Europe Tourism News
US travel to Europe: set for recovery or still in the doldrums?
As the global economic situation remains volatile and the demographic make-up of the USA alters, we can expect changes in the way Americans travel.
European leaders agree new framework to promote destination
Antonio Tajani, vice-president of the European Commission and Petra Hedorfer, president of the European Travel Commission, have signed a historic Joint Declaration between the two organisations, which sets out the basis for strengthening the image and promotion of ‘Destination Europe’ in the future.
Roaming costs fall as EC offers tourists protection
Travellers in Europe are set to see the cost of calls and texts fall as the European Commission introduces limits on charges. Under the new rules – which came into effect over the weekend – the maximum retail prices for roaming calls will fall from the current 39 cents to 35 cents per minute for calls made and from 15 cents to 11 cents per minute for calls received.
Estonia welcomes the Euro and becomes a European capital of culture
January 1st 2011 sees the northern European country of Estonia become the latest country to adopt the Euro and enter its 12 months as one of two European Capitals of Culture in 2011, the largest cultural event in the history of Estonia with over 7000 cultural events planned.
European hoteliers on an upward path to recovery
Hoteliers in Europe have seen revPAR growth accelerate each month since December last year, with September posting the strongest yet, up 16.8 percent. This enabled the region to secure a 9.5 percent revPAR rise year-to-September to €64, compared to €58 during the same period in 2009, with occupancy the main driver of growth.
Med package holidays a third cheaper
Package holidays to European destinations are being cut by up to a third as tour operators bid to lure cash-strapped customers. Family favourites Cyprus, Spain and Turkey have experienced the biggest cuts, whilst the fall of the euro against sterling has led to budgets in resort now stretching further.
OAG reports rise in airline traffic
Overall global airline capacity grew for the sixth month in succession during February, according to the latest figures from OAG Aviation.
London tops European hospitality
London has come out top in study into European hotel occupancy rates. The quarterly report by Deloitte proved grim reading, with revPAR rates across Europe down 19.2% over the past quarter to €58, with Glasgow and Edinburgh the only two cities to show positive occupancy growth.
US step closer to visitor fee
The US has moved a step closer to charging travelers who do not require a visa a $10 fee to enter the country.
First Rate Exchange reveals UK international Travel Trends
With the peak summer travel period now underway new research from First Rate Exchange Services has revealed some interesting variations in the UK’s international travel trends.
UK’s West Country benefits from downturn
Responding to the latest provisional International Passenger Survey* findings, which reveal that Brits took 16% fewer overseas trips in the first four months of the year compared to 2008, Alan Taylor, Managing Director of Blue Chip Vacations, the South West’s leading luxury self-catering holiday property business, said: “The fall in overseas travel is having a positive effect on UK tourist-related businesses that are able to provide high-quality experiences at competitive prices.
Europe suffers worst of global aviation slump
Airlines globally will offer the lowest number of flights in the second half of this year since the same period in 2005 due to the downturn, according to new figures from OAG, but remain some 20 percent higher than 2001.Airlines will offer 3.67% fewer flights and 2.76% fewer seats than they did a year ago. Europe has been worst hit, with departures down 7.3% compared to H208 with capacity down by over 6%.