p24 Ops Dec18 15/12/09 17:12 Page 24
Operators
Rupert Murray
020 7921 8010
rmurray@ttglive.com
For the latest operators and suppliers news, visit ttglive.com/operators
Less is more for
Simpson brochure
Rupert Murray.
assistance was the cornerstone of his business.
SIMPSON Travel has condensed its entire range “Our staff are very well travelled and I think
into one brochure for 2010. The concept has been people want to be able to pick up the phone
created by owner Graham Simpson, former and speak to a true expert rather than trawl
chairman of Watford FC. hundreds of websites,” he said.
Simpson (pictured) gave up his position at Simpson said he believed good
the club last year to focus on the operator, which independent agents were the perfect
offers holidays in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Majorca partners because of their ability to
and Morocco. offer knowledge and service to the
Explaining the changes to the look and content same levels as his staff.
of the brochure, entitled A Taste of Simpson “Not everyone puts a value on the
Travel, Simpson said: “Aside from the conserva- attention to detail and care taken in
tion benefits of printing just one brochure, putting together a perfect holiday, but
this is designed to give people an idea of the some agents do and those are the ones we are
product and drive them to agents or the new aiming at,” he said. out to get a very personalised experience of a
website for more.” Simpson Travel has employed an extra agency destination,” he said.
Simpson said his focus was on quality, sales team member and is planning some New for 2010 are a collection of exclusive
hand-picked accommodation, and he was very bespoke fam trips next year. private houses and “Simpson Secrets”, a small
selective about what went into the brochure, “We will still do them for groups but I want to number of off-the-beaten-track properties whose
which he wrote himself. put together individual trips for key travel agents names and exact locations will be revealed to
He said providing expert knowledge and with one or maybe two top independents taken customers only after they have booked.
Orient-Express unveils new routes
South America to be
‘Brits’ next hot spot’
ORIENT-EXPRESS has created new journeys for
its 2010 brochure covering destinations such as SOUTH America will become the preferred
France, Laos, Thailand and Burma. long-haul destination for British travellers in the
The popularity of the recently introduced next five years, according to Ecuadorian-owned
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (pictured) Metropolitan Touring.
itinerary to Poland has led to it being repeated The operator believes it is the natural next
within the 2010 schedule. step for travellers who have already been to Asia
The rail trip to Krakow will incorporate for the and Africa. Sales vice-president Paulina Burbano
first time a two-night stopover in Dresden. The said the destination may become more expensive
seven-night trip from Venice to London Victoria, but she was confident of increased footfall.
costing £2,695 per person, departs on July 8. seven-night UK journey starting in Edinburgh. The operator, which runs ground-handling
Also included in the brochure is the Venice New to the Eastern & Oriental Express operations and ship expeditions, wants to boost
Simplon-Orient-Express’s signature route to schedule is a trip to Vientiane in Laos, when the its work with the UK trade.
Istanbul, a five-night journey through Europe. train makes its first crossing over the newly built A London- based team offers agents inhouse
Next year sees the introduction of the Friendship Bridge, which spans the Mekong River training and organises fam trips.
Grand Tour of Great Britain onboard The Royal between Thailand and Laos. The inaugural Higher levels of commission are available
Scotsman. For the first time the train ventures journey departs Bangkok on February 23 and to agents who push the operator’s four featured
out of Scotland to Wales and England, on a costs £1,080 per person in a Pullman cabin. countries: Ecuador, Peru, Argentina and Chile.
24 18.12.2009
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