travel bulletin 23rd march 2012

How to pick the rightsupplier to boost yourclients' confidence in

your business

Dynamicpackaging

March 23 2012 | ISSUE NO 1,771 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

agent bulletinTitan offers £50 Love2Shopvouchers for every booking

personality bulletinwhich multilingual MD always takes her runningtrainers when travelling?

icelandnew tours, experiences &promotions from operators

staff reviewwe check-in to check out thenewly launched LEGOLANDWindsor Resort Hotel

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TRAINING TRIO...Amathus Holidays hosted its first agents' evening of the year at the Blue Olive restaurant in Cockfosters London recently. A selection of key independentagents and homeworkers attended the event and had the chance to mingle with representatives of the hotels featured in the operator's brochure as well as the CyprusTourist Organisation. Pictured, from the left, is: Mike Prior, Scotts Travel; Anna Davies, Preston Holidays; and Alan Meadows, business development manager at Amathus.

This Week

3newsa round-up of the latestindustry news &developments

8 at home with eileenfind out what homeworkerEileen has been up to lately

9agent bulletinTitan offers £50Love2Shop vouchers forevery booking made

10 W-AITO-Go!news & views from TedWake of AITO Agents

11 puzzle bulletincan you solve thetravagram puzzles?

14personality bulletinwhich multilingual MDalways takes her runningtrainers when travelling?

15 icelandnew tours, experiences &promotions from operators

19dynamic packaginghow to pick the rightsupplier to boost yourclients' confidence inyour business

12staff reviewwe check out the newLEGOLAND WindsorResort Hotel

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3www.travelbulletin.co.uk March 23 2012

newsbulletin

FOLLOWING THE launch ofthe Government's £4madvertising campaign toencourage Brits to holidayat home this year, aYouGov poll commissionedby ABTA reveals that thecampaign may fall on deafears.

The poll shows thatnearly two thirds ofconsumers (65%) do notthink the Governmentshould spend money ontrying to influence wherepeople choose to holiday. Afurther 14% of consumersare undecided, with justover one in five (21%)supporting theGovernment spendingmoney on this.

The research also foundthat female consumers,who previous research hasshown tend to be the oneswho decide on thedestination for the familyholiday, feel more stronglyabout the campaign with71% opposing it comparedto 59% of males.

Other findings suggest

that the campaign mayhave limited influence overconsumers. When it comesto looking for inspirationfor their holidaydestination,recommendations byfamily and friends andtravel company Websitesand brochures are themost likely to inspire. Only4% of people who go onholiday said that theywould be inspired bygovernment advertising.

The survey also revealedthat British holidaymakersare more likely to lookforward to a foreign break(42%) than a domestic one(16%) reinforcing Britain’sdesire to ‘get away from itall’. Some 41% ofrespondents said that theylook forward to both typesof holiday equally.

The association's chiefexecutive, Mark Tanzer,said: “2012 is a year forBritain to shine and thereare some fantastic eventsand places to visit forpeople choosing to holiday

in the UK. However, I don’tthink the Governmentneeds to spend £4m of ourmoney telling us that we’rehaving the Queen’s Jubileeand the Olympics. It isclear that the majority ofBrits are strongly opposedto the Governmentspending taxpayer moneyon telling them where togo on holiday.

"British holidaymakersshould be free to maketheir own choices andenjoy the variety the worldhas to offer withoutGovernment interference.ABTA also believes it iswrong to assume thatholidaying at home isbetter for the economythan holidaying abroad.Foreign travel creates ahuge amount of jobs andtaxes in the UK as well asgiving an incredible boostto the High Street. This isa misguided use of publicfunds at a time when somany other areas of theeconomy are in urgentneed of support.”

Friends & family inspire Brits' holiday choices in 2012

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COMPLETE CRUISE Solution brands P&O Cruises, Cunard andPrincess Cruises have enabled a new Travel Agency Locatorfunction on their Websites, promoting the use of specificagencies to their customers.

Agencies with individuals who achieve Commodore statuson The Complete Cruise Solution Academy trainingprogramme for each of the cruise lines are eligible to gainexclusive placement on the Travel Agency Locator, within the‘how to book’ section of each Website.

The locator allows visitors to search for their closest cruiseexpert agencies by postcode. Search results are displayed on

a map, as well as a text based list. Where agencies have adedicated cruise line landing page, this link is also displayed.The local agencies are grouped by Academy status, with theclosest ten Commodore agencies being listed first (regardlessof distance), followed by ten other agencies.

To be recommended, at least one member of staff in anagency has to have completed the training to Commodorestatus on the cruise line.For details see www.pocruises.com/travel-agent-locator,www.cunard.co.uk/How-To-Book/Agent-Locator andhttp://locator.princesscruises.co.uk

UNTRAVELLED PATHS is offering anexclusive, family-friendly four-nightpackage to the Ice Hotel in Romaniaover Easter. Prices start from £415per person and include a treasurehunt at the Ice Hotel, with childrenunder 12 years staying for half price.

Activities on offer include mountainsledging, ice-skating and a mountain

treasure hunt.Prices lead in at £1,245, based on

two adults and two children andinclude transfers, a welcome drinkon arrival, a rep, four nights'breakfast accommodation, a visit toDracula's Castle and RasnovFortress, a visit to three other cities(Bucharest, Brasov & Sibiu), a VIP

cable car pass to the Ice Hotel and atreasure hunt.

Dates for the Easter weekendbreak run from April 6-10.

Flights are excluded but cost from£44.99 one-way with Blue Air fromLuton. For more information visitwww.untravelledpaths.com

Kids go for half price at Ice Hotel in Romania with Untravelled Paths

Expert cruise sellers to benefit from new Travel Agency Locator on cruise lines’ Websites

www.travelbulletin.co.ukMarch 23 20124

newsbulletin

FOLLOWING THE new classification system by the MallorcanTourist board, Hotel Bon Sol Resort & Spa has recently beenawarded five-star status. However, the property has opted toretain its four-plus star rating as a tried and tested formula whichattracts 82% of repeat guests, with a wide appeal to the familymarket. Room rates start from €133 per person on a half-boardbasis. For details see www.hotelbonsol.es

Mailings with Travel Bulletin this week include:

● Treyn Winter 2012/2013 - Great value Christmasmarket breaks, festive holidays and winter orspringtime adventures. With everything from Xmasmarkets, New Year festive breaks right through toSpring breaks in 2013.Further details on 01904 734900 or viawww.railholidays.com

Mailbox

For further details and special offers please read the mail shots that accompany this issue

New insurance product from Holiday Extras LATITUDE IS the name of a new insurance brand from HolidayExtras, designed especially for travellers with pre-existingmedical conditions who are excluded from standard travelinsurance cover.

The product is available to customers booking through atravel agent who are declined a standard Holiday Extras'insurance policy and retail agents will earn 10% commissionon every booking. Benefits include medical expenses of up to£15million, cancellation charges up to £5,000 and baggageclaims up to £2,000.

The company's head of insurance and travel tradepartnerships, Andrea Clayton, said: "We have been workinghard to develop a new product that is well-priced, eliminates alot of the hassle and empowers these customers to plan theholiday they really want. We’ll refer anyone who is declinedwhen screening on our standard policies, keeping thingssimple for you and your clients." For details email [email protected] or call 01303-815326.

RSSC to increase fares from April 1REGENT SEVEN Seas Cruises has announced that its fares willincrease on selected published 2012 sailings and 2013 springitineraries from April 1, and the line is encouraging agents tobook now to secure the best fares for their clients.

The company's fares include free flights and transfers, freeBusiness Class flights on all Mediterranean and Baltic cruises,a free one-night hotel package on selected 2012 and all 2013sailings, free and unlimited shore excursions, all fine andspeciality dining, all beverages and gratuities and no servicecharges. For more information or to book call 02380-682280 or visit www.rssc.com

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Fred. Olsen announces training datesFRED. OLSEN Cruise Lines has announced its spring andsummer 2012 programme of onboard training for itstravel trade partners, which will be held on the line'sBalmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch ships.

