national travel & tourism week

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Commerce

National travel and tourism week, related content, celebrate the power of travel during national travel and tourism week 2021.

U.S. Travel Releases 2023 National Travel & Tourism Week Toolkit

Feb 24, 2023

National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) is an annual industry tradition celebrating the value travel holds for our economy, businesses, personal well-being and more.

May 7-13, 2023, marks the 40th anniversary of NTTW. We are demonstrating how integral travel is to every industry and nearly everything we do. Our recovery is the nation’s recovery, and travel is essential to a future of growth and innovation. 

Join us as we keep moving #TravelForward. Explore the Toolkit.

Ways to Engage

Messaging guide, 2023 nttw logo, social media guide, 2023 theme video.

NTTW 2023: Travel Forward from U.S. Travel on Vimeo .

Established in 1983, National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) is an annual tradition to celebrate the U.S. travel community and travel’s essential role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, inspiring new businesses and elevating the quality of life for Americans every day. National Travel and Tourism Week celebrates the industry’s critical role in powering economies, communities and connections. Together, let’s demonstrate our industry’s critical importance—in every corner of our country. Join MTC and our partners, May 19-25 to help highlight our industry’s undeniable impact!

Official U.S. Travel Association Toolkit Now Available!

Event Schedule in Celebration of National Travel & Tourism Week

MTC is working with our members and partner organizations to bring you events across the state. Keep checking back as we add more events.

May 20 –  NTTW Proclamation Reading | Baltimore Convention Center | 10:00 am – 10:30 am Each year, the Governor proclaims Maryland Travel and Tourism Week during an event held at a destination that is paramount to the Maryland travel experience. This year’s destination is the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore City. Please join the Maryland Tourism Coalition, Maryland Office of Tourism, Visit Baltimore, media and industry partners for this special National Travel & Tourism Week Kick-Off! Free to attend – Registration is Required! Register Here

May 20 –  NTTW Kick Off Event  | Baltimore Convention Center | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Join the Maryland Tourism Coalition following the Proclamation Reading we kick off NTTW in Maryland! The Baltimore Convention Center will do a presentation and a tour of why the Baltimore Convention Center is the heart of Maryland’s tourism industry. Remarks from Visit Baltimore and U.S. Travel Association are also part of the program. Following the presentations, stay for a tour, refreshments and networking with industry partners as we week celebrate that tourism does work for Maryland! Cost: $15 for members/$25 non-members, Student Rate $10.  Register Here

May 21 –  Maryland in a Day Follow the adventures of Chris Riehl on social media as he takes on Maryland in a Day!

May 21 –  Women of Hospitality Conference |  American Visionary Art Museum| 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Join the Restaurant Association of Maryland for a day of discussion, growth, and empowerment at the Women of Hospitality Conference.  We will discuss themes of femininity in the workplace, how to confidently become your own boss, leadership and management, the ins and outs of social media, the importance of diversity, community involvement, overall growth, and so much more! For more information and to register, visit the RAM website  

May 22 –  MTC Spring Seminar |  Dorchester Center for the Arts| 10:30 am – 3:00 pm     Join the Maryland Tourism Coalition on Maryland’s Eastern Shore as we discuss events that took place during Maryland’s Civil Rights Movement. The day will include lunch and a walking tour of downtown Cambridge. Make it an overnight and explore Cambridge. More details can be found on the Spring Seminar Landing Page . 

Media Resources for National Travel & Tourism Week

Oh say have you seen….. maryland.

This coming spring, Jmore and PressBox will again be dedicating our annual travel issues exclusively to the State of Maryland. The issues will contain a full section of travel destinations and events, all focused on keeping travelers in-state and reaching those in nearby states with great vacation ideas. Our travel content will emphasize key visitor experiences such as Maryland’s trail system, the Chesapeake Loop, Indigenous Peoples and the Underground Railroad.

To expand the reach of our Maryland Travel section, our ‘brother’ media company, County Sports Zone will also support the program with content and promotion sending visitors to the exclusive Maryland travel sections to be found on our web portals, JmoreLiving.com/travel and PressBoxOnline.com/travel . In total, will run in print, social media, video, streaming radio / podcasts and three websites with additional support using Facebook and Google Adwords campaigns placed by our partner Enradius. The campaign generated over 4 million impressions in its first year and is expected to generate over 5 million impressions in the coming year, all for the benefit of Maryland tourism and our participating sponsors.

For more information, please contact: John Coulson, Managing Partner, PressBox / Jmore |  [email protected]

• Hotels & Resorts
• Vacation Home Rentals
• Bed & Breakfasts
• Camping & Cabins
• Beaches & Districts
• Things to Do
• Attractions
• On the Water
• Outdoor Activities
• Pet-Friendly
• Spas, Health & Wellness
• Sustainable Virginia Beach
• Seafood Restaurants
• Take-Out Options
• Dine Like a Local
• Farm Stands
• Breweries & Tours
• Hampton Roads
• Getting Here
• Getting Around
• Parking Information
• Visitors Center
• Newsletter Signup
• Vacation Guide
• Local Business Listings

CELEBRATING NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK

May 19 - may 25, 2024.

(Note: While NTTW has historically been celebrated during the first full week of May, this year’s NTTW dates were shifted due to a conflict with U.S. Travel’s IPW.)

National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) is a widely celebrated annual tradition for both the U.S. travel community and here locally in Virginia Beach. It’s a time when travel, tourism, and hospitality professionals come together to celebrate the importance our industry holds for our economy, businesses, and even personal well-being. 

For more than 40 years, NTTW has been dedicated to highlighting the power of travel by recognizing the millions of people nationwide who help keep the hospitality industry going strong, on the frontlines, and behind the scenes.

This is a special time for us to unite in celebrating our industry and honoring the hard work and commitment of our Virginia Beach hospitality and tourism workforce - our hospitality heroes.  

Do you know someone who is the best of the best in the Virginia Beach tourism industry? Nominate a hospitality hero below! In Virginia Beach, we’re celebrating NTTW 2024 early with our annual luncheon and awards ceremony on Thursday May 2, 2024,  at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Honors in 14 categories will be announced – check back soon for registration details!  

