Travel Weekly (UK) articles from July 2006

Travel Weekly (UK) archives from July 2006

Experience Gambia's new lodges.
July 21, 2006... THE Gambia Experience has added twice-weekly flights with Astraeus from Gatwick and a second weekly flight from Nottingham East Midlands to its 2006/07 brochure. Jungle lodges at Makasutu eco-resort and the Atlantic suites at Ngala Lodge...

Kenya not just for safaris.
July 21, 2006... The Kenya Tourist Board is running three travel agent roadshows this year as part of a drive to promote the variety of experiences available in the country. The roadshows, the first the tourist board has run since March 2005, are scheduled...

Namibia gets slice of Hollywood cool.
July 21, 2006... DIRECT flights and the birth of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's baby in May have seen UK interest in Namibia hit an all-time high. Air Namibia received 25% more calls in May and June than April, and a 15% increase in traffic to its website....

Cruise ships head towards Africa.
July 21, 2006... ORIENT Lines has introduced cruises to Africa on its flagship Marco Polo in November. The 31-night Passage Through Africa itinerary takes in Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar and South Africa and costs from ?2,929 per person. Shorter...

The simple art of persuasion.
July 21, 2006... WITHOUT fully understanding the benefits of using the services of a travel management company, it's easy to see why travellers decide to book business trips themselves to cut out the fee. According to research from the Institute of Travel...

Have you lost the plot?
July 21, 2006... In the beginning... The industry was only just recovering from new-year hangovers when Hogg Robinson announced it was to part ways with BCD Holdings, the Dutch company which owned Hogg's US partner WorldTravel BTI. BCD Holdings promptly...

The greenhouse gas giveaway.
July 21, 2006... SABRE has developed a tool that allows travel management companies to produce greenhouse emission reports for their clients. The summaries show clients the environmental impact of the flights they are booking and are designed to encourage...

How to put your best pitch forward.
July 21, 2006... PITCHING for new business can be a long, arduous and sometimes frustrating process, but it is vital to the success of a travel management company. It is no surprise then that some of the larger TMCs have entire departments devoted to it and...

Freebies from Radisson.
July 21, 2006... RADISSON SAS Hotels and Resorts has relaunched its Business Class and Royal Club room concept at more than 180 hotels and resorts. Rooms will have new Nespresso Coffee machines with a selection of Grand Cru coffees, while free broadband...

Taking care of business.
July 21, 2006... NO two business travellers are alike, which makes the job of a travel management consultant both interesting and challenging. Travellers are becoming increasingly savvy when it comes to booking their flights and hotels, so it is more important...

departures.
July 21, 2006... You have to feel sorry for the Fijians. There's no denying the value that prime- time TV exposure can bring a destination, but if they thought they were going to get a decent advert out of ITV's Love Island, they must be feeling a bit...

there's no escape from the mystery shopper In association with.
July 21, 2006... Thomas cook 59 Market Street Two consultants were available and both offered to help. One of them immediately suggested a cruise, saying the cruise ships had good spas offering a wide range of treatments and well-equipped gyms. When I...

The simple art of persuasion.
July 21, 2006... news in brief success on a plate ? Educate your own consultants about the workings of the fee system, so when they encounter resistance in their day-to-day dealings with clients, they are well equipped to justify the charges and...

Three's a crowd for APT.
July 28, 2006... APT TOURING has relaunched its youth and adventure programme to offer a more consistent message under one core brand: 'Connections: Travel Experiences with a Difference'. Sales and marketing manager Janice Kurrle said the overhaul was the...

Sunspot puts Oz back on its map.
July 28, 2006... SUNSPOT Tours has reinstated its Australia programme following increased demand for holidays Down Under. The specialist operator launched its new long-haul brochure last month with properties in Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Australia - dropped...

Fly south for summer.
July 28, 2006... IT'S one of Australia's lesser-known, and more often than not, forgotten states. But a new advertising campaign, increased flight capacity and new products are encouraging visitors to go to South Australia, according to state chief executive...

