Latest news with #AdvantageTravelPartnership
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
British passport holders to be allowed to use e-gates at more EU airports
British passport holders will be able to use e-gates at more European airports as part of a UK-EU deal, the Government has announced. Since Brexit, British travellers arriving at EU airports have generally been forced to queue for manned desks to have their passports stamped, rather than use automated gates with facial recognition technology. This has led to many passengers facing long queues, particularly during peak periods. The issue has been described as one of the most visible impacts of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. After the agreement with the EU, the Government said in a statement: 'British holidaymakers will be able to use more e-gates in Europe, ending the dreaded queues at border control.' Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, a network of independent travel agents, said the announcement was 'a significant breakthrough for British travellers'. She told the PA news agency: 'The frustrating experience of lengthy border control queues upon arrival has been a persistent challenge for many, so the expanded access to e-gates across Europe comes as a tremendous relief. 'With this streamlined system in place, we anticipate both holidaymakers and business travellers will enjoy a much smoother, more efficient airport experience, allowing them to begin their journeys without unnecessary delays.' Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade body Airlines UK, said: 'This is excellent news for British holidaymakers and will enable an even smoother passenger experience for families travelling to the EU.' British passports can currently be used at e-gates in the EU at a limited number of airports in Spain and Portugal. Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at travel trade organisation Abta, said: 'Since Brexit, Abta has been calling for changes that will make travel easier, and we're pleased to see the UK and EU agree these steps. 'The EU is home to the UK's favourite overseas holiday destinations, and travel between our nations creates a huge boost for the UK economy and is a big driver of growth.' The EU is planning to launch its long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) in October. This will replace the need for people arriving in the EU from non-member countries such as the UK to have their passports stamped. Instead, they will need to have their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken to register them on a database, with the data stored for three years. There are fears this will cause queues at EU airports, as well as at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel's terminal in Folkestone and London's St Pancras railway station, where French border checks are carried out before people embark on cross-Channel journeys. Mr Petherbridge said: 'It is vital we continue to see good co-operation between the UK and EU on the introduction of this scheme, to make it as streamlined as possible for UK travellers.' The Government also announced that UK cats and dogs will be able to travel 'more easily' by 'eliminating the need for animal health certificates for every trip'. This is through the introduction of so-called pet passports.
Western Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
British passport holders to be allowed to use e-gates at more EU airports
Since Brexit, British travellers arriving at EU airports have generally been forced to queue for manned desks to have their passports stamped, rather than use automated gates with facial recognition technology. This has led to many passengers facing long queues, particularly during peak periods. The issue has been described as one of the most visible impacts of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. After the agreement with the EU, the Government said in a statement: 'British holidaymakers will be able to use more e-gates in Europe, ending the dreaded queues at border control.' Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, a network of independent travel agents, said the announcement was 'a significant breakthrough for British travellers'. She told the PA news agency: 'The frustrating experience of lengthy border control queues upon arrival has been a persistent challenge for many, so the expanded access to e-gates across Europe comes as a tremendous relief. 'With this streamlined system in place, we anticipate both holidaymakers and business travellers will enjoy a much smoother, more efficient airport experience, allowing them to begin their journeys without unnecessary delays.' Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade body Airlines UK, said: 'This is excellent news for British holidaymakers and will enable an even smoother passenger experience for families travelling to the EU.' British passports can currently be used at e-gates in the EU at a limited number of airports in Spain and Portugal. The Government also announced that UK cats and dogs will be able to travel 'more easily' by 'eliminating the need for animal health certificates for every trip'. This is through the introduction of so-called pet passports.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
British passport holders to be allowed to use e-gates at more EU airports
British passport holders will be able to use e-gates at more European airports as part of a UK-EU deal, the Government has announced. Since Brexit, British travellers arriving at EU airports have generally been forced to queue for manned desks to have their passports stamped, rather than use automated gates with facial recognition technology. This has led to many passengers facing long queues, particularly during peak periods. The issue has been described as one of the most visible impacts of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. After the agreement with the EU, the Government said in a statement: 'British holidaymakers will be able to use more e-gates in Europe, ending the dreaded queues at border control.' Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, a network of independent travel agents, said the announcement was 'a significant breakthrough for British travellers'. She told the PA news agency: 'The frustrating experience of lengthy border control queues upon arrival has been a persistent challenge for many, so the expanded access to e-gates across Europe comes as a tremendous relief. 'With this streamlined system in place, we anticipate both holidaymakers and business travellers will enjoy a much smoother, more efficient airport experience, allowing them to begin their journeys without unnecessary delays.' Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade body Airlines UK, said: 'This is excellent news for British holidaymakers and will enable an even smoother passenger experience for families travelling to the EU.' British passports can currently be used at e-gates in the EU at a limited number of airports in Spain and Portugal. The Government also announced that UK cats and dogs will be able to travel 'more easily' by 'eliminating the need for animal health certificates for every trip'. This is through the introduction of so-called pet passports.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Why all-inclusive holidays are more popular than ever as luxury hotels jump on the bandwagon
