world travel centre

WTC is one of the most successful travel businesses in Ireland & the UK. We have 3 strong brands for each of the markets where we operate: Trade and Leisure, Online, and Business Travel. With offices in Dublin and Belfast, we are perfectly placed to meet the needs of clients throughout Ireland & the UK.

What Sets Us Apart

We are proud of our reputation built up over decades through customer service excellence and professional integrity. Suppliers and Customers alike constantly recommend us as new opportunities emerge.

As pioneers within our industry, we have developed our own applications and platforms to provide a seamless travel experience from start to finish. We challenge ourselves to find new ways of helping our customers achieve their goals and welcome change. Through innovation, we can deliver leading technology and efficiency to your fingertips.

At WTC, we have a dedicated team of over 200 travel experts with an average of more than 10 years’ experience in the industry. Our in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience is what makes us stand out from the crowd. We pride ourselves on our customer service excellence and client retention.

IoD NI Director of the Year Awards 2023

Keith Graham (Large Businesss)

2023 Business Eye Awards

Fast Growth Business of the year

Medium / Mid-sized Company of the year

2023 Belfast Chamber Business Awards

Business Success

2023 Ulster Business Award

Next 200 Northern Ireland Companies

2023 Business Travel News Europe

Top 50 TMCS in the UK

2022 Belfast Chamber Business Awards

Team of the year

2021 Belfast Chamber Business Awards

Customer Service Excellence

2021 Business Eye Awards

Medium/Mid-sized Business of the year

2020 Business Travel Awards

Best Travel Management Company

2020 BIC Responsible Business Awards

Workplace Wellbeing

2019 Belfast Chamber Business Awards

Business Growth

2019 Irish News WEA Awards

Workplace Excellence

Right Place to Work Growth

Best Place to Work

2019 NI Travel & Tourism Awards

Best Accommodation Only Provider

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Years of Experience

Company details & registered office.

43 Pearse St D02 W085 Company Number 168612 CAR #TA388

43 Pearse St Dublin D02 W085 Company Number 551768

Murrays Exchange 1 Linfield Road Belfast BT12 5DR Company Number NI010853 ATOL #4138

Privacy Policy

Data Protection Policy

Gdpr factsheet, data subject request form, modern slavery.

Modern Slavery is a problem that is growing and one that we at WTC are committed to addressing. The rise in globalisation has brought with it a rise in exploitation including people trafficking, forced labour debt bondage and child marriage. The International Labour Organisation estimates that approximately 21 million people are in forced labour globally. At WTC we endeavour to ensure there are no Modern Slavery risks within our own business or our supply chains.

December 2023 Modern Slavery Statement

Terms & conditions.

Flights - Ireland

Flights - uk, packages - uk, general booking conditions - ireland, compliance & credentials.

(UK & Ireland)

(UK – WTC, e-Travel)

(Selective)

Please note our office is not open to the public but for great travel deals

+3531 4167000

[email protected]

Company Details & Registered office

43 Pearse St D02 W085 Company Number 168612 CAR #TA388

43 Pearse St Dublin D02 W085 Company Number 551768

Murrays Exchange 1 Linfield Road Belfast BT12 5DR Company Number NI010853 ATOL #4138

Privacy Policy

Data Protection Policy

Gdpr factsheet, data subject request form, modern slavery.

Modern Slavery is a problem that is growing and one that we at WTC are committed to addressing. The rise in globalisation has brought with it a rise in exploitation including people trafficking, forced labour debt bondage and child marriage. The International Labour Organisation estimates that approximately 21 million people are in forced labour globally. At WTC we endeavour to ensure there are no Modern Slavery risks within our own business or our supply chains.

2023 Modern Slavery Statement

Terms & conditions.

Flights - Ireland

Flights - uk, packages - uk, general booking conditions - ireland, compliance & credentials.

UK – WTC, e-Travel

UK & Ireland

World Travel Centre

Information about World Travel Centre

Opening hours

• Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed

World Travel Centre is one of Ireland’s leading long-haul travel agencies. We offer flight only through to the most complicated tailor-made itineraries...

Modern Slavery is a problem that is growing and one that we at WTC are committed to addressing. The rise in globalisation has brought with it a rise in exploitation including people trafficking, forced labour debt bondage and child marriage. The International Labour Organisation estimates that approximately 21 million people are in forced labour globally. At WTC we endeavour to ensure there are no Modern Slavery risks within our own business or our supply chains.

World Travel Centre: Reviews

Fantastic experience: Good

Fantastic experience: Very helpful travel agent.The agent listened to our requests she was dealing with seven clients excellent servic

Fantastic experience: Fantastic experience booking with world travel centre! Thanks so much Norma!!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely the best service ever. Our family of 5 have travelled to New zealand twice in the past 3 years I cannot thank Helen and her colleagues enough for all the support and assistance. Negotiating covid restrictions and flight connections at a very competitive price is not easy. Top marks to this Agency. Michael

Fantastic experience: I have just returned from a three week trip to Australia with my father and I cudnt say enough about how helpful all the staff were at the travel centre. They kept us informed at all stages of our trip of any changes etc. Would highly recommend them.

Fantastic experience: The staff are helpful

Fantastic experience: There level of professionalism is top notch.

Fantastic experience: Rachel was incredibly helpful

Fantastic experience: It a reluable travel agency, where they sourced for cheaper ticket prices for you, while you relaxed and travel

Fantastic experience: Just back from Regnum Cayra in Turkey. From our original phone conversation with Karen we knew it was going to be a wonderful holiday. Everything was 1st class. We will definitely be using World Travel Center again

Fantastic experience: Very good customer service and I will recommend this company to my friends

Fantastic experience: Always fantastic servic

Positive experience: It's okay

Fantastic experience: Very good and hoping to come again if there is another on

Fantastic experience: Excellent service

Fantastic experience: They have helped me plan my holodays with affordable payment plans. Highly recommended

Fantastic experience: Travelled to New Zealand and Australia through them. Found them very professional, friendly and helpful.

