Travel News

Groups of travellers arriving on the stunning and sweeping shores of Turkey for their holidays this summer will no longer need to suffer the arduous task of submitting visa applications individually, the nation's tourism organisation has confirmed.

Any group of tourists numbering between ten and 300 people seeking entry to the country is eligible to apply for the new visa, which has been made possible by the fact Turkey adopted electronic methods of getting hold of the document earlier this year.

However, it is important for travellers to note that there are some stipulations attached to the group e-visa – namely that everyone it will be covering must be of the same nationality and arrival date.

In addition, everyone noted by the document must have the same intentions when coming to Turkey, making it impossible for one person to register on business while another does so as a tourist.

The type of travel documents supplied by each person – whether normal, official or diplomatic – also need to match.

Turkey's new electronic visa system has been operating since April 11th and made headlines across the world as it made it much easier for tourists to enter the country. Travellers simply log onto the website and fill in the form before downloading and printing their document before flying.

Aside from making immigration much quicker, the new system also allows tourists to cross Turkey's borders on any specific date during the period of validity stated on the visa.

Those wishing to make a group application should note that forms must be completed within 48 hours of the process being started. Payments can be made by credit or debit card and UK citizens will need to pay $20 (£11.75)

The news will be music to the ears of Seafarer customers taking advantage of our group discount that offers great rates for people booking nine cabins or more for their trip.

Greece is renowned for its spotless and beautiful stretches of coastline, with beautiful beaches, rugged cliff faces and intimate little coves all featuring. So it's something of a relief to hear at Seafarer that the country's tourist industry is going that little bit further to preserve its natural assets.

According to the Travel Foundation, Greece's National Tourism Organisation has become the latest to sign up for the Make Holidays Greener campaign, which aims to help raise awareness of the need for greener and cleaner beaches.

Salli Felton, acting chief executive of the Travel Foundation, was among those celebrating the news. 

"We’re delighted that Visit Greece is on board," she said. "Their support will help us to spread the word that cleaner, greener beaches aren't just important for tourism, they are essential for coastal communities and wildlife such as sea turtles too."

Christina Kalogera, director of Visit Greece, drew attention to Greece's clean coastlines and extensive conservation efforts, which include protecting two species that are under threat – the Monk Seal and the Sea Turtle.

"The focus of the Make Holidays Greener campaign on beaches links to the world-famous Greek shores, which are known for their clean and clear waters," she added.

The Make Holidays Greener initiative will run this July, with dozens of events taking place across various countries that aim to encourage people to think about their impact upon the local environment when travelling abroad this summer.

Organising beach cleanups and attending talks promoting facts about healthy oceans are just two ways that people can get involved.

If you needed another excuse to explore this beautiful country with its characteristic landscape and fascinating history, this could well be it. Why not journey around Greece's stunning collection of islands this summer aboard one of our small ship cruises? 

Seafarer has for some years now been promoting a responsibl;e aproach to yachting with information on recommeded good practice and guidelines to guests provided on every yacht,as well as supporting various local organisations like Dolphin Watch in the Ionian and Archpelagos in the Aegean.

The importance of the world's oceans was highlighted across the globe over the weekend (June 7th) in an initiative that saw events set up in various countries to celebrate these life-giving bodies of water.

World Oceans Day was set up in 2002 and officially recognised by the United Nations in 2008 as a global conservation effort.

Not only do oceans generate much of the oxygen we breathe, they help to feed us, clean the water we drink, regulate our climate and offer a pharmacopoeia of potential medicines. However, they are often left polluted or overfished by human interference.

It is for this reason that The Ocean Project and World Ocean Network decided to set up an initiative to help people give something positive back to the oceans in order to raise awareness.

Events were held across the globe to achieve this, with various festivals, celebrations and extravaganzas contributing money to the cause. Participants were encouraged to 'wear blue and tell two' in order to increase awareness.

"We have to ensure that oceans continue to meet our needs without compromising those of future generations," commented secretary-general Ban Ki-moon in a message marking the day, adding, "their depths hold current and future solutions to humanity's energy needs".

While occasions such as World Oceans Day are essential when it comes to raising awareness, caring for the ocean is something that we need to think about all the time in our daily lives.

This means that you must make sustainable choices all the time, whether you are buying tuna from the supermarket or planning a holiday.

Seafarer are committed to providing holidays that are environmentally sustainable so that the oceans we explore are still here for others to enjoy in the future. Whether you're relaxing in the Seychelles or the River Rhine, you can be sure of having a harmless impact on the local ecosystem.

Tourism arrivals in Greece are set to exceed 20 million this year, a sure sign that the tourism industry is heading for another record-breaking year following 2013's similarly strong figures.

