Analysis

The Big Question: Do alcohol and air travel mix?

What measures are in place to promote safe travel, and to curb antisocial behaviour? Whose responsibility is it to ensure safety? And what role does personal responsibility play?

Hotelplan UK brands tipped to flourish in Kuoni parent's safe hands

’It does seem like a very good move by Dertour,’ one expert tells TTG after Kuoni’s parent acquired Hotelplan Group and its UK brands, including Inghams and Explore Worldwide

Increase in January customers offset by fall in spend with agents – Barclays

Barclays Consumer Spend report finds transactions through agents in January grew but at reduced value, with airlines not faring so well

Tui heaps praise on independent agents, but focus on app sales bears fruit

Tui has said independent agents are ’very important’ to its business in the UK, but has also highlighted the success of its app during peaks

Tui bullish about growth prospects despite tough winter for UK and Ireland

Group reveals significant uptick in early winter revenue and earnings, although seasonal losses in its northern Europe region – which comprises the UK, Ireland and Nordic countries – have deepened by more than 75% to €88.5 million

Tui chief pins slow start to peaks on change in UK strategy

Tui’s boss has said a change in direction towards more dynamic packaging meant its January sales were slower than normal, with fixed capacity remaining tight and sold at higher margins

Why agents should embrace sports tourism this year

Sports tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors within the travel and tourism industry and it is expected to reach $1.33 trillion by 2032. So why UK agents aren’t embracing it? Ilaria Grasso Macola investigates

Shrinking the world: is mid-haul about to have its moment?

A combination of new aircraft economics and strain on Mediterranean hotspots could drive rapid evolution of the mid-haul market, and potentially bring destinations like Cape Verde, Senegal and Ghana into the mainstream

How Celebrity Cruises plans to drive sustainability firsts with its Edge series

Just days after its latest ship, Celebrity Xcel, was floated out from the French shipyard where it is being built, Celebrity Cruises announced a new Edge-class ship will join the fleet in 2028. Sara Macefield reports from Saint Nazaire in France

How to fix fam trips: agents and suppliers have their say

The majority of travel advisors are unhappy with the current format of fam trips – TTG explores what the solutions could be

Heathrow airport expansion: everything you need to know

Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday (29 January) confirmed the government will back expansion at Heathrow, and potentially at other London airports. So what are the ins and outs for travel?

Spend with Aito members still rising with long lead-in times, survey reveals

A survey of 14,000 Aito members found average spend is still increasing, with long lead-in times for bookings

How inquisitive agents can tap into the £200bn halal travel market – and why they should

Agents prepared to discover more about Muslim clients’ travel preferences can tap into a potentially huge market, reports Ilaria Grasso Macola

From 'feast or famine' to £75,000 sales in one day – an honest take on peaks so far

Agents are heading into final big weekend of January in broadly positive spirits, with the peaks momentum expected to continue well into February – here’s what the trade had to say

Heathrow expansion could open door for easyJet, says new chief Kenton Jarvis

From easyJet’s push into mid-haul to the rapid rise of easyJet holidays and the tantalising prospect of making a splash at Heathrow, there’s plenty for easyJet’s new chief executive Kenton Jarvis to enthuse about as he eases himself into his new role

Los Angeles tourism chiefs appeal for trade's support following wildfires

’Millions rely on the economic engine of the Los Angeles tourism industry for their livelihood,’ said Francine Sheridan, Los Angeles Tourism’s Europe and Middle East regional vice-president

Travel salaries rise again in 2024 to boost sector’s ‘competitiveness’

New figures show average travel salaries went up by 8.4% last year to more than £37,000, and have increased by more than a fifth since 2022 and a third since 2021

EasyJet holidays targets 25% growth after early winter profits leap by £12 million

Airline and operator charts ’significant improvement’ in first-quarter results (three months to 31 December) amid ongoing strong demand for flights and holidays

The key ships launching in 2025 – and how agents can get on them

TTG approached travel’s ocean and river lines late last year to find out how agents could get onboard the new vessels launching in 2025. Here’s what they had to say

Upward trend in spending with travel agents continues in December – Barclays

New figures from Barclays reveal spending with travel agents grew by 7.5% year-on-year in December, an increase matched by only one other sector monitored by the bank

What does 2025 have in store for agents? The view from the shop floor to the boardroom

The UK travel trade is remaining optimistic for the year ahead despite the geopolitical challenges threatening to put clouds in the increasingly clear skies overhead – team TTG explore what the new year has in store for agents

10 'destinations to watch' that could sate your clients' wanderlust this year

An overlooked tropical paradise, a compact safari sensation and one of Italy’s "best kept secrets" have been named among the top destinations agents and consumers should look out for in 2025

Spending with travel agents increased by 8% in 2024 – Barclays

Spending with agents up by nearly 8% year-on-year, albeit down from a more than 10% jump in 2023

'There's so much opportunity out there for agents heading into 2025'

There are plenty of reasons for the trade to look ahead to 2025 with confident, agents tell TTG, while research from Abta also underlines how agents’ stock is rising among consumers