Travel Weekly Blog

...production, enews, meetings...

I'm not sure that Olympic successes will boost domestic tourism gains in 2012. Are you?

...more production, meetings, lunch, meetings...

Let's be realistic: it probably won't affect anyone's holiday plans in four years' time.

...invititation to a conference, more meetings...

I bet the BBC are looking forward to big viewing figures though.

...meeting about the conference I'm now attending...

Oh. Six o'clock already?

So the dust has settled on Travel Rants vs the ABTA Travel Convention, which saw the popular consumer blog arguing that the event should be held in the UK.

Both Kevin at Travolution and I argued from the opposite position. What did I take from it all?

What I stand by

If you happily fly, and don't intend to stop, I fail to see what you gain from ABTA 'setting the example' of not flying.

Nor do I accept that flying to a travel event is morally worse than flying for leisure. Both do damage, neither is strictly speaking necessary; the fact that one is more fun is irrelevant.

We could push this point further: holidays account for a vast number of flights per year, while travel events account for a number so small it is almost negligible.

The important point is that both holidays and travel events suffer if confined solely to the UK.

What I think it comes down to

Based on the above, we are in this rather familiar position: we all derive benefits from flying, and don't want to give it up. But we accept that it does damage.

Where do we go from there?

We must talk about mitigating the effects of flying, and not demand the travel industry leads the way to a stay-at-home world none of us wants to live in.

In one of my comments I said, "leading by example means demonstrating that sustainable travel is possible." I think this points towards some common ground.

What I concede

Replying to a comment on this blog, I went further:

If the argument was whether these events could look for more innovative ways to mitigate their effects on the environment, I wouldn't have a problem with that.

It's the job of the industry to demonstrate that travel can be force for good, and you don't make that point by staying at home. However, I do think you could argue that the industry isn't making that point well enough.

And a pat on the back

My final reflection, and the nicest: I liked the way the debate on Travel Rants was conducted.

I always do - Darren's a good host - but this was a particularly hard-fought debate, and its politeness in the face of strong disagreements does Darren and his readership great credit.

There's a lively debate on Travel Rants about ABTA's Travel Convention taking place overseas (it is common for ABTA, ITT and AITO to hold conferences abroad).

I've pointed out that all registrations include a carbon offset premium, and Kevin at Travolution has commented that,

In my opinion, conferences are often hosted overseas to 1) get the delegate numbers 2) introduce travel companies to new products/regions 3) provide a positive environment for business to get done.

In addition to that, decamping to the UK for environmental reasons would be read as a tacit admission that flying is wrong.

Travel bodies won't want to be seen to think that - not least because they don't think it.

Some other issues that have come up:

• Leisure vs business travel: is flying for pleasure fine, but flying for business wrong?
• Leading by example: should industry events stay at home, or work to demonstrate that sustainable travel is possible?

Take a look, and/or let us know what you think below.

TW features reporter Janine Kelso was at the USA ball last night . . .

Travel Weekly was a guest at last night's annual USA ball, a glittering event held at The Dorchester on Park Lane.

A thank you speech was made before dinner by Peter Moss, director of sales Europe and Asia for Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.

TW was reliably informed that Peter Moss, an important travel industry figure, was none other than supermodel Kate Moss' dad.

Other highlights of the night included a jazz band, a team of American football players and a girlband who belted out classics such as Chaka Khan's Ain't Nobody to get everyone shaking their booty.

Fort Lauderdale's charismatic Alfredo Gonzalez said he reckoned he was the only visitor from the States at last year's bash. But he definitely wasn't the only yank this year with several Americans making it across the pond for the event, including Jesse Davis from Las Vegas, who brought a touch of neon with him in the form of flashing Vegas badges for everyone to wear.

No, we are not talking the Brits Brits, we are talking the travel industry Brit awards 2008. Organised by Visit Britain these awards are a chance for leading UK operators to honour their top selling shops.

They took place at Butlins Bognor Regis last night and they were great fun. The big surprise of the night was the appearance of X-Factor runner-up Ben Mills.

He wowed the agents with his singing - he really was impressive. He then offered himself up for photo opportunities, which kept him very busy.

Pictured we have Clair Hancer of Visit Britain (aka the queen of domestic travel and tourism. Why? Because she sounds posh - and that's according to her) giving Ben a smacker on the cheek.

More from the night to follow.

Martin Couzins, managing editor

The last of the ITT Conference business sessions finished about three hours ago (around 2pm UK time), and I've just got the last of our videos online.

