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November/December 2023


Belfast Included in National Geographic’s ‘Cool List 2024’


National Geographic Traveller (UK) has unveiled its ‘Cool List 2024’ – the 30 most exciting destinations to visit in 2024 – and Belfast and the Wild Atlantic Way feature on the list. Welcoming the news, Alice Mansergh,


Tourism Ireland’s Chief Executive Designate, said: “I’m really delighted that Belfast and the Wild Atlantic Way have been included in National Geographic Traveller’s ‘Cool List 2024’. Next year, we’ll be promoting Belfast 2024, which will see a programme of cultural events take place across the city. Accolades like this give Tourism Ireland another great hook to continue to promote Belfast, Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland around the world as a ‘must see’ destination.”


Translink to Implement Standardised Rail Fares


DUE to reduced funding levels for public transport from Department for Infrastructure, following the NI budget allocation, Translink is taking steps to restructure its rail fares to create a standardised pricing structure across the Northern Ireland Railway’s network. The new structure will see fares more closely aligned on a cost per mile basis across the network which will mean that route subsidies are consistent across the network.


Dalek Surprises British Airways Customers at London Heathrow


BRITISH Airways customers were surprised to find a special out of this world guest, a Dalek, while travelling through Heathrow’s Terminal 5 on Friday. Much to the surprise of those waiting in the Arrivals hall to meet loved ones, one of Doctor Who’s fearsome foes was seen keeping a watchful eye over British Airways’ arriving customers. The Dalek also mysteriously appeared in Departures where confused customers spotted one of the planet’s best-known villains checking in for a flight to Skaro, an extra- terrestrial destination that isn’t normally on British Airways’ route network. The


unscheduled


arrival of the Dalek in British Airways’ home at Heathrow


Terminal 5 marked the new partnership between


British


Airways and BBC Studios to celebrate Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary.


British Airways Completes the Refresh of its Club Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5B


features


airline in


its


has introduced T5B


lounge for


NI Public All Set For Adventure as Holiday World Launches in Belfast


IT’S been a stormy year in more ways than one for the travel industry at home and abroad, but that won’t stop the Northern Ireland public from going on holiday in 2024, according to the organisers of the 31st annual Holiday World Belfast show, which will take place at the Titanic Exhibition Centre (TEC) in January. The three-day event, which attracts more than 11,000 visitors every year, lands at the TEC on Friday January 19 and will showcase a huge choice of dazzling travel options at home and abroad. Visitors will have a chance to snap up dozens of exclusive ‘show only’ deals, get the inside track on where to go directly from operators and destinations, learn more about current holiday trends and discover new ideas, and receive advice from travel professionals on how to pay less for their holiday.


European Airport Becomes First To Offer Facial


Recognition for Check-in SITA and Fraport are enabling all airlines at Frankfurt Airport to jointly use face biometrics as identification from check-in to boarding the aircraft. Frankfurt is the first airport in Europe to offer biometric touchpoints to all airline passengers, Using SITA’s Smart Path biometric solution,your face becomes your boarding pass. Passengers can securely register in advance on their mobile device through the Star Alliance biometric app or directly at the check- in kiosk with their biometric-enabled passports.


The whole registration process only takes a few seconds.


TUI Launches Biggest Tours Program For Summer 2025


Czech It Out! Jet2 Celebrates 20 years in Prague


THE leading global leisure and travel company has launched its biggest ever tours program for summer 2025, with 56 TUI Tours on offer, including new tours in destinations such as Kenya and Crete.


On sale now, TUI Tours will be offered in 22 destinations in summer 2025, with 4, 7, 10, 11, 14 and 21 night stays available through TUI’s growing airline partnerships. Local guides,


authentic


experiences and flexible options will be offered including guided group tours, private tours, and self-drive tours, catering to different preferences.


British Airways has completed the


final phase of its lounge refresh, located at London Heathrow Terminal 5’s B gates, with a range of improvements for customers to enjoy ahead of their flight. The


New Routes From Dublin to NYC and Boston Announced!


new its


premium customers*, including a live food preparation area with brand-new seasonal menu options. Customers can watch their meals being garnished with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.


JETBLUE has announced two new transatlantic destinations from Dublin – New York and Boston,


Flights will begin March 13, 2024, and continue through September 30, 2024. Together with JetBlue’s new flights from Edinburgh, these mark JetBlue’s fourth and fifth transatlantic markets. The award-winning carrier currently


offers daily nonstop service to London, Paris and Amsterdam from New York and London and Amsterdam from Boston. “The success of our transatlantic service proves customers don’t have to choose between great service and low fares and can have them both with our award-winning Mint and core products,” said Robin Hayes, chief executive officer,


JetBlue. “Our summer seasonal service to Dublin and Edinburgh will bring a new level of service and affordable fares to these markets that have been dominated by high-fare legacy carriers for decades. We look forward to introducing the JetBlue experience to business and leisure customers traveling this summer to and from Ireland and Scotland.”


On 26th October 2003, the first Jet2.com flight landed in Prague from Leeds Bradford Airport, and two decades later the leading leisure airline is celebrating 20 years of operating award- winning flights to Prague. Since 2003, when Jet2.com operated just one route to Prague, the company has enjoyed tremendous growth, both through Jet2.com and the UK’s largest operator of European city breaks Jet2CityBreaks, with 2.5 million customers having travelled to the destination. Today, the companies operate to Prague from


ten of their UK bases – Belfast International (Christmas Markets only), Birmingham, Bristol (Christmas Markets only),


East Midlands,


Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted (Christmas Markets only), Manchester and Newcastle International and have 360,000 seats on sale.


This means customers and independent travel agents have unrivalled choice and flexibility when it comes to booking and travelling on award-winning flights.


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