Interview

Abbie Heaton: ‘None of our agents have targets – making money is in their DNA’

Blue Bay Travel group manager explains the group’s laissez-faire approach to how its homeworkers go about their business to TTG’s Harry Kemble

New courses launched with aim to offer agents route to accreditation and drive up standards

Former Abta head of membership Danny Waine has worked with training provider Talent Vista on the new courses, who have been endorsed and accredited by the Institute of Travel and Tourism

'It's time to expand with the trade,' says Atlas Ocean Voyages sales chief

Atlas Ocean Voyages has scheduled six ship visits and a roadshow programme for agents as part of plans to strengthen its support for and ties with the trade this year, international sales lead Bernie Carter has told TTG

Travel Sisterhood unveils expansion plans for 2025

Female-only luxury travel network wants to add new members in the UK and beyond

Agents' love stories, and the love stories you've helped to write

It may come as little surprise that the travel industry is full of romance – we hear the trade’s tales of finding, facilitating and celebrating love

Kellie Samuda says ‘transparency’ is key to new homeworking agency

The luxury travel veteran hopes to grow to 50 homeworkers as her new business takes off

From toes to travel: why this Essex chiropodist switched careers after 15 years in healthcare

Joe McDonnell spent 15 years as a footcare clinician before making the switch to travel in late 2024

Travel concierge looks to fill ‘gap in the market’ for UHNW clients

London-based Calder & Go offers travel through a private membership service

Designer Travel hits £10 million monthly sales for the first time

Luxury homeworking agency achieves “real milestone” during January

‘People said retail travel was coming to an end – thankfully, I didn't listen to them!’

Don Bircham, whose agency business this year marks its 25th anniversary, tells Ilaria Grasso Macola how a big risk paid off

Jet2 launches Bournemouth base and confirms plan for third based aircraft

A bullish Jet2 has confirmed it will add a third aircraft to its Bournemouth fleet as it starts flights from the south-coast airport on Tuesday (4 February)

Canada's most accessible twin-centre – endorsed by Prince Harry and Invictus

Destination Vancouver’s Megan Nelson explains why the Invictus Games is the perfect platform to showcase Vancouver and Whistler’s accessible credentials

Carrier to 'raise the bar' with fam trips ahead of £100k booking push

The luxury tour operator is determined to invest in its educational experiences for agents.

‘I needed a kick up the backside – that was my opening pitch to Danny’

Self-employed agents can find they need someone to motivate them. Minty Highway fills that role with its business development services – we learn more about its founder Danny Sperling

MSC Cruises reveals biggest-ever fam programme amid 'changing' bookings patterns

Frontline agents can secure places via incentives running throughout the year, or through invitations sent out to key ’decision makers’ at agencies selling cruise, head of retail Alyshia Bartlett said

Imminent acquisition will give InteleTravel agents a 'competitive edge'

InteleTravel chief executive James Ferrara insisted the US homeworking giant would only acquire firms once it had been proven any deal would ’make the company bigger, better and more competitive’

Virgin Voyages' SJ Walker promises agents: 'We'll fix the choppy pricing'

Virgin Voyages UK sales director SJ Walker tells cruise editor Harry Kemble how the line plans to offer a ‘strategic’ fam programme in 2025 and bed in a new pricing model

'We don't just let anyone in': How InteleTravel vets hundreds of agents every month

People who want to join the US homeworking agency receive a score which will determine whether they can become an InteleTravel agent

Advisor's one rule for multi-gen family travel success after six-figure trip

Global Travel Collection’s Danny Akhtar has 34 years of experience planning holidays for the super-rich.

Travel bosses urged to introduce cancer policy for employees

Many UK companies are not prepared to support employees living with cancer, says social enterprise.

‘Our long-term vision is to be a global cultural experience specialist’

Inside Travel Group’s co-founders tell Gary Noakes about new investment and exciting additions to its programme

Luxury operator opens homeworking hub for agents – with free bar

The Manchester-based business will open up its offices to agents as part of its trade focus.

Jet2 trade chiefs: ‘We know package holidays are here to stay’

They run the trade operation at the UK’s largest tour operator, so what have Jet2holidays’ Alan Cross and Lloyd Cross got in store for agents in 2025? James Chapple reports

New Admiral Travel branch to be ‘everything to everybody’

’When you put all your eggs in one basket, you do very well when it’s boom time and not so well when it’s not,’ owner Andrew Nelson told TTG after the agency opened its fifth branch in time for Sunshine Saturday