Demand is still there for travel this year A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


The reaction to a social media post by Inspire Europe boss Lisa Henning about celebrity influencers running ‘tone-deaf’ recruitment events for part-time travel agents during the Iran war was reflective of a long-running debate in the trade (page 8). But it also shone an even brighter light on the efforts of those agents


and operators – regardless of the company they represent – who continue to work tirelessly to support their clients during the crisis. The immediate focus of those efforts was on customers directly impacted by the conflict in the UAE and other destinations in the region. But even greater volumes were beyond those destinations, with limited alternative flights available to replace services cancelled by the Gulf carriers. Regardless of the resumption of flights by those airlines, current


Foreign Office advice means transiting is out of the question without negating insurance policies. And that leaves a perfect storm for long-haul specialists with business to the east, with


customers and operators racking up significant additional costs, flight prices spiralling and huge uncertainty over the fulfilment of future bookings (page 6). Amid this complex logistical web, the industry is also attempting to maintain forward trading and is contending with price increases driven by everything from the cost of jet fuel (back page) to the laws of supply and demand. But despite this sobering array of challenges, there remains hope in the results of a consumer poll conducted on behalf of Travel Weekly at the weekend that suggests demand remains strong for this year. To read more, turn to our main story of the week on page 5.


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


Trade grapples with Easter trip changes 4 Shift to western Med sparks price rises 4 Exclusive survey on holiday intentions 5 Rebooking efforts shift; Intrepid target 6 Apprenticeship funding; advert backlash 8 special Reports


COVER photo Taking time out during the


Clia RiverView Conference in Amsterdam are, from left: (back) Markus Kendall-Young, Auria Travel; comedian Susan Calman; Becky Walker, Club Voyages; Jayne Chapman,


Your Holiday Booking; (front) Paula Nuttall, Travel Village Group; and Sue Lindsay, Brilliant Travel


page 10-11 Photo: Steve Dunlop


Jet2 VIP Agents Conference, Spain 10 Clia RiverView Conference, Amsterdam 12 comment


Finance Q&A: Your annual allowances 14 the US


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Jet2, Wizz Air, Tui, Titan, InsideJapan 15 Intrepid Travel, Leger Holidays


16 Ambassador, Ritz-Carlton, Celebrity 18


FRONTLINE agent diary


Andrea Smith: Credit to some operators 22 Your Stories Janet Lacey, Not Just Travel franchisee 23


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Rod Griffith; Missouri Division of Tourism/Aaron Fuhrman; Steve Dunlop; Shutterstock/Naeblys


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


Missouri: Switch on to the state’s attractions as Route 66 marks its centenary and BA starts St Louis service 32


Palm Springs: Your guide to a raft of new attractions in California’s desert city 39


BUSINESS NEWS


PTD reform; On the Beach guidance 46 Corporate Travel Summit:


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 19 MARCH 2026 3


›Mid-East conflict dominates event 47 Analysis: War’s threat to jet fuel price 48


close-up


GoCruise proposal, Hays, Clia, United 24 competitions Win cruises, Cadiz stay, £100 vouchers25


DESTINATIONS wellness


Calmcations: Enable clients to discover their own slice of serenity with wellbeing trips to soothe the soul, from the Nordics to Bhutan 26


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


ORecorded webcasts with Intrepid CEO James Thornton, as the company announced record results for 2025, and with Dertour UK joint CEO Benjamin Boesch, his first interview in position.


OHad a great catch-up with Seabourn’s Lynn Narraway about plans for the line’s 40th anniversary.


OGot spoilt rotten by my kids for Mother’s Day and went to the cemetery with my sister to remember our amazing mum.


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