Skip to main content

Essential

Portugal suspends new EU border rules at Lisbon airport for three months
Biometric checks introduced as part of new EU Entry-Exit System suspended 'to implement and reinforce' airport's contingency measures, says Portuguese government
Barrhead Travel enters peaks with new look 'several years in the making'
The Scottish independent agency filmed a TV advert to support its new branding campaign at its Silverburn branch using travel agent employees
Prestige Travel promises agents 'new programmes' following investment
Trade-focused Canada and tailor-made specialist underlines commitment to agents after attracting investment from Vivid Skies
Consumer champion Which? hails high street agents as trade gears up for peaks
On the eve of Sunshine Saturday (3 January), Which? praises agents for their 'exceptional' customer service and 'unrivalled knowledge'
Hays Travel regional sales manager turned franchisee takes on third shop
Rebecca Holt, who already runs Hays's Chapeltown and Wombwell stores in South Yorkshire, expands into Derbyshire with Chesterfield opening
Eurostar and LeShuttle scramble to recover service after power failure
Eurostar hopeful of running all scheduled services on new year's eve (31 December), while LeShuttle passengers warned of delays
Club Med offers ‘longest sale period yet’ ahead of South Africa property opening
Club Med has launched its New Year’s sale, with worldwide deals on trips booked before the 16th January 2025
EasyJet secures new winter sun route from Edinburgh starting November 2026
The Sharm El Sheikh route is the 12th the airline has added to Edinburgh's network in the past year
Travel insurer's 'no age limit' TV ad banned after being found to be misleading
Advertising Standards Authority rules against Staysure, telling insurer it did not make clear 'the nature or extent of the age-related restrictions' on its cover
Agents told to prepare for 'record peaks demand' with 200,000 more package holiday sales predicted
The industry is gearing up for an intense peaks season, with the UK Civil Aviation Authority predicting a 5% spike in demand
Budget carrier claims first with new city break route to emerging capital
Armenia's capital Yerevan among six additions to Wizz's Luton network
Agents join Ambassador Cruise Line's five-night fam trip to 'truly understand' line's offering
Agents joined the five-night Canals and Cultures of Hamburg and Amsterdam itinerary on 29 November
Lincolnshire Co-op's travel lead to bow out after more than 30 years with group
Wayne Dennett, who will leave the Co-op in January, said it had been a 'privilege' to spend more than three decades with the business
Seabourn and Uniworld to offer higher room categories and longer itineraries for 2027 sailings
Agents will now be able to book Seabourn and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises's expanded itineraries for 2027
InteleTravel smashes through £250 million sales barrier after Q4 bookings boost
The homeworking firm's sales ended up nearly 60% ahead of last year, with average gross sales per agent up by 3% to £5,588
Tui hails 'strong and positive' response from agents to 'biggest-ever' peaks sale
A series of competitions, including the chance to win a seven-night Greek stay, are among Tui's turn of year agent incentives
Orient Express reveals new sailing yacht itineraries for 2027 ahead of spring launch

The luxury brand announced earlier this year that its first yacht, Orient Express Corinthian, would be heading to Europe and the Mediterranean in March 2026 to begin its inaugural season. 

New EU border rules causing 'chaos' and long wait times, airports warn
The new scheme will cause 'mayhem and chaos' for travellers until operational issues are resolved, says Airports Council International
Jet2 ups agent commission over Christmas and new year as part of peaks push
Uplift will take effect from Friday 19 December through to Monday 12 January and will apply to all holidays for all current and future seasons
Jet2 puts first winter programme on sale at new Gatwick base
The programme will feature 24 destinations in total, including two exclusive Christmas market routes to Cologne and Gdansk
Spanish airport giant acquires majority stake in Jet2's base airport
Reported £270 million deal will see Aena, which already operates and jointly owns Luton airport, acquire a minority stake too in Newcastle International airport
Hays Travel 'must not further integrate' Polka Dot or Millington after competition watchdog intervenes
Authority says it has concerns the brands will cease to be distinct under Hays's ownership, and could result in a ‘substantial lessening of competition’
Former Vertical Systems boss Chris North takes up new business development role
North took time out from the industry in October 2023 following a more than 25-year stint with Vertical but has returned to help a supplier drive its expansion in the UK and Ireland
Jet2 puts four new Christmas market routes on sale for winter 2026/27
The additions grow the airline and operator's network of festive routes to 60 which, in addition to extra capacity added to existing routes, represent more than 30,000 extra seats