Travel Weekly (UK) articles from June 2004

Travel Weekly (UK) archives from June 2004

Holiday Autos guide.
June 7, 2004... HOLIDAY Autos has launched a price guide for online bookings, with prices undercutting phone bookings. The paper brochure gives agents a guide to web prices, but Holiday Autos said the guide for the UK offers at least [pounds sterling]10...

What game is Gold Medal playing?
June 7, 2004... I agree with Paul Rhodes (Travel Weekly May 24). What is the Gold Medal ethos? I recently worked very hard for my regular clients and seat options were held with Gold Medal. Next day my clients called to say they had found the exact...

What a rip-off, Flybe.
June 7, 2004... Flybe must now be awarded the 'rip-off of the year' award with its latest fax saying it is now charging [pounds sterling]15 per sector to refund taxes. This means (irrespective of its 'charter', which 'charters' are usually a euphemism for...

Pinning the blame.
June 7, 2004... With regards to the advantages of travel agents using Chip and Pin, what happens when one finds a 'rogue' debit on a credit card monthly statement, which one does not recognise? There will be no point in asking for a copy of the transaction...

We report the relevant news.
June 7, 2004... So that's alright then! When I read your article 'Airport roof collapse causes few delays' (Travel Weekly May 31), I thought there must have been some mistake in the national news when it was reported there had been four fatalities. But...

Bagging a Barty.
June 7, 2004... PRESTON Holidays was awarded 'best group operator' category of the prestigious Alan Bartram Travel Awards 2004, held in Luton recently. The event was attended by over 100 of the travel industry's key figures, including ABTA president John...

Trade lauds marketing union.
June 7, 2004... UK OPERATORS have welcomed the formation of Tourism Australia claiming it will give agents better access to product information and help Australia promote itself more effectively to UK holidaymakers. From July 1, Tourism Australia will take...

NSW in Sydney ad drive.
June 7, 2004... TOURISM New South Wales has launched its first dedicated Sydney advertising campaign in the UK in partnership with operators. Gold Medal, Austravel and Travelmood have invested in the [pounds sterling]600,000 two-month campaign which...

Queensland adds to Aussie Specialist.
June 7, 2004... TOURISM Queensland will go live with its online training module for the Aussie Specialist training programme in August. Regional director for the UK Jamie McDonald said the module will be split into four regions - the Whitsundays, southern...

l in brief.
June 7, 2004... EuroManx launch EuroManx has launched a twice-daily service between Stansted and the Isle of Man. Return fares on the service start at [pounds sterling]69 including taxes. BA overhauls menu British Airways has revamped the food...

Etihad will double Abu Dhabi route.
June 7, 2004... ETIHAD Airways has confirmed it is to double flights between Heathrow and Abu Dhabi to 10 a week. From June 13, the United Arab Emirates carrier will offer a daily service, rising to a twice-daily service on Thursday, Friday and Saturday,...

Making the most of ITT.
June 7, 2004... TWO years ago the Institute of Travel and Tourism decided to cancel its tentative plans to hold its 2003 annual conference in Jordan, for the simple reason that we couldn't be sure about the Middle Eastern situation. With the benefit of...

Hard to stomach?
June 7, 2004... Have you flown British Airways short-haul recently? What on Earth is going on with the catering? Okay, we should probably be grateful, at least there is a meal service, even if 'meal' is a rather generous description of what's on offer. ...

Cruiselines find right Solution.
June 7, 2004... OCEAN Village, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises and P&OCruises have all launched 2005 brochures today, under the umbrella brand Complete Cruise Solution. Ocean Village, launched in 2003 to bring a younger, informal and more free-spirited type...

l in brief.
June 7, 2004... BAA luggage limitHeathrow owner BAA has imposed a 32kg maximum weight for individual bags in a bid to limit injuries to baggage handlers. The company said handlers were being forced to lift luggage as heavy as 70kg. Passengers exceeding the...

ITT told graduates are way of future.
June 7, 2004... THE travel trade is way behind other industries when it comes to realising the benefits of employing graduates, delegates at the Institute of Travel and Tourism conference will be told this week. In a presentation due to take place in Qatar...

Blame culture at fault.
June 7, 2004... FEDERATION of Tour Operators director-general Andy Cooper will give advice to Institute of Travel and Tourism delegates on how to deal with the increasing instances of legal action by holidaymakers. In tomorrow's session, entitled The Blame...

