news to use THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW Caribbean Travel Guru raises the training bar
THE Caribbean Tourism Organisation will this month unveil an exciting new training forum in a collaboration with leading trade training provider Travel Uni. The Caribbean Travel Guru is a purpose- built online platform designed to host a wide range of advice, training, news and information on CTO members.
Launched with training modules in place and the opportunity to earn rewards, the site is set to become the one-stop shop for all things Caribbean. Whether you’re an agent, tour operator, reservation staff, homewoker, or simply a Caribbean enthusiast,
register and
complete the official Caribbean Training Programme and you’ll gain access to more destination and product training, daily industry news, event information, incentives and much more.
Carol Hay, Director of the Caribbean
Tourism Organisation said: “We have been working
towards No Thai tourist tax
THE Tourism Authority of Thailand has asked Selling Long Haul to reassure travel agents and operators that a bill to introduce a new ‘tourist tax’ – possibly as early as January 2014 – has NOT yet been approved by
the
government in Thailand. At things stand it remains one of
several ideas the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism & Sport are considering to help boost investment in their industries.
Unpaid medical bills left by visitors staying in Thailand without the correct travel insurance are putting a strain on Thai hospitals and the
this very exciting
development for a long time and we are happy to be working with Travel Uni – an award-winning market-leader in providing online travel training to the travel trade in the UK. “We
are absolutely committed to
providing agents with everything they need to successfully sell the Caribbean. CTO members will not only benefit from increased sales but also from the exposure that will be given to their own programme. The fact that we now have a platform for sharing Caribbean-wide news to a broad audience of agents and travel managers is crucial.” Travel Uni Director, Sally Oakey, added: “This represents a step change in the level of training on offer to agents. As increasing numbers of Caribbean destinations and suppliers get involved it will become an
absolutely
resource for the trade.”
caribbeantravelguru.com
Cape Town’s greenest hotel opens close to the city’s international airport
BON Hotels Group has opened Hotel Verde, just 400m from Cape Town International Airport. Billed as ‘Africa’s greenest hotel’, the
three-star property was built with concrete slabs
containing into the ground,and employs recycled
materials, uses geothermal heat pumps coupled to 100 boreholes drilled 65 metres
wind turbines and a grey water recycling plant that cuts the hotel’s water consumption by up to 37%. The fully-equipped hotel gym is the first in Africa to have power-generating equipment. These machines push power
Thai
government absorbs this cost to the tune of around 200 million Thai Baht a year – which is why the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism & Sport are considering several options to lessen the financial burden. The suggestion of a compulsory
‘tourist travel insurance’ for all tourists entering the country was mooted in August as a possible solution.
tourismthailand.co.uk
6 November 2013 IN BRIEF Funway’s California standalone:
Funway Holidays has launched its first- ever 52-page standalone California 2014 brochure. It includes tailor-made and flexible self-drive holidays, five must dos, upcoming events, festivals, etc, detailed maps, and multi-stop itineraries. As well as the print version, an online brochure is available at
http://bit.ly/1alWwuS
Coastal escapes from Brand USA:
Brand USA has added a new module to its online training programme for agents, USA Discovery. The USA Coastal Escapes Specialist badge focuses on the USA’s beaches. The other modules are: Big City Buzz, Great Outdoors, Culture & Heritage, Winter Sports and Regional Expert badge.
USADiscoveryProgram.com
More Hong Kong information: Ahead
of WTM, the Hong Kong Tourism Board re-launched a new trade information portal, Partnernet, with a contemporary design and additional features to provide UK tour operators and travel agents with the best possible tools to promote Hong Kong. The new site is divided into eight sections.
http://partnernet.hktb.com
back into the hotel as guests work out. Hotel Verde’s features include a mix of 145 standard, studio, executive, and an executive suite, including inter-leading rooms for families. The dining experience focuses on health and wellness, with all food seasonal, sourced and produced locally, featuring lots of raw and organic foods. An open-plan kitchen provides guests with a view of the chefs at work. Guests are also encouraged to embrace the hotel’s greening philosophy and will be offered
‘rewards’ for sustainable practices during their stay.
bonhotels.co.za vital
www.sellinglonghaul.com
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