U.N. study shows global tourism stands to lose up to $3.3 trillion from COVID-19
Global tourism revenues are expected to fall by up to $3.3 trillion due to COVID-19 restrictions, with the United States standing to lose the most, … Read more
Tourism
Britain to announce safe countries for travel
Britain will ditch a 14-day quarantine period for people arriving from countries it deems to be lower risk for COVID-19 , the government said on … Read more
It took us 12 years to build Airbnb, and we almost lost everything in 4 to 6 weeks – Airbnb CEO
“Tourism as we knew it is over. I don’t want to say that the journey is over, but rather that the model we knew has … Read more
26.8% hotels in Italy opt to stay closed
Only 40% of Italy’s hotels are currently open even though the nation’s coronavirus lockdown is over and the ban on travelling between regions has been … Read more
Spain seeks to open up to some foreign tourism from June 22
Spain is working on starting to gradually open up to tourists from countries considered more secure in the fight against COVID-19 from June 22, a … Read more
Catering establishments to require all-clear certificate prior to welcoming clients
Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli and MTA CEO Johan Buttigieg have provided further details on the re-opening of catering establishments as from this Friday. “As … Read more
Tui Group to cut 8,000 jobs due to pandemic impact
Tui Group is to cut 8,000 jobs worldwide due to COVID-19, which it describes as “the greatest crisis” the travel industry has faced.
The company … Read more
“Europe needs a break” – EU Commission’s post Covid-19 tourism strategy
Tourism normally brings some 150 billion euros every season form June through August with some 360 million international arrivals, according to the Commission.
Tourism, that … Read more
Europe’s tourism industry not expected to return to pre-coronavirus levels until 2023
The coronavirus crisis has flung Europe’s tourism sector into chaos, with borders closed and airlines grounded. But if that is frustrating for holidaymakers, it risks … Read more
Germany expected to extend travel warning for tourist trips abroad to mid-June
The German cabinet will on Wednesday extend a travel warning for all tourism trips abroad until at least June 14, magazine Der Spiegel reported, saying … Read more
Saving the tourism sector from the coronavirus pandemic
Hotel Metropole is one of the most iconic tourist hotspots in Brussels, and has been welcoming guests in its lavish rooms since 1895. But this … Read more
Hotels in Romania will reopen in May, masks to become mandatory in all enclosed public spaces
The hotels in Romania will reopen after May 15, when Romania will start to ease the restrictions imposed during the state of emergency, prime minister … Read more
Countries should not run to reopen tourism destinations too early – German foreign minister
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Sunday urged European countries not to reopen tourism destinations too early, or risk another wave of coronavirus contagion.
“A … Read more
G20 vows to boost tourism sector battered by Covid-19
G20 nations pledged Friday to cushion the economic blow of the coronavirus pandemic on global tourism, one of the hardest-hit industries in which millions risk … Read more
The ‘last cruise ship on Earth’ finally docks
The three last cruise ships still sailing with passengers will dock today – and one has had quite the odyssey.
The MSC Magnifica left Europe … Read more
Predictions cruise holiday business may never recover from coronavirus
Some travel industry experts fear the cruise holiday business may never recover from coronavirus and shares in cruise companies have collapsed. Governments across the world … Read more
UN Global Tourism Crisis Committee releases coronavirus recovery blueprint
The World Tourism Organisation has released a set of recommendations calling for urgent support for the global tourism sector.
If followed, the body hopes … Read more
Royal Caribbean, NCL, Costa Cruises suspend operations due to coronavirus pandemic
Royal Caribbean Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Lines are both suspending all cruises for the next 30 days. The decision comes as officials recommend people forgo … Read more
Coronavirus ‘could cost millions of tourism jobs’
The global coronavirus outbreak means millions of travel and tourism jobs are at risk, says a leading industry body.
