Travel still offers light in troubled times A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


The week-long pause in US threats to destroy Iran’s energy infrastructure brought some hopes of peace talks. But with President Trump’s motives and strategy unclear and


re-escalation appearing likely as Travel Weekly went to press, nobody in the industry will be naive enough to think the war is behind us. Despite the massive impact of the conflict on operations and trading,


the start of the Easter getaway was mercifully free of negative headlines and significant disruption. And with companies including easyJet and sister operator easyJet holidays reporting record departures, it is clear a strong appetite for travel remains. Since the first US and Israeli attacks on Iran more than a month ago, the trade has had to tread a line between repatriations and reassurance


on one hand and positive marketing on the other. The leisure travel industry is built on largely joyous and life-affirming experiences and, in the face of worries over global events and pressure on household budgets, those experiences will only become more treasured. Last week I had the pleasure of hosting a round-table discussion featuring a host of industry leaders, and that message underpinned our conversation (page 12). Marketing activity must always be carefully considered, but we shouldn’t be ashamed to


celebrate a product which so often offers light in dark times. Sadly, there is no doubt more conflict lies ahead. But as a speaker at the round-table neatly put it, as an industry we have to remind people “the world is most certainly not closed”.


, Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS


Trade identifies crisis response learnings 4 Disruption risks ‘mount’ before Easter 4 Focus shifts to fuel costs and airfares 5 Domestic sales ‘strong’; NCL pledge 6 Actor turns travel agent; Oceania prize 8 Special Reports


COVER photo Pictured at the launch of


Norwegian Luna in Miami are, from left: Phil Franks, Hays Travel; Ang Perkins, Designer Travel; Craig Barton, Barrhead Travel;


Lynsey Joy, Travel Solutions; Aaron Fletcher, NCL; Gary Anslow, NCL; and John Ryrie, Travel Counsellors


Photo: NCL


Tui River Cruises ship launch, Frankfurt 10 Round-table: Trade on war’s impact 12 comment


Gemma Antrobus: Nuance is key


NEWS YOU CAN USE Tui, easyJet, SIA, Club Med, Jet2


Premier Holidays, Exodus


FRONTLINE agent diary


Clare Dudley: Use quieter times wisely 24 Your Stories Travel Counsellors’ Trevor Smith on helping others 25


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/Guitar photographer, Naeblys; Steve Dunlop


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly 14


19 20


Virgin Voyages, P&O Cruises, Royal 22 close-up


Uniworld, Jetset, Quark Expeditions 26 competitions


Win cruises, hotel stays and vouchers 27


DESTINATIONS Ultimate Guide


to asia tours All about Asia: Latest


stats and trends 30 How to Sell: Top tips and advice from


Asia specialists 32 New Adventures:


Guide to the latest escorted tours


Six of the Best:


Unforgettable experiences


41 BUSINESS NEWS


CMA investigations; Hays exemptions 46 Abta Sustainable Travel Conference:


›Sustainability ‘slipping down agenda’ 47 Fears grow over jet fuel availability 48


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 2 APRIL 2026 3 35


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHosted a round- table discussion with suppliers and agents about how they’ve coped and pivoted since the start of the Iran conflict.


OAttended the christening of new NCL ship Luna in Miami, visited the line’s private island and interviewed its new president.


OCouldn’t wait to get home and spend a week off over Easter with my kids, having been overseas for pretty much the last nine days.


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