Travel Weekly (UK) articles from April 2008

Travel Weekly (UK) archives from April 2008

Comment.
April 4, 2008... A4-Editor's comment SL Travel Weekly 'A national embarrassment'. 'Fiasco'. 'Never flying British Airways again.' These are just some of the comments that have been bandied about this week, following the shambolic launch of Heathrow...

Columnists.
April 4, 2008... Holding on takes it toll Easter has been and gone but I'm still eating the chocolate eggs. I'm putting it down to the stress of working as an agent, and, in particular, to the bleak experience of being put on hold. I'm sure that...

Skillzone.
April 4, 2008... News from the Passenger Shipping Association that the UK cruise market expanded 11% in 2007 is proof that the sector is offering unprecedented opportunities - for existing agents to boost sales, and for new entrants to gain a foothold. The...

News.
April 4, 2008... P24-25 with cruise logo and ship pics (do you have all these?) With so many cruise ship launches this year, you would be forgiven for getting slightly confused as to who is doing what and when. As part of Travel Weekly's Cruise Month...

News.
April 4, 2008... MSC Cruises started cruising from the UK last year. How is it selling? Last year we operated MSC Rhapsody on just five sailings from Dover. The ship holds 812 passengers and we were selling it in the UK and Holland so we carried very small...

News.
April 4, 2008... 11am-6pm Escorted ship tours from deck 5 reception. 1pm-1.45pm: Open forum for UK travel trade, including presentation of MSC Cruises 2009 brochure. 5pm-6pm: Cocktails served in all ship lounges. 6.15pm-8.15pm: Gala dinner in Le...

News.
April 4, 2008... Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a preview 2009/10 brochure with early-booking savings of [pounds sterling]100 per cabin. Discounts are on offer for cruises of seven nights or more made by April 30. Itineraries featured include...

News.
April 4, 2008... Juliet Dennis MSC Cruises has launched mini brochures for the first time, which introduce South Africa itineraries. The programmes are in addition to MSC's main 2009 brochure, which will be launched this weekend at the christening of...

News.
April 4, 2008... p18/19 nibs for cruise spread SeaFrance's third new-generation ferry will be called SeaFrance Moliere (accent on first e), completing its fleet revamp. Bought from SNCM and formerly known as Jean Nicoli, the ferry replaces SeaFrance...

News.
April 4, 2008... pic cap pic emailed to Flo P&O Ventura has set sail for homeport Southampton after an official handover ceremony from the Fincantieri shipyard in Montalcone, Italy. Ventura arrives in Southampton on Sunday April 6 in the Mayflower...

News.
April 4, 2008... Travel Weekly has teamed up with Royal Caribbean International to give away 10 staterooms on board the world's largest cruise ship Independence of the Seas. You can win the chance to be one of the first people to set foot on the ship in...

News.
April 4, 2008... Advantage commercial director Julia Lo Bue-Said has started a Travel Weekly column. Lo Bue-Said, who has been at Advantage for 13 years, said she was excited about the prospect of providing a monthly column. "I will enjoy giving my views on...

News.
April 4, 2008... Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk The Libra Holidays Group has changed its name to the Allbury Travel Group and introduced a new management team. The holding company owns the Libra Holidays, Enable Holidays, Sky Holidays, PriceRight...

News.
April 4, 2008... Carnival UK chief commercial officer Peter Shanks has urged agents to commit to selling cruise long term with passenger numbers set to increase this year. Steady growth of 8% is predicted next year, 13% in 2010, 8% in 2011 and 7% in 2012,...

News.
April 4, 2008... p10 box if want it Peter Shanks joined Cunard in 2002. He spent two years as senior vice president of Europe for Cunard, launching the Queen Mary and helping with the amalgamation of Cunard and P&O Cruises into the new Carnival UK...

News.
April 4, 2008... What DO agents enjoy about The cruise sector? "I love cruise ships. I think they are out of this world. I get a buzz out of selling a cruise. It's great talking to customers about them and seeing the look of amazement on their faces." ...

News.
April 4, 2008... Make a good call by selling add-ons Our industry is waiting to see the impact of recent economic events. If you've already noticed bookings are slowing, you will be thinking of alternative ways of keeping revenue up and making every...

News.
April 4, 2008... Make a good call by slling add-ons My partner and I volunteered to be guinea pigs and were invited to test out T5 in the second half of January. It was a complete disaster - absolutely nothing went right. We took the trouble to...

News.
April 4, 2008... Letter for A4 The prospects for inbound tourism to Britain remain dire under this current Government. It is fine for VisitBritain chairman Christopher Rodrigues, as chairman of the British Tourism Framework Review, to brag he will...

