VisitBritain opens the Harrogate to UK tourism at ExploreGB 2019
The 2019 edition of ExploreGB, the UK’s expansive and travel trade event has been announced this week by organisers VisitBritain, the public face of the British Tourist Authority.
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UK Travel News
India’s Vivanta hotel heads to Heathrow
India’s largest hospitality company, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), will open a Vivanta hotel at Heathrow Airport in London in partnership with Hayre Group Limited.
PAL strengthens London-Manila connection with Manchester event
Philippine Airlines (PAL) and the Philippine Department of Tourism London (PDOT) have hosted over 80 travel agents from the leisure and corporate sectors in Manchester.
Infographic: The world’s most family-friendly airlines
New research from toy manufacturer, Play Like Mum, has revealed the most family-friendly airlines from around the world.
Travel 2 Far East brochure: 43 new hotels, 20 new tours
Global tour operator, Travel 2, has launched its new Far East brochure for travel agents featuring additional hotels, new tours and a chance to win a GBP 250 (USD 320) voucher.
IHG Unique Meetings: “We have reimagined the conference room”
IHG announced the launch of Unique Meetings, a range of “one-of-a-kind" MICE locations and experiences.
Argyll Holidays invests GBP 6.5m for property development in UK
Lochgoilhead Lodges, owned by Argyll Holidays in the Scottish Highlands, has announced its new facilities as part of a multi-million-pound investment to develop its properties in the UK.
UK travellers want exotic adventures but not off the grid
Brits are hungry for exotic adventures as long as they remain connected to the internet.
Fred. Olsen offers last minute summer cruises with September sailings
Looking for last minute trip this summer? Pack your bags and board the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for any of its four cruise deals starting at GBP 399 (USD 509) in September.
Room service now via WhatsApp for Accor guests in UK
Why call when you can type. While OTA's provide customer service via twitter and airlines help with booking via Facebook messenger chat bots, hotels aren't too far behind either. AccorHotels…
Millennium Hotels and Resorts unlocks the potential of GCC nationals
Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa (MEA), has launched ‘TooMooH’ – a programme designed to accelerate nationalisation and be an active contributor to the vision and…
Jet Airways to increase frequency of new Mumbai-Manchester connection
Jet Airways India has increased the frequency on its new direct Manchester to Mumbai service, even before the first plane has even taken off.
Gatwick Airport announces Shanghai route with surging long-haul growth
Gatwick Airport has announced a new long-haul connection from London Gatwick to Shanghai, providing additional cargo capacity and more than 70,000 new seats per year.
Infographic: The best day trips only an hour from London
Citybase Apartments, a platform for booking serviced apartments, has compiled the best places to visit within an hour by train from central London.
Visit Swansea Bay kicks off “Surfari Bus Tour” to explore Wales and Ireland
Visit Swansea Bay Surfari Bus Tour has kicked off at Oxwich Bay on 4 August for holiday-goers to enjoy a month-long tour of Wales and Ireland and to promote the area as a key destination…
Caer Rhun Hall: Rhun away to this Welsh country pile
North Wales, a land of rugged looks and bleak natural beauty -- home to Mount Snowdon, the eight towers of Medieval Conwy Castle and Snowdonia national park -- is all set to counter the…
Seymour Hotels invests GBP 5 million in infrastructure review
Jersey based hotel group Seymour Hotels has announced it has completed a recent investment programme, providing it with funds of GBP 5 million (USD 6.4 million) to prepare for the Channel…
Sheraton Grand London Park Lane launches multi-sensory hotel suite
Sheraton Grand London Park Lane has launched a multi-sensory suite to encourage the release of "happy hormones" in its guests.
Hyatt to include SLH properties in its loyalty programme
Independent hotel group, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, has announced a loyalty programme partnership with Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
Only 8% of Brits have seen “happiest view” in UK
Best Western Great Britain has conducted a survey to reveal the ‘happiest view’ but found that less than one in ten have ever seen it in person.
Independent hotel group Kaleidoscope Collection purchases Homewood Park
Kaleidoscope Collection, a Bath-based hotel group, has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of Homewood Park Hotel & Spa in Freshford.
New app to make flying to and from Newcastle Airport stress-free
Great news for frequent flyers to and from Newcastle Airport as Shout Digital partnered with the airport to develop the new official mobile app, NCL Airport, that eases the stress that…
The Cotswolds collection: Onefinestay adds 13 new homes to UK portfolio
Following on from the expansion of its Australasian and European network, London based private rental company onefinestay has turned its attentions back home with the announcement of new…
Last-minute car hire can save you money
iCarhireinsurance.com has researched the costs of car hire in five popular holiday destinations to find out the difference in cost between booking six weeks ahead and the night before.
Aurora Expeditions joins CLIA, announces new ship and voyages
Australian-based ‘adventure company’ Aurora Expeditions, has joined CLIA as it looks to expand its presence in the UK, Ireland and across Europe.
