings of animals in their natural habitat and sell conservation-focused initiatives across the globe. Enjoy the issue!
Please
note that Selling Travel, owned and published by BMI Publishing Ltd., is not connected in any way to Selling Travel e-magazine published by SMP Training Co. and based in British Columbia, Canada. The latter online publication focuses exclusively on sales skills and all aspects of professional selling within the travel and tourism sectors. To benefit from this travel industry sales training resource visit sellingtravel.net
This bold attraction explores the future of space travel while highlighting what is happening right now in the space program. First, see the spacecraft of today and the visionary designs paving the way of human deep space travel and discover the current cutting-edge space exploration innovations from NASA and commercial partners. Then, enter the spaceport of the future, Spaceport KSC. With your commander steering the path, launch aboard one of four unique journeys through the solar system and beyond during an immersive ride.
Set amidst the Florentine hills, Toscana Resort Castelfalfi in Tuscany has reopened following extensive renovations. The 146room resort is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves and flanks the medieval village of Castelfalfi, with its cobbled streets and ancient castle. Guests staying at the property can dine in the new Olivina restaurant which specialises in local ingredients, go grape picking, wine tasting, and truffle hunting or play a round on Tuscany’s largest golf course. castelfalfi.com
Valamar is set to bring its high-energy [PLACES] brand to Austria this winter with the opening of Obertauern [PLACESHOTEL]. The resort will open for the 2023 ski season from December until end of April 2024 and marks the first expansion of the [PLACESHOTEL] series outside of Croatia. Located on the highest mountain pass in Salzburg, the hotel provides easy access to over 100km of groomed ski runs. After a day on the slopes, guests can unwind at the spa, outdoor hot tubs and saunas or enjoy a dip in the freshwater pool. valamar.com
Set amongst the leafy tea plantations in Sri Lanka is the new writers retreat at Stafford Bungalow. Perfectly placed to inspire budding writers or those looking for a complete escape, the bungalow is one of the most elevated accommodations in the tea hills. Located in the outskirts of the Hill resort of Nuwara Eliya, bordering the town of Ragala, the family heritage holiday home sits within a 50 acre working tea plantation with guests enjoying high tea and scones in the grounds. staffordbungalow.com
We asked our columnists: How do you go about selling ethical wildlife encounters and are there any suppliers you avoid?
We have, just this last fortnight, seen a real hike in Africa enquiries for 2024/25, most of which involve a safari of some kind.
We try to use safari lodges that are as ethical as possible, that is those with a focus on conservation. This can prove challenging if clients don’t have a top-end budget but it just means extra research on our part. It helps to use quality tour operators like Africa and Beyond and African Pride, who help us find the right holiday for the client and their budget.
I was impressed recently when speaking to Regent and Audley Travel. I had a Borneo enquiry from clients who wanted to see turtles and Regent offered a volunteering option as an alternative.
Audley wouldn’t sell a captive dolphin experience in Australia.
It’s good to have operators carving an ethical path as it sets an industry standard and helps us to be more ethical in the experiences we recommend.
I was in Devon and was lucky enough to see seals frolicking off-shore when taking a walk to Start Point Lighthouse. And one popped up in the sea when we were swimming! Completely wild and unplanned - just how it should be!
In the cruising sector it is mainly ocean lines which focus on wildlife sightings, but I am offering a number of river cruise itineraries where the issue of how we interact with wildlife is also a concern.
The vast majority of river cruise itineraries pass through Western Europe and Schengen countries where there have been great advances in animal welfare. In fact, I cannot recall an organised excursion that goes to a zoo or wildlife park, although the Lower Danube sailings do pass countries where animals such as bears still seem to be used in various entertainment acts or are kept in moats of castles.
Again, whilst no excursions are based solely on animal encounters, there does seem to be the need to apply pressure on those Eastern countries that are now applying to join Schengen or the EU.
On a broader scale, river cruising in India is growing in popularity but much needs to be done to address animal welfare there and in other river cruise destinations such as Cambodia and Vietnam, especially as many of these cruises do still include encounters with elephants.
SPECIALIST James Hill Director of GoRiverCruise Worcestershire
Anneka has spotted wild seals in Devon
Liz has been booking safaris in Kenya
I’m not keen on selling trips or excursions that involve animals unless they are to a sanctuary that has an end goal of releasing them back to the wild.
I will admit to being naive in the past when it comes to interacting with wildlife, but with so much awareness now around animal welfare we really should be doing more to support this in our industry.
Awareness around ethical and sustainable travel has certainly increased in recent years and although travel agents can have good intentions when promoting these sorts of trips ultimately the choice is the customers to make.
We can guide them to destinations and experiences that promote ethical wildlife encounters, but it’s down to the customer as to which activities they partake in once they are on the ground.
There is definitely a demand to see wildlife in its natural habitat and we have arranged some fantastic itineraries recently, from safaris in Kenya to whale watching trips in South Africa to tailormade trips to Canada to see bears.
However, budget as well as ethics is a big factor and will sway a lot of customers. At the same time, some might argue that we are not in a position to give our opinions on whether a customer chooses to show, for example, their family a lion in Africa or one in captivity.
Overall It’s really positive that tour operators are thinking more about the impact of the trips they are selling, as ultimately this gives us a wider variety of experiences to offer our clients.
I was really pleased to hear that Thomas Cook has stopped selling Seaworld tickets. I would like to see a lot more effort from other tour operators to stop selling product with animals in captivity, and instead promote trips to see them in their natural habitat, running free.
Animal welfare is a topic very close to my heart, which is why every year the Yorkshire Travel Ball gives back to multiple animal charities. This year we managed to raise £5,000, which will be split between Brooks Horses & Donkeys, Greek Cats, Starlight Barking dog rescue, Trunks Up, and Animals Asia among others.
I will be travelling to Crete in September, my second home, with a suitcase full of flea treatments and cat food! I am happy to do my bit to help animals in need.
Sandy has a soft spot for the stray cats in Crete
Anneka was impressed by a turtle volunteer scheme
Next issue: Do you have any suggestions for clients that have additional accessibility needs?
There is definitely a demand to see wildlife in its natural habitat
The events of the past three years may have spooked the life out of us but thrill-seeking clients will nevertheless be looking forward to some festive fun across the globe this Halloween, says Rowena
Marella-DawThunder is crashing and lightning flashing on the one night I am in Sighisoara, Transylvania, in central Romania. I am trying to stay cosy in an inn where vaulted ceilings and dim lights add to the creepy vibes.
With a crucifix around my neck, my thoughts lead me back to Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula, in which Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to meet the Count. Half-determined to follow in his tracks, I find myself in this beautifully haunting medieval city.
Perched on a hill in the heart of Transylvania, a vast region set under the watchful eyes of the Carpathian Mountains, Sighisoara is best known as the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, aka ‘The Impaler’, the notorious 15th century warrior who skewered thousands of enemies while defending the region against Ottoman invasion.
This former 12th century Saxon citadel has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved medieval towers, the most iconic of which is the Clock Tower and its wooden figurines.
The next morning, I clamber up the tower’s steep winding steps leading to a museum dedicated to archaeological artefacts, alongside macabre displays of medical implements, weapons and a ‘torture room’.
Panoramic views of the city from here are breathtaking, but down below a more sinister atmosphere prevails. Beneath the Clock Tower, an archway leads to a sloping barbican bordered by thick stone walls that once housed a medieval prison.
Owing to its tumultuous history, not one corner of Transylvania has been spared from the breadth of Vlad the Impaler’s power and ambition. His legacy and association with the fictional Count Dracula carry on to this very day, which is why Sighisoara, Brasov, Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu and Bucharest in Romania, and attractions such as Bran Castle, are so popular.
Most tours around Halloween are fully booked up to a year in advance. However, its compelling history, culture and traditions make Transylvania an authentic source of folklore and superstitions year-round.
Originated from the term ‘All Hallow’s Eve’, Halloween has for centuries been observed in many countries on October 31, the eve of ‘All Saints Day’, celebrated in Christian societies on November 1 to remember the dead and honour the saints.
In predominantly Catholic countries, such as Mexico, Halloween takes on a more traditional religious role honouring the dead or ‘Dia de los Muertos’.
“Day of the Dead has long been an important festival across South America, but especially so in Mexico, where it takes place on November 1 and 2 each year,” explains Jack Brooker, Latin America Product & Travel Specialist, Rainbow.
“As Halloween celebrations have increased in the UK over recent years, so has media coverage of the Day of the Dead festival, and this increase in awareness has driven higher demand for holidaymakers to travel and experience this colourful festival for themselves.”
Over the centuries, the concept of Halloween has evolved into countless tales, novels and films about vampires, witches, devils, zombies and aliens, attracting a steadily growing niche market of revellers across continents.
Events range from street parades to ghoulish theme park attractions, and creepy historical tours and festivities transform big cities and small towns into a spectacle of weird and colourful costumes, jaw-dropping parades and macabre entertainment.
In the U.S., Halloween is a big tourist magnet, and practically every state claims to have spooky vibes and haunts.
Salem, Massachusetts, is known for its 17th Century witchhunt, the horrors of which originated in England.
“With its infamous history related
to The Witch Trials, Halloween is a particularly fascinating time to visit Salem,” says Oliver Kaderbhai, USA Country Specialist at Audley Travel. “Residents of the town adorn their houses with elaborate, ghoulish decorations and everyone gets into the spirit of the season.”
Some places evoke a mystical atmosphere regardless of what time of the year you visit, and New Orleans stands out for its distinct history, culture and traditions.
“New Orleans is one of the best cities in America to celebrate Halloween, thanks to our ghost/vampire tours, haunted hotels and restaurants, rich voodoo traditions, and beautiful cemeteries,” says Kelly Schulz, Senior Vice President of Communications for New Orleans & Company.
Those in search of man-made thrills will have plenty to encounter in Las Vegas.
“Las Vegas is a destination always up for a celebration, and Halloween is no exception. A variety of spooky encounters can be found in attractions, nightclubs, restaurants, and even wedding chapels throughout the city. Thrills always await in Las Vegas, and during Halloween, chills aren’t far behind,” assures Fernando Hurtado, Senior Director of Global Sales, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
The Halloween period is very popular, so it’s worth booking at least a year ahead.
