Ships’ Gulf departure was a great relief A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


Over the past three decades as a reporter and editor I have had a close relationship with the cruise industry and have enjoyed watching it evolve and grow.


But despite that engagement with the sector, I can’t recall a time when I have monitored the movement of ships on my phone over the course of a weekend. This was the scenario I found myself in last weekend, as a brief


window of opportunity presented itself to several lines with the temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The chance to reposition ships from the Arabian Gulf had been sought since the start of hostilities, and in the event it proved to be short-lived. But in a masterclass of coordination, liaison and courage, six vessels


managed to make it through the strait and are now en route to their summer programmes (page 4). As the rapid reclosure of this essential waterway proved, the Middle East conflict is far from over and the repercussions continue to be severe for many destinations and travel companies. Yet for Celestyal in particular, which was forced to completely pause operations due to the


war, this moment was still one to be celebrated. Amid relentless negative headlines, there was also cause for optimism at the weekend with the news that Greece was to relax EES requirements for UK travellers (page 6). While clarity over the implementation of the move was lacking as Travel Weekly went to press, it would be a significant plus for the destination and agents seeking positive sales stories if it goes ahead as announced.


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


Hays revives ‘peace of mind’ pledge 4 Agents hail cruise ships’ exit from Gulf 4 Trade reassures over flight disruption 5 Greece EES confusion; Atas dinner


6


Inclusive travel training; marathon goal 8 Special Reports


COVER photo


Pictured at the Atas Leaders’ Dinner are, from left:


(back) Sarah Szyszkiewicz, Trailfinders; Niel Alobaidi, Newmarket Holidays; Sam Ballard, Club Voyages;


(front) Claire Moore, Peakes Travel Elite; Claire Brighton, Atas; and Hannah Porter, Travel By Hannah


pages 6 & 12 Photo: Steve Dunlop


Virgin Atlantic launches Seoul service 10 Atas Leaders’ Dinner 2026, London 12 comment


Ted Wake: Crisis proves trade’s value 14 NEWS YOU CAN USE


EasyJet holidays, Jet2holidays, Disney 17 Travelsphere/Just You, Fifa World Cup 18 MSC, Crystal, NCL, Oceania, HAL 20


FRONTLINE agent diary


Matt & Ashley: Swedish Lapland thrills 22 Your Stories Authentic Travel Company founder Jane Middleton 24


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Snap Out Loud Photography; Steve Dunlop; Shutterstock/iacomino FRiMAGES


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


Tipto, St Kitts, Downe Travel, Sovereign 25 competitions Rail rewards, Florida and Vietnam trips 26


DESTINATIONS the us


Florida: Discover how pretty parks, pristine sands and Peppa Pig are perfect for families and couples 28


sustainable travel Italy: Find out how the craft traditions of artisans shape a slower pace of life along the Amalfi Coast 34


Coolcations: Switch-sell clients to cooler destinations in France, Spain and Italy 39 Africa: Q&A with NawiriGroup


42 BUSINESS NEWS


Lufthansa capacity cuts; easyJet losses 46 Resorthoppa creditors claim £3.8m 46 Comment: Revised UK package rules 47 Analysis: Fuel shortage fears continue 48


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 23 APRIL 2026 3


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


ORecorded an interview with Clia UK & Ireland ahead of the release of its 2025 numbers, which show a 7% increase in British cruisers on 2024.


OPaid Stefan Shillito of The Sovereign Cruise Club and his team a visit at their offices in Reading and recorded an interview about all things luxury cruise.


ODrove to a gloriously sunny Cambridge to take my son back to uni for the final term of his second year.


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