Travel industry news

Portugal suspends new EU border rules at Lisbon airport three months

Biometric checks introduced as part of new EU Entry-Exit System suspended 'to implement and reinforce' airport's contingency measures, says Portuguese government

Agents confident of Sunshine Saturday sales boost but warn peaks 'aren't what they used to be'

Shifting consumer habits have lessened January's hold on agents, with bookings expected to pick up in the latter half of the month

Barrhead Travel enters peaks with new look 'several years in the making'

The Scottish independent agency filmed a TV advert to support its new branding campaign at its Silverburn branch using travel agent employees

Prestige Travel promises agents 'new programmes' following investment

Trade-focused Canada and tailor-made specialist underlines commitment to agents after attracting investment from Vivid Skies

Consumer champion Which? hails high street agents as trade gears up for peaks

On the eve of Sunshine Saturday (3 January), Which? praises agents for their 'exceptional' customer service and 'unrivalled knowledge'

Hays Travel regional sales manager turned franchisee takes on third shop

Rebecca Holt, who already runs Hays's Chapeltown and Wombwell stores in South Yorkshire, expands into Derbyshire with Chesterfield opening

JF Travel steps in to secure future of fellow Northern Irish independent

JF Travel's managing director Jonny Fielding told TTG he had been in talks with Northcoast Travel since September to ensure the agency continues to thrive on the high street

Eurostar and LeShuttle scramble to recover service after power failure

Eurostar hopeful of running all scheduled services on new year's eve (31 December), while LeShuttle passengers warned of delays

Club Med offers ‘longest sale period yet’ ahead of South Africa property opening

Club Med has launched its New Year’s sale, with worldwide deals on trips booked before the 16th January 2025

'Joy of travel' ensures agents withstand broader downturn in consumer spending in 2025

Consumer spending on 'experiences that bring them joy' ensured travel agents were insulated from the first downturn in consumer card spending for two years

EasyJet secures new winter sun route from Edinburgh starting November 2026

The Sharm El Sheikh route is the 12th the airline has added to Edinburgh's network in the past year

Returning agent uses TikTok to land biggest bookings of her career

Shortly after returning to the industry in August, Staffordshire-based homeworker Lisa Phillips decided to set up a TikTok account – and she hasn't looked back since

Travel insurer's 'no age limit' TV ad banned after being found to be misleading

Advertising Standards Authority rules against Staysure, telling insurer it did not make clear 'the nature or extent of the age-related restrictions' on its cover

Agents told to prepare for 'record peaks demand' with 200,000 more package holiday sales predicted

The industry is gearing up for an intense peaks season, with the UK Civil Aviation Authority predicting a 5% spike in demand

Craig Travel's third branch off to 'mind-blowing' start, boss says

The agency secured funding from Jet2holidays' Scale Up Your Street initiative to open the new branch, which complements its shops in Workington and Cockermouth

Agent signs up for 1,000km all-women charity rickshaw rally across India

Not Just Travel consultant Jo O'Connell, who will complete the challenge with her sister Lisa, told TTG that when the email seeking entrants popped into her inbox, she didn't think twice

Budget carrier claims first with new city break route to emerging capital

Armenia's capital Yerevan among six additions to Wizz's Luton network

Top five major travel brands likely to attract M&A activity next year revealed

BDO's prediction follows busiest year for travel M&A activity since 2018 but comes with a warning that the bar to get deals completed 'is higher than ever'

New TTG podcast episode out now: have turn-of-year travel ads lost their sparkle?

Unpacked launched in early December after a poll found almost 90% of readers said they would listen to a TTG podcast.

The second episode is entitled Have Christmas travel ads lost their sparkle, as editor in chief Sophie Griffiths is joined by TTG’s luxury reporter Emma Dooney and marketing expert Andrew Shelton to discuss the industry’s turn of year campaigns.

Agency takes over town hall to celebrate fifth anniversary with more than 300 client and supplier guests

Travel agent Hannah Porter said she wanted the five-year anniversary of her business to be a celebration to remember

Lincolnshire Co-op's travel lead to bow out after more than 30 years with group

Wayne Dennett, who will leave the Co-op in January, said it had been a 'privilege' to spend more than three decades with the business

InteleTravel smashes through £250 million sales barrier after Q4 bookings boost

The homeworking firm's sales ended up nearly 60% ahead of last year, with average gross sales per agent up by 3% to £5,588

'Quotes aren't just a quick price check': Why I posted about being ghosted on my business social media

Travel agent Annika Nickson poured herself into a tailor-made itinerary. However, when the client went quiet, she called it out on social media. She tells TTG why

Tui hails 'strong and positive' response from agents to 'biggest-ever' peaks sale

A series of competitions, including the chance to win a seven-night Greek stay, are among Tui's turn of year agent incentives