TB 0809 2017 Cover 06/09/2017 14:55 Page 1 September 8 2017 | ISSUE NO 2,029 | travelbulletin.co.uk Russia New tours & add-ons to boost client bookings this week 15 puzzle bulletin 11 hotel checkout 13 uk airports 21 play Su Doku for your we take a closer look at new developments, chance to win a £50 the Constantinou Bros australasia technology systems M&S voucher Athena Beach in Cyprus & trends deals and discounts down under S01 TB 0809 2017 Start_Layout 1 06/09/2017 11:42 Page 2 S01 TB 0809 2017 Start_Layout 1 06/09/2017 14:51 Page 3 newsbulletin Spa treat... SEVEN AGENTS recently enjoyed a spa day at Greenwoods Hotel & Spa in Essex courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line. The Spa Day with Afternoon Tea, which is one of the experience days that agents can earn through Carnival Cruise Line’s Loyalty Rocks Club, combined plenty of relaxation in the swimming pool, hot tubs, sauna, steam and relations rooms with traditional afternoon tea. The agents earned their places as a result of participating in training as well as through social media competitions. Pictured are, from the left: Caroline Walker and Kerry Vidler, Travel Counsellors; Bella Romano and Hannah Beagley, Carnival Cruise Line; Samantha Fielder and Corey Campbell, US Airtours; Colleen Creevy, Ocean Holidays; and Travel Bulletin columnist Eileen Saunders from Travel Counsellors. Operators unveil statistics behind Brits’ getaways over the summer holidays WITH THE summer holidays now over and the kids having Meanwhile onboard, Thomson Cruises’ six ships took gone back to school, Thomson, Thomson Cruises and First around 195,000 passengers to 117 ports of call over the Choice have totted up some of the statistics from the nearly summer. The ships, including the latest addition to the fleet, four million passengers they sent on holiday. TUI Discovery 2 served more than 5,300 litres of ice-cream This summer Thomson Airways spent more than 41,000 and 56,070 litres of beer, used 100,330 tea bags and went hours in the air jetting millions of holidaymakers away to through 1,180kg of coffee - each week. sunny climates which equates to flying around the world The Balearics continued to be the most popular destination more than 600 times. The leading holiday airline made this summer, with cultural hotspots Bulgaria and Croatia more than 5,400 round trips to summer holiday hotspots, seeing a significant increase in demand. Bulgaria, has seen a with engineers making sure the fleet of 64 aircraft were in 21% increase in passenger growth since 2016, with trendy tip top condition and a cleaning crew spending 3,200 hours Croatia seeing 17% more passengers over summer hand cleaning each plane. compared to the same period last year. With the heavy rain In the holiday resorts the teams have also been busy and unseasonal weather in August, Thomson and First keeping everyone amused with guests enjoying more than Choice also saw a sudden spike in bookings in the first week 4,200 hours of entertainment across the ten First Choice of the month with a surge in short break bookings (three- and Holiday Villages. Expert teams at First Choice have also four-night breaks were up 150% year-on-year). trained more than 3,800 budding footie stars at its Mark Hall, director of Product for Thomson and First football academies and kept over 17,000 children amused Choice, said: “This has been another great summer for our in their kids’ clubs. Thomson has taught more than 2,300 resort teams and the statistics are mind boggling – with more children to swim this summer since the launch of its new than 17,000 children being entertained at our First Choice swim schools at 13 of its TUI Family Life resorts. kids clubs and over 40,000 spa treatments being given. Meanwhile in the TUI Sensatori resorts guests have been Thousands of people work very hard behind the scenes and in pampered, as the spa staff has provided more than 40,000 resort with our guests to enable them to discover their luxurious spa treatments. smiles, relax and unwind on their annual break.” Adobe Stock, A. Karnholz - Inset puzzle bulletin australasia This week play Su Doku for your chance to win a deals and discounts 11 £50 M&S voucher 15 Down Under news hotel checkout uk airports a look at this week’s latest offers and we take a closer look at Constantinou new developments, technology Shutterstock, iryna1 programme additions Bros Athena Beach Hotel in Cyprus systems & trends - - 03 13 21 Main : at home with eileen personality bulletin russia find out what Travel Counsellors’ which industry personality is in the new tours and add-ons to boost 08 homeworker Eileen has been up 14 hot seat this week? 23 client bookings to recently Cover