EDITOR’S COMMENTS
NEWS Hot Stories
04 – dnata buys Stella; Abta forum faces Scots vote aftermath; Wiltshire retailer opens store; Tui begins staff consultation; Virgin axes four routes
News Digest
08 – Cook appoints new MD; Dubai plans mega-hub; Justin King to open WTM; Flexible Autos; Garuda; Clia
The Big Interview 10 – Zena Calderbank, Tipto
Special Report 13 – Christopher Edgington, P&O
Trade Photographer of the Year 18 – We focus on the winners
NEWS YOU CAN USE Canada
Product News 25 – Hurtigruten in cruise promise
Operator News 26 – Virgin adds more family trips
Hotel News 28 – One&Only to open in Bahrain
Aviation News 30 – Virgin axes long-haul routes
Cruise News
34 – SuperBreak starts cruise trips 36 – Royal unveils new training
59 – Find adventure in Alberta 63 – Discover Quebec’s rural region
Germany 68 – Berlin: find out how city has changed in 25 years since fall of wall
JOBS AND CLASSIFIED
72 – Vacancies and business services TRAVELWEEKLY BUSINESS
News
79 – MPs back Heathrow expansion 80 – dnata will consult Stella staff
Comment 44 – Steve Dunne: Bloggers charge
All For You 46 – Queensland, Doha, Grand Prix
Readers’ Lives 48 – Robin Quarrelle, Summit Retreats
Mystery Shopper 56 – Agents tested in Torquay
DESTINATIONS ALL ABOUT YOU
Cover Stars 2015 38 – Win a makeover and trip to US
Letters 41 – Stella; Tui; Jet2; elephant rides
LUCY Editor-in-chief HUXLEY
Dnata’s purchase is a vote of faith in UK
T
he big news in travel last week was the swoop by Emirates- owned dnata for yet another UK firm, Stella Travel Services. It was the group’s purchase of Travel Republic in 2011 that
first brought dnata to the industry’s attention, and the company established itself as a serious player in the UK when it took Gold Medal off Thomas Cook’s hands earlier this year. Now it has agreed a deal for Travel 2 parent Stella, and we can
be certain this won’t be the last of its acquisitions. Dnata has major growth plans and has other UK deals in its sights. Reports have highlighted dnata’s acquisition of the two leading, trade-only long-haul operators: Travel 2 and Gold Medal. Industry comment has focused on what the future might hold for these rivals, now under the same ownership, and what this may mean for agents currently selling both. Following the deal, Iain Andrew, dnata travel services vice-president, stressed he had an “open mind” on how the companies would operate. But he was also keen to emphasise his interest in Sunmaster and Travelbag (page 80). Clearly, as dnata grows its product range, it is going to need more distribution. It’s either going to have to keep buying distribution (and I wouldn’t rule that out) or forge even better relations with independent agents – or both. That could present opportunities for the trade. Dnata’s acquisition strategy is a clear affirmation of faith in the UK market despite evidence of tough trading. Any form of consolidation comes with potential threats and opportunities. It’s typical of the sector that the immediate reaction to this latest deal was to accentuate the latter.
lucy.huxley@
travelweekly.co.uk WHAT LUCY DID THISWEEK 1
2 3
Had a thrilling day last Thursday breaking one story after another, starting with dnata/Stella, then Tui then Thomas Cook! Loved it!
Caught up with leading cruise lines and agents at the Clia Cocktails, hosted by Mail Newspapers
Enjoyed a lovely evening with five well-known women travel executives – with some exciting new plans...
11 September 2014 —
travelweekly.co.uk • 3
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