Travel Weekly (UK) articles from September 2007

Travel Weekly (UK) archives from September 2007

Choose to cruise.(Comment)
September 7, 2007... Byline: Sarah LongbottomEditor "There are ships and itinerariesto match all tastes and backgrounds" W elcome to Travel Weekly Cruise Month. All through September, we will be bringing you cruise news, views and insights from the...

Maureen.
September 7, 2007... Apparently shepherd's pie just doesn't cut it in the era of omega fish oils and balsamic vinegar Making a meal of it This week, taking off the add-ons so popular with the airlines, I was able to reduce the cost of flights for a young...

Departures.
September 7, 2007... Price check: Istanbul Less than [pounds sterling]250 Operator: Thomson Destination: Sunlight Hotel, Istanbul. Description: This friendly two-star hotel has basic but clean rooms with air conditioning and a television. Its...

OF THEBESTupmarketturkey holidays.(Departures)
September 7, 2007... Byline: Janine Kelso Although Turkey offers some of the best bargain holidays in the Mediterranean, with many holidays costing less than [pounds sterling]300, the country has no shortage of desirable options for well-heeled visitors. ...

Classy ladies.(Departures)
September 7, 2007... Janine Kelso finds out how Thomas Cook is making a difference to the lives of five young women in Bodrum by funding their tourism studies facts When it was launched in 2003, Tony Blair said The Travel Foundation would "enable British...

News.
September 7, 2007... Top 10 Asian destinations Source: Cheapflights.co.uk statistics for week ending August 24 Bangkok Delhi Hong Kong Manila Mumbai KualaLumpar Colombo Islamabad Beijing Lahore top 10 asian...

News.
September 7, 2007... Thomson Cruises in stats Source: Thomson Cruises 180,000- passengers travel with Thomson Cruises each year One in three - passengers pre-book their cabin 70% - of guests are below the retirement age 90% - are travelling...

News.
September 7, 2007... Top Ten bizarre items bought as a result of 'terminal boredom buying' Source: Post Office research Ceramic lobster Leprechaun doorstop China sombrero chip and dip set Plastic Viking helmet Wooden spoon set ...

Barometer.
September 7, 2007... Top 20 travel search terms 1. EasyJet 2. Ryanair 3. AA route planner 4. Multimap 5. Thomas Cook6. Cheap flights 7. Train times 8. Expedia 9. AA route finder 10. AA 11. Google Earth 12. Cheap...

leading thewaves.(News)
September 7, 2007... Kelly Ranson talks to Ocean Village managing director Nick Lighton about his future plans for the cruiseline and his efforts to keep in tune with what customers want from a cruise "After four years, 60% of our passengers have never cruised...

MSC makes moves in Europe.(Cruising)
September 7, 2007... MSC Cruises is pushing forward with expansion plans in Europe as it celebrated two events at its shipyard in St Nazaire, France, last week. Since 2003 four new cruise ships have been launched by the Italian operator and its latest...

News.
September 7, 2007... During Cruise Month, Association of Cruise Experts business development director Andy Harmer will be giving tips on how to be successful in cruise. This week he talks about attracting first-time cruisers. With cruise, you need ask clients...

Safari so good as operator joins ACE.(News)
September 7, 2007... African Safari Cruises has joined the Association of Cruise Experts following its rebranding earlier this year. The niche operator will now work with ACE, the training and development organisation for the industry, to offer agents in-depth...

News.
September 7, 2007... Grand expands cruise offering Over-55s specialist Grand UK Holidays has added to its cruise programme for 2008. Its new brochure, which launches this month, features cruises from Tilbury on former Orient Lines ship Marco Polo, now...

Chance to win with NCL online academy.(News)
September 7, 2007... Jane Archer reports on the cruiseline's agent training programme Norwegian Cruise Line has launched its 2008/09 online training programme, Cruise Academy. The programme is divided into eight modules that travel agents work though one...

News.
September 7, 2007... TITAN HITOURS OFFERS LAND AND SEA SPECTACULAR Titan HiTours is launching a Cruise and Tour brochure offering land and sea holidays in some of the world's most exotic locations. Details of the programme are still being finalised, but it...

