Gallivan Avenue: Word is getting out on this Salt Lake dining destination

Three Pines Coffee

On the south side of Gallivan Avenue adjacent to From Scratch, Three Pines Coffee has seen its business pick up substantially in the three months since opening. "We had a hunch that the street had potential to really come alive by the time we established ourselves a bit more, and it definitely has," says co-owner Meg Frampton. She explains that she and co-owner Nick Price chose the location "because we wanted to find a small space for our grab-and-go coffee shop in the heart of downtown. We liked that it was right next to the plaza where events would be happening all summer."

The weekday morning rush regularly brings customers craving Three Pines' signature beverage, The Beehive Balla. It's made of cold brew, mocha slightly sweetened with housemade vanilla and finished with a splash of half-and-half, and it's great paired with a vanilla bourbon cake doughnut made by the talented bakers next door at From Scratch. You'll want to get there before noon when they typically sell out. Weekends are more leisurely with time to savor the Heart Roasters coffee from Portland, Ore., along with maple syrup-spiked almond milk.

Pulp Lifestyle Kitchen

Serving cold-pressed juices all day in addition to a breakfast and lunch menu, Pulp is a popular option for health-conscious diners. You'll find everything from açai bowls topped with fruit and housemade granola to wraps and salads that can be enjoyed outside on the patio tables. Try the cacci bowl with spaghetti squash topped with richly flavored tomatoes, fresh herbs and turkey meatballs, then garnished with shaved Parmesan. Pulp has recently opened on Sundays, so it's easy to pick up a day cleanse six-pack to start the week on a rejuvenated note or just drop by to cool off with a flavor-of-the-day pulp-sicle.

Bangkok Terrace

At Bangkok Terrace, which opened in 2013, lunch business is brisk during the weekdays, says owner Kulnapa Siripong, because of the ideal location near offices and the Marriott hotel. Diners can still feel a part of the bustling foot traffic through the restaurant's giant windows that open up onto the sidewalk or get a more serene view by looking up through the skylight as they enjoy one of the best renditions of tom kha gai soup in the city or one of the many curries on the $8.99 lunch-combo menu. "The curries are very popular items here," says Siripong. "We make the curries fresh every day and we chop all the vegetables every morning. Most importantly, we don't make the curries sweet like others do." Siripong hopes to make the restaurant more inviting for dinner guests with an interior remodel and the addition of beer and wine in the near future.

From Scratch

By most accounts, From Scratch is the restaurant that put Gallivan Avenue on the dining radar and continues to be one of the most popular. Tucked under the parking structure, this ground-level eatery looks up at Gallivan Plaza and downtown high rises through floor-to-ceiling windows above the cobblestone street.

As the name implies, many of the items on From Scratch's menu are just that — made from scratch. The Austrian flour mill behind the barn door mills a variety of grains that go into many of From Scratch's menu items, including pizza crust and burger buns, while the wood-burning oven behind the bar puts the perfect amount of char on pizzas such as the mushroom and salumi.

Whether dining here for lunch or dinner, heavily consider the burger menu for one of the juiciest bites in downtown and save room for dessert in the form of housemade baked goods.

Good Grammar

The newest addition to Gallivan Avenue is Good Grammar on the northeast end of the street next to the steps leading up to Gallivan Plaza. "We chose that location to increase the foot traffic on the avenue," says co-owner Jess Dorough. "It's such a beautiful area that wasn't getting much activity and it's a really great space." Unlike its restaurant counterparts on the street, Good Grammar is busiest on the weekends, Dorough says. "We get quite the dance crowd!"

Beyond music and dancing, the bar offers a small but stellar selection of salads, snacks, sandwiches and desserts for patrons at lunch, dinner and late night — all overseen by chefs Neal Henderson and Alex Vastardis. A very adult grilled cheese sandwich features prosciutto crudo, apple chutney and sage, while the spin on chicken and waffles offers up confit chicken atop waffles made with croissant dough for an extra airy and flaky base. Add candied bacon and a maple chipotle glaze for a bit of a kick; the croissaffles are then finished with a punchy bourbon sabayon sauce and whipped cream. They're perfect for sharing or as a sweet-leaning entrée for one.

Behind the bar, co-owner Joshua Edwards and team have crafted a menu of cocktails based on classic drinks and preparation (like the sazerac) as well as pop-culture icons. The gin-based Monika and bourbon-based Hendrix cocktails are early customer favorites, according to Dorough.

Welcome to the Salt Lake dining scene on Gallivan Avenue — a secret no more!

Source: Gallivan Avenue: Word is getting out on this Salt Lake dining destination

10 best low-cost airlines that will take you to your international dream destination!

Travel Staff | Last Updated: May 31, 2016

Photograph: Shutterstock

With the arrival of Scoot, Singapore Airlines' budget airline, the low-cost airline market has just got more competitive than ever. Add to that our aspiration to travel overseas and you have the perfect match! Seems apt then that we list out some of the our favorite low-cost airlines that operate international flights at prices that won't burn a hole in your pocket.

ALSO SEE 10 airline secrets air-hostesses never tell you!

1. IndiGo

Without a doubt our favorite budget carrier, IndiGo also flies to Dubai, Kathmandu, Muscat, Singapore and Bangkok. What's more, it probably does so from more Indian cities than any of the other airlines in this list.

2. Spicejet

Yet another Indian airline that not only has good domestic connectivity but also has connections to Male, Dubai, Muscat, Colombo and Kabul. Yes, Kabul!

ALSO SEE The best time to book international air tickets to get cheap price

3. Air Asia

AirAsia is perhaps the most popular low-cost carrier connecting India to southeast Asia. With flights from Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi and of course Kolkata, AirAsia brings Indians closer to their dream destinations in countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia among others. And if none of those countries interest you, AirAsia also operates flights to Australia.

4. Malindo Air

Air Asia isn't the only budget airline flying to Australia. Say hello to Malindo Air. Flying out of Mumbai, Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Amritsar, Kochi and Tiruchirapalli, Malindo Air will take you to Perth as also Colombo, Singapore and Vietnam.

5. Air India Express

The relatively low profile low-cost carrier of Air India connects 13 Indian cities to as many destinations across western Asia and Southeast Asia. Based out of Kochi, Air India Express has strong connectivity to the Middle Eastern destinations such as Dubai, Doha, Muscat, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi as also other destinations such as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

ALSO SEE 5 cheapest countries to visit on an Indian passport

6. FlyDubai

Connecting close to 90 destinations, FlyDubai is perhaps the best in the list of low-cost airlines in this list purely because of its very wide connectivity. Istanbul, Zanzibar, Moscow, Beirut, Prague… name it and FlyDubai connects you to them all!

7. Tigerair

Tigerair connects some of Asia's most popular tourist destinations — from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo and Macau — to Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi Lucknow, Tiruchirapalli and Chennai.

ALSO SEE 25 countries Indians can visit without a visa

8. Air Arabia

This Sharjah-based airline connects close to a dozen cities including Bangalore, Delhi, Nagpur, Mumbai, Jaipur among others to hot new destinations for Indians — from Joran and Russia to Turkey and Kenya.

9. Mihin Lanka

Connecting Colombo to Chennai, Kochi, Kolkata and even Delhi, Mihin Lanka is also not a bad bet if you don't mind a stopover at Colombo en route to Seychelles, Male, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Muscat.

10. Scoot

The latest entrant in the low-cost airline battle, Scoot currently operates only from Chennai and Amritsar. It will begin operations from Jaipur in October. But on the flipside, it has the most fascinating destination options: Hong Kong, Phuket, Bangkok, Bali, Yangon, Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, Langkawi, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Boracay, Melbourne, Sydney and Gold Coast among others.

So, what are you waiting for?

Photographs courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Have interesting travel photos you'd like to share with us? Send photos from your travels to travel@corp.india.com, don't forget to mention where you've shot the picture and get a chance to be featured on our website! So what are you waiting for? Hurry!

Have something to add to this story? Post your comments in the discussion board below; we will be thrilled to hear from you!

First Published: May 31, 2016
Source: 10 best low-cost airlines that will take you to your international dream destination!