Universal Parks & Resorts will bring ‘Halloween Horror nights’ to Las Vegas’ new venue, Area15. This new year-round entertainment will feature attractions from the studio’s collection of legendary horror films about Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy and the Wolf Man. These encounters will be continuously updated with seasonal events. visitlasvegas.com
Universal Orlando’s Haunted houses for its Halloween Horror Nights 2023 include Stranger Things 4, The Last of Us™ and The Exorcist: Believer. The separately ticketed event runs on select nights from September 1-November 4. visitorlando.com
Blood Light District: Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will feature a new haunted house - D.H. Baggum’s Circus of Fear - two new scare zones, and new interactive entertainment. Howl-O-Scream 2023 dates run between September 8 and October 31. buschgardens.com
New flights A new direct Wizz Air flight from London Luton now transports clients to Brasov in Romania. wizzair.com
Honour the Dead: oaxaca and Mexico City provide the best Day of the Dead experience for all ages. rainbow’s 10-night Mexico package offers a rare opportunity to discover local culture and traditions. rainbowtours.co.uk
Find Dracula’s Haunts: Transylvania’s natural beauty and compelling history makes it an ideal year-round destination. Get the low-down with Regent’s seven-day package, The True Story of Vlad the Impaler. regent-holidays.co.uk
Get your thrills: LeGoLAnD Florida’s Brick-or-Treat Halloween event is suitable for children of all ages. New for this year is a fireworks show, spooktacular limited time food offerings, and new exclusive LeGo® characters. legoland.com
Get Bewitched: Salem earned its reputation as ‘Witch City’ following the witch trials in the spring of 1692. This quiet village has never been the same since. Combine this with a self-drive package exploring new england’s autumnal colours. audleytravel.com/usa
Prepare to Scare: Krewe of Boo is a Mardi Gras-style Halloween parade founded in 2007 as a fundraiser for Hurricane katrina relief. After a five-year hiatus, the New Orleans parade was brought back to life in 2013 and is now an annual event. kreweofboo.com
Scream to go faster: Disney’s Happiest Haunts Guided Tour in California explores the history of Halloween through Disney experiences. Guests will begin at Pirates of the Caribbean, get a photo with the Hitchhiking Ghost and catch the nighttime spectacle of Halloween Screams. There’s also Main Street Pumpkin Festival taking place from September 1 to October 31. visitcalifornia.com
REGENT: A four-night break to Brasov, Romania in October 2023 starts from £785pp, based on two sharing B&B at Casa Wagner, return Wizz Air flights, transfers, a guided tour to Bran Castle and visit to the bear sanctuary. regent-holidays.co.uk •
“With its infamous history related to The Witch Trials, Halloween is a particularly fascinating time to visit Salem in New Hampshire” oliver kaderbhai, audley travelHorror entHusiasts can Have a spooky weDDing ceremony in vegas sHrine in mexico Honouring tHe DeaD legolanD puts on a family-frienDly sHow
It may be a perennial favourite among honeymooners but The Maldives is also making waves as a destination for groups of friends, families and solo travellers, says Charlotte flach
As I grab the mic, the first sultry beats of ‘Back to Black’ pump rhythmically through the speakers and i prepare to take centre stage. My audience: a group of travel journalists and influencers. My backdrop: the inky blackness of an infinite Maldivian night.
The light of the constellations seems to emanate in sync, and the gentle lap of the waves provides much-needed timing to my interpretive dance moves.
I’m lucky enough to be on one of the first media visits to the brand-new AVANI+ Fares; it’s a trip so exclusive that the island hasn’t even opened to guests yet.
But the resort is more than ready for our gaggle of girls, and has set up a karaoke
machine by the pool so we can torture the on-duty bar staff, who are mixing up the most potent of cocktails for us.
Although there is a lengthy drinks menu to work through, the resort prides itself on a holistic wellness experience.
Top-notch spa treatments join with healing sessions, high-octane watersports, and gourmet menus to provide the perfect mix for a memorable night with friends.
AVANI+ Fares makes no secret of its desire to attract groups, positioning itself as a brand catering for millennial women.
This is apparent in touches from the pop-up vanity mirror to extra closet space, to full-length mirrors with nearby plug sockets to unlimited in-room snacks and coffee pods.
Located on an expansive private lagoon in the South Nilandhe Atoll – a short 40-minute seaplane flight from Malé. This desert-island delight offers guests both island and overwater villas in an enhanced level of luxury in authentic surroundings. This fully All-Inclusive resort is surrounded by sparkling turquoise waters and ocean views as far as the eye can see. With wide sandy beaches and an abundance of marine life the resort has one of the best-preserved house reefs in the Maldives and over 30 amazing dive spots nearby. Relax at the award winning Angsana Spa led by the Banyan Tree Spa Academy or try one of the “101 Activities” on offer; Angsana Velavaru truly offers something for everyone.
Just a 20 minute speedboat ride from Male, this 5* barefoot luxury tropical hideaway is surrounded by white sand beaches, crystal waters and a lagoon formed by its own house reef. The award-winning Banyan Tree Spa offers time-honoured Asian-inspired treatments, with a high-touch, low tech approach and use of natural herbs and spices. All villas offer a private and truly intimate experience with a plunge pool, jet pool and outdoor shower in their own private garden. The resort’s own Marine Lab offers a variety of sustainability activities including coral planting, reef cleaning and turtle care. A real Sanctuary for the Senses, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru provides the ideal environment for physical, mental and spiritual renewal.
including coral planting, reef cleaning and turtle care.
A tropical Maldivian paradise, situated on one of the most picturesque islands in the Indian Ocean. Just a 20 minute speedboat ride from Male, its palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear waters and legendary house reef make it an idyllic destination for snorkelling and scuba diving. This fully All Inclusive resort has spacious beachfront villas, all have their own private veranda and direct beach access, ideal for couples and families. With many activities on offer, an award-winning 8lements Spa, breath-taking sunset panoramas and powder white beaches, the reasons for staying at Dhawa Ihuru are crystal clear!
The brand also understands what these groups expect from a holiday, giving ample opportunity to dress up for special occasion dinners, sunset dolphin cruises with Champagne, and offering affordable all-inclusive packages.
As our rowdy cohort of women in their 20s and 30s is proving, The Maldives is most definitely not just an expensive honeymoon destination for couples and many resorts, including AVANI+ Fares, have huge appeal for both solo travellers and groups.
“Several islands have a focus on wellbeing with world-class spas, yoga pavilions overlooking the ocean or morning stretches on the sands,” says Stacey Owens, Communications Executive for Kuoni. “These can be popular with couples, friends, mother and adult daughter trips, and single travellers too.”
The tide is turning in the Maldives as hotels and resorts are becoming attuned
to solo travel, investing in retreats and solo-focused packages and experiences, especially for female visitors.
Vakkaru Maldives is one resort which has embraced the solo traveller experience with dedicated yoga and Ayurvedic workshops, mixology classes and special dinners to offer solo travellers an “empowering and rejuvenating getaway”.
These types of travellers will appreciate the luxurious and group-friendly nature of many of the activities, such as exploring a house reef swimming alongside turtles, whale sharks and tropical fish, or a luxury cruise in small groups where solo travellers can easily make friends.
On the other side of the scale, a recent study conducted by Sun Siyam Resorts –which has five private-island properties in the Maldives – supported the idea that the destination attracts groups seeking luxury.
According to the survey, almost half (42%) of people recognised that the idyllic islands are well-suited to multigenerational travel, while around a quarter
felt the archipelago was well suited to adventure seekers (29%) or nature enthusiasts (23%) – a significant shift from the long-held reputation as purely a honeymooners’ paradise.
New flights: A growing number of direct flights from the UK is making travel to the remote atolls easier, including British Airways’ year-round direct route from Heathrow to Male and Virgin’s new flight which starts at the end of October.
Regional departures are also possible via the Middle East, says Owens. “It is super easy to fly via with Emirates, for example, and customers can enjoy the combination of some glamour in Dubai with total relaxation in Maldives.”
In fact, twin-centre breaks are growing in popularity, despite the need for seaplanes between different islands. “We are seeing all-inclusive resorts, overwater villas and private pool villas selling well. We are also seeing some customers island hopping and staying on two islands,” adds Owens. New openings: The idea of island hopping is a concept that the rebranded Dhawa has adopted with a new twin-Island dine-around concept which offers travellers a chance to explore premium dining at sister resort Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, while new social hub, the Nest, encourages guests to connect. dhawa.com
Amari Raaya Maldives, 45 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport, has opened on one of the largest natural islands in Raa Atoll. The resort features 187 villas, from beachfront to overwater pool villas. To celebrate the
Hop between tHe islands on a seaplane
amilla Has a calendar of solo retreats
Ja manafaru’s ocean residence can accommodate groups and families
opening, ONYX Hospitality Group is offering up to 40% off stays, complimentary transfers for two, a private photo shoot and a group sunset cruise for bookings made before December 23, 2023. amari.com
Six Senses Kanuhara is due to open this September with 91 beachfront and overwater villas, plus 12 new ‘Beach Retreats’. Suitable for families, couples, or friends, sustainability is a key focus with projects in place to support a neighbouring island community, focussing on education. Rates start from £757 per night, based on two sharing a beach villa. sixsenses.com
Huvafen Fushi Maldives will reopen in September after undergoing renovations. All 44 bungalows will be refurbished and two new two-bedroom Ocean Pavilions will debut, offering uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. huvafenfushi.com
Newly-opened AVANI+ Fares offers a Stay Longer special offer, rewarding guests who book for 10-nights or more.
The deal ncludes 10% savings on accommodation and breakfast, with lunch and dinner included on full-board and buffet dinner included on half board. avanihotels.com
Accessibility initiatives: Amilla Maldives has become the first resort to be verified by UKbased accessible and inclusive hospitality experts Inclucare.
New adaptions and innovations include deaf-alert systems and adaptive yoga and snorkelling adventures. Also planned are sensory touch, aroma and sound experiences for vision-impaired guests. Also planned are dedicated ‘calming spaces’ – anxiety and stress-reducing
havens for guests on the Autism spectrum, with learning difficulties or dementia. amilla.com
Sealife spotting: Guests wishing to get up close to marine life can book a two-hour Sunset Dolphin Cruise at JA Resorts Manafaru Maldives. Showcasing sunset views over the Indian Ocean, guests can spot a plethora of ocean life, including the friendly dolphins that skim the surface. Keen fisherman can also try their hand at traditional sunset fishing with a local.
jaresortshotels.com
Sky’s the limit: Astronaut Tim Peake is visiting Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas Resort this November.
‘Journey Beyond Earth: An Inspiring Conversation with Tim Peake’, will take place on November 2. Tickets cost £130pp for up to 20 people and include an hour’s stargazing session, Champagne and canapes. anantara.com
Take a pause: Amilla Maldives is to host an inaugural Pause Retreatthe Maldives’ first-ever menopausefocused wellbeing retreat from September 7-18 2023, the retreats will be led by naturopath and wellness coach, Claire O’Sullivan. It is priced from £4,540pp, including 30% off accommodation, complimentary upgrades to half-board and half-price transfers. elegantresorts.co.uk
Hang out with rays: Clients can take a trip to Hanifaru Bay, a Marine Protected Area located on the eastern edge of the northern Baa Atoll — a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve — which draws in a mass of plankton and hundreds of feeding manta rays as part of a ‘cleaning’ process. Guests will snorkel with manta rays accompanied by Paralympic swimmer and artist, Gregory Burns. marriott.com
DiAl A flight
Dial a Flight offers a package rate based on low season 2024 for 3,079pp, staying in an Avani Beach Villa on a B&B basis. It includes flights with Etihad via Abu Dhabi from Heathrow, with domestic flights & speedboat transfers. dialaflight.com
“Many islands have a focus on wellbeing, which is popular with couples, friends, mother-and-adult daughter trips and single travellers too” stacey owens, Kuoni
With a perfect sunny climate almost year-round, safe seas and direct flights, the series of islands and atolls in The Maldives are an ideal choice for the entire family. Despite being a firm favourite with couples, Sun Siyam Resorts has a variety of fun attractions and family-friendly properties to keep kids of all ages entertained.
Recent research from the hotel brand highlights this evolution from romantic getaway to multigenerational playground, with 42% agreeing The Maldives to be well-suited to multi-generational travel and 40% of UK travellers saying they are more likely to book an all-inclusive holiday in 2023 compared to previous years.
The Maldives is a destination that accommodates children from babies to tots to teens, and agents can further satisfy families of all ages by booking them into one of the Sun Siyam Resorts. From babysitting and kids club services to an array of allinclusive and special offers, which often include free rooms for children, this luxury
destination becomes instantly affordable. Families are also encouraged to get involved in the Sun Siyam Cares programme with initiatives such as reef, beach and local island cleaning sessions, marine biology workshops and educational talks, tree planting ceremonies and visits to one of two bio farm islands.
