Category Archives: Travel

Rachel Reeves issued major warning as tourist tax fears in Britain grow

Holidaymakers coming to the UK may be hit with a new tourist tax when staying in campsites, hotels and B&Bs. The Labour Government is reportedly considering the move which could raise an estimated £1billion for public spending. Brits opting for staycations would be faced with the extra charges too, as UK residents would be required to pay. The scheme would start from £1 per person per night, reaching up to a staggering £15 for a five-star hotel. According to TaxPayer’s Alliance, the money raised would amount to £1bn in order to fill Rachel Reeves’ Budget deficit as the economy flatlines.However, the news will not come as a surprise to one UK city which already imposes a tourist tax on visitors. Holidaymakers going to Manchester are required to pay the City Visitor Charge (CVC) which stands at £1 per room, per night. Spokesperson for the scheme, Kumar Mishra, said the money raised is used to keep the streets of Manchester clean, as well as market the city. The tax has also been adopted in areas of Wales and Scotland, as well as popular tourist destinations throughout Europe including Paris, Barcelona and Venice. The Labour government in Wales is currently implementing their plans to introduce a fixed levy of £1.25 per person, per night. Edinburgh has also proposed a tax of 5% of accommodation costs. Sir Rocco Forte, the UK businessman and hotelier, warned that this tax in England would come as a major blow to Britain’s tourism industry.He told the Mail on Sunday: “This would be a pernicious new tax charged on top of all other taxes. “The UK is already not a cheap destination, and this can only deter cost-conscious visitors who will increasingly choose to go elsewhere.”Sources from Whitehall have not denied the consideration of a nationwide hotel tax, with Ms Reeves refusing to comment on “tax speculation outside of fiscal events”.The pandemic saw a huge drop in UK visitation as levels are yet to return to pre-2020. According to UKHospitality, there were 38 million overseas tourists in 2023, compared to 41m in 2019. When asked about the rumoured tax, the treasury told the Sun: “We do not comment on tax speculation outside of fiscal events.” 

South Australian Tourism Commission & EMG Join Forces For Global TV Coverage Of Santos Tour Down Under

South Australian Tourism Commission and EMG / Gravity Media have detailed the television production undertaking that will see EMG / Gravity Media Australia create and deliver the Australian and international all-screens coverage of the 2025 Santos Tour Down Under commencing on 17 January.South Australia and the Santos Tour Down Under highlight the best male and female cycling teams and riders racing in 2025. In partnership with Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), it is the opening event of the UCI World Tour, which also includes the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana.
This year’s Santos Tour Down Under is EMG / Gravity Media Australia’s fifth year as broadcast and production partner for the event.

“We saw a record broadcast audience last year, up 11 per cent on previous years, proving there is an appetite for elite road race cycling in the country. Bolstered by a strong commentary line-up, a fantastic production team in EMG / Gravity Media and a broadcast partner in the Seven Network, we are excited to attract more fans to our great race this summer through a high-quality broadcast that will showcase the best that South Australia has to offer,” Hitaf Rasheed, event director, the Santos Tour Down Under said.
Nine stages and two classic races bring female and male UCI World Tour professional cycling teams to race nearly 1200 kilometres over ten days on the streets of Adelaide and across regional South Australia commencing 17 January.
The Santos Tour Down Under is owned by the South Australian Tourism Commission, on behalf of the South Australian Government, with EMG / Gravity Media Australia appointed as the “host” broadcast company for the Santos Tour Down Under.

APT Travel Group Unveils Luxury-Focused Rebrand, “Everything To A T”

APT Travel Group, family-owned tour and cruise company, has unveiled a rebrand, APT Luxury Travel, ushering in a new logo and campaign with the tagline, “Everything to a T”.At the heart of the rebrand is a newly designed luxury monogram, replacing the company’s former logo. This bespoke symbol represents the legacy of APT’s long history while symbolising its sense of exclusivity.
APT’s newly unveiled logo.
Complementing this is a new TVC marketing campaign with the tagline, “Everything to a T”.

“We’re incredibly excited to share this transformation with our valued industry partners. With the new monogram, enhanced digital presence, and refined new look, we’re reinforcing our position as a leader in the luxury travel market,” Jason Shugg, chief marketing officer at APT Travel Group said.
“Although APT may look a little different, this is not just a fresh look; it’s a celebration of APT’s rich heritage and a reflection of our unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled travel experiences. The essence of APT remains unchanged.
“The new design will help us better communicate the elegance, quality, and service that APT is known for while also reflecting our rich heritage in creating extraordinary travel experiences for travellers for decades to come,” Shugg added.

