Holiday & Travel

A total of 26 bus services that had been threatened with the axe are to be saved following a six-week review.

They were among 39 services which were placed at risk due to unprecedented rising costs following increases in fuel prices, driver shortages and reduced passenger numbers since the Covid 19 pandemic.

As days get shorter across the UK signalling the beginning of the cooler months, summer is here to stay at Cullinan Belek, the recently opened luxury property on the Turkish Riviera. Named after the largest rough diamond ever found, the hotel first opened its doors earlier this summer in June, welcoming guests to enjoy the turquoise coast, five-star service and lavish facilities.  

The global hostels market reached a value of nearly $5,741.3 million in 2021, having grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.5% since 2016. The market is expected to grow from $5,741.3 million in 2021 to $7,278.7 million in 2026 at a rate of 4.9%. The market is then expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2026 and reach $9,502.8 million in 2031.

Veteran Caribbean hotelier Jeremy Jones has been named Sandals Resorts International’s Corporate Director, Resort Operations – Jamaica.

Previously Director, Government Affairs and Corporate Services, Jones, who has more than 35 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, will assume responsibility for working with all resorts in Jamaica to maximize performance and profitability as well as team member satisfaction, in addition to some of his existing responsibilities.

This Christmas, IHG Hotels & Resorts is inviting guests to relax and indulge at one of its many luxurious suites across the UK and Ireland. With plenty of space to unwind, enjoy a stay with extended family and friends in a selection of properties across the UK. The holiday season is a special time to reunite for a festive celebration and to create treasured memories with loved ones.

One of England's best-loved coastal castle's is also home to north east England's largest festive experiences, The Christmas Kingdom.

Perhaps better known for its dramatic coastal location towering 150 feet above the Northumberland coastline, Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland has been transformed into a whimsical Christmas wonderland by award-winning theatrical designer Charlotte Lloyd Webber.

Sail Croatia has launched its inaugural ‘Yacht Charter Report’, revealing the call of the sea is as strong as ever with a huge rise in demand for Sailing Charter Holidays in 2022, and a clear preference for Croatia as the ideal destination for one.

The report confirms Croatia as the most popular sailing destination in 2022 – with over 38% of yacht charter bookings worldwide taking place in the country and Google search interest increasing by 124% compared to ‘sailing in Croatia’ searches in 2021.

Nottingham's premier Christmas entertainment attraction is back with a bang as The Mellors Group, working with Nottingham City Council, bring the Sky Skate ice path to Nottingham's Winter Wonderland in Old Market Square for the first time.

Available all November until New Year's Eve festive fun seekers will be able to skate for 400m around the Old Market Square, metres above the crowds exploring the sixty stall Christmas market offering everything from hand-made gifts to delicious food and mulled wine from local and international traders.

The ultra-luxury Raffles Doha and luxury Fairmont Doha – which herald the entry of the aspirational Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brands to Qatar – are now open exclusively to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 guests and the VIP delegation. The dual-branded five-star properties, housed within Katara Towers, have welcomed their first guests while supporting the nation's historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 by delivering exemplary service and truly exceptional experiences in both hotels.

International tourism is on track to reach 65% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022 as the sector continues to bounce back from the pandemic.

An estimated 700 million tourists travelled internationally between January and September, more than double (+133%) the number recorded for the same period in 2021.

After participating in World Travel Market 2022 in London last week, Gooding-Edghill engaged with cruise industry partners as he and other Barbados stakeholders met with representatives from Royal Caribbean Group and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) in Miami and had much to share about the island’s plans and outlook for its tourism product.

Passengers will benefit from a better, more reliable railway in 2023 thanks to upgrade and maintenance work taking place this Christmas and New Year.

The work in Network Rail’s North West and Central region - which runs from Euston and Marylebone in London, to Scotland via the West Midlands and North West - has been carefully planned to impact the fewest number of passengers.

Coulibri Ridge located in Petit Coulibri, Dominica is the first Caribbean property to become part of Beyond Green's global portfolio of sustainable hotels.

The resort is elated to be welcomed into the membership of Beyond Green – a global portfolio of planet Earth's most sustainable hotels that represent sustainability leadership based upon action and impact.

An incredible number of travel professionals walked through the doors at World Travel Market last week, with over 35,800 people participating - exceeding expected attendance - and presenting over double the attendance than that of 2021.

One of the key attendee types at WTM London is global travel buyers - individuals with direct purchasing responsibility for travel products. This year, buyer numbers were up 25% compared with 2021. 

The Dominican Republic is the “Most Visited Destination” this year, according to a major industry reference for global travel trends and insights. In announcing the performance of the top global destinations of 2022, ForwardKeys revealed the top country list is headed by the Dominican Republic, and the top city list by Antalya in Turkey.

Viking have announced it has taken delivery of the company's newest ocean ship, the Viking Neptune. The delivery ceremony took place this morning when the ship was presented at Fincantieri's shipyard in Ancona, Italy.

While identical to Viking's other ocean ships, the Viking Neptune is equipped with a small hydrogen fuel system, making it the cruise industry's first ship to test the use of hydrogen power for on board operations.