TB 1312 2019 CoverWrap_Layout 1 10/12/2019 11:56 Page 1 December 13 2019 | ISSUE NO 2,135 | travelbulletin.co.uk Giving agents the edge TB 1312 2019 CoverWrap_Layout 1 10/12/2019 11:56 Page 2 TB 1312 2019 Cover_Layout 1 11/12/2019 14:08 Page 1 December 13 2019 | ISSUE NO 2,135 | travelbulletin.co.uk Giving agents the edge BULLETIN DESTINATION ICELAND TURKEY BRIEFING BULLETIN Amazing adventures for your Great value fun in the sun, Andy Stark from Global is Enchanting Calabria clients all year round golf and affordable luxury optimistic about 2020 S01 TB 1312 2019 Start_Layout 1 11/12/2019 14:11 Page 2 S01 TB 1312 2019 Start_Layout 1 11/12/2019 16:29 Page 3 DECEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk NEWS BULLETIN 3 THIS WEEK PERFECTLY PRICED PAMPERING 04 Destinations such as the Maldives and Santorini have knocked NEWS past holiday favourites this year, as British travellers seek out The latest industry updates to affordable luxury experiences. keep agents ahead 08 AGENT INSIGHT Jenny from Blue Travel on Iceland as a summer destination 12 Holidaymakers are increasingly turning their interest towards luxury experiences for less. BULLETIN BRIEFING Andy from Global Travel Group HISTORICALLY FAVOURED holiday providers continue to organisation’s annual talks 2020 plans for the industry holiday destinations, offer great deals and conference, held this year in including the likes of the discounts, while Tokyo in October. Algarve (-37%) and holidaymakers are making The findings of the ABTA Marmaris (-35%), have savvy bookings. As the report identify that, “despite slipped from favour with the affordability of destinations political uncertainty, people British public and off this such as the Maldives are committed to taking 14 year’s hotlist, as luxury increases, so have our holidays and the desire to holiday destinations entered consumer search habits.” get a value-for-money break DESTINATION BULLETIN “Further to the increased is also expected to influence Swathed in crystal blue seas and as favourites among sandy beaches, learn more about dealchecker’s customers for interest in the Maldives, holiday decisions over the captivating Calabria the first time in 2019. Santorini entered the top next 12 months.” This is due to rising 15 most searched holiday Destinations that also demand in the affordable destinations in 2019 for the ranked favourably this year luxury market − and first time, overtaking Spain, with dealchecker’s operators are meeting this Turkey and Tenerife in customers were Cyprus demand to attract discerning the rankings. (+186%), Gran Canaria 17 holidaymakers on a budget. The idea that British (+53%) and Cape Verde Rosie Panter, travel expert holidaymakers do not want (+51%), all of which offer ICELAND Experience the landscapes that at dealchecker, commented: to scrimp on the quality of four- and five-star hotel inspired the Fizen films “Destinations once perceived their holidays is further experiences to travellers, to be reserved for the rich reinforced by ABTA’s Travel and in some instances are and famous are now more Trends Report 2019, which investing in further luxury accessible than ever before; was released at the resorts and developments. 20 TURKEY Published by : Printed by: Buxton Press @TravelBulletin The tourism ministry is on a big Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd Subscriptions are £125 p.a. 020 7834 6661 @TravelBulletin hoilday sales push for 2020 University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor £195 overseas Place London, SW1W 0EX ISSN: 0956-2419 www.travelbulletin.co.uk Travel_Bulletin S01 TB 1312 2019 Start_Layout 1 11/12/2019 14:11 Page 4 4 NEWS BULLETIN DECEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk Discover captivating Corsica aboard CroisiEurope CROISIEUROPE HAS launched an ocean cruise round trip from Ajaccio that introduces guests to the hidden treasures of Corsica. The seven-night cruise onboard CroisiEurope’s new ocean ship, La Belle Des Océans, starts with an overnight in Ajaccio and calls at Bonifacio, Porto Vecchio, Bastia and L’Ile Rousse before finishing back in Ajaccio. The seven-deck La Belle Guests can enjoy ocean-view Des Océans accommodates suites aboard the cruise ship. 124 passengers in 62 spacious ocean-view suites, two bars/lounges, a January 31 – a saving of nine of which have private restaurant, an outside grill £135 per person. Price balconies. All suites are en- and grill bar around the pool, includes seven nights in an suite with walk-in shower, fitness centre, wellness salon ocean-view suite with all desk, hairdryer, built-in and laundry service. meals and drinks, wardrobe with safe, mini bar, There are departures on emergency repatriation flat screen TV and air April 28 and May 5 and 12, insurance and port fees. conditioning. This ship offers 2020 with cruise-only prices For reservations and further a variety of public spaces starting from £2,570 per