Essential

Tui launches 2026/27 winter programme with new Lapland alternative and 'value' pledge

Three new concept hotels, new routes to Turkey and Egypt, extra short-, mid- and long-haul capacity and trips to Arctic Lakeland among additions

Hays Travel hires Fred Olsen Travel's operations chief Tricia Birmingham to fill commercial role

Birmingham’s appointment comes three days after it was announced Hays Travel’s group strategy director McAuley will become managing director of World Travel Holdings UK later this year

'We've found the company we were looking for': Wexas buys wildlife tour op 2by2 Holidays

Going forward 2by2 Holidays managing director Claire Farley will step down as a director, but will act on a part-time consultancy basis to ensure ’a smooth transition’

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

Jet2 to launch flights and holidays to fifth Canary island La Palma

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays will offer La Palma for the first time from next summer with two flights a week from Stansted and Manchester to the Canary island

Travel urged to discourage 'high-emission short breaks' and set up climate justice fund

The Travel Foundation has put forward proposals to help tourism combat climate change, including compiling an official list of destinations most at risk and discouraging short breaks, with ideas to be discussed at COP 30 in November

Three airports told to improve disabled access but overall UK picture improving – CAA

Heathrow’s Terminal 3, Prestwick and Edinburgh airports are told to improve the way they cater for disabled passengers in the latest CAA examination of UK facilities

Aviation sector warns removal of baggage fees could see air fares rise

Airlines for Europe heavily criticised MEPs’ decision, arguing that the proposal would deprive travellers of ’their ability to decide what service they want to pay for’

Ocean Holidays refinances Covid debt following Hays Travel investment

The US specialist operator confirmed Hays will have no day-to-day operational role following the investment and its four founders will remain its majority shareholders

Lanzarote vows to be pickier about tourists in new ethical stance

Lanzarote has launched an ethical tourism campaign, saying it will be more selective in the type of visitor it targets

Flights to the Middle East resume after Qatar missile crisis briefly pauses travel

New Foreign Office advise for several states in the region after Iran’s retaliatory strikes on a US airbase in the country triggered an airspace closure

Inghams sends sales team out on the road in support of June agency blitz

Brand’s sales team joins agency sales team on the road to get agents thinking about its ski and Lapland product

US strikes on Iran prompt Foreign Office alerts for UAE, Jordan, Qatar and others

Hostilities in the Middle East ’could deteriorate quickly and without warning’ says FCDO following US strikes on nuclear sites in Iran

Exsus names top agents for 2025 as trade sales continue to boom

The luxury tour operator hosted its annual Travel Agent Awards ceremony in London on Friday, marking the fifth edition of the celebratory event.

Air India temporarily suspends two UK routes following Ahmedabad crash

Carrier’s Amritsar and Goa services to Gatwick suspended until "at least" 15 July, while other services to Heathrow and Birmingham will also be operated at a reduced frequency

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group secures approval to launch in Ireland

The group, which comprises Abercrombie & Kent, Cox & Kings and Crystal, can now sell to customers in the republic for the first time

Jet2holidays ups funding to support the travel agents of tomorrow to £1.4 million

The UK’s largest tour operator plans to invest £1.4 million into its Appoint an Apprentice scheme which is now in its third year

Travel Corporation pledges to put agents at the centre of new ‘strategic growth plan’

Trafalgar, Uniworld and Contiki parent to invest in expanding on-the-road sales support for agents and a new inside sales team to grow partnerships

Royal Caribbean to revamp Liberty of the Seas ahead of debut UK summer season

The 4,960-passenger ship will replace Independence of the Seas in Southampton next summer

The seven habits of high-net-worth clients that agents need to know for 2025

Carrier has shared original data on its bookings over £100,000, offering key insights into who these high spenders are – and what they want from their travel advisor.

EasyJet confirms 22 new routes for winter 2025/26 including Belfast-Lapland

EasyJet wil link Northern Ireland to Lapland this winter, claiming a first from Belfast to Finland with its new route – one among 22 it is adding to an expanded schedule

Regent Seven Seas Cruises to host more than 600 agents this summer

More than 600 agents will board Seven Seas Grandeur this summer when it calls at four UK ports, marking the ship’s debut northern Europe itinerary

Julia Lo Bue-Said and Jo Rzymowska recognised in King's Birthday Honours

Advantage chief executive Lo Bue-Said has been recognised for her services to business and tourism, and Rzymowska for her efforts to effect change in the diversity, equity and inclusion space

Great Little Escapes ceases trading as Atol holder prompting CAA advisory to agents

The CAA has issued instructions to the trade after Great Little Escapes and subsidiary brands ceased to be an Atol holder on 13 June