in association with


‘Time to segment silver sector’


Ben Ireland ben.ireland@travelweekly.co.uk


Travel companies that have recognised the opportunities offered by older travellers need to start segmenting the sector to maximise earning potential.


That is the view of Debbie Marshall, managing director of reviews website Silver Travel Advisor, who will be taking part in a panel discussion on customers of the future at the Travel Convention. Marshall, who led a workshop on


the sector at last year’s convention, said a one-size-fits-all approach meant travel companies may still miss out on opportunities presented by an ageing population. At one end of the scale are


high-revenue older travellers who remain active; at the other are those who are looking for


Viceroy Group opens bookings for Dubai hotel


The host of this year’s Travel Convention is now taking bookings for its first property in Dubai. Viceroy Hotel Group is due to open its second hotel in the United Arab Emirates in 2017, and believes the Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai will be a strong draw for the UK market. The beachfront property at the base of the Palm Jumeirah will offer 477 rooms and suites, in addition to 222 Viceroy Residences. Other facilities include a beach club and a 100-metre-long swimming pool. Bookings are now being taken for


stays after June 1, 2017, as Viceroy continues its worldwide expansion. Other properties announced recently include Viceroy Buenos Aires, expected to open in 2019, and a


Chicago hotel due to open in 2017. viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/ en/dubai


Black Watch


more-accessible holiday options. “At the moment we are seeing a lot of people in their late 50s and early 60s who are enjoying more-adventurous trips – we call them silver gap years,” she said. “But looking forward, the key thing the travel industry has to gear up for is accessible travel.


“You can already see the change.


Rambling groups are offering ‘ambling’ and in New Zealand you can go ‘heli-biking’, where you are dropped off at the starting point of a downhill ride. Some travel firms may see it as a curse that they need to adapt, but it’s a blessing in terms of opening up opportunities.”


Fred Olsen to revamp cabins, public areas and restaurants on Black Watch


Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Black Watch will undergo a multimillion-


pound refurbishment when it enters dry dock next month. More than 420 cabins will be


revamped and a new speciality dining option called The Club, offering an á la carte menu, added. The ship’s main 340-guest


restaurant, The Glentanar, will also undergo extensive refurbishment, including new furniture, carpet and curtains. The Braemar Garden Cafe will be


converted into a new restaurant, while the bars will be refreshed and new public areas created. Fred Olsen said similar


refurbishments are also planned


for the rest of the fleet including Balmoral, Braemar and Boudicca, in the coming years. Work on Black Watch is expected


to start on November 20 after it enters dry dock in Hamburg and it is due to return for a seven- night German & Danish Christmas Markets cruise on December 15.


Trafalgar reveals new ‘Love...Travel’ marketing initiative


Trafalgar will unveil a new marketing message at the Travel Convention. Drawing on messages and


feedback from guests, the escorted tours specialist will wrap the words ‘love’ and ‘travel’ around inspirational phrases in adverts and on brochures. Phrases include ‘Love the


power of nature travel’, for its USA National Parks itineraries, and ‘Love the characters you meet when you travel’, in tribute to its local experts. Pictures posted by guests on social media will also be used in marketing materials. The marketing initiative


comes ahead of the launch of Trafalgar’s new Europe brochure, which agents will receive shortly after the convention. Trafalgar chief executive


Gavin Tollman said: “We believe it’s so important to keep our guests at the core of our brand, and by reverting to the very language they use when describing us, we can keep our promise in delivering something more than a trip; it’s about unforgettable moments.”


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