TB 2009 2019 Cover_Layout 1 17/09/2019 10:16 Page 1 September 20 2019 | ISSUE NO 2,123 | travelbulletin.co.uk Giving agents the edge BULLETIN BRIEFING RIVER CRUISE AGENT INSIGHT OCEAN CRUISE In a turbulent industry can It’s time to debunk those Bring out the best on a Find out how you can win a agents rise to the challenge? river cruise myths trip to Budapest festive cruise with CMV Take the legwork out of selling Lapland © Olonkho Cover pic : S01 TB 2009 2019 Start_Layout 1 18/09/2019 14:25 Page 2 S01 TB 2009 2019 Start_Layout 1 18/09/2019 15:05 Page 3 SEPTEMBER 20 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk NEWS BULLETIN 3 THIS WEEK RATINGS REPORT While most travel companies know how influential ratings are, many do not know how to manage ratings strategically. 04 Only 20% of firms surveyed NEWS have an effective strategy to Industry updates to help agents sell deal with bad ratings. more holidays to their clients 08 AGENT INSIGHT Jenny from Blue Eye Travel on selling holidays to Budapest 13 AIR TRAVEL The new flights & codeshares opening up Brazil A STUDY by Trend Radar has with bad ratings. Simon-Kucher, said: “There’s found that 60% of travellers Many companies already enormous untapped worldwide use customer recognise the key role ratings potential here. If companies ratings in their purchasing play in business. In fact, 55% focus on four or five of the decisions when planning of companies surveyed most common criticisms, holidays, while 43% regularly consider ratings “very they can reduce their risk of 17 leave ratings themselves. important”. Four-out-of five receiving low ratings,” In addition to this, the companies surveyed even The study also shows that, LAPLAND expect the importance of in addition to actively Treat clients with these elegant study found that when retreats & authentic Lappish making a purchase, ratings ratings to increase over the managing their weaknesses, experiences are the third most important next three years, primarily companies can benefit factor after product features affecting brand development, financially from nudging and price, which means they sales, and pricing. satisfied customers to leave are even more influential Only a fifth of providers ratings, since high ratings than the brand itself in the state that they have a clear can increase the price decision-making process. strategy for handling ratings, customers are willing to pay 21 The results also revealed while 6% draw conclusions for a hotel or trip. that even though most travel from direct customer feedback Interestingly, 50% of the RIVER CRUISE AmaWaterways moves into 2020 sector companies are aware to improve their product and consumers surveyed said with trade focused strategy of how important ratings are, quality management. they would be more inclined only about 20% of the firms Dimitris Hiotis, global head to rate their experience if surveyed currently have an of the Leisure, Travel and they were offered effective strategy to deal Transportation practice at something in return. 27 OCEAN CRUISE Published by : Printed by: Buxton Press @TravelBulletin How the cruise industry is working Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd Subscriptions are £125 p.a. 020 7834 6661 @TravelBulletin towards a sustainable future University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor £195 overseas Place London, SW1W 0EX ISSN: 0956-2419 www.travelbulletin.co.uk Travel_Bulletin S01 TB 2009 2019 Start_Layout 1 17/09/2019 12:35 Page 4 4 NEWS BULLETIN SEPTEMBER 20 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk School’s out for skiing and snowboarding holidays Half-term family fun at La Manga Club LA MANGA Club is dishing up sporting fun in the Spanish sun for all the family this October half-term, with savings of up to 20% across a range of sports and leisure activities and accommodation during the school holidays. Guests can enjoy reduced rates of 15% on golf, tennis, spa treatments and at official resort restaurants, with additional discounts available when booking an accommodation package. Breaks are bookable in both La TO TAKE advantage of the between our toes last week. d’Huez for £981 per person, Manga Club’s five-star Hotel good skiing conditions and But now the kids are back at saving £154 per person, Principe Felipe or four-star Las events at resorts during school, we are about to book departing on December 28. Lomas Village self-catering peak dates, such as our ski holiday so we all have For the first half-term accommodation, with a five-night Christmas, new year, half- something to look forward to. break of 2020, guests who stay for a family of four in a two- term and Easter, Skiworld These offers come at the depart on February 22 will bedroom apartment starting from has launched “School’s perfect time as prices can only