NEWS


Westoe Travel plans own UK tour operation


Juliet Dennis


Westoe Travel is to launch its own UK breaks tour operator to meet demand for domestic travel following the loss of Super Break, Shearings and National Holidays. The new venture, to operate under


the Westoe Travel name, will hire coaches from a local company and aims to offer destinations including London, Edinburgh, York, Blackpool and the Lake District initially. Shearings and National Holidays owner Specialist Leisure Group went


into administration on May 22. Super Break parent Malvern Group went into administration in August last year. About 35% of South Shields-


based Westoe Travel’s business is for domestic holidays. It is among scores of agencies to have mourned the loss of UK operator brands. Owner Graeme Brett said: “We


are very conscious that there will be an increased demand for UK breaks over the next 12 months. “Sadly we have seen the loss of


some iconic travel brands in the last few months such as Super Break,


Graeme and Joan Brett and other members of the Westoe Travel team


Shearings and National Holidays. “We want to make sure that we


have a wide range of product to offer our customers.” The agency has applied


successfully for an additional tour operator membership with Abta to allow it to package together rail and coach holidays in the UK, initially just for its own customers. Brett said the agency would still


work with UK operators, and was not seeking to compete with them, but


aimed to use its own operation to “fill any gaps” left by the loss of several coach-based operators, including National Holidays, which was founded in the northeast of England. He added: “This is a really


exciting time for us and we are confident that we will have the best possible range of products for our customers wanting UK breaks.” Westoe Travel was established in


1989 and is owned by husband and wife team Graeme and Joan Brett.


Insurance case ‘key’ for agencies Juliet Dennis


A test case to resolve uncertainty over the validity of ‘business interruption insurance’ policies could be a “game changer” for travel agencies, according to The Advantage Travel Partnership. The Financial Conduct Authority


(FCA) is taking action on behalf of policyholders to gain clarity on whether business interruption claims cover the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a hearing due in the second half of July. Business interruption insurance


protects businesses against financial loss as a result of a property claim. Most standard policies state there


travelweekly.co.uk


must be physical damage to insured premises for a claim to be made, but some include ‘special extensions’ relating to notifiable human diseases. The test case will focus on


policies that could be argued to include cover for business interruption caused by Covid-19. The FCA said a large number of


claims were being made and there was “widespread concern” about “the lack of a positive response” from insurers and “the basis on which some insurers are making decisions in relation to claims”. Advantage’s head of business


development, David Moon, said: “Without doubt this case could be a game changer for a lot of agents. It


This case could be


a game changer for a lot of agents. It will bring clarity as to the potential for a claim


will bring clarity as to whether there is potential for a claim. “The last thing agents need


now is lengthy conversations with insurance companies.” Bailey’s Travel owner Chris


Bailey lodged an unsuccessful claim at the start of lockdown. He said: “I was told you have to prove the disease is on the premises, but it’s on


our premises as much as it’s on the market square outside. “The reason we’ve shut


and suffered loss of income is because Covid-19 is present in the community.” He added: “This hearing could be


the saviour.” Westoe Travel owner Graeme


Brett said the outcome could affect many high street agents. He said: “We are waiting to see what happens in this case. There should be a coordinated industry response.” Gemma Antrobus, owner of


Haslemere Travel and chair of Aito Agents, said: “There could be grounds for making a claim via consortia or as a group.”


11 JUNE 2020 7


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