Renaissance that's got the 'good city' rocking.
July 28, 2006... All eyes are on Canada's largest city as two mega museum projects prepare to make their debut. Most major cities would consider themselves lucky to get one grand project in a decade, but Toronto has two on the boil, not to mention the stunning...

Prepare for the worst.
July 28, 2006... I am by nature a very positive, and hopefully proactive, adviser to my clients. However, since I advise a varied portfolio of 150-plus travel companies I cannot help but notice that 2006 continues to bring a steady stream of very specific and...

The risky business of insurance.
July 28, 2006... AGENTS' share of the travel insurance market might have hit an all-time low but that is no excuse for retailers to give up trying to secure a sale. In a report earlier this year, research giant Mintel said agents' share of insurance policies...

Tales of the unexpected.
July 28, 2006... IT'S that moment agents dread - you've agreed a price, booked the holiday and now you need to ask your client for more money for their travel insurance. You know it makes sense. And so do they. Travelling without cover can be an expensive - and...

5of the best spa holidays.
July 28, 2006... CLIENTS booking a spa holiday could be looking for anything from a week of pampering to full-on detox or a life-changing meditation experience. So where do you start? Here are a few ideas. 1. Best for detox Where? Hotel Vitarium, Slovenia...

Get in with the glitterati.
July 28, 2006... SO you know your five-star from your three-star, but how do you get customers with cash to splash through your door? There's more to selling luxury travel than stocking upmarket brochures - you need to attract the right customers and give them...

Luxury in the wilds of Africa.
July 28, 2006... EASE of access to safaris is the reason behind surging demand for exclusive and remote properties in Kenya, according to Kuoni Africa product manager Tamara Diethelm. "Clients seeking the ultimate are looking towards the very exclusive and...

News.
July 28, 2006... THREE lucky agents have won holidays for two at the exclusive One&Only Resorts after entering a Travel Weekly competition. Cassis Travel agent Vicky Farrow won seven nights in Reethi Rah complex in the Maldives. Apsen Travel agent Liz Harrison...

A name to remember?
July 28, 2006... You've seen the posters, read the ads, and you've probably been targeted by the rather saucy viral e-mail. When P&O Ferries wanted to breathe new life into its business, it decided to call on the expertise of Designate, a young,...

Magical Morocco.
July 28, 2006... The Moroccan National Tourist Office has become the latest organisation to sign up to the Travel Weekly Academy. Users who log on to the website can learn all about this vast country, which is quickly becoming popular with tourists. Module...

News.
July 28, 2006... in brief Flybe on your own Flybe has introduced self-service check-in at Manchester Airport. Self-service kiosks print boarding passes, allowing passengers to leave luggage at designated drops. They will be extended to other Flybe bases over...

Long-haul future not just a dream.
July 28, 2006... First Choice Airways expects to take a significant lead over its rivals by being among the first carriers to operate the ground-breaking Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Boeing claims the aircraft will eliminate jet lag on long-haul flights, yet it...

Crackdown on rogue web recruiters.
July 28, 2006... CANDIDATES are being put up for jobs without their knowledge by unscrupulous recruitment companies who trawl CVs on Internet job boards and pass them on to clients, according to New Frontiers. Managing director Julia Feuell said the...

There's no place like home.
July 28, 2006... The homeworking phenomenon gathers pace with the major players stepping upping the ante in the battle to get new recruits to join their businesses. But it is not surprising more and more travel consultants are looking to go down the homeworking...

Getting the green message across.
July 28, 2006... The travel industry is set to have its own mini-version of the G8 summit toand try in September toand re-set the agenda when it comes to helping the Government and media understand what theis sector is doing to tackle environmental and...

Balmoral brings benefits.
July 28, 2006... FRED OLSEN'S new ship, the fifth in the cruiseline's fleet, will sail to the Canary Islands on its inaugural cruise in January 2008. Balmoral, currently operating for Norwegian Cruise Line as Norwegian Crown, is due in Dover on January 23...

