Travel Bulletin 30th May 2014

May 30 2014 | ISSUE NO 1,874 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

this week

puzzle bulletinplay Su Doku for achance to win a £50Love2Shop voucherfrom Voyages-sncf

bulletin briefinghow agents cancapitalise onnetworkingopportunities

11 14 star awards focusin our final focus we takea look at the 'SmoothOperators' category

16 indian ocean

operators & hoteliersreveal their latestprogramme additions& developments

24

ItalyThought for food is

food for thought themeat Expo Milano 2015

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GRAN PLAN...Prestige Holidays hosted seven agents from London and the home counties on Norwegian Air’s first fam trip to Gran Canaria. The three-day trip wassupported by the Gran Canaria and Spanish Tourist Boards as well as the airline, and took in Maspalomas, Tedeja and Port Morgan. Enjoying the picturesque sightsare, from the left: (back row) Andy Carr, Ultimate Destinations; Iona Etchells, Eton Travel, Wokingham; Mitchell Hawes, Norwegian Air; Mark Worrall, World Odyssey;and Richard Stanier, Twirltours Travel; with (front row) Sandra Aggio, Devoted to Travel; Michele Charnley, Abbotts Travel; Angela Gold, Atlantis Travel; ShubhraHalliday, Prestige Holidays; and Katerina Bomshtein, Gran Canaria Tourist Board UK.

This Week3 news

this week's latest industrynews, reports & productadditions

9 agent bulletinbooking incentives, agentoffers & training updates

11puzzle bulletinplay Su Doku for a chance towin a £50 Love2Shopvoucher from Voyages-sncf

14 bulletin briefinghow agents can capitalise onnetworking opportunities

15 hotel bulletinhoteliers unveil newpackages, renovations &destinations

16 star awards focusin our final focus on our StarAwards we take a look atthe 'Smooth Operators'category

18 personality bulletinthe BDM of Funway Holidaystakes the hot seat this week

19 italythought for food is food forthought theme at ExpoMilano 2015

24 indian oceanoperators & hoteliers revealtheir latest programmeadditions & developments

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newsbulletin

STRESSED OUT Brits plan to spend awhopping £300,000 over their lifetime onholidays in a bid to escape from the pressuresof everyday life, according toNetVoucherCodes.co.uk

The site quizzed more than 500 adultsabout their recent holidays and plans forfuture breaks with respondents reporting anaverage two breaks each year – one familyholiday overseas and one shorter break, oftenin the UK. The cost of these trips combinedwith spending money and other travelexpenses came to just over £3,000 a year.

The survey also found that Britishholidaymakers spend a further £1,000 a yearwhilst they are away on extravagancies suchas additional meals out, gifts for the familyand day trips. A holidaying lifetime was taken

as 75 years which brought the total we spendon holidays throughout our life to £300,000-the cost of a four-bedroom house in thesuburbs.

The biggest cost was that of the summerholiday which came in at around £2,000, whichwould get you a two-week, all-inclusive four-star family holiday to the Costa del Sol orAlgarve.

For most, it seemed that one holiday wasnot enough, with 95% of Brits either travellingaway with a partner on a city break, or takingthe kids away for a UK trip.

The survey also revealed that Brits spend£1,000 on average for a second holiday, suchas a long weekend to a hotel in the centre ofParis or Rome, or a summer holiday break toa cottage in Cornwall with the kids.

WITH MORE than 30 newships launching this year,2014 is proving to be one ofthe biggest years to date forthe river cruise market.Cruise lines continue toexpand their fleets, andinterest in river cruising isstrong according to recentsurveys from Cruise Critic.

More than 60% of thosepolled report that theywould love to try a river

cruise, with the majoritysaying that they’re mostenticed by the chance to trya new experience andexplore the inlanditineraries offered.

Other new findings revealthe emergence of new rivertrends including increasedalfresco dining options, witha number of linesincorporating alfrescodining into new ship

designs; more immersiveshore excursions; newitineraries in France, withlines expanding theiritinerary options intoBordeaux (both Uniworldand Viking River Cruises areoffering cruises in theregion, while Scenic andAvalon will also offerBordeaux sailings in 2015);and an increase in spaciouscabins.

Survey reveals Brits spend £300,000 on holidays over lifetime

River cruise boom sparks new trends & expansions for vessels


A RANGE of new themed mini-cruise breaks are now on salefor agents to book with Superbreak. Always a popular choicefor agents in the Hull catchment area, the latest new breaksoffer themes ranging from darts and brit pop, to house andclub music. Clients can book two nights with P&O Ferriessailing from Hull to Amsterdam with various events takingplace both ways under the theme of the specific mini-cruise.There is also the chance to enjoy a day in Amsterdam.

As examples, a Darts Mini-Cruise departs on October 17and leads in at £139 per person. Guests can join Phil ‘ThePower’ Taylor, Eric ‘The Crafty Cockney’ Bristow and Keith‘The Milky Bar Kid’ Deller as they play on a special dartsthemed mini-cruise from Hull to Amsterdam. The shipdeparts at 17:00 and will travel overnight arriving in

Rotterdam the following morning where a transfer toAmsterdam is arranged. A full day can then be spent in thecity before the ship departs home again that eveningreturning to Hull on October 19 at 08:00.

Alternatively, a Brit Pop Mini-Cruise departs on November28 to Amsterdam and costs £89. Clients on the two-nightcruise can enjoy Oasish- Britain's top Oasis tribute act andBlurb, a tribute to Blur. The ship departs at 17:00 and willtravel overnight, arriving in Rotterdam the following morningwhere a transfer to Amsterdam is arranged. A full day canthen be spent in the city before the ship departs home againthat evening, returning to Hull on November 30 at 08:00. For more information see www.superbreak.com/agents or call 01904-436000.

RIVIERA TRAVEl has added three newtours to its portfolio - Japan – Land OfThe Rising Sun; Grand Tour Of China;and Laos, The Mekong & Thailand.

As examples, a 13-day Japan – LandOf The Rising Sun option departs onselected dates up to November andbetween March and May, 2015, andleads in at £2,799 per person.

Highlights of the fully escorted tourinclude taking in the sights of Tokyoincluding the Meiji Shrine,Omotesando Street, fashion-settingHarajuku and the Akihabara electronictown; a boat trip from Tokyo’straditional Asakusa to the luxuryshops of Ginza; a visit to NikkoNational Park; and seeing the volcanicOwakudani 'Boiling Valley' by aerialgondola.

The price includes flights fromHeathrow and accommodation in four-

star hotels with breakfast and threemeals.

The operator's 17-day Grand Tour ofChina itinerary leads in at £2,699 onselected departures up to October,and takes in the destination's culturallegacies, monuments, palaces andscenery.

Highlights include a Yangtze river

cruise through the Three Gorges,including full-board; visits to theForbidden City, the imperial gardensat the Summer Palace in Beijing, theGreat Wall of China and the TerracottaWarriors; and shopping in Shanghai.

Accommodation is in four-starhotels and the price also includesscheduled flights from Heathrow.

BACK BY popular demand,the new Summer Sun Salemini brochure for 2014 fromTravel 2, features aselection of summer offers,new products and savings.

The brochure, which isdesigned to help agentspromote a variety ofholidays with an emphasison Florida villas, car hireand information on how tomake the most of summerin Dubai, offers holidaysfrom £499 plus morepackages to the Caribbean,Florida, Middle East, IndianOcean and Asia.

The company's sales andmarketing director, GordonMcCreadie, said: "No

matter what type of holidayyour clients are looking forthe summer season isalways a popular time totake a break from everydaylife and soak up thesunshine.

“Our new Summer SunSale mini brochure ispacked with more than 40new properties in a varietyof destinations and isdesigned to be a useful toolfor agents to offersomething for everyonelooking to book a summergetaway."For details visitwww.travel2.com or [email protected] toorder a copy.

Riviera Travel expands Far East tour options for 2014 programmeThe Great Wall of China

SuperBreak puts latest themed mini-cruise breaks on sale for agents to promote

www.travelbulletin.co.ukMay 30 20144

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CATCHING A WAVE...Pictured marking Flybe's new route fromSouthend to Newquay is Paul Haynes from Stobart Air atSouthend Airport and Liz Sheridan from Flybe. The routeoperates three times weekly until September 27, with one-wayfares from £20.99 including taxes and charges.

Travel 2 offers holidays from £499 innew Summer Sun Sale mini brochure



COSMOS HOLIDAYS is offering a choice ofmore than 200 individual private villas withpools this summer in 15 destinations acrossthe Mediterranean, Canary Islands andFlorida, with flights available from ten UKairports and prices from £179 per person.

Newly introduced destinations and resortsfor this summer offer more choice, with theGreek islands of Lefkas and Skopelos featuredfor the first time as well as the typical Greekvillages of Akrotiri, Aghios Leon and Lithakiain Zante. Also new is the Vale de Parra on theAlgarve, the small coastal village of Deia inMallorca as well as Bagazici on the Bodrumpeninsula in Turkey.

Villa packages with flights start from £179per person, per week for a stay at the four-bedroom Villa Pacific in Gale, Algarve, whileaccommodation-only prices lead in at £99 pervilla, per week for a stay at the three-bedroomVilla Robus in Frigiliana, Costa del Sol, basedon six adults sharing.

To help agents identify which villa is themost suitable for their clients, alongside everyvilla description are easily identifiable symbolsto highlight the style and facilities available.

These include ‘sea views’, ‘near the beach’,‘near the resort centre’, ‘private & secluded’,‘rustic & charming’ and those with a ‘heatedpool’. For family or friends who want to holidaytogether but in separate accommodation;‘neighbouring villas’ are situated close to eachother whilst those with ‘large families’ offerlarger than average villas. Villas which arewell positioned for ‘golf’ or have ‘airconditioning’ are also highlighted.

The operator's ‘Something Special’ villacategory offers wow factors – whether it’ssuperior facilities, a stunning location orexceptional décor and furnishings, and allinclude a free standard welcome pack foradded convenience.

Villa sizes range from one- to six-bedrooms and can be booked either as avilla package holiday or accommodation-only (excluding Gozo).

All packages offer villa accommodation forseven or 14 nights, flights and 15kg perperson luggage allowance.For more information visitwww.cosmos.co.uk/villas or call 0843-227 1485.

‘Discover Belmond’deal offers 15%

savings AGENTS CAN now promotelate availability with savingsof 15% across a selection ofBelmond’s hotels, trainsand river cruises. Thecollection offers a range ofsummer escapes, fromgetaways in romanticdestinations to culturalweekend city breaks andjourneys through stunningscenery to fun-filled familyholidays.