The dates and venues include April 16 on Boudicca inSouthampton, May 29 on Balmoral in Southampton, June14 on Braemar in Dover and July 31 on Boudicca inRosyth.

During the training days, which run from 09:30 to 14:00,agents will get the chance to meet the line's sales teamand learn more about the company, its fleet of foursmaller, more intimate ships, service on board and therange of destinations and itineraries. There will be anextensive tour of the ship, followed by lunch and a quiz atthe end of the visit. Agents looking to attend can [email protected] or call 01473-746164 formore information.

Tucan Travelcelebrates 25thbirthday THIS MONTH Tucan Travel ismarking its 25th year byoffering clients a discount ofup to 25% off group tours,with agents able to offerclients the full discountwithout any cut to theircommission.

The company is offering15% off all group tours in itsAdventure Tours travel styleprogramme, 20% off all toursin the Overland Expeditionsand Discovery Tours travelstyles and 25% off all BudgetExpeditions tours.

The deal applies to allbookings made this monthfor all departure dates listedin the operator's brochureand on its Website.

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ACCESS ALL AREAS...Dertour has gone live on the Advantage TravelGateway, giving Advantage members access to an independent sourceof hotels in more than 120 European cities. The deal brings anadditional 2,000 three-, four- and five-star hotels in city centrelocations, as well as airport and tradefair ground hotels, to theGateway – an online bookable system that brings together flights,accommodation, packages, car hire, transfers and airport parkingfrom preferred suppliers. Pictured marking the announcement isJulie Craig from Dertour and John Sullivan from Advantage.

Food Tripper on Sunday 25th March at 21:00 on the Travel Channel

This series sees presenter Helen Hokin explore foodhistory and culture around the world. This week she's inthe capital of Estonia, Tallinn, where she travels back intime to find out what was on the menu in Medieval timesand later, how the Soviet occupation affected thenational diet. On the trail of Nordic Island Cuisine, Hokinsails across the Baltic to the remote island of Muhubefore travelling further south east on the mainland toget hands on baking and pickling with the Setu people,Europe's longest settled community.

Ones to WatchA pick of the top travel programmes

you don't want to miss...

Superbreaklaunches flight

inclusive bookings SUPERBREAK HASlaunched its first flightinclusive programme.Initially low-cost carriers(apart from RyanAir) willbe on sale, followed shortlyby scheduled carriers.

All of the operator'sflight inclusive packagesare fully protected underthe company’s ATOL licenceand agents are able to bookthe product to anyEuropean or domesticdestination.

The company's normalcommission rates foragents apply to allelements of the booking. For more information call0871-221 2828.

IN RESPONSE to agent and customer demand, Wendy WuTours has launched ‘Wendy Wu Concierge – The UltimateExperience.’

Designed to deliver unique travel experiences in Chinaand reaching out to a new customer base, the programmewill be primarily sold through agents and will feature five-star hotels, Business and First Class flights and uniqueexperiences.

The operator's managing director, Manuel Mascarenhas,said:“Extensive feedback from agents we work withsupports the need for a product like this offering their mostdiscerning customers the highlights of China but in anexclusive and luxurious way.”

The operator will work closely with agents to support

them in selling the high value product and Bronwyn Clarke,the company's concierge consultant, will be in close contactwith agents to talk to them about the new programme andguide them through the brochure, which will be officiallylaunched at the end of April.

For customers looking for a personal touch, the operatorwill be offering a face-to-face service from its office inLondon where an appointment can be made to discuss triprequirements and the client’s ‘must see’ list. This does notaffect agent’s commission and will be an additional personalservice that the operator is offering to support the work ofthe travel agent. A dedicated Website has also beenlaunched at www.wendywuconcierge.co.ukFor more information call 0844-875 2439.

Wendy Wu launches new luxury product, ‘Wendy Wu Concierge - The Ultimate Experience’

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CLARENCO HASannounced that it will belaunching 'ClarencoPreferred', a commissionpayment plan that aims tobenefit travel agents,conference agents andevent managementcompanies.

The payment plan willpay agents 75% ofcommissions due as aresult of a booking, prior tothe event taking place oncethe contract has beensigned and initial depositshave been received. Theremaining 25% will be paidonce the event has takenplace.

The new plan is beingimplemented to recognisethe agency partners’responsible for generatingconferences, events andexclusive use occasions ineach of the company’sseven historical propertiesacross the UK and offersagents a greater advantageto benefit from the businessthey generate across thecompany's properties.

The company can providea choice of historic, iconicand unusual venues forevents, as well as arrange avariety of activities,including golf, tutored flyfishing, quad biking, claypigeon shooting and hot-airballooning.

Agents interested injoining the new plan shouldcall 01494-682682 or [email protected]

'ClarencoPreferred'commissionpayment planannounced torecognise agentpartners

Tweets of

the WeekWho’s saying what

on Twitter...

Adventure CompanySave up to £1000 perfamily on selectedadventurestinyurl.com/88f7pjw

Avis Rent A Car UK Avis car hire researchhttp://bit.ly/wKRsRtshows Spain is the mostpopular destination for UKtravellers

ThomsonRoaming charges are ahot topic right now withloads of you concerned.Save money with our tipsbit.ly/y0FmhP

Superbreak Don't miss Dirty Dancingas it goes on UK tour!Edinburgh ticket packagesare available now from£80.25pphttp://bit.ly/xXgprm

monarch.co.uk Curious about cabin crew?Our blogger reveals whatgoes on behind thecurtain before you boardhttp://bit.ly/AcqiS6

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

TravelBulletin

PEGASUS AIRLINES has expanded itsdomestic flight network to include Sanliurfa insoutheastern Turkey from April.

The new route will launch on April 2 withflights connecting from Stansted on Mondays,Thursdays and Saturdays at 05:35 and onTuesdays at 20:10 from Istanbul's Sabiha

Gokcen Airport. Flights returning from Sanliurfa will be on

Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 07:30and Tuesdays at 22:05.

Return fares start from £91.99 includingtaxes.For more information visit www.flypgs.com

ELITE TRAVEL Group hasannounced that its annualconference will be held onSeptember 28 and 29 at theHilton Hotel in Warwick.

The theme for this year'sconference is ‘drivingsuccess’ and will consist ofa gala dinner, overnightaccommodation and a fullday’s conference session atthe Heritage Motor Centrein Warwickshire.To register or for moreinformation [email protected]

Elite announcesconference

details

Pegasus launches 20th destination in Turkey


newsbulletin

SNAKES ALIVE, IT'S 55....Lisa McGrogan (right) from MacmillanCancer Support joined Stena Line’s head of PR andcommunications, Diane Poole, OBE to celebrate the ferry companyraising £55,000 for the local charity.

Newsbites● TAM AIRLINES has announced that it is to absorb

the increase in Air Passenger Duty (APD), whichtakes effect on April 1, for all its passengers thatbooked and paid in advance for their tickets priorto the British Government’s Autumn Statement ofNovember 29, 2011.

● INSIGHT VACATIONS has introduced a new itineraryin Northern Spain for this year. The 11-day tourleads in at £1,785 per person and includes VIP doorto door transfers, breakfast accommodation andthree dinners. For details call 020-7468 4335 orvisit www.onestoptouringshop.co.uk

● BRITISH AIRWAYS is continuing to grow its leisurenetwork from London City Airport with the launchof a three-times-weekly flight to Mahon inMenorca. The new leisure flight, which launches onMay 25, will complete the Balearic Islands triofollowing the launch of the Ibiza and Mallorcaservices in 2010. See www.ba.com

● FROM THIS Sunday (March 25), Alitalia Group'scarrier, Air One, will commence new directservices from Gatwick to Milan. Flights will operatetwice daily and tickets are on sale atwww.flyairone.com and www.alitalia.com from £26one-way, including taxes.

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KLM ROYAL Dutch Airlinesis set to increase capacityon three of its key SouthAmerican routes from thisSunday for its 2012summer and winterschedule. Frequencies toArgentina, Brazil andEcuador are all set toincrease.

