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October 17 2008 • ISSUE NO 1,612
GREECE How Crete is top of the sales pops for one specialist tour operator
WITH THIS ISSUE
Crete Picture: Cyplon Holidays
THIS
WEEK
● THERE’S A SHORT BREAK FOR TWO TO BE WON WITH HOSEASONS – Page 2 ● SURVEY REVEALS CONSUMER CONFUSION OVER PROTECTION – Page 3 ● PLAY SU DOKU AND YOU COULD WIN A £50 MARKS & SPENCER VOUCHER
Hoseasons Ad
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This Week News ........................................................3-6 You Could Win a £50 Marks & Spencer Voucher in our Prize Su Doku Puzzle.....6 Cruise News..............................................10 Business Travel.........................................11 Bulletin Crossword ................................11 Noel Josephides........................................12 Greece ...................................................13-16
Lapland ................................................17-19 Keeping track of the massive changes over 20 years in the market for Lapland experiences.
Personality Profile ................................20 Southern Africa .................................21-23 A round-up of new products and developments across the region.
FRAGGLE FRIENDS… Arnold Fisher Insurance Services sponsored the FHA’s campaign by giving a Fraggle toy to delegates in exchange for a contribution. Pictured with the charity’s Jacqulyn Bell are, from the left, the company’s Paul Turner, Vito Sepe, Jackie Knight and Stuart Burt.
is published by Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd, University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EX. Tel: 020-7834 6661 • Fax: 020-7834 7519 e-mail: post@travelbulletin.co.uk Publisher:
Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette@travelbulletin.co.uk Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk Features Contributor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon@travelbulletin.co.uk Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim@travelbulletin.co.uk Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick@travelbulletin.co.uk Sales Executive: Ebby Simsek ebby.simsek@travelbulletin.co.uk Sales Executive: Robert Grover robert.grover@travelbulletin.co.uk Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk Online Operations Manager: Ian Roullier Circulation Manager: Jim Merchant
Printed by: St Ives plc Origination by: Bidder, Bone & Clifft, London EC1M 5QP Travel Bulletin is published weekly and distributed to every ABTA, TTA & GTG agent. Subscriptions are £75 p.a. for tour operators and others, plus additional ABTA, IATA copies. Overseas subscriptions by air mail, £125. ISSN: 0956-2419
ABTA’s Holiday Survey reveals extent of consumer confusion on financial protection from PAUL SCUDAMORE, Gran Canaria
ABTA used The Travel Convention to alert the industry to some of the latest trends and figures which could help agents and operators plan for the present and future. Many of the conclusions came from the latest ABTA Holiday Survey conducted by Ipsos MORI. For instance, almost six in ten (58%) of respondents said that they were not aware, didn’t know or couldn’t remember if financial protection was included or not in their last holiday they booked, yet 82% said it was important their travel arrangements were financially protected. The survey revealed that only one in ten (9%) of respondents was aware that financial protection was not included for the travel arrangements they bought and of those, a fifth (19%) then went on to complete the transaction anyway, while 76% said that they arranged their own specialised
travel insurance policies. ABTA’s chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “It’s not surprising consumers are unclear about financial protection for holidays. The area is incredibly complicated. “The law governing the financial protection of holidays is now outdated, and the way we all buy holidays has changed massively over the past few years. We can see from this survey that there is clearly a gap in people’s desire to be protected and actually being protected. Either travellers assume cover is included or they don’t want to spend the time getting tangled up in that level of detail. “We have been lobbying our Government and governments in Europe to change legislation, but so far there has been none.” The survey also revealed that younger people were more likely to ● Continued on Page 6
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News Govt slammed for domestic tourism policy
HOT TO TROT… The Family Holiday Association can help around 40 underprivileged children have a break away with their family thanks to delegates at The Travel Convention in Gran Canaria who helped raise £6,000 through a number of initiatives, including a fun run organised by Argyle Recruitment and the Gran Canaria Tourist Board and sponsored by Citybond Suretravel. Pictured are the winners Howard Dove of Holiday Extras and Gill Blundell of Worldwhoice with, from the left: Jacqulyn Bell of the FHA; Martine Sullivan, Argyle Recruitment; Iain Chalmers, Citybond Suretravel, and Davinia Matarredona, Gran Canaria Tourist Board.
C H E C K YO U R I N B OX F O R
T O D AY Featuring the latest news and offers from: InterContinental Aphrodite Hills Resort Hotel – For details on an exciting trade sales incentive, see: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/ebulletin/171008/aphroditehill s.htm
Dertour – Agent Prize Draw. Win a spa break for two in Baden-Baden. See: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/ebulletin/171008/dertour.htm
Danubius Hotels Group – Discover the treasures of Budapest and get the 3rd night FREE! Log on to: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/ebulletin/171008/danubius.htm
THE Government has been criticised for its lack of support for the domestic tourism industry. Chief executive of Hoseasons Richard Carrick has called on it for a “joined-up” policy to champion the industry following the announcement of the eighth Tourism Minister in 11 years and the news that responsibility for supporting the industry which is worth £85billion to the economy each year is to be split across nine different Government departments. Carrick said: “How can tourism be properly represented at Government level when its minister is so far down the food chain and when it is looked after by a disjointed group of departments all of which have different priorities? How can any minister do the job properly when they are in it for so little time? Successive governments have simply ignored how important tourism is to the UK economy, with the result that we are continually the Cinderella sector.” Last week he criticised key speakers at the ABTA Convention for ignoring domestic tourism and pointed out that the industry accounts for 3.5% of the UK’s economy, employing 2.1million people – some 7.7% of the workforce. He said: “With the economic situation worsening, 2009 actually represents a golden opportunity for the domestic industry. People will still want to go on holiday, but they will look to do so closer to home. It seems crazy at a time when the UK economy needs all the help it can get that the Government is not taking this huge potential seriously.” In the most recent Government reshuffle Barbara Follett was appointed Tourism Minister at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Tourism responsibilities also lie within the new Department of Energy and Climate Change, Department for Transport, Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills, Home Office and the Treasury.
Jetset Flights adds to incentive offer JETSET Flights has announced that in addition to the £10 per passenger Capital Bonds incentive for agents it will also arrange for a £10 per booking duty-free voucher to be sent electronically to the customer via the booking agent. The vouchers have no minimum spend and can be used against a variety of items. The promotion requires no claiming by the agent as vouchers are automatically distributed to the agent so they can be passed on to the client.
Aegean to add third daily flight from STN AEGEAN Airlines is to add a third daily flight from Stansted to Athens from December 15 with connections to 17 Greek destinations. Fares are from £69 including taxes and charges. Details at www.aegeanair. com or on 0871-200 0040 (Greece – Pages 13-16).
MAILBOX Mailings with Travel Bulletin this week include:
Travel Bulletin Star Awards – Photos of this year’s glittering event can be viewed online, courtesy of Fotoseeker. Go to: www.fotoseeker.com/public
AND MORE! Not a subscriber? View online at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/ebulletin/emailpageweb.htm or email: nick@travelbulletin.co.uk
● Transun: Arctic Spirit. Thrilling winter holidays without the need to ski, with exhilarating snow activities in the True Lapland, including huskies and snowmobiles. Plus spend a night in the Snow Castle and take an Icebreaker voyage. See www.transun.co.uk or call 01865-265200. ● Hoseasons Lodges and Parks 2009 collection is out now bursting with great value holidays and brand new and exciting locations. See www.hoseasons.co.uk/agents or call reservations on 0844-847 1144. For further details and special offers please read the mailshots that accompany this issue.
