Europe

Jet2 to launch more Christmas market routes next winter

Jet2CityBreaks adds more Christmas markets options from five of its UK bases ahead of the 2024/25 season

Budget airline to return to Heathrow with Paris and Barcelona services

Spain’s budget carrier Vueling has secured slots from sister airline British Airways at Heathrow

Princess Cruises forced to delay Sun Princess's maiden sailing again

Sun Princess’ maiden cruise has been pushed back to 28 February having been moved from 8 February to 18 February

Iceland's Blue Lagoon extends closure amid new volcanic activity

Famous geothermal spa has been closed for much of the past three months owing to an ongoing period of heightened volcanic activity along Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula

Govt told it must ‘act now’ on new EU border rules or risk ‘huge’ disruption

Sadiq Khan has warned of huge queues for Eurostar at St Pancras station after the UK’s planning for the EU’s entry-exit system – which is due to come online this year – was branded ‘severely inadequate’

Hotelplan to retire historic Esprit Ski brand after more than 40 years

Group’s ski resource and expertise to be channelled fully towards Esprit sister brand Inghams, with a ’small number’ of permanent roles set to be affected, as well as some seasonal roles

Trade sales up 11% as Explore celebrates strongest-ever January

The adventure specialist set a new record for single-day sales on 18 January, and also recorded both its best ever week and month of sales during January

Walt Disney sees theme parks bounce back despite US dip

Walt Disney Company posts first-quarter results with healthy theme park revenues

Jet2 warns of potential disruption to flights amid forecast of strong winds and snow

Two Met Office amber warnings for snow and ice are in place for Thursday, with further yellow warnings in place for Friday and Saturday too

Majority of Brits continuing to prioritise travel over all other expenses

Four in five Brits are continuing to choose travel as their top budget priority despite the current macroeconomic headwinds, a new survey has revealed

Caribtours' specialist Slovenia tour operator brand launches to trade

Paul Cleary, chief executive of Just Slovenia parent company Caribtours, has told TTG ’agents were crying out’ for good suppliers to the country

Grecotel unveils raft of new resorts and upgrades

Grecotel will open two hotels this year, as well as adding new villas, suites and upgrades among its 40 properties in Greece

Turkey sees another leap in UK arrivals in 2023

Turkey’s weak currency led to another increase in UK arrivals last year, new figures show

Exploring the ski resort loved by Austrians – and alpacas

Pepper Collection offers a range of chalets and hotels to suit a range of tastes – including those of alpacas

Tauck plans expanded agent training programme to grow UK sales

National sales manager Tom Dumbrell has noted a ‘good number’ of new-to-brand agents looking to sell Tauck’s land and river cruise products

Trade rep Claire Griffiths joins Saranta Associates as portfolio grows

Claire Griffiths has joined the hotel representation company to spread the word of its client portfolio to more agents and tour ops

AE Expeditions joins growing number of B Corp Certified travel businesses

Chief executive Michael Heath said offering ‘responsible, respectful travel’ had always been part of the brand’s ‘DNA’

A greener, more competitive future: is it finally time to open up the ex-UK rail market?

Eurostar could face competition for the first time in 30 years, with new players coming down the line. TTG’s Ilaria Grasso Macola looks at the contenders sizing up the market

EU officials to join Abta webinar on new European border rules

Abta chief Mark Tanzer has urged Abta’s agent members to join the call next month to get the lowdown on what the EU Entry-Exit System and Etias regime will mean for their clients

Venice entry fee prompts FCDO to update Italy travel advice

A €5 fee will be levied on day visitors to Venice, starting this summer

Abta hails Mayor of London's backing for youth mobility scheme

Abta’s Luke Petherbridge said it was great to see ‘a high-profile figure’ like the mayor of London back the travel industry’s calls to ease the effect of the end of posted working

Riviera Travel to host 100 agents on fam trips this year

Escorted touring and river cruise specialist will host 60% more agents on fams than it did last year

Jet2 adds Verona to Manchester 2024/25 ski flight programme

Airline and operator to launch weekly Saturday service in December

Can Venice forge a new path for tourism that respects its past?

TTG explores the potential impacts of new curbs on mass tourism to the famous lagoon city, and what they will mean for visitors and residents alike