During National Travel and Tourism Week, the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau holds its annual National Travel and Tourism Week Awards Ceremony program. The program was created to recognize those within our hospitality community who excel in their work in making Virginia Beach a first-class travel destination. Awards in almost a dozen industry-related categories were presented to local “hospitality heroes” at a luncheon held on May 11, 2023 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

*indicates a tie

Virginia Beach Vacation Guide

Sign up for our newsletter.

• Privacy Policy
• International
• Accessibility

• Meeting Planners
• Meet the Team
• Services & Resources
• Service Providers
• Hotel & Venue Search
• Convention Center
• Travel Trade
• San Diego Specialist
• Trade Offers
• Request Images
• Hosting Assistance
• Press Releases

National Travel & Tourism Week

May 19-25, 2024.

Join us as we Travel Forward.

Travel is essential to San Diego's regional economy

San Diego's travel and tourism industry is crucial to our region's economic health and future prosperity. As the second-largest sector, it has a significant influence throughout the region, benefiting businesses and residents, and improving our quality of life.

In 2022, San Diego welcomed more than 28 million visitors, which led to $13.6 billion in visitor spending across our hotels, renowned cultural institutions, world-class attractions, small businesses, restaurants and bars. And through visitor spending, the tourism industry generated more than $360 million towards San Diego County's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenues, supporting critical local services such as police, fire, and emergency responders. Moreover, the revenue generated helps lower the average tax burden on households in the county by a few hundred dollars annually.

The tourism industry is also a major employer in San Diego County. Last year, the industry witnessed a resurgence in job opportunities, with 214,000 San Diegans employed in tourism-related professional fields. And with international travel resuming, we expect the sector to continue its positive growth and present a wide range of career opportunities for locals.

As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of National Travel and Tourism Week, we recognize the present and future impact of travel in San Diego and take great pride in acknowledging all the positive contributions the travel and tourism industry makes to our city.

The Importance of Business and International Travel

Throughout San Diego County in 2022, business travel rebounded to 85% of pre-pandemic levels, and international inbound spending continued to recover strongly. Current forecasts see a full and sustained recovery in business travel some time in the second half of 2024 while international is expected to fully recover by 2025..

The Power of Tourism

Each year we join the U.S. Travel Association in celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW) , as tourism professionals in the United States unite to celebrate the value travel holds for the economy, businesses and travel-related employment across the nation. We invite you to learn more about why travel matters to San Diego on this site and how you can become an advocate for the industry in your local community.

Below you fill find useful information to help tell the San Diego tourism story: Fact sheets, social media assets, suggested copy, and infographics that help share the impact tourism has on the San Diego region.

San Diego Tourism General Facts (PDF) San Diego Tourism Fast Facts (PDF) NTTW 2023 Social Media Share Assets and Suggested Copy

Find a place to stay

Tourism matters san diego, the tourism industry benefits san diego is so many ways— thousands of jobs, billions in economic activity for businesses and millions in hotel taxes that allow the city to keep our communities safe, clean and a great place to live too. that’s why the san diego tourism marketing district’s work in funding tourism promotion is so important. watch now and find out more about the sdtmd and why travel matters to san diego..

• Things to Do
• Downtown & Urban
• Inland Valley, Mountain & Desert
• Baja California
• Neighborhood Maps
• Getting Around
• Travel Guides & Apps
• Family Travel
• International Travelers
• Destination Weddings
• Visitor Information & Services
• Hotels & Resorts
• Bed & Breakfasts
• Camping & RV Parks
• Vacation Rentals
• Other Accommodations

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

Or use google translate.

National Travel and Tourism Week

National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW) is an annual tradition for the U.S. travel community. It’s a time when travel and tourism professionals across the country unite to celebrate the value travel holds for our economy, businesses and personal well-being. This year Visit Baltimore will be promoting the U.S. Travel Association’s theme, “the Future of Travel,” through a series of events and experiences that will reinforce the industry’s role in restoring our city’s economy, rebuilding our workforce and improving the well-being of locals and visitors alike.

Related Events

Visit Baltimore Merch

Show off your Baltimore pride in style with t-shirts, hats and hoodies featuring the Visit Baltimore logo. Plus get your hands on our one-of-a-kind posters.

Privacy Overview

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

National Travel & Tourism Week

The first full week of May is annually recognized as  National Travel and Tourism Week , a tradition first celebrated in 1984. The 41st annual NTTW, taking place May 19-25, 2024 (delayed due to U.S. Travel's IPW), will spotlight the essential role that travel will play in driving economic growth and innovation through the theme #TravelForward.  The tourism industry is comprised of passionate people who represent the spirit of hospitality.  

NTTW 2024 - Social GIF from U.S. Travel on Vimeo .

What Industry Leaders Say About Travel

Travel serves as a catalyst for a productive U.S. economy and helps power the success of other industries. The U.S. travel industry generated a $2.8   trillion economic output in 2023 and supported 15 million jobs, fueling communities, small businesses and working families across the country.

From our wonderful restaurants and numerous hotels to our beautiful parks and cultural attractions , Fairfax County's travel and tourism industry contributes so much to our local economy and our community’s unique character. From all of us at Visit Fairfax, we are so excited to share the full power of our industry - and the strength and spirit of Fairfax County - this NTTW.

Why Tourism Matters 

Tourism in fairfax county, virginia.

• In 2022, travel brought in nearly $3.3 billion to Fairfax County and delivered over $264 million in state and local tax revenues.
• Visitors to Fairfax County directly supported approximately 22,000 local jobs.
• The jobs supported by visitors produce earnings of $1.1 million.
• Visit Fairfax generates nearly $190 million every year in net incremental return - a 60 to 1 return on investment.
• With nearly 20,000 rooms in over 100 hotels, Fairfax County sold over 3 million room nights throughout the year.

Tourism in Virginia and the United States

• More than 210,721 Virginia jobs are supported directly by travel spending with earnings of more than $8.6 billion.
• Domestic travel and tourism in Virginia resulted in $2.2 billion in tax revenue.
• Tourism in the United States saves every household more than $880 in taxes yearly.
• Direct travel spending in the United States totaled $23.8 billion into our economy in 2022. *From US Travel Association and Virginia Tourism, 2022 data.

