Real Estate & Travel News in United Kingdom from Propertyshowrooms.com

Nearly 13 million Brits to book a holiday before March

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Despite gloomy economic predictions, a survey has found that nearly 13 million British people have booked or intend to book a holiday between Christmas and the end of February. According...

Easyjet issues buoyant forecast

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Budget carrier Easyjet says its revenues in half year to end-March "will be ahead of previous guidance"...

'Why Heathrow Expansion Is Vital'

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The chief executive of Heathrow operator, BAA, has said it is vital the airport gets a third runway after the Government earlier approved it to the dismay of green campaigners...

Brown caught up in battle over Heathrow expansion

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Brown, who is known to have been a steadfast supporter of the 9-billion-pound project from the start, said Thursday's decision balanced the needs of the economy and the environment...

Eurostar travel hits record level

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Eurostar ticket sales rise by almost 11% in 2008 with passenger numbers up to a new high, helped by the weak pound...

14 new easyJet routes for summer 2009

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

EasyJet has announced 14 new European routes. Nine of the low cost airline's new routes will operate from UK regional airports. As part of EasyJet's UK expansion, the carrier will base an extra aircraft at both Liverpool and Manchester airports.

The first of the new easyJet routes for summer 2009 will start on April 2 and benefit owners of holiday homes in Malta- a twice weekly service from Newcastle to the island. The budget airline will also start the following services from UK airports:

Bristol to Corfu (twice weekly from May 22)
Bristol to Bastia, Italy (weekly from May 24)
Liverpool to Dubrovnik (three weekly from June 2)
Liverpool to Naples (three weekly from June 1)
Liverpool to Bordeaux (three weekly from June 2)
Manchester to Corfu (twice weekly from May 4)
Manchester to Athens (twice weekly from August 1)
Manchester to Bastia (weekly from August 9)

A further two routes will operate to Dubrovnik from Geneva and Berlin. The final of easyJet's recently announced routes are Paris (Charles de Gaulle) to Ajaccio (Corsica), Bilbao to Ibiza and Basel to Bordeaux.

easyJet's chief executive, Andy Harrison, said: "We start the New Year with 14 new routes, which will be popular with sun seekers, city breakers and business travellers alike. We are proud to keep growing in Liverpool and Manchester, where we will base additional aircraft that will boost the local economy, create much needed jobs and give even more destinations at our famously low fares."

This story was brought to you by holidaylettings.co.uk, the UK's No.1 holiday home website.

Virgin Galactic on course to begin commercial space flights in 2011

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The world's first and only private space-liner Virgin Galactic will begin its commercial flights into space in 2011 with 300 passengers already booked for the gravity-defying journeys...

Airlines Slash Fares during Low Season

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Airlines in the region have cut their ticket prices to around 40 per cent to cope with the drop in demand at this time of the year...

British holidaymakers becoming more adventurous

Sat, 3 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A large number of UK people will travel to countries outside the eurozone for their holidays in 2009, the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) has predicted.

With the value of the pound against the euro continuing to slide, British holidaymakers are expected to become more adventurous as they search for budget-friendly breaks.

This could be good news for property investors in locations such as Turkey and Dubai - two of the 'holiday hotspots for 2009' identified by Abta.

Frances Tuke, spokesperson for Abta, commented: "Over the past few years we have seen travellers becoming more adventurous and travelling further afield.

"This will continue in 2009 as non-eurozone countries will offer very good value for money, often at very high standards."

According to a report from Abta and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the number of Britons visiting Turkey has increased by 32% in the past year.

Turkish tourism officials recently stated that the country received visits from over 26 million holidaymakers in 2008.

Visit our off-plan property Turkey page.

Newquay Cornwall Airport reopened

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Newquay Cornwall Airport has reopened for commercial flights. After it was transferred from Military of Defence (MoD) ownership to Cornwall County Council, the airport was closed for several weeks as it had no Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Licence.

Flights to and from Newquay Cornwall Airport recommenced on December 20 following inspections and granting of a licence by the CAA.

