Upbeat mood tempered by challenges A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


After a record summer for many agents and tour operators, it wasn’t surprising to find a sense of positivity and optimism at Abta’s Travel Convention in Bodrum this week (page 5). Chief executive Mark Tanzer hailed the sector’s strong rebound this year in his opening speech and predicted the recovery would continue into next year (page 4). Speakers at the Travel Weekly Business Breakfast at the convention also confirmed the ongoing strength of demand and forecast a good New Year peak-booking period, with Claire Evans, Midcounties Co-operative chief operating officer for travel channels, reporting: “We’re booking into 2025.”


Despite the upbeat mood in the business sessions and at the bar,


however, delegates were also urged to proceed with caution, given the numerous hurdles to overcome. Attendees were reminded of recruitment challenges, sustained financial pressures and of the need to meet stretching targets on sustainability, as well as the impact of ongoing conflicts in Israel-Gaza and Ukraine. Three industry news stories away from the convention served as an additional reminder of the challenges facing the trade. First came the confirmation last week that Luxtripper had entered administration (page 8), followed by the news breaking as Travel Weekly went to press that Online Travel Training was to be wound down. While not related to trading, the closure of the James Villas brand in a strategic decision by owner Awaze also shocked many (page 6) and left more staff facing uncertainty. It goes without saying that our thoughts are with them all.


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


COVER photo From left: Garry Wilson,


Jennifer Lynch, Mark Tanzer, Dame Irene Hays, Alistair Rowland and Nick Marks pages 4-5


Photo: AG Studios


Sector’s sustainability record ‘appalling’ 4 Tanzer: AI and climate herald new era 4 Retailers discuss plans for expansion 5 James Villas closure; Royal ship to return 6 Rzymowska joins Hays; Luxtripper folds 8 Special Report


Virgin Atlantic hosts Maldives fam trip 10 comment


Steve Dunne: Pick an influencer wisely 12


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product JetBlue, BA, Corsican, Pata, Aer Lingus 17 Pure Luxury, TTC, On The Go Tours 18 Seabourn, Fred Olsen, AmaWaterways 24


FRONTLINE agent diary David Walker: Contacts are handy


THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/Yury Birukov; Steve Dunlop; Victoria Falls Safari Spa; Jet2holidays/Jo Hunt Photography; Simon Brooke-Webb


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: close-up


Photos from Mexico, Antigua and more 36 competitions


Win a NZ trip, cruise and £3k voucher 38


DESTINATIONS Family holidays Toddlers: Three experts offer top tips for taking little ones away for the first time, from hotels and restaurants to flight time and activities 40


Christmas Ski Trips: Wallet-friendly ways to hit the slopes on Christmas Day Africa


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Zimbabwe and Zambia: Tourism around Victoria Falls is making a splash with smart hotels and spas 46


30


Your Stories Dawson & Sanderson’s award-winning Julie Cloe 32


@travelweekly


›’It will change how we live and work’ 54 ›’Use new powerful tool responsibly’ 55 Sector’s eco impact ‘needs measuring’ 56


BUSINESS NEWS Generative AI/Future of Travel panel:


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 2 NOVEMBER 2023 3


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


ORecorded not one but three webcasts, with the bosses of Intrepid Travel, Royal Caribbean and Hays Travel, during a busy few days at The Travel Convention.


OGeared up for our next executive dinner, with the presidents of Carnival UK and Cunard to be our guest speakers.


OEnjoyed some interesting outfits at T


pre-Halloween office party!


ravel Weekly’s


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