Travel Weekly (UK) articles from September 2008

Travel Weekly (UK) archives from September 2008

News.
September 5, 2008... Selling cruise holidays is fast becoming a must for every travel agent. As the credit crunch continues to bite, cruise is an area that retains one of the highest commission levels and enjoys an early booking culture that has disappeared in...

Mystery Shopper.
September 5, 2008... Expertise and targeted sales gave Thomson the edge this week. I waited three minutes for an agent to become free. After hearing what I was looking for she told me the cruise specialist was in the foreign exchange area and went to get her...

News.
September 5, 2008... More news on the web Worldchoice is to double the size of its cruise club and set up more niche product groups for agents to specialise in. Already the cruise club has generated an increase in sales across its 40 members by 30% since...

Destinations.
September 5, 2008... For those of you who had a few too many on the night and fancy reliving the thrills and spills of the Travel Weekly 2008 Globe Travel Awards, help is at hand in the shape of www.travelweekly.co.uk. Travel Weekly has a section on its website...

Destinations.
September 5, 2008... With the price of fuel soaring ever higher, adding to the negative impact of other costs such as Air Passenger Duty, and the credit crunch making passengers think twice about holidaying abroad, it's been quite a year for scheduled airlines. The...

Destinations.
September 5, 2008... There's a lot that goes into the Getting Around category, with awards for the best insurance provider, regional UK airport, car hire company and coach operator - not to mention theme parks. Choosing who to nominate will be no easy matter. ...

Destinations.
September 5, 2008... The act of 'getting there' is a key part of any travel experience, dynamically packaged or otherwise. Agents nominating for the following awards should consider key factors such as reliability, customer service, and any cases of companies...

Destinations.
September 5, 2008... Despite the ongoing credit crunch and talk of UK travellers choosing to save their pennies by holidaying at home, the nation's love affair with long-haul holidays shows no signs of abating. You only have to take a look at the amount of new...

Destinations.
September 5, 2008... With summer in full swing it can only mean one thing - it's time to get online and start making your nominations for the Globe Travel Awards, presented by Travel Weekly in partnership with Associated Newspapers. The Globe Travel Awards...

Destinations.
September 5, 2008... S5-Globes-On the water nominations copy Words 529 On the water - Sponsored by the Travel Trust Association (TTA) What a year it's been since for the cruise industry. Despite the economic downturn and rising oil prices, operators...

Destinations.
September 5, 2008... S5-Globes-Serving the industry Words 300 Serving the industry - NO SPONSOR Think travel and you tend to think first of the package operators and the suppliers but there is a whole host of operators who 'grease the wheels' and help...

Destinations.
September 5, 2008... So far it's been a bit of a washout in the UK this summer, but overall the short-haul sector appears to be in rude health. Rising flight prices and the credit crunch - not to mention increasing consumer concern over environmental issues - have...

Destinations.
September 5, 2008... All of the Globe Travel Awards are special but two accolades stand out above the rest - the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Innovation in Travel Award. Each year one of the industry's leading lights is recognised for their...

Destinations.
September 5, 2008... Accommodation is an integral part of any travel experience and there's certainly no shortage of options out there to sell to your clients. In fact, keeping abreast of all the new openings and refurbishments is almost a full-time job for agents....

Destinations.
September 5, 2008... Tourism Australia has joined forces with Travel Weekly to promote the country at the 2009 Globe Travel Awards on January 27. The tourist board, which won the Globe for Best Tourist Board last year, plans to use the occasion to build on the...

Destinations.
September 5, 2008... The Globe Travel Awards are voted by you, the agent community, and winning one is like getting a big thumbs up from your peers in the industry. But what's it actually like to win a Globe? And what does it mean to the people who receive...

News.
September 5, 2008... Norwegian Cruise Lines is looking for the best dressed agent window celebrating NCL during National Cruise Week and is offering a 7-night Caribbean Cruise for travel in 2009 for the winner. The cruiseline has sent out 3,000 NCL boxes to the...