Positive experience: Best travel agent in Dublin. They take part payment for flights.

Fantastic experience: Very helpful

Positive experience: Willie .. Just wondering if you are reviewing the right travel agency ? World Travel Centre centre is on Pearse street. We are not the agency located next too trailfinders on Dawson Street.

Leave your opinion about World Travel Centre:

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Who We Are Simplified

Our purpose is to deliver an exceptional personalised experience through our team of experts.

Founded in 1972, Selective Travel Management is headquartered in Belfast with an office in Dublin, and is part of the World Travel Centre Group . Selective Travel Management specialises in managing corporate travel for various industry sectors including SME, Government Bodies, Higher Education, Charity and Missionary, Film and Entertainment, and Groups and Events.

Our Sectors

Government bodies, higher education, charity & missionary, film & entertainment, groups & events.

With our significant buying power, which only comes from over fifty years’ experience in the industry, we continue to grow as a business in order to build and strengthen our relationships with organisations across the globe. We pride ourselves on our strong ethos of exceptional customer service and duty of care, with the aim of simplifying business travel needs at a cost-effective rate.

Selective Travel Management is built upon a number of values that are integrated throughout our business strategy, assuring that our customers receive the highest quality service at all times. As one of the top Travel Management Companies in the UK and Ireland, you can feel assured that your business travel needs are in safe hands.

Simplify your Business Travel

Please fill in a contact form and one of our team members will be in touch as soon as possible.

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Welcome to the World Trade Center

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World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the Travel & Tourism sector globally

For over 30 years, WTTC has conducted research on the economic impact of Travel & Tourism in 185 countries and issues such as overcrowding, taxation, policy-making, and many others to raise awareness of the importance of the Travel & Tourism sector as one of the world’s largest economic sectors. As a non-profit membership-based organisation, our members and partners are the core of our organisation and include over 200 CEOs, Chairpersons, and Presidents of the world’s leading Travel & Tourism companies from all geographies and industries.  

Latest News

Below is some of the latest news from WTTC. Visit our press-release page for more.

Oman’s Travel & Tourism Sector Set for Historic Growth, Predicts WTTC

Travel & Tourism Set to Add a Record QAR 81BN to Qatar’s Economy

Portugal’s Travel & Tourism Poised for Historic Year

Research & insights.

WTTC regularly releases new reports on Travel & Tourism and you can find some of our latest reports below. Visit the WTTC Research Hub to find all our reports and factsheets.

Nature Positive in Action

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Global Strategies, Policies & Regulations

Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) : Overview of AI Risks, Safety & Governance

Navigating the Sustainability Journey: The Impact of Mandatory Reporting on Travel & Tourism

World Travel Centre Limited

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Why choose world travel centre limited.

We offer most competitive rates and offers for wonderful and beautiful places. Our company providing you the best and good fares.

Unique Destinations

Looking for a unique vacation destination? Then maybe a trip to one of the 10 most unique tourist destinations might.

Worth of Money

There is not a better way to spend money, than spending money on travel. This is what we say, others and science.

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We do our best to have you a wonderful experience by taking you to the wonderful and amazing places around the world.

Quick Booking

Booking is quick as clicking a few clicks. We take care of all transportation and accommodations during your journey.

Backup Team

We have staff to assist in all stages of your holiday, from travel advise & best prices to ground handling & support during your holiday.

Exciting Travel

We have a wide range of expertise and knowledge in our services. So we can provide you an exciting travel experience.

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Our Featured Packages allow you to get away from routine, spend time with family and friends.

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Read reviews and opinions from our global travel community!

Jason Santa

We love California Adventure, but it would have been nice if they had longer hours when we were there. Loved all of the Christmas food, Santa visit and the rides as always.

Marcus Webster

Catalina Island was a perfect day trip. Zip lining with two fun guides was definitely the highlight! Eating at a seaside restaurant was so relaxing afterward.

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TourPress offers hundreds of tours and activities for travelers around the globe. Choose from sightseeing tours to spa escapes to interactive cultural programs and so much more. TourPress is the only way to travel.

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WTC are committed to providing travel agents with exclusive access to the best rates on airfares

Our Customers

Our customers are important to us and Fareteam accommodates both agents and tour operators alike. From the one-man band to the multi-branch operation, Fareteam offers everyone the ability to access discounted fares at the click of a button. As a Fareteam customer you will not only gain exclusive access to the best value airfares, but you will also have support from our team of experts. We are known for our exceptional customer service. Whether it is pre or post booking, with Fareteam & WTC you are in safe hands.

Our customers are important to us and Fareteam accommodates both agents and tour operators from all walks of life. From the one-man band to the multi-branch operation, Fareteam offers everyone the ability to access discounted fares at the click of a button. As a Fareteam customer you will not only gain exclusive access to the best value air fares, but you will also have support from our team of experts. We are known for our exceptional customer service – whether it is pre or post booking with Fareteam & WTC you are in safe hands.

Agent Testimonials

Miriam, Gannon Travel

Damian Murphy, Terra Travel

Jonathan, Clubworld Travel

Tracie, Crumlin Travel

Loraine Cunningham, Loraine Cunningham Travel

Mary Smith, Dempsey Travel

Sharon Thompson, Director, Thompson Travel

Lorraine McConville, Proprietor, Bangor Travel

XL LG MD SM XS -->

Our team is what makes us stand out from other Consolidators with approx. 100 years’ experience selling air tickets between us. They are the people at the end of the phone or behind the scenes that make our business tick. Given they are a super- efficient bunch it will not take you long to meet them.

Michael “Mike” Holmes

Flight Expert

Years in Travel – 25 Countries Visited – 30 Favourite Destination – Australia, Canada, New Zealand and UAE What do you love about your job – Being part of a team and being able to travel, explore and getting to experience different cultures. Specialised subject – Complex flight itineraries One thing we may not know about you – I trekked the Sahara in 2000 raising money for Mencap NI

Jay Simpson

Years in Travel – Lost count Countries visited – 20 Favourite Destination – Morocco What do you love about your job – Every day is different, and I especially love the challenge of finding the best flights for our customers to destinations all around the world. Specialised subject – Ticketing One thing we may not know about you – I will happily attend the opening of an envelope (please send invites).

