Tui Travel set for ‘phenomenal’ technological change

Posted on 10 October, 2011 by Spacejunkie2

Tui Travel set for ‘phenomenal’ technological change

07 October 2011

Tui Travel will push through “phenomenal” technological change as it bids to become an online-driven business, chief executive Peter Long told delegates at Abta’s Travel Convention.

Speaking in Palma while interviewing Iberostar boss Miguel Fluxa, Long described the online arena as fascinating, and warned convention attendees to ignore online “at your peril”.

He said: “We have a clear view of what we need to do at Tui and the journey involved. The pace of technological change we are going to see is phenomenal. We want to be an online driven business and have a long way to go.”

Long also talked about the importance of gaining new customers outside its traditional markets:

“Geographical expansion is important to us given the volume of new consumers in emerging markets.”

Fluxa said it was as important as ever for tour operators and hoteliers to work closely together and to avoid online business damaging those relationships.

He revealed that of the growing online business Iberostar gets just 20% is from consumers. The rest is B2B, for example from agents dynamic packaging with low cost flights.

Fluxa also pointed out that passengers on low cost flights are not necessarily low quality clients in terms of spend – many are trying to channel as much money as possible into the quality of accommodation.

And said quality of service would improve as those who work in hotels have realised, more than ever due to difficult economic times, that the guests are the key to their livelihoods.

Virgin Holidays opens first outlets in Sainsbury’s

Posted on 8 October, 2011 by Spacejunkie2

Virgin Holidays opens first outlets in Sainsbury’s

Oct 04, 2011 07:00AM GMT

Virgin Holidays has opened its first ‘concession stores’ in two Sainsbury’s supermarkets and plans to open more over the next five months.

The concessions – located in Sainsbury’s in Merton High Street, south London and Cromwell Road, Kensington – are the latest stage of the company’s growing retail network, which is expected to reach 100 shops by March 2012.

The operator currently has 77 retail outlets across the UK, which represents an increase of 50% since this time last year.

It plans to increase this by a further 53 stores by next March, and has recently also opened limited–duration pop up shops in Dorking and Alton.

Almost 20,000 customers have booked using one of its shops in the past 12 months, the company claims.

Touch screen technology and multi-media displays are employed in each Sainsbury’s concession to help users research holiday options, alongside a range of brochures.

A dedicated area for children is included to allow parents discuss their choices with travel staff.

Virgin Holidays customer director Mark Anderson said: “Our research has shown us that there is a real appetite amongst customers for face-to-face contact with someone when booking their holiday.

“Our concession stores bring the Virgin Holidays brand to life like never before, and give shoppers the chance to buy their dream holiday in an environment they’re comfortable in – as well as giving them ample opportunity to discuss options, ask questions and consider their choices before purchasing.”

Sainsbury assets and estates director Matt Birch added: “We are always looking for new ways to meet the needs of our customers so we are delighted that Virgin Holidays is the latest exciting brand to open a concession in our stores.

“Like Sainsbury’s colleagues, Virgin Holiday’s travel experts have a passion for great customer service so I have no doubt that these concessions will be a real hit with our customers over the coming months.”

Countdown to the launch of Disney Fantasy

Posted on 27 September, 2011 by Spacejunkie2

Countdown to the launch of Disney Fantasy

By Donna Tunney

The six-month countdown to the launch of Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy is about to begin. The 4,000-passenger ship sails its inaugural cruise March 31 roundtrip from Port Canaveral, with port calls at Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Costa Maya and Castaway Cay.

The final piece of Disney’s fourth ship was put into place a few weeks ago at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, when builders added a 265-ton portion of the vessel’s bow.

Designed to reflect the glamour of the golden age of cruising during the 1930s, the Disney Fantasy is seen as a “thematic extension of the Disney Cruise Line fleet,” said the line. The ship, it added, will feature “the same attention to detail Disney is known for, while introducing new and immersive, one-of-a-kind venues and experiences.”

The atmosphere will be decidedly art nouveau, Disney said, “where elegance and sophistication mingle with Disney storytelling and whimsy.”

The Fantasy, of course, sports the line’s signature bronze statue in the atrium lobby. On this ship, it’s Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse, dressed in 1920s fashion and with steamer luggage at her side.

On the Disney Dream, it’s Admiral Donald who welcomes passengers in the lobby. On the Disney Magic, it’s Helmsman Mickey, and on the Disney Wonder it’s Ariel, from the classic animated Disney film “The Little Mermaid.”

Minnie Mouse statue on the Disney Fantasy Following its launch cruise, the Disney Fantasy will be based at Port Canaveral, along with the Disney Dream, and operate seven-night Caribbean itineraries. The Dream will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas.

In a much-publicized deployment, Disney set its sights on New York in 2012. Beginning May 25, the Disney Magic will sail a total of 20 cruises from New York, including eight-night cruises to the Bahamas, five-night cruises to New England and Canada and two-night weekend getaways.

The Bahamas cruises will include a day at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay; Nassau, Bahamas; and Port Canaveral, with an opportunity to visit the nearby Walt Disney World Resort.

Nine five-night cruises up the New England coast will call at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint John, New Brunswick.

Other new homeport destinations for Disney in 2012 include Galveston and Seattle.

From May 28 through early September, the Disney Wonder will sail 14 seven-night cruises from Seattle to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia.

And from Galveston, the Disney Magic will sail 12 seven-night cruises to the Western Caribbean starting Sept. 22. Calls will be made to Grand Cayman and Mexico’s Costa Maya and Cozumel.

The Mexican Riviera and the Pacific coast also are on Disney Cruise Line’s schedule next year.

The Disney Wonder will operate seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from Los Angeles throughout winter, spring and fall. It also will sail four seven-night Pacific Coast cruises from Los Angeles, in September and October, calling at San Francisco, San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico.

Hawaii is proving to be a winning destination for Disney. The line last week announced that demand for its one scheduled Hawaii cruise, from Los Angeles, has been so great that it added a second itinerary.

The original 15-night Hawaiian itinerary, which includes nine days at sea, departs April 29. The additional sailing, 14 nights with eight days at sea, departs Oct. 14.