Heading south for winter.
July 28, 2006... AN EXPANDED programme of longer cruises to exotic destinations has been included in the latest Holland America Line UK brochure. Last year's first programme to Australia and New Zealand proved more popular than expected, albeit on small...

Solstice shows class.
July 28, 2006... CELEBRITY Cruises has ordered a third ?380 million ship in its new Solstice class of vessel, the biggest ship ever built for the upmarket cruiseline. The 2,850-passenger vessel is due for delivery in June 2010. Sister ships Celebrity...

News.
July 28, 2006... in brief All change at ABTOF Sea France managing director Robin Wilkins has succeeded George Elles as chairman of the Association of British Travel Organisers to France. ABTOF recently relocated its headquarters to Keston near Bromley in Kent...

News.
July 28, 2006... your way to canada and discover what's on offer with APT World Discoveries p42 MOROCCO ACADEMY Our new training programme - riad all about it! p87 departures Spa trekking: everything you need to know to sell a spa break p50

A demanding new role.
July 28, 2006... FORMER Thomson sales and marketing boss Miles Morgan is used to spending his days in high-powered meetings, discussing the future of the country's biggest tour operator. Following his departure Morgan told Travel Weekly he intended to use...

By 'eck, it were a fix!
July 28, 2006... EEH BY GUM, Superbreak treated Travel Weekly to a reet grand night out last week at a quiz themed on the operator's Yorkshire home. With the help of over-sized flat caps, dour accents, the occasional 'ecky-thump' (a northern expression...

Summit to talk about.
July 28, 2006... AS THE travel industry came under renewed attacks this week for the damage it causes to the planet, ABTA and Travel Weekly have joined forces to organise industry's first green travel summit. The meeting, to be held at Newman Street on...

News.
July 28, 2006... Agents get taste of Club Med fun CLUB Med showcased a new resort and its revamped upmarket image by hosting 25 agents on a fun-packed educational to the Da Balaia Village in Portugal. The Algarve property will be available from next...

News.
July 28, 2006... Drama on the high seas February 4: Grand Princess lists heavily to one side by 15 degrees, injuring 27 people, after it makes a turn to take a passenger who was suffering a heart attack back to port. March 23: One man dies when a fire...

A right royal mess...
July 28, 2006... CRUISE agents do not expect bookings to be hit despite the latest high-profile incident involving a ship in Princess Cruises' fleet. After a fire on board Sun Princess early this year and last month's outbreak of norovirus on Sea Princes,...

It's safe to cruise, says PSA.
July 28, 2006... THE Passenger Shipping Association has sought to reassure the public about the safety of cruising following an ITV expos? on Tuesday night. The hour-long Cruises Undercover programme featured just one original investigation into hygiene...

Novel approach gets 'em booked.
July 28, 2006... FRED Olsen Travel agents have turned over a new leaf - by offering customers the chance to swap their holiday reads in a book exchange service. The chain, which has seven branches in Ipswich, Colchester, Bury St Edmunds, Felixstowe and...

ABTA holds fire in insurance spat.
July 28, 2006... AGENTS accused by ABTA of breaking its code of conduct by selling travel insurance when staff had not passed the association's exams were given a stay of execution last week. A disciplinary committee, which could decide to either fine or...

Revival comes as school's out.
July 28, 2006... THE start of the school holidays has helped kick-start the market but there are fears the pick-up will be too late for some operators. The trade has seen a small sales boost over the past 10 days, although the package market is still 12%...

MyTravel shifts under one roof.
July 28, 2006... MYTRAVEL hopes to stem the loss of call centre staff by letting them work from home as fears of redundancies and brand rationalisation loom. More than 400 employees of Panorama and Manos Holidays, based in leased premises in Portslade,...

News.
July 28, 2006... in brief Bourne Leisure sizzler is hot favourite Bourne Leisure has given away nearly 6,700 ?5 high-street vouchers following the launch of its Summer Sizzler campaign in June. The gift vouchers will continue to be given to agents making a...

departures.
July 28, 2006... I wish all press releases were as clear as the latest from the European Tour Operator's Association. "The Olympic Games will not benefit UK tourism," it boomed. The idea that they boost the host nation's profile and visitor numbers is a...

