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Gold Medal, Simpson Travel, BHX: this week’s travel trade people moves

This week’s moves include Birmingham and Liverpool airports appointing their new travel trade executives and senior partnerships manager Allison Cockburn leaving Gold Medal

Govt hints at restoring right for under-30s to work in EU travel jobs

The UK government is keen to open talks with Brussels about granting under 30s the right to work in the EU, with reciprocal arrangements for UK businesses to attract EU staff.

Royal’s new agent rewards programme to pay up to £500 per booking

Starting 3 September, the line will pay out up to £500 per booking via the new Upper Deck programme as well as a standard £10 for each group booking an agent makes

Iceland's Blue Lagoon spa closes again after latest volcanic eruption

The famous attraction in southwest Iceland has temporarily shut its doors again as a ’precautionary measure’ following another volcanic eruption along Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula

Storm Lilian prompts Heathrow cancellations ahead of 'busiest day of the year'

British Airways confirmed to TTG on Friday morning (23 August) it had made ’some minor adjustments’ to its schedule owing to the high winds forecast

Sri Lanka scraps tourist visa fees for 2024/25 winter season

The destination will allow visa-free entry to visitors from the UK this winter in a bid to boost its tourism industry, saving couples around £76

EasyJet adds Malta and mainland Spain packages at Southend airport

EasyJet adds more routes and packages to its base at Southend ahead of its return to the Essex airport next spring

Portuguese ground handlers to walk out over late August weekend

Ground handling workers will down tools between 31 August and 1 September over pay and working conditions

Joanna Lumley backs calls urging Tui to ditch captive dolphin attractions

Joanna Lumley, Alesha Dixon and Deborah Meadon head list of signatories to an open letter to Tui calling for the operator to stop selling captive dolphin attractions

Holidays By Design buys shop premises following 'runaway success'

Agency acquires Cleethorpes shop from its landlord seven years after opening having massively exceeded its trading expectations

ITC hires experienced partnerships lead Allison Cockburn from Gold Medal

Cockburn joins the luxury travel group after 17 years with dnata-owned Gold Medal

Windstar Cruises unveils first look at new Star Seeker ship

The luxury cruise line will launch its seventh ship in January 2026.

Agency rebrands after 30 years following Fred Olsen Travel acquisition

Woodbridge agency TravelQuest has relocated to new premises and reopened as a Fred Olsen Travel concept store, more than a decade after it was acquired by the south coast miniple

Norway to target high-end travellers in UK as part of landmark initiative

The tourist office is keen to highlight its high end offering and attract more luxury operators to feature the country

Finalists revealed for John Hays Entrepreneur Award 2024

For the first time, finalists will be interviewed face-to-face by Dame Irene Hays and a Hays Travel/TTG judging panel

The new boutique resort in Turkey where a family holiday is child's play

Bijal in Antalya is proving to be a game-changer for families seeking to re-inject fun into their lives

New sleeper rail service to connect the UK with Venice in 24 hours

Starting 5 February, twice-weekly services will connect Brussels to Venice, opening up the prospect of a 24-hour single-change journey from the UK to Italy

How Istanbul airport is enriching the lives of the disabled community

A disability travel advocate is given a personal tour of a ground-breaking facility that is setting the benchmark for global standards in accessible travel.

One third of new Travel Counsellors 'new to the travel industry'

Homeworking firm reveals membership swell to mark World Entrepreneurs Day (21 August)

Carnival Cruise Line strikes deal with Northern Irish tour operator

The partnership means agents can use Travel Solutions’ platforms to book the Carnival Corporation brand’s packages for their customers

Ambassador renews ORCA charity partnership with new itinerary programme

The 2025/26 will see ocean conservationists join Ambience for 11 itineraries and Ambition for 10, the line confirmed

Clia to host agent webinar ahead of new EU border rules taking effect

The trade body will welcome its agent members to hear about updates on the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) at the 16 September webinar

Top 5: The luxury properties agents should have on their radar

Our weekly round-up of the best five-star properties in the UK and abroad is back.

Extinction Rebellion calls for ‘immediate end to the cruise industry’ as new ship targeted

Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas has become the latest cruise ship to be targeted by climate activists across northern Europe this summer