Located in Noonu Atoll, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi spans over 52-acres of lush tropical landscape. The resort is welcoming of family groups, with children under the age of 15 staying for free in the same room as two paying adults and enjoying the same meal plan at no added cost.
Kids can make a splash at Nemo’s Reef, snorkelling with the turtles and colourful marine life. Or parents can drop them off at the Koamas Kidz Club, while they head to the adults-only pool or visit The Spa by Thalgo France to indulge.
Children will also love the Finding Nemo snorkelling tour, where they will swim among hundreds of clownfish in their
natural habitat, or join a nature walk led by an expert guide. Family groups can bond and unleash their creative side in a craft class, turning palm leaves, shells or wood into special souvenirs to take back home. Book it: Classic Collection offers a sevennight break to Sun Siyam Iru Fushi during October half-term. Priced from £10,649 total for two adults and two children, staying in a Deluxe Beach Villa on an all-inclusive basis. Departs on October 19 and returns October 27 flying with Etihad via Abu Dhabi in Economy. Includes seaplane transfers. classic-collection.co.uk
Reachable by seaplane in only 40-minutes from Velana International Airport, Siyam World boasts an exotic house reef and Siyam Water World- The Maldives’ biggest floating water park to date. Its slides, obstacles, water trampolines, climbing walls and rafts, will keep everyone cool- and entertained- all day long.
Or if guardians need a break, the Kidz World club runs a range of family
For parents who dread those two words - “I’m bored!”- Sun Siyam Resorts in The Maldives has the clout to keep every generation happy
programmes focused on learning and mindfulness, including specially-curated kids yoga. The club offers various activities and a variety of amenities at no cost for children aged four – 12 years. Once the sun goes down, guests will be entertained by fire dancers, aerial silk acrobats, glow parties, belly dancing and much more. This is suitable for younger ones, but can also be enjoyed after the children have been put to bed.
There’s also a horse riding ranch, padel tennis court and epic pool parties complete with cocktails at adults-only bar Mint. Book it: Gold Medal offers seven-nights at Siyam World during February halfterm. Priced from £9,999 per family (two adults and two children aged nine years or under), staying in a Sunset Pool Beach Villa on all-inclusive. Departs February 10 2024 flying with Gulf Air from London Heathrow in Economy. Includes 20% discount, children stay free and enjoy complimentary return seaplane transfers, with a saving of over £2,300 per family. Quote ref: 39816842. goldmedal.co.uk
For families wanting to skip the additional flight in a seaplane, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is just a 45 minute speedboat ride away from the main island of Malé. Family members of all ages will enjoy exploring the numerous reefs in the atoll
area or watch a movie in the TV room. The resort is surrounded by a lagoon, making it perfect for watersports and swimming, but there’s also plenty of land-based fun too. Families can get competitive during a game of tennis, badminton, football or volleyball.
on a snorkelling excursion spotting the indigenous wildlife, or island-hopping on a private boat tour. Or there’s a chance to watch the elusive manta rays feed every evening. Kids between the ages of three and 12 can relax by their very own pool, go wild in the air conned soft play
Olhuveli’s location makes it unique for off-resort experiences. A Maldivian local island tour offers an insight into daily life; clients can join a snorkelling trip to a nearby shipwreck; or signup for one of the frequently run boat trips to snorkel with whale sharks. Book it: If Only offers seven-nights at Sun Siyam Olhuveli over the Easter holidays in 2024, priced from £10,410 per family, staying in a Grand Beach Villa on all-inclusive basis. Flying from London Heathrow with Etihad Airways on April 2 2024, the package includes economy flights and speedboat transfers, up to 20% saving on accommodation and a Lucky Dolphin Cruise for two adults and two children (2-14 years). ifonly.net •
“Recent research suggests that The Maldives has evolved from just a honeymooners getaway to a multigenerational playground”
The Indian Ocean destination offers great selling possibilities for agents, due to its beaches, natural attractions, melting pot culture and new daily direct flights, says Jessica Pook
With an ever-growing list of luxurious hotels, and new direct daily flights with Air Mauritius, Mauritius has fast become one of the most sought after long-haul destinations, ranking third in Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel’ list 2022.
A tropical year-round climate makes for a popular winter sun destination whilst a distinct mix of Indian, Chinese, African and European cultures set it apart from other Indian Ocean islands.
“As the new season approaches, the new direct flight from London-Gatwick offers greater opportunity for UK travellers to experience the island’s natural beauty, incredible culinary offerings and our renowned warm hospitality,” said Arvind Bundhun, Director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority.
Its creamy sand beaches and romantic sunsets place Mauritius on the wish list for many couples seeking a location for a wedding or honeymoon. Many resorts have an adult-only policy with add-ons such as sunset cruises or candle lit dinners.
Beyond the beaches, soaring peaks
and national parks offer adventures for the whole family, including quad biking, ziplining and guided nature walks. The island is also popular with divers due to being almost entirely encircled by the world’s third-largest coral reef.
Foodies are treated to a vibrant street food scene featuring dumplings and
noodles as well as fine dining in luxury hotels and resorts.
Mauritius is also a superb destination for golfers, with several championship courses.
Nature is at the core of this island and many hotels and resorts offer guided nature walks or boat trips. Four-star hotel La Pirogue has its own coral farming programme at La Pirogue Marine Centre which encourages rapid growth of new coral, with healing happening 25-40 times faster. Children at the Sunlife Kids Club have the chance to join educational workshops with the marine biologist to learn more.
Keen twitchers are invited by The Residence Mauritius to embark on a journey through the island’s rainforest to spot the endangered pink kestrel pigeon.
Mauritius has expansive wellness offerings that include everything from rejuvenating spa treatments to dedicated yoga retreats. Heritage Resorts specialises in solo
THE dramaTic coasTal viEws of lE mornE
wellness trips which include hiking along nature trails and forest bathing in the Bel Ombre Nature Reserve to diving and dolphin-watching excursions.
Honeymooners can spend the night under the stars in a bubble lodge on Ile Aux Cerf, a private island set in a lagoon a five-minute boat ride away. The three eco-lodges each have a luxury bedroom, lounge, bathroom and outdoor heated shower.
The island has 10 golf courses, with many hotels offering complimentary green fees. Radisson Blu Azuri Resort & Spa recently added a nine-hole par-three course at Azuri Ocean & Golf Village. Guests staying at the resort are entitled to free green fees daily.
Mauritius can be sold as a standalone holiday but it also twins well with Middle Eastern destinations such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Packages are also available pairing Mauritius and South Africa for clients that want a beach and safari combination.
Recommend clients spend some time in the south-west of the island which is great for diving and swimming with dolphins in their natural habitat, then visit the west, seeking out the waterfalls of the Black River
Gorge National Park, spend time in the markets of Port Louis and Pamplemousses Botanical Garden before finishing with some prime beach time in the north.
LUX* Belle Mare will reopen on the island’s east coast on October 1, 2023. The resort will unveil a refreshed look after more than a year of extensive renovations and will offer 174 suites and 12 villas. Highlights include five restaurants, and ‘Royce Street’, where a vintage 1933 Hooper Limousine Rolls Royce will serve Southeast Asian cuisine. It will also offer a collection of ‘Extraordinary Experiences’ that give back to the local community. luxresorts.com
Veranda Grand Baie reopened on July 1 2023 following a refurbishment, including the addition of an infinity pool and new beach bar overlooking Grand Bay. To celebrate the opening, the four-star hotel is offering a 50% discount on all stays until October 31 2023 and 40% from November 2023 onwards. Rates start from £155 per night with breakfast. veranda-resorts.com
Air Mauritius will introduce daily direct flights from London-Gatwick to Mauritius from October 29, 2023. airmauritius.com
Heritage Golf Club will open La
Réserve Golf Links – the Indian Ocean’s first and only ‘contemporary links’ course – in December 2023. heritageresorts.mu
Lakaz Chamarel Exclusive Lodge has introduced four luxury private villas. lakazchamarel.com •
Book it with Southhall Travel
Southhall Travel is offering 25% off when booking Sunlife’s Long Beach property, available between December 3-11 2023.
Prices start from £1,735pp, based on seven nights’ in a junior suite on a half-board basis. southalltravel.co.uk
vEranda grand BaiE Has a rangE of accommodaTion oPTions insTagrammaBlE sPoTs aT luX* grand BaiE nEw cHamPionsHiP golf coursE aT radisson Blu azuri local ProducE is grown in THE BEl omBrE rEgion
Go island hoppinG: Explore offshore islands by catamaran, speedboat or traditional pirogue. Île aux Cerfs in the eastern lagoon is a favourite, with watersports, golf and eco-lodges. The far-flung northern islands offer talcum-white beaches, while tropical birds call Île aux Fouquets in the southeast home.
where’s the ruM?: Learn how sugar cane is crushed, fermented and distilled to make double-distilled amber nectar at Rhumerie de Chamarel, or swill and inhale like a pro on an exclusive barrel tasting of New Grove rum at Grays Distillery.
Make a splash: Mauritius is a magnet for marine mammals with dolphins and whales found off the west coast. Spot sperm whales year-round, admire humpback whales between July and October and look out for the occasional pilot and beaked whale during an eco-friendly whale-watching trip with a marine biologist.
on your bike: An electrobike ride with Explore Nou Zil (‘Our Island’), offers a slice of authentic island life without breaking a sweat. A highlight is lunch at roti-maker Mala’s village home, followed by a circular ride of Grand Port which takes in four centuries of island history.
Food For thouGht: Take a street food walking tour of Port Louis, Mahébourg or Grand Baie to sample popular gato pima (chilli cakes), boulettes (steamed dumplings) and dholl puri (flatbreads rolled around spicy fillings). The locals won’t let you go hungry!
Nestled within the vibrant marine village of Azuri, with its cozy and intimate atmosphere, Radisson Blu Azuri Resort & Spa offers a perfect blend of tranquility and thrill with access to a plethora of amenities including the dine-around concept, nautical activities, a 9-hole par 3 award-winning golf course, a swimming platform and a lively community atmosphere. It is an ideal retreat for couples and an memorable holiday for families.
Experience the perfect blend of Mauritian authenticity and stylish international standards at the Radisson Blu Azuri Resort & Spa, where tropical paradise meets world-class luxury.
Introducing the “Blu Passport” – your exclusive gateway to a world of unparalleled leisure, adventure, and culinary artistry. As a guest at Radisson Blu Resorts Mauritius, we invite you to indulge in 10 signature restaurants & bars and enjoy an array of resort activities, in both our resorts with inter-hotel transfers ensuring a hassle-free journey.
Craft unforgettable honeymoon memories at Radisson Blu Poste Lafayette Resort & Spa, nestled on the captivating northeastern coast of Mauritius. Embrace seclusion on your private beach, discover underwater wonders on the snorkeling trail, and indulge in pampering couples’ spa treatments.
Experience starlit dinners by the sea with a blend of Mauritian and international cuisine. Unwind in cozy, well-appointed rooms that exude luxury and comfort. Explore the island’s beauty through exciting activities or simply relax by the infinity pool.
