Travel Weekly (UK) articles from July 2008

Travel Weekly (UK) archives from July 2008

Business Matters.
July 11, 2008... Dynamic packaging has been around for a number of years in one form or another. Consumers have benefited because it has made it easier to create the bespoke holiday packages they demand while still giving them the legal protection inherent in...

Unravel theeducationsystem.(Business Matters)
July 11, 2008... Academics want to raise the status of careers in travel and tourism and they're not alone. But are universities best placed to do this? asks Jackie David. Read on for the big debate If there's one thing travel and tourism is not short of...

Agrowingmarket.(Business Matters)
July 11, 2008... Linda Fox reports on the next areas of travel that are ripe for dynamic packaging If you say dynamic packaging to most people, a flight, hotel and, increasingly a transfer to a short-haul European city or beach destination are what usually...

Dynamicpackagingnewsround-up.(Business Matters)
July 11, 2008... Car hire is increasing outside the eurozone Global car rental distribution company CarTrawler has released its first biannual Growth Trends Index for the first six months of the year. Results show an increase in car rental destinations...

Offer a home fromhome.(Business Matters)
July 11, 2008... Linda Fox looks into a new opportunity for agents to make money from the overseas property boom "We're taking that product into the mainstream and allowing agents to package it up" At the turn of the year a new opportunity for agents...

Business Matters.
July 11, 2008... Hotelscene has expanded its sales team with the appointment of three new dedicated sales managers: Jodie Gibson (pictured), who joins from Inntel Jonathan Miles, from Brilliant Weekends and John Van Helden, from Portman Travel. The...

Business Matters.
July 11, 2008... Bookable Holidays is one of Home from Home's biggest clients, with more than 1,000 passengers booked this year so far. The company promotes the property rental service through its website as well as via Teletext. Bookable Holidays...

Meet thewizardsLounge.(Business Matters)
July 11, 2008... This week's Agent Excellence Award winner is Holiday Lounge, which topped the Best Sales Team, Small Agency for the Midlands. Francesca Freeman reports "As there are only four full-time staff, the productivity per staff member is over...

News.
July 11, 2008... Source: TripAdvisor TRAVEl employees' HIDDEN SKILLS iN sTATS TRAVEL WEEKLY ONLINE POLL travel weekly's TOp five web stories Is ABTA good value for money? No Yes I'm not a member The most-read stories on...

Quebec.(Destinations)
July 11, 2008... Just seven hours from the UK, a Canadian province awaits, with exciting cities, history and wilderness. Paul Blaney brings you the highlights Go on a quest to The Canadian province of Quebec combines two of North America's most...

Destinations.
July 11, 2008... grab a bargain London-selling agents can stay in flashy new London hotel ANdAZ Liverpool Street for a discounted rate of [pounds sterling]99 per night plus VAT on a Friday or Saturday between July 11 and September 7. To make a reservation,...

Destinations.
July 11, 2008... Avoid embarrassment - or worse, a kick in the teeth - by reading this guide to global etiquette. Author Mark McCrum advises readers on how to interact with the locals when abroad, covering hot topics such as conversation clangers,...

Destinations.
July 11, 2008... OPERATOR: Voyages of Discovery BROCHURE: Antarctica November 2008-February 2009 WHAT'S NEW? The brochure features photography from previous passengers. A video site has also been developed. See voyagesofdiscovery.com/antarctica ...

who will take responsibility?(News)
July 11, 2008... Med Hotels' decision to drop principal status has left travel agents re-evaluating their relationship with the supplier. Meanwhile, other bed banks look like they might take Med Hotels' lead. Chloe Berman reports on what effect this will have...

the wizard of oz.(News)(Interview)
July 11, 2008... Tourism Australia general manager UK and Europe Rodney Harrex talks to Janine Kelso about his role in driving demand for Down Under Luxury in Australia is more about the surroundings and setting than a marble bathroom Tourism Australia...

'Resist urge to discount', Star Clippers tells agents.(News)
July 11, 2008... Niche cruiseline says most customers do not expect money off when booking Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk Upmarket niche cruiseline Star Clippers is urging travel agents not to discount despite the credit crunch. The...

News.
July 11, 2008... in brief Peter Deilmann offer Peter Deilmann Cruises is offering an incentive to agents who book clients on cruises between August and November. Agents will receive [pounds sterling]40 for each person booked on limited-availability...

