More top names to speak at Future of Travel Week


Travel Weekly reporters


Travel Counsellors managing director Kirsten Hughes, dnata Travel B2B managing director Lisa McAuley and the Association of Atol Companies legal advisor Alan Bowen have joined the speaker line-up for Travel Weekly’s Future of Travel Week. Hughes will discuss the future of


travel distribution alongside Alistair Rowland, chairman of Abta and chief executive of Blue Bay Travel, and Bill Allen, chief supply officer at On the Beach, while McAuley and Bowen will discuss the future of travel supply and product following an interview with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays chief executive Steve Heapy. The Future of Travel Week takes


place in partnership with Google from September 14-18, and follows the success of last year’s inaugural Future of Travel Selling Conference. Other speakers already


confirmed include Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet, Arnold Donald, chief executive of Carnival Corporation, and John and Irene Hays, owners of Hays Travel. The event will feature consumer


insight from Google and partners including publisher Hearst UK


Kirsten Hughes


FUTURE WEEK


September 14-18, 2020


during a week of interviews, discussions and presentations. It will also look at the subject of


diversity and inclusivity in the travel industry, with speakers including Jamie-Lee Abtar, executive director of BAME Women in Travel; Claire Osborne, head of local product and technology at Travelport and chair of the Association of Women Travel Executives; John Tanzella, chief


Verhounig eyes revival of CMV


with purchase of several assets The former chief executive of Cruise & Maritime Voyages has bought several assets of the collapsed line in a bid to relaunch it. Christian Verhounig has acquired customer databases, websites, booking systems and office equipment – but no ships – from the business, which entered administration last month after failing to secure extra funding. He has set up a company called CVI Group.


8 3 SEPTEMBER 2020


Alan Bowen Caption


In partnership with


executive of IGLTA, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association; and Steven Wynter, a Hays Travel branch manager and director of Wyntersun Holidays. Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief of


Travel Weekly, said: “We are delighted that so many outstanding speakers will be giving up their time to join us as we assess the future of the UK and global travel industry. “We have a compelling programme


of sessions planned for the week, as we gain expert opinion and insight on the issues facing companies and destinations, particularly as they


restart and rebuild.” i To register for free for Future of Travel Week, visit www2.travelweekly.co.uk/ future-of-travel


Jet2holidays introduces Agent


Finder tool on direct website Jet2holidays this week added a Travel Agent Finder tool on the homepage of its direct website for customers to find independent high street agents selling its product. Agencies will be listed if they make a booking in the previous month. The operator has sped up development of the tool during the pandemic.


Saga set for £100m investment


by former owner Roger de Haan Saga’s former owner is investing £100 million to shore up the over-50s specialist’s finances. Sir Roger de Haan, who sold Saga for £1.35 billion in 2004, will buy 20% of Saga shares for £60.6 million and invest up to £39.4 million in share placings. He will become non-executive chairman, taking over from Patrick O’Sullivan. Saga is seeking a further £50 million from existing investors.


travelweekly.co.uk Lisa McAuley


TravelCares nears £16k with help of ex-STA staff


A group of former STA Travel employees has supported Travel Weekly and Abta LifeLine’s TravelCares appeal, helping to push the amount donated to almost £16,000 including Gift Aid. A number of senior industry


figures started their careers at STA Travel, and many ex-employees felt that supporting the appeal was a way of marking the agency’s demise. TravelCares was created by Travel


Weekly and Abta LifeLine as the charity gears up to support growing numbers of people whose lives have been adversely affected by the crisis. Clare de Bono, head of retail


customer solutions at Amadeus, said: “STA Travel made me the person I am today. I hope to pay a bit of that back to help current STA’ers.” Trudie Clements, director of


Abta LifeLine, said: “We recognise it’s a difficult time for many, but why not donate the price of a coffee?


Every penny really does count.” i justgiving.com/campaign/TravelCares


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