UK heat wave sparks business boom for hoteliers
New data from Expedia Group has revealed hoteliers across the UK have enjoyed a successful early summer period, with a significant increase in hotel demand compared to 2017.
Despite Brexit, London is still Europe’s top city for MICE
Despite the uncertainty of Britain’s economic future post by Brexit, felt by many within the hospitality and travel industry, post Brexit. There is some solace to be found in recent data…
Palé Hall hits the target with new MICE experiences
Welsh five star hotel Palé Hall has announced the launch of its new series of bespoke corporate packages this week.
Travel 2 inks deal with Wendy Wu to capitalise on the touring market
Travel 2 has announced a partnership deal with Wendy Wu Tours to increase its collection of tours across the Far East.
Saga Cruises offers Spirit of Discovery – an adventure cruise by name and by nature
Spirit of Discovery is not just the name of Saga Cruises’ new ship, it is also the philosophy of the new cruise departing from Dover on 17 August 2019 sailing around the Baltic and weaving a…
British Airways launches direct flight from London to Pittsburgh
Starting 2 April 2019, British Airways will service a nonstop flight from London to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Travltalk: Changing the way we travel, chat and socialise
The newly launched location-based mobile app Travltalk is aiming to change the way millennial explorers, backpackers that roam the world seeking adventure and authentic local experiences.
Infographic: Discover London’s best-loved attractions according to social media
Infographic: Central London Apartments has revealed the favourite tourist attractions in London.
Netflights ranks the most family-friendly airports in the UK
Netflights.com has ranked 20 major airports in the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands to find out which ones provide the most family-friendly experience.
WeSwap CEO snaps back at UK airports’ “rip-off” exchange rates
With the UK summer season entering full swing and holiday makers start thinking about the best way to change their Great British pounds for Euros, American dollars or Thai baht, it is worth…
Homelike’s upcoming UK launch was “just a matter of time”
Homelike, a German based B2B booking platform for furnished business and serviced apartments, has announced it will be launching in the UK next month.
Travellanda adds over 18,000 activities for travel agents and OTAs
UK-based wholesale travel company, Travellanda, has announced the launch of thousands of new activities, from sightseeing and cooking classes, to submarine safaris and Sumo wrestling.
Maldives reports increase in UK tourist arrivals
Proving to be a popular destination for travellers from the UK, Maldives has reported an 11.2% increase in travellers who visited in the first six months of 2018. In total, 57,535 UK…
TravelCircle launches MyTravelApp to benefit TA’s and customers
British based travel agent TravelCircle announced the launch of its new customer facing application MyTravelApp last week.
TA Alert: St Kitts offers travel incentives and Caribbean fam trip
The St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA), in partnership with Park Hyatt St. Kitts and Montpelier Plantation & Beach Nevis and representatives of the Nevis hospitality industry hosted a…
AR tech brings the beauty of Ras Al Khaimah to London’s skyline
RAKTDA and Zip Now London unveil the world's first augmented reality zipline in London.
UK data shows record growth in inbound tourism
New data from VisitBritain shows double-digit record growth in inbound tourism, from visitor markets including China, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), India and the US.
Using the cloud before it was even called ‘the cloud’
I spoke to Andrew McGregor, CEO of Guestline, about life in Asia, the early days of e-commerce, and how to expand into new markets.
TUI Group expands offering with new resorts for summer 2019
Growing its portfolio to 174 properties across 48 destinations, TUI Group has announced the addition of two TUI Family Life resorts and three adults-only TUI Sensimar resorts to its product…
Strike a northern light: Jet2.com launches Icelandic trips for 2019
Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks announce they are launching a new set of Icelandic getaways.
Study uncovers British tourists’ bad holiday spending habits
In an independent research concluded by CYBG’s digital banking service, B, it was revealed that 33% of Brits experience financial challenges when they return home due to unhealthy holiday…
Bournemouth and Poole encourage visitors to ‘Leave Only Footprints’ this summer
Under the banner, Leave Only Footprints, beach-goers are invited to enjoy one of UK’s best beaches and to help keep them fabulous by clearing up at the end of the day.
Primera Air includes new US flights from London Stansted for winter 2018
Primera Air launch winter schedule for 2018/19.
Newcastle International airport launches hidden disabilities assistance
Following on from the news about the launch of new summer flights to Tunisia back in May, Newcastle International Airport’s has announced a new scheme to help passengers with hidden…
BA hails Holiday Taxis Group to extend passenger transfer contract
British Airways subsidiary and vacation specialists, British Airways Holidays, and the Holiday Taxis Group has have announced that customers will now be able to book airport transfers from…
Thomas Cook Airlines starts summer 2019 early with new Easter flights
Thomas Cook Airlines has announce it is adding Easter flights to its schedule at Cardiff airport for the first time, in spring 2019, effectively kicking off summer 2019 a month early.…
SLH adds four luxury boutique hotels to its portfolio
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has added four properties to its hand-picked portfolio of luxury boutique hotels, including three newly-opened hotels.
