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    SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi unveils One Ocean, Abu Dhabi Ocean, MicroOcean and Rocky Point realms

    SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the next-generation Marine Life Theme Park set to open its doors on May 23rd of this year, has revealed exciting details around four of its eight immersive realms. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will take guests on a unique journey to discover the interconnectivity between life on earth and our One Ocean, with the Abu Dhabi Ocean, One Ocean, Rocky Point and MicroOcean realms telling a part of this inspiring story of commitment to conserving our planet.
    Guests will begin their journey at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi in ABU DHABI OCEAN, when they see cascading waterfalls, palm trees, desert greenery, Emirati architecture and hear the sounds of regional music. The park’s education team will be on hand to share knowledge with guests, particularly around the realm’s 30 species, which are native to the UAE such as sea snakes, sea turtles and dugongs. Here, guests can also engage with crustaceans, sharks, and rays in the four touch pools. The legacy of the nation’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is instilled all throughout this realm, reflected through his respect for the natural world and thirst for knowledge.
    In Abu Dhabi Ocean, guests can also enroll in SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s parkwide game – S·E·A Guardian Games. This interactive and free competition brings together science, exploration, and adventure in a series of fun and educational challenges across all realms. Winners are uniquely rewarded for their progress along the way, ultimately becoming S·E·A Guardians themselves and advocates for our One Ocean. Abu Dhabi Ocean features two compelling shows in the Al Naham Theater telling enthralling stories of the rich history and fascinating waters of the Arabian Gulf. The realm is also home to the Abu Dhabi Souk, a traditional marketplace with stalls where guests can shop for keepsakes and souvenirs to remember their visit to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. Guests can dine at Matbakh Ummi, serving authentic Emirati cuisine with a side of the Emirate’s beautiful tradition of hospitality. For eats on-the-go, guests can stop by Dallat Al Bahr for an aromatic Arabic coffee, or snack on freshly fried dough pastries from Lugaima.

    Next stop is the ONE OCEAN realm, which tells many captivating stories of our ocean and acts as the park’s portal to explore all the other realms at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. This realm’s iconic One Ocean Globe, situated in its center, represents the ever-changing flow of energy and nutrients around our planet.ADVERTISEMENTWithin the One Ocean realm, guests will witness One Epic Ocean, a must-see show that takes guests on a journey using immersive multi-media, a fleet of choreographed drones and spatial audio featuring a 360-degree screen standing at an approximate height of 15 meters and wrapping around the 218-meter perimeter of the One Ocean realm. The story follows a young Emirati woman’s adventure with the Arabian Gulf, sparking an epic journey through the Earth’s most fascinating ocean environments and swimming side-by-side with species of all sizes; ultimately sharing the park’s core message; “we are connected to the ocean, and the ocean connects all of us”. The always-active, encapsulating media experience will also show educational modules and immersive scenes from the depths of the sea. In between exploring the park’s realms, guests can plan their SeaWorld Expeditions by registering at the Explorer HQ to enjoy animal encounters and other unique experiences. Those hungry for a quick bite can visit Frozen Treats for everything from ultra-indulgent sundaes to multiflavored ice creams.