Spain tourism surges as sunseekers shun Turkey and North Africa

Spain's tourist numbers surge as security worries deter travellers from visiting Turkey and North Africa © Getty

Spain is enjoying a surge in tourism as fears over terrorism drive wary travellers away from destinations in Turkey and North Africa and back to former favourites in southern Europe.

The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Spain in April rose 11.3 per cent to 6.1m compared with the same month in 2015, according to data published on Monday by INE, Spain's national statistics agency. Total tourist numbers over the first four months of the year rose 13 per cent to 18.1m.

Visitors from the UK were the primary driver behind the increase, with some 4m visiting in the first four months of this year, a 19.4 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2015.

The shift to Spain comes as terrorist attacks in Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt, and warnings from governments for their citizens to avoid travel to some destinations in those countries, have led many seeking an inexpensive beach holiday to look elsewhere.

"Booking behavior really changed after those attacks. Bookings are moving from Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia to Spain, and also to Bulgaria and Greece," said Dörte Nordbeck, head of travel and logistics, Germany, at GfK, which tracks travel bookings across Europe.

The attack in June last year in the Tunisian town of Sousse, in which a gunman killed 38 tourists, brought the country's tourism industry to a halt. Meanwhile Turkey, which has been hit by a spate of bombings and cooling relations with Russia — a main source of tourism to the country — suffered its worst drop in visitor numbers since 1999, with arrivals in April falling 28 per cent to 1.75m.

Mainland Spain and the Balearic and Canary Islands have been among the main beneficiaries. Reporting results for the six months ending March 31 recently, Thomas Cook Group, the UK-based travel agent, said its summer 2016 bookings to Spain's Balearic Islands were up 14 per cent compared with last year while those to the Canaries were up 23 per cent. Overall summer bookings were down 5 per cent, but up 6 per cent excluding Turkey, the company said.

"Thomas Cook is trading well to destinations other than Turkey, with particularly strong bookings to Spain and the US," Peter Fankhauser, Thomas Cook chief executive, said at the time. "However demand for Turkey — our second-largest market last year — remains significantly below last year's levels."

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Sector has been hit by political unrest and terrorism since 2011 revolution

Tui Group, the world's largest tourism operator, has also warned of substantial drops in demand for Turkey and North Africa. In November, Tui suspended trips to the popular Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh after a bomb brought down a Russian airliner over the Sinai desert, and 33 of the company's customers were killed in the Sousse attack.

But Ramón Estalella, secretary-general of Cehat, Spain's hoteliers union, said security fears over terrorism were not the only reason for the wave of UK tourists visiting Spain. The increase in tourism to the Canary Islands, where 38.3 per cent of the 4.5m visitors in the first four months of 2016 came from the UK, could be explained largely by a movement of sunseekers away from Egypt, he said.

But UK visitors also made up 10.7 per cent of the 4.2m foreign tourists visiting Catalonia — not primarily a beach destination — in the same period.

Accessible prices, good marketing, and word of mouth were behind much of the increase, he said: "There are a big number of British tourists who go to Catalonia to visit Barcelona and to ski," he said. "The tourists are not just going to islands but also to cities. And that has nothing to do with Tunisia."

Source: Spain tourism surges as sunseekers shun Turkey and North Africa

Pegasus rolls out its MENA ad campaign

Pegasus Airlines

Pegasus Airlines recently launched a new advertising campaign targeting the MENA region.

The B2C campaign which is aired in both English and Arabic is aimed to attract Arabic tourists to Turkey. The campaign highlights diverse tourism opportunities to be found in Turkey – historical, sightseeing and nature walks to beach holidays, faith tourism and shopping.

"As a regional low-cost airline, the MENA region is a very significant market for us. The region has increasingly accepted Turkey as a favourite travel destination for both summer holidays and city breaks, adding to number of guests arriving in Turkey for business," said Emre Pekesen, Pegasus Airlines vice president – sales.

The airline currently flies to Amman, Bahrain, Baghdad, Beirut, Dubai, Erbil, Hurghada, Kuw ait, Qatar, Sharm El-Sheikh, Tehran and Tel Aviv in the region. Plans are in progress to launch more destinations in the coming periods.

Source: Pegasus rolls out its MENA ad campaign

Wylie wins No. 1 in the world in Destination Imagination contest

By Staff Report

A student team from Wylie ISD is the best in the world, yes the whole wide Earth.

"Banana-ramas," a group of fifth-grade students, competed on the elementary level in the challenge "Musical Mash-Up" in the 2016 Global Finals Destination Imagination Tournament conducted Wednesday through Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn. The team placed No. 1.

A second Wylie team, "Simply Platonic," placed ninth overall in their secondary level division of "Close Encounters." This specific challenge focused on research and improvisational skills.

Wylie ISD Destination Imagination Coordinator Kim Cheek, who said she is "thrilled" with the results from both teams, commented on the "Banana-ramas" via email, "This is a first in Wylie ISD history, that I am aware of. What an experience given the sheer number of countries that competed. This team of six are sharp engineers, natural hams, and witty problem solvers. They will be ready to thrive with the flexibility needed and this team owns a set of needed skills to thrive our ever changing world."

The 16th annual competition drew 8,000 student participants from 20 countries, including the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Source: Wylie wins No. 1 in the world in Destination Imagination contest

The 10 Hottest Under-The-Radar Destinations

PHOTO: 12 Apostles, Port Campbell, Australia. (photo courtesy of Thinkstock)

Many places have been made famous for stunning architecture or extreme natural beauty and, as the world grows smaller, it may seem that nearly all of the most scenic places have surely been uncovered and overrun with tourists.

However, despite globalization, there are still hidden gems that remain out of the mainstream tourists' eyes. Here are some destinations that remain off the beaten path.

Koh Lipe, Thailand

Head to this remote island in Thailand for a relaxing beach getaway on an island paradise in the South Andaman Sea. The island is famous for its white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters.

Getting there is a little trickier than some other more frequented spots. Boats run from Langkawi and in high season boats run between Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe. From Bangkok, visitors get a flight to Had Yai and then take a minibus or taxi to Pak Bara and then take a boat to the island.

Kobarid, Slovenia

Slovenia offers a number of hidden gems — capital city Llubjana is a stunner in its own right — but the town of Kobaris is a special place tucked away in the Soca Valley. There are numerous archeological sites in the area that hold a number of historic findings, including an Iron Age burial ground. It also has a more recent historical significance — the city saw a 1917 World War I battle where Austro-Hungarian troops broke through the Italian front line and gained a victory. 

Schonau am Konigsee, Germany

Surrounded by the Alps, this Bavarian mountain town is located at the northern end of Lake Konigssee — and is a land full of adventure. It is home to the world-class Konigssee bobsleigh, luge and skeleton track, one of the oldest tracks of its kind in the world, constructed in 1968.

You can visit in January, when many international championship bobsleigh competitions take place, or you can visit in the summer months, spending time on the lake. There are a number of hikes to do and boating around the lake.

Sri Lanka

Often flying under the radar, the island nation of Sri Lanka offers visitors a rugged land filled with jungles, rainforest, wildlife and untouched beaches. The country is well-known for its Buddhist ruins and the sacred city of Anuradhapura.

READ MORE: Revisiting Sri Lanka in a Post-Civil War Era

Over the last seven years, the country has been rebuilding after a decades-long civil war and, finally, tourism is returning to the island and visitor numbers are beginning to grow.

Lombok, Indonesia

Lombok is an island in West Nusa, Indonesia, part of the Lesser Sunda Islands and across the Lombok Strait from its more famous counterpart, Bali.

As travelers look for alternatives to Bali, Lombok is coming up more frequently as a substitute. It has all the trappings of a fabulous vacation destination — good surf, pristine beaches, lush forests, hiking and more.

Greenland

Those looking for an adventure will have found it in Greenland. It's the world's largest island and one of the most exciting Arctic destinations. Visitors will find rugged lands, ice sheets, Arctic deserts, sheep farms and a distinct culture as well as welcoming people. Greenland could be one of the only places in the world where dogsledding and skateboarding coexist side by side and where the people feel that navigating around icebergs is old hat.

Malta

Malta will be the European Capital of Culture in 2018 and, if you get there first, you will be able to say you discovered what makes Malta one of the top weekend getaways for European travelers. More likely, U.S. visitors are drawn to the country for its culture and history, but many visitors go for the beach towns with authentic Mediterranean charm.