Embark on your dream honeymoon and create lasting memories at Radisson Blu Poste Lafayette Resort & Spa. BOOKING
sales.mru@radissonblu.com radissonhotels.com/mauritius
A distinctive cuisine based on organic and locally-grown ingredients has put Tenerife on the map as a top gastronomy destination, says Richard Williams
On the sunny terrace of Bodega Monje, in El Sauzal, we learn to make the delicious green and red mojo sauces that Canarians enjoy with their famous papas arrugadas, yellow-fleshed boiled potatoes.
best place for...
fresh fish: Fishing villages including Tajao, Poris, Punta del Hidalgo or Los Abrigos local produce: Nuestra Señora de África market in Santa Cruz
Good Value: Try a meal at a guachinche fine dininG: Choose from five MichelinStar restaurants
These special potatoes originate from Ecuador, brought over from South America 400 years ago by the Spanish conquistadores. The red mojo sauce is served mostly with meat dishes, and is made from red peppers, chili, paprika, garlic, cumin and olive oil, whereas the green mojo is for fish and vegetable dishes, and uses green peppers instead, with the addition of fresh coriander.
A simple meal of local wreckfish, or parrotfish, with papas arrugadas and green mojo, or cochino negro, the local ‘black pork’, with red mojo sauce, is a taste sensation and totally unique to the island.
Paired with a selection of local vegetables, such as avocados and tomatoes, and some local goats’ cheeses, it is truly special.
Island cuisine is by necessity exclusive, limited to the best local produce prepared with time-honoured techniques. Tenerife’s food and wine benefits from its isolated geographical position in the sub-tropics, with plentiful sunshine, fresh breezes and a long growing season. Fruit and vegetables grow beautifully in Tenerife, and a visit can be a gastronomic pilgrimage.
The top secret to great gastronomy on the island? Eat in a guachinche, a pop-up family-run eatery offering a simple menu of home-cooked dishes and their own wine at an affordable price, from as little as 1012 euros. The best are known by word of mouth, and the most authentic are found in the north of the island.
Or go direct to the fincas and bodegas
where the food and wine is produced, take a tour, discover the history and production techniques, then enjoy a meal yards away from where the ingredients were grown.
But probably the most interesting place to stay for gastronomes is the north of the island, in or around the charming town of Puerto de la Cruz. There are several wineries around here and banana and avocado plantations too. The local restaurants will startle you with the freshness of their produce and the unique style of Tenerifean cooking.
Possibly the most enjoyable gourmet experience is to visit an ecological fruit plantation, for example the Finca Calabacera in Guia de Isora, which has beautiful views over the turquoise ocean to the tiny island of La Gomera.
Here they specialise in growing fruit such as bananas, avocados, mangos, papayas and tamarind, and making delicious produce such as jams, fruit drinks, kefir and kombucha. The farm has been fully organic since 2006 and their produce is excellent. They put on banquets for special occasions, and supply baskets of fruit and vegetables for you to take away.
Did I mention the wine? Tenerife produces 10 million litres of wine per year, but not much is exported, so it’s a good idea to indulge whilst on the island. Some of
the grape varieties have long histories, with Malvasia the original ‘cup of Canary’ mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays. Listan Blanco is a white wine produced from the Palomino variety, and Listan Negro is one of the oldest, and a must-taste for red wine buffs, as it is seldom encountered anywhere else.
The best way to learn about Tenerifean wine is to visit a bodega, a wine shop or wine cellar. At the Casa del Vino in El Sauzal, you can sample a range of delicious, unusual high-altitude wines.
This is best combined with a local cheese tasting, where you will learn the art of ageing cheese for different flavours.
Fine wine must be paired with fine food. Luckily, the combination of great local produce and culinary skills has led to the award of seven Michelin Stars shared by five restaurants, unsurprisingly in the busy tourist area around Adeje, in the southwest. MB Ritz Carlton Abama**, El Rincón de Juan Carlos**, Kabuki Abama*, San-Hô* and NUB* are at the cutting edge of modern cooking, and their exquisite dishes delight diners who visit them.
In Puerto de la Cruz itself, there is a huge selection of cafes and restaurants to explore. At sunset, go to the unassuming Cafe Bellamar, with the best view in town overlooking the Playa Martianez. Try a barraquito, a local five-layered coffee with cream, Licor 43 and syrup, or a zaperocothe same with an extra shot!
La Cofradia de Pescadores, overlooking the old fishing port, promises a feast of fresh tuna steaks with grilled vegetables, plus papas arrugadas with red mojo sauce. Restaurante Cumai, Restaurante Magnolia and El Taller de Seve Diaz are all recommended. If clients like simple tapas, suggest the sharing platter at El Patio, just off the harbour. Buen provecho! •
Bodegas Monje offer guided tours of its vineyard and winery as well as tastings and food pairings. For something special, premium gastronomy tours are available such as Underwater Tastings, Tasting with Helicopter and Tasting with the Stars. bodegasmonje.com
fresh tuna is a menu staPle casa africa is a traditional sPanish restaurant local goats and sheeP cheeseThe U.S. is a leader in accessible travel thanks in part to the Americans with Disabilities Act enacted over 30 years ago. The Act drove accessibility to public buildings and transport, helped change attitudes and gave recognition to non-visible disability.
Kate Kenward, CEO of Visit USA UK, whose members lists accessible information and resources online, says: “The U.S. has a wide range of transport, accommodation and activity options for travellers of all abilities.
“There are many wheelchair accessible beaches and nature trails, braille and sign language tours, as well as autism certified attractions and dedicated ‘quiet hours’ at major galleries and museums.”
Confirming progress, a survey by The Valuable 500 (a collective of CEOs dedicated to disability inclusion) recently ranked Las Vegas, New York and Orlando in the top five most disability-friendly cities in the world, having asked 3,500 respondents worldwide.
Leading attractions such as Walt Disney World now have Disability Access Services, which help manage wait times, assistive listening systems for the hearing impaired, and braille guidebooks. Likewise, Knott’s Berry Farm has a Boarding Pass programme which allows guests with mobility restrictions or cognitive impairment to access attractions at specified times via alternative crowd-free
entrances. Staff have also been trained to assist those with autism. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex recently became a Certified Autism Center, supporting sensorysensitive visitors.
One theme park developer has taken things a step further. Morgan’s Wonderland, in San Antonio, Texas, claims to be the world’s first fully-inclusive theme park specifically designed for special needs children. Founder Gordon Hartman (whose own child has special needs) created the accessible theme park from an abandoned quarry. The park now has more than 25 ‘Ultra-Accessible’ rides, playscapes, and interactive elements.
In New York City, Broadway theatres provide wheelchair-accessibility, audio description and open captioning services.
a beach..
Beaches can be a specific challenge so look for those with accessible boardwalks, beach wheelchairs, Mobi mats and chairs which all ensure easy sand and sea access.
Huntington Beach in California offers all of the above, has built an inclusive playground, and offers adaptive surfing or chair boarding lessons. Others with good facilities include Gulf Shores, Alabama; Silver Beach, Michigan; San Diego, California; Hanauma Bay Beach, Hawaii; Cape Cod, Massachusetts and Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico.
Elsewhere, iconic U.S. landscapes are becoming accessible through wheelchairfriendly boardwalks and trails, while free-touse, all-terrain wheelchairs are available for those wishing to access more challenging state and national parks. Braille trail markers and signing ranger tours are also widely available. The National Parks Service app provides accessibility information for more than 400 parks. Among the best are Yosemite NP, California; Yellowstone NP, Wyoming; Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin; Acadia NP, Maine; Big Bend NP, Texas, and Everglades NP, Florida.•
City-wide: Visalia has become the first Certified Autism Destination in California with over 42% of hotels and 15 key attractions autism trained.
Partners: WheeltheWorld.com works with accessible U.S. destination to match disabled travellers to itineraries based on their personal requirements. Recent partnerships include with Mesa, Arizona, and Palm Beach Country, Florida, both of which have accessibility programmes.
Access to history: In Sacramento Old Town, ramps now give wheelchair access to the narrow pathways, hills and historic buildings.
“THE U.S. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HAS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING VISITORS OF ALL ABILITIES EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY ITS FACILITIES, PROGRAMMES AND SERVICES. TRAVELLERS WILL FIND ACCESSIBLE OPTIONS AT STATE AND LOCAL PARKS, AS WELL AS MOUNTAIN AND BEACH RESORTS, ACROSS THE COUNTRY” Brand USA
MORGAN’S WONDERLAND, TEXASVoted by Tripadvisor travellers as the top U.S. attraction for two years running, the Empire State Building offers more than just views of New York City’s iconic skyline. A recent $165 million reimagination has left the ‘World’s Most Famous Building’ better than ever, featuring an immersive museum with 12 exhibits, two observation decks and dedicated visitor entrance. All ticket holders get access to the exhibits on the second and 80th floors, as well as the 86th Floor Observatory. Upgrades are available for the 102nd Floor Observatory. Admission is free for children up to five years old.
Visitors will travel through time as they explore the interactive exhibits. A telescope lens transports viewers back to the 1920s to experience the site of the Empire State Building as it would have looked back then. Next, find yourself surrounded by iron workers and masons shouting over the clangs of machinery as you watch the construction of the building, before heading into the streets of 1930s NYC with palpable excitement for the grand opening of the tower.
Visitors can discover why this building is so iconic in a 72-screen, 180-degree surroundsound theatre that solidifies its place in pop
culture, with a montage of 600 clips from adverts, films, TV shows, comics, and games that feature the building. There’s even a Kong exhibit that brings the iconic movie to life with giant gorilla hands that look to have broken through the building’s walls. There’s a lot to take in so guests may want to consider a guided tour. Offered as part of the Premium Experience, guests can enjoy a 90-minute tour, VIP priority access throughout their visit and a complimentary photograph.
The open-air 86th Floor Observatory offers iconic 360-degree panorama views of Manhattan. For the best views in town, guests can upgrade their tickets to include admittance onto the 102nd Floor Observatory. Uninterrupted floor-to-ceiling views allow guests to see up to 80 miles and over six states on a clear day: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut and Massachusetts. esbnyc.com
•
Those attending the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) on the Gold Coast earlier this year were introduced to a raft of new attractions, tourism projects and ambitious plans for accelerating visitor numbers.
Over the past three years 192 new properties have opened across the country, bringing 19,000 new rooms to market.
And in February this year visitor numbers totalled almost 450,000, that’s 65% of prepandemic visitation levels, with Australia’s key markets - including the UK - 14% ahead of earlier forecasts. Tourism Australia expects a ‘full recovery’ by early 2025, says Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director of Tourism Australia.
In fact, Australia has ambitious plans for future growth with ‘Thrive 2030’ a long-term campaign designed to realise A$230 billion tourism dollars (in visitor spending) by 2030.
“We have world-class food and wine, culture, beaches, resorts, mountains, rainforest, reef and more, but it is the
warmth of the welcome we give visitors that really sets us apart,“ said Harrison.
Limited aviation options, the tightening of traveller purse strings, the prospect of a global recession and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine are all threats to tourism’s growth path, she noted.
Although Australia ranks just 42nd among the world’s destinations in terms of its visitation/arrivals, it is seventh when it comes to the monies those tourists spend, indicating that holidays in Oz are a rich source of income for both the country’s coffers and those travel agents who sell it.
Harrison noted that the high yield from tourists is being fuelled by an increased demand for premium experiences including from those who were not previously ‘high spenders’ but now prioritise spending their cash on holidays and travel.
“The luxury sector is leading the recovery, along with those products that offer ‘purposeful travel’, that is experiences that ‘feel good and satisfying’, particularly those
offering adventure, nature and wellness options,” she said.
