Mediterranean

Jet2 ramps up summer 2024 schedule at hometown airport Leeds Bradford

An extra based aircraft – the airline and operator’s 15th at LBA – will allow Jet2 to put on more flights to Palma, Faro and Kefalonia, among others, amounting to an additional 40,000 seats

CV Villas sees demand for premium breaks soar through trade

Demand for villa specialist’s Above range more double last year, while average order values for 2025 trade bookings are up 9% year-on-year

EasyJet launches five new winter routes from Birmingham airport

New winter sun routes include Marrakech and Hurghada, while festive favourites like Reykjavik, Prague and Krakow join easyJet’s BHX network

'That's it for now,' says Jet2 chief Steve Heapy after surprise Luton base reveal

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays boss Steve Heapy tells TTG the brand’s three new bases – Liverpool, Bournemouth and Luton – will need time to settle before the group explores any more opportunities

Positioning Majorca as a luxury destination has 'failed' – tourism chief

But Visit Palma managing director Pedro Homar is hopeful new technology solutions could help the popular Balearic Island reduce crowding

Treville Positano – why this is the best Amalfi Coast hotel for avoiding the crowds

Luxury resort Treville Positano invites guests to enjoy all the wonders of the Amalfi Coast away from the chaos of the popular tourist destination.

Greece urges cruise lines to do more to tackle mass tourism

It comes as the country refocuses efforts to disperse tourists and encourage visitors to Greece throughout the year rather than in just the summer and the shoulder seasons

Majorcans ‘live off tourism’ argues tourism chief amid protests

Susanna Sciacovelli, director of the island’s tourism board, highlighted the confusion that can arise from using the word ’overtourism’ in media reports

Tourism minister pledges to amplify outbound sector's voice at government level

Speaking to TTG at WTM London, tourism minister Sir Chris Bryant pledged to invite more outbound industry members onto a key government committee, saying he wants to listen

Portugal's Algarve region fixes sights on becoming ‘top diving destination’

The Portuguese region is ‘working on becoming a top dive destination’, according to Andre Gomes, president of the Algarve Tourism Bureau

Malta hopeful of converting Gozo day trips into longer stays with new airfield

A new rural airfield will open in Gozo in late-2026 which Gozo’s tourism authorities hope will allow it to convert traditional day trippers into longer-stay tourists

Croatia: 'Nowhere does a Christmas market better than Zagreb'

The capital’s citywide celebrations are a festive must-do, said Bisera Fabrio, new UK director of the Croatia National Tourist Board

Italy to shake up offer to mature markets as focus turns to the east

Italian Tourism Board director of marketing and promotion Maria Elena Rossi told TTG about the country’s plans to attract more repeat and high-spending visitors at WTM London

'Liberty of the Seas can be another ex-UK success story', says Royal's EMEA chief

The 4,960-passenger ship will replace its sister Freedom-class vessel, Independence of the Seas, which can carry 4,375-passengers, in the UK in 2026

Balearics 'needs to do more' to change tourism model, minister admits

The region is trying to encourage visitors to stay for longer and experience the islands’ cultural highlights rather than remaining in resorts

Intrepid Travel's Spain flooding appeal nears $20,000

The tour operator is raising money to support communities in the Valencia region and Castilla La Mancha, two of the areas most severely affected by flash flooding over the past week

Royal's Liberty of the Seas to sail ex-Southampton in 2026

Liberty’s summer 2026 programme will see it sail a range of two- to nine-night voyages from Southampton, including a solar eclipse sailing

EasyJet holidays expands portfolio with two new destinations

Tour operator easyJet holidays has added the Tunisian island of Djerba and the Norwegian town of Tromso to its roster

November launch for new EU border rules would have been ‘carnage’, Lords told

A House of Lords committee has been told of chaos if the EU Entry-Exit Scheme had been introduced in early November, with no communication or, in some cases, the necessary technology

‘Hundreds’ of agencies can now sell Oceania Cruises after year-long trade project

Ahead of the launch of Oceania’s new 2026 Collection, international sales vice-president Jason Worth revealed how successful the trade engagement exercise had been

A taste of luxury villa life in Tuscany with foraging, sketching and cooking

Inside the rustic world of Oliver’s Travels’ villas Casa Vedetta and Bosco Ai Frati.

'Hundreds' of Abta members still seeking 'clarity' on new EU border rules

The association is putting on two coach trips to the Port of Dover for members to hear about the preparations for the rollout in the coming weeks

Celebrity Cruises to move away from ex-UK 'taster' sailings with Apex return

The 2,910-passenger Celebrity Apex will return to the UK in 2026, but will operate a programme without any shorter cruises

SPL Villas to offer price parity as it rolls out flight booking functionality

Villa specialist reveals it will offer guaranteed price parity for the first time as it introduces flight booking functionality for the trade