Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Garuda Indonesia announced that they will jointly boost flight frequencies between Jakarta, Indonesia, and Singapore in the fourth quarter of 2024, increasing capacity and enhancing connectivity between the two Southeast Asian hubs.
SIA will operate eight daily services from 22 November 2024, up from six currently.
Garuda Indonesia, on the other hand, will expand its daily flights from four to six starting 1 December 2024.
The airlines will likewise extend their codeshare arrangement to include these new services.
From 12th November, they began a codeshare programme for flights between Singapore and four Indonesian cities (Denpasar, Jakarta, Medan, and Surabaya), as well as routes between Singapore and London (Heathrow) and Mumbai.
By 1st December, the carriers will operate 390 weekly codeshare services, including 362 between Singapore and Indonesia.
Plans for next year
In the first quarter of 2025, Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines will deepen their frequent flyer programme partnership by allowing GarudaMiles and KrisFlyer members to earn and redeem miles on codeshare routes.
Following Singapore’s regulatory approval of their commercial joint venture in July 2024, Garuda Indonesia and SIA will introduce joint fare products in the first quarter of 2025.
This will enable customers to book flights operated by both airlines between Singapore and Denpasar, Jakarta, and Surabaya within a single itinerary.
Both airlines are also firmly committed to deepening this commercial partnership to provide greater value to customers, and support tourism and business activities in Indonesia and Singapore.
Future initiatives may include operating joint revenue-sharing flights between the two countries, coordinating flight schedules to improve connectivity, and exploring joint sales and marketing activities.
Global hospitality network BWH Hotels officially expanded its portfolio in Vietnam with the signing of an elegant new BW Premier Collection resort nestled directly on the beach in Phan Thiet, on the country’s stunning southeast coast.
The Costamigo Phan Thiet, BW Premier Collection, is perfectly positioned on a long stretch of golden sand in Vietnam’s Binh Thuan province, overlooking the ocean.
With its neo-classical European architecture, naturally-lit interiors, impressive amenities and easy accessibility, just a 2.5 hour’s drive from Ho Chi Minh City, this boutique hotel is set to become a popular option for domestic and international travellers alike.
BWH Hotels vice-president for APAC Olivier Berrivin said of the new acquisition: “We are delighted to announce the signing of the Costamigo Phan Thiet, BW Premier Collection, which marks the latest phase of our development strategy in Vietnam, one of BWH Hotels’ key Asian markets. With its beachfront location and collection of spacious villas and accommodations, this exceptional resort is set to become a popular option for guests on short breaks or extended vacations.”
The Costamigo Phan Thiet, BW Premier Collection will join BWH Hotels’ rapidly expanding portfolio in Vietnam, which currently includes four Best Western Premier branded properties in Phu Quoc, Nha Trang and Ha Long, with many more hotels and resorts in the pipeline.
Stylish and spacious
Guests will be able to stay in a selection of stylish villas and spacious rooms, all fully equipped with modern amenities, making this property ideal for families, friends and couples alike.
This beachside resort will also feature extensive facilities for leisure and business, including a restaurant, beach bar, cabanas, swimming pool, and a stage for beachfront events.
In the spirit of the BW Premier Collection brand, the new resort will immerse visitors in an ambiance of refined sophistication, with an original concept that celebrates the unique essence of its locale.
Travelers can spend endless days unwinding on the beach and by the pool, or head out to explore this attractive destination, which is blessed with spectacular natural scenery including lush forests and sand dunes, along with quaint fishing villages, traditional temples, golf courses, and long coastal roads.
Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific welcomed the recent decision of New Zealand’s associate minister of transport to reauthorise their joint venture alliance for an additional five years.
This approval provides the New Zealand regulatory sign-off necessary to allow both airlines to continue offering enhanced travel options and connectivity between New Zealand and Hong Kong, along with access to a wider global network.
During peak months, both airlines will operate 18 weekly return services between New Zealand and Hong Kong, including Cathay Pacific’s four-weekly seasonal service between Christchurch and Hong Kong, which runs from 30 October 2024 to 29 March 2025.
Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific first commenced their alliance in 2013, and over the years, the partnership has played a key role in growing capacity and tourism between New Zealand and Hong Kong.
The original partnership included up to three daily services during peak season between New Zealand and Hong Kong, providing greater choices for passengers and stimulating tourism and trade.
