Travel Matters Issue 35 February 2020

ISSUE 35 FEBRUARY 2020
ai158109088463_PHG_Aniversary_TravelMatters.pdf 1 7/2/20 16:54
BREAKING NEW GROUND FOR THE TRAVEL TRADE IN SCOTLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND, NORTH OF ENGLAND & IOM
Bless Collection Hotels, Ibiza. Spain
For us, commemorating another year is so much more than just celebrating an increasing number. It is looking back and seeing everything that we’ve achieved. It’s having begun with 2 hotels in Ibiza and now having 48 all over the world, with quality services for all tastes, ages and destinations. Its having witnessed clients turn into fans and having been partners with sports legends like Rafa Nadal and Real Madrid.
It’s our 50th anniversary and we’ve realized that commemorating another year is not the most important thing to us. What’s important is celebrating the dreams accomplished during these years.
Celebrating 50 years is only the beginning
PALLADIUMHOTELGROUP.COM


Grand Palladium Sicilia Resort & Spa. Italy
Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife. Spain
We Have
Palladium Hotel Costa del sol. Malaga - Spain
It All
Palladium Hotel Menorca. Spain
We have the
Experiences Beauty Luxury Excellence
People Commitment Know how Strenght Devotion Gratitude
PALLADIUMHOTELGROUP.COM


ISSUE 35 FEBRUARY 2020
BREAKING NEW GROUND FOR THE TRAVEL TRADE IN SCOTLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND, NORTH OF ENGLAND & IOM
Usa HiGHliGHTs
PlUs
2021 Viking River Cruises now on sale
FOCUs On weDDinGs & HOneYMOOns


Time for an adventure...
As the days get longer and we all start to come out of hibernation (especially Gregorz!), let’s hope customers are planning their next travel adventure!
Our USA Highlights reveal that there are plenty of opportunities for a city break, activity holiday or a trip of a lifetime in this vast country. Families can take a multi-generational holiday, a fly/drive or an organised tour to explore the contrasting landscapes of national parks and/or the theme parks. alternatively, your customers may prefer a relaxing rail journey through the stunning scenery.
Our Focus on Weddings & Honeymoons features lots of ways in which to ‘tie the knot’ whether it’s in a church, on a beach, in the mountains, or even on a surfboard!
Let the romance be with you....
@travelmatters.biz @TravelMatBiz @travelmattersbiz @travelmattersbiz Read last month’s issue online at... www.travelmatters.biz
Andrea Pellicci
Director
07766 010272 [email protected]
Travel MattersTM is published by GAH Publishing Ltd, 96 Craigleith Hill Crescent, Edinburgh, EH4 2JP
Gary Reavely
Director
07762 630057 [email protected]
Hilary Douglas
Director
07989 414454 [email protected]
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the prior permission of the copyright holder. All prices and data are correct at time of publication. Opinions expressed in Travel Matters are not necessarily those of the publisher and GAH Publishing does not accept responsibility for any mistakes that may occur.
Printed by Claro Print.
For magazine delivery and subscription enquiries, email [email protected]


news
newmarket holidays’ amy Drummond has been out and about visiting agents, including aBr travel in newmains for a ‘Meet the expert Day’, designed to help train agent staff about how to effectively sell newmarket products and to spread the word about the company’s new portfolio.
pictured are: (from front to back): amy Drummond - newmarket holidays; liz ross - owner; natalie hamill - sales Consultant; Chloe Stark - Manager and Philip Morton - Sales Consultant.
Pictured are: Mukesh Sharma, Director of Hannon Travel with Founder and Managing Director, Eimer Hannon
northern ireland corporate travel management company, Hannon Travel, has signed up to the newly launched Go Carbon neutral initiative, set up by social enterprise Forestry partners, a campaign to position businesses across ireland at the forefront of global climate change mitigation projects.
Mukesh Sharma, Director, Hannon Travel said: “We’ve been offering our clients carbon neutral flights for some time, as well as advising them on ways to reduce their overall emissions. But we felt this wasn’t enough and more was needed.
“i am delighted to announce our partnership with Forestry partners’ fledgling go Carbon neutral campaign which aims to help at least 250 local companies offset their carbon emissions.”
Newcastle - Amsterdam
2 for 1 Mini Cruise
En suite room Delicious cuisine Live entertainment
Get all this and more when you travel by hotel on a mini cruise from Newcastle to Amsterdam. Plus a day spent exploring the city.
dfds.co.uk/agent
Book online or call 0871 522 9955 by 29/02/20 and use offer code M20NA241. *T&C’s apply, price based on 2 sharing.
2323_TravelMatters_241_190x120.indd 1 29/01/2020 13:52 FEBRUARY 2020
5


Inside Guide...
14-15
Discover Bangkok with Turkish Airlines
23
Discover America with United
35
14 north american destinations with Aer Lingus
54
Face to Face with Antonio Paradiso, MSC Cruises
71
Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife
19
2021 Viking River Cruises now on sale
22-43
USA Highlights
25
10% off with trafalgar
31
Tax free shopping in Philadelphia
32-33
Endless adventures - Travelsphere
42-43
Two destinations - one journey - icelandair
45
Family sale now on - rCi
56-65
Focus on Weddings & Honeymoons
58-59
5-star luxury included - Sandals Resorts
38-39
Discover Whidbey & Camano islands
46
Q&A with Simon Rickman, Air Astana
61
Seychelles - Perfect place for a Wedding & Honeymoon
75
Have it all at the Palladium Hotel Group
FEBRUARY 2020


NORTHERN BELLE
LUXURY TRAIN
GREAT BRITAIN
THE MARQUE OF LUXURY
GLAMOUR, FUN -
AND BRITAIN AT ITS BEST
THE MARQUE OF LUXURY HAND-CRAFTED SPLENDOUR
Luxuriously adorned carriages, gastronomic gems, fun excursions and a welcoming ambience ensure an unforgettable experience. Welcome to Britain’s most luxurious train.
•
*
COMPLIMENTARY BOTTLE OF LAURENT-PERRIER CHAMPAGNE PER COUPLE BOOKED
CELEBRATE OUR 20TH SEASON WITH THE TRADE
• CELEBRATIONS & FINE DINING
• CASTLES & GARDENS
• UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES
• COASTS & LAKES
• SPORTING & SOCIAL EVENTS • HISTORIC TOWNS & CITIES
• AT LEISURE COLLECTION
• GENEROUS AGENT DISCOUNTS & INCENTIVES
• FREE TRAVEL FOR AGENTS & PASSENGERS FOR BOOKINGS OF 20+
NORTHERN BELLE
Call Travel Centre: 01270 899664
2 Chapel Court, Hospital Street, Nantwich. CW5 5RP. northernbelle.co.uk/groups-charters
*Available to persons 18 & over, applies to bookings made between 1ST Feb 2020 to 30TH March 2020


news
New rewards from Fred. Olsen
Agents who make a booking with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ new ‘Save up to £300 per person’ offer throughout February can earn themselves up to £50 in shopping vouchers, for bookings made by 2nd March 2020 inclusive.
on selected sailings of five nights or more, guests can enjoy a saving of £100 per person, rising to a £200 per person saving for selected cruises between nine and 12 nights and £300 per person for selected sailings of 13 nights and above.
Agents who make a booking onto one of the included sailings will earn themselves a £20 voucher for every interior room booking; £30 for every ocean View or Superior Ocean View; £40 for every Balcony Room and £50 for every Suite.
All travel agents need to do to qualify is use the promotional code TREATME at the time of booking.
geoff ridgeon, head of sales at Fred. olsen Cruise lines, said:“this attractive new offer brings with it great savings for returning guests looking to take a holiday with us once again and for those who have not sailed with us before.
“With over 170 itineraries included, whether your customer is dreaming of escaping to the Caribbean over the Winter, looking to enjoy a short city break in a romantic European capital, or wanting to explore the quaint towns and majestic cities found along the banks of the Rhine, Moselle, Main and Danube, there will be a Fred. Olsen itinerary to suit.
“This booking incentive is a great way for us to say ‘thank you’ to our many wonderful and loyal trade partners, whose continued support we so appreciate, for promoting our February offer to their customers.”
Links extends agent incentive
Asia specialists Links Travel & Tours have extended their January agents’ incentive to include February bookings.
The company is rewarding agents with Love2Shop vouchers for bookings they make over the value of £2,098. For every small group tour and tailor-made journey confirmed up to 29th February 2020, agents
will be sent a £20 Love2Shop voucher at the end of the month. As the incentive is per booking, the more bookings made, the higher the value of vouchers received.
Travel Trade manager Brian Langford commented: “Following the excellent response we had to the January incentive, we have decided to extend it to cover February bookings. we really appreciate the effort that agents go
to when they sell our product, especially with the current situation in China and we are delighted to be able to thank them in this way.”
Agent offers with Newmarket Holidays
The 2020 Newmarket Holidays Premium Inclusive European River Cruise brochure features 44 sailings across 13 itineraries aboard the fleet of A-ROSA vessels.
in addition to sailings aimed at traditional river-cruisers, the programme includes several ‘multi-generational’ cruises designed for families, as well as a selection of 2020 Festive Season sailings.
the operator is planning a number of events and offers for agents throughout the year, in support of the new programme. Agents will receive £25 on all Premium inclusive a-rosa bookings made until 29th February (inclusive). Love2Shop vouchers of the same value are also available.
As an extra incentive, agents who make A-ROSA bookings will also be entered into a prize draw, for the chance to win a five-night fam trip on the Danube river.
FEBRUARY 2020




