Archive News
AITO Specialist Agents Conference
The New Year starts with the Annual AITO Specialist Travel Agents Conference in Hinckley and Paul Cowley will be in attendance to talk about our wonderful Working Partners and how they can help you and your business.
The 2016 event includes product training, business sessions, the All stars Award Dinner, an inspirational keynote speaker in double-amputee Ben McBean and a fantastic opportunity for networking opportunities between Travel Agents, Tour operators and Business Affiliates within The MarketPlace on the Sunday.
Jan 2016
EEC Software Launch DarwinAmber for Start-up and Lifestyle Businesses
Last month at the World Travel Market in London saw EEC Software announce the introduction of DarwinAmber, the ideal software solution for Start-up and Lifestyle Businesses,
Our entry-level service has been designed to provide a viable and cost effective solution to small and growing businesses. Simple and quick to implement, this solution provides the essential elements of functionality to manage customers, bookings and suppliers for a small tour operation.
* Customer Database & CRM
* Product, Price and Itinerary Management
* Booking Management
* Client Document Management including ATOL certificates
* Brochure request handling
* Supplier Management
* Full hosting and email support
* Single User License @ £99 per month
* Low setup cost
Implemented as part of the overall Darwin Platform, simple upgrade to DarwinMagenta or DarwinSapphire means that as you grow, your system is able to grow with you.
Dec 2015
4 Ways To Protect Your Passport
World Travel Market 2015 at ExCeL London
Your passport is an essential travel document… It could easily get damaged, lost or stolen. All new passports in the UK & Ireland now contain RFID (radio frequency identification) chips. These store data and help speed up the process of boarding as well as being able to allow electronic visas to be issued without the need of sending your passport to an embassy/consulate. Without a valid passport, you will not be able to travel or be able to apply for a visa for travelling. Here are 4 ways to help protect your passport:
1. Keep it in a safe place
This may seem like an obvious tip, however, we hear numerous stories of travellers misplacing their passport or it being stolen! Where are the best places to keep your passport when travelling?
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On your body – difficult to reach pockets, deep in a bag/hand luggage
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In a waterproof money belt/Ziploc bag to prevent water damage
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Hotel safe – if your room doesn’t have one, the place you are staying may have one at reception
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Make a duplicate copy for instances where you don’t need to provide an original
2. Passport Covers
Passports can be rejected by embassies/consulates/border control if they are not in good enough condition.
Passport covers have the ability to keep your passport safe from accidental damage and come in a wide range of designs and prices to suit your personal preference.
3. RFID Passport Shield
While a cover can protect your passport from physical damage, the data on your passport can still be at risk. Modern passports contain a data chip which allows for radio scanning at border control. This displays your data instantaneously and is great for the rapid movement of very busy transit areas – however, this technology could come with a price. Today’s Smart Phones come with a technology called NFC (Near Field Communication) which operates at exactly the same frequency as the chip in your passport, allowing someone with the right technology to see the details on your passport – even your photo.
Passport shields are designed to prevent radio scanners activating the chip in your passport.
Just remember to remove the shield when you get to passport control!
4. Passport Tracking
If you do happen to lose your passport, it can be costly to get a replacement or worse still it could ruin your trip.
A number of companies have been working on a solution to help retrieve your lost passport. Some of these use GPS chips which allow you to track the exact location, whereas others include QR codes and barcodes to trace the whereabouts. One of the more affordable options is MyTAG:
MyTAG enables customers to securely tag and register their most treasured belongings from; wallets to mobiles, passports, keys or luggage – so that if lost, they can be reunited with their owners quickly and hassle free. If found, you are instantly contacted by text or email.
Nov 2015
November sees the annual migration for the Travel Industry to move en-masse down to London's Docklands.
The Travel Rep will once again be attending World Travel Market for the full 4 days from Monday 2nd until Thursday 5th of November. There will be a few of the team there so look out for us and please say hi.
You can find us either on stand TT250, in the ITT Lounge in rooms SG27 & SG28 or in one of the coffee stands taking in some much needed refreshment after 4 days of WTM.
Oct 2015
Schengen Visa Sevice Now Available
The Travel Visa Company are now able to assist with all Schengen Visa Applications for non-UK Passport Holders.
