Eliana Willis

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    WTTC calls for consistency on Covid-19 travel rules

    The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has called for more consistent travel rules and Covid-19 advice by European countries to counter confusion from travellers.
    Those journeying to Europe for the first time since travel restrictions began to ease have faced a baffling array of different types of travel rules and advice – with each country across the continent emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic at different stages, which is delaying the recovery.
    The uneven patchwork of Covid-19 national border restrictions and rules across a supposedly single Schengen zone is an obvious deterrent to cross-border movement.
    Unnecessary and inconsistent border constraints are deterring travellers and suppressing the resurgence of tourism.
    The return is urgently needed to regenerate destinations and act as a catalyst for the global economic recovery.
    WTTC research shows that every 2.7 per cent increase in travellers would generate or recover one million jobs in the sector.
    Governments working together with the right coordinated measures could stimulate an increase in travel by as much as 27 per cent, recreating a massive ten million jobs in tourism.
    Consumer confusion over travel rules such as the wearing of face masks is evident.

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    It is mandatory on public transport in some countries, such as France and Germany, but only recommended in Norway and Sweden.
    Meanwhile in Malta, masks must be worn in all public places whereas in Poland they are not if people can respect physical distancing.
    Medical advice, including from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is clear that the use of face masks helps reduce the risk of transmission up to 90 per cent, protects the user and those around them, as well as reintroducing a greater sense of normality for travellers.
    However, WTTC warns that unless European governments make a greater effort to align their policies it will cause the fragile recovery to stutter and slowdown, putting 16 million jobs in tourism at risk.
    Gloria Guevara, WTTC chief executive, said: “WTTC calls on all European heads of state to unite for the benefit of the millions of people who depend on this sector in Europe; both travellers and workers.
    “It is urgent that governments learn from the past and take quick and effective action to coordinate and harmonise travel rules and border requirements to bring consistency for everyone across Europe.
    “Previous crises, including the 2008 financial crash, shows where governments coordinate to align policies, their leadership resulted in a quicker recovery.”
    She added: “We are encouraged to see that more travellers are spending time searching for holiday destinations across Europe following the easing of travel restrictions.
    “Unfortunately, the lack of coordination among countries has created inconsistencies which means we are failing to rebuild the trust of potential travellers.
    “Anyone travelling from one European country to the next faces a bewildering difference in travel advice, covering masks, testing and contact tracing which could seriously hinder the return of the tourism sector.”
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    UK government backs refund credit notes

    The UK travel industry has welcomed announcements from the department for transport and the CAA that ATOL protection will be extended to cover refund credit notes.
    The notes have been issued in place of cash refunds in recent weeks, as the hospitality industry battles a huge backlog of cancellations in the wake of the Covid-19 shutdown.
    But there have been questions over their legitimacy.
    Package travel regulations require refunds for cancelled holidays to be paid in 14-days.
    However, travel companies have argued that, if they adhered to requirements amid wholesale cancellations, most would be put out of business.
    Refund credit notes were seen as a compromise, allowing travellers to rebook at a later date.
    In a long-awaited decision, the CAA said: “This news will provide clarity to consumers concerned as to whether their money would be secure if they chose to accept a refund credit note from their travel company following a cancellation of their ATOL-protected booking.
    “To ensure consumers that hold ATOL-protected bookings retain financial protection, refund credit notes issued in respect of these bookings will benefit from ATOL protection up until September 30th.
    “If the consumer chooses a refund credit note, they should have the option to convert it to a cash refund at any point and must do so before September 30th, 2021.”
    However, the CAA added consumers are entitled to a cash refund and must be offered this option at the same time as a refund credit note or booking amendment.

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    In response to the announcement, an ABTA spokesperson said: “ABTA welcomes the government’s action to back refund credit notes through the ATOL scheme; this gives reassurance to consumers and supports the travel industry at an especially difficult time.
    “This development verifies that the ATOL scheme provides protection for cancelled holidays when a refund remains outstanding in the event of a travel organiser’s failure.
    “This is the same for non-flight-based package travel with ABTA bonding under the package travel regulations.
    “This assurance enables consumers to hold and rely on Refund Credit Notes with confidence, before rebooking a much-needed holiday.”
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    Solombrino departs GBTA following misconduct investigation

    The Global Business Travel Association has said a third-party investigation into professional work conduct allegations against chief executive Scott Solombrino has concluded there was “no legal wrongdoing on his part”.
    Solombrino was appointed to the role in April this year.
    However, he was almost immediately suspended after directors at the organisation received an anonymous letter asserting unspecified allegations against him.
    The board subsequently launched an independent investigation – which discovered no wrongdoing.
    However, after being cleared of the allegations, Solombrino and the GBTA board have agreed it was appropriate for him to pursue other opportunities.

