TB 2411 2017 Cover 21/11/2017 15:14 Page 1 November 24 2017 | ISSUE NO 2,040 | travelbulletin.co.uk AAccttiivviittyy && AAddvveennttuurree The 50-plus market is stepping up the pace this week air travel agent bulletin puzzle bulletin new flight routes & airline 13 france 09 11 developments 18 this week’s booking play Su Doku for the operators unveil their incentives & fam trip chance to win a £50 new programmes & offers M&S voucher deals for 2018 S01 TB 2411 2017 Start_Layout 1 21/11/2017 12:43 Page 2 2 4 1 3 5 6 9 10 12 7 8 11 WIN ONE OF OUR 12 PRIZES OF CHRISTMAS! In the build up to the festive period, we are giving you the opportunity to win one of 12 amazing prizes including an Amazon Echo, Playstation 4, Fortnum and Masons Hamper, and much more. All you have to do is make as many bookings as possible between 20 November and 15 December and log your reservation numbers on our competition site! At the end of the competition on Monday the 18th of December, 12 people will be asked to choose a number between 1 and 12. The winner will then receive one of our amazing prizes as a thank you for choosing Avis Budget Group. The more bookings you make, the greater your chance of winning, so register now at www.competition.winwithavis.com to start! S01 TB 2411 2017 Start_Layout 1 21/11/2017 15:39 Page 3 newsbulletin Ready, set, take-off.... THOMAS COOK Airlines has launched flights to Marsa Alam in Egypt from Birmingham Airport to offer customers more choice for winter and summer sun holidays. Marsa Alam’s year-round temperatures range from the mid 20s to low 30s Celsius and the world famous Elphinstone reef make it ideal for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts. Thomas Cook offers a choice of nine resort-based hotels along Marsa Alam’s long coastline, including the Nubian style SENTIDO Oriental Dream which has its own coral reef and private beach. The airline has also launched a weekly flight to Cape Verde from Birmingham, which runs through to April. Pictured marking the new announcements are, from the left: Nicki Atkins, Thomas Cook in Rugeley; Tom Screen, Birmingham Airport; Louise Arscott and Matt Morgan, Thomas Cook Airlines; and Liz O'Brien, Thomas Cook in Birmingham Bullring. New survey reveals how different generations research and buy holidays HOLIDAY SHOPPERS spend three hours reading online Brits who research on desktop compared to 20% using content before committing to a trip according to new smartphones and tablets. findings from Teads. The research also reveals the impact of video ads in The study analyses the online behaviour of more than driving consumer action, with two thirds of consumers 2,000 UK consumers to reveal how they research and book (65%) taking some kind of action after seeing one. More holidays as well as the factors that influence their than a third (36%) have searched online after seeing an ad, purchase. With Brits spending 10% of their salaries on 25% checked out reviews online and 21% clicked on the ad. leisure travel, nearly £2,300 for a family holiday, this is a Personalisation is key to compelling video ads - almost a huge market for travel brands to tap into. third of Brits (28%) prefer video ads with personalised The research reveals Gen Z are turning away from recommendations and nearly half (46%) are willing to share smartphones for research, with this generation most likely personal data in order to receive bespoke destination to use their laptop for holiday research (65%) in comparison recommendations – this rises to half of millennials (52%) with smartphone devices (24%). This contrasts to 53% of all and Gen Z (50%). Consumers say interactive video ads would help them make decisions about their holiday, with a third (32%) keen to explore destinations further through 360º video. One in This week continued on next page Air Transat - news bulletin briefing conference update new Teads research reveals how news & views from we report from TTNG conference in Inset 03 we buy holidays 10 Advantage 16 Monaco notes from normanton puzzle bulletin france find out what Sandy has been up to play Su Doku for the chance to win a operators unveil their new Rawpixel.com - lately £50 M&S voucher programmes & deals for 2018 08 11 18 Main : agent bulletin air travel activity & adventure new booking incentives & offers just a round-up of new flight routes & the 50-plus market is ‘getting their 09 for you 13 airline developments 20 skates on’ Cover Pictures travelbulletin.co.uk November 24 2017 3 S01 TB 2411 2017 Start_Layout 1 21/11/2017 15:39 Page 4 newsbulletin David Arcifa, senior digital marketing manager at MSC continued from previous page Cruises, said: “The goal for us was to raise brand six (16%) would also be interested in being able to ask awareness and consideration with a special focus on our chatbots questions before making purchases – rising to a ship, MSC Magnifica, based in Southampton from 2018. quarter (23%) of millennials. Thanks to the conversational bots, we have been able to Brands are already using chatbots to successfully build authentic relationships with potential customers, engage customers online. As an example, MSC