news to use SHORT HAUL TO P STORIE S
Eurostar direct to Provence
EUROSTAR is launching a new direct service linking London to three popular French tourist destination – Lyon, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. The new weekly spring service, which
complements Eurostar’s existing Avignon services, will be offered for a trial period during May and June and tickets are on sale now.
On the return leg, passenger disembark in Lille Europe to complete security and passport checks required for transit through the Channel Tunnel before re-boarding a dedicated Eurostar service to the UK. Nick Mercer, Commercial Director for Eurostar commented, “Our direct Avignon summer services grow in popularity year on year. By trialling this new service and opening sales to our existing annual summer Avignon services earlier than usual, we are giving customers even more flexibility and choice and helping them escape the summer aiport scramble. Return fares for 2013 Lyon and
Provence services start from £99 for Lyon and £109 for Avignon and Aix-en- Provence in Standard class and £199 and £249 in Standard Premier respectively.
www.eurostar.com
Fjord fever pitch for Hurtigruten
Central Macedonia trade call
NORTHERN Greece’s Central Macedonia region is reaching out to the UK trade, after its government met with key tour operators this December, asking them to help boost UK arrivals. Tourism Special Advisor to the
Governor of Central Macedonia Dr. Nikolas Hourvouliades hosted an open discussion forum with trade representatives. Subjects debated included pricing, international and domestic transport and the question of Greece’s economic situation. A key issue raised was how to broaden Central Macedonia’s appeal, out from the
Tunisia back on track
New Spanish routes from Vueling
VUELING is introducing new flights between London Gatwick and Barcelona and London Heathrow to Palma Mallorca from March 22 and 23 respectively. Barcelona flights are twice-daily (with fares from £36.29) while the Palma Mallorca service will be a daily operation (with fares from £48.38). Vueling already operates daily services from Heathrow (Terminal 3) to La Coruna and Bilbao.
www.vueling.com
60 January 2013 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
TUNISIA has significantly rebounded from the political problems in 2011 and recorded a 50,000 increase in UK visitors up to the end of October compared with the same period last year. The total had reached 302,000
according to the Tunisian National Tourist Office’s Director, Wahida Jaiet. “We’re now
IN BRIEF Café Royal open. Famous London hotel
Café Royal re-launched this December after a four-year restoration. Weaving together original 1865 details with modern design, the hotel features 150 rooms and six historic suites, a variety of dining venues, a private members club, meeting rooms and a Holistic Wellbeing Centre.
www.hotelcaferoyal.com
Save on Italy. Italy specialist tour
operator Citalia is offering savings of up to 35% on its New Year sale, running until January 31. Three-night city breaks start from £189 and seven-night holidays are all discounted by £150. Other offers include free nights, room upgrades, free meals, free child places and free child flights.
www.citalia.com
Taber launches new escorted tours. Scandinavian specialist Taber Holidays is offering new escorted tours for this summer. These include combination breaks with Russian city St. Petersburg and hiking itineraries to Iceland. Tours range from four to 14 nights and include Norway's fjords and city breaks to Stockholm and Helsinki.
www.taberhols.co.uk
traditional sun, sand and sea holiday it is known for. The promotion of alternative forms of tourism such as archaeology, agro tourism and sailing holidays was revealed as a key strategy for the future. Dr Hourvouliades commented at the
event: “Central Macedonia is blessed with 3,000 years of history, a wonderful gastronomic tradition, stunning easily accessible landscapes and the best sandy beaches in Greece. Maintaining a two way conversation with the trade in our leading source markets is absolutely essential to boosting visitor numbers.”
www.visitgreece.gr
only four per cent down on our best year, 2010, and we expect to go beyond the 353,000 total in 2013. “I’m planning to re-double my efforts with the travel trade and will repeat the 30 to 35 roadshows we had around the country during 2012 when the Tunisian National Tourist Office met so many travel agents and homeworkers.
www.cometotunisia.co.uk
HURTIGRUTEN has added Norway’s Hjørundfjord to its schedule for the first time in two decades. Located in the Sunnmorsalp Mountains, all ships will sail into Hjørundfjord between September 1 and October 31 2013, as part of their daily journey up and down the coast of Norway. High demand is expected to visit this lesser-known fjord and Hurtigruten is urging agents to promote it to potential customers now to avoid disappointment. Hjørundfjord cuts its way into the alpine mountains for 35km, past green meadows, mountain farms and secluded small villages. Hurtigruten guests can explore the fjord on a shore excursion called a ‘Taste of Norway’. Stops on the tour include the village of Urke in the wild valley of Norangsdalen and Lake Lyngstol, where there is the remnants of a settlement that sank into the sea after a massive landslide over 100 years ago. Guests can also enjoy regional culinary specialities. A Classic Round Voyage including sailing into Hjørundfjord costs from £1398pp and travels from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes by the Russian border and back again in 12 days.
www.hurtigruten.co.uk/agents
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