INSIDE THIS


WEEK Contents


NEWS Hot Stories


New indie agencies open this month; Trade reports ‘flat’ January bookings; Oasis plans cruise-only store in Belfast; NCL appoints Ferrin to head UK market; Bookings fall after Sunday Times story


WIN!


Round-up Nuttall targets P&O; Pandaw cancellations 08 Horndean closure; cyberattack survey Aito STA Starfest; Travel-PA system


A place on a fam trip to Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai with Gold Medal page 44


04


10 12


Special Reports Norwegian Air counters cash crisis claim 14 The Globe Travel Awards 2019 preview 16


Talk Back EasyJet Holidays, Cook, all-inclusives


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Saga, Hayes & Jarvis, Universal 23


Operator Corsican Places, Hotelplan Hotel Warner Leisure Hotels


Cruise Cunard, Travel 2, Star Clippers


FRONTLINE Comment Sharon Fleming, Thompson


This Week In… Celebrating 50 years


24 28 32


19 A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


New year boost we all need N


ews of more independent travel agencies opening on the high street and in shopping centres couldn’t be more


welcome in the current climate of doom and gloom (page 4). With retail store closures predicted to rise from 18,443


last year to 22,100 this year, it is heartening to hear independent travel agents up and down the country are investing in bricks and mortar when others, such as fashion giant Next, are seeing a slump. It’s the post-Christmas, pre-Brexit pick-me-up we all need. But why do travel agents see a brighter high street future than other industries? The reason, surely, must be that buying a holiday simply cannot be compared to your weekly shop, buying the kids’ school uniforms or even purchasing a new TV or coat. When did you last get really excited about which


groceries you’d fill the fridge with? I like trying out the latest organic purple-sprouting


broccoli as much as the next person, but it’s hardly the same as booking a trip for you and your loved ones. Choosing a destination and accommodation and planning


excursions are all part of the fun, which is exactly why buying a holiday stands out from the rest. Even better, some agents are making their shops even more of a “destination” to visit on the high street. Perfect Getaways, which has just opened two branches in Merseyside, has a bar, a children’s play area and sweet ‘shop’ in store. Creating an environment that clients


want to spend time in can only entice more shoppers. Not only can you pick your perfect break, but the kids won’t be tugging on your legs, and you can have a drink to boot. On that note, I look forward to toasting the


38 40


A Day With… Haslemere Travel, Surrey 42 Mystery Shopper Trafford Centre


54 DESTINATIONS


All-inclusive Holidays Cancun: Excellent-value luxury breaks


VENICE €10 DAY TAX City to impose day-trip levy from April in move aimed particularly at cruise visitors


back page


Australasia New South Wales: Beach to mountain


BUSINESS


Round-up Monarch, Facebook, Marriott 78 Back page Venice to tax day-trippers


80 56 62 Western Australia: Wine, walking, water 70 10 Jan WHAT


LUCY DID THIS WEEK


1


2 3


Held a productive meeting for Atas and helped devise its plans for the touring and adventure sector this year.


Was delighted to chat to Eamonn Ferrin after donkey’s years, following his appointment as UK & Ireland boss at NCL.


Went on a fantastic winter walk and pub lunch with other mums I’d met on a press trip last year and our kids.


10 January 2019travelweekly.co.uk3


best of the industry at the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards next week.


Lucy Huxley Editor-in-chief @Lucy_Huxley


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