Eliana Willis

Hays Travel are offering coronavirus testing kits holidaymakers can pack in their suitcases in a bid to take the stress out of going abroad this summer.
Video appointments are provided alongside the kits meaning there is no need to interrupt the enjoyment of a holiday to search for a testing centre.
Strict rules currently require anyone entering the UK to have proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within the three days before departure, regardless of whether or not they have been vaccinated.
Hays Travel has teamed up with approved supplier Collinson Group, to provide the government approved tests, that can easily be packed in luggage.
Collinson help travellers take the test during the pre-booked video call appointment and the result comes through within an hour along with the appropriate fit to fly certificate by email. ADVERTISEMENTThe test kits were launched this week high street shops and are already in huge demand as holiday bookings continue to rise, with Spain and Greece favourites this summer.
“This test kit is ideal for anyone who will be travelling from a resort where the UK requires a test before coming home,” said Jonathon Woodall, Hays Travel chief operating officer. 
Hays Travel customers can get the test for a price of £33.60.

Older
Jet2.com relaunches flights to amber list countries

Newer
flyadeal welcomes first A320neo to fleet More

A coalition of travel industry organisations has written to the secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, Oliver Dowden, to express disappointment at the tourism recovery plan.
The document was released last month and details how authorities intend to get the second back on its feet after the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a letter signed by 16 senior representatives from across the industry, the Save Future Travel Coalition expressed disappointment with the lack of tangible policies in plan.
They also showed concern with a statement in the plan that the government wants to “embrace” the current restrictions on overseas travel as an “opportunity” by “boosting domestic demand”. ADVERTISEMENTThe coalition emphasised that the outbound tourism sector is worth more than £37 billion and supports more than half a million jobs in ordinary times across the UK.
One of the coalition partners, ABTA public affairs manager, Emma Wade, said: “The tourism recovery plan lacks many policies the industry is so desperate to see.
“We urge the secretary of state and his colleagues to engage with businesses and organisations across the travel and tourism industry to rectify that oversight, and to ensure that the plan continues to evolve in the coming weeks and months.”
Highlighting the importance that retaining the strategic international connectivity will play in the overall economic recovery of the UK from Covid-19, the coalition reiterated its proposed key actions to support the industry, including:

To establish without delay the proposed inter-ministerial group for tourism, and broaden its remit, so that it can act as a conduit to ensure the views of the travel industry are heard by ministers across government.
To set up permanent structures to ensure a coordinated approach to travel and tourism between the four nations of the UK.
That the secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport make representations to the treasury for travel and tourism businesses to be a priority case for funding and that financial support is not removed while constraints on trade imposed by the government remain in place.
To include overseas visitors who have been fully vaccinated in the changes to quarantine rules.
To make the case for borders to be resourced fully to ensure that increased volumes of passengers can be handled without significant disruption.
To make coronavirus tests in travel more affordable and more proportionate in their use.

The Save Future Travel Coalition is made up of 16 leading travel bodies and campaign organisations which together represent the vast majority of outbound and inbound organised travel to the UK.
They include ABTA, AITO, Advantage Travel Partnership, UKinbound, Pacific Asia Travel Association and the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association.
A government plan for the hospitality sector received a warmer response earlier.

Older
Wizz pulls Cardiff base two weeks before take-off

Newer
Celebrity Silhouette extends UK summer season More

TUI is moving to permanent flexible working in the UK following 16 months of home working due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The majority of office-based employees in the UK have worked from home since the start of the pandemic in March last year.
During this time, the company sought to embrace the shift realising that almost all office-based roles could be done remotely. 
TUI conducted colleague research to understand their views on ways of working, with many citing they have adjusted their working practices and have discovered benefits, including a better work life balance, that they would like to continue with once the pandemic is over.
As part of the new ways of working, TUI employees will only be required to attend the office once a month to attend face to face team meetings or collaboration events, enabling individuals to make their own choice about how often they would like to work in an office environment.ADVERTISEMENTWhile offices will remain open individuals will be able to decide what working environment works for them.
Recognising the importance of transitioning to a permanent flexible working approach, the organisation has created a new workspace director.
This role will be responsible for workspace portfolio across the UK and Ireland and will have the accountability to define and implement a workspace strategy.
Belinda Vazquez, workspace director of TUI UK & I, said: “At TUI we embrace the concept that work is something we do, not somewhere we go.
“We have listened to our employees in order to define a clear framework that ensures ultimate flexibility, whilst creating positive experiences that enable all colleagues to feel like they belong and are valued.”

