News UK travel update 01/09/21 Welcome to News UK

There remains an air of positivity around travel as those who have been double vaccinated are able to travel to over 100 countries, airlines are starting to increase capacity and cruise ships are beginning to return to the water.

Here at News UK we continue to bring you the latest trends and insights on what our readers are looking at and the wider market trends that we hope are of use to you.

Editor’s letter

Lisa Minot, Sun Travel Editor

SEPTEMBER is almost upon us and as the kids return to school, the grown-ups can now come out to play. For those not restricted to school holidays, there's never been a better time to head off for a shot of late-summer sunshine. Italy has dropped its five-day quarantine rule for UK tourists and offers some great options for travellers. There is still high demand for Green List destinations. Malta is enjoying fully-booked hotels and high demand.

Unfortunately, the US remains out of reach and looks likely to continue to be inaccessible for some months to come. But there are definitely some great options out there for those determined to grab some autumn sunshine. Times Travel content (Edition)

This week's most read feature covered the TV presenter Sophie Morgan who had a life‑changing experience in Top 5 most read travel articles last week: Canada, has biked across the Scottish Highlands and goes to France to switch off. 1. Sophie Morgan interview: ‘I decided I was going to travel and nothing would stop me’ Read how the Rooster Antiparos Pool villa suites deliver 2. The Rooster Antiparos review: a secluded ultimate privacy and the restaurant will pack you a picnic retreat in laid‑back Greece basket for the unspoilt beach. 3. The best holidays in the Med for late‑summer sun Our readers also showed they were still keen to get away this 4. The best late-season holiday deals in Europe summer with two of the top five articles covering late deals. 5. Postcard from Miami: ‘Florida has veered between caution and recklessness — and now Covid has taken hold’ Times Travel content (Times Travel organic)

The top articles very much followed one Top ten organic articles and their movement WoW particular theme. When, where and how 1. When is the next UK travel-list update and what can we expect? 113,438 UVs, can we get away? +1,810% WoW 2. Which countries are on the red list and what are the restrictions? 19,897 UVs, +6,100% 3. Where can I go on holiday in 2021? 6,612 UVs, -37% WoW 4. Which countries are on the UK amber list for travel and what are the rules? 4,998 UVs, +325% 5. UK to US travel: when will America's borders reopen to Britain? 4,530 UVs *new piece* 6. How to get a PCR test for travel, the cost and where to order 3,154 UVs, +2% WoW 7. Which countries are on the UK green list for travel? 2,707 UVs, +41% WoW 8. Guide to cherry blossom holidays in Japan1,124 UVs, +14% WoW 9. Cruise news: what's the latest from the industry 921 UVs, -4% 10. 11 of the most beautiful gardens you can visit in Britain 914 UVs, -15% WoW Sun Travel content

The top articles this week were not surprisingly based around the green and amber list. BRIT tourists can Top 5 most read travel articles last week: breathe a sigh of relief as France, Spain, Greece, Portugal and other European holiday hotspots stay Most of Europe including France and Spain stays amber in put. 1. boost for holidaymakers

2. Green list update: Major holiday boost as Canada, Denmark, Switzerland and Azores among new countries added Cruises was also on the agenda with the Disney cruise 3. Disney Magic cruise off the English coastline felt like a on the English coastline and P&O’s new £700m cruise foreign holiday ship. 4. P&O reveals new £700m cruise ship with infinity pools and fancy restaurants – with 7 nights from £499 5. The best hobbit houses in the UK you can book from £35pppn – as Lord of the Rings fans gear up for new TV series Weekly travel search term trends

Here are some of the biggest searches in travel over the last seven days.

Traffic has spiked for the Azores, Denmark and Switzerland following their move to the green list. People are asking why countries such as Turkey are still on the red list and there is new interest around city breaks to the likes of Florence, Prague and Seville. A repeat of Channel 5's Cruising with Jane McDonald explains the top searches.

Data is taken from Google trends. Upcoming supplements and editorial

Upcoming content focus

Our editorial team are looking ahead and producing content on some of the key trending topics that will allow you to work with us on content for and advertising around. The key areas for the next couple of weeks are:

Ski - More great content to get snow loving Brits back on the slopes this season

Canada - After moving to the green list, this will be a big focus for us as we round up where to go and when

The Azores - We are seeing a big increase in interest and demand, so will be covering them in depth

Autumn travel plans - From the finding the best autumnal colours and pumpkin patches in the UK to the spookiest locations for Halloween, we'll have autumn breaks covered

The Sunday Times | Cruise Supplement | Sunday 26th September

Provisional line-up:

● Winter sun for 2021/22 ● SailSterling catamaran cruise by Sue Bryant

Contact the team for details of advertising opportunities and rates SunEmployment launches Keep On Trucking campaign

The Sun’s SunEmployment has launched a new campaign to recruit tens of thousands of HGV drivers to beat the delivery crisis.

Lorry drivers are vital to keep our nation functioning but the growing recruitment shortage has seen supermarket shelves left bare, pubs run dry, McDonald’s unable to serve milkshakes, Nando’s forced to close and

even the supply of school dinners under threat. Experts estimate the nation faces a huge shortfall of 100,000 drivers caused by a “perfect storm” of veteran drivers leaving the profession, lack of new drivers training during the pandemic, some workers returning to EU countries and a backlog in driver tests.

The Sun is offering free job listings to firms with driver roles on our Sun Jobs site and and will also be leading the charge to diversify the industry. Virgin Radio Pride aired special show for Worldwide Pride with Sushant Divgikar

Indian model, singer, trans-activist and all-around superstar Sushant Divgikar presented a special one-off show for Worldwide Pride on Virgin Radio Pride UK from India on Saturday.

Sushant, also known as Rani Ko-HE-Nur will discuss his own journey towards accepting his identity, the importance of sharing pronouns and the history of LGBTQ+ acceptance in India, including the repeal of Section 377 in 2018, which criminalised homosexuality.

Listeners can expect to hear a variety of Indian music, including Sushant’s very own track, “Diamond.”

Sushant is widely recognised for participating in Indian reality TV shows including 8 and India’s got talent. In 2018, he became the first drag queen in India to participate in singing show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, making history as the first contestant from the LGBTQIA+ community to win a golden buzzer. Thank you

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