Apt return for Cover Stars in US edition A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


In addition to informing, inspiring, supporting and connecting the travel industry, Travel Weekly has always been committed to championing the frontline agents who are its beating heart. That commitment to featuring and celebrating readers across our


portfolio is particularly evident in our flagship magazine, with features including Agent Diary, Your Stories and A Day With… shining a light on some incredible individuals and businesses. And it was this desire to put agents front and centre of the industry’s number-one trade title that underpinned the launch of our Cover Stars competition more than a decade ago. When our most recent set of winners headed to Walt Disney World Resort in late 2019 for their VIP fam trip and cover shoots, it was


inconceivable that only two of them would be featured in 2020 before the industry was brought to a shuddering halt. But with curbs on transatlantic travel for vaccinated visitors now lifted and sales to favourites such as Florida rebounding strongly (page 4), I am delighted that those agents are returning to their rightful place on our front page (and page 30) after a 28-month wait. It is particularly appropriate that the Cover Stars’ comeback coincides with the return of our annual US-themed edition, supported once again by Delta Air Lines (page 10). Like many destinations, the US has challenges to overcome to ensure momentum can be maintained in the coming seasons (back page). But after almost two years apart, it seems clear that travellers’ desire to return to one of the UK and Ireland’s top destinations remains as strong as ever.


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


Special Report Comment


4, 56 10 14


News You Can Use 17 Agent Diary Competitions Cover Stars Destinations


24 28 32


34-46


Target criticises Abta board make-up 4 US sales strong, but price hikes a worry 4 Government plan ‘good, but nothing new’ 5 Classic Collection; Goord lauds trade 6 Holidaysplease target; cards lawsuit 8 Special Report


Delta sees strong transatlantic demand 10 comment


Giles Hawke: Push US as place to go 14 NEWS YOU CAN USE


TheSource, Jet2, Newmarket, LATCB 17 Intrepid Travel, Ranch Rider, MVP Travel 18 SeaDream, Marella, Emerald, Silversea 20


FRONTLINE agent diary


Kim Kent: The issues facing us now... 24 close-up


THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


Simpson Travel, Idle, Red Savannah, Tui 26 competitions Brand USA voucher, fam trips and more 28


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/Sharpner, aappp, f11 photo, Khvost; Steve Hockstein; Kent Phillips; Steve Dunlop; Disney; Pete Bullin; Steven Diaz


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHad fantastic meetings with Classic Collection, Virgin Atlantic and Kuoni, and recorded a great webcast with Holidaysplease director Charles Duncombe.


OEnjoyed a fun day at Henley Regatta with Avis Budget Group – and sat next to ex- Spandau Ballet star Tony Hadley (T


rue!)


ORan the hilarious and filthy Pretty Muddy race with my daughter and her friend. They raised over £250 for Cancer Research.


Cover Stars Steven McLean relives Disney trip after his travel return 30


Get Social Atol, Canada, Hotelplan, workloads 33


DESTINATIONS tHe US


Orlando: Walt Disney World Resort celebrates 50 years and launch of Guardians of the Galaxy ride at Epcot 34


Tennessee: Musical legacy of Memphis 38 RV Trips: Five great motorhome routes 46 Malta


Active Breaks: Three operators provide their top recommendations 48 Culture: Historic Malta 50


BUSINESS NEWS


Cancellation cases clarify refund rights 54 Which? calls for clampdown on airlines 55 Rising costs threaten hotels’ margins 55 USTA’s Dow hails bipartisan support 56


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 7 JULY 2022 3


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