China Southern Airlines launches new route between Sanya and London
China's Hainan province announced the launch of its first intercontinental route between Sanya and London after China unveiled its plan to build Hainan island into its pilot international…
Amaris Hospitality to expand with seven Hilton-branded hotels
LRC Group (LRC), a pan-European property investor and manager, has announced the acquisition of Amaris Hospitality and has agreed to add seven Hilton-branded hotels to its portfolio.
Crystal River Cruises unravels newest member of its fleet
Crystal River Cruises welcomed its fifth ship and the newest member of the fleet, Crystal Ravel, during a christening ceremony in Budapest, Hungary.
Traveltek updates platform to meet new regulations
Traveltek has updated its tour packages to meet the new travel regulations (PTR), officially The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, that came into force on 1…
Astro-tourism: Airbnb launches ‘blood moon’ experience
Airbnb has launched a unique Social Impact Experience to offer guests a close view of the Red Planet by visiting the world’s largest telescope, the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) in Spain’s…
Turkey has highest number of new startups registered in Europe
Through data gathered by Statista, the card processing company, Paymentsense, has revealed the countries seeing significant growth in start-ups between 2013 and 2017.
Vroom through Europe with new luxury car rental
From a Ferrari 488 GTB sports car to a Mercedes-Benz Class C convertible, new luxury car hire service, Vroomerz, offers customers the widest selection of luxury cars across Europe, real-time…
Adventure awaits: Center Parcs opens Treehouses at Woburn Forest
Center Parcs, a family short break provider which operates forest villages across the UK, has completed the creation of Treehouses at Woburn Forest.
PAL upgrades London-Manila flight; introduces premium economy to Europe
Philippine Airlines launch Airbus A350-900 in the UK.
CMV launches 2019/20 itineraries, seasonal cruises to Canary Islands and Madeira
Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) has announced that it has launched its new brochure. The new content will feature itineraries from the Winter and Spring 2019/20 season including trips to…
Roiback and Travel Compositor partner to help hoteliers offer combined packages
Direct sales solutions provider, Roiback, has partnered with the software company, Travel Compositor, to launch a new integration that allows hoteliers to offer combined packages of hotel,…
Amadeus receives NDC ‘dual level 3 certification’ from IATA
In the wake of the news that Amadeus' level 3 certification for the updated Altéa NDC was renewed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the company has now announced it has…
English scrambling to fly to Russia for World Cup semi-finals, says ABTA
With a higher chance to win the World Cup this year, Brits are looking for last minute deals to Russia for the remaining matches.
The top five holiday destinations for British tourists
WeSwap has analysed the most popular British holiday destinations throughout the year.
Sweet Inn launches in London with five-star vacation apartments
Sweet Inn has officially launched in London with 26 serviced vacation apartments that provide the luxury and comforts of a five-star hotel.
Gennadi Grand Resort: An eco-friendly paradise opens in Rhodes Islands
Part of Lindos Hotel Group, Gennadi Grand Resort has opened its doors to luxury travellers in Rhodes Island, the largest of the Greek Islands and the island group’s historic capital.
Best places to maximise the European summer
Travel insurance provider, Compare the Market, has compiled and tabulated just how much we have to pay for sunshine in The European Sunshine Index.
‘Experience England’ makes it easy for Chinese tourists to explore Britain
The partnership dubbed as ‘Experience England’ will offer tailored packages for Chinese tourists looking to visit the cities and other English villages in the countryside.
Find.Exchange: Revolut’s former head of product design launches forex app
To gain the best exchange rate you are sometimes required to track the top rates for your holiday money you are going to need against your home currency before you decide to buy. Banishing…
Amsterdam is UK’s favourite holiday destination: SEMrush
New UK search data from online data provider SEMrush found that the Dutch capital beat the likes of New York, Barcelona, Paris and Dubai, to claim the top spot on the list of total searches…
“The way online travel worked was broken” says Triptease founder
Triptease bags a further USD 4 million on top of their original contributions from BGF and Notion Capital contributed. Now, with their total investment standing at USD 13 million, Charlie…
Cruise industry contributes record €47B to European economy
The cruise industry once again has proven itself strong as it has made a record-breaking contribution to the European economy in 2017.
Silversea Expeditions pushes the boundaries of exploration with two rare encounters
Providing a broad range of cruise adventures, Silversea Expeditions has unlocked two travel experiences in vastly different marine environments – the Arctic Ice Edge near the North Pole and…
Gimme Gimme Gimme a weekly summer service to Skiathos
Southampton Airport launches first direct flight to Greece flanked by ABBA tribute act.
BLS International to process Italy visas for Singapore residents
BLS International, a specialist provider of visa, passport, etc. services to the Governments across the world entered commenced Italy visa processing in Singapore from 2 July 2018.