Corfu death parents call for hotel gas alarms.(News)
July 11, 2008... The parents of two children who died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Corfu are urging operators to make hotels fit carbon monoxide alarms in all rooms. Neil Shepherd and Sharon Wood, whose children Bobby and Christi were killed in 2006,...

Co-operative Travel Group to unite cruise businesses.(News)
July 11, 2008... Exclusive Agency plans to create umbrella brand to combine sales channels "We run the risk of loyal customers going to a competitor's brand to upgrade their cruise experience" Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk The Co-operative...

Youtravel enjoys easyCruise Life.(News)
July 11, 2008... Accommodation specialist announces it takes Louise Scottlouise.scott@rbi.co.uk Almost a third of UK sales for easyCruise's newest ship are sold through youtravel.com, according to the accommodation specialist. Following a week-long...

News.
July 11, 2008... Brit of a change of plan Two new reports suggest Brits are altering holiday plans amid concerns over the economy and cost of living. In a Legal and General survey, 26% of respondents said they had changed their plans, while a Populus poll...

News.
July 11, 2008... in brief Barwell's agent offers Barwell Travel's new owner LeisureFare is offering concessionary rates for agents' holidays of up to 50% to strengthen trade relations. It will also give a week's accommodation at the Hyatt Regency La...

Letters.
July 11, 2008... Trying to Explore other avenues Explorer Travel is a successful internet company and we want to expand through the acquisition of retail travel agencies. As a privately owned business we are flexible in how we grow, whether it is an...

MAUREEN.(Maureen)
July 11, 2008... Those Anglo-Scots relations were suddenly jeopardised as Jayne argued that this dish is actually called a 'Chicken Chieftain'. I said no matter what it was called I'd bet it was 'offal'. Feeling sheepish With Anglo-Scots relations...

Thomas CookFirst ChoiceThe Co-operative Travel Thomson.(Mystery Shopper)
July 11, 2008... 16a Corporation Street, Bolton First impressions were good - the agency was clean and spacious, and one of the five smartly dressed employees approached me immediately. Things quickly went downhill. The agent did not seem willing to...

News.
July 11, 2008... Shearings hotels Shearings Holidays has acquired three hotels following its recent decision to plough [pounds sterling]25 million into its hotel estate. The properties are: the St George Hotel in Harrogate, North Yorkshire the George Hotel...

Travel industry climate is cloudy.(News)
July 11, 2008... Byline: Danny Rogers, e_SFlbeditor of PR Week "Consumers are tightening their belts and planning less exotic holidays" As I write this it is unusually gloomy for a summer's day. The storm clouds stretch for miles over the City of...

News.
July 11, 2008... pae 10 downpage pic The green, green grass of Las Vegas The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority held its annual UK Golf Challenge at Stoke Park Club in Buckinghamshire. Visitors also had the chance to sample the hotel's spa...

Business Matters.
July 11, 2008... ski OTHER POTENTIAL GROWTH areas Experts say Europe is by no means done when it comes to dynamic packaging. As the low-cost airlines open new routes into eastern Europe, as well as further into countries such as Italy, accommodation...

Business Matters.
July 11, 2008... key facts about diplomas for 14 to 19-year-olds * Diplomas are part of the government's reform of education for 14 to 19-year-olds. * According to the reform, by 2013 there will be three strands of education for 14 to 19-year-olds:...

Business Matters.
July 11, 2008... "We have seen the slow but certain growth in the number of cruises being booked online" CRUISE Cruising website 1st4cruising.com is a good example of a company combining cruises and other travel components. The company sells a mix...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
July 11, 2008... from our tw group bloggers Hotel Girl A poke round the Piggeries Hotel Girl visited the new Great Hallingbury Manor in Bishop's Stortford "We had a sneak preview of an annex called the Piggeries, which has the feeling of a...

Destinations.
July 11, 2008... FACTFILE: Gateways: Montreal-Trudeau (YUL) Airlines: Daily scheduled flights from Heathrow with British Airways and Air Canada year round. Frequent flights in summer and winter from Gatwick with Zoom and Canadian Affair Flying time: Seven hours...

