Analysis

What's coming down the river over the next couple of years?

Harry Kemble plots a course through the new ships and itineraries arriving in the river cruise sector during 2024 and 2025

The Big Question: Do women have equal opportunity to progress in travel?

The agency sector, in particular, is still staffed primarily by women. So is the industry creating enough openings for them to maximise their potential?

Budget 2024: everything agents need to know

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt raises premium Air Passenger Duty rate but cuts National Insurance contributions

Agents reap rewards of strong demand amid stiff competition – at least for now

After peaks continued well into February, there’s no doubt 2024 has got off to a strong start – but could over-capacity dampen the feelgood factor?

Is the Foreign Office's approach to travel advice still fit for purpose?

The Foreign Office is quick to issue warnings after terrorist attacks or natural disasters, but is it too slow to update its advice? Gary Noakes reports

What does the Tui of the future look like?

Tui, led by chief Sebastian Ebel, has this week laid out its plans to extend its horizons into new markets – while also catching back up with Jet2 and fighting off easyJet holidays

New package rules could give consumers ‘less protection’ – CMA

Competition regulator warns that the new proposals could lead to ‘confusion’

The Big Question: Should the cruise sector shout about lower prices?

A sure-fire way to attract cruisers is to market lower prices – but what impact does this have further down the line?

Peaks so far: trade hopes for new records as UK consumers get into holiday mode

Despite the gloomy British weather, many agents and operators have recorded their best-ever January sales – and expect that trend to continue

A greener, more competitive future: is it finally time to open up the ex-UK rail market?

Eurostar could face competition for the first time in 30 years, with new players coming down the line. TTG’s Ilaria Grasso Macola looks at the contenders sizing up the market

Conversations around DEI are changing – so have travel ads kept up?

Travel’s peaks push shows the industry is taking some steps in the right direction, but firms’ 2023/24 campaigns also point towards more progress needing to be made, writes inclusive communications director Shilpa Saul for TTG

The villa holidays revolution: what it means for agents

In the space of a few weeks, the villas industry saw the closure of one operator followed by a major acquisition and, from a smaller player, a switch to a trade focus

Big three operators on a firm footing as they detail 2024 ambitions

Tui, easyJet holidays and Jet2 have had their books examined, and the results give us an idea of how 2023 went, and what to expect in 2024

Everything you need to know about the upcoming EU border rules

Following years of delays, the much-discussed EU border schemes are set to be implemented over the next 12-18 months. Here’s all you need to know about it…

‘We're expecting better sales this weekend’: brighter outlook after overcast Sunshine Saturday

Traditionally, agents expect sales levels to be at their highest at the start of the year as customers book their holidays after days spent discussing getaways with family and friends over Christmas

Arrival figures: are there better ways to measure tourism success?

Is chasing ever higher visitor numbers sustainable? And is it even the best way for destinations to measure tourism success?

The Big Question: Is it time for a change of government?

With prime minister Rishi Sunak compelled to call an election within the next 12 months, what’s at stake for travel?

Seven things that could shape agents' fortunes in 2024

At the start of a new year, we assess some of the challenges that could come to bear on travel agents – and the industry as a whole

TTG at 70: How travel took on the Covid crisis – and won

Covid decimated travel – a seismic shock on a whole new scale compared with the impact of the September 11 attacks and the Gulf War.

But in January 2020, there was no inkling of what was to come; agents made hay during what they described as “manic peaks”, uninhibited by the collapse just a few months earlier of Thomas Cook or Boris Johnson’s storming to power. With Johnson, on 31 January 2020, came Brexit, whereby TTG warned of additional visa rules from January 2021, something still to happen.

Peaks 2024: What's giving agents confidence heading into a new year?

The 2024 peak period is set for success, according to the trade, as Brits continue to prioritise holidays and opportunities open up particularly in the surging cruise sector. TTG speaks with several agents to discover what the trade should expect over the next 12 months.

How carbon labelling can help travel become more responsible

Byway, Explore and Intrepid are among the operators adding ‘carbon labels’ to their trips this year. TTG considers how carbon labelling works and how it can help travel meet sustainability goals

Four issues that could stand in the way of another 'big year' for cruise

Cruise chiefs, speaking at the Clia Forum on Tuesday (19 December), are certain the sector is on the up – but urged agents to be mindful of several issues that could prevent them from the making the most of the rebound

Why some of travel's biggest brands are turning – or returning – to the trade

TTG caught up with a handful of major brands that are either starting to work with agents again, or work with the trade for the first time. Gary Noakes reports

Cruise sector weighs impact of Royal Caribbean's 'misleading' Venice ad

The Advertising Standards Authority recently banned Royal Caribbean from promoting a cruise departing Venice (Ravenna), the latter some two hours away from the famous lagoon city. So is this a new precedent for cruise?