A valuable partnership
Air New Zealand’s chief transformation and alliances officer Michael Williams remarked on how the partnership has proven invaluable in connecting New Zealand to Asia and beyond.
Williams said: “Together, we have built a robust network that not only connects New Zealanders to destinations around the world, including Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, but also ensures convenient access for global travellers to explore New Zealand’s regions via Hong Kong.”
He added that the reauthorisation of the alliance means that the airlines may continue to provide better connectivity and more travel options for their customers as their core markets recover from the impact of the pandemic
Cathay Pacific regional general manager for the Southwest Pacific Frosti Lau echoed Williams’ sentiments.
Lau said: “We have continued to increase our frequency in New Zealand and are proud to work with Air New Zealand to bring greater choices to both the local market as well as Hong Kong and the surrounding region. Hong Kong is not only an incredibly diverse destination for travellers, but it is a gateway to connect New Zealanders to other cities in the lively Greater Bay Area as well as the rest of the world. Through this alliance, Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand are making travel for business or leisure seamless and high quality across the two airlines.”
Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jnr cited the potential of the Philippines as one of the world’s foremost cruise tourism hubs during his address at the welcome reception held for Seatrade Cruise Asia on the evening of Monday, 11th November, at The Okada Manila.
In his remarks, Marcos emphasised the country’s commitment, alongside its regional partners, to play a constructive role in the ongoing evolution of a highly dynamic industry.
Marcos said: “We are focused on strengthening infrastructure, forging meaningful partnerships, and ensuring that both the cruise industry and local communities will flourish.”
The country aims to become a major cruise hub with 40 unique destinations, in light of how it was recognised earlier this year as Asia’s best cruise destination and the best port of call within the region.
To date, the Philippines has initiated several programmes to modernise the sector in the country, including the recently launched cruise waiver programme.
The opportunity to shape the future
Marcos declared: “[The Philippines has been] presented with an opportunity to shape the future of cruise tourism in a way that brings a lasting benefit to all. We are focused on strengthening infrastructure, forging meaningful partnerships and ensuring that both the cruise industry and local communities will flourish.”
The President added that his administration is currently working to preserve the cultural and environmental assets that have made the country unique.
The end-goal is to build an industry that benefits everyone from cruise lines and their crew members, to local host communities and the travellers who seek to explore the rich cultural and natural diversity of the Philippines.
Addressing cruise sector professionals present, he said: “By streamlining operations, enhancing efficiencies and focusing on sustainable practices, we aim to ensure that the cruise industry grows in a way that is both practical and inclusive. The Philippines has long been a gateway to the rich history and culture of Southeast Asia. Now, with your collaboration and commitment, we establish ourselves as a hub for cruise tourism.”
Sales drive revenue in any enterprise and a modern, flexible, Point of Sale (POS) interface between the hotel and the guests can drive, expediate and multiply the sales process. The InfoGenesis unified point-of-sale platform offers property operators easy-to-configure transaction choices to suit guest and staff preferences.
POS infrastructure plays a vital role in elevating the guests experience by enhancing the value of day-to-day transactions. A state of the art, innovative POS solution helps in streamlining staff operations, offering sales through multiple channels, marketing and as a means of data acquisition; in all resulting in operational efficiency and increased revenue. So, if you are looking to offer high return hospitality to all your guests…. read on…
POS functionality that never quits!
A dependable and feature-rich POS system gives you a high-tech edge against the competition, keeps transactions flowing, and ensures a seamless integration with your current back-office technologies without a large investment. Agilysys InfoGenesis® POS offers solutions that will help you increase efficiency and maximise profits.
Whether you choose SaaS or on-premises deployment, this flexible point-of-sale system is easy to set up and maintain, and its scalable architecture allows you to add workstations without having to build out expensive infrastructure. It integrates easily with a wide variety of other applications, including property management, inventory and procurement, self-service options, property activities and so much more.
Available on a variety of tablet options
IG Flex offers state-of-the-art POS mobility with the same functionality as a stationary terminal on a variety of tablet options. Get your hands on the industry’s most dependable, full-featured mobile experience for any POS or restaurant service staff. Use InfoGenesis on a handy 6” tablet, 8” tablet or leverage the 10” version as a sleek terminal that easily converts into a mobile solution for line busting or temporary portable scenarios. No matter your choice, you get the full power of InfoGenesis POS in your waitstaff’s hands so they can cover greater areas in less time, without ever losing touch with guests. This will ‘wow’ the guests into coming back for the Return on Experience in terms of ease of payments.
