Travel Weekly (UK) articles from March 2008

Travel Weekly (UK) archives from March 2008

The Queen gives T5 a royal seal of approval.(News)
March 21, 2008... The Queen officially opened Heathrow Terminal 5 last week during a ceremony with 800 guests. The [pounds sterling]4.3 billion terminal is set to begin operating on March 27 and will cater for up to 30 million passengersa year. The...

Industry to feel the pinch.(News)
March 21, 2008... Exclusive Economist predicts a period of 'belt-tightening' among consumers, Budget briefing hears "If [government] borrowing gets worse we are in for a rough time on taxation" Michelle Perrettmichelle.perrett@rbi.co.uk The travel...

Sport stars set for Barbados.(News)
March 21, 2008... The Barbados Tourism Authority has revealed football legends Sir Geoff Hurst, Alan Hansen, Mark Bright and Peter Shilton will be coaching at the Barbados Sports Camp 2008. They will join international cricket stars Gladstone Small, Mike...

CAA renews call for UK airport shake-up.(News)
March 21, 2008... The Civil Aviation Authority has echoed calls for an overhaul of UK airports following fierce criticism of its green light for increased charges at Heathrow and Gatwick. MPs added their voice to demands for the break-up of Heathrow...

News.
March 21, 2008... The Competition Commission continues to investigate whether BAA's control of Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and four other airports gives it a dominant market position. The Commons transport select committee repeated the call for BAA to be...

Rate cuts lead to discounting dip.(News)
March 21, 2008... Agents set to reduce discount levels following Complete Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk Agents are being forced to reduce discount levels to avoid being out of pocket following Complete Cruise Solution's decision to cut...

Smoking policy is unclear on cruise ships.(News)
March 21, 2008... Two-thirds of holidaymakers do not know what the smoking policy is on board cruise ships, an online poll has revealed. Eight months after the introduction of the smoking ban, 66% of the 5,500 people asked by cruise website cruises.co.uk...

'Green is a serious issue'.(News)
March 21, 2008... Lufthansa general manager says traditional 'tree-hugging' concerns are now crucial to businesses Juliet Dennis juliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk Commercial benefits and demands from staff and consumers are driving travel companies to adopt a...

Kuoni calls for agent data.(News)
March 21, 2008... Exclusive Sharing specialist details will help operators work better with consortia, says sales boss "By doing this we can help operators work more closely with us and we can work better with our members" Edward...

News.
March 21, 2008... Teletext Holidays has warned 20 of its advertisers will be struck off its books on April 1 if they do not secure an ATOL. The company has alerted its 400 TV and web advertising clients they need an ATOL, or need to be advertising products...

News.
March 21, 2008... industry comments "Comments made about greater requirements do not necessarily accord with the realities of tour operating. We will be very keen to see the outcome of this case." Derek Moore, chairman, Association of Independent Tour...

Teletext launches DIY tour operation.(News)
March 21, 2008... Company plans to sell its own holidays and boost profits Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk Teletext Holidays is to launch its own dynamic packaging tour operation under its This Is Travel brand following falling profits over the...

News.
March 21, 2008... In brief Win a trip to Hawaii US specialist Funway Holidays has teamed up with Hawaii Tourism Europe to offer agents the chance to win a trip to the island. Every booking made before March 29 will be recorded and entered into the prize...

News.
March 21, 2008... Kenya flights resume Cosmos will resume its charter programme from Gatwick to Mombasa, Kenya from May. The service was suspended at the beginning of the year following civil unrest. The weekly charter flight will resume on May 5. ...

Wages boom as call centres come home.(News)
March 21, 2008... Salaries for call centre managers and ticketers have soared as travel companies try to fill posts previously outsourced abroad, according to AA Appointments' Salary Forecast 2008. With more travel companies re-employing UK staff after a...

CAA defends APC scheme.(News)
March 21, 2008... The Civil Aviation Authority has rejected claims some ATOL holders will struggle to secure bonding from next month or pay more as a result of the new ATOL protection scheme. Just 12 larger ATOL-holding companies out of 2,500 will need...

News.
March 21, 2008... in brief Anger at strike threat Thomas Cook has reacted angrily to a strike threat by the union representing cabin crew. Management and union Unite have been discussing the staff implications of integrating Thomas Cook Airlines and...

