Latest news with #travelagents
TTG
3 days ago
- Business
- TTG
St Kitts' new agent portal and upcoming fam In The Spotlight
Video transcript With St Kitts Tourism trade sales representative Suzy Trott and TTG Media's Charlotte Cullinan. Charlotte: Hello and welcome to our In The Spotlight video with St Kitts. Suzy, let's start by talking about the launch of your new travel agent incentive. Tell us everything that agents need to know. Suzy: Yeah, absolutely. We're actually celebrating the launch of the incentive, it's brand new, so we're really very excited. All agents have to do is just make a seven-night booking, and that would have to include flight and a hotel. And then basically all they simply do is register through They enter all the booking details – the check-in, the reference number. And then once their customer has actually checked in, we verify the booking with the particular hotel. And then when it's all verified, then we send the travel agent a £50 Love2shop voucher. And that's for every booking. So it's a really great incentive. Pretty much all of the hotels in St Kitts are bookable through Gold Medal, so you can access all hotels. Charlotte: Brilliant. Thank you. That's really generous. And you also have an online training programme. Where can agents find that and what can they expect? Suzy: We do and it's a really great opportunity actually for travel agents to come in, have a slightly deeper knowledge and understanding about the destination, about the culture, about our history, and also, more information about the hotels. There's new hotels opening in St Kitts. And again, agents, all they have to do is go to and they come in and they, they register the details through that particular portal. Charlotte: Wonderful. Thank you. And next, let's talk about your Sky programme, which shares offers from all of the hotel partners in St Kitts doesn't it? Tell us how agents can join that and what the benefits are. Suzy: Yeah, again, we're really excited about this and this is running, so it's effective, it's live at the moment and it's running until the 15th of December. And any travel agent that comes to St Kitts gets brilliant agent rates, offers, and they start from about $95 per room per night, which is about £50. And if they want to come in and do site visits, if they want to do island tours, they simply have to come into the portal. So it's like a one-stop shop really for travel agencies, And they come in, and they register all their details for the Sky programme. And this is where, it is ideal actually, because we can communicate with our agents, we can update them on news, we can update them on roadshows, we can update them on incentives and also fam trips. So really we want them to come into, to the St Kitts specialist programme, where we can communicate with them on absolutely everything to do with St Kitts. Charlotte: Sounds great. Thank you. You are also running a fam trip later this year. When is that taking place and how can agents secure a place to join you? Suzy: We are it's going to be in November. The dates are to be determined, but it will be likely the middle of November. And we are opening that up to travel agents. Again, if they come into communicate with us, there'll be more information on that particular portal, how they can come in and qualify for a place on the fam trip. But we will be running it in November later this year. Charlotte: Fantastic. Thank you, Suzy. That was a really great insight into how St Kitts can support agents. And thank you for joining us for this In The Spotlight video with St Kitts.
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Luxurious hotels at cheap prices? Offer may be a scam, warn authorities
Saw a low-priced staycation venue with high-quality amenities, stunning views, and a feel of quiet luxury? Don't jump to book just yet. Authorities in Dubai have warned of fake staycation and getaway offers. Such scammers may use visuals of what seems to be elegant hotels or beach chalets to lure potential victims. While you may be looking to surprise your loved ones with a well-deserved break, they might get a different kind of surprise if you show up to the location only to realise that no such venue exists. Scam getaway location listings may ask for your financial details, and once the transaction is processed, stop answering calls or responding to messages. Dubai Police emphasised the importance of booking through trusted agents and websites, in a video advisory posted on X.
Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Times
Ryanair raises fares as more holidaymakers pick Europe over US
Holidaymakers preferring to stay in Europe rather than fly to America are helping Ryanair to push through fare rises of up to 20 per cent this spring, the airline's chief executive has said. 'Europeans appear to be holidaying at home [in Europe] because of what they see as a lack of a reasonable welcome in the US,' Michael O'Leary said. This combined with a later Easter holiday and the end of disputes with online travel agents that hit volumes the year before, has prompted Ryanair to report that it will record fare increases of 'mid-high teens' during the April-June trading quarter. This has provided some respite for Ryanair, which carried a record 200 million passengers in the financial year to the end of March, but
Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Times
Ryanair increases fares as more holidaymakers pick Europe over US
Holidaymakers preferring to stay in Europe rather than fly to America is helping Ryanair to push through fare rises of up to 20 per cent this spring, the airline's chief executive has said. 'Europeans appear to be holidaying at home [in Europe] because of what they see as a lack of a reasonable welcome in the US,' Michael O'Leary, the airline's chief executive, said. This combined with a later Easter holiday and the end of disputes with online travel agents that hit volumes the year before, has prompted Ryanair to report that it will record fare increases of 'mid high teens' during the April-June trading quarter. This has provided some respite for Ryanair, which carried a record 200 million passengers in the financial year to
The Sun
16-05-2025
- The Sun
Holiday warning to anyone with a trip booked this summer on eight things you need to do NOW
MILLIONS of Brits will be getting ready to jet abroad for some sun, sea and sangria this summer. But before you pack your bags and head for the airport, there are a few crucial things you need to sort now to avoid holiday hell. 1 Forget the stress and save some serious pennies by tackling these eight holiday jobs today. Book travel insurance now Booking travel insurance should be one of the first things on your holiday checklist. It provides essential protection against unexpected events, such as illness, accidents, or lost luggage, saving you from potentially hefty expenses. Travel insurance also offers cover for flight cancellations, holiday disruptions, and other unforeseen hiccups that can affect your plans before you even set off. Sorting your insurance as soon as you book your trip ensures you have comprehensive protection and peace of mind well in advance. There's no obligation to purchase travel insurance from your travel agent or holiday company, though they often offer it as part of your booking. Banks, supermarkets, and insurance providers also offer travel cover, and using a comparison website can help you find the best deal tailored to your needs. To get started, you'll need to provide details such as the names and ages of all travellers, your destination, and any pre-existing medical conditions. Once you input this information, you can filter results based on the level of cover, the excess you're willing to pay, and the price. While it's tempting to choose the cheapest option, make sure to check the policy details carefully - lower-cost deals might not offer the protection you need. SPENDING ABROAD: Tips to Avoid High Fees You'll also need to decide whether to opt for single-trip cover or annual multi-trip cover, depending on how often you travel. If your requirements are more complex, consider working with a regulated insurance broker, which you can find via the British Insurance Brokers' Association. Finally, don't forget to check your current account, as some banks offer complimentary travel insurance to their customers. However, always review the details of what's included to ensure the cover meets your needs. What should you look for in a good travel insurance policy? TRAVEL insurance policies can vary a great deal, but here are some "must have Medical expenses - A good policy will give cover of £1million or more for travel in Europe and £2million or more for the USA Repatriation service - The costs of getting you back to the UK for medical reasons should be covered automatically by your policy Cancellation and curtailment - A good policy will cover you for £2,000 or more if you have to cancel or shorten your holiday Missed departure - Covers additional accommodation costs and travel expenses up to £500 or more if you miss your flight due to circumstances out of your control Delay - You'll usually be covered for £250 or more if your travel plans are delayed due to circumstances out of your control Baggage cover - Covers you if your baggage is lost, damaged or stolen. Look for policies that have cover of £1,500 or more. Check your EHIC/GHIC Next, check your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). These cards give you access to state-provided healthcare in many European countries at the same cost as locals. Make sure yours is valid, and if it's expired, apply for a new GHIC. You can apply for a new card up to nine months before your current card expires. These cards are free and last for up to five years. Apply by visiting the NHS Business Authority. Lock in car hire early If you're planning to hire a car for your trip, it's wise to book as early as possible. With demand soaring, prices tend to rise the closer you get to your travel dates. Securing your car hire now not only guarantees the best deals but also avoids the risk of missing out altogether. Turning up at the car hire desk without a booking can end up costing you hundreds of pounds more. You can also save up to £200 in popular holiday destinations by choosing firms or branches located outside the airport. Many of these providers even offer free shuttle services to make the process hassle-free. The best deals are usually found online through price comparison websites, so take advantage of these tools to shop around. To save even more, avoid paying for extras such as satnavs or children's car seats - bringing your own can significantly cut costs. Another key tip is to purchase your excess insurance cover in advance. Comparison sites like offer policies for as little as £15 a week. In contrast, buying this cover at the car hire desk can set you back an average of £259, according to These policies protect you against the hefty insurance excess charges you'd face in the event of an accident. Even if you buy your own excess insurance, be prepared to provide a credit card in the name of the main driver when you collect the car. This is a standard requirement for car hire companies. By planning ahead, you can save money, reduce stress, and enjoy your holiday with peace of mind. Book airport parking now If you need to park at the airport and aren't getting dropped off, book your airport parking online in advance to get the best deal. You'll save hundreds of pounds compared to paying on the day. Most airports offer on-site parking, which you can