Cuba & Cape Verde tipped as Sharm and Tunisia alternatives

ALL-INCLUSIVE #destinations such as #Cuba and #CapeVerde have been tipped as being among the 2016 alternatives to Sharm el-Sheikh and Tunisia, where flights bans exist.

The predictions come from the analysis of millions of flight searches on Skyscanner from the last three years, combined with qualitative research carried out by the company’s travel experts.

The top five hot spots for 2016, based on the percentage increase in searches from the UK over the last three years, are:

Ponta Delgada, the Azores
With more airlines flying to the Azores, including Ryanair’s new weekly flight from Stansted to Ponta Delgada, this autonomous region of Portugal is opening up as a viable budget travel destination. 

Havana, Cuba
Cuba is back on the world stage as the US restored diplomatic relations in July and continues to loosen restrictions on trade. There might be flights from the US and US hotel chains opening in Cuba in 2016 if more restrictions are lifted. Many people are booking to travel to Cuba to experience the country before it changes –or starts to resemble Miami – and before prices rise as a result.

Tokyo, Japan

Tourism has boomed under the current administration. The national tourist board is actively targeting niche UK markets by focusing on ski, honeymoon, and adventure tourism offerings. Thanks to the excellent value Japan Rail Passes and Airbnb-type accommodation, Tokyo is now 50% cheaper for UK travellers than in 2013, according to the Post Office’s long haul report.

Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is a popular choice for culture vultures and foodies. Home to the five-month long Tivoli Festival (May to September), classical music fans can expect a star-studded line-up at the Tivoli Gardens. The Copenhagen cooking festival takes place in February showcasing increasingly popular Nordic cuisine, whilst fashionistas have Copenhagen’s Fashion Week, the largest of its kind in Northern Europe.



Sal, Cape Verde
With unspoilt beaches, the island of Sal is only just emerging as a tourist destination. Thomson Airways is adding a new route from Bristol in summer 2016. Sal is also a base for exploring the rest of the archipelago, from the canyons, gorges, and valleys of Santo Antao to the Sahara-like dunes of Boa Vista.


Skyscanner travel editor, Cat McGloin, said: ‘With 50 million searches to the site every month from all over the world, our search data gives us some really robust insight in to these trends. It’s interesting to see how people’s travel interests are changing and what these destinations are offering to become even more appealing.’

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14812197@N00/9712732659">The Pool at Hotel Nacional de Cuba</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href=https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/>(license), Cape Verde Sal kitesurfing by Cayambe - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

UK tourists warm to Portugal's lesser-known regions

WITH UK visitor numbers up 7.1% year-on-year up to August 2015, more Britons are holidaying in #Portugal. The fastest growth is coming from the least established destinations and regions, according to Turismo de Portugal president, Joao Cotrim de Figueiredo. 

‘The UK is our most important market,’ he says, ‘and has been very dependent on the sun and beach sector, but this is moving. For a long time 75% of stays were in the Algarve and Madeira, but this is changing.’

The Azores saw 40% growth from the UK this year, following the launch of Ryanair flights in April, and the Alentejo rose 26%.

‘Both of these have a lot to offer specific segments,’ said Mr Figueiredo. ‘The #Azores appeal to travellers over 50 who are in love with nature, and the #Alentejo to younger, more alternative visitors who enjoy the new age, spiritual side of travel and who are quite affluent.’

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/67525885@N00/2178211833">Camara de Lobos, Madeira</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">(license)

Azores reports surge in UK arrivals

THERE has been an increase in the number of UK tourists going to the #Azores – in the middle of the Atlantic – following the start earlier in the year of Ryanair’s weekly service from Stansted to Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel Island.  

The Portuguese archipelago saw a 42.3% year-on-year increase in hotel occupancy by British tourists from April to July.

Ponta Delgada airport, the main international airport for the archipelago, reported a 33.6% increase in British passenger numbers in April compared to last year.

Originally scheduled until October, the Ryanair service, which departs every Saturday afternoon, has been extended until at least March next year.

SATA International continues to run direct weekly flights from London Gatwick to Ponta Delgada between April and October, and daily internal flights between all nine of the islands throughout the year. easyJet introduced flights from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada in March, providing more options via Lisbon from UK airports. 

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Picture Credit: View from Restaurante Ancoradouro, Pico island - panoramio - Eduardo Manchon by Eduardo Manchon. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Off to the Azores!

AS BOTH Ryanair and SATA International now fly direct (in under five hours) to the Azores from London, holidaymakers have the opportunity to explore the relatively little-known Portuguese archipelago for the first time this summer.

The nine islands in the group offer a world of green volcanoes and wildlife hidden in the middle of the Atlantic.

