Human interaction will always be key A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
In a world where artificial intelligence is increasingly coming to the fore, it is always good to have reminders of the value of human interaction and service. The Travel Weekly offices were abuzz last week as we put the finishing touches to this year’s Agent Achievement Awards ceremony in London and the night itself was a fantastic reminder of the incredible individuals and companies that are the bedrock of the travel trade (pages 4 and 10). As if that wasn’t enough, entries are now open to find the 12 brilliant agents who will be our Travel Weekly Cover Stars next year, as the competition returns in partnership with Jet2holidays (page 24). The 2026 edition of our flagship competition will shine a light on the people at the heart of the trade and will have special resonance because
it will include our 150th Cover Star – a landmark we will be particularly proud of given our commitment to positioning agents at the centre of everything we do. All companies will be looking at how they can harness the power of AI to improve efficiency, but as Barrhead Travel president Jacqueline Dobson wrote in these pages a couple of weeks ago, no technology can truly replace the empathy and personal service of a human being. As always, Travel Weekly is now entering its fortnightly summer publishing schedule, so you’ll
receive your next print edition on July 31. But don’t worry, you can still keep up to speed on the latest news from the industry at
travelweekly.co.uk and on our social media channels.
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OLoved co-hosting the AAAs and honouring so many brilliant agents with Diversity frontman Ashley Banjo.
OJoined more than 100 agents and interviewed key executives on the shakedown cruise for Oceania’s newest ship Allura.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS US dip buoys UK late cruise deals 4
Mann and Lewis scoop AAAs honours 4 Abta board to discuss Baldwins fallout 5 Agents buck trend; Celestyal packages 6 Millennials back agents; Royal China 8 agent achievement awards
COVER photo From left: Joe Biggs,
Personal Holiday Advisors/ Constant Travel; Natasha Crossley, Cruise Nation; Ashley Banjo; Olivia Bell, Dawson & Sanderson; and Megan Lewis, Tui page 10
Photo: Steve Dunlop
FRONTLINE agent diary
Andrea Smith: Visa woes spark drama 20 Your Stories Mel White on setting up shop in a garden centre 22
FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; Ross Woodhall; Skye Bull; Cathy Toogood
travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly
BUSINESS NEWS Wizz Air rows back from Middle East 54 Jet2 reveals record-breaking returns 54 ‘Extreme heat will present challenges’ 55 Is government supporting trade growth? 55 Analysis: Air India crash findings
56 travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 17 JULY 2025 3
This year’s winners give their reactions 10 comment
Ami Naru: Remote working abroad 14
NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Tui, Playa, easyJet, Norse Atlantic Neilson, Fred Holidays
Celebrity, Uniworld, Emerald
OTook my daughter and her friends paddleboarding and camping – a delayed celebration for her 16th birthday, which fell in the middle of her GCSEs.
cover stars 2026
How to enter our flagship competition 24 competitions
Win ocean and river cruises, vouchers 30 DESTINATIONS
UK & Ireland Ireland: City sights and breathtaking coastal scenery impress on a road trip that combines two of the country’s iconic routes 36
family holidays Solo Parents: Extra factors
15 16 18
Finland: Adventures all year round 49
must be taken into account when booking a holiday to ensure a hassle-free trip 46
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