Opinion

Opinion: Higher wages and low fuel prices – my Christmas wish list

The festive season is upon us and I have a few requests for Santa

Opinion: Ask yourself – am I prepared for 2016 yet?

Richard Dixon, director of Holidaysplease, asks if you have all your ducks lined up for the new year?

Industry leaders stand together

The impact of terrorism on tourism was a key discussion point at the second TTG Industry Leaders Forum

Ted Wake: Tune into the rhythm of the year to succeed

Each month has its own unique, reassuring style

Stephen D'Alfonso: Lessons on the need to stagger school holidays

Abta is active behind the scenes, setting out commercial realities of pricing to MPs

Why agents can sell with a licence to thrill

It’s a Bond time of life again – the action, the tuxedos, the glamour, the cheesy product placement, the sharp tongue of Moneypenny and the wizardry of Q – Jo Rzymowska loves it all

Opinion: Why fam trips make everyone a winner

Barrhead Travel chief executive, Sharon Munro explains why familiarisation trips make sense

Derek Jones: Why staff are the driving force when a company wants to heal its wounds

Volkswagen could learn from travel when it comes to bouncing back

Stephen D’Alfonso: Why backbenchers are key to our aims in this new Corbyn era

Rebellions likely to become a trademark of this new-look parliament

Ian Scott: 'Can celebrity endorsement do more harm than good?'

What credibility do footballers, reality TV stars and soap stars bring exactly?

Richard Dixon: Don’t forget to sell customers the excitement

If not, then read it here.... Julia’s account of her two boys’ holiday transformation from “online” and “gadget” driven modern children to kids reunited with the simple joy of growing up revelling in the excitement of real-life experiences really struck a chord with me.

Opinion: Agents, take the lead on airline delay claims

Derek Moore, chairman of the Association of Independent Tour Operators outlines his thinking

Julia Lo Bue-Said: Remind holidaymakers that there’s life beyond the screen of their phone

"How do we continue to fill their holidays with excitement and bewilderment?"

Jo Rzymowska: Make the most of the back-to-school feeling

I enter this time of year thinking about what I could do differently...

Prepare for PTD, before it’s too late

It has been three months since the final wording of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangement Directive (PTD) was agreed in Brussels; it will likely be a further two months until the directive clears the final formalities in the Brussels legislative process

Derek Jones: The game is up for the holiday brochure

The UK boss of Kuoni has called time on one of the mainstays of the travel industry

Sharon Munro: When sales staff lose their hunger, offer them a new challenge

Don’t give up on employees who no longer enjoy selling - use their people skills and knowledge of your business elsewhere, says Barrhead’s Sharon Munro

The big issues: What will shape the UK travel industry in 2015?

From APD to the Rugby World Cup, these are the major developments, products and events to watch over the next 12 months

A major surprise from Kuoni - but is it the right strategy?

The Swiss company may be exiting the sector, but UK market data suggests there is plenty of life in tour operating yet, says Andy Cooper

What can we expect in 2015? Here are my three predictions

Private equity investors in particular went crackers for travel in 2014, and you can expect more this year, says Martin Alcock

Goodbye cash flow benefits? BSP changes could be a sign of things to come

The cashflow benefits that most agents have enjoyed for the past 50 years may be coming to an end, argues Andy Cooper

Heathrow 'our ideal first choice', says Branson

Richard Branson has confirmed his backing for Heathrow as the best place to build a new runway in the UK

Matt Stuart: I've used Airbnb – and it's barmy to think we can dictate how customers book

The service found a niche and worked hard to own it - and like it or not, that’s what success looks like

Suppliers must honour the agent-customer relationship

Pushing loyal clients to switch to direct booking is a short term strategy that benefits no-one, says Sharon Munro