Agents bear brunt of rising fuel price.
June 7, 2004... THOMAS Cook has become the first operator to introduce a supplement to battle rising fuel prices, adding [pounds sterling]20 to the cost of an average family holiday. The company has slapped a [pounds sterling]5 per person - including...

l in brief.
June 7, 2004... Authorities approve Carlson Wagonlit acquisitionsCarlson Wagonlit's acquisition of Maritz Corporate Travel in the US and Protravel in France have been approved by authorities in their respective countries. Details of the acquisitions were...

BA con: agent jailed.
June 7, 2004... ATRAVELagent who used forged paperwork to con British Airways out of thousands of pounds worth of flights has been jailed for 12 months. Crooked Azeez Badmus, the boss of Elite Travel in Dalston, London, created bogus Nigerian travel...

Coventry spat hots up.
June 7, 2004... TUI-OWNED Coventry Airport has threatened to go over the head of Warwick District Council in its bid to obtain planning permission for a permanent passenger facility. TUI UK - which launched Thomsonfly from Coventry on April 1 - is...

Season kicks off ; to airport chaos.
June 7, 2004... Strike threats follow air traffic glitch CHOAS descended across UK airports last week as the start of another summer season was hit by delays and cancellations. It comes as public service union GMB announced its 1,000 members who work...

It's all over Now.
June 7, 2004... NOW Airlines, the carrier that planned to introduce a zonal-based fare model to the UK, has called in receivers without operating a single flight. The airline announced launch plans at a lavish press conference at a top London hotel in...

l in brief.
June 7, 2004... Airlines slam BMA Airlines have hit back at the British Medical Association after it called for the introduction of measures to better protect the health of air travellers. A report by the BMA found the standard of medical care on European...

Petrol hike hits family sales.
June 7, 2004... THE travel industry is bracing itself for an even tougher summer's trading following last week's huge rises in petrol prices, writes Lisa James. Agents fear the depressed market could suffer further as a result of petrol prices rising to...

Pay is not the reason for quitting.
June 7, 2004... As I read the lead story 'Happy?' (Travel Weekly May 24) I found myself thinking - "So, what's new?" These stories about "undervalued, underpaid and fearful" staff have been around for many, many years, and the likes of the Transport and...

We are supportive of agents.
June 7, 2004... I think Paul Rhodes, Small World Travel, Doncaster has answered his own question with regards to whether Gold Medal is a trade-orientated company or not when he states that Gold Medal has been voted Travel Weekly best consolidator for five...

Springboard Awards put job seekers first.
June 7, 2004... TRAVEL businesses which have demonstrated a commitment to staff retention, development and recruitment have until June 18 to enter the Springboard UK Awards for Excellence. The deadline for the annual hospitality industry prizes have been...

Virgin Flightstore boosts web focus.
June 7, 2004... VIRGIN Flightstore plans to put more emphasis on web bookings after face-to-face research with 600 agents revealed the majority had Internet access and were using it to their advantage. The flight consolidator spoke to 600 travel agencies...

Kuoni looks east for 2005.
June 7, 2004... KUONI has ventured further into the Far East with the introduction of Brunei and Laos in its 2005 Worldwide brochure. Product director Francis Torrilla said the operator is seeing a strong shift in demand for Asia. "The Far East is...

Thomson targets football fever.
June 7, 2004... THOMSON Cities and Short Breaks has launched a football-themed programme to cash in on football fever surrounding Euro 2004. The mini-brochure, Football and Fashion, features special offers on city-break packages to seven European...

24; hours in Madrid - the Beckham way.
June 7, 2004... Want to follow in Posh and Becks' footsteps around the Spanish capital? Lisa James shows you how AFTER a year of living in separate countries - and following huge media speculation about the state of their marriage - Victoria and David...

competition.
June 7, 2004... Fancy living it up like the Beckhams? Cresta Holidays is offering one Travel Weekly reader the chance to win a weekend break for two to Madrid. The lucky winner and a friend will fly out to the Spanish capital and spend two nights at the...

Seeing the Light.
June 7, 2004... The Costa de la Luz is a hot new destination with uncrowded beaches and a laid-back charm If clients are looking for a holiday in Spain away from the tourist haunts, one region worth suggesting is Costa de la Luz. Situated in the...

