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Gangs in Haiti try to seize control of main airport as thousands escape prisons: "Massacring people indiscriminately"

Updated on: March 5, 2024 / 7:34 PM EST / CBS/AP

Heavily armed gangs tried to seize control of Haiti's main international airport on Monday, exchanging gunfire with police and soldiers in the latest attack on key government sites in an explosion of violence that includes a mass escape from the country's two biggest prisons. Hours after the airport assault, officials said Haiti's police academy came under attack by an armed gang.

The Toussaint Louverture International Airport was closed when the attack occurred, with no planes operating and no passengers on site. Associated Press journalists saw an armored truck on the tarmac shooting at gangs to try and prevent them from entering airport grounds as scores of employees and other workers fled from whizzing bullets.

The attack on the police academy, where more than 800 cadets are training, was repelled Tuesday after the arrival of reinforcements, said Lionel Lazarre of the Haitian police union.

Last week, the airport was struck briefly by bullets amid ongoing gang attacks, but gangs did not enter the airport nor seize control of it.

The attack occurred just hours after authorities in Haiti ordered a nighttime curfew following violence in which armed gang members overran the two biggest prisons and freed thousands of inmates over the weekend.

"The secretary-general is deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs have intensified their attacks on critical infrastructure over the weekend," said U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric.  

Fire burns outside a prison in Haiti following a gang attack

Meanwhile, Haiti's prime minister landed in Puerto Rico on Tuesday. The embattled Ariel Henry, who assumed power following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, has been notably absent since the country's latest and most serious outbreak of violence started last week.

Henry has stayed silent as he crisscrosses the world, from South America to Africa, with no announced date of return.

Even a decree declaring a state of emergency and curfew to restore order lacked Henry's imprint. It was signed by his finance minister, who is serving as acting prime minister.

By Tuesday afternoon, the mystery seemed to ease after officials said Henry landed in Puerto Rico. He arrived late in the afternoon to San Juan on a chartered flight that originated in New Jersey. Tracking data showed the flight was heading toward the Dominican Republic, which shares with Haiti the island of Hispaniola, but circled mid-flight before diverting to Puerto Rico.

Hours before he arrived in Puerto Rico, the Dominican government announced that it was immediately suspending all air traffic with Haiti.

When asked Tuesday by CBS News' senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe if the U.S. knew where Henry was, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said, "I'm not aware that we have any keen sense of what his whereabouts are."

A 72-hour state of emergency began Sunday night. The government said it would try to track down the escaped inmates, including from a penitentiary were the vast majority were in pre-trial detention, with some accused of slayings, kidnappings and other crimes.

"The police were ordered to use all legal means at their disposal to enforce the curfew and apprehend all offenders," said a statement from Finance Minister Patrick Boivert, the acting prime minister.

Gangs already were estimated to control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince, the capital. They are increasingly coordinating their actions and choosing once unthinkable targets like the Central Bank.

Dujarric said the secretary-general stressed the need for urgent action, especially in providing financial support for the mission, "to address the pressing security requirements of the Haitian people and prevent the country from plunging further into chaos."

Haiti's National Police has roughly 9,000 officers to provide security for more than 11 million people, according to the U.N. They are routinely overwhelmed and outgunned.

Ulrika Richardson, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti, reported that last year saw "a very steep increase" in murders, lynchings, rape and other violence committed by gang members. This trend has continued into 2024, with January being the most violent month in two years, she added,  echoing recent findings  by the UN human rights office.

The United Nations' immigration office said at least 15,000 people had been displaced due to violence.

"Armed gangs forced us to leave our homes. They destroyed our houses, and we're on the streets," a man named Nicolas told the Reuters news agency .

"Please, please help us"

The deadly weekend marked a new low in Haiti's downward spiral of violence. At least nine people had been killed since Thursday - four of them police officers - as gangs stepped up coordinated attacks on state institutions in Port-au-Prince, including the international airport and national soccer stadium.

But the attack on the National Penitentiary late Saturday shocked Haitians. All but 98 of the 3,798 inmates being held at the penitentiary escaped, according to the Office of Citizen Protection. Meanwhile, at the Croix-des-Bouquets prison, 1,033 escaped, including 298 convicts.

The office said late Monday that it was seriously concerned about the safety of judges, prosecutors, victims, attorneys and others following the mass escape.

It added that it "deplored and condemned the policy of nonchalance" demonstrated by government officials amid the attacks.

