Dr Alex George to speak at mental health session


Government mental health ambassador Dr Alex George is to speak at a special Travel Weekly virtual Mental Health Matters event on Wednesday, April 28. The Mental Health Matters


Virtual Brunch will be available to view for free on Facebook and travelweekly.co.uk from 10am and will feature an interview with the A&E and television doctor in addition to panel discussions with members of the trade and mental health experts. It is the latest in Travel Weekly’s


Mental Health Matters series of articles and events, which was launched in 2019 to support those in the travel industry facing mental health challenges and those running businesses. Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief of


Travel Weekly Group, said: “We launched our Mental Health Matters series two years ago during our 50th anniversary year, and the focus has become even more relevant for our readers over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. “I am incredibly grateful to


Dr Alex for agreeing to speak to us following his appointment as the government’s youth mental


Dr Alex George


health ambassador, and to the other speakers and presenters who have agreed to take part to share their expertise and advice.” She added: “I would also like to thank our event partners Travelzoo


centre after request by Unesco A ban on cruise ships entering the historic centre of Venice has been approved by the Italian government. The decision to restrict cruise and container ships


from the Giudecca canal was taken following a request from Unesco, the country’s culture minister said. The subject of ships’ access to the centre of the city


has been a topic of debate for many years. Critics claim they add to pollution and erosion, while those who rely


8 8 APRIL 2021 Venice bans cruise ships from


and Celebrity Cruises for their support and ongoing work in this area.” Other confirmed speakers for the


event include Derek Jones, chairman of industry charity Abta LifeLine and chief executive of Kuoni parent Der Touristik UK, and Wilma Taylor, HR director of Barrhead Travel Group. A panel of frontline travel


staff will also discuss their own experiences of mental health during the pandemic and share advice for others facing challenges of their own, with speakers including Sandra Corkin, managing director of Oasis Travel, and Luxus Travel founder Jade Scammells. The Mental Health Matters


Virtual Brunch will be available to view on-demand for those who are unable to attend on the day.


Abta appoints Flintham, Wilson and Marshall


Abta has appointed three industry leaders to its board: Andrew Flintham, Tui’s northern region managing director; Garry Wilson, chief executive of easyJet holidays; and Ruth Marshall, managing director of RCL Cruises. Former RCL Cruises EMEA vice-president Stuart Leven and Tui commercial and business development director Richard Sofer are stepping down.


Travel firms sign TV’s Watchdog pledge


A host of large operators and agencies have signed up to a ‘Package Holiday Pledge’ created by the BBC’s Watchdog programme. Tui, Jet2holidays, easyJet holidays, Trailfinders, Travel Counsellors, Travel Republic, Virgin Holidays and BA Holidays are among those to have made six commitments to refunding or amending holidays for Covid-19-affected bookings.


P&O promotes Scott to sales and marketing role


P&O Cruises’ Robert Scott (pictured) is to take on responsibility for trade relations in an expanded role as marketing and sales vice-president from May 24. Currently brand and product vice-president, Scott will step up ahead of the departure of sales and marketing chief Alex Delamere-White at the end of May.


on the sector for employment say alternative facilities must be provided to ensure cruise ships can make calls. Culture minister Dario Franceschini described the


ban as “a correct decision, awaited for years”. The Italian government was reported to be planning


a “call for ideas” for an alternative cruise terminal, with some lines already opting to use other nearby ports for access to the city. The government said it wanted to “reconcile the


needs to protect the artistic, cultural and environmental heritage of Venice and its lagoon with those related to cruise activity and goods traffic”.


Agents feel ready to attend events – Tipto


Most agents say they feel ready to attend trade events from June 21, according to a Tipto survey. Of 251 respondents, 88% said they would be comfortable attending small events such as roadshows, training or networking. Only 2% said they were not ready to do so and 10% were undecided.


travelweekly.co.uk


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