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FRIDAY 12th MAY 2006

BRISTOL IS THE EASY CHOICE TO SELL

After a luxury weekend break hosted by Destination Bristol, International Sales Agent Suzanne Ramos, from Continental Airlines said, 'Bristol is the easy choice to sell'.

Suzanne, who has worked for Continental for 13 years and is based in the Salt Lake City call centre, sold the most flights on the Newark - Bristol route over a two-month period and as a result won a 3-night break in Bristol for her efforts.
Last Friday, she flew into Bristol with her husband and spent three days in the city.

The couple stayed at The Brigstow Hotel and during their time visited key attractions in Bristol including the ss Great Britain, The Bristol Old Vic Theatre, the ferry boat and Citysightseeing open-top bus. They also spent a day in Bath, took a trip by car to Stonehenge and Oxford and enjoyed dinner at some of Bristol's top restaurants.

Suzanne said of their visit, 'We could not have asked for a better time here in Bristol, and have seen so much in a short period of time. The ferry ride and the visit to ss Great Britain were spectacular and we enjoyed the hop on hop off bus, as this is a great way to get around the city. The Bristol Old Vic was charming and The Taming of the Shrew was great! The trip has left a lasting impression on me and really makes Bristol the easy choice to sell.'
The incentive scheme was devised when John Hallett, Destination Bristol's Managing Director, visited the three Continental Airlines call centres in Houston, Salt Lake City and Tampa in March last year and made presentations to the sales staff.

The scheme was implemented to increase call centre sales of the New York - Bristol route. The call centres at Houston, Tampa and Salt Lake City, which have 2000, 900 and 700 staff respectively are responsible for 60% of Continental Airlines' bookings.

'We are delighted that Suzanne visited Bristol. As an International Sales Agent, she will be able to go back to Salt Lake City and brief her colleagues on how easy it is to fly into Bristol and just how much there is to see and do in this part of the country,' said John Hallett.

Tony Hallwood, Bristol International's Aviation Development Director added, 'Bristol International are very pleased to support Destination Bristol's initiative in flying US Continental call centre incentive scheme winners to the city. We believe that Suzanne will return to the States full of enthusiasm for Bristol and will encourage her colleagues to promote the city and all the regional tourist attractions including Bath and Stonehenge.'

ENDS

Photograph:
John Hallett from Destination Bristol welcomes Suzanne Ramos from Continental Airlines Salt Lake City call centre, to Bristol with her husband Eric Ramos and Aaron Smythe from Continental Airlines.

From left to right - Aaron Smythe, Suzanne Ramos, Eric Ramos and John Hallett.

For more information please contact:

Danielle Carpenter
Marketing Executive
Destination Bristol
Tel: 0117 946 2205
Email: danielle.carpenter@destinationbristol.co.uk

Notes to Editor:
1. Destination Bristol, formerly the Bristol Tourism and Conference Bureau is a not for profit partnership between Bristol City Council and Business West. Destination Bristol is the destination management partnership for Bristol and South Gloucestershire and leads the marketing of the area as a travel destination. The aim of the organisation is to work with members and partners, to increase business competitiveness, support employment and economic growth, and raise the profile of the Bristol city-region as a European-class travel destination.