Organisations & Operators,

DFDS is placing an order for 100 electric trucks which will bring the total number of electric trucks in DFDS’s fleet to 225 in line with DFDS’ decarbonisation plan to become a net-zero company by 2050.
The new electric trucks will be deployed in markets across Europe where DFDS already has electric trucks in operation while also planning to expand to new markets such as the UK, Ireland and Norway to meet the growing demand for low emissions transport solutions.
The order of the additional 100 trucks cements DFDS’ position as a frontrunner in the transformation of the heavy-duty transport sector in Europe.
“We want to drive the transition to more sustainable road transport. Our expanding fleet of electric trucks will not only contribute to reducing the climate impact of our operations. It will also enable DFDS to support more companies that are looking to decarbonise their supply chains. The 100 new electric trucks underline our commitment to pushing the development forward,” says Niklas Anderson, EVP, Logistics Division at DFDS.  
The new electric trucks will be Volvo FH Electric and Volvo FM Electric.ADVERTISEMENT“I am very proud to continue our close partnership with DFDS. This order for an additional 100 Volvo electric trucks is proof of their trust in our company. The big increase of DFDS’ electric truck fleet shows that zero-emissions transport is a viable solution here and now”, says Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks.
DFDS currently has the largest fleet of heavy-duty electric trucks in Europe and takes another step to reach the target to have at least 25% of its truck fleet electrified by 2030.
95 e-trucks are currently operational in Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Belgium, and the Netherlands with the remaining 30 due to be delivered during 2024. Due to the growing electric truck fleet, DFDS had reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 1.516 tonnes (Well-to-Wheel) by the end of 2023.
In Denmark, DFDS has also deployed 52 electric reefer trailers, giving a near zero-emission transport capability for frozen and refrigerated cargo.
DFDS placed an order for 100 electric trucks in October 2021 adding an additional 25 trucks two months later.

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With summer break just around the corner, Walt Disney World Resort guests can get ready to have a “glowing’’ good time when Disney H2O Glow After Hours returns to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon starting May 25. Guests can look forward to magical late-night parties throughout the summer, giving them an opportunity to enjoy the tropical Disney water park with shorter wait times. The 2024 H2O Glow After Hours season offers more event nights than ever before, with 18 select evenings from May 25 to Aug. 31, 2024.
This after-hours party turns the water park into a beach bash extravaganza, creating an energetic atmosphere with waves and pulsating beats. Guests can immerse themselves in radiant lighting effects, vibrant decor and high-energy DJ dance parties with some of their favorite Disney characters, like Goofy. New this year, cabanas will be available to rent online for groups looking for a private, reserved area during the event. 
Cast members at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon are already getting their glow on with glow-in-the-dark chalk art to help showcase the fun experiences awaiting guests when H20 Glow returns. 
Tickets for this event go on sale March 22 at DisneyWorld.disney.go.com/events-tours/typhoon-lagoon/h2o-glow-after-hours/ . Pre-sale will be available to Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests Mar. 19. Other party festivities include:
Complimentary ice cream treats, popcorn and soda Complimentary towel rental Surprise character appearances Exclusive glow-themed food and beverage items Disney After Events Continue All Summer Long ADVERTISEMENTFor all the night owls out there, more dates have been added for the Disney After Hours events in our Walt Disney World theme parks. This means more time to enjoy tons of nighttime theme park fun all summer long. At Disney After Hours events, now through August 2024, guests get three late-night hours to ride their favorite attractions, see beloved characters and refuel on unlimited, complimentary snacks. These popular, separately ticketed events take place at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Typhoon Lagoon. Visit DisneyAfterHours.com for more information and event dates.
For more information about Walt Disney World Resort Water Parks, visit DisneyWorld.Disney.go.com.

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Belfast City Airport has been confirmed as the UK’s Most Punctual Airport for 2023 following the publication of the latest performance figures from the Civil Aviation Authority.
The data analyses arriving and departing scheduled and chartered flights throughout the year, with results revealing that Belfast City Airport was the most punctual of the 25 UK airports included in the survey.
Mark Beattie, Chief Operating Officer at Belfast City Airport said:“At Belfast City Airport we always aim to deliver a passenger experience that is convenient and hassle free, and we are thrilled to have the best on-time-performance of any airport in the UK across the calendar year 2023.“This achievement is owing to our team’s dedication to going above and beyond to maximise performance and efficiencies to ensure our passengers can move through the airport, and get to their destination, as quickly as possible.
“Our unrivalled punctuality combined with our prime location, only five minutes from the heart of Belfast City Centre, and an average security processing time of just 6 minutes allows our passengers to enjoy a smooth start to every journey.”
Belfast City Airport currently operates routes to 30 destinations across the UK and beyond in partnership with its six airlines, Aer Lingus, British Airways, easyJet, KLM, Loganair, Lufthansa, and charter partners Royal Caribbean, Travel Solutions and TUI.ADVERTISEMENT