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Newsbites • JET2.COM has announced new flights for next summer from Edinburgh to Ibiza, Menorca and Venice with one-way fares from £46.99, £55.99 and £35.99 respectively. It is also to increase services from Edinburgh to Dusseldorf to four times a week from March 29. Fares are from £24.99 one-way including taxes. It has also announced that Dalaman will be served from Leeds Bradford and Manchester from May to September. The flights went on sale on Monday. • WARNER Leisure Hotels has launched new agent packs which include a 2009 file brochure copy, window poster, customer leaflets, travel agent guide, rack card and competition.
‘Business as usual’ for tourism to Iceland ICELANDIC tourist chiefs are reassuring British visitors that it is “business as usual” despite last week’s turmoil in the country’s financial market. With the devaluation of the Icelandic krona, the tourist board says UK travellers’ spending money now goes further and it is asking UK operators and agents to reassure clients that planned trips will be unaffected. Tourist board director of marketing Sigrun Hlin Sigurdardottir said: “This current advantageous exchange rate means that it has never been a better time for UK travellers to visit Iceland. The ATMs are functioning normally, restaurants are open and tour companies are all operating tour and excursion schedules. Our UK tour operator partners are also promoting some excellent deals which agents should be aware of when speaking to clients about their winter holiday choices. It is definitely business as usual.” Iceland Express has launched a discounted shopping package at £195 including two nights at a three-star hotel and flights. The offer is available until December 15.
Red Sea winter sale from Longwood LONGWOOD Holidays has launched a Red Sea winter sale offering savings in December and January. Offers include £325 for seven nights with breakfast at the three-star Captain’s Inn, El Gouna, and £429 for a seven-night half-board stay at the five-star Hyatt Regency, Taba Heights, including a free upgrade to a sea view room, 15% discount on all beverages and 25% discount on massage treatments and products. Details at www.longwoodholidays.co.uk or on 020-8418 2514.
Newsbites • FLYBE has announced the early release of a selection of sun routes to be featured in its 2009 summer schedule including Birmingham to Dubrovnik and Split, Exeter to Alicante, Dubrovnik, Faro, Malaga and Palma, and Southampton to Alicante, Dubrovnik, Faro, Malaga, Palma and Split. Details at www.flybe.com • THOMSON Worldwide has launched a new America & Canada brochure for 2009/10 featuring fly/drives, escorted tours, cruises and train journeys. • LD LINES has received full approval from the Port of Dover for the introduction of its new Dover-Boulogne service from July 1. The service will offer four sailings a day.
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News ‘Holidays helping credit crunch survival’ NEW research released in Gran Canaria by lastminute.com has revealed that despite the credit crunch Britons are refusing to give up their increasingly precious holidays. A quarter said they viewed their holiday as more important than ever in light of the credit crunch and 35% said that future holidays are helping to motivate them through the current tough times. A quarter also said they were adapting their weekly spending, compromising on drinking and eating out to ensure they save for their holiday.
SU DOKU Win a £50 M&S voucher in the Travel Bulletin Su Doku prize puzzle!
● From Page 3
book in person with a travel agent. Bucking expectations, 16- to 24-year-olds are more likely to book through a travel agent in person than any other age group. Some 45% said they had booked their last holiday in person while 50% said they would use a travel agent online, by phone or in person. The 25- to 44-year-old group was by far the most Web savvy when it came to booking holidays online, with 68% saying that was how they booked their last holiday. More than half of all holidaymakers book through agents or operators by using the Internet, phone or going online, 35% book with an agent and 16% book through an operator. In addition, 19% book with Website-only companies such as Lastminute, many of whom are ABTA members or have companies within their group which are members. Meanwhile, there is a new supplier failure insurance policy for tour operators. ABTA and International Passenger Protection have joined forces to offer ABTA principals insurance that will insure them against losses they incur when a supplier fails. ABTA’s head of finance Mike Monk said: “This product will provide a welcome safety net for ABTA principals who have always in the past had to carry the burden for supplier failure without means of protection. This is even more relevant in the current uncertain world economic climate.” ABTA has also launched a “Book with Confidence” nationwide media campaign with a series of advertorials in regional dailies this week to reinforce the confidence and expertise gained by booking with an ABTA member. Tanzer said: “The strength of the ABTA brand is widely recognised by consumers as a sign of trust and confidence. We hope that by emphasising this we will send a strong message of support to our members and an equally clear signal to consumers.”
Puzzle by ADMAC
ABTA lands in third runway controversy
Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the 3x3 squares contains all the digits 1-9. You won't need any maths to solve it, just a little reasoning and logic. Remember, the numbers 1-9 must appear only once in each row, column, and 3 x 3 block. Once you have completed the puzzle, simply identify the numbers that relate to the letters, A, B, C and D LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION (grey squares) and e-mail the solution, with your name, company name, and full postal address plus phone and ABTA number if applicable to: competition@travelbulletin.co.uk Closing date for entries is next Thursday, October 23. Solution and a new puzzle will appear next week.
Su Doku winner THE winner of the £50 Marks & Spencer voucher prize in the October 3 Su Doku puzzle was Clare Harrington of Hays Travel, Peterlee, County Durham.
ABTA has stepped in to the third runway for Heathrow controversy by hitting out at Tory plans for the airport and the aviation industry, saying they are illogical, ill-conceived and “totally unworkable”. ABTA’s chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “The Conservative Party announcement that they are against expansion at Heathrow and will actively discourage aviation travel it totally illogical. A knee-jerk reaction is not what is needed, particularly when many thousands of jobs depend on aviation, and inward investment could well be threatened. What about travellers from Scotland, Northern Ireland and the regions who have no choice but to use Heathrow as their gateway to international destinations? Their plight seems to have been totally overlooked. “High-speed rail has its place as part of an integrated transport system but should be seen as complementary to air travel, not an expensive substitute. “Lack of capacity at our airports is damaging our economy. It is bad for customers, bad for the industry and ultimately bad for the environment when we have planes in holding patterns across the skies above our heads waiting for landing slots.”
Survey reveals effects of economic crisis DESPITE the economic crisis, more than eight in ten (83%) of those who have been on a recent overeseas holiday are planning to take another one in the next 12 months, according to the ABTA Holiday Survey results revealed at The Travel Convention. It also found that 47% will not adjust their travel plans because of the economic situation, while 24% are still undecided. But while 39% said that they will not plan to reduce the number of holidays they take, 38% said they will take fewer holidays next year. And 35% revealed the current economic situation and strength of the euro will affect the destination they go to – 46% are planning to holiday in western Europe next year compared to 65% this year.
6 October 17 2008
If neon could speak, it would say,
“go ahead.”
