p10 news mar13 11/3/09 18:46 Page 12
news
ttglive.com
Goldtrail pledges
Viking fleet
support for trade
‘is modern’
VIKING AIRLINES hit back at a wave of criticism
Lee Hayhurst.
“I do not think you can from agents after TTG revealed Goldtrail was
THE ARCHITECTS of Goldtrail’s “I had been survive as a tour operator using the carrier for its new Greece programme.
new Greece programme have
looking at ways
with web presence alone. Viking is connected to former XL chief execu-
promised full trade support, The trade needs printed tive Phil Wyatt through the Icelandic franchise of
including competitive com- of diversifying material to support an his venture Black Pearl Investments, which has
mission, fam trips, training
from being a
operator.” a 50% stake in the carrier.
and a brochure out in April. Kadir Aydin, Goldtrail The connection led to a series of attacks
As TTG reported last week, one-destination owner, said it will retain a in postings on
ttglive.com, criticising Viking’s
former Kosmar managing
operator”
clear distinction between customer service and condition of aircraft.
director Abhi Dighe has devel- the current brand and The carrier responded by saying it had started
oped the programme since the new early-booking a fleet renewal and expansion programme and
starting work with Goldtrail before Christmas Greece programme, which will also be extended was refurbishing its aircraft interiors.
(TTG March 6). to Turkey. It said it was operating “modern, Boeing 737-
The move signals a significant shift for He said the move into Greece would help 800s equipped with leather seating and
Goldtrail, from the late-selling budget Turkish Goldtrail to establish itself as an eastern inflight entertainment” and had recruited an
holidays it is known for, into a more upmarket Mediterranean travel company. “experienced and customer-focused crew”.
early-booking sector, and a new destination. “I had been looking at ways of diversifying The airline said its fleet was among the
Goldtrail has previously flirted with Tunisia from being just a one-destination tour operator. youngest in the UK, and that incidents at New-
and Spain, but feels expansion in the east is a It’s a way of balancing our risk as well as getting castle highlighted by critics – when Viking flights
more natural development. Egypt is planned to another product on board,” he said. using sub-leased aircraft could not take some
be next in 2010. Aydin said Goldtrail was experienced at adding passenger baggage – were unlikely to recur.
Dighe said he expected the vast majority last-minute air capacity and, as well as the Viking director Peter Evans said: “No airline
of sales – up to 70% – to come through the flying programme agreed with Viking Airlines, can promise an event like this will never happen,
trade, and that producing a brochure was key to would bring in aircraft when needed. but we will use the exceptional performance of
working with agents. He said: “If we see the opportunity there is our new aircraft to make sure it doesn’t.”
“Technology is important but a brochure no reason why we couldn’t bring in a Spanish or
supports the web presence,” he said. Scandinavian aircraft at the last minute.” ■ Viking/Goldtrail/XL furore: Letters, p37
STA travellers to
twitter from Oz
STA TRAVEL has launched a social media
campaign to promote working holidays in
Western Australia and Victoria.
STA’s Earn Your Stripes promotion, in
association with Tiger Airways, is giving three
British travellers the chance to experience a
working holiday Down Under for six weeks.
They will report back on social media sites
including Twitter, Flickr, Facebook and YouTube
about the working holiday experience, from the
jobs on offer to exploring the region.
All the content the travellers produce on the
COMEDY CRUISE IS FERRY FUNNY: North Sea ferry operator DFDS Seaways gave websites will be brought together and featured
its King of Scandinavia ship a red nose makeover this week. The operator will donate on
statravelbuzz.co.uk/earnyourstripes.
£5 to Comic Relief for every booking made this year on its comedy-themed sailings. Social media is now a hot topic in the industry,
There was also a Red Nose Day collection yesterday and today. John Crummie, DFDS’s as highlighted by TTG’s feature, “Weapons for the
UK managing director, said: “In this current economic climate, it is more important web” (February 20), showing how agents can use
than ever to remember that there are those less fortunate than ourselves.” the web to fight back against direct sellers.
10 13.03.2009
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