Travel by the Numbers

Tourism fast facts, join the conversation.

You Might Also Like ...

Just announced: center for the arts 2024-2025 season of great performances at mason, mother's day & father's day gift guide: made in fairfax, things to do this may in fairfax county.

• Leisure Groups
• Why Mobile?
• Group Itineraries
• Sporting Events
• Meet the Team
• Spectator Sports
• Sport Event Planners
• Sports Events Planners
• Sports News
• Reese's Senior Bowl
• Gulf Coast Challenge
• 68 Ventures Bowl
• How We Can Help
• Meetings & Conventions
• Convention Center
• Places To Stay
• Free Time Between Sessions
• Event Services
• Park & Cruise Hotel Packages
• Area Attraction Discounts
• Visit Mobile Staff Directory
• Newsletter Sign Up
• Visit Mobile Welcome Center
• Community Partners
• Educational Programs
• Marketing Fund Application
• Enjoy Mobile with Confidence
• Working at Visit Mobile
• Visit Mobile Career Opportunities
• Business Services
• General Services
• Tourism Ambassador Program
• Get To Know Visit Mobile Quarterly
• Request a Speaker
• Internship Requests

NATIONAL TRAVEL & TOURISM WEEK 2023

This National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), there is more reason than ever to celebrate the collective strength and promising future of the U.S. travel and tourism industry.

EXPLORE MOBILE DAY

Explore Mobile Day will be held on Sunday, May 7, 2023 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm in Downtown Mobile at Mardi Gras Park. Enjoy live music, activities, and free admission to the city’s various attractions.

History Museum of Mobile

Colonial Fort Condé

Phoenix Fire Museum

Mobile Carnival Museum

Historic Oakleigh House Museum

GulfQuest Maritime Museum

Condé-Charlotte Museum

Dora Franklin Finley African American Heritage Trail tours 

Bienville Bites Food Tours

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park 

Richards-DAR House

Exploreum Science Center

Africatown Freedom Tours

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Established in 1983, National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) is an annual tradition to celebrate the U.S. travel community and travel’s essential role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, inspiring new businesses and elevating the quality of life for Americans every day.

Join Us May 7th-13th, in celebrating NTTW’s 40th anniversary. 

This year, we’re moving forward by spotlighting travel’s essential role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating diverse communities, creating fresh job opportunities, inspiring new businesses and uniting millions of Americans in a fundamental connection—travel.

We traditionally celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week by helping our local residents to play tourist in their own backyard and discover the many attractions and amenities located throughout the county and towns by offering special discounts and promotions to local Shenandoah County residents who can provide proof of residency with an ID.

We’re bringing back this tradition again May 7th-13th 2023!

Celebrate the week by stopping in one or all of the participating locations listed below: Snap a picture with the #TravelForward #VisitShenCoVA

Attractions

Box Office Brewery  – 10% off your purchase. North Mountain Vineyard  –  15% discount on wine purchases. Route 11 Potato Chips –   15% off your order. Strasburg Visitor Center  – 15%  discount in the gift shop. The Edinburg Mill –   Free admission to the museum and 10% off in the gift shop. Virginia Museum of the Civil War  and New Market Battlefield State Historical Park – $5.00 admission to the museum and grounds plus 10% off in the General’s Store. Wolf Gap Vineyard   – $5.00 glasses of wine Friday May 12th

Food & Shopping

Curtain Call Coffeehouse Cafe  – 10% off any item when mentioning National Tourism Week. 7 East Gallery/VECCA  –   Raffle for individual membership to the non-profit and Artwork by local artists. Second Wednesday Board Game & Radio Music Night 5-7p May 10. Happenings   – 15% off lunch order for mentioning Shen Co Tourism Week. Jon Henry General Store –   40% off silly socks. Natural Art Garden Center –   10% off your purchase of plants. See store for details. The Buttercup  –  Receive 15% off when you spend $100 or more. Travelers Treasures   – 10% discount off entire purchase up to $100.00 and 15% discount off entire purchase over $100 excluding hand crafted wood items.  Valley Sports Connection  –  15% off original price of any in stock item. Wholesome Foods   – 10% off your purchase, Not valid with any other discounts, Excluding sale items.  Valid at both retail store locations.

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Hotel Deals & Packages

Downtown las vegas, walk to allegiant stadium from these hotels, family-friendly hotels in las vegas, hotels on the strip, pet-friendly hotels, view all hotels & casinos, best places to catch live music in las vegas, vegas shows – the comprehensive guide, 11 can’t-miss las vegas entertainment experiences, special events & festivals, events this weekend, kid-friendly shows in las vegas, view all shows & events, gordon ramsay dishes on las vegas, budget-friendly fine dining in vegas, late-night dining spots, new restaurants, celebrity chefs, fine dining, bars & lounges, view all restaurants, free things to do in las vegas, 15 ways to celebrate your birthday in vegas, discover downtown las vegas, las vegas with kids, outdoor adventure, museums & exhibits, wedding packages and offers, 10 reasons to have your wedding in vegas, affordable weddings in las vegas, what you need to get married here, find your wedding venue, the 2024 las vegas wedding guide, plan your vegas wedding, join the millions who follow us, follow us for must-see las vegas experiences, can't miss las vegas hotel deals & updates.

LAS VEGAS IS PROUD TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL TRAVEL & TOURISM WEEK 

Tourism matters .

As part of National Travel and Tourism Week, it’s important to say THANK YOU to everyone who helps make Las Vegas the most exciting tourism destination on the planet. The collective hard work and dedication of nearly 360,000 employees moves Southern Nevada tourism and travel forward, every day.

CHECK OUT THESE IDEAS FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Vegas insider, las vegas: the 2024 trip planning guide.

Curious about all the fun things to do in Las Vegas on your next trip? This trip planning guide has you covered. Consider these suggestions while you plan your 2024 getaway to Las Vegas. Must-Try…

11 Must Visit Las Vegas Restaurants for 2024

A fabulous weekend in las vegas, las vegas sports bars: the comprehensive guide, las vegas shows – the comprehensive guide, explore places to stay, dine and see a show, places to stay, restaurants, shows & events.

