36 TRAVEL TRADE UPDATES


November/December 2020 Travel News “Real Hope That Some Assistance


may be Forthcoming” Says ANITA R


EPRESENTATIVES from ANITA (Association of Northern Ireland Travel Agents) say that “real hope that some assistance may be forthcoming” after meeting with Northern Irelands First Minister, Deputy First Minister and Finance Minister on November 3. Damian Murphy from Terra Travel said after the meeting: “This was an important step in our campaign to get a tailored support package for the Northern Ireland Travel Industry.


“Myself, Richard Cooper from Carefree travel and


Tracie Duffy from Crumlin Travel met for almost an hour today with ministers from the Executive for what proved to be a constructive and very positive meeting. “First Minister Arleen Foster thanked us for our comprehensive presentation saying we had presented a compelling case for support. We made it clear that we represented everyone involved in the industry here in Northern Ireland and outlined in great detail the effect the pandemic has had on us.


“We answered several questions put to us afterwards and were able to talk through a lot of the issues we are faced with at present. We know it may take A while to pull all the information together that they now require but we left the meeting knowing that they now understand our industry better and with real hope that some assistance may be forthcoming.”


THE Director of the Spanish Tourist Board has reflected on the past year as he looks ahead to 2021.


INDUSTRY MATTERS WITH PETER MCMINN


ANITA are hopeful that help with be forthcoming for the stricken travel industry after their meeting with Stormont Ministers


Spanish Tourist Board Director Reflects on 2020 epidemiological


Javier Pinanes, Director of the Spanish


Tourist Office in the UK, reflects on the year for Spanish Tourism and looks ahead to 2021: “There is no doubt that this year has been a challenging one for global tourism and while we have seen casualties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel industry has demonstrated its commitment and effort to rapidly adapt to new scenarios.


“Spanish authorities have acted swiftly and decisively to take controlled measures to contain the virus. The tourism sector itself has also made a huge effort to adapt quickly and implement measures that guarantee visitor safety and ensure that we are in a position to receive tourists while reducing the spread of COVID-19. “Work is continually being carried out between the Spanish and British authorities and with the support of the tourism sector so that decisions are made or adjusted based exclusively on


criteria. A success of


which was seen when the Canary Islands were added to the UK travel corridors list having been deemed ready to receive visitors thanks to the low COVID-19 infection rate and an extensive review of the islands’ safety procedures and tourism infrastructure.


It is unfortunate that


the UK entered into a second national lockdown before


the Canaries could


really capitalise on the surge in demand, however the more regionalised approach taken to establish this travel corridor bodes well for Spanish destinations with lower case rates.


“Our outlook for the next year is an optimistic one as we are now more equipped than ever to control the virus and receive tourists with their safety being our highest priority. The Spanish government, together with the regional authorities, local councils, tourism municipalities and other bodies will continue to work intensely to control the virus and reinforce the image of Spain as a safe destination.”


ABTA Chief Issues a Warning Over Furlough Scheme


MARK Tanzer, ABTA Chief has warned that the extension of the furlough scheme as it is currently, will not save business in the travel sector. Tanzer’s warning came in light of the fact that travel agencies need to concentrate


on re-bookings


“Without the flexibility in furlough and tailored support for the sector, travel agents and tour operators face more brutal months ahead with little or no ability to sell holidays but mounting costs and rising redundancies.”


and


refunding customers and businesses will not qualify for financial support. Mark Tanzer said: “It is time this Government stepped up and supported the UK travel industry. Other sectors who have been hit hard by the pandemic have received tailored support from the Government – but travel has been left waiting in spite of clear evidence of the harm that is being done,” Tanzer said. “While the extension of furlough may seem positive on the face of it, it needs to be much more flexible for it to make a difference to jobs and businesses in the travel sector. “Taking into account that staff will have to work on re-bookings and refunds but won’t be generating any income.


Government Criticised


EASYJET Holidays CEO, Garry Wilson, has spoken of his disappointment at the government for their failure to consult with the travel trade before the announcement of yet another lockdown was announced.


He said: “The steps the government


has taken, which effectively prevents leisure air travel from the UK, has caused further disappointment for our customers who have been looking forward to well-earned holidays, many of whom have already faced disruption following the inconsistency of Covid-19 policies across the UK.”


2021 Live and Virtual Events Announced


THE NI Travel News Events Team are working to bring you a great program of Events for 2021 both live and virtual. With the latest Big Event, NI Travel & Tourism Awards and Trade forum having to be postponed due to current Covid-19 restrictions… the events team are ready and waiting to take off as soon as we can do so! We specialise in bringing the local NI travel Trade


together with travel suppliers from all sectors of the industry. If you are a travel supplier keen to make a connection with the Travel Trade here in NI, get in touch… Specialising in live events, NI Travel News Events have years of experience, hosting two of the


biggest travel networking events in Northern Ireland, The NI Travel & Tourism Awards and The BIG Travel Trade Event. We have an extensive database of Northern Ireland Travel Agents contacts and we are NI’s Premier Travel Multimedia & Events platform. All of our events follow health and safety protocols, social distancing rules & are kept in line with government guidance at the time of the event. Delegate and guest’s safety is paramount. If you are a local Travel agent that would like to hear more about our upcoming trade events – get in touch! 2021 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY


• 2nd, 3rd, 4th March 2021 – NITN Events On Tour


(Belfast, Portadown, Derry/L’derry) • 8th& 9th June 2021 – The BIG Travel Trade Event (Hilton Templepatrick) • 14th, 15th, 16th September 2021 – NITN Events On Tour (Belfast, Portadown, Derry/L’derry) 15th October 2021 – NI Travel & Tourism Awards 2021 (Slieve Donard, Newcastle)


The Contacts you need:


• Paula@nitravelnews.com (Event Manager • Chelsea@nitravelnews.com (Event Co-Ordinator) • Telephone: 02890 666151 • nitravelnews.com/events


Peter McMinn, Managing Director, Travel Solutions


forward to in 2021… W


Q: So Peter, the travel industry have really been caught in the thick of the storm recently. How do you see the industry moving forward?


A: The team at Travel Solutions understand that many of our customers are apprehensive about travelling at this time, and this isn’t helped by the ever changing guidance being offered by the government – both at Westminster and at Stormont. But things will change and once the confidence to travel returns we need to be ready to meet the demand, with great choice and great value holidays.


Q: Travel Solutions have some really exciting plans for future travel that give us all something to look forward to. Can you tell us a bit about what’s up and coming?


A: Travel Solutions are known for introducing


new product to the local holiday market and we are determined to maintain the reputation of leading from the front. In recent weeks we have re-introduced our escorted coach tours and our 2021 programme is available and we are taking bookings. Customer feedback has been excellent, and only last week we launched


our new Lake Garda summer holiday programme which has been well received with great feedback from our travel agency partners.


We are continuing to research new destinations and will have some more great news very shortly. The Northern Ireland holidaymaker will start to travel again soon and Travel Solutions will be ready to meet demand.


Q: The travel industry are really pulling together to call for positive support during uncertain times; ANITA are rallying for support. What do you feel is a forward step for recovery?


A: It is encouraging that our travel agency partners and the newly formed association have made progress in highlighting the dire situation our industry is in at this time to local politicians. However, we can’t rely on government, and I urge agents to get their stores open and make all their existing customer base aware that they are open for business. There are some fantastic holidays on sale for 2021 and when told about them, customers are buying today.


E caught up with Travel Solutions’ Peter McMinn to have a chat about what’s up and coming in the industry and what we can look


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