Tourism Australia will continue to ‘employ’ ‘Ruby the Kangaroo’ to front a long-term campaign around the world in its main overseas markets.
Those tourists to Australia are expected to sign up to more Indigenous Australianowned businesses, one of the fastestgrowing sectors of the country’s tourism industry, said Harrison.
“These are very important to us; they are our original storytellers. It is not just about dots, didgeridoos and cleansing ceremonies...there is so much more.
Discover Aboriginal Experiences is a collection of 160 quality and authentic International ready experiences featuring Aboriginal guided tours.
Indigenous experiences include an Aboriginal Culture and Sand Boarding Quad Bike Tour in New South Wales, a Bush Tucker and Wellbeing tour near Perth, a longer three-Day Kakadu and Arnhem Land
divine domes, souTh ausTralia Gold CoasT BeaCh, queenslandTour near Darwin and many others.
Queensland in particular has a lot to look forward to as venues across the state start gearing up to host the 2032 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
Stirling Hinchcliffe, the state’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and also with a portfolio of Assisting the Minister for Tourism and Olympics, said the two events would be worth $8 billion in trade and investment and $2.4 billion in tourism benefits.
Southeast Queensland, specifially Brisbane and the Gold Coast, will be the official host cities but events will also be held in other towns and cities that include Toowoomba, Townsville and Cairns.
“Queensland offers all of Australia’s iconic experiences in one state: cities, coastal towns, sandy beaches, wildlife, rainforest, the Barrier Reef and the outback,” he said.
“We are blessed to share this country with Aboriginal and Torres Straits people, which will add an extra layer of spirituality to the experiences people have when visiting us, both before, during and after the Games,” Hinchcliffe told SellingTravel.
“One of the real opportunities for us will be to use a lot of our First Nations language and symbols. The IOC (International Olympic Committee) has an opportunity to do
this and I would be very surprised if, for example, the Olympic Mascots don’t carry a strong Indigenous theme and the branding doesn’t have a strong Aboriginal art and culture emphasis,” he said.
Tourism Australia’s international mega familiarisation and workshop event for agents, G’day Australia, will be held in Cairns, Queensland, from Monday October 9 to Thursday October 12 2023.
G’day Australia is the flagship event of the Aussie Specialist Program.
Wintjiri Wiru, a new drone show at Uluru from Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, shines the iconic Uluru in a new light. The immersive Anangu storytelling experience at Ayers Rock Resort features 1,000 drones. The storyline was developed in association with Indigenous elders and tells the story of the ancient rock through lasers and sound.
Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island in South Australia is due to reopen on December 6, two years after the awardwinning Baillie Lodges’ flagship property was destroyed by bushfires.
Snorkel past the Ocean Sentinels, The Museum of Underwater Art’s (MOUA) newest sculptures on the Great Barrier
Reef’s ocean floor. The third underwater installation at MOUA has been specifically placed for snorkellers, whilst the earlier two exhibits lie in wait for divers.
Warders Hotel, one of Fremantle, Western Australia’s most historic accommodation offerings, has reopened its doors after a multi-million-dollar restoration. The circa1850s former Warders Cottages have been transformed into boutique accommodation. Renowned British light artist Bruce Munro’s Light Towers is set inside Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon. The 69 towers in the display are each made up of around 220 bottles filled with fibre optic cables.
The new Willow Wood Glamping retreat, an eco-tent glamping site a short drive north of Western Australia’s Margaret River, offers a luxury eco experience, with private copper outdoor baths and sunset views.
Nestled amongst acres of vineyards in the heart of Mclaren Vale, 45 minutes from Adelaide, is Divine Domes. The individually themed domes include king-size beds, full ensuites, fireplaces and claw foot baths. A communal barn features a barbeque, pizza oven and fireplace.
The W Sydney will be the group’s third Australian property when it opens near Darling Harbour on October 12. •
liGhT Towers, kinG’s Canyon, norThern TerriTory souThern oCean lodGe, souTh ausTralia winTjiri wiru, norThern TerriTory ruBy The roo
Steve Hartridge discovers world-class attractions, pioneering history, rural charm and 'Australiana' in Queensland's fabulous dead centre
“Awedge-tailed eagle can clean up road-kill kangaroos in around two hours. During the recent drought we would see a carcass every kilometre or so...I was in a bus and we hit a roo; its tail flew past the side of the bus. They see you coming and just hop out in front," our guide Joe informs us, by way of an introduction to Queensland's outback.
We are travelling on a spirit level straight road in Australia's most easterly state, where two-thirds of the land is designated 'outback''. However, this isn't the outback of scorpion-red desert but one of fertile farmland, billowing grasslands and tumbleweed blown into the fences of huge cattle stations with names like 'Matilda Creek'. It is also a region of small historic towns that provide a base for visiting several world-class attractions.
Located in the dead centre of Queensland is Longreach, served by daily flights from Brisbane. In this town of 3,000 residents every street is named after a bird: you can get a beer on Duck Street, buy local fruit and veg on Ibis Street and visit The Station Store, a traditional outback outfitters, on Eagle Street.
We tour Longreach from atop a restored 100-year-old Cobb & Co ex-mail stagecoach, the horses trotting down Main Street and, once out of town, breaking into a gallop.
My visit in early May coincided with the build-up to the coronation of King Charles, with both fluttering Union Jack flags and affection for the monarchy on display.
Queen Elizabeth visited in 1970 and
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall dropped by in 2012 to open the Stockman's Hall of Fame. It is here we learn about the history and heritage of those pioneering outback cowboys and cowgirls. There's also a Stockman's Live Show, featuring a sheep muster, working dogs, horsemanship and various other activities.
"Tell King Charles to send us money", says our guide, Annette. "He is our patron and we could do with some cash".
Next to the small Longreach airport is the Qantas Founders Museum where after sunset we watch Luminescent Longreach, an impressive sound and light show that tells the story of Australia's national airline through images and video beamed onto the side of a retired 747-200 'Jumbo' jet.
Qantas had humble beginnings, the dream of two World War I pilots who started their own airline in the 1920s to serve patients in rural areas. Initially a carrier for the Flying Doctor Service, it grew into the global giant it is today.
There's a museum, housed in a heritagelisted hangar built by Qantas in 1922, that shows off exhibits such as crew uniforms through the ages, but the star attractions are the resident aircraft. These include a Boeing 70-138B, which in 1978 was converted into a private plane and chartered by the Jackson 5 for their Victory Tour. With a safety harness on I walk out onto the wing of the Jumbo.
In the nearby town of Winton, located on a flat-top hill called a 'Jump-up' (known
as 'a mesa' in the USA) is Rangelands Outback Camp, a new luxury tented facility located on a cattle station. After a camp-cooked meal of salad cerviche and tuna, we looked down on the darkening bush, watching those wedge-tailed eagles riding the thermals, before the sky turned dark and then almost white again with clusters of stars.
Land of the giants
Outback Queensland was also 'Dinosaur Country' and The Australian Age of Dinosaurs tells the story of the animals that roamed here 80 to 100 million years ago. It's a huge facility, with fossils and bones of sauropods and theropods, some given names such as 'Matilda' and 'Banjo'.
All three likely perished after getting stuck whilst drinking from the muddy billabongs, their fossilised bones revealed millions of years later when the sun-baked mud cracked open.
You can sign up for a dinosaur dig, or work in the dinosaur 'prep lab', identifying and cleaning the animal parts.
"Who would not want to hold and clean a 95-million-year old bone?" Melody O'Brien, a volunteer lab assistant, asks me.
Also in Winton we visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre, possibly the only museum in the world dedicated to a single song, and discover the meaning behind the song that tells the sad story of the jolly swagman who settled down by the billabong – before drowning himself in it.
In the small rural community of Ilfracombe we enjoy a beer at the Wellshot hotel, a saloon pub that has remained mostly the same for 120 years.
The ceiling is covered with money from round the world and has a collection of Akubra hats hanging from the wall. I chat to 'Outback Dan', who owns a cattle station and is eager to show me a pile of photos of his dad greeting various visiting Royals on their visits to the town.
In Barcaldine we visit the Workers Heritage Museum, which tells the story of Australia's first labour strike in 1891 when sheep shearers downed their tools. The strike led to the creation of Australia's Labour Party. We are shown around the town by Cheryl Thompson, the Aboriginal owner of a popular coffee shop and the Desert Dreaming Centre. She buses in Aboriginal kids to develop their artistic talents, learn business skills and be shown the rudiments of being tourist hosts.
"I am committed to showing visitors the value of experiencing Aboriginal heritage, because it is a story that still isn't really being told, and to sharing my stories and culture," she tells me.
In Cheryl's art studio we are given paints and brushes and encouraged to create our own 'memory sticks'.
We then join her around a sand pit for some 'dance moves' that recreate the tales of hunting, courtship, life and death that have been passed down by generations of her Yiningayi Aboriginal 'mob'. outbackqueensland.com.au •
We put on a safety harness and walk out onto the wing of a JumboGlobe hopping
With a holistic and guaranteed luxury experience at every turn as its USP, Kerzner hotels are an easy sell for agents looking to give their clients the wow factor.
But there’s also something in it for travel professionals themselves, vouchers and complimentary stays are up for grabs with every booking made. Log bookings online at oneandonlyincentives.com or atlantisresortsincentives.com
Adventure seekers with a family in tow can head over to Dubai, staying at one of the city’s famous powerhouse properties Atlantis the Palm or the recently opened Atlantis the Royal. Both hotels come with daily complimentary access to Aquaventure, the world’s largest waterpark, where thrilling water slides and relaxing pools help to cool off from the desert sun.
Afterwards guests can head to dinner at one of The Palm’s 28 restaurants or one of The Royal’s 17 eateries, eight of which are run by celebrity chefs.
One&Only The Palm is also a foodie haven, with on-site restaurant Stay being the proud owner of a double Michelin star.
Wherever in the world a client wants to go, there’s most likely a Kerzner property that
can be booked there. Most popular high luxury destinations are home to a local One&Only, including presence in the Indian Ocean at Le Saint Geran, Mauritius; and Reethi Rah in The Maldives.
In the Middle East, Dubai offers the Royal Mirage and The Palm, while One&Only Desseru Coast in Malaysia provides an escape in South East Asia.
There’s plenty of product to sell in Africa, such as the Cape Town property for those who want to experience the city’s burgeoning wine scene, or Gorillas Nest and Nyungewe House in Rwanda for safari and
gorilla trekking. Mexico, an ever-popular beach destination, offers the One&Only Mandarina and One&Only Palmilla, while Montenegro, a popular alternative to Croatia, features the One&Only Portonovi.
The Kerzner portfolio continues to grow, meaning if there isn’t already a hotel in a favoured destination, there might be soon. The most recent addition to the portfolio includes the eco-friendly One&Only Aesthesis in Athens, where clients can brush up on their ancient Greek history.
A stay here can be twinned with an island escape at One&Only Kea Island. Opening in April 2024 it will be reached by a short boat ride from the capital of Greece.
For an urban escape in the Dubai metropolis, the upcoming One&Only One Za’abeel is an ideal sell, standing tall on the cusp of both traditional and modern Dubai. Bookings can be made from December 2023 onwards.
Book with your preferred tour operator or with Kerzner directly at kerzner.com •
With luxury properties in most of the world’s desirable holiday spots, Kerzner is a great choice for discerning clients – and agents can take advantage of generous rewards too, says Charlotte Flach
WHERE: The Caledonian Club, London
WHEN: July 10, 2023
WHO: Travelpack, Barbados Tourism Marketing, Belize Tourism Board, Sandals and Beaches Resorts, Inclusive Collection – part of World Hyatt, Abercrombie & Kent , Cox & Kings, Clear Marketing and Copa Airlines.
