travel bulletin 3rd february 2012

How to capitalise onincreased demand for

New Zealand

Australasia

February 3 2012 | ISSUE NO 1,764 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

agent bulletinShearings' bookingincentive givesagents the chance towin an iPad 2

holiday parkshow to rekindle yourclients' love affair withthe great Britishholiday park

cruisingdemand outstripssupply on key rivercruise itineraries

9 2715this week

greecea round-up of the latestproduct launches & offers

21

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WINWINWIN

10 Exciting weeks10 Fabulous luxury prizes!

Every Hoseasons booking confirmed between 9th January - 12th March 2012

will go into the prize draw to win 1 of 10 fantastic prizes

Good luck!

Ted Baker Designer Handbag

*Make-over with £150 voucher to spend on MAC products

*19” HD LCD TV DVD combi with Freeview

*£150 worth of ASOS Vouchers

*£150 worth of Events/Concert vouchers *£150 manicure and nail voucher

£150 Toni and Guy voucher 4 Adult Alton Towers tickets

*Dinner for two at Jamie’s Italian restaurant

GHD Scarlet Deluxe Collection

*Images used for this promotion are for design purposes only and do not have any connection with the relevant Brand.

^ The prize draw is open to all UK resident Travel Agents. Entrants must be over 18 years. Prize is non transferable with no cash alternative. Brand names noted are not participants or sponsors of this promotion. For the Promoter details and full terms and conditions of the prize draw visit www.hoseasons.co.uk/pdfs/tenweekgiveaway

WINNERThe lucky WINNER of the amazing GHD Scarlet Deluxe Collection wasSam Fisher from Discover Holidays,

Mossley, Lancashire

www.hoseasons.co.uk/agents

0844 847 1144

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S01 TB0302 Start_Layout 1 01/02/2012 09:58

AGENTS' PRIDE...African Pride recently took a group of six agents on a fam to South Africa, visiting Cape Town, the Winelands, Hermanus and the Cederberg.Pictured enjoying a ‘sundowner’ at Bushman’s Kloof are, from the left: Alan Oram, The Travel Shop; Bob Mortimore, Ultimate Destinations; Katie Baker, Bath Travel;Zenobia van Dyk (ranger); Vicky Sharp, Travelbox; Linda Shotter, Ashdown Travel; Alison Jones, Beaver Travel; and David Holland, African Pride.

This Week

3 newsthe latest reports, productlaunches and dealsthroughout the industry

8 notes from normantonfind out what Sandy hasbeen up to lately

9 agent bulletinwin an iPad 2 in Shearings’booking incentive

10 Skal The World Overviews from the InternationalAssociation of Travel andTourism Professionals

11 puzzle bulletinwin a £50 M&S voucher inthe prize Su Doku puzzle

14 personality bulletinwhich sales & marketingdirector would like a roomfull of 3D TVs?

15 holiday parkshow to rekindle your clients'love affair with the greatBritish holiday park

21 greecenew brochure launches &accommodation updatesfrom operators

23 australasiahow to capitalise onincreased demand for NewZealand

27 cruisingthe rise and rise of rivercruising

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3www.travelbulletin.co.uk February 3 2012

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STA Travel predicts UK youth travel will soar by 20% this yearYOUTH TRAVEL specialist STA Travel is predicting an unprecedented boom in student travelthis year as youth unemployment soars and the reality of university fees bite.

Recent research estimates that 2.5million young people in the UK will be planning a gapyear trip this year. However, STA puts this figure at nearer three million, largely due to aswathe of young people who have had to make changes to their plans, either due tothwarted university plans or ongoing struggles to find employment.

The company's group managing director, John Constable, said: “For many young people,2012 will be their ‘year of travel’ as they re-evaluate future plans. Young people have usedtravel to broaden their horizons for many years, however this avenue has become moreformalised with many young people incorporating some sort of skill and CV-boostingactivity while they’re away.

“Never before has gap travel been so meticulously planned. Traditionally gap trips werea full 12 months, however for our customers last year the average trip length was 54 days,which indicates a leaning towards a series of shorter blasts of travel - or ‘snap gaps’.Usually these mini-gap trips are for a specific reason, such as to take part in a volunteerproject, go to a festival or go on a language or skill course overseas.”

The company says that it has seen the number of students heading overseas to work,study and take part in volunteer projects rise by more than one-third in the past 12 months,as they look to alternative means of bolstering their CV and skill-set in a bid to appeal tofuture employers.

Australia & the US are two most popular destinations forBrits according to new poll from Holiday ExtrasA NEW poll from Holiday Extras has found that the US and Australia are the two mostpopular destinations for Brits, despite their relatively high costs.

According to the survey, 21% of people would most like to visit the US with a further12% keen to explore Australia.

But they will find themselves counting their pennies afterwards as new figures from thePost Office Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer has found Australia to be the mostexpensive holiday destination and the US not far behind, wi th popular tourist items costingalmost four times more than in the cheapest holiday destination – Sri Lanka.

A mere 1% of people surveyed by the company wanted to visit Bulgaria, making it theleast popular holiday destination. However, figures show Bulgaria is one of the cheapest

● continues on next page

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CARRIER IS offering nine nights for the price of eight from£4,450 per person – a saving of £2,210 per couple on aSouth African itinerary. It includes four nights at CapeGrace, one night on The Blue Train and four nights at theTswalu Kalahari Game Reserve.

The price includes flights from Heathrow with VirginAtlantic, private transfers and charter flights and is validfrom February 10 to March 31.For details call 0161-492 1353 or see www.carrier.co.uk

Savings of up to £2,120 from Carrier

www.travelbulletin.co.ukFebruary 3 20124

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WAKEFIELD WATCH...Aldemar Hotels & Spa is supporting afortnight’s travel trade promotion with Jet2holidays to promote earlybooking savings. Althams Travel in Wakefield was one of the retailersvisited by the operator's trade executive, Kieran Jackson, to promotethe special offers, which include a seven-night all-inclusive stay atthe five-star Aldemar Paradise Mare in Rhodes for £2,929, based ontwo adults and two hildren sharing a family room and including flightsfrom Leeds on June 6, transfers and 22kg luggage per passenger.Pictured with Kieran is the agency's Ruth O'Shea (middle) and KatyHyde. For details see www.aldemarhotels.com and www.jet2holidays.co.uk

Newsbites● NEW FOR this year, Mercury Direct is offering holidays to

the Maldives. Prices start from £975 per person for aweek's four-star all-inclusive accommodation, with eighthotels to choose from. The company offers 10%commission to agents.

● UNIVERSAL ORLANDO Resort in Florida will becelebrating Mardi Gras on Saturdays and select nightsfrom February 11 to April 14. The celebrations include aparade, New Orleans' bands, Cajun cuisine and liveperformances including Kelly Clarkson, Plain White T’sand KC & The Sunshine Band.

● AMADEUS AND HRS have announced a strategic allianceto distribute HRS’s hotel content through Amadeus. Thisis the first time the hotel portal will make its contentavailable through a global distribution system.

● CRYSTAL CRUISES has launched a new Fast-TrackCheck-In process to ease embarkation procedures forguests. Effective in every Crystal embarkation port, thenew system eliminates 100% of ship check-inprocedures in port terminal waiting areas, transitioningguests from dock security to the line's Symphony andSerenity lounges.

● AIRASIA X has announced a realignment of its networkwith a focus on its core markets. The move will see thecarrier withdrawing services to India (Mumbai and Delhi)and Europe (Paris, London) from its Kuala Lumpur hub.

Mailings with Travel Bulletin this week include:

● Amathus Hotels latest newsletter with all the hoteldevelopments, full of all the details on the hotels andtheir upgrades for 2012. For further details on thespecial agent offers and what the hotels have to offervisit www.amathus-hotels.com

● Expedia's Travel Agents Affiliate Programmenewsletter, with details on the latest events to signup for, plus a chance to win a lunchtime pizza for youroffice, see the flyer for full details.For further details on the TAAP detailswww.expedia.co.uk/travelagents

Mailbox

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

places to go on holiday; so ideal for those looking for abudget winter break. Some 5% of people said they wouldlike to visit South America but they would need to choosetheir country carefully if they are watching the budget asholidaying in Brazil would cost nearly double that of themore southerly Argentina.

Seamus McCauley, the company's editor in chief, said:“It appears that holiday travellers would prefer to followtheir dreams rather than look at financial practicalities.Long-haul travel seems to be most desirable for ourcustomers at present with almost half preferring far flungdestinations – it must be the dreary European winter."

● continued from previous page

TOUR OPERATORS and the Guernsey travel industry cannow register online to participate in the 2012 GuernseyTrade Workshop.

Taking place from May 16-18, the event will includefull-day business meeting and networking sessions atthe Beau Sejour Leisure Centre in St Peter Port, half-day fam trips and evening functions.

VisitGuernsey is organising a full itinerary includinghospitality, meeting schedules and business networkingsessions.For more information or to register visitwww.guernseytradeworkshop.com

Guernsey Trade Workshop announced

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New cruise Website from IntouristUK


Atlantic Holidays adds additional flight to Madeira from Belfast in JulyATLANTIC HOLIDAYS has announced an additional flightfrom Belfast to Madeira on July 9.

As an example of prices, a seven-night stay at the five-star Pestana Casino Park hotel with a free upgrade tohalf-board and a garden view room upgrade costs from£769 per person. For details call 01452-381888 or visitwww.atlanticholidays.net

A DIRECT marketing masterclass, is youronline strategy fit for purpose, and taking along hard look at your business are just someof the sessions announced for the AdvantageConference in Malta from April 26-29.Advantage has also extended an openinvitation to all independent travel agents, whoare currently not members of a consortium, toattend the conference.

The direct marketing masterclass willaddress the importance for members ofretaining customers in the face of repeatbusiness sitting at around just 20%.

Facilitated by direct marketing expertsMartin Chillcott of Radar and Carolyn Hardy,the consortium's direct marketing manager,the session will cover: key lessons learnt fromthe three direct marketing pilots withmembers in 2011, how retaining customers isfar more cost effective and has a much betterresponse than obtaining new customers andthe practical steps members need to take toensure direct marketing activity achievesmaximum impact.

With John Lewis and Marks & Spencer nowtransacting 30% of their business online,

Advantage asks ‘is your online strategy fit forpurpose?’

For members seeking clear guidance onwhat online plan to follow, the session,facilitated by online promotions manager,Wendy Missenden and preferred onlinebusiness partners, will consider whether abookable or non-bookable Web presence isthe right way to go, how to create a webstrategy that largely matches a member’soverall business expertise and what roleFacebook, Twitter, customers and staff play inimproving online customer appeal.

The conference will also ask members: areyou making the most of the good ideas aroundyou? Delegates will look at putting intopractice the good ideas learnt from Advantageconferences and events.

The Advantage Conference Golf Day willtake place on Sunday April 29 from 09:30 atThe Royal Malta Golf Club.

Places are limited so delegates who areinterested are asked to email Emma Smith [email protected] more information visitwww.advantageconference.co.uk

INTOURISTUK HAS launched a new cruising Website atwww.russia-cruises.co.uk

The operator's bestselling and favourite cruises arefeatured on the site, while 'cruise and stay' packages arenew to the programme this year, with two itineraries tochoose from.