This year's Voice of Sarasota is Jennifer Rominiecki, of Selby Gardens, The Living Museum

National Travel and Tourism Week is an annual hospitality and tourism industry tradition that celebrates the immense value travel brings to the nation. Visit Sarasota County’s event this year will also serve as the kickoff of Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week.

Each year, the Visit Sarasota County Board bestows the Voice of Sarasota award as part of the celebration. This award is presented to an individual whose exceptional efforts have significantly promoted and enhanced Sarasota County as a tourism destination.

This year the board will honor Jennifer Rominiecki , president and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, as 2024 Voice of Sarasota.

Since February 2015, when Rominiecki arrived at Selby Gardens, she repositioned the institution as The Living Museum, securing a trademark from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Enacting this new operating model has yielded increases of 128% in membership and 135% in overall earned revenues.

Rominiecki has also overseen the creation and execution of a five-year Strategic Plan and a new three-year Strategic Plan, as well as an innovative Master Site Plan that included the creation of the world’s first net-positive energy restaurant.

The award will be presented at the National Travel and Tourism Week celebration at the Bird Key Yacht Club on May 14, 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Visit Sarasota County would like to recognize the current sponsors of the event, which include Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Herald-Tribune Media Group, Miles Partnership, Tiger Lily Flowers and Kokomo Charters.

DutchCrafters award goes to rookie

DutchCrafters, the leading retailer of Amish furniture at  www.dutchcrafters.com , celebrates outstanding employees’ achievements all year long, and a special awards ceremony is set aside each year to recognize top performers.

The Rookie of the Year Award was presented by Vice President Linse Miller to Carter Wood , furniture specialist in the Alpharetta, Georgia, showroom.

The award recognizes an employee who joined the company within the last 16 months and is a fast learner and team player who embraces DutchCrafters’ core values and company culture with an ambitious, hardworking perspective.

Law firm adds associate

Meghan E. Griffin has joined Dunlap & Moran as an associate attorney.

Griffin received her J.D. degree along with her Master of Laws degree in Taxation (LLM) in 2023 from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Her areas of practice at the firm will be tax, estate planning, estate and trust administration, and business law.

Dunlap & Moran, PA, is an AV-rated multipractice law firm with offices in downtown Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.

CEO joins Vistage advisory board

Michael Schwartz , president at Quality Enclosures, Inc., has joined the CEO Peer Advisory Board at Vistage Sarasota.

Quality Enclosures is a family owned and operated business in Sarasota and America’s leading wholesaler of shower enclosures since 1963. 

At Vistage Sarasota, our mission is to enable our members to become better leaders who make better decisions and, in turn, get better results. 

For more information, contact Kimberly Martinez by email at [email protected] or visit  kimberlymartinez.com .

Project Pride hires first director

The Project Pride SRQ board has named  Paul Lotierzo  as its first-ever executive director. He took the helm officially May 1.

In this role, Lotierzo is poised to leverage his wide array of nonprofit networking and development experience to usher Project Pride into the next chapter of its ever-expanding presence while increasing its impact on the Sarasota community, the Gulf Coast region and beyond.Lotierzo recently left a position as chief development officer at Civic Influencers, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to amplifying the voices of young voters. Prior to that, he worked three years as director of development with Athlete Ally, a New York City-based organization dedicated to ending homophobia and transphobia in sports.Lotierzo also spent six years at Immigration Equality, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free legal representation for LGBTQ and HIV+ refugees, where he supported successful fundraising initiatives that increased the organization’s operating budget into the multimillions through strategic corporate sponsorships and major donor support.

Originally from New York state, he attended the University of Tampa, worked in administration at the Florida Department of Transportation in Tampa and volunteered with Equality Florida for LGBTQ+ rights, as well as Clean Water Action to clean up the Hillsborough River.

New VP at Selby Gardens

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has appointed Nancy Seijas-Kipnis as vice president for Strategic Communications and Marketing.

Since Kipnis’ arrival in this executive leadership role, her priorities have included implementing strategies for the future expansion of Selby Gardens, which encompass a three-phase Master Plan for its downtown Sarasota campus.

Kipnis led the marketing and communications strategies for Selby Gardens’ Phase One January inauguration, a $52 million expansion that will make Selby the first net-positive energy botanical complex in the world, creating more energy than it uses.

With more than two decades of experience as a leader of communications, marketing and public affairs, Kipnis emerged as the top choice from an impressive pool of prospects. Her experience spans a diversity of industries, including arts and culture, government, urban revitalization, culinary arts and lifestyle brands.

• Consideration on proposed Reserve St. North development postponed
• Preliminary hearing scheduled for suspect in assault on pizza delivery driver

SPACVB hosts events to celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week

• Vicki J. Kluck
• Community Foundation awards $154,553 in spring grants

By Patrick Lynn

The Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (SPACVB) is marking National Travel & Tourism Week this month, underscoring the travel industry’s contributions and its pivotal role in fueling economic growth across communities nationwide.

In observance of the week, SPACVB is organizing two events to underscore the industry’s importance and the benefits it brings to Portage County.

To mark National Travel & Tourism Week, SPACVB will host a Tourism Takeover: Live! event at the Stevens Point Brewery’s new taproom on Monday, May 20, 2024, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The evening will feature a live podcast recording of Pour Another Round, showcasing representatives from the Stevens Point Area’s beer, wine, and spirits industry, including Stevens Point Brewery, O’so Brewing Company, Central Waters, District 1, Sunset Point Winery, and Great Northern Distilling. Attendees can enjoy food, a complimentary beverage, and the chance to win giveaways.

The event is free to attend, with RSVPs requested by May 15, 2024, at bit.ly/TourismTakeover2024.

The second event, the annual Familiarization Tour (FAM Tour), is a three-hour guided tour on June 5, featuring abbreviated site visits to new and popular attractions in the region.