Spend, spend, spend in London.(News)
September 7, 2007... Exclusive Winners of the Costa Cruises Millionaire competition hit the capital's Italian designer shops Kelly Ranson Costa Cruises saw a 40% increase in sales after offering agents the chance to win a [pounds sterling]10,000 spree in...

Selling to the first-timers.(Departures)
September 7, 2007... Once hooked, cruise customers will just keep coming back for more. But how do you get them to take that first tentative step on deck? Jane Archer looks at what's on offer to tempt cruise novices Ask any cruiseline representative and they...

News.(Website overview)
September 7, 2007... in brief Come dancing with Costa Costa Cruises is to host a tango festival at sea, on a seven-night voyage on Costa Concordia from Civitavecchia on November 25. Onboard dancers will give free classes each day and perform shows in the...

News.
September 7, 2007... pic caption Hurtigruten drops anchor with Amadeus Niche cruise operator Hurtigruten has signed up to Amadeus Cruise giving agents access to the operator on a global distribution system for the first time. From this week, Hurtigruten...

So what's new for 2008?(News)
September 7, 2007... With more new ships about to hit the seas, next year looks set for success. Jane Archer reports With three months to go before 2007 is out, the cruising industry is already predicting great things for 2008. Some 12% more Brits took a...

Cruising.
September 7, 2007... In brief New world for Crystal Crystal Cruises has added a new world cruise for 2009. For the first time in seven years the luxury operator will begin and end its 105-day voyage in Los Angeles. Ports of call include New Zealand, Bali,...

Keep clients' fears at bay.(News)
September 7, 2007... Jane Archer lays to rest some of the concerns your customers may have about cruising Those who have never taken a cruise may have anxieties or concerns about life at sea that you will have to overcome at the point of sale. Cruise experts...

Ocean Village gets active.(News)
September 7, 2007... Cruiseline targets adventure-seeking customers looking for a spot of cave-tubing or dune buggying Lisa James Ocean Village has finalised the adventure programme for its new Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America itineraries, starting in...

now's your chance to talk ship.(News)
September 7, 2007... Want to keep your cruise sales afloat? How about shoring up more commission than ever? Talk to those in the know to make the most of one of travel's most buoyant sectors at these not-to-be-missed events. Kelly Ranson reports What time do...

Departures.
September 7, 2007... Ship check Costa Cruises, Costa Serena As a first-time cruiser, I must admit I didn't quite know what would be in store for me. Having heard quite a bit from colleagues, my expectations were high. Happily, they were mostly met. I...

Land yourself a winner.(Departures)
September 7, 2007... Your clients may not realise it, but the land-based itinerary they've set their hearts on can probably be adapted to a cruise holiday. Jane Archer looks at some ocean-going alternatives More Brits may be taking cruises, but the 1.2 million...

Departures.
September 7, 2007... Charity draw Anthony Nolan Trust The Globe Travel Awards has chosen the Anthony Nolan Trust as its sponsored charity this year. The Trust has transformed and often saved the lives of leukaemia sufferers from around the world...

Let us entertain you.(Departures)
September 7, 2007... It's the travel industry party of the year - and you can be sure it'll have something for everyone "This year the night is going to be bigger and better than ever. It has come to mean more than agents telling us who should be recognised...

Departures.
September 7, 2007... scheduled airlines Scheduled carriers remain vital to the trade despite the loss of commission, direct sales and the boom in independent travel. A tough year at the UK's major airports has made customer service key when considering who...

Departures.
September 7, 2007... Travel Weekly does a great job in showcasing the quality and diversity of the travel business through the Globe Travel Awards, and P&O Ferries is a long-standing supporter. Through our own success in winning Globes over the years, I can...

Departures.
September 7, 2007... This is an important sector for agents' votes. Your clients may have the holiday of a lifetime in resort but if getting there is a nightmare, they won't thank you. With the increasing popularity of dynamic packaging, agents are in the...

Calling all industry innovators.(Departures)
September 7, 2007... Has your company come up with a cunning idea to make the business run more smoothly? Why not put yourself up for a Globe Award? "The winning innovation could be a new company, new product or a new way of working" Every year someone...

