Latest news with #MikeHarvey
Daily Mirror
06-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits warned over details you should not put onto a luggage tag
1st Move International has shared what details travellers should - and more importantly, should not - include on their luggage tag. Sharing too much personal information can be a risk. A luggage tag may come in handy during chaotic travel, but experts warn that you should add details sparingly. British holidaymakers are being advised to think twice about what personal contact information you should include in your luggage tag. Speaking to LadBible, Mike Harvey - managing director of 1st Move International - provided guidance on how to toe the line between smart preparation and personal security. 'When creating luggage tags for your suitcases, it's crucial to balance providing essential contact information with protecting your personal security," says Harvey. In his guidance of what to jot down on your luggage tag, Harvey says your name should definitely be on there. 'Use your full name as it appears on your passport,' he clarifies, 'this helps assist airline staff in locating and safely returning your belongings if they go missing.' Your phone number is also a safe bet - and a must. But be sure to note down your country code to ensure that whomever comes across your luggage can more easily contact you even if you're not in your home country. An email address is also a smart addition, according to Harvey. He suggests including an email address for additional contact, especially important if you're travelling internationally. If you're worried about privacy he says you can always create a separate travel email address to keep it distinct from your personal one. To really protect your privacy there is one thing you should definitely avoid adding. Never put your home address down, he said, as this is a privacy and security concern based on the fact you never know where your luggage might end up or in whose hands. While some people make note of valuables in their luggage - in the hope that it is handled with care - Harvey says this is also not a good idea. 'Avoid mentioning any valuable items inside your suitcase to prevent drawing unwanted attention," he advises. Your travel plans and destinations should also not be added to your luggage tag. Harvey explains: "Keep your travel itinerary and destination details private to prevent misuse of your information." It goes without saying that highly sensitive information like your national insurance number or passport number should not be written down either, including any travel insurance details. Luggage experts also highlight the importance of keeping the airport-provided luggage sticker on your checked-in baggage. According to the experts at the independent London-based luggage brand, GMT Zero, your checked-in luggage goes through a harrowing process to reach your final destination. Involving a 'whirl of belts' and 'robotic arms, ramps, and carts' the process is 'a bit like in Willy Wonka 's factory'. Thus, you should ensure your baggage tag - which states your departure and arrival airport - is securely fastened to your bag and in good condition. Airport staff are usually on hand to help attach it at the self-service baggage drop-off station.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Why you should never tie a ribbon to your suitcase before checking in for a flight
How many times have you stood next to an airport conveyor belt, desperately scanning the luggage for your suitcase amongst a sea of similar-looking items? If you have a generic black suitcase, probably quite often, which is why lots of people decide to adopt the trick of tying a ribbon around their suitcase handle, making it more easily identifiable. But is it such a smart hack? Apparently not. In fact, popping a colourful ribbon on your suitcase could actually make it less likely to arrive at your destination. Experts say that the ribbon can make your suitcase's transition through the airport more problematic, which potentially means a chance of it not reaching the plane. Speaking to Mamamia, Mike Harvey from 1st Move International says a ribbon 'can actually interfere with the scanning process in the luggage hall.' 'If the ribbon causes issues during scanning, your bag may need to be manually processed, leading to delays or the possibility of it being left behind' he explains. There are other additions to avoid too, according to Harvey. 'I would recommend avoiding adding stickers to your suitcase as a form of identification as these can also confuse baggage scanners' he says. So how can you spot your suitcase in arrivals? One option is obviously to buy luggage that stands out – a whole host of brands such as July and Away sell brightly-coloured suitcases that are very on trend right now. However, that's quite a pricey approach to take, so another idea is to buy vibrant luggage straps, which also add an extra layer of security. People are also increasingly adding GPS trackers to their bags in case they go missing. One handy tip Harvey recommends is to take a photo of your suitcase before you check it in, so that if the luggage does end up going astray, you at least have a picture to show staff to try and help retrieve it.
Euronews
11-02-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Property sector in danger? More countries may follow Spain's tax moves
Following Spain's recently proposed 100% property tax on non-EU buyers, there have been increasing concerns about other major European countries such as Greece, France and Portugal potentially doing the same. New research from relocation specialists at 1st Move International has warned that this scenario could possibly have a major impact on the EU's property sector, making it especially difficult for UK buyers, among others, to buy second homes abroad. In 2024, according to 1st Move International data, Portugal, Spain, France and Germany were some of the most popular destinations for British buyers to relocate to. However, tighter restrictions and soaring costs could potentially lead to other favourable destinations emerging. Mike Harvey, managing director at 1st Move International, said in an email note: "Spain's decision to impose taxes on foreign property buyers has set a significant precedent, with other high-tourist countries like France, Greece, and Portugal now considering similar measures. "While these policies aim to address housing shortages, they could have unintended consequences - impacting digital nomads, retirees, and international buyers who contribute to local economies." How could a potential 100% property tax impact European economies? Countries such as France, Greece and Portugal are already dealing with an escalating overtourism problem, which has pushed rental prices up, making it much harder for locals to find affordable housing. Spain has also announced that its golden visa programme will be ending on 3 April 2025. Spain's golden visa programme, otherwise known as the residency by investment programme, allows foreign citizens to legally reside in Spain in exchange for an investment. This investment can be made in property, government bonds or company shares. The programme is mainly ending to tackle Spain's housing crisis, as well as make real estate more affordable for locals. Similarly, Greece, Portugal and France are also making moves to handle overtourism, such as cracking down on short-term rentals, focusing more on sustainable tourism practices and promoting less popular and niche tourism destinations. However, these countries still rely heavily on tourism, as well as foreign investment, especially in the property sector, to boost their economies. As such, a 100% property tax could have far reaching consequences for economic growth, especially if alternative income generation and investment streams are not developed simultaneously. Harvey said: "A 100% tax on foreign buyers could hurt Greece's competitiveness and economic stability. The country is already tackling housing pressures by banning new short-term rental licenses in key Athens areas. Further changes could reduce investment and affect both the property market and the local economy. "France's tourism contributes to around 9% of GDP, with $68.6 billion (€66.4bn) in 2023 tourism revenue - up 110% from 2020. Additional taxes on foreign buyers could strain the market, slowing property investment and tourism. "Portugal's tourism contributes to 15% of GDP, reaching €25.1bn in 2023 with a predicted revenue of €66.5bn by 2034. However, with the introduction of new property taxes on foreign buyers, this growth could be at risk. Portugal remains a top destination for Brits, but the introduction of these taxes could dampen that interest, affecting both the property market and the broader economy." Where could British buyers move to next? With popular European destinations for second homes now seeing increased tax and cost uncertainty, several British buyers are looking further abroad to relocate. According to 1st Move International, between 2022 and 2024, the US, Australia, UAE, Canada and New Zealand were the top destinations for Brits to move to. Others included Cyprus, South Africa, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and the Cayman Islands. More lucrative career and earnings opportunities, lower taxes, a better quality of life and natural landscapes have been some of the driving factors prompting Brits to move. A lower cost of living and no language barrier in several of these countries has also made them more attractive. Harvey pointed out: "Cyprus is becoming an increasingly popular choice for Brits looking to relocate. Our internal data shows it was the 6th most sought-after destination between 2022 and 2024. The island offers a great Mediterranean lifestyle, featuring sunny weather, affordable living, and a welcoming environment. "With English widely spoken, expat-friendly tax perks, and a relaxed yet lively atmosphere, it's clear why Cyprus is gaining traction as a top destination for those seeking a vibrant lifestyle abroad."
