Collaboration key to a sustainable future A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


Agents and operators hoping for a restful weekend in the run-up to Christmas will undoubtedly have felt a sense of unease as news of the grounding of Airbus A320 aircraft broke on Friday evening. The initial headlines made for concerning reading, with an immediate expectation of significant disruption as fleets were assessed and the required modifications were made. Yet as the weekend progressed, it became apparent the situation was being resolved swiftly and safely. That resolution was testament to modern hardware, the skill and commitment of airlines’ engineering departments and a touch of luck in the timing of the incident outside the peak flying season, and the Civil Aviation Authority was right to praise the collaboration within the aviation sector that facilitated it.


That theme of industry collaboration is one which also features several times in this special sustainability themed edition of Travel Weekly, supported by Tui. We have been producing this themed edition for more than a decade, initially under the banner of ‘responsible tourism’, and this week we will also hold our fifth annual Sustainability Summit, featuring experts from within and outside the industry. While most areas of innovation are viewed as competitive and companies across the sector will


always be looking for an edge over rivals, there is a general understanding that the viability of our industry will be reliant on those throughout the ecosystem working towards a common goal. This week’s summit will no doubt feature some sobering assessments, but I also hope to hear how collaborative efforts are helping plot a path to a sustainable future.


w Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group n CONTENTS NEWS E News


The Interview Comment


4, 6, 8 10 18


News You Can Use 19 Agent Diary Your Stories Destinations Business


24 26


36-50 54-55


COVEr photo


Pictured at the Aito Overseas Conference in Asturias,


Croucher, Travel with Jules; Richard Hadfield, Journeys à la Carte; and Rajeev Manral, Novaturient Tours & Travel Photo: Ik Aldama


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Byway; Shutterstock/knipsdesign, AlexZaitsev; Steve Dunlop


travelweekly.co.uk


Bridget Keevil, Travel Stop; Chris Rowles, Aito; Julie


Spain, are, from left: Tony Flanagan, Magari Tours;


NEWS YOU CAN USE


Explore, Exodus, Cycling for Softies 19 Uniworld, Amadeus, Scenic Group 20


FRONTLINE agent diary Andrea Smith: Any eco action is good 24


FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


LTAs to be axed from UK package rules 4 ASA: Don’t be scared of ‘green’ ads 4 Budget blasted as ‘smoke and mirrors’ 5 Aito welcomes Premier; OTB rejoins Abta 6 New SPAA boss pledge; eco travel kit 8 Special Reports


Aito Conference, Asturias, Spain


The Interview: Melvin Mak, Tui Group’s director for sustainability and ESG 10 12


Disneyland Paris showcases new world 15 Riviera reveals goals as Radiance sails 16 comment


Jeremy Sampson: Sector has to adapt 18


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OFlew back from T


ravel Weekly’s


hugely successful Inspiring Women Retreat, this year held in Barbados.


OHad a great meeting with Gerard Nolan, Aaron Langford and Nicki Lewis from Royal Caribbean to discuss huge plans for the trade to support the company’s growth in 2026.


OTook my daughter and three of her friends to the local Christmas tree farm to select our Norway spruces!


Your Stories


Di Victory and Toni Sharp, Designer Travel26 close-up


Disney, Jetset, Newmarket, Dominica 27 cover stars


Highlights of this year’s trip to Cyprus 32 competitions


Win Xmas goodies, fam trips and more 34


DESTINATIONS Sustainable travel Agent Tips: Find out how small changes to clients’ itineraries can make their travels more sustainable 36


Sri Lanka: Discover how island’s respect for nature underpins its eco credentials 45 Balkans: Ease the pressure on hotspots by recommending these alternatives 49


BUSINESS NEWS


Radisson targets 100 ‘net zero’ hotels 54 Tuifly supports research on contrails 55 Ryanair scraps Prime; Norse Atlantic 55 Trade reacts to ‘mixed bag’ Budget 56


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 4 DECEMBER 2025 3


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