Abta considers grants legal action Juliet Dennis


Abta will consider legal action in its battle for higher restart grants for travel agents if the government does not respond favourably to its latest plea for specific and extended financial aid. The association said it was in


talks with specialist solicitors having already written to government about the issue as part of its response to the Global Travel Taskforce report. Abta said: “We are hoping for a


positive response but, if not, we will review all possible options open to us in the interests of our members. This will include the potential for a legal challenge, about which we are in discussions with specialist solicitors.”


Agents are classed as non-


essential retailers in Strand One, which entitles them to a one-off grant of between £2,667 and £6,000 from their local authority, while gyms, hairdressers and pubs fall into Strand Two, entitling them to between £8,000 and £18,000 depending on rateable value. Abta has already “made it clear”


to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) that agents should be entitled to the higher grants while scores of agents have independently contacted local councils, which hand out the grants, and MPs to argue their case. Between 40 and 50 of The Travel


Network Group’s members have sent letters to MPs asking them to urge


‘Being godmother is honour for me, John and staff’


Lucy Huxley


Hays Travel chair Dame Irene Hays has described her announcement as godmother of P&O Cruises’ new ship Iona as an honour for herself, her late husband John and all the agency’s staff. Hays was unveiled as Iona’s


godmother this week and will name the vessel in a “landmark ceremony” on May 16, the day before domestic cruising is slated to resume. The festivities in Southampton


will also include a performance from Take That frontman Gary Barlow, music director of Iona’s


6 29 APRIL 2021


710 club. Hays revealed she had chosen an outfit for the occasion in John’s favourite colour. John died at the company’s headquarters in November last year. She told a Travel Weekly webcast:


“This is an honour for me, for Hays Travel and for John, and it is an honour for all the staff who for more than four decades have supported one of our key partners.” Hays added that the opportunity


to attend the ceremony would represent a “step towards normality”, despite it being a largely virtual occasion. P&O Cruises president Paul


There is a lot of


frustration [among members] that they are only eligible for the lower level


BEIS to update guidance to local councils so agents are in line for the higher grants. A spokeswoman said: “Lobbying


should continue. We are doing this through letters our members are sending to MPs, or our direct letters to BEIS and the chancellor.” Kelly Cookes, leisure director at


the Advantage Travel Partnership said: “There is a lot of frustration


[among members] that they are only eligible for the lower level.” Peter Cookson, chairman of


miniple Spear Travels, which has so far received grants for five of its 12 branches, said: “Abta is pushing hard. Common sense is needed. We haven’t even ‘restarted’ yet and have no idea when we will.” Miles Morgan Travel chairman


Miles Morgan favoured legal action. “People would have to understand how our business model works,” he said. But Three Ways Travel co-


director Lorraine House feared the issue was now a “done deal” after her local MP sought clarity from the Treasury. “It’s so frustrating,” she said.


Dame Irene Hays


Gary Barlow


Ludlow said the choice of Hays as godmother “felt perfect” and reflected the line’s partnership not just with Hays Travel, but also the wider agent community. He said: “Travel agents have


always been so important to P&O Cruises. Over the last 12 months it has been very difficult, we have gone through massive challenges together and I don’t think we could have done it without each other’s support.” He added: “It is another reason


why Irene accepted our invitation – it felt so perfect to celebrate coming through this.”


Ludlow confirmed that there


would be an opportunity for “thousands” of travel agents to tune in to watch the naming ceremony live, with a number of ‘Iona Insiders’ forming a virtual audience on giant screens in Southampton. Iona will then undergo final


preparations before commencing domestic sailings alongside Britannia from August 7. He added: “Recovery is certainly


on the horizon and Iona’s arrival into the UK and naming ceremony will be the ray of hope the cruise sector has needed for such a long time.”


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Steve Dunlop


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