Only one destination offers your clients a limitless number of options. With so many of the world’s premier hotels, fantastic shows, unbridled night spots and nonstop action, they’ll be free to raise the stakes. To start planning a holiday, go to www.VisitLasVegas.co.uk or call 08705 238 832 today.
www.VisitLasVegas.co.uk
R&R Job#: __57799_____Date: ___09.29.08___Size ___210 x 297mm_______ Job Title: __LVCVA “Go Ahead”______Publication Name: _Travel Week Bulletin
Welcome to the October edition of the Airport Team news!
www.manchesterairport.co.uk/agents Emma Curnow 07958 877927 emma.curnow@manairport.co.uk
www.eastmidlandsairport.com/agents Katie Kirk 07904 653808 katie.kirk@eastmidlandsairport.com
See the REAL Father Christmas with Transun
Romance in Venice from EMA
Transun has special offers for Lapland, flying from MAN. Short breaks, day breaks and festive collection breaks are all available. They offer guaranteed private family visits with Santa, husky safaris, reindeer adventures and lots more… Further offers include ‘Kids go FREE on Day Breaks & Stay, play and eat for FREE on Short Breaks’. Visit www.transun.co.uk or call Transun on 01865 265200.
Your customers have an even greater choice of flights to this romantic city, with easyJet now offering up to seven flights a week from EMA. With great prices starting from £23.99 one way including taxes. For availability visit www.easyJet.com
Ski across Europe with Crystal
spoilt for Your customers will be resorts on choice with so many offer flying from MAN. snowboard The UK’s No.1 ski and , tria Aus , nce Fra to specialist orra, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Spain, And artures run Slovenia and Finland. Dep ber giving em Dec from d ken wee every ionact oy enj to nce cha skiers the ope’s Eur to ure ent packed alpine adv rmation top resorts. For more info system visit your Crystal booking tre Cen es Sal y ndl frie ir or call the 6. team on 0871 231 225
No-one knows the planet like Kuoni has been voted the World’s Leading Tour Operator for a decade and has been creating tailor-made luxury holidays around the globe for over 100 years. Think Kuoni for great offers from MAN. Save up to £364 per couple on Hua Han, Thailand and up to £274 per couple on Kenya Safari (Ref:N15250/CE910). Visit your Kuoni booking system for the latest offers.
MAN TB_OCTOBER.indd 1
Agents learn to ski with Balkan Last month agents were treated to ski lessons courtesy of Balkan Holidays and EMA. With help from our very own Katie Kirk and Balkan’s Tracey Burke, a fun night was had by all!
Stylish villas in the Mediterranean What better reason to book ahead for summer 09 and choose the pick of the bunch before someone else does. Glorious sunny days, jaw-dropping locations and a big juicy bite of the good life in a hand-picked villa. Style Villa Holidays is offering great savings on EMA departures to Malta, Algarve, Menorca or Cyprus. For the latest offers visit www.styleholidays.co.uk/agent or call reservations on 0844 800 7002.
14/10/08 11:38:43
October 2008 Dear Agent With the Winter months almost upon us there is great emphasis on Ski and all the MAG airports have ski programmes for W08/09. The MAG team also recently attended the Travel Bulletin Star Awards where MAN were nominated and EMA managed to scoop Airport of the Year. It means so much to the whole team.
www.humbersideairport.com/agents Katie Kirk 07904 653808 katie.kirk@eastmidlandsairport.com
www.bournemouthairport.com/agents Jodie Eaton 07958 876906 jodie.eaton@bournemouthairport.com
Make it Malta with Newmarket Holidays
Turkish Delight at BOH Airport
If your customers fancy a great deal look no further than Newmarket Holidays for a range of special Maltese offers! They may want a late getaway? Prices start from as little as £279 for a seven night break departing from HUY on the 11 November 2008. To take advantage book now by calling Newmarket Holidays on 0845 226 7742.
Leading Turkish holiday specialist Holidays4U has chosen to expand its regional departures and for 2009 will be offering flights to DLM from BOH. They will offer weekly flights on Thursdays from the end of July until the end of September. For bookings or more information visit www.H4U.co.uk or call the reservations team on 0844 415 2444.
Amsterdam onwards with KLM KLM now offer up to four flights daily to Amsterdam from HUY. Providing customers with connections to destinations around the world whether it be business or pleasure. For updated offers visit www.klm.com
from HUY Make tracks s HUY with InghamSa rtures from turday depa h
r weekly 2008 throug Inghams offe 6 December commencing to Innsbruck Austrian 09. of EIGHTEEN to 11 April 20 have a choice w for this s ne er e ar om st ch cu hi Your us and Fiss w rfa st offers Se te g la in e th ud l cl r al resorts, in aiting for? Fo w u em st yo e sy ar g t in season. Wha Inghams book y, check your lit bi la ai av d an reservations or call agents 4. 44 80 on 020 87
MAN TB_OCTOBER.indd 2
Winter warmers with Thomsonfly Your customers can now escape to the sun with prices from £49 to Malaga and £59 to Gran Canaria one way including taxes. What are you waiting for? To book these great offers check out the Thomsonfly website www.thomsonfly.com
Save ££££’s with Palmair from BOH For your customers who want to escape to the sun on a budget. For November getaways try Tunisia from £199pp or Fuerteventura from £279pp. Take a look at their Poundsaver brochure for a wide selection of offers to various destinations in the sun, departing now until March 2009. Order brochures at www.palmair.co.uk or for latest deals call 01202 200700.
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Cruise News UK industry on crest of a growth wave THE UK cruise industry is predicting further long-term growth according to the latest figures released at the ABTA Convention in Gran Canaria last week. The Passenger Shipping Association confirmed that 1.5million British holidaymakers are expected to take a cruise this year and predicted further long-term growth. The PSA’s Bill Gibbons said in a statement: “We’re still a relatively young and expanding industry with plenty of opportunity to grow as new ships come into service. With the present difficult economic climate, cruising is better placed than many other sectors as the inclusive nature of a cruise holiday makes it easy to budget for while continuing to offer exceptional value for money. Some 14 ship launches are planned for 2009 and we are anticipating the number of British cruise passengers to exceed 1.6million in 2010.” Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas is due to launch in November next year and will be the largest cruise ship in the world with capacity for 5,400 passengers. Carnival Cruise Lines will launch Carnival Dream, while Italian brands Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises reflect the strength of the European cruise market by launching four ships between them next year – the Costa Pacifica, Costa Luminosa, MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica. New ultra-luxury cruise ships are due for Yachts of Seabourn and Silversea Cruises, while river cruise specialist Viking River Cruises is to launch the 189-passenger Viking Legend which, at 443ft, will be the longest ship on European rivers, and Holland America Line has announced $200million in enhancements to five ships as part of its Signature of Excellence programme.
Hurtigruten has best-ever trading month HURTIGRUTEN reports that last month was its best-ever trading month with sales revenues of more than £3million. It says that bookings have been generated from a mixture of products both for this winter and next year and demand is set to continue as it enters another busy month with the launch of its 2009/10 brochure to the trade. Head of commercial Kathryn Beadle said: “September was a month like no other for us in our history. In an environment where there is so much negativity at the moment, it’s even more encouraging that we are breaking sales records. It’s hard to put this phenomenal demand down to just one factor – it seems to be a combination of many. Undoubtedly the recent BBC programme about the Northern Lights featuring Joanna Lumley has boosted our winter bookings but we’ve also taken a substantial number of bookings from our preview brochure for next year, with agents pushing our early booking discount which is bigger than it has ever been before.”
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines sponsored 22 agents to attend The Travel Convention last week in Gran Canaria. Pictured with the company’s marketing director Nigel Lingard are Linda Hill (left) of Lah Travel and Laura Jones of Gills Cruise Club.
