Eliana Willis

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    WTTC warns of huge job losses in UK tourism sector

    Nearly three million jobs in the UK look set to be lost due to the collapse of travel, according to deeply pessimistic figures from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
    Somewhat implausibly, this accounts for virtually every job in the sector across the country.
    WTTC economic modelling conducted less than two months ago predicted this ‘worst case scenario’ would occur if barriers to global travel, such as quarantine measures and blanket travel restrictions, were to remain in place.
    While some travel bans have been removed, many others remain, with new restrictions likely to come into force to tackle the continuing threat posed by Covid-19 and possible second spikes.
    However, the confusing patchwork of bans, quarantines and uncoordinated international testing and tracing measures, have deterred many people from travelling at all with the peak summer 2020 travel season “all but being wiped out”.

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    WTTC estimates the UK now looks close to losing a staggering $186 billion from the tourism sector’s contribution to UK GDP, equating to a 73 per cent percent drop compared with 2019.
    Gloria Guevara, WTTC chief executive, said: “It’s heart-breaking to see our worst fears for the UK and global tourism sector coming true.
    “The jobs and livelihoods of millions of people who work throughout the sector are disappearing by the day, despite our warning this could happen.
    “While we acknowledge the UK government’s efforts to support tourism during this crisis, the UK alone looks set to lose three million jobs in the sector, creating an economic black hole of US$186 billion in the country’s finances.
    “This is due to an international failure to implement proper coordination to combat the pandemic.”
    Context
    In contrast to the scenario presented by WTTC, figures from the Office for National Statistic state the unemployment rate in the UK is currently 3.9 per cent.
    A total of 1.3 million people are currently out of work in the UK – across all sectors.
    While this figure is set to rise as the government tapers the coronavirus job retention scheme, unemployment has some way to go before it reaches levels predicted by the WTTC.
    In a sign the worst may also be past, easyJet yesterday said it was increasing the number of flights it would offer this month by a quarter as demand rebounds.
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    Hays Travel to consult on job losses

    Hays Travel has begun consultation on as many as 878 job losses as the tourism sector continues to battle the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.
    The company, which took on 2,000 former Thomas Cook employees when it went bust in October last year, currently had around 4,500 employees.
    However, cuts are now likely following a government decision to reimpose quarantine procedures for travellers returning from Spain.
    Owners John and Irene Hays said the restrictions meant hundreds of thousands of holidays had been cancelled.

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    They were “devastated” staff would lose jobs “through no fault of their own,” the couple said.
    In a joint statement, the Hays said they had “made every possible effort” to protect the jobs of all the staff, “including those who were employed when Hays Travel took on the Thomas Cook shops last October”.
    The Sunderland-based company said it was now consulting with 344 staff training as travel consultants and the 534 who work in the foreign exchange division.
    The firm said its experienced travel sales staff, apprentices and other head office staff were not affected by the cuts.
    Hays Travel said it had a two-year turnaround plan in place, and that although 2020 “looked really bad,” bookings for 2021 were already up on the same period in 2019.
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    ABTA seeks to simplify FCO guidance with new website

    ABTA has introduced two new resources to help members understand the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and guide them through what to expect from their holidays.
    The move comes as the landscape regarding country access and restrictions looks set to remain complex for the immediate future.
    To help members navigate the travel advice revisions for British travellers, ABTA has created a new FCO exempt countries guide which illustrates the various mandatory Covid-19 entry requirements, health checks, and quarantine rules for the countries that are exempt from the global advisory against all but essential travel.
    Designed as an easy-to-digest snapshot of the current travel landscape, the guide details the FCO exempt countries in alphabetical order, uses six different icons to illustrate the mandatory destination entry restrictions and sets out whether travellers from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are exempt from quarantine on their return to the UK.
    The six icons indicate whether British nationals are currently permitted to enter that country, whether a negative Covid-19 test is required on entry, what quarantine rules and booking information are required on arrival, any transit rules regarding connecting flights, and other restrictions to consider such the rules regarding face coverings and closed borders between neighbouring countries.

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    Angela Hills, ABTA head of destinations, said: “In these unique circumstances, it’s important that we continue to support our Members with the required resources to guide them and their customers through the changing travel experience.
    “The varying rules, regulations and restrictions for overseas destinations can seem quite complicated, and we hope that these new tools will help our members to answer questions from customers so they can book with confidence and look forward to their holidays.”
    The guide is complemented by a new customer information leaflet – entitled “Get ready for travel: customer tips and information for going on holiday or travelling abroad” – which provides handy tips and considerations for anyone who is preparing to travel overseas for either business or leisure, from the research stage through to their return to the UK.
    Hosted on the consumer advice page on ABTA’s website, the leaflet includes the importance of reading the FCO’s travel advice pages for their intended destination for the latest Covid-19 related requirements, as well as taking out comprehensive travel insurance and checking that their passport will be valid for their travel dates.
    Other new considerations include packing a sufficient supply of face coverings and hand sanitiser for the trip, researching any changes to check-in procedures, meal services onboard flights or new measures in the airport terminal, as well as being aware of local policies regarding social distancing or face coverings once on holiday.
    For their return to the UK, holidaymakers are advised that they will need to complete a public health passenger locator form and have an electronic or paper copy on them ready for inspection.
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    Wale appointed chief executive of Abercrombie & Kent

    Michael Wale has been named chief executive of the Abercrombie & Kent Group.
    Appointed by co-chairman Geoffrey Kent and Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, he will take up the role at the start of October.
    Wale joins the luxury travel company from Kerzner International, the owner of Atlantis and One & Only Resorts, where he was chief executive until earlier this month.
    Before joining Kerzner, his career spanned almost 40 years with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, culminating as president for Europe, Africa & Middle East, directly overseeing the operations of 250 hotels and resorts, for its ten brands, in 60 countries.
    Wale replaces Amerigo Perasso, who has held the role of chief executive with the company for a little under a year.
    “With Michael, Abercrombie & Kent will start an exciting new chapter,” explained Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio.
    “When guests book a holiday with us, they know we will guide them to amazing places, but the destination is a given. 

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    “What they expect from us – and what keeps them coming back – is how we go the extra mile.
    “Michael’s extensive experience in guest services and operations will take what A&K is known for to the next level.”
    Wale is currently based in Dubai and will be relocating to Monaco. 
    He will continue his association with Kerzner International as he joins the board of the company.
    “I am thrilled to be joining the team at Abercrombie & Kent at this pivotal time in the company’s history,” said Wale. 
    “I have travelled with A&K before and understand its distinctive approach to luxury experiential travel.
    “I also look forward to working with Geoffrey and Manfredi, two titans of the travel industry, to build a bright future for our guests, partners and staff.”
    Abercrombie & Kent is a luxury and adventure travel company.
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