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    GBTA interim executive director, Dave Hilfman, stated: “We thank Scott for his 25-years of service to GBTA and his passion and commitment to advancing the travel industry. 
    “We wish Scott success in his future endeavours.”
    The Global Business Travel Association is a business travel and meetings trade organisation headquartered in the United States with area with operations on six continents.
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    ABTA launches Covid-19-proof travel insurance product

    ABTA has launched of a new travel insurance product, ABTA Travel Sure.
    The body hopes the product will appeal to people with existing or rescheduled holiday bookings to countries exempted from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s current advice against all but essential travel.
    The insurance will explicitly cover Covid-19 medical expenses while on holiday.
    After this launch, ABTA members will have a long-term opportunity to promote ABTA Travel Sure which, depending on their level of involvement, may require them to become either an introducer appointed representative or appointed representative.
    The product is underwritten by AXA.

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    Ian Hall, head of travel insurance at ABTA, said: “Insurance has an important role to play in giving people confidence to book now travel is restarting.
    “We have known for some time that there is demand in the market for a travel insurance product that consumers can put their trust in and having initially put our plans tolaunch ABTA Travel Sure on hold because of the pandemic we are now in a position to assist the industry in its recovery.”
    He added: “The consumer awareness and trust in the ABTA brand means we are well placed to provide this service and we’re confident that after this initial roll out ABTA Travel Sure will provide Members with a long term opportunity to benefit from selling this high-quality travel insurance product.”
    Find out more here.
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    Jet2.com launches first post-Covid-19 holidays

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    Jet2.com launches first post-Covid-19 holidays

    Jet2.com waved customers off to sunny hotspots this morning, as the airline and tour operator recommenced its holiday programme.
    Almost 50 flights departed today from across Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Glasgow Newcastle and London Stansted Airports.
    Travellers were headed to the Canaries, Balearics, Spain, Turkey, Greece and Italy.
    Flights and holidays will commence from Belfast International and Edinburgh in the coming days.

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    With pent-up demand for a well-deserved holiday, the package holiday specialist will operate to 44 destinations this summer, providing fantastic choice when it comes to customers’ well-deserved holidays, as well as assurance that it will be quarantine-free. 
    Independent travel agents will also benefit from the company’s continued partnership approach, with a raft of new virtual support initiatives helping them to sell and rebook summer holidays.
    [embedded content]
    Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “We have been saying for some time that the sun will shine again and that when it does, we will be there to take customers away on their well-deserved holidays.
    “That day has finally arrived, and we were delighted to see our first of flights take off.
    “It is fantastic to be back in the air and recommencing our award-winning flights and package holidays to sunny destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands.
    “The safety, well-being and comfort of our customers is our number one priority.
    “Thanks to our three-step pledge, customers are in safe hands when they travel with us.
    “Through our industry-leading customer service, customers know they can rely on us to deliver everything needed to make their holiday a happy and healthy one.”
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    Fleetway Travel collapses into administration

    Fleetway Travel has ceased trading and gone into administration.
    The company also traded under the names of Exclusive Luxury Breaks, Explorer’s Collection, Late Bargains, Luxury Holiday Collection, Phone & Fly, Sail Away, Silversurfers Holidays and Travelsmart.
    The company sold a variety of packages to destinations across the world.
    Based in London, Fleetway had around 6,500 bookings in place when it collapsed.
    Most are likely to be protected by ATOL.

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    “We are aware of a number of consumers whose bookings have been cancelled by Fleetway Travel as a result of government guidance or flight cancellations,” said a statement from ATOL.
    “Consumers that were promised but have not yet received a refund for the cancellation of their ATOL protected booking will be able to submit a claim.”
    There are currently thought to be no consumers abroad dur to government restrictions on travel.
    Andy Cohen, head of ATOL, said: “We understand this will be concerning news for anyone who has booked to travel with the company or has had their booking cancelled.
    “It is a sad day for the industry when a long-established business like Fleetway ceases trading.
    “However, the ATOL scheme exists for exactly this kind of situation and we are making arrangements so all ATOL protected customers may make a claim.”
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    Scottish travellers rue TUI cancellation decision

    A TUI decision to cancel all of its chartered flights from Aberdeen for the remainder of the summer has been greeted with shock and disappointment by the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA).
    Flights, which included those to destinations such as Majorca, Tenerife, Ibiza, and Reus in Spain as well Turkey and Rhodes, have all been cancelled until October.
    The move comes against a backdrop of a wider reopening from the company.
    Joanne Dooey, president of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association said: “This is simply appalling news for Scottish travellers and travel agents alike.
    “There has been so much uncertainty about when people can travel from Scotland, and where they can travel to, for weeks.

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    “The omission of Spain from the ‘green light’ list of countries where Scots can travel without quarantine has led to insecurity for both holidaymakers and the travel trade.
    “We have been warning for weeks about the possible loss of flight routes and the impact this will have on travellers and the Scottish economy, not just for this summer but potentially for years to come. It is questionable if, once we lose a flight route, we will ever see it return.”
    She added: “The travels sector is a close knit community and we all feel for our friends and colleagues at TUI as we know this will have been an extremely difficult decision for them, however, we fear this may not be the last announcement of this kind in the sector.
    “With any loss of flights like there is there is the risk of job losses too. “
    The SPAA, founded in 1921, is the oldest organisation representing travel agents in the world.
    It currently has 120 members and 92 associate members across the travel and transport industry.
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