FEATURE WHAT'S HOT 2012
CARIBBEAN
& Spa at Playa Conchal, introduced for 2012, starts from £1,879pp.
Tourism Talk PETRA ROACH
VP marketing & sales Barbados Tourism Authority
“For 2011, we expect to finish with
The Caribbean nations have been among the most vociferous against APD. “We understand what motivates the
British government to stick to the tax but we don't think they are making the right steps for the (travel) industry as a whole and we know they are not taking the right steps in the interest of the Caribbean", said Caribbean Tourism Organisation chairman, Ricky Skerritt at World Travel Market – but there are some reasons to be cheerful in 2012. The increasing popularity of all-inclusive
holidays, which allow holidaymakers to control their budgets, is likely to keep interest strong. Gold Medal says sales have been strong across the region in 2011 and expect the same in 2012. Funway claims 2012 bookings are up 40 per cent with sales strong for January to March and May. The increase in flights by Virgin to Barbados, Cuba, Grenada and Tobago is offsetting the cutbacks to the region by British Airways. For Kuoni, Antigua is showing the strongest growth.
Where To Book Caribbean HAYES & JARVIS – 0871 200 2211
www.hayesandjarvis.com/agents A seven-night all-inclusive Costa Rica package at the five-star Westin Resort
about 200,000 UK visitors – up about seven to eight per cent. Virgin is increasing its flights from Manchester this winter and although BA is reducing its flights to daily next summer, BA flies smaller Boeing 777s compared with Virgin’s Boeing 747s so the loss is offset “We have also got a TUI cruise
programme from December, and we are marketing 40 per cent as cruise and stay. I am really positive about next year.”
NORTH AMERICA
motorcycle trip across Route 66 is kick- starting interest in similar road trips, but in campervans. Travel 2’s offerings include an 18-day
rental from Chicago to Los Angeles, from £1,229. North of the border, royal newlyweds William and Kate spurred interest in Canada, notably with their appearance at the Calgary Stampede, which celebrates its centenary in 2012. Interest in train journeys will also be
high in 2012, according to Great Rail Journeys.
Tourism Talk COLIN BRODIE
UK director, Visit Florida “This year will, I believe, turn out to be just slightly
Hawaii looks set to steal the show among US destinations in 2012. Hayes & Jarvis programme director
Lesley Rollo says Hawaii is set to be hot in 2012, after the operator’s best-ever 2011, particularly twinned with California. Funway’s product director, Melissa Tilling, agrees, adding that Las Vegas was also well up, with New York not far behind. Billy Connolly’s televised
down on 2010 due to the continuing concerns over the economy – the family market particularly is very price sensitive – the Government not helping with APD, and increasingly families are having to take children out of school rather than in school holidays as peak seasons fares are too high. Couples’ holidays and shorter stay patterns are emerging, so cities like Miami and Tampa are holding up better. “As for 2012, I’m optimistic that business will come in, but it will be late again. Peaks will fill, shoulders will struggle but hopefully fuel surcharges may reduce and some sense may prevail on APD. I also believe there will a slight lift as people will try and get away during the Olympics. “We will have increased capacity from Monarch and British Airways from May next year, which is very encouraging. BA is going back up to 10 flights a week into Orlando and there are increased regional departures from
Monarch from Newcastle, Manchester, Cardiff and Gatwick.”
Where To Book North America GREAT RAIL JOURNEYS - 01904 521 980
www.greatrail.com Follow in the footsteps of Wills and Kate on Great Rail Journeys’ new 14-day Rockies & Western Canada tour. Costing from £3,858pp, it includes Vancouver flights, 12 nights’ hotel accommodation and two day-time journeys on both Via Rail’s Skeena and The Rocky Mountaineer.
LATIN AMERICA
Mexico is leading the region’s charge, according to operators, thanks to Virgin’s new Cancun flights next summer. Hayes & Jarvis product manager Katie Parsons says it has been the runaway hit of 2011 and its fastest- growing destination “by some distance”, with year on year growth of 300 per cent in recent months. Already flying to Mexico is Spanish
airline Air Europa, which launched a four-times-weekly service to the capital, Mexico City, last July. Current prices start from £586.90 return, including taxes. (
www.aireuropa.com). Sunvil Traveller director Lloyd
When we pioneered our Endless Privileges®, Unlimited-Luxury®, and Unlimited-Fun® vacation concepts, it created an entirely new category of luxury resort experiences. Today we off er those privileges at more than 25 spectacular oceanfront resorts – with more on the way.
We are equally committed to rewarding the industry’s fi nest agents, so we have created the prestigious Master Agent Program. It rewards exceptional professionals with our lowest travel agent-rates, extra incentives and exclusive promotions. Proud members of Preferred Hotel Group.
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