Britain’s tourist body www.VisitBritain.com has compiled a handy list of tips on how to extend an even warmer welcome to visitors coming to the UK for the 2012 Olympics.

The guidelines are tailored to various nationalities, whose customs and etiquette may vary, or even contrast with, the British way of doing things and the idea is to create an even more efficient and helpful customer service that takes account of cultural needs.

Britain rates quite highly on the “warm welcome” front compared to other countries. It ranks 14th out of 50 in the Nation Brands Index for the quality of the welcome would-be visitors believe they will get when they come here, although we’re not as good as Canada, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands apparently. Read more

Tickets from London and Ashford to top ski destinations now on saleStarting December 19th 2010, Eurostar will offer a direct route from St. Pancras International in London, and Ashford International station in Kent, to the French Alps, calling at Moûtiers, Aime-La-Plagne and Bourg St Maurice.

Eurostar says the service will offer easy access to a variety of top ski destinations, including Courchevel, La Plagne, Tignes, Meribel and Les Arcs, making the trip convenient by arriving at stations located a short bus ride from main resorts, avoiding potentially lengthy transfers to and from the airport. Read more

Interval International has just announced the affiliation of Multiresidence de l’Elysee in Paris, France. The property occupies a six-storey building in the 8th arrondissement on the right bank of the River Seine, close to the Champs-Élysées and right between the world famous Parisian landmarks the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde.

“The prime location of this resort, on the stylish Rue de Colisee in the heart of Paris, makes it an ideal base for exploring one of the world’s most beautiful cities,” said Darren Ettridge, Interval International’s vice president of resort sales and service for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. “Each residence is equipped with all the comforts of home, so guests will feel more like residents than tourists.” Read more

The UK airport strike which would have grounded 2,500 flights a day and impacted over 200,000 passengers over the busy August bank holiday will not go ahead it has been confirmed. Read more

Mexico lovers will now be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting a place to stay while visiting some of the country’s most scenic spots Read more

Conciliation service Acas is stepping in to try and avert a strike at UK airports by meeting between BAA and Unite, the union threatening a walkout this month. Read more

Unite union members have voted 3-1 in favour of a strike later this month. The walkout will mean six UK airports will be shut down during the strike over pay Read more

Following the success of their fractional developments in some of the world’s most scenic locations – the Greek Island of Samos, Spain, Italy, France, Bulgaria, Cornwall and the Caribbean among them - fractional property agents Barrasford & Bird have just this week released 24 new apartments in a coastal setting in North Devon, now available to early birds.

This time the location is the beach community of Westward Ho! near Bideford, twenty minutes from Barnstaple. The two-, and three-bedroom executive apartments are 50m from Westward Ho! beach and some of the three-bedroom properties will be available as duplexes, on two floors with a mezzanine area above.

Robin Barrasford, managing director of Barrasford & Bird Worldwide, told GoFractional.org this week: "Westward Ho! is a bustling and vibrant coastal community that thrives on tourism. The area is receiving extensive investment aimed at boosting an already profitable tourism industry, creating a unique opportunity to purchase property at an affordable price whilst benefitting from increasing tourism over the coming years.”

More information at www.gofractional.org Read more

Holidaymakers and Spanish tourist industry can breathe a sigh of relief as union confirms it will not strike during busiest time of the year Read more

EasyJet is expanding its route network with a new twice-a-week flight to Luxor in Egypt, starting this November.

The services will depart Gatwick on Mondays and Wednesdays, offering a competitive fare for passengers heading to the region and its attractions, including the Valley of the Kings and Nile cruises.

The fare, £127.81 return including tax, looks set to tempt the number of visitors to the region; EasyJet already flies to another Egyptian hotspot, Sharm el-Sheikh from Gatwick, Luton and Manchester, and the new flight to Luxor (five hours flying time) will offer travellers another winter sun destination to escape to this winter. Read more