Travel industry news

'I turned an underperforming Tui store into an award-winning success story – here's how I did it'

Tui's 'Terrible Two' Debbie Palmer and Julie Anderson were at the top of their game when Palmer left the branch they shared to go and turn around a failing store – so what happened when their friendship was put to the test?

Founders to stay on with family-run agency of 40 years after sale

The agency was founded in 1985 by brother and sister Lee Tate and Lisa Halliday, and will continue to be run by Lee and his team

Seven takeaways from TTG's final Agenda briefing of the year

TTG invited an expert panel to discuss the past few months and what could be around the corner at its final Agenda breakfast briefing of the year

'She was pure light': how Kuoni's Lauren King is honouring the memory of daughter Bebe, killed in the Southport attack

Bebe King was one of three children killed in the 2024 Southport attack – but her parents are determined to ensure her memory never fades

TTG Media names child bereavement network Bebe's Hive as 2026 fundraising partner

The Community Interest Company was set up by Kuoni trainer Lauren King to provide support for grief and traumatic grief after her daughter Bebe was killed in the July 2024 Southport attack

Advantage strategy director Lee Ainsworth to take on additional membership brief

TTG 30 Under 30 alumnus Ainsworth has been with Advantage for 10 years, rising up through the organisation taking on roles across tour operating, operations and latterly strategy

Sri Lanka stands ready to welcome agents' clients in wake of deadly Cyclone Ditwah

Sri Lanka's hotels, DMCs and wider tourism industry are 'on hand' to support agents and help them direct much-needed tourism spend to the country

Agency turns 'flooding disaster' into new start in just nine weeks

Andrew Earles Holidays has relocated to a larger store just yards from its original home of more than 30 years after the shop was flooded in September

Jet2 reveals new year-round Egypt programme in full including four exclusive routes

Airline and operator will serve Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada for the first time since 2011

Agents 'proving their worth' with grasp of new EU border rules

The EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES) launched on 12 October, with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) set to come into force in late 2026

'These package travel reforms are a welcome starting point – but there is much more to do'

Alan Bowen, legal advisor to the Association of Atol Companies, runs the rule of the government's proposed changes to the Package Travel Regulations

Package travel reforms draw mixed reaction as ministers swerve wholesale change

Wider scope for businesses to recover costs from suppliers and no more linked travel arrangements, but more fundamental change kicked further down the road

Travel Counsellors' ranks swell to nearly 4,000 following acquisition of Canadian agency

The deal creates a homeworking operation with total annual sales in the region of £1.5 billion

Video: travel leaders reveal reasons why 2026 will be better for the industry

Improvements in social sustainability, a stabilising international scene and a growing understanding of AI were just some of the topics touched on by Aito delegates.

Remember, DEI is lucrative and sustainability saves you money – plus six more Aito conference takeaways

The rise of AI, an increasingly discount-led market and the business benefits of DEI and sustainability were key talking points at this year's Aito conference in Asturias. Dea Jusufi reports

'They've not done us any favours': agencies forced to cut cloth ahead of peaks after latest Budget

Increases in minimum wage will push up costs for high street agencies – again – with one agency boss telling TTG the chancellor's latest measures would cost their business the equivalent of an extra staff member

Don't lose hope amid bleak geopolitical outlook – but heed cybersecurity warnings, travel told

Ex-British commander Richard Kemp MBE ran Aito conference delegates through a sobering list of challenges, but stressed many were unlikely to materialise – and that the UK was 'in a much better position globally' than in the past

Virgin Voyages to offer daily prizes in TTG Countdown to Christmas

Christmas hampers, champagne and a bathrobe set are among the daily prizes being offered to travel agents who answer a question correctly about Virgin Voyages in TTG Media’s annual Countdown to Christmas advent calendar

Discount-led market 'changing consumers' travel buying behaviours', firms warned

Rise of Black Friday and an ever-strengthening lates market could result in risker business practices, Aito delegates told

Ryanair closes 'Prime' loyalty scheme to new members admitting it is loss-making

Budget carrier admits the initiative was costing it cost more money than it was generating in return

Efforts to reopen Doncaster Sheffield airport gets £57m council cash boost

Nearly £200 million has already been secured from a range of sources to support efforts to reopen DSA

Jet2 to return to Egypt for first time since 2011

Airline and operator confirms plans for new Egypt programme, its first since 2011, which is expected to take off in 2027

Norse Atlantic concedes it won’t make a profit in 2025 after fares soften

Low-cost long-haul airline carrier says lower ticket prices in the summer peak will stifle 2025 profit ambitions

Agency targets 20% sales growth as average selling prices hit record high

Homeworking outfit to strengthen focus on selling dynamic packages and exclusive products, with further incentives for its personal travel consultants