UK and Ireland

Millions reportedly being spent to ready UK borders for new EU rules

Eurostar, Port of Dover and Eurotunnel all investing heavily in preparation for the rollout of the EU’s entry-exit system, the BBC reports

'Critical issues to overcome' ahead of new EU border rules, govt warned

Kent’s transport and tourism authorities have urged the government to ensure a seamless rollout of the new EU border rules

Scenic to host 50 UK agents onboard Eclipse next month

The luxury cruise operator will host agent ship visits in the Isle of Man, Dublin, Portrush and Aberdeen between 6 June and 14 June

Govt vows to keep economy 'ship-shape' following Clia meeting

Tourism minister Julia Lopez met the cruise trade body on the French cruise line’s Le Dumont d’Urville on Tuesday (21 May)

Aviation growth could unlock billions in wasted economic potential – study

New research commissioned by Manchester Airports Group suggests greater government support for aviation could unlock more than £10 billion in economic value

Apex deployment 'elevates' Celebrity's ex-UK offering, says president

The 2,910-passenger Celebrity Apex ship will return to Southampton next summer

Tui, easyJet holidays and Travel Counsellors named among UK's best places to work

The operators and homeworking agency are among the 500 companies listed in the Sunday Times’ 2024 Best Places to Work directory, along with the UK’s largest OTA and several other travel and tourism businesses

Princess's UK boss: ‘Air lift challenges can be a blocker for cruise customers’

The line is currently finalising scheduled air capacity for its 2025 UK and Europe programme, Princess’s UK and Europe vice-president Eithne Williamson confirmed

Lifestyle hotel opens in former Oxford department store

The boutique hotel will offer 101 guest rooms across seven floors.

Visit Orlando praises agents following surge in UK visitors

Casandra Matej, Visit Orlando president, reported ’strong gains’ from each key international source market, including the UK

Home Office apologies to passengers after eGates failure

Travellers faced long queues at Border Control after nationwide failure of system

Gold Medal welcomes 50 agents to HQ for first Access All Areas event of 2024

The trade-only tour operator – dnata Travel Group UK’s flagship B2B brand – is planning to host another behind-the-scenes event later this year

Loganair axes three routes and cuts frequencies to restore reliability

Loganair’s new chief executive has outlined a plan to restore reliability on the airline’s network with cuts to routes and reduced frequencies

Windstar to run its largest-ever agent ship visit programme this summer

The programme will run from 3 June to 30 August and will enable agents to experience the line’s Star Class yachts, Star Legend and Star Pride

Ponant unveils 2024 ship visit programme for UK and Irish agents

The French line will invite agents to join one of 24 ship visits on Le Lyrial, Le Boreal, Le Champlain and Le Dumont d’Urville

Cunard cancels Queen Anne's ‘test’ event for agents before maiden

The 3,000-passenger ship had been due to host up to 400 agents onboard five days before its inaugural from Southampton

Lata to put UK market at heart of its new responsible tourism vision

Lata’s new vision centres around good-quality, responsible tourism with a reinvigorated focus on the UK market and a new partnership with Queer Destinations to promote LGBTQ+ rights

Silversea to offer expedition sailings from UK and Ireland next year

The ultra-luxury cruise line’s Silver Wind will depart from ports in the UK and Ireland in summer 2025

Ambassador Cruise Line launches 2025/26 programme and new offers

The line’s two-ship fleet will sail to 130 ports in 37 countries across three continents

Brits opting for all-inclusive Easter breaks amid turbulent economic times – Advantage

All-inclusive holidays account for 37% of all departures booking for this Easter, according to the Advantage Travel Partnership

TTC and VisitScotland team up to promote responsible tourism as 'new normal'

The Travel Corporation and VisitScotland have entered a ’unique’ partnership which will see new itineraries developed with responsible tourism at its core and resources to support tourism businesses in developing action plans

Spain ready to pitch new tourism strategy to UK holidaymakers

Destination poised to showcase its focuses on sustainability and higher-end tourism directly to consumers

The Leinster opens in Dublin as city's first ’luxury lifestyle hotel’

The boutique getaway marks the first ’luxury lifestyle hotel’ to open in the Irish capital

Advantage chief hails government backing for 'grassroots talent'

Advantage chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said said she was looking forward to seeing the impact of the new reforms on travel