This year’s tour includes stops at Guild Designs, Food + Farm Exploration Center, and Stevens Point Brewery, with snacks provided throughout the guided bus tour. While primarily aimed at frontline staff in the hospitality industry, the FAM Tour is open to all, with limited space available. Interested individuals can register for one of two tour times (9 a.m. to noon or 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.) at bit.ly/2024FAM.

Travel plays a pivotal role in the U.S. economy, generating a $2.8 trillion economic output in 2022 and supporting nearly 15 million jobs nationwide. Traveler spending data for 2023 for Portage County and the state of Wisconsin will be released in early June.

The Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is an economic and community development organization dedicated to expanding Portage County’s economy by attracting conventions, sporting events, and leisure tourists.

Visitor spending and increased tax revenues generated by the bureau contribute to commerce, sustain jobs, and enhance the area’s appeal as a destination. For more information about the Stevens Point Area, visit StevensPointArea.com.

Springfield, IL Celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week Throughout May

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

What to Know Before Booking a National Park Trip This Summer

Additional routes in popular parks now require reservations, the annual pass gets a big change, Juneteenth is now a new free entrance day and more changes for 2024.

By Lauren Matison

In 2023, the seashores, lakeshores, battlefields, historic sites, monuments and more that make up the National Park Service had 325.5 million visits , an increase of 4 percent from the year before.

The National Park Service director, Charles F. Sams III, praised the surge of interest in “learning our shared American story throughout the hidden gems of the National Parks System.”

Expecting an even greater turnout in 2024, the Park Service and Recreation.gov , the booking platform for federal land reservations, have implemented new measures to streamline the park experience, manage overcrowding and safeguard the environment.

More parks are requiring reservations

To better avoid congested trails, packed parking lots and overflowing trash cans, additional parks are joining Rocky Mountain , Arches and Glacier National Parks this year in requiring day-use permits, timed entries and other reservations for travelers who wish to visit, particularly during peak hours, holidays and the parks’ high seasons. Yosemite National Park is reinstating a timed-entry system it instituted in 2020, but paused in 2022.

Many park enthusiasts expressed mixed feelings about the reservation policies, with some lamenting a lack of first-come, first-served campsites while others find comfort in knowing they have a confirmed booking. As nearly 75 percent of visitors each year descend on national parks from May to October (and often on weekends), park officials stand by the system.

“In some parks, the level of demand is exceeding the capacity for which infrastructure was designed or is outpacing the National Park Service’s ability to sustainably support visitation,” said Kathy Kupper, a public affairs specialist for the service. “This trend is resulting in the need to explore new strategies to protect natural and cultural resources and provide opportunities for safe and meaningful visitor experiences.”

It can be confusing.

New to implementing timed-entry reservations for vehicles is Mount Rainier National Park , in Washington, for its popular Paradise and Sunrise Corridors during certain times in the summer season. Reservations cost $2, are valid for one day and must be purchased along with the park ticket, but do not apply for visitors with wilderness permits or camping or lodge reservations. Similar vehicle reservations are now required for certain periods for viewing the sunrise at Haleakalā National Park in Maui, Hawaii , and driving the Cadillac Summit Road in Maine’s Acadia National Park .

Visitors wishing to hike Old Rag Mountain in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park must obtain a day-use ticket between March 1 and Nov. 30, and in Zion National Park, in Utah, hikers wishing to visit Angels Landing , the dramatic 1,488-foot-tall rock formation, also need to purchase a permit. Fees range from $1 to $6, in addition to the parks’ entrance fees.

As each destination is managed differently, check the park’s webpage for the type of reservation required. Although most bookings can be made through Recreation.gov, some sites, such as Muir Woods National Monument, use a different system.

New features on Recreation.gov

In 2023, Recreation.gov reported that more than 4 million camping reservations and 2 million timed-entry reservations were booked online, and 1.5 million permits were issued. Some 2.9 million new users signed up for the site. With its expanding user base, the booking platform has added 58 reservable national park locations — including 17 campgrounds — such as Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Bluff Hike In Camping in South Carolina’s Congaree National Park.

Recreation.gov has also improved an alerts feature, piloted in July 2023, that can notify users through email or mobile push notifications when a sold-out campsite becomes available. After Recreation.gov notifies you of availability, you must book the campsite yourself online — and quickly, as you’ll be shown how many other people (possibly hundreds) have received the same alert.

While its customer support center and mobile app are still only available in English, Recreation.gov recently introduced a Spanish language translation option. The Park Service partners with Latino Conservation Week , which hosts nationwide hikes and events on environmental education and in-park stewardship, and will celebrate its 10th year in September.

A limit to the annual America the Beautiful pass

The 2024 America the Beautiful pass no longer allows two owners. The annual interagency pass, which costs $80 and covers the entrance fees for more than 2,000 federal recreation sites (of which roughly 100 do not charge for admission year-round), is now marked by a single signature line on the back of the card. The pass owner must show I.D. and be present with any accompanying travelers wishing to access the park with the pass. (Annual passes issued in 2023 will still be valid until their expiration date.) The pass covers all passengers in a vehicle — up to four adults, and children under 16 are admitted free — or up to four cyclists riding together. Active military or veterans and people with permanent disabilities are eligible for a free lifetime pass; 4th grade students may receive a free annual pass; and senior citizens may purchase a $20 annual pass or pay $80 for a lifetime pass.

At the parks, more accessible features, E.V. chargers and new lodging

To better protect against global warming, the Park Service is putting more than $65 million from the Inflation Reduction Act and Great American Outdoors Act into climate mitigation and ecosystem restoration.

Using $15.9 million budgeted for zero-emission vehicle deployment, charging capacity and infrastructure, the Park Service is prioritizing a reduction in carbon emissions, said Mr. Sams, by installing new electric-vehicle charging stations and running electric buses.

An interactive online locator tool created in 2023 shows E.V. charging stations throughout 27 national parks and the type of chargers available. In addition to the tool, every national park page displays alerts on road closures, parking lot capacities, construction work and other incidents.

Mr. Sams also said the Park Service is investing $1.3 billion from the Great American Outdoors Act to improve accessibility features, ranging from a new A.D.A.-compliant visitor center at Morristown National Historic Park in New Jersey to new beach wheelchairs at Sleeping Bear Dunes , Channel Islands and Virgin Islands National Parks . Each destination’s website has an accessibility tab to help visitors plan their trip, and Recreation.gov now has a search filter on its homepage to make it easier to locate accessible accommodations.

