Skip to main content

In depth

The best Fourth of July celebrations in the US

Every Fourth of July, you’re guaranteed a party in the United States, but for those who like to plan ahead, next year will be the 250th anniversary of American Independence, and so in 2026 the traditional Independence Day celebrations will scaled up like never before. Here’s a guide to the best places to start researching for your clients. 

Norse Atlantic will fly ex-Norwegian Boeing 787s
Norse Atlantic takes 'bold' step to 'unlock' demand in the north-west for Bangkok route
Norse Atlantic will fly to Bangkok from Manchester this winter, the first time the north-west airport has had a direct connection with Thailand’s capital
Canada's most compelling city is now easier to reach from the UK
If it’s good enough for King Charles, then it’s good enough for your clients. TTG explores Ottawa – now served by Air Canada from Heathrow – during a royal visit
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
Youth experience agreement with EU will be capped, minister confirms
The proposed UK/EU Youth Experience Scheme will have a cap on numbers unlike the pre-Brexit youth mobility programme, a minister involved in talks has said.
Agent reveals enquiries jumped after celebrity client's surprise announcement
Rebecca Murphy, founder of Travelista, has seen a surge in interest since organising a luxury holiday for Coleen Nolan.
Johan Lundgren, Carrier and Mercury Holidays: all the latest travel trade people moves
Moves this week see Johan Lundgren return to a former workplace, while two operators have promoted internally to fill vacancies
Agents offer ‘cut-through’ for luxury cruise line as clients ‘book years in advance’
Expert insights about cruise booking trends were shared during an exclusive event hosted by TTG Luxury and Explora Journeys. 
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
‘She'd want me to keep travelling’: agent pays tribute to daughter after Laos methanol death
Bereaved agent calls on industry to back bootleg alcohol petition
A travel agent whose 28-year-old daughter died from methanol poisoning while travelling in Laos is backing a petition for the dangers of methanol poisoning to be covered in the school curriculum – and hopes others in the industry will follow suit
Luxury operator reveals agents’ ‘trickiest’ concierge request as demand for VIP service grows
Carrier has expanded its concierge team following a 37% increase in monthly enquiries for the elite service compared to last year.
'Good' number of Crystal customers migrating across from other cruise lines, says new trade chief
Luke Smith, Carnival Cruise Line’s former international and UK sales director, revealed the booking trend during one of his first trade press interviews as Crystal’s sales vice-president, UK and EMEA
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
Accessible travel: How big is the opportunity?
Our survey of nearly 140 agents reveals what more needs to be done to help the trade sell more accessible travel
Agency launches guide to warn clients after concerns over travel scams
Designer Travel has launched a lengthy manual for customers on travel security after falling victim to a fraudulent enquiry.
Virgin Atlantic commits to Seoul launch despite sales suspension
Virgin Atlantic has paused sales of its new Heathrow-Seoul service due to regulatory issues but says it is committed to the launch date in spring next year
How you can send your clients into the 'wild heart of Europe'
A lesser-known mountain range and a tour that combines one operator’s passion for conservation, rewilding and community tourism
Thorne Travel hopes to shed ‘homeworking’ tag with new venture
The Scottish agency with three branches hopes to attract agents to its Lifestyle Travel Expert programme
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
Viva Cruises boss hails 'brilliant' river sector despite potential 'challenges' ahead
The river line’s chief executive Andrea Kruse said the sector now has a bigger profile following sustained industry-wide investment over the last decade
'Don't take no for an answer' Ex-Uniworld sales exec reveals why she fights for her colleagues
Emily Holmes, who is on the autism spectrum, was once told she did not have the personal skills to handle customer calls before later going on to manage a call centre team
Payday time! The new booking trend more frequent than peaks (and just as lucrative!)
With turn-of-year peaks appearing to be ’flattening’, agency chiefs say they have identified a new emerging booking trend which is more frequent and just as lucrative
Dormant Teletext Holidays brand revived after four years by new owners
Teletext, which in its previous guise was liquidated in 2021, has been relaunched, with several individuals from its previous iteration joining the new-look OTA
Ambassador Cruise Line becomes fully adults-only after dropping multi-generational sailings
The three-ship line has launched its 75-departure 2027/28 programme featuring no multi-generational sailings