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ABTA Encourages Travellers to Double-Check Passports Ahead of European Holidays
ABTA - The Travel Association, is encouraging travellers to ensure their passport is valid for travelling to Europe.
The advice comes as some people are
still getting caught out by a change in rules for British passport holders that has been in effect for over four years. If your passport is not valid you will not
be allowed to travel, and ABTA says there are still cases of people being turned away at the airport due to their passport not meeting the rules, which means they can’t go on holiday and lose out financially. British passport holders travelling to the Schengen area – which is countries in the EU (except Ireland) as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City – need to make sure their passport meets two main validity requirements, which are independent of each other. • The passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date they enter the country. • The passport must be valid for at least three months after the day they plan to
NI Travel News Attend The Women In Business Awards 2025
NI Travel News was invited to the Women In Business Awards 2025 as guests of The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast.
Christine McCleery (General Manager, NI Travel News), Chelsea Cousins (Events Manager, NI Travel News), Emma McAllister & Abbie Stothers (Events Executives, NI Travel News) joined Lisa Ferguson (Events Manager, Crowne Plaza Belfast ) & Anneka Allen (Sales Manager, Crowne Plaza Belfast) on a table with Associate Director of Andras House, Vicky Green, as they celebrated a night of successful, inspiring, and hardworking women. The night celebrated the success of women in Businesses from all across Northern Ireland. An opening speech from First Minister, Michelle O’Neill was the start of the inspirational messaging across the event with a major focus
leave. So, when travelling to the majority of countries in Europe, people need to check both the date of issue to check that their passport is no more than 10 years old when they enter the country, and also check the date of expiry to make sure they will have at least three months left when they return to the UK.
ABTA’s four-step guide to checking passport validity for Europe
• Visit the FCDO travel advice to find the passport rules for the country you’re planning to visit. • Be aware that most countries in Europe will require your passport to have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country, so check the ‘date of issue’. • Check the ‘date of expiry’ to make sure it has the required amount of months left when you return, as most countries in Europe will require at least three months’ validity. • If you need to renew, applying online at
Gov.UK is the cheapest way to do so. Graeme Buck, Director
of
Communications at ABTA – The Travel Association said: “It’s quick to follow our four steps to
make sure your passport is valid and you won’t be stopped from travelling. This is particularly important if your passport is due to expire in the next year or so. “For extra peace of mind that you’ve
got all your travel documentation in order, book with an ABTA member travel agent or tour operator who can guide you through the requirements and offer any other expert help and advice you might need.”
being on women supporting women. Hosted by Pamela Ballantine MBE,
the awards acknowledged Corporate & Small Businesses in a variety of different categories such as Best Marketing Campaign, Best Green Business, Outstanding Innovation, Young Businesswoman of the Year and the Businesswoman of the Year 2025. A massive congratulations to all
the nominees, & winners on their success and a big thank you to the team at the Crowne Plaza, Belfast for hosting the team from NI Travel News.
TAP Air Portugal Marks 80th Anniversary
TAP Air Portugal celebrated its 80th anniversary on Friday 14 March, with several initiatives to mark the festive date.
The Portuguese national airline was founded on March 14, 1945, by Humberto Delgado. After several preparatory stages, the then called Transportes Aéreos Portugueses conducted its first regular commercial flight on September 19, 1946, between Lisbon and Madrid, in a DC-3 Dakota aircraft. 80 years later, TAP
represents
April/May 2025 Portugal
worldwide and is in the top three of the largest national exporters. In 2024, it transported more than 16 million passengers. With a fleet of 99 aircraft, this summer the national airline will fly to 84 cities, 10 in North America, 14 in South America, 12 in Africa, 6 in Portugal and 42 in the rest of Europe. In total, TAP will operate
more than 1250 flights per week this summer. The main novelties will be the new flights Lisbon – Los Angeles, Porto – Boston, Terceira – S. Francisco and the resumption of flights to Porto Alegre. TAP is ranked by Airline Ratings, in 2025, as the safest airline in Europe and the eleventh safest in the world.
Universal Orlando Gives First Glimpse into Universal Epic Universe
UNIVERSAL Orlando Resort is sharing an official first look inside Universal Epic Universe – the destination’s fourth incredible theme park grand opening on May 22, 2025.
The new theme park will present a level of immersion and innovation that is unmatched as it unlocks the portals to five astounding worlds: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe – each filled with extraordinary adventures that go beyond guests’ wildest imagination.
Here is an official look at some of the breathtaking locations guests will be able to explore at Universal Epic Universe:
The Chronos – the icon of Universal Epic Universe
As guests start their day, they will pass through the stunning Chronos portal that serves as the gateway to the incredible adventures found in Epic Universe. The first world guests will encounter upon entering the Chronos is Celestial Park, where they can board a shooting comet for an exhilarating roller coaster adventure, dine on delectable cuisine, shop exclusive merchandise to commemorate their visit and more.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, guests will journey from a Muggle park in Paris into the breathtaking spectacle of 1920’s Place Cachée – a hidden, bustling shopping district in wizarding Paris. Within Place Cachée, guests will find numerous dining venues like Café L’air De La Sirène, chic shopping options like Les Galeries Mirifiques, a live, full-scale theatre experience, Le Cirque Arcanus and more. They’ll also journey from wizarding Paris to the British Ministry of Magic to witness the long-awaited trial of the infamous Dolores Umbridge in the thrilling ride, “Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.”
Super Nintendo World After guests emerge from the iconic
green pipe into Super Nintendo World, they’ll be immersed into the worlds of beloved Nintendo characters Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Donkey Kong and more. Within Universal Orlando’s most colorful and interactive experience yet, they’ll encounter familiar places inspired by Nintendo’s games, including Mt. Beanpole.
How To Train Your Dragon Upon entering the larger-than-life
world of How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, guests will be captivated by a real- life version of the iconic sweeping vista straight from the wildly popular “How to Train Your Dragon” films. As they take in the vast sparkling lagoon, two 40-foot-tall Viking statues and an energetic village perched above churning seas, guests can embark on a variety of Viking adventures inspired by the beloved film series – including experiencing what it’s like to fly on a dragon on Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, competing to outscore and out soak fellow guests on Fyre Drill, posing for a photo with Toothless and so much more.
Dark Universe In Dark Universe, guests will explore
the shadowy village of Darkmoor – home to Universal Monster legends like Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster and more. The icon of this ominous world is Frankenstein Manor, where guests will venture deep into its catacombs and face a horde of enraged monsters on Universal Orlando’s most chilling attraction ever – Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.
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