Organisations & Operators,

UKinbound has written to the department for transport asking for day two testing for vaccinated international arrivals to be scrapped at the next travel review, due at the end of the month.
In its letter the association, which represents over 300 UK-based tourism businesses, stressed that the day two test continues to be an impediment to recovery and at odds with European countries such as Ireland, where vaccinated arrivals are not required to take a test.
UKinbound also outlined that it is imperative that the removal of day two testing is reciprocal for both UK and international citizens arriving in the country, arguing that the outbound and inbound tourism industries have a symbiotic relationship, and one cannot fully recover without the other.
Future alterations to the fully vaccinated status for international arrivals, incorporating the third booster vaccination, were raised.
To ensure this does not derail recovery, the association asked that when changes to vaccinated qualifying rules are published domestically, the guidance for international travel is published at the same time and that it clearly outlines any changes for inbound visitors who do not hold a UK passport or visa.ADVERTISEMENTJoss Croft, chief executive of UKinbound, commented: “This year presents an array of challenges for the UK’s inbound tourism industry as it rebuilds, but recovery is on the horizon.
“The industry has been working hard to roll out demand-driving initiatives to entice international visitors back and encourage them to spend their money here in the UK.
“However, this demand will only convert into bookings if the UK is competitive internationally, which is why we need the day two test for vaccinated international arrivals removed.”

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Contiki has launched an evolution of its brand identity as it seeks to boosts its position in youth travel.
As well as a new look and feel, signifying an optimism for the industry, the company claims to have realised its ambition of becoming entirely carbon neutral.
This refreshed positioning is focussed on the “fun, social experiences and sustainability” that the brand has been associated with for 60 years.
“During these strange times, we took some time to really understand what our travellers will want when the so-called ‘new-normal’ arrives,” said Simon Llanos, Contiki chief marketing officer.
“We thought about our position and how we communicate social travel, something the world has dearly missed. ADVERTISEMENT“We focussed on the things that are uniquely us: sharing incredible experiences, with brilliant people and a sense of fun, humour and community.
“We really feel we’ve bottled this feeling with our lively new brand evolution.”
The new look and feel is an expression of its values.
The vivid colour shade, led by Contiki Green, leans into the energy, power and wonder of the feelings the brand creates on trips.
“The evolution firmly places community at the heart of everything we do at Contiki, it expresses the emotional excitement of sharing your first travel moments with new friends from across the world,” Llanos said.

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Riviera Travel has added two new itineraries to its 2022 UK tour programme.
The UK tour and river cruise operator has previously announced it will run over 100 group journeys this year, across 12 itineraries, from March to December.
The new itineraries have been introduced by Riviera for the first ever time.
They comprise a five-day Northumbrian Coast, Durham and Lindisfarne tour, with four nights in the four-star Doxford Hall Hotel including breakfast and dinner. ADVERTISEMENTIt features guided tours of Alnwick Castle and Durham Cathedral; visits to Alnwick Garden, Cragside National Trust property, Bamburgh Castle and Durham for afternoon tea; and a scenic drive to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and Bamburgh.
Also on offer is a five-day Edinburgh, St Andrews and the Royal Yacht Britannia tour, with four nights in the four-star Mercure Edinburgh Haymarket Hotel including breakfast.
It features a guided tour of Edinburgh; visits to St Andrews, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Stirling Castle and a whisky distillery; a lake cruise around Loch Katrine; and a scenic drive through the Trossachs.
Both itineraries have a total of five departures, running from May to October.
An expert tour manager will be on hand throughout.
Joanne Lynn, head of European Product at Riviera Travel, said: “We have been thrilled with the positive feedback we have received, from both the trade and guests, for all of our tour itineraries following their introduction last year.
“As interest shows no sign of slowing down, we’ve added these two new options to give even more choice and variety.
“With a wealth of stunning sights and scenery to explore, our tours offer a captivating experience for guests wishing to holiday closer to home.”

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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has revealed that the recovery in air travel continued in November, prior to the emergence of Omicron.
International demand sustained its steady upward trend as more markets reopened.
Domestic traffic, however, weakened, largely owing to strengthened travel restrictions in China.
Total demand for air travel in November 2021 (measured in revenue passenger-kilometres or RPKs) was down 47 per cent compared to November 2019.
This marked an uptick compared to the 49 per cent contraction seen in October last year when compared to 2019.
Domestic air travel deteriorated slightly in November after two consecutive monthly improvements. ADVERTISEMENTDomestic RPKs fell by 25 per cent versus 2019 compared with a 21 decline in October.
Primarily this was driven by China, where traffic fell 51 per cent compared to 2019, after several cities introduced stricter travel restrictions to contain (pre-Omicron) Covid-19 outbreaks.
International passenger demand in November was 61 per cent below November 2019, bettering the 65 per cent decline recorded in October.
“The recovery in air traffic continued in November.
“Unfortunately, governments over-reacted to the emergence of the Omicron variant at the close of the month and resorted to the tried-and-failed methods of border closures, excessive testing of travellers and quarantine to slow the spread.
“Not surprisingly, international ticket sales made in December and early January fell sharply compared to 2019, suggesting a more difficult first quarter than had been expected.
“If the experience of the last 22 months has shown anything, it is that there is little to no correlation between the introduction of travel restrictions and preventing transmission of the virus across borders.
“And these measures place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods.
“If experience is the best teacher, let us hope that governments pay more attention as we begin the New Year, ” said Willie Walsh, IATA director general.

