p5 News feb20 19/2/09 11:01 Page 5
ttglive.com
news
In brief
Co-op to nurture its new
■ Aldershot’s Wellington Travel closes
Wellington Travel, an Advantage travel agency
based in Aldershot, has ceased trading. Abta
said the closure would not affect customers,
tour operator in-house
whose holidays will now be handled directly by
operators, but any retail claims will be handled
by CEGA, Abta's handling partner.
Lee Hayhurst.
which have been unveiled, although it is likely to
THE NEW Co-operative Travel Group/Cosmos tour involve Shaun Hinds, CTTG’s commercial director,
■ Page & Moy expands sales team operating joint venture is likely to sell through and Stuart Jackson, Cosmos’s commercial and
Page & Moy has appointed Hannah Wilkinson to third parties but only after the brand has product director.
its agency sales team. She joins from the direct established itself. The operation will have a consumer launch in
marketing team and will be responsible for a new Speaking this week as ttglive broke news of the early summer offering 2010 summer holidays to
communications plan which includes monthly formation of Co-operative Holidays, CTTG manag- popular European and mid-haul destinations and,
e-shots and communications to support head ing director Mike Greenacre said it would take in all likelihood, Florida.
of agency sales, Colin Wilson and agency sales time to nurture the product. Flying will be mainly out of Manchester and
manager, Joseph Grimley. He said the operation would start off small but Gatwick but there is also likely to be some
“with the quality of the two partners there clearly regional departures.
■ Advantage conference set for Heathrow is the opportunity to grow significantly”. Peter Brown, chief executive of Cosmos
Advantage will hold its 2009 conference in the He added the joint venture would “effectively Holidays, said not having its own distribution was
UK. The annual event, traditionally held overseas, close the difference [in size] between the big two one of the challenges it faced as Tui Travel and
will take place at Radisson Edwardian Hotel and third largest tour operator, which at the Thomas Cook drive more sales in-house.
at Heathrow, on September 19-20. Choosing moment is an absolute chasm”. “We have no desire to put additional capacity
Heathrow was due in part to the current “We have to establish the brand in the market- into a marketplace that is already weak, or
economic downturn but the consortium has place with our own distribution network. We have weaker, than it was, but certainly the demise of
said next year it will revert to an overseas event. to make sure the quality and the price and choice XL Leisure Group does represent an opportunity.
of product is right. “Cosmos has grown independent business con-
■ Foreign Office issues Madagascar warning “We are not anxious to rush off and promote siderably but there is a finite amount to what you
The Foreign Office advised against all travel to Co-operative Holidays to any third party at this are going to sell direct,” he said.
Madagascar after more than 100 people were stage but we would not rule out the possibility in The announcement coincided with a new
killed in political violence. About 40,000 people the future,” Greenacre added. £70 million Co-operative Group TV advertising
reportedly joined a demonstration in support The final touches are being put to the venture campaign featuring Bob Dylan song Blowin’ in
of the president. The FCO warned there was after a heads of agreement was signed, including the Wind.
a continued possibility of violence. Judith de applying for the new company’s own Atol.
Witt, of Madagascar specialist operator A joint board will also be formed, no details of ■ Shaun Hinds in round-table debate, p12
Rainbow Travel, claimed the FCO had
overreacted.
For the latest FO advice, go to ttglive.com/fco
■ Thomson training video wins top gong
A Thomson and First Choice customer service
training film called Dreams has won a Gold Medal
at the New York Festival’s International Film and
Video Awards. The film has been shown in Thom-
son’s shops since the beginning of 2008, and was
so popular it was extended to customer-facing
staff in the airline and First Choice’s retail staff.
■ Hinde joins Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines has appointed Shelley Hinde
as its marketing manager for the UK and Ireland,
with immediate effect. Previously, Hinde has held
posts as marketing manager for easyJet and UK
marketing manager at British Airways franchise
carrier GB Airways.
PARK LIFE: For 40 years Newman Street has been synonymous with Abta, but no longer,
ttglive.com
For the latest news, reviews and comment
following its move into its new HQ in Park Street, London Bridge, with the FTO at the
from the travel industry, visit ttglive.com weekend. All 74 employees take up an entire floor at the new open-plan offices.
20.02.09 05
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