Travel News April/May 2022


‘Spill The Tea’ with a Bridgerton-Inspired Afternoon Tea


WITH the highly anticipated Season 2 of Bridgerton airing on Netflix, one Belfast Hotel is helping fans feel part of the drama.


Guests of the 5-star Culloden Estate and Spa in Belfast are being invited to experience the splendour of high society with a scandalously decadent Bridgerton- inspired afternoon tea in the hotel’s stunning setting overlooking Belfast Lough. Such a treat seems fitting for a hotel that’s part of the luxury Hastings Hotels group.


The afternoon tea experience promises to tickle your tastebuds with a demi-tasse of soup (a small cup to you or me), followed by elegant finger sandwiches, warm buttermilk scones with lashings of clotted cream and a sumptuous array of pastries and cakes – all served in fine bone crockery laid out on a suitably dressed antique table. Along with the finest selection of speciality teas and


coffees, guests can add a glass of champagne to enhance the experience.


And if you’re feeling especially audacious you can partake in Lady Whistledown’s Gossipy Gimlet cocktail – cleverly disguised in a teacup to avoid any scandal. Dressing up for such a sanctimonious occasion is optional but will not be frowned upon.


The Bridgerton-inspired afternoon tea costs from £35 per person.


Afternoon tea gift cards are also available from the Hastings Hotels website Vouchers can be purchased from https://www. hastingshotels.com/afternoon-tea-gift-cards.html or you can make a reservation by calling + 44 (0) 28 9042 1066 or emailing guest@cull.hastingshotels.com


Dublin Airport Launch 2022 Summer Schedule


DUBLIN Airport has launched its Summer 2022 flight schedule in digital flipbook format. Dublin Airport has 44 airlines flying to 180 destinations worldwide this summer as it continues to build global reach following the Covid pandemic. The easy-to-read Dublin Airport guide contains a variety of helpful information such as a list of handy travel tips, passenger safety information as well as the details of all the destinations and frequency of flights served by our airline partners. With more than 1,300 flights to Europe each week,


over 700 flights to Great Britain, 200+ flights to North America and almost 40 to the Middle East and Africa it promises to be a summer packed with travel opportunities.


https://online.flippingbook.com/view/505306922/


Etihad and Abu Dhabi Airports Team Up For New Loyalty Product


ABU Dhabi Airports and Etihad Guest, the award- winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, have signed an agreement to launch the “Miles on the Go” product at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Etihad Guest members can now instantly earn and spend Etihad Guest Miles when shopping at participating merchants located at Abu Dhabi International Airport. By simply downloading the Etihad Guest app and linking up to five Visa cards to their profiles, members can spend their miles and receive cashback on their cards. Members can earn 1 Etihad Guest Mile and 1 Etihad Guest Tier Mile for every AED 3 spent at any of the 119 participating outlets including, lounges, luxury retail stores, dining establishments and Duty-Free outlets from over 35 brands. Francois Bourrienne, Chief Commercial Officer, Abu Dhabi Airports, said “Abu Dhabi Airports always strives to strengthen ties with strategic partners to provide a remarkable customer experience at our airports. We are pleased to collaborate with Etihad Guest at their home airport and we are committed to introducing innovative solutions that will enhance the passengers’ journey through Abu Dhabi International Airport”. Terry Daly, Executive Director Guest Experience, Brand & Marketing, Etihad Airways, added “We are continuously enhancing our Etihad Guest loyalty programme for our valued members. The ‘Miles on the Go’ product offers our members a rewarding experience with more options to earn and spend miles. We are delighted to welcome Abu Dhabi International Airport to our award-winning mobile app.


“As more passengers pass through Abu Dhabi Airports every day, we look forward to rewarding them as they shop from the wide range of Duty-free outlets or dine at their leisure.” The successful and first-of-its-kind ‘Miles on the Go’ technology was launched in 2020. It has since won multiple innovation and industry awards. Complementing the existing travel partners, members can automatically earn and spend miles in three Aldar Malls in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, at a suite of entertainment, hospitality, F&B partners and now at Abu Dhabi International Airport. For more information, please visit https://www. etihadguest.com/


“Economy Minister has snubbed our industry” ANITA Comment on Lack of Funding


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OLLOWING the recent news that travel agents in the South of Ireland are now eligible for a second substantial support package following the announcement of a €10m Support Scheme for Travel Agents, Northern Ireland Travel News spoke to Damian Murphy from ANITA for his thoughts.


