Hopes for red list but recovery is fragile A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
The tentative sense of momentum felt within the industry in recent weeks received a boost at the weekend with reports that the government was preparing to significantly reduce the number of countries on its red list (page 5). The exact details of the plans remained unclear as Travel Weekly went to press, but large sections of the trade, which until now have been prevented from restarting operations, were given some hope that the end of their enforced shutdown may now be in sight. That feeling of momentum was also reflected in the Atol licences
granted to leading holders, with several projecting passenger numbers in the next 12 months will return to close to pre-pandemic levels (page 4). But despite the bullish outlook of the market leaders, there remains
an underlying picture of uncertainty and caution in the wider industry, which was evident in the number of licences yet to be renewed. It remains eminently clear that the recovery is a fragile one subject to any number of influencing
factors, and this is also revealed by the many agencies still battling to stay afloat long enough to bounce back (page 4). High on many agents’ wishlists for the days ahead is a speedy confirmation of dates for the easing of testing requirements and the reopening of the US border to allow them to eke out every possible benefit from both the October half-term and Christmas breaks. They will then be hoping that FCDO advice and restrictions in destinations are also eased sufficiently to allow them to capitalise on any opportunities this week’s announcements may bring.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS
Atol renewals fall as deadline passes 4 Agencies’ job struggles as furlough ends 4 Trade hopes red list will be drastically cut 5 Airline refunds pledge omits operators 6
Baldwins’ future; marathon fundraisers 7 Special Reports
keep on runnin’
John de Vial raises £13k for the FHA running his eighth London Marathon page 7
Baldwins’ new owner spells out plans 8 Interview: Ailsa Pollard, dnata Travel 10 Obituary: Stanley Tollman
Conference: Global Travel Week
NEWS YOU CAN USE Product
Walt Disney World, Cosmos, Elegant 18 Andante, Royal, Tradewind, Swan 20 Kuoni, Riviera Travel, Intrepid Travel 23
FRONTLINE Your Stories
THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020
FRONT COVER PICTURES: Shutterstock/ SirTravelAlot, Andrei Kobylko
travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US:
Homeworker Sally Murray on Zoom, treks and tours 24
@travelweekly
12 14
Comment: Lisa McAuley, Silver Travel 16
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
ORecorded chats with several US states and attractions ahead of our Visit USA virtual agent roadshow ‘USA All Year Round’ this week!
OHad a great call with the new owner of southeast miniple Baldwins Travel about his plans for the chain and more in the travel sector.
ONursed my son all weekend, who came down with the mumps despite being vaccinated. Such a nasty, painful virus!
agent diary
Sharon: Fab to be back to face-to-face 25 competitions
Search engine, e-bike, fam, vouchers 28 Get Social
Cruise discounts, Australia, red list
DESTINATIONS family holidays
Half-term: We track down eight of the best deals for families seeking to get away during the school break 32
Flying: Travelling to Spain with a baby 38 asia
Indonesia: Discover the cultural, culinary and luxury lures of Bali and Lombok 40
BUSINESS NEWS
Travolution European Summit Cook pledges top service at OTA costs 46 ’Trust and transparency key to revival’ 46 Washington: Chatbots waste of time 47 Travolution reveals 36% fall in IT spend 48
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 7 OCTOBER 2021 3 29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