ACE doubles its ranks in just a year.(News)
July 11, 2008... The Association of Cruise Expertshas increasedits membership by 100% in the last year, director of business development Andy Harmer told the organisation's AGM. Membership increased by 300% in the last 18 months and the number of agents...

'Agents: take notice of ferry travel' says PSA.(News)
July 11, 2008... Association urges consultants to look at selling sea transport as alternative to flights "Ferries are not the same as they were years ago" Chloe Bermanchloe.berman@rbi.co.uk Travel agents are missing out by not selling ferry...

ABTA must up its game.(Comment)
July 11, 2008... "ABTA should have looked at this issue a long time back, and incremental rises should have come in line with inflation" Penny WilsonEditor-in-chief Smaller business members of ABTA are complaining bitterly about their monthly fees...

News.
July 11, 2008... Hotels4u signs taxi advert deal Hotels4u.com has secured an advertising deal which will see five London black cabs branded with the bed bank's slogan 'perfectly placed, perfectly priced'. It is the first time the bed bank, recently...

Business Matters.
July 11, 2008... How did I get here?Jean Squires, director of business development, Hotelscene What was your first job in travel? A reservations agent for British Midland when the reservations office was still a Portakabin. How did you climb the...

Business Matters.
July 11, 2008... Salary: Competitive plus benefits Location: UK What the ad says: "The Worldchoice Cruise Club was established in early 2008 and has proved to be hugely successful, delivering more than 30% incremental growth and significantly...

'The board felt it a fair price'.(News)
July 11, 2008... "We had not had an increase for six yearsI do not intend to resign" ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer admitted he is "not surprised" smaller agents remain angry at the subscriptions increase. Tanzer said: "I understand they do not like...

Advantage and Worldchoice to discuss subs hike with Tanzer.(News)
July 11, 2008... Advantage and Worldchoice leaders were due to meet ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer today to voice concern at the subscriptions increase and seek greater influence in ABTA. Advantage chief executive John McEwan said: "We want to talk...

Association considered service fees.(News)
July 11, 2008... ABTA has considered charging members for services, but ruled out such a move. However, subscriptions will be overhauled. Chief executive Mark Tanzer confirmed: "We have looked at having a basic subscription plus pay-as-you-go services....

News.
July 11, 2008... The increase in charges could have been better handled, ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer has conceded. Now he will write to every member to "set out what the board is trying to achieve". Tanzer admitted: "The increases could have been...

Bed banks likely to follow Med Hotels' principal lead.(News)
July 11, 2008... Bed banksbedswithease.com and youtravel.comwill review their status as principals later this year following the decision by rival medhotels.com. Medhotels.com dropped principal status last month, blaming agents for being too price-driven....

Prepare for class-action claim boom, says expert.(News)
July 11, 2008... More victims of disrupted holidays likely to take action, industry lawyer warns Ian Taylor ian.taylor@rbi.co.uk The trade should expect increasing numbers of class-action claims following disruption to holidays, but should not be...

Operators report sales increase for UK breaks.(News)
July 11, 2008... Poor euro exchange rate and airport problems are driving domestic holidays Edward Robertsoned.robertson@rbi.co.uk Domestic tour operators are warning they have limited stock left to sell this summer following a dramatic surge in sales....

Peak time looms for oil.(News)
July 11, 2008... The travel industry must "Almost half the world's 120 major oilfields are in decline and most are tired" The era of cheap oil is over and the moment of peak oil is imminent. That is the stark warning of oil industry experts addressing...

Sandals pays fuel charges on flights.(News)
July 11, 2008... Sandals has guaranteed the cost of its holidays by paying for all the fuel surcharges and taxes on holidaymakers' flights to the Caribbean this winter. The saving of up to [pounds sterling]600 per couple applies to 14-night staysor more...

Two appointments at TIPTO.(News)
July 11, 2008... Superbreak national sales manager Graham Balmforth has been appointed chairman of the Truly Independent Professional Travel Organisation. Balmforth, acting chairman since Nigel Harris stepped down in June, was unanimously voted in by...

Group sees Turkey outdo Spain in the sales stakes.(News)
July 11, 2008... The Co-operative Travel boss says exchange rate means people shun eurozone Edward Robertsoned.robertson@rbi.co.uk Turkey is outperforming Spain in sales for the first time, according to The Co-operative Travel Group. Director of...