News.
September 5, 2008... Anyone for Bloody Mary? Universal Orlando has launched a new campaign for its 18th Halloween Horror Nights based around the character of Bloody Mary. On selected nights in September, October, and November, Universal Studios Florida will...

News.
September 5, 2008... Travel Weekly is to be the exclusive UK media partner for the World Travel and Tourism Council. The leading organisation forum for business leaders in the Travel & Tourism industry. With Chief Executives of some one hundred of the world's...

News.
September 5, 2008... In response to your article about Carbon Offsetting last week, I'd like to comment that if the travel industry wants to do something about the environment, then it should lead by example and not expect the public to take up the baton that...

News.
September 5, 2008... Can we run along the bottom of the page ! Travel agents are invited to send in photographs of their events during National Cruise Week and we will publish as many as we can on our website. Send in good quality high-res jpegs to...

News.
September 5, 2008... Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk The cruise sector continues to brush off the threat of recession but fears are rising of a winter price war. As National Cruise Week approaches, cruiselines said the sector's older customer base and...

News.
September 5, 2008... caption - pic on link sent to michelle Silversea celebrated National Cruise Week by inviting some key agents to lunch on board Silver Wind while it docked at Tower Bride in London last week.

News.
September 5, 2008... ChairmanColin Heal Managing directorSimon Hargreaves Directors Todd Carpenter Steve Clark Mark Storey (of private equity backer Alcuin Capital) Bill Pickering Duncan Pickering Other key personnel Helen...

News.
September 5, 2008... Cruise Roadshows:to find out more go to page 18 Search2cruise.com - dedicated cruise resource for agents Supplements: Latest cruise supplements out on September 12 Go to travelweekly.co.uk/cruise for news, videos, pictures and the...

News.
September 5, 2008... worth getting a nib in - jane dyson is incredibly well known in the industry Field-marketing company The Network has been sold to magazine and newspaper distributor Menzies Distribution for an undisclosed sum. Managing director Jane...

News.
September 5, 2008... "National Cruise Week provides options for [disabled] people who thought a cruise was not an accessible holiday. Our company will be going around the country to give individuals a 'try before you buy' experience." Tracy McFall, Accessible...

News.
September 5, 2008... Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk Stella Travel Services UK managing director Andrew Laurie is to leave the UK business before the end of the year. Laurie has held his current position for two years and has overseen the acquisition...

News.
September 5, 2008... Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk The formation of the UK's largest travel agency consortium was given the go-ahead this week. Worldchoice shareholders voted in favour of a [pounds sterling]4.4 million merger of Worldchoice and the...

News.
September 5, 2008... Juliet Dennisjuliet.dennis@rbi.co.uk The Worldchoice brand is likely to see significant investment as a result of the [pounds sterling]4.4 million merger with the Travel Trust Association. Chairman Colin Heal said there was likely to...

News.
September 5, 2008... In Travel Weekly of 15 August - Mystery Shopper - it would appear that some agents believe the Channel Islands to be an expensive option. As the leading operator to the Channel Islands, Premier Holidays would refute that claim as these days...

News.
September 5, 2008... I should like to reply to Lesley Nobles letter ("Stand up for singleton's" TW 29 August 2008) to address her despair. The economics of travelling alone have long been an issue for the unaccompanied holidaymaker and whilst many tour...

Maureen.
September 5, 2008... I'm so glad they'll never have to try my shepherd's pie I've never known exactly what you're supposed to do with the shepherd before you cover him in mash Home, wet home It was back to earth with a bump, well, back to Gatwick anyhow,...

News.
September 5, 2008... Box: XL Leisure Group has confirmed it is in talks on refinancing, but declined to comment on reports that it is seeking an urgent cash injection. A group spokesman insisted the timescale for a deal "remains open". The Civil...

News.
September 5, 2008... Alitalia in sell-off Alitalia has filed for bankruptcy protection. Parts of the airline will be sold to a holding company made up of 16 Italian investors and merged with Italian domestic carrier Air One. Airlines investigated The...

