News UK travel update 11/08/21 Welcome to News UK
This week has seen some real positivity return to travel as the much criticised list extensions have been removed and many of our favourite destinations are back on the cards again.
We are delighted to now be able to share stats with you from new Times Travel content site as well as the top trending articles that run in the paper and the main Times site, giving even greater insight into what content our readers are turning to us for. Editor’s letter Lucy Perrin Content Editor, Times Travel
As the green list expands, so too does our reader's appetite for holidays. We've been covering the latest additions, putting a spotlight on France and finding the very best villas Europe has to offer. Times Travel content (Edition)
When looking at the most viewed content from the paper that appeared on the main Times site, the recurring theme was that of getting away from the usual Top 5 most read travel articles last week: holiday crowds. 1. The best crowd-free holidays in France, Spain, From deserted European destinations to campervans in Portugal, Greece and Germany Northumberland, having our own space has seemingly 2. Campervanning without the crowds in never been more important. This was also reflected in Northumberland the interest around small ship cruising. 3. Sun, sea and… Agatha Christie 4. A small-ship cruise around Mykonos, Santorini, Agatha Christie also made a rare appearance as we Hydra and Delos looked at the best holiday reads and why where makes 5. 10 brilliant holidays to Finland for summer the perfect backdrop for a crime thriller.
(Edition content refers to that which is published both in print and on thetimes.co.uk behind the paywall) Times Travel content (travel site)
Our new content site continues to see strong traffic performance week on week as readers turn to us for the Top ten organic articles and their movement WoW latest on the ever changing travel rules and regulations. 1. Covid travel restrictions: where can I go on holiday in 2021? +13% Unsurprisingly, the most viewed articles were on where 2. Which countries are on the UK travel green list? (new) they could go on holiday, which countries are on the 3. How to get a PCR test for travel, the cost and where to green list and how to get a PCR test. order +26% 4. What's the latest from the cruise industry? +52% Cruise continues to be of great interest, whilst we are 5. Guide to cherry blossom holidays in Japan +2% also looking ahead to the European Christmas markets. 6. 14 of the best sandy beaches in Greece +8% 7. Best Christmas markets +40% (Please note that these stats are from articles appearing 8. London's most expensive suite: yours for £26,000 a on our dedicated travel content site, night -17% thetimes.co.uk/travel that sits outside of the paywall) 9. Most beautiful gardens in Britain -5% 10. Croatia Travel Guide +500% Sun Travel content
There was a really mixed bag of articles that caught the Sun readers’ attention last week but articles on the travel restrictions proved most popular. Top 5 most read travel articles last week:
The top article was related to the additional countries in 1. The countries which could be added to the green Europe added to the green list. list next week – including Italy, Germany and Poland This was followed by staycation inspiration with features 2. Butlin’s launches day passes from £10 which on both Butlins and Haven in light of the school holidays. include the water park, restaurants and live shows 3. You can sleep with elephants and cheetahs at these safari lodges in the UK 4. Haven October breaks start from just £79 per family- with destinations including Dorset, Cornwall & Essex 5. Major green list holiday boost as more countries to be added NEXT WEEK Weekly travel search term trends
Looking at the top search trend shifts over the last 7 days, the changes to the green and amber lists continue to dominate our thoughts. India, Slovenia, Austria, - Is India on the amber list? +600% Norway, Germany and Dubai all had movement on their - Cheap flights to India +500% list status. This caused a spike in broad searches for the - Slovenia +500% lesser known destinations (eg Slovenia) and pre-planning - Austria green list +350% to the better known such as Dubai as we looked for cheap flights and late deals. - Norway +350% - Cheap flights to Dubai +250% There also remains uncertainty on travel corridors, entry - What does travel corridor mean? +180% requirements to the US and exactly what the different - Dubai holidays 2021 +170% list statuses mean, as audiences tentatively return to - Germany entry requirements +160% travel. - UK to US travel ban update +150% Data is taken from Google trends. - Difference between green and amber list +130% Upcoming cruise supplements
The Times | Voyages Supplement | Saturday 28th August Provisional line-up: ● River cruising - what are the options? ● Silversea's new and immersive food programme, on the new Silver Moon, in its inaugural season. ● Disney Magic
The Sunday Times | Cruise Supplement | Sunday 26th September Provisional line-up: ● Winter sun for 2021/22 ● Sail Sterling catamaran cruise by Sue Bryant
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From covering England’s run to the final at Euro 2020 to scooping 11 awards at the Press Awards and launching Nucleus, our new data platform, July was yet another bumper month here at News UK.
On top of that, we carried out some great work for the likes of Google, Land Rover, Natwest, Ford, Haig Club, Molton Brown and Greek Tourism.
You can see the full rundown here Times Radio
Since launching 12 months ago, Times Radio has gone from strength to strength, offering commercial partners the opportunity to sponsor shows in a highly engaging, advert free environment that gives 100% share of voice.
Clients to date have included Virgin Atlantic, Land Rover, BMW, Chanel, Visit Malta, Fortnum & Mason and Specsavers, all turning to us to work with our best in class talent including John Pienaar, Mariella Frostrup, Giles Coren and Cathy Newman.
Get in touch with us to find out more about how you can work with Times Radio. Press freedom under threat?
Here at News UK we are rightly proud of our world class journalists who continually break the biggest and most important stories and the protection of a free press is one of the great pillars of our democracy.
However there has been talk of sweeping reform to the official secrets act and their impact on journalists, including how this could now lead to them being treated like spies for reporting on stories of public interest.
Find out more about this in today’s episode of our award winning daily podcast, Stories of our times The Sunday Times Culture Show
As an extension of our popular weekly Culture magazine in The Sunday Times, we are going to be putting together a 20 min show bringing the best of Culture to life.
Hosted by Miquita Oliver and Grant Tucker, it will showcase the best in film, TV, festivals and much more.
There are opportunities to come on board as a show sponsor, so please do get in touch with us if you would like to find out more about this exciting new opportunity.
You can view the pilot episode here Virgin Radio Pride nominated for LGBTQI+ Proud Award
Virgin Radio Pride network has been nominated for a Campaign Award at the Proud Scotland Awards 2021.
The awards celebrate the LGBTQI+ community by recognising the outstanding work and commitment of individuals and organisations within and supportive of our community in Scotland.
This category recognises any retail business that has developed a powerful appeal to members of the community, delivering highly skilled services.
Virgin Radio Pride UK started broadcasting in June, addressing important issues in the LGBTQ+ community and bringing Pride festivals around the UK to life. Thank you
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