Travel Weekly (UK) articles from January 2007

Travel Weekly (UK) archives from January 2007

New website predicts agents' next moves.
January 5, 2007... Kuoni has introduced new features on its website to make it easier and quicker for agents to book dynamically package holidays online.Following a 60% increase in revenue from agents booking online, Kuoni has introduced predictive drop-down...

News.
January 5, 2007... LATE NEWSImagine that...Liverpool John Lennon Airport began charging passengers ?2 to pass through security on January 1. EasyJet called on people not to pay, arguing it is already charged for security. New Year honoursIndustry leaders havebeen...

News.
January 5, 2007... The world according to Charmaine Morgan, 23, Antigua carnival queen 2006How many holidays do you take a year?Three or four. Do you book your holiday online or with a travel agent?I tend to ring up the airlines and book my tickets over the...

Don't miss the boat.
January 5, 2007... When Christopher Columbus first took sight of Antigua, he thought it looked as pure as a virgin and turned to his homeland of Spain to name the island. He chose the name Antigua after the church of Santa Maria de la Antigua in Seville. Five...

The start of something big.
January 5, 2007... The new year brings some pressing challenges for the travel industry. Selling holidays while selling the green message is possibly the most crucial. Most immediate is the selling of holidays as now is the peak selling period for travel...

OF THEBESTVALENTINEHOTELS.
January 5, 2007... Valentine's is a time of treats, grand gestures and indulgence, but booking the wrong hotel can spell disaster for any relationship. A touch of luxury is an essential ingredient for the perfect romantic break and small details can make a big...

Gearing up for the globes.
January 5, 2007... The judges line up to assess the entries for the 2007 innovation category. From left, are Martin Couzins, Travel Weekly Michael East, Eastland Management Group David Brown, Accenture Luke Jackson, Accenture Dermot Blastland, First Choice David...

All downhill at half term.
January 5, 2007... Parents booking holidays outside term time have long complained they're getting ripped off by operators. So when will the situation improve? Linsey McNeill finds out Half-term holidays spell rich pickings for travel agents as high demand leads...

News.
January 5, 2007... class struggleThe industry appears to have extracted one possible concession from the Treasury, which has promised to review the APD rate on premium economy bookings.A source close to the talks revealed: "The Treasury is aware that APD...

Who will pick up the bill for unpaid tax?
January 5, 2007... Passengers who have already booked with some scheduled airlines should expect to be invoiced for unpaid APD, with the British Air Transport Association putting the industry's retrospective tax bill at ?100 million.Monarch Scheduled and EasyJet...

First Choice goes green.
January 5, 2007... First Choice will go ahead with a carbon offsetting scheme despite the tax rise on flights but will not match customers' payments until the end of the year. The company plans to add ?1 per adult and 50p per child to bookings unless customers...

Trade in APD challenge talks.
January 5, 2007... Ian Taylorian.taylor@rbi.co.ukMajor tour operators are considering a legal challenge to the Government over the doubling of Air Passenger Duty from February 1 with a decision expected next week following discussions with lawyers. Federation of...

Complete trade focus.
January 5, 2007... Complete Cruise Solution has underlined its commitmentto working with agents byannouncing its biggest-ever trade giveaway and a firstexpansion of its sales team.Recruitment is under way for six roles created by the marketing arm of P&O...

News.
January 5, 2007... Luck-y break for Hellyers staffAn agency in Gosport that closed when Fareham coach operator Hellyers went out of business in November has re-opened after rival coach company Lucketts Travel stepped in. As well as honouring Hellyers' bookings,...

News.
January 5, 2007... Two of the UK cruise industry's big guns are battling it out during the January-to-March sales period with multi-million pound TV advertising campaigns that are expected to boost the entire sector.Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has produced a new...

It's PureGenie-us.
January 5, 2007... Travel recruitment firm Gail Kenny Executive Search has claimed to be the first company in the industry to launch a dedicated web-based division for online professionals.PureGenie, launched with website puregenie.com in December, will recruit...

News.
January 5, 2007... MyTravel eyes cruise returnMyTravel has signalled its intention to re-enter the cruise market as an operator. Managing director UK John Bloodworth said with demand out-stripping supply in the ship-building market, the operator would be forced...

