Sunny spell turns up the heat on trade A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


It feels like only last week that the thought of heading outside without a coat and umbrella seemed unthinkable. While the scorching temperatures across the UK this week will be welcomed by many up and down the country, those in the outbound industry will be less enthused by the sustained period of clear blue skies as we head further into lates. The good spell of weather isn’t the only thing agents and operators


are having to contend with as they attempt to fill the remaining capacity for the year ahead, with overtourism protests across Europe and the intensifying situation in the Middle East (page 5) acting as stark reminders – not that they were needed – that this summer is unlikely to be a smooth ride for many.


A destination that appears to be holding firm is the US, with visitor numbers ahead of 2024, but as we report this week, industry figures paint a rather more mixed picture of trading and the outlook for the States (page 4).


It has been a particularly memorable week for some in the industry and I was delighted to learn that Julia Lo Bue-Said and Jo Rzymowska were among those to receive well-earned recognition in the King’s Birthday Honours list (page 8).


It is always gratifying to see people rewarded for their hard work and dedication, and at the time of writing, I am looking forward to doing just that as we reveal the winners of this year’s Hotlist awards for the cruise and touring and adventure sectors on Wednesday night. You can find out which brands were named the trade’s favourite on page 8.


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


NEWS Baldwins Travel set to be wound up


4


UK arrivals to US up amid uncertainty 4 Overtourism protests spark client queries 5 Jet2 grants; lates getting later – TTNG 6 Hotlist results; travel stalwarts honoured 8 special Reports


COVER photo From left: (back row) Jonny


Fielding, JF Travel; Gary Lewis, TTNG; Mark Swords, Swords Travel; Rob Kenton, Triangle


Travel; (front) Clare Stege, CLS Travel; Stephanie Slark, TTNG; Tricia Beattie, Off Broadway Travel; and Jo Greenwood Richards, Tivoli Travel


page 6 Photo: Alex Maguire


FRONTLINE caught on camera Travel Weekly’s latest Inspiring Women Lunch 24


agent diary Helen Parry: Our tip for hesitant clients 26


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; Sarah Lucy Brown; Armando Del Vecchio; Joan Vendrell; Shutterstock/Michiko Chiba, Jason Finn, OSTILL is Franck Camh


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


Aito Famference 2025, Gibraltar Barrhead Travel’s 50th, Glasgow


10 12


comment Gemma Antrobus: The value of sharing 14


NEWS YOU CAN USE Jet2, A&K, CroisiEurope, Windstar


19


Tui, AE Expeditions, Princess Cruises 20 Sardinian Places, easyJet, Grand UK 22


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHosted an Aspire executive dinner with Explora Journeys president Anna Nash, her senior team and 20 top agents, on the eve of Aspire’s flagship Leaders of Luxury conference at Bafta.


ORecorded a webcast with James Thornton, chief executive of Intrepid Travel, while he was over from Melbourne to meet UK trade partners.


OAttended my best friend from uni’s wedding in Bath.


Your Stories


Hugh Bourne and Ben Owen, co-founders of Venture Travel Group 27 AAAs 2025 preview


Natasha Marson, easyJet holidays 28 competitions


Win a Caribbean cruise and more


DESTINATIONS LATIN AMERICA


Costa Rica: Watersports, lush rainforests and thermal springs provide the perfect basis for a wellness break 32


food & drink Tea Trails: Explore the traditions of the hot drink in China, Japan, Sri Lanka 38


Western Australia: Swan Valley tastes 42


BUSINESS NEWS India’s aviation market ‘growing 10%’ 46 Crash reports must be published – Iata 47 Aviation threats: drones, jamming, fire 47 Spending Review ‘neglects outbound’ 48


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 19 JUNE 2025 3 31


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