READ MORE: Malta's Calling

The island is steeped in history. The original capital, Mdina, was fortified by the Phoenicians, and its current capital, Valetta, holds weapons used in the Ottoman's Great Siege of 1565.

Montenegro

Montenegro won't be flying under the radar for long. Its Mediterranean port city, Kotor, was recognized on the Lonely Planet's 2016 Best in Travel list of destinations to visit this year. The country is one of the oldest European states, situated on the Balkan Peninsula and, like Turkey, it is at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. Montenegro is known for its beaches, mountains, lakes and is home to what is sometimes referred to as the southernmost fjord in Europe.

Kotor is perched on the edge of the Adriatic Sea, surrounded by mountains all around, making it one of the most picturesque places in Europe. It also has one of the best-preserved medieval cities on the Adriatic and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Mount Sanqingshan National Park, Shangrao, China

Mount Sanqingshan is a renowned, sacred Taoist mountain in Shangrao, China. The entire national park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has an otherworldly appearance. Granite peaks jut into the sky like pillars and waterfalls, valleys, lakes and springs, hover below. The mountain is made up of three peaks, Yujing, Yushui and Yuhua.

Port Campbell, Australia

As long as we are talking otherworldly destinations, Port Campbell is on the top of the list. Its 12 Apostles are limestone stacks that jut out of the ocean. Visitors can take a helicopter ride to get a view of them from above or admire their enormous size on a boat journey. Port Campbell is the perfect stop for those caravaning around the country or journeying along Australia's Great Ocean Road. 

Source: The 10 Hottest Under-The-Radar Destinations

How safe is your holiday destination?

Nottinghamshire holidaymakers are trying to play it safe this summer as a number of sunshine destinations are now on high alert due to terrorism.

East Midlands Airport has seen an increase in the number of passengers flying to Spain and the Canary Islands as travellers avoid countries like Egypt and Tunisia following terrorist attacks.

Jack Kelly, head of external affairs at the airport, said: "Our top three destinations this summer are Alicante, Tenerife and Palma. We believe this is primarily due to passengers seeking alternative destinations as the government advises against all travel to Egypt and Tunisia."

And with more people looking to travel to Spain and Portugal, travel agents are advising holidaymakers to book early to avoid high prices.

Mark Tanzer, chief executive of the Association of British Travel Agents, said: "We are seeing a significant increase in summer holiday bookings to Western Mediterranean destinations, so I would urge holiday makers who are looking to travel not to delay in making their booking."

Read more: Travelling to America? Check out these new passport laws

The Foreign Office lists countries including Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey and even France and being high risk. But before you panic too much, it's worth remembering that even the UK is in this category. Here is a rundown of some of the most dangerous - and safest - holiday destinations, according to latest Government advice:

High risk: France

France is on high alert for terrorism following last year's Paris attacks and a national state of emergency remains in place. The Government advises travellers to be vigilant in public places and report anything suspicious to the authorities immediately. Despite this, around 17 million Brits visit our neighbours across the Channel every year and enjoy a safe trip. The most common reported problem is pick-pocketing.

High risk: Egypt

Egypt has been considered a high risk area for some time due to the threat from Islamic extremists, and following last week's Egypt Air Flight MS804 crash, the British Government is advising against all travel to many parts of the country.

High risk: Tunisia

The Government is also advising against all but essential travel to this north African country following the terrorist attack in Sousse last June. A state of emergency is currently in place in Tunisia after a suicide bomb on a bus in November. Brits who do decide to travel to Tunisia are advised to check their travel insurance policies as they may not be covered.

Read more: Ilkeston family relive Tunisian beach massacre

High risk: Spain

Despite the increasing number of holiday makers choosing Spain as a safe option, the terror threat in the country is actually considered to be high. In 2015, Spanish police disrupted a number of plots from extremists travelling to Syria and Iraq. But 12 million Brits visit Spain each year and most trips are trouble free. The Government has also warned travellers, who commonly include young revellers, as well as families, to beware of the risks of binge drinking and using drugs after a number of deaths caused by people falling from hotel balconies.

Other high risk countries: Belgium, Australia, Germany, Columbia, Russia, Turkey, Morocco, India.

Low risk: Iceland

The risk from terrorism in Iceland is considered to be extremely low. The country saw a 33 per cent increase in the number of British visitors last year, from 2014. One of the main risks is the weather, with conditions changing quickly. Inexperienced drivers are advised to stick to main roads, make sure their hire car is well-equipped to deal with snow and ice, and always carry a map.

Low risk: Austria

Like most European countries, there is an increasing general risk of terrorism due to recent attacks, but overall the specific threat level in Austria remains low. Instead, the Government warns Brits travelling to the country - especially those on skiing holidays - to beware of avalanches! The majority of travel insurance claims following visits to Austria relate to skiing and snowboarding injuries.

Low risk: Malta

Sunny Malta is also considered to be very low risk in terms of terrorism, and around 450,000 Brits visit every year. Travellers are advised to call 112 in the event of an emergency.

Low risk: New Zealand

Despite the poisonous spiders, if you can afford the airfare, New Zealand is considered to be a relatively safe holiday destination. Visitors are advised by the Government to make sure their travel insurance is adequate and plan carefully if they are visiting remote areas.

Other low threat destinations: Switzerland, Chile, Fiji, Hungary, Ireland, Mexico.

Read more: Notts woman dies in Turkish quad bike crash

Source: How safe is your holiday destination?

Putin: Russia ready to consider restoring relations with Turkey

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that he was ready to consider restoring relations with Ankara, but that would require a first step from Turkey.

"Russia also wants to restore relations with Turkey, we still don't understand why plane was shot-down," Putin told a joint news conference in Athens with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Daily Sabah reported.

The source reminds, that relations between the two countries hit a new low on November 2015, when following the downing of a Sukhoi-24M jet in Syrian border, Moscow announced wide-ranging sanctions against Turkey, including the end of visa-free travel and a ban on Turkish food products.Russia also called on its nationals to boycott Turkey as a tourist destination.

Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Source: Putin: Russia ready to consider restoring relations with Turkey

The 10 Hottest Under-The-Radar Destinations

PHOTO: 12 Apostles, Port Campbell, Australia. (photo courtesy of Thinkstock)

Many places have been made famous for stunning architecture or extreme natural beauty and, as the world grows smaller, it may seem that nearly all of the most scenic places have surely been uncovered and overrun with tourists.

However, despite globalization, there are still hidden gems that remain out of the mainstream tourists' eyes. Here are some destinations that remain off the beaten path.

Koh Lipe, Thailand

Head to this remote island in Thailand for a relaxing beach getaway on an island paradise in the South Andaman Sea. The island is famous for its white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters.

Getting there is a little trickier than some other more frequented spots. Boats run from Langkawi and in high season boats run between Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe. From Bangkok, visitors get a flight to Had Yai and then take a minibus or taxi to Pak Bara and then take a boat to the island.

Kobarid, Slovenia

Slovenia offers a number of hidden gems — capital city Llubjana is a stunner in its own right — but the town of Kobaris is a special place tucked away in the Soca Valley. There are numerous archeological sites in the area that hold a number of historic findings, including an Iron Age burial ground. It also has a more recent historical significance — the city saw a 1917 World War I battle where Austro-Hungarian troops broke through the Italian front line and gained a victory. 

Schonau am Konigsee, Germany

Surrounded by the Alps, this Bavarian mountain town is located at the northern end of Lake Konigssee — and is a land full of adventure. It is home to the world-class Konigssee bobsleigh, luge and skeleton track, one of the oldest tracks of its kind in the world, constructed in 1968.

You can visit in January, when many international championship bobsleigh competitions take place, or you can visit in the summer months, spending time on the lake. There are a number of hikes to do and boating around the lake.

Sri Lanka

Often flying under the radar, the island nation of Sri Lanka offers visitors a rugged land filled with jungles, rainforest, wildlife and untouched beaches. The country is well-known for its Buddhist ruins and the sacred city of Anuradhapura.

READ MORE: Revisiting Sri Lanka in a Post-Civil War Era

Over the last seven years, the country has been rebuilding after a decades-long civil war and, finally, tourism is returning to the island and visitor numbers are beginning to grow.

