EDINBURGH AIRPORT ARRIVALS GIVEN A PROPER HIGHLAND WELCOME

Travellers arriving at Edinburgh Airport earlier this week, were ‘moooved’ by the warmth of the welcome – Suzie the Highland Cow from Pollok Country Park was at international arrivals to greet the many hundreds of visitors arriving in Edinburgh ahead of this year’s Royal Highland Show.

Taking place from 20th to 23rd June, the annual four-day event attracts in the region of 160,000 visitors each year and Edinburgh Airport and The Royal Highland Centre have been working together to ensure that visitors to the show, and to Edinburgh, have the best possible experience.

Predicted visitor numbers already look great with advance ticket sales up on last year thanks, in part, to the introduction of a print at home ticketing system launched this year. Show manager, Becky Elvin said: “The Royal Highland Show is a hugely important platform for the Scottish food and drink and agriculture industry. We are looking forward to continuing our work with Edinburgh Airport in welcoming our domestic and international visitors. We hope to give them the best experience possible and showcase all that the Royal Highland Show has to offer.

“Our good relationship with Edinburgh Airport is vital and we were delighted to see so many passengers enjoy the pre-show spectacle.

“Traffic planning during the four days has been a significant focus over the last 12 months, however we are satisfied that come rain or shine; the show will live up to its Greatest Show on Earth billing. Strengthened public transport links, enhanced parking at the RBS Headquarters on the Saturday and Sunday and increased traffic personnel on the ground will make it a more manageable process.”

Adding to this is, Gordon Dewar, the airport’s Chief Executive, said: “We’re committed to providing our customers with the best experience possible and the success of both organisations is dependent on this. We are all looking forward to a great show and we are pleased to give our passengers a proper highland welcome.

“Following last year’s show we have worked hard to ensure the airport and showground remain fully accessible to visitors and passengers.

“We would advise anyone travelling to the airport to allow plenty of time as routes will be busy and with the one thing we can’t control being the good old Scottish weather, we would also encourage you to bring a brolly.”

Alongside Suzie was Highland Show expert, Cameron Cormack, 10, who has been attending the show since he was just a year old. Cameron, a young handler who attends Berwick Middle School was delighted to be part of the launch activity.

“The Highland Show is my favourite. We come for the week to show our beef and dairy cattle and always have lots of fun in the cattle lines. I love going to the toy stalls too because if we do well Mum and Dad promise to buy me a toy tractor. My most favourite thing is helping my dad get the cattle ready for the show ring - I always want him to take a cow and calf so that I can lead the calf!”

Cameron will be the fourth generation on both sides of his family to show cattle at the show.

Show tickets are priced at £25 per adult with children under 16 attending for free. For further information and advanced early-bird offers, visit www.royalhighlandshow.org.

MTB 31/05/13

VIRGIN TRAINS BOOSTS SCOTLAND-BIRMINGHAM SERVICES FROM DECEMBER

An overhaul of Virgin Trains’ timetable this December will deliver an extra 3,300 seats per day between Scotland and Birmingham and offer fresh competition to airlines operating on the route. The planned reconfiguration of services will deliver the first frequent direct trains from Scotland to Birmingham Airport in six years.

Twenty-four of the 28 Scottish services that currently start or terminate in Birmingham will be extended to London Euston, offering new direct rail services to Scotland from Coventry, Milton Keynes and Sandwell
& Dudley. This will give holidaymakers better options for travelling to Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports to get cheaper flights during Scottish or English school holidays.

The changes will see five-car diesel Super Voyager trains that connect Glasgow and Edinburgh to the UK’s second biggest city largely replaced by either double Voyagers (10-cars) or nine- or 11-car electric Pendolinos. It represents an 80% increase in seating capacity compared to 2008, when the current Virgin High Frequency timetable was introduced. Some 12,967 seats will be available on weekdays, up from 9,656 today.

Scotland’s Transport Minister, Keith Brown, welcomed the increase in services, saying: “The Scottish Government is determined to deliver a rail network that brings together communities and cities, connecting people to jobs and developing social and economic opportunities for all in Scotland. Cross-border services will help support that ambition and we very much welcome the recognition by Virgin Trains of the increasing demands on services between Scotland and Birmingham and the additional capacity the extra 3,300 seats on these services every day will bring.”