News.
April 4, 2008... Dot2Dot letter for Travel Weekly lead letter The scenes at the Terminal 5 opening make for unhappy viewing. You have to feel considerable sympathy for BAA - after more than six months of exhaustive testing, the teething problems...

News.
April 4, 2008... I read with some amusement the Whoni adverts placed by Virgin in last week's trade press. We are a Kuoni specalist agent and we always find them helpful, informative and competitively priced. The tour operator has an involved training...

News.
April 4, 2008... We all do it occasionally - get on the train and realise a little while later that it is heading in completely the wrong director. Instead of Brighton, you are on your way to Bognor Regis. Or should I say Salisbury, instead of Southampton?...

Skillzone.
April 4, 2008... A4-skills-demand for In-house Search Roles By Jackie David Standfirst: Whether it's used for online booking or purely as a shop window to an agent's travel offering, there's one thing a website needs - someone to help drive traffic to...

Skillzone.
April 4, 2008... IT systems support analyst Salary: [pounds sterling]28,000 Location: London What the ad says: A travel management company based in Central London is looking for an IT systems support analyst. The day to day: Maintain adequate...

News.
April 4, 2008... Make a good call by selling add-ons I'm in full agreement with Andrew Rowdon (Letters, Travel Weekly, March 21) on the value of specialist agencies to serve the needs of the more sophisticated travelling public. If only it were easy to...

News.
April 4, 2008... Monarch Airlines managing director Tim Jeans said he does not expect the airline to receive its first 787 Dreamliner until 2011 at the earliest. The airline had originally expected the first of six of the aircraft to be delivered by...

News.
April 4, 2008... Edward Robertson Airports should take a leaf out of Eurostar's book if they want to improve security checks, according to Monarch Airlines managing director Tim Jean. Speaking at last week's Spanish Tourism Exchange for Professionals...

News.
April 4, 2008... An Egyptian hotel and cruise group has undergone a health and safety improvement programme after it was found to have "potentially damaging" levels of food-related illnesses. Sunrise Resorts and Nile Cruises, which has six resorts in...

News.
April 4, 2008... by Edward Robertson The Cook Islands is hoping for a tourism boost thanks to the return of TV programme Shipwrecked to Channel 4. The new series, Shipwrecked 2008: Battle of the Islands, starts on April 13 and will initially see 12...

News.
April 4, 2008... Chloe Berman chloe.berman@rbi.co.uk Thomas Cook has admitted it is disappointed by Ofcom's decision to reject its complaint about a BBC Panorama programme investigating the deaths of two children on holiday in Corfu in 2006. The tour...

News.
April 4, 2008... p12-13 downpage - if you want to cut take the quote by Edward Robertson Cox and Kings is launching its first ever short breaks programme in Antalya thanks to the opening of a new British Airways route. Product manager for Europe...

News.
April 4, 2008... TIPTO expansion Resorthoppa.com is the latest company to join The Truly Independent Professional Travel Organisation. The marketing consortium has 18 members. Win a Serenity break Agents have until the end of the month to win a...

News.
April 4, 2008... Edward Robertson Pontin's holiday villages are to get a facelift following the [pounds sterling]46 million acquisition by new investment and management firm Ocean Parcs. Ocean Parcs executive chairman Graham Parr said the rebuilding...

News.
April 4, 2008... Edward Robertson Ski operators are extending their European winter dates this year following good snowfall. Inghams head of marketing Michelle Laverick said the operator is featuring an additional week departing April 12, in its...

News.
April 4, 2008... To kick off its 25th birthday celebrations, Superbreak is launching an exclusive competition with Travel Weekly. One travel agent will win two tickets to the gala opening night of the West End musical Never Forget, based on the songs of...

Comment.
April 11, 2008... It can't be easy to launch a cruise ship. The logistics of getting everyone on board, ensuring ship tours and preparing cabins, food, drink, non-stop entertainment and the christening itself would be a challenge for anyone. That's why last...

News.
April 11, 2008... A future flotation of Stella Travel Services has "not been ruled out", according to its UK managing director Andrew Laurie. Stella Travel Services owns the brands Harvey World Travel, Travel 2/4 and Travelbag in the UK. Private equity...

News.
April 11, 2008... Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk Stella Travel Services needs to be more "upfront and open" to improve awareness of its UK brands, according to UK managing director Andrew Laurie. Speaking at an Institute of Travel and Tourism...