Jenna Robinson

Agency Support Manager

Years in Travel – 15 Countries visited – 8 Favourite Destination – Thailand What do you love about your job – Getting to know all the agents and working alongside a knowledgeable team. Specialised subject – Roomteam One thing we may not know about you – I hold a Degree in Travel and Tourism Management

Paul McGuinness

Years in Travel – 30 Countries visited – 20+ Favourite Destination – Italy What do you love about your job – working alongside a great Team, the variety of work, getting to help and know the Agents. Specialised subject – On line support. One thing we may not know about you – I helped build new homes for orphans in Romania with other Agents, alongside Habitat for Humanity.

Sarah Cunningham

Years in Travel – 22+ Countries visited – 21 Favourite Destination – Saint Lucia What do you love about your job – I love that everyday is different with new challenges and building a rapport with the agents. Specialised subject – Online Support / RoomTeam One thing we may not know about you – There is nothing better than a trip to the Aviva, having a pint and cheering on Ireland.

Alina Clementina

Years in Travel – 26 Countries visited – 22 Favourite Destination – Patagonia What do you love about your job – The opportunity of working with people who share a passion for travel Specialised subject – NDC One thing we may not know about you – I used to write for theatre.

David “DC” Conlon

Operations Manager

Years in Travel – 33 Countries visited – 23 Favourite Destination – Vancouver What do you love about your job – The job is forever changing, and you never know what you are doing from one day to the next. Specialised subject – For anything GDS related DC is our man. One thing we may not know about you – I was once a proof-reader before entering travel.

Glenn Lowry

Consol & Business Solutions Manager

Years in Travel – 29 Countries visited – 15 Favourite Destination – Gold Coast Australia What do you love about your job – Developing new ideas and different ways to work with our various customers Specialised subject – Customer solutions One thing we may not know about you – I had my own music played on BBC radio.

Kylie White

Flight Expert Years in Travel – 15 Countries visited – 19 Favourite Destination – Mexico What do you love about your job – I love that after a lot of years in travel, I am still learning new things every day Specialised subject – Schedule Changes / Queues One thing we may not know about you – I am a busy Mum of 4 crazy, but cute, children.. so, I come to work for a break

Ciara Lynch

Years in Travel – 20+ Countries visited – 15+ Favourite Destination – South Africa What do you love about your job – I love my relationship with the agents. The challenge of changing itineraries and finding the best options for our agents. Specialised subject – All rounder One thing we may not know about you – In 2019, I raised money to travel to South Africa with the Niall Mellon Township Trust to help build schools for disadvantaged children

Geraldine Mallon

Flight Expert Years in Travel – 6 Countries visited – 32 Favourite Destination – Italy What do you love about your job – Always learning and adapting to changes in the travel industry Specialised subject – Fareteam One thing we may not know about you – I spent a year working at Walt Disney World in Florida!

Years in Travel – 15 Countries visited – 8 Favourite Destination – Thailand What do you love about your job – Getting to know all the agents and working alongside a knowledgeable team. Specialised subject – Roomteam One thing we may not know about you – I hold a Degree in Travel and Tourism Management

Years in Travel – 15 Countries visited – 19 Favourite Destination – Mexico What do you love about your job – I love that after a lot of years in travel, I am still learning new things every day Specialised subject – Schedule Changes / Queues One thing we may not know about you – I am a busy Mum of 4 crazy, but cute, children.. so, I come to work for a break

Years in Travel – 6 Countries visited – 32 Favourite Destination – Italy What do you love about your job – Always learning and adapting to changes in the travel industry Specialised subject – Fareteam One thing we may not know about you – I spent a year working at Walt Disney World in Florida!

Years in Travel – 30 Countries visited – 20+ Favourite Destination – Italy What do you love about your job – working alongside a great Team, the variety of work, getting to help and know the Agents Specialised subject – On line support One thing we may not know about you – I helped build new homes for orphans in Romania with other Agents, alongside Habitat for Humanity.

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Established in 1946, World Travel Service is the wholly owned and independently run division of BCD Travel, the second largest travel management company in the world. Acquired by BCD in 2015, we currently manage best-in-class travel programs for hundreds of US mid-market, multi-national clients. Together we have wholly-owned, partner and joint venture offices in 109 countries. As the SME division of BCD Travel in US, we offer BCD’s award-winning reporting, duty of care, mobile technologies, and global vendor partnerships to organizations like yours.

World Travel Service helps US companies make the most of what they spend on travel. We give travelers remarkably innovative tools that keep them safe and productive and help them make good choices on the road. We partner with travel and procurement leaders to simplify the complexities of business travel, drive savings and satisfaction, and move whole companies toward their corporate goals. We’re very proud that our client retention rate has exceeded 98%+ for the past five years – the highest in a very competitive industry.

In short, we help each of our clients travel smart and achieve more.

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• Newsroom Emirates

Emirates recognised for excellence with nine wins at the 2024 Business Traveller Awards, World Travel Awards and International Loyalty Awards 2024

DUBAI, UAE, 9 May 2024:  Emirates took home top honours at the Business Travel Middle East Awards (BTME), World Travel Awards (WTA) 2024, and International Loyalty Awards 2024, a testament to its ongoing investments and initiatives to provide customers with the best-in-industry travel experiences, in the air and on the ground.

The prestigious travel awards ceremonies were held on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai this week and attended by industry leaders and professionals from across the world participating in the region’s biggest travel trade event.

Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2024

Emirates was named ‘Best Airline Worldwide’ at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2024 and scooped up four additional gongs for: ‘Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class’; ‘Airline with the Best First Class’; ‘Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East’; and ‘Airline with the Best Frequent Flyer Programme’.