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Munich Airport can look back on a successful year in air freight in 2023. According to data from the German Airports Association (ADV), Munich Airport was the only major German airport to record growth in freight transportation in 2023. With a volume of 284,000 tons, the airport registered a year-on-year increase of 6.6%, while the total volume in Germany fell by 7.1%.
A significant share of this increase is attributable to belly cargo, i.e., goods transported in the cargo hold of passenger aircraft, which grew by as much as 11% at Munich Airport. The direct connections to China, which were resumed in the middle of last year, the new route to Bangalore in southern India, and the four weekly flights to Taipei have also been very well received, especially by the healthy Bavarian export industry.
Freight volumes continue to soar in 2024: Compared with the same month of the previous year, freight volume increased by 6.5% in January and 10.8% in February. Overall, the volume of freight at Munich Airport is now back to almost 90% of the pre-pandemic level.
The availability of freight capacity will continue to increase this year. New routes to Seattle, Johannesburg, and Vietnam, as well as additional flights on the schedule – including to Beijing and Osaka – offer industrial and logistics companies in the service area of Munich Airport additional opportunities to transport cargo directly via Munich.
Munich Airport’s cargo area is particularly appealing with fast turnaround times due to its efficient infrastructure, which enables goods to be transported to the aircraft quickly thanks to short distances. This infrastructure continues to grow: DHL Express plans to open a new building for freight handling in the summer. The airport also has plenty of space for future expansion in the cargo area.ADVERTISEMENT

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Heidi has announced the launch of ‘FlexiFly’, a game-changing feature designed for the modern skier. FlexiFly introduces unmatched flexibility in air travel, allowing customers to tailor their flights to suit their unique needs and preferences, ensuring they make the most out of the remaining ski season. Plus, will allow them to make informed choices into next year. For ski and winter enthusiasts, Heidi’s latest news – hot on the heels of its recent launch of its flexible payment offering – further positions Heidi as the most flexible and innovative skiing brand on the market.
Unparalleled Flexibility
FlexiFly allows skiers to:
Fly with different airlines for outbound and inbound journeys (e.g. British Airways out, EasyJet back).Arrive and depart from different airports (e.g. Barcelona outbound, Toulouse inbound).Utilise different airports for departure and arrival, exclusively for flights in and out of London, offering unprecedented convenience for the capital’s travellers.Key benefits of FlexiFly
This innovative feature offers two significant benefits to Heidi’s customers:ADVERTISEMENTIncreased availability: FlexiFly opens a plethora of options for travel dates and times, accommodating unique schedules like Thursday to Tuesday trips, which may not always be possible with traditional flight bookings. It also gives customers more choice on flight times, such as arriving earlier or leaving later, to allow more time on the slopes.
Cost efficiency: By leveraging the flexibility to fly with different airlines or from/to different airports, customers can enjoy savings on their trips. Heidi prioritises showing the cheapest travel options first, though customers can opt for traditional bookings if preferred. The average holiday saves £100 by using FlexiFly.
Industry leading growth and commitment
Founded in 2018 by Blunt brothers, Marcus and Alexander, Heidi has rapidly grown from initial sales of £500k and is on-track to achieve a staggering £38M in its sixth year. This success story reflects the founders’ deep-rooted passion for skiing, inherited from their Norwegian heritage, and their commitment to providing flexible mountain adventures.
Marcus Blunt, co-founder of Heidi, expressed his enthusiasm: “I’ve wanted to offer Heidi customers the option to fly flexibly for a long time, so I’m delighted we’ve launched this new feature. It will bring our customers much greater availability for their chosen travel dates, and in many cases, cheaper prices too.”
Statistics reveal that 26% of Heidi’s ski holidays have become more affordable thanks to FlexiFly, with about a third of customers opting for this innovative solution for its convenience and cost benefits.
Heidi was born from a desire to transform the winter ski market. The Blunt brothers have skillfully combined their travel industry experience and technical expertise to create a platform that offers thousands of flexible and affordable skiing options. From families seeking beginner-friendly packages to groups looking for exciting mid-week getaways, Heidi covers all bases, including ski passes and equipment, all covered under ATOL protection. This initiative underscores Heidi’s mission to make mountain adventures more accessible and enjoyable for all.

