NEWS ROUND-UP
READERS’ LIVES: “I get to combine my two favourite things – writing and travel” Janet Pywell, page 40
Hoseasons partners LGBT site to target ‘all families’
Juliet Dennis
juliet.dennis@
travelweekly.co.uk
Travel companies keen to appeal to the entire family market need to recognise the importance of the lesbian and gay sector, according to Hoseasons boss Simon Altham.
He spoke after Hoseasons
agreed a 12-month strategic marketing partnership with worldwide LGBT news and lifestyle website Gay Star News, which has 90,000 Twitter followers and more than half a million Facebook likes. Hoseasons will sponsor the
site’s family section and advertise across all its channels, while its logo will appear on 20,000 bags distributed at Pride events across the UK in a “substantial investment” by the operator. The move comes after Altham
urged the industry to “get educated” on diversity after the travel sector failed to feature in Stonewall’s 2016 Top Employers list of gay-friendly employers earlier this year. Managing director Altham said: “Statistics will tell you this is a
Suffolk agent Keevil suffers setback in Clipper Yacht Race
A Suffolk travel agency owner’s bid to complete the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has taken a blow after her team’s yacht was forced to accept last place in the current leg following a violent storm. Bridget Keevil (pictured), who
owns three Travel Stop agencies, was on the deck of the Da Nang
yacht, which was on the sixth leg of eight between Vietnam and the US, when it nearly capsized in 45-knot winds on Monday night. On Tuesday, Keevil’s husband,
Paul, posted the news on her blog, The Fat Bird and the Boat.
8
travelweekly.co.uk 14 April 2016 DEAL: Simon Altham (inset) has sealed a tie-up with Gay Star News
“This is our inclusive nature. Hoseasons is a family brand, welcoming all families”
growing market. In 2014, there were 84,000 same-sex co-habiting couple families in the UK [Office for National Statistics]. “People will be surprised by this
figure. Yes, it’s small in comparison to the number of overall British households, but my gut feeling is businesses will not necessarily realise there are so many same-sex
families and assume LGBT couples will not have children. “This is a market that will only
grow; there is an opportunity for businesses, particularly in travel, to signal they are aware of this.” Altham said it had taken 12
months for Hoseasons to find the right partner as part of its “inclusion” strategy to attract more families to its brand. He added: “This is a statement about our inclusive nature. We are a family brand, welcoming all families. I am convinced other companies will do the same within five years. It’s a realisation there is a bigger market than people think.”
“The boat has been hit by a wave and knocked on to its side,” he said. “Broached is the term sailors
use, but it seems vastly inadequate for what can lead to a capsize. “Bridget has a cut head and a
black eye. Wendy [the skipper] was thrown out of her bunk and also sustained a cut to her head.” The crew will motor to Seattle,
which means accepting last place for this leg. Bridget is raising money for
Abta LifeLine. To donate, go to: ›
justgiving.com/bridgetkeevil
NEWS IN BRIEF
Norwegian Cruise Line appoints UK head of sales
Norwegian Cruise Line has appointed Jeremy McKenna as UK and Ireland head of sales. The appointment comes ahead of Norwegian’s return to offering cruises from the UK next year for the first time since 2010.
Egypt unveils plan to boost tourism in next six months
The Egyptian tourist board has drawn up a six-point plan to help boost tourism in the destination over the next six months. It includes working closer with partners, enhancing the tourism infrastructure and developing eco-friendly facilities.
Thomas Cook starts selling Costa del Sol next summer
Thomas Cook will return to the Costa del Sol for summer 2017 after a five-year gap. It will also introduce Croatia and Mykonos, and feature its first flights out of Luton airport as it increases capacity by 10% for next year.
Airports report record March passenger numbers
Heathrow, Gatwick and the Manchester Airports Group have reported record passenger numbers for March. Heathrow said long-haul had seen a boost while domestic passengers fell by almost 14%; Manchester airport passenger numbers were up 11%; and Gatwick saw a record 3.1 million passengers.
New aviation consultancy aims to grow route networks
Tui’s former head of commercial for airports, Paul Cooper, has launched a consultancy with the help of former Leeds Bradford airport sales and marketing manager James Broughton. Can Do Aviation Consultancy will support airports, airlines and tour operators globally in growing route networks and increasing passenger numbers and yields.
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