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easyJet Launch Flights To Prague and Marrakech from Belfast International


EasyJet has launched its first flights and package holidays from Belfast International to Prague and Marrakech. The twice-weekly services


to the Czech Republic and Morocco provide customers in Northern Ireland with an even greater choice of city break destinations. The first flight to Prague


took off on Saturday 2nd November, and is operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays year-round.


Flights to


Marrakech took off the following day, on Sunday 3rd November,


and are


operating on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the winter.


Travellers to Prague can explore the city’s historic heart,


baroque buildings, churches and


with its colourful gothic


its famous


medieval Astronomical Clock. Bursting with


one million additional visas by 2025


The United States aims to issue


character, culture and cafes, Prague is packed with eye- catching panoramas at every street turn.


Those wishing to explore further afield can head to the


cultural


of Marrakech. Whether travellers


are


melting up


pot for


bargaining in the labyrinthine souks, relaxing with a


THE U.S. State Department has committed to adding one million visa appointments in 2025. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the department has made substantial strides in enhancing visa processing times and volumes. In fiscal year 2024, a record 11.5 million visas were issued,


which included


traditional hammam spa treatment, taking a Jeep into the mountains, or heading to a cool music festival, there is something on offer for everyone. Package holiday provider easyJet holidays has a vast range of city breaks on offer, with bookings available until 31 March 2026.


8.5 million tourist visas—a 10% increase compared to the previous year. Blinken noted that visa wait times have decreased by approximately 60% since the pandemic began. “We will continue this progress and aim to add an extra one million visa appointments in 2025, in addition to the


ABTA Chief Executive says the Budget 2024 has made “life more difficult for travel businesses”


ABTA Chief Executive says the Budget 2024 has made “life more difficult for travel businesses… notably… the 40% rate will represent a significant hike in bills for many high street agents”, while for customers, the “further increases in APD” is “disappointing”. Reflecting on the 2024 Budget announcement, Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said: “Unfortunately, at least in the short-term, today’s announcements will make life more difficult for travel businesses. “Meanwhile, for our customers, further increases in APD will be disappointing. While a £2 increase might not sound much, it brings UK air tax on economy flights to £15 per person, per flight. UK travellers already pay more on air tax than most other countries, and it is one of a multitude of taxes and charges people often have to pay on their holidays.


record number of appointments we achieved last year,” he stated. Currently, the average visa wait time is less than 60 days. Tourism


“The UK already charges the highest rate of APD in Europe. The Office for Budgetary Responsibility notes that APD is amongst the fastest growing of all taxes in the UK. The government must keep a close eye on the overall cost of travel to ensure that hard-earned holidays remain within


reach. However, there are


some bright spots in the Budget for the long-term outlook of our sector.”


November/December 2024


leaders


have welcomed the expanded visa processing for 2025. “As U.S. Travel has long emphasised, prioritising the reduction of visa wait


times will make the United States much more competitive globally for decades,” expressed U.S. Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman. He added, “The administration’s efforts are beneficial for our economy, especially as we prepare to host World Cup games in 11 U.S. cities,


which could


attract up to six million


visitors.” fast-tracked


In addition to visa


processing, the U.S. Department of State recently announced that U.S. nationals can now renew their passports online, potentially


reducing


processing times to as little as one week.


international


HAYS Travel has developed a bespoke app to further improve its service to customers.


Launched this month via the App Store and Google Play, the Hays Travel app will


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