Alaska Airlines Launches Daily Non-Stop London-Seattle Route
Alaska Airlines has inaugurated a daily nonstop service between Seattle and London Heathrow, marking its second European destination this year. The route, operating from Heathrow Terminal 3, expands Alaska’s transatlantic footprint ahead of the summer travel surge. The airline previously launched a Seattle‑Rome connection and will add a seasonal Seattle‑Reykjavik flight in late May. Executives highlight the new service as a way to deliver West Coast hospitality while strengthening trade and tourism links between the Pacific Northwest and the United Kingdom.
Tui to Launch Gambia Flights and Packages From Birmingham Airport
TUI will start its first direct Birmingham‑Banjul service on 2 November, a six‑hour flight that adds a Midlands gateway to the Gambia’s winter‑sun market. All‑inclusive packages begin at £800 per person (about $1,016), covering flights, accommodation, transfers and luggage. The new...
Celebrity Xcel to Make European Debut This Summer in the Med
Celebrity Cruises will debut its newest vessel, Celebrity Xcel, on Mediterranean itineraries this summer, sailing from Barcelona and Athens. The ship, launched at the end of 2025, is designed to blur the line between ship and shore with immersive cultural...
Oceania Cruises ‘Getting High-Fives’ From Clients with New Adults-Only Policy
Oceania Cruises has officially adopted an 18‑plus policy, eliminating children from its eight‑ship luxury fleet. The line says the shift aligns with its design, which lacks kid‑focused amenities, and has already drawn enthusiastic feedback from guests. While the existing ships...
Riviera Travel Rolls Out Dedicated Cruise Hosts
Riviera Travel is launching a dedicated Cruise Host program across its European river fleet, beginning in 2026. The hosts will run light‑touch activities such as quizzes, games, stretching and Tai Chi to foster social interaction and wellbeing. The initiative stems from...
Celebrity Cruises Launches New Summer Sale and Agent Incentive
Celebrity Cruises announced a limited‑time incentive for travel agents that runs through June 30, 2026. Agents receive a 5% bonus commission on all Europe and Caribbean sailings and earn $26 (UK) or $22 (EU) in Celebrity Rewards per booking. The...
Iberostar Installs First Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell in a Hotel
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts and utility Redexis have installed Europe’s first green hydrogen fuel cell at the Iberostar Waves Bahia de Palma hotel in Mallorca. The system draws renewable hydrogen produced at the solar‑powered Lloseta plant, delivering both thermal energy...
First Class Holidays Launches '20-Minute Masterclass' Series
First Class Holidays has launched a bi‑weekly “20‑Minute Masterclass” webinar series aimed at travel agents. Each 20‑minute session delivers destination‑focused training on selling, itinerary building and upselling, allowing agents to convert enquiries faster. The program includes ready‑to‑sell itineraries and practical...
'Average' AI Risks Stripping Travel of Its 'Human Soul', Industry Warned
The travel sector has rapidly adopted AI to speed up bookings and itinerary creation, but industry leaders warn that reliance on generic, "average" AI threatens to erase the personalized, human‑centric service that defines premium travel. Unlike bespoke solutions, off‑the‑shelf models...
Independent Agents Add 'Real Value' To a Tui Blue Booking, Says Brand Director
TUI Blue’s brand director highlighted that independent travel agents deliver tangible value when booking the brand’s holiday packages. He noted that agents provide personalized service, local insights, and bespoke itinerary tweaks that enhance the guest experience. The director cited that...
Corsican Places Rules Out Fuel Surcharges on All Holidays
Corsican Places announced it will not apply fuel surcharges to any of its package holidays, covering both existing reservations and new bookings for the summer 2026 season. The policy guarantees that the price displayed at booking is the final price,...
Brazil Has Two Beaches Among the 50 Best in the World
Brazil secured two spots on the 2026 World’s 50 Best Beaches list, with Baía do Sancho in Fernando de Noronha and Pontal do Atalaia in Arraial do Cabo recognized for their pristine environments. The ranking, compiled by over 1,000 travel...
Silverback Lodge Sets New Benchmark for Conservation-Led Luxury
Silverback Lodge’s full global relaunch in 2026 follows a soft opening and positions the Ugandan property as a benchmark for conservation‑led luxury. Perched above the Bwindi rainforest, the lodge features 12 intimate rooms with rates starting at $2,100 per night...
Sign up for a Webinar to Learn About a New London Attraction
TTG Media is promoting a free webinar that will unveil a new London attraction, aimed at travel industry professionals. Attendees must register through a HubSpot link, with login options for existing users. The notice clarifies that the content is supplied...
Pierre & Vacances Reveal Top Family Hotels for Summer 2026
Pierre & Vacances has unveiled its 2026 summer lineup of family‑focused hotels across Spain, featuring new openings and refreshed properties. The flagship Hotel Drago Park in Fuerteventura launches with 236 rooms, a central pool and a kids’ club. Existing resorts...