p36 hotels sep19 15/9/08 16:37 Page 36
Hotels & resorts
Rupert Murray
020 7921 8010
rmurray@ttglive.com
For the latest accommodation news, visit
ttglive.com/hotels
Virgin ties up
with Hip Hotels
VIRGIN Holidays has teamed up with hotel
experts Hip Hotels to launch Virgin Holidays +
Hip Hotels, a range of worldwide escapes.
The venture combines the long-haul expertise
of Virgin Holidays with the individual style of the
Hip Hotels brand.
Virgin spokeswoman Kate Allan said: “Any
travel company can book a package. But what
makes this service special is the reach of its con-
nections, the excellent deals and eye for service.
“Each customer is provided with a personal
‘travel guru’ who locates the hippest hotels, the
most extraordinary design and architecture and
the most enticing locations.
“Customers will have the world the way they
want it, from guest lists in New York to wine lists
in the Bahamas, spa lists in Hong Kong or piste
lists in Aspen. It’s the perfect solution for those
with limited time to plan their getaway.”
■
vhiphotels.co.uk
ourism
Sri Lanka T
HBAA launches
Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka: new UK firm Secrets of Ceylon will promote less well-known hotels and attractions on the island
new branding
Sri Lanka expert
THE Hotel Booking Agent Association unveiled a
new brand identity at its annual forum.
The branding includes a new tagline: Accom-
modation, Conference, Meetings and Events.
reveals its secrets
Des Mclaughlin, of the association’s marketing
committee, said: “The new brand identity will
Philippa Jacks.
offer excursions and activities as well as
allow the HBAA to be better recognised in the A NEW representation company for Sri Lanka excellent accommodation,” he said.
industry and establish a stronger connection aims to promote “undiscovered” facilities on the “I want clients to be able to do things like visit
with the hospitality, conference and meetings island to the UK travel trade. a village school if they wish.”
and business travel industry, and strengthen our Secrets of Ceylon will represent smaller hotels Flambert will visit agencies and operators to
overall position in the marketplace. and suppliers that are relatively unknown to the introduce them to his venture. Agents can earn
“It will be used on all collateral including the British market. It has been set up by Jean-Marc commission by going directly to his clients, but
redesigned website at
www.hbaa.org.uk”. Flambert, a former UK and Ireland director of he expects most will book through a UK operator.
The HBAA provides a collective industry voice Sri Lanka Tourism. “I’m not trying to cut out the operators; my
for agents, hotels and venues for best practice in He is already working on behalf of three job is to let the agents know these products exist
the procurement and booking of accommoda- clients: Deccan Aviation, which operates Sri and show how they can book them,” he said.
tion, conferences, events and training sessions. Lanka’s only domestic helicopter service; a A Secrets of Ceylon website with high-
12-suite hotel, Aditya Resort, near Galle; and the resolution images will launch later this year. An
three hotels of the Serendib Leisure Group. agent training zone is also in the pipeline.
Other properties are expected to be confirmed For more details and to arrange agency
over the coming months. training, email
info@secretsofceylon.co.uk.
“An important criteria is that the hotels must ■ Indian Ocean feature, starts page 67
36 19.09.2008
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