Travel Matters Issue 30 September 2019

Hi there Peeps! It might have been the summer, but things certainly don’t calm down in the world of this well-travelled bear with invites coming in thick and fast.
Felt very special when I got an invite from Kelsey Tainsh at LNER to be
a VIP guest onboard their all new Azuma train the day before its official launch. After settling into first class, enjoyed canapés and drinks. The designers have really thought about what they are doing – plenty of overhead rack space, Wi-Fi, plush seats and lots of legroom. On the return journey I tried out the standard carriages (no, I don’t always travel first class!). The seats are ergonomically designed and really comfy and staff ever so helpful. Will be going by train to London again soon for sure!
“Want to meet our new marketing manager Claire Brosnan?’ Lou Baillie from Air Transat asked. Yes, of course was the reply! We did it in style and went for afternoon tea with lots of sandwiches, scones and strawberry tarts (no honey for this bear). We talked about the new Airbus A321LR-NEO Aircraft arriving soon. It will have lots of benefits including increased fuel efficiency, reduced noise and fewer emissions. I for one, am really excited to see it in action.
Life on the ocean wave. How amazing are Cunard ships! Went on board the magnificent Queen Victoria recently. Laura Weston was there and met Victoria Snelgar too (not named after the ship as far as I know). One classy ship but not too grand to have a real pub on board – yes really! Did you know, they also have the only ‘proper’ theatre at sea? I mean, there were private boxes, real theatre seats, velvet curtains and everything! I would fit in perfectly and did consider stowing away!
Tequila! That was the shout at the recent AMResorts evening. Amy Drummond hosted
a great event with lots of prizes for agents to win. Fancy hats, streamers and masks were mandatory - I look great in a feather boa! Caught up with Greig Avinou from Barrhead as well as a host of other agents all learning about AMResorts and winning prizes galore. Arrrrribbba!
One more venture onto the water was awaiting me with a trip to visit the elegant Azamara Journey. She is splendid! Was taken around the ship by Nikki, Stuart and Liz and had a great day with the most amazing lunch and tour. With a capacity of less than 700 passengers, the attention you get from the 300 strong crew is unbelievable. It has a great mixture of classic style and modern décor which works so well – totally fell in bear love with it! Did you know they only spend 20% of their time at sea and the rest in port at their destinations? That’s why they are the destination focused cruise line!
Phew......on dry land again for a while!
SEPTEMBER 2019
The social diary of Gregorz the bear (71⁄4 inches tall)


With great travel, comes great
Did you know that in 2014 we became the first global tour operator to ban elephant rides on our trips? A decision we made after a research project conducted with World Animal Protection opened our eyes to the mistreatment of elephants living in captivity.
Nowadays, we take our travellers to ethically-run elephant sanctuaries like this one in Thailand, where you can see these incredible creatures on the road to recovery.
To find out more about travelling responsibly with us, visit intrepidtravel.com/about/responsible-business or call 0845 154 3860.
#BeIntrepid
OUR TRIPS ARE
We are a family of brands delivering outstanding adventure travel experiences for all types of travellers.
responsibility .


NEwS
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE HOSTED AGENTS ON BOARD NIEUW STATENDAM AT THE PORT OF TYNE
The Canny Lad...
DARREN PHILLIPS
Hi guys! The summer rush is now behind us and I hope
it was a very fruitful time for all! Now it’s the wind down to Christmas!
Last week I got to experience a 737 flight simulator in Newcastle that someone bought
me for my birthday y
- -
w wh h a a t t a a t t r r e e a a t t ! ! T T h h e e s s e e
-
t
-
up is amazing - just like a cockpit and I was even more surprised
that I fitted into the Captain’s seat.... they look so small but are really quite roomy. The amount of buttons and dials on display are mind boggling. You only seem to use less than half of them but I am sure they all have their uses!
It is set up to replicate Newcastle Airport but it can be tailored to any airport in the world so as you are taxiing down the runway, it all looks familiar to put you at ease. After a 10 minute briefing, it’s time to start the engines and log your route. The noises are so real that it totally gets you in the zone so you forget it’s a simulator and think it’s the real thing!
I was soon speeding down the runway, then when we reached our take off speed, it’s time to rotate and get airborne. It’s a weird feeling just looking up at the sky out of the cockpit windows but we soon levelled out and could see more of what was in front of us. Soon it was time to head back to the airport for landing and immediate take off, so you could experience landing and taking off in each direction of the runway.
Trying to keep the plane level is quite easy for landing - my co- pilot said it was a great landing - but I bet he says that to everyone! A brilliant experience and one which I would definitely do again but maybe try the A380 next time.... I am that confident now!
With Christmas soon approaching, that only means one thing.... it’s GRAFTAS time! This year it is on Tuesday 3rd December with a change of venue - at the Crowne Plaza. A fab hotel and the function room is just the right size for the GRAFTAS so I am really looking forward to working with the guys there. Cheaper drinks too, so it’s a win-win!
The 20th Geordie Ball is on Thursday 12th March 2020 at the Grand Hotel Gosforth Park - so get that date in your diaries now!
Happy selling!
Darren
t
SEPTEMBER 2019


