NEWS


STUDENTS AT SEA: Six travel and tourism students were treated to a tour of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral thanks to a partnership with Seaside Travel. The Carlisle College students, who gain work experience at Seaside’s Haltwhistle branch in Northumberland, enjoyed breakfast, a presentation and tour while the ship was docked at the Port of Tyne. Seaside training and community senior manager Kate Dixon (back row, second from left), who hosted the event with Haltwhistle branch manager Carla Robinson (back row, second from right), said: “Being able to support students and give them hands-on industry exposure is incredibly rewarding.” The agency works with several colleges and aims to take on some students as apprentices. It has just partnered with three further colleges in Hartlepool, Gateshead and Middlesbrough.


Agents report stronger demand aided by no-surcharge guarantees


Juliet Dennis and Ian Taylor


Travel businesses reported a pick-up in demand this week, with the US-Iran war no longer the top item on every news bulletin, but customers seeking reassurance that their holidays will go ahead and not be subject to surcharges. Jet2 led the way in


ruling out surcharges at the end of last week and was quickly followed by easyJet holidays and Tui. Steve Heapy, Jet2 chief


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executive, noted “speculation that some airlines and travel companies may introduce surcharges” and insisted: “Holidaymakers can have complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2 that they’re locking in their price.” EasyJet holidays swiftly followed,


with chief executive Garry Wilson declaring customers could have


travelweekly.co.uk


“absolute peace of mind that no surcharges will be added to flights or package holidays” and holidays would “go ahead as planned”. Tui UK and Ireland managing


director Neil Swanson likewise pledged customers “can be reassured their holiday price is fixed, with no fuel surcharges”. Abta also sought to reassure consumers with its advice on ‘What the jet fuel headlines mean for your trip’ proving the most-popular page on its website alongside the ‘member search’ and home pages.


It noted: “There is a lot in the


news about jet fuel prices, the availability of jet fuel and what this may mean for holidays. We don’t want people to worry about their upcoming holiday – travel is still going ahead. “UK airlines are currently


not seeing disruption to jet fuel supply because the UK sources fuel from a diverse range of places.


“Some European airlines have


been reducing flights to some destinations, but where they have multiple flights to the same place on the same day. This is a small proportion of flights.” Abta also shared information


across Instagram and Facebook and through a TikTok video. Chief executive Mark Tanzer


said: “Holidaymakers are getting away. Airline bodies are not currently seeing disruption to fuel supply [and] UK holidaymakers can take confidence from the strong protections in place.” Advantage Travel Partnership


head of business development David Moon reported member feedback “suggests trading improved in the last week, with some reporting their strongest week since early March”. But he said: “The coverage concerning fuel shortages is impacting confidence and the prospect of surcharges adds uncertainty.”


Fred Olsen Travel retail director


Paul Hardwick reported “strong growth last week against the same week last year” but agreed: “The war is definitely having an impact on consumer confidence. We’re seeing lots of queries about existing bookings through the Middle East.” However, he said: “The


news from the big operators on not adding supplements had an immediate positive impact, with a surge across our retail business.” The Travel Network Group


commercial director Katharina Peck also reported trading “up week on week” last week, and “average booking values up 15%-30% year on year”. She noted: “Demand hasn’t


softened and cancellations aren’t rising. Instead, customers are locking in prices amid concerns around jet fuel and future price rises. “We’re seeing more questions


around amendments and reassurance as balance payments approach.”


30 APRIL 2026 5


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