Selling Travel Showcase highlighted global products, from a comfier way to travel in Economy class on Air New Zealand flights, to Japan’s burgeoning ski tourism.
Agents heard updates from Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, Antarctica 21, Australis, Barut Hotels, Japan National Tourist Office, Seychelles Tourism and Staff Travel Club/TreeHouse Villas – Thailand.
Here’s a summary of what you missed:
Five Gatwick flights a week to an Indian Ocean island no bigger than London
Air Mauritius now operates non-stop flights between London Gatwick and Mauritius five times a week on state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 and A330-900Neo aircraft. The Mauritian flag carrier’s partner, Air France, connects to Air Mauritius’s double-daily flights in Paris.
Mauritian flavours are served onboard and all passengers can look forward to a personal amenity kit and youngsters get children’s packs.
Air New Zealand introduces Skynest
Air New Zealand will introduce its new Skynest product for Economy and Premium Economy passengers in late 2026. It will be available on the airline’s 787 Dreamliner service between Auckland and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
From the UK and Ireland, travellers can fly with Air New Zealand’s partner airlines to 12 gateways across Asia and North America before continuing on an Air New Zealand service.
The airline is undergoing a retrofit programme on its Dreamliner fleet, adding a product called Business Premier Luxe as an upsell option to its Business Premier cabin. Four seats will have extra space, a larger screen for inflight entertainment and a sliding door for privacy – ideal for upselling to passengers looking for something extra special.
Big savings on air-cruises that avoid the Drake Passage
Bookings are now available on Antarctica21’s 2027-28 season Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic sea voyages, and savings of up to US$5,000 are available on 2027-28 air-cruises.
The company’s air-cruises mean guests avoid sailing on the stormy Drake Passage, reach the Antarctic Peninsula faster and in comfort than sailing all the way, and provide the exclusivity of a small-ship, yacht-like experience.
Additionally, Antarctica21 will introduce a new vessel, Magellan Discoverer, from the 2026/27 season.
Intimate insights into isolated and untouched areas of South America
Australis’s small expedition ships navigate fjords and channels in Patagonia which larger vessels cannot. The Chilean expedition cruise company provides access to isolated South American landscapes, plus travel offering intimacy and purpose. Guests can look forward to guided landings via daily Zodiac sailings and expert interpretations.
The experience is deliberately simple and enriching, without Wi-Fi or other distractions, to encourage presence and connection. Australis prioritises authenticity, shares knowledge and promotes a sense of discovery in one of the planet’s last untouched wildernesses.
Immersive journeys and quality snow draw visitors to Japan
Between 2025 and 2025, the number of arrivals from the UK in Japan more than doubled to 535,000 and travel trends have evolved beyond temple-focused sightseeing into immersive journeys. That means exploring regional destinations by Shinkansen trains, while appreciating local cuisines and history.
Great Japanese Railway Journeys, hosted by Michael Portillo and broadcast on BBC2, is expected to further boost interest in travel to Japan.
Northern Japan has become a major draw for ski tourism, thanks to the quality of its snow.
The country has experienced a rapid increase in luxury hotels and is more accessible and diverse than ever.
Flights from Paris to the Seychelles
In March, Air Seychelles introduced three non-stop flights a week from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Seychelles International Airport.
The Seychelles consists of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean and is populated by more giant tortoises (over 150,000) than people. Reasons to visit include powder-soft beaches, a 29°C year-round climate and ecosystems such as the Vallée de Mai palm forest and the ancient Aldabra atoll – both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Guests can look forward to accommodation, including beachside bungalows and five-star hotels.
TreeHouse Villas emphasises that Thailand is open for business
New TreeHouse Villas are due to open later this year, which used the Selling Travel Connect: Showcase in Cardiff to reassure agents that Thailand remains open for business despite geopolitical events in the Middle East. Direct flights are available and operational.
Marketing material for all M Collection properties in Thailand and Bali are available to download. Meanwhile, Staff Travel Club continues to build partnerships with hotels in Thailand and elsewhere in the world, providing its community with great deals for travel agents’ own holidays. Agents are encouraged to register online to view discounted staff travel deals.
Prize winners
Agents took home impressive prizes including …..
Pics from the event
Don’t forget to sign up for future events! An Indian Ocean and Middle East event, with new suppliers, will take place in Edinburgh on May 18.
Latin America will be the focus at the Caledonian Club in London on June 1.
View our Connect Calendar to plan ahead.
