ABTA has announced its overseas Travel Convention will be held in Madeira, Portugal next year.  The event will take place from 12-14 October 2026, and delegates will stay at the Savoy Palace Hotel.  Visit Portugal President Carlos Abade said: “We are delighted to welcome ABTA’s Conference to Madeira. With its breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality, Madeira embodies the very best of Portugal.  “The UK remains one of our most important tourism markets, and we greatly value the strong and long-standing relationship between our two countries. Hosting ABTA in Portugal is a unique opportunity to further strengthen these ties and to showcase our continued commitment to providing UK travellers with truly unforgettable experiences.” ABTA Chief Executive Mark Tanzer said: "We’re thrilled to be taking ABTA’s annual Convention to Madeira in 2026. Whilst we’ve had the pleasure of holding the Convention in other parts of Portugal – Lisbon in 2001 and the Azores in 2017 – this is the first time we’ll be heading to Madeira, for what promises to be a standout event."

Specialist Holidays Group has signed up two former members of Classic Collection’s trade team. Jorge Quibell, who was Head of Trade Distribution before Classic closed down two weeks ago, has become Head of Trade Partnerships, reporting to Sales Director Simon Garrido. Kim Sellman, who was Key Account Manager at Classic, joins as Trade Partnerships Manager, working alongside Luke Swarbrook who joined the team last year. She will report to Jorge. Both are newly created roles. Specialist Holidays Group's portfolio includes the American Holidays, Citalia and Sovereign Luxury Travel brands. Simon said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to move quickly to secure these valuable appointments. Jorge and Kim, two respected industry colleagues, bring great knowledge and experience to our trade team. “Alongside Luke, we can now fast track our trade strategy and promote our brands more widely with our travel partners. This is a great result for everyone involved.”

ABTA and the European Union are warning of dozens of fake websites selling the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) visa waiver, which is due to launch next year. Speaking at the Travel Convention in Calvià, Mallorca, ABTA Director of Public Affairs Luke Petherbridge said more than 60 fake websites are already circulating online claiming to sell the yet-to-be-introduced visa waiver. Luke said: “There’s quite a lot of fraud going on, despite the fact that it [ETIAS] is not live and you cannot buy it. “The European Union is very keen to stress the fact that there is only one official site for purchasing an ETIAS visa-waiver, and people should not use other channels.” He said there are some sites that can legally sell an ETIAS, but people are advised to use the official website. The ETIAS is set to come into force in the third quarter of 2026, around six months after rollout of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), although no specific timeline has been unveiled. It will cost €20 and be valid for three years, or until a passport expires, whichever comes first. All UK passport holders will need an ETIAS. It will be free for travellers under the age of 18 and those aged over 70. Luke added: “The enforcement of ETIAS will gradually be set up over a period of a year, so for the first six months, holidaymakers will be waved through regardless. “For the second six months, Brits will have one further trip where they will be waved through until the visa waiver is enforced.” The introduction of ETIAS relies on the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which will come into force next week on 12 October for UK and other non-EU nationals. It will require travellers to register at the border by scanning their passport and having their fingerprints and photograph taken. Biometrics will be taken when entering Schengen area countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, as well as EU countries, but it will not be required when travelling to Ireland and Cyprus. Luke said ‘travellers should be prepared to wait slightly longer’ when arriving in Schengen areas. He added: “We are advising people to be more aware of their travel plans.” The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has updated its advice on EES before its introduction next week. When ETIAS does come into force, UK holidaymakers can purchase the visa waiver from the European Union’s official site, here.

AITO will hold its 2026 Famference in Switzerland’s Saas Fee next June. Hosted by Switzerland Tourism, the event will take place from 18-21 June, and up to 40 agents and operators will stay at either the Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa or The Capra. Excursions during the event will include marmot feeding, e-bike rides, husky trekking and glacier tours. AITO Executive Director Martyn Sumners said: “We believe that this is a brilliant opportunity for AITO Specialist Travel Agents and Tour Operators alike to see – and experience for themselves – some of the many exciting options available for keen travellers that are available in Saas Fee and in Switzerland as a whole, and we thank Saas Fee Tourism, Travel Switzerland, Switzerland Tourism hugely for their efforts in arranging such an interesting, and action-packed, fam trip for AITO.” AITO Specialist Travel Agents Chair Gemma Antrobus added: “Personally, I can’t wait to experience for myself the amazing range of options that Switzerland Tourism is arranging for us!  It promises to be a very different Famference this year – our first in the mountains – and I am sure that it will be hugely appreciated by all who join us in Saas Fee.  Thank you very much, Switzerland!”.

