Travel Weekly (UK) articles from June 2007

Travel Weekly (UK) archives from June 2007

Puerto Rico's [pounds sterling]1.5m campaign.(News)
June 1, 2007... The tourist board for Puerto Rico has launched a [pounds sterling]1.5 million, five-year strategic plan to attract more UK visitors to the island. Puerto Rico Tourism Company executive director Terestella GonzA lez Denton was in London...

BEST.(Departures)
June 1, 2007... Best for sailing Where? Bodrum Why? Viewing Turkey's sunny shores from the deck of a boat is a particularly rewarding experience. Customers can learn to sail with an operator such as Sunsail. The vibrant resort of Bodrum is popular for...

Departures.
June 1, 2007... Metak Holidays has introduced two boutique hotels to its Turkey programme for 2007, Hillside Su in Marmaris and the Orsmaris, Antalya. Hillside Su is a five-star seafront property with minimalist interior design and beds on the balconies so...

Departures.
June 1, 2007... transfers and taxis on offer Somewhere2stay.com has launched taxi transfers for its Turkish resorts. Airport transfers and taxi services are available from Dalaman Airport to a range of resorts including Marmaris, Icmeler, Olu Deniz,...

Sun arrives in Izmir.(Departures)
June 1, 2007... New SunExpress service will increase capacity and could drive more business to the Aegean coast. Janine Kelso reports Low-cost airline SunExpress has launched a service from Stansted to the coastal city of Izmir. The twice-weekly...

Sales still on track.(Departures)
June 1, 2007... Operators bullish despite Ankara bomb blast. Janine Kelso reports Tour operators are confident that the recent bomb blast in Turkey will not affect bookings this year. Six people were killed and at least 100 others injured in the...

So they want a bargain.(Departures)
June 1, 2007... If it's boutique hotels, great nightlife and cheap food, drink and activities your clients are after, look no further than the Mediterranean's largest country. Janine Kelso reports Bustling resorts, sun-drenched beaches and vibrant...

Departures.
June 1, 2007... in brief Escape to the Lycian Coast Exclusive Escapes is introducing a midweek return flight to Turkey's Lycian coast for the peak season. The British Airways flight will leave every Tuesday from Gatwick to Dalaman and vice-versa from...

Check out whate_SSRqs new.(Departures)
June 1, 2007... From budget hotels to boutique boltholes, clients have never had it so good. Kerry Baggott reports Holidaymakers in the UK have never had such a choice of places to stay, according to business consultancy PKF, publisher of accommodation...

Departures.
June 1, 2007... Buoyed by prime-time shows such as Any Dream Will Do and Grease is the Word, theatre breaks are on the up. Kerry Baggott finds out how you can boost your commission in this burgeoning market There's no business like show business ...

News.
June 1, 2007... Air travel cannot continue expanding at the current rate, but it must - that is the dividing line between environmentalists and the industry, with the latter arguing the economic benefits outweigh aviation's contribution to global warming. ...

News.
June 1, 2007... * Air travel is expanding at 5% a year. * The industry wants to cut CO2 by emissions 50% by 2030. * Air travel in the UK has increased fivefold in the past 30 years. * The number of UK airflights is expected to double between now...

CAA takes on emissions role.(News)
June 1, 2007... The Civil Aviation Authority is likely to oversee the European Union's emissions trading scheme in the UK, which airlines will join from 2011. This will impose a cap on carbon dioxide emissions from flights within the EU and force airlines...

Heathrow expansion 'vital for business'.(News)
June 1, 2007... Heathrow will lose importance as a pan-European hubwithout the go-ahead forexpansion. Lord Clive Soley, chairman of lobby group Future Heathrow - a coalition of business groups and airlines - said: "The critical measure of a hub airport is...

'Air polluters must pay' says Tory MP.(News)
June 1, 2007... Taxes on air travel must rise to tackle global warming and the industry should expect tough targets to cut emissions, shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling has warned. Grayling told conference delegates: "We are not going to take steps...

Grayling defends air tax proposal.(News)
June 1, 2007... Shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling defended the Tories' recent consultation proposals for a new tax on air travel. "We set out options for consultation," he said. "We are not talking about additional taxes, but replacement taxes. ...

