Royal asserts ‘long-term commitment’ to the UK
Harry Kemble
Royal Caribbean Cruises’ boss has moved to dispel concerns that the UK cruise industry faces choppy waters amid ongoing Brexit uncertainty. Royal Caribbean International
last week cancelled Independence of the Seas’ 2020 ex-UK season and announced the ship would operate out of Florida instead to meet demand for Perfect Day in CocoCay, the line’s new private island in the Bahamas. Te decision leſt some agents to
question whether a soſt UK market due to Brexit had prompted the decision rather than soaring interest in the $250 million private island that will be served by 11 Royal ships this year. Royal chairman and chief executive
Richard Fain rejected that view. “We are here for the long term, we
are not here for the current climate,” he told Travel Weekly on board new ship Celebrity Edge as it made its UK debut this week, hosting almost 1,000 agents on a two-day taster cruise out of Southampton. “Tere is no doubt the UK
market will do very well in the long term and it continues to be our second-largest market. “We have been here when it has gone through cycles. Te cruise
Independence of the Seas
Trade backs body’s proposals on airline failures
Te government-appointed Airline Insolvency Review has incorporated several trade demands in its recommendations for handling future airline failures. It proposed separating repatriation
from refunds on bookings and compelling airlines to fund a ‘Financial Protection Scheme’ to pay for repatriation by a combination of a security (bonding) and a levy on fares. Abta welcomed the
recommendations and the Association of Atol Companies demanded the government act “immediately” to implement them. But airlines made clear they oppose
There is no doubt the UK market will do very well in the long term and it is still our second-largest market
industry is not fickle – it is solid and consistent.” Fain admited there was “a
modicum of uncertainty” in the UK as confusion continued over when Britain would leave the EU.
Four Princess passengers die in seaplane crash in Alaska
Four Princess Cruises passengers and a pilot were killed when their seaplane collided with another while flying shore excursions from Royal Princess in Alaska on Monday. Nine passengers on the other aircraft, operated by Taquan Air, were rescued and given medical attention, while the condition of one guest is still unknown.
6 16 MAY 2019 But he added that Royal Caribbean
International had to move more capacity to North America due to “an extraordinary surge in interest” in Perfect Day. Fain said there were plans to
increase the capacity of Perfect Day, with only a third of the island currently being used by Royal. Asked if sister line Celebrity
Cruises would call at Perfect Day as well as Royal Caribbean International, Fain said: “Maybe, but not today. It is
available, and it is our island.” › Get Social, page 41
Alobaidi to become first chief executive of Newmarket
Newmarket Holidays has appointed Niel Alobaidi to be its first chief executive. Alobaidi, currently managing director of Emirates Holidays for the UK and Ireland, will take up his new position in September. He previously worked for Tui and First Choice.
a levy and a leading critic of current arrangements, Trailfinders’ founder Mike Gooley, questioned whether the government would act. He said: “Will the government give in to airline lobbying? Tere is litle confidence the recommendations will be enacted. [And] if the scheme ever sees the light of day, will it be effectively policed?” Te review estimates the cost
of the scheme at “around 40p per passenger” with “an additional 9p per passenger for a five-year transition period” – in line with longstanding trade demands for a 50p levy. It also proposes allowing a failed
carrier’s fleet to repatriate passengers and enhancing CAA powers to
monitor airline finances. › Mike Gooley: The Interview, page 16 › Airline Insolvency Review, back page
Wendy Wu Tours hires Thomas to drive group sector growth
Wendy Wu Tours has appointed Glen Thomas to the newly created role of head of group sales and partnerships. Described as a “key hire” for the Asia tours specialist, Thomas, formerly of Travelsphere, is tasked with driving growth in the groups sector and will report to global sales director John Warr.
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: Simon Brooke-Webb
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100
