“We received email after email about the Atol changes, but they


became clearer after we had chatted about them face-to-face” HAYS TRAVEL’S CLARE CRAGGS ON MEETING THE CAA AT TTG ON TOUR, P31


RANTS & RAVES


I just wanted to say a big thank you to the trade. Agents often get a bad press but I cannot praise those that work closely with Prestige


Holidays enough. We still get over


90% of our business through them and this is why I recently took to the road to visit our top agents, to thank them for their support and to discuss future opportunities. Their opinion really counts. It was on the recommendation of agents that I added Canada and Croatia. These are our rising stars and we have already seen a 60% increase in bookings to Croatia this year and Canada is 47% up on last year.


John Dixon, Prestige Holidays


I wonder what will differentiate it from TripAdvisor? (Sunshine.co.uk founder quits for review site, TTG May 17). Chris Brown says TripAdvisor is all about hotels. True, but also flights, restaurants and tourist attractions. Why will travellers use your new website instead of the market leader? William Read


The site I am now working on is far from new (Sunshine.co.uk founder quits for review site, TTGMay 17). It was established in 2000 and outdates TripAdvisor. Millions of consumers already use Holiday Truths every year. Why would people use Holiday Truths over another? People always want an alternative. Given the endless bad press TripAdvisor is attracting, I believe it is suffering irreparable damage to its brand image. There is now an element of distrust among consumers when using their site. I have always believed no “idea” has ever been “done”. You just need to do it better than the last guy. Chris Brown, Holiday Truths


MANAGEMENT Chris Kilbee managing director 020 7955 3785


EVENTS Matthew Papworth event coordinator 020 7921 8186 Matthew.papworth@ubm.com


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OPINION


Tailor your services to this summer’s chaos


WITNESSING THE start of the Jubilee celebrations and the arrival of the Olympic flame to British shores, we’re reminded that in the UK, we do pageantry well; when the big occasion arrives we put on a very good show.


Hot on the heels of last year’s royal wedding, these special events showcase Brand Britain to the world, in its very best light. We’re already starting to see some benefit with London enjoying The Lonely Planet’s accolade as “the” place to visit in 2012. While there has been much criticism of the VisitBritain’s “stay at home” campaign, it’s fair to say that we all agree both UK and overseas holidays deliver real benefit to hard working British families. Once again, this summer may test


the nerves of the industry as a later booking market is highly probable. Whether you’re selling holidays within the UK or overseas, there is a real risk that sporting, social and economic events both at home and abroad may force holidaymakers to defer their 2012 summer holiday. We’re all used to having to work hard for every booking, but we’ll need to pull out the smallest of benefits to ensure families decide to travel this summer.


HOW TO CONTACT US Address TTG, Third Floor, Ludgate House, 245 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 9UY Email Initial followed by surname@ttgdigital.com eg bsneath@ttgdigital.com (except for those listed) Talk ttgeditors@ttgdigital.com Website www.ttgdigital.com Fax Editorial 020 7921 8034 Fax Advertising 020 7921 8034 Printed by Polestar Colchester Ltd. ISSN 0262-4397 © UBM BE Media 2012


appear to be wobbling and speculation about whether the euro has a future is a core topic for TV and newspaper pundits. Again, while we can’t directly influence these events, we can highlight any benefits where they appear. The pound versus the euro is now the strongest it has been since the start of the financial crisis back in November 2008. Cash conscious families looking for value for money will now enjoy more in-resort spending power. The sheer volume of variables may


Allan Lambert, chairman of Tipto


We can’t change this summer’s


events but knowing that families are going to want to be part of them means we can tailor our offering to include them. Operators and hoteliers striking gold are those who are quick to emphasise that wherever you choose to holiday this summer you won’t miss out on a minute’s action. Another factor which may impact decision making is the stability of the European economy which continues to dominate the headlines. Holiday hotspots such as Greece and Spain


make for an interesting summer, however I’m optimistic about the future. Our own economy might have temporarily relapsed into recession, but I’m hopeful the spectacle of this summer’s events will be energising for all, and will further enhance our national pride. This, coupled with a unique opportunity to show off Great Britain to the rest of the world in its entire splendor, will aid our recovery and spring board our economy out of hard times. With a stronger economy and enhanced consumer confidence, families feel braver about releasing the purse strings and enjoying the benefits of all their hard work. That can only be good news for the travel industry.


TTG Uk & Ireland is part of a global network of travel trade media which includes TTG Asia, TTG Czech Republic, TTG Hungary, TTG Italia, TTG Mena, TTG Nordic, TTG Poland and TTG Russia


Unsolicited material cannot be returned. While we take every care of photos and manuscripts submitted to TTG (UK), we cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage. The contents of TTG (UK) are subject to reproduction in information storage and retrieval systems. Refunds on cancelled subscriptions will be made at the publisher’s discretion, unless specifically guaranteed in the terms of the subscription offer. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, or recorded in information storage or retrieval systems without the prior written consent of the publisher.


24.05.2012


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