Government

'Governments have all the tools they need to tackle overtourism today,' WTM London hears

Venice and Copenhagen flagged as 'good' examples of places where government organisations had worked to ease overtourism pressures on communities

New tourism minister talks up her 'positive' experiences using travel agents

Stephanie Peacock praises travel agents but stops short of backing a campaign encouraging people to use them

'A prompt solution was never likely': trade braces for US flight disruption as government shutdown continues

From domestic flight cancellations to free national park entry, US-specialist travel agents and tour operators have shared how their clients are faring during the shutdown

'Record numbers' holidaying in Greece's shoulder seasons as country vows continue prioritising sustainable growth

How Greece is prioritising sustainability alongside increasing visitor numbers, as the country’s tourism minister vows to continue investing in regenerative tourism

Audley Travel to 'immediately' fly customers in Tanzania home amid election protests

The nation's election was marred by protests, which have continued after the result was confirmed on Saturday (1 November), prompting an FCDO alert

WTM London confirms new tourism minister will attend the event

Stephanie Peacock, who was appointed tourism minister in September, will attend the opening day of WTM London, it has been confirmed

Travel firms must lobby all political parties before next election, says Labour peer – including 'serious force' Reform UK

Broadcaster and Labour peer Ayesha Hazarika says travel agencies must keep plugging away with their local MPs, mayors and councils despite the UK's 'febrile' political landscape

Heathrow expansion: final decision 'to be made within this parliament', government insists

Transport secretary promises 'swift and robust' review of rules governing airport expansion to ensure a final planning decision on Heathrow's expansion plans can be made by summer 2029

Foreign Office extends methanol poisoning warning to Mexico and Japan

Mexico and Japan among placed on warning list, which reflects existing guidance for Laos, Thailand and Vietnam

Poll: Is the timing of the Budget going to give agents enough time to plan for peaks?

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver her autumn Budget on 26 November – the best part of a month later than last year's. So will it force agents to put their peaks plans on hold for the moment?

Six in 10 travellers heading to Europe aware of new EU border rules ahead of Entry-Exit rollout

However, association warns of 'short-term delays', particularly at peak times, as system takes effect

EU Entry-Exit: everything agents need to know as system goes live, including cruise and Eurostar latest

On Sunday 12 October new automatic EU border control checks will begin their rollout. TTG explains the key information that agents – and their clients – need to know

Chancellor confirms government backing for UK-EU youth mobility scheme

Rachel Reeves says government working towards arrangement that would allow British youngsters to work abroad for a set period

Gatwick opponents pledge court challenge as second runway is approved

It comes after government gave Gatwick's plans to bring its second runway into regular use the green light subject to noise pollution measures

Tour operator jailed for £50,000 Covid bounce back loan fraud

Raja Imtiaz secured a second bounce back loan for his business despite only being entitled to one

‘A wishy-washy piece of law’: why has the UK government’s push to ban sales of low-welfare animal attractions overseas stalled?

It's been two years since the UK government laid legislation seeking to improve the quality of overseas animal attractions sold by UK travel firms – so why hasn't it been implemented?

Olive Lounge Travel creates methanol poisoning awareness leaflets in support of bereaved industry colleague

Olive Lounge Travel has created leaflets warning of the prevalence of tainted alcohol abroad, following the death of an industry colleague's daughter from methanol poisoning

Travel and tourism ministerial merry-go-round continues after Keir Starmer's reshuffle

Six ministers have now held the ministerial post role over the past five years as Chris Bryant bows out

New $40 US Esta fee to be charged from the end of September

The new fee is nearly double the previous $21 charged for the visa waiver

Heathrow to offer 30 new destinations if government approves £49 billion expansion plan

Cost of building third runway has soared to £21 billion due to ’construction inflation’

Entry-Exit and Etias: the EU's new biometric border rules and visa waiver explained

The EU will this year start rolling out new border rules that will replace passport stamping, and next year introduce a new Esta-style visa waiver – here’s everything you need to know about the two new systems

Heathrow to submit third runway plan next week as profits near £1 billion

Heathrow airport has said it will submit plans for a third runway to the government by the end of July and detailed half-year results, with a small increase in the number of passengers in the financial period

October launch date for new EU border rules risks half-term disruption, agents warned

Advantage has warned of possible October half-term bottlenecks at airports as the EU prepares to roll out biometric and fingerprint registration this autumn

EU confirms October start date for new biometric border rules and Etias visa waiver price hike

Long-delayed EU Entry-Exit System will finally start on 12 October, while the upcoming Etias visa waiver has almost tripled in price from €7 (£6) to €20 (£17)