ABTA Magazine – September 2020

What now for the city break?

With holidaymakers expected to embrace family villas and isolated getaways, where does this leave the traditonal short trip to the city?

Going it alone

Does solo travel have the same appeal in a confusing new world

Rethinking travel G Adventures’ Brian Young on a more sustainable future

Support needed

ABTA outlines Save Future Travel plan to prevent job losses

Trade Publication of the Year / Sep 2020

What now for the city break?

With holidaymakers expected to embrace family villas and isolated getaways, where does this leave the traditonal short trip to the city?

Going it alone

Does solo travel have the same appeal in a confusing new world

Rethinking travel G Adventures’ Brian Young on a more sustainable future

Support needed

ABTA outlines Save Future Travel plan to prevent job losses

Trade Publication of the Year / Sep 2020

Travel in a confusing new world

W

elcome to the latest digital-only edition of ABTA Magazine. In this issue, we continue to analyse the chaos of the current travel corridors system and the 14-day quarantine policy, and the impact this uncertainty is having on consumer confidence and the health of an already beleaguered industry.

As our news section (from p6) demonstrates, this is a time of unprecedented struggle for a sector that, before the pandemic, saw remarkable growth for more than a decade. ABTA has warned that 90,000 jobs have either been lost, or are at risk, in the industry and its supply chain since the global pandemic began. The Job Retention Scheme has been used by 90 per cent of travel businesses, while 65 per cent of companies have either made redundancies or have started consultations. But only four in ten businesses believe that travel will return to 2019 levels by 2022 – meaning tailored support for the travel industry is an absolute necessity. If the government does not act with tailored support for travel, as it has for other sectors, 83 per cent of firms estimate that it will have a critical or serious impact on their business; it’s why we should all get behind the Save Future Travel campaign. As we point out on p16, the contribution of travel and tourism to the economy is often overlooked, with inbound and domestic travel seen as a positive and outbound travel met with indifference by politicians who should know better.

When the easing of restrictions were first announced in July, it appeared that it would be time to switch focus from forecasting the future to explaining the present. While that may be true to extent (there is indeed much to decode in this confusing new world), many questions linger about what travel looks like in the medium and long term. We’ve attempted to answer a couple of these questions, considering whether solo travel will still have the same appeal given the daunting prospect of navigating different countries’ safety protocols and Foreign Office advice (p38). Plus, with holidaymakers embracing isolation and holidays safely within their own ‘bubbles’, what does the future hold for the traditional city break? We consider the destinations that may be popular, given their access to green space (p26).

Don’t forget to sign up to our weekly mailout here. We hope you enjoy reading.

ABTAmag.com

September 2020

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In the September issue

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26

03 06

Editor’s letter Travel in a confusing new world

16

Outbound travel Facts and figures that prove the importance of outbound travel to the UK economy

18

ABTA Section All the details of The Travel Convention, which this year goes virtual and has a theme of Rebuilding Confidence in Travel

22

Comment Brian Young from G Adventures on how we must learn to travel better, post-pandemic

26

City breaks With travellers turning to the remote and the rural, we look at what the future holds for the city break – with several recommendations

32

Travel agents As travel becomes more complicated, agents and their knowledge and experience will be more valuable than ever

38

Solo travel Will holidaying alone remain as popular, post-pandemic, as people instead look to catch up with friends and loved ones?

News All the latest travel headlines during the Covid-19 pandemic

38

ABTAmag.com

SLOVENIA. MY WAY OF TAKING IT EASY. There are million ways to feel Slovenia. Everywhere and any time you go you’ll always run into something that reflects your unique taste and view of the world.

The only question that remains is: what’s going to be your way of feeling Slovenia?

#ifeelsLOVEnia #myway

www.slovenia.info

News

News

All the latest travel headlines amid the Covid-19 pandemic

TRAVEL RESTRIC TIONS

AIR BRIDGES

Switzerland removed from travel corridors list in latest change in advice

NYC to UK talks ‘underway’

By ABTA Magazine staff

By ABTA Magazine staff Travellers from Jamaica, Switzerland and the Czech Republic must now quarantine for 14 days after the countries were removed from the travel corridors list.

However, Cuba has been added to the list. The changes came into effect at 4am on Saturday, August 29. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) now advises against all but essential travel to Jamaica, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

Unusually, Cuba was already exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel – but was not previously on the travel corridors list. This is the latest round of amendments to be made by the Department for Transport and Foreign Office. Critics say the regular changes are undermining confidence in travel and negatively impacting the industry.

