p2 Contents june 12 10/6/09 21:19 Page 2
Victorious McEwan
must spearhead a
news
more united industry
IN THE entertainment world, a sell-out is the
ultimate benchmark of success.
On those grounds, organisers of this week’s ITT
conference in Dubai will be well satisfied.
While there were justified grumbles about the cost
of the event in trying times, there is no doubt that
it serves a valuable purpose in bringing the power
brokers of the industry together in one place.
this week
Bearing in mind the political furore rumbling on at
home, it was somehow fitting that, Thomas Cook
aside, much of the chatter under the Dubai sun was
of elections.
It is a coincidence that both the major trade
bodies – Abta and the ITT – had elections for board
places and leadership running concurrently.
Bolt sprints in to Manchester
But both events have wide-ranging consequences
for the industry. Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt was made to feel at home when Real Deals
Daniele Broccoli quite rightly received widespread Travel, the Jamaica Tourist Board and SuperClubs held a party for him, other
plaudits for having the balls to stand up and be athletes and Premier League footballers in Manchester. Bolt was in Manchester
counted as a spokesman for the smaller agent. for a street sprint event. From left: Xavier Brown, athlete; Annabelle Marshall,
But there was undoubtedly a feeling among ITT SuperClubs; Ricardo Gardner, Bolton Wanderers; Ricardo Fuller, Stoke City;
delegates that John McEwan, with Broccoli still a Usain Bolt; Zoe Bennett, Jamaica Tourist Board; and Carl Hamilton, Real Deals
valued member of his board, is best placed to take
Abta forward as a unifying force. Abta. chilled rocks in the buffet, are
In fact, I am aware that the work has already McEwan lists priorities p4 helping modern cruise ships limit
begun, with key meetings taking place at the ITT con- Victorious new Abta chairman their impact on the environment
ference with non-Abta members to work out if there John McEwan says unity and
is common ground to work together as partners. consumer protection are the focus Cruise.
While it would be tempting for Broccoli’s Royal Caribbean deposits p12
supporters to bemoan McEwan’s victory as one for Harvey World Travel. Line cuts drinks prices to offset
the big boys, it is surely time to present a united Chain lost touch – Morgan p5 impact of weaker pound and also
front, if only to defuse the ticking time bomb that is Miles Morgan, who has bought raises deposit price in an attempt
a shambolic consumer protection system. two Harvey World outlets, said the to reduce cancellation rates
The ITT elections are less publicised, but it chain had become too centralised
is just as critical that the correct deci- and lost touch with its customers Cruise.
sions are made to deliver a dynamic, Costa to ‘defend’ Dubai p16
streamlined and accountable organisa- Report from Dubai. Costa Cruises is to base two ships
tion that builds on the successes of the ITT Conference 2009 p6 in Dubai in a bid to fend off Royal
current incumbents. Undercutting, financial protection Caribbean, which starts its debut
With respected, enthusiastic and and the economy dominated the season in the emirate next winter
committed figures at the helm, discussions, including an attack by
our trade bodies will hope- Gold Medal’s Fisher on Jumeirah Eurozone.
fully find themselves better Eurozone sales pick up p18
set than ever to put aside WTM Vision Conference. Britons who were deterred from
differences and persuade Waiting on lates revival p9 booking a European break earlier
those in Whitehall to The late-bookings market for this in the year because of the poor ex-
afford our industry the summer has yet to kick in, says the change rate ‘are starting to return’
respect and considera- boss of The Co-operative Travel
tion it deserves. SECTORS.
Ace preview. Cruise p16
Green innovations p10 Operators p18
Lee Hayhurst News Editor A raft of technological innovations, Business travel p20
from “go faster” hull paint to Letters p22
02 12.06.2009
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