Lombok, Indonesia

Lombok is an island in West Nusa, Indonesia, part of the Lesser Sunda Islands and across the Lombok Strait from its more famous counterpart, Bali.

As travelers look for alternatives to Bali, Lombok is coming up more frequently as a substitute. It has all the trappings of a fabulous vacation destination — good surf, pristine beaches, lush forests, hiking and more.

Greenland

Those looking for an adventure will have found it in Greenland. It's the world's largest island and one of the most exciting Arctic destinations. Visitors will find rugged lands, ice sheets, Arctic deserts, sheep farms and a distinct culture as well as welcoming people. Greenland could be one of the only places in the world where dogsledding and skateboarding coexist side by side and where the people feel that navigating around icebergs is old hat.

Malta

Malta will be the European Capital of Culture in 2018 and, if you get there first, you will be able to say you discovered what makes Malta one of the top weekend getaways for European travelers. More likely, U.S. visitors are drawn to the country for its culture and history, but many visitors go for the beach towns with authentic Mediterranean charm.

READ MORE: Malta's Calling

The island is steeped in history. The original capital, Mdina, was fortified by the Phoenicians, and its current capital, Valetta, holds weapons used in the Ottoman's Great Siege of 1565.

Montenegro

Montenegro won't be flying under the radar for long. Its Mediterranean port city, Kotor, was recognized on the Lonely Planet's 2016 Best in Travel list of destinations to visit this year. The country is one of the oldest European states, situated on the Balkan Peninsula and, like Turkey, it is at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. Montenegro is known for its beaches, mountains, lakes and is home to what is sometimes referred to as the southernmost fjord in Europe.

Kotor is perched on the edge of the Adriatic Sea, surrounded by mountains all around, making it one of the most picturesque places in Europe. It also has one of the best-preserved medieval cities on the Adriatic and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Mount Sanqingshan National Park, Shangrao, China

Mount Sanqingshan is a renowned, sacred Taoist mountain in Shangrao, China. The entire national park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has an otherworldly appearance. Granite peaks jut into the sky like pillars and waterfalls, valleys, lakes and springs, hover below. The mountain is made up of three peaks, Yujing, Yushui and Yuhua.

Port Campbell, Australia

As long as we are talking otherworldly destinations, Port Campbell is on the top of the list. Its 12 Apostles are limestone stacks that jut out of the ocean. Visitors can take a helicopter ride to get a view of them from above or admire their enormous size on a boat journey. Port Campbell is the perfect stop for those caravaning around the country or journeying along Australia's Great Ocean Road. 

Source: The 10 Hottest Under-The-Radar Destinations

European planners turn their backs on Turkey

Pictured: Armin Truger, CEO of Pro-Sky

European event planners are turning away from Turkey in their masses according to new research from aircraft charter and group booking specialist Pro-Sky.

A survey among 220 European event organisations showed the country, which has been beset with political turmoil and terror attacks in the past year, has suffered a steep decline in popularity.

When asked if Turkey was 'relevant to projects in 2016' just 9 per cent said yes, compared to 24 per cent in 2015. It was a similar story for Istanbul, which was considered a relevant destination for 29 per cent of event bookers in 2015, yet that figures fell to 8 per cent this year.

The terror attacks of January and November 2015 were blamed for a 7 point fall in France's popularity, but it remained a relevant choice among 29 per cent of respondents, and completed the top five alongside Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal. Italy also registered a decline in popularity, down 8 points to 30 per cent.

The research, published in Pro-Sky Destination Report for Europe, also found group stays are getting shorter, with event organisers favouring two-night events over three nights or more.

Pro-Sky CEO Armin Truger said: "We asked which European countries and regions would be particularly relevant to survey participants' projects during 2016 and allowed them to provide multiple answers.

"The leading destination options were Spain and Germany, with 48 per cent each; Italy and Portugal, with 30 per cent each; and France, with 29 per cent. Of these destinations, only Spain rose in the rankings from its 2015 position. Portugal and Germany were flat, while Italy and France netted a significant drop in votes. The impact of the terrorist attacks in Paris doubtless contributed to the change in France's ranking."

When it came to length of stays, two night bookings were favoured by 51 per cent of organisers in 2016, up from 46 per cent in 2015. Conversely, bookings for three nights or more fell by 18 per cent.

Truger said: "When asked about the events they are planning, survey respondents said that most would require participants to stay for one to three nights. Those were the leading categories in 2015, as well.

"However, there was a year-over-year increase in one-night and two-night stays, fuelled by a sharp decrease in the number of events that would require a stay of more than three nights."

Security was not rated the most important factor, with only 21 per cent of respondents saying it was "the most relevant criteria". Accessibility led the way (68 per cent), followed by budget (45 per cent), infrastructure (28 per cent) and activity (26 per cent).

Source: European planners turn their backs on Turkey

Destination Imagination starts Wednesday

Destination Imagination starts Wednesday at the Knoxville Convention Center.

Mark Bergin, WBIR 5:54 AM. EST May 25, 2016

Students make t-shirts at Destination Imagination on May 25, 2012. (Photo: WBIR, WBIR)

KNOXVILLE - Day one of the annual Destination Imagination starts at Knoxville's Convention Center on Wednesday.

The four-day event is dedicated to teaching students the creative process through hands on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

Each May, more than 8,000 children gather in Knoxville to showcase their challenge solutions at the international competition.

Teams from 20 countries converge in Knoxville, including the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

More than 1,400 teams are scheduled to attend Destination Imagination this year.

The event runs through Saturday.

Go to Destination Imagination's website for more information.

(© 2016 WBIR)

Source: Destination Imagination starts Wednesday

Come to Fethiye! Fethiye Mayor Interviewed by the BBC

It's not very often that Fethiye makes the news on the BBC but Tuesday was different, when the town's mayor, Behçet Saatcı, had the opportunity to tell the whole of the UK why people should come to Turkey, especially this year.

Fethiye doesn't get a mention on the BBC very often but on Tuesday the town's mayor, Behçet Saatcı was given the opportunity to promote this peaceful Mediterranean town to the Beeb's millions of listeners on BBC tabloid-style radio programme Five Live Breakfast.

He explained why he thinks people are concerned about coming to Turkey at the moment but also how important it is to get the 'terrorism issue' into perspective and that this part of the world is the perfect place to live or come for a holiday, especially this year.

Behçet Saatcı – Fethiye's mayor says, 'come to Turkey this year'                                                                                    BBC

BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast from Hisarönü and Fethiye

Speaking from Hisarönü, a tourist district of Fethiye, on Tuesday and broadcast across the UK on the BBC 5 Live Breakfast, radio journalist, Nick Garnett, spoke with tourists and business owners before he travelled to Fethiye (via the Erasta AVM, it would seem), where, at the Municipality Offices, he interviewed Behçet Saatcı, asking him about various issues concerning Fethiye in particular and Turkey in general, and the country's significant decline in tourist numbers this year.

'Exclusive' tourism figures

The main news feature on the programme, which altogether lasted for three hours, returned to the subject on several occasions, initially highlighting some "exclusive figures from the travel research company GFK" which, they said, suggests that "thousands of tourists are shunning Turkey and avoiding going to the country's resorts, resulting in a drop in package holiday bookings of nearly a third in the last year." This figure was reported to be in the region of 1866,000 lost booking from the UK alone, and despite that fact that "the FCO have said it is generally safe to travel to Turkey but the threat of terrorism is high."

It appears that the nearly 30% drop in Turkish Tourism has benefited both Spanish and Portuguese tourism – both countries have experienced increases of roughly the same amount.

The item on Turkish tourism began with an explanation from anchorwoman, Clare McDonnell:

British holiday makers are shunning holidays in Turkey this summer. That's according to exclusive figures seen by 5 Live. Travel research company, GFK, have dropped by nearly a third this year; that's nearly 186,000 tourists. The UK Foreign Office says it is generally safe to travel to Turkey but the threat of terrorism there is high.

The worst performing holiday destinations according to GFK are Egypt and Tunisia, where the FCO advices against all but essential travel.

But the one thing that was not mentioned, was how the travel advice for Turkey is so similar… compared with France or Spain, for example.

