Author: Shawon Hannan

The UK loves a staycation – 73% of adult holidaymakers are likely to choose a staycation over a traditional holiday abroad, preferring to enjoy adventures in our internationally praised cities, seaside towns and national parks. What’s less likely, however, is for holidaymakers to go on staycations in the winter months. A study by Volkswagen found that only 13% had plans to go on a winter staycation in recent years. This is a crying shame, especially as John Lewis found that the UK was the #1 most-desired holiday destination for Brits in 2024 – with 40% of the 2,000 surveyed listing…

Uber for Business study reveals what matters most to frequent taxi users Comfort and short wait times have topped the list of priorities for business travellers when ordering taxis and private hire vehicles, according to a new survey by Uber for Business, Uber’s corporate travel management platform.    Research, carried out with 250 frequent taxi and private hire users in the UK, found that more than eight out of ten (82%) thought it was important they had enough comfort to ward off fatigue when travelling. A third (31%) of business travellers also placed comfort in their top three priorities – a figure only…

Travel experts at Seine River Cruises analysed data from skiresort.info and booking.com to identify the most cost-effective ski resorts in France.   With Black Friday just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to grab incredible travel deals. Airlines like British Airways, easyJet, and Virgin Atlantic are offering massive discounts on flights to popular destinations across Europe and beyond. British Airways is offering UK and Europe flights from just £39, along with discounts of up to £300 on holiday packages. easyJet is slashing up to £200 on package holidays, while Virgin Atlantic has savings of up to £25 per person and additional discounts for…

Emaar Properties has announced the completion of a revolutionary façade lighting upgrade for Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. This dynamic RGBW lighting system, integrating cutting-edge technology with the building’s architectural artistry, will debut during the UAE’s Eid Al Etihad celebrations on December 1, 2024, and set the stage for Burj Khalifa’s 15th anniversary on January 4, 2025. The upgrade transforms the iconic façade into a stunning visual spectacle, offering a wide spectrum of vibrant colours and effects, enhancing the guest experience while reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global leader in innovation and design excellence. The process was…

Starting in April 2025, Finnair will introduce a new route to Northern Norway, connecting Helsinki with the town of Kirkenes via Ivalo. This service will operate three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. As Finnair’s northernmost destination, Kirkenes joins Tromsø and Bodø in the airline’s Northern Norway network, which already connects to both Rovaniemi and Helsinki. This new route opens up opportunities for both Finnish and international travellers to explore the scenic region of Northern Norway and its unique experiences. Experience a King Crab SafariKirkenes, often referred to as “King Crab City,” has become a hub for Arctic…

Brazil recorded an inflow of US$6.005 billion (R$34.9 billion) in spending by international tourists in the first ten months of 2024. According to new data released by the Central Bank, the accumulated value for the year represents a growth of 5.9% compared to the same period last year, when US$5.670 billion was recorded. More and more foreign visitors are seeking Brazil as a destination – 5.4 million visited the country until October –, which generates revenue for areas such as food, accommodation, services and the informal economy. In October alone, US$596 million was injected into the country’s economy through consumption…

Nostalgia, personalization, destination hotels, Asia tourism booms, and spontaneous connections set to redefine global travel Travel technology leader Amadeus today released its highly anticipated Travel Trends for 2025, giving a glimpse into the future of global travel. Partnering with travel trends forecasting agency Globetrender and drawing on Amadeus’ proprietary and other leading industry data, the Amadeus 2025 Travel Trends report highlights five key trends promising to reshape the travel landscape in the coming year: “After a year where change has become the backdrop to daily life, travelers are seeking a deeper connection to people and places more than ever,” said Daniel Batchelor, Vice President, Global Corporate Marketing…

Ryan Pearson, Regional Manager for UK & Ireland at Booking.com We’re encouraged to find moments of joy in life to boost our wellbeing. So, when it comes to time off, it’s no surprise that we crave a holiday where every moment feels fulfilling. This desire is what we found when we surveyed travellers across 33 countries to understand what it is they’re looking for from their travels in 2025. Next year will see travellers maximising their holidays from the moment they leave their homes to when they begrudgingly return. Understanding this shift, and offering unique experiences in response, will help…

As Christmas approaches, a spa break makes the perfect gift for that much-needed winter getaway. A new study by beauty and wellness marketplace Fresha, using data from Booking.com, reveals which UK regions offer the most affordable winter spa stays. The research focused on hotels with a ‘Spa and Wellness Centre,’ calculating the average cost of a two-night weekend stay for two adults between November and January. It also considered the price for a solo traveller and the average ratings for each region. The top five cheapest UK regions for a winter weekend spa stay for two adults RankUK regionAverage price of a winter weekend…

A new study by Westgate Palace Hotel at Universal has revealed the top wildlife attractions in Florida for great family fun, with McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary coming out on top. The study combined Tripadvisor ratings and reviews to identify the highest-rated wildlife attractions based on their percentage of ‘excellent’ reviews and overall visitor sentiment based on the percentage of reviews that mention things such as ‘kids love it,’ ‘worth the money,’ and ‘pricey.’ Florida’s top wildlife attractions: RankAttractionPercentage of Excellent ReviewsTotal ReviewsReviews Rated ‘Excellent’1.McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary 96.39%3,571 3,442 2.Zoological Wildlife Foundation85.78%2,102 1,803 3.Brevard Zoo70.45%2,626 1,850 4.St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park67.55%4,037 2,727 5.Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium64.40%4,418 2,845 6.Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens64.31%3,292 2,117 7.Lion Country Safari61.36%1,959 1,202 8.Flamingo…