Travel Matters Issue 12 March 2018

Ecuador by Steve McCurry
TRAVELMATTERS EXPANDING THE BOUNDARIES
ISSUE 12 march 2018
Breaking new ground for the travel trade in Scotland, northern ireland, north of england & ioM
AUTHENTIC BEAUTY
LET US TAKE YOU CLOSER SAIL TO OVER 900 DESTINATIONS
#ThisIsSilversea
TM


Papua New Guinea by Steve McCurry
ALL-INCLUSIVE EXPEDITION CRUISES
This exclusive collection of voyages is designed with our most adventurous travellers in mind. Each luxurious journey has been carefully curated to bring your guests one unforgettable experience after the next. Leaving the tourist trail far behind, they’ll be astounded by wonders of man and nature on a voyage that delivers the very rarest pearls the world has to offer. We are delighted to offer guests the convenience and favourable rates of our all-inclusive option with flights, hotel and transfers.
Each voyage offers a unique collection of natural wonders, whether it’s the pristine isolation the Lakshadweep islands with their soft sands and turquoise waters, or the explosive beauty of Mount Yasur at dusk. Keen snorkelers will be in seventh heaven exploring the mesmerising beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.
REDUCED BUSINESS CLASS AIR FARES
This special collection of voyages offers the most authentic cultural experiences and fascinating historical sites. Will your guests discover a simpler life at the Kopar Village or enjoy the bustle of floating markets on the Mekong Delta? Perhaps most astonishing of all, witness the death defying feat of ‘land diving’, a custom of the Pentecost island.
When it comes to magical, intimate encounters with wildlife, these voyages offer some of the most extraordinary and rarest opportunities. In the beautiful bay at Donsol, guests can swim among majestic shoals of whale sharks, or in Sumatra they could get to know the gentle orang-utan in
a natural, protective sanctuary.
Discover more at silversea.com/exclusive-offers
FREE FREE
OR FREE ECONOMY CLASS ROUNDTRIP FLIGHTS PRE & POST HOTEL TRANSFERS


Weddings & Honeymoons
TRAVELMATTERS EXPANDING THE BOUNDARIES
ISSUE 12 march 2018
Breaking new ground for the travel trade in Scotland, northern ireland, north of england & ioM
PLUS
Aegean cruises with Celestyal
New Loganair ights to Donegal & Derry Good Companions with Glenton Holidays
with GlasGow airport’s Glamore competition
escorted Holidays
tHe evolving Workplace
TM


The best laid plans....
A er the Beast from the East roared through and we all struggled to dig our way out of the snow dri s this month, (Gregorz was literally up to his neck in it!), it would appear
that Spring has yet to Sprung!
The Beast certainly le its mark, with ights cancelled, airports closed, motorway misery and a large number of events cancelled, including the 88th Annual SPAA Dinner!
However, the storm also highlighted the fact that the community spirit lives on, with many people going out of their way to assist those in need and others working round
the clock to get the country moving again.
The travel trade also rose to the challenge - rescheduling ights, hotels, car hire etc. and doing what they do best - putting the customer rst!
One thing is for sure - we know we can’t depend on the weather in this country and although it’s been di cult in the short term, hopefully it will make more people think
about booking their next escape - Gregorz can’t wait!
Hilary Douglas
Director
07989 414454 [email protected]
 [email protected] www.travelmatters.biz
Travel MattersTM is published by GAH Publishing Ltd, 96 Craigleith Hill Crescent, Edinburgh, EH4 2JP
Printed by Claro Print
For magazine delivery and subscription enquiries,
email [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.
Gary Reavely
Director
07762 630057 [email protected]
Read last month’s issue online at... www.travelmatters.biz
Andrea Pellicci
Director
07766 010272 [email protected]
Get in touch...


BRITAIN’S FAVOURITE LUXURY TRAIN RETURNS TO SCOTLAND & THE NORTH
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Let your clients experience the ultimate in style and luxury. All packages include a champagne reception and fine dining. Contact the Travel Centre for full excursion details.
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THE MARQUE OF LUXURY
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THE PERFECT CELEBRATION GIFT


16-23
Escorted Holidays
28-33
Weddings & Honeymoons
40-45
The Evolving Workplace
7-9
Enter the GLAmore competition!
20-21
Unforgettable experiences from Riviera Travel
17
Low deposits with Newmarket Holidays
29
Aisle to Isle with Sandals
14
Secret of my our Success
24
Gregorz visits Monte Carlo
32-33
New Wedding Guide from AMResorts
46
Agency Matters
Inside Guide...
36-37 39
Canada starts here with Air Transat
The Silversea Selling Suite
43
Travel Agent of the Future
47 48 51
Four Big O ers from Q&A with Nick Hughes, Travel Oregon with North
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Gold Medal & Travel 2 America Travel Service
5356 58
Join the Global Rail Expert - Icelandair Academy Railtourguide
Check-In with
Air Canada Rouge
6
expanding the boundaries
march 2018


This month you can win with
Glasgow Airport and Aer Lingus,
Air Transat, Balkan Holidays,
Delta Air Lines, Emirates and Icelandair
WIN TWO RETURN FLIGHTS TO DUBAI WITH EMIRATES FROM GLASGOW
HOW TO ENTER
To enter, simply send your answer to the following question to [email protected] by 15.04.18 to be in with a chance of winning.
Q Name one of Emirates new furry friends Fly With Me Animals.
*Conditions apply. **Depending on fare
• Emirates y twice a day from Glasgow to Dubai.
• First and Business class passengers can access the exclusive Emirates lounge at
Glasgow Airport.
• Complimentary chauffeur-drive service is available for rst and business customer*.
• Generous baggage allowance between 20KG and 50KG**.
WIN TWO ECONOMY TICKETS FROM GLASGOW TO NEW YORK JFK
WITH DELTA AIR LINES
HOW TO ENTER
To enter, simply send your answer to the following question to [email protected] by 15.04.18 to be in with a chance of winning.
Q Which aircraft type do Delta Air Lines operate from Glasgow to New York JFK?
• Daily seasonal service from GLA to New York (JFK) for the Summer of 2018.
• Free Messaging on board all Delta Air Lines ights & includes WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Texting.
• Complimentary Delta Air Lines Studio entertainment system in all cabins that can be streamed to personal devices.
• Welcome drink including the choice of a glass of Prosecco in the main cabin.
march 2018
7


8
WIN TWO RETURN FLIGHTS TO TORONTO WITH AIR TRANSAT FROM GLASGOW
HOW TO ENTER
To enter, simply send your answer to the following question to [email protected] by 15.04.18 to be in with a chance of winning.
Q How many seats are there in Air Transat’s premium cabin, Club Class?
WIN TWO ECONOMY TICKETS FROM GLASGOW TO MIAMI WITH AER LINGUS
HOW TO ENTER
To enter, simply send your answer to the following question to [email protected] by 15.04.18 to be in with a chance of winning.
Q What two routes have Aer Lingus announced for Spring 2018?
• Fly direct from Glasgow to Toronto year-round, and throughout the summer to Vancouver
with Air Transat.
• In- ight meals, entertainment and a generous luggage allowance are all included.
• Mini-globetrotters can join Air Transat’s Kids Club!
• For some extra comforts on board, Option Plus is a great value add on.
expanding the boundaries
march 2018
GLAMORE COMPETITION
• Clear US Customs in Dublin and save time when you arrive in the USA.
• Enjoy 2 metre fully at beds in Aer Lingus’ Business Class.
• Fly direct to 13 transatlantic destinations from Dublin.
• Connect to over 100 destinations in North America.


GLAMORE COMPETITION
WIN TWO RETURN FLIGHTS TO BOURGAS WITH BALKAN HOLIDAYS FROM GLASGOW
HOW TO ENTER
To enter, simply send your answer to the following question to [email protected] by 15.04.18 to be in with a chance of winning.
Q How many ights a week do Balkan Holidays operate from Glasgow in high season in summer 2018?
WIN 2 RETURN ECONOMY TICKETS ANYWHERE ON THE ICELANDAIR NETWORK*
HOW TO ENTER
To enter, simply send your answer to the following question to [email protected] by 15.04.18 to be in with a chance of winning.
Q How many destinations in the USA & Canada do Icelandair y to?
*Subject to restrictions
• Balkan Holidays offer the widest selection of holidays to Bulgaria from Glasgow.
• Bulgaria offers excellent value for money.
• Book a Balkan S18 holiday from Glasgow for only £49 deposit.
• Save up to £160 per couple off selected Balkan Holidays from Glasgow.
• New Routes for 2018 are San Francisco, Dallas, Cleveland, Baltimore & Kansas City.
• Daily service, all year round from Glasgow.
• Stopover in Iceland for up to 7 nights at no additional air fare.
• Upgrade to Saga Class for a luxury experience.
Winners will be announced later on in April. Please email [email protected] for full competition and prize terms and conditions.
march 2018
9


neWs
10
13 cmv mAgellAn viSiTS belFAST
17 brighT TrAvel TrAining evenT Glasgow Marriott Hotel
18 brighT TrAvel TrAining evenT The Vermont Hotel, Newcastle
24 88th SPAA
AnnuAl dinner Crowne Plaza, Glasgow
24 AbTA TrAvel lAw uPdATe
Glasgow
24 TiPTo roAdShow Titanic, Belfast
30 The dAniSh wAy workShoP
The Signet Library, Edinburgh
05 cmv mAgellAn viSiTS newcASTle
12 cmv mAgellAn viSiTS newcASTle
12 brighT TrAvel TrAining evenT The Empress Hotel, Douglas, Isle of Man
06 SPAA AuTumn SeminAr & neTworking lunch Principal George Hotel, Edinburgh
13 STAr exhibiTion Douglas Hotel, Aberdeen
01 26th SPAA AnnuAl TrAvel AwArdS Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow
20 STAr exhibiTion Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow
06 cmv mAgellAn
viSiTS dundee 14
SPAA Summer bAll
Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow
cmv columbuS viSiTS invergordon
cmv columbuS viSiTS greenock
cmv columbuS viSiTS belFAST
08 SPAA TrAvel Quiz,
Glasgow 21
15 SPAA TrAvel Quiz, Edinburgh
22 SPAA TrAvel Quiz, Aberdeen
22 AmAzing mAdeirA
& PorTo SAnTo
The Vermont Hotel, 13 Newcastle
23 AmAzing mAdeirA 14 & PorTo SAnTo
Radisson Blu, Edinburgh
24 AmAzing mAdeirA & PorTo SAnTo Radisson Blu, Glasgow
31 SPAA TrAvel Quiz FinAl, Glasgow
06
SPAA Agm & chriSTmAS neTworking lunch
Movers& Shakers
A ordable Car Hire appoints Lee Foster to Scotland role
A ordable Car Hire has appointed Lee Foster as Account Manager in Scotland.
Based in Glasgow, Foster will be responsible for building brand awareness of the A ordable Car
Hire and A ordableXtras brands and products.
Lee’s previous positions included Head of UK Business Development as well as District Sales Manager, Northern UK, Scotland and Ireland for tour operator, Collette.
“I’m really excited to be representing A ordable Car Hire in Scotland and to be working again with the Scottish travel industry. I’m joining the company at an exciting time and looking forward to telling Scottish travel agents about A ordable’s growth plans,” said Foster.
Foster will report to Stephen Joyner, Head of Sales for A orable Car Hire. Stephen commented: “Appointing Lee to the role of Account Manager in Scotland reinforces our commitment to working closer with the Scottish travel trade and building some long- lasting relationships.”
Travelsphere & Just You
expand trade team
Travelsphere and Just You are bolstering their trade sales team with two new appointments, following the unprecedented growth through the trade for both brands.
Rachel Mould and Phil Shipman will be joining Travelsphere and Just You’s on-the-road team as Key Account Managers, responsible for supporting travel agents and forming new trade partnerships across the UK.
“We are seeing unprecedented growth
through the trade for both Travelsphere and Just You,” said Alastair Campbell, Managing Director - Travelsphere & Just You.
“As part of our regional strategic approach, Rachel and Phil along with Polly Poulton, will be out on the road to ensure that all our partners get the very best service support as we continue to grow. The repositioning of both Travelsphere and Just You, o ering a unique package of unmatched customer guarantees, really hit the mark with travel agents and their customers.”
Rachel and Phil will be joining the Trade Sales team under the guidance of Sarah Weetman, Head of Trade Sales, along with a sales and service support team based in Market Harborough.
expanding the boundaries
march 2018
23 SPAA golF dAy Lanark


