Travel Agent Newsletter
May, 2026
In the Spotlight
TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal is Portugal’s national carrier and one of Europe’s leading transatlantic airlines. Known for its strong connectivity between North America, Europe, Africa, and South America, TAP offers seamless access through its Lisbon hub while combining Portuguese hospitality with extensive international reach for both leisure and business travelers.
Established in
1945
Main Hub
Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), Lisbon
Destinations
TAP Air Portugal connects travelers to major destinations across Europe, North America, South America, and Africa through its extensive international network. It is especially known for connecting travelers to Portugal’s iconic cities such as Lisbon and Porto, while also offering international services to destinations including New York, Boston, Miami, Toronto, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Marrakech, Dakar, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Cape Verde.
Through Lisbon, travelers can easily combine vibrant European cities, Atlantic islands, wine regions, coastal escapes, and cultural experiences into one seamless itinerary.
Why Book TAP Air Portugal
- Strong transatlantic network connecting North America and Europe
- Excellent connectivity to Brazil, West Africa, and Southern Europe
- Convenient stopover opportunities in Portugal
- Competitive fares and flexible routing options
- Warm Portuguese hospitality and reliable service
Ideal For
- Portugal and Southern Europe holidays
- Europe multi-city itineraries
- Brazil and Lusophone travel experiences
- Coastal, culinary, and wine-focused journeys
- Leisure and premium long-haul travel
Pro Tip for Agents
Encourage travelers to take advantage of TAP’s Portugal stopover opportunities by combining Lisbon or Porto with broader European itineraries. Position Portugal during spring and summer as ideal for coastal escapes, wine experiences, scenic train journeys, and relaxed city exploration.
Recommend combining Portugal with:
• Spain for Iberian cultural journeys
• Morocco for Europe + North Africa itineraries
• Madeira or the Azores for island escapes
• Brazil via Lisbon for seamless transatlantic travel
Boost Your Revenue
Boost your revenue on Europe, Africa, and South America itineraries when you book TAP Air Portugal through FlyingCarpet.Travel — unlocking competitive fares, flexible connections, and enhanced travel opportunities through NDC connectivity.
Hidden Trails
Fortaleza: Brazil’s Sun-Kissed Coastal Escape
For travelers seeking tropical beaches, laid-back coastal culture, dune adventures, and authentic Brazilian seaside experiences beyond the usual Rio and São Paulo circuit, Fortaleza offers one of Brazil’s most exciting emerging leisure destinations. Located in northeastern Brazil, this vibrant coastal city combines warm weather, oceanfront living, nearby fishing villages, and easy access to some of Brazil’s most spectacular beach landscapes.
Why Recommend It
- Year-round tropical beach destination
- Gateway to Ceará’s famous dune and beach regions
- Excellent for relaxation, wellness, and soft adventure travel
- Less saturated internationally than Rio de Janeiro
- Strong value for beach resorts, longer stays, and experiential travel
- Great mix of city energy and nearby remote coastal escapes
Best Routes
- Convenient connections from North America, Europe, and Africa via TAP Air Portugal through Lisbon
- TAP Air Portugal offers direct Lisbon–Fortaleza service, making Northeast Brazil easily accessible
- Ideal stopover opportunity combining Portugal and Brazil in one itinerary
- Works well as part of a broader Northeast Brazil beach and culture journey
Unique Experiences
- Explore the dramatic dunes and lagoons of Jericoacoara
- Discover the red cliffs and beach culture of Canoa Quebrada
- Enjoy buggy rides across sand dunes and coastal landscapes
- Experience beachside nightlife, seafood, and live Brazilian music
- Relax along Praia do Futuro, one of Fortaleza’s most famous beaches
- Try kitesurfing and water sports along Ceará’s windy coastline
Weather & Best Time to Travel
Fortaleza enjoys warm tropical weather throughout the year, with sunshine dominating most seasons.
• May to December offers sunny beach conditions, excellent coastal excursions, and ideal weather for outdoor experiences.
Agent Tip
Position Fortaleza as an alternative Brazilian beach destination for travelers looking beyond the mainstream Rio experience. It works especially well for beach lovers, digital nomads, couples, wellness travelers, and clients seeking warm-weather escapes with strong value.
