this week
NEWS
The latest and greatest headlines from across the industry. 04
AGENT BULLETIN
Unlock the latest incentives and training opportunities to supercharge your selling! 07
09
PUZZLE BULLETIN
Complete the sudoku to win a £20 M&S voucher.
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ESCORTED TOURING
Explore the world with the help of expert guides to elevate experiences.
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The home of opulence offers up more marvels than ever before.
COOLING CONCERNS
Holiday Extras has revealed its annual study, outlining the major factors travellers consider before booking their holidays.
WHETHER IT be unconsciously thought about or a full discussion with fellow travellers, holidaymakers centre a large amount of their booking time to mitigating their concerns when it comes to travel. In 2024, the anti-tourist sentiment in certain destinations played a huge role in travellers deciding where to spend their holidays, and while that issue may no longer be at the forefront of travellers’ minds, a series of other global issues are now playing a key role in deciding the top trends for 2025.
One aspect of this year’s survey hoped to uncover the most pressing issues holidaymakers say will change their travel plans for the foreseeable. 50% of those surveyed stated that extreme weather is the most likely factor to influence their travel choices, which has contributed to the rising demand for coolcations as travellers aim to escape the effects of climate change.
The cost of living crisis and inflation rates
are also included in the top five concerns for travellers (47% and 39% respectively). Due to this, holidaymakers are searching in higher volumes for alternative destinations (49%) where they can get more for their money.
Thanks to a number of high-profile releases scheduled for this year, including the highly-anticipated third season of White Lotus, 33% of travellers say they want to embark on a set-jetting adventure. Despite its popularity, more than half (58%) are less interested in stepping into the screen. Other major concerns playing a role in determining where and how people travel are travel strikes (42%), unemployment (25%), global conflicts (24%) and the appointment of Donald Trump as President of the United States (15%). On the other side of the coin, the rising trends set to make a mark this year are traincations (40%), digital sabbaticals (38%) and frontier travel (21%).
INDIAN OCEAN
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Explora Journeys reveals winter 2026/2027 sailings
EXPLORA JOURNEYS has unveiled its itineraries for the winter 2026/27 season.
EXPLORA I will set sail through the vibrant islands of the Caribbean before heading to Central and South America and immersing into the vast Amazon from November 2026 to March 2027. EXPLORA II will sail through the Red Sea and the everchanging landscape of the Arabian
Peninsula between December 2026 and March 2027, and while the new EXPLORA III will sail on an enchanting journey through the Caribbean and Central America from October 2026 to April 2027, before continuing through the Panama Canal and onto the Central and North American western coast in May 2027. www.explorajourneys.com
Olympic Holidays expands 2025 destinations
OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS’ new destinations for 2025, including Albania, Lesvos, Karpathos, Lefkara, Agia Galini, Evia, Hydra and Sifnos promise unspoiled islands and locales rich in history.
Some of the new itineraries on offer through the Greek specialist is a seven-night holiday to the Greece’s third-largest island of Lesvos from £475 per person; a seven-night trip to Greece’s trendy neighbour (Albania) from £581 per person; and a seven-night trip to the idyllic Cypriot village of Lefkara from £505 per person. www.olympicholidays.com
Ambassador blooms this spring with new deals
AMBASSADOR CRUISE LINE has launched its 2025 Bloomin’ Great Spring Deals Campaign, offering discounted prices across its 2025, 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Guests who book by April 2nd, 2025, can take advantage of a range of new offers including 30% off for second guests, 15% off solo bookings on select sailings, and 15% off Ambassador Fare drinks packages on all sailings. The offers will be available across both Ambience and Ambition vessels.
The cruise line is also offering deals for group bookings including a 5% discount on select sailings. For groups of 25 or more, Ambassador will offer a free place for the 26th guest and two free places for groups of 50 adults. www.ambassadorcruiseline.com
Scenic thanks agents for 35% rise in sales
SCENIC GROUP’S UK head of sales, Jonathan Davies, said the group’s record performance so far this year “wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing support from our valued trade partners.”
"Our trade sales have increased thanks to engaging with more agents, providing more opportunities for ship visits and equipping our partners with strong offers and marketing collateral for the peaks period.”
The week commencing January 27th, 2025 was Scenic and Emerald's record sales week in the UK, outperforming the same week in 2024 by over 15%. Emerald Cruises' yacht sailings in the Caribbean performed notably well, largely thanks to Emerald Sakara's starring role in Susan Calman's Cruise of a Lifetime in January, after Emerald Azzurra starred in Judi Love's Culinary Cruise in November. www.scenic.co.uk
Aer Lingus dons black and yellow for Steelers partnership
AS THE Pittsburgh Steelers gear up to play the first-ever NFL game in Ireland this season, Aer Lingus has announced a partnership with the team as its official airline partner. CEO Susanne Carberry said the partnership “strengthens Aer Lingus’ position as a dedicated supporter of American football in Ireland, Europe, and beyond.” www.aerlingus.com
St. Pete-Clearwater earns Michelin-star status
ST-PETE CLEARWATER is an official partner destination of 2025’s MICHELIN Guide Florida.
