News

ABTA is revealing the most popular destinations and activities for gap year travel as well as advising young people about how to have a rewarding experience and how to stay safe, especially following high profile tragic incidents in the last 12 months involving young travellers in Zanzibar and Malaysia.

ABTA is revealing the most popular destinations and activities for gap year travel as well as advising young people about how to have a rewarding experience and how to stay safe, especially following high profile tragic incidents in the last 12 months involving young travellers in Zanzibar and Malaysia.

Statement below from AITO following the FCO?s recent restriction on travel to Bethlehem being lifted last Friday:

AITO?s three main specialist Pilgrimage operators, Tangney Tours, Pax Travel and McCabe Travel, have all been on high alert due to the recent restriction on travel that the FCO placed on Bethlehem. AITO has been in constant contact with the FCO over the past week, and was delighted when the restriction was finally lifted last Friday evening (8th August).

John Tangney (Tangney Tours) is in Bethlehem at present, to meet with the Palestinian Minister of Tourism, Her Excellency Mme Rula Ma?Ayah. He wanted to ask her directly about the safety and security of bringing Pilgrims and other tourists to Palestine, and especially to those prime Holy places such as Bethlehem and Jericho. John has also visited Bethlehem University, a Christian-based institution, where he was welcomed by George Rishmawi and Dimitrious Awad, both of whom are responsible for the University?s public relations. John will also be meeting the mayor of Bethlehem this week, and is keeping AITO and fellow Pilgrimage operator colleagues fully apprised of the outcome of all his discussions, which have so far been very positive.

AITO hopes that its lobbying in this respect, combined with John?s sterling efforts on the ground, will benefit all travel companies (both AITO and non-AITO) offering Pilgrimage tours to the Holy Land.

Discover Egypt is offering ?200 off all brochure prices on its Nile cruises on board the 5 star deluxe Royal Viking, and selected cruise and stay holidays, for travel from September until the end of December.

Viking Cruises has launched a book club. The open, online forum, Viking Cruises Book Club, will reveal top holiday reads, best sellers and recommendations from celebrities, authors, Viking staff and Viking guests.

- Visitor numbers to the city hit 34 million for first time

- Birmingham visitor economy now worth record ?5.34 billion

- Increased visitor numbers help create extra 2,100 jobs

- 12% rise in visitor numbers since 2006

- Birmingham visitor economy now worth record ?5.34 billion

- Increased visitor numbers help create extra 2,100 jobs

- 12% rise in visitor numbers since 2006

Ink48 has an exclusive offer for UK travellers to ?Live the Summer Like a New Yorker?.

Intrepid Travel is offering 10% off its new Russia and Japan winter adventures for customers who book before September 15.

Brittany Ferries has  added the Algarve as well as more of the Costas to its ferry-inclusive apartment rentals.