BIG DEALS Kuoni parent Dertour Group bought Hotelplan Group in Switzerland, Germany and the UK, taking on Explore Worldwide, Inghams, Inntravel and Santa’s Lapland. Dertour UK boss Francis Torrilla will lead the UK group of 11 brands. TravCorp Holdings bought Specialist Holidays Group from Travelopia, acquiring Citalia, Sovereign Luxury Travel and American Holidays. Ryanair partnered with Booking Holdings, giving clients access to Booking. com, Kayak, Priceline and Agoda.
READY, STEADY, STAY After reporting the busiest Easter in its 80-year history, Hoseasons coined the phrase ‘playcation’ in response to greater demand for active UK family holidays. And there’s good news for pooch owners: the operator attributed improved dog-friendly facilities at holiday parks for sustained growth in sales of pet breaks in 2025. Just Go Holidays credited new packages in the capital for “remarkable” growth of London trips through agents, and Shearings introduced ‘set-cations’ to locations of popular TV programmes such as Bridgerton and Emmerdale.
TAKING THE SPECIALIST ROUTE More travel companies than ever are trying to win agents’ business. Tailor-made adventure specialist Discover the World started to work with selected independent agents, and small-group tour specialist Tripsmiths launched exclusive tours (including Tuscany trips with tickets to an Andrea Bocelli concert and visits to the Bocelli family vineyard) for sale through agents. Kirker Holidays expanded its Cultural Tours & Music Holidays programme with new options in the UK and Europe, including the exclusive Kirker Jazz Festival in Malta.
RINGING THE CHANGES There has been plenty of movement in the
activities sector. Mark Warner brought in former agent Ellen Yates to spearhead a renewed
trade focus and announced new fam trips, trade communications and a return to TV ads. Club Med (pictured) appointed Stéphane Maquaire as president and hailed a “new phase of profitable growth”. And in the mainstream market, Jet2holidays’ trade sales general manager, Lloyd Cross, left after 13 years and joined Gulf Air Holidays as Europe agency sales director.
MOVING ON UP Bed banks continued to grow. Hotelbeds and Bedsonline owner HBX Group confirmed plans to raise up to €725 million with a float on Spanish stock exchanges and the addition of new suppliers and distribution partners. B2B booking platform RateHawk grew its UK presence via trade partnerships and appointed Yalago boss Astrid Kastberg as managing director.
‘GAME-CHANGING’ PROTECTION Aito, The Specialist Travel Association, launched its financial protection scheme in June, calling it a “game-changer” for small and medium-sized travel businesses. Aito Financial Protection Services (AFPS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Aito, covers non-licensable packages as well as single components of a trip, such as accommodation-only bookings. The protection offers cover through bonds and shortfall insurance and is open only to Aito members.
A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR
“Avis is delighted to sponsor the Short-Haul category once again. Our ongoing support of the Globes underscores Avis’s commitment to recognising excellence within the travel sector, highlighting the individuals whose work drives our industry forward. These awards play a vital role in shining a light on
remarkable achievements and we’re proud to help thank valued travel partners and professionals for their dedication and performance.” EMILY BLUNDY head of international partnerships, Avis Budget Group
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globetravelawards.co.
co.uk
PICTURES: Matt Keal, Jon_Hunnålvatn Tøn/Inghams
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