Movers& Shakers
Emirates announces new UK Vice President
Emirates has appointed Richard Jewsbury as the new UK Divisional Vice President. He will take over from Laurie Berryman,
who retires on 31st March, a er 27 years with the airline.
Richard will oversee Emirates’ sales and service functions across its commercial, customer and cargo operations and will report directly to the Divisional Senior
Vice President, Commercial Operations West, Hubert Frach.
Richard rst joined Emirates in May 1996 as a Commercial Analyst and has held a number of executive management roles with the company.
Commenting on his appointment, Richard said: “To lead Emirates in one of our biggest and most important markets is an exciting opportunity.
“I’m looking forward to working with our local teams in Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham and London, to build on the successes achieved to date”.
FERRIES TO HOLLAND
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New Regional Sales Manager for MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises UK
& Ireland have
announced the
appointment of
Amanda Elgie to the
newly created position
of Regional Sales Manager, covering the North East & Yorkshire.
Amanda joins from Collette Travel where she held the position of Business Development Manager. Steve Williams, Director of Sales, MSC commented: ‘We are absolutely thrilled for Amanda to join us at such an exciting time at MSC Cruises. With 10 new ships being delivered over the coming years, the trade will be critical to our growth plans in the UK.
Amanda joins the MSC team on 3rd April and will report to Andrea Sta ord, MSC Cruises Head of Retail. There are now seven RSMs who sit alongside the National Account Team that are responsible for managing the Cruise Specialists. MSC will also hire a further full time Regional Sales Manager to continue their rapid growth and expansion in the Republic
of Ireland.
UK-EUROPE
DFDS.CO.UK/AGENT
Price subject to availability. Book by 30 April. Selected departures until 12 December 2018. T&Cs apply.
march 2018
11
SAVE UP TO
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You may not know this, but The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, or BEIS as it is known, is the government department responsible for implementing the new rules surrounding the Package Travel Directive which, under EU law, are due to come into e ect on the 1st July 2018.
They set out the de nition of the rules, then they ask the CAA to ensure nancial compliance and nally it is up to the local Trading Standards departments to police those regulations. How Trading Standards will cope with the increased complexity in a consistent manner is dependent on the simplicity of the scheme, which in its current format, is not simple at all.
You certainly will not know at this time what those amendments and changes are likely to be, because, despite a six-week consultation process conducted with the industry, which nished last September, there is still literally no information on what an ATOL holder will be expected to comply with.
With the addition of a further two separate consultation documents from the Department for Transport and the CAA issued at the end of February, which provides for only a four week turnaround, there is little time for the industry to in uence the outcome.
Apparently, the BEIS learned during the original consultation of “complexities surrounding the de nition of a package and the new concept of Linked Travel Arrangements” and so they are likely to be excluded from the new ATOL regime. Full details will not be made known until a er Easter. I’m not sure whether that means the Tuesday a er Easter Monday, or the 30th June, the day before implementation, or indeed anywhere in between? Nobody has de ned that date.
Clearly their mind is more attuned to Brexit issues rather than getting too concerned about how the travel industry is going to be able to comply with the legislation by the due date.
They say they recognise the concerns that have been raised with the timetable and in their words, they plan to engage intensively (not, you notice, widely) in advance of laying out the regulations
formally to help the industry adjust, including engaging with stakeholders to develop guidance that will support the regulations.
It’s di cult not to be sceptical about a situation where those who are responsible for laying down the law, clearly do not comprehend the logistics involved in
its implementation. All agents and tour operators with an ATOL and those that will soon require them under the new rules, and there will be many, should be keeping their ngers crossed that the powers that be will provide a period of grace beyond the 1st July date to allow those changes to be brought into our processes.
The Monarch situation showed up a system that is fundamentally broken, and to compound it, we will now be bound by new rules under an EU law well into the future, despite us shortly leaving that cosy Union and having to fend for ourselves.
Let’s hope someone, somewhere, gets it right this time.
12
Let’s hope someone gets it right this time!
88th AnnuAl SPAA Dinner
has now been rescheduled to:
tuesday 24th april 2018 crowne Plaza, GlasGow Guest Speakers • Address to the Haggis • Pipers
please note :
new date
For more details, contact Janice Hogarth: [email protected] expanding the boundaries
march 2018
Ken McLeod SPAA President


Associate Member News Bytes
Remember to book your attraction tickets with Dosomethingdi erent!
Here at DoSomethingDi erent.com we like to make selling tickets easy and fun! That’s why we won’t charge you a deposit on most of our 3,000 plus attractions.
We also issue real theme park gate ready tickets, allowing your customers to go straight into the parks and start enjoying
their holiday.
Hot o the press this month, we have just started selling football tickets, great for all the footy fans out there. We sell ‘Premium’ seats only. Our Premium tickets also include lots of exciting perks which vary by club.
We also o er great agent concessions, so when you are booking your own holiday, don’t forget to DoSomethingDi erent yourself!
New agents website from Hoseasons
At Hoseasons, you can choose from lodges, caravans, cottages, boats and much more across the UK and Europe!
We o er one of the widest choices of lodge accommodation in the UK with over 4500 locations to choose from in stunning locations from coastal to countryside.
For those customers looking for a break closer to home, we have some fantastic properties across Scotland and the North of England, that feature that all important Hot Tub for chilled out days and steamy nights!
We have recently launched a new and improved agents website at www.hoseasons.co.uk/agents and it is packed with o ers, tips, trends and inspiration for all your UK Short
Break needs.
New charter package routes from
Thomas Cook
Thomas Cook o ers a wide variety of holidays, including own-brand hotels SENTIDO, Sunwing, Sunconnect, Suprime (adult only), Casa Cook and Smartline. All come with a 24-hour satisfaction promise, giving reassurance that these hotels meet Thomas Cook’s high quality standards.
Thomas Cook has added nine new charter package routes from Scotland for Summer ‘18. These include from EDI – Paphos, Heraklion, Antalya, Dalaman and Bodrum. From GLA - Hurghada, Split, Tunisia and Bulgaria.
To nd out all the latest news from Thomas Cook, please visit www.thomascookworld.com. Plus you can join our Facebook page - “Thomas Cook for Independent Agents”.
Stay safe with Tuxedo Money Solutions
The Escape Travel Money Prepaid Mastercard Card from Tuxedo Money Solutions is the simple, safe and cost e ective way for your customers to manage their travel money whilst they are abroad. They simply load it with money before they travel and it can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
It is much safer than carrying cash, all transactions are protected by Chip and PIN and there is a 24/7 lost and stolen line as well
as a MoneyGram option. The Escape card is free to purchase (minimum load of £100) and has competitive exchange rates. Purchases are free as are ATM withdrawals overseas of over £100.
Your customer can add a second card for their travelling companion or to leave in the safe as a spare as well as being able to text to temporarily block/unblock their card. It is an easy and rewarding sell with zero set-up costs and
you receive commission on card loads for
the lifetime of the card (minimum 3 years).
For more information, please contact: Michael Young-Richards
Business Development Manager North of England & Scotland
Tel: 07900 904503
Email: michael@ dosomethingdi erent.com
For further information, please contact: Katrina Latimer
Trade Partnerships Manager Commercial Sales & Relations
Thomas Cook UK Ltd
Tel: 07872 106515
Email: [email protected]
If you have any questions, contact: Ryan Carroll
National Account Manager [email protected] 07825 191183
If you would like more details, contact: Joanne Briggs
Tel: 0203 219 3147
Email: [email protected] Web: www.escapetravelcard.com
march 2018
13


the
secret our success
rikki dUnnage & edWard coX
ISLAND TRAVEL, ISLE OF MAN
Our Island Travel journey started in 2013 when we were both working for Thomas Cook. I was a manager and Edward a top selling consultant and it all started with a text message saying ‘shall we open an agency?’ and that was it!
We worked hard on a business plan and approached Hays Travel who thought
we could be successful and o ered us
a contract within a few days, unlike any bank or investor we approached! We were told it was the wrong economic climate
to set up a ‘risky’ business! Undeterred, we used all our savings and family loans to set up our rst small o ce above a restaurant in September 2013. It was a huge decision for us but we had to take the risk, as we knew that we had the commitment and determination
to succeed.
Our motivation for setting up came from realising we could create something we could be proud of and not shy away from a traditional agency format that puts the customer rst, printing out tickets, out of hours contact and just creating an inviting environment for our customers.
I think the best advice we have learnt over the years is to not over stretch ourselves at any one time and to perfect the position you are currently in.
There were some challenging times in the rst year, especially annoying each other spending 16 hour days together to make
it work! But business started to pick up and customers admired the old school customer service values we wanted
to have from the start. Every customer getting our personal work mobile numbers for any issues before, during or a er travel was one thing that worked well for us.
We were getting busier and busier
so decided to move our location to a small shop near the business district on the island to increase footfall, as the majority of our business was online and appointments.
Nearly ve years on and we are now in
a prime city centre location in a busy shopping street with a thriving Travel and Foreign Exchange business, turning over £5 million plus, with extra sta , so our excellent customer service standards are kept at their very highest.
One of the main reasons for our success is the way every single customer is treated the same and welcomed into the Island Travel family. We have a close connection with most of our customers who feel completely at ease and con dent they are going to get honest advice, their needs listened to and exemplary service. This passion for giving service at this level has bought numerous awards in the last few years which we are extremely proud of
- basically we now don’t accept anything but smashing it daily!
Another big surprise for us was the huge power of social media. We would estimate that 30-40% of our business comes from Facebook and it has quickly become our biggest platform for marketing. At nearly 11,000 likes, we have a huge reach for our daily o ers that we post.
We are still only a small team, however the chemistry and bond between us makes us stand out from our competition. We socialise together all the time (polite term for being at the pub!) and are always there for each other, to help close each sale in store.
I think the best advice we have learnt over the years is to not over stretch ourselves at any one time and to perfect the position you are currently in.
We have had many opportunities to expand in di erent directions over the years but have stuck to providing holidays and currency as our main priority.
Our advice for someone considering setting up their own agency, would be, put a good amount of research into an area that would work well, start small and always keep grounded with your customers at the heart of everything you do!
14
expanding the boundaries
march 2018
of my


Better connecting Scotland and Ireland
New ights from Glasgow to Donegal & City of Derry
Glasgow to Donegal from £54.99 one-way
Glasgow to Derry from £49.99 one-way
Book now at loganair.co.uk
Up to
5 FLIGHTS PER WEEK
to Donegal*
commencing 25th March
Up to
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commencing 28th October
*Up to 5 ights during the summer season, otherwise 3 ights per week. Glasgow to Derry 5 ights per week year-round. Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. fares are one-way inclusive of taxes and charges.