book directly via their website before you travel. Private firms also offer parking outside the airport grounds. Typically, you'll be met at the terminal, and your car will be parked for you, then returned when you arrive home. Use a comparison site such as Holiday Extras, Airpark or SkyParkSecure, but check on airport parking guide first, as it has discounts of up to 45% via its links. It's also worth opting for a flexible booking in case of any flight delays or cancellations. How to avoid drop-off fees IF you are being dropped off at the airport there are ways to avoid dreaded drop-off charges at your local airport: Aberdeen: Its long-stay car park is free for up to one hour, and there's a free shuttle bus to the terminal. Belfast City: The long-stay car park is free for up to 10 minutes. From here, it's only a small walk to the terminal. Belfast International: The long-stay car park is free for up to 15 minutes and is a six-minute walk from the terminal. Birmingham: The airport charges for its "premium set down" area, but its drop-off car park is free for up to 10 minutes. It's a 10-minute walk from the terminal. Bournemouth: There are no free parking options here. Bristol: There's a free one-hour waiting zone by the "Silver Zone' car park to the south of the terminal. East Midlands: Its "Long-stay 2" car park is free for up to an hour. It's a 15-minute walk to the terminal. Edinburgh: Its long-stay car park is free for up to 30 minutes. Exeter: There are no free parking options here. Gatwick: Free drop-offs are available at its long-stay car parks with free shuttle buses. Glasgow: You can stay for free for up to 30 minutes at its Long-stay car park. Glasgow Prestwick: There are no free parking options here. Heathrow: Drop-offs of up to 30 minutes are free in Heathrow's long-stay car parks. Leeds Bradford: There's a one-hour free parking zone, and the terminal is a three to four minute walk away. Liverpool: Its "Drop Off 2" car park is free for up to 40 minutes and is a five to 10-minute walk to the terminal. Luton: Its Mid Stay Car Park is free for up to 15 minutes. It's a 10 to 15-minute walk to the terminal. Alternatively, its Long Stay Car Park is free for one hour. Manchester: There's a free drop-off area, which is a short shuttle bus ride away from the terminal. Newcastle. Its "Short Stay 2" car park is free for up to 15 minutes. Norwich: There are no free parking options here. Southend: Its "Long Stay 3" car park is free for up to 15 minutes. Southampton: There are no free parking options here. Stansted: Its mid-stay car park is free for an hour. There's a free shuttle bus to the terminal every 10 minutes. Get yourself a fee-free card Using your credit or debit card abroad can cost you up to 5% in fees, and withdrawing cash from an ATM might add around £5 per transaction. However, some cards let you spend abroad without any extra charges, so it's worth finding the right one. For fee-free spending and cash withdrawals abroad, consider these options: First Direct: No fees for paying or withdrawing with its debit card overseas. Santander Edge Current Account: No fees for transactions or withdrawals abroad, but it costs £3 a month, and you must deposit at least £500 monthly. Starling: No fees for spending or cash withdrawals abroad. Monzo: No fees for spending or cash withdrawals abroad. Chase: No fees for spending or cash withdrawals abroad. Many credit cards charge a 3% foreign transaction fee, but some offer fee-free spending: Barclaycard Rewards Card: No transaction fees abroad and uses Visa's exchange rate for better value. NatWest Credit Card: Fee-free spending abroad with no extra charges. Alternatively, consider a pre-paid travel card. These are not linked to your bank account and need to be topped up before your trip, helping you stick to your budget. Save on foreign currency Make your travel money go further by keeping an eye on exchange rates and buying your currency when the pound is strong. Planning ahead can save you a significant amount compared to last-minute exchanges. Order your foreign currency online before your trip to avoid the poor exchange rates often found at airport bureaux de change. Using tools like TravelMoneyMax on can help you compare rates from various providers, ensuring you get the best deal for your holiday cash. Sort out your mobile data Roaming fees can catch tourists off guard, leaving them with hefty bills that could spoil their holiday. These fees are charged when your mobile connects to a local network overseas to access the internet, make calls, or send texts. Depending on your provider, you may face a daily charge or pay based on the amount of data used. Research by Uswitch found roaming fees can reach up to £7 per MB, meaning costs can quickly spiral without you realising. Additionally, Ofcom reported that 14% of UK customers had experienced accidental roaming in the past. To avoid unexpected charges, check your mobile provider's roaming policy before you travel. If free roaming is included in your plan, you're in luck. If not, consider purchasing a travel data package to control costs. Alternatively, rely on free Wi-Fi hotspots or purchase a local SIM card once you arrive at your destination. Planning ahead can save you money and stress while abroad. How to avoid roaming charges SIMRAT Sharma, a mobiles expert at Uswitch, said switching to an eSIM - short for embedded SIM - can be cheaper than using international roaming. She said: "eSIMs make it easier to change networks. "So for example, if you're abroad you can quickly connect to the local network to pay local rates - without having to add or swap a physical local SIM card for your device. "This means travel eSIMs are almost always cheaper than using international roaming, as users are effectively tapping into the same network plans as locals. "If you're regularly switching numbers or travelling to different locations, you'll be able to keep them all safely in digital format rather than carrying around a number of small cards. "The software can easily be accessed via your device's app store and uploaded to your phone in a few quick steps." Re book to save Holiday cancellations are awful, especially when you're already travelling and get stranded. However, cancellations can also be beneficial if you use them strategically to save money on your trip. The trick is to monitor prices as your departure date approaches. You might find that hotel room rates have dropped since you initially booked. If you spot a lower price for the same room at the same hotel, you can cancel your original booking (assuming it's cancellable without fees) and rebook at the cheaper rate. Alternatively, you could use the price drop as an opportunity to upgrade to a better hotel for a similar price. Comparison websites like Expedia, Kayak and Travel Supermarket can help you quickly check prices. Keep in mind that prices might rise closer to your travel dates, so check periodically in advance. The most important thing is to ensure you can cancel your original booking without incurring any charges, otherwise, it's best to stick with your existing plans.
