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Opportunities

Media invitation to stay on Fraser Island in Australia

Kingfisher Bay Resort invites you to be their guest on Fraser Island, a World Heritage-listed Australian icon. Find out why so many Brits flock to Fraser - the world's largest sand island - apart from average temperatures of 22C in winter and 28C in summer!  Contact Kaye Bishop at kaye_bishop@kingfisherbay.com.

High res images from Emirates

High resolution photographs from Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline are available to the media free of charge at http://www.newscast.co.uk/

Industry News

TOWARD Europe

British Airways' wholly owned global tour operating subsidiary British Airways Holidays has joined TOWARD Europe, the organization created to improve the profitability of the travel industry.

British Airways Holidays increases TOWARD Europe's membership to 35 leading travel industry companies and follows the recent arrival of EuropCar, the car rental company and WorldRes, the online hotel reservations network.
 
TOWARD Europe is targeting European tour operators, suppliers, technology providers and other companies across the travel industry for membership. Contact 020 7691 3938, or visit http://www.towardeurope.org/

Blackpool Tower to host towers’ conference

Blackpool Tower will host to the Annual Conference of the World Federation of Great Towers in October  as part its 110 year celebrations. This organisation is made up of representatives from around the world, from famous landmarks such as the CN Tower in Toronto, the Empire State Building in New York, the Tallin TV Tower in Estonia and Chicago's Hancock Observatory. Contact  Charlotte Smith at charlottes@leisure-parcs.co.uk or 01253 629600.

Central Europe takes off

Joining the EU will have a real impact on travel to the countries of Central Europe writes Gill Wilson of the Central European Countries Tourist Associations (CECTA).

Of special note is SkyEurope with a network from Budapest and Bratislava, Airpolonia with services from Poland and the soon to be launched Whiz Air out of Poland.  British Airways is increasing its frequency to Budapest and Prague and adding Gatwick and Malev is adding Stansted to Budapest. Finally CSA is now operating to Prague from London Heathrow, London Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh. Contact Gill Wilson at gill.wilson@cecta.org

Industry expects domestic tourism to grow

The UK's tourism industry has high hopes for domestic tourism in 2004 according to the results of VisitBritain's latest Business Confidence Monitor. Fifty-none per cent of respondents in the survey said they expect domestic tourism to grow more quickly than outbound (23 per cent) and inbound (18 per cent). Contact Elliott Frisby at mailto:gill.wilson@cecta.org or 020 8563 3035.

New German tourist website

The German National Tourist Office in London has launched the new UK Website (http://www.germany-tourism.co.uk/). Contact Michael Helmerich on 020 7317 0902 or michael.helmerich@d-z-t.com.

New European business magazine

The Economist Group, owner of European Voice, has launched a new business magazine aimed at directors of Europe's listed companies. Corporate Board Member Europe is modelled on a US title Corporate Board Member. The new publication aims to provide European directors with analysis to help understand the challenges specific to the region, giving practical insight with content examining the most critical issues facing Europe's boards. Source: http://http://www.europeanvoice.com/ - European Voice

New monthly in Austria

A new monthly magazine is to be launched in Austria in May. A team of editors
have been working on the magazine, for free, for the past year. The 80-page magazine is expected to have lengthy pieces and cost 4.50 euros.

Easyjet expansion

Low-cost airline easyJet has announced its 2004 expansion with seven new routes and three new destinations. The routes are London Stansted to Basel and Ljubljana International; London Luton to Budapest International and London Gatwick to Naples, Ibiza, Faro and Prague. Contact Samantha Day at samantha.day@easyjet.com or 01582 525 546.

Bristol tourism industry hopes for another good year

The Bristol Tourism & Conference Bureau (BTCB) have launched the city's new tourism guides for 2004 and are hoping to build on the city's tourism success in 2003, which saw Bristol reach 7th place in the UK International Passenger Survey, as well as being nominated as a European Centre of Culture. Contact Sarah Bennett at sarah_bennett@bristol-city.gov.uk or 0117 946 2205.

Airmiles expansion announced

The AirMiles Travel Company is expanding into travel clubs, affinity sales and business travel with a view to creating a significant new business. Contact Kim Polley kim_polley@airmiles.co.uk or 01293 722252.

Bangkok Airways

Bangkok Airways has launched a new slogan : Asia's boutique airline, Exclusive service to Exotic gems. Contact Richard Hume at mailto:richard@tat-uk.demon.co.ukor 020 7925 2511.