TUI UK Managing Director Neil Swanson was singing the praises of independent travel agents at the ABTA Travel Convention this week, saying he ‘couldn’t be happier’ with their performance. Independents now account for 10% of TUI’s bookings, while its own retail footprint is ‘steady’. It has added ‘a few shops’ of its own this year, said Neil, but sales via independents are growing faster. “Clearly independent agents are doing well and as people understand our product more and trust us more we will grow,” he said. Neil admitted that there was ‘a degree of cynicism’ when TUI announced its intention to work with independents again two years ago, but he said he now receives ‘a lot of positive comments’ from agents. Having spoken to independents at the Convention this week, Neil said he realised there was a demand for more face-to-face events to educate them on TUI’s product. “We will be looking at doing more of that, at airports for example, because we want to make sure everyone has the information they need,” he said. TUI is also increasing the number of agents on fam trips by 10%, taking 20 agents on 10 trips a year, and it’s also looking at expanding its trade sales team of 17. “If people think that would be valuable, why wouldn’t we?” he said. “Independents are giving us access to new customers because there is no doubt that people who book with an independent agent are always going to book with an independent agent, so we are picking up booking through them from customers who would previously have booked with easyJet, Jet2 or another brand.” Neil also revealed that more than half of TUI’s customers are now booking on mobiles since the launch of its app, but he said they’re clients who would previously have booked on desktop, rather than via an agent. TUI’s decision to increase its ATOL by ‘a modest’ 2% to just shy of six million passengers for 2026, after keeping it flat last year, was partly due to its growth through independents, he added. “We think there is an opportunity [for growth], we have sold the volume we wanted to sell this year and we see an opportunity to sell a little bit more, with the work we have been doing with independent agents.” TUI will launch its summer 2027 programme on 15 October. “Some people still want to book early,” added Neil. “People are talking about it being a late booking market, but this year hasn’t been later than last year and there are people who will always want to book as soon as a new season goes on sale.”

Passengers booked on P&O Cruises sailings that have switched from adult-only to multi-generational cruises have been told they can cancel or move their booking if they no longer wish to go. The cruise line announced yesterday that it will open select departures on its adult-only ships Aurora and Arcadia to families during peak holiday times and Christmas. The announcement provoked a mixed reaction from customers, with some welcoming the chance to cruise with families on the two smaller ships, while others said they had chosen those cruises because they were adult-only. P&O Cruises confirmed guests who no longer wish to travel will receive a full refund paid within 10 working days, or they can move their deposit to another sailing. Booked guests have until 1 December 2025 to notify the line if they wish to cancel or change their booking. The multi-generational cruises are on select departures from December 2026 through to September 2027. Cruises for winter 2027-28 will be available to book from 14 October.

British Airways is to introduce a third daily flight between Heathrow and Delhi next year. The airline announced the route expansion as it flew 130 CEOs and Government ministers, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to India for a trade mission. BA hasn't said when the route will go triple-daily, but said it is subject to regulatory approval. The airline added it will look for ‘further growth opportunities’ in the country as trade between the UK and India increases. In addition to the planned Heathrow-Delhi route expansion, BA will reintroduce its First cabin on flights to Mumbai this month, while its latest business class Club Suite will be on selected flights across all five Indian routes by the end of 2026. Chairman and Chief Executive Sean Doyle said: “I am delighted to take part in this important trade mission. Our ties with India were established over 100 years ago and today we have around 2,500 British Airways colleagues based there. We’ve been steadily increasing capacity between the UK and India over the years and we’re now operating 56 direct services to five Indian cities each week.” The news follows the announcement that low-cost airline IndiGo will launch its Heathrow to Mumbai route later this month.    

