Latest news with #PatriciaYates
Travel Daily News
16-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Tourism's importance to social cohesion highlighted in VisitEngland 's report
VisitEngland research shows tourism boosts UK community pride, wellbeing, social cohesion, job opportunities, and access to culture, benefiting both residents and visitors. New research published by VisitEngland demonstrates the positive cultural and social impacts that tourism has on local communities across the UK. The report – 'The Social Value of Tourism' – found significantly higher levels of community pride, sense of wellbeing and social cohesion amongst residents living and working in areas frequented by both domestic and international visitors. People living in tourism areas were 23% more connected to their communities. 58% of residents surveyed in these destinations felt connected to their community compared to 35% elsewhere. Those living and working in tourism areas (called 'host communities' in the report), were also more likely to be proud of their local area with sense of pride-in-place scoring 12% higher overall than in 'non-host communities.' The research, which considered a range of social and cultural measures, also found that almost 80% of people surveyed felt more positive after travelling in the UK and more than 70% felt healthier or more replenished after their trip. VisitEngland CEO Patricia Yates said: 'We already know how tourism drives economic growth for communities. With 'The Social Value of Tourism' report we can now also evidence how tourism improves wellbeing and social cohesion for both visitors and residents alike, as well as boosting employment opportunities, social mobility and improving local infrastructure. 'As this report demonstrates, tourism's true value extends much broader than its economic benefits, creating connected communities where people want to live, work and visit and enriching community life.' Looking at jobs and career development, tourism was found to provide employment for people from a wide range of educational backgrounds and to offer strong apprenticeship opportunities for young people, especially in rural and coastal communities. Eighty-five per cent of tourism/leisure apprenticeships were undertaken by those aged 24 and under compared to 52% across all sectors. Tourism also improved access to culture, green spaces and local businesses, with more than half of host community residents living within five miles of these amenities compared to longer distances elsewhere. High footfall tourist areas also had examples of expanding bus and rail services benefitting both residents and visitors. The report, produced by Public First for VisitEngland, is supported by 14 case studies from destinations which consider a range of social, cultural and community impacts of tourism locally and regionally. From growing the visitor economy in the North East to the value of national parks to the cultural impact of Eurovision 2023, the case studies showcase tourism's social value through the lens of local communities. Tourism is one of England's largest and most valuable industries, generating about £76 billion annually for the economy in domestic visitor spending.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The warning issued to drivers as millions set to travel over Easter
Drivers are being warned over long queues over Easter, with 19.1 million people expected to hit the road on Good Friday alone. The AA said Easter weekend being three weeks later than in 2024 will 'bump up bank holiday traffic by 15 per cent' as many people hope for warmer weather this year. It advised motorists to prepare for congestion around town and city centres, retail parks and major routes such as the A303 in Wiltshire, the M6 at Birmingham and around the Blackpool area, the south and western section of the M25 between the M23 and M40, and the M5 at Bristol. The AA anticipated 19.1 million people will drive on Good Friday, 18.5 million on Easter Saturday and 18.2 million on each of Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, based on responses to a survey of 11,233 AA members. AA patrol of the year Shaun Jones advised drivers to carry out 'simple checks' such as ensuring tyres are properly inflated, and levels of oil and coolant are correct. He said: 'With so many people planning to travel this Easter, it is crucial to ensure your vehicle is in top condition.' After a period of settled and warmer weather, forecasters expected a return to unsettled conditions next weekend with some rain. Flash sale alert🌟 Dive deeper into the stories that shape Swindon with Swindon Advertiser Unlimited local news, an ad-free app, and a digital replica of our print edition—all with 80% fewer ads on our site Subscribe now for a faster news experience - — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) April 11, 2025 National Highways has deployed traffic management system Operation Brock in Kent ahead of the Easter getaway period. The scheme involves narrow lanes and a reduced 50mph speed limit. It is designed to manage traffic flows on the M20 motorway in the event of delays at Channel ports, which are seeing high demand from holidaymakers. Operation Brock is in place on a 13-mile stretch of the motorway between Junction 8 for Maidstone and Junction 9 for Ashford. Lorries heading for the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel are being directed to follow signs to join a specific lane at Junction 8. All other traffic for the coast crosses over to enter the contraflow on the London-bound carriageway. Tourism authority VisitEngland said around 10.6 million British adults are planning to take a holiday in the UK over the bank holiday period. That is expected to provide an estimated £3.9 billion boost to the economy. A further 3.4 million people are undecided about whether to book an overnight domestic Easter trip, with the most common reasons being waiting to see what the weather will be and if they can afford it. VisitEngland chief executive Patricia Yates said: 'Tourism businesses and destinations will be looking to the critical Easter weekend for much-needed cash flow after the lean winter months, so it's encouraging to see many of us are planning a holiday at home. 'The cost of living remains a concern, and while people are still keen to take a break, many are booking late, taking shorter breaks, and wanting to save on accommodation, activities and eating out, making it difficult for businesses to plan in advance.' Thousands of Easter train journeys will be disrupted as Network Rail is carrying out engineering work. The most significant impact will be at London Euston – the UK's 10th busiest railway station – which will have no services to or from Milton Keynes on Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday, with a reduced timetable on Good Friday and Easter Monday. That is because of work including renewals of overhead electric lines and drainage improvements. Services on the West Coast Main Line will start and terminate at Carlisle, with replacement buses serving stations to the north. Aviation analytics company Cirium said 11,282 flights are scheduled to depart UK airports between Good Friday and Easter Monday. The most common international destinations for UK departures this Easter are Dublin, Amsterdam, Malaga, Alicante and Mallorca.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
