travel bulletin 21st february 2014

Reaching new heights: the latest park

attractions,rides & offers

Theme Parks

February 21 2014 | ISSUE NO 1,861 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

hotel bulletinTravelodge opens third Gatwick hotel

bulletin briefingwhy staff should be acompany’s greatest asset

bermudaJohn Guinn examines theorigins of Bermuda shorts

mediterranean islands a round-up of new products & deals from operators

17

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27

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this week

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Southern & East Africa

Your one-stop guideto all the latest news and developments

in Southern & East Africa

All AboutFebruary 2014

with this issue

DON’T MISS...

TB2102 2014 Cover_TB Front Cover.qxd 2/19/2014 3:02 PM

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BOOKING BASH...Deben Travel, a member of The Global Travel Group, recently held a travel show at Seckford Hall inSuffolk where more than 15 operators were on hand to provide information to 186 attendees, resulting in a number ofbookings. Pictured marking the day's success are, from the left: Lee Hunt, Deben Travel; Hollie Smith, Travel 2; SarahHunt, Abi Nunn, Rebecca Leete and Marja Alford, Deben Travel; and Joanne Briggs, The Global Travel Group.

This Week

3 newsnew product launches, thelatest deals & industrysurveys

9 agent bulletinbooking incentives, fam trips& offers plus what's in storefor Pisces?

10 hotel bulletinTravelodge opens thirdGatwick hotel

11 puzzle bulletinplay Su Doku for yourchance to win a £50 M&Svoucher

13 bulletin briefingwhy organisations need totreat staff as their biggestasset

15 airline bulletinGermanwings boosts flightsto popular destinations forsummer

16 personality bulletinBourne Leisure's keyaccount manager for thetrade answers our quick-firequestions

17 bermudaJohn Guinn delves into theworld of triangles and shorts

21 theme parksa look at the latest themepark additions

27 mediterranean islands a round-up of newprogramme additions &deals from operators

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newsbulletin

Webloyalty research finds more than 80% are reluctantto upgrade on travel as price remains highest priorityNEW RESEARCH released by Webloyalty has revealed what British holidaymakers lookfor when booking travel and accommodation. Although a rise in consumer spending isexpected this year as the economy improves, price still emerged as the mostimportant consideration when booking both hotels and flights, suggesting that Britsare still doing everything they can to make sure they get the biggest possible bang fortheir buck.

Compiled by research experts Conlumino, the report found that 47% of more than2,000 respondents consider travel to be simply a means of getting from one point toanother, and as such should be done at the lowest cost possible. Only 17% ofrespondents agreed that having a more pleasant in-flight experience might encouragethem to upgrade on their air travel choices. Instead, customers would rather spendmore on several cheaper flights in order to get the most from their money.

Commenting on the research, Conlumino managing director, Neil Saunders, said:“Although our research has found that travel is an area on which many are willing tospend more this year than in 2013, these new figures suggest that it is quantity ratherthan quality that consumers will be looking for – more flights for less money.”

Regardless of an improving economy, the figures therefore spell out a challengingoutlook for full fare airlines – only 13% say they will fly with the likes of BritishAirways over the next year. However, budget flight companies also face a challengewhen it comes to customer satisfaction – 50% of respondents are mistrustful of thehidden charges involved when flying with low-cost airlines. Airport queues and lack ofleg room on flights were also among respondents’ biggest grievances that can make ahellish holiday.

When it comes to hotels, proximity to attractions was the second most importantfactor after price. The research also found that when selecting hotels, holidaymakersplace greater weight on reviews from previous guests than they do on the official starrating of the hotel, which was ranked the least important consideration.

However, even though price was the first consideration for so many consumers anddespite apparent disregard for star ratings, a stay in a five-star luxury hotel wasnonetheless in the top two choices among respondents for a dream holiday if moneywere no object. The luxury lifestyle is therefore something that is still desirable formany and looked to as an ideal scenario.

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SHEARINGS HAS launched new battlefield tours for this year to coincide with thecentenary of World War I.

An eight-day Battlefields of World War I and II leads in at £749 per person and cruisesalong Dutch and Belgian waterways, with highlights including a visit to Ypres, theAirbourne Museum, the National Liberation Museum and the sights of Antwerp andAmsterdam. The price includes six nights’ full-board cruise, as well as a night’s half-board accommodation en route and coach travel. Departures are available in April.

Meanwhile, a nine-day Battlefields Remembered tour costs from £969 and givesguests the chance to discover the battlefields of Holland and Belgium. Highlights includevisits to Ypres, Cologne and the UNESCO site of Nijmegen. The price includes six nights’full-board cruise as well as two nights’ half-board accommodation en route and coachtravel. Departures are available in November.

Alternatively, a ten-day Battlefields Commemorative Cruise leads in at £1,149 andcruises along the Rhine and Dutch and Belgian waterways, with highlights includingvisits to Ypres, Cologne and Antwerp. The price includes seven nights’ full-board cruise,two nights’ half-board accommodation en-/post-route and coach travel. Departures areavailable from May to July.

Options to travel by air and rail are also available on all tours.For more information call 0844-824 6351 or visit www.shearings.com

New itinerariesfrom Back-RoadsTouringSMALL GROUP tourspecialist Back-RoadsTouring has announced anew line up of trips forthis year, from a journeyto discover ‘old pubs andgreat grub’ in Shrewsburyto an eight-day CroatianWilderness Sailingadventure to explore someof the country’s mostremote islands.

With maximum groupsof 18 people and apromise to travel awayfrom main roads andmotorways, the companytakes guests off-the-beaten-track with theopportunity to stay incharming accommodationand take part in exclusiveactivities, from localcooking classes to privatetours of estates andgardens. All tours areaccompanied by tourleaders whose formeroccupations are as variedas a botanist, a policemanand a sailor.

As examples, a five-dayOld Pubs & Great Grubtour leads in at £1,075 perperson and offers aninsight into what Englishpubs have to offer withsamplings of wine, perryand cider from localproducers in Shrewsbury,Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye.

A nine-day Flavours ofNorthern Croatia andSlovenia has also beenadded and costs from£1,795 excluding flights.

Guests can explore thelandscapes of HrvastskoZagorje and the fertileplains and hilltops of theIstrian Peninsula.Highlights include tastingculinary specialities alongthe way, from Croatia’swines and olive oils to theSlovene nouvelle cuisineat Lake Bled.To book or for moreinformation visitwww.backroadstouring.co.uk or call 0333-112 0109.

Shearings introduces new battlefield tours to mark centenary of World War I

www.travelbulletin.co.ukFebruary 21 20144

AWARD REWARD...An evening to celebrate 'Burns Nicht' was organised last month at The Belfry, SuttonColdfield, followed by the Elite Travel Group Awards, which recognised both the suppliers and the travelagent members of Elite, as voted for by the suppliers. Pictured collecting her award for 'Best SalesTeam' is Liz Castle of JTA with Robert Grinsell, director of Elite Travel Group.

BRITS HAVE become so reliant onsmartphones and tablets on holiday thathaving to pay for Wi-Fi is now one of our top‘holiday hates', according to a new surveyfrom Thistle Hotels which polled 2,000people.

The research found that the averageholidaymaker spends an hour each day onholiday catching up with friends and currentaffairs, online. As a result, having to pay forWi-Fi now ranks alongside traditional holidaygrumbles such as rude hotel staff and roomsnot being ready.

The findings revealed that the top fivedislikes were rude hotel staff (69%), roomsnot being ready (45%), paid-for Wi-Fi (38%),

limited buffet/menu selection (37%) and notbeing as close to holiday attractions asadvertised (32%).

The survey also found that when booking aholiday, fast, free and reliable Wi-Fi is moreimportant (51%), than having a swimmingpool (49%), being close to local attractions(41%) and having a TV in the room (37%).

In light of the survey, the company hasannounced that it has partnered with BT Wi-Fi to upgrade its existing free internet access.It has also launched a new Facebook gamecalled ‘Wifey or Wi-Fi’ where people can findout if they are guilty of paying more attentionto the internet than their friends and family. For details see www.thistle.com/wifeyorwifi

Paying for Wi-Fi is one of top 'holiday hates' for Brits

newsbulletin

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Newsbites


Travelpack issues USA & Canada brochureTRAVELPACK HAS launched a new USA and Canadabrochure featuring a range of unique holiday experiences.

Along with traditional city stays, self-drive holidays andescorted tours, the company has included a Mississippi RiverCruise with numerous itineraries lasting anywhere betweenfour and 12 days. The American Queen Steamboat combinesold world luxury with stopovers in the heart of the US.

Other new options include a motor biking tour of NewEngland and a Great Lakes cruise from St. Lawrence to Chicago.

New self-drive tours in Canada with an eastern itineraryaimed specifically at families are also featured, plus a rangeof included family activities, and culinary and wine tours ofboth eastern and western Canada.

The operator's global marketing manager, Graeme Evans,said: "With markets that are well entrenched in thecustomer psyche such as Canada and the US, we have triedto introduce some contemporary twists on traditionalholidays. We have also introduced optional pre-programmedsatellite navigation devises for our self-drive customerswhich are delivered prior to their UK departure."For more information or to book seewww.agents.travelpack.co.uk or call 020-8585 4020.

ABU DHABI Tourism & CultureAuthority (TCA Abu Dhabi) hasannounced that it reached its annualvisitor target a month early in 2013,with more than 2.5m guests checkinginto Abu Dhabi’s 149 hotels and hotelapartments in the first 11 months ofthe year.

The destination welcomed 260,810guest arrivals in November, a 27%growth on 2012’s performance.

The UK remains Abu Dhabi’s second

largest overseas market, with 147,852Brits checking into the emirate’shotels in the first 11 months of 2013, a14% increase on 2012. British guestsaccounted for 690,902 guest nights –an increase of 24% year-on-year withan average length of stay of 4.67nights, again up 8% on 2012.

