Travel Weekly (UK) articles from June 2005

Travel Weekly (UK) archives from June 2005

All work and no pay...
June 3, 2005... Once again we are seeing US government officials increasingly posturing about airport security. Stories doing the rounds include the introduction of biometric systems; the requirement for each traveller's first address while in the US to...

De-stress for success.
June 3, 2005... Thoresby Hall Spa in Nottinghamshire for a day of pampering and relaxation. Three agents, Helen Woodward and Jackie Standridge from Spa Travel in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, and Kay Stevens, who runs Stevens Travel Solutions in Castle...

So peaceful at Soma.
June 3, 2005... THINK of Egypt's Red Sea and a few names immediately spring to mind. These include the hugely popular Sharm el-Sheikh on the Sinai peninsular, Taba further north, and Hurghada on the west coast. Until a few years ago Soma Bay, 28 miles...

Explorers launches charter.
June 3, 2005... A new charter from the UK to Marsa Alam has been launched by Redseaflights.com, the flight arm of Red Sea diving specialist Explorers, to cater for the dive market. The new flight operates weekly from Gatwick with prices from [pounds...

Visa muddle in East Coast Sinai.
June 3, 2005... BRITISH holidaymakers staying in the East Coast Sinai - which includes Sharm el-Sheikh, Taba and Taba Heights, Dahab and Nuweiba - do not need a visa, the Egyptian National Tourist Office has confirmed. Confusion arose earlier in the year...

'GDSs shouldn't be free-for-all'.
June 3, 2005... THE newly-formed Coalition for Fair Access to Reservations in Europe has warned the European Commission not to completely deregulate the global distribution system industry. The body, which includes Navigant, Sabre and Galileo, is urging...

Boys in the hoodies.
June 3, 2005... TAYLOR Travel Worldchoice in Lostock Hall, a quiet village three miles outside of Preston, is not the kind of agency to experience trouble from yobs. But even here proprietor Christine Blocksidge, regional ABTAchairwoman, has had to beef...

Ski campaign targets UK.
June 3, 2005... Tourism British Columbia will launch a dedicated ski marketing campaign in the UK later this year. Due to begin in late August or early September, the campaign will focus on mainstream destinations such as Whistler and possibly smaller...

Operator makes UKbid.
June 3, 2005... Canadian motorhome operator Canadream has appointed Chris Bryan as its first UK sales and marketing manager. Formerly sales director at Canada specialist Globespan, Bryan will oversee the company's first serious attempt to expand into the...

Ontario push on city breaks.
June 3, 2005... The Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership will run its second autumn campaign to promote city breaks this year. OTMP marketing and communications director Carol Maxwell said an increased budget would ensure a higher profile campaign than...

Air Transat now on GDS.
June 3, 2005... Montreal-based Air Transat is now available to book on GDS for the first time in the UK. Agents can book flights on Galileo, Amadeus, Sabre and Worldspan with the Transat code, TS. The commission rate is 7%. Speaking at Rendezvous in...

New CD-ROM for Tourism Toronto.
June 3, 2005... Tourism Toronto has produced a CD-ROM of its destination planner and directory, with details of more than 1,000 hotels, attractions, restaurants and tours. Digital Toronto replaces the old printed guide, which the tourist office...

Frodo off to Toronto.
June 3, 2005... Frodo and company travelled a long way from the Shire in their last outing, but it seems their journey to Middle Earth isn't over yet. Toronto is the latest location in the Lord of the Rings saga; more accurately the Prince of Wales Theatre...

Whistler gears up for surge.
June 3, 2005... Whistler, in British Columbia, is anticipating strong summer demand on the back of new routes from Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (see story above). The resort will partner in a joint campaign with Rocky Mountaineer next year to promote the...

Gay market booms.
June 3, 2005... Canadian inbound operator Jonview has established a division for gay and lesbian-oriented customers. Jonview said the division, called Out by View, was created "in recognition of the growing importance of the gay and lesbian travel...

Ocean lessons for Canada's Via Rail.
June 3, 2005... Canadian passenger rail network Via Rail is launching a new product on board its overnight Ocean train from Montreal to Halifax. Dubbed Easterly Class, it is billed as a 'maritime learning experience' and will include commentary from a tour...

