2019 Halfway: The Biggest Stories in Europe This Year

Believe it or not, we're halfway through 2019 already. Travel Agent decided to take this time to look back at some of our biggest stories about Europe travel thus far this year. Here's what caught your eye and need to know as we head into the latter half of 2019:

Viking Sigyn Collides With Danube Tour Boat

In April, Viking River Cruises' Viking Sigyn collided with a boat from local tour operator Panorama Deck on the Danube River, in Budapest and near the famous Hungarian Parliament Building and the Margaret Bridge. According to the latest reports from BBC, 20 passengers from the tour boat died and another eight are still missing. At the time, Reuters reported that the two ships collided during a rainstorm late Wednesday that had left the Danube with high water levels, after which the Panorama Deck boat capsized and sank.

Powerful Jet Stream Propels Virgin Atlantic Plane to Record-breaking Speed

A Virgin Atlantic jet set a new speed record in February, flying from Los Angeles to London in just over nine hours, after a powerful jet stream propelled it faster than the speed of sound. The 787 Dreamliner was clocked at 801 mph over Pennsylvania as it rode the fastest jet stream on record, blowing east at 231 mph. The velocity only lasted briefly, but was far faster than the usual cruising speed of 561 mph for the Boeing aircraft. The aircraft arrived in London an hour early.

National Strike in Belgium to Cause Major Air Travel Disruptions

More news from the air in February: A national strike in Belgium disrupted air travel and public transport. Brussels Airlines, at the time, reported that it expected major flight disruptions on February 13. The airline had already cancelled 28 out of the total 222 flights planned for that day; however, as more information on the scale of the strike became available, the airline decided to cancel an additional 122 flights. That marked a total of 68 percent of the airline’s flights canceled, affecting 11,288 passengers.

According to the Brussels Times, unions held the strike to protest a breakdown in talks involving wages within the Group of Ten, an organization comprised of unions and managers.

Harrowing Emergency on Viking Sky; Ship Now Docked in Norway, All Safe

In March, Viking Cruises’ 930-passenger Viking Sky lost power among treacherous sea and wind conditions. Passengers onboard posted videos of the ship rocking and furniture sliding across the floor as the vessel neared the rocky coast; others were airlifted by helicopter to safety. Eventually, aided by tug boats, Viking Sky docked in Molde, Norway, with all passengers listed as "safe,” although some were injured in the ordeal, the line said in a statement.

The 47,800-gross-tonnage ship was sailing from Tromso to Stavanger when it encountered the horrific weather—in an area known for rough seas and shipwrecks. Winds were gusting to 43 mph; waves were as high as 26 feet.

EU to Add Registration Requirement for U.S. Travelers

Starting in 2021, the European Union (EU) will require U.S. citizens to register to visit upwards of 26 European countries. Last July, the E.U. established the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which would require “pre-travel screening for security and migration risks of travelers benefiting from visa-free access to the Schengen area.” Upon arrival at E.U. borders, travelers will need to provide both a valid travel document and ETIAS authorization.

The authorization is distinct from a visa, the E.U. adds. The New York Times reports that “Americans will not be required to visit a consulate to file any kind of application, fingerprinting is not required, and less information will be asked than is expected of visa applicants.” There is a service fee of 7 euros (approximately $7.87) to register and the authorization is valid for three years—or until your passport expires, if that is less than three years.

UK Opens ePassport Gates to U.S., Canadian Travelers

In May the UK began allowing citizens of the United States and Canada to use its ePassport gates. Previously, the gates had only been open to people from the UK and European Union. VisitBritain said that the move will significantly reduce lines and improve the flow of passengers, as well as the overall experience, at the UK border. The gates are currently available at 15 air and rail terminals in the UK, including Heathrow, as well as the Eurostar terminals at Brussels and Paris.

The gates are available to travelers aged 18 and up who are traveling using a biometric or “chipped” passport. Travelers 12 to 17 years of age can also use them when accompanied by an adult.

The Best Experiences in Dubrovnik

There is much to experience in Dubrovnik, from tracing the mighty city walls and exploring scenes from Game of Thrones, to spending the day on a four-poster bed by the sea, with an icy cocktail in hand. In Old Town, travelers can circle the City Walls, trace Dubrovnik's seafaring past, check out a photo-journalism gallery and hop aboard boats to nearby islets. Outside the Old Town, in Ploče, visitors can swim and sunbathe at Banje beach and ride a cable car to the city's peak. Out-of-town experiences include sea kayaking around the Elafiti Islets, exploring Cavtat and rural Konavlem, sampling Croatian wine on the Pelješac peninsula and taking a catamaran to Mljet National Park.

AMResorts Opens First Property in Europe

In May, AMResorts opened its first Secrets-branded property in Europe, the Secrets Mallorca Villamil Resort & Spa in Spain. The property, which is in the town of Peguera on the island of Mallorca, is currently owned and operated by Spain-based hotel group Hesperia Hotels & Resorts, and it marks the first Secrets property in Europe and a milestone in AMResorts’ ongoing European expansion.

The 162-room property underwent a $3.5 million renovation that refreshed all of its guestrooms and suites and added two sunrooms, including one reserved for Preferred Club guests. Select suites also now have access to a new, exclusive swim-up pool.

As Theresa May Steps Down, What’s Next for Brexit and Travel?

Theresa May officially resigned on June 7 as leader of the UK’s Conservative Party and Prime Minister following a series of failed attempts to get a Brexit deal through Parliament; however, she will remain in office until a Conservative leadership contest picks a new party leader. Conservative Party officials said that they hope a new leader could be in place by the end of July.

May’s successor will be faced with the task of managing the UK’s exit from the EU, which could include gaining Parliamentary approval for another agreement with the EU, or a “no-deal” scenario in which the UK leaves without a negotiated agreement in place. In terms of travel, the UK’s major tourism markets already have agreements in place to ensure that flights will continue uninterrupted, whatever the Brexit outcome. Both the United States and the EU have deals in place to allow flights to continue, even in a no-deal scenario.

Has Iceland's Tourism Bubble Finally Burst?

Iceland’s tourism boom that saw the island nation’s visitor numbers quadruple in just seven years could be over. In 2010, fewer than 500,000 people made the trip to Iceland, but after publicity following the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull and its subsequent ash cloud, hundreds of thousands flocked to the country in search of natural landscapes and untouched, volcanic vistas. Last year, 2.3million people visited.

With that said, new figures released by the Icelandic tourist board showed that January registered a 5.8 percent fall in arrivals compared to the same month last year. The decrease represents the first since April last year and one of very few over the last seven years.