NEWS


Dr Alex George prescribes travel for mental health


Samantha Mayling


The government’s youth mental health ambassador Dr Alex George has prescribed holidays as one of the cures for stress. The television and A&E doctor


offered agents tips on boosting their mental wellbeing during Travel Weekly’s Mental Health Matters Virtual Brunch last week. He said: “Travel and getting some


sunshine are an important part of releasing and de-stressing from work life – spending quality time with loved ones, friends and family, seeing new things in the world. “I miss travel so much. One of


the big things I look forward to, once this all lifts, is going abroad, visiting different places, having experiences. Having been locked up for a bit too long, those things have now become more important than ever.” Dr Alex has been helping students


and teachers with the return to school after lockdown and recognises how travel industry professionals may feel anxious about returning to workplaces, especially if they have been on furlough. He said it was “vital” that businesses looked after their workforces, highlighting more counselling support for employees. Noting how some people may be wary of returning to busy places such as


Dr Alex George


MENTAL


HEALTH MATTERS


Travel Weekly’s Lucy Huxley


Mental Health support: If you or someone you know has been affected by a mental health issue, support is available – visit abtalifeline.org.uk


aircraft or bars, he urged people to “take your time” and “not feel pressurised” to return to crowded places. He advised those facing


difficulties to “take control of your sphere of influence”, perhaps by taking exercise and talking to colleagues, friends and family. “It is not easy. Reach out if you


are struggling,” said Dr Alex, who has been campaigning on the issue of mental health since appearing on reality show Love Island. His brother took his own life last summer, which he described as a “tipping point”. “My brother had not spoken


US cruise industry given the green light for mid-July restart


The US cruise industry is preparing to restart in mid-July following an update from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC confirmed cruises


could restart in mid-July with 95% of passengers and 98% of crew vaccinated. It also said lines would no longer be required to sail trial voyages beforehand. In a letter released on April 28, the


CDC also said testing and quarantine requirements for passengers and crew would align with guidance for fully vaccinated people, and it allowed lines to enter into multi-port agreements


travelweekly.co.uk


for the three months to March, chief executive Richard Fain said: “We now have high hopes it could be possible to restart cruising by mid-July. The CDC letter really does reflect a desire to treat us similarly to other sectors.” Noting “a great many details have


Two Carnival Cruise Lines ships stage a ‘restart rally’ in Galveston, Texas, this week


rather than single-port agreements. Speaking as Royal Caribbean Group reported a $1.1 billion loss


still to be provided”, he confirmed: “We won’t immediately go for a full restart. It will be gradual. But the communication is very positive.” A CDC spokesperson said a


“timeline of passenger voyages by


mid-July” is achievable. i News You Can Use, page 20


to anybody; he might have been ashamed about how he was feeling,” Dr Alex told the virtual event. “Men, particularly, struggle to reach out and speak about mental health.” He noted that mental illness


covers a broad spectrum, and the pandemic has led to self-harm and eating disorders for some. “We are all in this together, let’s be more united,” he said. “It isn’t hard to be kind.”


Watch this and other T


ravel Weekly webcasts at: go.travelweekly.co.uk/webcasts


CMA threatens to take Teletext to court over refunds


The Competition and Markets Authority has threatened Teletext Holidays with court action over its failure to pay more than £7 million in refunds for holidays cancelled due to Covid. The CMA, which launched


an investigation in February, last week said Teletext had “not agreed to provide undertakings that are sufficient to address the CMA’s concerns”. It wants Teletext to repay outstanding refunds or commit to doing so “without unnecessary delay”. Teletext said it had committed to paying the refunds “as quickly as possible”.


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