Who deserves your Globe nominations? A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


It scarcely seems believable that almost nine months have passed since we last gathered at London’s Grosvenor House hotel for the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards in association with our headline partner Hearst UK. Yet this week we turn our attention to the 2024 event, as we ask our


travel agent readers to help us compile the shortlists before voting opens for the industry’s most prestigious accolades in November (page 31). The Globes are always a special occasion, with their traditional


January date ensuring they are regarded as the de facto launch party for a new industry year. And after the first full-capacity event since prior to the pandemic in January, we are fully up to speed to ensure another spectacular celebration just 11 days into 2024.


Over the course of the next month, we hope you, our readers, will nominate your favourite


suppliers and destinations, just as those suppliers did for the Agent Achievement Awards in July. And in addition to the agent-nominated categories, we also have awards for suppliers to enter themselves, including those recognising the best places to work, efforts in sustainability and a new Travel for All award to honour those ensuring their product is as accessible and inclusive as possible. Our final two awards are open to anyone in the industry as we seek nominations for our Unsung Hero and Outstanding Achievement accolades. So whether you are an agent or supplier, I would urge you all to get involved at globetravelawards.co.uk and help us celebrate the people and partnerships that underpin the travel trade.


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


Agents get access to fraudster database 4 Abta tackles labour and education issues 4 Tui boss wants to re-engage with agents 5 Royal £100k giveaway; Glen Travel 6 Azamara boss hints at new-builds Special Report


Globe Travel Awards 2024


Nominations open for the


most coveted awards in travel pages 31-40


Photo: Steve Dunlop


InteleTravel celebrates five years in UK 10 comment


Jacqueline Dobson on apprenticeships 12


NEWS YOU CAN USE Travelski, Kuoni, easyJet, Finnair


Jet2CityBreaks, Regent Holidays Gold Medal, JG Travel, Riviera Fred Holidays, Carnival, HAL


FRONTLINE agent diary


THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Andrew Fosker/PinPep; Alexa Fernando; Shutterstock/Blue-sea.cz, Nick Spinder, Klemen K Misic; Steve Dunlop


travelweekly.co.uk


Clare Dudley: Honesty may pay later 24 Your Stories Mark Lomas on opening a bigger high street store 25


FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


15 16 18 20


8 close-up


Bolsover, Hays North West, Cunard 26 competitions Mauritius, Ajman, hamper, £10k trip 28


DESTINATIONS caribbean Tobago: Sustainable stays and wildlife – from turtles to hummingbirds – Tobago is a nature lover’s paradise 42


Wellness: Spa retreat in the Dom Rep 48 weddings & honeymoons


Small Groups: Ask the Experts LGBTQ+: Best honeymoon spots


Lesser-visited Islands: Your guide to three less-frequented Caribbean destinations to put on your clients’ radar 51 54 56


›Fuel flexibility ‘key to line’s progress’ 62 ›IMO ‘hinders investment in new fuels’ 63 ›‘Cruise sector can meet net zero goal’ 64


BUSINESS NEWS Interview: Royal Caribbean’s Nick Rose:


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 7 SEPTEMBER 2023 3


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OInterviewed Tui’s chief marketing officer Neil Swanson about the operator’s surprising and welcome attempts to re-engage independent agents.


OHad a humbling day meeting the crew of Azamara Pursuit – five years after I was honoured to become the ship’s co-godmother.


OGot back into the swing of coaching my daughter’s under-15 hockey team. We’ve got big hopes for the season ahead!


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