80 | TRADE NEWS
Wendy Wu Tours Join Forces with Hong Kong Tourism Board
Gary King, Head of Trade Sales at Wendy Wu Tours, said: “The Greater Bay Area is a game-changer for the touring market — a region where three distinctive cultures converge to create something truly extraordinary. For our agents,
WENDY Wu Tours has joined forces with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) in a major new partnership to champion the Greater Bay Area (GBA) — Asia’s newest and most exciting touring frontier connecting Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China’s Guangdong Province. The collaboration marks a strategic move to put this vibrant multi-destination region firmly on the map for UK travel agents.
Combining the destination authority of the Hong Kong Tourism Board with Wendy Wu Tours’
expertise in escorted
touring, the campaign will equip the trade with the tools, training and product needed to turn curiosity into confident sales. At the heart of the initiative is a brand-new Greater Bay Area Short Stay, a seven-day journey that showcases the region’s dazzling contrasts — from Hong Kong’s glittering skyline and iconic harbour to Macau’s Portuguese-inspired heritage and the futuristic waterfronts of Zhuhai and Guangdong.
it’s an entirely new conversation starter with customers who think they’ve already ‘done’ China. Working alongside the Hong Kong Tourism Board means we can give our trade partners the confidence, content and selling tools to make this exciting new region part of every Asia enquiry.”
Anette Wendel-Menke, Director, Europe of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, further added, “We’re delighted to partner with Wendy Wu Tours to bring the Greater Bay Area to the forefront of UK travel planning. As the gateway to the region, Hong Kong offers the perfect starting point for exploring a dynamic blend of modernity, culture, and coastal charm. With Wendy Wu Tours’ specialist touring knowledge, agents now have a trusted partner to showcase Asia’s next great travel story.”
The partnership was celebrated at this week’s Greater Bay Area Trade Lunch in London, attended by tourism representatives from Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong alongside UK trade
partners
and media. The event officially launched the campaign and outlined upcoming trade opportunities,
training and
joint initiatives designed to help agents promote the destination with confidence.
Etihad Airways Experience Strong Growth in 2025 with New Milestone
ETIHAD Airways has celebrated a new milestone in its growth story, now operating 300 scheduled passenger flights per day. This achievement is underpinned by strong growth in 2025, highlighted by an over 20% year- on-year increase in daily flights.
Brand USA Launch New Campaign to Build Momentum Ahead of Key Year
BRAND USA has launched ‘America the Beautiful’, a global tourism marketing campaign which debuts during the Brand USA Travel Week U.K. and Europe. Now in its seventh year, the announcement comes as international travel continues to drive economic impact. Year-to-date through July, travel and tourism exports totalled $147 billion, up two percent year-over-year. That spending is projected to generate approximately $39.6 billion in federal tax revenue by year’s end, support millions of American jobs, and contribute to a total economic impact of $551 billion in 2025.
The campaign is aiming to help build on that momentum and accelerate growth ahead of 2026, a milestone year marked by the FIFA World Cup, America’s 250th anniversary, and the Route 66 centennial.
Hurtigruten Appoint New UK & EMEA Vice President of Sales and Marketing
HURTIGRUTEN has announced the appointment of Hayley Moore as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, UK & Emerging Markets. In this senior leadership role, Hayley will lead Hurtigruten’s sales and marketing strategy across the UK and high-growth emerging markets in EMEA, spanning both B2B and B2C channels. She will oversee the UK-based team to drive growth and revenue in one of the company’s most important markets and in new territories with strong potential for expansion. “We are thrilled to welcome Hayley to the
team,” said Iain Powell, Chief Commercial Officer at Hurtigruten. “Her impressive experience across both sales and marketing, combined with her deep understanding of the trade and consumer landscape, make her the ideal leader to accelerate our growth in these key markets. Hayley’s strong commercial acumen and extensive industry relationships will be invaluable as we continue to inspire more travellers to explore the Nordics with Hurtigruten.”
Hayley joins Hurtigruten from Princess Cruises, where she has held senior roles, most recently as Sales Director for the UK and Europe.
First UK-Based Travel Franchise Celebrates 20th Anniversary
HAYS Travel’s Explorer Franchise is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. Founded in 2005 as the first UK-based travel franchise, its continued growth can after it was acquired by the UK’s largest independent travel agency in 2021. So much so, since 2021, it has doubled in size – with 150 franchisees now on the books. Steven Reilly, Hays Travel’s Head of Franchise and Customer Services, said: “We are incredibly proud of how our Explorer Franchise has grown.
“The brand has helped many entrepreneurs kickstart their career in travel by allowing them to work flexibly and remotely.
“It has given them the opportunity to reap the benefits of working with a large company like Hays Travel, all while receiving tailored support from people who know the industry inside out. “We have seen many success stories from the Explorer Franchise, including developing a handful of million-pound sellers, and we are looking forward to continuing to support our franchisees as they develop their businesses.”
www.nitravelnews.com NI Travel News Attends World Travel Market
November/December 2025
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