Organisations & Operators,

Insight Vacations has welcomed guests to the first USA trip since the pandemic – Enchanting Canyonlands – introducing the new role of the wellbeing director for the first time.
The group was made up of travellers from the domestic market discovering the natural parks and open spaces of their own country, such as the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Bryce and Zion National Parks.
With the USA typically accounting for over half of Insight Vacations’ UK business, the trip was an important step toward reopening.
The trip was Insight Vacations’ first with a wellbeing director in place, a new role that has been created by the Travel Corporation to provide an additional reassurance and logistical support around health and safety in a post-pandemic world.
At the same time, it allows the travel director to focus entirely on delivering a seamless guest experience.ADVERTISEMENTWellbeing director Carol Kendrick, who is also one of Insight Vacations’ most experienced travel directors, described it as “awesome” being back on the road and added: “Rules can vary from state to state, city to city and establishment to establishment, so it’s our responsibility to ensure that we know what’s required, and that guests know what to expect.
“Everything from porterage, to the way meals are served and how venues are operating can change daily.
“It’s these details that might seem small but can be confusing or contradictory, and we work behind the scenes to ensure that the guests don’t have to think about anything other than having a good time.”
Starting in Scottsdale, the seven-day Enchanting Canyonlands trip heads to the Grand Canyon – staying inside the national park itself and with dinner overlooking the South Rim – before travelling on through Monument Valley to Lake Powell, with accommodation in lake or marina rooms at the Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas.
Chris Townson, managing director, UK & Ireland for Insight Vacations, said: “Hearing from the fantastic Carol Kendrick in her role as wellbeing director really reiterates the value of travelling with an escorted touring operator like us, because we have both an on-the-road and an office-based team who are entirely dedicated to making the holiday experience as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible for our guests, who can just sit back and relax as we navigate the changing nuances for them.”

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Corporate Traveller UK is to be merged with Flight Centre Business Travel (FCBT) UK.
Parent company, Flight Centre Travel Group, has taken the decision to combine the pair in order to maximise investment in new technology, services and customer experience specifically for the small- and medium-sized business travel sector.
Established in the UK in 2005, FCBT was set up to meet the increasing demand from customers of Flight Centre’s leisure agencies for personal local business travel services.
In the UK, FCBT has around 2,000 customers ranging from individual business owners to larger companies who typically spend £50,000 to £1 million per annum on corporate travel.
Corporate Traveller launched in the UK in 1999 and has since grown to become the largest travel management company in the country, providing dedicated business travel services to 2,500 customers.ADVERTISEMENTCorporate Traveller has 240 staff at 15 locations nationwide.
FCBT customers will transition to Corporate Traveller together with 135 employees in operations, account management and sales.
Staff will continue to work personally with their respective customers within Corporate Traveller’s business to ensure seamless transition of servicing.
“Corporate Traveller and Flight Centre Business Travel have evolved as separate business divisions within Flight Centre Travel Group over the last 15 to 20 years.
“Both brands had grown to become extremely successful in their own right, providing personal service from dedicated consultants and technology solutions specifically suited to their respective customers,” said Steve Norris, managing director EMEA, Flight Centre Travel Group.
“However there were also many synergies.
“It therefore made business sense to bring these two brands together so that we can focus on investing in our overall offering collectively to enrich the customer experience, as well as retain and grow market share in the post-Covid era,” said Norris.
FCBT also merged with Corporate Traveller in Canada and South Africa.
The company continues to operate in Australia and New Zealand.

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VisitEngland is set to launch the next phase of its UK-wide campaign to boost domestic day trips and overnight breaks in the run-up to summer.
The project comes in partnership with the tourism organisations of London, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The ‘Escape the Everyday’ campaign, which first launched in autumn 2020, highlights the quality destinations, visitor attractions and experiences on offer across the UK to build back demand for domestic breaks.
This next phase of the campaign ‘Escape the Everyday – Enjoy the UK this Summer,’ with the theme ‘reconnecting with people and places,’ has a focus on cities and city visitor attractions as well as regional gateways which have been particularly hard hit by the lack of international visitors and that rely on overseas visitors and their spending.
The £5 million campaign kicks off across the tourism agency’s ‘own’ channels with a short video and branded content across social media with ‘on demand’ television advertising from May 25th.ADVERTISEMENTThe paid multi-media campaign then ramps up as the summer season approaches and in line with each nations’ roadmap.
The campaign is also calling for tourism businesses, visitor attractions and destinations across the UK to get involved.
It comes as the tourism agency’s latest forecasts show that domestic tourism spending is estimated this year of £51.4 billion, just over half of the £91.6 billion in 2019.
Last year alone saw about two-thirds of the value wiped off the domestic tourism industry in Britain, a £58 billion loss to the economy.
The forecast for inbound tourism spending in the UK this year is £6.2 billion, less than a quarter of the £28.4 billion in 2019.
Tourism minister, Nigel Huddleston, said: “Our brilliant tourism and hospitality sector has faced unprecedented challenges over the past year, which is why we’ve already provided £25 billion in support, including £5 billion in VAT cuts.
“There is so much to see and do across the whole of the UK and our great cities have lots to offer.
“Whether you’d rather visit a museum or gallery, browse in a bookshop or enjoy first rate hospitality, I encourage everyone to get out there to explore our wonderful cities and support domestic tourism.”
A free Escape the Everyday campaign toolkit is available for destinations and tourism businesses across the UK with campaign information, ways to get involved and marketing materials that can be adapted to promote local products and services, attractions and experiences with the theme of ‘reconnection.’