The destination recently earned the coveted status as the Gulf Coast’s only entrant into the state’s Michelin guide.
Visit St. Pete-Clearwater’s president and CEO, Brian Lowack, said, “Over the past few years, we’ve seen our food scene grow and thrive at a rate like never before... with amazing downtown spots, fine dining experiences, hidden gems in our surrounding small towns, and a thriving global cuisine scene along Central Avenue in St. Pete, whatever you desire, there is a spot to suit.” www.visitstpeteclearwater.com
THIS SUMMER will see a whole roster of celebrations at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort as the theme park celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The park’s iconic castle will see an anniversaryexclusive stage show, bringing together Disney friends for a high-energy and fun-filled party.
Friendtastic, the park’s largest-ever parade through the park, will take place at select times.
www.hongkongdisneyland.com
EXPEDIA GROUP is set to spotlight regional destinations to audiences in Australia, France, Germany and the USA. Running throughout February and March, 'GOT THE SHOT' will spotlight the North East of England, Scotland and Wales’ silver and big screen heritage.
Patricia Yates, VisitBritain's CEO, said the partnership will "convert the inspiration to visit Britain into bookings, showcasing to visitors from our valuable... markets why our regional destinations are the real star of the show." www.visitbritain.com
easyJet announces new Brest service
EASYJET’S NEW route to Brest in Brittany, France will take flight from London Gatwick on June 25th, 2025. The service will operate twice weekly (on Wednesdays and Sundays) throughout the summer, with fares starting from £44.99.
easyJet's UK country manager, Ali Gayward, said the route "offer[s] more choice and connectivity... so our customers can enjoy even more of Europe." www.easyjet.com
Hong Kong Disneyland nears 20-year milestone
Could October halfterm be the new summer holiday?
ORIGINAL TRAVEL reported a 55% surge in October half-term departures in 2024, leading founder Tom Barber to suggest "the world opens up" to families during the period. After The Telegraph reported record prices, crowds and temperatures in July 2024, and
many schools opting for a twoweek holiday during the October half-term break, it is no wonder that the operator is putting the October period at front of mind.
Generally, October is now perceived to be the second most popular month to travel, only behind July; 2025 is expected to continue this trend as more schools roll out the two-week break and the trio of factors making summer holidays in July less appealing only worsen. Tom continued, noting that October "has always been one of my favourite times to travel," and adding that the previous one-week break for half-term used to "put a spanner in the works for big family trips. With the adoption of two-week half-terms for some schools, the world opens up, making some great October destinations... accessible."
www.originaltravel.co.uk
G ADVENTURES’ managing director EMEA, Brian Young, described the start of the year as "phenomenal," before thanking agents for their support during peaks. Against the same period last year, the operator reported growth of over 20%. "Our travel agent partners have played a pivotal role in driving momentum during this period so we thank them for their support." www.gadventures.com
Homeworkers set Inspire up for success
INSPIRE HAS reported its best-ever peaks trading period since it opened for business 17 years ago, with 60% of revenue coming from its 90-strong homeworker arm, Independent Travel Advisors.
88% of those homeworkers were active in January, with February projected to be similarly strong.
Throughout the peaks campaign, Inspire donated 1% of its profits to Dementia UK.
CEO Lisa Henning said the business' "ambitious fundraising targets energise our team – they're not just hitting business goals, they're making a real difference."
January cruise sales were up 48% against the same month last year, with topselling destinations like Greece, Spain and Türkiye also contributing significantly to the results.
www.travelbyinspire.co.uk
Amadeus River Cruises sets course for 2026
THE FIRST half of Amadeus River Cruises’ 2026 programme in Europe will see 17 itineraries set sail, including the debut of the new AMADEUS Aurea vessel, a 158-guest ship home to 12 balcony suites and 67 cabins with panoramic windows.
The departures, on sale now, include a Rhine Concert Cruise culminating in a live concert from Andre Rieu at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome, leading in from £1,049 per person.
