Up in the air …

AS THE UK GOVERNMENT stalls on deciding which London airport should be awarded a new runway, Flybe has once again proposed opening up RAF Northolt to scheduled commercial flights.

The airline claims this would provide enhanced regional access to London and to long haul connections at neighbouring Heathrow airport, six miles from Northolt.

‘Independent of a decision on airport capacity expansion at either Heathrow or Gatwick, which may take well over a decade to implement, the government has been presented with an immediately actionable solution at Northolt that would enhance regional connectivity to Heathrow and the capital at no additional cost to the taxpayer,’ said Saad Hammad, CEO of Flybe.

‘Northolt is available right here, right now. It is a military airport that is used largely by a few wealthy VIPs and could easily be opened up to scheduled commercial flights with less noisy aircraft.’

RYANAIR has announced the launch of its biggest ever summer schedule for 2017 at Birmingham Airport, with:

Three new routes to Chania (Greece), and Girona and Reus in Spain,

Two new summer services to Sofia and Warsaw, and

More flights to Faro, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Palma, and Tenerife

The announcements comes after the airline announced its 2017 summer schedules at Leeds Bradford Airport and Newcastle Airport, including new routes and more flights to several of its most sought after summer destinations.

Ryanair’s Birmingham summer 2017 schedule will operate 28 routes in total, with 141 weekly flights, which will support 1,700 jobs at Birmingham Airport.

NORWEGIAN is expecting its busiest ever British summer with more than 1.3 million passengers taking advantage of the airline’s unique low-cost flights to America and extensive European city and sun routes.

Norwegian is the only airline offering British passengers direct low-cost flights to America.

FLYBE has started its new peak summer route to Rennes from London City with a service to north-western France that flies six times a week. Flights operate through to September 4.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: archive

Travel companies back end to elephant abuse

A CAMPAIGN by international animal charity World Animal Protection (WAP) to end the abuse of elephants in the tourism industry has secured the help of more than 100 travel companies. 

In total, 114 global companies have agreed with WAP that elephant rides and shows are cruel and should end. The travel companies, include TUI Benelux, Thomas Cook Northern Europe, and Intrepid Travel Group.

‘Leading travel brands see the value of animal protection,’ says executive director at WAP Canada, Josey Kitson. ‘Many of the companies we've engaged with in Canada such as G Adventures, The Travel Corporation, and World Expeditions, as well as those globally, including Intrepid Travel, have welcomed the opportunity to stand with us to protect wildlife.’

Despite this large number, there are still travel companies yet to commit to ending elephant rides and other cruel elephant entertainment. In order to make elephants submit to rides and other human interactions, they are taken from their mothers as babies and forced through a training practice known as 'the crush'. This process involves physical restraints, severe pain, and the withholding of food and water. By the time tourists come to ride an elephant, its spirit has been broken.

When not performing or used for rides, most elephants are kept chained and isolated from each other.

‘World Animal Protection wants to see this cruelty stop,’ Ms Kitson adds, ‘and tourists can help by avoiding animal attractions while on vacation and encouraging more companies to join our movement.’

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Stick with the EU, say Britain’s travel agents

THE ‘Stay’ side in the UK’s referendum on European Union membership has been backed by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), which has published a report on what it says are the potential impacts on country’s travel industry of withdrawal from the EU.

With economic analysis from Deloitte, ‘What #Brexit might mean for UK #Travel‘ assesses how the existing relationship between the UK and the EU has affected British travellers and the travel industry, and looks at what the likely impact would be of a ‘Leave’ vote on consumer confidence, expectation and behaviour, as well as on the industry.

More than 29 million foreign holidays each year – 76% of the total – are made by UK holidaymakers to EU countries. Sixty-eight percent (4.6 million) of all business trips from Britain are to EU states.