escorted Holidays feature
Life is an Adventure
16
Real life experiences with Intrepid
Escorted holidays with the Newmarket Di erence
Newmarket Holidays have been making a di erence to clients’ holidays since 1983, providing great value at a ordable prices, excellent itineraries and superb customer care, from the moment clients book, to long a er they return.
Newmarket will send your clients comprehensive joining instructions for their tour, to enable them to be fully prepared, wherever they are joining, and no matter how short the trip. During their holiday, the professional Tour Manager will be on hand to answer any questions they may have, to point clients in the right direction and to bring to life the places that they visit. Newmarket o ers a Price Promise - if at the time of booking,
With more than 1,000 adventures in over 100 countries, Intrepid covers more of the globe than ever before. So whether it’s in the Arctic or Antarctica, Africa or Europe, Intrepid will get clients o the beaten track and into the heart of the destination.
Intrepid’s itineraries are speci cally cra ed to include as much time as possible doing local things with local people. They o er the local knowledge and experience to help clients get behind the scenes of a culture, with unique and authentic insights into local life that have been facilitated speci cally for Intrepid groups.
With three trips on o er, there is something for every age - Basix trips, for travellers on a budget and generally attractive to the younger crowd; Comfort, for a more relaxed pace of travel and Original, with a mix of included activities and free time to explore. Groups are small enough to feel like you’re exploring a destination independently, but big enough to get social, with an average group size of about 10.
Explore Asia with
expanding the boundaries
march 2018
For clients who want to explore Asia on an escorted holiday, Wendy Wu Tours o er a variety of di erent tour styles to choose from.
Ranging from shorter trips that take in the main sights to more comprehensive itineraries exploring lesser-visited regions, Wendy Wu’s fully inclusive, escorted Classic Group Tours take care of all your clients’ arrangements, from international ights and visas,
to accommodation and all the tours. Groups of no larger than 29 people are accompanied by National Escorts.
The Immerse Yourself Group Tours allow clients to take part in cultural and active experiences, in smaller groups of 18 or less, giving clients more free time with less meals included so that they can explore the local area at their own pace. They can also choose from a wide range of optional
excursions. The ve-star luxury Exclusive Collection Group Tours are designed for the more discerning traveller and feature distinctive and exclusive experiences unique to Wendy Wu Tours. Private Tours are also available for those who prefer to travel on their own or as a
small group.
you nd the same escorted tour cheaper with another holiday company, they will match their price and refund the di erence.
The operator is o ering low deposits until 29th March, from just £49 per person.


ESCORTED HOLIDAYS & TOURS
Think
Astonishing value for money, stunning prices with so much included
The Newmarket Price Promise – same escorted tour elsewhere? We’ll match the price and refund the difference
New for 2018 – Private tours of India
Price Parity – Everybody pays the same, the price you see is the price you pay
26 14 Gold ★ 9 Silver ★ 3 Bronze
*Low deposit of £49pp applies to new bookings made between 6th March and 29th March 2018 (inclusive) only. Exclusions apply, please see our website for details. This o er is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.
15 inspirational NEW long haul holidays for 2018, including Small Group tours
26 British Travel Awards won since 2011!
Flying from Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow
Low deposit of just £49pp* on air-inclusive holidays
Low Deposits
just £49pp*
Book by 29th March
Call: 0330 160 7999 | www.newmarketholidays.co.uk Online Training: www.training.newmarketholidays.co.uk Enquiries: [email protected]


escorted Holidays feature
Enjoy the Canadian
Grand Prix with North
America Travel Service
Clients can experience the thrills of the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix from the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with a North America Travel Service tour. Located in the heart of Montreal, the Canadian Grand Prix is one of the most anticipated races of the year.
The tour departs 7th June 2018 for four nights and includes: return scheduled ights to Montreal, Quebec; four- nights at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth; general admission to practice, qualifying and race day tickets along with plenty of time to explore Montreal.
Prices start from £1,895 per person, based on two sharing a standard room and including General Admission tickets to the Formula One Grand Prix. Room and ticket upgrades are available on request.
Travelsphere appoints Brand Ambassador
In her new role as Brand Ambassador for escorted tour operator, Travelsphere, broadcaster and travel writer Penny Smith recently explored Italy’s Amal Coast.
“Travel is all about experiences. There is only so much you can get from a guide book - if there is something I really want to see, then I need a human guide. During Travelsphere’s tour in Italy we visited Pompeii, somewhere I have always wanted to go and the guide was superb, knowledgeable and with a fantastic sense of humour,” said Penny.
“The itineraries, destinations, tour managers and guides are why Travelsphere stands out. Not only do they take you to places you might not normally see on an excursion, they tell you where to explore in your free time and where the locals eat and drink.”
Penny began her career as a reporter before moving into television with Border TV, Thames News and Sky. She also spent 17 years as one of the main presenters of GMTV. Penny now presents the Saturday Breakfast Show on TalkRADIO and can be heard regularly on BBC Radio 2.
Travelsphere o ers 20 unique touring holidays in Italy, taking in 12 lakes and more than 140 cities and towns, with the option of 120 departure dates.
“It is fantastic to welcome Penny as our Travel Ambassador for Travelsphere. Our holidays are all about exploring new lands and living the dream while enjoying sharing your stories with others, which is exactly what Penny does when inspiring her listeners and viewers with tales of her adventures,” said Alastair Campbell, Travelsphere’s Managing Director.
“Penny will really help us to dispel many myths about escorted touring and show that it is the smart way to travel. On our tours everything is taken care of but you still have the freedom to explore independently.”
Penny joined Travelsphere’s Amal Coast Tour, an eight-day single centre holiday with return ights from a number of regional airports and seven-nights’ half-board in a four-star family run hotel in the coastal town of Minori. Highlights include tours of Amal , Ravello, Sorrento and Pompeii.
WE HAvE NOTHING TO LOSE AND A WHOLE WORLD TO SEE!
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escorted Holidays feature
Good Companions: Escorted Tours for Mature Solo Travellers from Glenton Holidays
DEDICATED TO THE SOLO TRAVELLER! GREAT GETAWAYS IN GOOD COMPANY!
If you have customers who holiday on their own and are keen to meet like-minded people, Glenton Good Companions could be the perfect answer. These hosted breaks are exclusively for mature solo travellers and guarantee your customers won’t be alone
for long.
With Good Companions, holidaymakers sidestep the stress of travelling alone and just enjoy their break in the company of new friends. Simply put, Good Companions are specially designed to give solo travellers the con dence to explore. We all know that a huge bugbear with solo travellers is paying a surcharge for a room for sole use. However, on a Good Companions holiday, there are no annoying single supplements to pay either in the UK or abroad. With Good Companions your clients can simply look forward to tempting resorts, friendly faces, exciting excursions, happy hosts and intriguing itineraries. They can expect a warm welcome from their host at an informal drinks reception where they will meet and mingle with their fellow Good Companions - just the ticket
for breaking the ice. Their host will be on hand to socialise with everyone on the tour during excursions, on free days and in the evenings. They will also assist with any queries about the hotel or resort and o er practical assistance along with reassurance in the event of an emergency.
Good Companions tours really
do have something for everyone –
spending a day at Floors Castle, a long
weekend in Aberdeenshire, city break in
Newcastle, exploring Stratford-upon-Avon, dipping toes in the sand in Torquay, discovering Ireland, ying to the Algarve or even spending the festive season cruising around the Canaries, having a laugh with their convivial host and new found friends. In fact, we’re con dent Good Companions will have the perfect escape for your single customers.
‘I decided to try a Good Companions holiday and it was everything you advertise. The hotel was excellent, food rst class, however, I have to say that it was the host and driver - the two Jims - that made my holiday very special.’ Mrs Currie, Lanarkshire
BroChures
good Companions HOLIDAYS INCnLoUwDE! ... • Dinner, bed & breakfast • Coach travel throughout
• Door to Door* service (on selected holidays)
• Excursions and entrances as stated • Welcome reception
• Services of a good Companions host
• No single room supplements • Welcome pack
great yarmouth easter
Look forward to a day at Bressingham Steam & Gardens where we enjoy a narrow-gauge steam train trip.
We stay at the Nelson Hotel which stands on Great Yarmouth’s Marine Parade and we visit the Victorian resorts of Cromer & Sheringham.
Mon 2 Apr 5 Days only £299
awesome arran
Look forward to discovering the charms of the enchanting Isle of Arran, visiting the harbour town
of Stranraer, popping into Portpatrick and exploring marvellous Millport. Staying at the Britannia Adamton Country House Hotel in Monkton.
Sun 8 Apr 5 Days only £289
welsh wonders
& the Cathedral City of hereford
We venture out to Hereford, home to the Mappa Mundi inside its Gothic cathedral, dip our toes in the sand in pretty Aberystwyth and enjoy a cruise under the mountain at King Arthur’s Labyrinth in southern Snowdonia. The Glen Usk Hotel in Llandrindod Wells is our base.
order our
air
Call to Book 0141 374 2691
Call for our latest
holidays diRECT fRom sCoTland
latest
BroChures now!
Call now for more details .... 0141 374 2691
or visit us online at www.glentonholidays.Com *Conditions Apply. E&OE
Mon 9 Apr
5 Days only £299
Caledonian Canal Cruise & nostalgiC train Journeys
A scenic and evocative holiday based at the Highlander Hotel and featuring trips on the Strathspey Steam Railway and West Highland Line as well as a sail on the Caledonian Canal and visits to Aviemore & Mallaig.
Wed 11 Apr 5 Days only £359
coach
cruise
holiday ColleCtion
2018
freephone 08000 24 24 24 glentonholidays.Com
summer
ColleCtion 2018
COACh, Cruise & Air hOlidAys frOm sCOtlAnd
freephone 08000 24 24 24 glentonholidays.Com
march 2018
19


