TB 2710 2017 Cover 24/10/2017 15:11 Page 3 October 27 2017 | ISSUE NO 2,036 | travelbulletin.co.uk World Travel Market SPECI AL EDITION S01 TB 2710 2017 Start_Layout 1 25/10/2017 10:45 Page 2 S01 TB 2710 2017 Start_Layout 1 25/10/2017 15:23 Page 3 newsbulletin SHANGRI-LA SHAKERS... AGENTS FROM DCT Abu Dhabi’s key UK trade partners were recently hosted on a four-day mega fam full of fun and exploration, arranged by the tourist board in partnership with the national airline Etihad. Four groups converged in the Emirate’s capital from London, Dublin, Manchester and Edinburgh to experience the diversity of products on offer in the destination. Pictured is the London group enjoying Emirati hospitality at the Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat al Beri - from the left; Darren Bailey, Jetset Holidays; Simone Smith, Hayes & Jarvis; Harry Smith, Travelbag; Galina Kalfova, Luxury Holidays; Massimo Pinto, Thomas Cook; a coffee server; Bhanu Ladwa, Cruxton Travel; Jane Dawkins, DCT Abu Dhabi; Jane Kiff, Flight Centre; Nelesh Patel, Kenwood Travel; and Amit Bedi, Stallions Air. Elite Travel Group members warned to ‘act now’ on data protection regulations IN A panel discussion at the Elite Travel Group’s annual you do need to start thinking how you are going to get ready conference, which was held last weekend in Calvia, for May because if you get hacked or a customer has an Mallorca, the issues surrounding the new data issue on the data you have on them– and the Independent protection regulations were raised, with many agents Commissioner’s Office (ICO) sees that you haven’t taken any confused on what needs to be done. steps to try and comply, then you will have a problem.” Simon Bunce, director of legal affairs at ABTA, told Bunce advised agents to check its model privacy guide agents to ‘keep calm’ over the new regulations, which come - available on its website – as a starting point on how to into force in May next year, but warned that they should prepare for the change. The guide offers a simple start thinking about how they are going to comply. spreadsheet, breaking down the data into columns such He said: “Don’t panic about the changes; nothing as what data is held, who it is shared with and what massive is going to happen on 18th May next year. However, security surrounds the data. He said: “If you can fill in the spreadsheet with no issues, then you’re heading in the right direction, but if there are gaps in it, for example, when it asks how long you keep the data for – and you’re answering ‘forever’, This week then you will need to start changing your systems. “The regulation is about giving consumers more information about what companies are doing with their data. The aim of the ICO is what they call ‘surprise news a round-up of the latest deals, offers 03 & new industry launches continued on next page notes from normanton event bulletin Sandy reflects on her time in Cyprus images from our airline showcase asia pacific 08 14 event in Bristol 28 agent bulletin conference update booking incentives, agent offers & we report from the Elite Travel africa 09 training opportunities 16 Group’s conference in Mallorca 30 puzzle bulletin play Su Doku for your chance to win a wtm news middle east 11 £50 M&S voucher 19 32 bulletin briefing exhibitors news & views from The Global Travel europe london.wtm.com Network - 12 21 34 Main : megafam bulletin floor plans agents share their favourite americas 13 highlights from Destination Canada’s 24 36 megafam Cover Pictures travelbulletin.co.uk October 27 2017 3 S01 TB 2710 2017 Start_Layout 1 25/10/2017 10:46 Page 4 newsbulletin continued from previous page Delegates also learned that standards of data protection differ in countries outside of the European Union. So, for minimization’, meaning that your clients should not be example, an agent sending their client’s details to a hotel in surprised about what you are doing with the information South Africa isn’t responsible for what happens to that data you hold on them. at the other end. They are obliged to tell their clients that “So whenever you take the data from a client, make sure they are sending the information on, but what that company you tell them what you are doing with it and why.” then does with the data isn’t their responsibility. According to Bunce, the real headache for agents is the Bunce said: “Your privacy statement should state information held on emails and he warned attendees that something along the lines of ‘standards of security even if they delete an email – and then delete it from the around data differ once you get outside the EU’ – and trash – it still goes somewhere, and that companies needed the customer will understand this. As long as you’ve to think about how they store and file their