Travel Trade Gazette UK & Ireland articles from January 2009

Travel Trade Gazette UK & Ireland archives from January 2009

Travel's so-called lack of creditworthiness hits home hard.
January 30, 2009... No one would begrudge the CAA doing all it can to make sure it is not paying out on claims from collapsed companies it is not legally obliged to. But suspicions in the industry are that its eagerness to shift as many claims as possible on...

Agents' XL claims rejected by CAA.(XL Leisure Group Civil, Aviation Authority)
January 30, 2009... Lee Hayhurst. Agents are having Atol claims rejected and delayed if they do not prove to the CAA that customers paid in cash. The CAA, the aviation industry regulator, has so far rejected 4,000 out of 45,000 XL Leisure Group claims...

Co-op slams Hoon.(Co-operative Travel, Geoff Hoon )(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... THE Co-operative Travel boss Mike Greenacre has condemned the thinking behind the government's decision to allow a third runway at Heathrow as "woolly, laughable and absurd". Greenacre came out against the third runway when The Co-operative...

Big Idea winners.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... TTG Big Idea winners Perfect Weddings Abroad is offering "footymoon packages" in preparation for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The company, which scooped the #100,000 prize and expertise of four investors last September, is preparing...

Alternative to remove Atol logo.(Alternative Holidays, Air Travel Organisers' Licensing )(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Alternative Holidays has agreed to take off the Atol logo from its website after it emerged that it no longer holds a licence. Gabriele Neroni, managing director of the gay-themed events organiser, said: "We will get it removed. Alternative...

Banks shy from `high-risk' travel.
January 30, 2009... Rupert Murray. AGENCIES' expansion plans - and even survival - are being threatened as banks put a credit squeeze on the travel industry. North Yorkshire businessman of the year Paul Smith of Quartz Travel, a Freedom consortium member,...

IN BRIEF: Triton future hangs in the balance.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... The future of the Triton super-consortium was hanging in the balance this week as TTA Worldchoice neared a decision on its involvement with the group. A meeting on Wednesday failed to end in a resolution and TTA managing director Simon...

IN BRIEF: Ryanair to continue screen-scraper fight.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Ryanair has said it will continue to take action against screen-scraper websites, despite losing a case against Spanish website Atrapalo. The no-frills carrier said it would now appeal the Spanish court's decision in favour of Atrapalo and any...

IN BRIEF: Flying Matters claims organic imports victory.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Aviation lobby group Flying Matters has welcomed the Soil Association's decision to scrap plans to refuse to give organic status to food imported by air. Flying Matters chairman Brian Wilson said that this was a victory for commonsense over...

Are agents turning from the high street to home?(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Lee Hayhurst. The Freedom Travel homeworking agency is confident of surpassing its target of growing to 600 members this year having launched a revamped recruitment campaign. Part of the Co-operative Travel Trading Group, Freedom...

NCL's Epic to be based in Miami.(Norwegian Epic)(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... NCL has named its next-generation ship Norwegian Epic, and announced an inaugural event in Southampton. The 4,200-passenger ship, previously code-named F3, will be the largest in the fleet and will sail year-round in the Caribbean from...

OBIITUARY: Hugh Cuell.(Obituary)(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Friends and family are mourning the loss of AMG founder and chief executive Hugh Cuell. Cuell, 53, died on January 24 from cancer. He'd worked in the travel industry for 30 years. Cuell set up his first business, ITC, in 1978, and over...

Boss defends `chav' email.(Alistair McLean )(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Rupert Murray. A PROMISE of "chav-free" holidays netted operator Activities Abroad #700,000 worth of publicity this week. In a newsletter sent to 24,000 people the company promised customers would not meet anyone with any 10 "chav"...

IN BRIEF: Holiday Autos adds agent email sales tool.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Holiday Autos has launched an ancillary sales tool for the trade. The service can be attached to agents' emails and will direct customers through a link to a pre-populated car hire search results page for their chosen destination and travel...