Corfu case shock waves could shake travel trade.(News)
March 21, 2008... "It goes as far as throwing into question the package holiday" FTO boss airs concerns over fallout from Louis Corcyra death case outcome Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk The Federation of Tour Operators has warned that a trial...

Club Med gives trade website a facelift.(News)(Website overview)
March 21, 2008... "More agents are asking about our website and more agents are using it" Club Med has revamped its agent-only website after seeing a 100% year-on-year growth in revenues through the site during 2008. Head of sales UK and Scandinavia...

Week in pictures.
March 21, 2008... Vic goes Totally Wild Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks are offering free tickets for the first 10 people to support the Totally Wild Mosaic Appeal, launched by comic Vic Reeves this week. For [pounds sterling]10, contributors can...

Week in pictures.
March 21, 2008... Air Malta business development executive Matthew Parnell, presents Grosvenor Travel Management senior business travel consultant Stephen Papp with a Manchester United shirt signed by right back Gary Neville, after he won a competition run by...

Barometer.
March 21, 2008... 1.4 - the average number of aircraft filled by Elite Island Resort customers per week 10 nights is the average length of stay 19% of Elite's guests are children 10% of bookings are for family travel 5 - the average number of...

News.
March 21, 2008... World weather Alicante s 70 21 Amsterdam r 43 6 Auckland S 74 25 Bahamas s 77 25 Bangkok sh 95 35 Beijing r 46 8 Budapest c 52 11 Buenos Aires s 77 25 Cairo s 97 36 Cape Town c 77 25 ...

'Handle Chinese tourists with care'.(News)
March 21, 2008... Influx of holidaymakers will change UK industry, says expert The emerging Chinese tourism market will change the face of the UK tourism industry. Chinese tourism advisers ChinaContact managing director Roy Graff said while 12 million...

Get a Green Start with VisitBritain.(News)
March 21, 2008... VisitBritain has launched a scheme aimed at helping hotels and attractions increase their green credentials. Sustainable tourism project manager Jason Freezer said the decision to launch the scheme at the British Travel Trade Fair came...

'Marketing needs change'.(News)
March 21, 2008... Financing structure behind domestic tourism requires review, say Conservatives Edward Robertsoned.robertson@rbi.co.uk The Tories could hold a review of the UK tourism marketing structure if the party wins the next election. ...

Push culture to pull in repeat visits, says Morrison.(News)
March 21, 2008... Promoting Britain's cultural events, theatres and cathedrals will help boost tourism spend in the UK, according to VisitBritain. VisitBritain international research manager Philip Morrison said events such as music festivals are key reasons...

News.
March 21, 2008... Thomas Cook agents in bunny business Thomas Cook agents in Sutton, Surrey, were treated to a visit from the Easter bunny this week courtesy of Princess Cruises. The shop is one of 600 high-street agencies and call centres to receive...

News.
March 21, 2008... Charles and Camilla visit Tobago for charity Sustainable travel charity the Travel Foundation received a visit from HRH the Prince of Wales during his tour of Tobago. Prince Charles visited a special exhibition of the foundation's projects...

eco-friendly is the only future.(News)
March 21, 2008... Byline: Travel companies should beware of making misleading claims about their environmental credentials, according to the head of luxury group Leading Hotels of the World.Chief executive Wolf Ebeling said: "Travel has been one of the first...

News.
March 21, 2008... The world's biggest passenger aircraft flew into Heathrow on Tuesday on its first commercial flight to Europe. The Singapore Airlines A380 touched down in mid-afternoon with 471 passengers, to be greeted by Government ministers Jim Fitzpatrick...

Disaster alerts, direct to your mobile phone.(News)
March 21, 2008... Exclusive ABTA offers operators emergency text service Edward Robertsoned.robertson@rbi.co.uk ABTA is launching a free text message service which will alert its operator members of serious incidents. Head of business development...

American moves all services to Heathrow.(News)
March 21, 2008... The services will switch on March 30 at the onset of the open-skies deal American Airlines will close its base at Gatwick next month after 26 years and move all its services to Heathrow. The carrier had previously announced the...

Travelport plans to integrate companies.(News)
March 21, 2008... Travelport is to integrateglobal accommodation-only provider needahotel.com with its other subsidiaries Gullivers Travel Associates and Octopus Travel. Travelport, whichbought needahotel.com in 2006 from entrepreneur Sarah Newman for a...