CTC seeks new UK director.
June 3, 2005... Canadian Tourism Commission is looking for a new UK director following the sudden departure of Ian Harrower from the London office. The CTC refused to say whether Harrower was dismissed or whether he chose to go, only that he had left to...

Visitors urged to 'keep exploring'.
June 3, 2005... The Canadian Tourism Commission showed Rendezvous delegates a glimpse of its new branding strategy last month, but the full identity will not be unveiled until World Travel Market in November. Explaining the background to the project at the...

Towns consider ASBOs.
June 3, 2005... YOBS who terrorise shoppers are increasingly the subject of court banning orders. The British Retail Consortium is advising the Government on how Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and dispersal orders can be used in high streets and shopping...

A site more successful.
June 3, 2005... Agencies sign up to On Holiday's overbranded version of Lowcostpackages.com ON Holiday Group has 50 agencies lined up to overbrand its dynamic packaging website Lowcostpackages.com as direct consumer-facing websites. Sales director...

Web of intrigue.
June 3, 2005... FOR so many product sectors, including travel, the Internet has been a fantastic boost for consumer choice and value. As well as enabling potential customers to access information, images and prices from a range of possible suppliers very...

All change on Canada rail trips.
June 3, 2005... Rocky Mountaineer Vacations - owned by the Great Canadian Rail Company - is undergoing its biggest changes since its inception 15 years ago. The rail operator, which has changed its name from Rocky Mountaineer Railtours to fit with the...

Distribution discussion.
June 3, 2005... THE European Tour Operators Association is teaming up with the Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association to improve distribution and automation networks. The groups is holding a seminar next week at the Eye for Travel Distribution...

'Make it your business'.
June 3, 2005... TOWN centres throughout England and Wales are pioneering a scheme to make businesses take greater responsibility of their centres. In October 2004, 66%of town-centre businesses voted in favour of Kingston, Surrey, becoming the UK's first...

Charity to benefit from in-flight plan.
June 3, 2005... THOMSON aims to raise [pounds sterling]60,000 a year for sustainable tourism charity The Travel Foundation through the sale of in-flight scratchcards. Thomson is selling the cards on all routes out of the UK to raise money for the work of...

Somak gets serious.
June 3, 2005... SOMAK is to push Johannesburg as a short-break destination as part of its plans to become a serious player in southern Africa. The operator wants to rid the city of its negative image and promote Johannesburg as a funky destination worthy...

Fundi forms academy.
June 3, 2005... Agent training shake-up to benefit UK trade FUNDI, the South African agent training programme, is poised for a major shake-up that will see the formation of a new academy for the UK trade. South African Tourism said the revamp will...

Gambia looking hot.
June 3, 2005... Flights to The Gambia from Nottingham East Midlands are now available with the Gambia Experience. Operating every Friday between November and April on Astreus, the service is outbound via Bristol and direct on the return. Some 150 seats...

Eastern exposure.
June 3, 2005... Destination Quebec is planning a series of consumer and trade adverts following a "substantial increase" in its international marketing budget. Like the CTC and other Canadian marketing organisations, Destination Quebec is currently...

Silversea plans blitz on agents.
June 3, 2005... SILVERSEA Cruises aims to target up to 1,000 agents with its latest round of roadshows that highlight its new trade training scheme. Vice-president sales and operations UK Trudy Redfern said its new presentation and training programme, The...

It's a fare investment.
June 3, 2005... THEOriginal Tour bus operator has spent [pounds sterling]1.6 million on 10 new buses for sightseeing tours around London. Commercial director Colin Atkins said the new buses are being introduced following a 9% growth in passenger numbers...

UK visits to Slovenia climb.
June 3, 2005... THE number of British holidaymakers visiting Slovenia has risen by nearly 50% year on year, according to the country's tourist office. Overall 76,273 UK customers visited Slovenia in 2004, some 48% more than in the previous year. UK...

Thomson goes big on Egypt.
June 3, 2005... week to Egypt from 11 UK airports with new routes which include Luton to Hurghada, Birmingham to Taba and Robin Hood to Sharm el-Sheikh. Capacity has also been added on services from Glasgow and Birmingham to Sharm el-Sheikh. Sales and...