The curated collection of suppliers at Selling Travel Connect: Caribbean covered tourism boards, airlines, tour companies and hotels, offering agents a wide overview of product across the region.
“Travelpack offers a range of holidays in the Caribbean to suit all budgets, from honeymoons and weddings to family holidays, cruises, sailing holidays and island hopping multi-centre holidays,” said Heena Bhudia, Business Development Manager at Travelpack. “For the more affluent client we also offer flights on private jets, and we can include luxury transfers to the clients exclusive property or private islands.”
Lina Botha, Offline Sales Manager – UK for CopaAirlines was on-hand to inform agents of Copa’s extensive network.
“People tend not to know too much about us, so this was a good opportunity to tell agents about where we are based –Panama City – and that we fly to South America, Central America, North America and, of course, all the Caribbean islands.”
Daphne Carvalho, Business Development
Executive, was representing Inclusive Collection, part of World Hyatt.
Speaking about two new properties within the collection, she said: “Zoetry Marigot Bay in Saint Lucia is a beautiful resort. It’s got a beautiful marina, which makes it different for Saint Lucia, and is perfect for soft sailing.” Also new is the Zoetry Paraiso De La Bonita in Mexico.
Clear Marketing represents a wide range of five-star luxury and independent resorts in the Caribbean. Kerrie Bartholomew, Account Director, explained: “We’ve got resorts in Barbados, Saint Lucia, Granada, Antique, Tobago and Nevis.”
In particular, Clear Marketing is trying to raise awareness of Nevis among the trade.
“Nevis is a tiny island with only 400 rooms. It’s not yet been ‘discovered’ by the UK market, so we were happy to show agents this little gem!”
Cedric Lynch, Business Development Officer for the Barbados Tourism Board, informed agents about what’s new on the island. “This year there’s lots of events and new routes coming up, with new airlines to
the north.” He also highlighted Barbados’ ‘elite club’ for agents, with training and reward schemes.
Craig Liddle, Agency Sales Manager at Abercrombie & Kent and Cox & Kings, was keen to raise awareness of their Caribbean products. “We’re more known for things like safaris and escorted tours,” he said, “but in the Caribbean we’ve got a fantastic range of beach products. We’re very competitive on price and we’ve aligned our pricing along with our main competitors.”
Another region showcased at the event was Belize. Represented by Natalie Swinburne of Finn Partners, Belize is an ideal destination for eco-conscious travellers. “Over 50% of the land [in Belize] is protected. We’ve got the only jaguar conservation park in the world, and the second largest barrier reef,” she said.
Lorraine Adams, Business Development Manager at Sandals shared updates on Sandal’s luxury resorts in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, and Curaçao.
Norway is the most popular cruise destination among Brits, according to new research by AllClear Travel which compiled a list to determine the top 10 favourite destinations if ranked by cruise-related Google searches.
Norway came top with a total average search volume of 134,018 a month. Cruisers are most keen to see the Scandinavian country’s UNESCO-protected fjords and glaciers and its coastal communities.
Greece, in particular islands such as Mykonos and history-rich Athens, placed second, with an average monthly search volume of 41,378. Italy was third, with Brits keen to see Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Sorrento. The average search volume was 29,889 each month.
Iceland also rated highly, mostly for its Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights, with an average monthly search volume of 18,036, while next up was Australia with an average monthly search volume of 10,921.
Region-wise, the Caribbean was cruisers’ top choice. Browsers are keen to see the white sand beaches of Jamaica, Barbados, and Saint Lucia in particular, while the Mediterranean also rated highly, particularly Spain, France, Italy and Malta.
Scandinavia and the Canary Islands
rounded out the top four places. Europe was the most popular continent, followed by Antarctica and Asia.
A spokesperson from AllClear Travel said: “One of the many attractions of a cruise holiday is that it offers the opportunity to explore several cities or countries on a single trip...and also the fact that your belongings remain in one place instead of repeatedly being packed up for a move to a different accommodation for every new location visited.
“It’s interesting to see the variety of destinations that are popular among Brits, from the Caribbean with a hot climate and coastline views to Antarctica, the coldest place on earth, with icy landscapes.”
Vietnam is the latest Asian country to waive its 30-day visa in a bid to encourage visitors to stay longer.The new long-stay visa, which came into effect on August 15, follows Thailand’s move last year to increase the visa-free travel period from 30 to 45 days over the peak season (October 1 2022 –March 31 2023).
Several other countries in the Pacific Asia region have extended visa free policies, including Indonesia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Japan, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Brunei, Kong Hong, Fiji and Mauritius.
The new regulation hopes to encourage visitors to spend more in local communities and delve deeper into destinations by
• New South America links LATAM Airlines is to offer a new direct London Heathrow–Lima route from December. The airline will begin flights to Peru’s capital from December 2, subject to government approval, with five frequencies operating per week. It will be the UK’s only direct connection to Peru. latamairlines.com
• Expedition focus for CLIA
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is to host two expedition-themed dinners for its cruise line and travel trade partners this autumn. They will be held in London on October 10 and in Manchester on October 12. The dinners will provide delegates with the latest product updates as well as networking opportunities. cruising.org
• New U.S. lift for
travelling off the beaten path. Youth travellers, backpackers, retirees, digital nomads and those on sabbatical leave are all key high quality markets.
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), UK & Ireland’s Chairman, Chris Crampton, said: “Long-stay visas and visa waivers can boost tourism, attract foreign investment and stimulating economic growth.
“It is great news that the Vietnamese authorities have extended their visa offerings, including visa free travel increasing threefold from 15 to 45 days and the e-visa duration increasing from 30 to 90 days. With new airlift from the UK to Vietnam from October this is a positive step.” pata.org.uk
Aer Lingus is to expand its summer 2024 network with new routes to Denver, Colorado, and Minneapolis-St Paul. The airline will introduce a new direct service to Denver in May and reinstate the Minneapolis-St. Paul route in April, both taking off from Dublin. aerlingus.com
Agents can create an itinerary to the Mile High City by using the new guide to Denver, distributed with this issue of Selling Travel
From city highlights to arty neighbourhoods to exploring the Rocky Mountains, the guide is the perfect selling tool for agents.
Gold Medal has released an Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific brochure featuring a range of new properties and experiences.
The programmes’s new hotels include Crown Towers Sydney and escorted tours such as ‘Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road’.
To celebrate the launch, Gold Medal is offering the chance to win a 2024 seven-day New Zealand motorhome holiday for two: agents must make a Gold Medal booking to Australia, New Zealand or South Pacific by October 5. Agents who book a Maui, Britz or Apollo motorhome receive an extra entry.
In partnership with Western Australia, Gold Medal is also giving agents the chance to win a £4,000 holiday fund for a trip to the state. Agents must make a Gold Medal Australia, New Zealand or South Pacific booking between now and October 5, with a double entry for those who make bookings to Western Australia. Also on offer are double Farebank Rewards on Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific packages booked before September 21.
A Far East brochure will be released in September with Florida following in November. goldmedal.co.uk
Solo holidays are among ‘top selling tours’, says Newmarket Holidays as it introduces new Solo Traveller Collection. The escorted tours specialist has seen single bookings grow by more than 10% since the introduction of five exclusive solo tours and the removal of single supplements.
Debuting in the operator’s top 10 sellers for 2024 departures is Snapshot of Western Sicily, an eight-day escorted tour for solo travellers. It is already one of the operator’s biggest selling holidays across all tour types, and the best-selling group holiday to Sicily. Other solo tours outperforming expectations are Highlights of the Scottish Highlands and Kenyan Wildlife & Coastal Explorer.
Verity Rice, Director of Product, Purchasing & Operations, said: “Our Solo Traveller Collection has got off to a great start, with the growth in bookings driven by females who are attracted by the comfort of travelling in a like-minded group, but also want a local expert to take them beyond the usual guidebook destinations.”
Solo tours are available along the Dalmatian Coast, Scottish Highlands, Kenya and India. newmarketholidays.co.uk
The Cincy Region is “where the North meets the South,” with the Ohio River acting as the dividing line between Kentucky (South) and Ohio (North). As a result, the region was a prominent stop on the Underground Railroad - a network of secret routes and safe houses for enslaved peoples as they made their way from the South to find freedom in Canada. A tour of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center offers an insight into the system and those it helped.
The Cincy Region is also “where beer meets bourbon”. By the mid-1800s, 30% of Cincinnati’s population was German, bringing their brewing heritage with them. Most of the beer was fermented and chilled in tunnels 30 feet below street level. The Ultimate Queen City Underground Tour ventures into these forgotten tunnels. For modern-day drinks, Northern Kentucky’s The B-Line is a self-guided bourbon tour with 25 stops including craft distilleries, bars and restaurants.
Start your day with the famed local breakfast sausage, goetta, at Findlay Market, Ohio’s oldest continuously-operating public market, and then board the free Connector streetcar for a short ride into Over-the-Rhine. Here you’ll see the largest contiguous collection of 19th-century Italianate architecture in America.
Continue your adventure by crossing the bright blue John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge — the predecessor of the Brooklyn Bridge by the same architect — into Northern Kentucky to explore more historic architecture in neighbourhoods like Mainstrasse in Covington. Keep an eye out for Cincinnati’s colourful murals, many of which outline the city’s history.
Before there was Las Vegas, there was Newport, KY. This little river town once had a gambling reputation larger than modernday Vegas and played host to all the big names, including Frank Sinatra. Today, you can take a guided tour — the Newport Gangster Tour — and learn all about the gangster wars that raged on the streets where fortunes were bet, won, and lost.
In writing The Godfather, Mario Puzo is said to have taken most of his source material from the Newport mobs.
WHERE: London & Manchester
WHEN: June 26 & 28, 2023
WHO: Bangkok Airways, Links Travel and Tours, Minor Hotels, Thai Airways, Travelpack, Visit Okinawa Japan, Korea Tourism Organisation, Tourism Shizuoka Japan, Tourism Malaysia, Anand Collection, Abercrombie & Kent/ Cox & Kings, Wendy Wu Tours, Hong Kong Tourism Board
Asia was the focus of the latest edition of Selling Travel’s popular two-city Connect event.
Over two nights – in London and Manchester – agents received invaluable updates from tourist boards, tour operators, airlines and hotels followed by a prize draw including hotel stays in Hua Hin, Koh Samui and Khao Lak, Thailand.
Visa update: Several countries in Asia have extended visa free policies, allowing tourists to stay beyond the standard 30 days. These include: Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Brunei, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
Hong Kong: There are 263 islands in Hong Kong. Some of them, like Lantau, Cheung Chau and Lamma, are accessible by ferry while others are totally uninhabited.
Japan: Tokyo holds the title for the most Michelin Star restaurants in the world, with 263 stars. Award-winning establishments include modest izakaya bars to specialty Japanese restaurants.
Among those suppliers who enjoyed the London event at the Caledonian Club was Danielle Porter of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board who said: “I was impressed by the quality of the agents. They seemed really interested in Malaysia.
“A lot of them had visited the country but they wanted to know about new properties and new tourism attractions. A few of them asked about experiential trips, not just your normal beach destinations. That is why Sabah and Sarawak are selling well.”
“Also, I met an agent who only that day had just done a £23,000 booking to Malaysia, which was great to hear!”