Adil Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East and Central Asia, and Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President, Skywards, received the awards on behalf of the airline.

World Travel Awards 2024

At the World Travel Awards, Emirates took home top accolades for: ‘Middle East’s Leading Airline 2024’; ‘Middle East's Leading Airline - First Class 2024’; and Middle East’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme 2024 – Skywards.

International Loyalty Awards 2024

Emirates Skywards also won “Global Loyalty Programme of the Year Middle East” at the International Loyalty Awards 2024 – one of the most significant and prestigious awards within the industry. With more than 30 million members worldwide – Emirates Skywards continues to be one of the most valued and recognised loyalty programmes in the world.  

Over the years, Emirates has earned a reputation for providing world class products and services to customers across all classes of travel, both onboard and on the ground.  In just the past year, the airline had introduced a slew of product enhancements, notably the introduction of complimentary loungewear and meal pre-ordering for Business Class travellers, the re-opening of 8 dedicated Emirates Lounges around the world after a full facility refresh, and the roll-out of 16 more A380s offering the latest cabin interiors after a nose-to-tail retrofit.

This week at ATM, Emirates announced it will add 71 A380s and Boeing 777s to its multi-billion dollar retrofit programme, expanding it to 191 aircraft, nearly its entire passenger fleet, to ensure Emirates customers continue to “fly better” for years to come. 

The airline will offer its popular Premium Economy product to customers in 42 cities by February 2025 as the first batch of A350 aircraft join its fleet from September, in addition to newly retrofitted aircraft equipped with Premium Economy re-entering service.

More Information

About emirates.

The Emirates story started in 1985 when we launched operations with just two aircraft. Today, we fly the world’s biggest fleets of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, offering our customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies.

We inspire travelers around the world with our growing network of worldwide destinations, industry leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine, and world-class service.

Find out more

Annual reports

You can download the latest annual report or read our previous reports for detailed information on our commercial results and strategies.

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Disclaimer: Information contained in the press releases published on our media centre is accurate at the time of publication.

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dnata Travel Group unveils ATM Dubai stand as it celebrates 65 years of serving UAE travellers in 2024

The country’s longest serving travel provider is showcasing the latest from its home-grown brands including Arabian Adventures, Yalago, marhaba and more

Dubai, UAE, 6 th   May 2024:   dnata Travel Group , a leading global travel services provider based in Dubai, is returning to the   Arabian Travel Market (ATM)   – the Middle East’s largest travel and tourism trade event – with an enhanced stand for 2024, as it celebrates 65 years of serving UAE travellers. The Group represents the travel division of   dnata , a leading global air and travel services provider, part of the   Emirates Group , which now provides its varied range of services to travellers across the globe.

Launched as an air ticket service provider in 1959, dnata’s history is rooted in Dubai, with the dnata Travel Group now consisting of more than 15 leading international travel brands, with coverage across the world. UAE-based dnata Travel Group brands with a presence at ATM Dubai 2024 include destination management company, tour and safari operator   Arabian Adventures , airport hospitality brand   marhaba , leisure accommodation wholesale specialist   Yalago , digital B2B attractions marketplace   priohub , travel consolidator   Gold Medal , and baggage technology and logistics company   DUBZ . Representatives from across the wider dnata Group will also be on-hand throughout the event to meet industry partners and customers.

Located in the   Middle East pavilion , the dnata Travel Group stand has an increased capacity to welcome representatives from across its global  markets, reflecting continued  local and international demand for travel to and from the UAE in 2024.

John Bevan, CEO, dnata Travel Group commented:   “As we welcome the global travel industry to our stand at ATM Dubai this year, we are in turn marking 65 years of operation in the local market. The dnata Travel Group has been part of the evolution and innovation synonymous with the growth of travel to Dubai, and from this market to the rest of the world. We are proud to be a part of it. This year we are returning to ATM to showcase our UAE-based brands’ latest products and services to the world, as we continue to see major growth.”

Arabian Adventures   is showcasing a state-of-the-art dune buggy on dnata’s ATM stand, reflecting its variety of experiences on offer to UAE residents and tourists. Its team will be on-hand to discuss latest product enhancements including to the brands’ popular, all-inclusive Overnight Desert Safari, and its DMC arms’ preparations to expand across the GCC in 2024.

Yalago , one of the world’s fastest-growing global leisure accommodation wholesale specialists, is showcasing its growing hotel inventory, offering increased savings to the local market.  

marhaba , part of dnata’s Airport  Operations division, will present its award-winning global airport hospitality services at the event, alongside  DUBZ , which will showcase its increasingly  popular Dubai-based home check-in, baggage delivery, and other services ensuring a smoother airport experience.

Representatives from across the dnata Travel Group will also share insights and experiences in the following   conference sessions   during the event this year:

• Anabela Radosevic, Head of Business Development, Arabian Adventures, on a panel at the ATM Global Stage on ‘ Using Adventure to Attract the Americas ’ (6 th  May);
• Sean Kelly, Head of IT, dnata Travel Group, speaking at a panel organised by Sabre on the ATM Future Stage, on ‘ Beyond the Hype: Demystifying 2024 Travel Tech Trends ​’ (7 th  May); and
• Shaun Anderson, Head of Sales, dnata Travel Management on ‘ Charting the Next Course for Global Business Travel  ‘ as part of an ATM Global Stage panel, organised by the GBTA (8 th  May).

Meet the dnata Travel Group team at Arabian Travel Market, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre between 6-9 th   May 2024, at stand ME1250, next to the Emirates Airline stand. Find out more at   www.dnata.com/travel .

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• International
• Foreign affairs

Out-compete, out-cooperate, out-innovate: Foreign Secretary calls for a harder edge for a tougher world

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron gave his first major speech in the role at the National Cyber Security Centre.

You can watch the Foreign Secretary’s speech on YouTube.

I have been Foreign Secretary for almost 6 months. And I have been determined to make every day count.  