` ; sample; product.
June 7, 2004... The Real Spain offers seven nights' half-board at the four-star Hotel Playa de la Luz in Rota for [pounds sterling]659 per person in July including flights and transfers. Perfect Places has seven nights at the self-catering La Espadana...

Madrid's Olympic hope.
June 7, 2004... Madrid has been selected as one of five official candidates to host the 2012 Olympic Games. However, the city has been told by the International Olympic Committee that it must improve its accommodation and security following the terrorist...

Thomson to wield axe.
June 7, 2004... Thomson is the latest operator to admit it will slash capacity to Spain for summer 2005 because of disappointing sales. Areas affected will include traditionally top-selling destinations such as Majorca, Minorca and the Costa del Sol. ...

news in brief.
June 7, 2004... graduate bonus The Spanish Tourist Office is offering all new Spain Specialist Programme graduates either a one-year Spanish course at the Cervantes Institute in London or a trip to the ABTA Convention in Orlando, including flights and...

'Manage tourism growth'.
June 7, 2004... TOURISM New Zealand chairman Wally Stone has warned the country risks losing its appeal if it handles predicted growth badly. Stone said the destination was already strained during its most popular months. New Zealand is on the crest...

Ladies of Leisure.
June 7, 2004... Bourne Leisure Agency Sales recently held a Ladies Day fam at Thoresby Hall Hotel in Nottinghamshire. Industry contacts were invited to explore the house, enjoy lunch and relax in the spa Striking a pose in front of Thoresby Hall are, from...

Champagne launch.
June 7, 2004... Brittany Ferries invited more than 100 trade guests to a champagne reception and three-course lunch aboard its new flagship Pont-Aven Finding their sea legs are, from left, Lisa Matthews, Alan Skinner Travel, Saltash; Julie Moranges,...

A ferry fine time.
June 7, 2004... Stena Line and The Network hosted more than 60 travel agents and operators at the All At Sea conference held on board the Stena HSS and Stena Britannica on the Harwich-Hook of Holland route All at sea, from left, are Lynn Mitchell, Stena...

Anchors aweigh.
June 7, 2004... More than 100 agents headed for Dover to hear about Costa Cruises' products and new training initiative, and to see flagship Costa Atlantica Raising cocktail umbrellas are, from left, Marilyn Bell, Costa Cruises; Vicky Thrower, Cruise...

Quizzers of Oz.
June 7, 2004... The Northern Territory Tourist Commission and Australian Airlines hosted an NT Aussie Bash. Travel agents competed in a quiz to win hosted family visits to the Northern Territories using the new twice-weekly Singapore-Darwin service...

Contiki connection.
June 7, 2004... Contiki Resorts invited more than 50 VIPs - including travel agents from around the world and industry friends - to the grand opening weekend of the new Contiki Resort Mykonos Ice and a slice for, from left, Denise Jinks, Travel Weekly;...

We're simply the best.
June 7, 2004... While we're talking about Travel Weekly, congratulations are due to the editorial team - especially our hard-working subs desk - after we won the Production Achievement prize at the recent Reed Business Information awards. No mean feat, given...

Blast in the right direction.
June 7, 2004... This week: Dermot Blastland, UK/Ireland managing director, First Choice FIRSTChoice airport manager Nigel Ames hasn't been with the company long, but today he's got an audience with the boss. Well, it's less of a meeting and more of an...

UK to gain from new ANZ flight.
June 7, 2004... AIR New Zealand is launching its first direct Christchurch- Los Angeles service as it revamps its long-haul business. The flights will operate thrice-weekly and be timed to offer connections to flights between LA and Heathrow. The...

Ryanair rules out fuel surcharges.
June 7, 2004... RYANAIR chief executive Michael O'Leary has vowed the carrier will not impose fuel surcharges this year or next. He said there has been "hysteria" about higher oil prices, but expects them to fall, particularly coming up to the US...

'We'll never go back to agents'.
June 7, 2004... RYANAIR has vowed never to put its inventory on to global distribution systems, according to chief executive Michael O'Leary. "The Pope will turn Protestant before we go on the GDSs," he scoffed, adding that it took the carrier 10 years to...

O'Leary poised for price war.
June 7, 2004... RYANAIR chief executive Michael O'Leary has predicted a winter of price wars as the company reported its first drop in profits since it floated seven years ago. The carrier's profit after tax dropped by 5% to 226.6 million euros, with net...