TUI UK Managing Director Neil Swanson has confirmed the operator is considering relaunching flights from Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Doncaster Council, which took over the airport lease after it was shut down by its owner the Peel Group, has secured a £160 million funding package which could see it reopening by 2028. TUI was previously one of a small handful of airlines offering passengers flights from the South Yorkshire hub prior to its closure in November 2022. When asked if the operator was keen to return to Doncaster Sheffield, Neil said: “Clearly that is something we are talking about. We were in there before, it is part of an ongoing discussion.” Neil, who was speaking during a panel debate at the ABTA Travel Convention in Mallorca, said the airport had ‘worked well’ for TUI in the past. Fellow panellist Steve Heapy, Jet2 CEO, declined to say whether he was also interested in operating from Doncaster Sheffield. “We are talking to a lot of airports all the time, we will consider any and all airports, but it would be inappropriate for me to announce anything at a public forum.” Doncaster Council has been pushing to reopen the airport by spring next year, but South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said in August that passenger flights are unlikely to operate before 2028.

Unforgettable Travel Company is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the launch of a refreshed group brand identity and new-look websites. The operator also plans a new trade incentive programme and a dedicated agent portal to build on the success of its travel trade partnerships. The company began as a two-person startup in 2015, specialising in Croatia and is now a multinational business, with 80 employees and six offices worldwide, in London, New York, Split, Athens, Cape Town, and Melbourne. The business operates Unforgettable Travel, Unforgettable Croatia, Unforgettable Greece and Cruise Croatia, covers more than 50 destinations and has a fleet of seven ships in Croatia. New-look websites are now live for Unforgettable Travel, Unforgettable Croatia and Unforgettable Greece, while a new logo incorporates a fingerprint, symbolising individuality and human connection. Co-founder Graham Carter said: "Julia [Shikina] and I are proud of how far we’ve come, but even more excited about what lies ahead. Our new brand embodies the authenticity, expertise, dedicated hospitality and human touch that have always been at our core, all possible thanks to the incredible people in the Unforgettable family. It is this combination that is the foundation for the next decade of unforgettable journeys. "The travel trade has been integral to our growth over the past 10 years, and we place immense value on the partnerships we’ve built with exceptional agents across the US, UK, Australia, and beyond. We look forward to strengthening these relationships further and forging new ones as we continue to expand.” “The fingerprint is a simple but powerful symbol. It represents individuality and reminds us that no two journeys are ever the same. For us, it’s about the human touch: the personal connections we bring to every trip we design.” He added: “The trade has been essential in driving our success and will be even more central as we move into our next decade. With our new incentive programme launching in 2026 and a dedicated trade portal on the horizon, we will continue our commitment to and strengthen our support for our valued partners.”

