News

Celebrity Cruises to unveil 'super tool' to trade and host 200 UK and Irish agents on Apex sailing

In 2026, Celebrity Cruises will relaunch its Cruising Power platform later this year and invite 200 UK and Irish agents on Apex in May

Trafalgar adds third river ship to help agents unlock 'longer, higher-value bookings'

Trafalgar Harmonie will sail a new eight-day Seine itinerary – 'designed for travel agents' – that will debut in April 2027

Azamara's four-ship fleet to undergo $80m investment to take brand 'into the future'

Azamara Quest will be the first Azamara ship to enter dry dock before the remaining vessels also receive upgrades in the coming years

Iran protests prompt fresh Foreign Office advisories for UAE, Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus and others

FCDO says 'heightened risk of regional tension' could disrupt travel to winter sun destinations in the Middle East. The FCDO has also restored its warning against all but essential travel to Israel

Newmarket Holidays pledges 'long-term commitment' to agents after shaking up trade team

Operator hands promotions to Kieran Savill, Sas Rowbotham, Ryan Readman and Casey West and launches search for two new account managers to support its 'biggest-ever' trade programme

Travel jobseekers hit almost 10-year December high prompting hope of turn-of-year recruitment spree

'All eyes will now be on whether the sector can build on this momentum throughout the early months of 2026,' said C&M Travel Recruitment managing director Barbara Kolosinska

SPL Villas tasks first head of sales and operations with doubling trade sales

The villa specialist said it was 'investing more than ever' in agents this year, including an inaugural fam trip prize draw and other incentives

Judges revealed for TTG Luxury Travel Awards 2026

A panel of leading luxury travel retail and supplier experts have been recruited to judge the TTG Luxury Travel Awards 2026

Top Irish agency Marble City Travel 'thrilled skinny' to acquire local rival of 25 years

Marble City MD Tom Britton has vowed to preserve the Top Class Travel brand and team, and has already made a start revamping its office

TTG 30 Under 30 alumni invited to join major reunion event

TTG is looking to bring together all former members of the TTG 30 Under 30 for a special celebratory event in the spring

Travel agents top Barclays' ranking for December spending growth as consumer confidence rallies

Agents recorded the highest level of year-on-year transaction growth in December, up by 16.5%, while spending growth with agents went up by 7.2%

Hays Travel extends apprenticeship programme to recently acquired agencies

The apprenticeship programme now includes Spear Travels, which was acquired last June, as well as Miles Morgan Travel and Travel House

Active England launches B2B adventure brand Adventure by AE to agents

Adventure by AE will serve agents and operators across the UK, with Ireland launching in 2027, offering a range of active itineraries inspired by demand for slower, deeper, more meaningful trips

Union to ballot Aer Lingus members on strikes over future of Manchester base

Aer Lingus has stopped selling tickets for travel beyond 31 March on its three long-haul routes at Manchester, and has previously said the base isn't performing adequately versus other operations

'Include high street agents in business rates reform', Abta and SPAA urge governments

Both Abta and the SPAA are lobbying the powers that be to recognise high street agents

'Thrown under a bus!': agents slam 'nightmare' Aer Lingus plan to stop selling transatlantic flights to and from Manchester

Agents told TTG uncertainty around the future of the Irish carrier's Manchester base had already caused them 'chaos' over the Christmas and new year period

MSC Cruises planning to invite '100 UK and Irish agents' to World Asia naming this year

MSC World Asia is slated to launch in Barcelona later this year and operate a series of sailings in the western Mediterranean during its debut season

Gold Medal claims soaring peaks sales following recruitment drive and 'continual' digital enhancements for agents

Gold Medal Travel Group has appointed 17 staff to new roles within its brands' sales teams and improved its digital tools in the run up to peaks 2026

Changemakers wanted to take to the stage at TTG's Fairer Travel Event

The Fairer Travel Event will take place on 30 June at The Minster Building in London, and TTG is looking for changemakers keen to tell their story to help the industry make a difference

Aer Lingus ends ticket sales for Manchester transatlantic services

Irish carrier says the move aimed to 'minimise disruption in the event of a closure' of its Manchester base, from which it operates flights to New York, Orlando and Barbados

Marella Cruises boss praises 'strength' of third-party agent sales after 'record-breaking' year

Chris Hackney confirmed more than 1,200 third-party agents made a Marella Cruises booking in 2025 as the line achieved a record-breaking year

Shift from material to experiential spending set to boost travel this year

Consumers prioritising holidays, concerts and wellness experiences over buying cars or renovating their homes, according to Nationwide

Princess Cruises hires Cunard's Sophia Lief to fill vacant sales manager role

Lief has been with Carnival UK since 2023, where she began as commercial planning manager for P&O Cruises

Oceania Cruises goes adults-only switch 'to maintain tranquil onboard environment' across fleet

The Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brand will honour existing bookings which include passengers under the age of 18