2017 Updates
The Travel Rep at The Speakers House at Christmas
The ITT returned to the State Rooms at The Speakers House at the House of Commons this year for it's prestigious end of year Christmas Reception. Over 100 of the Industry's leading figures gathered together to take the opportunity to have a festive look back at 2017 and to raise a glass to the coming year.
There was also a chance to meet up in The Speaker’s State Bed & Chamber for a photo with the inaugural intake of ITT Student Ambassadors, seen here with ITT Chairman, Steven Freudmann, Chair of ITT's Education & Training Committee, Claire Steiner and Vice-Chair, Paul Cowley.
Dec 2017
World Travel Market
November is the time for World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel and tourism industry. This year will be the 38th time the industry descends upon London,
attracting a global audience that shapes the travel industry.
Over the three days, the travel industry comes together to buy, sell, promote and network and to shape the industry for the year ahead. From seasoned industry professionals to journalists and from students and tourism Ministers, all will be at ExCel London from the 6th to the 8th of November 2017.
The Travel Rep will be in attendance along with EEC Software (In the travel tech show, on stand TT 275), The Literary Greats Project (on UK Inbound stand UKI 100), The Travel Visa Company, Enable Holidays, Select Voyages and ITT Members will once again be able to escape the hustle and bustle of the exhibition floor whilst having the chance to network with their peers in South Gallery, Rooms 25 & 26.
Nov 2017
Creating England's Literary Legends
Creating England's Literary Legends is a Discover England Fund project led by Visit Nottinghamshire which will target the US travel trade with literary-themed bookable itineraries based in three locations, Nottinghamshire, Hampshire and Shakespeare’s England and will work with appropriate local attractions such as Newstead Abbey, the Jane Austen House Museum and Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust.
In addition the US travel trade press will be invited to attend familiarisation trips to sample the itineraries and the resulting feedback will be shared with other destinations with a literary tourism offer.
The Discover England Fund supports the growth of one of England’s most successful export industries, inbound tourism. An industry that delivers jobs and economic growth across the English regions - generating £106 billion a year and employing over two million people. England has seen record tourism spend in the past year from both domestic and international visitors and The Travel Rep are proud to be working in conjunction with Visit Nottinghamshire, Shakespeare's England and Visit Hampshire on this prestigious project.
More details on this and other DEF Projects can be found at ;
https://www.visitbritain.org/discover-england-fund-year-2-pilot-projects
Oct 2017
Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood
In 2018 a consortium of partners, led by the RSPB, will take over guardianship of Sherwood Forest, collectively dedicated to protecting and enhancing the forest, its legends, and the experience of visitors, for now and for generations to come.
The RSPB was selected by Nottinghamshire County Council to manage the Sherwood Forest site, currently a country park, on behalf of, and in partnership with them. Other partners include The Sherwood Forest Trust, Thoresby Estate, The Woodland Trust and Continuum Attractions. Together with a shared goal, this team will protect, conserve and enhance the ecology of the forest, promote this magical place to a national and international audience, and enrich the experience of visitors, who will continue to be able to enjoy the forest.
Due to open in 2018, the new visitor centre will provide more space to host events and engage visitors of all ages in the story of Sherwood and its legends, as well as being a new home to the shop and café. The relocation of the centre will allow the rejuvenation of the current site, which is close to ancient trees of special scientific interest. Its new position will also effectively connect the village of Edwinstowe to the forest too, giving visitors more to do and engaging local businesses in the success of this attraction.
Paul Cowley is Community Engagement on this project and as volunteers are the life-blood of the RSPB, part of this role will be involved in the recruitment, training and welfare of volunteers. From connecting visitors to nature by talking about the wonderful woodland habitats and the extraordinary lives of the Ancient Oaks, to bringing the legend of Robin Hood to life. Sherwood Forest will provide a great variety of volunteering roles.
Sep 2017
BirdFair 2017 at Rutland Water
Over 100 Travel Companies, Suppliers and Service Providers will gather at Rutland Water in Leicestershire from the 18th - 20th August to present the best, not only of Bird-Watching Holidays but everything from the world of Nature including, Safaris, Whale Watching, Insects, Butterflies to Animal Conservation, as well as some well known household names presenting on the main stage including Steve Backshall, Nick Baker, Mike Dilger, Martin Hughes-Games, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff, Chris Packham, Bill Oddie and many more.
Aug 2017
The Travel Rep at the House of Commons
Paul Cowley represented The Travel Rep at the recent ITT Summer Reception at the Houses of Parliament in London which was held on the House of Commons terrace overlooking the River Thames. Here the great and the good of the UK's Travel & Tourism Industry met along with all the winners of ITT's Student of the Year Awards.
