Opinion

'One misleading statement risks setting us back years': why green claims need regulating to keep travel marketing honest

Another week, another ruling on greenwashing. This time it’s cruise that's in the firing line, and specifically, some of the travel agencies who make a living from selling it.

‘Hearing a familiar voice say, “don’t worry, I’ll take care of this”, is where the value of agents truly shines’

Advantage chief Julia Lo Bue-Said explores the intersection between AI and travel agents on National Travel Agent Day

Clia UK chief Andy Harmer: Nearly a third of passengers are new to cruise – here's how agents can capitalise on this

In our diverse market, customers require clear insight and need agents to offer genuine expertise. They want to feel reassured their holiday is being planned by someone who understands the ships, the destinations and the differences between the lines. In short, knowledge has become a crucial currency.

'Star of the Seas offers better value than a luxury land holiday – if agents pounce at the right moment'

Travelmax’s Savannah Bracewell urges agents to be bold and move quickly when booking ’once-in-a-lifetime’ trips on Star of the Seas

'As easyJet holidays turns five, I believe it has Jet2 and Tui firmly in its sights'

Five years on from easyJet holidays launching to the trade, is the future orange? Industry insider Steve Endacott gives his take as the operator marks the milestone

Should travel agents sell zoos?

TTG is a firm advocate for animal welfare in tourism, and you won’t find us writing about zoos very often. So what is different about Chester Zoo that made Pippa Jacks entertain the idea of visiting?

‘This is what changed my mind about using a travel agent’

Stories of things going wrong are our bread and butter in the travel trade media. Agent saves clients’ wedding from disaster! Agents work through the night repatriating clients! Agent rescues client’s teddy from sinking sightseeing boat!

Trump's White House has dragged Jet2 into a political firestorm – so should it respond?

After the White House put its own dark spin on the viral "Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday" meme, should the airline and operator respond? And if so, how? Social media strategist Marta Safin, part of the Llama collective of marketing experts, shares her take with TTG

'As AI search becomes the norm, agents must use it to strengthen their claim to being the experts'

As Google doubles down on AI-first search, agents must endure short-term disruption for longer-term gain writes Propellic’s Brennen Bliss for TTG, in the knowledge those who embrace AI as a research assistant rather than resist it altogether stand to strengthen their value and relevance to their clients

'Is direct action the only way we will make progress on accessibility?'

Limitless Travel founder and CEO Angus Drummond makes the case for direct action if government isn’t going to step in and require the aviation sector to make flying more accessible

'Why we believe there’s more to a lasting partnership with agents than just commission'

’Investing in and continually improving a well-crafted and personalised agent rewards strategy should complement, and never substitute, a fair commission structure,’ writes Titan Travel’s director of trade distribution, Shane Lewis-Riley, for TTG

Poll: was bringing in a curfew the right move for Marmaris’s tourism sector?

A new set of nightlife rules in Marmaris, Turkey, have been introduced but former Anatolian Sky boss Akin Koc isn’t sure they will have the desired effect

Aito: 'Travel must be treated as a partner, not an afterthought – the rhetoric is promising, but we need action'

The Labour government turns one this week. To mark the occasion, TTG reached out to several industry leaders for their assessment of what progress has been achieved for travel over the past year, and where there is still work to be done. Our third and final contributor is Aito head of industry affairs Christina Brazier

Advantage: 'Government has shown willingness to improve practical travel arrangements and remove barriers'

The Labour government turns one this week. To mark the occasion, TTG reached out to several industry leaders for their assessment of what progress has been achieved for travel over the past year, and where there is still work to be done. Our second contributor is Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said

Abta: 'There are positive signs the government stands ready to support the long-term future of our industry'

The Labour government turns one this week. To mark the occasion, TTG reached out to several industry leaders for their assessment of what progress has been achieved for travel over the past year, and where there is still work to be done. Our first contributor is Abta’s director of industry affairs Luke Petherbridge

Five pledges agents can make right now to promote better animal welfare in travel

Animondial’s Daniel Turner shares with TTG a business commitment, principle and five red lines agents and operators can embed in their operations to promote an animal-friendly, nature-positive future

‘I don’t have an AK47 or muscles... I have red lipstick and gold earrings’

“There’s a DEI backlash going on…but there’s also a backlash against the backlash.” So announced travel’s leading diversity and inclusion trailblazer (and new recipient of an MBE) Jo Rzymowska as she opened the latest International Women in Travel Forum last week.

‘Agents are indispensable to our industry – our economic impact report shows that’

According to Carnival UK’s first independent Economic Impact Report, the company is projected to contribute more than £2.5 billion to the overall UK economy over the next five years

'US tourism is getting on with business, and boy does it have a story for agents to tell'

The US tourism industry has plenty to shout about if it can find ways to mitigate the Trump effect, writes TTG Media CEO Daniel Pearce from IPW 2025 in Chicago, who believes travel agents can be central to how the country tells its story

Agents – if something goes wrong, are you ready for when the spotlight falls on you?

As a travel agent, have you ever wondered about your responsibilities when something goes wrong for a customer on holiday? Or for that matter, one of your staff members on a fam?

'I was wrong to write off Tui – this sleeping giant might finally be waking up'

’With a receding debt mountain and some interesting strategic moves, the leisure giant that is Tui in the UK may finally be awakening,’ argues industry veteran Steve Endacott

Four dos and don'ts to avoid carelessness when promoting your green credentials

Sustainability strategist Rachel McCaffrey, a member of the We Are Llama travel marketing collective, explores how agents can keep their sustainability marketing the right side of regulations

‘Pride isn’t just a symbol, it’s action – you either stand up, or stand back’

’It’s Pride Month – I’m celebrating," says Jo Rzymowska. "But I can’t ignore the growing urgency... You either stand up, or stand back’.

Julia Lo Bue-Said: 'The impact of Trump's actions will ripple across our industry'

Ahead of the Advantage Travel Partnership conference, chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said assesses the myriad challenges agents currently face – and why they can increasingly be seen as the industry’s backbone