All cruises in the 2026 programme booked before November 30th, 2025 are eligible for a 15% early booking discount. www.amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk
to make EMEA debut
BY
Amman in Jordan opened this month, marking the brand’s debut outside the USA. The property’s 272 rooms sit on the doorstep of the Amman Citadel and Roman Theatre. www.hilton.com
SIGNIA
Hilton
Signia by Hilton
AGENT INCENTIVES
● NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICLINDBLAD Expeditions has extended its first-ever UK agent incentive. Until March 4th, 2025, a whole range of prizes are up for grabs to agents booking, including champagne and shopping vouchers. All bookings are eligible for prizes, distributed on a lucky-dip basis. The most valuable booking confirmed in the same period will see its booking agent rewarded with an expedition voyage of their own.
www.expeditions.com
● CYPLON HOLIDAYS has launched its biggest agent incentive brochure yet, offering £10 vouchers on Gold package bookings and free stays. Free stays can be earned on a whole host of destinations, including Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Türkiye, a recent addition to the Cyplon roster.
www.cyplon.co.uk/files/Cyp lon-Holidays-AgentsIncentives-2025.pdf
● NEWMARKET HOLIDAYS’ new Red Letter Day incentive could see you behind the wheel of a supercar or looking down from a hot air balloon. Inspired by the enriching activities available on Newmarket’s tours, the incentive will see every agent booking entered into a weekly draw where each winner will be awarded a £200 Red Letter Day experience voucher. Bookings must be made by March 2nd, 2025.
www.newmarketholidays.co.uk
● SCENIC GROUP has extended its £50 booking incentive, valid on all bookings confirmed before the end of the month, celebrating agents’ pivotal role in delivering a record breaking sales week in January.
www.scenic.co.uk
Agent bulletin
OUR FIRST Train & Gain Day of the year took place last month in Guildford. Among the prize winners was Elaine from Globally Mine, who won a threenight complimentary stay for two at City of Dreams Mediterranean! Our next Train & Gain will take place in York: register now or find our full roster of events at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/events/agents
Competition AGENT TRAINING
● REGISTERING FOR Brasil Travel Specialist by the end of the month could see you win tickets on one of LATAM Airlines’ routes to either Rio de Janeiro, Salvador or Manaus. Brasil Travel Specialist hopes to showcase the destination's authentic and sustainable experiences, with personalised training modules and marketing materials exclusively designed for travel agents. www.brasiltravelspecialist.com
● FRED. OLSEN Cruise Lines has unveiled a new training platform, fittingly named the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Academy. Geoff Ridgeon, the cruise line’s head of sales, says the platform collates “the tools [agents] need to boost their sales in a fun and engaging way.”
www.fredolsencruises.com/t ravel-agent-centre
● DESTINATION DC’S Special Agent Academy blends the core information about America’s capital with indepth insights into its varied neighborhoods, festivals and unique landmarks. Elliott L. Ferguson, II, Destination DC’s president and CEO, said the platform “will help us enhance the knowledge, image and perception of Washington, DC as we focus on growing DC’s global visitor market share and set our city apart.”
www.washington.org/travelt rade/special-agent-academy
● TUI HOPES to support thirdparty bookings on its new TUITradeHub, which promises vital information about the TUI product, including its long-favoured beach range and TUI’s ocean cruise line, Marella Cruises. Two e-learning sections are available now, dedicated to TUI and Marella Cruises. TUI’s head of trade relations, Andrew Isherwood, said the platform “is designed to... make selling TUI as easy as possible. It is a one stop shop for all things TUI to ensure our agent partners have the information they need at their fingertips.”
www.tuitradehub.co.uk/regis tration
Record-breaking start to 2025 for Travel Counsellors
JANUARY WAS not only Travel Counsellors' best January on record, but the biggest sales month in the platform's history.
Group sales surpassed £138 million in January, up 11% against the first month of 2024. www.travelcounsellors.com
movers shakers&
CANADIAN AFFAIR has appointed Lucy Park as its new travel trade executive for Scotland & Northern Ireland.
AFTER ITS record wave campaign, Jennifer
Shah has joined AmaWaterways as sales & marketing support executive.
JOE SWATLAND is G Adventures’ newest global purpose specialist, supporting agents in the Midlands.
VILLA PACKAGES booked with Corsican Places by the end of the month include an extra £50 per person discount, with one lucky booker winning a VIP airport package. Packages for travel between May and October 2025 are eligible for the discount (excluding May 25th and September 7th). Agents can use the code VILLADEAL when booking to unlock the savings. www.corsica.co.uk
Howay! National Holidays braces for cup final demand
AS NEWCASTLE United confirmed their place at the Carabao Cup Final, National Holidays has put coach and hotel packages on sale for agents in the Northeast.
Packages depart on March 15th, 2025, and lead in from £139 per person. The price includes return coach travel from a choice of pickup points in the Northeast, plus a night's bed-and-breakfast accommodation and transfers to and from Wembley Stadium.