Superior check management
Item images on buttons make ordering fast and easy. It also yields a superior check management, along with consistent terminal configuration, pricing and screen setup, to provide exceptional guest service across the entire organisation.
Secure payments
Agilysys Pay is an innovative solution to safeguard your guests’ payment data. Reduce the risks, costs and compliance burdens with a payment solution that provides access to PCI validated P2PE (point-to-point encryption) EMV with every transaction.
Guests can order from anywhere in the hotel
Guests can be so very demanding, but give them what they want, put the power in their hands, enhancing the guest experience with IG on Demand! Though this, guests can place and pay for orders using their own device – phone, tablet, laptop -making the ordering process easier and freeing up staff to spend more time with guests. The result is dramatically increased revenue opportunities.
Guests can view and order from a variety of food & beverage locations on your property. Whether it’s a food court, a bar, an individual restaurant or room service, you determine the venues and the items you want to offer. The time is now to focus on ancillary revenues, revenue beyond the room.
Location-specific QR codes to help locate and personalise service for guests
Whether it’s a seat in the sportsbook or the food court, a cabana at the pool or a guest room, IG OnDemand can use location-specific QR codes, table numbers or room numbers to designate where to deliver the order. Leverage the same configuration for IG Buy and IG OnDemand to reduce backend setup and system maintenance. Save time & money with fast updates as your offerings change.
Displaying real-time delivery wait times
When bundled with our Agilysys IG KDS kitchen display system, you can provide real-time order fulfillment wait-time to properly set guest expectations and enhance guest experience.
POS Should be as mobile as you are,IG Fly offers just that
Wherever your guests are, that’s where your servers and your POS need to be, no more running from table to terminal and back. IG Fly empowers your staff to do it all on one device: table-side, poolside, popup-side, wherever-side. Inspire your guests to indulge with sleek handheld devices that facilitate order placement and payment acceptance without ever leaving your guests. Servers are readily available to satisfy guest’s immediate requests while providing faster service.
Accommodate more guests needs as you replace or augment stationary terminals with mobile alternatives using the same unlimited POS functionality. And with broad temperature tolerance, drop and shock resistance and long battery life, you’re always ready to take more orders.
Data received from your POS functionality is a treasure trove of information on guest preferences and guest behaviour trends. It can be an analysed for reliable data to provide an unparalleled guest experiences and ensure loyalty as well as further marketing leads. It sets you apart in reenforcing as to what discernible personalised services make you the hotel of choice. Touching these benchmarks in High return Hospitality with the best hospitality technology at your side will give you an unfair advantage to competitors and help grow hotel bottom lines.
In the highly competitive hospitality scenario, a modern POS helps to tap revenue streams beyond the room. Push sales and grow Average Customer Spend on the varied ancillary revenue streams that hotels and resorts provide.
As Europe gains traction among India’s travel demand, destinations have a unique opportunity to better align their offerings with the needs and expectations of this diverse market, with outbound tourism poised for remarkable growth. Mabrian, the global travel intelligence platform, gather the latest insights on India in its new data intelligence report, “India Market Insights: Outbound & Inbound,” launched during the panel devoted to this country’s travel market surge at the Global Travel & Tourism Resilience Council, held at World Travel Market London 2024.
This study provides a comprehensive review of the travel and tourism market of the world’s fifth-largest economy, India. With a population of 1.4K million and a growing middle class projected to represent 60% of the demographic pyramid by 2047, India’s rising consumer base is set to play a crucial role in boosting the contribution of travel and tourism to the nation’s GDP. Currently at 6.5%, this sector is expected to grow faster than the overall economy.
“India’s travel market potential is impressive: by 2030, the outbound market could reach 100 million international trips—comparable to the entire annual visitor count of France—if only 2% of Indians travel plans are enjoyed in foreign destinations,” says Carlos Cendra, Partner and Director of Marketing and Communications at Mabrian.
