Sun and beach destinations from Cardiff airport

THOMAS COOK Airlines is adding Easter 2019 flights from Cardiff airport for the first time, meaning that thousands of people can head to Europe for some spring sunshine.

With 11 flights a week from April 3, 2019 until the end of the month, Thomas Cook Airlines has added over 15,000 seats to destinations including Turkey, Majorca, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Cyprus and a new route to Enfidha in Tunisia.

Thomas Cook Airlines now flies to 12 sun and beach destinations from Cardiff and has over 120,000 seats on sale throughout 2019 (Easter and Summer).

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Tunisia continues its comeback

#TUNISIA continues its comeback, recording strong growth at the world’s leading tourism group TUI, in particular from the German-speaking markets and France. Moreover, the country is among the destinations with the highest customer satisfaction levels. TUI Blue, TUI Group’s new lifestyle hotel brand, has now opened its first hotel in #Djerba and provides authentic holiday experiences in the island.

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Thomas Cook resumes flights to Tunisia

THOMAS Cook has resumed its holiday and flight operations to #Tunisia for UK customers from today February 13. The programme will start with three weekly flights to Enfidha, from Manchester, London Gatwick and Birmingham, expanding to include Glasgow from April and Newcastle and London Stansted from May.

The decision was taken to put the #destination back on sale after the UK government changed its advice for Tunisia meaning that British holidaymakers can now travel to the majority of the country.

Re-launching holidays to the North African country also reflects customer demand – since going on sale in August 2017 Tunisia has proven popular with the first three flights selling out.

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Tunisia's on the up as Brits return

TUNISIA recorded 1,527,891 tourist arrivals, up 46.2% from January 1 to May 20, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016 and on July 26 , the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) lifted its advice against travel to the majority of the country including Tunisia’s main tourism attractions.

#Tunisia is less than 3 hours flying from the UK with daily flights from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports to Tunis. It is a year-round destination blessed with 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, beautiful landscapes and beaches, world-class golf, great food and the Sahara Desert.

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State of Emergency in Tunisia Extended

RECENTLY updated advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth website is that A state of emergency is still effect in #Tunisia. It has been extended a number of times, most recently on 16 February 2017 by three months.

"Since the terrorist attack in Sousse in June 2015, we have been working closely with the Tunisian authorities to investigate the attack and the wider threat from terrorist groups in Tunisia. Although we have had good co-operation from the Tunisian government, including putting in place additional security measures, the intelligence and threat picture has developed considerably, reinforcing our view that a further terrorist attack is highly likely. On balance, we do not believe the mitigation measures in place provide adequate protection for British tourists in Tunisia at the present time."

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UK travel agents query FCO warnings plan; Tui challenged by terror victims’ families

CONCERNS about Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) plans to introduce a new category of travel advice highlighting the risks of terrorism or crime in destinations not currently subject to warnings have been raised by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

The FCO will announce the results of a review of its advice to travellers this autumn, following a consultation with industry and consumer groups which ended in April. ABTA fears a change will confuse consumers.

Joanne Roper, FCO director of consular services, told a recent ABTA seminar: ‘We aim to differentiate the types of risk more closely, maybe with a fourth level [of advice] that it is generally safe to travel, but be aware that the risks of crime or the terrorist threat are higher than at home.’

The FCO currently rates the safety of areas on three levels. These are shown on country maps on its website in green (safe but consult the advice), amber (advise against all but essential travel) or red (advise against all travel). Most popular destinations, apart from Tunisia, are presently shown in green.

The new tier would sit between green and amber.

Nikki White, ABTA’s head of destinations and sustainability, said: ‘The existing system is well recognized and works well. What will “You’re able to travel, but there is a heightened risk” relate to? We’ve been given no examples. Where will it leave consumers? It’s quite clear now when advice changes from green to amber. We foresee increased confusion. And what will be the impact on a destination if advice changes after people book and they think “Do I want to go?” ’

The review comes as families of 16 of the 30 British holidaymakers murdered in the beach massacre in Sousse last June questioned the role of Tui and other companies in marketing holidays to Tunisia.

