INSIDE THIS
WEEK Contents
NEWS Hot Stories
FCO’s plan for new warning alarms Abta; Royal responds to Harmony complaints; ITT Conference not sold out; Norwegian plans UK growth; EC to rule on P2P sector
Round-up R Tui Blue, Perfect Gift List, Royal, Tipto
Special Reports Counter-terrorism seminar, London Global Travel Group Conference, Dubai
Face to Face Operator 32
Comment 30 Mystery Shopper
44 Destinations 46
NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Seychelles, Universal Studios
19
Operator Monarch, TruTravels, Trafalgar 20 Cruise Carnival, Princess, P&O/Cunard 26 Aviation Norwegian, Monarch, Air Malta 28
FRONTLINE Comment Giles Hawke: three rules
Ali Shah, Travel Up Group Talk Back
BA, Thomas Cook, Turkey, cyber-crime
10 12
14 17 08 04 A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Global agents live the dream W
hat do a police chief superintendent, a speech therapist, a restaurateur, a teacher of English as a
foreign language and a supermarket chain social secretary have in common? They have all given up those careers to become travel agents. Some made the switch years ago, others more recently – in the case of the policewoman, just three weeks ago. But all those agents I met at the Global Travel Group
Conference in Dubai (page 12) had one thing in common: a desire to work in an industry selling people their dreams. Entering the travel industry can be seen as an easy
lifestyle choice, but all of the eclectic mix of Global members I spoke to had genuine drive to grow their businesses and make money. Whether running high street shops, operating specialist
websites or working from home, this entrepreneurial group of agents showed a determination to flourish. Some of the more experienced admitted they were
working harder than ever to succeed. Others newer to the sector agreed they’d been surprised
by the level of training and groundwork required to establish their databases. But all were at the conference to be inspired and to learn
how to make progress with their ventures. And as our interview with Travel Up founder Ali Shah shows, it is possible to build a business from scratch – in his case from his front room and without a strong grasp of English (page 14). The key to success is constant learning,
innovation and differentiation – that, and a good dose of hard graft.
30
COVER PHOTO
Global agents in Dubai, from left: Luke Cartwright, Cartwright Travel; Sam Cassem, Your Travel Group; Natalie Kyte and Jenette Spirovski, both Travel Options 4U; and Natalie Bennett, Broadway Travel
Travel Brit Awards 2016 What’s in store 35 Day in the Life Azamara captain Magnus 38 Mystery Shopper From Reading to India 44
DESTINATIONS Escorted Tours
Deep South: blues, jazz and rock ’n’ roll 46 Single Holidays: trips for solo travellers 55
Middle East Dubai in Summer: Value, surprises, fun 60 BUSINESS NEWS
Travolution 10th Anniversary Summit: 72 London and UK hubs foster start-ups
JUN 2 WHAT
LUCY DID THISWEEK
Lucy Huxley Editor-in-chief @Lucy_Huxley
1
2 3
Checked out G Adventures’ amazing Samsung virtual reality tour of the Ganges at the Global Travel Group Conference in Dubai
Stayed in the stunning Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, and had dinner at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, watching the musical fountain display
Barbequed endless burgers, sausages and steaks at my sister’s housewarming party for more than 100 people!
2 June 2016
travelweekly.co.uk 3
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