Johnson calls on international tourists to visit UK

Embattled prime minister, Boris Johnson, has called on international tourists to visit the UK and enjoy the sights and sounds of “one of the most open countries in Europe”.

As testing and quarantine restrictions end for fully vaccinated visitors, the UK is ready to welcome visitors from around the globe for a year of events showcasing the breadth of culture, creativity and innovation on offer in the country, he said.

Events include her majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Unboxed: Creativity in the UK.

It comes ahead of a new VisitBritain £10 million international marketing campaign targeting the most valuable visitor markets of Europe and the USA which, will launch in February.

Johnson said: “Thanks to the phenomenal success of our booster campaign and the extraordinary efforts of the public, the UK is officially one of the most open countries in Europe and ready to welcome visitors from across the globe.

“Now is a fantastic time to book a trip and enjoy the best the UK has to offer.”

The travel sector has been highly critical of the government throughout the past two years of border closures, quarantine and testing, so it remains to be seen how the latest initiative will be received.

Transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said: “We made the right calls at the right time and thanks to our vaccine and booster rollout it’s paying off – allowing us to safely remove nearly all Covid-19 travel restrictions for vaccinated travellers.

“We already have one of the most open economies in Europe with the least restrictions, and because of these changes we now have a travel sector to match it.

“This final step in our stable and safe full return to international travel is a major boost for UK tourism, setting Britain free ahead of the crucial half term and spring holiday season.” 

VisitBritain’s multi-million-pound campaign will spotlight cities across the UK including London, Edinburgh and Cardiff which have been hit hard by the lack of international visitors.

VisitBritain chief executive, Sally Balcombe, said: “We know there is pent up demand for travel and our priority is to build back demand for Britain and visitor spending as quickly as possible, competing hard for international visitors who contribute billions to our economy.

“As well as messages of welcome and reassurance, we’re shining the spotlight on our vibrant and diverse cities.

“Telling the stories of our renowned heritage with a modern twist, our buzzing contemporary culture and innovative food and drink scene, we are showing that Britain is packed full of fresh and exciting experiences to come and see today.”

VisitBritain’s campaign will build on the government’s ambitious Tourism Recovery Plan published in June which aims to get domestic and international tourism back to pre-pandemic levels a year faster than independent forecasts predict.

The government claims to have backed tourism, hospitality and leisure organisations through the pandemic with more than £37 billion in funding and support.

This includes the ongoing cut to VAT, furlough and 100 per cent business rates relief for leisure, retail and hospitality businesses which have saved thousands of jobs and prevented many business closures.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme at its peak supported 87 per cent of hospitality and entertainment businesses and a UK-wide VAT cut for the tourism sectors from 20 per cent to five per cent was in place until September.

It will remain at 12.5 per cent until the end of March to provide ongoing support for businesses.

Source : breakingtravelnews.com

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5 Conditions That Pay To Have Travel Insurance

No one suches as to consider the worst when you're preparing a holiday-- that's for the trip back when you're thinking of the pile of documents that need taking care of on Monday when you're back in the office. Sadly, there are hundreds of things which might fail when you get on your trips worldwide. As well as 'away from residence' is the last place you intend to be when things begin to go wrong. Unfamiliar environments can make a bad scenario significantly even worse, but having ideal worldwide travel insurance policy can truly lighten the lots." I never ever believed it would happen to me" is a phrase you listen to a lot in my profession-- the good news is the types who say it to me are the kinds who took the smart decision to acquire international travel insurance coverage anyway.

You can never be also certain, and therefore below are 5 scenarios when your UK travel insurance provider would certainly swoop in to conserve the day any place you are in the world:You need to terminate your getaway for a death in the familyNo one can accurately forecast when an enjoyed one will certainly pass away, as well as with holidays reserved months in development, it's not surprising that that the unanticipated often happens as well as a household is compelled to terminate or postpone their vacation plans. The losses will be securely for you to saturate up if you do not have traveling insurance however. With global traveling insurance coverage, the supplier needs to repay you the prices involved so you can rebook at a better suited point. Your little girl is hospitalized after an unpleasant fall abroadA child playing in unfamiliar surroundings is commonly a recipe for problem. A costly and prompt browse through to the regional healthcare facility will be on the cards if your daughter were to fall as well as damage bones while on your vacation.