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VisitBritain chief executive, Sally Balcombe, has announced that she is stepping down from the role in spring this year.
Balcombe, who has been chief executive, first of VisitBritain then of VisitBritain and VisitEngland, for more than seven years, is leaving the national tourism agency to pursue new opportunities.
She said it had been an honour to lead the national tourism agency.
“When I joined, in 2014, we were already a high performing agency supporting a world-class, successful industry.
“Until the pandemic, our industry went from strength-to-strength, attracting record numbers of both visits and spend, creating jobs and economic growth.ADVERTISEMENT“Then Covid-19 struck, hitting our industry first and hardest.
“Our sector has always been able to adapt, and Covid-19 was no different, with conference centres becoming hospitals and museums and attractions taking their collections online.
“As we enter 2022, our industry continues to be confronted by many challenges and our focus is to drive immediate tourism recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic by building back visitor spend as quickly as possible and supporting the industry.”
British Tourist Authority (BTA) interim chair, Judith Macgregor, will lead the search for a replacement.
She added: “On behalf of the BTA Board and VisitBritain/VisitEngland I would like to extend our huge thanks to Sally for her outstanding and creative leadership over so many years of successful development and for steering the agency through the difficulties of the pandemic, setting its priorities and longer-term strategy to support this hard-hit industry through crisis to recovery and beyond.
“Sally has made a significant and lasting contribution to the UK’s tourism industry, not only during her tenure as chief executive of VisitBritain/VisitEngland, but with a career spanning more than 40 years in travel. We wish Sally all the very best for the future.”

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American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) has appointed Rachel Tonge as UK vice president and general manager.
In her new role, Tonge will lead the return of business travel in the UK by overseeing business operations and strengthening customer relationships.
She will report to EMEA senior vice president and general manager, Jason Geall.
Geall said: “Our customers and our people have faced many challenges preparing for the restart of business travel.
“Rachel is, therefore, taking on this role at a crucial moment. ADVERTISEMENT“However, her skillset, knowledge and temperament are exactly what we and our customers need to be successful.”
Tonge has been with GBT for five years, most recently as director of strategic transformation, which included a key role in the acquisition and integration of Egencia.
Tonge added: “I’m thrilled to bring our teams together to ensure a smooth return to travel as we deliver unrivalled value, experience and choice to our customers and their travellers.
“We’ll be placing a renewed focus on GBT being a great place to work, with inclusion and diversity embedded at our core.”

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Mike Tibbert has taken up the position of president of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA), the professional body for travel agents and the travel sector in Scotland.
He takes the reins at the organisation from outgoing president Joanne Dooey.
Tibbert, a specialist in the marine and offshore market, has worked in the travel industry since the 1990s, and is the general manager, Europe, at Global Marine Travel (GMT).
He steps into the role of president following a two-year period as vice president of the SPAA.
Tibbert said: “I am proud and humbled to accept the presidency of the world’s oldest travel association and I shall wear the chain of office with pride and commit to driving forward the aims of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association to the best of my ability.ADVERTISEMENT“The last two years or so have no doubt been the most traumatic for the travel industry and we do not go forward wearing blinkers nor being unaware of hurdles or curve balls that will no doubt be sent our way.
“But we will stand together and go forward with our mutual aims balanced for the entire industry with the hope that 2022 will be the start of the renaissance for travel globally.”
Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel, takes up the role of vice president of the SPAA.
Long standing member of the SPAA and past president Sandy MacPherson was made an honorary member of the organisation in recognition of more than 40 years’ service to the SPAA in a variety of roles.

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On the Beach has revealed that holiday sales have grown exponentially since testing requirements for fully-vaccinated travellers eased, with booking numbers pushing 160 per cent week-on-week.
Spring escapes in April, May and June currently make up 44 per cent of the bookings surge, indicating renewed consumer confidence for 2022 travel.
Data from On the Beach also shows the most popular winter getaways are the Canary Islands, and the Greek islands of Rhodes and Crete for summer.
The second Sunday in January also marked what is traditionally the busiest booking day for On the Beach, and based on the figures the holiday retailer is now predicting its biggest trading day since March 2019.
Luxe living is top of the agenda for British holidaymakers this summer, with four- and five-star hotels seeing most demand, as customers look to treat themselves after a couple of years without those cherished beach holidays abroad.ADVERTISEMENTZoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, said: “We’re thrilled to see the excitement surrounding summer holidays this week following the easing of travel restrictions – it’s been a very difficult couple of years for travel, so to see consumer confidence returning is incredibly encouraging.
“At On the Beach we know that summer holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, and we’re delighted to see people getting ready to see the jet off for a well-deserved break.”
Rival Jet2 reported a similar trend earlier in the week.

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