Business travel: What does 2022 hold for your work trips? February 14, 2022 A combination of factors will determine how often we will be packing a suitcase this year. Firstly, heightened sensitivity around carbon footprints will drive businesses to be more responsible and look carefully at the number of flights employees are taking. When Zoom will suffice, that lunch in Brussels may not cut the mustard (although there [...]
The Long Weekend: Why ancient Porto is the ultimate Euro city break February 8, 2022 THE WEEKEND: We booked a long weekend in Porto by chance, listing everywhere in Europe with mild weather and reasonable flight times for a London getaway. And thank goodness we did, because this city – a rabbit’s warren of vertiginous alleyways pulsing with street music and imbued with the aroma of centuries-old port – is [...]
Dive time: The ultimate luxury under the sea with Scenic Eclipse February 7, 2022 History has just been made as luxury cruise ship Scenic Eclipse successfully completed the first submersible dive on the South Georgia Islands in 40 years. On 31 January, Scenic Eclipse’s onboard submarine Scenic Neptune took guests on the underwater expedition in Stomness, South Georgia during a 21-day Antarctica & South Georgia voyage departing from Ushuaia. [...]
The Long Weekend: Schnitzels and schmetterlings in Vienna February 6, 2022 The weekend: The schmetterlinghaus in Vienna is almost unbearably hot in August, the high summer sun transforming the humid confines of this tropical greenhouse into a veritable sauna. The schmetterlings seem to love it, flitting between the wet vines in a kaleidoscopic display which, combined with the sweltering heat, can make you feel delirious, as [...]
Global travel and tourism industry sees 1,080 deals in 2021 February 3, 2022 Even though it was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, the global travel and tourism industry still managed to grow in 2021. According to GlobalData, a total of 1,080 deals – including M&A, private equity and venture financing – were announced last year, a 1.3 per cent hike on 2020 levels. “Deal activity [...]
A culinary pilgrimage through Austria’s spectacular Tyrol February 2, 2022 I was on a pilgrimage to Tyrol in the Austrian Alps, albeit one to satisfy the stomach more than the soul. A culinary journey of rediscovery, if you will. But the first meal I had was far from heavenly – a dry Schnitzelsemmel. Worse still, it was at a motorway service station. Retrospectively, the breaded [...]
Global travel and tourism industry could grow to $8.6 trillion in 2022 February 2, 2022 The global travel and tourism industry has finally started to get back on its feet following the pandemic’s disastrous impact. According to World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) data, the sector’s contribution to the global economy could reach up to $8.6 trillion this year, only 6.4 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels. As a result [...]
CarTrawler CEO Cormac Barry on the travel sector’s long road to recovery January 23, 2022 No more PCR tests before arriving in England and most travel restrictions out of the window. International arrivals will instead be asked to take a lateral flow test on arrival and only to self-isolate if it comes back positive. The UK government’s recent announcements were warmly welcomed by the UK’s aviation and tourism sectors, including [...]
Robust testing regime needed to avoid hard lockdowns, says Tom Watson January 17, 2022 Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has urged the government not to scrap lateral flow Covid testing for those travelling to the UK. Watson, now chair of the Laboratory and Testing Industry Organisation (LTIO), said: “The only way our country can avoid hard lockdowns is by maintaining a robust Covid testing regime. As the health [...]
Tourism industry in danger as foreigners stay away January 16, 2022 The UK tourism industry is in danger as foreigners still remain away, according to a survey from the Tourism Alliance. Data has showed that 52 per cent of tourism businesses – including tour operators, language schools and events – suffered a fall in revenue over 50 per cent, while almost a quarter of them still [...]