England is Out of the World Cup - Here's the Silver Lining

While we may be dismayed at England's abrupt World Cup departure, the UK travel industry is gearing up for a surge in queries and bookings. We saw this behaviour during the last World Cup (see most recent blog post for the data) and a recent article on Travelmole.com is predicting the same. In fact, one tour operator saw a week on week increase in web traffic of 40% following England's loss yesterday.

We advise you to check budgets to ensure they are adequate for capturing the expected interest. Also, conversion rates are expected to rise as "lookers" turn into "bookers." Adjust bids accordingly to gain visibility for your advertisements.

Nate Bucholz from Google Travel UK

2010 Law and Security Conference

In an effort to stimulate further debate about law and security in the midst of the global fight against terrorism, the Washington, D.C.-based Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies and the Vienna, Austria-based Educational Initiative for Central and Eastern Europe (EICEE) are convening the 2010 Law and Security Conference.

With courses led by eminent U.S. law professors and international law attorneys, this conference will offer current insights on, and facilitate discussions about, the roles and responsibilities of international bodies such as the United Nations in the war on terror, the proper balance of security measures and civil and religious liberties, and regional security measures taken by the United States and nations of Europe. The Law and Security Conference will take place on 1–4 August 2010 at Castle Neuwaldegg in Vienna, Austria and is open to 40 law students and law professors from throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

As background, the Federalist Society is a Washington, D.C.-based legal and educational organization founded in 1982 on the principles of limited government, the separation of powers, the rule of law, and the protection of national sovereignty. Today, the Federalist Society includes more than 40,000 lawyers, law students, scholars, and other individuals who believe and trust that individual citizens can make the best choices for themselves and society. For more information on the Federalist Society, please visit its website at www.fed-soc.org.

EICEE is a network of civil society institutions dedicated to fostering free, just and democratic societies in the nations of Eastern Europe. EICEE affiliates are located in Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Estonia, Macedonia, and Bulgaria. With a distinguished Board of Advisors that includes Vaclav Havel (former President of the Czech Republic), Mart Laar (former Prime Minister of Estonia) and Dr. José Piñera (former Minister of Labor, Chile), EICEE seeks to provide educational programs that network young leaders and professionals throughout the Central and Eastern European region, assisting them in an effort to advance human development in three core areas: economic freedom, political freedom and cultural freedom. For more information on EICEE, please visit our website at: www.eicee.org.

Those students who are selected to attend the 2010 Law and Security Conference will receive full scholarships, covering the costs of housing at Castle Neuwaldegg, meals, speakers, books, and materials.

To apply for the 2010 Law and Security Conference, applicants are required to submit:
1. Curriculum Vitae (include gender/sex for rooming purposes)
2. Application Form
3. Short cover letter explaining your interest in attending this Conference and highlighting any leadership and organizational experience

Please, if you are interested, request an application form from by emailing Ken Wiltberger at: kenw@fed-soc.org.

Deadline for applications is Thursday, 1 July 2010. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive and there are a limited number of spaces, so please do not wait to register and apply!

Contact information: Ken Wiltberger - kenw@fed-soc.org, Mark E. Hanssen - hanssenm@eicee.org.

Summer 2010 Whitepaper: "A Paper Of Two Halves"

We're pleased to announce the release of our latest whitepaper, "A Paper Of Two Halves". Throughout the paper, we've highlighted insights on last year's query behaviour and have provided data which will hopefully help Travel advertisers plan for the summer ahead. We welcome any feedback on the paper and hope, as ever, that it proves insightful.

Please find the whitepaper at this link

Posted by Jonny Cranmer, Industry Analyst.

International Summer Week 2010 in Sardinia

Would you like to experience the unique Mediterranean summer? Do you want to visit an ancient land where, close to some of the most beautiful white beaches you can also find historic monuments? Would you like to attend an international camp along with 150 other youngsters like you, from dozens of countries around the world, who are up for having a great time on the beach by day and at the club at night? If your answer to all of the above is YES then join "International Summer Week 2010"!

International Summer Week is an international meeting that has taken place every August since 1998 in Sardinia, the pearl of the Mediterranean sea. Through the years we have had more than 2,000 young people from all over the world! This year the International Summer Week will be held on August 02-09, 2010. 

