p34-5 letters sep4 1/9/09 19:02 Page 35
ttglive.com
letters
A US boycott would hurt Travel companies must have We took the Caribbean to
tourism but not government a strategy for social media race-goers at Worcester
Regarding your story headlined “Lockerbie Social media is an exciting opportunity for Here at Select World Travel we brought some
bomber release sparks US boycott”, the only businesses that are able to come up with an Caribbean cheer to more than 2,500 race-goers
people who can or cannot allow compassion to effective strategy for engaging with new and at Worcester Races one day last month.
be a factor regarding the release of terrorists existing customers (ttglive August 25). One of our eagle-eared staff had heard on
are the families of the victims, and I’m pretty But therein lies the problem. Most companies local radio that the racecourse was holding a
sure they had no involvement in this decision! join in because it is the thing to do at that time special Caribbean theme at an evening meeting
Sadly, the government will not feel the rather than there being a sound business case. – and this gave us just three days to prepare
backlash of any US tourism retaliation against For those that do it well, it can benefit SEO, some special prizes for the event. Worcester
Scotland, but UK businesses probably will. support other marketing activities and help Racecourse was thrilled that we were able to
develop and maintain brand values online. enhance their Caribbean theme in this way.
Nicola Revell As for rising costs of pay per click, like all Our special thanks to Caroline O’Brien from
contracts manager, Hotels4U other channels, just because the channel is not Sandals and Nigel Ham from Seasons in Style
working for a particular business does not for joining us on the evening and also to Royal
Scotland’s long-haul flight always mean there is a flaw in the channel. Caribbean Cruise Lines and Karen at Ottleys for
links not as bleak as reported Companies should focus on addressing prob- donating such wonderful prizes.
You paint an unnecessarily bleak picture of the lems rather than seeking the “next big thing” It’s just a good job we didn’t follow Nigel’s
long-haul market in Scotland (TTG August 21). without a coherent strategy. Failure to do so tips, most of which failed miserably.
Citing the collapse of XL in 2008, the article just means the firm is at risk of repeating the
suggested that the Scottish travel trade had same mistakes and never really getting the Lee Harrison
lost access to a number of key long-haul routes, traction they need to grow their business. owner/direct, Select World Travel, Malvern
such as the Caribbean.
In fact, Scotland has gained capacity to the James Faulkes Holidaymakers’ pennies add
Caribbean this year, with Thomas Cook and marketing manager, ProWeb Group up to a big gift for charity
Thomson both adding routes from Glasgow, to Regarding the ttglive story “Thomson Airways
Cuba and Dominican Republic respectively. Jet2 has the quality to fill raises £200k for charity”, you don’t realise that
Long-haul travellers are well served from Ryanair’s void at Manchester dropping a few foreign coins in a box at the end
Scotland, with direct flights to Halifax, Toronto, I’m not sure that Ryanair’s strategy of dropping of your holiday can make such a big diffrence!
Calgary, Vancouver, New York, Philadelphia, routes from Manchester will be successful.
Orlando, Las Vegas, Cancun, Cayo Coco, Puerto It may open 17 new routes elsewhere but, as Yvonne Dawson
Plata, La Romana, Punta Cana and Duba. Jet2’s Philip Meeson said, “Ryanair is doing web copywriter, First Choice
Your guest editor, Tricia Ferns, also suggested quite a lot of sunshine destinations that we do”.
that the travel trade needs action, not words, So if Ryanair is not really cheaper than Jet2,
from BAA Scotland. We are proud of our record why people should fly with this company?
What do you think?
of delivering new routes. This year, despite the I think most passengers will prefer to pay few
recession, BAA Scotland has delivered more more pounds to get a good inflight experience. The deadline for letters is 10am on Tuesday.
than 40 new services across its three Scottish And with Jet2 now opening new routes from We need your name, job title and company
airports. Today it is possible to fly from Manchester, Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary has to address. These will be withheld on request.
Scotland to more than 130 venues worldwide. face an aggressive competitor in Philip Meeson. Priority is given to letters sent exclusively
That is a result of BAA Scotland’s investment I think Ryanair has found a quality to TTG. Please limit letters to 250 words
in route development worth some £110 million competitor, and even if the battle isn’t fair, it’ll maximum. We reserve the right to edit.
over the past seven years. And next year, we be interesting to see how it all plays out. Email: ttgletters@ttglive.com
will provide more route development support. Has the student surpassed the master? Fax: 020 7921 8033
Blog: Or why not have your say online?
Donald Morrison Bryan Smith Write a blog at yourspace-ttglive.com
head of media, BAA Scotland, Glasgow airport via email
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