As 2023 draws to a close, there's a slew of new U.K. and European routes launching in December and the not-so-distant future of 2024.
21.11.2023 - 13:17 / breakingtravelnews.com
From January up until the end of September 2023, Spain received 66.5 million international arrivals, up 18.8% year-on-year, and 0.6% below pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The main inbound tourism markets were the United Kingdom, representing around 13.8 million arrivals, France with almost 9.4 million arrivals and Germany, with almost 8.5 million arrivals.
VALENCIA: EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL 2024
Valencia has been named the European Green Capital for 2024 by the European Commission. This prestigious award underpins the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its ongoing efforts to address the challenges of climate change.
2024: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE ANNIVERSARIES
The oldest five World Heritage Sites in Spain are approaching their 40th anniversary, having been designated in 1984. These include:
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Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada
Burgos Cathedral
Monastery and Site of the Escorial, Madrid
The Historic Centre of Córdoba
Works of Antoni Gaudí
THE PREHISTORIC SITES OF TALAYOTIC MENORCA BRING SPAIN’S UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE COUNT TO 50
In September 2023, the prehistoric sites of Talayotic Menorca were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, bringing the total number of sites in Spain to 50.
FINALISTS OF SPAIN’S 2024 CITY OF GASTRONOMY REVEALED
The four finalist cities for Spain’s Capital of Gastronomy (CEG) have been announced and include Alicante, Antequera, Castellón and Oviedo. The prestigious award, decided jointly by travel journalists and the Hospitality Association of Spain, was awarded to Cuenca, Castilla–La Mancha in 2023.
SEVEN NEW VÍAS VERDES BUILT IN 2023
In Spain, there are more than 3,300 kilometres of disused railway infrastructure that have been converted into cycle and hiking routes within the framework of the Greenways Programme, coordinated by the Spanish Railways Foundation. They are known as Vías Verdes – Green Ways.
In 2023 seven new greenways were added to the network.
2024: 100 YEARS OF THE MODERN BARCELONA METRO
In 2024, the Spanish city of Barcelona will mark the anniversary of the full opening of its Metro train system (Metro de Barcelona).
2024: A JUBILEE YEAR FOR CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ, MURCIA
Every seven years since 2003, the holy city of Caravaca de la Cruz, located in the region of Murcia, celebrates a Jubilee Year which attracts thousands of pilgrims to the city seeking plenary indulgence.
ANDALUCIA FLAMENCO MUSEUM TO OPEN IN JEREZ
In 2024, Jerez de la Frontera is set to unveil the highly anticipated Andalucia Flamenco Museum. Recognised as one of the primary strongholds of Flamenco, Jerez’s cultural identity is intricately intertwined with the art of Flamenco, wine, and horses.
BARCELONA TO HOST 37TH AMERICA’S CUP IN 2024
America
As 2023 draws to a close, there's a slew of new U.K. and European routes launching in December and the not-so-distant future of 2024.
A diverse crop of new ships will set sail in 2024, including intimate yacht-style vessels to never-before-seen mega ships from luxury players like Silversea and Cunard. There will be plenty of bells and whistles expected of these brands, including restaurants from top chefs, but also a few features new to the industry (think glass domes on the hull). Some are sister ships to those already on the waters, but with enough points of difference to feel like something entirely new—including the soon-to-be-sailing largest ship in the world, from Royal Caribbean, of course.
High prices, a high mortgage rate, and dwindling supply... Prospective homebuyers in the United States face a near-impossible situation, and home sales are suffering as a result. They’re at their lowest levels in 13 years.
Cycling boosts health, offers affordable transportation – and it’s fun. Few countries embrace biking more enthusiastically than the Netherlands, where it is deeply ingrained in its cultural DNA. On average, each Dutch resident has 1.3 bicycles and there is an extensive network of cycle paths – more than 37,000 km (nearly 23,000 miles) – nationwide, according to the country’s official tourism board.
The Port of Seville has been the setting for an unprecedented event in the field of blue tourism: the forum “OPEN INNOVATION: A DEVELOPMENT TOOL FOR BLUE TOURISM”. This meeting brought together the main players in the nautical and port sector, with a special focus on innovation and digital transformation, key elements for the future of this industry. The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía, Víctor González, stressed in his speech the essentiality of adopting innovative approaches in tourism: “Innovation is not just an option, but a necessity on the road to a more sustainable and efficient blue tourism. This forum is a clear example of how Andalusia is at the forefront of this transformation”.
France has announced it is banning smoking on beaches as part of a wider campaign to help people quit.
As a frequent traveler, I'm often plagued by flight shame.
Fireside lunches in cheerful pubs are one of the great pleasures of the UK winter, and this score of snug venues all come with somewhere to stay as well as cobweb-clearing walks from the door.
The acquisition operation has benefited from the expert guidance of the consulting firm Bluebull, an investment banking firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions for technology companies, and the specialized law firm Cuatrecasas.
During the closing ceremony, La Rioja handed over the symbolic amphora to Armenia, marking the country’s status as the next host for the 8th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism in 2024.
I hate using public restrooms. I dislike the sounds, the smells, and the sensations. When I'm exiting the bathroom stall, I hate the awkward shuffle I have to do when I'm pulling the door towards me, while at the same time, trying to avoid touching the rim of the toilet with the back of my legs. But the worst part for me about using a public restroom is people overhearing me.
Train journeys are booming in popularity thanks to dozens of new rail routes and more eco-conscious travellers who want to avoid the hassle of flight delays.