NEWS — DIGEST
“I look at Google Analytics some evenings, but divorce would be pending if this were a daily occurrence” Miles Morgan, page 38
GAZETTEERS.COM POLL RESULT
HAS RYANAIR’S TRADE STRATEGY MADE YOU MORE WILLING TO SELL ITS FLIGHTS? 26% Yes 74% No
Norwegian buys Regent and Oceania for $3bn and vows to retain the brands
Norwegian Cruise Line Holidays has agreed to acquire Prestige Cruises International, the parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, for $3 billion. The deal will see Norwegian offer distinct brands for premium and luxury guests. Norwegian will finance the deal with existing cash, new and existing debt facilities and the issuance of about 20.3 million shares of common stock. Norwegian Cruise Line chief executive Kevin Sheehan said: “We
are fully committed to retaining the brand propositions, guest experiences and cultures of the Norwegian, Oceania and Regent brands that have allowed each to realise such success.” Frank Del Rio, who will remain chief executive of Prestige, said:
“We are excited to become part of the Norwegian family and start a new chapter for our company.”
Ryanair launches Business Plus tickets
Ryanair has introduced Business Plus tickets offering fast-track airport security at selected airports, priority boarding and a 20kg checked-in bag allowance. The new fare, which starts at £59.99 one-way, also includes “premium” seats, which the airline says will be the first five rows of an aircraft for quick boarding, or on exit rows with extra legroom, and the flexibility to change flights at no extra cost. There is no curtain divide between cabins and food is not included. Ryanair chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs said 25% of its customers are business travellers.
The Travel Convention unveils final two speakers Sunday Telegraph political columnist Matthew d’Ancona, and Nishma Robb, head of marketing for large customers at Google, complete the line-up of speakers for The Travel Convention. D’Ancona will talk about next May’s general election, while Robb will share Google’s vision for the next five years, suggesting key areas for travel to focus on. The Travel Convention is in Ljubljana on September 21-23.
Travel Counsellors officially receives Queen’s Award Travel Counsellors held a special event for the official presentation of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. More than 200 staff and management gathered at the head office in Bolton, where the agency’s chairman and founder David Speakman was presented with the award. The accolade for international trade was in recognition of the company successfully setting up in seven overseas markets.
Vote for your favourite hotels in Hot Hotels 2014
Travel Weekly is inviting agents to vote for their favourite properties for this year’s Hot Hotels supplement. We’ve compiled lists of 20
hotels in 10 categories drawn from travel agent suggestions. Those lists are now available
for agents to vote for their favourites before we reveal the properties that have made the top 10 in each category. We’ve teamed up with
Expedia’s Travel Agent Affiliate Partnership, which is offering £750 worth of hotel vouchers for one agent winner who completes the survey. Travel Weekly will also give 20 agents who complete the survey £10 worth of Love2shop vouchers. Both prizes will be drawn at random after the survey closes on September 16. Hot Hotels 2014 will be published in October, sponsored by Visit Malta. Alex Incorvaja, director of the Malta Tourism Authority, said: “Because of the fantastic work they do matching clients’ desires to what must seem like a bewildering choice, UK agents are the experts.”
HM Lord Lieutenant of Greater
Manchester Mr Warren J Smith presents Travel Counsellors’ David Speakman
(second right), Maureen Speakman and Steve Byrne with the award
4 September 2014 —
travelweekly.co.uk • 9
❯ Vote now: travelweekly.
co.uk/hothotels2014.html
WIN £750
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