Essential

Hays Travel’s Kelly Green joins Virgin Voyages as line hails 17% UK growth

Virgin Voyages has strengthened its on-the-ground presence with key appointments across its core international markets

Virgin Atlantic to launch UK's first scheduled direct route to Phuket

Agents will be able to book clients on direct flights from the UK to Phuket from next year.

Why On The Beach is using Lord Kitchener (in a bucket hat) to insist: ‘Tourists – Spain needs you’

On the Beach has taken moves to tackle anti tourism protests – by putting up posters of the famous Lord Kitchener (complete with bucket hat) across Spanish resorts and the Canary Islands

Grecotel marks 50 years with Cretan refurbishments and new experiences

The agent-friendly hospitality brand has marked its 50th anniversary with a major investment programme

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

Royal Caribbean Group claims new beach club site will help ease 'congestion' in Santorini

Both Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises guests can visit Royal Beach Club Santorini on the Greek island from next summer

Sandals Foundation Island Challenge raises £130K to support paediatric care across the Caribbean

Athletes raised more than £130,000 to support the Millennium Heights Medical Complex in Saint Lucia as well as paediatric healthcare across the Caribbean

Institute of Travel and Tourism secures new strategic partnership with Planet Technology

ITT's agreement with Planet Technology collaboration aims to accelerate communication transformation in travel within the wider industry – including the travel agent community

Travel agents told to 'continue selling' Thailand following death of Queen Mother Sirikit

Visitors – including travel agents – to the country are encouraged to wear subdued colours for 90 days as a gesture of remembrance and respect

Celebrity Cruises reveals name of sixth Edge series ship as it prepares to launch Xcel

UK and Irish travel agents will be among the first to experience Celebrity Xcel – the line's fifth Edge series ship – next month when it operates two preview cruises from Fort Lauderdale, US

Scenic Group's third Discovery Yacht 'firmly on schedule' and will debut in Venice in 2028

The 270-passenger Scenic Ikon vessel will feature 135 all-verandah suites ranging from 34 to 250 square metres over five decks

Travel Counsellors to provide ‘discreet support’ at upcoming travel conference

Travel Counsellors has shared a number of initiatives to enhance the inclusivity of its annual conference next month, as part of its commitment to supporting members of all backgrounds.

Six in 10 travellers heading to Europe aware of new EU border rules ahead of Entry-Exit rollout

However, association warns of 'short-term delays', particularly at peak times, as system takes effect

Travel by B Corp launches initiative to encourage flight-free travel to Europe

Group wants to 'break down barriers' limiting flight-free sales and has created a survey to identify potential obstacles or put-offs

Aito resumes offering financial protection and begins welcoming first members

Association becomes third 'approved body' authorised by government to offer protection

MSC Cruises to replace MSC Virtuosa in the UK and drop 'taster' cruises from 2027 programme

MSC Meraviglia will operate 19 voyages ranging from six to 14 nights, visiting new destinations including Ibiza, Gibraltar and Moroccan port Tangier

Hurtigruten to operate first 'climate-neutral' cruise this month

Richard With will sail from Bergen to Kirkenes and back again using only advanced biofuel

Hays Travel opens new branch close to Luton airport after Jet2holidays launch

Hays Travel’s new store in Dunstable is just nine miles from Luton airport and follows the launch of Jet2’s newest base there in April

Kuoni parent Dertour's acquisition of Hotelplan given the green light by Swiss authorities

Dertour has been cleared by Swiss competition authorities to take over Hotelplan’s brands, including its UK arm comprising Inghams, Explore Worldwide and others

Lisa Fitzell joins Audley Travel after standing down as If Only and Elegant Resorts MD

Fitzell to take up new role as Audley’s chief product and operations officer in October

Celebrity Cruises names new sales manager for central England and Northern Ireland

Paula McAreavey has worked in the travel industry for more than 15 years, working in a variety of roles across the sector

Jet2.com joins Jet2holidays in offering free travel for under-twos

Carrier’s new policy went live on Friday (22 August)

Lincolnshire Co-op Travel starts £5 million revamp of its retail network with Louth branch

The shop in the Lincolnshire market town is first in line for a £160,000 refresh

British Airways to fly Bangkok year-round as it shakes up summer 2026 long-haul network

Extra flights to Bangkok, Jamaica, several major US destinations, Bahrain, Doha, Jeddah and Riyadh coming next summer