Claire Dutton, National Holidays' trade sales manager, revealed the operator was "being contacted by agents in the Northeast, asking if we had any plans to provide a coach and hotel packages should Newcastle United get through. We wanted to be proactive and worked quickly to put a break together so agents could start taking bookings immediately if the result went Newcastle’s way.” www.nationalholidays.com
P&O Cruises hosts record new-to-brand cruisers
LAST MONTH, during P&O Cruises’ best-ever January for sales, more newcomers to the brand booked than ever before.
Paul Ludlow, Carnival UK & P&O Cruises' president, attributed the impressive results to the cruise line's "new TV campaign inspiring and encouraging viewers to book their next holiday with us," before revealing that more guests are "treating themselves to more luxurious cabins."
Both the Norwegian fjords and the Caribbean delivered record volumes of sales throughout January, emerging as the two best-selling destinations. They both reported the highest number of premium cabins booked, too. www.pocruises.com
2025 is Madeira's year of accessibility
SINCE WELCOMING two reinstated routes over the winter season, Madeira hopes to carry its momentum into the upcoming year, structuring its approach around six key product areas: sea, nature, lifestyle, culture, enogastronomy and weddings.
SUDOKU
Win a £20 M&S voucher in the SuDoku prize puzzle
Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the 3 x 3 squares contains the digits 1-9.
Once you have completed the puzzle, simply identify the numbers that relate to the letters, A, B, C and D then e-mail the solution, with your name, company name, and full postal address plus phone and ABTA number if applicable to:
competition@travelbulletin.co.uk
Closing date for entries is Thursday, March 6th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.
February 7th Solution: A=9 B=6 C=7 D=1
For all competitions visit http://www.travelbulletin.co.uk/component/r sform/form/1593-Travel-Trivia-Quiz
A B C D
National airline of the UAE (6)
A famous person, in short (5)
Musician born Gordon Sumner, better known by this nickname (5)
Popular European city-break destination (9)
State capital of Iowa (3,6)
Form of transport (5)
Reptilian symbol for the 2025 Chinese New Year (5)
Could be a choc ice or a double sized bottle of wine (6)
BOASTING A population of over 250,000, this city is the most densely populated area in the Maldives while being known as the smallest national capital in the world.
London based soap with a 40th anniversary this month (10)
Island home of the popular resort, Playa d'en Bossa (5)
Algiers international airport code (3)
It's said every one has a silver lining (5)
This Liverpool Club was the birthplace of the Beatles (6)
English city, renowned for its Jewellery Quarter (10)
Capital of North Macedonia (6)
A Peninsular, a Mount and a Desert (5)
European country whose flag has horizontal stripes of red, yellow and red (5)
Former airline of the Czech Republic, initially (3)
54% of first-time cruisers want to spend longer at sea
CRUISE.CO.UK’S ANNUAL survey has revealed that over half of new-to-cruise holidaymakers are looking to dedicate more of their holiday time to a cruise.
Almost one in five (19%) say they are motivated to cruise more to remove the hassle of flying. 15% say the
convenience of ticking off multiple destinations entices them to a life at sea.
23% cited the free time afforded to them by retirement as the principal driver.
Tony Andrews, the cruise site's managing director, said the survey's results "reinforce what we’ve been seeing in the market," and that "with more ships, destinations and experiences available than ever, the cruise industry is well-positioned for continued growth.”
“The fact that so many newto-cruise guests rate their experience positively is a testament to the incredible service, value and variety that a cruise holiday can offer.”
8,000 cruise.co.uk and seascanner.co.uk customers were surveyed for the research.
INTREPID TRAVEL is anticipating a 20,000-customer boost annually after acquiring the Dutch experiential travel specialist Sawadee. Sawadee currently operates tours in 100 countries, employing 180 people and delivering over 250 trips. Those numbers make the acquisition Intrepid Travel's largest-ever, projected to add around £50 million to the operator's annual sales. www.intrepidtravel.co.uk
Serenity Holidays celebrates "fantastic" start to 2025
AFTER KICKING off the year with seven consumer events and two trade events (including Travel Bulletin's Africa Showcase in Basingstoke), Serenity Holidays' head of trade relations Hayley Smith said the operator is "excited to build on this momentum.”
Peaks campaigns across all five Serenity Holidays brands (The Gambia Experience, Cape Verde Experience, Goa Experience, Corsican Places and Sardinian Places) saw
notable success during the turn-of-year period. Hayley continued, "We’ve had a fantastic start to 2025 engaging with so many incredible travel agent partners. The enthusiasm and interest in our products have been great, particularly for Corsica and Sardinia. We’re excited to build on this momentum and continue working closely with our valued agents throughout the year." www.serenity.co.uk
2024 reaps record results for Singapore
AS
OVERALL visitation increased by 21% against 2023, Singapore set a new record in visitor spend last year.