Poland traffic props growth.(News)
March 21, 2008... CAA figures suggest influx of migrant workers is fuelling rise in passenger numbers at UK airports Ian Taylorian.taylor@rbi.co.uk Flights to Poland accounted for almost 20% of the increase in passengers at UK airports last year,...

Travelodge revenues soar.(News)
March 21, 2008... Travelodge has announced a revenue increase of 20%, as speculation mounts that it will merge with fellow budget chain Premier Inn. Rooms sold in 2007 increased by 14% to 5.5 million and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation...

Websites need to be more user-friendly.(News)
March 21, 2008... Exclusive Study suggests travel sites should embrace Web 2.0 to compete in market "Top travel sites must use every advantage to be more effective" Chloe Berman chloe.berman@rbi.co.uk Travel websites includingthomascook.com and...

Week in pictures.
March 21, 2008... Complete Cruise Solution is promoting its product with a Where's Noddy? competition, launched in Travel Weekly last month. To be in with a chance of winning a 14-night Caribbean cruise on Ventura, agents have to spot eight places where Noddy...

News.
March 21, 2008... TRAVEL WEEKLY ONLINE POLL What do you think of the CAA's decision to let BAA increase airport landing charges by up to 23.4%? 16% It makes perfect sense e_SFlbIt's a terrible idea 84% This week's online poll: If you...

Calculate carbon with HRS.(News)
March 21, 2008... Hotel reservation portal responds to consumers' environmental concerns with plans for online tool Chloe Bermanchloe.berman@rbi.co.uk Hotel booking portal Hotel Reservation Service is to introduce a carbon footprintcalculator to its...

Comtec commits to its US expansion.(News)
March 21, 2008... Travel technology supplier Comtec is pushing forward its expansion into the US market with the acquisition of premises near Washington DC. Comtec group director Richard Turner is being seconded from the company's south Wales headquarters to...

News.
March 21, 2008... our TOp five web stories Most-read stories on www.travelweekly.co.uk this week: 1.e_SIhtTravel agent salaries driven up by independents' expertise 2. Chancellor urges support for Heathrow expansion in 2008 budget 3. Thomas...

Week in pictures.
March 21, 2008... The Week to ComeWhere to be and what you need to know for the week ahead Saturday March 22 Bettmeralp Waterslide Competition, Switzerland. Glide across an icy pool in skis without falling in. bettmeralp.che_SClB Sunday...

BAA postpones T5 fingerprint plans.(News)
March 28, 2008... "We have serious concernsfingerprinting is far more intrusive than taking a picture" BAA has postponed plans to fingerprint passengers at Heathrow's Terminal 5 due to concerns it would breach privacy laws. The Information...

Virgin Atlantic ad is deemed 'misleading'.(News)
March 28, 2008... The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a complaint against Virgin Atlantic adverts which showed an image of its new premium economy seat. Complaints made against a magazine and newspaper advert claimed they were misleading because...

it's all aboutgrowth.(News)
March 28, 2008... Medhotels.com and Holiday Autos head of sales UK and Ireland Teresa Walsh talks toJuliet Dennis about XML feeds, extras and expansion outside the trade 'We are looking to get more strategic partnerships in place' In terms of sales,...

ACE wants to woo multiple members.(News)
March 28, 2008... Exclusive Harmer courts Thomas Cook and TUI Travel in recruitment drive "I would love to have all agents on board and see more engaged in cruise this time next year" Juliet Dennis The Association of Cruise Experts is attempting to...

News.
March 28, 2008... Cruiselines' will significantly ramp up agent training on their attempts to be environmentally friendly this year. The Association of Cruise Experts said its training will include sections on cruise ships' efforts to be green, such as...

Celebrity makes a European first.(News)
March 28, 2008... Cruiseline offers early booking savings for 2009 Juliet Dennis Celebrity Cruises has launched its first stand-alone Europe brochure for 2009 with early booking savings of up to [pounds sterling]400. The cruiseline's biggest...

Marco Polo offers a cruise deal to agents.(News)
March 28, 2008... Transocean Tours is promoting Marco Polo cruises out of Tilbury this year with a special agent offer after it saw trade business double over the last year. Agents are being offered the chance to go on a six-night Marco Polo cruise with...

