June 2011
Travel Trade Gazette
View all stories from this issue.
MSC Divina to debut in the Eastern Med
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
MSC Divina, the new 575 million Euros MSC ship due for completion in early summer 2012, will cruise its maiden season in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Twirltour tsunami orphans charity officially recognised in Sri Lanka
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
A travel agent is celebrating this week with the official registration in Sri Lanka of the charity, Their Future Today, which it set up in the UK in the wake of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami
‘The best date we have is 2014’... Monarch Dreamliner delays drag on
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
Monarch Airlines remains committed to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft despite its order being delayed by at least four years
44 die in Russian air crash
Tue, 21 Jun 2011
A plane crash in Russia has killed 44 people as it attempted to land at a airport in the north-west of the country.
Abta concerned about airlines being excluded from Atol
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Abta is continuing to push for airlines to be eventually included in the Atol system following the publication of the consultation into Atol reform.
Abta hails victory for travel in Brussels
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
The European Parliament has rejected proposals for a two week “cooling-off period” and plans to introduce a European wide tax on aviation.
Abta LifeLine calls for charity push to fund agent’s autistic boy’s treatment
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
?A travel agent is appealing to the industry to help raise funds to pay for the treatment of her three-year old-son who suffers from autism
Abta names five 'red tape' targets
Fri, 3 Jun 2011
Abta has identified five bits of red tape that it wants to see scrapped as part of the government drive to remove unnecessary bureaucracy.
ACE director quits for "new challenge"
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
Flo Powell moves on after two years in the job
Advisor: Bribery law explained
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
Will the new Bribery Act complicate business for operators and agents? Solicitor Julian Yew gives it to us straight
Advisor: Third-party pitfalls to avoid
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
Solicitor Mark Lee shows how operators can safeguard themselves against claims concerning problems with third-party excursionsfrom training reps to wording documents
Aer Lingus strike off after talks with union
Mon, 6 Jun 2011
Aer Lingus has averted planned industrial action this week after last-gasp talks with its pilots’ union.
Affinion International launches specialist cruise team
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
Affinion International Travel has launched a specialist team of agents to support the company’s growth in cruise sales.
Agent in hammer attack robbery
Mon, 13 Jun 2011
A female travel agent has described her terrifying ordeal at the hands of a hammer-wielding robber who raided an agency in the north-west on Friday.
Agents – join the Cruise Portfolio Marathon
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
Calling all cruise sellers…the Cruise Portfolio Marathon, in association with TTG, is up and running!
Agents already seeing boost from joining Aito
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
Two travel agents who have joined Aito Specialist Travel Agents have already seen their decisions to do so pay off.
Agents play waiting game as holidaymakers leave it late
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
A failure to educate the public over capacity cuts is hampering the current market, an agent has claimed.
Air passengers rise but industry remains 'fragile'
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
European airlines carried 11% more passengers in May compared to the same month in 2010 – helping the global aviation industry to record a 6.8% year-on-year rise.
Air Zimbabwe plans to restart selling through agents
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
Debt-ridden airline Air Zimbabwe wants to restart bookings with UK travel agents when it completes the selling of a 60% stake in the company to private investors.
AirAsia sets record with 200-aircraft order
Fri, 24 Jun 2011
Malaysia no-frills carrier AirAsia has signalled its growth intentions by ordering 200 of the new Airbus A320neo jets.
Airbus plagued by accidents at Paris Air Show
Tue, 21 Jun 2011
Two key Airbus planes have been damaged at the Paris Air Show, leaving Boeing to take the limelight on the first day of the event.
Airlines boosted by passenger growth
Mon, 6 Jun 2011
No-frills giants EasyJet and Ryanair saw passenger numbers jump by more than 10% last month while British Airways’ new parent company also saw a 6.4% rise in passengers.
Airlines change flight times to avoid Greece strike
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
Flights to Greece are continuing near to normal this morning despite 48 hours of strike action by the country’s public sector workers.
Airlines in talks to set up new lobby group
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
Discussions are underway to establish a new aviation industry coalition that would champion the sector and its contribution to the UK economy
Airports expected to join general strike
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
Airport workers are expected to join teachers and public sector workers in general strike action on June 30
Aito members to get Atol briefing at conference
Mon, 6 Jun 2011
Aito agents and operators will be given the latest news on changes to the Atol scheme during their first joint conference later this month.
Aito: agents told to get rid of 'time-wasting' customers
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
Agents have been urged to ditch “time-wasting clients” so they can concentrate on customers who will spend money with them.
Aito: agents urged to 'go green' with new campaign
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
Aito Agents has launched a new sustainable tourism campaign ‘Let’s Go Green’ which will offer practical advice to help agents make a difference to the environment.
Aito: Flight Plus reforms will be confusing
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
?The Flight Plus reforms to the Atol system could cause more problems than they solve if the government implements them, the chairman of Aito has claimed.
Aito: UK economy 'set to rebound' in late 2011
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
Consumer confidence is set to improve in the UK later this year which should boost the travel sector, according to a leading private banker.
Aman to open its first hotel in Turkey
Fri, 24 Jun 2011
New addition to mark Amanresorts’ debut in Turkey
AmaWaterways offers agent incentive
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
UK travel agents are being offered an opportunity to earn up to £50 worth of high street vouchers for every client booked on an AmaWaterways river cruise.
Anantara offers trip for young 'elephant reporter'
Fri, 24 Jun 2011
The hotel group is to offer trip for a roving reporter to cover its annual elephant polo tournament
Antigua honeymooners killed with single shots to the head
Thu, 2 Jun 2011
Two British honeymooners were murdered with single shots to the head, a court heard yesterday as their alleged killers went on trial in Antigua three years after the crime was committed.