Homeworking hits above par.
July 28, 2006... I agree with recent letters from Travel Counsellors staff about working at home. There is no place quite like it. Homeworking gives you total flexibility to work the hours to suit you and to run your own business in your own way. ...

Ciao bella, we're going to miss you.
July 28, 2006... I read your comments on the axeing of Magic of Italy with interest, and more than a tinge of regret. As someone who started at the company 18 years ago, I am still connected with it as an outside PR consultant. I believe I am the only...

Peake's point.
July 28, 2006... I read Russell Peake's letter (Travel Weekly, July 7) with interest. While the practicalities of tiered ABTA membership would be challenging, the underlying point that different members will offer varying levels and types of consumer...

?if training's up to scratch.
July 28, 2006... I am a homeworker with Personal Travel Advisors (part of the Future Travel group) and it is the best thing I've ever done. But for those who are considering it, beware when picking your company. I started in homeworking in January 2005...

Give your pay packet a lift.
July 28, 2006... An online spa directory has been launched to the UK travel trade with great incentives for agents. Spafinderuk.co.uk showcases spa hotels around the UK and Ireland. Parent site Spafinder.com is already being used by 27,000 agents, mainly...

?1 levy in last chance saloon.
July 28, 2006... THE Air Travel Insolvency Protection Advisory Committee has called on ministers to reconsider the scheme to extend consumer financial protection to scheduled carriers through a ?1 levy on passengers. Its annual report says ABTA's withdrawal of...

News.
July 28, 2006... LUXURY cruiseline Regent Seven Seas Cruises has moved into new premises in Southampton big enough to house its expanding UK team. Managing director Graham Sadler, pictured here dusting the new nameplate, said: "With more than 20 staff, the team...

Agents miss out on rail ticket commission.
July 28, 2006... NEW Airport Express director Kyle Haughton wants to increase the market share of its Heathrow and Gatwick Express brands by working more closely with the trade. The former First Choice-owned Independent Travel managing director says...

Varig escapes liquidators after last-minute sale.
July 28, 2006... BRAZILIAN flag carrier Varig has been sold to its former cargo subsidiary after weeks of uncertainty and more than a year in bankruptcy protection. The airline's daily Heathrow-S?o Paulo service has been reduced to three times a week and...

News.
July 28, 2006... TOP 20 LUXURY DESTINATIONS FOR 2006 1. Thailand (2) 2. Dubai (1) 3. Maldives (5) 4. Malaysia (4) 5. Egypt (3) 6. Sri Lanka (8) 7. US(6) 8. St Lucia (13) 9. Mauritius (11) 10. Morocco (9) 11. Oman (20) 12. Australia (12) 13. Cuban (10) 14....

News.
July 28, 2006... Kuoni World Class holidays facts and figures: ? Average spend is ?7,000 although holidays above ?20,000 are not unusual. This year one booking cost more than ?200,000. ? The average duration of a World Class holiday is 12 days, shorter...

Home comforts for well-heeled.
July 28, 2006... LUXURY homes away from home are becoming an increasingly popular choice for the top-end family holidaymakers. The Kuoni World Class 2007 report says a number of new developments are combining the flexibility of villa or apartment...

Africa's popularity will push it into top 10 list.
July 28, 2006... GROWING demand for more adventurous honeymoons and weddings is expected to see sub-Saharan Africa establish itself in the top 10 destination list next year. So far this year more deluxe honeymoons have been booked in Kenya and Tanzania...

News.
July 28, 2006... FORMER Advantage vice-chairman Peter Reglar has denied claims he was overlooked to become the first chairman of Advantage. Reglar previously held the top non-executive position of vice-chairman but a change in the consortuim's constitution...

News.
July 28, 2006... NEW Advantage chairman Stephen Freudmann has vowed to put agent training at the forefront of the consortium's work. Freudmann said independent agents traditionally have not put as much focus on the training and development of staff as is...

