p12 dec19 17/12/08 20:56 Page 12
news
ttglive.com
Bonuglia back as
In brief
■ Sunvil to run major rebranding campaign
Sunvil will unveil a revamped brand image in
boss of Sardatur
January to coincide with its latest ad campaign.
The rebrand aims to unify branding across
Sunvil’s portfolio and emphasise the operator’s
new strapline “Find the Real Country”. Destinations
will be divided among three portfolios: Sunvil
Kay McLellan.
of his former Magic and Aspire colleagues and to Holidays, Sunvil Discovery and Sunvil Traveller.
FORMER Aspire Holidays and Magic Travel Group launch an Italy programme next year. The campaign will feature on Travel Channel, Classic
boss Gianni Bonuglia is relishing a return to He aims to make Sardatur the top independent FM, and in national magazines and newspapers.
his independent Italian roots, having joined Italian operator within five years, growing five-
Sardinian specialist Sardatur. fold from its current 5,000 passengers a year. ■ Advantage signs up Chase Travel
Speaking for the first time since the demise of “It will be highly Italian, independent, Chase Travel has become a preferred supplier
Aspire as part of the collapse of its parent XL passionate and authentic,” said Bonuglia. of Advantage Travel Centres. Chase, the Irish
Leisure Group in September, Bonuglia said he “This is a fantastic company that has been accommodation-only and technology provider,
was delighted to be back in business. consistently profitable since it began 21 years will now have access to more than 800 agent
He has joined Sardatur as managing ago. I’m not here to create a plastic, members, including those of the Elite network.
director and said it was the perfect faceless business; it will have heart It has also signed up to use Advantage’s central
opportunity to return to running a and soul.” payments system.
smaller business and recreating the Sardatur is due to launch its Italian
essence of Magic of Italy, the operator collection for the summer in February, ■ Crystal Cruises drops 2009 fuel surcharge
ditched by Thomson in 2006. using scheduled flights. Crystal Cruises has dropped its fuel surcharge
Brought in by long-time friend It currently operates dedicated for 2009 cruises to reflect the fall in oil prices.
Felice Soru, Sardatur’s chairman and charter flights to Sardinia from The change applies to all cruises departing after
founder, Bonuglia plans to enlist some Bonuglia: “Authentic” Heathrow and Manchester. January 1, 2009. Bookings under deposit will be
adjusted by Crystal over the next two weeks to
remove the surcharge, while customers who
CHARI-TREE: have paid in full will receive an onboard ship
The Association credit. New bookings for 2009 will not incur the
of Women Travel fuel surcharge.
Executives’ annual
Christmas lunch ■ Bmibaby pre-Christmas sale boosts bookings
raised £10,000 Bmibaby claimed bookings had risen 50% since
for Macmillan it cut all its prices by up to 40% for one week to
Cancer Support. boost pre-Christmas sales. It cut prices on all
Pictured are NCL’s routes from this month until October 2009 in a
Julie Newman sale starting on December 9. The airline said
(left) and Jo visits to its website had increased by 150% and
Bolton (right) bookings were up 50%. Bmibaby managing
with Vertical director Crawford Rix said the airline was
Group’s Amanda following the example of high street retailers.
Taylor
■ Direct Holiday Bookings signs big operators
Direct Holiday Bookings, the online home rental
website, has signed deals with Hoseasons and
Bedbank launches trade ski division
Thomson to feature their properties on its site.
Launched in May 2008 with 10,000 properties,
BEDBANK.COM, the accommodation specialist, Bedbank is recruiting staff with specialist ski Direct Holiday Bookings lists holiday homes
has launched a dedicated trade ski website, knowledge to support the website. from agents and private owners for free. It said
bedbankski.com, in response to demand from The growth in sales has also led to the it was now approaching its target of 150,000
agents for ski products. appointment of a new business development properties and claimed visits to its site had
The site features accommodation in France, manager, Sarah Hollands, who joins from trebled each month since its launch. The deals
Switzerland, Spain, Andorra, Austria, the US and Bluebookonline, which collapsed in October. with Hoseasons and Thomson will add a further
Canada. Peter Healey, chief executive of Bedbank, said: 50,000 holiday homes.
It offers flexible durations for weekend skiing, “Despite the challenging climate, Bedbank is in a
plus pre-bookable transfers, ski and boot hire, strong position and these enhancements to our
ttglive.com
For the latest news, reviews and comment
lessons, and lift passes. product portfolio will ensure continued growth.” from the travel industry, visit ttglive.com
12 19.12.2008
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