escorted Holidays feature
Unforgettable experiences
See more of the world on memorable tours that don’t cost the earth
Riviera Travel’s award-winning holidays o er exceptional value. They include the essential and leave out the unnecessary, so discovering the world with them won’t cost the earth. Since Riviera Travel’s inception in 1984, they have consistently won awards for outstanding service, quality and value. For ve years, Which? has awarded them the highly coveted Recommended Provider status and in 2017, Riviera Travel were named their ‘Travel Brand of the Year’.
You and your client’s experience is what matters most, so there’s absolutely no compromise on quality or service. All details are thoughtfully considered by a member of their team, from the places they visit, to the hotels they choose, which are selected for the best blend of comfort, service facilities and of course, location.
Their tours include so much: insightful guided tours with passionate experts, return journeys with regional departures - your clients will enjoy the convenience of a departure from a wide selection of airports and train stations, transfers to and from the hotel, handpicked accommodation usually inclusive of breakfast and all taxes.
Throughout the journey, experienced tour managers – some
of the best in the industry – are with clients all the way. Riviera Travel’s tour managers and local guides, whose expertise stems from a genuine passion for travel, won’t just show your clients the sights – they will help them feel the heartbeat of every destination.
They always aim to delight with unrivalled personal service, from the very rst encounter, throughout your client’s holiday and
beyond. Should your clients require any assistance, they can easily reach a member of their team.
Why choose Riviera Travel
It’s the extra special touches that make the di erence
Designed just for your clients - each tour is designed to delight discerning customers. Every detail has been personally considered by their team, from their choice of destinations to the many excursions they include and even the convenience of a departure that’s local to you.
On their fascinating tours, your clients will delve into diverse cultures, savour local avours and gain a depth of understanding from their experts that no guide book could ever match. Person- alised for your clients to make their trip as special as it can be, Riviera Travel o er a host of wonderful new experiences for you to personalise your client’s holiday.
Intriguing insights by experts – Riviera Travel partner with experts to ensure your clients get the most from their trip and see the real destination, not just what’s on the tourist trail.
Exceptional value - making your client’s holiday a priceless experience means Riviera Travel giving you and your clients the best value. Riviera Travel know your client’s time on holiday is precious, so they include as much as they can with every tour.
Fair pricing – Riviera Travel’s prices are competitive and include return ights or train travel, hotel transfers, fascinating excursions and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. They guarantee there are no hidden costs or surcharges to be added later, in ated prices or arti cial discounts, so anytime is the best time to book with them.
Genuine care for customers – Riviera Travel go out of their way to ensure every customer has an exceptional experience. Many of their customers have continued to travel with them since their inception 34 years ago – in fact, 97% of Riviera Travel’s customers have said they would travel with them again.
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AWARD-WINNING TOURS
WITH DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM NORTHERN AIRPORTS Our collection of escorted tours have been carefully crafted by our travel specialists
CLASSICAL ITALY FLORENCE, SIENA, ASSISI & ROME
8 DAYS FROM £949PP
CLASSICAL SPAIN SEVILLE, CORDOBA & GRANADA
7 DAYS FROM £549PP
BOLOGNA, PARMA & RAVENNA
5 DAYS FROM £659PP
SOUTH AFRICA
16 DAYS FROM £2,199PP
TRANSYLVANIA & BUCHAREST
6 DAYS FROM £809PP
WASHINGTON DC, NEW YORK CITY & NIAGARA FALLS BY TRAIN 10 DAYS FROM £2,099PP
WHY CHOOSE US?
✓ So much is included in the price
✓ Direct regional flight options on many itineraries
✓ Fully escorted by one of our outstanding tour managers ✓ Hand-picked hotels – mostly four-star
✓ Guided sightseeing excursions
✓ The number one choice for escorted tours from the UK
CONTACT OUR RESERVATIONS TEAM 7 DAYS A WEEK:
Call 01283 744370 or book online at www.rivieratravel.co.uk/agents
CONTACT US FOR AGENCY SALES SUPPORT:
Call 01283 744307 or email [email protected]
FIND ALL THESE TOURS AND MORE IN OUR 2018/19 EUROPEAN & WORLDWIDE ESCORTED TOURS BROCHURE!
CALL OUR FRIENDLY AGENCY SALES TEAM FOR SUPPORT:
Joseph Darren Tamzin Mia
ABTA No. V4744 Riviera Travel booking terms and conditions apply. Prices correct as of 02.03.18.


escorted Holidays feature
40 o ers to celebrate
40 years with Titan Travel
To celebrate their 40th anniversary this year, Titan are showcasing a range of o ers on 40 of their most popular tours at special prices.
With strictly limited availability at these exceptional prices, these 40 dates include Titan’s door-to-door escorted tours and cruises+, priced from £799 per person, o ering savings of up to £700 per person and many with no or low single supplements.
O ers include India’s Golden Triangle, The Best of Burma, Historic Gems of Malta, Alpine Rail Adventure, Southern Sights & Sounds of the USA and Mexico’s Maya Trail.
Titan Travel’s range of escorted tours features over 350 itineraries visiting more than 90 countries worldwide, including the USA & Canada, Europe, the UK and rest of the world.
For customers who want to travel as part of a smaller tour group, Titan’s Small Group Tours include meeting local people in more personal and informal settings and experiencing o -the-beaten- track destinations and activities that would be impractical for larger tour groups.
Titan’s selection of tours where groups are limited to a maximum of 25 travellers, include South Africa Safari Adventure, Temples and Villages of Burma and Scenic and Cultural Treasures of Ethiopia.
With Titan, your client’s journey begins from the moment they leave the house, with bene ts including:
✓ VIP door-to-door transfers
✓ Free airport or port parking
✓ Exclusive airport meet and greet service
✓ Flights from a local airport
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WINNER OF 15 AWARDS
Fly from an airport near you with Titan
Stay and explore
Memories of Mallorca
Staying at the exquisite Hotel Bon Sol
8 days from £1,629pp*
Includes 14 meals and 5 excursions Departing May - October 2018
Escorted tour
e Spirit of Andalucia
Including Jerez and the Alhambra Palace
9 days from £1,449pp*
Includes 15 meals and 7 excursions Departing April - November 2018
Stay and explore
Classic Cyprus
Including a visit to historic Kyrenia
8 days from £1,199pp*
Includes 7 meals and 3 excursions Departing April - November 2018
Stay and explore
Scenic Lake Orta
and a Matterhorn Rail Journey
8 days from £1,299pp*
Includes 16 meals and 2 excursions Departing April - October 2018
International ights from regional airports are available on many Europe itineraries, look out for the ‘ y from an airport near you’ label in the brochure.
OR
All holidays include VIP door-to-door travel service and free connecting ights.** For more information please visit titanagents.co.uk
* Prices apply to selected dates and are correct at time of print. Prices are subject to availability. ** Excludes the ‘Essential Collection’. Flight supplements may apply and will be con rmed at time of booking.


Gregorz... The well travelled bear visits...
monte carlo!
or Bust!
Monte Carlo, a sparkling gem nestling between France and the Mediterranean Sea, is world famous for its Casino, Grand Prix and glamorous lifestyles – as you can imagine – I tted right in!
With glorious beaches, elegant hotels and
a vibrant nightlife, this tiny domain is a favourite haunt of the jet set. Although smaller than New York’s Central Park, it boasts some of the world’s most expensive real estate and famous residents. This is a town where money talks – and that even goes for your morning co ee which you can expect to pay an eye watering amount for. That apart, this town is beautiful and makes for a great short break.
If you want to break the bank at Monte
Carlo, the Casino opens at 2pm every day. Entrance fee is 10 euros and a passport and formal attire are both required. It’s a great experience, if for no other reason than to simply watch the rich at play. Once you’ve cashed in your chips, treat yourself to dinner in one of the two restaurants in the Casino. (make sure you win big!).
The Prince’s Palace of Monaco is the o cial residence of the Grimaldi family.
State apartments are open from April - October to enjoy The Italian Style Gallery and its 15th century frescoes as well as Louis XV’s lounge, the Blue Room and Palatine Chapel. Don’t miss the Changing of the Guard which takes place every day at 11.55am on the square in front of the Palace.
Hercule Harbour is a great place to see the super yachts of the rich and famous - they will simply take your breath away. The
cars that go with these yachts are equally impressive – wander among Lamborghinis, Bentleys and Ferraris – it certainly motivated me to buy my lottery ticket when I got home!
The Jardin Exotique grows along the edge
of a cli overlooking the bay. Not only do you see hundreds of cacti and plants, but the views over Monaco and the French and Italian Rivieras are simply stunning. The entrance ticket of 7 euros entitles you to visit the Exotic Garden, Observatory Caves and Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology.
Whether visiting for a day or a weekend break, Monte Carlo, with its world-famous sights, attractions and unique atmosphere will leave you with memories to savour for a long time.
3 If ying into Nice airport, the ultimate way to transfer to Monte Carlo is
by helicopter. This seven-minute spectacular ride runs 50 times a day, costs from 140 euros one way and only operates during daylight hours. Your clients will love this experience!
3 If your clients are on a cruise but
not berthing directly in Monte Carlo, make sure they know that a day
trip to the town, as well as Cannes, Antibes and Nice, are all easily accessible on the coastal and scenic train. Fast, frequent and cheap, it o ers a great day out at minimal cost.
3 Choose the Hotel de Paris for
sheer ve-star luxury. Located in Casino Square, it is one of the most fashionable hotels in the world. If this isn’t within your client’s budget, there are many other options, either in or just outside Monte Carlo.
3 For aquatic fans, a must see is the Oceanographic Museum, also known as the Jacques Cousteau Museum, priced from only 14 euros.
TOP TIPS
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Fancy a spot on our Iceland fam trip?
From 13 to 19 May, we’re sending a small group of lucky agents to experience the natural wonders of this volcanic island that’s been topping travel bucket lists in recent years. Spend the week travelling the Icelandic Ring Road, taking in geysers, ords, glaciers and countless waterfalls.
T&Cs apply, visit our website for full details.
intrepidlovesagents.com/spin-to-win
All you have to do to be in with a chance is book a customer onto any Intrepid trip in March and enter their booking reference number on the Spin to Win page of our Intrepid Loves Agents portal.


Exciting enhancements from Crystal River Cruises -
new voyages & new experiences
Take to the river less travelled. Crystal is introducing brand new 10-night “Enchanting Moselle” itineraries aboard Crystal Bach, sailing round-trip from Amsterdam through Germany and the Netherlands. These 2019 voyages feature ve entirely new ports of call along the vineyard- anked Moselle River, considered to be one of the most breathtaking stretches of river in Europe. Guests can experience world-class Rieslings and the famous vintages of the Mosel Wine Region in Bernkastel, the medieval charm and Roman ruins of Trier and the stunning architecture of Reichsburg Castle in Cochem.
Along with the picturesque Moselle, new destinations to explore along the Rhine River include Bonn, Beethoven’s birthplace; Dusseldorf, the cultural and fashion hub of Germany; the historic war museums of Arnhem, Netherlands; and returning favourite Koblenz, which o ers travellers a unique perspective of the point at which the Rhine and the Moselle meet.
Overnights spent in Amsterdam and Trier a ord ample time for longer trips, such as a day in nearby Luxembourg or an in-depth exploration of Holland’s art and culinary scenes.
Enhancements are also being made to guests’ experiences ashore with newly added Inclusive Adventure o erings, focusing on authenticity and tailored to travellers’ individual interests, featuring smaller group sizes (no more than 15 guests) and extra special details.
Nearly 200 enriching excursions are included, with more extravagant pursuits also available at an additional cost. The shore-side excursions highlight the multi-faceted character
of each destination and comprise ve types of experiences - Personal Connections - exploring the culture of a destination, with a one-of-a-kind tour hosted by local residents, artisans and experts; Tantalising Gastronomy – showcasing the signature culinary styles and specialities of the destination with a variety of dining and hands-on cooking opportunities; Cultural Discoveries – a comprehensive insight from expert guides into historical landmarks, museums, iconic sites and architectural marvels;
Exhilarating Adventures – a selection of more active and invigorating
pursuits that combine historical and cultural
experiences; Design Your Time – for a more tailored
holiday, guests can choose
this option which features a concierge service that designs unique private tours as well as a menu of customised choices.
With many destinations o ering more than a dozen choices
for shore-side discovery, some of the new Inclusive Adventure experiences featured on voyages in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Switzerland, Slovenia, Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary, Croatia and Serbia include:
• Immersive culinary experiences in the foodie haven of Rotterdam
• String and opera performance in a historic Antwerp cathedral • A full day exploring Salzburg from Linz
• Horse show and carriage ride at Lázár Equestrian Park
• An owner-hosted tasting at Schlagkamp Winery in Cochem
• A cycle ride to Veitshochheim Castle and its Rococo Garden in Wurzburg
• Behind-the-scenes tour of Amsterdam’s greenhouses, where the famous tulips are cultivated
Each river itinerary will also feature inclusive Signature Events – special events that o er rare access and musical performances in iconic landmarks including Vienna’s Belvedere Palace, Linz’s St. Florian Monastery, Rüdesheim’s Monastery Eberbach and others.
The all-suite, all-butler, Crystal River Cruises eet features Crystal’s signature service with one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios and some of the largest accommodations in the river cruise industry. The line’s suites feature Crystal’s acclaimed butler service for every room category, plush king-sized beds, walk-in wardrobes and dual vanity in the bathrooms in most categories, robes and slippers, personal iPads, and wall-mounted 42-inch, at-screen HD TVs. Additional features include Crystal’s farm-to-table, Michelin- inspired cuisine in multiple, open-seating eateries: the elegant Waterside Restaurant; namesake Bistro cafés; the exclusive Vintage Room and the Palm Court.
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For more information, visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk or call our reservations team on 020 7399 7604 expanding the boundaries march 2018


