Friday is landmark day in travel’s recovery A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


Official figures released by the Office for National Statistics this week offer a stark reminder of the impact of restrictions on travel last summer, with outbound numbers down 76% on 2019 levels and the inbound sector faring even worse. Despite the much-heralded Freedom Day in July, the reality for both sectors was one of continued curbs and barriers to bookings and departures. And even though restrictions were eased in the autumn, enough deterrents remained to keep the brakes partially on any recovery even before the emergence of the Omicron variant. As we report this week, uncertainty continues around destinations’


differing approaches to reopening, while the mounting cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation also look set to impact both consumer confidence and


the daily operations of businesses already struggling to get back on their feet (pages 4 and 47). Other challenges include staffing shortages, which are complicating trade relations and the booking process (page 6), and the cost of imminent bond renewals (back page). Yet as restrictions on travel continue to ease around the world and key destinations such as


Australia reopen, there remains a sense of momentum building for this summer and beyond (page 6). For the first time in almost two years, fully vaccinated travellers will face no testing requirements


on return to the UK from this Friday, representing a landmark moment in our industry’s recovery. It may be too early to declare it the travel trade’s own Freedom Day, but it undoubtedly opens the door for a successful half-term ahead of a summer season in stark contrast to last year’s.


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


‘Cost of living hike has yet to hit travel’ 4 Abta lobbies for no future restrictions 4 Recovery gathers pace as Tui hails upturn 5 Sales soar; agents slam call wait times 6 Australia reopening sees bookings spike 8 CommenT


Close-up


Co-op Travel’s Kimberley Roberts receives a £100


voucher from Wendi Hardy, Scenic and Emerald Cruises page 27


Gordon McCreadie: Learn and prosper 10


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Jet2, Trafalgar, Play, easyJet, Freebird 13 Limitless Travel boosts holidays range 14 Shearings, Explore, Just Go!, Fred MSC, Celebrity, Avalon, Amadeus


Star Clippers plans two Med fam trips 21


FRONTLINE agent diary


THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/Jacob Lund, Waj, ltummy, Taras Vyshnya, kudla, Jakub Krechowicz; G Adventures; Steve Dunlop


travelweekly.co.uk


Clare Dudley: Revise preconceptions 22 Your Stories Sarah-Jane Brooks on the perfect work-life balance 24


FOLLOW US: @travelweekly Close-up


It’s back! Our popular photos page 27 competitions


Win a cruise, holidays and vouchers 28 Get Social CAA powers, Andy Stark, Crystal Ski 31


DESTINATIONS


escorted tours 2022 Trends: Your guide to the types of tours tipped to be in demand as the sector revives this year 32


Peru: Q&A with an Inca Trail guide 38 Asia


16 18


Cambodia: 48 hours in Siem Reap, the city that’s more than a gateway to awesome Angkor Wat 41


BUSINESS NEWS


Lawyer queries plan to up CAA powers 46 Royal Caribbean posts $5.3bn loss 46 Mintel’s forecast for impact of inflation 47 Abta tips low take-up of trusts in March 48


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 10 FEBRUARY 2022 3


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OFlew to Barbados, and stayed at the O2 Beach Club, for fewer than 48 hours for meetings with Virgin Atlantic and Barbados Tourism Marketing.


OHad a meeting with Clia boss Andy Harmer ahead of the River Cruise Conference in Budapest next month, which I will be moderating.


OTravelled to Reigate to watch my daughter’s hockey team win their first match. So proud!


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