Trade needs more than just a taskforce A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
The announcement last week of the Global Travel Taskforce was acknowledgement at last of the importance of the sector to the UK economy and the need to find ways to stimulate it. But relief felt by the industry that its voice was finally being heard
in Westminster was tempered by the months of effective indifference to this point – and the fact that there is still no hope of tangible action until the taskforce reports back in “early November” (page 5). For many, the belated development and the ongoing wait smacks
more of Task Farce than Taskforce, but there is nothing remotely funny about the ever-growing threat to jobs and businesses in travel and related sectors. The increasing desperation of those on the frontline was only heightened this week by the news of more localised
lockdowns and the likelihood of even stricter measures on the horizon. And just as the Job Support Scheme offered little for our sector a fortnight ago, so the new
payroll support measures are no help to companies that may not have been ordered to close but have to all intents and purposes been shut down by the government’s policies (page 4). As Travel Weekly went to press, final preparations were taking place for Abta’s virtual Travel Convention on Wednesday and an address from transport secretary Grant Shapps (page 4). Delegates were desperately hoping to hear more than a reiteration of the government’s “unprec- edented support for business” and reference to our “world-leading aviation and tourism sectors”.
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OWent to an exciting recording studio to film a face-to-face interview with dnata Travel’s John Bevan for Abta’s virtual Travel Convention.
OHosted webcasts with the ATAS exec board ahead of the Virtual Touring & Adventure Week, and another with agents about the pandemic’s impact on their mental health.
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
Trade dismay as travel ‘overlooked’ again 4 Abta’s Tanzer demands ‘decisive action’ 4 Travel Taskforce urged to work quickly 5 Spanish isles hopes; agents branch out 6
Aviation fallout; Harris mystery donor 7 Special report
MENTAL
HEALTH MATTERS
Comment Steve Dunne: We must win back trust 10
NEWS YOU CAN USE Product
Royal, Atlantis, Princess, Carnival Explore, Cosmos, Regent, Sublime
FRONTLINE agent diary
Sharon Thompson: Life is a cabaret Your Stories
THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020
FOLLOW US:
travelweekly.co.uk @travelweekly 16
Gill Preston recalls toughest year in 34 years in travel 18
13 14
Focus on mental health featuring Tui, Advantage and Travel Counsellors 8
OWas crushed when my kids told me they no longer believe in Father Christmas – and haven’t for years!
Get Social Support, InteleTravel, Go Travel, Crieff 21
DESTINATIONS italy
Lake Garda: Find out how Italy is leading the way in reviving Covid-safe tours with our report from Lake Garda, Verona and Venice
family holidays
Ask the Experts: Operators’ tips for selling cuisine, beach and culture breaks
22 28
Bargain Breaks: We track down some of the best deals for Easter 2021, in England Wales, France, Majorca, Cyprus and Greece
34 BUSINESS NEWS
Travolution European Summit 2020: Tui to expand with activities division 38 Hostelworld upgrades tech during crisis 39 ‘Europe’s recovery will reflect Asia’s’ 39 Cooper on refunds and FCDO advice 40
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 15 OCTOBER 2020 3
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