Signs of hope as industry digs deep A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
The industry is united in hope that the first Covid-19 vaccinations in the UK this week are the next step towards a return of some form of normality and consumer confidence. No sector is more in need of a ‘shot in the arm’ than cruise, and given the demographic of much of its client base, it will be particularly keen to discover how rapidly the vaccines can be rolled out and how quickly the confidence of its loyal customers can be restored. According to the Global Travel Taskforce, the sector’s restart is reliant on the control of Covid infection rates and the easing of restrictions nationwide – which as we stand, still feels some way off. But lines are poised to return with a vengeance as soon as they are able and are putting agents at the heart of their strategy – as you can
read about on page 8 and in our 23-page cruise feature starting on page 22. Despite the challenges of the past year, there have been many reminders of the solidarity and generosity that exists in travel, and this week we had a further lift as our TravelCares appeal passed the milestone of £20,000 in donations. The appeal, launched earlier this year to support Abta LifeLine, will help many facing hardship this winter, and Christmas is a time when LifeLine’s services will be needed more than ever. Nobody has escaped the impact of the pandemic, but anything you can spare will go
straight to those most in need. Please give what you are able to by going to
justgiving.com/ campaign/travelcares.
p Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS
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T ravel Weekly’s
Trade reports ongoing vaccine ‘bounce’ 4 Customers return to agents for expertise 4 Test to release scheme hit by delay
Agents blast ‘unfair’ government scheme 6 Freeth plans more trade sales at JG P&O increases commission to 8.5%
5 6
christmas cheers w 8
Comment Giles Hawke: ‘Reduce waste at Xmas’ 13
NEWS YOU CAN USE product
G Adventures, Silversea, A&K, Explore 14 Royal Caribbean’s 2022 Europe plans 16
FRONTLINE agent diary
THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020
David Walker: Green shoots were more like a beanstalk 18
FOLLOW US:
travelweekly.co.uk @travelweekly
Industry thanks those who have helped over the course of the pandemic 10
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OHeard from Virgin, P&O Cruises, Disney and Classic Collection/Package Holidays about their trade engagement plans for 2021
OFilmed the links for our T
ravel Weekly
Insight Annual Report launch event, in association with Deloitte and supported by Sabio and Travlaw
OHad a severe case of déjà vu as both my kids’ schools moved to home-learning again because of positive Covid cases
Get Social ‘Double-dipping’, Wizz Air, Windsor 21
DESTINATIONS Cruise
What to Expect in 2021: Cruise lines have been putting plans in place to prepare for cruise restarting next year, from touch-free
systems to dock-side testing
Q&A: Andy Harmer, Clia UK & Ireland
22 30
Reassuring Clients: Experts give their top tips for helping customers regain
confidence, plus trends for next year 34 Festive Cruises: Six of the Best for 2021 42
BUSINESS NEWS ‘Don’t pin all hopes on a vaccine’ 46
Tui secures additional €1.8bn funding 46 Norwegian Air deal; Heathrow charge 47 Airbnb under spotlight over regulation 47 Ryanair boss foresees strong recovery 48
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 10 DECEMBER 2020 3
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