This startup wants to be the ‘eBay for travel’ – in a USD 40 billion marketplace
Simon Powell, CEO and founder of TransferTravel, has created a marketplace dedicated to travellers who want to sell their unwanted but non-refundable flights, accommodation and cruises.
Private equity firm Duke Street gets on track with Great Rail Journeys acquisition
Duke Street, a UK-based private equity firm, has announced that it will acquire Great Rail Journeys (GRJ), a provider of escorted rail and cruise holidays.
Forget Russia 2018 – who won the World Cup of Travel?
Taxi2airport.com unveil the World Cup of Travel
Oman Air celebrates first anniversary of Manchester connection
One year in, Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, celebrated the first anniversary of its service to Manchester Airport.
Hapag-Lloyd gets into the spirit of expedition cruising
Hapag-Lloyd has commissioned a new vessel for its expedition fleet, Hanseatic spirit.
Buoyed by IATA recognition TravelgateX knuckles down on FlightsX
TravelgateX receives IATA Level 3 accreditation.
TUI launches instant messaging support service
We live in a world of apps and TUI is leading the way for holidaymakers to be able to reach a TUI trained local expert while on a holiday. The new messaging service on TUI app will sort even…
Understand insurance jargon and save up to GBP 2000 on car hire
Research carried out by Opinium found that 42% of car renters don't fully understand the car insurance they have and what it covers.
Regal Hotels partners with Ethiopian Airlines to award frequent flyer miles
Regal Hotels International has formed a strategic partnership with Ethiopian Airlines to reward hotel guests with benefits through ShebaMiles, the airline’s frequent flyer programme.
British holidaymakers take almost 2 million cruises in 2017
The British cruise market saw another year of growth in 2017 with a record
high of 1,971,000 cruise passengers setting sail on an ocean cruise,
representing an increase of 4.3%, against…
Travel 2 marks significant sales increase with new brochure
Travel 2, one of the UK's largest long-haul tour operators, has announced a new brochure with incentives for travel agents, as a response to the increased sales in the Middle East and the…
Collinson extends lounge partnership with Virgin Atlantic in US
Collinson, the loyalty solutions provider and operator of Priority Pass, has announced the extension of its exclusive lounge access partnership to Virgin Atlantic.
Irish visa application centre to provide “seamless convenience” for UAE-based expats
VFS Global and Ireland launch dedicated visacentre in Abu Dhabi
Eco-friendly car hire now available at all the major airports in UK with Green Motion
With the opening of Green Motion's latest site at Newcastle Airport, it now has branches at all major airports in UK.
Empress Palace: Autograph Collection’s latest property in Spain
Marriott International’s premium lifestyle brand, Autograph Collection Hotels, has unveiled its latest property in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage site in Spain.
1300 Danish volunteers become ‘Rethink hosts’ for cruise guests in Aarhus
Cruise guests arrving in the Port of Aarhus will be welcome by a team of volunteering local hosts.
World’s “most efficient offline translator tech”, ili, comes to UK
World fastest offline translator ili receives UK launch
World’s first music-centric spa launches at Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife, Spain
Marrying music and the art of spa treatment, Hard Rock Hotels has introduced Rhythm and Motion, the world’s first fully-immersive music-centric spa menu at Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife in the…
Research reveals keys to selling a family holiday
A new research commissioned by Orlando USA’s Official Tourism Association, Visit Orlando, has revealed the three stages of holiday planning and the top 10 things parents do before going on…
Travel tribulations: One-time, upfront payments are turning off travellers
Paying upfront for holidays has caused frustration among online shoppers, as 16% complained of spending their holiday budget before they even travel, according to new research from payments…
Riviera Travel announces six new itineraries, including Jordan and Montenegro
Riviera Travel has revealed its 2019 short-haul escorted tours collection, with six new itineraries, including new tours to Montenegro, Sardinia, Ireland, Italy, Jordon and Spain and updated…
European Waterways announces luxury ‘Cruises for Everyone’
Luxury hotel barge operator, European Waterways, has announced its 'Cruises for Everyone' promotion with up to 20% discount on whole barge charter prices.
Club Med to offer discounts on all-inclusive holidays
Club Med, the French company specialising in all-inclusive holidays, has announced that its discounted sales will start on 18 July 2018.
Open for the Open: Sleeperz Dundee launches in time for British Open golf championship
120-bed Sleeperz Hotel Dundee opens July 9
Lufthansa surpasses aviation industry efficiency gains target by 3%
Lufthansa Group sets new fuel efficiency record
Quest Apartment Hotels’ new Liverpool site could be first of ten UK properties
Work begins on Quest Apartments Liverpool City Centre hotel.
Ninjas, fireflies and the Forbidden City: Isango unveils latest Asian tours
Experience specialists Isango announce new Asian itineraries, including updated trips to Malaysia, Japan, China, and Taiwan.
Hertz reveals 100 alternative attractions with interactive maps
To celebrate a hundred year of hiring cars, Hertz Europe has compiled a tourist guide with interactive maps revealing 100 alternative attractions in Europe.
