Holiday & Travel

Airbnb has signed a landmark agreement with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, becoming the Official Hosting Provider for the biggest multi-sport event ever in the West Midlands.

Birmingham 2022 is expected to attract more than one million spectators to the city from around the world, as well as around 4,500 athletes from 72 Commonwealth nations and territories.

Bali's first urban resort, Mamaka by Ovolo, is excited to announce their partnership with Quiksilver Bali Surf Academy – the island's most renowned surfing school. As official partners, the Academy will be nestled within the resort and provide the finest surfing lessons to those keen on learning the sport.  

Passengers are being advised that rail routes between London, the Midlands and North West will be open as usual during the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend (2-5 June).

It’s after Network Rail engineers made the most of bank holidays earlier on in the year to carry out £41m of essential work to build a more efficient railway as part of Britain’s Rail Recovery.

NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is predicting an above-average hurricane season this year. However, travel insurance aggregator, Squaremouth.com, says an uptick in tropical weather shouldn't cause a major impact for summer travellers.

After being closed to tourists for two years, Japan is opening its borders to visitors from 98 countries and regions.

It marks the most significant moment so far in the country's slow relaxation of its Covid-19 entry restrictions. But some restrictions will remain, including a requirement to visit the country as part of a tour group.

With Americans searching for affordable travel alternatives this summer in the wake of inflation, new research shows “nearcations” and vehicle rentals may be the way to go — especially for those who are scaling back on vacation plans to stay closer to home and setting up a vacation budget in the wake of inflation and rising costs.

The Camping and Caravanning Club will welcome thousands of people across its UK Club Sites over the bank holiday weekend, as people celebrate the Platinum Jubilee and National Camping and Caravanning Week (NCCW).

NCCW is the Club’s annual campaign for camping in all its forms and has been running since 2001.

Thrill seekers can get their adrenaline and hearts pumping with the wild experiences on offer in the Forest of Dean. The new Get Out, Get Active itinerary, curated by Visit Dean Wye as part of its Find Your Freedom campaign, is packed full of exhilarating pursuits.

Explore mile after mile of outstanding cycle trails through glorious woodland by hiring an e-bike, mountain, gravel or road bike, from Dean Forest Cycles in Parkend.

Qatar Executive was in the spotlight during the opening day at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) 2022, exhibiting its ultra-modern Gulfstream G650ER aircraft. The flagship jet operated from London Luton Airport to Geneva, Switzerland using a high blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and is currently on display for spectators to tour and experience first-hand.

Staffordshire holiday company, Blue Bay Travel, has announced a partnership with Pebbles Legacy, a dog rescue and rehoming charity local to Blue Bay’s base of Trentham, Stoke on Trent. 

Blue Bay’s dedicated group of Charity Champions, which features 11 colleagues from a cross-section of the business, researched a range of charities in the local area, and Pebbles was chosen for its proximity and because animal protection is a subject close to the hearts of the Blue Bay team. 

A rebirth is on the horizon for Grand Bahama Island. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) made the long-awaited announcement that an offer has been accepted for the purchase of Grand Lucayan, a beachfront resort located in the bustling city of Freeport.

John Bell, the first Executive Director of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), was honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS), which he was instrumental in launching.

Taking place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida this week, the coveted honour was bestowed upon Bell for his significant contributions to the hospitality industry.

As the tourism sector rebounds strongly from the near shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is calling on the region’s “bread and butter” industry to ramp up efforts to be adequately staffed to meet the impending surge of arrivals and continued growth.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has appointed Kevin Pile as Communications Consultant, effective May 9.

Johnson Johnrose, the former Communications Specialist who was at the CTO since Feb 2002, has moved on.

The Honourable Edmund Bartlett, Tourism Minister, Jamaica has become the first Caribbean tourism leader to be inducted into the prestigious Global Travel Hall of Fame.

He was presented with the honour by The Travel Corporation, CEO, Brett Tollman at The Chesterfield Hotel in London.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs have announced on that President Ram Nath Kovind will pay a state visit to Jamaica and St Vincent and Grenadines, from May 15-21. In a statement, the ministry said that this will be the first-ever visit by an Indian head of state to these countries.

Kovind will be in Jamaica from May 15-18, during which he will hold “delegation-level talks” with his Jamaican counterpart, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.