Solus — issue two

ISSUE TWO Issue two | Section Name

H E L P I N G YO U S E L L S O LO T R AV E L

AM FROM THE TE

SOLUS

AT

INDIAN SUMMER WE EXPLAIN WHY THE COUNTRY IS BACK ON THE MAP FOR SOLOS 1

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Get them closer than ever before This is the small-ship advantage When you book your clients on Marine tours with G Adventures, you put them in touch with a side of the world they’d never meet on their own. Our smaller boats ensure curious travellers get as close as they want to the adventure at hand, simply by being there.

Discover today how we do Marine adventures.

gadventures.co.uk/agents 0344 272 2200

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WELCOME

Solo isn’t alone – it’s adventurous ISSUE TWO

H E L P I N G YO U S E L L S O LO T R AV E L

THIS MONTH WHAT WE LEARNT P26

Welcome to the second edition of Solus, from the team behind Cruise Adviser

First of all, we would like to thank everyone for their kind words following our launch edition.

Solo travel is a trend that has been developing for a number of years and most agents know INDIAN SUMMER the struggles that independent travellers face.

We’re glad to hear that our magazine has helped answer queries and convert sales. Long may it continue!

Travelling alone no longer has the stigma that it once did. It is now seen as far more adventurous, daring and exciting than in times gone by, as our cover feature on India (p30) shows. This incredibly diverse country – with a population of 1.2 billion people – has been highlighted on a number of recent programmes on TV – from The Good Karma Hospital to The Real Marigold Hotel. We explain why 800,000 British nationals travel there every year.

Elsewhere in this issue we take a close look at Fred Olsen Cruise Lines (who say 12 per cent of their bookings are made by solo travellers) on page 26, explore cycling holidays around the world for independent travellers on page 40 and have a look at the tastiest foodie breaks on the market (p36).

Selling holidays to solo travellers is an art form. You have to learn how to reassure them, try to predict what their fears will be and guide them through the booking process. Bearing that in mind, we sent our head of sales, Simon Leeming, to a sales training day with the Future Sales Factory to learn how agents can best get over potential obstacles. Read about his experience on page 44 and remember to enter our competition on page 47 to win your own sales training day. You’ll reap the rewards.

FROM THE TEAM

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WE EXPLAIN WHY THE COUNTRY IS BACK ON THE MAP FOR SOLOS

FRED OLSEN IS POPULAR WITH SOLO TRAVELLERS The company claims 12 per cent of its business is based on people cruising alone P36

TOKYO HAS MORE MICHELIN STARS THAN PARIS The city is one of the world’s best when it comes to food tourism P40

CYCLING IS BIGGER THAN IT’S EVER BEEN It’s a great way of meeting like-minded souls and seeing the world.

It’s eco-friendly, too

SOLUS

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Issue two | Check-in

Solus

Issue two ISSUE TWO

H E L P I N G YO U S E L L S O LO T R AV E L

News 8 All of the latest in independent travel Experience 14 We speak to two solo travellers to find out what they like about holidaying alone Opinion 20 Brian Young, managing director of G Adventures on how best to sell InFocus: Fred Olsen We speak to Fred Olsen about its successful solo traveller programme

FROM THE TEAM

A

passage to

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The hunger games We sit down and gorge on the offering available for solo foodie travellers

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Ticket to ride Sam Ballard explains why cycling’s renaissance shows no sign of stopping

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How to close the deal We attend a sales conference to learn the skills needed to sell to solo travellers

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Games and competition Win a place at the Future Sales Factory

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INDIAN SUMMER WE EXPLAIN WHY THE COUNTRY IS BACK ON THE MAP FOR SOLOS

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A passage to India Anthony Pearce takes a look at how best to explore the fascinating country

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India

From the madness of Mumbai, to the glorious beaches of Goa and Varkala, not to mention incredible food at every turn, Anthony Pearce reveals the delights the subcontinent has to offer for the solo traveller

Ticket to

Ride

Sam Ballard gets on his bike and asks why cycling holidays have become so popular in recent years and why they are perfect for solo travellers looking to discover new places

Directory 48 Final word

Solus is brought to you by Waterfront Publishing Publisher Sam Ballard sam@cruise-adviser.com +44 (0)7809 622 541 Publisher Anthony Pearce anthony@cruise-adviser.com +44 (0)7835 768 383

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Head of sales Simon Leeming simon@cruise-adviser.com +44 (0)7532 712 476 Sales executive Bryan Johnson bryan@cruise-adviser.com +44 (0)7532 709 734 Art director Jensen Brianson Sub-editor Nathaniel Cramp info@waterfront-publishing.com

Solus Collective Temperance Hospital 110 Hampstead Rd London, NW1 2LS

Solus is published twice a year by Waterfront Publishing Limited (registered number: 08707515). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited Solus is printed by Wyndeham Grange

SOLUS

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ESCORTED TOURS EXCLUSIVELY FOR This collection is built on a selection of tried, tested and loved itineraries and are now available for those travelling on their own. An airport meet and greet service and welcome dinners are added to ensure our solo travellers’ needs are perfectly met.

Fantastic value holidays for solo travellers - compare our prices!

Which? Recommended Provider for four years in a row Great levels of commission paid on the whole holiday price Thoughtfully-balanced, tailored itineraries The industrys’ finest tour managers*

Call our friendly Agency Sales team on:

01283 744370

or visit: www.rivieratravel.co.uk/agents Riviera Travel booking terms and conditions apply. *Source - Pwc Independent

3430

Six reasons to book a solo holiday with Saga SOLO HOLIDAYS 7 NIGHTS

£ 629

FROM

*

PER PERSON IN SPAIN

• We have over 60 years of experience arranging holidays for solo travellers, and a fifth of our customers travel solo • Our solo hosts and tour managers are experts in creating a sociable and fun atmosphere as well as introducing fellow Saga guests • We take care of all the little details and include so much in the price such as return flights and transfers, and a VIP door-to-door travel service on all long-haul holidays • We offer hundreds of single rooms and cabins at no extra cost • We have an inspiring portfolio of over 50 holidays exclusively for solo travellers • Receive up to £50 of shopping vouchers for each holiday you book – £50 for ocean cruises and £25 for holidays!

Call FREE on 0800 074 8021 or visit saga.co.uk/agents Become a Saga expert, visit sagaexperts.com Find us on Facebook – Saga Trade Team

Cruises aboard Saga Sapphire and Saga Pearl II include a special cocktail party, and we offer single cabins at no extra cost.

Take a tour of Uzbekistan and there’s no time to worry about being alone as we’ve planned lots of visits to the country’s fascinating sites.

The atmosphere on a river cruise is intimate and very friendly. We have a great choice of cruises including itineraries on the Douro and Rhine.

With only 23 bedrooms, the Hotel Osam in Croatia has a sociable atmosphere and there’s plenty to do with like-minded people.

*Price per person based on Oct 25, 2017 departure at the Juan de la Cosa hotel with flights from Heathrow to Bilbao on the scheduled services of British Airways, and includes offer discount. Book by Apr 28, 2017: SAVE £50.

Holiday Code: AF130. Saga Holidays are for anyone aged 50+. A travel companion may be 40+. Terms and conditions apply. To claim your vouchers, simply email incentives@saga.co.uk with booking details. NHA-GH6838

NEWS Do you have a story for us? Email info@waterfront-publishing.com

TRADE SALES

Riviera Travel reports 60% sales increase through agent partners

Nation’s biggest escorted touring operator saw increase in sales through travel agents as it inroduced more ocean cruising and a dedicated solos programme Riviera Travel has reported a 60 per cent year-on-year increase in sales through travel agents.

