09.02.12 News WINTER BOOST
Agency sees busiest January in 28 years
A PRESTON-BASED travel agent has defied the economic downturn to experience its busiest-ever January. Garstang Travel, which celebrated
its 28th birthday last week, saw its gross turnover for the month increase by 30%, while bookings rose by 8%. Director Nicole Eaves said sales had been made up of a mixture of bespoke tailor-made, coach touring, cruise and luxury bookings, as well as a few Thomson bookings. “We feel extremely motivated,” she said. “We were expecting the worse after a low-key winter and the predicted doom and gloom that had been flooding the media. “But we’ve had a lot of repeat business from regulars due to good customer retention. It’s proof that people want to buy from people – it gives them confidence and the ‘feel good factor’,” Eaves added. Despite fears that the Concordia
tragedy would deter holidaymakers from wanting to cruise, the agency said its cruise business had performed particularly well, with January’s cruise turnover up by 58% and bookings up by 30%, compared with January 2011.
Time Travel
revenue” To increase its Come to Britain promotion, the British Travel and Holidays Association campaigned for more investment from organisations which benefited from tourism to the UK. They were told how much they earned from tourism and asked to contribute more.
50
February 09, 1962 “BTHA opens major campaign for more
Cunard boss: Costa tragedy brought ‘new sense of crisis’
THE COSTA Concordia tragedy has brought a “new sense of crisis” to the cruise industry, the chairman of the Passenger Shipping Association warned industry delegates last week, writes Cruise International editor Adam Coulter.
industry. It’s more important we work collaboratively.” Despite the recent events, Shanks reassured delegates that the
Speaking at the PSA Members conference in London on Friday, Peter Shanks, president and managing director of Cunard, said all parts of the cruise sector, including ocean, river and ferry, needed to work together to restore public confidence in the industry. He also predicted that 2012 would
be particularly challenging due to the tough economic outlook. “There are two areas which provide a backdrop to today,” he said. “The first is the economy – it’s quite clear this will be a challenging year. Then, of course, the tragic events of the Costa Concordia – that’s brought a new sense of crisis. “We are already working closely
together on how we can restore confidence in what is a very safe
Shanks: collaboration is now needed to restore confidence
CONCORDIA UPDATE
outlook for the sector was still “remarkably positive”. But he said the one-day event, which saw almost 150 cruise lines, ports and tour operators come together, should also look towards the future. “How do we get the best out of 2012 and also have an eye on the future?” he asked. Carnival chief executive David Dingle also spoke at the conference, looking at the key concerns facing the sector up to 2015, such as the planned increase in ship fuel costs. He predicted more sea days, fewer
port visits, slower sailing speeds and more emphasis on onboard entertainment. Dingle also spoke about the impact that Emission Control Areas (ECAS) would have on ship itineraries and ticket prices. ECAs, which will cover the east coast of Britain, the Channel, the Baltic, the Arctic, Alaska and Antarctica will be introduced in 2015. Dingle added that the creation of these ECAs could lead to a potential shift from Baltic to Mediterranean ports.
The TTG archives: 50, 25 & 5 years ago
first choice” A new readership survey confirmed that TTGwas read by more travel agents every week than any other travel trade publication. Agents voted it the most reliable, interesting and useful publication in their day-to-day work.
25 …celebrating 20 years in the travel industry 09.02.2012 07
February 05, 1987 “Independent survey confirms TTG as agents’
The Co-operative Travel Trading Group launched a tour operating division to combat dwindling margins. Chief operating officer Mike Greenacre said increased competition had forced CTTG to “take more control”.
5
February 09, 2007 “Co-op is new kid on operations block”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56