In addition to a wide range of cruises from Moscow to StPetersburg, the company also arranges cruises that sail incentral Russia and Siberia.For more information call 0844-875 4026.

newsbulletinHAIR WE GO...a Lancashiretravel agent is on the‘hairway to heaven’ afterwinning the first in aseries of ten weekly prizesin Hoseasons’ ‘Win WinWin’ promotion. SamFisher (seated) fromDiscovery Travel inMossley, Lancs, waspresented with her prizeby the operator's head ofsales, Zena Calderbank(right) and regional salesexecutive for the north,Sarah Smith, during a visitto the agency last week.Sam won a GHD ScarletDeluxe Limited EditionCollection, including hairstraighteners, GHD clutchand travel hairdryer. Everyconfirmed booking madeby agents until March 12will be entered into theweekly draws. Seewww.hoseasons.co.uk/pdfs/tenweekgiveaway

Tweets of

the WeekWho’s saying what

on Twitter...

Voyages to AntiquityTitan Travel unveils its‘Cruises to AncientCivilisations’ - Welcome toour new partner. Have alook at their sitebit.ly/yn2GQm

ABTAtravel ABTA Reveals Brits'Summer Holiday PlansDuring the Olympicsbit.ly/AnaoZ9

ACE Regent Seven Seas Cruisesis to use the TravelChannel ‘Cruise Today’programme in February, toshow their flagship SevenSeas Voyager.

Hoseasons HolidaysExperience love in the citywith Valentine's breaksfrom £15pppn. Cosy upwith your loved one in afabulous apartmentbit.ly/wkwKzH

PATA Singapore Airlines A380Now Serving Frankfurt andNew York ow.ly/8I31G

Bristol Zoo Gardens We're more than just a dayout. Did you know that wework across the globe toprotect species for futuregenerations? bit.ly/w9pLPa

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

TravelBulletin

Advantage reveals conference leisure breakout sessions

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COSMOS HOLIDAYS has launched its 2012brochure marking 25 years ofoperating Lapland Adventures inFinnish Lapland.

The new programme features anincrease in capacity of the mostpopular option of three- and four-night stays with a choice of twoitineraries in the Finnish Laplandresorts of Levi Fell (Ready, Steady,Snow) and Yllasjarvi (Santastic SecretForest) from Gatwick and Manchester.

A range of four- and five-diamondrated hotels, apartments and logcabins are available on three-, four-and five-night trips, which includes aChristmas departure (five nights) and aNew Year break (four nights).

Departures are from December 6-28. Early booking offers for holidays made

before February 28 include a low depositof £100 per person and for those madebefore June 30 a saving of £70 per child isavailable at Hotel Yllasrinne as the first

child stays and eats for free. Family dealsinclude single parent family offers availableat selected hotels for departures onDecember 6, 9 and 12 and third and fourthadult reductions at selected hotels.

Prices for a three-night stay lead in at£829 per adult and £659 per child; a four-night stay from £899 per adult and £699per child; a five-night Christmas stayfrom £999 per adult and £749 per childand the New Year trips from £915 peradult and £699 per child.

To help agents sell the specialistholidays more easily, several newpages have been added to thebrochure which highlight factualinformation including an overview ofthe range of trips for easycomparison, what’s included in theholiday price, the range of extraactivities available in resort as wellas value offers.For more information visit

www.cosmos-holidays.co.uk

Prestige expands UK holiday options PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS has expanded its range of UK holidayoptions for this year. Jersey is the latest destination to joinits UK collection which also features: Guernsey, Alderney,Sark and Herm in the Channel Islands and St Mary’s,Bryher, Tresco and St Martin’s in the Isles of Scilly.

Breaks start from £265 for a three-night stay in its newGuernsey property Cobo Bay Hotel. The family-runboutique hotel is located on the West Coast near St PeterPort and the package includes flights from Southamptonusing Flybe services, transfers and bed-and-breakfastaccommodation in a standard room.

Prices in Jersey start at £320 for a three-night break atthe Merton Hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis with flightsfrom Southampton and transfers.For more information call 01425-480600 or seewww.prestigeholidays.co.uk

Cosmos launches Lapland 2012 brochure marking 25-year anniversary


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SERENA HOTELS has officially took over the helm of The Royal PalmHotel in Tanzania’s capital (previously managed by Mövenpick) andrelaunched it as the Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel. The 230-roomhotel will be positioned as a premier upmarket five-star hotel in Darand brings the company’s portfolio up to 25 properties.

Airline: The Story of Pan Am on BBC iPlayer (available until 26th February)

DOCUMENTARY TELLING the story of how Pan AmericanWorld Airways kickstarted the jet-age and shrank theglobe. Real-life 'Pan Am girls' recall a high-life of luxuryand glamour; rubbing shoulders with celebritypassengers, international romances and having to wearthe now infamous girdle.

Ones to WatchA pick of the top travel programmes

you don't want to miss...

MOVERS● Serenity Holidays has appointed Gill Sealey to its agency

trade team to further boost support for travel agentpartners.

● Kettering based Affinion International Travel hasappointed Simon Applebaum as its new online manager.

● Focus Hotels has appointed John Collis as finance director.● The Grenada Board of Tourism has appointed Sola

Thomson as sales & training manager.● Katherine Gershon has been appointed group sales &

marketing director for Abercrombie & Kent.● Great Rail Journeys has appointed Sue Cooper as sales

representative for the South of England.● Steve Nettlemill has been appointed by Holidaybreak

Camping Division as head of sales and marketing for UKand Ireland. He will oversee the management of theEurocamp and Keycamp brands.

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Irish Ferries Holidays offers free child places and free nightsIRISH FERRIES Holidays has increased its online presence for 2012 with an expandedrange of hotels, holiday cottages and bed-and-breakfast properties.

Every hotel featured in this year's programme is offering a free night deal. Forexample, three nights for the price of two are available year-round at most hotelswhile at others, there’s a four nights for the price of three available in peak season.

Free places for children are also highlighted throughout the year with up to twochildren free at hotels when sharing with two adults (age limits vary), and up to fourchildren under 16 free at all holiday cottages when accompanied by two adults

For bookings made by February 29 for any 2012 date, clients can save 10% off allferry-inclusive holidays.For more information call 0871-730 0400 or see www.irishferries.com/holidays

* 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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Med cruise from £799 from HALHOLLAND AMERICA Line is offering a springMediterranean cruise from £799 per person. The dealoffers flights to Rome on April 27 before transferring toCivitavecchia to join the line’s Eurodam for a seven-night cruise that takes in a range of destinationsincluding Palermo, Tunis, Barcelona, Monte Carlo andSanta Margherita.

Prices are based on two sharing a twin insidestateroom and include flights, transfers and the cruiseon a full board basis. Upgrades to a room with a vieware available for an extra £50 per person and familydeals are also offered from £399 per person fly/cruise,based on two children sharing with their parents.For more information call 0845-351 0557.

New Cape Town bus tours from Attraction World

ATTRACTION WORLD has launched two new tours inCape Town - the Red City Tour and the Blue MiniPeninsula Tour, both of which depart from the V&AWaterfront.

A 24-hour ticket for the Double-Decker CitySightseeing tour costs £14 for adults and £7 for childrenaged three-12 years, while a 48-hour ticket costs £22and £13 respectively. All tours are fully commissionableto agents.For more information visit www.attractionworld.com or call 0871-700 8888.

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www.travelbulletin.co.uk

WEBSCLUSIVES

● Banish those winter blues one way or another bywinning the Air Europa competition. Agents whosuccessfully answer all seven questions could win anintensive salsa workshop for two, or how about agenteel Afternoon Tea at one of 50 boutique venues upand down the UK? To enter, visit www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions.

● Three chances to win with Villa Select’s brand newagent competition, hosted atwww.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions. 1st Prize: Oneweek’s accommodation at a Villa Select property. 2ndPrize: £100 in Love2Shop vouchers. 3rd Prize: Aluxury hamper.

● Great deals on All-Inclusive Mexico holidays, courtesyof Funway Holidays. Just click the ad featuredthroughout the Travel Bulletin website.

All this and more at:

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

The home of the web savvy travel agent

Go

New Seoul service from Korean AirKOREAN AIR is expanding services from Gatwick to Koreawith an extra three flights a week from April 29.

Flights will depart at 10:30, arriving in Seoul Incheonat 05:25 the following day. The inbound flight will departSeoul Incheon at 18:40, arriving into Gatwick at 22:35the same day.

The aircraft will be a Boeing 777 offering a total of261 seats – eight First Class fully flat Kosmo Sleeperseats; 28 Prestige Plus seats; and 225 Economy seats.For more information visit www.koreanair.com

New destinations from Ranch Rider RANCH RIDER, which features the destinations of theUS, Canada, South Africa, Botswana and Argentina, hasadded five new ranch stays covering the US, a five-starsafari lodge in South Africa and a luxury camp inBotswana to its 2012 brochure.

As examples, The Padlock Ranch is a luxury-workingranch in Wyoming, with prices leading in at £1,189 perperson for five nights room-only, based on two sharingbetween May and October.

Montana’s Hidden Hollow Hideaway Cattle & GuestRanch has also been added to the programme, where aseven-night stay costs from £1,119 per person, based ontwo sharing, for departures between May and October.For more information or to book call 01509-618 811 or see ranchrider.com

Must correct something I got wrong in my lastcolumn regarding TUI not playing fair with theircostings on their website. I said their own shops

were in the same boat as us but no, they are able tomatch the website prices and get the benefit of lowdeposit of £75 whereas for the rest of us it is £175!

Saw some fantastic brochures this week; more likeclassy magazines – Inntravel; the Slow Holiday peoplehave brochures including Walking & More – Europeand beyond; Cycling & More – idyllic journeys on twowheels; Villas, Cottages & More – active and relaxedholidays in beautiful scenery; and Skiing and muchmore. They are based in York and if you want to have alook at them go on www.inntravel.co.uk - you won’t bedisappointed.

Our next Yorks ABTA Meeting is on Wed 7th March atCedar Court Hotel Wakefield. Leeds Bradford Airportare sponsoring it and also Mark Tanzar and SimonBunce will be coming up from ABTA to update us so doplease try and attend – let me know [email protected]

Talking about Leeds Bradford Airport, have you seenBalkan have a new direct flight every Friday to Bourgas?They have low deposits of £70 which is great and also a5% loyalty discount - can’t get much better than that soget booking them and support both LBA and Balkan.

The Yorks ABTA Ball is on Thursday, the 12th Julythis year so put it in your diary – usual place at CedarCourt Hotel, Ainley Top, M62 Huddersfield and we aregoing with the Oscar theme again!

I am not going to even mention cruising – I have beentelling my customers they are in more danger driving acar! So let’s keep it in perspective - over 4,000 peoplegot off safely which is fantastic.

‘Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak;courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen’ and‘Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of asecond rate version of somebody else’.

by SANDRA MURRAY of Sandy Travel in Normanton, Yorkshire

Notes from

Normanton...

