There are more signs of a bumper summer holiday season with Airbnb enjoying surging sales for properties over the next few months.
Meanwhile billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk suggests that businesses may have to start paying a fee to use Twitter if his bid to take over the social media platform goes through.
Here are the headlines that the travel industry woke up to on Wednesday (4 May).
P&O resumes passenger services on cross-Channel route
P&O Ferries has restarted its Dover-Calais passenger crossings for the first time since it sacked 800 employees with no notice in March. The ferry company operated a reduced timetable on the route on Tuesday (3 May), with a normal timetable due to resume on Wednesday (4 May). (Various)
Airbnb ready for a sizzling summer as bookings rise
Accommodation platform Airbnb is preparing for a bumper summer travel season after the easing of Covid-19 restrictions across the world. Airbnb is reporting robust demand for its properties across the US and Europe, with Easter bookings exceeding 2019 levels in some markets. (The Times)
Businesses may have to pay ‘slight cost’ to stay on Twitter
Business and government users on Twitter may need to pay a “slight” fee to stay on the social media platform, according to Elon Musk whose $44 billion bid to take over the social media giant has been accepted by Twitter’s board. Musk added that the site would continue to be free for “casual” users. (BBC News)
US airline workers stranded amid staffing shortages
Carriers in the US are continuing to face staff shortages as demand for air travel picks up. This is leading to cabin crew having to spend more time away from home due to cancelled or delayed flights. There have also been difficulties in finding hotel rooms for crew, with some staff sleeping on airport floors instead. (The Guardian)
Timeshare scandal victims get £181m refund from Barclays
Barclays is to pay almost £181 million in compensation to around 6,000 customers who were improperly sold timeshare properties in Malta. The bank is refunding loans brokered by the collapsed company Azure Services following accusations of aggressive sales tactics that were used to sell timeshares. (Daily Telegraph)