OUR MAN IN THE NORTH REPORTS ON...
SUMMER HOLIDAYS! It’s never too late to book your guests on their summer 2018 Crystal cruise, where they can soak up the sun, sea and sangria in the Mediterranean onboard the stunning Crystal Serenity. You’ll find two exotic itineraries below, and if you’d like more information or a full guide to our Crystal Cruises sailings, just visit the website or give me a call.
If you would like to learn more about Crystal Cruises, just give me a call or send me an email: 07841 921533 | [email protected]
VINEYARDS & VISTAS
MEDITERRANEAN IMAGES
DOVER TO MONTE CARLO
Voyage #OCY180729-14
Crystal Serenity | 29th July 2018 | 14 nights Highlights: Dover, Guernsey, Bordeaux (two overnight), Oporto/Leixoes, Lisbon (overnight), Barcelona (overnight), Cassis, Monte Carlo (overnight).
Fares from £4,445 per person cruise only
BARCELONA TO VENICE
Voyage #OCY180819-12
Crystal Serenity | 19 August 2018 | 12 nights Highlights: Barcelona (overnight), Séte, St-Tropez (overnight), Villefranche, Florence/Livorno, Rome, Sorrento, Monopoli, Kotor, Venice (overnight).
Fares from £4,335 per person cruise only
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO BOOK PLEASE CALL:
O20 7399 7601
www.crystalcruises.co.uk
ABTA No.V8548
Fares are per person, cruise only in UK sterling based on double occupancy in a lead-in stateroom for the first two full-fare guests and include port, security and handling charges, which vary by departure. All fares, offers and itineraries are subject to change and availability and can be withdrawn at any time. Fares may fluctuate and should be used as a guide only. Prices may go up or down. You should contact us on 0207 399 7601 before booking, or visit our website www.crystalcruises.co.uk. The fares are available to new bookings only and are only available to UK & Eire residents. Restrictions apply. See crystalcruises.co.uk for complete terms and conditions of all offers. (c) 2018 Crystal Cruises, Inc., Ships' registry: The Bahamas.
Jon Schofield


Weddings&Honeymoons feature
Say ‘I do’ to a
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Getting engaged will be one of the most thrilling moments in your customers’ lives. Once a twinkling ring is on the hand and family and friends have been told, it will be time to help plan their dream ceremony abroad and a sensational honeymoon to boot.
So where would your customers like to go
for their big day? By the calm cobalt waters
of the Indian Ocean, feeling powder-so Maldivian sand beneath their toes as they say ‘I do’, or half way across the world to inject a little adrenalin into their day with a quirky ceremony and a climb up Sydney
Harbour Bridge?
Couples could say their vows under the a ernoon sun at an exotic ve-star safari lodge in Africa, or brides could even have ‘Elvis’ walk them down the aisle in glitzy Las Vegas. Whatever their dream ceremony, our experienced Weddings team can help you and your customers, every step of the way.
A wedding abroad can be more a ordable, personal and unique than couples might think and we can arrange ceremonies in spectacular settings across the world, from Hawaii to Canada. Customers that are concerned a wedding abroad may be tricky to organise or tough on the budget needn’t worry. We’ll listen to what’s important and help take all the hard work out of planning a wedding abroad to make sure their day is as wonderful as
they’d imagined.
Many resorts also have a wedding coordinator on site to make sure their special day goes smoothly. A destination wedding doesn’t need to be more costly than a UK wedding either; we have a collection of hotels that o er free wedding packages – ideal if a couple has a simple ceremony in mind.
Next on the to do list is a spectacular honeymoon, so while the bride is busy choosing her dress and the groom is preparing invites, the pair can rest assured that they will soon be jetting o on an idyllic tailor-made escape. From enchanting ve-star beach breaks to exhilarating independent tours, we’re here to make honeymoon planning a breeze and deliver exceptional escapes that will live in newlyweds’ memories for the rest of their lives.
With over 90 destinations to choose from, your customers can dine under a romantic candle-lit cave in Tenerife, discover the Australian Outback on a glamping adventure in Uluru, or hike South America’s Inca Trail together in Peru. We’ll also do our very best
to arrange extra-special touches for their trip, whether it’s a bonus night’s stay, free room upgrade or complimentary meal – and can even help to plan a surprise for the husband or wife during their stay, too.
We have over 200 travel and service awards under our belt, including most-recently being voted Best Wedding Travel Company at the 2017 UK Wedding Awards, so you can be sure to put your trust in Kuoni for your customers’ big day.
We also believe the best advice comes from someone who has travelled there themselves, so speak to one of our experts today and we can tell you all you need to know to help you plan your customers’ amazing wedding
or honeymoon.
You can contact Kuoni for a wedding or honeymoon quote by calling
0800 072 4454
expanding the boundaries
march 2018
honeymoon


JAMAICA SAINT LUCIA ANTIGUA
BAHAMAS
GRENADA
BARBADOS
OUT NOW
As leaders in destination weddings, we have completely unpackaged our offering, transcending inspirations into experiences. From personalised wedding décor to authentic events, our latest Aisle to Isle concept is fully customisable and will deliver any couple’s dream wedding in paradise.
Plus, at Sandals, your clients can enjoy
A FREE WEDDING*
This includes:
NEW BROCHURE
A MOKARA ORCHID BOUQUET
•
A MOKARA ORCHID BOUTONNIERE
A TWO-TIER
• WHITE • FONDANT CAKE
AN ELEGANT TABLE SETTING FOR 8
WORTH
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE WORLD’S LEADING ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS
Call Agency Sales 020 7590 0210 | Email [email protected] | Visit sellingsandals.co.uk 22 Years Running OR TO BOOK: Call 0808 164 3459 | Visit sandals.co.uk/agents
*Free wedding applicable to all bookings at Sandals Resorts with a minimum stay of three (3) paid nights or more. All weddings are subject to mandatory marriage officiant and government documentation fees, which are $95 in Jamaica, $270 in Saint Lucia, $288 in Antigua $180 in Grenada, $310 in the Bahamas, $325 in Barbados, and $400 in Turks & Caicos, and must observe the respective island’s residency period. Further terms and conditions may apply. Visit sandals.co.uk for more information
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Weddings&Honeymoons feature Take a Couples
Holiday at the Shandrani Beachomber, Mauritius
Shandrani Beachcomber is an all-inclusive resort in Mauritius, set in the unspoiled south of the island on a private peninsula. With three white sandy beaches and the protected clear waters of Blue Bay Marine Park, Shandrani Beachcomber o ers a perfect retreat for a romantic honeymoon.
The resort features a variety of accommodation from split level Superior Rooms, spacious Deluxe Rooms to Family Apartments. This fully inclusive resort o ers a la carte and ne dining at three of the four restaurants as well as champagne by the glass from 6pm.
Make your wedding & honeymoon unique with Sandals Resorts
For couples who want to get married in a tropical setting, why not suggest Sandals Resorts? With luxury all-included, Sandals Resorts are ideal for wedding and honeymoon couples alike. What’s more, for bookings of three nights or more, the wedding/
honeymoon is included for free!
This package includes preparation of marriage
documents, gi registry, free wedding website, 30-min foot massage, manicure for the bride, bouquet and boutonniere, music,
complimentary 5”x7” wedding photo, reception,
wedding cake, cocktail reception with sparkling wine
and hors d’oeuvres and a bride and groom signature cocktail.
As with all Beachcomber resorts in Mauritius, there is a large selection free land and water sports on o er including water-skiing, sailing and snorkelling. There is also a 9-hole pitch & putt course which is included too.
Excursions including Beachcomber Sport & Nature and the PADI dive centre are also available at an additional cost.
Shandrani Beachcomber currently has a special Couples Holiday o er, priced from £1,615 per person and including:
3 7- nights in a Superior Room 3 Return economy ights
3 All inclusive
3 Free land & water sports
3 Airport transfers in Mauritius 3 For departures in June 2018
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The Honeymoon includes breakfast in bed, romantic turndown service with ower petals on the rst evening and a honeymoon dinner with white-glove service in a specialty restaurant.
Sandals also o ers lots of optional extras, so clients can pick and choose to create their perfect wedding. The new Aisle to Isle programme features eight, all new décor inspirations, enhanced options for food and beverage and new ceremony and reception venues.
TWO AERIALS ON A ROOF FELL IN LOvE AND GOT MARRIED.
THE WEDDING WASN’T GREAT BUT THE RECEpTION WAS FANTASTIC! (JIMEOIN)


Weddings&Honeymoons feature
Weddings with a di erence with
If Only... have been packaging weddings and honey- moons ever since the trade-focused operator launched its programme some 17 years ago. Interest in faraway weddings and honeymoons has grown considerably, currently almost 50% of all If Only... bookings to Mauritius being for these celebrations.
“The traditional family event at home is becoming less relevant,” said Iain Raeper, Product Manager at If Only.... “Couples are marrying at a later age and there’s more second marriages, so we’ve seen a growth in demand for more unusual events and have expanded our portfolio to include celebrations with a di erence. Once booked, many couples invite friends and family to join them on a coral white beach, in a tropical garden or on deserted island to witness the ceremony, so the booking can become quite signi cant.”
For agents who have couples looking for a wedding with di erence, here’s some suggestions that might get them saying, “We Do”.
When it comes to weddings, the ve-star
Heritage the Villas in Mauritius have
thought of everything – even the Bachelor/
Bachelorette parties - for the couple who want to invite friends and family along for the whole celebration.
Guests also enjoy unlimited access to the two neighbouring luxury hotels. Accommodation includes 2, 3 and 4 en-
suite bedroom villas with private pools, indoor/outdoor entertaining spaces with living/dining/kitchen and veranda accommodation..
If Only... o ers a 7-night stay in late August/early September from £1,399pp including Emirates ights from Newcastle (£1,415 with ights from Glasgow), breakfast daily, private car transfers and airport taxes, based on four adults sharing a two bedroom villa.
Add the Classic Wedding Package from only £380 and the resort will arrange the ceremony, the legalities, welcome gi s, a cake, a candlelit dinner and a champagne breakfast for the bride
and groom.
Dubai for HONEYMOONs
• 5 Star luxury
• Peaceful beachfront resort
• Award winning spa
• Fly in style with Emirates
• Year round sunshine
• Romantic dining
Arabia
Everything Under the Sun
Call us on
0141 955 4000 or visit ifonly.net for details
march 2018
31


Weddings&Honeymoons feature AMResorts launches new
Weddings & Honeymoons guide
A selection of intimate wedding, anniversary and honeymoon packages.
AMResorts has launched a new weddings and honeymoons guide showcasing its beautiful resorts throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.
The new guide allows agents (and their customers) to discover a world of romance and luxury, as it highlights the all-inclusive concepts; Endless Privileges®, Unlimited-Luxury® and Unlimited-Fun®.
Travellers can say “I do” for free with AMResorts. Each of the properties o ers a complimentary symbolic wedding package for up to ten guests when the required room category and length of stay is booked.
The package includes a dedicated Wedding Coordinator, bouquet for the bride and a boutonniere for the groom, wedding cake, sparkling wine toast and a special turndown service on the evening of the ceremony.
Plus, if you’re planning a bigger wedding or looking for something extra special, two upgraded packages
are available, including breakfast in bed the
morning a er the ceremony, private dinner reception, private cocktail hour, a video of the ceremony and more.
With over 50 resorts across six destinations,
it’s hard to know which one to choose.
AMResorts have made that choice easier by showcasing the top wedding locations. So, whether your customer is looking for a boutique wedding surrounded by nature at Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana, a romantic sunset wedding at Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay or a big family wedding at Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa, the wedding guide has it all!
For those that have already tied the knot, the guide also provides information on the resorts’ honeymoon and anniversary package, so you can celebrate that special occasion.
To download or request your copy of AMResorts’ Wedding & Honeymoon Guide, visit https://amragents.blog
WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS BY AMRESORTS MEXICO - JAMAICA - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - COSTA RICA - PANAMA - CURACAO
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expanding the boundaries march 2018