Jet forms UK team.
June 3, 2005... NEW airline Jet Airways has appointed its UK sales team. The Brentford-based airline started flying its daily Heathrow to Mumbai service last week. The team from are, from left, UK and Ireland head of sales and marketing Rick Saggar; head of...

In a class of its own.
June 3, 2005... EUROSTAR launches its new classes of travel this week following research with the trade that discovered customers demand distinct separations between business and leisure travel. The new categories go on sale today for travel from September...

Standards can be a real pane.
June 3, 2005... I read with interest your front-page story regarding trading standards in Leicestershire fining Going Places (Travel Weekly May 27). I was visited last year by Leicestershire trading standards - the first visit I have ever received during...

Virgin flies to two new sun spots.
June 3, 2005... VIRGIN Atlantic has announced two new routes for next year after unveiling its best full-year results for six years. The carrier will launch direct flights from Heathrow to Dubai and from Gatwick to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and will add...

Does anyone else get that sinking feeling?
June 3, 2005... I am writing to highlight some issues I had trying to book an Alaska cruise. My clients came into the office having chosen a cruise tour from the Princess Cruises website. They had researched the cruise with land tour and chosen their room...

Floral win for carrier.
June 3, 2005... MALAYSIA Airlines cabin crew join new regional manager UK and Europe for Malaysia Airlines Lim Cheng Hoe to celebrate the Malaysian Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. The garden, sponsored by the airline and awarded the Silver Flora award...

Direct seller turns to trade.
June 3, 2005... A SKI operator that sells direct to groups is taking lessons on how to sell through the trade. Equity Ski managing director John Shepherd recruited former First Choice Holidays ski specialist Peter Innes last year to explain how best to...

Positive signs.
June 3, 2005... RENEWED interest in both Eilat and the Red Sea Riviera is leading to massive increases in capacity from both specialist and mainstream operators for 2005/06. Long-haul specialist Odyssey Worldwide has added 11 new Red Sea properties to its...

TOMS left out of EU manifesto.
June 3, 2005... Government has 'no time' for VAT proposal THE UK Government has refused to include the overhaul of the Tour Operators' Margin Scheme in its European Union presidency manifesto. It was anticipated the UK Government would put forward a...

Sri Lanka asks Brits for advice.
June 3, 2005... THE Sri Lanka Tourist Board has enlisted the help of VisitBritain as it tries to market a more positive image of the country. With memories of the Boxing Day tsunami still fresh in many holidaymakers' minds, hotel occupancies remain at 20%...

We all had a Lumley time.
June 3, 2005... Lee Hayhurst reports from Sea Princess' Southampton launch SEA Princess was welcomed back into Princess Cruises' fleet with a pledge to get as many agents on board as possible to see the ship. More than 600 agents were among 1,600...

Somak to feature cruises.
June 3, 2005... SOMAK Holidays is launching cruises for the first time in the Far East in its 2005/06 brochure. Head of product Rob Haynes said the two, three and five-night cruises would visit Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia and would be run by Star...

It's a teen revolution for Virgin's pricing.
June 3, 2005... VIRGIN Holidays is launching a teen price for parts of the US ski market in its new Snow brochure. Child prices still cover two to 11-year-olds, but teenagers between 11 and 17 now get around a 30% discount on adult prices for resorts in...

It's BlueSky all the way for Cosmos.
June 3, 2005... COSMOS is launching its first travel agent website after taking BlueSky Travel Systems' 'itours' dynamic packaging technology. The system will allow agents to dynamically package all Cosmos component brands, including Somewhere2Stay.com,...

You've got mail.
June 3, 2005... E-MAIL is a great invention and many businesses could not function without it, but there are a lot of downsides. Every member of the Travel Weekly editorial team spends at least an hour a day sorting through the hundreds of e-mails that...

It's just the ticket.
June 3, 2005... TRAVEL Weekly has teamed up with Travel 2/4 and Star Alliance to offer agents a round-the-world trip of a lifetime. Agents need simply to answer three questions on each carrier and make a booking on one of the selected airlines before entering...

The falling berth rate.
June 3, 2005... Research predicts shortfall in capacity RESEARCH into cruising has found a worldwide shortage of ships is inevitable by 2008 but the trend for ever larger ships is set to continue. Ocean Shipping Consultants has predicted the UK market...

