New hurdles present new opportunities A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


Agents and operators with customers flying overseas will have breathed a sigh of relief at the weekend as the Easter getaway from airports got off to a smooth start. But those reliant on ferry travel from Dover will have been dismayed by the lengthy hold-ups affecting customers – as well as a return of the ‘travel chaos’ headlines which were prevalent this time last year (page 5). The port was unlucky to face adverse weather conditions at the start of the weekend, but border control hold-ups facing coach groups in particular are an issue the trade will be desperate to see swiftly resolved. Despite significant improvements in airport resourcing and operations since last year, there is no sign of complacency in the sector, with strenuous efforts being made to avoid a repeat of the delays last spring and summer.


But as we report this week, airlines are cautious about issues in Europe this summer, including ongoing air traffic control (ATC) strikes and restricted airspace due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (page 5). With industrial action in the sector not isolated to ATC operators, only the most-blinkered optimist would assume overseas travel will be completely smooth sailing in the coming months. But while that may cause some trepidation among passengers, it also offers the trade another


opportunity to show its value. As the CAA reiterated this week as it released March Atol renewal figures (page 4), the importance of booking a protected holiday through a trusted professional is greater than ever.


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OTook Karen Farndell from Holland America Line out for lunch to discuss some exciting plans – and coincidentally to celebrate her birthday!


OHad a great catch-up with Celestyal Holidays to plan a series of trade engagement initiatives ahead of the launch of Celestyal Journey in September.


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


Loveholidays targets Europe expansion 4 Larger operators increase Atol capacity 4 Airline bosses upbeat but fear delays 5 Over-50s specialists merge; agent poll 6 Special Reports


Cover star Former Blue Bay Travel


agent Hayley Weaver poses in Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World in Florida page 28


Photo: Steven Diaz


Ultra-Luxury Cruise Showcase, Paris 8 Hotelplan/Travel Weekly round-table 10 ‘Celebrity Cruises for Beginners’ launch 12 comment


Steve Dunne: First impressions count 14 NEWS YOU CAN USE


Great Little Breaks, Attraction World 17 Pure Luxury, UCHL, Mercury, Riviera 18 Cruise news: Swan Hellenic, APT


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FRONTLINE agent diary


THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/gpointstudio, William Perugini, Mr Buddee Wiangngorn, eyeidea; Steve Dunlop


travelweekly.co.uk


Colin Burns: Beware the ‘Martini’ client 24 in the picture Highlights from Hotelplan’s VIP trip to Switzerland 26


FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


OHeaded to Andorra with my family to go skiing over the Easter holidays.


Cover Stars


Hayley Weaver on Disney fam trip 28 close-up Clia, Virgin Atlantic, Iglu, Murray Travel 30


DESTINATIONS greece & Cyprus Halkidiki: Lucy Huxley and family find the fuss about the Greek mainland resort is justified on a Jet2holidays stay at Ikos Olivia


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Paphos: Discover why the Cypriot city is an EU Smart Tourism Capital for 2023 38 self-drive holidays


The US: Accelerate your American road trip bookings as Nascar celebrates its 75th anniversary


›’Reform airspace’; ‘Protect overflights’ 46 ›Air bosses call for political aid for SAF 48 Atol reform: ‘Segregation in small steps’ 47


BUSINESS NEWS A4E Aviation Summit 2023, Brussels:


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 6 APRIL 2023 3 40


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