Time to shift focus from Budget to peaks A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


I write this week’s column as the country braces itself for the Budget, and by the time many of you read it there will be more clarity over its impact on personal and business finances (page 5). It seems certain there will be limited positive news to come from the chancellor but, as I wrote last week, there is an element of ripping off the plaster and getting it over and done with to at least offer some clarity. This year has not provided the largely smooth sailing of those


preceding it for the travel trade, but there are still reasons for optimism as we enter the final month of 2025. As we report this week, retailers of all sizes continue to expand their teams and footprints, showing demand for travel and the services of trusted professionals remains strong (pages 6 and 8). And that growth


isn’t coming in just one channel, with home-based agents proving there is life in bricks and mortar as they look to open their own premises. With the peaks just weeks away, agents and suppliers alike will be fine-tuning the promotions they hope will persuade customers to commit to a holiday in 2026 or beyond. Travel advertising is always a hallmark of the festive season and has increasingly become a


recognisable feature of the run-up to Christmas. With the cost of living still a pressing concern and some customers undoubtedly needing a reminder of why they should prioritise a holiday over other discretionary purchases, let’s hope this year’s marketing efforts are a vintage crop.


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHosted 30 female leaders on the Inspiring Women Retreat in Barbados and heard from British-Barbadian businesswoman Karen Blackett about her trailblazing work, PLUS had a surprise private address from the prime minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley. Incredible!


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


Luxtripper administration is extended 4 Jet2 and easyJet cautious over capacity 4 Trade hopes for post-Budget boost


5


MSC targets growth; JLT pair open stores 6 Seaside agent growth; PTC bookability 8 Special Reports


COVER photo


On board Celebrity Xcel in Miami are, from left: Sandra Corkin, Oasis Travel; John Sullivan, Advantage Travel


Partnership; Claire Stirrup, Celebrity Cruises; Rhiannon Kilbride, Stewart Travel


Group; Lindsay Haslehurst, World Travel Holdings;


Paul Hardwick, Fred Olsen Travel; and Nicola McNeish, Celebrity Cruises


page 12 Photo: Shown/Celebrity Cruises


Oceania looks ahead to Sonata Class 10 Celebrity taps AI for passenger insights 12 comment


Steve Dunne: Much marketing is vanity 16


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Celebrity, Intrepid, Just Go, WestJet 17 Royal Caribbean, Quark, HAL


18 Crystal Ski to make debut in Sweden 20


FRONTLINE Your Stories


Colman and Rachael Coyne: from police workers to Not Just Travel agency owners 21


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; Shutterstock/David Ionut; AlenKadr; G Adventures


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


OAttended the Aspire Awards in Manchester and watched on with pride as the team, led by acting editor Erica Rich, put on a truly amazing event.


competitions


Win a fam trip to Costa Rica, stays in Cyprus and Dubai, and voucher prizes 24


DESTINATIONS escorted tours Jordan: Country looks to a brighter tourism future after hosting G Adventures’ GX Summit for hundreds of industry guests


26


Cyprus: Agents soak up island’s sights on an Involved Holidays walking fam trip 31 short breaks


Morocco: A new link from Gatwick to Rabat is shining a light on the country’s often-overlooked capital 36


Cornwall: Mine the county’s heritage 43


BUSINESS NEWS Jet2 reports 5% rise in summer revenue 46 Booking.com focuses on LTA sales


47


‘Airport growth benefits are a myth’ 47 COP30 fails to agree climate targets 48


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 27 NOVEMBER 2025 3


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