Travel Bulletin 6th May 2016

Portugal & Madeira

May 6 2016 | ISSUE NO 1,965 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

newsnew study looksat the importanceof halal travellers

cruise bulletina round-up ofcruise news & productlaunches

uk airportsthe latestdevelopments frompopular UK airports

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this weekevent bulletinimages from ourAfrica showcase in Leeds

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How agents can capitaliseon destination’s diverse

product

TB0605 2016 Cover 04/05/2016 10:31 Page 1

//n. Surreal quality of a dream come true, while contemplating the sunsetover the Mediterranean Sea from Meliá Calviá Beach hotel.

To stay at the renovated Meliá Calviá Beach is to explore new feelings, a mix of sensations that can only be expressed with new words. Its rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the Bay of Palma de Mallorca will turn your clients’ stay into an unforgettable experience.Welcome to a world of new feelings.

• Unbeatable seafront location• Renovated rooms and suites with views• New: The Level. The most personalized service with the most exclusive product• Signature cuisine gourmet restaurant• Rooms and spaces for all kinds of celebrations• YHI spa and gym• Leisure areas for the whole family

#onlyinmelia

#fantasea

Call: 0207 391 3073 | Visit: meliapro.com

Or contact your UK leisure account manager

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meliapro.com

3www.travelbulletin.co.uk May 6 2016

newsbulletin

bulletin briefinghow the ‘measure twice, cut once’ expression applies to agents

03 newsnew study looks at the importance ofhalal travellers

09 agent bulletin new agent offers, training & bookingincentives

11 puzzle bulletin play Su Doku for a chance to win a £50 M&S voucher

14 staff review we join a walking food tour of Soho

15 cruise bulletina round-up of cruise news & productlaunches

18 event bulletinimages from our Africa showcase inLeeds

17 london lifea look at what’s new in the capitalthis month

16

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getabed is celebrating 25 years of trading this year. Launched in April 1991, the company now offers more than 100,000 hotels in 167countries worldwide. The operator is celebrating by holding a series of dinners for top performing agents in London, Manchester,Scotland and Ireland. Agents should also keep an eye out for the company's sales managers out and about, with a few treats andsurprises along the way. Pictured are, from the left the company's Michael Wiles, Emma Tipler, Kristina Warren, Billy Sandle,Christine Janicka, Tony Quinn, Michelle Smith, Jackie Martin, Rebecca Thompson-Agbro, Lauren Nee, Andy Winstanley, SophieCampbell, Fabrizia Buccilli, Lisa Sharman and Simon Miles.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS...

20 technology bulletinadvice on how to create a well-designed website

21 portugal & madeirahow agents can capitalise on Portugal’s diverse product

25 middle eastIsrael launches new directive to assist airlines launch new routes

29 uk airportsa look at the latest announcements & developments

Amadeus’ study sheds light on the needs of halal travellersHIGH SPENDING, family-oriented‘halal travellers’ will represent a $200billion opportunity by 2020according to Amadeus.'Halal Travel 2016', a report

conducted by UK-based research firmContext Consulting and commissionedby Amadeus, was presented at Dubai’srecent Arabian Travel Market, andoffered an insight into the currentneeds and future expectations of thetravel group whose importance isgrowing globally. Halal (sanctioned by Islamic law)

tourism numbers are expected to hit 150million in travellers volume and

collectively spend an estimated$200billion by 2020. The reporthighlights three core themes that spanthe key drivers of travel: culturalexperiences, accommodation needs andactivity preferences. Other findings point to the influential

role of women in the travel decisionprocess, planning and some of thelogistics; halal travellers wish to discoverand unlock untapped destinations and aclear differentiation in travel preferences,depending on their kind of profile:Comfort, Explorer, Core Family,Extended Family, Deal-Seeker andSimplicity-Seeker. Since halal travellers frequently

originate from the Middle Easternregion, there is a premium placed onhuman interaction, and travelagencies and tour operators andconsultants play a key role insupporting the travel planning.

The company says that halaltravellers’ motives and context need tobe understood to create the righttravel package, and this is particularlyrelevant when planning complexmulti-destination trips. There is aclear preference for booking all travel,tours and accommodation in advance,as families and groups do not favourthe uncertainty of unplanned trips.Recent figures have shown that the

halal tourism sector was valued at$145billion in 2014, and is one of thefastest growing travel segments in theworld, growing at 4.8% against theindustry average of 3.8%. Economic growth in the Islamic

world has given rise to a Muslimconsumer who is, on average,younger, more educated, and with alarger disposable income than before,giving rise to an increased propensityto international travel and holidays.

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TITAN IS exclusively chartering a rivercruise vessel for the whole of 2017 forthe first time. Launching in March 2017, the 136-

passenger MS Serenade 1, will sail the picturesque waters of the Rhineand Danube. Details of the ship and its 15

itineraries are featured in the company'snew River Cruise Preview 2017 brochure,with prices starting from £899 perperson and savings of up to £250 perperson on selected dates (when bookedbefore June 30). The operator's managing director,

Andy Squirrell, said: “This is a brand newventure for Titan – after many years ofworking with some of the world’s leadingcruise lines, we like to think we knowexactly what makes a fantastic cruise.We are excited to be able to offer aselection of wonderful European river

cruise holidays aboard this stylish ship,where every aspect of the cruiseexperience has been designed with theneeds and interests of the Titan travellerin mind.”New itineraries range from the six-day

floral ‘Dutch Waterways and thebeautiful Keukenhof Gardens’ to thehistoric eight-day ‘Southern GermanRomance’ and the 16-day ‘Grand RiverVoyage with Budapest’. A significant refurbishment

programme during winter 2016 will

further enhance the ambience on board,and all 24 of the river cruise itinerariesbenefit from the company's door-to-doorVIP Home Departure Service and theservices of a tour manager.Travel agents can also claim a £20

Love2Shop voucher for every river cruisebooking, while the top ten river cruisebookers from May to October will travelon the first MS Serenade fam trip inspring 2017.For further information seetitanagents.co.uk

BONOTEL EXCLUSIVE Travel, which specialises in luxurytravel across North America, has announced the unveilingof its first ‘Luxury Suite Collection’ brochure. The selection features more than 60 properties

representing some of North America’s most iconic hoteland resort groups including The Four Seasons, St. Regis,Fairmont, Ritz-Carlton and MGM Resorts.It also highlights a number of individual city centre gems

such as the historic Knickerbocker Hotel and uber chicBaccarat Hotel in New York. Beachside properties are also featured such as 'The

Beach Village at the Del' overlooking Coronado's beachnear San Diego in California and the luxurious 'Sanctuaryat Kiawah Island' golf resort in South Carolina. Commenting on the new brochure Faisal Sublaban,

president and CEO of the company, said: “The first ever 75-

page brochure is a comprehensive collection of our luxurysuites. From New York to Los Angeles, Miami to Boston,Hawaii to Washington DC, this brochure serves as both aneducational and inspirational tool for our global network ofcustomers to make more informed decisions about our luxury products on behalf of their most discerning of clientele."The Luxury Suite Collection is not just a mere marketing

instrument; it will enhance awareness of our luxury USportfolio among the UK travel trade and provide agents witha more in-depth knowledge that will serve as inspiringtravel alternatives for their customers."To request a copy of the ‘Luxury Suite Collection’

brochure agents can email Vernicia Hogue [email protected] further information visit bonotel.com

www.travelbulletin.co.ukMay 6 20164

newsbulletin

The Big Holiday Beach Clean is back for Make Holidays Greener month MAKE HOLIDAYS Greener month will be returning this July with holidaymakers, travel companies and hotels encouraged totake part in the Big Holiday Beach Clean 2016. This year, the campaign to raise awareness of more sustainable holidays will step up a gear and will be led by ABTA, with

support from Travelife and industry charity, The Travel Foundation.The three organisations are calling for more travel businesses to promote how people can take action to protect the local

environment while on holiday, and for hotels to sign up for a beach clean as part of Make Holidays Greener month. Throughout the summer, the campaign will encourage holidaymakers to take care of the local environment and support

local communities in holiday destinations.Last year 108 beach cleans were organised worldwide, involving 68 organisations and more than 1,000 people. Beaches

were cleaned in 20 countries, keeping four tonnes of rubbish out of the marine ecosystem.Salli Felton, chief executive of the Travel Foundation, said: “The tourism industry is uniquely placed to make a difference to

coastal regions and beaches globally. So it's great that ABTA is now taking the lead with Make Holidays Greener, an initiativewe started in 2010. The campaign is in good hands and we'll support them to make the Big Holiday Beach Clean even bigger in 2016."Companies can support the campaign by signing up for a beach clean between now and July, and by sharing their stories

and pictures on Facebook and Twitter using #greenerhols. For those companies not based near a beach, they can organise a different type of event such as a park or mountain clean-up. The campaign website, makeholidaysgreener.org.uk, features a range of free resources, including how to organise a beach clean and top tips for customers.For more information email [email protected]

Titan unveils MS Serenade 1 & launches 2017 river cruise preview brochure

Bonotel Exclusive Travel announces release of first 'Luxury Suite Collection’ brochure



New fares structure from bmi regional offers more flexibility BMI REGIONAL is offering a greater level of flexibility and choice for travellers with its new‘fare families’, offering a host of enhanced benefits and products across its network.On sale now, the benefits will enable customers to book a flight package that suits their

individual needs whether that be flexibility, hold baggage allowance or enhanced servicessuch as fast track security and lounge access.The new fares run parallel with the carrier's recently launched four tier 'Business

Powered' corporate product structure, where corporate passengers can enjoy tailoredtravel to suit their individual needs. The flexible fares are branded as Classic, Classic Plus and Executive. As examples,

Classic is available on all basic booked fares, excluding sale fares, and offers changes toflights for a £50 fee plus the fare difference and hold baggage allowance of one bag of upto 20kg. Executive offers benefits such as no cancellation fee, complimentary loungeaccess and fast tracked security and seating towards the front of the cabin. For further information see bmiregional.com

newsbulletin

WATER BABIES...Dubai Tourism (DTCM), in cooperation withKerzner and Emirates, took a group of agents to Dubai to stay atOne&Only Royal Mirage and Atlantis, The Palm where theyexperienced The Ultimate Snorkel experience. Other activitiesincluded a trip to the Burj Khalifa’s At the Top observation deckand a desert safari with Travco, who provided transfers. Picturedenjoying a quick dip are, from the left: Guy Johnson from TravelCounsellors; Errol Rebello from Emirates Holidays; Debbie Tootellfrom Travel Counsellors; Gill Holmes from Elite Travel Boutique;and Vicky Robinson from Emirates.

