Thursday’s headlines also focus on prime minister Boris Johnson’s surprise announcement that all Covid-19 restrictions are set to be dropped in England later this month.
Other positive stories include Stansted holding its first recruitment fair since the start of the pandemic, and a strong rebound for Disney’s theme parks in the US.
Here are the headlines the travel industry woke up to on Thursday (10 February).
Tourist bookings surge as holiday hotspots drop Covid testing rules
Holiday firms have seen bookings bounce back to pre-pandemic levels as European hotspots scrap traveller tests. Greece and Portugal have both benefited from a surge in bookings after dropping tests for the fully vaccinated, with France expected to follow suit. The UK will also axe all tests for vaccinated travellers from 4am on Friday (11 February). (The Daily Mail)
Covid isolation to be scrapped in plan to live with the virus
Prime minister Boris Johnson will effectively declare the end of the Covid-19 pandemic in England in two weeks by scrapping self-isolation for people who test positive for the virus and winding down the availability of free tests. The government’s new strategy is expected to be published on 21 February. (The Telegraph)
Stansted mounts recruitment drive ahead of ‘bumper’ summer
Stansted has held its first in-person recruitment event for more than two years, as the Essex airport looks to fill around 300 roles ahead of what it expects to be a bumper summer for travel. Airlines, baggage handlers and aircraft cleaning companies are all looking for new staff. (BBC News)
Disney park trips surge after Covid measures eased
Disney says visitor numbers to its US theme parks have climbed above pre-pandemic levels after a record-breaking final three months of 2021. But the entertainment giant warned that it still expected its international parks outside the US to be affected by Covid restrictions. (Various)
Anti-vaccine truckers block Canada’s busiest border
The busiest land border between the US and Canada was blocked by lorry drivers on Wednesday (9 February), as protests against compulsory Covid vaccination continued to spread around Canada. The latest action saw drivers block traffic on the Ambassador Bridge, which links Detroit with Ontario. (The Times)
UK prepares 1,000 troops in case of refugee crisis if Ukraine invaded
The UK has placed 1,000 troops on standby to be deployed to eastern Europe if there is a refugee crisis following a Russian invasion of Ukraine. The move came ahead of Boris Johnson’s trip to Nato headquarters in Brussels on Thursday (10 February) as tensions over Ukraine continue. (The Guardian)
