NEWS


National Holidays ready for revival


Juliet Dennis


The new parent company of National Holidays is in talks with agents as it plans its first programme of UK coach tours for early 2021. The National Holidays brand


ver refunds action


challenges faced in the early days of the pandemic, it is nonetheless important businesses comply with consumer law.” It added: “While the CMA is


not beginning enforcement action against your company at present, we continue to monitor the complaints and intelligence we are receiving.” But John Bennett, managing


director, Colchester Travel Group, which owns operator Nordic Experience and agency Colchester Travel, felt sending a generic letter out “willy-nilly” was the wrong approach. “It’s too easy to blast out an


email without first sanitising the complaints to see which are justified,” he said. “The letter includes implied


threats. People don’t know what it’s like at the coalface.” It is understood only a “small


handful” of Abta members got the refund process wrong initially, and a senior industry source insisted 17,500 complaints from four million holiday cancellations represented “a minority of customers”. Tui, which had a net score in a


May MoneySavingExpert survey of -60, saw it rise to -21 in a fresh list of best and worst travel firms for refunds last week. It now claims 90% of new refunds are processed within the PTRs’ 14-day deadline. UK managing director Andrew


Flintham said a new structure to deal with its 1.5 million cancelled holidays means “we now have that capability.”


Hays to open new Glasgow


office to boost tour operation Hays Travel is to open a Glasgow office to support its growing in-house tour operation and is hoping to recruit 100 Travel 2 staff whose jobs are at risk. Managing director John Hays said he had options on a number of buildings, including one in the same business park as Travel 2, and hopes to open by early August. Last week, the agency also announced travel insurance that covers cancellation of holidays due to Covid-19.


travelweekly.co.uk


and database have been acquired for an undisclosed sum by an affiliate of the JG Travel Group, which owns touring brands Just Go! Holidays and Omega Breaks. National Holidays, sister


brand of Shearings, went into administration with the collapse of parent company Specialist Leisure Group in May. JG Travel Group sales and


marketing director Danny Crowe said National Holidays would offer the same level of support to agents as before. “We are engaging already and


have been in touch with some of the major agencies. We really want to support them. We will have point of sale material and brochures, the usual support functions.” Crowe said JG Travel Group already deals with the trade


but this will represent a step-up compared with how closely it has worked with agents in the past. At this stage, there are no plans for on-the-road representatives. Westoe Travel owner Graeme


Brett, one of National Holidays’ key agent partners, said: “We’d be delighted to see National Holidays come back, especially when so many customers are looking for staycations. Lots of people are asking if the brand will come back and want brochures.” The company plans to work


with local coach firms to provide 48-seat buses for tours. It will also look to contract hotels previously featured by National Holidays.


Danny Crowe


Virgin Atlantic secures rescue


deal with First Data and investors Virgin Atlantic has confirmed a rescue deal worth up to £1.2 billion after securing the agreement of card processor First Data. Virgin’s creditors and new investor will make use of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act. US hedge fund Davidson Kempner will lend the airline £170 million and Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group will inject £200 million. The carrier’s owners, Virgin Group and Delta Air Lines, will defer about £400 million of fees.


Midcounties acquires 16


Central England Co-op shops Midcounties Co-operative’s retail travel division Co-operative Travel is to take on 16 of Central England Co-operative’s branches. All 78 staff at the 16 branches will move across with shops to reopen by mid-August, subject to consultation. Fascias will be rebranded Co-operative Travel. It will bring the number of Co-operative Travel shops in Midcounties’ portfolio to more than 70. Eight Central England branches not included in the switch are set to close.


16 JULY 2020 7


PICTURE: Shutterstock


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