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Huw Merriman: ‘I will always have admiration for travel agents’

Huw Merriman was one of travel’s few friends in Westminster during Covid. Writing for TTG after opting not to seek re-election in July, Merriman reflects on his efforts – and those of parliament’s transport committee – to support outbound travel during the pandemic

New agency boss says late mum 'answered his prayers to find a new site'

Former on-the-road sales manager Wayne Beard opened Pure Joy Escapes in September 2023 and business was booming until it was hit by a structural issue with the chapel where the agency was based

Iconic Luxury Hotels reveals global expansion plans ahead of US debut

The UK-based hotel group is keen to expand its global portfolio in the next five years as it prepares to open its first US property

Trade hopeful Canada's Jasper will rise from the ashes

As the largest fire in 100 years still burns near the ravaged town, Gary Noakes assesses the impact on tourism to the popular Canadian stop.

Jos Dewing returns with new platform to help agents boost expedition cruise sales

Former AE Expeditions managing director left the line in February to set up the ExplorEarth platform with Jon Waring

Sofitel boss to champion female leadership as luxury French brand turns 60

The business executive is determined to elevate Sofitel to new levels of luxury

What Race Across the World winner Alfie Watts did next…

The 21-year-old who found fame competing with his best friend Owen Wood in the latest series, is spearheading a new football project in Malaysia next month.

How an app-led start-up caught the eye of agency giant Hays Travel

My Kind of Cruise founder Sefton Monk tells TTG he is keen to ’scale up’ and grow the business he launched with David Rowlinson in 2022 following investment from Hays Travel

My day on the road visiting agents with Tui's ‘unicorn’

TTG spent a day shadowing Tui’s new senior trade relations manager Holly Wood to observe the operator’s changing relationship with independent high street travel agents.

'Tens of thousands of Brits' cannot use eGates, says former home secretary

Lord David Blunkett called for ’joined-up’ training to help improve passengers’ experiences at airports, airlines and at the UK border

Travel trade's top priorities for new Labour government revealed

Ahead of the general election, TTG conducted a snap poll of travel trade voting intention and objectives for the next government. James Chapple and Sarah Dennis report

Agents team up to relaunch agency brand targeting 20 homeworkers by 2025

Ross Griffiths launched Your Endless Travel in 2020 before teaming up with fellow homeworking agent Luke Skinner and relaunching the business this week

Accor launches new loyalty scheme for agents with rewards and sales tools

Hera will replace the hospitality giant’s former platform for advisors, Famous Agents.

Devon agency marks 10 years on the high street with launch of third shop

Sue Hunter told TTG she chose to open her third shop in the north Devon town of Barnstaple because of the many opportunities the location presented

Royal Caribbean 'to name new EMEA chief in the next two weeks'

The line turned heads last month when it announced Ben Bouldin would move to China in August, ending a 10-year stint working in the UK and Irish market for the brand

‘Help us shift perceptions about Egypt with the travelling public’

Jules Verne unites with its DMC to call for the trade’s support in selling the destination, which has suffered because of its proximity to the escalated conflict.

Naples hotel welcomes new restaurant by 21-starred chef

The Michelin-starred chef’s new restaurant will offer a menu of contemporary French cuisine with local Roman influences.

'Lucky' ex-Cook agent expands his agency Snowdonia Travel to second store

Agency director Darren Owen opened his first branch just a few months after being made redundant by Thomas Cook in 2019 – using his redundancy payout

'It wasn't on the agenda': Yorkshire agency Total Travel explains 'unplanned' expansion to third location

Owner Katie Butler told TTG a third agency ’wasn’t on the agenda’ – until she visited the neighbouring town of Brighouse and fell in love with its pretty high street

'It will bring us to life!': homeworking agency Club Voyages to expand onto high street

Club Voyages founder Sam Ballard hopeful of opening the agency’s first branch in the south of Leicester in September once he has signed a lease

Deben Travel says £80,000 shop move will give staff 'better quality of life'

The Woodbridge-based agency is moving to a new premises next week after 12 years at its existing site

Kellie Samuda launches new luxury travel company after industry break

Kellie Samuda has founded a new travel consultancy firm after leaving 360 Private Travel last year

Beverley Travel puts pen to paper on second branch en route home from TTG Top 50 win

The Yorkshire agency secured the branch in Hedon when travelling home from the TTG Top 50 awards in Manchester last month

Kuoni to launch bookable website allowing agents to name their own price and commission

Kuoni is launching a bookable website for travel agents which will allow them to set their own price and commission, offering the same look and feel as the operator’s B2C offering