Author: Shawon Hannan

Pure Luxury recently hosted two exclusive events for top-performing agents, serving as an appreciation for their support and collaboration. Held at Chester and Newmarket racecourses, these events highlighted the strong partnerships between agents and leading travel brands.Both events boasted a private hospitality experience, complemented by exquisite dining, networking opportunities, and vibrant after-parties, reinforcing Pure Luxury’s commitment to rewarding excellence and fostering industry relationships.Exclusive Events at Premier RacecoursesPure Luxury, a renowned name in the luxury travel sector, organised twin events at the prestigious Chester and Newmarket racecourses. Designed to celebrate and acknowledge top-performing agents, these events provided an opportunity to experience…

Seabourn has introduced a revised spring 2025 schedule for its luxury cruise ship, Encore. The new itinerary covers a vast array of destinations, replacing the previously planned journey through the Red Sea.Expansive New VoyagesThe updated itinerary for the Seabourn Encore presents an exceptional journey, spanning approximately 20,000 nautical miles. The cruise ship is set to cover a wide geographical expanse, from Southeast Asia, across the vast Pacific Ocean, traversing the Atlantic, and finally immersing in the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas. This revised route incorporates 36 distinct destinations across 18 diverse countries, offering a rich tapestry of cultural experiences and breathtaking…

The Latin American Tourism Association (LATA) has embarked on a strategic partnership with The Safer Tourism Foundation, a charity that prioritises traveller safety. This collaboration aims to enhance safety standards across Latin America.LATA members will now benefit from the foundation’s extensive expertise, gaining insights into ensuring safer travel environments. The partnership reflects LATA’s commitment to promoting responsible tourism.Enhancing Traveller SafetyLATA’s new affiliation with The Safer Tourism Foundation is a notable advancement in promoting secure travel experiences. This alliance facilitates access to specialised knowledge, ensuring safety is at the forefront of travel planning. By adopting the foundation’s resources, LATA aims to…

Newmarket Holidays has launched Wimbledon 2025 tour packages, leveraging post-tournament interest.Bookings are open for two and three-day escorted tours, including No. 1 Court seats.Prices for the packages start at £279 per person, with an early booking discount available until August 15.The offering includes a ‘Classic’ package with reserved seating and hotel accommodations.David Sharman highlights the event’s impact and anticipates a larger event in 2025.Newmarket Holidays has unveiled its Wimbledon 2025 escorted tour packages, designed to ride the wave of excitement following this year’s tournament. The company is offering a range of two and three-day packages for next year’s championships, presenting…

Personal Travel Consultants (PTCs) has expanded its team of self-employed agents to 55, welcoming 15 new recruits.These additions have transitioned from diverse backgrounds, including other homeworking companies and high street roles.A remarkable increase in summer bookings saw late-season sales account for half of all sales in the recent quarter.The company observed a 42% increase in year-on-year sales for the first half of 2024.Social media efforts by PTCs have resulted in a substantial rise in self-generated sales leads.Personal Travel Consultants has seen its team of self-employed agents grow to a total of 55, with 15 new recruits joining its ranks. These…

Cruise ship dining has remarkably evolved, enticing food enthusiasts worldwide. From innovative dishes to celebrity chef collaborations, this culinary revolution is notable.The following cruises offer exceptional gastronomic experiences, showcasing globally inspired menus and unique culinary events. Food lovers can indulge in regional delicacies and masterclasses, enhancing their travel experiences.Hurtigruten’s MS Trollfjord: A Tribute to Sámi CuisineEarning a place on Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List is a significant achievement, and Hurtigruten’s MS Trollfjord accomplished this by emphasising sustainably sourced Norwegian cuisine. The dining experience here is a nod to the Sámi culture, featuring Brasserie Árran, where guests relish modern twists on…

AmaWaterways has announced an exciting new incentive for travel agents, inspired by the upcoming Olympic Games in France. This initiative aims to harness the heightened interest in French river cruises, offering enticing rewards for agents promoting these itineraries.The programme is designed to reward agents based on their engagement, providing opportunities to win a European cruise, cases of French wine, and Love2Shop vouchers. This comes amid a remarkable 158% increase in bookings for French itineraries, as AmaWaterways anticipates a surge in demand during the Olympic season.Incentive Details and RewardsThe new Olympic-themed incentive by AmaWaterways is crafted to motivate travel agents to…

Celestyal has unveiled a significant expansion in its Arabian Gulf and Mediterranean cruise offerings, increasing capacity by 30%.This strategic move highlights Celestyal’s focus on enhancing its presence in key travel regions, particularly through the introduction of innovative itineraries featuring its flagship vessels, Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey.Expansion of Cruise OfferingsThe introduction of Celestyal’s expanded cruise itineraries marks a noteworthy development in the cruise industry. With a 30% increase in capacity, the Arabian Gulf and Mediterranean regions are set to experience a surge in travel opportunities. Such growth is driven by the addition of the Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey to…

European air connectivity is yet to fully recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to recent findings.Despite improvements in air traffic, connectivity levels remain significantly below those of 2019, facing several complex challenges.Current State of European Air ConnectivityThe recovery of air connectivity across Europe has been slower than anticipated, remaining 14% below pre-Covid levels as of now. Despite a near-complete rebound in air traffic and passenger numbers, the overall connectivity has not fully recovered. This is highlighted in the latest report by the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe.The report cites various reasons for the ‘weak’ recovery, including geopolitical…

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is preparing to publish its latest assessment of airport accessibility. This follows a comprehensive review of the progress made by airports across the country regarding the ease of access for disabled and less-mobile passengers.The assessment seeks to determine the effectiveness of airports in providing necessary assistance to ensure all passengers are catered for adequately.Consistency in delivering accessibility services remains a top priority for the CAA, ensuring all passengers’ needs are met across various airports.Airports are encouraged to adopt flexible approaches that cater to evolving requirements, promoting inclusivity and accessibility in the aviation sector.The CAA’s…