Challenges, opportunities, commitment A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Each year, we kick off our destination features in Travel Weekly with a focus on the incredible opportunities on offer for customers considering a holiday in Australia and New Zealand. This year is no exception, but the excitement for Aussie specialist agents will understandably be tempered by the images of the destructive bushfires currently afflicting New South Wales and Victoria in particular. As always, our thoughts go out to those battling the blazes, and we hope for imminent news of improved conditions and relief for those affected in these beautiful and iconic destinations. The situation in Australia is also a reminder that no year is without its challenges for those promoting and selling travel, and we report on more of the issues facing the trade this week (page 5). But it is
encouraging to hear news of positive turn-of-year trading from a range of brands (page 4) and also report on one leading independent agency’s expansion plans and the decision by previously direct-sell Audley Travel to embrace agent distribution with a new trade sales team (page 6). After a year of celebration, investment and growth for Travel Weekly in 2019 as we marked our 50th anniversary, we are also looking to a positive year ahead as we continue to fulfil our commitment to inform, inspire, support and connect the industry. That commitment applies to all we do – in print, online and through our fantastic events portfolio – and will be led as always by our flagship weekly magazine, which is proud to have you, our travel agent readers, at its heart.
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OWatched the news about the Australian bushfires anxiously as my sister and family were spending Christmas with friends near Sydney.
OGot absolutely filthy doing the New Year’s Day Park Run through deep floods and sticky mud!
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS
NEWS Customers queue for peaks sales
4
EasyJet Holidays eyes early trade launch 4 Cook refund process ‘is a nightmare’ 5 Tailor Made Travel; Audley; Cyprus Travel With Jules; Tipto; Barrhead Clia Cruise Forum: Sector criticised
6 8
Special report FRONT COVER
Cover Star Gemma Sykes meets Mickey Mouse on board Disney Dream during trip to Florida page 34
Photo: Steven Diaz
NEWS YOU CAN USE Product
Just You, Intrepid, Funway, BA, Royal 19 operator
G Adventures, TransIndus, Acacia Destination
20
Tourism Australia, Brand USA, African 22 Cruise Wave offers, Virgin, Avalon, A&K
24 FOLLOW US:
travelweekly.co.uk @travelweekly
Comment Gemma Antrobus: Business resolutions 14
Steve Dunne gives his verdict on the turn-of-year TV ad campaigns
12 10
OWent tenpin bowling and then took my son out for dinner to celebrate his 14th birthday.
FRONTLINE Get Social
Cook, Inghams, Swords, Haslemere 27 agent diary
Kim Kent: Client’s name tickled me
Cover stars 2020 Gemma Sykes, Hays Travel
Mystery Shopper Brighton agents set Australia challenge 38
28 34
DESTINATIONS australasia
Murray River: Meander on a self-drive 40 Auckland: How to sell the City of Sails 49 Lights at Night: 5 of the Best
Croatia & the balkans 51
Sunny Beach: Beyond its lively surface 52 Plitvice Lakes: Postcard from hot spot 56
BUSINESS NEWS Travel Weekly Insight Report 2019: Business Breakfast launch photos
60
Climate ‘tipping point’; easyJet ‘lead’ 62 Cook failure lessons; mobile bookings 63 Deloitte hails ‘outstanding’ 2019
64 travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 2 JANUARY 2020 3
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