Rothwell rules out bid for First Choice.
January 5, 2007... Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.ukTHOMSON boss Peter Rothwell has ruled out his company's involvement in consolidation of the big four as rumours hot up of a summer deal between Thomas Cook and First Choice.Speculation First Choice's...

Thomas CookThomson Going PlacesTravelcare.
January 5, 2007... I entered the agency and was greeted by a consultant. I explained I would like to stay in a country house hotel such as Chewton Glen in Hampshire. She said she didn't even know where Hampshire was, but very quickly found out by looking at a...

News.
January 5, 2007... Travel heads for the hard cellAnyone who thinks the seismic shifts rattling the travel industry amount to 'The Big One' is in for a shock. Yes, we're all reeling from the impact of the Internet. We're disconcerted by the disappearance of...

News.
January 5, 2007... In 2004, the Chancellor asked Lord Leitch to find ways of strengthening the country's skill base. On December 5 2006 he published his findings, and broadly speaking it is good news for employers. Some of the evidence on which he is basing his...

News.
January 5, 2007... Madrid bomb 'no threat to tourists' The Spanish Tourist Office has played down the impact of Saturday's bombing of Madrid Airport's car park, which injured at 26 people and left two feared dead.The car bomb ripped through the airport's new...

All change for Marco Polo Hotels.
January 5, 2007... Marco Polo Hotels is refurbishing three of its city properties.The Prince hotel, the Marco Polo Hong Kong hotel and the Marco Polo Gateway, all on Kowloon Island, will all get flat screen TVs and new bathrooms in the revamp, which will be...

Oasis breathes new life into Hong Kong.
January 5, 2007... Hong Kong Tourist Board and Oasis Hong Kong Airlines plan to host a fam trip a month following their first successful jointly hosted educational with 25 agents in December. Following the launch of the low fare airline at the end of October,...

Harvey World staff share theirtravelling tales to boost sales.
January 5, 2007... Harvey World Travel will launch a database of staff holiday experiences in the UK early this year.Part of its 'We know, we care' campaign, it is hoped the database will be used to help staff sell destinations they have not been to.HWT head of...

Trade will feature in expansion plans.
January 5, 2007... Oasis Hong Kong Airlines has pledged to work with as many agents as possible as it expands.Head of international distribution Lesley Hagan said the airline has been running at 80% capacity on its Hong Kong-Gatwick route following its October...

Bath had 'personal touch'.
January 5, 2007... The late Peter Bath has been remembered for the personal touch he gave to the travelindustry.Bath, who took over Bath Travel after World War Two from his father and whoreceived an MBE for services to the industry in 2005, died just before...

Industry must fight together.
January 5, 2007... Members of the Travel Trust Association are being urged to lobby their MPs to fight off a green industry tax.Director Todd Carpenter claimed it's "inevitable" the travel sector will be hit with a green tax on top of the doubling of Air...

Better stick to your day jobs.
January 5, 2007... The travel industry once again put on an X-Factor show to remember at the 2006 Alternative Travel Awards... or perhaps one they'd rather we all forgot.The judges - Roger Allard, Hugh Morgan and Jonathan Hitchens - watched Eric Campus, Neil...

Winning loser of 2006.
January 5, 2007... There's nothing like taking the mickey out of yourself to get a few laughs.And, as if he hasn't been through enough in the last six months following the collapse of his company Tapestry - recently resurrected under the ownership of Travelzest -...

Enjoy your trip, Trev?
January 5, 2007... Did he fall or was he pushed?You might well be asking that very question after seeing our very own Trevor Harding tripping down the steps of the stage at the 2006 Alternative Travel Awards.After picking up an award that would make most of us...

Be a stay-at-home boss.
January 5, 2007... what are the opportunities in homeworking in 2007?Adam Brace, account manager, reservations and retail division, New Frontiers"More and more candidates have been contacting us regarding homeworking roles as they look to move away from the high...

20ways to sell that loving feeling.
January 5, 2007... 1. Be preparedStart your Valentine campaign now. Cosmos Tourama senior short-haul product manager Ian Hailes said: "Use Valentine's Day as a hook to sell late winter deals."2. Make a dateE-mail your database with Valentine offers.3. Think of...

Predictions for 2007.
January 5, 2007... Mark Tanzer Chief executive, ABTA"The travel industry faces a number of issues next year including increases to Air Passenger Duty and carbon offsetting, amending the package holiday directive and the regulation of travel insurance sales.We are...