Nearly 40% of European travellers to spend more on holidays
New research from global travel technology leader Sabre Corporation found that a significant percentage of European travellers plan to spend more on holidays in 2018.
“Intelligent use of space” Corinthia Hotel London unveils 11 new suites
Corinthia Hotels announce batch of new luxury accommodations at its flagship London property
Swiss-Belhotel and SIA reward KrisFlyers with triple mile points
Swiss-Belhotel and Singapore Airlines launch new promotion rewards in Australia and New Zealand.
Discover Coast and Cleddau boat trips now at Milford Waterfront
A new way to appreciate the spectacular Pembrokeshire coast has been officially launched at Milford Waterfront with the two exciting boat trips by Discover Coast and Cleddau.
Hampton by Hilton makes Northern Ireland debut
Hilton’s global value brand, Hampton by Hilton, has officially welcomed its first property in Northern Ireland, joining six existing Hilton properties in the country.
Rotana inks two hotel deals in Dubai and Southeast Europe
Rotana has added the ninth tallest residential high-rise building in the world, Cayan Tower, and the second tallest residential tower in the Balkans region, Bosmal Arjaan by Rotana, to…
The Barn at Calcot reopened with extra MICE power
Cotswolds based independent hotel group The Calcot Collection, has announced it has re-opened The Barn at Calcot.
Direct bookings startup Triptease’s funding reaches USD 13 million
Following our story in April where Triptease content manager Lily McIlwain, told us about the direct booking start up's report into the future of A/B testing, the company has now announced…
Parliament’s landmark vote to expand Heathrow ends political debate
In a landmark vote, Parliament backed the expansion of Heathrow, ending decades of debate on one of the UK’s most pressing infrastructure issues.
The “unprecedented” Mediterranean Luxe up and running in Asia
Flush with the spirit of fraternity, the nations of France, Monaco and Spain have joined forces to come together in what has been described by the group, as an “unprecedented collaboration”,…
Great British High Street Awards: 81% of British consumers will miss local high streets
Despite the rise of online shopping – made even easier with the proliferation of drone delivery services – or maybe because of it – it seems the British have not fallen yet out of love with…
Best Western Great Britain introduces Sure Hotel brand in Birmingham
Adding another brand to its growing portfolio, Best Western Great Britain has announced the launch of Sure Hotel in Birmingham.
Silversea’s whale watching voyages with ORCA break sighting records
Silversea Cruises brings experiential travel onboard through its partnership with ORCA, a volunteer community dedicated to studying and protecting whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Shopping around for holiday hire cars could save UK customers an average of £169
Hiring any product or services is, for many people, a process fraught angst and worry. So once we find a company and system we like, then we tend to stick with it. This applies to car hire…
Wizz Air boosts frequency of London – Eilat connection to five times a week
Back in February of 2017 low cost carrier Wizz Air announced it had begun operations of a new direct from London Luton Airport to Eilat, in Israel. Now the Hungarian airline has increased…
Red7 revamps business travel service to take the stress out of corporate travel
Independent travel and concierge service, Red7, has kicked off summer 2018 with the launch of its revamped Business Travel service, designed to bring a different approach to corporate…
Holidays Barometer: A detailed forecast of the world’s travel plans
Europ Assistance, a company that provides healthcare assistance and mobility services, has released the 18th edition of the Holidays Barometer, shedding perspective on the holiday plans of…
Upcoming Edinburgh Marina Spa & Conference Hotel “great for local community and Scottish tourism”
The Edinburgh Marina development project received a shot in the arm this week when it was announced that, after months of discusson, Edinburgh Marina Holdings is close to signing a deal with…
Swiss-Belhotel blends modern hospitality and local heritage on Bangka Island, Indonesia
Swiss-Belhotel International has unveiled a new upscale hotel in Bangka Island, Indonesia, adding to its expansive portfolio in the country.
Why the image of the adventure seeking solo traveller could be dead
According to data from Travelzoo the typical image of the solo traveller as a free-wheeling individual, ready to bunk down and chase adventure at the drop of hat, may not be the case.
Premier Holidays and Destination British Columbia boost tourism with joint campaign
Following a 40% increase in sales this year, Premier Holidays has launched a campaign in which travel agents can take advantage of British Columbia’s rising popularity.
Leisure Pass Group partners with Ctrip to entice Chinese travellers to London attractions
Attraction pass company, Leisure Pass Group, has teamed up with Chinese travel provider, Ctrip, to boost tourist arrivals in key European and US cities.
Jet Airways to launch first direct connection from Mumbai to Manchester
Opening up travel between India and the North of England, with its latest direct connection to Manchester, Jet Airways will become the largest carrier between the UK and Mumbai.
Tiger state Madhya Pradesh roars with success at UK roadshow
Madhya Pradesh Tourism brought the jungles of India to the UK last week during a three-city UK summer roadshow.