All change at the Globes.(Departures)
September 7, 2007... Travel Weekly's illustrious awards have a new name - and that's not all, as Dinah Hatch reports The travel industry's most prestigious awards ceremony has a new title - The Globe Travel Awards, presented by Travel Weekly in partnership...

Departures.
September 7, 2007... The desire to fly long haul shows no signs of abating. The growing number of agents qualifying for online specialist programmes about far-flung destinations is testament to the amount of long-haul holidays being booked. Twin-centres and...

Departures.
September 7, 2007... From ship launches to new vessels dedicated to the UK market, this year has been a busy one for the [pounds sterling]1.7 billion cruising industry. With commissions dwindling in other parts of the industry, agents are being encouraged to...

Departures.
September 7, 2007... With the green debate hotting up, short-haul holidays have never seemed more appealing. Despite the rainy summer, UK operators have had a successful year and selling theatre trips has been lucrative for agents following the success of TV...

Departures.
September 7, 2007... When you send your clients to an all-inclusive hotel, is there one chain or property that throws in those extra touches to give your clients the holiday of a lifetime? And which hotel group provides all the amenities for the modern-day...

Departures.
September 7, 2007... Once again, Thomas Cook Group will be sponsoring the presenter of the Globe Travel Awards - whose identity will remain a secret until the night of the ceremony. Dara O'Briain had the audience in stitches at last year's event, but who would...

Departures.
September 7, 2007... When you place your vote for a Globe Travel Award, you can be assured it will be counted and verified by an independent party. Every year Travel Weekly employs a separate company to take charge of working out who has received the most votes...

TTA agents may skirt [pounds sterling]1 ATOl levy.(News)
September 7, 2007... Association could foot bill to save members passing on costs Edward Robertsoned.robertson@rbi.co.uk The Travel Trust Association is hoping members will not have to add the new [pounds sterling]1 ATOL contribution to non-tour operator...

TUI Travel backs retail.(News)
September 7, 2007... Merged group to retain shop network and keep Thomson/First Choice brands Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk TUI Travel has ruled out large-scale shop closures across its combined First Choice and Thomson network despite creating the...

Car Trawler driving towards agents.(News)
September 7, 2007... Car hire booking platform Car Trawler is setting its sights on agents this year and says it sees them as its "premium distribution channel". The company, which started up two years ago, is in the process of setting up deals with a number...

Ads blitz for Royal Caribbean.(News)
September 7, 2007... Royal Caribbean International has embarked on a [pounds sterling]2 million advertising campaign in a bid to secure bookings for its latest ship Independence of the Seas. Newly promoted Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises UK...

Thomson Cruises gets set for Caribbean return.(News)
September 7, 2007... Exclusive Cruise brands ramp up investment in marketing and product as sector booms in UK Kelly Ransonkelly.ranson@rbi.co.uk Thomson Cruises will return to the Caribbean next year for the first time since 2001, highlighting the...

TravelRepublic really clicks.(News)
September 7, 2007... An online travel agency founded four years ago by two staff has been named in the UK's 50 top e-retailers for the first time. TravelRepublic.co.uk, which now employs 120 staff, is ranked 40th in the Interactive Media in Retail Group's...

Wormwell driving change.(News)
September 7, 2007... Exclusive Denis Wormwell has rejoined the travel industry as chief executive of WA Shearings after a gap of six years. Wormwell started his career at Club 18-30 and also worked for Flying Colours before joining Thomas Cook, where he...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
September 7, 2007... The Parthenon? It's all Greek to us Last week's Departures section looking at Greece concluded with a quiz to see who knew their 'Crete from their Corfu'. However, it seems that the person who compiled the quiz didn't know their Acropolis...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
September 7, 2007... Portsmouth delays are getting worse I am a regular user of car ferries in and out of Portsmouth. But over time, inbound delays have increased. When returning on August 26, it took one hour to disembark and leave the port. Give me...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
September 7, 2007... Is it curtains for kids on flights? With reference to Imtiaz Longi's letter regarding his flight with Emirates ('Emirates flight was a nightmare', Travel Weekly, August 31), it isn't only on long haul that seating families with young...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
September 7, 2007... Air travellers are always under fire Once again the article 'As green as it gets?' (Travel Weekly, August 24) attempts to beat up the air traveller on green issues and insist they pay for the damage they are causing. The traveller is...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
September 7, 2007... London weekend was a Superbreak Having just returned from the London Calling competition prize weekend, I would like to thank Travel Weekly, Superbreak and Visit London for an action-packed weekend. I'm looking forward to passing on my...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
September 7, 2007... Lead-in prices need a rethink I think it's time for Thomas Cook to change its lead-in prices. I recently did a search for 14 nights in Turkey, and my first search on viewdata revealed a price of [pounds sterling]134 from Glasgow to...

