Informe semanal noticias Reino Unido elaborado por la oficina de Turismo de Tenerife en Londres
- Tourism industry
Travel Mole, 15 February 2019: Family-friendly Easter deals
Ski operators are discounting breaks around the Easter holiday period, with savings of up to £230 on some packages. Link
TTG, 11 February 2019: Seven militants jailed for life over 2015 Tunisia terror attacks
Seven jihadi militants have been sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in the 2015 Tunisia terror attacks, which left more than 60 dead – including 30 Britons. Link
Travel Bulletin, 15 February 2019: Outbound travel boosts the UK economy
ABTA has released Driving Growth – The economic value of outbound travel, a report on the contribution of the outbound travel sector to the UK economy. According to the report − which aims to lay to rest the idea that outbound travel is not a fiscal multiplier for the country − the contribution to the UK economy from outbound travel has increased by a third since 2014. The analysis finds that travellers now spend more in the UK before they travel than they do while abroad. UK travellers spent £45.7 billion in 2017, compared to £44.8 billion overseas, an increase of almost £10 billion since 2014. This is the third report from ABTA of this nature and it demonstrates the significant contribution the sector makes to the UK, and highlights its strength, resilience and ability to grow amid global challenges and uncertainty. Link
- Brexit
BBC News, 15 February 2019: Theresa May pushes on with her deal after latest defeat
Theresa May will press on with efforts to secure a revised Brexit deal, despite another Commons defeat, and will return to Brussels «within days». Mrs May is trying to renegotiate the Irish backstop with the EU after MPs voted to replace it with «alternative arrangements» earlier this month. Some MPs fear that the backstop – the insurance policy to prevent the return of customs checks on the Irish border – will see the UK will be bound to EU customs rules in the long-term. The government motion on Thursday 14 February called for MPs to back its existing strategy, including seeking changes to the backstop, but ERG members believed voting for it would also see them endorsing calls to rule out a no-deal Brexit. Link
Travel Weekly, 14 February 2019: Travel industry leaders to meet government for Brexit talks
A delegation of leading travel industry figures will attend a meeting at the Foreign Office on Friday 15 February to lobby the government over continuing Brexit concerns for the sector. Representatives from ABTA, including chief executive Mark Tanzer, director of destinations and sustainability Nikki White and head of public affairs Luke Petherbridge, will be joined by Tui’s group head of regulatory affairs David Joseph, Specialist Leisure Group chief executive Richard Calvert and Hotelplan chief executive Paul Carter. Representatives from Thomas Cook, Jet2holidays and Sunvil are also understood to be attending. Link
TTG, 12 February 2019: All-inclusives and package breaks soar as Britons seek pre-Brexit deals
All-inclusives account for half of all On the Beach bookings to date this year, up from a 46% share in January 2018. The OTA says Brits are looking to safeguard against currency fluctuations, control their budgets and in-resort spend, and get maximum value for their pounds. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of On the Beach’s family bookings during January 2019 were for all-inclusives, up from 58% last year, while 44% of couples’ breaks and 39% of group getaways have so far been booked on an all-inclusive basis. Link
- Airlines
TTG, 14 February 2019: Delta and easyJet confirm talks over joint bid for Alitalia
Following easyJet’s expression of interest in a restructured Alitalia in October last year, easyJet today (February 14) confirmed it is in discussions with Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane and Delta Air Lines about forming a consortium to explore options for the future operations of the airline. Link
Travel Mole, 14 February 2019: Ryanair unveils frequent flyer scheme, but it comes at a price
Ryanair is launching a fee-based frequent flyer scheme which gives free standard seat selection, fast-track airport access, priority boarding and a 10kg checked baggage allowance. Passengers who sign up to the ‘Ryanair Choice’ programme, which costs €199 a year, will also get 24-hour advance notice of four seat sales a year. Link
Travel Mole, 10 February 2019: Virgin Atlantic to launch Tel Aviv flights
Virgin Atlantic has announced the launch of daily flights between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv later this year. The first flight will be on September 25. The CEO: “Tel Aviv represents a fantastic opportunity for us. Israel’s economy is booming and as one of the world’s leading tech hubs we’re anticipating many business travellers and entrepreneurs flying between Tel Aviv and the UK. Link
- Travellers and travel agents
Travel Weekly, 14 February 2019: A quarter of Brits stroll toward walking holidays
The days of Brits abroad lazing by the pool appear to be over, a new study has revealed.The research, conducted by tour operator Jules Verne, found that opportunities to do cultural activities (43%) and see wildlife (32%) came high on the list when booking a breakaway. Asking 2,000 UK holidaymakers which activities had the most influence on their booking decisions, walking trips came in as the most popular excursion. Whether trekking the Camino de Santiago, following the Inca Trail or even heading over to Hadrian’s Wall, more than a quarter (28%) of British holidaymakers are using their time off to explore the world on foot. Link
Travel Mole, 11 February 2019: TUI to face investors after profit warning
TUI will face questions from investors on February 12 on how it plans to ride out a challenging market after downgrading its earnings forecast for 2019. At its AGM, it is expected to outline to worried investors its plan of action to address the ‘headwinds’. TUI had previously forecast a 10% growth in earnings for this financial year, but has now admitted it expects earnings to stay flat. It has blamed a number of factors, including late bookings and weaker margins due to the continued impact of last summer’s heatwave and a continued weakness of the pound, ‘making it difficult to improve margins on holidays sold to UK customers’. Link
- Competitors
Travel Mole, 14 February 2019: Palma summit aims to tackle tourists’ alcohol abuse
Anti-social tourism, including drunken behaviour on flights and in clubs and hotels, has been discussed by industry leaders at a global summit in the Palma on the island of Majorca. Hosted by the Balearic Islands Government, the meeting was attended by 80 participants from 10 countries, including representatives of ABTA, Thomas Cook, the British Consulate, the UK Retail Forum and the Alcohol Policy Youth Network, along with airport, police and university representatives. Link
