Future of Travel promises fresh insights A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
I am writing this column as we prepare for our annual Future of Travel Conference, which is due to take place in partnership with Google this week. The event is always a highlight of the Travel Weekly calendar, and we look forward to hearing from a range of leading executives from within travel and related fields. After what has been a challenging year for the industry on many fronts, it will be fascinating to get their insight on the outlook for the final months of 2026 and into 2027. Trade speakers at this year’s event include bosses of companies including Tui, easyJet holidays, On the Beach, Travel Counsellors, Barrhead Travel,
Iglu.com and Intrepid Travel. We will also hear from the Competition and Markets Authority about
how travel businesses are getting to grips with new rules on inclusive pricing, as well as from experts in fields including law, finance and regulation. Perhaps one of the most eagerly anticipated sessions will be Revolution or Evolution?, which will assess how AI is changing both operations and consumer behaviour. We will hear from experts from Deloitte, News UK, Hays Travel and Google itself about this rapidly developing technology and I know I won’t be the only one eager to hear their views on how it will shape the future of our industry. As always, we’ll be covering all these sessions and more in detail, so make sure you look out for coverage on
travelweekly.co.uk and in your number-one trade magazine in the coming weeks.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS
EC resolute about ending EES flexibility 4 G Touring revives Page & Moy brand 4 Confidence to transit via Gulf increases 5 SHG eyes acquisitions; Audley plans 6 Riviera expansion; Travelpack support 8 Special Reports
COVER star
Premier Travel’s Liam Andrews relives the
‘awesome’ experiences he enjoyed on VIP trip to Madeira page 30
Photo: Thomas Reader
Atas Conference 2026 preview Clia Luxury Summit, Southampton
10 12
comment Ailsa Pollard: Travel is good for economy 14
NEWS YOU CAN USE
G Adventures, Intrepid, Eurostar, Jet2 19 Riviera, Nat Geo-Lindblad, Celestyal 20 HAL, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises 22
FRONTLINE In the picture Travel Weekly Inspiring Women Lunch:
NCLH event on board Oceania Vista 24 agent diary Sharon Thompson: A plug for inbound 26
FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/Shutterstock AI, Sergey Kustov, Ivan Marc, Maridav; Steve Dunlop
travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly close-up
Tipto, Mundy Cruising, Clubworld competitions
DESTINATIONS CRUISE & STAY
Add-ons: Turn a cruise into a more personalised – and valuable – booking
36
US ports: Some of the best American ports for city and land tour extensions
39
Pairings: Eight combination ideas to make a cruise one part of a bigger holiday 49 Selling tips: Advice from 18 cruise sector specialists 55
BUSINESS NEWS Travel Convention preview:
28 Win a cruise, £500 voucher and more 29
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OAttended a Swiss Tourism raclette evening, went to a meeting with Holland America Line, and had calls with speakers I will be interviewing at the Barrhead Travel conference.
OTeamed up with a few travel industry friends to celebrate Clia director Andy Harmer’s special birthday (21 again).
OPlayed in a hockey tournament in boiling hot temperatures – and can barely walk today!
›Delegates will hear ‘bigger picture’ 62 Jet2 to shift listing; Ryanair; AirBaltic 63 Analysis: Trade faces winter challenges 64
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 10 SEPTEMBER 2026 3
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