As examples, a five-nightfamily holiday at BelmondReid’s Palace in Madeira,Portugal leads in at £3,015including taxes, breakfast,flights with TAP Portugaland private transfers, for aJuly 26 departure.

Located by the ocean inFunchal, the hotel offers arange of fun activities, achildren’s pool and a kids’club.

Alternatively, clients canextend a trip to Brazil forthe 2014 World Cup with astay at Belmond Hotel dasCataratas, the only hotellocated in the BrazilianIguassu National Park. Atwo-night stay, based on aJune 9 departure, costsfrom £514 including taxesand breakfast.

Prices include the 15%‘Discover Belmond’ discountand the deal iscommissionable to agentswhen booking directly orthrough GDS.To book or for furtherinformation call 0845-0772222 or visitwww.belmond.com

DESPITE BEING more than 9,000 milesaway, Austravel has launched a bankholiday package Down Under.

The package, departing on Friday,means that clients can take in Australia'ssights and delights and be back at workon Tuesday morning.

The whistle-stop tour costs from£1,095 per person and includes flights, astay in a four-star hotel in the heart ofSydney, overnight three-star

accommodation in Melbourne and threedays' car hire.

The Sydney to Melbourne packagedeparts from Heathrow on Fridayafternoon, arriving in Sydney on Saturdayevening, allowing holidaymakers to packin a night and a morning in Sydney withthe chance to see the city sights. The nextday travellers can hit the open road andshare the driving on a coastal journey toMelbourne,spending a night and morning

in Australia's cosmopolitan city beforeflying back to the UK and arriving at 06:40on Tuesday morning.

There is the option for clients topurchase bolt-ons to the package whichinclude experiences such as the GreatOcean Road, Phillip Island, Yarra Valley ora trip to Torquay – one of the first townsof Australia. For further information call 0800-9884834 or visit www.austravel.com

Austravel offers whistle-stop package break Down Under from £1,095 per person

BOAT BUDDIES...Funway teamed up with Virgin Airways to take nine agents on a fam trip to Florida fora week of fun. The itinerary showcased beaches, shopping, architecture, wildlife and amusementparks. Pictured with the captain on an Airboat Ride at Wild Florida are, from the left: (back row)Samantha Grayson, Departure Lounge Travel; Jane Kolowski, Bath Travel; Tercia Caetano, OffshoreLeisure; Lydia Alexander, Colchester Travel; and Elaine Price, Spear Travel; with (front row) LyndaBradley, Holiday Genie; Anna Barnes, Funway; and Clair White, Very Cheap Holidays.

Book a private villa with pool from £179 with Cosmos Holidays

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BACKYARD TRAVEL has unveileddetails of a new tailor-made Japantour, Trek Japan's Ancient KumanoKodo.

The spiritual six-day hiking tourgives travellers the opportunity toexplore Japan's scenery and mysticalsites along the Kumano Kodo ancientpilgrimage routes, and retraces thesteps of the country's imperial

ancestors and the ancient pilgrimageroutes, dating back more than 1,000years.

Visits are made to ancient sitessuch as the Takahara Kumano-jinjashrine and the statue of Kazan, one ofthe first abdicated emperors topilgrimage to Kumano. Otherhighlights of the fully guided tourinclude the opportunity to see the

highest waterfall in Japan, the NachiFalls, plus the chance to relax in oneof the oldest and most picturesque hotsprings in Japan, the YunomineOnsen.

The tour finishes with a stay in aJapanese Ryokan on a private islandin the Katsuura Bay.For more information visitwww.backyardtravel.com

EUROPA-PARK haslaunched a new attractioncalled 'Arthur – In theMinimoys Kingdom’, basedon film trilogy 'Arthur andthe Invisibles’.

The indoor attractionfeatures adapted scenesfrom director Luc Besson’sfilms, which depict thesecret world of tinycreatures known asMinimoys and is hiddenunder a 15-metre dome onan island surrounded by twostreams and Grimm’senchanted forest. Visitorscan experience sevenunderground kingdoms on a550m-long flight on themain ride, Arthur, whichfeatures rotating carssuspended from a track.

Other rides include a ten-metre-tall children’s free-fall tower shaped like apoppy, a large slide area anda 'mül-mül' carousel. Adultsand children aged four orabove can also assist theMinimoys in a treasure hunt.

The park is open for itssummer season untilNovember 2 from 09:00-18:00daily (longer opening timesduring peak season).

Adult entry is £34 and thepark also offers reductions ontwo-day tickets and freeentrance for children on theirbirthday (ID required).

Agents booking in advancefor their clients can offer a20% saving for an overnightstay with breakfast andadmission to the park.

As an example, a stay atthe four-star Hotel ElAndaluz leads in at £191 pernight for two adults and twochildren. For details seewww.europapark.de

New trade websitefrom VisitDenmark

VISITDENMARK HASlaunched its new trade sitefor operators and agents.

It features an 'Agent’sTool Box' for agents tocreate ideal holidays fortheir clients; a new self-drive itinerary, ExploreDenmark's MargueritRoute; new product,including 'Love on a Bike',which discovers theDanish Riviera on twowheels; suggesteditineraries; movies andimages; facts; as well asattractions,accommodation andtransport.For details seewww.visitdenmark.co.uk/en-gb/denmark/traveltrade-frontpage-gb

Europa-Park opens new 'Arthur and the Invisibles’ attraction

Arthur - In the MinimoysKingdom

Trek Japan's Ancient Kumano Kodo on new tailor-made tour from Backyard Travel


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TOP TABLE... Travel 2’s recent South Africa fam trip took winningagents to new heights with a journey up Table Mountain in CapeTown. Agents won a place on the fam as part of the company's ‘Be‘WOWED’ 24/7 in South Africa’ campaign which ran in conjunctionwith the South African Tourism Board. Pictured admiring the vieware, from the left: Carla Hutchings, Travel 2; Natalie Thouvignon,Designer Travel; Liz Field, Dreamtime Travel; Suzann Irvine,Stewart Travel; Anneka Bones, Southern Cross Travel; HannahSmith, Fred Olsen Travel; Colin Burr, Winged Boots; LouiseAffleck, Scotland’s Cruise Centre; Melanie Landick, BellinghamTravel; and Lauren Burns, Barrhead Travel.

Tweets of

the WeekWho’s saying what

on Twitter...

@BritishAirwaysOur new planes aredesigned to reduce theeffects of jet leg. Find outhow herehttp://bit.ly/1fPRmZD

@VisitEnglandPreview the sights andsounds of #RWC2015with ‘Tourist Tactics’, ournew animated film:http://ow.ly/wUEW5

@TravelBulletinCompetition Launch -Win a case of wine bysimply clicking below!!!http://fb.me/6EXtpoK2c

@HolidayExtrasIf these places don'tinspire you to travel,nowhere will!http://buff.ly/1osZwjO

@VisitBritainLondon tops list as mostwell-balanced city in theworld - we're notsurprised:http://huff.to/1qXiO2P

@richardbransonBusiness isn’t about suitsor stockholders. It’sabout being true toyourself & your ideashttp://virg.in/btt

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

TravelBulletin


WALKING AND cyclingholiday specialist,CaminoWays.com, ispromoting the latest additionto its programme - a 12-dayPortuguese Coastal Caminooption that allows guests totake in marine views, whilealso getting the chance totaste local food and wine andtake a swim in one of themany sandy beaches.

Highlights of the itineraryinclude visits to Porto;seaside and fishing villages,such as Vila do Conde, Póvoa

de Varzim and Viana doCastelo; and coastal areas ofoutstanding natural beauty.

Prices lead in at €1,365per person including luggagetransfers, half-boardaccommodation and a holidaypack. Flights are excludedand the holiday is also

available in shorter sections. Clients booking two

months in advance willreceive a 5% discount and,for agents, the companydiscounts its rates by 12%,offering net rates. For more information visitwww.caminoways.com

INGHAMS HAS launched 'ChristmasMarkets', a new programme featuringthree- and four-night breaks throughoutNovember and December to six cities inthree countries.

The short breaks depart on Wednesdays,Thursdays and Saturdays and cities includeMunich and Nuremberg in Germany; Viennaand Innsbruck in Austria; and Berne and

Montreux in Switzerland. Prices lead in at £399 and include flights,

transfers, three or four nights' breakfastaccommodation within walking distance ofthe Christmas Markets; and added valueextras such as free day trips and excursions. For more information or to book visitwww.inghams.co.uk/agents or call 01483-791114.

Explore LatinAmerica with Air

France KLM AIR FRANCE and KLM areoffering passengersspecial fares from £485return (including taxes andcharges) to SouthAmerica, for bookingsmade before June 4.

Clients can head toBrazil, Peru and Chile, andlow fares are availablefrom 18 departure pointsin the UK.

The airlines offerconvenient and seamlessglobal travel for bothleisure and businesspassengers across morethan 200 worldwidedestinations, via their hubsat Paris-Charles de Gaulleand Amsterdam Schiphol. For more information or tobook visitwww.airfrance.co.uk andwww.klm.com

THIS INCENTIVE IS FOR ALL SUMMER 2014 BOOKINGS RECEIVED BETWEEN 01/05 /14 31/05/14. THE COMPLIMENTARY ACCOMMODATION CAN BE TAKEN ANY TIME FROM 12TH JANU-ARY 2015 – 30/12/15 EXCLUDING 15/07/15 – 23/08/15. ANY DATES SELECTED FOR TRAVEL WILL BE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. THE INCENTIVE IS NONTRANSFERABLE AND HAS NO CASH ALTERNATIVE VALUE. ALL CLAIMS MUST BE MADE IN WRITING BY EMAIL WITH PROOF OF BOOKING REFERENCES, TO [email protected]. WWW.THEROYALAPOLLONIA.COM

R O Y A L I N C E N T I V EFOR BOOKINGS 131/5/2014

FOR EVERY TWO BOOKINGS

MADE FOR A MINIMUM SEVEN NIGHT DURATION, FOR

TWO FULL PAYING GUESTS

Y O U W I L L R E C E I V E A C O M P L I M E N TA R Y S E V E N

N I G H T A C C O M M O D AT I O N O N B / B F O R T W O,

I N C L U D I N G A N H O U R U S E E A C H I N O U R

C L I M AT O L O G I C A L R O O M AT T H E R O YA L S PA .

a legendary hotel is reborn

newsbulletinChristmas market breaks from £399 with Inghams

CaminoWays.com adds new 12-day coastal tour in Portugal


TAM AIRLINES, part ofLATAM Airlines Group, hasannounced changes to itsBusiness Class service,which will come into effectfrom November 1.