The number of UK travellers who booked a holiday with a travel professional has dropped in the past year, according to research unveiled today at the Travel Convention in Calvià, Mallorca. ABTA’s Holiday Habits Report 2025-2026 reveals that 34% of holidaymakers booked a trip with a travel professional – defined as an agent or an operator – in the last 12 months. This was down from 38% in 2024, but in line with 2023. However, ABTA said the decrease ‘isn’t a cause for concern’ as the percentage of holidaymakers booking with a travel professional has remained broadly similar over the past three to five years. The report also reveals 43% of the 2,100 respondents said they’d feel confident in letting an AI tool plan their holiday, with 38% saying they would allow AI to book for them. TUI UK & Ireland Managing Director Neil Swanson described the use of AI in the next 10 years as a ‘critical factor’ that will create a ‘seismic shift’ in travel. During a panel discussion with Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy, Neil said: “I don’t think you can overstate how important that’s going to be and how it’s going to shape things going forward, especially within businesses that will look to become more efficient at how they can do more for less.” Steve also acknowledged that the adoption of AI will become a bigger part of the customer booking process, with holidaymakers knowing more about a destination and prices because of the internet and AI search tools. But he said that, even if more customers use AI in the future, ‘retail still has a really important part’ in the travel industry. He said: “[Retail] is not going away anytime soon in my view because of that group of customers who value retailers and are used to technology. They [customers] still want to go in and look someone in the eye when they’re booking. They value that trust element.” Steve said agents do a ‘fantastic job’, adding: “I speak to quite a lot of them, and some of the things they do for people and return people is amazing. They have highly trained staff. They are the people who know about the product to build excitement and anticipation to really make the customer think ‘wow’ this person knows what they’re talking about. “Agents have to justify their margin, particularly given the rise of technology.” The ABTA research revealed confidence in booking through a travel professional increased by five percentage points year-on-year, up to 41%, making it the joint second reason people book with a travel professional. Other top reasons to book with a travel professional included ease of booking, helping clients get value for money and having access to expert help and advice. Just over a fifth (22%) revealed they had a better holiday when using a travel professional, a figure that climbed to 30% among 18–24-year-olds. Holiday spending also remains a priority for Brits, with only 28% of respondents saying they will cut back on spending on holidays to cover the day-to-day costs of living. This is the lowest figure seen over the past five years. ABTA Director of Communications Graeme Buck said: “This comes as 34% said they’ll spend more on their holiday next year, with 15% saying they’ll spend less and the remainder saying they will spend about the same. “There’s a big chunk at 38% saying they will spend more because they think that holidays will cost more, with 49% planning to go on more holidays as they’re spending less on holidays.” He said almost a quarter (23%) will cut back on their holiday spend by downgrading on accommodation. Of those surveyed, 71% of people are already planning to go abroad next year, up from 68% last year. Of those, 46% have already booked a holiday. Popular destinations include Spain, France, Italy, the US and Greece. In the coming year, 15% of respondents indicated they would take a cruise, up from 12% who took a cruise in the last 12 months. According to the research, 19% of those who went on a cruise were aged between 24-35, while 16% were aged 65 and over.

Advantage Travel Partnership has launched a mentorship programme giving newcomers to the industry the opportunity to be paired with experienced members to help grow their homeworking businesses. Five Advantage members – The Good Travel Franchise, Whites Travel, New Travel, Worldwide Travel Solutions and The Holiday Fixer – will act as mentors under the scheme, called the Hosted Agent Programme. They will offer support on business infrastructure, trading licenses, customer fund protection, marketing and technology tools. Head of Business Development David Moon said: "We're constantly approached by individuals eager to establish homeworking travel businesses but lacking industry experience. "Our Hosted Agent Programme creates the perfect solution by matching these entrepreneurial enquiries with the ideal member partners who can provide the mentorship, training and ongoing support needed for sustainable success. “We believe that travel is not a hobby or a side hustle, it is a profession that is deep rooted in years of hard-earned experience and deep industry expertise. These founding partners bring decades of combined experience and a deep commitment to supporting those new to the industry, positioning them perfectly to mentor the next generation of travel entrepreneurs."

Dame Irene Hays has shown her support for the Government’s new apprenticeship targets for young people at a meeting with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. The Hays Travel Chair joined business leaders from across the region at the North East Chamber of Commerce’s annual 1815 lunch, where Bridget shared more details about plans for a higher-level learning target for young people. Last week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he wants to see two-thirds of young people in the UK attend university or pursue a technical qualification. The Government is also setting a target to ensure at least 10% of young people under 25 pursue higher technical education or apprenticeships by 2040 – nearly double the current level. Hays Travel is an accredited training provider with more than 600 apprentices based in branches across the UK and in departments at its Sunderland head office. Dame Irene said: “We have a long history of welcoming apprentices into our business and supporting them to thrive and reach their full potential. We know the value of nurturing young people who are enthusiastic to learn while they earn and are pleased to see that the Government recognises that, while academia has its place, it’s not the answer for all young people or all businesses. “We are immensely proud that some of our most senior team began their careers as apprentices, including our Chief Operating Officer [Jonathon Woodall-Johnston]. Apprentices bring innovation and fresh new ideas to our business.”