Andrew Mitchell from Cornwall County Council said: "We are obviously delighted that we have achieved certification and designation from the Civil Aviation Authority and are now able to open the aerodrome to commercial flights. Cornwall now has an airport to be proud of."

Mitchell thanked passengers for their patience, but advised that they still check with their airline before travel. Air Southwest, British Airways (BA), Flybe, Ryanair, Skybus, Lufthansa and bmibaby all operated services out of Newquay Cornwall Airport prior to its temporary closure in November.

Flybe has given the airport a vote of confidence despite the recent problems. The airline has announced that it will start a new service to London Gatwick from the airport, effective February 15 2009. The direct route will operate three times per day Monday to Friday, daily on Saturdays and twice daily on Sundays.

However, Ryanair had previously said it was cancelling all flights from the airport until further notice, condemning the "incompetence" of Cornwall County Council. The Irish carrier has not yet confirmed when it will be restarting flights from the Cornish airport.

This story was brought to you by holidaylettings.co.uk, the UK's No.1 holiday home website.

Weak pound leads to more holidays in the UK

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Britons are taking more holidays in the UK as the pound continues to fall against the euro. More holidaymakers from mainland Europe are also enjoying UK breaks as a result of the economic situation.

British holidaymakers are increasingly opting to stay at home in the UK instead of travelling to the eurozone. The falling value of the pound means that European destinations are no longer proving cost effective.

Some travellers have received fewer than €100 for £100 at some airport bureaux de changes, according to The Daily Mail. Two years ago the same money would have been worth €145.

The pound's poor performance has led to people thinking twice before booking their holiday overseas, experts claim. Sian Brenchly, a spokesman for VisitBritain said: "We have found that the economic situation is making people take another look at holidays at home.

"We have still got the bucket and spade aspect but we have expanded to be so much more, with the regeneration of seaside areas and cities that can rival overseas destinations."

It is not just Britons who are enjoying UK holidays. Quenton Fyfe of AboutBritain.com explained that the weak pound is helping to attract more European visitors: "It is better value for people from the eurozone than it has been, so it is bound to make us a more attractive holiday destination," he said.

Meanwhile, more Europeans are reported to be enjoying shopping in the UK and taking advantage of the exchange rate. "The strength of the euro has made a huge difference," said Beverley Aspinall of London store Fortnum & Mason.

"More than 70 per cent of the customers in our restaurants were Europeans," she said of a recent weekend's trading.

Roles are also being reversed as an increasing number of Americans come to the UK for Christmas shopping, rather than Britons heading to the US for bargains. At Selfridges on London's Oxford Street spending by US visitors is up 50 to 60 per cent on last year.

This story was brought to you by holidaylettings.co.uk, the UK's No.1 holiday home website.

Air Traffic Down As Pound Plunges

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Overseas travel became even more expensive as the pound fell to a new low against the euro - coinciding with new figures showing a huge drop in UKair traffic since last year...

British people holidaying closer to home

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

European countries such as Spain and France are set to benefit as more UK-based people choose easily accessible destinations for their holidays.

According to go4travel.net, many British people will choose to visit a country in Europe instead of making a long-haul journey for their vacation next year.

The website believes that the worsening economy will prompt UK families to reassess their holiday destinations for 2009, with many people likely to go for perennial favourites such as Spain in order to save money.

"With the credit crunch taking its toll, more families will holiday closer to home next year, opting for destinations such as Spain and France," commented Martin Chiazza, founder of go4travel.net.

The website suggested that the Spanish city of Granada is one destination which is expected to see a major increase in visitor numbers next year.

Chancellor Alistair Darling's decision to increase passenger duty rates means that long-haul flights are set to become considerably more expensive over the next two years, while journeys to closer destinations will see only marginal increases in price.

Visit our off-plan property Spain page.

Heathrow runway stalled amid split cabinet

Fri, 5 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The decision on whether to go ahead with building a third runway at Heathrow was delayed by the government yesterday amid cabinet splits over the controversial project...

Brown announces mortgage repayment deferral to reduce repossessions

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Gordon Brown has announced plans to try and cut property repossessions. Under the new scheme, home owners will be able to defer their mortgage repayments by up to two years.