Following the raid at the penitentiary, three bodies with gunshot wounds lay at the prison entrance Sunday.

In another neighborhood, the bloodied corpses of two men with their hands tied behind the backs lay face down as residents walked past roadblocks set up with burning tires.

Among the few dozen people who chose to stay in prison are 18 former Colombian soldiers accused of working as mercenaries in the July 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse .

"Please, please help us," one of the men, Francisco Uribe, said in a message widely shared on social media. "They are massacring people indiscriminately inside the cells."

Aftermath of a prison break at the National Penitentiary, in Port-au-Prince

Colombia's foreign ministry has called on Haiti to provide "special protection" for the men.

A second Port-au-Prince prison containing around 1,400 inmates also was overrun.

Gunfire was reported in several neighborhoods in the capital. Internet service for many residents was down on Sunday as Haiti's top mobile network said a fiber optic cable connection was slashed during the rampage.

After gangs opened fire at Haiti's international airport last week, the U.S. Embassy said it was halting all official travel to the country. On Sunday night, it urged all American citizens to depart as soon as possible.

The Biden administration, which has refused to commit troops to any multinational force for Haiti while offering money and logistical support, said it was monitoring the rapidly deteriorating security situation with grave concern.

The surge in attacks follows violent protests that turned deadlier in recent days as the prime minister went to Kenya seeking to move ahead on the proposed U.N.-backed security mission to be led by that East African country.

Henry took over as prime minister following Moise's assassination and has postponed plans to hold parliamentary and presidential elections, which haven't happened in almost a decade.

Jimmy Chérizier, a former elite police officer known as Barbecue who now runs a gang federation, has claimed responsibility for the surge in attacks. He said the goal is to capture Haiti's police chief and government ministers and prevent Henry's return.

The prime minister has shrugged off calls for him to resign and didn't comment when asked if he felt it was safe to come home.

Haitian Americans are stuck in Haiti

The U.S. State Department has issued multiple travel warnings urging Americans and State Department employees to stay put and be careful while on the island.

At Miami and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airports, all flights in and out of Haiti's two airports are canceled, CBS Miami reported . Despite many warnings, countless Haitian Americans are still on the island. For them, Haiti is home and leaving is complicated.

The sister of CBS News Miami's Tania Francois is one of those people.

"I've been stuck in my city where I'm living now for about two months," she said. "Trying to make it into Port Au Prince so I can fly to the States, and I just can't leave."

Kareen Ulysse  who operates Centre Hospitalier de Fontaine, a hospital and orphanage in Cite Soleil, a suburb of Port au Prince, is also a Haitian American working in Haiti, CBS Miami reported.

"We work literally in the ghettos for the most vulnerable people and there's no help, there's no one really standing in line to help people like them," she said.

Last August, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti closed due to gunfire nearby, after months of  ceaseless violence at the hands of gangs  drove thousands of Haitians onto the streets to demand security.

AFP contributed to this report.

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This was my first time using Travel…

This was my first time using Travel Republic. Agent was very helpful and returned call with information when he said he would. Went through options for booking and explained it all very well to me. I would recommend Travel Republic and use them again.

Date of experience : March 07, 2024

Easy to navigate site

Easy to navigate site, I use it frequently because it has a good selection of hotels in my price range.

Date of experience : March 09, 2024

Holiday booking sorted

I went on wrb page to book my apartment in Lanzarote and I wrnt to make payment it wouldnt allow me to put my address in fir billing purpose. I came out of page and said to myself I get my niece later to sort it out fir ne. Within 5 mins of leaving web page I had lovely girl who was very helpful and sorted issue straight away and completed my booking. I am so happy my holiday reservation is booked. Thank you very much looking forward to booking with you in next few months.

Date of experience : February 27, 2024

Reply from Travelrepublic

Hi Dolores Delighted to hear you are happy with the service from our team. Thank you for booking with us and for taking the time to leave a review. All the best Maria

We have booked one of the hotels in…

We have booked one of the hotels in salou with your representative. We are very happy with knowledge and help which we were provided by Vehna. Vehna was so helpful even when we were asking about renting a vehicle out there. Can not be more happy with professional service. 5 stars no doubt about it.

Date of experience : March 03, 2024

Thank you Marcin for booking with us. I will pass on your feedback to the agent Vesna she will be delighted to hear this. Kind regards Maria

The lady Joanna who took my booking was…

The lady Joanna who took my booking was excellent. .friendly, knowledgeable, helpful...she deserves 5 stars for service!