EasyJet holidays has become the new headline sponsor of Experience It Now Travel’s first-ever homeworking conference, which takes place next week, after original partner Classic Collection ceased trading. The homeworking conference had been planned in partnership with Classic, but its future was in doubt after the operator closed down on 24 September. EasyJet holidays has now stepped in, ensuring the event will be able to go ahead as planned, at the Manchester Conference Centre, on 13–14 October 2025. It will be attended by 50 homeworkers, nine Experience It Now staff and 18 trade suppliers for two days of training and networking. Experience It Now Travel MD Richard Light said: “We are so grateful to easyJet holidays for stepping in at such short notice to ensure our very first Homeworking Conference could still go ahead. Their support has not only saved the event but has given our homeworkers and suppliers a huge boost of confidence. We also want to extend our thoughts and support to our friends at Classic Collection at this very difficult time, they have been great partners to us and to the wider industry.” EasyJet holidays Head of Trade Distribution Natasha Marson said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Experience It Now Travel and its dedicated homeworkers. At easyJet holidays, we understand the vital role events like this play in fostering engagement, enhancing training, and celebrating the hard work of the travel trade. We’re proud to help bring this important occasion to life and contribute to the ongoing success of the travel community.” Experience It Now Travel operates three retail stores and a growing network of over 170 homeworkers across the UK.

Spain saw a 4.33% rise in UK visitors during the first eight months of 2025, with the biggest increases coming during the shoulder season. Describing off-peak travel as a 'mega trend', the Spanish Tourist Office UK Director Manuel Butler said it had been particularly strong in the Balearics and the Costa del Sol. The latest figures for this year also show an increase in travel to lesser-known parts of Spain, such as Galicia, which saw a 44% increase to 61,000 visitors, and the Basque Country, up 65% to 105,000. A total of 13.2m Brits visited Spain between January and August, with more visitors between January and May compared to the same period last year, but the increase during June and July was only 0.4% up over 2024, and this figure was down 0.5% compared to 2019. Speaking at the ABTA Travel Convention, being held in Mallorca, Manuel said there had been no impact of the recent anti-tourism protests in regions popular with Brits, including Mallorca, the Canary Islands and Barcelona. This was confirmed by Marcial Rodriguez, Executive Councillor for Tourism in Mallorca, who said British visitor numbers were in line with last year's. "I can't comment on the impact of these demonstrations, we're not seeing an impact," he said, despite local media recently reporting local restaurant owners saying they were suffering from a drop in tourists. "I don't know why that it is," said Marcial, "the visitor numbers and the amount they are spending is the same." However, Manuel acknowledged that anti-tourism protests were 'the biggest challenge that we have to face as a branch of tourism'. In response, the tourist board launched a new marketing campaign in July, ‘Think You Know Spain? Think Again’, which aims to throw the spotlight on lesser-known destinations, such as Zaragoza in northern Spain, which will be one of the regions to see the solar eclipse on 12 August 2026. Additionally, it has been working with UK specialist operators, including Intrepid, Martin Randall and Byway, to launch itineraries to more off-the-beaten track destinations. Spain's Secretary of State for Tourism Rosario Sánchez Grau told the conference that there was a need to spread the benefits of tourism more widely across the country, beyond the popular coastal destinations. She added: "The Government is firmly committed to building on the success of the tourism industry," adding that its 2030 Sustainable Tourism Strategy will tackle the risks of climate change and over-tourism. The latest ABTA Holiday Habits survey of 2,000 consumers found that 77% were aware of the recent protests, with some seeking reassurance and advice from a travel agent, but they continued to book despite their concerns. The Holiday Habits report showed that Spain remains by far the most popular overseas holiday destination for Brits, with 32% visiting in the past 12 months and 23% planning to visit in the next year.  

Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo has confirmed it will start daily flights between Mumbai and London Heathrow on 26 October. The London route follows the launch of services between Mumbai and Manchester, which started in July this year. Daily flights will operate on Boeing 787s, leased from Norse Atlantic, offering economy class and IndiGo’s business product, IndiGoStretch. Flights will leave Heathrow at 9.30pm, landing into Mumbai at 11.45am the next day. Flights from Mumbai will depart at 2.45pm, arriving into Heathrow at 7.20pm. Chief Executive Pieter Elbers said: “Entering Heathrow, a key global hub known for its scale and connectivity, is both a proud milestone and a strategic step forward in strengthening IndiGo’s global footprint. The India-United Kingdom corridor has long held significant relevance, not only because of strong bilateral ties, but also due to the growing traffic between the two countries driven by students, visiting friends and relatives, business and leisure travellers. “After the outstanding response to our longhaul debut flights to Manchester, we are excited to set foot in London, offering more travel options for our customers while reinforcing our commitment to provide seamless connectivity between India and the world.” Heathrow Chief Customer Officer Ross Baker added: “We are pleased to welcome IndiGo’s new daily service between Mumbai and Heathrow. As the UK’s international gateway, this new route will further strengthen the vital ties between the UK and India, creating opportunities for trade, tourism and cultural exchange. We look forward to supporting IndiGo’s international growth while offering passengers more choice when travelling between these two world-class cities.”

