NEWS outlook for sector as focus shifts from Covid restrictions to the cost of living. By T ravel Weekly reporters


Rowland predicts firms to survive cost-of-living crisis


T


Julia Lo Bue-Said


tract and retain best staff’


elsewhere in the UK, or even abroad, but there has to be a business case for it.” Despite seeing the benefits of growing


numbers of homeworkers, he said his preference was still for people to work together in an office as much as possible. Advantage Travel Partnership chief


executive Julia Lo Bue-Said agreed firms offering flexible working opportunities would be best-placed to target a broader talent pool. “We’ve


got someone working for us in the Caribbean,” she said. “Why would I want to compromise the right talent?”


ravel firms that have managed to stay afloat should be able to weather the cost-of-living crisis, Abta’s chairman believes. Speaking during a panel discussion at Travel


Weekly’s Future of Travel Spring Forum, Alistair Rowland expressed hope that companies which are still operating would be able to survive despite fresh challenges. However, he added their survival depended partly on


the government “being sensible in terms of the payback of CBILS [coronavirus loans]”. His comments came after industry accountant Chris


Photi told delegates he felt more businesses would cease trading due to inflation, which could peak at 10% by the end of the year, according to the Bank of England. “Businesses that have found a way to get through so far


will be managing their balance sheets and have clearly been doing so successfully,” said Rowland. But he warned there could be “difficulty” ahead for


travel agents that have retail units on primary high streets. “I think secondary high streets will be OK; they’ll


redevelop,” he added. “But primary high streets with no multiple retailers are going to be a struggle.” Cautious optimism for travel firms’ survival was echoed


by Julia Lo-Bue Said, who said businesses had become more resilient and “leaner” because of Covid.


“The pandemic has enabled every business to look


at and review their cost lines,” said the chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership. “Businesses in general have come out much leaner and stronger.” She said she had noticed more of an “entrepreneurial”


spirit in the industry and a feeling of “positivity” despite numerous challenges. “[Independent] travel agents are growing, and not just in our membership,” she said. “Whether that’s on the high street or homeworking, there is growth. It’s easy to be downbeat but there is positivity.”


Alistair Rowland


Booking.com reveals plan to add cruise in the future


Booking.com has confirmed it intends to add cruise to its product portfolio in the future. UK regional manager Ryan Pearson said


the online travel agent had set its sights on becoming a “one-stop destination” in the longer term. He said: “It’s our ambition to


be a one-stop destination so we want guests to be able to book a variety of products. “It [cruise] is on the horizon


Phil Nuttall


but it will take some time.” Speaking about current trading, Pearson said the OTA now had most


travelweekly.co.uk Ryan Pearson


properties back on its site but cautioned that staffing was still an issue for hotels and their supply chains. He stressed consumers still wanted flexibility


in suppliers’ booking conditions whereas hotels wanted to return to pre-Covid terms. “We are seeing positive growth in demand,” he said. “There is still huge demand for flexibility. Our [supplier] partners want non-refundable rates; our guests want flexibility.” More than 60% of the agency’s


bookings were made from mobile apps, he said, adding that the OTA was trialling a sustainability


‘badge’ on its hotel listings. “We are monitoring to see if it


aids conversion of bookings,” he said. “This will enable [hotels] to show guests they are taking the first steps.”


26 MAY 2022 11


PICTURES: Sarah Lucy Brown


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  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56