News 24.05.12 OVERSEAS INTEREST


Far East firms close in on UK stock market


DELOITTE IS conducting IPO readiness reports for a number of Asian-based travel companies that want to list in London. “It is mainly the Far East wanting


the London market,” Graham Pickett, global head of aviation and tourism at Deloitte, told TTG. “Sadly we are seeing the enquires coming from abroad, rather than from UK-based companies,” he said. Pickett said that these Asian companies were attracted by the level of regulation in the UK, which was “not excessive” like New York, and that they saw good prospects ahead for when Europe is once again “out of the doldrums”.


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Reigning in sales for the Jubilee weekend?


TTG news team


AGENTS ACROSS the UK are hoping to capitalise on the Diamond Jubilee, with hopes that the bumper weekend will provide a welcome boost to sales. Barrhead Travel has confirmed it


will remain open throughout both bank holidays on June 4 and 5 to make the most of the long weekend, while Thomas Cook Co-operative Travel said it would open 400 stores on each of the bank holidays. Meanwhile, Tui said all of its shops would be operating Sunday trading hours on both bank holidays. Nathan Bowen, who works at The


Co-operative Travel in Port Talbot, said the shop would open on the Tuesday, and would feature bunting, which he is planning to tie in with adverts for P&O Cruises’ 175th anniversary celebrations on July 3. “We already have bunting in the window for the countdown to the Olympics, but we will make sure the shop is decorated too, with lots of


Leisure director at Advantage


Julia Lo Bue-Said said while a number of Advantage members would be closed, those on busy high streets would make the most of the potential increased footfall, while call centres will be open but will close early.


Meanwhile, there are hopes the long weekend will encourage people to book last minute breaks away. Paul Evans, chief executive of


The Co-operative Travel store in Port Talbot


Union Jacks. We’re not sure how much footfall to expect on the Tuesday – sometimes bank holidays can be really busy and sometimes quiet, but we’re hopeful,” he said. Meanwhile, Southern Cross Travel


in Wadhurst is to close for the bank holidays, but staff will attend a number of Jubilee parties in local villages to talk about the agency, and “spread the word and boost business”.


Lowcostholiday Group, said: “June bookings are good, July is good. Clearly people are going away.” John McEwan, chief executive of


Advantage, also said he believed people would take advantage of the extra bank holiday in June and go on a short holiday.


JOINING IN? Let us know what you are doing for the Jubilee! Send your pictures of your shops and parties to feedback@ttgdigital.com


TRAILBLAZING: The Olympic Torch began its 8,000 mile UK tour on Saturday, as several agents began gearing up for its arrival in their home towns. Garstang Travel will see the flame pass the shop on June 22. Director Nicole Eaves said: “The flame is coming down the high street right past the shop. I’m hoping the streets will be thronging and we can invite clients to come in for drinks. I’m going to get the girls in nice wigs – the sillier the better,” she added. Meanwhile, Phil Hindle, assistant manager at Cathedral City Travel in Wells, said he had closed the shop for an hour on Tuesday to allow staff to see the torch when it passed through the town. Southern Cross Travel is also preparing for the torch, which will pass its Rye shop on July 18.


04 24.05.2012


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