Partnerships are key to sector’s future A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


With the shocking conflict in Ukraine dominating the news and the squeeze on personal finances tightening, we report understandable concern about the impact on confidence, pricing and sales this week (page 5). But there is also hope that customers will ultimately remain committed


to travel plans they have previously had to put on hold. The removal of the Passenger Locator Form and remaining Covid travel


restrictions is a symbolic moment for agents and operators, who have had to become experts in red tape over the course of the past two years. While many understood the need for some form of checks while proof of vaccination was still required, few in the industry will be sad to see the back of the PLF and will be glad it will be gone in good time for the next


main outbound travel period over Easter (page 4). The efforts of the trade in the face of overwhelming challenges over the past 24 months have been quite remarkable, and that resilience and professionalism is something we will honour this week at the first Globe Travel Awards since 2020. The evening will give us the chance to reflect and remember, but it will also reinforce and


celebrate the partnerships that underpin our industry, demonstrated by an announcement from Spain that it is to give away 85 holidays to agents to thank them for their efforts in recent years. To find out more about the Ultimate Escape campaign and how you can nominate a colleague or partner for recognition, turn to page 14.


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


Trade raises funds in support of Ukraine 4 Shapps scraps PLF and last testing curbs 4 Retailers report mixed bookings picture 5 Atol renewals; Virgin Voyages; Tui; MSC 6 Conference preview


Olé for Spain! Get yourself nominated


for chance to win one of 85 holidays for two to Spain courtesy of Turespaña page 14


Clia RiverView Conference, Budapest 10 The interview


Sture Myrmell, Carnival UK 16


Comment Miles Morgan: Care for ‘Crown Jewels’ 18


NEWS YOU CAN USE Oasis Overland, Royal Caribbean


19


Just You, National Holidays, Insight 20 MSC Cruises, HAL, Travelmarvel, APT 22


THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/Yau Ming Low; Michael Amendolia; Autosync Media; Chase Gunnoe


travelweekly.co.uk


FRONTLINE Your Stories Sonia Murray-Smith secures bookings after self-fams 24


agent diary Carla Hutchings: Holding the fort FOLLOW US: @travelweekly 25


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


ORecorded webcasts with the CEOs of G Adventures, Newmarket Holidays and AmaWaterways as their businesses emerge from the pandemic.


OFine-tuned plans for the return of the live Globe Travel Awards at the Grosvenor House in London this week. Can’t wait to see you all!


OAttended a careers meeting with my son, who’s sitting GCSEs this year, to help him decide which A-levels to take.


competitions


Thailand trip, Fiji fam, Dubai, Maldives 28 Get Social Manchester airport, surcharges, masks 31


DESTINATIONS caribbean


Barbados: The O2 Beach Club & Spa has had a makeover and is targeting the high-end market


32


Rail holidays The US: Take the scenic route from San Francisco to Chicago on Amtrak’s California Zephyr train 38


New trips: Five of the best new rail routes, from Utah to Vienna via South Africa 43


›Pandemic tests cancellation liabilities 46 ›Travel advice ‘indicates’ refund right 47 ›Vaccination rules; rights of redress 47 CMA action ‘torpedoed’ Truly Travel 48


BUSINESS NEWS International Travel Law conference:


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 17 MARCH 2022 3


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