'We won't follow Thomson's lead'.
January 5, 2007... Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.ukThomas Cook, First Choice and Airtours have so far refused to follow Thomson's lead and ditch fuel supplements to make pricing more transparent.Thomson is the first major UK travel company to scrap fuel...

so, which way do you turn?
January 5, 2007... The industry goes into the new year hoping Department of Trade and Industry guidance on what sort of sales require ATOL cover will clear up the current confusion. Draft DTI guidance is expected this month, but it may not satisfy the needs of...

Government vows to expand airports.
January 5, 2007... The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to expand UK airports despite claiming it doubled air passenger duty to try to limit rising demand.Ministers plan a public consultation next year on a third runway at Heathrow, which would increase...

We all need to act, fast.
January 5, 2007... I am the first to admit that I am only a recent convert to the need to tackle climate change. I was inspired after meeting the former US vice-president Al Gore, who convinced me I could play a part in persuading others that it was time for...

News.
January 5, 2007... revisions to proposed schemeThe proposed emissions trading scheme has been modified significantly from earlier plans. ? The EC has partially retreated from a plan to include all flights into and out of the EU. Washington threatened legal action...

Plan 'will penalise short-haul carriers'.
January 5, 2007... Leading tour operators joined scheduled short-haul carriers in criticising the restriction of the emissions scheme to flights within the EU.One source said: "We are happy with the scheme, but not with the intra-Europe limit. It's the easier...

Airlines to join EU carbon emissions trading scheme.
January 5, 2007... Ian TaylorAirlines will join a European Union scheme to cut carbon dioxide emissions by trading pollution allowances with other industries from 2011.The move, announced just before Christmas, is likely to add between ?1.30 and ?6.40 to a...

'TV is way to make you a star'.
January 5, 2007... First Choice's decision not to run television adverts over the peak booking period has been questioned by Hoseasons chief executive Richard Carrick.The operator is the only member of the big four not to do any post-Christmas advertising after...

News.
January 5, 2007... Post-Christmas Internet holiday sales have taken off while sales on the high street remained sluggish.Online retailers say they have seen significant year-on-year sales rises with Thomson leading the way, reporting a 30% increase on 2005/06...

News.
January 5, 2007... > For next week's question go to: www.travelweekly.co.uk TRAVEL WEEKLY'S ONLINE POLLDo you think January's price war will result in some of the lowest prices on the high street to date?36%Yes NoProbably42%22%

Job losses 'to come naturally'.
January 5, 2007... Thomson's high-street agents will not face redundancy despite the company's decision to axe 2,600 jobs in the UK.Days before Christmas German parent company TUI AG announced 3,600 jobs would go, with the UK bearing the brunt of cuts. However,...

News.
January 5, 2007... our TOp five web storiesMost-read stories on www.travelweekly.co.uk over Christmas:1. Thomas Cook launches new-look TV campaign2. Fears dynamic packaging sales to suffer in 20073. First Choice buys LateRooms4. Thomson scraps fuel supplements...

Agents fear Travel 2/4 'favouritism'.
January 5, 2007... Edward Robertsoned.robertson@rbi.co.ukLong-haul operator Travel 2/4's acquisition by Harvey World Travel owner S8 is threatening to cool relations with some agency partners. The deal, announced before Christmas after months of speculation,...

Short-break boom is sign of the times.
January 5, 2007... A squeeze on the amount of leisure time people have has led to a boom in the short-break sector and a downturn in the amount of days spent on holiday.The short-break package market is estimated to account for more than one million trips a year...

News.
January 5, 2007... confusion rises with pricesBrochured package holiday prices are expected to rise by 3% for summer 2007, thanks to there-introduction of extras such as airport transfers.Neilsen has estimated air-inclusive package prices will be an average of...

Cruising the way to a brighter new year.
January 5, 2007... Sales of overseas package holidays slumped to an all-time low in 2006 - but savvy agents are making the most of changing comsumer trends.According to the annual UK Travel Industry Report -obtained exclusively by Travel Weekly - the rising...

News.
January 5, 2007... Customer care fails to halt direct growthCustomers are continuing to switch away from the high street to book holidays through other distribution channels, despite an improvement in customer service.A MORI poll of 700 people revealed 71% of...

