Specialisms are paying off for agents A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Over the past week I have been fortunate to attend two events, hosted by Clia and the Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers, which highlighted fantastic prospects for agents. Research and data revealed by both showed ongoing strength of demand for the cruise and touring sectors, but it also demonstrated how agents are increasingly embracing the product and can benefit even further by expanding their specialisms and expertise (page 5). We are seeing specialist operators in these sectors continuing to invest heavily in the travel trade, with a number of agent-facing appointments announced this week alone. And with the adventure sector tipped by one expert to be close to joining cruise and touring as a mainstream holiday choice, there are
ever more ways for agents to add strings to their bows and gain even more customers. Unsurprisingly, Clia and Atas members and the associations themselves are huge supporters
of Travel Weekly’s Agent Achievement Awards, and this week we’ve unveiled a stellar line-up of industry judges who will help us select our winners (page 8). The big night itself is in July, but this is also a crucial week as we have just days until the May 1 deadline for both supplier voting and agent and agency entries. We are always immensely grateful to everyone who takes part, and I would urge you all to take the opportunity to ensure the very best are represented on the shortlists when they are published in June. You can find all the details at
agentachievementawards.co.uk.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS COVER photo
From left: Fred Olsen Travel group’s Mark
Scrivener, Lisa Robinson, Christina Astill, Lorna
Neale and Paul Hardwick page 6
Abta’s assets grew by £1.7m last year 4 ‘Lack of Parliamentary time’ hits reforms 4 Agents seize touring & adventure chance 5 New Fred Olsen store; airline refunds 6 Althams shop openings; AAAs judges 8 Special Report
Spain Sustainability Day, London comment
10 Steve Dunne: Wise to scan for ‘icebergs’ 12
NEWS YOU CAN USE product JG Travel Group, DSD, Tui, Aer Lingus 15 Gold Medal fam trip, Inghams Ramble Worldwide, Audley, APT
P&O, Ambassador, Oceania, A&K 20
FRONTLINE event report
Intrepid showcases female adventurers 26 agent diary Helen Parry: Blog posts are write for us 28
FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo/ Scott M Foley; Sarah Lucy Brown
travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly close-up
Las Vegas, Iglu, Barrhead, Advantage 32 competitions
Win a Titan tour to Italy or Montenegro 34
DESTINATIONS THE US
Texas: Catch a ride as the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo marks 75 years 36
16 18
Florida: Fort Myers is bouncing back 43 On the Water: Adventures for all tastes 49 Villa holidayS Value Villas: Three specialists explain why villa holidays offer value for money
54 Greece: Operators unveil new villas 57
BUSINESS NEWS Abta Aviation Forum 2024:
›Aircraft delivery delays ‘to hit summer’ 62 EasyJet results; Saga target; WTTC 63 Aviation faces ‘cost pain of carbon cuts’ 64
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 25 APRIL 2024 3
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OInterviewed the GNTO’s Eleni Skarveli at the Atas Leaders’ Dinner as Greece highlights its attractions beyond the beaches.
OJoined ocean and river lines to hear the latest Clia passenger data for 2023, unveiled alongside consumer research from MMGY Global.
OWatched my daughter train in the Kent U16 ‘development pathway’ cricket squad. She’s a great little fast bowler!
Your Stories Ukrainian Liliia Ilkevych on setting up agency in UK 30
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