The Voice of Travel in Scotland
When the going gets tough - the tough get going!
With yet another January under our belts, all reports are showing that it’s been a very strong Peaks period for the high street and home working agents.
People want the security of having an agent look after them throughout the whole booking journey. Add to this mix, easyJet holidays coming into the market place and the days of dynamically packaging a holiday rather than booking the conventional package holiday, is not always the cheapest option.
Flight only prices with the low-cost carriers have all risen as they want the full package rather than selling just their seats. Thinking back to the days when we had so many operators to sell out of Scotland, it is really quite sad that we now have so few.
Join us for the
SPRING NETWORKING
SEMINAR & LUNCH
Thursday 19th March
at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel
The CAA article issued in January advised customers to book with travel agents, after its survey of over 4,000 consumers. 33% of them did not know how to check for ATOL protection and almost two thirds, 65%, said they were not put off booking a holiday this year after the Thomas Cook collapse.
it’s been a busy month at the spaa including meetings with airports, Associate Members and another round of political meetings at holyrood. it is very positive to see the progress and development at our airports. i recently went through Aberdeen Airport, which i had not been to in several years and could not believe the difference in the terminal building. The connectivity with the new road link now saves so much time for commuters.
Our airports are at the forefront
of looking for ways to improve the customer journey and not just the experience in the airport. Edinburgh has invested so much in its terminal and security - every time i’m there, i find yet another new restaurant or bar has opened and they still are looking at further extensions.
The new Valet parking facility they now offer is fantastic and feedback from customers has been that it is a truly first-class product. Both glasgow and Edinburgh are working on getting better connectivity to the airports with Glasgow pushing for the much-needed rail link whilst Edinburgh is pushing for improvements to the existing access road as well as a new road in to the airport from the M8.
SPAA will be fully working and supporting both of these projects.
We are still keeping close relationships with MSPs around legislation and are still actively involved with discussions on the importance of regional air connectivity. i’m delighted that we have a table of MSPs attending the Dinner this month. This again forges our relationship with Parliament and our industry and to hear our views
on what we need to see happen for a fairer, sustainable future for travel.
As usual, lots of things have been happening in travel - events that make all our jobs at times so challenging.
in the last few weeks alone there has been unrest in the gulf; bush fires in Australia; the Coronavirus and the impact on travelling to and from China, not to mention the B word. One thing for sure, we are a resilient bunch and we just get on with it! We have all been here several times before and always do what we do best! Stay positive, open minded and work in collaboration with each other. This is what makes this industry quite unique and so special.
i hope to see lots of you at the annual Dinner, where i am looking forward to talking about our great industry! Warts and all. But i’m not so sure about the Haggis!
Joanne, President SPAA
Come along to the
STAR EXHIBITION
Thursday 2nd April Principal Roxburgh Hotel, Edinburgh
Exhibition H Networking H Buffet & Bar PLUS WIN! some fabulous prizes!
For more information and to register for these events, please contact Janice - [email protected]
FEBRUARY 2020


ASSOCIATE MEMBER NEWS BYTES
A secure and cost effective way for your customers to manage their holiday spending...
The Escape Travel Money Prepaid Mastercard® Card is the simple, efficient way for your customers to manage their spending money whilst abroad. it is Free to purchase (min £100 load), features competitive foreign exchange rates and there is even an option to have an additional second card – for a travelling companion or to keep safe as a spare!
also, as an official agent, you will benefit from zero set up costs, a full CRM programme to drive reloads and 1.5% agent commission on all card loads for the full 3 year lifetime of the card.
the escape travel Card is just one offering from omnio, a global banking and payment services provider formed by the 2019 merger of Tuxedo Money Solutions and Payment Cloud Technologies (PCT).
to find out more, please contact our Relationship Manager, Joanne Briggs:
Email: [email protected] Tel: 07585 950 285
Website: www.escapetravelcard.com
Extensive portfolio from Youtravel
Youtravel.com is a leading accommodation-only supplier, offering travel agents and tour operators exclusive access to quality hotels and resorts around the world and with Fti as our parent company, we offer our agents financial stability.
We have a portfolio of 50,000+ hotels, resorts and apartments across the globe and we also now have an extensive offering in city locations across the world. Jodie Turner is your Account Manager and will be out to see you all very soon.
in the meantime, please feel free to contact Jodie on:
Email: [email protected] Phone: 07917 690084
new ship for CMV
2021 heralds another exciting year for CMV with the addition of our new flagship, the splendid amy Johnson.
Amy Johnson is a mid-size cruise ship combining beautiful, contemporary décor with a more traditional cruise style with her maiden voyage set for 14th April, 2021.
2021 will also see four ships dedicated to the British cruise market, sailing year-round from 11 UK departure ports including Dundee.
Our itinerary planners have been busy crafting some truly spectacular cruises for 2021, including our ever-popular cruising holidays to the breathtaking norwegian fjords, the glorious Baltics & russia, iceland and around the uk and we’re sure you will find a cruise to tempt your clients.
to find out more, contact:
Ryan Carroll
Business Development Manager –
Scotland & Northern Ireland
Cruise & Maritime Voyages
Tel: 07809 904842
Email: [email protected]
Let the train take the strain with Avanti
Avanti West Coast operates trains to major towns and cities across the UK, serving 49 stations and connecting three countries on the West Coast Main Line. Frequent services depart from: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and many more and take people from seat to city centre - fast, green and without the fuss of road
or air travel.
Passengers are free to take care of business onboard the UK’s only tilting trains, reaching speeds of 125 mph and receive complimentary WiFi on every service.
Your network never looked better. See for yourself at
avantiwestcoast.co.uk
For more information, contact:
Claire Walton
Email: Claire.Walton@ avantiwestcoast.co.uk
FEBRUARY 2020


