‘January is going to be difficult’ Ian Taylor


The sector can expect a “difficult” January despite the fillip to confidence from the vaccine rollout, senior industry figures predict. Alan Bowen, legal advisor to the


Association of Atol Companies, said: “There will be loads of marketing from major operators, but there is no real evidence of huge increases [in bookings]. Revenue is going to be difficult in January.” He told a Travel Weekly Insight


Report launch event: “There will be some winter sun, but a lot of people are nervous about travelling. Skiing is going to be a disaster. There will be some business to Madeira, but it’s a


question of what testing is required. People are wary of taking a risk.” Barrhead Travel president


Jacqueline Dobson said: “It’s down to what happens with tiers. Right now in Scotland there is no ban on international travel, but we’re told not to travel between tiers and not to travel to airports. That instils fear. It depends on the message from government and devolved administrations, and the FCDO advice.” However, Dobson added: “We’re


hopeful of a winter season. There is demand for it. As soon as Dubai came on sale there was demand.” She insisted: “The vaccine is the


best news we’ve had. We’ve just re- signed three shop leases and we’ve


[The vaccine] has helped bookings for summer. People feel more confident from March-April onwards


signed for three stores to open in 2022.” Virgin Atlantic head of global sales


Lee Haslett agreed: “There is pent-up demand. We’ve been shocked at how good our performance has been when we put a deal out. We’ve seen a real bounce from the vaccine news.” Richard Sofer, Tui UK commercial


director, described the vaccine as “a shot in the arm” saying: “The news


has been good for everyone’s mood. It’s definitely helped bookings for the summer. People feel more confident from March-April onwards.” Tui chief executive Fritz Joussen


hailed “strong” UK bookings for summer 2021 as he revealed a loss of €3 billion for the 12 months to September and insisted: “We are through the worst.” Europe’s largest travel group plans


to operate 20% of capacity this winter but 80% for summer 2021. Joussen said: “The winter programme is not beautiful but keeps [us] running. We are 50% booked for May and prices are 14% up. The UK is 19% up for


summer 2021. Demand is there.” i Insight Report, pages 10-11 and 38-40


Canaries corridor decision ‘dents winter demand’


Ben Ireland


The shock removal of the Canary Islands from the UK’s list of travel corridors has “dented” winter demand despite major operators continuing programmes. Those arriving in the UK from


the Spanish islands have been subject to quarantine since Saturday, but the Foreign Office (FCDO) did not alter its advice to warn against non- essential travel to the archipelago as it has done with other destinations removed from the ‘safe list’. Tui, Jet2holidays and easyJet


4 17 DECEMBER 2020


Holidays have all continued with their programmes and Abta clarified: “Members will still be able to offer holidays to the Canaries due to the decision not to change FCDO advice.” The Advantage Travel Partnership


said the Canaries setback triggered its first week-on-week fall in demand since the Pfizer vaccine announcement last month. Leisure director Kelly Cookes said: “Not surprisingly we saw a drop-off in sales. Agents’ time will have once again been taken up dealing with current bookings rather than generating new business.” She said the lack of an FCDO


Tenerife


change was “confusing” and meant “each operator has had to decide on their own policy”, adding: “This will have dented consumer confidence for winter sun in particular.” Consumer group Which? called


for FCDO advice to be linked to travel corridors to avoid “chaos” and confusion over refund eligibility. Designer Travel managing director


Amanda Matthews said “many people will continue with their planned holiday” but the change – which affected 45 bookings – was “really frustrating”. Speaking on a Travel Weekly webcast, she questioned why


the decision was made while UK shopping centres were open. Tony Mann, director of Idle


Travel, had 17 December Canaries bookings affected and said customers with holidays booked as far out as May were calling with concerns. He pointed out that Greek islands


have individual travel corridors. Last week, the Canaries approved


acceptance of antigen tests as proof visitors are Covid-free. Antigen tests are typically less sensitive than the 97% accuracy rate the UK government


requires for the test to release scheme. i Get Social, page 27


travelweekly.co.uk


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