Legal papers submitted on behalf of the families to an inquest into the deaths accuse Tui of ignoring security warnings, ‘enticing’ holidaymakers with cheap offers, and deterring people from cancelling by refusing refunds. They also suggest that updated FCO advice was not mentioned on Tui’s website, in its brochures, or on booking forms. The victims’ families claim Tui offered 40% discounts on Sousse holidays, despite concerns following the terrorist attack at a museum in Tunis in March last year.

At a pre-inquest hearing at the High Court, Tui’s lawyers said the company did not accept claims about its pricing policy or that it was obliged to carry FCO advice on its site.

The full inquest is not expected to begin until January.

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Tunisia urges lifting of travel warning after UK arrivals plummet 90%; Turkey bookings down by 32%

THE UK government is being urged to relax its warning against all but essential travel to #Tunisia after a 90% drop in British visitors in the first four months of 2016. 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) guidance has been in place since 31 British holidaymakers were murdered in two terror attacks in Tunisia last year.

The Tunisian ambassador to the UK said the government should take into account security improvements since last year. He said there was now a gap between the ‘perception of the level of security, and the real security on the ground’.

‘Every week terrorist cells are dismantled. Terrorists are arrested or neutralized. This should give a positive image, not a negative one. If you take statistics, you have much less chance to die in Tunisia or to have any harm in Tunisia than in so many countries close to us," he said, adding that he had never seen Tunisia's beaches so empty of tourists.

An FCO spokesman said: ‘We know our travel advice can have a knock-on effect on trade and political considerations, but we don't let this influence the advice we give. The safety of British nationals is our main concern. We are working closely with the Tunisians to understand the terrorist threat better and to help them to strengthen measures to protect tourists further.’

*Market research organization GfK reports a 32% drop in the number of holidays being booked from the UK to Turkey from April 2015 to the same month this year, while bookings to mainland Spain and the Canaries have seen a 33% rise over the same period.

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Thomas Cook cancels Tunisian summer bookings

THOMAS COOK has cancelled all bookings to #Tunisia up to and including October 31 following the decision by the government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office not to revise the current travel warnings about the country.

In a statement, the company said: ‘We appreciate that this may be frustrating for our customers who have been looking forward to their holiday and we would like to assure them that we are doing our upmost to ensure they are still able to enjoy a Thomas Cook holiday by offering the following options:

• Customers who are due to travel up to and including October 31 2016 are able to cancel or amend their holiday to another destination free of charge. 

• Customers who wish to re-book an alternative summer 2016 holiday are being offered free amendments to an alternative Thomas Cook holiday of their choice, paying only any difference in price. 

• Customers booking a new holiday departing before October 31 will be offered a £30 per person discount regardless of whether the alternative is cheaper or more expensive.’ 

Thomas Cook said it was individually contacting customers whose bookings are affected, prioritizing those due to travel soonest.

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Thomson scraps Tunisia summer programme

THOMSON has confirmed the cancellation of all of its Tunisian holidays for summer 2016. The operator is offering refunds to people with bookings to the North African country.

Thirty three of parent company Tui Group’s holidaymakers were killed in the beach terrorist attack near Sousse in June last year.

Thomson said: ‘As the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) continues to advise against all but essential travel to #Tunisia, Thomson Airways can confirm the cancellation of further outbound flights from the UK to Tunisia, up to and including October 31. Customers affected by this will be able to change their holiday to any of our destinations currently on sale, without incurring an amendment fee, or receive a full refund.’

The operator is offering a £30 discount if the new holiday departs on or before October 31 provided it is booked by February 29.

The discount will apply regardless of whether the alternative holiday is cheaper or more expensive, the company said.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/88475677@N00/11399706034">Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)

Terrorism threat to tourism highlighted

TOURISM will be the industry suffering the most in Tunisia as a result of repeated terrorist attacks, claims strategic market research firm Euromonitor International.

The fear of repeat attacks led to 3,500 British tourists leaving Tunisia since the attack by a militant gunman killing 38 tourists at the resort of Sousse in June. This followed the March museum attack in Tunis.

Egypt, another North African destination hit repeatedly by terrorist attacks, is also expected to see an economic slowdown and decrease in arrivals as well as investment.