    Also, part of this realm, guests can visit the beating heart of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi: the Animal Care Center. This state-of-the-art facility featuring cutting-edge veterinary equipment and technology provides the highest standard of animal welfare based on best practices and standards set by internationally recognized animal welfare organizations. The Animal Care Center invites guests to observe the park’s expert team of veterinarians and animal care specialists providing dedicated care to animals, ensuring their physical and emotional wellbeing through daily practices, regular check-ups, and routine procedures.
    After One Ocean comes ROCKY POINT – a beautiful hidden cove where seals and sea lions can be seen resting on rocks and swimming around their stunning surroundings. The realm features state-of-the-art technology such as an Advanced Animal Lighting System (AALS) that recreates night/day and seasonal light cycles like those found in USA’S Pacific Northwest. Intricately designed to provide an enriching experience for the sea lions and seals, the dynamic habitat features various species of fish and spaces where the animals can play, hide and rest providing them with the stimulation and comfort that they need to thrive.
    At the Rocky Point Amphitheater, everyone is invited to witness an incredible Sea Lion Presentation. The story features sea lions, seals and birds and follows a group of local park rangers as they share with guests the playful nature of these unique animals. Rocky Point offers an authentic boardwalk snacking experience with Pretzel Point, where guests can indulge in a variety of freshly baked warm pretzels while they take in the sights and sounds of the marvelous habitat.
    From the One Ocean portal, guests can also venture into MICROOCEAN, where small is BIG! By passing through a series of colorful arches and “Shrinkerators,” guests start to feel like they’re shrinking while the underwater life grows bigger and more impressive around them, eventually revealing the colorful and playful world of MicroOcean. Designed specifically for kids, this realm invites young explorers to experience the vital role of some of the ocean’s smallest inhabitants through engaging and educational interactives, dynamic experiments, and fun play structures such as the Kelp Climb and the Explorer’s Sea Base. In this whimsical realm, little ones can experience life as plankton, the smallest and most powerful living organism in the ocean, and explore an exciting underwater world filled with BIG joy, energy and impact.

    MicroOcean is home to four family friendly rides: OctoZoom!, Jelly Plunge, Turtle Twist and Eel Racer – each taking guests on an adventure in this microscopic underwater world. Guests should keep a lookout for friendly characters, whether it’s Krill Dude and his musical show with clams and barnacles or the quirky Sea Stars that pulse, expand, and shapeshift around the realm. Also, within MicroOcean is Bitsy Bites – a dining outlet perfect for guests to fuel up on their favorite foods between big (or small) adventures, including pizza, chicken fingers and slushies. Additionally, micro-shoppers can enjoy an array of plush animals, fun toy assortments and apparel available at MicroOcean’s retail outlet, Squirts.
    YAS ISLAND was voted World’s Leading Theme Park Destination 2022 at 2022 World Travel Awards https://www.worldtravelawards.com/profile-35642-yas-island
    For more information and to book your tickets to experience SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, visit www.seaworldabudhabi.com

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    UNWTO has opened applications for the third edition of its Best Tourism Villages initiative

    Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO was launched in 2021 as part of the Organization’s work to make tourism a driver of rural development and wellbeing. To date, over 70 villages from almost 40 countries have been recognized as Best Tourism Villages.
    A further 40 have been selected to participate in the Upgrade Programme where they benefit from expert mentorship and networking opportunities. 
    One initiative, three components
    UNWTO’s Members States can present up to eight villages through their National Tourism Administrations (NTAs). Applications will close on 23 June 2023 and the winners announced towards the end of the year. As with previous editions, the initiative has three components: The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ recognizes outstanding examples of rural tourism destinations with cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community based values, products and lifestyle and have a clear committed to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects. Selection is based on an evaluation of their resources and initiatives in nine areas covering the three pillars of sustainable development, economic, social and environmental.  The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Upgrade Programme benefits a number of villages among those that do not fully meet the criteria to obtain the recognition. These villages receive support from UNWTO and partners to address the gaps identified in the evaluation process.  The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Network provides a space for exchanging experiences and good practices and opportunities. It includes representatives of the villages recognized as ‘Best Tourism Village by UNWTO’ as well as the villages participating in the Upgrade Programme and it will benefit from the contributions of experts, public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism for rural development. The Network also contributes to the work of UNWTO in identifying good practices, developing guidelines and policy recommendations as well as insights and knowledge. 
    The applications are evaluated by an independent International Advisory Board consisting of experts in different fields (cultural and natural resources preservation, sustainability, tourism product development, marketing, value chain, etc.) based on nine areas, including sustainability, infrastructure, connectivity, and tourism value chain integration. ADVERTISEMENTRecognition and mentorship for Villages
    Announcing the launch, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “Tourism can make a real difference for rural communities, delivering jobs, supporting businesses and celebrating and protecting traditions. Through Best Tourism Villages, UNWTO is recognizing those rural destinations that committed to making tourism a pillar of opportunity and wellbeing.”
    For the villages in the Upgrade Programme, besides individual mentoring, the villages join also the Best Tourism Villages Network, which today numbers over 100 villages in five world regions. Since its inception the BTV Network had organized a series of training sessions and masterclasses, allowing hundreds of participants to benefit from expert guidance and feedback from sector leaders.