Closing the Cultural Gap to Enhance Indian Travellers’ Satisfaction
Mabrian’s travel intelligence suggests that Indian travellers are increasingly looking at destinations beyond their traditional hotspots in Southeast Asia, with Europe solidifying as a preferred option. Despite a year-over-year decline in demand for the United Kingdom and France, these countries remain top choices, while Italy and Germany have shown growth rates of 2.7% and 7.3%, respectively.
The data highlights several rising destinations in Europe for Indian travellers. Spain stands out with a 3.8% increase in demand; alongside Austria (+9.8%) and Greece (+18.3%), which have experienced the highest growth in Indian arrivals in the past 12 months. Central Asia and the Caucasus also show strong three-digit growth from the Indian market, although demand remains niche.
Globally, one out of every three Indian travellers to Europe travels with a partner or family, indicating opportunities for tourism products tailored to couples, young families, or larger family groups. “Indian travellers are motivated by cultural factors that blend various interests to create unique travel experiences. Outdoor activities and active tourism are essential aspects of their European travel plans,” adds Cendra. Besides gastronomy, nightlife, and shopping, Indian travellers show a strong interest in wellness, which is deeply rooted in Indian culture.
Indian demand for European destinations is also seasonally advantageous, with travel peaking in the shoulder seasons (March to July) and winter (December and January), favouring a positive perception on climate conditions too. However, to fully capitalize on the growing Indian market, European destinations must address certain concerns. These include satisfaction levels and safety perception, which are essential considerations for family-friendly tourism. “Our data suggests that products and services aimed at Indian travellers in Europe could be better adapted to their preferences, helping to align expectations with actual experiences,” explains Mabrian’s spokesperson.
European Demand for India: Evolving to Experience-Led Itineraries
A key takeaway from this study is the potential to position India as an experience-led destination rather than solely offering circuits to visit famous landmarks. “The European markets we analysed—UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain—show consistent demand for cultural experiences and India’s unique heritage, though the mix preferred activities vary depending of their origin, and are connected to engaging experiences”, highlights Mabrian’s spokesperson.
Beyond cultural tourism, active well-being drivers (mix of outdoors, nature, active, and wellness) are popular among European visitors to India, with 40.8% of demand focused on these types of experiences. “India’s deep connection to wellness presents an opportunity to attract highly motivated travellers seeking authenticity and cultural connection,” says Cendra.
Additionally, European travellers who choose India tend to have distinctive travel characteristics: four out of ten visits with a partner, and 25% travel solo. More European women than men visit India (51.5% male vs 48.5% female), being the proportion of European female travellers 14-point higher than the global average of female travellers who choose India as destination.
As in the case of European destinations, India faces a key challenge in meeting European travellers’ expectations, as the perception of overall travel experiences among European visitors is below India’s global average of 89.6 out of 100 points; ranging from the highest scores from Italians (77), Germans (69,3), or British (67.3), to the lowest ones from Spain and France (63.3 and 62.6 points, respectively). “There is room for improvement in travellers’ satisfaction. Targeted campaigns that address safety perceptions and cultural expectations would be beneficial,” notes Mabrian’s spokesperson.
“Good news is that European demand to India remains robust, with winter being the peak season,” points out Cendra. As Mabrian intelligence shows, three European markets are among the top five source markets to India, and all of them rising in the last 12 months. British demand is the one increasing the most (+37,7%) and it is the leading inbound market to India, followed by France (+28,8%), Germany (+25,5%). Other European inbound markets, such as Italy (+43,8%) and Spain (+11,5%) show solid growth, too.
Air Canada announced it is extending its intermodal strategy across Europe to include Italy, Spain, Britain as well as to Asia, with its first operator in South Korea. Customers purchasing flights can now easily book onward land connections to destinations across these countries to create a seamless travel itinerary. The new rail and bus options expand the Air Canada Intermodal offering previously launched in December 2023 in France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
“Following a successful launch in Europe last year, Air Canada is further growing its intermodal strategy to more European gateways and to Asia, making it possible for our customers to connect on Trenitalia, Renfe, five operators in the UK, including National Express, and KORAIL in South Korea. The expanded offer will make it easy for our customers flying to and from our international hubs to add convenient rail or bus connections on a single itinerary. Our intermodal connections not only provide more choice, but also make available sustainable options for short-haul segments of their journey,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President of Revenue and Network Planning at Air Canada.