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham, said: “The news that Virgin Trains is expanding its capacity and services into Birmingham will provide a significant boost for the local economy, by helping to bring new visitors and investors to the city. Tourists and businesses alike need to reach locations as quickly and easily as possible – and an increase in rail services to Birmingham will provide another reason for them to come here. Birmingham’s transport infrastructure is expanding rapidly, with Virgin Trains’ passengers set to benefit from the redevelopment of New Street station and Birmingham Airport’s runway extension, which will open up direct routes into markets such as China and the West Coast of the USA. Birmingham attracted a high of 33.8 million visitors in 2012, and increased demand for services into the city should help to build on this success.”

The latest timetable changes follows phenomenal growth in passenger numbers on Virgin Trains’ Anglo-Scottish services since it took over the West Coast passenger franchise in 1997 and marks the first step-change in capacity since the company was awarded a temporary franchise in December 2012. Virgin Trains is now expected to continue running the West Coast passenger service until April 2017.

Between 2008 and 2013, passenger numbers travelling on Virgin Trains’ services between Birmingham and Edinburgh have grown by 235%. Between Glasgow and Birmingham, growth has been 261%. Meanwhile, Glasgow-Euston, the mainstay of Virgin Trains’ Anglo-Scottish operations, has seen growth of 144% over the same period. The overall level of seats available on Virgin Trains’ Anglo-Scottish services will go from 17,000 in December 2008 to 30,000 in December 2013.

Chris Gibb, Virgin Trains’ Chief Operating Officer, said: “Our plans for December represent the latest phase in our development of services on the West Coast mainline, as we strive to make the most of this iconic route by providing more trains and more seats, seven days a week. The success of recent years shows the enduring popularity of the route, and the potential that remains.

“We face intense competition from airlines, motorways and other train companies, and will continue to drive forward improvements to attract more customers and stay ahead of our competitors, as well as playing a key part in the economic and social development of the Midlands, North West England and Scotland”.

The planned timetable change has been welcomed by business leaders in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

David Birrell, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are delighted that Virgin Trains is adding this capacity on its Edinburgh to Birmingham routes, these additional seats will hopefully stimulate the business and employment opportunities as well as supporting Edinburgh’s already strong tourism offer.”

Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is an extremely positive step by Virgin Trains and one which we firmly endorse. Increasing the capacity from Glasgow to the United Kingdom’s second biggest city will certainly be of interest to the city’s business community, while leisure customers visiting Glasgow will also benefit from the additional seats. It once again reaffirms Virgin’s commitment to Glasgow, the latest in a long line of positive initiatives. Additionally, it’s extremely promising to see the company focusing on its network right across the UK, ensuring connectivity is enhanced on many different key routes.”

The December timetable is the latest step change in improvements to Anglo-Scots services by Virgin Trains. In 2004, the company introduced its tilting electric Pendolino and diesel Super Voyagers trains, revolutionising travel on the West Coast mainline and cutting the fastest Glasgow Central to Euston journey from 5 hours 13 minutes to 4 hours 41 minutes. The Scotland-Birmingham service was developed as part of the Virgin Cross Country franchise before transferring to West Coast in 2007.

The establishment of the Virgin High Frequency timetable following the £8.9bn West Coast Route Modernisation programme in December 2008 cut typical Glasgow-Euston journeys by more than 40 minutes and established the fastest 4hr, 8min journey. In December 2012, Virgin Trains introduced an hourly London-Glasgow timetable.

MTB 31/05/13

EUROPA 2 CHRISTENED AT THE 2013 HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY

In line with the motto “Great moments. Truly exclusive.” the newly- built EUROPA 2 has been christened in celebratory and stylish fashion by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on 10 May 2013, during the 824th HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY. Godmother Dana Schweiger smashed the champagne bottle against the bow of the ship near Blankenese, Hamburg. The special invitees on board experienced the new ship while attending numerous events with celebrity guests.

At around 19.00 hrs EUROPA 2 embarked on a twilight voyage - with the city of Hamburg as its backdrop - sailing to its launch site near the riverside district of Blankenese. Godmother Dana Schweiger officially gave the new ship her name at 21.36 hrs. “I christen you the EUROPA 2 and wish you and your crew good voyages and safe returns, and may there always be enough water beneath your keel,” said Dana Schweiger.

Dr Wolfgang Flägel, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: “This is a special moment for our company and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for their commitment. I am certain that the EUROPA 2 with raise the bar in the luxury sector with its modern interpretation. We wish the ship and her crew safe journeys and enthusiastic passengers.”

