In depth

Spend with Aito members still rising with long lead-in times, survey reveals

A survey of 14,000 Aito members found average spend is still increasing, with long lead-in times for bookings

How inquisitive agents can tap into the £200bn halal travel market – and why they should

Agents prepared to discover more about Muslim clients’ travel preferences can tap into a potentially huge market, reports Ilaria Grasso Macola

Meon Valley Travel makes 'small but significant' change to its name

Managing director James Beagrie bought the Meon Travel from First Choice in 2002 and changed the name to Meon Valley Travel as the original Meon Travel brand remained with First Choice

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

From 'feast or famine' to £75,000 sales in one day – an honest take on peaks so far

Agents are heading into final big weekend of January in broadly positive spirits, with the peaks momentum expected to continue well into February – here’s what the trade had to say

The Traitors: the best Scottish hotel for a stay inspired by hit BBC show

Fans of the BBC show are desperate to experience its gorgeous Scottish castle in real life.

Storm Eowyn: Agencies shut and 1,100+ flights cancelled amid 'danger to life' warning

Parts of the UK and Ireland were hit by 100mph winds overnight on Thursday into Friday (23-24 January), with many agencies in Scotland and Ireland shutting their doors as a pre-emptive safety measure

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’

Heathrow expansion could open door for easyJet, says new chief Kenton Jarvis

From easyJet’s push into mid-haul to the rapid rise of easyJet holidays and the tantalising prospect of making a splash at Heathrow, there’s plenty for easyJet’s new chief executive Kenton Jarvis to enthuse about as he eases himself into his new role

Los Angeles tourism chiefs appeal for trade's support following wildfires

’Millions rely on the economic engine of the Los Angeles tourism industry for their livelihood,’ said Francine Sheridan, Los Angeles Tourism’s Europe and Middle East regional vice-president

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

Audley Travel, Stuba, Aito: this week's travel trade people moves

Recent moves include a promotion at a tailor-made specialist, a B2B bed bank bolstering its sales team and a well-known trade body recruiting a new marketing and events executive

'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

Cruise 'performing well' during peaks, but not every agency chief agrees

While some said cruise sales were rolling in this year, one established agency boss flagged concerns around discounting and another said bookings had been slower than anticipated

Cost remains bigger priority for majority of travellers than green concerns

A WTTC report has found consumers are still prioritising cost over sustainability issues, but offers solutions as to how to change the mindset

EasyJet holidays targets 25% growth after early winter profits leap by £12 million

Airline and operator charts ’significant improvement’ in first-quarter results (three months to 31 December) amid ongoing strong demand for flights and holidays

‘I became a cruise agent to advocate for accessibility from within the industry’

Forget gimmicks and go-kart tracks, an extra 10cm on a cabin door would be a cruise ship game changer, says wheelchair-using agent Deanne Moses-Wright

James Thornton: 'Donald Trump's rhetoric goes against everything travel stands for'

’As we enter the era of the individual, let’s make sure travel is the thread that binds us,’ writes Intrepid Travel chief executive James Thornton for TTG

From souk to surf: why Oualidia is Marrakech's perfect partner

The sleepy Moroccan coastal village – with its birdwatching, royal connections, and celebrated oysters – is the ultimate off-season pairing with Marrakech

‘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

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

A-Rosa, Barrhead, G Touring: this week's travel trade people moves

Recent moves include promotions for two TTG 30 Under 30 alumni and a change at the top at a river cruise line, while an operator group has created its first agent engagement panel

Riviera Travel combines top sellers to meet demand for combination cruises

The river cruise and escorted touring specialist is offering six combination cruises in 2025 and 2026, including the new 14-night Grand Cruise of France itinerary