p12 news feb13 11/2/09 21:18 Page 12
news
ttglive.com
In brief
■ Palmair stops ex-Bournemouth day trips
Palmair, Bath Travel’s inhouse tour operator, is
axing its day trip programme from Bournemouth
airport after 16 years, citing difficult economic
conditions. Managing director David Skillicorn
said fuel prices and rising operating costs had
contributed to the decision. The final day trip is
to Venice departing on Valentine’s Day.
■ Original Travel buys luxury brand Tim Best
Luxury operator Original Travel has bought
bespoke long-haul firm Tim Best Travel. It follows
Original Travel’s raising of private equity capital
Universal eyes UK flights
in June 2007, four years after it was founded. The
companies will combine their portfolios of global
destinations. Tim Best Travel was set up in 1994.
TTG unveils revitalised
ttgluxury.com, p32
Lee Hayhurst.
collapse] and has very loyal repeat customer who
FLORIDA theme parks operator Universal Studios tend to book well in advance,” Presswell said. ■ Cottage specialist makes currency promise
is hoping to see more flight capacity added from “The collapse of XL actually caused a little Self-catering specialist Cottages4you has
the UK as it prepares for a series of attraction bit of a rush in the marketplace from people introduced a “No Currency Surcharge” for the
launches and anniversaries. wanting to secure peak travel dates in 2009, so rest of 2009, insulating prices against further
Simon Presswell, Universal Studios’ managing we saw a fairly buoyant fourth quarter.” changes in the exchange rate. Managing director
director for Europe, said he was delighted the Presswell said Universal was “double-digit Geoff Cowley said the move would protect
14% gap in capacity left by the collapse of XL ahead of plan” in 2008 in terms of theme park customers against the unpredictable exchange
Airways had been made up. ticket sales, something he put down to Universal’s rate and weakness of the pound against the euro.
Additional capacity to Orlando and Sanford attractions, such as The Simpsons, being “more UK & Ireland feature, page 55
put on by the likes of Monarch Airlines, relevant” to UK guests than those at rival Disney.
Flyglobespan and Virgin Atlantic, as well as In May, Universal will run a trade preview trip ■ Singapore Airlines profits crash by 43%
Virgin’s revival of XL’s Travel City Direct brand, to see its new rollercoaster, Hollywood Rip, Ride, Singapore Airlines has reported a 43% fall in net
has filled the void. Rockit, ahead of the official launch in June. profits to $224 million for the last three months of
And Presswell was confident carriers will add June will also see Islands of Adventure mark 2008. It blamed the drop on falling demand and
even more flights as the strengthening euro its 10th anniversary. lower foreign exchange earnings, as the euro and
makes the US more attractive and UK holiday- Next year Universal will start the build-up to Australian dollar fell against the Singapore dollar.
makers seek the familiarity of Florida. the opening of its new Wizarding World of Harry BA predicts £150 million full year loss, p16
“Travel City Direct seems as a brand to have Potter with a mega-fam trip for the trade in June.
remained relatively unscathed [from the XL The Orlando park marks its 20th year in 2010. ■ Louis Cruise Lines clarifies third-party sales
Louis Cruise Lines has sought to clear up confusion
surrounding programme launches by third-party
Comment Peter Traynor
protect against the adverse exchange rate. partners South Quay Travel and Leisure, and
THERE has been much publicity about the And we are seeing strong sales for escorted Cruise and Maritime Services International. The
pound weakening against the dollar in 2009. tours to the US, as with their greater propor- Greek line said these firms had sole responsibility
But given the way operators cost their tion of inclusions they offer even better value for bookings made through them, and the official
holidays, 2009 could in fact be the best year at 2009 costings. UK Louis office is fully bonded with the PSA.
to go to the US for some years to come. The earning potential for agents with these
Major operators’ 2009 progammes were products is also much ■ Cathay Pacific revamps agent website
costed at a time when the pound was much higher. So with air- Cathay Pacific Airways has overhauled its UK
stronger, and currency bought forward and lines reducing rates, agents website to make it easier to navigate and
protected at those rates. and operators hold- ensure key information is no more than three
With the pound weakening against the dol- ing land prices at clicks away. Registered agents can still use their
lar, 2010 brochure prices to the US are bound costed levels, now is log-ins to access the site — at
cxagents.com/cxa —
to rise, perhaps as much as 25%. absolutely the time but will now find information tailored to individual
There is evidence that, in the eurozone to be selling the US. accounts, and more details about specific fares.
and the Caribbean, all-inclusive hotels have EasyJet and Aer Lingus start price war: Air, p28
increased market share due to consumers Peter Traynor general
wishing to budget in advance and to manager, Collette Worldwide
ttglive.com
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12 13.02.2009
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