Aqua Expeditions unveils second Amazon cruiser
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
Aqua Expeditions expands luxury river cruise niche in heart of Peruvian Amazon
Ash cloud continues to disrupt flights
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
Air travel in South America is still being disrupted by the ash from a volcanic eruption in Chile, although flights have resumed in Australasia.
Ash leads to flight cancellations in Australasia
Mon, 13 Jun 2011
Air travel in Australia and New Zealand has been disrupted for a second day, after ash from the volcano in Chile was carried across the Pacific Ocean.
Atol companies demand government 'simplify' APD
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
The Association of ATOL Companies (AAC) is calling on the government to simplify Air Passenger Duty into two bands.
Atol reform: quick guide to main proposals
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Read our quick guide to the major points in today’s Atol consultation document
Atol reform: the CAA talks to TTG
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
David Moesli, deputy director of consumer protection at the CAA, talks airlines, loopholes and the future of the Atol scheme following the publication of the proposed Atol reforms today
Aussie flights resume as ash cloud heads for New Zealand
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
Flights from Australia’s major cities have resumed today after two days of cancellations due to the ash cloud from a volcano in Chile.
Australian flights hit by new ash cloud chaos
Tue, 21 Jun 2011
Flights are being cancelled from Australia’s major cities after the Chilean ash cloud caused fresh travel chaos around the country.
Avis Europe shares surge after deal
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
Shares in Avis Europe have surged by nearly 60% today after a deal was announced for the company to be taken over by its US counterpart Avis Budget.
BA agrees payout over cargo price fixing
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
British Airways has agreed to pay $89.5 million to settle a US lawsuit accusing it and more than 20 other airlines of price fixing their air cargo services.
BA and Airberlin agree new codeshare
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
British Airways and airberlin have entered into a codeshare arrangement on more than 40 flights across Europe.
BA cabin crew dispute finally over
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
The British Airways cabin crew dispute is finally over after staff voted in favour of the peace deal brokered by union Unite.
BA flight grounded after mobile phone incident
Mon, 27 Jun 2011
A British Airways flight from Edinburgh to Gatwick was grounded after the captain allegedly threw a mobile phone from the cockpit window moments before take-off.
Bahrain ends state of emergency as Foreign Office alters advice
Fri, 3 Jun 2011
Bahrain has ended its state of emergency which was imposed after a series of pro-democracy protests in March.
Barrhead expands with two new Scottish agencies
Mon, 13 Jun 2011
Barrhead Travel has opened two new stores in Scotland, bringing the total number of shops it owns to 28.
Best Western campaigns for free internet in UK hotels
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
Best Western has launched a national campaign to ensure free internet for every hotel guest in a bid to save British business up to £1.4 billion.
Bmibaby rapped by advertising body
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
Bmibaby has had its knuckles rapped by the Advertising Standards Authority over a promotional e-mail boasting ‘Massive discounts, baby!’
Branson calls on UK government to regulate oil traders
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
Virgin Atlantic boss Richard Branson called on the government to tackle oil traders damaging the aviation industry and the UK economy by pushing oil prices to “unrealistic” levels
Branson issues last-gasp plea to pilots over strikes
Mon, 27 Jun 2011
Virgin Atlantic boss Richard Branson has launched a last-ditch plea to his airline’s pilots not to go strike.
Branson: no political party has guts to do what's right for Britain
Sun, 19 Jun 2011
Virgin Atlantic president Richard Branson has lambasted the UK government for damaging the aviation industry with broken promises and neglect.
British students killed in Thailand
Fri, 1 Jul 2011
Three British gap-year students have been killed in a coach crash in Thailand.
Brits opt for short haul European breaks this summer
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
Brits are favouring short haul European breaks this summer, new research has revealed.
Bumper April for travel but market still fragile
Thu, 9 Jun 2011
The late Easter and extra bank holiday for the royal wedding have boosted leisure travel sales but demand is still slow to make a comeback in 2011.
Business gurus line up for Elite conference
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
Two entrepreneurial heavyweights have been announced as the headline speakers for the upcoming Elite Travel Group conference in Jersey.
Bust agency leaves 200 clients out of pocket
Fri, 10 Jun 2011
Scheduled airline ticket specialist Crown Service UK Ltd has ceased trading leaving around 200 passengers owed substantial sums of cash.
CAA lays down the law to agents on Atol documents
Mon, 20 Jun 2011
Travel agents could face claims for compensation from customers hit by company failures this summer as the CAA tightens its policy on Atol documents.
CAA upholds Ryanair appeal against Gatwick Airport
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
The Civil Aviation Authority has upheld a second appeal by Ryanair against the charging system at Gatwick airport.
CAA will close 'loopholes' in Atol system
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Travel businesses have been warned that they will no longer be able to exploit “loopholes” in the Atol system following today’s release of the government’s consultation into Atol reform.
Cairo rocked by fresh protests
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
Egypt has been hit by new protests as hundreds of anti-government protesters descended on Cairo’s Tahir Square last night, leaving several injured.
Calls for no-frills to drop soaring card charges
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
?The campaign against the high level of fees for airline bookings is intensifying, fuelled by growing media coverage and Monarch’s decision last week to remove charges for debit cards and reduce credit card fees
Calvert leaves Thomas Cook
Fri, 24 Jun 2011
Thomas Cook is to lose its key tour operating chief following the resignation of Richard Calvert, managing director of mainstream tour operations
Caribbean Tourism Organisation to host agent evening in St Albans
Fri, 1 Jul 2011
The Caribbean Tourism Organisation is holding an agent training event in St Albans next Wednesday, with TTG Media as media partner
Carnival profits to be hit harder by north Africa and Japan
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
Cruise giant Carnival Corporation has warned that its profits this year will be around $160 million lower than previously expected.
