Samantha Mayling

Norwich

Writer at Travel Weekly (UK)

Travel industry journalist, writing for Travel Weekly among others.

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Articles

Jamaica Tourist Board to host 70 agents on fams to mark 70th anniversary

1 week ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Samantha Mayling

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) will host 70 UK and Ireland travel agents on fam trips this year to mark its 70th anniversary. Founded on April 1, 1955, the tourist board is celebrating this milestone with its ‘70 for 70’ trade campaign. There will also be enhanced Jamaica Rewards incentives, trade competitions and prize draws, a dedicated trade event at Jamaica Travel Market, treats including Jamaican rum, coffee and chocolate, and special recognition for top-performing agents.
US remains top long-haul destination, reports TTNG

1 week ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Samantha Mayling

The US has retained its top spot in the league of long-haul destinations, according to The Travel Network Group, despite “consumer sentiment”. Vim Vithaldas, chief commercial officer, told delegates at the consortium’s conference: “I am very surprised to see US still at number one, as – talking to members and suppliers – people say it is too expensive or that they don’t like the politics, so they can’t afford it or they are boycotting it.
AAT Kings unveils range of small group tours limited to 24 guests

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Samantha Mayling

Australia and New Zealand specialist AAT Kings has launched a new range of small group tours limited to 24 guests per departure. The operator said the itineraries are designed to provide a “more intimate and personalised experience” for travellers. The range also enables more access to remote regions that larger groups cannot reach.
Seable plots growth and seeks to work with more agents

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Samantha Mayling

The founder of Seable, which provides holidays for blind and partially sighted people, is targeting growth in 2025 and 2026, as well as more sales with travel agents. Damiano La Rocca said that Seable took 150 customers away last year and this year is is aiming for 250 – with a target of 500 in 2026. “We closed down during Covid and reopened in 2022,” he said. “2023 was really our first year after Covid, after opening up destinations and training people.
Shearings adds 27 coach tours as £1 deposit offer returns

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Samantha Mayling

Escorted coach tour specialist Shearings has added 27 new tours for 2026, coinciding with the relaunch of the company’s £1 deposit promotion. Twelve new European tours include trips to see events, such as the Tall Ships Race – Antwerp 2026 and floral festivals in Ghent and Keukenhof. There are three new tours for solo travellers: Delights of the Austrian Tyrol, The Dolomites and Lake Garda; and The Delightful Costa Blanca.
TTC Tour Brands impact report highlights sustainability successes

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Samantha Mayling

TTC Tour Brands has unveiled its latest Impact Report, outlining its sustainability successes and community tourism achievements. Parent company The Travel Corporation launched an “ambitious” five-year sustainability strategy in September 2020, called How We Tread Right and the report details the progress made. Seven of the 11 sustainability goals, which were set out in 2019, have been achieved, with “significant” progress being made on the remaining targets.
Trade hails public transport investment but rues outbound ‘neglect’

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Samantha Mayling

Trade associations have welcomed news of public transport investments in today’s spending review (June 11) but have called for more government action on outbound travel and sustainable fuel. Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) has announced a four-year settlement for Transport for London to “provide certainty and stability” and for other regions, there will be a fourfold increase in Local Transport Grants by the end of this parliament.
Travelsphere and Just You host ‘new to touring’ fam trip

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Samantha Mayling

Travelsphere and Just You recently took 10 “new to touring” travel agents on a dedicated fam trip to Malta. The five-day itinerary was designed for agents who have never sold escorted touring but are keen to develop their knowledge of the sector. The agents visited Valletta, Gozo, the Blue Grotto and Malta’s ancient capital of Mdina, and took part in various activities, such as olive oil tasting and sampling traditional Maltese cuisine.
Unite warns 800 Glasgow airport workers could strike this summer

3 weeks ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Samantha Mayling

Unite the union has warned that more than 800 workers could be heading towards summer strike action in disputes with five companies based at Glasgow airport. The companies involved in disputes with Unite are Glasgow Airport Ltd, ICTS Central Search, Swissport, Menzies Aviation and Falck. The union said if there is no successful resolution to the disputes in the coming days then it will move towards ballots for industrial action within two weeks.
Party Hard Travel targets ‘significant’ growth as it turns 10

3 weeks ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Samantha Mayling

Youth specialist Party Hard Travel has reported record sales figures with plans for further “significant” growth as it marks its 10th anniversary. It took more than 40,000 bookings last year and is targeting 55,000 this year, thanks to new destinations and a major recruitment drive. Chief executive Nathan Cable (pictured below) – who co-founded the London and Surrey-based specialist – said some weeks in the peak season are now sold out, with the number-one destination being Ayia Napa, Cyprus.