news
MEDITERRANEAN NIGHTS
with Youtravel
Youtravel will be hosting agents for an evening of fun activities, food, drinks and prizes, in their Mediterranean Nights Roadshow.
Agents can discover
what each hotel and area has to offer as well as enter the prize draws for an opportunity to win hotel stays, excursions and local goodies!
The Roadshow will visit Belfast on 23rd March at the Ten Square Hotel and Manchester on 24th March at the MacDonald Manchester Hotel.
To sign up, follow the links below:
Belfast event
www.facebook.com/ events/16421079492 63953
Manchester event
www.facebook.com/ events/59056956842 4270
MARCH 2020
11 MARCH
The Amazing Thailand Roadshow
Glasgow
12 MARCH
Geordie Ball
Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park, newcastle
16 MARCH
Visit Orlando Roadshow, Glasgow
17 MARCH
Visit Orlando Roadshow, newcastle
19 MARCH
SPAA Pre-Lunch Seminar & Spring Network Lunch Marriott Glasgow
23 MARCH
YouTravel Mediterranean Nights Roadshow
Belfast
24 MARCH
Face to Face with TIPTO, Edinburgh
31 MARCH
Face to Face with TIPTO, Belfast
APRIL 2020
02 APRIL
STAR Exhibition
Principal Roxburgh Hotel, Edinburgh
06 APRIL
CMV Magellan ship visit, Belfast
23 APRIL
Visit California STAR Quiz, Belfast
MAY 2020
05 MAY
SPAA Glasgow Quiz
06 MAY
Visit California STAR Quiz, Edinburgh
12 MAY
SPAA Edinburgh Quiz
15 MAY
CMV Magellan ship visit, Dundee
20 MAY
CMV Marco Polo ship visit, Belfast
26 MAY
SPAA Aberdeen Quiz
Douglas Hotel Aberdeen
31 MAY
CMV Magellan ship visit, newcastle
JUNE 2020
02 JUNE
SPAA Quiz Final, Glasgow 02 JUNE
Bright Travel Training event
Glasgow
18 JUNE
SPAA Summer in the City
Glasgow
19 JUNE
CMV Columbus ship visit, invergordon
22 JUNE
CMV Columbus ship visit, Belfast
23 JUNE
CMV Magellan ship visit, Greenock
25 JUNE
Events for Travel Luxury Hotels Roadshow Belfast
AUGUST 2020
20 AUGUST
SPAA Golf Day
Lanark Golf Course
SEPTEMBER 2020
03 SEPTEMBER
Sparkle Awards
Principal George Hotel, Edinburgh
08 SEPTEMBER
CMV Magellan ship visit, invergordon
10 SEPTEMBER
STAR Exhibition
Douglas Hotel, Aberdeen
10 SEPTEMBER
CMV Marco Polo ship visit, newcastle
11 SEPTEMBER
CMV Marco Polo ship visit, Aberdeen
14 SEPTEMBER
Events for Travel Luxury Hotels Roadshow, Aberdeen
15 SEPTEMBER
Events for Travel Luxury Hotels Roadshow Glasgow
16 SEPTEMBER
Events for Travel Luxury Hotels Roadshow, Edinburgh
17 SEPTEMBER
Events for Travel Luxury Hotels Roadshow, Durham
OCTOBER 2020
12 OCTOBER
CMV Marco Polo ship visit, newcastle
NOVEMBER 2020
05 NOVEMBER
SPAA Annual Travel Awards
Doubletree Hilton Hotel, Glasgow
DECEMBER 2020
01 DECEMBER
STAR Exhibition
Doubletree Hilton, Glasgow
10 DECEMBER
SPAA AGM & Christmas Lunch, Glasgow
BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEER HOLDER
FEBRUARY 2020
DATES
FOR YOUR
DIARY


news
Meet with
new sales manager for Abercrombie
& Kent
Abercrombie & Kent has appointed Richard Hey as Agency Sales Manager, covering the North.
Pictured are: Richard Hey - A&K Agency Sales Manager, North and Laura Dawson –
C&K Agency Sales Manager, North
Visit Orlando has announced a series of travel agent training events taking place throughout the UK this March.
The 2020 Visit Orlando Roadshow, in association with Walt Disney World Resort Florida, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Universal Orlando Resort, will provide the latest updates on new hotels, attractions and experiences.
The event will also include an expanded Visit Orlando Marketplace, providing an opportunity for agents to get tips on selling the Orlando experience through one-on-one meetings. Attendees will also have the chance to win various prizes, including a place on the 2020 Visit Orlando Super Fam or two tickets to Dua lipa’s “Future nostalgia” arena tour.
The Roadshow will visit Glasgow on Monday 16th March at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel and newcastle on tuesday 17th March at the County hotel newcastle.
richard, who has previously held roles with the lux Collective and if only, will work alongside laura Dawson, trade sales Manager north, for Cox & Kings to increase agent sales for both programmes respectively.
Last year, a majority stake in the Abercrombie & Kent Group was acquired by investment company the Heritage Group, headed by Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio whose family founded ultra-luxury cruise company Silversea.
Kerry Golds, Managing Director commented: “The trade is a crucial pillar
of our business and has gone from strength to strength over recent years. Richard’s expertise will be vital in an exciting time for A&K and C&K respectively. With our Agency Sales Teams now focussed on providing specialist knowledge, we have a solid platform on which to further pioneer the world of luxury travel with our trade partners.”
Fly the World’s Best Leisure Airline to Canada
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Get a taste of true Canadian hospitality even before you land
Fly direct to Toronto all year from Glasgow, Manchester and London Gatwick
airtransat.co.uk | [email protected]
Direct flights to Montreal and Vancouver available in summer, with connections to Calgary and Quebec City. See more
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FEBRUARY 2020
13


Thailand’s capital city is an incredibly vibrant, large home to 11 million people - a city that bewitches and bewilders its visitors, leaving them feeling energized after a stay here.
Hot, loud, frenetic, exotic - Bangkok
is full of contrasts. From its gleaming temples and massive street markets to billboard covered skyscrapers. Take a tuk tuk to Chinatown or a long tail boat through the amazing floating markets.
Shopping is a big attraction in Bangkok - the Siam area is the epi-centre
where you can stroll through lots of air conditioned mega malls. Tell your clients to go and haggle for a bargain at the famous weekend market at Chatuchak with an estimated 8,000 stalls - if you can’t buy it here, it’s probably not made!
The city’s Chao Praya River is a huge focus and a constantly changing scene with water taxis ferrying commuters, rice barges chugging upstream, floating restaurants abound and the river banks are lined with temples, palaces and five- star hotels.
TOP TIPS
• it is hot year round in thailand but always check the weather for your clients. thailand has different seasons - for example, it can be the rainy season on the East Coast but not on the West.
• The full day trip to the Bridge over The River Kwai site is hugely popular, so make sure you book it in advance for your clients to avoid disappointment.
• the unesCo world heritage site at Ayutthaya -the ancient capital of Siam - is another fantastic full day tour - but again, pre-book.
The City of Angels
• A must see experience in Bangkok is a visit and tour of The Grand Palace, once home to the Kings of Siam. The complex includes the Emerald Buddha and The Royal Coronation Hall.
• ThaiSilkisfamoustheworldoverand rightly so - the most well-known place to have a look is at Jim Thompson’s House. He was an American business- man who single handedly revitalized the Thai Silk industry. He mysteriously disappeared in Malaysia, never to be found.
• The elevated Skytrain and Under- ground system are both clean and efficient, making travelling about Bangkok both easy and enjoyable.
• Clients need to be aware of etiquette in thailand and be respectful. it is considered extremely rude to touch a person’s head. if visiting thai temples, shoulders and knees must be covered for both sexes, shoes must be removed before entering a temple and the soles of feet should never point towards a Buddha statue or symbol.
STOPOVER IN ISTANBUL
when flying with turkish airlines, to Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Far east, passengers can now benefit from complimentary hotel accommodation when they choose to have a stopover in istanbul.
The 4-star hotel service is provided for 1 night for Economy Class and 2 nights in a 5-star hotel for Business Class passengers with a voucher that will be issued prior to departure for international transit passengers. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Be sure to recommend to your clients that they stop off for a few nights in istanbul. one of the most incredible cities. istanbul has it all - spectacular setting, world famous sights and attractions, great shopping, restaurants and hotels and a truly vibrant and eclectic atmosphere.
TOUR ISTANBUL
a unique benefit when you fly with turkish airlines. if clients have a layover in istanbul between 6 and 24 hours before their onward Turkish Airlines’ flight, they can take advantage of this free tour, allowing them to discover the delights of istanbul for themselves!
turkish airlines flies to Bangkok with daily connections from Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, London and Dublin. Your clients will not only love the excellent inflight service and amenities, but also enjoy a generous free baggage allowance in both Business and Economy class. Turkish airlines flies to 317 destinations in 126 countries worldwide.
FEBRUARY 2020
Bangkok


DISCOVER MORE:
with the airline that flies to more countries than any other
THAILAND


GREGORZ HAD A BALL AT THE TRAVEL COUNSELLORS’ BURNS NIGHT, HOSTED BY MURIEL MORGAN
O, wad some power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us!
FEBRUARY 2020


There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing.
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
It’s coming yet for a’ that,
That Man to Man, the world o’er, Shall brothers be for a’ that.
FEBRUARY 2020
17


