Positive mood tempered by sad news A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


It was fantastic to see such upbeat reports emerging from last week’s Advantage Travel Partnership conference, with a clear sense of positivity among members.


It was also lovely to see such a touching tribute paid to chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said, who was surprised on stage by colleagues and family as she marked 30 years of service. Julia has become an ever-more-prominent advocate for travel agents since the dark days of the pandemic, and Advantage members’ desire to showcase their alignment with the consortium by embracing its new branding is testament to her efforts (pages 6 and 10). There was more positive news this week as the long-awaited UK-EU Summit produced a bonus with news that e-gates on the continent could


be opened up to improve border wait times. However, there is still a lack of clarity over how and when travellers will reap the benefits, with


a rollout subject to negotiations with member states and tied into the start of the bloc’s new entry system this October at the earliest (page 4). In contrast to the positive headlines over the past week, the mood has been tempered by the latest developments around the future of Baldwins Travel (page 5). I spent the formative years of my life in Kent and still call it home, so Baldwins has been a constant presence for most of my life. As always in these circumstances, my thoughts are with the staff who have represented the business so well for so many years. I hope this sad story can yet have a positive end for them all.


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


Trade rallies to support Baldwins staff 4 EU e-gates deal won’t start till autumn 4 Baldwins’ trade partners seek clarity 5 PTR consultation; Advantage rebrand 6 Atas in Morocco; Iglu Cruise adds rivers 8 special Reports


COVER photo From left: Alex Maxwell-


Clarke, Travel Counsellors; Donna Edwards, Knowle


Travel; Claire Brighton, Atas; Daniel Bartholomew Oates, The Awesome Adventure Company; Zoe Franklin, Travel Club Elite


page 8 Photo: Sarah Lucy Brown


FRONTLINE agent diary


Sharon Thompson: I’ve loved Asia trips 22 Your Stories Ellie Fowler, co-owner of The Travel Business, Newport 23


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; Visit Jersey/Andy Le Gresley Photography; Shutterstock/1000 Words


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


Royal plans new private destinations 9 Advantage Conference 2025, Malta 10 comment


Rob Scott: Value is as much about time 12 NEWS YOU CAN USE


Nat Geo-Lindblad, G Adventures, Tui 15 Shearings, Newmarket Holidays


16 Explora, Regent, Scenic, Avalon, Havila 18 close-up


Lincolnshire Co-op, Triangle, Iglu Ski 24 competitions Win Virgin Voyages Comedy Fest cruise 26


DESTINATIONS british isles Jersey: Get in gear as island opens wartime bunker to the public, refurbishes its opera house and gains new ferry link to Portsmouth 28


Switch-sell: UK alternatives to suggest: Portmeirion, Cornwall and Scotland 35 all-inclusive holidays


Short-haul: Three ‘summer stunners’ to recommend for all budgets, in Croatia, Spain and Greece


BUSINESS NEWS


Ryanair profits fall; Tui unfazed by rival 46 Abta Travel Law Seminar:


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 22 MAY 2025 3


›Officials seek feedback on PTR plans 47 SAF price scheme to be funded by levy 48


38


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHad great meetings with Olly Brendon of Attraction Tickets, Chris Armond of Mercury Holidays and Cheryl Carter of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.


ORecorded an interview with Celebrity Cruises’ Laura Hodges Bethge on the eve of her President’s Cruise to the Norwegian fjords.


OSpent the weekend testing my daughter on chemistry, physics and An Inspector Calls ahead of week two of her GCSEs!


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