Air France and KLM g merger go-ahead

Air France and KLM have received European Commission clearance for their projected merger.  Contact Jason Wakeford at klm@consol.co.uk or 0207 287 2087.

Travel news for Germany

Storyboard

Story provides snippets of information that might give a lead or two. It is compiled from a range of sources including http://www.travemedia.com/.

Test match package

ITC Classics, the luxury tour operator has announced a new 10 night cruise package (5th-15th April 2004) for the forthcoming Antigua Test Match (10th-14th April 2004). Contact Claire Griffin at claire@grifcopr.com or 020 7736 9718

Gay makeovers

Brilliant Weekends, the short-break provider for groups, is launching 'Gay Makeover' breaks to Barcelona and Rimini, offering straight guys the chance to have their wardrobe overhauled by a gay concierge. Contact: Daniel Johnson on 020 7691 3939 or daniel.johnson@rooster.co.uk

Britpop

VisitBritain, the authority for English tourism, has come up with an alternative guide to enjoying the best of British music. Contact Anne Jenkins at anne.jenkins@visitbritain.org or 020 8563 3351.

Emirates adds to its service

Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, is to add a fourth daily service from Heathrow and extra capacity from Birmingham on 28 March. By mid-April Emirates will operate 11 times daily from the UK to Dubai - four a day from London Heathrow, three times daily from London Gatwick, twice from Manchester, one from Birmingham and once a day between Glasgow-Dubai, which starts on April 10.  Contact Carolyn Dealey at cdealey@qbo-bellpottinger.co.uk.

Powered catamarans in Vancouver

Sunsail, the yacht charter and water sports beach club holiday group, is introducing powered catamarans to its base in Vancouver, British Columbia.  This will be the third area of North America that these charter boats will be available. Contact Chris Clode at chris.clodepr@ntlworld.com or  01243 431343.

Fiji

Fiji’s 2nd International Jazz and Blues Festival starts on 1st April 2004 in seven of Fiji's best resorts. Many of the world's top jazz, Latin and blues musicians will join local performers ensuring the three day festival will be jam-packed with exceptional music.  Contact Alex Bergin at alexbergin@hillsbalfour.com or 020 7922 1100.

Slovenia

Slovenia saw a 9% increase in British visitors 2003, compared with the previous 12 months. With Slovenia's impending membership of the EU and the announcement of EasyJet's new route to Ljubljana in May 2004, existing Ryan Air flights into neighbouring Klagenfurt and Trieste and daily flights to Ljubljana by national carrier, Adria Airways (tel: 0207 734 4630) tourism from the UK is set to increase once again in 2004. Contact Mary Stuart-Miller at mary.stuart-miller@virgin.net01403 738844

Avis launches rapid return

Car rental company Avis, has launched rapid return, an innovative hand-held check-in device. Contact Peter English at peter.english@cairnsassociates.co.uk or 
020 7235 7773.

Monterey Bay Aquarium celebrates 20th with new 'Sharks' exhibit

The Monterey Bay Aquarium will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2004 with the April  opening of 'Sharks: Myth and Mystery,' a new special exhibition featuring sharks and rays of the world, and the ways in which they're honored in the cultural traditions of people across the planet. Contact Ken  Peterson at kpeterson@mbayaq.org.

Britain's strongest san at Butlins

Butlins is to host 'Britain's Strongest Man 2004' at its Minehead centre. Contact Lesley Penniston at lesley.penniston@bourne-leisure.co.uk or 01442 203165.

Mandarin Oriental

Mandarin Oriental International has announced that it will manage a luxurious hideaway resort under development in Chiang Mai, the cultural and historical heart of Northern Thailand. Contact mailto:Cari%20Waldburg%20at%20cari@annscott.co.uk or 020 7823 9988

New Croatia launch from Crystal

Crystal Holidays have launched a new programme of holidays and packages to 14 resorts in Croatia. Contact Mary Stuart-Miller at mary.stuart-miller@virgin.net or 01403 738844

The Ghan Train

The Ghan Train now operates its new service from Alice Springs to Darwin to complete the North - South transcontinental rail crossing connecting Adelaide and Darwin. Contact Veronica Wheen at mailto:veronica@annscott.co.ukor 020 7823 9988.

