Time to take stock and apply for fams A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
I spent last week on the beautiful island of Ibiza and am pleased to report the arrival and departure processes using the new entry/exit systems were pretty seamless, despite any pre-travel apprehension. With every sale needing to be earned this year, there were fears of an ‘EES meltdown’ dominating the post-World Cup front pages and dissuading those on the fence from making a last-minute booking. But while concerns that the EU’s new system would come under
unbearable pressure when the school holidays kicked in were justified, it appears significant issues have been largely avoided, for now at least. That isn’t to say that core destinations haven’t been in the headlines, with shocking images of European wildfires to the fore, but as Travel
Weekly went to press on Tuesday, the direct impact on trade bookings and customers appeared relatively limited (page 4). While the continued trend for late-late bookings means the summer holidays remain an
opportunity to make sales (page 5), they also offer the trade an opportunity to take stock. For many suppliers, that means fine-tuning agent support, from training and events to sales incentives and fam trip planning. And two such incentives feature heavily this week, with Royal Caribbean set to host its second Fortune Awaits trip to China and Japan (pages 8 and 43), and our flagship Cover Stars competition in association with Newmarket Holidays entering its final week for entries (page 16). We all know how important fams are for gaining knowledge and boosting sales, so I’d urge you to get in the running for these two incredible opportunities.
os Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS
Poll reveals awareness of pricing rules 4 Trade monitors fires in France and Spain 4 Agents report ‘incredibly late bookings’ 5 USAirtours target; agent’s £100k sale 6 Agency hails Games boost; Royal fam 8 comment
Steve Dunne: Silence not always golden 12 COVER star
Cumbria Travel’s Kate McMinn poses at the Savoy Palace Hotel on
Jet2holidays trip to Madeira page 40
Photo: Thomas Reader Your 18-page photo special starts on Page 19
FRONTLINE agent diary Matt & Ashley: AAAs was a triumph 37
FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; Shutterstock/HBARTIS, Elesey; Heinz Troll Photography; Phoebe Smith
travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly
NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Sovereign, Carrier, Audley, Newmarket 13 Silversea, Seabourn, Fred Olsen Cruise 14
close-up
Tipto, SHG and 60-year agent Ellen 42 competitions
Win Royal trip to China and Japan 43 DESTINATIONS
Greece & Cyprus New Resorts: We review two rebranded resorts to sell this summer: Ella Rocrita in Crete and Imperial Island Resort in Cyprus
Solo Travel India: An escorted tour is an ideal option for midlife travellers seeking a ‘micro- retirement’ from work
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OCaught up with communications guru Rachel O’Reilly about her new venture in PR and health, wellbeing and executive coaching for the travel industry.
OWas excited to help launch Fortune Awaits 2.0, Royal Caribbean’s campaign to promote its cruises from China to Japan and South Korea.
OSpent an amazing week in Santa Eulalia, Ibiza, on a Tui holiday with my 17-year-old daughter and her best friend.
44
50
50+ Women: Eight suggestions for those travelling alone for the first time 57
BUSINESS NEWS
Carriers predict modest winter growth 62 Edinburgh’s 5% visitor levy takes effect 63 Iata names first female director general 63 Analysis: Airlines count cost of Gulf war 64
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 30 JULY 2026 3
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