Travel Bullletin15th March 2013

A round-up of newproduct launches, tours &

flight schedules

South America

March 15 2013 | ISSUE NO 1,817 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

skål the world overwhy the industry can'tafford to ignore theimportance of social media

trainingwin a case of winewith South AfricanAirways

cyprusCTO announcesdevelopment of fivenew marine parks

8 2615this week

croatiaAtol-bonded Explore Croatia launches for 2013

17

TB1503 2013 Cover_TB Front Cover.qxd 13/03/2013 14:21

S01 TB1503 Start_Layout 1 13/03/2013 11:21

SAVOUR THE SUNSHINE OF FLORIDA

TAMPA BAY

7 NIGHTS FROM £739PPFor more details or to book, call

0844 557 0626 or visit

©Robert La Follette

SUNNY SOCCER...Travel agents are being urged to boost add-on sales to Florida by getting behind the launch of “SunnySoccer”, Orlando’s latest attraction developed by Midlands travel entrepreneur, John Donnelly, which offers a series of half-day football coaching camps. Footie mad youngsters (aged five to 13 years) will be able to brush up their skills alongsidequalified coaching staff from Orlando City, and camps will be held at Austin-Tindell, 15 minutes from International Drive.Starting in July, the first season’s camps will run for eight weeks until the end of August and are exclusively sold throughAttraction World, with packages leading in at £49. Pictured celebrating the new attraction are, from the left: Sue Reid, TheMidcounties Co-operative; John Donnelly; comedian and broadcaster, Nick Hancock and Lord Peter Snape, both non-executivedirectors of Sunny Soccer; and Nick Hughes, Attraction World.

This Week

Cove

r Pi

ctur

es: M

ain

- Ec

uado

rIn

set-

Kor

cula

, Ba

lkan

Hol

iday

s

3www.travelbulletin.co.uk March 15 2013

newsbulletin

3 newsthe latest industry news,product launches & reports

12 W-AITO-Go!an AITO Agent offers herthoughts on a Wendy Wufam trip to China

17 croatiaAtol-bonded Explore Croatialaunches for 2013

8 skal the world overwhy the tourism industrycan't afford to ignore theimportance of social media 14 airline bulletin

airlines to overtake energycompanies in targeting mobile consumers

26 cyprusCTO announces developmentof five new marine parks

9 agent bulletina round-up of this month'sbooking incentives 15 training

win a case of wine withSouth African Airways

23 south americanew product launches plus afocus on Equador

11 puzzle bulletinplay Su Doku for yourchance to win a £50 HotelChocolat voucher

16 personality bulletinwhich agency sales managersays he feels naked withouthis mobile phone?

Bookings are upfor independentagents, TIPTOsurvey revealsTIPTO’S LATEST surveyshows the independentretail sector continues togrow and the outlook forbusiness in 2013 is verypositive. The survey, whichpolled independent agents,focused on four main areas;holiday choices, bookingpatterns, predictions fortravel in 2013 and the travelforecast for 2014.

A key finding was thatsales throughout Januaryand February have seen ayear-on-year increase. Morethan half the agents (54.2%)who took the survey saw anincrease in sales in the firsttwo months of 2013, with areported 11% increase inbookings, and only 4.2% ofagents reported a decreasein year-on-year sales.

Looking ahead, agentsare optimistic of a continuedincrease in bookingsthroughout 2013 with 45.8%predicting that sales willincrease throughout theyear by approximately 9%compared to 2012 figures.These figures suggest thatthe future of theindependent high streettravel agent is still strong,with holidaymakers turningaway from online bookingsand returning to their localor specialist trusted

● continues on next page

S01 TB1503 Start_Layout 1 13/03/2013 14:35

HAVEN HOLIDAYS has issued its second edition brochure for2013, which features information on upgraded facilities, thelatest offers and its entertainment programme.

At all 35 holiday parks, guests can now receive a 40%discount when booking a seven-night break during May,June, early July and autumn. Up to 25% discount applies toall other dates and all short breaks booked throughout 2013.

New additions include a refurbished and extended indoorswimming pool at Golden Sands in Lincolnshire; arefurbished indoor pool with toddler area and a newchanging area at Seaview in Dorset; and a new terraceoverlooking the sea at Craig Tara’s Mash and Barrel bar andrestaurant in Scotland. Other parks offering new food outlets

include Greenacres in North Wales, Rockley Park in Dorset,Wild Duck in Norfolk and Perran Sands in Cornwall, whilePresthaven Sands in North Wales has a new Live Loungeentertainment venue.

Meanwhile, pool kayaking has been added to the operator'sprogramme, offering customers the chance to learn thebasics of pool kayaking for a small extra charge, beforeputting their new skills to the test in a series of pool games.

Prices lead in at £99 per unit based on a three-night stay ina superior two-bedroom self-catering caravan that sleeps upto six at Perran Sands holiday park in Cornwall. For details see www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk or call 0871-230 1919.

A NEW state-of-the-art terminal at Jordan’s Queen AliaInternational Airport (QAIA) is set to open this month andis expected to almost triple the current airport capacity.

Beginning operations on March 21, the new terminal isworth an estimated US$750 million and will catapult theairport’s capacity to nine million annual passengers. Thelaunch of the terminal is part of the Jordaniangovernment’s drive to double tourism revenue to JD 4.2billion (around £3.8 billion) by 2015.

The new building is designed to allow passengers easyaccess to the boarding lounge and shopping areasdirectly from the security checkpoint.

The Airport International Group (AIG), which financedthe new terminal, has also additionally invested US$100million on upgrading the existing terminals andimproving passenger experience at QAIA. Improvementsinclude increasing the size of check-in areas, therefurbishing of retail space and increasing the mix ofduty-free shopping and food and beverage outlets at theairport. An upgrade of the baggage handling system andsecurity checking will also be initiated.

independent travelagent/advisor.

Regarding holidaychoices, 62.5% of agentspredicted that all-inclusiveholidays will sell better thisyear, suggesting thatconsumer confidence is lowand holidaymakers arelooking for the best possiblevalue whilst continuing tobudget for the year. Some54.2% of agents envisagedan increase in bookings forlong-haul destinations, butno agents predicted a rise inski and snow holidays,highlighting that this sectorremains expensive and asecond choice to a summeror long-haul holiday.

In terms of holidaydestination choices, 58.3%of agents forecast thatthere will be an increase inbookings to theMediterranean and 45.8%predicted that bookings tothe Caribbean and MiddleEast would rise. At thelower end of the scale, just4% of agents expect a risein travel to France.

Sarah Payne, manager ofTriangle Travel independenttravel agents, said: “Thebeginning of the yearstarted off with a bang,February has continued tobe good and we havealready surpassed ouryear-on-year figures. Wehave found that Africa –tailor-made lodge safaris –and South America havebeen particularly popularwith USA flights, tours andshort breaks also being agood seller."

New terminal at Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport

Haven launches second edition brochure with new entertainment programme & offers

www.travelbulletin.co.ukMarch 15 20134

newsbulletin

STAR CLIPPERS is offering a springtime yoga and meditation-themed cruise on its 227-passenger Royal Clipper. DepartingLisbon on April 28, the seven-night voyage includes calls atPortimao, Tangier, Cartagena, Ibiza and Palma, ending inBarcelona. The yoga programme will include two daily sessionson the ship’s decks. Prices lead in at £1,590, cruise-only, includingfull-board, all yoga classes and port taxes.For more information visit www.starclippers.co.uk

Tweets of

the WeekWho’s saying what

on Twitter...

@visitlondonThe best gigs and concertscoming up in Londonhttp://ow.ly/i8gYC

@T2NewsDo you want to WIN aplace on the first everSimply Luxury by Travel 2Fam trip?http://bit.ly/12wwPZA

@MonarchSave up to £30 onscheduled return flights,travel by 17 Jul 13. Usecode FUN2FLY.Full details:http://bit.ly/12Cwaoh

@AirFranceUKIf you are a fan of the AirFrance #BusinessClass,don't miss our specialoffers, valid until 06 April:http://ow.ly/iv7AR

@CARIBTOURSThe Private TravelCompany Offer of theWeek: Avani KalutaraResort, Sri Lanka. Up to40% off accom & free halfboard http://bit.ly/zxJPAP

@LondonCityAirSpecial offer - Get 20% offwhen you rent a car with#Avis from London CityAirport! Find out more byclicking herehttp://bit.ly/WKlWkl

Follow us on Twitter!http://twitter.com/

TravelBulletin

● continued from previous page

S01 TB1503 Start_Layout 1 13/03/2013 11:21

AWWT adds new itineraries to Great Lakes programmeNORTH AMERICA specialist AWWThas expanded its Great Lakes USAprogramme to include two newitineraries for this year.

They include ‘The Grand Tour of theGreat Lakes’ and ‘Illinois’ Great RiverRoad’, both of which start and end inChicago, Illinois.

The Grand Tour is a 16-day itinerarywhich includes the Wisconsin Dells,shopping at Mecca in Minneapolis anda visit to Traverse City, near theSleeping Bear Dunes NationalLakeshore on Lake Michigan.

Illinois’ Great River Road is a 12-day tour which follows part of the iconic Route 66. It includesstate capital Springfield, home of the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln and retraces the footstepsof French explorers.

Debut Phuket property from Holiday Inn ExpressTO CELEBRATE the opening of its Phuket Patong Beach Central, Holiday Inn Express isoffering guests a special opening rate. Prices lead in at approximately £43 per room pernight on a bed-and-breakfast basis for stays from now until October 31.

The 277-room hotel is located a few steps from Patong Beach and guests have access toa range of facilities including a 24-hour fitness room and a swimming pool.

The brand currently has 39 properties and 57 more in the pipeline across Asia, and is setto open more hotels across Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia over the next 12 months. For more information see www.holidayinnexpress.com

Lake Michigan Beach

Bristol flight fromCorsican Places

CORSICAN PLACES is tolaunch a new Bristol–Bastia flight schedule withbmi regional. Operating for13 weeks from June 23through to September, theweekly flight will provideholidaymakers in thesouthwest and Wales withaccess to regions such asSt Florent, Cap Corse andLa Balagne.

With a flight time oftwo-and-a-half hours, theairline offers Sundaydepartures and returnswith 11:00 and 16:30 slotson a 47-seater aircraft.

Pre-allocated seating isavailable, as well as adrinks service (onsupplement) and 20kgluggage allowance, plusan additional 5kg cabinbaggage allowance. See www.corsica.co.uk

TM © Rugby World Cup Limited 2008

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015ENGLAND

Rugby Travel & Hospitality Limited (RTH) has been appointed by Rugby World Cup Limited to manage the Official Travel Programme for Rugby World Cup 2015, England.

RTH is seeking expressions of interest from organisations wishing to be appointed as an Official Travel Agent.

To register your interest, please visitwww.rth2015.com

Closing date for submissions: Friday 5 April 2013

Only organisations with relevant experience, strong financial standing, and sufficient resources will be appointed.

newsbulletin


S02 TB1503 News 1_Layout 1 13/03/2013 14:13

VISITENGLAND AND visitor attractionoperator, Merlin Entertainments,have launched a joint marketingcampaign aimed at encouraging UKresidents to take a short break inEngland this year.

Coinciding with the run-up to theEaster break, the £500,000 campaignwill run on air for five weeks with aschedule which will include 20-

second peak time TV ads; e-shotsand video on-demand, supported bynational and local PR activity, allaimed at encouraging consumers tovisit www.visitengland.com/funoffer

The campaign highlights a 25%discount on the Standard MerlinAnnual Pass, which gives 12 months’access to 26 English attractions, aswell as other offers in the four hotels

the company offers across three ofits resort theme parks: Alton Towers,Chessington World of Adventures andLEGOLAND Windsor.