“Travel agents in the South of Ireland have been told they may now qualify for a second and indeed meaningful support grant. They will receive this provided their business can demonstrate a level of decrease in business which I have no doubt they will all be able to do- this is fantastic news for everyone involved and we applaud the Irish government for making these funds available. Meanwhile here in the North our sector has once again been snubbed.”


“After endless dialogue with both the economy committee and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson we find ourselves no further


on. The economy committee have fully supported us and put forward a recommendation that a package should be forthcoming- Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said he is behind our cause and we know that the Finance Minister has previously tweeted his support for us – so it appears the person who will not support us is the Economy Minister Mr Gordon Lyons. The reason he gives is that “responsibility for travel agents is not constrained to one specific department and currently the Executive is not in a position to meet and my department has no mandate from the Executive to take forward any further schemes outside of those already announced. Continuing on to add that, “I have to say I’m not quite sure what to make of this as his committee have fully endorsed our cause and we have all seen other schemes announced over the last couple of weeks. I have been in contact with the Finance department for their thoughts and am waiting on a reply from them. I know our whole sector feels let down and completely under valued and I feel the very least we deserve is a face to face meeting with the Economy Minister so he can explain his reasons for


not supporting us in person.”


Travel Solutions Count down to Launch of New Lake Garda Holiday Programme


TRAVEL Solutions, Northern Irelands leading local tour operator, were dusting down their Italian flags, as they got ready to launch their new Lake Garda holiday programme.


The companies Operations Director, Julie Magill, couldn’t hide her excitement


“ With less than six weeks to the start of our new Lake Garda programme, the team at Travel Solutions are looking forward to a great season. This new programme to beautiful Lake Garda has been a great success and we know that our customers will have an enjoyable time in Italy. Not only do customers have the splendour of the lakeside towns to explore , but can also visit the historic and unique cities of Verona and Venice during their holiday”


She continued “ In less than six weeks’ time, local holidaymakers could


be sitting lakeside, marvelling in the magnificent scenery, indulging in exquisite Italian cuisine, and sipping a cool drink. It’s so exciting”. Travel Solutions operate weekly flights direct from


Belfast International Airport to Verona, with 3* and 4* hotels and family self-catering resorts located in lake side locations in a choice of resorts. Prices start from £599.00 per person and can be booked through local travel agents or at www.travel-solutions.co.uk


Norwegian Remove Mask Wearing Onboard


NORWEGIAN have become the latest airline to remove their mask wearing mandate. Passengers flying onboard Norwegian will no longer be required to wear a face mask for the duration of their flight.


In a statement on their website, Norwegian said, “Face masks are (from April 2022) no longer required on board our flights.”


” {the} use of face mask may still be required at the various destinations. We advises all passengers to check the local requirements and guidance at their destination before traveling, including stops and connecting flights in Europe. It is the responsibility of the passenger to comply local regulations and restrictions.” “Those who still wish to wear a face mask on board are very welcome to do so.”


Norwegian joins airlines such as Jet2, EasyJet, British


Airways, Virgin and Tui who have already removed mask wearing onboard some of their flights. For more information, visit www.norwegian.com


ANITA continue to rally for funding UK’s Civil Aviation Authority Marks 50 Years


THE UK’s Civil Aviation Authority embarks on its 50th anniversary celebrations. The past five decades has seen revolutionary advances in aviation, safety and travel. The Civil Aviation Authority was formed as part of the Civil Aviation Act 1971 with regulation of aviation previously being the responsibility of the Air Registration Board and the Board of Trade. Sir Stephen Hillier, Chair of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:


“It’s been an incredible 50 years for the Civil Aviation Authority, and indeed for the whole aerospace industry. I’m proud that the organisation has been able to sustain its position at the forefront of aviation and aerospace regulation for this extraordinary half-century, promoting safety, enjoying the trust and confidence of those that we regulate, and ensuring that we deliver the best possible outcomes for consumers and the industry. Aerospace has always been at the leading edge of technology, and I know that it will continue to be throughout the next 50 years. As the UK’s aviation and space regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority is proud and excited to play its part in enabling and securing that future.”


