Slacks-off slip-up
The Fiorelli Restaurant in Bath was the venue for the Carrier 2009 brochure launch recently. I went along with other Preferred Agency Partners to be treated to a champagne reception and dinner.
While sipping the bubbly stuff, I caught up with World Market Travel’s Peter Giles, who, having read about the Grand Dinner Jacket Mix-Up in last week’s column, confessed that it’s not just DJs that go missing – he had once lost his dinner suit trousers.
I dared not ask what had happened to them in case I could not contain my blushes, but if you spot a pair of black M&S dress trousers do get in touch. They’re a 34in waist but beyond that I can add no more – it didn’t seem appropriate to offer to measure his inside leg.
The reception over, we made our way into dinner where we enjoyed a splendid meal and good wines. Carrier sales manager Gareth Hulmston introduced us to the brochure and outlined the new destinations.
Having recently been acquired by Kuoni, Carrier managing director Ian Pollitt was keen to reassure agents that Kuoni had promised that nothing would change and that all staff would be retained. In these uncertain times, it was a relief to hear.
Informative presentations were made by TAJ Hotels, The Residence in Mauritius, One&Only and Evason, all of which transported us from the cold, dark and wintry October night – quite the therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Patrick Murphy from Thorntons Travel expressed thanks on behalf of those in attendance and spoke for us all when he said we would continue to support the company. I am sure the quality of product it represents will ensure it has a bright future in spite of the current gloom.
Thai’d up with Jagger
I was not among those members of the trade and media lucky enough to attend the launch of the Visit Amazing Thailand 2009 event, but I hear that it couldn’t have gone better.
Hosted by Thai Airways, 40 UK delegates began their trip in the stunning Star Alliance lounge at Heathrow before flying to join trade representatives from all over the world.
A reception for 1,000 people got business under way before they split up into groups, with some heading south to Phuket while others went north to Issan in the company of Jo Cook and Kannika Mac from Tourism Authority of Thailand and Judy Feller and Serena Kelly of Thai Airways.
Tall tales from the happy trippers abound, but many are keeping tight-lipped about the 3am pole dancing sessions, the Mick Jagger impersonations and the sleep deprivation.
This sounds like one heck of a fam trip and I’m not surprised that delegates are already begging to go back next year. I do a mean impression of Des O’Connor – do you think there’s a place for me?
Comeback queens
It was good to hear from two ladies from my past this week. Abbey Thomas was made redundant when XL Leisure Group collapsed, but has come up smiling as the new national sales manager of A2B Transfers.
I am so pleased that after such a lousy end to the summer she has bounced back – you just can’t keep a good girl down!
My other visitor was Helen Tate who used to call in on us when she worked as a rep for Titan Travel. She too was made redundant but had already embarked on Plan B for Baby, which materialised in the form of little Noah.
Helen said she had really enjoyed having time off with Noah and his older brother but she had been kept on her toes. Not only were the two boys a handful, she was also being given the runaround by the family Jack Russell, Jake, who has something of Houdini about him, apparently, and is always escaping.
Countless times Helen has found herself crossing the common to the Royal Marines’ barracks in search of the mischievous mutt who does a great line in ankle biting. The marines have told her to control the dog or enlist him.
The excitement of daily visits to fit, muscled men in uniform got too much for Helen, however, and she decided to go back to work, taking a job as sales manager for Trafalgar Tours. Her blood pressure has gone down and she is now fighting fit. Well done, that girl.
Maureen Hill works at Travel Angels, Gillingham, Dorset