News

Japan introduces departure tax for tourists

Destination’s "sayonara tax" is being added to airfares

Asia Pacific leads way in air travel growth

Europe saw the second highest rate of increase in 2018

France tops poll of most popular ski destinations

Club Med survey reveals winter sports clients are still flocking to the French Alps

Government issues new Brexit advice on package holidays

Guidance looks at how consumer rights will be affected by a no-deal Brexit

Trade urged to 'text, email and tweet' clients to warn of new passport validity rules

In the event of a no-deal Brexit, holidaymakers will need at least six months validity left on their passport when travelling to EU member states

Heathrow plans capacity increase using existing runways

Hub airport wants to add 25,000 flights before third runway is built

Aquatica Orlando becomes ‘world’s first’ autism centre certified water park

Boss David Heaten said the park was committed to creating ‘safe and meaningful experiences’ for all guests

Pilots’ union to challenge Virgin Atlantic strike injunction

The Professional Pilots Union was forced to postpone a series of four-day strikes over the Christmas and New Year period at the 11th hour

Heathrow drone incident prompts urgent call for action from pilots’ union

Airport ‘right’ to halt departures in interests of safety, says Balpa

Tourist board’s ‘g-spot of Europe’ ad cleared by advertising watchdog

Go Vilnius’s quirky campaign ruled ‘not overtly sexual’ despite ’sexually suggestive’ tone

Travel agent's marathon effort to boost charity amid cancer battle

Stuart Swords has set his sights on running a sub five-hour London Marathon – just eight months after he underwent chemotherapy

Luxury Fingal hotel opens in Edinburgh port

Converted ship opens after £5-million redevelopment and is permanently docked in Edinburgh’s Port of Leith

Heathrow airport departures temporarily halted following ‘drone sighting’

The airport said it was investigating a sighting at around 5.45pm on Tuesday (January 8)

Oceania Cruises orders two new ships

The “mid-size” 67,000 gross ton Allura-class vessels will each carry around 1,200 guests

Norwegian to roll out free in-flight Wi-Fi across long-haul fleet

Airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 737 MAX fleet to get free and premium Wi-Fi connectivity

First look at Stansted’s new £150m arrivals terminal

Work on the 39,000sq/m terminal will begin in the spring and is due for completion in autumn 2020

Teletext Holidays extends Gaydio partnership

Operator will headline sponsor LGBT station’s Gaydio Escapes travel segment

Heathrow launches fresh consultation on noise, night flying and new flightpaths

Airport calls for community to contribute to discussions over noise, runway alternation and night flying relating to its two existing runways and proposed new third runway

Hotels urged to work more closely with travel trade and ‘offer special rates’

UKinbound believes domestic accommodation providers lack awareness of the ‘revenue and benefits’ a healthy relationship with the travel trade affords

Police handed new powers to tackle illegal drone use

Measures include extending exclusion zones around airports

Tui UK boss renews vow to fight false sickness claims

Andrew Flintham’s call comes after a false sickness claimant, rumbled by his boasts on Facebook about his holiday, was ordered to pay Tui more than £19,000 costs

Ryanair named worst UK airline for sixth year in succession

The budget carrier received the lowest possible rating for boarding, seat comfort, food and drink and cabin environment from Which? passengers, amassing an overall score of just 40%

Kathryn Coles joins Simpson Travel

Tauck’s former UK country manager becomes head of trade sales at the luxury operator

Storm Pabuk: Tourists flee Thailand’s ’worst storm in 30 years’

Around 10,000 tourists were understood to be on the holiday island of Koh Samui when the storm struck