WIN ISSUE 293 | JUNE 2018 VOTE AND WIN


WIN An Overnight Stay at the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa


See page 11...


A Return Family Ferry Crossing to France with Irish Ferries


See page 27...


NOMINATE YOUR TOP VISITOR ATTRACTION, TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE, TRAVEL AGENT, MULTIPLE BRANCH AND TRAVEL CONSULTANT AND YOU COULD WIN ONE OF FIVE TOP PRIZES


WIN An Overnight Stay in the AC Mariott Hotel, Belfast


See page 13...


WIN An Overnight Stay in the Galgorm Resort & Spa


See page 24...


WIN An Overnight Stay on Lusty Beg Island


See page 26...


WIN An Overnight Stay in at the Titanic Hotel, Belfast


See page 29...


€7 ‘visa’ fee for UK travellers... I


T IS increasingly likely that UK passport holders will have to pay a €7 fee when they travel to a country inside the EU from 2020 onwards. The levy is a "travel authorisation fee" and not as some media outlets have insinuated, EU revenge on the UK for Brexit.


Some news outlets described it as a European visa when it is in fact the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) agreed in mid-April by Brussels which will impose a "travel authorisation fee of €7" on all "visa-exempt third country nationals" when it comes into force in a couple of years time. If the UK exits the EU as planned UK passport holders will become like countries such as the US, "visa exempt third country nationals" and therefore intending travellers will have to foot the €7 bill. However, Irish passport holders living in Northern Ireland should be able to travel freely and/or settle in the EU as a result of agreement between the governments of the UK and the Republic over passport holders’ rights.


Etias, modelled on the US visa-waiver system, is designed to increase border security in times of mass migration and a heightened terrorist threat. Visitors to the EU, including UK travellers after Brexit, will have to file an online application, which will be cross-checked against EU states' crime databases and


those of Interpol.


Most will get a travel permit "automatically and quickly" and the €7 fee will keep travellers covered for three years. But if the databases score a "hit", or if there are "doubts" or "elements requiring further analysis" they will be told, within 96 hours, that they were denied entry into Europe's so-called Schengen travel zone, which includes 26 countries.


Theresa May has ruled out membership of the single market and said freedom of movement will end when the UK leaves the bloc – meaning that negotiating an exemption for Britain from the new system is likely to prove difficult.


A spokesperson for the European Commission’s Brexit negotiating team said: “The Brussels agreement is another important step in protecting the EU’s external borders. By knowing who is coming to the EU before they even arrive at the border, we will be better able to stop those who may pose a threat to our citizens.”


Airlines and ferry companies will also have a new responsibility to check whether travellers who need documents have them. Once a person has obtained travel authorisation under the scheme, it will remain valid for three years, or until that person’s passport expires – whichever is first. After that, they will have to go through the process again.


AWARDS LAUNCH! Amanda Middler of Silversea, new category sponsor at the Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism Awards, is pictured with Ciaran Mulligan, second left, of the Awards Headline sponsor Blue Insurance, at the reception to unveil the 2018 Awards in the Titanic Hotel, Belfast recently. Also included in the picture is Jonathan Adair and Brian Ogle of Northern Ireland Travel News, organisers of the Awards. Full details of the Awards Gala and how to vote inside....


Travel agents ready for Biggest Big Event yet!


TRAVEL Agents from all over the Province will be heading for The Hilton, Templepatrick on June 12 and 13 for the two-day Big Travel Trade event, now in its eighth year.


More than 100 travel companies will


be exhibiting, promoting their products, hosting events and getting their message across to the local Travel Trade. And running in conjunction with the exhibition and networking sessions, the 20th anniversary Northern Ireland


Travel Golf Classic will be taking place. To round off two packed days, guests will be able to enjoy the Blue Insurance Alternative Awards, an opportunity to relax and unwind. For more, see Page 35.


PAY UP TO VISIT EU COUNTRY AFTER 2020

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