p2 contents Mar5 3/3/10 19:51 Page 2
New editor, new
awards and a new
news
perspective forTTG
Hello! As the new editor of TTG, I’m hugely excited to
have been given the opportunity to steer a new
course for what we believe to be the oldest weekly
travel trade publication in the world.
From talking with the members of the trade I’ve
met so far, it’s become apparent that many of the
challenges facing travel now are the same as those
facing other UK sectors – such as how to grapple
this week
with rising costs, and how to reach out to your
customers in the face of so much competition.
These are highly fluid times for travel, of course,
just as they are for the media. With a fresh perspec-
tive on our business, I aim to ensure that TTG is
delivering what you want from your leading trade title.
I am now looking forward to getting out and about
and meeting as many of you as possible. (I would say,
“Don’t be shy,” but from what I’ve been hearing of
the travel industry, there’s little chance of that!)
They think it’s all over…
If you have any thoughts on TTG, or the travel The FIFA World Cup in South Africa is nearly here, but operators are already
industry at large, that you’d like to share, contact me putting together packages for next year’s Rugby World Cup. It takes place in
at
dpearce@ttglive.com or 020 7921 8008. And New Zealand next autumn, and 30% of all overseas fans are expected to be
catch up on my observations of the travel trade on from the UK and Ireland, totalling more than 25,000.
Twitter at
twitter.com/danielpearce
Interview. Air.
TTG TRAVEL AWARDS Counsellors goes direct p6 Ryanair Greece debut p20
It’s my good fortune in my first issue to be launching Confident of growth this year, Ryanair has made its first foray
the industry’s premier awards scheme for 2010: the Travel Counsellors chairman David into Greece, launching three
TTG Travel Awards. Speakman explains why he is routes from mainland Europe, but
I’ve been involved in a number of awards schemes cutting out the middleman and indicated that flights from the UK
across the hospitality and retail sectors, and I can how the recession has been good are unlikely
truly say the TTG Travel Awards are among the best. for business
Any awards programme is only as good as the Revamp.
judging process, and it is here that the TTG Travel India. Tui’s Superstore success p22
Awards really stand out from others in the sector, Commonwealth hopes p7 Business has been booming during
with its unique combination of agent voting and India is expecting the Common- the first few weeks of trading at
external judging panels. wealth Games in New Delhi to the revamped First Choice Holiday
This year the TTG team has also attract an extra 100,000 visitors Superstore in Coventry
worked hard to simplify the entry to the country later this year
process. There is nothing to lose in Profile.
putting in an entry for one or more New strategy. Harlequin hits Caribbean p26
of our awards. Taking a step back Travel 2 agent focus p9 David Ames, chairman of Harlequin
from the day-to-day and bringing Travel 2 managing director Andy Hotels & Resorts, talks about his
a fresh eye to your business is bound Freeth says the business has come upcoming mega-resort, Buccament
to bring benefits, wherever you finish through upheaval and now plans Bay, which will open in St Vincent
in the race. to focus on the trade again in July this year
Find out more in this issue
on pages 28-29, or visit Preview. REGULARS.
ttgtravelawards.com Agents visit Magnifica p18 Comment p14
More than 2,000 travel agents, Cruise p16
Daniel Pearce
including 900 Thomas Cook staff, Air p20
Editor
descended on Southampton last Operators p22
weekend to get a taste of MSC Hotels & resorts p26
Cruises’ newest ship, MSC Magnifica Letters p30
02 05.03.2010
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