Eliana Willis

New research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows flight bookings for UK outbound travel to some of the most popular summer sun destinations have bounced back.
However, inbound has largely failed to take off.
The data revealed a huge disparity between forward flight bookings for outbound and inbound UK travel was collated for the global tourism body by ForwardKeys.
The pent-up desire to travel shows in forward flight booking data for UK holidaymakers who are flocking to family favourites, such as Turkey (up 53 per cent) and Greece (up 51 per cent) over the busy summer period, compared to pre-pandemic figures.
Spain, a long-time summer favourite and the most popular destination overall for sun-seeking British travellers, is also performing well and ahead of pre-pandemic levels (up one per cent). ADVERTISEMENTMeanwhile, bookings during the same period to the US, which in 2019 was the fifth most popular destination for jet-setting Brits, remain ten per cent lower than before the pandemic.
The data shows while inbound bookings for international arrivals are up by a staggering 1,453 per cent compared to 2021, when severe restrictions to travel were in place, bookings to date are still well below pre-pandemic levels – down 45 per cent versus 2019.
Julia Simpson, WTTC chief executive, said: “The massive imbalance between outbound and inbound UK international flight bookings is a worrying sign for the recovering tourism sector and the UK economy.
“As the pandemic recedes and international travel returns, it’s encouraging to see holidaymakers making the most of their new found freedom to travel safely.”
In terms of inbound travellers to the UK, only Sweden has risen above pre-pandemic levels (up 15 per cent) while other key source markets have not recovered, indicating the UK still has a long way to go to encourage international travellers back to its shores.

Older
Etihad Airways welcomes first Airbus A350 to fleet More

The first in the new Brand USA UK & Ireland agent webinar series will take place on Wednesday, April 6th at 15:00 BST.
The event will feature destination speakers who will share insight on Alabama and its offerings, plus the chance to win an amazing holiday to Alabama to celebrate the World Games. ADVERTISEMENTAgents will have the chance to top up their destination knowledge and discover why the state is the heart and soul of the south, with the extra benefit of being entered into a prize draw to win a bucket-list holiday to Birmingham, Alabama.
The prize includes two tickets to the internationally renowned 11-day multi-sport event, the World Games, as well as access to selected attractions, two plane tickets and hotel accommodation for four nights, based on dates of travel between July 7-11.
More Information
Agents will need to register to join the webinar in advance here here and the webinar will take place on Brand USA Global Marketplace here. 
Image: John Dersham

Older
Norwegian to remove all face mask requirements next week

Newer
Ryanair to offer Lapland flights this winter More

Tui Group has said it is “well positioned” for the post-Covid-19 period and expects a stable business development for 2022, especially during the summer season.
As such, the company said it was returning up to €700 million in credit lines provided during the height of the pandemic.
The financial resources were made available by the German government and private banks as part of three stabilisation packages.
A large part of the cash was offered in the form of a revolving credit facility from German bank KfW.
This “rescue umbrella” was “important during the pandemic and the associated massive restrictions on our business,” Tui said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENTHowever, the company is now in a position to return the money.
Fritz Joussen, chief executive of Tui UI Group: “Tui was a very healthy company before the pandemic.
“The worldwide travel restrictions, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, almost completely deprived us of our business basis.
“That is why temporary aid was important and right.
“Thanks to the credit lines from the German federal government and from the private banks and the contribution of our shareholders, we have steered Tui safely through its most serious crisis.”
He added: “People want to travel; we see the demand in bookings and expect a good summer 2022 at Tui.
“The company is leaner, more digital and more efficient after the pandemic and transformation.
“The pandemic aid from the state was mostly interest-bearing credit lines.
“In recent weeks, we already stopped using the state credit lines.”
The KfW credit line, which was still drawn at around €500 million at the beginning of February, could now be reduced to zero.
As of March 28th, Tui had liquidity of €4.1 billion.

Older
Yates to lead VisitBritain on interim basis More

National tourism agency VisitBritain has announced deputy chief executive Patricia Yates is stepping up to the top job.
The interim appointment comes as current chief executive, Sally Balcombe, steps down from April 8th.
The appointment was announced as VisitBritain brought tourism industry leaders together at a ‘Rebooting the visitor economy’ event on Tuesday.
British Tourist Authority (BTA) chair, Judith Macgregor, said: “On behalf of the BTA board and VisitBritain, I am very pleased to announce that Patricia Yates has agreed to step up to chief executive in the interim, ensuring a smooth transition for the organisation as well as for the industry.”
Latest forecasts suggest 21.1 million inbound visitors will arrive in the UK this year, just half of the 2019 level.
Overseas visitor spending will total £16.9 billion, 59 per cent of the 2019 figure.ADVERTISEMENTWith all travel restrictions for arrivals to the UK lifted and with its latest international research showing strong pent-up demand for travel, VisitBritain’s priority is driving the quickest return of inbound visitor spending, prioritising markets that will quickly drive back value including the USA and its major European markets.
Yates said: “I am honoured to be stepping up as chief executive, continuing our focus on building back visitor spend as quickly as possible and supporting the industry.
“We know there is pent-up demand for travel, Britain is a destination that people want to visit and in 2022 we have a year of landmark events.
“Our tourism businesses have innovated to survive through a myriad of restrictions and now is the time to drive the visitor recovery.”
The agency is currently out in international markets with a £10 million GREAT ‘Welcome to another side of Britain’ campaign.
As well as highlighting messages of welcome and reassurance, the campaign is promoting the major events this year, set to be global tourism draws, offering visitors once-in-a-lifetime experiences they can only have in the UK including the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Older
Ryanair inaugurates new home at Newcastle Airport