AWTE announces newline-up of board

directors THE ASSOCIATION ofWomen Travel Executives(AWTE) held its 2016 AGMin London last month,hosted by Hill Dickinson,and has announced the new line-up of board directors.Debbee Dale will

continue as chair; AndreaClayton (City Bond) is vicechair; Louise Hodges(Travelzoo) is PR director;Susan Byrne (Tui UK & Ireland) is secretary:Lorraine Barnes-Burton,(British Travel Awards) isfinance director; DebMerrifield (MarketingRadar) is membershipdirector; Lucia Rowe (A-ROSA River Cruises) andJessica Baine (LatinRoutes) are eventsdirectors; Sarah Clayton-Turner (Travel TradeMarketing) and LindsayGarvey-Jones (HolidayExtras) are web/commsdirectors; Kylie Mather(Travlaw LLP) ispartnership and projectdirector; and AphroditeBurton (Aphrodite Burton Associates) isbenevolent chair.

Silversea showcased in Kuoni’s Stay & Cruise collectionSILVERSEA HAS announced a partnershipwith worldwide travel company, Kuoni.The line's classic and expedition fleet

voyages will now be sold throughoutKuoni’s network of 40 stores on premiumHigh Streets and John Lewis concessionsthroughout the UK. Kuoni’s new Stay & Cruise collection

showcases Silversea’s luxurious voyages inAsia where the company will make anumber of inaugural ports of call in 2017.

For example, Silver Whisper will make amaiden call at Celukan Bewang, Bali, whileSilver Discoverer will make inaugural callsat ports in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh,Thailand and Indonesia. All voyages feature all-inclusive gourmet

dining; Champagne, select wines, premiumspirits and soft beverages; butler service forall suites; a comprehensive free Wi-Fipackage, and many other includedamenities.

Make your votescount!

Have you voted for your topsuppliers of 2016? Don’tmiss your chance. It’s easy tovote – you can fill out thevoting form which isdistributed with this week’sissue or you can visittravelbulletin.co.uk/star-awards/awards-home-page#TBStarAwards


New Arctic adventure from On The Go Tours

1 29/4/16 13:36

newsbulletin

Leeds-Warsaw routefrom Ryanair

RYANAIR HAS expanded itsLeeds Bradford (LBA)winter 2016 schedule witha new route to WarsawModlin, in addition to a newroute to Gran Canariaannounced earlier. The carrier's winter

2016 schedule from LBAwill deliver two newroutes: Gran Canaria(twice-weekly) and WarsawModlin (twice-weekly); anew winter service to Faro(twice-weekly); moreflights to Alicante (five-weekly), Krakow (four-weekly), Lanzarote (threeweekly) and Tenerife (threeweekly), offering 13 routesin total with 47 weekly.flights.For details see ryanair.com

ON THE Go Tours has launched a one of a kind tour which will combine the greenlands of Iceland and the icefields ofGreenland in one incredible trip.The newly curated Best of Iceland and

Greenland tour will allow explorers toexperience Iceland’s otherworldlylandscape steeped in history before jettingacross to the untouched non-continentalisland of Greenland, home to some of theplanet’s most spectacular fjords.The 17-day tour spans eight days in each

country, starting in Iceland, ‘the Land ofFire and Ice’ and home to the largestglaciers in Europe, as well as some of theworld's most active volcanoes. Setting offfrom Reykjavik, explorers will journey acomplete loop of the country with visits tothe picturesque town of Akureyri, to enjoy a soak in the therapeutic waters of theMývatn nature baths, and to Vatnajokull -Europe’s largest glacier. The second half of the journey is

continued by flight to South Greenlandwhere travellers will board S/V RembrandtVan Rijn to spend a week exploring thefjords and sailing past dramatic icebergs

while taking in some of Greenland'sscenery. Highlights include bathing in hotsprings and walking to the edge of thefamous Greenlandic Ice Cap. With the S/V Rembrandt Van Rijn set to

relocate next year, the operator is offeringthe last chance to board the ship thissummer from £3,579 per person. As with all tours, guides are on hand to

help and itineraries also allow free time forindependent exploration.The 17-day Best of Iceland and

Greenland tour leads in at £3,579 perperson including eight nights in three-staraccommodation in Iceland, seven nights onS/V Rembrandt van Rijn, daily breakfast, sixlunches, seven dinners, seven excursionsincluding a guided hike to Grabrok volcanocrater and a visit to the natural history andseal museum in Hvammstangi, arrival anddeparture transfer by FLYBUS shuttle inIceland, Economy flights from Reykjavik toNarsarsuaq and all relevant transfers. The price is valid for travel between

July 1 and August 14. To book or for more information visitonthegotours.com or call 020-7371 1113.


hrhtenerife.com


RCL CRUISES Ltd – Royal CaribbeanInternational, Celebrity Cruises andAzamara Club Cruises – are on the finalcountdown to switching over to a new moreintuitive reservations system. ESPRESSO, a bespoke reservation tool,

will replace the former CruiseMatchbooking system completely from June 1and, in addition to training by the on-the-road sales teams of the three cruise lines,almost 600 agents have attended 50virtual classes on how to use the tool toits full potential. ESPRESSO provides side-by-side

comparisons of itineraries, highlights thebest possible promotional offers and candisplay a customer’s history – such asrecent promotions sent to them,destination and accommodationpreferences – which can then beautomatically populated into any newbooking. Plus, the new reservations tool istablet optimised and also featuresinteractive deck plans that highlight thebest available staterooms, including thosethat might be interconnecting or closest-to

a specific location. Kerry Nicholson, the cruise lines'

training specialist, said: "The powerful newESPRESSO tool has been developed inresponse to the needs and feedback of ouragent partners. We have listenedthroughout the process and reduced thetime and clicks it takes to make a booking.Almost all our UK and Ireland agentpartners are using ESPRESSO already, andwe have carried out extensive training toensure that everyone is ready for the finalswitch over. It’s so exciting to be workingwith our agent partners to deliver a simplerand more dynamic booking process.”The tool is also being rolled out globally

by the cruise lines, and has been developedto aid agents in selling more cruises,earning more and growing their business.Agents already using the new reservationsplatform have highlighted that the bookingtime, easier to read deck plans, simplesearch, and confirming bookings processeshave all been greatly enhanced.For more information and agent training visitcruisingpower.co.uk

newsbulletin

CZECH-ING IN...Birmingham Airport has welcomed another new airline, with the arrival of the CzechRepublic’s flag carrier, Czech Airlines. The carrier has launched a five times weekly service to Pragueand offers a strong network of connections through Eastern Europe. Pictured offering a warmwelcome is William Pearson (right) from Birmingham Airport with David Vitásek (left) from CzechAirlines and members of the cabin crew. (UK airports - page 29)

A week’s Lake Garda family getaway from £2,189 with Esprit Holidays ESPRIT HOLIDAYS is offering all-inclusive family holidays to Italy's Lake Garda staying at Hotel Parc in Peschiera delGarda, which offers three outdoor pools and an 18-hole golf course. A family of four with children aged two-11 years can enjoy a week’s holiday for £2,189 (was £2,414) departing on

July 2 including flights from Gatwick to Verona, transfers, seven nights’ all-inclusive family accommodation plusfree children's activity clubs.For details see espritsun.com or call 01483-791919.

New cruise booking platform for agents

Marlin Apartmentsteams up withSuperBreak

MARLIN APARTMENTS haspartnered with SuperBreakto make all of its apartmentsin London bookable on thetravel booking website. The partnership will see

the addition of more than700 apartments onSuperBreak, offeringleisure travellers aspacious accommodationoption with complimentaryWi-Fi and 24/7 conciergeservice at six prime Londonleisure destinationsincluding London Bridge,City Docklands, CanaryWharf, St Paul’s, TowerBridge and Stratford.Susan Cully, Marlin

Apartments' MD, said:“Marlin has recorded a year-on-year increase of 18%domestic leisure travellersstaying in-house in 2015. Aswe continue to see a highvolume of online bookingsfrom this group comingthrough in Q1, it is a naturalmove for us to partner with afirm that has extensiveexperience and knowledge inthe UK travel market.”

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• Win a gorgeous two-night B&B stay for two people toGraz in Austria, including a guided city tour

• A selection of prizes to be won, including a £25 ShoppingVouchers & Power Banks, courtesy of the Hong KongTourism Board

• NEW: Discover the new Goa Experience Nov 2016 - Oct2017 brochure, courtesy of Serenity Holidays -www.travelbulletin.co.uk/brochures

• 1000 Reasons Guide to sell Vienna as a year-rounddestination - www.travelbulletin.co.uk/brochures

Visit travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions andtravelbulletin.co.uk/brochures for details on the

above competitions and brochures

� Premier Holidays has unveiled a choice oftwo new self-drive offers for Birmingham,Alabama as part of a new destinationmarketing campaign with the tourismboard. Designed to drive sales to thedestination, the operator has put togethertwo new tailor-made, self-drive itinerariesfor clients to choose from, each supportedby a new Deep South window poster foragents to download.

� Turkish Airlines brought the world-famous, iconic Batmobile toIstanbul to travel cross-continental for the first time via thenewest Bosphorus bridge to celebrate the release of Warner Bros.Pictures’ highly anticipated action adventure movie Batman vSuperman: Dawn of Justice. The Batmobile travelled from Europeto Asia by crossing the Bosphorus Strait via the new Yavuz SultanSelim Bridge which officially opens to the public this summer.

� ABTA has announced the speaker line up for its annualWestminster conference, Travel Matters, taking place on June 22.Among those headlining are Willie Walsh, chief executive ofInternational Airlines Group, Tim Stanley, columnist and leaderwriter for the Telegraph, and political veteran Sir Malcolm Rifkind.

� Affordable Car Hire has joined the agent loyalty schemeMoneyCard. For details see yourmoneycard.co.uk

� Following planning discussions conducted over months by CruiseBaltic partners in the Baltic Sea region, the network hasannounced the launch of its new, online ‘Guest ExperienceStandards’ tool, available to view at cruisebaltic.com under eachDestination page. The main aims of the tool are two-fold: its useas a marketing exercise for the respective destinations to presenttheir standards and facilities to cruise liner planners; while at thesame time acting as a benchmark tool to position themselveswell, within the overall Baltic Sea cruise offering.

� European private equity firm Cinven and Canada Pension PlanInvestment Board (CPPIB) have announced an agreement toacquire Hotelbeds Group.

� African Sun and Legacy Hospitality have signed an agreement toco-operate in the development of tourism in Zimbabwe. Theagreement provides for the management, refurbishment andexpansion of five of African Sun’s strategic assets - The Kingdom atVictoria Falls, Elephant Hills Resort, Hwange Safari Lodge, TheMonomatapa Hotel and Troutbeck Hotel. Refurbishments at theVictoria Falls properties are already underway, with futureexpansion to Caribbea Bay and Fothergill Island planned. Detailsat legacyhotels.co.za/en

� E-Voyages Group has been appointed by Field & Country Fair as itsexclusive accommodation partner for the 2016 Field & CountryFair which takes place at Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire in June. Fordetails see fieldandcountryfair.com/visitors

NEWSBITES

TRAVEL TEAM...Travelcube recently hosted a group of agents toCyprus in cooperation with the Cyprus Tourism Organisation tomark the launch of its beach product and brochure launch earlierin the year. Pictured enjoying the sights are, from the left: JoanneBuckley, Planet Cruise; Zoe Anastasiou, Cyprus TouristOrganisation; Sophie Kirtley, Lincolnshire Co-Op; Avril Parlour,Flight Centre Horsham; Simone Lunney, Flight Centre SouthKensington; Lynnmarie Cuddihy, Stewart Travel; Ruby Haroon,TravelCube; Timothy Smith, Lotus; Caroline Guesdon, AlphaRooms; Melanie Derakhshan, Travelanda; Elizabeth Ali, TravelHouse; and Michelle Coupar, GTA.



