News Update

News Update: Friday 16th July 2021

Red, amber and green list rules for entering England

TRAVEL UPDATE
From 4am 19 July, the following destinations will be added to the below sections on the traffic light list.

RED
Cuba
Indonesia
Myanmar
Sierra Leone

AMBER
The Balearic Islands
The British Virgin Islands

GREEN
Bulgaria
Croatia
Hong Kong
Taiwan

Click BELOW to find out more:
https://tinyurl.com/ajvxc927

BTA Advises Freedom Day Travel Requirements

What is changing?
There will be two key changes that affect international travel:

1. FACE COVERINGS – the legal requirements to wear a face covering will be lifted in all settings, including in international travel contexts. However, the Government still expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in enclosed and crowded spaces where they come into contact with people they don’t normally meet – such as public or international transport.

As in all other settings, businesses such as airports, ports, airlines and ferry companies are free to determine their own face coverings policy based on their own health and safety risk assessments.​ Customers should follow the rules and guidance set by transport operators during their journeys.

2. SOCIAL DISTANCING – whilst social distancing rules (2 metres or 1 metre with additional mitigations) are being lifted in the vast majority of settings, they will still apply at ports of entry between disembarkation and border control in order to manage the risk of variants of concern being transmitted between individuals and imported into the country.

This include areas in ports and airports wherever there are people travelling to the UK from outside the Common Travel Area (CTA) ahead of border control. This does not include ports of entry where all arrivals have already passed through juxtaposed controls before departure (i.e. Eurostar St Pancras).

This guidance is for England only, different rules apply in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and this will need to be considered in relation to your communications where appropriate, informing passengers where possible.

New Advantage Global Travel Report

We are delighted to bring you the new Advantage Global Business Travel Market Report for insights into the global travel market which includes:-

• Overview of the business travel market – traveller trends and changing demands
• Travelogix data shows seeds of positivity in booking behaviours
• Global Insights from key markets around the world from our WIN global members
• Changing landscapes from the point of view of Hyatt Hotels and Thrust Carbon
• How mergers in the TMC arena provide an opportunity for members
• Re-evaluating the role of the TMC in an evolving travel world
• Importance of pre-trip planning
• How Artificial Intelligence can personalise the traveller experience and boost revenues for members
• Benefits of accommodation loyalty programmes for your customers and the end traveller
• How a DMC can support travellers in destination
• Avoiding brain fog from virtual platforms with self-care tips
• ISO31030 Travel Risk Management with Global Secure Accreditation
• A changed outlook for Meetings and Events

Click below for the full report…

https://view.publitas.com/advantage-travel-partnership/global-bt-market-report-july-2021/page/1

US reviewing transatlantic travel restrictions
US President Joe Biden has promised to address the ongoing transatlantic travel ban.

After talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Biden will make a decision ‘in a matter of days’ on when US-Europe non-essential travel can restart.

“It’s in process now. I’m waiting to hear from our folks in our COVID team as to when that should be done,” Biden said.

Although Europe has eased travel restrictions for inbound American travelers, the US has kept strict travel restrictions in place that were imposed under former President Donald Trump.

“We welcome the President’s remark, delivered today with German Chancellor Angela Merkel that more information on the timing for lifting international travel bans could come ‘within the next several days,” said U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Tori Emerson Barnes.

“The science says we can safely reopen international travel now, particularly for countries that have made considerable progress toward vaccinating their citizens.”

Biden’s hint at a relaxation of the ban is the clearest signal yet that it may be coming to an end soon.

In answering Merkel’s query it relates specifically to EU passenger flights but any relaxation of restrictions will likely include the UK.

There has been intense pressure for several weeks from industry groups on both sides of the Atlantic to allow free movement to kick start business travel.

and finally…

Quarantine and testing all too much for you? Then follow in Richard Branson’s footsteps (hehe) and take a trip aboard Virgin Galactic…

Some 600 individuals have already paid deposits for tickets that will cost them up to £180,000.

So, if you want to reach a height where you can see the sky turn black and marvel at the Earth’s horizon as it curves away into the distance, and feel weightlessness for around 5 minutes, click the link below for more info…

https://www.virgingalactic.com/

For something a little more grounded, call our amazing leisure staff below:
Telephone: +44 (0) 1753 671 747