talking shop FAMTASTIC Treasured Islands... SAMOA Cambridge-based Kuoni personal
travel advisor, Katie Low, won a place on a Samoa Tourism Authority- sponsored fam trip this spring, after she completed the Travel Uni training programme, Sell Samoa. Here’s her South Pacific experience: “After travelling for 38 hours, through
four different time zones, I finally arrived at my destination in the heart of the South Pacific. It was early morning and I wasn’t sure what day it was, but as the sun started to rise the breathtaking beauty of Samoa gradually unfolded. The clear blue sea stretched in front of me forever and I felt as if I was at the edge of the world! “The tour of the beautiful island of Opolu had a leisurely start, at the colourful food and flea markets selling traditional handicrafts including kava bowls and lavalavas (sarongs). “I climbed Mount Vaea, up by the steep
quick route, which was a memorable experience on a very hot day, and then downwards by the much more user- friendly slow route! Famous Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson is laid to rest here, just below the summit in peaceful surroundings, with sweeping views across the green valleys and the Pacific surf breaking in the distance. “I took the ferry to Savaii Island, to visit
the exciting Taga Blow Holes, which shoot water at high pressure straight up from the ocean and create fountains of spray. Swimming with turtles and a meeting with the Crater Man at Mount Matavanu were also Savaii highlights. “Back in Upolu, I visited the To Sua
Trench, a natural wonder with crystal- clear turquoise water – worth braving the steep, slippery ladder into the water!
“I learnt that Lalomanu was heavily damaged in the 2009 Samoa tsunami and how the village is slowly recovering, with the help of international aid. Personal stories of tragedy reminded me of how fragile but resilient these beautiful islands and their wonderful people are. “Thank you so much to my amazing Samoan hosts and everyone who gave me this fabulous opportunity.”
Double Asian adventures with the Anand Collection
Cathay Pacific recently sponsored a twin-centre fam to Phuket and Hong Kong, with accommodation at Anand Collection properties Vijitt Resort in Phuket and the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Hong Kong. Representatives from Trailfinders,
Wexas International, Travelbag, Flightcentre and Travel 2 enjoyed three nights in Thai island Phuket and two in Hong Kong. Thai highlights included a visit to Coral
island, the Safari Elephant Camp and a cruise in a traditional wooden junk. In Hong Kong the group explored bustling Kowloon and Hong Kong Island on an open-bus tour, shopped in the night markets and stopped at Lantau Island’s Po Lin Monastery.
44 July/August 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
THE VERDICT "The beautiful Vijitt Resort is very close to nature and good for honeymooners. It's a 'getaway' but with luxurious touches at every turn. Excellent spas and hospitable staff attend to your every request. The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Hong Kong is great for a short stopover or business trip. It’s accommodating, comfortable and has super views of the city.” TAZ SHEIKH, senior travel consultant, Wexas Travel Management
“The Vijitt Resort had a spectacular outlook, based in a rare, wonderfully quiet part of Phuket. It’s ideal for couples and honeymooners with its spa treatments to lose yourself in completely. The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Hong Kong is
Tourism Update ABTA
Read the latest Fam trip supplement on
South Africa's North West Province. Get more out of
SellingLongHaul.com by going online and accessing our archive of fam reports
We recently held our first All About ABTA seminar exclusively for college and university lecturers. Academics from across the UK attended the event to hear from chief executive Mark Tanzer and the ABTA team. We talked about sustainable tourism, professional development tools, consumer trends and travel trends. To see the full programme see:
www.abta.com/events/ view/185. We hope that this is the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship with academics. ABTA and the Equality and Human
Rights Commission (EHRC) recently launched the second module in the Accessible Travel Made Easy series entitled ‘Inclusive Travel – Making Business Sense’. The Accessible Travel Made Easy series aims to give the industry an overview of what is meant by inclusive or accessible travel and how to provide good customer service. This free, interactive training tool builds on the first module, launched last year. The second module aims to help
welcoming and comfortable, offering great views over Happy Valley Racecourse and with easy access to all the main attractions.” PAUL MEXSON, sales manager, Travelbag8
L-R: Adam Parker, Lotus; Gemma Pauley, Trailfinders; Simon Walsh, Wexas; Paul Mexson, Travelbag; Edward Wilson, Trailfinders; Taz Sheikh, Wexas; Jas Anand (Anand Collection); Stuart Kidby, Lotus; Mark Woodward, Flightcentre), Jenine Kershaw (Cathay Pacific), Mark Taylor (Flightcentre), Donald Green (Travel 2)
users increase their knowledge of inclusive travel, identify changes their organisation can make to help their business grow, understand good business practice in relation to accessibility and communicate this effectively with staff and customers. There are 11 million people with accessibility issues in the UK, travelling for work or pleasure. It's a highly competitive industry where service and attention to detail are of paramount importance. ABTA is keen to ensure that the industry and ABTA members are able to offer this sector the best possible service. Register for the programme at:
accessibletravelmadeeasy.com. If you'd like further information on
ABTA’s training and development programme contact me, Vicki Wolf, on
vwolf@abta.co.uk or 020 3117 0549 or see
www.abta.com for events, resources and training.
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