Author: Shawon Hannan
Liz Chapman embarked on an extraordinary journey transitioning from a school teacher to a Jet2.com cabin crew member. Her story inspires many.Driven by childhood dreams, Chapman seized the opportunity to change her career and embraced the challenges that came with it. Her path demonstrates the power of following personal dreams.A Bold Career TransitionIn a bold move that underscores the endless possibilities within career paths, Liz Chapman transitioned from being a dedicated educator to becoming a cabin crew member with Jet2.com. This significant career change highlights how professional aspirations can evolve at any stage in life, encouraging others to pursue their…
AmaWaterways is set to expand its fleet with two new river ships, AmaSofia and AmaKaia, launching in 2026.These additions are poised to enhance the company’s offerings on the Rhine and Mekong rivers, promising unforgettable experiences for travellers.AmaSofia will be the latest addition to AmaWaterways’ European fleet, making its debut on 24 May 2026. This river cruise ship will embark on the Magnificent Europe itinerary, a 14-night journey from Amsterdam to Budapest. The itinerary features guided bike rides, castle tours, and visits to historic cities, providing an immersive cultural experience.AmaWaterways has enriched the itinerary with unique experiences such as pretzel baking…
A prominent homeworking firm is set to accelerate its growth trajectory with ambitious plans to triple its agent base by autumn.Launched in 2023, the company has quickly established itself within the industry, aiming to become a leading agency with major suppliers like Jet2holidays.Expansion GoalsOne Travel Club is on a mission to significantly increase its workforce by the upcoming autumn. Launched just over a year ago, the firm has swiftly become a notable player in the travel industry. Its ambitious target to grow from 100 to 300 agents demonstrates its strong commitment to market expansion.The company, which operates under the Travel…
A cross-party group of UK politicians is advocating for the removal of the ban on direct flights from the UK to Northern Cyprus.Currently, flights from the UK to Ercan International Airport require a stopover in Turkey, a situation challenged by political figures seeking change.The ban on direct flights to Northern Cyprus has been in place since the island was partitioned in 1974. This division followed a coup attempting to annex Cyprus to Greece, leading to Turkey’s intervention. The result was a divided island, with the northern part declared as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), a state only recognised…
A recent incident involving a Boeing 737-800 at Bristol Airport has brought to light critical safety concerns within aviation. The aircraft barely cleared a road during takeoff, raising questions about onboard systems.This event underscores the importance of stringent maintenance and monitoring procedures, as an autothrottle system failure was identified. Investigations are ongoing, aimed at enhancing future safety protocols.Incident OverviewA Tui-operated Boeing 737-800 narrowly avoided disaster at Bristol Airport, crossing a main road at an altitude of less than 100 feet. This occurred due to a failure in the aircraft’s autothrottle system, highlighting vulnerabilities in the cockpit technology.The Air Accidents Investigation…
Prestige Travel is boosting its short-haul team to improve service offerings.A new appointment comes as the company prepares for upcoming strategic developments.Prestige Travel has strategically increased its short-haul specialist team as part of its growth initiative, welcoming Dave Watson as the European sales specialist. With this appointment, the team now consists of five members, poised to enhance service delivery across short-haul destinations. This move underscores Prestige Travel’s commitment to strengthening its operational capabilities and providing exceptional service.Dave Watson brings a wealth of experience to Prestige Travel, with a distinguished career starting at Thomas Cook in West Sussex. His journey from…
Viking Cruises reports significant seasonal losses in its first quarter financial results but remains optimistic about future growth.Net losses for the quarter have more than doubled compared to last year, reaching nearly $494 million.Despite the loss, total revenue shows a year-on-year increase of 14.2% due to fleet expansion and higher occupancy rates.Advanced bookings are strong, with 91% capacity sold for 2024 and 39% for 2025, indicating future stability.The company successfully closed its IPO, raising substantial funds, and continues to prioritise guest satisfaction and employee well-being.Viking Cruises has recently published its first-quarter financial results post its initial public offering in the…
Royal Caribbean Group has unveiled an industry-first loyalty initiative known as the ‘status match’ programme.This programme allows for reciprocal tier status across its Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea brands.Introduction to the Status Match InitiativeRoyal Caribbean Group has announced a pioneering initiative in the cruise industry called the ‘status match’ programme, set to commence from June 5. This initiative aims to provide passengers with reciprocal tier status across its three major brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.By aligning the loyalty schemes, members of the Crown & Anchor Society, Captain’s Club, and Venetian Society can enjoy equivalent tier…
The Covid-19 pandemic underscored the vulnerabilities in global travel and health systems, necessitating the urgent adoption of robust preventive measures.Solidarity in health strategies and digital innovation is key to ensuring seamless travel, even amid future health crises.Lessons from the PandemicThe Covid-19 pandemic brought global travel to a sudden halt, revealing vulnerabilities in our health and travel systems. It exposed the lack of preparedness and highlighted the need for robust public health infrastructures. Many industries struggled, but perhaps none more so than the travel sector, which was caught unprepared for such a global catastrophe.According to World Travel & Tourism Council president…
The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) is launching a series of focused training events aimed at boosting travel agents’ expertise in selling Antarctic expeditions.These ‘bootcamps’ are set to provide in-depth understanding of the unique offerings and challenges of Antarctic travel, ensuring agents can effectively sell this extraordinary destination.Strategic Training Initiatives for Travel AgentsThe Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) has unveiled an innovative approach to boost travel agent competencies through two comprehensive ‘bootcamps’. These sessions aim to enhance agents’ abilities in promoting and selling expedition cruises to Antarctica, a unique and pristine destination. Scheduled for mid-July, the events underscore ECN’s commitment to educating…