Regional departures continue to be key A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


The positive reaction to Jet2’s announcement of its new Liverpool base was a reminder of the importance of regional departures for independent agents (page 4). Nothing beats a straightforward departure and arrival process, and the ability to get away from an airport close to home is understandably high on the wish list for many customers. For agents in the region, the ability to offer more flights and holidays


from Liverpool will give them another brilliant selling point. And with inflationary pressures and the high cost of living still having the potential to slow demand over the coming seasons, any additional strings to the marketing bow are to be welcomed. Demand for regional departures is certainly not limited to the


aviation sector, with Ambassador Cruise Line’s bosses reporting great uptake for the line’s ex-UK sailings as it launched its second ship Ambition last Thursday (page 12). And the Ambassador naming was not the cruise sector’s only big event this week, with


Seabourn Venture visiting London and the Clia Conference taking place in Southampton (page 14). A personal conference high point was the chance to interview two trailblazing executives – Celebrity Cruises’ Lisa Lutoff-Perlo and Jo Rzymowska – who are taking on new challenges in the coming months. Those in attendance owe a particular debt to Jo, who has done so much over the past two decades to contribute to the growth of the UK cruise industry, and all at Travel Weekly join me in wishing her the very best for her next adventure.


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


cover photo From left: (back row) Martina


Ponton, Hays Travel; Andy Harmer, Clia; James Oliphant, Not Just


Travel; (front row) Theresa Kelly, Not Just Travel; Ade Adepitan; and Susie Taylor, Club Voyages


Photo: Steve Dunlop


Fake claims ‘to shift to personal injury’ 4 Agents welcome Jet2’s Liverpool base 4 Sales boom but expert sounds warning 5 Major Travel target; Seabourn capacity 6 Spain agents’ £72k sale; Jones joins NJT 8 Special Reports


Icon of the Seas shipyard visit, Finland 11 Ambassador launches Ambition


12


Clia Conference 2023, Southampton 14 comment


Gordon McCreadie: Six luxury trends 16 NEWS YOU CAN USE


MVP Travel, Attraction World, A-Rosa 17 If Only makes Europe debut; Serenity 18 Viking, Star Clippers, Cunard, Celebrity 20


FRONTLINE agent diary


THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/Timolina, TravnikovStudio; Chris Hill Photographic; Steve Dunlop


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US:


Colin Burns: Hays’ Corrie plan is a treat 24 Your Stories


Andy Cunningham, Not Just Travel, on joining sector 28


@travelweekly close-up


Travel Weekly Inspiring Women Lunch 29 competitions Win a sailing on Cunard’s Queen Anne 30


DESTINATIONS UK & Ireland Newry, Mourne and Down: Discover how geology and giants are fuelling the Unesco aspirations of this beautiful area of Northern Ireland 32


Theatre Breaks: 5 of the Best London shows, from Tina to Moulin Rouge


36


escorted tours Food & Drink: Get a taste of the tours on offer for cheese lovers, vegans, walkers, wine drinkers and more 38


BUSINESS NEWS Abta Travel Law Seminar 2023:


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OCo-hosted the Clia Conference – not only as T


ravel


Weekly editor but as superhero ‘Wonder Weekly’ and one quarter of Abba and Bucks Fizz!


ORecorded a webcast with Steve Heapy of Jet2holidays as he unveiled Liverpool as the operator’s 11th UK base.


OAttended the Baftas as a guest of headline sponsor P&O Cruises and brushed shoulders with celebs on the red carpet!


›Abta: Mandatory segregation ‘tricky’ 46 ›EU’s reform plans ‘deeper than UK’s’ 47 ›CAA clarifies Atol reform proposals 48


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 18 MAY 2023 3


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