Tap into findings of 2026 Insight Report A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


For well over a decade, the Travel Weekly Insight Report has been an unrivalled free resource for those running travel businesses. This week marks the official publication of the 2026 edition, once again authored by our executive editor Ian Taylor, and I would urge all readers to use it to support your own business planning. The report features exclusive consumer research alongside analysis


by experts at our long-term partner Deloitte and, despite an increasingly volatile global outlook and ongoing pressures on consumer finances, it paints a largely positive picture of ongoing demand (page 5). As Deloitte’s Alistair Pritchard notes, corporate strategies for many


remain “largely defensive”, with a focus on cost-cutting. Yet Alistair also highlights early signs of cautious optimism, evidence of which we have


certainly seen in the travel trade this year with a range of companies expanding and diversifying. As we also report this week, expansion doesn’t come without barriers, with staff costs continuing to be a challenge for those looking to resource their growth strategies (page 6). But with only marginal drops in travel intent since the post-pandemic boom years, it certainly


appears there are plenty of grounds to expect another positive year overall. In addition to assessing demand and shifting consumer trends, the 60-page Insight Report assesses a wealth of crucial topics through a travel lens, ranging from AI and sustainability to regulation and corporate investment. They say good things don’t come for free, but this report is very much the exception to the rule. Please take advantage by downloading your copy at travelweeklyinsight.co.uk.


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


CMA warns it ‘will act’ on pricing rules 4 Dawson MD to focus on profitability 4 Results from exclusive research revealed 5 Trade tipped to buck trend; Ponders Travel 6 Fashion Forward launch; Seaside growth 8 in the picture


Insight-ful duo


World Travel Holdings’ Lisa McAuley (left) and


Barrhead Travel’s Jacqueline Dobson were among guests at the Industry


Leaders’ Dinner, marking the launch of this year’s


T


ravel Weekly Insight Report pages 5 & 10


Photo: Alex Maguire Photography


Photos from Industry Leaders’ Dinner 10 comment


Ted Wake: It’s time to hold our nerve 14


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product


Jet2, P&O Cruises, Loganair, Tui, Wizz 17 Newmarket, Ramble Worldwide Hurtigruten unveils new itineraries


18 20


FRONTLINE agent diary


Helen Parry: Stress value beyond price 22 Your Stories Hays Travel’s Isla Stenning on winning AAAs award 24


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Letizia Cigliutti; Région de Québec/GouvQc/Jean- Guy Lavoie; India-Jayne Trainor; Steve Dunlop; Shutterstock/KDdesign_photo_video, Ascannio


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHelped sparkle some Disney magic on agents in Bristol and Belfast as part of the PixieDust HQ rollout.


OCelebrated chief reporter Juliet Dennis’s 25th work anniversary at T


ravel Weekly


alongside deputy chief subeditor Stephanie Krahn’s 20th anniversary!


OTook my sister and daughter to see Hamnet at the cinema – I would definitely recommend.


close-up Photos of the week


MSC Cup 2026 Entries now open 26 competitions


25 Win holidays, flights and fam trips


DESTINATIONS canada


Quebec & Ottawa: Agents hit the scenic and cultural heights on fam to Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa 28


spain & portugal New Routes: Book your clients on one of these six exciting new links to Spain 34 Algarve: Go beyond the beach for vineyard tastings, fish markets, walking trails, yoga, golf and F1


BUSINESS NEWS Trade bodies lobby against visitor levy 46 Spanish airport fees; Airbus revenue up 46 ‘Suspend Qatar’s EU open-skies deal’ 47 Card fee claimants win legal ruling 48


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 26 FEBRUARY 2026 3 29


37 Basque Country: Praise for inclusivity 42


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