News.
April 11, 2008... Agents who know their Princess from their P&O, and their Carnival from their Cunard will be the winners as the cruise ship building frenzy of the past couple of years steps up a gear over the next four years. More than 32 new cruise ships...

News.
April 11, 2008... What type of cruiseline is Hurtigruten and what kind of customers does it attract? When people think about a cruise it's all about the cruiseline, whereas our ships are more about the experience. They are working vessels that deliver mail...

News.
April 11, 2008... The biggest surprise on my skiing trip was the (presumably Scottish) man who, at 4.30pm last Saturday, skied through the village of Katschberg in Austria wearing a kilt. Every aspect of skiing, from travelling on drag lifts to hurtling down a...

News.
April 11, 2008... Hurtigruten has created two new sales roles to help increase trade sales over the next few years. Simon McDermott, formerly national sales manager for flight reservation website Faremine, will take up the post of regional sales manager for...

News.
April 11, 2008... Juliet Dennis P&O Cruises' 2009 preview brochure has increased capacity for next year by 30% with the inclusion of new cruise ship Ventura. It is the first brochure from the Complete Cruise Solution stable affected by the recent 1%...

News.
April 11, 2008... Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk MSC Cruises has stressed its commitment to the UK trade at the launch of MSC Poesia and vowed not to copy other cruiselines' commission-cutting tactics. Chief executive Pierfrancesco Vago said the...

News.
April 11, 2008... "The ship has a young, vibrant feel. There is fantastic use of colour and a real European flavour. It would appeal to first-time cruisers and families." Steve Philippou, managing director, Gills Cruise Centre, Cardiff "Despite the bars...

News.
April 11, 2008... Five industry greats are to be honoured at the 14th British Travel Industry Hall of Fame, including a posthumous award to Mr Thomas Cook. Judges have chosen TUI AG executive board chairman Michael Frenzel, Air Miles founder Sir Keith Mills,...

News.
April 11, 2008... With the number of British cruise passengers set to hit 1.5 million in 2008, and a flurry of ship launches afoot, there is much talk about getting the next generation of cruisers to make that first booking. The Passenger Shipping...

News.
April 11, 2008... Midlands agents still have time to enter this year's Travel Weekly Agent Excellence Awards and buy tickets for the ball. The glittering awards ceremony is being held at the Hilton Metropole at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre on May...

News.
April 11, 2008... p5 - to use across bottom half of page by Jules cruise logo Cruiselines this week began launching programmes for 2009. Preview details for Norwegian Cruise Line, Ocean Village, and Cunard are featured here, while P&O Cruises is...

News.
April 11, 2008... Cunard Agents are being advised to book early for 2009 as Cunard's fleet is reduced from three to two following the QE2's departure this year and before Queen Elizabeth's arrival in 2010. President and managing director Carol Marlow...

News.
April 11, 2008... Michelle Perrettmichelle.perrett@rbi.co.uk Travel agents and tour operators are "absolutely critical" in selling Disneyland Resort Paris, senior vice-president sales and distribution Norbert Stiekema has said. Speaking during a mega...

News.
April 11, 2008... Four finalists in the search to find a godmother for Royal Caribbean International's new ship Independence of the Seas are due to be revealed today. More than 1,700 nominations have been received from women keen to take on the role...

News.
April 11, 2008... WTM to issue invites World Travel Market has made the first day of its show an invitation-only event for exhibitors, guests of exhibitors, ministers and press. The opening day is on November 10. The new policy will allow exhibitors control...

News.
April 11, 2008... Juliet Dennis juliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk Beleaguered cruise operator Van Gogh Cruise Lines has called on the trade for support as it vows to "start afresh" following a series of setbacks since its launch. General manager Emma Ward...

News.
April 11, 2008... More than 1,200 Thomas Cook agents sampled P&O's Ventura on Wednesday. After a tour, agents had cocktails with celebrity chef Marco Pierre White and a gala dinner. On Thursday, more than 1,000 The Co-operative Travel and TUI agents joined the...

News.
April 11, 2008... How can cruiselines make life easier for agents to book a cruise? "The cruiselines are generally incredibly supportive of the trade but there is always room for improvement. The area they could improve in most is technology and providing...

News.
April 11, 2008... Edward Robertson Superbreak Mini-Holidays has launched its second-edition 2008/09 Mini Cruise Breaks brochure with additional properties and attractions. Sales office manager Chris Cundall said nine new properties and add-ons,...

News.
April 11, 2008... p88 If the press conference on board MSC Cruises' new ship MSC Poesia is anything to go by, it's wonder Italian hacks ever meet deadlines. British journalists at the christening could hardly believe their ears when told the official...

