Heathrow recovery slowed by Omicron restrictions

Demand to travel in January was weaker than expected, figures from Heathrow airport suggest, down by 56 per cent on pre-pandemic levels.

The news comes as the hangover from the Omicron variant of Covid-19 continues to suppress passenger confidence, the airport argued.

Over 1.3 million passengers cancelled or did not book their trips because of omicron restrictions in December and January new data suggests.

While bookings for outbound tourism are recovering, inbound tourism and business travel remain weak due to Covid-19 levels in the UK and other countries, international testing requirements and the risk of new border closures in the event of a new variant of concern. 

Heathrow chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: “After a tough Christmas, Omicron has continued to bite, and this has been a weak start to the year.

“As short-lived as the additional travel restrictions were, they ruined the travel plans of more than 1.3 million passengers in the last two months.”

He added: “The removal of restrictions for vaccinated passengers in and out of the UK offers a ray of hope, but the Omicron hangover proves demand remains fragile, and at risk to new variants of concern and government needs to set out a playbook for managing future variants that allows travel and trade to keep flowing.”

Heathrow forecast traffic this year would sit at just over half of pre-pandemic levels on the basis that strong demand for outbound summer holidays will offset a weaker start to the year.

Officials are working with airlines and ground handlers to increase resources across the airport ahead of the summer peak, the airport added.

Source : breakingtravelnews.com

Read More

Millions of tickets requested for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

The start of ticket sales for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has generated huge demand around the world.

More than 1.2 million tickets were requested by fans worldwide in the first 24 hours of the initial sales period.

The highest demand came from fans from Qatar, followed by Argentina, Mexico, the USA, the United Arab Emirates, England, India, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and France.

More than 140,000 tickets have been requested for the final due to take place on December 18th at Lusail Stadium, and over 80,000 for the opening match.

During this first sales period, fans were able to submit their ticket applications at any time.

In this initial phase, it makes no difference whether applications are submitted on the first day, the last day or any time in between, as all tickets will be allocated following the closing of the ticket application period.

In cases where the number of tickets applied for exceeds the available ticket inventory for the domestic or international market, tickets will be allocated by a random selection draw process.

All successful, partially successful and unsuccessful applicants will be duly notified of the outcome of their applications by Tuesday, March 8th, along with the steps to follow and the deadline by which to pay for allocated tickets.

Source : breakingtravelnews.com

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

Breaking Travel News interview: Bob Suri, general manager, Four Seasons Hotel Baku

 Situated in a privileged position in the capital of Azerbaijan, Four Seasons Hotel Baku is a must-visit location in this rapidly developing city.

Here Breaking Travel News speaks to Bob Suri, general manager of the property, to find out more.

Breaking Travel News: Perhaps we could start with an overview of the hotel – what is on offer there to guests in this vibrant destination?

Bob Suri: Baku is a an evolving and a very unique destination that became the host city to world class events like the Formula One Grand Prix, the first European Olympic Games, UEFA Europa League Final and Euro2020, as well as and similar sports events, along with music festivals such as Zhara Music Festival.

As the world’s leading luxury brand, we take a lot of pride in representing the Four Seasons brand in this beautiful and vibrant destination that has tremendous possibilities.

Our presence in this location definitely represents the appetite for luxury segment.

The beautiful hotel is located on the promenade and on the shores of the Caspian Sea in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku.

We offer the city’s finest accommodations in our 171 rooms and suites; while there is also the Italian restaurant, Zafferano, Piazza lounge and Bentley’s Whiskey Bar.

The exclusive enclave of the Jaleh Spa & Pool, lavish meeting spaces and, of course, the signature service of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts completes the offering.

We proudly stand by the four main pillars that have helped develop the unique approach that Four Seasons has towards their guests - quality, service, culture and brand.

Our purpose of creating impressions that will stay with the guests for a lifetime comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly ‘connect’ to the people and world around us.

BTN: Who visits the Four Seasons Hotel Baku – what are your key source markets and has this changed over the past two years? Is the property aimed the business sector, or more leisure focused?

BS: The key source markets for the property for the past five years and pre-pandemic times were Gulf Countries – including the UAE and Qatar, followed by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

They booked mainly for leisure travel, while we saw Russian bookings both for leisure and business purposes.

During pandemic we have observed a bit of a change in the key source markets; where UAE, Qatar and Russia remain in top five markets, though with lower volumes considering the global pandemic, Turkey now leads the list.