Pictures travelbulletin.co.uk September 8 2017 3 S01 TB 0809 2017 Start_Layout 1 06/09/2017 11:42 Page 4 newsbulletin TRAIN TO GAIN...Travel 2 joined forces with the Millington Travel team for their annual training day recently. Joining more than six suppliers to conduct training across its products, the day culminated in a well-deserved drink in the local bar. Pictured are, from the left: Claire Hills from Travel 2 with Jemma Lee, Sharon Staples, Graham Woodham and Maria Scriven, all from various Millington branches. Riviera Travel sets sail with Lucy Worsley on Rhine Cruise to Switzerland RIVIERA TRAVEL has announced that Lucy has written a new book aptly of Rüdesheim and the lakeside town of the popular historian, writer and titled ‘Jane Austen at Home’, exploring Lucerne, with a dedicated tour broadcaster Lucy Worsley will be the author's life through the places manager. Alternatively, guests can joining its Rhine Cruise to Switzerland, which meant the most to her. The relax on board and admire the departing on October 19 on the five- line's guests will receive a changing views from the comfort of star MS Jane Austen. complimentary copy of the book, which their suite. Lucy will autograph during an The Rhine Cruise to Switzerland Lucy Worsley exclusive book signing in the afternoon starts from £1,199 per person for eight on board the ship. Later after dinner, days, including Eurostar travel from guests can join her once again for an London St Pancras to Brussels (with insightful talk on Jane Austen. coach transport to Cologne) or flights All meals are included on board, as from selected regional airports to well as excursions and tours to Cologne or Düsseldorf. destinations along the river, including To find out more call 01283-744307 or medieval Koblenz, the romantic town email [email protected] Eurowings to launch Christmas & New loyalty programme from Vueling New Year flights to Berlin VUELING HAS announced a new loyalty programme, EUROWINGS HAS announced it will launch flights from Vueling Club, that enables members to collect and Birmingham to Berlin. spend Avios – the loyalty currency for IAG’s airlines. The new flight will operate twice-weekly on Fridays The new addition, which is being launched in and Sundays from December 1 until January 7, 2018 autumn, will replace the current Punto programme catering for the Christmas market and New Year city and customers will be able to collect and spend Avios break seekers. to get free flights from the airline. In the future, they All services are planned with an A320 aircraft will also have the opportunity to fly to 380 destinations configured to 180 seats. Flights are scheduled to arrive across IAG’s airlines’ network, including Iberia and from Berlin at 14:20 and depart Birmingham at 15:00. British Airways, alongside other Avios airline partners. The carrier's network development and airport Vueling Club will be the only loyalty programme in relations manager, Ivan Orec, said: “We know how popular Europe using Avios to offer members up to 100% free traditional German markets are around Christmas time flights, including taxes, fees and charges. Its members and Berlin has one of the world’s best. It’s also a fantastic will also be able to collect Avios on everyday city to be in to celebrate the New Year with lots going on purchases from a wide range of brands spanning outdoors as well as great nightlife to enjoy. These flights retail, hotels, taxis and car hire across Spain, France, are running for one month and so we urge passengers to Italy and the rest of Europe. This also includes the book early as we expect seats to sell quickly.” Avios eStore, where customers can collect Avios whilst Fares start from £39.99 one-way including taxes shopping online. and charges. For more information or to book flights visit eurowings.com 4 September 8 2017 travelbulletin.co.uk S02 TB 0809 2017 News 1_Layout 1 06/09/2017 11:59 Page 5 newsbulletin Saga's secret cruise SAGA PASSENGERS throw caution to the wind when they join Saga Sapphire’s new three-week Secret OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS has added several destinations to its winter sun programme, including Cape Cruise as they are kept in Verde. As an example of packages, a seven-night breakfast stay in a double room at the four-star suspense as to the Dunas De Sal in Santa Maria, Sal Island costs from £799 per person based on a February 28, 2018 departure from Gatwick. See olympicholidays.com for details. itinerary. It is only when Saga Sapphire moors in each port that the New tall ship cruise packages from Star Clippers destination is announced. The cruise is fun- STAR CLIPPERS has launched a new series flagship Royal Clipper.