p20 ops Jan29 26/1/10 15:13 Page 20
Operators
Rupert Murray
020 7921 8010
rmurray@ttglive.com
For the latest operator and supplier news, visit ttglive.com/operators
In brief
TransIndus urges
■ Somak appoints agency sales manager
Somak Holidays has employed a new agency
sales manager. Sarah Whibley will leave her
specialist long-haul agent role at Hyde-Barker change on Burma
Travel at the end of the month.
Chris Gray.
or any other suppliers and we pay the local
Gold Medal is launching its TRANSINDUS managing director Amrit Singh people in cash so we know they get the money.”
Walkabout 2010 promotion has urged more agents to sell Burma after Singh said TransIndus’s Burma programme
offering agents the chance to go a co-founder of the country’s democracy would not become commercially viable even
on a 10-day Australia fam trip. movement said tourists should visit. with more visitors because numbers were so low.
Points will be awarded, from one point for a She said the comments made by U Win Tin last It was run because local people wanted tourists
Qantas flight-only booking up to 10 for a tailor- month meant there was no reason for the trade to come and she wanted more British people to
made itinerary. The top 20 point scorers will to avoid the selling the destination. be aware of the country.
win a place on the trip. To qualify, send your Visiting Burma, which is controlled by a It has also been reported that according to
booking references and Abta number to repressive military junta, has been controversial an unnamed source, Suu Kyi has dropped her
walkabout@goldmedal.co.uk since the leader of the democracy movement, opposition to tourists visiting Burma.
Aung San Suu Kyi, said in the 1990s that tourists But Tourism Concern director Tricia Barnett
W&O Travel is offering capital should not go. said: “When it was reported that Suu Kyi had said
bonds worth £25 on bookings made However, Singh said it was impossible to know tourists could come back, we did not see any
by agents during January and Febru- what Suu Kyi now thought as she has not been genuine source. Our policy against tourists going
ary 2010, and £50 bonds for bookings worth able to communicate with the outside world for to Burma has not changed.”
£20,000 or more. The incentive applies to all the some time, but her co-founder, who was jailed Anna Roberts, director of Burma Campaign
operator’s brands, which include Ski Dream and for 19 years, now wanted people to visit to UK, said: “The democracy movement is still
Tropical Locations. To claim vouchers, email provide a link with the rest of the world. against tourism to Burma even though there
ray.steward@wandotravel.com Win Tin told a journalist in December that may be individuals who disagree with this
tourists should visit as long as long as their policy. We want to ensure pressure is maintained
ttglive.com
For the very latest operators news,
money did not help the government. and to stop revenue going to the regime. Tourists
visit ttglive.com/operators Singh, who was born in Burma, said; “We should stay away from Burma.”
won’t make any money but we just want people
to see the land. ■ Should the travel industry promote Burma?
“We don’t use government hotels or airlines Let us know at ttgletters@ttglive.com
Insight reports 78% rise in sales
SALES figures for escorted tours go ahead.
specialist Insight Vacations so far He added: “This means they can
this year are up 27% on the same book the flight arrangements and
period in 2009. any pre or post-tour plans in com-
The rise in demand has enabled plete confidence, something
the operator to confirm 78% of agents can use as an important
its tours as definite departures. additional selling tool.”
UK sales director Paul Melinis Melinis revealed that sales for
RESEARCH REWARDS: Agent Christina (pictured) said: “Our figures for its sister company Trafalgar Tours
Astill (left) of Bath Travel is presented this year are looking positive and are also on the rise.
with £40 of shopping vouchers by Insight we expect this to improve further. He said: “Sales are up 32% with
Vacations’ Helen Tate after completing a “As a result, the majority of our North America in particular doing
Tipto agent research panel survey. She is tours are now confirmed to depart, so we well. We are also seeing interest from agents in
one of 300 independent agents who have are pleased to be sending a strong message our new family tours.”
registered to take part in regular research to agents and their customers, who can book All definite departures are marked with “DEF”
for Tipto and its members. almost any of our tours knowing that they will at insightvacations.com.
20 29.01.2010
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