NEWS


Ryanair has scheduled 40% of its network to operate this month


Cruise agents call for clear timeline


Hollie-Rae Brader


Agents have branded the Foreign Office’s updated advice against cruise travel “disappointing” but said it was “redundant” as few ships will be sailing until the autumn. All cruise lines voluntarily


paused operations, with most not planning to restart until at least October. Culture minister Caroline


‘trickle’ back We’ll see it ramping


up. We still have the school holidays. It’s not like turning on a tap.


Wilson said crews describe


disembarking as “more orderly” and added: “We’re encouraging people not to queue at boarding. Staff are enforcing the health regulations and people are complying.” However, a survey this week by


pollster YouGov suggested only a minority of prospective travellers would consider flying this summer. It found just 20% of UK adults “would feel safe” flying – two-thirds (64%) “would not”. Bowen warned: “The industry


can’t survive without new bookings. We may see bookings come in for September and October, but we’re not going to get back the four months


travelweekly.co.uk


lost. We won’t get beyond 25% of business this year.” He suggested the government


requirement to wear face masks when shopping could have a negative impact on demand, saying: “It isn’t comfortable and you may have to wear a mask for six hours [for a flight].” Tui UK chief executive Andrew


Flintham reported sharp differences in customer confidence. He said: “There are customers who have been waiting for the second they can book and those [for whom] travelling is not something they want to do. Between those two you have a load of people. We want customers to make the decision that is right for them.” Speaking in Ibiza as Tui


relaunched its summer 2020 programme, Flintham said the main questions customers asked were ‘Is it safe?’ and ‘What is open?’ He insisted: “We won’t take you somewhere you


won’t get the holiday you paid for.” i Special report: Ibiza, page 8


Dinenage said the advice, updated last week, could be in place until October. The FCO vowed to support the Department for Transport’s work with the sector for the “resumption of international cruise travel”. Agents called on the


government to give a clear timeline of a review of the advice. Cruise Nation owner Phil


Evans said the announcement was “frustrating” after positive signs of recovery in the cruise market in recent weeks. He said the update was


“lacking in information”, adding: “We need a date for when we can expect the next update.” Mundy Cruising owner


Edwina Lonsdale said: “Given no cruises are operating that UK


residents can book, the advice is redundant.” She applauded the “extraordinary work” by cruise lines and Clia to ensure cruising is “one of the safest holiday choices available”. Iglu senior vice-president


Simone Clark said she felt “confident in [Clia’s] ability to lobby” the DfT. She said: “It’s disappointing but I’m not shocked,” stressing Iglu didn’t have any imminent departures with “no ships in the water”. Speaking on a Travel Weekly


webcast, Celebrity Cruises president Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said the announcement was “not great news” but that she “wasn’t surprised”. The ban came into force days


after Hurtigruten announced plans for a series of British Isles cruises from September. UK and EMEA general manager Anthony Daniels said the line was talking to the government about the plans. Clia said the health and safety


of guests and crew was “an absolute priority” for cruise lines. It said it had been “working collaboratively with the government on the road map to resumption” since lines voluntarily suspended sailings, with a focus on a ‘door to door’ strategy of enhanced health protocols.


Cruise lines have suspended operations


16 JULY 2020


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PICTURES: Shutterstock; Ben Queenborough/PinPep; LHR Airports Limited


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