Merlin’s attractions also includethe EDF Energy London Eye; SEALIFE, Warwick Castle, MadameTussauds, Thorpe Park, Dungeons,LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and theBlackpool Tower.

VisitEngland & Merlin Entertainments launch joint campaign to promote domestic breaks

newsbulletin

LONDON LAUNCH...Superbreak's Graham Balmforth marks thelaunch of the operator's new London Breaks brochure, which featuresa range of new packages and tours. Examples include the new familymusical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Coronation Festival atBuckingham Palace and the Park in Progress tours of the QueenElizabeth Olympic Park. In total 138 hotels are offered with pricesleading in at £31 per person per night.For details see www.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871-221 4444.


Newsbites● CENTARA HOTELS & Resorts has launched its first

loyalty card, 'Loyalty from the Heart'. By accruingpoints, members will be able to take a free stay in aCentara hotel or resort, anywhere in Thailand oroverseas, with no blackout dates.

● HEBRIDEAN ISLAND Cruises will be exhibiting at theCoronation Festival at Buckingham Palace thissummer. The company will join more than 200 otherRoyal Warrant holders for the one-off event held inthe gardens of the Palace between July 12-14.

● THE ITALIAN Ministry for Regional Affairs, Tourismand Sport has launched a national and internationalcommunications campaign to support tourism inEmilia Romagna, Lombardia and Veneto. As part ofpromoting the regions, ‘Rediscover Italy’ will aim toeducate tourists and increase understanding of thekey locations, along with supporting travellers indiscovering the breadth of experiences on offer.

● GOLD MEDAL has joined industry names includingBrittany Ferries, Carnival UK, English Heritage andMonarch Airlines Ltd in becoming an organisationalmember of the Institute of Customer Service (ICS).Through its membership, the operator will be able tobenchmark the service it offers its customers againstother member organisations, as well as utilise institutetools to gauge the effectiveness of internal processesand whether they enable or hinder great service.

S02 TB1503 News 1_Layout 1 13/03/2013 15:19

WELCOME TO TAMPA BAY

Tampa Bay’s popularity with British travellers is booming – and it’s really not hard to see why! With its major theme parks and exciting nightlife, engaging museums and glorious golf, tranquil canoe excursions, wall-to-wall sunshine and some of the Gulf coast’s very best shopping and dining, Tampa Bay offers activities and attractions for just about

with British Airways, Tampa Bay is also extremely accessible. And its location in central west Florida puts it within easy reach of Walt Disney World®, SeaWorld®, powder-white beaches and all of the region’s other key highlights.

7 NIGHTS FROM £739PP!

For more details or to book, call

0844 557 0626 or visit

NEW BROCHURE OUT NOW! For more details on Tampa Bay request our brochure today at: www.trade-gate.co.uk

©Robert La Follette

S02 TB1503 News 1_Layout 1 13/03/2013 15:12


newsbulletin

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

WEBSCLUSIVES

● Become one of Iberostar 10. Enter Iberostar’sStar Experience competition and you couldbecome one of ten travel agents to be treated toa full Star Experience at an Iberostar hotel.Go to www.iberostarcompetition.com

● Make sure you complete this week’s Crossword,sponsored by Jet2holidays, for the chance to win£50 in Love2Shop vouchers. Just fill in thecrossword on Page 11 of this edition, and thensubmit the mystery location along with yourcontact details via our website onwww.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

All this and more at:


The home of the web savvy travel agent

Go

MOVERS● THERESA FOLEY has been appointed head of trade sales at

MyFerryLink.● SUPERBREAK HAS appointed Mark Desborough as head of

procurement - London. ● AFFORDABLE CAR Hire has appointed Lord Peter Snape to its

board of directors.● FRED. OLSEN Travel has appointed cruise specialist Gemma

Deakin at its Ipswich branch in Upper Brook Street.● CITY CRUISES has appointed Paul Ellerby as commercial

director and Terry O’Reilly as finance director.● HOLIDAY EXTRAS has appointed Leanne Kirkwood as account

manager for Scotland and Ireland.● KERRY GOLDS has been appointed managing director UK of

Abercrombie & Kent. ● REGENT SEVEN Seas Cruises has appointed Ralph de Klijn as

sales manager, Europe.● GATWICK AIRPORT Limited has appointed Sir Roy McNulty as

chairman and David McMillan as non-executive board director,both effective from April 1.

● MICHAEL DELACAMP has joined Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines as areasales executive for Central, Home Counties and East Anglia.

● AIR NEW Zealand has strengthened its UK sales & marketingteam with the appointment of Ed Dunne to manager - corporatechannel and Mark Kennedy to account manager - leisure sales.

● THE CROATIAN National Tourist Office has appointed TonkoRilović as UK and Ireland director.

ACCORDING TO research undertaken byBarclays, ‘more than one in ten hospitalityoperators generate up to half of all sales

through social media’. Given that 21 millionhouseholds in Britain now have internet access, thisis an area that those in the tourism sector canhardly afford to ignore. The question is – how many,apart from the ‘big’ players’, actually use socialmedia or, if they do, make the best use of it? At arecent VisitGuernsey digital seminar, more than 100people attended and it was clear that someproprietors of smaller businesses such as self-catering, B&Bs etc do not necessarily have the timeor resources to investigate and work on this aspectof marketing, and are still baffled by social mediaand what it can do to expand their business.

As online travel writer and author, Robin Mead,explains: "Although the travel industry has beenquicker than most to adapt to – and adopt – newtechnology, the whole IT business is still a steeplearning curve for many."

It is clear that businesses have to use socialmedia wisely – it needs to be planned in advance,have a ‘personality’ of its own, contain clearmessages targeted at the right audience and bemonitored. It also needs to be up-to-date. Anengaging and aspirational Facebook page can dowonders for a business.

"You reach a different audience through thesemedia. Hopefully, those followers and likers willbe so enthralled they will go to the main websiteand who knows - go on to make a booking…." saysIan Hawkes of Cottage in the Country.

Twitter, too, is a user-friendly medium forthose who are less experienced in this form ofcommunication, being limited to a mere 140characters. Brian Donnelly of The MICE(Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events)Network advises: "You can send the same generalmessage about five times in any 24-hour period.This is because different people are looking atTwitter at different times in the day, partlybecause of time zones."

Both Twitter and Facebook are now review sitestoo which means that businesses have anopportunity to interact with their customers. Alwaysreact quickly, whether comments are positive ornegative (it’s a good idea to have a pre-preparedpolicy to deal with these).

So, for those of you out there who aresocial media virgins, get online

and happy Tweeting!

Janie Corbet BA, ACIM, UK PR officer at Skål - theInternational Association of Travel and TourismProfessional, on why the tourism industry can'tafford to ignore the importance of social media...

SKÅL THE

WORLD OVER

S02 TB1503 News 1_Layout 1 13/03/2013 14:14

● INTOURIST IS offering a new booking incentive forthe remainder of the year, where the top sellingagent of each month will win a £75 Love2Shopvoucher. The offer applies to all bookings excludingflight-only or visa-only. For details call 0141-204 5800 or see www.intouristuk.com

● AGENTS CAN win a seven-night five-star break toPhuket in Thailand with Travel 2 as part of its newcampaign. In conjunction with the Angsana andBanyan Tree Resorts, the operator will beshowcasing luxury holidays to destinations includingThailand, Vietnam and Mauritius and, as part of thecampaign, agents have the chance to win a holiday,staying at the Banyan Tree Resort. To be entered intothe prize draw, agents must make a new bookingbefore April 15 that includes a stay at selectedAngsana and Banyan Tree Resorts. For details visit www.travel2.com

● TIPTO AND its members have launched a series ofincentives for March. Dosomethingdifferent.com isoffering agents the chance win a VIP Vegas holidayfor two. To enter, agents need to book any of thecompany's worldwide attractions, experiences ortours by March 31. Multiple bookings mean multipleentries and a higher chance of winning. Bookingsmust be registered at [email protected]. For details call020-8090 3890. The prize includes Virgin Atlanticflights from Gatwick or Manchester, a personalairport welcome and luxury limousine transfer

including a champagne and strip tour, three nights

at a four-star hotel, dinner at a top Vegas restaurant,entry into one of Las Vegas' famous pool parties, VIPentry into an 'A' list nightclub and helicopter flights tothe Grand Canyon.

● MEANWHILE, IN conjunction with the launch of itsnew Florida Beaches brochure, Funway is offeringagents the chance to win a place on one of two'discover Florida' fam trips. The prize includes visitsto The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, The PalmBeaches, Panama City Beach, Bradenton, AnnaMaria Island & Longboat Key, The Florida Keys & KeyWest, Tampa Bay and St.Pete's/Clearwater. To enteragents need to confirm a Florida holiday booking,including at least three nights in one of the aboveareas by March 31 and email [email protected].

● OTHER INCENTIVES include the chance to win a famtrip to Vietnam with Travel Indochina in June,covering Saigon, Hanoi, Hoi An and Halong Bay inassociation with Vietnam Airlines. The prize is opento agents who book an escorted Small GroupJourney or Asia River Cruise with the operator byMarch 31.

● BOURNE LEISURE has launched its annual onlineegg-stra special agent incentive. Agents need to logon to the www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk and searchthrough the pages to find the Bourne Expert, Brainzpeeking out of his Easter Egg and complete theonline form to be in with a chance of winning aChocolate Hamper or taking home one of five runnerup prizes which will include Easter goodies. Theclosing date is March 22.

AgentpanelAGENTS CAN sign up to theTIPTO Agent Research Panel,where they will be sentoccasional surveys fromTIPTO, and then automati-cally entered into a prizedraw. Recent prizes haveincluded shopping vouchers.The research surveys will askfor opinions on the latestindustry topics and TIPTOsuppliers. To sign up agentscan send details to [email protected]

A NIGHT ON THE TILES... Agents making any Cosmos Tours & Cruisesbookings for 2013 were entered into a prize draw to win a chauffeur drivennight out for themselves and colleagues as part of the operator's 'Start in Style'competition. Pictured is the winner, Emma Bicknell of Mid-Counties Co-Opin Wall Heath, with the operator's sales manager, Simon Garrido. Thecompany has also launched a private door-to-door home pick up service on arange of its North American and worldwide holidays for 2013.

Booking incentives


agentbulletin

S03 TB1503 News 2_Layout 1 13/03/2013 11:42

GUESTS VISITING any of the three Butlins resorts will bebetter connected from May 1 as Wi-fi can be accessed in allareas at Bognor Regis, Skegness and Minehead.

The current system, which services selected areas of theresorts, is being fully updated to offer a super-speedyconnection. Guests will be able to access Wi-Fi for free for thefirst 15 minutes of each day of their break in all areas,including accommodation for the first time.

Wi-Fi in hotel rooms or BlueSkies apartments will continueto be included in the price and guests will also receive theirfree 15 minutes anywhere else on resort.

Guests wanting to log on while they are in theirroom/apartment can buy a pass that will last them for theirentire break. A pass for a three- or four-night break costs £15per device, while a seven-night break costs £20 per device. For more information see www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk orcall 0845-070 4742.