Interviews include Stella Travel Services boss Keith Stanley, lastminute.com chief exec Ian McCaig, and - bit of a curveball, this - Elaine Iljon Foreman, a clinical psychologist who specialises in fear of flying.

Fear of airports might be more like it. We've been told that low-cost carriers lord it over operators in terms of route development and have airports in their pockets (John Grant).

We've also heard concerns about the quality of the airport experience (Andrew Cornish, and echoed in a quote about the joys of rail travel from Eurostar commercial director Nick Mercer).

At breakfast this morning TW was discussing quite what the trade is able to do here. Can it put pressure on operators and airports? Should the 'getting there' experience be as fundamental to the sale as the 'being there' experience?

The soaring price of oil will not help matters - it was mentioned in several sessions, but was never an overriding focal point.

In some ways this was odd, because when delegates switched on BBC World or Sky News in their rooms, disruptive fuel protests in Spain and now Portugal loomed very large indeed (the protest in Portugal caused delays at Lisbon after the airport ran out of fuel).

So we're coming away with plenty to think about, which is of course the point.

From a blogger's point of view, the event was fantastic. When you're covering a session live you want big, colourful quotes and ideas, and we got that in spades.

John Prescott and Ian McCaig were excellent value, and Sir Ken Robinson delivered a final session that was as funny as it was stimulating. (The links go to our live posts on each speaker).

Enjoy the coverage - normal service will resume here from Friday.

Nathan Midgley, web producer

Apologies for the lack of activity here. I'm attending the Institute of Travel and Tourism Conference with a few other TW people. We're at InterContinental Aphrodite Hills, just outside Paphos in western Cyprus.

That's Travolution editor Kevin May and Travel Weekly news editor Michelle Perrett interviewing Gill Craig and Karen Gee outside the Association of Women Travel Executives reception, while other delegates mill around in the background wondering why they can't come to the party (it's because you're guys).

This morning Kevin and I were sat at the back of the hall, co-writing a live ITT 2008 blog during the sessions. We heard about 'route development' (i.e. establishing new holiday destinations), cruise growth, corporate manslaughter law and more, then former deputy PM John Prescott wrapped up with an entertaining speech.

News coverage, plus some video - which I'm afraid is Youtube for the moment, as our usual delivery system is on the blink - is on Travel Weekly, and there'll be some special episodes of Travolution's Purple Pod podcast too.

And I'll post some pics of Aphrodite Hills later...

Nathan Midgley, web producer

German magazine Spiegel has kicked off a new content strand called Europe's Weird Ways, which is exactly what it sounds like - an effort to cover all the odd behaviours and certifiable festivals that pepper our continent.

It is inviting suggestions from readers, but who's going to top a Greek phallus festival?

If you want to eat phallus-shaped bread, drink through phallus-shaped straws from phallus-shaped cups, kiss ceramic phalluses, sit on a phallus-shaped throne and sing dirty Greek songs about the phallus, then you should visit the little Greek town of Tyrnavos each year on 'Clean Monday' [the first Monday of Lent]

Count yourself lucky there isn't a Dirty Monday (via Metafilter).

Nathan Midgley, web producer

TW Group editor-in-chief Penny Wilson sends this from last night's Travel Weekly Midlands Travel Trade Ball at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole hotel.

This industry clearly knows how to enjoy itself! But not so much for Lisa Mcewan, First Choice manager in Redditch, who took one look at the night's main entertainer, a snake charmer, and announced: "If he comes near me with that thing I am orf." He did. And she was.

More pictures and reports from the event to come on Travel Weekly.

Martin Couzins, managing editor

TW's Louise Scott recently joined Texas Tourism and a group of travel agents to see a production of Buddy at the Duchess Theatre in London's West End to celebrate the life of the legendary singer songwriter who hailed from Lubbock, Texas.

Pictured are Texas Tourism staff backstage with the award-winning cast.

Martin Couzins, managing editor

Travel Weekly reporter Edward Robertson attended Cox & Kings' 250th anniversary bash last night...

Cox & Kings celebrated their 250th anniversary in style last night by throwing a dinner for their 100 top-selling agents.

Held at The Royal Garden Hotel Kensington, the event proved to be a lively affair with pre-dinner drinks, dinner, a band and more post-dinner drinks all taken care of by the operator.

A prize draw with seven luxury trips given away also guaranteed certain guests had mile-wide smiles by the end of the evening.