The World Travel and Tourism Council … Read more
Tourism sector in Italy to lose ‘7 billion euros’
The coronavirus is expected to cost Italy’s tourism sector 7.4 billion euros in losses in the upcoming trimester – March 1-May 31 – with an … Read more
Doubts on ITB Berlin due to coronavirus outbreak
A banner advertising the International Travel Trade Show ITB Berlin hangs on the facade of the Messe Berlin convention centre in Berlin, Germany, 28 February … Read more
Tourist cancellations reach 90% in Rome over coronavirus fears
Tourist cancellations have reached 90% in Rome for March due to the coronavirus emergency, sector bodies said Wednesday.
Bookings are down 60% for next month, … Read more
Russia relaxes visa rules for EU citizens
Russia is to relax its draconian visa rules from 2021.
The 16-day e-visas will go into effect Jan. 1, 2021, for citizens of the European … Read more
Amsterdam seeking to bar tourists from buying cannabis
The mayor of Amsterdam has sought to win political backing for her clean-up of the overcrowded red-light district by revealing that a third of foreign … Read more
Cruise lines apply measures on coronavirus risk
Major cruise lines operating in Asia are banning tourists who have been in the city of Wuhan or come from Hebei Province in a bid … Read more
Plan for barrier around Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain
Barriers are set to be placed around the iconic Trevi Fountain in Rome to stop tourists sitting on the monument, after the city council approved … Read more
Spain to crack down on alcohol-fuelled holidays
Spain’s Balearic Islands have passed a law banning pub crawls and happy hours in three popular tourist destinations in a bid to crack down on … Read more
New travel advice for British travelling to EU after Brexit
The travel industry is trying to reassure tourists that their summer holidays won’t be affected by the UK’s departure from the European Union.
Little is … Read more
Australian tourism industry seeks urgent help as cost of bushfires grows
Australia’s peak tourism body estimated the country’s bushfire crisis has so far cost the industry almost A$1 billion ($690 million) and called for urgent help … Read more
Photo Story: Amsterdam’s largest hotel opens its doors
The exterior of Hotel nhow Amsterdam RAI, The Netherlands. The largest hotel in Amsterdam opened on Friday, has 650 rooms and is a design by … Read more
The Netherlands doesn’t want to be called Holland anymore
The Netherlands will stop using Holland as its nickname in the new year as part of a €200,000 rebranding campaign.
The country’s government is looking … Read more
Japan Airlines to offer 50,000 free round-trip domestic flights to foreign tourists
Japan Airlines Co. has said it will launch a campaign to offer free round-trip domestic flight tickets to up to 50,000 foreign nationals who visit … Read more
Tourists stay away from Taj Mahal, other Indian attractions as protests flare
India’s tourism industry has been hit by a wave of violent anti-government protests against a new citizenship law that have rocked several cities this month, … Read more
Tourist bookings to Venice down 40 %
Hotel bookings in Venice are down by 40 per cent as images of the city under water during last month’s record flooding dissuade tourists around … Read more
EU court rules Airbnb is not an estate agent
The accommodation-booking service Airbnb does not need an estate agent’s licence to operate in France, Europe’s top court has ruled.
The French tourism association had … Read more
Thomas Cook brand sold to Club Med owner Fosun for £11m
The Thomas Cook brand has been saved from obscurity after the Chinese owner of Club Med said it would buy the name for £11m.
Fosun … Read more
Kraków chosen as best city break destination in Europe for third year running
Members of leading British consumer association Which? have chosen Kraków as Europe’s best city break destination for the third year in a row.
The Polish … Read more
Strike by Lufthansa subsidiaries staff in Germany
View of empty check-in desks in Tegel airport in Berlin, Germany, 20 October 2019.
According to the Independent Flight Attendants Union (UFO), some staff of … Read more
Saudi Arabia opens tourist visas to U.S., European visa holders
Tourist visas for Saudi Arabia are now available online and on arrival to holidaymakers who already hold a visa from the United States, Britain or … Read more
Ship passengers protest after missing stops on ‘Norwegian Spirit’ cruise
Cruise passengers upset about being forced to miss several scheduled stops in Europe erupted in protest aboard the Norwegian Spirit cruise ship.