Meanwhile, Euromonitor warned that Turkish tourism will suffer from the current stand-off between the country and Russia following the shooting down of a Russian warplane above the Syrian border. The impact of a ban on Russian travel companies sending tourists to Turkey will depend on the duration of the restrictions. But with more than 4.5 million Russians visiting Turkey last year, the country will not make up losses from Russia even if it tries to attract tourists from other countries.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36165795@N04/5223477288">20101003-P1110611</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Thomas Cook extends cancellation of Tunisia bookings

#THOMAS COOK has extended the cancellation of its bookings to #Tunisia by another month. In August Thomson and First Choice extended the cancellation of flights to the North African country up to and including March 22, 2016 while Thomas Cook cancelled all booking until February 13, 2016. 

Thomas Cook has now announced it too has cancelled all bookings to Tunisia up until March 22.

The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is advising against all but essential travel to the destination, following an attack on holidaymakers staying near Sousse in June. A total of 38 people were killed in the attack, including 30 British tourists.

Thomas Cook customers due to travel up to and including March 22 can cancel or amend their holiday free of charge or change their booking to ‘another popular winter sun destination’ with one £50 holiday voucher per adult.

The operator said it plans to re-start its flight and holiday programme to Tunisia from March 23, with 12 flights a week, dependent on current FCO advice changing.

A spokesman for the company said that while it plans to offer holidays from March 23, terms and conditions can change and Thomas Cook will act ‘in the best interests of customers’.

Thomas Cook will be contacting customers whose bookings are affected and customers wishing to contact the company can call 01733 224 808 or visit a Thomas Cook or Co-operative Travel shop.

Thomson and First Choice said customers can either change their holiday to any destination currently on sale by the operator without incurring any fees, or receive a get a full refund.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/96497203@N00/3659683257">089 Place de la Victoire, Tunis</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)

Tunisia sees 1 million fall in tourist numbers

TUNISIA’S foreign visitor numbers from the start of this year to September 10 are down from the same period last year by one million – from five million to four million – says the country’s tourism minister, Mr Salma Loumi. 

The North African country, where #tourism accounts for approximately seven per cent of its gross domestic product – has been under a state of emergency since June, when 38 people, including 30 Britons, were murdered by a gunman at a hotel in Sousse, three months after 21 tourists were attacked by terrorists at the Bardo National Museum in Tunis.

The UK’s Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to Tunisia amid fears that it is “highly likely” Britons will be targeted in a fresh terror attack.

Tour operators TUI and Thomas Cook have cancelled their Tunisia programmes from Britain until next year, while tour operators across Europe have shifted some of their routes to other destinations. Some hotels have closed.

Mr Loumi hopes #Tunisia can use the country’s current difficult period to work on reform, including diversifying the country’s tourism options.

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Picture Credit: People with camels 2 by Abir tb - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Flight booking data reveals impact of Tunisia terrorist attack

THE full extent of the slump in flight bookings and cancellations to #Tunisia after two major terrorist attacks this year is revealed in data published by ForwardKeys, which monitors #travel patterns by analyzing 14 million reservation transactions each day. 

The analysis shows that weekly international bookings fell by 44.7% compared with the same period in 2014 following the museum attack in Tunis on March 18. Bookings fell by 42.2% after the beach massacre near Sousse on June 26, which killed 38 tourists including 30 British holidaymakers. 

The attacks prompted a fall in bookings across a range of countries. The most marked slumps were seen in Switzerland, which recorded more cancellations than bookings.

ForwardKeys co-founder and chief executive Olivier Jager, said: ‘Our data shows that international bookings to Tunisia have been under-performing since mid-2014. Obviously the two terrorist attacks in the first half of 2015 have made the situation considerably worse.’

Major operators cancelled programmes to Tunisia for the rest of this year and summer 2016 after the British Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned against all but essential travel to Tunisia in the wake of the Sousse attack.

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Picture Credit: "Skopje Airport Check-in" by Janicka - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skopje_Airport_Check-in.jpg#/media/File:Skopje_Airport_Check-in.jpg

Jet2 axes Tunisia sales

JET2.COM and Jet2holidays has stopped selling flights and holidays to #Tunisia for the remainder of this year and summer 2016. Customers of the low-cost airline will have their flight bookings cancelled and their payments refunded.