Around 700 guests on board enjoyed a brilliant fireworks display to round off the ceremony in style. Afterwards, observing tradition, the godmother presented the neck of the bottle to EUROPA 2 Captain Friedrich Jan Akkermann. After the christening ceremony, the star act Dick Brave & the Backbeats created a party atmosphere with their rockabilly music.

The fully-booked 14-day maiden voyage departed on 11 May from Hamburg sailing to Lisbon via Amsterdam, Antwerp, Honfleur, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Bilbao and Leixoes (Porto). At the start of the voyage, the EUROPA 2 cruised in the port with special on-board celebrations.

The EUROPA 2 is a modern and casual luxury ship, which does away with cruise traditions such as the captain's dinner. With up to 516 guests,EUROPA 2 provides the greatest space per passenger on a cruise ship anywhere in the world. The ship features exclusively suites with verandas and a minimum area of 28 square metres. Eight restaurants and six bars are dedicated to serving up culinary diversity and a large spa and fitness area accommodates the well-being trend on cruises. Its flexible route concept will appeal to professionals and families in the luxury sector in particular.

MTB 24/05/13

WEST COAST MAIN LINE TO UNDERGO MAJOR IMPROVEMENT WORK

Work on the West Coast Main Line will be carried out this summer to increase
the speed that trains can travel. Four major rail junctions will also be replaced
and enhanced. The work will improve the reliability of the infrastructure and the
punctuality of train services on Britain’s busiest mixed-use railway line.

The £18m improvement scheme will be completed over nine days from Saturday 13
July to Sunday 21 July when four life-expired junctions will be replaced and three
miles of track re-laid.

During the project, over an 18 mile stretch of line near Wigan, trains will be unable
to use the Warrington to Preston section of the route. Train operators will be making
alternative arrangements to help passengers complete their journeys during the line
closure.

Dyan Crowther, route managing director, said: “This scheme represents significant
investment in the railway in this area to increase line speeds and make the railway
more reliable and punctual for our customers.

“There is never a good time to carry out major work on such a busy route and after
careful discussion with the train operators and industry partners, it became apparent
that undertaking this vital investment in nine consecutive days in July would, overall,
cause less disruption.

“Train services are quieter at this time and fewer people are expected to experience
changes to their travel plans compared to the work being staggered over the next two
years, impacting on dozens of weekends and Bank Holidays.”

Usually, Network Rail would have carried out work of this kind over a number of Bank
Holiday weekends requiring train services to be replaced repeatedly by alternative
transport. By carrying out the work in a nine-day continuous spell this summer,
engineers expect to be able to complete the replacement of the four junctions around
16 months earlier and to avoid disrupting rail travel plans for many weekends and
bank holidays over the next two years.

MTB 24/05/13

GLASGOW AIRPORT REPORTS PASSENGER GROWTH FOR APRIL 2013

Passenger growth at Glasgow Airport has continued, with almost 550,000 people travelling through the airport in April 2013, representing an increase of 0.4% compared to the same period last year.

A strong demand for both domestic and long-haul travel, coupled with the launch in April of Lufthansa Regional’s direct service to Dusseldorf, ensured the airport was able to maintain its steady pattern of growth. Wizz Air’s flights to Warsaw and Gdansk - which launched in March - have also continued to prove popular.

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “It is always pleasing to report growth and April was yet another busy month in terms of passenger numbers and route announcements.

“Outwith the launch of the new Lufthansa Regional service there were a number of positive developments. We received confirmation from Thomson Airways we will be the first Scottish airport to welcome the Dreamliner when it arrives on 8 July and British Airways reaffirmed its commitment to Glasgow with the launch of its new £800,000 lounge.

“Our multi-million pound investment programme is underway and passengers will begin to notice work within the terminal, particularly in the check-in hall where we are currently creating more space as we approach the busy summer period.”

Glasgow Airport is investing £17 million in refurbishing and enhancing key parts of the main terminal building, including international arrivals - which for many will be the gateway to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

DB 18/05/2013

HURTIGRUTEN MARKS 120TH ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW FJORD CALLS

Norwegian specialist cruise line Hurtigruten is to celebrate its 120-year anniversary with calls to two new "breathtaking" fjords this year and year-round charter flights.

The line made the announcement at a special birthday party for key UK partners, agents and customers, where it also took the opportunity to remind people it was not embroiled in the price wars of the larger cruise lines.

In September and October, Hurtigruten will call at the Hjorund fjord - which is just 35km long and accessed by a very small opening, meaning only small ships like those operated by Hurtigruten can gain access.