News.
September 5, 2008... National Cruise Week is about to begin. For those of us in the industry who dedicate 52 weeks a year to promoting cruises, it will be business as usual, but this valuable initiative is to be welcomed. Cruise Week provides real focus on the...

News.
September 5, 2008... This summer it was interesting to see how high-profile politicians' choice of holiday destination was used to these places' promotional advantage. The Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition are now duty-bound to take their hols in...

News.
September 5, 2008... TTA Worldchoice is offering investment to members who want to pursue innovative projects that will produce return for the agent and/or the consortium. Agents will need to come up with sound business plans for their idea.The extra money...

News.
September 5, 2008... Hays Travel has taken on Charlie Bateson joins as head of web and direct marketing, Nick Coates joins as sales amd commercial director for Hays Faraway, Nick Hebron is finance and commercial director for Hays Beds and Sue Jarvis is finance and...

News.
September 5, 2008... Bangkok 'emergency' The Foreign Office is urging tourists goingto Bangkok to keep up to date with the situation after a state of emergency was declared in the city. The status restricts media andbans gatherings of five or more people. ...

News.
September 5, 2008... On the web Field-marketing company The Network has been sold to magazine and newspaper distributor Menzies Distribution for an undisclosed sum. Managing director Jane Dyson, who started her career as a travel agent and founded the...

News.
September 5, 2008... Logo and pic of a boat to flag up page 4 In the week that stamp duty was cut for properties under [pounds sterling]175,000 and the Chancellor admitted the UK is heading for the worst recession it has seen in 60 years - cruise seems to be...

News.
September 5, 2008... Training has sparked up some debate in the Travel Weekly online forum I have been in the travel industry working for tour operators andin retail for more than10 years and I am feeling in need of a career change - butI love the industry too...

News.
September 5, 2008... On behalf of the Travel and Tourism Diploma Development Partnership I write in thanks and support of the excellent and forward-thinking training and skills focus in Travel Weekly. The DDP and its partner SSCs of People 1st and GoSkills are...

News.
September 5, 2008... Worldchoice is to double the size of its cruise club and set up more niche product groups for agents to specialise in. The cruise club has already generated an increase in sales across its 40 members of30% since launching six months ago....

Business Matters.
September 5, 2008... Myths Common preconceptions about cruising may be turning some clients off. Dispelling these myths can persuade them that a cruise is the right choice. Myth one: cruising is for older travellers The average age of cruise...

Business Matters.
September 5, 2008... Myths Common preconceptions about cruising may be turning some clients off. Dispelling these myths can persuade them that a cruise is the right choice. Myth one: cruising is for older travellers The average age of cruise...

News.
September 5, 2008... Travel agents remain undecided as to how summer 2009 early sales will go due to a number of competing factors. Scottish Passenger Agents' Association spokesman Sandy MacPherson said whenever it has urged consumers to buy early to get the...

News.
September 5, 2008... Agents are already being warned next summer's late package market will have even fewer options and be more expensive than this year. TUI Travel UK and Ireland distribution director Nick Longman said the capacity cuts following the merger...

News.
September 5, 2008... While next summer is already looking tight in the bucket-and-spade market, independent operators are warning of a similar situation. Association of Independent Tour Operators chairman Derek Moore said although it was impossible to guess...

News.
September 5, 2008... The big two have announced more capacity cuts next summer, while Which? Holiday says consumers could save more than [pounds sterling]1,000 if they book their 2009 break now. Edward Robertson investigates how the lates market could perform next...

Destinations.
September 5, 2008... Which cruiseline will you nominate for honours this year? MSC Poesia is one of many new cruise ships launched with great fanfare so far this year What a year it's been for the cruise industry. Despite the economic downturn and...

News.
September 5, 2008... When news of sex abuse in a former Jersey children's home broke, it came just as the peaks market began to slow in late February. The destination had almost completed its beginning-of-year sales campaign. But it now faced big problems as...

