AAAs finalists shine in uncertain times A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


I am writing this during a break from chairing judging panels for this year’s Agent Achievement Awards, and you can find out who has made our shortlists in this week’s edition (page 11). I always relish the opportunity to hear first-hand from agency bosses and those on the frontline, with the judging sessions shining a light on exciting innovations and outstanding customer service. It has also been wonderful to speak to companies in the Best Agency to Work For categories and hear all they are doing to support their staff and foster wellbeing. The conversations I’ve been involved in so far have filled me with confidence for the future of the businesses and individuals who have made the shortlists.


But there is little doubt that the backdrop for this year’s judging is not as settled as in recent times, with consistent trading momentum not the given it has been previously. That sense of flux is certainly not limited to the UK, with global airline body Iata this


week revising its forecasts for the year based on uncertainty around the impact of the Trump administration’s trade policies. And when you factor in global conflicts and financial pressures closer to home, travel businesses of all sizes need to carefully consider how they can continue to be seen as essential when it comes to consumer budgets. Despite the many challenges facing the trade, this week of judging never fails to inspire and excite me. I can’t wait to celebrate the winners’ successes at our awards ceremony on July 10.


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


COVER star Buckley Travel owner


Jacqui Bowring recalls her trip to Paphos, her photoshoot nerves and how she set up her own business


page 32 Photo: Alex Maguire


Iata boss Walsh slams aviation providers 4 Skylord Travel launches cruise division 4 Hays’ plans after buying Spear Travels 5 Tui hails indies; Cookes’ InteleTravel remit 6 Murray Travel charters; Nuttall’s plea 8 AAAs 2025 Shortlists unveiled – did you or your firm make the cut? 11


comment Legal Q&A: ‘We’ve overpaid staff...’ 16


NEWS YOU CAN USE APT, Tui, Kenya Airways, DSD.com 21 Magari Tours, Just Go Holidays


22


Marella, MSC, Princess, Hurtigruten 24 HAL, Nat Geo-Lindblad, Oceania 26


FRONTLINE AAAs 2025 preview Q&A with Janet Parton, Celestyal


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/elesey; Linnea Isaksson; Travel Portland/Diego G Diaz; Steve Dunlop


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OJoined industry footballers at Stamford Bridge for the third MSC Cup in aid of Reuben’s Retreat (I was filming, not playing!)


OPrepared for T ravel


Weekly’s Inspiring Women lunch with guest speaker Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce.


OSpent a wonderful sunny Saturday in Cambridge, visiting my son as he nears the end of his first year at university.


close-up Hays fundraisers, Galaxi, InteleTravel 34 competitions Win a day at the races thanks to Tipto 36


DESTINATIONS scandinavia Sweden: Discover Swedish Lapland’s unexpected delights in summer – fishing, midnight sun and more 38


Northern Lights: Help clients make the most of this year’s solar maximum


42


LGBTQ+ Travel Portland: The Oregon city is a vibrant destination where ‘Pride doesn’t occur once a year but every day’ 46


Morocco: Focus on a pioneering DMC 51 28


agent diary Andrea Smith: Can I justify my travels? 30


BUSINESS NEWS International Travel Law, Prague: ›PTD reform proposals alarm lawyers 54


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 5 JUNE 2025 3


›Insolvency protection; PTR reform 55 Heathrow fire review backs decisions 56


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