Here are some of the things to do on #TheAzores:

Swim with wild dolphins –The #Azores is the only destination in Europe where wildlife lovers can swim alongside numerous species of dolphin in their wild, natural habitat. Species include the bottlenose, spotted, and striped dolphins. No pens involved; just jump off the boat into the ocean. Swimming with dolphins excursions with local operator Futurismo (www.futurismo.pt) on Sao Miguel Island.

Stand up paddle board in a volcano crater –Few can claim to have glided across the waters of a lake in a volcano crater. Rent a paddle board or take to the water with an instructor for a stand-up paddle boarding lesson at the lakes of Sete Cidades on Sao Miguel Island. Azores Adventure Islands (www.azoresadventureislands.com).

Eat dishes cooked in the crater of a volcano – Discover the art of cooking in a volcano in Furnas, Sao Miguel Island; a subtropical valley and historic village inside a sleeping volcano crater. It is here that villagers prepare the traditional dish, Cozido das Furnas, before burying pots of the stew in the ground. The earth here is so hot that it cooks the dish in a morning.

Look a whale in the eye – There is nothing quite like looking a whale in the eye, and there are few better places to do that than in the Azores. Rib boats go out to the oceans surrounding Sao Miguel, Pico, Faial, and Terceira islands in the spring, summer, and autumn in search of the 25 resident and migratory species.
Blue Whales can be seen in the Azores most commonly in the spring. Whale watching trips with Pico dos Adventurous (www.picosdeaventura.com).

Dive with sharks and pelagic sea life –Experience the adrenaline-rush of plunging into the Atlantic Ocean in search of pelagic sea life and Blue Sharks. Wary at first, these curious predators tend to approach and inspect each diver as they gain trust. After this, they will often swim slowly among a group. Dive from sites such as Condor Seamount (accessible from Pico and Faial), where average sightings typically range from five to 15 sharks per trip.

Walk through ancient magma chambers –There are ancient magma chambers on Pico. With hard hats and torches, travellers can take tours through the volcanic formations.

Drink volcano wine in UNESCO vineyards –Sample the Azores' volcano wine at UNESCO vineyards in the foothills of Pico Mountain, where walls of black lava stone protect the vines from the salty Atlantic Ocean. The main wine produced here is a white Verdelho wine, which can now be enjoyed and paired with seafood at restaurants across the islands.

www.visitazores.com


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Picture Credit: "DSC07951 (373824538)" by Feliciano Guimarães from Guimarães, Portugal - DSC07951Uploaded by tm. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons, http://www.flickr.com/photos/34607557@N04/3736497413">DSC_0199</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license), "Lagoa fogo, são miguel" by Weedonio - Own workby uploader. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons, http://www.flickr.com/photos/82622112@N00/6009363444">Wine and volcanoes - Pico Island</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)

They’re off to the Azores

AT NOON on June 6, more than 70 yachts will sail out of Falmouth Harbour for the start of the Red Ensign AZAB 2015, the largest ocean-going race leaving Britain this year.

The 2,500-mile race, established by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club in 1975, takes competitors to the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean, and back to Falmouth.

Taking part will be Lucy Campbell from Helston. At 16, she will be the youngest female competitor in the history of the race. 

Lucy will be racing with the help of her father in their boat, Zulu Warrior.



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Picture Credit: Racing yachts photo D Ramey Logan by WPPilot - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Azores tops green tourism league

THE Azores have been ranked as the world's most sustainable tourism destination.

The volcanic archipelago in the Atlantic achieved a score of 8.9 out of ten in a survey by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The survey looked at 100 tourist destinations worldwide, rating tourism policy, nature, environment, society, culture, and green economy.

The Azores makes effective use of renewable geo-thermal energy, and its main industries are agriculture, dairy farming, livestock ranching, fishing, and tourism. 

Only around 5% of the Azores is urbanized.

Wildlife options including whale and dolphin watching, swimming with wild dolphins and blue sharks, scuba diving for pelagic fish and marine turtles, bird watching, big game fishing and horse riding. Outdoor activities include hiking and cycling on well-regulated volcanic trails, kayaking, rock climbing, paragliding, surfing, golf, and sailing.

www.greendestinations.info/top100
www.VisitAzores.com

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Picture Credit: 'SMA VPO 20090827 SantoEspirito poolMaia' by Ruben JC Furtado (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons; "30 ilha de são jorge, açores" by José Luís Ávila Silveira/Pedro Noronha e Costa via Wikimedia Commons.

All aboard for the Azores

RYANAIR is to open an Azores operation next April, with flights to the Portuguese outpost in the North Atlantic from London Stansted, Lisbon and Porto.

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