Date of experience : March 05, 2024

Thank you Berni for the shout out to the lovely Joanna , she will be delighted to hear this. Take care Maria

Easy website to book through plus only…

Easy website to book through plus only charge a small deposit. Very good prices on accommodation.

Date of experience : March 06, 2024

Hi Kay Great to hear this , thanks for booking with us. All the best Maria

I spoke to a very helpful guy who…

I spoke to a very helpful guy who answered all my questions. I forgot to mention that we are OAPs and would there be any discount for us. 😊

Date of experience : March 02, 2024

Good to hear Margo that you are happy with the service from our team. All the best Maria

Karen was so helpful she done…

Karen was so helpful she done everything over the phone and explained what I was getting all I had to do was give her my credit card details and it was done. Thanks Karen

Hi Gerard Thank you for booking with us. I will pass on your feedback to the amazing Karen. Take care Maria

Very easy to navigate and book

Very easy to navigate and book, pricing lower than other providers and cheaper than booking direct, low deposit and can amend at anytime.

Date of experience : March 01, 2024

Lovely to hear this Michelle. Thank you for being with us. Take care Maria

great booking site

the ease of booking & information give was fantastic. the fact you have a low deposit of 15 euros was great too. have used this site a few times its brillant

Date of experience : February 24, 2024

Hi Treassa Thanks for booking with us once again, it's much appreciated. All the best Maria

I love travel Republic

I love travel Republic. Is a great agency 👏. If is any issue quick solution. Lots of places to go to.

Hey Maria, thanks for booking with us again! It's great to have you onboard. All the best Maria

FAST AND EFFICIENT

Used the App which was simple and straight forward to make the booking

Date of experience : March 08, 2024

Great travel site

I’ve had many great experiences with this copsny. They are, in my experience, very god value compared with leading travel sites and often even cheaper than booking directly. They are always helpful if you have at queries and you are not spending hours on the phone if you need to speak to someone directly.

Date of experience : February 04, 2024

Thank you for your lovely review and for booking with us once again. All the best Maria

Easy site to book on.

Easy site to book on, flexible payment option

Thank you Majella for taking the time out to leave a review. Keep well Maria

Went to book a holiday

Went to book a holiday, once through to the final page, price went up by £1000+. Then called them and was told it was just an ‘error’ and that the IT department needed to ‘sort it out’ Very unhelpful and very unprofessional.

Date of experience : February 05, 2024

Hi Christopher I am sorry to hear this. We work on a live system so prices and availability can changed until you have a confirmed booking. Shortly you will receive an email asking for more information so that we can listen to the call and see if further training is needed. Take care Maria

Easy to book with Travel Republic.ie

Easy to book with Travel Republic.ie Even possible cancellations and then rebook is easy and not so costly,only 15€but will save you huge amount if the holidays is discounted in beginning of new year. In ours we save almost 1400€!!! So, very happy and also option paying later or just a deposit.

Date of experience : January 14, 2024

Hi Jerry Thank you for your booking and review. Delighted that you are happy with the price and that you find our site easy to use. Rosie

Highly recommend Travel Republic

I was going to book a hotel on booking.com the next day when I went to book it the price had doubled my friend recommended Travel Republic I got an unbelievable deal it was cheaper than the original price I got on booking.com. So thank you Travel Republic I most certainly will be booking with you again. €700 was the price difference

Date of experience : January 16, 2024

Hi Denise We do love to offer amazing prices , thank you for choosing Travel Republic. All the best Maria

First time using travel republic

First time using travel republic, so far my experience has been good found a hotel I was looking for cheaper than other sites and booking process was easy

Date of experience : February 16, 2024

Hi Michelle Thank you for choosing Travel Republic. We really appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. All the best Maria

Best value, easy to book and all the information is there for you

Glad to hear you are happy with the price Ashling. Thank you for booking on our website. All the best Maria

I attempted to pay for the hotel…

I attempted to pay for the hotel choosen. For some reason my creditcard did not go through. Travelrepublic people somehow noticed this and on their own initiative caled directly to my mobile. Everything was sorted over the phone. I got good example of Incredible service! Agent Mihai is absolutely wonderful professional! I wish you perfectly happy New Year, and significant rewards from your management!