ESCAPE INTO LUXURY.
It’s more than just the romantic settings that make Secrets Resorts & Spas the perfect place to say ‘I do’. Your clients’ wedding, at any of our adult-only oceanfront sanctuaries, offers all the inclusions of Unlimited-Luxury®, an onsite wedding coordinator to ensure everything is perfect, and so much more! Better yet, Secrets Resorts & Spas offer complimentary wedding packages. Please contact your preferred tour operator for more details.
Unlimited-Luxury® Exclusive Meets Inclusive:
COMPLIMENTARY WEDDING PLANNER
COMPLIMENTARY ROOM FOR THE GROOM THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING
WEDDING CAKE AND SPARKLING WINE
LUXURIOUS OCEANFRONT SUITES WITH PRIVATE TERRACES
PREFERRED CLUB WITH EXCLUSIVE UPGRADES
LIMITLESS GOURMET DINING, SNACKS & TOP-SHELF SPIRITS
SIP, SAVOUR & SEE MULTI-RESORT DINING
LIVE SHOWS NIGHTLY
NEW Wedding Guide available to download at amragents.blog
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neWs
Cruise Sales
Opportunity of the Month...
Hawaiian Dream Cruises
Say Aloha to great bookings!
Looking for something di erent to promote and sell to your clients? A product that visits some of the world’s most beautiful and desirable destinations, travelling on a fabulous superliner and giving you the opportunity to upsell great add on packages, side trips etc?
Then look no further than Princess Cruises’ sailings from LA and San Francisco to the Aloha islands of Hawaii for Winter 2018/2019.
These cruises are 15 nights in duration and involve a total of nine relaxing sea days crossing the mighty Paci c Ocean - a prospect that passengers will relish onboard a fabulous Princess Cruises’ ship.
On arrival in paradise, the ship spends a full day in Honolulu as well as makes calls into Maui (regularly voted the most beautiful island in the world); Kauai (where the movies South Paci c and Jurassic Park were lmed); and Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii (tell your clients not to miss the incredible Volcanoes National Park). On the return trip to California, the ship calls into the Mexican port of Ensenada.
You can o er clients pre and post cruise stays in California, a side trip to Las Vegas, or a stop o in New York or Chicago or Washington en route. I ran promotions for these cruises and received an excellent response, with a healthy pro t.
*The Ruby Princess - Los Angeles to Los Angeles - October 2018 to April 2019
*The Grand Princess - San Francisco to San Francisco - October 2018 to April 2019
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Princess Cruises o ers ight discount
Princess Cruises are o ering up to £300 per person o the cost of air travel on select 2018 and 2019 sailings.
The o er runs until 30th April, 2018 and includes over 100 voyages, ranging from 7 to 28 days, in the Caribbean, Panama Canal and Hawaii.
CRUISES INCLUDE:
•
•
•
A 14-night Caribbean East/West Adventurer, departing 18th August, 2018 on Caribbean Princess. Sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, ports
of call include Princess Cays, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize City and Cozumel. Prices start from £1,993 per person.
A 10-night Panama Canal with Costa Rica & Caribbean cruise, departing 8th September, 2018 on Caribbean Princess. Sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, ports of call include Falmouth (Jamaica), Cartagena, Panama Canal, Cristobal, Limon and Grand Cayman, priced from £1,303 per person.
A 15-night Hawaiian Islands cruise, departing 4th December, 2018 on Emerald Princess. Sailing round trip from Los Angeles, ports of call include Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, Hilo and Ensenada (Mexico), with prices from £1,513 per person.




Canada starts here with Air Transat
Over the last 30 years Air Transat have been ying passengers from the UK to Canada to enjoy the epic nature views, unique wildlife and the friendly Canadian welcome. With direct ights from Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin and London Gatwick, Canada is within easy reach.
Meeting passengers’ needs are a top priority for Air Transat and this summer, a new and enhanced Bistro menu has been introduced on all its transatlantic ights between Europe and Canada. From 1st May, all Economy Class passengers will have a choice between two tasty hot dishes.
The choice from the UK to Canada is chicken provençale served with orzo, broccoli and carrots, or penne in rosé sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and parsley.
The menu from Canada to the UK consists of garlic and ginger chicken with jasmine rice, or Shanghai noodles sautéed with vegetables in an Asian sauce. All meals will include a salad, sweet treat and glass of wine.
The popular Chef’s Menu by Daniel Vézina is also receiving an update on 1st May; Club Class Passengers can choose from six tasty meals.
The new additions are pork let mignon with Quebec blueberries or chicken cordon bleu garnished with smoked
meat. Plus four favourites from previous seasons, including two vegetarian options; salmon llet with Asian noodles, pulled
beef shepherd’s pie, white bean and quinoa bowl, or vegetable risotto. These dishes will be served with a salad, cheese plate, dessert and wine.
There are also two new delicious breakfasts (for departures between 10pm and 8:59am). Spinach and basil omelette or square crepes with goat cheese and smoked salmon. Breakfast is served with a plain croissant, yogurt, a glass of orange juice and co ee.
Economy Passengers can also enjoy these Daniel Vézina meals for £15pp or breakfast for £10pp, per ight. It is recommended that all passengers pre-order meals from the Chef’s Menu as they are available in limited quantities.
Option Plus makes travelling that little
bit easier and more relaxing in economy. Upon arrival at the airport, your clients can check-in two bags of 23kg each at the dedicated desk and be on their way swi ly to the departure lounge with extra time for duty free shopping. On board they can settle in to their complimentary seat of choice with extra snacks and alcoholic drinks, plus added comforts like a blanket and ear plugs.
cabin starts and rounds o any holiday with relaxation, comfort and some wonderful additional bene ts.
With a dedicated cabin crew member, large leather seats, personal entertainment system plus a fantastic selection of gourmet meals from top Chef Daniel Vézina’s menu and a premium drinks service, the ight will be an enjoyable part of your clients’ holiday.
Other perks with Club Class include:
3 Priority check-in, boarding & baggage service
3 64kg of checked baggage, 15kg hand luggage
3 Luxury amenity kit
For customers with mini-globetrotters aged 2 – 11, it’s free to join the Kids Club for perks including; priority services at the airport, a members kit lled with travel goodies, on-board surprises to make ying fun, free seat selection and exclusive contests to win family vacations.
Air Transat operates multiple direct and connecting ights every day to Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary; making all the hotspots in Canada even easier to reach.
• Fly direct from Glasgow to Toronto all year round, Vancouver (between May and September) with connections to Montreal and Calgary.
• Fly direct from Manchester to Toronto all year round, Vancouver (between May and September) with connections to Montreal and Calgary.
• Fly direct from Dublin to Toronto (between April and October) with connections to Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary.
• Fly direct from London Gatwick to Toronto & Montreal all year round, Vancouver (between April and October) and Calgary (between March and October).
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This summer, ensure that your clients y in pure comfort in Air Transat’s exclusive Club Class cabin. The 12 seat Club Class


DIRECT FREE FREE INFLIGHT
FLIGHTS LUGGAGE MEAL ENTERTAINMENT
Glasgow - Toronto Direct ight
Starting at £363 pp rtn
Manchester - Toronto Direct ight
Starting at £365 pp rtn
Dublin - Toronto Direct ight
Starting at £328 pp rtn
Glasgow - Vancouver Direct ight
Starting at £418 pp rtn
Manchester - Vancouver Direct ight
Starting at £404 pp rtn
London Gatwick - Toronto Direct ight
Starting at £356 pp rtn


Stay & Play at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island
Surrounded by the stunning Arabian Gulf, Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island feels worlds apart from the bustle of city life, yet it is conveniently located between the business centres of Abu Dhabi and nearby Dubai. At the Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island, you can enjoy easy access to Abu
Dhabi city centre as well as to popular leisure attractions on the island including the Yas Links Golf Course, which is located right next to the hotel.
Golfers visiting Abu Dhabi will nd world-class gol ng opportunities at Yas Links Golf Course, right next to Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island. This championship course tests professionals and will excite beginners and was the
rst of its kind in the Middle East. Since opening, it has been named 70th Best Link Course in the World and Number
One in the Middle East.
The Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island overlooks
this exceptional sporting venue. This close proximity to Yas Links allows guests to enjoy a fantastic game of golf before retreating back to the comforts of Radisson Blu’s hotel rooms overlooking the Arabian Sea.
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
• Rates are subject to a 10% service charge, 6% tourism fees, 4% municipality fees, AED 15 government fees and 5% VAT per room per night
• Rates are per person per night
• No pre-payment required
• Free cancellation 72 hrs prior to arrival
• Tee time is subject to availability, please contact hotel to secure desired tee time
• Transportation fee to golf club is not included
*The package can be booked through www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-abudhabi expanding the boundaries
march 2018
38
Stay & Play Golf Package:*
RADISSON BLU HOTEL, ABU DHABI YAS ISLAND
Spend a night at Radisson Blu Yas Island and get a complimentary round of golf at Abu Dhabi’s best golf courses!
THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES:
• Inclusive of one round of golf (18 holes) per person
• Available golf courses are Yas Links, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club & Abu Dhabi Golf Club (Tee time is subject to availability)
• Complimentary International Bu et Breakfast at Assymetri
• Complimentary high speed Wi-Fi in the rooms and public areas
• Complimentary Yas Beach Access
• Complimentary Shuttle to Yas Mall, Ferrari World and Yas Beach
• Complimentary access to outdoor swimming pools, tennis court, hotel gym & spa facilities