New lodging options now available across the country include the Flamingo Lodge , which opened inside Everglades National Park last fall with 24 guest rooms built from repurposed shipping containers. In March, along the southeastern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cataloochee Ranch reopened with 11 renovated cabins and a new restaurant. This spring, the Clubhouse Hotel & Suites will welcome its first guests in Rapid City, S.D., the closest major town to Badlands National Park , and opening in May in Idaho is the Yellowstone Peaks Hotel , a 30-minute-drive from Yellowstone National Park. This fall, California-bound travelers planning a visit to General Sherman, the largest known tree on Earth, might book at AutoCamp Sequoia , just outside Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park .

Also in California: Those who don’t score a highly coveted (and contentious) spot at the newly reopened High Sierra Camps in Yosemite could book Wildhaven Yosemite in Mariposa, which offers more affordable rates, hiking trails and views of the Sierra Nevadas. Reservations for its first season are available beginning May 1.

Celebrating milestones and a new free entrance day

On the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, visitors can pay tribute to African American heritage at over 100 parks , including the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C., Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument , and the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail . This year also marks 100 years since Indigenous people were recognized as United States citizens. Although many parks have Indigenous programming , Mr. Sams, who is the first Native American to serve as N.P.S. director , suggested visiting Hopewell Cultural Historical Park in Ohio and Whitman Mission Historic National Historic Site in Washington, where he recently brought his daughter.

“In order to celebrate the diversity that makes our country great, we must share the complete story of America, which includes both the successes and challenges encountered on the way to form a more perfect union,” Mr. Sams said.

Juneteenth National Independence Day is the National Park Service’s newest free entrance day . Visitors can also take advantage of free admission on April 20, the first day of National Park Week; Aug. 4, the four-year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act ; Sept. 28 on National Public Lands Day ; and Nov. 11 for Veterans Day .

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

An earlier version of this article misstated the location of the Flamingo Lodge. It is inside Everglades National Park, not outside the park.

How we handle corrections

Money latest: Forecasts for interest rate cut have changed - as hopes for 3% next year dashed

Analysts are divided between June, August, September or even later for a first interest rate cut from 5.25%. Read their thoughts and all the rest of today's consumer and personal finance below - and listen to the latest Ian King Business Podcast as you scroll.

Tuesday 7 May 2024 16:02, UK

• Interest Rates
• 'We should charge more': Chef justifies £320 menu as he teams up with Uber Eats for 'cheap' delivery
• Average house price will be £61,500 higher by 2028
• Bank launches £175 switching offer
• Train strikes begin - everything you need to know

Essential reads

• When will interest rates be cut?
• What is the Bank of England, why isn't it called the Bank of UK, and how much is in its vaults?
• Money Problem: We discovered £600 management fee after buying flat - what can we do?
• 10 biggest mistakes people make in job interviews
• Listen to Ian King Business Podcast above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts

The government is planning to overhaul its Personal Independence Payment (PIP) scheme - and one proposal is to require claimants to provide a "proof of diagnosis" letter from a healthcare professional. 

Another measure includes scrapping the current eligibility criteria and replacing it with one based on what condition or disability someone has. 

People can claim PIP payments if they have a disability or medical condition that affects their ability to carry out daily tasks.

The standard rate is £72.65 a week, while the enhanced one is £108.55, and people can also get extra payments of £28.70 or £75.75 if they struggle with mobility.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is now proposing a claimant's eligibility would be based on their clinical diagnosis by a healthcare professional, rather than on an assessment. 

Charities and campaigners have warned this could risk some medical conditions no longer being eligible for PIP if they're not deemed long-term or severe enough. 

Here's everything you need to know about PIP and potential changes...

Basically, the Bank of England is the UK's central bank.

It is different from a bank you would come across along the high street and does not hold accounts or make loans to the public.

The Bank issues bank notes that you spend and it also sets the official interest rates of the UK (otherwise known as the Bank/base rate), which directly influences savings and mortgages. 

It earned the nickname "the old lady of Threadneedle Street" back in the 1700s after a cartoon depicted then-prime minister William Pitt trying to "woo" the Bank - depicted as an old lady - for her gold reserves.

When did the Bank become independent? 

The Bank was founded in 1694 and was owned by various shareholders until it was nationalised in 1946.

It remains owned by the UK government today - but its decision-making was made independent by then-chancellor Gordon Brown in 1997 to increase confidence in the UK economy and stop politicians from influencing monetary policy for political or electoral reasons. 

What is the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee and who sits on it?

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decides the Bank rate.

This generally happens every six weeks, so eight times a year, and the next meeting is on Thursday - hence which we've made it this week's Basically .

The committee is made up of nine independent members who all have expertise in economics and monetary policy.

There are also external members that ensure the MPC benefits from thinking and expertise from outside of the Bank of England.

A representative from HM Treasury also sits with the MPC at its meetings. The Treasury member makes sure the MPC is briefed on government policies, but they are not allowed to vote.

Does the Bank have any other responsibilities?

• The Bank produces £5, £10, £20 and £50 banknotes;
• It guards the value of money by keeping prices stable;
• It keeps the financial system stable by maintaining a close watch on any risks and taking action;
• The Bank also regulates and supervises all the major banks, building societies, credit unions, insurers and investment firms.

Why is it called the Bank of England when it covers the whole UK?

Quite simply, it has never changed its name since it was founded. 

It was created in 1694 after a Scotsman named William Paterson realised the nation's finances had no real system of money or credit. 

Under his direction, a successful scheme was launched in which £1.2m was loaned to the government from funds raised by subscribers who were then incorporated into the governor and company of the Bank of England. 

The money was used to support the English government in its war against France. 

It wasn't until the 19th century that the Bank took on the role of central bank. 

What is in the Bank of England's vaults? 

About 400,000 bars of gold. 

These are worth more than £200bn, making the Bank of England the second-largest keeper of gold in the world - behind the New York Federal Reserve. 