A SCENIC ESCAPE… Scenic recently hosted agentson Scenic Amber on a trip that sailed from Passau inGermany, taking in Salzburg, Vienna, Melk andDurnstein with a selection of included experiences.Pictured at Vienna’s Palais Liechtenstein are, from theleft: Dom Crockatt, Cruise118; Tiffany Woodley, MyriadTravel; Lisa McGovern, Holiday Explorer; GillianPolyhos, Olive Lounge; Anthony Donovan, Destinology;and Rachel Greenough, Global.

It’s not too late to get a slice of the action & follow England, Wales, Northern Ireland & the Republic of Ireland in France this summer!

- London - Paris from 2 hours 20 - London - Lille from 1 hour 28

The train is the best way of travelling to & from the venues!

- Paris - St Etienne from 2 hours 51 - Paris - Marseille from 3 hours 22

UEFA EURO 2016™ - GET ON THE BALL BY TRAIN

Book at www.voyages-sncf.eu or call 0844 848 4066

AGENT TRAININGExcite Holidays has l

aunched its biggest super

sale offering heavily discounted rates for

some of its most popular countries and ci

ties.

The company is also supporting agents w

ith a

dedicated destination training website w

ith

interactive city guides, videos, hotel

recommendations, image galleries and

suggested day trips.

For details see excitecampaigns.com/italy

AGENT OFFERSDoSomethingDifferent.com has an exclusiveoffer for UK agents, with a free ride (worth£18) on the Orlando Eye for every customerwho books one of three ticket packagesthroughout May. The Orlando Eye is one ofthe newest attractions to open in Orlando andoffers panoramic views of the Florida skyline.The special offer is exclusive to the companyand is available on bookings made by May 31for travel before May 2017. For details see DoSomethingDifferent.com orcall 020-8090 3890.

agentbulletin

BOOKING INCENTIVESTravel 2 has teamed up with the Abu DhabiTourism & Culture Authority, Etihad Airwaysand Miral (Yas Island) to give agents the chanceto win a holiday to Abu Dhabi as part of its‘Sensational Summer in Abu Dhabi’ campaign. Tobe entered into the prize draw, agents need tomake a qualifying booking to Abu Dhabi withreturn Etihad Airways flights and a minimum ofthree nights ground arrangement before May 13.See travel2.com for details.

Agents making any new India bookings withCosmos Tours & Cruises will receive two ticketsto see the Jungle Book at their local cinema.


voyages-sncf.eu

WITH SWEDEN’S capital, Stockholm, firmlyunder the Eurovision spotlight this month(May 14), now is a great time to plan asummer getaway to city says Scandinaviaspecialists, Taber Holidays.The company is offering a four-night

break to Stockholm and the archipelagofrom £870 per person. Recommended is a stroll around the

cobbled streets of the old town, GamlaStan, steeped in historical heritage withrelics dating back to as early as the 13thcentury. With its palaces, churches andantique shops, this area is in stark contrastto new Stockholm, which offers largerdepartment stores, shopping malls andboutiques as well as a bustling nightlife. Meanwhile, Eurovision fans can play

homage to ABBA with a visit to the ABBAmuseum situated in the middle ofStockholm. After two free days exploring the city,

the operator has included a full day trip

to the island of Sandhamn in thearchipelago. Prices lead in at £870 per person

including flights from Heathrow,breakfast accommodation, the full dayexcursion to Sandhamn and a 72-hourStockholm Pass giving users discountedand free entry to many of the city’spopular attractions. The price is based ontwo sharing and the tour departs dailyuntil September 30. For more information or to book call01274-875199 or see taberhols.co.uk


newsbulletin

'SHEAR' LUCK...TIPTO held a training competition recently , where agents had to complete all the onlinetraining modules for the chance to win Pandora bracelets. Pictured is one of the winners - LyndseySharp from Althams Travel in Batley, accepting her prize from Michael Bowers from Shearings

SeaWorld announces new partnership with marine conservationist SEAWORLD PARKS & Entertainment has announced a new partnership with world-renowned marine artist andconservationist Guy Harvey, which will focus on ocean health and the plight of sharks in the wild. With raising awareness of these important issues a primary aim, the two parties will also collaborate on science and

research to increase understanding of how to better protect these critical predators and their habitats. Research indicates upwards of 100 million sharks are killed every year in the global shark fishery, with the Guy

Harvey Research Institute estimating 73 million per year of these are for the fin trade alone. Members of SeaWorld’s animal care team recently joined a Guy Harvey Research Institute shark tagging

expedition off the coast of Mexico, tagging six Mako sharks over the course of four days. Those tagged sharks willbe followed by students and researchers at Guy Harvey’s Institute at Nova Southeastern University, and can beviewed by the public online at GHRItracking.org In addition to the science and research, the two parties will also work together to increase public awareness

about ocean health and the need for shark conservation. SeaWorld’s new rollercoaster, Mako, will educate guestsas they queue via digital platforms that inform guests about sharks in the wild and ways they can help protectthem, with Guy Harvey himself as the host.

Taber Holidays showcases Eurovision city of Stockholm Sandals’ twin-centreholidays now departing

from ManchesterSANDALS RESORTS hasannounced that its twin-centre holidays are nowavailable for departuresfrom Manchester, inconjunction with ThomasCook Airlines and LIAT.With Antigua, Barbados

and Saint Lucia allaccessible via directflights from ManchesterAirport, the operator hascreated three inter-islandholidays that will allowguests to experience twoLuxury Included resorts.Prices start from

£2,198 per person for an11-night stay and dealsinclude Barbados andSaint Lucia from £2,198,with six nights at SandalsBarbados and five nightsat Sandals Halcyon BeachResort & Spa; Barbadosand Antigua from £2,629with six nights at SandalsBarbados and six nightsat Sandals GrandeAntigua Resort & Spa;and Saint Lucia andAntigua from £2,485, withsix nights at SandalsHalcyon Beach Resort &Spa and six nights atSandals Grande AntiguaResort & Spa. For more information visitsellingsandals.co.uk


puzzlebulletin


Where Am I?

Commonly referred to as the ‘Door to Hell’this gas crater has been alight for morethan 40 years after a drilling accident in

1971. Set in the middle of a desert no oneis sure when it might burn out…

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, May 12th. Solution and new puzzle will

appear next week.

The winner for 22nd April is Gary Vaughan, Travel Places

in West Sussex.

April 22 Solution: A=2 B=8 C=1 D=5

Number: 018

Across 1. Operator with resort centres in Lincolnshire,

Somerset and West Sussex (7)7. Midwestern US state (7)8. Small tranquil island in the Inner Hebrides (4)9. English county (4)11. Historic resort in 9 Across, sounds like a

bargain (4)12. Airline alliance (4)15. Irish county on the Atlantic (7)16. State capital of North Carolina (7)

Down 1. Movie release, sounds like a July 14th

celebration in France (8,3)2. See the world differently on an escorted tour

with this operator (5)3. Hotel brand (4)4. Antipodean city (6)5. First name of character played by Ross Kemp,

returning to EastEnders soon (5)6. The 2016 Tour de Yorkshire finished in this

resort (11)10. Rock veteran Mick (6)11. Currency of Jordan (5)13. Famous fountain in Rome (5)14. Carrier with its hub at Ben Gurion Airport (2,2)

Where Am I?

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

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

Crossword

Su Doku

Num

ber:

018

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

�A

�B

�C

�D


Find Your

Visit the Caribbean

British Airways o� ers a variety of direct connections to the Caribbean. From the moment your client’s journey begins, you can be confi dent they will experience exceptional service and comfort. With excellent in-flight entertainment and delicious food, your client’s journey to the Caribbean will be truly unique and unforgettable!

THE UK’s 100% Trade Only Tour OperatorCall Reservations FREE on 0800 0224 182@T2news

*T&C’s apply: http://www.travel2.com/sitecontent/terms/fi ndyourbliss.html

Escape to the Caribbean with British Airways

Win 1 of 26 places on the first-ever jointGold Medal & Travel 2 MEGA FAM trip!

Valid for travel: 06 Sep - 31 Oct 16

From£1,119PP

Valid for travel: 27 Aug - 20 Oct 16

From£1,249PP

Meliá Varadero,CubaINCLUDES• Return flights with British Airways• 7 nights in a Classic Room,

all inclusive• Return transfers

Dreams Riviera CancunResort & SpaINCLUDES• Return flights with British Airways• 7 nights in a Premium Deluxe Tropical

View Room, all inclusive• Return Transfers


From£1,929PP


From£1,649PP

INCLUDES• Return flights with British Airways• 7 nights in an Pool/Garden View

Room, all inclusive• Return transfers

SAVE UP TO £955 PER COUPLE

Crystal Cove Hotel,Barbados

INCLUDES• Return flights with British Airways• 7 nights in a Cove Suite, B&B• Return transfers

SAVE UP TO £525 PER COUPLE + FREE LUXURY AIRPORT TRANSFERS + $100 RESORT CREDIT PER BOOKING + COMPLIMENTARY CHAMPAGNE ON ARRIVAL

Blue Waters Resortand Spa, Antigua

04 Apr Caribbean TB DPS 2.indd All Pages 29/04/2016 16:34

www.travel2.com/sitecontent/terms/findyourbliss.html

Find Your

Visit the Caribbean

British Airways o� ers a variety of direct connections to the Caribbean. From the moment your client’s journey begins, you can be confi dent they will experience exceptional service and comfort. With excellent in-flight entertainment and delicious food, your client’s journey to the Caribbean will be truly unique and unforgettable!

THE UK’s 100% Trade Only Tour OperatorCall Reservations FREE on 0800 0224 182@T2news

*T&C’s apply: http://www.travel2.com/sitecontent/terms/fi ndyourbliss.html

Escape to the Caribbean with British Airways

Win 1 of 26 places on the first-ever jointGold Medal & Travel 2 MEGA FAM trip!


