New V and T-levels to launch in 2030 Juliet Dennis


The industry has welcomed news that travel and tourism T-level and V-level courses will launch in 2030. The trade and academics hailed


the confirmation as a “fantastic opportunity” to attract more young people into the sector and a victory for cross-sector lobbying. The V-level – mooted last autumn


in a government consultation – will launch at the same time as a two-year T-level, an industry-specific, full- time course worth three A-levels, which will replace the current Level 3 BTec extended diploma. Confirmation of the T-level


qualification follows lobbying by the travel and education sectors after news


BTecs in travel and tourism would be defunded. The Department for Education has confirmed defunding will not be until at least 2030. Travel and tourism is among 15


initial V-levels and will be rolled out in the third wave of subjects for the 2030-31 academic year. Students will be able to take


a mix of V-levels and A-levels, or a single T-level. The T-level travel and tourism course will include industry placements. Vicki Wolf, head of education


and career development at Abta, welcomed the news, adding: “Offering a broader spectrum of qualifications that appeal to a wider array of students is a positive for attracting future travel professionals.”


Fred Olsen Travel targets record year with help of trade


Samantha Mayling


Fred Olsen Travel boss Julie Berry is targeting another record year, following the group’s best-ever performance in 2025. While declining to reveal actual


figures, she said: “Last year was the most successful in terms of volume and profitability. Now it’s about building on that and expanding, in the right circumstances.” Berry became managing director


in June 2025, after working as a consultant alongside interim managing director Samantha Stimpson, chief executive at Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, following Steve


6 26 MARCH 2026


Williams’ retirement a year ago. Working with Stimpson, she


implemented a plan “that enabled us to deliver the results ...we did in 2025” across the group’s retail, tour operator and GSA arms. “It was about making sure we


didn’t undo all the good work up until that point . . . but [seeing] how we could refine it,” she said. “Fred Holidays is a very trade-


friendly brand – 95% of what we sell is through the trade. It is about how we grow those partnerships. “Maybe [before], we were trying


to do lots of different products, but we have streamlined the proposition to focus on our specialisms and expertise


Our concern was


the BTec would not be replaced, preventing thousands undertaking a vocational qualification


John Garside, a lecturer in


travel and tourism and aviation at BMet college in Sutton Coldfield, agreed, adding: “The work and support to raise awareness of the original changes and defunding of Level 3 qualifications including travel and tourism has been a key factor in the introduction of two exciting new qualifications.” Dr Peter Robinson, head


of the Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Management at Leeds Beckett University, said news of a T-level came as a “huge relief”. He said: “Our original concern


was the BTec would not be replaced. This would have prevented thousands of young people from undertaking a vocational qualification within travel and tourism – something that is a vital pathway into industry.” He called the V-level a “great


additional qualification” for young people interested in the industry but keen to study A-levels alongside a vocational qualification. Qualification-awarding body


NCFE said the new schemes showed the government had heard the sector’s pleas “loud and clear”.


Julie Berry


Simon Sharpe


– rail, GSA partners, river cruise, cruise-and-stay and independent touring, particularly around Europe.” Berry has also recruited Simon


Sharpe from Tui Musement as head of tour operations. Due to start on April 1, Sharpe is tasked with strengthening the tour operation and building trade relationships. Earlier this month, the group


handled customers affected by the Middle East conflict, either holidaying in the Gulf or in transit. “I’m really proud of the team,” she


said. “That’s when booking a package or coming to a travel agent really comes into its own. We had some really lovely feedback.”


However, Berry noted the Middle


East is “not a huge” destination for the company, adding: “More than 50% of what we sell is cruise. With cruise, you’ve got flexibility in terms of the destinations.” Other destinations selling well


are the Caribbean and Canada, plus Fred Holidays’ rail trips and cruise-and-stay packages. “We are GSA partners for Star


Clippers, Amadeus and National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, which has been performing incredibly well,” she continued. She said January was “slower than


we might have liked but we gained momentum and February was strong”.


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