Mt Kilimanjaro

Guerba has introduced a sixth ascent of Mt Kilimanjaro. The new Western Breach route is a 10-day itinerary including eight days' guided trekking on this permanently snow-capped mountain, lying just three degrees south of the Equator. Contact Michelle Nelson at michelle@beaconpr.co.uk 01572 748800.

Leeds Castle's English Food And Wine Festival

The finest foods and wines as well as cookery demonstrations will tantalise the taste buds of visitors to "the loveliest castle in the world", Leeds Castle, near Maidstone, Kent, during the Festival of English Food & Wine, May 8 - 9. Contact Hannah  Davies at hannah.davies@ehapr.com or 01622 674177.

Go London

The third phase of the Totally London campaign provides information on London’s day-in-day-out, good-value gems. The campaign offers travel deals and offers to Go Eat, Go Shop, Go Party (pubs, bar and clubs) Go Visit (museums and attractions), Go Watch (theatre, comedy, music etc.) and Go Sport. Go London runs throughout March and April. Contact Emma Coulthurst on 020 7932 2057

Great rail journeys

Specialist operator, Great Rail Journeys, has produced a mini-brochure which highlights availability for the remainder of 2004 together with advance information of additional itineraries planned for next year. Contact Ian Macbeth at ianmacbeth@greatrail.co.uk or 01904 521900.

Londontoursaufdeutsch

Londontoursaufdeutsch is offering walking tours of London in German. Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 5 March, a total of eight different walks will take place starting and finishing at tube stations. Contact Fiona Walsh on 020 7487 4736 or fi.walsh@virgin.net

Wildlife camping

The latest Africa brochure from The Imaginative Traveller features an extended range of camping safaris including deluxe or - for those looking for a more hands on approach - full or limited participation options, alongside hotel and lodge holidays across the continent's wildlife hotspots. Contact Rena Brennecke at rena@imtrav.net or 01473 636 066.

Easter sunshine for singles

Easter getaways in Lanzarote are being highlighted by leading specialist operator, Friendship Travel. Contact Colum McLornan on 028 9446 2211.

Photographers go to Kew

The Garden Writers Guild Photographers are to hold a major exhibition of photographs at the White Peaks space at Kew Gardens as part of the summer festival 
programme organised by the Royal Botanic Gardens. The exhibition with the theme ‘New Views of Kew’ will be open to the public from 29 May to 26 September. 
Contact Henrietta Van den Bergh at info@hvdbphoto.com

Dubai Desert Classic

Emirates Tours has tailor-made a special package aimed at golfing enthusiasts which features the opportunity to see the European Tours' top ranking players compete in the prestigious Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament.  Emirates Tours specialises in offering tailor-made luxury holidays to Dubai, the Indian Ocean, Far East, India, Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand. Contact Carolyn Dealey at EmiratesUKpressoffice@qbo-bellpottinger.co.uk.

Salzburg Festival 24 July – 31 August

This internationally acclaimed Salzburg Festival (24 July to 31 August) is staged in Mozart’s birthplace and offers the world’s greatest composers including Janacek vying with Gershwin with the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestras (http://www.salzburgfestival.at/) Contact Gill Wilson at gill.wilson@cecta.org

Vienna

The Liechtenstein Museum which provides the largest private art collection in the world is re-opening 20 March, after being closed for a century. And the Vienna Jazz Festival takes place from 28 June to 11 July. Contact Gill Wilson at gill.wilson@cecta.org

Egypt and the Nile River

Seafarer is featuring a selection of five-star Nile River cruise options - including the opportunity to visit the famous Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza - which are on offer at last year's prices. Chris Lorenzo at chris@roc-london.co.uk or 020 7406 1747.

Whitehall Leisure Expands into Menorca

Independent operator, Whitehall Leisure, better known for specialising in holidays to Cyprus and the Canaries, has now added Menorca. The operator features a total of 12 properties (hotels, villas and apartments) in the resorts or S'Algar, Punta Prima, Cala Galdana, Cala n' Forcat, Cala Blanca and Cala n' Bosch. Contact Michelle Nelson at mailto:michelle@beaconpr.co.uk.co.uk 01572 748800.

TAP Air Portugal

New European and long haul destinations are amongst the features in TAP Air Portugal's new summer schedule effective March. Contact David Edwards dedwards@tap.pt or 07932 3607.

