Tune in for the next gripping episode A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
I’ve never seen Game of Thrones, but it was suggested to me this week that the recent changes to the make-up of the UK’s high street in travel terms bear comparison with the blockbuster fantasy drama (thankfully with a lot less blood and guts!). The point is, since the collapse of Thomas Cook just a month ago, we’ve had more challenges, victories, counter-bids and thwarted attempts to acquire shops and staff (not to mention brands and assets) than there were twists and turns in the fictional continent of Westeros. Rival agencies all want to pick up share and have been making their moves as they look to grow into the space left in Cook’s wake. Different plots, sub-plots and protagonists are emerging all the time. We report the latest storylines this week (page 4) – and they
definitely won’t be the last. Despite all the vying for supremacy, the overall message is growth, which is heartening in a week when Mothercare going into administration had the future of the UK high street questioned again. As Alistair Rowland suggests, with all the jostling on the high street, we may end up having more agencies than product for them to sell. That would be unlikely in an industry where history shows someone always fills the gap, but it would be good if demand actually outstrips supply – for a while at least. One thing’s for sure, the aftermath of the Cook collapse has been dramatic and gripping. I can’t wait for the next episode.
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OHosted a great Facebook Live session with Virgin Voyages’ Shane Riley to kick off our exclusive competition for 50 agents to win a spot to visit Scarlet Lady
OHad a great night at the WTM Visit Florida dinner with loads of suppliers and agents selling holidays to the Sunshine State
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group ISSUE 2,500
TRAVELWEEKLY.CO.UK 7 NOVEMBER 2019 CONTENTS
NEWS Bill Munro sues Barrhead Travel
headset, go! On your marks,
Agents test virtual reality racetrack on new NCL ship Norwegian Encore
8 GRowth Saga orders its first COOk staff FUEL river ship
of the BEST
Activities in winter-sun paradise Goa
WIN
An overnight stay on Scarlet Lady
FRONT COVER From left: Ryan
Johnston, Cruise118; Rhiannon Kilbride,
Stewart Travel Group; Patrick Hill (back), Paramount Cruises;
Eamonn Ferrin, NCL; and Rachel Brinkley, Fred Olsen Travel page 14
Photo: Steve Dunlop 4
Ex-Cook staff fuel high street expansion 4 Tui to move shops; Virgin opens v-rooms 5 Dnata charter flights; Dublin Port plan 6 WTM 2019: Tui’s Tunisia ‘opportunity’ 8
Special report Norwegian Encore launch report
G Adventures’ agency vow; Fankhauser 10 conference report Tui Retail Managers’ Conference
Comment Oliver Brendon: SeaWorld does good 18
12 14
NEWS YOU CAN USE Product
Avventura, Tourism Australia, Solmar 21 operator
Funway, Tee the World, Crystal, Prestige
Holidays, Experience Travel Group 22 aviation
Jet2, Finnair, Liverpool, Air Transat 24 cruise Marella Cruises, MSC, Royal, HAL 26
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travelweekly.co.uk @travelweekly BUSINESS NEWS
Travolution European Summit report 70 IAG swoops for €1bn Air Europa
72 travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 7 NOVEMBER 2019 3
OVisited secondary schools with my daughter. Fingers crossed she gets the one she wants!
FRONTLINE Get Social
Balance payments, Cook, Sharm this week in…
competitions Virgin Voyages, Faremine, Tipto
Agent Diary 31
1974: Thomson in ‘state monopoly’ spat 32 your stories Rachel Garnish, RG Travel
33 34
Sharon Thompson: Don’t judge places 37 Mystery Shopper Newark agents tested on The Gambia 38
DESTINATIONS winter sun
8 of the Best: Goa activities 40 Tenerife: Adventure beyond beaches 47
Take 2: Exotic fly-and-flop alternatives 51 Africa Cape Town: Neighbourhoods
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