Cruise records continue to be smashed A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


The record-breaking attendance of 850 agents at last week’s Clia Conference in Southampton was just the latest landmark for a sector which is making a habit of smashing through its targets (page 10). Official statistics show 34.6 million people cruised globally last


year, with that figure predicted to increase to 42 million by 2028. And compared to 40 years ago, when there were just 1.9 million cruisers and 97% of those were from the US, the sector is now an increasingly international affair, with about half of cruisers coming from other source markets and the UK and Germany vying for second place. Importantly, according to Clia’s latest SPI survey, which measures sentiment, perception and intent across the world’s top-nine source


markets, 82% of customers who have cruised will do so again, 68% are open to trying a new cruise experience and 71% are likely or very likely to book a cruise in the next two years. All these statistics will have been music to the ears of attendees, particularly the 60% who had never been to a Clia Conference before and the 23% whose first opportunity to set foot on a cruise ship was to pick between no less than seven available to tour during the event. With Clia in the UK reporting a 10% increase in individual members, a 5% increase in agency


members and an 11% increase in accredited learners last year, the signs bode well that the UK market will continue to keep pace with global projections and become an even greater contributor to those record-breaking numbers in years to come.


Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS Jetline owed trade creditors £3.4m


Apprentice funding changes alarm Abta 4 Cyber experts warn of summer risk


4 5


Lobby group ‘progress’; agency grows 6 New Chester agency; SeaDream visit 8 Special Reports


COVER photo From left: Marie


Gardner, Not Just Travel; Zoe Southern, The


Cruise Club; Laura del Pino, Audley Travel; Luke Clarke, Swan Hellenic; Clare Russell, Audley


Travel; and Kieran Miller, Magical Traveller page 10


Photo: Steve Dunlop


Clia Conference, Southampton Atas Experiences, Morocco comment


NEWS YOU CAN USE Jet2, Sani/Ikos Group, Widgety


Typically Holidays, InsideJapan


FRONTLINE agent diary


Clare Dudley: It’s good to talk travel 19 Your Stories Explorer Travel franchisees Eilidh and David McKerry 20


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Dalvik Photography; photo.vi; Shutterstock/Pungu x, fizkes, BlueOrange Studio; Steve Dunlop


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


10 12


Luke Petherbridge: EU deal heartening 14


15 16


HX, Princess, Crystal, Virgin Voyages 17 close-up


Travel Counsellors, HAL, Thorpe Travel 22 competitions Win gift cards, vouchers, experiences 23


DESTINATIONS CARIBBEAN


British Virgin Islands: New flights and the reopening of flagship resorts have revived the destination’s buzz 24


Food Guide: Tempt clients’ taste buds 31 Stargazing: Top spots for stellar sights 37 Dominica: Snapshot of scenic island 38 VILLA HOLIDAYS


Families: Tap into the trend for multigenerational breaks with villa specialists’ tips for selling to all age groups 41


BUSINESS NEWS


Firms urged to use chargeback process 46 EasyJet posts £394m half-year loss 47 Comment: Advice on fake reviews ban 47 Guevara tipped to lead UN Tourism 48


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 29 MAY 2025 3


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHosted T ravel


Weekly’s annual Cruise Leaders’ Dinner on the eve of the Clia Conference in Southampton, with support from Visit Gibraltar, Virgin Atlantic and News UK.


OCo-moderated the Clia Conference with the association’s managing director, Andy Harmer.


OSpent the bank holiday weekend flat on my back with a slipped disc flare-up as a result of all the above!


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