ARTAC DIAMOND REGION DECEMBER 2006

Transcription

1 ARTAC DIAMOND REGION DECEMBER 2006 MINUTES OF MEETING OF DIAMOND REGION HELD ON THURSDAY DECEMBER 14TH 2006 AT THE CORUS EDGWAREBURY HOTEL PRESENT: Roger Cook Ken + Shirley Howlett Allan Winthrop CASTLE TRAVEL ALAN COOK TRAVEL FOURWAYS TRAVEL Victor Kaye + Barbara Goodman June Raitt GADABOUT TRAVEL JUNE RAITT TRAVEL Gabi + Frank Birbeck Gill Rabbie Katy + Dinos Savvides Isabelle + Tony Casper Jeff Hyams Tony Radstone Alan Driver RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL (Treasurer) RICHARDS TRAVEL (Sponsorship) SABRA TRAVEL (Vice Chairman) SWIFTSURE TRAVEL THERMALIA TRAVEL TRAVEL CORPORATION (Chairman) WORLDCHOICE TRAVEL SPONSOR: Lanitis Group incorporating Aphrodite Hills + Amathus UK Ltd The meeting commenced at 1940 with a presentation by Andreas Vasiliou who was accompanied by his sales staff, Darren and Natalie. He explained that the Lanitis Group is a family owned organisation, which has been operating for 120 years and is now run by the 4th generation of the family. The group is made up of the following: Amathus Hotels, incorporating the Amathus Beach, Limassol, the Paphos Amathus Beach, both in Cyprus and

2 the Rodian Amathus Beach in Rhodes. Cybaco - a construction company, LaFal Farm, Lanitis HB, Laniki Group, Lanitis Developments and Lanitis Entertainment. Lanitis Development was found in the late 70's and over CY 10m was spent in developing and researching the viability of the vision of the late founder. Aphrodite Hills is one of 3 projects is one of 3 projects he envisioned. It consists of the Intercontinental Hotel, the Golf Course and Club, the Spa, Real Estate, Shops and Restaurants and a retail division. The site is completely controlled, no outsiders can develop and there will be no new build. Projects 2 and 3 consist of a further golf course at Aphrodite in the next 3-5 years and another next to LaFal Farm in a further 6 years. Aphrodite Hills is 100m from the sea, 15 minutes out of Pafos Airport and very near the birthplace of the goddess of love, Aphrodite, hence the name. The villas that surround the 290-room hotel are all built to a very high standard in a Greek village style. The resort also boasts The Retreat Spa, an award winning 18 hole championship golf course designed by Cabelle Robinson, a Beach Club with private transfers every hour to a private beach area 15 minutes away, a wedding chapel, a tennis academy, biking trails, mini golf, kids clubs and horse riding are all available. The resort has received the following accolades: * 1st integrated resort on the island of Cyprus * In top ten best resorts in Europe * 5* service and quality The vision and aim for this spectacular property is to be the top integrated resort in Europe. Aphrodite Hills Resort can be booked via Amathus Holidays and other top end tour operators. After a number of questions from the table, Tony thanks Andreas, Darren and Natalie for coming.

3 MONTHLY MEETING: Commenced at 2055 CONGRATULATIONS Members present and congratulated Tony on his becoming a director of Worldchoice and toasted him with champagne FAREWELL Also toasted were Jeff Hyams of Thermalia, who have pulled out of Worldchoice as they, are now purely tour operators. Jeff has been associated with Diamond for years and has become a good friend to its members and we will see him as an honouree member. Also leaving us is Alan Driver of Worldchoice Travel, formerly Mansion House Travel. 4 years ago this agency was taken over by Worldchoice, but unfortunately the lease is not being renewed and the agency is closing before Christmas. Both Jeff and Alan were wished the very best of luck for the future and given an open invitation to come and see us whenever. They are both attending the Christmas Dinner at the beginning of the year. APOLOGIES Were received from Dawling, Longwood and Rickmansworth Travel MINUTES OF LAST MEETING Were approved by Katy and seconded by June TREASURES REPORT Frank reported that we currently have in the account

4 CONFERENCE This is being held in the Algarve from May 11th - 14th. 7 Diamond members have so far booked flights with TAP who has now closed the flight from Heathrow, and other members were urged to book. Diamond used to have a large presence at Conference and those that attend regularly all agree it is a worthwhile event REGIONAL TEMPLATE Most of the questions posed in our minutes have now been answered. We would make like to make a strong recommendation for Triton to get some form of representation in government, to stand up for our rights, as we feel that ABTA is floundering and is of little use to the independent retailer. FUTURE SPONSORS It was agreed that in future we will endeavour to have only Triton business partners attend our meetings. However, where this is not possible, proposed sponsors will be discussed with the regional chairman prior to being invited. OVP have agreed to attend in April. Our sponsor for February - Chase Travel - seems to be in some kind of difficulty currently, and, although Gabi has invoiced them, they are not due to pay until mid January. Our sponsor for January is Getabed, again Gabi has invoiced them, and sent a chaser, but they have not paid to date. APD The government does not seem interested in the travel industry whatsoever. APD's increases are usually given eleven months notice but this new tax is due to commence on February 01st 07 and it is our duty to collect additional payments from clients, even those already paid in full and ticketed - a mean feat indeed, and, almost impossible. It was thought that this extra tax would be collected from passengers at check in but it now falls to us. BA is honouring all pre-ticketed flights and swallowing the tax. VS is still deciding but it seems TG, EK and a few others are expecting us to collect payment CHRISTMAS DINNER This is being held on Thursday January 11th at Sopwell House Hotel in St. Albans at The cost per member is 10 with the remainder being paid by our funds. Two people from each office are entitled to attend, however, others can attend but must pay the full amount.

5 Only regular attendees are being invited, however, Tony is to invite Paul Stowe, chairman of EFTA, as he regularly attends Diamond meetings. All payments should be sent to Rendezvous Travel FAO Gabi DIAMOND FAM TRIP As certain members could not make either of the two original dates stated, the new date we are looking at for the proposed trip to Berlin is March 24th. Katy will investigate the cost of flights, accommodation and trips and report back at the next meeting NEXT MEETING Is sponsored by Getabed and will be on Thursday January 18th The meeting closed at 2210