Travel Weekly Blog

Looks like things are opening up for Cubans (at a price). According to Fox News, new president Raul Castro's governemnt is allowing them to use hotels previously reserved for tourists. That adds to other new freedoms including being able to use a mobile phone and buy a DVD.

The downside: according to Fox, Cubans, like fellow guests, will be charged in hard currency worth 24 times the Cuban pesos which state employees are paid in.

Martin Couzins, online editor

How ridiculous that Flybe was on the verge of hiring actors to fill seats in order to avoid a £280,000 penalty because it had not filled 15,000 seats in a year on its Norwich to Dublin service. It was only 172 seats short - maybe a bit of compromise on both sides may have been sensible?

Martin Couzins, online editor

Five days in and Heathrow Terminal 5 is still struggling - today's cancellation tally is 27 domestic and short haul flights. Long haul seems to be okay.

Last week I wrote that we shouldn't make long-term assumptions about Terminal 5 based on its shambolic opening, and while I stand by that, there is still plenty to say about how poor BA's preparation, customer service and crisis management have been over the past few days.

My brother made an outsider's diagnosis: BA had shown 'no concern for the infantry'. Our own stablemate Xpert HR said that Terminal 5 'will crop up in every change management training programme for years to come', and aviation union Unite is now urging both BA and BAA to 'listen to Terminal 5 workers'.

That is more or less what you would expect a union to say, of course, and to talk about the fortunes of BA's workers while holidaymakers are stranded is a difficult course to steer.

But the two are inextricably linked. Poor orientation and training of staff means a poor experience for passengers. If Terminal 5 workers can't find the car park, the terminal will open understaffed. If Terminal 5 workers haven't been properly trained, the baggage system will go into meltdown.

Machines and systems are one thing; as The Times wrote on Saturday, the logistical problems at Terminal 5 are 'dismaying, but fixable'. If anything should worry us in the long term, it's BA's apparent failure to get the 'people stuff' right.

Nathan Midgley, web producer

Interesting piece in The Guardian on Krasnaya in Russia which is set to become a major ski resort thanks to the fact that the 2014 Winter Olympics are being hosted at the resort of Sochi (40Km away). Krasnaya will host some of the events.

Here's a list of current, discontinued and demonstration Winter Olympic sports. Whatever happened to the ski ballet?

Martin Couzins, online editor

As disruption at BA's newly-opened Heathrow Terminal 5 continues, all-business class airline Silverjet has released this subtle piece of email marketing:

Kicking a guy while he's down? That's just mean. I like the trend for quick-turnaround topical advertising though - see also Classic Collections' Fabio Capello thingy.

And of course it isn't the first time Silverjet has referenced British Airways in its advertising...

Nathan Midgley, web producer

Here's CNN reporting on the environmental campgainers who descended on the new terminal in a 'flashmob'.

Nice bit of agitprop (even if flashmobs are sooo 2006, daahling) but I think it was the least of BA/BAA's worries...

Nathan Midgley, web producer

We've covered the sensational side of Heathrow Terminal 5's chequered opening: flights cancelled, bags left in the terminal, and BA and BAA playing pass-the-buck as the media pack scents blood.

Crowing over cock-ups is the British way. But as the dust settles we need to brush ourselves off and at least act mature about it.

This is a PR disaster, but it comes after an operational move of great size and complexity (look at the figures we posted earlier this week) and one which had to be carried out in a few hours overnight.

Yes, the fact that things aren't working on the first day is ugly, disappointing, and - most importantly - miserable for those who are supposed to be flying off on holiday.

But it is fundamentally not all that shocking, and it certainly isn't evidence of 'terminal decline', as a Financial Times headline facetiously put it.

On the Today programme the team juxtaposed the promises made by British Airways with the reality on the ground yesterday. Fair enough; falling flat at launch is one of the hazards of building 'buzz'.

Launches are fleeting, though, and Terminal 5 will be around long after these few days of disruption have died down. There is no reason to assume it cannot deliver on all BA and BAA's promises when it is past what the airline has called 'teething troubles'.

So enjoy the media circus while it lasts, but let's wait for 'business as usual' before we pass judgement.

