YOTEL plans to expand its portfolio in the UK and Europe with the opening of YOTEL Belfast in late 2026. The new-build hotel will in the historic Shaftesbury Square in central Belfast, just minutes’ walk from some of the city’s most popular attractions, including Queen’s University and the Botanic Gardens. The hotel will feature 165 rooms, a food and beverage concept, a 24/7 fitness centre and a meeting room.

Alaska Air Group has completed its acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings. The move allows travellers to reach 141 destinations directly, including 29 international markets, and over 1,200 destinations globally through the oneworld Alliance and global partners. Both brands will be retained but soon HawaiianMiles members and Mileage Plan members will be able to transfer miles between accounts free of charge and book Hawaiian Airlines flights at alaskaair.com and Alaska Airlines flights on hawaiianairlines.com.

TravelPerk, the global business travel management platform, has partnered with SilverRail, the rail commerce platform that helps travel agencies sell rail easily, to enable Amtrak (USA) rail content to TravelPerk customers. TravelPerk’s booking data revealed the share of train bookings versus flights on its  platform has increased to 33% in 2023, from 17% in 2019 – with flights representing 67% in 2023.

Travel Counsellors has surpassed £1 billion in sales for the first time.This record achievement is comprised of £735 million in leisure sales and a further £265 million generated from corporate SME clients over ta rolling 12-month period to August 23 2024.