The gold is kept in nine carefully guarded underground vaults. 

Each bar costs hundreds of thousands of pounds, although the value can go up and down. 

The Bank of England's customers - who include the UK government, banks and other governments around the world - can trade their gold bars with other customers. 

When a customer trades gold it doesn't usually move - instead the name of the owner will change on the Bank's system. 

Not many people are allowed to visit the vaults, but the King and the late Queen Elizabeth II have seen them. 

Has anyone ever stolen any gold from the Bank?

The Bank says no gold has been stolen from its vaults, but there was a lucky escape in 1836 after a sewer worker doing repair work accidentally discovered an old drain that ran directly below the gold vault. 

He sent anonymous letters to the directors of the Bank, saying he had access to their gold and offering to meet them in the vault at an hour of their choosing.

When the directors gathered one night in the vault, a noise was heard from beneath the floor and the man popped up through some of the floorboards. 

A stocktake was taken afterwards, and it became clear he had not taken any gold. 

The Bank then decided to reward the sewer worker for his honesty by giving him £800 - the equivalent of about £76,000 today. 

Read other entries in our Basically... series:

The Bank of England will announce its latest base rate decision on Thursday lunchtime - but no one is expecting a cut from the current 5.25%.

It's widely thought rates have reached their peak - they've been at their highest level for 16 years since August.

But market forecasts for a June cut seem to have waned, with August or September now being priced in more heavily.

A feeling that inflation may not reach, or at least stay at, the 2% target through this year (and we've seen how inflation can prove stickier than expected with recent US figures) has led swap rates, which dictate how much it costs lenders to lend, to rise.

Thursday's decision

During March's meeting of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, only one of the nine members voted for a cut.

Steve Matthews, investment director at Canada Life Asset Management, doesn't see any movement from the majority eight this time - suggesting a cut isn't imminent.

"Looking ahead to Thursday... we expect an 8-1 vote in favour of no cut, with Swati Dhingra being the lone outlier. 

"While there's optimism within the Monetary Policy Committee that inflation will close in on the all-important 2% as the fuel effect falls out, the Bank of England will be deeply aware of the second-round inflation effect. 

"Rather than patting itself on the back when the 2% figure is hit, it will require clear evidence that inflation is under control rather than simply hitting a target."

High inflation is the reason rates have been elevated - squeezing people's finances and encouraging them to save tends to bring prices down.

Inflation is expected to have dropped significantly in April due to the fall in the energy price cap, and we'll get an announcement on this next Wednesday - but analysts fear it could rise again later this year.

Canada Life is of the view that this means we'll have to wait until August for a base rate cut.

Others think it could be later.

Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said "hopes are creeping back in about a summer interest rate cut, although September is still very much a possibility".

Some are more optimistic

Weaker employment figures in April add to the case for lower interest rates – more people looking for jobs means employers aren't under as much pressure to raise wages, which can be inflationary.

Another factor which means the BoE could drop rates before the US is that the UK has entered recession, so the committee may want to ease restrictions on the economy.

Andrew Goodwin, chief UK economist for Oxford Economics, said data on services inflation and private sector regular pay mean there is no hope for a May cut. As to whether it will even come in June or August, it's a "close call". 

However, the chair of HSBC has predicted the Bank will move in June.

Speaking at HSBC's annual general meeting today, Mark Tucker said he expected the European Central Bank and Bank of England to cut rates next month, both lowering by 150 basis points (to 3.75%) by the end of 2025.

The respect Capital Economics thinks 4% is more likely - while markets are leaning towards 4.5% come the end of next year.

Previous forecasts suggested rates could fall as low as 3% next year.

What has the Bank said?

Governor Andrew Bailey has repeatedly indicated that nothing is imminent.

"Inflation has continued to fall as expected. Cost pressures have eased, and the restrictive stance of monetary policy is working to bring inflation down. But we need to be sure that inflation will return all the way to our 2% target sustainably," he said in March. 

Spending on online subscriptions has jumped annually, boosted by series such as Baby Reindeer and Ripley.

While retail and fast-food spending contracted or remained the same over the past year, new data from Barclays noted a 10.6% increase in spending on digital content and subscriptions.

Two Netflix mini-series, Baby Reindeer and Ripley, helped drive the increase, according to Barclays. 

Continued concern about the cost of living, notably housing costs, meant spending in restaurants was down by 13% in April compared with the same period last year. 

Roughly half of the country said they were concerned about how much they spend on food and drink, according to Barclays.

Nearly 73% of people said they were actively looking for ways to reduce the cost of their weekly shop, while six in 10 shoppers said they had noticed supermarket products running out of stock. 

Despite this, 71% of people surveyed said they felt confident in their ability to manage their household finances. 

By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire, business reporter

The record profits in the wake of the Ukraine invasion are clearly behind oil and gas giant BP with the news that profits nearly halved in the first three months of 2024. 

Due to oil refinery outages and lower gas prices, the London Stock Exchange listed company reported profit down 45% to $2.72bn (£2.17bn), compared with $4.96bn (£3.95bn) last year - an even worse performance than City of London analysts had been expecting. 

The good news for shareholders is continued dividends and a maintained share buyback programme - that is likely the reason the share price has fallen only 0.14% this morning.

Overall the most valuable companies of the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 index were up 1.08%.

A barrel of Brent crude - the benchmark for oil prices - was $83.54, below recent highs.

On the currencies front £1 buys $1.254 and €1.16.

The bank switching market is back after a hiatus over the last couple of weeks - with First Direct relaunching its £175 incentive on current accounts.

There are no similar deals on the market, though last week Virgin Money launched a switch offer promising 10% interest on current account balances up to £1,000 for a year.

To qualify for the First Direct incentive you must:

• Go through the full Current Account Switch Service (Cass) process
• Transfer a £1,000 balance into the account
• Switch at least two regular payments
• Use their debit card at least five times within 30 days of the account opening

Chris Pitt, chief executive of First Direct, said the £175 offer "will only be around for a limited time only".

It's worth considering, especially if you're about to apply for a mortgage or credit, that opening a new bank account can temporarily impact your credit score.