Norway’s mighty Fjords
Taking guests closer to this breathtaking part of the world
Cruising with Fred. Olsen is the ultimate way to discover the allure of Norway’s famous fjordland. With the benefit of our Norwegian heritage and our smaller ships, we divert away from the direct paths to show guests memorable scenes of narrow fjords, thundering waterfalls and tucked away settlements that larger vessels simply can’t access.
We’re committed to ensuring every Fred. Olsen fjords cruise is an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Our friendlier ships have everything guests need for a relaxing holiday, while our crews are renowned for providing personal, attentive service. Plus, with departures from five convenient UK ports and cruises of five to 11 nights, including shorter sailings taking advantage of Newcastle and Rosyth’s proximity to Norway, you’re sure to
find your customers the perfect fjordland adventure.
Prices start from £799pp – and if you book now, your customers will enjoy a FREE All Inclusive Drinks Upgrade.*
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Best Itineraries & Shore Excursions
“We couldn’t have picked a better destination for a first cruise”
Independent customer reviews
For more information call Trade Support on 01473 746164,
or visit your dedicated agent website at fredolsencruises.com/agent
These Terms and Conditions are in addition to Fred. Olsen’s standard Terms and Conditions which are available on fredolsencruises.com/agent. Information shown is correct at time of going to print (Sept 2019). Fares are per person (pp), based on twin occupancy of the lead-in room, subject to availability. Fares are capacity controlled and may change at any time. *FREE All Inclusive Drinks Upgrade: Offer is valid on new bookings made between 04/09/19 to 31/10/19 inclusive on selected 2020 sailings. For full offer terms and conditions, visit fredolsencruises.com/agent. E&OE


ROYAL CARIBBEAN MATTERS BEST OF THE GREEK ISLANDS AND CROATIA
FlY NON-STOP FrOM EDiNBUrGH AND BElFAST EUrOPE BOUND All-iNClUSiVE
royal Caribbean are delighted to offer a fantastic new business opportunity for travel agent partners.
Clients can fly non-stop to Venice and then sail-away in superb style and comfort for a magical 7-night holiday on board Rhapsody of the Seas.
TwO STUNNiNG 7-NiGHT iTiNErAriES:
7-NiGHT GrEEK iSlES
MAY TO OCTOBEr 2020
Venice - Kotor - Corfu - Athens - Mykonos - Kefalonia - Sea Day - Venice
7-NiGHT GrEECE & CrOATiA
MAY TO OCTOBEr 2020
Venice - Dubrovnik - Kotor - Sea Day - Santorini - Katakolon - Sea Day - Venice
wHAT’S iNClUDED:
3 Return non-stop flights with Jet2, including 22kg hold luggage allowance/10kg hand luggage allowance
3 Sail from and to Venice - one of the world’s great travel experiences - cruising the azure blue waters of the Adriatic and Greek Islands on board Rhapsody of the Seas
3 With just over 2,000 passengers, Rhapsody offers a smaller, more intimate experience for clients to enjoy amazing facilities, fabulous entertainment, great food and service
MOrE iNFOrMATiON:
For further details on sales, promotions, groups etc. contact Emma Sweeney - email [email protected] or visit MyClubroyal
SEPTEMBER 2019


In Tobago you’ll find the perfect backdrop for a romantic
escape or your dream barefoot beach wedding. The island is made for two with stunning scenery, romantic bolt hole accommodation and many on-island services which offer wedding planning packages, giving couples the opportunity to have their wedding, their way.
Weekly winter flights from Manchester with Thomas Cook Airlines.
Find out more:
Tobago101specialist.co.uk TobagoBeyond.com
Earn Rewards:
TobagoRewards.com
#101ReasonsTobago
unspoilt • untouched • undiscovered


NEwS
Try something new with
Abercrombie & Kent
Agents in Scotland were the first in the UK to get a look at Abercrombie & Kent’s new brochures for 2020/2021. Designed to feature “experiences you can’t google”, the new brochures include: Escorted Tours; Luxury Expedition Cruises and Tailor-Made.
With Gleneagles as a backdrop, the operator certainly gave agents a taste of an unique
e and inspirational A&K experience, the kind that clients can expect on one of their
bespoke itineraries.
For more information on ways A&K can help your luxury sales grow, contact Diogo Castanheira - email: [email protected]
SEPTEMBER 2019


