p24 Ops Sept11 8/9/09 14:44 Page 24
Operators
Rupert Murray
020 7921 8010
rmurray@ttglive.com
For the latest operator and supplier news, visit ttglive.com/operators
Seize moment,
Libya sales to gain
says Club Med
CLUB MED is urging agents to use the from visa changes
Met Office’s inaccurate predictions as a
sales tool for next summer.
Martin Ferguson.
because the authorities had changed the visa
The company estimates more than COX & KINGS is predicting that relaxation of visa requirements. Travellers were having to go to
60% of travellers stayed in the regulations for Libya will lead to an increase in the Libyan embassy in London to deliver their
UK this summer, and it believes bookings, despite anger over the release of passport in person, among a number of other
the poor weather has led these the man convicted for involvement in the things.”
people to regret their decision. Lockerbie bombing. However, Stacey said the process had been
Its summer 2010 preview Protesters in the US have demanded an reviewed and travellers could now pick up
brochure has been released with a embargo on leisure travel to the north African their visa on arrival in Tripoli, though it must be
three-stage early booking bonus to help agents country, after Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi’s pre-approved by the Libyan authorities.
encourage bookings while customers are still release from prison in Scotland. “Our group tours to Libya perform well in
feeling disappointed about their UK break. The Libyan was sentenced to life imprison- general, with people being drawn to the ruins at
Stage one of the booking bonus lasts until ment in 2001 for his part in the 1988 bombing of Leptis Magna and Sabratha,” said Stacey.
January 9 next year and offers savings of up to Pan Am flight 103 from Heathrow to New York Families of the US victims of the Lockerbie
£750 for a family of four. JFK, which killed 259 people. tragedy have condemned al-Megrahi’s release,
Head of sales Steve O’Loughlin said: “Though it Mark Stacey, Middle East product manager for and a campaign website calling for a boycott of
seems far ahead, agents need to get in the door luxury operator Cox & Kings, said he was confi- Scotland has been set up.
early to offer the best prices for summer 2010. dent the controversy would not hit sales, and he Tour operator Exodus also told TTG it did not
“The early booking bonus gives agents choice was optimistic bookings would increase in light expect any cancellations.
that they rarely find elsewhere – the best rooms, of recent changes to the visa application process. A spokeswoman said: “We have groups who
the best destinations. “The recent coverage of Libya hasn’t really have already booked to travel to Libya, but there
“It is now, following a wet August, that clients affected our tours,” he said. has been no indication they want to change their
are seeking their next sunshine escape. “Libya had seen a recent fall in bookings travel plans.”
“Agents have always been key to the success
of Club Med and we constantly strive to offer
agents benefits.”
September sees
last-minute surge
LAST-MINUTE searches for summer breaks in
some destinations increased by up to 400%
on last year during the last week of August,
according to Hotels.com.
The Croatian beach destination of Split saw the
most dramatic increase, up 400% year-on-year.
Marrakech in Morocco and Albufeira in
Portugal were up 350% and Nice, Venice and
Bodrum were up 80%.
Communications director Alison Couper said:
“The surge in last-minute searches shows
travellers are keen to snap up the many great
deals to be had. There are some real bargains on
September breaks for those who want to get
away for some late summer sun.” The ruins at Sabratha, a Unesco World Heritage Site, are a popular tourist attraction
24 11.09.2009
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