news to use TOP STORIES
Agents are encouraged to develop a new sense of adventure
Mayan Viceroy is celebrating
BY LAURA GELDER The Viceroy Riviera Maya in Mexico, formerly The Tides Riviera Maya, has re-opened following a full renovation in December and is celebrating with a special agent rate. The luxury hotel on the Yucatán
Peninsula has added 11 new villas, with two of them beachfront, a new concept for the property as the rest of the hotel is located in the jungle. All villas have had a major décor refresh. Other additions are a new fitness
BY STEVE HARTRIDGE The Adventure Company, which
offers over 250 trips worldwide, is looking to up its trade presence in 2012. The operator is on the look-out for
more independent agents to help increase trade sales from its current 10% level – four years ago agents accounted for just 3% of holidays sold – said UK Agency Sales Manager, Vicky Rodford. “We are always interested in new quality agents. As part of Tui we sell through First Choice and Thomson, but also use specialist independent agents and homeworkers. We know that a single independent agent can generate as much business as several Thomson shops,” she added. “Formal training is available… we go out to visit shops and also take select
IN BRIEF
Tourism Australia revamps website Tourism Australia's website has a
new design and simpler navigation to help travellers research and plan their ideal Australian holiday. TA says the website is ‘stronger in functionality, easier to navigate and the content more informative and engaging'. Features include a new ‘mega menu’ and maps.
www.australia.com
10 April 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Bangkok’s new boutique hotel Bangkok’s Sukhumvit district has a
new boutique hotel after Cabochon opened last month. The eight-room property features balconies overlooking a courtyard garden, a swimming pool, bar and lounge area. Cabochon is close to the main shopping area and nightlife spots. Rates from TB 3,999 (£83).
www.cabochonhotel.com
Ritz Carlton plans Aruba property Ritz-Carlton will open an oceanfront resort on Aruba’s Palm Beach in autumn 2013. The Ritz- Carlton Aruba will add 320 rooms to the island, along with several restaurants, a spa, two swimming pools and a 24-hour casino. Other Aruba hotel brands include Hyatt, and Westin,
www.ritzcarlton.com
agents out to dinner. To date we have run two fam trips, to Nepal and to Morocco, and are looking to take out another group of top sellers and new sellers, probably in November. “Agents can make big commissions.
For example a family of six booking a Tanzania safari, with a Zanzibar extension, comes in at around £15,000 – that’s healthy money.” Agents can choose from three
brochures: Worldwide Adventures, which carries almost 150 tours, Family Adventures and Thomson Adventures, a cut-down 'highlights' version featuring just 32 flagship tours (including a selection of family suitable options in destinations that include Nepal, Sri Lanka and South Africa). Additional options, such as the new Highlights of Burma tour, are available
on the company’s website. New family options in 2012, with all departure dates planned in school holidays, include searching for Madagascan lemurs on night-walks, jungle kayaking in Ecuador, helping the Masai monitor Kenya’s lions and camping in the Rockies. Rodford said she hoped agents would
pass on the message that an adventure holiday doesn’t have to be all about adrenaline thrills. "Adventure travel is about engaging
with the destination you’re in, whether on a wildlife safari or a cultural trip. Whatever their client’s style of adventure or level of activity we have something to offer agents… and we’re here throughout the booking process to make the world of adventure travel that bit easier and simpler to sell,” she said.
www.adventurecompany.co.uk
room with sea views, Coral Grill, a seaside restaurant serving tapas-style meals and with a pizza oven. Restaurant La Marea has been 'elevated' and is open for dinner only, with a fine dining menu of Mexican cuisine with Mediterranean influences. Beneath the restaurant is the new Library Lounge, which has a terrace with ocean views and serves signature cocktails. The resort continues its adult-only concept and puts a focus on local Mayan traditions, including Mayan therapies in its Wayak spa, with ingredients grown in its own garden, and Mayan-style cooking. The special agent rates mean agents
can enjoy The Viceroy Riviera Maya for around $90 per night.
www.viceroyrivieramaya.com
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