The Hays’ vision is clear and confident A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
This week, I had the honour of hosting a Travel Weekly Executive Dinner for 40 of the industry’s leading figures and had the chance to hear from our guest speakers, John and Irene Hays from Hays Travel. Just six weeks ago, John and Irene snapped up the leases to the
former Thomas Cook retail estate and set about reopening shops and re-employing huge numbers of staff. And while our executive dinners are strictly off-the-record, I think Irene
will forgive me for mentioning one comment she made: namely, that John was more energised now than ever, and couldn’t wait to make a success of the newly-expanded business. It was obvious from our conversation that saving thousands of jobs and keeping decades of knowledge and experience within the sector
were clearly a driver in the Hays’ decision. But it was also very apparent that, while rapid, this was a clear-minded and objective business decision, and one which the couple see as entirely compatible with their expectations of demand for travel online versus the high street. When they made the acquisition, one national TV report began by asking if the Hays were “bold, brave or bonkers?”, but there’s no doubting their confidence in their decision. Of course, they certainly aren’t so arrogant as to suggest their strategy is a guaranteed success. But their clearly defined vision, allied with that confidence and energy and supported by a loyal and motivated workforce, gives them the best possible chance to prove any doubters wrong.
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OHosted a table at the Travolution Awards, sister brand of T
ravel Weekly, which honours the very best digital achievements in travel.
OChaired a Travel Weekly Executive Dinner for 40 of the industry’s finest, with guest speakers John and Irene Hays. Wow, what a story!
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS
EasyJet Holidays sets one million target 4 Agents report Viking commission cuts 4 Abta unveils ‘Value Travel’ manifesto 5 Bill Munro ‘couldn’t take step back’
6 Ex-Cook agents open store in N Ireland 8 FRONT COVER
TV presenter Vernon Kay takes a selfie with Travel
Counsellors at conference celebrating firm’s 25th year page 14
Titan report reveals long-haul trends 10 special reports Expedia Explore 2019, Las Vegas Travel Counsellors, Manchester MSC Grandiosa launch sailing
Comment
Gordon McCreadie: How do operators stand out from the crowd? 20
NEWS YOU CAN USE Product
Travel 2, Carnival, Flybe, InsideTravel 23 Operator
Prestige, Haven, Premier, Titan, Funway 24 Best Served Scandinavian, Wendy Wu 26 Cruise
Anthem of the Seas, Crystal Endeavor, Scenic, Explore, MSC Cruises
FOLLOW US:
travelweekly.co.uk @travelweekly 28
12 14 16
OTook my kids on a three-hour walk to break in my new walking boots ahead of my Kilimanjaro climb next week.
FRONTLINE Get Social
APD, ex-Cook slots, Hays, Gold Medal 31 agent diary
Kim Kent, Spear Travels your stories
32
Lucy Hall, Holbeache, Stourbridge 37 competitions
Silver Moon, Malaysia Airlines, Funway 38 Mystery Shopper
Oswestry agents seek Sri Lanka deal 42
DESTINATIONS The US Spring Breaks: City, coast, nature California: Driving in Death Valley
Maldives: Twin island adventure Food: 5 of the best experiences
44 51
New York City: Greenwich Village 56 indian ocean
58 64
Maldives: Q&A: Dr Thon, Crossroads 66
BUSINESS NEWS Global Resilience Summit 2019: Tourism is not a right, expert warns 72
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 21 NOVEMBER 2019 3
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