Visitors to the UK are being reassured about their safety after the US issued a travel alert about Europe last week.

The American government issued a travel "advisory" warning of possible terror attacks in Europe, and urging its citizens to be "cautious" when travelling. But Americans were not urged to avoid Europe, and the advice is not at the highest level of alert.

Get off to a great start with George Pickering at this year's 2010 English UK Teachers' Conference! George has agreed to step in at short notice to replace Jeremy Harmer, who has had to withdraw from this year's event. We are hoping to have Jeremy back for 2011.

You will no doubt have picked up in the press that the US Bureau of Consular Affairs issued a travel advisory yesterday to alert U.S. citizens to the potential for terrorist attacks in Europe. An alert is less serious than a travel warning and an attack is not thought to be imminent.

Visa processing is losing the EU over €500 million a year, says the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA).

ETOA’s survey of tour operators and agents, which was conducted over the summer, focused on origin markets whose citizens must obtain a visa to visit the EU. These markets represent key growth opportunities for EU tourism.

This survey asks English UK members for their views on aspects of accommodation provision for international students and particularly for those aged under 18. The survey includes short sections on criminal records checks, private fostering, homestay provision and guardianship and may help to influence future English UK policy in terms of the development of the Accreditation UK Scheme and our relations with other external agencies.