Protests broke out … Read more
Thailand to demand proof of health insurance for ‘risky’ long-term visitors
Reuters reports that foreigners in the “risky” over-50 age group will have to present proof of health insurance when applying for Thai long-term non-immigrant visas, … Read more
Over 200 Alitalia flights cancelled because of pilot, cabin crew strike
Alitalia pilots and cabin crew staged a 24-hour strike called by the Anpac, Anpav and Anp unions on Wednesday.
See full list of cancelled flights … Read more
Thomas Cook UK store estate sold to Hays Travel
Hays Travel has agreed a deal to buy all 555 Thomas Cook stores in the UK, offering hope of work to former staff.
The agreement … Read more
Hackers targeting Thomas Cook customers
Cybersecurity experts have warned that criminals are targeting Thomas Cook customers and former employees with websites which impersonate legitimate organisations.
The Telegraph reports that website … Read more
Final Thomas Cook holidaymakers to return home to Britain
The final contingent of holidaymakers stranded overseas after the collapse of tour company Thomas Cook last month will return to Britain on flights that departed … Read more
Egyptian operator owed £7.7 million by Thomas Cook
Thomas Cook has dues of 7 £7.7 million to local operator Blue Sky Group, Blue Sky’s chairman Hossam El-Shaer said.
Shaer did not give further … Read more
Thomas Cook customers may have to wait up to two months for refund
Thomas Cook customers who have seen future holiday bookings cancelled after the travel firm collapsed face a wait of up to two months for a … Read more
Repatriation of Thomas Cook customers to UK continues
A further 16,700 customers of collapsed British travel firm Thomas Cook are scheduled to be repatriated on Saturday on 76 flights, the country’s aviation regulator … Read more
Saudi Arabia to open up to foreign tourists
Saudi Arabia will open its doors to international tourists for the first time as part of a broader push to cut its economic dependence on … Read more
Brussels Airlines cancels 105 flight due to Thomas Cook bankruptcy
Brussels Airlines have announced they will cancel 105 flights in October due to bankruptcy of tour operators Thomas Cook. A decision that is affecting 3,500 … Read more
UK to repatriate 16,000 people on fourth day of Thomas Cook collapse
Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said over 70 flights are scheduled for Thursday to bring back 16,000 people to the country following the collapse of … Read more
Thomas Cook’s Polish arm Neckermann ‘insolvent’ after group collapse
Thomas Cook’s Polish division, Neckermann Polska, has been declared insolvent, intensifying the crisis over the group’s collapse.
The news was announced by officials in Poland, … Read more
Thomas Cook collapse leaves huge negative impact on hotels across the Mediterranean
Hotel owners across the world are millions worth of losses after the collapse of Thomas Cook, which went into liquidation in the early hours of … Read more
British Government and UK CAA launches largest repatriation in peacetime history after collapse of Thomas Cook
Following the collapse of Thomas Cook and the cancellation of all its flights, British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced that the government and UK … Read more
British Foreign Office Advisory for British tourists in Malta following the collapse of Thomas Cook
The British Foreign Office has issued the following advisory for British citizens in Malta following the announcement that Thomas Cook has ceased trading.
… Read moreIf
Planes put on standby to rescue travellers as talks continue for last-minute bailout of Thomas Cook
An emergency fleet of airlines is on standby to rescue 150,000 UK holidaymakers as talks continue between Thomas Cook and the government over a last-minute … Read more
Thomas Cook on the brink of collapse
Shares in Thomas Cook plummeted 20% on Friday after it issued a statement confirming it needed to find an extra £200m to plug a financial … Read more
Haarlem in the Netherlands to tackle over-tourism
Haarlem is taking action to stop the city becoming a victim of its own success as a tourist destination, by focusing on ‘quality visitors’ and … Read more
French air traffic control computer failure delays flights around Europe
Flights around Europe are facing delays because of problems affecting French air traffic control.
Flights have been grounded and delayed due to a computer failure … Read more
Ryanair cancels few Spanish flights on first two days of September strikes
A series of planned strikes in the Spanish transportation system has prompted hundreds of cancellations by airlines Vueling and Ryanair, as well as the Renfe … Read more