DAVID STEVEN
senior sales eXeCutiVe, eMirates
since i was a child, aviation has been one of my biggest passions and having completed my college studies at 18,
i was quick to seek a career within
the industry. My initial role was in airline sales, before i progressed on to working with clients in travel shops in locations across London.
Around 2007, there was some exciting news circling around Tyneside. Emirates – the global airline – was about to start a daily service from newcastle airport. what’s more, they were looking for new team members.
i knew i needed a new challenge in a demanding role with a fast pace environment. without hesitation, i applied for one of their senior ticket desk positions – and i was fortunate enough to land it first time.
i remember the excitement of starting out – meeting new people and learning something new every day. it was a joy to go to work. After 18 months earning my stripes on the ticket desk, i was promoted to a sales executive role.
initially tasked with establishing the new agent market in newcastle, i now manage the local independent travel agent client accounts whilst keeping a close eye on market share and competitor activity.
i find the best approach is to just be myself and to support our local agents as much as possible.
The UK is one of Emirates’ strongest and most profitable markets, growing 6-8% every year and it’s been incredible to see the airline grow and to be part of this. Today, Emirates operates more than 130 non-stop flights per week from the uk to Dubai, including the iconic A380 and our game-changing 777s. UK travellers love flying on emirates’ all-wide body aircraft fleet to enjoy our industry- leading service, pioneering inflight entertainment and outstanding comfort. Agents like to draw on this when selling flights and we encourage them to experience the service first- hand when looking to increase their Emirates’ business.
As part of our promotional work, we often think of new ways to work with travel agents to drive sales to different destinations in Emirates’ network of 158 destinations. We’ve organised agent hospitality at local events such as Lady Gaga, Kylie, Michael Bublé and Rhianna, as well as cricket and football matches. We have also run some fantastic national trade incentives – including a Mini Cooper giveaway!
Getting facetime with prospective clients and building personal relation- ships is crucial in our industry and
we try and create touchpoints that facilitate this. One event which stands
out is the 2017 celebration evening for the 10th anniversary of the newcastle route, which was attended by more than 150 agents!
Highlights of my career include being voted Best Travel Rep for two years running at the north east travel Awards (2017 and 2018) as well as Emirates winning Best Airline in those two years! i also had the honour of attending the Chairman’s Awards in Dubai in 2013 and shook hands with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group.
My advice for anyone wanting to
step into travel sales would be to try and develop a thick skin, be self- motivated, aware of the market and above all, be yourself. i embraced the challenge from the word go and it is great to represent such an iconic and respected brand.
David pictured with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman &
CEO of Emirates’ Group
FEBRUARY 2020


2021 RIVER CRUISES NOW ON SALE
2021 RIVER CRUISES
EUROPE X RUSSIA X ASIA X EGYPT
THE WORLD’S LEADING RIVER CRUISE LINE...BY FAR®


2021 Viking river cruises now on sale
Rhine Getaway from £1,495pp 8 days, 6 guided tours
Departing March to December 2021
Amsterdam • Kinderdijk • Cologne • Koblenz & Rüdesheim Speyer • Strasbourg • Breisach • Basel
Romantic Danube from £1,595pp 8 days, 6 guided tours
Departing April to December 2021
Budapest • Vienna • Krems • Passau • Regensburg
Lyon and Provence from £1,595pp 8 days, 7 guided tours
Departing March to November 2021
Lyon • Vienne • Tournon • Viviers • Avignon • Arles • Avignon
Portugal’s River of Gold from £2,195pp 10 days, 8 guided tours
Departing April to November 2021
Lisbon • Porto • Régua • Barca d’Alva • Salamanca Pinhão • Régua • Porto
Passage to Eastern Europe from £2,245pp 11 days, 7 guided tours
Departing March to November 2021
Budapest • Kalocsa • Vukovar • Belgrade • Golubac • Vidin Russe • Bucharest
Waterways of the Tsars from £3,095pp 13 days, 10 guided tours
Departing May to October 2021
St Petersburg • Mandrogy • Kizhi • Kuzino • Yaroslavl Uglich • Moscow
020 8780 7900 www.madefortrade.co.uk
Prices correct at time of going to print but are subject to availability and change. From prices are per person and based on two people sharing the lowest grade stateroom available, departing on selected dates in 2021. Single supplements apply. Please note on selected cruises a visa may be required and is at the passengers own expense. Gratuities included on board ship only. For more information please visit vikingcruises.co.uk/terms-conditions or call us.


Enjoy it all, it’s all included
Inspiring destinations. Exciting excursions. Beautiful ships. Fabulous food. Warm service. Worldwide awards. A Viking river cruise is defined by all these things, and something else too. Great value for money. From onboard gratuities to onshore excursions, there are a host of ‘extras’ that won’t cost a penny more. We call it Viking Value. Your clients will call it brilliant.
Every Viking river cruise includes:
• Return flights from the UK, including flights from selected regional airports
• A choice of staterooms and suites
• Onboard meals
• Quality wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board
• Onboard Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
• Expert guided excursions
• Tea, coffee, snacks and bottled water on board • Onboard enrichment programme
• Onboard gratuities
2021 eight-day river cruises from £1,495pp [email protected] www.madefortrade.co.uk


Viking gives you great support and great opportunities
It pays to work with the best and that’s why agents love working with Viking. After all, Viking gives you so much more. We offer:
• Dedicated trade team to help you with everything Viking
• Great communications to keep you updated on news and products via a regular newsletter • Trade-only website hosting product training modules, marketing materials and giveaways
• Regular competitions with fabulous prizes.
Make a 2021 Viking river cruise booking to be in with a chance of winning one of 3 fantastic prizes:
Place on a 5-night Rhine FAM trip | Apple Watch 3 | 2 piece, Tripp hand luggage set
All you need to do, is make a 2021 river cruise booking and email your Viking booking reference to [email protected] before 31 March 2020.
One entry per booking. Winners drawn at random on 1 April 2020. Applicable to 2021 bookings only.
[email protected] www.madefortrade.co.uk
PTO


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ABTA to mark
70th anniversary
ABTA is marking its 70th anniversary this
year with a range of events, including a
new commemorative logo. the first meeting of aBta, formerly known as the Association of British Travel Agents, took place in June 1950.
Celebratory activities will include ‘ABTA at 70’ Spring Regional Business meetings and a reception to celebrate ABTA’s 70 Years after its conference in June.
The new commemorative logo, designed especially for the 70th anniversary, features the trademark ABTA globe as well as aBta’s “travel with Confidence” message. it will be used in ABTA branding and Members will receive special 70th anniversary customer-facing materials to use as part of the subscriptions renewal process in July.
BE A PINEAPPLE... STAND TALL,
WEAR A CROWN,
AND BE SWEET ON THE INSIDE
e
Pictured are (L to R): Simon Owen, Head of Sales; Kerry Gallagher, Marketing Director; Lisa McAuley, Managing Director and Leyna McKenzie, Assistant Marketing & Partnerships Manager, all Travel 2.
e
Burns Night in its offices in Glasgow, with Tunnocks Teacakes and shortbread (and of course, some cans of Irn-Bru) being handed out on its peaks tea trolley.
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Global travel supply:
600,000+ accommodations in 200+ countries
35+ types of accommodation including vacation rentals
500+ airlines covering more than 6,500+ airports
175+ car rental companies with a presence in 3,000+ rental car locations
35,000+ tours, activities, attractions, and adventures
24 hour customer support:
Dedicated travel agent sales support
www.expedia.uk/taap
Agent Support – 0203 027 9793 (option1) [email protected]
FEBRUARY 2020
21