'Lack of expertise' threatens success of online agencies.
January 5, 2007... Online travel agencies may be the major losers of 2007 as an industry-wide price war leaves consumers placing greater value on the expertise of traditional agents and operators.Bournemouth University professor Allan Beaver predicted...

Price war looms as overcapacity bites.
January 5, 2007... Paul Nelsonpaul.nelson@rbi.co.ukSevere overcapacity will lead to an aggressive price war for summer 2007, according to an annual travel survey.Professor Allan Beaver's 2007 travel industry report claims tour operators have raised capacity by 2%...

News.
January 5, 2007... About the authorProfessor Allan Beaver lectures at Bournemouth University and Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College. He is also a director of Worldchoice member Beaver Travel, which is based in Radlett, Hertfordshire.The Beaver Report...

higher societies.
January 5, 2007... The proposed merger of the two largest Co-operative societies - United Co-op and Travelcare parent the Co-operative Group - is set to create a retail powerhouse to rival the big four.With the two likely to join forces early this year, a single...

Bigger definitely better.
January 5, 2007... Kelly RansonKeith Prowse Attraction Tickets has added 10 countries and 100 products in its biggest brochure to date.The 2007 brochure, Make the Most of Your Holiday, currently being sent out to agents, combines shows, theme parks, tours,...

Thomas Cook is in the zone.
January 5, 2007... Thomas Cook has launched a programme of properties targeted at different markets.The Thomas Cook Holiday Resorts 2007 programme splits properties into three divisions: SunZone, ActiveZone and SuperZone. An expansion of the programme is already...

News.
January 5, 2007... TTA members get personal websitesThe Travel Trust Association is offering members personally designed consumer-facing websites. The consortium has extended its dynamic packaging technology, Dynamic SmartStart, to offer members the opportunity...

'It's a matter of principals'.
January 5, 2007... Paul NelsonThe rush of accommodation-only firms adopting principal status fails to protect travel agents against consumer claims, according to Travel Trust Association director Todd Carpenter.Youtravel.com and Hotels4U.com led the move for...

lobbying,.
January 5, 2007... What did you do before you worked for ABTA?I was the director of public affairs for the Institute of Directors, where I was responsible for its public image both in the media and the Government. Before that I worked in government relations for...

News.
January 5, 2007... How did I get here?Debbie Goffin, head of sales and marketing, Premier HolidaysWhat was your first job?A Saturday girl in Currys Electrical, I caught the sales buzz and still refer back to that customer facing experience. I also over came any...

Consumers will find answer with search websites.
January 5, 2007... Let's face it, 2006 was not the best year for the travel industry. 'Challenging' was the most commonly used - and PR friendly - term to describe how basically things started off rather badly and just got worse as the year went on.But while it...

Campaign set to double visitors.
January 5, 2007... Travelsupermarket has increased its 2007 marketing budget to ?11 million, including an ?8 million TV advertising campaign.The price comparison site has more than trebled last year's ?3.5 million budget for 2007. Travelsupermarket is currently...

Visit the resort before you get there.
January 5, 2007... Thomas Cook has loaded the programmes from its in-house TV channel on to a new website - Thomascookinspires.com - to allow customers to review a hotel and destination before booking.The company claims to be the first in the industry to offer...

The only way is up for Vertical Group.
January 5, 2007... Technology provider Vertical Group will promote its accommodation-only products next year in a bid to raise its profile as a virtual tour operator.Sales director Russell Parr admitted the company, which has been established for more than 20...

'Crucial' month ahead for trade.
January 5, 2007... Paul Nelsonpaul.nelson@rbi.co.ukOperators have been warned not to slash prices in what is predicted to be a "cut-throat" month for the trade.Thomson managing director Peter Rothwell said it was vital operators do well this month. "You don't get...

News.
January 5, 2007... suits you, crewEasyJet crew have chosen a uniform after battling it out a new design. The 'Formal and Fabulous' design by crew Anne Marie Cuffe, of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and Joanne Todd and Kurt Wilson of Gatwick has been voted the...

It's time for carnival.(Departures)
January 12, 2007... If your clients fancy a spot of pot smashing in Corfu or flying out for a fishy festival in Lesbos, why not make Greece the catch of the day? Tracey Gregory reports A guide to Greek festivals Easter Pot Smashing is said to...