Enabled through Air Canada’s partnership with AccesRail, customers can book efficient connecting rail or bus segments in more countries on www.aircanada.com as part of their itinerary. Customers can check in for the train or bus portion of their trip with AccesRail prior to departure, avoiding the need to obtain a separate train or bus ticket. As well, customers experiencing any flight disruption will have both their air and land segments rebooked to provide peace of mind.
Italy
Air Canada is flying to two airports in Italy this winter – Rome and Milan – where customers will be able to connect conveniently to Trenitalia, the state-owned railway of Italy. Through these connections, customers will be able to travel to up to 30 onward destinations. These include Florence, Naples and Reggio di Calabria.
Spain
In Spain, where Air Canada will operate to Barcelona and Madrid this winter, customers will be able to connect at airports with Renfe, the state-owned rail transport provider. It will offer connections to up to 24 onward destinations throughout Spain, including popular tourist cities such as Cadiz, Granada, Pamplona, and Zaragoza.
Britain
Customers will have the option to connect onward by land from London-Heathrow. Rail services to several important destinations will be available on four rail companies, LNER, Avanti West Coast, Great Western Rail, and the TransPennine Express. In addition, the UK’s leading scheduled coach operator, National Express, offers convenient connections at London-Heathrow.
South Korea
Air Canada flies to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport where customers will be able to connect conveniently to KORAIL’s KTX Trains via the AREX Express and Seoul Station. Through these connections, customers will be able to travel to up to eight onward destinations. These include Busan, Gwangju and Ulsan
Other intermodal connections
Air Canada launched in December 2023 new air-to-rail booking options for customers to connect at airports in France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria with four major passenger rail systems. Through the airline’s partnership with Lufthansa Express Rail Product and new collaborations with AccesRail & WorldTicket, customers can use a streamlined booking process on www.aircanada.ca to create a seamless travel itinerary that connects their flight with trips on trains operated by France’s TGV-SNCF Voyageurs, Germany’s Deutsche Bahn, Swiss Federal Railways or ÖBB, the national railway of Austria.
Portofino, the jewel of the Italian Riviera will enter a new era of splendour next June, as the town’s original Grand Dame, Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino reveals a new, major phase of its multi-year renovation, by internationally renowned Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. An emblem of Portofino’s allure since the 1950s, the hotel will reveal an entirely renovated main building, capturing the spirit of Ligurian craftsmanship and design, including a redesigned cocktail bar and new Dior Spa. Notably, this third phase of Splendido’s renovation coincides with the launch of Villa Beatrice in Portofino – a first-of-its-kind, exclusive private villa for the Belmond portfolio, launching July 2025.
A new era for Portofino’s Grande Dame
The meticulous restoration of the former 16th-century Benedictine monastery, led by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, honours the history of the building while delicately injecting contemporary relevance. Over the course of each summer reopening, the hotel has unveiled new spaces: 2024 welcomed new rooms and a lobby, whilst in 2023 the hotel revealed the transformation of the celebrated pool area, famously overlooking the sparkling Ligurian Bay, as well as the new Splendido Grill restaurant and the renovated Baronessa Suite, one of the hotel’s signature suites, inspired by the noble Palazzos of the region.
For the 2025 season, Splendido, a legendary haven of glamour and natural beauty, will continue its evolution revealing a renovated main building, with a focus on new rooms and communal areas, including a restyled cocktail bar; coffee bar; lounge bar; breakfast area; retail space; champagne display and Dior Spa. This new wellness space includes four treatment cabins and a dedicated relaxation space on an exclusive roof terrace. The new rooms and suites are adorned with contemporary Italian artworks and local botanical prints, whilst the corridors feature exclusive sketches of Portofino and heritage photos of the iconic property and its guests, over the years.
Nestled in the tranquil hillside above Portofino, Splendido has been the epitome of la Dolce Vita since the 1950s. Set in a terraced former 16th-century Benedictine monastery overlooking the bay, the hotel is both a timeless retreat and a glamorous destination, welcoming acclaimed guests from renowned actors to artists and film directors, and even royalty. Inspired by the natural beauty and legacy of the Ligurian Riviera, Splendido’s landscaping offers versatile spaces capable of hosting both grand events and smaller, more intimate gatherings. The planting scheme incorporates indigenous flora and minerals, reflecting the distinctive beauty of Portofino. The colour palette draws inspiration from the blues and turquoises of the Mediterranean Sea, while the unique “Puddinga” rock formations of Portofino’s cliffs and the fragrant subtropical and Ligurian herbs further enhance the botanical ambience.