News.
June 1, 2007... european holiday trends 38% of European travellers say the threat of terrorist attacks will have an influence on their choice of holiday destination 51% of British travellers use the Internet to book holidays, while just 39% of...

News.
June 1, 2007... top 20 travel search terms 1) Easyjet 2) Ryanair 3) Multimap 4) Google Earth 5) AA route planner 6) Train times 7) Expedia 8) Thomas Cook 9) Cheap flights 10) AA 11) Holidays 12)...

News.
June 1, 2007... 24% said they would switch from a car to public transport 22% said they would choose an airline with a reputation for fuel-efficient aircraft 18% would select a holiday which had a conservation theme or involved a conservation-type...

drinking tosuccess.(News)
June 1, 2007... Offering owners and guests an exclusive product and employing the local community has worked wonders for PerAquum Resorts chief executive Tom McLoughlin. Teresa Machan reports How did you make the leap from minion to one of the world's...

TW2.
June 1, 2007... Long Tall Sally [pounds sterling]13.60 From its summer 2007 collection, this stylish two-piece with halter-neck top and shorts, complete with buckle detail, flatters any shape. Debenhams [pounds sterling]18 top [pounds sterling]16...

'Agents' future is secure'.(News)
June 1, 2007... In a complete about-face from the long-held positions that the Internet was the preferred distribution choice, some operators now believe travel agents will prevail as suppliers' favoured sales channel. On Holiday Group chief executive...

Trade divided over mass-market future.(News)
June 1, 2007... Package holiday company executives remain divided on whether mass-market, bucket-and-spade holidays have a future, or whether the industry must move to a more 'niche' business model. First Choice managing director of mainstream business...

Web is key to discovering new markets.(News)
June 1, 2007... Travel agents should tap into social networking sites to uncover potential new markets, said Rohit Talwar, chief executive of market research firm Fast Future. Sustainable tourism and health tourism are examples of two niche markets for...

Celebrating excellence.(News)
June 1, 2007... Ten agents were winners at the inaugural Travel Weekly Agent Excellence Awards, for the Midlands and East of England region. The winners were: Manager - large agency: Gail Lister, Harvey World Travel, Old Catton, Norwich Sales...

Southall perfects back office systems for agents.(News)
June 1, 2007... Southall Travel is enhancing its back-office systems in order to build stronger relationships with travel agent partners. David Holland, newly appointed sales director to Southall's operator division The Holiday Team, said the company is...

Travel Weekly announces editor.(News)
June 1, 2007... Travel Weekly's new editor, Sarah Longbottom, joins on Monday. Longbottom joins from Newtrade Publishing's Retail Newsagent, which she has edited for the past 18 months. Previously she worked on Air Cargo Week and spent seven years at the...

Med Hotels seeks principal support.(News)
June 1, 2007... Burrows calls for agents' backing as company changes status Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk Med Hotels could review commercial terms with agents if they decide not to support the company now it has adopted principal status. ...

News.
June 1, 2007... Kuoni and pals are horsing around Stars from stage, screen and travel helped raise over [pounds sterling]35,000 for charity at the annual Kuoni World Class Polo Day at Hurtwood Park Polo Club in Surrey at the weekend. Pictured from left,...

News.
June 1, 2007... LATE NEWS Take Bride in your votee_SFlbThe deadline for voting for the agent you would like to win our Bride Idol contest is June 8. Attraction World has teamed up with Travel Weekly to offer one agent and their partner a dream wedding in...

Tourists put pocket before the planet.(News)
June 1, 2007... Exclusive Fewer than one in 10 UK consumers would be willing to change their travel plans to greener alternatives, according to a survey for Travel Weekly. TNS Travel and Tourism, which carried out the research, found that just 2% of...

News.
June 1, 2007... in brief The personal touch Travel Distribution Summit delegates were told to drive customer loyalty online by ensuring they empowered consumers and create an emotional bond by 'showing some personality'. Cheapflights.co.uk...

