Basic respect is the least agents deserve A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


I write this week as anticipation builds for the release of the shortlists for the UK’s most prestigious travel awards in our special supplement with next week’s edition of Travel Weekly. The unveiling of the Globe Travel Awards shortlists is always a high point, as it reminds us of the wealth of travel brands that are excelling in their fields. And it also shines a light on the suppliers that go above and beyond to support their trade partners. While the pandemic is now thankfully well and truly behind us, the lessons learnt during that period shouldn’t be forgotten, and one of those was how true trade partnerships paid off for companies and customers alike.


Since those dark days we have seen many suppliers return to or


increase their investment in travel agents, with growth in trade sales often reported as a result. Against that backdrop, it seems remarkable that such a respected agent as Haslemere Travel’s Gemma Antrobus still felt it necessary to remind some operators how real partnerships should work (page 4). The chair of Aito Specialist Travel Agents says most supplier representatives on the frontline are ticking all the right boxes, but there is still a minority that are getting it badly wrong. As Gemma correctly says, agents know their clients better than anyone and are therefore so much more than simple order takers for those owning the end product. In-depth knowledge of trade partners’ businesses is clearly desirable to develop the most successful relationships, but at the very least respect and simple courtesy should be a given.


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


US ops brace for extended shutdown 4 ‘Some operators fail to respect agents’ 4 Trade hopes for Black Friday sales boost 5 Inside Travel target; Riviera’s ambition 6 Agency relocation; Eastern on brink


8 COVER photo


Royal Caribbean ho sts 10 agent competition winners on a Spectrum of the


Seas sailing from China to Japan – find out what they made of the experience on page 10


Photo: Royal Caribbean


Special Reports Royal Caribbean fam trip in China


10


Involved Holidays hosts Cyprus trip 12 Virgin Atlantic eyes more premium seats 13 New ship Star Princess impresses trade 14 comment


Ted Wake: Older clients want to spend 15


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Riviera, Etihad Holidays, Blue Islands 17 Silversea Cruises, P&O Cruises


18 Tui, Jet2, Prestige, Shearings, Explore 20


FRONTLINE agent diary Andrea Smith: This is my pet theory... 24


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; Shutterstock/Inspiration GP, Take Photo; Yannis Fais; Nuno Andrade


travelweekly.co.uk FOLLOW US: @travelweekly BUSINESS NEWS


Government hastens Heathrow plans 46 WTTC to leave London headquarters: ›Consultation starts with 36 staff


travelweeklyuk 47


Progress stalls in battle against CO2 48 @travelweeklyuk


30 OCTOBER 2025 3


WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHad great meetings with both Norwegian Cruise Line and Accord Marketing as we plan some exciting activity for 2026.


OSpent almost five hours queueing at the US Embassy for my journalist visa.


OHosted the final Inspiring Women Lunch of 2026, which included talks from the editor-in- chief and managing director of Britain’s biggest lifestyle magazine, Good Housekeeping.


Your stories


Joe Biggs, Personal Holiday Advisors 26 close-up


Fly&Joy, Not Just Travel, Hays Travel 27 competitions Get ahead to board Legend of the Seas28


DESTINATIONS greece & cyprus Crete: Growing Greek resort operator Paralos Hospitality showcases hotels to a group of impressed UK agents 30


Low Season: Festivals, winter sun, ski – there’s lots to do in the cooler months 35 GOLF & sports tourism


Madeira: New courses are driving Atlantic destination’s bid to attract golf lovers 40


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