The Singapore Tourism Board's chief executive, Melissa Ow, said the "strong performance" last year was "an affirmation of the industry’s efforts in refreshing our products and experiences, as well as embarking on new collaborations this past year."
16.5 million visitors were reported in 2024; total visitor spend has not yet been confirmed but is expected to hit the upper echelons of the tourism board's forecast for the year. www.stb.gov.sg
Wyndham announces 25 new city hotels
AFTER WELCOMING almost 750 million arrivals to its hotels across Europe in 2024, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has announced 25 new city properties in its upcoming pipeline, largely focused in Germany, Holland and Austria. www.wyndhamhotels.com
Escorted Touring
CENTURIES OF STORIES
Travelsphere has partnered with the Royal Geographical Society, unlocking historical archives to develop a new range of tours.
EACH TRIP in the new Travelsphere collection, the result of a partnership with the centuries-old Royal Geographical Society (RGS), will be led by an RGS-trained holiday director, with guests gifted an RGS booklet collating hand-picked archival pieces correlating to that tour's destinations and experiences.
Put a spring in your step with AAT Kings
ANY BOOKINGS made for Guided Holidays with AAT Kings before April 17th, 2025, will earn entries into a prize draw. To enter, agents must fill out the 2025 Incentive Entry Form (accessible at https://shorturl.at/NJ7lu) after making the bookings directly through the AAT Kings sale team or online through the Travel Agent Portal.
Winners will be chosen at random with prizes including a series of Coffee & Cake vouchers and Cream Tea Hampers, with the grand prize on offer being a spa experience voucher at the value of £250. www.aatkings.com
The inaugural programme includes a 'Grand Tour of Italy', following in the footsteps of iconic RGS explorers on a 15-day itinerary from £2,899 per person. Departures are currently scheduled between May and October 2025.
Jamie Owen, the Royal Geographic Society's licensing and commercial partnerships manager, explained, "A purposeful and responsible approach to travel is a key aim for the Society." He hopes that offering a glimpse into the RGS's historical archives for the tours, combined with Travelsphere and nonprofit partner Planeterra's storied commitment to impactful travel, "can achieve this aim."
Further east, 'Japan - Land of the Rising Sun' also stars in the inaugural programme, tracing a path through history and examining the clash of ancient history and cutting-edge modernity on a 13-day route from £5,024 per person, departing between March and November 2026.
Bruce Poon Tip, G Touring’s founder, said the new range “gives agents the opportunity to engage their customers and tell a different story around the product. They are always the face of our brand... they become the most important part of our sales process; they become our storytellers."
www.travelsphere.co.uk
Inside Japan cuts off-peak prices
INSIDE JAPAN has permanently reduced off-season prices by 15% and shoulder season prices by 7% to disperse visitation and fill its tours. Director Alastair Donnelly explained, “This isn’t about paying less for second best – far from it... the conscious decision to reduce prices" should appeal to those "who are eager to get out and explore at times when there are fewer crowds, and when your money goes further on the ground." www.insidejapantours.com
Jules Verne satisfies curious minds
JULES VERNE is trading its maps for a mic as the operator has launched a bi-monthly ‘Travel for Curious Minds’ podcast which aims to transport listeners across the globe through indepth conversations with an array of inspiring guests.
The podcast will be hosted by Jules Verne BDM Abbey Cousins as she is joined by 15 guests whose careers span the travel industry. The 27 episodes will feature longer-form discussions and quick-fire tips and tricks directly from experts. www.vjv.com
Record-breaking peaks for G Adventures
THE OPERATOR has kick-started 2025 with a record-breaking performance, reporting doubledigit growth globally with a 20% increase in sales compared to 2024. Among the top-performing travel styles in the UK, Classic trips witnessed a 25% increase in bookings, while interest in Active itineraries grew by 22%.
Trips to Peru, Vietnam, Japan, Ecuador and Thailand topped the charts.
www.gadventures.com
All aboard DTH Travel’s exclusive vintage journey
DTH TRAVEL has announced the introduction of the exclusive new nine-day luxury train journey, ‘The Blue Jasmine’, showcasing the best of Thailand.
The brand-new experience is set to embark on its maiden journey through Thailand on November 16th, 2025, aboard the iconic blue locomotive accommodating up to 37 guests.
The itinerary will begin in Bangkok and winds through the enchanting destinations of Ayutthaya, Uthai Thani, Sukhothai, and Chiang Mai. The curated itinerary highlights the contrast between the country’s ancient cities with the majestice rolling views of the countryside.
During the journey, guests will enjoy an array of luxurious experiences, including staying in boutique and heritage properties; dining in unique locations including riverside villas and farm-to-table restaurants; and partaking in exclusive
excursions including enjoying a picnic atop Chiang Mountain overlooking Myanmar.
