Your See yourselves in action!
...in our latest fam trip reports, photo galleries and agent On Location reviews. All available online in our great archive at
sellinglonghaul.com/reviews
talking shop ON LOCATION ORLANDO
BY LUCY ALLEN Nine travel agents had the opportunity
to travel to Orlando this summer, having won their place as the result of a prize draw they qualified for by selling a Funway holiday to Orlando. Lisa James of Funway Holidays accompanied them on a visit, which also included time in Clearwater. After flying with British Airways,
the group spent their first two nights at Doubletree Orlando, followed by a couple of nights at Sheraton Lake Buena Vista and one night in Sheraton Sand Key Resort in Clearwater.
Activities included a range of fun-filled
events, from shopping at the Orlando Premium Outlets and a dinner cruise aboard the Starship Majesty to a visit to Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Seaworld Orlando. The group also experienced the newly-opened Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Funway Holidays' Maria Burnham said:
“Seaworld has lots of things to see and do for all ages. We went on the new rollercoaster, ‘Manta’, which makes you
feel like you’re flying. The dolphin nursery was also another brilliant attraction in the park.” Barrhead Travel’s Melissa Hughes
added: “One of my highlights was the dinner cruise at Clearwater; the sunset was beautiful and I would definitely now recommend a night or two here for anyone going to Orlando. "I enjoyed all the parks and having the fast passes really helps with the more popular rides; I would say they are well
worth the money.” Funway offers a trip to Orlando including a two-night stay at both Doubletree hotel and Sheraton Lake Buena Vista and one night at Sheraton Sand Key resort. The five-night stay costs from £785pp including Alamo car hire and flights. Other Funway fam trips are scheduled
for later this year, including to Mexico, Las Vegas and Thailand.
www.funway4agents.co.uk
Vietnam highlights wow operators
BY LAURA GELDER Vietnam Airlines took key personnel from 10 UK operators out to the emerging Indochina destination. The week-long fam included country highlights like beaches, temples, a city tour of Saigon and a boat trip on the Mekong River.
Operators included Elegant Resorts, ITC UK, Scott Dunn and Bales
Worldwide. W&O’s Far East Product Manager Oscar Lopera, who had previously been to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh but experienced Vietnam’s beaches for the first time, said Vietnam remains his favourite destination in South East Asia due to its unaltered culture and value for money. “There were many highlights, from Con Dao Island, a scenic island with a
great beach perfect for some R&R, to our cruise around the Mekong Delta." he said. “And it is all easily accessible thanks to Vietnam Airlines' comprehensive domestic network. “Vietnam is a great suggestion during the UK’s summer months...central Vietnam has great weather during this time and hotels offering fantastic savings,” Oscar added. The operators stayed at a variety of
key hotels featured in UK programmes including the Six Senses Con Dao, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Ana Mandara Nha Trang, Fusion Maia Danang and An Lam Saigon River Resort. They also got to snorkel, enjoy a handicraft workshop, take part in a Vietnamese cooking class – including a visit to the local food market with the class's chef – and visit local orchards and cottage industries in the Mekong River Islands.
www.vietnamairlines.com
www.sellinglonghaul.com • September 2012 81 Agents See Draw Of
Palm Springs’ celebrity status
BY CHRISTOPHER AH-YOON Palm Springs Bureau of
Tourism recently hosted nine UK tour operators on a fam trip to the Californian desert city. The lucky nine enjoyed an exhilarating jeep safari into the Indian Canyons, a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial tramway, a tour of celebrity homes and the chance to attend a golf clinic at one of the area’s many world-class courses. Also on the itinerary were spa
treatments and a visit to the world- class Palm Springs Art Museum and the ‘VillageFest’, which showcases arts, crafts, farmers’ markets, music and entertainment on Palm Canyon Drive every Thursday. Trailfinders' Guy Coppock said that the fam had given him a much better understanding of the range of activities on offer in Palm Springs. “There’s a huge selection of
property types and something for most types of clients – and the region offers really good value for money too! I was surprised by its rich history that dates back to Native American times. “My visit will definitely help me sell the destination and I’ll be encouraging clients to add Palm Springs to their California itinerary.”
www.visitpalmsprings.com
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