Independent

Aqua Expeditions to launch new ship ahead of Africa entry

The luxury cruise line will welcome a new ship to its fleet as part of its expansion into Africa.

Top 5: The hotels and resorts luxury advisors should know this week

Our weekly round-up of the best luxury hotels on the scene is back.

Premier Travel expands into West Sussex with new managed branch

Hallmark Travel in East Sussex becomes Premier’s fifth managed branch and its 28th location in total

Cruise365 to diversify following £40,000 refurb as chief hints at more shops

The Crook-based cruise specialist agency planned to become an appointments-led business before Covid, but the pandemic forced boss Anthony Blackmore to push the idea back

Fears of massive discounting recede as package prices 'hold'

High prices appear to have put some agents’ clients off last-minute getaways this summer, while others have been prepared to pay the premium for some sun following the Euros, the general election and amid the coolest summer for nearly a decade

Royal Caribbean aiming to double trade educational programme next year

Aaron Langford, the line’s UK and Ireland senior sales director, made the pledge the day after Royal Caribbean International launched its new trade loyalty programme Upper Deck

Would agents welcome Ryanair returning to the package market?

After Michael O’Leary teased the prospect of Ryanair starting to sell packages again, TTG finds out whether it is something agents would welcome

Ryanair ponders return to package market eight years after failed first attempt

The low-cost carrier declined to comment further when approached by TTG, however Michael O’Leary told The Telegraph he ’wouldn’t rule out’ offering package holidays in the future

Agents continue to outstrip steady retail rebound as sector returns to growth

The retail sector finally returned to growth in August for the first time since March, but agents continue to streak ahead, recording their strongest growth in sales since February

Inside luxury agency’s ‘masterclass’ for spotting greenwashing practices

Designer Travel has celebrated more than 40 its advisors completing the course.

Explora Journeys' ‘industry-first policies’ pay off for trade relations

The MSC Group-owned luxury cruise line is determined to support agents as it prepares to launch its second ship, Explora II, in September

Perfect Getaways' singing staff hit the road to drive new business

Agency bosses Dave and Nicola Palmer decided to launch its On the Road series to help introduce team members to the local communities in which their branches served

New charity supporting young adults with cancer set up by agency's marketing lead

Clare Sacco decided to set up the Embers charity because she felt there was a ’gap’ in the support for young adults with terminal cancer after searching for resources and networks when she received her devastating news last year

Top 5: The best luxury properties agents should know this week

Our top five luxury properties of the week has officially dropped, and as per usual, it’s landing with quite the bang.

We spotlight a couple of gems close to home, including a gorgeous hotel on Northern Ireland’s coast and a swish all-suite property in central London. If your clients are on the hunt for winter sunshine (who could blame them?), we’ve also listed a heavenly Madagascar resort and a majestic villa on the Turkish Riviera.

Hopefully, our lineup will give you the inspiration you need to make that special booking.

Royal’s new agent rewards programme to pay up to £500 per booking

Starting 3 September, the line will pay out up to £500 per booking via the new Upper Deck programme as well as a standard £10 for each group booking an agent makes

Holidays By Design buys shop premises following 'runaway success'

Agency acquires Cleethorpes shop from its landlord seven years after opening having massively exceeded its trading expectations

Agency rebrands after 30 years following Fred Olsen Travel acquisition

Woodbridge agency TravelQuest has relocated to new premises and reopened as a Fred Olsen Travel concept store, more than a decade after it was acquired by the south coast miniple

‘Apprenticeships are a second chance and vital to us,' says Dame Irene Hays

Dame Irene Hays tells BBC Radio 4 programme how important apprentices are to the business and remembers the pandemic and Thomas Cook acquisition

Families of suspected murdered agent pair speak out

Relatives of two agents found shot in a burned out car in Sweden have spoken of their loss as investigations into the suspected murder continue

Designer Travel academy homeworkers make nearly £1.2 million in sales

The hardworking trainees all came to the programme with no experience in travel.

Luxperience 2024 makes final call for luxury agents ahead of upcoming trade event

Australia’s largest luxury trade show returns in November for three days of networking and education.

New agency boss says late mum 'answered his prayers to find a new site'

Former on-the-road sales manager Wayne Beard opened Pure Joy Escapes in September 2023 and business was booming until it was hit by a structural issue with the chapel where the agency was based

Clients holding out for late deals even if it costs them, agents say

Agents have told TTG their clients are holding out for deals and leaving it later than ever to book their summer holidays, even if it ends up costing them more money

Crystal Cruises to 'enhance' trade tools following launch of new booking engine

The ultra-luxury cruise line launched its new booking engine on 1 August, two years after it was acquired by A&K Travel Group