Are you a sinner?
July 28, 2006... "People fly without any thought for the environment but I don't think it is a sin. People need to be more thoughtful about off-setting the results of their actions." Simon Houchell, 33, commercial manager, Suffolk "What he said is a good thing...

News.
July 28, 2006... TRAVEL agents and tour operators have defended the trade after the Bishop of London accused people of sinning every time they board an aircraft to go on holiday. Speaking at the launch of the Church of England's Shrinking the Footprint...

News.
July 28, 2006... CLASSIC Collection Holidays has added Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Cairo and Lisbon to its 2006/07 winter sun programme. Managing director Nick Munday said Dubai has been added because of its sun and the increase in accommodation and flights to the...

FHR site seeks slice of trade.
July 28, 2006... FLIGHT Hotel Reservations is to launch a website to sell its airport hotel rooms and parking through the trade for the first time. The company has worked with a number of operators but is launching a website, which is also for consumers, to...

Ministry calls on Future.
July 28, 2006... FUTURE Travel is advising the Government on an overhaul of its call centres' working practices. Chancellor Gordon Brown has tasked former O2 chief executive Sir David Varney to lead a review to improve Government call centres. Varney...

News.
July 28, 2006... KIRKER Holidays expects its South African programme's sales to increase by 50% following the addition of Botswana, Mozambique and Mauritius. Commercial director Andrew Layard said the operator is responding to customer demand by adding the...

News.
July 28, 2006... TRAVEL2 and Virgin Atlantic are offering agents the chance to win a pair of tickets to Dubai to celebrate the launch of their joint six-page mini-brochure. The brochure coincides with the launch of Virgin Atlantic's daily direct service to...

News.
July 28, 2006... THE Colombian Ambassador for the UK threw open the doors of the Columbian embassy in Belgravia to the trade for a party to promote Proexport, the Colombian government agency in charge of tourism. The agency is promoting the country's tough...

News.
July 28, 2006... Ski sales set to rocket for Club Med Club Med is expecting 20% year-on-year sales growth from its 2006/07 winter programme. The operator is re-opening Sestriere in Italy along with other refurbished villages La Plagne 2100 and Aime La Plagne in...

News.
July 28, 2006... Sovereign targets couples SOVEREIGN has added Costa Rica to its summer 2007 programme in a bid to increase its long-haul product. The operator moved into Mexico and the Dominican Republic last year and is taking advantage of parent...

Spear Travel sets target to double its agents.
July 28, 2006... SPEAR Travel is looking to double its homeworking network by offering up to 75% commission. Director Peter Cookson said the group was looking for "another 20 or 30 agent homeworkers" to add to its existing 25 covering both leisure and...

Holiday without the kids.
July 28, 2006... THOMAS Cook is focusing on the adult market with the launch of a new brochure. Director of product and publishing Tony Hopkins said the Exclusively Adults Summer 2007 brochure brings together 41 properties that are guaranteed not to...

Greenlight warns against click fraud.
July 28, 2006... TRAVEL companies using search engine marketing have been warned to be extra vigilant against pay-per-click fraud. Search engine marketing company Greenlight claims around 15% of click-throughs are fraudulent, which means a firm is clicking...

CT2 moves into 'the digital age'.
July 28, 2006... TOUR operator CT2 is saving ?50,000 year through the introduction of an e-invoicing system. IT director Graham Currey said it is the first stage of the tour operator moving "into the digital age", which will see it introduce e-statements,...

Copycat ads just a fluke?
July 28, 2006... THE battle to recruit homeworkers has intensified this summer with two of the travel industry's largest companies running near-identical advertising campaigns. Travel Counsellors and Future Travel ran ads in Travel Weekly (July 21) using...

News.
July 28, 2006... dreamliner facts ? Launch due in 2008 ? Medium-size, long range - 9,750 miles ? Primarily made of carbon fibre, not aluminium ? Pressurised to reduce jet lag, with improved air quality ? Mood lighting ? Uses 20% less...