Majors will be 'serious players'.(News)
June 1, 2007... Riches predicts giants will take '18 months to get act together' in the accommodation-only sector Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk It is only a matter of time before the leading travel groups become "serious players" in the...

Letters.
June 1, 2007... Success for PSA's Cruise Convention I would like to thank all the agents who visited Dover Cruise Port for the first Passenger Shipping Association UK Cruise Convention. It was a busy day in port with four ship calls over two days,...

Maureen.
June 1, 2007... Will it mean the aisles are blocked with agitated passengers presenting cabin crew with a stiff challenge? No getting off Scot free I don't know if it's the stop-start weather that's making everybody so testy, but I could do without...

Hong Kong route lifts market share.(News)
June 1, 2007... Air New Zealand has almost doubled its market share since launching its second daily service from Heathrow to Auckland. ANZ international airline group manager Ed Sims said that the airline's share had increased from 25% to about 40%,...

News.
June 1, 2007... TRAVEL WEEKLY ONLINE POLL How are you feeling about trade for this summer season? 25% Very worried Apprehensive Cautiously confident Extremely confident 31% 29% 15% > This week's poll: Do you...

Columnists.
June 1, 2007... Byline: Simon Calder A consistent policy, please Cock-up or conspiracy? With the Government in disarray, it is difficult to tell whether the straitjacket being tightened on air travellers is a plan to suppress our appetite for flying...

Work with staff to combat fraud.(Columnists)
June 1, 2007... Byline: Todd CarpenterTravel Trust Association director Normally when we think of fraud in travel, we think about businesses committing whole-scale frauds or of fraudulent consumer transactions, particularly on credit cards. Fraud...

Cosmos laps up Lapland.(News)
June 1, 2007... Cosmos Holidays has added day trips from Newcastle and Cardiff in its second-edition December 2007 Finnish Lapland brochure. The airports have beenadded to current gateways Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham in response to demand from...

Jetset promisesthe right answer.(News)
June 1, 2007... 'We'll pick up within 20 seconds or call you back,' trade told Lisa James Jetset is promising to answer calls from agents within 20 seconds after installing new technology and expanding its reservations team. And the independent...

Ex-UK plans for Costa.(News)
June 1, 2007... Costa Cruises will decide this month whether to launch an ex-UK programme for 2009. President Gianni Onorato said if the plan gets the go-ahead, cruises will go on sale next year. He said: "If we do it, we will have a ship operating in...

A dynamic new name, anyone?(News)
June 1, 2007... Will long-suffering agents ever see the back of the industry's most irksome phrase? It took an accommodation-only firm working in the dynamic packaging sector to say it. Youtravel.com sales and marketing director Paul Riches admitted...

A right Royal breakdown.(News)
June 1, 2007... Travelling the near 500-mile round trip to Newquay from Surrey in a 1970s camper van you would expect the odd 'hiccup' along the way. However, having a group of Japanese tourists staring at you while 'rolling' the van in a car park at...

How to create a good impression.(News)
June 1, 2007... A huge amount of networking will take place at next week's Institute of Travel and Tourism conference. But there's a right way and a wrong way to get yourself noticed. Lisa James reports As every ambitious high flyer knows, if you want to...

News.
June 1, 2007... What was your first job? In a local restaurant, cooking in the kitchen and serving as a silver service waitress. What was your first job in travel? Travel consultant at an independent travel agency How did you climb the career...

News.
June 1, 2007... Travelsphere head of call centre Lisa Cochran has had a tough job sorting out the way the company interacts with consumers. As a result of a number of acquisitions, staff had been working on different systems and had varying levels of...

News.
June 1, 2007... p48/49 Call centre check list aCcents Technology: If you are serious about offering a decent call centre operation then you will have to invest in a system. "Start by saying: 'What kind of service do we want to give our...

Are you ringing in the changes?(Skillzone)
June 1, 2007... Is your call centre technology up to standard? If not you could be losing significant business. Ross Bentley reports With increasing amounts of business being done over the phone, travel companies must ensure their contact centre strategy...

What's the Advantage?(Comment)
June 1, 2007... Byline: Juliet DennisChief reporter Why would Advantage stay in Triton? Merger or alliance, what's it to be? Quite possibly both, it would seem. After Advantage dropped the bombshell this week that it would not be going ahead with...