Ryanair reports boom in profits.
June 3, 2005... NO-FRILLS airline Ryanair celebrates 20 years of flying today with latest figures showing a 19% increase in passenger figures and post-tax profit. The Irish carrier took 27.6 million passengers and made a net profit of 268.9 million euros...

Hotel chain warning.
June 3, 2005... THE boss of an independent UK hotel group has called on the European Commission to investigate loyalty schemes run by major chains. Niels Pederson, managing director of Supranational, a global representation and reservations brand, said...

Resort bug hits clients.
June 3, 2005... THOMASCook and Thomson could face hundreds of claims following a sickness outbreak at a Dominican Republic resort. The two operators have now taken the Club Hotel Riu Mambo off sale after guests fell ill earlier this year. Law firm...

Ask before you serve.
June 3, 2005... I'm writing in response to your Letter of the Week, where David Gray asks why agency staff who'd been visited by Mystery Shopper advised the client to go direct (Travel Weekly May 13). If you've got years of experience, then you will know...

NCLcancels ship launch party.
June 3, 2005... NORWEGIANCruise Line has ditched plans for a huge trade event on board new ship Pride of America in Dover next week. Around 850 members of the trade were invited for an overnight event to celebrate the launch of the 2,144-capacity ship. ...

Air of mystery.
June 3, 2005... Well, I'm feeling better now. And so are my colleagues. But it was an unpleasant international flight home and following couple of days. We all went down with sickness and stomach disorders and I must admit my gut reactionwas to blame it...

WIN A FAM TRIP PLACE.
June 3, 2005... TRAVEL Weekly is conducting a survey to find out what agents think about educationals. Are they worth time out of the branch, do you actually learn anything, or do you think they are just a good excuse for a party? If you've been on an...

Where was golden oldie Goldie?
June 3, 2005... Last resort reports this week from the Hollywood-style naming ceremony of Sea Princess in Southampton last week. A genuine feeling of film premiere showbiz glitz was supposed to be provided by actress Goldie Hawn, who unfortunately pulled...

No Silver lining on race day.
June 3, 2005... Reports reach last resort about the recent Monaco Grand Prix and those cheeky chappies from EasyCruise. According to a well-placed British Airways source, who was at the Formula 1 calendar's most glamorous race of the year, the...

First Choice is in the pink.
June 3, 2005... First Choice's AndrewWalker (AJ) came up with a great idea to raise money for Breast Cancer Research, following the news of Kylie Minogue's illness. Along with colleagues at First Choice Independent Travel in Crawley, West Sussex, AJ held...

PATA in plea for Sri Lanka computers.
June 3, 2005... THE Pacific Asia Travel Association is appealing to the trade to donate old computers to help schools in tsunami-hit Sri Lanka. UK chapter chairman Tim Robinson urged companies undergoing ITupgrades not to throw out old hardware. He hopes...

A refreshing speaker.
June 3, 2005... COBRAbeer founder and entrepreneur of the year winner Karan Bilimoria will speak at this year's ABTATravel Convention. The former chartered accountant who launched the beer designed to be drunk with Indian food now boasts a brand worth an...

It's time to charge a fee.
June 3, 2005... Our industry is constantly changing as more people look for the tailor-made, dynamically packaged option. This means we have to provide our clients with numerous ideas and suggestions for how they can spend their holiday in an inspired way....

Insurer hits out over ban.
June 3, 2005... TRAVEL insurer Europ Assistance took its protest over British Airways' decision to stop carrying stretchers on long-haul flights to the streets of London last weekend in this eye-catching display by business development manager Elaine Vaughan...

Never do it unprotected.
June 3, 2005... BLEAK payout forecasts for travel agents and passengers owed money by collapsed airline Duo have triggered fresh warnings from ABTA about the risk of selling financially unprotected air fares. In the latest update from Duo's administrators...

End of the ATOL.
June 3, 2005... Industry cheers Government moves to scrap operator bonds THEproposal to scrap tour operator ATOL bonds has been hailed as a victory for common sense by the trade. It has emerged that part of the regulatory impact assessment currently...

Moan, moan, moan.
June 3, 2005... THE trade is bracing itself for a rise in complaints this summer following the publication of a book that tells unhappy holidaymakers how to moan effectively. Called 160 Letters That Get Results, the Which? publication claims to give...