The evening proved a lot of fun, and agents were quick to explain what makes Cox & Kings stand out:

World Market Travel co-owners Peter and Tim Giles, who had travelled up from Bath:

It's really down to the places that they go to like South America or India that means you can't beat them. They have the best guides who know 100% what they're talking about and with the small groups they organise they're very different from other companies.

We know our clients will be treated in the manner they expect which you don't always get with other operators.

...and Bailey's Travel managing director Chris Bailey:

They take customers to places like India and South America that you can't send people to yourself.

Edward Robertson, reporter

FINAL UPDATE: They got to Paris and got there first.

8 May 8.08: Ed has just texted to say they have made it and were first over the finish line - this is a very different outcome (see last message from Ed) to the one he predicted!

Ed sent a picture. I was expecting a shot of a physically ruined man but this is what I got . . . well done to all the rowers.

UPDATE: I have been in text communication with Ed. Here is what he has been saying . ..

6 May 9.35: Still racing but not a chance of us winning. Don't really care as getting so much out of it but that probably leaves me at a bit of a loss for the 21st century [sic].

5 May 22.34: Started rowing at 4am and rowed 13 hours since then. On a rest right now but expect to be back in the boat within an hour and will remain there until 4am when we hope to reach Ampreville. Will thenn sleep a few hours in any space on the suppport boat. Amazingly still enjoying myself.

4 May 20.00: For me to even try and class this as a race is to degrade it utterly. i shall have even more of a thousand yard stare in the future! (Ed sits opposite me in the TW office).

4 May 20.35: We've arrived! ten minutes late after 32 hours rowing from Ramsgate to le havre.

4 May: 20.26: 5 hours early on first leg. Channel like a mill pond but hands f***ed already. These artist's tools will never work again.

TW's reporter Ed Robertson is rowing in the London to Paris challenge. A race between two cutter rowing boats. The fun started this morning at 11am when the race started at Westminster Bridge.

We'll be following Ed over the next six days to see how the team is doing. Received a text from Ed half an hour ago which read:

Having lost sight of the others we are now overtaking them as we reach the sea.

Today's leg from Westminster Bridge to Dover is 105 miles and should take 24 hours.

The race is non-stop . . . so don't peak too early, Ed.

Martin Couzins, online editor

Features reporter Janine Kelso has a very light brush with fame...

David Beckham lookalike Paul Mansley made travel agents look twice when he was special guest at an industry event last week.

Working as a body double has given Paul the chance to travel to 24 countries – from Japan to South Africa.

Spotted at a club in Leeds a few years ago, Mansley has since attended numerous public events – he was even mobbed by thousands of screaming fans in Tokyo where Beckham was attending a press conference. Mansley arrived first, fooling the crowd.

But the dashing imitator hasn’t let fame go to his head. He wants to be a photographer and is chuffed the money from the job has helped to put him through university.

Travel Weekly fielded a team at the annual Tourism Ireland media pub quiz last night.

We came fifth, but managed to score the only perfect 10 of the night (I'd love to tell you it was the geography round, but in truth it was film soundtracks).

That's the scoreboard, with TW team members pointing at our glorious 10. (Note: this is how 'pointing' looks after several pints of the Irish-owned Porterhouse's fine Oyster stout.)

Cheating is normally discouraged at pub quizzes, but Tourism Ireland and its PR company BGB provided each team with a glossy brochure, which we were not exactly discouraged from using during the Ireland and Northern Ireland rounds.

You've never seen a bunch of journalists do their research so fast.

Nathan Midgley, web producer

They promised surprises but we didn't count on this. Last night Travel Weekly hosted the Globe Travel Awards 2008.

As with previous Globes awards ceremonies, the event was all glitz with 1,500 travel professionals wining and dining (and chatting) their way through the prize-giving, held in the Great Room of the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park lane, London. Mark Lamarr was on prize giving duties. So far so good.

But half way through the prize giving he left the stage to be replaced by none other than soul diva Jocelyn Brown who belted out Always There, Somebody Else's Guy and Keep on Jumpin'.

I've been to quite a few awards ceremonies but never one where, half way through the evening, a singer takes to the stage and manages to get the audience to their feet. Inspired. Brown gave a great performance.

Congratulations to all the winners (find out who they are here). We will be adding pictures and video to the blog and Travel Weekly web site through the day.

Martin Couzins, online editor

If all the developments at Eurostar haven't got you excited enough for high speed train travel, then this article by Aaron Dalton at Forbestraveler.com will. As well as guiding you through the speediest trains on earth it also provides some pics in its slideshow.

And for those of you who may have missed it, here's our clip of the last Eurostar leaving Waterloo.

