A positive outlook for new year trading A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
What a year it’s been. From Brexit uncertainty to the demise of Super Break followed by Thomas Cook’s devastating failure, it has been an unquestionably tough 12 months for the trade. Some readers face a difficult festive period, as they struggle with the Cook fallout and try to get back on their feet.
So it may come as a surprise that, against all the odds, industry
leaders at last week’s Travel Weekly Business Breakfast agreed that this year had turned out better than feared following a slow start. While there are still challenges – such as the closures of some former Cook shops and concerns about P&O Cruises and Cunard’s direct price guarantee (page 4) – the overall mood is optimistic as our busiest sales period approaches. The increased certainty around Brexit, as a result
of last week’s election, has been hailed as the reason for this burst of positivity about the January peaks (page 5). It’s also heartening that companies such as Leger and Kuoni are blowing the trumpet for agents in their turn-of-year TV campaigns (page 10). I’ve no doubt that we’ll see more putting agents at the heart of their campaigns; we all know the value of talking to an expert when the market is swamped with competitive offers. Next year will be an interesting one, as Cook’s exit leads to a new line-up of players competing for their share of the holiday pound, and a growing number of high street agencies. For now, here’s to a happy Christmas for all our readers and their families.
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OHosted our final Business Breakfast of 2019 to launch our Annual Insight Report in association with Deloitte. A must-read for anyone in travel!
OEnjoyed my first Christmas dinner of the year, courtesy of Saga, complete with Christmas jumpers and crackers.
OHad a fantastic afternoon off work with Janet Parton of Cosmos, followed by a wild night at the T
ravel Weekly Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS
P&O/Cunard’s price pledge slammed 4 Hays shuts 10 former Cook branches 4 Trade hopes for election sales bounce 5 First Choice drops all-inclusive-only
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FRONT COVER Industry team conquers
Kilimanjaro to raise money for Planeterra Foundation and Abta LifeLine page 28
Elite Travel Boutique hires elf for special delivery; Latin Routes, Clia, Advantage 8 Turn-of-year campaigns unveiled
SPECIAL REPORT
Carnival’s final Vista-class vessel embarks upon its maiden voyage
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Comment Miles Morgan, Miles Morgan Travel 16
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NEWS YOU CAN USE Product
Club Med, Celebrity, Intrepid, easyJet 17 Cruise
Travel 2, Scenic, Emerald, Cunard OPERATOR
Shearings, Vacations to America, Newmarket, Costsaver, Airways
SKI Ski Lifts
FOLLOW US:
travelweekly.co.uk @travelweekly 18 BUSINESS NEWS
20 23
Tui confident about 2020 prospects 63 Global Sustainable Tourism Council conference: The plastic waste crisis 64
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 19 DECEMBER 2019 3
FRONTLINE Get Social
CAA, indie agents, Atol, Gold Medal 27 Spotlight
Industry team climbs Kilimanjaro HOTLIST AWARDS 2019
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The first Touring & Adventure survey 30 YOUR STORIES
Grace Wallis, Miles Morgan Travel 33 This week in...
A look at the Travel Weekly archive 36 Agent diary Colin Burns, Hays Travel
Mystery Shopper
DESTINATIONS TRENDS The destinations to watch in 2020 2020 bookings: Ask the experts
40 Bristol agents set Bahamas challenge 48 Christmas party.
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