The Advantage Travel Partnership has announced Giles Duley MBE as its closing keynote speaker at its annual conference - Journey Reimagined - taking place in St Julian's, Malta between 13-16 May 2025.   A born storyteller, Giles began his career as a music photographer before changing direction from the celebrity world to documentary work. He has since become renowned for his work that deeply explores the long-term humanitarian impact of conflict. Through his photography, writing and storytelling, he sheds light on the lives of those affected by war. In addition to being a photographer and writer, Giles is also a chef, presenter and the CEO of the Legacy of War Foundation.   Whilst working in Afghanistan, Giles was severely injured by an IED. As a result of his injuries, he is a triple amputee. He has since returned to Afghanistan to continue his work as a photographer, documenting the toll of war on civilian lives - as well as founding and acting as CEO of the NGO Legacy of War Foundation, an international charity supporting communities and individuals as they rebuild their lives after conflict. This work as a campaigner for the rights of both refugees and those living with disability was recognised with an MBE. Throughout his distinguished career, Giles has collaborated with numerous global figures including Angelina Jolie, David Beckham and Ukraine’s President Zelensky.   Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of The Advantage Travel Partnership said: "We're very pleased to announce Giles as our closing keynote speaker. Giles links the importance of managing control and overcoming fear with embracing change, a critical aspect of both travel and personal growth. His incredible journey and commitment to human rights make him a powerful voice, and we look forward to hearing his insights as our conference in Malta draws to a close."

  The Advantage Travel Partnership is pleased to announce a new partnership with WEX, marking the beginning of an exciting expansion in its payment partner portfolio.   This collaboration aims to deliver smarter, more efficient payment solutions that will help Advantage members optimise cash flow, streamline operations, and generate meaningful cost savings for their businesses and their customers.   Andrea Caulfield-Smith, Managing Director, Global Business Travel commented on the partnership: “We are thrilled to welcome WEX as a payment partner for Advantage members and marks an exciting milestone in our ongoing efforts to drive a complete One-Stop Business Hub approach to members across our growing network.   This collaboration is a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering smarter, more efficient payment solutions that help our members optimise cash flow, streamline operations and drive meaningful cost savings on their own and their customers’ travel spend. By enhancing the way money moves across the travel ecosystem, we are empowering our members with greater control, flexibility, and efficiency.   Jason Hancock, Managing Director of International Business Payments Division said “WEX is pleased to partner with The Advantage Travel Partnership as we recognise the significant opportunities within the corporate travel market and look forward to driving mutual success together. We are excited to be the headline sponsor at today's Corporate Travel Summit, hosted by The Business Travel Association (BTA) and The Advantage Travel Partnership. We are looking forward to engaging with attendees and showcasing how our partnership with Advantage can provide travel companies with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving market.”   WEX is a key sponsor of The Corporate Travel Summit taking place today. The one-day event is taking place at Novotel London West and will offer a unique platform for business travel professionals to come together, share insights, and explore innovative solutions within the industry.

 

• Easter holiday bookings up by 15 percent compared to the same period last year.

• Impressive growth in the family market with the percentage of bookings featuring at least one child increasing from 21 percent in 2024 to 25 percent this year.

• Summer holiday bookings suggest a growing trend of families looking to get away during other times of the year, particularly during the Easter break for better deals and more suitable weather.

• Strong momentum in long-haul travel across agency partners with a 5% shift from short-haul holidays to long-haul for this summer

