Domestic breaks demand ‘strong’ Juliet Dennis


Domestic tour operators have reported strong sales of UK holidays but downplayed a link to war in the Middle East. Hoseasons said March sales were


58% up year on year, with holiday parks enjoying a “particularly strong performance” through travel agents due to “sustained demand for flexible, family-friendly options”. “Far from being a short-term


shift, this builds on a long-standing trend. UK holidays have continued to grow in popularity as customers seek experiences that are dependable, affordable and tailored to their needs,” said Simon Altham, chief commercial officer of Hoseasons owner Awaze, adding: “Periods of


geopolitical uncertainty shape travel decisions, but the fundamentals haven’t changed.” Other domestic operators cited


steady or increased sales and also doubted this was due to overseas travel uncertainty. Grand UK Holidays sales and


marketing manager Kirsty Laifa said: “If anything, sales have remained steady and in some areas continue to perform really strongly. “In terms of whether the


geopolitical situation is influencing domestic bookings, it’s possible there’s a subtle shift toward UK holidays, but we’d say current demand is more reflective of our established customer preferences rather than any sharp reaction to global events.” Great Little Breaks said sales


Periods of


geopolitical uncertainty shape travel decisions, but the fundamentals haven’t changed


were up 36% year on year in March and highlighted a “significant shift in booking behaviour” to longer stays, experiential breaks and multi-element itineraries, resulting in a 34% rise in average booking values. Managing director Diana Evans


said: “Our current performance is strong but my instinct would tell me this is more reflective of our strategic shift as a business rather than any direct impact from the war.”


But Zoe Davidson, managing


director of Scottish tailor-made specialist McKinlay Kidd, said the war “is and will continue” to have a positive impact on domestic travel. “The quality of enquiry is good as


bookers are aware of what’s going on in the world,” she noted, adding Scotland and Ireland appealed to clients as safe “in this world of uncertainty”. Agents said the war had not


affected domestic bookings. Westoe Travel director Graeme


Brett said: “We’re still selling the same number of domestic breaks. We don’t expect the war to impact domestic sales.” Travel Village Group said it had


been proactively sourcing alternative options for customers, including ex- UK cruises and domestic breaks.


NCL’s new chief stresses value of UK market


Ella Sagar


Norwegian Cruise Line’s new president has pledged his commitment to the UK market after taking the helm at the company, which he feels had “punched below its weight” prior to his arrival. Marc Kazlauskas, who took over


from David Herrera in January, pledged to “make a great company even better” by investing in marketing, technology functions and trade support.


6 2 APRIL 2026 In an interview with Travel


Weekly editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley as the line launched Prima Plus Class ship Norwegian Luna in Miami, Kazlauskas pointed to the line’s decision to remove non-commissionable fares (NCFs) from its pricing to demonstrate its support for the UK trade. “That is something where we


put our stake in the ground and say how important advisors are and how important the UK market is,” he said. A core focus for Kazlauskas – who


brings 30 years’ industry experience – will be overseeing a shake-up of the line’s marketing strategy, as he revealed how he felt it had “lost its way” and “started to lean a little too heavily on promotions and discounts”. NCL’s new brand campaign is set


to debut in the UK this month and will reprise its 1990s ‘It’s Different Out Here’ strapline. Kazlauskas said the campaign


would take the line “back to our roots” and “play more into the freedom and flexibility message”. Chief marketing officer Kiran


Smith said three 30-second adverts, focusing on NCL’s history as a pioneer and creator of ‘Freestyle Cruising’, had been designed to “set NCL apart in a sea of sameness”. Kazlauskas also identified


opportunities to increase investment in technology and bring in “outside ideas and dynamic thinking” to the line, drawing on his tour operating and travel agency experience. He said: “We’ve underinvested in technology, so one of my big things is


Marc Kazlauskas


looking at how we can make it better for our advisor partners, our guests and our employees.” Following a board shake-up at


Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings prompted by an activist investor demanding changes, Kazlauskas said he felt the leadership team was now “on the right track” with the “right people and the right passion”.


travelweekly.co.uk


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