May half-term is a golden opportunity A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


I recently hosted a round-table discussion at the Travel Weekly and Hotelplan ski trip in Austria and was pleased to hear ongoing positive trading updates, albeit tempered with a healthy dose of realism. Most reported a flying start to the year, with some talking about


sales records being smashed, but there was also a sense of caution and a desire to avoid getting carried away, with some notable challenges remaining (page 10).


One of the key headwinds noted by speakers was the cost of short- haul flights, which will be felt keenly in the mainstream family market, and operators will have a job on their hands to ensure that section of the market is stimulated without creating a race to the bottom.


As we reported last week, there are fears some families may consider foregoing a holiday this year if the price isn’t right, so the coming months will be crucial in persuading them otherwise. At the time of writing, the Easter travel period had largely proceeded smoothly, with headlines


about “travel chaos” primarily restricted to coverage of domestic rail strikes, and there was welcome news in the postponement of planned Border Force walkouts at Heathrow this weekend. With the first major school holiday of the year out of the way, focus will understandably be on the main summer break, but we mustn’t forget there is another big opportunity in the interim. If pricing is judged well, the May half-term could well prove a golden chance to secure bookings from those wavering clients who are questioning whether a summer holiday is beyond their means.


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


Viking: Direct sales lead to better margins 4 Agents laud NCLH fleet expansions


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Your stories Grant Bowles has


overcome health issues to turn over £1 million in three years page 25


Rise in Atol numbers hailed as remarkable 5 United backs trade; Celebrity branding 6 Abta LifeLine campaign; Emirates celebrates 8 Special Report


Travel Weekly and Hotelplan round-table 10 comment


Miles Morgan: Nurture agents of future 12


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Tui, Newmarket, Virgin, Sandals


DESTINATIONS sustainable travel Budget alternatives: Find eco-conscious ways for your clients to travel on a budget to Morocco,


the Amazon and Northern Ireland


Mauritius: Beachcomber showcases brand’s sustainability credentials


Railbookers, Trafalgar, Travelsphere 16 AmaWaterways, Princess, Riviera


15 18


THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; Shutterstock/Photo Spirit, Babaroga; Dennis Schmelz; Travel Monster


travelweekly.co.uk


FRONTLINE Spotlight Abta selects first summer intern since pre-pandemic 22


agent diary Andrea Smith on sustainable living


FOLLOW US: @travelweekly 24


Turkey Selling tips: Advice from three experts


on selling summer sun in Turkey Izmir: Five of the best resorts


BUSINESS NEWS


GSTC creates criteria for Mice sector 46 Tui listed on Frankfurt Stock Exhange 46 US TMC Direct Travel acquired Retreat on 3D scanners welcome


47 48


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 11 APRIL 2024 3


40 42


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WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OWas thrashed at late-night table tennis by Jet2holidays’ Lloyd Cross on a visit to see the team in Leeds – need to brush up on my skills!


OHad great meetings with Ponant and Travel & General, who discussed current trading and their trade plans for the rest of the year.


OEnjoyed a fabulous mother-and- daughter shopping trip to Carnaby Street in London.


Your stories Travel Counsellors’ Grant Bowles


25


competitions Norway cruise, Barbados, Mexico 29


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