Growing list of travellers charged with trying to smuggle cannabis via Pearson

TORONTO — Several arrests at Pearson Airport over the past six months have prompted the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency to remind travellers that it is illegal to bring any amount of cannabis on an international flight. 

In the case of travellers being busted at Pearson, the amounts of marijuana people are attempting to smuggle are worth tens of thousands of dollars — and the penalties are serious, police say.

“Although cannabis is decriminalized in Canada, it is still illegal to carry any amount of cannabis on international flights and amounts exceeding personal use, on domestic flights,” Insp. John McMath, officer in charge with RCMP Toronto Airport detachment, said in a news release. 

“If a passenger chooses to smuggle cannabis, they will be arrested and charged with serious criminal drug smuggling charges,” McMath said.

The RCMP say on Nov. 14, two separate travellers arrived at Pearson with a scheduled departure flight to London.

Outbound baggage examinations uncovered cases of cannabis concealed inside their luggage totalling about 45 kilograms with an estimated street value of $175,000, the RCMP allege.

Officials seized the cannabis and arrested the travellers. 

A 40-year-old woman has been charged with being in possession of 21.95 kilograms of cannabis.

A 32-year-old woman has also been charged with transporting 22.5 kilograms, according to an RCMP news release.

They each face charges of export contrary to the Cannabis Act.

Both accused were released and were expected to appear at the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse in Brampton in February.

Baggage examination

On Oct. 26, a Canadian destined for the Netherlands was found to have 45 kilograms of cannabis in their bag, valued at $180,000, according to an RCMP news release.

A 20-year-old was charged under the Cannabis Act with possession for the purpose of export. The accused was released with a scheduled court date.

On Oct. 25, a Canadian passenger bound for Germany who underwent a baggage examination was found to have 45 kilograms of cannabis concealed inside her luggage valued at $180,000, the RCMP say.

A 21-year-old woman was charged with possession for the purpose of export under the Cannabis Act. She was released on an undertaking with a scheduled court appearance. 

On Oct. 23, an outbound baggage examination found 62 kilograms of concealed cannabis valued at $248,000 for a traveller headed to London.

A 26-year-old woman was charged with export contrary to the Cannabis Act. She was scheduled for a court appearance last month.

The estimated value of the drugs was approximately $248,000 and the penalties for cannabis importation in the UK are up to 14 years in prison, the RCMP noted.

On July 25, CBSA stopped a 36-year-old Canadian woman after she was found with 23.25 kilograms of cannabis concealed inside her luggage.

Three days later, CBSA stopped 53-year-old Canadian man after 8.8 kilograms of cannabis was found concealed inside his luggage.Both were charged with possession for the purpose of export contrary to the Cannabis Act, according to an RCMP news release, and were scheduled to appear in court.

All of the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.

‘Lifelong consequences’

“The discovery of travellers arriving at Canadian international airports attempting to hide cannabis continues to be an issue with serious, and possibly lifelong consequences for these travellers,” the RCMP’s McMath said.

McMath also had a message for people who believe they have been targeted by a criminal organization to transport cannabis.

“Report the incident to your local police,” he said. “Don’t carry luggage for others; awareness is your best defence. Be suspicious of any offer that sounds too good to be true, as you will be held responsible and that dream vacation could end up turning into a trip to prison.”

If you have any information related to smuggling, drug importation, trafficking, or possession, you can contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

FA Cup draw: Liverpool travel to Plymouth

Jan 12, 2025, 01:11 PM ETOpen Extended ReactionsPremier League leaders Liverpool will travel to the Championship’s bottom club Plymouth Argyle in the fourth round of the FA Cup, with Leyton Orient or Derby County drawn to face Manchester City.Plymouth are sure to be enthused by the prospect of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk lining up at Home Park after the second-tier club dispatched Brentford 1-0 in the third round on Saturday.Editor’s Picks2 RelatedWhether City face in-form League One side Orient or mid-table Championship outfit Derby, they will likely provide sterner opposition than Salford City who were beaten 8-0 by Pep Guardiola’s men on Saturday.After beating Arsenal on penalties in a hectic third-round tie on Sunday, FA Cup holders Manchester United were rewarded with an opportunity to face Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City. The former United striker was in charge at Old Trafford on an interim basis earlier this season.Elsewhere, Brighton & Hove Albion will play Chelsea, Everton take on Bournemouth and Aston Villa host Tottenham Hotspur in three tough clashes between Premier League teams.Newcastle United face a tricky-looking trip to League One leaders Birmingham City, while Fulham must travel to face either Mansfield Town or Wigan Athletic.Remaining third round matches take place on Monday and Tuesday. The fourth round will be played Feb. 7-10.FA Cup fourth round draw:Manchester United vs. Leicester CityLeeds United vs. Millwall or Dagenham & RedbridgeBrighton & Hove Albion vs. ChelseaPreston North End or Charlton vs. Wycombe WanderersExeter City vs. Nottingham ForestCoventry City vs. Ipswich TownBlackburn Rovers vs. Wolverhampton WanderersMansfield Town or Wigan Athletic vs. FulhamBirmingham City vs. Newcastle UnitedPlymouth Argyle vs. LiverpoolEverton vs. BournemouthAston Villa vs. Tottenham HotspurSouthampton vs. BurnleyLeyton Orient or Derby County vs. Manchester CityDoncaster Rovers vs. Crystal PalaceStoke City vs. Cardiff City