Dedicated Alaska brochure issued by NCL NCL has launched a dedicated Alaska brochure featuring five new itineraries for next year including Alaskan Seascapes to the Golden Gate which takes in Ketchikan and San Francisco, and Pacific Coast & Sawyer Glacier, setting sail from Los Angeles to Vancouver. The brochure takes advantage of the company’s Better Stateroom, Better Price, Better Book Now autumn campaign which enables clients to save up to £190 per person. The promotion enables agents to capitalise on free upgrades of up to seven stateroom grades as all staterooms within a category – inside, oceanview and balcony – are now the same price. The offer applies to all 2009 Alaskan packages booked before the end of this month.
Two Fred. Olsen ships set for Caribbean FRED. Olsen Cruise Lines is promoting its most comprehensive and varied Caribbean cruise programme ever. The introduction of its latest ship, the Balmoral, has increased capacity and allowed for two ships to operate Caribbean seasons simultaneously from different home ports – Barbados and Miami. The Braemar will operate from Miami and the Boudicca from Barbados. Details at www.fredolsencruises.co.uk
Scenic Tours offers five-star river cruises SCENIC Tours has announced a new river cruise programme with flights from Cardiff. The programme offers five-star river cruises with direct flights from Cardiff to Amsterdam and one-stop connections to Budapest. Prices start at £1,495 for a 15-day cruise between Amsterdam and Budapest. Details at www.scenictours.co.uk/cruise or on 0161-236 2444.
Antarctica savings from Discovery Former Ocean Village vocalist Will Martin, 24, has become the youngest tenor in musical history to top the classical charts with his debut album A New World. It got to the No. 1 spot in its first week of release while he was performing back on the Ocean Village. He will be also performing on selected Ocean Village cruises next year. Details at www.oceanvillageholidays.co.uk
VOYAGES of Discovery is to begin its final season for the foreseeable future in Antarctica next month and is offering savings on the Discovery. Bookings made by the end of this month for the DecemberJanuary cruises qualify clients for savings of up to £1,000 per couple. Details at www.antarcticadiscovery.com
10 October 17 2008
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Business Travel
Luxair Luxembourg Airlines reports that with the number of passengers between Luxembourg and London City increasing by 26% this year it is to add connections to the airport this winter and as a consequence will pull out of Heathrow, with the last flight being a week tomorrow. Passengers who have already booked to or via Heathrow will be re-routed without additional fees.
Crossword
THE Institute of Travel Management and Guild of Travel Management Companies have issued a joint statement to travel buyers, TMCs and airline executives that while it is existing practice that airlines refund any taxation charges on receipt of unused non-refundable tickets, the two organisations have become aware of a practice by some airlines to withhold the portion of the total cost referred to as “fuel surcharge”, stating that it is not indeed a tax and therefore not refundable on non-refundable tickets. ITM executive director Paul Tilstone and GTMC chief executive Philip Carlisle say: “Our two associations consider that if an airline practices this approach then the ‘fuel surcharge’ is in effect being treated as part of the ticket price, and airlines undertaking this practice have in effect said this is the case. If this is so, then this element of the fare should be included in any corporate agreements between buyers and airlines. If this is not the case then this surcharge should be refunded if a ticket is not used, regardless of ticket restrictions. “The airline community is entitled to treat the surcharge as they wish a far as refunding is concerned, but you cannot have your cake and eat it. It should either be treated as a tax or as part of the fare or applied accordingly to relationships to TMCs and travel buyers. “We therefore jointly call on airlines who presently treat the fuel surcharge as part of the fare to include it in all corporate negotiations, or treat it as a tax like other airlines. We also call on all buyers and TMC account managers to ensure in relationships with the airlines that they are treating this surcharge fairly, either as a refundable tax or included within corporate deals.”
New look for thetrainline.com Website THETRAINLINE.COM has given its business Website a new look to improve functionality and help customers find the cheapest fares. It has also launched a TV and outdoor advertising campaign to highlight the average 39% saving that can be made by booking tickets in advance. The Best Fare Finder booking tool highlights cheap rail tickets for those who can be more flexible with journey times and dates. It follows the success of Ticket Alert which enables customers to sign up for email alerts when advance tickets for their pre-selected journeys are found. Both tools can be found on thetrainline.com’s corporate clients’ own Websites. Director of sales and distribution Adrian Watts said: “With the added functionality on the site it is much easier for business travellers to book their seats they want, whether this is one next to a power point so they can work or in a quiet carriage if they need to relax after a long meeting.” The Best Fare Finder tool informs customers when they need to travel to get cheap fares such as London-Bristol £10.
Puzzle by ADMAC
ITM and GTMC hit at surcharge policy
Across 1. Part of the TUI group (7) 5. Type of accommodation (5) 7. North African country (7) 8. Pretoria is the capital (3) 10. Italy’s largest lake (5) 11. Belgian city (7) 12. SeaFrance operates from here (5) 13. Language spoken in Iran (5) 19. Stephen Fry is touring this country in a black cab (7) 22. Part of Thomas Cook (5) 23. Tour operator, Page & ___ (3) 24. The Brenner Pass links this country with Italy (7) 25. Paris underground system (5) 26. Welsh city (7)
5. Hotels and resorts company (5) 6. Inner Hebridean island (5) 9. Mountain range (4) 14. Spanish holiday region (7) 15. Caribbean holidays specialist (7) 16. Californian desert resort, ___ Springs (4) 17. Topeka is the state capital (6) 18. Island in the Tyrrhenian Sea (6) 20. Peltours specialises in holidays to this country (5) 21. US state (5) LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
Down 1. She hosts a Frock Exchange on BBC2 (6) 2. Canadian province (7) 3. State capital of New Mexico (5,2) 4. Capital of the Bahamas (6)
11 October 17 2008
p10/N Josephides
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NOEL JOSEPHIDES
Over the last few years the bed banks have been the darlings of the travel industry. Their growth has been phenomenal but so, it seems, are the overheads. The expense of getting known on the Web is growing by the day but the margins are constantly being forced down by the transparency of the product and the need to grow.
I read that Hotels4U made a profit of £1.7million on a turnover of £3.4million in 2006. Yet, to the end of 2007, the turnover had risen to £4.8million but it recorded a loss of £270,600. No wonder they had to sell out to Thomas Cook. I wonder what happened there. Like many of these Web-based technology businesses, the aim is to grow quickly and then sell out to a more traditional player before anyone realises there is not much there to buy. These have been easy businesses to get into because they are so simple. However, a simple business attracts others just because of the very fact that it is so simple, and that’s when the fun starts. Volumes have to keep going up and up and, in order for this to happen, margins have to keep coming down
LOOK OUT FOR THESE
SUPPLEMENTS November 21 “How to Sell” Cruising December 12 “How to Sell” the Middle East Editorial Contact: lauretta.wright@talktalk.net
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and down. There is no future in just selling accommodation that doesn’t belong to you because the owner can always sell it cheaper direct to the consumer if he or she wants to. The price comparison sites further exacerbate the problems of the bed banks because they are instrumental in bringing prices down even further. As I’ve said before, I just cannot imagine why anyone would want to feature on a price comparison site. Just think how much worse the problem would be if bed banks had to bond their turnover and have their accounts scrutinised by the likes of the CAA, IATA and ABTA. However, as they begin to fail, then the chances are they will have to be brought within the system, otherwise the public just will not book with them but would simply book direct with the hotel principal. Finally, don’t forget that bed banks are simply technology companies. They are not tour operators as some of them would lead us to believe. A tour operator runs a far more complicated business. The combination of flight, transfer, accommodation and other services is far more complex than one at first imagines. There is the small matter of visiting and assessing the accommodation to see if it fits the tour operator’s image. Then there is the complication of contracting the flight and the decision as to what proportion of the accommodation is taken on commitment. Then the beds have to be matched with the committed flights and so on and so forth. It’s not easy and because it’s not easy there is the possibility of a higher margin. A well-run tour operation is a much more stable business and able to stand the shocks of a changing business environment because what is produced is unique to that organisation. In the same way as security and moderation is slowly beginning to appear in the financial sector, so will traditionalism return to the travel industry. For the time being there will be no growth in aviation. Once aviation slows so will growth slow in all sectors reliant on aviation to transport people from their home country to foreign climes. The name of the game will be product differentiation and specialisation along with the service to match. Whether you are a tour operator, travel agent or bed bank, if you can stand apart from those companies in the same sector looking for a quick and easy buck then you will survive – and in some cases hopefully prosper – during what it is to come.
