News Bites

• TRAVEL COUNSELLORS has reported a record breaking booking and sales period, with numbers reaching £90.1 million over the last 14 months, boasting a 22% increase on last year’s figures.

• MSC’S FIRST LNG powered ship, the MSC World Europa, has set sail for the Mediterranean for its inaugural summer season.

• AER LINGUS has increased its seat capacity on its daily Manchester to New York service by 72% for the summer season.

JW MARRIOTT is set to enter the luxury safari market with the opening of the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge. The lodge’s positioning makes it ideal to observe the ‘Big Five’ on game drives across the Masai Mara, and will be home to an Adventure Lounge, Cultural Deck, Spa by JW and more. Bookings are now open with prices from £1,166 per night on an all-inclusive basis. www.marriottbonvoy.com