I have visited 33 countries, 1 Overseas Territory, and criss-crossed 6 continents.  I lead a Department working hard to respond to crises, counter threats, champion development, and boost UK jobs.  

I like to say being Prime Minister was a great apprenticeship for this job. But being Foreign Secretary is not entirely the same. 

Indeed, precisely because you are so often on the road, leading a large organisation, you must make doubly sure not to confuse activity with action. 

So let me use this speech to take a step back. 

Economics, politics and foreign policy 

My starting point is that we cannot divorce foreign policy from economic performance. 

Investing more overseas requires a growing economy. And to be taken seriously, you need to show the dynamism of your own economy and its capacity for growth and renewal.  

From this room, you can see the four iconic chimneys of Battersea Power Station. I can remember standing there as Leader of the Opposition, launching the 2010 election manifesto. It was a derelict building, left vacant and crumbling for decades. 

Today, it is transformed. And that’s thanks to our drive to secure Malaysian investment and offer determined government support, hundreds of offices and flats, shops and restaurants now sit beneath those towers.  And it demonstrates our continued attractiveness to overseas investors.  

But nor can we divorce foreign and economic policy from domestic politics.  All over the western world, we see the rise of political movements that want us to pull up the drawbridge, claiming that we will be better off if we focus purely on domestic concerns.

I believe these movements are profoundly wrong.  Not just because Britain is an outward-facing nation, with almost 1 in 10 of us living abroad, and a set of interests and connections that are truly global, not limited to any one region or continent. But because what happens abroad matters directly to our citizens.  

However, our approach must not be to ignore the rise of these movements. It must be to deal with what has caused them to grow, so we can engage with the world and therefore safeguard our national interests.  

I believe the 2 biggest drivers are clear. One, failing to control borders properly and tackle illegal immigration. And second leaving too many people in too many places behind, cut off from the uneven benefits of globalisation.  

Any political party that fails to address these drivers will find itself incapable of governing effectively and getting things done.  

That’s why we’re fixing our immigration system, breaking the business model of smuggling gangs.  And why we need to ensure the whole country shares in the benefits of long-term growth.  

And the role of Foreign Secretary is not separate from this work: it is integral to it. Ultimately what guides everything I do as Foreign Secretary is Britain’s prosperity and Britain’s security.  

Earlier this year I returned to the Berlin Wall. I remember the days of its fall as if it was yesterday. Visiting Germany with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Meeting dissidents who had kept the flame of freedom alive behind the Iron Curtain. Hacking off a chunk of the Wall – a piece of history – for myself.  

Together with travelling in the Soviet Union between school and university, these were defining events in my political development.  As the era of state socialism was crumbling, the sense of optimism, of possibility, was infectious.  

Contrast that with today.   

War in the heart of Europe. From Tallinn to Warsaw, Prague to Bucharest, a chill has once more descended across the European continent. Those nations closest to Russia seeing what is happening in Ukraine and wondering if they will be next.  

And not far from Europe, war rages in the Middle East, as Israel seeks to defend itself and bring the hostages home, while innocent citizens in Gaza endure a crisis that will only worsen if aid cannot reach them, safely. 

All this while there are conflicts in 18 countries in Africa. This is a world more dangerous, more volatile, more confrontational, than most of us have ever known.  

We need to face up to that fact and act accordingly.  Not in a year or two.  Not in a few months.  But now.  

The courage to act 

Returning to frontline politics, what stands out to me is how many reasons are found for us not to act. It too often feels as if the fundamental change in the world has not yet been met with a fundamental change in how many in the free world are thinking and acting. 

Both in Britain and the wider world, there are too many who adopt a kind of defensive crouch. Not just those I’ve already mentioned who want to pull up the drawbridge. But also those who think we can’t act, claiming we have become too weak, not powerful enough militarily or effective enough economically.  Or those who won’t act, so fixated are they on the risks– be it of escalation, unintended consequences, legal jeopardy, or simply causing offence.  

Fear of making the wrong choice leads to another meeting or another strategy paper, even when not acting is actually the worst choice of all.  

While, as the Prime Minister said in Warsaw recently, an axis of authoritarian states – like Russia, Iran, North Korea and China – is increasingly acting together in an attempt to undermine us and our allies and the world order on which we depend.

My conviction is that we, with our partners, can choose to make a difference.   

Entering politics in the 1980s, it was not at all obvious how or when the West would prevail over the Soviet Union.  Some urged us to reduce our defences or abandon the nuclear deterrent. But we stood firm and it worked.

Similarly, towards the end of my time as Prime Minister, it was not obvious we could defeat Daesh. Some declared that an Islamic State in control of vast swathes of Iraq and the Levant was here to stay. That an intervention would only see us bogged down in the Middle East. But together with our friends and allies, we drove their so-called caliphate right back.  

We in Britain, and in the wider West, we have agency. The question is whether we have the courage to use it.  The courage to act.  

So how then should we act?  I see 6 points which really matter if we are to rise to the challenges we face.  

First, we need to make security our top priority.  

If you want a picture of the dangers in the world, you can actually look right here at home in the last few months. Attacks on our democracy from China, including spying on the Electoral Commission and cyber targeting of our Members of Parliament. Reminders of the wide-ranging, covert Russian playbook, including a suspected sabotage attack on a warehouse in east London just last week. And – as the Director General of MI5 has made clear – numerous Iranian plots to assassinate British or UK-based individuals perceived as enemies of the regime, again right here in the UK.

As Prime Minister, I was proud to host the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales , at which all Allies committed to spend at least 2% of GDP on defence. And I am proud to speak today at the National Cyber Security Centre , which we set up to make Britain the safest place to live and work online.  

Today, as the threat has grown and evolved, we in government need to do even more to prioritise security. 

And so we have passed the National Security Act and a new Investigatory Powers Act, so we can defend ourselves against espionage more effectively. We have introduced the National Security Investment Act, so we can screen investment into our critical national infrastructure. We have prepared the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, so we can bolster our resilience here in Britain against covert foreign influence.  