Guests get better connected at Butlins

newsbulletin


TRUE BLUE Bay, a boutique resort in Grenada, has launched twoall-inclusive packages for single parent families and solotravellers. With the single parent family package, up to threechildren under 12 years can stay and eat for free when eating fromthe children’s menu. The resort features two play areas as well astwo swimming pools, including one with an artificial beach.Children will also be kept busy with a programme of activities suchas jewellery making, hair braiding, table games, mermaidswimming and the use of kayaks. Packages are for available forstays from May 1 to July 31 and September 1 to October 31.For details see www.truebluebay.com

KUONI HAS launched anew ‘Explore Thailand,Vietnam and beyond’campaign that explores thesights and sounds ofThailand, Vietnam, Burma,Cambodia, Laos, Malaysiaand Indonesia.

The operator has hand-picked a selection ofholidays, which can befound in a booklet designedto guide and inspiretravellers, with offers forstay-put options, twin-centres and tours.

Making its debut with theoperator is the new five-star resort, PullmanPhuket Arcadia NaithonBeach in Thailand, whereguests can opt for spatreatments and holisticpractices such as yoga, taichi and Muay Thai, or takea longtail boat to PhangNga Bay – also known asJames Bond Island forsome snorkelling.

Prices lead in at £999 perperson based on twosharing for a seven-nightbreakfast stay.

The price includes flightswith Thai Airways fromHeathrow and transfers,plus a saving of up to £948per couple, based ondepartures in May andJune.

With the growingpopularity of twin-centres,the company has combinedthe city of Bangkok with theold-world charm of Burma.

The tour begins with twonights at the Royal OrchidSheraton Hotel & Towers,set on Chao Phrayariverbank, followed by thefive-star Road to Mandalaycruise along the IrrawadyRiver, which combinesOrient Express service withthe beauty of Burma. Guestswill experience traditionalBurmese village life, visit alocal farm and meet localschool children. Prices leadin at £5,199 per person,based on two sharing, whichincludes a saving of up to£1,361 per couple andapplies to an Octoberdeparture.

Meanwhile, to cater forthe increased demand forwellbeing holidays, Asia’sfirst all-inclusive spa resort,the Fusion Maia Danang inVietnam has been included.The resort is 30 minutesfrom the UNESCO WorldHeritage Site Hoi An andfeatures the largest spa incentral Vietnam. Aminimum of two spatreatments per day areincluded in the price whichcosts from £1,249 perperson for seven nights in aone-bedroom pool villa. Italso includes breakfast,flights from Gatwick andtransfers. The price is basedon an April/May departureand includes a saving of upto £1,255 per couple. For more information or tobook visit www.kuoni.co.uk

Kuoni launches new ‘Explore Thailand,Vietnam and beyond’ campaign

S03 TB1503 News 2_Layout 1 13/03/2013 16:11

puzzlebulletin


Where Am I?

Waterway in New Zealand (former home ofQueen Elizabeth The Queen Mother).

Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the

3 x 3 squares contains the digits 1-9.Once you have completed the puzzle, simply identify the numbers that relate

to the letters, A, B, C and D then e-mail the solution, with your name,

company name, and full postal address plus phone and ABTA number if

applicable to:

[email protected]

Closing date for entries is Thursday, March 21st. Solution and new puzzle

will appear next week.

The winner for 1st March is Matthew Price, World Market

Travel in Bath.

March 1 Solution: A=3 B=5 C=6 D=8

➠A

➠B

➠C

➠D

Number: 103

Travagrams

Where Am I?

Su Doku

This cruise line is named after the historical period of scientific andartistic advancement, which is also the French word for ‘rebirth’.

A holiday destination made up of 200 islands is more sea than land

A Scariness Insecure

Sad El Vim

Can you solve the following anagrams to decipher the destination & tour operator?Win a £50 Hotel Chocolat voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle

Fill in the crossword to spell the mystery location highlighted bythe blue squares and visit www.travelbulletin.co.uk/crossword tosubmit your entry. All correct entries will be placed in a free prizedraw and one lucky winner will win £50 Love2Shop vouchers.Closing date for entries is Thursday March 21st.

The Where Am I and Travagrams solutions can be found on page 30

Crossword

Num

ber:

103

Sponsored By

Jet2holidays offers flexible and great value package holidays for just £60pp deposit

Across 1. Las Ramblas is located in which Jet2holidays

city destination? (9)6. Coach travel operator, Bakers ___ (7)8. The Old Man on this Scottish island is popular

with climbers (3)9. Carson City is the state capital (6)12. Three Men in a Boat took a holiday on this

river (6)14. High-speed train, initially (3)16. The highest mountain in Wales (7)18. European lake bordered by three countries (9)

Down 1. Value for money car rental company (6)2. State capital of North Carolina (7)3. Hawaiian garland (3)4. Athens airport code (3)5. American singer-songwriter, Alicia (4)7. Found in the Caribbean, St Kitts and ___ (5)9. French city famous for its Roman architecture (5)10. City on New Zealand's south island (7)11. One of the Six Nations rugby teams (6)13. Salt Lake City is the state capital (4)15. Australian state, initially (3)17. Nassau airport code (3)

Congratulations to John Hall, Carrick Travel who won the 1st March crossword prize of £50 Love2Shop vouchers

S03 TB1503 News 2_Layout 1 13/03/2013 14:17


FAM TRIPS and personal holidays are very importantsales tools for all of the staff at Travel Club Elite.Within the team, we take between eight and ten fam

trips every year and we try to ensure that everyone in theoffice has the chance to experience one. Our managingdirector recognises that it is vital for everyone in thecompany to experience the holidays that we offer; that way,we can all pass on our knowledge to customers andcolleagues.

One of our most recent fam trips was an eight-day visit toChina with AITO operator, Wendy Wu. So, what did we see,do and learn about the destination? The trip kicked off inShanghai – ‘the Paris of the East’, with a visit to the exoticYu Gardens. ‘Yu’ in Chinese means ‘pleasing and satisfying’and it certainly was – it felt like a little oasis in the centre ofa busy city. The gardens have an interesting history too,built for the parents of Pan Yunduan, a government officerof the Ming Dynasty (1368 -1644).

We moved onto Shanghai’s Old Town - a perfectcombination of gardens, temples, old architecture, civilculture, business, souvenirs and food – and then strolledalong the banks of Huangpu River, taking in buildings ofdifferent architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque,Romanesque, Classicism and the Renaissance. I was in aweof the huge spectrum of buildings, which were particularlymagnificent during our evening cruise. Although the city hascrowds, traffic and commercialism, I will always rememberthe night view and the building structures that the city isfamous for.

We then flew to Guilin - considered to be the pearl ofChina's thriving tourist industry on account of its naturalbeauty and historic treasures. The strangely-shaped hills,together with crystal-clear waters and wonderful caves,make the city a very appealing destination.

The Reed Flute Cave was a highlight – it’s a spectacularcave created by water erosion and boasts a variety ofstalactites, stone pillars and rock formations. Its namecomes from the verdant reeds growing nearby, with whichlocals make flutes. Be warned - you will be hounded bysellers in and around the caves. We also took a Li RiverCruise in Guilin, meandering slowly past villages, waterbuffalo and rice paddies, with school kids and fishermanfloating by on bamboo rafts.

Another flight then took us to the former ancient capitalof Xian, which included a visit to the Muslim Quarter. Itoffers authentic locally-made Muslim food, includingsteamed stuffed buns of Jiasan. Xian is a ‘must see’ – totally

authentic, oozing with culture and no Nandos or McDonaldsto spoil the landscape!

We also witnessed the Terracotta Warriors here, figurescreated 2,000 years ago to accompany Qin Shihuang into theafterlife. This did not disappoint - it felt like entering asacred house where hushed whispers of awe filled the air.Although I researched the Warriors, I didn’t expect them tobe life-size. I was also surprised to see that excavations areon-going, with archaeologists painstakingly dusting away atthe many broken pieces of pottery. More than 7,000soldiers, horses and chariots have been unearthed andrestored so far.

Next, we took a morning flight to Beijing, China’s capitalcity. One of the obvious highlights was a visit to TiananmenSquare in the city centre, including the Forbidden City, theworld’s largest palace complex. The Last Emperor wasfilmed here and the history behind it is fascinating. Our tourguide explained how the Emperors lived here together withhundreds of staff, at times treating them very cruelly.

Finally, the best part of our trip was saved until last - TheGreat Wall - one of the wonders of the world. I was soexcited to walk the wall, which has been on my bucket-listfor many years. Our climb up to the first section wasgruelling, but worth it. The sight of the wall snaking alongthe mountains was glorious. I took time away from the othertourists to find a peaceful spot in which to absorb thisfamous sight.

It was then time to say farewell to China. My journey wasover too soon and, before I knew it, we were beingpampered by the BA crew once again. Thank you Wendy Wu!

Elaine Barnes of Birmingham-based AITO Agent,Travel Club Elite, offers her thoughts on a recentfam trip to China with Wendy Wu...

To respond to any of Elaine’s views email [email protected]

opinionbulletin

W-AITO-Go!

S03 TB1503 News 2_Layout 1 13/03/2013 11:26


Hurtigruten launches flight-inclusivesummer short break programme

HURTIGRUTEN HAS launched a summer short breakprogramme, tying in with the Midnight Sun and newflights from Gatwick to Tromso, launched by Norwegian.The operator has created a selection of five- and six-dayflight-inclusive breaks that offer the opportunity toexperience a range of new summer excursions, includinga Midnight Sun kayaking trip and evening hiking.

Departures are available on selected dates from April3 to September 14, with prices leading in at £999 perperson.

A range of new excursions have also been introducedfor add-on selling. These include sea kayaking from£161 per person, midnight sun kayaking from £187,mountain hiking from £122 and a guided trip to thePolar Museum from £110.

As an example of prices, a six-day Into the ArcticSummer option, which travels from Bergen to Tromso,costs £1,075 per person, and is available on 19 selecteddates between April 5 and September 6. Highlightsinclude Alesund, Geirangerfjord, Trondheim and sailingthrough the Lofoten Islands, and the price includes flightsfrom Gatwick, transfers, four nights' half-boardaccommodation on the ship and one night’s breakfast stayat a hotel in Tromso. For more information call 020-8846 2666 or seewww.hurtigruten.co.uk/agents

newsbulletin

PLANE PARTY...Blackpool man, Paul Carroll (pictured), iscelebrating after becoming the first person to win a private partyplane with Jet2.com. Paul and his Music Hall Tavern Drag or Blingtheme took top spot with more than two million votes and he isnow looking forward to whisking 99 close friends and family toLanzarote next month for a VIP weekend.

S03 TB1503 News 2_Layout 1 13/03/2013 11:26

ENERGY, TELECOMMUNICATIONS andairline firms are taking the lead inspending to engage consumersthrough their mobile devices,according to The New Digital MobileConsumer global trend report.

Commissioned by Tata ConsultancyServices (TCS) an IT services,consulting and business solutionsfirm, the research reveals thataverage expenditure within thecompanies surveyed in these sectorsduring 2012 was between $27millionto $31million per company.

During 2012, energy companiesspent an average of $30.8million percompany in targeting mobileconsumers, encompassing factorssuch as app development, customerservice delivery through mobiledevices, and mobile-friendly

marketing campaigns. Thetelecommunications industry(consumer-focused) proved to be thesecond biggest spender ($28.6million)and airlines the third ($27.2million).These three sectors have the highestproportion of total sales transactions,marketing campaigns and post salesinteractions conducted withconsumers specifically throughmobile devices.

Through 2015, however, the pictureshifts. Airlines move to become thehighest spending sector ($37millionper company in 2015). Thetelecommunications industry remainsthe second largest investor in thesetechnologies and services ($35million),while the consumer computerhardware and software industry willmove into third place ($34million).

