Stay vigilant to help fight rise in fraud A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


It only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch, as the saying goes, so it is always concerning when our industry hits the headlines for the wrong reasons. This was repeatedly evident during the pandemic, when companies and individuals working around the clock were often unfairly criticised and targeted due to circumstances beyond their control. And last week, bona fide travel agents will have been angered as their


profession was tarnished by bogus travel seller Lyne Barlow, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for frauds totalling £1.2 million (page 5). Fortunately, Barlow was apprehended and faced justice, and while this will be scant consolation for the customers she duped, it is to be hoped their experiences will prompt others to look beyond


bargain prices and claims of financial protection and ensure they book only with reputable and protected travel businesses. The story ensured fraud remained firmly in the spotlight following regular Travel Weekly reports this year about an increase in activity across the industry. And it has unsurprisingly reignited calls for greater collaboration to limit exposure and protect companies and individuals alike. Whether it is the consumer-facing crimes of Barlow and her ilk or the targeting of travel firms by sophisticated scammers linked to organised crime, the resulting losses can be a hammer blow for victims. In a peak booking period when sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive (page 4), it is incumbent on us all to stay vigilant and ensure these criminals do not derail the industry’s recovery.


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


Bookings boom continues in February 4 Trade rallies after quake hits Turkey Bogus agent spurs trade fraud fight


4 5


comment Barrhead’s Jacqueline


Dobson hails the value of skilled agents after going back to the floor for a day page 14


Sunweb gets Atol; ATT fund questioned 6 Agent writes book; Summit date revealed 8 Special Reports


Cruise.co.uk conference, Austria Obituary: Derek Moore comment


NEWS YOU CAN USE Titan Travel, Jet2, Ajman, Ryanair


Attraction World, Travelsphere


FRONTLINE agent diary


THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/Maksim Shmeljov, cowardlion, VGstockstudio, leshiy985; Syrian Arab Red Crescent; Steve Dunlop


travelweekly.co.uk


Helen Parry: Restoring the human touch 24 Your Stories Not Just Travel’s Ben Casey started two travel brands 26


FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


10 13


Jacqueline Dobson: Good agent is gold 14


19 20


A-Rosa, P&O Cruises, Emerald Cruises 22


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHosted a Travel Weekly Executive Dinner for 25 senior industry executives, with ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall as our guest speaker.


ORecorded the final webcast with Holland America Line as its 150th anniversary January campaign to give away 150 prizes to agents came to a close.


OWent out for drinks and an amazing Thai meal for my sister’s birthday.


competitions


Australia fam, cruise, Las Vegas, £200 28 Get Social Brexit, direct debits, earthquake, Clia 29


DESTINATIONS Escorted touring Tunisia: See the different sides of the country on a culture-packed tour


31


Bucket-list Alternatives: Options for those who have visited better-known sights 38 India: Our pick of top escorted tours 41 The US: Q&A with chef Dee Lavigne 43 Asia


Japan: Switch away from the Golden Route to discover lesser-known prefectures 46


Singapore: Explore Little India on foot 51


BUSINESS NEWS Airport Operators Conference:


›SAF consultation; threat to airports 54 Atol reform: Comment, Michael Budge 55 IFS’s Paul Johnson: Outlook is gloomy 56


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 9 FEBRUARY 2023 3


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  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64