Silversea launches ‘The Silversea Selling Suite’
Silversea has launched the ‘Silversea Selling Suite’ to help UK travel agents learn and sell their product.
Featuring ve new platforms, the programme includes:
SILVERSEA AGENT REWARDS
A specially designed travel agent loyalty programme - agents can claim points when they book an eligible cruise and redeem these points for either Amazon or Love2Shop voucher codes. Each point equates to GBP 1 (or EUR equivalent) of gi voucher. This new membership platform enables agents to process claims and earn money to redeem at their convenience – either as earned or once accrued. Agents will also be able to access the website via a specially designed app.
MARKETING CENTRAL
This platform o ers agents the ability to customise Silversea’s brand-approved marketing materials with their own contact information and logos to send direct to clients.
UK TRAVEL AGENT CENTRE
AGENT RESOURCES
Housed in the ‘Resources’ section of Silversea’s Academy, agents can download literature, to help them sell Silversea to clients.
WEBINAR WEDNESDAYS
A new training source run by Trainer, Luke Clarke, Webinar Wednesdays will be held on the rst Wednesday of each month, featuring information on destinations and life on board to what’s selling well.
For more information, visit:
Silversea Agent Rewards: www.silverseaagentrewards.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/silverseaukagents
Travel Agent Resources: www.silverseaacademy.com/home Marketing Central: my.silversea.com
A Facebook page especially for agents, featuring all the latest
news, events, incentives and o ers. Selling tips, marketing ideas and in61fo2r5m_Tartaiovenl-fMroamttetrhse-ASdi-lvMearsceha_AsaWle.qsxtpe_a1m90wmimll axls1o4b0me fmea0tu2r/0e3d/2h0e1r8e. 08:43 Page 1
www.africaandbeyond.co.uk
The Experts in Tailor-made Holidays
to Africa, Indian
Ocean & Dubai.
Call our experts
0161 789 8838
or email us on:
[email protected]
march 2018
39


tHeevolvingWorkplace feature
Impact and implications of Social Media in the workplace
By CAROL MCNAUGHTON, HR Specialist
The ever-changing social media landscape means that employers and employees would be wise to consider how this can have an impact in the workplace.
Many employers are tackling issues such as defamation, cyber bullying, freedom of speech and the invasion of privacy. So how do we manage this in a fair and proportionate way?
Well, rstly it is recommended that employers have a company policy which clearly outlines what their expectations are in terms of protecting the company reputation as well as the well-being of their employees.
The policy should be made available to employees on joining the company and should be easily accessible to all sta .
Points to remember when dra ing a policy might include:
• What you mean by social media, i.e. use of any social media sites such as Instagram, Twitter etc
• To who and when the policy applies (which shouldn’t be exhaustive)
• Clear guidance on what standards the employers would expect their employees to comply with
• Examples of what wouldn’t be deemed as acceptable use and the reason why
• Action which could be taken for alleged misuse
A few points for employees to consider:
• You are responsible for everything you post on a social media site
• Comments made about your employer or colleagues could result in claims of defamation, bullying and could also fall into the category of misconduct
In order to manage appropriate levels of use during working hours, it would also be useful to make it clear which sites can be accessed on company equipment and when, i.e. during breaks only.
It goes without saying that in any event, privacy settings should be taken seriously and time should be taken to ensure that both employers and employees understand who can see their comments.
This obviously shouldn’t prevent employers from using social media, which can be a fantastic tool to communicate information, such as the bene ts of using your company, who you are, where you are and to update travel deals to your customers!
Anytime, any place, anywhere
How many of us dream of being able to control how, where and when we work? Along with technology revolutionising the workplace, the expectations of the workforce are no longer for a 9-5 job at a desk, but for a exible role within a digital world.
With the workplace constantly evolving, business owners need to adapt, be exible and ensure they are up to date with the latest digital tools and nd new ways to retain employees and attract the large number millennials entering the workplace as well as an ageing workforce.
For example, exible working practises can help boost morale and attract new sta , allowing a better work-life integration, with the workplace becoming accessible to all.
Workplaces have also become more exible, where employees can now meet in rented co- working o ce space or a hub, virtual o ce space, or in the home, with the use of video, audio and web conferencing, live chat, virtual reality and social media.
Arti cial Intelligence may be used in recruitment to interview potential candidates through games and tests - if they pass the screening, they then may progress to the next stage. The use of digital training and online learning can keep employees engaged and motivated and help in their ongoing career development.
In a constantly changing workplace, with
remote working, social media and technological advances, companies will need to invest in new ways to communicate and invest in their sta to keep employees happy - how will it work for you?
I AppLIED FOR A JOB TODAY AND THEY ASKED FOR 3 REFERENCES -
I WROTE
‘A DICTIONARY, A THESAURUS AND A MAp!’
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tHeevolvingWorkplace feature
The travel agent of the future
By PETER WHITTLE,
GLOBAL SALES DIRECTOR, TRAVELTEK GROUP LTD
Savvy travel professionals will arm themselves with cutting-edge tech tools to take the client experience to new heights, says Peter Whittle, Global Sales Director, Traveltek Group Ltd.
At the turn of the century, the travel industry was predicting the slow demise of bricks-and-mortar agents. The Internet, said experts, would replace retail agencies as customers looked to big Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) to search and book their travel plans. Eighteen years on, the OTAs are thriving, but so too are the vast majority of o ine agencies. They survived the evolution because they adapted their business models and instead of shunning technology, they embraced it.
What the experts also hadn’t taken into account was that OTAs lacked the human touch, which in a digital age, customers are now craving more than ever before. Successful travel agents have therefore focused their e orts on the customer experience and building long-term relationships with their clients – and they have used technology to make this happen.
The 21st Century travel agent is – and will continue to be - a concierge, advisor and con dante, using a variety of tools, from social media to online messaging services, to communicate with their clients. Through these media, travellers can call, text or message their travel advisor to x a problem mid-trip, or even to quiz them before making travel plans. As a result, agents are becoming more integrated in the daily lives of their customers, providing them with travel information on the hoof. Successful agents are also realising the need for personalisation – and they need technology to help them do it.
Going forward, big data and a sophisticated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) are the tools they will need to make sure their sales and marketing tactics are personal and targeted, particularly if they are to keep pace with the big-name
OTAs. The travel agent of the future will be focused on
the end-to-end customer experience, using
technology to forge relationships with travellers. Their success will rest
on continuously learning more about their clients,
requiring them to analyse data in a
holistic manner so they can map out their
travel habits.
Agency managers will also need
next-generation technology to
manage and automate their business,
from reporting to packaging, giving their
travel professionals time to focus on service.
Adopting a multi-channel approach will also remain important, giving customers the option of how they book, whether in person, by phone or online and ensuring if they do take the web option, the experience is quick and user-friendly across every device.
Traveltek has worked alongside the travel trade for two decades, developing specialist technology to help agents focus on what they do best – selling an experience. We provide a suite of fully- integrated solutions that empower travel professionals to be the ultimate travel concierge, acknowledging that technology should facilitate and enhance customer service, rather than dominate the transaction or replace human interaction.
Our customised solutions meet the travel industry’s unique needs, performing a number of complex functions all on one integrated system - from searches, booking and packaging, to business management, reporting, documentation and more. Traveltek’s dynamic packaging and cruise booking solutions give travel professionals the ability to use their product and customer knowledge to hand-pick every component of a customised itinerary and sell it as one package.
Our Application Programme Interface (API) connects them to more than 300 travel suppliers worldwide, including major cruise players, so there is no need to source each supplier separately.
At the same time our CRM helps agents manage client bookings, enquiries and data, plus we build consumer-facing websites tailored to their exact needs. Over the last 20 years we’ve transformed o ine travel rms into e-commerce success stories and in 2018, Traveltek’s websites are built to be mobile-friendly to meet the needs of today’s digitally-enabled traveller.
With agents of the future in mind, we are currently rolling out data-driven UX (User Experience) and CRO (Conversion Rate Optimisation) services - new features that will drive up conversion rates by optimising front-end user journeys on agencies’ B2C travel websites.
We are also investing heavily in UX enhancements, with a next- generation cruise booking platform, CruiseNX, already available, designed to drive productivity and enhance the user experience – ultimately helping agents sell more e ciently.
There’s much more planned across our entire leisure suite and we can promise agents advanced and powerful booking tools that will keep them ahead of the competition for many years to come.
For more information, visit our website:
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tHeevolvingWorkplace feature
The shape of jobs to come?
By SHEENA MACDONALD,
HEAD OF TALENT MANAGEMENT, BRITISH COUNCIL
Recently, I held interviews for a job based in Italy, using a video conferencing app from my laptop. The British Council operates in over 100 countries, so virtual international meetings like this have become a regular occurrence. On this occasion,
I was in the UK, my co-interviewers were in the Czech Republic and the candidates were in Nairobi, Singapore and Morocco. The technology worked seamlessly - we joked about the weather in each other’s locations and soon forgot that we were thousands of miles apart.
A erwards I found myself re ecting on the incredible changes that have happened in the workplace...and the even more incredible ones on the horizon. In a few years’ time, it could well be a charming, animated ‘chatbot’ leading the interviews - complete with friendly individualised comments about the weather to put nervous interviewees at ease.
The internet and mobile digital technology have added unprecedented exibility, responsiveness and speed to the way we work. Depending on the nature of what you do, your ‘o ce’
can now be a co ee shop, your sofa or maybe even the beach. Technology helps people in di erent locations to reach decisions quickly on complex matters. Customers compare notes about products and services online, dramatically raising the stakes for businesses. Brands can predict your buying habits and target you in increasingly persuasive ways. Whether you thrive on the faster tempo and immediacy of how we work and live today, or yearn for a more thoughtful and leisurely pace, you certainly can’t ignore these new realities.
But what’s in store for the future? Here are a couple of emerging trends to be aware of:
Arti cial Intelligence
Alexa, Siri and the voice in your ‘Sat Nav’ may already be part of your life; but that’s just the beginning. AI is widely seen as the next big technology trend - and it’s exciting, if a little scary.
Many of our brains’ complex reasoning functions can now be replicated. Robots will be able to reach logical decisions just
as well (maybe better) and certainly much faster than we can. So what does that mean for our jobs? Experts now believe the robotics industry is set to follow the rapid growth of the internet and smartphones.
The good news is that robots can actually improve the quality of our home and work lives. They can do the things we don’t want to, giving us more time to spend doing what we enjoy. Robots are better than humans at many things, including number crunching, li ing heavy objects and completing repetitive tasks consistently to an exact standard.
‘Chatbots’ (currently used to hold
automated text conversations with
customers) are saving big companies
millions, but they’re also helping sta
working for those companies. For instance,
HR ‘virtual assistants’ are answering employees’ questions, saving everyone valuable time.
The multi-generational workforce
Thanks mainly to advances in healthcare, we’re living longer; it’s estimated that more than half the babies born in the developed world today can expect to live to be 100. Living longer means that we’ll need to work for longer, too. In the future, our working lives could last an additional 20 years. Given the speed of changes
in the workplace, it could also mean reskilling regularly and switching professions mid-career may become much more common.
All this means that we now have four ‘generations’ in the workplace:
• Baby Boomers (born between 1946 -1964)
• Generation X (1965 -1980)
• Generation Y/Millennials (1981-1997)
• Generation Z/iGen (1998 -)
According to research, these groups vary dramatically in terms of their working style, career expectations and con dence with digital technology.
Meanwhile, older and younger generations alike want more exibility – part-time working, career breaks, term-time working, remote working, job sharing and more. Employers need to be ever more resourceful and innovative. It’s becoming a ‘game changer’
- smart organisations are already making full use of exible working options to help attract and retain the skilled people that they need.
The future is coming.
Are you ready for it?
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation
for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
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tHeevolvingWorkplace feature
The Changing Face of Technology by
DAVID BULLOCH
TRADE RELATIONS MANAGER, TRAVELPORT
I’ve spent the last 12 years looking a er our customers in Scotland and the North of England and the travel landscape is more complex now than it has ever been...
As a Senior Account Manager and
road warrior, I spend most of my time working with customers and seeing rst-hand how agencies in Scotland and Northern England are evolving to meet the needs of today’s ever connected traveller. No matter how big or small the travel operation, be it online or o ine, retail or corporate, it is impossible to survive without embracing technology. As their technology partner, it’s crucial
I understand their unique issues while identifying ways we can work together to help make the experience of selling, buying and managing travel continually better for them.
Today’s traveller is becoming increasingly demanding and agents are constantly under pressure to demonstrate that
they add value as well
as provide excellent customer service. With travel services being available from so many di erent sources, the challenge for agencies is to have fast and easy access to the broadest possible choice in travel content from a single portal
or system.
The increased fragmentation of airline content means that agents also need to
be able to quickly search and book all the required extras such as a bag, meal on board etc. With hundreds of airlines in the world ying many thousands of routes between over 40,000 airports, the number of di erent fares led by those airlines has multiplied enormously. New Distribution Capability (NDC) has further complicated things because some members of the airline industry are trying to encourage agents to connect to their systems to avoid GDS fees. These direct connections lack the bene ts of the GDS such as work ow automation, customer booking changes, integrated itineraries, managing airline changes such as schedule alterations
and disruptions, the provision of data for customer reports and invoicing amongst other services.
Agents now need to nd suitable options, at a price that will be acceptable to the customer, without the need to check details from multiple websites.
My role o ers a great opportunity
to show agents how they can boost e ciency by doing all this and more through the GDS channel, where all such activities can be performed smoothly
and e ciently in one place. That’s why it’s preferred by travel agencies, particularly those servicing corporations and business travellers who especially depend on these services, signi cantly improving the selling experience for travel agents who can shop, reserve, book, modify, cancel and rebook for their customers.
This new era in technology has only just begun. We’ve already taken massive steps forward and will continue to do so. This includes ensuring that we can take any IATA NDC API sourced content and o er it through our platform on an integrated basis not just for content aggregation but also for content and itinerary manage- ment, robotics in ful lment, the provision of data and the hand o s to accounting and other systems, in the service of our airline and our agency clients.
march 2018
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46
agency matters
How did you start out...
I started out as a trainee with Thomas Cook and worked there 10 years before moving over to Thomson. Managed several large branches before promotion from Branch Manager to Deputy Regional Manager. Then became Area Manager for Travelopia, looking a er Scotland, Ireland and the South of England. I then decided to leave and set up my own
travel agency!
What were the challenges...
The biggest challenge is having a robust plan in place. Be clear on your brand and how you want to position yourself in the market. Twenty years in the industry has really helped and of course, I have a lot of contacts who also o ered support.
Which market segments are
you focusing on...
We are focusing less on market segments and more on service. We want to o er a bespoke service to every customer, regardless of destination or budget.
Customer service philosophy...
We look a er our customers like we would our own family. Everyone receives personal service and we aim to really understand our customers needs. We don’t have gimmicks or an abundance of technology in-store however, we aim to o er a service where every customer feels special.
PAUL McCARROLL, House of Travel
recently opened a brand new o ce in Glasgow. Travel Matters spoke to Paul about the decision to open his own travel agency...
How’s business....
It’s been busier than I thought it would be, if I’m honest. We have already taken on another two sta to bolster the team!
Any tips on starting out on your own...
Plan well. Do your homework and be realistic. If you’re opening your own store for an easy life and instant wealth, then you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.
Opening your own agency is hard work and the rst few months will involve working round the clock, with little rest. However, the feeling you get when you put the key in your own front door for the very rst time is amazing!
expanding the boundaries
march 2018


