january 2015 – dedicated to those who love selling travel –


INDUSTRY COMMENT “Nowhere matches the US for a road trip and a ‘circular’ tour linking the three great


cities of Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Diego via one of America’s most iconic scenic attractions is right up there with the best. It’s worth reiterating how easy driving is in the States and once out of urban areas freeways are invariably empty by UK standards. Plus the fuel is cheap." Alan Orbell, Managing Editor, Selling Travel. See My Western USA Journey, page 54


“2014 was a great year for Japan’s tourism industry, with visitor numbers having risen 27% and UK visitors up by 14% to 184,700. Japan has always been an amazing holiday destination but now it is significantly cheaper to visit. Last autumn the annual Post Office Travel Money Long Haul Report showed holidaying in Japan to be more affordable than Mexico, Vietnam, USA, Canada, Australia and Dubai." Kylie Clark, Head of Marcomms, JNTO See the Japan feature, page 33


welcome H


Steve Hartridge Editor


ere’s hoping that, as you read this early in the new year, that carefully – or perhaps hastily – drawn-up list of resolutions remains intact. Each year sees the emergence of new trends in


travel and one resolution for travel agents will be to stay abreast of these. For example, according to ABTA’s Travel Trends Report 2015, a key common denominator amongst consumers will be ‘value for money’. We’ve heard that before, of course, but holidaymakers in 2015 will more than ever seek to ‘maximise their expenditure’ – whatever their budget. This will include building more components like events, shows – and particularly experiences – into their holidays. There will also be a growing trend for multi-centre holidays, ‘challenge holidays’ and activity and adventure trips – all of which augurs well for the continued renaissance of the package holiday. ABTA also suggests more affluent clients will break away from the cautious optimism that has dominated the market for the last couple of years. Whilst this group remains relatively small, it looks set to drive some growth in the travel industry in 2015. Last year, people took an average of three holidays each, however those in social class ‘A’ took 4.7 holidays, a big increase from 2013 when this group took 3.6 holidays per person. Perhaps these well-heeled clients should be pointed in the direction of Etihad Airways' unique new Residence product, which features on the airline's new A380 now flying between London and Abu Dhabi. I was among around 150 journalists flown to the UAE emirate late last year to view the interiors of the airline’s first A380 and B787 (Dreamliner) aircraft – and the Residence is quite a product. This three-room boutique suite in the sky, with a living room, ensuite shower room and bedroom, costs a cool $20,000 one way – quite an outlay for the seven-hour flight between London and Abu Dhabi. The good news is that price is for two, it comes with a butler and the bedroom door closes on the rest of the aircraft!


Try selling these Two destinations that look set for a healthy 2015 are Japan and, perhaps surprisingly, Haiti. Japan will look to build on excellent visitor numbers last year while Haiti is again interesting tour operators and presenting itself as a 'brand new destination'. Read about both inside this issue.


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Published by BMI Publishing Ltd 2015 Suffolk House, George St, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 1SR, UK


T 020 8649 7233 F 020 8649 7234 E enquiries@bmipublishing.co.uk W www.bmipublishing.co.uk, www.sellingtravel.co.uk


Publishing Director/Managing Editor: Alan Orbell Publisher: Sally Parker Editor: Steve Hartridge Group Editor: Jo Austin Journalists: Andy Hoskins, Julie Baxter & Laura Gelder Associate Publisher: Steve Thompson Advertisement Manager: Lisa Merrigan Business Development Manager: Craig McQuinn Creative Director: Matt Bonner Art Director: Dan Franklin Senior Designer: Tina-Lee McDougall Junior Designer: Louisa Horton Production Manager: Clare Hunter Circulation Manager: Cheryl Staniforth Managing Director: Martin Steady Members of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, Visit USA Association, LATA, PATA, MENATA, SATOA, the Foreign Airlines Association and the Institute of Travel & Tourism. Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, BMI Publishing cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. © 2015. ISSN: 2056-9319. Front cover image: A Geisha in training courtesy of iStockphoto.com


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