From£1,119PP


From£1,249PP

Meliá Varadero,CubaINCLUDES• Return flights with British Airways• 7 nights in a Classic Room,

all inclusive• Return transfers

Dreams Riviera CancunResort & SpaINCLUDES• Return flights with British Airways• 7 nights in a Premium Deluxe Tropical

View Room, all inclusive• Return Transfers


From£1,929PP


From£1,649PP

INCLUDES• Return flights with British Airways• 7 nights in an Pool/Garden View

Room, all inclusive• Return transfers

SAVE UP TO £955 PER COUPLE

Crystal Cove Hotel,Barbados

INCLUDES• Return flights with British Airways• 7 nights in a Cove Suite, B&B• Return transfers

SAVE UP TO £525 PER COUPLE + FREE LUXURY AIRPORT TRANSFERS + $100 RESORT CREDIT PER BOOKING + COMPLIMENTARY CHAMPAGNE ON ARRIVAL

Blue Waters Resortand Spa, Antigua

04 Apr Caribbean TB DPS 2.indd All Pages 29/04/2016 16:34

www.travel2.com/sitecontent/terms/findyourbliss.html

staffreviewTravel Bulletin's Lauretta Wright went on a three-and-a-half-hour Twilight Soho Food Tour in London with Eating

Europe…

If you'd like to take part and receive a £10 M&Svoucher email [email protected]

First impressions ................................9/10I met the host of the tour (lovely Hannah), along with eightothers outside the Grand Palace Theatre in Soho. Herenthusiasm seemed contagious and she was soon breakingthe ice by getting us to introduce ourselves…

Variety & entertainment ......................8/10The tour was fairly fast-paced and time seemed to whizz by.Highlights included experiencing a real English gin & tonic,with a gin-infused beef pie; sampling different types ofJamón; nibbling on gourmet tacos in a Mexican tavern;getting a flavour of Chinatown with dumplings and tea;choosing your own pintxos (Basque-style tapas); and (myfavourite)…experiencing Soho’s Italian influx in the form ofdecadently rich tiramisu and spicy hot chocolate. The greatthing about the tour (aside by sampling a selection ofgastronomy influences) was the knowledge shared enroute. We learnt things like where the rock stars of the 60sand 70s first recorded and performed, why the area iscalled Soho in the first place and the location of a secretbunker! There were just a couple of changes I wouldpossibly make - the option for non-drinkers to have analternative beverage and, having a sweet tooth, I wouldhave liked the option of a second sampling of dessert at adifferent establishment – a personal preference of course.

Affordability ....................................8.5/10The walking tour costs £75 per person and you won’t be lefthungry, with generous dish sizes at most places.

Service ..............................................10/10Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, as well asentertaining, and made the different areas in Soho’s historyreally come alive. Special requests from guests were swiftlyand courteously met.

Good to know..............................................The company offers commission to agents, so if yourclients are in the capital, this is a unique 'walking dinner'tour! It also caters to vegetarians, vegans and gluten-freediets and runs daily except public holidays and Sundaysfrom 16:30. For details see eatinglondontours.co.uk

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

newsbulletin


Battered Suitcase bespoke tours nowbookable through travel agents A SERIES of bespoke tours operated by Battered Suitcase toUNESCO World Heritage Sites and historic, natural andcultural locations across all five continents are nowbookable through travel agents. The operator provides a unique travel experience for

discerning guests, only handling individuals and smallindependent groups. Although the company has put together suggested

itineraries, these can be tailored for the independenttraveller taking in the sites, activities and attractions to suittheir interests and taken at their preferred pace. It also says that small groups make a lower

environmental footprint and can assist in gaining access tolocations that might be off limits to larger parties.Looking forward to working with travel agents, the

company's director and founder, Richard Church, said:“Since each of our tours is unique, it’s essential that ourcustomers have human contact to discuss their personalitineraries. A bespoke service of this calibre is rarelypossible with larger operators, who rely mainly onautomated booking systems. We have developed a straight-forward process that enables tailored packages to bebooked through the travel trade, and which ensure a highlevel of attention to detail is maintained.” Regions covered include Asia and the Indian

subcontinent; Australasia; the Americas; Africa; the MiddleEast; Europe and Great Britain. Tours may be self-drive;with a private English speaking driver/guide or, in the caseof Alaska and Japan, via the country’s own trains. Sustainability is a priority for the company and being able

to keep as much of the tour revenue as possible in the localeconomy. Only local guides and drivers are used to ensuretravellers benefit from the wealth of knowledge only theycan offer, and recommended accommodation is preferablyin small luxury or family run boutique hotels, often with aninteresting heritage. Battered Suitcase is a fully bonded tour operator with all

flights and flight-inclusive holidays financially protected bythe ATOL scheme (where applicable) through itsmembership of the Travel Trust Association.Agents can download a new travel trade brochuresummarising the tour highlights from battered-suitcase.comor call 0800-689 1586.

10/9

LUTON LAUNCH...Blue Air has launched its second route fromLondon Luton Airport (LLA) to Larnaca in Cyprus, with four flightsweekly. Pictured marking the launch are, from the left: VikkiJoyce (left) from Flight Directors and Jackie Bowrie from LLA withthe airline's cabin crew. For details see blueairweb.com



WHEN CRYSTAL Mozart, the first vessel inCrystal River Cruises’ fleet, embarks on hermaiden voyage along the Danube this July,guests will be treated to a selection ofinclusive experiences ashore that highlightthe stunning European locations along the route.

The lineup of shore-side offerings, whichare now available online atcrystalcruises.co.uk, explore the Europeancapitals along the Danube and the WachauValley, the Christmas Markets along theDanube (beginning in late November) and a special singular festive itinerary spanningChristmas and New Year. For the first time,most excursions will be offeredcomplimentary, while a small number ofadventures will be available for booking atan additional cost. Private services andexcursions can also be pre-arranged.

The line's president and CEO, EdieRodriguez, said: “While many of thecharming ports along Crystal Mozart’sroutes are easy to explore on foot or accessat one’s leisure, travellers visiting for thefirst time will benefit from the detailed and expertly guided excursions crafted byour team.

“It is our pleasure to offer CrystalComplimentary Adventures with our rivervoyages as part of the ‘All Inclusive’ CrystalExperience, as we know how greatly theseshore-side adventures enhance our guests’ understanding and perception of the destinations.”

Examples of excursions include a full-dayventure to Munich, highlighting Germany’sthird-largest city’s Olympic grounds, BMWfactory and illustrious sites of theFriedensengel and National Theatre.

In addition, the Crystal Adventures will beenhanced by the introduction of four newluxury motor coaches, which will follow theships along each itinerary and featureseating for 42 guests, local guides,complimentary Wi-Fi and beveragesincluding an espresso machine. Thecoaches will also provide transport to andfrom the airport on embarkation anddebarkation days.

All-inclusive fly/cruise prices for CrystalMozart itineraries start from £2,450 perperson for a ten-night cruise round tripfrom Vienna.For details or to book call 020-7399 7604 orvisit crystalcruises.co.uk

cruisebulletin

CUNARD’S QUEEN Mary 2 will pay homage to one of the world’s greatest Hollywood icons this August,showcasing highlights from the largest privately owned Marilyn Monroe collection on the line’ssignature Transatlantic Crossing, from August 9-16. Celebrity auction house Julien’s Auctions willshowcase highlights from David Gainsborough-Roberts’ renowned Marilyn Monroe Collection, theworld’s largest collection of film-worn Marilyn Monroe costumes, on the line's flagship ocean liner forpassengers to view and purchase. For more information visit cunard.co.uk or call 0843-374 2224.

Renowned scientist &conservationist joinsSilversea expedition SILVERSEA EXPEDITIONShas announced that theinternationally recognisedscientist, conservationistand educator Dr. BirutéMary Galdikas will joinSilver Discoverer's October18 expedition cruise as aguest lecturer.

Well known for herstudies and work with theorangutans of IndonesianBorneo in their naturalhabitat, she is consideredthe world's foremostauthority on the orangutan.The 11-day voyage,

sailing from Balikpapan toSingapore, will explore theexotic islands of Indonesia,spending more than two fulldays in the port of Kumai,gateway to Tanjung PutingNational Park and itslegendary Camp Leakey.Operated by Dr. Galdikas'non-profit OrangutanFoundation International(OFI), Camp Leakey is thesite of the primatologist'spioneering research in the wild.During an onboard

presentation, Dr. Galdikaswill share insights fromher 45 years devoted to thestudy, care andpreservation ofendangered orangutans.She will also lead a privatetour to Camp Leakey,where guests canexperience close-upencounters with theanimals. For details visitSilversea.com

HAPAG-LLOYD cruises’ Europa 2 willvisit the island of Cuba in the GreaterAntilles for the first time on twocruises in October and November.

Guests can discover the real Cubaon a city tour of Santiago de Cuba, ata salsa course for beginners inCienfuegos, or at a visit to El Floridita,which was Hemingway’s favourite bar.

Locals can be found in live music barssuch as Casa de la Musica, while avisit to a classic Cuban location isalso on the excursion programme: theVariete Tropicana.

In addition, the other cruisedestinations - including the Caribbeanislands of St. Lucia, St. Martin, theBritish Virgin Islands, Ocho Rios and

Montego Bay in Jamaica, as well asAruba and Curacao - will offer guestsa host of experiences.

A 12-day cruise from La Guaria toHavana (from October 24 toNovember 6) costs from £5,550 perperson, cruise-only. For further information visit hl-cruises.com

Debut Cuba calls in October & November for Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa 2

Crystal unveils line-up of shore adventures for Crystal Mozart

S03 TB 0605 2016 News 2_Layout 1 04/05/2016 14:44 Page 15

Measure twice and cut onceby Colin O’Neill, business development director of The Advantage Travel Partnership

The heading of my column this month may at firstglance seem a little random given it is a piece of advice that appears in every DIY manual

or makeover TV programme. However, the message isvery clear in that it is urging you to take the time toproperly prepare for something before embarking uponthe execution – get the preparation right and the taskwill be completed correctly.

Having recently returned from our annual conferenceon-board MSC Fantasia, it became a recurrent theme ofmany of the conference sessions and I would like tounderline the importance of preparation with reference tothree notable yet very different examples from theconference sessions.

OMG marketingA speaker in one of our breakout sessions was leadingmarketing and customer service expert Geoff Ramm.Although Geoff talks to and works with businessesaround the world the messages are still the same:- Create OMG moments in your marketing that willstop your future travellers in their tracks.- Does Size Matter – brochures, leaflets, businesscards – all of your competitors look the same! Changethe shape, change the style, do something radicallydifferent to get noticed.- Use other means rather than emails, letters or textsto communicate with your customers - why don’t yousend them a video message to create a personal touch.

Above all, Geoff emphasised that OMG marketing isnot about spending huge amounts of money onmarketing activity, but all about having a well thoughtout message, executed differently from everyone else,to stand out from the crowd.

Gateway 2 and Advantage HolidaysIn my column over recent months, I have mentionedthe launch of our new technology platform Gateway 2 and its ability to manage and assimilate and order a huge range of complex holiday and business travelproducts to aid our members in providing greatproducts and services to their customers. It would haveof course been easier to buy an off the shelf solution

but it was only by consulting with our members that wecould truly understand their needs and once wedecided to pursue the bespoke route, we continued toconsult with those customers throughout the buildprocess. Again, ‘measuring’, checking and refining allof the time to ensure that when we ‘cut’ the red tapeon Gateway 2 and Advantage Holidays during May, wecan be certain that we have got it right.

We plan to repeat that process again and again aswe launch further enhancements to the platform andproduct portfolio over the coming months and years.

Chris HadfieldAdvantage conference delegates have been lucky overthe years to hear from some exceptional conferencespeakers including Martina Navratilova, MichaelJohnson, Jeremy Paxman, Nando Parrado and JoannaLumley, but Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield mustrank alongside the best of them.

