news to use REPORTING ON THE TOP NEWS STORIES Hong Kong's


the business Hong Kong Airlines is to begin an all-Club Class service flying daily non- stop between London and Hong Kong. From March 8, 2012 the route will be


served by Airbus A330-200 aircraft configured with just 116 seats in an exclusive all Club Class offering designed to provide a private-jet style ambience with a high crew ratio. The service will fly from London Gatwick Airport, North Terminal, at 21.30, arriving in Hong Kong at 18.05 the following day. www.hkairlines.com


New York plugs


its new Park New York State’s Erie Canal, which


runs from Buffalo to Albany, has created the Canal New York alliance of CVBs and businesses to promote one of America’s newest national parks, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. One- and two-bed boats can be hired


by the hour for up to three days and there are also dinner cruises available while the canal paths provide excellent opportunities for walking and cycling. One of the canal’s unique features are


the 200 communities which line the route says Kelly Blazosky, president of Oneida County Tourism, one of the Canal New York partners. www.winewaterwonders.com


GALLERY »


sellinglonghaul.com/gallery Check out the Selling Long Haul gallery


for a great selection of travel industry event images ...more online


Ras Al Khaimah flags up affordable luxury


Just 45 minutes away from Dubai International Airport and with luxury accommodation at rates up to 50 per cent lower than its better-known neighbour, Ras Al Khaimah is promoting itself as an affordable luxury emirate that still offers visitors a ‘simple Arabia’. Unlike most other tourism boards,


the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Investment and Development Authority has responsibility for both promotion and investment says Victor Louis, the Authority’s chief operating officer. “Next year our focus will be on


IN BRIEF sellinglonghaul .com


Funway looks ahead to 2013 Funway Holidays has introduced a 36-page Florida Preview brochure for 2013 including the new Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and SeaWorld Partner Hotels which give early entry to SeaWorld on select days during peak seasons and complimentary ‘front of line access’ to SeaWorld rides. www.funway4agents.co.uk


New additions for the Maldives The Maldives has expanded its


portfolio of luxury properties with a new Amari Addu on the islands' southernmost atoll and a second Jumeirah hotel 20 minutes from Male. The Maldives Viceroy on Vigaru Island in the Shaviyani Atoll will also open next spring. www.visitmaldives.com


A new SLH member, Grande Roche in S Africa www.sellinglonghaul.com • December 2011 07


branding but we don’t have enough hotel rooms which is why the government thinks investment is so important. However, we will be opening more than 1000 rooms in 2012 including a Waldorf with some 400 rooms as well as a hotel on the new man-made Marjan Island. “We complement other emirates and


can offer adventure activities such as mountain biking, climbing and kayaking as well as having very nice beaches.” Ras Al Khaimah hotels offer daily shopping trips to Dubai. www.rasalkhaimahtourism.com


Agents the key to Small Luxury


BY ALAN ORBELL Travel agents remain a highly


important part of Small Luxury Hotels’ business according to the consortium’s ceo, Paul Kerr. “Some 65 per cent of our business is


through travel agents with a total of around $5million worth of bookings per month. A lot of our travel agents enrol their clients in the Small Luxury Hotels Club that comes with lots of VIP benefits for their clients. On Nov 4 we had 130,064 members.” Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) as 523 members across 74 countries with an average size of 50 rooms per hotel. SLH receives around 1000 enquiries per year for membership of which around 5% are accepted says Paul Kerr. “We don’t believe that it’s possible to


get authentic personal service in hotels with more than 100 rooms. The vast majority – 95 per cent– of our hotels are independently owned with only a handful part of other groups. SLH’s responsibility is to market the brand, it’s up to the individual hotels to connect to the brand.” Some 41 per cent of SLH’s hotels are


resorts, with 34 per cent in city centres and 25% country houses.To celebrate its 20th anniversary, SLH is running an agents’ competition to win room nights and spending money until December 15 inviting agents to match 20 different songs to hotel locations. www.slh.com


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