Independent

Tui boss backs third-party retailers, but says app will go global

Tui has reiterated its faith in third-party agents, but has outlined plans to capture more commoditised sales via a global roll-out of its app

On the Beach: 'Our B2B brands can disrupt the tour operator space'

Chief executive Shaun Morton has told TTG that despite On the Beach Group’s online-led B2C model, its agent-focused Classic Collection and Classic Package brands could help it grow its total market share

Travel reaping rewards of positive 'turning point for consumer confidence'

Last month, year-on-year spending with travel agents increased by 9.2%, according to new data from Barclays, which said it had observed ’a turning point for consumer sentiment and confidence’

Baldwins to expand into new regions and launch homeworking division

Kent and Sussex-based miniple opens new branch in Grantham, with five more to follow over the next 18 months – along with the launch of a homeworking business

Why agents can't bank on travel being 'insulated' from the cost of living crisis forever

Despite an encouraging post-Covid rebound, and the recent Autumn Statement giving the nation’s finances a little boost, travel’s recovery remains fragile heading into Christmas and the new year

Travel Counsellors membership tips record 2,000 business owners

The homeworking giant has recruited 300 new members over the past year, taking its membership past 2,000

Celebrity unveils expanded educational programme with 1,000 agent places

The line is offering flights from Manchester and Gatwick in a bid to try and ease ongoing airlift issues, said EMEA vice-president Giles Hawke

How the 'heroes of the high street' set about becoming the heroes of the home office too

Dame Irene Hays tells TTG why the independent has put its faith in the strength of its homeworking operation this year, alongside its stellar retail arm

Latest Hays Travel branch to open 'in the heart of Leeds'

The UK’s largest independent agency will soft launch its Briggate branch in Leeds city centre next week

The travel trends and buzzwords agents can't afford to ignore next year

Who are Generation T? What’s the deal with ’shoulder shoppers’? And how do you court ’sustainability selectors’? Abta sought to demystify a number of emerging markets at its Travel Trends conference this week – here’s what agents need to know

Hays Travel's Coronation Street branch to open its doors next week

The independent’s tie-in with the world’s longest-running TV soap will see its Weartherfield store make its debut on Monday 4 December

Jet2 trade chief urges agents not to forget about the lates market during peaks

’Lates is the best marketing tool – clients are in the frame of mind to book,’ Alan Cross told TTG at the Jet2holidays conference in Antalya

New era of sustainable holiday demand imminent, Jet2 chief warns agents

Airline and operator to flag hotels that have achieved Global Sustainable Tourism Council certification in response to ’exponential’ growth in web searches for ’sustainable’, ’low-carbon’ and ’guilt-free’ holiday product

Jet2 reveals key trends driving average trade sales prices towards £1,000pp

Longer stays, coupled with more family and luxury bookings, has driven average sales prices per person with Jet2holidays up by £100 over the past year, general manager trade Lloyd Cross has revealed

Dame Irene Hays: ‘We've acquired some exceptional people at Travel House’

Hays Travel owner reveals to TTG the independent’s plans for its latest acquisition, stressing the importance of an orderly transition and ensuring the Travel House team are ‘happy, confident and feel safe’

Hays Travel acquires south Wales miniple Travel House

Travel House, which has 16 shops across south Wales, became a member of the Hays Travel Independence Group in 2021

Thorne Travel to open new Prestwick store in early January

Owner and chief executive Shona Thorne said her team were ’eager to welcome customers’ to the new-look shop

Aaron Hilton joins The Holiday Franchise Company from rival brand

Hilton has become the company’s new training and partnership executive, overseeing one-on-one and virtual training sessions

Barrhead's Brilliant Travel sees winter booking surge

Brilliant Travel homeworkers enjoy record October and November sales amid new recruitment drive

‘Agents swayed by AI must remember to keep a firm hand on the wheel’

Generative AI opens vistas of opportunity for travel marketers and agents, but caution must be taken before rushing into adopting technology just because others are, writes We Are Llama’s Mags Sikora for TTG

Agents: ‘One good year won't make up for Covid – we'll need another’

As consumers continue to prioritise holidays over other non-essential spending, agents tell TTG about the magic they’re working with their clients

Hays Travel reveals above-industry average customer satisfaction score

Hays’ senior learning and development manager Leanne Cox also revealed the agency’s new service promise

West Sussex agency to add more shops and launch homeworking division

Experience It Now Travel director Richard Light is looking at sites to expand his agency business, and hopes to recruit up to 20 homeworkers

Hays seeking to build cruise sales to a third of its business

Cruise is predicted to account for 25% of the agency’s business this year - but head of cruise commercial Catriona Parsons wants more