The rebirth of Villa Beatrice, a majestic summer residence
Just a short walk down the tranquil hillside of the protected national park lies Villa Beatrice, launching in July 2025 as one of the most scenic, exclusive private villas on the Italian Riviera – and a first for the Belmond portfolio. Perched on a private spit above Punta Caiega, on the Gulf of Portofino, between the Ligurian coastal hamlets of Paraggi and Portofino, this masterfully restored family palazzo offers an outstanding panoramic viewpoint over the Riviera. Belmond’s new private villa offering brings guests seclusion and intimacy with private sea access, whilst benefitting from all of Splendido’s hotel services. Located within the gardens of a national park and set across three main floors, with an additional ‘Torretta’ (little tower) attic floor and rooftop terrace, the villa summer residence sleeps up to ten guests across five keys, including La Casetta – a secluded one-bedroom cottage amidst citrus groves. Originally known as Villa Odero and built by renowned Ligurian mogul Attilio Odero, Villa Beatrice was crafted by Tuscan architect Gino Coppedè, blending Gothic Revival with Art Nouveau innovation.
Belmond acquired the villa in 2021 and has since overseen its meticulous restoration under Martin Brudnizki’s interior design vision and Marco Bay’s landscape architecture expertise. Design highlights include the renovation of original Coppedè external frescoes and internal ceilings, marble bathrooms and a collection of heritage antiques and contemporary artwork from the region.
Guests will enjoy a subtropical secret sea garden, plunge pool with sun deck, butler service, a fully equipped kitchen with personal chef upon request, gym, summer pavilion for yoga or treatments and an expansive shaded terrace for al fresco dining and family gatherings. Every angle of Belmond’s lush lookout offers a private panorama of Portofino and beyond. Villa Beatrice enjoys a majestic position on the Gulf of Tigullio, with views over Paraggi and the Cinque Terre to the East, and Portofino to the West, and the lower terraces of the Villa offer a much closer view of Portofino Bay.
The hospitality leaders that sit on the UKHospitality board are warning of the unprecedented damage the rise to employment costs will inflict on the sector.
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, and UKHospitality board members, which includes the bosses of Fuller’s, Stonegate Group and Whitbread, have written to the Chancellor, supported by a further 209 hospitality businesses, to outline the impacts the additional £3.4 billion in cost facing hospitality in April will have.
They warn that the cost increases will cause:
Small business closures within a year.
Businesses to reconsider investment plans.
Jobs to be drastically cut.
Hours for team members to be reduced.
Contract caterers to struggle to meet important public sector catering contracts for schools, hospitals and prisons.
Hospitality is disproportionately affected by the changes to employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs). The lowering of the threshold at which employer NICs is paid to £5,000 will bring in thousands of part-time staff that were previously never affected, disproportionately affecting hospitality.
The signatories have put forward to the Government two measures to mitigate this impact:
Create a new employer NICs band from £5,000 to £9,100 with a lower rate of 5%; or
Implement an exemption for lower band taxpayers working fewer than 20 hours per week, targeting support for part-time and lower paid workers.
The letter says: “The changes to the NICs threshold are not just unsustainable for our businesses, they are regressive in their impact on lower earners and will impact flexible working practices which many older workers and parents rely upon. Unquestionably they will lead to business closures and job losses within a year.
“The threshold change brings many team members into employer NICs for the first time. We estimate the threshold change may be four times the cost of the new headline rate.
“There is no capacity to pass the costs onto customers. Businesses would be reluctantly forced to raise prices by 6-8%, fuelling inflation, yet could not realistically do so as our customers are at the end of their ability to pay more. Instead, many businesses would have to reconsider investment and drastically cut jobs and reduce the hours of team members.
“Contract catering, a significant part of our sector, would struggle to meet important public sector catering contracts for schools, hospitals and prisons.
“Without action, many businesses will be forced to reconsider their growth plans, and many smaller venues may be at risk of closure, risking future job creation in communities up and down the country.
“We know you are determined to ensure that growth is available to all. Yet this change to NICs does the opposite, balancing the books on the backs of the businesses which provide jobs to all in society, nationwide, while sparing businesses that used technology to shed jobs.