There are currently, says ABTA, many EU regulations designed to benefit holidaymakers and business travellers. Although these regulations would not change immediately, a UK exit could have a “significant impact” in the future. Current regulations include: 

• Financial protection for package holidays 
• Compensation for flight delays 
• Access to free health cover through the European Health Insurance Card
• Caps on mobile phone charges 
• ‘Open skies’ across the EU, resulting in more routes, more airlines, and lower fares 

Of immediate concern is the impact that a period of prolonged uncertainty will have on the strength of sterling versus other currencies. A weaker pound has a direct impact on spending power overseas, making the cost of holidaying or visiting abroad more expensive, as well as adding costs for UK businesses to buy abroad.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA CEO, says: ‘Our assessment of the report’s findings is that a vote to leave will lead to uncertainties and may lead to increased costs for travel businesses and the travelling public. We recognize that people will approach this referendum by considering many factors – personal, professional, and economic – before casting their vote. ABTA has considered what a vote to leave the EU might mean purely from a travel perspective. Our view is that the potential risks and downsides are not matched by an equal upside for the traveller.’

Go Holiday editor David Kernek comments: That’s ABTA’s view, and it’s hardly surprising. The key words in ABTA’s plea for the status quo are could and might and potential. Neither they nor the Get Out folks can be sure of what will follow a UK vote to leave the club that, to quote London’s mayor, nobody in their right mind - except, perhaps the Turkish government – would want to join now. The one thing that is reasonably certain, however, is that our European neighbours – from Belgium and France across to Italy and Greece – will want to do nothing that would prevent British holidaymakers contributing to the growth of their tourist industries.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester airports chiefs against 'Brexit'

THE BOSSES of Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester Airport are among some 200 business leaders calling for the UK to remain a member of the European Union (EU).

Other travel sector signatories to a letter to The Times published include Tui Travel supervisory board member Peter Long, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary, easyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall, and lastminute.com co-founder Martha Lane Fox. Virgin chief Richard Branson has also set a case against a UK withdrawal from the EU.

They claim a UK exit would put jobs at risk.

The letter says: ‘Following the prime minister’s re-negotiation, we believe that Britain is better off staying in a reformed European Union. He has secured a commitment from the EU to reduce the burden of regulation, deepen the single market, and to sign off crucial international trade deals. Business needs unrestricted access to the European market of 500 million people in order to continue to grow, invest and create jobs. We believe that leaving the EU would deter investment, threaten jobs, and put the economy at risk.’

Go Holiday editor David Kernek comments: Many of these people – who are presumed to know what they’re talking about, and whose views we are expected to take seriously – argued fervently in favour, some years back, of Britain ditching its own currency and joining the euro zone, warning that if it didn’t the country’s economy would collapse. They were wrong then; it didn’t. They could be wrong now.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Safety first for Brits choosing winter sun destinations

HALF of Brits are avoiding traditionally popular winter sun hotspots in favour of ‘safer’ destinations as a result of terror attacks and the migrant crisis, according to a Travelzoo survey.

More than half of 2,000 adults surveyed blamed recent terrorist attacks and the migrant crisis for reducing their willingness to travel abroad. 

The poll suggested that Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Greece, and Thailand – all traditionally popular winter sun destinations – are now the places that UK consumers are most worried about visiting.

It found Britons felt most secure travelling to the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, and Australia for a winter sun holiday. Over the next 12 months they felt most confident about vacations in Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, and the US.

Travelzoo managing director, Richard Singer, said the survey showed that personal safety was now a key factor in holiday choice. “It was all about price; now safety is right up there.”

More than half of those surveyed said the Tunisia terrorist attacks alone had put them off booking a holiday anywhere abroad, while only 1% said they would consider visiting Tunisia.

The research also showed 75% of respondents were now actively avoiding Islamic countries as holiday destinations, while 73% said the migrant crisis had put them off travelling through the Channel Tunnel.