While every person would certainly enjoy to spend for their daughter's healing, it is always easier if your UK traveling insurance firm gets on hand to bear the cost-- leaving you with more cash money to sightsee when your daughter is able. Your vacation home is burglarized and your belongings are swipedThere's no disguising the truth that affluent vacationer are a noticeable target for criminal activity, and also vacation homes often have abundant pickings for robbers. If your possessions are swiped while you're out appreciating the sunshine then it can ruin a holiday-- the good news is, appropriate travel insurance can conserve the day by replacing or reimbursing you for the items taken. You harm a total stranger by mishapSuppose you're minding your own business by your resort's swimming pool, when you run across somebody, creating them to slide and also damage their arm. Without travel insurance policy, you can be held accountable to pay damages including their hospital charges.

With travel insurance, your personal obligation cover will certainly pay for their clinical expenses. Your business' future remains in risk after you drop illPhoto the scene: You're standing for the company on some immediate organization abroad, and also suddenly you fall terribly ill. The business's future goes to risk! Thankfully, your travel insurance provider can save the day by spending for a very early return home for you, with an organization partner taking your location. They'll pay the traveling and holiday accommodation expenses, too.

Sure, I recognize that most of people have a fantastic time on their vacations and don't encounter any one of these issues-- I mean they're not the kind of point that occurs to you everyday. Yet they do occur-- I have actually seen the insurance claims to prove it! And also those are just the tales from the individuals that have actually bought international traveling insurance coverage: I can't show it, however I believe the variety of people that wish they had actually acquired travel insurance coverage for the peace of mind it offers have to be a significant figure.

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Italy ideas for 2017

Welcome to HaloTrip.blogspot.com |

If it seems that 2016 been a yr of ordeals as well as calamities , as well as you're wanting to larn away from it all inward 2017 , this is a skilful fourth dimension to foremost thinking almost holidays. I'm e'er a fighting surprised at this fourth dimension of yr to discovery how many travellers are already planning trips equally far ahead equally November. But , of course of report , the farther ahead yous majority , the longer yous bring to aspect frontwards to your vacation - as well as the best selection of accommodation volition live on opened upwardly to you.

Here are some suggestions for destinations inward Italy for an escapist idyll inward the side past times side twelve months. If yous pick out , yous tin switch off your cyberspace connectedness as well as forget the residue of the world spell enjoying sunshine , views , peace as well as - naturally - hearty Italian food. These are places I've visited inward the terminal brace of years as well as loved , addition i or 2 highlights from past times query trips.

The best fourth dimension to see Italy for a sunshine vacation without crowds is exterior the peak Italian flavor , which runs from belatedly July to the halt of August. If yous tin larn away inward June , early on July or September you'll honor cheaper prices as well as quieter destinations.

Escape to an island

I e'er recommend escaping to islands. I dearest Italian islands; they're rubber , charming , authentic as well as picturesque. Three lesser-known destinations are:

Panarea in the Aeolian islands , which is chic as well as idyllic.

Panarea

Ustica , a ferry-ride from Palermo , which has a to a greater extent than down-to-earth charm as well as a lovely coastal footpath.

Ustica

Capraia , off the coast of Tuscany , where yous tin explore empty countryside as well as the ruins of a prison theatre colony.

Capraia

Hole upwardly past times the sea

Italy has loads of lovely coastal destinations , some famous as well as others kept hole-and-corner past times their fans. For 2017 , why non consider a resort which offers something a niggling different?

Marine del Cantone , which I visited terminal yr , is a hidden shingle beach close Positano as well as Sorrento but completely dissimilar to either , amongst a few restaurants , a shabby-picturesque air , as well as some lovely footpaths nearby.

Marina del Cantone at Easter

Caorle , northward of Venice , is a pocket-sized , traditional beach resort (mostly Italian as well as German-speaking visitors) which offers a beach , access to the Veneto's fine art towns , addition odd lagoon scenery as well as wheel rides.