For Further Information call our Visa Specialists on: 01270 250 590
http://thetravelvisacompany.co.uk/visas/schengen
Oct 2015
ABTA The Travel Convention 2015 in Costa Navarino
Next month sees another conference, and this time Paul Cowley will be attending ABTA's The Travel Convention in Costa Navarino in Mystical Peloponnese in Greece, staying at the Westin Resort from the 11th until the 15th of October.
For Further Information visit http://thetravelconvention.com
Please catch up with him at any time over the 4 days for a chat about how the The Travel Rep can help you.
Sept 2015
Indian e-Tourist Visa
If you are travelling to India for business or tourist purposes you will need a visa.
6 Month Single/Double Entry Tourist Visa
12 Month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa
12 Month Multiple Entry Business Visa
24 Month Multiple Entry Business Visa
Effective from 15th August 2015. The Government of India are extending their e-Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme to passport holders of an additional 36 countries, including the UK and Ireland. The eTV allows entry at 16 airports across India for a single stay of up to 30 days We are now able to assist all applicants in obtaining the new electronic visa.
To request an application pack and receive more information from The Travel Visa Company please telephone 01270 250 590. Please note that the granting of any Indian Visa is dependant upon consular discretion and requires up to 15 working days in the embassy.
Aug 2015
BirdFair 2015 at Rutland Water
Over 100 Travel Companies, Suppliers and Service Providers will gather at Rutland Water in Leicestershire from the 21st - 23rd 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 wll as some of well known household names presenting on the main stage including Bill Oddie, Chris Packham, Mike Dilger, Simon King and many more.
Aug 2015
Darwin Evolves
The first 6 months of 2015 has seen key system development work take place with additional features now added and available to every user within the Darwin Platform.
Major ‘background’ activity has been undertaken to re-host and substantially upgrade the system architecture for the whole Darwin Platform. This has been a huge undertaking and now completed it has brought a number of significant benefits, both in terms of key system upgrades as well as supporting the solution, both of which are important to Darwin system users.
“The recent work undertaken has given Darwin significant performance improvements including the upgrade of document production and capabilities, 100% separation of development of live product environments, upgrades to system security and the complete real-time replication across dual locations for the Darwin Platform which strengthens our back-up capabilities.” Tim Butterworth, Founder & CEO.
All in all, this development work represents a significant step from both EEC Software and from our customers’ prospective.
July 2015
AITO Conference 2015 in Cordoba
..... another week, another conference, and this week Paul Cowley, along with Tim Butterworth CEO of EEC Software, will be at the AITO Conference #AITOconf in Cordoba, Andalusia in southern Spain. Staying there from the 11th until the 14th of June, at the Hotel Eurostars Palace.
Please catch up with him at any time over the 4 days of the conference for a chat about how the Darwin System can help you run your Tour Operating business, more efficiently and more cost-effective.
June 2015
The Travel Rep at ITT Conference 2015 in Ras Al Khaimah
Paul Cowley will be at the ITT Conference #ittrak in the UAE from 31st May until the 4th June, staying at the Hilton Al Hamra Beach & Golf Resort in Ras Al Khaimah.
Please catch up with him either at the Golf Tournament, (where EEC Software will be a sponsor of the Nearest The Pin Competion) or during the business sessions/coffee breaks for a chat or to simply say hello.
For Further info visit www.itt.co.uk/conference2015 or click the above banner.
May 2015
EEC Software adds more customers to The Darwin System
Following a successful start to 2015, EEC Software is proud to announce that more new customers are now using the Darwin Total Travel System than ever before.
Paul Cowley, Head of Business Development recently said, "2014 was a busy year for the team in getting the Darwin System initially into the market place and then in front of specialist Tour Operators, so it is very satisfying to see that in 2015, the demand for such an innovative cloud-based system is most definitely there." He also added "Following a successful Travel Technology Show at Olympia in February, there hasn't been a single week where we have not been sat in front of a prospective new client discussing the Darwin System, and with our highly effective and informative Skype demonstrations, we can arrange both face-to-face or virtual meetings, anywhere in the world and at any time."
EEC Software are confident that the Darwin Total Travel System will fulfil your needs as a specialist Tour Operator or Travel Business, but don't just take our word for it; our customers can tell you far better than we will ever be able too.
May 2015
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 & Company Secretary 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.
Mar 2015