HE Jasem Al Darmaki, deputydirector general of the tourist board,said: “This is great news which wewere cautiously optimistic about as

November was packed with eventsincluding the headline Grand Prix, theAbu Dhabi Film Festival, the FIFAUnder 17 World Cup and Abu Dhabi Art.

“It’s all the more gratifying giventhat since last year the emirate hasseen 12 more properties and almost2,500 new rooms come on line. Lengthof stay continues its upward trend,which suggests people areincreasingly convinced that there ismore to do and see in Abu Dhabi.”

Abu Dhabi hits annual 2013 visitor target a month early with 2.5m guests

UP, UP AND AWAY...Pictured marking Ryanair's new threetimes weekly service from Leeds Bradford to Girona Barcelonais Tony Hallwood, Leeds Bradford’s aviation development andmarketing director. The flights, which serve the Costa Bravaregion in Spain, will commence on April 1 and will operatethroughout the summer season until October 25.

newsbulletin

Jazz festival package from FunwayONE OF the most famous festivals in New Orleans is the JazzFestival and this year sees the line-up of a range ofentertainers, including for the first time, Eric Clapton andChristina Aguilera, who will perform alongside returning actssuch as Bruce Springsteen and the East Street Band, Phish,Arcade Fire and Santana.

This year's festival will run over two weekends - April 25-27and May 1-4 and will take place at the Fair Grounds in NewOrleans.

Jazz fans can make plans to attend the festival with aspecial package from Funway Holidays, where a five-night stayat the two-and-a-half-star Clarion Inn & Suites New Orleanscosts from £965 per person. The price includes flights withUnited Airlines and is based on an April 23 departure. For details see www.funway4agents.co.uk

● SUNVIL DISCOVERY has launched its new 2014 realPortugal & Madeira brochure, featuring carefullyselected properties and imaginative itineraries that focuson lesser-known and undiscovered areas.For details visit www.sunvil.co.uk or call 020-8758 4722.

● ABTA HAS produced updated guidance to further helpmembers ensure that disabled and less mobilepassengers get the most out of their travel and holidayarrangements.For details see www.abta.com/member-zone/travel-essentials

● TO CELEBRATE Chinese New Year, Travel Indochina isoffering its agents and their customers a saving of £200per couple on two of its most popular journeys to China -China Panorama and Three Gorges Discovery. The offeris available on bookings made this month.For details see www.travelindochina.co.uk, call 01865-268944 or email [email protected]

● CONDOR FERRIES is running a Kids Go Free campaignwhere early bookers can travel to France or the ChannelIslands with children travelling for free up until Easter.The offer is available on selected crossings fromWeymouth to the Channel Islands and France untilEaster, and from both Weymouth and Poole on datesafter that. Bookings can be made for any time up toMarch 2015.For details see www.condorferries.com

● EASYJET HAS renewed its distribution agreement withTravelport.

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TO CELEBRATE the 30thanniversary of Bolero, Olympicskaters Torvill and Dean are setto return for a new 'Dancing OnIce The Final Tour’ which willcall at various venues acrossthe country this April.

Superbreak has putpackages on sale that includetickets to the show andovernight accommodation.Agents have a variety of venuesto promote to customers in their catchment. Prices lead inat £86 per person for the Manchester show including onenight at the three-star Days Hotel Manchester City.

Show venues and dates are Phones 4U ManchesterArena from March 28-30; Newcastle Metro Radio Arenafrom April 4-5; Glasgow SECC on April 11 and 13; SheffieldMotorsport Arena from April 15-17; NIA Birmingham onApril 18, 20 and 21; Wembley Arena from April 23-24; andLeeds First Direct Arena from April 26-27.

The first celebrities to join the Dancing on Ice Final Tour2014 have been announced and include Ray Quinn, HayleyTamaddon, Kyran Bracken and Joe Pasquale.For more information see www.superbreak.com/agents orcall 0871-221 4444.

Superbreak puts Dancing On Ice package on sale


newsbulletin

Tweets of

the WeekWho’s saying what

on Twitter...

@redseauk

Book any Red SeaHolidays departingbetween 01 May and 31October, and you'll save£200 per booking,guaranteed –...http://fb.me/1d9Z9PPbb

@mwholidays

What to pack when goingon a family #ski trip -http://www.markwarner.co.uk/blog/?p=575

@T2News

Our #UltimateSale isback!! Until the end of Febyou can take advantage ofup to 40% off #Australia &#NewZealand holidays#happyclients

@VisitBritain

The largest ever collectionof James Bond vehiclescoming to London FilmMuseum 21 March:http://bit.ly/1ffRT70

@Travelpack

The most impressiveunderground railwaystations in Europehttp://ow.ly/tA5iB

Follow us on Twitter!http://twitter.com/

TravelBulletin

MOVERS● CARSTEN SPOHR has joined Deutsche Lufthansa AG as CEO.● DORSETT HOSPITALITY International has appointed Declan

Murphy as director of sales and marketing for DorsettShepherds Bush, the group’s first hotel venture in Europe, setto open in May.

● PEGASUS SOLUTIONS has appointed Linda Kent as seniorvice president, distribution strategy.

● THE PARK Tower Knightsbridge, a Luxury Collection Hotel,London has announced the appointment of YacineBezegouche as the new restaurant manager and Santo Borzias the new sommelier at the hotel’s fish restaurant, One-O-One.

● DR RASHID Al Ghailani has joined Oman Air as chief officer,human resources.

USA & CANADAOUT NOW!!

the

brochure

Starring : Low prices, Excellent Quality, Unique Products Featuring : Exciting Self Drive Holidays, Fantastic EscortedTours, Rail Tours, Cruise, City Stays and much more...

0208 585 4020www.agents.travelpack.co.uk

TM

ABTA No.N1031

CroisiEuropeintroduces newvessel for cruisingthe Loire CROISIEUROPE ISintroducing a new vesselconcept for cruising onthe Loire inspired by anancient technique – thepaddle wheel. Thecompany is re-workingthe technique usingtoday’s technology tocreate a new and uniquetype of craft which willstart operating in April2015.

The MS LoirePrincesse is 90m longand 15m wide and offersthree decks. The shipfeatures 48 spaciousoutside cabins and canaccommodate up to 96passengers. Branded the“Green Ship”, the vesselhas been designed to beas environmentally andecologically friendly aspossible.

From April 2015, MSLoire Princesse willcruise along the Loire,visiting areas rich incultural heritage, manyof which are listed byUNESCO including Saint-Nazaire, Ancenis, Angers,the Castles of the Loire,Saumur, Bouchemaineand Nantes.For further informationcall 020-8328 1281 or visitwww.croisieurope.travel

Joe Pasquale

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S02 TB2102 News 1_Layout 1 18/02/2014 16:45

VIRGIN HOLIDAYS has launched its 2015 Florida previewbrochure with holidays to suit all tastes and budgets.

On sale for departures from May 1 to October 31, 2015,the brochure features holidays to both the Sunshine Stateand Mexico.

To mark its launch, the company is offering customers arange of early booking offers such as £200 off bookings forholidays to Florida or Mexico, a ‘Kids Eat Free’ card inOrlando and free resort credit of up to $2,500 at the five-star Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Riviera Cancun.

Florida product on sale for 2015 includes destinationssuch as Orlando, Miami and the Florida beaches, whiletickets for Universal, SeaWorld and Disney are alsoavailable. In the Orlando area, holidaymakers can choosefrom a range of resorts close to the parks or alternativelyopt for a villa home for a more private getaway.

In Mexico, the company offers eight properties for 2015,including some of its most popular all-inclusive, family-friendly properties such as the five-star Dreams Tulum Resort& Spa on the Yucatan Peninsula near the ancient ruins ofTulum and the Occidental Grand Xcaret on the Riviera Maya,next to the eco-adventure park Xcaret, where water-basedactivities, nature and entertainment shows are available. As anadded bonus, families staying at the resort between May 1 andOctober 31, 2015 can save up to 25% on the cost of theiraccommodation when they book by February 28.For more information see www.vhols4agents.co.uk or call 0844-557 3973.

CHINA, COMMEMORATIVEBattlefield tours and theNorthern Lights in Laplandare just three trends in railtours for this year, identifiedby Great Rail Journeys (GRJ)and its sister company Treyn.

A total of 58 new toursacross both brands havebeen added for this year outof a total of 360, and GRJ hasput together what it sees asits key trends for 2014.

They include a new Chinaby rail itinerary, just one of aselection of tours to China,offered for the first time. A17-day Grand Tour of Chinaleads in at £2,995 per person.

Meanwhile, with 18 specialtours to commemorate the100-year anniversary of theFirst World War, GRJ ispredicting that many peoplewill wish to mark this specialyear by soaking up the historyof Northern France andBelgium, both of which areeasily accessible by trainfrom St Pancras into theNorthern area of Flandersand the Somme. In addition,

there are Bruges &Battlefield tours andRemembrance Day tours.

GRJ's battlefields toursstart from £425 per personfor a five-day Battlefields ofFlanders tour and Treyn’sbattlefield tours start from£295 per person for a four-day Bruges & Ypres tour.

Also new to theprogramme is Lapland andthe Northern Lights, whichhas been introduced to makethe most of next year’s peakin solar activity during an 11-year cycle.

The tour features Laplandas well as Norway’s LofotenIslands travelling on one ofScandinavia’s most scenicrailways. There are twoopportunities to view theNorthern lights in Lofotenand Narvik, and the rail touritself goes well into the ArcticCircle. The 11-day tour leadsin at £2,325 with GRJ.To book or for furtherinformation visitwww.greatrail.com andwww.railholidays.com

Great Rail Journeys & Treynhighlight emerging trends for 2014

Virgin Holidays issues new Florida 2015 preview brochure


newsbulletin

TREAT FOR TOTS...Butlins has launched its new ‘Just For Tots’four-night breaks which begin on April 28 at Bognor Regis andSkegness resorts and on May 5 at Minehead. Created with theunder-fives in mind, the breaks include live shows, a range ofactivities, nutritious meals and quiet walking route maps. Thebreaks run until mid-September and cost from £50 per personbased on a May 5 arrival at Minehead with two adults and twochildren sharing a standard self-catering apartment.