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To celebrate International Women’s Day, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) underscores the pivotal role of women in the global Travel & Tourism sector.
According to WTTC data, women in tourism comprise a significant portion of the sector’s workforce, accounting for nearly 40% of the total employment.
This marks a substantial increase from 2010 to 2019, highlighting a 24% surge in direct female employment within the sector, increasing from 38.6 million to 47.8 million.
Key findings reveal that hospitality stands out as the leading employer of women within the Travel & Tourism sector, with over half (52%) of all female employment in 2019 attributed to this segment.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, emphasises the positive impact of women in the sector, stating: “Women in Travel & Tourism play a vital role. We are proud that our sector is one of the largest employers of women in the world.ADVERTISEMENT“As our sector continues to grow, women have a key role to play; we have the opportunity to make Travel & Tourism more resilient and inclusive. Putting women at the heart of Travel & Tourism will be critical to securing a sustainable future for the sector.”
The global body’s data also reveals women in Travel & Tourism surpass the average workforce participation in other sectors globally. In regions such the Americas, women make up a larger share of employment in the sector compared to the economy-wide workforce.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, this data underscores the significant contribution of women to the Travel & Tourism sector, portraying it as a catalyst for gender inclusivity and empowerment on a global scale.
WTTC remains committed to provide high-wage jobs, gender equality, and fostering entrepreneurship through SMEs, as well as generating more high-level opportunities for women within large corporations.
Please visit WTTC’s Research Hub to find out more about the data. https://researchhub.wttc.org/