data. done what you’re supposed to do, you’ll be okay. He said: “It is up to agencies to ensure that the “With regards to direct marketing, as long as you state information they have deleted is gone for good. The really in your privacy statement something along the lines of tricky bit is how you manage those emails. An auto-deleting ‘if you go on holiday with us we will send you offers we tool for emails could become a necessity, as well as think you may be interested in’ and as long as you give outsourcing this task to an IT company. them a very clear way of opting out of this – for example “The good thing about this new directive is that your a clear ‘Unsubscribe’ button on your emails, then I am third party IT suppliers are also liable to comply with the confident that you can market to your clients.” new regulations, so you can start working this into your (Conference update – page 16) contracts with them.” £10million investment sees Butlin's develop accommodation offering WITH A continued commitment to improve its offering and elevate the guest experience, Butlin’s has invested more than £10million to develop its accommodation offering across its three resorts for 2018. Guests can opt for a new Seaside Lodge at Minehead; choose from an increased number of Fairground and Seaside apartments at Skegness and Bognor resorts respectively, or opt for a stay in the newly-styled Silver Apartments across all resorts. The popularity of the company's new apartments has seen even more added across the entire portfolio including Skegness which has increased the number of Fairground Apartments available to guests, as well as more Seaside Apartments at Bognor Regis, while Minehead welcomes newly built Seaside Lodges to its portfolio from Easter 2018. The Seaside Lodges form a quaint village located close to the Plantation Quay, all of which are seaside themed to bring a sense of the coast into each living space and offer three bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen and bathroom, private parking space for convenience and extended outdoor space to allow families to make the most of their break. Finally, the company has invested heavily in making improvements to its Silver Apartment accommodation, which will be fully opened from December. Each apartment has been newly furnished with L-sofas, newly fitted bathrooms and updated bedding. The new apartments will be at Oyster Bay in Minehead and Bognor and in Ocean Point at Skegness. As an example of prices, the Fairground Apartments are available from £65 per person based on two adults and two children sharing an apartment at the Skegness Resort on April 16, 2018. More than half of Brits would refer travel Arizona Adventure from Ranch Rider RANCH RIDER is launching an exclusive, three-part riding brand to a friend/family holiday called Classic Arizona Adventure. NEW RESEARCH reveals what motivates UK consumers to The nine-night itinerary will depart on November 15 refer brands to friends and family, which sectors and and includes three-night stays at Tucson’s White Stallion brands are most referable, and which qualities a brand Guest Ranch, the Tombstone Monument Ranch and should possess to be referred. Sasabe’s recently re-opened Rancho de la Osa. According to the survey results from Mention Me, UK Tony Daly, the company's managing director, said: consumers value the opinion of a friend or family member “Appealing to beginners and experienced riders, each most with 41% of those questioned put off referring a brand ranch offers a mix of horseback adventures, from scenic if they’d been told not to shop there, compared to only 36% 'wine & cheese' rides at the White Stallion to more put off by negative press or social media coverage. challenging lopes, a seven-hour ride to the ghost town of Of those questioned, people would trust a friend (50%) Fairbank available at the Tombstone Monument Ranch. slightly more than a partner or spouse (46%), and only Cattle drives are also scheduled to begin at the Rancho marginally fewer people (21%) would trust an online review de la Osa this October.” from the public than their parents at 23%. Alternative pursuits for guests who want a break from Top travel brands people have or would consider referring horse-riding, include rock climbing, fat tyre electric are Virgin Airways (46%), Centre Parks (40%) and BA (48%). biking, archery and clay pigeon shooting. CEO of Mention Me, Andy Cockburn, said: “This Prices lead in at £1,979 per person based on two research reveals that brands need to really focus on sharing, including accommodation, meals (except one understanding what drives and inspires their customers lunch), activities, use of facilities, taxes, transfers and to want to share and refer experiences - central for the gratuities.