WEBSCLUSIVES

● Win £300 of Harrods’ Shopping Vouchers,courtesy of Vienna Tourist Office. To enter go towww.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

● Win a Fam Trip place to Mauritius, courtesy ofAir Mauritius. Just enter our competition atwww.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

● Brochure of The Week: Hurtigruten Winter2014/15. To view in digital format, please go towww.travelbulletin.co.uk/brochures

● Make sure you read our All About Southern &

East Africa 2014 supplement. To view in digitalformat, please go to:www.travelbulletin.co.uk/travel-bulletin-back-issues

All this and more at:


The home of the web savvy travel agent

Go

S02 TB2102 News 1_Layout 1 18/02/2014 16:45

● AGENTS MAKING a booking with DoSomethingDifferent.com will be entered into a prizedraw to win a VIP holiday to Las Vegas for two. The prizeincludes flights with Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick orManchester, luxury limousine APO transfers and threenights in a suite at the four-star LVH Hotel & Casino.Also included is a Grand Canyon helicopter flight,tickets to any Cirque du Soleil show, a hot air balloonride, a Shop & Dine experience and a night out on thetiles, with VIP access to the top clubs in Las Vegas witha VIP Night Club Tour. To enter the prize draw agentsshould book any worldwide attraction, experience ortour on the operator's website and register the bookingby twitter at @DSDsuperheroes, by email ([email protected]) or by phone on 020-8909 3890. Agents will receive double entries bybooking any VIP Night Club Tours, any Cirque du Soleilshows, hot air balloon rides and Las Vegas Shop & Dinecards. The competition closes on March 31.

● AGENTS CAN win a holiday for two to Florida worth upto £2,000 as part of Travel 2’s ‘Make Florida your No. 1’

campaign. The operator has teamed up with VirginAtlantic, Alamo car hire and SeaWorld to highlight therange of Florida holiday choices available for familiesas well as the region’s major attractions and self-drive holidays. To receive one entry into the prize drawagents need to book a holiday package to Florida forfive nights or more with the company. Agents makinga booking that includes Virgin Atlantic, Alamo orSeaWorld will receive two entries into the draw.Bookings must be made by February 28.

For details see www.travel2.com

● THROUGHOUT THIS month, agents making a bookingwith Carnival will automatically qualify to win one of28 cruises given away daily as part of a promotion withthe winners announced the following morning. Themore bookings agents make, the more chance theywill have of winning a free cruise. Agents can selectfrom a wide range of three- to seven-night itinerariessailing out of a variety of departure ports within threeto five months.

For details see www.carnival.co.uk

Agent offerTRAVEL AGENTS who secure a minimum ofUS$10,000 of bookings following a special KhiriTravel fam trip to either Laos and Vietnam, Cambodiaand Vietnam, or Vietnam only, will have their tripcosts refunded in full. The fam trips take place in Mayand June this year and agents have three choices: Anine-day Laos and Vietnam trip for $935, withdepartures on May 5, 13 and 21; an eight-day Vietnamtrip for $575 with departures on May 12 and 19 andJune 16; and a nine-day Vietnam and Cambodiacombination for $985 with departures on May 12 and19 and June 16. Prices are per person and are forland arrangements only (excluding air fares). Specialprices are available for accompanying non-travelindustry partners. Rooms are based on twin/doublesharing and the refund is based on the cost of theland arrangement and offered to travel agents only.For bookings, information, complete tour descriptionsand conditions email [email protected]

Booking incentives

It’s in thestars…What’s in store for Pisces?

IF YOU have any big decisions to make in the next fewweeks, go with your gut instinct as it's sure to pay off.However, make sure that you take time out to bothreflect on current issues and relax. Very often, otherpeople's problems become your own so you need toremove yourself every now and then to gatherstrength. There is a range of opportunities surroundingyour birth sign, particularly on February 28 when thenew moon appears in Pisces, and you should receivepositive news that you've been waiting for.

Lucky day: Friday

Lucky number: 12


agentbulletin

TRAVEL 2 IS giving away five fam trip placesto South Africa. Agents also have the chanceto win one of four experience days each worth£500 throughout this month as part of thecompany's ‘Be ‘WOWED’ 24/7 in South Africa’campaign. To be in with a chance of winningeither a fam place or an experience day,agents need to make a new booking with the

operator that includes a minimum of threedays’ ground arrangements to receive entryinto the weekly prize draw. Entries thatinclude a booking made with South AfricanAirways flights will receive double entry intothat week’s draw. Qualifying bookings mustbe made by February 28.For details see www.travel2.com

Fancy a fam

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THE GUEST House Vienna, a new boutique hotel, hasrecently opened its doors, offering luxuryaccommodation in the heart of Austria’s capital city.

Located behind the State Opera and the Albertinamuseum, the property offers an ideal location fromwhich to explore the sights of the cultural and historicalcentre.

Together with British designer Sir Terence Conranand Conran & Partners, the former 1950s student househas been transformed into an elegant luxury boutiquehotel that combines quality materials and comfortableliving spaces.

Each of the 39 Conran designed rooms has beenconceived not as a hotel room, but a living space, with arelaxed domestic feel, and guests are treated to viewsof the Opera House, roof garden and St Stephen’sCathedral from the rooms.

Prices start from €170 per room per night.To book or for more information seewww.theguesthouse.at

Travelodge opens third Gatwick hotelTRAVELODGE HAS opened its third hotel at the UK’ssecond busiest airport, Gatwick.

Crawley Travelodge is a 110-room new build propertywith six floors and represents a £7million investmentand the creation of 20 new jobs.

The hotel is located on Pegler Way in Crawley, whichis less than five miles from Gatwick Airport and offersrooms from £24.

In a further recent investment in the area, thecompany's biggest hotel at the airport, Gatwick AirportCentral, has been updated as part of a £57millionrefurbishment programme at a cost of nearly £300,000. For more information see www.travelodge.co.uk

Austria's capital sees launch of boutique hotel, The Guest House Vienna


hotelbulletin

JUPITER HOTELS has completed the renovation of signature eventspaces at three of its hotels in Brighton, Maidstone andManchester. The Mercure Brighton Seafront Hotel has unveiled a£60,000 refurbishment of its ‘Ballroom’ event space which is ableto host 180-seated guests. The new Heart of Kent Suite at theMercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel can now host 650-seatedguests, while renovation work on the Mercure ManchesterPiccadilly Hotel’s International Suite was completed in October,following a £500,000 investment. The space, which is able toaccommodate 800 guests theatre-style and 650 guests for abanquet, becomes one of the North-West’s largest event facilities.

InBrief● SLOVENIA'S KEMPINSKI Palace Portorož is reopening on February

28, and to mark the launch a spring deal is being offered. It includes€140 for a double occupancy room including breakfast, with freeaccess to the Rose Spa which offers saunas, a pool and fitnessfacilities. The offer also includes 25% off massages, 10% off the a lacarte menu and free Wi-Fi.

For details see www.kempinski.com/portoroz● CENTARA HOTELS & Resorts of Thailand will soft open its second

resort in Sri Lanka in spring this year. Centara Ceysands Resort & SpaSri Lanka is set on the Bentota Peninsula, at the south of the island,and will be operated by the company under a managementcontract.

● HAMPTON BY Hilton welcomes a landmark addition to its portfoliowith the opening of the Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo. It isthe brand’s first hotel in central London and offers 297 guestrooms,free Wi-Fi and breakfast as part of the room rate.

For details see www.hampton.com● CAP MAISON in Saint Lucia has introduced a new dine-around

programme which allows guests to experience a variety of diningoptions. Cox & Kings offers seven nights’ breakfast accommodationfrom £1,645 per person, based on two sharing, including Virginflights from Gatwick and private transfers.For details see www.coxandkings.co.uk and www.capmaison.com

● SHANGRI-LA HOTELS and Resorts has announced that Shangri-LaHotel, At The Shard, London will open on May 6. Located on thehistoric South Bank of the River Thames in the 306m-high, glass-clad Shard, the hotel will be the Hong Kong-based luxury hotelgroup’s third in Europe, following debuts in Paris in 2010 andIstanbul in 2013.

For details see www.shangri-la.com/london

Mercure ManchesterPiccadilly

S03 TB2102 News 2_Layout 1 2/19/2014 11:01 AM

puzzlebulletin


Where Am I?

Longest river in Asia.

Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the

3 x 3 squares contains the digits 1-9.Once you have completed the puzzle, simply identify the numbers that relate

to the letters, A, B, C and D then e-mail the solution, with your name,

company name, and full postal address plus phone and ABTA number if

applicable to:

[email protected]

Closing date for entries is Thursday, February 27th. Solution and new puzzle

will appear next week.

The winner for 7th February is Sharon Mackie, Cruise

Connections in Lancaster.

February 7 Solution: A=5 B=2 C=9 D=6

➠A

➠B

➠C

➠D

Number: 007

Travagrams

Across 1. Carrier based in the USA (6)4. Salt Lake City is the state capital (4)7. Code for Queen Alia International airport,

Amman (3)8. North African country (7)10. Taber specialises in holidays to this

country (6)11. Ancient Chinese dynasty (4)13. Popular Jamaican holiday resort, ___ Rios (4)15. Sea between Australia and New Zealand (6)18. Capital of Georgia (7)19. Airport code for Alderney, Channel Isles (3)20. Columbus is the state capital (4)21. Celebrity who recently completed a 500-

mile Sport Relief Challenge (6)

Down 1. Athlete and many faces of the Virgin Media

ads (5,4)2. Ancient Turkish city (5)3. Company specialising in airport hotels and

parking, Holiday ___ (6)5. Dramatic Puccini opera, set in Rome (5)6. Flows through the capital of the Tyrol (3)9. The Iguazu Falls are on the border of this

country (9)12. Capital of the Philippines (6)14. Port au Prince is the capital of this island

country (5)16. Known as the Cruise Capital of the World (5)17. Airport code for 16 Down (3)

Where Am I?

