Author: Shawon Hannan
The onset of Hurricane Helene has prompted significant route changes by major cruise lines, affecting holiday plans for many travellers. Companies have been swift to ensure safety, reshuffling schedules and providing updates to passengers.Cruise ships from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, and MSC are among those impacted, as they seek to navigate the unpredictability of the storm. In light of adverse weather, operational adjustments and port closures have forced alternative itinerary solutions, underscoring the industry’s commitment to passenger safety.Impact of Hurricane Helene on Major Cruise LinesThe impact of Hurricane Helene has been substantial, causing major cruise lines to alter their routes…
Email marketing remains a powerful yet underestimated tool within the travel industry, offering reliable engagement.By revisiting this channel, businesses can uncover hidden potentials often overshadowed by social media.In today’s competitive market, many businesses overlook the potency of email marketing as a tool for engagement and sales. According to Andy Headington, CEO of Adido, email remains an essential channel with stable engagement rates. For the past two decades, it has proven to be a reliable medium for capturing audience attention and boosting bookings.Headington highlighted that while advertising on major platforms is increasingly costly, emails can provide “easy wins.” One specific case…
The new river cruise academy programme by Travel Village Group marks a strategic move to enhance sales through comprehensive training.This initiative, born from insights at the Clia RiverView Conference, is set to enrich the understanding of river cruise products among business owners.The Travel Village Group’s decision to launch a river cruise academy stems from a strategic vision to bolster sales through education. Amanda Taylor, the group’s business development manager, and Richard Cross, the commercial manager, were pivotal in conceptualising this initiative after their participation in the Clia RiverView Conference held in Amsterdam. Recognising a gap in the market, they seized…
Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have unveiled their largest-ever Summer programme for 2026, with flights and holidays now available to 57 sun and city destinations from all 12 of their UK airport bases. As the first airline and tour operator to launch their Summer 2026 schedule, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays is offering more seats, routes, and flexibility, supported by an expanded fleet of aircraft, including the environmentally-friendly Airbus A321neo, which is 20 percent more fuel-efficient and 50 percent quieter than older models. With 18.6 million seats available – an increase of 700,000 over Summer 2025 – the programme spans nearly 450 routes, including…
Helen Caron’s decision to depart from Tui Group signifies a major shift within the company. As a stalwart of the organisation, her influence has been profound.Spanning 24 years, Caron’s career at Tui has seen her in key roles that drove innovation and growth. Her legacy and future advisory role indicate sustained ties with the company.Helen Caron’s Departure and Continued Involvement with TuiHelen Caron, a significant figure within Tui Group, has announced her departure after an extensive career spanning 24 years. Her exit marks the end of an era at the travel conglomerate, where she held pivotal roles, most recently as…
Icelandair has announced an exciting addition to its North American network with the introduction of seasonal flights to Nashville. The debut is set for next summer, offering enhanced connectivity.This new route aims to provide increased travel options for both European and American travellers, expanding the airline’s presence in the transatlantic market.Icelandair’s Strategic ExpansionIcelandair is extending its network by adding Nashville as its newest North American destination. This move introduces the 18th transatlantic route for the airline, aiming to strengthen its market presence across the Atlantic. The launch is strategically planned for the summer season, which is predicted to see a…
In the run-up to the autumn budget, leaders in the travel industry have expressed differing views on sales projections. Amid economic uncertainty, expectations vary among major players such as Jet2holidays, Loveholidays, and easyJet holidays.This article delves into the insights and predictions shared by industry executives at the recent Future of Travel Conference, highlighting the mixed sentiments regarding upcoming economic policies and their potential impact on holiday bookings.Cautious Market Sentiments Among Travel FirmsAt the 2024 Travel Conference, Jet2holidays chief executive, Steve Heapy, expressed concerns over recent booking trends, citing a general air of pessimism influenced by governmental economic policies. He pointed…
The recent warnings from the Jet2 chief executive highlight significant concerns about governmental economic outlooks. These predictions by the Labour government, if not managed, could potentially influence the travel industry negatively by creating a self-perpetuating cycle of pessimism.The chief executive of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays has expressed concern about the government’s pessimistic economic predictions. Speaking candidly at the Future of Travel conference, Steve Heapy warned that the Labour government’s “doom and gloom” rhetoric risks becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. Heapy argued that this negative outlook could potentially hinder consumer confidence and business investment, particularly in the travel sector.Heapy further elucidated his apprehensions…
Protected Trust Services (PTS) has strategically expanded its operations by opening a new office in Sunderland. This marks its third location, aimed at enhancing service offerings to its growing membership base.The new Sunderland office will not only accommodate members of the sales and marketing team but will also offer hot desk spaces for visiting suppliers. This move aligns with PTS’s objective to double its membership within the next five years, reinforcing its commitment to better serve its members.Strategic Growth and RebrandingOver recent years, Protected Trust Services has undertaken a comprehensive rebranding initiative. This rebranding is central to its strategy to…
In a strategic move to bolster its market presence, Inspire has announced the expansion of its travel gift card services across major European regions.Targeting a spectrum of European markets with new platforms, Inspire aims to leverage its TravelCard to drive significant growth and customer engagement across borders.Strategic Market ExpansionThe Inspire Group has made a notable advancement by extending its travel gift card offerings throughout Europe. This strategic development comes as part of their keen effort to support the increasing demand for their TravelCard, effectively broadening their market from the UK to several key European countries.The expansion includes fully transactional websites…