Polar Routes’ co-founder Martin Johnson kicks off the second day of the annual ECN conference by announcing that Ponant UK GM and “industry veteran” Anthony Daniels will take on the chair role of the organisation replacing him in the position.

Intele CEO James Ferrara thanks partners in the room, saying: “Partners means something very special to InteleTravel. There are people who accepted us in the room from the beginning. We will always listen to you. The company is growing phenomenally everywhere.”

InteleTravel UK managing director Tricia Handley Hughes reveals the homeworking giant is 85% up yoy in peaks - and earlier she told me how the agency now has 30,000 agents in the UK with more than 4,000 joining since the Intele conference in the autumn.

Agencies as per usual at this time of year have been hampered by a really eclectic mix of weather. Sleet, wind, lashing rain and heavy snow. But today some of the bigger businesses told @ttgmedia.bsky.social they hope peaks will arrive in style this weekend. Here's why...

Among the last things travel agency staff need to deal with when peaks is getting under way and heads may be a little sore after the turn-of-year celebrations

Happy New Year

First Choice boss Bart Quinton Smith takes over as Tui UK and Ireland sales director

It was great to hear from Michael Vinales about his seven years at Olympic Holidays and what kind of travel industry role he wants in 2025. Best of luck with your next move!

Sell up? Keep calm and carry on? Or take on more staff and really go for it? There are a lot of changes coming next year that will create opportunities for travel businesses, and give owners pause for thought. Here are five we've picked out agents should be aware of www.ttgmedia.com/news/2025-sh...

Cunard president Katie McAlister tells agents and media at The Langham Hotel today about Queen Elizabeth “zhuzh up”, the return of line’s Event Voyages programme and how Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux is designing @Cunard’s Grills dining experience.

Peta today targeted @tuigroup.bsky.social again over its stance on selling whale and dolphin attractions. Whatever your view, pressure is mounting on the travel giant. Read about the latest protest here:

British Airways unveils its new first class cabin which will debut in early 2026. Calum Laming, BA chief customer officer, says moments before revealing the cabin: “First is a really important cabin for us. We want to make it as premium and as special as possible.” @ttgmedia.bsky.social

Travel urged to seek new allies in Westminster and not 'give up' on government

Last week Hays Travel revealed it's facing a £6 million hike in staffing costs following the Budget. This week Jet2.com and Jet2holidays put on record it believes its labour costs will jump by around £25 million a year. Which travel giant will be next to count the cost of the new govt's Budget?

Earlier this month, Tui handed two of its top bosses in Hanover new contracts, ostensibly giving them the green light to continue their work transforming how Tui sells travel. So what's going on at Tui, and what does it all mean for the business here in the UK? www.ttgmedia.com/news/inside-...

While in Nantes today we had a quick look at the Great Elephant at the Machines of the Isle of Nantes.

Speaking at a shipyard in northwest France, Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Group chair, hails the “incredible” British market and reveals MSC saw a surprising uptick of bookings from the UK for its 2026 Alaska sailings that recently went on sale.

We’ve got @ttgmedia.bsky.social up and running on Bluesky - do give us a follow people of #travel.

Grateful to Intrepid Travel chief exec James Thornton for his take on #Cop29 for @ttgmedia.bsky.social. He says travel and tourism should embrace the climate scrutiny the industry faces – and recognise there will be longer-term gain in return for short-term pain www.ttgmedia.com/news/why-i-s...