To respond to any of Sandy’s comments email

jill. [email protected]

S02 TB0302 News 1_Layout 1 01/02/2012 12:47

● CYPLON HAS launched a Supreme Club – a rewardsclub for agents who make more than ten bookings.Once agents reach this target, they willautomatically be enrolled into the club wherebenefits include complimentary hampers, firstoption on educationals, 50/50 local advertisingsupport and an annual staff dinner.For details see www.cyplon.co.uk, call 0800-074 8888 or email [email protected]

● AGENTS CAN win one of six Luxury Included holidaysin a Sandals ‘Love Nest’ Suite plus Sweet HampersWorth £150 in a new incentive which runs untilFebruary 28. The promotion offers travel agents theopportunity to win one of six Luxury Included holidaysfor two with Virgin flights, staying in a ‘Love Nest’suite. To be in with a chance of winning, agents mustcomplete the online training atwww.sellingsandals.co.uk and register one new ‘LoveNest’ suite booking during the campaign. Qualifyingagents will also be entered into a weekly draw to win

a sweet hamper.For details see www.sellingsandals.co.uk or call 020-7590 0210.

● SHEARINGS IS marking the launch of its 2012 secondedition brochures by offering agents the chance to winan iPad 2. Agents who book customers on one of theoperator's breaks by February 29 will beautomatically entered into a weekly prize draw to winone of eight iPad 2’s.For details call 01942-823449 or visitwww.shearingsagent.com

● THE GREATER Fort Lauderdale Convention & VisitorsBureau has launched a dedicated travel agentincentive to win a range of prizes. Up for grabs aretwo sets of £200 Love2Shop vouchers and two BlissSpa packages worth £300 each. To have a chance ofwinning, agents should log their bookings to FortLauderdale before February 19.For details visit www.sunny.org/trade

Did you know...Planes now make much use of GPS whichdemonstrates Einstein’s relativity – but if itweren’t for corrections for time being speededup by the low gravity on the satellite, in just aday the GPS position would be severalkilometres out.

The tallest mountain is not Everest, it’s MaunaKea on Hawaii, if you count the bit under the sea.It’s 10,200 metres to Everest’s 8,800. TheMariana trench under the ocean off Japan andthe Philippines dwarfs the Grand Canyon at11,000 metres deep, compared with the canyon’s1,830 metres. The biggest mountain range isunderwater. The mid-ocean ridge runs for over55,000 kilometres.

Because special relativity means that time goesslower when you are travelling, after 40 years ofcrossing the Atlantic weekly you would be onethousandth of a second younger than anidentical twin. Not something for the anti-ageingcream manufacturers to worry about, then.

Source: Inflight Science by Brian Clegg

GOODWIN's GOOD WIN...Silversea has awarded a student ofthe Silversea Academy, its online training site, with the prizeof a complimentary cruise for two. The annual prize is givento show the line's appreciation for the support of the tradeand to encourage agents to learn about its product. Picturedreceiving his certificate and prize confirmation is SeanGoodwin (right) of Bath Travel in Highcliffe, with the line'ssales manager, Jon Knight. For more information visit www.silverseaacademy.com

Booking incentives


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S03 TB0302 News 2_Layout 1 01/02/2012 13:11


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Leger Silver Service roadshow is backFOLLOWING LEGER Holidays’ Silver Service roadshow lastyear, the coach operator will again be dispatching its luxurycoaches to towns and cities across the country.

Visiting approximately 40 locations throughout the year, theinteractive initiative will give travel enthusiasts the opportunityto experience the company's luxury coach offering firsthand,talk to holiday experts about the latest tours across thecontinent and enjoy complimentary refreshments.

The first four scheduled visits, each between 09:00 and16:00 are: The New Square Area, Chesterfield: TuesdayFebruary 7; The Old Town Hall, Mansfield: WednesdayFebruary 8; St. Peter’s Street, Derby: Thursday February 9; andThe Market Place, Newark: Friday February 10.

Silver Service coaches include extra legroom, recliningseats, on board entertainment and a lounge area forrelaxation. Tours also accommodate a smaller group for amore personal experience and offer extra included excursionsand porterage at all hotels.For more information call 0844-504 6250 or visitwww.leger.co.uk

1 What is young Skål?Young Skål is a category of Skål International speciallyfor students and young professionals directly related tothe travel and tourism industry.2. Who is eligible for membership?Young Skål is open to all young professionals trainingfor or working in the industry who are at least 20 yearsold and not older than 29 and who have been in theindustry for a minimum of two years.3. Why should Clubs recruit Young Skål members?The idea behind Young Skål is to ensure that Clubsattract new and young professionals training for orworking in the industry who, when qualified, willautomatically graduate to Active membership, thusensuring a continuous supply of new members.4. How much does it cost?The international fee for Young Skål membership is 10Euros and the Club annual membership does notnormally exceed 50 Euros.5. In which industries and training organisations mustYoung Skål members be employed or be currentlyundertaking study?Applicants for Young Skål membership should betraining in a recognised university or travel school orworking in one of the approved classifications as setout in the Skål International By-laws.6. Can Young Skål members take an executive rolein their local Club?Skål Clubs are encouraged to co-opt at least oneYoung Skål member in their Club to the Committeeof the Club so that the Young Skål members areaware of the workings of the Club and are able topass on information to other Young Skål members.7. What are the benefits for a Young Skål member?Members will have the opportunity to participate inareas related to the travel and tourism industry, butalso in cultural, sports, travel and PR activities. Theywill be able to participate in Skål activities and meetmembers, cooperating voluntarily in the success ofthe overall Skål aims. Members will obtain thesupport of the local Skål Club for trainingopportunities and to acquire professionalexperience. They will have an opportunity toparticipate in an international network.8. What happens to a young Skålleague when theyreach the age of 29?Members who have reached their 29th birthday mayremain Young Skål Associate members until their

35th birthday by which time they shouldqualify for Active membership.

Members of Skål - the International Association ofTravel and Tourism Professionals - share their travelexperiences and success stories from around theglobe. This month vice president, Karine Coulanges,explains how Young Skål is attracting a newgeneration of professionals.

SKÅL THE

WORLD OVER

Free registration for PATA ExchangeTHE 2012 PATA Exchange will take place in London onMonday March 12 and operators and travel agentsinterested in increasing their business to the Pacific Asiaregion are invited to register for free.

Sponsored by Tourism Australia, the event bringstogether a collection of tourist boards includingAustralia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, India, HongKong, Macau, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Philippines, aswell as hotel groups and destination managementcompanies with product managers from specialist andniche tour operators to the main stream, major playerswho sell the Pacific Asia region.

The appointment only event will be held at theLansdowne Club, 9 Fitzmaurice Place, London W1J 5JDand is timed to take advantage of a number of companieswho are in Europe for ITB in Berlin.For more information visit www.pata.org.uk

Sardatur marks anniversary with new brochureSARDATUR HOLIDAYS, which celebrates its 25th birthdaythis year, has launched a new 145-page brochure ofholidays to Sardinia with the introduction of a new weeklyflight from Manchester to Olbia in Northern Sardinia andan expanded choice of hotels on the island.

The new direct Sunday flights from Manchestercommence on May 27 and operate every weekthroughout the summer until September 23. Thisfollows the introduction of more seats on the operator'sdirect Saturday charter flight with BA from Heathrow toCagliari and to Olbia, as well as direct flights fromManchester to Cagliari in southern Sardinia.

The company has also expanded its programme ofaccommodation with 11 additional properties, rangingfrom self-catering and four-star hotels to five-stardeluxe properties.

As an example of prices, a seven-night stay at the Hotel& Residence Cormoran in Villasimus costs from £574 perperson including flights and transfers.For more information call 020-8973 2290 or see www.sardatur-holidays.co.uk

S03 TB0302 News 2_Layout 1 01/02/2012 13:11

puzzlebulletin


Where Am I?

I'm at the 'King's' home in Memphis!

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 9th. Solution and new puzzle

will appear next week.

The winner for 20th January is Jacqueline Sully, Travel

Angels in Chard.

January 20 Solution: A=6 B=8 C=2 D=4

➠A

➠B

➠C

➠D

Number: 050

Travagrams

Across 1. Holiday Parks operator (5)3. An Asian country which could be

North or South (5)6. Tourist centre in the Highlands, Fort ___ (7)8. Bangalore International airport code (3)9. Landlocked US state (5)10. Popular Bali beach resort (4)11. Airport operator, initially (3)13. City home of the Toulouse-Lautrec museum (4)15. Actor / comedian, ___ Gervais, (5)18. Part of Australia, initially (3)19. Hugh of Wolverine fame (7)20. Capital of Belarus (5)21. Courmayeur is a popular ski resort

in this country (5)

Down 1. Picture perfect location for George Clooney's

latest movie (6)2. East African capital city (7)3. European airline (3)4. Capital of Morocco (5)5. Low cost flights operator (4)7. Larnaca airport code (3)10. The largest city of Pakistan (7)12. Popular long-haul city destination (6)14. UK airport (5)16. Magdalene College and King's College are

on the banks of this river (3)17. Desert city in California, ___ Springs (4)19. New York airport, 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 30

Crossword

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

Num

ber:

050

This capital city sells traditional brimmed straw hats

Are you having fun with this operator?

Captain Yam

Anyway Should If

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

S03 TB0302 News 2_Layout 1 01/02/2012 13:11

S03 TB0302 News 2_Layout 1 01/02/2012 15:33


Shearings promotes new Secret Islands of the Aegean cruiseSHEARINGS’ NEW cruise gives customers the chance to explore the culture and history ofGreece with stops in Rhodes, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Delos, Mykonos and Athens.

The eight-day itinerary leads in at £1,399 per person and includes flights, transfers andseven nights' full board river cruise.

Highlights include a trip to the ancient sites of Athens, a visit to Santorini, thechance to explore the Cycladic Islands and a trip to discover the Delos, the birthplaceof Apollo. Departure dates are available in July and August.

Also new for this year is a 16-day Treasures of Ancient Greece option, which leadsin at £1,799.

The tour combines time to relax on the beach visits to historical sites and highlightsinclude a guided tour of Athens, a visit to Delphi, time to relax at the beach resort ofTolo and a trip to Olympia.

Customers can also choose from a range of optional excursions, including visits to theNational Archaeological Museum in Athens and the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion,as well as a cruise to the Saronic Islands.

The price includes 15 nights’ half-board accommodation, touring itinerary, travel byGrand Tourer luxury coach and the services of a tour manager and departures areavailable from May to October.For more information call 0844-824 6351 or visit www.shearingsagent.com (Greece feature - page 21)

Early bookingsavings at

Aldemar HotelsAGENTS CAN save theirclients' money whenmaking a booking beforeMarch 31 at AldemarHotels & Spa, whichfeatures a total of eight,four- and five-starproperties in Greece.

As an example, ClassicCollection Holidays offersseven nights at theAldemar Royal Mare,Crete from £695 perperson, based on twoadults sharing a gardenview room on a half-board basis, includingflights from Gatwick andprivate transfers.

The holiday departs onMay 8 and early bookingsoffer savings of up to£154 per couple perweek.

For families looking forfamily rooms at a five-star beachside resort onan all-inclusive basis, theoperator features sevennights at AldemarKnossos Royal for afamily of four from £3,518for June half-term.

The price is based ontwo adults and twochildren sharing a familyroom on a half-boardbasis including flightsand private transfers andoffers savings of up to£212 per family per week.For more information orto book visitwww.aldemarhotels.comand www.classic-collection.co.uk or call0800-008 7288.