In August, Portugal was added to the travel corridors list, but at the same time the

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September 2020

government announced that Austria, Croatia and Trinidad & Tobago were to be removed.

These changes were preceded by the removal of France, the Netherlands, Malta, Monaco, Turks & Caicos and Aruba.

Revealing more details behind the government’s thinking, transport secretary Grant Shapps said the decisions to add or remove countries considered: • The estimated prevalence of Covid-19 in a country • The level and rate of change in the incidence of confirmed positive cases • The extent of testing in a country • The testing regime and test positivity • The extent to which cases can be accounted for by a contained outbreak as opposed to more general transmission in the community • Government actions and other relevant epidemiological information

Talks about a London-New York City travel corridor are taking place at a “senior level”, according to reports.

At the time of writing, the American city has brought its seven-day infection rate down to 7.2 cases per 100,000 – below England’s 11.3 rate – but all travellers from the US must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the UK. The Daily Telegraph reports that ministers are studying plans for regional air bridges, which would enable business and leisure travellers arrive in the UK from “low-risk” areas in countries not on the travel corridors list.

ABTA has said that moving to a regionalised quarantine and Foreign Office travel advice policy will provide additional certainty for businesses and consumers, and could help save thousands of travel industry jobs (see p7) A source told the newspaper that talks are at an early stage. “It is vital to get business going with a major trading partner, especially as we near Brexit,” said the source. Paul Charles, chief executive of The PC Agency, said the US-UK talks would “increase pressure on the government to introduce Covid testing to enable incoming passengers to sidestep quarantine”.

The government initially suggested a reciprocal air-bridge arrangement with countries before it opted for a wide travel-corridor arrangement. However, multiple changes to the list have caused widespread confusion, leading to testing calls (see p10). ABTAmag.com

ABTAmag.com

SAVE FUTURE TRAVEL

90,000 travel jobs at risk, says ABTA

By ABTA Magazine staff ABTA has revealed that 90,000 jobs have either been lost, or are at risk, in the travel industry and its supply chain since the global coronavirus pandemic began.

ABTA has called on the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, to offer tailored support for the travel industry. While the Job Retention Scheme has been used by 90 per cent of travel businesses, 65 per cent of companies have either already made redundancies or have started consultations.

Four in ten businesses believe that travel will return to 2019 levels by 2022. To do this, according to ABTA, the government should adopt a regionalised approach to quarantine rules.

At the same time, if the travel industry is to retain the maximum number of jobs, it is vital that consumers are incentivised to book holidays. With the peak booking season starting from December, ABTA is therefore urging the government to use the Autumn Budget to announce an Air Passenger Duty (APD) holiday covering Summer 2021.

If the government does not act with tailored support for travel, as it has for other sectors, 83 per cent of firms estimate that it will have a critical or serious impact on their business.

To Save Future Travel, ABTA’s plan is to: • Regionalise quarantine: moving to a regionalised quarantine and Foreign

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•

•

•

Office travel advice policy will provide additional certainty for businesses and consumers Introduce testing: a testing regime will enable travel to resume to major global trading partners and mitigate the risk of infection from high risk countries Grant an APD holiday: to boost demand for travel, including Summer holidays in 2021 Provide recovery grants and other business support measures: travel agents, the vast majority of whom are SMEs, receive the majority of their income through commission that is paid on the departure, so these businesses will need support to get them through to the next major travel period next Easter.

The government can support these businesses by issuing another round of grants, based on those offered to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses earlier in the crisis, and extending other business support measures into 2021/22 Give ongoing salary support: with the furlough scheme drawing to a close at the end of October, the government should consider extending support for businesses that have not seen a significant recovery in revenues, as has happened elsewhere such as Australia.

•

Targeting salary support where it is needed until March 2021 would reduce the cost to HM Treasury and could preserve tens of thousands of jobs in travel If a ‘second wave’ inspired a further shutdown, 96 per cent of travel businesses report it would have a critical or serious impact on their ability to survive.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA’s chief executive, said: “With the government’s stop-start measures, the restart of travel has not gone as hoped for the industry, and sadly businesses continue to be adversely affected and jobs are being lost at an alarming rate. Coming towards the end of the traditional period for peak booking, we have hit a critical point as existing Government measures to support businesses begin to taper off, the consequence of which, according to this survey of ABTA Members will be ruinous for more people’s livelihoods.