Following strong resultsand high demand for itsnewly launched routes toBuenos Aires and Rio deJaneiro, the carrier isincreasing capacity to bothdestinations.

Buenos Aires will benefitfrom an increase in

frequencies and a largeraircraft type. From March25 until the end of June,services on Wednesdaysand Fridays will beoperated by a Boeing 777-300, replacing the currentBoeing 777-200, addingmore than 20% more seatsper week on the route.From the beginning of Julyuntil the end of October,all flights (Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays)will be operated by aBoeing 777-300, increasingthe current offer by a third.And from the start of thewinter schedule (October

28), the airline will add afourth weekly frequencyevery Saturday, alsooperated by a Boeing 777-300. Fares to Buenos Aireslead in at £640.

Meanwhile, Brazil willbenefit from increasedfrequencies to four perweek to Rio de Janeirofrom the start of the winterschedule, with the airlineadding a Sunday rotation toits timetable, to offerflights on Tuesdays,Thursdays, Saturdays andSundays, with capacityincreasing by 33%. Lead infares start from £516.

The carrier's summerschedule to Ecuador willsee the addition of an extraweekly service onTuesdays, bringing thetotal to four flights weekly,flying Amsterdam-Quito-Guayaquil-Amsterdam on aBoeing 777-200. Lead infares start from £874.

In addition, the airlinewill be increasingschedules to Paramaribo(Suriname) for the peakseason from June 25 toSeptember 10 from threeweekly flights to four, withprices starting from£1,040.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines increases capacity on South American routes

SOVEREIGN LUXURY Travel is offering acomplimentary room upgrade at the GranHotel Roca Nivaria in Tenerife, a £50saving in April and an online discount.Seven nights lead in at £539 per

person on a bed-and-breakfast basis,departing on April 19, including flightsfrom Birmingham and privatetransfers. The deal offers savings of upto £466 per couple.

For more details call 0844-415 1936 orvisit www.sovereign.com

Tenerife savings from Sovereign Luxury Travel

S02 TB2303 News 1_Layout 1 20/03/2012 14:46

Condor Ferries celebrates NationalFerry Fortnight with 10% savingsCONDOR FERRIES is celebrating National Ferry Fortnight(March 17-31) by offering customers 10% discount on travelto Guernsey and Jersey, as well as to St Malo in Francewhen they book within the fortnight.

Customers travelling to France this year can takeadvantage of new connecting services, which provide adaytime stop-off in the Channel Islands. The services areideal for those travelling with children or pets, allowingthem to break their journey in Guernsey or Jersey, beforetravelling on to St Malo on the Brittany coast.

Passengers using connecting services also benefit frombeing able to continue their onward journey to Franceduring daylight hours, eliminating the need to book anovernight cabin at additional cost. For more information visit www.condorferries.com

with Eileen...At home

What has homeworker Eileen

has been up to this month?

The clocks go forward this weekend on 25 March andBritish Summer Time begins for another year. I don’tknow about you but just knowing that summer is on

its way gives me a boost and I can’t wait for the warmerdays to arrive together with the lighter nights.

Had a couple of enquiries this week for people trying toget away for some Easter sunshine. One client wanting 14nights all-inclusive at 5* hotel in Sharm was expecting topay around £500pp and was shocked to be told there waslittle availability and certainly nothing around that price. Ihave to say even I was surprised to find the flight-onlyprice was around £900pp.

He was taking his young daughter away with him andhad no flexibility on dates as it needed to be within theschool holidays. He decided to book and ended uppaying over three times his original budget.

Other parents would not or could not afford to paythis higher price and so often opt to take their childrenaway during term time when prices are much lower.

It’s reported that currently 4.5million days a year ofschooling are missed by youngsters going on packageholidays and the government are planning to unveiltough penalties including steep fines in an attempt tostop this practice.

You can certainly understand why parents do this andit does seem a bit harsh to fine them. However, on theother hand the figures are quite staggering and if thisis having a damaging effect on children’s educationthen you can understand wthy the government feelsthat something needs to be done.

Staggering school holidays throughout the countrymay help to some extent but I’m not sure if that on itsown will do the trick. I don’t know if there is anythingmuch the travel industry can do to help resolve thisproblem as obviously supply and demand largelydetermines the prices charged.

If fining parents doesn’t work, I wonder if there willcome a time when we will be expected to act aspolicemen and refuse to book school-age children onholidays during term time?

Nothing would surprise me!

by EILEEN SAUNDERS of Travel Counsellors To respond to any of Eileen’s comments email

[email protected]

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www.travelbulletin.co.uk

WEBSCLUSIVES

● Spring into action with Castaways and grab asuperior Hotel Chocolat Easter Egg. Every bookingbefore 6 April qualifies.Visit www.castaways.co.uk/travel_agents.html tobecome a Preferred Agent.

● The Morocco National Tourist Office and partnerswill be hitting the road this Spring, with theMoroccan Champions roadshow visiting Gatwick,Birmingham, Manchester and Norwich. Agents willbe able to meet the tourist office and theirpartners, enjoy dinner and have the chance to winsome great prizes.See: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/ training/training-events.

All this and more at:

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

The home of the web savvy travel agent

Go

MOVERS● Rail Europe has appointed Karen McClellan as managing

director.● Iain Baillie has been appointed head of sales at Carnival

Cruise Lines – UK. ● Fabio Gallo has joined ME by Melià as general manager of

ME London, which is scheduled to launch in June. ● Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts has appointed Ian Richardson

as general manager of the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel andNicholas Chalmers as hotel manager at Jumeirah CarltonTower. Both properties are in London.

S02 TB2303 News 1_Layout 1 20/03/2012 14:46

● Funway Holidays is offering agents thechance to win up to £200 in Love2Shopvouchers. The new incentive highlights ten ofthe operator's key destinations, each of whichhave been given its own reward voucher value- £10, £15 and £20. The more agents book,the more money they can earn. All bookingsneed to be made by March 31 and must bepackage holidays inclusive of flights andaccommodation (for a minimum of threenights). To claim the vouchers, a specialcoupon must be completed including allbooking references and returned by fax on0844-557 0349 or scanned and emailed [email protected] by April 6. Toobtain the coupon and make bookings visitwww.funway4agents.co.uk or call 0844-5570626.

● Titan has launched a new incentive schemewhere agents can claim £50 worth ofLove2Shop vouchers for each Titan-brandedbooking made by April 30 for travel this year.Every holiday includes as standard scheduledflights, hotel or cruise accommodation, a hostof excursions and visits, a tour manager anddoor-to-door transfers. To claim the voucheremail [email protected]

● Cox & Kings, in partnership with Prom Peru,is offering agents the chance to win a holidayto Machu Picchu with train travel included, worth more than £5,000. The prize includes

12 nights' accommodation, train travel toMachu Picchu and a 15-day tour of Peruincluding visits to Cuzco and Arequipa, theColca Canyon, Lake Titicaca and MachuPicchu. The individual agent who books thehighest total value of bookings for anydestination with the operator up to April 30wins the prize. Agents making any bookingfor Peru during the same period will also besent a £50 Love2Shop voucher. For more information [email protected] or call 020-7873 5000.

PICTURE PERFECT....Andy Harris fromTravel 2 presents Kelly Price of Peter GoordTravel with a digital camera, after winningthe January New South Wales & Qantas ‘Addyour own scenery’ campaign and incentive.

Booking incentives

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

Although it's a busy month for you work-wise, seizeany opportunities or extra responsibilities to earnmore income. It's also important to take time out totie-up any loose ends or have a clear-out, which willenable you to feel more energised and ready to tackleupcoming projects.

