Keep pushing while the door is open A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


I am writing this week’s column during a break from chairing judging sessions for this year’s Agent Achievement Awards, and once again I have been blown away by our shortlisted candidates’ professionalism, knowledge and positivity. That positivity is certainly reflected in this week’s edition, with agents continuing to report strong sales heading into the lates period (page 5). And after some concern that fantastic peak sales would be offset by


a tail-off later in the year, it is a huge relief to hear trade feedback and Barclays spending data both suggesting momentum is being maintained. Of course, there is no room for complacency, with living costs still high and the threat of summer disruption ever-present. But it remains crucial to push hard while the door remains open.


In addition to the positivity in our lead story, there is also a welcome upbeat tone to this week’s


coverage of proposed changes to travel and tourism qualifications, with hopes that alternatives to current vocational standards could be created over the coming years (page 6). While not every business is invested in the existing education system as a source of staff, the


response to our stories in recent months has demonstrated how many in the industry took their first steps with a Level 3 qualification. And with awarding bodies now looking to engage with the trade to shape their courses,


there is a great opportunity to turn a negative into a positive and help create a framework that delivers an even stronger pipeline of talent for the industry of the future.


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


COVER photo From left: Luke Hunneyball,


Imagine Cruising; Sandra Corkin, Oasis Travel; Andy Harmer, Clia; pilot Scott Barnes; Katie Wilson, Bolsover Cruise Club; Katharina Peck, The Travel Network Group


page 12 Photo: Robin Murray


Changes to Abta bonding welcomed 4 Trading Standards call for more powers 4 Lates sales surge despite lack of deals 5 New courses proposed; MSC structure 6 Boss’s wellbeing warning; Roger Davies 8 Special Reports


Marella Voyager launch, Malaga Scenic Eclipse II launch, Malaga AAAs preview: Kelly Jackson, TTC


10 12 14


comment Miles Morgan: Future for conferences? 16


NEWS YOU CAN USE


EasyJet, Riviera, Norse, Delta, Loganair 19 Jet2, Leger Holidays, Newmarket


20 NCL, Clia, Ambassador, Polar Routes 22


FRONTLINE agent diary


THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/Leonardo Em, BlueOrange Studio, Matej Kastelic, Finn stock; Steve Dunlop; Alison White Photography


travelweekly.co.uk


Helen Parry: Our junior team stepped up 24 Your Stories Murray Travel’s Scott Murray on opening a fourth store 25


FOLLOW US: @travelweekly close-up


Travel Counsellors, Porthcawl Travel 28 competitions Egypt, Antarctica, Rocky Mountaineer 30


DESTINATIONS europe


Baltic Sea: St Petersburg may be off the agenda, but there are plenty of other interesting ports of call for cruisers to discover 32


Turkey: Our pick of five of the best properties for breaks this summer


37


latin america Mexico: Combine the buzz of the capital with a mix of Mayan culture and luxury on the Riviera Maya


BUSINESS NEWS


BA fined for ‘deceptive’ Covid refunds 46 Tui Germany ends agency agreements 46 Comment: Chris Photi on Abta bonding 47 USTA chief hails UK market at IPW 48


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 8 JUNE 2023 3


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OCaught up with some incredible trade-friendly suppliers and experts who gave up their time to judge the finalists for this year’s Agent Achievement Awards.


OFollowed the exploits of my amazing team as they reported from three ship launches in the space of seven days.


ODropped my son off at school at 3am on Monday for a school trip – not the ideal way to start the week!


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