News.
March 28, 2008... travel weekly Cruise month Travel Weekly is launching Cruise Month in April, with in-depth coverage dedicated to the cruise sector throughout the magazine. Starting next week, we will run cruise-themed guest columns, travel agent vox...

Spain is Brits' favourite for an Easter getaway.(News)
March 28, 2008... About two million British holidaymakers left the country for an Easter getaway, said ABTA. The trade association revealed Spain was the outright favourite destination for the weekend escape, with the Canary Islands, and Tenerife in...

Go the extra mile and pay attention to detail.(News)
March 28, 2008... Byline: Louise Newtonmarketing manager, Somak Holidays If you commute to work, you probably do what I do. I leave home at a certain time to beat the crush on the Northern line and I sit at the back of the train to be close to the stairs to...

'Campaign ad was misleading'.(News)
March 28, 2008... National advertising by two campaign groups opposed to UK airport expansion was misleading and should not be repeated, the Advertising Standards Authority has ruled. The advert featured a photograph of premier Gordon Brown and urged the...

MSC Poesia set to be world's first 'eco ship'.(News)
March 28, 2008... Exclusive MSC Cruises plugs new ship's green credentials ahead of April 5 launch Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk MSC Cruises is claiming a world first with some of the materials used to build its latest ship MSC Poesia in a bid to...

Open for business.(News)
March 28, 2008... Five carriers to launch new US services from Heathrow following open-skies deal Ian Taylorian.taylor@rbi.co.uk Passengers have more choice of transatlantic flights than ever before from this week as decades of regulation between Europe...

News.
March 28, 2008... Agents and operators STEP into Spain The eighth annual STEPs trade show was held this week at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London. Tour operators and travel agents attended seminars and met tourist organisations from Spain. Pictured at...

Triton to announce shake-up in Majorca.(News)
March 28, 2008... Directors to discuss commercial deals and membership Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk Triton directors are expected to unveil changes to the way commercial deals are structured and plans on the consortium's future membership at its...

In support of staff in the dock.(News)
March 28, 2008... Life in the travel industry never ceases to amaze me, and never more so than the situation in which the two Thomas Cook employees find themselves in the Corfu death case. How did the case manage to go down this route to court? When...

News.
March 28, 2008... Green scheme is not just for hotels As a director of a tourism business, I was disappointed to see VisitBritain's green scheme under the headline VisitBritain launches green scheme for hotels (Travel Weekly, March 18). Although the...

News.
March 28, 2008... In response to comments by Kuoni sales director Manuel Mascharenhas (Travel Weekly, March 21), I want to put the record straight on what Advantage Travel Centres has achieved over the past year with its Luxury Specialist programme. Luxury...

News.
March 28, 2008... countdown to christening MSC Cruises has launched a christening countdown in the run-up to MSC Poesia's launch on April 5. Any bookings during the period will qualify for a free one-category cabin upgrade. The offer is not just for MSC...

Skillzone.
March 28, 2008... BA pilot Barton is first to fly into Heathrow's T5 Captain Lynne Barton made history for the second time in her career last Thursday when she became the first pilot to fly into Heathrow's Terminal 5. Captain Barton, who flew British Airways...

News.
March 28, 2008... WTM invite-only day World Travel Market has revealed its opening day on November 10 is to be invitation-only to ministers and international press. The new policy will allow exhibitors greater control over who they do business with on the...

News.
March 28, 2008... Van Gogh Cruise Line defiant despite ABTA snub Van Gogh Cruise Line has pledged to set sail again by the end of the year, despite cancelling its schedule from April 5 to November 22. The company was formed in January after the demise of...

News.
March 28, 2008... in brief BA's summer services British Airways will offer 12 new routes from Gatwick this summer. The carrier will begin services from Gatwick to Alicante, Faro, Gibraltar, Malaga, Malta, Palma, Poznan and Tunis on Sunday, to Genoa on...

Thomas Cook delivers petition to number 10.(News)
March 28, 2008... Thomas Cook has presented its petition calling for a new bank holiday to prime minister Gordon Brown. Thomas Cook representatives took the petition - which has been signed by half a million people - to 10 Downing Street. "Public...

BTTF could face a rival event in 2009.(News)
March 28, 2008... "There's a need to have an event where the trade is talking to the trade" The British Travel Trade Fair could be competing with another UK tourism show by next year. Former BTTF exhibitors are said to be unhappy about the show moving...