In order to improve theairline’s Business Classoffering and service, thecarrier will discontinue itsFirst Class service onlong-haul flights from theUK and Europe (Spain,Germany, France andItaly), and the US andMexico.

The decision was takenafter evaluating theaverage load factor of theairline's First Class serviceand the demand forBusiness Class, andmeans that TAM will offertwo travel classes(Business and EconomyClass) on flights to its 19international destinations.

A further improvementthat will also come intoeffect from November 1 is

the creation of a newposition among flightattendants to improve theonboard experience.International flightsoperated by wide-bodyaircraft will have a newcrew member named the'head of on-board service',who will be responsible forcirculating through thedifferent cabin classes toensure service consistency.

The airline has alsoannounced animprovement to its Boeing777 aircraft, which TAMuses on its flights from theUK. All Boeing 777 willnow offer morecomfortable BusinessClass seats which, whenreclined, are 213cm long -15% bigger than theexisting seats. Theadaptation of the seats willbe made gradually acrossall Boeing 777 aircraftbetween late 2014 andmid-2015.

EXODUS HAS launched a new cycling trip to South West China. Cycling the Backroads of China departs on October 12

and leads in at £2,849 per person for 15 days, includingflights, accommodation and most meals.

The trip takes in some of the most famous images ofChina, including the giant pandas of Sichuan and theKarst scenery of Yangshuo.

Starting in Chengdu, cyclists will journey to Guiyang,taking a route through terraced rice fields and ancientvillages, alongside rivers and streams lined withbamboo. The trip ends in Yangshuo among thelimestone mountains that are set in dramatic shapesand sizes. To book or for further information visitwww.exodus.co.uk or call 0845-863 9601.

New cycling option in China from Exodus

TAM Airlines boosts Business Classoffering on long-haul flights


newsbulletin

TRANSUN IS offering a whale-watching trip in Iceland to spotminke whales and the endangered giants of the ocean –humpback whales. The Lagoon and Landscapes package offerstravellers an afternoon whale-watching experience as well asthe chance to spot rare birds and playful seals. The three- orfour-night breaks also include a visit to the Godafoss waterfalland the Myvatn Nature Baths - a hot spring naturally heated bygeothermal energy and surrounded by volcanic landscape. Thepackage costs from £1,059 per person and departs fromHeathrow between June and September. For details or to book visit www.transun.co.uk/agents or call 01865-265200.

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WEBSCLUSIVES

● Win a case of wine courtesy of Sud de France –enter our competition onwww.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

● Win an exclusive VIP luxury hamper from the 5* All Inclusive Hotel Maritim Mauritius.Go to: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

● Win a Kindle Fire HD with Nira Caledonia.Just answer three quick questions to be in with a chance.See: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

● Free Disney Dining now available at Walt DisneyWorld Resort in Florida.Login to www.disneytravelagents.co.uk fordetails.

All this and more at:

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The home of the web savvy travel agent

Go

JET2.COM IS offering 10% off all return flights andsister company, Jet2holidays, is offering £25 off all sunand city breaks for bookings made by June 9.

Flights are available from £31 per person one-way,while ATOL protected family breaks start from £187 perperson, secured with a £60 deposit. The company is alsooffering thousands of free child places, while infants gofree on all Jet2holidays. For details see www.jet2.com and www.jet2holidays.comand enter 'HOLIDAY25' at the time of booking.

Summer savings from Jet2.com & Jet2holidays


● AGENTS CAN win one of 20 £100shopping vouchers as part of Travel 2’snew ‘Summer Is Dubai’ campaign. Theoperator has teamed up with the DubaiDepartment of Tourism and CommerceMarketing (DTCM) to promote the top 20summer experiences to be had in Dubai,each experience with agents' clients inmind. With offers and activity focussingon four key pillars, specifically cultureand the arts; dining out andentertainment; relaxation and shopping;and beaches and family fun, thecampaign helps agents bring the best ofDubai to life for all customers and driveJuly and August sales, primarily to lastminute holiday bookers. To be in with achance of winning, agents need to makea new booking with the operator thatincludes a minimum three-night stay inDubai by August 31. For details see www.travel2.com

PRESTON'S PRIZE...The Vienna Tourist Board

ran a competition in conjunction with Travel

Bulletin to give agents the chance to win

Harrods vouchers by correctly answering

questions about Vienna. Pictured winning first

prize of £150 worth of vouchers is Ellie Preston

from Business Travel Direct in Oxford.

Booking incentive

OZO IS offering members of the travel tradea 50% discount on its best available ratesfor stays until December 20. The offer isavailable with promo code BONANZA268.For details see www.ozohotels.com. Theoffer sits alongside Amari's deal for thetrade which also offers a 50% discount fromits best available rates for stays untilDecember 20. Use promo codeBONANZA268 when booking. For details see www.amari.com

AIR TAHITI Nui is offering travel agents aspecial trade fare to Tahiti. Agents areasked to send an email [email protected] with theirpreferred dates of travel and complete arequest form. Agents are also advised tocheck with hotel partners as they may alsobenefit from trade rates across a range ofaccommodation providers. For more information visit www.tahiti-tourisme.co.uk


agentbulletin

Agent trainingSATOA IS hosting a Tour Operator Dinner onJune 19 in Buckinghamshire and a Travel AgentDinner on June 12 in London. For details call 0844-880 2421 or [email protected]

SERENITY HOLIDAYS’ agency sales team isinviting agents and homeworkers to register forits webinar training sessions relating to theoperator’s Corsican Places (www.corsica.co.uk)and Sardinian Places(www.sardinianplaces.co.uk) products, with theoption to receive free pizza for group out ofhours webinars. Agents are asked to register inadvance their preferred date and time along withtheir choice of pizza topping. Alternatively,agents can apply for Serenity’s next series ofscheduled webinars, which will run during officehours on the following dates June 4 at 09:30;June 13 at 09:30; June 17 at 09:45; and June 25at 09:30.

To register email [email protected] or call0845-6330 2066.

Agent offers


staffreviewTravel Bulletin’s Lauretta Wright trialled a new type of

parking facility, Garaged.com, at Gatwick Airport. Here'swhat she thought....

If you'd like to take part in a review and receive a free M&S voucher email [email protected]

or call 020-7834 6661 with your name and contact details.

The concept ....................................................Garaged offers luxury parking for those who care passionatelyabout their cars. The indoor facility has spacious parking baysso there's no risk of door dings, scrapes, bird droppings etc.It's like the Rolls-Royce of care service for your car while youare away. The client leaves the car (either at the facility or via aMeet & Greet service), and receives it back fully serviced andvaleted.

First impressions ..................................10/10

I met Umair Bhatti, the CEO of Garaged.com at the facilitywhich consists of three huge hangars located about tenminutes' drive from Gatwick. The facility can hold up to 200cars, all of which are evidently well cared for.

Quality ....................................................10/10

What makes the service unique is that while cars are at thefacility, clients can choose from a selection of car care andrefurbishment services including valeting, servicing, wheelrefurbishment etc. This is a great concept to highlight todiscerning clients who want peace of mind that their car willreceive the best care while they are away.

Affordability ............................................9/10

Parking starts from £20 a day for up to five days then it's £10per day thereafter. Long-term storage is also available withprices from £25 per week.

Service ..................................................10/10

On my Meet & Greet return, my car was delivered lookingspick and span. If your clients are serious about their carreceiving the best possible care while they are on holiday, thenthis is definitely one to recommend - especially as agents areoffered 10% commission.

Good to know ..................................................As a nice touch, the company sends its clients pictures of theircars while they are parked. Services are available at bothGatwick and Heathrow. See www.garaged.com

Overall scoring: ..............................................

9.510/

newsbulletin


Newsbites● MORE THAN 12,000 new hotel rooms are planned over

the next three years in Macau. Some of the most notablenames in the fields of fashion, design and luxuryhospitality - from Versace and Karl Lagerfeld to Ritz-Carlton and Wynn Palace - are designing and openingproperties between now and 2017. Meanhile, the MacauGovernment Tourist Office (MGTO) has launched four newshort films to accompany its collection of recentlycreated walking tours. Available online, the films aredesigned to give visitors a taste of what to expect on eachwalking tour and also create a greater travel experienceby complementing the walking tours iOS app and mapsthat can be downloaded for free via the MGTO website.See www.macautourism.gov.mo

● DEPARTURE TAX for tourists travelling in groups toJordan flying into the Red Sea resort of Aqaba will bewaived until next year as part of wider efforts to boostvisitors to the destination the tourism board hasannounced. Groups flying on low-cost carriers andcharter flights into Aqaba’s King Hussein Airport will nolonger be required to pay the departure tax of 40JOD(£34) per person until February 26, 2015 following adecision made by the Ministry of Finance.

● INTREPID TRAVEL has ended elephant rides and visits toentertainment venues on all its trips following anextensive three-year research process to assess thewelfare of captive elephants at entertainment venues inAsia. The company is encouraging travellers to seekanimal-friendly travel options in order to drive industrychange - seehttp://cdn0.intrepidtravel.com/sites/default/files/51033_Elephant_Welfare.pdf

● EVA AIR has launched its UK website - seewww.evaair.com/en-gb

● AZAMARA CLUB Cruises has announced that it willbecome a partner for Saga Holidays through its new thirdparty cruising programme. The line will also be joiningTitan Travel’s existing portfolio of cruise partners, as partof the brand’s new partnership with Acromas Group.

New wildlife tour from Taber HolidaysAGENTS WHOSE clients have a love of wildlife and thegreat outdoors can now promote Taber Holidays' new‘Arctic Reindeer Migration’ tour this summer.

Guests can embark on a journey to Arctic Norway andget up close to hundreds of migrating reindeer on the four-night break, which includes a day’s hike to the historicfishing island of Uløya.

Prices lead in at £1,645 per person and include flights fromHeathrow to Tromsø, car hire with unlimited mileage,accommodation at Lyngen Lodge, all meals and a guided day’shike to Uløya. The price is based on two sharing and toursdepart from June 5 to the end of September. For more information call 01274-875199 or seewww.taberhols.co.uk

S03 TB3005 2014 News 2_Layout 1 5/28/2014 10:17 AM

puzzlebulletin


Where Am I?

Sea located between Greece and Turkey

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, June 5th. Solution and new puzzle will

appear next week.