Zim tourism poised for growth on improved connectivity

Michael Tome
Business Reporter
Improved destination connectivity and enhanced marketing are expected to significantly boost the performance of the tourism sector in 2025, Tourism and Hospitality Secretary Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa said.
In an interview, Dr Munyanyiwa said Zimbabwe was poised to significantly benefit from increased air connectivity as entry of new airlines, coupled with a surge in air travel, was expected to bolster the tourism sector.
The upgrades to the R.G. Mugabe International Airport and the Victoria Falls International Airport are anticipated to attract more international airlines, ultimately leading to a substantial increase in tourist arrivals.
Uganda Airlines recently commenced operations on the Harare-Entebbe route on September 25, 2024, joining a roster of airlines including Kenya Airways, South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates.
The airlines play a vital role in connecting international tourists to Zimbabwe’s renowned tourism destinations.
Dr Munyanyiwa also said aggressive marketing initiatives to extend the average tourist stay from the about three days to six days would be pursued, allowing tourists to spend more, thereby generating increased revenue for the country. This would be in addition to developing new tourist attractions, he said.
He said Zimbabwe was also planning to participate in key global events, including the World Tourism Market and ITB Berlin in Spain, as well as events in the United States.
Last year, the country conducted strategic roadshows across several cities, including Bournemouth, Manchester, and London in the United Kingdom, as well as Cape Town and Johannesburg. The shows were aimed at educating the homecoming diaspora community and encouraging them to explore domestic tourism opportunities.
Dr Munyanyiwa said the country was focused on capitalising on the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) segment, a vital component of the tourism                            industry.
MICE tourism not only attracts high-spending visitors but also generates substantial revenue, significantly benefiting local economies.
It also stimulates investment in crucial infrastructure developments, including convention centres, hotels, and transportation systems.
“Our projected growth is premised on aggressive marketing, for both domestic and international tourists, our strategy also entails cluster and MICE approach to stimulate growth.
“We also have up to 11 tourism clusters that we have developed and these include religious, sports and agro-tourism.
Zimbabwe’s tourism is a critical pillar of the country’s economy, contributing approximately 12 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and major source of foreign exchange. This year, it is expected to grow by 4,3 percent.
Tourism is considered a low-hanging fruit for the country in terms of foreign currency generation and employment creation and is part of key sectors that will be critical in achieving sustainable economic growth as enunciated in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1).
The Government’s initiatives to bolster the tourism sector coincide with the country receiving United Nations approval to establish the International Culinary Academy in Victoria Falls. This development is poised to be a transformative game-changer for the tourism industry.
“The tourism industry generating up to US$1,2 billion a year, we really need to be supported so that we can double those figures,” said Dr Munyanyiwa.
Zimbabwe boasts a diverse range of attractions, offering visitors a unique blend of natural wonders, cultural heritage and thrilling                                             adventures.

Calls to close major WA tourism attraction to save ‘hounded’ penguins

Conservationists are calling for Penguin Island to be closed to visitors to allow the dwindling little penguin population to recover, but the state government insists the decline is due to climate change and not tourism.The island, a 10-minute ferry ride from Rockingham, south of Perth, teems with over a hundred species, big and small, but the little penguins have always been the main drawcard.The colony has dropped by 94 per cent since 2007, leaving an estimated 114 on the island.Scientists have cited climate change, human activity and migration patterns as driving factors in the population’s decline.Researchers estimate there are only 114 little penguins left on the island.