  The Advantage Travel Partnership has reported a strong surge in Easter holiday bookings this year, with bookings up by 15 percent compared to the same period last year. The family market has seen particularly impressive growth, with the percentage of bookings featuring at least one child increasing from 21 percent in 2024 to 25 percent this year. For Easter, the top winter sun destinations are Tenerife, Antalya and Costa Blanca and Orlando, Mexico and New York for long-haul.   In 2024 the family market was slower for summer holiday bookings and the same is appearing to be the case for summer holiday bookings this year suggesting that there is a growing trend of families looking to get away during other times of the year, particularly during the Easter break, to secure better deals. Additionally, there’s a growing wave of travellers seeking destinations that offer cooler temperatures, as traditional summer holiday hotspots have been experiencing hotter-than-ever conditions in recent years. This shift in preferences is contributing to the increase in popularity of Easter travel, as people are keen to avoid the sweltering summer heat while still enjoying a memorable holiday.   The Advantage Travel Partnership have also seen strong momentum in long-haul travel across its agency partners, with demand accelerating from January into February.  The uptick in long-haul travel suggests that many families are discovering that long-haul destinations can be more cost-effective during school holidays than European alternatives, particularly in regions like Thailand and the Far East, where local costs remain attractive.   As an example, two weeks staying in a four-star self-catering property in the Balearics in August for four people is £4,500. Whereby you could get a similar holiday in Thailand for the same price, whilst the cost of living when you are there is significantly lower.  As a result of this Advantage says it is seeing a 5% shift from short-haul holidays to long-haul for this summer.   Kelly Cookes, Chief Commercial Officer of The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “It's unsurprising that destinations such as Tenerife, Lanzarote and the Costa Blanca continue to be popular for Easter breaks as they can be reliably sunny and good value for travellers. They also offer a wide range of facilities and activities for all ages.   We often see people travelling slightly further afield to destinations such as Orlando earlier in the year to try and beat the summer crowds and queues and avoid the hotter summer months.  We believe that Orlando will continue to be a destination to watch as it’s set to have a bumper year with the new Universal Park Epic Universe opening in May. Overall, the U.S. market is experiencing robust growth, with Orlando and New York leading the charge, however Nashville is also seeing rising interest, driven by the growing popularity of country music.   It’s interesting to see that long-haul is proving popular and we anticipate that the popularity of shows like White Lotus set in Thailand and Love Island All Stars filmed in South Africa will further fuel interest in these destinations for 2025 holidays.   We can expect to see cruise grow in popularity partially due to the continued growth of capacity in the sector with the introduction of additional ships. 2025 will be a big year with new ships across ocean, river and expedition cruising, with MSC, Uniworld, NCL, Celebrity Cruise, Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages all bringing on new additions to their fleets.   For anyone looking to get away in the coming weeks or months we would always recommend booking with a travel agent. Agents have an incredible amount of knowledge and experience in searching for the best deals available. They are also best placed to help researching the ideal destination for every budget and ensuring you get the best value for your money.”

  In a significant move for the UK’s aviation sector, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed the government’s support for major airport infrastructure expansions, including the long-debated third runway at Heathrow. This decision aims to enhance the country’s global connectivity, ease airport congestion, and stimulate economic growth.   Julia Lo Bue-Said, Chief Executive Officer of The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “We’re pleased to see the government supporting essential infrastructure growth across several of the UK’s major airports including the third runway at Heathrow. These expansions will significantly improve the passenger experience for both leisure and business travellers with a wider range of departures, increased competition for pricing, and reduced congestion and delays. Alongside this, it will enhance connectivity to global markets, driving both tourism and business investments. Having the necessary facilities available to maintain a thriving inbound and outbound travel industry is vital in order for the UK to remain a major international hub and to continue driving economic growth.”

  The Advantage Travel Partnership has announced London-based travel agents, The Travel House Ltd, has recently joined the consortia. This industry leader differentiates itself from other agents by consistently offering superior and bespoke travel experiences including itineraries representing the pinnacle of global travel.   Comprising of 50 skilled professionals with a passion for travel, The Travel House team has a wealth of knowledge and stays updated with the latest trends and best options for travel for its developed and growing base of loyal customers.   The Travel House doesn’t just book trips for its customers, they create journeys that resonate with each client’s wishes to deliver seamless and personalised travel experiences. They boast an expansive global network giving customers access to premier destinations and high-class experiences. The Travel House can offer a range of orchestrated experiences including luxury business expeditions, designing an exotic leisure retreat, or managing complex group travel logistics whilst consistently delivering exceptional results.   In 2024, The Travel House was honoured to be recognised by the British Travel Awards whereby 400,000 travellers vote annually for the best travel experiences. The Travel House was nominated as both the Best Travel Company for the USA as well as the Best Travel Website for Flight Bookings. Through its loyal client base, exceptional service provided and ability to provide top-notch travel solutions, The Travel House won the Bronze Accreditation as the Best Travel Agency for the USA.   Following its new relationship with The Advantage Travel Partnership, The Travel House has taken a strategic step to align its mission of providing exceptional travel solutions with Advantage's extensive global network to gain access to resources, suppliers and competitive pricing. This will help The Travel House to deliver innovative, cost-effective travel options while maintaining its hallmark personalised customer service.   Raghav Tahasildar, Head of Global Supplier Partnership and Global Key Account Management at The Travel House Ltd, says: “Advantage’s commitment to empowering its members with exclusive resources and industry expertise resonates with our dedication to offering tailored, high-quality travel solutions. This partnership allows us to collaborate with like-minded professionals, keeping The Travel House ahead in a competitive market and ensuring our customers consistently receive the highest standards of service and value. By joining Advantage, we are not just aligning with a prestigious network; we are reaffirming our pledge to meet and exceed the evolving needs of our clients in the UK and globally. This partnership strengthens our position as a trusted leader in the travel industry, committed to delivering exceptional experiences to our valued customers.”   Kelly Cookes, Chief Commercial Officer of The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “It’s great to have The Travel House join Advantage due to the incredible tailor-made travel experiences and excellent customer service they are able to offer their client base. We look forward to watching their business grow as an Advantage member. Following the success Advantage saw in 2024, with more than £500 million in new member turnover, we are delighted to start strong and continue to grow our member base in 2025.”