TCS' vice president and global headof mobility Dr Satya Ramaswarmysaid: “Today’s smartphones andtablets endowed with context sensorssuch as camera, GPS, compass, andaccelerometer are helping companiestransform their connection withconsumers into anytime-anywherecontextual interactions.

“The New Digital Mobile Consumerreport has shown that mostindustries simply cannot ignore therelevance of the digital mobileconsumer. The criticality of attuningproducts, content and services to amobile consumption model is nowbusiness critical. We perceive thatthe firms which best adapt to thisincreasingly prevalent and influentialaudience segment are likely to reapsignificant dividends.”

Airlines to overtake energy companies in targeting mobile consumers

airlinebulletin


InBrief● KLM ROYAL Dutch Airlines has reduced fares to European

destinations from Ireland by as much as 34%. The cheaperreturn fares will apply to flights from Dublin and Cork viaAmsterdam to more than 50 European destinations. As anexample, a Dublin flight to Aalborg in Denmark now costs€229 (from €349), offering a 34% saving. For details see www.klm.com or call 0871-222 7474.

● FLYBE HAS announced a new route to Waterford fromManchester, with four flights a week from May 22. Fares leadin at £29.99 one-way including taxes and charges.For details see www.flybe.com

● MONARCH HAS announced that it is to increase the frequency ofits Barcelona service from Birmingham from four times a week todaily, from May 1.

● EASYJET HAS launched a new route to the Greek island ofMykonos and a new service to Olbia in Sardinia from Luton forsummer. Mykonos is served twice weekly from April 26 with faresfrom £34.66 one-way and the new route to Olbia will operatetwice weekly from May 15, with fares from £32.66 one-way.For details see www.easyjet.com

● JET2.COM AND Jet2holidays are giving customers the chanceto grab a bite of the big apple with the early sale of flights andpackage breaks to New York on selected dates in Novemberand December. Flights are available from Glasgow, Newcastle,Leeds, Bradford and East Midlands and, for the first time thisyear from Manchester. Fares lead in at £439 per person return,while a shopping break with Jet2holidays costs from £699.For details see www.jet2.com and www.jet2holidays.com

● AIR MALTA is more than doubling its capacity from Cardiff toMalta this year by offering more than 15,000 seats for travelbetween Malta and Wales this summer. The airline is using alarger aircraft and adding a Friday evening flight to theexisting Tuesday morning service. Flights can be bookedonline at www.airmalta.com

● ON JUNE 30, Olympic Air will inaugurate its new flight routesSantorini – Mykonos and Santorini – Heraklion which willoperate three times weekly on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday,up to September 15. The flights will be carried out with thenew generation aircrafts type Bombardier Q400, of 78 seats inEconomy and Premium.

S03 TB1503 News 2_Layout 1 13/03/2013 15:32


Win a case of wine with SAASOUTH AFRICAN Airways UK has launched its firstOnline Travel Training (OTT) programme to help educateUK agents.

The course includes details on several newinnovations from the carrier, including its recentlylaunched mobile check-in app and, upon completion,agents will be able to describe the airline's routenetwork, understand the difference between SAA’sBusiness and Economy Classes and identify the Voyagerfrequent flyer programme and its benefits to helpsupport their customers.

As an added incentive for participating in the training,agents who successfully complete the course by FridayApril 19 will automatically be entered into a prize drawto win six bottles of South African wine.

The airline's marketing executive Katie Edwards said:"We’re really excited about the launch on OTT. Thecurrent module explains all about us in a really shortand engaging way.

“It will be refreshed throughout the year as we bringon board new and exciting changes and is an importantway in which SAA will work closely with the trademoving forward."

The airline, whose motto is, ‘Bringing the world toAfrica and taking Africa to the world,’ offers double dailyovernight flights from Heathrow to Johannesburg, andon to more than 30 destinations in Southern Africa.For more information visit www.flysaa.com or call 0844-375 9680.For details on the new training course visithttp://ott.travel

London event for Alicante TourismALICANTE TOURISM & Convention Bureau, inassociation with the Spanish Tourist Office, is hosting aworkshop for travel agents at the Melia White House inLondon from 18:00 on Thursday April 25, to showcasethe city's attractions as a short break destination.

Agents will have the opportunity to learn more aboutwhat Alicante has to offer, meeting representatives fromthe tourist board and several city hotels.

They will also be able to try local wines at a tutoredwine tasting session and enter a draw to win a shortbreak. For more information or to register to attend theworkshop email [email protected]

THE TRAVEL trade is being urged to take part in a new ‘GoGreener Holidays’ training campaign launched by The TravelFoundation earlier this month.

The quiz builds on the success of the Make Travel Greenertraining campaign, which has seen more than 15,000 industrystaff trained since 2008, and ‘Go Greener Holidays’ will be thefirst course offered via the site.

The Travel Foundation plans to offer a wider range of trainingcourses on the site, and is aiming for 5,000 travel staff to havetaken a course by the end of the year.

The organisation's acting chief executive Salli Felton said: “Itonly takes a tea break to complete the quiz, which has beencreated with travel industry professionals in mind. Even thosewho have completed our old Make Travel Greener quiz will

learn something new as we have updated all sections andadded new ones.

"We are encouraging people at all levels to get involved andunderstand more, and for companies to build the ‘Go GreenerHolidays’ quiz into staff development plans.”

The new course covers the concept of sustainable tourismand ‘greener’ holidays; the importance of keeping destinationsspecial; why it’s good for business; climate change; talking tocustomers; and how staff can help make a difference.

A service to develop bespoke training quizzes so that coursescan be tailored specifically to an organisation’s needs is alsobeing developed. For more information call 0117-930 7172 or seewww.travelfoundationtraining.com

'Go Greener Holidays' training campaign from The Travel Foundation

trainingbulletin

LIGHT MY FIRE...TIPTO held a recent roadshow event at theReading Hilton. More than 38 agents from the Berkshire/Oxfordregion took part in interactive training from various members, inwhich they competed to win top prizes. Pictured is Alison Ashfordfrom Meadway Travel, who won a HD Kindle Fire, with AshleyDellow, sales director at Leger Holidays.

InBrief● INDEPENDENT AGENTS are being invited to attend a Hungary

Tourism evening at The Strand Palace in London at 18:00 onThursday March 21. For details see www.eventsfortravel.comor to book a place email [email protected]

● TIPTO HAS launched an online training competition, followingthe launch of new training modules from All Leisure Holidaysand Funway. In the run up to Easter, agents who complete allTIPTO's 12 online training modules with five-star status will beentered into a competition to win chocolate prizes. Tenrunners up will win Easter eggs and the winner will beawarded a chocolate hamper. Modules can be completed atwww.tipto.co.uk/home/training

● THE VIENNA Tourist Board has rolled out membership of itsVienna Experts Club International (VECI) worldwide.Employees of travel agencies and tour operators offering tripsto Vienna are eligible for club membership to discover whatVienna’s new and traditional attractions have to offer. Amongthe concessions granted to members are free admission tomuseums and sights, as well as opera tickets. Vienna Expertsare also eligible for discounts at bars, restaurants and variousleisure attractions. As a special incentive, the capital’shoteliers have put together a range of attractively pricedpackages. These are advertised in regular newsletters andposted on the club website at www.viennaexpertsclub.at

S03 TB1503 News 2_Layout 1 13/03/2013 11:26

Who is your ideal travelling companion? Has to be my laptop, without it I am lost(God bless Skype!). I can stay in contactwith my two daughters who seem totake great pleasure in adding to my greyhair on a daily basis.

Where was your last work-related trip? Just recently I was coming back fromBelfast city after a successful two days ofevents with some of the most amazingindependent agents. I have to sayNorthern Irish travel agents are veryhospitable and a pleasure to deal with, Ilove my trips to NI.

If you were a celebrity who would you choose to be and why? Me, I am a celebrity to my twodaughters, or so they tell me when theywant something…

What three words would yourfriends use to describe you? Passionate, honest and loyal - maybe toohonest for my own good sometimes….

What have your travels taught you? Be respectful, open-minded and embraceother traditions. If you do that, everyjourney will be an adventure.

What is the best advice you recall?Treat others as you would like to betreated.

If you could have a room full of any one thing, what would it be?Friendly faces, which I consistently get attravel conferences, hence I am still in theindustry.

If you could change three things inthe industry, what would they be?1. I would love some agents andoperators to put value on the knowledge,expertise and service they provide. I don’t

believe being the cheapest is everythingto a consumer (we have the internet forthat). 2. Discounting is something thatshould stop in my opinion (if you are notmaking money in any business you electto be in, then you won’t be around formuch longer). 3. Lastly people who arenot willing to learn. I often hear peoplesaying ‘I have done it all, I knoweverything, there is nothing anyone canteach me’ – personally I learn somethingnew every day. In an industry whereknowledge is priceless, it is disappointingthat some people feel they knoweverything.

Who has been the biggestinspiration/influence in your career? I have learnt a lot from some very kind,clever and helpful people in thiswonderful industry, however the personwho has influenced my career the mosthas to be my current boss Ted Wake.

Hisham MahmoudThe agency sales manager UK & Ireland of KirkerHolidays would love the ability to read people’s

minds and says he’s lost without his laptop...

If you were not doing this job, what would you be doing? I would still be running mywatersports and fishing company inAfrica, still in travel I suppose.

What is your motto in life? Be passionate in everything you do.

What is your favourite mode of travel? Trains (not in the UK) on thecontinent. The service is great, thescenery is fantastic, it’s city centre tocity centre travel and no two hourschecking-in process, yippeee!

If you had a super power what would it be and why? Reading people’s minds. I would loveto understand why people sometimesbehave in the manner they do.

What was your nickname at school and why? H, it was a lot easier than trying toget other people to pronounce myname properly. Someone once calledme Hashish, he must have beensmoking a lot of that stuff so I askedhim to call me H, a lot easier for allinvolved.

What item do you always take with you when travelling? Mobile phone, what would we dowithout the mobile phone thesedays? I feel naked if I don’t carry mymobile phone.

What's your favourite airline and why? Used to be BMI, the staff were alwaysprofessional, genuine, friendly andenthusiastic. Now I elect BA whom Iam not particularly happy with themat this present moment, but probablythe best in what is available on theroutes I frequently use.

Career path● Warrior Watersports: 1990 – 1995● Watersports and Fishing Company

in Africa● Carpricorn Travel: 1998 – 2005● Independent travel agent in Chiswick● Kirker Holidays: 2005 – 2013● Specialist tour operator

"I am acelebrity to my

two daughters, or so they tell me

when they wantsomething…"

personalitybulletin


S03 TB1503 News 2_Layout 1 13/03/2013 11:26


THE CROATIAN National Tourist Office(CNTO) has welcomed Tonko Rilović as

its new UK and Irelanddirector.

Tonko has more than27 years’ experience inthe travel and tourism

sector and takes overfrom Meri Matešić,

who spent fiveyears with theCNTO inLondon and

has been promoted to director of theCroatian National Tourist Board inZagreb.

The appointment comes at an excitingtime for the destination, as last yearmore than 332,801 UK travellers visitedCroatia, a boost of 24% compared to2011.

Rilović said: "This year is set to be alandmark year for Croatia tourism,especially with our long-anticipatedentry into the EU in July. It’s great to seethat more and more Brits are choosing

to holiday in Croatia and I’m lookingforward to working with our partners toreach our record-breaking visitor figureof 500,000 which we saw in 1990.

“This year our aim is to continue todevelop a sustainable visitor economy.We’ll do this by extending Croatia’sappeal to include our range of home-grown gastronomic delights andadventure tourism across our eightnational parks.” For details see www.croatia.hr or call 020-3440 8930.

