Crucial to make the most of mini peaks A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
As the school holidays draw to a close, the industry has so far largely been spared a repeat of the “travel chaos” headlines often used by the national media in the quieter summer season. However, the agency sector found itself in an unwanted spotlight when an article in The Sun on InteleTravel left the fast-growing company with a job to defend its model and credentials and reignited long-standing concerns from more-experienced agents (page 5). The story will have been a blow for the InteleTravel leadership team, which has worked hard to establish the agency with partners and the broader sector.
And it will clearly be monitored closely by other homeworking agencies, some of whom fear a knock-on effect and have previously
flagged their frustration at the suggestion a role that requires huge amounts of knowledge and professionalism can be carried out as a “side hustle”. This week we return to our regular weekly publishing schedule with a Caribbean-themed edition, sponsored by Marella Cruises. The Caribbean has long held a special place for the UK trade, and as we demonstrate with a wealth of articles and features this week, it continues to appeal to a broad range of travellers. As we enter September, agents and operators will be gearing up for the “mini peaks” and will be hoping to tap into returning clients’ desire to secure their holidays for future seasons. With the October Budget set to pile more pressure on business and individual finances, it will be crucial to make the most of the weeks ahead.
cr Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS NEWS News Comment
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Marella Cruises Q&A 16 News You Can Use 19-24 Agent Diary Your Stories Competitions Destinations Business
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37-58 64
Caribbean experts call for more flights 4 Group urges reform of school terms
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InteleTravel boss defends agency model 5 Caribbean sales; Heapy and Hays hailed 6 C The World to expand; Royal winners 8 Special Reports
Royal hosts agents on Star of the Seas 10 Virgin Voyages launches Brilliant Lady 12 comment
Paul Cleary: Increase Caribbean airlift 14
NEWS YOU CAN USE Sandals, Top Villas, Gold Medal
18-to-Thirtysomethings, Caribtours COVER PHOTO
Pictured in Kingston on a fam trip hosted by the Jamaica Tourist
Board as part of its 70th birthday celebrations are, from left: Sarah Heduan, Hedge Travel; Teresa Williams, Hays Travel; Lisette Julio-Quinn, Not Just Travel;
Moïza Bertrand, JLT Group; Linda Robertson, Not Just Travel; and Gemma Perry, The Holiday Fixer
FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shenika Ramsay/Jamaica Tourist Board; Rungsan Nantaphum; Steve Dunlop; Scott Sporleder/Discover Dominica Authority
travelweekly.co.uk
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NCL, Seabourn, Uniworld, Cunard 22 SeaDream, Orient Express Corinthian 24
FRONTLINE agent diary
Sharon Thompson: Caribbean moments 26 Your Stories Caribbean specialist Polly Gould
FOLLOW US: @travelweekly 28
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
ORevealed the winners of Royal Caribbean’s Fortune Awaits competition in a webcast. I can’t wait to meet the 10 agents I’ll be going to China with!
OMet with G Adventures’ Brian Young and Nick Hughes to plan an exciting new agent campaign for 2026 with an amazing prize.
OShed a little tear watching my daughter open her fantastic GCSE results. She worked so hard!
close-up AWTE, Oceania Cruises, HAL, HX
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cover stars 2026 Meet the 12 lucky winners heading for Madeira with sponsor Jet2holidays
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competitions Win a Marella fam in the Caribbean 34
DESTINATIONS Caribbean A-Z Beyond the Beach: Your 14-page guide to all things off the sunlounger, from adventures to ziplining via festivals, jerk and rum 37
Jamaica: Agents discover a feast of flavours on a fam trip during the tourist board’s 70th anniversary festivities 55
BUSINESS NEWS
Tui posts record €225m profit for Q3 62 Analysis: How do CT scanners work?
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 28 AUGUST 2025 3
›Processes, costs and future advances 63 Caribbean’s tourism surge post-Covid 64
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