7 best European marathons to travel for in 2025

Marathon runners. Credit: Pexels, RUN 4 FFWPU

Morocco Wins “Most Beautiful Stand” Award at Netherlands’ 2025 tourism fair

Morocco shone at the “Vakantiebeurs 2025” Tourism Fair, held in Utrecht, Netherlands, from January 8 to 12, by winning the prestigious award for the most beautiful stand.
The stand, inaugurated by Morocco’s Ambassador to the Netherlands Mohamed Basri, in the presence of diplomats from several countries, distinguished itself by receiving the “Most Beautiful Stand” award at this travel and vacation-focused event.
The “Vakantiebeurs,” a key European event for tourism and leisure, takes place annually at the Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs Exhibition & Convention Centre in Utrecht. It is a major highlight in the calendar of trade shows, attracting a wide range of visitors and exhibitors from around the world.

We’re in our early 60s and have over $4 million for retirement – how much can we afford to spend on travel in retirement so we dont run out of money?

Personal Finance

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A 24/7 Wall St. reader asked how much they can spend on travel in retirement.

The reader has over $4 million invested, including $3.22 million in retirement accounts.

At a safe 3.7% withdrawal rate, his retirement accounts alone will provide $119,140 in annual income.

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Decisions about retirement withdrawals can have big consequences for your financial future. A 24/7 Wall St. reader is currently grappling with this issue and sent us a question asking for advice. The reader has more than $4 million in retirement savings, but wants to know how much they can safely take out of that account. He’s hoping he can afford to travel and enjoy life, but wants to make sure he doesn’t run short.
Let’s take a look at the numbers to see how much is reasonable for him to spend — and how others can make these decisions themselves when faced with these choices. 
Always start by looking at the math 
Taking a close look at the numbers is the first key thing to do when deciding how much to withdraw from savings — and how much to devote to travel. Here’s how the reader described his situation:

He’s 61 and already retired, but his wife who earns $150,000 plans to work for another five years. 
He has $1.7 million in his 401(k). His wife has $1.2 million and contributes another $22,500 annually.
They have $320,000 in Roth IRAs, $400,000 in post-tax mutual funds, and $850,000 in cash and CDs
Their child has four more years left of college, $140,000 in a 529 account, and $60K in annual college expenses
He’ll be claiming Social Security at 62 and receive $32,000 and his wife will do the same
Their household spending, not including discretionary costs, comes in at $85,000 to $90,000. 

If you do the math, this means he has around $3.22 million in retirement accounts, and another $1.25 million in other investments, although he needs around another $100K to cover college loan-free for their child so that will likely come out of savings. However, with his wife working and contributing to the 401(k) for another five years, her 401(k) account is likely going to grow over time as she won’t be able to access her funds until 59 1/2 without penalty. 
The good news is that his wife’s current income should cover most if not all of their expenses for the coming five years. And, when she does retire and both spouses claim benefits, their Social Security checks alone will cover around 2/3 of their fixed household spending — even before they touch their savings. 
All of this means they should have plenty of money for travel and to enjoy life. 
Exactly how much can they withdraw from their retirement funds?
Lek_charoen / Shutterstock.comHow much exactly will the reader be able to devote to fun spending?  Although it will depend somewhat on how their spending and savings go over the coming years, a general rule of thumb is that you can withdraw 3.7% of your retirement account balance during retirement without worrying about running out of money. 
Until his wife retires, he’ll be able to access funds only from his own 401(k) with a balance of $1.7 million. If he withdraws 3.7% of that, it would provide $62,900. He likely won’t even need that much since his wife’s $150K income will cover the bulk of their costs. He can keep his withdrawals lower than the recommended amount unless he decides to help pay for college with distributions from his retirement plans.
Once his wife retires, they’ll likely have even more than the $3.22 million he currently has, even after accounting for his withdrawals. That’s because his wife’s account will have five more years of growth and another $22,500 in annual account contributions.  Even if they just had their $3.22 million current balance, though, it would provide $119,140 in annual income to live on — not including Social Security benefits.
With Social Security, they’d be looking at $181,140. That’s double what they need to cover household expenses and should give them a big cushion to spend on things they enjoy — without even touching taxable accounts. 
Of course, they will have to cover necessities first, like health insurance since they are both planning to retire before Medicare age. They may also want to look into the logistics of putting off claiming Social Security to maximize their benefits since each month they delay until 70 would increase their checks — and they can certainly afford to wait a bit longer given their savings. 
With so many issues to think about, talking to a financial advisor is likely going to be the best course of action. Their advisor can help them to come up with a strategic plan to decide how to minimize taxes on retirement incomes, which accounts to withdraw money from first, how best to fund the rest of college, how much they can withdraw, and what their optimum Social Security claiming age would be.
With professional help, they can make the most of the great financial situation they are in and live it up as retires.
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