Nathan Midgley, web producer

Here are some left-field cruise ship stats. When fully stocked, the Emerald Princess, which carries 3,110 passengers and 1,200 crew, holds:

18,000 rolls of toilet paper

23,000 bed sheets

59,300 wooden coat hangers

3,900 muffins

150 yards of link breakfast sausages

910lb of ice cream

960lb of bananas

852lb of shellfish

1,431lb of game/poultry

The opening of Heathrow Terminal 5 been a PR disaster, with flights delayed and cancelled and baggage handling all over the place. Here's a look at how the mainstream media tackled it.

"Terminal disgrace" - Daily Mail

"Terminal 5 shambles brings holiday chaos" - The Times

"'Making history? It is memorable, but for all the wrong reasons'" - The Times

"Heathrow's big day is terminal embarrassment" - The Independent

"Passengers fume in the chaos of Terminal 5's first day" - The Guardian

"Terminal 5 opens in chaos as baggage system collapses" - The Telegraph

"Day one at T5 and terminal decline sets in" - Financial Times

Zam! Kapow! and so forth. There's a more reasonable approach we could take, of course - I'll follow up later (update: I'm as good as my word...).

Nathan Midgley, web producer

Consumer watchdog Which? was quick to issue a statement on the Heathrow T5 problems.

The thrust of the statement was about knowing your rights as a passenger when flights are delayed or cancelled. So, useful stuff for those passengers stuck in T5 without a flight.

Not heard of the European Union Denied Boarding Regulation? Well, check out the Which? guide to your flight rights.

Martin Couzins, online editor

So, Ryanair's fuel costs are about to soar as their hedged fuel price of $68 a barrel comes to an end next week. With oil current trading around the $100 a barrel mark, the low cost airline is going to get hit hard on fuel costs.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary is already taking action by cutting executive bonuses and has said he will have to cut costs elsewhere as the airline does not charge fuel surcharges.

Could this mean the end for some of of the carrier's less profitable routes?

Martin Couzins, nline editor

At 11pm tonight British Airways begins the three-mile move to Heathrow Terminal 5.

TW Blog has received some key statistics, so here's a quick look at what will be on the convoy:

• 27 shorthaul aircraft
• 360 baggage trailers
• 95 baggage tugs
• 106 baggage elevators and conveyors
• 240 cargo containers
• 122 cars and vans
• 16 ground power units
• 22 sets of aircraft steps
• 10 toilet servicing units

On top of that, a not-inconsiderable 2,500 customer service and baggage staff will be starting work at the new terminal tomorrow morning.

The move itself will require 250 staff (including 150 specially-trained volunteers) and leave Heathrow's south runway closed for five hours.

There's no room for error here: with Heathrow just shy of full capacity, BA can't just take a day out and do the move at leisure.

And once the move begins, Terminal 5 needs to be up and running quickly. Its first arrival hits at 4.50am tomorrow (March 27), and its first departure is scheduled for 6.20am.

Let's hope it all goes according to plan. The alternatives aren't pretty...

Nathan Midgley, web producer

It's all about travel agents' specialist knowledge these days, so we thought we'd share this nugget with you:

On Easter Island, pulling the ancient statues to bits can result in a jail sentence.

What... you knew?

Someone should have told Finnish tourist Marko Kulju, who faces prison after apparently yanking an earlobe off one of the stones.

Personally I think Easter Island residents should be invited to Finland to pull bits off various things that are dear to Mr Kulju, but I guess the threat of imprisonment will have to do.

Nathan Midgley, web producer

Regular contributor Brian Hordon (Silversea Cruises UK) looks at the Tories' proposed review of domestic tourism marketing...

I tend not to get involved in the political side of travel and tourism, because I invariably do not understand the thinking behind politicians' proposals.

But I am about to change, to the benefit of all political parties involved. I am prepared to share my wisdom achieved over 50 consecutive years in tourism.

The March 21 issue of Travel Weekly recently reported, under the headline 'Maketing needs change', that "the Tories could hold a review of the UK tourism market structure if the party wins the next election".

Some of the quotes in the article jump so high off the page that they could be worth a flutter in the Grand National. For starters, the Shadow Minister for tourism believes funds are "spread too thinly across a number of agencies" (no reference to the miserly funds that are currently available).

