Iceland Why the ‘Land of Fire & Ice’ Should Be on Your Clients’ Wish-List
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
TB 1603 2018 Cover 14/03/2018 15:25 Page 3 March 16 2018 | ISSUE NO 2,054 | travelbulletin.co.uk Find your Destination Canada's 'Selling Canadamap All Year Round' enclosed with this week's issue! Iceland Why the ‘Land of Fire & Ice’ should be on your clients’ wish-list this week 15 cultural tours agent bulletin 9 puzzle bulletin 11 training 23 new fam trip play Su Doku for your immersive holiday a round-up of on-the-road options & experiences opportunities & chance to win a £50 & online learning to boost booking incentives M&S voucher your knowledge to tempt clients S01 TB 1603 2018 Start_Layout 1 13/03/2018 14:23 Page 2 S01 TB 1603 2018 Start_Layout 1 13/03/2018 14:23 Page 3 newsbulletin BIRMINGHAM BASH... AIR INDIA and Birmingham Airport celebrated the launch of a new twice-weekly non-stop service to Amritsar recently, with the terminal coming alive with Indian drummers and dancers weaving their way through passengers who were joined by Members of Parliament, business leaders and members of the Sikh UK community. Flights operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays, departing Birmingham at 18:45, reaching Amritsar early the next morning at 07:45. From Amritsar the flight departs at 13:55 arriving into Birmingham at 17:15 the same day. A state-of-the-art Boeing 787-8 series aircraft is serving the route with 256 seats in a split cabin, comprising 18 flat bed Business Class seats and 238 Economy seats. For details see airindia.in ABTA urges members to share evidence of credit and debit card rule breaches ABTA IS encouraging members to submit evidence of violations savings in relation to overall card charges. of the Interchange Fee Regulation (IFR), which was intended to The Minister explained that he had instructed his officials to reduce overall charges and requires card providers to be clear continue to engage with the industry and the Payment Services and transparent about the constitution of charges. This follows Regulator (PSR) to assess the impact of the IFR. The PSR has a constructive letter ABTA has received from the Economic also been in touch with ABTA to request evidence of breaches. Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen MP, in response to the ABTA is now urging Members to share any evidence relating to: concerns it raised earlier this year around the high cost of Non-compliance with the IFR rates of 0.2% for debit cards, taking card payments, especially for travel agents. 0.3% for credit cards; Lack of transparency relating to In his letter, the Minister recognised that retailers could interchange rates being applied; Failure to provide information incur additional costs and affirmed his commitment to ensure on interchange fees at transactional level, if this has been that the financial services industry delivers for small specifically requested by the retailer; Failure to provide businesses, as well as consumers. The former Tourism information on card types, where this has been requested by Minister also declared his support for the travel industry, the retailer; and evidence of increases in other charges within recognising the sector as an integral part of the UK economy. the merchant service fee (such as scheme fees). The Minister acknowledged ABTA’s concerns about the Mark Tanzer, the association's chief executive, said: “The IFR, which intended to tackle the high charges made by travel industry is hit particularly hard when it comes to the banks and other merchant providers to process card cost of taking card payments – a point we have been payments. While the regulation succeeded in capping the making to Government for some time. We welcome the interchange fee at 0.2% for debit cards and 0.3% for credit commitment by Minister Glen for his department to work cards, it would appear that other fees have been increased continued on next page or introduced that have minimised or wiped out retailer agent bulletin training Voyages-sncf - new fam trip opportunities & booking a round-up of on-the-road & online This week incentives learning to boost your knowledge Inset 09 15 news puzzle bulletin iceland a look at this week’s deals & play Su Doku for your chance to win a why the land of fire & ice should be © kichatof programme additions £50 M&S voucher on your clients’ wish-list - 03 11 19 Main : notes from normanton bulletin briefing cultural tours Sandy’s news & latest observations news & views from ANTOR immersive holiday options & 08 14 23 experiences to tempt clients Cover Pictures travelbulletin.co.uk March 16 2018 3 S01 TB 1603 2018 Start_Layout 1 13/03/2018 14:23 Page 4 newsbulletin continued from previous page are already in contact with the PSR, who have confirmed they are currently undertaking compliance checks around with industry and the PSR, to assess the effectiveness of the IFR and considering their priorities