Noel Josephides is managing director of Sunvil Holidays To respond to any of Noel’s views email jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk or send us a letter to the address on Page 3
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Destination Update
Pictures: Seligo
GREECE
Crete
Crete is top seller for Olympic Holidays
Seligo expands Greece programme by 70%
CRETE is again attracting the biggest share of Olympic Holidays’ bookings to the Greek islands for next summer with all-inclusive and luxury properties selling best. The operator’s commercial director Photis Lambrianides said: “Crete is almost like a country itself – it’s so much larger than all the other Greek islands and returning clients have plenty to discover. “We offer 17 all-inclusive properties there and the sector is selling well. Crete has a good range of luxury properties in its main resorts and they are also seeing good demand. Crete has something for everyone. Hersonissos and Malia are busy resorts with a lively nightlife, while Elounda and Rethymnon have traditional charm and attract a different market. Aghios Nikolaos and Chania are other lively places, while Bali and Sissi appeal because of their attractive harbours. There’s lots for culture lovers on an island rich in history. “Booking levels to the islands for next summer are broadly in line with market conditions, and besides Crete, Corfu and Rhodes are experiencing upbeat sales. “There was good early interest for Greece and we’ve been getting a steady intake of advance bookings. It could turn out to be one of 2009’s strong sellers. Much of Greece’s success is down to our pricing as there are few increases from this summer. Some of the best value holidays around are to be found in the Greek islands.” Crete is the base for one of three seven-night cruises such as Variety Cruises’ Classical Greece itinerary out of Rethymnon which costs from £1,299 per person. Two itineraries of Zeus Casual Cruises are also offered – the Ionian Odyssey cruise from Zante and the Grecian Delights cruise from Rhodes, both from £759. Lambrianides said: “A cruise allows clients to visit several islands on one holiday. These cruising yachts carry only small numbers of passengers and are of exceptional quality.” Greece also features in the operator’s upmarket Gold Collection and Budget Smart Choice programmes. For next summer prices lead in at £269 per person for seven nights on a self-catering basis at a selection of apartments in Corfu. Twoweek packages start at £279. As an example of other packages available, a ten-night half-board stay at the mid-range Golden Beach Hotel in Rethymnon costs £535 per person for departures between June 20 and July 3 and includes flights from Gatwick or Manchester and transfers. Details at www.olympicholidays.com or on 0844-499 4449.
SELIGO has expanded its Greece programme for next year by 70% to include a selection of self-catering apartments, hotels and luxury villas. The company says expansion follows consumer demand which has been fuelled by the value for money that Greece represents and increased air lift. It says that this year has seen both Corfu and Crete increase in popularity for families. In Corfu next year prices start from £50 per studio per week at the Kavos Marina Beach Studios in Sidari, with hotel options from £57 per week at the Mimosa Hotel, also in Sidari. The Crete programme has been increased by 40% next year with properties such as the Heliatrope Hotel from £85 per person per week on a half-board basis and self-catering from £89 per studio per week at the Happy Days Studios, both in Malia. New are the Azure Luxury Villas which sleep up to four and are in the resort of Tsilivi in Crete. Prices are from £500 per week.
Corfu
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Greece Planet Holidays plans 2009 expansion
Crete and Rhodes debut for easyCruise EASYCRUISE has announced its 2009 cruise itineraries which include stops at some of Greece’s most popular islands as well as the company’s first visit to Crete and Rhodes, and a new range of festival celebrations including the Greek Orthodox Easter. In all it will be running nine itineraries with a seven-night cruise from £310 per person based on two sharing a compact inside cabin, including port and fuel fees, housekeeping and a half-board meal plan. For bookings by the end of this month it is offering savings of up to 20% on cruises next spring and autumn, 30% off its Classical Greece itinerary and up to 40% off its special Easter cruise. The Classical Greece seven-night cruise is on March 28 and April 4 and the Catholic Easter six-night cruise is on April 10. Details at www.easyCruise.com or on 0871-210 0001.
PLANET Holidays is to expand next year’s summer programme to Greece. The operator’s aviation and commercial director Harry Kyrillou said: “We haven’t gone over the top as we are still concerned that sales will not meet expectations as a result of the weak pound against the euro. Having said this, we are encouraged by the feedback of retailers and their clients on the desirability of quality breaks to Greece and the satisfaction on all counts with what we are offering. With this in mind I have hand-picked additional product which will enhance our existing collection.” New for 2009 will be additional hotels on Rhodes including the fivestar Imperial Rhodes in Ixia which used to be a Hilton but has been taken over by a private consortium, the five-star Elysium in Kalithea, the new Port Royal Hotel & Villas in the resort of Kolymbia and the five-star Atrium Prestige in the resort of Lachania. The already-featured five-star Rodian Amathus Beach Hotel has added a new block of suites and the Miramare has also added extra rooms. The lead-in price for next summer is £559 per person at the Rodian Amathus Beach on a bed-and-breakfast basis for departures during the first two weeks of May, including flights from Gatwick and private taxi transfers.
Libra highlights Greek diving holidays LIBRA Holidays has issued its 2009 Greece programme which features diving holidays on seven Greek islands in association with specialist tour operator GoldenJoy Dive. They are Corfu, Crete, Santorini, Skiathos, Kos, Rhodes and Zante. The operator’s yield and product executive Russell Jones said: “As more holidaymakers want more than just sun, sand and sea, diving has gradually become a popular activity for both couples and families. The Greek islands are recorded as the cleanest in the Mediterranean and are proving to be an ideal shorthaul destination for divers to discover and experience the fascinating dive sites and beautiful marine life on the islands.” Daily dives cost from £55 per person and PADI Open Water courses are from £299 per person. The operator offers a seven-night self-catering stay at the Palm Grove Studios in Sidari, Corfu, from £269 per person based on three sharing and including flights next May and resort transfers. Details on 0871-222 8181.
