Sustainability progress isn’t an easy fix A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Last week, I was privileged to hear from – and interview – a range of leaders from the industry and related sectors at the third Travel Weekly Sustainability Summit (page 12-13). The conference got a great reception from delegates, with top- level speakers including the chief executives of Jet2 and Hurtigruten Group, and G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip. And what struck me most about the day was the willingness of speakers to engage with some uncomfortable truths and not pretend all was rosy in the travel industry’s garden (page 4-5). There were plenty of disagreements between panellists and speakers – and clearly not all were resolved there and then. But I was encouraged that many of those presenting opposing views
were also willing to explore ways to collaborate to ensure the industry has a sustainable future. The subject of greenwashing was often to the fore, with the CMA’s Mike Coates outlining
the CMA’s growing powers in holding companies to account. And it is clear that those who make unsubstantiated or vague claims will come under increasing scrutiny – both from regulators and customers for whom such claims are growing in importance when holiday choices are made. The travel industry undoubtedly has a long way to go on its sustainable journey, and as Bruce and others made abundantly clear, it won’t get anywhere if it keeps its head in the sand. Tough conversations aren’t always fun, but they will continue to be necessary for our industry – and all that is good about it – to move forward.
d Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS
COVER photo From left: Steve Heapy,
Jet2; Tony Mann, Idle Travel; Kathryn Beaumont, Hanson Travel; Laurie Allison,
Worldchoice Chesterfield;
Damien Murphy, Terra Travel; and Alan Cross, Jet2holidays
page 10 Photo: Tom Reader
NEWS YOU CAN USE Solmar Villas, easyJet, Eurostar
Vedere, Shearings, JG Travel, Prestige 22 Viking, Havila Voyages, Uniworld
21 28
THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020
FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; Jeremy Balderas; Tracey Whitefoot
travelweekly.co.uk
FRONTLINE agent diary David Walker: Busy November was a rehearsal for peaks 30
FOLLOW US: @travelweekly
Virgin SAF flight ‘milestone’ challenged 4 Poon Tip: Comfort zone threatens future 4 Cruise sector has its ‘head in the sand’ 5 Sustainability investment; PTD changes 6 TTNG initiatives; First in Service Travel 8 Special ReportS
Jet2holidays VIP Conference, Turkey 10 Travel Weekly Sustainability Summit 12 Celebrity Ascent named in Miami
Miles Morgan: Being yourself pays off 17 14
The Travel Village Conference, Paphos 16 comment
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OJoined the Seabourn team and the country’s top cruise agents for the line’s traditional Christmas celebration in the West End.
OFilmed a webcast with Phil and Paula Nuttall from The Travel Village and heard the latest news from their overseas conference.
OHeaded to our local farm in Kent on our annual search for the perfect Christmas tree. It’s looking resplendent – so another winner!
Your Stories Emma Shaw, Travel Counsellors
close-up
From Glasgow via Florida to Jamaica 36 competitions
Win a trip to Dubai or Hong Kong 37
DESTINATIONS Winter sun The Bahamas: We check out two of the top resorts as the destination marks 50 years of independence 38
The Maldives: Reel fishing in Helengeli 44 Middle east
Ras Al Khaimah: Discover another side of the UAE with nature and adventure 46
Abu Dhabi: New attractions in emirate 50
BUSINESS NEWS WTTC ‘water roadmap’; Air slot reform 54 Virgin Atlantic’s 100% SAF ‘first’: ›Transatlantic flight ‘is stepping stone’ 55 EC reveals plans to shake up PTDs
56 travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 7 DECEMBER 2023 3
31
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 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
