Qatar Airways is to return to Edinburgh, starting with three flights a week in July, increasing to four plus, weekly in August.

The airline is offering flexible ticket options in order to encourage passengers to fly.

Bookings for travel up to 31st December 2020 and booked by 30th September 2020, can be extended for up to 2 years. Free unlimited changes can be made up to 31st December including change of origin or city within 5,000 mile radius of original destination booked.

Alternatively, the ticket price can be swapped for FFP Q miles or the ticket can be exchanged for a future travel voucher, with an added 10% value.

If flights are cancelled, the ticket will be refunded.

Funway Holidays has announced that it will cease trading on 30th September 2020 after 27-years, due to the severe impact of Covid-19.

The operator has confirmed that all deposits/payments will be refunded in full and all Refund Credit Notes will be paid in cash.

To celebrate Crystal Cruises’ 30th Anniversary, the cruise line is inviting agents to join them in a trip down memory lane, with 30 days of Crystal.

Every day, for the 30 days leading up to their anniversary on 24th July, agents are invited to share their favourite memory of Crystal by emailing a photo and a short sentence to sales@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

Agents can choose to write about ‘My favourite memory from onboard Crystal is…’ or ‘I love Crystal because…’.

Crystal will then choose one entry to feature each day on email and across social media channels in the 30-day run-up to the cruise line’s 30th anniversary.

Elaine Gillard, Crystal’s UK marketing director, comments: “We know that UK agents love Crystal and we want to share their memories to not only let others know what makes Crystal so special, but to also remind all of us just how fabulous cruising is.”

Entries must be in by Wednesday 24th June to be involved.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has donated more than £33,000 of food to causes in need in Scotland while its ships are in lay-up in Rosyth, with the help of food distribution charity FareShare.

The items, which equated to over 30 pallets worth of food, were collected from Babcock’s Rosyth facilities, where the four ships are currently located, by FareShare, which works to support those in difficult circumstances, including isolation, poverty or homelessness.

Thomas Rennesland, Hotel Operations Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are used to feeding in excess of 4,000 guests and crew across our fleet every day, and while we have not taken on any additional fresh produce since we paused our operations in March – other than that required to feed our crew – our stores and freezers were fully stocked and ready for cruising as normal.

“As our ships have been in the Rosyth area since March it seemed only fitting to donate these additional food items to those who need it most in Scotland.

“The crew on board have worked extremely hard, in addition to their usual duties, to prepare all of the food items so that they are ready for collection by FareShare and I would like to thank all involved for their efforts for this very worthy cause.

“Thank you also to the Sailors’ Society Port Chaplain for Leith and Forth, who made the donation possible.”

Air Transat has announced it will resume flights and tour operator activities from 23rd July, 2020.

In addition, the airline will be implementing its Traveller Care programme, with new health measures to ensure the safety of its customers and employees.

“After these long months that put the entire tourism industry to the test, we are very happy to announce the resumption of our operations,” says Annick Guérard, Chief Operating Officer of Transat. “We will gradually operate a flight schedule with 23 international routes to Europe, the South and the United States, in addition to a domestic flight schedule between major Canadian cities.

“To address the concerns caused by COVID-19 and to prioritise the safety of our customers and employees, we will be implementing new health measures as part of our Traveller Care programme,” adds Guérard. “In compliance with the recommendations and requirements of regulatory authorities, these measures will accompany our travellers throughout their travel experience. We look forward to welcoming travellers again and to share the passion that unites us.”

The airline will operate direct flights from three UK airports to Toronto including Glasgow (twice weekly), Manchester (twice weekly) and Gatwick (three times weekly).

Depending on demand and the easing of regulatory restrictions, Air Transat may enhance its flight schedule for September and October.

Ferry operator DFDS has confirmed that its Newcastle to Amsterdam route will reopen on 15th July 2020.

Passenger capacity on the route will be reduced to maximise the space available onboard and ensure that travellers can comply with government guidance. Additionally, early and staggered boarding and disembarkation procedures will be in place, crew will wear protective equipment and passengers are advised to wear face coverings for embarkation and disembarkation.