Caorle

Cefalù in Sicily is my permanent transcend recommendation for a beach resort , amongst history as well as fine art equally good equally seaside  - a grand Norman cathedral amongst famous mosaics , a pocket-sized museum , ruins - as well as the choice of excursions past times educate to Palermo as well as past times body of body of water to the Aeolian islands.

History , fine art as well as sophistication

If you're interested inward history , i fascinating vacation projection would live on to explore the archaeological sites inward as well as some Naples. I've solely started on this myself; in that location is a lot to run into , from the famous Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum to the cave of the Cumaean Sybil as well as the underwater metropolis at Baia. Naples also has i of the rattling best archaeological museums inward the world.

Herculaneum

The classic destinations for a sophisticated metropolis intermission inward Italy are Rome , Venice and Florence - all 3 of them everything you'd await as well as to a greater extent than - spell the to a greater extent than adventurous mightiness pick out endeavor Naples or Palermo for foodie experiences as well as a to a greater extent than edgy vibe.

The Pantheon past times nighttime , Rome

Stay somewhere different

It's non only trying a novel goal that tin offering a fresh vacation experience - why non endeavor a dissimilar form of accommodation? If yous commonly remain inward hotels , endeavor out the local life inward a metropolis centre floor or surround yourself amongst fine art inward an eccentric B&B. Holiday flats I've enjoyed include the New Venice Apartments , Sorrento Apartments , Maison Giulia apartments inward Rome and Casa Vittoria in Taormina. You tin wake upwardly when yous desire to , store inward markets , experience similar a local , as well as relax inward privacy.

Maison Giulia studio floor , Rome

Alternatively , if yous usually remain inward self-catering or budget accommodation , yous could consider splashing out on a seafront hotel for a modify of pace. In 2016 I upgraded myself to five-star hotels a brace of times , for a few nights of my travels , finding skilful places to remain amongst special outdoor spaces as well as grand views which became occupation of my vacation experience inward the agency a budget room rarely can. These hotels would live on lovely for a brace or household unit of measurement - but they're genuinely rattling skilful for solo travellers too. With enough of attentive staff as well as world areas where yous tin sit down unbothered to run or read , as well as elegant bars where yous tin relax inward a comfortable as well as rubber surroundings without heading out , these to a greater extent than expensive hotels bring a lot to offer. Neither the Grand Hotel La Favorita inward Sorrento , nor the Miramare e Castello inward Ischia were cripplingly expensive (5-star hotels , but non the astronomically-expensive kind) as well as I'd recommend both of them , as well as peculiarly their roof terraces.

Grand Hotel La Favorita , Sorrento

Hotel Miramare e Castello , Ischia

More ideas

You tin honor loads to a greater extent than holiday ideas on www.italyheaven.co.uk , including my listing of the best seaside resorts inward Italy. And yous tin follow on Facebook , as well as Twitter for novel ideas , 2017 Italy go photos as well as website updates.

Happy travels inward 2017!

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ABTA praise as England Covid-19 tests scrapped

ABTA has warmly welcomed a decision by the government in England to scrap Covid-19 tests for arrivals into the country for fully vaccinated travellers.

Mark Tanzer, chief executive of ABTA, said: “This announcement is a huge leap forwards in getting travel back to normal in England, in particular the removal of day two tests for those who are double vaccinated.

“The relaxation of testing rules will make it easier for people to travel abroad for holidays, business and to see friends and family.

“As many families look to go abroad over the February half term, these changes will make the process of going on holiday cheaper and easier and will be a big boost for the industry’s recovery.”

The decision was unveiled earlier by minister for transport, Grant Shapps, with the changes coming into effect on February 11th.

Rules have also been eased for unvaccinated travellers, who will no longer have to take a day eight test.

However, they will still need pre-departure and day two tests.

Tanzer added: “Consistency across the UK is really important, so we now need the governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to adopt the same approach.

“It’s good to see the government also respond to our calls to simplify the passenger locator form and look to end managed quarantine – which have also been a big deterrent to international travel.

“We’re also encouraged to hear the minister for transport commit to looking at how they respond to any future variants; measures such pre-departure tests introduced in the early stages of the Omicron variant were a significant blow to the industry’s recovery and must be avoided in future.”

