EU to drop pre-departure tests for UK travellers ahead of Easter break February 22, 2022 The EU is set to scrap pre-departure testing for fully vaccinated travellers from 1 March, in time for the Easter break. The European Council approve the move this morning, and it will apply to all those who have received either a second or booster dose within 270 days before their arrival into the bloc. Underage [...]
Villa 1870 in Corfu: A villa with benefits on the Greek island February 18, 2022 The weekend: There is so much more to the verdant Greek island of Corfu than its postcard-perfect beaches. While most Brits opt to fly and flop at seafront resorts, visitors who leave their loungers will discover stately palaces and museums, tranquil mountain villages and rugged mountains blanketed in pine trees. All this and one of [...]
Former IAG boss Willie Walsh calls for removal of all travel restrictions following sales boom February 17, 2022 Former IAG boss Willie Walsh has called for the removal of all travel restrictions following a boom in international tickets sold. In the last few weeks the International Air Transport Association (IATA), of which Walsh is the director general, has registered an 11 per cent increase in sales. In the week to 8 February tickets [...]
Abama care: Tenerife getaway Abama is the complete wellness experience February 17, 2022 I am at a yoga camp lying on a beautifully manicured lawn in the Canary Islands, bathed in warm morning sunshine as incense and calming mood music relaxes my mind. My lycra-clad colleagues look like sculptures as their toned legs point skywards. I, on the other hand, keep losing my balance and toppling over. Trouble [...]
UK travel bankruptcies on the rise as Omicron and staycations scupper sector’s recovery February 14, 2022 The UK’s travel sector is still suffering from the impacts of Covid, according to new figures from accountancy company Mazars, which show that travel sector insolvencies are on the rise. In January, 15 travel companies went into insolvency, up from nine in December, Mazars’ figures show. The recent rise in the number of insolvencies comes [...]
Business travel: What does 2022 hold for your work trips? February 14, 2022 A combination of factors will determine how often we will be packing a suitcase this year. Firstly, heightened sensitivity around carbon footprints will drive businesses to be more responsible and look carefully at the number of flights employees are taking. When Zoom will suffice, that lunch in Brussels may not cut the mustard (although there [...]
Hong Kong hit hardest by global collapse of travel as tough restrictions see 95 per cent drop in visitors February 13, 2022 The global pandemic has hit Hong Kong’s travel sector harder than any other country in the world, as the country’s tough travel restrictions have seen a 95 per cent drop in the number of visitors. The value generated by Hong Kong’s travel sector dropped 75 per cent between 2019 and 2020, analysis from Compare the [...]
All bad things come to an end: Post arrival tests scrapped from today February 11, 2022 The UK seems to have put Covid behind as from this morning at 4am post arrival Covid tests will be scrapped for fully jabbed travellers. Passengers coming to the UK will still need to fill out a simplified passenger locator form (PLF), confirming their vaccination status as well as travel history and contact details. “The [...]
No more staycations: End of UK travel rules boosts half-term holiday abroad February 11, 2022 The scrapping of post-arrival tests for fully vaccinated has given a huge boost to Brits’ confidence to travel abroad. According to data released today by travel association ABTA, around 833,000 people will go on holiday abroad this half-term, choosing Turkey, Portugal as well as sky resorts in France and Italy as their preferred destinations. Following [...]
UK travel and tourism could reach £192bn in 2022 if borders stay open February 10, 2022 Following two disastrous years the UK’s travel and tourism industry is finally getting back on its feet, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). If travel restrictions and testing protocols remain off limits, the WTTC predicts the sector’s contribution to the national economy to go up to £192bn, bringing with it a 1.7 [...]