Author: Sam Allcock

Woburn Safari Park has announced the arrival of two new Southern White rhinos, Granville and Azeeza, as they prepare to bid farewell to Bonnie, a much-loved resident rhino. The new additions arrived on August 20, with Granville, a five-year-old male, coming from West Midlands Safari Park, while Azeeza, a three-year-old female, was transported from Safari Zoo Cumbria. Granville, known for his friendly disposition and affinity for human interaction, is expected to settle in well with the existing rhino herd. His curious nature was evident even as a baby, when he would approach the giraffes in his previous mixed species home.…

As universities across the UK welcome new and returning students this September, Oxford and Cambridge prepare for a different seasonal rhythm, with terms not commencing until mid-October. This timing creates a unique opportunity for visitors to stay in the historic colleges of these iconic cities at affordable rates until the end of the month. Coinciding with this period are the Open-Door events, offering free access to many of the cities’ most significant colleges and landmarks. According to travel expert Lily Smith from UniversityRooms.com, both cities—often referred to as “Oxbridge”—come together to provide access to their renowned buildings during this time.…

The 3rd Hunan Tourism Development Conference is underway in Hengyang City, Hunan Province, Southern China, from September 20 to 22. This year’s conference, themed “Polishing Hunan’s Historical and Cultural Card through Culture-based Tourism,” aims to enhance the region’s cultural tourism through a series of key events and activities. The conference features three main events: the Opening Ceremony and Cultural Tourism Promotion Conference, the Promotion of Key Cultural and Tourism Projects, and the Hunan Tourism Industry Development Promotion Conference. Additionally, five supporting activities are scheduled, including the 2024 Hunan Cultural and Tourism Industry Investment and Financing Conference and the 3rd Hunan…

HotelPlanner, a prominent travel technology platform, has announced a new partnership with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), aimed at providing the organisation’s 100,000 members with access to excellent hotel rates both in the UK and globally. This collaboration enhances HotelPlanner’s existing relationships with various sporting governing bodies and seeks to improve the accommodation management for the RYA, benefiting its members and athletes. Under this partnership, RYA members will have the opportunity to book hotels at competitive rates for both national and international travel, as well as for the numerous events hosted by the RYA. This initiative aligns with the RYA’s…

A new report on business travel and events has suggested that after years of sharp price increases, costs are expected to stabilise over the next two years. According to the 2025 Global Business Travel Forecast, published by travel specialist CWT and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the rate of price rises will slow significantly, offering companies greater predictability in planning budgets. While costs for airfares, hotels, car rentals, and meetings will still increase, the pace is expected to be far more moderate through 2024 and 2025. This follows the volatile trends seen in recent years, when the global pandemic…

Niagara Falls has topped the list of the most popular bucket list destinations for British travellers, according to a new study that ranks the world’s most-searched landmarks. The research, conducted by travel experts at Dubai Tours & Tickets, analysed Google search data to identify the top dream travel spots for Brits. The study found that Niagara Falls, spanning the border of Canada and the US, is searched for an average of 160,661 times each month, making it the most desirable destination. This figure is a staggering 1,087% higher than the average number of searches for other landmarks on the list,…

Emerging Travel Group, a global travel company with brands including RateHawk, ZenHotels, and Roundtrip, has appointed Sergiu Les as the new Head of Corporate Department. This senior-level appointment is aimed at strengthening the company’s corporate travel segment as it prepares for an important business season. Based in Strasbourg, France, Les will oversee the corporate product strategy and development for Roundtrip, Emerging Travel Group’s travel booking platform tailored for small and medium businesses. His role involves leading a team of over 50 professionals and ensuring the platform continues to meet its sales targets and enhance customer satisfaction. Les brings over 20…

A new study conducted by Frost & Sullivan and commissioned by WEX (NYSE: WEX) has forecasted a significant rise in mixed-energy fleets due to the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). The research, titled “The Commercial EV Transition: Global Insights on a Mixed-Energy Fleet Future,” reveals that 80% of mixed-energy fleet operators plan to have at least a quarter of their fleets comprised of EVs by 2030, with 42% aiming for half or more. The 2024 global survey provides essential insights for organisations navigating the shift to electrification across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. The transition to mixed-energy fleets, which…

Trip.Biz, the corporate travel management brand of Trip.com Group, held its annual conference, ‘Trip.Biz Transform 2024,’ in Singapore. The event brought together over 200 corporate clients, partners, and industry leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region to showcase the latest advancements in corporate travel management technology. One of the key moments of the conference was the unveiling of the ‘Trip.Biz Product Matrix,’ a suite of innovative solutions designed to optimise every aspect of business travel. The new offerings aim to streamline corporate travel management and support sustainability goals for businesses worldwide. Jim Chung, General Manager of Global Key Accounts and Southeast…

Global travel technology company Travelport has announced the integration of New Distribution Capability (NDC) content from Emirates into its Travelport+ platform, providing enhanced booking and servicing options for travel agents. This development marks a significant step forward in modernising how agents access and manage bookings with the airline, one of the world’s largest international carriers. The new partnership will allow Travelport’s agency customers to view and compare more dynamic offers and ancillary services from Emirates, streamlining the travel booking experience. Through Travelport+, agents will also be able to modify and cancel bookings made via Emirates’ NDC channel, offering a more…