information, visit including a swimming pool, person if booked before www.croisieurope.co.uk Arena Travel extends support to agents ARENA TRAVEL has expanded its agency and Kathryn Lyon - are already out on the sales team and are poised to launch an online road across the UK, visiting existing agents to portal for agents in early 2020 in a bid to ensure they are up-to-date with all the latest support existing trade partners and expand developments, including the launch of the the reach of their main brands around the UK. new MS Arena from April 2020 and the With a focus on The River Cruise Line and recently expanded portfolio of holidays by Arena Rail Holidays brands, the company rail across Europe. The team will support plans to grow their network of agents across agents across the country with a range of the country by engaging in more one-to-one services including brochure supplies, training, training and support, backed up by online booking support, offers and benefits for resources via the new portal. group bookings. Four new agency sales 'ambassadors' – Agents interested can email Maeve Carroll, Daniel Clyburn, Tracey Burke [email protected] Hunan promoted in China-UK cultural tourism event REPRESENTATIVES OF China's Hunan Province were in England in November for a two-day event to promote the region's stunning landscapes and its historic and cultural associations. The travel industry reception, Hunan Culture and Tourism Conference, was hosted on Bristol-based SS Great Britain, and saw traditional Chinese entertainments, canapés and drinks. With China set to become the world’s most visited country by 2030, travel agents and tour operators from across the UK were able to learn more about the region's offerings, ensuring they can keep their products up to date with the growing demand for this incredible province. www.travelchinaguide.com S02 TB 1312 2019 News 1_Layout 1 11/12/2019 10:43 Page 5 DECEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk NEWS BULLETIN 5 Sunny Santorini is Jet2’s newest Greek destination Island-hopping with JET2.COM AND Olympic Holidays Jet2holidays has revealed its sixth brand new Greek Travellers will have the opportunity OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS has to enjoy the sunset at Oia. destination for summer launched an island-hopping 2020, the island of Santorini. brochure – ‘Island From early May to late Adventures 2020’. October, the company will Guests can mix it up with a operate twice-weekly range of accommodation, from services (Thursday and luxurious hotels with infinity Saturday) from Manchester pools and spas to traditional Airport, as well as weekly studios next to tavernas. Tuesday services from On Crete, it’s now possible Birmingham and London to hop around to different Stansted Airports. The scale destinations on the island – of this programme flying into one airport and represents almost 40,000 settlement preserved under operate to 14 Greek departing from another. seats on sale in total. volcanic ash. destinations in summer For visitors who want to As well as soaking up the Jet2.com and Jet2holidays 2020 – with Corfu, Crete immerse themselves in views along the caldera, will launch six brand new (Heraklion), Crete (Chania), history, the operator has also holidaymakers can see the Greek destinations in Kefalonia, Kos, Rhodes, added four- to seven-night sunset at Oia, enjoy the summer 2020 – Santorini, Halkidiki and Zante also organised tours to Olympia local vineyards, or take in Mykonos, Lesvos, Kalamata on sale. and Delphi with expert guides. one of a number of (Peloponnese), Skiathos For further information or Visit archaeological sites, such as and Preveza. In total, to book, visit www.jet2.com www.olympicholidays.com ancient Akrotiri, a Minoan the tour operator will or www.jet2holidays.com. S02 TB 1312 2019 News 1_Layout 1 11/12/2019 10:43 Page 6 6 NEWS BULLETIN DECEMBER 13 2019 | travelbulletin.co.uk Bourne bonanza to warm up the colder months NEWS BOURNE LEISURE properties bites are offering a raft of offers over the Christmas-New Year Studley Castle is a restored folly with a rich history. HOTEL UPDATE period and into the new year. To celebrate the first • Jumeirah Group has announced it Christmas at Studley has been appointed to operate and Castle, the adults-only manage the renowned Capri Palace in Warner Hotels property in Anacapri, Italy. Warwickshire, Christmas breaks between December 24 and 27 start from £789 per person, including entertainment late into the • Rotana opens the five-star Johari night, a three-course Rotana in Tanzania’s commercial city Christmas dinner, drinks of Dar es Salaam reception and the Simply Dine package, as well as a Twixmas break between December 27 and 30 from £347 per person, and February 14 and 24. the Little Mermaid three-night New Year’s Eve Live evening A three-night break at breaks from £699 entertainment is available Minehead Resport in per person.