Between them, the two parties talked about "concerns about regional agencies"; "concern that we are losing out to competitors and need to look at the domestic market"; a "need to close the current UK tourism deficit"; "a challenge for the tourism industry to see how it can increase domestic tourism".

We cannot blame the politicians. We should blame their researchers, who are simply reviving the same old comments politicians always make when they have to enter the tourism arena.

My advice is to revisit previous reviews, and look at what was actioned, what worked, what did not work, and why.

Then present a new proposal on tourism marketing. But this time, do it alongside some of the many very talented people working in the domestic tourism industry.

Brian Hordon, director of training and development, Silverseas Cruises UK

Strange but true. An Australian entrepreneur is building a replica of Stonehenge, according to Yahoo News.

Ross Smith hopes to open the attraction in time for 21 December summer solstice in the southern hemisphere.

It will be built on his property in the Margaret River region of western Australia.

And yes. Visitors will be able to play on the stones.

Martin Couzins, online editor

This was a real pre-flight safety demo that was 'performed' on a Capetown to Johannesburg flight. Something of the Abigail out of Abigail's Party about this.

But did the attendant keep their job?

Martin Couzins, online editor

I redeemed a friend's Eurostar vouchers against a group booking this weekend (four days in Ghent, since you ask) and two things about the process baffle me:

1. Eurostar sells 'paper' vouchers for phone and sales centre bookings, and 'online' vouchers for web bookings, effectively limiting the recipient to particular channels.



2. When you use 'paper' vouchers over the phone, you have to post them to Eurostar after booking. Remember how much posting things used to suck? Turns out it still does.

Vouchers shouldn't dictate how I book or require me to post them anywhere. If they do, a wad of cash marked 'spend this at X' begins to look like a kinder gift. And if that happens, Eurostar has gone from a guaranteed booking to one that's merely quite likely.

One voucher for all sales channels, please, and redeemable by a unique code. Comme John Lewis.

All that said, I'm still a big Eurostar fan: the full fare was less than £100 per person return, the lady who made my reservation was a pleasure to deal with, and for northern France and Belgium it blows flying out of the water.

Nathan Midgley, web producer

The Guardian's Vicky Baker is travelling around south America using people she meets in social networking sites as her guide. What I found interesting was that this week she managed to hook up with someone through A Small World, which is a networking site for the rich.

That was some feat to get in there - unless Vicky is loaded.

And there are other similar sites too, such as Yacht6. It would seem that the long tail of travel, Travolution's ongoing project, is a wealthy one. Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just signed up to A Small World as a commercial partner.

Stewardess comedy act Pam Ann is on tour so thought I'd take the opportunity to link to one of her routines.

So, is she a good or bad thing for cabin crew?

Here are some commnents from flight attendants posted on the video . . .

As a former stew and a pilot today, even in the eastern part of Europe, it is sooooo true! And like the best comedies, it's all on the basis of all our (let's call) interesting attitude among passengers...

I'm a flight attendant too...and alwayas sooo busy ;-) but I don't make some sign to the galley...I normally scream to my colleagues in the galley.

As a career flight attendant, I find this absolutely hilarious! Even when I travel on other airlines it still holds true. Perhaps it's industry specific and doesn't translate to the general public? I can't believe that. She's a total gas! What a scream! Love it.

Martin Couzins, online editor

Not wanting to miss out on the buzz surrounding the announcement of this year's Apprentice hopefuls, TW Blog is happy to see a former travel industry employee has made the programme.

According to the Unreality TV blog, Claire Young laims to be the only convent-educated girl to have survived three summers in Magaluf for Club 18-30.

Her motto - JDI - means “just do it”. Let's hope she does :-)

Catch up BBC - its Apprentice site has yet to list the new candidates.

Martin Couzins, online editor

The Tracking Tourism Blog has a provocative post about tourism after 'peak oil' (i.e. when global resources are no longer sufficient to meet demand).

The party could soon be over and Peak Oil could start to radically upset our current notions of travel and tourism. As costs rise, the world will become smaller again - although there will nevertheless still be opportunities.