Yeganeh Morakabati, an academic in risk and tourism at Bournemouth University, said: ‘What is clear from the research is that risk perception has increased uncertainty, and this has left the door open to fear. As a result, Britons are finding it increasingly difficult to decide on the safest destination for a holiday abroad.’

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/13445173@N06/12559285104">Great Harbour - Jost Van Dyke</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Rome looks at 500% tourist tax rise

ROME’S city government is debating a proposal to increase its tourist taxes for visitors during its jubilee year in 2016. Each coach load of tourists would be charged a daily rate of €1,000 (£725) to enter the city centre to see sights such as the Vatican, a 500 percent rise on the current price of a coach permit (€200/£145). This would be in addition to a higher tax on accommodation that tourists already have to pay, which has doubled on last year. 

Tour operators and travel agents are objecting to the proposal. The European Tourism Association (ETOA) said it is extremely concerned by the plans. ‘Imposing a fivefold increase on the existing €200 daily permit is out of all proportion,’ it said in a statement. ‘It threatens pre-paid contracts for travel in 2016 and beyond and is yet another cost that is making Rome an expensive and unpredictable destination.’

The association calculated that, under these proposals, a visitor in a group of 40 people staying in a 4-star hotel would be paying €33 (£23.93) in local taxes a night.

It was suggested that agents might be forced to reconsider how much time is allocated to #Rome in travel itineraries.

Tom Jenkins, CEO of ETOA said: ‘This behaviour seems vicious and irrational, with no regard to practicality or planning. What will these visitors receive in return for this tax increase? That this was announced in the same month as the bid for the 2024 Olympic Games shows that the aspirations of Rome and the reality of their organizational capability live in separate worlds.’

Rome's Holy Year is a ‘year of mercy’ announced by Pope Francis, which should bring thousands of pilgrims to the city.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Circular staircase of the Vatican Museums by Livioandronico2013 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

UK top market for European low-cost airlines

THE UK is Europe’s biggest market for low-cost airlines, with 935 routes in the summer months, according to a study published by Gopili. 

Spain ranked second with 837 routes, followed by Germany (578 routes), France (574 routes) and Italy (546).

London is the best-served European city with 217 low-cost flight destinations. Manchester (106) and Edinburgh (86) are also among the top 15 European cities best-served by low-cost airlines, ahead of capital cities such as Berlin, Madrid, Stockholm, and Geneva.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29057345@N04/8277567491">London Skyline</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Travel firms collapse

1. Exclusive Escapes 


THE managing director of Turkey specialist Exclusive Escapes has cited ‘two challenging years’ after the company ceased trading with immediate effect. The luxury operator, based in Richmond, Surrey, also traded as Hidden Turkey and sold villa and hotel packages.

More than 2,000 holidaymakers are being assisted by the Air Travel Organizers Licensing (ATOL) protection scheme following the failure.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it was working with hoteliers and airlines to enable 500 Exclusive Escapes customers already abroad to complete their holidays and travel back to the UK as planned.

Exclusive Escapes MD, Andrew Lee, said: ‘Our immediate thoughts and sympathies lie with the many loyal guests, wonderful hoteliers, property owners, and suppliers who are affected, in addition to our loyal team in Turkey and the UK. It’s no secret that 2015 has been one of the toughest years to date for tourism in Turkey, largely due to the country’s geo-political situation. This comes on the back of two challenging years of trading. 

‘Exclusive Escapes performed well compared to the general market, but the two months following the atrocity in Tunisia, and then Turkey joining the coalition against ISIS together with ensuing events, have had a considerable impact on the market which have sadly proved unmanageable.’

The company had 1,750 ATOL-protected customers with forward bookings. They will get full refunds.

David Clover, head of crisis management at ATOL, said: ‘The collapse of Exclusive Escapes is a timely reminder of why holidaymakers should make sure their holiday is ATOL protected and that they receive an ATOL certificate as soon as they’ve booked their trips. As a result of the ATOL protection scheme, customers of this business have the peace of mind that they will be able to complete their holidays and return home, or get a full refund. If you are looking for a bargain air holiday at the end of summer sales, it is essential to check to make sure you will get ATOL protection and receive an ATOL certificate before you hand over any money.’
 