We're in double trouble.(Letters)
September 7, 2007... We recently booked a honeymoon for a couple to the Cape Verde Islands with Thomson for April 2008. We reserved a twin room. On August 23, our clients called to say they wanted to upgrade to a double room. They had checked on Thomson's...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
September 7, 2007... Agents should make the right call I am writing in response to the letter titled 'Your number's up on 0870 codes' (Travel Weekly, August 24). Like any operator with close ties with agents will know, 0870 numbers and their 0871 replacements...

Cruising.
September 7, 2007... Win a place on Marco Polo's inaugural Transocean Tours is celebrating its inaugural season of Marco Polo by offering agents the chance to win a cruise. From next April the ship, which was acquired by Transocean Tours from Norwegian...

make your brand a crowd pleaser.(News)
September 7, 2007... The ever-growing popularity of Premier League football across the globe means that shirt sponsorship deals are a sure-fast way of getting your company name known. Neal Baldwin reports Partnering with a football club brings one major benefit...

Globes light up industry.(News)
September 7, 2007... Don't miss your chance to vote in travel's most prestigious awards ceremony Emily Bamberemily.bamber@rbi.co.uk Voting opens today for the 2008 Globe Travel Awards, presented by Travel Weekly in partnership with Associated Newspapers....

Hoseasons doubles up on villas.(News)
September 7, 2007... New brochure features more than 750 properties as dynamic package bookings are on the increase Juliet Dennis Hoseasons has launched a villas-with-pools programme for 2008 that is almost double the size of its first programme two years...

Agents find ways of 'pyramid selling'.(News)
September 7, 2007... Peltours claims it is now receiving hotel bookings for Egypt from agents who previously used bed banks, because its accommodation prices are more competitive. Sales and marketing director Darren Panto said the operator was often able to...

News.
September 7, 2007... With photo of Joanna Lumley - sent to Flo How would you like to get your hands on a bottle of bubbly signed by the queen of champagne drinking herself, Joanna Lumley? Princess Cruises is offering Travel Weekly readers the chance to win...

Skillzone.
September 7, 2007... CV July 1996 to present: Carnival Cruise Lines and Holland America Line, head of sales and marketing January 1996: Security Travel Cruise Club, founder 1995: CTC Cruise Lines, regional sales manager 1990: Unijet Holidays,...

Skillzone.
September 7, 2007... Former Cosmos sales director Andy Washington has taken on a wider role of sales and distribution director for the operator. Meanwhile, Gordon McCreadie has been promoted to head of trade relations and Tony Byrne has been appointed to the newly...

on course.(Skillzone)
September 7, 2007... Katie Dawson, sales consultant at Co-operative Travel in Wakefield, took the online Disney Stars programme, organised by Walt Disney World Resort in Florida Course format: The training programme is split into threelevels - bronze, silver...

Fox is out on the huntThere's still time to enter the Agent Excellence Awards.(Skillzone)
September 7, 2007... Kelly Ranson meets homeworker Andrew Fox to talk cruise, networking and agricultural shows You've still got just over two weeks to get your entry in for Travel Weekly's Southeast Agent Excellence Awards. The awards aim to recognise...

It's shed heaven.(Skillzone)
September 7, 2007... Emily Ashwell talks to Leanne Douglas, who scooped the prize for Best Manager, Small Agency, at Travel Weekly's Southwest and Wales Agent Excellence Awards "People spend a lot of money on their holiday and we felt they deserved a better...

News.
September 7, 2007... by Chloe Berman Alton Towers tops list of UK attractions Alton Towers is the most popular UK attraction for holidaymakers in the southeast, followed by the London Eye and London Zoo, according to an online survey. The theme park...