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Specialist natural world tour operator Naturetrek (www.naturetrek.co.uk) has announced a series of new vegetarian and vegan wildlife holidays, adding to its leading collection of small group tours and cruises for 2024.Reflecting the growing movement towards plant-based diets, whether for reasons of health, animal welfare or sustainability, Naturetrek has this year whole-heartedly embraced the increased interest in – and demand for – vegan and vegetarian dining options with its new itineraries.
Says Naturetrek’s Managing Director, Andy Tucker: “After years of vegetarians and vegans having to endure the frustration of being served ham omelettes and tuna salads in Mediterranean Europe and elsewhere, an up-and-coming collection of fine-dining hotels specialising in vegetarian and vegan cooking is taking the market by storm. We have worked hard to identify those in the best areas for wildlife, and the happy result is that we now have a new range of wildlife holidays to offer clients who follow a meat-free or plant-based diet. It will also doubtless please those omnivores amongst our clientele who are curious and keen to learn more about vegetarian and vegan cuisine.
“Our new vegetarian and vegan wildlife tours promise to deliver three delicious, healthy, and appetite-satisfying meals per day. We know ourselves – with several of us in the Naturetrek office being life-long vegetarians or vegans – that it has often been necessary to compromise on meal quality and variety when travelling. At long last, that will not be the case with this new collection of tours! It makes perfect sense to offer committed vegans and vegetarians what they seek, especially when so many of us often opt for such meals simply because they both taste and look so wonderful.”
Whether trips involve travelling to the forested mountains of Andalucía’s Serranía de Ronda, or a safari through India’s tiger reserves, Naturetrek has worked hard to identify hotel partners in the best areas for wildlife which will cater well to those who prefer a meat-free or plant-based diet. Each holiday promises to deliver delicious, healthy and satisfying meals – with breakfast and dinner provided by our carefully-selected hotels, alongside a vegan/vegetarian adaptation of the famous Naturetrek picnic, providing a nutritionally- balanced and mouth-watering spread, with a range of options from which to choose.
Highlights of the new collection of vegetarian and vegan holidays include:ADVERTISEMENTWildlife of Italy’s Northern AlpsExplore Italy’s northern Alps on an 8-day adventure in search of the wonderful summer alpine wildlife of the region, staying at a stylish, superbly-appointed vegan hotel. Enjoy excursions to Alpine pastures, sun-lit meadows and other wonderful habitats in search of sought-after plant species – such as the Lesser Butterfly Orchid, One-flowered Wintergreen and Edelweiss – plus butterflies, and hopefully a rare sighting of Alpine Marmot and Alpine Ibex, alongside soaring Lammergeier and a variety of other birds such as the Nutcracker and Black Woodpecker. Located in the southern Tyrol, within easy walking distance of the Texel Group Nature Park, the hotel’s excellent facilities include a natural bathing pool, Finnish sauna, outdoor forest sauna, hot stone lounge and an indoor pool with a salt electrolysis system. Guests will enjoy a 5-course vegan gourmet dinner each evening, and a delicious vegan breakfast buffet each morning.Departing Sunday 14th July 2024, prices for an 8-day holiday start from £3,295 pp, including flights, accommodation, three vegetarian/vegan meals per day and the expertise of a Naturetrek Tour Leader. https://www.naturetrek.co.uk/tours/italy-vegan-wildlife-tour
Spring in Greece’s Northern PeloponneseTake an 8-day tour of Greece’s beautiful Peloponnese peninsula, just as it bursts into spring. Based in a delightful hotel on the north-east coast of the Peloponnese, that specialises in both vegetarian and vegan cuisine, guests will visit Lake Stymphalia – one of the EU’s Natura 2000 reserves – in search of the region’s most unique birds, reptiles, amphibians and plants – alongside exploring Kalogria’s wonderful Stone Pine forests on the north-west coast, as well as heading into the mountains in search of Rock Thrush (pictured above), Alpine Newt, Greek Clouded Yellow and Spotted Fritillary. With beautiful, secluded beaches, ancient chapels, friendly people and mouth-watering Mediterranean vegan and vegetarian cuisine, it will deliver an unforgettable Greek adventure for one and all.Departing Tuesday 15th April 2025, prices for an 8-day holiday start from £2,295 pp, including flights, accommodation, three vegetarian/vegan meals per day and the expertise of a Naturetrek Tour Leader. https://www.naturetrek.co.uk/tours/greece-vegetarian-wildlife-tour
India – Tiger DirectExperience the heart of Tiger country on a 9-day safari combining two of India’s finest Tiger Reserves – the Pench and Kanha National Parks. Flying straight into Nagpur, in Madhya Pradesh (heartland of the Tiger), this tour is free of large cities and endless overland journeys and truly maximises the time spent in India’s wonderful national parks. Explore a wide range of habitats on morning and evening game drives, looking for Tigers, Sambar, Spotted and Swamp Deer, Gaur, Wild Boar, and perhaps even Leopard, Dhole or Sloth Bear, as well as a colourful profusion of birds. An optional extension to tourist-free Tadoba Tiger Reserve is recommended for unmissable wildlife encounters. India excels in producing vegetarian and vegan food and, alongside delicious daily menus, guests will enjoy a private cooking demonstration of traditional Indian cuisine by their hosts. Departing Sunday 2nd February 2025, prices for a 9-day holiday start from £2,995 pp, including flights, accommodation, three vegetarian/vegan meals per day and the expertise of a Naturetrek Tour Leader. https://www.naturetrek.co.uk/tours/India-Tiger-Direct-vegetarian-vegan-tour
Naturetrek’s current range of vegetarian and vegan tours (seven departures at present, in Scotland, Spain, Italy, India and Greece) can be viewed here.  More are currently being planned!
Guest feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with comments from the recent ‘Serrania de Ronda – A Vegetarian/Vegan tour’ in Spain such as:
“This was an excellent trip. The venue was great, the leaders superb and the food amazingly fantastic. Juzcar was an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area and we managed to visit a good range of habitats and see some stunning birds, including Cinereous and Egyptian Vultures, Great and Little Bustards and White-headed and Marbled Duck…. Ivan, the chef at the hotel, produced a different three- course meal every night, catering for both vegetarians and vegans, which was completely delicious and stunning. We’d highly recommend this tour.”
“The hotel was lovely, set in the quiet village of Juzcar…. The co-owners, David and Ivan, were superb and skilled hosts, though the fabulous food has to take centre stage. As a vegetarian, I have never been so spoilt food wise. Usually veggies are an afterthought – the next group have a real treat in store. Chef Ivan and his ‘sous chef’ David, juggled veggie, vegan and gluten free [menus] with such good humour, but that food was a ‘wow’!!!”
“The veggie food was excellent and all the meals were full of flavour, and freshly cooked.”
The next ‘Serrania de Ronda – A Vegetarian/Vegan tour’ will take depart on Saturday 8th February 2025 and Sunday 16th February 2025. Prices for the 9-day holiday start from £1,795 pp, including flights, accommodation, three vegetarian/vegan meals per day and the expertise of a Naturetrek tour leader.

On the key issue of the environment, Andy Tucker, MD of Naturetrek, says: “Naturetrek has supported efforts on the climate change front for the past 30-plus years, via the World Land Trust (www.worldlandtrust.org) – indeed, to date, we have raised over £1M to help protect valuable wildlife corridors and important forest lands worldwide.  We know it makes sense, and that it will help to support climate change efforts worldwide, and such basics are part and parcel of Naturetrek’s DNA.”
To speak to the experts, for more information on any of the wide range of Naturetrek’s wildlife itineraries, or to request a copy of the latest brochure, call 01962 733051 or visit www.naturetrek.co.uk.

