IATA urges governments to help struggling airlines
The trade body has presented new analysis showing that the airline industry cannot slash costs sufficiently to neutralise the severe cash burn caused by Covid-19. More
Eliana Willis
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UNWTO expects international arrivals to slump 70 per cent in 2019
According to the newest World Tourism Barometer from the United Nations body, international arrivals plunged 81 per cent in July and 79 per cent in August. More
TUI unveils winter holidays for 2022
TUI UK has launched winter 2021 and 2022 holidays as the company seeks to boost sales in the wake of the Covid-19 shutdown in travel.
The travel giant is also planning to put summer 2022 holidays on sale from November 5th.
The decision comes as 86 per cent of customers surveyed in September said they expect to have gone on holiday again by next summer – demonstrating the growing appetite for travel post Covid-19.
With on-going travel corridor uncertainty for some firm favourites this winter, those craving sunshine during the coldest months have already booked for next winter, with strong demand in particular for Cancun, Jamaica and Tenerife from the range of 52 destinations on sale.
TUI will be offering a total of 62 destinations for the summer 2022 programme from 16 UK airports.ADVERTISEMENT
The company welcomes back Teesside Airport for summer 2022 for the first time since 2013 with the launch of a weekly flight to Palma on Tuesdays.
This flight will also give people living in the Teesside area access to four Marella Cruises sailing itineraries, including Coastal Gems, Treasures of the Mediterranean, Magic of Spain and Mediterranean Medley, all on Marella Discovery and on sale from December 2020.
TUI also expects Florida to continue to prove popular as many families moved their magical trip from this year to 2021, with 40 per cent of holidays to this destination already sold.
Families typically book their Florida holiday far ahead, so placing summer 2022 on sale now will help customers plan their truly memorable family holiday.
Richard Sofer, commercial and business development director at TUI, said: “Our latest customer survey and booking patterns for next summer indicate that the great British public are looking forward to future holidays even more so as they may have been unable to take one this year.
“This is why we have launched our future holiday programmes through to the end of October 2022, so that families and couples alike can plan ahead to next year and beyond to make informed choices about what will make their perfect holiday from the wide range we have on offer.”
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Saudi Arabia on track to meet visitor ambitions MoreInternational coordination could see tourism recover by 2022, WTTC argues
World Travel & Tourism Council chief executive, Gloria Guevara, has said global tourism can recover from the Covid-19 pandemic by early 2022.
However, the timeframe will require a great deal more cooperation between governments, she argued.
“We can recover in 18 months – but it depends on coordination at an international level.
“Some countries did a good job containing this pandemic, but they do not have a plan to reopen.
“You cannot work in silos; travel depends on a lot of partners working together.”
She added: “It is our role to facilitate these relationships and to help countries to work together to reopen.”
Guevara pointed to the possibility of opening airline routes between London and Dubai or London and New York to evaluate testing procedures designed to remove quarantine.
If the world fails to act to reopen tourism, as many as 100 million jobs could be lost, the WTTC has argued.
Guevara added a vaccine would play a vital role in the reopening of the sector.ADVERTISEMENT
She explained: “We believe there is going to be a vaccine before the end of the year – the challenge is going to be the distribution of the vaccine.
“Again we will need the coordination in order to make sure everybody who needs it, gets it.”
Guevara was speaking at the Future Hospitality Summit, a hybrid virtual conference developed to explore big ideas and tackle the challenges facing the hospitality industry.
It is taking place in Riyadh over the next two days.
The event, which promises to be one of the most impactful gatherings of the hospitality community, will be delivered on a cutting-edge event platform from Bench Digital.
It will provide an immersive live experience, including a virtual exhibition, one-to-one video networking and integrated chat features to all participants.
More Information
Future Hospitality Summit is organised by ministry of tourism Saudi Arabia and G20 Saudi Secretariat as part of the International Conferences Program, honouring the G20 Saudi presidency 2020.
Find out more on the official website.
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Saudi tourism minister welcomes world to Future Hospitality SummitNewer
IATA urges government focus on testing to replace quarantine MoreStace to lead travel business at Saga
Saga has announced the appointment of Nick Stace as chief executive of its travel business.
He currently holds the role of chief strategy officer with the company, and will take up his new role with immediate effect.
In his new role Stace will oversee the cruise and tours businesses, while he will also retain responsibility for strategy at the parent company.
The key focus in both travel businesses is ensuring a safe return to service as soon as government restrictions on travel are lifted.
In his current role, Stace has been leading work with government and all other relevant authorities to ensure provision of the very best safety operating protocols for a Covid-19 world.ADVERTISEMENT
Before joining Saga, he had held a series of senior leadership roles across charities, consumer-facing organisations and financial services as well as in regulation.
Euan Sutherland, Saga Group chief executive, said: “I am delighted that Nick is moving to head our travel business after successfully driving our strategic reset.