The winner for 16th May is Su Dillon, Travel Counsellors

in Hull

May 16 Solution: A=9 B=5 C=2 D=6

Number: 0xx

Travagrams

Across 1. Greece and Cyprus specialist operator (6)4. Flightless bird, national emblem of

Australia (3)8. Flag carrier of Poland (3)9. European country, sounds like a high street

food store (7)10. English actor, ___ Rickman (4)11. Scenic cliffside resort town on the Gulf

of Salerno (6)14. Capital of Angola (6)15. Samoa's capital city (4)17. Surname of Romeo's Juliet (7)19. Larnaca airport code (3)20. Popular Dodecanese island destination (3)21. P&O cruise ship (6)

Down 1. BAFTA's Special Award was recently presented

to this Liverpudlian singer/entertainer (5,5)2. Popular Thailand beach resort (7)3. Columbus is the state capital (4)5. National flag carrier of Lebanon (3)6. Medieval city in the Champagne-Ardenne

region of France (5)7. Capital of Ethiopia (5.5)12. One of the quieter Canary Islands (2,5)13. Singer of the James Bond Skyfall theme

song (5)16. Airline alliance (4)18. Palermo airport code (3)

Where Am I?

Fill in the crossword to reveal the mystery location highlighted by the green squares.

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 30

Crossword

Num

ber:

021

For the first word of this cruise line, think: “Right, said ….”

This spa chain shares its name with a popular 1960’s band whoselead singer was Frankie Valli

Snored Elf

Softer Odorousness Enthrals As This luxury

Can you solve the following anagrams to decipher the destination & tour operator?

➠A

➠B

➠C

➠D

Su DokuWin a £50 Love2Shop voucher in the Su Doku prize puzzle


TRAFALGAR HAS launchedits new Autumn, Winter andSpring programme, offering35 itineraries for travelfrom this October to March,2015, with itinerariesacross 23 countries.

The A5 brochurehighlights 17 of the tripsshowcasing the unknowntreasures of Europe out ofpeak season, offering up to

34% savings compared totravelling in summer.

Guests choosing toholiday over New Year orChristmas can opt forspecial festive celebrationson all the seasonaldepartures, while threeCostSaver itineraries forBritain, Italy and Turkeyinclude all the essentialsand iconic sights with more

optional experiences.Early payment discounts

of up to 7.5% (£284 percouple) are also offered toclients who book and pay infull by July 17, whileprevious clients can saveup to an additional 5% withthe company's FrequentTraveller Discount.

As examples of prices, aneight-day Christmas

Markets of Austria,Germany and Switzerlandleads in at £1,399 perperson, based on twosharing, while a nine-daySpanish Wonder costs from£1,399 and visits Madrid,Seville and Barcelona. For more information or tobook seewww.trafalgar.com/uk or call 0800-533 5616.

CRYSTAL CRUISES is inviting activetravellers to lace up their runningshoes and bring their healthy lifestylesalong on their luxury cruise holiday –both onboard and ashore.

The line is debuting its new SiteRunning Crystal Adventures on CrystalSymphony and Crystal SerenityEuropean cruises from this month,and the new escorted experiencesoffer intimate and invigorating scenic5-10k runs that vary from jogs pasthistorical sites to nature runs throughparks.

The line will continue to announce

details of more SiteRunningadventures indestinationsaround the worldas they areconfirmed.

Starting at $69for approximatelyone to four hours,all outings include air-conditionedtransport to/from the course’sbeginning and/or end, instructor-ledwarm-ups and stretching beforehand,guide-narrated sightseeing stops,

reflective safety gear and healthyrefreshments such as bottled water,power snacks and fresh juice en route. For further information call 020-73997601 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk

Crystal Cruises debuts running adventures on Symphony & Serenity

Trafalgar issues 2014/15 Europe Autumn, Winter & Spring programme featuring 23 countries


newsbulletin

CHEQUING IN...Condor Ferries presented a cheque for £800 toDorset-based disability charity Diverse Abilities Plus followingfundraising at its recent open day. More than 3,000 visitorswere welcomed on Condor Express at Poole Quay for the openday – held last month – which saw visitors dig deep into theirpockets for the fundraising activities including competitions,raffles and collection tins. Pictured presenting the cheque isCondor Ferries' Alicia Andrews (left) to head teacher ofLangside school in Poole (the charity’s special school), JonSeaward, and Fiona Hansford, from Diverse Abilities.

MOVERS● AIR PARTNER has appointed Mark Middleton as director of

business development for freight - Asia Pacific, Stuart Smith asbusiness development manager for freight – MENA and CIS andMatilda Goes as sales manager, commercial Jets division.

● MANUEL AGIUS has been appointed Air Malta’s chief officer of cargo.● EDWARD LANG has joined Regent Seven Seas Cruises as

training & events manager UK.● HAT TOURISM Marketing has been appointed by Grand

Residences Riviera Cancun to head up its UK and Ireland salesand marketing operation. The company will expand GrandResidences distribution through tour operators, onlineoperators and travel agents.

● VICTORIA EVANS has been appointed sales executive, Scotlandand Northern England for bmi regional.

● HOLIDAY EXTRAS has appointed Jenni Groves as key accountmanager in its insurance team.

● GARY GILLESPIE has joined Innstant Travel as head of sales.● FRED. OLSEN Cruise Lines has appointed Allison Graham as

area sales executive for Scotland and Northern Ireland.● CENTARA HOTELS & Resorts has appointed Sarah Randall as

head of MICE services, corporate sales and marketing.● BELMOND HAS appointed Yann Guezennec as worldwide sales

and marketing director for its trains and river cruises.● AQUA HOSPITALITY'S president and CEO, Ben Rafter, has been

named president of Aston Hotels & Resorts.● THE GUILD of Travel Management Companies (GTMC) has

appointed Julie Cooper as membership manager, KatharinaSalewski as marketing manager and Sophie Turner asadministrative executive.


FUN IN PARADISE

With more than 5,000 islands, reefs and cays dotted around the Caribbean, you’ll get to experience a whole lot of Paradise! With 18 ships sailing the stunning blue waters, Carnival offers you plenty of choice for your next cruise, with beaches, shore adventures, isles and so much more. There is something for everyone in the Caribbean, with a warm welcome and fantastic hospitality wherever you go.

So get exploring!

TM


AS MY colleague Darren Zabinski noted in lastmonth’s column, with holidaymakers nowinundated with advertisements, emails, status

updates, special offers and the like, it is personalrelationships that really enable you and yourorganisation to stand out from the crowd.

Indeed, even with all the hype around social mediaand its myriad number of benefits, getting out there andmeeting people is something that moderncommunication just can’t replicate. Our recentconference gave us plenty of insight into the importanceof networking with serial entrepreneur Lara Morganhighlighting how she built up a successful multi-millionpound business based on it.

For all of us in the travel industry, the importance ofnetworking cannot be stressed enough, regardless ofwhether you’re a homeworker, call centre staff or HighStreet retailer. Getting involved within your community,be it with your local Chamber of Commerce, networkingopen days at school, summer fetes or fayres and localcharitable events may seem like common sense advice,but you’d be surprised at how much these sorts offorums can impact you and your business’ name andreputation. Even doing simple things like flyer drops orplacing business cards at local businesses such asdentists, doctors and hairdressers can work wonders.They’re a captive audience with nowhere else to go, sowhat better opportunity to acquaint them with what youcan offer as a potential travel agent.

Back to old-fashioned ‘pressing the flesh’ networking;the thing to remember at all times is everyone is apotential customer. The more people you meet and tellabout your business, the bigger your network will beand the more prospective customers you will have.Carry business cards around with you everywhere, andpractise describing your business and what you canoffer succinctly. Don't be overbearing or annoying, but

make sure to gauge when someone's interested anddiscuss how you could potentially help them.

Industry conferences offer another great opportunityfor agents to hone their networking skills and share andreward best practice. While it does mean taking a fewdays out of the office, the takeaways and potentialbusiness leads are invaluable. Taking our recent GlobalTravel Group conference as a case in point, not onlywere agents able to see a whole host of suppliers all inone place, but it also afforded them the ability to mixwith peers and share ideas and compare and contrasttactics and strategies between colleagues of likemindedbusinesses. Aware of the considerable benefits ofnetworking, our semi-annual Global Travel GroupNorth/South roadshows represent yet another forum inwhich we strive to provide organised face-to-facenetworking opportunities for agents with upwards of 15–20 suppliers in attendance.

Working in the travel industry there certainly is noshortage of events, conferences and award shows inwhich you can mix and mingle. My advice to agentslooking to boost their name recognition is to attend asmany as possible. It may seem hard going at first andyou may not see any returns right away but sooner orlater the dividends will start to appear, be it with acustomer lead, supplier call or new businessopportunity.

I am sure that networking helped to get me to where Iam today and I continue to make it a priority in my dayto day job. But enough preaching from me, now’s thetime to get out there and start shaking hands andmeeting people at the next community or industryfunction. There’s a good a chance I’ll see you there, sodo come by and say hello!

Industry Insight by...

Andy Stark, managing director at The Global Travel Group, offers an insight on how agents can capitalise on networking opportunities

bulletinbriefing

"Carry business cards around with

you everywhere, and practise

describing your business and what

you can offer succinctly"


”The importance of networking

cannot be stressed enough,

regardless of whether you’re a

homeworker, call centre staff or High

Street retailer”



CLUB MED has announcedthe opening of its firstseaside resort on the islandof Dong’Ao Island, China.

Set on the remote island inthe China Sea, the distinctivefour-Trident resort is setwithin the province ofGuangdong, two hours frompopular tourist destinationMacao. Aimed at active UKfamilies the Dong’Ao IslandResort, which offers 329rooms, supports theoperator's approach toenergetic holidays with arange of activities includingwatersports, hiking andsailing and fitnessacademies. Children's clubsalso cater for kids aged two-17.

As well as Tai-Chi,meditation and yoga, the newL’Occitane spa offersreflexology sessions andmassages on the beach.

Guests wanting addedluxury can upgrade to the 5Tspace. Facing the sea, theprivate area features 72premium balcony rooms, acardio and yoga room and anoutdoor infinity pool.

The Chinese market isexpected to be thecompany's second largestmarket by 2015, with fivenew resorts planned for thenear future.

The operator's managingdirector, Eric Chauvet, said:"We’re excited to announcethe opening of our latest

resort in China. As well ascontinuing our globalstrategy of expansion intoChina, the resort offersadventurous Brits anopportunity to exploreChinese culture from astunning family setting.”

Prices start from £1,265per person based on twosharing a double room,departing in October. Itincludes the company's all-inclusive offering - luxuryaccommodation, full board,drinks and snacks; morethan 60 sports and activities;children’s clubs; and eveningentertainment.

Flights and transfers arealso available to bookthrough the operator.

QUEBEC CITY’S Fairmont Le ChâteauFrontenac has reopened following thecompletion of a 15-month renovation projectworth $75million.

