Cash even more key as furlough ends A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
The publication date of this week’s edition of Travel Weekly has been stamped in the minds of the travel industry for many months. September 30 marks the end of the government’s Coronavirus Job
Retention Scheme, and the withdrawal of support that has been essential to many firms’ survival over the past 18 months (page 5). As we report this week, some in the industry will be better equipped than others to deal with the impact on their cost base, with long-haul and destination specialists and those focused on sectors such as business, inbound or educational travel under the most intense pressure. But as hopes for extended sector support faded in recent months, it became apparent that many firms were already taking decisions – often in conjunction with their staff – to try to navigate this latest barrier to recovery.
For a sizeable portion of the industry, the recent announcements on the relaxation of travel curbs on both sides of the Atlantic will make a huge difference to their ability to trade their way out of the crisis, and it has been a relief to see a more aligned approach emerge across the home nations this week (page 4).
But for smaller agencies and suppliers in particular, it is imperative that cash begins to flow in the right direction without delay to ensure they can survive to the new year. The pandemic has been punctuated by hopes being dashed for a succession of school holidays. All in the industry will be hoping this October half-term will prove an exception to that rule.
WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK
OModerated a session about touring and adventure holidays at the first Global Travel Week with speakers from Atas, Cosmos, G Adventures and Portugal.
OChatted to Steve Heapy of Jet2holidays as he unveiled the company’s NetZero sustainability strategy, ahead of COP26.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS
Abta calls for clarity on travel advice 4 Trade awaits details of day-two tests 4 Furlough-end job fears despite sales rise 5 Half-term prices soar; Royal sales drive 6
Atol renewal fears; Global Travel Week 7 Interview
winning feeling
Catch all the action from the Agent Achievement Awards pages 18-30
Photo: Steve Dunlop NEWS YOU CAN USE
Ocean Holidays, Toureasy, Scenic, HF 35 Seabourn, Saga, Celebrity, A-Rosa 36
FRONTLINE Your Stories
THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020
FRONT COVER PICTURES: Shutterstock/ Dasha Petrenko, Grekov’s, aapsky
travelweekly.co.uk
agent diary Kim Kent: ‘Industry is turning a corner’ 40
FOLLOW US: @travelweekly
Barrhead’s Emma Ram on getting through hard times 38
Abta’s Mark Tanzer previews convention 8 Conference report
Future of Travel Conference, London 10 Comment Steve Dunne: Tech must not mar service 14
OHosted my first webcast for Aspire, talking to luxury suppliers all about their recovery from the pandemic.
competitions
Bahamas, e-bike, £1k cash, AlUla 42 Get Social Trust funds, Atol, Philpotts, Clia, Kenton 43
DESTINATIONS The US
Florida: New Smyrna Beach sits on the lesser- visited side of the Sunshine State and is ideal for a
relaxed getaway or twin-centre break 44 bulgaria
Ski & Snow: Fancy an alternative to expensive European resorts? Find top-class skiing at a fraction
of the price in Bansko 48
BUSINESS NEWS Business Travel Association Conference:
US reopening ‘is light at end of tunnel’ 54 ‘Trade deals won’t transform economy’ 55 Sector’s prospects; risk management 55 Investors tipped to target travel again 56
travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 30 SEPTEMBER 2021 3
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 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