Fill in the crossword to reveal the mystery location highlighted by the green squares.

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 30

Crossword

Su Doku

Num

ber:

007

Canadian rail tour operator

This European destination shares its name with this herb

Nectarine Rook Yum

Sable

Can you solve the following anagrams to decipher the destination & tour operator?Win a £50 M&S voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle


[email protected]


IAM fairly certain that were you to randomly openany of the thousands of management books thathave been written, they are quite likely to make

mention of the fact that the staff a business employsis its greatest asset - and it is really difficult toargue with that fact.

However, faced with the cold realities of business life,theory and practice do not always go hand in hand andcan you honestly say that you treat your staff as theasset that they are?

Let me be clear, I have no intention of coming acrossas completely righteous but as we have just undertakena review of central activity as part of our Investors InPeople Silver accreditation, we have spent aconsiderable amount of time recently considering thevalue of our assets - primarily making the most of it.

What we have learnt from the experience primarilyrelates to having staff at the centre of your business andthat key to this centring is ensuring that core businessobjectives are inextricably linked to staff job roles andresponsibilities.

Business checklist

To make it simple, can you tick off with confidence thefollowing in your business:

● All staff have up to date job descriptions that clearlyoutline the purpose and key activities associated withthe role – essentially the ‘What’ they are expected to do.

● You have determined and clearly spelt out the personalqualities you expect all your staff to display? Thesequalities are likely to include team working, customerservices skills and showing initiative. These elementsmake up the ‘How’ you expect your staff to behave.

It is all about the ‘How’ rather than the ‘What’

In fairness, the majority of organisations largelyconcentrate on tasks and seldom spend time on thecultural elements of their business. However, in theservice industry in which we operate, a potentiallyimportant point of difference between you and yourcompetitors, including the internet, could be as muchabout how you go about dealing with the customer - theadditional service that you offer them. Don’t get me

wrong, I am not advocating that you swing a hugebureaucratic system into action, but I am suggestingthat you may want to consider making the intangiblecultural elements within your business morepronounced for the benefit of both staff and managersalike.

From our perspective, such is the importance ofgetting this right, that Gina Daniels, the HR manager atthe Advantage Travel Partnership and I have prepared afree of charge workshop for our partnership memberscovering many of the essential areas of staffmanagement and development.

As a final comment, I am not saying that managersdeliberately go out of the way to undervalue staff; it ismore the case that we perhaps pay lip-service to theimportance of staff development without reallyunderstanding what that means to the manager, themember of staff and the health of the business.

If staff are the greatest asset of any business then are-think or at least a review of current practice may bein order.

Industry Insight by...

Staff – Do you really treat them as your biggest asset? by COLIN O’NEILL, businessdevelopment director, The Advantage Travel Partnership


bulletinbriefing

"A potentially importantpoint of differencebetween you and yourcompetitors could be asmuch about how you goabout dealing with thecustomer and theadditional service thatyou offer them"


SUNVIL DISCOVERY has launched its 2014 real Italy & Sicilybrochure featuring a range of accommodation includingfive-star villa hotels, agriturismos (farm properties),apartments, spa resorts and trulli houses (traditionalcottages with conical roofs). For the first time, the operatorinvites travellers to visit the Ville Venete (Venetian Villas),recommending the Il Burchiello mini-cruise along theBrenta River as the ideal way to explore a selection ofthree villas. Travelling from Padua to Venice (or vice versa)in a day, on what was once a typical Venetian barge (now anair-conditioned motorboat), there are three guided villavisits, with stops for bridges, locks and lunch.

Prices lead in at £94 per adult including entrance fees,plus £27 for an optional lunch.

The company has also added three new properties in theVeneto from which the villas can easily be visited. Theyinclude Hotel Villa Margherita in Mira, a four-star 17thcentury residence, with prices from £493 per person for

three nights' breakfast stay, flights from Heathrow and carhire. The five-star Hotel Villa Franceschi, also in Mira, ismade up of several 16th century villas and a three-nightbreakfast stay costs from £522 including flights and car hire.Hotel NH Mantegna in Padua, a four-star property, has alsobeen introduced, with prices leading in at £429 for threenights' breakfast accommodation, flights and car hire.

The operator features a range of gastronomic and wine-themed experiences, from traditional cooking tutorials in theChianti Hills and limoncello-making classes in Eastern Sicily,to wine-tasting in a Tuscan medieval hilltop hamlet andparticipation in olive and grape harvests (all payable locally).

Brochure prices lead in at £458 based on two sharing andinclude seven nights’ self-catering accommodation at theTerra Rossa Apartments in Taormina, flights from Gatwickand private transfers. For more information see www.sunvil.co.uk or call 020-8758 4722.

FRED.\ HAS launched its new summer 2014 brochurewhich includes new city break destinations as well asthree new rail tours and a special ‘Royal Heritage Route’of Germany to coincide with the country’scommemoration of the 300th anniversary of the firstHanoverian King.

New destinations include Aachen, Baden-Baden,Passau, Rome, Venice, Krakow, Warsaw, Florence,Dubrovnik and Venice, while the additional rail toursinclude the Glacier Express, Harz Mountain and‘Following the Rhine’.

Overall brochure prices lead in at£229 per person for a two-nightshort break to Brussels staying atthe four-star Ibis Brussels Ste-Catherine Hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis, includingEurostar travel.Agents looking to work with thecompany should call 0808-1595256 or [email protected]

Fred.\ offers new city break destinations in 2014 summer brochure

New Italy & Sicily brochure from Sunvil Discovery offers visits to Venetian Villas


newsbulletin

Keeping an

i on AppsAN UPDATED smartphone app with

new features aimed at making life

easier for business travellers on

the road has been launched by the

ATPI Group. The company has

developed a 2.0 version of the free

‘On the Go’ app with new features

including automatic retrieval of

travel schedules and seamless

integration with clients’ own

personal calendars. Other features

include alerts and real-time

updates on flight schedules and

local weather information.

See www.atpi.com/mobileapp/

atpi-on-the-go-travel-app

INTERACTERABLE.COM HAS

launched a new app called Groupdia

Travel where any travelling group

can be updated with the latest

information, specific to them

including offers or activity options.

The app is controlled centrally by the

TMC, tour operator, group travel or

conference organiser who can split

clients into sub-groups, depending

on their activities or choices, and

keep in two-way communication

with them via the app and/or SMS.

Messages will reach the travellers

whether they have a smartphone or

not, with no Wi-Fi requirements and

no data charges. The service is

provided on a pay as you go basis

from £135 per month.

For details see

www.interacterable.com

TO ENHANCE Texas visitors’experience and highlight the varietyof activities available across theLone Star State, Texas Tourism haslaunched the ‘Travel Texas’ mobileapp for Android and iPhone users.The official mobile travel appserves as a passport to a one-of-a-kind trip through the Lone StarState. From Western adventure andbeaches to arts, music and familyevents, users can explore sites andactivities across the state with thenew interactive app. Visitors canplan their trip ahead of time bybuilding an itinerary prior to theirarrival. While on their trip, the appallows users to check-in at stopsalong the way to earn passportstamps which can be shared withfriends and family via social media.



Germanwings boosts flights to popularholiday destinations for summer GERMANWINGS HAS expanded its range of flights to popularholiday destinations for this year. The summer flight plan,which begins on March 30, offers flights from Dusseldorf toPalma de Mallorca (with up to 24 connections per week),Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Ibiza and Venice.

From Hamburg, new routes to Heraklion and Faro will belaunched, and from Berlin/Tegel, the carrier has extended itssummer timetable, with new flights to Palma de Mallorca andSplit in particular.

A large part of the growth is due to the acquisition ofLufthansa routes, although the airline has launched newroutes as well as expanded capacity on its existing routes.

In terms of markets, the demand for flights to Italy isgrowing the most, with 83% more seats on sale as part of the2014 summer timetable than there were in 2013. Spain is alsoseeing clear growth, with 79% more seats available this year –Palma de Mallorca alone has seen an increase in capacity of75%. On the routes to and from Greece, the airline hasincreased the number of seats by 34%, while Portugal sees anincrease of 25% on the previous year.

In terms of individual destinations, the destination that seesthe highest volume of travellers is Palma de Mallorca with a75% increase. In the capital of Mallorca, the airline is offeringalmost 7,000 seats more per week than last year and this isalso the case in Barcelona (up 56%), Rome (up 64%), Venice(up 83%), Thessaloniki (up 53%), Heraklion (up 51%), Ibiza (up61%), Naples (up 81%) and Bologna (up 97%), where flightnumbers are once again strong and growing at a good level.For details see www.germanwings.com

AIR MALTA will restart itsflights to Algiers onMarch 19, followingencouraging results oflast summer’s venture tothe Algerian capital.

Flights will follow atwice-weekly schedule,on Mondays andThursdays, throughoutsummer and the schedulehas been designed to alsooffer connectivity to andfrom the carrier'sdestinations beyond Maltain both directions.Flights can be booked atwww.airmalta.com

Air Malta to restart Algiers route

airlinebulletin

AVIANCA IS launching its London-Bogotá route in July, with fourflights weekly being added to the 23 Spain-Colombia flights theairline offers. The new launch gives travellers from the UK moreoptions of flying to points within Colombia, as well as to the othermajor capitals of Central and South America. The transatlanticflights will be served by modern Airbus A-330 aircraft with a capacityfor 252 passengers. The latest-generation aircraft offer 30 seats inBusiness Class and 222 in Economy Class, all with individual screensand on-demand entertainment systems.For details see www.avianca.co.uk

InBrief● FROM JULY, TAP Portugal's network will benefit from the addition

of two new destinations in Central and South America, Bogotá andPanama City. The route is to be launched with four weeklyfrequencies from Heathrow operating on a Monday, Tuesday,Thursday and Saturday, allowing easy access, via Lisbon, to theCentral and South American cities.

