Essential

Scenic and Emerald hires Sani/Ikos RSM Leiza Sullivan as new sales manager

Sullivan, who has previously held roles with APT, Avalon Waterways and Jet2holidays, will look after agents in the Midlands and the north

Newmarket Holidays pledges 'long-term commitment' to agents after shaking up trade team

Operator hands promotions to Kieran Savill, Sas Rowbotham, Ryan Readman and Casey West and launches search for two new account managers to support its 'biggest-ever' trade programme

Travel jobseekers hit almost 10-year December high prompting hope of turn-of-year recruitment spree

'All eyes will now be on whether the sector can build on this momentum throughout the early months of 2026,' said C&M Travel Recruitment managing director Barbara Kolosinska

SPL Villas tasks first head of sales and operations with doubling trade sales

The villa specialist said it was 'investing more than ever' in agents this year, including an inaugural fam trip prize draw and other incentives

Travel agents top Barclays' ranking for December spending growth as consumer confidence rallies

Agents recorded the highest level of year-on-year transaction growth in December, up by 16.5%, while spending growth with agents went up by 7.2%

Hays Travel extends apprenticeship programme to recently acquired agencies

The apprenticeship programme now includes Spear Travels, which was acquired last June, as well as Miles Morgan Travel and Travel House

Active England launches B2B adventure brand Adventure by AE to agents

Adventure by AE will serve agents and operators across the UK, with Ireland launching in 2027, offering a range of active itineraries inspired by demand for slower, deeper, more meaningful trips

Union to ballot Aer Lingus members on strikes over future of Manchester base

Aer Lingus has stopped selling tickets for travel beyond 31 March on its three long-haul routes at Manchester, and has previously said the base isn't performing adequately versus other operations

Explore boss Michael Edwards to head up Hotelplan stablemate Inntravel

Former Intrepid Travel chief growth officer to take on additional managing director brief for walking specialist Inntravel, while Susan Avison has been promoted to general manager

Ex-dnata chief Ailsa Pollard to succeed Blue Bay's Alistair Rowland as Abta chair

Pollard to take over from Blue Bay Travel boss Rowland after he served the maximum term as chair of six years

Gold Medal claims soaring peaks sales following recruitment drive and 'continual' digital enhancements for agents

Gold Medal Travel Group has appointed 17 staff to new roles within its brands' sales teams and improved its digital tools in the run up to peaks 2026

Aer Lingus ends ticket sales for Manchester transatlantic services

Irish carrier says the move aimed to 'minimise disruption in the event of a closure' of its Manchester base, from which it operates flights to New York, Orlando and Barbados

Shift from material to experiential spending set to boost travel this year

Consumers prioritising holidays, concerts and wellness experiences over buying cars or renovating their homes, according to Nationwide

Princess Cruises hires Cunard's Sophia Lief to fill vacant sales manager role

Lief has been with Carnival UK since 2023, where she began as commercial planning manager for P&O Cruises

Oceania Cruises goes adults-only switch 'to maintain tranquil onboard environment' across fleet

The Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brand will honour existing bookings which include passengers under the age of 18

Premier Holidays launches search for new head of trade sales as Debbie Goffin prepares to retire

Goffin's sales and marketing brief to be split between recently promoted head of marketing Sara Park and an as-yet-unnamed new head of trade sales

Riyadh and Tokyo top Manchester airport chief's long-haul wish list

CEO Chris Woodroofe says airport is looking at opportunities to expand its route network to North America, South America and Africa too

Princess Cruises expands 2027 Europe programme with extra ship offering ex-UK sailings

The cruise line has increased its ex-UK departures following strong agent demand and added its 'most immersive European voyage ever'

Celebrity BDM Janna Thomson leaves line after 20 years to join Attraction World

Thomson to take up new partnership success manager role within the attraction ticket specialist's retail team

Julie Franklin to leave Inghams and Santa's Lapland after seven years

Hotelplan UK said Franklin, who headed up agency sales at the group, left 'a strong legacy and a team well-positioned for continued success'

Debbie Goffin to leave Premier Holidays after 25 years and retire

Goffin will be 'sorely missed' by Premier Holidays, where she drove commercial growth and strengthened trade partnerships

Not in the Guidebooks names new BDM to drive expanded trade programme

Edwards to drive 'major' new trade programme from NITGBs, which includes more fams, new trade marketing tools and assets, and additional virtual and in-person training

Uniworld to make 'huge investment' in trade partners with major fam trip plans

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has unveiled plans to host a minimum of 500 UK travel agents throughout 2026

Cruise.co.uk partners with Hays IG member to sell its cruise-and-stay packages

The new distribution channel will initially run through Not Just Travel but there are plans to expand it at a later date