I’ll never tire of the joy of an AAAs win A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


One of the highlights of my year is welcoming the winners of the Agent Achievement Awards to the stage to collect their trophies and pose for their photographs. Some of those winners have become well accustomed to that


applause-fuelled walk, with their ongoing excellence regularly rewarded by supplier votes. But there are also plenty of new faces each year, as companies on the rise are recognised for their performance and our individual award winners are crowned the best in their categories. The messages I receive after the event leave no room for doubt about what these award victories mean to newcomers and ‘old hands’ alike. But I simply cannot get enough of the raw elation that is so often on display for first-time winners, particularly in the context of their growth


trajectory and what it means for an evolving industry. Some of these winners have identified niche audiences, while others are targeting particular


sectors to specialise in. What unites them all is a desire to keep pushing forward and a passion for the people and product that make our industry so special. You can hear about – and from – some of our winners in this week’s edition (pages 4, 5


and10-13) and each story is inspiring in its own way. And you can also catch up with all the action from the night in our July 30 photo special, as


Travel Weekly moves to its fortnightly print schedule over the summer. Until then, you can always keep up to date with the latest news and analysis by subscribing to our social media channels and heading to travelweekly.co.uk.


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


Agents report ‘buoyant’ lates market 4 Duo hailed for contribution to trade


4


EU states call for relaxation of EES rules 5 MSC Cruises; Kuoni’s new-look team 6 Travelosophers academy; Atol renewals 8 special report


aaas winners


Back row: Charlie Brown, Oasis Travel; Jamie Laing; Craig Barton, Barrhead Travel. Front row: Sarah


Jones, Iglu Cruise; and Lilly Wilson, Beverley Travel page 12


Photo: Steve Dunlop Agent Achievement Awards 10


comment Amanda Matthews: pay back the perks 14


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Jet2Weddings, Swan Hellenic, Marella 17 HAL, Avalon Waterways, Celestyal 18 Involved, easyJet holidays, Cosmos 21


FRONTLINE


Big day out Gold Medal event 22 Agent diary Andrea Smith: striking up chat with AI has opened my eyes 26 cover stars


Entries are open for a stunning African safari fam trip for agents


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; AdobeStock; Efteling; Rod Edwards/ Visit Guernsey/Britain On View Shutterstock/ Frame Stock Footage, Sven Hansche


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly 28


DESTINATIONS Family holidays Efteling: Can a Dutch theme park inspired by fairytales and folklore keep a tween entertained?


Your stories Diane Coleman, Tickets Travel


30


competitions World Cup rewards and a £10k trip 32


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OCo-hosted the Agent Achievement Awards with radio and TV personality Jamie Laing and loved giving away some incredible prizes thanks to our amazing sponsors.


OBooked a last-minute girls’ holiday to Ibiza with my best friend, my daughter and her best friend!


OCelebrated my birthday over a long weekend from Friday to Monday with loads of different groups of family and friends.


34


Amsterdam: Family-friendly city break 39 British isles


Guernsey: New annual food festival – The Big Eat Guernsey – offers a treat to savour closer to home 40


Northern Ireland: Q&A: Clare McKitterick, duty manager of The Gobbins Cliff Path 44


BUSINESS NEWS EasyJet accepts US takeover offer


46


Jet2 to build on Gatwick, plus marketing plans; Delta brand ‘stronger than ever’ 47 US/Iran conflict causes uncertainty 48


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 16 JULY 2026 3


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