Changes in advice are a welcome relief A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


The relaxation of Foreign Office advice for Gulf destinations was anticipated by many in the trade, yet the confirmation still came as a huge relief for those who had spent Thursday morning hitting refresh on the guidance pages for the region. The confusion, hostility and mixed messaging coming out of the negotiations last weekend was a sign, if any were needed, that the process will be long and volatile, and that means a cloud of uncertainty still exists. But with reports of a return to relative normality from industry colleagues in the region even before the peace deal was signed, the door is at least now open to rebuild confidence and start selling these spectacular destinations again.


The other significant benefit of the change in advice is the removal of regulatory barriers to


selling transit flights through key hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, and that means the relaxation was also a source of encouragement for those selling long-haul holidays to the east (page 5). And with an element of stability injected into the political landscape closer to the home with the news of an orderly transition for outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer, there is hope that more customers will feel confident to commit to booking for this summer and beyond (back page). No doubt there will be more hold-ups and diversions on the road ahead, but with two of the


larger potholes filled in for now, the journey looks smoother than it has at any point in the past four months.


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


ATT protection fund swells to £355m 4 Agents report strong lates market


Long-haul bookings tipped for revival 5 Abta subs rise; ‘next PM needs focus’ 6 Agent’s call to operators; Newmarket 8 conference Report


COVER photo


Pictured at the 2026 Aito ‘Famference’ in Saas-Fee,


Switzerland, are, from left: (back) Sandra Mutter, Andara Travel; Megan Woodcock, Beverley Travel; Kayleigh Hodson, RB


Collection; Dave Allen, Andara Travel; Yvonne Kinder, Aito; Alex Herrmann, Switzerland Tourism; and (front) Stuart Swords, Swords Travel


page 12 Photo: Stuart Swords


Aito Famference, Saas-Fee, Switzerland 12 comment


Finance Q&A: Track down old pensions 14


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Jet2, Tui, Riyadh Air, Newmarket Trafalgar, Travelmarvel


FRONTLINE


AAAs 2026 preview Q&A with Gold Medal’s Simon Applebaum


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Hamish Hamilton; Shutterstock/Richard z, Halfpoint, Georgios Tsichlis, Balate.Dorin; Steve Dunlop


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly BUSINESS NEWS 20


agent diary Travel Chaps: Convert social leads 23


Gatwick legal action; easyJet bid latest 46 DfT’s Heathrow Expansion Statement:


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 25 JUNE 2026 3


›Benefits of third runway revised down 47 Analysis: A transition in confidence? 48


4


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OAttended the 2026 Leaders of Luxury Conference, hosted byT


ravel Weekly


sister brand Aspire and featuring great speakers from the premium sector.


OHosted the Travel Weekly Hotlist Awards, recognising the best of the cruise and touring and adventure sectors.


OTravelled to the Cotswolds for Advantage’s John Sullivan’s wedding, before seeing my dad on the way home for Father’s Day.


Your Stories Heidi Frith, InteleTravel


close-up


ITE and Danube, Taj Mahal and Edinburgh fam trips 25


competitions Win £10k and more with Wendy Wu 26


DESTINATIONS Villa holidays Crete: A new villa facing Spinalonga puts guests at the heart of acclaimed British novel The Island 28


15 16


MSC, Princess, Ambassador, Regent 18


canada Victoria: British Columbia’s capital offers a softer side to Canadian adventure 32 Manitoba: Soak up Canada’s wilderness without the crowds on summer escape 39


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