The company also told Solus that passenger numbers were up 54 per cent while bookings for 2018, which went on sale in March, are up 75 per cent year-on-year.

“As more and more agents become confident selling the product we are seeing our numbers continue to grow,” explained Joseph Grimley, head of agency sales. “We’ve ran campaigns in the trade

press to raise awareness as well as adverts on TV, which have resulted in numerous potential customers coming to travel agents with enquiries.

Grimley added that Riviera’s last brochure was being reprinted due to high demand.

“We’ve come a long way with the trade since it was just me, my BlackBerry, car, desk and laptop. I’ve just recruited my fifth team member – Tamzin Bishop – and sales through agents are continuing at a rate of knots,” he said.

Riviera Travel introduced its first solo programme in 2016, which included itineraries in Europe, Africa and Asia.

Despite having only started selling river cruises in 2009, it recently became the biggest provider of river cruises in the UK. Riviera is also the biggest escorted tour operator in the country. “The feedback we get from travel agents is phenomenal and customers are coming back time and time again,” Grimley added.

Riviera in Sri Lanka, page 14 SOLUS

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EUROPEAN UNION

Budget holiday sites ‘misleading’ people

European Commissioner Věra Jourová says that cheap holiday websites are becoming a growing problem

The European commissioner has warned that many websites promising cheap flights and hotels are “misleading consumers”.

Věra Jourová commissioner for justice, consumers and gender equality, said: “The internet provides consumers with plenty of information to prepare, compare and book their holidays. However, if the reviews on comparison websites are biased or prices are not transparent, these websites are misleading consumers.”

The report identified 235 websites which were not giving consumers accurate information. The number was taken from a total of 352 sites the EU was monitoring, SOLUS

meaning that roughly two thirds of the websites were not adhering to EU consumer laws.

“The companies concerned need to respect the European consumer rules, just like a travel agent would,” Jourová added. “Consumer authorities will now require the websites to solve these issues.

Consumers deserve the same protection online as offline.”

According to the research, in one third of cases customers did not pay what was advertised on the websites.

The sites have been told to bring their policies in line with EU laws and make themselves more transparent to those trying to book their holiday online.

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MONARCH 430,000 winter schedule seats go on sale Monarch has put 430,000 seats on sale for its winter 2017-18 schedule – including flights from Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, Gatwick, Luton and Manchester airports Ski routes will include Turin, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Lyon and Grenoble. Monarch will also extend its programme from Manchester to Kittila in Finnish Lapland.

Marjan Schoeke, head of network development at Monarch, said: “We are pleased to be putting the majority of our ski flights on sale, as well as providing more choice to our most popular winter destinations.”

STANSTED Green light for £130m new arrivals terminal Stansted Airport will add 10m passengers a year after the green light was given to build a new arrivals terminal.

Work will begin on the £130 million building next year.

It will allow the Essex airport to handle a potential 43 million passengers a year.

The 34,000 square metre arrivals facility, designed by architects Pascall+Watson, will be situated next to the current terminal. Aviation minister Lord Ahmad said it “signals an exciting new chapter for Stansted airport”.

Issue two | Check-in

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Norwegian goes all-inclusive The line claim the move is a “game changer” for the ocean cruise market Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that it is to go allinclusive for the British market from April 6, 2017.

The new Premium All Inclusive programme, which has been trialled in Germany, is being launched with an April sale of £50 off each studio cabin, £100 off inside and oceanview cabins, and £200 off balcony, mini-suite, suite and The Haven bookings.

The new fares, which will increase, will include

gratuities and alcohol – with a maximum price of $15 per drink. Water in staterooms, coffee and kids’ soft drinks will also be included.

Nick Wilkinson, senior director and general manager Northern Europe & MEA, Norwegian Cruise Line, added: “The launch of our product as Premium All Inclusive is a game-changer for the large ship ocean cruise market and it offers a wealth of opportunity for our valued travel partners.

We have armed them with a powerful sales tool, helping to convert customers who may not yet have considered cruise as a holiday option, while also introducing new-to-brand cruisers to the Norwegian product.

“We know that our travel partners have seen an increase in enquiries for allinclusive holidays, and our new pricing will continue to keep a cruise holiday with Norwegian in the equation.”

ABTA

CMV

AMADEUS

Brexit could be “hugely damaging” to travel

New all-vegan ocean cruise launched

River line reveals solo supplement offer

Spontaneous, cheap holidays to Europe could become a thing of the past if Brexit negotiations are not successful, the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) has warned.

It said that travellers face a “hugely damaging” reduction in the number of flights available, and the loss of benefits such as free healthcare and visa-free travel unless Theresa May acts to safeguard holidaymakers’ rights and “vital” air routes during Brexit negotiations.

See Final Word, page 50

Cruise & Maritime Voyages is to offer an all-vegan seven-night ocean cruise in partnership with Vegan Travel.

The Norwegian fjords cruise will depart from Tilbury on board Columbus on September 25, 2017. Every meal will be vegan and there will also be lifestyle classes, yoga and pilates. Prices start at £669pp.

The cruise will feature a programme of speakers including Dr Michael Greger, who wrote How Not to Die, and psychologist Melanie Joy.

Amadeus River Cruises has unveiled its latest single supplement offer for a range of departures in 2017.

The company will be waiving the single supplement on Danube and Rhine sailings including a seven-night July 5, 2017 departure from Budapest to Passau for £1,899 for a river view cabin or £2,399 for a French balcony.

A seven-night Rhine sailing, from Basel to Amsterdam, on July 18, 2017 is priced at £1,699 for a river view cabin.

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TOURISM

India doubles e-visa duration to 60 days

Tourism Authority also makes it possible for double and triple re-entry depending visa held by traveller

India’s tourism authority has embarked on plan to further expand the country’s offering by doubling the length of stay available with an e-Tourist Visa.

Tourists will now be able to stay in India for two months and be given double-entry benefits, the country’s Ministry of Tourism announced.

The new visas was made available on April 1. Those holding business or tourist e-visas will be allowed to enter twice. Those holding medical e-visas will be allowed to enter the country three times.

India also increased the window of application for visas from 30 days up to 120 days.

Rajnath Singh, the home minister, said: “The government SOLUS

has liberalised its visa regime to promote tourism, business travel and attract potential investors to the country.”

According to figures released last year, British travellers applied for 197,788 e-visas to India last year. About 870,000 Brits visited India in total.

Raj Sunani, assistant director at India Tourism Office London, said: “Until August 2015, British visitors had to go through a process of booking an appointment and presenting relevant documentation at visa processing centres, a relatively long process. Now, the India e-Tourist Visa Scheme has vastly simplified travel to India and is a proven success.”

See A passage to India, page 28

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GECKOS Intrepid adds ‘unknown’ festivals for millennials Geckos Adventures, an Intrepid Travel company, has launched a range of holidays to what it describes as “some of the world’s least-known festivals”.

The festivals, which it will aim at millennials, will include Morocco’s Gnaoua festival and South Korea’s Kimchi festival.

“Millennials are socially conscious and they want their travel experiences to reflect this. That’s why we’ll continue to launch trips for young travellers looking for more sustainable cultural adventures,” said James Thornton, managing director of Intrepid Group.

AVIATION BA considers charging for long-haul meals The boss of British Airways has said that he is considering charging passengers for meals on long-haul flights.

The airline started for food on short-haul flights in January.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Alex Cruz, the airline’s chief executive and chairman was asked if he would consider charging across his long-haul operation. He answered: “We might do it.”