A family of fares.
June 7, 2004... SOME 50 agents attended a joint ticketing training course run by The Guild of Business Travel Agents and Virgin Atlantic. It was designed to promote their joint fares and ticketing courses VA1 and VA2 to agents and college lectures and was...

Sabre predicts GDS 'dogfight'.
June 7, 2004... SABRE has named three of the 14 "leading" agencies whose business it claims to have won from rival global distribution systems. Brighton-based travel management company Uniglobe Preferred has switched from Galileo, while Farnborough-based...

Agency clears up online confusion.
June 7, 2004... reminder that pricing for one passenger on a website can be different to pricing for four passengers. This can be due to the number of seats remaining at the price seen. The list also tells customers the fare quoted may be sold by the time...

It's a mission impossible.
June 7, 2004... IT can be hard working for Travel Weekly sometimes. While readers don't see it, behind the scenes we have a couple of crosses to bear. The first, moans from people and companies who think they've been hard done by in print, is something we...

Summer capacity trimmed.
June 7, 2004... MYTRAVEL has cut capacity by more than 10% for this summer but admits current trading remains challenging. Group chief executive Peter McHugh refused to give a more accurate figure on capacity cuts, claiming the group had suffered from...

'Disposals possible' as MyTravel fortunes lift.
June 7, 2004... MYTRAVEL has revealed it is considering further "small disposals" after slashing group losses by [pounds sterling]418.3 million. Group chief executive Peter McHugh claimed its interim results showed the group was making "clear progress" in...

l in brief.
June 7, 2004... Cosmos appointment Cosmos trade marketing manager for coach and air divisions Andy Washington is to become the new head of sales. He will replace Brian Young, who is due to leave to join Holiday Brokers in October. Washington will work...

'Piling on confusion'.
June 7, 2004... ADVERTISED holiday prices could become misleading and packages harder to sell as a result of yet another supplement, Ilkeston Co-op Travel managing director Chris Smith has warned. Thomas Cook has reacted to fuel price rises by charging a...

l in brief.
June 7, 2004... Hotels show recovery signs, claims PWCUK hotels are continuing towards a recovery in performance, according to new figures from PricewaterhouseCoopers. A report, Hospitality Directions, indicates a 4.2% revenue per available room, with gains...

Sales team boosted ; Royal Caribbean has launched a dedicated specialist sales department to boost conference and incentive sales. The team will be overseen by business development manager UK and Ireland Dean Mitchell, who joins from Hertz. A new CD-ROM has been developed for agents and a corporate section on the www.royalcaribbean.co.uk website has also been added.
June 7, 2004... Sales team boosted Royal Caribbean has launched a dedicated specialist sales department to boost conference and incentive sales. The team will be overseen by business development manager UK and Ireland Dean Mitchell, who joins from Hertz....

CTTG lifts margins.
June 7, 2004... THE Co-operative Travel Trading Group says early indications show margins have significantly improved in its travel agencies since launch. The group says it cannot fully assess its performance until the end of October. Although the CTTG's...

Societies join group.
June 7, 2004... TWO more Co-operative societies with travel divisions have signed up to the Co-operative Travel Trading Group. The Channel Islands Co-operative Society and the Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society are joining CTTG, leaving Ilkeston Co-op...

Scheme boosts operator sales.
June 7, 2004... THE majority of suppliers who have taken part in Co-op Travel Trading Group's 'operator of the month' scheme have increased sales in the period by more than 40%, according to commercial general manager Mike Beaumont. Beaumont said 90% of...

Group gets dynamic.
June 7, 2004... THE Co-operative Travel Trading Group is trialling various dynamic packaging systems for its retailers. Although Co-op agents can put together packages themselves for customers, the group is looking at systems which make it easier to do...

Cruising buoys summer sales.
June 7, 2004... CO-OP sales of cruise holidays are up by 65% for this summer while summer sun packages of the big four operators are down by 2%. The figures, released by the Co-operative Travel Trading Group, which represents five Co-op societies -...

Co-op event planned.
June 7, 2004... A CONFERENCE is to be held for the first time bringing together staff from across the Co-operative Travel Trading Group. The conference, to be held in Sharm el-Sheikh on December 6-9, will host 1,000 invited staff, mainly general managers,...

