Look ahead with caution but confidence A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
There is an expectation within the trade that this year is unlikely to be completely smooth sailing, with a host of external factors contributing to a lack of certainty. And, according to latest research and anecdotal evidence from agents, it could also be a year in which we see notable shifts in travelling habits. The school summer holidays continue to dictate many family plans, but
there appears to be a growing willingness among consumers to consider alternatives – whether that is looking outside July and August for a main break or being happy to soak up fines for absence to allow greater flexibility and unlock more-attractive prices (page 7). A flattening of holiday seasons isn’t necessarily something to be feared, of course, with many destinations actively looking to boost
shoulder-season travel to reduce negative impacts of tourism and create more-sustainable models. But travel firms working on already slim margins need to ensure they carefully manage pricing and yields outside the summer peak to maintain the strong financial performances of recent years. Despite an understandable sense of caution about making bold predictions for 2026, there is also an underlying positivity rooted in polls that suggest travel is retaining its place as a priority outlay for customers in all demographic groups. As we report this week, more than eight in 10 people polled by YouGov said they expect to
spend the same or more on ‘long’ holidays in 2026 than in 2025, so appetite clearly remains strong. There is no room for complacency, but there are certainly grounds to look forward with confidence.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS
Agents report steady sales in January 6 CMA invites views on Hays acquisitions 6 Polls underline strong consumer demand 7 Virgin Voyages target; new Riviera boss 8 G Touring goal; Skyscanner trips search 10 comment
COVER photo Titan Travel’s Chris
Woodcock visits, from left, Scarlett Stratulis, Bonnie Strong, Megan Dolan and
Jeni Holman at Hays Travel’s branch in Allerton, Liverpool
Legal Q&A: Ensure AI use is compliant 12
NEWS YOU CAN USE Involved Holidays, Cox & Kings
16
G Adventures, Nat Geo Expeditions 17 Trafalgar, NCL, Atlas, Oceania, HAL 18
FRONTLINE agent diary
Andrea Smith: Questioning can pay off 26 Your Stories
Cruise agent Tina King shares top tips 28 CLose up
Pictures from frontline agents this week 30 competitions
FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; Alex Maguire Photography; Shutterstock/Angela N Perryman, Ople Witsanu; Sanna Krook/Oulun kaupunki
travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US:
Oman, Bali, New Zealand and more 34 @travelweekly
Bumper photo special, pages 37-75
DESTINATIONS winter sun Tunisia: Discover culture, unique regional dishes and holistic spas in Djerba 76
Europe
Finland: Five top sights to see in Oulu, European Capital of Culture 2026 80
Estonia: Stunning wildlife awaits within easy reach of capital city Tallinn
Northern Italy: Winter trip highlights 88 Switzerland: Postcard from Zurich
BUSINESS NEWS
Ryanair blames fine for quarterly dip 94 Spain’s Destinia buys into UK market 95 WTTC to Madrid; Revo administration 95 Reeves dashes hopes for rates review 96
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 29 JANUARY 2026 3
82 90
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
ORecorded an interview with new Riviera Travel boss Matt Luscombe, just three weeks into his role, to ask him about his plans and priorities.
OHad great meetings with BA, Intrepid Travel and Silversea, discussing trade engagement plans for the year.
OFetched my ski gear from the loft for the annual
Cruise.co.uk sales conference in Obertauern, Austria. Hope my torn hamstring holds out!
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