Cruz also insisted that the decision to charge for food on short-haul flights had gone down well with customers.

Issue two | Promotion

Solo river cruising, but never alone A holiday alone can feel daunting, but a river cruise can transform this experience.

River cruising is one of the safest and most convenient ways to visit countries, making it the ideal choice for solotravellers to visit Europe. Guests can choose to do as little or as much as they like meaning everyone from the adventurer to the relaxed explorer can enjoy a river cruise.

From the moment guests step on board they are welcomed

with cheerful smiles and made to feel as if they are part of the AmaWaterways family, an atmosphere that all the team on board work hard to achieve.

After all, AmaWaterways is designed to be a home from home experience – only this time all the hard work is taken care of!

Each day the ship will be docked in a convenient location central to the town or city on the itinerary, giving guests the option to explore independently

or in the comfort of one of AmaWaterways organised tours, where they have the added security of a local tour guide with knowledge and experience of the local area.

Alternatively, lazy days can be spent on board AmaWaterways luxury floating hotel, reading a book or sipping a martini while the ship peacefully glides past the beautiful and picturesque towns, villages, castles and vineyards that make Europe so spectacular.

Guests looking for an active adventure can easily join one of AmaWaterways new active discovery guided hiking or biking excursions which are complimentary on most itineraries. Alternatively they can take off on their own with one of the ship’s 25 bicycles which are carried on every ship throughout Europe and are complimentary for all guests to use.

Mealtimes are always a sociable affair. On the first evening, solo guests are invited SOLUS

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to a special welcome dinner with the Cruise Manager, this is a perfect opportunity for them to meet any other solo travellers and make new friends – it also breaks any first night nerves and barriers.

Due to the smaller size of river ships compared to their ocean cruise cousins, river cruising is often a far more intimate and sociable affair where everyone is keen to share tales of their travels, experiences, and often lifelong friendships are formed.

AmaWaterways also operate an open seating policy, and many tables are set up with ‘odd’ numbers allowing solo travellers to easily join new friends for dinner.

When it comes to privacy, solo travellers can enjoy the added comfort of one of AmaWaterways’ innovative twin-balcony staterooms with no additional supplements to pay. With a French and full outside balcony, this unique design gives stunning views of

SOLUS

the river. These comfortable rooms come fully equipped with an infotainment system allowing free access to top movies, on-demand TV channels, free wi-fi internet access and much more.

AmaWaterways are offering waived solo supplements on all cabin categories up to AA on Rhine, Danube, French & Asia itineraries until May 31, 2017, giving solo travellers great rates on Europe’s highest-rated river cruise fleet, including in our innovative Twin Balcony Staterooms.

Four AmaWaterways river cruises that would be ideal for solo travellers The Enchanting Rhine, seven-night cruise, October 28, 2017. Amsterdam to Basel.

Twin Balcony Stateroom from £3,111 (Category BB) Melodies of the Danube, seven-night cruise, July 17, 2017. Budapest to Vilshofen.

Fixed Window Stateroom from

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£2,311 (Category E) Paris & Normandy, sevennight cruise, November 2, 2017. Paris roundtrip. French Balcony Stateroom from £2,978 (Category B) Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of the Mekong, sevennight cruise, August 21, 2017.

Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap.

Twin Balcony Stateroom from £2,039 (Category B) Terms & Conditions: fares include port charges and are cruise-only per person based on single occupancy of the stated category stateroom. Fares do not include flights or transfers.

No Single Supplement applies to cruise-only fares and does not apply to any land programmes or extras booked through AmaWaterways. This offer does not apply to Categories A+, AA+, S & SS on European river cruises or Category S & L on Asian river cruises. This offer is not combinable with any other retail offers or promotions. Fares and offers are subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn at any time.

Offers are valid on new bookings only, made before May 31, 2017.

April 2017 | Section Name

EXPERIENCE

Going

it alone

Two travellers share their individual experiences of holidaying solo

Margaret Turner 77, West Sussex I’ve been travelling alone since 2007 when my husband passed away. That year I went to Australia to spend some time with family and the year after that I started travelling independently. Nowadays I will usually take at least two holidays every year.

I have experienced all kinds of different places. From river cruises on the Rhone to the Golden Triangle in India. I’ve been with some companies which weren’t quite to my taste and others who were; Riviera Travel definitely fits within the latter. It’s such a nice company

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and the people who work there are so friendly.

I took my first trip with them to Bruges in 2008 and loved it, that’s what started me on the road. It was just a short holiday, but that was what convinced me to book their 13-day trip to Sri Lanka.

The holiday started in Colombo, the country’s capital, and did a circular route as far north as the Sigiriya Rock. For me, the best part about the entire experience was seeing the orphaned elephants at the Elephant Transit Home, which is supported by the UK’s Born

Issue two | Check-in

Free Foundation in Udawalawe National Park. There we saw the beautiful animals with their brown exteriors and tufts of hair come lumbering up to the keepers for their milk and branches. It was a truly incredible experience.

The whole two weeks was a fairly intensive trip. We stayed at six hotels in two weeks but that’s the only way to see as much of the country as we did. We spent time in the royal capital, Kandy, visited tea estates and took a safari in Yala.

We saw some gorgeous birds SOLUS

on the safari and someone even said we saw a leopard, although I wasn’t so sure.

The trip was made by two things: our guides and the group that we travelled with.

I’ve been on solo tours before and it was 24 women to three timid men. This was far more even – 19 women to six men – and it made all the difference.

It was the catalyst for our trip.

And, as for the guides, both our English and local tour leaders were fantastic.

I really am a big fan of Riviera. It’s the small touches

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that they include that really make a difference. It sounds small, but they would always make sure we stopped off at clean toilets and refreshment facilities. It’s very important to get the little things like that right and, unfortunately, it isn’t always the case, in my experience, with some other companies.

If you have a good time on a solo holiday, the chances are that you will book with the same company again and again.

After all, why would you risk going with anybody else?

Why travel solo with

Intrepid Travel?

Going solo on your travels doesn’t mean going it alone, far from it. It means, catching the sunrise over Machu Picchu, savouring the sizzle of a Sri Lankan curry and spotting lions in the grassy plains of the Serengeti – all with a group of like-minded friends.

With our average age at 43, over 60% of passengers choose to travel alone. Going solo with Intrepid has major perks; we’ve got expert local leaders to show your clients around, ready-made friends who are itching to explore, and no hidden fees or mandatory single supplements just because they’re travelling solo.

One big real life experience. This is Intrepid.

For more information or to book in trainings, contact our dedicated team of BDMs

Intrepid is for: ü Small groups, big adventures ü Local leaders, real life experiences ü Responsible and sustainable touring ü 100% Guaranteed departures ü 1,000 trips, 100 countries

Intrepid Loves Agents Need training, inspiration? Want prizes, marketing collateral? Intrepid Loves Agents is our dedicated online portal for all things selling Intrepid.

Our most popular solo travel tour

intrepidlovesagents.com

Golden Triangle – 8 days from £499pp

at ukbdm@intrepidtravel.com or call us on 0808 2745 719

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Patrick Briscoll 47, south London I first travelled solo in 2010 with Intrepid Travel. I’d done a bit of travelling while in the army, but never travelled on my own. I was never in the position to do so. But, in my late 30s, I found myself in the position, financially, to travel, but I had no one to go with. It’s that thing – you can never find people and say, ‘Come on, let’s go to Cambodia’. It’s the usual thing if you’re a student and you have a gap year. I fancied somewhere a bit different. I went into a Flight Centre and got chatting to a great girl and gave her a list of things I’d like to do and she put

it all together and said, ‘Why don’t you go with Intrepid?’.

