NEWS — DIGEST
“I’ll never forget the delegates pretending to be jockeys in the entertaining ‘Taming Tigers’ presentation” Gary Lewis, page 38
GAZETTEERS.COM POLL RESULT
DID YOU TAKE PART IN CRUISE WEEK IN ANY WAY? 59% Yes 41% No
Nicola meets Bruce
Forsyth at the Pride of Britain awards
Virgin Atlantic to cease Little Red operation two years after launch
Virgin Atlantic has confirmed it will close short-haul operation Little Red next year. Flights between Heathrow and Manchester will cease at the end of March 2015, while flights between Heathrow and Edinburgh and Aberdeen will run until September. Little Red launched in March 2013 following British Airways’
takeover of BMI, when Virgin Atlantic was awarded “remedy slots” on the Edinburgh and Aberdeen routes. Virgin hoped to build connecting traffic into Heathrow on the domestic routes, the first it has operated. But announcing the closure, the carrier noted: “Demand has been predominantly from point-to-point customers rather than connecting traffic.” It added: “Little Red has unfortunately not been able to make a
positive contribution to Virgin Atlantic’s network.” Virgin Atlantic chief executive Craig Kreeger said: “We
really wanted it to be a success and everyone involved worked extremely hard and has given it their best efforts. “It was always a huge challenge on behalf of the consumer, as the totally inadequate number of slots made available by the European Commission did not deliver close to BA’s network position, even when supplemented by our own slots to fly between Heathrow and Manchester. “The time lag between the takeover of BMI and our entering the market also meant Little Red initially faced an uphill battle to win recognition.” The decision follows a major review of Virgin Atlantic’s network.
South African Tourism appoints new UK manager Tolene van der Merwe has been appointed UK country manager at South African Tourism. Van der Merwe has 15 years’ experience in the industry, including roles with Gatsby International Hotels, African Affair Travel and Boutique Travel Marketing. She also sits on the board of the South African Tour Operators’ Association and is the UK and vice-president of SKAL London Travel Club.
Althams Travel agent wins place on Gold Medal fam Rebecca Harvey, of Althams Travel in Huddersfield, has been chosen as the ‘wild card’ participant for Gold Medal’s mega-fam. Harvey, pictured left with Gold Medal sales development manager Leigh Lavery, won the prize draw after entering a Travel Weekly competition. She will visit a mystery destination for four days before heading to Dubai for three days. While in Dubai, Harvey will attend Gold Medal’s Access All Areas Conference.
Didn’t she do well: charity duo meet Brucie and the PM
Reuben’s Retreat founders Nicola and Mike Graham joined fellow Pride of Britain winners this week to meet prime minister David Cameron. Nicola, who set up the charity following her son’s death in 2012, was unveiled as ITV Granada’s northwest fundraiser 2014 last month. She attended Sunday’s star-studded ceremony with husband Mike, of Celebrity Cruises, and visited 10 Downing Street the next day. The overall ITV Fundraiser
award went to Tony Phoenix- Morrison, who carried a 42kg fridge around Britain to raise money to fight cancer. Last week Nicola also picked up an award at the Inspiration Awards for Women 2014. Ali Rothwell, charity project manager, said: “Team Reuben is so proud of Nicola and all the work she carries out on a daily basis to help others who walk in her shoes or have a child with a life threatening or limiting illness.” Meanwhile, Reuben’s
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Retreat has named Travel Weekly its champion of the month for September for its reporting and support through events including the Northern Ball and Globe Travel Awards.
9 October 2014 —
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