Author: Shawon Hannan

The cruise sector eagerly anticipates the upcoming Destination Showcase in Gibraltar, a prominent event on the calendar.Set for mid-September, this showcase integrates ship visits, industry insights, and networking opportunities, promising an enriching experience for agents.Two renowned ships, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam and Azamara Quest, will be focal points during the event. These ships represent significant opportunities for agents to deepen their industry knowledge.Organised by the Cruise Lines International Association (Clia), this event aligns with its commitment to enhance professional development among travel agents. Attendees will gain direct insights into the unique offerings and experiences provided by each vessel.Gibraltar will…

Jet2holidays has entered into a strategic partnership with InteleTravel to enhance its distribution network. The agreement will formalise their collaboration, enabling both entities to optimise their service offerings.Beginning July 29, this collaboration marks a significant step for Jet2holidays, the UK’s largest tour operator, as it expands its reach through InteleTravel’s extensive advisor network. This new agreement is poised to benefit both parties significantly.The newly formed agreement between Jet2holidays and InteleTravel will become effective on July 29. This partnership aims to leverage InteleTravel’s advisor base to broaden Jet2holidays’ customer access. This collaboration underlines Jet2holidays’ commitment to expanding its market presence by…

Silversea has announced a significant leadership change with the appointment of Barbara Biffi as the new Senior Vice President of Global Sales.Biffi, who will be based in Miami, is tasked with steering the global sales strategy, taking over from Massimo Brancaleoni.Barbara Biffi’s journey with Silversea began in 2007 when she joined as Vice President of Strategic Marketing. Throughout her initial tenure, she played a crucial role in launching the brand’s expedition offerings. After gaining experience in other luxury travel companies, Biffi returned in 2017 as Vice President of Brand, where she successfully implemented comprehensive strategies in marketing, sales, and data…

Paris’ airports face an impending strike threat coinciding with the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony. The anticipated walkout is poised to impact thousands of travellers.With potential interruptions to airport services, travellers and authorities are bracing for disruption and implementing contingency measures.Scheduled Strike DetailsA strike threat has been issued by the Force Ouvrière (FO) union, impacting airports around Paris coinciding with the Olympic Games opening day. The walkout is planned from 5am on Friday until 7am on Saturday. Such timing suggests that disruptions may coincide significantly with travel surges related to the ceremonies.The union represents 11.5% of the airport workforce, leaving the…

Finnair is set to enhance its flight offerings between London Heathrow and Helsinki, starting this winter.The airline is introducing two additional flights each day, marking a 50% increase in capacity.Expanded Flight CapacityFinnair is significantly increasing its flight capacity between London Heathrow and Helsinki, with the addition of two extra daily flights starting from the winter schedule. This expansion reflects a 50% increase in capacity, an ambitious move to strengthen connectivity across the Nordics and into Asia. The increase will enhance the frequency to six daily flights in each direction, compared with four during the previous summer season.Strategic ConnectivityThe introduction of…

AE Expeditions has introduced a passenger limit to enhance ecological protection in polar regions.Passenger numbers on AE Expeditions ships will not exceed 130, to preserve the integrity of remote destinations such as Antarctica and the Arctic.This change coincides with the upcoming 2024-25 Antarctica season, enhancing small ship experiences with more immersive activities.Company CEO Michael Heath emphasises the commitment to sustainable travel with less than 150 passengers per expedition.New itineraries have been announced for 2025-26, with voyages departing from Australia and New Zealand to East Antarctica and the Ross Sea.AE Expeditions, a leading cruise operator, has implemented a restriction on passenger…

Homeworking offers a flexible, dynamic lifestyle for travel agents, allowing them to balance personal and professional commitments. What does a typical day look like for these dedicated professionals? We explore two daily routines to gain insight into their effective work strategies.Min Harike joined Travel-PA in July 2023, marking a significant career shift. Previously a freelance make-up artist, she realised her potential in booking honeymoons for clients.Travel-PA’s managing director had high hopes, and Min delivered. She achieved approximately £200,000 in sales within her first year.Mondays serve as her rest period, especially after busy weekends with bridal make-up jobs. Tuesday, dubbed ‘Travel…

Just You partners with Incredible Journeys to enhance solo travel experiences.Agents can now create customised itineraries for solo travellers through this collaboration.The partnership offers additional and bespoke travel inclusions for travellers.Customers have options for extended solo touring holidays with unique experiences.The collaboration looks to create memorable experiences for those seeking unique travel journeys.The recent partnership between Just You and Incredible Journeys is a significant development for solo travellers seeking unique, customised itineraries. This collaboration allows travel agents the flexibility to dynamically package solo trips within a ‘one package’ booking, significantly broadening the options available to individuals travelling alone.Just You, renowned…

A mechanical issue forced Havila Voyages to evacuate passengers and crew from the Havila Polaris near Stranda. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.The ship’s propulsion system overheated while sailing to Geirangerfjord on a northbound path. Swift actions by the crew and safety systems averted further problems.Incident OverviewOn 24 July, passengers and crew aboard the Havila Polaris underwent a precautionary evacuation. The evacuation was prompted by overheating in the vessel’s propulsion system as it sailed near Stranda en route to Geirangerfjord. Fortunately, there was no fire outbreak, but the overheating was significant enough to activate the cooling and foam systems on the…

Entries are now open for the Cruise Stars 2024 awards, celebrating rising talent in the cruise industry.With just over a week remaining, agents and cruise lines can still submit nominations for this prestigious event.Celebrating Excellence in the Cruise IndustryThe Cruise Stars awards, recognised for championing excellence, returns to the Grand Connaught Rooms, London, on 13 December. This free event continues its legacy of lauding outstanding individuals and innovations within the cruise sector. The awards celebrate categories like Cruise Line Sales Star, Mentoring Star, and feature the highly anticipated Star of the Year accolade.This year heralds a more inclusive celebration of…