receive a free lift pass and 592 euros – a saving of around Out” discounts. These dates go up from now on for the ski hire for catered chalets, 150 euros. are particularly popular popular school holiday dates.” which can be combined with amongst families who are Among the Christmas a group discount for whole restricted to school deals is a £994-per-person chalet bookings. holidays and people who package at Chalet An example of the Easter work within term-time. Stoanerhof in Mayrhofen, deals includes a £921 per The deals offer savings of departing on December 21. person six-day stay at Chalet Resort credit vouchers of 100 up to £500 per person in The price includes flights, Val Rogoney in Val d’Isere, euros on holidays of five to seven selected catered chalets and transfers, six days chalet departing on April 11, 2020, nights are also on offer, together self-catered apartments and catering, a lift pass and ski saving £466 per person. with discounts on Junior Club hotels at European resorts. hire, representing a saving of To find out more about the places and free dining for children Robert Dixon, marketing £325 per person. school holiday offers, visit under-five when eating with an manager at Skiworld said, “We For the new year, guests can www.skiworld.co.uk/ski- adult in one of of La Manga Club’s were on the beach with sand stay at Residence Les Horizons deals/schools-out official restaurants. Shiiiny, happy people loving bands… FANS OF indie and dance music from the 80s and 90s will be descending on Butlin’s for the Shiiine On Weekender event, an adults-only break which will take place at the company’s Minehead property from November 15-18. Headliners include: Lightning Seeds, Embrace, The Wonder Stuff, Idlewild and The Farm; who will all perform live sets at Minehead’s 5,000-capacity indoor arena. There will be DJ sets from Adamsky, as well as performances from Transglobal Underground, SICE (Boo Radleys), Pop will eat itself, Jim Bob and Jesus Jones. Throughout the weekend, guests can also take advantage of unlimited use of Butlin’s Splash Waterworld and sports sessions, activities such as bowling and American pool, as well as the Minehead seaside location. The three-night break starts from £175 per person, based on four adults sharing a Silver apartment. To book, go to www.BourneLeisureSales.co.uk S02 TB 2009 2019 News_1_Layout 1 17/09/2019 14:36 Page 5 SEPTEMBER 20 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk NEWS BULLETIN 5 NCL hits the right note with Kelly Clarkson Rotana unveils new hotel in Bosnia GRAMMY AWARD-winning forward to celebrating In addition to featuring artist Kelly Clarkson is to serve Norwegian Encore’s debut many of the highly rated ROTANA HAS announced the as godmother to Norwegian in Miami with her, this restaurants and lounges that official opening of Bosmal Arjaan Cruise Line’s newest ship, November.” have made the Breakaway by Rotana, its first hotel in Norwegian Encore. Kelly Clarkson added: “I Plus class one of the most Bosnia and Herzegovina. The cruise line’s president am so honoured to be successful in the company’s Located within Sarajevo’s and chief executive officer named the godmother to history, Norwegian Encore Bosmal City Centre complex, the Andy Stuart appeared on Norwegian Encore, and to will debut a new elevated new property offers 132 fully The Kelly Clarkson Show to get to be a part of such a Italian dining experience, serviced one-, two- and three- make the announcement. special ceremony to Onda by Scarpetta. It will bedroom deluxe hotel apartments, Stuart said: “We knew we christen the new ship in also feature the world’s a restaurant, two meeting rooms, wanted someone who Miami. I believe that longest race track at sea; and a fitness and wellness club represents our core values. surrounding yourself with the largest outdoor laser tag featuring a gymnasium, a sauna, a Kelly is a role model who is the ones you love and arena with the addition of Turkish bath, and multiple passionate about family and taking time for them is augmented reality elements; treatment rooms. Each of the community, as well as music important while having the and a new escape room and spacious accommodations and entertainment. These most amazing and interactive theatre includes a fully equipped kitchen, are our passions too! We unforgettable holiday, which experiences in the modern amenities and the latest are honoured to have her is what Norwegian Cruise 10,000sq.ft Galaxy Pavilion. in-room technologies. join our family of Line stands for and provides For more information visit godparents and look for its guests.” www.ncl.com Theatrical breaks with Osprey Holidays OSPREY HOLIDAYS has announced that as offering a wider choice of tours, excursions it is offering a range of tailor-made UK and experiences.” Theatre Breaks.