Prudence will be crucial this autumn A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


I wrote recently about the need to make the most of the September ‘mini peaks’ and capitalise on the halo effect of recently taken holidays, with the autumn set to pose various challenges to consumer confidence.


News that the Budget will not take place until late November is likely to exacerbate one of those challenges, with consumers and businesses subject to months of speculation around tax increases (page 5). And there are several travel-related stories that could give potential


bookers pause for thought, not least the introduction of the EU’s Entry/ Exit System (EES) next month (page 4). The government this week launched a campaign to raise awareness of the EES rollout, with research from Abta finding almost half those


polled remain in the dark about the changes. But while some delays and confusion seem inevitable in peak travel periods in particular,


the new requirements offer another opportunity for travel professionals to demonstrate their knowledge and service by guiding their customers through what to expect. Another challenge facing the trade is the difficulty of making projections in a market still dominated by late and even ‘late late’ sales (Travel Weekly, September 4). Jet2 this week announced it was trimming some capacity for winter in response to that trend, and the Atol renewals later this month will also be instructive as holders set out their stalls. There are plenty of positives to reflect on which offer encouragement that trading momentum can be maintained, but prudent business management will be key to navigating the months ahead.


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


NEWS Air traffic in Europe hits record high


4


Trade gears up for launch of EU’s EES 4 Jet2’s winter capacity shift ‘pragmatic’ 5 Resorthoppa failed with £343k in assets 6 Welsh agency grows; Celestyal Travel 8 Special Report


COVER star


Beverley Travel director and co-owner Kelly Cheesman enjoys her


photoshoot in Paphos on VIP trip with Jet2holidays page 28


Photo: Alex Maguire


Preview of next week’s Atas Conference in Newport 10


comment Steve Dunne: Airports need to change 12


NEWS YOU CAN USE product


Gold Medal, Sun Siyam, Just Go 15


InsideAsia adds India; Kuoni expands 16 Windstar, Celestyal, Princess, Cunard 18 Celebrity, Oceania, Cruise Plus, Viva 20


FRONTLINE agent diary Helen Parry: Great to see people turning to agents for inspiration 24


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: AE Expeditions/Al Bakker; Jeff Bartlett Media; Shutterstock/Skycolors, SubstanceTproductions; Steve Dunlop


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHad a great call with my panellists ahead of the Barrhead Travel conference in Croatia where we will explore how the trade needs to ‘Innovate to Elevate’.


OSpent the day with MSC Cruises at their new Woking office, meeting Antonio Paradiso and hatching trade plans with Alyshia, Claire and Megan.


ODid a big clothes and stationery shop ahead of my daughter starting sixth form.


competitions Win Caribbean cruise, Sri Lanka trip 31


DESTINATIONS cruise


Svalbard: Awe-inspiring wildlife and rugged landscapes provide the perfect backdrop to Clia’s Expedition Showcase 32


Main & Rhine: Food and drink offering raises the bar on two new river ships 39 Indonesia: Snorkelling with giants


Presidents’ Cruises: Meet the bosses 51 Ski & Snow


Budget: The best resorts for winter sports fans looking to control their spending 54


Q&A: Norway expert Trevor de Villiers 58


BUSINESS NEWS ASA raps cruise agencies for adverts 62 Spanish airports hit back at Ryanair 63 Google cleared in US antitrust ruling 63 Abta 2025: Political speaker preview 64


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 11 SEPTEMBER 2025 3 43


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