And, crucially, the Prime Minister has committed to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence – the biggest investment in defence for a generation, and increased defence R&D get at least 5% of the defence budget, so we stay at the cutting edge of defence technology.  

It is vital we sustain this focus on security, doing what is required to harden our defences.

Second, we need to be bolder in standing up for what we believe in. 

The national interest defines our foreign policy. Some try to portray this as somehow unprincipled. As if by putting the national interest first, we will sacrifice important values.  

Nothing could be further from the truth. It is profoundly in our national interests to defend those core beliefs.  

Freedom. The rule of law. Respect for human rights and human dignity.  And to defend the core principles of an open international order. 

Right not might. Sovereignty and territorial integrity. Freedom of navigation.  

These principles are not some mere abstractions. Words solemnly proclaimed in the UN Charter, Sustainable Development Goals or other international agreements.  Rather they are vital foundations for British and global security and prosperity.  

All the world’s citizens benefit when freedoms are upheld. Sovereignty is respected. And commerce flows freely around the globe. 

So we, our allies and our partners must stand up and defend them.  

Our adversaries openly challenge these principles. They have no qualms at distortions and even outright lies in the media.  And they use new tools and techniques to distract and mislead. 

We must be bolder in combating their poisonous methods of deceit.  

That’s what Britain and America did by publicising of our intelligence before Putin’s illegal invasion. It was an unprecedented step. And made it absolutely clear what Putin was planning to do: assault a neighbour, without a scrap of justification. We in the West need to undermine and expose the malign networks that Russia uses to spread its lies.   

Over the last 5 years, Britain’s invested £600 million in this effort.  

Funding the BBC World Service, which reaches over 300 million listeners each week, backing free media and the free flow of information.  Supporting independent journalism in places like Moldova and Bosnia, where Russia seeks to bully and bribe their way to manipulating media and undermining politics. 

Our adversaries also strive to undermine global trust in these beliefs and principles by attacking our own record. They gleefully accuse the West of double standards.

I think we should be frank in our response. Yes, the suffering in Gaza is appalling. But an unprovoked war against an independent country like Ukraine that poses no threat is wholly different from the conflict that has grown from the brutal attacks of 7th October.  

And in each case, we are consistently pursuing the fastest route to a sustainable peace consistent with the principles of the UN Charter.  Every country in the world actually cares about principles like sovereignty and territorial integrity.  

And of course our adversaries say that we didn’t invest in the Global South. Nonsense. And it is the West who is funding the key parts of the global system doing the most to improve lives of people around the world.  

How much has Moscow given to the UN’s Central Emergency Relief Fund?  Seventy-four times less than Britain’s contribution.  

How much does Tehran invest in eradicating malaria?  Absolutely nothing to the Global Fund dedicated to eliminating this killer disease. Britain is the Fund’s third biggest donor – and has played a huge role in developing vaccines now poised to save many more lives.  

How much has Pyongyang do to protect our oceans?  Nothing like Britain’s Blue Belt , which is the largest marine protection area in the world – something that benefits not only our country, but our entire planet.  

And Britain is not alone in such generosity – our closest partners, big and small, give a huge amount as well.  

We are faced with a cynical assault on principles and programmes which have contributed so much to building a better world.  We must fight back – and never let that cynicism win.  

Third point – we need to adopt a harder edge for a tougher world. 

Pursuing our interests effectively means revisiting approaches to foreign policy born of good intentions and ask if they are truly fitting for the world of today. Prizing consensus over action. Not speaking out if it might upset others. Avoiding risks.  

Such attitudes perhaps seemed to cost us less in a more forgiving age. But if Putin’s illegal invasion teaches us anything, it must be that doing too little, too late, only spurs an aggressor on. 

And too often this lesson not having been learned.  Take the Red Sea, where ship after ship from a whole of countries have been attacked.  While many countries have criticised the Houthi attacks, it is actually only the US and Britain that have been willing and able to step up and strike back at them.  

Or defence spend in Europe, where still some seem unwilling to invest, even as war rages on our continent. Take women’s rights, where some are so cowed by accusations of neo-colonialism that they will not condemn practices like Female Genital Mutilation, ignoring survivors’ calls to eliminate it.   

This cannot go on. We need to be tougher and more assertive:  

• degrading the Houthis’ capabilities
• making 2.5% a new benchmark for NATO Allies’ defence spend
• and using travel bans to stop politicians voting in favour of FGM in the morning, and then hopping on a plane to go shopping in London in the afternoon

And sometimes, a harder edge means being honest with ourselves.  Saying yes, we want to be a country that is ambitious and progressive. But no, we cannot afford to be naïve about how best to achieve our goals.  

So yes, we are open to the world, its people and ideas. But no, we will not permit criminal gangs to decide who can enter our country, and undermine voters’ trust in our ability to control our borders.  

By implementing our asylum partnership with Rwanda, we are acting in the national interest. And yes, we are committed to reaching net zero by 2050, and work globally to support others in meeting their own clean energy ambitions.  

But no, we will not refuse to grant new licences in the North Sea for vital oil and gas – nor will we demonise other countries using their own reserves – these things when they are vital for energy independence from the likes of Putin, and part of a responsible energy transition. 

Again by taking a proportionate, realistic approach to delivering our climate change goals, we are acting in the national interest.  

And yes, we support free trade. But no, we will not sign a free trade deal just for the sugar rush of the press release.  You only get one chance to do these properly, and it’s important to get it right. Via our patient negotiation of trade deals that are real wins, we are acting in the national interest.  

And yes again, we believe in free speech and freedom to protest. But no, we will not shy away from defending our democratic values. By doing things like the definition of extremism to ensure that the government does not legitimise those trying to overturn our principles, we are acting in the national interest.  

Fourth, we need to have a good dose of realism.  

In a much more competitive world, Britain must suffer no illusions about our place in it. 

