AAAs introduces Agency Branch of the Year award
Travel Weekly reporters
A new category has been introduced for the 2026 Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards to celebrate the success of travel agencies and agents on the frontline. The Agency Branch of the Year
award will complement a line-up of company and individual categories that was revamped last year to honour travel agencies of all sizes and sales channels. The new category will be open
to any travel agency with a retail presence, regardless of size, and is designed to celebrate businesses maximising their resources to deliver strong commercial performance and community engagement. Travel Weekly Group editor-
in-chief Lucy Huxley said: “The overhaul of the AAAs in 2025 allowed us to better reflect the changing face of the travel trade and shine a greater light on SMEs as well as larger companies through categories for small, medium-sized and large agencies. “The addition of the new Agency
Branch of the Year category allows us to go even further in celebrating our frontline readers by inviting business owners and branch managers to put themselves forward for recognition.”
Huxley added: “For the past
three decades the AAAs have represented the pinnacle of success for travel agencies and individual agents and support staff, and I can’t wait to honour an individual branch for its achievements over the past 12 months.” The 2026 Agent Achievement
Awards will take place at the Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge hotel on Thursday, July 9, in association with new joint headline sponsors Celebrity Cruises and Virgin Atlantic. The event will feature the
presentation of a range of supplier- voted awards recognising the leading agencies in the UK based on region,
Sommer steps down from NCLH as group places three-ship order
Harry Sommer has stepped down as president and chief executive of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. He is succeeded by John Chidsey, who previously led Subway and Burger King. NCLH gave no explanation for Sommer’s departure. Following his departure, the company announced an order for three ships, one each for NCL, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
8 19 FEBRUARY 2026
sales channel and product specialisms. Additional self-nominated categories celebrate individuals, including agents working on the high street, from home and in call centres, as well as managers and sales support staff. The future of the travel trade is
recognised with an award for agents under the age of 20, and another for businesses that were formed within the past two years. Special awards will recognise
outstanding contribution to the trade, as well as businesses’ commitment to the wellbeing and
development of their staff. i For the full list of categories and details of how to enter and vote in the AAAs, turn to page 12
Cuba’s fuel shortage prompts FCDO to maintain advice level
The Foreign Office was continuing to advise against all but essential travel to Cuba amid a fuel crisis as Travel Weekly went to press. Simply Cuba BDM Alan Meadows said he expected to see progress towards a more stable tourism environment in the destination over the coming six weeks.
This year’s AAAs will be held on July 9
Spain hails rise in shoulder-season UK visitor figures
The UK director of the Spanish Tourist Office says travel agents are key to the destination’s strategy to boost tourism in lesser-known regions and shoulder seasons. “For us, travel agents are
crucial,” said Manuel Butler. “They are the main key element
in promoting Spain.” The tourist board hosted two
agent roadshows last month and plan two more in March, while the Spanish Specialist Programme is also being updated. Butler’s comments came as the
tourist board reported 19.1 million UK arrivals to Spain in 2025, 4.4% up on 2024 and 5.5% up on 2019. January-May numbers were up 6.9% on 2024 and 9.1% on 2019, while October-December arrivals were up 2.7% on the prior year and 14.7% on 2019. Butler said Spain is “trying
to lead the conversation” in sustainable tourism and diversification, with “clear data demonstrating the growth of off-season tourism, evidence that our strategy is working, and that Spain is successful in becoming truly year-round”. He added: “This
is an important step forward to a more resilient, more sustainable tourism model.”
Manuel Butler
Report outlines travel industry’s frustrations with Covid measures
The travel industry’s frustration with the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and lack of tailored support for the sector has been outlined in a report which is part of the UK Covid Inquiry. In the report, bodies including Abta, Advantage Travel Partnership, UKHospitality and VisitBritain explain the impact of the pandemic and subsequent measures on businesses.
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURES: Shutterstock/HBARTIS; Steve Dunlop
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
