There is some good news for the industry, though, with a fall in the value of Turkish lira, while Scotland plans to crack down on unlicensed short-term lets.

Here are the key national press headlines concerning travel on Wednesday 24 November.

Covid infections surge in Europe

Daily Covid caseloads per 100,000 in the UK now rank behind more than 10 European countries, while the UK’s daily rate of Covid fatalities is 40% below the EU average, according to official data. Although some European countries have lower rates than the UK, numbers have risen 30% over the past week in Germany, 59% in Spain and 83% in France, compared with 8% in the UK. (Financial Times)

Markets bet on a plunge in sterling

Traders have wagered a £2 billion bet on a plunge in the pound after the Bank of England failed to deliver on a widely expected interest rate rise earlier this month. Trades predicting a pound slump have soared to their highest level since June 2020, weekly data suggests. (The Telegraph)

Turkish lira crashes due to new economic policy

Turkey’s currency plunged as much as 15% after president Erdogan vowed an “economic war of independence” that saw interest rate cuts. The lira has already fallen by more than 40% against the dollar this year. (The Telegraph)

US warns against travel to Germany

Americans have been advised not to travel to Germany as the country battles to stamp out a rising Covid-19 caseload and the death toll neared 100,000. The US State Department and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention advised both vaccinated and unvaccinated people not to travel due to the “very high level of Covid-19 in the country”. (The i)

Scotland plans to license short-term rentals

Properties being used for Airbnb and other forms of short-term lets will need licences from councils under new plans. Scottish government ministers want to tackle the growth of Airbnb-style rentals in tourist areas such as Edinburgh and will ask local authorities to set requirements for granting permits, with uncapped fees to cover costs. (The Times)

Ministers ‘losing the message’ on Covid

Ministers in England have “lost the message” over Covid-19, scientific advisers and experts have warned as devolved nations strengthened strategies against the virus. While Northern Ireland reinforced working-from-home guidance and the Scottish government admitted the country was in a “precarious” position, scientists in England warned Downing Street to take Covid “more seriously”. Experts believe messaging has slipped around measures like mask-wearing and avoiding crowded spaces. (The Independent)