Author: Shawon Hannan

Leicester railway station in the UK has recently opened after completing facility improvements that were jointly carried out by Network Rail, a company that operates the railway network in the UK, and East Midlands Trains, a UK-based train operator. The redevelopment project, worth around £6 million, included an enhanced station entrance area with an open-plan retail space, a revamped ticket office, updated signage, a new information kiosk, a renovated concourse, renovated station platforms, and remodelled public spaces and restrooms. Martin Frobisher, the Network Rail route managing director for the East Midlands, said, ‘The work has made the station more accessible,…

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), a UK-based travel agency association, is offering a new checklist for travellers. The ‘Your Protection Checklist’ advises consumers on the holiday booking process and offers guidance on the documentation required for safe travel. The list will be updated from time to time to reflect the changes brought in by the government through reforms, and will also include the ATOL financial protection scheme. Mark Tanzer, the ABTA chief executive officer, said, ‘ABTA welcomes the implementation of ATOL Certificates as a helpful step forward in providing consumers with evidence of their protection under the ATOL…

Easyjet, one of the largest airlines in the UK, is expected to make a profit for its quarter closing September 30 2012, according to the airline. The airline is also reporting a 5 percent to 5.5 percent increase in revenues per seat for the six months ended September 30, 2012, against an earlier guideline that predicted a lower rate of increase compared to the same period last year. The airline has further reported a capacity growth of 7 percent for the first six months of 2012, compared to the same period in 2011. Although business in Europe remains uncertain from…

Michael O’Leary, the outspoken boss of Ireland-based budget airline, Ryanair, has said in an interview that holidays are waste of time. Despite his company relying heavily on holiday passengers to fill its flights across Europe, O’Leary told business magazine, Management Today, ‘Holidays are a complete waste of time. I do it because I have a wife and four children who insist that I have to go away every year otherwise they will be traumatised. I try to explain to them they’ll be more traumatised having me there for two weeks.’ Mr O’Leary, who is on record as having said that…

When you want to travel, one of the most expensive elements of your trip will be the price of your accommodation. It’s costly enough to sort out your travel expenses just to get to where you want to go, as well as buying food and paying for sightseeing and activities once you arrive. So imagine how cool it is to get free board in some of the most exciting and interesting places in the world, courtesy of the new travel trend of couchsurfing. A fabulous, fun travel experience When you go away from home, you may just want to lounge…

While Sweden is undoubtedly a very beautiful country that can boast many beautiful cities, it can also get very cold. Wrapping yourself up in some warm clothes is thus a necessity no one gets around. Travelers to Sweden need this knowledge so as not to get distracted from the beautiful sights and locations by shivering and trying to constantly warm themselves up again. It would be very unfortunate to visit Stockholm, which is spread out across 14 islands, and Gothenburg, which is Sweden’s biggest port, and not to see anything of the stunning architecture. Not only the cities, but also…

UK Transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, has announced the cancellation of the contract awarding the West Coast mainline rail franchise to First Group. The government has scrapped the contract after an investigation by the UK Department for Transport discovered major flaws in the franchise process. Virgin Trains, a UK-based train company, had earlier commenced court proceedings against a decision by the Department of Transport to award the West Coast Main Line franchise to FirstGroup, a Scotland-based transport company. Virgin Trains has been operating the railway service since 1997, but the Department for Transport awarded the new franchise contract for December 2012…

Value Individual Parking, a personal parking specialist at Heathrow Airport in the UK, has announced the launch of new website for its customers. The new website is offering a range of services, including a link to the company’s affiliate at Gatwick airport, as well as information on security and the quality of the service offered. Customers will be able to book a Meet and Greet Parking Heathrow service, where the company take responsibility for parking the car, provide guidance to the check-in counters, and will be available at the airport arrival terminal with the car when the customer returns. The…

British Airways, the UK based airline, will be partnering with Canada-based low-cost carrier, Westjet. The airline is currently offering code sharing on flights from Toronto, Calgary and Montreal, to Ottawa, Edmonton and Victoria. Passengers flying to Toronto, Calgary and Montreal airports in Canada will be flying with the airline from UK destinations, predominantly London Heathrow Airport. The customers of both airlines will be able to book fares on each other’s websites and receive frequent flyer miles on code-shared routes. Lynne Embleton, the director of strategy and business units for British Airways, said, ‘Our partnership with WestJet is great news for…

Papua New Guinea is to make its debut as an exhibitor at the World Travel Market event, which takes place at London’s Excel Arena between November 5 and 12 this year. The growing popularity of Papua New Guinea as a tourist destination has already seen the country’s Tourism Promotion Authority open a London office this year, and exhibiting at the major London travel show was a natural development for the local team. A number of tour operators are already featuring Papua New Guinea in their programmes, keen to capitalise on the growing tourist interest in a nation that can provide…