Travel Weekly (UK) articles from September 2005

Travel Weekly (UK) archives from September 2005

Big results from a tiny camcorder.
September 16, 2005... Capturing your most valuable moments has never been so easy. Canon, the leader in photographic and imaging technology, has announced the world's smallest andlightest one megapixel DVD digital camcorder. The super-slim DC10 and DC20 boast...

I've just been promoted into a role that includes having to do presentations, and I am terrified. ; I did one to a small group of people last week and although it went okay, I had sleepless nights in the run-up and panic attacks before the actual presentation. I've got a bigger one to do next week and am absolutely terrified. Russell, please can you give me some tips? ; SW, Bolton.
September 16, 2005... You have my total sympathy. Although I do it for a living, I still feel sick every time I stand up in front of an audience. To put it in context, in this country, public speaking is the biggest single fear that people have, apart from spiders -...

Signed Lemar album up for grabs.
September 16, 2005... Our gorgeous mate Lemar was so impressed with the autumn issue of TW2 he sent in a signedcopy of his album Time To Grow for us to give away to one lucky agent. Lemar, who won a Brit Award last year for best urban act and has sold more than...

A flydrive tour of the Deep South.
September 16, 2005... Thomas Cook 12 Allhallows There were nine desks but only three consultants, all of whom were busy. I couldn't find any relevant brochures but when the consultant eventually served me she got the Virgin and United Vacations brochures...

Global cruise companies vie for award.
September 16, 2005... November 2004 Italian cruiseline Costa Cruises says it has boosted sales for 2004 by 30% to 18,000 passengers. December Carnival Cruise Lines launches its 110,000-ton Carnival Valor, built in a record 24 months for $500 million....

Business is booming for specialists.
September 16, 2005... October 2004 Silversea Cruises signs up Isabella Rossellini as its first ambassador, to highlight its Italian heritage. February 2005 Silversea Cruises revamps its agent training scheme and tiered commission programme. March...

Innovation plays a crucial role to success of prime routes across Asia.
September 16, 2005... November 2004 British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and BMI are locked in a three-way battle for 21 new Indian routes. BA applied for all 21, Virgin 18 and BMI 13. December Singapore Airlines plans to offer high-speed Internet access...

It's all aboard to track the past 12 months.
September 16, 2005... November 2004 Travel 2 launches a four-day tour combining the Ghan rail trip from Alice Springs to Adelaide with two nights in Coober Pedy. In New Zealand, the operator has a new Glaciers and Mountains round-trip taking in Mount Cook,...

Operators investing to raise thrill count.
September 16, 2005... March 2005 Global Estudios, the company behind Benidorm's Terra Mitica theme park, takes over management of Warner Brothers Movie World Madrid. The park is renamed Warner Bros Park and is to get a new ride, based on cartoon character...

Has it been a busman's holiday for some?
September 16, 2005... January 2005 A Holiday Which? survey shows 69% of readers questioned said they would recommend a coach holiday to a friend. That compares with 65% who would recommend a cruise; and 62% who would suggest a long-haul holiday. Just 46% of...

Hire giants keep agents central to plans.
September 16, 2005... October 2004 Avis reassures leisure agents it has no plans to cut normal commission, after it ditches commission payouts on pre-arranged corporate deals. Hertz gains Visit Florida 'Strategic Alliance Partner' status, meaning the two...

Growing Internet trade took centre stage for the majority of contenders.
September 16, 2005... November 2004 Lowcostbeds.com launches an agency website to build business through the trade alongside its direct sales. The company says it has struck deals with more than 2,000 agents. A survey carried out by Cendant-owned Australian...

Tourist boards hit campaign trail to attract interest.
September 16, 2005... January 2005 The Croatian National Tourist Board produces a Village Accommodation guide to appeal to younger clients. March VisitGuernsey launches its SeaGuernsey campaign with agent material and dedicated literature detailing...

New destinations and programmes are core focus.
September 16, 2005... October 2004 MyTravel merges its short-haul brands and First Choice drops Sovereign's short-break programme. Magic Travel Group trims capacity in the Costa del Sol and the Algarve after volumes fail to meet expectations. It introduces...

The Travel Weekly Academy has had more users than ever before.
September 16, 2005... November 2004 Tourism Kenya launches a 10-module online academy. The programme covers details on how to get around and where to stay, and takes agents though the range of holidays and products available in Kenya. In-depth training on...

