INSIDE THIS


WEEK Contents


NEWS Hot Stories


PTRs tipped to deter indies from DP sales; Midcounties to open five stores this year; Wendy Wu to build first river cruise ship; Brits snap up US deals leaving few lates; CMA censures online booking sites


News


Special Report


News You Can Use


Readers’ Lives


Mystery Shopper


06 12 20 Comment 26 Talk Back 30 Competitions 40 42 Destinations 44


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Cosmos, Saint Lucia, Norwegian 19


US Trafalgar, Funway, Contiki, Disney Cruise Princess, Royal, CMV, Saga Operator Riviera, Shearings, Inghams


FRONTLINE Comment Sarah Lax: World Cup fever


Readers’ Lives Samantha Harrington


20 22 25


OTA pricing, Heathrow, port security 17


Round-up Cruise-only stores; Travel Weekly team 08 Saga sales target; Seabourn expedition 10


Special Reports Virgin Atlantic boosts services to US Face to Face: Mal Barritt, ITC


12 14


04


A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Shout about peace of mind T


he term dynamic packaging has never really meant anything to the consumer, but it’s become a critical


piece of travel industry jargon over the last two decades. For many agents, the term represents a way of doing business that allowed them to survive, thrive even, in an internet age that was tipped to kill them off. The dual threat of budget carriers and OTAs meant traditional agents had to become more dynamic in how they sourced product, as consumers were encouraged to DIY to save money. How ironic that the new Package Travel Regulations –


devised ostensibly to bring OTAs into the regulatory regime – are raising questions about whether agents can afford to continue their own dynamic approach (page 4). Will we see a return to agents being solely reliant on


traditional fully-bonded packages? And what would this mean for consumer choice? Let’s face it, it wouldn’t be the first time regulations


intended to have a positive impact on the consumer end up having an unintended detrimental consequence. Time will tell, but the industry has changed much in


20 years, and agents and their enlightened suppliers have proven to be adaptable survivors. The message that consumers are better served and


protected buying bundled products at the same time from the same place is having an impact on all sides. Just look at Expedia’s latest TV campaign, aired during Love Island, which reminds customers they can book a flight now and a hotel later without losing out on any savings, if they so wish. What isn’t in doubt is that the message is


26 30


Competitions Win five nights in Miami 40 Mystery Shopper Wolverhampton


42 DESTINATIONS


COVER STAR Samantha Harrington of Travel Republic in West Hollywood


page 30 PHOTO: STEVE HOCKSTEIN


The US Palm Springs: Downtown, desert, design 44 Second-time States: Find real America 50 Louisiana: New Orleans, Baton Rouge


57


Italy & France Lake Como: Your guide to main resorts 62


BUSINESS


Abta’s Travel Matters Conference 2018: Tanzer sets out post-Brexit prospects


80 WHAT


LUCY DID THISWEEK


Jul 5 1


2 3


Lucy Huxley Editor-in-chief @Lucy_Huxley


Enjoyed presentations at Abta’s Travel Matters conference in London, debating political and policy issues.


Had meetings with an established long-haul operator about its plans for agents, plus one that is launching a new brand to the trade.


Got completely covered in paint of all colours with my kids as we took part in the Penshurst Place ‘Run or Dye’ 5K race.


5 July 2018 travelweekly.co.uk 3


great for agents selling packages as it gives them another reason to shout about the peace of mind they can offer.


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