National Express pays agents to join the dots.(News)
September 7, 2007... National Express is hoping to secure a significant number of deals with agents with the launch of the UK's first large-scale shared airport shuttle. The coach company is launching dot2dot from November 1 with 64 purpose-built 10 or...

News.
September 7, 2007... UNWTO talks green A United Nations World Tourism Organization Ministers' summit on tourism and climate change is to be held at this year's World Travel Market trade show at ExCeL on November 13. The event is being held on the eve of the...

After the watershed.(News)
September 7, 2007... Following a tough summer in 2006, the trade had high hopes for this year's sales. Now the peak season is almost over, Chloe Berman asks operators and agents to sum up the past few months Bad weather, security fears and rising interest rates...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
September 7, 2007... from the travel weekly blog No smoke without flyers Hawaii is hitting the Japanese market with a new campaign called 'Smoking in Aloha', which reassures tourists that they can puff away throughout their time on the islands (thanks to...

Departures.
September 7, 2007... To nominate online go to www.globetravelawards.co.uk nominations and voting procedure * Closing date for nominations:September 18 * Voting begins:November 16 * Closing date for votes:e_SFlbNovember 30 * Winners...

Departures.
September 7, 2007... how to book What? The Globe Travel Awards 2008 When? Tuesday January 15 Where? Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London W1 How? Order your tickets by calling Angela Hamilton-Jones on 020 8652 3803 or e-mailing...

Cruising to new heights.(News)
September 7, 2007... Byline: Trudy Redfernsenior vice-president of sales and marketing UK, Ireland and Middle East,Silversea Cruising is the fastest- growing sector in the travel industry - thanks largely to cruiselines' initiatives to wipe out its elitist and...

FTO mulls appeal as APD case fails.(News)
September 7, 2007... High Court rules tax rise was retrospective, but not illegal Ian Taylorian.taylor@rbi.co.uk The Federation of Tour Operators is considering an appeal following the loss of its legal challenge to the Treasury over the doubling of Air...

No relief on airport queues.(News)
September 7, 2007... Hopes that approval of new high-tech security scanners for use at airports will end the UK's one cabin bag rule may be dashed because the scanners are in short supply. A trial at one of Heathrow's flight transfer centres, revealed...

BMI shows intentions with raft of new routes.(News)
September 7, 2007... Bmi has unveiled the biggest expansion in its history, adding 17 medium and long-haul destinations from Heathrow -including daily services toCairo, Amman and Beirut - from the end of October. The expansion marks bmi's absorption of former...

News.
September 7, 2007... Eurostar sets track record Eurostar set a record time with its inaugural journey over the new 186mph line into London's St Pancras. The train operator achieved the 306-mile journey from Paris Gare du Nord on Tuesday in two hours 15...

Stay up to date with travel law.(News)
September 7, 2007... Specialist lawyers will explain the latest legal developments affecting the trade - and you could be among them next week in Edinburgh. Northumbria University's Travel Law Centre is offering Travel Weekly readers two places at the Travel...

News.(Website overview)
September 7, 2007... in brief Winds of change East Midlands Airport aims to be the first UK airport to install wind power turbines next year. The four proposed turbines will provide 10% of East Midlands' power as the airport aims to double in size while...

'Trade websites lose out to rivals'.(News)
September 7, 2007... Research reveals traditional travel firms let customers down Ian Taylore_SFlbian.taylor@rbi.co.uk Traditional travel firms offer customers an inferior online experience compared with dedicated web rivals, according to a survey released...

TravelcareFirst ChoiceThomas Cook Going Places.(Mystery Shopper)
September 7, 2007... 12 Globe Lane, Lanes Shopping Centre, Carlisle After I had browsed the brochure racks for two minutes, an employee offered to help. When I explained what I was looking for she invited me to sit down, asked me which destinations I had...

Counsellors prefer home front.(News)
September 7, 2007... Nearly three quarters of Travel Counsellors agents have grown their earnings by using the company's dynamic packaging system Phenix, the company's annual survey has revealed. Launched in 2005, the system can boost an agent's commission by...

News.
September 7, 2007... Byline: Chris Photisenior partner, White Hart Associates Riding high, but set for a fall? The summer season is drawing to a close and feedback suggests that June-to-August business has been good. One long-established client of mine...