In depth

'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

The Palace Hotel Tokyo: how to live life like a royal in Marunouchi

Just a stone’s throw from the Imperial Palace Tokyo, the hotel has been delivering the royal treatment to guests since its re-opening in 2012

Why Hastings Hotels are the perfect base for a festive Northern Irish break

Hastings Hotels has six properties across Northern Ireland, and invites guests to discover the magical country this Christmas

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

Kuoni hopeful brand revamp will distinguish it from 'sea of sameness'

Operator has detailed a significant image change as part of an attempt to widen its appeal beyond special occasion holidaymakers and Indian Ocean devotees

Michael Vinales hints at possible next move after leaving Olympic Holidays

Former Olympic Holidays managing director Vinales tells TTG he will take a break with his family over the Christmas and New Year period before pursuing a new role – potentially a consultancy post – in the travel industry

'I went on safari in Brazil and it was just as good as any in Africa'

In the Pantanal – the world’s largest tropical wetland – eco-tourism pioneer Casa Caiman is surrounded by an immense area of nature, with dazzling flora and fauna

Tui sees switch from Spain to North Africa as cost and capacity deter consumers

Tui has said some consumers are switching away from Spain to North Africa because of cost issues

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

Tui targeting 50% app sales as it puts Ryanair packages on sale

Tui has set itself a target to achieve 50% of its sales via its app, and has pledged to develop technology that already accounts for double-digit figures in the UK

Travel Counsellors, Riviera Travel, Exsus Travel: this week's travel trade people moves

Moves this week include former Seabourn president Natalya Leahy becoming chief executive at Lindblad Expeditions while Travel Counsellors has upped its support team

Package sales through agents still core to our business, insists Tui chief

’2024 has been a very good year for us,’ said Tui chief executive Sebastian Ebel after the group’s earnings soared by a third to €1.3 billion off the back of record cruise performance

'I've toured the world on cruise ships and this German port is very underrated'

Senior loyalty and cruise sales manager James Brown has clocked up many a port in his time working for P&O Cruises

First look inside Anantara’s newly renovated landmark in Vienna

Halfway through a grand renovation, Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel is proving it’s the perfect choice for visitors to the city

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

Holidays Extras boss says AI can and will make agents' lives easier

Holiday Extras boss Matthew Pack tells TTG the company remains committed to the trade and will test the AI-driven technology on consumers before showing it to agents. The soon-to-be former owner has managed to secure an extra £10 million investment for expansion

Gran Canaria region introduces tourist tax after overtourism protests

Gran Canaria’s Mogan region has become the latest to levy a tourist accommodation tax, ring-fencing proceeds for improvements and sustainability

'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.

Holiday Extras founders pass on ownership after 42 years

The remaining stake in Holidays Extras has been sold by founders Gerry and Carol Pack, in a deal that sees them exit after 42 years, with son Matthew heading up the brand and its management team

The rise of rail and 'coolcations', and why agents will have to 'work for it' in 2025

Reflections on a strong but challenging 2024, a disappointing Budget and demand for cooler climes were some of the debates waged in the final Agenda 2024 seminar hosted by TTG and PwC

Travel Counsellors, Scenic, Wendy Wu: this week's travel trade people moves

Classic Collection has restructured its trade team, while a top agent has joined the cruise sector. Elsewhere, Ambassador Cruise Line has welcomed a familiar face into its trade team