News.
July 11, 2008... Pupils go into boardroom battle Students from Yardleys School in Tyseley prepare to face Birmingham's answer to Sir Alan Sugar in a challenge in the style of BBC showTheApprentice. Birmingham airportcommunity affairs manager Andy...

News.
July 11, 2008... online travel news from travolution Power cut at Lastminute A major power outage knocked out the websites of lastminute.com, Med Hotels, Holiday Autos and Travelocity UK during one of the summer's peak booking periods. The problem,...

News.
July 18, 2008... in brief Euro visitor figures up More Europeans are flocking to the UK to take advantage of the weak pound, according to lastminute.com. Figures collated from the online agency suggest the favourable exchange rate means visitor numbers...

Tsunami survivors face displacement.(News)
July 18, 2008... A wave of tourism development in Tamil Nadu and Kerala in India is threatening to displace communities still struggling to rebuild themselves following the tsunami in December 2004. Campaign group Tourism Concern claim survivors of the...

Business Matters.
July 18, 2008... MSC Cruises has appointed Giulio Libutti managing director for the UK and Ireland. Libutti joins from Italian airline Airone where he was director. Birmingham International airport has appointed Paul Kehoe as its new chief executive...

Business Matters.
July 18, 2008... Salary: [pounds sterling]20,000 plus commission Location: Brighton What the ad says: "A niche upmarket tour operator in central Brighton is looking for experienced travel reservations consultants to join its friendly team. You will be...

Communicate.(Business Matters)
July 18, 2008... Chloe Berman finds out how SMS and mobile phone technology can increase customer loyalty and boost business clients with your We have never been more dependent on our mobile phones. More than half of us wholly rely on our mobiles...

Makewebsiteyoura hit.(Business Matters)
July 18, 2008... Anyone can have an online presence these days, but there are a few golden rules to follow. Ross Bentley asks some web-savvy experts for their top tips There seems little doubt online travel is the fastest growing area of travel retail....

Now is the time to...go to Barbados.(Destinations)
July 18, 2008... Coconut palm-fringed beaches and year-round sunshine make Barbados the ideal tropical island break. WHY NOW? Almond has opened its newest property, Casuarina Beach Resort, on Maxwell Beach on the south coast of Barbados. Situated four...

Campto beat thecredit crunch.(Destinations)
July 18, 2008... It might be time to watch the pennies, but that doesn't mean you have to forego your holiday. Jane Archer checks out campsites in France As the credit crunch starts to bite into families' holiday budgets, camping and mobile home holidays...

The room isthe view.(Destinations)
July 18, 2008... Chloe Berman checks out hotels for dedicated followers of fashion Fashion hotels are very much in vogue. Since Donatella Versace led the way with the Palazzo Versace in 1994, a number of fashion houses have spotted an opportunity to offer...

new thai hotels.(Destinations)
July 18, 2008... Emily Bamber showcases new properties in this Far Eastern favourite With more than 60 hotels opening in the past two years, it's hard to keep up with the pace of development in Thailand. But help is at hand - here's our pick of just some of...

Olympics have mixed impact on China sales.(News)
July 18, 2008... While games have boosted sales for some, others say price hikes have put clients off Edward Robertson ed.robertson@rbi.co.uk The Beijing Olympics is having a mixed effect on sales to the country, the trade is reporting. The event,...

News.
July 18, 2008... what the agents said Carnival Splendor is fantastic for families, although I would not necessarily send couples on it. It's a fun ship and the cabins are really spacious. There is definitely a market for this type of ship in the UK." ...

Avoid slipping over the edge.(News)
July 18, 2008... Byline: Steve Endacott,e_SFlbchief executive,On Holiday Group "As fuel prices push up flight costs, customers will revert to longer 14-night holidays and less frequency" Pessimism is sweeping the UK travel industry in the run-up to...

Merger will be complete by September.(News)
July 18, 2008... The merger of the Travel Trust Association and Worldchoice is unlikely to be complete until September. Consortia bosses admitted they underestimated how long a merger would take but insisted the deal was still on track. They had initially...

ABTA to address 'value'.(News)
July 18, 2008... Tanzer 'accepts need for change' as board puts independent agents on agenda Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk ABTA board directors are to discuss ways to improve the association's value for independent agents at next week's board...

