p9 news Apr10 7/4/09 19:45 Page 9
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In brief
P&O defends support
■ Golden Tulip goes into receivership
Dutch hotel group Golden Tulip has blamed low
occupancy and investment costs for its decision
to go into voluntary receivership. The group,
as Azura goes on sale
which owns or franchises 780 hotels around the
world, said it was in talks with Apollo Hotels about
Lee Hayhurst.
“There have been several ships launched
a possible merger. A statement from Tulip said: P&O CRUISES has hit back at criticism of its trade recently and none has got to 15% capacity sold in
“The general decline in the leisure and hospitality marketing for new superliner Azura, for which it its first day.”
sector due to the recession has had its impact on sold a fifth of capacity in a week. Esdale added that the launch compared well
Golden Tulip.” Receivership will not affect the The 3,000-passenger ship went on sale last with Ventura given the economic climate.
running of the hotels because all but 60 are week and will be based in Southampton for its “We’re in a different world to the one we were
independently owned franchises. maiden season in summer 2010. in a couple of years ago,” he said.
First-week sales did not break the record Esdale said three-quarters of Azura bookings
■ Costa Cruises asks agents to name ships set by sister ship Ventura two years ago, but were from former P&O Cruises passengers. Azura
Costa Cruises has launched a competition for Azura sold 15% of its capacity on its first day and is aimed at P&O’s traditional customer base, in
travel agents to name its two new flagships. The £1 million worth of cruises in five minutes. contrast to Ventura which was family-orientated.
ships, with capacity for 3,780 passengers, will Particularly popular was a 28-night 2010 However, among customers who have booked
be the 16th and 17th members of Costa’s fleet Christmas Caribbean cruise, which has sold out. on Azura, a quarter said their last cruise was on
and will be launched in 2011 and 2012. Costa’s P&O managing director Nigel Esdale rejected Ventura, while Oceana was the second top answer.
“Send us a Sea of Names” competition is seeking criticism in TTG by Amy Younis from Blue Skies Esdale described it as “a bit unfortunate” that
suggestions for names for each ship from more Travel that Azura marketing material was some agents were still going out with a guaran-
than 200,000 agents who work with the line in substandard. teed 10%-off message at launch, after the line
100 countries. British agents can suggest pairs of “We do not do things cheaply. In terms of what ditched its traditional 45% brochure discount.
name online at
seaofnames.co.uk before June 5. we have provided for agents it is exactly the
The winners will be invited on a maiden cruise. same as for Ventura,” he said. ■ Hays Travel plans ‘cruise bed bank’, p19
■ Keith Prowse revs up for British Grand Prix
Keith Prowse is offering packages to the British
Grand Prix at Silverstone on June 19-21, with
prices from £229 based on two sharing. Deals
include three or four-star B&B accommodation,
transfers and entrance tickets for one to three
days, with seats around various parts of the track.
■ Attraction World doubles experience range
Attraction World has doubled the number of its
fully commissionable “experience” products in
the UK to 82, following the success of its original
range of 35 experiences, introduced last autumn.
Deals include indoor skydiving for £99, being a
zoo keeper at a wildlife park for a day for £149 Enjoying an Azura Experience Day at the Belvedere in Holland Park are, from left: Nigel Esdale, P&O Cruises managing
and a day learning circus skills for £79. director; wine expert Olly Smith, who helped create the Glasshouse bar on Azura; and Alan Godfrey, Ocean World Travel
Attraction World excursions in Egypt, p42
■ Sullivan joins Preston Travel Group
John Sullivan has joined Preston Travel Group in
Teleticket to
Atol and the range will include all-inclusive
and self-catering accommodation in Tenerife,
the new role of business development manager Arrecife, Las Palmas, Dalaman, Paphos and
for multi-channel distribution. He will develop
distribution channels for the Preston Holidays and sell packages
Heraklion. Other destinations will follow.
Teleticket Holidays will offer agents a mini-
Amathus Holidays brands. Sullivan previously mum of 10% commission, an agents’ helpline
held commercial roles with Holiday Experts and FLIGHT consolidator Teleticket has launched and access to special offers.
TV Travelshop. He will also oversee the trade Teleticket Holidays to sell packages of flights and The company has also introduced a Teleticket
launch of a number of initiatives for both the accommodation through the trade. Holidays Agents’ Charter, which guarantees
Preston Holidays and Amathus Holidays brands. The company said the launch was the result of among other things that it will not charge
feedback from agents asking for packages that supplements or discount directly to consumers.
ttglive.com
For the latest news, reviews and comment
included accommodation.
from the travel industry, visit
ttglive.com Packages will be protected under Teleticket’s ■ Liverpool airport courts charter flights, p22
10.04.2009 09
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