IN BRIEF: Superbreak unveils new range of packages.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Superbreak has launched new packages to concerts, events and sports across the UK for 2009. The range features its largest-ever allocation to the Edinburgh Tattoo, on various dates, priced from #125, including one night's B&B. Further packages...

IN BRIEF: Air Malta signs code-share with BMI.
January 30, 2009... Air Malta and BMI have signed an agreement to code-share on flights between Malta and the UK. The companies expect the move to increase connectivity between Malta and regional airports, and offer a wider choice of flight times and smooth...

IN BRIEF: Cadogan extends booking opening hours.
January 30, 2009... Cadogan has extended its opening hours to handle the number of enquiries for late winter bookings and the spring and summer seasons. The operator will now be open from 10am to 4pm on Sundays until March 1, 2009, on 0845 615 6793 Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: Antor to freeze membership prices.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Tourist board membership association Antor has responded to the downturn by freezing membership fees in the next financial year to the end of March 2010. Chairman Tracey Poggio said: "Due to the credit crunch and limited funds of destinations,...

IN BRIEF: DEAL.
January 30, 2009... Travel Republic has slammed Activities Abroad and is offering a 10% hotel discount for people with the 10 "chav names". Managing director Paul Furner said the PR stunt was "offensive and outrageous". Customers with the names can enter a DAZZA...

Hundreds sign TTG's petition against damaging hike in APD.(Air Passenger Duty)
January 30, 2009... Chris Gray. NEARLY 400 supporters have now backedTTG's petition to the chancellor to make Air Passenger Duty more fair by removing anomalies that hit developing economies. By Wednesday, more than 250 people, including key industry...

Green charter for Tui agents.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... First Choice and Thomson have introduced an environmental charter to heighten agents' awareness of green issues at work. The charter outlines simple but effective measures agents can take to reduce carbon emissions and conserve natural...

Caribbean tourism fears big downturn.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... A turbulent 2008 is hitting jobs and curbing hotel projects in the Caribbean. Philippa Jacks reports Tourism bosses fear the Caribbean economy will collapse if visitor numbers continue to decrease. Most Caribbean countries are...

Good news for small island.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... The small island of Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles has bucked the regional trend by showing growth in arrival figures last year and projecting growth again this year. Arrivals were up 17% by the end of 2007 and latest figures indicate...

Campaign blitz.
January 30, 2009... The Bahamas Tourist Office hopes its biggest ever print advertising campaign will help stem a decline in UK visitors this year. The tourist office ran a small poster campaign on the London Underground to coincide with WTM in November. ...

Island handed $50m war chest.(St Lucia)(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... The St Lucia Tourist Board's funding for this year has been doubled to $50 million. A three-year "roadmap for national development" was unveiled at last week's Caribbean Marketplace. A new logo, combining the iconic shape of the Pitons...

WILLIE WALSH INTERVIEW: BA taps India but plans move to 0%.(British Airways)(Interview)
January 30, 2009... British Airways boss Willie Walsh is confident the new direct Hyderabad route serving India's growing high-tech industries will be a success, but his intention to ditch commission has angered agents in the country. Chris Gray reports from India...

India's slower growth rate fails to dim BA's eye for opportunity.
January 30, 2009... When Willie Walsh and the British Airways delegation step off flight BA 277 from Heathrow to Hyderabad they are whisked through a spanking new terminal, built in two and a half years at a cost of #355 million, writes Chris Gray. The...

CITY & FINANCE: Virgin bonuses to offset pay freeze.
January 30, 2009... Virgin Atlantic has introduced a pay freeze from March but said the blow would be softened by bonuses to be paid out after it finishes this financial year in profit. The airline said there would be no pay increase for any staff, from...

CITY & FINANCE: Fines hiked for late accounts.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Companies House, the official government register of firms, has increased the fines for companies that file their accounts late. As well as the increased fines, firms that file late for a second successive year will have the fine doubled....