Insurance warning.
June 3, 2005... AGENTS are being warned to ensure the insurance they are selling customers is right for their needs. Helix International director Dr Paul Beven, who advises insurers on medical risk, has said it is paramount agents take time to ensure...

Stelios island hops.
June 3, 2005... EASYCRUISE founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou is to travel to the Caribbean this month to organise winter itineraries for his fledgling cruise ship operation. The entrepreneur will be in Barbados between June 17-19 to negotiate access to ports...

Everyone's a winner.
June 3, 2005... Travel Weekly was awarded production team of the year at parent company Reed Business Information's annual achievement awards last week. The team beat off over 25 other titles to win the prestigious award - for the second year running....

No-one's in a spin.
June 3, 2005... VISIT Florida has said it is too early to say whether the impending hurricane season will affect bookings if the region experiences weather as severe as last year. Weather forecasters at the Colorado State University have predicted an...

Zorgvliet's on the ball.
June 3, 2005... THE South African leisure group, which bought St Andrews Travel in Bolton for a seven-figure sum, is hoping to capitalise on the 2010 football World Cup to boost the country's ex-UKmarket. Zorgvliet Group chief executive Mac van der Merwe...

Concern over 'illegal' strike.
June 3, 2005... AGENTS are distancing themselves from a threatened strike against operators following concerns it may be illegal. St Andrews Travel consultant Andrew Dickson said despite recent reports of some agents resorting to taking action regarding...

Suntan lotion is not magic potion.
June 3, 2005... Thomson has considered all manner of options in looking at what products can viably be sold in its high-street shops.Some ideas are more likely to work than others. Aside from the issue of shop space, it's unlikely that customers will pop into...

Cruise stop bid goes into terminal decline.
June 3, 2005... DEMANDS for a new cruiseline terminal in east London have suffered a setback after Lewisham Council green lit a housing development and recycling centre. At a planning meeting last week councillors gave outline permission for a [pounds...

Going by the book.
June 3, 2005... If you open your postbag over the next few weeks and find a strongly worded letter from a client complaining that little Johnny stubbed his toe getting out of the pool or that the mother-in-law got squashed between two big men on the flight...

Midland winners.
June 3, 2005... AGENCY awards have been handed out for the first time in the 14-year history of the Midland Travel Trade Ball. More than 500 ABTAmembers and invited guests gathered at the Hilton Metropole at Birmingham's NEC for the event. Winners...

One-stop shop.
June 3, 2005... THOMSON will decide within six months whether to become a traditional retailer selling travel and leisure products ranging from clothes to suncream after admitting package-holiday sales are under pressure. The multiple has announced a...

Impose charges for the flighty brigade.
June 10, 2005... I am writing to strongly agree with Mandy Nickerson's letter (Travel Weekly June 3). I have worked for two of the multiples and now work for an independent and I am so fed up with spending hours, days or weeks putting together tailor-made...

Complaints to airlines rising.
June 10, 2005... AIRLINES have been swamped with complaints ever since the introduction of new European Union legislation giving passengers the right to compensation for delays, cancellations and overbooking. Since the new rules became law in February, the...

All the fun's in Brum.
June 10, 2005... The 14th Midland Travel Trade Ball took place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, and was sponsored by Travel Weekly, Independent Options, Journeys Travel Insurance, Birmingham International Airport, Airtours, C&M Recruitment, Holiday Autos and...

Enjoy the quiet in Cordoba.
June 10, 2005... WHEN travellers search for the historic gems of Andalucia they normally head to Seville and Granada or the white-washed villages that cover much of the surrounding landscape. Surprisingly few make it as far as Cordoba. But this does the...

Around the world in a day.
June 10, 2005... manager for Spain Pete Grue expects Terra Natura to have a positive effect on the UKmarket. "Although Benidorm is already well known for its wide variety of entertainment, the park will offer something fresh, exciting and new and will not...

Boutique - c'est chic.
June 10, 2005... years including the Amerigo (see hotel check), Alicante's first hotel of this type, and the Palau de la Mar, a former palace residence, in Valencia last July. Later this year it plans to open boutique hotels in Granada and Cordoba and has its...