Cadogan to add to choice of hotels CADOGAN Holidays is planning to expand its Greek programme for next year. The operator’s product manager Jennie Dalling said: “We are currently looking at introducing a number of new hotels in the Greek islands. In Rhodes we will be offering rooms at the Amathus Suites, next to the Amathus Beach Hotel Rhodes, with access to all its facilities. I have also selected two fabulous seafront hotels in Mykonos, including the Santa Marina Hotel and Kivotos in Ornos Bay, and the Semeli Hotel, a gorgeous relaxed hotel in the heart of Mykonos town. “In my opinion one of the best places to stay in the Greek islands for families or groups of friends looking for a villa experience away from the crowds is in Crete. We will be offering the Paradise Villas and Thalasso Villas, stunning seafront luxury properties located next door to sister hotel St Nicolas Bay, with access to the resort’s facilities.”
Simpson Travel adds island of Hydra SIMPSON Travel has added Hydra, regarded as one of the most beautiful Greek islands between Poros and Spetses, for next year. It will be featuring a new villa with private pool and a boutique hotel called the Four Seasons (not part of the chain of the same name) located on the beach and accessed only by water taxi. The operator has also added the Fresh Hotel in the Psirri region of Athens Central.
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Cosmos adds five new destinations for ’09
Crete
Cyplon adds properties and islands CYPLON Holidays has expanded its Greece programme for next summer by adding a selection of four- and five-star properties and several new islands including Corfu, Kos, Zakinthos and Santorini which join Crete, Rhodes and Mykonos and the Greek mainland. New properties will include the Out of the Blue Capsis Elite Resort in Crete. The operator’s product director Sharon Yiapatou said: “This resort of five exquisite hotels is on its own peninsular beside a small fishing village and has been superbly designed throughout. It is sure to excite even the most discerning of our customers. While some areas are exclusively for adults, families will find lots of entertainment at the property’s private zoo and its own amusement park, so there is something for everyone.” Details on 020-8340 7612.
COSMOS has added five new Greek destinations to its summer ‘09 programme including the islands of Lefkas, Santorini and Skiathos and the mainland resorts of Halkidiki and Parga. The existing programme to Corfu, Rhodes, Kefalonia, Crete, Zante and Kos has also been expanded. A dedicated brochure is due to be launched on December 18 and will feature products ranging from self-catering to all-inclusive properties from two- to five-diamond rating. The operator’s head of mainstream products Ian Hailes said: “Part of our long-term strategy is to expand our presence in Greece, Turkey and Egypt. “We have targeted key resorts and properties and extended our flying programme to cover the new destinations.” In Halkidiki the resorts of Hanioti, Sani, Nea Moudania, Kalithea and Kriopighi are being introduced. The Skiathos programme will offer Achladies, Aghia Paraskevi, Kolios, Koukounaries, Skiathos Town and Troulos, and flights to Preveza will serve Parga and the island of Lefkas, while the programme to Santorini will feature the resorts of Perissa and Kamari. Prices for the new resorts are from £299 per person based on a seven-night self-catering stay at the three-diamond rated Alkion Aparthotel in Kriopighi, Halkidiki. New resorts in Corfu include Ag Ionnis, Ipsos, Moratika and Ermones, while in Rhodes new are Lindos, Tholos and Ialysos. Crete sees the introduction of Elounda and Aghios Nikolaos with the resort of Tingaki introduced on Kos. Prices lead in at £279 per person based on a seven-night self-catering stay at the three-diamond Marios Studios in Laganas.
Avro expands 2009 flights programme AVRO has expanded its Greek flying programme for next summer. New are the islands of Santorini and Skiathos and Halkidiki on the mainland. Flights are from Gatwick and Manchester. The Skiathos route is to be operated by a Monarch charter each Friday with prices from £319 return. Prices to Santorini each Tuesday start from £320, while flights to Halkidiki each Thursday start from £250. The new destinations complement the existing programme to Chania and Heraklion in Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Kos and Preveza. Details at www.avroagents.com or on Viewdata or 0870-160 8181.
Off-the-beaten-track options by SunIsle SUNISLE says it is honing its expertise as a provider of holidays in offthe-beaten-track destinations such as Kea and Andros and this autumn is adding the unspoiled island of Sifnos in the western Cyclades, two hours by high-speed catamaran from Piraeus. On Siphnos it offers the Alonaki Cottage from £1,148 for seven nights, rental only. It is currently offering a 5% reduction for early bookings and is offering agents 12% commission. Details at www.sunisle.co.uk or on 08000-911601.
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Greece
Ionian Island Holidays is about to release a combined Ionian and Aegean brochure featuring new properties in Kefalonia, Ithaka, Meganisi, Lefkada, Corfu, Paxos, Skiathos, Skopelos and Pelion. A late offer from Manchester a week tomorrow costs £249 for seven nights at the Kalokeri Apartments just outside Fiskado, Kefalonia (pictured). The price includes flights, resort transfers and a welcome hamper. Details at www.ionianislandholidays.com or on 020-8459 0777.
Tourist office reports 2.6m visitors from UK Attraction World expands experiences THE Greek National Tourism Organisation reports that the country welcomed 2,620,000 visitors from the UK last year and figures for this year are expected to be equally as good despite the current global economic situation. It says that this year the marketing strategy has been to promote the country as a multi-faceted destination of international appeal and range, promoting tourism sectors including nautical, cultural, countryside, touring, MICE, luxury, coast and city breaks, especially to Athens and Thessaloniki. The 2009 strategy is to be announced during World Travel Market, and the GNTO is to launch online training courses for agents early next year.
ATTRACTION World has added a selection of experiences on the Greek islands to its portfolio. It previously feature only Athens. Now there are five new tours in Rhodes, Corfu, Crete and Santorini. As an example, a Crete BBQ Cruise costs £49 per adult and £25 per child and starts from Elounda. An Island Tour of Santorini costs £34 per adult and £17 per child and includes a boat trip to the lava islet of Nea Kameni, walking up to the crater of the still active volcano and seeing hot springs where clients can swim in the green sulphur waters or bathe in warm therapeutic mud. Details at www.attractionworld.com or on 0871-700 8888.
