Latest news with #NickiTempest-Mitchell
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Barrhead Travel launches European cities river cruise
The eight-day journey will set sail on August 25 next year, cruising through the heart of European destinations including Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Munich. Barrhead Travel said: 'The exclusive sailing with APT's premium brand, Travelmarvel, comes in response to unprecedented demand, with the agency reporting a 31% increase in river cruise bookings year to date, following a 38% surge in 2024. Read more 'The charter marks a significant milestone for UK-based travel retailers, showcasing Barrhead Travel's confidence in the river cruise sector and its dedication to delivering tailored, high-quality travel experiences.' It added: 'Holidaymakers will enjoy a premium onboard experience aboard one of Travelmarvel's contemporary river ships, renowned for their relaxed atmosphere, exceptional service, and curated itineraries.' Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, managing director of Barrhead Travel, said: 'Chartering a cruise ship is a significant step for the agency and a clear signal of our intent to lead the way in the UK river cruise market. 'We're seeing record-breaking interest in river cruising as holidaymakers look for more immersive experiences that combine comfort, culture, and convenience. This exclusive charter allows us to bring something truly special to our customers and our team of specialists have worked hard to curate a stunning itinerary at our favourite ports of call.' Barrhead Travel, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, was sold to US-based Travel Leaders Group in 2018, and was by that time one of the UK's biggest travel agents. Travel Leaders Group is part of Internova Travel Group, which has its head office in New York.
Scotsman
17-07-2025
- Scotsman
Last-minute holiday bookings take off as holiday makers seek summer sun
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. The UK's leading independent travel agent, Barrhead Travel has reported a 42 percent increase in last-minute bookings with people opting to book and travel this July. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With holidays in high demand, over 40 percent of new bookings are still being made for Summer 2025, suggesting people want to travel as soon as they can. The travel group, which is celebrating 50 years in business this year, says that the changeable weather over the last few months has helped to drive demand as people seek to guarantee sunny climes at great value-for-money pricing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Booking data from Barrhead Travel points to UK consumers continuing to prioritise their breaks this year as the group is reporting another record-breaking year of sales. This chimes with monthly consumer spending reports from Barclays which indicate that spend with travel agents has grown every month so far this year. The most-booked European destinations for Birmingham holidaymakers are Mallorca, Tenerife, Turkey, Alicante and cruising from Southampton while long-haul favourites include Orlando, Canada, Cancun, New York and Dubai. Rising star destinations for this summer include Malta (up by 67%), Rhodes (up by 17%) and Cyprus (up 48%) All-inclusive holidays remain the most popular option for Birmingham, accounting for more than 20 percent of new bookings, suggesting budgeting is a key priority for many. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, Managing Director of Barrhead Travel, said, 'Holidays are well and truly top of mind at the minute. Our weather at home has been hit or miss over the last few months so families are looking to get some guaranteed sun and escape everyday life. The uplift in last-minute bookings we are seeing shows that demand is still high and people are making spontaneous decisions to take advantage of healthy late deals. 'Value-for-money is key – which is why we've seen ongoing interest in all-inclusive holidays and cruises. Most people are opting for higher quality experiences and we're seeing spend remain the same or higher than last year, with families preferring to shorten their break in order to upgrade their trip.' 