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TB 0302 2017 Cover Wrap 01/02/2017 10:49 Page 1 February 3 2017 | ISSUE NO 2,000 | travelbulletin.co.uk WIN A LAKES & MOUNTAINS EDUCATIONAL PLACE BOOK AN AUSTRIA OR SWITZERLAND HOLIDAY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN NEW WEEKEND SALE 3-6 February EXCLUSIVE £100 DISCOUNT PER COUPLE SEE MORE OVERLEAF 17:43 TB 0302 2017 Cover Wrap 01/02/2017 10:49 Page 2 TB 0302 2017 Cover 01/02/2017 14:55 Page 1 February 3 2017 | ISSUE NO 2,000 | travelbulletin.co.uk “ “ “ “ Luxury How agents can capitalise on this lucrative market this week scandinavia event bulletin bulletin briefing 19 all-inclusive 14 17 New winter 23 images from our news & views from adventures in operators promote airline showcase the Advantage Travel Sweden new property in Chester Group additions S01 TB 0302 2017 Start_Layout 1 01/02/2017 11:27 Page 2 S01 TB 0302 2017 Start_Layout 1 01/02/2017 11:27 Page 3 newsbulletin African adventure… FOUR UK tour operators recently visited KwaZulu-Natal on a week-long educational to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Resort’s properties within the South African province. The group comprised a selected group of operators including Dive Worldwide, 2by2 Holidays, Barrhead Travel and Travel Nation – together with the Ezemvelo KZN representative in the UK, Natalie de la Porte from AMG Representation. Following the Etihad flight to Durban, the group stayed for one night at aha Gateway Hotel in Umhlanga, followed by six nights at three of the most popular Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife resort properties. The week-long itinerary included the opportunity to explore a range of the adventure activities EKW offers in the province including a stay at Hilltop Resort and Safari in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Safari - the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa; game viewing in the Ithala Game Reserve; and the chance to dive at Sodwana Bay on the north coast. Pictured on the beach at Sodwana Bay are, from the left: Rhona Finch, 2by2 Holidays; Tracey Hunter, Barrhead Travel; Alex Roberts, Dive Worldwide; and Grainne Sheffer, Travel Nation. Hotel rates drop by almost 12% across UK according to new research THE LATEST data from HRS – Global Hotel Solutions - has Istanbul saw the biggest rate drop of nearly 18%, down to revealed that average room rates in the UK have dropped 75 euros (£65) per night in 2016 – a price that was matched across the country by nearly 12% in 2016 compared with only by Warsaw as the joint cheapest top destination to stay the previous year. in Europe. Despite rates falling by 9% compared with 2015 in The company's managing director, Andy Besent, said: London, hotel room rates in the capital still held relatively “The fall out of the Brexit vote from 2016 is likely to have strong, costing an average 172 euros (£150) per night in had a knock on effect on the average room rates of hotels 2016. London not only remained the UK’s most expensive in the UK, but the hotel industry should be prepared further top destination, but it was also the second most expensive as we brace ourselves for what might be the full impact of city to stay in Europe. Brexit later this year, and also the performance of the Meanwhile, across the regions, Edinburgh (122 euros/£107) British pound against the Euro. and Manchester (117 euros/£102) were the second and third “Whilst our data has revealed that average room rates most expensive destinations in the UK respectively – although have steadily fallen across all top destinations in the UK both also experienced a fall in room rates. throughout 2016, we would urge hoteliers to consider how Comparing London’s room rates against those in some of they can capitalise on demonstrating that Britain is open Europe’s major cities, the UK capital fell from the top spot for business as a cost effective option for visitors." in 2015, seeing Zurich taking the top spot as the most Looking at worldwide room rates, New York was the expensive destination with rooms averaging 174 euros most expensive top destination globally, with average (£152) per night. overnight stays costing 241 euros (£210) per night in 2016 – continued on next page puzzle bulletin hotel bulletin play Su Doku for your chance to win a debut European campaign from This week 11 £50 M&S voucher 18 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Scandinavia Only - news celebration bulletin scandinavia a round-up of this week’s industry as we mark our 2,000th issue, we capital of culture Aarhus 2017 Inset 03 developments, new launches & offers 12 give you the chance to win a range of 19 officially opens prizes notes from normanton event bulletin all-inclusive bookings are looking up for Sandy this images from our airline showcase operators promote new property Dirima - 08 week 