Page 26 - 373067 LP258570 Travel Magazine A4 88pp Issue 59 Feb23 PROOF.pdf

Hi there Peeps!
January! Wow what a month – recovery in full swing with agents busier than ever, reflecting huge customer demand for their services and holidays – long may it continue.
We caught up over a moussaka in a trendy Greek restaurant (and a glass of ouzo!) and I got to hear all about Titan’s exciting plans for the trade this year covering their European and World- wide destinations.
Was hugely impressed to learn they have launched their first private jet tours which are going down a storm (my preferred form of travel as you would expect).
Tracy told me that agents are turning to them for cruise packages to combine great pricing, as well as flights, pre and post hotel stays and private transfers.
As always I have been out and about, meeting with the great and the good.
Was lucky enough to sit down with Kirsty Fruin and Briony Worrall from Fred Holidays who were on a sales mission north of the border to tell agents about their range of air, river cruise and rail holidays.
They have started to see a big increase in business and look forward to meeting more agents this year at various trade events. Look out for them and the amazing Fred
Holidays products.
When I heard that Phil Gardner
the Chief Commercial Officer for Ambassador Cruise Line was coming to town – I made sure I was in his diary for a personal meeting, accompanied by Nicola Harper, Head of Distribution.
Ambassador’s Summer 2023 cruises from the Tyne, Belfast and Dundee on board Ambition represent a great sales opportunity for local departures which are incredible value for money.
Why not talk to them about a group promotion as they have some excellent deals. Keep an eye out as there will also be lots of ship visit opportunities this summer to see Ambition first hand.
Always a pleasure to spend time with award winning If Only in the person of Tracy Docherty and their Marketing Manager Carly McNaught.
We talked long haul and their new South Africa programme and for
the very first time, a new European holidays offering - featuring top quality hotels as you would expect.
We popped into the office to take a
few pics and as soon as he saw the camera, the ever shy and retiring David Irving, Operations Supremo, came running over to ask to have his picture taken with me (I get it all the time)!
And finally....... just want to say huge congratulations to my bestie Mark Henderson from DFDS who tied the knot on New Year’s Eve to the lovely Dionne. Wishing them every happiness.
Got myself all dressed up and on the train to meet the new Head of Trade Sales for Titan Travel – Hayley Morris.
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FEBRUARY 2023
Gregorz:diary The social diary of a bear (71⁄4 inches tall)
Phew!! That’s all folks!