SILVERSEA CRUISES has created a new"Slow Food Adventure in Tuscany" landoption that will debut on threeMediterranean voyages this year.

In collaboration with Slow Food Italy,the company has designed an exclusivethree-night programme that willhighlight the culinary and culturaltraditions of Tuscany and introduceparticipants to local wine producers

and products that adhere to the SlowFood philosophy of preservingbiodiversity and gastronomictraditions.

Prices lead in at £2,269 per person,based on double occupancy and theoption is offered as a pre-cruise optionon Silver Wind's April 30 voyage fromRome to Venice and Silver Spirit'sOctober 22 sailing from Rome to

Barcelona. It is also available as apost-cruise option on Silver Wind'sApril 17 voyage from Barcelona toRome.

The price includes all transport,transfers, guided sightseeing and somemeals.For details call 0844-770 9030, visitwww.silversea.com or [email protected]

Silversea Cruises introduces Slow Food Adventure in Tuscany land option

newsbulletin

WINCHESTER LAUNCH...Kuoni Winchester had an opening party recently, sponsored by Jet Airwayswho donated two Economy tickets to India as a prize draw for guests attending the event. Picturedmarking the launch are the store's new team, from the left: Amy Biddlecombe, Mike Good, MarianneHayward-Pinney (store manager), Natalie Mills and Jade Parsons (assistant store manager).

S03 TB0302 News 2_Layout 1 01/02/2012 13:11


Who is your ideal travellingcompanion?My wife (honest).

What's your earliest childhood memory?Playing football in my street (not manycars around at that time) until it got sodark we could not see the ball, or untilmum was hanging out of the windowshouting dinner is ready.

Where was your last work-related trip? I took an educational trip to Cyprus - wehad some lovely amazing characters thatspiced it up a bit. You know who you areif you are reading this!

If you were a celebrity who would you choose to be and why?The Prime Minister so I can ban parkingrestrictions and congestion charges whichare killing retailers.

What three words would yourfriends use to describe you?Amazing, fantastic, extraordinary. Not ofthis world.

What have your travels taught you?It’s better to have a chip & pin passport.

What is the best advice you recall?Don’t try & change anyone - accept themfor who they are and life will be a loteasier.

If you could have a room full of anyone thing, what would it be?3D televisions.

If you could change three things in the industry, what wouldthey be?1. Bring good old BSP back with 30-day

airline credit facilities. 2. Go back todialling up for internet connection. 3. Banselling flights and holidays on theinternet.

What's your favourite city and why?Marrakech for the colours, the smells, themarket places, the camels and the spicyflavoured food - it’s like no other ordinarycity.

What is your favourite mode of travel?Snow jet skis.

If you were not doing this job, whatwould you be doing?Fishing.

Tass AnastasiThe sales & marketing director at Cyplon Holidays

enjoys computer games, his iPad and 3D TVs!

If you had a super power whatwould it be and why?Healing - to heal people and animals.

What item do you always take withyou when travelling?A waterproof watch.

What's your favourite airline and why? Tam Airlines. A group of ten of us had

ten internal flights in Brazil and twointernational within a 14-day period. Allwere on time and had all our baggage.

How do you deal with stress?Put Magic Radio on my PC.

Is there anything that you dislikeabout the travel industry?All the fun has gone and the profitmargins.

What special skill do you have?Listening to my wife whilst playing onthe iPad (not easy).

How do you cope with theadvances in technology?Computers were made to play gameson.

What’s your favorite movie of all time?Pretty Woman.

What’s your favorite programmeon the TV right now?Master Chef.

If your life was turned into amovie, which actor would playyou?Richard Gere?

What do you love about your job?I have the ability to do anything andeverything, every day is different.

Career path● Left education● married the Cyplon Holidays boss’s

daughter in 1980● got drafted into the business the

next day and I’m still here. (Help)

"Computerswere made to

play gameson"

personalitybulletin

S03 TB0302 News 2_Layout 1 01/02/2012 13:11

For a number of years now, a holiday in the UK hasbeen seen as the poorer relation to the annualsummer two-week, fly-and-flop break overseas.

Many people, particularly families, have been reluctant toplan their main holiday in the UK, citing the unreliableBritish weather as one of the main reasons why theychoose the Costa Blanca over Cornwall every year.

But the tides are starting to turn as the UK’s affordabilityfactor – particularly when up against the rising cost of airtravel – and diversity of holiday experiences are helping usto rekindle our love affair with the great British holidaypark, whether that be for two weeks in the summer orshort breaks over half-terms and Easter.

And with the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubileetaking place this year, there has never been a betteropportunity for travel agents to rise to the challenge andpromote holidays in good old blighty – and be financiallyrewarded for all their hard work at the same time.

So when a client comes into your agency with a limitedbudget in mind for their family holiday, why don’t yousuggest they consider a holiday in the UK? Here are anumber of tips to help you close that sale and earn adecent commission on the booking

Bargain BritainBudget-conscious Brits can holiday on a shoestring but

enjoy all the trappings of an expensive getaway. There is anenormous variety of accommodation on offer, from thebasic tent pitch – with some available for as little as £29 forseven nights’ camping for a family of four – to luxury lodgeswith all the mod cons. And that’s before we have evenmentioned the glamping options: from yurts, tipis and belltents to vintage caravans and treehouses, camping in theUK these days can come with all the comfort of a hotel butwithout the big bill at the end of the week.

No travel traumasForget the costly airport parking, the long check-in

queues and the lost luggage at the other end, a holiday inthe UK takes the stress out of travelling – apart from the“Are we nearly there yet?” from the kids. A short journey inthe car can open a world of experiences on our doorstep.

It’s a dog’s lifeMany holiday parks allow guests to bring their dogs with

them, which again makes a holiday in the UK moreaffordable as families won’t have to leave their pets athome.

From coastal locations to lake-side retreatsHoliday parks can be found at all different locations in

the UK with each setting having its own unique sellingpoint. Lake-side parks offer guests a wide variety ofactivities, from jet-skiing and water-skiing to pedaloes andfishing, while parks on the coast guarantee the traditionalseaside holiday experience, which, let’s face it, are what allour childhood memories of great summers are made of.

All the way from the West End stage...UK holiday parks have really raised their game when it

by CARL CASTLEDINE, managing

director, Away Resorts

How to rekindle

your clients' love

affair with the great

British holiday park


holidayparks

● continues on next page

Whitecliffe Bay

S04 TB0302 Holiday Parks_Layout 1 01/02/2012 12:52

holidayparks


Easter breaks from £129* for the whole family

Terms and conditions: price based on up to 6 people sharing Standard accommodation, arriving 30/03/12 for 3 nights at selected Haven Holiday Parks. Full terms and conditions apply as stated in the current Haven brochure. Offers apply to new bookings only and are strictly subject to promotional availability.

To book visit BourneLeisureSales.co.uk or

call 0871 230 1919

To learn more, visit our online training course at HavenSpecialist.co.uk

“”

GRAND UK Holidays has addedMundesley Holiday Village to its rangeof UK holiday parks for 2012.

Set on the North Norfolk coast, theresort offers nightly entertainmentand sports facilities.

Five-day holidays start from £239per person on a full-board basisincluding coach travel and excursionsto Cromer, Norwich and the NorfolkBroads.

The over-55s operator featuresseveral other holiday parks for thisyear, including the South DownsHoliday Village, Croyde Bay HolidayVillage and Warner Norton GrangeCoastal Resort. According to the

operator, the parks are provingpopular options for customers seekinga domestic break with a range ofactivities on their doorstep.

The company's sales director,Harold Burke, said: “These optionsare always great value and popularwith our customers.

“Warner also tells us the parks area big attraction for the coach toursmarket.”

Holiday parks also provide idealaccommodation for the operator'sannual reunion, which this year willtake place at the Mill Rythe HolidayVillage on Hayling Island.

The five-day reunion departs on

February 27 and costs £169 perperson, including coach travel,daytime and evening entertainment,optional sightseeing excursions andhalf-board accommodation.

The company's latest brochurefeatures a total of 45 new tours -mainly in the UK and Ireland - rangingfrom special interest and themedbreaks to a new holiday by train.

New hobby holidays have also beenadded, including bowling and ballroomdancing, to cater for the growingdemand for special interest breaks.For more information or to book call01603-619933 or visitwww.grandukholidays.com

Grand UK Holidays adds Norfolk park plus 45 new tours including themed breaks

comes to providing evening entertainment for all the family.While many parks have X Factor finalists and stars from the‘70s and ‘80s keeping the crowds happy during the summermonths, some holiday villages have enlisted the help ofstars from West End productions to put together their veryown shows. Movies under the stars and festival-styleentertainment in the shape of live bands on outdoor stagesduring the summer months are also helping to put parks

on the map with families, who may have presumed thatholiday park entertainment was all about glamorousgrannies and knobbly knees competitions.

So remember, holidaying in the UK isn’t a downgradefrom international travel, and if you are keen to increaseyour sales of UK holidays, the team at Away Resorts arekeen to help you – and with 15% commission available, it’scertainly worth your while getting in touch.For details see www.away-resorts.com ✦

CANVAS COUP...Holidays from European mobile home and campingoperator, Canvas Holidays are to be made available for sale by thetravel trade this year, with support for the product from theHoseasons' trade sales team. The operator, which like Hoseasons ispart of the Wyndham Vacations Rentals family of brands, operatesself-catering holidays across more than 90 campsites in eightEuropean countries. The operator offers a range of accommodationranging from luxury tents, mobiles homes and lodges, as well asmore unusual accommodation types such as star-gazing cabins.Launched to travel agents as part of the Hoseasons' trade portfoliofor 2012, Canvas has produced a bespoke brochure for travel agents,which is available via tradegate.com. Sales support, merchandisingand product training will be offered by the Hoseasons trade salesteam of five. Pictured marking the trade launch is Hoseasons' head ofsales Zena Calderbank (right) and Nichola Meadows, branch managerof Co-operative Travel in Sale.For details see www.canvasholidays.co.uk or call 0844-847 1144.

● continued from previous page


ABTA No. Y0662

KEYCAMP HAS introduced newdevelopments this year including savingsof up to 20% for customers who bookbefore February 29, with 20%commission for agents on all low seasonholidays booked by the same date.

Also new is the company'sexclusive lake house at Châteaudes Ormes in Northern Brittany.Situated on the parc’s own lake,the new accommodation isconstructed on a floating platformand attached to the shore by arope, with access via a walkway.

Suitable for adults andchildren aged six-12 years, itcomes equipped with one doublebed, a bunk bed and a deckedterrace. Facilities include a waterpark,indoor pool complex, outdoor wavepool, entertainment, tennis courts,gyms and spas, plus a bar, terraceand restaurant.

A three-night break from May 22costs from £170, including Dover-Calais ferry crossings and the earlybooking discount.

The company has also added threenew tree houses at its International parc

in Paris. Constructed around the treetrunk and accessed via a spiral staircase,the accommodation offers a uniqueopportunity to experience the sights andsounds of Paris at the same time as

enjoying an adventure in the treetops.A four-night break from May 5 staying

in a tree house sleeping up to fivepeople costs from £231, includingDover-Calais ferry crossings and theearly booking discount.