Older
Qatar reopens to vaccinated travellers

Newer
United Airlines hopes to launch electric aircraft by 2030 More

Kayak has become the official shirt sleeve sponsor of Newcastle United ahead of the 2021/22 Premier League season.
First team players will wear Kayak branding on the shirt sleeve of all home, away and third kits for the forthcoming season. ADVERTISEMENTThe strategic partnership marks the first ever football sponsorship for the travel search engine.
Founded in 2004, Kayak pioneered the system of allowing customers to compare prices across multiple providers in one location – known as meta search.
Commenting on the partnership, Per Christiansen, Kayak vice president, EMEA, marketing, said:  “As we continue to grow our brand partnerships in the UK and internationally,  we are thrilled to kick off our first football partnership with Newcastle United.
“It is an honour to be associated with the team and we look forward to expanding our presence amongst the players and their global fanbase as they enjoy the freedom of travel and live sport once again.”

Older
Cunard unveils plans for full return in 2021

Newer
British Airways app allows economy passengers to order food to seat More

Overlanding specialist Dragoman has revealed plans to go “dormant” for the foreseeable future in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company said it was going to “sit tight” until the resumption of long-haul travel is again feasible.
All future bookings for those who have yet to travel are being refunded in full, the 27 Dragoman trucks – parked up all over the world – continue to stay off-road, and the (much longer than originally foreseen) wait for normal long-haul travel to resume continues, the company said in a statement.
Charlie Hopkinson, a director of Dragoman, explained: “This has been a very tough decision to take. 
“We thought back in 2020 that a chink of light meant we’d soon be overlanding again, albeit perhaps to countries closer to home than the norm.  ADVERTISEMENT“But we are now 16 months into the pandemic, and long-haul travel in the way that Dragoman has operated for the past 40 years is, sadly, unlikely to be possible in the short- to medium-term.
“We have got to batten down the hatches and to sit it out as best we can, much as we hate the idea of doing so.”
He added: “This means refunding our loyal customers who have yet to travel and agents worldwide, suspending our operations and closing down our HQ. 
“No new bookings will be taken until we see light at the end of the tunnel and feel confident that we can re-start our operations.”
This year saw Dragoman’s 40th anniversary of overlanding worldwide.
The company has taken 77,000 passionate travellers to myriad destinations worldwide during those 40 years – across Asia, trans Africa and trans North and South America. 
“We are desperately sad to have to bid au revoir to everyone for now – our loyal in-house road crew and expedition leaders, engineers, reservations team and admin staff, all of whom have worked hard to keep things ticking over; our sales agents worldwide and in the UK; the many associated businesses with whom we’ve been linked, some for the full 40 years,” said Hopkinson.
“To those who have bookings with us, we would appreciate your patience until we contact you, please; we have only a small skeleton team working at present, and we will contact everyone in strict date order. 
“It will take time, but you will hear from us just as soon as possible. 
“Please do not try to reclaim your funds via your credit card company – this will take a great deal of time and effort on your part, and it also means that we will be unable to refund you ourselves; thank you.”
Hopkinson concluded: “This is not the end. 
“The decision to pause is to ensure that Dragoman can – and will – live on in the future.”

Older
Ryanair unveils plans for pilot recruitment drive

Newer
Spirit of Adventure arrives in Portsmouth for first time More

It is time to lift remaining restrictions on the hospitality industry and give visitors to Wales simple and clear messages about staying safe.
That is the view of UKHospitality Cymru (UKHC) ahead of a Welsh government today.
UKHC executive director, David Chapman, commented: “The Welsh government review is a chance to lift remaining restrictions and help businesses in Wales to manage the huge influx of summer visitors.
“Let’s keep it simple: open up, stay savvy, stay safe.”ADVERTISEMENTHe added: “On July 19th we’re expecting England to fully open up and from that moment we need to make sure visitors to Wales are welcomed with a set of simple directions about how to stay safe and enjoy their holiday while they are here.
“Welsh government ministers are suggesting we have to now learn to live with the virus; it’s time to make it simple and easy for those looking to take their first restriction-free break in eighteen months.
“We don’t want hospitality workers to be at the receiving end of visitor confusion, disappointment or annoyance about what can or can’t be done; let’s make it as straightforward as possible. 
“Open up now, stay savvy and stay safe.
“They should be the watchwords of the new normal of living with Covid-19 in Wales in a post-vaccine environment.”

Older
Scenic Eclipse to sail from Saudi Arabia

Newer
Manchester Airport prepares to debut new terminal facility More