Good news this week comes in threes A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


I’m pleased we can share three pieces of good news this week. A Court of Appeal ruling last month, which we report on page 5, was significant in overturning a High Court decision which created uncertainty about when a package holiday contract is created and potentially opened the way to a flood of refund claims. Media reporting of the Appeal Court judgment has until now missed what was most important about it and the reason the appeal was brought by Reader Offers. I’m glad we can correct the record. Second, the Department for Transport has agreed an extension of the deadline for airports to install 3D scanners for security screening of cabin baggage. The scanners remove the need for restrictions on liquids and for passengers to remove liquids and laptops from


carry-on bags. This may not seem so positive, but it removes uncertainty about the rules at airports this summer amid fears that many passengers would head on holiday expecting the rules to no longer apply, only to find at security that they do, resulting in delays. Airports and airlines had grown increasingly alarmed at the June 1 deadline for installing the scanners and removing the restrictions, announced in December 2022. So, the clarity is welcome. Third, the March Atol renewals saw the number of Atol holders rise year on year to 1,630,


reflecting the health of the sector. However, we also note concerns – reported on page 4 – that some families may be holding off booking overseas holidays while waiting for a late deal or perhaps preparing to skip a year. We will continue to monitor the market closely.


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


Fears grow families may ‘skip a year’ 4 Airports given longer to install scanners 4 Appeal Court issues ruling on refunds 5 Club Med fam trips; Classic restructure 6 Special Report


in association with COVER star


Bethany Leach is pictured at the Iberostar Slavija Hotel in Montenegro page 22


Photo: Steve Dunlop


Consumers’ eco concerns drop – Aito 8 comment


Jacqueline Dobson: Cut is outrageous 10 NEWS YOU CAN USE


Riviera, Carnival, SkyTeam, Shanghai 13 Rainbow, G Adventures, Regent


14 Holland America, HX, Ambassador 16


FRONTLINE Conference Classic Package Holidays hosts ‘festival’ in Turkey 20


THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; MSC Rights; sbw-photo/Roy Riley; Shutterstock/Ian Woolcock, altafulla, Tolikoff Photography, Ralf Liebhold


travelweekly.co.uk


agent diary Kim Kent: Price-matching is a pain


FOLLOW US: @travelweekly 21


Special report Riviera targets 200,000 passengers 24


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHad a catch-up with Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer about the association’s 2024 convention, to be held in Costa Navarino, Greece, on October 7-9.


OHeaded to Leeds for a meeting and evening out with the team from Jet2holidays.


OTook my kids for the annual Easter egg hunt round my mum’s lovely garden. The tradition is still going strong despite them now being 18 and 14!


competitions Win a BA fam to Barbados and more 25


DESTINATIONS cruise


Summer 2024: Steer clients seeking last-minute bookings towards our pick of some of the best sailings available26


Entertainment: Facilities enter new era 30 Germany: Main River cruise attractions 37 River and Sea: Some ships sail both 42 Quirky Sailings: Books and love boats 49 greece & Cyprus


Islands: We highlight six of the most popular destinations and suggest six lesser-known and quieter alternatives 54


Paros: New hotels boost isle’s appeal 58


BUSINESS NEWS Flight recovery forecast; Carnival Q1 62 EC starts investigation into tech giants: ›Google accused of DMA breaches 63 Amex-CWT tie-up banks on upturn 64


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 4 APRIL 2024 3


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