Growth in dynamic packaging continues apace.
September 16, 2005... January 2005 Worldchoice prepares to roll out a dynamic packaging solution to its members and claims it will be vital in helping the consortium compete in the marketplace. Vice-chairman Keith Wilson reveals it is in talks with three...

Global distribution systems fight it out.
September 16, 2005... October 2004 Sabre's Internet-based agency tool, MySabre, is launched in Europe. The system combines Sabre's products and services with the content of the global distribution system. Amadeus snatches Titan Travel away from Galileo to...

Independent travellers and second-home owners boost flight-only market.
September 16, 2005... October 2004 Freedom Flights launchesseat-only deals to Croatia after identifying growth in independent travel and Britons buying second homes. The fares are based on Excel Airways' programme to Split. November Avro announces an...

Winter wonderland for operators.
September 16, 2005... October 2004 Ski operators to the US report a strong start to the season. Ski Independence says it's up 52% year on year. Crystal Ski introduces the resorts of Stoneham, Mont St Anne and Le Massif, Canada, and markets them as 'ski and...

Asia takes centre stage.
September 16, 2005... October 2004 Virgin Holidays launches a six-figure Colours of the Caribbean campaign to rebuild consumer confidence. Tradewinds reports a boost in Indian Ocean sales as a result of a fall-off in demand to the Caribbean. January...

Theatreland has been a top seller for most.
September 16, 2005... October 2004 Highlife's autumn 2004/05 Theatrelife brochure includes The Producers and Mary Poppins among its new shows. Two-night budget breaks start at [pounds sterling]88 per person including a ticket for a West End show and a four-star...

UK holiday operators are still doing it for the kids.
September 16, 2005... October 2004 Butlins strikes a three-year deal with Bob the Builder. The deal allows holidaymakers to meet their DIY hero at its Bognor Regis, Skegness and Minehead parks. Pontin's offers self-catering Christmas breaks from [pounds...

Change is our big test.
September 16, 2005... It's been a difficult year - taking on the challenge of the low-cost airlines hasn't been easy. This year we've launched the mini-fare explorer, highlighting the cheapest fare available on the day clients ask - it is very useful. We...

Richard Lovell; Chief operating officer, Carlson Wagonlit Travel and chairman, GTMC.
September 16, 2005... I didn't know there was such a thing as business travel until 1987. The transport company I worked for owned some travel agencies.The chairman said: "What do you know about business travel?" I said: "Nothing". He said: "You had better find out...

Operator Aspires to add product.
September 16, 2005... FLEDGLING upmarket operator Aspire Holidays is to introduce southern Africa, Sri Lanka and Bali next year as it moves into its second year of operation. Commercial manager Orazio Lambiase said first-year sales had been encouraging. Part of...

Premium-class act.
September 16, 2005... TV presenter Johnny Vaughan was on true cheeky chappie form as he helped make the 2005 Travel Weekly Globe Awards go with a bang in January. "We're in for a long-haul awards ceremony," he joked, noting the 38 categories - more than the...

Are pilots under pressure?
September 16, 2005... ATOUR operator is concerned that pilots may be facing pressure to operate flights when conditions may be unsafe, so that airlines can avoid hefty passenger compensation payouts. Peltours sales and marketing director Darren Panto said...

VIP ticket up for grabs.
September 16, 2005... Thomas Cook is offering one lucky agent the chance win a VIP trip to the Globe Awards 2006, and two holidays are up for grabs, too. From October 1 to November 30, agents will automatically be entered into a Globes draw when three bookings...

Extra awards for the Globes.
September 16, 2005... In response to the increasingly important role played by the Internet, we've added three award categories this year -Best Dynamic Packaging, Best Online Brochure and Best Travel Weekly Academy Site. For information on the academy, and to see...

A very special relationship.
September 16, 2005... Associated newspapers is joining forces with Travel Weekly as a major sponsor for the Globe Awards 2006. Associated Newspapers is one of the UK's premier publishing groups and its market-leading brands - the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday,...

'Change with the times'.
September 16, 2005... It's been a challenging time for the industry. Last year, we enjoyed exceptional growth of 40%; this year it will only be about 6%. However, considering the market, that's still good. The travel trade is facing an uphill battle with direct...

Flying high now trade knows our name.
September 16, 2005... It's been a good year for us - we've seen double-digit growth across the board. We've grown existing destinations, though India is still the biggest destination for us, and concentrated on building relations with agents and suppliers. ...