Consumers with Jet2holidays can change their bookings without an amendment fee, according to the operator.

‘We have been pro-actively calling all our passengers to discuss their options,’ a spokeswoman said.

‘We currently have no Jet2.com and Jet2holidays customers in Tunisia. The last remaining passengers have returned. In light of this cancellation we have added more flights and holidays to our popular destinations to ensure we are offering the best possible choice of holidays.’

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22490717@N02/7863503376">Tunisia-4483 - Camel with a Howdah</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)

Come home, Brits in Tunisia told

BRITISH holidaymakers in #Tunisia have been advised by the UK government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to leave the country. It has advised against all but essential travel to Tunisia.

The FCO is working with tour operators to ensure British nationals are able to return to the UK.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: ‘Since the attack in #Sousse the intelligence and threat picture has developed considerably, leading us to the view that a further #terroristattack is highly likely.

‘The Tunisian investigation into those behind the Sousse attack and that on the Bardo Museum earlier this year is ongoing and the Tunisians have made clear they want to track down further individuals who they suspect may have links to this attack. While we are working with the Tunisian authorities to further strengthen those measures, we judge that more work is needed to effectively protect tourists from the terrorist threat.

‘If you are in Tunisia, you should contact your tour operator or airline who can help plan your return. Anyone travelling independently should look to return on commercial flights.’

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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.

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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)

Tunisia searches plunge after terrorist attack

SEARCHES for Tunisia made by UK travellers have fallen by 22 percent following the terrorist attack on March 18, according to the hotel search website trivago.co.uk.

While travel interest in Tunisia as a whole fell by 22 percent, searches for Hammamet (a beach resort popular among UK holidaymakers) fell by 34 percent.

Although the British government has not advised against travel to Tunis and the surrounding areas, cruise companies have removed the city from their itinerary.

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easyJet announce new routes for summer, adds capacity at Edinburgh Airport

EASYJET has announced the launch of three new routes for summer 2015.

The services are: from London Gatwick to Preveza in north-west Greece and Pula in Croatia; and from Stansted to Monastir in Tunisia.

The airline is also preparing to add almost 70,000 extra seats on 19 of its routes to and from Edinburgh Airport this summer.

Between May 22 and July 21, the airline will offer 68,500 extra seats from Edinburgh on routes including Paris, Madrid, Nice, Amsterdam, and Naples.

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Operators monitor Tunisia and admit 'tourists will think twice'

TOUR operators are closely monitoring the situation in Tunisia following Wednesday’s terrorist attack. 

One has admitted that some tourists would now ‘think twice’ about going to Tunisia.

At least 23 people were killed in the shooting at the Bardo Museum in the capital Tunis, including at least 17 tourists. One British woman was among the dead, which also included tourists from Japan, Italy, Colombia, Australia, France, Poland, and Spain.

Thomson has cancelled excursions to Tunis for holidaymakers currently in the country, while Thomas Cook said it was monitoring the situation.

The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice has not changed following the attack.


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Croatia highlighted as upcoming Brit hotspot

CROATIA is set to be the new hotspot for British holidaymakers, according to research conducted by beach holiday specialists On the Beach.

The country has shown the biggest year-on-year increases in bookings during the big January sales month. 

Holiday bookings to Croatia were up 250% on the previous year with the Portuguese island of Madeira showing the second biggest increase, up 228%. 

The Neapolitan Riviera in Italy was the third fastest-growing destination (up 194%), while Tunisia (up 183%) and Cyprus (up 64%) made up the top five. 

Alistair Daly, chief marketing officer at On the Beach said January was “busier than ever”. 

‘With an increase in flights from the UK to Madeira, we expect more people than ever before will be heading to this beautiful island this year.’

The research also shows self-catering holidays in luxury five star resorts are on average 33% cheaper than last year.


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Picture Credit:"Sisak Fortress, Croatia" by Darko Tepert Donatus - Own work via Wikimedia Commons; "Curral-das-Freiras" by Dietrich Bartel (my father) - father's work via Wikimedia Commons.