Travel news live: Latest green list update as Caribbean nations at risk of turning red

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A number of Caribbean islands are at risk of joining the red list in an upcoming travel update, while a few are expected to go green, according to expert analysis.

Given the latest COVID-19 case rates, experts have predicted that Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Dominica, as well as the North African nation of Morocco, could be downgraded from yellow to red in the UK government’s review of traffic light listings, expected later this week.

The analysis by the PC agency also suggested that eight green destinations could move to amber, the Telegraph reports: Israel, Croatia, Madeira, Lithuania, Montserrat, Anguilla Islands, Antigua, Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean.

Only five destinations were expected to be in the green upgrade queue from Amber: Poland, Bhutan, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, 82 “cowboy” travel-testing companies have issued warnings due to misleading pricing announcements.

Sajid Javid, the health minister, said 82 companies had been sent a two-strike warning while another 57 had been removed from the ‘find a travel test provider’ page on gov.uk.

Read the latest travel updates below:

View Key Points Last Updated 1629728959 The Bank’s Holiday Trips to Pre-Pandemic Levels

AA research revealed that bank holiday road trips are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this weekend.

Feedback from 14,759 AA members last week showed 42 percent had planned or were considering a bank holiday. That points to 13.3 million vehicles on road trips to celebrate the end of summer.

That’s up significantly from the 37 per cent of road-goers on last year’s bank holiday, but it’s back to where the UK was in 2019.

Overall, also taking into account those making regular weekend trips, UK roads will have to handle 18.4 million vehicles on the go at some point in the three days.

The weather is always the deciding factor in determining where people spend their banking vacation. However, AA research suggests that local traffic may be heavier this time around,” says Edmund King, president of the AA.

“There are likely to be significant delays on the roads as holiday traffic mixes with sports or shopping excursions. Drivers are advised to check their cars before getting out.”

Helen Covey Aug 23, 2021 15:29

Join us for a free virtual Q&A session for travel this week

Are you wrestling with the green list? Angry with Amber’s menu? Annoyed by the red list?

Join The Independent’s travel team for a lunchtime live event, where they’ll answer your burning questions on holiday ahead of the government’s next update of traffic light listings.

It is understood that the next update of the travel traffic light system will be announced by the government on August 25 or 26.

To help understand what may be changing, travel reporter Simon Calder and travel editor Helen Covey will be on hand on Wednesday, August 25, for a half-hour from 1 p.m. to go through as many reader inquiries as possible. From testing to crossing, vaccinations to quarantine, the team will decipher the latest rules to help you plan your next trip.

Click below for more information and to register for this free event:

Helen Covey Aug 23, 2021 15:02

1629726280 Interest in international travel is gaining momentum

New data has been released showing strong demand for international cross-border travel.

Trip.com’s group search data from its Ctrip platform reveals that Chinese travelers are showing a growing interest in traveling to Europe, with a surge in searches for European flights and hotels this summer.

Compared to searches in 2021 before the summer (January 1 – June 20), Ctrip search volume for European flights grew more than 150 percent in July, continued to rise in August, peaking August 12th is 320 percent more than before the summer volume.

Likewise, Ctrip user searches for European hotels increased sharply as well. In August alone, searches for European hotels were up 80 per cent compared to the January-June average, with the highest search volume recorded on August 9 at nearly 120 per cent above pre-summer 2021 levels.

“The recovery of global travel is underway, and we are working to strengthen our partnerships in local markets to ensure we are in the best position to support their business recovery and growth along with the return of domestic and international travel flows,” said Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com. Collection.

“We are keen to share our global experience through our local teams to provide the best partner support, as well as provide our users with the most attractive product offerings.”

Helen Covey Aug 23, 2021 14:44

Testing companies have praised the government for kicking “cowboys” off the official list

Commenting on the government’s announcement of the exclusion of scam Covid test providers, Avi Lasaro, CEO of Project Screen by Prenetics EMEA – who is also on the official list of test providers – said: “It’s great to see the government clamp down on rogue testing providers. Who abuse the government menu and mislead vacationers with cheap test offers that do not exist.

“The market for Covid-19 testing is maturing but travelers are not interested in excuses. They expect service and results without compromise.

“Responsible test providers wanted to see cowboys forced out of town so we could restore confidence in the testing process to vacationers.

“But if we want to make it cheaper and safer for passengers, it would be an additional positive step if value-added tax is eliminated on all holiday Covid tests.