So I went to Thailand and Vietnam with them on a 21-day trip, and then solo on to Australia. And that was the long and short of it!

It’s a fantastic region.

Travelling with a company like Intrepid is great, because everything is done for you. You can cover such a lot of ground, even on a short trip, because you’re on a schedule. You’re not wandering around trying to find a hotel, or at a bus stop trying to figure out how to get here, there and everywhere.

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It was a great experience going to these places that I’d always dreamed of going. It really inspired me and I’ve been doing it ever since.

I was anxious beforehand, to be honest, and I needn’t have been. There were four people in the group that were also solo travellers. They were young women and they had done everything on their own and they weren’t nervous at all. So I thought there must be something to this. They really put my mind at rest – I realised it was a great thing to do.

The guides, they’re local guys and they’re passionate SOLUS

about their country. They really look after you. You get taken to places that really delve into a country’s culture. Beach holidays are fine, but that isn’t what it’s all really about.

I’ve been everywhere with Intrepid since – Nepal, Peru, Tibet. I went to Mount Everest base camp, which is an experience I’ll never forget. It was quite a tough trip!

I was in Nepal just before the earthquake, two weeks after I left, it struck. I remember feeling devastated for the people there, they’re such beautiful people. So I raised some money running

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a marathon for the Intrepid Foundation, and I went back there last year.

I’m seeing a lovely young lady now, so I’ll be travelling with her. We’re thinking maybe Canada this year – hiring a Winnebago and heading across the country.

I always tell people who are thinking about travelling solo, but are apprehensive to do it, that going on your own forces you to meet people. You make so many friends, friends for life. I’ve met so many people who I still meet up with, in both London and other parts of the world.

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OPINION

Opening up the world G Adventures’ Brian Young on how to sell to the growing solo market The world is no longer a scary place. The advent of the internet and its increased prominence as a source for travel inspiration has opened the world up, and places that were once seen as remote are now seen as now fully accessible. This has removed the fear of the unknown from travelling, and led to an upsurge in people booking to get out into the world and visit their dream destinations – with or without a travelling companion.

When a travel agent has a customer who is looking to go at it alone, there are myriad options for them to choose from. What many agents don’t think of is that joining a small group tour is the perfect solution for solo travellers who want peace of mind knowing every detail is looked after, and that they will be travelling with likeminded people. At G Adventures, around two thirds of travellers are the only one on the booking, indicating this is a huge trend.

Many travellers travel solo as part of a group trip as their main holiday, while

Brian Young, managing director, G Adventures SOLUS

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April 2017 | Section Name

SOLUS

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Issue two | Check-in

others build a group tour into a longer independent itinerary.

Today’s solo travellers come from all demographics and many countries, and have very different stories to tell. Solo travel is no longer just about a backpacker going off into the world. Today’s solo travellers are married or have partners who don’t want to join them in their desired destinations. Some have never married, or are widowed or divorced. Some simply want to travel somewhere none of their friends are interested in travelling to.

Travel companies are waking up to this growing and ageing market, and solo travel is becoming a lot easier on the wallet than it used to be. Many travel companies, including G Adventures, now offer no single supplement and instead pair travellers up with a traveller of the same sex, so they are not penalised for travelling solo. A ‘My Own Room’ option is available for those looking for a little more privacy. G Adventures’ sister company,

Just You, specialises solely in holidays for single travellers, selling tours on a single occupancy basis. Many cruise lines are now adding solo cabins to new cruise ships to minimise the impact of having to pay a single supplement.

Agents should ensure they are educated on all the options available to solo travellers as this is a growing and lucrative market. Group travel is just one way to sell solo travel to a customer who may still have reservations.

Group travel enables travellers to travel solo, but not alone. The safety and security of a group takes away some of the hesitation people might have in terms of safety and security. All G Adventures trips are led by a designated chief experience officer (CEO) who is on hand throughout the trip to help with local language barriers and cultural nuances.

Travellers on our trips often make friends for life, and rebook onto another tour with their new group of friends.

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On average, half the travellers on a G Adventures trip are travelling solo. Our trips attract people from all over the world who are seeking out new experiences and connections with new people and places.

For those travellers looking for more independence in a group tour, there is plenty of free time built into the trips. So if a traveller wants to linger at a cafe, or head out for a spot of shopping at the local market, they can. Small group trips offer structure and direction, but travellers decide how to spend their time when they’re not travelling with the group.

Above all, travelling solo enables travellers to step outside their comfort zone, try things they haven’t tried before, immerse themselves in new cultures and ways of doing things, and accomplish the travel goals they have always dreamed of. Travel agents have a huge opportunity to recognise these customers and help them pave the way to the solo travel trip of a lifetime.

ALL

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Vienna (overnight), Melk, Linz (overnight), Passau (overnight), Vilshofen an der Donau, Krems, Bratislava, Vienna (overnight).

Solo fares from £4,104 per person fly/cruise

Crystal Mozart ‘Best New River Ship’

CRYSTAL CRUISES VOTED WORLD’S BEST MORE THAN ANY OTHER CRUISE LINE, HOTEL OR RESORT IN HISTORY

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING PLEASE CALL:

020 7399 7604

www.crystalcruises.co.uk

ABTA No.V8548

Fares are per person, cruise only in UK sterling based on solo occupancy in a W1 stateroom and include port, security and handling charges, which vary by departure. All fares, offers and itineraries are subject to change and availability and can be withdrawn at any time. Fares may fluctuate and should be used as a guide only. Prices may go up or down. You should contact us on 0207 399 7601 before booking, or visit our website www.crystalcruises.co.uk. The fares are available to new bookings only and are only available to UK & Eire residents. Restrictions apply. See crystalcruises.co.uk for complete terms and conditions of all offers. (c) 2015 Crystal Cruises, Inc., Ships' registry: The Bahamas.©2016 Crystal Cruises, LLC. Ships’ registry: The Bahamas.

TM

Issue two | Explore

INFOCUS

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Sam Ballard profiles the Norwegian-owned line which prides itself on its offering for solo travellers – allocating 10 per cent of cabins on every one of their cruises There are few cruise lines operating in the industry today who commit to an offering quite as extensive as Fred Olsen Cruise Lines when it comes to solo travellers. From offers on the supplement that passengers pay, to dedicated cabins and events all designed to make the experience less daunting for those individuals who are travelling alone.

“For every one of our cruises we allocate at least 10 per cent of cabins to single passengers,” Justin Stanton, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ sales and marketing director, explains.

“That’s in addition to running offers on our single supplement rate throughout the year, too.

Overall about 12 per cent of our passengers are solos.”

That rate is more than impressive, it’s one of the best

in the industry. To put it into context Norwegian Bliss, which launches in 2018, has 82 single cabins in its purpose-built Studio area out of 2,220 (3.6 per cent) while Celebrity Edge will have just 16 solo cabins out of 1,467 (one per cent).

The line, which operates four ships (Balmoral, Black Watch, Braemar and Boudicca), is known for its British style of cruising, running a range of

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Issue two | Explore

regional departures. Despite the line reducing the number of UK ports it operates out of to five (from 10), 52 per cent of Fred Olsen’s passengers still live within 90 minutes of a departure port, down from 57 per cent previously.

According to Stanton, “Reducing the number of ports, thereby reducing the repositioning costs, improves the guest experience – complaints on cruises with late embarkations are nearly 70 per cent higher than those without – allowing us to work with a smaller number of ports to improve the embarkation experience and to be able to market these ports more effectively due to more cruising being available from each one.”