The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has updated its advice for travellers to countries that will start introducing the European Union (EU)'s new Entry/Exit System (EES) in six days’ time. The EES, which comes into force from 12 October 2025 for UK and other non-EU nationals, will require travellers to register at the border by scanning their passport and having their fingerprints and photograph taken. EES will be a requirement when entering Schengen area countries including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, as well as EU countries, but it will not be required when travelling to Ireland and Cyprus. British travellers will need to register on their first visit to a participating country after EES is introduced. This registration is valid for a rolling three-year period or until the passport expires. The FCDO update says: “This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration. “On your first visit into a Schengen country from 12 October onwards, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but may need their photo taken.” It warns travellers to ‘be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border’. It adds: “EES will not be rolled out to all ports of entry at once, the numbers of passengers being registered at each port of entry will vary, and some destinations may take up to 6 months to fully roll out the new process. “Until EES is fully rolled out your passport will continue to be stamped, even if you’ve already been registered for EES. Once EES is fully rolled out, it will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays and you will input biometric details every time you enter or exit. “If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International and you are asked to register for EES, the information will be taken at the border before you leave the UK.”

Under-18s will be allowed to sail on P&O Cruises’ adult-only ships from the end of next year. The cruise line will allow guests of all ages on 12 Aurora sailings and eight Arcadia departures from December 2026 through to September 2027. Itineraries go on sale today (7 October), while more cruises for winter 2027-28 will be available to book from 14 October. P&O Cruises said the policy change is in response to an increase in demand for multi-generational cruises. The move allows families to sail on smaller ships during peak holidays and at Christmas and increases the number of cruises available for families during the 2027 summer holidays by 23%, with more multi-generational holidays available from Southampton. The multi-generational cruises will include kids’ menus, bottle warming facilities, family entertainment and special events. Carnival UK & P&O Cruises Associate Vice President, Sales & Distribution Ruth Venn said: “Recent CLIA data showed that multi-generational travel is a rising trend. Over 30% of families are now cruising with at least two generations onboard. “In response to guest feedback and increasing demand we are excited to invite all ages to join Arcadia and Aurora on selected holidays meaning the whole family can come together to experience these elegant ships. “These cruises will provide agents with even more opportunity to promote P&O Cruises. “Arcadia and Aurora will continue to offer holidays exclusively for adults for the much of the year ensuring guests can enjoy the choice of both family-friendly and adult only cruises when booking a P&O Cruises holiday.” Aurora’s first multi-generational cruise will be a four-night ‘Short Break to Rotterdam’ on 11 December 2026. That will be followed by a 14-night ‘Christmas Scandinavia’ on 15 December. Other options include a 21-night ‘Western Mediterranean Discovery’ on 11 August 2027. Arcadia’s first multi-gen cruise will be a 16-night ‘Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands’ itinerary on21 December 2026. Its longest will be a 24-night ‘Eastern Mediterranean Discovery’ on 3 August and its shortest will be a three-day ‘Short Break to Zeebrugge’ on 10 May 2027. In June, Ambassador Cruise Line announced its would end its multi-generational itineraries and be 100% adult-only for the first time for its 2027/28 season, which runs from 24 March 2027 to 14 April 2028. It said the decision to remove multi-generational cruises to ‘create a calm, adult-focussed community at sea’ followed ‘extensive’ guest feedback.    

