NEWS ROUND-UP


NEW PTD: “Some agents will have the same responsibilities as traditional package holiday organisers” Simon Bunce, page 95


Atlantic Holidays targets indies following overhaul


Lucy Huxley lucy.huxley@travelweekly.co.uk


Portugal and Madeira specialist Atlantic Holidays has been revamped by a new management team that is seeking significant growth through independent agents.


The company, which is part of


Pestana Group, Portugal’s largest leisure and tourism business, has relocated from Gloucester to Kingston upon Thames, developed a trade website and refreshed its logo. Managing director Chris Busuttil, who joined Atlantic 16 months ago following spells as head of purchasing at Hotels4U and lastminute.com, has recruited eight staff and has brought in John Riley, ex-Hotels4U and First Choice, as a consultant to drive the expansion. The operator, which is not


producing brochures, is offering fully commissionable, Atol- protected packages, as well as net- rate, room-only product that agents can package up with flights. Busuttil said: “Since Magic


of Portugal, there’s not been a specialist to Portugal and Madeira, until now. We offer mainly four


Azamara Club Cruises launches app for Apple devices


Azamara Club Cruises has launched its first mobile app. The Azamara 3di app


features a series of 360-degree videos depicting the onboard experience and the line’s tours of the Panama Canal, zip-lining through a rainforest in Costa Rica and a carriage ride through Cartagena in Colombia.


AZAMARA: 360-degree videos President and chief executive


Larry Pimentel said: “We didn’t want to launch an app just to


10 travelweekly.co.uk 3 September 2015 CHRIS BUSUTTIL: Relocated Atlantic to Kingston after joining last May 91


Hotels owned by Atlantic Holidays’ parent firm, Pestana


and five-star accommodation from hotels on the beach to luxury farmhouses, and we promise quality and security for agents.” Busuttil said Atlantic offered


agents product that they could not find elsewhere, such as luxury pousadas (historical monuments) and quintas (domestic homes). Much of the programme


comprises Pestana-owned hotels, although other properties feature. Tui is the biggest seller of UK


holidays to Pestana hotels, so the re-emergence of Atlantic will give independents a chance to sell into the group’s properties. Pestana owns 91 hotels around


the world, and plans to expand from 10,000 rooms to 17,000 over the next few years. Busuttil said Cape Verde and


Brazil would be added for 2016. Martin Morgan, owner of The


Travel House, said: “I am sure the trade will get behind Atlantic Holidays as a specialist to Portugal and Madeira. I plan to try one of its pousadas when next in Portugal.”


have an app. When perfecting our first app, providing this sensory journey was not negotiable.”


The launch follows Azamara


unveiling virtual tours of its ships using Facebook’s Oculus Rift 3D gaming technology, which will be used to train agents. The app is available for


Apple devices. Android and other users can get the same experience by accessing the azamara3di.com website.


Last chance to sponsor Travel Weekly’s Parish


Travel Weekly managing director Stuart Parish is appealing for final donations to raise funds for former travel agent Mia Austin, who has locked-in syndrome. Parish, who is competing in the Man vs Mountain 20-mile race across Snowdon this weekend, has so far raised £3,435 for the 26-year-old, who suffered a stroke in 2010. Abta LifeLine has pledged £3,000. Donate at: justgiving.com/BigStuTW


NEWS IN BRIEF


Spanish airports face four strike days this month


A series of strikes has been called by Spanish airport workers on four days this month at Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Malaga and Majorca airports. Walkouts are planned in the peak morning and evening periods on September 4, 11, 18 and 25.


Greenwich gets green light for cruise terminal by 2017


Plans for a new London cruise terminal at Greenwich have been given the go-ahead by mayor Boris Johnson. The London City Cruise Port at Enderby Wharf will be capable of handling 55 ships a year when it opens in 2017.


Joanna Cook swaps Thailand for California


Joanna Cook, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s leisure marketing and PR manager for the UK and Ireland, will leave her role this month to become account director at Visit California. Trade marketing manager Chris Lee will look after PR and consumer and trade marketing.


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