Each year sees tourists flocking to hotspots around the nation, attracted by the history and culture as well as the renowned Mediterranean warmth. Tourism is a major employer and strong visitor stats are welcome in the country due to the six-year economic slump.

The government was quick to seize upon the good news, with prime minister Antonis Samaras announcing the predicted statistics during a press conference to the nation.

"2013 was a record year. In 2014, every indication shows that we are going to break this record," he said, adding: "Get ready for over 20 million visitors."

Tourists are thought to have been encouraged by a tax reduction on food services by ten percentage points. Culture minister Panos Panagiotopoulos claimed that longer operating times for museums and attractions have also contributed.

Predictions of more than 20 million visitors, as provided by the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises, have been drawn from visitor figures in April, which more than doubled in 2014 compared to last year.

Island sites on Santorini proved attractive as always, as did the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion on Crete. Visitors to ancient Olympia – the birthplace of the most historical sporting event on the planet – also appeared strong. 

Of the 20 million arrivals expected in Greece this year, 2.2 million are expected to be made up of cruise ship passengers looking to explore the nation's stunning collection of islands, which contain fascinating historical sites, beautiful coves to swim in and spectacular stretches of sand.

Take full advantage of all these assets by booking a Seafarer cruise of the area that includes a full itinerary that allows you to experience the wonders of classical Greece.

Better still, avoid the crowds on once of Seafarer's trade mark mega yacht cruises that visit the smaller uncommercialised places the large cruise ships cannot reach.

When it comes to enjoying a nice holiday away from the grind of daily life, we're well aware that a cruise is easily the best way to guarantee a nice time. And it seems the Great British public is in agreement, with a new survey indicating it is the nation's favourite type of break.

The Cruise Lines Internatianal (CLIA UK) published a comprehensive list of reasons as to why this was the case, including friendlier staff, clean facilities, better entertainment, no cancellations and fewer delays than any other type of holiday.

Of the 1,438 participants, almost a third (31 per cent) indicated they are either planning to take a cruise for their next break or have already booked one. A similar proportion indicated that their preference was largely down to the stress-free process of booking a cruise.

If this survey has inspired you to take a cruise for your next holiday, why not consider a small-scale intimate experience as offered by Seafarer? We can offer the reliability and ease of booking that people love, and for an extraordinary variety of destinations.

From the nearby (Greece, Italy and Malta) to the more exotic (Indian Ocean, Thailand and the Caribbean) you can be sure of an incredible experience.

Mauritius has set its sights on receiving 1,030,000 tourists over the course of 2014, with a new bulletin issued earlier this week by Statistics Mauritius indicating an expected 3.7 per cent rise in visitors during the holiday season.

The number cruncher based its claims on the fact that tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2014 have soared by 2.6 per cent compared to those of 2013, standing at an impressive 354,287.

While it's undoubtedly great news for the archipelago, which has long been able to pull the crowds thanks to its wide stretches of white sand and palm-lined coastline, those fearing for the quiet relaxed atmosphere here needn't worry.

In comparison to other beach destinations, the rise in visitor numbers to Mauritius remains relatively small, with the Maldives and Sri Lanka registering nine and 24.8 per cent increases respectively, Statistics Mauritius stated.

The industry remains one of the most essential sectors on the island, with more than 28,000 people employed in positions linked to looking after tourists.

If you're looking to take advantage of the lull and enjoy a beach holiday in this incredible destination, a Seafarer cruise around various coastlines is undoubtedly the best way to experience this island.

Aboard a stylish and comfortable catamaran, you'll get to enjoy a thoroughly relaxed atmosphere and a unique culture, courtesy of the experienced and knowledgeable deckhands we have aboard. These folks are well accustomed to ensuring you make the most of your holiday, no matter how you prefer to spend it.

Check out the seven-night Maurice itinerary or the three night Benitier itinerary for more details, including highlights, stop-offs and other information. 

Turkey's government has published a report indicating that the country's visitor numbers went from strength to strength in the first four months of this year, with a rise of 5.07 per cent recorded against the same period last year.

According to the country's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a total of 2.6 million foreign tourists arrived in April alone, representing an increase of 8.2 per cent year-on-year, bringing the first quarter's total figures to 7.03 million arrivals. 

Airports remained the main points of entry for visitors, with those transport hubs in Istanbul proving particularly popular. Elsewhere, land border crossings in Edirne at the Bulgarian border also proved particularly popular, while airports in Antalya saw extensive use thanks to the area's outstanding natural beauty.

Tourists from Europe made up many of the figures, with Germans proving keen to sample the best of this incredible country. German visitors to the country made up 15.9 per cent of all tourism traffic during April, with Russians coming in second and the UK third.