ANZ bids to shed weight.(News)
June 1, 2007... Air New Zealand is planning to dramatically drop the weight carried by its aircraft, refresh its fleet and develop links with environmentally conscious operators in an effort to boost its green credentials. ANZ international airline group...

Tourism Holdings unveils trade online car hire tool.(News)
June 1, 2007... The vehicle reservation arm of Tourism Holdings has launched an online resource for travel agents. The company, which owns camper van and car hire brands Britz and Maui, is hoping that agents will use the resource, which includes vehicle...

'It's all about sustainability,' says NZ.(News)
June 1, 2007... New Zealand's annual trade fair took place in Rotorua last week. Nathan Midgley reports on the key issues discussed during the three-day event The New Zealand government has unveiled a draft tourism strategy that seeks to put...

Agents are key to success.(News)
June 1, 2007... UK agents are key to helping New Zealand compete with short, low-cost holidays in Europe, according to Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton. He said personalised service and product knowledge is vital to selling the country...

'US open skies deal will hit NZ tourism,' says Lee.(News)
June 1, 2007... New Zealand will be hit hard by the growth of low-cost flights to the US following the deregulation of transatlantic routes, according to Travelmood marketing director Chris Lee. He predicted fares would go "through the floor", leading to...

News.
June 1, 2007... our TOp five web stories Most-read stories on www.travelweekly.co.uk this week: 1. Advantage to withdraw from Triton merger talks 2. Co-op merger gets green light 3. Abta slams Daily Mail holiday chaos report 4. Summer...

Columnists.
June 1, 2007... "I do love the sun but I can't keep still for too long" The world according to... Patsy Palmer, actress How many holidays do you usually take a year? Since buying a house in Brighton three years ago and starting up a new...

See how the land lies.(Departures)
June 1, 2007... If your clients aren't into underwater pursuits there's plenty of other activities to keep them occupied in Israel's seaside resort. Linsey McNeill reports Such is the popularity of diving in the Red Sea, it's easy to overlook the area's...

Hide out from the hordes.(Departures)
June 1, 2007... For holidaymakers seeking some solace from the crowds, look beyond the popular resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada. Linsey McNeill reports Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada are by far the best known resorts on the Red Sea, but there are a...

a heated debate.(Analysis)
June 1, 2007... A conference on aviation and climate change highlighted the depth of disagreement between the industry, campaigners and scientists. Ian Taylor reports talk of the conference

Departures.
June 1, 2007... Everything you need to know for the week ahead At a time when agents are being told to specialise and make clients aware of the environmental impact of travelling, this website provides an example of how two agents did just that. It's worth...

Skillzone.
June 1, 2007... There's a first time for everyone. We asked four industry high flyers to recall their first industry event. "My first introduction to the industry was the Travel Weekly Northern Ball in 2004. Trevor Harding grabbed my by the arm and took...

OFT 'will act' over Ryanair.(News)
June 1, 2007... Airlines not including extra costs in fares may face court order Ian Taylorian.taylor@rbi.co.uk Abta expects the Office of Fair Trading to take action against Ryanair and other airlines flouting the need to include taxes and charges in...

BA hails unions' vote for T5.(News)
June 1, 2007... British Airways claims its move to Heathrow Terminal 5 next March will be free from the threat of industrial action after 6,000 ground staff voted to accept new work practices. Check-in and customer service staff became the last group to...

Industry short on quality.(News)
June 1, 2007... ITT conference to hear travel companies and colleges place too little emphasis on professionalism Ian Taylorian.taylor@rbi.co.uk The industry fails to understand the meaning of professionalism despite increasing emphasis on expertise...

News.
June 1, 2007... women can progress...but forget fair pay There is a gender pay gap but not an obvious glass ceiling for women in travel, according to initial findings of a survey commissioned by Shine People and Places. More than 100 people have taken...

Abta delegation gets on soapbox.(News)
June 1, 2007... Abta is to hold an event at each of the UK's three key political party conferences this autumn. Head of policy and communications David Marshall said a delegation would attend the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Tory conferences in...

