Heathrow strike impact downplayed Ian Taylor


Border Force staff at Heathrow were set to strike for four days from Saturday (August 31) as Travel Weekly went to press. The strike by 650 members


of the PCS union, who work at passport control at all four Heathrow terminals, looked likely to go ahead unless there are changes to roster arrangements imposed from April. The airport’s border staff have


already staged a three-day strike at the end of May and four-day strike on April 29 to May 2, plus a work-to-rule and overtime ban through most of June. PCS general secretary Fran


Heathcote warned the strike is “likely to cause serious disruption


to travellers using Heathrow”. However, both Heathrow and


the Home Office, which oversees Border Force, downplayed the likely impact. A Heathrow source noted government contingency planning “has worked well previously, allowing passengers to continue to travel smoothly”. Passengers are advised to use


passport e-gates if eligible. All UK and EU biometric passport holders aged 10 and over can use e-gates – although children aged 10-17 must be accompanied by an adult – together with citizens of the US, Australia, Canada and several other countries. A Home Office spokesperson


said there would be “robust plans in place to minimise disruption”


Prestige plans new agent website and adds Latin America


Juliet Dennis


Prestige Travel has outlined plans for a new travel agent website and the introduction of Latin America to its portfolio as part of a bid to enhance agent loyalty. This could include increasing how


many staff visit agents on the road depending on trade feedback, revealed managing director Darren Hollis. Hollis, who has a background


in running holiday parks, took over at the end of last year, replacing previous managing director Lee Harrison who left to spend more time with his family.


6 29 AUGUST 2024 “We want to build that loyal agent


base. We want to not just satisfy, but exceed, agents’ expectations to get more loyalty,” he said. “Our absolute focus is to support


our trade partners. We build loyalty by listening to what agents really want and delivering it.” Last year, Prestige recruited Joe


Lavers in the new role of commercial and trade relations manager to develop closer ties with agents, but the operator has not had a sales team on the road for two years. Hollis said this could be reviewed,


adding: “As we continue to grow we will continue to expand our


trade activity, delivering what our trade partners want. That certainly could include adding on-the-road account management support. “The time is probably right now


for us to expand. I would really like to spread the word about Prestige.” Already 96% of Prestige’s sales are


through agents and Hollis sought to dispel fears the premium operator had any plans to become more direct-sell despite past speculation. Hollis, who was brought in by


owners Embrace Travel Group initially as a consultant last year,


insisted: “There is no plan for us to pivot in any direction. It’s an agent business. We don’t do any activity to find direct clients.” The operator’s new trade website


is due to launch in September and will include more destination information and suggested itineraries. It will not be bookable but agents will be able to download marketing materials and access product training. Prestige is also expanding into


Peru and Costa Rica for the first time, with separate brochures to be launched at the end of this year.


travelweekly.co.uk We’re committed


to continuing our conversations with the union so we can find an agreement


but added: “We urge passengers to check the latest advice from operators before travel.” The spokesperson added:


“We’re committed to continuing our conversations with the union so we can find an agreement.” The Home Office has


previously said it would “deploy necessary personnel to meet demand”, using managers. The strikes follow a ballot


in March which saw 90% of the PCS members involved vote to walk out over the new rosters, with the union dismissing a staff consultation as “a farce”. The Home Office argued


the changes “bring working arrangements for Border Force Heathrow staff in line with the way staff work at all other major ports”. However, the union reports


160 staff have been forced to leave “because of the lack of flexibility”, arguing “women and those with caring responsibilities [have been] particularly affected”. The planned strike from


August 31 to September 3 will be followed – unless there is a settlement – by a work-to-rule and overtime ban until September 22.


Darren Hollis: ‘There is no plan for us to pivot in any direction’


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