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New for 2024, active beach holiday specialists Mark Warner (www.markwarner.co.uk, 0845 322 5037) is offering a range of exciting introductory wingsurfing and wingfoiling courses at their newest property, Aeolian Village Beach Resort in Lesvos. Offering an easy way to get out on the water, wingsurfing and wingfoiling are the latest must-try activities for watersports-lovers of all levels. he courses at Aeolian Village include group sessions and private lessons for guests aged 14 years and older, as well as Youth Intro to Wingsurfing for guests aged 10 – 13 years.
Opened in 2023, Mark Warner’s Aeolian Village Beach Resort offers near-perfect conditions for the sports, with great wind and flat water making it an ideal location to learn.  Set against a backdrop of mountains, the resort opens directly onto a quiet corner of Eressos beach, a gorgeous sandy bay on southwest coast of Lesvos.  As at all Mark Warner resorts, a friendly team of coaches and specialist instructors are on hand to smooth the way.  Other watersports include sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing and rowing, as well as kayaks, which are ideal to explore the coastline.  Guests can choose from making watersports a central focus of the holiday, trying something new, or just dipping in and out of the programmes.
Widely considered to be easier than windsurfing or kiteboarding, both wingsurfing and wingfoiling use a handheld ‘wing’ which has an inflatable leading edge and strut or boom to drive participants along. The wing is free of the board, and the fact that it is hand-held makes it easier to adjust than traditional windsurfing. Wingsurfing uses a plain board or stand-up paddle board and offers the chance to learn and get confident using the wing. No previous experience is required to give wingsurfing a go and once the basics are mastered, the next stage is wingfoiling, which uses a board with a hydrofoil attached to it, giving the impression of ‘flying’ across the water. 
Courses available at the resort are as follows:
Intro to WingSurfing (3hrs) 14 years upwards, pre bookable, £60 pp.Youth Intro to WingSurfing (3hrs) 10 to 13 years, pre bookable, £40 pp.Intro to WingSurfing PLUS (3hrs) 10 years upwards, bookable in resort, £60 pp.Intro to WingFoiling Course (9hrs) 14 years upwards, bookable in resort – £100 pp.WingSurf & WingFoil Private lessons – 1hr – bookable in resort – £50 pp.Aeolian Village Beach Resort: With the friendly and welcoming atmosphere that Mark Warner is renowned for, Aeolian Village combines outstanding sporting facilities, experienced instructors and exceptional childcare, along with expertly crafted sundowners, spa facilities and ample sun loungers, making the perfect mix for an as activity-filled or chilled-out holiday as you like. ADVERTISEMENTActivities:  Fitness-orientated guests will be spoilt for choice for activities on land or on the water. For those looking to explore the island on two wheels, either independently or on a guided cycle trip, the quiet roads and tracks that criss-cross Lesvos island make for memorable road cycling.
There are two freshwater pools – one of which is perfect for swimming lengths, with an adjacent family-pool. A padel court offers the chance to try this increasingly popular racquet game, along with three astro tennis courts. The team of tennis staff are available for coaching and guidance, whether in private or group lessons, or in one of the sociable tournaments.  There is a varied fitness programme, with daily classes, an air-conditioned gym, sauna, whirlpool and spa area.
Families: As is the case at all Mark Warner resorts, families have a superb range of options, allowing parents to switch off knowing their children are having a fantastic time. Choose from six different aged clubs for children and young people ranging from ‘Baby Club’ (4-11 months) to ‘Mini Club’ (3-5 years), Kidz Club (10-13 years) to the Indy Club (14-17 years).  The first-class childcare programme at Aeolian Beach Village is run by kind, experienced nannies, based in newly kitted-out, purpose built, air-conditioned childcare facilities.
A fantastic choice of daytime activities is on offer to suit each age group.  From sailing, windsurfing and water polo for teenagers, to arts and music, beach and pool fun for younger guests, the emphasis is on fun and adventure in a warm and welcoming environment. Evening childcare and activities are also available, including movie nights and chillout time for older children. 
Accommodation:  Accommodation is in two distinct areas. The main hotel wraps around the pool area, with lush gardens connected by meandering pathways, whilst the pretty pastel-coloured buildings of The Village are set up into the hillside behind the hotel. With two restaurants and three bars to choose from, the resort has the feel of a mini-Greek village. There is a tempting choice on offer and half-board dining is included in all stays.  Nearby Skala Eresou has a great selection of cafes and restaurants to choose from, just a short walk from the resort.
Summer prices start from £849pp for a 7-night stay at Aeolian Village Beach Resort based on two adults sharing a Twin/Double room including half board accommodation and most activities.  Activity prices for the courses are based on current exchange rates.

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