News.
September 5, 2008... I think this is too long! But am putting over anyway - its good stuff by Ian Taylor EasyJet has cut the fee it charges business travel agents to book flights via global distribution systems in face of continuing opposition from the...

Analyst warns that 'worst is yet to come'.(News)
September 5, 2008... The deteriorating economic outlook means more airline failures are likely. Aviation analyst Chris Tarry predicted "a real impact on discretionary spending" and said: "The worst is yet to come. We must not be deluded that things will get...

News.
September 5, 2008... Ian Taylorian.taylor@rbi.co.uk A leading tour operator's complaint that apathy in the trade is holding back carbon offsetting has sparked anger among independent agents. But The Co-operative Travel Group has backed the view of Sunvil...

News.
September 5, 2008... by Edward Robertson Top Gear's presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond paid a visit to staff at Guoman Hotels' The Tower in London in their very own armoured personnel carrier. The car-loving threesome undertook the...

News.
September 5, 2008... XL Leisure Group confirmed it is in talks on refinancing, but refused to comment on reports that it is urgently seeking cash. A spokesman said the timescale for a deal "remains open". The Civil Aviation Authority declined to confirm its...

News.
September 5, 2008... Ian Taylorian.taylor@rbi.co.uk The collapse of Zoom Airlines brought renewed calls for scheduled airlines to be brought into the ATOL consumer protection scheme after 65,000 passengers were left stranded or out of pocket. However,...

News.
September 5, 2008... Heathrow has not experienced a drop in the number of flights because of the lack of a third runway, as claimed by Lord Soley of Hammersmith (letters, 22nd August) in his scaremongering missive. The reason is simply because of increased...

News.
September 5, 2008... Chloe Bermanchloe.berman@rbi.co.uk Sector skills council People 1st is launching a review of its travel apprenticeship schemesin the face of funding cuts from the Learning and Skills Council. Working with travel industry employers,...

News.
September 5, 2008... Chloe Berman chloe.berman@rbi.co.uk European MPs were due tovote on revised regulationsgoverning the behaviour of airlines and computer reservation systems, as Travel Weekly went to press. The regulationswould prevent airlines who have...

News.
September 5, 2008... Agents will be able to sell a new fully commissionable ticket for next year allowing customers access to a number of Jersey's top attractions. Jersey Tourism director of tourism and marketing David de Carteret (pictured) said the Jersey...

News.
September 5, 2008... Ryanair rages on Ryanair has enlisted the help of Microsoft to help 'proactively eliminate' screen-scraping of its website. The airline said the blocking of third-party sites will cut"processing times". GTM web tie-up The Global...

News.
September 5, 2008... by Tiffany Evans Air Malta presented the Portsmouth and England international goalkeeper, David James with the Man of the Match award last Monday (Aug 25). After playing in the Premiership League home game against Manchester United, the...

Are youwilling to takethe risk?(Destinations)
September 12, 2008... When things go wrong, who takes care of your customer? If you are in the business of dynamic packaging, it seems you have three options: secure your own ATOL, opt for principal status or move away from dynamic packaging altogether. The...

Technologyneeds tocatch up.(Destinations)
September 12, 2008... Attraction World sales and marketing director Tony Seaman says the right tools just aren't available for agents to dynamically package holidays Dynamic packaging is a familiar term to agents, but just how much of a role is it having in...

Be flexiblegains.(Destinations)
September 12, 2008... What are operators doing to stay successful as the economy slows and demands change? Linda Fox reports to make The flexibility message came out strong in Thomas Cook and TUI Travel trading statements in the middle of last month. ...

Technologyto take away your trauma.(Destinations)
September 12, 2008... As dynamic packaging tools improve and become easier to use, getting in on the act has never been more simple. Jackie David reports dynamically packaging car rental Even just a few years ago, the idea of building a package from scratch...

