Interview

Elegant Resorts shares plans for agent fam trips after brand makeover

The luxury tour operator has confirmed it will be hosting more fam trips this year as part of its trade commitment.

Cruise line rips up rule book with 'new style' fam

The line will host agent groups on a destination-focused fam, as well as a learning academy at sea later this year, sales director Hayley Moore tells TTG

Thorne Travel at 15: from 'baptism of fire' to viral video sensation

From the ‘baptism of fire’ that was Shona Thorne’s first few months in business to becoming a social media sensation when her agency’s promo video went viral, Thorne Travel’s first 15 years have certainly been eventful. Rob Gill reports

ROL Cruise contacted by ‘five or six’ agencies about new employee ownership model

The Colchester-based cruise specialist announced in November it had become employee-owned, with Rosie Cairns assuming the role of chief executive and Sarah Wikevand taking up the position of managing director

‘Society thinks the injustices of our people are historical – they're not’

Indigenous tourism is vital in bridging the intercultural gaps shaped by Canada’s challenging history, says Tamara Littlelight, of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada

Huben Travel opens new boutique lounge in Surrey village

The luxury travel agency will debut its first high-street store in Cobham on January 6th.

Explora Journeys' Anna Nash: 'I’ve always had a deep respect for travel partners'

As luxury cruise continues to grow, Explora Journeys new president knows she has a challenging and fulfilling time ahead

PTS founder: 'We want to be the biggest Small Business Atol-holder'

Protected Trust Services founder Daniel Landen talks Gary Noakes through the trust provider’s disruptive business model following a rebrand

Royal's Gerard Nolan: 'Listening to agents is a key priority for me'

Royal Caribbean’s new EMEA vice-president, Gerard Nolan, tells TTG’s Harry Kemble how he is ready to engage with the trade every day

'Quality over quantity': How GoCruise & Travel finds new agents with the right 'vibe'

Of the 17 new members Colin Martin-Weekes has brought into the business this year, seven were ’complete novices’ with no travel experience whatsoever – he shares with TTG the secrets of his success

From Boy Scout to boardroom: HF Holidays chief reflects on 40-year purpose-driven mission

TTG’s Gary Noakes explores what a change of leadership at B Corp walking specialist HF Holidays means for the brand’s mission, and its service to agents, as David Harrington hands over to former Saga Holidays boss Chris Simmonds

Meet the Brazilian rancher saving the Pantanal – one species at a time

Brazilian Roberto Klabin turned his former family home into Caiman Ecological Refuge, driven by his mission to protect the world’s largest tropical wetland

Mark Duguid: 'It's my job to make Kuoni a lot more contemporary and relevant'

Kuoni this week unveiled a rebrand it hopes will help it stand out in a ’sea of sameness’; managing director Mark Duguid talks TTG’s Gary Noakes through the reasoning

'Trade is always at the forefront of our discussions,' says Newmarket's new agent lead

Hayley Morris lays out her vision to drive trade growth at Newmarket Holidays in her first trade press interview since taking up her new role

The Pig says it will embrace agents more, as founder Robin Hutson steps down

The UK boutique hotel collection says it is ready to work more closely with the trade as it continues to grow its portfolio

Dame Irene Hays: 'We have to keep finding new ways to make more money'

Ed Robertson caught up with Hays Travel owner Dame Irene Hays and operations chief Jonathon Woodall-Johnston to find out more about the agency’s Budget challenges

'We've got guts – we're not afraid to do adventure travel differently'

No longer a ’tiny operator travelling to weird countries’, YellowWood Adventures is courting the trade with a bigger range of more diversified product.

Canada: 'Tourism must enrich the lives of locals too'

Destination Canada’s goal is to become a shining example of regenerative tourism, but what does that entail? Its leader Marsha Walden explains all

'Expect news of new ships next year,' new Azamara boss tells agents

However, chief executive Dondra Ritzenthaler tells TTG a new ship announcement is dependent on how the Wave period goes

'No reason Classic Collection can’t double in size now,' says On the Beach chief

Shaun Morton, chief executive parent company On the Beach, has revealed what he has in store for Classic Collection following its restructure

Wild Frontiers: 'We want to be a go-to adventure operator for agents'

Wild Frontiers’ sustainability lead Nardia Sullivan tells TTG’s Rob Gill about the brand’s trade goals after achieving B Corp certification

Working with family: agent shares his best advice for success

Ralph Thacker joined his mother’s Grimsby travel agency business in 2019 and hasn’t looked back since

Jet2 claims generational leap with new AI-powered search for agents

Airline and operator hails new AI conversational search functionality the biggest shake-up of search for 20 years

Travel agency reveals the ‘risk’ that saved the business as it marks 10th anniversary

The Scotland-based luxury travel agency says it it had hit ’rock bottom’ during Covid-19