Essential

Kellie Samuda says ‘transparency’ is key to new homeworking agency

The luxury travel veteran hopes to grow to 50 homeworkers as her new business takes off

Alison Earnshaw to leave World Travel Holdings UK after nearly 20 years

Group’s UK managing director to step away for personal reasons later this year

Eurostar vows to restore full London-Amsterdam capacity by September

European rail operator has restarted direct services between London and Amsterdam following works at Amsterdam’s central station, and hopes to increase the route to five daily services by 2026

Vision to bring cruise ships into central Glasgow played down by port firm

Cruise ships could sail into the centre of Glasgow under a plan put forward by the leader of the Scottish Conservatives during a port visit

Tui's new UK and Ireland chief Neil Swanson joins Abta board

Swanson, who was named Tui managing director UK&I in September, joins board at ’exciting time for the travel industry’

Disney Cruise Line reveals UK deployment for summer 2026

Disney Dream to sail series of three-, four- and seven-night voyages from Southampton

Holland America Line launches biggest-ever UK ship visit programme

Visits will get under way in late-April and will run through to 3 August, with agents able to get onboard two of HAL’s Pinnacle class ships – Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam

NCL confirms firm order for four new ships

Norwegian Cruise Line’s parent company has firmed up an order for four 8,000-plus capacity ships for delivery from 2030

Take a fly-through video tour of MAN’s new £1.3bn terminal

Set to be completed by the year’s end, Manchester airport’s Terminal 2 will have a sleeker and more modern look as well as additional amenities and restaurants

Pakistan International Airlines prepares to resume London flights

Pakistan’s flag carrier is preparing to relaunch UK services after it was banned by the UK and EU on safety grounds in 2020

New UK boss for A&K as operator looks to ‘strengthen position’

Fox takes up the new managing director for AKTG, UK and APAC role in April and will relocate here from Australia.

Previously based in Melbourne as managing director Australasia A&K & EVP APAC and trade sales for A&K & Crystal, Fox has been with the company just under two years.

AKTG said the move aligns with “ongoing global expansion and commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences in key markets”.

Intrepid Travel acquires €60-million-revenue brand from Travelopia stable

Amsterdam-headquartered Sawadee offers more than 250 trips across 100 countries and will bring an additional 20,000 customers a year to Intrepid

EasyJet holidays extends enhanced commission incentive throughout February

EasyJet holidays will extend its enhanced commission offer throughout February focussing on selected destinations, it has said

Ambassador Cruise Line unveils dedicated training events for homeworkers

Ambasasdor’s bottomless brunch training sessions will be aimed at homeworkers based around the country, which it will host on a trial basis this month

Santorini seismic activity warning prompts Foreign Office alert

The FCDO has repeated advice from Greek authorities about seismic activity in and around Santorini, but ruled out a repeat of 1956 disaster

Jet2 expands city break network with two new Budapest routes

East Midlands and Newcastle International to gain twice-weekly services to the Hungarian capital this coming winter, while Athens and Rome added to Jet2’s Discover More range

Doncaster Sheffield airport ‘set for 2026 reopening’ after chancellor's backing

Doncaster’s mayor has said the airport is almost able to confirm its reopening in early 2026 after chancellor Rachel Reeves backed the plans in a major speech on economic development

Expedition Cruise Network outlines plans for second annual conference and agent awards

The ECN conference will return in October following the inaugural event in 2024

Heathrow: govt pledges support for third runway and further airport expansion

Chancellor also backs efforts to reopen Doncaster Sheffield airport, and confirms decisions will follow in the coming weeks on expansion at Gatwick and Luton airports

Celebrity to operate river cruises after agreeing 10-ship deal

The premium line will start operating river sailings in 2027

Heathrow expansion 'must be within carbon budget', says top minister

Net zero secretary Ed Miliband has told MPs any expansion of Heathrow and other airports must fall within the government’s carbon budget or not go ahead

Clia plays down mayor of Nice's threat to ban large cruise ships from French Riviera port

The mayor of Nice says he plans to ban larger cruise ships from the city as they only bring ’low-cost’ tourists that do not benefit the local economy

Cost remains bigger priority for majority of travellers than green concerns

A WTTC report has found consumers are still prioritising cost over sustainability issues, but offers solutions as to how to change the mindset

Travel salaries rise again in 2024 to boost sector’s ‘competitiveness’

New figures show average travel salaries went up by 8.4% last year to more than £37,000, and have increased by more than a fifth since 2022 and a third since 2021