News

Uniworld to expand Super Ship fleet with three new vessels

Uniworld said the look and feel of the new ships would be inspired by the destinations they visit on Europe’s main rivers, including the Rhine, Main, Danube and Douro

Intrepid Travel launches search for new UK chief following Hazel McGuire promotion

McGuire, Intrepid’s general manager, UK sales and marketing, will take up a global chief marketing officer role in April

Tui to debut first sensory rooms for neurodivergent guests this summer

Tui is increasing its offering for neurodivergent travellers and their families at two Tui Blue properties this summer – the Tui Blue Nausicaa Beach hotel in Larnaca and Tui Blue Aura hotel in Ibiza

Work under way on IAG-backed plant to make sustainable fuel from waste tyres

Construction has begun of a £100 million plant in Sunderland that will produce sustainable aviation fuel from used tyres, with production starting in 2027

SPAA chief decries lack of govt backing for apprenticeships, rates relief and SAF production

SPAA president Jacqueline Dobson took on a range of topics during her address at the SPAA’s annual dinner on Thursday (27 February)

Inside Travel Group launches Agent Insider programme with £25,000 trip incentive

’We’re prepared to put our money where our mouth is,’ said head of trade sales Gabo Quiros, with the group also offering 10 agent places on InsideJapan small group tours

Mauritius reopens airport following Tropical Storm Garance but passengers advised to stay away

Garance was the strongest storm to hit the country since January 1989, with winds hitting speeds of 100mph

EasyJet holidays to support Manchester-Cape Verde launch with agent fam places

Five agent fam places up for grabs with year-round holiday departures starting from 28 October

Three trends agents can – and should – look out for heading into spring

As another frenetic peaks draws to a close, TTG’s Ilaria Grasso Macola explores some of the trends that have shaped the trade’s busiest sales period of the year – and could shape their fortunes for the rest of the year

Gatwick second runway approved in principle but final decision deferred to autumn

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has granted provisional permission for Gatwick airport to bring its standby runway into daily use, but a final decision will now be made in the autumn

Tropical Storm Garance prompts Mauritius airport closure and Foreign Office alert

Mauritius shut its main international airport on Wednesday afternoon (26 February) while the nearby island of La Reunion will be placed under total lockdown later on Thursday (27 February)

Homeworking agency opens first retail store with ‘sentimental’ backstory

Travology Travel has announced the Yorkshire agency as the first retail store in its collection.

Ambassador unveils debut fly-cruise programme weeks after merger

The line will offer a fly-cruise Caribbean programme in October with charter flights being operated by Virgin Atlantic

Gatwick expansion: transport secretary signals support for second runway plan

Heidi Alexander confirms government’s backing for airport expansion, with a decision on a second runway at Gatwick due on Thursday, but reiterates growth must be balanced against environmental realities

Agents hail Grecotel as client expectations for luxury European trips rise

Elite advisors praised the Greek hotel brand for meeting the standards of their customers during an exclusive lunch event.

Tui accused of violating its own animal welfare policy by selling attraction with pregnant orca

World Animal Protection (WAP) raised concerns after it discovered Morgan, Loro Parque’s only female orca, was still participating in shows this month even though she is heavily pregnant

Agents: your chance to be heard and be paid as part of the TTG Insights Panel

TTG Media has launched its Insights Panel for all travel agents to share their views to help their businesses succeed and be paid for their opinions and expertise

Time-poor youngsters turning to agents to book TikTok-inspired trips, says Tui boss

Tui Group CEO Sebastian Ebel reveals what he’s learned about younger people’s holiday purchasing habits from his own children

Sani-Ikos group to boost support for agents with trade-focused hiring spree

Six new roles have been created to support travel agents and tour operators

Netflix and Amazon Prime 'inspiring Tui's differentiated product strategy'

Chief executive Sebastian Ebel says being able to guarantee the quality of its product was giving the operating ’one big advantage’ over rivals like Jet2holidays and easyJet holidays

Scottish agency creates sensory room for neurodivergent children

Moorelands Travel has turned a former vault into a sensory room equipped with toys, lights, bean bags – even a projector

Norse Atlantic to launch budget Gatwick-Bangkok route this winter

Up to four-times-weekly flights will get under way from 26 October 2025, with return fares leading in from £295pp including taxes.

Bangkok will become Norse’s first UK route to Asia; it currently flies transatlantic from Gatwick, and also to South Africa. "The introduction of this service marks a significant expansion of the airline’s operations in the UK market," it said.

Oslo-headquartered Norse has operated to Bangkok from the Norwegian capital since 2023, and will also serve the Thai capital from Stockholm this winter for the first time.

Peter Shanks to stand down as Silversea MD and retire after 45 years in travel

Shanks will stay on until the end of Q2 to ensure a smooth handover to his successor Andreas ’Andy’ Nuessel

Air Canada increases Dublin schedules to Vancouver and Montreal this summer

Air Canada has used a relaxation of Dublin airport’s capacity restrictions to increase frequencies to key destinations this summer