INDUSTRY COMMENT
IAN SCOTT Director, DTCM “Our research has shown that some agents have
misconceptions about the emirate which may be preventing them selling it to some customers. Throughout 2012 we will continue to train the travel trade through an extensive programme of fam trips, training sessions, events in conjunction with key tour operator partners, our online training programme, Dubai Expert (http://uk.
dubaixperts.com) and our tailor-made trade e-newsletter, Dubai Update (subscribe at
www.dubaitourism.ae/subscribe-uk).”
CHRIS LEE Trade Marketing Manager, Tourism Authority of Thailand “We’re expecting 2011 to
have been more or less the same as 2010, so around 760,000 visitors from the UK. Without various incidents we would be showing very strong figures. “We’re very confident of a good 2012 because Thailand offers fantastic value for money. Twin centres are beneficial for agents and clients. If people restrict themselves to just one place they’re missing the diversity.”
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STEVE HARTRIDGE EDITOR
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ven the most optimistic travel industry pundit can doubt that 2012 will be a tough year but there's a surprising amount of good travel news among the gloom.
As our news items show (pages 7-8) both Prestige Holidays
and Premier Holidays report big increases in bookings, a trend confirmed by a number of US tour operators (see Visit USA Now! on page 36). Unsurprisingly, it is the top
Family Holidays in the Carribean
end that seems to be faring best – with Premier, for example, reporting significant increases in high-value bookings – and another trend is the shortening time between booking and travel. There is clearly a lot of business to be had out there but it needs a watchful eye on the many great deals available and some astute selling. And talking of creative selling – as the Olympic Games
The Caribbean faces
its challenges but its line-up of tempting attributes leaves it well-placed to remain a favourite amongst long-haul travellers, says Emily Ashwell
I
f ever there was a perfect antidote to the predictably gloomy British winter it’s the promise of a holiday
in the Caribbean. With excellent beaches and gentle
seas, direct flights and superb hotels, it’s no wonder the destination is a firm long-haul favourite with the British market, including families. There’s a huge range of family hotels
on offer, from Jolly Beach Resort and Spa at the budget end to groups such as Beaches and Breezes to luxury resorts such as Jumby Bay. The Now Resorts and Spas brand
entered the Dominican Republic this year for the first time last year. Part of AM Resorts, the 642-room property called Now Larimar Punta Cana opened in May. It includes an Explorers’ Club for children (tree to 12 years). Many kids’ clubs are free and they
usually offer a broad and innovative range of activities to suit all ages. Outside space is usually good; many having their own pools. Windjammer Landing in St Lucia
has launched Snuba Doo, a type of snorkelling that gives youngsters an accessible dive experience. Buccament Bay Resort on St
Vincent is running masterclasses this year with the Harlequin Sports Academy and Liverpool FC International Football Academy Soccer Schools. For teens, all rooms at Beaches
Turks & Caicos now feature a personal Xbox® 360 game console. St James’s Club on Antigua will be hosting its storytelling events together with Puffin books and Virgin Holidays during school holidays this year. It has also recently introduced Little Explorers packs for children. Seemingly an easy sell, the Caribbean
still has its challenges. Efforts to get the Air Passenger Duty (APD) banding of the Caribbean changed have so far been unsuccessful and the APD on economy fares will increase from £75 to £81 from April. However, according to some
agents such, as Travel Counsellor Karen Goldman,
families will compare the overall price. Get your clients a good deal and APD won’t be an issue. And in this tough market hotels are putting fantastic deals out to market – just look at the 45% offer at Grande Pineapple, Antigua, highlighted by Gold Medal elsewhere in this feature. Airlines have had a tough time
with APD and British Airways has blamed the tax for the capacity cuts it has made to the Caribbean this year. However, BA is
increasing the number of flights from London
FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN THE CARRIBEAN
ö Top Selling Tips...
Gatwick to Antigua from six to seven per week at the end of March. Also, this winter, Virgin Atlantic added extra flights to three destinations: Cuba, Tobago and Grenada.
What's New Mount Cinnamon in Grenada re-launched late last year following extensive refurbishments. With a mix of 22 villas and apartments,it has a Kids’ Montessori club that runs in the school holidays for four- to 11-year-olds. In Barbados, a massive upgrade of
Almond Beach Village is going on. Works completed include 200 guest rooms and the kids’ club and teen lounge, as well as the Horizon pool. The St. Kitts and Nevis Kids‘r’VIPs 2012 programme will be produced in a passport-sized pamphlet for consumers and the
trade this year. New activities TRADE WINDS STILL WARMING FEATURE FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN THE CARRIBEAN
include The St. Christopher’s National Trust and Museum and a Princess for a Day package at the St. Kitts Marriott.
Tourism Talk
VP Sales and Marketing UK, Barbados Tourism Authority
“The UK has experienced a challenging couple of years as the economy has taken a downturn, so we are very pleased that holidaymakers are still appreciating all that Barbados has to offer. We had excellent visitor figures in 2011, particularly in the family market, and this is a trend we intend to build
juggernaut looms ever closer with no one quite certain whether it’s a positive or a negative as far as ex-UK tourism is concerned – what better selling point than the idea of sipping a cool cocktail in the hotel bar while watching the Olympics, before wandering off to the pool.
sellinglonghaul .com
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