updates

Travelodge confirmed it has changed its pet policy and upped the flat fee it charges pet owners for bringing their animals to its hotels

Budget hotel chain Travelodge has made a major change to its pet policy ahead of the peak May half-term and summer travel season.

Travelodge currently allow pets in all of their hotels in both standard and SuperRooms, and up to two domesticated animals, either cats or dogs, can currently stay with their owners in each room.

Previously, this was charged at £20 per pet per stay, regardless of how many nights the owners stayed, to allow for an additional deep clean of each room at the end of a break. However, this has now been increased to £25 per stay, meaning people who want to travel with their pooch or feline will end up paying more.

A spokesperson for Travelodge confirmed the change, telling the Mirror: “We are proud to be the only UK budget hotel chain to welcome pets at every one of our 600+ hotels, 365 days a year.

“Having held our pet supplement at the same price for over a decade, we have introduced a £5 increase across the majority of our hotels to reflect rising operational costs and ensure we can continue to offer a great quality stay for guests travelling with their animals.

“Unlike many other hotels, our flat fee of £25 per pet covers the entire duration of a pet’s stay, ensuring Travelodge remains a highly competitive and value-for-money option for pet owners. Customers will see the new price on the website when they make a pet booking.”

Travelodge customers who are travelling with pets can add them to their booking as an extra at the payment stage. While pets are allowed to stay in rooms, they’re generally barred from bar and restaurant areas. Its website also confirms: “Assistance dogs are welcome at all Travelodge hotels, free of charge.”

Recently, there has been a lively debate around dogs in public places, as a major European airline announced plans to allow dogs in the cabin. The plans will mean owners travelling on an Italian airline will be able to book a seat for their pup, rather than locking them in crates into the hold. A poll showed that 95% of Mirror readers agreed that dogs should be allowed to sit alongside their owners in the cabin.

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A recent poll also showed that six out of ten dog owners choose their holidays based on their pet’s preference. The survey, which involved data from over 2,000 pet owners, showed that top destinations in the UK for dog-friendly travel included Devon and Cornwall.

An impressive 78% of dog owners who took their pet on holiday chose destinations based on whether there were nice places nearby for walkies, while 30% said they’d never return to a staycation spot if it failed to meet their pet’s needs. Around a third of pet owners also plan their routes and travels around doggy-friendly rest stops.

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The Foreign Office has advised against travel to certain countries.

At the start of this month, the UK Government issued guidance advising British citizens in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates to register their whereabouts. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is then able to send them direct updates.

There are roughly 300,000 British nationals in the region, of which over 170,000 have registered their presence with the FCDO. The Foreign Office has been revising its travel guidance for Middle Eastern countries and those in the vicinity, as the ongoing conflict continues to cause significant disruption.

The Government stated it is in discussions with commercial operators and regional countries regarding the arrangement of additional flights, as regional airspace has now partially reopened.

One of the most recent updates from the UK Foreign Office relates to entry into Egypt from Jordan.

Guidance stated: “Ferry services operate between Aqaba, Jordan and Taba Heights and Nuweiba in Egypt. Contact ferry operators directly for schedules and availability. Please check travel advice for Jordan for the latest on exit requirements.

“If your stay in Sinai will exceed 15 days, or you are planning to travel in Egypt beyond the Sinai Peninsula, including to fly from mainland airports, for example Cairo or Hurghada, you will need an entry visa”, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The statement continued: “If entering at Taba Heights, this costs 35 US dollars. If entering at Nuweiba, this costs 30 US dollars. Visas can be purchased at the port terminals. Travellers should obtain USD in cash before travelling given payments are often required in cash.”

Currently, the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to certain regions of Egypt. Ignoring advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office could invalidate your travel insurance.

There is an increased risk of regional tension which could result in travel disruption and other unforeseen consequences. The Foreign Office stated: “British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances.”

These precautions include:

• Subscribing to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts.
• Keeping an eye on local and international media for the latest updates.
• Signing up to local information alerts/resources and following the instructions of the local authorities.
• Avoiding areas surrounding security or military facilities.

The Foreign Office strongly advises against all travel within a 20km radius of the Egypt-Libya border, with the exception of the town of El Salloum, where it recommends only essential travel.

Active military operations targeting criminal activity are ongoing in this area.

It recommends against all travel to North Sinai Governate owing to ongoing criminal activity and terrorist attacks targeting police and security forces that have led to fatalities.

The complete list of areas the FCDO advises against travelling to can be found here.