Partnership with Booking.com opens up 28 million listings to Traveltek Group
Following news of its new Asian office in Singapore last year Traveltek Group, has announced another potentially game changing new development hooking up with Booking.com, in a partnership…
Skyscanner unites with Forwardkeys for “even greater insight into tomorrow’s travellers”
Following last week’s helpful hacks to for a successful World Cup, travel distribution company Skyscanner has revealed details of its new partnership with industry analysts ForwardKeys. The…
Celebrity Reflection debuts in Greenock as part of exclusive 2019 itinerary
Celebrity Cruises will be making its Scottish debut next year as Barrhead Travel revealed they are bringing the Miami based company’s five-star ship Celebrity Reflection up to Greenock as a…
Unexpected Bath takes aim at millennials
Bath in Somerset is one of the shining jewels of UK tourism. It has everything a tourist to our green and pleasant land could want from a British location. Indeed, the mysterious nature of…
Royal Caribbean announces plans to acquire 67% stake in Silversea
Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) has announced an agreement to acquire a stake in privately-owned Silversea Cruises to combine its long-term vision for the cruise industry.
Flylolo announces new Southampton – Skiathos service
Flylolo has now announced a new Anglo-Greco connection out of the southern hub of Southampton with the launch of its Skiathos service.
Ponant welcomes first of Explorer Series Le Lapérouse, equipped with Blue Eye
French luxury cruise line, Ponant, has announced the arrival of its newest vessel designed for intimate expeditions, Le Lapérouse, the first of its six Explorers-class ships.
The Far East for far less: Silversea announces all-inclusive package fares
Luxury cruise line Silversea has announced nearly 200 free shore excursions including new experiences on its Far East promotion.
PHOTOS: 7 hotel-villa holiday properties that offer the best of both worlds
When looking for a luxury late summer holiday, opting for a villa within a hotel offers the best of both worlds, with the seclusion and space of a 'home away from home'. With its own private…
MSC Cruises announces new ship as part of its plan to double capacity by 2020
After introducing new ships in the past few months, it seems that MSC Cruises is only getting bigger and stronger as it has announced the construction of its fifth Meraviglia class cruise…
London is still top destination for business travellers despite Brexit
A new research commissioned by Jurys Inn, a hotel chain in the UK and Ireland, has revealed the five most business-friendly cities in Europe. And as business travel continues to flourish,…
2018 EU-China Tourism Year: Report shows Chinese arrivals in Europe up 9.3%
The European Travel Commission (ETC) and ForwardKeys have released a detailed study to help Europe’s tourism industry tap into the Chinese outbound travel market.
Not just for sleeping: The hotels that are becoming venues in their own right
Hotels nowadays are more than a place to crash when travelling. Hotels have evolved to serve a multitude of purposes such as for sleeping, eating, drinking, socialising, entertaining, and…
The Proof of new F&B concept by MAG is in the eating – and drinking
Last year the Manchester Airport Group (MAG) unveiled its new luxury lounge 1903, at company headquarters and main hub Manchester Airport. Now, all set for summer, the company is adding…
The RAKTDA 2018 Euro roadshow meets 4,000 travel agents in 45 cities
Following news that the Ras Al Khaimah Development Authority (RAKTDA), had opened its latest Nordic office in Stockholm, the Middle Eastern tourism association has revealed has made great…
Seabourn launches ‘most robust’ Alaska and British Columbia cruise itinerary
Aside from having cool temperatures, Alaska and British Columbia are known for their open spaces, mountains and forests with abundant wildlife and small towns - making them the perfect…
Why travelling to China nowadays is so much easier than in July 1997: mobile technology
Gone are the days where travellers had to print train tickets, boarding passes or hotel reservation receipts. Thanks to e-tickets, online bookings, and mobile check-in, consumers benefit…
Hotelbeds and City Expert announce digital concierge for in-destination experiences
Hotelbeds Group and City Expert have announced a partnership to introduce the Guest Experience Desk, a digital concierge service that will start in Spain but with the aim of being launched…
Start-up OTA Hey! Belgium partners with Booking.com
Last month, while attending ITB in Shanghai, my boss and Travel Daily’s editor-in-chief broke the news of the brand new online travel agent HEY! Belgium, who simultaneously opened for…
Rebuilt and re-imagined: Life inside 7 ancient ruins
We visit ancient ruins to take us back in time and find clues about life in past civilizations. But wouldn’t it be better if we could actually see them like the way they were before?
Hidden Iceland: “Trips we’d be proud to take our friends and family on”
It is still less than a year from when Hidden Iceland was first set up by Scott Drummond, Ryan Connolly and Dagný Björg Stefánsdóttir – a small group of friends who came together through…
IHG’s new upscale brand to add more than 200 hotels over next decade
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has launched its new upscale brand, voco, along with the announcement of its first signing in Australia.
