Summit gives cause for future optimism A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


I wrote last week about the need for the industry to engage with the new Tourism Education and Skills Working Group set up to respond to government plans to defund Level 3 academic courses – including those focused on travel and tourism. So it was heartening to hear speakers at our second Travel Weekly People Summit sounding so optimistic not just about the collaboration that has taken place so far, but also about the potential for the process to create an even better pathway into the sector (page 5). The overall mood at the event was overwhelmingly positive, as


we heard from a range of industry speakers and experts about topics including recruitment, retention and development. But there was also a healthy dose of realism from panellists, presenters


and delegates about the challenges that remain for our sector – including an ongoing need to create a more diverse workforce (pages 12-13). Other topics included evolving attitudes to flexible working and it was fascinating to hear how companies are taking different approaches and recognising there isn’t a one-size-fits-all policy. Meanwhile, a key theme that arose time and again was the importance of developing a company


culture to attract the best talent and retain and reward those you already employ. As Hays Travel owner Dame Irene Hays told attendees, there is a generation of young people who have masses to offer but whose life experiences have been curtailed by the pandemic. Working out how to attract, support and develop that future talent will be one of the industry’s key challenges in the years to come.


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


Cruise prices tipped to remain strong 4 Israel-Hamas war impacts travel


4


‘Trade backing essential for qualifications’ 5 Fred Olsen trains recruits; Jet2 giveaway 6 Abta focuses on AI; Pollard to leave dnata 8


Barrhead Travel


Agency group hosts


250 agents and suppliers at conference in Majorca


page 10 Picture: Kamal Fotografia


NEWS YOU CAN USE Major Travel, Solmar Villa Holidays 19 AAT Kings, Balkan Holidays


Wendy Wu Tours, Inspiring Travel FRONTLINE


Future of travel Photo special from the


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; Sarah Lucy Brown; Visit Isle of Wight; Shutterstock/Wirestock Creators, ESB Professional; Michel Verdure


travelweekly.co.uk


THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


Travel Weekly event FOLLOW US: -@travelweekly 24


agent diary Sharon Thompson: Going the extra mile 26


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BUSINESS NEWS Air France-KLM takes stake in SAS 62 Trading Standards on PTR proposals: ›Domestic trips; LTAs; package clarity 63 CAA orders review of ATC shutdown 64


travelweeklyuk , @travelweeklyuk 12 OCTOBER 2023 3


20 22


Special Reports Barrhead Travel Conference, Majorca 10


Travel Weekly People Summit, London 12 Cunard’s Queen Anne ship visit, Italy 14


comment Gemma Antrobus: Stores can be hubs 15


DESTINATIONS winter sun


Maldives: Never mind expensive seaplanes – steer clients to these speedboat- accessible properties


UK & Ireland


Isle of Wight: Discover the historic, culinary and scenic charms of the island on a walking holiday


52 Devon: Head to Dartmoor’s Bovey Castle 57 33


Thailand: Find out what’s new in Hua Hin 41 Long-stay: Operators give their top picks 48


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


●Headed up to Liverpool, as T


ravel


Weekly went to press, for what was set to be the biggest and best Atas Conference yet.


●Had some fantastic prep calls with speakers for the Travel Weekly Business Breakfast and a mainstage session at Abta’s Travel Convention.


●Had a hole drilled in my fingernail in A&E to relieve pressure from an infection – instant relief!


your stories Alan Glen on agency’s 50th anniversary 27


competitions Win Queensland, Tobago, Alaska trips 31

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