Which banks gain most from switching?

According to figures from the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), Nationwide had a net gain of 163,363 account switchers between October and December last year.

Barclays and Lloyds Bank saw more modest net gains of 12,823 and 5,800 respectively, while the rest of the UK's big banks reported net losses.

NatWest and Halifax fared worst, losing over 40,000 more switchers each than they gained.

None of these banks currently have switch incentives.

A new forecast suggests the average UK house price will be £61,500 higher in 2028.

Savills estate agent says the average value will increase by 21.6% from £285,000 in 2023 to £346,500 by 2028.

It says an improved medium-term economic outlook is behind the rise from its previous 17.9% forecast.

This year, Savills expects house prices to grow by 2.5% - rather than a 3% drop it predicted in early November.

The market remains sensitive to short-term fluctuations, it said, due to uncertainty over the timing of an interest rate cut and political uncertainty ahead of a general election.

Lucian Cook, head of residential research at Savills, said: "The outlook for 2024 has improved since our last (November 2023) forecasts as mortgage costs have nudged down slightly and are much less volatile.

"The outlook for economic growth has also slightly improved, pointing to relatively modest house price growth this year, with greater potential over the following few years."

He cautioned that wider global uncertainties have seen swap rates, which lenders use to price mortgages, rise.

He added: "Consequently, we are unlikely to see a further meaningful fall in mortgage rates this year, with the potential for short-term fluctuations in the cost of debt and house prices."

Savills used Oxford Economics and Nationwide Building Society data for its research. Its calculations were based on the second hand property market, so new build property values could perform differently.

Savills' predictions for regional house price growth over the five years to 2028:

• North West, 28.8%
• Yorkshire and the Humber, 28.2%
• Wales, 26.4%
• Scotland, 25.8%
• North East, 25.2%
• West Midlands, 23.4%
• East Midlands, 22.8%
• South West, 18.7%
• South East, 18.2%
• East of England, 18.1%
• London, 14.2%

For two days this week, Londoners will be able to try one of the world's best (and most expensive) tasting menus for a fraction of the price.

Ikoyi, which currently ranks 35 in the World's Best Restaurants , has teamed up with Uber Eats to offer a scaled back version of its £320 dinner.

Executive chef Jeremy Chan says the five-course delivery is probably the most "technical and refined" takeaway in the city, though some of the original dishes have been tweaked so they travel better.

To compensate for this, and for the trouble of having to fill up your own water after each sip, your bill will come in at a less eyewatering £60 per person.

But if you're thinking this venture is a concession to those who baulk at the price of Chan's two-Michelin starred menu (which comes in at almost £100 more than those at similarly lauded Core by Clare Smyth and The Ledbury)… it's not.

"I don't think people pay enough money for food, I think we charge too little, [but] we want to always be accessible to as many people as possible, we're always trying our best to do that," Chan tells the Money blog, before offering a detailed response to a (perhaps) hypothetical customer who wonders why a plate of fish is so expensive.

"You're paying the fishermen, you're paying for the person that's transporting it. You're paying for the logistics company, dry cleaning for the towels used to dry the fish, the paper towels that are being used to clean the guts of the fish, then waste disposal."

The fish then goes through a five-day aging process.

"We have three dry-ageing chambers that are used to store exceptional produce from very, very small producers and just the running costs of those alone [are very high]."

He goes on: "So, that single piece of fish has gone through many, many steps to go from fishermen to me, and you haven't even thought about the years of research and relationship building with the supplier. You can't just call a wholesaler and say, give me the turbot that Ikoyi is using."

All of which doesn't cover Chan's own work with the ingredients.

"I'm the one who peels the quail eggs. It's not just boiled, peeled and put on a plate... the owner of the restaurant is standing there for four hours perfectly peeling these quail eggs.

"Think about the time - that's the biggest cost in a restaurant that people don't think about, one's life, it's my life."

It's perhaps no surprise, in light of all the above, that Chan sees his collaboration with Uber Eats as a one-off.

On the menu is:

• Mutton merguez sausage with a green goddess slaw
• Fried chicken with smoked scotch bonnet and raspberry
• Jollof rice and crab custard
• Suya tamari pork with mustard greens and kumquat
• Flower sugar cake with batak berry and Garigette strawberry

It's the second Michelin tie up for Uber Eats after its £200 two-person tasting menu offering from Ynyshir in Wales, which was named best UK restaurant in 2022 and 2023.

The food will be delivered by a regular rider/driver, so Chan and his team have had to put thought into the ingredients.

"Everything on the menu has been designed to retain heat.

"For instance, the Merguez is made with a beautiful aged mutton shoulder, which has such deep, intense flavour. I don't have to worry too much about the cooking temperature because it's so fatty.

"We're going to make a little note [for the customer] that says 'quickly flash in the pan to bring it back to life, and it will still taste great'.

"A radicchio is obviously hearty, so it's not going to break down.

"All the dishes, if people eat them cold, they are still going to be tasting nice and they're also structurally sound so they don't require assembly - we're making something that can just be eaten straight away out of the box."

The Ikoyi tasting menu is available in central London to Uber One customers on Friday and for everyone on Saturday, between 5-10pm.

Qantas is being forced to pay a £53m penalty along with £20m in compensation to passengers following a legal battle over tickets it sold for cancelled flights. 

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) sued Qantas last summer, alleging the airline had broken consumer law when it sold tickets for more than 8,000 flights without disclosing they had been cancelled. 

One case saw the airline selling tickets for a Sydney to San Francisco flight some 40 days after it had been cancelled, the ACCC said. 

More than 86,000 customers will share the compensation pot, and will be contacted over the next two months.

Gina Cass-Gottlieb, chair of the ACCC, said the airline's behaviour was "egregious and unacceptable".

"Many consumers will have made holiday, business and travel plans after booking on a phantom flight that had been cancelled," she said.

"We expect that this penalty, if accepted by the court, will send a strong deterrence message to other companies."

Qantas's chief executive Vanessa Hudsons said the agreement was a "step forward" to "restoring confidence" in the airline. 

She said the administrative failings were caused by COVID, and that the airline was "sincerely sorry". 

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free