“We therefore ask that you consider measures to protect businesses who employ lower earners. We understand that these proposals come at an immediate financial cost, but we are absolutely firm in our belief that the lost growth potential which would result from inaction would be substantially more expensive, for the economy, for society and for the public finances.”
Representative Image, Courtesy: Freepik; Landscape Swiss village with mountains in the background
Investing in an overseas holiday home comes with a number of considerations. Not only must you make sure that you have completed all the necessary legalities whilst often navigating a new language, but picking the right spot to come back to each year is crucial to ensure that you and your family continue to enjoy the area and what it has to offer for years to come.
To determine the top countries to purchase a holiday home, Intasure has analysed the top holiday home locations by looking at Google searches for homes for sale in each country, and the cost of homes. The top destinations holiday home destinations were then ranked based on factors including:
Number of hiking routes
Amount of coastline
Number of coastal bathing locations
Probability of mismanaged plastic waste being emitted to ocean
Number of snowsport resorts
Kilometres of snowsport slopes
Light pollution levels
Number of inland bathing spots
The top countries to buy a holiday home overall, based on your interests
Switzerland takes the top spot as the top overall country to buy an overseas holiday home for hobby enthusiasts. 2,000 people search on Google for places to purchase a holiday home in the country [1]. The mountainous country benefits from a range of outdoor activities, including over 13,000 hiking trails, 356 ski resorts and its low light pollution makes it the perfect place to stargaze [2,3,4].
France takes the runner-up position with almost 14,000 people searching on Google for places to purchase a holiday home in the country [1]. The average cost of a home in France is considerably lower than its bordering neighbour, Switzerland. The price to buy per square metre comes in at £4,138.18 on average [5]. France is home to vast ski slopes, with over 10,000 kilometres of runs across its 248 resorts [3]. Additionally, the country has 2,075 coastal bathing spots and 1,286 inland bathing spots making it the ideal place if you like outdoor swimming [6].
Germany takes third position, as the top place to purchase a holiday home for hobbyists. The cost of a home in Germany is £4,264.57 per square meter on average [5]. The country appeals to hobbyists due to its outdoor activities including its 657 ski slopes, 37,036 walking trails and 1,292 wild swimming spots [3, 2,6].
The USA is named the top country to buy a holiday home for hikers
Rank
Country
Number of hiking trails
Number of trail reviews
Average trail rating
Hiking Index Score
1
USA
97,792
26,445,242
4.5
89
2
UK
31,729
1,700,253
4.5
86
3
Canada
26,396
2,986,400
4
63
4
France
36,388
717,810
4
63
5
Germany
37,036
201,064
4
62
6
Croatia
4,196
29,369
4.5
61
7
Spain
21,453
285,805
4
61
8
Poland
4,675
19,634
4.5
59
9
Italy
15,928
167,546
4
58
10
Iceland
595
54,656
4.5
57
When it comes to hiking, the USA takes the lead. This is unsurprising considering the country has 63 national parks, offering a range of hiking routes [7]. Dominating all other countries, the USA has 97,792 hiking trails available throughout the country [2]. On average, each walking route has been reviewed 270 times with the total number of reviews amounting to 26,445,242 [2]. Of these reviews, the routes scored 4.5 out of 5 highlighting the quality of the routes, including the views, terrain conditions and distance [2]. Additionally, the average property price in the USA will cost you £3,148 per square metre, making it affordable to purchase a holiday home [5].
While geographically the UK is 39 times smaller than the USA, it secures second place for buying a holiday home, if you like hiking [8]. Almost 2 million people have reviewed its 31,729 hiking routes, giving an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 [2]. Some of the most popular walking destinations where you’ll find an array of walking routes are: Glencoe, The Lake District, Northumberland, Snowdonia and the Yorkshire Moors [9] where it will cost you £4,385.72 per square metre to purchase a holiday home [5].
Canada takes third place, being a top contender for people looking to buy a holiday home surrounded by extensive walking routes. The country has 26,396 hiking routes that have attracted almost 3 million reviews, scoring on average 4 out of 5 [2]. With 3,700 people searching for holiday homes each month in Canada, the average cost of a home will cost you on average £4,636.16 [1,5].