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    WTTC unveils world-first global Travel & Tourism’s water footprint

    The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center have unveiled groundbreaking new data detailing the total water usage of the global Travel & Tourism sector. In one of the largest research projects of its kind, WTTC can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact the sector has on the environment.
    The findings were launched today at the United Nations in New York at the UN 2023 Water Conference.
    Direct Water Use
    Speaking at the UN Headquarters, Chris Imbsen, Director of Sustainability at WTTC, revealed that Travel & Tourism’s entire water footprint is just 0.6% of the global water use according to the latest figures (2021).
    In 2019, when the sector was at its peak, the sector’s total water footprint was only 50% higher, but still less than 1% of the global total at 0.9%. ADVERTISEMENTTravel & Tourism’s direct water use is significantly lower – in 2019 it was 0.2% of the global total and has fallen by half to just 0.1% of the global total.
    Much of the sector’s water use is indirect, through its supply chain, with agriculture and food production accounting for two-thirds of Travel & Tourism’s entire water footprint.
    Between 2010 and 2019, the Travel & Tourism sector in Europe and Africa reduced direct water use. In Europe, direct water use fell by 8% and in Africa direct water use by the sector fell by 6%.
    Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “This ground-breaking new data reveals our sector’s water consumption for the first time ever, revealing that Travel & Tourism uses less than 1% of the water used around the world, with the overwhelming majority of that usage coming from the sector’s supply chain.
    “The data also shows that whilst the sector has grown economically around the world, its direct-use water intensity has decreased.
    “The data is the most in depth study of the sector’s water use, and like the world-first cli-mate footprint data we released at our Global Summit in Riyadh last year, we can also re-veal individual countries Travel & Tourism sector’s water footprints. This will enable gov-ernments to work with the sector to further reduce water usage.”
    Water Intensity
    The water intensity of Travel & Tourism per unit of GDP has also fallen since 2010, across both direct and indirect use. 
    In 2010, the sector used 0.57m³ of water for every $1 USD contributed to the global econo-my.
    In 2019 this fell by 19% to reach 0.46m³ of water for every $1 USD contributed to the global economy.
    In a world-first, this comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with revised figures.
    This research was made possible thanks to the partnership between WTTC and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center. Under the Saudi green Initiative, more than 60 initiatives have been launched in the past year, representing more than $186BN USD of in-vestment in the green economy.

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    New WTTC environmental data reveals Italy’s Travel & Tourism sector’s climate footprint

