CroisiEurope to focus on trade in anniversary year
Ella Sagar
CroisiEurope is aiming to get in front of “as many agents as possible” in the UK this year as it marks 50 years of operations. The French river cruise operator
offers itineraries across 50 ships and 40 countries globally. Lucas Schmitter, e-commerce,
sales and marketing director – and grandson of CroisiEurope founder Gérard Schmitter – said the UK business is “completely focused on the trade” as it looks to build on an “amazing” 2025 in which it carried 205,000 passengers and reached 97% occupancy. “This year looks even better
already; river cruising is definitely on the agenda for many people and that’s good for the whole industry,” he said. UK sales director John
Fair said the operator wants to “continue to develop” the brand in the UK by “getting in front of as many agents as possible”. He revealed the “small but mighty
team” in the UK is recruiting for a business development manager for the north amid plans to “review expanding the team further” as it gears up to host its first UK fam trip to Africa in June, for agents specialising in groups and charters.
R.E. Waydelich L.J; inset: John Fair (top) and Lucas Schmitter
The more agents we
can reach, the better. Education of the trade is very important
Fair added the business is
committed to being a Tipto member by appearing at 25-plus roadshows this year to get in front of more than 2,000 agents. He said “the more agents we can
reach, the better”, adding: “Education of agents is very important as there is still a huge range of price points in the marketplace.” Fair revealed the UK market
Atas expands with appointment of new membership manager
The Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers (Atas) has expanded its team with the appointment of Aaron Hilton to the newly created role of membership manager. He started on April 7 and will work alongside director Claire Brighton and content executive Evie Sutherland. He joins from The Holiday Franchise Company, where he worked as a training and development executive.
8 9 APRIL 2026
had “consistently” hit sales targets every year since the pandemic, with the bar raised again for 2026. He added there had been “a real
spike” in growth in homeworker business and “a big rise” in package sales since CroisiEurope gained an Atol licence in 2024. To commemorate CroisiEurope’s
50th anniversary, the company has launched a new paddle steamer on the Seine and a range of themed cruises tapping into wine, food and hiking interests. There will also be a host of
anniversary celebrations to celebrate the half-century including a gala evening on every voyage this year, alongside “a lot of surprises on board”.
Barrhead buys remaining shares in Greig Avinou Travel
Barrhead Travel has bought the remaining shares in franchise shop Greig Avinou Travel, the Falkirk agency recently named Jet2holidays’ leading trade partner. The acquisition comes as Avinou has decided to step back from the business to spend more time with his family, Barrhead said.
Fred Olsen steps up expansion with Holidaze takeover
Fred Olsen Travel has continued its retail expansion with a third acquisition in two months. The company has taken over
travel agency Holidaze, based at Bournemouth Airport. Holidaze has been operating for
more than 20 years and has been a licensee within the Fred Olsen Travel Group since 2022. Owner Jo Watts (pictured) decided to sell the business following an opportunity to move into a tour operator role with Typically Holidays. The branch at the airport will
close and be integrated into Fred Olsen Travel’s nearby Christchurch shop. This includes transfer of an “extensive” database, “ensuring continuity of service for clients”. Long-standing member of
staff Roz Willis will move to the Christchurch branch, joining a team of experienced agents. Fred Olsen Travel managing
director Julie Berry said: “We’re delighted to welcome Roz and look forward to continuing to offer the same amazing service and expertise to all Holidaze customers.” The acquisition follows that
of long-standing independent agency Saville Travel in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, and Ponders Travel in Over, Cambridgeshire.
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Travel Convention registration opens next week with offer
Registration for Abta’s Travel Convention is to open next week with a limited-time launch offer. The event in Funchal, Madeira, will take place in partnership with easyJet holidays from October 12-14, and tickets will go on sale on April 15. In addition to easyJet holidays, other supporters include headline partner Intrepid Travel and returning trade media partner Travel Weekly.
travelweekly.co.uk
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