Martin Couzins, online editor

The 23 winners of Travel Weekly's WTM passport competition were presented with their prizes by none other than Ray Quinn of the X-Factor. Awesome prizes and even a song from Ray at the end (Crazy little thing called love).

Ray's best line in the middle of giving out the prizes: "There are plenty more prizes. If you haven't won yet, you'll know how I feel."

We'll be posting video from today (including Mr Quinn) on the site tomorrow.

Update: There are some photos of the Passport competition ceremony on the website.

Martin Couzins, online editor

The concourse at 1pm.

Elvis has been allowed into the show after being barred for the first couple of days - you can't blame the organisers as he was just touting for business.

TW's very own blogger Brian Horden at our destination seminar.

Now off to find some agents . . .

Martin Couzins, online editor

Big cheer for Martin Owen, a homeworker from Future Travel, based in Manchester. Martin is currently doing the passport competition at World Travel Market whilst being filmed by George the TW camerman.

A little bit about Martin
1) Appeared in Airline a few years ago when cabin crew for Easyjet - and yes the show was very contrived
2) Won a trip two years ago at the WTM passport competition, so is very keen to win again
3) Says cruise is the way to go - especially when packaged up with hotels, flights etc

You can see the video tomorrow.

It's all quiet now, but wait until the agents start arriving . . .

Martin Couzins, online editor

Martin was out on the WTM exhibition floor with editorial assistant Patricia Thomas today, looking for odd costumes, interesting things too eat and - most important of all - freebies from exhibitors.

They also caught up with some travel and tourism students and found out which stands they'd enjoyed the most. Our full video playlist is on the WTM page, including footage of the Burma protest that took place outside ExCel today.

We heard that the US Department of Homeland Security had not been seen at its stand at World Travel Market. We sent our photographer to check out the stand. And this is what he saw . . .

Martin Couzins, online editor

Hotels4u.com's John Harding pops in to the Travel Weekly office to quiz chief sub-editor Megan Turner.

The WTM camera crew pops in to interview Travel Weekly editor Sarah Longbottom. Travel Weekly's daily round-up of the news will be appearing in future World Travel Market broadcasts.

The Golden Gate Bridge is in Excel.

The city of Quebec is offering cake to celebrate its 400th birthday.

These are travel and tourism students from Hastings who agreed to feature on our video.

And this is my multi-media set-up at Excel.

Our photographers at World Travel Market have now clocked up 47 miles after two days. That's around six miles per snapper per day. I don't think they cam to get fit. See some show pics on our WTM page.

Martin Couzins, online editor

Had an interesting morning videoing around the show. WTM is a great place to see and taste different cultures from around the world. As well as some tasty Turkish treats I sipped some Majorcan liqueur.

And then I came upon the Gran Canaria stand and its beach ashtray.

Passed by this Kazakhstan representative.

Stopped and looked at the chocolate fountain.

And wondered what caption should go with this image. I am now going to see if I can get a bottle of Slovenian wine for the winner.

Martin Couzins, online editor

There's now some video from the first day of World Travel Market on our event coverage page at travelweekly.co.uk/wtm2007.

It's just one clip for now but we'll be adding to the playlist as things progress. There's also a page of photos from the first day.

We missed Ray Wilkins playing table tennis on the National Express stand but I did manage to get some yeast cake from the Hungary stand.

And a pot from the potter on the Tunisia stand.

Then I was scared by the 'chap' promoting London theatre tickets.

Laughed when I met the Polish horseman.

Stopped and snapped the Travel Counsellors stand.

And stepped outside our room at Excel to see the sun drop over Canary Wharf and the O2.

Martin Couzins, online editor

What's going on here?

a) Competition: photograph online ed Martin Couzins pilfering stuff and win a cash prize from the police.

b) Martin lifts the Ryder Cup at the Visit Wales stand.

c) Travel Weekly beats TTG at darts again.

(Just in case: the answer is b.)

More pics from the first day of WTM on the World Travel Market photos page.

Nathan Midgley, web producer

It's a big week for the travel industry - World Travel Market kicks off at ExCel London this morning. There's also the PhocusWright conference in Florida for online travel types - Travolution will be out there blogging, of course.

Here's the scene outside ExCel this morning:

And here's the newsroom, which will be centre of operations for Travel Weekly.

As well as journos and photographers we have video cameras out at the event, so keep an eye out for footage - you can find everything at travelweekly.co.uk/wtm2007.

Thump.

The Smith brand's latest book hits TW Blog's desk, and it's a beauty.

