Communication key amid drought crisis A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


There is no let-up in the heat as we approach mid-August, no relaxation of tensions in the Middle East, and no evidence of demand slackening in an unprecedentedly late-booking market. There may be more attractive late deals available than seemed likely early in the year, and margins may prove disappointing, but the market remains remarkably strong – as confirmed by the latest Harris Poll UK consumer research for Travel Weekly (page 5). The drought conditions, which now extend across much of western


Europe, pose an increasing challenge to river cruise operators, with the Rhine and Danube suffering exceptionally low water levels (page 4). It is heartening to hear operators are keeping agents updated when dealing with affected customers. With little rain in prospect and news that parts of


the Rhine could soon become unnavigable, the situation looks set to worsen before it improves. Communication and cooperation will be essential, along with flexibility on bookings and


refunds. Sadly, we must also expect more wildfires and, no doubt, a degree of doom-laden mainstream media reporting until the heat subsides. Separately, confirmation that On the Beach has made more than 100 staff redundant as it automates processes offers a sharp indication of AI’s impact on the sector (page 4). The online agency notes no staff were redeployed as technology replaced roughly one in five of the workforce. AI holds great promise, but as Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer points out in our preview of


October’s Travel Convention, it could leave companies that automate too far with “a desiccated kind of business” (back pages). Travel businesses will need to ensure they strike a balance.


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


On the Beach confirms 107 job losses 4 River lines praised for crisis response 4 Confidence rises for long-haul and Gulf 5 Club Med targets; Scenic courts trade 6 Welsh agency expands; Hays buys LAH 8 Special Report


COVER photo Pictured on board


Scenic Eclipse II in Tilbury as Scenic Group hosts its maiden ship visit to London are, from left: Nichola


Absalom, Scenic; Debbie Belcher, The Cruise Line;


Adeola Osindero, Not Just Travel; Lynette Anderson, Journey of Dreams; and Shane Lewis-Riley, Scenic


page 6 Photo: Maritime Filming UK


Clia Expedition Showcase, Svalbard 10 comment


Gemma Antrobus: The confidence factor 12


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product


Jet2, easyJet, Involved Holidays, Tui 13 Olympic Holidays, Titan Travel Virgin Voyages, Cunard, Silversea


14 16


FRONTLINE agent diary


Clare Dudley: Looking after our own 20 Your Stories Hays’ Lynn Robinson clocks up 40 years in same shop 24


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/csikiphoto, Sven Hansche, DaLiu; Max Marshall Studio; Steve Dunlop; Tui Care Foundation


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly close-up


Tui, Travel Stop and a Hays skydiver 25 competitions Win a cruise on MSC World Asia


29


DESTINATIONS europe


Italy: A cruise on a six-cabin yacht offers an idyllic way to explore the Amalfi Coast 30


Active & adventure Gibraltar: Fitness options span e-bikes,


paddleboards and cavern explorations35 Asia The Philippines: Mug up on the gateway cities of Manila, Cebu and Bacolod 36 Cambodia & Bali: Coral restoration scheme among sustainability initiatives 41


›Tanzer sets out framework for event 46 ›Abta reveals host of expert speakers 47 Analysis: Hurdles to easyJet takeover 48


BUSINESS NEWS Travel Convention 2026 preview:


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 13 AUGUST 2026 3


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHad a great meeting with Alex Herrmann and Evelyn Teixeira from Switzerland Tourism about trade engagement plans.


OCaught up with Louise Craddock of Oceania ahead of the first bespoke Travel Weekly Inspiring Women lunch I’m holding for 30 amazing women within NCLH.


OHad a marathon cook-a-thon ahead of a week in Dorset with my kids and four of their friends. Wish me luck!


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