Hays Travel has recruited TUI Director of Customer Experience Delivery Sue Bradley to a newly created role of Head of Customer Experience. Sue had worked at TUI since September 2011 in various positions before becoming Director of Customer Experience in 2021. As part of Hays Travel’s leadership team, Sue will be tasked with developing the selling systems to enhance ‘customer experience and colleague effectiveness’.  She will also manage Hays Travel’s relationship with the Institute of Customer Service. Chief Operating Officer Jonathon Woodall-Johnston said: “Throughout our 45-year history we have always put the needs of our customers at the heart of our business. We identified that dedicated leadership would help us take our customer experience strategy to the next level and ensure we retain our reputation for delivering exceptional customer care. This is a critical role that is key to supporting the future growth of the business and aligning with our broader strategic initiatives.” Sue added: “I'm delighted to be joining Hays Travel as Head of Customer Experience. Hays has an incredible reputation for putting customers at the heart of everything they do. I feel privileged to be stepping into this role and working with the team on enhancing the customer journey at every stage. I want to make sure that every interaction is not only seamless, but also reflects the warmth, care and trust that Hays Travel is known for.”

MSC Cruises is replacing MSC Virtuosa with MSC Meraviglia on its ex-UK sailings from Southampton for summer 2027. MSC Meraviglia will operate 19 sailings of between six and 14 nights out of Southampton between May and October 2027. Itineraries include calls in new destinations such as Ibiza, Gibraltar, and Tangier in Morocco. There is also a new Baltic Sea cruise visiting Oslo, Fredericia and Copenhagen. MSC Virtuosa will sail the summer season from Southampton in 2026, before moving to homeport in Barcelona from April to October 2027, with cruises around the Western Mediterranean. For 2027, MSC will not offer shorter two- to five-night cruises from the UK that are currently available on MSC Virtuosa. VP of International Sales Antonio Paradiso explained customers have said they wanted longer sailings. He said: “We want to give our customers new experiences, so it’s wonderful that MSC Meraviglia is sailing from the UK in summer 2027. "Customers have told us that they want longer sailings, so we are offering six-14 night holidays visiting new destinations including Ibiza, Gibraltar and Tangier in Morocco, as well as favourite destinations in the Mediterranean and Norwegian Fjords." He added: “MSC Virtuosa, one of our most popular ships, will sail in the Western Mediterranean in summer 2027. We’re seeing strong demand from UK customers for Mediterranean cruises, so having MSC Virtuosa there for summer 2027 is a natural fit for us.” Additionally, for winter 2026/27 MSC Preziosa will based in Southampton, sailing its longest season from October 2026 until April 2027, replacing MSC Poesia.

The Travel Network Group (TTNG) is launching a new all-in-one platform, Vision, which it says will help members run their business with ‘greater speed, clarity and confidence’. The platform, which will be available on 10 November, will feature a CRM system that records leads, bookings and customer interactions. It will also have AI-driven insights to help identify customers’ preferences and behaviours. The launch of the platform follows feedback from members at the TTNG conference in Bucharest in the summer, where they highlighted the need for technology to help save time and strengthen customer relationships. Vision will store details of leads, bookings, payments, and analytics, and it will auto-generate customer itineraries and provides members with access to TTNG’s content library, which features 25,000 cruise offers and 40,000+ hotels and villas. TTNG CEO Gary Lewis said: “We have made a clear commitment to support our members with technology that truly makes a difference. “While we have already delivered smaller solutions to meet specific needs – such as our TTNG Digital Assistant – Vision is a significant step forward. It has been built around the customer and travel professional journey, bringing everything into one place and helping our members focus on what matters most: creating exceptional experiences for their customers and growing their businesses.” TTNG has also signed an agreement to work with Australian travel payment specialist, Mint Payments. It is the first time Mint Payments has partnered with a UK company, and the system will give TTNG members real-time visibility of customer and supplier payments, automated balance reminders, receipts and reconciliation.