Triton shares 'linked to sales'.(News)
June 1, 2007... Global and Worldchoice agents will only be able to buy shares in a newly merged Triton if they hit targets on preferred products. Triton and Worldchoice chairman Colin Heal warned agents will have to prove their worth before they're...

News.
June 1, 2007... "While I accept there is a commercial justification [for Advantage to join the merger] you don't need to be big in the current market and instead you need to get it right. In this industry we need to supply good quality and Advantage is already...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2007... Discounting is madness This industry never ever fails to amaze me. When a cruise principal offers more commission to boost a particular sailing, why in the name of all that's sacred give it all away to the client? Perhaps offer a small...

First ChoiceGoing PlacesFlight Centre Thomas Cook.(Mystery Shopper)
June 1, 2007... 106 North End, Croydon TOP 5 TIPS As I entered both staff members were on the phone, but after a short wait I was asked to take a seat and offered help. An agent asked me questions and Egypt was suggested. No brochures...

Shouting out about stress.(Skillzone)
June 1, 2007... One in five UK employees report they are 'extremely stressed' at work and are ill as a result. Each year, 12.8 million days in the UK are lost to stress, anxiety and depression. Stress costs UK businesses [pounds sterling]9.6 billion a year....

Departures.
June 1, 2007... Sample product Olympic Holidays offers seven nights' all-inclusive at the three-star Magico Bronzo Hotel in Ovacik Hisaronu from [pounds sterling]335 per person, including flights and transfers. Kosmar Holidays has seven nights'...

Week in pictures.
June 1, 2007... The Week to ComeWhere to be and what you need to know for the week ahead Saturday June 2 Annual Strawberry Fair festival held on Cambridge's Midsummer Common Sunday June 3 Second day of the Carnival of Cultures...

Departures.
June 8, 2007... During the handover of Hong Kong in July 1997 when 'Last Governor' Chris Patten sailed off into the post-colonial sunset on Britannia, the same question was on everyone's lips: will it change? A decade on, the whole world has, but what...

Departures.
June 8, 2007... J8-Asia-News-NIBs Regent Holidays has added another nine-day Classic North Korea tour due to popular demand. Departing on September 28, the tour starts in Beijing and travels to Pyongyang and Mt Myohyang. Prices start at [pounds...

Departures.
June 8, 2007... J8-Asia-News-PicCaption [SUBs: Pic in TWQPS] The new 24-storey, five-star Peninsula Tokyo will open on September 1 in the Marunouchi district of Tokyo. With 314 rooms, an ESPA spa and a rooftop restaurant with views of Tokyo's skyline,...

News.
June 8, 2007... Beachcomber Tours launched its African Summer promotion with a competition to win a trip to Cape Town for the travel agency with the best-dressed shop window promoting its South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Victoria Falls programme. Pictured...

News.
June 8, 2007... Abta concedes there is a problem with some agents outside its membership selling travel insurance, although not all those doing so are unregulated. However, there is confusion about the extent of unregulated sales. InsureandGo director...

TUI shop closures 'minimal'.(News)
June 8, 2007... As merger receives EC approval, industry observers say widespread agency changes are unlikely Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk European Commission approval of a TUI/First Choice merger has prompted speculation shop closures will be...

News.
June 8, 2007... Irish Ferries has launched a new online booking amendment service for agents looking to alter port-to-port bookings. Until June 28, 2007 amendments made on its website [www.irishferries.com] will be free, while after that date any changes to...

News.
June 8, 2007... Thomson Holidays has introduced an electronic 'scratch-card' game on its intranet as part of an incentive scheme for its sales staff. Under the scheme, developed by employee reward firm Michael C Fina, staff who sell promotional holidays will...

News.
June 8, 2007... Key Travel has appointed an environmental officer at its Manchester Office. Ruth Milner, 29, will implement Key Travel's environmental initiatives and corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy and help the company and its customers reduce...

News.
June 8, 2007... Travel companies admit tough trading conditions are hitting longhaul prices, but have denied there is a glut of [pounds sterling]5 holidays, as reported last weekend in the consumer press. Thomson head of sales Derek Jones said: "You can't...