Unpacked, by TTG

What were the key takeaways from WTM London – and what lies ahead for the travel industry? In the final of three special episodes of Unpacked by TTG, recorded live in association with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the TTG team reflects on the biggest talking points from the show, from emerging destination trends and travel agent research to the importance of human connection in an industry where AI usage is becoming more and more commonplace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes the Bahamas so much more than a beach holiday – and how can agents sell it? Recorded live at WTM London, this episode of Unpacked by TTG invites Jackson Weech, the new Director General of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, to discuss the destination's diverse tourism offering, from its vibrant culture and mouthwatering local cuisine to the unique experiences waiting across its 700 islands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could holidays to space become a reality sooner than we think? Recorded live at WTM London, this episode brings TTG's James Chapple together with veteran NASA astronaut Don Thomas to explore the future of space travel, from the extraordinary experience of life in orbit and stories from Thomas' four Space Shuttle missions to the prospect of one day holidaying on the Moon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does the travel industry need from the Chancellor’s Budget? In this episode of Unpacked by TTG, Luke Petherbridge of Abta, travel industry advisor Zoe Powell and TTG's James Chapple explore the tax and economic pressures facing the trade, from rising employment costs and business rates to APD and VAT. We ask how the government can support travel businesses, protect consumer spending power and keep the UK competitive as the industry faces the rising costs of doing business and decarbonisation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do travel agents need qualifications to prove their expertise? Jo Richards of Tivoli Travel and Colin Martin-Weekes of Go Cruise and Travel join this episode of Unpacked by TTG to examine what professionalism really means in the industry, from investing in staff training and learning from customer feedback to the potential pitfalls of mandatory accreditation. We ask how the trade can raise standards and earn consumer trust without putting unnecessary obstacles in the way of new recruits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is travel’s event culture getting out of hand? In this episode of Unpacked by TTG, we debate drinking, freebies and 'freeloaders' at trade events – and whether it’s time for the industry to rethink the way it does business. We're joined by Dan Bartholomew-Oates of The Awesome Adventures Company and Becky Walker, co-founder of the Tales of a Travel Agent podcast to explore where networking ends and unprofessional behaviour begins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fines? Blacklists? Or simply bad manners? With 95% of TTG readers backing penalties for event no-shows, TTG's Sophie Griffiths and Emma Dooney are joined by travel agent Jenny Jackson and marketing specialist Ant Stone as they debate whether agents who fail to turn up should face consequences – and whether the industry risks going too far. Listen to this episode of Unpacked by TTG to learn more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are traditional ship visits still the best way for travel agents to get to know a cruise brand – or have they had their day? In this episode of Unpacked by TTG, we explore how ship visits are changing, whether a few hours onboard can really deliver the knowledge and experience agents need to sell with confidence, and how cruise lines can make these experiences more relevant and commercially valuable. We’re joined by Princess Cruises’ Yas McKechnie to discuss what makes a great ship visit, who should qualify, how success should be measured – and what the future of agent training and ship experiences could look like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Unpacked by TTG, Editor in Chief Sophie Griffiths is joined by Cuba specialist Matt O'Sullivan to explore the deepening crisis facing one of the Caribbean's most iconic destinations. What have been the impact of US sanctions, fuel shortages and collapsing tourism on everyday life in Cuba? And could recent diplomatic talks between Cuba and the United States mark the beginning of a recovery? The conversation explores whether Cuba remains a viable destination for travellers, what travel agents need to know right now, and how quickly tourism could bounce back if conditions improve. It's an honest, insightful discussion about the challenges facing the country today – and why the travel trade shouldn't write Cuba off just yet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Unpacked by TTG, the team are joined by Alan Bowen, legal advisor to the Association of Atol Companies, and northern-based travel agent Tony Mann, director of Idle Travel, as they explore what a potential Andy Burnham premiership could mean for the UK travel industry. What might the 'King of the North's' policies on regional devolution, business rates, and aviation expansion mean for the sector? Plus could his pro-EU leanings help ease ongoing European border friction? Is a Burnham-led Britain really the boost of optimism high street agencies need, or will further political instability cause a long-term headache for outbound travel? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.