AGP Executive Report

Prague in the spotlight: The city made a top-10 ranking of Halloween party destinations, while a travel survey put Czech beer among Europe’s cheapest, averaging about £1.74. Winter connections: CzechTourism and Jazeera Airways have marked the launch of the first winter flights to Prague. Vietjet is also opening a Hanoi–Prague service via Almaty, adding a new link from Southeast Asia. A new hotel stay: Kempinski plans to reopen Prague’s Augustine Hotel in early 2027. Local stories in English: Prague’s Henry & Simon podcast is bringing Czech culture and business voices to audiences who may not usually hear their stories.

Rail Travel: Czech Railways is offering groups of two to five a 25% discount on selected November journeys when tickets are booked together online. Prague has also signed a CZK 165 billion deal for new commuter trains, a major boost to regional rail capacity. New Air Links: Jazeera Airways is launching its first winter flights to Prague, while Vietjet’s new Prague–Hanoi service via Almaty adds another link between Czechia and Asia. Affordable Czech Breaks: A new holiday ranking puts Czechia among Europe’s cheapest destinations for beer, citing an average price of about £1.74 a pint and highlighting Prague’s beer tradition.

Rail Deals: České dráhy is offering groups of two to five a 25% discount on selected November journeys; tickets are on sale online. Airport Outlook: Prague Airport retained its Aa3 credit rating with a stable outlook, supporting plans for long-term investment. Easier Visa Access: A new centre in Guwahati, India, will accept applications for Czech visas alongside those for 13 other countries, making the process more accessible to travellers from Northeast India. New Connections: Jazeera Airways is launching Prague’s first winter flights with the carrier, while European Sleeper’s new booking service links the UK with Prague and other European cities. Prague Visitor Tips: Police data show violent offences cluster in a small number of central streets, including Wilsonova, Plzeňská and Sokolovská; separately, the city’s removal of taxi fare caps has renewed concerns about tourist overcharging.

New Air Links: CzechTourism and Jazeera Airways marked the first winter flights to Prague, while Vietjet’s new Prague–Hanoi service via Almaty adds another long-haul connection. Prague Hotels: Kempinski plans to reopen the historic Augustine Hotel in Malá Strana in early 2027, following an extensive renovation. Winter Breaks: Prague is among the most popular city-break choices for UK travellers this winter, as festive markets drive demand for short trips. Tourist Experience: Prague has scrapped taxi fare caps, reviving concerns about scams and the need for visitors to check fares before riding.

Prague Hotels: Kempinski plans to reopen the historic Augustine Hotel in Malá Strana in early 2027, following a major renovation of the 13th-century monastery complex. More Flights to Czechia: Jazeera Airways will run twice-weekly Kuwait–Prague flights from Dec. 17 to Feb. 7, while easyJet is adding a twice-weekly Lille–Prague route from Oct. 28. Vietjet has also launched Hanoi–Prague services via Almaty, its first route into the EU. Getting Around: Prague is urging Signal Festival visitors to use public transport as the city prepares for the busy event.

New Winter Connections: Jazeera Airways will fly twice weekly between Kuwait and Prague from Dec. 17 to Feb. 7, adding direct access for winter-market and holiday trips. Vietjet has also launched Hanoi–Almaty–Prague services, opening a new link between the Vietnamese capital and Czechia. Prague This Weekend: The Pankrác tram depot opens to visitors on Oct. 17, with historic and modern trams, workshop demonstrations and free admission. Getting Around: Prague has scrapped taxi fare caps, reviving concerns about tourist scams; visitors should check prices before setting off.

Air Links: Vietjet has launched twice-weekly Hanoi–Almaty–Prague flights, opening a new route between the Czech capital and Southeast Asia via Kazakhstan. Winter Flights: Ryanair is increasing service on 13 Edinburgh routes, including Prague, as it expands its winter schedule. Czech Holidays: The first Czech charter flight to Salalah has arrived with 150 tourists, adding a new option for holidaymakers. Visitor Advice: Prague has scrapped taxi fare caps, renewing concerns about scams; travellers should check fares before setting off. EU Travel: The delayed €20 ETIAS waiver is not yet open for applications, and travellers are warned to avoid unofficial sites.

Czech Travel Market: The first Czech charter of the winter season landed in Oman’s Salalah carrying 150 tourists, renewing links between Czech travellers and the Dhofar region. New Air Links: Vietjet has launched Prague–Hanoi flights via Almaty, its first route into the EU; Prague is also gaining a new Almaty connection, while Baku–Prague flights are due to rise 14% in 2026. Prague Visitor Experience: The city has scrapped taxi fare caps, reviving concerns about tourist scams. Signal Festival is urging visitors to use public transport, while Prague has scored highly in visitor ratings for satisfaction and service quality. Czech Attractions: Prague Castle’s Golden Lane is getting a makeover, and a scenic Czech train route is drawing attention as rail travel gains momentum.

Air Links: Vietjet launched its first European service on Oct. 10, connecting Prague and Hanoi twice weekly via Almaty; passengers can also book the Prague–Almaty leg. What’s On: Prague’s Signal Festival runs Oct. 15–18, with light installations across the city, including a projection on the Old Town Hall tower. Rail Travel: Czech Railways carried 85.5 million passengers in the first half of 2026, up 6.8% year on year. Winter Markets: A new rail-focused guide highlights Pilsen’s market as a more local, less crowded alternative to Prague’s festive crowds.