Carnival sees profits drop by $50 million as fuel rises bite
Tue, 21 Jun 2011
Carnival has seen its half-year profits fall by 12% as it was hit by a 27% increase in fuel costs which wiped out the benefit of higher cruise prices.
Carnival’s sales hit by rivals’ ‘price dumping’
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
Sales have stabilised in recent weeks for Carnival UK after suffering a slowdown in bookings during the crucial early “wave” season
CCS targets agents with new academy
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
Complete Cruise Solution has launched a new travel agent training programme with 700 graduation cruises available.
Celebrating Aboriginal art in London
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
Think of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef probably pops into your head straight away, but last week at Tourism Queensland’s summer party I was fascinated to hear about the 15,000-year-old history of the state’s indigenous culture.
Christchurch rocked by more tremors
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
Aftershocks have continued to hit the New Zealand city of Christchurch, prompting fears that worse may be to come.
Christchurch shaken by earthquake tremors
Mon, 13 Jun 2011
The New Zealand city of Christchurch has been hit by a number of powerful tremors just four months after an earthquake in the area killed 181 people.
Commenting: terms & conditions
Fri, 14 Dec 2012
Terms & conditions for commenting on ttgdigital
Compagnie du Ponant launches agent tools
Tue, 7 Jun 2011
Compagnie du Ponant is launching two new online booking tools for agents.
Concorde's 'heir' unveiled at Paris Air Show
Mon, 20 Jun 2011
A new jet has been unveiled which could travel from London to Tokyo in two hours.
Co-op agents star in travel money promotion
Fri, 1 Jul 2011
Agents from the Co-operative Travel’s high street shops are the stars of the chain’s new money advertising campaign.
Counting the cost of Heathrow's capacity crunch
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
Nearly two-thirds of airline passengers flying into Heathrow are caught up in holding patterns above London, according to new figures.
Cruise Portfolio appointed key wholesaler for river cruise company
Fri, 10 Jun 2011
Cruise sales agency the Cruise Portfolio has been appointed key wholesaler for Tauck River Cruises.
Cruising down the aisle
Fri, 10 Jun 2011
Natalie Wells from Thomas Cook in Acocks Green, Birmingham won a TTG competition to get married on a P&O Aurora Caribbean cruise on the same day as the royal wedding
CTO poised for legal challenge unless APD is made 'fairer'
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
The Caribbean Tourism Organisation has confirmed to the government that it will seek to take legal action over air passenger duty if the tax does not become more fair.
Cunard defends Queen Mary 2 after health inspection failure
Mon, 27 Jun 2011
Cunard has been forced to defend the Queen Mary 2 after the flagship failed a health inspection in New York earlier this month.
Cunard launches world cruise programme
Tue, 21 Jun 2011
Cunard has launched its 2013 world cruise programme, adding more capacity to the market than ever before.
Demands for change to APD reach fever pitch
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
The trade is being urged to ratchet up the pressure on the government this week by hammering home the message of how APD is damaging travel
Domestic selling tips from the 2011 Brit Awards
Fri, 24 Jun 2011
TTG joined more than 125 top-selling agents at Warner’s Alvaston Hall for the fourth annual Brits and asked Brit Award winners for their UK sales tips
Dorchester Collection expands in Europe
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
The hotel group adds Le Richemond in Geneva to portfolio and prepares for exit of New York Palace
DoSomethingDifferent grows trade sales team
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
DoSomethingDifferent.com has grown the size of its trade sales team with the appointment of Annabel Cove as business development manager.
Easyjet claims APD reforms will hit family holidays
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
Short-haul passengers will be penalised under proposals to revamp Air Passenger Duty, Easyjet has claimed.
Easyjet confirms new business and leisure routes from London Southend airport
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
Easyjet has revealed plans to operate from London Southend Airport from April 2012.
easyJet to expand at Manchester
Fri, 3 Jun 2011
easyJet has signed a new deal to expand at Manchester Airport and will base seven aircraft from the airport by summer 2012.
Easyvoyage founder Jean-Pierre Nadir asks: Can we put an end to 'fake' hotel reviews?
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
Some companies have become experts at selling false reviews priced at £2 to £9 from centres based in India or Madagascar… Let’s try and stop this
Etihad rewards agents for premium sales
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
Agents can earn John Lewis vouchers in an Etihad Airways premium incentive running until July 10.
Euro airlines to see 74% profits plunge in 2011
Mon, 6 Jun 2011
European airlines are expected to see their profits slashed by 74% this year as higher oil and weak consumer demand take their toll.
Euro transport plans slammed by air group
Fri, 10 Jun 2011
An airlines’ association has criticised the European Commision for being inconsistent in its latest proposals for the future of transport across the continent.
European cruise market to spend €10.8 bn on new ships up to 2014
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
New analysis has revealed the European cruise market is expected to spend €10.8 billion on 23 new ships with capacity for 60,630 passengers between now and 2014
Expedia seeks to overcome faceless online image
Tue, 21 Jun 2011
Expedia has begun an advertising campaign aimed at repositioning its brand as more than just a booking engine.
Fairmont ups agent bonus for summer
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
The 60-strong hotel group will double points from July-September
Final chance to win a fam trip to Bermuda
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
Send in examples of Bermuda promotional activity to win a place on September trip
First Choice hits out at no-frills competitors in new ad campaign
Fri, 1 Jul 2011
First Choice has today launched a new summer advertising campaign which emphasises the operator’s advantages over its no-frills competitors such as easyJet Holidays.
