NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW 4


On-demand Royal ads to lure new cruise customers


Harry Kemble harry.kemble@travelweekly.co.uk


Royal Caribbean has opted against TV advertising for the second year in a row and ditched radio in a bid to attract new-to-cruise customers.


The cruise line is instead choosing to use video on demand (VOD) and outdoor advertising. In March, Ben Bouldin, Royal’s associate vice-president and managing director for the UK and Ireland, said the line’s decision to drop TV last year was vindicated


by a strong wave period. The latest iteration of Royal Caribbean’s UK campaign, ‘This Is How To Holiday’, will launch on VOD on December 26. The creative shows the different


experiences available to Royal Caribbean passengers on board its ships and in destinations. Stills, video and audio from


Royal Caribbean’s turn-of-year campaign will appear in a new immersive tunnel at St Pancras station for two weeks on January 7. The campaign’s creative will also run on Waterloo station’s digital screens above platforms,


as well as on websites and social media. Royal Caribbean has decided


to drop radio altogether after running its turn-of-year campaign on the platform last year. The cruise line will launch a


TV ad in Ireland on January 7. It said the decision reflected the difference in consumer habits between new-to-cruise audiences there and in the UK. Mario Bounas, UK & Ireland director of marketing, said: “Our


5 STORIES HOT


The UK campaign shows a variety of cruising


experiences


high-energy, fast-paced new creative takes a virtual sledge hammer to busting the myth that ‘cruising isn’t for me’ and shows our audience it’s a much richer experience than people give it credit for. In short, you think you know cruising? Think again. “The campaign will drive our


brand awareness and values at this key time of year, which will undoubtedly have a direct impact on footfall and website traffic for our trade partners.”


5 Black Tip questioned over insolvency


Ben Ireland ben.ireland@travelweekly.co.uk


An agency seeking insolvency advice faces questions about allegations of fraud by customers left out of pocket.


Black Tip Travel, in Tonbridge,


Kent, lost its membership of Advantage Travel Partnership and Abta in September. It continued to trade but this


week removed the booking facility from its website. A statement said it was “going through some


issues”, and blamed booking errors leading to “heavy losses” for its need to seek insolvency advice. Action Fraud has received complaints from a number of customers and passed evidence on to the National Fraud Investigation Bureau, which is assessing whether to investigate. Aggrieved customers said they had paid thousands for long-haul flights to find airlines and operators had no records of them. Some found out on arrival at the airport. Black Tip, founded in June 2017, specialises in business class flights,


6travelweekly.co.uk13 December 2018 Barry Gooch, chairman of


corporate and luxury travel. Dozens of one-star Trustpilot


reviews have been left in recent weeks, before which feedback was largely positive. Black Tip said: “We are currently


getting insolvency advice so we can work through these problems”. It apologised for “inconvenience” and said it had made “successful arrangements for hundreds of satisfied customers.


Prevention of Fraud in Travel, said: “We are aware of the allegations against Black Tip Travel and have been working with all the relevant parties to make sure anything that appears untoward is investigated.” Advantage said it was “not in a position to comment”. Abta said Black Tip customers


who booked before September 21 can contact Advantage, but those who did so since should contact


Black Tip’s suppliers. Travel Weekly has tried to reach Black Tip for further comment.


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