Savvi Travel boss to climb Kili for baby loss charity
Andrew McQuarrie
Savvi Travel director Kay Batley is preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro weeks before her 64th birthday in a challenge she says will “push me out of my comfort zone”. Batley, who owns four shops, will
tackle the trek up Africa’s highest mountain over 10 days in August with specialist tour operator Legend Expeditions. “Before I decided to do this,
Kilimanjaro was not on my bucket list,” she said. “I’ll be a month off 64 and out of my comfort zone. I’m a ‘lie in the Maldives’ lady while my husband brings the cocktails.” Batley, of North Northamptonshire,
is aiming to raise at least £2,000 for baby loss charity Sands, which she described as “close to my heart” because of the experiences of family and close friends. She said: “My daughter-in-law’s
first baby Eli was sadly stillborn at 26 weeks and Sands was incredibly helpful at that time. “They also gave invaluable
support during her [following] pregnancy with William, born happy and healthy and now five years old.” After signing up for the trek at
the start of the year, Batley has been carrying out a training programme
Kay Batley on a training
walk at Kinder Scout in the Peak District National Park
including gym work. “I’m trying to get my walking in, but it’s hard taking days out for hills when you work full-time,” she said, adding that a StairMaster stationary fitness machine is playing a key role in her preparations. Batley decided to tackle the
5,895-metre Tanzanian peak after meeting Legend Expeditions founder Jack Fleckney and inviting him to the Oundle Travel Show last November. “He came to our show and people were in awe,” said Batley. “He’s such a lovely guy and I was hooked straight away.” When asked about trading,
Batley said it had been a “mixed bag” across Savvi Travel’s stores, noting
Havila Voyages recruits Griffiths as UK strategic account manager
Norwegian coastal specialist Havila Voyages has appointed Robin Griffiths as its first strategic account manager for the UK trade. Joining next month from APT, Griffiths brings over 20 years of industry experience, including roles at Kuoni and Emirates. He will report to global head of sales Matthew Valentine, who said the appointment “shows our commitment to working with the trade”.
8 28 MAY 2026
challenges linked to the Gulf conflict. “We’ve had our peaks and
troughs,” she said. “It seems really funny. We think people aren’t travelling long-haul and then we get a nice big long-haul booking. And then we get other people who are cancelling their trip to Italy. It’s different day to day.” The shops are based in Oakham,
Rutland; Olney, Buckinghamshire; Hitchin, Hertfordshire; and Oundle, Northamptonshire. Batley, who will be taking the
Lemosho Route up the mountain from August 6-15, is raising money via
tinyurl.com/sandskaysclimb.
Fred Olsen Travel strengthens commercial and product team
Fred Olsen Travel Group has bolstered its commercial and product development team with two senior appointments. Nathan Emtage, formerly of Real Response Media, has been recruited as commercial and product manager, joining Natasha Chaplin, who has been promoted to the same role.
Trade pays tribute to TV travel legend Judith Chalmers
The travel industry has paid tribute to broadcasting legend Judith Chalmers, the iconic presenter of ITV’s Wish You Were Here…?, who has died at the age of 90. At its peak, Chalmers’ long-
running series attracted 15 million viewers. She hosted more than 500 editions, bringing global destinations into British living rooms and inspiring generations of trade professionals. Miles Morgan Travel founder
Miles Morgan said growing up watching Chalmers directly influenced his career, describing her as a “warm and genuine person” and a “travel industry legend”. Later in life, Chalmers remained
a beloved fixture at trade events and a passionate advocate for cruising. Clia UK & Ireland managing
director Andy Harmer praised her for “bringing great energy and life to the travel industry” and “making holidays accessible to millions”. Seabourn’s Lynn Narraway
described her as “the kindest and funniest person”. World Travel Holdings UK’s Lisa McAuley said she was a “figurehead for my youth”. And Advantage Travel Partnership’s Jonny Peat said: “She showed that travel is about people and connection.”
Judith Chalmers
Tui to extend new client loyalty scheme to UK later this year
Tui plans to extend its recently launched global loyalty programme, Tui Smiles Rewards Club, to the UK and Ireland later this year. The free-to-join scheme to collect ‘Smiles’ rewards is open to all customers, with those who book via independent travel agents able to manually add their bookings. Tui stressed the initiative is designed to support trade partners and add value to their offer.
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: Steve Dunlop
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