News

Expedition Cruise Network outlines plans for second annual conference and agent awards

The ECN conference will return in October following the inaugural event in 2024

Heathrow: govt pledges support for third runway and further airport expansion

Chancellor also backs efforts to reopen Doncaster Sheffield airport, and confirms decisions will follow in the coming weeks on expansion at Gatwick and Luton airports

Tui, Hays Travel, Contiki, Celestyal: all the latest travel trade people moves

Moves this week include Contiki boss Adam Armstrong departing the business after five years and industry veteran Andy Freeth returning to travel after a year-long break

Royal boss hints Silversea could soon follow Celebrity and launch river ships

Royal Caribbean president and chief executive Jason Liberty confirmed Celebrity River Cruises will appeal to ultra-luxury customers when it launches its first two 180-passenger ships in 2027

Spend with Aito members still rising with long lead-in times, survey reveals

A survey of 14,000 Aito members found average spend is still increasing, with long lead-in times for bookings

Meon Valley Travel makes 'small but significant' change to its name

Managing director James Beagrie bought the Meon Travel from First Choice in 2002 and changed the name to Meon Valley Travel as the original Meon Travel brand remained with First Choice

EasyJet holidays to bring TOOT roadshows to nine new locations this year

EasyJe holidays will add five additional agents’ roadshows to its schedule this year, bringing the total to 16

Heathrow expansion 'must be within carbon budget', says top minister

Net zero secretary Ed Miliband has told MPs any expansion of Heathrow and other airports must fall within the government’s carbon budget or not go ahead

Storm Eowyn: Agencies shut and 1,100+ flights cancelled amid 'danger to life' warning

Parts of the UK and Ireland were hit by 100mph winds overnight on Thursday into Friday (23-24 January), with many agencies in Scotland and Ireland shutting their doors as a pre-emptive safety measure

Imminent acquisition will give InteleTravel agents a 'competitive edge'

InteleTravel chief executive James Ferrara insisted the US homeworking giant would only acquire firms once it had been proven any deal would ’make the company bigger, better and more competitive’

Los Angeles tourism chiefs appeal for trade's support following wildfires

’Millions rely on the economic engine of the Los Angeles tourism industry for their livelihood,’ said Francine Sheridan, Los Angeles Tourism’s Europe and Middle East regional vice-president

Cruise 'performing well' during peaks, but not every agency chief agrees

While some said cruise sales were rolling in this year, one established agency boss flagged concerns around discounting and another said bookings had been slower than anticipated

Cost remains bigger priority for majority of travellers than green concerns

A WTTC report has found consumers are still prioritising cost over sustainability issues, but offers solutions as to how to change the mindset

Travel salaries rise again in 2024 to boost sector’s ‘competitiveness’

New figures show average travel salaries went up by 8.4% last year to more than £37,000, and have increased by more than a fifth since 2022 and a third since 2021

EasyJet holidays targets 25% growth after early winter profits leap by £12 million

Airline and operator charts ’significant improvement’ in first-quarter results (three months to 31 December) amid ongoing strong demand for flights and holidays

New trade hub 'to make selling Tui and Marella as easy as possible'

The TuiTradeHub is already available to agents and is divided into two sections – one on the company’s land product and one on Marella Cruises

Celebrity signs shipbuilding deal to expand Edge-series fleet

The Royal Caribbean Group brand has launched Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Edge so far and will unveil Celebrity Xcel later this year

Fred Olsen Travel edges closer to 25-branch target with first Kent shop

Fred Olsen Travel’s retail director Paul Hardwick has repeatedly stated he wants to grow the agency’s network to 25 branches by the end of 2025

Brands team up for £100,000 Race Across the World-inspired agent incentive

Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Virgin Atlantic have joined forces to give agents the chance to win £100,000 in marketing and commercial support for their business, as well as a spot on a cruise

Airlines signal readiness to resume flying to Israel following ceasefire

Wizz Air has resumed flying to Tel Aviv, while easyJet will follow from 1 June. Ryanair has also insisted it will return soon, while Virgin Atlantic is looking to do so in the final quarter

Jet2 adds more flights and holidays to Greece and Turkey hailing demand

Airline and operator has further expanded what it claims is already its largest-ever summer programme with more flights and holidays to Antalya, Kos, Rhodes and Heraklion

Ponant acquires majority stake in rival small-ship line

The French cruise operator said it was ’deeply impressed’ with Aqua Expeditions, while stressing the brand would continue to operate as a standalone business unit

Riviera Travel combines top sellers to meet demand for combination cruises

The river cruise and escorted touring specialist is offering six combination cruises in 2025 and 2026, including the new 14-night Grand Cruise of France itinerary

Gold Medal launches out-of-date-range holidays to Florida and New York

Agents can now book trips to Florida up until March 2027, as well as holidays to New York until March next year