For 11 days, to mark its actual birthday on July 2, the line will aloso visit the Lyngen fjord - located 300km north of the Arctic circle.

UK managing director Kathryn Beadle said: "These are truly breathtaking venue for us to go to. It is something that we can offer that's unique from our competitors."

She also revealed that the success of 47 charter flights from eight different airports in winter 2013/14, in addition to its scheduled flying, had given Hurtigruten the confidence to introduce charter flights for the whole year in 2014.

Commenting on competitors in the market, Beadle said: "Our offering is very far removed from the big white ships. In this current market where it's all about price, getting drawn into this (price-driven competition) is not something that we get involved in. We use our difference and our niche as our lever, not price."

She continued: "Customers travel with us because they want to visit the real Norway; really isolated places. We serve local recipes, our staff are local and all our excursions get really involved in the local culture of the area."

She thanked everyone for their support selling Hurtigruten, adding: "In Norway, we're a highly recognised brand but in the UK it's not quite the same. People can't even say Hurtigruten, let alone spell it, so thank you for raising awareness and sales."

DB 18/05/2013

WELCOME TO FRED./ RIVER CRUISES

Fred.\ River Cruises has launched a standalone brochure dedicated to the deluxe MS Mozart river cruise ship which operates on the River Danube. The brochure will be with agents by mid–May and Fred.\ River Cruises is looking to work closely with the trade on this unique product, as well as planning a forthcoming agent fam trip for later this year.

Key selling points of the MS Mozart are that it has cabins for one, two or three people, including some with French balconies. Standard cabins each have a generous 66-square-feet footprint, making them amongst the largest to be found on a river cruise vessel. The ship has facilities including a heated swimming pool with spa, as well as features such as an ocean-style atrium and lobby. Certain cabins are also equipped for people who require kidney dialysis.

What's in it for you?
Trade friendly sales team
Generous commission to you
Fam trips and ship visits
PLUS from now until the end of June any bookings made through Fred.\ river cruises will receive a £25 love 2 shop voucher

To find out more, or to order brochure supplies, register your interest with our agency sales department by visiting http://www.fredrivercruises.co.uk/contact-us/.

(Fred.\ River Cruises a division of Fred.\ – the new tour operator brand of Fred.Olsen Travel and also the General Sales Agent (GSA) for the five star MS Mozart cruise.)

DB 11/05/2013

THOMAS COOK DEDICATED AGENT SERVICES LINE

Thomas Cook is delighted to announce the creation of a dedicated line for all its 3rd-party partners for the following products: Thomas Cook, Airtours, Style Collection, Manos, Club 1830 & Escapades.

Firstly, call 0844 879 8222. Then follow the instructions for the relevant departments:

Administration
Reservations
Weddings
Special Assistance
Customer Relations

For Cancellations
For any bookings made with 24 hours that need to be cancelled, please see the FAQ section on Thomas Cook World, as these now can be processed quickly through this function for Summer 2013 only.
For Winter 2013/2014 and Summer 2014, you can recall the booking and cancel.

For Special Assistance
The new special assistance form can be found and submitted through the FAQ on Thomas Cook World. This form should be used for all special assistance request outside 2 weeks of departure.

DB 11/05/2013

CHANGES TO US AIRWAYS SHUTTLE FLIGHT RANGE

US Airways has announced it will be condensing the shuttle flight range from flight numbers 2000 – 2199 to flight numbers 2140 – 2199. 

This range will be effective for travel August 1, 2013. You may notice that flight numbers 2000 – 2139 will not allow advanced seat assignments. US Airways is working to resolve the issue and will let you know as soon as it has corrected it.

The shuttle will continue to offer hourly service between Boston, New York and Washington, DC, as well as front- and rear-door deplaning and complimentary newspapers, beer, wine and snacks.

RCL CRUISES GOES DIGITAL

RCL Cruises Ltd is pleased to announce that its trade communications will now be brought to you via HTML email.

This transformation means it can provide you with all the latest, greatest offers from Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Club Cruises in a much more streamlined format.

You can look forward to all the great company news and offers you've always had from RCL Cruises, just with a new look! Just one click and you'll be connected to Cruising Power, with access to all the campaign flyers, top offers and collateral you've come to expect - without overflowing your inbox with large files.

RCL Cruises hopes you like the new look communication format, and looks forward to your thoughts and feedback.

Your continued support is much appreciated.

DB 04/05/2013