Travel’s ability to evolve is its strength A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


Speaking at this week’s Travel Convention in Majorca, Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer talked about the continually evolving travel trade landscape, with some “giant oaks” having disappeared, but others growing in their place. That sense of flux has been evident recently with the demise of trade favourite Classic Collection set against the ongoing rise of brands with agents in their sights, including Travcorp Holdings and easyJet holidays, which further boosted its Atol after five years of trade sales (page 4). As The Travel Network Group chief executive Gary Lewis told a


Travel Weekly Business Breakfast at the convention, the importance of partnerships is never more evident than in times of pressure (page 5). And with speakers acknowledging the industry faces a challenging


period ahead, Gary urged suppliers to prioritise consistency of support to ensure those partnerships continue to be mutually beneficial. Mark highlighted some of the macro challenges facing the sector, and it was fitting that the convention returned to a host destination that has done much to address some of those challenges and create a more sustainable offering. The fact Spanish tourism bosses saw a slight dip in peak season arrivals as a positive tells you much about their thinking, with growth in shoulder-season arrivals offsetting that drop and stretching the season for the benefit of all. Our industry continually evolves to thrive and is markedly different from the one that gathered for the last Majorca convention 14 years ago. With great challenges come great opportunities.


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


NEWS Atol renewals take capacity to new high 4 Tanzer: Travel is a staple in people’s lives 4 Trade fears tough 12 months ahead


5 COVER photo


From left: (back row) Ben Calderbank and Rebecca


James, both Travel Counsellors; celebrity host Joel Dommett; Dan Bartholomew Oates,


Travelosophers; Megan Dolan,


Hays Travel; (front) Torey Kings- Hodkin and Lucie Preece, both Disney Destinations International


Photo: Will Ireland Photography


EES is ‘a muddle’; US shutdown impact 6 Outbound survey; Jet2 shares payout 8 special Reports Barrhead Conference, Dubrovnik


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Inspiring Women Rising Stars Lunch 12 comment Amanda Matthews: Time to be proactive 16


NEWS YOU CAN USE Visit Oman, Oliver’s Travels, BA


Jet2holidays, Not In The Guidebooks 20 Just Go, Golf to a Tee, Grand UK Oceania, Virgin, HX, Royal, MSC


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FRONTLINE agent diary Helen Parry: Ball is Sandy’s legacy


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WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OModerated our Business Breakfast at Abta’s convention with Travcorp’s Andy Freeth, Virgin Atlantic’s Nicki Goldsmith, TTNG’s Gary Lewis and Henry Wells from Cavendish.


OHosted a mainstage session on the future of cruise – with another on specialist travel to follow!


OWatched my daughter make some crunching tackles in a gritty 1-0 win as she stepped up from junior to women’s hockey.


close-up Royal, Tipto, Audley, InteleTravel


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competitions Win Celebrity suitcase, £10k voucher 38


DESTINATIONS canada


Jasper: Find out how the Alberta town has recovered since the devastating wildfires of last summer 40


Ottawa: Capital’s year-round appeal 45 Winter: Polar bears and northern lights are warming sights in the cold season 49 hotels, resorts & spas Turkey: Work out with Olympic athletes and learn to dance with Strictly stars at Anda Barut Collection 54


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Your Stories How work helped NJT’s Amy Hyland rebuild her life 32


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Pearcy; Shutterstock/Harry Collins Photography, Angel DeBilio, NFstock; Wellness Worldwide; Steve Dunlop


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


BUSINESS NEWS Play blames failure on ‘weak’ demand 62 WTTC Global Summit 2025, Rome:


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 9 OCTOBER 2025 3


›Travel’s GDP in UK ‘rises to $383bn’ 63 Key points to note about the EU’s EES 64


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