After the success the country has gained with the victory in II Karabakh War in November 2020, the government has started developing the lands at an accelerated pace, and this has encouraged movements from countries participating in the redevelopment efforts.

One of these countries is Turkey , where business travellers actively started to travel from due to the involvement in these projects. 

Taking into consideration the prime location of the hotel right in the heart of the city centre and close proximity to the sightseeing and business centres, the hotel is perfect both for leisure and business travellers.

The facilities we provide can meet all guests’ expectations.

Living in the new normal environment, we at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts company, have also implemented a ‘Work at Leisure’ concept globally to provide business travellers all the support should they prefer to stay in the city for longer yet stay connected to work from the comfort of their rooms.

BTN: You are welcoming a new executive chef this month – how important is the culinary offering at the property?

BS: Our main all-day dining restaurant, Zafferano, is known as the best Italian restaurant in the city and welcoming such talent as Renato Rizzi will only elevate the experience for our guests.

Originally from Brescia, he began his professional culinary journey at Pasta Fresca De Salvatore, one of the pioneers of authentic Italian cuisine in Singapore.

He went on to work at restaurants in Italy, Spain, the UK and France – picking up new techniques at each place, and sharing his own growing knowledge with fellow chefs.

Then, Asia beckoned once again, and Renato continued to hone his skills as a senior chef in premier Italian restaurants in Hong Kong, Philippines and Thailand.

In 2005, he joined Four Seasons, coming on board as the Italian chef at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

Since then, he has lent his expertise and passion to Four Seasons properties across continents – as Sous Chef in Hawaii and Washington, DC, and then as Executive Sous Chef in London, Tianjin, Koh Samui and now beautiful Baku.

That being said, it’s also worth mentioning that for us it is very important to give our guests a sense of place.

Azerbaijan has very diverse and delicious cuisine which we do reflect in our culinary offerings at breakfast including signature local egg dish with tomatoes called “pomidor yumurta” in Azerbaijani; we feature our local products on our weekly Sunday brunches, and we also serve the highlight of local cuisine, the Caspian caviar.

Our in room dining also offers cuisine gems such as Dushbara and Lamb Dolma which is prepared and guided by our teams’ generational recipes and are signature dishes of any local household.

BTN: You joined Four Seasons Hotel Baku in 2019 – just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. How do conditions in the city, and Azerbaijan more generally, compare today?

BS: The health and safety of our guests and employees have always been at front and centre for our company.

To offer a safe environment for them, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts across the globe have implemented the ‘Lead With Care’ programme, a full-scale health and safety enhancement that we have developed in consulting agreement with Johns Hopkins Medicine.

While the Four Seasons experience may look different, it still feels the same.

Our dedicated people are committed to delivering the same intuitive service and personalised care for which Four Seasons is known and trusted the world over.

We are blessed to have our ownership aligned with the beliefs of the Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, where putting people first is a priority and we have had their support throughout the pandemic, so far.

The authorities in Azerbaijan developed innovative program called SAHMAN.

This is a nationwide campaign set to transform Azerbaijan’s existing health, safety and hygiene standards.

Supported by the UNWTO, it also reaffirms the country’s commitment towards providing a world-class tourism destination for its citizens and future visitors alike in the post-pandemic world.

The programme guidelines continue to evolve since the launch date, based on recommendations and regulations set by the World Health Organisation (WHO), whose agenda includes adapting best-in-class practices across global industry players.

This program has been playing the fundamental role in control overall situation in the country during global pandemic.

BTN: The government of Azerbaijan has been investing heavily in the tourism product of the country in the past five years – does this bring any benefits to Four Seasons Hotel Baku?

BS: We would like the guests to leave with lasting memories of true Azerbaijani hospitality and the feeling of awe of what the destination has to offer in the sense of a pleasant, unexpected revelations of the city and the country. 

We strongly believe that with the constant government support in tourism development, the hotel will welcome guests from new emerging markets on top of the existing ones and continue provide true Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts experience that is very well known around the world and remain the leading luxury hotel property in Azerbaijan.

