NEWS ROUND-UP IN THE PICTURE: Avis winners
Songstresses Paula Bottle and Donna Nelson have been crowned winners of Avis’s Car Pool Car-aoke competition. The pair, who work at James Villas, won the most votes for their performance of Tony Christie’s Is This The Way to Amarillo. Avis held a competition encouraging agents and operators to film themselves singing along to a hit song in their car. Paula said: “We had great fun making the video and everybody got involved.” The pair won concert tickets to see Justin Bieber and Rod Stewart. Lynette Dungey, Avis’s international commercial manager for global travel and partnerships, said: “It’s been a great campaign for the leisure sales team and shows the commitment the team have to the trade.”
avistraining.com
Amathus chief Bell opens boutique agency in Essex
Juliet Dennis
juliet.dennis@
travelweekly.co.uk
Amathus Holidays managing director Janette Bell has opened her own high street agency.
Bell, who continues to run
Greece and Cyprus operator Amathus, officially opened The Travel Boutique in Billericay,
Essex, last month, with client and The X Factor finalist Lauren Platt cutting the red tape. Bell said: “I have always wanted
my own high street agency. I was raised by my nan who was an agent and I grew up in that environment.” The agency is a tailor-made specialist, offering holidays worldwide with a particular expertise in Greece and Cyprus. Bell has fitted the shop out with
a large Chesterfield sofa, antique- style mirrors, an oak cabinet to display brochures, while offers are displayed on art easels. Amathus is run from the same office. Bell added: “I didn’t want it to
look like any other travel agency. It’s got a lounge feel and is very
GRAND OPENING: Janette Bell (second left) and Lauren Platt (third left) with other staff members at the new shop in Billericay
“I didn’t want it to look like any other travel agency. It’s got a lounge feel and is very much a boutique”
much a boutique. You walk in and get a cup of tea or a glass of wine. It’s an experience; we don’t just hand you a brochure.” Bell used to run a homeworking business, Luxury in the Med, and as a youngster spent a good deal of time in the agency, National
10
travelweekly.co.uk 9 June 2016
Holidays in Newcastle, where her grandmother worked. Bell pursued her ambition to open a high street agency, part of Midcounties Travel Co-op, after moving back to the UK from Cyprus last year. This followed Vertical Group taking on the Amathus Holidays brand following the collapse of Preston Travel Group. Bell is confident the agency,
which soft-launched in January, will break even in its first year. She said: “We are on target and I am happy with the footfall. It’s a great feeling [to have your own agency].”
Join the Aito 40km trek to celebrate 40th anniversary
Get your walking boots on – the Association of Independent Tour Operators (Aito) is planning a 40km charity trek to mark its 40th anniversary. All Aito tour operator and travel
agent members are being invited to take part in the ‘40 for 40’ event on October 1 at Beachy Head, Eastbourne. For those who want to take part
in less strenuous versions, there will be a 20km walk, which joins the trek halfway round, a 10km walk and an option to go by car, which will involve a treasure hunt. The event is being run by Aito member Discover Adventure. It costs £60 per person or car to
take part to cover local transport to Beachy Head, marshals and a packed lunch. Chairman Derek Moore said:
“This is the main event being held to mark 40 years of Aito. We wanted something that lots of people could take part in and members can raise money for a charity of their choice or an Aito charity.” Aito member and overland
tours specialist Dragoman will provide a truck and entertainment at a local campsite, where many of the walkers are expected to stay.
COMMENT: “Pushing the boundaries of your agency is so important to make sure it evolves and grows” Sharon Fleming, page 26
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 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