Lucky number: 19

Lucky day: Tuesday


agentbulletin

Agent offerAl Fresco Holidays has teamed up withOnline Travel Training to launch aprogramme for agents to gain up-to-dateknowledge. The programme consists of fivemodules where agents learn about everyaspect of the operator's holidays - from itsmobiles and the parcs to the facilities andamenities on site. All agents completingthe course by March 31 will be entered intoa prize draw to win a pair of MerlinAttraction Annual Passes. For details see www.alfrescotraining.com

S03 TB2303 News 2_Layout 1 21/03/2012 12:00


WOULD YOU ask your MP for expert advice on howto complete your expenses claim, or perhapssome guidance on how to balance the books in

your business during the recession? I don't think so! Youwould be locked up or go bust in record quick time – orperhaps both. For much of the time politicians seem tolive in a mythological world – and those of us who aredoing our utmost in the real world are left feeling thatpoliticians have a very tentative grip on reality. And so itwas when the Foreign Secretary uttered his advice to BritishCitizens who were planning to visit Greece on holiday…

Of course Mr Haig is doing a tricky job, and it isn’talways easy to get the balance right – but to suggest that‘any visitor to Greece should report their whereabouts tothe Foreign Office’ is bl**dy daft. That’s what the FCOadvice was in Libya just before Gadaffi’s regime collapsed– and it makes absolutely no sense to compare thesituation in Greece now to Libya then. I am sure that thegovernment will have some weasel words to defend whatwas said, and have no doubt too that there is some hiddenagenda about how the European Union needs to keep uppressure on the Greeks to ensure the Austerity Measuresare passed through their Parliament – of course we allunderstand that. But to kill off the holiday market for alloutbound tour operators with one careless remark? Thatreally is crazy! Mr Haig deserves a Thunderbolt sent byZeus himself.

What Greece needs more than anything else is athriving, vibrant inbound market with as many tourists aspossible, spending as much as possible to help them payoff their debts as quickly as possible.

Having had a go at politicians, it is probably the rightmoment to mention the press – the sensational imagesthat are pumped out into every consumer news channelare unhelpful and do not portray an accurate picture.Consumers do their best to make an informed decisionwhen planning their holiday – and images of the petrolbombers in Syntagma Square, adjacent to the GreekParliament, do not help encourage people to book aholiday. Of course we understand that news channels haveto make images look as sensational as possible to attractviewers, readers and listeners – BUT, please, let’s all doour best to create a balanced story, so that consumers arewell informed – not mis-informed. Any protests are veryshort-lived, and confined to a small corner of the capital –they have little or no impact on visiting tourists.Remember our own serious riots outside the Houses of

Parliament in London? They made very dramatic imagesfor the headlines, but I was based in my office less thanquarter of a mile away and attended meetings in centralLondon during the day and was not affected by thedisruption. It was certainly not a reason to advise visitorsto keep away from the UK.

Whilst news channels are trying to sell advertising, andpoliticians are doing their best to buy votes – well, thoseof us in the travel sector are doing our utmost to run ourbusinesses successfully by selling holidays. So we nowneed to re-balance the public perception about modern-day Greek myths. Greece is a wonderful destination tovisit this year: great value for money combined withexcellent service, provided by a local population who aredetermined to exceed every visitor’s expectations. In ourexperience, Kirker clients travelling to Greece over thelast 12 months have all returned home having had anoutstanding holiday – and are more likely to encounterAphrodite and Apollo than a protester.

Of course we will keep customers well-informed withaccurate reports – our clients depend on specialistoperators to do just this – but we achieve that by speakingdirectly to the local team in Athens, not by listening topoliticians or watching a sensational news story on thetelevision.

We will do all we can to support our Greek hotelcolleagues and our excellent local agents. We know we canrely on them to provide our most discerning clients with an‘out of this world experience…’ – and that’s a great way toachieve plenty of repeat bookings and long-term success. Iam off to Mount Olympus to consult the expert Gods ofAncient Greece about my next marketing campaign…

How to deal with 21st Century Greek myths

opinionbulletin

To respond to any of Ted’s views email [email protected]

by TED WAKEDeputy chairman, AITO Specialist Travel Agents

and director, Kirker Holidays

W-AITO-Go!

S03 TB2303 News 2_Layout 1 21/03/2012 10:21

puzzlebulletin


Where Am I?

A monster is currently in this famous city, at the movies

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, March 29th. Solution and new puzzle

will appear next week.

The winner for 9th March is Doreen Brown, Wot Travel in

Twickenham.

March 9 Solution: A=9 B=4 C=2 D=7

➠A

➠B

➠C

➠D

Number: 057

Travagrams

Across 1. Major car hire company (4)3. City, famous for its beer festivals (6)7. Eindhoven airport code (3)8. Five star luxury beach hotels in Limassol, Paphos

and Rhodes (7)11. Island recently visited by Prince Harry (7)14. European country (7)15. Basseterre is the capital of this island (2,5)18. Primary colour on the flag of 14 Across (3)19. Popular Italian holiday isle (6)20. Comedians, Alan and Jimmy (4)

Down 1. Welsh presenter of the One Show (4,5)2. Flows through the capital of the Tyrol (3)4. The British PM recently made an official visit to

this country (3)5. Corfu airport code (3)6. Capital of the Philippines (6)9. Kent castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn (5)10. European city, sounds like a high street bank (9)12. Capital of Belarus (5)13. Town in Perugia, birthplace of a famous saint (6)16. Antipodean island, in short (3)17. Major travel group (3)18. SAA operates from this country, initially (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 22

Crossword

Su DokuWin a £50 M&S voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle

Num

ber:

057

This operator shares its name with a film in which Tom Hanks stars

This Caribbean island’s name resembles that of a famous traditional game

Sac Swat Ay

Nomadic I

Can you solve the following anagrams to decipher the destination & tour operator?

S03 TB2303 News 2_Layout 1 21/03/2012 10:21

Futuroscope celebrates 25th anniversary FUTUROSCOPE IS celebrating its 25th Silver Anniversary byunveiling new attractions, a new look to some old classicssuch as Dynamic Vienne transferred to the IMAX screen, aswell as special events and giveaways.

Two new attractions created especially for the anniversaryyear include iMagic – a show of special effects all aboutillusion and a new Futuroscope version of The Little Prince,which immerses visitor in a sensory experience.

There will also be a new People of the Future attractionwhere creatures come forth to bear witness to theirextraordinary physique and amazing brain power, while theEco-Home will have a new renewable energy theme.For details visit http://en.futuroscope.com

Eastern Airways offers Brussels routeEASTERN AIRWAYS has stepped in to secure the future of theSouthampton-Brussels route by introducing services from April16 following the withdrawal of Flybe from the route last month.

Daily flights (except Saturdays) will be offered by the carrier,as well as the service being fully inclusive.

The airline does not charge for check-in, baggage, choice ofseat or onboard drinks and snacks.

Peru is latest success story for H&JPERU HAS followed in the footsteps of Argentina, Brazil andMexico to become the latest big hitter for Hayes & Jarvis, withbookings increasing by 163% this year compared with 2011 onthe back of a big increase in demand for Latin Americanholidays.

The increase in demand follows an expansion in the numberand range of Peruvian holidays offered by the operator this year.

As examples, in its latest Mexico, Caribbean and LatinAmerica brochure, covering bookings to March 2013, thecompany is, for the first time, offering its more adventurouscustomers the chance to walk the Soft Inca Trail on a grouphike to Machu Picchu. Departures run throughout the year andthe four-day trek costs from £549 per person.

The brochure also caters for holidaymakers with restrictedtime with a shorter six-day escorted tour – Treasures of Peru(from £1,999), which covers all the major highlights and canalso be combined with a four-night Lake Titicaca & La Pazmini-circuit tour. Both group and private departures areavailable.For more information call 0871-200 2211 or visitwww.hayesandjarvis.com/agents

staffreviewLauretta Wright from Travel Bulletin stayed at the newLEGOLAND Windsor Resort Hotel, which launched last

weekend, with her husband and two children

If you'd like to take part and receive a free Love2Shop voucher please email [email protected]

or call 020-7834 6661 with your name and contact details.

1010/

newsbulletin


First impressions ..............................10/10

On driving up you couldn’t miss the hotel with its brightlycoloured exterior and smoke-breathing dragon. There was aLEGO pit in reception for kids – fab idea while we checked in!