News.
April 11, 2008... p88 rear view Everyone has to start somewhere. But an entire room of surprised faces greeted Stella Travel Services UK boss Andrew Laurie at the House of Commons last week when he told them he began life in the UK, after arriving from...

Skillzone.
April 11, 2008... The travel industry has a diverse workforce, often spread throughout the world, so how do employers ensure they are meeting their obligations with regard to discrimination in the workplace? Have an equal opportunities policy. While not...

Skillzone.
April 11, 2008... Are you proud of yourself, your boss or your team? Are you a supplier who knows an agent that deserves recognition? Or perhaps your agency has implemented a really original idea? If so, then take a few moments out of your busy day to enter...

Skillzone.
April 11, 2008... When Delmar Worldchoice business manager Lynne Swinerton decided to sign up to an annual advertising campaign with her local radio station, she had no idea how successful it was going to be. Lynne, whose branch is based in the village of...

News.
April 11, 2008... Travel agents have called MSC Cruises a "missed gem" in the trade after the star-studded launch of MSC Poesia. Agents told Travel Weekly the ship had surpassed their expectations, with some admitting their perceptions of the cruiseline had...

News.
April 11, 2008... P24-25 one quote is coming for this on friday with cruise logo and ship pics (do you have all these?) With so many cruise ship launches this year, you would be forgiven for getting slightly confused as to who is doing what and...

Skillzone.
April 11, 2008... A18-skills-job of the Week SUBS: Please use both R&M and CIT logos Senior BT Consultants Salary: Negotiable base + bonus +bBenefits designed to reward the best Location: London (City), relief team (City) or home working...

Skillzone.
April 11, 2008... M18-skills-movers PICS in hi-res Travel insurance company Preferential has announced two appointments. Wendy Williams, who joins from The Co-Operative Travel Group, has been named commercial manager and Louise Lockwood has been...

Skillzone.
April 11, 2008... M28-skills-greenIT Ross Bentley Subs: HEAD AND SHOULDER OF EMMA FRYER IN HI RES According to The Carbon Trust, a government-funded independent company set up to help businesses cut carbon emissions, office equipment accounts for...

News.
April 11, 2008... Edward Robertsoned.robertson@rbi.co.uk ABTA and the Federation of Tour Operators claim their merger will make the organisation stronger in its dealings with Government. The merger, announced last week, will see the FTO keep its brand...

News.
April 11, 2008... A group of five Midcounties Co-operative managers raised [pounds sterling]800 for charity when they brushed up their sales training and went back to the floor. The senior staff quit the head office in Walsall and returned to their agency...

News.
April 11, 2008... by Edward Robertson Universal Studios is claiming it will have the most technologically advanced roller coaster in the world when a new ride opens in 2009. The Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit will guarantee thrills and spills for customers...

News.
April 11, 2008... Edward Robertson A research firm is urging tour operators to adopt a more constructive approach to the acquisitions market. In its latest survey, Plimsoll named 268 firms as ripe for acquisition in the 1,000-strong tour operators...

News.
April 11, 2008... by Edward Robertson Emirates Tours is offering savings of up to [pounds sterling]1,000 a couple on its new 11-Day Gourmet Cape Private Tour. The tour leads in at [pounds sterling]3,630 per person and includes stays in both the Winelands...

News.
April 11, 2008... Kosmar Holidays overseas wedding co-ordinator for Jodie Wheeler pours some bubbly for Helen Newton of Thomas Cook, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. Helen received [pounds sterling]100 M&S voucher for a Kosmar promotion which introduced their new...

News.
April 11, 2008... by Edward Robertson Superbreak Mini-Holidays has launched its second edition 2008/09 Mini Cruise Breaks with additional properties and attractions in a bid to grow the programme. Sales office manager Chris Cundall said nine new...

News.
April 11, 2008... p88 rear view by Edward Robertson (Should you want to use the pic cap Gold Medal Digger: Kanye West I would approve) It's always nice when celebrities think your job is glamorous enough to want to do it themselves and with this is...

News.
April 11, 2008... How many holidays do you take a year? Several short breaks. During half term I go to a European city for great museums and delicious food, and in summer I take a two-week holiday with the family in the Outer Hebrides. Do you book your...

Skillzone.
April 11, 2008... What was your first job in travel? Assistant Manager Travel consultant, Baldwins Travel, Rye, Sussex How did you climb the ladder? Through hard work, a drive to succeed in everything I do and working for people who recognised this...