'If you are still to book, we would recommend doing so sooner rather than later to secure preferred dates and locations. Booking with a reputable travel agent, such as Barrhead Travel, will guarantee the best prices and full financial protection.' Barrhead Travel's retail network is open seven days a week until late as well as offering evening support through their online service, call centres and social media channels. Find your nearest Barrhead Travel store by visiting Disneyland Paris Make memories that last: magical Disneyland Paris breaks now from just £139 £ 139.00 Wowcher Buy now Buy now Treat yourself and the kids to something unforgettable with a magical Disneyland Paris city break. For as little as £139 each, you'll enjoy return flights, a hotel stay and a full day at the iconic Disneyland Park — meeting characters, watching parades and riding your favourite attractions. With two, three or four-night options and flights from four UK airports, this is your chance to create family memories you'll treasure forever, without breaking the bank. Book your Disneyland Paris break now before dates sell out! Discovery Cove Discover Orlando's hidden island paradise with exclusive early booking savings £ 115.00 Buy now Buy now Tucked away in the heart of Orlando, Discovery Cove is the all-inclusive tropical escape most visitors don't even know exists. Swim with dolphins, snorkel through vibrant reefs, hand-feed exotic birds and unwind on white-sand beaches — all in a serene, crowd-free setting with guest numbers capped daily. Right now, you can save up to 28% on 2026 bookings, plus an extra 12% off with code SUNNY, and enjoy a free premium drinks package for over-21s. But hurry — these early booking savings end soon. Explore Discovery Cove deals today
Scotsman
17-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Last-minute holiday bookings take off as holiday makers seek summer sun
Barrhead Travel Reports 42% Surge in Last-Minute Bookings The UK's leading independent travel agent, Barrhead Travel has reported a 42 percent increase in last-minute bookings with people opting to book and travel this July. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With holidays in high demand, over 40 percent of new bookings are still being made for Summer 2025, suggesting people want to travel as soon as they can. The travel group, which is celebrating 50 years in business this year, says that the changeable weather over the last few months has helped to drive demand as people seek to guarantee sunny climes at great value-for-money pricing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Booking data from Barrhead Travel points to UK consumers continuing to prioritise their breaks this year as the group is reporting another record-breaking year of sales. This chimes with monthly consumer spending reports from Barclays which indicate that spend with travel agents has grown every month so far this year. The most-booked European destinations for Birmingham holidaymakers are Mallorca, Tenerife, Turkey, Alicante and cruising from Southampton while long-haul favourites include Orlando, Canada, Cancun, New York and Dubai. Rising star destinations for this summer include Malta (up by 67%), Rhodes (up by 17%) and Cyprus (up 48%) All-inclusive holidays remain the most popular option for Birmingham, accounting for more than 20 percent of new bookings, suggesting budgeting is a key priority for many. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, Managing Director of Barrhead Travel, said, 'Holidays are well and truly top of mind at the minute. Our weather at home has been hit or miss over the last few months so families are looking to get some guaranteed sun and escape everyday life. The uplift in last-minute bookings we are seeing shows that demand is still high and people are making spontaneous decisions to take advantage of healthy late deals. 'Value-for-money is key – which is why we've seen ongoing interest in all-inclusive holidays and cruises. Most people are opting for higher quality experiences and we're seeing spend remain the same or higher than last year, with families preferring to shorten their break in order to upgrade their trip.' 'If you are still to book, we would recommend doing so sooner rather than later to secure preferred dates and locations. Booking with a reputable travel agent, such as Barrhead Travel, will guarantee the best prices and full financial protection.'
Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Brits ditch Spain and Portugal for scorching countries with cheaper breaks
Experts say many people are being drawn to the North African region by its wide availability of high-quality hotels costing considerably less than similar properties in locations such as Spain, France and Italy A surge in UK holidaymakers are swapping traditional European destinations for North Africa, according to travel firms. Experts suggest the region's appeal lies in its abundance of high-quality hotels that are significantly cheaper than similar properties in Spain, France and Italy. Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are all seeing an influx of visitors from the UK. Data from aviation analysts Cirium reveals that 19,847 flights are expected to serve routes from UK airports to these countries this year, more than double the 8,653 flights in 2019. In contrast, the number of flights to Spain and Portugal is predicted to rise by 10% and 9% respectively over the same period. This indicates that many holidaymakers seeking better quality accommodation without paying more are willing to endure a longer flight, despite airlines like easyJet and Ryanair offering non-reclining seats and no onboard entertainment. Flights from Gatwick airport in West Sussex to Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh take approximately five hours and 20 minutes. This means an additional hour and 45 minutes on a plane compared to trips to the traditional southern Spanish hotspot of Alicante. EasyJet commenced flights between Gatwick and Cape Verde, off the west coast of Africa, in March, marking its longest route serving England. These flights cover the distance of 2,332 nautical miles in six hours and 10 minutes. Tui, the travel company, has reported a 30% increase in bookings for summer holidays in Egypt compared to last year, from both flight-only and package holiday customers. The firm also noted "double-digit growth" for Tunisia and a strong demand for Morocco. Chris Logan, Tui's UK commercial director, stated that these three destinations offer "fantastic value for money", making it difficult for traditional European destinations to compete. Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: "There's good quality accommodation and great weather beyond the traditional summer season. "Even in the winter months temperatures are mild, making them a perfect choice for year-round travel." To meet the growing demand, Tui has increased its flights from the UK to North Africa this summer, introducing new routes from Stansted to Enfidha in Tunisia and from Newcastle to Agadir, Morocco. the online accommodation marketplace, reported a 68% increase in searches for summer breaks in Tunisia during the first five months of this year, compared with the same period in 2024. Egypt and Morocco saw increases of 64% and 39% respectively. Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, managing director at Barrhead Travel, commented that Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia offer "incredible value for money" which is "proving increasingly attractive for holidaymakers this year". She added: "The investment in high-quality hotels and experiences across these regions is turning the heads of customers who may previously have favoured mainland Europe." According to Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, "Although favourites such as Spain and Turkey are still our top-selling destinations, it's safe to say north Africa is a region to watch over the next few years." She observed a "clear trend toward value-conscious holiday planning", attributing this to the ongoing cost of living pressures and reduced disposable incomes. Lo Bue-Said noted: "This shift has driven growing popularity for destinations like Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia, which offer more competitive pricing and high-quality accommodation options compared to the more traditional western Mediterranean resorts."
The Irish Sun
12-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Thousands of Brits are ditching Europe for these three cheap African holiday destinations
WITH expensive costs and overcrowded attractions, thousands of Brits are ditching Europe for more affordable destinations in Africa. Recent research by TUI has seen a boom in demand for North African holidays . 3 North Africa is becoming a much popular destination with Brits Credit: Alamy 3 Morocco has reported record tourist numbers Credit: Alamy Morocco , Egypt and TUI's UK commercial director Chris Logan said that the reason for the demand was not because of the "fantastic value for money " compared to pricier places in Europe . He told PA: "There's good quality accommodation and great weather beyond the traditional summer season. "Even in the winter months temperatures are mild, making them a perfect choice for year-round travel." Read more on Africa And according to aviation analysts Cirium, nearly 20,000 flights are set to fly from London to North African destinations. This is up from around 8,600 back in 2019. Some of TUI's new routes include Stansted to Enfidha in Tunisia and from Holidays are extremely cheaply too - we found deals under £300 each when four-star hotels in Most read in News Travel This demand has also been backed by who said they had seen an increase in searches for summer holidays to Tunisia by 64 per cent compared to last year. Searches for Inside luxury camping bivouac under the dunes in Morocco's Sahara desert Experts say many people are being drawn to the region by its wide availability of high-quality hotels costing considerably less than similar properties in locations such as Spain , France and Italy. Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, managing director at travel agency Barrhead Travel said north Africa was "a region to watch over the next few years". Other new Africa flights from the UK include easyJet's first route to Cape Verde from London Gatwick as well as flights to the And Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, a network of independent travel agents, said there is a "clear trend toward value-conscious holiday planning". She went on: "Ongoing cost of living pressures and squeezed disposable incomes have meant that while people remain committed to taking holidays, they're increasingly focused on maximising value for money. "This shift has driven growing popularity for destinations like Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia, which offer more competitive pricing and high-quality accommodation options compared to the more traditional western Mediterranean resorts." The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor recently visited Our Head of Travel (Print) And our 3 Flights have also boomed - up 20,000 from 8,600 in five years Credit: Alamy