2. Flight-only specialist Fone N Fly

The company, which operated the website fonenfly.co.uk, was based in Ealing, London, and offered flights worldwide. It failed on August 18 with 132 customers abroad and 226 forward bookings, accounting for 450 clients, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

Airlines should honour tickets for those clients currently overseas, said a CAA spokesman. But the CAA has advised clients overseas to contact their airline before travel to check their return ticket is still valid.

If it has been cancelled by the airline, customers are advised to book a reasonably-priced ticket and apply for a refund on their return via their airline, and if unsuccessful, contact the CAA.

Clients who booked by credit card should contact their card issuers, which will process refunds.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/57509161@N00/5984426652">Kigu Suitcase</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)

India extends e-Tourist visa scheme

#INDIA’S government has extended its e-Tourist visa scheme to a further 36 countries, making a total of 113.

The additional countries include the UK, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/106447493@N05/15494028609">Agra, Taj Mahal, January 2012</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

EU’s package travel directive will ‘disadvantage’ consumers

THE head of a UK government advisory committee has warned that the European Union’s Package Travel Directive threatens ‘real disadvantage’ to consumers.

John Cox, chairman of the Air Travel Insolvency Protection Advisory Committee (ATIPAC), said: ‘How does a customer unfortunate enough to have their travel company go bankrupt navigate a situation where the company may not be established in the UK? How do you ensure the customer is adequately protected?’

The directive, due to come into force in 2017, will move responsibility for regulation from the country where a holiday is sold to the jurisdiction in which the holiday company is ‘established’.

Mr Cox said: ‘You could have a UK customer of a tour operator based in any member state. We have to take it on trust that the regulator in that state has been as rigorous as it should be.’

In its annual report, ATIPAC warned: ‘It will require strict enforcement from the European Commission to ensure protection is consistently applied. If there is an insolvency, who does the customer contact? This has the potential for real disadvantage. Confusion is almost a certain. History does not inspire me with confidence.’

ATIPAC looked into the Spanish system after Low Cost Holidays re-located to Majorca in November 2013, and found: ‘Responsibility [in Spain] is delegated to regional governments. It would mean consumers having to go through the Spanish court system to establish a claim, and there is no fund to pay for repatriation or refunds.

‘Most tour operators will maintain businesses in different member states to take advantage of re-assuring customers that the local scheme applies. But where that is not the case, how is the consumer expected to understand how the scheme applies and how to make a claim? What is the process? You can imagine all kinds of claims management companies being established to deal with this. We can see Citizens Advice being inundated as soon as a company fails.’

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: "European flag outside the Commission" by Xavier Häpe - http://www.flickr.com/photos/vier/192493917/. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Car hire in Spain? Beware those hidden extra €s

HOLIDAYMAKERS renting cars in #Spain this summer need to be most on their guard for ‘sneaky tactics’ used by suppliers, says car hire broker Economy Car Hire, which has identified six ways in which consumers could be caught out.

They are:

• Admin fees: Some suppliers offer what's known as a ‘full-full' policy, but slap on an admin charge. This means you when you collect the car it has a full tank and you must return it with a full tank. When you return the car, you get a refund for the tank, minus the admin charge which is typically €25-€40 (£18.40-£29.50). 

• Credit card charges: You're told to pay for extras such as a satnav or child car seat in sterling at a very poor exchange rate.

• Pre-existing damage: You're made liable for damage which was already on the car when you collected it.

• Diesel surcharge: You're hit with a €10-€15 (£7.35-£11) surcharge when you're given a diesel car, even though you didn't ask for one.

• Sealed agreements: You sign your rental agreement digitally and the printed copy is handed over in a sealed envelope, so you only spot any nasty surprises when it's too late.