Newer
Tui Group to return €700m in emergency bailout cash More

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled the speakers for its upcoming Global Summit in Manila, with Indonesian/Dutch activist Melati Wijsen leading the line-up.
At just 12 years old, activist Wijsen founded Bye Bye Plastics, a global movement powered by youths around the world to end the use of plastic bags.
Taking place in Manila, Philippines from April 20-22, the summit is the most influential tourism event in the calendar.
Industry leaders will gather with more than 20 government representatives, to continue aligning efforts to support the recovery of the tourism sector and move beyond to a safer, more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future.
South Korean politician Ban Ki-Moon, who served as the eighth secretary general of the United Nations between 2007 and 2016, will also address delegates virtually at this prestigious event.ADVERTISEMENTAlso taking to the stage at the summit will be the tourism ministers from around the world including Spain, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Japan, Maldives and Barbados.
Julia Simpson, WTTC chief executive, said: “We are delighted to have such influential speakers already confirmed for our Global Summit in Manila.
“Melati is an inspiration to us all.
“A real changemaker, who from such a young age, has been instrumental in raising awareness of the damage caused by plastic and has inspired young people around the world to lead change.
“After more than two years, the region is perfectly positioned to post the losses caused by the pandemic.”

Older
Airbus completes A380 sustainable aviation fuel flight

Newer
Forte Village unveils renewed Acquaforte Thalasso & Spa More

Cruise and escorted tour specialist, Riviera Travel, has promoted Jessica Payne to the role of business development executive.
She has worked in the contact centre for the past year, and before that spent five years overseas as a rep in Rhodes, Costa del Sol, Mallorca, Mexico, Thasos and Thailand.
Payne will manage a number of trade accounts across the UK, and will be looking to develop agents who want to start selling river cruise and touring holidays.
She will report to Tom Morgan, head of agency sales, UK & Ireland.
Riviera has made several trade-specific sales and business development appointments during the past two years, as the company continues to strengthen its relationships with its travel partners. ADVERTISEMENTA number of recently-created vacancies in sales, customer service and administration are currently open.
Payne said: “I’m delighted to take on this new role and responsibilities, as the opportunities for agents to sell river cruise and touring holidays are clear.
“I’m really looking forward to helping grow our business as travel further opens up, and continuing the great work the team have delivered to support the trade.”

Older
Christina Aguilera to headline Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony

Newer
Radisson Red Vienna takes brand into Austria More

As the Covid-19 travel requirements come to an end today, new research from ABTA reveals how people are planning to capitalise on their new-found freedoms.
The findings show 57 per cent of people have a holiday abroad booked for the next 12 months, up from 44 per cent in October.
Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey remain firm favourites for UK holidaymakers heading overseas but ABTA’s analysis of people’s travel intentions this year – compared to pre-pandemic, reveals other destinations are climbing up the popularity list.
When comparing people’s travel intentions from 2019 to this year, the number of people planning to travel to Egypt is up by 87 per cent, followed by Malta (up 51 per cent), the United Arab Emirates (up 31 per cent), Portugal (up 30 per cent) and Mexico (up 26 per cent).
All these destinations promise sunshine, sandy beaches and a multitude of things to see and do, while also welcoming UK holidaymakers with either proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative Covid-19 test – or no vaccination or testing requirements at all as is the case in Mexico.ADVERTISEMENTThe removal of Covid-19 travel measures in the UK today follows the steady relaxation of testing requirements since the start of the year, making the process of heading off abroad much easier and cheaper.
Now, passengers, whether vaccinated or not, will no longer need to take any tests on return to the UK or complete a Passenger Locator Form, so holidaymakers can enjoy every last moment of their long-awaited break.
Mark Tanzer, chief executive at ABTA, said: “It’s a landmark day for holidaymakers and the travel industry.
“From now on people can enjoy their holiday up to the last minute without having to think about any paperwork or tests on their return to the UK.
“While we’re not yet back to pre-pandemic levels, our research clearly shows that consumer confidence is returning, and things are looking up for the industry.”

Older
Katy Perry to act as godmother to Norwegian Prima More