Di encapsulated the joy of our industry A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


Like so many of her friends in the industry, I was desperately sad to learn of the death of Diane Court this week (page 8). Di, or ‘Travel Mum’ as she was known to close friends, was an


ever-present in my three decades in the travel industry and I never failed to smile and have a good laugh with her when our paths crossed at industry events. Over those years she represented so many brands with distinction, including most recently JTA Travel where she worked until her retirement just last year. And she epitomised everything that makes our industry such a wonderful place to work, with her love for the product and people within it shining through in every conversation. This week we officially launch the 12th edition of our annual


prospectus-style publication Take Off in Travel with the support of Hays Travel and Abta (page 22). Take Off in Travel was created to showcase the wealth of opportunities in our industry, and Di’s career perfectly encapsulated the joy at the heart of it. The thoughts of the entire Travel Weekly team are with Di’s husband Andrew and daughter Lisa as they come to terms with their loss and we hope they find some solace in the outpouring of love and tributes prompted by the news of her passing. In a world full of division and in an industry facing a period of uncertainty and change, it is


always worth reminding ourselves of the personal relationships and friendships that underpin the travel trade. Rest in peace, Di, and thanks for all the laughter.


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


Hays ‘respects’ supplier relationships 4 Aviation chiefs lobby against hiking APD 4 Agency bosses eye post-Budget bounce 5 Black Friday deals ‘trigger strong sales’ 6 Diane Court tributes; Evers’ Jet2 pledge 8 conference Report


COVER photo


Pictured with Simon Reeve at the Travel


Counsellors Conference in Liverpool are, from


left: Blanche Summers, Katie Chamberlain, Mags Sorrigan and Matt Newman page 10


Photo: Simon Wright Photography


Travel Counsellors 2025, Liverpool 10 comment


Mark Tanzer: Abta’s advice for Budget 12


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Intrepid, Newmarket, Gold Medal Jules Verne, Premier Holidays Royal Caribbean, P&O Cruises


FRONTLINE agent diary


Helen Parry: Tap into travel inspirations 26 Your Stories Rachel Deegan: Illness triggered my new agency 28


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; Ranvestel Photographic; Ocean Tours; Shutterstock/IGORdeyka, everydayplus


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


Hays Travel, Tipto, Grand Horizons 29 Cover Stars 2026


Winning agents enjoy trip to Madeira 32 competitions


Chocolate hamper and Swiss cheese 34


DESTINATIONS the us


Chicago: Hit the heights in the Windy City with our guide to The Loop, Little Village and parks galore 36


15 16 18


Florida: St Pete-Clearwater fam trip 43 Seattle: Discover city’s diverse draws 49 winter sun


Mexico: New Cancun link boosts access to Riviera’s beaches and cenotes


52 Fuerteventura: High-end hotel reviewed 57


BUSINESS NEWS IAG and Amadeus quarterly results 62 Flights in Europe ‘to hit 12m by 2030’ 63 Air France-KLM and NCLH results


63 travelweeklyuk


Aviation bodies lament EU policy shift 64 @travelweeklyuk


13 NOVEMBER 2025 3


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OPresented the Leisure Agency of the Year categories at the SPAA Awards in Glasgow and caught up with many friends.


OHad a planning meeting and did some filming ahead of the Clia Forum and Winter Ball next month.


OTook my daughter to see Benson Boone at the O2, courtesy of Mail Metro Media who kindly hosted us in their box. Amazing!


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