p10 wtm nov21 19/11/08 16:39 Page 10
news wtm 2008
ttglive.com
World Travel Market • November 10-13 • ExCeL, London
THEME PARK. CAR RENTAL.
Universal’s ‘wizard’
CarTrawler to
invite to agents
launch system
CARTRAWLER, the car rental technology and
distribution company, is to launch a dedicated
Lucy Huxley.
on pay per view in September. Presswell said: agent system in January 2009, initially to two, as
UNIVERSAL Studios will invite UK trade partners “Of the 62 million people in the UK, 42 million of yet unnamed, UK agent partners.
to meet Harry Potter author JK Rowling when them in any one year will watch pay per view, go Further corporate and leisure travel partners
the Islands of Adventure theme park opens an to the cinema or rent a DVD.” will be added over the first quarter of 2009 be-
attraction based on the young wizard in 2010. “This gives us reach and distribution in a fore the system is made available to all agents.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will offer unique medium which we happen to own.” Speaking at WTM, Bobby Healy, chief technical
a range of attractions, rides and entertainment officer of Dublin-based CarTrawler, said it wanted
to suit all age groups, according to UK managing to sign up between 100 to 150 mid-sized agents.
director Simon Presswell. Rockit fam: Universal is planning a mega-fam The system will be linked to agents’ desktop
He said it would be a “fully immersive for the UK trade when its next big rollercoaster, global distribution systems, matching the car
experience” that simulates the environment that Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, opens next spring. needed to the itinerary booked.
Harry Potter experiences in the bestselling books Universal and Virgin Holidays are already The most suitable car and price will be
and blockbuster films. taking a group of agents out this month to see suggested in a pop-up window, allowing it to be
Wizarding World will “feature the opportunity the attraction being built. When the ride opens purchased at the touch of a button.
to play Quidditch or the chance to buy a wand at more agents will be taken to experience the CarTrawler features 430 car hire suppliers in
Olivander’s wand shop in Diagon Alley”. “world’s first social networking rollercoaster”. 17,800 car rental locations across 134 countries.
Presswell promised the experience would be Presswell said: “It will have 25 music tracks Healy said: “The system matches the car to
“authentic” to the Harry Potter tales. to chose from and passengers can email a video the itinerary, so people don’t have to hunt
Universal is planning marketing campaigns of their experience, complete with their own around for the best offer. It will lead to
connected to the launch of related films in the soundtrack, to all their friends through sites like significant conversion rates.”
cinema, on DVD and on pay per view TV. Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and Bebo. It will
It ran its first big campaign promoting Islands be a brilliant example of viral marketing.”
of Adventure on the back of Hulk being launched
CARIBBEAN.
Puerto Rico plans
TTG@WTM This week and online
In this issue
two fams a year
■ p12-13 Analysis: How the XL Factor will hit
consumer protection PUERTO Rico is to begin fam trips and launch an
■ p24 WTM Cruise news: EasyCruise to be online training course in 2009 to encourage
sold on Amadeus better knowledge of the island among agents.
■ p28 WTM Operator news: Rail companies The Puerto Rico Tourist Board aims to run
woo the trade two annual fam trips, one in spring and one in
■ p30 WTM Hotel news: Sandals interview autumn, beginning late next year, said Marimar
■ p32 WTM Air news: Continental eyes Lidin, the board’s director for Europe, at WTM.
Heathrow expansion The board will launch its online training course
■ p36 WTM Business travel news: BMI puts in the UK in spring 2009.
all its fares on GDSs Puerto Rico currently attracts 170,000 Euro-
■ p46-47 TTG WTM training report: Agents WED ALERT: pean visitors a year, with nearly 14% coming
hear tips on how to beat the credit crunch TTG Big Idea from the UK and over a quarter from Spain.
winners Danny It is now working with hoteliers, Virgin Holidays
And on
ttglive.com Waine and Helen Cruises and
lastminute.com to promote the island
■ More destination and operator news Doyle marked the publication of their first and is looking to expand its operator base.
■ Pictures from all four days Weddings Abroad brochure at WTM with Lidin said: “We spent $1.2 million advertising
■ Photos from the TTG WTM party a celebratory cake. The pair scooped the in Europe last year, a figure unheard of before.
■ Video interviews with top industry bosses £100,000 top prize and expertise of four “The island has become very trendy, known for
travel industry investors in September. people like Benicio del Toro and Jennifer Lopez.”
10 21.11.2008
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