Essential

Virgin Atlantic returns to profit after record £3.3 billion revenue in 2024

Record revenue of £3.3 billion and ’continued cost discipline’ contribute to carrier’s highest-ever annual pre-tax earnings of £230 million

Holidays experiencing biggest post-pandemic rebound in consumer spending – Nationwide

Nationwide survey illustrates how consumers are continuing to prioritise holidays and travel over other areas of discretionary spending five years on from the onset of the Covid pandemic

Jet2 earmarks 'potential six-figure sum' to help up to 10 agencies grow high street presence

Agents invited to compete for funding and expert advice through launch of new Scale Up Your Street campaign, announced last year

MPs to weigh airport expansion plans against green commitments at inquiry

The House of Commons’ environmental audit committee has launched an inquiry into whether airport expansion plans can go ahead without jeopardising existing environmental targets

Virgin Voyages boss praises agents and predicts 2025 will be the line's 'best year yet'

The adults-only line said bookings have grown 34% year-on-year while sales of longer itineraries of eight nights or more have jumped more than 40% in the UK

Six feared dead after Red Sea tourist sub sinks weeks after FCDO warning

A tourist submarine has sunk off Hurghada on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, with six Russians reported to be killed, raising more questions about safety standards in the country

Hurtigruten reveals how it plans to 'change the way' cruise ships sail

The Norwegian cruise line is carrying out tests with the help of the Sintef Ocean research institute in Trondheim to develop a zero-emissions ship before 2030

Air Canada expands transatlantic network with new Edinburgh-Montreal link

Three-times-weekly peak summer service to take off on 27 June

Singapore Airlines to expand Gatwick service to daily operation

Five-times-weekly route launched less than a year ago to go daily from 31 March

InteleTravel acquires sport and entertainment ticketing platform

InteleTravel has paid an undisclosed sum for a ticketing specialist that will operate as a stand-alone brand and provide product for its agents

Inside Travel Group creates dedicated agency sales team after record Q1 for trade business

Asia specialist to transition to single point of contact for agents, led by senior team leader Claire Brothers

Abta LifeLine reveals it wrote off £78,000 in debt for travel staff last year

Abta’s charity arm, Abta LifeLine, helps travel professionals who are struggling financially to pay their debts

Hays Travel awards millions in bonuses to 4,500 employees after £3 billion sales bounty

Staff at the UK’s largest independent agency will receive £100 per year of service after the agency reached £3 billion in total transaction value six weeks ahead of its year end

Celebrity Cruises captain Kate McCue jumps ship to Four Seasons Yachts

Captain Kate McCue, an Instagram celebrity with one million followers, has joined Four Seasons Yachts after almost 10 years at Celebrity Cruises

Why travel agents will need £2,000 in extra commission from 6 April

The consortium says agencies will need to sell seven extra holidays per staff member to fund rises in minimum wage and National Insurance from April

Iconic Cunard ship completes three-week refit ahead of Miami debut

The line has added some features from Queen Anne to its refurbished Queen Elizabeth as it prepares for its first season based in Miami

Stunning pictures capture Universal's latest theme park for the first time

Universal Orlando has shared a first glimpse inside its fourth and latest theme park, Universal Epic Universe, ahead of its opening in May

Olympic Holidays hires former Classic Collection sales lead Leanne Edwards

Leanne Edwards will be responsible for enhancing the Greece and Cyprus specialist’s presence in the market and further developing its partnerships within the travel trade sector

Travel bosses call for clarity after EU delays €7 visa waiver again

Travellers from non-EU countries such as the UK will not need to pay the €7 visa waiver at least until early 2027

Virgin Atlantic wants agents to sell new zero-emissions air taxi service

Through the partnership, the carrier aims to offer zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK, starting with regional and city connections from the carrier’s Manchester and Heathrow hubs

Easyjet holidays vows to make sustainable travel 'affordable for everyone'

The tour operator’s report highlights the environmental, social and governance principles (ESG) that guide easyJet’s strategy and the measures it has taken to become more sustainable

Barrhead boss makes 'bricks and mortar' pledge as she reveals £300,000 investment

The travel agency has so far invested more than £500,000 to give its stores a ’nice, bright and airy look’ and help encourage high footfall

From river to rail: Uniworld hosts 70 agents on iconic train

Uniworld and Golden Eagle Luxury Trains hosted 70 agents for lunch onboard an exclusive Danube rail experience following the Clia RiverView conference

Abta launches free AI helpline to help members use technology correctly

The helpline will provide 30-minute sessions on a wide range of topics such as AI risk, ethical guidelines and fairness