TB1206 2015 Cover 10/06/2015 10:42 Page 1 June 12 2015 | ISSUE NO 1,923 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk Australasia What you need to know to get the most out of your clients’ holidays this week 13 news 3 agent bulletin 9 holiday parks 18 new report reveals a round-up of agent usa how to capitalise on how travel companies offers, fam trips & operators unveil their latest sales by promoting can boost their social booking incentives family activities marketing programme additions plus the latest deals S01 TB1206 2015 Start_Layout 1 10/06/2015 10:23 Page 2 Play golf in Carthage Relax in thalassotherapy in Hammamet www.cometotunisia.co.uk HERE I COME. S01 TB1206 2015 Start_Layout 1 10/06/2015 10:23 Page 3 newsbulletin ON COURSE... This Week New and existing members of The Global Travel Group (TGTG) recently completed a two-week training course at the consortium’s dedicated Training & Development Centre as part of the ongoing news support provided to agent members. Pictured celebrating their training development, along with 3 new report reveals how TGTG’s Mark Rowlands (left) and Rob Griffiths (right), are, from the left: Yi Jin, V Travel; Bethan travel companies can boost Jones, Travelworx; and Sulimen Pate, Freedom 2 Travel. their social marketing notes from normanton 8 find out what Sandy from New report by immediate future reveals how travel brands Sandy’s Travel Escapes has been up to lately can optimise their social marketing to influence ROI agent bulletin IN A report published by immediate future, to that, a recent Facebook study revealed 9 a round-up of agent offers, more than one million social conversations that 68% of consumers agree that reviews fam trips & booking incentives were analysed to provide insights as to give them the confidence to book a bulletin briefing how travel brands can optimise their holiday, with 76% agreeing that reviews 10 news & views from The Elite social marketing to influence purchasing offer insider knowledge not available Travel Group decisions and return on investment. elsewhere. puzzle bulletin Customer conversations mentioning Given these insights, travel brands can 11 take a break and try your travel, flights, hotels and associated capitalise on the social conversations Funway hand at the puzzles, plus the keywords were analysed from March 2014 taking place in the ‘Experience’ and ‘Post - chance to win a £50 M&S to March 2015 to gather a better Purchase’ stages of the customer journey. Inset voucher understanding of where UK travellers were Katy Howell, CEO for the digital personality bulletin talking in social, what they were talking consultant company, said: “By drilling 12 find out who is in the hot about and what motivates social activity deeper into the customer journey and seat answering our quick- along the customer purchase journey. taking into consideration peak fire questions this week A clear pattern emerged with the conversation times and the key emotions usa volume of social content produced expressed at those times, brands can 13 operators unveil their latest throughout the customer journey and how create annual content plans that deliver programme additions plus that content influences customers who are tangible results. the latest deals in the planning stages of their holidays. “For example, unsurprisingly most of holiday parks The report found that 23% of travel the UK talks about being on holiday in 18 how agents can capitalise on Shutterstock Copyright: Ben Heys conversation in social takes place on June, July and August but the desire for a - sales by promoting family activities holiday and 27% after the holiday holiday peaks in April, June and Main predominantly across Facebook and September. Brands who don’t capitalise : australasia Twitter. This conversation motivates 37% on this sentiment are missing a trick 20 what you need to know to of people to make a travel purchase based when it comes to increasing ROI through get the most out of your clients’ holidays on customer reviews and feedback. Added social.” Cover Pictures www.travelbulletin.co.uk June 12 2015 3 S01 TB1206 2015 Start_Layout 1 10/06/2015 10:23 Page 4 newsbulletin London holds top spot as most popular tourist destination according to new report LONDON HAS again been London is projected to that London has proudly continues to surprise and hailed as the world’s most welcome 18.82 million held on to this coveted title, excite visitors from all over popular tourist destination international visitors this as we celebrate another the world.” by Mastercard. It’s the year, according to the triumphant and record- Europe now features second year running that the annual report, putting the breaking year for tourism in three of the top five cities - capital has topped the capital ahead of Bangkok. the city. With its unrivalled London, Paris and Istanbul - Global Destinations Cities Both cities have topped the mix of history, culture, with Bangkok and Dubai