Eyes now turn from No 10 to No 11 A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
The inclusion of the industry in the prime minister’s lockdown roadmap came as a great relief, although it would be wise not to get carried away given the experience of the past 12 months. As with every moment of apparent momentum during the pandemic, the sense of positivity comes with many caveats – from the boxes to be ticked at each stage of reopening to vaccination progress in destinations and the strict border restrictions that will serve as a brake on consumer confidence as long as they remain in place (pages 4-5). But despite these potential hurdles, the overt acknowledgement both of the importance of targeting a summer season and the ongoing impact of the crisis on the sector was a sign of progress given that some commentators had feared we might be overlooked entirely once again.
The recommendations of the new travel taskforce in mid-April will of course be key to the
process (page 36) and it is important the government has confirmed it intends to work with representatives of the industry and engage their expertise and experience. In the meantime, all eyes will move one door along Downing Street, from Number 10 to Number 11, as we await details of the chancellor’s much-anticipated and much-needed Budget next week (page 4).
With months still to go before the green shoots of this week translate into a restart and meaningful income for agents and suppliers alike, the anticipated extension of the furlough scheme and business rates relief will be the very least the industry will be hoping for.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS
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T ravel Weekly’s
Trade cheers roadmap but with caveats 4 Agents bank on the Budget for support 4 PM’s roadmap ‘is really encouraging’ 5 Overseas and domestic bookings ‘surge’ 6 PTS membership rise; failure insurance 7
Homeworker gets grant; Holmes on TV 8 Comment
Jacqueline Dobson: Travel cannot just switch back on with two weeks’ notice 10
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Onee Luxury Travel, Jet2, DSD, Malta 13 APT, Classic Package Hols, Windows 14 Celebrity, Scenic, Fred Olsen, MSC 15
FRONTLINE Your Stories
THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020
agent diary Colin Burns: It’s all eyes on ‘DJ Boris’ 17
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travelweekly.co.uk @travelweekly
Homeworker Sean Hickey on booking TV film crews 16
Europe
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OHosted a webcast with Eamonn Ferrin, NCL vice-president and managing director for the UK and Ireland, about how the line is engaging with agents.
OHad a great catch-up with Institute of Customer Service director Jo Causon about how the travel sector has fared over the past 12 months.
OTook some days off over half-term to spend time with my kids – more walks, runs, baking, craft and films!
competitions
Win a cruise, Singapore trip, vouchers 18 Get Social Roadmap, vaccine, shops, lobbying 21
DESTINATIONS Australasia
Add-ons: Bolster clients’ getaways with trips to spot wildlife in Tasmania, sail in the Whitsundays and ride the Ghan to the Red Centre 22
Self-drives: Steer customers to the pick of the continent’s open roads, from a ‘fairytale’ route in Germany to the coastal highs of Italy
26 BUSINESS NEWS
Virgin chief Weiss favours health app 34 Greece and UK ‘in passport talks’
34
Confusion remains over refund rights 35 BA secures funding; Emirates GDS fee 35 New taskforce to plot travel’s restart 36
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 25 FEBRUARY 2021 3
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