The government has agreed the £1bn scheme with Britain's eight largest mortgage lenders, including HBOS, Abbey and Nationwide, reports The Telegraph. The move will allow households with mortgages of up to £400,000 to defer interest payments for up to two years.

Home owners who are made redundant or suffer from a loss of income, such as losing bonuses or overtime payments, will be able to benefit from the scheme. It will also be available to two earner households where one person loses their job.

As the scheme only covers interest payments on mortgages, anyone with repayment mortgages will need to switch to interest only mortgages before they can take advantage of it.

Announcing the scheme in the House of Commons, Brown said: "Hard working households that experience a redundancy or severe loss of income as a result of the downturn will be able to defer a proportion of their interest payments for up to two years as they get their family finances back on track.

Housing minister Margaret Beckett added: "This scheme will give households breathing space...and help ensure they do not face or fear repossession. It shares the risk of home ownership at this difficult time."

The exact terms of deferring the payments will need to be agreed between individual borrowers and their mortgage provider. The details of how the missed payments will eventually be repaid have not yet been announced.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has welcomed the move. Director general of the CML Michael Coogan said: "The government's recognition that it needs to offer increased support to help keep more people in their homes is welcome and we will work with ministers to make sure the suggested scheme will help in practice."

This story was brought to you by holidaylettings.co.uk, the UK's No.1 holiday home website.

BA exploring merger with Qantas

Tue, 2 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

British Airways announces that it is discussing a potential merger with the Australian flag-carrier Qantas Airways...

Profits plunge at British Airways

Fri, 7 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Half-year profits at British Airways fall 91.6% to £52m, with the airline blaming "incredibly difficult trading conditions"...

Leona Lewis buys apartment in Hackney

Wed, 5 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Leona Lewis is buying an apartment in Hackney. The X Factor singer grew up in Hackney and was renting in the area before buying a home with her boyfriend.

23 year old Lewis told Hello! magazine that, despite her success in the US, she wants to stay in London's East End near her family.

Lewis explained: "We were renting it but the landlord [told us] 'You have to get out now'. I talked him into selling it to me. When you're really settled it's hard to move."

"I really love the place - it's really private and the neighbours are cool. And it's very close to my parents."

Talking about the option of moving to the US, Lewis added: "I don't think I'd move permanently. I love going to America, there are so many great people there, [but] I'm not sure I could permanently uproot myself from the UK, it would be too hard."

The singer is buying the apartment in Hackney with her boyfriend Lou Al-Chamaa.

This story was brought to you by holidaylettings.co.uk, the UK's No.1 holiday home website.

Holidays are important to consumers

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Consumers in the UK still see a holiday as a very important part of their lives, according to an analyst.

Paul Havenhand, marketing director for Towergate Bakers, stated that travelling abroad for a break is still deemed a priority by many.

This, he said, is despite deepening economic problems, which have led to extra financial constraints on lots of people.

Mr Havenhand commented: "As a nation we continue to work harder than many of our European counterparts, with fewer bank holidays and increasing number of hours worked per week."

He added that taking a week or two away in a foreign destination can be a valuable opportunity for people to recharge their batteries.

This echoes recent comments from Dermot Blastland of TUI Travel UK, who said the economic slowdown is not forcing consumers to give up their trips abroad.

He stated that this is because people now consider a holiday a necessity rather than a luxury.

Britons seek winter sun overseas

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Nearly one in five Britons are planning to venture overseas during the autumn and winter months, according to a new survey.

Research by TripAdvisor found that 18 per cent of people in the UK intend to travel abroad before the end of the year.

The organisation has attributed this to the fact that Britain has again experienced an unseasonably wet summer.

This, it said, has fuelled the popularity of trips to sunnier climes at a time when the cost of travelling is not as high.

Ian Rumgay, communications manager at TripAdvisor, commented: "Autumn is a great time to travel for many people and it would seem that the economic woes are not going to deter them."