I am proud to lead the FCDO , overseeing a diplomatic network in over 160 countries and territories, and a development budget of over 8 billion pounds not to mention our incredible intelligence and security services. I’m representing effectively a nation with a sovereign nuclear deterrent, a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, and a web of connections all over the world.  

But Britain is not a country like the US, whose every decision we make changes the world. There are vital areas where our action is decisive, but often we are a state whose decisions and adept diplomacy can influence the approaches of others. 

Realism is not defeatism – having less influence than the global superpower does not mean having no influence at all.  

While away from frontline politics, I heard a comment by a leading CEO that has stuck with me ever since. Britain, he said, is big enough to matter, but small enough to be nimble. That seems right to me.  

He was talking about regulation. But it can apply in so many other contexts. And it is an apt mantra for the modern world, in which new powers are emerging, and what matters is building coalitions to get things done.  

Why does Ukraine call us their number one ally? Not just for the level of our support and the speed in which we delivered it, but it’s how we’ve galvanised others.

I vividly recall my experiences in 2014. Imposing even some sanctions on Russia required painstaking negotiation. But, gradually, we have made the case for going so much further.  

We have imposed unprecedented sanctions – with our allies. We have provided game-changing kit like long-range missiles and battle tanks – with our allies.  We have sustained support for Kyiv into a third year of war – once more, following the vote in Congress, with our allies.  And we are now maintaining our military support to Ukraine – £3 billion a year – until 2030, and beyond if necessary, and calling on our allies to join us in that pledge.   

To persuade we also need to be active. A fortnight ago, I became the first Foreign Secretary to visit all 5 Central Asian states and Mongolia . 

In a more contested, more competitive world, Britain needs to get out there and compete. We need to say to potential partners all over the world, if you want to make that choice to be more open, be more independent, we can help you make that choice.  

We are fortunate in Britain that English is the world’s global language. For young people, speaking English acts as a passport for success, giving an edge in areas like business and finance, law and diplomacy.  

That is why for instance Mongolia, a country bordering Russia and China, has made the extraordinary and brilliant decision to make English their second official language. Ukraine has launched a programme so all their civil servants can learn it.  This is a great advantage for Britain – an opportunity to get the world speaking our language, in both senses of that phrase.  

But sometimes we seem hesitant to recognise just what a vital tool of influence the English language can be. Sixty million people from almost every country in the world used the British Council’s free Learn English site.  I have expanded the British Council’s online teaching offer in Central Asia, and today I can announce a new £1 million programme for the Council to teach English to Ukrainian civil servants.

But this should is only the beginning.  I believe it should be a core part of our foreign policy and the Foreign Office’s mission to lead this global change, we will champion English learning around the globe. This year next year, long into the future.

It is battle we are winning, and if we turn up and properly fight it we’ll win it faster and better.

There is a fifth point.  

A recognisably British attribute, but which we can sometimes fail to recognise in ourselves. That is the need to be ruthlessly practical.  

As was observed by one of my predecessors, Ernest Bevin, he combined “a powerful sense of direction… rooted in moral principle” with “a street-wise pragmatism in choosing the best route forward”.  

And the result, NATO, speaks for itself.  As this example shows, being practical can have a hard edge, a certain ruthlessness, too.  Focusing on delivering a strong, united defensive alliance, rather than hoping a newly formed UN alone could ensure our security. Facing the world as it is, not as it was or as we wish it to be.  

And so yes, for instance we want the fighting to end in Gaza. But calling for an immediate ceasefire makes it no more likely. It is more practical to focus – as we have done in the UN and elsewhere, with the Israelis, and with our partners – on securing a humanitarian pause, stopping the fighting right now, so we can see hostages released, more aid delivered, then turn this into a sustainable ceasefire without a return to fighting.  

And yes again, ruthlessly practical we support multilateral reform, because we want the UN and organisations like the World Trade Organisation and World Health Organisation to succeed. But we are also increasing our support for other, more nimbler organisations having impact on the ground, like GAVI or the Global Fund that does so much brilliant work on diseases.  

And yes, we have made our biggest contribution ever to the Green Climate Fund to tackle climate change. But we are also making it easier for small island developing states to access this funding, helping friends across the Caribbean, who I was meeting with yesterday, and in the Pacific like Samoa, hosts of this year’s Commonwealth Summit. 

I could add 2 personal examples of being practical.  

Yes, I supported remaining in the EU. But I am now laser-like focused on ensuring Britain and the EU have the best possible relationship, not as members, but as friends, neighbours and partners. And I am doing all I can also to ensure Britain invests in new partnerships, such as CPTPP , a trade deal with one of the fastest growing regions of the world – the Indo-Pacific.

And yes, I am a passionate believer in the power of aid and proud of my role in helping to design the sustainable development goals and boost Britain’s aid spending. But with our overseas aid budget under pressure, I also am proud to have led the Department in publishing a groundbreaking International Development white paper , and to be pressing for reform of the multilateral development banks and greater cooperation with the private sector – so others can also step up an provide the massive funding that’s going to be required to see those SDGs through.

Finally, we need to demonstrate political will and strategic patience.  

It is not enough merely to wish for a better world and hope for the best. Nor can we let talk of past failings or present risks paralyse us completely. We in the West need to see things through, and see them through together.  

Our adversaries today know all too well our underlying strengths. They see that the economies of Ukraine and her partners outmatch Russia’s by around 25 to 1. They can see that Sweden and Finland turned to NATO – an alliance that defends territory, not takes territory – at a moment of uncertainty. They can see the flows of talented people head in our direction from across the globe.  

But they think they have honed in our greatest weakness. They believe that it is they who are more determined to succeed. That they can outlast us, can endure more pain, make more sacrifices. 

We are in a battle of wills. We all must prove our adversaries wrong – Britain, and our allies and partners around the world. 

We need to out-compete.  

The upcoming NATO Summit must see all Allies on track to deliver their pledge made in Wales in 2014 to spend 2% on defence. And we then need to move quickly to establish 2.5% as the new benchmark for all NATO Allies.  

