p2 Contents Dec4 2/12/09 22:00 Page 2
Never mind Dubai’s
debts – just cash in
news
on the big discounts
SO DUBAI finally appears to be struggling to keep
riding the cash-laden wave on which it has been
surfing for the past decade.
This week, newspapers, websites, television,
Twitter, Facebook – every conceivable channel
of communication – has been prophesying the
emirate’s impending doom.
The complexities of the state’s financial
this week
structures would baffle the sharpest accountant or
lawyer. And to fully understand the relationships
between Dubai and its neighbour Abu Dhabi would
require a knowledge of the politics of the region that
few possess.
But in the meantime, many commentators seize
on the financial crisis to write Dubai off and claim
that they – unlike the rest of the world – saw its
demise coming years ago.
A lot of that is based on prejudice and perhaps
High McFly-ers head to Butlins
envy for what Dubai has achieved in the past 10 Travel House’s Chris Allen (centre) gets an autograph from McFly’s Dougie
years. (left) and Tom after winning a competition in TTG to meet the band at Butlins’
And to travel agents looking to sell customers a Minehead Resort. During their three-night stay Chris and his three friends
holiday this winter, it’s surely irrelevant. also watched former X Factor finalist Lucie Jones perform p7
The emirate has been good for the UK travel
industry; for whatever reason, the British public Commission. Ski.
like it. Kiss pledges to keep 10% p4 French resort discounts p12
And despite the sandstorm of criticism this week, Kiss Flights has claimed it has Some of France’s leading ski
it looks like they are going to have more reasons to already seen a boost in sales since resorts are introducing discounts
like it this winter – as the offers start flowing. Avro and Teleticket cut commission to attract British visitors
Hotels and attractions are already dropping prices
and operators will surely follow suit. Dubai hotels. City & finance.
Customers will be walking into shops or calling up ‘Make the most of crisis’ p5 Tui plans for World Cup p14
looking to go somewhere warm, safe, comfortable Agents have a “golden opportunity” Tui Travel is planning tactical
and keenly priced. to profit from the crisis by selling discounts to stimulate demand
Agents can happily tell them that premium products at discount rates during next summer’s World Cup
despite the headlines, the beaches are
still sandy, the sea is still wet, the Protection. Cruise.
top-notch hotels are still there, the Abta: Have your say p6 Oasis has ‘global appeal’ p20
shopping is still world class, the Abta’s John McEwan is urging Royal Caribbean boss expects half
service is still outstanding and members to take the opportunity the customers for the line’s new
the indoor snow is still cold. And the to reshape consumer protection ship to come from outside the US
clincher – it’s cheaper.
So rather than listening Green travel. Hotels.
to the background noise, Carbon comparison first p9 Adapt or die, boss warns p32
perhaps the best thing for Responsibletravel.com has become Next year will be one of reckoning
an agent to do is take a step the first agency to offer customers for the industry, the boss of the
back and ask the question: a flight search that compares Supranational consortium warns
is Dubai right for my cus- carbon emissions as well as prices
tomers and is it right for me? REGULARS.
Freedom Travel 2009. Cruise p20
Chris Gray
Boss moots sales U-turn p10 Air p24
News Editor
The Co-op Travel’s Mike Greenacre Operators p29
admits he could make a U-turn on Hotels & resorts p32
his promise never to sell Kiss Flights Letters p34
02 04.12.2009
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