p9 news Apr17 15/4/09 17:34 Page 9
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THE TRAVEL CONVENTION 2009.
cruise line delegates only. They will follow a
Abta adds cruise forum
separate agenda running at the same time as the
main conference holds break-out sessions and
workshops.
Andy Harmer, Ace director of business
to Barcelona convention
development, said it was important the event
was complementary to the UK Cruise Convention
that will be held in Dover on June 17-19.
“Having the Travel Convention in Barcelona
Lee Hayhurst.
that Carnival Corporation chairman and chief was the ideal opportunity to work with Abta,”
TRAVEL agents attending this year’s Travel executive Micky Arison will be a speaker, with Harmer added.
Convention in Barcelona will be offered an option Fred Olsen Cruise Lines as a headline sponsor for “The Travel Convention attracts a different
to attend a separate cruise event. the fifth successive year. audience and it’s a perfect opportunity to raise
Abta has teamed up with the Mark Tanzer, Abta chief executive, said: “The the profile of cruising.
Association of Cruise Experts to cruise sector is important to our industry, and we “I don’t think it rivals what we are doing in
organise a cruise forum that will are pleased we can adapt the Travel Convention the UK. We will use it as an opportunity to have
include ship visits. to exploit the opportunities that Barcelona has a second gathering and update on what’s
Barcelona is Europe’s busiest to offer and make the event work as hard as happened since the cruise convention.”
cruise port, and nine ships will possible for our members and delegates.
be visiting during the Travel “The Cruise Forum is a very exciting ■ Registration for the Travel Convention
Convention, from October 6-8. development.” opens at the end of April. To find out
Abta has already announced The forum will be open to travel agents and more, go to: thetravelconvention.com
Hebridean
UK CRUISE CONVENTION 2009.
Ace speakers to talk about downturn
in talks with
THE 2009 UK Cruise and Rick Meadows, a
Convention will focus on vice-president at Holland
possible buyer
how to grow cruise busi- America Line.
ness in a downturn. Andy Harmer, Ace busi-
The latest speakers to ness development director,
A POTENTIAL buyer interested in Hebridean be confirmed for the event are Giles Hawke, said: “The main conference will focus on how the
International Cruises is in exclusive talks with Complete Cruise Solution’s sales director, and economic situation will affect the cruise indus-
administrators about a deal. accountant Andrew Burnham, from MacIntyre try and how best to meet these challenges.”
Administrators working for Ernst & Young Hudson. They will host a session on maximising The convention will also feature a state of the
were called in on April 8 when the line, which cruise sales and offer advice on how to grow industry debate including a panel comprising
until last month had operated two small luxury business in difficult economic times. Hurtigruten’s Kathryn Beadle, Crystal Cruises’
ships, went into administration. Previously confirmed speakers include Dan Sophie Higgins, Carnival’s Lynn Narraway, and
Speculation has suggested that Voyages of Hanrahan, Celebrity Cruises chief executive, Kenny Picken from headline sponsor Traveltek.
Discovery-owned Swan Hellenic, part-owned by
former P&O Cruises chairman Lord Sterling,
could be in the running.
A spokeswoman for the administrator could
New text service
not reveal who the interested party was but said:
“We have been in talks with a third party and
offers cruise help
granted a short period of exclusivity to try to
reach an agreement on the sale of the business.” THE ASSOCIATION of Cruise Experts has launched
Hebridean International Cruises had sold its a text-based service for agent members to find
lossmaking Hebridean Spirit ship to a private out the answers to questions that arise while
owner for £5 million, in a bid to save the company. making bookings with customers.
That left the line with only its smaller 49- AskACE is being introduced as part of a range
passenger Hebridean Princess, which sails around of measures to help agent members through the
the coast of Scotland and to Norway and was present challenging economic times.
chartered by the Queen for her 80th birthday. Other measures being introduced this year
However, directors have had to accept that BOOM BOOM! Children’s favourite Basil include online training courses to help agents
losses meant the company could no longer Brush has signed up to perform his first build their business, new training sessions at its
continue to operate the line. Scheduled cruises shows at sea, with Ocean Village. He joins regional Cruise Expos and the second National
on Princess will continue as planned. Paddington Bear and Bagpuss. Cruise Week, from September 20-27.
17.04.2009 09
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