for the year ahead. the Interchange Fee Regulation. We will continue to work closely with the Government and “We’re encouraging Members to share evidence with us the regulatory authorities to ask that card charges are of violations of the Interchange Regulation, so we can pass reduced to a reasonable level.” this onto the Payment Services Regulator to investigate. We ABTA Members should send evidence to [email protected] Book six weeks in advance for cheapest deals SIX WEEKS ahead of a departure date is the best time to book flights if you’re looking for the cheapest tickets, according to new research by Opodo.co.uk Its annual flight price analysis looked at return flights departing from the UK to all destinations between November 2016 and October 2017 and revealed a 48% saving on domestic, short haul and long- haul routes with the lowest prices available 42 days in advance of departure. Conversely, prices for last minute flights tend to spike seven days before departure. The optimal time to book long-haul flights appears to be in September and those opting for domestic routes in the UK should book in October for the lowest prices. It was also found that January is the cheapest month in which to book short-haul flights. The best day of the week to make a booking was revealed to TRAVEL TRADE Tickets and Tours has added 2019 tickets for Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, be Sunday for domestic travel, Aquatica and Busch Gardens to its website. The company’s UK manager, Simon Everett, said: “Don’t forget to check out our ticket combos; we have packaged together our best selling while long-haul flights are best tickets into one price which will save your clients a few extra pounds.” For details call booked on a Tuesday and 01344-890400 or visit tttandt.com Wednesdays for short haul. MSC Cruises opens sales for first Meraviglia-Plus generation ship, Grandiosa MSC CRUISES has announced that , innovation programme, MSC for Me. the line's first Meraviglia-Plus The line's CEO, Gianni Onorato, generation ship which will set sail in said: “At launch, MSC Grandiosa will the Western Mediterranean. be the fifth new ship to have joined Sales for Grandiosa will open for our fleet in only two and a half an initial two-week period years. She represents the further exclusively for members of the MSC evolution of the already highly- Voyagers Club, the loyalty rewards successful Meraviglia prototype, first programme for the line's guests. For introduced only nine months ago. all other guests, sales will open on As such, she will also bring even March 19. more choices to guests and other The new ship will offer two new holidaymakers wanting to shows from Cirque du Soleil at Sea, an experience the popular even larger Mediterranean-style Mediterranean region.” promenade that serves as the social MSC Grandiosa will commence hub of the ship with an array of shops sailing from Genoa, Italy on and specialty restaurants and a digital November 16, 2019. 4 March 16 2018 travelbulletin.co.uk S02 TB 1603 2018 News 1_Layout 1 13/03/2018 12:31 Page 5 newsbulletin GDPR advice from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines unveils ambitious plans for 2019/20 Advantage FRED. OLSEN Cruise Lines has announced Australia; Ermoupoli, Syros, Greece; that in 2019/20, its fleet of four smaller, Galway, Ireland; La Romana, Dominican ADVANTAGE TRAVEL more intimately-sized ocean ships – Republic; Lembar, Lombok, Indonesia; Partnership has created and Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Patras, Greece; Penneshaw, Kangaroo launched an assortment of Watch – will be visiting no fewer than 219 Island, Australia; Sabang, Weh Island, information, case studies and destinations in 75 countries worldwide, Sumatra, Indonesia; Svolvær, Lofoten, a social media support group covering 79 areas of scenic cruising. Norway; and Wewak, Papua New Guinea. to educate and share advice Complementing the UK departure ports of In 2019/20, ‘closer’ cruising remains at ahead of the General Data Dover, Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle the fore of the company’s offering. By Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Edinburgh (Rosyth), there is an making the most of its smaller-sized ships law commencing on May 25. expanded programme of exotic fly/cruises. – which can sail right into the heart of the The new regulation will unify Mike Rodwell, the company’s MD, said: destination, the line is able to feature data protection for all “Based on the extensive knowledge of our more river, fjords and scenic cruising. individuals in the UK and team, thorough research and valued The company will also be offering across Europe. feedback from our guests, this new set of guests more of its signature Fjords David Forder, the itineraries features some of the world’s itineraries in 2019/20, showcasing the consortium's head of best destinations and experiences, all scenery of these dramatic destinations.