Date of experience : December 30, 2023

Hi Sergej Wonderful to hear that you are happy with the service. I will pas on your feedback to Mihai who will be delighted to hear this. All the best Maria

What to expect as Red Sox face Rays in two-game…

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What to expect as red sox face rays in two-game series in dominican republic.

Rafael Devers and the Red Sox will play a two-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays this weekend in the Dominican Republic. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

This weekend the Red Sox get a break from the usual spring routine in Fort Myers, as the club travels to the Dominican Republic for a two-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays in Santo Domingo.

The exhibition series marks the first stop on MLB’s World Tour, which will also feature regular season series in Seoul, Mexico City and London in the coming months. This weekend’s games will take place at Estadio Quisqueya, with first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m. ET on Saturday and 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday.

The Red Sox will be the visiting team Saturday and the road team Sunday. Both games will be carried by NESN and WEEI 93.7 FM.

This weekend will mark a homecoming for current Red Sox stars like Rafael Devers and Brayan Bello, both Dominican Republic natives, and should also highlight the longstanding connection between the franchise and the baseball-loving nation. Of the five Dominican-born players to be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame, four spent time with the Red Sox, those being David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez, Adrian Beltre and Juan Marichal.

Ortiz and Martinez will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 on Saturday, and Dominican artist El Alfa will take the mound before Game 2.

Numerous other Dominican celebrities and performers will be featured over the course of the weekend as well. Award-winning recording artist Natti Natasha will serve as the Series Ambassador, and TV personality Jhoel Lopez and actress Gabi Desangles will serve as in-game hosts for both games. Singer-songwriter Manny Cruz and Bachata artist Zacarias Ferreira will perform the Dominican Republic’s national anthem prior to Games 1 and 2, respectively, and La Coral Mixta Domínico-Americana, a mixed chorus based in Santo Domingo, will perform “The Star Spangled Banner” before both games.

Prior to Saturday’s game, members of the Red Sox and Rays will participate in a Play Ball event for local youth from the Nike RBI Dominicana league in Santo Domingo.

Locally, the Red Sox will host a free community watch party at Terra Luna Cafe in Lawrence, a local Dominican-owned restaurant. According to the Red Sox the party will include photo opportunities with the World Series trophies, complimentary food and non-alcoholic beverages, music and other activities. All fans will also receive two free tickets to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park on April 10 or April 11, when the club hosts the Baltimore Orioles for the first homestand of the season.

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Sneak peek: Iconic Las Vegas hotel brand to open its 1st Arizona location. Here's where

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A years-in-the-making hotel from an iconic Las Vegas brand is opening soon in Arizona.

Caesars Republic Scottsdale will make its debut on Tuesday, March 6, opening across from Scottsdale Fashion Square.

The 11-floor hotel has 265 guest rooms, 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space, two pools with cabanas, a rooftop bar and lounge overlooking Camelback Mountain and two restaurants from celebrity chef Giada de Laurentiis,  her first in Arizona .

Bringing the Caesars Entertainment brand to Arizona was a matter of meeting customers where they are, said Richard Huffman, CEO of the Branson, Missouri-based HCW Development, which owns and manages Caesars Republic Scottsdale.

He said metro Phoenix residents are among the biggest customers of its Las Vegas resorts including its flagship Caesars Palace hotel and casino.

Here's what Caesars Republic guests can expect from the new hotel, and why a casino isn't one of them.

What's inside Caesars Republic Scottsdale guest rooms

The hotel has:

  • 159 one-king rooms.
  • 73 two-queen rooms.
  • Five penthouse suites.
  • 28 luxury suites. These include a bridal suite with mirrors, salon-style hair sinks and a champagne cabinet, plus wellness suites with Peloton bikes and yoga mats.

Each room has a view of the city and the surrounding landscape, including Camelback Mountain to the northwest and the McDowell Mountains to the northeast.

Rooms will have a bar equipped with wine glasses, martini shakers and drinks for purchase.

They also have voice-activated blackout shades, lights, TVs and room service, plus energy-efficient features like automated shade.

Caesars Republic Scottsdale's indoor, outdoor event spaces

Caesars Republic Scottsdale has 20,000 square feet of event space, including a column-free ballroom, five meeting rooms and an executive board room that seats up to 16.

There are also options for outdoor gatherings, including the seventh-floor pool deck and an eighth-floor veranda, which both integrate views of Camelback Mountain. Huffman said the veranda is an ideal spot for wedding ceremonies.