First Choice teams up with TripAdvisor
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
First Choice has teamed up with TripAdvisor to enable its customers to check out user reviews and ratings from the comparison site on the First Choice website.
Flight Plus could make agents pay client refunds if suppliers go down
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
Travel agents selling holidays under the new Flight Plus system could end up having to refund customers’ flights and other holiday components themselves
Flight-only Atol customers may not get refunds
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Holidaymakers making flight-only bookings under the Atol scheme will not get their money back if the airline goes out of business under a new proposal in today’s Atol consultation.
Flights grounded in South America from ash cloud
Fri, 10 Jun 2011
Flights have been grounded at airports in Argentina and Uruguay, following the ash cloud from the Chilean volcano.
Flybe makes £4.3 million loss due to ash and snow
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
Regional airline Flybe made a loss of £4.3 million after it was hit by the ash cloud, bad winter weather and the costs of floating on the London Stock Exchange.
Foreign Office issues insurance plea to Brits
Thu, 2 Jun 2011
Around a third of people visiting friends and family last year did not take out travel insurance, new research published today by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office showed.
Former Lunn Poly boss joins Page & Moy
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
Page & Moy Travel Group has appointed former Lunn Poly managing director Ian Smith as its new group chief executive.
Freedom changes Atol fees for agents
Thu, 2 Jun 2011
The Freedom Travel Group is changing the charges levied on agents for using its Atol scheme after losing nearly £1 million from it last year.
Gatwick control tower struck by lightning
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
Passengers at Gatwick Airport are facing delays after lightning struck the airport’s control tower today.
Get Ahead: CV tips
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
Angus Chisholm, managing director at C&M Recruitment, offers some tips on how to ensure that your CV always ends up on the “must interview” pile
Getabed revamps website
Fri, 3 Jun 2011
Bed bank Getabed.co.uk has revamped its website and added new products to its site to mark the company’s 20th birthday.
Global air passengers up 16.5% in April
Thu, 2 Jun 2011
Global air passenger demand jumped 16.5% year on year in April 2011 - a spike mainly attributed to comparisons with April 2010 when the volcanic ash disaster closed down European airspace.
Gold Medal raises commission for 25 hotels
Tue, 7 Jun 2011
Gold Medal is offering an additional 5% commission for bookings made throughout June on a selected 25 properties around the world.
Heathrow breaks passenger records
Mon, 13 Jun 2011
Heathrow has recorded its busiest 12 months ever after serving a record 68 million passengers.
Hellenic Imperial Airways to begin Gatwick-Athens flights
Tue, 7 Jun 2011
Greek charter carrier Hellenic Imperial Airways is launching a new service between Gatwick and Athens with an introductory agent commission offer.
Holidaybreak sells theatre ticket agency for £10.9 million
Mon, 20 Jun 2011
Holidaybreak has sold its London theatre ticket agency as it looks to focus on its education business
Homeworking: holistic support
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
A new initiative from Travel Counsellors aims to support homeworkers’ teenage children. In the first in a series on homeworking, Carlie Trotter finds out how it works, and what other firms offer in the way of ‘holistic’ support.
HotelConnect ceasing trading with 6,000 trade bookings
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
Bed bank HotelConnect has ceased trading with around 6,000 trade bookings.
Hotels boosted by recovery in leisure travel
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
Hotel rates for leisure customers around the world rose by 5% last month as the sector continues its recovery from recession.
How a 'joke' turned into a $1m booking
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
Agency Sovereign Cruise Club has taken what it believes to be the UK’s largest cruise booking
Hurricane season begins
Mon, 6 Jun 2011
Forecasters have predicted a stormy summer ahead, after the start of the 2011 hurricane seasonlast week.
Hurtigruten introduces new itineraries for 2012-13
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
Hurtigruten has launched its 2012/13 Explorer Voyages programme brochure, featuring a number of new itineraries.
Incoming travellers to UK expected to be hit by strikes
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
The UK Border Agency (UK BA) has warned travellers to the UK to expect delays at various ports and airports around the country.
Independence of the Seas involved in helicopter rescue
Mon, 13 Jun 2011
A critically ill woman was airlifted from Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas yesterday, as it sailed off the Dorset coast.
Industry veteran Gurassa joins easyJet board
Fri, 24 Jun 2011
Former Thomson boss Charles Gurassa has joined the board of no-frills airline giant easyJet.
InsideJapan unveils volunteers package to help tsunami clean-up
Tue, 7 Jun 2011
InsideJapan Tours has launched a volunteers package to help clean up areas affected by the tsunami in March.
Ireland asks airlines to reinstate axed routes – or APD returns
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
?Tourism minister warns airlinesAPD could be reinstated if they do not “respond favourably” by resuming routes cancelled during the downturn
ITC brings volunteerism to St Lucia
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
ITC Classics has added St Lucia to its Giving programme of volunteer holidays.
ITT 2011: CAA boss: "Trade could help administer Atol scheme"
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
The trade could be brought in to administer the Atol scheme alongside the Civil Aviation Authority, the organisation’s boss said today.
ITT 2011: Big Two discuss consolidation opportunities
Tue, 7 Jun 2011
The boss of Thomas Cook has confirmed that the Co-op merger will be the company’s last consolidation deal in the UK.
ITT 2011: Big Two stress importance of high street
Tue, 7 Jun 2011
The bosses of the big two have insisted that the high street remains a strong part of their businesses.
ITT 2011: Boss of Monarch insists tour operators are key to business
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
The boss of Monarch has insisted that tour operators remain a crucial part of the company’s business, after its announcement last week that it was increasing its scheduled flights in comparison to charter.
ITT 2011: Expect consolidation in hotel sector
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
The president of Hilton Worldwide Europe said he expects huge consolidation in the hotel sector in the coming years.