A fabulous evening was had by all and we pass on our thanks to Lord Peter Snape for the official invite and our congratulations to all the winners on the day.
Jul 2017
The Travel Rep at ITT Conference 2017 in Sorrento
Paul Cowley will be at the ITT Conference #itt2017 on the Neopolitan Riviera of Italy from the 9th until the 14th June, staying at the Hilton Sorrento Palace.
Please catch up with him during the business sessions/coffee breaks for a chat or to simply say hello.
For Further info click the above banner and for conference highlights visit www.itt.co.uk/conference2017/Highlights
Jun 2017
EEC Software Website
The New EEC Software website is now live.
The new look and feel relects the innovative approach of Darwin, the All-in-One Cloud based software solution for Specialist and Group Tour Operators.
View the new short video for a comprehensive overview of the benefits that Darwin can bring you; https://eecsoftware.com/assets/video/DarwinFINAL.mp4
Jun 2017
Enable Holidays Voted Best Accessible Travel Provider For The Second Year Running
For the second year in a row, Enable Holidays have been voted as the 'Best Accessible Travel Provider' in the Silver Travel Advisor Awards 2017. Following on from its successes at last year’s Silver Travel Awards and the Germany Travel Show Awards, specialist disabled travel company Enable Holidays has retained the title ‘Best Accessible Travel Company’ in the Silver Travel Awards 2017. The awards ceremony was held at Madame Tussauds, London with Welsh singer and radio presenter Aled Jones the host for the evening.
Commenting on Enable’s achievement, jubilant managing director Lynne Kirby, said: ‘’Last year’s result was a massive surprise - but to go on and be voted the best accessible holiday provider by our customers and industry peers for two years running is truly amazing. I’m absolutely over the moon – and especially delighted for the team at Enable who work extremely hard to delight each and every customer. This award belongs to them. I’m just thrilled to be holding it.’’
http://www.enableholidays.com/Voted-Best-Accessible-Travel-Provider-For-The-Second-Year-Running
Jun 2017
Travelling and need a Visa - Frequently Asked Questions
The Travel Visa Company have been providing assistance to travellers requiring visas for many years and are a highly professional business with a dedicated team of Travel Visa specialists, committed to providing an effective and efficient visa information and application service for both business and tourist travellers
Here is a list of the most common questions we get asked.
https://thetravelvisa.wordpress.com/2017/02/08/faq/
Mar 2017
Babymoons
Babymoon - "a relaxing or romantic holiday taken by parents-to-be before their baby is born."
Our final holiday before becoming parents was something truly special and memorable however when browsing for our ‘babymoon’, I realised that there were no companies out there that specialised in this area and were unable to find any travel advice that we required to help us make a decision.
After being in the travel industry for almost ten years prior to starting my family, I decided to launch my own travel company specialising in ‘babymoon’ holidays.
Hayley and the team at Babymoon Holidays are here to guide you in choosing the most perfect babymoon.
Mar 2017
EEC Software to attend Travel Technology Europe Show
EEC Software will be promoting the Darwin System to smaller and medium sized travel companies at The Travel Technology Europe Show at Olympia and you can find Tim, Sam & Paul on stand T46 to talk about how EEC Software, and in particular Darwin, can help your business.
Whether your need is for a new website implementation, a new back office solution for your tour operating business or a more complex, fully integrated system from web to back office, EEC Software will be more than happy to help.
For further details on a record breaking TTE visit http://www.traveltechnologyeurope.com/news/show-news/2017/02/27/record-breaking-year-for-travel-technology-europe-as-organisers-record-7-per-cent-visitor-increase
Feb 2017
The Institute of Travel & Tourism is the only professional membership body for individuals employed in the travel and tourism industry, one of the largest trade sectors in the UK
Paul Cowley, ITT Board Director and Vice Chair of ITT's Education & Training Committee
The Institute of Travel & Tourism was set up to raise and maintain professional standards throughout the travel industry and for the benefit of its Members.
Membership of ITT is open to everyone involved in travel and tourism – whether employed by a travel agency, airline, tour operator, hotel, tourist office, car hire company or any other travel related business such as PR, law and marketing. The Institute also welcomes travel and tourism educators and their students.
ITT provides Members with support and guidance at the same time as encouraging excellence and professionalism. There are also many opportunities for Members to network and exchange views with industry peers and colleagues created through ITT's popular social and business events.
Jan 2017