This comes after Abbey Credit Cards revealed that the poor weather this summer was disappointing enough to tempt 1.1 million Britons into taking their first foreign holiday in 3 years.

NonEuropean countries attract British visitors

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A growing number of British consumers are choosing to take their breaks outside Europe, analysts have revealed.

According to the Post Office, more and more people from the UK are opting to venture beyond the continent to places such as the United Arab Emirates.

Dubai in particular was flagged up as one popular location, largely because it can be reached in less than 9 hours and suffers "relatively less" from airline fuel charges.

According to Helen Warburton, head of travel at the Post Office, this shift away from Europe shows people want to get as much as they can for their money.

Speaking to the Telegraph, she said: "It is clear from the pattern of bookings this year that holidaymakers will be looking for the best possible value."

This comes after the Association of British Travel Agents called on tourism officials in the UAE to expand their budget holiday sector.

Spokesperson Frances Tuke was quoted by the National as saying that would help it to attract more holidaymakers who have been hit by the credit crunch.

Visit our off-plan property United Arab Emirates page.

Credit crunch will not end foreign travel

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Consumers in the UK are unlikely to let the credit crunch stop them from travelling abroad, an aviation official has stated.

Robin Tudor, general manager of corporate and community affairs at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, said the sector is currently going through a "challenging" time.

However, he believes that while the economic downturn will lead to people cutting back on spending, it does not mean they will abandon their holidays completely.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, he commented: "Holidays are precious to a lot of people.

"Maybe they might tighten purse strings but they will not give up their 2 weeks holiday abroad."

Mr Tudor added that a number of low-cost airlines are continuing to announce new flights to foreign destinations.

The aviation sector is currently dealing with the fallout of the collapse of Zoom Airways and XL Airlines, while Alitalia is currently teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.

This comes after a study commissioned by the Passenger Shipping Association found that the number of Britons using ferries to travel abroad rose by 3.5% during the year to February 2008.

Brits Abroad Shame

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In many parts of Europe this summer the reputation of Brits holidaying abroad has taken a hammering - again - from Spain to Greece and other popular holiday destinations. British newspapers and...

Summer downpours encourage trips to the sun

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The poor weather in the UK over the summer has helped boost the number of foreign holiday bookings, it has been revealed.

According to Bolton-based firm Travel Counsellors, it has seen a significant surge in consumer activity over the last month.

Steve Byrne, managing director of the holiday provider, stated that this is partly because Britain once again experienced an unseasonably wet summer this year.

As a result, many were said to be booking trips abroad for the half-term period and the Christmas and new year break.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Mr Byrne commented: "People still want their holidays."

He added that long-haul destinations are proving to be very popular with British holidaymakers this year, in particular Dubai.

This comes after Holidays-Direct revealed that top-end destinations such as the United Arab Emirates are attracting a higher-than-average number of bookings this year.

The online travel agency believes this is because British consumers want to make the most of their holiday time and ensure that it is a memorable trip.

Visit our off-plan property United Arab Emirates page.

Scottish tourist destinations

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The holidays and flights business has been hit hard by the recent economic downturn. Many hotels, resorts and airlines are cutting costs in an effort to keep their businesses running even when the...

Flybe profits despite fuel costs

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The regional UK airline Flybe has defied the steep rise in the cost of aviation fuel and posted a 14% rise in profits for the first quarter...

Easyjet's passenger numbers rise

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Easyjet says the number of passengers it flew in August this year rose 24% on August 2007...

Learning language could enhance time abroad

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Overseas leisure travellers could get more out of their time abroad if they learn the native language, according to an expert.

Arthur Hoffman, managing director of Expedia Asia Pacific, stated that being familiar with foreign tongues could enhance the experience of being in another country.

He said that as well as helping people to enjoy the culture of their destination, good linguistic skills could also boost a person's job prospects.

Mr Hoffman commented: "Having a second language is associated with being well-educated and is helpful for advancing career opportunities."

He was speaking after research by Expedia Asia Pacific found that 64% of Australians only speak English, despite 76% believing that knowing another language could enhance time spent abroad.

