UK and Ireland

Dame Irene and Hays senior leaders return to the shop floor for peaks

Dame Irene said getting back into Hays’ branches during the busiest period of the year would help the independent’s management team gather direct feedback from clients

AE Expeditions expands BDMs' remits as line focuses on new markets

Senior business development manager Andy Tait will assist agents in the Middle East and Africa as well as Europe and the UK

Lovetovisit.com heralds successful first year of trading

Lovetovisit.com, a John Hays Entrepreneur award winner, has hailed a successful first year of trading and fundraising

Celebrity Cruises’ UK boss vows to hold pricing as wave sales soar

Giles Hawke told TTG that ‘early indications’ from wave season were ‘positive’ after finishing last year on a ‘massive high’

Cruise industry veteran returns to Regent Seven Seas

Steve Odell will be responsible for ‘maximising opportunities’ across every booking channel at Regent Seven Seas

Hays Travel reports second weekend of record sales

The agency has said Saturday (13 January) was the best trading day in its 43-year history, with branches reporting long queues outside shops

FCDO advice 'no longer fit for purpose', open letter warns

The open letter calls for the FCDO to look at its global advice and the advice specific to Sri Lanka to try and boost visitor numbers to the country

MSC Cruises urges consumers to discover cruising 'in a conscious way' in new ad

The ’For a greater beauty’ campaign will air in more than 30 countries, including the UK on Channel 5 and video on demand

Celebrity Cruises to push premium message to trade in new programme

The line will launch a new marketing educational programme for trade marketers working at cruise-selling agencies later this month

A&K plans to launch new-build vessel on Nile next year

The luxury tour operator will add to its Nile-based river fleet in autumn 2025

Travel Solutions Network to recruit more homeworkers after securing new operator partnership

TSN has secured contracts with some of the UK’s largest travel brands - it now believes it can ’dominate’ the outsourced virtual call centre space

Oceania Cruises 'bakes' gratuities into cruise fare following agent feedback

The cruise line hopes the move to include gratuities in fares will provide more sales opportunities to ’valued’ travel agent partners in the UK and Ireland

Meon Valley appoints former Ski Verbier MD as commercial director

Stephen Inskip has a wide experience in the industry as he held a variety of positions in his 16-year career in travel

Celestyal to move to year-round operations with new Persian Gulf programme

The line will operate seven-night Desert Days itineraries from Doha from 9 November

Former Crystal River Cruises boss joins SeaDream Yacht Club

Littlejohn joins the boutique luxury cruise line after finishing a long-term consulting agreement with Silversea Cruises

Thousands face flight cancellations in wake of mid-air blowout

The US aviation regulator said the 171 Boeing 737 Max 9s must be grounded for checks

Travel Counsellors launches biggest ever peaks campaign

According to Dave Callan, the campaign is not just about “promoting destinations” but it’s also about “embodying the values that define us as a brand"

ECN releases new digital selling guide to boost agents' knowledge

The Selling Expedition Cruising: Wave 2024 guide is a live data document filled with offers and promotions

‘Eurovision partnership gives Royal huge appeal', says UK boss

Ben Bouldin, the line’s EMEA vice-president, decided to push for a partnership with Eurovision after failing to secure tickets to last year’s event

Advantage members enjoy post-Xmas surge in sales

Momentum expected to continue this weekend on “Sunshine Saturday”

APT launches BDM recruitment drive following national account manager appointment

APT and Travelmarvel is currently recruiting for two BDMs following Robin Griffiths’ promotion and ahead of the departure of Koral Lipton

Albania, Zambia and Shropshire named as 'destinations to watch' this year

Abta says 2024 will be the year travel volumes return to 2019 levels, with Albania, Aruba, Zambia and Shropshire named among 10 destinations agents should keep their eye on this year

Operators move to bolster trade teams as peaks gets under way

Classic Collection and Kuoni posted about current vacancies within their trade sales teams on LinkedIn

Celestyal hires ex-Virgin Voyages trade marketing executive

Sebastien Pelisse will focus on working with the trade in the UK and Australia to deliver events and boost awareness of Celestyal’s brand and products