The resort, situated in the centre of OldQuebec, has made improvements to itsheritage lobby and 611 guestrooms and suites,while also introducing three new restaurantsand bars named Champlain, 1608 Wine &Cheese Bar and Le Sam Bistro. In terms ofmeeting space, the resort now offers 75%more meeting space and has fully renovatedits existing space.

Improvements also include the addition of anew spa with six treatment rooms locatedadjacent to the health club, which has alsodoubled in size. All the guestrooms and suitesoffer updated bathrooms as well as views ofeither the St. Lawrence River or thearchitecture of Old Quebec.

For more information visitwww.fairmont.com/frontenac-quebec

Quebec City’s Fairmont Le Château Frontenac reopens after renovation

hotelbulletin

THE LITTLE Haven Hotel in South Shields, Newcastle is offering aShort Break package for £51 per person, per night for a minimumstay of two nights, including breakfast.For details visit www.littlehavenhotel.com

New meetingpackage from

Oriental ResidenceBangkok

LOCATED IN the heart of thebusiness district, theOriental Residence Bangkokis offering a Day MeetingPackage, valid untilDecember 31.

The tailor-made packageoffers special rates onGrand Deluxe roomsstarting from 4,200 baht perroom, per day(approximately £76) andmeeting packages from1,500 baht per person, perday (approximately £27)when booking 15 rooms ormore, as well as a choice ofvalue added benefits to suitthe needs of meetingplanners and corporateguests.

Breakfast, two coffeebreaks, lunch, an LCDprojector, Wi-Fi and acomplimentary shuttleservice to BTS Chidlomstation are also included aspart of the package, whilemeeting planners receive achoice of two additionalbenefits - from a choice of acomplimentary one-bedroom suite for fivenights during the meeting,two complimentaryupgrades to a one-bedroomsuite, a one-way airporttransfer by Jaguar XJL, freeflow of soft drinks duringlunch, or a one-hourcocktail reception with softdrinks and beer.To book or for moreinformation [email protected]

Club Med announces new island beach resort in China


SmoothOperatorsIn our final focus on Travel Bulletin’s StarAwards this month, we take a look at'Smooth Operators'...

What was the highlight of the 2013 Star Awards evening?STOMP! The guys were FANTASTIC!

What developments in the industry as a whole do you think that agents should be aware of?Regulatory influences including ATOL, ABTA and the widerramifications of the EU are important for us all to understand, plus weall need to keep ahead in terms of advances in technology - inparticular how technology can help improve our service to customers.

What new developments have you announced? New destinations, new promotions and some new internaltechnological developments that will streamline our processes. butthey’re all a bit of a secret at the moment!

Why is it important that agents have a say and vote for their favourite suppliers in the Star Awards? Like in every walk of life, we all want to be decision-makers andinfluencers – it’s great for agents to have a real say in who theybelieve the best operators to be.

What are you most looking forward to at this year's Star Awards event? Winning? Seriously, we love to win, but more importantly, we love tonetwork, mingle and chat, and the entertainment at the Star Awards isalways fabulous, but how you’ll beat STOMP! I’ve no idea!

Last year's winner under the 'Smooth Operators' categoryfor both 'Star Tour Operator for Inline Training, Roadshows &Workshops' and 'Star Specialist operator to Europe' went toClassic Collection. Here, the operator's head of marketing &PR, Vanda Bauer looks forward to what this year's StarAwards hold in store...

Winner's Words

●Star Asia Specialist Operator

●Star Africa Specialist Operator

●Star Americas Specialist Operator

●Star European Specialist Operator

●Star MediterraneanSpecialist Operator

●Star Escorted Tours Operator

●Star Luxury Operator ●Star Adventure/Activity

Holidays Operator ●Star Holiday

Add-Ons Operator ●Star Operator For

Incentives & Fam Trips ●Star Operator For

Agent Training

5008

2014 Smooth Operators categoriesThere are 11 categories to vote for in Smooth OperatorsThey include:

Agent voting is open until 6th June 2014. Youcan fill in the voting form online at www.travel-bulletin.co.uk/awards/the-voting or completethe printed form accompanying this week'sissue. Remember there are some fantastic prizesto be won in a free prize draw.


We offer you the best products at the cheapest prices:Airport parking | Airport hotels | Airport lounges | Travel insurance | Over 50s travel insurance with Latitude

How much do you love Holiday Extras?Remember us when you VOTE for the

2014 Travel Bulletin Star Awards:

Star Holiday Add-Ons OperatorWhat we’ve given to our partners in

the last year:

- Vast earning potential

- Our team’s helpful contacts

- Training for your staff

- Exclusive products

- Holiday Extras automatically stream our

product information to your system or site

VOTE for happy, hassle-free customers and choose Holiday Extras as your favourite supplier:

www.holidayextras.com/starawards


personalitybulletin


Business development manager, Funway Holidays

What's your favourite household gadget? I'm not sure it qualifies as a 'gadget' butmy kettle, as I love a nice cuppa!

What is your favourite TVprogramme?Made in Chelsea (trashy but true!)

What's a typical weekend for you like?Gym, housework and Saturday nightTV...Rock n Roll!

What do you do to relax? Either wine or the gym, depending on thesituation!

What's your favourite movie? Anything with Leonardo di Caprio in(obviously for his acting skills!)

What othercompanies/organisations have youpreviously worked for? Thomson, Worldchoice and TravelCube.

If you could change one thing inthe industry what would it be? The amount of red tape and legislation thegovernment imposes on the industry.

What personal item do you haveon your desk at work? A photo of my partner and I, taken at mybrother’s wedding in Cyprus last year; italways brings a smile to my face as it wassuch a special day.

My days normally entail aconsiderable amount of driving,talking and emailing

Anna Barnes

“”

Where would youmost like to visit andwhy? Anywhere in the Caribbean -it's my idea of holidayheaven...sun, sea, sand anda strawberry daquiri!

What are yourhobbies? I enjoy training at the gym,baking and watching films.

What's your favourite(non-work related)website? Probably VoucherCodes or

Groupon as I love a goodbargain!

Do you use socialmedia for work andplay? I have a Facebook accountwhich crosses over bothwork and play, but I am yetto venture into the world ofTwitter.

What trait do youdislike in otherpeople? Rudeness - manners costnothing.

What is your bestquality? I am easy going and getalong with most people.

What's your mostembarrassingmoment? During a business meetinglast year, I looked down tonotice I had chewing gumstuck to my black tights(between my legs) and hadto shuffle out of the meetinghoping they didn't seeit..Eeek! The gum definitelywasn't mine either, gross!

At home

At work

At play

What's the best thing about your job? I absolutely love the product and thedestinations we feature; made all the betterby the fantastic fam trips we run!

What's a typical day like? My days are so varied but normally entail aconsiderable amount of driving, talking andemailing.

Who has been your inspiration in the travel industry? My first ASM at Lunn Poly who gave me thetravel bug and opened my eyes to all thefantastic travel opportunities available in theindustry.

What was the last email you received? From our marketing manager chasing thispiece up - oops!

What skills are you most proud of? I can easily relate to people which I think isimportant in my role.

What do you love about the travel industry?The people. I think you would be hardpressed to find another industry with thelevel of energy and passion from people forwhat they do.

What item do you always take withyou when travelling? Plug adapter (boring but necessary).



italy

Thought for food is food for thoughttheme at Expo Milano 2015 by PAUL SCUDAMORE

ITALY IS gearing up for a massive influx of visitors next year when Milan hosts the world Expo from

May 1 to the end of October. Thetheme will be Feeding the Planet,Energy for Life, covering economic,scientific, cultural and socialperspectives. The purpose is "togather knowledge and skills fromaround the world to stimulate globaldebate and collaboration on one ofhumanity's greatest challenges, whichshould be the role of all 21st centuryUniversal Expositions".

The basic idea is to focusattention on the facts thatworldwide, one in eightpeople or 870m isstarving, while 12%of the globalpopulation isobese and almost800m have noaccess to cleandrinking water.

For the trade, thesize and impact of Expocannot be underestimated.While the focus will be onMilan, the rest of Italy is sureto feel the benefit asinternational visitors willalmost certainly combineExpo with a city, countryside orcoastal break. UK operators will becapitalising on such packages to addon to Expo, which itself will featurethousands of activities, cultural eventsand shows. It is expected to attractmore than 20m visitors to see theefforts of a record 140-plus countries,including the UK. Visitors will be able

to test the solutions to nutritionproposed by each country in pavilionsthat will cover an area of around amillion square metres.

The Expo site has been plannedaround the concept of a landscape,with two avenues running centre toperiphery, symbolically joining theplace where food is consumed, thecity, with where it is produced, thecountryside. The site willsubsequently become a "Smart city ofthe future", a neighbourhood designed

to make "intelligent and ecologicaluse of technology and energy".

The national pavilions willshowcase their individual food,production, technology and innovation.There will also be an open-air theatrefor concerts and performances for11,000 people, while a Piazza d'Acquawill be a water basin surrounded bysteps for a seated audience of 3,000or up to 20,000 for magic fountainshows, fireworks, concerts and

performances on floating platforms.Those behind Expo Milano 2015 say

they are determined to leave a globallegacy in the way that the very firstuniversal exposition at the CrystalPalace in Hyde Park became thesymbol of The Great Exhibition of theWorks of Industry of All Nations inLondon in 1851, and the Eiffel Towerbuilt for the Paris ExpositionUniverselle in 1889.

Expo is held every five years - in2010 it was in Shanghai and in 2020it will be in Dubai. ✦

"For the trade, the size andimpact of Expo cannot be

underestimated. While the focus will beon Milan, the rest of Italy is sure to feel thebenefit as international visitors will almost

certainly combine Expo with a city,countryside or coastal break"

Images: FOTOTECA

ENIT

S04 TB3005 2014 Italy_Layout 1 5/28/2014 10:25 AM

PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS reports an increase inbookings for both Western Sicily and theBaroque South East following its expansionin both regions this year.

The operator says that it has also seen asurge in interest for its multi-touringholidays, including its seven-night self-driveMontalbano Experience, which visits Scicliand Ragusa. Both frequently feature in theMontalbano TV detective series set in theSouth East of Sicily.

Highlights of the tour include theopportunity to sample seafood pasta at‘Caffe Millenium’ in the piazza in front ofMontalbano’s police station (the actual townhall in Scicli); see the sites of the manyinvestigative scenes and house callsfeatured in the show in Ragusa; and a drivedown to the coastline at Punta Secca whereMontalbano’s house is located.

Prices lead in at £667 per person basedon a September departure and includebreakfast accommodation at La DimoraPiazza Carmine and Hotel Novecento, flightswith easyJet from Gatwick and car hire.