Further information about the new arrangements is available at https://www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/rediscover-freedom/safety-measures.

All meals required during the overnight crossings (which offer dinner and breakfast options) must be pre-booked before the date of travel during the online booking process. Passengers will need to reserve a table for dinner to ensure that the number of people dining can be managed. All meals will be served by the ships’ crew and à-la-carte dining options will not be available – passengers will not be permitted to bring their own food or drinks onboard.

Andy Freeth has announced his departure from If Only at the end of this month.

Gordon McCreadie, currently Product & Distribution Director will take charge in the newly created role of General Manager. The business will continue to report into the executive board of its owner, The Portman Travel Group. McCreadie will have a day to day reporting line into Lisa Fitzell, Managing Director at sister company Elegant Resorts.

Redmond Walsh CEO Portman Travel Group commented: “Andy and I go back a long way and he leaves us with my best wishes. He has left in place a solid and very capable team with a clear plan. I have known Gordon and his senior team of Tracy Docherty and David Irving for many years and look forward to working with them more closely. Despite the current short-term challenges facing the luxury travel sector, we are all optimistic about seeing demand come back over the next 18 months. As a trade-only operator, If Only will continue to provide bespoke luxury holidays and tours to some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Gordon has great ambitions for If Only, and Lisa and the PTG board look forward to supporting him and his team in achieving those ambitions over the next few years.”

Gordon McCreadie added:“I’ve worked alongside Andy for over 10 years and they have undoubtedly been the best of my career so far. Andy leaves the business with my best wishes for the future, although it does mean we are breaking up our double act. We have a strong succession plan in place to support the continued development of the If Only brand.”

Intrepid Travel has introduced a new collection of tours called Intrepid Retreats.

Offering a diverse range of experiences, from hikes to wineries to fishing, cooking, cycling and stargazing, small groups will stay in handpicked accommodation including boutique properties and glamping. All Intrepid Retreats have been developed to support local communities, in line with Intrepid’s values of using travel as a force for good.

The new Retreats will be available from the end of July onwards, pending Foreign and Commonwealth Office guidance. With 12 Retreats based across the UK and Europe, a further two in the Middle East and one in North Africa, trips are leader-led and range from three to five days, with group departures and tailor-made trips both available.

UK destinations include Scotland, Cornwall and Suffolk, plus active walking and cycling trips in The Lake District and The Peak District as well as remote locations in Greece, Croatia, Iceland, Portugal, Italy, Turkey, Morocco and Jordan.

Recent research conducted by Intrepid Travel of over 1,000 UK travellers found that 87% of people plan to travel in the UK in 2020, with 47% opting to go abroad. When asked what motivated them to travel, 78% sought hiking and nature walks, 62% sought history and culture experiences, 46% preferred to relax and unwind, while 38% wanted multi-active trips on their next travel experience.

All tours will be operated under new Safe Travel protocols developed and endorsed by the World Travel & Tourism Council, with a new Flexible Bookings policy applicable so travellers can book confidently and change, move or cancel their travels with no fuss.

To explore the full range of trips available visit www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/new-local-tours

Seabourn has extended its ‘Partnership Appreciation Event’ to offer agents and their clients extra benefits when they take out an ‘Allocation’ of suites (under the company’s GAP programme) on one or more summer 2021 sailings before 31st July 2020.

Agents can benefit from bonus commission of up to 9% and with guests receiving up to $500 per suite onboard spend.

The enhanced PAE Allocation offer is combinable with many of Seabourn’s current campaigns including the 4% Bonus Commission offer for agents (valid on Europe, Alaska & Canada 2021 cruises); Sensational Suite Savings guest benefits, as well as the new ‘Book with Confidence’ and ‘10% Early Bonus Savings’.

If the client chooses to pay early in full, they may also receive a 10% discount on the gross cruise fare. Agents can also escort their clients on the cruise, under the terms of the cruise line’s Tour Conductor programme.