Aboard the train itself, each carriage is serviced with a dedicated butler and are customisable for connecting rooms and single supplements.
www.thebluejasmine.dth.travel/
Take it slow with Contiki’s new concept
SOCIAL TOUR operator Contiki has introduced a new concept to its portfolio, the ‘Contiki Chill’ programme, which reimagines some of the operator’s most popular itineraries at a slower pace.
Debuting the concept on its popular ‘Greek Island Hopping’ tour, a new 11-day slow-paced option promises all the experiences of the traditional itinerary at a more laid back pace. Guests will still have the chance to explore the islands’ volcanic landscapes and indulge in its iconic cuisine,
but also enjoy more time to sit back in sunsoaked relaxtion.
Tour managers will schedule more time to unwind during the day and swap late-night bar outings for relaxed evening experiences.
Kelly Jackson, Contiki’s EMEA managing director, said the range is Contiki’s “answer to the growing number of travellers who are looking to slow down and savour the moment.
“The adapted itinerary of one of our most popular tours is all about balance: giving our travellers the chance to relax and recharge while still enjoying the vibrant social energy that makes Contiki special."
The inaugural ‘Contiki Chill’ itinerary is due to depart on May 27th, 2025, with prices leading in from £1,621 per person. www.contiki.com
JUST GO! Holidays is introducing a new nine-day tour for 2025 which will see guests explore the majesty of the Italian lakes.
Guests will visit Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Molveno as they spend three nights apiece in Colico and Levico Terme before heading to Isola Bella and Lake Garda.
Travel aboard the JG Explorer coach promises an upgraded coach experience. Prices for the itinerary lead in from £1,119 per person for departure in September.
www.justgoholidays.com
Enjoy £1,790 savings with Wendy Wu
IT IS the last chance to take advantage of Wendy Wu’s Biggest Ever Sale event which will come to a close on February 28th, 2025.
Guests can save up to £1,790 per person on fully-inclusive tours across the world to destinations including China, Japan, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Chile, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Egypt, and Peru.
www.wendywutours.co.uk
Get in early with Newmarket’s 2026 collection launch
DUE TO strong demand for advanced booking options, Newmarket Holidays has launched its 2026 short-haul collection for escorted tours across the UK, Ireland and Europe. The operator has put 40% of next year’s escorted collection on sale, with additional tours being added daily to expand the offering.
The launch stems from the increased desire witnessed within the UK market for early booking options, marking a change away from the operator’s reports last year stating the increase demand for late holiday bookings across the UK and Europe.
Hayley Morris, head of trade sales and partnerships, said, “Feedback from agents is that their customers want to book as far ahead as possible, even for short-haul breaks, so we’re delighted to make many of our best-selling itineraries available earlier than ever before.”
Some of the 2026 departures that are available to agents include scenic tours through the Scottish Highlands and Ireland, train-based journeys across the Alps and Pyrenees, cultural tours of Malta and Italy, and off-the-beaten track getaways to Albania and the Baltic capitals. www.newmarketholidays.co.uk
High-adrenaline rambles await
WITH THE demand for more adventurous travel experiences continuing to rise, Ramble Worldwide has launched a new selection of ‘Weekend Adventure Breaks’ for agents to inspire their customers to go out and explore with a choice of adventures.
The new collection includes 17 threenight breaks packed with thrilling trails and picturesque routes across the UK and Europe.
Each small group will be led by at least one expert guide as they embark on a high-
energy weekend to fit around the work week, with options including the operator’s most challenging itinerary, the ‘Wainwright Weekend Walks’ where guests will conquer 13 of the highest wainwrights in the Lake District from £499 per person for a June 27th, 2025, departure.
Other tours included the new collection are the ‘Maria Alm Weekend Adventure’ in Austria’s Hochkönig region from £499 per person; the ‘Hiking in the Sierra Nevada Weekend Adventure’ where guests will traverse the grounds of Andalucía’s Sierra National Park from £520 per person; and the ‘Hiking the Mountains of Slovenia Weekend Adventure’ where guests will head into the heart of the Julian Alps and Bohinj Valley from £749 per person. Each three-night itinerary includes accommodation, local transportation and experienced guides. www.rambleworldwide.co.uk
Just Go! heads to the Italian Great Lakes
Greece LUXURY MADE EASY
Cyplon Holidays has teamed up with Grecotel for a new brochure, showcasing the LUXME collection.
CYPLON HOLIDAYS is celebrating Grecotel’s 50th anniversary in style with a new brochure, showcasing Grecotel’s LUXME properties.