More than 5,700 Jet2 staff are in line for a total payout of £58 million after the company’s inaugural ShareSave scheme matured. The scheme launched in August 2022, giving colleagues the opportunity to buy shares at a discounted price of £7.66 each. Shares have risen 84% and, now the scheme has matured, those who joined it can now either hold or sell. Based on the rise in share price over the period from the option price of £7.66, the return on the amount invested by colleagues is more than £26 million. A colleague who had invested the average £227 a month in the three-year scheme stands to make a gain of approximately £6,922 from their £8,172 investment. Colleagues investing the maximum £500 a month stand to make a gain of approximately £15,261, if they opt to sell. On the back of the success of the inaugural scheme, Jet2 plc has since offered the opportunity for colleagues to participate in another three ShareSave schemes. There are now 8,900 colleagues taking part in these schemes, enabling them to purchase shares at a 20% discount to the share price at the scheme start date. CEO Steve Heapy said: “We continue to grow and succeed by focusing on a simple philosophy of People, Service, Profits and we are delighted that our hard-working colleagues can share in the success that they helped create. “Their passion and tireless dedication to delivering industry-leading levels of customer service is what drives our continued success, so we are incredibly pleased to see that effort rewarded through our ShareSave scheme.”

French air traffic controllers have called off their three-day strike next week. The strike had been due to take place on 7, 8 and 9 October and had been expected to cause significant disruption. The SNCTA union said it has suspended its strike notice following consultations with the French Civil Aviation Authority, ‘agreements reached’ with management and a pledge by new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu not to force his austerity budget through Parliament without a vote.

Seven Hays Travel staff have received £3,000 in the first Big Hays Travel Thank You of 2025. The giveaway runs from September to November, with seven prizes on offer each month. September’s winners were Vista Aftersales Advisor Fern Holden, Customer Relations Clerk Lauren Dinsdale, Hays Travel Perth Branch Manager Jacqueline Sutherland, Hays Travel Deal Foreign Exchange Consultant Jacqueline Pitcher, Hays Travel Northwich Travel Consultant Laura Dickenson, Hays Travel Cramlington Retail Apprentice Macey Welsh and Hays Travel Bulwell Retail Apprentice Joshua Fogg. Hays owner and Chair Dame Irene Hays said: "We introduced the Big Hays Travel Thank You as part of our reward and recognition, just to say a massive, massive thank you for everything our colleagues do." In December, The 12 Hays of Christmas will return, with daily prizes awarded to staff during the first 12 working days of December.

Intrepid Travel has appointed Kaigan Lewis as Senior Partnerships Manager North. Kaigan joins from Hays Travel, where he was National Sales Business Development Manager. He replaces Carrie Grant, who has become Intrepid Head of Industry Partnerships UK and Ireland. Kaigan said: “After recently attending an Intrepid fam trip to Peru, I felt deeply aligned with the company’s values and purpose. “That experience inspired me to take the leap into my new role as Senior Partnerships Manager. “My goal is to bring our agent partners along on the Intrepid journey – helping them understand how their customers can enjoy small group, immersive and inspiring tours that support local communities and create positive change.” Carrie said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Kaigan to the team. He brings a wealth of experience and positivity. His appointment will strengthen Intrepid’s presence across the North and provide agents with even more support as we continue to invest in and drive growth across the region. “We've had a fantastic year, and a large part of our success is down to our amazing travel agents and trade partners. We couldn't have done this without them."

The Grand Palladium White Island Resort & Spa in Ibiza has temporarily closed because of flood damage sustained during a storm earlier this week. The island was hit by torrential rain, causing widespread flooding, on Tuesday 30 September, when the tailend of former Hurricane Gabrielle passed through. A spokesperson for the hotel chain said no guests were injured and its hotels suffered 'limited material damage', but the Grand Palladium White Island was the most 'significantly affected'. As a result, guests were relocated to other hotels in the group. The spokesperson said: “Guests staying at the hotel were immediately relocated, and new arrivals are temporarily being accommodated at other hotels managed by the group on the island. “Our goal is to resume operations normally at Grand Palladium White Island Resort & Spa on 6 October." “Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our hotel teams, the support of the Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME) and the collaboration of local authorities, water drainage and recovery works are already well advanced, that is why we expect to resume normal activity in only a few days.” The hotel is located 1km from the resort centre of Play d’en Bossa and is sold in packages through TUI, easyJet holidays and Jet2holidays. Earlier this week, Travel Gossip reported the four-star Vibra Tropical Garden Apartments had to evacuate its 220 guests due to a landslide, while the roof of the Pacha Hotel collapsed in the storm.  Travel Gossip has approached easyJet, Jet2 and TUI for comments.