ESSENTIALLY PRESTIGE is offering its largest programme toCroatia for this year.

The operator’s 100-page brochure features 30 resorts andislands and offers new product including a dedicated self-catering section to make it easier for agents to view itsselection of villas, apartments and lighthouses across thecountry.

The operator has also tagged properties, which sell out fastso that agents can advise clients where early booking isnecessary, and all-inclusive properties are also highlighted.

The company's marketing manager Nicky Shafe said:"Croatia continues to be one of our star destinations andbookings remain strong - we are already 13% up on this timelast year. We have introduced some new islands for 2013including Veliki Brijun (big Brijuni), in the Brujuni islands just

15 minutes away from Fazana,and two of the biggest islands inthe Croatian Adriatic - Krk and Cres."

One of the operator's top selling hotels this year is theGrand Hotel Park in Dubrovnik, where prices lead in at £326per person for seven nights' breakfast accommodation, basedon an April 20 departure. The price also includes flights fromGatwick with Norwegian Airlines and shared transfers.

Another top seller is the four-star Hotel Albatros in Cavat,which is described as ideal for families, offering a beachlocation as well as a range of activities and facilities.

Seven nights departing on April 13, staying in a double roomon a bed-and-breakfast basis, with flights from Gatwick andprivate transfers costs from £319 per person. For more information or to book call 01425-480400 or seewww.prestigeholidays.co.uk/croatia

Essentially Prestige adds new islands & self-catering section to new brochure

croatia

Dubrovnik

Tonko Rilović

LATE LAST year Anatolian Sky Holidayslaunched its first dedicated programmeof holidays to Croatia, offering a varietyof beach and city breaks, tailor-madeholidays, escorted tours and coastalcruises.

Speaking about the response fromagents on the new programme, thecompany's managing director, AkinKoç, said: “Since we released theCroatia brochure we’ve seen very high

demand from agents. Feedback on boththe new brochure and the content ofthe programme has been extremelypositive.

"We are finding that the mostpopular products tend to be ourAdriatic cruises and tailor-madeholidays, with steady interest in citybreaks to Dubrovnik. Our escortedtours with guaranteed weeklydepartures are also proving popular.”

Following demand, the operator isadding a further six hotels in Dubrovnikfor this year, details of which will beavailable online soon and as an insertto the existing brochure. The companyalso plans to build on the success ofthe programme and develop additionaldestinations in Croatia for 2014.To book or for more information seewww.anatoliansky.co.uk or call 0844-273 3585.

Anatolian Sky reports high demand from agents for new dedicated Croatia programme

Croatia National Tourist Office sees UK visitors soar and appoints new director

S04 TB1503 Croatia_Layout 1 13/03/2013 11:35

NEW ATOL-bonded tour operator, Explore Croatia, haslaunched to offer guests the option of staying in a range ofluxury villas, hotels and apartments throughoutDubrovnik, the Pelješac Peninsula and Brac and HvarIslands.

The operator features a mix of properties, including a16th century cliff-top castle and the house of a formerwinemaker, both on the Dubrovnik Riviera. The company isbeginning operations with a selection of 38 properties,with plans to expand over the coming months.

The company's programme director Doug Mathiesonsaid: "We took a long look at the Croatian holiday marketand believe it needed a more individual, bespoke approachfor holidaymakers.

“We are keen to work with unique properties and highquality developments. Our properties are in SouthernDalmatia where we have searched for restoredfarmhouses, apartments with incredible views and villas inidyllic settings.

“We are in conversations with vineyard operators andlocal farms to develop tours and classes for our guests,taking advantage of the incredible local organic food andwine. We are also speaking with sailing schools and, asthe island network along the coast is a fantastic resource,we are keen to confirm classes and programmes to beincluded within the accommodation rentals.’’

As examples of prices, a seven-night stay at the 16thcentury Poets Castle in the Dubrovnik Riviera leads in at

£321 per person, based on 11 sharing. The property is setin a secluded location on the Adriatic Sea and offers aground floor dedicated to leisure and games including aping pong table, wide-screen TV, plus direct access to thebeach and a walled courtyard for al-fresco dining.

Meanwhile, a seven-night stay at the WagnerApartments Andante, also on the Dubrovnik Riviera, costsfrom £418 per person, based on two adults and twochildren sharing, including flights and car hire. Theproperty is made up of four apartments which share a pooland access to private parking. The nearest restaurants andbeach are nearby, while Dubrovnik is 6km away.

Wagner Apartments Andante

NEW for Summer ‘13 SPLIT in

CROATIABIRMINGHAM

SPLIT

Three FLIGHTS DUBROVNIK

SPLIT £399pp*

DUBROVNIK £259pp

ISLAND

FLEXIBLE DURATIONS

0871 423 8518 (Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras)

* Based on 2 adults departing Birmingham 09/10/13 for 7 nights at three diamond Hotel Dalmacijain Makarska (bed and breakfast).** Based on 2 adults departing Gatwick 11/05/13 for 3 nights at three diamond rated Marnic Apartments, Plat (self catering).

F

u

l

l

y

p

r

o

t

e

c

te

d

h

o

l

i

d

a

y

s

ABTA No.V0531

Cosmos holds an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) which is granted by the Civil Aviation Authority.

NEW

CROATIAinSPLIT

for Summer ‘13NEW

CROATIAin

for Summer ‘13

SPLIT

hree T

PLITS

CROATIA

£399pp*SPLIT

ROVB DUSTGHFLI

PLIT

CROATIA

£399pp*IKNROV

MANGHIMIRB

XIELF

ROVBDUSPLIT

NSURATIODELB

NDLASIIKNROV

£399pp*SPLIT

£259pp£399pp*

** Based on 2 adults departing Gatwick 11/05/13 for 3 nights at three diamond rated Marnic Apartments, Plat (self catering).* Based on 2 adults departing Birmingham 09/10/13 for 7 nights at three diamond Hotel Dalmacijain Makarska (bed and breakfast).


0871 423 8518


(Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras)0871 423 8518


(Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras)

viation Authorityy.Awhich is granted by the Civil

s Licence (AOrganiser’’sCosmos holds an Air T

F

y

ll

y

l

u

e

c

tt

e

oo

t

rr

o

pp

r

et

c

e

l

i

oo

l

hh

o

d

a

y

d

i

l

s

yy

s

a

.V0531 NoTAABwhich is granted by the Civil

TOL) s Licence (AravelTTr

croatia

Atol-bonded Explore Croatia launches for 2013 with luxury villas across destination



MedSailors extends sailing holidays to Korcula Island

NOW APPROACHING its third sailing season, MedSailors offersa balance between a relaxing sailing holiday and an island-hopping tour around some of the Med’s most populardestinations.

The company has announced that it is extending its Croatiasailing tour to the historic island of Korcula. Anchoring in VelaLuka, guests will travel to the walled Old City of Korcula. Theseven-day itinerary, available for 20-35-year-olds, allowsguests to explore a more remote Mediterranean coast withtheir skippers acting as tour guides. From the deck of thesailing boat guests can swim, sunbathe or learn how to sailwhile getting to know fellow sailors, whether travelling in asmall group or hiring a yacht for themselves and their friends. For more information see www.medsailors.com

Dubrovnik

croatia

Intrepid reduces prices on sailing adventuresINTREPID TRAVEL has lowered the price of its sailingadventures along Croatia's Dalmatian coast by more than 25%.

There are two available itineraries, sailing on a modernyacht from Dubrovnik to Primosten and in the reversedirection, with stops at Ston, Mljet, Korcula, Ploce, Hvar, Brac,Split and Trogir.

The eight-day itinerary now costs from £775 includingaccommodation in a twin-berth cabin, snorkelling equipment,excursions, breakfasts and lunches.

With an experienced skipper on board, passengers can havea go at sailing the boat or relax on deck. Places can be bookedby the berth, with a maximum of eight passengers on eachboat.For more information see www.intrepidtravel.com/sailing-adventures

NEW FOR this summer, Inghams has introduced a seven-night Adriatic Island cruise and a seven-night DubrovnikDiscovery Cruise, which offer guests the chance to experienceCroatia’s coastline from the comfort of a small ship.

The Adriatic Island Cruise sails from the resort of Opatijaand visits the historical island of Rab with its sandy beaches,the port of Zadar and the island of Mali Losinj.

The Dubrovnik Discovery Cruise explores the city of Hvar,known for its lively bars and restaurants, the little town ofTrstenik, famous for its vineyards, and the island of Mljet.

On board guests are offered daily continental breakfast andlunch on the sun terrace.

Three nights at the four-star Star Hotel Grand in Opatija ona half-board basis, followed by seven nights on the AdriaticIsland Cruise including a cabin with shower and WC, breakfastand lunch, costs from £1,289 per person including flights fromStansted or Manchester and transfers. For more information or to book visitwww.inghams.co.uk/agents or call 01483-791114.

New Island cruises from Inghams


CLASSIC COLLECTION Holidays has added 20 new hotels toits summer 2013 Croatia programme. In addition to itsexisting programme to Dubrovnik, Makarska, Hvar and Splitthe Sussex-based tour operator has introduced a wide choiceof four- and five-starproperties in a furtherten resort areas and achoice of Adriatic cruisesfrom Dubrovnik andSplit.

The company's deputymanaging director MattRice said: "This is abeautifully unspoilt areaof the Mediterranean,but one which, in thepast, has not necessarilybeen associated withluxury hotel products.Nowadays it’s not justthe main area ofDubrovnik whichfeatures luxurious hotelsbut areas such as Split,Makarska and the Istrianpeninsula.

"It’s also a destination well supported by regional flyingallowing us to offer customers our usual service of a flexiblechoice of UK departure airports, airlines and holiday duration.

Demand from travel agents and customers alike has meantthat it was timely to make these additions to our programme."

Twin-centre options to neighbouring Slovenia andMontenegro are also proving popular for the operator.

Holidays in Dubrovnik(five nights) andMontenegro (five nights)cost from £973 perperson including flightsand private transfers.Three nights in LakeBled and four nights inOpatija on the Istrianpeninsula lead in at £997per person, while eight-day motor cruises fromSplit cost from £781including flights andprivate transfers.

Many of the operator’sproperties provide spa orhealth club facilities, andthe company specificallyrecommends ten of itsfavourites including the

Hotel Monte Mulini’s spa in Rovinj where prices start from£840 per person for seven nights. For further information or to book call 0800-008 7288 or visitwww.classic-collection.co.uk

COSMOS HOLIDAYS hasexpanded its Croatiaprogramme with theintroduction of Split,offering city stays as wellas beach holidays incoastal and island resortscombined with flights fromBirmingham.

Offering completeflexibility, flights fromBirmingham are availablethree times weekly withdurations offered from twonights upwards for singleor twin-centre holidays.

As well as the city ofSplit, resorts includePodstrana, Vodice, Sibenik,Baska Voda, Tucepi,Makarska and the Island ofBrac. The four-diamondrated Waterman Resort inSupetar on the Island ofBrac is ideal for a relaxingstay and just an hour’sferry journey from Split forsightseeing.

Seven-night bed-and-breakfast package pricesare available from £399

per person based on adeparture fromBirmingham on October 9,staying at the three-diamond Hotel DalmacijainMakarska.

The operator's head ofpurchasing TomMcCormick said: “Croatiahas maintained its currentappeal and popularity andover the last five years wehave developed ourprogramme in resortswhich offer individualitysuch as Korcula, Slano,Cavtat, Korcula and Lopud.