Although few, if any of us, will have the opportunityto travel into space, Chris was very keen to drawparallels between his world and that of the delegates.The foremost point he made, interestingly enough,related to the importance of preparation – potentially a life or death moment in the world of the astronaut.He told us that he and his fellow astronauts lived andtrained together for four years in the build up to a space mission and that they identified and preparedfor every eventuality that they might face – help wouldnot be around the corner if they got into trouble.

He also taught us to defy things that are consideredimpossible and to have the mental and physicalstamina to pursue our dreams.

So there you have it, three very different subjectareas but all with one common theme - the need foreffective preparation in order to deliver success.

Having deservedly earned the nickname of BotchJob Colin at home, I know that I will immediately fallinto the trap of launching into the next DIY task withoutproperly planning it through, but I hope that inbusiness I apply a little extra care and attentionfollowing my recent conference experience.

bulletinbriefing


IndustryInsight by...


To celebrate the release of Warcraft, Madame Tussauds,Legendary Pictures and WETA Workshop will bring to lifethe fantastical characters and epic sets in an experienceto tour Madame Tussauds attractions globally from thismonth. Fans of the film will have the chance to pledgetheir allegiance to the Horde or the Alliance from May 24,and the highly immersive pop-up experience willtransport visitors into the land of Azeroth as they arethrown into the battle between humans and orcs. Ticketsfrom £23.79 and Warcraft will be released in UK cinemasfrom June 3.

17www.travelbulletin.co.uk April 25 2014

newsbulletin

A major new multi-sensory experience packing a historicalpunch and plenty of heat will get pulses racing andtemperatures rising at the London Dungeon when it opens onMay 21. Marking the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire ofLondon, 'Escape the Great Fire' will recreate the drama ofone of the world's most famous disasters with live actors,themed settings and sizzling special effects. For details seethedungeons.com/london

Attraction News�

� FESTIVAL SCENEThe new Stone Free Festival will be held at the O2 Arenafrom June 18-19. It will be headlined by Alice Cooper onSaturday and Rick Wakeman on Sunday and joining themwill be bands including The Darkness, Blackberry Smoke,Marillion, Steve Hackett and Pink Floyd’s Wish You WereHere Symphonic Live.

� SMART APPA new smart phone app whichadds a Shakespearean touch totext messaging has been launchedto celebrate the 400th anniversaryof the Bard’s death and as part of a tourism drive for the capital,called ‘Fans of London’. Workingwith VisitLondon.com, the officialvisitor guide for the capital,ShakeSpeak has been developedby software company SwiftKey,best known for their languageprediction app. By analysing theComplete Works of Shakespearethey developed an app that helpsturn your text messages intoShakespearean prose bypredicting the playwright’s bestknown phrases.

To celebrate Princess Charlotte of Cambridge’s firstbirthday this month and Her Majesty The Queen’s 90thbirthday in June, The Lanesborough is launching a PinkPrincess Afternoon Tea. It includes entirely pinkpatisseries that are offset by glimmers of gold, white andsilver decoration and topped with delicately icedbutterflies, flowers and petals. The Afternoon Tea isavailable until June 12 and costs from £48.

As Queen Elizabeth II is turning 90, the five-star DukesLondon has introduced ‘Afternoon Tea Fit For A Queen’.Based on some of Queen Elizabeth’s favourite foods,guests can sample treats including Lemon Posset,Smoked Salmon sandwiches and Honey and BrownSugar Madeleines. Those lucky enough to share theirbirth year with the Queen will be offered a complimentaryglass of Perrier Jouet Champagne. Prices are from£29.50.

Royal celebrations�


RE Re in Cl Th


SAY CHEESE…Networking at the Regent table are, from the left: Vishnu Mistry, ShreeAshvin Travel; Eric Williamson, Regent Seven Seas Cruises; Sue Murrie, Morgan Travel;Julie Morris, Jaunt Travel; Vanessa Sears, Sears Travel Company; Louise Ainsworth,Morgan Travel; Sophia Titorenko and Johanna Wood, Spear Travels Skipton; AdamPalmer, Palm Tree Travel; and Kelly Marie Gregg (sitting) from Regent Seven SeasCruises.

WINE WINNINGS…Tasmin Roscoe from Trailfindersis the bingo prize winner of a bottle of Chardonnay,presented by Travel Bulletin’s Simon Eddolls.

GAMBIA WIN…Gill Synnuck (left) from The Gambia Experiencepresents a bottle of Moët and a Gambian wood carving to prize winnerDebra Dickson from Thomas Cook Co-Operative Travel.

AFRICA ASSEMBLY...Enjoying the drinks at the start of the evening are, from the left:Debra Dickson, Thomas Cook; Louise Ainsworth, Morgan Travel; Paula Alger,Holidaysplease; and Joanne Acaster and Megan Worthy from Hanson Travel.

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BOTSWANA BAG…Dawn Wilson (left) fromBotswana Tourism gives winner Megan Worthyfrom Hanson Travel a briefcase full of goodies.

BLUE BANTER…From the left are: Michael Croft and Gill Peach,Travel Counsellors; Kevin Burton and Sue Pye, Travel Talk;talking with Sandie Curtis, The Blue Marlin Hotel.


Fancy joining in the showcase fun?Travel Bulletin will be hosting its Airline Showcase in Edinburgh on May 16. Agents

interested in attending can secure their place by [email protected]


G GOODIES…Amy Harrison fromThomas Cook Castleford wins a GAdventures’ gift bag includingbubbles and books from theoperator’s Stu Darnley.

REGENT REWARD…Kelly Marie Gregg (left) fromRegent Seven Seas Cruises presents a bag of prizes,including a Regent Pashmina and a bottle of VeuveClicquot Champagne, to Vicky Robinson from BridgeThe World.

DISCOVER BOTSWANA…Discovering more about Botswana tourism offerings are, clockwisefrom the left: Kathryn Crowther, Corinne Sandouk and Rebecca Harvey from Althams Travel;Dawn Wilson, Botswana Tourism; Frank Fallows, Brewood Travel; and Alana Dyer, VickyRobinson and Sonal Hussein from Bridge the World.

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BOTSWANA BRIEF…Botswana Tourism presents to a room full of agents about itswildlife offering and rich cultural heritage.

TSESSABE TREATS…Tessa Bott (second from left) from Tsessabepresents lucky Travel Counsellors Jan Cunningham and Michael Croft(second from right), with a night’s breakfast accommodation for two atFranschhoek Country House and Villas and two nights’ stay at TipilikwaniMara Camp in the Masai Mara Kenya for two. Sulimen Patel (right) fromFreedom 2 Travel also won a Tsessabe goody bag.

For the wild at heart TravelBulletin presented its firstAfrica Showcase at theCrowne Plaza in Leeds lastweek. Agents were taken on a veritable safari of networking andpresentations to learn more about whatthis stunning part of the world has tooffer, with delicious food and wine plusthe chance to win some great prizes…

MONDAY 25TH APRIL 2016CROWNE PLAZAWELLINGTON STREETLEEDSLS1 4DL

PROUDLY PRESENTS AN

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MONDAY 25TH APRIL 2016CROWNE PLAZAWELLINGTON STREETLEEDSLS1 4DL

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PHOTOGRAPHY SPONSOR


For most businesses in 2016, a customer's firstimpression doesn't necessarily come from when theyenter a shop – it comes from the online space. Firstimpressions are incredibly important when it comes tobusiness, which is why companies put so much thoughtand effort into designing the perfect shoppingexperience and hiring the right people; but in 2016 thesame amount of effort needs to be pumped into theonline space.

Arguably, the most important online channel is a company's website. This will be the main source ofinformation for customers and so needs to deliver a positive user experience. When it comes to designing a website, research suggests businesses have only tenseconds in which to leave a good first impression – that'sa shockingly short amount of time, so what can be done?1. Load timesIt is so important that a website loads quickly, especiallygiven the short amount of time in which to leave a goodfirst impression. If a website takes even five seconds toload that could leave a negative impact, so be sure thelanding page is clean, simple and able to load quickly orrisk putting off potential customers.2. ResponsivenessIt is also essential that websites are accessible from a number of different devices – desktop, mobile, tabletsand all screen sizes in-between. Ensuringresponsiveness will ensure more happy customers nomatter where they are accessing the site from; andhaving quick load times across all devices helps withengagement.3. Attractive designUsing crazy colours, flashing images and having a generally cluttered and confused appearance will putcustomers off. It should be easy to understand and notput visitors off due to a headache-inducing design. Besure to incorporate company colours, logos and taglines,but try to do so in a way that doesn't overwhelm visitors.4. Easy navigationAlong with keeping a website easy on the eyes,navigation around the site should be kept easy, too.Once a customer opens the homepage it should beobvious where they need to click for more product orservice details, contact information or exclusivecompany offers, for example. Including a call-to-actionis also good practice, but don't make it the first thingcustomers see.5. Introductory informationThe content included on a website homepage shouldalso be engaging and informative – but notoverwhelming. Customers need to get a sense of thecompany, what can be found on the website and beengaged enough to want to find out more. An optionalintroductory video can be a good method of doing this, featured alongside a brief but interesting written paragraph.

DIGITAL DIALOGUEFirst impressions count: creating a well-designedwebsite

Club Med offers customers uniquevirtual reality views of its resorts CLUB MED is showcasing its resorts and providing a noveland interactive experience of immersive virtual reality witha collection of 360° videos.

The technology is deployed at global level on thecompany’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, as part ofits global communication plan, to bring life to the resorts.The company’s travel agents will be equipped with theSamsung Gear VR headset to showcase resorts to new andexisting customers, and four 360° videos have already beendeveloped at key resorts, offering detailed views of the rooms, sports activities and smiling staff waiting togreet customers.

Kani (Maldives), Finolhu Villas (Maldives), Punta Cana(Dominican Republic) and Peisey-Vallandry (French Alps)have been created, with a total of six further videos plannedby the end of this year.

Meanwhile, the operator intends to add resorts to GoogleStreet view, by ‘scanning’ the locations using Google StreetView technology – joining the existing street view of FinolhuVillas, which was the first resort in the Maldives to bepresent in 360° on Google.

CORINTHIA HOTEL St George’s Bay in Malta has introduced a pre-allocated WhatsApp number on which guests can contact the hoteldirectly from anywhere on the island, and for any service theyrequire during their stay. The initiative follows on from thepopular ‘Twitter by the Pool’ service, whereby guests relaxing atthe hotel’s expansive Lido can tweet their food and drink ordersthrough to the pool bar & restaurant by quoting their umbrellanumber. Their order is then promptly delivered to them at theirlocation, without guests having to get off their sunbed.


technews

Haven launches ‘What’s On’ appHAVEN HAS introduced a new ‘What’s On’ app, which hasbeen designed to enhance the guest experience both pre-visit and whilst guests are on park.

Available from the iTunes App Store and Google Play, theapp provides guests with everything they need to knowabout their break and covers all 36 coastal locations.

Information includes activity listings, eveningentertainment schedules, FAQ’s and guides to exploring thelocal area.

