Travel industry news

Govt hints at restoring right for under-30s to work in EU travel jobs

The UK government is keen to open talks with Brussels about granting under 30s the right to work in the EU, with reciprocal arrangements for UK businesses to attract EU staff.

Storm Lilian prompts Heathrow cancellations ahead of 'busiest day of the year'

British Airways confirmed to TTG on Friday morning (23 August) it had made ’some minor adjustments’ to its schedule owing to the high winds forecast

EasyJet adds Malta and mainland Spain packages at Southend airport

EasyJet adds more routes and packages to its base at Southend ahead of its return to the Essex airport next spring

Holidays By Design buys shop premises following 'runaway success'

Agency acquires Cleethorpes shop from its landlord seven years after opening having massively exceeded its trading expectations

Agency rebrands after 30 years following Fred Olsen Travel acquisition

Woodbridge agency TravelQuest has relocated to new premises and reopened as a Fred Olsen Travel concept store, more than a decade after it was acquired by the south coast miniple

Finalists revealed for John Hays Entrepreneur Award 2024

For the first time, finalists will be interviewed face-to-face by Dame Irene Hays and a Hays Travel/TTG judging panel

One third of new Travel Counsellors 'new to the travel industry'

Homeworking firm reveals membership swell to mark World Entrepreneurs Day (21 August)

Clia to host agent webinar ahead of new EU border rules taking effect

The trade body will welcome its agent members to hear about updates on the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) at the 16 September webinar

Abta seeking ‘pragmatic solutions’ as EU confirms start date for new border rules

EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson has confirmed the EU’s new biometric border checks will take effect from 10 November, with its proposed new visa waiver scheme to follow in 2025

London City airport's plan to attract more leisure flights thwarted

The government has ruled out allowing London City airport to open on Saturday afternoons, limiting its ability to expand the number of leisure routes it offers

‘We’re not sprinkling sawdust in random places – it’s got to have impact’

Sandals Resorts International chair talks TTG’s Sarah Dennis through some of the work the Sandals Foundation is doing in communities across the Caribbean, and its latest eye-catching fundraising mission

Great Rail Journeys consolidates budget brand under new name

Rail Discoveries, the Great Rail Journeys sister brand, is rebranded and absorbed into the operator’s main portfolio

Huw Merriman: ‘I will always have admiration for travel agents’

Huw Merriman was one of travel’s few friends in Westminster during Covid. Writing for TTG after opting not to seek re-election in July, Merriman reflects on his efforts – and those of parliament’s transport committee – to support outbound travel during the pandemic

Heathrow strike: Border officials confirm peak time strike this month

Members of the PCS union at Heathrow who check passports are set to strike during one of the busiest weekends of the year

First Class Holidays launches Japan and inks sports tour partnership

Long-haul specialist First Class Holidays adds Japan to its range and teams up with Sports Tours International to offer add-on packages for competitors

Marketing pioneers and fairer travel trailblazers: what makes a TTG Top 50 travel agent?

The TTG Top 50 has become the definitive list of the UK and Ireland’s best travel agencies. Here we share a summary of findings from our first-ever TTG Top 50 Insight Report

Court Line at 50: how travel's then biggest failure shaped its future for the better

Court Line’s failure 50 years ago changed travel’s trajectory for ever – this month, Dave Richardson explores the lessons the industry and the trade learnt

Newmarket, Ponant, Explore: this week's travel trade people moves

Intrepid Travel has hired a new chief impact officer, while Exodus Adventure Travels has brought in a new marketing director – these are the latest travel trade people moves agents need to know about

‘Apprenticeships are a second chance and vital to us,' says Dame Irene Hays

Dame Irene Hays tells BBC Radio 4 programme how important apprentices are to the business and remembers the pandemic and Thomas Cook acquisition

WestJet forced to ground planes and pull flights after hailstorm pummelling

Canadian carrier grounds 16 aircraft after a hailstorm pummels its Calgary hub, leading to an average 50 flight cancellations a day

Families of suspected murdered agent pair speak out

Relatives of two agents found shot in a burned out car in Sweden have spoken of their loss as investigations into the suspected murder continue

EasyJet axes hundreds of flights as cabin crew in Portugal walk out

Of the 232 flights easyJet has cancelled, 27 return flights between the UK and Portugal have been pulled, the airline confirmed in a statement

Tui starting to reap rewards of new dynamic strategy, chief exec insists

Tui chief executive says new digital strategy and wider spread of destinations is helping it to reach new clients across the globe

Tui hopeful of 25% spike in full-year earnings with summer nearly 90% sold

UK market bookings for the summer up 5% year-on-year, with prices remaining ’robust’