Earlier this week, a study commissioned by the British government revealed that nearly three-quarters of young people would like to live and work overseas.

However, the research also showed that most 11 to 18-year-olds are not fluent in a second language, despite their desire to move to non-English-speaking countries such as Spain.

Visit our off-plan property Spain page.

Virgin looking at buying Gatwick

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Virgin Atlantic confirms it is interested in being part of a consortium to buy Gatwick Airport...

Business travellers boost Virgin

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Record numbers of business travellers have boosted profits at Virgin Atlantic despite sky-high fuel prices...

Britons head to the sun

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Millions of people from the UK are set to escape the wet weather by heading abroad this weekend, experts have said.

According to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta), the country is currently experiencing one of the wettest Augusts in recent times.

Therefore, it believes that consumers will fly out to sunnier destinations in mainland Europe during the bank holiday weekend.

Justin Fleming, president of Abta, commented: "Large numbers [are] escaping to guaranteed sunshine, sandy beaches and warm seas."

He added that the August bank holiday is the traditional "goodbye" to the summer and tends to busy every year.

Spain was identified as the main hotspot for British holidaymakers, just ahead of places such as Cyprus, Turkey and Portugal.

Last month, the European country was named by Abta as the "number one destination" among people from the UK.

This, it said, is despite the relative strength of the euro against the pound.

Visit our off-plan property Spain page

Spanish owners face yet another setback

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When a Ferrovial-led consortium paid more than £16bn, including debt, for BAA two years ago, executives at the Spanish infrastructure group trumpeted the purchase...

Britons travel to luxury destinations

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Holidaymakers in the UK are increasingly booking trips to places traditionally associated with the luxury travel sector.

According to Holidays-Direct, top-end destinations such as the United Arab Emirates are attracting a higher-than-average number of bookings this year.

The online travel agency believes this is because British consumers want to make the most of their holiday time and ensure that it is a memorable trip.

Jon Pearce, spokesperson for Holidays-Direct, suggested that this could be partly because the economy in the UK is faltering, while the weather has also been less than ideal at home.

He commented: "We all need cheering up, so a holiday is a luxury that has become a necessity for many."

Mr Pearce added that people are increasingly planning ahead and booking their trips abroad well in advance.

This comes after TUI Travel revealed that many British tourists are upgrading their holidays to more expensive alternatives.

The firm said his is partly because people are feeling miserable as a result of the economic downturn in Britain.

Visit our off-plan property United Arab Emirates page

Britons spend more on foreign travel

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Leisure travellers in the UK are becoming increasingly willing to spend more on their holidays, it has been revealed.

According to TUI Travel, many British tourists are upgrading their holidays to more expensive alternatives.

This was said to be partly because people are feeling miserable as a result of the economic downturn in Britain.

Average selling prices were found to have gone up by 13 per cent in the last year, which TUI has said is not solely down to cost increases.

Peter Long, chief executive of the firm, commented: "It's a mixture, with customers trading up, which is a positive trend.

"We're seeing strong demand to medium-haul destinations."

Mr Long added that holidays are becoming increasingly important to consumers as fears about a recession at home are becoming very "depressing".

Therefore, many are choosing to escape domestic woes and "recharge their batteries" overseas.

According to the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), consumers now believe a holiday overseas is a vital part of their lives.

The organisation said this is because people believe they are working harder for longer, hence the need for a proper break.

Britons ignoring travel insurance

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

New research has suggested that Britons deliberately stay clear of taking out travel insurance when getting ready to go on holiday. More than a quarter prepare for their summer break and consider it an unnecessary expense. The figure translates into roughly 13.4 million people...

UK to sign four new double taxation treaties

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The UK is to sign four new double taxation treaties next year. The government is also negotiating with several other countries to establish new information sharing agreements.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is preparing to sign new double taxation treaties with the Netherlands, Thailand, Libya and Ethiopia, reports Overseas Property Professional (OPP). The new treaties would come into effect as of March 31st 2009.

Double taxation treaties aim to help UK residents avoid being taxed in two countries when income, such as rental income, and capital gains tax arise in a foreign country. Such treaties are particularly of interest to international second home owners and companies.