Independence top of agenda.
June 7, 2004... CO-OPERATIVE Travel Trading Group bosses say they still face a challenge to build customer loyalty to its high street agencies based on its independent stance. Nearly a year and a half since the [pounds sterling]1.3 billion buying and...

Advantage goes for Gold.
June 7, 2004... ADVANTAGE Travel Centres is running a Malaysia promotion following agents' enthusiasm about Kuala Lumpur at its recent conference. The consortium has also launched its first own-branded brochure, Worldwide Dream Destinations, in conjunction...

Future puts focus on staff retention.
June 7, 2004... FUTURE Travel, the homeworking division of the United Co-op Travel Group, has appointed a post-recruitment manager after a high drop-out rate among new staff. United Co-op Travel Group general manager Mike Greenacre said many homeworkers...

Keycamp savings.
June 7, 2004... KEYCAMP Holidays is offering savings of up to 40% on selected holidays throughout June. Offers include a reduction of more than [pounds sterling]250 on a 12-night stay from June 14 at Noja, Cantabria, in Spain, leading in at [pounds...

Meet the neigh-bours.
June 7, 2004... Kuoni held its annual Polo Day with Prince Charles as guest of honour among a host of celebrities. Kuoni and Malaysian Airlines each sponsored a team to play against each other at the event, which attracted 500 VIPS and 10,000 picnicing...

Lunn Poly TV success.
June 7, 2004... LUNN Poly TV, based at the Travel Channel studios in Newman Street, London, claims to have beaten expectations following its launch on June 1 with 30%-40% more calls than expected. The First Resort boss Neil Hardy, who is heading up Lunn Poly...

'Think team' agenda set.
June 7, 2004... MYTRAVEL's new market intelligence team is set to reduce the group's reliance on external consultants. MyTravel UK chief executive Philip Jansen said the team - which will track market trends and customer opinions (Travel Weekly May 31) -...

Training focus for retailers.
June 7, 2004... GOING Places has radically overhauled its training procedures and product range to increase half-year sales by 15% despite cutting staff numbers by a quarter. MyTravel UK chief executive officer Philip Jansen said a new sales information...

Group eyes 25% of summer sales.
June 7, 2004... MYTRAVEL has revealed it is aiming for 25% market share this summer. In its interim results for the six months to the end of March the group said it has maintained an "acceptable share of the market" for summer trading to date. Group...

First Choice for footy.
June 7, 2004... FORMER England striker Teddy Sheringham kicked off First Choice's new holiday soccer school in the Costa Del Sol. Teddy joined his former Tottenham Hotspur team mate and FA Cup winner David Howells, who has led the operator's soccer school...

there's no escape from the mystery shopper In association with.
June 7, 2004... Leamington Spa, Warwickshire A short break to a health spa for a couple Lunn Poly 44 Regent Street This was a big agency with a seating area for customers to browse brochures - assuming they could find any they wanted. ...

Far and away.
June 7, 2004... Jetlife Holidays JETLIFE Holidays has launched its 2005 Florida 'Earlybird Edition' brochure with prices from [pounds sterling]425 per adult and [pounds sterling]339 for children for one week in Orlando. Orlando remains a major feature...

Sporting action.
June 14, 2004... EURO 2004. The Olympics. Wimbledon. Like it or not, the nation is about to become glued to sport on the box. Millions of fair weather fans will all be out in force along with the die-hard supporters. And we'll be there cheering Beckham and the...

Tarnishing the jewel.
June 14, 2004... theme park, the Crystal Dome and an underwater hotel called Hydropolis. Any of those silly little issues we Brits worry about such as planning permission, urban regeneration, concerns about aircraft noise, are shrugged off in the fervour...

Aer Lingus focuses on premium.
June 14, 2004... AER Lingus is to become the first mainline European airline to scrap business class and operate an all-economy service on short-haul routes. Chief executive Willie Walsh revealed the market could not sustain the premium service at high...

Profits hit by fuel hike.
June 14, 2004... The soaring cost of fuel will set the airline industry back 12 months in profitability with the sector expected to continue making a loss this year. IATA director-general Giovanni Bisignani said the industry survived last year's SARS...

Trade given deadline for move to e-tickets.
June 14, 2004... Airline paper tickets are to disappear by the end of 2007 as the industry's governing body plans to implement a paperless system worldwide. IATA members set the e-ticketing deadline as it looks to save the industry $3 billion a year. ...