TB 2802 2020 Cover_Layout 1 26/02/2020 16:30 Page 2 February 28 2020 | ISSUE NO 2,143 | travelbulletin.co.uk Giving agents the edge EVENT BULLETIN IN THE HOT SEAT ESCORTED TRIPS HOTELS, RESORTS Weddings and honeymoons Our new interview feature, this Group adventures for intrepid & SPAS showcases in Liverpool week with Gordon McCreadie travellers across all corners Relaxation and fine food in and Glasgow from If Only... of the globe fabulous properties USA Bright lights and top sights on a mega-fam trip Cover pic : © Brad Pict S01 TB 2802 2020 Start_Layout 1 26/02/2020 10:23 Page 2 S01 TB 2802 2020 Start_Layout 1 26/02/2020 10:23 Page 3 FEBRUARY 28 2020 | travelbulletin.co.uk NEWS BULLETIN 3 THIS WEEK SPAIN STILL REIGNS Classic Collection Holidays has found that Spain remains a solid favourite for British tourists. 04 Spain is set to be the most popular destination once NEWS again this year. Industry updates and an Agent Insight column on wellness from Nick at Travel Designers 12 EVENT BULLETIN Weddings & honeymoons showcase fun and networking in Liverpool and Glasgow 14 IN THE HOT SEAT BOOKINGS MADE by of holidays to the Portuguese Booking data revealed the We debut our new interview spot partner agents of luxury island of Madeira. Nicknamed destination as an emerging with Gordon from If Only... operator Classic Collection the ‘floating garden of the destination for 2020, Holidays, have revealed that Atlantic', January bookings following the announcement Spain looks set to be the suggest Madeira could from the FCO in October last most popular destination have its best year ever, in year, which saw it lift its again. Other hot spots terms of the number of restrictions on flights across Greece could enjoy British holidaymakers between the UK and the 15 a bumper year, with heading to its shores. Egyptian resort. bookings of holidays Hotly tipped to become a Turkey is named one as USA From Las Vegas to Alaska, there’s showing significant year-on- major hot spot amongst another emerging something for everyone year growth. British holidaymakers for destination, following a While Spain and Greece several years, Croatia troubled few years, along are the first and second most completes the top five list of with Malta, Austria and popular destinations the most popular Montenegro. respectively, destinations destinations this year. Long-haul destinations are across Italy are proving Research also reveals that proving to be popular. Since popular this year, with the Egypt is set to become a launching its long-haul 19 operator seeing an increased favourite once again this programme in January, ESCORTED TOURS demand for holidays to year, with destinations such Classic Collection Holidays Perennial favourites and emerging destinations across the as Sharm El Sheikh, has seen strong early destinations country, such as the Amalfi Hurghada and Marsa Alam, demand for its new product. Coast and the lakes. all proving popular among with Sri Lanka and Mauritius Research also shows a sun-seeking British named its most popular far- dramatic increase in bookings holidaymakers. away destinations for 2020. 23 HOTELS, RESORTS & SPAS Published by : Printed by: Buxton Press @TravelBulletin Blissed-out accommodation Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd Subscriptions are £125 p.a. 020 7834 6661 @TravelBulletin options for relaxing holidays University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor £195 overseas Place London, SW1W 0EX ISSN: 0956-2419 www.travelbulletin.co.uk Travel_Bulletin S01 TB 2802 2020 Start_Layout 1 26/02/2020 10:23 Page 4 4 NEWS BULLETIN FEBRUARY 28 2020 | travelbulletin.co.uk Join the festivities with Jet2’s Vietnam opens its first overseas tourism Christmas market programme office in the UK JET2.COM AND Jet2CityBreaks have THE VIETNAM National announced their Administration of Tourism (VNAT) programme of Christmas launched its first international market flights and trips, office, in London, during a which are now on sale. ceremony at the Foreign and With European Christmas Commonwealth Office. markets continuing to enjoy More than 250 dignitaries immense popularity, the attended the evening hosted by company has introduced a Le Quang Tung, deputy minister mini-series of flights and city of The Ministry of Culture, Sports breaks to a festive assortment and Tourism and Kate White, of winter wonderlands from director of Asia Pacific at the November until before Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Christmas, including a new Among the honoured guests was destination – Strasbourg. the Vietnam Ambassador to the The Strasbourg Christmas UK, the chairman of the Vietnam market is the oldest in France, Tourism Advisory Board, tour and from November, the operators and media. whole town transforms into a Jet2 will operate scheduled flights and city breaks to several Christmas markets. The Vietnam Tourism Board has winter wonderland with its Christmas market flights on sale to destinations charming streets and squares. destinations – Berlin, such as Amsterdam, The leisure airline and Budapest, Cologne, Krakow, Budapest, Barcelona, Prague