p9 news Dec11 9/12/09 15:32 Page 9
ttglive.com
news
Prestige grows
Sandals to drop
bookings team
PRESTIGE Holidays Jamaica property
has expanded its
reservations team at
its Hampshire office.
Melanie Mingas.
The independent SANDALS is dropping the Dunn’s River Villaggio
luxury operator has Golf Resort & Spa complex (pictured) in Ocho
recruited Antony Rios, Jamaica, from its luxury portfolio.
Down from The Sandals has operated the resort for 15 years,
Co-operative Travel leasing the land from the Sagicor group, but
and Sergio Alves from Bath Travel. Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has decided
The company has also appointed Denise Hunn not to renew the lease beyond May 31, 2010.
and Jill Tibble to handle enquiries and bookings Sandals said the resort no longer fitted its
on its recently launched Canada and Alaska luxury product range, but there has been specu-
programmes. Both previously worked for lation it is quitting the resort because the owners
operator All Canada. wanted to drastically increase lease charges.
Hunn, who was responsible for establishing In a statement, SRI said: “It is felt that
the Canadian programme, will head up the Canada the marketplace for the product has changed
team out of the business’s Lowestoft office. significantly and as a result it no longer fits in the Sandals would not comment on the details of
John Dixon, the company’s chairman and Sandals luxury product range. the decision to drop the resort. However, discus-
managing director, said summer 2010 business “Reluctantly the decision was made to hand sions on some consumer travel forums suggested
was 47% ahead of this time last year and he back the property, and the requisite notice was that Sagicor had “significantly increased” the
wanted a new team in place before the peak given to the owners. By agreement, Sandals will lease price. One suggested it wanted to charge
booking period next January. continue operations there until July 30, 2010. $50 million for 10 years.
“Every effort will be made to accommodate The complex, built in 1959, is set on 20 acres
displaced team members within the chain on Jamaica’s north coast and was a popular
Survey highlights
whether in Jamaica or across the Caribbean.” Sandals destination.
SRI has assured customers they will honour Sagicor took over the land in 1999, refurbish-
how time is lost
existing bookings until July 30. Tourists visiting ing and modernising the property.
after this date will be accommodated in other No operator has yet been named to take over
Sandals-operated resorts on the island. the lease.
TRAVEL agents waste up to a quarter of their
working day through inefficiency, according to a
study by travel technology firm Amadeus.
It found that nearly half of all leisure and
Arena Travel targets trade sales
business agents questioned said that 25% of
their time was spent doing tasks that they felt THE NEW owner of a specialist operator based in founded in 1972 and as is known for its niche
could be automated, with time spent processing Suffolk has declared his intention to boost sales holiday programmes such as gardening and
bookings proving a particular concern. through the trade in 2010. antiques tours, quilting holidays, and trips to
Leisure and business travel agents spent up Ali Naqvi, who has held senior marketing roles Memphis for Elvis Presley fans.
to 80% of their time processing bookings, at Cosmos Holidays, First Choice, Stella Travel “We are actively seeking partners for whom
leaving little time to focus on customer service, and Page & Moy, bought Arena Travel in October we can provide a service, be that enabling
according to the survey. from David Wade, who had run the business for their clients to join our existing tours, or using
Nearly 30% of those questioned agreed that almost four decades. our expertise to put together programmes and
they spent too much time searching for the Naqvi said: “Tradition- packages for customers with particular interest
best available fares and rates. Some 65% of ally, Arena has sold areas,” said Naqvi.
respondents said they would offer improved its holidays through “If an agent wants a specialist holiday tailored
customer service if they had more time. partnerships with media to its customers’ specific needs, Arena can
Elaine Seeto, Amadeus’s UK marketing direc- groups and specialist provide it – no matter how strange the request.”
tor, said: “Agents may not be using the services magazines. Former owner Wade has remained part of the
and software on offer to their full advantage. “But now we want to business in a sales and consultancy role.
“By using technology to gain instant access grow the business by The company plans to introduce an expanded
to information, time spent trouble-shooting working with independ- programme next year, including long stays with
is reduced, leaving agents free to focus on ent agents as well.” targeted activities for the mature market,
customer service.” The company was book-based tours and gastronomic trips.
11.12.2009 09
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