Like Malaysia, Korea was one of the later destinations to get back to normal (after Covid) but is now using events such as the
Connect evening to re-engage with agents.
“It was great to meet so many different agents. Many I spoke to were very new to Korea and came with a lot of questions about the destination,” said Ruby James of the Korea Tourism Organisation.
“Korea is an up-and-coming destination and we have some great initiatives to make it as easy as possible to visit.”
Korea is currently promoting its Visit Korea Year 2023-24, a government campaign which aims to build on global interest in the ‘Korean Wave’ of popular culture that includes music (K-Pop), films, food and fashion.
Sandra Kwan of Hume Whitehead showcased two different destinations in Japan. In London, wearing her Tourism
“It (Japan) is probably our biggest seller at the moment. For agents, Japan offers great commissions because it is a high-tariff destination”
Chris Woon Yuen, Wendy WuKYoto, Japan tegallalang RiCe teRRaCe, indonesia toKYo, Japan Busan, south KoRea
Shizuoka hat, she shared facts such as “hidden gem” Shizuoka is the home of Mount Fuji, which can be reached in just an hour from Tokyo on the Bullet Train.
In Manchester, she showcased how Okinawa, with its stunning beaches, makes a great addition to any multi-destination Japan trip.
“Okinawa’s cuisine is very fresh, due to the climate. Surrounded by ocean, they catch lots of great seafood,” Sandra added.
“The agents at both events asked some great questions and everyone seemed very enthusiastic,” she said.
Japan is currently in demand for Wendy Wu Tours, said Chris Woon Yuen, the company’s Business Development Manager. “It is probably our biggest seller at the moment. For agents, Japan offers great commissions because it is a hightariff destination.”
On the airline side, Sunanta Trai-Ukos, Commercial Manager UK & Ireland at Thai
Airways, said the evenings presented the opportunity to “let agents know that Thai Airways is back on the market”, while Sarah Gilmore, UK Trade and Sales Support Executive at Bangkok Airways, said a key message is that the airline’s lounges in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai are available to all classes of passenger.
Brian Langford, of Links Travel and Tours, said he agreed with agents in Manchester who told him “clients are trying to find something a little bit different”.
He said: “We can come up with those options for them and generally turn our quotations around in about 48 hours – our
itineraries can be anything up to 20 pages.”
Abercrombie & Kent’s Craig Liddle said agents were interested in the “synergy” between the two companies he represents: Cox & Kings and Abercrombie & Kent.
“The agents were keen to learn the point of difference between the two brands and how each could be tailored to their client requests,” he said.
Darren Martin, Sales and Business Development Manager at Travelpack, showcased the brand’s tailor-made product.
“We focused on some out-of-the-norm bits for agents,” he said. “For example, we told them about Elephant Hills in Thailand, which has fully sustainable elephant conservation sites where guests can spend three to four days with the animals.”
Karen Davidson, Global Director of Sales at Minor Hotels, informed agents about the 20 hotels in Asia. She said: “Our hotels, resorts and spas include the Anantara and Avani chains.”
See the full event gallery and upcoming events at sellingtravel.co.uk/training-events •
“Korea is an up-and-coming destination and we have great initiatives to make it as easy as possible to visit the destination”
Ruby James of Korea tourism organisationtian tan Buddha, hong Kong Bagan, MYanMaR Ko hong, thailand gaRdens BY the BaY, singapoRe taipei CitY, taiWan peRhentian islands, MalaYsia
Asia is open for business and in high demand
Interactions with animals are considered by many to be a fundamental – and fun – addition to a holiday, especially when children are involved. But increasingly, consumers are considering things from a different viewpoint: that of the animal.
A global poll conducted by non-profit World Animal Protection discovered that 79% of interviewees said they would rather see animals in the wild than in captivity.
Meanwhile, a 60% increase in safari travel to Africa between 2019 and 2022, showed that demand for ethical, wild animal encounters is ‘high’, according to a recent Go2Africa Annual African Safari Travel Report.
“Travellers are placing more emphasis on conservation and sustainability, and global search volumes for ‘sustainable safari’ are proliferating each year,” says Maija de Rijk-Uys, Managing Director at Go2Africa.
Recent years have seen a major shift in attitude towards entertainment
featuring cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and land animals such as lions, monkeys and elephants, which are still used in many countries for petting encounters, circus shows and rides.
One of the world’s most prolific providers of captive cetacean encounters, SeaWorld, has reportedly not captured an orca from the wild in more than 40 years, while its non-profit SeaWorld Conservation Fund, established in 2003, has provided more than $20 million to nearly 1,400 organisations to advance wildlife research, and helped more than 40,000 animals through its rescue programmes.
“Everything we do is of the highest standard and with unquestionable compassion and affection for the animals,” a SeaWorld spokesperson told Selling Travel “For more than 60 years, SeaWorld has advanced the conservation of marine life in and outside its parks through science, education, and exceptional animal care that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the
Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.” Still, the entertainment giant continues to offer ‘meet and greet’ encounters featuring captive dolphins, orcas and other marine life, despite mounting pressure to empty its tanks.
Thomas Cook is the most recent travel company to actively stop selling tickets to any attraction with captive cetaceans, following “a decline in the demand for activities that harm the environment or animals.” The online travel company now offers only wildwatching experiences instead.
Alan French, Chief Executive of Thomas Cook, said: “Our customers care about these issues, and we are proud to be matching those sentiments. It has been an easy decision to make.”
In 2019, after a public campaign which drew 350,000 signatures, the Expedia Group, TripAdvisor and Virgin Atlantic
With travellers turning their backs on captive animal encounters, now is the time to be selling ethical wildlife experiences, says Lauren Jarvis
Curious guinea fowl at onguma, namibia
Clients Can see red-baCked squirrel monkeys in Costa riCa
Holidays all agreed to stop selling tickets for captive dolphin experiences.
“The decision to stop the sale and promotion of captive whale and dolphin attractions is something Virgin Atlantic Holidays strongly believes in, and we know UK consumers feel the same,” a Virgin spokesperson told Selling Travel.
Virgin Atlantic Holidays has also signed the World Animal Protection Pledge for elephant-friendly tour operators, committed not to sell elephant excursions that involve elephant riding or shows.
Travel companies, agents and operators worldwide play a crucial role in educating and encouraging consumers to choose cruelty-free experiences, which support wildlife conservation instead.
Several respected travel and conservation organisations have comprehensive, free guidelines in place, helping travel agents and consumers to choose responsible wildlife experiences.
World Animal Protection’s report, The Real Responsible Traveller, reviews the
animal welfare policies of global leaders in the travel industry, and advises which to avoid. worldanimalprotection.org.uk
Responsible Travel offers online advice on captive animal encounters, ethical wildlife holidays, zoos, sanctuaries, and more. responsibletravel.com
Born Free Foundation’s Raise The Red Flag Campaign offers an online platform for people to report animal abuse or exploitation, and advice on responsible animal interactions. bornfree.org.uk/raise-the-red-flag
Track Iberian lynx in Andalucia: Join conservationists on the trail of the endangered Iberian lynx in the mountains of Andalucia on a tailor-made trip with Steppes Travel, in association with The European Nature Trust (TENT). Each of TENT’s trips to Andalucia includes a donation to CBD-Habitat Foundation, which is working to expand Spain’s population of Iberian lynx. steppestravel.com
Meet the world’s last Northern White rhinos in Kenya: Ol Pejeta
Conservancy is the largest black rhino sanctuary in Africa, and is also home to the last two remaining Northern White rhinos on Earth, Najin and Fatu. Working with conservation groups including Helping Rhinos, the sanctuary in Kenya offers sightings of the rhinos, zebras and big cats on game drives. olpejetacon-servancy.org
Dive into manta ray research in the Maldives: Join a guided manta ray research tour or annual Manta Retreat with the non-profit Manta Trust at the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort in the Raa Atoll near Hanifaru Bay, the largest known manta ray feeding spot in the world. Guests see the rays up close. experiencetravelgroup.com
AudLey TrAveL
Audley has a 13-night trip to Western Australia including return flights with Emirates, internal flights, car hire, accommodation in Perth, Rottnest Island and Cape Range National Park, plus a wild Ningaloo Reef Whale Shark Swim from £8,900pp. audleytravel.com •
Iam handed a full face mask – the size of a dinner plate – and feel slightly self-conscious as I struggle to secure it around both my chin and forehead simultaneously. Looking like some sort of strange tropical astronaut, I wade into the water and submerge myself, breathing freely without a mouthpiece and not a hint of condensation. Genius!
Since arriving in Barbados evidence of the island's resident turtles have followed me everywhere, from wooden magnets in the gift shops, to 'turtle crossing' road signs, to elaborate paintings in the hotel lobby. Despite the signs, I know nothing is guaranteed when it comes to nature - a lesson learnt on a fruitless whale, puffin and iceberg watching trip last year.
I bypass the turtle boat tours and instead take a local's advice to head to Carlisle Bay, hire a snorkel and go on a solo search.
Watching the tourists board the boats I'm sceptical to say the least, but within 10 minutes I’ve already had my first sighting.
A few metres directly below me, shell glistening in the sun’s rays, is the most perfect green turtle. Convinced it's just beginner's luck, I watch it sweep the sandy bed with its flippers before it pushes off and glides effortlessly into the distance, totally unphased by me.
I continue swimming, scouring the seabed intently for any movement, when I’m unnerved by something floating at the surface. A hawksbill turtle, one of the rarest types, bobs just inches from me and I lift my head above water to see it flare its nostrils and take a breath, eyes wide at the world
beyond, before it retreats to the seabed with a few powerful strokes. This is by far the highlight of my trip.
I look over to the boats in the distance where groups of snorkellers circle and laugh in disbelief at how accessible these creatures are: no guides, no food bribes, just authentic encounters.
It then dawns on me just how many boats there are along this stretch of beach. Whirring propellers and zipping jetskis skim the surface so close to where these turtles come up for air. It doesn't even bear thinking about.
It’s no secret that humans are having a negative impact on the survival of these gentle creatures. I’ve seen evidence of turtles with lost limbs and passed multiple road signs alerting drivers at turtle crossing points, but it’s light pollution and poaching that are the main contributors towards the critically endangered hawksbill and leatherback turtles.
The Barbados Sea Turtle Project is offering a helping hand. Their work includes a 24-hour response to public reports of hawksbill and leatherback turtle nesting and hatching, nightly surveillance of beaches to closely monitor nesting activities and to deter potential poaching attempts of nesting females and their eggs, tagging and monitoring of hawksbill and green sea turtles in near shore waters and conducting extensive public education programmes on sea turtles.
“Hawksbill turtles return to nest on the
Jessica Pook discovers how Barbados is protecting its resident turtle population and how best to see them in their natural environment
beach that they were born on,” says Lorenzo, a volunteer for the Barbados Sea Turtle Project, “but only around one in every 1,000 hatchlings make it to adulthood, so they really do need all the help they can get.”
Barbados has one of the largest hawksbill nesting populations in the Caribbean but the careful females emerge under the cover of darkness to lay their eggs.
“We don’t get much sleep during the nesting season (between May-November), but seeing the hatchlings safely make it to the surf makes it worthwhile,” says Lorenzo.
In 2021 The Barbados Sea Turtle Project rescued over 63,000 critically endangered hawksbill hatchlings during the nesting season and cared for 100 special needs turtles in the turtle ICU.
Visitors looking to get involved in the project can help out on an egg retrieval, which takes place if the eggs are too close to the water or roads and have to be moved to a safe spot. Monitoring nesting turtles and hatchlings is also part of the role.