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The Travel Corporation (TTC) is opening up its destination management company portfolio to other travel companies and businesses to white label and tailor for the first time.
The company, which operates brands including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Contiki, Red Carnation Hotels, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Evan Evans Tours, said the move was in response to opportunities made apparent during the pandemic.
Overseeing the project is TTC president, Gavin Tollman, who said: “During the uncertainty of the pandemic, we spoke to a number of our partners who were looking for an operational solution with the quality, knowledge, infrastructure, consistency and financial resilience to deliver on the ground in a new post-pandemic world – but they were hitherto unaware of the depth and breadth of our destination management portfolio.”
He added: “They were excited when they realised we could provide that solution across multiple destinations worldwide, affording them deeper access to the award-winning expertise and service for which our brands are well recognised.
“By launching a dedicated website and a series of new tools outlining the extent of our offering, and the financial strength that supports it, we hope to be able to present this hassle-free and risk-free opportunity to a wider range of leisure and corporate travel businesses.”ADVERTISEMENTTTC has twelve destination management companies offering holidays, local experiences, corporate travel and ancillary services across Africa, Europe, the Americas and the South Pacific.
The company already operates as ground handler for a number of internationally recognised travel brands.
Realising the potential to expand and grow in this space, a new website, marketing assets and training will bring the range of experiences, global footprint and financial benefits to life.

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English Tourism Week is fast approaching with this year’s week dedicated to showing support for tourism businesses and destinations across the sector as they reopen and start to rebuild.
Coordinated by VisitEngland and taking place from 22 to 31 May, English Tourism Week is an annual celebration of the tourism industry, highlighting its economic importance to local economies and promoting the innovation, quality and range of products and services on offer to encourage more domestic breaks.
It comes as the tourism agency’s latest forecasts show that domestic tourism spending is estimated this year of £51.4 billion, just over half of the £91.6 billion in 2019.
Last year alone saw about two-thirds of the value wiped off the domestic tourism industry, a £58 billion loss to the economy.
Tourism minister, Nigel Huddleston, said: “The tourism sector has undoubtedly faced enormous challenges over the past year. ADVERTISEMENT“This is why we have provided over £25 billion in support to date, including the unprecedented VAT cut.
“Tourism and hospitality businesses across the country have continually impressed me with their ability to adapt over the past year and I know they’re all ready to welcome us back.
“English tourism has so much to offer, from rural retreats to city breaks.
“I can’t wait to get out there exploring and I urge everyone to join me in supporting our fantastic tourism sector by taking a domestic holiday over the coming months.”
In the lead-up to English Tourism Week and throughout VisitEngland is encouraging people to share photos and social media posts to show support for the sector using #EnglishTourismWeek21.
VisitEngland has also produced toolkits and a series of posters for tourism businesses and destinations to download and get involved in the week, promoting their local products and services, attractions and experiences.
VisitEngland and local destinations are also asking MPs, local authorities, the UK government and other stakeholders to get involved and show their support by visiting local businesses and attractions during the week.
VisitEngland director, Andrew Stokes, said: “Our annual event to celebrate and champion English tourism has never been more important, providing a timely opportunity to show the outstanding offer here on our doorstep as we head in to the critical summer season and to support local businesses and visitor attractions, who have lost months of vital trading, as they reopen and rebuild.
“By highlighting the quality and sheer diversity of tourism products, destinations and experiences across England we also hope people will consider an extra holiday at home this year, exploring somewhere new, revisiting a favourite attraction or taking a city-break.
“With international tourists slower to return this is also the year to rediscover the crown jewels of English tourism in our vibrant city centres.
“Millions of jobs and local economies rely on tourism and businesses and destinations have been working flat-out, innovating and adapting to safely welcome visitors back and making sure they have a great experience.
“They will be very pleased to see you.”

