TB 1608 2019 Cover Wrap_Layout 1 12/08/2019 11:45 Page 1 August 16 2019 | ISSUE NO 2,119 | travelbulletin.co.uk Giving agents the edge TB 1608 2019 Cover Wrap_Layout 1 12/08/2019 11:45 Page 2 TB 1608 2019 Cover_Layout 1 12/08/2019 11:51 Page 1 August 16 2019 | ISSUE NO 2,119 | travelbulletin.co.uk Giving agents the edge EVENT BULLETIN MIDDLE EAST BULLETIN BRIEFING TRAINING Check out the highlights Ras Al Khaimah embarks on an Global Travel Group shows how It’s a festival training first from the Yorkshire Ball ambitious new phase of tourism to stand out in the market from Co-operative Travel LUXURY HOLIDAYS Treat your clients with these indulgent escapes © den-belitsky Cover pic : S01 TB 1608 2019 Start_Layout 1 13/08/2019 11:14 Page 2 S01 TB 1608 2019 Start_Layout 1 13/08/2019 11:14 Page 3 AUGUST 16 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk NEWS BULLETIN 3 THIS WEEK RESORT RIP OFFS A survey has revealed that two-thirds of families admit that added ‘rip off’ costs on holiday have made them bust their 04 budget, spending 24% more than what they intended. Hidden costs come as a shock to families NEWS going on overseas holidays. Industry updates to help agents sell more exciting holidays 09 AGENT INSIGHT Ben from Venture Travel on new ways to sell luxury 15 TRAINING Win a five-night cruise on the Seine with A-ROSA RESEARCH FROM Post Office charges garnered the highest than £336 on meals, drinks Travel Money has revealed levels of criticism among the and shop-bought food on that it is resort rip offs that third of families who their last holiday, this families dislike the most while complained about the cost of amounts to more than half of on holiday abroad. Topping paying for plastic, as well as the total budget of £630 they 17 this list is unexpected non-transaction charges, had set. charges incurred for paying which can be around 2.7% on Nick Bode, head of Post LUXURY HOLIDAYS Make an impression with these on plastic, although the high top of each transaction. One Office Travel Money, said: indulgent escapes cost of fun parks, water rides, in ten holiday makers said “Past experience shows that ice creams and meals also that they did not realise that families planning beach threatened to rock the holiday they would be charged a fee holidays abroad will need to boat for many. every time they used ATMS keep a tight rein on their Around 67% of parents for cash withdrawals. holiday funds to avoid who took part in the Post Resort food and drink was busting the budget. Office survey concerning another big drain on the “Paying for things like 22 overseas holiday costs family budget, rated as a rip- beach extras can easily tip admitted to feeling ripped off, off by one in five of those the holiday budget, so it is MIDDLE EAST Discover Dubai’s newest while a third of families surveyed. In particular, important to plan carefully island oasis admitted to feeling caught parents paid out more than and keep costs down by out by extra charges £35 during their holiday just packing things like swimming averaging £120 on their for ice creams alone. The goggles, buckets and last holiday. research found that families spades; that should help pay Unexpected debit card spent an average of more for ice creams!” 25 UK AIRPORTS Published by : Printed by: Buxton Press @TravelBulletin £150m pledged to deliver vital Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd Subscriptions are £125 p.a. 020 7834 6661 @TravelBulletin station upgrades at Gatwick University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor £195 overseas Place London, SW1W 0EX ISSN: 0956-2419 www.travelbulletin.co.uk Travel_Bulletin S01 TB 1608 2019 Start_Layout 1 13/08/2019 11:14 Page 4 4 NEWS BULLETIN AUGUST 16 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk One Ocean introduces its 2020-2021 Antarctic Cruises AITO highlights importance of ONE OCEAN Expeditions has launched a series of new financial protection cruise itineraries and FOLLOWING THE collapse of programmes for the Super Break this month, AITO 2020/2021 Antarctic season. released a statement on the Expedition cruise importance of 100% financial enthusiasts can benefit from security guarantees for holiday early booking incentives bookings. ABTA confirmed that while travelling onboard the it offers members the option RCGS Resolute. These of 100% financial protection, offerings come ahead of the but Super Break did not opt company’s celebration of the to protect sales of its vessel’s one-year accommodation-only bookings anniversary sailing under the via its ABTA membership. OOE banner. New cruise itineraries have been introduced in OOE’s Antarctic 2020/2021 season that will allow more time in destination as well as a wider selection of voyages. These programmes will be an Commenting on the situation, addition to the company’s AITO chairman Derek