All-inclusive holidays have long been known for their bulging buffets, drink-as-much-as-you-like beers and wines, and raucous nightly entertainment. Not anymore. Premium brands are jumping on this growing bandwagon, offering a la cart menus, sophisticated cocktails and cultural experiences in sharp contrast to traditional fly and flop packages. Bookings to all-inclusive resorts have doubled every three to four years since 2018, according to data released by the Advantage Travel Partnership, representing independent travel agents in some 750 UK locations. Eight years ago, approximately 7 percent of all bookings handled by high street agents were for all-inclusive holidays. By 2022, that figure had grown to 15 percent, and, so far, by 2025 it has reached 30 percent. 'The all-inclusive has evolved hugely and now caters to all budgets, said Julia Lo Blue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, speaking at the association's conference in Malta. 'But the principle remains the same, whereby you pay up front and can then relax knowing you will keep within your budget'. Brands such as Hyatt have responded to this shift by launching its Hyatt Inclusive Collection. And family resorts like Sani, Ikos and Rixos have taken the all-inclusive upmarket, attracting more affluent clients than ever before. Rather than relying just on sun loungers on the beach, all-inclusives are offering excursions to local markets and historic sites. Ikos Resorts offers guests a 'Culture Pass', giving access to local museums and galleries, and has started a 'dine-out' option whereby packages include eating in restaurants outside the resort. 'It's hardly surprising that all-inclusives have become so popular,' says Mark White, director of Ockey White, a travel agents in Pembrokeshire. 'We started to see a big increase after Rachel Reeves's October budget, which spooked people and eroded consumer confidence.' The first all-inclusive is considered to be Club Med, launched by Belgian entrepreneur Gerard Blitz in 1950 in Alcudia, Majorca, where guests stayed in tents and basic straw huts along the beach. Today, all-inclusives increasingly are available across a variety of holiday types, including cruises, ski trips and safaris. Despite the cost of living pressures, an Advantage Travel Partnership poll of 2,000 adults from different age groups shows that people are reluctant to cut down on holidays and will make other sacrifices instead. More than 85 per cent of Gen Zs are cutting back on takeaways, eating out, gym memberships and buying clothes, while 35 percent of 45-64 year-olds are postponing home improvements. Spain, France and Greece remain popular, but new favourites are emerging based on affordability, including Slovenia, Albania and Montenegro – 'destination dupes', as they are known. And 12 percent of those polled said they go on holiday abroad to escape the UK's political and economic climate.
Telegraph
21-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Heathrow passengers unlikely to be compensated by airlines after airport shutdown
Up to 130,000 airline passengers may not receive compensation for flight cancellations after the Heathrow Airport shutdown, experts have warned. Following a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport on Friday morning, more than 1,350 flights were cancelled. Disruption is expected to continue into the weekend and potentially into next week. Experts have now warned that passengers will receive refunds but compensation will not be paid out. Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of business trade association Advantage Travel Partnership, said that legally, airlines must refund their passengers for Friday's cancellations. 'If their flight has been cancelled and they're not able to get on a flight they would be entitled to EU 261 compensation,' said Ms Bue-Said, referring to a European Union rule about flight refunds. EU261, which is known in Britain as UK261, states if your flight is cancelled for any reason, the airline must offer you either a full refund or a flight on the next available alternative, even if it is with a rival airline. 'The reality on a day like today is that flights are busy, and they may be busy for the next few days,' Ms Bue-Said continued. 'An airline may just not be able to provide alternative flights as quickly as they would ordinarily be able to.' She added: 'If somebody's booked a flight, they may be able to get their refund back on a flight – but did they book their accommodation separately… [if so] they may not be entitled to a refund.' Aviation expert John Strickland said there will have been a rush of passengers looking for alternative flights to and from the UK. 'Ordinarily, on a Friday, going to weekend flights would be pretty busy, so finding seats elsewhere will be to an extent like finding a needle in a haystack,' he said. 'Flights on a Friday or Saturday to 'weekend-type' destinations – be that city breaks, or going home through a weekend, visiting friends and family, or whatever would be – those destinations will be busy. 'And also on short-haul aircraft if there's less flights operating, say, to business destinations that's probably tied in with aircraft maintenance. 'There could be a little bit of spare capacity,' he concluded, adding that this was not likely to amount to much. Ryanair has laid on four extra flights from Stansted to Dublin on Friday and Saturday, while easyJet is using bigger aeroplanes on its normal UK-EU routes. The situation on compensation and refunds may be less clear-cut for transit passengers – those passing through Heathrow whose ultimate destination is elsewhere in the world. About a quarter of passengers at Heathrow on a typical day are transit passengers, Ms Bue-Said said, estimating that the knock-on effects of Friday's total cancellations would be 'colossal'. Dozens of airlines will have to rush to reconfigure their networks to move planes and crews around. 'The other question is, what will airlines do to deal with the backlog of passengers?', said travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt, of Atmosphere Research Group. 'It's going to be a chaotic couple of days.' The Association of British Insurers said that some travel insurance policies would probably pay out over Friday's disruption 'either automatically or as an optional extra'. 'Disruption cover usually operates only if you have been unable to get compensation from any other sources first, such as the airline or tour operator,' a spokesman said. Contacting those unable to travel The Association of British Travel Agents, representing package holiday operators, said that its members would be contacting those who are unable to travel on their booked trips. 'If your flight is part of a package holiday you will have the highest level of protections. Your travel company will be in touch regarding your holiday.' Aviation expert John Strickland suggested that airlines would be facing significant costs, potentially leading to court action. 'I'm sure lawyers will get involved in where the accountability lies, and therefore where financial responsibility lies. 'The challenge, particularly that I see, is that airlines so often are the ones who get left with the demand to pay out when quite often it's not their fault in any way, and that's certainly the case.' He added: 'Airlines will be paying large amounts or incurring large amounts of cost anyway, just to get their aircraft back. In the meantime, they're putting up passengers in hotels and providing meals and so on.' The Telegraph has published a comprehensive reader guide to flight delays and cancellations, including passenger rights to refunds and when compensation may be due.
