Spain raises hopes for island trips Juliet Dennis


New Spanish government protocols for travel corridors between the Canary and Balearic islands and European countries offer a “glimmer of hope” for winter, say the trade. The Spanish government


hopes to reactivate tourism in the archipelagos, and ultimately to other tourism destinations in the country. All currently remain off the UK government’s travel corridors list. Under the system, travellers


arriving from a destination with an Accumulated Incidence (AI) of 50 or fewer positive Covid cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the previous


14 days should not undergo any test at any airport. Arrivals from destinations with an AI of 50-plus must present a negative test carried out no more than 48 hours before flying. All travellers would then take a


free test 48 hours prior to their return flight. Those who test positive would quarantine in destination, with costs covered by the regional governments. Spanish tourism minister Reyes


Maroto said the protocols were a “useful measure” to “reactivate the flow of tourists with safe conditions”. Agents welcomed the protocols,


which could lay the groundwork to allow more UK holidaymakers to travel to Spain this winter.


Agents diversify to sell wreaths, cakes, jewellery


Juliet Dennis


Agents are branching out to sell non-travel products in a bid to boost cashflow and stay positive as Covid-19 continues to smash hopes of a pick-up in winter trading. Retailers have come up with


creative sideline businesses, from selling crafts and perfumes to jewellery and cakes as they face months of low sales and revenues. Pole Travel in Failsworth,


Manchester, has put homemade Halloween wreaths in its window, and sold five in the first week. Three of the staff learnt how


6 15 OCTOBER 2020


to make the wreaths by watching YouTube videos before adapting them to create their own designs to sell at £20 each. They have 10 designs, from skeletons to light-up signs, and are taking bespoke orders. They have started Facebook page


Homeworker- turned-baker Cornel


Schalkwyk


Winnie’s Wreaths and plan to sell autumnal and Christmas wreaths too. Owner Jill Waite said: “Although


it’s not a fortune, it’s better than nothing; it might help keep us going.” Travel Counsellors’ Cornel


Schalkwyk has turned to her childhood love of baking to bring in extra money. She set up Blooming Bakes by Cornel in June, selling cake ‘bouquets’, and this week launched a website and YouTube channel. “It’s really taken off,” she said. “It’s


always been my hobby but I had never progressed it professionally until now. “With every lost booking you see


This would give


agencies much-needed income to help them through the next months


Althams Travel managing director


Sandra McAllister said reopening the Canaries would “give travel agencies the much-needed income to help them steer through the next few months”. Neil Basnett, owner of Holiday


Inspirations, added: “This has to offer a glimmer of hope.” The government’s latest travel corridor review saw five Greek


islands – Santorini, Zante, Serifos, Lesbos and Tinos – restored to its list. But Haslemere Travel managing


director Gemma Antrobus said: “This doesn’t really make a difference as most islands have shut for the season.” Italy is now asking Brits to


provide a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours, or take a free test on arrival. The move has led to cancellations despite reassurances from the Italian Tourist Board of most results within half an hour. Paul Charles, chief executive


of The PC Agency, feared more countries would tighten restrictions


for UK holidaymakers. i Italy: Destinations, page 22


Pole Travel is selling


Halloween wreaths for £20


money walk out the door because of having to pay commissions back. I needed something else to keep me focused, positive and busy, and money was also part of the reason. “There is a massive earnings


difference, but people who have bought cakes have said they’ll be in touch when travel picks up.” Meanwhile, Travel Stop owner


Bridget Keevil is offering use of the vacant desks in her four shops in Suffolk and Hertfordshire for free to anyone struggling to work at home. “It doesn’t have to be someone working in travel,” she said.


travelweekly.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40