p11 News Feb12 10/2/10 14:52 Page 11
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Cottages4you
Round steps up
doubles sales
TRADE brands cottages4you and villas4you have
Verde masterplan
visited 2,500 agents since December.
The merchandising team has been on the road
Rupert Murray.
There are currently direct
to raise awareness of the UK and European self SAMBALA Resort tourism direc- flights only from Gatwick, Man-
catering portfolios. tor Mandy Round (pictured) is chester and Birmingham, and
It claimed its door to door method has worked in talks with airlines, operators, many visitors have to fly via Por-
as trade bookings are up by more than 100% for agents and airports about tugal. Round is confident more
some destinations. improving links between the UK direct flights will be in place by
Bookings for the UK and France are up on and Cape Verde. next summer.
2009, with the most popular destinations sold by The archipelago has long “This job appealed because
agents being Vendee, up 142% and Cheshire been touted as having the there is a long-term plan but
which is up 119%. potential to be as important a with lots of shorter-term proj-
Head of partnerships Sally Henry said: “We are destination to the British mar- ects on the way,” said Round.
delighted with the results from our enhanced ket as the Canary Islands and “Much of my work in recent
programme of agent visits. Round is convinced it is ready to years has been about starting
“Our merchandising team of four has travelled realise its potential. things up and getting them mov-
across the UK ensuring agents are fully briefed “A few years ago everyone got quite excited ing. But I want to spend longer this time, and
on the 2010 portfolio and have access to the web about Cape Verde, but the infrastructure wasn’t with Sambala’s 25-year masterplan, with various
portal, enabling them to search the 15,000 prop- there,” she said. stages including golf courses and five-star hotels,
erties available and to complete bookings online. “That is changing. The government is investing there will be plenty to keep me occupied.”
“Sales to date highlight the dedication our in the infrastructure to ensure it fits the standards One of the tasks on Round’s list is to set up a
trade partners have to our brands.” expected by tourists, and is willing to work closely UK-based company to sell package holidays to
The teams have also been distributing mer- with companies such as Sambala to secure a the resort.
chandising material, special offer sheets and key bright future for Cape Verde. “We will work with operators and agents to
fact sheets about the portfolios, including details “It is back on the radar for operators, who ensure a route to market and occupancy,” she
of the agent discount scheme. believe it is the next big destination.” added.
For more on becoming a trade partner, call The resort is opening in stages, and 382 apart- Round regards agents as key to the success of
Sally Henry on 01282 443993. ments and 68 townhouses at Sambala Village, Sambala and Cape Verde.
overlooking the beach at Sao Francisco Bay, open “With new destinations and products, agents
this summer. are even more important,” she said.
“The government realises that a five-star “They are experienced at helping to push them
resort such as Sambala will play a big role into the public eye.”
in helping it to achieve its objectives,” Round To help agents better understand the product,
said. Round said there would be roadshows and fams.
“The government has ambitious growth plans “But we won’t be rushing this, as there is no
in terms of tourist numbers (0.5 million by 2013), need to panic,” she added.
so being able to host them in quality accommo- “We want to grow organically and ease the
dation will be key, alongside infrastructure and numbers up at a controlled pace.”
cleanliness.”
Airlift is an important part of turning Cape ■ What do you need to help you sell Cape
Kate Miller (left) of Travel House in Chepstow with Sarah Hillier, cottages4you Verde into the success, Round believes. Verde? Let us know:
ttgletters@ttglive.com
Kooks and Zane Lowe
summer. Five international bands will play at the
venue this summer.
set to rock Magaluf
Mallorca Rocks has an 85m pool, three bars, a
restaurant and fashion store. There is also a
sports complex featuring a five-a-side foot-
THE KOOKS and Zane Lowe are to star ball pitch and tennis courts.
at the Mallorca Rocks Hotel opening Introductory deals start at £77 a person
party on June 6. for seven nights’ self-catering, including
The 328-room Magaluf hotel will fol- ticket for The Kooks concert, for bookings
low in the footsteps of the Ibiza Rocks made before February 28. The price is based
hotel by hosting top bands throughout the on four people sharing and excludes flights. The Kooks will play at Mallorca Rocks’ opening party
12.02.2010 11
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