Erman Housein, the company's sales and marketingmanager, said: “The launch of the new app means guestsnow have real time information that’s specifically tailored totheir holiday. The app allows guests to plan ahead and, forthose not yet familiar with our product, they can exploreand discover more about what to expect."

Prices for a four-night break lead in at £99. The price isbased on a family of up to four sharing a standard two-bedroom caravan at selected parks departing on May 16.



portugal&madeira

If early sales are anything to go by2016 is shaping up to be a verypromising year for Portugal. By and large those people who have

decided to take a holiday this summerare looking to travel west and happilyPortugal just happens to be Europe’smost westerly outpost. The fact thatPortugal has such a diverse productoffering is great news for prospectiveclients and makes the destination aneasy and rewarding sell for agents.

Portuguese bounty Regions vary enormously in theirweather, cuisine, architecture andwines, so a journey across the wholeof Portugal, not forgetting theislands, can offer customers a rich bounty of very differentholiday experiences.

First of all there are those practicalconsiderations such as great regionalflying from the UK and Ireland, superbinternal flight connections,tremendous road and railinfrastructure and the careful,considered custody, through the years,of valuable tourism assets.

Then there’s the fine climate,stunning scenery, beguiling cities,subtropical islands, windswept coasts,soaring cliffs, endless beaches,hospitable people, superb gastronomyand enviable wines.

And last, but not least, there’s theperception of the country as one whichoffers superb value for money. It’shard to think of another Europeancountry which has so regularly andreliably appeared at, or towards, thetop of the Post Office Travel Money’sannual Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer of the best valueholiday destinations.

Keeping all this in mind Portugalmakes a very credible case as one ofthe greatest, all-round holidaydestinations. To borrow someoneelse’s marketing campaign: IfCarlsberg did countries…

Celebs, capitals & commissionsUntil not so long ago, celebrityassociation centred upon the Algarveand came courtesy of SeverianoBallesteros and Judith Chalmers. Thisreinforced, on the UK market at least,a rather one-dimensional view of thedestination, albeit one which offeredgolfers some of the best courses inthe world and sun-seekers some ofthe continent’s finest beaches. Thosequalities still apply, but endorsementsnow come via footballer CristianoRonaldo and erstwhile ChelseaFootball Club manager, and self-styled‘special one’, Jose Mourinho. Thosetwo have well and truly brought otherparts of Portugal, notably Madeira,Porto Santo and Lisbon, to theattention of a wider public.

Portugal’s capital is understatedand elegant; hold a beauty pageant ofEuropean cities and Lisbon would beguaranteed a podium finish. Yellowtrams rattle up and down the steep,narrow cobbled streets adding hugeamounts of character to a city whichhas remained defiantly Portuguese.Rather refreshingly, it has resisted theglobalisation endemic to many of itsEuropean counterparts.

Fine internal transport links alsomean that Lisbon can be just thestarting point of a twin or multi-centreholiday to a wider Portugal. The veryleast people can do is move on to thedelights of the nearby Estoril Coastafter a stay in the capital. But look

further afield and combine a holiday inLisbon with Madeira, Porto Santo,Porto or even the Algarve. Portugalgives agents the opportunity todemonstrate to potential customersthe skill and expertise that they canbring to a holiday. The morecomplicated the booking, the lesslikely customers will attempt to do itthemselves. Pull together an amazingitinerary, and you’ll win over a customer for life - not to mention the reward of the increasedcommission that these higher valuebookings command.

Authentic appealOther areas of interest includePortugal’s second city and the home ofport wine, Porto. Fresh from a 15-yearregeneration programme kick-startedby its selection as European City ofCulture at the turn of the millennium,this delightful city break destinationcan now be accessed via no fewer thanfive UK airports and Dublin, and thestunningly beautiful Douro Valley, atthe time of writing home to the onlySix Senses property in Europe, is onthe doorstep.

Then there’s the Alentejo region.Located between Lisbon and theAlgarve, it’s often likened to Provenceand Tuscany in so much as thescenery is delightful and thegastronomy traditional. But it’s alsodelightfully, unashamedly authentic.There are forests, meadows, white-washed villages and fantastic Atlanticbeaches. Classic Collection will beintroducing this area very soon,allowing agents to offer theircustomers even more diversity andchoice when it comes to a single, twinor multi-centre holiday to Portugal.

The promise of Portugalby Andrew Farr, PR Manager,Classic Collection Holidays

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PORTUGAL’S PINE Cliffs, a LuxuryCollection Resort, is to complete its 18-month development programme,dubbed #PineCliffsJourney, thissummer following an investment of 50million euros.

The major phased development, whichcommenced in November 2014, hastransformed the hotel at the resort’sheart, whilst simultaneously creating 76new luxury seafront-chic apartments.Featuring all-new accommodation,enhanced and extended dining options,and a new 1000sq.m Serenity Spa, the

fully renovated hotel and addition of the Ocean Suites, will be unveiled next month.

All 217 guest rooms and suites, publicareas and facilities have been completelyrestyled, while the hotel’s restaurants andbars have also been reinvented. Alongsidethe hotel, overlooking the rose-goldsandstone cliffs of Albufeira, the newOcean Suites comprise 76 luxuryapartments available in one-, two- andthree-bedroom configurations; a finedining Italian restaurant; boutiqueshopping area with luxury retail outlets;

separate dedicated entrance andreception; and underground parkingfacilities. Guests staying in the OceanSuites also have access to the resort’swider facilities.

Prices for a stay at the hotel startfrom £200 per person, per night, basedon two sharing a Premium Deluxe roomincluding breakfast, while prices for thenew Ocean Suites start from £300 perperson, per night based on two sharingand including breakfast. For further information visitluxurycollection.com/pinecliffshotel

Inntravel introduces 11-night self-drive ‘Alentejo Adventure’ from £995FOR 2016 Inntravel has introduced a new self-drive journeycalled ‘An Alentejo Adventure’ through Portugal’s quietsouthern heartland to the coast.

After a short break in Lisbon, guests move on to Galegosin the Serra de São Mamede to follow smugglers’ trails,explore hilltop towns and visit one of the many olive mills.Later, staying in Évora on Alentejo’s vast central plain,guests can explore highlights such as the medieval villageof Monsaraz; Europe’s largest man-made lake; and themany vineyards that populate the plains with Évora, hometo some of Portugal’s best red wines.

Itineraries will conclude on the Atlantic coast and theCosta Vicentina Natural Park, with a stay at a ranch-styleHerdade do Touril.

Part of the operator’s SlowMotion programme – a newcollection of 30 self-guided adventures on which gueststravel by train, boat or car, rather than on foot or twowheels – the itinerary allows guests to both linger longerand delve deeper whilst visiting regions.

The Alentejo Adventure costs from £995 per personbased on two sharing and includes 11-nights’ breakfastaccommodation, two dinners, olive oil mill visit, nine days’car hire, detailed route notes and maps. Flights are extra. Visit inntravel.co.uk or call 01653-617000 for information.

xxxx


portugal&madeira

TAP PORTUGAL hosted an evening networking event inpartnership with the Alentejo Regional Tourist Office at TheResidence of the Portuguese Ambassador in London last week.The trade were invited to discover the diversity of experiences andaccommodation the Alentejo region has to offer. Pictured is TAP’sCarlos Pinto de Oliveira (left) presenting Phillip Collings fromOpodo with a prize hamper including a selection of TAP’s onboardwines. For more information visit flytap.com

SuperBreak adds selection of new attractions and tours across Portugal SUPERBREAK HAS added eight new attractions and tours in Portugal, offering a variety of activities - from wineand port tasting in Porto to a Hills Tramcar Tour in Lisbon.

As an example of some of the new activities on offer, ‘Port Wine Lovers and Blind Tasting, Porto’ is priced at£29 per person and allows guests to get to know port wine like a professional, in a location by the river Douro.Guests can visit one of the most ancient port wine cellars in town, get to know the mysteries and secrets of theold trade and experiment with a blind tasting of multiple premium port wines.

For £51 per person, a ‘Fátima, Óbidos, Batalha & Nazaré Tour from Lisbon’ is a full day tour which takes in keyhistoric towns and attractions. Alternatively, the ‘Yellow Boat Tour Lisbon’ offers a hop-on, hop-off trip along theTagus River for £15, giving clients a unique view of the famous city of seven hills, with the chance to visit famouslandmarks or relax and enjoy the full 90-minute loop.For more information call 01904-436000 or visit superbreak.com/agents

10:51:29

Portugal’s Pine Cliffs to complete 50million euro redevelopment this summer


portugal&madeiraAnatolian Sky launches Madeira brochureANATOLIAN SKY Holidays is in the process of preparing a new stand-alone brochure for Madeira, which will be distributed to travel agents inearly May.

The brochure will feature holidays for winter 2016/17 and summer2017, including more boutique and ‘quinta’ style hotels in Madeira and onneighbouring Porto Santo. Agents can also expect to find an expandedportfolio of twin-centre holidays, combining city breaks in Porto andLisbon with a stay on Madeira.

The diverse holiday experiences available on Madeira range from golfand rambling, to spas and dolphin-watching. The small island, which is35-miles long and 13.5-miles wide, is home to the laurel forest Laurisilva,Portugal's only World Heritage Site and natural volcanic pools.For more information visit anatoliansky.co.uk or call 0844-273 3585.

Funchal

FOLLOWING A TWO-monthrefurbishment, The Vintage HouseHotel is to reopen its doors enablingvisitors to Pinhão to experience theauthentic heart of the Douro Valley.

The hotel, which was built in the 19thcentury as a port and wine storagewarehouse for the Taylor's Port family,was purchased by The FladgatePartnership last year and the

rejuvenation project was headed by theCEO for The Yeatman in Porto.

Both properties are the first in theregion to feature twin-stay itineraries,offering discerning travellers animmersive Portuguese wineexperience. With a riverside location onthe banks of the winding Douro, thehotel is also launching a Wine Schoolwhere guests and budding

connoisseurs will be introduced tosome of Portugal's best wines. Othertours include visits to the wine estates, self guided walks, bikingthrough the valley and visits to nearbycraft workshops.

Room rates start from 200 euros perroom, per night including breakfast.Visit vintagehousehotel.com/en forfurther information.

Duoro Valley’s The Vintage House Hotel reopens following refurbishment


prestigeholidays.co.uk

CLIENTS CAN walk the wild Vincente coast on a self guided route in the south-west of Portugal along the less discovered beaches andvillages of the Algarve and Alentejo. Priced at £849 per person and offered year-round through Go Barefoot Travel, the seven-day journeycomes with GPS system and routes, luggage transfers and breakfast accommodation. Visit gobarefoot.travel for details.

Madeira

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

Inspiring

5030

. . . an absence of man-made attractions and an abundance of natural ones

MOUNTAIN PEAKS, SOARING CLIFFS, EMERALD VALLEYS & STUNNING COASTAL VIEWS

portugal&madeira


Lisbon highlights short break appealand latest tourism offeringsCOMBINING OLD-WORLD charm and grand architecture,Lisbon is promoting its appeal to British travellers seekingtheir next short break away with an added emphasis on thelatest City Costs Barometer from Post Office Travel Moneylabelling the Portuguese capital one of the cheapest citiesin Western Europe for a city break.