No mention that travel advice to France is not so different from Turkey

Or Spain come to that…

Fethiye's as safe as London

Speaking through an English interpreter, Saatcı answered a questions posed by Garnett about why he thought so many tourists have turned their backs on Turkey as a holiday destination this year.

BS: There are obvious reasons, as everybody knows, coming from the Middle East and countries bordering with Turkey. These are obvious reasons. There have been a lot of attacks there, a lot of fighting going on but this is not a specific problem of Turkey only. These terror attacks and all these problems have been going on all over the world.

The distance between Muğla and the Syrian border is the same as the distance between London and Berlin

NG: Are you worried about the drop in tourism and what can you do about it?

BS: I believe this is a reality and it should not worry any of us. We have to learn to live with the reality and the reality is that basically, Britain has had a lot of problems as well with the IRA in the past so, is a country … used to terror attacks in its own country and which [has] learned how to live along with it. That's why these people, the British people, are still coming to us.

NG: I have spoken to tourists today though and they are worried about the risk of a terrorist attack.

BS: We should not scale this as only on Fethiye or as Turkey itself. We should look at it from a different perspective, which would be if Italy, Spain, any country, Paris, Brussels, are as safe as they are, my country is safe as well. The British Ambassador… came to visit me, he wanted to investigate the area … It's in the interest of the British Government and he was very pleased with the situation. If he … [had] seen any danger, if he [had] seen anything negative, I am sure he would have remarked on this already.

NG: So why is the British government warning about travel to Turkey?

BS: I don't believe that the British government is warning about travel to Turkey. They are probably warning their citizens about the dangers of the general world. It's not only specific to Turkey, they're probably saying 'please be careful on your travels' around certain things… but I don't believe it is a warning against travelling to Turkey.

NG: What message do you have for British tourists who are put off at the moment.

BS: I am not important in this message. The most important thing is that they should ask people who live on the southwest coast of Turkey. I am sure that nearly everybody has a relation, somebody who they know, who lives in this area. Like for instance, in Fethiye we have about 2,000 English brothers and sisters living with us and I think they [should] answer this question. I also believe that anybody coming over [to Turkey] this year is special because they will be treated like they probably never expected before. Every hotel being down on the numbers, they actually have to [look after] their guests [even] better; so, I believe that this is probably the year to come if you want to experience a bit more…

More about the programme

If you would like to listen to the interview with Behçet Saatcı click here:

If you would like to listen to the interview with a British tourist staying in Hisarönü, click here.

For the whole of the BBC 5 Live Breakfast programme (with a lot more about tourism in Turkey) click here.

Source: Come to Fethiye! Fethiye Mayor Interviewed by the BBC

Turkey Tourism Is On the Ropes

News of terrorist attacks, geopolitical unrest and the ongoing crisis over refugees have hit the Turkey tourism industry hard. According to recent reports from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Brits traveling to Turkey nd other crisis hit vacation destinations have plummeted. Figures from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), coincide in forecasting a horrendous summer season for Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt and other formerly popular destinations.

Empty Turkish resorts reveal how crisis effects travel

Added to these "crisis" variables, the crash of the Egypt Air airliner headed to Cairo last Thursday has stoked evern greater fears of instability among travelers. Since the so-called "Arab Spring" set ablaze nations from North Africa to the Middle East, travelers from the UK in particular have been on a steady decline. According to the WTTC, Turkey saw visits by British nationals drop by 21% between 2011 and 2013. But since then, the deterioration in between Turkey, Syria, and Russia over the Syrian civil war has seen these numbers fall even more sharply.

With the refugee crisis in full bloom, and with almost universal international disapproval of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's policies, most experts concur that Turkey travel has nothing but bad news ahead. Meanwhile, Turkey's losses in tourism revenues have been Greece, Spain, and Portugal's gain. Bulgaria and other seaside getaway destinations also factor in, in providing the stability Turkey and others submerged in crisis cannot.

Finally, news An EU plan to extend visa-free travel privileges to Turkey as of July 1 will be delayed, is no good news for Turkish tour operators. Negotiations in between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkey's Erdogan having stalled where Turkey's Kurdish crisis is concerned.

Source: Turkey Tourism Is On the Ropes

Brits travel less to Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey

As figures suggest, the constant terrorist threats and refugee crisis led to a significant decrease in the tourism of north Africa and the near east.

According to the latest data released by the Office for National Statistics and backed up by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the numbers of British citizens travelling to Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey have seriously declined.

Moreover, the recent crash of an EgyptAir passenger plane in strange circumstances likely contributes to the general security-related opinions over the area. According to Sean Tipton's opinion, the spokesman of the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta), the fall in bookings to Egypt could also be easily explained when considering the safety of Sharm el-Sheikh airport.

Beginning with the 2011 revolution in Egypt, visits by UK nationals to the country have dropped by nearly 50 per cent, the ONS data shows. Similarly, tourists spendings here have decreased by 4%.

Tunisia, on the other hand, has suffered the most dramatic impact of terrorism on tourism, after the 2010 Arab spring, the armed attack on a popular beach last June and the massacre of 22 people in a museum last year. Visits by nationals from UK fell by nearly 40% in 2015, while total foreign spendings dropped by 37%.

Turkey is visibly affected by the civil war in Syria and the refugee crisis that also hit Europe. Bookings for Turkish holidays went down by almost a third, when compared to last year.

"We've seen a marked shift towards the western Mediterranean. That's been the case since December really, that's what the booking patterns have shown," Tipton commented.

Nevertheless, there are countries that show big gains from the tense situation in north Africa and the near east. Countries like Portugal, Spain, Italy, Barbados, Mexico and Morocco are seen as "tourist destinations nowhere near the trouble zones" with low levels of terrorist threat and are starting to welcome more tourists, as the general unrest in Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey continues.

Source: Brits travel less to Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey

World Traveller: Try Doing Turkey This Way

Suhel SethIn all my travels over the years, I have yearned for destination hotels and not just destinations: because destinations by themselves are meaningless, unless you can look at them through a prism of elegance and panache.

Turkey, for various reasons, has been in the news of late. Death and destruction have been its leitmotif rather than the unrivalled beauty of many of its towns and cities. Over the years, one has visited Istanbul several times, so when I decided on visiting Turkey again, I wanted to do the Southern Coast: far away from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul or the defined tourism of Bordrum. Which is why I chose two exquisite places: the Datca Peninsula and the charming town of Gocek, all part of the Dalaman Coast in Turkey.

I chose the twin properties of Hotel D Maris and the D-Hotel Gocek for my visits which were last week: early May that is. Getting to both is easy, but a trifle long no matter which route you take. I chose to fly to Istanbul from London and then took another short flight to Dalaman, and from the Dalaman airport, the Hotel D Maris is a 90-minute drive but scenic like you can't imagine. You go through winding roads through mountains and then before your eyes can finish savouring the magical sights, you are right there driving by the coast, and the clarity of its tranquil waters is mesmerising to say the least.

As you enter the Hotel, you cannot but blink twice at the beautifully laid tennis courts and it was then that my chauffeur told me that they have a Goran Ivanisevic tennis experience which the legendary play er conducts himself. So at this school, the guests of the Hotel can undertake lessons from Ivanisevic on techniques and basic tennis coaching. To my mind, this is a first that I have seen at any resort anywhere in the world. So if you are a tennis buff, this is one more reason, other than the views, to visit Maris.

By the time I got to Hotel D Maris, it was almost sunset and what the hotel does admirably well is organise a champagne evening for its guests to soak in the sunset to the strains of Western classical music, and as you stare at the setting sun, the coastline bristles with that amber colour which makes it all the more magical. I was then taken to my room which had a balcony from where the views were amongst the finest I have even seen in my life. Imagi ne an unspoilt peninsula with white sand, divided into four parts, one of which is the "silent beach" where you don't talk or use your wretched smartphone.

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I didn't have time on the first evening to take a nice stroll on that glistening beach but I did go down to the iconic restaurant Zuma for some hot sake and some fine Japanese food. Hotel D Maris is one of the only two hotels in the world to have Zuma on the premises: the menu was brilliant as was the service, but yet again, what took my breath away was the skyline, the views of the bay from where one was sitting.