Hoping to offer a taste of Luxury Made Easy (hence LUXME), the properties promise awe-inspiring seafront locations, clear-cut pricing, and
Audley Travel spotlights secret Cycladics
AUDLEY TRAVEL has expanded its scope in Greece to cover some of the Cycladic Islands’ lesser-known hidden gems, Syros and Tinos.
The islands promise the iconic Greek architecture and gorgeous beaches holidaymakers crave without the crowds.
An 11-day tailor-made itinerary, beginning on the mainland and drawing to a close on the Athens Riviera (with stays on Syros and Tinos included) starts from £6,100 per person, including flights, transfers, and accommodation. www.audleytravel.com
the gold standard in Greece for premium service and facilities.
Kostas Sinis, Grecotel’s director of sales UK & luxury, celebrated the launch of the new brochure, describing the upcoming year as a “milestone” for the brand as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
“We are delighted and honoured to celebrate this special year alongside Cyplon Holidays. We know Greece like no other, and we commit to bringing the best of its history, culture, spirit and gastronomy to our mutual guests.”
In celebration of the new brochure, exclusive to Cyplon Holidays, agents
can earn free stays at select resorts. After confirming at least three bookings for at least two passengers (at a minimum of seven nights per booking), agents will earn four free nights at one of the following LUXME or Grecotel AllInclusive hotels: LUXME Dama Dama, LUXME Kos, LUXME Daphnila Bay, LUXME White, LUXME Costa Botanica, LUXME Oasis, Casa Marron, Casa Paradiso, Marine Palace, and Meli Palace. Free stays are subject to terms & conditions and availability.
www.cyplon.co.uk/holidays/hotelchains/grecotel
Zeus International eyes strategic rebrand
BY THE end of this year, Zeus International will unveil new branding and messaging, hoping to position the brand as the top-of-mind and top-of-heart choice in the Mediterranean.
The flagship Mirabello Bay Luxury Resort, previously branded as a Wyndham, will see an extensive reimagining with new villas and facilities. www.zeus.international
Indian Ocean NO COMPROMISE
JA Resorts & Hotels might be rooted in Dubai, but its Indian Ocean properties refuse to compromise.
JA RESORTS & Hotels offers a choice of havens across the Indian Ocean. Despite the brand’s heritage largely rooted in Dubai, its properties in the Maldives and the Seychelles guarantee no compromise on the signature JA service.
JA Manafaru
The Maldives’ northernmost atoll is home to JA Manafaru. A brief speedboat ride brings guests to the 84-property resort, which includes the Indian Ocean’s signature overwater Residences, Water Pool villas and Beach Pool villas.
Rates at JA Manafaru start from £480
per room, per night.
JA Enchanted Island
The brand’s private island in the Seychelles lives up to its name; 11 private villas and two lodge rooms guarantee an intimate experience, with the enchantment turned up to 11 on private catamaran cruises at sunset or helicopter tours over the island haven. The nearby Moyenne Island plays host to tortoises and birds, and, if the aboveland world wasn’t gorgeous enough, guests can head to the depths on snorkelling excursions to uncover the vast marine biolife lying just under the surface.
Colombo: a cosmopolitan capital
ONYX HOSPITALITY Group celebrated the opening of its latest urban retreat in December. Amari Colombo is home to 167 rooms on the doorstep of the Sri Lankan capital’s vibrant capital, boasting panoramic views of the cityscape and ocean from its rooftop pool. www.amari.com/colombo
It isn’t just indulgence that JA properties promise with no compromise; the brand also boasts stringent sustainability credentials across its portfolio. Those looking to take an active role can participate in regular clean-up campaigns on surrounding beaches and properties. www.jaresortshotels.com
Under the Indian Ocean
THOSE LOOKING to make a splash in the Maldives need look no further than Milaidhoo; the haven is home to exclusive water experiences including whale shark and manta ray spotting and snorkelling, private excursions accompanied by a marine biologist and private dhoni fishing trips.
Seven-night stays at Milaidhoo start from £7,488 per person based on two sharing. The price includes return flights from London Heathrow, seaplane transfers, and half-board Water Villa with Private Pool accommodation departing on March 12th, 2025. www.kenwoodtravel.co.uk
Serenity in Sri Lanka: Oliver’s Travels expands portfolio
LUXURY VILLA specialist Oliver’s Travels has expanded its Sri Lankan portfolio with an additional 34 villas added to the roster. The newly-added properties are located in some of the country’s most idyllic landscapes, from serene beachfronts to lavish tropical havens providing a perfect setting to complete any holiday. Among the company’s top picks in Sri Lanka, Seaside Sanctuary offers a luxurious beachfront escape complete with an infinity pool, lush surrounding gardens and a private chef. Prices lead in from £4,889 for a seven-night stay for eight people.