The Advantage Travel Partnership has responded following the Home Office's proposal to raise the maximum price of the electronic travel authorisation (ETA). It proposes a rise from £10 to £16 which was submitted to Parliament n 16 January. The decision was made to reduce the reliance on the taxpayer. The increase in fees will generate an additional £269 million a year. Responding to feedback from the aviation industry, the government agreed an interim exemption for passengers who transit airside, and don’t need to pass through UK border control. “It's incredibly disappointing to see the government increase the cost of the new ETA fee by 60% even before it's fully launched,” said Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of The Advantage Travel Partnership. “Charging international travellers to visit the UK is just another economic policy which will also directly impact the UK outbound travel sector and will only serve as a further blow to consumers.” “Without a thriving inbound sector, you cannot have a thriving outbound industry. " The Advantage Travel Partnership represents independently owned travel agencies and travel management companies, operating across 750 locations throughout the UK. Collectively, as a global network, members generate over £15.6 billion in global sales annually. UKInbound also responded: “The decision is a staggering blow to the UK’s tourism industry and businesses across the country. This change comes at the worst time, just as ETA requirements for all non-visa national visitors are rolled out from 2 April,” it said. “International tourism is a competitive industry and the two key motivators to visit a destination are value for money and the quality of welcome, and this move damages our standing on both fronts.”

  The Advantage Travel Partnership has announced The Travel Team as one of its latest members, having joined the consortia in July of this year. The Travel Team, a family founded travel agency based in the market town of Brampton in Cumbria, has been in business for over 38 years, helping holidaymakers book their dream trips from city-breaks to expeditions.   The Travel Team offers a wide choice of holidays including cruises, expedition voyages, ski trips, and adventure holidays as well as creating luxury and tailormade itineraries. They provide high standards of customer service whilst finding solutions for everyone.   Liz Beaty, Director of The Travel Team, has worked in the family business for over 30 years and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the company as well as providing a hands-on booking experience for travellers. Alongside Liz, Branch Manager Helen Griffiths brings over 20 years of experience in the travel industry to The Travel Team including several years working overseas in Turkey, Spain & Cape Verde.     Together they work in a team of five knowledgeable, well-travelled and experienced agents and through creating tailormade holiday experiences, the team has excellent customer retention which has helped to grow their existing client base.   Liz Beaty said: “We are thrilled to have joined Advantage earlier this year due to what the company has been able offer The Travel Team in terms of commercial agreements with tour operators as well as what they are providing us with for our marketing needs whether it’s promoting exclusive offers for customers, point of sale material or new initiatives. After Covid, we identified that we wanted to make some changes within the business and wanted to join a consortia that would offer us the support and development necessary so that we could strengthen and grow.”   Kelly Cookes, Chief Commercial Officer of The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “We were delighted to have The Travel Team join Advantage earlier this year as we have seen the incredible experiences they have created for clients over the last 38 years. This year we’ve seen significant growth in our membership with over 50 new branches and more than £500 million in new member turnover. We have seen this growth come from across the travel agent sector with established businesses joining us from other consortia, brand new start-up businesses, and some which were previously unaffiliated to any consortia seeing the benefits and have joined us.”

