News

This week in 2009, 1994 and 1974

We take a look through the Travel Weekly archives in our 50th year to find out what was making the headlines 10, 25 and 45 years ago.

August 7, 2009

STA Travel opened its doors to hordes of consumers hoping to travel to Australia as a ‘£10 pom’. The agency offered 150 £10 single-fare tickets from eight branches nationwide to mark its 30th anniversary, echoing the 1950s’ £10 ticket price.

• The industry raised pressure on ministers over plans to increase APD as a poll of 1,000 voters by Flying Matters suggested 70% of voters in marginal seats regarded the tax as unfair. Abta called on consumers to petition the government and write to MPs ahead of upcoming increases.

First Choice rejected a suggestion by a travel law company that it should clean up or stop selling the Holiday Village resort in Turkey due to continued sickness claims.

• In a news feature, Travel Weekly reported that two Midcounties Co-operative Travel stores had been transformed into multi-channel concept shops, with the joined-up use of online, shop and call centres.

• Meanwhile, deals publisher Travelzoo reported it was close to having 1.4 million UK subscribers after attracting 67,400 in July.

August 3, 1994

mcewan-abtaAirtours accused arch-rival Thomson of sparking its earlier-than-planned launch of summer 1995 programmes. Marketing director Richard Carrick admitted Airtours had been provoked by Thomson’s launch of a summer 1995 teaser brochure.

Qantas said it would be pulling out of Manchester and partner British Airways announced it was axing its New Zealand flights following a joint review. The carriers were set to integrate schedules and co‑operate on sales and marketing.

Virgin Atlantic created its first RTW  fare in a tie-up with Malaysia Airlines.

Abta said it would tighten up on late‑paying agents following complaints from operators they were not getting their money on time.

• Going Places confirmed it would de-rack Suncars in October after signing Avis as its global car rental partner.

August 1, 1974

mcewan-abta• More government support for tourism was called for by Sir Mark Henig, chairman of the English Tourist Board, to make England one of the world’s leading tourism destinations.

• Sunquest put out a special “emergency” offer of one and two-week breaks to Tunisia from £99 and £133 including all surcharges as an alternative to Greek holidays, while it was revealed winter fuel surcharges were expected to be agreed soon.

• On the tourism page, Travel News reported that just over half of British visitors to Australia were male, 61% were over the age of 40 and most were white-collar workers, according to Australian Tourist Commission figures for the 12 months to June 1973.

• Closer to home, Jersey’s tourist board appealed to private householders to provide accommodation after hotel occupancy topped 90% on the island.

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.