ITT 2011: Former Tesco boss urges industry to work with Clubcard scheme
Tue, 7 Jun 2011
There is an opportunity for travel firms to work with the Tesco Clubcard scheme, the former boss of Tesco told travel delegates today at the ITT conference.
ITT 2011: Lord Adonis says "forge relations as close as the airlines"
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
The former transport secretary called upon the travel industry to forge closer ties with government ministers
ITT 2011: see the pictures from the conference in Venice
Tue, 7 Jun 2011
The speakers, the parties, the delegates and more…
ITT 2011: Thomas Cook defends Olympic Packages pricing
Tue, 7 Jun 2011
The boss of Thomas Cook defended the company’s 2012 Olympic packages this morning, after facing questions over pricing.
ITT 2011: Visit Britain boss says tourism body should become independent
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
Visit Britain should become an independent body which is not controlled by government, the boss of the tourism organisation said today.
ITT2011: TripAdvisor is more than simply "rants"
Tue, 7 Jun 2011
TripAdvisor For Business president Christine Petersen encouraged delegates at the ITT conference to make better use of the travellers’ review website, claiming that users do not simply “rant” about hotels.
JacTravel opens property portfolio to trade
Thu, 2 Jun 2011
Inbound travel and online hotel specialist JacTravel has signed a number of distribution deals that will make its property portfolio available to the UK travel trade for the first time.
Jet2 adds Paris flights from Manchester
Fri, 10 Jun 2011
Airline Jet2.com is adding flights from Manchester to new destinations in France and Italy for summer 2012.
Jet2 extends Newcastle to Krakow flights over winter
Tue, 21 Jun 2011
Jet2 has extended its Newcastle-Krakow flights into 2012 to serve the Polish city over the festive period.
Jet2 launches 2012 flights from Newcastle
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
Jet2.com has already put on sale some of its summer 2012 flights from Newcastle airport.
Jet2 profits boosted by passenger growth
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Jet2.com owner Dart Group has seen its profits jump by 18% to £26.2 million as the airline benefited from increased passenger numbers.
Join us on a ttgluxury Experience to Mauritius & Reunion!
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Find out about the upcoming ttgluxury Experience to the vanilla islands of Mauritius and Reunion - an Indian Ocean journey like no other
Just Go Holidays partners with National Trust
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
Coaching operator Just Go! Holidays has teamed up with the National Trust to offer short breaks which visit the Trust’s houses and gardens
KLM adds flight options to China
Thu, 9 Jun 2011
KLM has expanded its flight options to China after offering three extra flights to Guangzhou with China Southern Airlines
Laterooms to promote bed and breakfasts in UK
Fri, 10 Jun 2011
Online accommodation site Laterooms.com is to encourage customers to book bed and breakfasts in the UK as part of a new campaign.
London hotels enjoy 'spectacular' spring
Fri, 1 Jul 2011
London’s hotel market has taken off over the last few months with rates rising by 11.4% since the start of the year.
'Look after your customers and staff, and the business will look after itself'
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
That sounds trite, oversimplistic and, frankly, a lesson in the “bleeding obvious”. But it’s the rock on which Tesco’s success over the past 20 years has been built - and it’s a message that Sir Terry Leahy brought to life in a presentation at the ITT Conference
Lucy Siebert joins TTG
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
Aviation and travel heavyweight to head up news at TTG
Marketing overhaul for Take Me Too
Mon, 13 Jun 2011
Niche holiday specialist Take Me Too is launching a mega marketing strategy as it re-organises and expands its product portfolio.
Marketing: Agents boost awareness of Bermuda
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
Last month, agents from all over Britain came up with ways to promote Bermuda Day and grow customer awareness of the destination for our exclusive fam competition. Now the 10 marketers bound for Bermuda have been chosen, we hear from two of the best
Marketing: Focus on sponsorship
Thu, 9 Jun 2011
Marketing expert Gary Grieve looks at the power of sponsorship as the Olympics countdown begins
Marrakech opening for Four Seasons
Fri, 24 Jun 2011
The luxury hotel group has opened its latest property
MedHotels case extended until today
Fri, 1 Jul 2011
The Med Hotels appeal hearing has been extended until today, as lawyers for HM Revenue and Customs seek to prove that the bed bank was acting as a principal.
MedHotels launches second appeal against £7.1m VAT bill
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
Accommodation-only specialist MedHotels has today launched its second appeal over a £7.1 million VAT bill
MedHotels tries to persuade judge in latest VAT appeal
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
Lawyers for MedHotels have again attempted to demonstrate that the bed bank acted an agent - and not a principal - in a bid to stop having to pay £7 million in VAT
Monarch adds to overseas purchasing team
Thu, 9 Jun 2011
Monarch Travel Group has appointed Peter Venn as overseas purchasing manager.
MSC returns to Tunisia
Mon, 13 Jun 2011
MSC Cruises has revealed plans to return to Tunisia starting from this summer.
My Travel Career: John Warr
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
John Warr, head of retail sales, Thomas Cook, shares his career history with us
Mystery Shopper: June 16, 2011
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
Caroline Geddes, of Thomson’s Northumberland Street branch in Newcastle, scored 88% and was travel seller of the week. Find out why
Mystery Shopper: June 23, 2011
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Joanne Jones, from Thomas Cook’s Fishergate branch in Preston, scored 82% and was travel seller of the week. Find out why
Mystery Shopper: June 30, 2011
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
Zoe Bennett, from Travel Angels in Warminster, scored 90% and was travel seller of the week. Find out why
Mystery Shopper: June 9, 2011
Fri, 10 Jun 2011
Andrea Humble of Thomson in Darlington scored 94% and was travel seller of the month. Find out why
NCL passenger falls overboard
Tue, 21 Jun 2011
A passenger was rescued after falling overboard into the Mississippi from Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Spirit.