  The Advantage Travel Partnership, Britain’s largest consortium of independent travel agents, has reported an exceptional end to the year, with an impressive surge in bookings and revenue growth across both the festive period and for 2025 bookings.   Top Destinations for 2024 Christmas Travel   Bookings overall for the Christmas period are seeing a rise of 12% over 2024, with The Canary Islands dominating bookings for the festive period and Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria taking the top three spots.  This is followed by the ever-popular Benidorm, proving that travellers are continuing to favour sun and beach holidays to escape the gloomy UK weather this winter.   While Europe remains a strong favourite, long-haul travel continues to show robust performance. In terms of mid- and long-haul destinations, the USA, Dubai and Thailand are emerging as the most sought-after locations for travellers this season. Long-haul bookings have proven resilient throughout 2024, even in the face of economic uncertainty. This enduring demand for long-haul travel reflects the fact that travellers are looking for richer cultural, immersive experiences and a sense of adventure that can be offered by for far flung destinations. Long-haul destinations also remain popular as they can cater to a diverse range of budgets, from luxury holidays to more affordable options. For example, Dubai continues to attract both those looking for luxury as well as families seeking family-friendly resorts, shopping and entertainment. Thailand, with its varied options from budget backpacking to luxury resorts, offers an appealing blend of affordability and exotic appeal.   City breaks are also continuing to be a popular trend, with strong sales of the more established favourite city break destinations for this time of the year, including Budapest and Prague, and also some lesser-known city break destinations such as Porto and Gdansk, which offer exceptional value to travel to and when you are there. The most common trip length remained at eight nights, consistent with last year’s trend. All-inclusive packages were the dominant choice for travellers, accounting for around 50% of bookings and seeing significant growth. This aligns with consumer desires to manage their budgets during the festive period while enjoying peace of mind on a hassle-free, all-inclusive holiday.   Looking Ahead to 2025: A Positive Start to the Year   Looking ahead to 2025, The Advantage Travel Partnership is tracking ahead of last year by 15% in bookings so far. As expected, summer holidays are leading the way, with summer bookings accounting for 55% of all reservations. The average duration for these trips is 10 nights, the same as at this time in 2024.   Destinations for 2025 mirror many of the trends seen this year, with Tenerife, Majorca and Costa Blanca holding the top three spots for European getaways. Long-haul travel is seeing continued interest, with the USA, the Caribbean and Thailand topping the list for international destinations. Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of The Advantage Travel Partnership said: “We’ve had a really strong performance throughout 2024 and it’s great that we’re ending the year on a high. The strength of trading throughout 2024 reflects the resilience of both our travel agent partners and the broader travel sector. The appetite for travel continues to grow as consumers seek both value and experience, and we’re excited to see this momentum continue into 2025.   “Our agent partners across the UK also continue to see new customers as people look to book their travel via a travel agent, not only to get access to great deals but also for peace of mind when travelling.   “As the UK travel industry now enters one of the year's peak booking periods, when approximately 60% of Brits book a family summer package holiday by the end of February, our travel agency partners are gearing up for a busy period. Across our national network of travel agency partners, we are supporting them with a major marketing campaign: That Just Booked Feeling, with offers, promotions, and incentives to encourage early bookings.”

  The Advantage Travel Partnership has announced The Holiday Fixer has joined the consortia under its Advantage Managed Services’ (AMS) model. Founded eight-years ago by Britt-Marie Monks, this business has thirty homeworkers known as the Fixers, booking all types of holidays and ahead of 2025 are putting plans in place for their first conference.   Following Britts unexpected redundancy in 2016, she put her travel experience to practice becoming a self-employed travel agent to help fit her job around her family and in 2018 officially launched her own agency after two years in the making. With the opportunity to travel to incredible destinations, Britt and The Holiday Fixer is able to create bespoke holidays for her customers creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences. With the separate brand The Honeymoon Fixer, the team are able to accommodate the recent push for luxury honeymoons and weddings whilst The Holiday Fixer focus on other travel opportunities. Britt’s journey to creating a successful travel agency was not without tribulations as in her first year of operating, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, and following being given the all-clear, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the UK. Nonetheless, Britt and her incredibly supportive team navigated these trials and now in 2024 have a growing team on thirty Fixers as well as the, Become a Holiday Fixer Mentor Programme, which will hope to see the company have a total of fifty Fixers by the end of 2025 as well as taking on a sales manager and business development manager.   Britt-Marie Monks founder of The Holiday Fixer said: “Being made redundant was the best thing that ever happened to me as, otherwise, I would never set up my travel business. It’s not a job, more a vocation that makes me incredibly happy.  Having the opportunity to travel to amazing places and also researching and putting together bespoke holidays, making our customers dreams come true – what could be better. Due to our growth over recent years, we needed a consortium that could support us and be flexible and Advantage offered this. We wanted the support from a managed service model but with the ability to be able to run the business the way I wanted to. This enables us to be relevant and push boundaries.”   Britt goes on to talk about her advice for anyone looking to start their own business: “Make sure you so you research before you start, I worked for a large travel franchise for two years to build my confidence to sell independently. Success takes a lot of hard work, it will not come easy but it will be worth it, so dream big!”   Kelly Cookes, Chief Commercial Officer of The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “We’re overjoyed to have another impressive agency such as The Holiday Fixer to join Advantage. The Holiday Fixer is a great match for Advantage as we share the same ethos and want to ensure that all of its customers are treated with outstanding customer service. We are continuing to see great success with our AMS model and look forward to supporting Britt and her team to continue offering these experiences to their client base.”

