NEWS ROUND-UP IN THE PICTURE: Better result
Two young entrepreneurs were recognised for their passion and drive at this year’s British Travel & Hospitality Hall of Fame. Sam Bruce and Alex Narracott, who set up active holidays specialist Much Better Adventures in 2012, were named winners of the Young Entrepreneur Award. The company offers outdoor experiences with
independent guides and businesses across the world. Three travel industry figures were also inducted into the
Hall of Fame: Wendy Wu, founder of Wendy Wu Tours; Ben Reid, group chief executive of Midcounties Co-operative; and MSC Cruises executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago. The event, organised by Travel Weekly Group in
partnership with sister brand The Caterer, took place at The Dorchester hotel in London last week. Pictured, from left, are Clive Jacobs, Jacobs Media
Group; Bruce and Narracott, Much Better Adventures; and Oliver Brendon, Do Something Different.
French Life ‘queen’ Julia Slater loses cancer battle
Juliet Dennis
juliet.dennis@
travelweekly.co.uk
Tributes have been paid to Julia Slater, the “queen” of former tour operator French Life, who has died after a long battle with cancer.
Julia, former UK sales manager
for French Life, is remembered by ex-colleagues, agents, operators and friends in the industry for her infectious laugh, northern humour and fun-loving personality. In a career spanning more than
40 years, Julia worked for companies including Condor Ferries, Airtours, Imperial Travel and Pickfords Travel. She worked for Cendant, which bought French Life parent company International Life Leisure Group, from 1994 to 2006. From 2010 to 2012, Julia worked
as senior sales manager for Rail Europe, now
Voyages-sncf.com. Many tributes came from former
French Life colleagues, who recalled her “work hard, play hard”
“She was instrumental in propelling French Life to be the premier brand for France”
virtually the whole retail trade.” Kirsty Laifa, now head of UK sales
JULIA SLATER: A ‘work hard, play hard’ boss popular with agents
mantra and popularity with agents. David Stamp, former camping
director at Cendant Vacation Rental Group, said: “Julia was a true lady who loved glam clothes and fab cars. She had a unique style and strong character. “She was instrumental in
propelling French Life to be the premier brand for France through her France training programme, which was undertaken by
10
travelweekly.co.uk 18 May 2017
for
Aferry.co.uk, who read a tribute at Julia’s funeral last Friday, said: “Julia was one of the industry’s good people: funny, scatty, kind, yet top of her game. She was the original female boss, a fabulous motivator and devoted to her family.” Former French Life contracts manager Jan Ashton, now at Jet2holidays, said: “Working with Julia was a joy. Her popularity with agents made a huge contribution in the success of the company.” Others paid tribute on Julia’s
Facebook page. Paul Riches, sales director at Bedswithease, said: “I will always remember that smile
and infectious laugh.” › Talk Back, page 21
Travel Network Group to launch Cruise Club Concierge operator
The Travel Network Group is launching a cruise tour operator to support members to sell financially protected holidays. The Worldchoice and Travel
Trust Association parent will unveil The Cruise Club Concierge to the group’s 254 cruise club members in June. The company will offer fly- cruise-and-stay products, hosted cruises and other exclusive products, and offer a 24-hour phone service for agents. Brochures will be produced
for members and national advertising will start in June.
Tui reports 8% upturn
in half-year revenue Tui reported an 8% rise in group turnover to €6.69 billion for the six months to the end of March, up from €6.18 billion last year. Losses were down year
on year at €308.6 million, compared with a €394.6 million loss last year, and chief executive Fritz Joussen said the group remained on target to increase earnings by 10% this year.
PICTURE: STEVE DUNLOP
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