Travel Alerts: Czech authorities advise against transiting through Saudi airports after attacks in Riyadh; travelers should seek shelter during alarms and avoid incident sites. Prague Events: Signal Festival runs 15–18 October across the city centre and Dejvice. Expect crowds and possible traffic disruption, especially from 7 to 9 pm; the city recommends using the metro. New Flights: Vietjet has launched twice-weekly Prague–Hanoi flights via Almaty, opening a new scheduled link between the Czech capital and Vietnam. Air Links: Flights between Baku and Prague are expected to rise 14% in 2026, supporting tourism and business travel. Rail Demand: Czech Railways carried 85.5 million passengers in the first half of the year, up 6.8% year on year.

Prague Festival Travel: Signal Festival runs Oct. 15–18 across 17 sites in the city centre and Dejvice. Expect evening crowds and possible traffic restrictions; the city recommends taking the metro and exploring on foot. New Air Link: Vietjet has launched twice-weekly Prague–Hanoi flights, with a stop in Almaty, opening new options for visitors and business travellers. Taxi Watch: Prague’s removal of taxi fare caps has revived concerns about tourist overcharging. The industry warning of fares reaching tens of thousands of crowns is a prediction, not proof of new cases. Tourism Spotlight: Prague ranked ahead of Vienna and Berlin for visitor satisfaction and service quality. Meanwhile, Irish-trained Final Orders won the Velká pardubická, giving trainer Gavin Cromwell back-to-back victories in the Czech race.

Prague Fares: The city has scrapped taxi fare caps, prompting warnings from the Czech Confederation of Commerce and Tourism that unchecked prices could expose visitors to excessive charges and harm Prague’s reputation. Pardubice Racing: Irish-trained Final Orders won the €175,000 Velká Pardubická on Sunday, giving trainer Gavin Cromwell back-to-back victories in one of Czechia’s best-known races. New Air Link: Vietjet launched twice-weekly Prague–Hanoi flights, with a stop in Almaty, on October 10. Prague Airport expects more than 67,000 passengers to use the route in its first year. Visitor Appeal: Prague scored highly for tourist satisfaction and service quality, outperforming Vienna and Berlin in a new visitor ranking.

Spa Escapes: Mariánské Lázně is in the spotlight as a restorative autumn break, with mineral springs, historic colonnades and a grand spa hotel. The West Bohemian town is part of a UNESCO-listed network of European spa towns. Getting Around Prague: From October 11, tram services between Nákladové nádraží Žižkov and Ohrada are suspended during nearly ten weeks of track works; replacement services and diversions are in place. Visitor Appeal: Prague outscored Vienna and Berlin in visitor ratings, while Czechia is reported to be breaking tourism records. Landmark Updates: Prague Castle’s Golden Lane is getting a makeover, and the grassy square beside the Dancing House is set to be paved after heavy tourist footfall.

Prague Transport: Tram works in Žižkov begin Sunday, 11 October, disrupting nine routes until 18 December; replacement services will run. Visitor Experience: Prague scored 92.7 out of 100 for tourist satisfaction, ahead of Vienna and Berlin. Visitor spending from key overseas markets rose 18% in the first half of 2026, while visitor numbers grew about 1%. City Attractions: St Nicholas Bell Tower has a new interactive exhibition, while Prague Castle’s Golden Lane is getting a makeover. A grassy square beside the Dancing House is also set to be paved amid heavy tourist footfall. Accommodation: New lodging units are entering the market in riverside Braník. Travel Trends: Egypt’s coast is leading Czech holiday bookings ahead of the five-day school break.

Prague Visitor Appeal: Prague scored 92.7 out of 100 for visitor satisfaction, ahead of Vienna and Berlin. Visitor spending from key foreign markets rose 18% in the first half of 2026, while visitor numbers increased by about 1%. Getting Around: From Sunday, 11 October, tram service between Nákladové nádraží Žižkov and Ohrada will be suspended until 18 December for track upgrades. Nine routes will be affected, with replacement services provided. Rail Links: A new booking tool lets travellers combine Eurostar tickets with European Sleeper connections to Prague and other destinations, making onward journeys from London easier to plan. Prague Sights: The city’s Golden Lane at Prague Castle is getting a makeover, adding another update to one of the capital’s best-known visitor attractions.

Visitor Experience: Prague scored 92.7 out of 100 for tourist satisfaction, beating Vienna and Berlin. Visitor spending from key foreign markets rose 18% in the first half of 2026, while visitor numbers grew about 1%. New Air Link: Vietjet is launching Hanoi–Prague flights on October 10, expanding direct connectivity between the Czech capital and Asia. Easier Rail Planning: A new booking tool lets travellers combine Eurostar trips from London with European Sleeper connections to Prague and other destinations. New Attraction: Prague’s St Nicholas Bell Tower has opened an interactive exhibition exploring its history as a fire lookout and communist-era surveillance post. Rail Disruptions: Construction near Říčany will shorten some S9 services from October 12 to November 3; check schedules before travelling southeast of Prague. Tourism Growth: Czechia recorded an 18% year-on-year rise in air-travel bookings between May 2025 and April 2026, with tourism interest extending beyond Prague.