Everyone arriving in England, regardless of vaccination status, will still need to fill in a passenger locator form - although these would be made “simpler and easier” to complete, Shapps added.

Source : breakingtravelnews.com

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Really useful go materials - packing for Italy

Welcome to HaloTrip.blogspot.com |

Planning what to pack

I go frequently , in addition to my Italy trips autumn into a express break of categories. For example: "islands inward summer" , "ten days touring" or "winter inward Venice".

H5N1 few years agone I created a ‘master’ packing listing on my estimator in addition to right away I exactly amend it for specific occasions , in addition to relieve each 1 amongst a cite which volition help me refer to it inward hereafter , e.g. "Venice July 2017". Next fourth dimension I go inward summertime I’ll in all likelihood exercise this 1 every bit a base. There are apps which volition help amongst this sort of affair , but I honor a uncomplicated document is quick in addition to slowly to use. I impress it out in addition to tick off the items every bit I pack them. I also conduct hold the slice of newspaper amongst me in addition to scribble whatsoever notes for hereafter reference on items I mightiness conduct hold missed out , or things that proved unnecessary. It tin larn a geeky obsession every bit I showtime thinking of to a greater extent than methods for cross-referencing or feeding inward dissimilar types of requirement (e.g. rental flats , beach trips)… but spending extra fourth dimension on this mightiness defeat the object of making go easier.

I create a tabular array dividing the page into 4 , every bit my packing falls into 4 basic categories:
1. Essential stuff - passport , documents , devices
2. Accessories in addition to bits in addition to pieces: purse , sunglasses , scarf , kitchen or beach stuff when needed
3. Clothes in addition to shoes
4 Washkit in addition to toiletries

The alone department which changes much is the third: clothing in addition to shoes volition vary according to flavour , atmospheric condition forecast , finish in addition to length of stay. Most of the other items listed are constants. This makes planning in addition to packing a straightforward procedure which takes really niggling time. Because the listing stays the same in addition to I've packed it scores of times , I also conduct hold a proficient stance of what volition tally in.

> Sample packing listing - this is a packing listing I used on my concluding trip - although other travellers' needs in addition to strategies volition vary , some mightiness honor this a useful starting point.

Packing cubes & cabin-sized suitcase. They did tally in!

Basic essentials

What are the essentials for a trip to Italy? Or anywhere , really? Obviously sure as shooting items y'all can't exercise without – passport , cash , go tickets in addition to confirmations.  There are essentials which y'all tin to a greater extent than frequently than non purchase on arrival fifty-fifty if y'all forget to pack them: toothbrush , pants , sunglasses. Then at that spot are whole categories of item which brand go easier , which could relieve y'all inward a tricky province of affairs , or which solve problems.

Over the years I've been travelling inward Italy I've built upward a collection of useful go accessories in addition to devices. I remember they brand life much easier.

> My article well-nigh packing , on the website

Here are some of my ideas in addition to packing tips:

- Toiletry bottles. Funnels are your friend. Decant , decant , decant , in addition to exercise every bit pocket-size a bottle every bit y'all can. I never comport to a greater extent than toiletries than I'm probable to exercise over the duration of my trip. I refill in addition to reuse the same miniature bottles of shampoo , conditioner in addition to shower gel. Decanting sun-protection into a pocket-size spray bottle makes it much to a greater extent than portable for beaches in addition to excursions. In the U.K. Boots in addition to Superdrug both sell decent pocket-size bottles - squeezy , spray in addition to other variants

- Plastic bags are also your friend. I purchase self-seal sandwich bags from Poundland. They're useful for separating in addition to protecting toiletries , packing nutrient , making picnics , collecting together receipts , shells in addition to pebbles , carrying Sun lotions exactly about , keeping cheese inward the hotel refrigerator , waterproofing pocket-size valuables , packing pesto inward my suitcase...

- Jiffy bags for cameras. Instead of carrying a bulky photographic television set camera instance I frequently stick my larger photographic television set camera into a jiffy purse for protection. It'll hence tally within a shoulder purse or rucksack , in addition to won't live obvious to thieves.