NCL's Norwegian Dawn undergoes multi-million dollar refurbishment
Fri, 3 Jun 2011
Norwegian Cruise Line is conducting a multi-million dollar refurbishment on Norwegian Dawn while the vessel is in dry dock in the Bahamas
New AmaWaterways vessel to boast river cruising first
Thu, 2 Jun 2011
AmaWaterways has revealed it will add a new vessel to its fleet next year which it claims will boast plenty of river cruising ‘firsts’.
New cruise option for Indo-China
Fri, 24 Jun 2011
A new luxury ship will allow cruises in style on the Mekong Delta
New Heathrow boss faces snow challenge
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
Airports operator BAA has appointed a new chief operating officer for Heathrow who will be tasked with implementing the airport’s new plan to stop a repeat of the chaos caused by snow last winter.
New hotel audits "could give trade due diligence defence"
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
Hotel auditing body Check Safety First is creating online health and safety reports for agents and operators to download free of charge.
New ITT board members announced
Mon, 20 Jun 2011
The results of the ITT election have been announced, with three new members joining the board, and two existing board members standing down.
New Orion ship is christened
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
Three godmothers christened the latest addition to Orion Expedition Cruises on Sunday.
New VisitBritain marketing head to roll out mega campaign
Fri, 10 Jun 2011
VisitBritain has appointed Joss Croft as head of marketing as the tourism agency prepares to roll out its £100 million promotional campaign over the next four years.
Niche cruise line adds Western Med journeys
Thu, 9 Jun 2011
Voyages to Antiquity has introduced six new Western Mediterranean cruises in its 2012 brochure.
Oakes rejoins Holiday Taxis to drive business travel sales
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
Chris Oakes has rejoined HolidayTaxis.com after nine months away to take the role of general manager of its corporate brand BusinessTaxis.com.
Oceania and Regent Seven Seas expands international sales team
Tue, 21 Jun 2011
Sister cruise operators Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises have announced a number of appointments and some reshuffling of responsibilities.
OFT upholds super complaint against card surcharges
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
The Office of Fair Trading has upheld the consumer group Which?’s super complaint on card surcharges.
Olympic launches summer 2012 packages early
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
Olympic Holidays has put its summer 2012 packages online around two months ahead of its original planned brochure launch.
Olympics boss to speak at Business Travel Market
Thu, 9 Jun 2011
London Olympic Games chief Paul Deighton will headline day two of this month’s Business Travel Market as keynote speaker.
Omega World Travel joins GTMC
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
Omega World Travel has become the latest company to join the guild of Travel Management Companies.
Orlando tourism websites targeted by hackers
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
Orlando, Florida is being targeted by a group of hackers, who have begun their crusade against the US city by taking down a key tourism website.
P&O boosts capacity by 24% for world cruises in 2013
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
P&O Cruises has launched its largest ever world programme, with four of its ships visiting 94 destinations in 52 different countries
P&O Cruises rearranges itineraries to avoid Libya
Fri, 24 Jun 2011
P&O Cruises has cancelled calls to Libya because of the continuing conflict in the north African country.
P&O ship dented after knocking into quayside
Fri, 3 Jun 2011
P&O’s Oriana suffered a dent after knocking into a quay at her last port of call in Norway this week.
Panda attack: Make sure your website ticks Google's boxes
Thu, 2 Jun 2011
If you woke up in April to find your website traffic had plummeted and your previously well ranked site was now hidden deep within search results, then you may have been suffering from the Panda ‘attack’, says Dot Tourism director Dominic Sawyer
Papua New Guinea looks to UK for tourism growth
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
?After coming on its first sales visit to the UK, Papua New Guinea has set its sights on the British market to boost visitor numbers
Plunge in oil price gives hope to travel industry
Fri, 24 Jun 2011
A dramatic fall in oil prices is giving hope that one of the travel industry’s biggest costs will ease.
Pollard joins Bookable Holidays
Mon, 6 Jun 2011
Former On The Beach commercial director Johnny Pollard has joined online travel agency Bookable Holidays as the company seeks to expand its turnover and operations.
Porritt warns travel trade on eco-tourism
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
A leading green campaigner has warned the travel industry that the case for sustainable tourism will look “increasingly frail” unless it deals with key aspects of the way the industry is run.
Portman Travel to debut new mobile tool in UK
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Portman Travel has become the first UK partner for a new mobile itinerary tool developed by software company Truvle.
Protesters take to the streets in Morocco
Mon, 20 Jun 2011
Around 10,000 protesters have taken to the streets of Casablanca against King Mohammed, in protest that his constitutional changes do not go far enough.
Qantas looks to axe international services
Mon, 27 Jun 2011
Qantas will unveil a big shake-up of its international services in August warning that it will axe some unsustainable routes and rely more on its oneworld partners in the future, including British Airways.
Regent Seven Seas increases prices
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
The European boss of Regent Seven Seas has said that the line is upping its prices at the end of June because its cruises have sold so well in recent months.
Region in Afghanistan to be developed as tourist destination
Mon, 6 Jun 2011
A region of Afghanistan is to be promoted as a tourist destination by American and Afghan officials.
Ritz-Carlton moves into Muscat
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
Ritz-Carlton has signed an agreement with the Oman Ministry of Tourism to take management of the Al Bustan Palace
Royal Caribbean to base Voyager in China
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
Royal Caribbean has made a major move into the Chinese market by deciding to base Voyager of the Seas from Shanghai for summer 2012.