The Advantage Travel Partnership has announced a new partnership with travel technology firm Vibe. The Vibe tech solution will be implemented for a new online booking tool platform for TMCs operating under the Advantage Managed Services (AMS) model. It will allow members access to Vibe's custom-built booking platform, designed specifically for agents with tools usually accessible only to the largest organisations. This enables TMCs, who may not have the resources to implement a system of this scale alone, to offer customers the OBT service that Vibe enables. Stephen Baxendale, Advantage’s Technology Partnerships Manager said: “This partnership with Vibe means offering a technology proposition that stands out in a highly competitive space.” This is a further step in our One-Stop Business Hub capabilities for our members helping them to respond to the growing market needs.” Danny Girling, Vibe's Business Development & Head of Partnerships said: "Members servicing business travel accounts, who operate under The Advantage Travel Partnership’s managed services model, can now tap into our platform.” “By leveraging their collective strength, Advantage is offering their members access to the same tools and services as the biggest players in the industry." Advantage’s managed service model, which celebrated its 15-year anniversary this year, is a plug and play model originally set up to alleviate the time and resources needed to run the operational side of a travel business. Users of the AMS model has grown significantly since 2009 and today encompasses 87 branches. They collectively generate an annual turnover in excess of £160m.

  The Advantage Travel Partnership and the Business Travel Association (BTA) have announced a joint event, Corporate Travel Summit, scheduled for Thursday, 6th March at the Novotel London West. This inaugural collaborative initiative will bring together two significant industry conferences: the BTA Spring Conference and the Advantage Business Travel Symposium.   The one-day event represents a strategic partnership aimed at creating a comprehensive platform for business travel professionals. It will feature approximately 100 partner suppliers, providing a unique opportunity for Travel Management Companies (TMCs), buyers and partner suppliers to network, share knowledge, and explore innovative industry solutions.   This collaborative effort underscores a shared commitment to addressing critical challenges in the travel management sector. By combining their collective expertise, resources, and industry networks, both organisations aim to deliver meaningful insights and opportunities for their members and the broader travel community.   Clive Wratten, CEO of the BTA: "Our collaborative approach shows continued cooperation in the travel management industry. Together, the partnership could become a powerful catalyst for positive change, addressing industry challenges head-on and creating new opportunities for growth and development.”   Andrea Caulfield-Smith, Managing Director of Global Business Travel at The Advantage Travel Partnership: "This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to combine our strengths and create value for our industry. By joining forces, we can develop more impactful initiatives that benefit our members and the travel sector as a whole."   Further details of the event and registration information will be launched in January.

  The Advantage Travel Partnership has announced the promotion of Lee Ainsworth to the position of Director of Strategy, effective 1 December 2024. In this newly created role, Ainsworth will lead the development and execution of the company's strategic plans, working closely with Advantage's wider senior leadership team to deliver on the company's ambitious growth agenda.   Commenting on Ainsworth's promotion, Julia Lo Bue-Said, Chief Executive Officer, The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: "Lee has been a longstanding and highly valued member of our team for the past nine years, and most recently as our Head of Operations, he has consistently demonstrated leadership and strategic thinking, bringing structure to our strategic project roadmap, which has been instrumental in supporting our success to date."   “Lee's promotion is a testament to his leadership skills and strategic insight, and I am confident he will add even greater value in supporting our bold and ambitious growth plans for the future in this new role," she continued. "His appointment also underscores our commitment to nurturing our people and ensuring that they have the opportunity to achieve their full potential."   Commenting on his promotion, Ainsworth added: "I am delighted to take on this new role. Over the past nine years, I have seen the incredible potential of our business and look forward to collaborating with the wider leadership team and advisory boards to drive our strategic development even further and deliver value for all our stakeholders through the achievement of our long-term goals."