Usa HiGHliGHTs
Chicago - Best
Large City
In 2019, the city of Chicago was named ‘Best Large City’ in the USA
for the third year in a row by Condé Nast Traveller magazine. Offering everything from shopping and a wide range of attractions and museums to restaurants galore, visitors to Chicago will find plenty of things to see and do.
navy pier should be on everyone’s list. this
family-friendly attraction has endless options
for fun including scenic boat rides on the lakes,
fireworks displays, local food, the largest rooftop bar in the county, free outdoor music, indoor gardens, carnival rides and more.
the Centennial wheel at pier park is one of navy pier’s most recognisable sights. This nearly 200-foot ride, inspired by the world’s first Ferris wheel that debuted at Chicago’s World Fair, consists of climate-controlled gondolas that take you soaring almost above the lakefront. in the summer there are fireworks displays every Wednesday and Saturday, from May to September which are great to watch from one of the many cruise boats.
Chicago also has two thrilling observation deck experiences, located in two of the city’s tallest skyscrapers. Skydeck at Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) invites you to literally step out on The Ledge, or rather a glass box that extends approximately 4 feet from the skyscraper’s facade, over 1,300-feet above ground level.
tilt at 360 ChiCago, located within 875 n. Michigan ave. (formerly the John Hancock Center), tips you out and over The Magnificent Mile, offering views over the city and Lake Michigan from 1,000 feet up.
Discover our new small group tours to the United States.
With so many cities existing side-by-side with natural wonder and untouched wilderness, it’s no surprise that the United States are the birthplace of the modern road trip. Few places on Earth can claim the variety, scope and scale, plus its many influences from around the world. Check out our newly added tours to the United States.
Deep South to DC — Music, Eats, and Culture
15 days | New Orleans to Washington DC | From £2,699*
Northeast Discovery — DC to Boston
8 days | Washington DC to Boston | From £1,799*
Hiking Utah’s Big 5
9 days | Las Vegas to Las Vegas | From £1,249*
24/7 Agent Hotline: 0344 272 2200 gadventures.co.uk/new-tours
ABTA No.Y6125 *Prices vary and are subject to availability. For full booking terms, visit gadventures.co.uk/teArBmTsA No.Y6125
FEBRUARY 2020
10808




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New London
to Portland flight
British Airways is to launch a direct flight from London Heathrow to Portland, Oregon commencing 1st June.
Atlantic Joint Business partners, British Airways, american airlines, Finnair and iberia will add eight new routes between europe and north america from next summer.
Flights to Portland will depart on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the route will be operated by one of British Airways’ newest aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Portland offers visitors an international food scene, festivals, craft beer and music, as well as a vast range of outdoor activities from paddle boarding to year-round skiing, thanks to its two rivers and nearby Mount Hood.
Customers will be able to also benefit from British Airways’ enhanced network and relationship with Alaska Airlines to provide seamless travel beyond Portland.
New Alaska experiences
with Holland America Line
In 2020, Holland America Line will offer a wide selection of cruise options in Alaska as well as Land+Sea Journeys, along with the addition of Koningsdam, the cruise line’s newest class of ship.
From April through September, seven ships will sail roundtrip from Seattle or Vancouver, B.C., or one-way between Seward (Anchorage), Alaska and Vancouver. Guests can choose from 15 different Land+Sea Journeys which combine a three-, four- or seven-day Alaska cruise with an inland exploration to spend more time, up to three nights, at Denali national park and preserve.
Holland America Line extends land tour options all the way
to Dawson City, the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush and the unspoiled reaches of the Yukon Territory, with guests travelling on the cruise line’s own rail cars and coaches and staying in their exclusive hotels.
Every Alaska cruise includes a visit to one or more of Alaska’s iconic glacier destinations: glacier Bay national park, hubbard Glacier and the Twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm.
Fourteen-day Great Alaska Explorer Voyages aboard Maasdam offer a new way to explore Alaska. The itineraries, sailing roundtrip Vancouver, call at seldom-visited ports such as Homer and Valdez and offer interactive workshops, lectures and shore excursions, covering nature, food, history and culture. Zodiacs can be boarded directly from the ship for a closer view of glaciers, wildlife and breathtaking scenery, all guided by an expert.
The 14-day Double Denali+Seward Land+Sea Journey also expands in 2020 with an added night at the Alyeska Resort in the Chugach Mountains.
FEBRUARY 2020


*T&cs apply. See website for details.
Offer valid on selected trips. Book by 27 Feb 2020.
Guarantee your clients a holiday
of a lifetime in 2020
10% OFF worldwide trips until 27 Feb 2020
BEST OF SPAIN
15 days 12 cities
Vibrant Spanish cities and the smell of orange zest in Valencia are yours to discover as you indulge in Spain’s distinct art, architecture and culture.
From £2,475pp
TASTES AND SOUNDS
OF THE SOUTH
10 days 5 cities
Join us for a little honky-tonk, home cookin’, hot-footed hoedown and a whole lot of Rock ‘n’ Roll on this Deep South jaunt.
From £2,115pp
SPLENDOURS OF JAPAN
9 days 5 cities
Discover the essence of Japan on a journey of discovery from iconic Tokyo to Takayama and Kyoto and gain an insight into Japanese customs.
From £3,105pp
CANADA’S ROCKIES
7 days 3 cities
This exploration of the Rocky Mountains takes you through scenic icefields, breath-taking lake landscapes and alpine villages.
From £1,462pp
VISIT TRAFALAGAR.COM TO DISCOVER MORE


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Drive your way
to adventure in a
motorhome
Cruise America has added five new rental locations to their US motorhome portfolio.
These include Bozeman in Montana, where, at either end of the state sit two of the world’s most iconic national parks – yellowstone and glacier – plus Charlotte in north Carolina.
the operator also offers a new york east location on long island, perfect for people wanting to explore the scenery in the countryside of new york including Fingers lake and the Adirondacks.
Further south, rental options are now available in nashville and Baton Rouge for customers who want to explore the southern regions of the United States.
Cruise America has a fleet of 4,500 motorhomes, also known as RVs, in the US and Canada.
Take a dive in San Diego
with SeaWorld
Work has begun on the construction of SeaWorld San Diego’s new
dive roller coaster, ‘Emperor’.
Scheduled to open this
summer, the ride will feature
near-vertical drops with a
holding brake at the top of the
coaster, just before the drop. The
Emperor will be the tallest, fastest
and longest dive coaster in California, as
well as the only floorless dive coaster in the state.
Riders, with their feet dangling in the air, will be suspended on a 45-degree angle at the top of the ride, (after climbing to 153 feet), before plunging down a 143-foot facedown vertical drop accelerating to more than 60 miles per
hour. Visitors will also experience inversions, a barrel roll, immelmann loop, hammerhead turn and flat spin as they race along the nearly 2,500 feet of track.
SeaWorld Entertainment and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organisation behind Sesame Street®, plan to open a new Sesame Place® theme park in spring 2021.
Sesame Place San Diego, only the second Sesame Place® in the USA, will be located on the site of the current Aquatica San Diego, SeaWorld’s waterpark. The new park will feature family rides, water slides, live character shows and parades.
The park will also be a Certified Autism Center (CAC), mirroring its Philadelphia sister park, which was the first theme park in the world to achieve this designation. Parents will be able to plan activities around their child’s needs with a park-specific sensory guide on the park’s website and its design will include quiet spaces with adjustable lighting and comfortable seating.
LIVE FOR THE MOMENTS YOU CAN’T PUT INTO WORDS
FEBRUARY 2020


A great time that does good
The SeaWorld Parks offer fun like no other. Guests can ride, splash and play to their heart’s content and rest assured knowing their tickets are helping conservation efforts. Over 36,000 animals have been rescued by SeaWorld’s Rescue Team.
The 3 for 2 Ticket
Enjoy unlimited admission to SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens for two whole weeks. That’s three great parks for one low price, and even more adventures for your family to enjoy. Make sure you don’t miss a moment of what the parks have to offer – and we’ve even thrown in free parking, for stress-free adventuring.
3 for 2 Tickets from £129pp.
DO GOOD, VISIT ATTRACTIONWORLD.COM TODAY.
Individual terms and conditions apply, see attractionworld.com for details. Price correct at time of print and subject to change without prior notice.