Ryanair hit by email scam
Mon, 13 Jun 2011
Ryanair has fallen victim to an email scam which tries to dupe people into paying for visa applications in order to get a job with the airline.
Sabre files anti-trust claim against AA
Thu, 2 Jun 2011
Sabre Holdings yesterday filed an anti-trust claim against American Airlines (AA) in a bid to “protect the transparency of information regarding prices that airlines charge consumers for their flights and services”.
Scammers steal identity of travel jobs website
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
Agent job hunters are being warned about a scam affecting online recruitment agencies
Seabourn to maintain identity despite Seattle move
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
Seabourn president Rick Meadows said the upmarket line will retain its own identity, despite its recent move to Holland America Line’s base in Seattle
Self-drive holidays hit by rising fuel price
Fri, 10 Jun 2011
Soaring fuel prices on the continent could put off UK holidaymakers from taking a European road trip this summer.
Selling power: Notes from a Mary Portas masterclass
Thu, 9 Jun 2011
What can the Queen of the British Aisles teach agents? Find out here
Selling Power: What is your selling style?
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Are you more of a Lady Gaga than an Alan Sugar when it comes to selling? Take our quiz to find out
Serenade of the Seas to be based from Dubai for 2012-13
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Royal Caribbean will base Serenade of the Seas from Dubai for the winter 2012-13 season.
Shearings appeals to last-minute bookers
Thu, 9 Jun 2011
Shearings has launched a late deals brochure in a bid to help travel agents cater to the growing number of last-minute bookers.
Shearings slashes summer prices in 48-hour sale
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
Coach operator Shearings has moved to stimulate demand for the summer peak months by offering discounts of up to £600 in a two-day sale.
Silversea managing director to leave company
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
Luxury cruise line Silversea has confirmed that its managing director Trudy Redfern is to leave the company.
Singer Rihanna partners with Barbados Tourism
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
Pop starlet Rihanna has signed a multi-year deal with the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) to promote her hometown island of Barbados as a tourist destination.
Spectre of second global recession puts Virgin Atlantic’s A380s on hold
Sun, 19 Jun 2011
Virgin Atlantic boss Richard Branson says his airline has a strong share of the business travel market but warns another recession could hit fleet expansion plans.
Stars come out for VisitBritain adverts
Mon, 20 Jun 2011
Judi Dench, Jamie Oliver, Twiggy and Dev Patel are among the stars of a VisitBritain international TV campaign launched today
Strike to halt Heathrow Express again
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
Heathrow Express trains are unlikely to run next Sunday due to a planned 24-hour strike.
Summer 2011
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Contents include Grenada, Istanbul, Tasmania, and utilising video and social media
Sunvil launches a series of 'green' initiatives
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
Sunvil Holidays is celebrating the Travel Foundation’s ‘Make Holidays Greener’ week with a number of environmental initiatives.
Superbreak and Explore could be auctioned by parent company
Mon, 13 Jun 2011
Holidaybreak is understood to be looking breaking itself up by selling several businesses to focus on its education division.
Talks under way to avert Aer Lingus strike action
Mon, 6 Jun 2011
Hopes have been raised that the planned strike by Aer Lingus which was due to begin on Tuesday morning, could now be called off.
TAP Manchester flight opens up long-haul options
Thu, 2 Jun 2011
TAP Portugal’s new Manchester-Lisbon service is already proving popular with Brits in the North West heading to the Portuguese capital and beyond.
Tech Q&A: Chris Nixon, Kelkoo Travel
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
Chris Nixon was managing director at Travesupermarket.com for eight years, and after a short break has returned to the world of online travel
Tech: Is Groupon a friend or foe to the UK travel industry?
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
Groupon has partnered with Expedia in the US to create ‘Getaways’. With flash sales growing in popularity, how would a move to the UK affect the travel trade?
Technology: Are you prepared for the 'mobile wallet'?
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
?Two new global studies commissioned by GDS giant Amadeus highlight how the aviation and hotel sectors should look to mobile to grow revenue over the next five years, following soaring growth in the way smartphones are used in the customer’s “travel lifecycle”
Technology: Website of the week
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
Dominic Sawyer, director at Dot Tourism, reviews the new-look EnjoyEngland homepage…
Teletext launches new marketing campaign
Fri, 3 Jun 2011
Teletext Holidays is launching a new marketing campaign on Monday (June 6) aimed at boosting demand for the lates market.
Thai Airways to refurbish aircraft on London route
Mon, 20 Jun 2011
Thai Airways has begun a refit of its long-haul aircraft that includes fitting seatback TVs in economy cabins.
The Atol reforms are finally published
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
The announcement, the reaction….and the devil in the detail for the travel trade. Read the stories here
The oddest jobs in travel
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
Some hotel jobs just sound too good to be true. James Liston speaks to eight employees with quirky-sounding jobs to find out what they contribute to the guest experience.
The TTG Analysis: APD to take its next step
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
Chancellor George Osborne was in his Treasury office last Thursday, it’s a fair bet he allowed himself a sly peek through the curtains at the 35 mainly female Virgin Atlantic cabin crew protesting on his doorstep
Thomson Holidays launch child-free holidays
Mon, 13 Jun 2011
Thomson Holidays has launched a new programme guaranteeing child-free holidays for adults.
Thomson offers kids-free places in summer drive
Fri, 24 Jun 2011
Thomson is offering hundreds of ‘Kids Go Free’ holidays for the peak summer period as it launches a new press campaign today.
Thomson's biofuel flight to be UK passenger first
Fri, 1 Jul 2011
Thomson Airways is to become the first UK airline to fly passengers on sustainable biofuel.