Comfort ............................................10/10

The themed rooms (Pirate, Kingdom or Adventure rooms)had a kids’ area (comprising bunk bed, TV & treasure chest)partitioned off from the adult area. They also had a puzzleto solve that unlocked a treasure chest to reveal goodiesinside – they were delighted.

Quality ..............................................10/10

Couldn’t fault the quality. Attention to detail in our Pirateroom was spot on - from skull & cross bone buttons on theheadboard down to a little pirate sticker on the loo roll! Therestaurant got a big thumbs up when the kids discoveredthey could colour in the pictures on the tablecloth withcrayons provided. It made feeding time fun for a change!

Affordability ........................................9/10

A night’s stay costs from £248 for a family of four for athemed bedroom, including breakfast, two days’ parkentrance, free parking and a free gift for the kids - not bad!

Service ..............................................10/10

Staff were very attentive and service was quick. There wereLEGO characters walking around to meet and interact withthe kids plus an indoor play area and nightly entertainment.

Good to know..............................................If you shop for gifts in the park you can ask for them to bedelivered to the hotel. A great idea in principal, but makesure they guarantee a time for the gifts to arrive so the kidsare not disappointed when they are not in the room or if youare waiting to go home.

Overall scoring: ..........

CYPRUSCYPRUSQuality accommodations from 5�

Boutique Hotels to Villas with Pools matched by product knowledge

& 40 years experience

incentive for every package holiday booking

until further notice

Holidays Bookings over

£7,000will receive an amazing gift

of Bubbles & Truffles

£40

To request brochure or booking

call us on 020 8340 7612Email: [email protected]

S03 TB2303 News 2_Layout 1 21/03/2012 10:21


New-look Website from Discover EgyptDISCOVER EGYPT has re-launched its Website combining bothEgypt and Jordan products for the first time and highlightingsome of the best travel deals on offer in the market.

The operator, which offers Nile cruises, city stays inLuxor, Cairo and Alexander, beach holidays in the Red Seaas well as tailor-made itineraries to both Egypt and Jordan,has made navigation easier, with each section highlightingthe best deals on offer in each category.

The look of the site has also been improved usingphotography to inspire people and showing off thehighlights of each destination.

Agents looking to offer their clients the best deals alsobenefit from a new special offers page which is regularlyupdated with top deals currently available. At present,these include a discount of up to 50% for the secondtraveller on selected Nile cruises until April 2013 and halfprice single cabin supplement on selected Viking Nilecruises until April 2013.For details see www.discoveregypt.co.uk or call 0844-880 0461.

Free Fiji and South Pacific weddings AUSTRAVEL IS offering a selection of free weddingpackages for those choosing to holiday on Fiji or theCook Islands this summer.

Wedding choices include the five-star Pacific Resorton the island of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands and itssister hotel on Rarotonga. In Fiji, Lomani Island Resortand the Malolo Island Resort also offer free weddings,as well as the five-star boutique Tokoriki Resort.

All packages offer an exclusive and intimateceremony. As an example, at Tokoriki Resort on the Fijiislands, the package includes a three-course dinnerwith Champagne, wedding cake, band boys, flowers anda tropical flower arch for the ceremony.

The operator also offers a Honeymoon Account fornewlyweds, which allows friends and family tocontribute to a specific tour or experience for thehoneymoon, such as a Great Barrier Reef Cruise or aromantic breakfast in the desert at Ayers Rock. For more information visit www.austravel.com or call 0800-988 4834.

'Price Beaters' programme from Cosmos Holidays

COSMOS HOLIDAYS has launched its summer 2012‘Price Beaters’ programme with a choice of valueholidays at the lowest prices across the Mediterraneanas well as Florida.

A choice of accommodation and board options areavailable in Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Corfu, Parga, Lefkas,Zante and Kefalonia, with prices starting from £159 perperson. A selection of private villa with pool holidays arealso available in Mallorca, Menorca, Costa del Sol, Corfu,Zante and the Algarve, with prices from £199 per person.

Holidays are available from five UK airports includingGatwick, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle and Cardiffand prices start from £439 per person including flights,room-only accommodation and basic car hire.

‘Allocation on Arrival’ is a suggested option forcustomers looking for a holiday at the lowest pricepossible by selecting a destination and preferred boardarrangements. The specific hotel/apartment is thenconfirmed on arrival in resort. This option is available inCrete, Rhodes, Kos, Zante, Kefalonia, Parga or Lefkas.

Mediterranean holidays are available from seven UKairports including Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham,Luton, East Midlands, Newcastle and Bristol.

THE THEME for this year’sACE Cruise Convention,which takes place on May 1and 2 in Southampton, hasbeen revealed as ‘ThinkDifferently’. As part of aconference designed tohelp travel agents increasetheir cruise sales,delegates will be asked toquestion how theyapproach business fromboth a mental and physicalperspective.

The association'sdirector, Andy Harmer,said: "We have created aline-up of speakers andsessions that willchallenge and inspiredelegates to sell morecruise holidays. I believethat this year, more thanany other, we need to‘Think Differently’ so that acruise stands out as theobvious holiday choice withits exceptional value andvariety. On leaving theconvention, agents willhave key advice and tips tohelp them boost theirsales, particularly by

encouraging new to cruisecustomers."

Business sessions willinclude the significantgrowth of ex-UK cruisingwith predictions suggestingthat within three yearsmore people will join theircruise in a British port thantake a fly/cruise. Othertopics include the growingappeal of European riverjourneys and expeditioncruising together with asession on the productiveuse of social media.

On the second day,delegates will have theopportunity to visit twocruise ships out the fourlined up in Southampton -Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth,P&O Cruises’ Adonia,Princess Cruises’ GrandPrincess and RoyalCaribbean International’sIndependence of the Seas.

Agents are encouragedto book now beforeregistration increases to£75 on March 30. For more information visitwww.cruiseexperts.org

‘Think Differently’ theme revealed for ACEUK Cruise Convention in Southampton

newsbulletin

PATRICK'S PALS...The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor ReverendAlan Taylor, joined forces with Ryanair last weekend to celebrateSt Patrick’s Day at Leeds Art Gallery. The Ryanair Leprechaun(Michelle Lowe) presented the Lord Mayor with a symbolicShamrock lapel pin and staff gave away Irish crisps and sweets topassengers travelling through the airport on the day.

S03 TB2303 News 2_Layout 1 21/03/2012 10:21

Where was your last work-related trip? Cyprus, to look for new weddingvenues. The trip was a great success aswe discovered some unique venuesthat are not currently featuredelsewhere.

If you were a celebrity who would you choose to be and why?Sarah Jessica Parker, but only if I couldhave her entire wardrobe!

What three words would yourfriends use to describe you?Honest, determined, friendly.

What have your travels taught you? How important it is to look after theplaces we travel to. I once travelled ona felucca on the Nile for two days andwas horrified by the amount of rubbishdumped on the banks of the river byfellow travellers. At Ionian Weddingswe not only contribute to charitiesrelated to the islands we feature butwe also help charities in our localcommunity where we are based.

What is the best advice you recall?When I was travelling around theworld after university, trying to decidehow to start my career, I was chattingto someone on a Fijian beach abouthow much I wanted to work in travel –they told me to call Trailfinders as theywere looking for staff. As soon as Ireturned to the UK I called them, got ajob in travel sales and haven’t lookedback since!

If you could have a room full ofany one thing, what would it be?Sunshine, it makes me so happy!

If you could change three things inthe industry, what would they be?More recognition for specialised travel

agents by consumers, betterunderstanding of companies pushingnew boundaries that don’t fit into thetraditional tour operator/travel agencymodel and better margins so everyonecan earn a bit more!

Who has been the biggest inspiration/influence in your career? My husband, as if it wasn’t for him Iwould not have had a Greek weddingand would not have been inspired toset up a company arranging weddingsin Greece & Cyprus.