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On the Beach has taken the dramatic step of taking all holidays this summer off sale.
The company, one of the largest tour operators in the UK, blamed “continuing uncertainty” around international leisure travel.
Simon Cooper, who leads the business, said he needed to know more about how the traffic light requirements will impact customers.
All destinations are currently ranked as ‘green,’ ‘amber,’ or ‘red’ by the government in England, with travel discouraged to the latter two.
Only a small handful of countries, including Israel and Portugal, are currently considered safe for travel. ADVERTISEMENTCooper said: “There’s nothing we want more than to be able to send customers on holiday, but with the current number of unknowns we don’t think that now is the right time for customers to book new holidays departing in the next few months.”
He added: “We don’t know enough yet about how the traffic light system will work in practice, and it doesn’t currently give any certainty or clarity beyond a three-week window. 
“In the coming weeks and months – until vaccination programmes across Europe and beyond are further along in their rollout – it is very likely that we will see regular fluctuations in destinations’ traffic light classifications, and so there is likelihood of disruption or even cancellations for the many customers who want to book more than three weeks in advance.”
No trips before September are currently being sold by On the Beach.
Recent YouGov research found that less than a third of English people would feel comfortable about travelling internationally once travel restrictions are lifted.
Some 85 per cent of consumers said that they would not want to travel to an amber destination under current guidelines. 
Just 33 per cent said that they thought travel to a ‘green’ country would be worth it if it meant taking Covid-19 tests before departure and after arrival.
“Given this, there is too much uncertainty for us to take new bookings with confidence that they will go ahead, or for us to know the potential inconvenience or incremental costs that customers might experience or incur,” said Cooper.
“As a result, we have taken the decision to stop selling holidays for this summer until customers have greater clarity and can make more informed booking decisions.”
In contrast, rivals easyJet and TUI Group have previously said they will continue to sell holidays to amber destinations, largely in the belief they are likely to be added to the safe list in the near future.
Cooper added: “Unlike many of our competitors, we have no interest in selling holidays that are unlikely to happen, as our business model enables us to put customers first, rather than needing to get cash in the door to contribute to high fixed costs, and offering refunds in the form of a voucher when holidays get cancelled.
“This is a temporary measure that we will review in line with the next government announcement.
“In the meantime, we will focus our efforts on helping and advising our customers who already have bookings of their options to either still go on their holiday, amend their holiday or, where the holiday is cancelled, refunding them in cash within 14 days.”

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Gloria Guevara had stepped down as chief executive of the World Travel & Tourism Council.
A former tourism secretary of Mexico, she had led the private sector body since 2017.
Guevara will be replaced by Julia Simpson, who currently sits on the executive committee of International Airlines Group (IAG).
Simpson, who will take up the role in August, brings extensive experience of the tourism sector, having served on the boards of British Airways, Iberia and most recently as chief of staff at IAG.
She also previously worked at senior levels in the UK government including advisor for the UK prime minister.
Julia Simpson will take over as leader of the WTTC this summer
Carnival Corporation chief executive, Arnold Donald, who was recently appointed as chairman of WTTC, paid tribute to Guevara and welcomed Simpson to her new role.
Donald said: “I would like to first thank Gloria for her dedication and commitment to WTTC, especially in these difficult times.ADVERTISEMENT“Her contributions have been immeasurable, from helping to unite the sector as it manages and recovers from the pandemic, to providing a clear voice and direction for the safe restart of international travel.”
He added: “I am delighted to welcome Julia Simpson, an exceptional leader with experience both in the private sector and in government, to help guide WTTC at this critical juncture of the tourism sector.”
Guevara, who recently presided over a successful Global Summit in Cancun, said she was leaving with a heavy heart.
“I am very proud to have led this diverse and talented team and to have worked with so many amazing industry leaders, who are our members, and built strong relationships with government heads of tourism around the world.
“I leave WTTC after completing my mandate, in a stronger position as the voice of the private sector and the leader of the global agenda.”

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Robinson, a high-end brand owned by TUI Group, is sharpening its profile for its fiftieth anniversary with the launch of a new brand identity.
The first Robinson Club Jandia Playa opened 50 years ago on Fuerteventura as a small project by the German company.
Half a century later, TUI has become a leading tourism group and Robinson has expanded to 26 clubs across 15 countries, respected as the German market leader for premium club holidays.
For its birthday, the club provider is now launching its new brand identity and confirming its positive outlook on carefree travel after the pandemic.
Bernd Mäser, managing director of Robinson, commented: “Even during the pandemic, we were able to welcome thousands of guests in compliance with comprehensive hygiene and safety measures. ADVERTISEMENT“There was a great deal of trust in our brand already before the crisis and it is now paying off.
“As soon as we can reopen a club, we see bookings come in immediately – the bond with our guests is overwhelming.
“We are convinced that we will see a boom in bookings with the upcoming changes to travel rules with the most beautiful beach clubs sure to top the list.”
A parrot has served as the brand logo for Robinson since it was founded.
The colourful bird stands for happy, carefree sociability and continues to symbolise the central promise of the holiday provider.
While the head was more abstract in the company logo over the past 27 years, the likeable bird is now clearly recognisable again.
The typeface of the word mark has also been revised: the new sans serif font appears timelessly clear, underpins the premium claim and perfectly complements the formal language of the animal.
A TUIfly aircraft with the new Robinson corporate design and parrot will soon enter its service in the TUIfly fleet.

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