Meanwhile, with four new parcs addedto its portfolio for this year, the operatoroffers self-catering holidays to a total of99 parcs across ten European countries.Two new parcs are added to its French

offering – La Serraz at Annecy andCamping Atlantique at La Palmyre; whilea new parc on the Coasta Dorada inSpain, Camping La Siesta, offers an idealbase to explore the Mediterranean

coastline. The operator's national sales

manager, Michelle Betley Jones,said: " For a holiday which offerscomplete freedom and flexibility,the parc lifestyle is the ideal option.From choosing a way to travel, toarriving and leaving on the mostconvenient date and decidingwhether to spend time on-parc orexplore further afield, it’s possibleto tailor a trip to meet the needs offamilies of all ages as well as

couples."This can also result in a great value

break, with the opportunity to takeadvantage of cheaper mid-week traveland self-drive options, which is borneout in the continuing popularity ofKeycamp holidays in northern France,with parcs in Paris and south Brittany inparticular performing well year-on-year."For further information visitwww.keycamp4agents.co.uk

holidayparks


Keycamp offers savings of up to 20% plus 20% agent commission


BUTLINS’ COUNTRY & Western Festivals are beinglaunched this March with a new line up of entertainment.Following demand the operator has added two festivaldates – the first at its Minehead resort from March 2-5and the second from March 16-19 at Butlins Skegness.

During these adult-only weekends, guests will be ableto experience live acoustic acts in a festival atmosphere.

Headlining at Minehead are two Texan born artists -country rock and ballad singer Collin Raye and fiddleartist John Permenter. Supporting acts include Dirty HatBand, Stu Page Band, The Jive Aces, Hayley Oliver Band,Darren Busby Big Band, Nashville Rose and Gary Perkins& The Breeze

Award winning country music singer Crystal Gayle &Her All American Band will be headlining the stage atSkegness alongside Boomer McLennan and his six pieceband. Supporting artists include Jellico Road, KatieRhodes, Fools Gold, Henry Smith Band, Loco Boys, GaryPerkins & The Breeze and Texas Tornados.

Guests will also have the chance to take part in a line-dancing class and there will also be couple dancingavailable on the March 2-5 break at Butlins Minehead.

Country & Western breaks start from £42 per person,based on four sharing a Standard self-cateringapartment for a March 16 arrival at the Skegness Resort.For more information visit www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk or call 0845-070 4742.

holidayparks


Butlins launches Country & Western festival breaks Crystal Gayle

Pierre & Vacances rebrands Holiday VillagesPIERRE & Vacances’ Holiday Villages have undergone arebrand with the aim of providing guests with further onsitefacilities, à la carte services and integrated regional activities.Extensive refurbishments have also recently been completed.

As examples, Port Bourgenay, which is located on theAtlantic Coast near Nantes, is offering additional free activitiesincluding a five free activities pass available per bookingranging from bike hire to discovering circus skills and activitiesfor the whole family including fitness sessions, sportstournaments and evening shows. There are also two half-dayexcursions per week, a weekly evening event that explains theregion’s culture and a regional market once a week in thevillage. New for the Village is a range of Premiumaccommodation, food delivery services to apartments andthemed kids' clubs including athletics, artists, adventurers andscientists. Pre-bookable children’s clubs are offered andimproved baby kits will be available including items such as anight light and mosquito net.

A three-bedroom house sleeping up to eight people fromAugust 25 to September 1 costs £1,177.

The operator is also running early booking offers of upto 15% off at all its Holiday Villages, valid for bookings inthe peak holiday periods. The discounts are available forbookings made before March 31 for holidays from Aprilto August and until May 31 for holidays from Septemberto November.

For example, a week’s stay in a two-bedroom Sea Viewapartment sleeping up to six people from June 2-9 (May half-term) at Cap Esterel costs £933. With the 15% early booking,discount the price is reduced to £794.Cap Esterel is located in the south of France a short distancefrom Saint-Raphael. The 210-hectare village is ideal forfamilies looking for a safe, friendly holiday destination. Thevillage has a selection of shops and ten restaurants andaccommodation is divided into three ‘quartiers’.Accommodation is available in apartments or houses and 132apartments have been renovated for this year. Facilitiesinclude swimming pools, an aqua fun area with hot tubs, wavemachines and waterslides, a private beach, two lakesincluding a water sports base, 15 tennis courts and a multisports area. Activities for this year include the rental of electricbikes, scooters, electric mopeds and mehari rides.For bookings visit http://trade.pv-holidays.com


V5836


SALEnow on!Early Booking DiscountsSave £100 per couple

Free upgrades

For expert advice, reservations and agency support call:

08445 71 91 12 or visit www.anatoliansky.co.uk.

Unspoilt Turkey & North Cypruswith your award winning specialist tour operatorSpecialising in boutique, family-run and luxury hotels in authentic resorts plus tailor-made itineraries and guided tours for your clients to really explore our destinations.

Remember we pay £5 Love2Shop vouchers for every package holiday you book, plus fantastic prizes for the top selling agents.

Visit www.anatolianskyexpert.co.uk to take our online training course!

To order brochures visit www.trade-gate.co.uk Viewdata ASK#

holidayparks


A NEW luxury family lodge holidayconcept has been unveiled for 2012 byHoseasons. Called Evermore, thenew concept offers six locationsspread across England, Scotlandand Wales, and is expected toattract new audiences to theholiday lodges sector, as well asoffering the operator's existingcustomers something different.

The product is designed to offerexclusive high quality secludedlodge accommodation withfacilities such as hot tubs, i-pods,free Wi-fi and flat screen TVs, andwas launched following extensiveconsumer research, whichidentified a gap in the market fortop-quality lodge holidays inexclusive locations.

The research revealed that UKholidaymakers perceive lodge holidaysas being positioned between cottagesand holiday parks – and that there wasno company offering luxury,personalised accommodation combinedwith the reassurance of a trusted brand.

The company's vice president for

lodges, parks, boating and apartments,Pali Badwal, said: “Quality time with the

family is the number one priority for thisaudience, but they also want to explorethe local environment, rather thansimply staying on the park for theduration of their holiday.

“Space and privacy are also importantconcerns, together with things like a

gastropub close by and outdoor activitiessuch as cycling and walking on the

doorstep.”Stonerush Lakes Lodges near

Fowey in Cornwall is one of the sixEvermore locations, situated in asecluded Cornish valleysurrounded by wildlife and nature.

With the emphasis oncontemporary family living, eachlodge has been designed toenhance the location, withuninterrupted views over thecountryside and floor-to-ceilingwindows.

The one- and two-bedroomlodges have private outdoor hottubs, flat screen TVs, DVDs, i-Poddocking stations, a verandah withbarbecue, Nintendo Wiis and aselection of traditional board

games on hand.A short break at Stonerush for a

family of four costs from £295, with aweek leading in at £575.For more information visitwww.hoseasons.co.uk/agents or call 0844-847 1144.

Hoseasons launches new luxury family lodge product, Evermore



OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS has expanded its Greece programme forsummer, with new properties offered in many of the 24Greek islands featured by the operator.The second edition Summer Sun brochure adds hotels ofthree- to five-stars and many self-catering apartmentsacross the destination.

Key islands for expansion are Rhodes, Kos and Santorini.In Rhodes, five-star additions in the popular resort of Ixiainclude the Atrium Platinum Hotel and Capsis Hotel.

Two more five-star hotels are added in Kos – the DiamondDeluxe and Carad Beach – while new for Santorini are thefour-star San Antonio and three-star Alesahne Beach andThera Mare Boutique hotels.

The operator's commercial director, Photis Lambrianides,said: "Although we've expanded into other Mediterraneancountries of late, Greece remains our biggest destination bya large margin.

"For summer 2012, we are seeing a booking pattern andlevel of sales for Greece similar to recent years, with morepeople leaving making their holiday arrangements until

much later. Faced with current budgetary constraints andlonger-term economic uncertainty, clients are delayingbooking until the last minute, but we are fairly satisfied withsales so far."

Crete and Rhodes remain the strongest-selling islands forthe operator and all-inclusive properties have been givenincreased prominence in the latest brochure, with nearly 100ranging from three-star up to five-star. There are 38 featuredin Crete and 24 in Rhodes.

Lambrianides said: "All-inclusives are a vitally importantpart of our Greek product mix and are especially popular inCrete and Rhodes, larger islands where the capacity isgreatest."

As an example of prices, a seven-night breakfast stay atthe newly featured three-star Thera Mare Boutique Hotel onSantorini costs £475 per person, based on two sharing a twinroom. The price is for departures in June and includes flightsfrom Gatwick and transfers. For more information call 0844-499 4449 or visitwww.olympicholidays.com

SUNVIL HOLIDAYS has launched its2012 real Greece brochure, featuring amix of holidays to the more authenticparts of the country.

New for this year is the emerald isleof Thassos, featuring the four-star IlioMare Hotel located on a Blue Flagbeach, and the Geni peninsular onLefkas. Sea kayaking safaris around theisland of Alonissos are also on offer forthe first time.

Prices for a stay at the Ilio Mare Hotelon Thassos lead in at £750 per person,based on two sharing and includeflights, breakfast accommodation (free

half-board in low season) and transfers.Nearly 40 new properties have also

been added to the programme, withmore choice on the islands of Alonissos,Ithaca and Tilos, and in Sivota, Pelionand Kardamili on the mainland.

The brochure lead-in price is £481per person, which includes an earlybooking discount, for seven nights’ self-catering at the Villa Irene in AghiosGordis, Corfu, including flights andtransfers. The price is based on foursharing in May.

Early booking offers include twoweeks for the price of one and

reductions of up to £40 per person onone-week holidays, applicable to off-peak stays when booked by February 29.

The operator's programme director,Dudley der Parthog, said: “I believe 2012will actually be a good year to visitGreece. The nation’s economic woesshould mean quieter beaches andtavernas, and an even warmer welcomethan usual. Whatever the situation incentral Athens, traditional life continuesas it always has done on the islands andin the villages." For more information call 020-8758 4747 or visit www.sunvil.co.uk

'Real Greece' brochure from Sunvil Holidays offers holidays to authentic locations

greece

MARBELLA BEACH Hotel on Corfu has announced the start of a two-year renovation project with a goal to transforming the hotel and put it onthe map as Corfu’s luxury all-inclusive resort. The renovation is due to take place in two phases, the first of which is due to be completed inMay and the second in 2013. The first phase will see the unveiling of 265 renovated rooms and suites and the property will also be upgradingthe beach area. Phase two will see the remaining 119 rooms undergo renovation during winter 2012/13, bringing the total complement to384. The hotel’s public areas will also be upgraded along with a new restaurant, spa and gym. Sovereign Luxury Travel is offering a seven-night all-inclusive stay from £519 per person departing on May 1. The price includes a free room upgrade, flights and private transfers andoffers a saving of up to £698 per couple. For details call 0844-415 1936 or see www.sovereign.com and www.marbella.gr

Accommodation boost in Rhodes, Kos & Santorini from Olympic Holidays

S05 TB0302 Greece_Layout 1 01/02/2012 12:55

GREEK VILLA specialist GIC The Villa Collection haslaunched its 2012 brochure, featuring a selection ofhandpicked villas chosen for either their private, get-away-from-it-all location or for their stylish modernfurnishings and close proximity to shops and tavernas.