Index, which provides an in- Index throughout its five- culinary gems and cutting- making up the global top depth ranking of the 132 year history. edge creativity, I’m confident five. most travelled cities from Mayor of London Boris that these accolades will For more information go to around the world. Johnson said: “I’m delighted keep coming as the capital www.visitlondon.com Debut autumn, winter & spring worldwide brochure from Trafalgar TRAFALGAR IS extending its Visiting Europe’s oldest and largest Coast landmarks with visits to seasonal product further with the Christmas market in Strasbourg, Jackson, release of its first worldwide Paris and the Black Forest, the Grand Autumn, Winter, Spring programme itinerary offers a different side to Teton offering a selection of unique and Europe’s festive season. National authentic seasonal experiences Following its successful launch Park and across Europe, Asia, the US and last year, the company has also Bozeman. Canada. added its new trip style, Hidden Clients Featuring 32 itineraries (with a Journeys, to the programme, which can save up further 20 available online), offers clients the chance to explore to 7.5% including three new Christmas lesser-visited destinations in across the Spectacular guided holidays, clients intimate sized groups. As an programme, now have more opportunity to seek example, an eight-day Secrets and with early some winter sun and discover the Winter Wonders of Yellowstone payment world’s seasonal experiences from Hidden Journey is an in-depth discounts of the inside, with departures available experience of Yellowstone National up to £702 between this November and March Park, where guests spend two nights per couple 2016. in hand-picked Authentic available As an example, the programme Accommodation at Mammoth Hot when booked and paid in full before takes clients deeper into the Springs Hotel, as well as an August 31. Past passenger discounts European Christmas festivities with overnight stay at the 320-guest of 5% per person are also available. a new ten-day Christmas Markets of Ranch in Montana. They’ll also see a For further information visit Strasbourg and the Black Forest. lesser-known side of iconic West www.trafalgar.com Caesars Entertainment extends ‘Feeling Lucky’ incentive programme CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT has announced the return of its travel agent incentive, the ‘Feeling Lucky’ programme, which rewards agents for registering bookings at its family of resorts across the country until September 30. Agents registering bookings at www.caesarstravelagents.com will earn 100 lucky chips for each room night booked. Chips are accrued throughout the promotional period and redeemed for prizes which include show tickets, accommodation, meals and more in destinations including Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Reno and Lake Tahoe. This year, two new Las Vegas resorts have joined the portfolio - the first stand-alone boutique hotel on the Strip, The Cromwell, and the newest resort at the heart of the Strip, The LINQ Hotel & Casino. Annette Weishaar, the company’s vice president of leisure and citywide sales, said: “As we expand our offerings and introduce new developments like the Las Vegas High Roller, A REAL PRO…Air China teamed up with Travel Bulletin in March to The Cromwell and The LINQ Hotel & Casino, it is our mission run a competition for agents to win a GoPro camera. Pictured is to communicate our commitment and appreciation to travel the winner, Kristen Crossley from Reed and MacKay, with the carrier’s Sanjay Rudki. agents, agencies and constituents.” 4 June 12 2015 www.travelbulletin.co.uk S02 TB1206 2015 News 1_Layout 1 10/06/2015 10:28 Page 5 newsbulletin Direct Ferries unveils new-look website DIRECT FERRIES has launched its new website at www.directferries.co.uk, which offers access to 91 ferry Newsbites companies (and the Eurotunnel), 1,542 ferry routes and more than 355 ferry ports offering connections by sea to ● THIS MONTH marks Scott Dunn’s first steps into retail more than 96 countries and islands. with the opening of its new Travel Lounge at its dead Ferry crossings from Dover to Calais lead in at £36 offices in Fulham, London. and the site features a comprehensive list of ports and detailed information on routes and destinations. A route ● CORONATION STREET The Tour has announced that the and port finder also makes it easy for agents to find out attraction at Quay Street, Manchester will come to an which operators sail on which routes by looking at a end on December 31. country or by port in the drop down list. The site also ● IN PREPARATION for the winter 2015/16 ski season, offers train and ferry combined tickets and has a Inghams has a half price lift pass offer on all adult lift dedicated mini cruise section. By partnering with passes for bookings made by June 28, offering savings of accommodation provider, booking.com, visitors to the up to £235 per couple.