“With a new strategy in place and a significantly enhanced financial position, we see a wealth of opportunities ahead of us as we position Saga to deliver sustainable growth and create significant long-term value.
“Nick brings a wealth of experience that will be invaluable for the next phase of development of our travel business.”
Stace replaces Robin Shaw who left Saga in June.
Stace said: “My number one priority in my new role is ensuring that our travel businesses are ready to provide exceptional experiences to our customers when the current restrictions are lifted.
“We know that the demand is there, because our customers are enthusiastically re-booking in both cruise and tours and we have worked to ensure we have detailed, industry-leading procedures ready for a Covid-19 world.”
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Palm Fountain recognised as biggest in the world MoreThomas Cook sees spike in Canary Island demand
The newly-relaunched Thomas Cook has seen demand for holidays in the Canary Islands leap as searches rise more than 20 times on the previous week for the Spanish holiday hotspot.
Overall traffic yesterday tripled following the 17:00 announcement yesterday, when Grant Shapps confirmed Brits travelling to the Canary Islands, Denmark and Mykonos would not need to quarantine on their return.
Searches continue to accelerate this morning with customers flocking to grab last-minute deals to the main islands of Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura.ADVERTISEMENT
Thomas Cook, which launched last month committing to only sell holidays that are quarantine-free, is expecting to see a bumper weekend of interest – particularly with half-term upon us.
In addition, all holidays booked with Thomas Cook come with a money-back guarantee if quarantine rules are reinstated.
A spokesperson for Thomas Cook said: “It looks like Brits are clamouring to flock south for the winter and demand for holidays in the sun-soaked Canaries has come at just the right time for people looking for a break.
“There are some great deals to be had and all of the islands offer a great choice of holiday, from budget options through to high-end all-inclusive.”
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Occupancy levels show modest recovery at IHGNewer
Palm Fountain recognised as biggest in the world MoreCAA extends ATOL credit note scheme
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced the ATOL refund credit notes scheme will be extended until the end of the year.
In July, the ATOL scheme announced, following confirmation from the department for transport, that refund credit notes issued for cancelled ATOL protected bookings as a result of Covid-19 would be protected.
Originally, this protection applied to refund credit notes issued between March 10th and September 30th this year.
However, the scheme is today able to announce that ATOL protection for refund credit notes has been extended to cover any issued between the start of October and December 31st.
Consumers are entitled to a cash refund if a refund credit note is not suitable for them and have the right to exchange their refund credit note for cash at any point.ADVERTISEMENT
However, as the ATOL protection for their refund credit note will expire on the September 30th next year they should redeem or exchange for a refund before this date.
Paul Smith, consumer director at the UK CAA, said: “While consumers who have had their holidays cancelled are entitled to a full cash refund, some may choose to accept a refund credit note.
“In light of the continued impact of the coronavirus pandemic on travel, the decision to extend ATOL protection for refund credit notes will strengthen consumer confidence and allow for ATOL holders to continue to offer them in good faith to their customers.”
He added: “Travel businesses should ensure that if they offer their customers vouchers or refund credit notes after December 31st they include in the offer clear information as to what protection, if any, applies.”
More Information
Further details of any conditions can be found on the CAA website.
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Accor sees revenue slump in third quarter as travel stallsNewer
Occupancy levels show modest recovery at IHG MoreCAA extends ATOL credit note scheme until end of the year
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced the ATOL refund credit notes scheme will be extended until the end of the year.
In July, the ATOL scheme announced, following confirmation from the department for transport, that refund credit notes issued for cancelled ATOL protected bookings as a result of Covid-19 would be protected.
Originally, this protection applied to refund credit notes issued between March 10th and September 30th this year.
However, the scheme is today able to announce that ATOL protection for refund credit notes has been extended to cover any issued between the start of October and December 31st.
Consumers are entitled to a cash refund if a refund credit note is not suitable for them and have the right to exchange their refund credit note for cash at any point.ADVERTISEMENT
However, as the ATOL protection for their refund credit note will expire on the September 30th next year they should redeem or exchange for a refund before this date.
Paul Smith, consumer director at the UK CAA, said: “While consumers who have had their holidays cancelled are entitled to a full cash refund, some may choose to accept a refund credit note.
“In light of the continued impact of the coronavirus pandemic on travel, the decision to extend ATOL protection for refund credit notes will strengthen consumer confidence and allow for ATOL holders to continue to offer them in good faith to their customers.”
He added: “Travel businesses should ensure that if they offer their customers vouchers or refund credit notes after December 31st they include in the offer clear information as to what protection, if any, applies.”
More Information
Further details of any conditions can be found on the CAA website.
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Accor sees revenue slump in third quarter as travel stallsNewer
Occupancy levels show modest recovery at IHG More
