NEWS


Firms tipped to emerge smaller, leaner, flexible


st-crisis safety T


Tailor Made Travel has installed screens like those used by food retailers (left)


options being considered by Barrhead Travel following Scottish government proposals. President Jacqueline Dobson said: “We will await further government advice as and when lockdown measures begin to lift.” Carrick Travel director Tracey Carter said: “We don’t


envisage staff back at their desks as normal. We have screens on our list but are not planning to order one per desk because we might have an appointment-only system.” Tailor Made Travel has already installed screens in


branches, while Lincolnshire Co-op Travel has tested a screen for its desks and is considering paperless transactions, removing brochures and introducing plastic chair coverings. Many agents said it was difficult to make decisions


without official advice. C The World director Carolyn Park has tasked staff to


come up with ideas and said appointments behind locked doors and virtual appointments were likely. But she said: “I want some government guidance. We’re not experts on this.” Spear Travels group operations director Trevor Davis


said: “Like most businesses we are keen to get back to normal, whatever normal is. However, we have to follow government advice.” He ruled out Perspex screens.


Lee Hayhurst


he travel industry that emerges from the Covid-19 lockdown is predicted to be smaller and leaner as the sector’s ability to rebound remains shrouded in


uncertainty. Operators planning for a resumption of travel are


considering scaled-back programmes to reflect the likely hit on the economy and social distancing rules. Paul Carter, chief executive of Inghams’ parent


Hotelplan UK, told a Travel Weekly webcast that the operator’s Santa Lapland and winter ski programmes this year were likely to be smaller. And he said: “I don’t know whether we’ll have a


summer operation. It depends on consumer appetite and as some countries start to lift restrictions.” Oliver Brendon, chief executive of Do


Something Different parent ATD Travel Services, said it was unclear how social distancing would impact theme parks. “We’re doing scenario planning – worst case,


best case, likely case. The likely case keeps becoming the worst case as the news gets worse,” he said. “I’m not all that optimistic about this year. It’s


going to be like a start-up environment.” Steve Endacott, co-founder of Rebound


Consulting, advised travel firms to re-emerge with a start-up mentality. “No company can afford to not come out of this leaner,” he said. “They’ve got to be meaner,


Finnish Lapland


smaller, and more creative. The worst thing you can possibly be at this stage is obese. Make your businesses as flexible as possible, because there’s further disruption to come.” Fellow Rebound founder Seamus Conlon,


former chief executive of Cruise.co.uk, tipped homeworking as the post-coronavirus winner. He described himself as “a huge advocate” of


human-to-human retailing and said increased use of digital communications “will make great consultants even more precious”. But he added: “I am not sure why anyone needs


to walk to a shop.” Conlon predicted firms will operate more


remotely with working from home “becoming the norm”, adding: “Adapt now to the new future, there will be no going back once the rebound comes.”


O


Air New Zealand says suspended Heathrow-Los Angeles service will not resume


O


Etihad adds repatriation flights, including to Heathrow


Saturday, April 25 O


Wizz Air announces it will resume flying from Luton from May 1


O


Spanish hotels report 66% slump in foreign tourists


Sunday, April 26 O


Reports suggest government could impose 14-day self- isolation on UK arrivals


O


Boeing’s deal with Embraer collapses


Monday, April 27 O


Emirates says it will take until August to process its near 500,000 refund claims


O


The Unite union sets out ‘radical’ plan for aviation’s future as Airlines UK warns of “cash crisis” without state aid


O Chancellor announces Bounce


Back Loans of up to £50,000 for small businesses


O Paragon Sports ceases trading O


Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings increases liquidity


Tuesday, April 28 O


BA announces restructure plans that could mean up to


O O


12,000 redundancies O


G Adventures furloughs seven staff previously made redundant


TTA claims 50% spike in enquiries amid refunds row


Butlin’s closures extended until June 7; Haven’s and Warner Leisure Hotels’ until May 31


travelweekly.co.uk


30 APRIL 2020


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PICTURE: Shutterstock


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