Jane Stuart-PalikiraThe multilingual managing director at Ionian

Weddings believes in ending the day on a positivenote and always takes her running trainers when

travelling...

What's your favourite city and why? Rome. It has everything – some of themost famous historic buildings in theworld, the best Italian food, greatweather, incredibly friendly people andthe hotels are cheaper than in otherItalian cities.

If you were not doing this job, what would you be doing?Working at a senior level in the travelindustry - I can’t imagine working inany other industry.

What is your motto in life?Always end the day on a positive.Before I sleep I think of the best thingthat happened to me that day orsomething that I learnt.

What is your favourite mode of travel? Boat – I love island hopping around theGreek isles and the excitement eachtime of discovering a new island sodifferent from the one I left.

If you had a super power what would it be and why? To cure all sick children - everyonedeserves a good childhood.

What was your nickname at school and why? Freckles – I was covered in them.

What item do you always take with you when travelling? My trainers. I love running around newcities – I’ve been running in all kinds ofplaces from Copacabana Beach in Rio,to Athens city centre to the perimeterof Exeter airport!

What special skill do you have?I speak five languages (English, Italian,French, Spanish & Greek).

Career path● Aug 2009 – present:Ionian

Weddings, managing director● Oct 2006 – Aug 2009:

OctopusTravel, UK partnermarketing manager (previouslyregional franchise manager )

● Feb 2003 – Oct 2006: Shangri-LaHotels and Resorts, Sales managerSouthern Europe & Russia

● Dec 1999 – Feb 2003: GulliversTravel Associates, sales manager

● May 1998 – Nov 1999,:Expressions Holidays, programmemanager

● March 1997 – April 1998:Trailfinders, sales consultant

"BeforeI sleep I think

of the best thingthat happened to

me that day orsomething that

I learnt..."

personalitybulletin


S03 TB2303 News 2_Layout 1 21/03/2012 10:21


iceland

ICELAND EXPRESS will be flying to theIcelandic capital of Reykjavik fromStansted on Tuesdays and Fridays fromJune 22.

The move will make Iceland moreaccessible for people living in EastAnglia and the Midlands adding to thepopular Gatwick route.

Fares start from £89 one-wayincluding all taxes, surcharges, check-

in, seat allocation, a 20kg bag in thehold and 10kg hand luggage.

The carrier's PR manager, HeimirMár Pétursson, said: "After a break oftwo years we're pleased to announcethat Iceland Express is returning toStansted.

"With twice-weekly flights in ourschedule from late June, we hope thatthe extra London choice will appeal to

travellers north of the M25 who want toexperience a beautiful Icelandicsummer."

The airline flies six times weekly fromGatwick to Reykjavik and on Mondaysand Thursdays from Edinburgh toReykjavík during the summer.For more information visitwww.icelandexpress.com or call 0118-321 8384.

Iceland Express introduces twice-weekly Stansted-Reykjavik service

The Northern Lights

CLIENTS LOOKING to see the Northern Lights, GoldenCircle, visit a geothermal spa and have a guided tour ofReykjavik can join Reykjavik Excursions’ new winter tourpackage.

The tour, which costs from £132 per person, takesguests on a Northern Lights bus tour to locationsoutside of the city where they are most likely to be seen,

on a trip around the Golden Circle seeing GulfossWaterfall, Geysir and Thingvellir National Park, followedby a dip of the newly opened geothermal Fontana Spa.There is also a guided tour of Reykjavik taking gueststhrough the Viking history of Iceland and visting all themain attractions. For details visit www.re.is

Reykjavik Excursions adds new winter highlights package from £132

EASYJET HAS announced that flights from London to Icelandwill continue to operate throughout the winter 2012 schedule,in response to demand.

The carrier says that more than 8,000 seats have been soldso far, well in advance of its inaugural flight on March 27.

Tickets for the winter season, which will start in October,are available from www.easyjet.com and flights will continue

to operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays andSundays.

The airline's UK commercial manager, Hugh Aitken, said:"Our new route to Iceland has already proved to be successfulwith passengers at both ends of the route responding to ouraffordable fares. Iceland is in inspiring destination, and offersa year-round unique experience."

easyJet to fly Iceland route year-round to meet demand

AS PART of a 30th year celebration, Transun has announced thatit is reintroducing Iceland with three-, four- and seven-nightbreaks on offer.

The company's head of trading, Nico Kostich, said:"Summer in Iceland is special. Between the months of Juneand August the sun hardly sets, offering clients a uniqueopportunity to watch whales and see geysers, waterfalls andbubbling mud pools under a pink-coloured sky."

The operator's newly-released ‘Whale Watching under theMidnight Sun’ tour offers clients the chance to see the majesticmammals on the Reykjavik bays at night. Similarly, clients cantour Iceland’s landscape on a Golden Circle tour during nighthours in the daylight sun. On the week-long Iceland break,clients can also include a one-night trip to Greenland. Theseven-night ‘At the Edge of the World’ Iceland package includesan overnight stay in Kulusuk, Greenland.

In addition to the several packages offered, ‘Your Iceland’will also be available, allowing clients to choose and shape

their own itinerary. Breaks to Iceland operate from Heathrow,Stansted, Manchester and Glasgow, with prices starting from£779 for packages including flights, transfers, accommodationand excursions.

Meanwhile, the company is offering £20 Love2Shopvouchers to agents making a booking to Iceland before April30. Agents should quote ‘Travel Bulletin’ when makingreservations to claim the voucher. For more information call 01865-265200.

Transun marks 30 years with new summer breaks from three to seven nights

Whale Watching Midnight Sun tour

S04 TB2303 Iceland_Layout 1 21/03/2012 11:06

www.icelandexpress.com

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PEREGRINE ADVENTURES has launched a new tour that takesin both Iceland and Greenland.

The 14-day East Greenland Explorer is ideal for clients whoenjoy plenty of walking and hiking and visits the Reykjavikpools, the Arctic Fox, the fjords, icebergs and the Inuit.

Prices lead in at £4,050 per person, based on two sharing,and include a tour leader, crew and lecturers, all on boardmeals (13 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 12 dinners), shoreexcursions by zodiac boat, videos, film shows and port taxes.

Departure dates are from September 16-29. For more information call 0845-004 0673 or visitwww.peregrineadventures.com

ICELANDAIR HOLIDAYS has launched its Ultimate IcelandHoliday which includes many of the country's highlights, flightsfrom Heathrow, Manchester and Glasgow, three nights'breakfast accommodation, a Reykjavik city tour, Golden Circletour, whale-watching and an afternoon at the Blue Lagoon.

Prices lead in at £399 per person, which offers a 30% saving. After flying to Reykjavik, with a day settling in, the second

day features a tour of Reykjavik with a local tour guide.Following lunch, the itinerary continues with a trip to thecountryside to circumnavigate the Golden Circle route. Stopsinclude Gullfoss, one of Iceland's majestic waterfalls and theGeysir geothermal area. There is then time for guests to

explore Thingvellir National Park, home of the first Vikingparliament, where two tectonic plates divide.

Day three begins with a Reykjavik whale-watching cruise onFaxafloi Bay where whale sightings are 98% guaranteed. Themost common sightings are minke and humpback whales andduring the summer months puffin sightings are also common.The tour then visits the Reykjanes peninsula, home to the BlueLagoon, a geothermal spa set in the middle of a lava field.

The afternoon is spent relaxing at the Blue Lagoon and dayfour is a free day for guests to do some shopping or try horse-riding.For more information or to book visit www.icelandair.co.uk

Icelandair Holidays debuts 'Ultimate Iceland' holiday with lead in price of £399

iceland

THE GRAND Hotel Reykjavik, a member of Great Hotels of theWorld's Premium Collection located in the city centre ofReykjavik, is offering a four-night stay for the price of three,Scandinavian buffet breakfast, Wi-fi and free tickets to thegeothermal swimming pool from £111.09. For details isit www.ghotw.com or call 020-7380 3658.

Peregrine adds 14-day Iceland & Greenland explorer tour



iceland

TABER HOLIDAYS haslaunched a new tour for thissummer called 'The VikingChallenge'.

