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“Don’t underestimate what can be achieved when agents feel a valued part of the chain” Amanda Matthews, page 34
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WHICH SEASON ARE YOU NOW SELLING THE MOST? 50% Late summer 2014 21% Winter 2014-15 29% Summer 2015
MPs say passport applicants were ‘exploited’ by £30 fast-track service
Passport applicants who paid for a fast-track service and then faced delays were exploited, MPs have claimed. Early this summer more than 500,000 passport requests were
outstanding and Home Affairs Select Committee MPs now claim the state profited from charging £30 for a fast-track service. The Passport Office took on more staff and extended opening hours in an attempt to deal with the situation. In mid-June the office announced free upgrades to the fast-track service offered to people who could prove they were travelling within seven days. The committee’s chairman, Labour MP Keith Vaz, said: “The
state should not be exploiting its own citizens by making a profit on what is a basic right.”
Armed robber convicted of stealing £46,000 from four travel agencies
An armed robber who stole more than £46,000 from travel agents has been found guilty of four offences. David Bentley, 54, previously of Court Road in Orpington,
raided three Thomson stores, in Folkestone, Tonbridge and Boston, Lincolnshire, and a Thomas Cook store in Caterham, Surrey. Kent Online reported that Bentley, who would disguise himself with make-up, sunglasses and a ginger wig during the raids, did not attend the trial, refusing to leave his prison cell. He had denied four offences of robbery and four of having
an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery, but was convicted of all charges. Sentencing will take place on October 17.
Shelley Andrews
helps plant poppies at the Tower of London
18 September 2014 —
travelweekly.co.uk • 9
Youtravel’s Andy Baker to leave in restructure Andy Baker, London-based chief marketing officer of Youtravel, is to leave the trade bed bank in a restructure. Youtravel’s purchasing and product departments are to be centralised with parent company Meeting Point in Dubai. In a memo to its partners, Youtravel said it planned to invest in the UK team as well as its distribution department as it seeks to expand here and overseas.
Warner Leisure hosts team at Tower poppy installation Warner Leisure Hotels took 10 team members and one travel agent to see the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red poppy installation at the Tower of London and helped to plant the handcrafted flowers. The event marked the hotel group’s third year supporting the Royal British Legion charity. Shelley Andrews from Thomas Cook was invited because of her ties to the charity as she is a member of the
Royal British Legion.
Nicola Graham through to Pride of Britain final
Nicola Graham, founder of Reuben’s Retreat, has been named fundraiser of the year for the northwest. Nicola (pictured), who
previously worked for Red Sea Holidays, set up the charity with husband Mike, of Celebrity Cruises, after their son Reuben died of a brain tumour in August 2012. He would have turned four last week. Nicola, one of four finalists in the northwest, will represent the region at this autumn’s Pride of Britain Awards 2014, which honours unsung heros. Among those on the judging panel was Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine. Reuben’s Retreat raised £1 million in less than two years to fund a counselling and bereavement centre and retreat for families of children with life-threatening illnesses. The charity has acquired
premises in the Peak District. It plans to open a counselling centre next year and continues to fundraise to open a retreat in two to three years. It has been heavily supported by the travel industry and was the nominated charity at this week’s Travel Weekly Northern Ball in Manchester.
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