BOOK & WIN WITH STUBA
BOOK & WIN WITH STUBA
This is a Stuba service announcement – we’ve got a brand new incentive
Stuba are giving two lucky winners £200 ticketmaster vouchers.
Wait...BUT that’s not all. Stuba are also giving away 30 Stuba Chilli water bottles.
I’m heading back to the office to make a Stuba accommodation booking to automatically be entered into a prize draw to win
Make a £250 accommodation booking between now and 31st October to enter prize draw. Full Terms & Conditions available on winbig.stuba.com


A g
g
gr
r
reat day at the SPAA Annual Golf tournament
SEPTEMBER 2019


AirliNE NEwS
Balkan Holidays and Glasgow Airport are celebrating a 50-year association.
The operator is one of the airport’s oldest partners and over the course of five decades, more than 500,000 Scots passengers have travelled between Glasgow and Bulgaria.
Pictured are Louise Newton, Head of Marketing at Balkan Holidays and Paul White, Glasgow Airport’s Head of Aviation.
Left to right: Simon Rickman, Country Manager UK and Ireland, Air Astana and Flight Directors Managing Director, Paul Argyle.
Featuring...
80s Legends IMAGINATION, ODYSSEY and more!
8 - 10 November From £94pp
For more info visit: dfds.co.uk/nss.
Book at dfds.co.uk/agents or on 0871 522 9955 and quote MNSS9NOVBE.
PRINT_2293 - Travel Matters NSS.pdf
1
30/08/2019
10:36
New GSA for Air Astana
Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, has appointed Flight Directors as its new General Sales Agent for the UK and Ireland. The eight times SkyTrax award winner, which offers daily flights to London Heathrow to Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan’s capital, will now offer a reservations call centre, open daily from 8am to 8pm, except Christmas Day.
Flight Directors will offer a full service to Air Astana with dedicated telephone lines and a tailored web presence, optimised for the UK market. The company aims to highlight Kazakhstan ticket sales and beyond to Asia, via Air Astana’s attractive holiday stop-over programme in Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana) and its second city Almaty.
C M Y M Y Y MY K
september 2019
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Questions & Answers
ANDREA PELLICCI speaks to PETER SHANKS,
Managing Director - UK & Ireland, Silversea Cruises
What do you think the main benefits will be for Silversea Cruises following the investment by Royal Caribbean International?
We are very excited to now be part of the Royal Caribbean family alongside Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara. As a company, we will gain from not only their expertise and support, but the added investment to expand our fleet.
As the market leader in ultra luxury/expedition cruising, we
will have the strength to maintain our leadership as well as prosper.Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio will remain as our Executive Chairman and still be actively involved in the future plans for the company.
Silversea Cruises is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year and we have ambitious plans to grow further in the UK & Ireland market.
Silver Shadow is to undergo refurbishment later this year -
can you outline what this will entail?
Silver Shadow will undergo an extensive refurbishment which will include all guest suites, corridors, and many public spaces. A new atrium area will be created on deck 5, there will be a top- to-bottom renovation of the Zagara Beauty Spa and the Fitness Centre and guests will be able to dine in a total of 4 restaurants, including La Dame. Guests will still be able to enjoy butler service in every suite, 24-hour dining and being fully inclusive, no gratuities to settle at the end of the cruise. Silver Shadow will be the last ship in our fleet to be ‘Musified’ and completes our refurbishment programme.
You have been in this business for a long time - with cruising being a fast growing market and becoming more mainstream, what is your vision for Silversea in
the future?
I have been involved in many aspects of travel during my career, including sales and marketing with Cosmos Holidays, Thomas Cook Retail, MD of Going Places through to my previous role with
Cunard and have noticed a massive shift in the way consumers want to travel. The emphasis now is on the destination - people want to explore more and experience the world.
This shift in expectations is ideal for Silversea Cruises as we are planning to expand our destinations and ports of call. We hope to go back to the Eastern Med and explore more of Asia. We also want to add more regular itineraries on popular routes and visit new, smaller parts of the world.
Our new ship Silver Origin, Silversea’s first ever destination- specific ship, will sail in the Galapagos Islands, with a fleet of zodiacs and kayaks to offer the ultimate destination cruise experience.
Silversea is on the verge of huge growth, with new ships on the horizon, including Silver Moon, sister ship to Silver Muse, arriving in August 2020 and Silver Dawn in 2021. We also have two Evolution-class ships joining the fleet in 2022 and 2023.
Will the travel trade still play a key role in the cruise line’s growth?
We are fully committed to agents and have a strong sales team of five regional sales managers on the road to assist the trade in any way they can. Travel agents are critical to our growth plans, by way of their recommendations and reassurance and by pairing the right guest to the right ship.
To this end, we aim to showcase our ships to the travel trade through more training programmes, more ship visits and via organised mini fam trips. We want agents to experience our product - first-hand-knowledge is key to selling Silversea Cruises.
What do you love most about Silversea Cruises?
Where do I start? The attentive service is first class! The product is second to none. However, for me, my favourite part of cruising is arriving in famous cities - for example, sailing past the Sydney Opera House, seeing Table Mountain in Cape Town or sailing backwards up the River Thames and under Tower Bridge!
I can’t wait to sail in Antarctica, would love to explore the smaller Greek Islands and also have Alaska and the Galapagos Islands on my bucket list!
SEPTEMBER 2019