    New groundbreaking data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center reveals the climate footprint of the Travel & Tourism sector in Italy.In one of the largest research projects of its kind, the global tourism body can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact the sector has on the environment.
    According to the data, Italy’s Travel & Tourism has continued to grow, whilst reducing its emissions intensity.
    In 2019, the sector accounted for 8.4% of total greenhouse gas emissions across Italy, below the European average of 10.7%.
    But this share dropped even further to 4.2% in 2020, mainly due to the reduced activity in the sector during the pandemic.
    Between 2010 and 2019, Italy’s Travel & Tourism sector’s economic growth decoupled from its greenhouse gas emissions.ADVERTISEMENTDuring this period, the sector’s total contribution to the national economy grew on average 1.1% annually, whilst greenhouse gas emissions increased by just 0.2% per year.
    The figures also show that the sector’s emissions intensity continues to decrease.
    In 2010, Travel & Tourism produced 0.37 kg of greenhouse gases for every €1 generated by the sector in Italy.
    This figure dropped by an average of almost 1% annually by 2019, when Travel & Tourism was at its peak, to reach 0.34 kg per €1 created. In the years that followed, this amount decreased even further, reaching 0.27 kg per €1 in 2021.
    This significant decline illustrates the impact of changes implemented by the Italian government and business leaders to create a more sustainable sector.
    Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Italy’s Travel & Tourism sector is growing strongly. But it has decoupled its economic growth from its greenhouse gas emissions and continues to reduce its emissions intensity.
    “We need continued government support in increasing sustainable transportation. That means electric ground vehicles and ensuring Italy has a good supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. This will have a significant impact on our footprint, minimising our absolute emissions.”
    Energy Usage
    The global tourism body also provides insights on the sector’s energy usage and efficiency, and shows that between 2010 and 2019, the sector’s total energy usage decreased by 0.2% annually, demonstrating that while Travel & Tourism continued to grow, it also became more energy efficient.
    Between 2010 and 2021, the share of low-carbon energy sources in the national energy mix has seen a gradual increase, from 6.1% in 2010, to 9.3% in 2021, whilst the sector’s reliance on fossil fuels as a source of energy also dropped.
    This comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with the latest figures.
    This research was made possible thanks to the partnership between WTTC and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center. Under the Saudi green Initiative, more than 60 initiatives have been launched in the past year, representing more than $186BN USD of investment in the green economy.

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    BOOKING.COM HITS A HOME RUN AS THE OFFICIAL ONLINE TRAVEL PARTNER OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

    Booking.com is pleased to announce it has signed on as the Official Online Travel Partner of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States. With Booking.com’s mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, the goal of this strategic partnership with MLB is to simplify the way Americans plan their unique baseball-inspired travels across the U.S.As part of this long-term partnership, Booking.com is now the presenting sponsor of the American and National League Division Series, too.
    A recent survey conducted by Booking.com revealed that almost half (49%) of U.S. baseball fans plan to travel to at least one MLB game this year with (61%) of respondents saying they are willing to travel up to 500 miles to do so. Booking.com, the global travel leader, is committed to helping travelers navigate their baseball trips by offering the widest selection of places to stay – from slick city apartments and vacation rentals in MLB cities to ballpark-adjacent hotels for those looking to stay near their favorite team’s stadium on gameday. Research performed by Booking.com also revealed that an overwhelming majority (81%) of respondents would rather travel to see their MLB team win the World Series, than win a holiday trip to their rival team’s state.
    Having been on the forefront of technology for over two decades, MLB offers fans numerous ways to engage with the sport, from the MLB app to MLB.TV and MLB.com, across mobile & connected devices, and through social media platforms. Aligning with MLB’s innovation-friendly approach to support baseball fandom and to lead off the partnership, Booking.com plans to make the process simpler for fans to book trips to games with an easily accessible Booking.com icon across Clubs’ digital schedule pages. These icons will direct fans to search and book properties near Major League stadiums.
    The top three deciding factors for Americans booking a trip to attend an MLB game are price (63%) relative to the amount they’d be willing to spend to travel to a game (48% say they would spend under $400) to the location in relation to the stadium (49%) and transportation to and from the property (21%). Booking.com offers something for everyone with great deals and stays at a variety of price points and conveniences such as free cancellation and custom maps that showcase properties in relation to key locations. Booking.com also features filters to find options with transportation, on-site parking and more all making the trip-booking experience with Booking.com more convenient.
    “Booking.com continues to invest in the U.S. market with our official sponsorship of Major League Baseball, showcasing our latest commitment to making it easier for Americans to find and book the perfect trip,” says Ben Harrell, Managing Director, U.S. at Booking.com. “With a variety of property options across the country in MLB cities – from hotels to vacation rentals and more – plus a user-friendly app, Booking.com looks forward to bringing baseball trips to life for fans, helping them with their travels as they enjoy America’s favorite pastime with family and friends.”ADVERTISEMENT“We are excited to welcome Booking.com to the MLB family of partners,” said Noah Garden, MLB Chief Revenue Officer. “With over 2,000 games across the country every summer, our fans love traveling to experience the incredible Major League atmosphere at our beautiful ballparks. We hope this partnership with Booking.com can make that experience all the more enjoyable.”
    Throughout the long-term partnership, Booking.com and MLB hope to develop inspiring and innovative ways for baseball fans across America to make the most of their travels – whether for rivalry games, events like All-Star Week or the National League and American League Division Series presented by Booking.com. As the season gets into full swing, fans can search for properties in MLB cities on Booking.com offering Getaway Deals, saving 15% on stays between April 4 and September 28, 2023.

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    WTTC data reveals Portugal’s Travel & Tourism sector’s climate footprint

    New groundbreaking data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center reveals the climate footprint of the Travel & Tourism sector in Portugal.In one of the largest research projects of its kind ever undertaken, WTTC can, for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact the sector has on the environment.
    According to the data, Portugal’s Travel & Tourism has continued to grow, whilst reducing its emissions intensity.
    In 2019, the sector accounted for 17.8% of total greenhouse gas emissions across Portugal. Whilst this is above the European average, WTTC’s EIR research also shows how heavily the Portuguese economy relies on Travel & Tourism. In 2019, the sector contributed nearly €38 billion, representing almost one fifth of the overall economy.
    But this share dropped eight percentage points, to reach 9.8% in 2020 and 10.2% in 2021, mainly due to the reduced activity in the sector during the pandemic.
    Between 2010 and 2019, Portugal’s Travel & Tourism sector’s economic growth decoupled from its greenhouse gas emissions.ADVERTISEMENTDuring this period, the sector’s contribution to the national economy grew on average nearly 5% annually, while greenhouse gas emissions increased by 4.1% per year.
    In 2010, for every €1 generated by Travel & Tourism in Portugal, the sector produced 0.77 kg of greenhouse gases.
    But this figure dropped by an average annual rate of nearly 1% until 2019, when Travel & Tourism was at its peak, to reach 0.72 kg per €1 created. In the years that followed, this amount decreased even further, reaching 0.59 kg per €1 in 2021.
    This significant decrease clearly demonstrates the impact of changes implemented by the Portuguese government and business leaders to create a more sustainable sector.
    Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Portugal’s Travel & Tourism sector has decoupled its economic growth from its greenhouse gas emissions and continues to reduce its emissions intensity.
    “We know there is still work to be done. To reach our goals and ambitions, we must make bigger and bolder steps to reduce our absolute emissions.“We need continued government support in increasing sustainable transportation. This will have a significant impact on our footprint, minimising our absolute emissions, which will see the sector meet its goals and ambitions.”
    Energy Usage
    The global tourism body also provides insights on the sector’s energy usage and efficiency, and shows that between 2010 and 2019, the sector’s total energy usage increased by only 3.6% annually, demonstrating that while Travel & Tourism continued to grow, it also became more energy efficient.
    Between 2010 and 2021, the share of low-carbon energy in the national energy mix increased from 6.6% to 7.5%, whilst the sector’s reliance on fossil fuels as a source of energy also declined.
    This comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with the latest figures.
    This research was made possible thanks to the partnership between WTTC and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center. Under the Saudi green Initiative, more than 60 initiatives have been launched in the past year, representing more than $186BN USD of investment in the green economy.

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    New research from ABTA shows demand for foreign holidays is back to pre-pandemic levels

    New figures from ABTA – The Travel Association show that 62% of people have been on a foreign holiday since the lifting of the UK’s COVID travel restrictions1.
    Today marks 12 months since the UK Government lifted the UK’s remaining travel restrictions on 18 March 2022. The change on this date meant that all travellers, regardless of vaccination status, no longer needed to take any tests or complete any forms on their return to the UK – making it easier and cheaper for UK holidaymakers returning from an overseas break.
    The new data also show that the demand for travel is now back in line with pre-pandemic levels and is a huge bounce back from the lows of 16% in 2021 when travel was at its most restricted because of measures to control the pandemic2.
    Many of ABTA’s tour operator and travel agent members are reporting record-breaking sales since the start of the year. ABTA’s latest data, which show two-thirds (65%) of people are planning to go on holiday abroad in the next 12 months, indicate that this buoyant demand is set to edge further upward, with more than a third (37%) of people having already booked a break3.
    ABTA says there has been a ‘freedom factor’ driving the return of travel which perhaps explains why, despite the cost-of-living challenges, people are still keen to book a foreign trip. ABTA’s new survey suggests that, for the majority of people, holidays are the ‘non-essential’ item they want to prioritise this year, with 54% saying they’ll cut back on other non-essential costs so they can still afford to go on holiday4.ADVERTISEMENTA strong travel and tourism sector is highly beneficial to the wider UK economy. ABTA research finds that international travel has the potential to lead the UK’s economic recovery, with the outbound sector expected to grow 15% by 2027, outperforming the wider UK economy5.
    Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive said: 
    “What a difference a year makes. One of the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic is now back, and in a big way, with demand for travel reaching pre-pandemic levels.
    “Both our research and reports of strong booking levels from our members show that holidays remain a spending priority for the year ahead, despite the current squeeze on finances. On the whole, people are preferring to adapt their travel plans rather than scrap them entirely, primarily by going all-inclusive, booking early, or holidaying outside of busy periods.
    “A clear focus for the sector will be to continue the recovery by building a more sustainable industry, ensuring people and communities gain the economic and social positives it brings while addressing environmental challenges. Government support in this area will be critical in helping with hard to tackle issues such as decarbonising aviation.”
    (1, 3, & 4) ABTA consumer sentiment research, conducted in February 2023 by Savanta (www.savanta.com) with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 consumers.
    (5) Source is ABTA’s joint report with UKInbound, International Travel: Powering the UK economy, which outlines the value of international travel to the UK economy in terms of supporting jobs, economic contributions and taxes paid to HM Treasury.

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    UK to Introduce Travel Authorisation Requirement in November 2023

    The United Kingdom authorities have announced that the country will introduce a travel authorisation requirement – the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) – in November 2023, but this will not apply to EU nationals until next year.An ETA is a new requirement that will start to apply soon to all those who do not need a visa to enter the UK, and based on the data provided by the government of the UK, nationals of the EU won’t have to get an ETA until after February 2024, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
    The UK government has already announced that nationals of Qatar will need to get an ETA from November 15, 2023, to travel to the UK.
    Moreover, the same said that nationals of another six countries – Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates – will need to get an ETA from February 22, 2024, and stressed that more countries would be added to the scheme later.
    This means that since none of the EU countries is part of the list yet, EU citizens will not be required to get an ETA this year.
    All people who get an ETA once they are required to do so will be allowed to enter and stay in the UK for up to six months to visit family or friends, as well as for business, travel, or study purposes.ADVERTISEMENTMoreover, those who get an ETA will also be allowed to enter and stay in the UK for up to three months on the Creative Worker visa concession, and they will also be permitted to transit through the UK.
    The application for an ETA will need to be made on the UK ETA app or online through the official website of government.
    According to the UK authorities, the processing times will be around three working days. However, depending on whether the authorities need to carry out further checks, it might take more or fewer days.
    “You’ll need to apply on the UK ETA app or online on GOV.UK. You’ll usually get a decision within three working days, but you may get a quicker decision. It may take longer than three working days if we need to make further checks,” the statement of the UK government.
    As for the exact cost of an ETA, no information has been made available yet, but the price is expected to be lower than when applying for a visa. Each traveller will have to apply for their own ETA, including children, and once the application is approved, everyone will receive an email confirmation.
    By introducing the ETA, the UK wants to strengthen its borders and security further. Several other countries have similar systems in place, and the EU is expected to launch one soon, too – the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

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