Air Canada Vacations announce first overseas partner, Funway Holidays
Air Canada subsidiary Air Canada Vacations has teamed up with Funway Holidays to get its product out to the people of Britain via the UK travel agency. This is the first deal of its kind for…
CruiseCopenhagen fam trip to show Denmark’s record-breaking cruise offerings
CruiseCopenhagen has organised a ‘fam trip’ to all the major cruise ports and destinations in Denmark, to show why the country is going to break cruise records in 2018.
MSC Seaview sets sail with star-studded christening
MSC Cruises, renowned for hosting elaborate events, held the christening for MSC Seaview in the presence of VIPs, top management, travel partners, international media and a suite of…
NOVUM Hospitality and GBI AG lays foundation for niu Air in Frankfurt
NOVUM Hospitality, one of Germany’s largest hotel groups, has started another joint project with developer GBI AG, to open a niu hotel in Frankfurt.
PAL Filipino Food Festival launches in London
Following on from its Great Australian Challenge competition when Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Tourism Australia challenged the travel agencies of the UK to show-off their knowledge of down…
DFDS buys Turkey’s biggest shipping operator with an eye on Euro trade growth
Coming in the wake of our story detailing the order of DFDS' record breaking new ship, the Danish ferry company has announced it has acquired the Turkish shipping company U.N. Ro-Ro.
Here’s why Brits love going to Canada for a holiday
801,000 Brits visited Canada in 2017, which is the second highest volume of tourists from the United Kingdom in the last 10 years. While slightly lower than the figures in 2016, it shows…
APH releases guide to FIFA Fan Fests
Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) has suggested solutions to Brit football fans looking to join the World Cup celebrations, by releasing a guide to the FIFA Fan Fest venues in each of the…
Viking’s new itinerary offers chance to see The Passion Play, only performed once every 10 years
Viking Cruises has announced a new river cruise itinerary which offers a uniquely German experience through concerts, plays, and historical insights.
Ready to set sail in spring 2020,…
ECJ extends passengers’ rights to compensation for connecting flights outside EU
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has decreed that flight passengers are now entitled to claim compensation when delayed on connecting flights outside of the EU.
Step into antiquity with Ponant’s winter sun itineraries
Even though we are at the peak of summer – heck the summer solstice is still two weeks away, travel agents need to be a few steps ahead. And even though the sun is still high the sky, the…
ITC Travel Group takes Western & Oriental under its wing
ITC Travel Group has integrated Western & Oriental’s tailor-made and experiential travel product under its Inspiring Travel Company brand.
Air Belgium’s inaugural flight touches down in Hong Kong
Air Belgium’s inaugural flight from Brussels Charleroi touched down at 7:40 am on 7 June at Hong Kong International Airport, marking the beginning of its international operations.
Almost 700 travel agents went out of business in the UK last year
The shift to digital continues relentlessly: almost 700 high street travel agents closed their shutters in the UK last year, due to stiff competition with online rivals, according to a new…
Hospitality wars: DayBreakHotels vs home-sharing platforms
Rome-based tech start-up DayBreakHotels has introduced its day use booking service to the UK with an aim to help the traditional hotel model fight back against the rising popularity of…
Are we ready to replace personal assistants with AI?
According to 2017 Pew Research, almost half of Americans use voice-controlled digital assistants, mostly on their mobile phones, and three quarters of them believes that the same assistants…
Emerald Waterways is ready for 2019 with new river cruise itineraries
As we see the cruise sector making waves this year, Emerald Waterways announced the release of its 2019 collection, showcasing new itineraries and packages along the majestic Danube.
Last-minute bookings in the bag
The last-minute booking trend is on the rise, despite the travel industry’s best efforts to incentivise early bookers. In fact, a staggering three million Brits are more than happy to book a…
Open Destinations unlocks Tineri potential for DMCs
Almost a year after Open Destinations first announced it had bought up travel app Tineri, the travel tech company has launched a new functionality for Destination Management Companies (DMCs)…
Meliá Hotels opens second Sol House brand in Indonesia
Spanish hotel group Meliá Hotels International has opened a second property in Bali, Indonesia, under its Sol House brand, marking the hotel group’s commitment to expansion in the region.
Vienna House continues expansion with the signing of Frankfurt Airport hotel
Continuing its global expansion programme, Vienna House announced its signed lease agreement with Argo Capital to open a new Vienna House Easy hotel near Frankfurt International Airport in…
Tiqets integrates into bmi for bookings to attractions in a few clicks
All-jet airline, bmi, announced its integration with attraction booking specialist, Tiqets, to offer customers direct instant access to some of the best tickets in Europe.
Eastern Airlines launches new summer service to Rodez
British airlines Eastern Airways has announced that it is bringing back its popular seasonal Southampton Airport to Rodez service for summer 2018.
Travix to join Amadeus NDC-X platform to “work for all travel players on a global scale”
Amadeus has announced that the Dutch OTA Travix is now part of Amadeus’ NDC-X programme. NDC-X was unleashed upon the industry during February 2018, with the aim to bring all the Amadeus…
CLIA opens agent registration for three autumn events
Agent registration has opened for three key CLIA UK and Ireland events in autumn.