CITY & FINANCE: Rock Insurance buys affinity firm.(AIS )(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Rupert Murray. Rock Insurance has purchased affinity marketing specialist AIS as part of its plan to expand into new markets. AIS founder Terry Martin will join Rock Insurance and will continue to manage the AIS affinity business...

CITY & FINANCE: Flyglobespan `back in black'.
January 30, 2009... Flyglobespan has said it returned to the black last year, making a #1.2m profit for the 12 months to October 2008. Chairman Tom Dalrymple said in a trading statement that the results showed the #19m loss made in the year to October 2007 was...

CITY & FINANCE: BA shares fall as carrier forecasts a #150m loss.
January 30, 2009... Chris Gray. British Airways has warned it is heading for a full-year loss of #150m as the weak pound pushes up currency costs. BA shares dropped 8.5% on Monday after the airline issued a trading statement warning that the outlook for...

COMMENT: Amanda Wills Virgin Holidays.(Column)
January 30, 2009... "The family holiday needs to allow mum, dad and the kids to relax, share something new - and still afford it" A lot can happen in a year. It's a cliche, of course, but one that certainly held its own in the context of our industry's...

CRUISE: Fred Olsen sets off with strong sales.(Fred Olsen Cruise Lines)(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Kay McLellan. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines' revenues grew by 22% year-on-year in December 2008 as its upward trend in bookings bucked the economic downturn. The line has also reported a good start to 2009, with a record number of calls to...

LAUNCHPAD: Louis Cruise Lines.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Mediterranean Cruises 2009 Customers can travel by train or air to join the Orient Queen sailing from Marseilles. Prices for the 10-night Med cruises start from #699 based on two sharing, including either air or rail travel from London St...

LAUNCHPAD: Marco Polo.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... 2009-10 - 2nd edition Marco Polo is now offering a transfer service from Stansted to the London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury for sailings to the Fjords, Baltic Cities, North Cape, Iceland and British Isles. Fly-cruises include the Amazon...

LAUNCHPAD: Voyages of Discovery.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Discovery World of Cruising April 2009 to May 2010 Discovery will sail in south-east Asia and the Far East for the first time next winter, with destinations including Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Hong Kong. A 15-day Asian Capitals and Vietnam...

LAUNCHPAD: Costa Cruises.
January 30, 2009... Costa Pacifica and Luminosa 2009 Costa's newest ships, to be jointly christened on June 5, now have dedicated brochures. Luminosa's brochure focuses on its cutting edge contemporary design, while Pacifica's highlights the design based...

CRUISE: Celebrity big sister.
January 30, 2009... Celebrity Cruises' third Solstice-class ship, Eclipse, is being built in the shadow of its sister, Equinox. The first 550-tonne block of Eclipse has been laid at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The ship is scheduled for delivery...

UK CRUISE CONVENTION 2009: Deilmann `on track'.(Peter Deilmann)(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... In the latest preview of Ace's cruise convention, Lee Hayhurst focuses on the river cruise sector River cruise specialist Peter Deilmann is on track to meet ambitious growth targets in the UK this year, according to its new head of sales...

UK CRUISE CONVENTION 2009: Go Cruise's Hill says sales `swell'.(James Hill)(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Go Cruise franchisee James Hill, who marked three years in the river cruise sector last week, says he has never been busier. Running a business, by himself, that is turning over #750,000 a year, means he has even been able to take the...

UK CRUISE CONVENTION 2009: Sessions to focus on river cruising.(Brief article)(Conference notes)
January 30, 2009... There will be a two-part river cruise session on the first day of the UK Cruise Convention. Section one will look at what different rivers have to offer; Section two will offer practical advice on how to start selling river cruises. ...

BUSINESS TRAVEL: EasyJet banks on business bookings.(EasyJet Airline)(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... EasyJet is hoping greater-than-expected demand from business travellers will boost its first-half performance this year to above expectations. Chief executive Andy Harrison admitted future trading remained "uncertain", with just 10% of...

