NEWS


Funway to cease trading at end of September


Juliet Dennis and Ben Ireland


Agents say the winding down of Funway Holidays at the end of September will leave a “massive hole” in the US and Caribbean market. The operator, which specialised


in breaks to the US, Mexico and the Caribbean, is to cease trading on September 30 after 27 years as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. It announced on Tuesday that Funway Holidays International


had stopped taking bookings. All bookings departing on or after September 1 have been cancelled; all deposits will be refunded in full; and all refund credit notes paid in cash. The operator, which has an Atol


licence to carry 4,530 passengers a year, said it was contacting all travel agents with bookings. In a statement, it said: “The


ongoing impact of Covid-19 has been so severe that the difficult decision has been made to close the business. Rest assured, we will honour our obligations and ensure a smooth


Las Vegas


wind down of our company over the next three months.” Debbie Wellman, consultant at


Mariner Travel in Lymm, Cheshire, had two Florida bookings affected. She said: “The staff have always been very helpful and the prices were good. It’s really sad. There are quite a few US operators, but losing Funway will leave a massive hole.” Graeme Brett, owner of Westoe


Travel in Tyne and Wear, said: “Funway had some great US offers, especially for New York and Las Vegas. It is really sad to see another


operator go through circumstances that could not have been predicted and over which they have no control.” Funway thanked agents for their


support, saying: “While the Funway journey is coming to a close, we hope all of our partners emerge from this crisis and enjoy a prosperous future.” Sales and marketing director Nick


Talbot said: “It’s an incredibly sad day for the Funway team and our closure reflects just how severely the travel industry is being impacted by Covid-19. I’d like to pay testament to our truly incredible team.”


Domestic bookings ‘building nicely’


Katie McGonagle Newcastle, Northern Ireland


The reopening of hotels across England and Northern Ireland at the weekend has prompted an immediate uplift in bookings, according to operators. Hotels and restaurants reopened


in Northern Ireland on Friday and England on Saturday, as lockdown restrictions were eased. Chris Cundall, director of trade


relations at UK operator Great Little Breaks, said: “We are starting to see an increase in bookings, with seaside destinations proving most popular. “People are booking short lead-in times, with bookings made this


travelweekly.co.uk


weekend for next weekend and into August. Many are waiting on hotels reopening leisure facilities.” Slieve Donard Resort and Spa


in County Down, part of Hastings Hotels, reopened 50 of its 181 rooms on Friday. General manager Michael Weston said 70% of the 50 rooms


FLYING IN THE ‘NEW NORMAL’


Like many in the industry, I’ve been desperate to travel again, so I was excited to head to Heathrow on Friday morning, face mask at the ready,


for a BA flight to Belfast City. Hygiene at the airport couldn’t have been better, with many hand sanitiser stations and signs about social distancing, and BA crew gave us gel and wipes as we boarded. The flight was busy, with most rows of seats full –


something that might put clients off – and a pre-packed snack was provided, rather than a full meal service. For some clients, flying will still feel a step too far,


but for those like me it’s reassuring to know health and hygiene are at the forefront of everyone’s minds.


Katie on her BA flight


were filled last weekend, 60% are booked through July and August, and he expected 85% to be filled once leisure facilities reopen on August 7. “We were very keen not to


overstretch ourselves,” said Weston. “I’m delighted to be back breathing some air into this big old building.” John McGrillen, chief executive of


Tourism Northern Ireland, said 75% of the region’s hotels had reopened, noting that Friday was chosen ahead of Saturday “because we felt people were more likely to stay in a hotel for a weekend” and “to give the industry the best chance to get some bookings”. He said the opening weekend


was “in line with expectations” and bookings were “building nicely”.


9 JULY 2020 7


PICTURE: Shutterstock


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