Topics

Ponant boss promises agents ‘exclusive’ port access ahead of UK focus

The French luxury cruise line is expanding its portfolio of destinations as it eyes the British and Irish market.

China is back on travellers’ radars, thanks to the return of Race Across the World.

The latest season takes teams on a 14,000km trek from the Great Wall to southern India, with episode two showcasing a journey to Sanya, China’s southernmost city on Hainan Island. The teams then head inland, exploring less-visited provinces on their way to Shangri-La.

The show has sparked a surge in interest, with China searches up nearly 600% and bookings for China tours 2.5x stronger than last year.

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions to convene travel agent board to boost UK bookings

The expedition cruise line – part of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings – currently sources almost entirely from the US but has plans to attract more customers from the UK

What made Richard Branson change his mind about Saudi Arabia?

Sir Richard Branson tells TTG he believes the time is right for Virgin Atlantic to start flying to the kingdom, despite its human rights record. Here’s why...

‘Don't take things too personally’: 6 pieces of advice agents would give their younger selves

TTG challenged a handful of agents from across the UK and Ireland to share the advice they would give there younger selves – here’s what they had to say

‘It's changed my career!’: the marketer who segued into trade sales – and is loving it

Lewis Quigley freely admits that moving from marketing to trade sales at Scenic Group has ‘changed’ his career

Help us bring back resort reps and chalet hosts, industry leaders urge govt

A group of 67 travel industry leaders have written to the government urging it to lobby Brussels over the Brexit ban on posted workers overseas in forthcoming talks with the European Union

TTG launches industry-first awards programme for luxury agencies

TTG is launching a first-in-kind recognition programme for the luxury travel agency community in the UK & Ireland

P&O Cruises, Audley Travel, Sandals: all the latest travel trade people moves

Tony Roberts returns to travel with Imagine Cruising, while Carnival UK has named P&O Cruises’s new brand director. Meanwhile, two high-profile figures in the travel trade have left their roles after more than 20 years

‘Destinations are reaching their limits, and we need to help,’ say top operators

Addressing Spain’s annual sustainability summit, Spain Talks, senior figures from Tui and easyJet holidays acknowledged the need to address overtourism in holiday hotspots by showcasing destinations at different times of year

Why the Med’s newest theme park is the perfect add-on for Disney-age clients

Paw Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob SquarePants... all the favourites are here, alongside water rides, splashing fun and an immersive new hotel

TTG’s first Insights Brunch reveals top agencies’ strategies for success

TTG’s first Top 50 Insights Brunch saw several 2025 winners share secrets of their success alongside a presentation of the report’s key findings

‘We have MS, and we work in travel – these are our experiences'

As MS Awareness Week kicks off, TTG chats to four travel industry professionals about how they’re affected by the autoimmune disorder

Hundreds of Lincolnshire Co-op staff, including agents, awarded pay rise

The deal, negotiated by the society’s union Usdaw, covers more than 95% of the community retailer’s 2,800-strong team, including its agents

Jet2holidays confirms switch to new contact centre phone number

Operator sets out key change to the way agents get in touch

Former Travel 2 tours consultant Heather Hutton to head up Vista's new touring division

Hutton, who joined Vista parent Hays Travel from Travel 2 five years ago, has been tasked with building on the momentum the agency’s in-house tour operator has sustained since rebranding in 2023

Carnival Cruise Line pulls summer agent event ahead of UK office closure

The Carnival Corporation brand had been due to host ’DoverFest’ alongside sister line Holland America on 20 June

Overnight stays, keeping the engagement going and no more ‘herding’: how lines are changing ship visits

Earlier this year cruise line sales chiefs raised concerns about agents dropping out from ship visits, so TTG asked brands what they were doing to reverse this worrying trend – here’s what they had to say

US bookings ‘steady’ says Visit USA despite Donald Trump factor

Visit USA says cost, not Trump, is a potential barrier in visiting the US following first-quarter responses from agents and operators

Aito to widen membership to start-up SMEs with new associate scheme

Association has launched an associate membership scheme for start-up businesses that do not meet its two-year trading requirement

The TTG Top 50 travel agency where apprentices run the show

Fresh from landing another place in TTG’s Top 50, Cumbria Travel staff share how a strategic focus on apprentices has helped propel its stores to success

Davina McCall to become 'the face of Hays Travel'

Two-time host of the Travel Industry Awards by TTG to feature in independent’s new TV advert and in promotional material

360 Private Travel to charge clients as part of new membership programme

The travel agency says its new model will give clients more control over their travel

From painting in the pool to lost artwork: secrets of a cruise ship art gallery

Clarendon Fine Art offers a gallery experience at sea to help guests engage with art. Sam Cox, senior gallery manager, gives an insider’s perspective on this unique world