Usa HiGHliGHTs
Try a taste of Philadelphia
The city of Philadelphia is an ideal destination for beer lovers, where visitors can taste locally crafted IPAs and lagers.
Yards Brewing Company has been brewing beer since 1994, becoming the first brewery in the US to brew English ales and reviving the city’s brewing legacy by ending a decades-long period without any operational breweries.
in 1999 the brewery launched a collaborative effort with the Philadelphia restaurant City Tavern, which specialises in recreating 18th century recipes, to brew three historical beers based on the recipes of America’s Founding Fathers as part of the ‘Ales of the Revolution’ series. The brewery is committed to remaining local, meaning Yards’ beer is currently only sold in five states, with over 75 percent sold in Pennsylvania.
You can also taste one or more of the 20 signature beers from Yards with a visit to the brewery’s taproom, which also offers Pennsylvanian wines.
For visitors who are keen on learning about the brewing process, the Yards brewery tour gives guests a behind-the- scenes look at how Yards beers are brewed, bottled, canned and kegged. Tours cost £7.95 ($10) per person and include beer samples and a souvenir.
Visitors can also enjoy a tour of the Love City Brewing Company. Established in 2016, you can enjoy the beers less than 100 feet away from where they were made, with signature brews including love City lager and unity ipa. The brewery also serves Pennsylvania-made wines and spirits, plus seasonal cocktails.
FEBRUARY 2020


PHILADELPHIA
WE MADE HISTORY
FOR AN ENTIRE NATION. PLUS, A CHEESESTEAK JUST FOR YOU.
Philadelphia is a city that speaks for itself—and it’s got tons to talk about. National landmarks within walking distance. Tax-free shopping. Diverse museums. Nightlife that lasts ’til morning. Yeah, you’ll want to get here fast. Lucky for you, this Central East Coast gateway welcomes non-stop flights from 130+ cities worldwide.




America
ENDLESS ADVENTURES IN
Open seven days a week, Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm
*Terms and conditions apply visit travelsphere.co.uk/essential-information for details.


Usa HiGHliGHTs
Historic Mayflower
set to sail again
This year, Massachusetts will be celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony, two historic events that helped shape the United States of America.
A series of celebratory events will be held to explore the historical significance of the english pilgrims who landed in plymouth in 1620 and their early interactions with the native American Wampanoag people already living there.
A three-year $11.2 million restoration has just been completed on the historic wooden sailing ship, Mayflower. Celebrations will include an official sailing of the Mayflower to Boston, Provincetown and Plymouth; a maritime festival hosted by Mayflower sails 2020 in Boston harbor alongside the USS Constitution and Mayflower; the Wampanoag Ancestors Walk; and activities centered around the Thanksgiving holiday in november 2020.
An exhibit entitled “Our” Story: 400 Years of Wampanoag History, will also be travelling around Massachusetts and new england in 2020.
For information about visiting Massachusetts, go to
massholiday.co.uk
New Metrorail extension
Fairfax County and Washington DC will soon be even more accessible as Phase II of the Silver Line Metrorail extension is set to open this July.
this extension will finally connect washington Dulles international airport and several new stations in Herndon and Reston with the existing Washington Metrorail service, which feeds Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Flight Path Learning Center
Visitors transiting Los Angeles Airport can pop into the Flight Path Museum & Learning Centre, located in the LAX Imperial Terminal.
Airline enthusiasts will enjoy this aviation museum and hands-on learning environment which features scale models of various aircraft, photos depicting aviation history and the development of laX, howard hughes memorabilia and a model of his famous Spruce Goose.
The Space Exploration Gallery spotlights the history and development of space flight. the william a. Schoneberger Research Library also features a collection of aviation and aerospace books and technical manuals.
Entry fee costs a $5 donation per person. The Flight Path Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10am to 3pm and parking is free.
FEBRUARY 2020




Usa HiGHliGHTs
Shania Twain in Las Vegas
y
her new headlining residency show, Shania Twain “Let’s Go!” The Las Vegas Residency, at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and is set to return in March 2020.
Designed exclusively for Zappos Theater and promoted by live nation and Caesars entertainment, the production is
a compilation of Shania’s most celebrated hits including “Man! i Feel like a woman!”; “you’re still the one” and “that Don’t impress Me Much,” and features a seven-piece band and dancers.
USA growth for Gold Medal
Gold Medal has seen a big increase in room bookings to the United States, especially to Florida, which has increased by 54% year- on-year.
Other destinations have also seen room night growth including California up 41%, the Deep South up by 37% and Las Vegas up 30%. Self-drives are proving particularly popular in California, with destinations such as napa Valley, Yosemite and San Diego all on the rise. Gold Medal’s luxury brand, Pure Luxury has also seen an increase in room night bookings.
pure luxury is offering agents the chance to win a luxury holiday for two people to Las Vegas. Agents who book any Pure Luxury package before the end of February will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win five-nights’ at the Cosmopolitan in las Vegas and upper Class flights with Virgin Atlantic, plus resort credit and experiences.
For more information, visit www.goldmedal.co.uk
WIN! A place on the Brand USA MegaFam
The Brand USA MegaFam will take place this year from 29th April - 7th May, in conjunction with American Airlines and British Airways.
Travel agents can win a place on one of seven itineraries across the United States to experience a range of destinations and products.
This year’s itineraries include:
Pacific Wonders: Cities & Coastlines - visiting Seattle, the north Coast and portland, oregon;
Western Vistas: Valleys & Vineyards - in Las Vegas, Pasadena and Sonoma County;
Southern Sights: Cowboy & Country - touring Austin and Fort Worth, Texas and Hot Springs and Little Rock, Arkansas;
Musical Moments: Sights & Sounds – of Chicago, French lick west Baden, indiana and nashville, tennessee;
Southeastern Splendour: Culture & Charm - including Charlotte, north Carolina; atlanta, georgia; and Montgomery, Alabama;
A New England Expedition: Quaint & Quintessential – to Boston and Cape Cod, Massachusetts and newport and providence, rhode island;
Tropical Treasures: Sand & Sea – visiting Puerto Rico; Greater Fort Lauderdale and Tampa Bay.
The MegaFam Finale will take place at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida where agents will have the opportunity to visit all three theme parks.
For a chance to win a place on the Brand USA MegaFam, simply log your American Airlines and British Airways bookings at USADiscoveryProgram.co.uk/MegaFam and complete the MegaFam Airlines 2020 badge on the USA Discovery Programme.
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If your train of thought is going nowhere.... switch tracks
FEBRUARY 2020
36


Roll the dice in Las Vegas!
Las Vegas is a one-of-a-kind playground with so much to explore where visitors will be dazzled by more than just the bright lights of the strip.
5* The Venetian ® Resort Las Vegas is themed on the beautiful Italian city of Venice, bringing the romance of Italy to the Nevada desert. Enjoy tranquil canals and gondola rides nestled in heart of the Las Vegas Strip.
3 NIGHTS FROM £689PP* INCLUDING GRAB N GO BREAKFAST
CONTACT RESERVATIONS TO BOOK
0800 0224 182 WWW.TRAVEL2.COM
@T2NEWS
Valid for travel: 23 Nov 2020 *flying from Glasgow
TRAVEL 2


Usa HiGHliGHTs
A TALE OF TWO ISLANDS
Explore island getaways just two hours north of Seattle
Whidbey Island
by SHERRYE WYATT Things to Do
On the north end sits Deception Pass, the state’s most visited state park with its picturesque bridge and one of seven state parks on the island. nearby, the City of oak Harbor is the most populated of the island’s three towns and features the largest hotels and historic downtown. Coupeville is the second oldest town in Washington state and set in the beautiful ebey’s landing national historical Reserve.
On the south end is the town of Langley, known for a vibrant arts community with galleries, cute shops and cafés. Easy ways to get on the water include Deception pass Jet Boat tours and whidbey island kayaking guided tours. the whidbey scenic isle way stretches the full length of the island with a number of small communities, including Greenbank, Freeland, Bayview and Clinton, filled with bakeries, tasting rooms and antique shops.
Camano Island
With no ferries, this laid-back island is connected to the mainland by one bridge and there are no large towns,
but rather a few community hubs. Camano Commons Marketplace is a great stop for coffee, shopping and dining and there are plenty of unspoiled beaches and trails. Historical attractions include Kristoferson Farm, which offers ziplines through a forest at Canopy tours nw.
Once a fishing resort in the 1930s, Cama Beach State Park’s waterfront cabins offer a great getaway for families. Populated with talented artists, the island holds studio tours as well as the annual great northwest glass Quest which features a two-week scavenger hunt for over 500 hand blown glass sea balls.
Both islands offer superb beaches, hiking trails and amazing wildlife, including bald eagles and whales. Dozens of spas offer a luxurious retreat and there are micro coffee roasters, wineries, distilleries and breweries galore. Earth Sanctuary, Meerkerk Gardens and Matzke Sculpture Park are just a few great places to explore. Restaurants source fresh food from island farms and the surrounding waters, including Penn Cove Shellfish.
Horseback riding at Wildwood Farm or Axe throwing at Arrowhead Ranch are fun outings. The Whidbey Art Trail and whidbey island wine and spirits trail offer year round, self-guided tours. Helpful visitor centres are located throughout both islands. Find more attractions, special events and festivals at whidbeycamanoislands.com.
Places to Stay
Both islands offer plenty of accommodation ranging from historic inns, bed and breakfasts to contemporary hotels. in the spring and winter, special packages and savings are always available. Visit whidbeycamanoislands.com, whidbeyislandslodging.com and coupevillelodging. com for more information.
A few upscale lodging choices with fine restaurants (two with spas), are the Camano island inn, the renovated Captain whidbey and the highly-acclaimed inn at langley. For those seeking rustic accommodations, several state parks also offer cabins, reservable at parks.state.wa.us.
© Deception Pass by Andy Porter
FEBRUARY 2020