Fun, sea, nature and culture are the elements that make International Summer Week an incredible unforgettable experience. So what are you waiting for? Click on the link here under and apply to take part in the next edition of International Summer Week!

Eligible participants. All interested people aged 18 - 35 are welcome to apply. What counts is that you want to meet people from various countries and that you want to have fun.

Costs. For foreign participant - 320 Euro if application and deposit payment are received after May 1st. For Italians - 350 Euro if application and deposit payment are received after May 1st. The fee includes food, accommodation, transportation to events listed in agenda, and entry fees to discos. The fee does NOT include travel costs to reach or to leave Cagliari from your country or town neither transportation to/from the airport to the residence.

Fill in the application form right away in order to register for International Summer Week 2010 in Sardinia, Italy: http://www.tdm2000.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=14

Scholarships for Courses in Design, Fashion and Communications

Instituto Europeo di Design, Madrid, Europe´s most innovative design school, launches its competition for scholarships for the following 1-year-long courses in Design, Fashion and Communications.

* One year course on Total Design

* One year course on Fashion Communication

One Year Courses taught in English run for one whole academic year as an experience across different fields of design and communication. They are designed for individuals who seek to gain their first professional skills in the areas of fashion, interior & product design, visual arts, advertising and marketing. All key subjects required for professional development of project design and culture are covered from both the theoretical and practical perspectives. One of the subjects is Spanish language, so you get to learn your chosen discipline and Spanish throughout the year. In addition, students who successfully complete these courses can opt to enrol in a two-month bridging course specific to their chosen field of study (fashion, visual arts, etc.), focused on skill acquisition and handling of tools. This bridging course, gives students direct access to the second year of our 3-year courses.

Competition will be open until June 28, 2010. 

Course on Total Design

Make your first inroads into the professional world of design and communication with IED’s Total Design English course.

The Total Design course runs for one whole academic year as crosssectional experience across the main fields of design and communication. This course has been designed for individuals who seek to gain their first professional skills in the areas of fashion, interior & product design, visual arts, advertising and marketing. The course covers all areas from both the theoretical and practical perspectives, including all key subjects required for professional development of project design and culture. The course ends with a transversal final project commissioned by a real company. This year´s project is commissioned by SKUNKFUNK and in previous editions they have collaborated with companies like MUJI and HOSS INTROPIA. For a better understunding of Spanish language and culture, the course also includes Spanish language classes.

Course on Fashion Communication

The Fashion Communication course, taught in English, runs for one academic year, offering students extensive experience in the fields of fashion and communications. This course is designed for individuals looking to commence their education in the world of fashion, styling and communications. The subjects offered in this course cover all theoretical and practical aspects, providing the student with a professional, all-encompassing vision of culture, fashion and communications.

In addition, students who successfully complete this course can opt to enroll in a two-month bridging course, specializing in their chosen field of study (fashion and styling, creative fashion management, advertising or marketing and corporate communications), which gives them direct access to the second year of some of our 3-year degrees. This course, given in July and September, focuses on acquiring skills and handling tools relative to the specific field of design or communications chosen by the student, as well as collaborating with companies on projects.

One Year Fashion Communication: Beginning of Course: October 2010, End of Course: June 2011.

For more infromation on application process please visit the website: http://iedmadrid.com/design-courses-in-english/one-year-courses/ 

2011 Scholarships Of Excellence

The International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education Limited (THE-ICE) encourages and promotes excellence in tourism and hospitality education. We offer scholarship grants to international students who wish to study tourism and hospitality at a THE-ICE member institution. Our member's programs have been independently assessed and accredited by an international panel and successfully met THE-ICE Standards of Excellence, which were specifically developed to endorse high quality tourism, hospitality and event programs.

Scholarship grants are offered on the basis of academic excellence commencing in Semester 1, 2011 and can be chosen from the programs listed below. All information regarding conditions of award eligibility and selection criteria is included on the application form. Applications for Semester 1, 2011 close on 24 September 2010.