Between the event space and the bridal suite, Caesars Republic seeks to position itself as a must-stay hotel for weddings. He said 23 weddings are already booked.

Why there's no casino at Caesars Republic Scottsdale

One amenity you won't find at Caesars Republic Scottsdale is one that people commonly associate with the Caesars brand.

It's the first Caesars hotel without a casino.

Huffman said the reason is simple: Casinos are only legal in Arizona on tribal land.

The hotel does have a space for mobile sports betting on the seventh floor.

Caesars Republic and more: Biggest hotel openings and renos in Arizona in 2024

How much does it cost to stay at Caesars Republic Scottsdale?

Caesars Republic Scottsdale rates range from $379 to $1,300 per night through the spring. The highest rates were found on April 5 and 6, coinciding with the NCAA Final Four.

We found rates as low as $159 per night during the summer. Rates for the high season in the winter months start at $529 per night.

Huffman expects the hotel will attract a nationwide customer base, mostly affluent travelers in their 30s and up.

Why Caesars Republic chose Scottsdale for its 1st hotel

Caesars Republic is entering Scottsdale during a time when tourism is thriving there.

Scottsdale drew about 6 million overnight visitors (4.8 million domestic travelers and 1.2 million international travelers) in 2022, with domestic travel besting prepandemic levels, according to an October 2023 tourism study citing data from Longwoods International and Tourism Economics. Travelers had an economic impact of $3.2 billion through their local spending.

Recognition from TripAdvisor is making a difference, too. Scottsdale is one of two Arizona cities ranked among the most popular destinations for 2024 in the travel website's Travelers' Choice Awards.

Scottsdale Fashion Square is Scottsdale's most significant economic engine, a one-stop destination for shopping, dining and entertainment, said David Hyatt, Fashion Square's director of property.

What it lacked was a hotel, a void now filled.

"It was synonymous with helping people have everything they want at their fingertips," Hyatt said.

The customer demographics at Caesars' Las Vegas hotels informed the decision to open a Caesars property in Scottsdale. Huffman said Scottsdale was the No. 6 location where Caesars customers traveled from. (Los Angeles was No. 1.)

Having a Caesars hotel in Arizona will let customers earn more Caesars Rewards points, he said. Members of the rewards club can get perks such as free parking in Las Vegas .

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at  [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:  @salerno_phx .

Support local journalism.   Subscribe to  azcentral.com  today.

American Airlines passenger dies after medical emergency on Charlotte-bound flight

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A commercial passenger flight bound for North Carolina was diverted to an island southeast of the Bahamas Wednesday after a woman on board suffered a medical emergency and died, police said.

The  Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force reported the commercial flight was heading to Charlotte when a 41-year-old woman fell ill.

American Airlines flight 2790 departed from Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic before it was diverted to Providenciales International Airport "for the medical needs of a passenger," a spokesperson for the airline said in a statement obtained by USA TODAY.

Just before 6:15 p.m., police said, officers received a call from Air Traffic Control Tower requesting medical assistance for the woman who, at the time, was receiving CPR.

South Carolina bride killing: Driver accused in fatal golf cart crash on wedding day now free on bond

Autopsy to determine woman's cause of death

A medical team, along with police units, were dispatched, and the woman was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

An autopsy was slated to be performed to determine the woman's cause of death, authorities said.

The flight continued to Charlotte the following day, the airline spokesperson said.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

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Travel Republic   Reviews

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Reviews 4.7.

74,951 total

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Finding a suitable hotel and where we wanted to go was easy when using the filters. There is lots of information on all the hotels etc. Booking the flights was just as easy with lots of different options. We paid an extra £50 each to get an early morning flight out and a night time flight home. Very reasonable we think. The whole process was really easy. I would recommend Travel Republic.

Date of experience : 29 February 2024

Reply from Travel Republic

Glad to hear you found it easy to book on our website Nicki, and thank you for recommending us to others. Take care Maria

Amazing website

There website is east to use and prices are what yoy pay bo hidden ciat

Date of experience : 05 March 2024

Don't think, just book

The site had the flights I needed and offered a range of accommodation to choose from. I was disappointed that the price of the holiday had gone up since I was browsing last night.

Date of experience : 06 March 2024

Hi Moira Thank you for your booking and review. We work on a live systems so prices and availability can change until your booking is confirmed. Take care Maria

It was so easy to navigate your website…

It was so easy to navigate your website and we got very competitive price. Your customer service is excellent and very helpful.

