Domestic

WTM London confirms new tourism minister will attend the event

Stephanie Peacock, who was appointed tourism minister in September, will attend the opening day of WTM London, it has been confirmed

Storm Floris: Jet2 vows to fly full schedule as UK placed on alert for 'unseasonably strong' winds

An amber Met Office warning for wind covering much of Scotland will take effect from 10am on Monday (4 August) with a yellow warning for wind covering much of northern England and Northern Ireland

October launch date for new EU border rules risks half-term disruption, agents warned

Advantage has warned of possible October half-term bottlenecks at airports as the EU prepares to roll out biometric and fingerprint registration this autumn

UK and France signal support for opening up cross-Channel rail market

A declaration from the UK and France gives backing to cross-Channel rail competition that could end Eurostar’s monopoly after more than 30 years

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.

Great Little Breaks moves to correct 'damaging' false reports it had collapsed

MD Diana Evans has hit out at two media outlets after they confused it with Great Little Escapes, which has ceased trading as an Atol holder

Luxury Cornwall specialist seeks agency partners for the first time

A luxury accommodation brand specialising in Cornwall is to work with the trade for the first time and is seeking a suitable agency to boost sales in the UK and international markets

Universal names Bedford as the site of its first European theme park

Universal Destinations & Experiences has chosen a former brickworks south of Bedford for the location of its first theme park in Europe, with a planned opening date of 2031

'Disappointing' package travel shake-up 'a missed opportunity for meaningful reform' – Aito

Aito has said the proposed changes to the Package Travel Regulations do not go far enough in alleviating the industry of some of its regulatory burdens, while Abta is more welcoming

Competition on cross-Channel rail routes moves a step closer

The rail regulator has said there is room for new entrants to use Eurostar’s maintenance facility, removing an impediment for more operators on cross-Channel routes

Tui to take on Ticketmaster with new app deal

Tui has struck a deal with entertainment ticket and activity specialist Fever, targeting customers looking for things to do at weekends

Hays Travel, British Airways and Clia to represent outbound on new govt panel

The government’s Visitor Economy Advisory Council has held its first meeting, with appointees from the outbound industry as well as inbound

Loganair to resume Glasgow-Newquay service

The carrier will reinstate a weekly Glasgow-Newquay service next summer, it has confirmed

Eurostar and SkyTeam seal deal to combine air and rail travel

Eurostar and SkyTeam will offer combined itineraries from early 2025 following a memorandum of understanding between the two that will see them offer through-ticketing

Govt hints at restoring right for under-30s to work in EU travel jobs

The UK government is keen to open talks with Brussels about granting under 30s the right to work in the EU, with reciprocal arrangements for UK businesses to attract EU staff.

What does the expedition cruise sector have in store over the next two years?

From the Arctic to Antarctica, and every expedition destination in between, Harry Kemble identifies the opportunities for agents wanting to sell more adventurous cruises in 2024, 2025 and 2026 – as well as some of the potential barriers they need to be aware of

Attractions platform Lovetovisit secures another multimillion-pound investment

Lovetovisit, a UK attractions booking portal, has secured more funds after attracting venture capitalists to back its growth

French border officials to be deployed in Dover to speed up checks

The Home Office is to introduce legislation that will enable French border officials to operate within an expanded control zone at Dover

Trade-friendly coach firm targets UK expansion after acquiring rival

Caledonian Leisure has bought rival Tartan Travel from hotel and tour operator Blackpool Promotions

Loganair axes three routes and cuts frequencies to restore reliability

Loganair’s new chief executive has outlined a plan to restore reliability on the airline’s network with cuts to routes and reduced frequencies

HF Holidays sets out sustainability vision after becoming B Corp Certified

Walking holiday specialist pledges to continuing reducing carbon intensity of its product by 5% a year, reduce waste and increase recycling by 50% by 2025 and work with suppliers who have made net zero supply chain commitments

What's coming down the river over the next couple of years?

Harry Kemble plots a course through the new ships and itineraries arriving in the river cruise sector during 2024 and 2025

Package bookings up by nearly 10% over Christmas and new year period

Package holiday providers reported a 7% increase in transaction volumes in the four weeks to 10 January

Lovetovisit.com heralds successful first year of trading

Lovetovisit.com, a John Hays Entrepreneur award winner, has hailed a successful first year of trading and fundraising