Moore said: existing Antarctic voyages. “It's sad that it often takes a Over the last two years, collapse – of an operator or an ‘fly’ cruise voyages have airline – to make people, both become a mainstay of its within and without the industry, Antarctic programming. realise the importance of the Holiday bookers will have more Antartic cruise options to choose from Voyages range from the 100% bonded message. Perhaps it ‘Quest for the Antarctic California Ocean Alliance. Antarctica by way of King will now be clearer to agents and Circle’, providing direct Starting and finishing in George Island, Antarctica and consumers why AITO emphasises private air charters out of Ushuaia, Argentina, these Stanley, Falkland Islands. that all holidays booked with an Punta Arenas to Antarctica in voyages provide guests with Offered December through to AITO operator are covered, even two-and-a-half hours, as well opportunities to participate early February, this provides accommodation-only bookings.” as ‘Ultimate Antarctica’, alongside eco-experts and more availability to this route. In a statement following the which encompasses the contribute to the creation of Early booking incentives collapse, ABTA said customers Weddell Sea. marine protected areas in include a travel credit currently on Super Break trips Experiential voyages with Antarctica. deducted from the voyage should be unaffected but agents a focus on marine mammals Additional highlights of the fare for all new bookings should advise customers yet and ocean literacy are 2020/2021 programme made by August 31. to travel to progress refund claims avilable in February and include an extended 19-night For more information visit through ATOL, ABTA, card March, featuring Dr Ari voyage to the Falkland www.oneoceanexpeditions.c providers or other financial Friedlaender and the Islands, South Georgia and om/antarctica protection schemes. Incoming tourism to Germany is on the up Destination Germany is positioning itself very well for the first six months of 2019, by international comparison. Germany’s incoming tourism has performed better than the worldwide average with an increase of 3.7% and, from European source markets, is generating a growth of 4% positioning itself clearly in front of the European average (plus of 2.5%). Compared to European competitors Germany is on equal footing with Austria, Italy and Spain and significantly ahead of Switzerland and Great Britain. S02 TB 1608 2019 News_1_Layout 1 13/08/2019 11:36 Page 5 AUGUST 16 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk NEWS BULLETIN 5 Solmar Villas is headed for Istria Getting ‘appy with SOLMAR VILLAS is selling Istria is the first of three Singapore Airlines holidays to ten different new destinations offered villas in Istria, a heart- by Solmar Villas SINGAPORE AIRLINES shaped peninsula in has announced the north-west Croatia that has launch of its all-new 250km of coastline as well mobile app for Android as many small cove and iOS smartphones. beaches. The main features of the “We have had lots of app include a translation interest in our properties in assistant, and a measure- Croatia, so it seemed a your-bag feature. The natural step to identify more app can help customers destinations nearby,” said gain real-time Julie Blake, managing information such as director of Solmar Villas. boarding gate details, the The first ten villas sleep destination’s weather and between four and ten people currency, and baggage and will include features belt information. such as a saunas, games mainland Spain, Malta, This year will see the Android users can rooms and Jacuzzis. Portugal and Turkey. It also company further expand, as download the app The company currently offers the option of securing Istria will soon be joined by between July to offers around 600 properties a villa with a low or zero Madeira and Tenerife on its September, and iOS across the Balearic Islands, deposit, allowing the list of destinations for 2020. users may download Canary Islands, Cyprus, customer to spread the cost For more details, visit the new app Croatia, Greece, Italy, over 12 months interest-free. www.solmarvillas.com from September. Aman announces a new destination: Al Ula, Saudi Arabia INTERNATIONAL LUXURY hotel group Aman has announced its forthcoming debut in Saudi Arabia in 2023. Partnering with the Royal Commission for Al Ula (RCU), Aman will develop three distinct resorts in Al Ula, north-west Saudi Arabia. This development will encompass a tented camp, a resort close to Al Ula’s heritage areas, and a ranch-style desert resort setting. These three resorts will offer an insight into the unspoilt landscapes of Saudi Arabia that have, so far, remained largely undiscovered. The vast area of Al Ula covers 22,561sq.km, and includes an oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years.