BUSINESS TRAVEL: GTMC shake-up as chief steps down.(GUILD of Travel Management Companies, Philip Carlisle )(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Martin Ferguson. THE GUILD of Travel Management Companies has hired a consultancy to review its structure. Chairman Maurice Veronique said a "natural opportunity" to examine the depth, shape and direction of the guild had arrived as...

BUSINESS TRAVEL: ITM conference in virtual world.(Institute of Travel Management)(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... The Institute of Travel Management is to set up a virtual office where Second Life avatars can discover more about the organisation and the Icarus project - its environmental toolkit. The not-for-profit group also plans to host its...

BUSINESS TRAVEL: New seats for SIA.(Singapore Airlines)(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Singapore Airlines has unveiled a new business-class product. It will be available on the airline's regional and medium-haul routes for UK business travellers flying onward from Singapore. The seats are in a forward-facing 2-2-2...

OPERATORS IN BRIEF: Superbreak launches theatre workshops.(Superbreak Mini-Holidays Ltd.)(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Superbreak is running West End theatre workshops for groups of 16 or more, aimed at schools, colleges and amateur dramatics clubs, that can be booked alongside hotel stays and theatre-inclusive packages. The 90- minute workshops include a Q&A...

OPERATORS IN BRIEF: Cottage specialist issues biggest programme.
January 30, 2009... Cottages4you has launched its largest UK programme, featuring more than 3,400 cottages and villas in its brochure and 12,000 more properties on its cottages4you.travel agent website. It is also now offering agent training and has set up a...

OPERATORS IN BRIEF: Cox & Kings unveils 10-for-4 nights offer.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Cox & Kings is offering 10 nights for the price of four to South Africa valid for travel between May 1 and September 30, 2009. Customers booking four nights at luxury game reserves, including Shamwari Game Reserve, are entitled to six nights...

OPERATORS: Attractions firm claims XML `first'.(Dosomething-different.com, extensible markup language)(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Lucy Huxley. attraction tickets specialist Dosomething-different.com claims to be the first in the sector to provide XML links to the trade. The company, the trade arm of Attraction Tickets Direct, has struck a deal with the Travel...

HOTELS & RESORTS IN BRIEF: Design Hotels open all-pool property in Bali.
January 30, 2009... Design Hotels will open its new member hotel Alila Villas Uluwatu on April 1, 2009. The Bali-based resort is the first all-pool villa property in a new generation of Alila Hotels and Resorts. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

HOTELS & RESORTS IN BRIEF: Hilton franchise deal in French Polynesia.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Hilton Hotels has entered into a franchise licence agreement with Louis Wane for three hotels, on Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, in French Polynesia. The hotels have been rebranded as the Hilton Hotel Tahiti, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort &...

HOTELS & RESORTS IN BRIEF: Ritz-Carlton launches `Reserve' in Thailand.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is launching a brand extension for "the most discerning global travellers" called Ritz-Carlton Reserve. It will club together developments in Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos and the UAE offering "one of a...

HOTELS & RESORTS: `Alliances are key to luxury survival'.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Rupert Murray. LUXURY hotel groups claim they will be seeing more independent luxury properties looking to join them in 2009 in order to ride out the economic downturn. Groups such as Preferred Hotel Group and Great Hotels Organisation...

HOTELS & RESORTS: Training is free at Worldhotels.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... WORLDHOTELS has introduced an unlimited training programme for staff working in any of its several hundred four and five-star properties. The move gives access to 120 training courses for a one-off fee, with a view to helping hotels...

HOTELS & RESORTS: Crunch bites Big Apple hotels.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... LUXURY hotels in New York have seen a significant drop in corporate customers in the past few months, but one leading property said it was offsetting the fall with a corresponding rise in leisure guests. The Jumeirah Essex House has seen...