“By eliminating VAT in these tests, a family of four traveling to Mallorca can save £182 – which will pay for the trips.”

Helen Covey Aug 23, 2021 14:03

1629721908 What countries can be on the green list?

The next three-weekly review of the UK’s traffic light system is fast approaching.

The update is expected on or around August 25, with more countries likely to be added to the government’s green list of “safe” holiday destinations.

There are 36 countries and territories ranked green at the moment. But who are the top contenders for the promotion of Amber this time around?

Poland, Bhutan, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Saudi Arabia have all been described as destinations with numbers low enough for Covid to warrant a move to the green list.

Read The Independent’s full explainer to learn more:

Helen Covey Aug 23, 2021 13:31

1629717654 Spike Inn Brits book last-minute bank holiday stays in August

Today is the day most Brits book a bank holiday stay at the last minute, according to new data.

Warner Leisure Hotels revealed the date after discovering a significant increase in bookings each year over the past five years.

The increase in last-minute bookings tends to occur four days before the bank holiday weekend, with bank holiday bookings increasing 50 percent on this date compared to the previous week, and 57 percent more than the same day the previous week.

This makes August 23 the day the hotel chain is anticipating a sharp rise this year.

Simon Thompson, managing director of Warner Leisure Hotels, said: “We weren’t entirely surprised to see a rise in holiday bookings four days before a bank holiday over the past half-decade — for many people this long weekend.

“After our year in, many of us are looking forward to enjoying a well-deserved break on the August bank holiday.”

Helen Covey August 23, 2021 12:20

1629716036 British airports take gold, silver and bronze for the worst affected by Covid

New data analyzed by the British Airways Pilots Association (BALPA) suggests that British aviation is suffering more than European competitors.

Ahead of this week’s traffic light system update, Balpa highlights the impact of restrictions on flying in the UK and points to new data showing the UK is lagging behind Europe.

The latest data from Eurocontrol published in mid-August reveals that the three worst affected airports in Europe are in the UK: Gatwick (1), Manchester (2) and Heathrow (3).

British pilots say it is now necessary for the government to announce winter financial support for the sector, including an extension of leave for six months.

Helen Covey Aug 23, 2021 11:53

The cruise line became the first operator to complete international sailing from the UK

The cruise line became the first operator to complete international sailing from the UK.

Unique. Olsen has become the first cruise line to complete an international voyage since the cruise resumed, as its vessel Borealis returned to the UK from Iceland this morning.

The new ship set sail for Iceland on Saturday 14 August with about 800 guests on board. It was the first international flight to sail out of British waters since all UK cruise operators temporarily halted operations in March 2020.

Claire Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said: “This is a huge achievement not only for us, but for the cruise industry. Being the first international sailing, this cruise was not without challenges, but we worked closely with the Icelandic authorities to ensure everything went smoothly and, of course, safely. , whether to our guests and crew or those who live and work in the ports.

“It’s the first time in 17 months that anyone has been able to explore overseas on a cruise again, and our destination team has worked closely with beach tour providers to help as many guests as possible have safe and authentic beach experiences and enjoy nature. .the wonders of Iceland.”

Helen Covey Aug 23, 2021 11:03

Snowdonia tourists urged to ‘respect the mountain’

An increase in the number of walkers on Mount Snowdon in Wales has caused an increase in queues, litter and erosion damage, say local advocates and charities.

About 700,000 visitors are said to have treated Snowdon in the past year – up 40 percent from 500,000 in 2018 – and the effects are already showing.

said John Harold, director of the local conservation group Snowdonia Society.

Harold described the “perfect storm” of an increase in the number of people holidaying within the UK, and an increase in the number of unprepared and unprepared walkers who did not know the etiquette of climbing.

Lucy Takeray, August 23, 2021 10:28

1629709318 When is the next revision of the Travel Traffic Sign Lists?

Previous updates to the government’s green, amber and red lists – the so-called “traffic light” system for international travel – were made on June 3 and 24, July 14 and August 4.

Lists are updated “every three weeks”. The next revision will likely take place on August 25 or 26, with the changes taking effect the following Sunday or Monday.

Amendments to the lists will be reported by public health advice, including the Joint Biosecurity Center’s assessment of the latest data.

Read the full explanation here:

Helen Covey Aug 23, 2021 10:01

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