● WENDY WU Tours is offering a free round trip upgrade to PremiumEconomy Class to customers booking their holiday to China flyingwith Cathay Pacific, as well as free lounge access. The offer isavailable when booked by February 28 and applies to round tripsbetween Heathrow and Hong Kong for departures until November30. Onward flights to mainland China are in Economy Class.

For details see www.wendywutours.co.uk or call 0844-875 2436.● GULF AIR has announced that it will recommence flights to Iranian

capital Tehran, with four weekly flights starting on March 3.● AIR FRANCE and Air Malta have signed a code-share agreement

whereby Air France will place its code and flight numbers on flightsoperated by Air Malta between Malta and Paris-CDG and Orly, andalso between Malta and Lyon from March 30.

Pegasus adds Frankfurt & Madrid to network

PEGASUS AIRLINES is launching new routes from Istanbul toSpain’s Madrid and Germany’s Frankfurt next month.

Frankfurt is the airline's seventh destination in Germany,following Berlin, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Munich, Nuremberg andStuttgart. Flights launch on March 22 with prices starting at£41 one-way including taxes and charges. The flights willoperate daily, leaving Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport at 11:50and returning from Frankfurt Airport to Istanbul at 14:55.

Adding a second route in Spain to its network afterlaunching Barcelona last year, the carrier will launch itsMadrid route on March 24, with prices starting at £58 one-wayincluding taxes and charges. Flights to Madrid depart dailyfrom Istanbul at 10:15, and return to Istanbul from Madrid’sBarajas International Airport at 14:25. For details see www.flypgs.com/en

Monument of the Martyrs(Maquam E’chahid), Algiers

S03 TB2102 News 2_Layout 1 2/19/2014 2:40 PM

personalitybulletin


Key account manager for the trade, Bourne Leisure

What's your favourite household gadget? The iron.

What is your favourite TV programme? Take Me Out - I love a bit of cheese!

Who does the cooking? Me. I think I’m a young Delia Smith,although others may think differently!

What's a typical weekend for you like? A TV date with the Sky Planner.

What's your guilty pleasure? Oooh, can I really reveal this? Actually it’s aglass of Prosecco!

What do you do to relax? Socialise with friends.

What music do you listen to? All types really, Robbie Williams is my guiltypleasure.

What's your favourite movie? Bridget Jones, something about those pants!

What's been your latest DIYproject?Converting our large bedroom into abathroom.

What other companies/organisations have you previously worked for? I worked at an independent travel agencyfor 16 years (so I understand the trade)Sunways Holidays, and I have been withBourne for over six years now.

If you could change one thing inthe industry what would it be? No more shop closures and everyone bookstheir holidays with a travel agent – bringback the good old days!

What personal item do you haveon your desk at work? Photo booth pics from trade events with theteam.

What's the best thing about your job?Building great relationships with agents andmeeting new friends.

What's a typical day like? No two days are the same – I can be on aroad trip meeting lots of new agents,hosting agents on an overnight managersmeeting at our properties, or at acommercial meeting, but that’s why I lovemy job.

Who has been your inspiration in the travel industry? My first MD that I ever worked for, whopushed me into retail sales and gave me thepassion for travel and to personally succeedin everything that I do.

What was the last email you received?Regarding a team building event!

What skill are you most proud of?My social skills. Anyone who has been onmy table at trade events will know that Ilike the fun element and things that glow inthe dark and flash! I love to stand out!

I would loveto visit Ayers Rockand climb SydneyHarbour bridge atnight - eventhough I’m scaredof heights!

Louise Tansey

“

”

Where would you most like to visit and why? Australia, to learn to play the didgeridoo – I would love to visit Ayres Rock and climb theSydney Harbour Bridge at night, even though I’m scared of heights.

What are your hobbies? Going to the theatre and travelling.

What trait do you dislike in other people? People that can’t mind their own business.

What is your best quality? I’m passionate and self motivated.

What's your most embarrassing moment? Celebrating a special birthday moment, I got rather excited with a party popper andaccidently burst my boss’ ear drum! Not really a good way to impress your boss is it?!

If you could invent a new law, what would it be?Don’t have box junctions in London! And everyone should have three duvet days a year!

At home

At work

At play



PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS hasreported that its Bermudabookings are up 12% year-on-year this year incomparison to 2013.

John Dixon, chairman andmanaging director of theoperator, said: “Bermudahas finally shaken off itsidentity crisis. The majorityof agents now know it’s onlysix-and-a-half hours flyingtime away rather than thenine hours it takes to get tothe Caribbean. They alsoknow it’s not in hurricanebelt and that its summerseason mirrors the UK.

“In terms of cost, it’s all amatter of comparison. Theisland is no more expensive

than London. Also, it has alimited number of beds, just2,300, and has alwaysmarketed itself as anexclusive rather than amass market destination.Price is not the mainconsideration of the moremature travellers andhoneymooners who find itattractive. They are drawnby its pristine beauty,sophistication and the factthat it’s a very safedestination.”

The operator says that ithas also seen a rise infamily business to theisland, with hotels such asthe Fairmont Southamptonproving particularly popular.

Examples of packagesinclude a nine-night holidayat Grotto Bay - theoperator’s top-selling hotelin Bermuda - from £1,559per person, includingBritish Airways flights fromGatwick, private transferson the island and room-only

accommodation in aSuperior Ocean view room.The package includes threefree nights, offering asaving of £604 per couple.For more information and tobook call 01425-480400 orvisitwww.prestigeholidays.co.uk

AS PART of a new marketingcampaign, Classic Collection Holidayswill be hosting a large number of in-store Bermuda days from the start ofsummer.

The operator, which has confirmed15 dates with participating travelagencies throughout the UK betweenApril and July, is also working inconjunction with 100 pre-selectedagency partners and the BermudaTourism Authority to support theofficial Bermuda Day celebrations onthe island on Saturday May 24.

Karen Rondan, the operator'sBermuda account manager, said: “Weare delighted with the support that wehave received from agents wanting to

take part in our Bermuda in-storedays. The whole idea is to raise theprofile of Bermuda by givingcustomers and shoppers on the HighStreet a taste of what a holiday toBermuda is all about, whilst weconduct product training for all agencystaff.

“We involve local press, dignitaries,town criers, traditional costumes,Bermuda rum and the island’scelebrated rum cake. Our Bermudadays form just one part of ourmarketing campaign for the island.Alongside our stand-alone brochurewe have a dedicated on the roadresource promoting the destination tothe travel trade year-round, a

knowledgeable specialist sales teamto handle all bookings to Bermuda anda trade advertising campaign backedby the Bermuda Tourism Authority.Based on our activities last year, salesfor this summer have alreadysurpassed those of 2013, so we arekeen to build on that momentum.”

The operator features 11 propertieson Bermuda, with two hotels in NewYork for customers looking to combinea holiday on the island with a stopover.

Agents wishing to arrange aBermuda day with the operatorbetween August and November shouldcall Karen Rondan on 01903-836611. For further details call 0800-294 9329or visit www.classic-collection.co.uk

AGENTS MAKING bookings for clients at the 62-room TheReefs Hotel & Club for a minimum of seven nights by March

15 can now offer savings of up to 50%. The deal applies tostays up to December 19. The property has also

announced the completion of its three-year project torenovate the bathrooms in its Poolside and Cliffside

rooms. The new bathrooms include walk-in tiled rainshowers, hardwood vanities and new countertops

and fixtures. For details visit www.thereefs.com

bermuda

In-store Bermuda days form part of Classic Collection Holidays' latest campaign

Prestige Holidays reports 12% year-on-year increase in Bermuda bookings

S04 TB2102 Bermuda_Layout 1 18/02/2014 17:27

THE BERMUDA TourismAuthority (BTA) hasannounced the appointmentof Bill Hanbury as its chiefexecutive officer.

David Dodwell, chairmanof the authority, said: “Billbrings tremendousmarketing and managementexpertise that will assistBermuda as we re-energisethe island’s tourism economyto compete in the globalmarketplace. He has led therebuilding of otherorganisations with similarchallenges and we lookforward to having him formand lead the team atBermuda Tourism Authority.”

Hanbury said: “I’m excitedto have the opportunity towork with the new board ofdirectors, private sectorpartners and governmentofficials to build a world-classorganisation representingBermuda’s extraordinarytourism assets.

"Bermuda is one of theglobe’s premiere tourismdestinations and to have anopportunity to work here is anhonour and a significantprofessional challenge. I lookforward to implementing theNational Tourism Plan withthe intention of creating jobs,increasing tax revenues andimproving the overall tourismfigures and its input to theBermuda economy.”

BERMUDAHome to pink sands, turquoise waters, colonial charm,

and temperatures averaging 29oC from April to October

Call 0800 008 7288www.classic-collection.co.uk

In only 7 hours

Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa from £1,999pp

SAVE £664 per couple per week

Based on 2 sharing a water view room on a b&b basis, departing 2 April, includes return

bermuda


New CEO for Bermuda Tourism Authority

Mention Bermuda to most people and the chancesare that they will mention the Bermuda Triangleand Bermuda shorts.

The Bermuda Triangle is an area of the North AtlanticOcean where ships and planes disappear in mysteriouscircumstances. It’s a little like my sock drawer, where pairsof socks go in, but only odd socks come out.