'Future's bright for independents'.
September 16, 2005... This year has been quite hit and miss, although over the past seven months there's been an increase in business. There's been a definite up-turn in dynamic packaging. Members are listening to what the consumer really wants and finding the...

The Blair factor.
September 16, 2005... OBEROI Hotels and Resorts is hoping PrimeMinister Tony Blair's visit last week to its property in Udaipur will help promote the region to tourists. Blair met his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh last Thursday at Oberoi's Udaivilas for...

US model sets trend.
September 16, 2005... MORE hotel groups in the UK and Europe are expected to follow USmodels by selling ownership of properties, according to Stuart Metcalfe, chief executive of Queens Moat House hotels. Metcalfe was involved in the largest deal of its kind in...

So many resorts to pick and mix.
September 16, 2005... Perhaps more so than anywhere, the US can back up its claim to offer something for everyone. With ski resorts in a staggering 39 of the 50 states, your clients are sure to find something to their taste. The fact that there is no language...

Getting back to business.
September 16, 2005... Tourism Massachusetts is kick-starting its international marketing activity after a two-year hiatus. The USstate will spend more than $1 million in the UK over the next 12 months - one sixth of its total international budget - to highlight...

Magic becomes Italy-only brand.
September 16, 2005... THEMagic Group has dropped its Spain and Portugal programmes to focus on its core Italy product in 2006. Head of product and brand development Stephen Lane said the move is designed to allow the company to focus on its core market. "Agents...

Ex-CT2 in Travel5live bid.
September 16, 2005... FORMER CT2 chief executive Brian Murfin has bought a 37.5% stake in Manchester-based operator Travel5Live for an undisclosed sum. The Tenerife flight-only operator is finalising plans for a South African inclusive tour programme that is set...

Your companies need you.
September 16, 2005... TRAVEL recruitment companies are reporting a fairly buoyant start to September with vacancies coming in across the board. AA Appointments said it has seen a lot of movement in business travel, due to the summer holiday period coming to a...

Somak's lovely line-up.
September 16, 2005... SOMAK Holidays is offering Worldchoice agents eight exclusive offers for this autumn and winter. Eight shop-window posters have been designed to promote the deals. The offers are part of a continued closer working relationship between...

Academy toasts its success.
September 16, 2005... MORE than 16,000 agents have registered for the Travel Weekly Academy. Celebrating its two-year birthday this month, the Academy has awarded nearly 5,280 certificates to agents who have passed courses from Anheuser-Busch to St Lucia...

Cendant's bonding move.
September 16, 2005... CENDANT Travel Distribution Services has launched a UK travel-industry bond supplier called Bastion Surety. The company will issue insurance bonds to travel agents and medium-sized operators, after getting approval from the Financial...

Montenegro on the up.
September 16, 2005... COSMOS has quadrupled its number of properties in Montenegro after becoming the only operator to operate flights into Tivat Airport from both Manchester and Gatwick. Currently, the city is served from flights to Dubrovnik with customers...

Vote for your 2006 Globe winner.
September 16, 2005... TRAVEL recruitment companies are vying for the accolade of Best Recruitment Consultancy in the Travel Weekly Globe Awards 2006. Last year's winner was AA Appointments, which beat off stiff competition from rivals including C&M Recruitment...

Groups set out growth strategies.
September 16, 2005... HOTEL Du Vin is to target expansion in British university and cathedral towns in the north while parent brand Malmaison could seek to enter the USmarket, according to chief executive Robert Cook. In July, the combined group secured [pounds...

For a while now, I've had an idea buzzing round in my head I think would be of benefit to travellers going abroad.
September 16, 2005... For a while now, I've had an idea buzzing round in my head I think would be of benefit to travellers going abroad. After talking to several clients, I'm positive it will be a successful money-spinner. The only trouble is, I have no idea about...

More Sunshine, and no worries.
September 16, 2005... Having faced their fair share of hurricanes in the past, the people of Florida must have breathed a collective sigh of relief when Katrina more or less passed them by. The hurricane did come ashore at Miami but the city's infrastructure escaped...

Finding Southern comfort.
September 16, 2005... The scale of the task to rebuild the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi will not be clear until the flood waters have gone, but tourism officials hope visitors could return to New Orleans in the new year. That may appear optimistic in...