INTERVIEW AHMED SIYAM MOHAMED: Maldives agent is all at sea.(Interview)
January 30, 2009... Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, a former travel agent, has built a portfolio of resorts in the Maldives. Now he is looking to expand farther afield, he tells Matt Parsons As our seaplane headed from Male to the new Maldivian resort of Iru Fushi, we...

LETTER: Dickson's mystery shopping paints an unfair sales picture.(Letter to the editor)
January 30, 2009... I fail to sympathise with Andrew Dickson's experiences with his so- called "lack of selling" (TTG January 23). I am a proud member of Spa Travel, which has been in our village for 30 years. Although I may be a shy age of 19, my...

LETTER: Be savvy and frugal - but don't give up having fun.(Letter to the editor)
January 30, 2009... The announcement the country has officially entered a recession came as little surprise. In these tough times, Brits want to stretch their pounds without sacrificing holidays. Despite the financial strain, the nation needs to escape. Apart...

LETTER: `Rip-off' fuel fees must be dropped.(Letter to the editor)
January 30, 2009... Oil last week was at $44 a barrel, the dollar at #1.37. Yet companies are still adding fuel surcharges. The reason cited in the past - the strength of the dollar - now holds no strength with the recent record plummet. But I am sure...

LETTER: Tui Travel/First Choice ads have `misled' the public.(Letter to the editor)
January 30, 2009... Regarding the The Tui Travel/First Choice TV advertising campaign, I would love to be a fly on the boardroom walls of Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, Flybe and bmibaby. The clear inference in the TV campaign is effectively that if you do not buy...

LETTER: TV ads aren't scaremongering, they help the Atol community.(Letter to the editor)
January 30, 2009... I am writing in response to accusations that "Tui Travel and Thomas Cook are scaremongering" (TTG January 23). The Tui television advert specifically did an industry job of promoting Atol, which will benefit all bonded operators. Our...

LETTER: Kingfisher Airlines' five-star service had a breakdown.(Letter to the editor)
January 30, 2009... I recently flew with Kingfisher Airlines, which markets itself as being a five-star airline. The aircraft was fine, with good seating and inflight entertainment. However, on the return journey when one of the aircraft broke down, so did...

LETTER: Our dedicated trade relations team won't leave you hanging.(Letter to the editor)
January 30, 2009... I was most concerned to read of the challenges last week that Ian Butters of Madison Travel had in communicating his new address to us. I can recognise the frustration of such a simple task not being dealt with correctly upon his first...

LETTER: Agents must get online to shout about their skills.(Letter to the editor)
January 30, 2009... As I write this, I am browsing YourSpace on ttglive.com, over a cup of coffee, having just dealt with that person who wanted two weeks in Benidorm for four people, for #5 and, with it, a discount. Agents, we need to fight back. And let us...

MOVIE MARKETING: Flick-start your bookings with Oscar film tie-ups.
January 30, 2009... Piggybacking the success of films that showcase stunning locations and stimulate tourism demand is a great way to bring in business. With the Bafta and Oscar nominations currently causing a buzz around some big movies, now is the time to tap in...

COMMENT: Jenny Ley-Meek.
January 30, 2009... "We have downloaded the letter by Lucy Huxley to chancellor Alistair Darling calling for APD to be reformed" When TTG launched its Travel Gives Back campaign in November, I thought about what I could do to help. But with the comings and...

Mystery Shopper from Beaconsfield.
January 30, 2009... The mystery shopper visited two agencies in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, on a Friday afternoon and then selected two websites from an internet search for "luxury holidays Seychelles" This week's challenge: The mystery shopper asked for a...

DIY SUMMER 2009: Bed banks bank outside the eurozone.(do-it-yoursel)
January 30, 2009... As the credit crunch bites and the pound's plunge against other currencies takes its toll on holidaymakers' travel plans, accommodation suppliers gaze into their crystal balls to predict what 2009 has in store for the sector. Peter Ellegard...