Suited for budget conscious British travellers, the surveyfound that Lisbon offers value for money, with an averagecost of £135 per person for a weekend break includingthree-star accommodation for two nights, local transport,sightseeing, meals and drinks.

Not only does the survey highlight costs such asreturn airport transfers for £2.21, 48-hour travel cardsfor less than £10 and a three-course meal for two witha bottle of wine easily available for below £40, it alsopoints out that admission to many art galleries is freeor costs a few euros.

As examples, opening last month, Lisbon’s MoneyMuseum uses numismatics and notaphily collections ofthe Bank of Portugal for visitors to have an educationalexperience on how money has evolved in the country andaround the world. Visit museudodinheiro.pt. Alternatively,the Museum for Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT)aims to become the city’s new cultural centre when itopens in October, where visitors can explore theconvergence of architecture, technology and contemporaryart as a field of cultural practice. See maat.pt

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the 25 deAbril Bridge and, to celebrate, the bridge will open a newlift to offer views over Lisbon and the Tagus River. For more information visit visitlisboa.com

BENEFITTING FROM a warm year-round climate, the Portuguesearchipelago of Madeira offers anumber of beaches scattered aroundits coastline, with Calheta noted as apopular resort region on the island.

Monarch is currently offering a seven-night stay at the CalhetaBeach Hotel from £339 per person.The price is based on three adultssharing a twin room for seven nightsincluding breakfast. It departs on

October 13 from Gatwick. For guests looking to be active,

walking trails are a popular pastimefor hotel guests, with the chance todiscover the village with its local shopsand bars, the sugar cane factory or theArt Deco museum for example.

A range of watersport facilitiesand activities are also availablelocally or guests can simply unwindand relax by the hotel's pool.

The operator is also highlighting

the recent introduction of departuresfrom Manchester Airport.

Clients can travel to Madeira andstay at the Dom Pedro Baia Club forseven nights with a lead in price of£299 per person departing fromManchester on May 25, and based onthree adults sharing a twin room.

The operator is also highighting 15%discounts for all summer 2016 bookings. To book or for further informationvisit monarch.co.uk

Monarch promotes seven-night stay at Calheta Beach Hotel from £339



Win a fam to Dubaiwith Travel 2

TRAVEL 2 IS giving nineagents the chance to win a place on a familythemed fam trip to Dubaias part of its latestcampaign to highlight thefamily-friendly nature ofthe destination.The operator has

teamed up with DubaiTourism, Emirates andQantas airlines andKerzner properties,Atlantis The Palm,One&Only Royal Mirageand One&Only The Palm, to showcase thevariety of familyexperiences on offer.To be entered into the

prize draw to win a place,agents should make a qualifying booking toDubai that includes flightswith Qantas or Emiratesand a three-night ground arrangementbefore July 31. To double their chances

of winning a place, allagents eligible for thefamily fam will alsoautomatically be enteredinto the prize draw to win a spot on the arts andculture Dubai fam trip laterthis year.Visit travel2.com to seefurther details.

THE ISRAEL MINISTRY of Tourism (IMOT) has announced a new directive designed to assist airlines interested inlaunching new routes to Ben Gurion International Airport(TLV) in Tel Aviv, Israel’s main gateway. The directive will be applied from November 1 through to

October 31, 2017 as part of a scheme worth up to threemillion euros for each new route. New flights launched into Tel Aviv during the winter season

will see the IMOT issue between 100,000 and 200,000 eurostowards marketing spend, while annual flights will earn an

allocation between 150,000 and 300,000 euros per airport. Amir Halevi, director general of the ministry, said: “The

Ministry views cooperation with the international tourismindustry as invaluable and the tourism trade professionalsare our strategic partners in advancing the efforts to increaseincoming tourism to Israel. “We are interested in encouraging new flight operators to

open routes into Israel and will assist with promoting theseroutes within their markets.”For more information visit uk.thinkisrael.com

middleeast

Ras Al Khaimah expands on rebranding campaign THE RAS AL KHAIMAH Tourism Development Authority (TDA) recently announced a 12.4% increase in total revenue this year, driven by an increase in total visitorsreaching 740,383 in 2015.The increase in visitor numbers, up by 24.7% in the UK, accompanies the tourism

authority’s recent rebranding campaign which is aimed at driving economic growth andenhancing the Emirate’s offerings for travellers. Speaking to Travel Bulletin at the campaign’s launch earlier this year, Haitham

Mattar, CEO of the Tourism Development Authority, said: “What we've done differently isengage and involve the local community in order to extract the brand essence andvalues and how they see it through their eyes. This insight has allowed us to expose theArabian culture, heritage and authenticity that Ras Al Khaimah has to offer, more sothan perhaps over destinations.”To further illustrate this point, and in reference to its luxury product offering, Mattar

said: “Every destination has luxury brands - every hotel has a lobby and every destinationhas a five-star hotel. What we want to do is not only find the five-star luxury hotel in Ras AlKhaimah, but find Ras Al Khaimah in the luxury five-star hotel - the indulgence in luxuryand the experiences that money can't buy. “For example, Ras Al Khaimah is one of the few places where you can enjoy

uninterrupted star gazing as our geographical positioning allows us to have clearer skiesand beautiful starry nights. In addition, we have identified three individuals from the localcommunity; older people who have experienced the history through the generations andwho are storytellers. We’ve brought them along to tell tourists stories of Arabia and aboutRas Al Khaimah and how it all started, and again in a sense that's indulging in luxury;connecting with heritage and connecting with nature.”Aiming to attract one million tourists to the Emirate by 2018, the TDA also plans to

diversify its hotel and resort portfolio, increase routes to and from the destination viaEurope, restore historical sites and enhance digital platforms with the introduction of newapps and services. The TDA and Thomas Cook Group also recently announced a cooperative marketing

agreement aimed at promoting the Emirate as a premier destination for Europeanleisure tourism.For further information visit rasalkhaimahtourism.com

Israel Ministry of Tourism announces new directive to assist airlines

S05 TB 0605 2016 Middle East_Layout 1 04/05/2016 14:42 Page 25

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ALLEYNILE VANSWAA


thisisegypt.com

Meliá Hotels announces launch of theGran Meliá Ghoo Hotel in IranMELIÁ HOTELS International has announced its entry into theIranian market with the first five-star branded hotel, the GranMeliá Ghoo Hotel. The property will be located in the largest mixed residential,

commercial and hotel complex to be developed in Iran, whichis currently being built in Salman Shahr, a popular holidaydestination on the Caspian Sea. The move marks an important step by the Spanish hotel

chain in becoming one of the leading international hotel groupsin Iran, a country which expects to see significant tourismdevelopment after the lifting of sanctions that have restrictedforeign investment since 2006. It also expects to attract morethan 20 million passengers a year by 2025, compared to thecurrent five million.Part of the ‘Ghoo, Middle East Diamond’ development, the

hotel will occupy a 130m high tower, featuring 319 deluxerooms including a Presidential Suite, seven restaurants andbars, meeting and banquet facilities, two swimming pools, a spa, plus leisure and shopping facilities.Gabriel Escarrer, vice chairman and CEO of the company,

said: “It is a great challenge for us to be involved in a project,which is so important for the future of the industry in thiscountry. We firmly believe in Iran’s tourism potential and I amalso very proud to have earned the trust of our partners in themanagement of this hotel, a further demonstration that we area significant international player for the most prestigioushotel projects anywhere in the world.”

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middleeast


Gold Medal promotes last minutesavings for family-friendly breaksGOLD MEDAL is highlighting the Middle East as a greatdestination for families to choose for a summer holiday,with several last minute deals and savings for the familyincluding free half-board and all-inclusive offers.The operator recommends Ras Al Khaimah for families,

based on a number of hotelier offers in the region as wellas authentic experiences for guests.For example, the five-star Hilton Al Hamra Resort and

Spa in Ras Al Khaimah offers free stays for kids under 12 as well as various children’s activities, a dedicatedchildren’s menu and playground. The property is also a short drive from the city of Dubai, yet is surrounded byuncrowded white sandy beaches. Joanne Lowery, product manager for the operator, said:

“You cannot leave Ras Al Khaimah without exploring theAwafi desert and rolling sand dunes by 4WD or visiting thebeautiful Ain Khat where you can go swimming in one ofthe natural thermal springs. “For the more active family, I would recommend climbing

the coastal hilltop of Dhayah Fort for wonderful views of theArabian Gulf, Hajar Mountains and the lush palm gardensbelow – this is a must, but avoid doing it at midday whenthe heat is too much to bare. “Agents selling the Middle East should remember the

holy month of Ramadam is just around the corner in June.This is a great time to visit as the locals’ daily life changesdramatically which gives visitors a chance to see a wholenew side of the destination and get involved in eveningevents such as Iftar.”As an example of packages, the company is offering six

nights at the five-star Hilton Al Hamra Resort and Spa in a superior room (with a sea view) on an all-inclusive basisfor £980 per person. The offer is valid for travel betweenJune 6 -26 and includes flights from Gatwick.To book or for details visit goldmedal.co.uk or call 0800-014 7777.

Etihad launches sunshine guaranteed campaignETIHAD HOLIDAYS has launched a new campaign promising‘guaranteed sunshine or your next holiday for free’ toattract more UK-based visitors to holiday in Abu Dhabi.The initiative aims to bring more business and leisure

travellers to the capital over the summer and applies toevery booking that consists of a flight and hotel-inclusivepackage between May and September. Visitors whoexperience more than 5mm of rainfall during their stay inAbu Dhabi will receive another holiday free of charge.In 2015, more than 230,000 passengers travelled from

the UK to Abu Dhabi, representing a 14% rise on figures for2014 according to recent statistics released by the AbuDhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. Mohammed Al Bulooki, vice president UAE commercial

at Etihad Airways, said: “Abu Dhabi has a considerableamount to offer every visitor, whether they are here for theyear-round sunshine, the spectacular cultural sites andinstitutions, or for the ultimate adventure getaway. We arecommitted to being a key driver in helping to further growthe tourism industry in the Emirate.”For more information visit etihadholidays.co.uk


LATER THIS month, The Global TravelGroup is hosting its annualconference in Dubai, offering agentsand suppliers the chance to gainvaluable insights with ‘How to’sessions on social media, marketingand more. Cherie Richards, commercial

director for the consortium and whohas visited the destination onnumerous occasions, said: “Dubai isa great destination for conferencesand I have visited a number of times.My favourite trips however have beenwith the family, and it seems I’m notthe only one who thinks this. Whencomparing our agent members’bookings in 2015 to the previous year,we have seen a 16% increase infamily bookings and early indicationsfor this year are showing that thistrend is set to continue.” With this in mind, Richards has put

together her top five tips for agentsselling Dubai as a destination and thereasons for its huge appeal amongthe family market:

1) Where to stay?I’ve stayed at a number of great hotelsin Dubai including Sofitel The Palm

and the Jebel Ali Palm Tree Court.Both are ideally located for exploringthe city and offer a wide range offamily accommodation. For theultimate family experience, I loveAtlantis The Palm. The Aquaventurewaterpark offers hours of fun foradults and children of all ages. Littleones absolutely love the Splashersplayground and families can board asix person raft for a ride on the world’slargest waterslide – Aquaconda.