The operator's marketing manager,Nicky Shafe, said: "Both the fascinatingfishing town of Castellammare and the WildWest beach resort of San Vito Lo Capo inWestern Sicily are selling particularly well

this summer. The new product we arefeaturing in the gorgeous baroque jewels ofOrtigia, Scicli and Ragusa has also shown astrong growth in low as well as highseason.

"Sicily has no real winter; the climate isfantastic year-round. Malta, just 60 milesaway, has always been perceived as wintersun, whilst Sicily is not well known for this,but has a far better climate in the winter asit’s much bigger and hence more protected.The weather between November and Marchis 15-20 degrees warmer than the UK. It’salso a very quiet time on the island so agreat time to visit."

Gastronomic breaks staying inagrotourism properties across the islandare also becoming more popular, as is theoperator’s newly introduced programme tothe Aeolian Islands.

The company is offering a week’s stay atagrotourism property Torre Marabino from£711 per person based on an Octoberdeparture with flights on Norwegian fromGatwick, seven days’ car hire and breakfastaccommodation. The price includes a 'sevennights for the price of six' offer, saving £110per couple.For more information call 01425-480400 orvisit www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/sicily

EXPLORE IS offering twonew tours to Italy this year.

A seven-night ‘On Foot inPuglia and Basilicata’ givestravellers the chance todiscover Puglia andBasilicata on a twin-centrewalking holiday to the ‘heel’of boot-shaped Italy.

Destinations include theseaside town of Vieste onthe Gargano Peninsula;Matera with its ancientSassi, a UNESCO-listedtroglodyte quarter andgorge-rim trails leading tomedieval Montescaglioso;and Alberobello andLocorotondo, with theirbeehive-shaped trullihouses in the Itria valley.Travellers can also samplelocally-produced wine,cheese and olive oil andexperience a dinnerfeaturing regionalspecialities.

Departing in June,September, October andNovember, the tour costsfrom £955 per person

including flights; breakfastaccommodation in hotels;one dinner; transport; andthe services of a driver andtour leader/trek guide. Thetour is graded as easy tomoderate.

Alternatively, an eight-day ‘Pedalling in Piedmont’explores the Piedmontregion on cycle rides. TheAlps provide the backdropalong the journey astravellers visit Turin andmedieval hilltop villages ofthe Langhe. Along the way,guests will sample Baroloand Barbaresco wines,chocolate and coffee, and

learn about rice cultivationin the Po Valley.

Departing in July andSeptember, it costs from£1,449 including flights;breakfast accommodationin hotels; transport; use ofa 21-gear LombardoTaranto 400 hybrid bike;and the services of adriver/tour leader. The tourhas been graded as easy tomoderate cycling andinvolves cycling 290km oversix days (an average of48km per day).For more information or tobook call 0844-499 0901 orvisit www.explore.co.uk

New properties &tour options from

Inghams INGHAMS HAS added twonew properties and two newtours in Italy this year.

The three-star Hotel SanMarco in Pisa is a centrally-located family-run hotel,located near to the spa townof Montecatini, and offersfree use of the swimmingpool and wellness centre atthe nearby Hotel Grand LaPace.

Prices start from £489 perperson for seven nights’half-board accommodation,including flights fromGatwick on June 14 andtransfers. Regional flightsare available for anadditional supplement.

A new addition to theoperator’s Lakes andMountains programme is theNeustift Monastery locatedin the Eisack Valley. Themonastery offers a Baroquechurch with ceiling frescoes,gardens, vineyards and acellar pub. As well as freeguided walks into the villageof Brixen, the monks offerweekly tours of the vineyardsand wine-tasting. Prices forthree nights’ half-boardaccommodation start from£549 per person, includingflights and transfers.

Meanwhile, a VenostaValley walking tour (alsofeatured in the Lakes andMountains programme)takes in South Tyrol and isled by a mountain guide. Thetrail includes hikes over the2,324m-high peaks of theOztaler Alps, walks throughpine forests followingancient watercourses andhikes through meadows.Guests also stay overnight ina family-run pension eachnight. Prices start from £929per person, including sevennights’ half-boardaccommodation, dailypacked lunches, transport ofluggage to each night stop,flights and transfers.For more information call01483-791114 or visitwww.inghams.co.uk/agents

Explore adds new walking & cycling tours to meet demand

‘On Foot in Puglia and Basilicata’

Boost for Prestige’s Western Sicily and Baroque South East holidays


italy


Ilios Travelpromotes Sardinian

villa holidayILIOS TRAVEL is offeringholidays to the five-bedroom Villa Sole inSardinia.

The self-catering villa,which features a privatepool and Jacuzzi, offersviews over the Maddalenaislands and across toSanta Teresa di Gallura.The property is situated300m from the sea and a65km drive from OlbiaAirport.

Prices lead in at £599per person, per week inlow season up to £1,145in August (high season)and are based on sixsharing on anaccommodation-onlybasis.For more information visitwww.iliostravel.com/properties/villa-sole

RIVIERA TRAVEL is offering a range ofItalian experiences for agents to promote toclients, including a new eight-day, half-board ‘Pompeii, Capri and the Bay ofNaples’ from £799 per person.

The price includes seven nights’ three-and four-star accommodation in hotelsacross Sorrento with breakfast and dinner;a walking tour of Sorrento; a cruise to theisland of Capri; visits to Vesuvius, Naples

and Ravello; a guided tour of Pompeii; atour of the Amalfi coast; the services of atour manager; and flights to Naples fromGatwick, Stansted, Luton, Bristol,Birmingham, East Midlands, Glasgow,Manchester, Newcastle or Dublin. Selecteddepartures are available up to October.For more information or to book [email protected] or visitwww.rivieratravel.co.uk

We are THE specialist

italy

LEFAY RESORT & Spa on Lake Garda has launched a new non-invasive makeover programme for women.It includes a range of anti-ageing treatments, a hair re-style and colour and a make-up consultation.Starting with an analysis of the guest’s facial skin, the programme then offers six treatments for the faceand body, followed by sessions with French hairdresser Olivier Mazzon and the spa’s beauticians. Threenights’ breakfast accommodation at the resort, including the programme, costs £1,693.

Discover Pompeii, Capri and the Bay of Naples with Riviera


SARDINIAN PLACES is promoting a range of family-friendlyvilla holidays, with a number of hotels offering up to 50%discounts for children.

As an example, the operator’s La Mendula villa isavailable from £647 per person over the school holidays,based on eight people sharing and including flights fromGatwick, along with car hire, a welcome pack and services,if required, from a local representative.For more information call 0845-330 2056 or visitwww.sardinianplaces.co.uk

JET2HOLIDAYS IS offeringsummer city breaks tosome of Italy’s top citydestinations from £200 perperson.

As examples, threenights’ breakfastaccommodation at thethree-star Donatello inRome leads in at £200 perperson, based on two adultssharing and departing fromManchester on July 2. Thehotel is ideal for budget-conscious travellers whowant to be in the centre ofthe city, as the nearestmetro is 700 metres awaywhile the main shoppingprecinct is 2 km away.

Meanwhile, three nights’breakfast accommodation atthe four-star Meridiana inFlorence costs from £223per person, based on twoadults sharing anddeparting from Manchesteron July 4. The hotel is

located close to the citycentre and is wellconnected to publictransport.

Alternatively, clientslooking to get away forlonger can book a seven-

night break at the three-star Porta Palio in Veronaon a room-only basis from£349 per person. The hotelis located minutes from thecentre of Verona and lessthan a mile from the Central

Railway Station. The price isbased on a departure dateof July 9 from Manchester.For more information or tobook call 0800-408 5587 orsee https://tradesite.jet2holidays.com

NIRA HOTELS & Resorts has announced that it willopen the Nira Montana in North Italy later this year.

The hotel will open on December 5 as a boutiquealpine hotel. Situated in the town of La Thuile at the footof Mont Blanc, the property is steps away from the skislopes and hiking trails of the Italian Alps. It is alsoclose to the major airports of northern Italy includingMilan, Turin and Genoa, as well as Geneva inSwitzerland.

A member of Design Hotels, the 55-room hotel willfeature an Italian restaurant, with a bar featuring anextensive wine cellar, as well as an al fresco area. Otheronsite facilities include a wellness area with an indoorpool, large spa with sauna and steam rooms, sixtreatment rooms and a fitness centre.

Rates will start from approximately €300 per room pernight. For more information visitwww.nirahotelsandresorts.com

Jet2holidays highlights selection of summer city breaks from £200

Venice

Family-friendly villa options from Sardinian Places


italy

FRED.\ HAS launched short breaks and tailor-made options toItaly, including Rome, Venice and Florence as part of its summer2014 programme. Overall prices lead in at £279 per person for atwo-night break to Rome including flights and accommodation. For more information call 0808-159 5256 or [email protected]

New launch from Nira Hotels & Resorts



Sample the‘Flavours of Italy’with TrafalgarTRAFALGAR IS offering aten-day ‘foodie’ tripexploring the traditionsof Italian cuisine andwine.

‘Flavours of Italy’discovers the origins offood and wine such asBolognese in Bologna,Chianti in Tuscany andProsciutto in Parma,among others.

Highlights includeattending an Italian foodmarket in Florence with alocal chef; being taughthow to make handmaderavioli; and learning thesecrets of Italian cuisinein a cooking lesson.

Prices start from£2,025 per person land-only and include ninenights’ breakfastaccommodation, VIPdoor-to-door transfers,sightseeing and theservices of a traveldirector throughout. For more information visitwww.trafalgar.com

INSPIRED BY PaoloSorrentino’s 2014 Oscar-and BAFTA-winning movie‘La Grande Bellezza’, RomeCavalieri, Waldorf AstoriaHotels & Resorts hascreated a one-daycinematic tour called ‘TheGreat Beauty’.

Accompanied by thehotel’s resident arthistorian, AlexandraMassini, guests will be ableto recreate some of theirfavourite scenes from thefilm. The day encompassesa private tour of some ofRome’s sights, includingthe Colosseum, the Bathsof Caracalla and VillaMedici.

Starting with a morningvisit to Fontana dell’AcquaPaola, the location of themovie’s opening scene,

guests can take in themarble fountain beforemoving on to Bramante’sTempietto at San Pietro, adomed chapel whichshowcases some of thecity’s architecture.

After strolling across theRiver Tiber and along thecobblestones of the PiazzaFarnese, guests can explorethe apartments of theRenaissance palace ofMarquis Sacchetti, whichwere used as the setting forthe home of Viola in thefilm.