The itinerary features arange of activities that providean insight into Iceland’sculture and daily life.

Based in Reykjavik, the six-night trip features white-water rafting through rapids and deep gorges, glacierhiking, ice climbing, ATV riding on the volcanic Mid-AtlanticRidge, horse riding, whale-watching and a mountain hike.The activities are set in a number of different locations,enabling visits to some of the country’s most popularattractions such as Thingvellir National Park, Geysir HotSprings and Gullfoss and Skógafoss Waterfalls.

Entrance to the Blue Lagoon is also included and aReykjavik treasure hunt will allow participants to test theirknowledge of the Icelandic capital.

Prices lead in at £1,576 per person, based on two sharing,and include flights from Heathrow, transfers, six nights'accommodation, some meals and all tours and activities.

Daily departures are available from June 1 to August 31and regional departures from Manchester and Glasgow arealso available. For more information call 01274-875199 or seewww.taberhols.co.uk

New Viking Challenge tour from Taber Holidays

ATV riding

DNALECI

WHALE WATCHING IN THE MIDNIGHT SUN

Whale Watching - Blue Lagoon - Golden CircleFlights, Transfers , Accommodation - From £779

CALL 01865 265 200 WWW.TRANSUN.CO.UK

3, 4 and 7 night breaks

*Terms and conditions apply. Please quote‘Travel Bulletin’ at time of booking.

AGENT INCENTIVE: £20 shopping vouchers for every agent booking!*

VISIT ICELAND reports that following record-breakingvisitor numbers last year, 2012 is also proving to be apopular year for tourism to the destination. Year-on-year UK visitor numbers in February increased by 49.6%from 7,033 to 10,522, which follows a record 53.7%increase in January.

Annual visitor numbers last year rose by 15.8%compared with 2010’s figures, with 67, 608 UK tourists.In addition, Reykjavik’s harbours welcomed 63,000cruise ship passengers.

The tourist board's project manager for marketing,Hera Brá Gunnarsdóttir, said: “We are delighted thatour country had such a large increase in visitornumbers last month. The brighter than usual NorthernLights throughout January and February was a definitedraw for UK tourists.

"The launch of two new flight routes from London thisyear will also help to encourage new visitors to Iceland.

“easyJet will launch year-round flights on March 27and will fly from Luton to Iceland three times weeklyand new Icelandic airline, WOW Air, is launching threeflights a week to Stansted in June.”

Year-on-year visitor numbers rise by 49.6%

COSMOS TOURS & Cruises has added new dates to its‘Images of Iceland’ short break in Reykjavik to meet demandfor people wanting to witness the Northern Lights whilstvisiting the city.

As the opportunity of seeing the lights increases towards theend of the year, November 19 & 26 and December 3 & 10departures have been added.

Prices start from £739 per person including five nights'breakfast accommodation at the three-star Fosshotel Lind inReyjkavik, flights, transfers and a range of sightseeing, such asthe Golden Circle, Gullfoss, Geysir, Thingvellir National Parkand Blue Lagoon.

Flights are available from Heathrow, Manchester andGlasgow.For more information call 0844 573 0668 or visitwww.cosmostoursandcruises.co.uk

Cosmos Tours & Cruises adds newdates to Northern Lights breaks

VISITORS LOOKING for an Icelandic adventure can joinArctic Adventures on its new eight-day camping tripexploring the hidden gems of the north. Guests will beguided in an off-road jeep to Iceland’s wildest areas withhiking expeditions in the highlands. Highlights of the tripinclude a supertruck ride in the undiscovered easternregion, Europe’s highest glacier, the volcanic Lake Myvatnwith its pseudo craters and rich birdlife, the ice filledLofthellir cave, Dettifoss waterfall and the Askja Lake.

There will also be a whale-watching trip, a visit to thecapital of the north, Akureyri, and a gourmet trip discoveringthe local cuisine and gourmet culture of the Eyjafjörður Fjordand Hrísey Island.

Prices lead in at £1,492 per person with departures on July27 and August 10 including internal flights, a guide, jeeptransfers, all food, tents and cooking gear. For details see www.adventures.is

Arctic Adventures looks north on its new‘Northern Pearls’ trip



The importance of confidence has never beengreater. We’re all told that the beginnings ofconsumer confidence is returning to the UK retail

sector which, in turn, we are hoping is going to turn intoconfidence to spend a little more on this year’s holiday.

However, misplaced confidence is as dangerous as atotal lack of confidence. These are times for agents totake a long, hard and critical look at how they dobusiness and who they do business with.

The flexibility factorCertainly, the choice of suppliers within the DP marketis wide and varied, from those who are owned by the BigTwo to those who are in their infancy and have only beentrading a few years. But this is the time to take stockand analyse how you can run your business efficiently,profitably, and yes, there’s that word again, confidently.

There are many advantages of dynamically packagingholidays for your customers while their confidence iswavering.

After all, by offering them the flexibility, value and

choice offered by the DP market you’ll be able to tailor-make their trip to perfectly match their needs.

As social networks and the review sites continue tofurther embed themselves as credible travel researchtools, teaming up with the right supplier for yourbusiness has never been more important.

Team up with the right supplierAt Getabed.co.uk we work with more than 3,000 agentsin the UK and Europe helping them to offer theircustomers the perfect product at the perfect price. Asconsumer confidence is so fragile, customer service iskey - not just in terms of agent-to-consumer, but alsosupplier-to-agent.

Choose a supplier who will look after you in the eventyou need their help. Look at commission or net ratesand see what works best for you. There is still money tobe made and you need to pick partners who can helpyou be one step ahead of the game.

How to pick the rightsupplier to boost yourclients' confidence inyour businessby MARK HOPPER, sales director, Getabed.co.uk

● continues on next page

dynamicpackaging

S05 TB2303 Dynamic Packaging_Layout 1 20/03/2012 16:36


dynamicpackaging

SkyWork Airlines launches new fare structureSWISS REGIONAL carrier SkyWork Airlines has introduced a new fare structure tobetter meet the needs of the individual traveller. Passengers now have the option offour different classes of booking on a range of tariffs: SkySaver, SkySurfer, SkyWorkerand SkyExecutive, each offering enhanced flexibility on optional extras includingbaggage allowances, catering requirements, on-board iPads, lounge access, earphonesand ticket flexibility.For details visit www.flyskywork.com/111-1-Fare_Info.html

£69 fares to Paris,Brussels & Lillefrom Eurostar

EUROSTAR HAS morethan 100,000 seatsavailable at £69 returnfor travel up to July 7 toParis, Brussels and Lille.Customers travelling inspring or early summerwill be able to take in arange of festivals, streetmarkets and exhibitions,and the company'sEurostar Plus collectionof offers includes PlusGourmet, Plus Shoppingand Plus Culture.

For example, PlusCulture passengersreceive two-for-one entryinto paying exhibitions attop museums andgalleries by presentingtheir Eurostar ticket.

Nick Mercer, thecompany’s commercialdirector, said: "Many ofour passengers tell usspring is their favouritetime of year to visitParis, Brussels and Lilleand with so many thingsgoing on in the cities atthis time, it's easy to seewhy."

Tickets for travel fromLondon St Pancras,Ebbsfleet and Ashford toParis, Disneyland Paris,Brussels and Lille startfrom £69 return inStandard and £189 returnin Standard Premier. For details seewww.eurostar.com

TRAVELLERS ARRIVING to pick up their hire cars may be surprised to find that excess insurancesold to them at the rental desk may add up to 75% again to their original car hire bill, accordingto icarhireinsurance.com

The company says that if excess waiver insurance is not purchased by a customer they couldbe liable for up to £1,500 if the car gets damaged or stolen, even if it’s not their fault, and thateven a small scratch on a windscreen can cost hundreds to fix.

Research undertaken by the specialist excess insurance provider revealed that buying excessinsurance at the car rental desk can cost an extra 38% to 75% again on top of a customer’soriginal hire car cost and that the five leading car hire companies surveyed charged an average of£17 a day for excess waiver car hire insurance, with the highest being £23 a day.

