The Week In Travel

China has introduced 26 new measures to streamline entry into the country, with a focus on aiding business travellers. Announced by the Ministry of Public Security, the changes include easier domestic movement and the option for business visitors to upgrade single-entry visas to multi-entry visas lasting up to three years business travellers can now apply for landing visas with an invitation letter. Foreign nationals awaiting residence permits can now retain their passports, eliminating the need for temporary travel documents. These measures are expected to be in effect by the end of August.

Ethiopian Airlines is set to operate a three-times-weekly service from Gatwick to Addis Ababa this November. The new route will launch on November 21 and be operated by A350-900 aircraft. This will mark Gatwick’s first direct flight to the Ethiopian capital since 2006. The airport now offers more than 80 per cent of its pre-Covid long-haul routes, with 50 long-haul services on offer.

Moving to the UK, United Airlines has unveiled a game-changing service for passengers departing from London Heathrow Airport. The new Bag Drop Shortcut, integrated with the United app, lets travellers check in their luggage in just “a minute or less on average.” Travellers simply place their bags on a scale, tap their phones, and ID verification is handled by staff who attach the bag tags.

Merging technology and sustainability, Spotnana, a travel tech start-up, has announced a New Distribution Capability (NDC) direct connect with the Lufthansa Group, granting access to digital services from six major airlines, including Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Air Dolomiti, and Eurowings. This partnership enables features like personalized bookings, self-service changes, and real-time analytics via the Spotnana platform. The move aims to streamline traveller experiences and reduce operational costs for agents.

Vacations are meant for relaxation but in Benidorm, the Melia Hotel witnessed chaos as UK tourists raced to claim prime poolside spots. Armed with towels, vacationers started running at 9 am as the pool-side gates swung open. Fortunately, —there were plenty of beds for all.