Holiday & Travel

In response to Wednesday’s announcement (5 January) that the UK government is scrapping the pre-departure Covid 19 testing for anyone arriving into England (and Wales), from Friday 7 January and switching the day 2 PCR for a lateral flow, Alistair Rowland, Chief Executive for long-haul tour operator, Blue Bay Travel, and Chair of ABTA, said:

“The scrapping* of the restrictive travel testing measures imposed by the UK government in December, in a bid to slow the spread of the Omicron variant, is a relief for the travel industry and great news for holidaymakers.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has asked the region’s government leaders to reduce the isolation periods for travellers to align with the United Kingdom and the United States to avoid reversing the progress made by the tourism sector since the COVID-19 pandemic slammed the Caribbean’s most important economic driver.

Qatar Airways Cargo has long been committed to ensuring that all animals entrusted to the airline for transportation, receive the best care both on the ground and in the air. Now, following six months of intense process and product audits, Qatar Airways Cargo is proud to announce that its strict adherence to the highest standards and relevant regulations has been accredited CEIV Live Animals certification by IATA.

Doubly vaccinated passengers will no longer have to take pre-departure Covid tests in England from 04:00 GMT tomorrow (Friday), the government has said.

They will also not be required to self-isolate while awaiting test results after arriving in England. If they arrive after 04:00 GMT on Sunday, people without symptoms will not need a PCR test if a lateral flow test is positive on day two.

Luxury small ship specialist, Scenic will introduce guests to a host of new experiences along Europe’s rivers in 2022. From guided tours through 16th century palaces to meeting a local cheese producer in the Netherlands and kayaking excursions along the Danube River, Scenic’s 2022 river cruise programme has something for everyone. 

There are several exciting landmarks that newly feature on Scenic’s Europe river cruises for next year, giving guests a deeper and richer understanding of the culture and history of the regions in which they find themselves.

Businesses working in Morocco's key tourism sector say the country's tough COVID-19 restrictions, including a full flight ban, are undermining its competitiveness compared to rival destinations.

Morocco shut its borders in late November and will only reopen them at the end of January.

The tourist port of Taino Bay, located in the port of Puerto Plata, the Dominican Republic, received the Odyssey of the Seas cruise ship, one of the largest ever built, with 2,647 passengers and 1,514 crew members.

The ocean liner, owned by Royal Caribbean International, arrived from Fort Lauderdale, United States.

Earlier this week, Scenic Eclipse departed the Red Sea and is making its way to Antarctica in preparation for its highly anticipated return to the Antarctic peninsula this coming January. Following an almost two-year hiatus, this marks a significant milestone for the luxury truly all-inclusive operator as Scenic Eclipse is set to resume the first of its scheduled sailing programme since the beginning of the pandemic and will be among the first ships in the world to return to Antarctica. 

The Datai Langkawi is delighted to announce the 2022 edition of The Chef Series. This year the focus is on Malaysia, bringing the best of eclectic Malaysian dining experiences to guests of the resort.

The Chef Series is a signature dining experience of The Datai Langkawi, it has previously welcomed culinary luminaries such as Michel and Sébastien Bras, Michel Roux, Nils Henkel, and other acclaimed Michelin-starred Chefs from around the world, showcasing their peerless talent to guests in the beautiful setting of the resort's ancient rainforest.

Preliminary Ministry of Tourism (MOT) data in The Central Bank of The Bahamas’ (CBOB) Monthly Economic Financial Developments (MEFD) report for November 2021 shows that visitor arrivals to the island by air and sea in October reached 260,942 compared to 265,799 in 2019.

The report notes that with those visitor numbers near pre-pandemic levels, the tourism sector remains in a “gradual pace of recovery”.

Jamaica has been downgraded from level 3 to level 2 on the United States Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) travel recommendations ranking system. The decision comes in recognition of efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.

This new classification places the destination in a risk category lower than that of more than 70 percent of countries worldwide. Jamaica minister of tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has expressed his satisfaction at this new classification.

British Airways and Qatar Airways mark the next milestone in their Joint Business Partnership, as they announce their intent to extend their Joint Business.

The news follows British Airways’ relaunch of daily services to Doha, with the airline’s first flight taking off from Gatwick last week, giving customers access to Qatar Airways’ expansive global network with connections from Doha to over 100 destinations across the world.

After nearly two years of waiting, people are getting back to travel with a vengeance, heading straight for destinations that are further afield and often ignoring the price tag, according to HomeToGo, one of the largest vacation rental companies in the industry. At the same time, people are booking farther ahead, while also seeking out companies with flexible options, such as non-traditional accommodations.

With 2022 on the horizon, now is the perfect time to look for travel inspiration and research new destinations for next year's getaway to paradise. Susith Jayawickrama, Managing Director at Aitken Spence Hotels, shares his eight reasons why Sri Lanka should be at the top of everyone's travel list in 2022:

Jamaica has been downgraded from a Level 3 to a Level 2 designation by the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in recognition of the country’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 effectively. This new classification places the destination in a risk category lower than that of more than 70 percent of countries worldwide.

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has expressed his delight at this new classification, noting that it will undoubtedly positively affect the number of visitors travelling to the island from the United States during the Winter Tourist Season.

Qatar Airways welcomes the holiday season with a series of festive delights for passengers visiting the Al Safwa First and Al Mourjan Business Class Lounges at Hamad International Airport (HIA) and the airline’s Premium Lounge in Beirut, as well as for travellers to and from destinations in the U.S., Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and select destinations in Asia and Africa. From 19 to 26 December 2021, customers will experience the warmth of the season with a specially-curated holiday theme throughout their journey.