Prudence will be key as costs set to rise A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


An increasingly common refrain in work, leisure or family life is how time seems to pass in the blink of an eye in our digitally connected 24/7 world. It feels like only yesterday that we were packing away the Christmas decorations, yet suddenly the first quarter of the year is drawing to a close. This period is always a key staging post for businesses, as one financial year comes to an end and another begins. But it has been a particular focal point for many since last October, when the government confirmed a hike in national insurance contributions for employers alongside a rise in the minimum wage. The impact on firms’ finances was easy to calculate, and many owners and directors in the travel sector raised concerns about the


challenges of contending with an unwanted spike in costs while still navigating the road to sustained post-pandemic stability. Now, with the five months since the Budget having flown by, those owners and directors will have their business planning put to the test as the cost increases come to bear (page 4). After an overwhelmingly upbeat and remarkably settled industry landscape in recent years, pressure on both corporate and household budgets continues to increase, offering twin challenges for travel firms (page 5). The outlook is still positive for most well-run businesses, and if the pandemic taught us anything, it is that the travel sector is resilient and resourceful. But with the costs figures on companies’ P&Ls about to swell, prudent business management is going to be more important than ever.


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


Ex-Baldwins chief loses prison appeal 4 Agencies brace for ‘10%’ hike in costs 4 Resorthoppa sold to Hoppa Group


5


Inside Travel plans; Endless Travel goal 6 Apprentice runs shop; sickness claims 8 comment


Family affair


Find out about five firms run by family members – and discover their top tips page 22


Rob Scott: Sales skills are still the same 10


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Leger, Jet2, Loganair, Beaches, Just Go 13 Newmarket, Ramble Worldwide


FRONTLINE caught on camera


Anthea Turner at Inspiring Women Lunch 24 agent diary


Helen Parry: Niche travel is booming 26 Your Stories Tricia Rickerby and Leanne Miller, Cumbria Travel 28


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority; CK Photography; Inghams/ E-BikeWorldTour/Kifcat; Steve Dunlop; Shutterstock/Jaromir Chalabala, nikkytok


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly close-up


Barrhead, Hays Travel, Hotelplan UK 30 competitions Trip to Borneo, cruises and vouchers 32


DESTINATIONS Caribbean


Saint Lucia: Vibrant colours, dancing, music, fun – it must be carnival time on this usually laid-back island 34


Connecting Islands: Regional air links 43 Antigua: Discover Nelson’s Dockyard 50 short breaks


14 Celestyal, Swan Hellenic, Quark, HAL 16


Switzerland: Savour Swiss fun in the sun with active pursuits that can be enjoyed outside the ski season 52


Madrid: Chic hotels in Spanish capital 57


BUSINESS NEWS Abta Travel Finance Conference: ›Payment trends ‘put pressure on Atol’ 62


›Abta to gauge CMA’s pricing focus 63 Fresh EES delay averts summer queues 64


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 20 MARCH 2025 3


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


ORecorded a webcast with Lee Barker of Ikos ahead of the luxury resort group’s 10th anniversary later this month.


OHad a great meeting with Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Virgin Atlantic about the next stages of their ‘Destination Unknown’ incentive.


OProvided moral support (and nourishment) for my daughter who spent all weekend finishing her GCSE textiles project!


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  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68