Home comforts help to raise the spirits A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
The restart of international travel from May 17 looks increasingly likely to be a trickle rather than a flood (page 5). But as we report this week, hopes remain for a meaningful summer and customers appear ready to book when they feel confident and can afford to do so.
As the international hiatus continues, suppliers and agents alike have
explored opportunities closer to home. And many have been pleased and often surprised by the results, as they tell us throughout this UK, Ireland & Channel Islands special edition, supported by Visit Jersey. For some, margins may not always be as good as those on higher-value overseas holidays. But any profitable revenue is to be welcomed in the current climate, and clients secured now may well be
retained for future bookings at home and farther afield. The domestic landscape has changed in the past year, with some established players opting to focus on direct sales. But as this week’s magazine demonstrates, there remains no shortage of incredible product or agent-friendly suppliers and destinations eager to forge and strengthen trade relationships. As one agency director told us, securing domestic sales can also have a much-needed positive
effect on mental health, and this is a topic we’ll be focusing on next week with the latest in our Mental Health Matters series of features and free events. Please head to our Facebook page from 10am on Wednesday, April 28, for our Mental Health Matters Virtual Brunch and the chance to get valuable support and advice from trade speakers and experts including Dr Alex George.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS NEWS News
The Interview Comment
4, 6, 8 10 12
News You Can Use 13,15 Agent Diary Destinations
22-32 18
Agents expect to keep selling UK breaks 4 PCR tests tipped to stay but costs to fall 4 Leaders hope restrictions to ease in June 5 Domestic bookings; Great Little Breaks 6 Leger Shearings ‘boom’; UK cruises
The interview 8
Comment Andy Freeth: Domestic demand is high 12
Visit Jersey’s Amanda Burns says this summer offers a ‘golden opportunity’
NEWS YOU CAN USE Product
Leger, Wilderness, National, Contiki 13 Marella, CroisiEurope, Crystal, Riviera 14 Saga, Preferred, Gold Medal, Jet2 16
FRONTLINE agent diary
THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020
FRONT COVER PICTURES: VisitBritain/ Rod Edwards; Disney Cruise Line/Matt Stroshane; Shutterstock/Giovanni Cancemi
travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US:
Kim Kent: Domestic sales are good but margins are thin 18
@travelweekly 10
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OInterviewed Dr Alex George, the TV star and A&E doctor with over two million Instagram followers who was recently named the government’s youth mental health ambassador, for next week’s Mental Health Brunch.
OChatted to Marella Cruises and Tui River Cruises boss Chris Hackney about the brands’ return to service.
OHad my first Covid-19 vaccine – so friendly and efficient!
Get Social Test costs, Jet2, Saga, Travelplanners 21
DESTINATIONS UK & IRELAND
Cruise: Who, where and when – your comprehensive guide to the 15 lines offering UK sailings this year
22
Shakespeare: From Stratford to Scotland, places to visit with links to the Bard 30 Jersey: Q&A with island’s Blue Badge tourist guide Tracey Radford
Theme parks & Attractions 32
New Regulations: Find out how theme parks are preparing to reopen with Covid safety measures 34
BUSINESS NEWS
Courts defends taskforce’s ‘caution’ 38 Minister advises ‘wait for green list’ 38 BA chief calls for transatlantic restart 39 Lundgren on certification challenges 39 Ministers hold off Covid proof decision 40
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 22 APRIL 2021 3
s
U
K
n
,
I
R
E
L
A
e
N
D
a
n
h
d
T
E H
c
a
n
n
l
i
s
l
a
d
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