However, the Bermuda Triangle is just a myth and theonly scary thing about it is the song by Barry Manilow. Thistrack is definitely an earworm and once it’s in my head itnever wants to leave. In fact it’s torturing me as I type this.

Bermuda shorts do exist, but this doesn’t mean that theyare any easier to explain. They are a recent addition toBermuda and were invented out of necessity, so there isn’ta nice romantic story to them unlike the Hawaiian shirt.

During the Second World War there was a shortage ofmaterial on the island and the story goes that the localbanks were concerned that the male employees wouldn’tbe able to maintain the required standard of attire. A localtailor was asked to make two pairs of shorts for every malebanker. These shorts were based on those worn by theBritish Army in tropical and desert areas. As well as theshorts the workers were also given two pairs of long greysocks. Hmm, itchy grey flannel shorts and grey woollensocks, what a great combination.

The style of these shorts has moved on since then; theyare made with more comfortable material and instead ofgrey they now come in various colours. They are usuallyworn with a dress shirt, jacket and tie.

Unfortunately I can’t wear them, not with my skinny,Bambi legs.

For more sensible information about Bermuda have alisten to my interview with Shubhra Halliday from PrestigeHolidays http://tinyurl.com/nl3znjy

All together now “Bermuda Triangle.. It makes peopledisappear.. Bermuda Triangle … Don't go too near..”

John delvesinto the worldof trianglesand shorts...

by John Guinn, holiday researcher

John Guinn runs Holiday Hut and has a weekly travelshow on internet radio station, Secklow Sounds. Healso contributes regularly to UK Health Radio.

Bill Hanbury

Travel Talks Picture: Bermuda Tourism

S04 TB2102 Bermuda_Layout 1 2/19/2014 2:46 PM

Ever thought of Bermuda? It has it all Sun, Sea and Sand!

It’s a great time to book - with excellent offers.

Prices start from as little as £1148 per person for 7 nights at

Grotto Bay, saving £473 per couple.

Why not fly home Club World from as little as £1389 per person one way.

Add a few nights in New York, Boston or Toronto, we can easily arrange that too!

Don’t forget you will receive Love to Shop vouchers for each booking made.

Prestige Holidays on 01425 480400 www.prestigeholidays.co.uk

PRESTIGEH O L I D A Y S . C O . U K

S04 TB2102 Bermuda_Layout 1 18/02/2014 17:27

S05 TB2102 Theme Parks_Layout 1 2/19/2014 11:32 AM


MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS has announced a newpartnership with Finland-based Rovio Entertainment,creator of the Angry Birds franchise, to premiere theworld’s first Angry Birds 4D experience at its Surreytheme park resort, Thorpe Park.

Scheduled to open in May, the experience will form thecentrepiece of a new 4000sq m fully-themed landfeaturing Angry Birds characters, coming home to rooston Detonator – the resort’s 100ft drop tower ride - whileRed Bird and the Bad Piggies go bump to bump on a newdodgems attraction.

The 4D Experience is being jointly developed by Rovioand 4D animators 3DBA, including a new ten minute 4Danimated film.

Mark Fisher, chief development officer for MerlinEntertainments, said: “We are very excited to be workingwith Rovio and we see this as a long-term strategicpartnership with great benefits to both parties. Youngadults and family visitors are the core target audience ofthe Angry Birds franchise and no one is better placedthan Merlin to capture the fun and humour of this newattraction."

Merlin Entertainments announces launch of Angry Birds 4D experience at Thorpe Park

themeparks

BUILDING ON the popularity of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort will bring to life some of the experiencesand places found in and around London in the Harry Potter books and films. Diagon Alley and ‘London’ will be located within UniversalStudios Florida, which is adjacent to Universal’s Islands of Adventure, where guests can now experience Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Whencomplete, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will feature shops, a restaurant and a marquee attraction based onGringotts bank. Guests will be able to travel between ‘London’ and Hogsmeade on the Hogwarts Express. For details see http://trade.visitorlando.com/

GERMANY’S EUROPA-Park ended its2013 season with a record numberof visitors at almost five millionpeople, the highest number since itopened in 1975.

Roland Mack, owner of the themepark, said: “Our extended servicehas paid off. Winter opening hasbecome a stimulus for growth withclose to 500,000 visitors in this yearalone. On peak days, we had up to25,000 visitors, the likes of which wehad only ever seen in the summerseason, and the proportion of first

time visitors has been higher inwinter than in summer.”

The park’s next major attraction,‘Arthur - In the Minimoys Kingdom’,is based on the ‘Arthur and theInvisibles’ films and has beendeveloped in co-operation with thetrilogy’s director, Luc Besson.

Scheduled to open on April 5, theattraction has received aninvestment of €20m and will coveran area of more than 3,500m². Thecentrepiece of the new attraction isa ride constructed by the Mack

Rides company.For more information seewww.europapark.de

Germany’s Europa-Park welcomes record number of visitors in 2013

The Big Wheel


BENIDORM'S NEWESTtheme park, Terra Mitica,has announced that it isoffering a new freeentrance section when itopens on April 11.Iberia Park is a newplayground area adjoiningthe theme park with freeentrance and pay as yougo rides. It hosts morethan a dozen attractions,such as the Rapids ofArgos and The Rescue ofUlysses, plus restaurantsand entertainment such as‘The Pirates of theCaribbean’ , a colourful

pirate show; and ‘TheMagic Experience’, a newmagic show featuringJorge Moreno.Meanwhile, in August thepark is hosting the annualElectrobeach Festival inAugust, (from €30 for twodays) that welcomes topinternational artists. Theopen-air stage of the parkoffers a hillside locationoverlooking the Benidormcoastline. For more information seewww.terramiticapark.com/en andwww.lovebenidorm.co.uk

PORTAVENTURA ISsurprising this season’svisitors with a new attraction:Angkor: Adventure in the LostKingdom.

The new attraction, whichwill open on April 11 tocoincide with the start of thepark's 2014 season, isinspired by the Asian junglesand offers a 300 metreswater boat ride.

Located in the China areaof the resort near Shambhala(Europe’s highest roller-coaster), visitors will boardrafts equipped with waterguns to take on the dangersthey will face in the jungleahead. Their journey will take

them through different areasfull of surprises andinteractive challengesincluding mysterious villages,snakes that rise from theriver, tigers hidden in caves,monkeys that inhabit ruinedtemples and stone elephants.Passengers can shoot atthem with their water jets ortake aim at other boats andonlookers.

The park has alsoannounced that Cirque duSoleil will be performing itslatest presentation, KOOZA,offering acrobatics andexcitement. For more information seewww.portaventura.co.uk

April launch of PortAventura’s newinteractive water adventure attraction

An artist’s impression of the new attraction

Free section at Benidorm's Terra Mitica


themeparks

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ready to roll atWalt Disney World Florida

WHEN IT opens in spring, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train,inspired by the classic Disney film ‘Snow White and theSeven Dwarfs’, will take guests on a musical ride intothe mine and through the rolling countrysidesurrounding the mine. A stone bridge over a creek leadsguests to the entrance of the attraction - the rusticcottage of the Dwarfs.

The family-style coaster will feature a first-of-its-kindtrain of ride vehicles mounted in cradle-like pivots thatallow the cars to swing back and forth during the ride.The journey will be accompanied by music from the filmand there’s a cast of animated figures of Snow White,the Seven Dwarfs and a collection of playful forestcritters. An interactive queue will also feature activitiesthemed to mining.

New high-speed attraction at Wet 'n Wild Orlando

A HIGH-SPEED race awaits guests this summer whenWet ‘n Wild Orlando opens Florida’s tallest and fastestwater-based racing attraction.

The Aqua Drag Racer will be six storeys tall and willpropel guests through four lanes of head-to-headcompetition at 15ft per second before splashing themacross the finish line. For more information see www.wetnwildorlando.com

ATTRACTION WORLD is offering nine days for the price of seven forbreaks at Walt Disney World Resort Florida booked before June 30and taking place until December 31. Prices under the offer lead inat £317 per adult and £301 per child (aged three-nine). Agents whoemail their booking reference to [email protected] willalso have the chance to grab one of 100 prizes including spa days,afternoon tea for two and comedy night tickets for two.

S05 TB2102 Theme Parks_Layout 1 2/19/2014 3:14 PM

EFTELING.COM

For more than 60 years, Efteling has been a magical world full of wondrous fairy tales, breath-taking attractions and beautiful nature, where one cannot get enough. Students, clubs, families or seniors – at Efteling everyone will be enchanted: by the amazing fairy tale forest, the rollercoasters and many other attractions or the 72 hectares of the park’s beautiful scenery.

With over 4 million visitors in 2012, Efteling is the Netherlands’ most popular day out and can count itself among Europe’s leading theme parks. Efteling is open all year round.

Entrance Prices 2014 – 2015*:Rack Rate (Adults) € 35.00 p.p.Schools Regular € 18.00 p.p.* Prices are valid from the 3rd of March 2014 until the 1st of March 2015

For more information about Efteling, please contact Ms. Rianne Hovens, Account Manager Travel Trade, at [email protected] or at +49 151 649 565 09.

For package deals for the travel trade industry, please contact Dutch incoming tour operator ITO Tours – exclusive partner of Efteling for the UK market: ITO Tours · Mr. Georg Kolarik Jr. · [email protected] | www.itotours.nl

Efteling - World of Wonders

Europe’s Third Leading Theme Park


AGENTS CAN now book packages to Alton Towers Resortwith Superbreak that include the new CBeebies Land whichopens on May 24. A host of rides, characters andattractions will be available, featuring many of CBeebies'most popular faces. Ideal for families with youngerchildren, the operator features packages that includeovernight accommodation and tickets to the theme park.

The new land will feature a range of attractionsincluding Something Special Sensory Garden; In The Night

Garden Magical Boat Ride; Postman Pat’s Parcel Postroute; Justin’s House Pie-O-Matic Factory; Tree Fu TomTraining Camp; Mike the Knight archery skills test; andsing and dance with the ZingZillas.