Top10tipson dynamic packaging.(Destinations)
September 12, 2008... Debbie Venn, solicitor at ASB Law, gives her advice on consumer protection for agents who book DIY holidays 1. The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform describes a traditional 'package' as being sold, or offered for...

HOW TO...get started in dynamic packaging.(Destinations)
September 12, 2008... Can you pick and mix components to create a seamless holiday? Chloe Berman has 10 top tips to get you off the starting blocks and onto a winner Dynamic packaging has transformed the way agents book holidays beyond recognition. Last year,...

Maureen.
September 12, 2008... I feigned sympathy as she told me about the spots that had covered her children, but drew the line at looking at the photos of her partner's rash, which was located in his pelvic region Feeling fired up The Mandarin Oriental in...

hello toKentucky.(Destinations)
September 12, 2008... Chris Coplans heads to Muhammad Ali's native 'Bluegrass State' to see which attractions pack a punch Kiss Kentucky, which many people associate with thoroughbred racehorses and Bourbon whisky, is an unusual combination of north and...

A short hopthe pond.(Destinations)
September 12, 2008... Forget the usual quick break to New York - consider Joanna Booth's pick of the less-trodden alternatives in the US and Canada The demise of low-cost transatlantic airline Zoom Airlines will reduce the number of flights to choose from, but...

for somethingdifferent.(Destinations)
September 12, 2008... Don't fancy skiing but like the snow? When visiting cold climes, skiing and snowboarding isn't the only activity on offer. If negotiating the piste isn't for you, we've come up with some alternative ways of spending your time. Do a...

Slope offfurther.(Destinations)
September 12, 2008... Been there, done the European resorts? Janine Kelso looks at some long-haul skiing options If you've sped down French slopes and negotiated the pistes of Austria and Switzerland, why not consider travelling further afield for a change of...

McEwan hits out after Triton exit.(News)
September 12, 2008... 'I was not removed I stepped down,' insists Advantage head "Communications have implied we were asked to leave AdvantageThis is not what happened" Michelle Perrettmichelle.perrett@rbi.co.uk Advantage Travel Centres is to leave the...

BA steps away from airport security call.(News)
September 12, 2008... British Airways has distanced itself from reports that it backed calls for a relaxation of airport security following the trial of those accused of plotting explosions on aircraft departing Heathrow. Three men were found guilty of...

The Co-operative Travel cleans up at Travel Weekly awards.(News)
September 12, 2008... The Co-operative Travel scoopedeightof the 10 Agent Excellence Awards at Travel Weekly's Northern Travel Trade Ballin Manchester last week. The event, held at the Palace Hotel, was attended by around 500 shortlisted entrants and guests...

ACE plugs agent members.(News)
September 12, 2008... Association kicks off its first campaign to highlight the role the travel trade plays in cruise bookings "We are using this as a launch pad to raise awareness of accessible cruises" For cruise news go towww.travelweekly.co.uk/cruise...

Futura struggles to stay off the ground.(News)
September 12, 2008... Exclusive Spanish charter carrier Futura International Airways was struggling to resume flying as Travel Weekly went to press after seeking bankruptcy protection on Monday, leaving many UK tour operators having to find alternative flights....

Global warming is not new.(News)
September 12, 2008... The headlines scream that we are going to hell in a handcart because of unprecedented temperature increases, melting ice sheets and rising sea levels.Pretty soon Europe's best wine will be grown in Bradford and we will all need malarial...

The Co-operative TravelFlight CentreThomas Cook First Choice.(Mystery Shopper)
September 12, 2008... 1 Market Road, Chelmsford A promising start - full marks for the appearance of the agency and its staff - fell flat, as after waiting for more than 20 minutes, I had not been acknowledged. The windows were full of information about...

News.
September 12, 2008... in brief Kaleidoscope sells UK Kaleidoscope Travel Group is selling UK holidays for the first time after signing a deal with Hilton Hotels.The parent company of Travelsphere, Page andMoy and Just You will sell UK leisure breaks...