USA ranks as the top country to buy a holiday home for winter sports lovers
Rank
Country
Number of resorts
Km of slopes
Number of ski lifts
Average length of ski season
Ski & Snowboarding Index Score
1
USA
700
14,059
3,837
5.5
95
2
Switzerland
356
7,032
1,905
6
93
3
Austria
442
7,271
2,635
5.5
91
4
Canada
292
4,023
885
6.5
89
5
France
248
10,092
3,116
5.5
88
6
Italy
284
5,725
1,832
5
85
7
Japan
565
3,095
1,850
4.5
84
8
Germany
657
1,320
1,353
4.5
82
9
Sweden
254
1,230
909
5.5
81
10
Norway
171
1,405
625
5.5
80
In top position with 700 resorts and an average ski season of 5.5 months, the USA is the top place to purchase a holiday home if you like snow sports [3,10]. In fact, 50 of the resorts that the USA offers are above 3,000 metres, with Colorado, Aspen and New Mexico home to the highest resorts [11]. Additionally, the USA has 14,059km of slopes with a season that lasts 5.5 months of the year [3,10]. For those interested in purchasing a holiday home next to the slopes, it will cost you on average £3,148 per square metre [5].
In second place, Switzerland is a great option for buying a holiday home. The country has 356 resorts offering 7,032km of slopes [3]. With the average length of a ski season being 6 months, prospective holiday homeowners will be able to enjoy the slopes for half the year [10]. For those interested in purchasing a holiday home here, it will cost you £11,897 per square metre [5].
Austria comes in third position, with holiday homeowners in the country having access to 442 ski resorts [3]. Similar to Switzerland, the country has 7,271km of slopes [3]. Its 2,635 ski lifts make it easy for you to access the mountains [3]. The cost of a home on average in Austria is £4,539.48 per square metre, making it just £200 more expensive than homes in the UK, on average [5].
Croatia is the top place to buy if you like the beach and ocean swimming
Rank
Country
Amount of coastline
Number of coastal bathing locations
Probability of mismanaged plastic being emitted to ocean
Ocean swimming Index Score
1
Croatia
5,835
894
0.00%
85
2
Italy
7,600
4,855
0.88%
73
3
Spain
4,964
1,994
0.36%
72
4
France
3,427
2,075
0.56%
70
5
Greece
13,676
1,728
0.91%
69
6
Germany
2,389
999
0.26%
67
7
Norway
83,281
–
0.00%
66
8
Finland
1,250
78
0.00%
64
9
Denmark
7,314
920
2.33%
59
10
Iceland
4,970
–
0.00%
59
Croatia tops the list for people looking for holiday homes by the sea. The country has 5,835km of coastline and 894 bathing spots with a 0% probability of mismanaged plastic waste being emitted into the waters [12, 6,13]. Additionally, properties in Croatia, on average, are half the price of properties in the UK. The average price per square metre to buy a house in Croatia is £2,139 [5].
Italy has been rated as the second top place to purchase a holiday home if you are into ocean swimming and being by the sea. In fact, 8,600 people search for second home properties in Italy on Google each month [1]. Its coastline spans 7,600km with 5,000 bathing spots [12, 6]. Additionally, properties in Italy are £2,683.54 per square metre, making it an affordable country to purchase a holiday home [5].
Spain takes third position with a coastline which is almost 5,000km long [12]. In fact, on average people search on Google for holiday homes in Spain almost 22,500 times a month, making it the most searched-for location for holiday homes overall [1]. In terms of the price of holiday homes in the country, these are similar to Italy. On Average, the cost of a square metre of a home in Spain will cost you £2,428 [5].
Derek Henry, Managing Director at Intasure commented: “Buying a holiday home abroad can be an expensive process, therefore future holiday homeowners must carefully consider where their ideal location is. While of course the price of homes in a country will play a part in your decision, personal preferences including the range of amenities nearby and the accessibility of beaches, mountains and attractions will be a deciding factor for many.
Holiday homeowners must also consider how they protect their property, including purchasing adequate holiday home insurance which can protect against damage and theft which is increasingly important as the home is unlikely to be occupied all year round.
Obtaining insurance in a foreign country can be challenging if you don’t speak the language, therefore working with a broker can help overcome the language barrier whilst finding you adequate cover that suits your needs. If there’s anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”