New for this year, the operator is featuring the Greekmainland for the first time. Sivota is located in Epirus onGreece’s north-west coast, where four new properties arefeatured - the Senses Villas located a few hundred metresfrom Sivota village, and the Villas Diamond and Pearl,each featuring their own gyms and helipad.

Free child places are offered on selected villa holidaysfor the first time this year and apply to one child (agedunder 12) per booking.

As an example, seven nights at Villa Aphrodite in Crete,departing on May 1 costs £582 per person, based on foursharing, including one free child place. The price offers asaving of £482 per family of four and includes flights, carhire where applicable or transfers, a complimentarywelcome pack, maid service and linen change twice-weekly.For more information or to book call 020-8232 9780 orvisit www.gicthevillacollection.com

CLASSIC COLLECTIONHolidays has expanded itsprogramme to Greece forthis summer, offeringholidays to Corfu andSpetses for the first time.

On the small island ofSpetses, the operator isfeaturing the PoseidonionGrand Hotel which hasrecently undergone arestoration. Three-nightprices in April start from£617 per person, based ontwo sharing a deluxe roomon a bed-and-breakfastbasis, including private

transfers, hydrofoil crossingand flights.

The company's head ofpurchasing, Gary Boyer, said:"Spetses is a charming andelegant addition to our Greekportfolio. The island boastswonderful beaches, secludedbays, beautiful architectureand a picturesque port. Weare confident that it will besuccessful with our guestsas a destination in its ownright or as part of a twin-centre holiday coupled withour popular city breaks toAthens."

On Corfu the operator isfeaturing six properties inCorfu Town, Kanoni,Kontokali Bay, Nissaki andAgios Ioannis Peristeron.One of the island's mostluxury hotels, the KontoKaliBay Resort & Spa, isfeatured from £537 perperson for a seven-nightbreakfast stay in May.

Boyer said: "As Corfuenjoys a very strongfollowing from the UK andhas excellent regional flyingwe felt it timely to includethe island in our expanded

Greece programme for 2012.We have secured someluxurious beach sideproperties, with all-inclusiveoptions, which are ideal forfamilies as well as somesmaller hotels in Corfu Townwhich will appeal principallyto couples and those lookingfor a short stay in afascinating capital withnumerous landmarks andsites to explore."For more information or tobook call 0800-008 7288 or01903 823 088 or visitwww.classic-collection.co.uk

Levante Beach

Mainland debut in GIC The Villa Collection’s 2012 brochure launch


greece

Ionian Island Holidays marks tenth anniversary IONIAN ISLAND Holidays has announced the release of itstenth anniversary holiday brochure featuring a collection ofexclusive properties across locations in Greece and herislands.

The brochure features a range of accommodation includingwaterside apartments, villas with pools and boutique hotels indestinations that include Kefalonia, Ithaka, Lefkada, Meganisi,Corfu, Paxos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and the lesserknown Pelion Peninsula.

New and exclusive to the company for this year are newvillas on Kefalonia, Ithaka, Lefkada, Paxos, Corfu, Skopelosand Alonissos.

Seven-night prices lead in at less than £500 per personincluding car hire.For details call 020-8459 0777 or visitwww.ionianislandholidays.com

MARK WARNER is launching a five-star hotel on LevanteBeach, Rhodes, on May 19.

The property is the second five-star resort that the companyhas added to its portfolio of properties around Europe and willfeature a range of facilities, including watersports, tennis andchildcare.

The property is in the resort of Afandou Beach and has atotal of 80 twin/double rooms, (30 of which areinterconnecting), 70 family suites, and ten larger suites (eightof which have private swimming pools). All the rooms comewith balcony or terrace, en-suite bath or shower, air-conditioning and satellite TV.

The operator's managing director, David Hopkins, said:“This is another leap forward for our summer product. Duringthe summer season of 2011 we introduced two new five-starproperties to our programme which were an overwhelmingsuccess. We are also extremely pleased to be working withBritish Airways in operating a direct charter service intoRhodes.” Prices start from £765 per person based on sevennights, staying on a half-board basis with BA flights. Afull board upgrade is also available from £75.For more information visitwww.markwarner.co.uk

Mark Warner introduces Rhodes beach resort

Classic Collection Holidays expands programme to include Corfu and Spetses

S05 TB0302 Greece_Layout 1 01/02/2012 12:55

NEW ZEALAND continues to be one of the topdestinations for people from the UK - particularlyduring our cold and wet winter months when the

chance to bask in warm sunshine becomes more appealingby the day.

Whilst New Zealand is around the same size as the UK,only four million people live there. They speak the samelanguage as us, their weather is similar to ours, they are asporting nation - and they even drive on the left hand sideof the road, all of which help to make visitors feel at homeas soon as they get there.

Although the flight takes 24-hours, the journey to NewZealand can include a number of stopover destinations,with most airlines including at least one break at no extracost, so it’s possible to include a holiday within a holiday.

Small wonder then that every year thousands of visitorsare drawn to New Zealand's snow-capped mountains;majestic fjords; bubbling mud pools; geothermal valleys;endless miles of golden sandy beaches; turquoise lakesand dramatic coastlines.

New Zealand is made up of two main islands - the NorthIsland and the South Island, with the smaller StewartIsland to the South - and every town and city hassomething unique to offer.

Tourism growth leads to new itinerariesWith tourism now New Zealand's largest industry, manyregions are coming up with numerous new andexciting itineraries for both first time andrepeat visitors to New Zealand to temptvisitors away from the more traditionalroutes. These include the CoramandelPeninsular; Stewart Island; the Catlinsand Tongariro National Park.

Holidays for all tastesIn New Zealand, people are drawn to theoutdoor lifestyle and there are endlessopportunities to experience thenumerous activities on offer. Specialistitineraries can be arranged to cater foran extremely wide variety of interests.

● Escorted coach tours are ideal for those people whowish to let someone else do the driving and ensure thatall the most popular attractions and activities areincluded.

● Self-drive holidays offer a comprehensive choice ofaccommodation ranging from farm stays, self-containedmotels and hotels to unique bed-and-breakfasts andworld class lodges – all of which are perfect for theindependent traveller.

● For freedom and flexibility New Zealand is amotorhomer's dream, with wide open roads and very fewlarge cities

Selling tips● Ideally your clients need to spend at three to four weeks

in New Zealand to get the best out of the country.However, for shorter trips of two weeks or less werecommend that they visit just one island.

● For shorter visits, recommend coach touring holidayswhich include all the ‘must see’ attractions. A widerange of flexible coach touring options are available.

● Recommend staying two nights in areas that are ofspecific interest to allow enough time to explore.

● Why not mix and match the type of holiday andaccommodation? For example, your clients can take anall-inclusive coach tour on one island and a self-drive(car or motorhome) holiday on another.

● Although December to February is NewZealand's summer months, the shoulder

season months of November, March andearly April can offer fantastic weather -but without the crowds. Other benefitsinclude cheaper prices for flights,accommodation and transport.

● For the busy holiday periodbetween November and April,

recommend pre-booking entireitineraries. Many of theexcursions and adventures areextremely popular so, to avoiddisappointment, it is best notto leave it to chance.✦

How to capitalise on

increased demand for

New Zealand


australasia

by HAYLEY BRYAN, UK manager,

Kirra Holidays

S06 TB0302 Australasia_Layout 1 01/02/2012 14:21

AGENTS ARE beinginvited to complete twoonline training modulesat www.sellsamoa.com tohave a chance to win aplace on a fam to theSouth Pacific toexperience Samoa.

The modules giveagents the opportunity todiscover more aboutSamoa's culture, diverselandscape, its wide rangeof accommodation andevents happening thisyear, as the nation marksits 50th year ofIndependence.

The last date to enterto win a place isFebruary 10.

THIS YEAR Tourism Australia iscontinuing to invest in the AussieSpecialist Programme, training agentsto be Australia destination expertswith a focus on the key experiences ofnature, coastal and cities, which arekey to motivating travel to Australia.

The new National Landscapesmodule is a niche module, designed toincrease agents’ knowledge ondistinctively Australian natural,cultural and spiritual experiences.

Agents will learn about the keyfeatures of each of the landscapes andthe main selling points. Suggesteddownloadable itineraries are includedin the module to help agents when

designing itineraries for theircustomers. Further itineraries and citymaps can be found under the salestools section on the Website.

The tourist office is also partneringwith STA travel in an integratedcampaign to help motivatestudent/youth audiences to travel toAustralia.

The online Facebook campaign,which runs for five months fromFebruary to June, will focus onattracting working holidaymakers toAustralia, highlighting the benefits ofworking abroad in terms of futureemployability in the current economicclimate.

For more information visitwww.aussiespecialist.com andwww.australia.com

AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLERS are becoming more independentaccording to Austravel, which reports a sharp rise in selfdrives and motorhome hire as traditional holidaymakers lookfor more adventure and flexibility.

The operator says that the growth has seen a rise of morethan 20% in travellers choosing to take the independentapproach.

The company’s managing director, Joel Saunders, said: “Somuch has been the growth that we have introduced moreindependent travel options across our programme. We’ve seena real mix of customers, from those just wanting our mostpopular four-berth motorhome to those desiring a little moreluxury - whilst still having the independence. The new luxury,eco-friendly Kea motorhomes were introduced this year aswell as the iconic Spaceships – a uniquely designed vehiclethat drives like a car, but has the features of a campervan.

“We have all seen the requirements of the typical Britishholidaymaker change over the last few years and we’ve all hadto re-look at what we offer to meet these demands.Motorhomes offer the ultimate holiday option in this market,

particularly within the diversity of Australia and are becomingextremely popular.

“New South Wales and Queensland, by far account for alarge proportion of our holidays consuming 70% of sales,equally split. However South and Western Australia have beenincreasing gradually over recent years, attributed to areas likethe Kimberley’s that have now seen greater access.

“A tip for success in 2012 has already seen Gold Coast salesexplode in January with growth up 230% compared to last year.Wildlife is abundant in this area and new tours were added asan increase for those wanting to see unique Australian wildlifesuch as the Dugongs has been seen. Similarly the less knownKangaroo Island has seen an enormous growth of more than300%.”

According to the operator, the Cook Islands and Fiji are alsoexpected to do well this year as stopover destinations, where a30% rise in numbers has been seen and additional hotels havebeen added to the programme to meet the demand. For more information call 0800-988 4834 or visitwww.austravel.com

New National Landscapes module in Aussie Specialist Programme

Win a fam to Samoa


australasia

Australian travellers are becoming more independent according to Austravel

TO MARK its 21st anniversary, the Prairie Hotel, in Australia's Parachilna in the Flinders Ranges, hasadded new upgrades and options. These include accommodation upgrades to extend across the roadto the 'Overflow' accommodation including the old Fettlers Cabins, as well as the Captain's Cottage,nestled 35km further east into the Flinders Ranges at Blinman; the option to take a scenic flight overWilpena Pound; plus activities which range from day trips into the desert, gorges and mountainranges, to flying, walking and riding across the landscape. The hotel offers a number of tours plustailor-made tours for travellers wanting to put their own itinerary together, including bushwalking,mountain biking, 4WD touring and Aboriginal cultural tours. Prices start from AUD$175 (around £110)per room per night based on two people sharing an en-suite double cabin. For details see www.prairiehotel.com.au


IN A move which sees it target the lucrative youth/budgettraveller market for the first time, Gold Medal has partneredwith YHA Australia to offer independent agents access to arange of high quality budget accommodation in Australia.

