We're back from Israel, and since it's Monday, we've got travel news here at FREEDOMtravel. Among other things, we can tell you about cleaning the seas, direct flights to Bilbao and a free train ride. But we are far from finished with our stories from Israel! Tomorrow we'll continue with the stories from our road trip. So, don't miss it!
Table of contents
Cruise trends of the year
According to the TravelNews newsletter, it's not just palm-fringed beaches, big city shopping and cultural attractions that are attracting cruise tourists in 2018. One trend is whales, penguins and glaciers, another is the environmental impact of the ship's construction, and a third is food experiences.
ai for better customer service
AI, or artificial intelligence, is becoming increasingly important for KLM's social media customer service. With the help of AI, the airline can handle more customer service requests via social media than before, without the involvement of a flesh-and-blood customer service agent. This makes it possible to answer more questions in less time, according to the airline. At the same time, people will have more time to answer questions that require a human touch.
Thailand clears the seas
Thailand becomes the first country in Asia to join the 'Upcycling the Oceans' project, which aims to reduce litter in the world's oceans. As part of this, smoking will be banned on selected beaches. The idea is to create long-term sustainable tourism and to preserve the oceans. It is estimated that there are about 150 million tonnes of plastic in the oceans, which can be turned into thread to make clothes.
Direct flights to Bilbao
As of May, the airline Norwegian will offer direct flights from Stockholm Arlanda to Bilbao in Spain. The flight will operate twice a week, and this new route means that Norwegian will fly to nine Spanish destinations directly from Stockholm. The other destinations are Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante, Malaga, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Barcelona. Majorca.
Airbnb is growing rapidly
With a simple Twitter post, Airbnb has shown how it has grown in recent years, reports Dagens Analys. It is an incredible journey that has been made with the help of smart campaigns and digital marketing. According to CEO Brian Chesky, the number of people staying in an Airbnb has doubled every year since 2009.
Free train journey for 18-year-olds
This year, selected 18-year-olds in Europe can get a free train journey. It is not clear exactly how the programme will work or how the 18-year-olds will be selected, but EU countries and the European Parliament have agreed to allocate €12 million, or around €118 million. The aim is for young people to "discover the beauty and diversity of Europe for three weeks".
Did you miss the last travel news? Read the New Year's resolutions, holiday worries and northern lights
Mr Steve says:
Welcome home!
All these travel trends are fascinating.
'Upcycling the Oceans', I call that a commendable initiative.
As well as "Free train ride for 18-year-olds".
08 January 2018 - 6:43
Helena says:
Thank you!!! Yes, this with cleaning the oceans really feels sooo enormously important!!! Hope more people follow!
08 January 2018 - 15:09
Liniz Travel says:
Interesting News! The free train ride sounds fantastic! What a thing hug
08 January 2018 - 9:26
Helena says:
Yes, you wonder how it will be solved practically, but it will be exciting to see! 🙂
08 January 2018 - 15:09
Ama de casa says:
Hmm... I wonder if I don't feel a bit offended now - why only 18-year-olds??? 😉 😀 .
I also travelled by train in my youth and had to pay for it myself. But it was worth it 🙂
Great initiative by Thailand there!
08 January 2018 - 10:02
Helena says:
Surely it was worth every penny to go on a train trip! Soooo many memories from our train trip 🙂.
08 January 2018 - 15:10
Veiken says:
If you feel like you're 18 - do you think you can take a train ride??? 😉 .
08 January 2018 - 13:09
Helena says:
Haha, you can always hope ... 😉 ...
08 January 2018 - 15:10
BP says:
"Upcycling the Oceans" is a good initiative. China is also making an effort in this area. Nothing for Peter and me though;-)
Bilbao sounds incredibly interesting, I've seen pictures of the city and it's absolutely gorgeous with lots of daring architecture.
I have never travelled by train, but the free travel initiative in Europe is great for young people.
08 January 2018 - 14:02
Helena says:
Surely it is incredibly good, and really quite necessary, to start doing something about the littering of the oceans! Agree that Bilbao sounds interesting! We haven't been there either, but would love to make a visit there 🙂.
08 January 2018 - 15:12
Travelling with Malin says:
Interesting news! Glad to see I'm also a bit trendy as next week I'm off to the penguins and glaciers in Patagonia 😉.
08 January 2018 - 14:38
Helena says:
Wow, what an exciting trip you have going on Malin! Wonderful! 🙂
08 January 2018 - 15:13
Matts Torebring says:
Welcome home again. Good news that someone is starting to take responsibility for the sea, for example. Ps. I would like to read more about Israel.
08 January 2018 - 17:19
Helena says:
Thank you very much! Yes, something really needs to be done about the rubbish in our oceans!
08 January 2018 - 19:27
Marina says:
Go Thailand! Hope now that many follow suit. There is a lot to do on that front if you say so ... Waiting for excitement on the rest of the road trip.
08 January 2018 - 17:42
Helena says:
I also hope that many follow the example! And the continuation of the road trip will come tomorrow 🙂 .
08 January 2018 - 19:28
Lena - good for the soul says:
150 million tonnes of plastic!!! Good that they are doing something!
Welcome home, by the way!
Hug Lena
08 January 2018 - 18:55
Helena says:
I know, crazy ....! And thank you!
08 January 2018 - 19:28
Ruth in Virginia says:
Ulrika Player, who travelled from Hönö to Malaysia for a new life,
is now the "top dog" and founder of Trash Hero Langkawi.
She has organised a group to clean up the beaches of the
Langkawi. Talk about "different"!
Ulrika is on Facebook.
08 January 2018 - 23:36