Date of experience : 11 February 2024

Wonderful to hear this Al-Karim. Thank you for your booking. Take care Maria

Great prices on a wide selection of…

Great prices on a wide selection of holidays. Easy to book and customise!

Date of experience : 08 March 2024

Would have given five star however not…

Would have given five star however not able to complete booking online do you system issue. Fay in sales was excellent. Disappointed to be charged admin fee after agreeing final price.

Hi Paul Sorry to hear you had difficult booking online, glad to hear that Faye helped you, if you need anything else our team is always here to help. All the best Maria

Before booking online I phoned and…

Before booking online I phoned and spoke to a representative who was very helpful and answered all my queries. Made everything so much easier.

Date of experience : 03 March 2024

Delighted to hear Diana that you are happy with the service from our team. Keep well Maria

Avoid at all costs

Avoid at all costs. They cancelled my reservation after 2 days. Told me the hotel had no availability, even though they already took the booking and payment. Long story short, I now have to wait 3 to 5 days for a refund and I travel on the 7th March (today is the 4th). Good job I’ve got enough money to be able to book elsewhere before I receive the refund otherwise I would be sleeping on the street. On the subject of booking elsewhere, I did exactly that directly with the hotel rather than a 3rd party like these lot and for less money. Funny that, when you consider they told me the hotel had no availability I mean. This is the first time I’ve used them since they pulled the same stunt about 10 years ago. Obviously I wont be using them again. Lesson here is book direct whenever possible and tou can save yourself a lot of stress and possibly some money too.

Date of experience : 04 March 2024

Hi Jamie I am sorry to hear this As we work on a live system, all of our prices and availability are subject to change until you receive confirmation with the providers reference number. I am sorry that you experienced this. We are constantly updating our website to decrease the occurrence of this however due to the nature of the live system we are not able to prevent this fully. We work with providers not directly with the hotels and on this occasion the provider did not have anymore availability , this does not always mean that the hotel is full. Once again our sincere apologies . Take care Maria

Plenty of options available with prices to suit all

Easy to search and plenty of filter options to narrow multiple results. A shame it was not possible to change flight options on selected flight i.e. wanted to upgrade to higher luggage allowance but not obvious if this was possible. Good prices and discounts on offer. Used company several times with no issues.

Hi Kristi Great to hear you find our site easy to use when searching for a holiday. Thanks for being with us. All the best Maria

T R Booking Error

We booked 2 rooms and received 2 room vouchers from TR. On arrival at hotel we were told only 1 room was booked. Hotel had not accepted the second booking because they were full. The hotel managed to move guests around so that we could have 2 rooms.

***Update*** Hi Andy Thank you for supplying your reference. I am glad that the hotel was able to give you the two rooms as you had booked , but can understand how upsetting this was on your arrival. These two rooms were confirmed with our providers and two separate references supplied on your confirmation. I have had a look at your booking and can't see that you contacted Our 24hr in resort team so that they would have had the chance to be able to help you. I will pass this over to our In resort team so that they can reach out to you. Take care Maria **Update Ends** Hi Andy I am sorry to hear this Unfortunately, you haven't provided your booking reference number. You will shortly receive an email asking for more information to enable us to investigate this for you. Kind regards Maria

Nice and easy....

Found a nice holiday....booked a nice holiday...hopefully enjoy a nice holiday..what more can I say..cheers travel Republic...

Thank you for booking with us Raymond. We will ask you again for your feedback once you return from your holiday. Take care Maria

Highly recommended

It was easy to navigate, the price was great, the correspondence immaculate and fast.

So easy to choose accommodation and…

So easy to choose accommodation and suitable flight times. Holidays are competitively priced, and all with atol protection. Never had a problem booking with this company.

Glad to see Julie you like booking on our website, thanks for being with us. Take care Maria

I was deliberating on booking with TR…

I was deliberating on booking with TR as some of the descriptions were unclear about the rooms compared to a another provider. The call I received proactively was helpful to understand the packages and secured me a better deal.

Date of experience : 01 March 2024

Thank you for your booking Esther. Glad to hear you are happy with the service from our team. All the best Maria

Would recommend

Have booked many holidays through travel republic. Never had any issues with refunds, cancellations (Covid time), queries always dealt with promptly and I find them competitive. Would highly recommend.