Departures.
January 12, 2007... History, holistic health spas and hip celebrities are two a penny in this emerging hotspot on Thailand's Gulf Coast, just a three-hour drive from Bangkok. Teresa Machan discovers When my guide told me over a bowl of spicy king prawns that...

TW sails ahead with Cruise Club launch.(News)
January 12, 2007... Progress of five selected travel agencies will be tracked throughout 2007 Lee Hayhurstlee.hayhurst@rbi.co.uk With 2007 being billed as another big year for cruise Travel Weekly has created its own Cruise Club. Travel Weekly has...

taking sales right on board.(News)
January 12, 2007... These five agencies are all hoping to grab a bigger slice of the lucrative cruise market in 2007 and as members of the new Travel Weekly Cruise Club we will be following their efforts closely. Lee Hayhurst reports. thomas cook Future...

DECKTALK.(News)
January 12, 2007... Norwegian Cruise Line head of salesNick Wilkinson With the inauguration of Norwegian Pearl on December 1, the cruise industry saw the introduction of the world's first bowling alley at sea. Here are my top tips on how agents can use...

Expedition brand opens up new ports.(News)
January 12, 2007... Celebrity Cruises has announced 40 inaugural ports of call following the introduction of its Expedition brand. The cruiseline is also considering producing a dedicated brochure for the brand for the 2008/09 season. Expedition was formed...

It's time for carnival.(Departures)
January 12, 2007... If your clients fancy a spot of pot smashing in Corfu or flying out for a fishy festival in Lesbos, why not make Greece the catch of the day? Tracey Gregory reports A guide to Greek festivals facts There is a huge array of...

Crete builds year-round possibilities.(Departures)
January 12, 2007... Development of five luxury resorts will add 7,000 beds. Anna Winston reports Tourism in Crete is set to benefit from a [euro]1.2 billion investment in five luxury resorts. Leisure resort developer the Minoan Group received the green...

Learn more and you'll earn more.(Departures)
January 12, 2007... Gen up on the Asia Pacific region with Travel Weekly's new academy. Dinah Hatch reports Once upon a time, Asia was a far-flung continent agents knew little about. Today, it's a region you can't afford to ignore. The Asia Pacific countries...

The rise and rise of Croatia.(Departures)
January 12, 2007... A count's residence and six UNESCO-listed sites... Emily Ashwell discovers what else this coastal country has to offer Operators are predicting increased sales for Croatia this summer thanks to new weekend charter flights from regional...

Serenity in Slovenia.(News)
January 12, 2007... Beautiful Lake Bled is one of the Balkan region's best kept secrets, as Brian Richards reports "Climb up to the medieval castle, hike around the lake or just chill out in one of the lakeside gardens" The iconic image is known the world...

News.
January 12, 2007... the best nationality for a holiday romance 1 Spanish 2 American 3 Italian 4 Scandavian 5 Frenche_SFlb6 German 7 Brazilian 8 Thai 9 Russian 10 African

News.
January 12, 2007... the things we leave in hotelrooms... A spy's dossier A pet dog Keys to a Porsche and Aston Martin A hollowed-out Bible containing [pounds sterling]250 cash A six-foot length of snake skin False teeth Diamond ring...

Full power ahead.(News)
January 12, 2007... Royal Caribbean International eyes number one spot and aims for 15% market share Lee Hayhurst Royal Caribbean International is considering bringing more capacity to Europe in 2008/09 as it makes ground on UK cruise market leader P&O...

holidaymaker.(Departures)
January 12, 2007... Julie Isherwood and partner Neil Killingback took twins Robert and Jack, aged eight, to the Aldemar Olympian Village in the Peloponnese last July. They booked their two-week Olympic Holidays package through Travelwise in Muswell Hill, London....

Reborn agency finds high-street success.(News)
January 12, 2007... Exclusive 2bookaholiday.com announces expansion plans Kelly Ransonkelly.ranson@rbi.co.uk A travel company set up by managers of a collapsed agency has unveiled plans to double its staff numbers and expand its premises - just a year...

Top seller shows his spirit.(News)
January 12, 2007... A young travel agent with a 'zest for life' is making a remarkable recovery after suffering a stroke on Christmas Eve. David Morris, assistant manager at First Choice franchise branch in Wrexham, lost his speech and movement on his right...