Smith 52: The Game Plan is at heart a very sexy things-to-do list - and one that has the delicacy not to urge you to do said things 'before you die'.

It's a good area to expand into. Smith has always been good at picking the right hotels, but holidaymakers increasingly want to get out and do something original as well as staying somewhere chi-chi.

There are also more and more boutique festivals popping up in the UK, as well as increasing interest in those abroad - thanks in part to low-cost carriers making them accessible.

Here's where the folks at Smith reckon you should be this time next year:

• Nuit Blanche, street art festival in Paris, October 4
• Iceland Airwaves, music festival in Reykjavik, October 15 - 19
• Salone del Gusto, food festival in Turin, October 23 - 27

Practical tips (what to pack, where to stay, what it costs etc) and insider information go some way to justifying the £22 price tag, with the rest of the distance made up by the usual: nice stock, solid binding and great photography.

As a calendar of very desirable short breaks, it could work for some in the trade too - upmarket travel agents might find this the most useful book Smith has ever produced.

Nathan Midgley, web producer

Some news just published on TW - the Institute of Travel and Tourism has chosen not to go ahead with a Zimbabwe Tourism Authority session at World Travel Market.

As you can imagine, it was the country's dire political situation that led to the decision. The ITT would surely have faced considerable disapproval if the session had gone ahead.

How do readers feel? Is it the right decision, or could some good have come out of what was planned as an educational session for new entrants to the trade?

Nathan Midgley, web producer

Here's one for football fans - many of the guests at last week's Northern Travel Trade Ball / Agent Excellence Awards were staying at the De Vere Whites hotel, where the function was held.

Locals will know that the De Vere is part of Bolton Wanderers' Reebok Stadium complex, and that some rooms have a great view of the pitch.

Travel Weekly's own Juliet Dennis (who did a sterling job of interviewing the award winners on video) had one such room...

What's the most interesting view you've had from a hotel room, whether good or bad?

I'm in Brussels for Eurostar's inaugural into London St Pancras. We are looking at shaving 20 minutes off the current journey time and making a little bit of history with a one hour and 51 minute journey. And we get to see the new terminal at St Pancras. More to follow . . .

Martin Couzins, online editor

This post comes from Gill Hartigan, winner of the Agent Excellence Award for best sales consultant, small agency, in the Southwest and Wales.

Next week the Caribbean Tourism Organisation will be holding its ‘Courses for the Caribbean 2007’ event in Oxford.

I’ll be going along. I run the weddings and honeymoons department at Howard Travel, so I’m on the lookout for new wedding opportunities for both the company and my clients.

Meeting contacts from the various exhibitors is also useful, especially if you need some expert advice. And of course I’m also hoping to gain knowledge and information that will add to the pleasure of experiencing the islands myself.

Here are my three favourite Caribbean bookings:

• A wedding at the Radisson Cable Beach in Grand Bahamas. It was for 19 passengers with a total cost of over £23,000. I found it most enjoyable, challenging and very rewarding – and it sparked the idea for the wedding department within Howard Travel.



• Last year I booked a wedding at The Beach Club in Antigua for 20 passengers at a total cost of £22,000. The resort is a favourite of mine, in particular the superior rooms which have direct access to the beach.



• In November I have a wedding booked for 13 passengers at the all-inclusive Holiday Village Golden Beach in the Dominican Republic. Their child prices go up to the age of 14 years and they have four-bedded rooms, so I was able to keep the price down to £10,700.

What’s your best booking to the Caribbean? And if you attended the Durham CTO training event, what selling tips did you pick up?

Gill Hartigan, Howard Travel

It's all going a bit Monty Python at English Heritage as it celebrates "the goriest and most gruesome parts of history".

Well, medieval life to be exact. Carisbrooke Castle and Dover Castle will be hosting medieval weekends later this month, so families can get a chance to see just how smelly life was back in the days of yore.

Activities to keep the family enthralled include emptying the noblemen’s guarderobes and digging out the sewers. But it won't be real s**t, it will be ‘safe’ sewerage. The mind boggles.

And if that wasn't enough, there is a chance to witness a medieval surgeon at work, from treatment with live blood-sucking leeches to a simulated amputation with plenty of fake blood and gore. Nice.

Best of all are the Singing Plague Victims who will perform traditional songs of Merrie England.

I can't think of a better way to spend my bank holiday.

Martin Couzins, online editor

Just up on Youtube - reactions from the winners of the Southwest and Wales Agent Excellence Awards. More video from the event to come tomorrow.