Enter to win an Island Getaway at:
The ShorTeST DiSTance To Far awayTM WhidbeyCamanoIslands.com


Usa HiGHliGHTs
Sample food & drink from around the world
SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival offers visitors the chance to taste their way around the world of international street food traditions.
The Festival, which runs through to 5th May, features more than 180 food and drink options to sample, in marketplaces throughout the park. These include local craft beers, cricket crusted bison slider or a duck and mushroom ramen bowl. in addition the Festival features live entertainment every Saturday and Sunday at Bayside Stadium, all included with theme park admission.
More bands for New Orleans
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has announced their 2020 lineup.
This year the festival celebrates its 51st year and is set to take place over two consecutive weekends: 23rd - 26th April and 30th April - 3rd May. Headliners will include The who, Dead & Company, stevie nicks, Foo Fighters, lizzo and many more.
NYC teams up with Manchester
NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organisation and Marketing Manchester have signed a first-ever official city-to-city tourism collaboration agreement.
The new two-year alliance includes an agreement for
the sharing of best practices in tourism marketing and a partnership with Virgin Atlantic to stimulate reciprocal travel.
The new tourism partnership comes as Virgin Atlantic increases services between the two cities. now flying its largest aircraft on the Manchester to JFK route, the Boeing 747, Virgin Atlantic is increasing capacity out of Manchester to new york by 65 percent this winter. Virgin atlantic has also announced it will debut its iconic Clubhouse lounge in Manchester for the first time this spring, featuring a la carte dining and a full service bar, quiet working spaces and a spa.
the united kingdom is new york City’s number one source of international visitation and in 2019, the City forecasted UK visitors to reach 1,308,000, an all-time high.
Rock Festival Moves to Daytona Beach
After welcoming sold-out crowds of 90,000 the past three years, this year Florida’s biggest rock music festival experience will move to its new home in Daytona Beach.
The 10th anniversary celebration of Welcome to Rockville will be headlined by Metallica, with the World Center
of racing as the backdrop at Daytona international Speedway, taking place from 8th - 10th May.
FEBRUARY 2020


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Take a dream trip with Amtrak Vacations & Railbookers
Amtrak Vacations and Railbookers is a leading operator of independent rail holidays, offering an ever-expanding range of expertly planned holidays by rail across the USA, Canada, Europe and beyond.
All of our holidays can be customised; there are no fixed departure dates or durations. Adding in extra nights, extra destinations, combining different itineraries or adding additional excursions and sightseeing are just some of the ways in which we can create your customers’ perfect holiday.
Amtrak takes your customers to the heart of every destination. it’s the perfect way to discover the music cities of Chicago, Memphis and new orleans on our ever-popular Jazz, Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll holiday.
Our All American itinerary takes in some of the most iconic US cities whilst travelling through a constantly changing landscape. How about arriving at the Grand Canyon by train; a unique view of this bucket list destination is guaranteed!
So whether it’s a journey of a lifetime on an iconic train from Coast to Coast, an adventure combining any number of incredible cities or a relaxing way to explore the American national parks, amtrak Vacations and railbookers can create your customer’s dream trip.
Get in touch today on 0203 780 2222 – we have
short hold times and an instant quote policy. You’ll also
find lots of useful information about our holidays at www.amtrakvacations.co.uk and www.railbookers.co.uk
We take the complexity out of booking a rail holiday. We
use our specialist knowledge to handpick all hotels, routes and sightseeing tours to provide the ultimate in comfort, convenience and value. What’s more, thanks to insider access and established partnerships, we can book holidays up to 2 years in advance, with the price guaranteed.
We look forward to hearing from you!
RAIL HOLIDAYS
to North America, Europe and beyond!
Independent Rail Holiday Experts
Book Rail Holidays up to 2 years in advance
Short hold times and Instant Quote
Full Price Parity
ABTA and ATOL protected
Excellent Commission
Dedicated Trade Team to help – contact [email protected]
k Visit www.railbookers.co.uk or www.amtrakvacations.co.uk to view all of our rail holidays or call 0203 327 3586
Order brochures through TradeGate.
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FEBRUARY 2020
41
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Usa HiGHliGHTs
So long, long-haul and hello Stopover!
planning a trip to the us or Canada?
then let icelandair offer you a different long-haul experience.
icelandair flies from the uk to a host of north american cities, via iceland. The American continent might feel
far away when taking off from one of our five uk & ireland gateways, but it’s an opportunity to add an icelandair Stopover to your adventure and explore iceland on your way across the pond.
Post-flight entertainment
we know how important in-flight entertainment is on any flight but having a good time outside the plane is really the purpose of any journey. That’s why our Stopover option turns a short layover at keflavík international Airport into a legitimate second holiday. we fly you through iceland anyway, so we want you to have the chance to add more than excess baggage to your journey: the icelandair Stopover is at no additional airfare. What a bargain.
You can use your Stopover as a warm- up for the US and Canada, as it were and match your activities in iceland
to your intended trip. Going for an art excursion in new york City? Do an art- themed stopover in iceland’s capital, reykjavík.
Planning wine tasting on the west coast? explore icelandic micro- breweries all over the country. Going for a wellness trip in Florida? well, iceland is the home of natural hot springs, nature baths and various other water-based activities that will leave you either gobsmacked, completely relaxed, or both. The only limit is your imagination, really.
You have the power to change the weather
icelanders are experts in surviving hard winters. One of our secrets: a transatlantic airline that has operated for more than 80 years, because we know that a change in scenery is always good. So, if you’re after mild and easy winter breaks, fly to Florida. if you’d rather live it up by the pacific, try seattle. if you want a proper winter,
on the other hand, there’s no shortage of options: Boston, Vancouver, Toronto, Minneapolis/st. paul, Chicago and more.
are you after the genuine north Atlantic winter experience we have here in iceland? then you’re in luck: yes, the icelandair stopover. we feel it’s important to tell you that winter lasts from about October through March.
it’s a long season which means plenty of opportunities to see the dancing northern lights, warm up in cosy thermal pools and enjoy a warm beverage or two in a café. That’s not to say it couldn’t snow in summer, but better safe than sorry.
Adding a Stopover when you book your trip is easy and the price of your airfare won’t change. Take a chance on something new in 2020 and add an unexpected holiday to your trip.
Icelandair operates daily flights from London Heathrow and London Gatwick, with multiple flights a week from Glasgow, Manchester and Dublin. All flights across the Atlantic have a layover in Iceland.
Our North American
destinations:
Anchorage
Boston
Chicago
Denver
Edmonton Minneapolis/st paul Montréal
new york (JFk and newark) Orlando
Philadelphia
Portland
Seattle
Toronto Vancouver Washington, D.C.
FEBRUARY 2020


Two destinations
in one journey
Stopover in Iceland at no additional airfare
+ icelandairacademy.com