With more people than ever checking out this most incredible country, why not be the latest to experience Turkey by taking a cruise along the coastline? Such a holiday would offer an excellent insight into the history, the culture and the sheer beauty that can be found in abundance here.

From bustling Bodrum to fascinating Fethiye, there is plenty to be discovered here. And Seafarer even offer a traditional mode of transport from which you can carry out your journey around the coast – a traditional Turkish gulak. 

If this has piqued your curiosity, check out our wide range of holidays around this East meets West culture of wonderment. 

The Maldives is proving an ever popular tourism destination in 2014, with a 16.2 per cent increase in visitors recorded by the government over the past four-month period.

As announced by the tourism ministry of the archipelago, 105,309 tourists arrived at the border in April, taking the total so far for 2014 to 426,870. By contrast, only 343,748 visitors had crossed the border by this time last year.

While it was acknowledged that Chinese tourism continues to dominate the industry, easily the highest number of tourists actually arrived from Europe.

Records show that 219,058 people arrived from the continent during the first four months of this year, although no notable increase was noted from this demographic.

In contrast, the tourism ministry said it had recorded a 24.2 per cent increase in visitors from the Middle East, as well as a 22.7 per cent increase in Chinese tourists. The government claims a drastic change in promotion has played a part in helping people from these places discover the beauty of the Maldives.

If you're among the many Europeans looking to explore this spectacular nation, why not consider witnessing it from a unique perspective and exploring its many islands via a Seafarer cruise?

Such holidays allow plenty of time and opportunity to explore the local culture with a fantastic level of variety in the programme of excursion and knowledgeable tour guides. However, there is also plenty of opportunity to relax off the coast in a cove of crystal clear water, while seeking out the local marine life.

For more details, take a look at Seafarer's Maldives Sailing Cruise, which allows you to experience this stunning location in the comfort of a stylish and intimate catamaran. 

Families are enjoying fantastic value for money when they go on holiday at the moment, with Europe in particular becoming a bargain hunter's paradise due to a favourable exchange rate and strong competition among providers.

This is according to Asda Money, which reported that those purchasing euros today would see a seven per cent increase in what they would receive, compared with ten months ago.

"Customers purchasing £500 of euros today at Asda would get 37 euros extra compared to ten months ago," commented Kirsty Ward, head of Asda Money.

The exchange rate couldn't have picked a better time to be in such a good shape, with many Brits making the most of the bank holiday weekend to fly abroad to sunnier shores such as those of Greece and Italy.

Current exchange specialists Moneycorp told the Express they had witnessed a dramatic rise in demand for euros over the two weeks leading up to the three-day break, with 58 per cent of transactions being for the international currency over the weekend.

"In the two weeks running up to the bank holiday, travel money purchases of euros …increased by 14.38 per cent, compared with the two previous weeks," commented a spokesperson for the company.

"In addition to this, the popularity of several other currencies … increased over the same period, showing that British families are looking further afield for half-term breaks."

If you're one of these families, why not consider one of Seafarer's yacht cruise options, which provide the perfect getaway for children and adults alike? Whether you're considering the beautiful Italian shoreline or the uniquely rugged Greek Isles, you'll find something that suits everyone.

Be sure to take advantage of our group or family discounts, which allow you to enjoy a great holiday for a much cheaper price.

The most anticipated event in the travel industry's calendar is heading to Greece, and Athens is already undergoing a vast amount of preparation so it may cater for the hundreds of participants set to swoop down on the opening night.

Taking place August 1st – 3rd, the World Travel Awards reward outstanding efforts in the industry across a number of fields. And where better to do that than the stunning surroundings of such a vibrant and exciting city?

A mindboggling itinerary has been prepared by the organisers that fully takes advantage of Athens' assets for the nominees to enjoy, including a welcome of fantastic Greek cuisine made out of local produce on arrival.

World Travel Awards president, Graham Cooke, said that a lot of work had gone into putting together "a whistle-stop tour of Greek highlights" that will include a private visit to the New Acropolis Museum – recently voted one of the best museums in the world.

"Nominees and winners attending the Gala Ceremony are invited to take advantage of the tours on a complimentary basis, and we look forward to welcoming them in August," he added.

There will also be opportunities to enjoy a relaxing spa, a spectacular coastal sunset and a day at the beach – something that no trip to the Mediterranean should be without.

The awards themselves will take place on August 2nd in partnership with the Greek Tourism Ministry, the Greek National Tourism Organization, and the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises.

Nominees will be treated to an Oscar-style event with plenty of live entertainment and Champagne.

If you like the sound of such a glamorous Greek holiday but don't have an invitation, consider Seafarer's spectacular range of tours around the islands of Greece as a consolation. Exploring the epic coastlines and learning about the history of this incredible place really is an excellent alternative.