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since Triton split’
In brief
“The new model will provide agents
Martin Ferguson.
ADVANTAGE has claimed it is in a with Advantage’s selling system, back-
“much stronger position” outside of office administration and access to
■ BA cuts fuel surcharges by up to a third the Triton super-consortium, and has commercial deals,” said McEwan.
British Airways has cut its fuel surcharge by up to revealed plans to improve the benefits “But they will not carry the
a third on long-haul services. World Traveller and of membership in 2009. Advantage name for the first 12
World Traveller Plus surcharges will fall £30 per Chief executive John McEwan, who months of their tenure.”
sector to £66 and £85 respectively for flights over pulled Advantage out of Triton in McEwan: “Critical” Colin O’Neill, Advantage’s sales and
nine hours. First and Club World surcharges will August, was speaking this week at a marketing director, revealed the group
drop £35 per sector to £98 for flights over nine briefing for members and business partners. had sought “external expertise” to negotiate
hours. Surcharges on domestic and European McEwan said he agreed with Triton chairman improved deals with cruise lines.
flights will drop £4 to £12 per sector, while the Steven Freudmann that the super-consortium’s He said the deals, to be revealed in the new
Club Europe levy will drop £5 to £15 per sector. future hinged on whether Worldchoice parent year, would give Advantage a “competitive edge”.
TTA accepted an offer to join (TTG December 12). “Our members stand to benefit greatly from
■ BAA faces ruling on forced sale of airports “It is critical to Triton’s future. It is almost en- better deals, offers and group allocations,” he
BAA could be forced to sell Gatwick, Stansted and tirely dependent on a deal going through,” he said. said. “Our offering has grown rapidly over the
Edinburgh airports, if a provisional decision by Advantage members were told an alternative last three years and our aim is to consolidate it
the Competition Commission is confirmed. The franchise membership category would be rolled with the best products.”
commission, which said it could yet insist that out in January. It will target agents who want the Members also now have access to a group Atol
Glasgow airport also be sold, remained open to benefits of consortium membership but without and to a new air fare consolidation website
views before producing a final report next year. affiliation with Abta. (advantagefares.com).
■ Gullivers offers West Indies cricket packages
The West Indies Cricket Board has appointed ALPHA ANNIVERSARY:
Gullivers Sports Travel as an official operator for Alpharooms.com has
the England cricket tour to the West Indies in celebrated a decade in
February and March 2009. A 12-night package to business with a revamped
watch the third Test, in Barbados, costs from website and sales up 87%
£2,140. Other islands host the other Tests. over the last 12 months to
£64.7 million. From far left:
■ Hays renews tie-up with Rock Insurance Jamie Shuker, marketing
Hays Travel and Rock Insurance have renewed director; Jason Fry,
their travel insurance partnership for another managing director; and
two years, following an initial deal signed in Gareth Hockey, online
January 2008. Alongside standard travel marketing manager
insurance policies, Hays will now offer Rock’s
new Supplier Failure Cover.
■ Cimtig extends deadline for awards entries
Thailand unveils ‘recovery’ plan
The deadline for the Travel Marketing Awards has
been extended to December 24, 2008. The adver- THAILAND is to launch a “recovery programme” The event, held in London on Monday, was
tising, marketing and PR awards event, organised to boost travel to the country following the attended by suppliers and operators.
by the travel division of the Chartered Institute of damaging protests that shut Bangkok’s two main Tourism Authority of Thailand director Tanes
Marketing, will be held at the Sheraton Park Lane airports for over a week, writes Paul Revel. Petsuwan announced the launch of a worldwide
Hotel in London on March 16, 2009. They will fea- The news was announced as the Thai recovery programme. It will include support with
ture 35 awards, including new accolades such as ambassador to London hosted a “recovery” “tactical marketing campaigns, agent training
best use of social media, best PR campaign and lunch for the travel trade on Monday, the day and agent fam trips”.
best sustainable tourism marketing campaign. Thailand’s new prime minister was announced. He added that the crisis had been the worst he
thetravelmarketingawards.com The ambassador, Kitti Wasinondh, apologised had seen in 25 years with the TAT.
to everyone affected by the nine-day closure of The Thai ambassador said hopes were pinned
ttglive.com
For the latest news, reviews and comment Bangkok’s airports and thanked the trade for on the new Oxford-educated, Newcastle-born
from the travel industry, visit ttglive.com
its support. Thai prime minister, 44-year-old Abhisit Vejjajiva.
19.12.2008 09
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