DIY: From big screen to big sellers.(do-it-yourself)
January 30, 2009... This year looks set to be a corker in terms of new shows and musicals, particularly those based on films. Here's what operators are most excited about for 2009 Superbreak is excited about...Sister Act: The Musical Where? The London...

DIY: Have you got it all covered?(do-it-yourself)
January 30, 2009... The XL failure and ongoing confusion about consumer protection has increased the need for DIY agents to offer suitable insurance. Dave Richardson reports All agents selling DIY holidays should offer supplier failure cover to their...

DIY: Tech a walk on the wired side.(do-it-yourself)
January 30, 2009... Technology and systems suppliers are unveiling new products. Samantha Mayling rounds up latest news Travel Technology Show. February 10-11, Earls Court 2, London * A plea for questions for a debate has come from Andy Boyce,...

INDIA & INDIAN OCEAN: The kids are all bright.
January 30, 2009... The Indian Ocean is building a reputation as a family-friendly destination. Mandy Barder reports If you think of the typical Indian Ocean client, then couples - and particularly newlyweds - are likely to spring to mind. But...

INDIA & INDIAN OCEAN: SAMPLE PRICES.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Mauritius Beau Rivage If Only+ offers seven nights' half-board for two adults and one child from #3,979 for travel in April if booked before February 14. * ifonly.net The Maldives Iru Fushi Beach & Spa Resort Thomson...

MAURITIUS: Stroke of good lux.(Hotel review)
January 30, 2009... Roving Reader Jean Heymann, from Reigate Travel, checked out a range of resorts and hotels during a Sunset Faraway Holidays luxury fam trip to Mauritius We flew overnight on Air Mauritius and arrived to a warm welcome before heading to the...

INDIA: OTHER ATTRACTIONS.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... * Palace of Winds: Built in 1799 to allow the women of the court to watch street processions unseen, this pink and white facade has nearly 600 screened balconies. * City palace: Highlights of this beautiful home of the present maharaja...

INDIA: Sex and the pink city.
January 30, 2009... Millions of tourists are drawn to Jaipur in India by its fort and decorative architecture, but Debbie Ward also had a lesson in its former ruler's fruity sex life Albert Square and Rajasthan might not have much in common. But if the...

INDIA: Book it.(Brief article)
January 30, 2009... Mahindra Homestays has a three-for-two nights special offer until March 31 at selected accommodation. Jaipur homestays include traditional- style Madhu Pushp Bhawan where B&B costs from #29 to #45 per room per night. A special 20% commission...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE: Etihad Airways.
January 30, 2009... Etihad Airways has restructured its regional general manger sales team. Daniel Barranger now looks after Europe, Robin Middleton the Americas, Kirk Albrow Africa, and Maen Abdul Halim the Middle East. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE: Carlson Wagonlit Travel.
January 30, 2009... Nick Cocking has joined Carlson Wagonlit Travel as UK director of programme management. He takes up the role in April, and replaces Paul Boyle who becomes general manager Hong Kong. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE: Constance.
January 30, 2009... Gert Puchtler has been appointed as general manager at the Constance Belle Mare Plage in Mauritius. He replaces Christophe Plantier who moves to Constance Le Prince Maurice. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE: Raffles Hotels & Resorts.
January 30, 2009... Raffles Hotels & Resorts has brought in Alex Kassatly as general manager of the hotel chain's two properties in Cambodia. He has 30 years' experience in the industry. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

MY LIFE IN TRAVEL: Linda Read.(Interview)
January 30, 2009... Linda Read, from Baldwins Travel, looks back at fam trips and embarrassing moments during 40 years in travel Do you remember the first booking you made? Just - it was 40 years ago! It was a two-week Clarkson package tour for two adults...

Why the trade should be able to avoid `Travel Armageddon'.(Column)
January 23, 2009... Someone described the current climate to me this week as "Travel Armageddon". Pretty scary stuff. He mentioned two well-known companies that are apparently dangerously close to collapse and also told me he is advising anyone who will...