talking shop ON LOCATION/OUT & ABOUT Vietnam fam shows luxury potential
THIS summer Vietnam Airlines hosted nine UK tour operators on a fam trip to uncover the country’s combination of luxury product and authentic culture. Host Lucy D’Silva of Vietnam Airlines
commented: “The purpose of the trip was to promote the national carrier, Vietnam Airlines, and its direct flights, and the country of Vietnam with its wonderful beaches and luxury resorts, including a wonderful range of five-star spa treatments. We also chose activities which showed off Vietnam’s culture and history, such as a cooking class.” The comprehensive itinerary covered the bustling southern hub of Ho Chi Minh City, with visits to the famous Ben Thang Market and Reunification Palace; the rural backwaters and floating markets of the Mekong Delta region; the up-and-coming island paradise of Con Dao; the beach resorts of Nha Trang and Danang; and the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An (pictured – the Japanese Bridge). Bruce Taylor, from Emerald Global Ltd, was impressed with the accommodation in Vietnam: “Standards of service and
hotels and resorts were exceptionally high,” he said, “and in my opinion, we can sell Vietnam to high-end clientele with confidence.” Jennifer Parker of Rickshaw Travel added: “We’ve always sold Vietnam as more of a cultural experience, with a bit of beach at the end, now I would look to promote a more luxurious end to our clients' trips.” Vietnam Airlines recently launched its
direct flights from Gatwick, and tour operator Michael Codd of Turquoise
Holidays, said: “I’m looking forward to selling Vietnam Airlines. The direct flight is a massive selling point as many of our clients are honeymooners. Clients looking to combine beach with culture will also be drawn to Vietnam.” Myra Jones, from Elegant Resorts, saw Vietnam’s potential as part of a wider itinerary: “It would combine well as a two-centre with Cambodia or Laos,” she said, “or a country- wide tour with a beach stay at the end.”
www.vietnamairlines.com
Hankering for Hawaii
CHRISTINE Fletcher, a Worldwide Consultant from Travel 2, won a Hawaii holiday in a summer Selling Long Haul competition and jetted off last month, courtesy of Hawaii Tourism. Having visited Honolulu before she
said: “I remembered it as a friendly, vibrant place with breathtaking scenery, great shopping and interesting culture – my trip reinforced this. "Hawaii has multiple appeal – for families, honeymooners and single people alike. A visit to Pearl Harbour and a luau dinner are musts." "Experiencing Hawaii’s beauty and hospitality first-hand is a great sales tool and I’m sure it will increase mine, and my colleagues' future Hawaii sales."
Saint Lucia asks the trade “what can we do to help you sell more?”
THE Saint Lucia Tourism Board hosted its second annual trade gathering, the Saint Lucia Showcase, last month (September), at the Luton Hoo Hotel. Bringing together a host of its partners, from airlines to tour operators and hotels ranging from boutique properties to large resorts, the event kept the same formula of speed-networking and added some group brainstorming sessions to the mix. The event was spread over two days with lunch, dinner and accommodation
provided by the tourist board. Group sessions saw guests discuss the challenges of selling a niche market, such as culture, luxury, or families or nature. They then presented it to the entire delegation, including the Hon. Lorne Theophilus, Minister of Tourism, and Director of Tourism Louis Lewis, who revealed that Saint Lucia has seen an increase of 7.5% for arrivals – the Caribbean's only increase. UK Marketing Director Jean-Marc
Flambert commented at the event: “We didn’t deliver the 7.5% growth, the trade did. The combined experience in this room is humbling and the trade knows our competition better than we do, so that’s why we need their help. WTM is great but this event is focused on Saint Lucia and on the British market and it’s a relaxed environment, allowing smaller operations a chance to mingle.” Sara Malin, from Prestige Caribbean,
said: “The event has been great. It’s very relaxed compared to World Travel Market, and you get quality time to speak to the people you need to speak to.” Flambert urged agents to start building a relationship with Saint Lucia Tourism: “The starting point for this is our training programme,” he said. “Once completed, agents have a chance to go on one of our five annual themed fams. Flambert continued: “Agents need to
know Saint Lucia’s fantastic hotels, but also the experiences available – this knowledge is how they can differentiate themselves and justify their prices.”
stlucianow.co.uk
IN BRIEF Pictured is
Kirsten Hart from Travelbag, Knutsford, claiming her free
trip to Australia’s Northern Territory from Martin Friend of Singapore Airlines and Robert Hardless from Tourism Northern Territory. The prize was part of an agent
incentive to promote the city as one of Singapore Airlines' and Silk Air’s new destinations. The prize included return flights to Darwin with Singapore Airlines and Silk Air, three nights’ accommodation at Darwin’s only five-star beach resort, SKYCITY, and entry into the city's top attraction Crocosaurus Cove.
www.sellinglonghaul.com • October 2012 61
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