Celebrations on both sides of the pond A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Whether you are a flag-waving royalist, an avowed republican or something in between, it’s unlikely you will escape the pomp and pageantry taking place to mark the King’s coronation. As we report this week, many firms are hoping the coronation can
offer an additional sales opportunity, with themed celebrations and promotions designed to tap into the buzz around the event (page 5). And those hopes are certainly not restricted to the outbound sector, with the inbound industry keen to capitalise on the global exposure the celebrations will inevitably generate. Another group with cause for celebration this week are US specialist agents and suppliers, who can finally rejoice at the long-overdue ditching of Covid vaccine rules for travellers (page 4).
Those specialists have been arguing for some time that they have been operating with the
handbrake partially on – with large-group bookings particularly vulnerable to postponement or even cancellation due to the vaccination records of one or more travellers. As USAirtours boss Guy Novik reminded us as the operator marks its 40th anniversary, the
transatlantic market has faced its share of challenges over the decades (page 11). But Guy is not alone in feeling confident about the scope for growth in travel between the two nations (page 6). In November 2021, Travel Weekly’s front page hailed the reopening of borders with the headline ‘Homecoming’. Almost 18 months on, and following the good news from Washington, it finally feels as though the US is fully open for business.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS
Olga matveiuk “Sometimes I forget I’m
in Britain and feel like I’m back in Kyiv”
page 26
NEWS YOU CAN USE producT Titan, Great Little Breaks, Fred Holidays 15 US Sports Travel, Just Go, InsideJapan 16 Ambassador, Saga, Regent, HAL, Virgin 20
THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020
FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Charles Sturge; Shutterstock/Traceyaphotos2, Andrea Izzotti, Monkey Business Images, Melinda Nagy, TTstudio, Carlos Pereira M; Steve Dunlop
travelweekly.co.uk
FRONTLINE agent diary Sharon Thompson: Vietnam reminds me of joy of travel 24
Your Stories Olga Matveiuk, Miles Morgan Travel 26
FOLLOW US: @travelweekly
NEWS Lecturers back MPs’ warning on courses 4 US sales tipped as Covid rules relaxed 4 Shops to shut on Saturday for coronation 5 Bouldin tips 2m pax; USAirtours target 6 Belleair acquired; Advantage; Twynam 8 Special Report USAirtours marks 40 years in business 11 comment
Giles Hawke: Not all suppliers are equal 14
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OWas invited for a wonderful dinner by Chris Austin and Priti Mehta of Explora Journeys, just over 80 days out from the launch of their first ship.
OAttended the Clia State of the Industry Review and interviewed chairman Ben Bouldin on the sector’s increasingly positive outlook.
OHosted our second Travel Weekly Inspiring Women Lunch with Elle UK editor-in-chief Kenya Hunt as speaker.
in the picture Dinner event: Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic 27 New Deal Europe 2023, London
28
Travel Village, Hays, Fred Olsen, Tipto 30 competitions Perform on stage at this year’s AAAs 32
DESTINATIONS SPAIN & PORTUGAL No-fly Cruises: Three operators explain the merits of sailing from the UK to the Iberian Peninsula
Málaga: Arty city remembers Picasso 37 Ronda: Excursion to historic town LGBTQ+ TRAVEL
34 38
Pride Holidays: Your guide to this summer’s best – and most rainbow-hued – events for LGBTQ+ travellers 40
BUSINESS NEWS
EU sets mandates for airlines’ SAF use 46 Spain Sustainability Day conference 47 GBTA polls reaction to NDC rollout 48
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 4 MAY 2023 3
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