Author: Shawon Hannan

Riviera Travel has announced the promotion of Will Sarson to a newly established role as Product Director, marking a significant step in the company’s executive restructuring.Sarson, a longstanding member of Riviera Travel, will be pivotal in driving the company’s ambitious product development strategies.Joanne Lynn continues to lead as Head of Product for Europe, ensuring stability and continuity in the company’s European offerings.The company’s initiative reflects its commitment to innovation and adapting swiftly to market demands.This strategic move aligns with Riviera Travel’s ambitious expansion plans for 2026 and beyond.In a significant development, Riviera Travel has promoted Will Sarson to the newly…

Travelopia Tailormade has appointed Luke Swarbrook as the new trade partnerships manager. He brings extensive experience in travel retail and business development.Swarbrook, previously with Blue Diamond Resorts, will assume his new role on July 15, reporting directly to Simon Garrido, head of sales at Travelopia Tailormade.A Strategic Move for Travelopia TailormadeTravelopia Tailormade, the umbrella company for esteemed brands like Citalia, Sovereign Luxury Travel, and American Holidays, has strategically strengthened its team by recruiting Luke Swarbrook as the new trade partnerships manager. This crucial role entails fostering and managing relationships with trade partners, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to its B2B…

Tui Group and lastminute.com are advancing their collaboration, setting a new standard in travel service offerings.Europe’s largest tour operator, Tui, is now the preferred partner for tours and activities with lastminute.com across over 100 countries.This partnership integrates Tui’s new platform into lastminute.com’s existing channels, including web and mobile services.The alliance aims to enhance customer experiences by offering a diverse range of city-break and beach destination activities.Key executives highlight this move as a strategic step to personalise and streamline travel planning.The collaboration between Tui Group and lastminute.com marks a significant enhancement in the travel industry. As Europe’s largest tour operator, Tui’s…

Sail Croatia is expanding its Elegance fleet with two new additions slated for 2025. The expansion will see the introduction of the 36-berth Romantic Star and the repositioning of the 36-passenger Katarina, enhancing the fleet’s capacity and options for luxury travellers.Expansion of the Elegance FleetThe introduction of the Romantic Star and Katarina to the Elegance fleet marks a significant enhancement in Sail Croatia’s offerings. The fleet’s expansion not only augments its luxury capacity but also bolsters its service range, catering specifically to couples and mature travellers looking for an authentic Croatian experience.Details of the Romantic StarBuilt in 2016, the 47-metre…

Riviera Travel has announced the appointment of Will Sarson as the product director, a strategic role formed to bolster the company’s ambitious growth plans.Sarson’s experience and deep understanding of the market are expected to drive innovation and enhance product offerings, positioning Riviera Travel for future success.Strategic Leadership RoleWill Sarson’s promotion to product director at Riviera Travel marks a pivotal moment for the company. This newly created role places Sarson within the executive team, where he will report directly to Robin Shaw, the chief operating officer. This strategic appointment reflects Riviera’s commitment to enhancing its product portfolio and maintaining a competitive…

In an important strategic move, Riviera has elevated Ryan McVinnie to the role of commercial partnerships manager. This decision marks a significant step in reinforcing the company’s commercial team.McVinnie, who has a rich background in the travel industry, moves up from being an account partnerships executive to this pivotal role. His promotion reflects Riviera’s commitment to strengthening ties with trade partners across the UK and Ireland.Ryan McVinnie’s journey at Riviera Travel has seen him rise steadily over nearly six years. Initially joining as a travel sales consultant with Midcounties Co-operative, he transitioned to customer service manager at Thomas Cook before…

Qatar Airways has reported exceptional annual financial results, showcasing remarkable growth in profits alongside a significant increase in social media presence.With a net profit of $1.7 billion, Qatar Airways also boasts over 47 million followers across platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, solidifying its position as the world’s most followed airline.In the 2023-24 financial year, Qatar Airways achieved its most robust financial performance in 27 years, registering a record net profit of $1.7 billion. Revenue surged by six per cent to $22.2 billion, with passenger numbers climbing by over a quarter to surpass 40 million. Such results underscore the airline’s…

Manchester Airports Group has reported a remarkable resurgence in passenger numbers, finally exceeding pre-pandemic figures. This significant milestone marks a turning point for the aviation industry, showcasing a robust return to normalcy.With a reported handling of 61.3 million travellers across its airports, the group has demonstrated an impressive recovery. These figures highlight the increasing demand for air travel as the global market continues to rebound from previous disruptions.Record-Breaking Passenger NumbersManchester Airports Group has achieved a significant milestone by recording passenger numbers that surpass pre-Covid levels for the first time. This achievement underscores a robust recovery in the aviation sector, following…

Incredible Journeys, a touring brand under Gold Medal, has set sights on monumental growth. Fueled by rapid expansion since its relaunch, the brand envisions evolving into a £50-£100 million entity.The strategy is ambitious, banking on empowering agents and partnerships with trade bodies to achieve its target.Simon Applebaum, managing director of Gold Medal, confidently forecasts that the Incredible Journeys touring brand could transform from its current £20 million business into a formidable £50-£100 million powerhouse. This optimism is fuelled by a rapid expansion and relaunch of the brand approximately two years ago.While the figures already reflect significant growth, Applebaum remains ambitious.…

Travel operators are urging caution amidst ongoing wildfires on the island of Kos. The situation is rapidly evolving, with tourists being directly affected.Both Jet2 and easyJet holidays have been proactive in updating their customers, emphasising safety and adherence to local guidance as they continue to monitor developments closely.Current Wildfire SituationThe Greek island of Kos is experiencing significant disruption due to ongoing wildfires. Firefighters are actively battling the blazes with the aid of water-dropping aircraft and helicopters flown in from Athens. As of Monday, more than 100 firefighters were engaged in efforts to control the fire and protect both residents and…