- Travel insurance in addition to bill of fare details. As good every bit your insurance documents , run on a listing of the cards y'all conduct hold amongst y'all in addition to the emergency telephone numbers to telephone telephone inward instance y'all lose them. I endeavor to run on copies of my passport in addition to insurance details inward a duet of dissimilar places inward my baggage , in addition to accessible online.

- Waterproofing. I run on a plastic rucksack embrace permanently inward the side pocket of my go rucksace , in addition to a clear plastic binliner inward the forepart panel of my stuff suitcase. The binliner has a oil hole inward it to arrange the suitcase grip , in addition to when it rains I exactly trace the binliner on over the top of the case. It's a oil in addition to laid upward solution but has kept my instance dry out on many occasions.

- Strategic packing. Ideally y'all should comport overnight essentials inward your mitt luggage. If your instance goes missing , the airline should furnish a basic overnight kit - but this is fairly limited. Keep medications , an umbrella in addition to valuables on your soul in addition to non inward your concord luggage. If y'all are travelling amongst a companion , separate your asset betwixt your suitcases hence that if 1 instance gets lost , you'll both conduct hold some clothing in addition to kit amongst you.

- Photograph your case. I read this tip somewhere , in addition to right away I run on a photograph of my suitcase on my phone. It could come upward inward handy for describing your luggage if it goes astray. Possibly photographing the contents would live a proficient stance for go insurance purposes likewise , though I've never had to pose this to the test.

- Identify your case. People actually exercise run out the airdrome amongst the incorrect luggage. Tie a vivid ribbon onto your suitcase hence that (a) y'all tin spot it easily in addition to (b) to deter some other traveller from walking off amongst it.

Useful go stuff - shopping links

Note that if y'all store through the Amazon links , they'll pay a pocket-size amount of committee to to back upward the website.

I've of late switched from compression bags to these packing cubes in addition to I'm impressed. They run on stuff separate , in addition to arrive slowly to unpack in addition to repack - in addition to y'all tin run out your clothing inward them in addition to exercise them every bit storage during your holiday. They're non waterproof hence I pack them inward my instance amongst the cyberspace window facing inwards. By moving the dissimilar sizes in addition to shapes exactly about , it is surprisingly slowly to tally everything inward your suitcase. They'd live swell if you're travelling together in addition to desire to run on your vesture separate spell dividing it betwixt suitcases. I sometimes exercise a pocket-size 1 inward a rucksack for scheme too. They're expensive , but I consider I'll live using them for a long time.

I supervene upon my platypus occasionally , but I've used these folding bottles for years. They'll crimp upward inward a pocket or handbag , conduct hold upward the minimum infinite for the H2O within them , in addition to are useful for refilling at H2O fountains. Take them through airdrome safety empty , hence create total them at a drinking tap earlier boarding.

In a hotel room where y'all can't honor the low-cal switch , on an isle amongst no street lights , or inward an emergency province of affairs , a torch is actually useful.


The alone sensible way to conduct hold toiletries on vacation , pocket-size go bottles minimise the amount of infinite that lotions , gels in addition to creams volition conduct hold up.

H5N1 hanging launder purse is invaluable inward hotel bathrooms amongst express surface space. I've had a sturdy Lifeventure purse for at to the lowest degree x years now; my go toiletries reside inward it permanently laid upward for the side yesteryear side journey.

Tiny Swiss Army Knife amongst tweezers in addition to pair of scissors , this fits within the blade length limits for safety screening at most airports , hence I go amongst it inward my mitt luggage. Once or twice it's been examined in addition to I conduct hold snapped off the longest tool to live on the rubber side. Really useful if you're flight mitt luggage alone or demand pair of scissors during your journey.

This lightweight titanium go cutlery is swell for preparing in addition to eating low-cal meals in addition to picnics inward your hotel room or on the beach. H5N1 pricier but improve choice to a plastic spork.


Doing some washing yesteryear mitt way y'all tin go that much lighter. Swimwear , microfibre undies in addition to specialist outdoor gear unremarkably dry out really quickly.


Plastic carrier bags exercise the labor ok but proper shoe bags pack to a greater extent than neatly in addition to protect shoes better.

> More well-nigh packing for Italy
> Sample packing list

Two packing strategies: Sheldon Cooper in addition to Mr Bean

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