Holiday & Travel

British tourists will now receive a two year, multi-entry, visa to China as part of a new agreement between the two countries. This has replaced the single entry one year tourist visa. It will enable visitors from the UK to make multiple trips to China for longer periods.

In the traditionally busy sales period of January and February, people from the West Midlands are running the risk of missing out on holiday deals, such as low deposits, big discounts and free child places. New research by ABTA, The Travel Association, has shown that people in the West Midlands are less likely than the rest of the country to book holidays early. Only 20% of people booked earlier in 2015 than they did the previous year, compared to 29% nationally.

Leaders in world tourism will come together for the second time on February 4-6 in Istanbul. As part of the World Tourism Forum, 100 leading experts in the industry - will participate in the summit as speakers, with 7,000 attendees expected at the İstanbul Lütfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Center. A main topic on the summit agenda is Africa, the new market of the industry.

If the King of Bohemia, Charles IV, were alive today, where do you think he would go and what would he show tourists in Prague? In 2016 it will be 700 years from the birth of Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor (1316–1378), one of the most eminent personalities of European history. Which places in Prague would His Royal Majesty show you, if he took on the role of your tour guide?

The glass viewing pod for British Airways i360, conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, was completed on Brighton beach, making way for the last phase of construction before the world's tallest moving observation attraction opens this summer. The construction team attached the final segment to the 162 metre tower earlier this afternoon, forming a breathtaking futuristic glass viewing pod which is ten times bigger than the capsules on the London Eye and can hold up to 200 people. 

As the Original Murder Mystery Weekend marks its 35 year anniversary in 2016, it has seen 126 complex plots and over 10,000 murders, as well as being credited with kick-starting the murder mystery phenomenon which is now enjoyed globally. Invented in 1981 by Joy Swift MBE, the original murder mystery weekend has satisfied more than 150,000 guests.

January 2016 kicks off a year-long celebration of the National Park Service and its centennial anniversary as natural areas, historic monuments and other sites across the U.S. prepare to celebrate the occasion, which officially takes place Aug. 25, 2016. In Arkansas, events and activities will occur all year to commemorate the centennial.

The Channel Islands Heritage Festival from 25 March to 10 May 2016 will celebrate a group of small islands with a big history, offering five weeks of family friendly events and activities across Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Herm and Sark. The 2016 edition will take a maritime focus, honouring the Islands' timeless relationship with their coastline and the seas, where children and adults alike can explore significant coastal sites, become immersed in centuries' old seafaring stories and experience naval traditions across the archipelago.

Turtle hatching remains an experience to be remembered in Seychelles - last week it was guests at the Constance Lemuria of Praslin who enjoyed this amazing experience. Constance Lemuria Seychelles has been working on strict conservation measures at the resort of Praslin and tourists recently were all treated to an experience that will be remembered as hundreds and hundreds of baby turtles made their way to the sea under the watchful eye of wardens.

Budapest Airport has announced that home-based carrier, Wizz Air, will be launching its 46^th destination from the Hungarian gateway this summer. Supporting the advancement of the capital city airport, the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) has confirmed it will commence three routes during S16, adding another 880 weekly seats to the Budapest market. Enhancing existing links to the Northwest of the UK, Wizz Air will be starting a twice-weekly link to Liverpool from 23 March.

Condé Nast Traveler editors recently named two Red Carnation Hotel Collection properties among their absolute favorite 150 hotels in their prestigious “Gold List 2016.” This list sets the gold standard for international hotels, resorts and cruise lines – spanning six continents and 47 countries – and every included property must first be voted into the 2015 “Readers' Choice Awards.”

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter's birthday and the region's link to some of the country's best known authors, Linthwaite, a luxury country hotel in the Lake District, is launching a Creative Writing Break. The spectacular landscape of the Lake District has been a huge influence on some of England's best-known writers including Beatrix Potter, who lived most of her adult life there, writing many books including 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit'.

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will honor the San Francisco Travel Association with a Gold Adrian Award for the redesign of their website, www.sanfrancisco.travel,  in the 59th annual Adrian Awards, the largest and most prestigious global travel marketing competition. This year's contest was one of the most competitive in history, garnering more than 1,300 entries from around the world, with entries judged by distinguished executives from all sectors of the industry.