From adults-only boutique hotels to VIP airport service, agents were updated on all things luxury travel at Selling Travel Connect events in Solihull and Edinburgh.
Here’s some of the messages that partners shared with agents…
Aqua Expeditions cosies up to agents
Aqua Expeditions is expanding in the UK and is keen to work directly with trade partners. Its new online portal provides travel agents with the tools needed to effectively sell expedition cruises to clients looking for new adventures, new places and keen to travel in the lap of luxury.
Agents can expect training modules, early bird discounts, agent rates and a friendly approach from the Aqua Expeditions reservations and sales consultants, with everything easily accessible online.
Austin boasts Formula 1 and dark skies
Austin is focusing on becoming the luxury experience capital of the South. One of its biggest draws, especially for sports fans, is its high-octane Formula 1 motor racing at the Circuit of the Americas during the United States Grand Prix.
Nearby Fredericksburg, in the heart of Texas Hill Country’s thriving wine scene, has a charming Main Street shaped by the region’s German roots. After dark, Fredericksburg is a leading stargazing destination and recognised as an International Dark Sky Community.
£10,000 voucher giveaway with Cox & Kings
Cox & Kings is offering agents the chance to win a £10,000 voucher towards one of the company’s tailor-made holidays. Each small group tour booking made until April 30 is worth one entry into the draw. Each tailor-made booking submitted by the deadline will be worth two entries.
Examples of small group tours agents can book include the 10-day Colours of Kyrgyzstan trip priced from £2,495pp; the 17-day Grand Tour of Indochina holidays priced from £3,745pp, or the eight-day Journey Through the Baltic States tour priced from £1,895pp.
Agents can also earn a £50 Love2Shop voucher for all bookings made until March 31 by filling in an online form.
All aboard Antarctica21’s newest vessel
Antarctica21’s newest vessel, the Magellan Discover, will sail on its 2026/27 season of fly-and-cruise expeditions to Antarctica.
Exciting promotions for the 2026/27 season include:
- The Sea Kayaking Program is available on most departures at $995pp.
- Travellers can book a Hiking and Snowshoeing adventure activity on board at $85pp, per excursion.
The company’s air-cruises offer several unique selling points, including avoiding the stormy Drake Passage, reaching the Antarctic Peninsula quickly and in comfort, plus the exclusivity of its small-ship experience. The 2027/28 season brochure is now available for download.
Matemwe Attitude is open for business
The Matemwe Attitude, a four-star Superior adult-only property in northeast Zanzibar, opened in November. Featuring 74 villas, it is the most recent Attitude Hotels opening.
Zanzibar is known for its white-sand beaches, historic capital and as a cultural melting pot with Swahili, Arab, and Indian influences. Visitors can explore spice plantations, go snorkelling, and tour the UNESCO-listed Stone Town.
Guests can discover more of what there is to see and do in the local area of all its hotels, with the help of Attitude’s free Local Discovery mobile app.
Attitude Hotels is a B Corp-certified family business with a collection of three-star to five-star, eco-committed hotels in Mauritius and Zanzibar.
Ultra-inclusive luxury in Turkey
Warm Turkish hospitality, style, luxury and attentive service are at the heart of each family-owned Barut Hotel in Antalya, Side and Didim.
Eight stylish hotels and two collections of upscale villas make up the portfolio, offering a luxurious, ultra-inclusive concept with unlimited access to exceptional on-site a la carte restaurants and a broad choice of leisure activities and entertainment.
Monumental year for Catalonia
This year is a big one for Catalonia. More than 1,500 events and activities will take place in Barcelona to celebrate the city’s designation as the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture for 2026.
The city is marking the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí’s death (the ‘Gaudí Year’), the landmark completion of the Sagrada Família’s Tower of Jesus Christ, and the region is also hosting a total solar eclipse in August.
The Premium Catalonia Catalogue provides an overview of the sun-blessed Mediterranean luxury destination, whose experiences range from exclusive venues and award-winning cuisine to high-end shopping and centuries of cultural heritage.
Domes Resorts experts get first dibs on fams
Domes Resorts has its own dedicated portal for travel agents, which offers webinars, training and incentives. Registering to become a Domes Resorts Expert allows travel agents to study online and become a certified expert in everything there is to know about the properties.
That means gaining knowledge to sell and upsell the luxury resorts in Greece and Portugal. Qualified experts are added to a preferred-suppliers list and are the first to receive destination news and invitations to events, competitions and fam trips.
