This week in travel news, the European Commission announced a delay to the launch of the ETIAS visa waiver scheme until 2024. The scheme will require all non-EU passport holders to obtain
pre-trip permission to enter the EU and will cost €7 for a three-year authorization. While the delay is disappointing for those who were anticipating the scheme’s launch this year, the reduced cost compared to the US ESTA program is a welcome surprise.
As travel restrictions gradually ease up, there are plenty of exciting destinations to explore. In Europe, Croatia’s northern Adriatic coast is a hidden gem, offering ancient Roman ruins, Venetian villages, and secret beaches. Meanwhile, Italy’s Friuli region boasts a diverse landscape of mountains, canyons, beaches, and lagoons, and is considered one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.
In Asia, countries such as Hong Kong and Taiwan are incentivizing travel through giveaways of airline tickets and vacation packages. This provides an opportunity to explore the region’s most exciting new luxury hotels, such as those that offer thrilling experiences even before guests reach the front door, such as zip-lining over a waterfall and landing in the hotel bar.
Looking to the future of travel, designers and engineers are continuously working on new transport solutions for a greener, cleaner, and faster tomorrow. From a new generation of airships to a hydrogen-powered superyacht that can "fly" across the water, the possibilities are endless. Alisyn Malek, managing director of a Detroit-based global mobility innovation hub, gives us an insight into what transport may look like by 2050, including hyperloops, supersonic jets, and electric aircraft.
Finally, in infrastructure news, India recently opened the first section of a 1,386-kilometer (861-mile) expressway linking New Delhi and Mumbai. Once complete, it will be India's longest carriageway and is expected to halve journey times between the two cities.
In summary, while the delay of the ETIAS visa waiver scheme may be disappointing, there are still many exciting destinations to explore, and new transport solutions are being developed to enhance the travel experience.