Atas event showcases sector on the up A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


I was in Leeds last week, moderating the seventh annual Atas Conference, as I have every year since its inception. There were more than 400 delegates, including over 250 agents investing in their knowledge of the growing touring and adventure sector, and it felt like a real coming-of-age conference for Atas. It reflected a growing confidence and maturity in the sector and in the association – apparent from the way the conference looked, the number and level of suppliers, the on-stage content and the engagement from agents in attendance. This year’s theme was ‘Connect’, and the event did so on every level. It connected agents with this most experiential of holiday type – whether a tour, an adventure or an expedition cruise – and with the operators that


can deliver them. Highlights included talks from Antarctic explorer Saunders Carmichael-Brown and Race Across the World contestant Betty Mukherjee, as well as Intrepid Travel boss James Thornton,


whose decision to tailor his travel from Melbourne to attend was another sign of the event’s reach. But the session that got everyone talking was with recently widowed consumer Carol Palmer, who gave an honest (sometimes too honest!) account of her misperceptions of a touring holiday and how they were blown away by the reality of a Just You trip to India. Agents were urged to make hay while the sector remains largely free of OTA focus, and I can’t believe that will be the case for ever. But with Atas continuing to unite this incredible community, it feels like these increasingly knowledgeable experts are well-placed to take on anything.


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


From left: Rachel Baber, Once in a Lifetime Holidays; Lisa Barber, Hays Travel; Claire Brighton, Atas; Mohamed Mansaray, InteleTravel; and Gemma Standish, Not Just Travel


pages 6 and 10 Photo: Sarah Lucy Brown


Dover leader’s relief at latest EES delay 4 Agent issues Facebook scam warning 4 Tourism minister issues outbound pledge 5 APD tipped to rise; Atas momentum Homeworker opens her first store


Special Reports Atas Conference 2024, Leeds


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Tipto courts ‘quality’ agents for events 12 comment


Giles Hawke: ‘Hail shift to experiences’ 16 NEWS YOU CAN USE


Universal Epic, Tui, Aer Lingus, DTH 17 Ramble Worldwide, Inspiring Journeys 18 P&O Cruises, Cunard, Marella, Crystal 20


FRONTLINE agent diary


Helen Parry: Joy in doing a good job 24 Your Stories Jon Berridge on swapping teaching for homeworking 25


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: House of Commons; Mirte Vreemann; Disney Enterprises/Lucasfilm; Shutterstock/Gil C; Steve Dunlop


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


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close-up


InteleTravel, Hays, Designer Travel 28 competitions Win a £5k Kuoni voucher and more 29


DESTINATIONS FAMILY HOLIDAYS California: Find out how Disneyland California is gearing up to mark its 70th anniversary next year 30


Mallorca: A family-friendly hotel is leading a transformation of Magaluf 35 Europe


Amsterdam: From street art to simulated flights, discover the city’s attractions away from the tourist trail


38 Italy: Postcard from ski resort Bormio 42


›Brits ‘unaware’ of likely disruption 47 Tourism minister on inbound ambitions 48


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 24 OCTOBER 2024 3


BUSINESS NEWS Fallout from delay to EES introduction: ›EU yet to indicate new launch date 46


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHad a fantastic meeting with Virgin Voyages about its plans for the Globes and the rest of 2025.


ORecorded the first interview with Shane Lewis-Riley following his move to the touring sector as director of trade distribution at Titan Travel.


OJoined travel industry execs in a recording studio in north London. Can’t say any more for now, but all will be revealed!


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