"By adding the Splitarea, we want to offer ourcustomers a broaderchoice of resorts to be ableto enjoy an authenticexperience in terms ofculture, history, cuisineand the natural beauty ofthe mainland and islands."

Flights fromBirmingham operate onWednesday, Friday andSunday from May 22 toOctober 31.

Classic Collection Holidays boosts product on back of strong sales

Opatija


croatia

Cosmos Holidays expands programme with the introduction of Split


BALKAN HOLIDAYS is encouragingagents to highlight Dalmatian Cruises toclients interested in experiencingCroatia and its coastal wonders.

The company offers eight-day cruisesfrom Dubrovnik and Split that travelaround the islands of Mljet, Korcula andHvar, and visit local villages and towns.The cruises are on small, traditionalwooden cruisers which have theflexibility to sail in and around the manyislands en-route.

Guests can take part in various shoreexcursions to explore the local cultureand cuisine, as well as visiting thenearby islands and open markets thatoffer freshly produced food and fish.There is also plenty of time forswimming, snorkelling and sunbathing.

The operator's sales and marketingmanager Rupert Diggins said: “Croatiahas always been a popular holidaydestination and with a warm climate intoSeptember, as well as the guarantee ofa peaceful break, the islands prove theperfect place to get away from it all."

The company is offering discounts oncruises departing from Dubrovnik this

summer. Prices have been reduced by£90 per couple for departures on May 5,12 and 19 and at the end of September,and similarly by £70 per couple ondepartures from Split on May 4, 11 and18 and at the end of September.

With the discount, an eight-day cruisesailing from Dubrovnik on May 5 costs

from £681 per person, and from £656per person from Split on September 28.Prices include flights from Gatwick,twin-berth accommodation with ashower and WC on a full-board basis.For bookings or more details seewww.balkanholidays.co.uk/agents or call 0845-130 1114.

croatiaBalkan Holidays offers discounts on Dalmatian Cruises with prices from £656


121carhire.comprepares forsummer boost121CARHIRE.COMREPORTS that Croatia isexpected to see a largeincrease in tourism thissummer following itsadmittance to the EU andthe announcement of a15% sales-tax cut ontourist services whichcame into effect in January.

The company'sspokesperson MichaelBond said: “Croatia istaking great steps to boostits tourism and economy tohelp it compete withtraditional holiday hotspotssuch as Spain and Turkey.

"With more than 2,700hours of sunshine per yearand its white sandybeaches, the destination isfast becoming a popularplace to holiday. Our recentfigures found that the mostpopular places in Croatiafor car hire to date areDubrovnik, Pula, Zagreband Split airportsrespectively, and we arepreparing for an evenhigher demand in theseareas this summer.”For more information visitwww.121carhire.com

UTracks launchessix-day cycleadventureitinerary UTRACKS IS launching ashorter, six-day itinerary ofits popular ten-day CroatiaCycle Adventure on April 1.

The tour, which departson a weekly basis up toOctober 31, travels fromSplit to Dubrovnik, Dalmatiaand encompasses a chain ofloosely connected islands.Best explored by bike, thescenery alternates betweenseaside villages, medievalwalled towns and quietpebbled bays, set against abackdrop of pine forests andmountains.

Prices lead in at £950 perperson including five nights'breakfast accommodation intwo- and three-starapartments on a twin sharebasis; transfers by ferry,bus and coach as indicatedin the itinerary; aninformation pack includingroute notes and maps; andrental bike with panniersand helmet. Flights areexcluded but can be bookedon request.For more information visitwww.utracks.com or call0845-241 7599.


JET2HOLIDAYS IS offering a seven-night breakfast stay atthe five-star Hotel Croatia in Cavtat, Dubrovnik from £589

per person. The price is based on a May 12 departurefrom East Midlands for two adults sharing, and includes

22kg luggage and transfers. For details call 0800-408 5587 or see

https://tradesite.jet2holidays.com

croatia

● THOMSON HAS increased flights to Istria from Manchester,Birmingham and Gatwick to twice-weekly.

● JET2 HAS doubled its Croatia product for 2013, with more regionalflights to Pula from Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds.

● CROATIA’S MINISTRY of Tourism has launched an educationprogramme for wine makers involved in the tourism sector. Theprogramme is part of a 1.25million Euro Wine Tour project which aimsto promote and develop wine tourism in Osijek-Baranja County. Theproject will also see the creation of a new wine museum in theregion.

● THE CROATIAN Government has approved a new strategy fortourism development in Croatia, which outlines plans for the sectorup to 2020. The strategy aims to increase the competitiveness ofCroatia in the international market, making it one of the 20 mostcompetitive tourist countries in the world. The government alsoplans to increase the number of jobs in the tourism industry by30,000, with the majority of investment expected to go into thehotel industry.

ATTRACTION WORLD currently offers 15 experiences inCroatia from Dubrovnik, Kvarner Bay and Istria.

The operator reports that sales have grown extensively inline with increasing interest in the country and currently showa 300% growth year-on-year.

Some of the company's top sellers include a DubrovnikPanorama Tour which costs £29 per adult and £15 per childaged two to nine; a half-day Postojna Cave UndergroundBeauty Tour for £46 per adult and £23 per child; and a Best ofIstria option, which takes guests to olive groves, a Romanamphitheatre and a hilltop town, for £53 per adult and £34 perchild.

All tours are fully commissionable to agents and theoperator offers agents a 20% discount for their own bookings.

Sales growth for Attraction World

InBrief



Quito opens new international airportECUADOR'S CIVIL Aviation Authority has announced theopening of Quito's new international airport, Mariscal AntonioJose de Sucre.

The new airport is located 23 miles from the city centre andhas received IATA's B category grading. Capable of servicingup to six million passengers annually, the airport's nationaland international terminals cover a 409,029sq.ft area and offera 9,687sq.ft Duty Free store, more than 20 commercial storesand a new shopping centre, to be inaugurated mid-2013.

The airport can service higher capacity aircrafts fromworldwide destinations. Tame, one of Ecuador's nationalairlines, has announced that it will offer direct flights toBuenos Aires and New York later this year, while KLM will flynon-stop to Amsterdam and Iberia will operate its Airbus 340-600 from Madrid to Quito.

To facilitate access to the new airport and make the city'stransit more fluid, Quito is in the midst of building a newfreeway named ‘La Ruta Viva'. Set to open in phases, withportions already operating since last year, the new road isexpected to enable travellers to reach downtown Quito fromthe airport and vice-versa within about 30-40 minutes. With atotal investment of US$48million, the entire highway isprojected to be completed by 2014.For more information about Quito visit www.quito.com.ec andfor details on the new airport see www.aeropuertoquito.aero

TRAVEL 2 is highlighting aseven-day EssentialEcuador tour.

The itinerary visitsEcuador’s historicalcapital, Quito; takesvisitors to MountChimborazo, Ecuador’shighest peak; travelsthrough the Avenue ofVolcanoes; visits the Incaruins of Ingapirca and theEl Pailon de Diablowaterfall; and includestravel by rail down theDevil’s Nose. A stay in thecity of Cuenca is alsoincluded as are flights.

Prices lead in at £2,629per person based on twosharing for departuresbetween September 1 andOctober 31, for bookingsmade by April 30. A four-

night MV Santa Cruz-Eastern Galapagos tripcan be added on from anadditional £1,677 perperson.

The operator's LatinAmerica product andpurchasing managerJustine Egan said: "TheGalapagos Islands arewithout a doubt Ecuador’sbiggest draw card but themainland should not beoverlooked. Visitors candiscover the country’shistorical capital Quito(the world’s first UNESCOHeritage Site), travelthrough the magnificentAvenue of the Volcanoesand enjoy a stay in thebeautiful city of Cuenca." For more information visitwww.travel2.com

Seven-day Essential Ecuador tour from Travel 2

EXODUS HAS expanded its programme in the Galapagos with six new wildlife itineraries on a fleet ofthree small boats, offering cruises of three to 14 nights. As an example, a seven-night CompleteGalapagos - Pelikano cruise on a Pelikano motor yacht takes one of two routes from Baltra toFerdinandina or Bartolome, each offering guests the opportunity to see a range of wildlife. Prices leadin at £2,155 per person including accommodation and most meals. To book visit www.exodustravels.com or call 0845-863 9601.

southamerica

FROM JUNE 3, Air Europa will link Montevideo and Londonthree times weekly with the launch of a new flight schedule.

The route will be operated by an Airbus 330-200 aircraft,featuring a capacity of 299 passengers, including 24 BusinessClass seats.

Flights to Montevideo will depart Gatwick at 17:15 onMondays, Wednesdays and Fridays via Madrid, landing inCarrasco early the following morning. The return flight fromMontevideo departs at 11:45 on Tuesdays, Thursdays andSaturdays. Colin Stewart, general manager UK at the airline,

said: “The new route to Uruguay, one of Latin America’s fastestgrowing tourist destinations, confirms once again ourcommitment to connecting our leisure and businesspassengers to the region.

“It was only in November that we launched flights to SantaCruz, Bolivia, and now, with the Montevideo service, we willserve six key markets in South America, thus cementing ourposition as the Latin America specialist airline.”For more information visit www.aireuropa.com or call 0871-423 0717.

Air Europa announces three times weekly Uruguay route from June

Cox & Kingsoffers El Salvadorand self-drives inCosta RicaCOX & Kings hasintroduced El Salvador toits Latin Americandestinations alongside newself-driving holidays inCosta Rica.

According to theoperator’s latest trendreport, Latin America wasthe best-selling region lastyear, with advance salesfor this year up 25%compared with the sametime last year.

Tailor-made bookingsfor Costa Rica have alsoseen a significantincrease.For further information seewww.coxandkings.co.uk

S05 TB1503 South America_Layout 1 13/03/2013 14:20

CARIBE_TB__060313_210X150.indd 1 01/03/13 14:01

JOURNEY LATIN America has announced the launch of aone-off small group tour travelling on Ecuador’s newly-restored Trans-Andean railway.

The ‘Back on Track’ tour departs on June 26 and isaccompanied by the company’s co-founder and director,Chris Parrott, along with a tour leader. The tour starts inthe Andes near Quito and travels along the old SanLorenzo section of the railway line in the north, beforecontinuing south-west through the Avenue of theVolcanoes to the coast at Guayaquil.

The itinerary takes in key highlights of Ecuadorincluding the market at Otovalo and the hot springs atPapallacta. There is also the option to extend the trip witha visit to the Galapagos Islands.

Having been closed down in 2007 following floods andlandslides, the railway was declared a HistoricalMonument in 2008 and an investment programme was putin place to renovate the network. In June, the railway willre-open with large sections of the line fully functioning

and with steam-hauled trains operating along somesections of the journey.

Parrott said: “Travelling at a leisurely average of just20kph, passengers enjoy panoramic views of the passingsnow-capped volcanoes and dramatic Andean landscapes.First opened in 1908, the railway transformedcommunication between the country’s coastal lowlandsand the high sierra, and today makes for one of thespectacular cross-country rail experiences on the planet.”

The 11-day ‘Back on Track’ tour costs from £3,778 perperson. Alternatively, the company offers a ‘Rail and River’tailor-made holiday with departures throughout thesummer. This includes a four-night stay on the AnakondaAmazon cruise and a trip on the Trans-Andean railway,with prices from £4,164 per person.

Both tours include flights from Heathrow (with optionsfor regional departures), transfers, excursions andbreakfast.For more information visit www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk

Journey Latin America launches ‘Back on Track’ small group tour to Ecuador


southamerica

GEODYSSEY HAS issued a 48-page brochurededicated to Ecuador. Trips include an Andes,Amazon and Galapagos tour from £1,080 per

person and a new nine-night CreatureComforts tour from £2,240 per person.