14 in Chester 23 additions Main : agent bulletin bulletin briefing luxury holidays a look at this week’s agent news & views from the Advantage how agents can capitalise on this 09 booking incentives 16 Travel Group 27 lucrative market Cover Pictures travelbulletin.co.uk February 3 2017 3 S01 TB 0302 2017 Start_Layout 1 01/02/2017 11:27 Page 4 newsbulletin continued from previous page a slight fall of nearly 9% against 2015 prices. Washington Finally, Tokyo took third place as the most expensive top became the second most expensive destination globally, destination for hotel accommodation, following a 12% rise with average room rates costing 219 euros (£191) in 2016, on the previous year – resulting in average room rates up 6% on the previous year. costing 191 euros (£167) per night. Tourist scams ‘cost Brits hundreds’ Lapland adventure beckons for Yorkshire families NEW RESEARCH carried out by Satsuma on around FAMILIES ACROSS Yorkshire have more choice to visit Lapland 2,000 UK adults reveals how much the average Brit later this year, with the announcement that Newmarket Holidays spends on extra costs including excess luggage, tourist is adding a special departure from Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA). tax and insurance, among others. It also raises the The operator has announced a one-day special departure to question about how much Brits are targeted with scams Lapland in December, an addition to the LBA programme for - from friendly ATM helpers to fake police officers and winter 2017/18. broken taxi meters. The day trip will include numerous once-in-a-lifetime The survey found that while on holiday, the average opportunities, including a private family meeting with Santa, a person saves £460 for spending money. However, one in husky drawn safari and a traditional reindeer sleigh ride. five Brits face extra luggage charges at the airport and, Families have until the end of March to secure a visit to at the hotel, one in four travellers find they have to pay Lapland for a £50 deposit and the trip is being offered at extra to use the Wi-Fi. 2016 prices. The survey also found that 43% of people in Britain For more information visit newmarketholidays.co.uk/18242 are hit with tourist tax at the end of their stay and that just one in ten Brits are aware of ‘friendly’ ATM helpers, with 15% aware of fake police officers. Meanwhile, one of the biggest scams travellers are faced with are injured or child beggars (35%) and broken taxi meters (18%). The company has created a tool that offers tips and advice on avoiding scams and excessive luggage fees. See satsumaloans.co.uk/holiday-pitfalls/ CroisiEurope's art-themed cruise offers 'impressionist view of the Seine' CROISIEUROPE IS offering its guests an ‘Impressionist View of the Seine’ with a new art themed cruise for 2017. The seven-day cruise from Paris to Honfleur features three onboard presentations by experts, as well as guided visits to sites that inspired numerous masterpieces. Highlights include presentations on the origins and techniques of Impressionism, Claude and the geography of Impressionism: Paris and the suburbs, Honfleur and the Norman coast; a guided audio tour of the Chateau d’Auvers-sur-Oise; a visit to the Musée Marmottan in Paris; a visit to Claude Monet's house in Giverny; a tour of Rouen and the Musée des Beaux-Arts; a tour of the Abbaye Saint Wandrille then on to Jumièges and the 10th century church of Sainte-Pierr; tours of Honfleur and the Alabaster Coast; an evening cruise on the Seine; and a 'Guinguette’ (French dance hall) evening. Onboard, guests are offered meals and unlimited complimentary beverages (excluding Champagne and premium wines). There are four departures this year - on May 10, May 25, July 9 and August 26 on the MS Seine Princess, MS AROUND THE WORLD...To celebrate the launch of its new route from Doha to Auckland on February 5, Qatar Airways hosted a 3D activation Renoir and MS Botticelli. in Brent Cross shopping centre. A 3D artwork of the world was drawn Cruise-only prices start from £1,270 per person on the ground with a plane flying from London, via Doha to Auckland including all meals and drinks onboard, excursions, encouraging people to interact with the image to win return flights to onboard presentations and entertainment, plus Wi-Fi Auckland. The return flight from Auckland to Doha is now the world’s and port fees. longest flight at 17.5 hours. Pictured are, from the left: Shereen Fada, Qatar Airways; Ataraiti Waretini, Tourism New Zealand; and Angela To book or for more information call 020-8328 1281 or Muteanu, Qatar Airways. visit croisieurope.co.uk 4 February 3 2017 travelbulletin.co.uk S02 TB 0302 2017 News 1_Layout 1 01/02/2017 14:59 Page 5 newsbulletin GATWICK AIRPORT has achieved a new annual record with a reported 43 million passengers travelling through the airport each year.