Source : breakingtravelnews.com

Read More

The Perfect Combination Of Hiking And Camping

Is it accurate to mention that you just are keen on traveling? irrespective of whether you wish to your excursion to be distant from everyone else, together with your companions, together with your family, or maybe just together with your sentimental accomplice, you must discover a spot to go to, even as exercises to require an interest in. within the event that you just presently can't seem to decide on what you would possibly want to accomplish for your next outing, have you ever ever however about going outdoors and climbing? At the purpose when alone, outdoors and climbing are both thrilling exercises, yet when joined, they are, actually, the perfect mix.

Despite the actual fact that it's pleasant to comprehend that climbing and outdoors are the perfect blend, you would possibly be pondering precisely why that's. within the event that you just are going to be, you'll find that there are a boundless number of reasons with relevance why climbing and outdoors are the perfect fit each other and therefore the ideal method to spend your next get-away. For reasons with relevance why you must try outdoors and climbing, you'll have to keep perusing on.

As recently expressed, outdoors and climbing are things that simply appear to suit together. this is often obvious in various manners. as an example, climbing trails are normally found in regions or foundations that are alluded to as climbing parks. Climbing parks, particularly huge mainstream ones, frequently have their own nearby campgrounds. you'll likewise locate that the majority open campground parks have at any rate a pair of climbing preliminaries on them. The way that climbing and outdoors specialists consequently pair climbing and outdoors together is a sign that outdoors and climbing truly are the perfect mix.

Another motivation behind why outdoors and climbing can be ideal for your next excursion or get-away is on the grounds that they're both intended for people everything being equal. this is often significant, particularly on the off chance that you just are attempting to find something to try to to together with your family. Offspring all things considered, even as grown-ups, appreciate both outdoors and climbing. Actually, within the us, you'll find that climbing preliminaries arrive in various distinctive trouble levels. as an example, it's quite conceivable to get climbing trails that are intended for tenderfoots. These varieties of climbing preliminaries would be perfect, as a rule, for small youngsters or old people.

The expense of climbing and outdoors are another of the many reasons why they create the perfect blend, even as why they could be ideal for your next outing, get-away, or experience. Climbing and outdoors are both reasonable exercises for you to require an interest in. Indeed, on the off chance that you just like better to reserve a spot at an open campground park, you'll probably find that you just can go climbing, on an on location trail, complimentary. The equivalent may even be said for on the off chance that you just visited a climbing park and chose to stay medium-term. While numerous exercises may land up being free for you, you'll see that everything relies upon the inspiration being remarked.

In the event that you just are keen on joining climbing and outdoors to create the perfect experience for you, your family, your companions, otherwise you and your sentimental accomplice, you would possibly have to consider making your courses of action sooner than time. Climbing and outdoors are both famous exercises within the us. While you will not really want to order a spot to travel climbing, you will have to make them within the event that you just plan on outdoors medium-term at a climbing park or in an open campground. Truth be told, the prior that you just reserve your spot, the more decisions you will have, the identical number of foundations permit you to handpick your own outdoors spots.

As should be obvious, there are various reasons about why climbing and outdoors make the perfect mix, even as why they'd be incredible for your next get-away, outing, or experience. Climbing and outdoors are a few things that you just may at any rate have to consider talking about together with your voyaging party. When it's referenced, you would possibly be amazed with exactly what number of people might want to test out this ideal blend.

Read More

Cruise Ships Become A Holiday Choice

Is it accurate to mention that you just are a persevering understudy? only if this is often true, would you say you're anticipating spring break? respite is an all-encompassing break that each one undergrads within the us are allowed. Not in any respect like occasion breaks, respite is often a chance to relax, let free, and manipulate along with your companions.

Choosing a bring break goal may be a genuinely simple procedure. There are an unlimited number of undergrads who run to the foremost well-known respite goals. These goals incorporate Cancun, South Beach, the Bahamas, or Panama City. all of those goals is well-known for his or her bright climate and astounding nightlife. irrespective of their fame, these sea shores frequently become packed during respite. On the off chance that you just are keen on influencing endlessly from the quality, you would possibly must consider spending your respite on board a journey send.

With regards to journey ships, numerous people erroneously accept they're only for family get-aways or sentimental escapes. altogether actuality you'll be able to take a voyage at just about any point in your life and go just about anyplace you wish. that includes respite. On the off chance that you just are keen on spending your break celebrating and appreciating life, you do not must stress. There are various voyage lines that have journey sends that are just for you.

