AITO out in April
AITO Specialist Travel Agents will hold a series of training events and workshops throughout April. Events kick off with a speed-dating style workshop at the Portuguese Ambassador’s Residence in London on April 16, followed by dinners in Winchester, Newcastle, Knutsford in Cheshire and Birmingham (April 11, 22, 23 and 25 respectively). The training sessions are held
to help AITO Agents to sell AITO's products – a collection of more than 120 specialist operators. Oliver Broad,
East coast packs punch!
Saint Lucia awards 20th anniversary
THE Saint Lucia Tourism Board
marked 20 years of its travel trade awards this March, with a lavish London bash and entertainment from X Factor finalist Jade Ellis. The annual event awards agents,
tour operators and airlines who have supported Saint Lucia in 2012. Big winners included Jo Plummer
AITO Agents’
Chairman, commented: “These one- to-one ‘speed-dating’ style training sessions are such an effective way to keep up to date with the latest news and inspiring trips offered by AITO operators." To attend email:
s.reed@
travelpr.co.uk aitoagents.com
Barrhead luxury
BARRHEADTravel has launched a luxury tour operation and plans to make the product, commission,
available for
independent agents to sell. Travel Creator offers tailor-made
trips
with experiences such as observing giant pandas in China or visiting Machu Picchu. A dedicated team at the company’s call centre in Barrow, Cumbria, is servicing the new brand, together with travel advisers at its 45 UK locations.
barrheadtravel.co.uk
in brief
Abercrombie and Kent’s London City store put on a series of events last month, transforming into Las Vegas, Peru and India on separate evenings
and
The UK group pose with a statue of Rocky Balboa, outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The character, brought to life by Sylvester Stallone, famously sprinted up the museum’s steps during a training run in the first movie of the ‘Rocky’ series.
BY STEVE HARTRIDGE PHILADELPHIA and Atlantic City, in association with British Airways, hosted a group of key product staff from several UK tour operators. Operators on the two-centre trip included North
America Travel
Service, Virgin Holidays, America As You Like It and Premier Holidays. Experiences enjoyed in Philadelphia included an evening walking tour of popular ‘taverns’ led by a historical figure in 1784 dress; the new Barnes Foundation,
featuring the largest
collection of private art in the world; and the now-closed Eastern State Penitentiary, a one-time correctional facility housing over 1000 inmates. In Atlantic City, the group walked
the famous boardwalk, shopped
‘til they dropped in over 100 outlet stores (like Converse, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike and Michael Kors at the Tanger Outlets, The Walk, and sampled the New Jersey city’s famous casinos and nightlife. Accommodation was provided by luxury properties The Hotel Monaco by
Kimpton in Philadelphia and
brand-new The Revel in Atlantic City. UK
representative for both
destinations Greg Evans said: "Some of the group were pleasantly surprised with just what is available to the potential tourist.” Read all about Philadelphia and
Atlantic City in next month’s issue of Selling Long Haul.
from Tropic Breeze who won the highest seller award. BA Holidays took home Tour Operator with the Largest Growth in Family Holidays and Large Operator with the Largest Growth, whilst British Airways were awarded Most Supportive Airline. Tour Operator with the Largest
Growth in Weddings was awarded to Tropical Sky and Virgin Holidays got Best Producing Tour Operator. Saint Lucia Tourism Director of Jean-Marc
Marketing, reinstate the
Flambert,
revealed the tourism board’s new ad campaign will
brand line ‘Simply Beautiful’ and follow a theme of ‘elevated senses,’ after research showed authentic experiences were key to travellers.
stlucia.org
Leisure Pass Group said thank you to key retailers at their 5th annual quiz last week in London, held at Balls Brothers in London.
The Jamaica Tourist Board treated 100 Essex-based travel agents to a night at the Coral Romford Greyhound Stadium this March, with rum punch, jerk chicken, a steel band and a prize draw. Pictured l-r are: dog handler, Donovan Donaldson, Elizabeth Fox (both from Jamaica Tourist Board) and Mr T Lambourne (owner of the winning greyhound, ‘Ah Yes Man’).
56 April 2013
www.sellinglonghaul.com
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