Linthwaite House revives ‘fine art of leisure’ with £10m refurbishment
Leeu Collection announced the re-opening of its acclaimed property, Linthwaite House, following a year-long renovation costing more than £10 million.
Air Astana expands routes in Russia and Europe
Kazakhstan carrier Air Astana has launched new routes in Russia and Europe following the acquisition of new aircraft.
Palladium Hotels announces chic new brand in the heart of Madrid
Palladium Hotel Group has revealed plans for a new hotel brand, Bless Collection Hotels, targeted at the contemporary luxury market.
Accor becomes Australia’s second biggest employer after USD 1.2 billion acquisition of Mantra Group
Recent weeks have seen a flurry of deals and acquisitions from the French multinational and industry juggernaut Accor. May alone saw the USD 105 million purchase of Chilean hotel group,…
Travel management companies have a vital role in client safety, says ABTA
Research revealed the vital role of travel management companies in providing support and advice - and ABTA is there behind it.
Poseidon meets Aphrodite: Poseidon Grand Villas launches at Aphrodite Hills
Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus launched its 5-star luxury residences, Poseidon Grand Villas, with more to come plus Cypriot citizenship.
SAS sticks with Amadeus to connect customers through “channel of their choice”
As one of Amadeus original partners, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has long been aware of the advantages the Spanish company provides. In fact Amadeus was first established by SAS, along with…
First Class Holidays ramps sales with VIA Rail
After being named as the UK's sole-appointed sales agents for VIA Rail, First Class Holidays has announced 30% year-on-year sales increase.
New partnership to help agents avoid the “onslaught” of OTAs
After signing a deal earlier this month, Advantage Travel Partnership UK and India’s Pricol Travel created Advantage Asia, India’s very first leisure travel consortium. Intrigued, I spoke to…
Airbnb donates €1.25 million to Community Tourism Programme
Airbnb has released details concerning the first recipients of its €5 million Community Tourism Programme. More than €1.25 million has been awarded to 24 community projects from London to…
Westin Hotels & Resorts to debut in the UK along London’s River Thames
Westin Hotels & Resorts, a brand under Marriott International, has announced its plans of debuting in the UK with a hotel on the bank of the Thames scheduled for 2020.
Mövenpick to raise its fourth flag in Tunisia with upscale takeover
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement to manage an existing property in the Mediterranean coastal city of Sfax, relaunching it under the brand later this year.
After the…
Tennessee x Spotify to capitalise on BA’s Nashville service
In order to attract more UK travellers and capitalise on new British Airways route, the State of Tennessee teams up with music app Spotify to bring home-grown music to Brits. Nashville is…
Livingbridge now holds major stake in Loveholidays
Private equity firm Livingbridge has invested in online travel agency Loveholidays that will enable the business to explore further growth opportunities in the UK and across the globe.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park completes its most extensive restoration in 115 years
Located in one of London’s most prestigious and fashionable addresses, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has completed its multi-million-pound restoration - the most extensive in 115 years.
Brittany Ferries adds two new Stena E-Flexers as part of £400m refurb
Brittany Ferries just announced it will bolstering its fleet with two new ships as part of the French shipping companies £400m drive to refresh and modernise its current fleet of 12. Both of…
Rome2rio – International flights cheaper than domestic air travel for Brits
For UK travellers, flying to cities in Britain is more expensive than flying to Italian or French destinations, or even flying across the Atlantic.
Vienna House opens a new hotel in Leipzig old town
Austria’s largest hotel group, Vienna House, announced the opening of Vienna House Easy Leipzig, set in the city’s historic old town.
IHG seizes Saudi’s strong tourism sector with Crowne Plaza Riyadh
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced the opening of Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace, its 32nd property in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Sports Events 365 expects China expansion to reach USD3 million in first year
International live sports and music events specialists Sports Events 365 has not only revealed it has made the decision to enter the Chinese leisure market but that it is also expecting the…
6.5 million Brits have never gone on a holiday
Everyone needs a break from the daily grind, but a survey found out that 1 in 10 Brits has never gone on a holiday - and if they have, it was just in the city.
Grand Central invests £53 million to become Northern Ireland’s largest hotel
Getting ready for a surge of business travellers, Hastings Hotels invested £53 million to create Northern Ireland’s largest hotel – the Grand Central Hotel Belfast.
Jet Airways launch first non-stop flight to North of England
Indian carrier, Jet Airways has announced it will be a new sheen to its roster of flights with its first ever direct service between Manchester Airprt and Mumbai.
Hampton by Hilton arrives in the seaside town of Blackpool
Joining a portfolio of 26 existing properties in the UK, the bustling seaside town of Blackpool has officially welcomed its first hotel in the last six years, Hampton by Hilton Blackpool.