Fighting the inevitable?(News)
March 28, 2008... Growing fears about the state of the world economy failed to dent the first big holiday of the year. Ian Taylor considers the outlook for the trade following the latest stock market gyrations "The trade can escape a downturn for a...

Operators prepare for Athens museum.(News)
March 28, 2008... Greek specialist tour operators are considering increasing the number of properties they offer in Athens in anticipation of the opening of the New Acropolis Museum. As cultural tourism becomes more popular, Planet Holidays managing...

News.
March 28, 2008... Barometer 28 03 08 Travel - Agencies A' All sites A' Weekly rankings for the week ending 15/03/2008 A' Ranks by 'Visits' Rank Website Source: hitwise Travel - Destinations and Accommodation A' All sites A' Weekly rankings for...

Agency adds recruitment site.(News)
March 28, 2008... Homeworking agency Holiday Experts has launched a recruitment website in a bid to double its staff by the end of the year. The company hopes the dedicated site homeworking-experts.co.uk will help it reach its target of 100 agents. But...

Industry 'not ready' for the [pounds sterling]1 ATOL levy.(News)
March 28, 2008... Association of ATOL Companies warns of confusion as introduction date looms "We do not believe everyone has [the necessary] business systems in place" Ian Taylorian.taylor@rbi.co.uk The trade is not ready for the [pounds...

EasyJet to take legal action on landing fees.(News)
March 28, 2008... EasyJet will take legal action to try to stop an increase in landing charges at Heathrow and Gatwick from April 1. The above-inflation increases received the go-ahead from the Civil Aviation Authority two weeks ago, prompting easyJet and...

Trade sidesteps tougher law.(News)
March 28, 2008... Tour operators will escape prosecution for overseas deaths under new Corporate Manslaughter Act Ian Taylorian.taylor@rbi.co.uk Concern at the implications of the Corporate Manslaughter Act, which becomes law on April 6, should not...

BA promises big changes from T5Drawbacks of terminal.(News)
March 28, 2008... Airline pledges to cut queues and lost bags at new terminal. Ian Taylor reports British Airways promises queues will be a thing of the past for passengers using Heathrow's Terminal 5 following its opening on Thursday. "Customers...

Hotels4u on Thomas Cook trade site.(News)
March 28, 2008... Thomas Cook is selling hotels4u.com product on its trade accommodation-only website, thomascookhotels.com, which was launched latelast year. The operator began promoting the site last week at Travel Weekly's Dynamic Packaging roadshow.It...

Few are loyal to agencies.(News)
March 28, 2008... Exclusive Research suggests clients will book wherever they find the best deal Chloe Bermanchloe.berman@rbi.co.uk Few customers are loyal to a certain travel agency when researching and booking a holiday, research from TNS has...

Agents hone their diy skills.(News)
March 28, 2008... The cheapest product isn't always the best one for your business. Chloe Berman reports from Travel Weekly's Dynamic Packaging Roadshow Agents at Travel Weekly's Dynamic Packaging Roadshow in London last week were advised to do their...

News.
March 28, 2008... School and bad weather hit sales over Easter Holiday sales through high-street travel agenciesover the Easter period were hit by the freezing temperatures andthe fact the long weekend did not coincidewith school holidays. Grand UK...

News.
March 28, 2008... In brief Hurtigruten offers Hurtigruten has extended its free flights offer on selected Antarctica cruises on board Nordnorge this winter, with savings of up to [pounds sterling]1,325 per person. This supersedes the previous [pounds...

Mergers mount despite the crunch.(Columnists)
March 28, 2008... Chris Photisenior partner, White Hart Associates Despite the bleak economic outlook, there is still a lot of activity in the mergers and acquisitions arena. Two things are driving this: the implementation of ATOL Protection...

ABTOF opens up.(News)
March 28, 2008... Association targets non-members in bid to lift conference attendee numbers " France is very diverse and offers a range of holiday options" Edward Robertson The Association of British Tour Operators to France is opening up its...

Attraction World kids around.(News)
March 28, 2008... Attraction World is making child's play of the launch of its biggest-ever promotion for families. As part of its Love the Kids campaign, which runs for the whole of April, the ticket specialist will be giving away everything from entry...