Date of experience : 26 February 2024

Thank you Michelle for your lovely review and for booking with us once again. Rosie

Good and resonable deals, good choice and easy to use the site. I have looked elsewhere and the choice of flights and the price are better.

Hi Shyam Thank you for your booking and for taking the time out of your day to leave a review. Take care Maria

The assistant was very good and…

The assistant was very good and helpful.. Will book again in September because of her professional advice..

It was the lovely Vesna you spoke with I will ensure she gets to see your feedback. All the best Maria

My booking was fairly simple and…Me? I'm okay, just a warning to others

My booking was fairly simple and straight forward BUT having browsed through your website, I note, with some dismay, that you are still showing a picture of a swimming pool area for the HOURIA HOTEL which does not belong to them.

Date of experience : 24 February 2024

Thank you for your booking. I will pass on your feedback to the relevant team regarding swimming pool image. Take care Maria

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️excellent service I booked…

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️excellent service I booked fullboard by mistake and when I emailed them to tell them I want all inclusive it was changed very swiftly

Hi Kamel Thank you for your booking and review. Our team is always here to help. All the best Maria

This was a great price for…

This was a great price for accommodation in Cyprus

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Reviews 4.7.

74,951 total

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Best travel company ever

Always efficient and friendly /helpful. Above all, when a flight was cancelled, we called them as there were no more flights for another week to our destination, and they refunded our entire holiday on the spot before we even left the airport. Fantastic company, been using them for years. Just booked two more holidays with them.

Date of experience : March 07, 2024

The test of a good company

I always say that the test of a good company is how they react when something goes wrong. We did have an issue with the transport and, although, Travel Republic were initially slow to react, they came up trumps in the end with a very fair resolution

Date of experience : February 02, 2024

I decided to book an online holiday to Marbella Spain

I decided to book an online holiday to Marbella via Travel Republic with a certain hotel in mind.I was in the process of making a payment on the trip when I received a phone call from Anna who works for Travel Republic Customer Services.She was very helpful in helping me book the trip and explained how to book the actual seats on the airlines for which I needed extra leg room.She took my payment on the phone and confirmed all was booked with the trip.She also asked if I had any special requests for the hotel and said she would forward them onto the hotel.I was very impressed with the level of service and will definitely book with them again.

Date of experience : March 05, 2024

Reply from Travel Republic

Hi Paul Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I will pass on your lovely feedback to Anna she will over the moon to see this. If you need anything else our team is always here to help. All the best Maria

Good company

Good company, had a fantastic stay at Rixos Bab Al Bahr, prices are good, paperwork came through all clear on what to do at Dubai airport, transfers very gòod, would book with them again.

Date of experience : February 11, 2024

Hi Robert Thank you for your review , delighted to hear you had a lovely holiday. Take care Maria

The ease of booking will astound you

I managed to find my apart/hotel within minutes of going onto the site. The fact that you can secure your room with a small deposit ( just £15) with other options for paying the balance. In this financial climate it is absolutely fantastic. It's a fail safe site.

Date of experience : February 29, 2024

Hi Georgina Thank you for your booking and for taking the time out to leave a review. All the best Maria

Trustworthy

I always use Travel Republic to book a holiday. The few times there have been blips during the travelling, Travel Republic has always been at the end of a phone and sorted things.

Date of experience : March 09, 2024

Booked a holiday on wed for may 2024

Booked a holiday on wed for may 2024. First time booking online and was quite surprised how easy it was. Easy to follow instructions so far very pleased

I have really good experience with this…

I have really good experience with this website. It means staffs are very friendly and helpful. I will recommend this website for my friends. Thank you.

Very responsive - great customer service

Very responsive at booking - understood my particular issues quickly and worked quickly to book the holiday. Such a nice change to deal with - customer service at its best

Date of experience : March 06, 2024

Delighted to hear David you are happy with the service from our team, thank you for choosing Travel Republic. Take care Maria

George your representative was very professional and made sure he dotted the eyes and crossed the tees.He also laughed at my jokes which really was a bonus.

Hi Margaret Thank you for your booking and for the shout out to George I will ensure he gets to see your feedback. All the best Maria

Awful experience

My worst hotel experience. Paid entire hotel reservation when I arrived the hotel said they had no booking or payment. Ended up having to rebook directly with them and essentially paying twice.