It is hoped that the deal between the two companies willallow independent agents to tap into this growing market,which was previously only the realm of youth/budget travelspecialists.

Options range from the Syndey Central YHA to the morerural Halls Gap YHA in the Grampians Region of Victoria andthe Queensland beach location of Magnetic Island YHA.

YHA Australia marketing manager for Europe, Mandy Monk,said: “We are very pleased to partner with Gold Medal toprovide a range of products that are easily accessible to ourgrowing number of customers via the High Street.

“The budget and backpacker segment is continuing to growand despite common misconceptions these travellers havedisposable income, a strong propensity to travel and aregenerally less affected by issues such as the global financialcrisis, making them an ideal target group in these moredifficult times. We welcome the foresight shown by Gold Medalto tap into this lucrative segment through its independentagent partners.”

Inteprid Travel highlights best-selling Red Centre tourINTREPID TRAVEL reports that its most popular trip is Central Rock & Canyon – a three-daytour of the Red Centre that starts and ends in Alice Springs, and takes in the iconic sights ofUluru at sunset, Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) at sunrise, and a day hiking in Kings Canyon, stayingin tented campsite accommodation. The usual price is £485 (excluding flights), but thecompany is offering a saving of 20% off departures on February 12 and March 2.

Sydney Harbour YHA

Shearings highlightsnew Australian

Explorer itineraryCUSTOMERS CAN discoverAustralia’s scenery,culture, wildlife and famouslandmarks on Shearings’new tour.

The 13-day AustralianExplorer itinerary leads inat £4,399 per person andhighlights include a visit toSydney, a cruise of theGreat Barrier Reef, acableway ride through therainforest and a sunset tripto Ayers Rock.

The price includes tennights’ breakfastaccommodation, fivelunches and dinners, atouring itinerary, flightsand transfers. Departuresare available through toNovember. For more information call0844-824 6351 or visitwww.shearingsagent.com

australasiaAUSTRALIA’S KIMBERLEY Region will welcome four new luxury properties opening in April, when'Berkeley River' opens. The multi-million dollar tourism development is located around 150km northof Wyndham in the East Kimberley. The remote property will feature 20 suites, all with ocean views,and a main lodge with conference facilities. Next to the Berkeley River, guests will be able toexperience relaxation or adventure, with activities such as boat cruises, bush and beach walks, fishingand helicopter journeys. All four properties will be available through Bridge & Wickers. For details call 020-7483 6555 or see www.bridgeandwickers.com


Gold Medal partners with YHA Australia



australasia

ATTRACTION WORLD is highlighting its city tour of Melbourne whichtakes in Captain Cook's Cottage, Queen Victoria Market, FitzroyGardens and Albert Park - home of the Australian Grand Prix.Guests can take a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens, see theRoyal Exhibition Buildings and Federation Square, plus theSouthbank waterfront precinct and some of the city's architecturebefore crossing the Bolte Bridge for views over the city. Prices leadin at £46 for adults and £23 for children, aged three-15 years. For details see www.attractionworld.com or call 0871-700 8888.

InBrief● THIS YEAR will see the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

celebrate its 20th anniversary with 20 days of eating anddrinking between March 2-21. Held at locations all over thecity, the festival showcases more than 250 gourmet events,including free tastings and masterclasses from bothinternational and local chefs. Flight Centre is offering aseven-night package to Melbourne during the festival from£1,499 per person. It includes flights from Heathrow,transfers and seven nights’ accommodation at the five-starArt Series Blackman Hotel.

For details call 0800-587 0058 and quote MELLONPAC11.

● THE ANNUAL turtle nesting season has begun again onQueensland’s Heron Island, with early sightings of greenturtles coming ashore to nest on the Great Barrier Reefcoral cay. In celebration of the annual occurrence, HeronIsland Resort owners, Delaware North Companies, haspartnered with the Sea Turtle Foundation, a non-profit, non-government organisation that is dedicated to safeguardingsea turtle populations, migration routes and habitats, toprovide guests with a greater opportunity to understand andsupport the creatures.

For details see www.heronisland.com

● QANTAS HOLIDAYS is offering a free experience onpackages booked throughout this month based aroundiconic Australian cities. Guests booking a minimum of threenights at selected accommodation in Sydney, Brisbane,Perth, Adelaide or Melbourne, along can experience a freelocal experience. As an example, guests staying three nightsat the Travelodge Sydney, from £55 per person per nightbased on twin share, can opt for a two-hour beginner’s surflesson on Bondi Beach.

For details see www.qantas.com.au/agents

● THE AUSTRALIAN Tourism Exchange (ATE) is being held atthe Perth Convention and Exhibition centre from June 15-21. Australia's Outback will be the central theme of ATE2012, demonstrating the destination’s strong identificationwith iconic outback landscapes, people and experiences.Tourism Australia has developed a new trade events mobileWebsite and an iPhone/iPad app known as "Trade Events

Mate" which will be available for download prior to ATE,suitable for use onsite. Features include real time access toappointment schedules, announcements and access to thefloor plans.

● EMIRATES HAS welcomed its 20th Airbus A380 to itsexpanding fleet by announcing Melbourne and Tokyo as twonew destinations for its flagship aircraft this year. The airlinenow operates three daily flights from Dubai to Melbourne,one non-stop, one via Singapore and the other via KualaLumpur. The A380 will operate as EK406, the non-stop flightfrom Dubai to Melbourne and on to Auckland from October 1.

● DARWIN, AUSTRALIA will enjoy improved connectivitythanks to a new direct service with SilkAir, a wholly ownedsubsidary of Singapore Airlines, from March 26 when thecarrier commences a four times weekly service betweenSingapore and Darwin. Virgin Australia will complement thenew service by offering a new daily domestic servicebetween Sydney and Darwin, effective from April 2.

For details see www.silkair.com

● AUSTRALIA’S HERON Island has announced details of its2012 Dive Festival, which takes place from July 25-29.Combining a range of diving opportunities with workshopsand lectures, the festival is aimed at avid divers who havethe option to take part in two dives daily, along with theoption of night dives. There will also be a series of lecturesand workshops to provide guests with more informationabout their environment.

See www.heronisland.com/Dive-Festival.aspx or email [email protected]

● DARWIN IS poised to welcome a new AU$40million Lagoonresort. The new luxury villa beachside resort willcomplement the existing 120-room SkyCity hotel complex atMindil Beach – home to the popular sunset markets. Theresort will see the creation of a lagoon swimming pool witha pool bar and beach at one end. The new property will offertwo super villas as well as 32-luxury guestrooms, someoffering a swim-up, swim-out experience.

For details see www.skycitydarwin.com.au



cruising

by NEIL BARCLAY, head of sales, Viking River Cruises

The rise and rise of river cruising

OF ALL the sectors in the travel industry, few areenjoying such huge growth as river cruising. Lastyear was a massive one for river cruise companies

and their agents, and this year looks set to be even bigger,with demand outstripping supply on key itineraries. Withmore and more players coming into the market,consumers are turning to those who deliver on destinationand quality, new ships. Price is important but not the majorincentive. Good value, however, is. If you’re not alreadyfamiliar with the many benefits of selling river cruising, it’stime you jumped on board.

Why is river cruising becoming so popular?A river cruise is a great way to see a lot of different places– in a relaxed and easy fashion - and unpack just once.Unlike an ocean cruise, a river cruise sails right into theheart of each destination and guests enjoy step ashoreaccess with no long queues to disembark. No long days atsea, and no wave motion (so no sea-sickness) are also bigadvantages. Today’s river cruise ships incorporateluxurious, state-of-the-art design and engineering, andprovide the ultimate in comfort and style.

As well as offering a more relaxed travel experience,guests enjoy a casual dress code, with no dinner jacketrequired and an open seating restaurant, so they canchoose to sit where they like, whilst dining on the finest onboard cuisine.

Who takes a river cruise?Anyone and everyone is a potential river cruise customer.Many river cruise passengers have taken land-based rail orcoach tours and are looking for a more comfortable way toexplore the world’s great cities, towns and countryside.River cruising is also attracting ocean cruise passengerswho are fed up with the all-singing, all-dancing mega shipson which they have to queue for everything. Carryingbetween 120 and 260 passengers, a river cruise offers amore relaxed and personal experience. Most river cruisecompanies don’t allow children on board; the age range isvaried but it’s usually 50 plus and comprises of couples orfriends travelling together, and inter-generational (motherand daughter etc). Singles are also welcome.

Introducing the new Viking LongshipsMay sees the launch of four new Viking Longships, withmore planned for the future. These revolutionary new

ships feature spacious Veranda Staterooms, FrenchBalcony Staterooms with floor to ceiling sliding glassdoors, Veranda Suites and two Explorer Suites that offer270° views at the aft of the ship. Dining alfresco,surrounded by beautiful scenery on the Aquavit Terrace isanother big draw of the new Viking Longships andStaterooms are selling fast.

More inspiring itineraries, more exciting destinationsBudapest, St. Petersburg, Cologne, Vienna, Amsterdam,Prague – so many of the world’s great cities were built onthe river, so that they were accessible. On a river cruise,guests can enjoy spending more time enjoying the historyand culture of each place and less time travelling. TheRhine, the Elbe, the Danube, the Douro, Volga, the Yangtze,the Mekong – guests are treated to a new and differentview from the river and, unlike an ocean cruise, the view isconstantly changing. As well as daily shore excursions,many companies now offer interactive workshops andlectures.

Advantages of selling river cruisesFast growing in popularity, there’s never been a better timeto sell river cruising. Earnings from commission are highand there’s no reason to discount – customers look foradvice and knowledge rather than big savings. Rivercruising is a great value product, with just about everythingincluded in the price.

Sales tips• With just about everything included, it’s important to tell

your customers that they’ll have minimal financialoutlay once on board. As an example, the price of aViking river cruise includes flights, transfers, meals,wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch, dinner and dailyexcursions. Tips are discretionary.

• If your clients have never river cruised, simply ask thequestion: "Have you thought about a river cruise?" Theycan enjoy seeing several countries on one trip, in relaxedand comfortable surroundings. From stunning Europeancities like Vienna and Budapest, or combiningfascinating places like Moscow and St. Petersburg, theycan enjoy a wealth of culture, history and magnificent,ever-changing scenery along the way.

Why wouldn’t you choose a river cruise? ✦

S07 TB0302 Cruising_Layout 1 01/02/2012 13:00


cruising

CMV issues 2012/13 brochure with new pricing structure CRUISE & Maritime Voyages has launched its 2012/13 brochure offering 63 different cruisesdeparting from six alternative UK ports.

The company’s sales manager, Michelle Daniels, said: “Thanks to remarkable agent’s support,CMV is sold out for the current winter season and we already have limited availability on manypopular sailings for 2012. This is reflected in our pricing in our new main brochure which offersup to 25% off published fares on certain cruises as an incentive for bookings made beforeFebruary 29.”

Prices start from £199 for a three-night mini-cruise, the Dutch Bulbfields Weekend, departingon Marco Polo from Tilbury on March 30. On Ocean Countess, prices start from £299 for a four-night Bank Holiday Break cruise to Amsterdam and Hamburg departing from Hull on May 4.