I woke up the next morning to a sunny day, quite windy but magnificent in terms of the crispy air and daunting views. I had breakfast at the Terrace restaurant and what was just amazing was the Turkish Village Bread which I had with a specially-concocted Turkish Omelette, not to mention some Turkish parathas - yes, they make pancakes of the same kind as we do with fillings of potatoes and cheese and meat, so you can choose your options.

The Hotel D Maris is in the Datca region which in Turkey is famous for the three Bs: bal, badem and balik which is Turkish for honey, almonds and milk, and early autumn is the season when they collect honey, which is of three types - flower, thyme and pine. All of these variants were available for one to try at the breakfast buffet.

In the morning, I took the hotel yacht and went around the coasts for about two hours: we spotted rabbits on Rabbit Island, fishing villages and the pristine quality of the water and the marinas which dotted the region. The afternoon was spent at the Spa which is Chemot and owned by the same group that owns these properties: Dogus.

In the evening, a bunch of us went off for dinner to the Il Riccio restaurant which is the Italian place gleaned from the mother ship in Capri. I ordered some fine Turkish Red Wine and had some wheat risotto with lamb shanks which was heavenly.

The next morning (Day Three), I woke up and left Maris for Gocek where there's another hotel from the same chain. It was a magical transition from the tranquility of Maris to the liveliness of Gocek.

Gocek is on Turkey's turquoise coast and that should tell you a lot about the colour of the water: unlike you will ever see anywhere in the world.

Gocek can easily be termed the Port Grimaud of Turkey's coastline: such is its draw and its pristine state. The village is a magnet for sailors, surrounded by mountains and stunning scenery with an archipelago of beautiful islands making this a yachting paradise. In the village, you will see water inlets making it a tiny Venice of sorts: houses perched along the shoreline and little dinghies poised to transport their owners to their yachts moored out at sea.

The hotel I was staying at, Hotel D-Gocek, is an elegant boutique hotel set across ten design-led low-profile buildings. The admirable bit was I could get out of my room and straight into the pool which abuts each room. There are bicycles for those who want to cycle their way around the marina and the village: something I did as well. It was living a luxurious life amidst the cacophony of a vibrant Turkish village which had all the class of the French Rivera at a fraction of the pretense.

For dinner, I went off to the Breeze restaurant which is on the water and has amazing international food including some fine local food. I settled for the typical Turkish Kabab (called the Adanakebab) but not before taking in a fine beetroot salad on a bed of goat-cheese infused with truffle oil.

And then it was time to go to bed since I had an early flight from Dalaman to Istanbul and then onto London. The one thing that this holiday taught me is the dangers of being comfortable with the knowledge we have and our fears of trying something new. I have been a long-standing fan of the Four Seasons and everywhere across the world, I believe they have surpassed guest delight. But then the two hotels which I stayed at: D-Maris and D-Gocek are the new kids on the block with a deep sense of history and guest delight. It was a holiday that I will return to year after year: not just, as I said, to savour the destinations, but equally to delight in the abodes they have created.

(Suhel Seth is Managing Partner of Counselage: India's only strategic brand advisory. He would like to clarify that no part of the trip was paid for by any of the establishments mentioned in the article.)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the artic le do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

http://m.ndtv.com/blog/world-traveller-try-doing-turkey-this-way-1407161?pfrom=home-opinion

Source: World Traveller: Try Doing Turkey This Way

Could Turkey really join the EU by 2020?

EU and Turkish flags fly outside a hotel in Istanbul. Photograph: Murad Sezer/Reuters

Claims by the UK justice secretary, Michael Gove, and the Vote Leave campaign that Turkey could achieve full membership of the EU by 2020 will come as a big surprise to the Turkish government and people.

Turkey's application has been languishing since 1987, when Ankara first asked Brussels to consider its case for joining. It was not officially recognised as a candidate until 1999. That was 17 years ago. Since then, things have not gone well. Formal negotiations did not begin for a further six years, and when they did they rapidly got bogged down – which is how matters broadly stand now.

Aspiring members must adopt existing EU rules and standards. They do so in stages, a process that involves agreeing separately to each of 35 chapters. After nearly 30 years, only one negotiating chapter has been agreed with Turkey. Fifteen are, in theory, open for discussion, while talks about the remainder – the most difficult bits, such as freedom of movement – have not even begun.

Related: Will staying in EU really lead to an influx equal to Scottish population?

The main reason why matters have proceeded so slowly is that the EU's big beasts, France and Germany, do not want Turkey to join. Hardly anything happens in the EU without the agreement of these two founding members. Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French president and now tipped to return to the Élysée next spring, was first to put the boot in, and others followed. Almost the first thing Sarkozy did after he was elected in 2007 was block talks with Turkey on the key area of economic and monetary policy.

Sarkozy argued that Turkey was geographically not part of Europe and had no place in the EU. François Hollande, Sarkozy's successor, is similarly unsympathetic. More importantly, perhaps, Angela Merkel, Germany's long-serving chancellor, also opposes Turkish membership. She repeated this view in a television interview in October last year. "Erdoğan knows this," she said, referring to the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Merkel has used the carrot of accelerated negotiations to facilitate a deal with Turkey on returning Syrian migrants. But her basic position, backed by large cross-party majorities in Germany, is that Turkey should not be granted full membership. So, in short, even if David Cameron's government enthusiastically advocated swift Turkish accession, which it does not, it would certainly be blocked, for the foreseeable future, by the EU's two most powerful states, backed by other influential members such as Poland.

And even if, despite all this, Turkey were somehow allowed in, the EU's freedom of movement rules would almost certainly not apply in the first instance. Like Romania and Bulgaria after they joined in 2007, Turkish workers would not be allowed simply to move en masse to the UK or other EU states. Britain's non-membership of the Schengen area creates another specific barrier in this respect.

Similar obstacles face other current EU applicants – Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania. Apart from specific concerns about immigration and jobs, the EU is suffering what is known as "enlargement fatigue".

Many European politicians feel 28 member states is more than enough. New members are not welcome from any quarter – and all 28 national parliaments have a right of veto. This reluctance, incidentally, would affect any future membership bid by an independent Scotland.

Turkey's leaders know all this only too well, as does the Turkish public – even if Gove and the Brexiters do not. Support for EU membership has dropped in Turkey in recent years, part of a backlash against perceived discriminatory treatment by what Erdoğan calls a "Christian club".

Turkey under Erdoğan has turned eastwards, away from Europe, looking to wield influence in the lands of the old Ottoman empire. It has cultivated closer ties with Middle Eastern powers such as Saudi Arabia.

Stung by European criticism of human rights abuses and a crackdown on press freedom, Erdoğan has sometimes given the impression that he would like to scrap the EU talks altogether.

Sunday's appointment of a party loyalist, Binali Yıldırım, as prime minister, who is expected to follow the president's line in all main policy areas, means Erdoğan's Europhobia may develop unchecked and become more extreme.

Vote Leave's argument that millions of Turks would move to the UK if they could is borderline fantasy for other reasons. Although Turkey's economy has faltered of late, its record of expansive GDP growth since the 1990s is impressive. Living standards have risen for most Turks amid rapid urbanisation.

In other words, Britain is a less attractive destination for Turkish economic migrants than it might think. Against this backdrop, Gove's claim that more than 5 million people – exceeding the population of Scotland – could move to the UK from the EU by 2030 reveals a surprising ignorance of European realities. Truth be told, it's a load of old kebab.

Source: Could Turkey really join the EU by 2020?

Slump in Turkey: Thomas Cook reports dip in summer bookings

Senior market analysts said the news sent ripples of concern throughout the travel sector, which is also today dealing with fears surrounding the missing EgyptAir flight.

 

Connor Campbell, a senior market analyst at www.spreadex.com, said: "Plunging to three-year lows, Thomas Cook dropped a whopping 16% this Thursday as it told that summer bookings were 5% lower year-on-year, with the recent terror attacks, especially those in Turkey, causing a significant drop in demand.

 

"This sent ripples of concern throughout the rest of the sector, which is also dealing with the fears surrounding the missing flight between Paris and Cairo, causing TUI to fall 4% and easyJet to slip 2%."

Although Thomas Cook's overall bookings are down, the company said if you take Turkey out of  the equation bookings to other destinations are 6% up.