• Insurance hard sell: You're pressured take out local cover, even though you bought it before travelling.

The firm also highlights tactics used in other countries, such as the UK, US, France, Turkey, Italy, and South Africa which range from charging for damage that was already on the car through to ‘out of hours’ vehicle collection fees.

Economy Car Hire managing director, Rory Sexton, said: ‘Dirty tricks are more prevalent in certain countries than others, with customers reporting fewer issues in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Switzerland. 

If you are going somewhere where sneaky tactics are often used, make sure you scrutinize the terms of their booking in advance, and read the rental contract carefully when collecting the car. It's always a good idea to book through a broker in the UK which will provide the protection of UK consumer law.’

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8329215@N04/5192918769">YSSY IMG_0455</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Most of those murdered in Tunisia beach attack believed to be British; tour companies cancel upcoming departures

THE British death toll in last week’s Islamic terrorist attack in Tunisia is likely to exceed 30, according to the UK and Tunisian governments.

The number of confirmed British deaths stands at 18. At least 12 Britons are still listed as missing. The UK’s Foreign Office says delays in identifying victims were in part because they were ‘dressed for the beach’ and, therefore, did not have identifying documents such as passports with them.

Thirty-eight sunbathing holidaymakers on a hotel beach in Sousse were murdered by a gunman, a Tunisian student who killed by police shortly after the attack.

Thomson and First Choice said their customers were among ‘a number of fatalities’, and they had sent 10 aircraft to bring home 2,500 UK holidaymakers.

The TUI Group operators said the two hotels at the centre of the attacks – the Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba and the Bellevue – were part of their package programmes.

The companies have cancelled all Thomson and First Choice holidays to Tunisia for this week.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/80497449@N04/7383352148">Tunisia Grunge Flag</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Up in the air …

MANCHESTER AIRPORT and Heathrow have been shortlisted by the US Department of Homeland Security as priority airports to have US security pre-clearance.

Pre-clearance, which allows passengers to clear immigration, customs, and agricultural inspection by US Customs and Border Protection before boarding their flight, means that passengers can avoid waiting in often lengthy queues after landing in the US.

International flights which have been pre-cleared can use domestic terminals at US airports, meaning passengers connecting onto onward domestic flights can do so with shorter transfer times than those who have not been pre-cleared.

Only two other airports in Europe – Dublin and Shannon – allow for pre-clearance.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Up in the air …

WORK has begun on re-shaping London City Airport’s Western Pier, which houses most of its departure gates.

Built in 1987, the airport was designed for tens of thousands of passengers, not the millions who use it today. The new Western Pier will be an open-plan space with modern seating, electronic boarding gates, workspaces, quiet areas, and charging points.

The area will increase in size by approximately 84 percent, with space for new retail and food and beverage outlets, and accommodate 600 additional seats.

The work will be completed by summer, 2016.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42819205@N05/18768309725">Flybe G-FLBC taxing to stand and G-PRPL Bombardier Dash 8 taxing for take off</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)

US airport security to be revised

REVISED security procedures across the US are planned after tests found that airport screeners allowed mock explosives and weapons through checkpoints 95% of the time. A screener in one test failed to find a fake bomb taped to an agent's back despite patting the man down.

ABC News reported that the tests were carried out at 70 US airports. Only three airports were able to detect the banned weapons, a Homeland Security Department report said.

A department spokesman said security officers should be re-trained and scanning equipment re-tested.

‘We take these findings very seriously in our continued effort to test, measure, and enhance our capabilities and techniques as threats evolve.’

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/15609463@N03/8569806951">Chicago pays homage to its Irish roots.</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Be ready for Greek cash crisis, British tourists warned

PLANS to assist British people on holiday in #Greece are being made as the country moved closer to bankruptcy and exit from the #eurozone, the Daily Mail reports.

