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Travel industry news

New BDMs, Fred Olsen Travel, Virgin Voyages: all the latest travel trade people moves
Virgin Voyages has bid vice-president international sales Shane Lewis-Riley farewell, while Premier Travel has promoted one of its own to a director role. Elsewhere, agents can look out for three new BDMs on the road
Positive summer for agents raises hopes of busy peaks period next year
Not Just Travel’s Steve Witt told TTG’s Agenda 2024 Autumn Breakfast he expected peaks 2025 to be the homeworking outfit’s busiest ever
Updated: EU reportedly ready to delay new biometric border rules again
France, Germany and the Netherlands are understood to have told the EU’s home affairs commissioner they won’t be ready to implement the new Entry-Exit System in full on the proposed 10 November launch date
August air fare rise 'second biggest for two decades', says ONS
New Office for National Statistics figures show air fares soaring in August, with the biggest monthly rise since 2001
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Sustainable travel 'Agora' to return at Abta Convention next month
The agora – or “assembly” – will discuss the subject of Balancing Act: Integrating Nature Protection with Responsible Tourism and will be moderated by Abta’s head of sustainability Carol Rose
Five for 2025: the travel trends agents need to watch out for next year
From action on overtourism and a transition to more meaningful travel to growing demand for late deals, these are some of the travel trends agents need to watch out for in 2025
Trade 'a huge opportunity' for Ramble Worldwide, says new MD Wayne Perks
Perks, who took over from Kevin O’Regan this month, plans to grow the specialist operator’s distribution with the help of travel agents
Travelbag poised to open seventh store and names location for eighth
Tailor-made specialist will officially open its new Cobham store on Thursday (19 September), while its proposed new Harpenden store will open early next month
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Virgin Voyages international sales chief Shane Lewis-Riley to leave line
The international sales vice-president plans to ’pursue new opportunities’ and ’challenges’ after six years with the adults-only line
'Brexit will deprive a generation of the invaluable, life-long skills travel can teach'
’Our industry, and the UK itself, will be much worse off as a result of no longer having access to such a resourceful young talent pool,’ writes Noel Josephides for TTG on the impacts of Brexit on the travel industry
Hays Travel franchisee answers town's calls for a new travel agency
John Stewart’s new Hays Travel branch in Cupar will aim to fill the gap left by the closure in recent years of other local agencies
Agents to power Tui's expansion into Latin American market
Tui has secured partnerships with travel agents in Latin America to launch outbound sales of holidays and dynamic packages using the expertise of its Spain and Portugal teams
Comedian Katherine Ryan to close out WTM London with fireside chat
Ryan will speak on resilience, breaking barriers and her global travel experiences on Thursday 7 November
Paphos to host 10th anniversary Jet2holidays conference
Event set to return to Cyprus for the first time since 2016
Exclusive Barbie experience designed to help agents sell holidays revealed in London
Agents are being encouraged to visit a new Barbie-themed installation in the capital, which “brings a piece of Greater Palm Springs to London”
Riviera trade chief pins sales spike on agent meetings tackling 'the good, bad and ugly'
Head of trade and partnerships Vicky Billing, who joined the company nearly a year ago, believes the escorted touring and river cruise specialist’s sharper trade focus is paying off
Etihad to up Manchester-Abu Dhabi service to twice daily
Gulf carrier to operate 14 flights a week between Abu Dhabi and Manchester, starting in December
Dawson & Sanderson hails ‘truly charismatic’ founder Tom Dawson’s ‘great legacy’
Tom Dawson launched the agency in Ashington, Northumberland, 62 years ago and remained at the heart of the business until the end of his life
Advantage chief: ‘We export people, not economic growth – that stays here’
Julia Lo Bue-Said says the travel industry has an opportunity to make a better case for itself under a new government, and spell out to MPs how its economic contribution is primarily in the UK – not overseas
APT, Inside Travel, Advantage: all the latest travel trade people moves
This week’s travel trade people moves sees APT and Travelmarvel take on its first country manager for Ireland, while Inside Travel Group has hired a new BDM. Elsewhere, Belfast’s Travel Solutions has recruited an experienced hand to head up commercial
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Clients seeking regional departures and shoulder season value, says Advantage
The consortium has revealed some of the main trends its agent partners have seen over the past few months
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UK reveals start dates for Electronic Travel Authorisation regime
The Home Office has confirmed the start dates for its Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme for visitors to the UK who do not need visas
Caribtours promises trade loyalty and new destinations following merger
Caribtours has completed its merger with US-based ID Travel Group, hinting at new destinations and acquisitions while promising not to expand ’for the sake of it’
Passengers are returning to MAG's airports
Jet2 among carriers poised to switch terminals at Manchester airport next month
Eleven more carriers will change terminals at Manchester airport in October and November following the huge redevelopment and upgrading of the airport, including Jet2.com