Sales upturn brings a measure of relief A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


Reports from the trade continued to be largely positive this week, with some agents hailing record sales weeks and some operators saying they were struggling to cope with rapidly returning demand. The easing of restrictions and the confirmation of a reopening date for the US border both helped fuel the rebound. Yet issues remained as Travel Weekly went to press, not least a lack of consistency once again across the UK, and little clarity about how the US reopening will look in practice (page 5). A general sense of positivity was certainly in evidence at events including Abta’s Travel Convention (page 8) and Lata Expo (page 10). But the overriding feeling was one of relief at finally being able to trade, rather than a suggestion that the damage wreaked by the


pandemic could suddenly be forgotten. As Aito Agents chair Gemma Antrobus says this week, the return of meaningful sales can bring great joy, but for many those sales are coming against a backdrop of reduced headcounts, overstretched finances and mental and physical exhaustion after 18 months at the edge of a precipice (page 18). For travel agencies that remain on the brink, every potential piece of assistance is something


to be grasped with both hands to aid survival. And for those on the high street, that assistance may yet come from council recovery funds which remain unallocated (page 6). Experience of the application process suggests gaining access to those much-needed grants is unlikely to be straightforward or guaranteed. But in the words of the old adage, if you don’t ask, you don’t get.


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


Sales surge but test switch date frustrates 4 Red list rationale divides tourism bodies 4 Dates for test and the US boost trade 5 ‘Apply for grants’; Teletext/CMA case 6 US enquiries jump; Fred Holidays target 7 Conference reports


ABTA 2021 Full coverage of this


year’s Travel Convention page 8


Photo: Arif Gardner


The Travel Convention, London & online 8 Lata Expo 2021 takes place virtually 10 InteleTravel Conference, Valencia


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HAL unveils new flagship Rotterdam 16 Comment


Gemma Antrobus: Gratitude is big help 18 NEWS YOU CAN USE


Disney Cruise, Virgin Atlantic, Regent 21 Explore, G Adventures, Insight, Omega 22 Azamara, MSC, Aurora, Explora


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THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


FRONT COVER PICTURES: Arif Gardner; Andy Le Gresley; Shutterstock/donfiore, spectrumblue


travelweekly.co.uk


FRONTLINE Your Stories Hays Travel’s Libby Gray on winning at the AAAs 28


FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


BUSINESS NEWS ‘Some red list nations feel like normal’ 54 Walsh slams government and Heathrow 55 BA seeks cabin crew recruits by summer 55 PLFs tipped to remain essential for travel 56


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 21 OCTOBER 2021 3


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OEnjoyed moderating a panel, listening to many of the sessions and meeting up with industry colleagues at Abta’s Travel Convention in London.


OInterviewed Chris Austin, sales chief of MSC’s new luxury brand, Explora Journeys, about his plans for trade distribution in the UK – great to see a supplier really valuing agents.


ORan my 76th parkrun and went sub-26 mins for the first time!


agent diary


Carla Hutchings: Good to be busy again 30 competitions


Win a Thailand trip, e-bike, vouchers 33 Get Social Testing, staff shortages, Yorkshire Ball 35


DESTINATIONS Canada


British Columbia: Breathe in the wide spaces of BC with an insider’s guide 36


Winter: Canada’s best options for skiing, Christmas, wildlife, wine and more 40 escorted tours


Jersey: Discover the cream of this historic Channel island on a guided tour 46


Festive Trips: Five of the best Xmas tours 51


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