That focus has led the 2018/19 cruise brochure to include a far greater emphasis SOLUS

on the company’s fly-cruise and experiential programme.

“With our longer cruises we are introducing more authentic experiences,” he adds. “We’re looking at things our guests rate really highly and looking at how we can improve it. In our 2018/19 programme we dock right in the heart of Seville as we have done before but this time we will be there when the orange blossom comes out. We’ll be going to Sydney, but this time we’ll be there on our World Cruise on New Year’s Eve for the fireworks. It’s a real once-ina-lifetime moment.”

It’s not just the rates that Fred Olsen tries to make appealing to solo travellers. The fact that the ships are smaller means that there is a more intimate, convivial atmosphere across the fleet. Stanton

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believes that this feeds into the feeling of community on board.

“There are other things we do, too,” he adds. “We have a solo get together in each port of call and organise an allocated meeting point for singles so they can go off together if they want to, if they want to dine with other singles then they can dine together. However, what’s key is that if solo travellers don’t want to do any of this then they don’t have to. The choice is entirely with them.

“Often they make friends on board and will come back together as a group.

“Making people feel welcome on board is key to our success.

It’s about the small touches too – such as preparing the cabin for one person. If someone is used to travelling as a couple and is no longer doing so the last thing they want to see is a

Issue two | Explore cabin made up for two people.

It makes them feel out of place.

“Whatever the circumstances are when they travel alone we must make them feel comfortable.”

For Fred Olsen the proof of their strategy is paying off.

Revenues were at record levels last year and profits would have been too had it not been for the impact Brexit had on exchange rates. The 2018/19 programme launch led to record numbers, too, with more than £3 million worth of business on a single day. However, when it comes to solo travel, Stanton says, the programme was “about recognising that it was something we were already good at and then proactively thinking we could run with it”.

“It was the right thing for us to do as a brand,” he adds.

“About a third of people over 50 are single so the market is growing. It’s great for us to be able to reach that market and deliver it well.”

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This 13-night cruise departs from Portugal and calls at Madeira and the Azores before crossing the Atlantic for three nights in Hamilton, Bermuda.

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Founded in 2014, cruise adviser, the sister publication of Solus, brigs together the most insightful commentary, news and analysis for those selling cruise holidays

You can find us at cruise-adviser.com (compatible with smartphone and tablet), on Twitter (@cruiseadviser) and Facebook

Printed ten times a year, cruise adviser is aimed at front-line British travel agents and other sellers of cruises

Sign up for our monthly update for the chance to win prizes when selling cruises by emailing info@cruise-adviser.com

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passage to

India

From the madness of Mumbai, to the glorious beaches of Goa and Varkala, not to mention incredible food at every turn, Anthony Pearce reveals the delights the subcontinent has to offer for the solo traveller

Issue two | Explore Mumbai overwhelms the senses.

From the spices to the heat, the smog, the crowds, beeping cars and kick-starting tuck-tucks, this is a city where peace and quiet are at a premium. Like many others, it was my first introduction to India, and it left a lasting impression. In my six weeks in the country, travelling solo, I discovered the idyllic beaches of Goa, the tranquil backwaters of Kerala and the ancients ruins of Hampi, but all I could see upon arrival was five lanes of traffic merging into one, kamikaze taxi drivers and a rubbish heaps of burning plastic on the side of the road.

People often frame India, and particularly Mumbai and Delhi, as a love or hate place, but it’s possible to feel both.

Mumbai is difficult to crack and harder to love, but it’s worth it when it starts to make sense. The sentiment that it is not for everyone is a huge understatement: I spent the first day of my trip, jet lagged, wondering if I’d made the right decision, especially given I’d booked five nights in the city –

two at the start of the holiday and three at the end.

In all honesty, I couldn’t wait to leave, but then found myself looking forward to returning throughout the trip.Mumbai is a beguiling, brilliant, challenging place that offers so much, but can be exhausting and, if you don’t know what to expect, a little scary.

That’s true of much of a country that can seem equally alluring and off-putting; India’s problems with pollution, corruption and sexual abuse won’t have escaped your customers’ attention. It’s also a huge place – it’s 3,287,263 sq km, roughly 13.5 times the size of the UK – and busy. More than 1.2 billion people live there – the same population as China, but in a much more confined space.

As Michael Edwards, UK managing director of Intrepid Travel, puts it: “The frenetic energy of India can be overwhelming for solo travellers.

However, travelling in a group with a local guide gives clients the confidence they need to see the true magic of the country,” he says. “It might seem difficult at first, but the food, culture and people all make India a captivating destination.”

Rachel Jones, who runs the Hippie In Heels blog, and has travelled extensively in the country, adds that, for solo women, India can seem particularly daunting.

“Some would say the media is unfair to India,” she tells us, “but I think it’s important to read the news about how women are sometimes treated in India and be well-informed before you travel here.

“When your expectations are to have a spiritual, life-changing experience and instead you find stares and scams, you’ll only feel let down. I have travelled India solo many times over the last five years, and have lived in Goa for four years so definitely love it here, but it has its challenges as a solo female traveller. The best thing you can do is be mentally prepared for them so that you can fully embrace and enjoy India.”

Preparing yourself is easier said than done, but planning is key, particularly given the size of India. I decided to travel alone, rather than do an escorted tour (although spent much of the time travelling with friends I made along the way).

I plotted a rough journey – that is, Mumbai down to Thiruvananthapuram (formerly the easier-to-pronounce Trivandrum) – through the southwest of the country, before I departed. Opting to choose trains rather than flights between stops, I soon realised Agra, Delhi, Darjeeling and Rajasthan and the rest of the north would have to wait until next time.

I picked Palolem beach in Goa, simply on the basis that it had appeared in a film I like, and took a 14-hour train down from Mumbai, on which I had two naps, three meals (all thalis) and about 20 cups of chai. It felt long enough to take me to a different world and, in a way, it did.

Goa is a paradise, as the many suntanned British hippies who’ve been there for decades will attest.

The trance raves, once a regular feature in the ’90s, may be less frequent, but Goa remains one of India’s most liberal regions, SOLUS

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Issue two | Explore

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Issue two | Explore closer to the islands of Thailand than it is to many other areas of the subcontinent.

Goa has some of the best beaches not only in India, but the world, so it’s no surprise that this is what the area is known for. But there’s more to the region than that. That it was a Portuguese colony until 1961 is plain to see, particularly in the distinctly European Old Goa and Panjim, where brightly coloured restaurants and shops are found on narrow streets.

The food of Goa is distinct, too, and completely different to Southern Indian food found in neighbouring Karnataka, and Kerala. It’s intensively flavoured with kokum (a type of fruit), spices and coconut milk. But the key ingredient in curries here is fish or prawn – something I’d previously dismissed as a weird idea.

Further south I stopped at Varkala, Kerala, another backpacker hot spot, and home to some beautiful beaches, where games of cricket are played on the sand as soon as the sun comes up.

From there, I headed to the backwaters of Kerala, a chain of unspoilt, brackish lagoons and lakes, which span some 1,500 sq km. I spent two of the most relaxing nights of my life on a kettuvallam (houseboat) drifting along these narrow passages. At one point a local fisherman appeared out of nowhere brandishing the biggest prawns you’ve ever seen. The onboard chef cooked them up that night in what was the meal of the holiday.

Down here, the food is different to the Indian cuisine SOLUS

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Issue two | Explore many know. The likes of naan bread, rotis, samosas and Kashmiri dishes such as rogan josh, often found in western restaurants, are from the north of the country. In the south, dishes are based around rice, lentils and stews, and heavily flavoured with taramind. Dosas (lentil and rice crêpes) and idli (steamed lentil rice cakes), in particular, are delicious.