This year will see the cruise line adding new regional departures to meet demand fromagents, with the Marco Polo cruising from Newcastle & Edinburgh (Leith) for the first time inaddition to Tilbury. Ocean Countess will cruise from Liverpool, Greenock, Hull as well as Cobh(Cork) in Ireland.

New destinations and itineraries include an Emerald Isle Discovery cruise, a Maritime Heritagecruise that commemorates the Titanic journey, two Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration cruises,the Azores & Madeira, a French Leave Autumn cruise and a three-night Mystery Cruise.

Prices are per person based on two people sharing an inner cabin on a full board basis.Evening entertainment and daytime activities are also included.For details see www.cruiseandmaritime.com and www.cruiseandmaritime.tv orcall 0844-414 6185.

Cyplon launches Fly& Stay cruises

CYPLON HOLIDAYS iscelebrating its 40thanniversary with a specialcruising programme in co-operation with LouisCruises. The programmeis part of the dynamicpackaging features thatthe operator is promoting,where travel agents canoffer clients the flexibilityof departures,accommodation basis andland-based activities.

Cruises are available toGreece, her islands andTurkey, with prices leadingin at £564 per person. Theprogramme also offersextensive land-basedactivities and journeyextensions to include;Cyprus, Nile cruise, RedSea Riviera and Dubai.

The operator’s sales andmarketing director, TassAnastasi, said: “It isextremely exciting for usto be here, celebrating 40years in the industry. Ourbrochures and especiallyour cruise programme ispacked with ideas forjourney extensions, landbased trips and of courseincentives for our mostvalue allies – our travelagents.”

There are three ships byLouis Cruises that offerthree-, four- and seven-night cruises in Greece, theGreek islands of Mykonos,Santorini, Patmos, Rhodesand Crete as well as stopsin Kusudasi and Istanbul inTurkey.

The Fly & Stay cruisesoffer flights to Athens,private transfers, onenight’s breakfast stay atthe five-star PiraeusTheoxenia Hotel and fullboard basis.

Brochure prices arebased on Aegean Airlinesflights but alternativeflights to Athens areavailable from UK airports. For details call 0800-074 888 or visitwww.cyplon.co.uk

CRYSTAL CRUISES is reminding travellersthat it’s never too early to start planningNew Year’s Eve by releasing details of anultra-luxury, private floating party in SydneyHarbour to welcome in 2013. The celebrationoffers exclusive front-row “seats” to theworld’s biggest New Year’s fireworks, freefor guests of all ages on Crystal Symphony’slavish culinary-themed seasonal cruisethrough New Zealand and Australiabeginning on December 20.

The line has arranged VIP stationingunder Sydney Harbour Bridge, inside the off-limits Harbour Exclusion Zone, for the pre-

eminent fireworks vantage point. Theintimate post-dinner soiree includes horsd’oeuvres, desserts, premium open bar,music, dancing and a midnight Champagnecountdown.

The 16-night Christmas and New Yearsailing, from Auckland to Melbourne, costsfrom £8,005 per person when booked byFebruary 28. The price is based on twosharing a deluxe stateroom with picturewindow on an all-inclusive basis. For more information or to book call 020-7287 9040 or visitwww.crystalcruises.co.uk

Crystal’s VIP fireworks display to ring in New Year 2013 in Sydney

SHEARINGS IS helping agents to capitalise on this year’s Jubilee celebrations by launching a royal-themedcruise based around the British Isles to coincide with the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s 60th year on thethrone. The cruise, on MV Athena, will explore St Mary’s, the largest of the Isles of Scilly, the 17th-centuryharbour of Honfleur in Normandy, Dublin and the Scottish Islands of Orkney and Mull. Highlights include aCaptain’s Jubilee Gala Dinner and a traditional village fete, as well as a trip to London for the Jubileecelebrations. The 14-day itinerary departs on June 4 and costs from £1,498 per person. Departures areavailable from destinations across the UK via free Cruise Connect to port by coach. Customers who bookbefore February 29 can also save 20% on the brochure price. For details call 01942-823449 or visit www.shearingsagent.com



REGENT SEVEN Seas Cruises haslaunched its Grand Voyages 2012/13collection which offers a series ofsailings ranging from seven to 143nights between October and June 2013.

The itineraries visit popular andculturally diverse destinations acrossthe continents such as Halong Bay inVietnam, Hobart in Tasmania andAntofagasta in Chile. Overnight staysare also offered in more than 25 majorcities such as Ho Chi Minh City,Bangkok, Shanghai, Osaka, Taipei,Mumbai, Buenos Aires and Rio deJaneiro.

Many cruises offer more than 40free excursions, all of which arefeatured online and can be reservedup to 180 days before departure.

Other added value benefits include afree pre- or post-cruise land or hotelprogramme in cities such as

Singapore, Mumbai, Beijing and HongKong; a free one-, two- or three-nightluxury hotel stay; and free experiencessuch as a three-day Taj Mahal landpackage.

Guests who choose a sailing longerthan 50 nights (72-nights on GrandSouth America) will receive addedbenefits including Business Classflights, a pre-cruise overnight galadinner and free visas. Preferentialfares are also offered to guests whocombine cruises.

As an example of prices, a 12-nightBuenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro cruisedeparting on February 13, 2013 leadsin at £6,379 per person. The priceincludes all suite accommodation,flights, transfers, free unlimited shoreexcursions, fine dining, premiumspirits and wines, pre-cruise overnightstay and taxes.

For more information [email protected]

RSSC unveils 2012/13 Grand Voyages brochure

SWAN HELLENIC is promoting a 14-day ‘Postcard from theMediterranean’ fly/cruise on its newly upgraded MV Minervafrom £1,495 per person, based on inside cabinaccommodation.

The price, which is based on a March 29 departure, includesflights, transfers and a 14-day voyage departing from Romeand calling at Naples, Sorrento, Palermo, Sousse, Valletta,Piraeus and Istanbul. A programme of tailor-made shoreexcursions is also included in the price, as are talks by guestspeakers, meals and entertainment, gratuities and all taxes.

Meanwhile, following the launch of “The Iron Lady” – thetrue story of Margaret Thatcher, Voyages of Discovery andSwan Hellenic are offering passengers the chance to join apolitical debate at sea.

Clients can opt for a Venice and Adriatic cruise with Swanfor £2,170 per person and hear first-hand from former ForeignSecretary Rt Hon Douglas Hurd. The price includes flights,transfers and a 15-day voyage departing from Valletta onAugust 15.

Voyages of Discovery’s Nordic Natural Wonders cruise leadsin at £1,499 and offers political views from Sir AnthonyBrenton, who worked for more than 30 years for the BritishForeign Office.

The price is based on a July 12 departure from Harwich andprices for both cruises include meals, entertainment, on boardgratuities, relevant taxes and guest speaker lectures.For more information visit www.swanhellenic.com andwww.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk

NORWEGIAN CRUISE Line has announced that it isrevitalising its current youth programme and willimplement a new best in class programme fleet wide. There-branded programme will be introduced on NorwegianGem in mid-February and will be rolled out to all of theline’s Freestyle Cruising ships subsequently.The current programme, Norwegian’s Kid’s Crew, will berenamed and the age groups are being redefined tobetter address the skills and interests of children. Thenew age groups will be three to five years; six to eightyears; nine to 12 years; along with two teen groups: 13 to14 and 15 to 17 years.There will also be programming for babies and toddlersaged six months to two years. The new curriculum, tailoredto each age group, is being produced in conjunction withThe King’s Foundation and Camps, a UK-basedorganisation that provides sport and activity programmesdesigned to make a positive impact on children. More focuswill be placed on sporting activities, arts and crafts, theatreand technology. The curriculum also includes creative themes, such as

circus day, theatre/technology/sportsand port of callday.Meanwhile, theline’s newest ship,NorwegianBreakaway, is tosail from New Yorkto the Bahamas &Florida and theCaribbean in2013/14.Following asummer inaugural season sailing seven-night cruises fromNew York to Bermuda, the 4,000 passenger ship willembark on a series of 25 seven-night cruises to theBahamas & Florida beginning on October 13, 2013. It willalso sail two 12-night Southern Caribbean itineraries onJanuary 5 and 19, 2014.Call 0845-201 8900 or visit www.ncl.co.uk

Norwegian Cruise Line introduces new youth programme

Norwegian Epic

Swan Hellenic highlights 14-day Med fly/cruise on new Minerva

cruising


12-night Med cruise from £769 from CarnivalCARNIVAL CRUISE Lines is offering a 12-night Mediterranean fly/cruiseon its new 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze from £769 per person.

Departing from Barcelona, destination highlights include Naples,Dubrovnik, Venice, Sicily and the French Riviera.

The holiday departs London on October 13 and includes scheduledflights and a 12-night cruise on a full board basis, based on inside twinaccommodation.For more information or to book visit www.carnivalcruise.co.uk or call0845-351 0556.

AGENTS CAN now offer theircustomers the opportunity to saveup to £456 per person on selecteddepartures this spring withHurtigruten.

Available on the 12-day ClassicRound Voyage, 11-day NorwegianDiscovery Voyage, seven-dayClassic Voyage North and six-dayClassic Voyage South, guests cantake advantage of the specialprices on various dates duringMarch, April and May whenbooking an unspecified inside or

outside cabin before March 31,which will then be allocated onarrival.

The 12-day Classic RoundVoyage leads in at £1,536 perperson and offers a saving of upto £456.

The price is based on twosharing and includes full board onthe ship and fuel supplement.Flights are extra. For more information or to bookcall 020-8846 2666 or seewww.hurtigruten.co.uk/agents

We asked our staff thefollowing question this week:

What picture have yougot as your desktop

wallpaper?

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cruising

Crossword:Across: 1. HAVEN, 3. KOREA, 6. WILLIAM, 8. BLR, 9. IDAHO, 10. KUTA, 11. BAA, 13. ALBI, 15. RICKY, 18. ACT, 19.JACKMAN, 20. MINSK, 21. ITALY.Down: 1. HAWAII, 2. NAIROBI, 3. KLM, 4. RABAT, 5. AVRO, 7. LCA, 10. KARACHI, 12. SYDNEY, 14. LUTON, 16. CAM, 17.PALM, 19. JFK.

Highlighted Word: ALASKA

Travagrams: (Top) Panama City (Bottom) Funway Holidays

Where Am I?: Graceland

puzzlesolutions


Audit Bureau ofCirculations -

Business magazines

DERTOUR HAS launched a new ‘Sea & Music’ cruise of the Eastern Mediterraneanfeaturing the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and has a standalone brochure available onrequest for travel agents. Guests will sail the Eastern Mediterranean Sea on boardMeinSchiff 1 and the itinerary visits Istanbul, Athens, Valetta and Ephesus. Theprogramme includes chamber concerts by members of the ensemble on board and galaconcerts under the direction of Herbert Blomstedt ashore. Prices start from £2,649 perperson to include seven nights’ full board accommodation, flights, transfers, gratuities,port taxes and visas for onshore visits to concerts or as part of an organised excursion.The itinerary departs from Heathrow on July 6 and prices are based on two sharing.For details call 0203-131 2895 or see www.dertour.co.uk

Spring deals on selected cruises from Hurtigruten


travel bulletin 3rd february 2012

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