Industry gears up for new political era A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


Keir Starmer’s speech in the Rose Garden of Downing Street this week will have been a de facto starting pistol for industry lobbyists keen to establish positive relationships with the Labour government. With the core summer holiday season drawing to a close and


Whitehall and Westminster returning in force, spokespeople for every industry will be fighting in earnest for recognition. The tough task facing our own representatives will be getting cut-through for a sector which is clearly not going to be a major priority for the new administration. One of the first areas of focus will be October’s Budget, and the potential direct and indirect impact of the tax hikes and spending cuts expected within it. But lobbyists will also be keeping a close eye on the


political party conferences over the coming month to get a handle on the prevailing mood and opportunities to engage. These party conferences coincide with the start of travel’s own autumn conference season, with Abta’s Travel Convention taking place just three weeks before that crucial first Budget, and industry associations representing the corporate and inbound sectors also hosting forums in the coming months. At Travel Weekly, we are busy preparing for our own flagship Future of Travel Conference, which takes place at the culmination of the Labour Party Conference on September 25. We have an array of incredible speakers lined up, including The Sunday Times’ chief political commentator Tim Shipman, and it will be fascinating to get his and others’ takes on the industry’s standing as we enter a new era in politics.


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


NEWS Trade reports strong sales in August


4 COVER star Admiral Travel’s Sarah


Nowell-Stuart tours Kotor on Jet2holidays-sponsored trip to Montenegro page 28


Photo: Steve Dunlop


Card fee class action set to ‘ramp up’ 4 Court rulings enhance cancellation rights 5 Heathrow strike; Prestige trade initiatives 6 Typically celeb tie-ups; Jet2’s WhatsApp 8 comment


Legal Q&A with Travlaw’s Ami Naru 10 Cover Stars 2025


Winners revealed for VIP Cyprus trip 12


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Tui, Jet2, Singapore Airlines, BA


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHad great meetings with RateHawk, Travelpack, Tui and Aer Lingus about their trade plans.


ORecorded a webcast with Royal Caribbean about its new agent loyalty programme and its wider plans to offer more support to key partners.


OStarted buying essentials for my son who is off to Cambridge University having smashed his A-levels. I couldn’t be more proud of him!


cover stars


Admiral Travel’s Sarah Nowell-Stuart 28 competitions Win trips to Australia, Cape Town, US 31


DESTINATIONS Winter sun


Saint Vincent & the Grenadines: The opening in March of Sandals’ first property in the country has given archipelago a lift 32


Indian Ocean: Three experts offer tips on best destinations to suggest in winter 37 Europe


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Gold Medal, Magari Tours, Rainbow 16 Avalon, Celestyal, Regent, Carnival 20 Virgin Voyages, Windstar, SeaDream 22


FRONTLINE agent diary


Jennifer Lynch: I’m not a fan of lates 24 close-up Tipto, Audley Travel, ROL Cruise


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FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; Sandals; Shutterstock/Armmy Picca; PeopeImages.com-Yuri A; Harald Wisthaler


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


Italy: A new Gatwick link is opening up the cycling and hiking routes of ‘cool’ Alta Badia in the Dolomites 40


BUSINESS NEWS Stephen Mason celebrates 50 years:


› Leading industry lawyer looks back on career spanning five decades London City expansion go-ahead


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@travelweeklyuk 29 AUGUST 2024 3


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