Tornadoes continue to wreak havoc in US
Fri, 3 Jun 2011
The US has been hit by a series of tornadoes again, which have killed at least four people in the north-east of the country.
Tourists killed after drinking poisoned alcohol in Europe
Fri, 3 Jun 2011
A tourist group made up of travel delegates has reportedly drinking poisoned alcohol from a yacht in the resort of Bodrum.
Transport to be hit as Greece goes on general strike
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
Greece is bracing itself for a general strike, which will see ports closed for 24 hours, Greek Railways on strike and no services to or from the airport on the metro line.
Travel 2 launches mobile website
Thu, 9 Jun 2011
Travel 2 has launched a new website that allows agents to access the long-haul tour operator’s information using their mobile phones.
Travel faces more strikes as summer peak approaches
Tue, 21 Jun 2011
The travel industry is bracing itself for a raft of strikes as industrial action grips Greece and the vote on strike action by Virgin Atlantic pilots is announced.
Travel hopes prices will hold for summer despite discounts
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
Agents and operators are hoping that prices are going to hold this summer despite customers leaving it late to book and a range of discounts in the market
Travel trade insurance in the spotlight in Westmnister
Mon, 25 Jul 2011
Brokers, underwriters and insurers join UK General event in Parliament
Travellers to face big delays tomorrow at UK airports and ports
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
Travellers have been warned to expect delays at UK ports and airports tomorrow when hundreds of immigration and customs officers join the UK public sector strike.
Travelport wins injunction against American Airlines
Thu, 2 Jun 2011
Travelport has won an injunction against American Airlines that will force the airline to reinstate its fares on Orbitz immediately.
Travel's famous five make top 100 private firms
Mon, 27 Jun 2011
A total of five travel firms have been named in this year’s Sunday Times Deloitte Top Track 100 list of the UK’s top private companies.
Trekiz claims first 'web 3.0' booking platform
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
If you were only just starting to get your head around web 2.0, one company is now claiming it has developed the first web 3.0 travel platform
Tsunami-damaged area gets Unesco boost
Mon, 27 Jun 2011
A tsunami-ravaged area of Japan has been boosted by one of its major sites being given Unesco World Heritage Site status.
TTA Worldchoice group marketing director leaves consortium
Fri, 3 Jun 2011
TTA Worldchoice’s group marketing director Eleanor Sheppard has left the consortium.
TTG – June 2 digital edition
Wed, 1 Jun 2011
Your digital edition of TTG for June 2 is now published - view it here
TTG June 16 2011
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
The June 16 digital edition of TTG is now available to read online
TTG June 23, 2011
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
The June 23 digital edition of TTG is now available to read online
TTG June 30, 2011
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
The June 30 digital edition of TTG is now available to read online
TTG June 9, 2011
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
Read the June 9 edition of TTG
TTG Virtual: Luxury: 'Agents need to become their own brand'
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
Successful travel agents are those who create their own brand, the chief marketing officer of Ritz-Carlton Hotels told delegates at today’s TTG Luxury: Virtual event.
Tui Travel loses place in FTSE 100
Wed, 8 Jun 2011
Europe’s biggest tour operator Tui Travel will lose its ‘blue chip’ status after being relegated from the list of the UK’s 100 leading shares.
Tui's Long gets three-year contract extension
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
Tui Travel chief executive Peter Long has had his contract with the company’s majority shareholder Tui AG extended for three years.
UK Holiday park offers 15% commission for agents
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
A UK holiday park owner is offering commission levels of 15% for travel agents, in a bid to work more closely with the trade.
US booming for luxury operator
Thu, 9 Jun 2011
Sales to US destinations are surging on the back of a strong pound against the dollar according to Seasons.
Valencia targets UK in marketing push
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
The Valencia Region Tourist Board has launched a new €5 million marketing campaign aimed at promoting the destination both iin key international markets such as the UK.
Venice to impose hotel bed tax from July 1
Fri, 10 Jun 2011
Authorities in Venice will impose a hotel bed tax from July 1, the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) revealed today.
Violent clashes continue in Cairo
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
Officials in Egypt have ordered a probe into overnight clashes between police and protesters after fresh clashes broke out yesterday following Tuesday’s demonstrations in Cairo.
Virgin Atlantic faces strike as ballot result looms
Mon, 20 Jun 2011
Virgin Atlantic’s summer services could be hit by strikes if pilots vote for industrial action this week
Virgin Atlantic locked in talks with pilots' union over strike
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
Pilots union Balpa is today locked in talks with Virgin Atlantic to avoid a potential strike.
Virgin Atlantic pilots vote to go on strike
Tue, 21 Jun 2011
Virgin Atlantic pilots have voted to go on strike for the first time in the history of the airline due to a dispute over pay.
Virgin Atlantic to offer Cancun flights
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
Virgin Atlantic is to launch a new service to Cancun fron Gatwick, starting in June 2012.
von Essen founder 'over-estimated' assets
Mon, 27 Jun 2011
Administrators have accused von Essen hotel chain founder Andrew Davis of overestimating the assets of the company.
Warnings for market in wake of Dreamticket demise
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
An online long haul operator is warning that despite a boost in business following the demise of Dreamticket last month, the market should expect further consolidation.
Which? urges airlines to follow Monarch's lead on card charges
Fri, 3 Jun 2011
More airlines have been urged to follow Monarch’s example and scrap debit card fees by consumer rights organisation Which?
Your questions answered on the Atol reforms
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
The industry has given broad support to plans to reform consumer protection under the Atol system despite the initial burden of financial protection falling more on to the travel agent
Your videos: a great opportunity with TTG Media and Exposure4
Fri, 10 Jun 2011
Watch this film to discover how working with TTG TV and Exposure4 can benefit your business