Remember to read the eligibility and selection criteria on the application form carefully. You must meet the criteria to be eligible for consideration. In addition, should your application be successful you will need to apply for a student visa. Details of visa applications and requirements can be found at The Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management Singapore

Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management Singapore is offering an international student scholarship to study the Master of Management in Hospitality (MBA Equivalent) in Singapore.

The Master of Management in Hospitality is on offer for commencement of study in Semester 1, 2011 (May). Applications close 24 September 2010.

Master of Management in Hospitality (MBA Equivalent) 1-Year Programme

* 1 Year Master Scholarship Available

* To commence Semester 1, 2011 (May)

* Scholarship offers a grant of SGD$15,000 towards CNI Tuition Fees

* Application closing date is 24 September 2010.

* Master of Management in Hospitality (MBA Equivalent) Course information

The Australian International Hotel School Canberra Australia

The Australian International Hotel School is offering an International Student Scholarship to study one of the following Associate Degree Programmes-

- Associate Degree of Business (International Hotel Management) 2-year programme

or

- Associate Degree of Business (International Event Management) 2-year programme

The AIHS programme's are for commencement of study in Semester 1, 2011 and offers the successful applicant AU $10,000 towards Year 2 only Tuition Fees. Applications close 24 September 2010.

Associate Degree of Business (International Hotel Management) 2 years

* 2 year Associate Degree Scholarship available

* To commence Semester 1, 2011 (usually February)

* Scholarship offers a grant of AU $10,000 towards AIHS Tuition Fees Year 2 only

* Application closing date is 24 September 2010

* Associate Degree of Business (International Hotel Management) Course Information

Associate Degree of Business (International Event Management) 2 years

* 2 year Associate Degree Scholarship available

* To commence Semester 1, 2011 (usually February)

* Scholarship offers a grant of AU $10,000 towards AIHS Tuition Fees Year 2 only

* Application closing date is 24 September 2010

* Associate Degree of Business (International Event Management) Course Information

Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, Sydney Australia

The Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School is offering an International Student Scholarship to study the Associate Degree of Business (International Hotel & Resort Management) 2-year programme.

The BMIHMS Associate Degree of Business (International Hotel & Resort Management) is for commencement of study Semester 1, 2011 and offers the successful applicant AU$10,000 towards Year 2 Tuition Fees only. Applications close 24 September 2010.

Associate Degree of Business (International Hotel & Resort Management) 2-year programme

* Associate Degree of Business Available

* To commence study Semester 1 2011 (usually February)

* Scholarship offers a grant of AU$10,000 to contribute towards Year 2 (Only) Tuition Fees

* Application closing date is 24 September 2010

* Associate Degree of Business (International Hotel & Resort Management) Course Details

For more information on eligibility criteria and to apply, please complete your details at the Log in section. at the program website http://www.the-ice.org/index.php?option=com_pages&Itemid=6. You will then be able to download the Application and Criteria details of the Scholarship.

Applications must be received by close of business on 24 September 2010 for Semester 1, 2011. All scholarship applications need to be posted to THE-ICE postal address. No applications will be accepted via email.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of excellent merit and winners will be contacted by email.

For enquiries on scholarship opportunities, please email scholarships@the-ice.org.

easyJet finds success with Google mobile advertising

Mobile devices are becoming increasingly popular and essential in today’s fast-moving society. easyJet is one of the first airlines to capitalise on the rapid growth in mobile traffic in 2010, as demonstrated in the case study attached. The low cost carrier set up a mobile account this February, yielding strong results. The CTRs for their non-branded Adwords terms were six times higher for their mobile campaign than their desktop campaign, with a return on investment of 11:1, i.e. £11 return for every £1 spent. Interestingly, 38% of bookings on mobile were for flights that departed within 10 days versus 13% for desktop. easyJet’s marketing manager, Katie Stitson, comments that “the airline experienced “100s of bookings a month from mobile devices.”

With a website adapted specifically for use on the mobile, easyJet is likely to experience even greater returns. Katie says that “the campaign has confirmed that there is a strong demand for mobile internet – and it’s increasing at a substantial rate. The results will definitely have an impact on the future of the brand’s online development. After the success of Google mobile ads, we now plan to develop a mobile version of our new easyJet.com website.”

For further details please find the case study at this link.

Posted by Jo Webber, Account Strategist