The five-star Aldemar Royal Mare Village in Crete, which is offering new wedding packagese for next year with prices from €1,100 for a Premium package, €1,700 for a Silver package and €3,000 for a Platinum package. Details at www.aldemarhotels.com
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Feature Focus
LAPLAND
Keeping track of the massive changes in the market for Lapland experiences by SARA GELDER, head of product, Cosmos
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ELEBRATING 20 years of operation in Lapland this year puts Cosmos Holidays in a stronger position than most other companies in the most difficult trading conditions we have seen since the start of the programme many years ago. Despite the current economic difficulties, many families are still keen to experience a Lapland holiday but this more than ever means that it should be their “trip of a lifetime”. Since we first started operating to Lapland 20 years ago, there have been massive changes in the market with a wide range of operators now offering a broad range of Santa experiences. In some cases, operators have stripped out elements of the Lapland package to keep the price artificially low and therefore meals, drinks and ski boot/suit hire are then payable in resort, which is expensive. Being a specialist product, it is essential that agents fully comprehend the market to be able to sell with confidence. As these are generally high revenue holidays, agents need to be aware of what each experience involves, what is included and what age group it will appeal to. Lapland holidays carry high expectations for the whole ● Continued on next page
❛ As these are
generally high revenue holidays, agents need to be aware of what each experience involves, what is included and what age group it will appeal to
❜
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Lapland â—? From previous page
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family so it’s essential agents have a thorough knowledge of what is involved. Based on an in-depth knowledge and experience of the market, our aim remains to provide an authentic Santa experience with a trusted supplier offering high quality holidays to two of the most popular resorts in Finnish Lapland. The most important element for our guests is the private face-toface meeting each family enjoys with Santa – they are not just part of a crowd trying to catch his attention. Our experienced Lapland resort team plays a big part in providing highly organised holidays ensuring that both children and adults have the very best experience. Our durational trips include full-board in four- or five-star accommodation, a range of exciting winter activities, an authentic Santa experience and Arctic Circle ceremony, ski boot/suit hire as well as flights and airport transfers. To meet demand for a longer length of stay in Lapland, our Christmas trips are now five nights, departing the UK on December 23. There’s a wide choice of accommodation available, from hotels and apartments to log cabins located in the snowy forest – all four- or five-star and offered on a full-board basis to cut down on living expenses in resort. In Levi Fell, Hotel Levitunturi features a kids’ activity centre as well as a heated indoor pool, Jacuzzi and health spa – perfect after a morning enjoying winter activities. It is vital that agents are fully confident with selling Lapland holidays to gain valuable sales. To support the trade our sales team offers training and support whenever needed with personal visits to individual agencies. The sales team recently ran an agents’ Lapland event to increase awareness of Finnish Lapland and to familiarise them with our programme. To help families to budget during the current economic situation, we are offering family saving discounts of more than £700 and low deposits of £50 per person available for bookings made until October 31. What we thought was going to be a very difficult trading period for specialist products such as Lapland holidays has actually turned up some pleasant surprises with our longer and more expensive holidays selling better than the lower cost ones. We have expanded our Lapland programme in the last few years to meet demand for longer duration New Year breaks of five nights departing December 28. Both Levi Fell and Yllasjarvi offer a great range of winter activities including husky dog and reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobiling and toboganning. These winter activities are all included as a taster and give a great experience. Guests can then book up for a snowmobile or husky dog safari, skiing or snowboarding. Before selling day trips, agents need to be fully aware of the itinerary for the day as it is an incredibly early start with airport checkin usually at 05.00 which is not necessarily suitable for younger children. Having said that it’s a fantastic experience as children can try a range of activities such as snowmobiling, husky and reindeer sleigh rides, visit Santa’s post office and elves workshop and ultimately meet Santa face to face and receive a present from him – all in one day.
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3PECIAL OFFERS ARE LIMITED AND AVAILABLE ON SELECTED DEPARTURES SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND MINIMUM BOOKING CRITERIA 0RICES ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABLILITY AND CHANGE #ONDITIONS APPLY $ATE /CTOBER ISSUE ABTA No.V4462 3EE WWW TRANSUN CO UK AGENTS FOR MORE DETAILS
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Day trips and short breaks from Transun TRANSUN has launched a new generation of Lapland day trips and short breaks. The operator’s Lapland brochure has been revamped following major product development over recent months. It says that as some of the established resorts have become more commercialised in recent years with the explosion of pre-Christmas tourism from the UK, it has moved into more authentic resorts that offer visitors an experience of the genuine Arctic wilderness. All the operator’s day trips and short breaks are based in and around Enontekio, a region designed by the local authorities as the “True Lapland”. Short breaks are based around small family-friendly hotels, most of which are family-run ensuring a warm welcome and a comfortable stay. Winter activities are among the most substantial available on the market – not just the two-minute rides that some operators provide. And there is a whole range of snow games available. The operator’s Daniel Tyler said: “We have been operating to Lapland for more than 15 years and during that time we have seen seismic shifts in the nature of the resorts. While many operators continue to pile into towns that are now over-commercialised, we have moved into secluded resorts that still offer the magic and scenery that most visitors to Lapland are hoping for.” Short breaks are available from 12 UK airports with prices from £549. Day breaks are also available from £329 per adult and £299 per child. The operator has extended the £25 per short break booking and £10 per day break booking cash give-away incentive to agents until the end of this month. Details at www.transun.co.uk or on 01865-265200.
Taber Holidays
Hurtigruten offers Lapland itinerary HURTIGRUTEN has introduced a new itinerary for this winter which includes a two-night visit to Lapland. The Lapland Adventure is aimed at those looking for an introduction to Norwegian and Finnish Lapland and a range of winter activities. The itinerary combines a voyage from Tromsø to Kirkenes with a two-night trip to Inari in the north of Finland. It offers a visit to the Sami Museum, Northern Lapland Nature Centre and a local reindeer farm. It is available on selected dates from January to April with half-board prices from £995 per person including flights, two nights on the ship, two nights in Inari and transfers. Optional add-on activities include a husky safari, searching for the Northern Lights by snowshoe, snowmobiling and ice-fishing. It is possible to extend the tour with a stay at the Kirkenes Snow Hotel from £235. Details at www.northernlights.co.uk or on 020-8846 2666.
Blue1 to operate winter flight to Kittila BLUE1, a subsidiary of the SAS group, is to re-start flights on the Helsinki-Kittilä route on November 7. The flights will be operated twice a week until February 13 with increased frequencies during the Christmas and New Year holiday period. From February 13 until end of April it will operate ten weekly flights to Kittilä with connections to and from Heathrow. Several of Finland’s most famous ski resorts such as Levi, Ylläs and Pallastunturi are close to the airport. As an example, it takes only 20 minutes by car to reach Levi. Visit Finland says this is a welcome addition and one that serves travellers looking to make their own arrangements to go to Lapland to ski or participate in winter activities such as snowmobiling, snow-shoe walking and toboganning, or celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Details at www.visitfinland.com
Visit us online at www.taberhols.co.uk for our most extensive collection of winter holidays ever! Featured Destinations: Norway (including Spitsbergen), Sweden, Iceland, Finland. Featured Activities: Whale Watching, Snow scooter safaris, Husky dog safaris, King Crab safaris, Snow-shoeing, Arctic rally driving, Outdoor hot tubs, Steaming saunas, Arctic coastal cruising, Overnight stay in the Igloo Hotel and Snow Hotel. Nordic Only Winter is a product by Taber Holidays. Address: PO Box 176, Tofts House, Tofts Road, CLECKHEATON, West Yorkshire, BD19 3WX. Tel: 01274 875199 Email: info@taberhols.co.uk
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Personality Profile
JOSEPH GRIMLEY Job title: Agency sales manager.
Describe your favourite childhood holiday memory. Beating German kids in a table tennis tournament in Marbella.
Name of company: Page & Moy. What’s your best physical feature? My eyes (all four of them!)
Which nationality do you most admire and why? Any Mediterraneans. They’re happy with the simple things in life; good food, good wine and good company.
What annoying habits do you have? None. What’s your most embarrassing moment? When I left Next Directory my final training group organised a roly-poly-a-gram. They ambushed me in the staff canteen… cringe!
You’ve won a round-the-world trip with five stopovers. Where would they be? Peru, Perth, Boston, Bari, Madagasgar (not necessarily in that order).
Tell us a joke: Did you hear about the dyslexic devil worshipper? He sold his soul to Santa!
What three things do you always travel with (apart from the obvious)? My Croc flip-flops, corkscrew and wife.
What’s the naughtiest lie you ever told? Saying I have no annoying habits (above). What vices do you have? All of them!
What is the greatest lesson you ever learned?
The man who believes in happiness and making a difference and collects vices – all of them
GMTV (see above).
How would you survive on a desert island? With three essentials – wife, BBQ and tent.