The UK's worst Easter traffic hotspots revealed as AA warns drivers
Drivers could face some of the longest queues of the year this Easter with almost 20 million people expected to hit the road on Good Friday alone. The AA said Easter weekend being three weeks later than in 2024 will "bump up bank holiday traffic by 15%" as many people hope for warmer weather this year. But these hopes may be dashed after a period of settled and warmer weather, forecasters expected a return to unsettled conditions next weekend with some rain. The AA anticipated 19.1 million people will drive on Good Friday, 18.5 million on Easter Saturday and 18.2 million on both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. The figures are based on responses to a survey of 11,233 AA members. Thousands of Easter train journeys will be disrupted as Network Rail is carrying out engineering work. The most significant impact will be at London Euston – the UK's 10th busiest railway station – which will have no services to or from Milton Keynes on Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday, with a reduced timetable on Good Friday and Easter Monday. Services on the West Coast Main Line will start and terminate at Carlisle, with replacement buses serving stations to the north. The AA advised motorists to prepare for congestion around town and city centres, retail parks and major routes such as the M6 at Birmingham and around the Blackpool area, the south and western section of the M25 between the M23 and M40, the M5 at Bristol and the A303 in Wiltshire. National Highways has deployed the traffic management system Operation Brock in Kent ahead of the Easter getaway period to try and avoid major backlogs. The scheme involves narrow lanes and a reduced 50mph speed limit. It is designed to manage traffic flows on the M20 motorway in the event of delays at Channel ports, which are seeing high demand from holidaymakers. Operation Brock is in place on a 13-mile stretch of the motorway between Junction 8 for Maidstone and Junction 9 for Ashford. Lorries heading for the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel are being directed to follow signs to join a specific lane at Junction 8. All other traffic for the coast crosses over to enter the contraflow on the London-bound carriageway. Tourism authority VisitEngland said around 10.6 million British adults are planning to take a holiday in the UK over the bank holiday period. That is expected to provide an estimated £3.9 billion boost to the economy. A further 3.4 million people are undecided about whether to book an overnight domestic Easter trip, with the most common reasons being waiting to see what the weather will be and if they can afford it. VisitEngland chief executive Patricia Yates said: 'Tourism businesses and destinations will be looking to the critical Easter weekend for much-needed cash flow after the lean winter months, so it's encouraging to see many of us are planning a holiday at home. Aviation analytics company Cirium said 11,282 flights are scheduled to depart UK airports between Good Friday and Easter Monday. That is 6% more than last year's Easter but remains 4% down from Easter 2019. The most common international destinations for UK departures this Easter are Dublin, Amsterdam, Malaga, Alicante and Mallorca.
Khaleej Times
23-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE-UK travel: Visa costs to increase by up to 10% from April onwards
Residents in the UAE travelling to the United Kingdom for tourism, medical treatment, study and other purposes will have to shell out higher visa costs from next month. The fees for visas have increased by around 10 per cent for different categories. From April 9, 2025, UAE travellers applying for an up to 6-month visit visa will have to pay £127 compared to the current fee of £115, an increase of £12 or 10.4 per cent, according to the UK Government. Similarly, the cost for an up to two-year visit visa will be raised by £43 to £475; up to a five-year visa cost will be hiked by £77 to £848 and up to a 10-year visa's price will be raised by £96 to £1,059. However, Emiratis travelling to the UK can apply under the Electronic Travel Authorisation. An ETA currently costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder's passport expires — whichever is sooner. From April 9, 2025, an ETA will cost £16. A large number of UAE citizens and expat residents travel to the European country for travel and tourism every year, especially during the summer vacations. Though many other new destinations in Eastern Europe and CIS countries have become popular in the UAE, the UK remains one of the most sought-after tourism countries for UAE citizens and expat residents. In addition to the UAE, the UK is a popular destination across other neighbouring GCC countries as well. 'Tourism is also an extremely competitive global industry; visitors have a lot of choices, and we face fierce competition, especially from our European neighbours. To drive tourism to Britain, supporting the UK Government's ambition to reach 50 million visitors annually by 2030, our international campaigns are focused on markets showing growth including Australia and the US, as well as our major European markets and the valuable Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries,' Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain, has said. These new fees will apply to tourists applying for UK visas from other countries as well. VisitBritain has projected that the UK will record 43.4 million visits in 2025, up five per cent on the 41.2 million expected in 2024. It forecasts spending by international visitors in the UK in 2025 to reach £33.7 billion, up seven per cent. Similarly, fees for visas for academic and private medical treatment will increase by £20 to £220. Direct airside transit fee will rise by £4 to £39.