The operator's CEO and founder, Ernesto Suarez, said: “Excess car hire insurance is sprung onpeople when they arrive at the car rental desk to pick up their car. Tired after their journey theyare then held to ransom to take out excess insurance with the fear otherwise of being liable forhuge penalties, when all they want to do is pick up the keys and start their holiday or businesstrip. Asking people to make a snap decision on a complex product is not a fair transaction.

"Many rental companies do not make it clear, when people are booking their hire car, that theyare not completely covered unless they purchase additional excess waiver insurance. This lack oftransparency in the booking process is creating a situation where people are arriving at therental desk wrongly believing that they have bought all the insurance they need."

The operator's excess insurance policy starts from £2.99 a day or from £39.99 for an annualpolicy. It also includes cover for vulnerable parts of the vehicle.

The hidden cost that could add 75% to car hire rental

If you’re spending too much time chasing a supplierfor answers or haranguing a partner to play their role,then look elsewhere. There will always be someone elseyou can work with. Business relationships, like personalones, need to be worked at and not taken for granted.And if you’re one of those who isn’t pulling your weight,remember that bad word-of-mouth, whether via anonline forum, twitter feed or idle gossip, will harm yourcredibility and bottom line.

Better late than neverThe lates market is expected, as is almost the normnow, to be strong this year, and has potential to bepolarised in 2012 thanks to the Olympics and the

Queen’s Jubilee, so take a look at suppliers who areoffering great deals over these dates for people whowant to escape the madness, as well as those who haveavailability over key dates.

While maintaining the agility and lightness of touch inthe day-to-day running of a business, it’s crucial thatyou’ve got a long-term plan in place. What’s going to bethe shape of your organisation in three, five or tenyears’ time? This year is our 21st anniversary, andtaking a look at the business in years rather thanmonths has been an integral part of our longevity.

I truly believe that after a few years of belt tightening,forgoing a holiday totally or scaling back to perhaps onlya weekend away in the UK, the British public is readyfor a holiday in the sun. Here’s hoping 2012 is the yearthat confidence returns to travel!✦

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* Terms and Conditions apply. Please visit www.tttandt.com/incentives.aspx for details ** Terms and conditions apply. Please visit www.tttandt.com/incentives.aspx for details. Travel Trade Tickets and Tours is a trading name of NAR UK Ltd, an ABTA bonded tour operator established 1981.

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Comparecarhire reports new staycationtrend for May bank holidaysWITH THOUSANDS of British families booking breaks inthe UK over the May bank holidays,Comparecarhire.co.uk has put together the top fivestaycation locations in the UK.

These include Cornwall, Wales, the Lake District,Scottish Highlands and Devon.

The company's Andy Hemmington said: “An increasingnumber of customers are seeing the May bank holidaysas a staycation opportunity here in the UK before theirbig summer holiday abroad and as a result, we haveseen a high number of bookings in a range of UKlocations this year.

“As more families look to keep down the cost of amini break, holidaying in the UK gives them theopportunity to have a trip away without paying out a lotof money.

“From camping to lodges and cottages in a range oflocations including Cornwall and Wales, there is aholiday to suit every family.

“With an increase in popularity for families bookingbreaks in the UK, we do recommend booking early toensure availability and to get the best deal possible foryour bank holiday break.”

Four days' car hire from May 4 to 7 costs from £10per day in Newquay, from £11 per day in Cardiff andfrom £17 per day in Inverness. For more information or to book visitwww.comparecarhire.co.uk

GETABED.CO.UK REPORTS that it is 'thrilled' with thereaction from agents to its new portfolio of beach properties.The company's managing director Matt Stuart said: "Wehave seen really strong growth in February with sales up by45% across all destinations. We are especially delighted tobe doing very well on our new beach product, with Turkey,the Canaries and Cyprus leading the way as our topdestinations - all three are seeing more than 100% growth.

"Initial feedback from the trade has been excellent, lotsof really positive comments about the new beach propertyportfolio. Turkey coming in as one of our top sellers didsurprise us initially but it is a fantastic value destination atthe moment.

"We have been continually asked, for some time, by ourkey agent partners when we are going to expand and lookat European beach resorts more closely, and so, by populardemand, we have.”

Hotels in Turkey, the Balearics, the Canary Islands,Cyprus and in Greek Islands including Rhodes, Crete andCorfu are now available to book online.

As examples of prices, a half-board stay at the four-starColumbia Beach Hotel in Cyprus in August costs from £56per person per night, £29 at the four-star Porto Bay Falesiain Portugal in May, £53 at the four-star Colon Guanahani inTenerife on a bed-and-breakfast basis in May, £35 at thethree-star Janeiro Ferrer Hotel & Spa in Mallorca on a bed-and-breakfast basis in August, £24 at the four-star ArgosHotel in Ibiza including breakfast in May and £21 at thethree-star Lato Hotel in Crete in August.

Beach growth takes off for Getabed.co.uk


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We asked our staff thefollowing question this week:

What would you do witha million pounds?

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 Limited - Travel Bulletin ispublished weekly and distributed to every ABTA, TTA &GTG agent.

Subscriptions are £105 p.a. for touroperators and others, plus additionalABTA, IATA copies.

Overseas subscriptions by air mail: £155

ISSN: 0956-2419

Publisher: Jeanette [email protected] New house with games room, season tickets for Man Utd, Legoland & Chessington.

Editor: Lauretta [email protected] off mortgage, sort out family & friends then invest in property development

Assistant Editor: Jill [email protected], family, charity, travel, education

Contributing Editor: Paul [email protected] it wisely, spend it wisely

Sales Director: Simon [email protected] for someone else to answer these questions

Advertisement Manager: Tim [email protected] house & buy an AC Cobra

Online Sales Manager: Nick [email protected] Glasgow Rangers they've got a new centre-forwardwho'll pay his own salary!

Account Manager: Bill [email protected] off mortgage, credit cards & student loans.Buy a place in Manly, Australia and chill...

Sales Executive: Chris [email protected] the best week of my life

Design: Genaro [email protected] a million lottery tickets :p

Assistant Layout Design:Nicky [email protected] the famliy to NYC, & donate to ‘save the tigers now’

Production: Jeremy Walters [email protected] Vegas and blow the lot or win big, a million won’t get you very far these days

Circulation Manager: Jim Merchant [email protected]

Audit Bureau ofCirculations -

Business magazines

Crossword:Across: 1. AVIS, 3. MUNICH, 7. EIN, 8. AMATHUS, 11. JAMAICA, 14. AUSTRIA, 15. ST KITTS, 18. RED, 19. ISCHIA,20. CARR. Down: 1. ALEX JONES, 2. INN, 4. USA, 5. CFU, 6. MANILA, 9. HEVER, 10. SANTANDER, 12. MINSK, 13. ASSISI,16. TAS, 17. TUI, 18. RSA.

Highlighted Word: VIENNA

Travagrams: (top) Castaways (bottom) Dominica

Where Am I?: Paris

puzzlesolutions

THROUGHOUT JANUARY to mid-February, A2B Airportparking.com gave its tradepartners the chance to win one of three prices - a Kindle, iPod Touch and aniPad 2 for making bookings. Kim King from Take Off Travel won the Kindle andDaniel Davy from Imperial Travel won an iPod Touch. The first prize winner ofthe iPad 2 was Rose Silverman (left) of Fleetway Travel, who is picturedreceiving her prize from the operator's sales support executive, Emma Ryan.

Dertour AO bookings ABTA bondedDERTOUR HAS announced that all its hotel bookings are now fully ABTAbonded to give agents peace-of-mind when making accommodationbookings as part of dynamic packages.

The specialist operator, as well as its Germany, Austria andSwitzerland portfolio, offers more than 2,000 three-, four- and five-starhotels in city centre locations, as well as airport and tradefair groundhotels in more than 120 European cities.For details visit www.dertour.co.uk/agents


travel bulletin 23rd march 2012

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