For a bigger celebration event, the tranquil hideaway of Villa Shala awaits up to 18 people with a dedicated team ready to treat guests with a personalised service. Amenities include a large swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers and hammocks, as well as a 20-metre waterslide
with its own pool. Rates begin from £9,413 for a seven-night stay for 14 people.
Hidden in the lush landscapes of the southern coast, the Tiree Tea House blends rustic charm with contemporary design and offers guests an ideal opportunity to unwind in nature. Complete with a koi pond and expansive outdoor space, this property leads in from £6,167 for a seven-night stay for 14 people.
www.oliverstravels.com
Become Eco Explorers at Baros
OFFERING GUESTS a natural paradise since 1973, Baros offers an Maldivian experience like no other, and now guests can take a closer look into the underwater world surrounding the island with the Eco Explorer package. Led by a resident marine biologist, guests will embark on an
immersive journey under the sea, including a snorkelling tour along the Baros House Reef to marvel at the tropical marine life and guided day and night reef tours. Guests are also able to undertake a series of diving courses to gain certification. www.baros.com
Marriott expands in the Maldives
JW MARRIOTT is expanding its Maldivian presence with JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, marking the brand’s second opening in the Maldives. Nestled in Kaafa Atoll’s largest lagoon and located 15 minutes from Velana International Airport, the resort houses 80 private pool villas offering contemporary luxury with a harmonious connection to nature, providing a perfect option for families and friends to escape in paradise and create life-long memories.
www.marriott.com
luxury in Mauritius
BOASTING TWO private islands and a Givenchy Spa, Shangri-La Le Touessrok elevates Mauritius’ luxury offering. The newlyrenovated property is stretched across six white sandy beaches and offers guests a complimentary water shuttle to the exclusive Ilôt Mangénie island. Inspiring Travel is offering a seven-night stay for £2,084 per person when booked by March 31st, 2025.
Inspired
Centara to redefine family experiences in the Maldives
IN AN endeavour to say goodbye to the financial stigma surrounding the Maldives when it comes to catering for families, Centara Mirage Lagoon offers a wonderland for children with its offering of fantastical experiences for a reasonable price.
The results from a recent consumer survey revealed that, while the Maldives has an abundance of natural beauty (63% of respondents said) and an appeal for once-in-a-lifetime experiences (58%), there are concerns around the high costs (72%) and lack of facilities for children (24%) when considering the destination for a family holiday.
Centara Mirage Lagoon aims to fill this gap in the market, offering dedicated kid’s zones, a waterpark,
and family-style accommodation. The resort is home to a Stingray-themed playground and a Willy Wonkainspired Candy Spa for kids massages and tailor-made teen treatments.
Prices for the resort lead in from £330 per room per night, including complimentary stays and meals for up to two children aged 15 and under. www.centarahotelsresorts.com
Jumeirah’s idyllic family retreat
AS MULTI-GENERATIONAL trips emerge as one of the top luxury trends for 2025, Jumeirah Thanda Island provides the backdrop to a once-in-a-lifetime retreat for all the family. Offering accommodation for up to 18 guests, Jumeirah Thanda Island is the ultimate private escape for guests looking to spend cherished moments with their loved ones. The island invites all members of the family to unwind for yoga sessions and spa treatments before kayaking through reefs and trekking along the Egret Walk. www.jumeirah.com
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Jeanette Ratcliffe Publisher jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk
Jeanette Ratcliffe Publisher jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk xxx
Netflix downloads and a travel pillow are a must!
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Get lounge access.
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Suncream, sunglasses and switch off the phone!
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Take an e-sim and never change your money at the airport!
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Hand luggage is enough!
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Don’t look at your bank account when on holiday.
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Get vaccum packaging for your clothes so you can fit more in your case!
Areti Sarafidou
Leah Kelly Assistant Editor leah.kelly@travelbulletin.co.uk
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Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time.
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Image Credit s : Top: Centara
Hotesl & Resorts, Bottom: Jumeirah
2025'S SHOWCASES
are well and truly back on the road!
January 20th saw us bring some of Africa's finest products and destinations to Basingstoke, including Serenity Holidays; Riviera Travel; Tunisia; Newmarket Holidays; Visit Rwanda; South Africa Tourism and About Partners.
On January 28th we were joined by Newmarket Holidays, Expedia TAAP, Brand USA, Amelia Island, Travelsphere and Cosmos in Leeds for our first North America Showcase for the year!
Want to get in on the #TBShowcases action? Our next events will be the Rail, Road & Air Showcase taking place in Hull on March 10th and the Train & Gain Day in York on March 11th. To confirm your place or find out when we will be hosting our next event near you contact events@travelbulletin.co.uk