Cruises behaving like a personal online consultant that could reply integrated chabots into its outstream video ads this year to to specific questions related to our itineraries, food drive more leads to its website. experiences or entertainment on-board.” Aldemar’s ‘Elements’ concept to be extended in 2018 ALDEMAR RESORTS, a leading hotel chain in Louisiana welcomes Greece, reports year-on-year increases from new operators UK visitors across all its resorts. THE LOUISIANA OFFICE of They include eight deluxe and first class Tourism reports that it is hotels, four in Crete, two in Rhodes and two attracting new UK in West Peloponnese, as well as two world operators in anticipation class Thalasso Spa Centres, one in Crete at of increased demand the Royal Mare and the other in the next year. Peloponnese at the Royal Olympian. The launch of Following the introduction of the Elements Norwegian’s flights to all-inclusive this summer gone, the brand Mandy Kalliontzi, sales director of Aldemar Resorts, welcomes visitors at WTM earlier this month. Austin from March next reports that the majority of UK guests are now year will help to boost opting for this enhanced package, rather than types of travellers have identified what we accessibility to the region bed-and-breakfast or half-board. offer that best suits their style of holidays and and, due to the carrier’s The company’s vice-president, Alexandros love of all things stylish and Greek. low fares, will also help Angelopoulos, said: “This new lifestyle “Bookings for 2018 are very healthy already drive bookings from Brits concept reflects our understanding of and we look forward to a further increase to seeking affordable holidays traveller’s wishes and the demand for five- further cement our UK market share.” in long-haul destinations. star luxury on an all-inclusive basis. The Elements package includes This is in addition with “Increasingly, people are living healthier, accommodation; fine dining choices including British Airways recently more active lives and they want to continue customised, healthy gourmet menus, branded expanded service into New this on holiday. The numbers reflect the alcoholic drinks and cocktails at the six Orleans, now operating popularity of this type of all-inclusive and as restaurants in the hotel; a one-day Thalasso five times a week direct a result we will be extending the package with three treatments; Hamman and from Heathrow. Elements all-inclusive to some of our other sauna fitness programmes with fitness BA Holidays, which has hotels in 2018.” trainers; yoga; Pilates; watersports; Nordic been offering packages to Mandy Kalliontzi, the company’s sales walking, tennis and squash. New Orleans, is expanding director, said: “We are very happy that UK For further information see aldemar- to the rest of Louisiana visitors love our products and that different resorts.gr next year, while luxury travel operator, Original Travel, is also set to offer packages to the state. Offering advice to agents on selling the destination, Anne Klenke, tourism director of Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau, said: “If clients have been and done the US’ big cities and are looking to experience real destinations, then they’ll love exploring the Deep South. “We’ve got the food, the IN THE BAG…Elaine Cox from music and a non-stop Destina Travel in Stourbridge calendar of festivals and was the winner of Sandos events for them to enjoy. Hotels & Resorts' recent It’s a destination for competition in association with Travel Bulletin. Elaine outdoor adventures won a Sandos branded cabin and meeting friendly, case by entering the genuine people.” competition at travelbulletin.co.uk 4 November 24 2017 travelbulletin.co.uk S02 TB 2411 2017 News_Layout 1 21/11/2017 12:56 Page 5 newsbulletin A new chapter for Daytona Beach WITH NEARLY US$2billion invested in new renovations and construction, Daytona Beach’s developments will make for a more exciting holiday experience for visitors in 2018. A Marriott Autograph JAMAICAN ME SMILE…Sandals took a group of 16 agents to Jamaica for a fam trip, staying at Sandals Collection hotel will open South Coast, Beaches Negril, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Ochi Beach, as well as enjoying next year in ONE DAYTONA, visits to Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Negril, Sandals Royal Plantation and Beaches Ocho Rios. a multi-million dollar Pictured are, from the left: Catherine Lornie, The Travel Company Edinburgh; Catrina Sherrin, Sodexo premier mixed-use retail, Travel and Business; Teresa Roland, Not Just Travel; Irene Holland, Go Travel; Stephanie Cutler, Holiday Jet Setting; Faye Shepherd and Lisa-Marie Wells, Sandals Resorts UK; Jane Kolowski, Fred dining and entertainment Olsen Travel; Ian Fleming, Not Just Travel; Ryan Speakman, Got 2 Go Travel; Charlotte Wilson, Blue complex being built across Bay Travel; Abbey Adcock, Barhead Travel; Elaine Emery, Elaines Travel; Stuart Abbott, Paradise from Daytona International Dreams; Della Rendell, Global Independent Travel; Kimberly Robertson, Your Way Travel/Blue Bay Speedway, now the world’s Travel.