"The UK has a comprehensive network of bilateral double taxation conventions and we are committed to maintaining and strengthening this network. These agreements help UK business and investors to remain competitive by providing them with a measure of certainty and stability in their tax affairs," said financial secretary Jane Kennedy.

As well as the four announced new treaties, work on tax information agreements with Brazil, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands is expected to be completed by the end of March 2009.

The UK has double taxation treaties with over 100 countries and the last two years have seen the HMRC sign ones with:

Slovenia
France
Macedonia
The Faroe Islands
Saudi Arabia
Moldova

Furthermore, protocols to double taxation treaties have been signed with Switzerland and New Zealand, and a tax information agreement with Bermuda.

This story was brought to you by holidaylettings.co.uk, the UK's No.1 holiday home website.

Britons travel outside eurozone

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Consumers in the UK are increasingly choosing to shun traditional destinations in Europe, according to a travel firm.

Teletext Holidays said the recent economic downturn in Britain has forced people to consider their finances when booking a trip abroad.

As a result, a growing number are considering issues such as exchange rates and looking for places which offer the best value for money.

Many of the favoured destinations were said to be located outside the eurozone, as the pound has been relatively weak against the single European currency in recent months.

Ash Makkar, marketing director at Teletext Holidays, commented: "The credit crunch has affected our customers' priorities in terms of booking a summer break, as they now demand greater value than ever before."

Speaking to the Guardian, he added that the pound tends to be worth a lot more in countries which do not use the euro.

This comes after Phil Davies of TravelMole told the Telegraph that the strong euro is having a "significant impact" on where people are choosing to take their holidays.

BAA expects forced airport sales

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

BAA, owner of seven UK airports, expects the competition watchdog to order the break up of the company...

Britons determined to travel abroad

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Consumers from the UK are refusing to let the economic downturn force them to cancel their holidays, a new study has found.

Research by e-commerce specialist Avail Intelligence revealed that 57% are not altering their plans as a result of the credit crunch, reports Netimperative.

Indeed, nearly one in five respondents said they could actually spend more on holiday this year than they did in 2007.

Furthermore, just 17 per cent of those surveyed that they would make cutbacks in other areas, such as spending less on books, gadgets and clothes.

Rolf Elmer, chief executive of Avail Intelligence, commented: "It's interesting to see that luxury items are still such a priority."

According to the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), consumers now believe a holiday overseas is a vital part of their lives.

The organisation said this is because people believe they are working harder for longer, hence the need for a proper break.

BA Signs Transatlantic Tie-Up Plan

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

British Airways has signed a transatlantic tie-up deal with US counterpart American Airlines and Spanish carrier Iberia...

Longhaul destinations attract Britons

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Leisure travellers from the UK are increasingly choosing to visit long-haul destinations, it has been revealed.

According to Lonely Planet, less than favourable exchange rates have put many Britons off visiting countries inside the eurozone.

As a result, many have chosen to look further afield towards non-European destinations, which they believe can offer better value for money.

Commenting on this trend, Tom Hall of Lonely Planet said British people have become "increasingly aware" of the financial benefits of travelling outside Europe.

He remarked: "If you want real value when you are in your destination, you need to get outside of the eurozone."

Mr Hall added that people in the UK are not willing to give up travelling abroad, even amid the credit crunch.

This comes after Phil Davies of TravelMole told the Telegraph that the strong euro is having "significant impact" on where people are choosing to take their holidays.

Budget airlines attract more customers-080808

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A budget airline has revealed that it has seen an increase in passenger numbers during the last year.

Figures showed that in July 2008, more than 5.6 million people boarded services operated by Ryanair.

This is 19 per cent up on the amount recorded a year earlier, and brings passenger numbers for the year to July to 54.19 million.

Commenting on the figures, Stephen McNamara of Ryanair said they show that demand for its flights is "rapidly growing".

He observed: "The most significant thing about today's figures is that we carried over 15 million passengers in the last 3 months."

The release of the figures coincides with the news that easyJet has also seen increased take-up of its services over the last year.