operator has introduced a Nuremberg, Copenhagen, and Krakow, customers have series of two-night trips for Strasbourg and Vienna – choice and flexibility over the 2020 programme, suitable between November and how long they spend visiting for a quick Christmas getaway. Christmas, from seven Christmas markets in Europe. Jet2 will operate more UK bases. Go to www.jet2.com or than 100 services to eight With multiple weekly www.jet2CityBreaks.com MSC Cruises updates itinerary in wake of COVID-19 chosen London as the location for MSC CRUISES has updated the itinerary of Kobe, Japan. In addition, the ship will now its first overseas representative MSC Bellissima for her forthcoming 28-night also call Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE, instead of office in a move to bring the Grand Voyage sailing from the Gulf to Asia Khor Fakkan, UAE. country’s tourism assets even on March 21. MSC Bellissima’s 28-night Grand Voyage to closer to UK travellers, assist with The updated itinerary of the Grand Voyage, Asia will commence on March 21 in Dubai, UAE. trip inspiration and encourage from March 21 to April 18, will see the To protect the health and safety of its more UK travellers to visit. cancellation of the port visits to Shenzhen, guests and crew globally, MSC Cruises began More than 315,000 British mainland China; Hong Kong; and Keelung, on January 24 a series of precautionary visitors visited Vietnam in Taiwan, and the addition of Laem Chabang actions across its fleet with respect to the 2019, up nearly 6% from the and Bangkok, Thailand; Phu My and Ho Chi novel coronavirus (COVID-19) which previous year. Minh City, Vietnam; as well as an extra day in originated in China. www.msccruises.co.uk www.vietnam.travel/home Easter treats at Corinthia Hotels WITH THE prospect of warmer days ahead, the Corinthia Hotel offers a family break to sunny Lisbon. While the sights of Lisbon are an obvious reason to choose to stay with Corinthia, the hotel gives children special treatment, with in- room treats and entertainment at breakfast. The package also includes daily buffet breakfast, a special buffet dinner if staying on Easter Saturday, April 11, and a complimentary stay for one child. ‘A Family Easter’ costs from £198, per room, per night. The stay is valid from April 5-17. For more information, visit corinthia.com/lisbon S02 TB 2802 2020 News 1_Layout 1 26/02/2020 10:25 Page 5 FEBRUARY 28 2020 | travelbulletin.co.uk NEWS BULLETIN 5 HOTELbites Somabay, the Red Sea Riviera hotspot, has announced that the newest addition to the Cascades family, The Lodge by Cascades, has officially opened its doors. Island Developers and Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts announced a partnership introducing the Banyan Tree’s first property in The Bahamas. ‘’NOW’S THE TIME TO LOVE NEW SOUTH WALES” FOLLOWING THE effects of the recent bushfires and drought, Destination New South Wales has launched a new marketing campaign encouraging visitors to show their love to the Australian state to aid recovery efforts. ‘Now’s The Time To Love New South Wales’ was inspired by the Manhattan is getting set to welcome outpouring of global support and community-driven recovery initiatives in response to the a newcomer to the Big Apple's hotel recent bushfires. Go to www.visitnsw.com for more destination information. scene this April with the opening of NH Collection New York Madison Avenue, the first NH Collection property in the United States. A ‘whale’ of a time with Fred. Olsen FRED. OLSEN Cruise Lines and identify marine wildlife wildlife watching has confirmed a nine-cruise hotspots, feeding directly opportunities, lectures, whale-watching programme into the charity’s ‘Cruise workshops and a host of as part of its first official year Conservationist Programme’ other activities, including in partnership with marine and its conservation work. trips on Fred. Olsen’s rigid conservation charity ORCA. ORCA volunteers will be inflatable boats. The cruises will enable on board for all nine A feature of ORCA cruise ORCA to collect vital data on sailings, who will feed into programme includes: the the number and species of Fred. Olsen’s onboard Black Watch’s 16-night whales and dolphins sighted enrichment programme with W2018 ‘A Voyage to Remote Radisson Hotel Group has Spitsbergen’ cruise, announced the signing of its first Guests can learn more about the marine wildlife on their travels. departing from Liverpool on Radisson-branded hotel in South Africa, the Radisson Safari Hotel June 25. Prices start from Hoedspruit. £2,599 per person. Additionally, there is the Boudicca’s 16-night D2021 ‘Fjords & Icebergs of Remote Greenland’ cruise, departing from Dover on August 11. Prices start from £2,199 per person. www.fredolsencruises.com/ agents S02 TB 2802 2020 News 1_Layout 1 26/02/2020 10:25 Page 6 6 NEWS BULLETIN FEBRUARY 28 2020 | travelbulletin.co.uk Savings for solo travellers with Emerald Waterways Alton Towers marks 40 years of thrills EMERALD WATERWAYS is A visit to the Palais de Papes in Avignon is a part of one itinerary.