Guests will then refuelfor the afternoon with aprivate rooftop reception atPalazzo Taverna where anaperitif or lunch will beserved at the home ofMarchioness ViolanteGuerrieri Gonzaga.

After wandering throughPiazza Navona andexploring the Villa Mediciand the ancient Baths ofCaracalla, the tour will endwith an unexpecteddiscovery made through ahidden keyhole.

The tour runs from09:30-17:00 and guests aretransported in a minivan(shorter options are alsoavailable excluding therooftop reception and/or theGardens of Villa Medici).

Prices for a family of fivestart from £1,108 (excludingaperitif and lunch) andnightly rates at the hotelstart from £197 per room,per night including VAT andbreakfast.For more information visitwww.waldorfastoria.com/romecavalieri

Superbreak addsfive-star

Verona optionSUPERBREAK HAS addeda new five-star option inthe popular Italian citybreak destination ofVerona.

The Due Torri Hotel issituated close to theChurch of Sant’Anastasia,the Balcony of Juliet, BràSquare and the arena. Theoperator offers bothaccommodation-only andflight-inclusive packages.

Prices start from £120per person, per nightincluding breakfast, whilea two-night flight-inclusivepackage with easyJet fromGatwick costs from £584per person in August.For more information visitwww.superbreak.com/agents or call 01904-436000.

WITH A diverse range of tours, clients canexplore a variety of Italian destinationswith Travelsphere.

The operator features a selection oftours to destinations such as the AmalfiCoast, Sardinia and Capri, as well as citytours in Rome, Florence and Venice.Travellers can uncover the history ofarchaeological sites such as Pompeii andHerculaneum, or head to Campania’sremotest corner, the Cilento Coast, to

discover medieval villages and alandscape of hills, vineyards and olivegroves.

Alternatively, guests are given theopportunity to experience the scenery ofLake Garda or Maggiore. Tours aredesigned so that travellers can explore attheir own pace or in the company of tourmanagers and local guides.For more information visitwww.travelsphere.co.uk/agents

Travelsphere promotes range of city & scenic tour options

italy

GREAT RAIL Journeys has introduced a new 14-day ‘Beauty of Calabria’ tour for 2014. Afterdiscovering the sights of Turin and Rome, guests explore the coastal scenery and cliff-top towns at thesouthern tip of the Italian mainland. Prices lead in at £2,195 per person. For details or to book call 01904-521980 or see www.greatrail.com

Recreate ‘La Grande Bellezza’ with Rome Cavalieri’s new tour


ATMOSPHERE KANIFUSHI Maldives, a luxury all-inclusive resort, has introduced Platinum Plus, apremium all-inclusive plan that offers guests anexclusive holiday plan to enhance their Maldivian resortexperience.

The package offers a range of extras including aselection of activities, excursions and adventures.

As examples, transfers and access to lounge services(refreshments, Wi-Fi and other services) are included,along with all-inclusive dining options. Also included isone complimentary excursion per guest; access to TheClub House, a sports and recreation centre (with gymand tennis courts); a selection of non-motorised

watersports; unlimited snorkelling excursions; 50%discount on one couple’s massage at the spa; plus arange of daily organised activities for kids and teens atthe kids' club.

The resort, which offers 150 'Sunset View' detachedvillas, is located on one of the longest islands in theMaldives and all villas have direct access to the sandybeach and lagoon. Alternative dining options areavailable at the resort including a “pure” vegetarianrestaurant. For more information or to book [email protected] or seewww.atmosphere-kanifushi.com

Sunset pool villa


PREMIER HOLIDAYS has put togethera dedicated Mauritius campaign toencourage client bookings, with aselection of tactical offers availablefor travel to the island.

Clients opting to book the latestMauritius offers will benefit fromsavings of up to £2,452 per couple, aswell as added-value extras such aseither a half or full board meal basis,and private transfers included onevery offer.

New offers from the campaigninclude a selection of hotels andresorts for clients to choose from, withprices leading in at £1,445 per personfor ten nights at the three-star MervilleBeach on a half-board basis, offering asaving of up to £706 per couple.

For clients seeking a four-staroption, ten nights at the PreskilBeach Resort lead in at £1,569pp on ahalf-board basis, offering a saving ofup to £668 per couple.

Alternatively, clients looking for topluxury can select either a seven-nightstay at the five-star Outrigger MauritiusResort & Spa from £1,649 on a full-board meal basis, offering a saving ofup to £1,038 per couple; or nine nightsat the five-star Maradiva Villas Resort& Spa on a half-board basis from£2,549, staying in a garden villa with aprivate plunge pool and offering asaving of up to £2,452 per couple.

The offers are based on two adultssharing and include flights fromHeathrow and private transfers. The

deals are valid for travel on selecteddates throughout 2014 and 2015,subject to availability, and can alsobe tailormade to suit clients’requirements; offering the option toincorporate excursions and day trips,extend their holiday or combine itwith another destination.

Agents can request or download acopy of the Mauritius campaignposters fromwww.trade.premierholidays.co.uk

In addition, agents will also receivebetween £25-£150 per Mauritiusbooking, dependent on the bookingvalue, as part of the company's latestbooking incentive. For more information or to book call0844-493 7444.

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Platinum Plus package option from Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives

Premier Holidays introduces tactical offers for agents selling Mauritius

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THE MINOR Hotel Group (MHG) has added the AVANISeychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa to its portfolio, whichwill reopen later this year following an eight-monthrenovation costing US$8m.

Located on the west coast of Mahe Island along thesecluded bay of Barbarons Beach, the resort offers coastalviews and direct access to a 600 metres stretch of beach.

Refurbishments are taking place in the lobby,restaurants and bars and all 124 guestrooms and suites,which all offer a balcony or terrace with views of theocean. In addition, there will be new walkways anddecking around the resort and pool area to the beach,surrounded by re-landscaped grounds.

The redesign of the bars and restaurants will include newfurniture, lighting refurbishments and upgraded kitchenfacilities. Overlooking the ocean, the all-day diningrestaurant is to be enclosed and guests will be able toexperience live cooking stations. The à la carte beach level

bar and restaurant is also being renovated to offer a newrestaurant complete with a new kitchen, while a main barwill open at the pool and will provide live music each night.

Leisure facilities at the resort include a largefreshwater swimming pool, gym and rooftop terrace with asundeck. A range of watersports is also available,including kayaking and snorkelling.

The resort’s spa will offer one double and three singletreatment rooms, as well as a plunge pool and steamroom. Upgrades to the spa complex will include a renewedfamily-friendly appeal with play areas in the garden.

A children’s club for youngsters aged six to 12 years willalso keep little ones entertained with a range of activities,while the resort’s library will also be upgraded. Meetingand conference facilities include a ballroom accommodatingup to 180 guests, two boardrooms and a large break-outarea, along with a business centre. Complimentary Wi-Fiwill be available throughout the resort.

Minor Hotel Group announces reopening of AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort

AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa

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190-room Westin Turtle Bay Resort &Spa gets set for summer launchTHE WESTIN Turtle Bay Resort & Spa, located in theTurtle Bay of Balaclava, is set to open this summer.

The resort offers 190 guestrooms, including 38 suites,and is designed to complement the surroundingscenery. Onsite facilities include two swimming pools,access to a 800 metres beach, eco-boathouse, kids’club, executive club and spa.For more information visitwww.westinturtlebaymauritius.com

Thomson launches new Dreamliner routeTHOMSON HAS launched a new long-haul programmefor summer that will include direct flights from Gatwickto Mauritius.

The flight, which operates weekly, is set to make theisland more accessible and open it up to a wider market.For more information visit www.thomson.co.uk

Sri Lanka welcomes OZO Colombo opening

LOCATED ALONG Marine Drive in Sri Lanka’scommercial capital, OZO Colombo is the first of threehotels to open in the country.

Featuring 158 guestrooms and suites, the property's‘Snooze Zone’, comprises four categories; Sleep, Dream,Dream Ocean and OZO Suites, providing guests with highquality bedding and a variety of modern amenitiesincluding IPTV, a multimedia connectivity panel and freeWi-Fi access throughout.

Other onsite facilities include a choice of diningoptions, a rooftop bar and lounge, infinity swimmingpool, fitness room, a boardroom and meeting room.

Guests are being offered a special opening rate ofUS$105 per night (approximately £62) includingbreakfast and complimentary upgrade to the next roomcategory for visits by August 31, subject to availability.

Rates are exclusive of local government taxes, VATand service charge. For details see www.ozohotels.com


T E L : + 9 6 0 6 6 2 0 0 6 6 | F A X : + 9 6 0 6 6 2 0 0 7 7

E M A I L : S A L E S @ A T M O S P H E R E - K A N I F U S H I . C O M

Al l-Inclusive Holiday P lan!

A PREMIUM

A T M O S P H E R E - K A N I F U S H I . C O M

A t m o s p h e r e Ka n i f u s h i – A l l I N C L U D E D ! S t a n d - a l o n e B e a c h v i l l a s s p r e a d i n g i dy l l i -c a l l y a l o n g a m e s m e r i c t wo k i l o m e t r e l o n g t u rq u o i s e l a g o o n , s h owc a s i n g va s t l i v i n g s p a c e s w i t h a c c e n t u a t i n g M a l d i v i a n i n t e r i -o r s , o f f e r s a h a s s l e - f r e e f i ve s t a r r e s o r t ex p e r i e n c e w i t h a p r e m i u m A l l - i n c l u s i ve

h o l i d ay p l a n – P l a t i n u m P l u s

P l a t i n u m P l u s o f f e r s a f i n e c o l l e c t i o n o f p r e m i u m w i n e s & s p i r i t s , a c o m b i n a t i o n o f b u f f e t , f i n e d i n i n g & t h e m e n i g h t d i n i n g o p t i o n s , c l u bb e d w i t h a n a r ray o f a c t i v i t i e s ra n g i n g f ro m exc u r s i o n s , s u n s e t f i s h i n g , s n o r ke l l i n g & n o n - m o t o r i z e d wa t e r s p o r t s !

A L L I N C L U D E D i n O N E p r i c e !


KANIFUSHI MALDIVES


AUDLEY TRAVEL is offering a ten-day 'andBeyond Effortless Mnemba' package at andBeyond Mnemba Island Lodge in Tanzania. Leading inat £3,845 per person, which offers a 30% saving, the price includes six nights/seven days’ all-inclusive accommodation at the lodge, flightsand taxes, private road and boat transfers and activities. It is based on two sharing and is valid for travel between June and September.For details visit www.audleytravel.com, call 01993-838545 or see www.andbeyond.com


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InBrief● EMIRATES HAS announced that it will step up its operations

to the Seychelles through its hub in Dubai, by increasingservices to double daily from October 28.

