Travel industry news

Ryan Readman joins Newmarket Holidays as newest account manager

Readman joins Newmarket from Ambassador Cruise Line, replacing Freya Sutcliffe following her more to agency Inspire Europe, and will look after agents in the North West and Isle of Man

Agents invited to join new online community aiming to demystify AI tools

AI Hive will aim to ’cut through the noise’ and share knowledge and best practice

Jet2holidays reveals final beneficiaries of Scale Up Your Street campaign

The Good Travel Company, Buckley Travel and Sunlounger Travel all secure funding to open new shops

Classic Collection promotes Jorge Quibell to new head of trade distribution role

Quibell to take on expanded remit overseeing all sales and service operations for the operator’s agent partners, including its regional sales managers, agency support team and contact centre

New rail link and e-gates access feature in UK-Germany treaty

Wide-ranging deal could finally create long-awaited rail service between two countries

Riviera Travel promises Irish agents more fams, tours, river cruises and regional departures

Escorted touring and river cruise specialist plans to work more closely with the Irish travel trade under new country manager Carrie Day and increase the number of tours and cruises it offers the market

Meet Tomorrow's Travel Leaders: TTG reveals 30 Under 30 class of 2025

From entrepreneurs and content creators to employees representing some of the biggest companies in travel and the smallest, together they form a group that’s varied and diverse. Several of this year’s 30 Under 30 began their careers as young apprentices in travel agencies and have since developed their careers within the travel industry.

Meet the 2025 class

EasyJet holidays 'well sold' for summer peak despite UK heatwave and lates trend

EasyJet holidays is 85% sold for the summer peak despite a later booking market caused in part by the UK heatwave, easyJet has revealed in the group’s Q3 results

Loveholidays tight-lipped on potential £1 billion stock exchange move

Loveholidays has declined to comment on reports it is planning a stock exchange flotation that will value the company at around £1 billion only 13 years after its inception

EasyJet ready to set new profit target for holidays arm after further £13 million boost

EasyJet holidays delivered a third-quarter pre-tax profit of £86 million, and is on course to make in the region of £235 million – just £15 million shy of the £250 million target easyJet set for its in-house operator two years ago

Southend airport to fully reopen following fatal small plane crash

Southend airport will reopen fully as investigations continue into the crash of a twin turboprop aircraft that killed four people shortly after take-off

Pakistan International Airlines to return to UK after five years

The UK’s ban on Pakistani airlines has been lifted after a safety audit, meaning services can resume after an absence of five years – with PIA ready to resume Heathrow flights

Tui, Travel Counsellors, Not Just Travel: all the latest travel trade people moves

A familiar face from his time with Funway Holidays has taken up a new role, while Tui’s head of retail is moving on – elsewhere, two of the UK’s largest homeworking outfits are growing their teams

UK and France signal support for opening up cross-Channel rail market

A declaration from the UK and France gives backing to cross-Channel rail competition that could end Eurostar’s monopoly after more than 30 years

Industry must 'step up' to improve disabled access to flying, taskforce chief warns

Tanni Grey-Thompson, who is chairing a new government body examining disabled people’s access to flying, has said no new legislation is likely and highlighted the lack of budget behind the taskforce, saying the industry must step up instead

New home for ex-Travelopia brands Citalia, Sovereign and American Holidays

TravCorp Holdings acquires Specialist Holidays Group

Spending growth with agents all-but flat again in June as travel jobs market slows

Agents saw year-on-year spending growth of 0.5% in June, a marginal uplift from 0.1% in May, with retail spending up by just 0.2%, while the number of candidates looking for travel jobs also fell last month

Taskforce spells out 19 'key actions' to improve flying for disabled passengers

A taskforce chaired by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has spelled out what the aviation industry needs to do to make flying more accessible for the disabled

Indus Experiences rewards agents with extra commission to mark 30th anniversary

Celebrating a 30th anniversary is a big deal, but it doesn’t always have to involve having a party.

So instead of holding a birthday bash, family-owned operator Indus Experiences decided a better way to mark the milestone would be to reward agents with enhanced commission to thank them for their support over the past 30 years.

EasyJet continues to divert flights as Southend airport remains shut

EasyJet has warned of another day of disruption as Southend airport remains closed while investigations into a crash that claimed four lives continue

Perfect Getaways confident of sales boost from first supplier training day ahead of 'really big lates'

Suppliers were able to meet all 45 of the Merseyside agency chain’s staff at the event on Monday, which coincided with the launch of its latest consumer brochure

Winners of the 2025 Travel Marketing Awards revealed

Tui, Cunard and G Adventures were among the big winners at the 2025 Travel Marketing Awards, while Contiki was honoured for its commitment to marketing responsible and sustainable travel

Ex-Funway marketing chief Nick Talbot joins Unforgettable Travel Company

Canadian Affair marketing chief Talbot has taken a new role at luxury specialist Unforgettable Travel Company

InteleTravel boss cautions agents against price-matching as group scales up luxury focus

Price-matching doesn’t buy loyalty, managing director Tricia Handley-Hughes reminded consultants at the agency’s Luxury Travel Summit for its top sellers