News.
July 18, 2008... We are sailing, we are sailingfrom the UK Carnival Cruise Lines unveiled plans to offer a second summer season of Baltic cruises out of Dover next year to more than 500 UK agents and operators on board new superliner Carnival Splendor. The...

Carnival bids to double UK passenger numbers.(News)
July 18, 2008... Crowds gathered in Dover last week to watch TV presenter Myleene Klass christen the cruiseline's latest ship, Carnival Splendor "Our sister brands are trembling because we want to come to the UK" Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk...

News.
July 18, 2008... Cruise Club agents sail on Splendor Three Travel Weekly Cruise Club agents joined Carnival Splendor's short cruise to Amsterdam following its naming ceremony in Dover. Pictured from left are Holly Warner, of Holly-days Travel Shop in...

News.
July 18, 2008... Agency MD starts web petition Deeping Travel boss John Lawrence has started an online petition to force ABTA to review its subscription increases. The petition, started on Tuesday, had collected 15 signatures when Travel Weekly went to...

Independents defiant in face of slowdown.(News)
July 18, 2008... Independent travel agents remain relatively upbeat about their future and are adapting their businesses as the economic downturn bites. Many have already begun to focus on specific niches or closed branches to weather the decline in...

News.
July 18, 2008... on the web this week Weather boosts sales The bad UK weather is resulting in bumper late bookings for operators. Lastminute.com reported a "holiday booking frenzy" after last week's wet weather, while Jet2holidays.com has reported a...

Maureen.
July 18, 2008... He undid his belt and pulled his trousers away from his sweaty back I will do most things to drum up trade, but I draw the line at massaging men's coccyx. Out-of-date dilemma I know we should all be giving our brains a workout to ward...

News.
July 18, 2008... Nearly half of consumers say July 11 to 13 is the best time to go on holiday, a survey by isango! has revealed. A quarter of us would choose to take the traditional two week holiday rather than a ten day holiday or long weekend. in...

Operators vow to cover fuel costs.(News)
July 18, 2008... More operators are guaranteeing the cost of holidays by offering a 'no fuel surcharges' policy following Sandals' announcement last week that it would pay for all fuel charges. Elite Island Resorts has launched its own 'Fuel On Us'...

Recruiters downplay grim job predictions.(News)
July 18, 2008... Plimsoll report claims 15,000 jobs could go in the next year "Companies will look at ways of making savings, but mass redundancies are not necessarily the answer" Travel Weekly reporterstravel.weekly@rbi.co.uk Travel recruitment...

News.
July 18, 2008... Manta to make SeaWorld debut SeaWorld Orlando has unveiled plans for the next generation of SeaWorld thrills. Manta, a combined coaster and marine-life attraction, will open next summer. Manta will take riders on a journey combining the...

News.
July 18, 2008... Aye Caramba! It's the Simpsons Ride The new Simpsons Ride at Universal Orlando Resort has been voted the Best New Theme Park Attraction Worldwide for 2008 by consumers on themeparkinsider.com, a consumers' guide to the world's amusement...

Oz and NZ sales good, says Travel 2.(News)
July 18, 2008... Australia and New Zealand still offer the trade an opportunity to increase sales despite the worsening economy. Travel 2 senior product manager Australia and New Zealand Dagmar Marrocco said in the first two months of 2008 the operator...

News.
July 18, 2008... * Ningaloo Reef on the central coast of Western Australia for whale watching and diving * Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, near Brisbane * Kimberley Outback in Western Australia for the wilderness adventure * Small ship cruising in...

Economy will be on the WTM agenda.(News)
July 18, 2008... United Nations ministers will address the challenges of the economic downturn as well as climate change and poverty at this year's World Travel Market. The second annual United Nations World Tourism Organization Ministers' Summit will take...

News.
July 18, 2008... online travel news from travolution No ads for travel site Travel.co.uk will not run advertising on its site and will rely on "individually negotiated revenue-sharing arrangements" with the agents and operators who take bookings on the...

The goldendays.(News)
July 18, 2008... Western and Oriental director of tour operations Kerry Golds talks to Edward Robertson about the company's acquisition strategy and how it is vital to get the right agents behind your product It has to be the right relationship with the...