From Kerala it was on to Thiruvananthapuram, Mysore (to see the city’s magnificent palace), Bengaluru (a much more westernised and liberal city than many in the country) then Hampi, an ancient village in the south Indian state of Karnataka. Here, the Virupaksha Temple, which looms above the Hampi Bazaar, is magnificent. Just as amazing is the area’s boulder-strewn landscape – they were once part of granite monoliths that, over time, cracked and fell.

From there it was back to Mumbai. The first time I stayed in busy Panjrapole, but this time headed to Colaba, the old British quarter, which is home to the Gateway to India, the incredible Raj Hotel and the backpackers’ favourite, Leopold Café (which those who have read Shantaram will know), that boasts what must be the city’s coldest aircon. This area, where you’ll find Persian cafés serving the sort of street food that has become a hit in London, furniture shops and, now, boutique hotels, is the city’s coolest, and the reason I reassessed Mumbai. Suddenly, the city’s frenetic nature didn’t seem overbearing but lifeaffirming and brilliantly fun.

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The hunger games Anthony Pearce on the rise of the foodie holiday and a look at some of the tastiest deals

There are few better ways to immerse yourself in a destination than to indulge in its cuisine. Museums and monuments may reveal much about a country’s history, but its food can reveal even more.

In many ways, gorging on carbonara in Rome, paella in Valencia or pie, mash and liquor sauce in the East End is the most culturally immersive experience you can get.

In Britain, our attitudes towards food, the way we view and consume it, have changed hugely over the past two decades. The rise of the

telly chef has coincided with a culinary explosion, which has seen London reach 79 Michelin stars, and the birth of the culinary tour.

Many travellers no longer just want to sample the food when they visit a destination, but build their holiday around it.

Whether it’s fine-dining in Paris or street food in Mumbai, the food and wine-themed holiday has become a phenomenon.

Of course, this desire for gastronomic exploration extends to solo travellers, who are well-served when it comes to themed holidays.

We look at some of the best in escorted touring and cruise for those travelling independently.

Intrepid Travel divides its culinary tours into three categories: Real Food Adventures, Bite-Sized Breaks and Urban Appetisers. The latter (a sub-division of the company)

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offers guests food and culturethemed city tours – including in London (such as a two-hour Soho pub crawl). However, the Real Food Adventures are the most impressive. Perhaps most eye-catching is its 12-day Japan tour, which gives guests the chance to travel from Tokyo through Kyoto to Osaka, where they can learn traditional recipes (from £2,929).

These cities make up three of the four best cities in the world to eat in (the other being Paris), according to the Michelin Guide, which has awarded a staggering 553 Michelin stars between them (incredibly, Tokyo has 132 more than Paris).

Guests are invited to watch yakitori sizzling in Shinjuku’s Memory Lane, eat fresh-offthe-boat sashimi at the Tsukiji fish market and learn to make soba noodles in a cooking class.

A little bit closer to home is its nine-day Greece tour (from

Issue two | Explore £1,624), where guests are invited to explore the cuisine of the Saronic Islands and the Peloponnese region.

The tour, which includes a cookery class in Poros, begins and ends in Athens.

Solos has a great Flavours of Spain itinerary: a six-day holiday based at the friendly, family-run Hotel Alcadima in Lanjarón in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (from £919 including flights).

Highlights include a guided tour of Granada and the Alhambra Palace, Lanjarón cooking class, walking tour and visit to the local honey museum, plus a guided tour of Las Alpujarras with Trevélez ham tasting.

ATG Oxford, which says the “best way to see a country is on foot”, offers walking tours around the world, either through escorted (group) tours or independent tours (managed by tour managers). Many have a gastronomic slant, such as its eight-day Classic Provence trip (from £3,995), from Saint Remy to Bonnieux. On three of the nights, guests dine at one and two Michelin-star restaurants (with wine also included). The company divides its walking tours into five grades – beginning with gentle terrain (grade one) and ending with challenging walks, with long ascents or descents (grade five).

This particularl tour is rated grade two/three.

Then there’s AAT Kings, which specialises in Australia and New Zealand holidays.

Its four-day Sydney Food & Wine Discovery (£619) is a great way to dive into the thriving food scene down under.

SOLUS

The highlight is the chance to visit the Hunter Valley for the region’s excellent food and wine, enjoy a private tour of the vineyard and learn about the winemaking process.

Any food lover should also consider a cruise, where the

dining experience plays such a key role. Crystal, which has reduced single supplements, with fares as low as £1,924 on both Crystal Symphony and the gorgeous Crystal Esprit.

Its six and nine-day round-trip from Victoria (which include a two-night Dubai land package), may not be specifically food themed, but Crystal boasts some of the best food at sea.

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AmaWaterways has waived its single supplement on a wide range of its 2017 sailings, including on its Taste of Bordeaux wine-themed itinerary. The cruise follows a route along the Garonne river and its surrounding estuaries on AmaDolce (from £2,311), and includes wine-themed shore excursions, wine presentations and tastings on board, plus all meals (with wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner).

The same is true for its Rhone & Provence wine-themed cruise, as well its Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of the Mekong itinerary, which, although not food-themed, allows guests to experience some of the world’s most fascinating cuisine.

Uniworld also waives the single supplement on a couple of its Connoisseur Collection departures: the eight-day Burgundy & Provence (July 23 departure, from Avignon (and its 15-day A Portrait of Majestic France itinerary, (August 12 departure).

Ticket to

Ride

Sam Ballard gets on his bike and asks why cycling holidays have become so popular in recent years and why they are perfect for solo travellers looking to discover new places

Issue two | Explore From the mighty Tour de Yorkshire to Olympic gold, it’s fair to say that British cycling is having a bit of a moment. The sight of slightly overweight, middle-aged men decked from head to toe in body hugging Lycra, hurtling down the side of the road on two wheels is becoming less and less surprising. Head out into the countryside and anywhere with a few inclines is crawling with gangs of marauding cyclists.

What was once the hobby of enthusiasts is fast becoming a mainstream activity. With that, cyclists are looking further and further afield to get their fix.

The cycling holiday market is booming and, given the demographics, that applies to solo travellers, too.

“A cycling holiday is great for a solo traveller as you will immediately have a shared interest with the rest of the group,” explains Andy Ross, head of product and cycling product manager at Exodus.

“Over 50 per cent of all of our cycling clients book alone and those couples or friends that come with Exodus are also joining a group as they are keen to meet new people and socialise, rather than just doing their own thing.”

Ross, who has cycled 4,000 miles around the United States and Mexico, clearly has the practical experience to head Exodus’s cycling team. “With a group of up to 16 cyclists you will always find someone who rides at a similar pace and, in the evening, everything is also organised as a group,” he adds.

“So, you will never find yourself on your own unless you actually SOLUS

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Issue two | Explore want to be. A group is also a good way to experience certain countries that may be less safe – particularly for solo female travellers.”

While cycling holidays in countries like France and Spain are always popular, routes in more exotic destinations are constantly being added, too.

Exodus, which has been running cycling programmes for more than 20 years, now has tours in Bhutan and Bosnia. Another company, Explore, has cycling tours in Japan, Burma and Russia, according to James Adkin, the company’s cycling programme manager.

“Our first group cycling trip was launched in 1997 and is still going strong – an easy grade ride on peaceful cycle paths through the Loire Valley,” he explains. “People loved the experience and wanted more, so we grew and added some far-flung destinations. By 2004 we had printed our first dedicated Cycling Adventures brochure with a range of easy to challenging rides. In recent years the demand for cycling holidays has boomed – we now offer a wider range of destinations than ever in Asia, Africa, Europe and America.

