Strong momentum triggers positive vibes A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


When we hosted last year’s Travel Weekly Future of Travel Conference, the Bank of England was predicting a recession for the fourth quarter and throughout this year. It was a pretty bleak outlook. Thankfully, those predictions didn’t come to fruition and,


remarkably, the industry has had an incredibly strong year against the backdrop of the cost-of-living crisis. As leaders from across the sector gathered at Google last week for


our 2023 Future of Travel Conference, many travel companies were reporting bookings back or even above 2019 levels, and at record prices. Thanks to the unexpectedly strong momentum in the market, operators are adding capacity and extending seasons, while retailers


are opening new high street outlets and taking on more staff. In a neat bit of timing, this year’s conference coincided with the Bank of England’s decision not to increase interest rates, suggesting they may be near their peak and pressure on mortgage holders and consumers heading into 2024 could start to ease. No wonder the mood in the room of 200-plus delegates was notably upbeat (page 5). We have


heard time and again that a holiday is one of the last things people will give up, and speakers agreed that still appears to be the case. There is an expectation that capacity hikes may flatten out some of the price inflation seen this year, while offering value for money will continue to be key. But at the end of the conference, it was uplifting to see many of the guests leave with a spring in their step.


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


Lobbying Labour ‘won’t be any easier’ 4 Tui rival questions commitment to trade 4 Operators bullish about 2024 prospects 5 PTR proposals divisive; AI ‘will aid agents’ 6 Agent’s roving sales; Gatwick flights limit 8 conference Report Future of Travel 2023, London


10


Industry leaders reflect on issues affecting travel


pages 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 Photo: Sarah Lucy Brown


comment Gordon McCreadie: Face time still key 12


NEWS YOU CAN USE product


Jet2, Tipto, Newmarket, easyJet 17


Azamara, Clia, Uniworld, APT, Viking 18 Leger, Just You, JG, Inghams, Exoticca 22


THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Shutterstock/Korkusung, TokyoVideoStock; Sarah Lucy Brown; Diana Jarvis; Steve Dunlop


travelweekly.co.uk


FRONTLINE agent diary Helen Parry: Stand together in a crisis 28 Your Stories Ex-cabin crew Tim Potter on opening a travel agency 30


FOLLOW US: @travelweekly close-up


Midcounties, AE Expeditions, St Kitts 32 competitions Abu Dhabi, Antarctica, Australia, US 33


DESTINATIONS ASIA


Japan: From the modern and kitsch to the old and traditional, discover Tokyo’s eclectic neighbourhoods 34


China: Get reacquainted with Shanghai 43 Thailand: Banyan Tree Phuket in focus 49 sustainable travel Europe: The joy of the journey: Intrepid teams up with Byway for flight-free travel to tour start points 51


Nature: Tips for less-visited destinations 59 BUSINESS NEWS


Government issues call for evidence 62 CAA ‘will be given stronger powers’ 62 Comment: Travlaw on PTR proposals 63 Digitisation ‘will cut border queues’ 64


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 28 SEPTEMBER 2023 3


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OCaught up with some outstanding speakers ahead of next week’s second Travel Weekly People Summit.


ODonned a sequin dress to reveal online the first winner of Royal Caribbean’s latest agent initiative, The Big Royal Thank You!


OWatched my daughter’s cricket team take a respectable third place in the Kent Women’s Finals at Penshurst Place on Saturday.


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