Budget leaves industry wanting more A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Budget announcements are often cause for mixed feelings, and this week’s much-anticipated statement was no exception. Many voiced frustration at the ongoing lack of specific support for a sector which cannot simply reopen and regenerate overnight – despite similar measures being forthcoming for industries including the arts, hospitality and sport (page 5). But there was relief over the extension of furlough to the end of September, albeit with caveats around the ability of travel firms to fully utilise the scheme while getting their businesses back up and running. Retail agents also welcomed the extension of business rates relief
and were broadly positive about access to new restart grants. But those measures too fell short of providing the breadth of support needed by the
many travel firms without a high street presence – and also assume the reopening of non-essential retail equates to an instant return to income for those that do (page 4). After shifting focus from the prime minister’s roadmap announcement to the chancellor’s Budget, the industry’s eyes will now be firmly on the transport secretary’s reconvened Global Travel Taskforce. As was the case with the original taskforce, there has been a firm commitment to consult with the industry on the resumption of international travel, and it was positive to see representatives of a range of associations and brands involved in the first meeting this week. It is essential that this first step is a precursor to a truly wide-ranging consultation that includes all sectors and listens to the SMEs that are the bedrock of the industry.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS
dedicated web pages to support you
go.travelweekly.co.uk/ webcasts
Webcasts Resource Centre
go.travelweekly.co.uk/ resources
Restart & Recovery Hub
travelweekly.co.uk/ restart-recovery
T ravel Weekly’s
Reopening ‘a risk’ despite new grants 4 First meeting of revived Travel Taskforce 4 Budget criticised for travel ‘blind spot’ 5 Agents urge caution; Byrne on roadmap 6 Certification plans; Heapy tips 2022 7
Travel.Radio audience; Jet2 wins case 8 Comment
Giles Hawke: Sell trips clients can take 10
NEWS YOU CAN USE Product
ITC, Sandals, BA, Saga 11
Sunny Heart Travel, McKinlay Kidd, A&K, Titan, Rocky M. 12 Princess, Riviera, NCL, Scenic 13
FRONTLINE agent diary
Sharon Thompson: Better days ahead 14 Your Stories
THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020
FOLLOW US:
travelweekly.co.uk
Kent agent Jade Scammells sets up a craft sideline 15
@travelweekly
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OHosted webcasts with Steve Byrne, CEO of Travel Counsellors, and Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2holidays, to hear their responses to the PM’s roadmap announcement.
OFilmed a webcast with three ex-operator sales reps who lost their jobs in the pandemic and have now become travel agents.
OMade an appointment with my hairdresser for the evening of April 12. She plans to open late to make up for lost business!
Get Social Vaccine passports, refunds, fake claims 17
DESTINATIONS Active & Adventure
Caribbean
Jordan: Clients on an Intrepid Travel women-only tour can expect to learn as much about the people as about the major sights
Ask the Experts: Do any of your clients fancy working from the beach? Find out how to help with advice from three specialists
18
22
Barbados: Review of Sandals Royal Barbados, the group’s newest resort 24
BUSINESS NEWS
EU proposes Green Pass for safe travel 26 Health experts caution against ‘rush’ 26 IAG ‘upturn’ after posting €4.3bn loss 27 Results: NCLH, Airbnb, Accor, IHG 27 Covid certification ‘faces challenges’ 28
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 4 MARCH 2021 3
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28