Packages lead in at £173 per family of four including aone-day entry to the park for all and one night at theNovotel Nottingham East Midlands. For more information or to book seewww.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871-221 4444.

GULLIVER’S, THE family theme parkcompany with attractions inWarrington, Matlock Bath and MiltonKeynes, reports that it has had its bestChristmas since 2009 and second bestof all time.

Bookings for last Christmas were up21% on 2012’s figures while a Januarysale this year has seen Christmas 2014bookings flood in, with 2,000 customersalready purchasing tickets.

The park's training and developmentmanager, Dean Kimberley, said: “Wehad one of our best summers ever lastyear thanks to the mild weathermaking us more accessible, whichcontinued through the winter. Coupledwith us adding new attractions, thismeant that visitors kept coming allyear-round.

“Customers are much more price-savvy nowadays so rather than ‘too

good to be true’ offers they are seekinggreat value year round, which is exactlywhat we give them. No gimmicks, noconfusion - just good, honest familyfun.”

The company reports thatcustomers’ disappointment over theclosure of other attractions helpedthem to boost trade during the festiveperiod.

Kimberley said: “We had an emailfrom one customer who had booked tovisit a London attraction which closedat the last minute due to stormyweather. She said we saved the day bystaying open, with cheery staff andwell-organised meals and grotto visits."

The Warrington and Milton Keynesparks are now open, while SplashZone(Warrington and Milton Keynes), SpyZone (Matlock Bath only) and NerfZone (Matlock Bath and Milton

Keynes) attractions are open year-round. For more information visitwww.gulliversfun.co.uk

Jet2holidays offers Disneyland Paris in City & Short Breaks brochure

JET2HOLIDAYS IS offering Disneyland Paris packagebreaks for this summer.

Holidays are available from April 3 with a range of dealsoffered including free nights at exclusive Disney hotels,free child places and free park tickets with unlimitedaccess.

The operator has a selection of accommodation options,all secured with a £60 deposit. As examples, Disney’s HotelSanta Fe is one of the value options, located a short journeyfrom Disneyland Park. Inspired by the iconic Route 66, thehotel features themed rooms and guests will have thechance to meet Disney characters.

Packages are available from £380 per person, based ontwo adults and one child.

Alternatively, Disney's four-star Hotel New York offersspacious rooms and an ice rink, with packages availablefrom £482 per person, based on two adults and one child.

Free accommodation and park tickets for kids (ages sixand under) are valid on arrivals until November 12inclusive, while kids under 12 receive free hotel and parktickets up to April 2. For more information visitwww.jet2holidays.com/disneyland-paris, call 0800-4085587 or see https://tradesite.jet2holidays.com

Christmas bookings flood in for Gulliver’s with 2,000 tickets for 2014 now sold

Superbreak highlights packages to Alton Towers with new CBeebies Land


themeparks

FRED.\ IS promoting short breaks and tailor-made holidays toEuropa-Park, Germany’s largest theme park. A special focus forthe park this year is 200 years of the Brothers Grimm fairytales,and from this summer there be a special feature about theBrothers Grimm in Grimm’s Enchanted Forest. The park’s themedarea has also been expanded to include six more of the famousfairytales. Agents looking to work with the operator can call0808-159 5256 or e-mail [email protected]


Experience the mystery, the humour, the euphoria and the indescribable celebration of art, technology,

and music that is Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando® Resort. It combines science and laughter, and

makes for an explosive evening of entertainment. See the show that has wowed over 25 million people

worldwide. Pre-purchase your Blue Man Group tickets in the UK, Adults from £36 saving 25%* off the

AND SAVE 25% OFF ADULT TICKETS

Make a Blue Man Group booking and claim £5 Love2Shop voucher by simply emailing your booking reference through to [email protected] (min. 2 pax per booking to apply).

BLUEMING AMAZING

through to December 31 2014. © 2014 BMP. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2014 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.


TWO NEW rides will greet visitors in May at Cedar Pointtheme park, located in the Great Lakes USA.

The new Pipe Scream ride will take visitors on morethan 302ft of track, flying 43ft above the midway at43mph.

Across from Pipe Scream, visitors can embark on theupdated Lake Erie Eagles ride. Riders will sit in one ofeight ‘eagles’ suspended from arms 28ft in the air. Asthe ride spins, the eagles will swing outwards andriders will have the opportunity to control their flightexperience from mild to wild.

LEGOLAND WINDSORResort has revamped itsPirates Landing attractionto become the new PirateShores.

The area will featureCastaway Camp, a newpirate adventure play area;more than 100 new modelsand themed features on thePirate Falls Treasure Questlog flume ride; a newthemed restaurant; a JollyRocker Pirate Ship ride; andPirate Goldwash.

Other popular attractionsinclude the AtlantisSubmarine Voyage ride; theViking boat; water rapids onthe Vikings’ River Splash;The Dragon rollercoaster (orthe Dragon’s Apprentice forlittle ones); Driving School;and Star Wars Miniland.

Guests have the option toextend their visit to a shortbreak at the 150-room hotelwith its Pirate, Kingdom

and Adventure bedrooms,indoor play features,restaurant and lakesideplay and outdoor seatingarea.

The park is open fromMarch 14 to November 4and advance online ticketslead in at £35.10 for adults,

£31.05 for children (free forunder-threes) and £132.50for families (two adults andtwo children).

Meanwhile, family rooms(two adults and twochildren) at the hotel startfrom £247 in low season orfrom £337 in high season.

Prices include breakfast,park tickets for two daysplus early bird access toselected rides (special ratesare available for AnnualPass Holders and MerlinAnnual Pass Holders)For more information visitwww.legoland.co.uk

New Ratatouille-themed attraction to be unveiled at Disneyland ParisA NEW attraction is set to open in Walt Disney Studios Parkthat will take guests into the world of the Oscar-winningDisney/Pixar movie Ratatouille, which tells the tale ofRemy – a talented young rat who dreams of becoming arenowned French chef. Disney storytelling and state-of-the-art technology will come together in this larger-than-life Parisian experience.

Euro Disney chairman, Philippe Gas, said: “Bydeveloping this new Ratatouille attraction, we continue toensure our guests can experience their favourite Disneystories in memorable ways that only Disney can provide.The theme, which is very français, is a tribute to our capitaland the unforgettable characters that make Ratatouille theideal choice for an attraction that fits perfectly atDisneyland Paris.”

Legoland Windsor revamps Pirates Landing attraction for March opening

New rides launched at Cedar Point theme park


themeparks

PICTURED GETTING ready to welcome guests to one of the newHello Kitty attractions in mid-May are staff from Drusillas Park inEast Sussex. The new attraction, Hello Kitty Secret Garden, willfeature three children’s rides including the tea cup (pictured).For details visit www.drusillas.co.uk



CLASSIC COLLECTION is promoting arange of early booking offers applicableto a variety of Mediterranean islands forthis summer.

Examples include savings of up to£231 per person, per week for clientsstaying at the Constantinou AsiminaSuites in Cyprus between April 1 andOctober 31, with a complimentaryupgrade to half-board when bookedbefore April 30.

In Sardinia, clients booked to travelbetween May 24 and September 20 willreceive savings of up to £273 per personper week at the Hotel Capo d’OrsoThalasso & Spa, or savings of up to £238per person per week, on travel for thesame dates, at the Valle dell’EricaResort Thalasso & Spa, if booked beforeFebruary 28.

On the island of Mallorca, the operatoris offering savings of £175 per personper week at the Iberostar Playa de Muro

Village for early bookers travellingbetween April 11 and October 18.

Savings of up to £140 per person, perweek are also available at the MinosBeach in Crete between April 27 andOctober 31, as well as £70 savings at the

Westin Dragonara, Malta between May 1and October 31, when booked byFebruary 28.For further information call 0800-008 7288 or visit www.classic-collection.co.uk

INSIGHT VACATIONS' Exotics Collection brochure is new for2014 and features a range of premium escorted journeys, anew destination plus a choice of Signature hotels, diningand experiences across new and existing itineraries.

A new 11-day 'Mediterranean Fables' itinerary has beenadded which allows guests to cruise on a voyage ofdiscovery around the Mediterranean, visiting a range ofislands.

Highlights include a sightseeing tour of Athens and

Istanbul, including a sail along the Bosphorus; visits toSantorini, Crete and Rhodes; as well as taking in Symi,considered to be one of the most picturesque islands ofthe Dedocanese, and Mykonos.

Prices lead in at £1,960 based on two sharing, includingflights, transfers, ten nights' breakfast accommodation,13 additional meals, transport in air-conditioned coachesand taxes. For more information visit www.insightvacations.com

Insight Vacations offers new 11-day Med sailing itinerary from £1,960

mediterraneanislands

BELLEAIR HOLIDAYS is offering a seven-night, all-inclusive stay atthe four-star Seabank Resort & Spa from £639 per person. It includesflights from Heathrow, transfers and complimentary entrance to aselected Malta attraction. The offer is subject to availability and isbased on two adults sharing for a March 3 departure. For details see www.belleair.co.uk/agents or call 0845-365 3412.

Asimina Suites Hotel, Cyprus

Classic highlights selection of early booking offers with savings of up to £231

Marsaxlokk, Malta

S06 TB2102 Med Islands_Layout 1 2/19/2014 12:06 PM

JUST SARDINIA has introduced three all-inclusiveproperties on the east coast of Sardinia to its 2014 holidaycollection: Cala della Torre, Li Cupulatti Village and MarinaCountry Resort.

Prices start from £850 per family for a seven-night stayat the Cala della Torre Village based on two adults and twochildren (from two to 17 years) sharing and travelling onMay 24. The price excludes flights, transfers and car hireand includes a 10% early booking discount which is

available until February 28. From March 1 to May 31, a 5%discount applies. Prices without the discount are from£937.