Silver Origin Basecamp
Now open for sale – The all-suite, 100-guest Silver Origin will embark on her maiden voyage in July 2020.
Medallion Suite
Explorer Lounge


WESTERN ITINERARY
This 7-day journey in the Galápagos Islands will immerse you in nature’s most spectacular wonders. The western itinerary allows you to get up close to giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, sea lions, manta rays and more. Walk across otherworldly lava fields and learn about the islands’ history before and after Darwin made them famous.
DAY
1 SAN CRISTOBAL
1 ROCA LEON DORMIDO
2 ISLA BARTHOLOME
2 PLAYA ESPUMILLA
3 PUNTA VICENTE ROCA
3 PUNTA ESPINOZA
4 CALETA TAGUS
4 BAHIA ELIZABETH
5 POST OFFICE
5 ISLOTE CAMPION
5 PUNTA CORMORANT
6 CERRO DRAGON
6 LAS BACHAS
7 PUERTO AYORA
7 PUERTO AYORA
8 BALTRA
ARRIVE / DEPART
16:15
17:15 18:30
01:15 12:00
14:30 22:30
06:30 12:30
14:30 06:00
06:30 11:00
14:30 19:00
06:30 10:15
11:30 15:00
15:20 18:00
23:00 14:00
15:20 22:00
DEPARTURE DATES & FARES FROM
18 Jul 2020
01 Aug 2020
15 Aug 2020
29 Aug 2020
12 Sep 2020
26 Sep 2020
10 Oct 2020
24 Oct 2020
07 Nov 2020
21 Nov 2020
05 Dec 2020
£?, £8,600???
£8,600
£8,600
£8,600
£8,100
£8,100
£? £8,100,???
£8,100
£8,100
£8,100
£8,100
Punta Vicente Roca
Punta Espinoza
Playa Espumilla
Caleta Tagus
Bartolome
Las Bachas, Santa Cruz
Cerro Dragon Bahia Elizabeth
Baltra
Estacion Darwin & Puerto Ayora
Roca Leon Dormido
San Cristobal
02:15
23:00
Post Office
Islote Campéon
Punta Cormorant
02:30
NORTH CENTRAL ITINERARY
Much more than a destination, discover the islands’ heritage as
a living museum for all humanity. Get to know the Galápagos’ inhabitants - from the red-footed, blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, to marine iguanas and sea lions - just a part of what you’ll experience on this voyage. Every corner of this central/northern itinerary will inspire you just as it inspired Charles Darwin almost two centuries ago.
DAY
1 BALTRA
1 ISLA DAPHNE GRANDE
2 BAHIA DARWIN
2 EL BARRANCO
3 SEYMOUR NORTE
3 BAHIA SULLIVAN
4 RABIDA
4 EL EDEN, SANTA CRUZ
5 GALAPAGUERA CERRO COLORADO
5 PUNTA PITT
6 BAHIA GARDNER
6 PUNTA SUAREZ
7 PUERTO AYORA
7 PLAZA SUR
8 SAN CRISTOBAL
ARRIVE / DEPART
16:30
17:30 00:30
06:45
22:00
03:00 12:30
14:30 04:30
06:45 12:00
14:30 23:00
07:00 12:00
15:00 22:30
03:30 13:00
13:45 22:00
03:15 12:00
14:30 22:00
01:45
DEPARTURE DATES & FARES FROM
25 Jul 2020
08 Aug 2020
22 Aug 2020
05 Sep 2020
19 Sep 2020 03 Oct 2020 17 Oct 2020 31 Oct 2020
14 Nov 2020
28 Nov 2020
12 Dec 2020
£8,600
£8,600
£8,600
£8,100
£8,100 £8,100 £8,100 £8,100
£8,100
£8,100
£8,100
Bahia Darwin El Barranco
Isla Daphne Grande
Bahia Sullivan Rábida
El Eden,Santa Cruz
Estacion Darwin & Puerto Ayora
Seymour Norte
Baltra
Plazas Sur
Galapaguera Cerro Colorado Punta Pitt
San Cristobal
Punta Suarez
Gardner Bay
For more information or for reservations please call 0207 340 0700, visit silversea.com or email [email protected]