For clients looking to combine a shorttrip to the mainland with a Galapagos

cruise, itineraries include the four-night A Taste of Ecuador from £485per person; the six-night Quito CityBreak from £800 per person; andthe six-night Among Mountainsfrom £910 per person. To download the brochure visitwww.geodyssey.co.uk/ecuador-

brochure.pdf

Trafalgar offers new South and Central America tours

TRAFALGAR IS offering new South and Central Americatours for this year.

Itineraries include an eight-day ‘Panama, The Canal &Beyond’ tour, leading in at £2,295 per person, wherehighlights include a journey down the Panama Canal andvisits to the Gamboa Rainforest, Cerro Punta, Bouquete,Santiago and the basilica in Nata.

Other highlights include a lunch with the Eleta Almaranfamily at their equestrian estate and meeting a memberof the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute to learnabout its sustainable tourism programme in Panama.

Guests can spend two nights in the mountain resort ofValle Escondido or visit one of Panama’s beach resorts.

Meanwhile, a 14-day Patagonian Grand Adventure costsfrom £4,995 per person and includes guided tours ofBuenos Aires and Bariloche, the gateway to Patagonia’sLake District.

Other highlights include a lunch hosted by a local familyat their ranch, a two-night stay in the City of Roses inChile and a hike to Seno Ultima Esperanza to experiencethe Torres del Paine National Park.

Both tours include flights with private door-to-doortransfers, accommodation, a number of highlightedlunches and dinners, travel in luxury coaches andsightseeing.For more information visit www.trafalgar.com

VOYAGES OF Discovery is offering gueststhe chance to sail the Amazon on its newship, MV Voyager.

Passengers on the 14-day 'A Portraitof The Amazon' cruise will experienceBrazilian city culture before taking in the‘Wedding of the Waters’ in Santarem,where the clear waters of the Tapajósmeet the muddy Amazon.

The cruise departs from Recife andcalls at Natal, Fortaleza, Devil’s Island,

Santarem, Boca De Valeria and Manaus.Prices start from £1,999 per person

based on two sharing an inside cabin ona March 12 departure.

Alternatively, a 17-day 'Amazonian andCaribbean Explorer' cruise explores arange of freshwater beaches. Highlightsinclude performances inspired by the BoiBumba festival in Brazil and a visit to theCaribbean islands of Trinidad and Aruba.The cruise departs from Manaus and

calls at Parintins, Alter do Chao,Macapa, Devil’s Island, Trinidad, LaGuaira, Aruba and Montego Bay.

Prices lead in at £2,199 per personbased on two sharing an inside cabin ona March 24 departure. Flights, transfers,meals, entertainment, a guest speakerprogramme and gratuities are alsoincluded.For more information visitwww.voyagesofdiscovery.com

Voyages of Discovery adds 14-day ‘Portrait of The Amazon’ option from £1,999


IN ITS latest trend report covering holiday bookings since October, Hayes & Jarvis has announced a 219%boom in late winter bookings for Brazil, while bookings have also increased by 129% for Costa Rica thisyear. Popular tailor-made itineraries for Brazil combine the sights of Rio with scenic highlights includingIguassu Falls, the Amazon River and the country’s rainforest. In Costa Rica, a typical itinerary combineswildlife, scenery and beach relaxation. According to Post Office Travel Money, Brazil is also one of the fewdestinations where sterling is currently stronger, with the pound buying around 10% more Brazilian realthan a year ago.

NEW ROUTE from June 2013

MONTEVIDEO(Uruguay)

Discover South Americawith Air EuropaFly from London to Buenos Aires, Caracas, Lima, Salvador da Bahia and Santa Cruz (Bolivia)

For the latest offers please contact our UK Reservations team by: 0871 222 9122 [email protected]

To discover more about Air Europa visit www.aireuropaexperts.com

Airline of the year to South America

Best economy airline South America 2013

CARIBE_TB__060313_210X150.indd 1 01/03/13 14:01

southamericaSilversea’s second expeditionship launchesexclusively in the GalápagosTHIS SEPTEMBER will seeSilversea add its new SilverGalápagos expedition ship.

The 100-guest, all-suiteship will be the only luxuryexpedition ship offeringecotourism to theGalápagos archipelago, aUNESCO World HeritageSite.For more information seewww.silversea.com

World Travel Market Latin America, the global event for theLatin American travel industry, reports that it has received'phenomenal global interest' in its Hosted Buyers’Programme.

WTM Latin America will host more than 1,000 exhibitingcompanies from around the world, and is expected to attractmore than 7,000 visitors over the three days of the show,which takes place in São Paulo between April 23- 25. Up to

250 senior buyers will attend as part of the Hosted Buyers’Programme, with half attending to strike deals with leisureexhibitors and the other half aiming to sign contracts withMeetings, Incentive, Conference and Exhibitions (MICE)exhibitors.

Overall, WTM Latin America is guaranteeing its hostedbuyers will hold up to 5,000 business meetings with exhibitorsacross the three days.

WTM Latin America reports 'phenomenal' interest in Hosted Buyers' Programme



cyprusSunvil ventures to an alternative Agia

Napa for 2013NEW FOR this year is Sunvil's first properties on the eastcoast of Cyprus, Artisan Homes in Agia Napa.

Located on the edge of Cape Greco National Park, thegated community of 15 eco-friendly houses built in 2009offers accommodation for up to seven people per property.The villas offer sea views, private swimming pools andspacious rooms.

The operator’s programme manager Alexis Josephidessaid: "Agia Napa, while still vibrant with a youngdemographic, is not the same rowdy destination it oncewas. It is also a popular family destination because of theexcellent beaches. The area of Cape Greco, to the southeast of the main resort, is a nature reserve and thereforeis not as developed. Here you'll find pristineMediterranean landscape, especially inviting in the springand autumn when the walking is excellent."

Prices lead in at £582 per person based on four sharingfor a seven-night, self-catering stay, including flights fromHeathrow and car hire. For a copy of the operator’s real Cyprus 2013 brochurecall 020-8758 4759 or see www.sunvil.co.uk

THE PALM Beach Hotel & Bungalows in encouraging agentsto highlight Larnaka as a destination preferred by locals.

The property's general manager Antonis Papakyriakousaid: “Larnaka may be less developed than the other coastaltourist resorts in Cyprus but it is big on historic attractions,has four superb museums, stretches of sandy beachincluding new hot spot – trendy McKenzie, an Olympicshooting range, a new winery – great shopping, nightlife,easy access for walking, cycling, horse-riding, diving and allwatersports. It is a perfect location to explore the wholeisland."

The resort has announced that new operators are nowfeaturing the property in their programmes.

Papakyriakou said: “We were disappointed to lose ThomasCook but you know how the saying goes – one door closesand two others opened in the shape of Cosmos Holidays andJet2holidays."

Prices with Cosmos lead in at £588 per person for aweek’s break this month, including breakfast and flightsfrom Luton, Gatwick, Manchester or Birmingham.

Jet2holidays is offering similar prices for May departuresfrom East Midlands, Manchester and Leeds-Bradford. For more information on Larnaka visitwww.larnakaregion.com and for more information on the Palm Bach Hotel & Bungalows seewww.palmbeachhotel.com

Agents encouraged to sell Larnaka as a coastal resort preferred by locals

The Artisan Resort, Cape Greco

OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS is pointing to anumber of major projects on Cyprus asevidence of the island’s long-termconfidence in tourism.

These include the rebirth of theApollonia Beach Hotel in Limassol as theRoyal Apollonia Beach Hotel after arenovation of all 205 five-star rooms andall public areas in time for the hotel’s re-opening at the end of May.

The Alexander The Great Beach Hotelin Paphos is another long-establishedproperty and reopens this monthfollowing a major re-working of theswimming pool area, the public roomsand the 202-guestrooms and bathrooms.The property is featured in the operator'srecently-released Gold & Platinum

Collection brochure, which showcases 26of the island’s top hotels of best four-and five-star hotels.

The company's commercial directorPhotis Lambrianides said: “We’re verypositive about 2013. I expect the luxurysector to do very well this year,considering the extensive range ofproduct we have available and theexceptional value for money it offers.

"Driven by consumer demand, luxuryhotels are increasingly including an all-inclusive product and among the lateston Cyprus is the InterContinentalAphrodite Hills Resort Hotel.”

Cyprus is also retaining its popularityin the Weddings & Honeymoons marketaccording to the operator, with five

hotels on the island newly-featured inthe company's dedicated brochure for2013 - the Amathus Beach (Limassol),the Annabelle (Paphos) and in Agia Napathe Olympic Lagoon Resort, as well asthe So Nice Boutique Suites and SoWhite Boutique Suites.

The operator's weddings executiveFanoulla Spyrou said: "As well as morehotels, we added new venues including acastle, a water mill and winery. Cypruscontinues to be highly popular forweddings, while a growing number arechoosing to renew their vows on theisland each year. Demand is especiallyhigh for hotels with their own chapel.”For more information call 0844-499 4449or see www.olympicholidays.com

Olympic Holidays confident on sales boost following property updates

S06 TB1503 Cyprus_Layout 1 13/03/2013 11:13


cyprus

Le Meridien Limassol

FOLLOWING A flat year for sales toCyprus last year, Classic CollectionHolidays says that it has seen adramatic increase in bookings for thissummer, with sales currently morethan 30% up year-on-year.

The company’s head of purchasingGary Boyer said: “To counter the flatsales of last summer, we contactedour hotelier partners to ensure thatwe were able to offer our clients alarge number of early booking offersincluding complimentary room andboard upgrades which add value, aswell as reduced rates and

complimentary nights. We currentlyhave no fewer than 60 offers on theCyprus properties featured on ourwebsite, which seems to be havingthe desired, positive effect on earlybookings.”

Complimentary board upgradesfrom bed-and-breakfast to half-boardare available at the ConstantinouBros Asimina Suites on all bookingsbetween April 1 and May 7 and againduring the last two weeks of October,representing savings of up £448 percouple per week.

Similarly at Le Meridien Limassol,

bookings made before May 31 fortravel between May 1 and August 4offer savings of up to £616 per coupleper week.

Meanwhile, seven nights for theprice of six is available during thefirst two weeks in May at the AthenaBeach Hotel, and savings of £182 percouple per week are offered at theAmathus Paphos Hotel when bookedbefore April 30, for travel betweenMay 1 and October 31.For further information seewww.classic-collection.co.uk or call 0800-008 7288.

Early booking deals boost summer sales for Classic Collection Holidays

Accommodation savings from Prestige PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS has reported strong sales forCyprus, with winter bookings up 30% and summerbookings also 10% ahead of this time last year.

The operator's marketing manager Nicky Shafe said:"Our most popular hotels are the Annabelle and Almyra,both of which offer complimentary full board this winter.

"We also have some great family offers including adiscount for children occupying their own Studio Suite orGarden Studio Suite for clients staying at the Anassa upto May 31. This can be combined with a free half-boardoffer, providing parents are booked on half-board. Alsoone child stays free in the hotel when sharing theirparents' room and children whose parents book half-board or full board will receive complimentary half-board or full board."

The company features stays in the resorts of Paphos,Limassol, Coral Bay, Pissouri Bay and the Akamas andLatchi Peninsula. New for this summer is an all-inclusive concept at the Columbia Beachotel. For details see www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/cyprus orcall 01425-480400.

New hotel options from SuperbreakTWO NEW hotels in Cyprus have been added by Superbreak,one in Limassol and one in Paphos, bringing the total nowfeatured to 11.