First-class service at Heathrow
The Windsor by Heathrow is a private terminal that delivers a discreet and luxurious airport experience for First and Business Class passengers travelling on any airline and from any terminal at London Heathrow.
The VIP treatment begins at the client’s front door, with a chauffeur service in a top-of-the-range car all the way to the terminal door. Once inside, guests can expect plush settings, privacy and fine-dining menus by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton.
A 20% first-time user discount privilege is available on bookings for travel until March 31, 2026.
Discounts and free nights to be claimed
Agents who complete the e-learning modules on the Confidant Collective’s dedicated agent platform can claim from up to 50% off their own stays at Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection resorts across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Agents need to log all direct and tour operator bookings to receive rewards, including free nights.
New openings for the brand include Secrets St Lucia and Secrets Baby Beach Aruba.
confidant.hyattinclusivecollection.com
Bahamian charm accessible from London
Direct British Airways and Virgin Atlantic flights between London Heathrow and Nassau help give Nassau and Paradise Island appeal across multiple traveller segments, including couples, families and groups of friends.
Serving as the heart of The Bahamas, expect world-class resorts like Atlantis, delicious local and fine foods, casinos and white-sand beaches on Nassau and Paradise Island. They are famous as a premier Caribbean destination, offering a mix of British colonial history, straw markets, Junkanoo culture and snorkelling.
The flights help make the destination an easy, year-round sell for both short breaks and longer stays.
Spicing up flights to Mauritius
Air Mauritius operates direct, daily flights between London Gatwick and Mauritius. To help get holidaymakers in the mood, spiced Mauritian rum is served on flights.
Planes depart from Gatwick at about 16:00, with a duration of approximately 12 hours, meaning flyers can sleep on the plane and arrive fresh the following morning, ready for a full day in the sun.
Conveniently, the return flights depart Mauritius in the evening, allowing holidaymakers to make the most of the last day of their holiday.
Walk in princess Di’s footsteps
The Sultanate of Oman is positioning itself as a leading adventure destination. As part of this push, in 2026 will host two prestigious sporting events, the Experience Oman IRONMAN Muscat and the Oman by UTMB ultra-distance trail run.
Agents can discover all that the sultanate offers, from the capital of Muscat with its souk and awe-inspiring Grand Mosque, to its vast deserts and mountain ranges, by completing training modules to become a certified Oman Ambassador.
Fun fact: Princess Diana visited the Saiq Plateau on the Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain) in Oman in 1986, a spot now commemorated as ‘Diana’s Point’.
Sell Sun Siyam successfully
Each Sun Siyam resort has its own dedicated app, which can be downloaded from both the Apple and Google Play stores. A useful selling aid, the apps can be accessed without a booking.
Potential guests can explore resort information, dining options, activities and spa experiences. The apps also facilitate booking restaurants and experiences in advance of travel.
Sun Siyam recently introduced 15 new Signature Experiences which showcase Maldivian hospitality and culture.
Rise above the rest
Holidaymakers can take to the skies with a pre-breakfast ride in a hot air balloon, above the savannah of the Serengeti. Travelpack can add the experience to safari breaks in Tanzania, part of its service when tailoring holidays via its portfolio of luxury suppliers.
Other incredible add-ons on offer include private dining experiences on Paris’s Eiffel Tower and after-hours tours of the Pyramids in Egypt.
Maldives’ Joy Island makes a splash
Joy Island, in the Maldives, has introduced seaplane transfers and unveiled a water park with thrilling slides and splash zones designed for guests of all ages.
An online water sports brochure provides guests with an overview of the island’s activities, including game fishing, snorkelling and flyboarding.
The resort in North Malé Atoll is part of The Cocoon Collection in the Maldives and Zanzibar.
Agent rates for TreeHouse Villas
The MC Collection is a sales and marketing company that offers travel agents information and access to hotels and resorts in Bali and Thailand.
Matt was present at the events in Solihull and Edinburgh to represent TreeHouse Villas, a unique, luxury concept with 32 villas. Dedicated agent rates are available via the Staff Travel Club website.
Prize-winning travel agents
As always, agents had the chance to win fabulous prizes, including 13 nights at adult-only TreeHouse Villas resorts in Thailand plus stays at the Anda Barut Collection in Turkey and Domes Hotels properties.
Solihul Winners
Edinburgh winners
Check out our Connect Calendar and start filling up your diary with future events!