We need to out-cooperate. 

Investing in old alliances which have served us well – the transatlantic bond and our many friendships in Europe, the Five Eyes and G7, NATO and the Commonwealth.  

But we also need to forge new partnerships, like the AUKUS alliance with Australia and the US, the GCAP jet project with Italy and Japan , or our JEF security collaboration with like-minded nations in northern Europe.  

And, crucially, strengthening our bilateral partnerships with that great mass of countries such as those in Central Asia who, I visited last week.  Who while they may not all be democratic, they see the destructive, reactionary policies of our adversaries as a threat to their security and their prosperity.  

And we need to out-innovate.  

Using the legal route before us to use frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine.  And leaning into the modern technology that fuels both the operations in this building and much of the modern economy, as the Prime Minister did so skilfully by hosting the AI Safety Summit last year.  

I know from experience – it is not straightforward to deliver these points. Dissonant voices press for different paths, easier to tread in the short-term, even as they store up problems for years to come. But I am not disheartened.  

History is not pre-ordained. I am often reminded of this as Foreign Secretary. Entering my office, I pass portraits of my predecessors. The world of today looks very different to that of Bevin and Eden, Grey and Salisbury, Canning and Castlereagh. And yet each faced times of challenge and change.  

Looking back, one can detect common threads, fundamental traditions, in how they acted in response. Prioritising Britain’s security. Standing up for what they believed in. Being hard-edged, realistic and practical in their pursuit of the national interest. Showing always political will. The past cannot tell us what to do today. But it can offer some guidance.  

Today, we are being tested yet again.  In both foreign and domestic policy, in Britain and the wider West, we are at a crossroads. If we make the right choices, act now, a bright future awaits. But if we hesitate, our adversaries will write our future instead of us.  

We need to show courage. The courage to determine our own destiny. The courage to rise to this moment of peril. The courage to act.  

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• 2030 Agenda

A Post-Pandemic Rebound? Migration and Mobility Globally after Covid-19

World migration report 2024: chapter 9, a labyrinth of travel restrictions.

One of the earliest and most important responses to COVID-19 by States has been the imposition of travel restrictions, both internal and international. International travel restrictions were implemented particularly quickly and extensively, and they have persisted well beyond the acute phase of the pandemic in many places: far more so than other COVID-19 restrictions (Figure 2). 7 On 1 January 2020 almost no States had international travel controls, but by 1 April almost all States had them. This level of border closure persisted for almost three years, until January 2023. By comparison, other pandemic control measures – including internal mobility restrictions, school and workplace closures, stay home orders and restrictions on gatherings – have been both less widespread and less durable than international travel restrictions. 

The futuristic airship that will fly to the Med by 2028

A new fleet of airships will hit the skies by 2028, with UK-based Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) revealing plans for a major new manufacturing facility in South Yorkshire.

The production centre in Doncaster is where the Airlander 10, described by HAV as the world’s “most efficient large aircraft”, will be developed (subject to planning permission). HAV will have the capability to produce up to 24 of the aircraft per year.

Ed Miliband, the MP for Doncaster North, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news. This new production site will create over 1,200 much-needed highly-skilled jobs… as well as bring green air travel a step closer.”

Despite appearances, the Airlander 10 is not a traditional airship but rather a “hybrid aircraft” reliant on buoyant lift from helium, aerodynamic lift from its shape, and vectoring engine power for take-off and landing. 

The Airlander 10 will have the capacity to carry 100 passengers (an average Boeing 737-800 carries 189) or 10 tonnes of payload, and the value of its order book currently stands in excess of £1 billion. The Spanish regional carrier Air Nostrum will be the first airline to put it into service, with a scheduled launch date of 2028 – two years later than originally planned.

When The Telegraph visited HAV’s Bedfordshire headquarters in 2023 , the chief executive Tom Grundy said: “We’re working with Air Nostrum to create a network of city-to-city connections, much faster than a car, with 10 per cent of the carbon footprint of a flight, and affordable to the customer.”

Air Nostrum recently doubled its order to 20 ships, in a bid to expand its network from Spain into the Mediterranean and Malta . Potential routes include Malta to Gozo and Malta to Sicily . Other links to Italy and to Tunisia are in discussion. The Airlander 10 will have a top speed of around 100mph, closer to a car or train than a plane, meaning it is restricted in terms of how far it can travel without stopping. But reduced security protocols should speed up the boarding process. 

HAV has also been in talks with the Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Loganair to discuss developing A to B connections between Scottish islands. Possible destinations that could benefit from Airlander 10 services (both for passengers and freight) include Kirkwall, Papa Westray, Stornoway, Barra, Inverness, Sumburgh and Scapa Bay; viability surveys have been conducted in each of these locations

HAV has also had discussions with luxury tour operators to discuss the potential for safaris in the sky, or Northern Lights viewing experiences. One such company is Grands Espaces, an eco-tourism company which intends to use the Airlander for trips to the Arctic. For 25 years, the firm has operated polar exploration tours on small boats, and now plans to take passengers to the skies.

Christian Kempf, the founder of Grands Espaces, said: “We have worked for four years with HAV to prepare for this project and partnership. The signing of this reservation agreement is a significant step forward. We find in HAV the pioneering and innovative spirit that resonates with us, and we are confident that we will achieve great things together.”

While things are in motion now, the Airlander project got off to a rocky start. In 2016, the first prototype Airlander nosedived at low speed during a test flight from Cardington Airfield in Bedfordshire, damaging part of the flight deck. This, and the fact that some said it resembled a “flying bum”, made national news, while the subsequent successful test flights did not attract as much attention.

In 2017, after a successful test flight, the Airlander broke free from its mooring mast, triggering a safety system which ripped open and deflated the hull . As a result of the two accidents, HAV introduced new improvements to the design, including an air cushion landing system which allows the aircraft to land on any reasonably flat surface via six inflatable studs. 

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