Tourists have been advised to take enough euro notes to cover emergencies in case Greek banks close cash machines. The Foreign Office advises them to take ‘enough money to cover emergencies and any unexpected delays’, and to avoid relying solely on credit cards or ATMs.

It came as Greece’s prime minister Alexis Tsipras refused to implement further austerity measures needed to unlock emergency funds to avoid a debt default.

British government sources said ‘contingency planning’ was under way involving ministers from across Whitehall departments. Experts believe the threat of a Greek default could lead to a run on the banks, which could result in cash machines being left without money or being turned off. There are also fears the situation could spark civil unrest.

UK officials have held talks with tour operators, who would have responsibility for getting stranded British tourists home. A source said they are also making sure they have the resources in place to provide consular assistance to British nationals who might get into difficulties.

See also previous blog posts on this matter
http://goholidayworldwide.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/take-cash-greece-bound-travellers-told.html

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23429268@N00/8430692331">view from pyrgos</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)

Travel shorts …

STAY SAFE: Potential risks are being highlighted for travellers planning to take adventure tours. Britain’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has teamed up with the British Standards Institution to offer advice on how #staysafe.

A checklist has been produced by the FCO to help people prepare for trips which might include activities ranging from deep-sea diving and bungee jumping to mountain biking and canoeing. The guide can be downloaded at www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/432872/adventure_checklist.pdf

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42274165@N00/7615187330">Bungee Jump - Interlaken, Switzerland</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/36196762@N04/5081186618">Warrior Adventure Quest: let the healing begin - FMWRC - US Army - 101008</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/75885890@N00/428424968">Trials Biking</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)

How many tourists do one job make?

A COMMON question asked in many countries is: how many jobs does the tourist industry sustain? 

But a report commissioned by Malta’s government puts the question in a slightly different way: how many tourists are needed to maintain one full time tourism job?

The answer, in Malta, is: an average of 83.

The study looked at the contribution of the tourism industry to the Maltese economy in 2014. It found that tourism was directly responsible for 20,500 full-time equivalent jobs, approximately 11% of the total. But it is also indirectly responsible for an additional 7,300 jobs.

On average, the report found, every €10 million (£7.36 million) in tourist expenditure sustains 137 jobs – roughly €73,000 (£53,700) per job – while every 10,000 visitors sustain 121 jobs.

The report shows that tourism is responsible for one-in-seven jobs in Malta, but the proportion goes up to one-in-five jobs in Gozo.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/97108771@N00/60497345">Malta 100</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)

Battery power in sight for Channel ferries?

THE prospect of plug-in electric ferries has been raised to improve fuel efficiency and cut emissions. European engineering company ABB suggests technology will become available for ferries doing trips of up to two hours – such as those on some of the English Channel routes – to run purely on an electric charge.

‘Ferry operators on routes between Sweden, Denmark, and Germany are certainly looking to replace the combustion engine in the next generation of ships,’ says Eero Lehtovaara, ABB’s hybrid expert. ‘For Dover-Calais ferries, absolutely we believe electric can do those trips.”

Oslo has ferries doing 20-minute trips on electric batteries.

Ferry operators have questions about the range and recharging time of batteries, but ABB has confidence in the technology.

‘It is a big leap for the operators, but we believe we are on the threshold of migrating to hybrid, and the battery industry is anticipating that threshold, too,’ Lehtovaara said.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37839628@N08/4809652520">P1010271</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Orlando sets new record for tourism

VISIT ORLANDO reports that more than 62 million people visited the city in 2014, an all-time record for the US travel industry.

A record 32 million room nights were sold in Orlando in 2014, resulting in bed tax collections topping $200 million ($136.3 million) for the first time in Orange County, home to the Central Florida tourism district.


In 2014, Walt Disney World Resort completed New Fantasyland and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Diagon Alley at the Universal Orlando resort opened.

Other new venues include the Dr Phillips Center for Performing Arts.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Disney Orlando castle at night by Veryhuman - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons