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Transatlantic corridor in doubt as EU recommends US travel curbs

rome - Getty
rome - Getty

The EU has removed the US from its Covid safe list for non-essential travel, further dampening hopes for the opening of a transatlantic corridor. EU countries may decide to tighten entry rules for US arrivals based on this change in advice.

“Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia and the United States of America were removed from the list," a statement from the European Council said.

This move to halt non-essential travel from the US follows a rise in Covid numbers in the country – its seven-day infection rate is now 337 per 100,000 people; the UK’s is 331, for comparison. Meanwhile, travellers who have been in the UK or the EU in the 14 days before arrival are still banned from entering the US.

Tori Emerson Barnes, US Travel Association executive vice president of public affairs and policy, told trade publication Travel Weekly that the EU's advice was a “disappointing development following the boost in inbound visitation by vaccinated travellers that many EU countries experienced this summer”.

He added: “We encourage the EU to remain open to vaccinated Americans, and likewise urge the United States to take immediate steps to begin welcoming vaccinated individuals and restoring our travel economy.”

Scroll down for the latest travel news.


05:00 PM

What we learned today

That’s all for today, here’s a recap of Tuesday’s headlines:

  • Transatlantic corridor in doubt as EU recommends US travel curbs

  • Italy lifts quarantine rules for double-jabbed Britons

  • Tui cancels holidays to Jamaica due to Foreign Office advice

  • Costly PCR travel tests 'here to stay'

  • US raises travel alert for European countries

  • Heathrow arrivals face another day of delays

Tuned back in tomorrow for more of the latest travel news.


04:44 PM

Heathrow: Waiting times 'unacceptable'

Heathrow Airport has responded to passengers on Twitter, who have aired their frustrations over long queues and delays today, to reaffirm their calls on the Government to address delays at immigration desks, due to "additional spot checks to ensure passenger compliance with the UK Government’s latest entry requirements" as a "matter of urgency."

The PA reports that a Home Office spokeswoman said: "Our utmost priority is protecting the safety and health of the public and we will never compromise on security, and on ensuring passengers are compliant with the current health measures, which means passengers will need to accept an increase in the time taken to cross the border."


04:31 PM

Heathrow arrivals face another day of delays

For the third day in a row arrivals at Heathrow have complained about lengthly queues at the border and a lack of social distancing in the arrivals hall.

Travellers have taken to social media to share their experience. One passenger called the queues “shameful treatment of families,” while another called on the airport to “try harder.”


04:14 PM

In focus: USA

All eyes on are when transatlantic travel might resume for Britons – with further doubt cast today following the removal of the US from the EU’s safe list.

What’s the current situation across the Pond? Let’s take a look at the latest figures.

Cases are on the up:

Over 75 per cent of the population has had one vaccine dose:


03:45 PM

Inside Vanessa Branson's remote Scottish island

In the 1920s when author J.M Barrie rented Scottish island Eilean Shona as a summer holiday home he is reported to have been taken by the “wild rocky romantic island.” Penning the screenplay of Peter Pan while in residence, he had found Netherland.

Now, the island’s owner, and most regular patron, is Vanessa Branson (sister of Richard), who from September is throwing the doors to Eilean Shona house wide open with the launch of a new programme of experience weeks.

Lucy Aspden reveals the spellbinding allure of this remote outpost here.

lucy eilean shona
lucy eilean shona

03:32 PM

Edinburgh Airport welcomes new link with Canada

Canadian airline WestJet has confirmed it will begin operating out of Edinburgh Airport next year, offering a three times weekly service to Toronto.

WestJet will become the latest airline to arrive into the Scottish capital after Virgin Atlantic recently announced it will set up home there.

“We know there is huge interest in North America and Canada in particular, so welcoming a fantastic airline like WestJet to Edinburgh Airport is hugely exciting and we are glad to welcome them to Scotland’s capital,” said Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport.

“People are beginning to plan those family reunions and longed for holidays so we hope new additions where possible will held to satisfy that demand, and the route will also present a great opportunity to strengthen business links.”

The service is due to begin on June 2 2022 and will depart Edinburgh for Toronto on Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays on a Boeing 737 Max.

toronto
toronto

03:20 PM

Mauritius reaches vaccination target for herd immunity

60 per cent of the population in Mauritius is now double jabbed.

The milestone comes ahead of reduced quarantine rules for international travellers in the amber-listed destination. From tomorrow (September 1), vaccinated travellers will be required to spend just seven days in a ‘resort bubble’ hotel, down from 14 days. From October 1, visitors will be free to explore the Indian Ocean island without restrictions from the moment they arrive provided they submit a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival.

Nilen Vencadasmy, Chairman of Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, said:

MTPA is delighted and deeply proud that Mauritius has reached its vaccination target for herd immunity. This is a fantastic achievement by society and government.

Mauritius’ vaccination programme has been fundamental to allowing the country to reopen to international travel, to get tourism up and running again. The herd immunity milestone means that we can proceed to the final stage of our border reopening, when we will remove all quarantine restrictions for travellers, whilst continuing to put public health first – our guiding principle from the very start.


02:59 PM

Delta Air Lines makes full vaccination a condition of employment for new hires

Delta Air Lines said today that full vaccination against Covid-19 will be a condition of employment for 1,500 new flight attendant positions it is looking to fill.

The carrier said all new hires, including current Delta employees who have been accepted into the training program for flight attendants, must be fully vaccinated before their training start date.

The announcement came days after Delta Air said employees who choose not to be vaccinated will have to pay $200 extra per month for their company-sponsored healthcare plan.


02:46 PM

Have your say: Where in Italy are you most looking forward to visiting?

Italy has dropped its quarantine rules for fully vaccinated Britons. What type of Italian holiday takes your fancy?


02:29 PM

Winter air fares will be cheaper than pre-Covid, says Ryanair boss

There will "never be a better time" to book a winter break, according to the boss of Ryanair.

Michael O'Leary said air fares will be "much lower" than before the coronavirus pandemic while demand recovers.

He told reporters at a press conference in central London: "There has never been a better time to go away on winter breaks, (visit) Christmas markets, city breaks, than there will be this winter because there's going to be lots of capacity at very cheap prices."

Mr O'Leary said the airline has seen a "very dramatic recovery in traffic" over the summer.


02:20 PM

‘A drunken rampage in the Arctic with 30 sledge dogs was not my idea of a good time’

arctic dogs

My translator was fond of a tipple, that’s the first thing to say. The second thing to say is that, while we all enjoy a little glass of something every now and then, a full-blooded drinking rampage out in the vastness of the Arctic is not ideal in your translator when it’s -40C and your sledge dogs are also running amok, writes Benedict Allen.

There were warning signs, to be sure. When first I hired the services of Ivan – let’s call him that – it was for a trip to the taiga forests of northern Russia, and I couldn’t help noticing that, come evening, my trusty aide would tuck a vodka bottle into his sleeping bag before retiring early. But there again, we all have our idiosyncrasies. Besides, Ivan had a wonderful air about him, an irrepressible charm and intelligence that would make him, I felt, the perfect interpreter for my forthcoming venture, a 600-mile slog through Chukotka, over in the Russian Far East.

Read his story here.


02:10 PM

Jet2 adds aircraft to fleet

Jet2 has announced a deal to buy dozens of Airbus jets worth $4.9 billion, switching loyalties from US planemaker Boeing as airlines gear up for a travel rebound in Europe.

Jet2 plc’s Executive Chairman Philip Meeson said:

We are delighted to have placed this order with Airbus and are proud to operate this aircraft which has more seats, provides additional operating benefits through lower fuel consumption and is, in our opinion, the most efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft in its class today – it will ensure our Customers have a wonderfully comfortable and enjoyable experience as they travel with us for their well-deserved holidays and can enjoy Real Package Holidays from Jet2holidays or scheduled holiday flights with Jet2.com that are increasingly more environmentally sustainable for many years to come.


01:56 PM

Six need-to-know survival tips for hiking holidays

Anthony Peregrine is no Bear Grylls – but he will go hiking, if certain conditions are met. His advice includes trying a ...

Medieval rhythm

Walk at a peasant’s pace along peasant paths and you get an inkling of what the countryside means. The woodlands, for instance, feel fine as autumn turns the leaves up bright before they dim for winter. And distant Auvergnat lakes such as Aydat and Guéry appear distant only because you’ve approached on tracks established a millennium ago. The middle of nowhere is a great place to be as long as you remember it’s somewhere for farmers. The landscape has a different grammar for them. Along the Gardon, I revelled in an air still scented with thyme, rosemary and lavender in the final stretch of summer. The sky was huge, the light clear and the dryness palpable. Heady for me; a catastrophe for drought-struck local fruit growers.

Read his tips in full.


01:40 PM

Which countries are on the green list?

The latest traffic light changes came into effect on Monday. If you're planning a trip abroad, the first leg of your pre-trip research will be to check which category your chosen destination falls under.

See the full green list, amber list and red list.


01:16 PM

U.S. adds Canada to its 'reconsider travel' advisory list

he U.S. State Department has raised its travel advisory alert for Canada to a "level 3 – reconsider travel" status amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it said in a statement on Tuesday.

The department, along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on Monday warned against travel to Switzerland, among other countries because of rising cases of the novel coronavirus.

toronto - Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images
toronto - Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images

01:07 PM

UAE caps cost of PCR tests

The United Arab Emirates have put a AED50 (less than £10) cap on the price of PCR tests, reports trade publication Travel Weekly.

The previous limit was AED65 in Abu Dhabi and AED150 in Dubai, with rates differing in the other emirates.

Clinics must deliver results within 24 hours under the new rules. The cost of PCR tests has been reduced several times by UAE authorities to ensure that they remain affordable. Free tests are also offered to some groups.


12:50 PM

Oman says only vaccinated travellers to be allowed in

Oman said on Monday only vaccinated people will be allowed to travel to the sultanate in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Omani state news agency said the decision would be applied to all countries without exception


12:42 PM

This South West county has been overlooked for too long

Two of Wiltshire’s villages have been named the best to visit in the UK, with Avebury being crowned the favourite town or village by Which? readers and Castle Combe coming in joint second place, alongside Wells in Somerset, writes Natalie Paris.

The sleepy village of Avebury is encircled by Neolithic henges  - Getty
The sleepy village of Avebury is encircled by Neolithic henges - Getty

It all just makes me wonder though, why Wiltshire is so rarely seen as a first-choice weekend getaway. Despite its key sights – which include Longleat for families – the county generally seems to be somewhere that people drive through on their way to somewhere else.

Wiltshire is renowned for its remarkable prehistoric and medieval history, but it seems to have dropped off the radar in recent years. With a grand manor house in nearly every town, thanks to a once-thriving wool industry, and 40 per cent of the county designated an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), could Wiltshire’s problem be that it is just too nice?

Read the full story.


12:32 PM

In focus: Italy

Italy has dropped quarantine rules for fully vaccinated Britons making the amber-list country an appetising option for a late-summer or autumn escape for much of our nation.

Are you planning a trip to Italy? Get up to speed with Covid rules and guidance for holidaymakers here.


12:28 PM

Hawaiian capital to require Covid passports

The mayor of Honolulu has said that the Hawaiian capital city will require people visiting restaurants, bars, museums, theaters and other establishments to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative Covid-19 test.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi said the program called "Safe Access Oahu" takes effect on September 13. Honolulu joins other cities such as New Orleans, New York, San Francisco and the territory of Guam that have implemented similar requirements.

Children under the age of 12 will be exempt. Employees of the establishments will have to show proof of vaccination or undergo weekly testing, Blangiardi said. He said businesses that don't comply could be fined or potentially shut down.

"This is a common sense, logical approach. We've been very much in favor of life going on," Blangiardi said.


12:16 PM

In pictures: Storm Ida hits America’s Gulf coast

Our thoughts might be focussed on when holidays to America will resume, but locals on the Gulf coast are dealing with the impact of Tropical Storm Ida, which hit the likes of Mississippi and Louisiana yesterday.

The category 4 hurricane has killed at least two people and destroyed homes.

US-WEATHER-STORM -  PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP
US-WEATHER-STORM - PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP
Hurricane Ida in Louisiana -  SCOTT CLAUSE/ REUTERS
Hurricane Ida in Louisiana - SCOTT CLAUSE/ REUTERS
Kiln, Mississippi -  Sean Rayford/Getty Images North America
Kiln, Mississippi - Sean Rayford/Getty Images North America

12:00 PM

Lunchtime read: The secret part of Norway that everyone misses in the rush to the fjords

Trondelag

Socially distanced by default, Norway has – compared with so many European nations – largely kept the coronavirus under control. But although it has been on the UK’s green list for a few weeks, borders only opened to double-vaccinated travellers from England, Wales and Northern Ireland on August 18. (Scottish visitors must still quarantine on arrival.) Partly in response to the pandemic, Original Travel has created a “Reconnect” tour based around the Trondelag region.

Without deep fjords or skyscraping peaks, central Norway is often passed over. But it’s a place where people have learnt to live with their landscape, embracing fertile soils and clear waters, with an entrepreneurial spirit in the air.

Read more here.


11:44 AM

Ryanair announces 14 new routes from London this winter

Ryanair has revealed its schedule for the upcoming winter season, including the addition of 14 new routes from London.

Passengers flying from Stansted airport will now have the option to fly to Helsinki, Stockholm and Zagreb this autumn/winter. New routes from Luton include Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Naples, while flights to Malaga will launch from Gatwick.

The growing schedule will create over 500 new jobs, from pilots to engineers, according to the airline.

“Ryanair is committed to re-building the London’s tourism industry, jobs and connectivity as we grow across Europe and recover air travel to pre-Covid levels,” said CEO Michael O’Leary.

“As vaccinations rise and consumer confidence returns, Ryanair again calls on the UK Govt to scrap PCR tests for fully vaccinated arrivals and also to suspend APD (air passenger duty), to allow airlines and airports quickly recover connectivity, jobs and tourism in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.”

To celebrate the launch the airline has launched a £19.99 seat sale, running until midnight on September 2.

Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria

11:31 AM

Cornwall 'cut off' from rail network

Plymouth and Cornwall remain "cut-off" from the rest of the rail network following a lorry crash.

The lorry first got stuck some time just before 3:30pm on Monday, hitting a railway bridge in Mannamead.

Network Rail have since confirmed that train services would remain affected between Plymouth and Totnes until at least Wednesday, September 1.


11:27 AM

Ireland set to sign off plan to remove all Covid restrictions

Ministers in Ireland are meeting today to agree on a plan that would see all remaining Covid restrictions lifted by the end of October.

The proposals, which could be given the go ahead on Tuesday, are subject to 90 per cent of the adult population being fully vaccinated and cases staying at manageable levels.

Ireland's schedule would see workers returning to offices on a phased basis from September 20. The number of people allowed to attend outdoor sports events and mix in restaurants and other indoor venues would increase from September 6. Live music at weddings and pubs is currently set to resume from Monday.

The proposals would see different rules removed gradually throughout September and October.


11:09 AM

Third Princess ship resumes cruises

Sky Princess, a Princess Cruises ship has set sail with customers for the first time in almost 18 months.

The ship has begun a series of UK domestic sailings from Southampton as the third vessel in the fleet to return to service in the wake of the pandemic, which shut down cruises in March 2020.

Sky Princess is operating for vaccinated passengers only and sailing in UK waters October 5 on short voyages visiting Liverpool, Greenock, Belfast and Portland.


10:53 AM

All California national forests to temporarily close

California is closing all its national forests for more than two weeks as a precaution to "decrease the potential" of more fires.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said all national forests will remain closed until 17 September. It comes into effect on September 1.

The USDA says the dry conditions will continue making the likelihood of further fires a possibility. Only people with special forest service permits or landowners are exempt.


10:39 AM

EU says it has reached goal of vaccinating 70pc of adults

The European Commission said on Tuesday that 70 per cent of the European Union's adult population had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, hitting a target it set at the beginning of the year.

The announcement marks a milestone in the EU vaccination strategy after a slow start, but it also masks big differences among EU countries, with some nations exceeding the 70 per cent goal, while others in the poorer eastern region of the bloc are far behind.

"70 per cent of adults in EU are fully vaccinated. I want to thank the many people making this great achievement possible," the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter.

In January, the Commission said that "by summer 2021, member states should have vaccinated a minimum of 70 per cent of the adult population."


10:28 AM

Skiers, rejoice! The travel rules are finally in favour of ski holidays

With half of the major winter sports destinations now on the green list, hope for the season ahead have been given a much-needed boost, writes Lucy Aspden.

Ski companies are already experiencing bumper bookings for the upcoming season - Digital Vision/Chris Tobin
Ski companies are already experiencing bumper bookings for the upcoming season - Digital Vision/Chris Tobin

If you squint ever so slightly through your goggles there’s a glimmer of white on the horizon. With just over three months to go until the start of the 2021/22 ski season, skiers and snowboarders finally have something to lift their snow-starved spirits – after over 18 months of prohibitive restrictions the travel rules are, at long last, moving in favour of fans of the slopes.

Things began to look up earlier this month when both Austria and Norway were added to the Government’s green list. But last week's addition of both Canada and Switzerland means that four of the big seven ski destinations are now designated as ‘safe’ for travel (the others being amber-listed France, Italy and the US).

Of course, double-jabbed Britons already have the luxury of greater quarantine-free travel to amber list countries – but the latest announcement from Grant Shapps really felt like a turn in the right direction for the winter ahead. If anything, it’s boosted morale within the ski industry.

Read the full story.


10:09 AM

SAS to run Scandinavian ski flights

The Scandinavian carrier SAS will operate a service from Heathrow to Scandinavian Mountains airport from Boxing Day, it has confirmed.

This signals confidence in the return of the winter ski season: the airport seves as a gateway to the Salen and Trysil ski regions in Sweden and Norway.

Stefan Sjostrand, chief executive of resort operator SkiStar, said:

The huge interest for alpine skiing and winter holidays in Scandinavia has seen an increase over the last few years, and despite the ongoing pandemic we are optimistic about the upcoming season as our guests and citizens are being vaccinated.

Furthermore, the accessibility for international skiing enthusiasts will be even more convenient with this new flight from London to our destinations.


09:47 AM

'I was part of the vaccine trial, and now my travel options are worse than yours'

The decision by Croatia and Austria to enforce arbitrary expiry dates on Covid vaccines threatens to close the world off again, writes Lottie Gross, who was part of the Oxford vaccine trial.

lottie gross - Olivia Rawes
lottie gross - Olivia Rawes

In July, Croatia announced it would only allow entry to double-jabbed travellers within 210 days of their last dose of a coronavirus vaccine. On August 18, Austria set a blanket expiry date for vaccine status, too. Now, if you want to travel to the country, it must be within 270 days – just nine months – of your last dose. This, frustratingly, counts me out. It is now exactly 372 days since I was given my last shot of that sweet AstraZeneca, so I won’t be skiing in the Austrian Alps this winter and I certainly won’t get to enjoy a glass of Pošip on the island of Korčula, either. Who knows which country will be next to impose an expiry date – will my Moroccan dreams be dashed?

The spectacularly ironic thing is that I was given my vaccines in spring and summer last year as part of the Oxford AztraZeneca trials. After lockdown came along and bulldozed my entire career, I was inspired to sign up to the trial knowing that a vaccine could prove to be our way out of the chaos and it could save the travel industry from implosion. Just over a year later, we’re now happily using our NHS App to prove vaccine status to enter places like Iceland and Malta, and even get on cruise ships. But with Austria and Croatia setting precedent for an expiry date, I’m worried the world will start closing to me – and other trial participants – just as it began opening up earlier this year.

Read Lottie's piece in full.


09:27 AM

Norwegian Air sees travel rebound ending need to seek more cash

Norwegian Air said on Tuesday that it would not need to raise more cash as the easing of Covid-19 travel restrictions has lifted bookings.

The pandemic sent the airline into bankruptcy proceedings last year, forcing it to terminate its transatlantic network and to cut more than 6,000 jobs to survive. It now has about 3,000 employees.

The company has reported revenue of 591 million Norwegian crowns ($68.3 million) for the first half of 2021, down from 7.1 billion crowns in the same period a year ago. It said it remained focused on preserving cash for the rest of 2021.

"We will very much be ready for the peak season (of 2022), so there is no risk today that we will have to go out and get more capital in the foreseeable future," chief executive Geir Karlsen told Reuters.


09:11 AM

19 unexpected European holiday hotspots

Those who decided to wait for travel rules to ease, or the school holiday rush to subside, may not be planning their next trip abroad.

Chris Leadbeater has helpfully suggested 19 less obvious places to visit in Europe, such The Alentejo in Portugal.

Tucked between Lisbon and the Algarve, the Alentejo is often overlooked by British visitors  - Getty
Tucked between Lisbon and the Algarve, the Alentejo is often overlooked by British visitors - Getty

A fabulous filling to a sandwich shaped by the Algarve on one side and Lisbon on the other, the Alentejo should really be a staple part of British holiday diets. That it is not, though it has over 100 miles of Atlantic coastline, says much about its placid demeanour – agricultural, sleepy, and unimpressed by either the big beach resorts of its southern neighbour, or the urban delights of the capital above (its own key city, Evora, is home to fewer than 60,000 people, and is still partially enclosed by its medieval walls). But as a window on the Portuguese soul, assuming you are in no rush to get anywhere, it’s perfect.

Read the full story.


09:01 AM

Ryanair boss sees 'very strong recovery' for autumn

Ryanair has nudged up its passenger target for the autumn amid signs of a "very strong recovery" in European short-haul flights, Chief Executive Michael O'Leary told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday.

The airline is expected to fly 10.5 million passengers per month in September, October and November, O'Leary said. That compares with a July forecast of an average of 10 million for each of those months.

"As long as there are no adverse Covid developments, things are set fair for a very strong recovery," O'Leary said ahead of a press briefing in Brussels.

Capacity should return to pre-pandemic levels in October, from close to 90 per cent in September and 80 per cent in August, he added. But the airline is likely to fly with an average of 15-20 per cent empty seats on planes this winter compared with 7-8 per cent before the pandemic.


08:46 AM

'I was wrong to think the jabs would save us from those ghastly nose swabs'

Given the vaccines don't prevent transmission, will we be stuck with probes up our noses forevermore, asks Annabel Fenwick Elliott.

annabel
annabel

I didn’t want the Covid-19 vaccine, but I got it anyway, for three key reasons. One, because I was assured it would be selfish not to. Two, because I wanted to be able to travel freely. And three, because I utterly despise PCR tests.

Lateral flow tests, gingerly conducted on oneself, by oneself, are in my experience tolerable, and least relatively cheap. Fine, if you’re doing one to placate a hysterical dinner party host. It’s a shame they are far too unreliable to prove your Covid-free status should you wish to cross the border into another country.

Alas, in recent weeks, there has been increasing evidence to suggest that thanks to one very important development – the jabs failing to prevent transmission of the delta variant – all three of those incentives have withered.

Read the full story.


08:29 AM

Hong Kong's strict quarantine rules threaten to erode allure of financial hub

Hong Kong's government is facing growing pressure from business lobby groups to open borders or risk losing executives and investment as it shows no sign of easing one of the world's strictest quarantine programs.

Working on billion-dollar deals locked in hotel rooms for three weeks is becoming common for bankers in Asia’s financial hub even as counterparts in places like London and New York go straight back to their offices after travel.

Hong Kong's decision in August to increase mandatory hotel quarantine to three weeks for arrivals from most countries has prompted a backlash from banks, hedge funds and traders who say it is hampering new investment into the asset management market and risks setting off a brain drain.

Financial services contribute around 20 per cent to Hong Kong's gross domestic product, government statistics show.


08:26 AM

Camping holidays doubled in August

UK campsites and holiday parks were twice as busy this August as more people get a taste of camping for the first time.

st mawes, cornwall - Getty
st mawes, cornwall - Getty

It has been one of the most noticeable features of the UK staycation boom due to the uncertainty over international travel.

According to the latest figures from outdoor accommodation booking platform Pitchup.com, arrivals at UK campsites and holiday parks this August are more than double than pre-pandemic numbers.

August arrivals this year are up by the highest amount of all at over three times the level of 2019 stays.

Cornwall is the most popular county, as in 2019, and Haverfordwest the most popular town. Based on booking data from almost 580,000 campers this August alone compared to the same period in 2019, regions including the North East and North West of England, along with North and West Wales have all increased in popularity.


08:09 AM

US raises travel alert for European countries

The US raised the travel risk alert for Germany, Switzerland, and several other European countries on Monday, due to the Covid rates in those nations.

Switzerland, Estonia, North Macedonia, Azerbaijan, and St Lucia have been included in the level 4 category, meaning they are among the highest-risk destinations for travellers, according to the latest advisory from the US Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Germany, Canada, and Moldova have been moved up to level 3, "reconsider travel," up from level 2.


08:04 AM

Costly PCR travel tests 'here to stay'

Holidaymakers’ hopes of cheaper trips have been dashed after a health minister said on Friday that PCR tests will stay for the foreseeable future.

Lord Bethell indicated to test providers at a roundtable last Friday that the tests – which on average cost more than £70 – are unlikely to be scrapped in the near future despite calls from Tory MPs for them to be axed.

Senior MPs are pushing for the PCR tests to be replaced by cheaper lateral flow tests for double jabbed holidaymakers returning to the UK from amber and green list countries. At present, all arrivals have to take at least one PCR test on or before day two of their return.

Read the full story.


07:56 AM

Vaccine passports hit by NHS blunders

Up to 700,000 vaccine passports have been affected by NHS blunders, locking many people out of foreign travel, after the wrong data was recorded by health officials, The Telegraph can reveal.

Ministers have said Covid passes – already used for travel to dozens of countries – will become compulsory for entry to nightclubs and large venues by the end of next month.

But hundreds of thousands of vaccine records have now been found to contain errors, including those which have left double-jabbed people without the proof they need.

Read the full story.


07:49 AM

Scramble to evacuate as California fire nears Lake Tahoe

Residents and tourists in communities near Lake Tahoe fled on Monday as a fierce, two-week-old wildfire roared closer to the popular resort destination through drought-parched forests in northern California's Sierra Nevada mountains.

fire in california - Getty
fire in california - Getty

Evacuations in and around the town of South Lake Tahoe came as the U.S. Forest Service said it was taking the unusual step of closing all 18 national forests in California to the public in the midst of a fire season already shaping up as one of the worst on record.

The closure is due to last 17 days, starting Wednesday, and effectively extends a shutdown of nine national forests in northern California that began on Aug. 23 and was due to expire over the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend.

A similar closure of all 18 national forests in California was imposed last September due to what the Forest Service then called "unprecedented and historic" fire conditions. In its latest announcement, the agency cited "fire behavior that is beyond the norm of our experience."

The agency also cited "significantly limited" resources available for wildfire suppression given the scores of large fires burning in California and a dozen other Western states.


07:37 AM

Tui cancels holidays to Jamaica due to Foreign Office advice

Tui has cancelled holidays to the Caribbean country, despite Jamaica remaining on England's amber list for travel following the government update, due to Foreign Office advice.

The Department for Transport's traffic light system and the Foreign Office advice for travel are run separately and have often differed since international travel resumed this year, under a new system, on May 17. Tui announced over the Bank Holiday weekend that it would be cancelling all holidays to Jamaica. A statement on its website said:

Due to the updated travel advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advising against all but essential travel to Jamaica, TUI UK have cancelled all holidays to Jamaica until Saturday 11th September 2021.

Customers currently on holiday in Jamaica can continue their holiday and return to the UK on their planned flight.

Customers will be contacted in departure date order to discuss their options, which will include amending to another holiday with an incentive or cancelling and receiving a full refund. “We’d like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience.


07:26 AM

The 20 greatest destinations in Italy

Italy is a country of year-long delights, and now that fully vaccinated Britons will be able to travel there without quarantine upon arrival, it's the perfect time to get planning.

Nick Trend suggests 20 enticing options for each month of the year, including September in the Italian Lakes.

Holidaymakers have been attracted to the lakes since Roman times, and each has its own special character and appeal. If you’re after a quieter romantic escape, you may be drawn to Lake Orta or Lake Como. Outdoorsy types should head to the northern shores of Lake Garda for canyoning and kite surfing, while Lake Iseo is well-suited to hikers and cyclists. And for opulent hotels, and grand resorts, Stresa, Pallanza, and the Golfo Borromeo of Lake Maggiore are the places to stay. The September weather is usually idyllic.

Read the list in full.


07:15 AM

Italy lifts quarantine rules for double-jabbed Britons

Italy has ditched its five-day quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated Britons, starting from today.

venice - Getty
venice - Getty

Health Minister Roberto Speranza confirmed that he had signed a decree ending the requirement for visitors from the UK from August 31, provided they are double-jabbed and present a negative test upon arrival.

Those who are not double-jabbed will still need to quarantine for five days in Italy, and will have to do the same for up to 10 days on return to the UK, given it remains on the amber list.

Read our advice for travel to Italy.


07:08 AM

Four-hour Heathrow queues after Border Force staff sent to help Afghan refugees

Holidaymakers were hit by four-hour queues at Heathrow Airport over the Bank Holiday weekend after Border Force staff were sent to help Afghan refugees.

Pregnant women and families with young children were among those who had to sit on the floor amid “brutal queues” due to staff shortages, passengers said.

Travellers claimed on social media that only a quarter of passport control desks in Terminals two and five were open to handle hundreds of arriving passengers.

The Home Office confirmed that the delays were caused by Border Force officers being redeployed to help process those fleeing Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the country.

Read the full story.