It's not a comfortable thought. We would, as TT points out, be forced to travel more locally. Where might this leave agents?

There is certainly potential for earning commission in the domestic market, but if overall choice dwindles and the product itself becomes more familiar, what will the role of the trade be?

You might see a difference in kind, where agents focus on organisation and perform a concierge-type function. Or you might see a difference in scale, where the role remains the same but the shrinking market can sustain fewer jobs.

Or both?

Answers on a postcard in the comments section please...

Nathan Midgley, web producer

Heathrow Terminal 5 will feature state of the art British Airways 'Galleries' designed by Davies and Baron...

The six lounges - called 'Galleries' - will seat 3,000 people in total and will cover an area equivalent to three times the size of Old Trafford.

The lounges will feature spas, steam/shower spa pods, private cinema, wine 'galleries', champagne bar, and hand and feet re-energisers to name but a few features.

They will also include, and I quote:

"Specially commissioned dynamic lighting and an extensive chandelier collection sourced from the finest in the craft grace [sic] all the lounge ceilings."

And what about those horse sculptures with lampshades on their heads?

Martin Couzins, online editor

Singapore Airlines' A380 superjumbo landed at Heathrow about two hours ago, completing the first European commercial flight for Airbus's behemoth.

Photos are starting to come in from the PR agency - I'm updating an A380 at Heathrow gallery on the website.

What we really want, though, is a look at one of the certificates the passengers received for being on the 'historic' (bit strong?) flight...

Nathan Midgley, web producer

TW Blog hopes readers had an enjoyable St Patrick's day. But unless you're based in Chicago you'll have missed one of the most iconic celebrations: on Saturday the city dyed its river green, as it has every St Patrick's Day since 1962.

Here's a time-lapse video from Youtube (WARNING: contains 'fancy' editing). How much would you like to be piloting one of those boats?

Jaunted has some speculation on the composition of the green dye, which is presumably harmless to people and wildlife.

Nathan Midgley, web producer

It just gets worse for the US dollar. According to a report on the BBC it slid to its lowest value yet against the euro this morning.

Great news for travellers from Europe, eh? Well... kind of.

As the dollar continues to weaken, investors are placing their money in commodities, contributing to the sharp rise in oil prices. Sweet crude oil climbed to a new high approaching $112 a barrel.

The market giveth, and the market taketh away.

Nathan Midgley, web producer

Having posted on funnel-shaped hotels in Dubai and Russian islands shaped like, er, Russia, TW Blog feels compelled to share this spectacular Fosters and Partners project in Abu Dhabi. Via Trendhunter...

Green Luxury Building at Al Raha Beach - Abu Dhabi World Trade Center (GALLERY)

Not to be confused with Dubai, Abu Dhabi is on a building binge of its own. This is the World Trade Center to be built on Al Raha Beach, the spectacular spit of land for the waterfront east.

Everything that can be housed in a city building will be in this spectacular piece of architecture by Fost… [More]

Nathan Midgley, web producer

Darren Phillips, of Darren Phillips Travel, South Shields, celebrates victory in the higher and lower quiz at Travel Weekly's dynamic packaging roadshow in Newcastle. What a celebration - could this set the standard in agent celebrations when winning a prize? Many thanks to all the agents who made it along and a big thanks to our sponsors.

See also: travel agents get spiritual and travel agents talk dynamic packaging.

Martin Couzins, online editor

Update: we have some official photos from the Heathrow Terminal 5 opening over on the website.

This virtual tour of Heathrow Terminal 5 is a good few months old, but it's a decent substitute if, like TW Blog, you'd rather be attending today's opening than sitting at your desk.

This morning a BBC reporter asked Willie Walsh whether it's fair that BA is being 'gifted' the terminal.

He said yes, of course, pointing out that it brings most of BA's Heathrow operations under one roof, a situation other airlines already enjoy.

Still... look at Terminal 5. Then look at the other terminals. Does it still look completely fair?

Predictably, Virgin Atlantic is among those who don't think so. Here's director Paul Charles speaking to the BBC:

It may be a wonderful new piece of infrastructure and architecture, but it doesn't do anything for most of the airlines that operate at Heathrow. This is a gift for BA.

Nathan Midgley, web producer