To discover a journey transport that allows experience, celebrating, and all-around fun, you must do a tad of research. This examination includes acclimating yourself with mainstream journey lines and therefore the boats they provide. On the off chance that you just hope to examine well-known journey lines, you're urged to become accustomed to Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, or Costa Cruises. Notwithstanding these surely understand voyage lines, almost certainly, you'll run over extra journey lines offering sensational travels, all round the globe.

At the purpose after you are scanning for a voyage send that gives energy and knowledge, you're urged to avoid ships that focus on families. Family travels are regularly restricted on the measure of betting or liquor supposition that goes on. within the event that betting and liquor utilization is permitted, abundance sums are regularly disliked. to keep up a strategic distance from showdown, you're urged to avoid these family voyage lines. that's except if you propose on browsing your respite along with your family.

Notwithstanding family travels, you would possibly must prevent from journey transports that focus on couples. These sentimental travels are regularly outfitted towards couples that are keen on encountering a sentimental and loosening up voyage. On the off chance that you just are going along with your accomplice, a sentimental journey may well be adequate for your needs. Betting and liquor utilization is permitted on board most sentimental travels, yet over the highest sums are likewise regularly disapproved of.

To locate the perfect journey tell your late spring get-away, you're urged to get a voyage deliver that objectives those searching for experiences. Notwithstanding offering energizing installed exercises, you're likely to seek out that the land undertakings are similarly as fun. Many gathering travels or experience travels dock in notable ports. These ports may have exercises that are exactly what you're looking for.

Spending your get-away on board a journey dispatch is that the ideal method to create the foremost of your break. This exceptional excursion experience will regularly get rid of packed sea shores and dangerous undertakings. On board a voyage dispatch you'll be able to securely make the foremost of your break, while having some good times simultaneously.

Read More

Not Just a Vacation

As time has glided by, occasion has experienced profound changes relying upon the short improvement of our advanced ways of life.

Lignano Sabbiadoro sprouted within the Sixties and Seventies as a shoreline resort and it absolutely was then viewed as among the foremost select occasion goals supported by VIPs. These days, in any case, it's unbelievable to supply an identical kind of occasion individuals accustomed explore for a protracted time prior: all occasion resorts and offices needed to regulate to the prerequisites of present day visitors, much an equivalent because the Hotel Bella Venezia Mare did so on have the choice to supply occasions which could really find yourself being genuine "encounters" as a result of the various accessible exercises and sports.

The a Hotel Bella Venezia Mare was established in 1968 within the new area of Lignano Pineta. This locale of the town Lignano Sabbiadoro was created from an artless urban arranging as indicated by which each one amongst the lanes were worked as being a bit of a spin beginning from the focal "Rosa dei Venti square" and increasing until the external curves hit the ocean shore. As results of this impossible to miss urban arrangement, each house and every lodging in Lignano is situated in a very serene Mediterranean pinewood be that because it may, simultaneously, not a protracted way from the town focus and also the coastline. the great area of the inn Bella Venezia Mare has ended up being the key part all things considered and refreshes this structure has embraced.

As these days renovated, this inn has chosen to consider the highest notch standard of the administrations it offers. Since now's unimaginably simple to urge wherever round the globe, business rivalry within the visitor area has exponentially expanded and, so on stay serious and to be a counterpart for a lot away outlandish heavens, the simplest arrangement is to stay high the standard standard of all administrations offered to vacationers. that basically implies utilizing the experience procured before, when just barely any individuals could bear the value of flight tickets and a number of nations weren't available by any stretch of the imagination.

The strong family the board of the Hotel Bella Venezia has made it conceivable to create up the right harmony among consistency and advancement: present day administrations, kind of like WiFi Internet association and on-line appointments are here accessible one next to the opposite with old conventional Mediterranean cooking and client care , which has continued as before.

The present way of life has transformed solace into a fundamental necessity, consequently a stay brings to the table rather more than this so on be viewed as a real occasion: apart from the solace of infant sitting administrations, of bikes and child carriages rentals the Hotel Bella Venezia has chosen to create available to its visitors swimming courses for nothing, helpful presents for each one amongst the individuals who remain at any rate multi week and it makes it simpler for them to rehearse a number of games: tennis courts and golf green falsehood available while courses of scuba plunging, kite-surf, wind-surf and cruising are offered at great conditions to the inn visitors.

The technique picked by the Hotel Bella Venezia Mare proofs that polished methodology empowers firms to supply great administrations, on account of which they're serious available, however as a result of which they're going to undoubtedly refresh continually their administrations.

Read More