ISSUE 324 | APRIL/MAY 2022
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NORTHERN IRELAND BIDS GOODBYE TO COVID TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
a holiday to speak with an ABTA Member for expert help and advice, and to understand any Covid measures which may remain in the country they plan to visit.” Julia Lo Bue-Said, Chief Executive Officer, Advantage Travel Partnerships stated,
Commenting that, “The removal of all remaining Covid travel measures is a watershed moment for the travel industry. With no more tests or forms to fill in on return to the UK, travel is finally starting to return to normal and many more people will have the confidence to go ahead and book a long-awaited holiday. “With destinations around the world also continuing to relax their entry restrictions, international travel is becoming easier as we look ahead to the summer. We would encourage anyone who is thinking of booking
“The removal of the last remaining covid measures for international travel is a huge watershed moment for the UK outbound travel industry. For the last two years the sector has faced no end of continuous restrictions and disruption, alongside geographical uncertainty and this move will enable the industry to start taking the momentous challenge of rebuilding itself. “It is also positive news for UK holidaymakers who can once again travel more freely and easily with less hassle and frictionless travel. Destination rules will continue to apply and the importance of booking through a human travel agent for peace of mind has never been so important.”
Blue Insurance to Headline 30th Anniversary NI Travel and Tourism Awards
Restrictions lift for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic in Northern Ireland
By Sarah Pickering years.
Holidaymakers alongside the travel and tourism industry rejoiced as all remaining covid-19 restrictions, including travel restrictions, were dropped in Northern Ireland for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic...
EOPLE from all across Northern Ireland celebrated the lifting of all remaining covid-19 travel restrictions in March, for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. From 4am on Friday 18 March, all remaining Covid-19 travel restrictions were lifted for travellers entering Northern Ireland. This meant that any unvaccinated arrivals will no longer be required to test and passenger locator forms were scrapped.
P This welcome removal came almost exactly two years
after the first lockdown measures were put in place throughout the United Kingdom, much to the delight of many travellers and suppliers up and down the country. Announcing the decision, Minister Robin Swann
stated, “I have always said I would not keep restrictions in place longer than necessary. As we continue to make steady steps out of the Covid restrictions, the removal of the International Travel Regulations will enable freer travel for all ahead of the Easter period.” The announcement came just days after England made the similar decision to remove all remaining covid-19 travel restrictions, becoming one of the first countries in Europe to do so. Praise was met by travel agents, airlines and all those who has felt the hardship of the pandemic in recent
“Two years after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic,
this announcement marks international travel finally returning to normal.” Said Mr Steve Heapy, CEO of
jet2.com and Jet2Holidays. “The removal of needless forms and ineffective testing regimes means that customers can at long last enjoy hassle-free travel, just like they did before the pandemic. With Easter just around the corner and Summer fast approaching, this announcement comes at the perfect time. Since restrictions started to be eased at the beginning of the year, we have experienced strong, sustained demand and the complete removal of forms and requirements will boost that demand even further.” Damian Murphy of ANITA also praised both the Northern Ireland Executive and the English Government on their latest decision. Speaking to Northern Ireland Travel News, Mr Murphy said, “We in ANITA welcome the news that all remaining travel restrictions in England and Northern Ireland will be lifted.. This is really about as much as can be done for those returning from holidays or coming to visit to get the travel experience back to normal. At what is once again a difficult time not just for us in the travel industry but for the world in general given what’s happening in Ukraine anything that makes travel easier for people is now very welcome. Our thoughts of late have been very much with the people of Ukraine and the absolute devastation they have been facing and this has made it difficult to prioritise our own hardships.” Further adding that, “I do however once again call on our Executive to address the hardships we have and are still facing. We have been in constant talks over the last few months with them and while they say they are listening there has been virtually no progress in bringing forward a second support scheme for the industry here. I would call on them to act now and help us to navigate a difficult time as we hopefully move towards better days ahead.”
ABTA and Advantage Travel Partnership also
joined in the praise at the awaited news. Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association, has responded to this decision.
Blue Insurance continue their support of the NI Travel and Tourism Awards
BLUE Insurance confirmed as headline sponsorship at the 30th Anniversary of the Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism Awards.
It has been announced that for the 30th Anniversary of the NI Travel and Tourism Awards, the headline sponsors will once again be Blue Insurance. Maeve Slamon, MD of Blue Insurance commented, “Blue Insurance is delighted to once again be headline sponsor of the Northern Ireland Travel & Tourism Awards in association with Northern Ireland Travel News. The last two years have been a challenge for everyone in the industry. The indication over the last few months is that we are starting to return to pre-pandemic trading and hopefully by Awards night on the 14th of October we will all be looking forward to a bright 2023. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Northern Ireland Travel & Tourism Awards, which is a significant achievement. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Jonathan and his team at Northern Ireland Travel News for their vision and commitment in making the Awards a continued success. Northern Ireland is an important market for us in Blue Insurance; we have long-standing and mutually
beneficial relationships with Travel Agencies across the region, and we look forward to continuing to grow our business with you all in years to come.” Jonathan Adair MD of NI Travel News said. “I am delighted that Maeve and Blue Insurance
have decided to again be the headline sponsors of the industry’s biggest night of the year, and especially with it being the 30th Anniversary. Blues’ partnership with the event goes back over many years as category sponsors and for the last few years as the headline sponsor. I appreciate the last few years have been difficult for all parts of our industry, and I would like to personally thank Blue Insurance on behalf of the NI Travel Industry for their commitment to our region and this event, as we look forward to better times” The 30th Anniversary Northern Ireland Travel & Tourism Awards Gala presentation dinner, in Association with Blue Insurance, will take place on the 14th October 2022 at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa. Full details for the event including categories and voting will be revealed at the Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism Awards launch on the 8th June 2022 at the Big Travel Trade Event.
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