Eliana Willis

UKinbound and 67 business leaders from the tourism industry have written to the prime minister, Boris Johnson, to ask for emergency financial support in light of the Omicron travel restrictions.
Signed by attractions, destinations, hotels, transport providers and tour operators from across the country, the letter emphasised that inbound tourism has been in peril for 22 months and that the latest restrictions have come at considerable cost to businesses that are on the cusp of recovery.
Alongside highlighting that even pre-Omicron businesses were struggling, the communication outlined that the re-introduction of pre-departure testing, day two PCR testing and the need to isolate pre-results, are causing mass cancellations.
To support tourism businesses that have been significantly impacted by the new restrictions, three asks were presented:

Provide emergency grant support for businesses in the inbound tourism industry, including accommodation providers, attractions, destinations, destination management companies, transport operators, tour operators and service providers.
Allocate the £1.5 billion Business Rates Relief Fund to businesses most impacted by Covid-19.
Allocate the remaining Additional Restrictions Grant funding to businesses facing direct challenges as a result of Covid-19.

Joss Croft, chief executive UKinbound, said: “Almost every UK business that works in inbound tourism has been affected by the Omicron travel restrictions.
“These new constrains have directly restricted businesses’ ability to trade and with Government support all but ceased, the industry is in a precarious position.ADVERTISEMENT“We desperately need emergency funding that would allow businesses to weather the direct effects of Omicron.
“We have therefore asked government to work with the industry, prior to the next restrictions review date of December 21st to develop a suitable fund.”
Last week, UKinbound released new survey results after over 100-member businesses provided feedback regarding the impact of the new UK border restrictions imposed due to the Omicron variant.
Some 86 per cent confirmed they have received cancellations or are expecting to receive further cancellations in the run up to Christmas.

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VisitBritain has announced a new fund available to destination management companies and inbound tour operators to support in building back demand for Britain.
The £300,000 Destination Management Company and Inbound Tour Operator Amplification and Distribution Fund is open to eligible companies and inbound tour operators to apply for grant funding to develop and market tourism to Britain, working with international tour operators to dial-up promotion in their 2022 programmes.
VisitBritain is seeking destination management companies and inbound tour operators who can develop and market new Britain itineraries, with a focus on extending the tourism season, and see these incorporated in to the 2022 sales effort of international tour operators in the fund’s target markets of France, Germany and the United States.
VisitBritain chief executive, Sally Balcombe, said: “We are very pleased to announce this new grant funding, in response to a clear ask from the industry, to support destination management companies and inbound tour operators at a critical time in the sector’s recovery.
“Our priority is building back demand and visitor spending for those most likely to visit in 2022, and this fund will support the travel trade to sell Britain, driving immediacy to visit and bookings. ADVERTISEMENT“Broadening travel itineraries to boost inbound visits across the shoulder seasons will also support local businesses, destinations and economies.”
Britain-based destination management companies and inbound tour operators who meet the qualifying eligibility criteria can apply for individual grant awards between £20,000 and £40,000 in one of the two application categories, relative to their 2019 financial turnover of sales of holiday packages to Britain.
Applicants have until January 13th to apply for activity to run from February to June 2022, key booking periods for the fund’s target markets.

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Dubai Holding has announced the appointment of Fernando Eiroa as the new chief executive of Dubai Holding Entertainment.
The body is a diversified global investment company with operations in thirteen countries.
The entertainment portfolio comprises the leading leisure attractions in Dubai, as well as media and entertainment platforms and venues such as Ain Dubai, Global Village, Dubai Parks & Resorts, ARN and Roxy Cinemas.
Eiroa brings nearly 20 years of experience in the experiential entertainment industry, having worked in the US, Europe and other international markets.
In his last role he was chief executive of CircusTrix, a developer, operator and franchisor of indoor active recreation centres with a network of more than 320 facilities worldwide. ADVERTISEMENTEiroa has also served as chief executive of Palace Entertainment, a major leisure park operator in the United States, and Parques Reunidos, leading the IPO of one of the largest global groups, operating more than 60 parks in 14 countries across all segments and regions.
As chief executive of Dubai Holding Entertainment, Eiroa will spearhead the business’s innovation strategy, the delivery of operational excellence, and ensure purpose-driven talent development with the aim of exceeding the highest levels of customer satisfaction throughout the company’s leading entertainment venues and attractions.
Eiroa said: “The breadth and diversity of entertainment experiences in Dubai is an inspiration for the industry worldwide.
“I am excited about the opportunity to contribute towards further enhancing the emirate’s rich recreational and leisure landscape, which draws millions of tourists each year.”
Dubai Holding Entertainment is one of the largest diversified entertainment groups in the region committed to solidifying Dubai as one of the most sought-after touristic destinations in the world.
It forms a strategic part of Dubai Holding as one of the four key market-leading companies of the group.

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The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has called out against the introduction of blanket restrictions on travel, as witnessed in recent days.
This call echoes the concerns raised by UNWTO members during the UNWTO general assembly, held this week in Spain.
Countries from all global regions expressed their solidarity with southern African states, calling for the immediate lifting of travel bans imposed on specific countries and for freedom of international travel to be upheld.
In light of recent developments, UNWTO has once again reminded countries that the imposition of blanket restrictions on travel is discriminatory, ineffective and contrary to WHO recommendations.
Blanket restrictions may also stigmatise countries or whole regions.  ADVERTISEMENTDuring the UNWTO general assembly, members states and partners, including voices from international organisations and across the private sector, echoed WHO advice that travel restrictions should only be imposed as a very last resort in response to changing circumstances.
Furthermore, it was stressed that if restrictions are introduced, they must be proportionate, transparent and scientifically based.
They must also only be introduced with a full appreciation of what halting international travel would mean for the most vulnerable, including those developing countries and individuals who depend on tourism for their economies and livelihoods. 
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, UNWTO has called for coordinated and evidence-based approaches to balancing public health concerns with keeping the lifeline of tourism intact.
Over recent months, such an approach has been shown to be the most effective way forward.

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Tui Group remains in red but looks forward to 2022 recovery

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Tui Group has reported a €2.4 billion loss for the financial year as it battles back from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The figure is an improvement on losses of €3.5 billion seen the year before.
The holiday giant said it was close to breaking even in the final quarter of its financial year, as the travel climate continued to improve.
Tui said the first quarter of its new financial year was 93 per cent booked, based on lower winter capacity projections.
However, figures were still a third below pre-pandemic levels.ADVERTISEMENTTui, which reported a 40 per cent fall in revenue from €7.9 billion to €4.3 billion in the year to the end of September, said Easter was already running at about 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
Fritz Joussen, chief executive of Tui Group, sought to sound upbeat: “The operating business is back.
“We are generating significant cash inflows and achieving positive results again in many markets and with our hotels and Tui hotel brands.
“We expect summer 2022 to reach a largely normalised booking level.”
Tui said there would be flexibility in deciding whether to offer winter programme capacity at the lower end of the range depending on the impact of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.
For winter and the coming year, a statement said holidaymakers were choosing higher-value offers, more package tours and are also prepared to plan a larger budget for their holidays.
Average prices are approximately 15 per cent higher than in the pre-crisis year.
For the comparatively well-booked summer of 2022, average prices are even 23 percent higher.

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