Hilton to sponsor Formula 1.
September 16, 2005... PACKAGES and incentives based around the Formula 1 race calendar are to be offered by Hilton after the hotel group unveiled a sponsorship deal with team McLaren Mercedes. The Hilton name appeared for the first time last weekend on the tail...

Thomson plugs the Middle East.
September 16, 2005... THOMSON is aiming to double passengers on its Middle East programme for 2006 despite price hikes of up to 40%. The operator has added the emirate of Ajam to its Arabian Gulf and Beyond brochure to alleviate pressure on its most popular...

Report tells bosses to prioritise hygiene policies.
September 16, 2005... A HOTELwatchdog has blamed inconsistent hygiene policies in hotels on the issue not being prioritised by senior management. Check Safety First looked at 50 hotels in the Balearic Islands, the Canaries, mainland Spain, Mexico and the...

Travel 2 triesout mini for size.
September 16, 2005... TRAVEL 2 has launched an eight-page mini-brochure for South Africa to boost business to the country. The operator has printed 70,000 copies of the booklet that are being distributed to agents before the launch of its main programme next...

Chambers reshuffles team.
September 16, 2005... BUSINESS agency Chambers Travel Management has restructured its sales and account management team after winning two new contracts this month worth about @14 million. The London-based company is entering a period of growth, said director of...

Operator puts its Trust in Caribbean for 2006.
September 16, 2005... TRUST Accommodation has widened its portfolio to include 60 new properties in the Caribbean. Destinations include Barbados, Tobago, Grenada, St Kitts, Antigua, St Lucia, Jamaica and Cuba. The company said winter sales had been greatly...

Andy returns home for a Beatles buzz.
September 16, 2005... LIVERPOOL John Lennon Airport facilities planner Andy Brown (pictured) has returned home two months after he suffered serious injuries in the London bombings. Andy was attending a work meeting in London when he became a victim of the July...

Busy times in Birmingham.
September 16, 2005... AUGUST was Birmingham International Airport's busiest ever month when 1,049,003 people used the UK's fifth busiest airport, a rise of 8.5% on the same month last year. August 12 was its busiest day in history when a record 38,878...

Balkan adds Midland flights.
September 16, 2005... BALKAN Holidays has added flights from Manchester Airport and Birmingham International Airport to its second-edition 2006 summer programme. Western Bulgaria is now accessible from Manchester as a result of the new flight from Manchester to...

Totally Orgasmic.
September 16, 2005... STENALine has come up with a novel way to get the trade on board. It's launched the Stena Orgasmic Summer agent giveaway, offering the trade hundreds of pounds worth of vouchers for Thorntons chocolates and Ann Summers accessories. Agents...

Thailand appeals to trade.
September 16, 2005... London to publicise next year's celebrations to mark 60 years since the king's ascension to the throne and drum up support for Phuket and Krabi, with the message the region is now back up and running. Bookings to the Andaman coast have...

Simply the best.
September 16, 2005... The Travel Weekly Globe Awards is one of the most thrilling events of the travel trade calendar, especially for those who are nominated for one of the many awards, voted for exclusively by travel agents. The event isn't just an opportunity...

Thomas Cook says it's not in deep water.
September 16, 2005... THOMAS Cook has dismissed claims it is breaching health and safety laws by not clearly marking taps offering drinking water in stores. The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association said the company has failed to label taps agents can drink...

A sporting chance.
September 16, 2005... WTM 2005 set to be springboard for sports tourism WITH sport's profile never higher in Britain than at present, countries preparing to host major sporting events will be using this year's World Travel Market to boost tourism. The 2008...

Game plan for industry.
September 16, 2005... UKtourism minister James Purnell will be at World Travel Market for the opening morning on November 14 to spearhead UK and Ireland's tourism push ahead of the 2012 Olympics in London. With tourism expected to account for up to...

'Bagsy the big room '.
September 16, 2005... SCREAMINGmatches between spouses and battles between unruly children are common occurrences in a family holiday. No wonder GMTV viewers voted the Osbournes their favourite holiday companions. Rock's finest family were probably best of a bad...

July attacks hit spending.
September 16, 2005... THE failed terrorist attacks in London on July 21 have had a bigger impact on overseas visitor numbers than the first bombings on July 7. Research commissioned by the Tourism Industry Response Group - comprising 18 organisations including...