New 2019/20 Ex-UK, Fly & River Cruise programmes
To mark the launch of our new 2019/20 programme we’re celebrating with four BIG offers. Not only will your customers have the choice of more than 125 itineraries to destinations around the world, they’ll have the choice of savings that suit them the best too.
THREE CRUISES FOR
THE PRICE OF TWO Three
on all cruises Oct 2018 for to Mar 2020 Two
FREE DOOR TO DOOR TRAVEL on new UK departures of nine nights or more
FREE DRINKS
plus THEIR TIPS COVERED
on new Fly-Cruises
& new Brabant River Cruises
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT plus THEIR TIPS COVERED
on a great choice of 2019 & 2020 itineraries
For further information call Trade Support on 01473 746 164,
or visit our dedicated agent website at fredolsencruises.com/agent
These Terms and Conditions are in addition to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ (FOCL) standard Terms and Conditions which are available on our website, fredolsencruises.com and on request. Both must be read before booking. All o ers may be withdrawn or amended at any time without prior notice, cannot be combined, are subject to availability and cannot be applied retrospectively. *FREE Door-to- Door transfer o er: only applicable on new 2019 or 2020 departures of 9 nights or more in duration, exclusions apply, departing from Southampton, Dover, Newcastle, Liverpool & Edinburgh Rosyth for new bookings made from 07/03/18 to 30/04/18, inclusive. O er is applicable for departures within 90 UK mainland miles of your home each way (250 UK mainland miles of your home each way on L2001); additional mileage must be paid to the transport provider at the time of booking. You may be required to share the transport for all or part of the journey. Ocean Cruises: FREE All Inclusive Drinks Upgrade & Tips Covered: Complimentary drinks-inclusive package comprises selected house beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks – for terms & conditions, see website. O er applicable on new 2019 & 2020 Fly-Cruises, for new bookings made from 07/03/18 to 30/04/18, inclusive. River Cruises: FREE Dining Drinks Upgrade & Tips Covered o er: Complimentary drinks package comprising of selected drinks with lunch and dinner. For terms & conditions, see website. Applicable to all new 2019 River cruises on Brabant only, for new bookings made from 07/03/18 to 30/04/18, inclusive. Tips are non-refundable, non-tr1ansferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. O er excludes charters, exclusive sailings and Tour Operator Holidays. Solo & Tips Covered o er: O er is applicable to new bookings made from 07/03/18 to 30/04/18, inclusive. O er based on sole occupancy of speci c grades of twin/double rooms, paying no single supplement, on selected 2019 and 2020 sailings, subject to availability. Solo o er is capacity controlled. Tips are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. O er excludes charters, exclusive sailings and Tour Operator Holidays. 3for2 o er: valid for new bookings made from 07/03/18 to 31/05/18, inclusive. Excludes charters, exclusive sailings, Tour Operator holidays, W1819, D1819, M1822, L1829 and M1925. All three holidays
must be booked in one tran
value of the lowest priced cruise will be divided into three with one third of this value deducted from each of the three bookings. Free cruise value will be calculated after any applicable deal or promotion has been applied. The standard deposit or full payment will be due at time of booking for each cruise, as dictated by the departure date, fare type, or duration. For full terms & conditions, see website. **Enjoyment Promise: Terms & Conditions available on our website, fredolsencruises.com and on request. E&OE.
saction with the same lead name; one holiday booking must be for an October to December 2018 departure, the second and third cruises can be for any departure year. The
43


Questions & Answers
GARY REAVELY speaks to
NICK HUGHES,
Travel Sales Director, Tour Operations B2B Europe
Gold Medal & Travel 2
Now that you are established in your new role, what are your short-term priorities for the business?
If you’re joining a tour operator, there’s really no time better than during the peaks period! As you would expect things have been very busy and that’s a great way to get a feel for the business and how it operates.
I’m slotting in at a time when we would expect the phones to be ringing, so in the short term, it is just about making sure we are supporting agents as best we can, making
the most of our messaging and highlighting all the great incentives we’ve got running.
Aside from this, I have been meeting agents – I know an awful lot of retailers from former roles, but it is great to meet with them in my new role and also meet those I haven’t worked with previously.
What medium and longer term goals do you have?
It is important for me to get the best out of the many talented people we have at Gold Medal and Travel 2, as well as helping the agents that are selling us every day.
In practical terms, that means ensuring we are providing the right opportunities for training, helping agents learn about – and see – the products rst hand.
Internally, I want us to have the right pathway for identifying and promoting talent too.
Do you foresee Travel 2 and
Gold Medal remaining as separate entities for the future?
Gold Medal and Travel 2 will remain separate. The two businesses spent many years as rivals and that helped spur them both on to become brilliant in their own right. It makes no sense to undo all of that hard work and heritage.
Will working with the travel trade continue to remain at the core of your business plan?
Given that my job is B2B sales director, I’m certainly hoping so! On a serious note, Gold Medal and Travel 2 are trade-facing businesses and they are both going from strength to strength.
In the last year, 350 agents used us for the rst time – that shows that despite Gold Medal and Travel 2 both having amazing histories and great pedigrees, there is still room for growth.
Can we expect any new initiatives?
Both brands have a strong record of bringing new product to the market. Our specialist products at Travel 2 – cruise, tours and luxury – have done really well and we are pleased at the way agents have supported us.
We will be looking to develop a more bespoke luxury cruise o ering, add more touring options and continue to expand our short-haul city break programme.
YOU ARE NEvER TOO OLD TO SET ANOTHER GOAL
OR TO DREAM A NEW DREAM...
(C S LEWIS)
48
expanding the boundaries
march 2018


Aug Sep Oct
Seven Day Idyllic Aegean Cruises
Five destinations
30 available excursions Incredible All-Inclusive value
Celestyal Cruises full page ad Discover Greece, one destination at a time
Our seven day All-Inclusive Cruise
Come and be serenaded by the romance of the Aegean on our brand new “Idyllic Aegean” seven day cruise. Visit ve of the most enchanting Greek island destinations dotted around the Aegean Sea, where culture, history, pristine beaches and shing villages suspended in time all wait.
There’s something to suit every taste on our extra-special cruise, and with overnight stops in Santorini and Mykonos, come and unravel the best-kept secrets of these sun-soaked shores by night.
Itinerary schedule Day Port
Mon Piraeus (Greece) Tue Mykonos (Greece) Wed Mykonos (Greece) Wed Milos (Greece) Thu Santorini (Greece) Fri Santorini (Greece) Sat Heraklion (Greece) Sun Kusadasi (Turkey) Mon Piraeus (Greece)
Departure dates
Apr 30
May 07, 14, 21, 28 Jun 04, 18, 25
Jul 02, 09, 16, 23, 30
The Celestyal Inclusive Experience
Arrival Depart
- 21.00 07.00 -
- 07.00 13.00 23.59 08.00 -
- 23.00 07.00 20.30 11.30 17.00 09.00
06, 13, 20, 27 03, 10, 17, 24 01, 08, 15
• •
• • • •
Three meals per day, made with love and care with the nest local ingredients
Enjoy a special collection of branded beverages that suit your preferences
Our handpicked excursions guarantee you’ll see the best of our destinations
Our specially designed entertainment programme is suitable for all ages and tastes
Port and service charges are included in the nal price of your ticket
With all gratuities included in the fare, your cruise experience is complete
For further details of this Idyllic Aegean cruise and for information on how to promote all Celestyal Cruises, please contact Jo Reid on:
07368 207881
or email: [email protected]
Offer is valid for new, individual bookings only. Not combinable with any other offers/discounts/promotions. Reduced rate space is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time with, or without notice. Celestyal Cruises reserves the right to add, change or modify reduced rate conditions at any time, without noti cation. Celestyal Cruises Deposit and Cancellation standard policies apply based on the booking/sailing date. Offer and combinability with other promotional offers is subject to change at any time per Celestyal Cruises’ discretion. Other restrictions may apply. Celestyal Cruises ©2018.


neWs
50
Keynote speaker con rmed for
Advantage Conference
Advantage Travel Partnership has con rmed Jerry Springer as the keynote speaker for this year’s conference, being held in Miami.
The four-day conference will take place between 10th - 13th May and delegates will be hosted at the National Doral Miami hotel.
With the theme ‘Miami Advice: The Next Chapter’ the conference will include workshops and speed networking opportunities.
Headline sponsors include Carnival Corporation (with Carnival Cruise Line, Seabourn, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line and Seabourn), Europcar, Gold Medal and Travel 2, Thomas Cook, Virgin Atlantic & Delta Airlines.
Carnival Corporation is also o ering places on an exclusive Advantage fam trip on board Carnival Victory, departing from Miami on 14th May.
SPECIALISTS IN
VILLAS AND CAR HIRE THROUGHOUT FLORIDA
✓ Over 800 named villas in over 60 communities throughout Orlando & Gulf Coast
✓ Low prices for Allocation on Arrival villas with pools in Orlando and Gulf Coast
✓ Easy to use bookable website
✓ Live availability on villas and townhouses
until January 2021
✓ Virtual tours available on selected homes
Visit www.glfv.co.uk
or call a Florida specialist on 01772 665544
✓ Low deposit - 10% of villa cost
✓ All prices include commission
✓ Flexible booking durations
✓ No supplements for under occupancy
✓ Fantastic car hire rates – NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED
✓ Attractions tickets available to book with low deposits
expanding the boundaries
march 2018