Direct flights from Gatwick to Olbia are availablethroughout the season with Meridiana at £224 per person.

Agents making a booking with the operator for a 2014holiday by April 30 will receive a £15 Love2Shop voucher.For more information call 01202-484858 or visitwww.justsardinia.co.uk

THE THINKING Travellerhas announced theaddition of new villas inCorfu, Paxos and Antipaxosto its 2014 collection.

The four villas on Corfuare situated betweenKassiopi in the northeastand the yachting marina ofGouvia halfway up the eastcoast, offering sea views,panoramic pools and dailymaid service.

Just over an hour’shydrofoil ride from Corfu

are the islands of Paxosand Antipaxos where theoperator has a furtherthree new villas.

Meanwhile, newadditions are being offeredin Lefkada and Meganissi.Lefkada sees the additionof two new villas -Maristella and Filoniki,which offer panoramicinfinity pools and are idealfor couples or smallfamilies. For largergroups, Elies, which sleeps

14, is also new and islocated just outsideLefkada town.

New to Meganissi isPanorea, a seafront villawith an infinity pool juststeps away from the IonianSea.Villa prices lead in at€1,670 per week based ona villa which sleeps six.To book or for moreinformation call 020-73778518 or visitwww.thinkionianislands.com

Property additionsfor summer fromCorsican PlacesCORSICAN PLACES hasadded a further twoproperties to its summerholiday collection.

Some 15 newaccommodation options arenow available from thespecialist for theforthcoming season,bringing the total to morethan 160 choices.

New options include thetwo-bedroom Villa Paesanu,which sleeps up to fourpeople and is located on theheights of Bocca del’Oro, asmall residential hamletsouth of Porto Vecchio. Theproperty is ideal for familiesand couples and features anopen-plan layout, a south-facing terrace with views ofthe sea and a largeswimming pool. Thebeaches of Palombaggiaand Santa Giulia are a shorttrip away by car.

Prices lead in at £694 perperson for a week’s holidaybased on four sharing andinclude car hire and flightsfrom Heathrow.

Alternatively, the one-bedroom Apartment StPhilippe provides idealaccommodation for two inthe heart of the historictown of Calvi, North WestCorsica, with views of thebay and a short walk fromthe beach.

Prices start from £699per person for a week’sholiday based on twosharing and includetransfers and flights fromStansted or Manchester.For more information call0845-330 2113 or visitwww.corsica.co.uk

Think Ionian Islands introduces new islands and villas to portfolio

Filoxenia Hotel, Paxos

Just Sardinia adds new all-inclusive properties & agent booking incentive



AS PART of the Marbella Beach Hotel Corfu’s winter refurbishments, the hotel is constructing 16 new FamilyGarden View rooms, which provide direct access to the gardens where parents can let their children play. Atotal of €1m has also been invested in the construction of a new tunnel which passes under the road to allowguests to walk from the hotel to the beach. The property is also opening a new Greek Taverna-stylerestaurant as well as a new bar which will be open all day. Classic Collection offers seven nights from

£2,239 for a family of four sharing a family room on a half-board basis. Prices for all-inclusive start from£2,836 and both include flights from Gatwick and private transfers, based on a May 12 departure.

For details call 0800-294 9318 or see www.classic-collection.co.uk


Ibiza debut from SLHSMALL LUXURY Hotels ofthe World (SLH) hasannounced its first propertyon the Balearic Island ofIbiza.

Hacienda Na Xemena willform part of the company'sportfolio when it reopensthis spring after a fullrefurbishment.

Built into Ibiza’s northerncliffs, the luxury hotel offersviews of the Balearics andthe new acquisition bringsthe SLH Balearic membercount up to five.For more information seewww.slh.com

THE HARD Rock Hotel Ibiza, set to open on May 18, has announced theIbiza International Music Summit (IMS) as its first major event. The hotelwill kick off its first season on May 21 with the launch of the musicsummit, which in the last seven years has grown from an intimate group of music leaders to a major opening weekend on the island. For details visit www.hrhibiza.com

Prestige Holidays offer the best prices in Malta and Gozo.

We have fantastic offers including free nights and free room upgrades.Prices from only £694 at a 5 star hotel for a week in October.

We can book any flight from any airport, for any length of stay.

Prestige Holidays on 01425 480400 or www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/malta


ILIOS TRAVEL has added a new selection of family villas in Taormina, Sicily. Offeringprivate pools and accommodation for up to eight people, prices lead in at £2,345 perweek on a self-catering basis. For details see www.iliostravel.com


MALLORCA HOTELS is highlighting the 85th anniversary of Hotel Illa d’Or inPuerto Pollensa which reopens on February 28 after the completion of Phase twoof a major renovation and refurbishment programme. All 120 rooms and suites atthe four-star property have been renovated and refurbished in a bright,contemporary style with neutral and marine tones to reflect its seafront location.Some public areas have also been refurbished. For details see www.hotelillador.com

Palma de Mallorca highlighted as year-round destinationTHE SPANISH Tourist Office in London and the Tourism Foundation Palma deMallorca 365 have launched a new tourism initiative geared towards making theBalearic Island a year-round destination for Brits.

Almost 2.5m Brits visited Mallorca last year, a 7.2% year-on-year increase,however, seasonality is high and it continues to be considered as a summerbeach destination, with almost 70% of those tourists choosing to visit betweenJune and September. UK travellers are now being encouraged to experience thevariety of cultural and entertainment options on offer year-round.

According to the Mallorca Hotel Business Federation, the city houses 8,000hotel rooms, of which 80% are four- and five-star rated – positioning the city asthird in Spain in terms of hotel capacity. Within a ten minute radius, the cityoffers five golf courses and nine marinas for sailing, as well as 105 miles oftrekking routes and 780 miles of cycling paths. The focus for 2014 is to highlighteight key products on offer in the city - culture, sports, sailing, cruises,gastronomy, shopping, MICE and entertainment.For more information visit www.palmademallorca.es

We asked our staff thefollowing question this week:

What song would yousay best sums you up?

Publisher: Jeanette [email protected] Eyed Girl by Van Morrison

Editor: Lauretta [email protected]’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred

Assistant Editor: Jill [email protected] Woman by Cliff Richard

Contributing Editor: Paul [email protected]'s Been A Hard Day's Night (or Come Fly With Me)

Sales Director: Simon [email protected] by Dana International

Advertisement Manager: Tim [email protected] Trousers by Madness

Online Sales Manager: Nick [email protected]"Harder Than You Think" by Public Enemy. Undiscoveredfor years, then suddenly a big hit in 2012

Account Manager: Bill [email protected] by the Village People

Sales Executive: Chris [email protected] Way by Ol' Blue Eyes

Sales Executive: Matt [email protected] Frog by Axel F

Senior Designer: Genaro [email protected] Is Awesome (The AWESOME!! Version)LEGO OST

Assistant Designer: Nicky [email protected] Style by PSY

Production: Nick Salt [email protected] I Got High by Afroman

Circulation Manager: Jim [email protected]

Crossword:Across: 1. UNITED, 4. UTAH, 7. AMM, 8. TUNISIA, 10. NORWAY, 11. TANG, 13. OCHO, 15. TASMAN, 18. TBILISI, 19. ACI, 20. OHIO, 21. DAVINA.Down: 1. USAIN BOLT, 2. IZMIR, 3. EXTRAS, 5. TOSCA, 6. INN, 9. ARGENTINA, 12. MANILA, 14. HAITI, 16. MIAMI, 17. MIA.

Highlighted Word: ESTONIA

Travagrams: (top) Rocky Mountaineer (bottom) Basel

Where Am I?: The Yangtze River

puzzlesolutions


Travel Bulletin is published by Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd - University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London,SW1W 0EX, Tel: 020-7834 6661 Printed by: Wyndeham Grange LimitedSubscriptions are £125 p.a. £195 overseasISSN: 0956-2419

Follow us on Twitter!@TravelBulletin

Contiki offers new eight-day Greek sailing option from £734CONTIKI HOLIDAYS has issued its new 2014 Europe brochure featuring a rangeof new tours from which to explore the continent.

The Backstage Pass to Europe has been given greater emphasis and givesguests the option of jumping the queue at many popular attractions from theVatican Musuem in Rome to Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower. The increase of Me Time(free time) optional excursions has also risen from 50 to 100 across Europe,giving guests the ability to customise their trip.

Meanwhile, a new addition to the brochure is a 'Greek Sailing' trip which givesguests the chance to explore the lesser known gems of the Saronic Coast.

The itinerary begins in the historical capital of Athens with an introduction tocrew and fellow travellers. The eight-day trip continues on to the fishing village ofPerdika where guests can explore the picturesque setting before settling downfor a full Greek fare. Hydra is the next port of call and can be explored on foot orby donkey, followed by a sailing to Nafplio, which offers a mix of neoclassicalbuildings and historical fortresses amongst quaint shops and restaurants.

Other highlights of the trip include visits to Spetses, Dhokos, Poros and Aegina. Prices start from £734 per person, land-only and include seven nights in two-

berth accommodation on a sailing yacht, seven breakfasts, a dedicated skipper,plus port and visitor taxes. For more information visit www.contiki.com



TRAVEL AGENT AFFILIATE PROGRAMME

Get 2014a great

start with

off to

New trade website, with single log-in and booking vouchers

Even more hotels to choose from, with 240,000+ now available

Excellent package offers

Great prices (the same as available to the public)

Complete our Online Travel Training course at www.expediataaptraining.co.uk

UK trade sales team – please contact us to arrange a meeting / training etc

SPECIAL OFFER Register a new account with us at

www.expedia.co.uk/taap and make

a booking by the end of March to

receive a £20 voucher

020 3027 9793 [email protected] www.expedia.co.uk/taap

This year we’re bringing you…


travel bulletin 21st february 2014

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