Date of experience : December 28, 2023

Hi Zack I am sorry to hear this Unfortunately, you haven't provided your booking reference number. You will shortly receive an email asking for more information to enable us to investigate this for you. Kind regards Maria

Excellent customer service and prices

Excellent customer service and prices. I always book through Travel Republic and find they can't be beaten on price or service.

Date of experience : March 04, 2024

Originally i had booked an apartment…

Originally i had booked an apartment and I decided to cancel therefore triggering a cancellation fee which i am happy to report TR waivered . Loyalty means a lot to myself which is why TR are my favoured site when we go abroad .

Date of experience : January 07, 2024

Hi Paul Thank you for taking the time out of your day to leave a review. Take care Maria

Good customer service

The enquiry / booking process over the phone was really good with clear and concise information both about the report we wanted to visit and about the process of booking it when speaking to the agent. Really helpful

Date of experience : March 03, 2024

Thank you for your booking Mark. Glad to hear you are happy with the service from our team. All the best Maria

I always use travel republic two or…

I always use travel republic two or three times a year .Always easy to use and to print off vouchers etc .

Fantastic personal touch

Fantastic personal touch which made all the difference I spoke to a extremely helpful advisor who went through every stage in booking a holiday for a family group and made it simple and easy.

Thank you Geoffrey for your booking. It was the lovely Karen you spoke with I will make sure she gets to see your feedback. Take care Maria

Great Price Shame about the New Search Style

Great price as always BUT website changes not user friendly! Having used this site for over a decade, the new style search and that hotels not available show (you find out when you click book room, whether it is available) is not ideal. Overall still a good reputable company we will continue to use / recommend.

Date of experience : March 02, 2024

Hi Renato Thank you for your booking, and for taking the time to leave your feedback we really do appreciate this. All the best Maria

Quick, straight forward and best price around.

Quick straight forward booking and the best price around. Had to call them to change my contact details,(my fault:-) this was done straight away. Only downside was their automated phone system didn’t work that great, none of the selections worked.

Hi Steve Thank you for booking with us . We really appreciate you taking the time to leave your feedback. Take care Maria

The write up for our accomodation was…

The write up for our accomodation was spot on. Making the initial payment was easy also. The app is easy to follow and the added comments section give it an all round better feel to booking up. Would use again. 5 star 🌟

Date of experience : February 28, 2024

Thank you for booking with us Paul Delighted that you liked booking on our App. We look forward to hearing from you again in the near future. Take care Maria

Best deal cheapest on Internet really…

Best deal cheapest on Internet really easy booking system too

Date of experience : March 08, 2024

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Is this your business?

TravelRepublic has a rating of 1.59 stars from 32 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about TravelRepublic most frequently mention customer service problems. TravelRepublic ranks 425th among Vacation sites.

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Critical highlights

  • Still chasing, worse supplier travel republic deals with ( yalago Dubai agency).

“Value for money holiday”

I have been using Travel Republic since 2011 1-3 times a year and have never had a problem with them and so easy to book and pay for. 2016 they emailed me to say they couldn't let us stay at the sol pelicanos as they were filming Benidorm and they made a mistake booking us in. They put us in the Melia which turned out to be 5 star luxury. They went over and above. Got refunded in full for our cancelled June holiday this year 2020 with no problem. Have booked up for 26 February 2021. Fingers crossed. Marcus.

“Arrived to find Hotel Booking Unpaid”

Absolutely diabolical service - I arrived at the hotel to find the accommodation was not paid for and the hotel chain has had such a bad experience with the accommodation supplier (who I believe is owned by the same group as TR) that they asked me to pay for the accommodation again. This is despite yourselves having taken the money from myself 1 month earlier. Fortunately i was able to cover the hotel bill with my credit card but not everybody may be able to do that. It was a 4 day stay and Travel Republic finally paid on the 4th day

Reviews (32)

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About the business

Book cheap hotels, flights and holidays to destinations worldwide with Travel Republic. ABTA bonded, with 316365 hotels and 221 airlines.

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  • Vacation , Hotels
  • Kingston Upon Thames, SRY, United Kingdom
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COMMENTS

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    Travel Republic. Travel Republic were good to deal with, however not very accommodating if you want to change dates etc, they only allow 14 days cancellation which isn't great for a holiday that is booked 7/8 months in advance. All information was provided before travelling. Date of experience: February 28, 2024.

  22. 32 Reviews of Travelrepublic.co.uk

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