Break for a tribunal.
September 16, 2005... THOMSON could be taken to an employment tribunal by Glasgow call-centre staff over the right to an afternoon tea break, writes Paul Nelson. Despite the company reinstating the paid 15-minute break during the quieter periods of the year,...

We love our rubbish souvenirs.
September 16, 2005... ASURVEY by marketing and research company ICMhas shed some light on the great British tradition of buying rubbish souvenirs while on holiday. We're talking sombreros, fridge magnets and, of course, the classic straw donkey. Tacky...

Betton bewitched.
September 16, 2005... This week's prize for the "most original excuse when leaving a meeting early" goes to ABTA's head communications honcho Keith Betton. Keith was in the basement of a West End wine bar one lunchtime recently, having high-powered talks with...

Sally wins cruise on Island Star.
September 16, 2005... First Choice Travel Shop agent Sally Bond from Hull was the lucky winner of a place on board Island Cruises' new ship Island Star when it is launched to the trade in March 2006. She was one of 180 agents who attended the First Choice-owned...

Calling all agents.
September 16, 2005... ABTA Scotland chairman Willie Stewart is urging Scottish members to register for next week's Kilmarnock regional meeting. He is particularly keen for Glasgow and Ayrshire agents to attend. Stewart has written to members asking them to...

Octopus goes for pink pound.
September 16, 2005... OCTOPUSTravel has launched a travel website dedicated to the gay market in a bid to tap into the sector. Octopustravel-gay.com offers access to the e-tailer's full inventory of 20,000 hotels. Links to flights and car hire from sister...

Co-ops get new Midcounties brand.
September 16, 2005... THE Midcounties Co-operative is the new name for the merged West Midlands Co-operative Society and Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op. The travel division will be based at Walsall, headed up by general manager travel Geoff Hurmston,...

London calling.
September 16, 2005... However, it's also been a summer of terror. Having lived in London all my life, I can't remember anything so dreadful as the slaughter that took place here on July 7 - or the fear that spread two weeks later following the second, failed,...

Operators battle bad behaviour.
September 16, 2005... TOURoperators are unfairly embroiled in coverage about 'problem' resorts such as Zante, according to the industry. Despite negative publicity this summer over drunken and lewd behaviour by Brits in resort and reports of rape, problems are...

Once again, TW2 is great.
September 16, 2005... Yet again, I must congratulate you all on a superb issue of TW2. It remains a firm favourite in our office and the new September issue already looks quite dog-eared, having done the rounds. Your topic mix is fantastic and the reviews...

Time to play fair with fees.
September 16, 2005... I am writing in response to your article 'Jeans slams agency for hidden charges' (Travel Weekly September 2), and two correspondents' letters relating to the story in last week's Travel Weekly. Your correspondents missed the point of my...

Warner's Fake winners.
September 16, 2005... We at Mark Warner would like to thank all the agents who entered the Jobswap2 - Faking It competition we've been running over the past few months. We've had hundreds of entries and they've all been really entertaining and imaginative. ...

Mobile booking on the up.
September 16, 2005... MOBILE phones could rival the Internet as a travel-related information and booking medium within the next two years, according to experts at the EyeforTravel technology conference in Berlin. Online destination portal Tiscover executive...

It leaves us with no Choice.
September 16, 2005... First Choice Holidays, what exactly is your sales policy with small, independent travel agents? Today, a good client rang to book a holiday to Morocco. The Internet price after discount is [pounds sterling]894.20. The net price to the...

Issue is still heavy duty.
September 16, 2005... Many thanks for the report A Taxing Question by Caroline James in last week's Travel Weekly (September 9). As you know, it followed on from my recent letter published in the same edition regarding the existing confusion over huge price...

High-street agents to ring the changes.
September 16, 2005... TRADITIONAL travel agents could benefit from a move to replace online pay-per-click search advertising with a revolutionary pay-per-call system. Internet auction site eBay purchased web telephone company Skype this week in a [pounds...

Evans gets into bed with backer.
September 16, 2005... LOWCOSTBEDS.COMhas secured more than [pounds sterling]1 million from venture capitalist Close Venture Management. Chief executive Paul Evans wants to establish stronger brand awareness with agents for the trade and consumer website. He said...

Thanks for the new issue.
September 16, 2005... Well done Travel Weekly on an excellent autumn issue of TW2. It had everything in it, from shopping, to the latest fashions, warnings on the dangers of sunbathing - even an article on pole-dancing classes for men. After the slump in...