Euronews
17-03-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Exploring the key trends shaping the future of global tourism in 2025
ITB Berlin 2025 brought together 6,000 exhibitors from 170 countries and highlighted key developments in global tourism. Patricia Yates, CEO of Visit Britain, presented film tourism as a way to attract visitors. Marga Nograles, CEO of the Philippine Tourism Board, discussed sustainable tourism initiatives, while Made Ayu Marthini, Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Tourism, highlighted the role of local communities. Sayaka Usui of JNTO spoke about promoting disaster-affected regions in Japan. Meanwhile, Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, introduced 'slow food travel' as part of cultural tourism. Discussions also focused on adventure tourism in Oman and long-term tourism strategies in Saudi Arabia. When Federal Reserve officials last met in late January, things looked pretty good. Hiring was solid, the economy had just grown at a solid pace in last year's final quarter. Inflation, while stubborn, had fallen sharply from its peak more than two years ago. What a difference seven weeks makes. As the Fed prepares to meet on Tuesday and Wednesday, the central bank and its chair, Jerome Powell, are potentially headed to a much tougher spot. Inflation improved last month but is still high and tariffs could push it higher. At the same time, ongoing tariff threats as well as sharp cuts to government spending and jobs have tanked consumer and business confidence, which could weigh on the economy and even push up unemployment. The toxic combination of still-high inflation and a weak or stagnant economy is often referred to as "stagflation," a term that haunts central bankers. It is what bedevilled the United States in the 1970s, when even deep recessions didn't kill inflation. Stagflation, should it emerge, is hard for the Fed because typically policymakers would lift rates — or keep them high — to combat inflation. Yet if unemployment also rises, the Fed would usually cut rates to reduce borrowing costs and lift growth. It's not yet clear the economy will sink into stagflation. For now, like businesses and consumers, the Fed is grappling with a huge amount of uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook. But even a mild version — with unemployment rising from its current low level of 4.1%, while inflation stayed stuck above the Fed's 2% target — would pose a challenge for the central bank. "That's the tangled web they're in," Esther George, former president of the Federal Reserve's Kansas City branch, said. "You have inflation stickiness on the one hand. At the same time, you're trying to look at what impact could this have on the job market, if growth begins to pull back. So it is a tough scenario for them for sure." Fed officials will almost certainly keep their key rate unchanged at their meeting this week. Once the meeting concludes Wednesday, they will release their latest quarterly economic projections, which will likely show they expect to cut their rate twice this year — the same as they projected in December. The Fed implemented three cuts last year and then signalled at the January meeting that they were largely on pause until the economic outlook becomes clearer. Wall Street investors expect three rate reductions this year, in June, September, and December, according to futures prices tracked by CME Fedwatch, in part because they worry an economic slowdown will force more reductions. One development likely to unnerve Fed officials is the sharp jump in inflation expectations this month in the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment survey. It showed the biggest increase in long-term inflation expectations since 1993. Such expectations — which measure whether Americans are worried inflation will get worse — are important because they can become self-fulfilling. If businesses and consumers expect higher costs, they may take steps that push up inflation, like demanding higher wages, which in turn can force companies to raise prices to offset higher labour costs. Some economists caution that the University of Michigan's survey is preliminary and for now based on only about 400 responses. The final version to be released later this month typically includes about 800. Added to this, financial market measures of inflation expectations, based on bond prices, have declined in recent weeks. The most recent inflation readings have been mixed. The consumer price index dropped last week for the first time in five months to 2.8% from 3%, an encouraging change. But the Fed's preferred price gauge, to be released later this month, is likely to be unchanged. The jump in inflation expectations is also a problem for the Fed because officials, including Powell, have said they are willing to let inflation gradually return to their 2% target in 2027, because expectations have generally been low. If other measures show inflation worries rising, the Fed could come under more pressure to get inflation down more quickly. "I do worry when I see consumer expectations moving in the opposite direction," George said. "I think you just have to keep an eye on that." The last time President Donald Trump imposed tariffs — in 2018 and 2019 — overall inflation didn't rise by much, in part because they weren't nearly as broad as what he is currently proposing and some duties, such as those on steel and aluminium, were watered down with loopholes. Now that Americans have lived through a painful inflationary episode, they are likely to be more skittish about rising prices. Powell referred to such concerns in remarks earlier this month. He said tariffs could just have a one-time impact on prices without causing ongoing inflation. But that could change "if it turns into a series" of tariff hikes, he said on 7 March, or "if the increases are larger, that would matter". "What really does matter is what is happening with long-term inflation expectations," Powell added. A week after his comments, those expectations shot higher in the University of Michigan survey.