Budapest

Budapest stages the World International Dance Festival from 20 to 29 April. The website http://www.hungarywelcomesbritain.com/ offers information about a myriad of events for the UK market this year.

New Zealand

Specialist long-haul tour operator Quest Travel has launched its first ever stand alone New Zealand brochure featuring a wider range of hotels and specialist tours plus the brand new Qualmark quality rating scheme. Contact Samantha Marsh at samantha@saltmarshpr.co.uk or 020 7928 1600

Swiss spa

An £8 million spa extension has opened at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in the mountain resort of Interlaken, Switzerland.  The new facility has been designed in association with ESPA, an international design and management consultancy specialising in the development of five-star spas throughout the world.  It is the first ESPA to open in the country.
Contact Emma Salvadori at esalvadori@espr.uk.com.

Canadian Rockies

Journeys of Distinction, one of the UK's leading operators of fully escorted tours, has added Canada to its portfolio of destinations, with the launch of a new Grand Canadian Rockies brochure. Contact Zoe Mason at zoe@saltmarshpr.co.uk or 020 7928 1600.

Ski in Vermont

Ski resorts in Vermont, the state nestled in the northwest corner of New England, have enjoyed up to 20 inches of new snow in the last week. Well-groomed pistes and an abundance of virgin powder snow are making for perfect conditions for skiers and boarders alike. Contact Charlie Hampton <charlie@representationplus.co.uk or 020 8877 4506

Holland America Line

Tree new themed transatlantic cruises with Holland America Line allow passengers to relive the big band era. Contact David Ezra at david@saltmarshpr.co.uk or 020 7928 1600.

Golden Door Health Retreat in New South Wales 

Golden Door has opened a luxurious health retreat in New South Wales's Hunter Valley. Contact Tim Allerton at mailto:tallerton@citypublicrelations.com.au

Reef and Rainforest

Reef and Rainforest Tours, the long haul operator specialising in upmarket, natural history holidays, has added India, Sri Lanka and Tanzania to its customised touring brochure for 2004. This brings its total portfolio to fifteen, the others being Belize, Costa Rica, Madagascar, Borneo, Ecuador Galapagos, Brazil, Venezuela, Rwanda, Peru, Seychelles, Honduras, and Papua New Guinea. Contact Jovanka Ristich at ristichj@aol.com or 01628 623003.

Five star luxury on Fifth Avenue

Families and friends travelling together can experience the bright lights of New York City in style with The Peninsula New York's "55th on 5th Family Package. Contact Emma Salvadori at esalvadori@espr.uk.com or 01707 871522.

 Ongoing

The Tourism Society

The Tourism Society (http://www.tourismsociety.org/) is the leading network of professionals in the industry representing hotels, attractions, destinations, operators, travel companies, writers, academics, students and consultants. Contact Adrian Clark at tour.soc@btinternet.com

Wherewillwego.com

Travel website wherewillwego.com is offering CIoJ Travel Writers’ the chance to submit reviews for its Travel reviews from around the globe pages.

No fee is involved (on either side) but it does provide a shop window for your features and a way for editors (worldwide) to see your writing style. In return Robert Jones of wherewillwego.com is publishing information on the CIoJ Travel Writers’ and will pass information on us to other travel writers’ who approach him

Bradt

Bradt Travel Guides are happy to provide CIoJ members with complimentary copies of any of their guides for research in return for a mention of the guide in print. Please visit their website to ensure a guide is published before making a request.

For a full list see their website http://www.bradt-travelguides.com/.

·          To request a particular guide email ashley@williamjack.co.uk.

Footprint

Footprint Handbooks (http://www.footprintbooks.com/) is providing the CIoJ Travel Writers’ review copies of its best selling guides. Footprint publishes detailed, full colour, guides which provide a wealth of information to journalists planning, visiting and writing on destinations worldwide.

CIoJ Travel Writers’ can request review copies of a Footprint handbook although this support should be reflected, where appropriate, in any copy produced.

Response Source

Response Source (http://www.responsesource.com/) is a relatively new journalist enquiry system, which is now being accessed by thousands of journalists and PR practitioners.

Response Source allows a journalist to send requests for information to public relations agencies in specific sectors.  These agencies then respond direct if appropriate.

·      The next issue

The next issue of the CIoJ Travel Writers’ bulletin will be out in April 2004.

Send your contributions to ashley@williamjack.co.uk.