p12 news May 15 13/5/09 16:10 Page 12
news
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In brief
Chic Outlets woos
■ Travel Indochina courts solo travellers
Asia specialist Travel Indochina hopes to capitalise
on increased demand for solo holidays by offering
UK’s shopaholics
exclusive trips for single travellers. The operator
has introduced several departures for small
groups of solos for 10-day Highlights of Vietnam
Lee Hayhurst.
THE OWNER of Oxfordshire shopping outlet and 14-day Cambodia and Vietnam itineraries.
Bicester Village is looking to work with more tour
operators to stimulate travel to the eurozone by ■ Holiday homage to Princess Diana
appealing to Brits’ love of shopping. Princess Diana admirers can now book a holiday
Value Retail operates nine Chic Outlet taking in her family home in Northamptonshire
Shopping villages across Europe, many in tourist and her residence at Kensington Palace. Good
hotspots including near Disneyland Resort Paris Companions, the solo travellers programme from
and on the Costa Brava. Glenton Holidays, is offering the five-day escorted
UK visitors are the largest overseas market at tour after it was suggested by a customer.
all nine locations. Co-ordinator Norma Howe said: “Even 12 years on
Deals with the likes of Gold Medal and from her tragic death, many people still want to
TTA/Worldchoice to offer packages are already pay homage to Diana.”
in place and the company is looking to work with
more trade partners. ■ New Orlando park ticket
Desiree Bollier, chief executive of Value Retail, Attraction World has
said the outlets, which sell designer clothes at up launched a ticket for agents
to 60% off, have become a tourist attraction in to sell that covers entry to
their own right. all leading theme parks in
“We looked at what tourists do on holiday. Liz Hurley opens her Beach Hut outlet at Bicester Village Orlando, including all new
They sightsee, they eat and they love to shop – earlier this month attractions. The New-to-Do pass offers admission
these are the three main activities,” she said. for 14 days to Aquatica, Seaworld, Islands of
“Because they are on holiday they are is being promoted as a short-break destination. Adventure and Universal Studios for £150 per
time-rich so we extend our hours in the summer Although most UK shoppers travel there adult and £136 per child.
because of our tourist visitors.” independently the trend towards “staycations”
Bollier said the villages’ policy of selling at in the downturn is seeing a rise in coach and rail ■ Bulgaria boom for Balkan Holidays
reduced prices meant they still represented good group visitors. Balkan Holidays is enjoying a boom in interest to
value to Britons despite the euro exchange rate. Anna Keddie, Bicester Village’s marketing Bulgaria thanks to the destination’s position out-
Promotions in July and August could see price director, said: “We have partnerships already but side the eurozone. The operator said interest had
reductions of up to 80%, she added. we have only scraped the surface. There is a lot also been driven by a £10 sales incentive and a
Bicester Village, fresh from a major expansion, of opportunity to work with more tour operators.” Post Office Travel Service’s survey placing the
country at the top of the best value chart for
British holidaymakers.
Marketing of England is ‘vital’ ■ Haven enhances agent booking system
Haven has unveiled a new agent booking engine
MARKETING Britain has never holds enormous potential for designed to be more user-friendly and provide
been as important as it is all parts of the country but more in-depth park information. The system
today, according to East of warned against complacency. offers information on entertainment, activities,
England Tourism chief execu- “The exchange rate is in facilities and key dates, as well as printable
tive Keith Brown. our favour at the moment but park maps and a compare function for all
He praised the introduction it won’t always be,” he said. accommodation. See
bourneleisuresales.co.uk.
of the new VisitEngland tourist “Hotels and attractions
board but expressed disap- need to invest money so that ■ Driving goes digital with Holiday Autos
pointment at the general reduction of funding for they meet expectations – quality must be the Holiday Autos has created digital destination
promoting the UK overseas; highest it has ever been.” guides to driving abroad. The guides mix practical
VisitBritain’s budget has fallen from £49.6 mil- Brown aims to make the part of England he information with exploring tips, suggestions of
lion in 2007-08 to £40.6 million for 2010-11. represents (including Cambridge, pictured) more good places to drive to, advice on parking and a
“We have to strive to deliver value for money user-friendly for consumers and easier for travel view from the street provided by taxi drivers.
with the marketing cash allocated,” he said. agents to sell.
Brown, formerly marketing vice-president for
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Hilton Hotels UK & Ireland, believes this summer ■ UK hotels must raise standards, p26 from the travel industry, visit
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12 15.05.2009
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