2) Where to eat? Be sure not to miss out on Fridaybrunch – a lavish affair with manystations offering incredible food anddrink. From my experience, I’dsuggest that families arrive early tobe able to sample as many of thedishes as possible.

3) What to do?For families there are a number ofattractions including the Wild WadiWaterpark, KidZania and the DubaiAquarium. For agents selling Dubai tofamilies with teens I would alsosuggest a visit to the Dubai Mall. Itfeatures more than 1,200 shops andis one of the world’s largest malls.

Teens absolutely love the indoortheme park, Sega Republic, wherethey can spend the day playing onover 170 games and enjoying 14thrilling attractions including cuttingedge motion stimulators.

4) Where to visit?As the tallest skyscraper in the world,the Burj Khalifa is an absolute mustand is undoubtedly the best thing I’vedone on any of my trips to Dubai.Visitors can head to the 124th floorObservation Deck for incredible viewsacross the Emirates. A trulymemorable experience for familymembers of all ages.

5) What next?Dubai Parks and Resorts, due to openin October 2016, will be home to a number of parks includingMotiongate where families can meetcharacters from well-known filmsacross 27 action packed rides andattractions. I’m also looking forward totaking the family to the new IMG Worldof Adventure that is also opening inlate 2016 and will feature rides andattractions based on the CartoonNetwork and Marvel characters.


middleeast

EXPECTED TO launch for Q4 this year, the dusitD2 Kenz Dubai isthe first hotel to launch in the Middle East under DusitInternational’s contemporary dusitD2 brand. With 235 guestrooms, the hotel will feature two restaurants, a lobby lounge,fitness centre, swimming pool, and spa as well as an ExecutiveLounge, business centre and meeting rooms to cater to the needsof corporate and leisure guests. It will open in TECOM businessdistrict of Dubai within easy access to tourist attractions such asMadinat Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah and the Dubai Marina, whilststill within easy reach via the Dubai Metro of popular shoppingcentres such as Marina Mall and Mall of the Emirates.

UK visitors to Dubai up 10% to dateTHE NUMBER of overnight visitors to Dubai from the UKgrew by 10% in the first quarter of 2016 compared to thesame period last year. Between January and March, 334,000Brits travelled to the city for one night or more, consolidatingthe UK’s position as Dubai’s leading European visitor sourcemarket and its third largest overall.According to the latest figures released by Dubai Tourism,

the city welcomed a total of 4.1 million overnight visitors inthe first three months of 2016, a 5.1% increase on 2015. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, director general for

the tourism authority, said: “Global travel in the first threemonths of this year has been impacted by geo-political,social and economic uncertainties, with most marketsexperiencing flat to negative growth. “I see Dubai’s highly agile, fragmented source market

approach, the strength of our government, public and privatesector partnerships, as well as our effective promotional andmarketing outreach, as having been fundamental to fuellingoverall growth.”As part of a wider strategy to increase the city’s profile

and appeal, there are a number of theme park openingsplanned in the second half of the year. These include:Dubai Parks and Resorts; IMG Worlds of Adventure;Dubai Safari; the iconic Dubai Opera House; and thetheatrical residency of La Perle by Dragone at Al HabtoorCity. These additions are expected to attract morefamilies and experience seekers to Dubai, both from theUK and beyond.

Global Travel Group offers travel trips for family holidays to Dubai



LEEDS BRADFORD Airport, in conjunction with Monarch Airlines, has announced a renewedpartnership with Yorkshire County Cricket Club, which will see supporters and their families benefitfrom exclusive airport offers and competitions to win flights. Pictured with Monarch cabin crewmembers are James Crosby (second from left), Monarch, with Yorkshire County Cricket Club playerJack Leaning (middle) and Tony Hallwood (second from right) of Leeds Bradford Airport.

Heathrow attainsfour Carbon Trust

StandardsHEATHROW HAS becomethe first airport tosimultaneously hold fourcertifications to the CarbonTrust Standard.Following years of work

by the airport to reduce itscarbon emissions, wateruse and waste outputwhile working withsuppliers to engage themin doing the same, theCarbon Trust hasrecognised these efforts byfurther awarding theairport with the Standardfor Supply Chain. It is thefifth organisation in theworld and the first airportto attain supplier standard. Heathrow’s top 20

suppliers account for 76%of the total supply chaincarbon emissions. In orderto influence these andother suppliers, the airporthas established forumslike the HeathrowSustainability Partnershipto deliver practicalsolutions like the airport’sEnergy Code of Practice.John Holland-Kaye,

chief executive for theairport, said: “Achievingthe Carbon Trust's toughstandards recognises thehard work that our team isputting in to beingenvironmentallyresponsible and being abetter business and abetter neighbour. “We are very proud to be

one of the only companiesin the world - and the firstairport - to attain fourCarbon Trust Standardssimultaneously."For further information onthe airport and its facilitiesvisit heathrow.com

IN THE last financial year Manchester Airportflew more passengers than ever before in its78-year history. with 23.5million peoplepicking the North’s international gateway.Traffic numbers for March 2016 were

11% up year-on-year, with 1.74m peoplejetting off on holiday and on business withthe top five most popular internationalroutes being Dubai, Dublin, Amsterdam,Tenerife and Alicante.New routes, plus increased frequency

and capacity on existing routes, are feedinggrowth at the airport including moreadditions to its long-haul portfolio.Amongst the range of new routes are thoseto Miami and Hong Kong; from May to LosAngeles, Boston and Aruba; to Beijingstarting in June; and from November

Phuket, Tobago and Mauritius.Ken O’Toole, managing director at the

airport, said: “This continued strong growthis incredibly positive and benefits not onlythe airport and our passengers, but theentire region. As new routes come tofruition and passenger numbers increase,in turn jobs are created and inboundtourism spend is injected into the region.“Manchester Airport currently generates

£1.7bn in value for the North West,supports 21,500 jobs on site and a further45,000 indirectly, and we are confident ofdriving more growth in the years to come.As we move into the summer season, welook forward to a host of new long-haulroutes starting, which will give ourpassengers more choice than ever before.”

ukairports

Cornwall Airport Newquay expresses optimism for summer CORNWALL AIRPORT Newquay has reported that passenger numbers were up 15% overthe busy Easter period compared with figures from last year, and that with the introductionof its summer schedule, to which a number of new routes have been added, it is optimisticfor the summer ahead. Highlights include FlyBe’s new Doncaster to Sheffield three times weekly service and

daily Birmingham and Stansted summer services. In addition to the start of the new Flyberoutes, March also saw the recommencement of the Aer Lingus Regional Dublin servicewhich has returned with increased frequency and a longer season, plus the return ofRyanair with two new routes to Alicante and Frankfurt-Hahn. This month will also see thestart of all other seasonal routes including new destinations for 2016 such as Aberdeen,Liverpool and Glasgow, as well as the return of popular routes such as Belfast, Edinburghand Newcastle.The Airport Development Fee of a £5 levy for each departing passenger has been removed.Al Titterington, managing director of the airport, said: “The start of the busy summer

period marks the busiest period for Cornwall Airport Newquay in a number of years. Theairport carried more than 250,000 passengers this past year and the forecast is more than370,000 – that’s 50% growth for the coming financial year, making us the fastest growingairport in the UK this year; good news for Cornwall and its economy. We’re excited by thesummer ahead as passenger numbers have increased month-on-month for the last coupleof years, which is a trend we hope will continue.”

Manchester passes 23.5m passenger milestone

S06 TB 0605 2016 UK Airports_Layout 1 04/05/2016 11:28 Page 29

ukairports


@TravelBulletin

TravelBulletin

Jeanette [email protected] was asked to join the 'Britain's Got Talent'

judges panel.

Lauretta [email protected] of my friends had decided to become a priest.

Adam PotterEditorial [email protected] plot for 'Back To The Future 4'...geek sleep.

Paul ScudamoreContributing [email protected]

Simon EddollsSales [email protected] was this never-ending pint of

Youngs...After that things get a bit hazy!

Tim PodgerAccount Manager - Far [email protected] was on a desert island with Bear Grylls.

Bill CoadAccount [email protected]! No sorry it was....I was going on holiday

with the army!

Matt GillSenior Account [email protected] new bike!

Matthew WeinrebSales [email protected] dreamt I owned a house with a bight green

front door..

Kathryn FrostSales [email protected] ReeveEvents & Sales [email protected] I was a dragon, and when I held hands with

other dragons we could fly and breath fire.

Nicky ValsamakisDesign Team [email protected] to Coachella in a post-apocalyptic Mad Max

world where they feed people to giant Great

White's

Miriam [email protected] was my roommate and I got angry when

she painted my walls with her graffiti

Liam JacksonDesign [email protected] to the dentist and having both of my arms

operated on.

Carol [email protected] was on a beautiful private island enjoying an

endless buffet of food and wine!

We asked our staff the following question this week:

What was your last dream about?

Crossword:Across: 1. BUTLINS, 7. INDIANA, 8. IONA, 9. KENT, 11. DEAL, 12. STAR, 15. DONEGAL, 16. RALEIGH. Down: BASTILLE DAY, 2. TITAN, 3. IBIS, 4. SYDNEY, 5. GRANT, 6. SCARBOROUGH, 10. JAGGER, 11. DINAR, 13. TREVI,14. EL AL.

Highlighted Word: BANJUL

Where Am I?: The Darvaza Crater, Derweze, Turkmenistan

puzzlesolutions

Travel Bulletin is published by Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) LtdUniversity House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place,London, SW1W 0EXTel: 020-7834 6661 Printed by: Buxton PressSubscriptions are £125 p.a. £195 overseasISSN: 0956-2419

Splendid Hospitality Group invests inHoliday Inn Express at GatwickTHE SPLENDID Hospitality Group has completed a £500,000renovation of the Holiday Inn Express Gatwick in Crawley.The six-month project has seen 73 of the hotel’s bedrooms

and the conference room benefit from a stylish makeover. Contemporary comforts such as fresh décor, power

showers, individual air-conditioning, Hypnos king-size bedsand smart desks (fitted with USB plug points and Europeansockets), all feature in the refreshed rooms, with ratesstarting from £54 per room, per night including free Wi-Fiand breakfast.

Birmingham Airport and The Schools of King Edward VI inBirmingham launched a unique educational venue at the airport lastweek called 'The Learning Hub'. The facility will host workshops forpupils as well as professional development sessions for teachersfrom primary schools across the region. During school holidaysfamilies will also be able to take part in activities. Pictured at thelaunch are, from the back left: Pete Slough from The Schools of KingEdwards VI; Rt. Hon. Baroness Estelle Morris (centre) of Yardley; andSimon Richards from Birmingham Airport, along with children fromvarious local primary schools.




http://www.titantravel.co.uk/holiday-types/river-cruising/river-cruise-lines/ms-serenade-1

Documents

Travel Bulletin 6th May 2016