“Around 60 per cent of our clients travel solo, so in any group you will be sharing the experience with fellow likeminded travellers.

“You can relax and enjoy your cycling adventure, without the need to plan the route and guide yourself. If you have any mechanical problem we can help repair or replace your bike.

You don’t need to bring your own bike as we include a quality SOLUS

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Issue two | Explore

bike, fitted to your size, that you pick up. We see in our feedback and reviews that solo travellers enjoy the shared experience, often form friendships and sometimes end up travelling with those people again on future trips.”

The idea of taking a cycling tour as a solo traveller may seem incredibly daunting.

However, the entire sector is losing the stigma attached; no longer is it seen as a lonelyhearts club.

According to Andy Fairburn,

marketing manager of Solos Holidays, taking a holiday on your own is now seen as being a more adventurous option than it once was. In fact, those taking solo holidays aren’t necessarily even single. They might have a partner who can’t get the time off work, doesn’t want to take a holiday or is happy to be left at home with the kids.

“We’ve spent 30 years catering our solo holidays,” Fairburn explains.

“For us, it all comes down to flexibility. Some guests will

want to socialise with the rest of the group, others will at times and some won’t want to at all. It’s about accommodating everyone and at the same time making sure everyone feels welcome.”

When it comes to the rising popularity of cycling holidays, there’s one point that will always help push that sale through. One is that it is a healthy holiday option.

That’s a given. However, the second is that it is one of the most environmentally friendly SOLUS

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Issue two |Explore

holidays on the market.

Something that Intrepid Travel have really jumped on.

“Intrepid Travel’s Real Cycling Adventures were officially launched across 17 destinations this year, the UN Year of Sustainable Tourism,” says Michael Edwards, Intrepid Group’s EMEA managing director.

“From cycling alongside the Indian Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar to a Maasai guided ride into the heartlands of Tanzania, the SOLUS

Real Cycling Adventures stay true to Intrepid’s immersive style of travel.

“In line with our commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism, a portion of the proceeds from all Real Cycling Adventures booked will be donated to Bicycles for Humanity, which sends unused bikes to impoverished communities in the developing world.”

The work with the charity and a bigger push on active holidays led to a 54 per cent

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increase in bookings across the entire programme with cycling among the top sellers.

The company now even has cycling tours in Cuba, which is garnering huge interest.

“Being able to launch a completely carbon-neutral tour range that will benefit local communities around the world is something that really resonates with our travellers,” Edwards adds.

“It is great to see the Real Cycling Adventures proving to be so popular.”

Issue two | Depart

EXPERIENCE

How to close the deal Simon Leeming attends the Future Sales Factory event to hone his technique

“Sell me this pen!” – the immortal line uttered by Leonardo DiCaprio in Martin Scorsese’s film The Wolf of Wall Street. But can something so simple be an adequate test of how good a salesman is? Frankly, as travel agents working in one of the most complex and competitive industries to sell in, the answer is a resounding no.

But what is the difference between a good salesman and a bad one? We all remember times when we’ve been sold to, and chances are we remember it due to a bad salesperson. We

want to buy something, not be sold it, and that is exactly how a solo customer feels when booking their dream holiday.

I wanted to know more and with a thirst for learning, recently joined a sales conference at the Dalmahoy Hotel near Edinburgh run by the managing director of Future Sales Factory, Matthew Quinn.

“The course isn’t setting out to tell you how to do your job, but simply identifying a process that will help you convert more sales or bookings,” he explains.

A key goal of the course is to make sales more palatable and

easier to do. How many times have you quoted a customer only for them to book on a website or go with a competitor? As Quinn says, the pen quote and other gimmicky sales lines have no place in modern day learning and that, in reality, every sale follows a six-step process.

Identifying that process and then practising it helps create a need for the customer and not just a want, essentially empowering them to buy that holiday from you. Why does the customer need to book with you?

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Issue two | Depart

The two-day course is free of any role play, instead providing an inspirational explanation of the theory and encouraging you to identify how this process takes place while a solo customer is sitting in front of you or on the phone. The end goal of this process would be selling that holiday, so how can you work backwards through the process to ensure you convert?

Quinn also explains that every human has two of six buyer motivations and it’s important for us as salespeople to identify them early and SOLUS

tailor our sales pitch to ensure that it satisfies those motivations. Someone who is looking to book their solo holiday on the value of the holiday experience could be very different to someone who requires knowledge they will be safe on their own or that they simply require a customer relationship with you.

The course also enables you to handle objections and overcome them, helping to identify when a customer is saying no because of price or whether they don’t perceive adequate value.

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Whether you are an individual agent or run a company of agents, I can only encourage you to explore this option as a way to enrich the sales knowledge of your staff and numerous companies in the travel industry have already taken that step with Future Sales Factory.

Was I sold to during the two days? No, I bought an inspirational experience that I will remember for the rest of my career.

Turn to p47 to win a place on a Future Sales Factory course

GAMESROOM

Each issue, we bring you a selection of things to do on your lunch break or journey to the office

CROSSWORD

ACROSS

DOWN

6 Flings (4,7)

1 Medical approach (11)

7 Left at sea (4)

2 Citrus peel (4)

8 Inspecting (6)

3 Speech or mint, perhaps? (5-6)

9 The foremost part of 14 Down

4 Cooked by dry heat (5)

(3)

5 Its capital is George Town (5,6)

10 Economic yardstick (1,1,1)

12 What all cruisers should do

11 Legislative measure (3)

(5)

13 Watering hole (6)

14 Craft (4)

14 Claims (4) 15 Found between Barrow and Tierra del Fuego (3,8)

SOLUS

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Issue two | Section Name

QUIZ

WIN! A place at a Future Sales Factory conference

1. The longest bridge in the world is 164.8km long – in what country would you find it?

2. Which city boasts the largest number of Michelin-starred restaurants?

3. Junko Tabei, who died last year, was the first woman to do what, in 1975?

4. What is the national fruit of India?

5. Indian singer Asha Bhosle was referenced on a number one hit by which band in 1998?

6. Who was born Audrey Kathleen Ruston in Brussels, Belgium in 1929?

7. Whose autobiography was called Moab Is My Washpot?

8. A-Ha wrote the theme tune for which James Bond film?

Win a place on a two-day public sales skills course at the Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club in Edinburgh. To enter, answer the following question:

9. What is a lammergeier?

10. The Orient Express originally ran from Paris to which other city?

To enter, answer the following question and send your answer to info@waterfront-publishing.com with the subject line as ‘Solus competition’

11. A stand is the collective noun for a group of what birds?

12. What links Mae West, Karl Marx, Marlon Brando and Marlene Dietrich?

Holyrood Palace is in which Scottish city?