Both hotels are available for five-night stays or more andcan be booked as an accommodation-only option or as part ofa flight inclusive short break with Atol protection.

The four-star Mediterranean Beach Hotel is located inLimassol Bay and offers a multi-level swimming pool, terracedgardens, tennis courts, gym and a Blue Flag beach. There area choice of restaurants and bars and the Aquum Health Spaoffers a variety of treatments. Prices lead in at £234 per personfor a five-night breakfast stay and £485.50 for a five-nightbreakfast stay with flights from Gatwick with easyJet.

The five-star Elysium hotel is located on the beach, in thehistorical heartland of the ancient city of Paphos and is tenminutes from Paphos harbour. Hotel facilities include a choiceof restaurants and bars, indoor and outdoor swimming pools,Jacuzzi, sauna, health spa and tennis courts.

Prices lead in at £457.50 per person for a five-night breakfaststay and £709 for a five-night breakfast stay with flights. For more information or to book seewww.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871-221 4444.


THE CYPRUS Tourism Organisation, inassociation with the Cyprus Dive CentreAssociation (CDCA) and the Departmentof Fisheries, has announced a €1.5mproject which will create five newmarine parks in Cyprus.

Four fishing vessels and a number ofreef poles will be scuttled (sunk) in theCypriot Mediterranean throughout thefirst six months of this year as part of aproject to help create five new marineparks, encouraging the growth andprotection of marine life around Cyprus.

The project builds on new island-wide fishing regulations enforced by thegovernment in a bid to create a morepopulous and diverse variety of marinelife. Fishing in the marine parks, whichare located in the waters surroundingPaphos, Limassol, Agia Napa, Protarasand Latchi, will be prohibited, creatinga total protected area of 12sq.km.

The scuttling stages of the projectwill be completed by June and the sitesare scheduled to be open torecreational divers in July. The marineparks will be strictly regulated by theDepartment of Fisheries.

Photos Socratous, vice-chairman ofthe CDCA, said: “We are thrilled thatCyprus’ diving offering will be furtherimproved through the creation of thesefive new marine parks. It is the CyprusDive Centre Association’s mission topromote awareness of the importanceof our underwater eco-systems andwe are committed to preserving andmonitoring our sites.

“With the support of the CyprusTourism Organisation, the EuropeanUnion and our Fisheries Departmentwe are working towards an excitingfuture for diving in Cyprus.”

Meanwhile, Cyprus is fast becominga sought-after cycling destination,offering year-round sunshine, acompact and diverse range of terrain,gentle headwinds and well-equippedfacilities.

A new addition to the existingTroodos cycling routes will soon offercyclists a new set of challenges. Plansfor creating a second signposted routestarting from the centre of Limassolleading through picturesque villagesinto the mountains are already

underway, with the route scheduled toopen in autumn.

A number of bike centres areavailable on the island offering rentalservices, route information, guideassistance and support. The centrescan also assist visitors in followingone of the island’s 37 routes or lay outa bespoke journey to suitrequirements.

As an example, Cyprus Villages inTochni – Kalavasos offer three days’bike rental starting from €50 - seewww.cyprusvillages.com.cy

The destination will also play hostto a range of international challengingcycling events throughout the yearincluding the Volkswagen Cyprus Tour2013 (www.cypruscyclingtour.com)from March 23-25; the Tour of CyprusCycling Challenge 2013 from March 29to April 1; the Polis-Akamas MountainBike Challenge (www.cyclingcy.com)from September 29-30; and the WhiteRocks X-Cyprus Triathlon(www.cyclingcy.com) on October 14. For more information call 020-7569 8800or visit www.visitcyprus.com

cyprus

Cyprus Tourism Organisation announces development of five new marine parks


ABTA No.V5573

Widest choice of quality accommodation at affordable pricesTrusted specialist to Cyprus Price Promise: we will try and match any pricePrivate taxi transfersFlying from your local airportWeddings in Cyprus: we’ve arranged 1000’s

HOL I DAYS

TRADING

SIN

C E 1 9 72

Your Cyprus specialist

Call us now: Freephone 0800 074 8888 for a quote & brochures

www.cyplon.co.uk

Top Med Operator 2012

: wall us no Ceephoner F 80800 074 8

ochure & br for a quot

8 88ochur

SYAHOL I D

ochure & br for a quot

esochur

dWi st e choice f qualitoed ustrTTr specialist o C t

omise: Price Pr e will trwe taPriv ansferstaxi tr

pdable t affor ationommodacy acf qualitusypro CCy

ey pricch anty and mae will transfers TRR

A

T

AR

DI

secir

INNGI GN

TAAABT No.V5573

ourom yying frlF al airpor loceddingsWW us: wypr in CCy

tal airporsanged 1000’’se arr’vee’us: w

T

SIIN

SN

C

I

C

N

E 1

or 20taperop Med OTTo

G

1 9 772

9

27


PLANET HOLIDAYS has launched its 208-page summer2013 Cyprus and Greece brochure, which features arange of luxury five-star hotels, resorts and villas, plusthree- and four-star properties and family-friendlyaccommodation.

Agents looking for quality spa resorts and golf hotelsor fly/drive options for their clients will also find plenty ofoptions in the brochure, along with villas, apartmentsand studios for clients who prefer the self-cateringoption.

The operator gives agents the freedom to package upholidays as their clients want – with scheduled orcharter flights, flight upgrades, private transfers oraccommodation-only and with short breaks, as well asseven- and 14-night holidays an option.

In Cyprus the brochure covers Paphos, Larnaca,Limassol, Agia Napa, Aphrodite’s Rock, Western Cyprus,Pissouri and the Troodos Mountains.

Highlights include early booking discounts of up to20% at most properties on bookings made before March31; the opening of the fully renovated Apollonia on April28 as Royal Apollonia; many luxury hotels such as LeMeridien Limassol Spa & Resort, the Amathus andIntercontinental Aphrodite offering additional discountssuch as free board and room upgrades and free stays forchildren; the introduction of the three-star PaphosKissos (opposite the Elysium Beach Resort in Paphos),due to the popularity of weddings at the Elysium and itsaffordable option for families; and in Agia Napa, the five-star So White Boutique Suites and the three-star BellaNapa have been introduced for wedding guests.

Other highlights include the re-introduction of theCypria Maris for all-inclusive holidays, which will beadults-only during the summer; the Columbia BeachResort in Pissouri offering early booking discounts of15% for bookings made before the end of April; and freeWi-Fi at the Four Seasons in Limassol.

Prices for a week's stay, departing on June 1 andincluding flights from Luton, private transfers andbreakfast accommodation at the Four Seasons, startfrom £1,127 per person.

Alternatively, a week's breakfast stay at the four-starPalm Beach Hotel & Bungalows in Larnaka, departing onJune 1 for a family of two adults and two children under12 years, costs a total of £2,197.41

The company's commercial and aviation director HarryKyrillou said: “The luxury hotels in particular in Cyprusare going to represent great value this year and for those

looking for a wedding destination it’s hard to beat Cyprusfor the quality of the hotels and wedding venue options.

“Many of the hotels have also been fully renovatedthrough the winter such as the Apollonia in Limassol,which will re-open on April 28 renamed as RoyalApollonia. We have also introduced new properties suchas the Azzuro Villas on the outskirts of Paphos, so thefacilities will be top notch this year.”For further information call 0871-871 2234 or bookonline at www.planet-holidays.co.uk

Royal Apollonia

Planet Holidays offers summer savings of up to 20% in latest 2013 brochure

Cosmos adds Leeds Bradford flight optionCOSMOS HOLIDAYS has expanded its Cyprus programmewith newly featured hotels, resorts and flights.

Flights are now available from Leeds Bradford thissummer to Larnaca on a twice-weekly basis, departingon Wednesday and Sunday.

A choice of new hotels in the Larnaca area are alsofeatured for summer, including the four-diamond GrecianSands in Agia Napa, Lordos Beach in Larnaca, four-diamond rated Curium Palace in Limassol and GoldenCoast in Protaras.

A seven-night stay at the four-diamond rated LordosBeach, departing from Gatwick on May 1 from £579 perperson on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

cyprus


We asked our staff thefollowing question this week:

What little luxury canyou not live without?

Publisher: Jeanette [email protected] son...he's the most expensive and precious thing I have!

Editor: Lauretta [email protected] iPhone - the ringtone is the Knight Rider theme tune!

Assistant Editor: Jill [email protected] visit to the beautician once a month

Contributing Editor: Paul [email protected] a relative late-comer to technology, I almost hate toadmit it's my mobile phone and using it to access emails

Sales Director: Simon [email protected] opener

Advertisement Manager: Tim [email protected] to admit - cigarettes

Online Sales Manager: Nick [email protected], none. If it's a luxury, I'll drop it quick-smart if Ineed to

Account Manager: Bill [email protected] roast beef dinner

Sales Executive: Chris [email protected] Miyake moisturiser

Sales Executive: Matt [email protected] Clay

Senior Designer: Genaro [email protected] Car

Assistant Designer: Nicky [email protected]

Production: Jeremy Walters [email protected] Heating

Circulation Manager: Jim [email protected]

Travagrams: (top) Renaissance Cruises (bottom) Maldives

Where Am I?: Clarence River

puzzlesolutions


Travel Bulletin is published by Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd - University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London,SW1W 0EX, Tel: 020-7834 6661 Printed by: Wyndeham Grange LimitedSubscriptions are £105 p.a. £155 overseasISSN: 0956-2419

Follow us on Twitter!@TravelBulletin

Nereids Residences

THE FIRST phase of the €350mLimassol Marina development inCyprus has been completed.

The delivery of the 94 luxuryapartments and penthouses atNereids Residences marks the firstoperational year of the scheme.

Takis Palekythritis, generalmanager of the development, said: “Itis fantastic to have welcomed our firstresidents and delivered their homes toschedule. Limassol Marina is amongthe best-selling developments inEurope, having already achieved salesin excess of 86m.

“We are attracting a good balanceof local and international buyers andare very confident about the positiveimpact the project will have onLimassol’s businesses and the Cypruseconomy, as a whole, as the Marinamatures.”

With 90% of the project’s marineworks and 50% of the residentialdevelopment andinfrastructure

already completed, it is hoped that thisyear will mark a new era for Cyprusand its position on the nauticalyachting map.

The first yachts are expected toarrive later this month, theapartments at Thetis Residences aredue for completion in June and thecommercial area will be ready to openits doors to the public this summer.Construction of the Peninsula andIsland Villas, with direct access to thebeach and their own private berths, isalso progressing well.

With a capacity of 650 berths, ableto accommodate yachts from eight to115 metres, Limassol Marina isoperated and managed by Camper &Nicholsons Marinas in partnershipwith Francoudi & Stephanou Marinas.For more information visitwww.limassolmarina.com

Limassol Marina welcomes first residents

cyprus

Easter deal from Cyplon HolidaysCYPLON HOLIDAYS is offering a seven-night breakfast stay at the five-starFour Seasons Hotel in Limassol from £1,146 per person. The priceincludes flights from Gatwick and transfers, and is based on an April 4departure.

Meanwhile, the operator reports that tailor-made holidays are on theincrease, helped by the option to mix and match holidays between Greece,Cyprus, the Greek Islands and Egypt.

The company is also seeing an increase in weddings for 2013/14 and isable to guarantee weddings for 2014 at 2013 prices, where it is able tosecure the wedding dates. A new wedding brochure is to be issued nextmonth.For more information see www.cyplon.co.uk


Travel Bullletin15th March 2013

Documents

Transcript of Travel Bullletin15th March 2013