 

"As we look ahead to our busiest period, Thomas Cook is trading well to destinations other than Turkey, with particularly strong bookings to Spain and the USA," said chief executive Peter Fankhauser, announcing the group's half-year results today.

 

Thomas Cook said summer 2016 bookings to the Balearics are up 14%, Canaries up 23%, and USA up 29%.

 

"However demand for Turkey - our second largest market last year - remains significantly below last year's levels," added Fankhauser .

 

"This has impacted our German Airlines business in particular. We've also seen a sharp decline in demand in Belgium following the tragic attack at Brussels airport in March."

 

Overall revenues for the six months to the end of March were up to £2.67 million, while winter losses before tax were down from £303 million to £288 million.

 

"Taking into account anticipated foreign exchange translation gains, we expect underlying EBIT for the full year to be between £310 million and £335 million," said Fankhauser.

 

He said the group had undergone a fundamental change in its approach to customers since the inquest into the deaths of two children from carbon monoxide poisoning on a Thomas Cook holiday.

 

"The Corfu inquest was a turning point for Thomas Cook. It was clear to me that we needed to change our mindset and put the customer back at the heart of our business," he explained.

 

"I am proud of the way in which my colleagues across the business have embraced all the changes we have made. We've created a comprehensive new training scheme for all customer-facing staff, rolled out new software to better serve customers in resort, and introduced a 24-hour customer promise in 1,500 of our most popular hotels.

 

"It's early days and there is more to do, but we've already seen a positive reaction from our customers, with improvements in the net promoter score across all our markets."

 

Thoams Cook's online sales grew 10% in UK and 21% in Germany in the second quarter.
Source: Slump in Turkey: Thomas Cook reports dip in summer bookings

In it for the long haul: Brits ditch Greece and Turkey for Mexico and Mauritius

Getty

Brits are heading to Mexico rather then European destinations

Changing trends in British travel are seeing the nation increasingly looking for holiday destinations further afield.

Countries such as Mexico, the United States, the Dominican Republic and Mauritius have shown a dramatic surge in popularity. 

A third of travellers are planning to ditch traditionally popular European hotspots. 

Popular European holiday destinations such as France and Greece are being shunned in favour of long-haul holiday destinations this year.

Related articles

Getty

We're taking more long haul flights.

According to the research, France has almost halved in popularity as a holiday destination in the past year, with Turkey down by more than a third. 

Popularity in Greece has also dropped by 16 per cent.

The reasons for the dip in holidays are due to cheaper foreign exchange, European safety concerns, and a desire to experience other cultures, according to research and booking data from holiday provider Club Med.

Of the third of people looking to go further abroad this year, 47 per cent are looking to go a longer distance as a direct result of recent European events - including those in France and Brussels – with 53 per cent of people citing safety as their top concern when making their holiday plans.

Getty

Popularity in Greece is down but bookings to the West Indies is up

Nearly three in five people confirmed that they research recent news surrounding a potential holiday destination before take-off and nearly one in 10 confess they have cancelled or changed a holiday in the past due to safety concerns.

This research follows huge dips in bookings to previously popular holiday spots such as Turkey and African holiday spot Tunisia.

Safety concerns are not the only factors affecting our choice of holiday. 

Good value foreign currency and cost of flights were cited as key influences for Brits when choosing a holiday destination. 

Getty

Clear waters and ten hour flights are very much the order of the day with British travellers

A third of people now feel long haul is now better value than it was three years ago with 30 per cent believing flights have gone down in price in the same time period. 

More than a third of the country's travellers also feel long haul destinations are now more appealing than holidays in Europe, compared to two years ago.

Estelle Giraudeau, Managing Director for Club Med UK & Scandinavia, commented: "While different countries have always gone up and down in popularity, the trend in recent months for British families to choose a long haul destination over a shorter trip to Europe is really evident.  

A combination of global sporting events, cheaper long-haul travel, and geopolitical activity has led to many long haul resorts being booked up months in advance."

Related articles
Source: In it for the long haul: Brits ditch Greece and Turkey for Mexico and Mauritius

Thomas Cook shares slump on day Egyptair jet goes missing

Shares in Thomas Cook plunged 19% yesterday as it said its summer bookings fell as security concerns meant more holidaymakers opted for breaks in Spain over Turkey, Tunisia, and Egypt, outstripping its efforts to adjust flights.

The drop in the shares to a three-year low of 72 pence came as it released its first-half results, on the day travel stocks fell after the disappearance of an EgyptAir flight.

Despite shifting 1.2 million airline seats from the eastern to the western Mediterranean, the British travel operator said bookings were down by 5% and full-year profit would now be at the bottom end of market forecasts.

Chief executive Peter Fankhauser said Turkey, its second most popular destination last year, had not recovered as he had hoped after an attack on tourists in Istanbul in January.

"This has had a particular impact on our German airlines business, which is the market leader into Turkey," he said.

The last update from Thomas Cook in March, which sent its shares to a previous three-year low, came on the same day as explosions in Brussels.

Mr Fankhauser said holiday bookings in Belgium had come "to a standstill" as a result.

Thomas Cook shares have now slumped 40% since the start of the year.

Shares in its much bigger European rival, TUI, fell 2.5% yesterday. Its shares are down 17% this year.

TUI said last week it plans to sell a collection of adventure travel activities, tightening its focus on mass-market holidays to lift profitability.

Bookings at TUI were up 1%, with demand strong, it said.

Other travel shares also eased slightly yesterday, with IAG — the owner of British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Vueling — down 1.7%. Experts said that inbound tourism to Ireland was unlikely to be affected.

"In the past, other big European city destinations had been affected by outrages in Paris and Brussels, but Ireland was not affected. We do not expect an effect on inbound tourism from the US," said Conor McMahon of Travel Extra.

Tourism chiefs said that Ireland had benefited in the past because the island was seen as a safe destination.

Thomas Cook shifted airline seats from Turkey, Tunisia, and Egypt to the Canaries, Balearics, and mainland Spain where it had found extra hotel rooms, but it was not enough to compensate.

Holidaymakers could turn to Turkey at the last minute, Mr Fankhauser said.

"There is no late market in Spain, because Spain is filling up extremely fast, and then there may be a shift back into Turkey," he said.

"We are suffering a bit more (than rivals) because we are much bigger (in Turkey) than other competitors," Mr Fankhauser said.

"We are happy with the demand outside Turkey, we are up 6% if you take Turkey out," he said.

Thomas Cook said operating profit for its year to end-March 2017 would be between £310m (€398m) to £335m. Analysts have forecast a range of £310m to £359m.

First half revenue grew slightly to £2.67bn, it said, and an underlying operating loss narrowed by 5% to £163m thanks to an improvement in margins.

It said it continued to expect to pay a dividend this year.

© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved

Source: Thomas Cook shares slump on day Egyptair jet goes missing

Terror forces travel industry to overhaul vacation destinations

Healy added that Thomas Cook would continue to adhere by U.K. government advice regarding holiday destinations.

"The U.K. government at the moment still does not allow any flights to Sharm [Sharm el-Sheikh] the airport there is closed. There are still some holidays being offered to Hurghada, that's something that we take advice from government – it's not something Thomas Cook does itself but you can be assured the welfare of our customers is very much at the forefront of our views," Healy told CNBC.

Thomas Cook announced its first half revenue of $3.9 billion on Thursday. However, it reported summer bookings to be down 5 percent, specifically affected by tourists no longer traveling to Turkey – one of its most popular destinations last summer. Healy said that holiday prices in Turkey were down 15-20 percent.

The holiday company's results were announced on the day EgyptAir flight MS804 disappeared en route to Cairo from Paris, early Thursday morning European time. There is still no official news on what happened to the flight, which had 66 people on board, including crew.

Shares of Thomas Cook were down over 18 percent in morning trade Thursday. The travel sector overall was down almost 1 percent.

Also on Thursday, the U.S. embassy in Ankara - Turkey's capital - issued a warning to American residents and tourists in the country stating the possibility of a terrorist attack "without warning remains a concern," specifically as Turkey marks Ataturk Memorial, Youth and Sports Day on Thursday.

The U.S. embassy also warned that "foreign and U.S. tourists have been explicitly targeted by international and indigenous terrorist organizations in Turkey" and should remain vigilant of demonstrations set for May 22 in the country.