Answers at the bottom of the page

The winner can choose to join the course on their choice of the below dates: May 18/19; June 29/30; July 25/26; September 28/29

Terms and conditions apply, see bit.ly/2ekwfIT QUIZ ANSWERS

1. China 2. Tokyo 3. Climb Mount Everest 4. Mango 5. Cornershop 6. Audrey Hepburn 7. Stephen Fry 8. The Living Daylights 9. A bird of prey 10. Istanbul (Constantinople) 11. Flamingos 12. They all appear on the cover of The Beatles’ ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’

SOLUS

47

DIRECTORY Do you have a story for us? Email info@cruise-adviser.com A

AAT Kings Heather Colbourn, senior sales manager 07824 486 544 heather.colbourn@aatkings. co.uk

A-Rosa Lucia Rowe, head of sales UK and Ireland 07842 026 013 l.rowe@a-rosa.de

Amadeus River Cruises Brooke Daniels, UK sales manager 080 0035 6411 brooke@fredrivercruises.co.uk

AmaWaterways Jamie Loizou, sales, marketing and digital director 033 3305 3902 jamieloizou@amawaterways. com

APT Touring Kate Ashman, sales and commercial specialist 01494 736 147 agentclub@aptouring.co.uk

ATG Oxford Juliette King, sales manager 01865 315 678 trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

Avalon Waterways James Mortimer, agency sales executive 020 8315 4585 agencysales@avaloncruises. co.uk

B

Back-Roads Touring Lockie Turner, business development manager 020 8987 0990 l.kerr@backroadstouring.com

C

Contiki Laura Brown, head of sales 07917 608 766 laura.brown@contiki.co.uk

Cosmos Tours & Cruises James Mortimer, agency sales executive 020 8315 4585 agencysales@cosmostours.co.uk

Cox & Kings Greg Thurston, national account manager 07748 807 276 greg.thurston@coxandkings. co.uk

CroisiEurope Gabrielle Alam, head of sales and marketing UK 020 8328 1281 resuk@croisieurope.com

Cruise & Maritime Voyages Lisa Jacobs, head of trade sales 0844 414 6140 lisa.jacobs@cruiseandmaritime. com

Crystal Cruises Mick Dupont, head of UK sales 020 7399 7602 mick@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

E eWaterways Cruises Emma Wild, head of sales 080 8168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.co.uk

Exodus Dan Jackson, agency liaison manager 07879 336 324 djackson@exodus.co.uk

Explore Sarah King, sales manager 01252 883 721 sarah.king@explore.co.uk

F Ffestiniog Travel Michelle Hawes, tours supervisor 01766 772030 michelle.hawes@ffestiniogtravel. co.uk

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Becky Smith, trade support manager 01473 746 164 cruise.sales@fredolsen.co.uk

Fred Olsen River Cruises Brooke Daniels, UK sales manager 0800 021 3172 brooke@fredrivercruises.co.uk

G G Adventures Jerrine Barnett, new business development manager 07432 429 836 / 020 7243 9870 ext. 9948 jbarnett@gadventures.com

I Intrepid Travel Andrew Turner, head of industry sales 080 8274 5719 ukbdm@intrepidtravel.com

J Journey Latin America Mary Anne Nelson, senior travel consultant 020 8747 8315 agents@journeylatinamerica. co.uk

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Issue two | Depart Just You Georgia Lewis, business development manager 01858 588 337 georgia.lewis@justyou.co.uk

K Kirker Hisham Mahmoud, agency sales manager UK & Ireland 020 7593 2288 hisham.mahmoud@ kirkerholidays.com

L Latin Routes Jessica Bain, director 020 8546 6222 info@latinroutes.co.uk

Leger Holidays Ashley Dellow, head of retail sales 01709 385 811 retail.sales@leger.co.uk

M The Majestic Line Marie McGhee, sales manager 01369 707951 info@themajesticline.co.uk

MSC Cruises Victoria Taylor, sales operations manager 020 7092 8182 ukinsidesales@msccruises.co.uk

N Newmarket Holidays Richard Forde, agency sales manager 0330 160 4799 travelagents@ newmarketholidays.co.uk

Norwegian Cruise Line Jeremy McKenna, head of sales UK and Ireland 07408 805 216 jmckenna@ncl.com

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On The Go Tours Kate Filer, sales manager 07985 660 303 kate.filer@onthegotours.com

Tauck Kathryn Coles, UK and Ireland sales manager 080 0810 8020 tauckreservations@tauck.co.uk

Thomson Cruises Andrew Isherwood, commercial support team 020 3451 2762 commercial.support@thomson. co.uk

Titan Travel Edwina Coppock, agency sales manager 01293 450 726; 07834 652 135 edwina.coppock@titantravel. co.uk

Travelpack Heena Bhudia, business development manager 07958 359 505 heena.bhudia@travelpack.com

P P&O Cruises Natasha Richardson, director of sales operations 023 8065 7259 natasha.richardson@ carnivalukgroup.com

Princess Cruises Victoria Snelgar, sales operations manager 023 8065 6613 victoria.snelgar@princesscruises. co.uk

R Riviera Travel Darren Mussell, agency sales assistant manager 01283 744 307 agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk

Royal Caribbean International Trade support team 01932 834 379 salessupport.uk@rccl.com

S Saga Travel Sukina Fagg, national account manager 080 0074 8021 sukina.fagg@saga.co.uk

Shearings Holidays Michael Bowers, national sales manager 01942 823 449 sales.support@shearings.com

Solos Holidays Julian Simmons, agency liaison 020 8951 2810 travel@solos.co.uk

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U Uniworld Boutique River Cruises David Chidley, national sales manager 07408 855 544 david.chidley@uniworld.com

V Voyages to Antiquity Michelle Daniels, head of groups and partnerships 01865 302 2565 m.daniels@voyagestoantiquity. com

W Wendy Wu Tours Adam White, trade support and marketing executive 020 7939 9560 adam.white@wendywutours. co.uk

Issue two | Depart

FINAL WORD

Time to brush up on Brexit From roaming charges to health cards, customers are going to want answers “We are in unchartered waters and inevitably there is going to be some nervousness,” said Alan Wardle, director of public affairs at Abta, after Theresa May pulled the trigger on Article 50, formally beginning the process by which the UK leaves the European Union.

Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, declared that the EU was “already missing Britain” after receiving the notification, but, shortly after, a diplomatic row broke out, with May accused of “blackmail” over a veiled threat regarding co-operation with Europe-wide intelligence services. The next few weeks were much the same.

It’s been an early indication of just how complicated the process of exiting the EU will be, and a reminder, given how many points of contention there will be, just how hard the travel industry will have to work to get its voice heard.

“The priority for the travel industry is continuing to make sure that the government recognises the industry’s needs for a successful Brexit,” said Wardle. “Things we take for granted, such as the ability to travel without restriction across

Europe and flying to many destinations, will need to be secured come Brexit day.”

“We shouldn’t forget [that] this is a two way negotiation – UK residents made 37m business and holiday visits to the EU in 2015. We are a massively important travel market to the EU,” he said.

However, with the pound weaker than before, flight costs slated to rise (amid warnings from airlines that they may relocate), the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in jeopardy and some unwelcome and worrying talk of visa costs, the travel industry will undoubtedly be impacted, certainly in the short term, maybe in the long term. Miles Morgan has spoken of “not talking ourselves into a crisis”, and he’s right that putting on a united, positive front is needed during this challenging time, but we shouldn’t kid ourselves into thinking this is going to be the easiest of times. That said — the travel industry is incredibly resilient and will survive.

Solo travellers are those with a determination to travel, and

it will take more than Brexit to stop them. The way people holiday and the destinations they visit may change (domestic holidays are almost certainly going to rise), but people will still travel.

Customers will come armed with questions about the Brexit effect — be it roaming charges or talk of flight-delay compensation, currently covered under EU, not domestic, law – meaning we’ll all need to do our homework and stay on top of the many twists and turns that this road away from Brussels is likely to take. It’s also worth investigating companies that have promised to freeze prices, such as Riviera Travel (on its river cruises until October 2017) and the countries, such as South Africa, where the Rand is week, that still offer good value for money.

The next issue of Solus magazine will be publsihed in September 2017 SOLUS

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