Convention tone upbeat despite pressures A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
The Travel Convention returned overseas this week for the first time since 2019 and what a pleasure it was to meet up with industry colleagues and friends in Marrakech. The first day of the convention programme saw a significant focus on sustainability with the official launch of The Climate Action Guidebook produced by Abta and Deloitte, and Intrepid Travel chief executive James Thornton noting “travel is in the front seat of the climate emergency”. Thornton challenged delegates, telling them: “There is no vaccine for climate change. We need action. The risks are to our entire industry.” Abta chief Mark Tanzer hailed the sector’s emergence from Covid-19, insisting “we can face the new landscape with renewed ambition” while noting the industry would have to “battle economic headwinds for a year”.
Industry leaders were upbeat despite PwC leisure strategy director Eleanor Scott noting the UK economy faces a downturn. EasyJet holidays chief executive Garry Wilson suggested Covid “reminded people what it’s like when you don’t travel” and Hays Travel owner Dame Irene Hays argued: “Covid taught people to book with a travel agent for trust, security and value for money.” The recovery has not been without cost. At a Travel Weekly Breakfast ahead of the convention opening, Royal Caribbean vice-president for Europe Ben Bouldin spoke of a high level of fatigue in the sector. And on the convention stage, workplace consultant Christine Armstrong noted many employees feel “burnt out”. Yet the overriding sense was of optimism and good humour – even at the antics of a government whose policies appear to be exacerbating the headwinds.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS
Tracy Hall, Chorley Travel Lounge, Vicky Samwell-Buckenham, Oyster Travel, and Andrew Earle, Andrew Earles
Holidays, at The Co-operative Travel Consortium Conference in Sicily
page 8 Photo: Steve Dunlop Holmes (left) and Sara Dunham flank
COVER photo Midcounties Co-operative’s Alison
NEWS Tanzer urges financial protection caution 4 Midcounties to ‘empower managers’ 4 Leaders optimistic despite ‘downturn’ 5 Blue Bay target; Perfect Getaways goal 6 Special Reports Co-op Travel Consortium forum, Sicily 8 Hays Travel IG UK Conference Elite Travel Conference, Cordoba P&O showcases Arvia in Germany
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Global Travel Marketplace, London 16 comment Martyn Sumners: Raise travel’s profile 18
NEWS YOU CAN USE P&O, Ryanair, Tobago, BA, Aer Lingus 21 Major, Newmarket, Leger, Exodus 22 Uniworld, Regent, MSC, Fred Olsen 26
THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020
FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/Olena Znak, maheshg; Incircles Photography
travelweekly.co.uk
FRONTLINE agent diary Kim Kent: Supplier’s error caused angst 28 Your Stories Spa Travel’s Paul Dayson hits 42 years 29
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WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
ORecorded a webcast with Kelly Jackson, managing director of The Travel Corporation Tour Brands EMEA.
OHosted a Travel Weekly Business Breakfast at Abta’s Travel Convention in Morocco with the bosses of Royal, Intrepid and Barrhead.
OExperienced a thriving part of Marrakech and fabulous local cuisine with some of travel’s most senior figures at the Industry Leaders’ Lunch.
close-up Unforgettable, Pata, Brilliant, Hays 32 competitions Win Seychelles break and A&K cruise 34 Get Social Doncaster, Hays, Spear, Jet2, Abta 37
DESTINATIONS Winter Sun
Sri Lanka: Send clients to soak up island’s wildlife and tea hills now that FCDO has lifted travel restrictions 38
Dubai: Snapshot of dazzling emirate 43 UK, Ireland, Channel Islands Jersey: Sample the culinary attractions making the island a magnet for food lovers 44
Walking trips: Top spots to stretch legs 50
›2023 pricing issues; energy bills woe 55 Aviation sector hails carbon agreement 56
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 13 OCTOBER 2022 3
BUSINESS NEWS UKinbound Convention, Aberdeen: ›Round-table: CEOs debate challenges 54
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