Below, are some of the key aviation milestones over the last five decades: 1970s In 1974 Clarksons Travel holiday company collapsed with 35,000 travellers abroad. There were insufficient funds to repay those who had paid for their holidays in advance. This led to the creation of a fund to reimburse Clarksons customers, which became the ATOL scheme we know today. In 1975, a significant milestone came when Concorde gained its Certificate of Airworthiness from the Civil Aviation Authority, bringing in the era of supersonic travel. 1980s


The 1980s saw a wave of aviation advancements – the period when London City Airport became operational. In 1982, the Civil Aviation Authority certified the Boeing 757, 767 and, a year later, the Airbus A310. Following the Airtours accidents of 1985, the mid-80s saw the introducing of crucial cabin safety measures: floor level lighting, toilet smoke detectors, greater space around over-wing exits and fire-blocking seat covers. 1990s


In the 1990s, further safety improvements followed the 1989 Kegworth plane crash


By 1997, the aviation industry had become a major sector of the UK economy. By this time, there were 15,000 aircraft on the Civil Aviation Authority’s register and UK air traffic controllers were now handling over four million flights a year. 2000s


GERMAN actor Tom Wlaschiha, who played Jaqen H’ghar in Game of Thrones, has been visiting Northern Ireland and Dublin – sharing his adventures and experiences here with his almost 300,000 followers on Instagram.


Wlaschiha visited as a guest of Tourism Ireland, Tourism NI and Fáilte Ireland.


Tom – whose character trained Arya Stark to be a ‘Faceless Man’ – visited the new Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Banbridge, where he took a fun photo with his own character’s costume in the Hall of Faces exhibition. He shared photos of the new attraction on Instagram and commented that it’s “a must for all Thronies”. Tom’s action-packed itinerary took him along the Causeway Coastal Route to some of our Game of


UPDATES 9


Sir Stephen Hiller


In the period immediately following 9/11, the Civil Aviation Authority played a crucial role in protecting airspace, introducing a restriction of flying over central London.


The eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull known as the ‘2010 ash crisis’ led to the closure of most of European airspace which the Civil Aviation Authority – working in partnership with airspace regulators throughout Europe – managed to


set new safety


standards and re-open airspace within days. 2014 saw the launch of the Civil Aviation Authority’s dedicated unit helping to further promote the UK’s thriving general aviation sector.


In 2017 and 2019, Monarch Airlines and Thomas Cook collapsed, with 2019 seeing the Civil Aviation Authority launch the largest repatriation in peacetime history. 2020s The Coronavirus pandemic led to another significant disruption to the airspace and travel industry, and the Civil Aviation Authority played a key role in supporting the sector during this, as well as a safe restart. Last year (2021), the Civil Aviation Authority took on new powers as the UK’s space regulator, helping to develop a safe, innovative and thriving space industry in the UK.


Game of Thrones Actor Explores The Real-World Westeros


Thrones filming locations – such as Cairncastle, Carnlough Harbour, Cushendun Caves and the Dark Hedges. He also spent some time in Belfast and Dublin. Nadine Lehmann, Tourism Ireland’s Manager Germany, said: “We were delighted to invite German actor Tom Wlaschiha to come and discover the real- world Westeros. He has been reminding his Instagram followers that Northern Ireland is ‘Game of Thrones Territory’ – encouraging them to come and explore the landscapes and locations featured in the series for themselves.” Tom Wlaschiha


praised Northern Ireland, saying:


“I didn’t travel much through Westeros in my role on Game of Thrones, but now I have finally discovered the


fabulous and mystical landscape of Northern Ireland.”


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