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Changes have been afoot in the world of rail this year. Eurostar announced new services to Frankfurt and Geneva, which could be operational by the early 2030s, and is upping services to Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Rocky Mountaineer also began the rebrand of its US luxury train as Canyon Spirit, extending the journey to Salt Lake City, while luxury Spanish train Al Andalus added a Madrid-Seville route. Tour operators have also taken to the rails: Fred Holidays expanded its rail programme in August after a 64% year-on-year increase in rail bookings, while Great Rail Journeys reported growth in long-haul demand and G Adventures added a 60-strong Rail Collection.
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Leger Holidays’ Luxuria coach service
9 10 36 November 2025
Eurostar
Riviera Travel enhanced its agent training platform, Riviera Explorer, offering new modules on solo travel and group holidays, as well as adding new regional departures to many of its long-haul trips, with flights now available from Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh on selected 2026 departures. Leger Shearings Group also revealed record demand for Leger Holidays’ premium coach service, Luxuria, with tours featuring the coach being the company’s top performer. In the luxury sector, Audley Travel reintroduced a £10,000 agent booking incentive, and Railbookers has introduced four itineraries to its Around the World by Luxury Train collection.
More European tours took off this year. Intrepid Travel expanded its Europe portfolio in September, adding 32 trips. They include new destinations – Madeira, the Canary Islands and the Faroe Islands – alongside several ‘coolcation’ spots. Svalbard is also savouring a moment in the spotlight, with operators including Jules Verne and Just You recently introducing new tours in the Norwegian archipelago.
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InsideAsia Tours announced the launch of an India programme, with 12 tours across six regions covering 80 destinations in the country. The operator said it hoped to “shake up” the market, with itineraries designed to go beyond better-known sites. India is proving popular with Mercury Holidays customers too, with the operator introducing additional solo itineraries there from January.
The Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers (Atas) saw significant expansion, with new members including Abercrombie & Kent, Fred Holidays, Involved Holidays, Mercury Holidays, Cox & Kings, Railbookers, Travel Department and Tui Musement. At its annual conference at the ICC Wales in September, delegates were told sales growth via agents had outperformed growth from direct channels this year. Atas director Claire Brighton (pictured) said: “Looking at revenue for bookings made in 2025, the overall sector is at 9% growth, but agents are outperforming this with growth of 14%.”
A new generation of agents was invited to learn about the touring and adventure sector through an Atas and Contiki partnership in which 20 agents aged 18-25 could join a South Africa fam trip. Half of the places went to apprentices from AS Training and the rest to other apprentices and new-to-travel agents. The aim is to “[inspire] the next generation of travel professionals”, said Kelly Walker, UK, Europe and Ireland sales director for Contiki’s parent company The Travel Corporation.
A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR
“Tourism Australia is delighted to once again sponsor the On the Move sector at the 2026 Globe Travel Awards. This partnership is the perfect way to celebrate companies that showcase the adventure and spirit of travel. We look forward to
celebrating the nominated industry leaders and continuing to invite the world to come and say G’day to Australia.” ANDREW BOXALL regional general manager, UK and northern Europe, Tourism Australia
globetravelawards.co.uk
PICTURES: Shutterstock/Sergii Figurnyi, DavideAngelini; Steve Dunlop
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