According to the low-cost carrier, it transported 4.5 million people in July 2008 - 20 per cent more than during the same point of the previous year.

BAA close to Crossrail contribution

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Talks aimed at pursuading BAA, the airport operator, to put up an estimated £250m towards the new rail link between Heathrow and the City are in their 'final stages', according to sources close to the negotiations...

Travelling abroad easier than holidaying in UK-070808

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Travelling overseas can be much easier than heading to other parts of the UK, an expert has stated.

According to Elizabeth Young, editor of the Travel for Kids guide, said the cost of flying abroad has come down significantly in recent years.

As a result, many youngsters from the UK have never been to a British beach and are more familiar with foreign tourist destinations.

Ms Young commented: "It's easy and cheap to go abroad.

"With inexpensive airlines, families can plan a weekend [overseas] more easily than having to drive to the beach in the UK."

She added that traditional European holiday destinations, such as Italy and Spain, are still very popular with British holidaymakers.

France was also highlighted as one of the main hotspots for families, partly because it easily accessible by train.

A high-speed rail link between London's St Pancras station and Paris was introduced by Eurostar in November last year.

Eurostar sees surge in passenger numbers-070808

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Eurostar has revealed that its monthly passenger numbers went up by nearly a fifth in July.

According to the company, a record 923,000 people travelled on its Channel Tunnel rail links last month.

This is 16.8 per cent higher than the amount recorded during the same period of the previous year.

Eurostar has also revealed that passenger numbers on its London to Brussels service have gone up by nearly a third since its high-speed rail link was introduced last November.

Simon Montague, director of communications at the firm, commented: "We are delighted to break another Eurostar record by carrying an all-time monthly high of passengers."

He added that the figures are significant as they suggest that people are increasingly switching from planes to trains in order to travel to the continent.

According to NuBricks.com, the growth of Eurostar is likely to lead to renewed interest in parts of mainland Europe among overseas property buyers.

Visit our off-plan property France page

Slowdown in air passenger growth

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The number of people travelling on international flights grew at the slowest rate in five years in June, a report says...

Downturn in London tourism industry

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

London investors could be feeling the pinch with the official London tourism authority, Visit London, predicting that tourism levels in the capital will fall in the next few years. Last year, over 25 million people visited London and contributed nearly £16.6 billion towards the travel and tourism industry ensuring that property investors with stakes in hotels...

Foreign holiday is no longer a luxury-020808

Sat, 2 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Taking a trip to another country can no longer be considered an unnecessary indulgence, experts have stated.

According to the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), consumers now believe a holiday overseas is a vital part of their lives.

As a result, they are unwilling to sacrifice foreign trips, even though they are experiencing financial constraints as a result of the credit crunch.

Ian Bradley, spokesperson for AITO, commented: "It's not a luxury - it's a necessity for most people."

He said this is because people believe they are working harder for longer, hence the need for a proper break.

Mr Bradley added that holiday bookings for next year are at already at healthy levels, as people are budgeting for their breaks well in advance.

According to a recent survey by ebookers, only one in ten people in the UK consider a foreign holiday a luxury.

BA Fare Hike On Way As Profits Dive

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

British Airways warned that fare increases are "inevitable" as it announced a severe dip in first-quarter profits...

Almost 50 per cent of British workers invest in property rather than pensions

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

New research reveals that almost 50 per cent of British workers are using property as an alternative to a conventional pension. Investment in property is seen as a safer option by many.

Investment in property is proving a popular alternative to pensions, it has been revealed. New research by employee benefits provider B&CE Benefit Schemes shows that 44 per cent of British workers have chosen property investment in order to save for their retirement.

The most common reason behind this trend is that property investors think that they will have more control over their investment this way. However, 12 per cent of those choosing to invest in property did so because they don't trust pensions.

Overall 18 per cent of workers are saving for their retirement in some way other than contributing to a pension. The main reasons why workers are using alternatives to pensions were found to be: perceived tax advantages; control; flexibility and return. Alongside property, ISAs were the most popular alternative form of saving for retirement.

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