Government

Industry rallies to challenge govt plans to defund travel and tourism training

New working group established to challenge Department for Education move to defund level 3 travel and tourism qualifications from 2025

Government reveals plan to tighten rules on holiday lets

Consultation on introducing planning permission for existing homes to be used as short-term lets under way

Coach sector pleads with Dover to spare passengers further ‘unacceptable’ delays

The Confederation of Passenger Transport has called on Dover to implement a “three-point plan” to spare coach passengers day-long queues

Travel encouraged to complete new 'state of industry' survey

The findings from the survey will provide information which will be used to support the Future Travel Coalition’s ongoing lobbying activity

Manchester becomes first UK city to introduce per night 'tourist tax'

Levy will be used to help to run large events, conferences, festivals, marketing campaigns and for street cleanliness, according to Manchester City Council

'Lack of clarity': Abta questions CAA's rationale for Atol reform

Association highlights lack of alignment between government departments in wide-ranging response to CAA’s latest call for evidence on its proposals for Atol reform

Domestic rail travel to cost a third more than flights, Which? finds

It comes as cuts to air passenger duty (APD) are set to encourage new and cheaper domestic flights from 1 April

Govt outlines plan to avoid repeat of summer ’22 aviation disruption

The government set out 10 areas for the aviation industry to focus on to ensure airport ground operations get back to full capacity

Govt pledges further £165 million for sustainable fuels sector

Second round of funding for the Advanced Fuels Fund confirmed, along with a second consultation on mandating 10% SAF in the UK aviation fuel mix by 2030

France protests could spill into Easter weekend, FCDO warns

The next round of strike action over pension reforms in the country is set to take place on Thursday 6 April and could continue for ‘several days’

Govt ready to put money behind sustainable fuel push

Financial Times reports Department for Transport poised to endorse new report arguing for fresh SAF subsidies, but is yet to have the cash signed off by the Treasury

The Big Question: Is it time to reform the Atol scheme?

Atol has long been a cornerstone of how travel does business – but has the pandemic both highlighted its strengths and exposed its flaws?

SPAA: ‘Critical’ new first minister maintains links with Scottish travel

The Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) welcomed a meeting with Yousaf and his new cabinet, once appointed, to discuss the biggest challenges facing industries in the country

Home Office considering housing asylum seekers on cruise ships

According to reports, ministers are looking are disused vessels including one ship from Indonesia

Judicial review of govt’s Jet Zero strategy to progress to court hearing

The legal challenge was initially brought by climate charity Possible and local campaigners from the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA).

Customers undeterred by Border Force strikes, Advantage reports

Chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said said the walkouts over the May bank holiday were ‘disappointing’

Border Force officials to walk out ahead of May bank holiday

The Public and Commercial Services union has called a fresh 24-hour walkout on 28 April

Advantage chief: 'We need to change the narrative around outbound travel'

Julia Lo Bue-Said told TTG how she planned to use her new government advisory role to achieve long-term change for the sector

Could new govt review mean late-night flights from London airports?

The six-week consultation will seek evidence from businesses and communities to see if the negative impact of night flying outweighs the positive

Advantage boss named 'primary voice for outbound' on govt council

Julia Lo Bue-Said is seeking to reinforce the "value and importance” of outbound travel to the UK economy

Aito stalwart Derek Moore inducted into Lata Hall of Fame

The former chair of Aito and touring pioneer was inducted during the association’s first parliamentary reception since Covid-19

Transport sec hails end of 12-month Network Rail strikes

Mark Harper has hailed the RMT’s decision to accept the 9% pay rise over two years while Network Rail boss Andrew Haines said it was ‘good news for our people’

Maritime 'needs govt support' to achieve decarbonisation goals

The Transport Select Committee said the industry’s biggest challenge is its net-zero emissions target

UK govt to abolish negative Covid test rule for China arrivals

From 4 April, those arriving in the UK from mainland China will no longer need to provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test to gain entry