● THE BOUTIQUE resort of Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas& Spa will open next month featuring 11 villas, each with aprivate swimming pool, outdoor tub and beach views. Theowners of the resort also own the neighbouring high-endKitesurf club: Zanzibar Kite Paradise which is accessible toguests and offers high quality service and equipment,classes and support from beginners to advanced levels.

For details see www.whitesandvillas.com● HAYES & Jarvis is offering a seven-night holiday to Mauritius

from £1,149 per person, based on a July 5 departure. The priceoffers a saving of £341 per person and includes a week at thefour-star plus Zilwa Attitude on an all-inclusive basis,transfers and flights from Gatwick with Emirates.

For details call 01293-735831 or see www.hayesandjarvis.co.uk

W Retreat & Spa Maldives addseducational 'Bioadventure'W RETREAT & Spa Maldives has appointed British marinebiologist Mike McWilliam. With a specialised background inmarine ecology and conservation, Mike is offering guests arange of educational activities. Enthusiasts of all levels areinvited to learn and take part in a ‘Bioadventure’ which beginswith a presentation on the Maldivian marine life and a guidedsnorkelling tour that outlines and describes the sea life.

The experience concludes with a dive, where a plethora of sealife awaits in the reefs including gray reef sharks, white tip reefsharks, batfish, zebra morays, stonefish, frogfish and turtles.

Guests are also invited to share and learn from Mike’sexpertise and become a qualified diver by completing theirPADI diving course.

Kuoni offers seven nights at the W Retreat & Spa Maldivesfrom £3,503 per person. The price is based on travel this yearand includes flights, transfers and accommodation in aBeach Oasis room, with breakfast.For further information or to make a booking call 01306-747008.

JUMEIRAH GROUP, the global hotel company and a memberof Dubai Holding, has signed a management agreement tooperate a luxury resort in Mauritius. The hotel is currentlyunder development and is expected to open in 2018.

The hotel will be set on 68.5ha of land and locatedapproximately 50 km from Sir Seewoosagur RamgoolamInternational Airport. It will feature all-day dining andspecialty restaurants, lounge and poolside bars, meetingand events space, spa facilities, a swimming pool, healthclub, children’s facilities and a teen club.

The group's president and CEO, Gerald Lawless, said: “We

are delighted to be expanding our portfolio of hotels andresorts to embrace the beautiful island of Mauritius. Ourtrack record in delivering the very best in luxury hospitality,combined with the success of our two other tropical islandresorts – Jumeirah Vittaveli and Jumeirah Dhevanafushi inthe Maldives – fills us with confidence that our guests willwarmly welcome the addition of a property in Mauritius.”

The company currently operates 22 luxury hotels andserviced apartments, including 11 in the Gulf region, eightin Europe and three in Asia. A further 17 hotels are nowunder development.

Jumeirah Group announces plans to enter Mauritius with luxury resort set for 2018 launch



TURQUOISE HOLIDAYS is celebrating the 2015 RugbyWorld Cup by offering new complimentary non-contactrugby lessons by expert coaches at The ResidenceMauritius this summer.

The programme, called Rugbytots, will run fromAugust 10-23 this year and invites guests to enroll theirchildren (aged two to seven) in classes to learn basicrugby skills on the resort’s one-kilometre-long beach.

Under the tuition of the programme’s founder, MaxWebb, children will learn the fundamentals of rugbyincluding running with the ball, catching, kicking, passingand scoring a try. Parents will be able to join in with thechildren at a weekly class. The resort also offers a rangeof family-friendly facilities, including the Planter’s KidsClub, complimentary watersports and interconnectingrooms and suites. Following on from Rugbytots, the kids’club will continue to offer rugby lessons throughout theschool holidays.

A week’s stay at the resort for a family of four in

August leads in at £4,399 and includes Rugbytots classes,daily breakfast and dinner, flights and private transfers.

Alternatively, the operator offers a seven-night familyholiday at the Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, which offersThe Den kids’ club.

Located in the jungle and accessed by a 14 metreshidden tunnel, The Den features a pirate ship, organicbotanical gardens, zip-line, DJ Corner, cinema, bakingkitchen and mocktail bar, and for youngsters, a separatetoddler pool. Prices start from £6,590 per family of fourincluding breakfast accommodation, flights and transfers.

Meanwhile, at the LUX* Maldives, the entire family canswim alongside whale sharks and have ice-creams at theretro-style parlour.

A seven-night family holiday costs from £5,590 perfamily of four including breakfast accommodation, flightsand transfers.For more information or to make a booking call 01494-678400 or visit www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk

BEACHCOMBER HOTELS is invitingguests to the Shandrani Resort &Spa in Mauritius to discover ‘TheMauritian Little 5’.

The company is aiming to rival‘The Big 5’ in Africa, whichdescribes five of Africa’s wildanimals and features on manypeople’s bucket lists.

Surrounded by the Blue BayMarine Park and 70 acres ofgardens, the all-inclusive resort isoffering guests the chance to explorethe marine park, local nature reserveand observe the tropical creatures inthe Indian Ocean.

Guests are invited to hop on aprivate boat from the resort’s jettyand discover Ile aux Aigrettes, whichhas been free from human presencefor a long time and has developeditself into a natural museum wherea collection of Mauritian fauna andflora has evolved.

With an expert guide leading theway around the nature reserve,guests will walk along the trail andlearn about the history of the islandand its inhabitants.

‘The Mauritian Little 5’ includesthe Pink Pigeon, a cousin of theDodo; the Aldabran Giant Tortoise;

the Mauritius Fody, a rare species ofbird which is on the US’ endangeredspecies list; the Telfair’s Skink, anendangered species of reptile whichcan shed their tails during fights orto escape from predators and thenregenerate them; and the MauritianOrnate Day Gecko.

Beachcomber Tours is offeringseven nights at the resort in asuperior room from £1,680 perperson based on two sharing,including flights and transfers.For more information call 01483-445621 or visitwww.beachcombertours.co.uk

Turquoise Holidays marks Rugby World Cup with launch of free rugby lessons

PICTURED MARKING the opening of Centara's Bentota SriLanka resort, which took place yesterday, are, from the left:Michel Horn and Alexandre Glauser from Centara Hotels &Resorts with Stephan Anthonisz from Softlogic LeisureSector, the owning company of Centara Ceysands Resort &Spa Sri Lanka. The new resort is located on the BentotaPeninsula, at the southwest of the island, with the BentotaRiver on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other.

VERANDA RESORTS in Mauritius is introducing a newcultural programme with the aim of creating a uniquetravel experience and introducing guests to Mauritianheritage.

Guests staying at one of the company's fourproperties, which include Veranda Grand Baie, VerandaPointe aux Biches, Veranda Paul & Virginie and VerandaPalmar Beach, will be able to take part in a selection ofactivities.

These range from a guided bike tour/walking touraround local villages in the north, a market tour andCreole cooking classes, to a rum making and tastingexperience, a Sega dance lesson and Mauritianinstrument initiation.

A seven-night breakfast stay leads in at £279 perperson, based on two sharing, which includes a range ofcultural programme events. For details visit www.veranda-resorts.com/en

New cultural programme from Veranda Resorts

Discover ‘The Mauritian Little 5’ at Shandrani Resort & Spa with Beachcomber

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We asked our staff thefollowing question this week:

What was thestrangest thing youbelieved as a child?

Publisher: Jeanette [email protected] our neighbour was a witch as I overheard mymum say she read Which magazine!

Editor: Lauretta [email protected] you could jump around on clouds

Assistant Editor: Jill [email protected] classmate told me that the USSR would drop an atomicbomb and it would take five years to hit the ground.

Contributing Editor: Paul [email protected] there were real little people in the radio.

Sales Director: Simon [email protected] Tooth Fairy

Advertisement Manager: Tim [email protected] Mr Ben was real

Online Sales Manager: Nick [email protected] frog spawn is edible (like rice pudding).Bear Grylls still does!

Account Manager: Bill [email protected] cows did jump over the moon

Sales Executive: Chris [email protected] my aunt was Jill Gascoine the actress

Sales Executive: Matt [email protected] anyone sees my hamster call me....

Senior Designer: Nicky [email protected]

Assistant Designer: Lee [email protected]

Production: Erica Sesay [email protected] don't die and the older you get, the taller you get,until your head reaches space

Circulation Manager: Jim [email protected]

Crossword:Across: 1. CYPLON, 4. EMU, 8. LOT, 9. ICELAND, 10. ALAN, 11. AMALFI, 14. LUANDA, 15. APIA, 17. CAPULET, 19. LCA, 20. KOS, 21. ORIANA.Down: 1. CILLA BLACK, 2. PATTAYA, 3. OHIO, 5. MEA, 6. REIMS, 7. ADDIS.ABABA, 12. LA PALMA, 13. ADELE, 16. STAR, 18. PMO.

Highlighted Word: CALAIS

Travagrams: (top) Fred. Olsen (bottom) Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Where Am I?: Aegean Sea

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 £125 p.a. £195 overseasISSN: 0956-2419

Follow us on Twitter!@TravelBulletin

THE SUN Siyam Iru Fushi is highlighting its Fragrance and Pillow menus. Thepillow menu offers guests an extensive choice of pillows to promote a peacefulnight's rest. Amongst others, they include an Air pillow, Buckwheat pillow,Pregnancy pillow, Hypoallergenic pillow, Latex pillow and Orthopaedic pillow.The property has also launched traditional Chinese Medicine and Maldiviantreatments in The Spa along with a foot reflexology path.For details see http://thesunsiyam.com/irufushi/They

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Anahita’s Four Seasons Resort Mauritiusintroduces ‘Up in the Air’ golf packageTHE FOUR Seasons Resort Mauritius in Anahita has launched an ‘Up inthe Air’ Golf Package, where golfers are able to combine their love ofgolf with the chance to discover Mauritius from the air in a helicopterflight that will take them over four of the island’s top golf courses.

Players will be joined on the flight by one of the resort’s golf pros,who will provide further insights into the technical challenges of eachcourse, followed by the chance to play on three of the viewed coursesalongside the pro.

The package leads in at €2,760 for guests of the resort and includesthree rounds of golf on three different golf courses, including greenfees; helicopter transfers to Heritage Golf Club in Bel Ombre; transfersto either the Bernhard Langer course at Le Touessrok or the Links GolfCourse at Constance Belle Mare Plage; and unlimited golf on the ErnieEls Signature Course at the resort’s golf course, including use of aGPS-equipped golf buggyTo book or for more information email [email protected]


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Travel Bulletin 30th May 2014

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Transcript of Travel Bulletin 30th May 2014