“Our turtles are very special to us," Cheryl Carter, Director UK at Barbados Tourism Marketing, tells me. "One of my fondest memories is sitting on a beach with family when suddenly the sand around me starts shifting and next thing I know I'm surrounded by baby turtles!
"We’re lucky to have The Barbados Turtle Project specialising in the conservation and protection of these animals.”
Cheryl tells me how islanders have a
strong connection and respect for the sea and operate regular beach clean-ups. Meanwhile the tourist board has a goal of being plastic-free and 100% green and carbon-neutral by 2030.
As well as swimming with turtles, there’s an abundance of marine life to discover in the calm waters of the west coast. The island is known as the ‘shipwreck capital of the Caribbean’, with 25 wrecks to explore, six of which are in the Carlisle Bay area.
I don flippers and a wetsuit and tumble into the water in search of the longest one, the Bajan Queen, at over 36 meters long.
Circling the wreck I spot starfish, stingrays and three giant Tarpon with their sharklike fins. It's enough to send me back to the shallows, but deep diving enthusiasts continue to The Folkestone Marine Park in search of the Stravronikita, which lies 35 metres underwater, creating a reef of corals, sponges and other deep-sea dwellers.
Above the water Barbados is a beautiful island that is home to friendly locals, a fascinating rum history and weekly parties at Oistins fish fry! But there's no doubt the underwater world is the top 'shelling' point.
Book it with... Sandals
A seven-night stay at Sandals Barbados on an all-inclusive basis is priced from £2,277pp, including direct flights with Virgin on November 30 from London Heathrow, transfers and taxes. Scuba diving is part of the all-inclusive package for certified divers. sandals.co.uk
•
Only around one in every 1,000 hatchlings make it to adulthood
The wilds of Alaska are home to some of the world’s most impressive predators, from orca to bald eagles. Holland America Line offers up to 18-day cruises of Alaska’s famed Inside Passage and iconic glaciers, alongside Land and Sea Journeys that combine a cruise with Denali National Park and the Yukon. Passengers have the chance to watch grizzlies fish for salmon or spot howling wolves on a Tundra experience. hollandamerica.com
Scenic’s Black Sea Explorer Cruise uncovers the wildlife of Hungary, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. Passengers can spot wild horses at Great Hungarian Plain, Kalocsa, watch marsh birds at Croatia’s Kopacki Rit and see brown bears in the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. This nine-night cruise also passes through the famous Iron Gates, a narrow gorge that separates Serbia and Romania. scenic.co.uk
Take to the waters of Lake Kariba and Matusadona National Park in Southern Africa for the chance to see hippos in their natural environment. CroisiEurope’s eight-night safari cruise visits South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe and features a four-day exclusive cruise on Lake Kariba, a stay in a luxury lodge in Namibia and safaris in Chobe, Namibia, and Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe. croisieurope.co.uk
Spot Bengal tiger in the wild when cruising the Brahmaputra River in India, taking in Kaziranga National Park which has the highest density of Royal Bengal tigers with one every five square metres. A seven-night cruise with Fred Holidays calls in Nameri National Park to spot great hornbills and wild elephants, Kaziranga National Park in search of tigers, elephants, and white-tailed eagle - and Saualkuchi. fredholidays.co.uk
Home to cloud forests and snowcapped mountains, Ecuador is teeming with wildlife.
Passengers on the 15-day Ecuador In Style cruise with Wild Frontiers will take a night safari whilst staying at the Mashpi Lodge, set within a cloud forest, travel by horseback through conservation-focused Hacienda Zuleta, and then head to the Galapagos Islands to search for giant tortoises. wildfrontierstravel.com
Close to a million penguins nest in the Falklands every summer. Watch them waddle along the shoreline on a 17-night Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands expedition in 2024 with Abercrombie & Kent. Guests will get close to wildlife with Zodiac excursions and time onshore led by A&K’s awardwinning Expedition Team. Sightings of albatros, seals and whales are also common. abercrombiekent.co.uk
From the rich rainforests of the Amazon to the glaciers of Antarctica, a cruise allows passengers to explore wildlife habitats that may otherwise be inaccessible, says Jessica Pook
Across the scrubland her eyes met mine and I couldn’t help but hold my breath. You’re told repeatedly on safari that the wildlife sees you not as an individual, but as one with your vehicle – yet the lioness was staring directly at me. There were just three other people in the seats behind me, but for that moment they ceased to exist and it was just her and I.
Then, from behind the acacia, two sub-adult males ran between us and our gaze and the spell was broken.
I watched for a while as they played like kittens, rolling in the dust and pawing each other’s faces tenderly. Then they suddenly stopped, stood up and, without a backwards glance, disappeared into the bush.
It was an intimate first sighting of one of the Big Five and I wasn’t even in one of Namibia’s National Parks yet. I was in the Onguma Nature Reserve, a 340 square kilometre patch of land that is larger than the islands of Malta which borders the famous Etosha National Park.
Formerly segregated patches of agricultural land, 30 years ago its owners began buying the farms and removing the
fences and invasive species, allowing the land to rewild and attract wildlife back.
Now there’s an abundance of antelope, zebra, lion, elephant, giraffe, and even the critically endangered black rhino (a levy on each room helps pay for the 24/7 Anti-Poaching Unit who patrol the reserve), all of which can be seen on game drives from one of the five lodges or two campsites (providing accommodation options for all budgets).
By day I saw the lions a second time –this time a pride of nine – just after they’d made a kill. I watched kudu, wildebeest, zebra and warthog at the watering hole from the comfort of my room, and at sunset I watched the silhouettes of giraffe march against the red light of the setting sun. And for each encounter no other safari vehicles were anywhere in sight.
Wide-open spaces, far from the madding crowds, can be easily enjoyed across Namibia. It’s one of the least densely populated countries on earth, though luckily, that only applies to human residents.
This southern African country is home
to the Big Five, 700 species of birds, the largest population of free-roaming black rhino found anywhere in Africa and the largest cheetah population in the world.
In its waters along the Skeleton Coast it has a healthy population of southern right whales; Etosha’s salt pan (so big it’s said it can be seen from space) attracts millions of breeding flamingos as well as the much-desired big mammals; and around the Damaraland, Kaokoland and Kunene regions unique desert adapted elephants, rhino, lions and giraffe can all be spotted.
In short Namibia is a garden of Eden
Free-roaming wildlife and few tourists positions the southern African country of Namibia as an ideal choice for ethical and intimate animal encounters, says Phoebe SmithDream Cruiser glamping experienCe in Onguma
for wildlife watchers. And, due to its safety record and being relatively free of malaria, Namibia is fast becoming a popular safari destination for families.
And particularly since the pandemic, says Garry Roberts, General Manager of Onguma Nature Reserve.
“We’ve seen an increase in larger multigenerational family groups come to stay, looking for a more intimate experience that they can enjoy together,” he says.
Thanks to a good road network, selfdrive has always been a favourite way to explore for couples of all ages.
The whole vibe is ‘off-the-beaten-track’, and it’s a country less built-up compared to neighbouring South Africa (case and point being the small, unassuming capital of Windhoek). True, it has less fine dining options and wine tours, but for those who like a safari destination with an authentic feel and less people, Namibia delivers.
“Previously, Namibia has been an undersold destination,” says Amanda Bailey, Africa Product Manager at Carrier.
“But we have recently experienced an increase in demand which we’re excited to see. It has one of the most scenically
beautiful backdrops in Africa and is full of dramatic and diverse landscapes and our clients enjoy relaxed and private wildlife encounters within the concessions of Ongava and Onguma.”
projects we/they can create long-term sustainable conservation benefits.”
Flight connections: In July 2021
Lufthansa launched their Eurowings
Discover long-haul airline which flies from the UK to Windhoek via Frankfurt. It is not only the most competitively priced option, but also has the shortest travel time. And in November launched a connection with Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport making it perfect for South Africa add-ons. eurowings-discover.com
James Westrip, Founder and Director of Africa Collection, agrees. “Travellers are becoming more adventurous in their desire to really get ‘off grid’. Lodges like Shipwreck Lodge, Hoanib Valley Camp and the ‘glamping’ camps are increasingly popular. Plus many, indeed most, of the lodges that Africa Collection partners with in Namibia have conservation at the heart of their offering. By partnering with local communities, agencies and conservation
Accommodation: Following a fire that destroyed the former Treetop Camp, the exclusive four-suite Camp Kala in Onguma Nature Reserve has now opened offering luxury accommodation right by a busy waterhole. There’s enough wildlife to see right from the bed, but guests also have exclusive use of the reserve in the morning. Indulgent spa treatments including African inspired massages and facials take place overlooking the bush. onguma.com
Abercrombie & Kent’s Okahirongo
Elephant Lodge reopened in April following an extensive refurbishment.
tribespeOple Of the OtjOzOnDjupa regiOn Onguma bOma Dinner experienCe game Drive in etOsha“We have seen an increase in larger multi-generational family groups come to stay, looking for an intimate experience that they can enjoy together” garry roberts, Onguma nature reserve
The lodge, located in Namibia’s distant northwest, has seven individual suites, a two-bedroom family suite and an infinity pool. sanctuaryretreats.com
Camp Doros has opened in the heart of Damaraland. Each of the six tents (one of which is a family unit) is raised on platforms, uses solar-powered energy, recycled material for furniture, and wastewater processed through a sophisticated reclamation process. Guests can follow the world’s last free-roaming black rhino with master trackers on foot. ultimatesafaris.na
Flying Safari: For those who want to eschew road travel, Audley Travel has
launched an eight-night flying safari around Namibia which combines star-gazing in the dunes and desert of Sossusvlei and Sesriem, black rhino tracking in Damaraland, and wildlife watching in Etosha from £7,305pp. audleytravel.com
Wild sleep: Overnight in the new Dream Cruiser near Etosha for a unique safari soundscape. Created following a lockdown brainstorming session, Onguma’s custom built, two-level land cruiser with shower and flushing toilet, offers the ultimate luxury night out in the bush to watch the stars and hear the wildlife call at your own private waterhole. onguma.com
Marvel at meerkats: Located just 30 minutes from Windhoek Airport, luxury boutique lodge Omaanda is the best way to finish (or start) a Namibian adventure. Based at the Zannier Reserve (which is home to wildlife that has been injured, orphaned or otherwise harmed) it offers the chance to spend sunrise with meerkats; and enjoy a conservation drive. zannierhotels.com/omaanda
New perspectives: Both amateur and professional photographers will love the new waterhole Onkolo Hide at the Onguma nature reserve adjacent to Etosha. Bookable by any guests it has comfy seats, camera beanbags, washrooms and windows at ground level that can open to get unparalleled pictures. onguma.com
Track & trek: Based in central Damaraland, two-year old Onduli Ridge overlooks Namibia’s highest mountain – Brandberg. The property as well as e-bikes are run off 100% solar power and offer a freeing way to track the desert rhino and elephants who thrive in this arid landscape. ultimatesafaris.na
RAINBOW – 0208 131 3658
A six-night trip includes one night at Zannier Hotels Omaanda near Windhoek; two nights in the Onguma Nature Reserve, staying at Camp Kala and on the dream cruiser; two nights at Onduli Ridge and one night at Olive Grove from £5,595pp, including international flights and internal flight transfers. rainbowtours.co.uk •
sCOrCheD trees Of the namib Desert sunset views frOm OnDuli riDge impala at the watering hOle in OngumaSeptember
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