CrUise news
Restructure for Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International has appointed Sean Treacy as Senior Vice President of International, responsible for the cruise line’s business across Asia
Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and EMEA.
Reporting to Treacy will be Ben Bouldin, who becomes Senior Vice President of Sales for EMEA as part of the restructure of the cruise line’s markets.
Treacy has over 20 years of sales
and strategy experience in the travel industry, with 15 at Royal Caribbean, where he has served in various
roles within the company including Managing Director of asia pacific based in Singapore and most recently, he served as Vice President of Latin america and international strategy.
Sean Treacy
Ben Bouldin
CMV re-join CLIA
Cruise & Maritime Voyages have re-joined CLIA as regional members of Europe and Australasia, after an absence of three years.
Chris Coates, Group Commercial Director commented: “with an expanding ocean fleet and international market presence, we believe the time is right to re-establish links with Clia and the close working relationship we previously enjoyed.
“the expansion of the global industry fleet and carryings bring increased challenges which we consider are best served with all stakeholders working together.”
CMV currently has a fleet of six ocean vessels with two more ships being introduced in 2021, increasing global carryings to 200,000 passengers.
Emerald Waterways
launches new brand
River cruise line, Emerald Waterways is to launch a 100-guest ocean sailing super- yacht, the Emerald Azzurra.
Sailing from Summer 2021 under the new brand of Emerald Yacht Cruises, itineraries will include the Mediterranean, the Adriatic Coast and the Red Sea. The new yacht will feature six decks, an infinity-style pool, the sky Bar and reflections restaurants, along with luxurious suites and staterooms.
As part of the launch, Emerald Waterways has introduced a new Agent Academy course, providing detailed information on all her facilities as well as ports of call.
in addition, for every emerald yacht Cruises booking , agents will earn 200 River Rewards and More points, equal to £20 worth of points.
FEBRUARY 2020


FAMILY SALE NOW ON
To find out more, vist MyClubRoyal.
*Discount applies to the second guest sharing the same eligible stateroom on selected sailings. †Fare only savings and amounts vary by stateroom and destination. **Prices may vary and exclusions apply. Offer ends 31st March 2020. Additional T&Cs apply.
Offer ends 31st March 2020


&
Travel Matters speaks to
Simon Rickman
Country Manager uk and ireland, air astana
Tell us about Air Astana’s ex UK operation
We operate the only non-stop service from the UK to Kazakhstan with our london heathrow to nur-sultan (previously Astana) service operating currently four times a week, increasing to a daily service for the summer season.
Our European network is also very important to the UK market, especially for our clients in the north of england and Scotland where we receive great support from the travel trade. From UK airports, travellers can make use of our extensive European network, connecting via Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Paris.
we like to think of ourselves as the first choice airline for travel to Central Asia - as one wise man once said: “Kazakhstan is not in the middle of nowhere, it is in the middle of everywhere”.
You have recently taken delivery of the new airbus a321 neo lr (long range) aircraft. is this a game changer for you?
we have taken delivery of the first
of these aircraft with a further six scheduled in the next 15 months. it is indeed a game changer for us and the aviation industry in general, equipped with the latest generation engines which reduce fuel consumption by
20%, maintenance costs by 5%, carbon emissions by 20% and noise levels by 50% compared with current aircraft.
in terms of passenger experience, the lie flat-beds in Business class are equipped with 16-inch screens; Economy class has increased comfort and 10-inch screens and the cabin interior has been specially developed for air astana. it will be introduced onto London, Paris and Frankfurt routes throughout 2020.
What are Air Astana’s core brand values?
For the 8th year running we were delighted to be awarded ‘Best Airline
in Central asia and india’ in the skytrax World Airline Awards. Last year we also maintained our 5-star award status with apeX in the ‘Major airline’ category and we were recognised as a winner
by the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards – Asia, in the ‘Travellers Choice for Passenger Comfort’ and ‘Regional Airline – Asia’ categories. These were
all great recognition of our key focus
to build one of the finest airlines in the world, from the “Heart of Eurasia”.
Kazakhstan is known as the ‘Land of the Great Steppe’. Where does this come from and what does the country offer leisure travellers?
Kazakhstan is the world’s 9th largest country, roughly the same size
as Western Europe but with the population of the netherlands! the most economically advanced of the “stans”, it offers good standards
of accommodation, transport and restaurants.
The greatest adventures are found beyond the main cities of nur-sultan, a 21st century marvel and Almaty, nestled next to the snow-capped Tian Shan Mountains. There is everything from skiing, golf, cycling, bird- watching and hiking plus many tourist attractions all across the country -
not to forget Baikonaur, the world’s largest Cosmodrome! air astana offers passengers a great USD1 per person per night stopover package, including breakfast and private transfers to / from the airport. T&C’s apply.
in 2019 the airline carried 5 million passengers on 64 routes from your hub - what are your future plans for route development?
Many people won’t know that in May last year we commenced operations of our low-cost airline FlyArystan. Between launch and December 2019, the airline carried over 700,000 passengers across 4,000 flights. Currently air Astana is undergoing a period of ambitious growth and i would certainly recommend a “watch this space” reminder to the travel trade.
Can you update us on the changes being made to your paris flights?
From 03 June 2020, our paris flight
will switch non-stop operations from nur-sultan to almaty and frequency
will increase to 3 times a week. The route will be operated by the new Airbus a321 neo lr and the non-stop flight
to Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis will offer clients in the uk an easy to use one-hop stop option.
What is your favourite air astana destination?
There are so many places still to see, but my favourite place i have visited
on the network so far is Almaty, with an amazing mountain range right
next to the city, providing some great photo opportunities on take-off and landing. it’s a lovely city, with excellent restaurants, nice bars, lots of places to visit, plus seasonal choice of golf at the two amazing courses, or skiing on the slopes during winter.
FEBRUARY 2020




CrUise news
Celebrity Apex to debut this Spring
This March, Celebrity Cruises will launch the second ship in its Edge Series, with the christening of Celebrity Apex, the first Celebrity Cruises’ ship to be launched in the UK in over 10 years.
Sister ship to Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex will carry the same features including the floating Magic Carpet cantilevered off the ship’s side; the Retreat, the all-exclusive experience for all suite guests; larger staterooms with infinite Verandas and two-story Edge Villas with their own private terrace and plunge pool. The ship will also offer new restaurants and menus, three all-new theatre shows and new fitness and wellness programmes.
Celebrity’s Michelin-starred Chef Cornelius Gallagher, will also create new menu options at Le Grand Bistro, the 3-D digital animation dining experience with a new menu by Le Petit Chef and an all-new story. eden will also offer new dining experiences.
The Craft Social Bar will feature draft cocktails, wines on tap and more than 50 of the world’s rarest craft beers served by a certified beer sommelier with large-screen TVs showing live sporting events.
Three new exclusive stage shows in The Theatre will include Rockumentary, a celebration of some of the greatest classic rock moments in history and for the first time, guests get to vote for their favourite finale, via the Celebrity Cruises app; Tree of Life will take guests on a journey of relatable life moments, illuminated by the changing seasons of the tree and set to pop rock music; and Crystalize will include laser projections, custom video content, music, dance, aerial acrobatics as well as a violinist.
new evening entertainment will also feature at The Club, with the debut of Caravan, a more intimate and evening cabaret-style production featuring new takes on classic circus acts with aerial acrobatics.
new Destination wellness programme will feature locally inspired spa menus using authentic local ingredients; F45 Training, a 45-minute, station-based, heart rate monitored functional team training workouts will also be available as well as a new Women in Wellness wellbeing programme.
Celebrity apex will offer a mini- season of five sailings to european destinations, including the norwegian Fjords, the northern coasts of Spain and Portugal and a new 10-night Capital Cities Cruise with visits to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo
and Paris. The ship will then sail seven- to 12-night itineraries in the Mediterranean before repositioning
to Fort lauderdale in november for a winter season of week-long Caribbean sailings.
Celebrity Edge will also sail the Mediterranean from April to October 2020; and the Caribbean from november 2020 to april 2021.
New shows for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Lancashire based production company, Pop Up Entertainment will provide new production shows on board Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ship, Braemar.
Produced exclusively for the cruise line, Pop Up Entertainment will
create a series of brand new shows throughout each cruise season, starting from 1st June.
Fred. Olsen continues to work with Mirage Shows & Productions across the rest of its ocean fleet, on board Balmoral, Boudicca and Black Watch.
FEBRUARY 2020