If you went on Describe the worst job you have ever Mastermind what would done. Avoid cliches like the plague. Are you a collector be your specialist Sunday morning paper round in 1979, just of anything? subject? as they introduced Sunday magazine Yes, vices. Monty Python’s Life of Brian, or ‘80s pop supplements. trivia. What’s the best present you’ve ever What is your dream job? received? Who would you like Campsite owner Action Man with eagle eyes (Christmas to be for a day and What’s your least favourite and BBQ chef, 1976). why? somewhere hot. mode of transport and why? Antonio Banderas, What’s the worst present you’ve ever The Tube. Everyone looks miserable. How do you because my wife received? relax? fantasises about him. Rubbish Spiderman costume (same Bottle of red and a takeaway vindaloo or Christmas). Tell us something about yourself that BBQ, depending on the weather. not many people know. What single thing would improve your What new law would you introduce? I appeared on national billboards in the life? The three-day weekend. early ‘80s alongside Sally James and the Enough cash to pay off the mortgage. Phantom flan flinger (from Tiswas) in a What would be your epitaph? What’s your greatest regret? carpet advert. See, I told you I was ill. Not buying Next You are invited to a fancy shares when What’s your motto in life? dress party. What would they were 2p Career Path Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll you wear? each. 1988-1994, Next Directory, never get out of it alive. Zorro costume. communications and systems trainer; What 1994-1997, Overseas holiday rep – seven motivates you? seasons back-to-back including Mallorca Happiness and making a difference. and Andorra; 1997-2001, Apollo Travel, What’s the first thing you notice about Rotherham. Apollo World Promotions, people? sales consultant; 2001-2002, Page & Moy Depends on the person. Could be their (retail division), sales consultant; 2002smile, could be clothes, breath . . . etc. 2003, Page & Moy (retail division), assistant commercial manager; 2003Who is your favourite TV personality 2005, Page & Moy (retail division), and why? commercial manager; 2005-2006, Page & Claire Nasir, the weathergirl off GMTV. She Moy (retail division), commercial brings sunshine into my lounge every operations manager; 2006-2007, Page & morning, no matter what the weather. Moy, cruise product manager; 2007Which TV show would you like to be in present, Page & Moy, agency sales and why? manager.
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Regional Round-up
SOUTHERN AFRICA
Rare white lions have been successfully released into Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the Klein Karoo region of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The pride includes two adult males and two juvenile female white lions.
H&J unveils tailor-made operating model HAYES & Jarvis reports that it is revamping the way it sells holidays to South Africa and from this week will move to a new tailor-made operating model that will allow its call centre on 0871-664 0246 to package the country more flexibly. The change comes about after the operator’s Africa product and contracting manager Beverley Pridmore took the decision to expand the programme with the use of the new XML link to a major bed bank. She said: “At a stroke this gives our call centre consultants a tremendous range of product at all price points and in more areas of South Africa than we have previously featured in our brochures.” The new areas covered include KwaZulu Natal, where Drakensberg & Beach and Battlefields & Bush tours can now be built into a South Africa itinerary. There is also more depth available in the Garden Route which will enable the call centre to build more extensive tours. Pridmore said: “This will appeal to clients who have visited South Africa before but who want want to try new areas or spend more time in one region than was previously available.” As part of the expansion the operator can now offer twin- or multicentre tailor-made trips. These combine South Africa with Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Botswana, as well as single-centre stays.
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Southern Africa
Air Namibia is operating non-stop flights between Gatwick and Windhoek and since the service launched in 2005 tourist arrivals to Namibia have increased by 34% to 28,214 last year. The airline is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and from Windhoek offers connections to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Luanda (Angola), Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and Maun (Botswana). Details at www.airnamibia.com.na
Dedicated Africa brochure from Kuoni
Somak highlights whale-watching tours
KUONI has launched its dedicated Africa brochure for 2009 and includes more than 35 new tours, safaris and hotels in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Madagascar, Rwanda, Zambia and, for the first time, Malawi. The operator’s Africa product manager Ed Light said: “As the leading provider of upmarket tailormade holidays to Africa, we are delighted to launch one of the most comprehensive Africa brochures on the UK market today. It includes a wide selection of safaris, beach hotels, tours, city breaks, self-drives, train journeys and game reserves, with many tours and safaris now offering private upgrade options and dedicated family and adults-only departures on selected safaris.” Details at www.kuoni.co.uk or on 01306-747008.
SOMAK Holidays reports that with summer arriving in the southern hemisphere now is the perfect time to head for South Africa where the whale-watching season is in full swing. The operator has launched a new e-brochure highlighting experiences that range from whalewatching tours to luxury safari lodges. Until the end of November visitors have the chance to see the Southern Right Whale. A Wine, Waves and Wildlife itinerary features two nights in Cape Town for a visit to the Cape of Good Hope and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. The first whale-watching encounter is on a cruise from Plettenberg Bay. Departures are on October 30 and November 13 and 27, with prices from £1,439 per person including flights.
Cox & Kings adds new self-drive tours
Superbreak adds range of excursions
COX & Kings has just launched its 2009 Africa brochure which features two new self-drive holidays in South Africa. Wildlife & Wine is a new private journey that offers visitors a chance to learn about the wildlife, wine and rock art as well as meeting local South Africans. The ten-night tour features hand-picked luxury accommodation and costs from £2,895 per person. Also new is the Boutique South Africa private journey, a nine-night tour that combines two game reserves with the Garden Route and Cape Town, and includes small luxurious boutique hotels and wildlife camps. Prices are from £2,495 per person.
SUPERBREAK has added a range of excursions in South Africa that agents can add to an accommodation-only booking. In total nine tours are now available for those staying in Cape Town. A Table Mountain and City Tour costs £20.75 per adult and £15.50 per child. The halfday tour includes a visit up Table Mountain, a Malay Quarter tour, the Castle of Good Hope, Milnerton, and Cape Town Diamond Works. A Winelands Tour costs £38/£28.50. The full-day tour includes a scenic and historic drive and wine-tasting at local farms in Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Other excursions include a Cape Highlights Tour and Hermanus Tour with whale-watching. Details at www.superbreak.com/agents or on 0871-221 2828.
Business Class deal from Emirates Tours
Cape Town-Cairo tour from Collette
EMIRATES Tours is offering a nine-night tour of South Africa with Business Class flights on Emirates. Those who book the package this month for travel from November 1 to December 9 or January 16 to March 31 will get a complimentary case of six bottles of wine. Thje South Africa Discovery nine-night tour costs from £5,875 per person, saving up to £1,235 per couple. Clients travel from Cape Town by luxury Rovos Rail to Pretoria then fly to Sabi Sand Game Reserve for three nights on safari at the Ivory Lodge at Lion Sands. Details at www.emiratestours.co.uk or on 0844-800 1400.
COLLETTE Worldwide Holidays has added a Cape Town to Cairo 21day escorted tour. It begins in Cape Town where during a four-night stay clients visit Cape Point, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and Table Mountain. In Johannesburg there is a tour of Soweto and lunch with locals at a shebeen, or tavern. Prices are from £3,974 per person based on two sharing and include accommodation, 37 meals, flights and door-to-door transfers within a 100-mile radius of the departure airport. Details on 0800-804 8700.
22 October 17 2008
Test Grid
16/4/03
12:24 PM
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major majortravel travel www.majorweb.co.uk www.majorweb.co.uk
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