US sales joy tempered by cost challenges A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
As US citizens celebrated Independence Day this week, specialist suppliers, agents and destination representatives on this side of the pond were also enjoying a busy few days. On Monday, Brand USA and Trailfinders scooped the top three
awards at the Hampton Court Garden Festival ahead of hosting VIP guests from the travel trade in partnership with Travel Weekly’s sister title Aspire. Meanwhile, Visit USA was planning another memorable summer event, with its traditional July gathering due to take place in London on Thursday. The celebrations took place against a positive transatlantic backdrop,
which is reflected in this week’s annual US Special Edition, sponsored once again by Delta Air Lines (page 10). Yet despite a stronger-than-expected rebound since the belated
reopening of borders less than two years ago, there is still a sense of caution as high prices and exchange rates start to bite for more price-sensitive segments of the market (page 6). In addition to a wealth of news, interviews and features about the US, we also speak to
Henbury Travel boss Richard Slater after his appointment to the Abta board of directors (page 5). Alongside the board member representing retail agencies with turnover below £20 million –
Britaly Travel’s Daniele Broccoli – he will have the chance to make his case with the bosses of powerhouses including Tui, Jet2, easyJet holidays and dnata. The move is undoubtedly a positive one for the association’s core SME members and it will be fascinating to follow Richard’s progress in his new position.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS
Lastminute switches from Abta to Abtot 4 InteleTravel to launch tour operation
4 News
Special Report Comment
5
10 20
News You Can Use 23 Agent Diary Your Stories Competitions Destinations
36 40 42
45-65
NEWS YOU CAN USE Intrepid, Premier, Ocean Florida
THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020
FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/Sean Pavone, Kobby Dagan; Steve Dunlop; Sarah Lucy Brown
travelweekly.co.uk
FRONTLINE AAA 2023 preview Nicki Goldsmith, Virgin Atlantic
FOLLOW US: @travelweekly 23
Latin Routes, Travelsphere, Prestige, Tui 24 Celebrity, HAL, Norwegian, Oceania 28
Slater to champion indies on Abta board 5 US sales dip; OTA heads for metaverse 6 Saga seeks 100 agents; Scott Dunn in US 8 Special Reports
Delta chief tips more transatlantic growth 10 Sustainability: Firms discuss progress 12 Lata Expo: Demand ‘outpacing supply’ 15 Hays hails ongoing sales momentum 16 Data apprenticeships for leisure sector 18 Comment: Staci Mellman, Brand USA 20
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OHosted a Travel Weekly Executive Dinner with InteleTravel chief executive James Ferrara and 30 partners/suppliers.
OHad a great meeting with Elegant Resorts’ Lisa Fitzell and If Only’s Gordon McCreadie to discuss future trade plans.
OTook my team for a strategy day (plus beers and bowling) to discuss how to help make T
ravel
Weekly even more indispensable for our readers!
Your stories
US specialist Michael Atkinson, Hays 40 close-up
Fred Olsen, Althams, Not Just Travel 41 competitions
Win Auckland flights and Maldives fam 42
DESTINATIONS the us
Las Vegas: Tips for a 48-hour stay Orlando: Hotels for every budget
Deep South: We discover the stories behind the music, food and bourbon on a fam trip with TTC Tour Brands 45 52 58
Theme Parks: Disney culinary director 65 short breaks
Europe: Secure early deals for 2024 68 Benidorm: E-bike tour of natural sights 74
32
agent diary Kim Kent: Ship visits and shop security 36
›Jet Zero Strategy branded ‘high-risk’ 78 ›’Call a halt to UK airport expansion’ 80 Guevara champions Saudi tourism plan 79
BUSINESS NEWS Climate Change Committee 2023 report:
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 6 JULY 2023 3
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