Source: Terror forces travel industry to overhaul vacation destinations

Turkey eyes promotion of tourism with Pakistan

KARACHI: Turkish Airlines, in collaboration with Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) and Travel agents Association of Pakistan (TAAP), organised a business-to-business (B2B) workshop not only to promote the tourism industry between Turkey and Pakistan but also the bilateral relation between both the countries. A number of 23 Turkish agency representatives participated in the workshop and held B2B meeting with Pakistani counterparts during the daylong event, which was also attended by the large number of TAAP members. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed between the TAAP and TÜRSAB at the closing ceremony. Consul General of Turkey Murat Onart was the chief guest on the occasion. Turkish Airlines Karachi General Manager Fatih Atacan Temel said, "The event was aimed at increasing traffic for Turkey as around 80 percent of total Turkish Airline traffic was beyond Turkey and only 20 percent is the transit passenger for Turkey. Therefore, we are striving to escalate passengers' load for the country. Turkey is not only Istanbul; we have other historical cities as well." He further said that this event, which has provided a platform for B2B meetings between the members of the association of TURSAB and TAAP would help bridging the gap between them. Sharing his views at the closing ceremony, Consul General of Turkey Murat Onart said, "My job in Pakistan is to strengthen bilateral relations between two countries and I will provide all the support in achieving the same. Turkish consulate issued 12,000 visas last year, which is 20 percent higher than the preceding years and in near future, the Turkish government is considering of introducing 'Drop Box' visa facility for Pakistani tourists." Later, TURSAB Corporate Affairs Director Ela Atakan shared details of different cultural and historical places in Turkey. She praised the efforts made by Turkish Airlines in support and promoting tourism industry between both the countries. She further sai d that Turkey, which was the 6th preferable destination for tourism in the world, had many attractions for Pakistani tourists. Along with the delegate, a Turkish chef came all the way from Turkey and prepared delicious Turkish cuisine for the dinner. 

Source: Turkey eyes promotion of tourism with Pakistan

Europe remains favourite international destination for Indian travellers in 2015: HPI Report

According to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index (HPI) report, Europe which is considered to be a 'backpacker's paradise' was the most preferred destination for Indians while travelling abroad in 2015. Reasonable and competitive air tickets to most of the capital cities in Europe amounting to less than a return ticket to metro cities within India certainly made Europe an attractive destination for Indian tourists in 2015.

Overall Europe was the most preferred international getaway for Indian travellers in 2015 providing an array of experiences that included amongst others, shopping in Paris, trekking and hiking in the Austrian Alps, culinary delights in Italy and hot air ballooning in Turkey. Backpackers and deal hunters rejoiced in Paris, Berlin, Brussels and Istanbul as the HPI reported double digit price decreases for these popular European destinations in 2015. Hotel Room prices saw decline as Indians paid 27 per cent less in Berlin at INR 6,873, 16% less in Paris at INR 10,993; 16 per cent less in Brussels at INR 8,595; 15 per cent less in Istanbul at INR 8,109 respectively.

When it comes to the United Kingdom, London the perennial favourite amongst Indian travellers saw a marginal increase in hotel room prices by one per cent at INR 14,823 per night followed by Milan that witnessed a staggering 19 per cent increase at INR 12,695 per night in 2015.

The United States of America that is considered to be the 'land of opportunities' for Indians witnessed a rise in hotel room prices in 2015 as compared to 2014. A number of prominent destinations in the country witnessed the rise on account of increased demand except the 'Big Apple' that saw a marginal drop of one per cent priced at INR 15,704 per night for a hotel room.

New York topped the list despite a marginal fall of one per cent in hotel room prices where Indian travellers paid the most in 2015 followed by San Francisco priced at INR 14,465 per night for a hotel room while choosing destinations to travel to in the United States of America. Meanwhile Boston ranked third followed by 'Beach Destination' Miami ranking fourth on the list priced at INR 13,423 and INR 13,086 respectively for a hotel room per night.

The HPI is a regular report on hotel prices in major destinations across the world, tracking the movement in prices that people actually paid for their accommodation and providing valuable insight into the reasons behind these changes. The data is drawn from bookings made on the hundreds of thousands of hotels on the Hotels.com websites worldwide.

Source: Europe remains favourite international destination for Indian travellers in 2015: HPI Report

Turkish investors will build at least 10 hotels in Iran and both countries will increase flights.

The protocol was signed in Tehran by Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mahir Ünal and Masoud Sultanifer, Iran's vice-president and head of the Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization.

Ünal and Sultanifer also discussed how to boost tourism between Turkey and Iran along with sector representatives from the both countries.

According to the protocol, Turkish investors will build over 10 hotels in Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz and Mashhad, said a Turkish official quoted by Reuters.

Both charter and scheduled flights will also be increased between Turkey and Iran, according to the protocol.

Joint packages for distant regions

Both countries will also share their experiences, launching joint promotional campaigns and tour packages for distant countries including China, India, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Sultanifer invited Turkish citizens to visit Iran.

"Turkish businessmen who are thinking of investing in hotel construction in Iran are meeting with their Iranian counterparts today. Just like Turkey is a good tourist destination for Iranians, we expect Turkish tourists to visit Iran," he said, as quoted by Anadolu Agency.

After a diplomatic crisis erupted between Turkey and Russia last November when the Turkish armed forces downed a Russian jet over airspace violations on the Syrian border, the number of Russian tourists visiting Turkey decreased dramatically.

Turkey's tourism revenue decreased by 16.5 percent in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 due to the Russian crisis and escalating security concerns. This has prompted Turkish officials to cast the net out wider in a bid to find alternative solutions.

www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99127&NewsCatID=349

Source: Turkish investors will build at least 10 hotels in Iran and both countries will increase flights.

Caribbean migrants fly 6,000 MILES to Turkey in bid to enter Europe illegally

GETTY

Haitian protestors are rising up against the Government

According to border guards, hundreds of people desperate to reach Germany, France, the United Kingdom and beyond are paying smuggling gangs thousands of pounds to help them get safe passage to the Greek Islands where they claim asylum.

But they are being rumbled and deported when it is discovered that they cannot speak Arabic.

Migrants from Haiti and the Dominic Republic have been stopped by staff who became suspicious because of their inability to speak the native languages from the countries they claim to be from. 

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GETTY

Failed asylum seekers are being deported from Greece under deal with Turkey

They say there are cheap flights and they don't need visas for Turkey, so it is not so hard

Border guard Anna Smigielska

"For us it seems strange, but they say it's one of the easiest ways to get into Europe," said EU border guard Anna Smigielska told Mail Online. 

"I asked some of them, how is it you are coming this route?

"They say there are cheap flights and they don't need visas for Turkey, so it is not so hard."

According to figures, more than a million people made the dangerous journey across the sea to the EU last year.

Hundreds of thousands have come via Turkey to Greek islands such as Lesbos.

GETTY

Migrants not granted asylum are being sent back to Turkey

Ms Smigielska who is tasked with verifying identities said one man from Haiti insisted he was from Syria but couldn't hold a conversation with a translator.

"We kept saying, 'You don't speak Arabic and, frankly, you don't look like you are from Syria,' but he kept insisting he was. 

Finally, we said, 'You really have to say you are from somewhere other than Syria.' 

"He replied, 'OK, I'm from Afghanistan.' Only after a long time did he admit to being from Haiti."

GETTY IMAGES

Unrest in the Dominican Republic has caused economic instability

Caribbean natives have been known to fly from the resort of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic via Amsterdam and on to Istanbul before arranging to be ferried to Greece. 

A spokesman for EU border agency Frontex said: "Although geographically it is an extreme form of travel to go from the Dominican Republic, once a route is established by genuine refugees other economic migrants tend to follow because they know it is a way."

Migrants from Morocco are also said to be favouring the route via Greece rather than Spain where they have been known to seek passage historically. 

Dutch airline KLM had warned Government bodies of a large number of passengers who had not turned up for flights returning to their original destinations. 

According to reports 351 migrants from the Dominican Republic, eight from Haiti, two Cubans, one Jamaican, two from Honduras and two from Colombia tried to enter via the Greek coastguard last year. 

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Source: Caribbean migrants fly 6,000 MILES to Turkey in bid to enter Europe illegally