Pair Fortaleza with:
• Salvador for a culture-and-coast Brazil journey
• Jericoacoara for boutique beach and dune experiences
• The Amazon or Iguazu Falls for a broader Brazil itinerary
Ideal For
Beach and sun-seeking travelers
• Couples and leisure travelers
• Adventure and kitesurfing enthusiasts
• Wellness and slow-travel seekers
• Photographers and experiential travelers
• Travelers seeking emerging Brazil destinations
Travel News & Updates
Stay ahead with the latest airline routes, hotel openings, attractions, and global travel updates.
Red Sea Global Expands Luxury Wellness Tourism
Red Sea Global will open Miraval The Red Sea in May, marking the wellness brand’s first resort outside the United States. Located on Shura Island, the adults-only all-inclusive retreat will feature 180 luxury rooms, suites, and villas focused on immersive wellbeing experiences, including yoga, meditation, wellness cuisine, and cultural activities.
The resort will also debut the 3,000-square-metre Life in Balance Spa, the largest wellness facility on the island. Operating entirely on renewable energy, the property supports Red Sea Global’s regenerative tourism vision. Access is via Red Sea International Airport, with electric vehicle transfers provided to the island.
Industry Confidence Remains Strong Despite Global Travel Challenges
Travelweek, a leading Canadian travel media and events platform, brought together travel industry professionals for its “Future of Travel: Onwards & Upwards” virtual conference held in Toronto on May 6, coinciding with Travel Agent Day celebrations.
The event highlighted some of the key challenges currently shaping the global travel industry, including operational disruptions, geopolitical uncertainty, and rising travel costs, while also celebrating the resilience, adaptability, and dedication of travel advisors. Despite ongoing market volatility, industry leaders noted that demand for international travel and leisure experiences remains strong, with travelers continuing to prioritize meaningful journeys abroad. The conference also recognized the vital role travel advisors play in guiding and supporting clients through an evolving travel landscape, reinforcing their importance as trusted experts in today’s dynamic market.
The news items and articles shared here are sourced from publicly available information and third-party websites.
FCT Events & Platform Updates
Qantas NDC Now Live on Our Platform
We are pleased to announce that Qantas (QF) NDC content is now available on our platform, further expanding our growing global airline distribution network.
As Australia’s flagship carrier and largest airline, Qantas offers extensive connectivity across Australia, Asia, the Pacific, Europe, and other key international destinations, giving travel partners greater access to one of the world’s most recognized aviation brands.
With the addition of Qantas, our platform now supports 33 NDC airline integrations alongside 4 Direct API connections. This milestone further strengthens our commitment to delivering broader airline access, richer content, competitive fares, and advanced distribution capabilities to better support travel partners and travelers worldwide.
Extra GDS Commission Incentives Available on Flights Originating from the USA
Travel partners can now earn short-term additional GDS commission on the following routes, when ticketing is completed by 30 June 2026:
- China Southern Airlines (CZ) on eligible flights originating from the USA
- Neos (NO) on New York (JFK) to Milan Malpensa (MXP) and
- Neos (NO) on New York (JFK) to Palermo, Sicily (PMO)
Sell Itineraries with Complete Brand Ownership Through Our White Label Solution
Our White Label Solution is now available for travel agencies looking to offer a fully branded travel booking experience under their own identity.
Built for modern travel businesses, the platform enables agencies to generate travel quotes, bookings, and invoices with their own branding while benefiting from powerful backend technology and global travel connectivity. The solution is ideal for agencies aiming to strengthen their digital presence, enhance customer loyalty, and unlock new revenue opportunities through a seamless and professional branded booking experience.
ITA Airways NDC Now Available on Our Platform via Verteil
We are pleased to announce that ITA Airways (AZ) NDC content is now available on our platform through our connectivity with Verteil.
As part of its integration into the Lufthansa Group, ITA Airways has now been incorporated into the Group’s commercial products, including Lufthansa Group NDC distribution. This enhancement allows travel sellers to access richer content and a more streamlined booking experience for ITA Airways through our platform.
Please note that North American flights are currently excluded from NDC availability as they remain subject to pending official merger approval.
This development further strengthens our commitment to expanding modern airline retailing capabilities and providing travel partners with greater access to dynamic airline content through NDC connectivity.