“Travel desperately needs the government in its next review to provide tailored support or tens of thousands more jobs will be lost. We have already seen well-known and respected businesses that would normally be successful falling into administration, and more are sadly set to follow unless the government can Save Future Travel.” ABTAmag.com

September 2020

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News

RIVIERA

Operator plots return to Italy with Lake Como tours

Credit: Julia Solonina on Unsplash

By ABTA Magazine staff Riviera Travel is to return to Italy from September 14, with tours in Lake Garda, Lake Como and Puglia after the company sent a team to the country to ensure it was safe for guests.

Riviera’s chief commercial officer, Jim Forward, said: “We want people to be confident travelling to Italy and have been working with UK health experts and Italian hoteliers, among others, to ensure that British tourists can enjoy a fantastic experience in a safe environment.

“I wanted to be personally reassured and so put this to the test, taking a team of Riviera staff to inspect hotels and visit attractions in Lake Como, Venice, Verona and Lake Garda. We experienced first-hand what travel is like for those that want to take advantage of a quieter time to explore some of the country’s most iconic sights.

“We concluded that those arriving in Italy will have a great time, with a richer and more personal holiday experience. With fewer people you get the opportunity for a more intimate exploration of normally busy tourist hot spots,

plus a warm welcome from hotels, bars and restaurants – seeing St Mark’s Square in Venice without the crowds is really special. You are temperature tested entering hotels and other facilities, and hand sanitiser is everywhere. Just as in the UK, you cover your face on public transport and in enclosed spaces. The new processes are sound and I felt safe.”

The company has introduced a range of customer guarantees and flexibility for those who book now. There is also a Covid-19 cancellation and curtailment protection as standard.

Stuart Milan, channel director for Riviera Travel, who was also on the trip, added: “We recognise that travel agents often have a personal relationship with customers and it is important that they have confidence in recommending an operator to travel with. That is why it was important for our Agency Sales team to experience the trip, so they can speak to our travel partners with confidence about the measures in place to protect our customers.

“Of course, travelling now won’t be for everyone, but for those with a yearning for a unique and immersive travel experience we are confident that these tours offer something special. Our regular tours to Italy resume from April 2021, and forward bookings are already very strong.”

Italian seven-day tours that are currently on sale for September are: Lake Garda, Venice and Verona September 14 and 21, prices start from £919. Lake Como, September 25, prices start from £1,169. Lake Maggiore, Orta and the Matterhorn September 22, prices start from £1,249. Sardinia, Alghero, Costa Smeralda & Corsica September 15 and 19, prices start from £1,179. Puglia, Lecce & Vieste – Undiscovered Italy September 19 and 25, prices start from £1,069. ABTAmag.com

10 minutes with… Thoyyib Mohamed,

MD of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) What’s the latest in the Maldives?

Following the reopening of our international borders on July 15, the Maldives is prepared to welcome back tourists to our island nation with safety being the destination’s top priority.

An impressive 43 resorts have already opened in the Maldives and an additional 46 will be opened in October, ensuring 94 per cent of resorts in the Maldives will be open for business ahead of the key ‘winter sun’ travel months when many UK holidaymakers traditionally escape to warmer climates. The

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September 2020

Maldives will also welcome 11 brand new resorts in the remaining months of 2020 alone, with a further six resorts scheduled to open in 2021, meaning UK travellers will have even more choice of accommodation.”

Were you disappointed not to be on the UK’s travel corridors list?

The UK is one of our most important markets for inbound tourism so, with the Maldives High Commission in the United Kingdom and the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, discussions

ABTAmag.com

STA TRAVEL

Agency’s demise highlights the pressures facing the travel industry

By ABTA Magazine staff The news that STA Travel has ceased trading will send a shockwave through the industry, bringing to life the very real pressures that travel is under at the moment, ABTA has said.

STA’s holding company, the Swissbased STA Travel Holding AG, filed for insolvency in August. The company had 49 branches and a head office, employing almost 500 members of staff.

It specialised in student and youth travel, becoming known for round-the-world trips for those embarking on gap years.

An ABTA spokesperson said: “STA Travel will be a name that is familiar to most people who will have used them to travel or been aware of their name on the high street, and this distressing news will sadly affect the livelihoods of hundreds of employees.

“People will have used STA Travel to book package holidays as well as individual air tickets. The majority of holidays sold were flight inclusive

packages, which are protected by ATOL and scheduled airline tickets only which should proceed as normal. Nonflight based packages will be protected by ABTA. “If customers booked a package holiday through STA Travel, and the holiday is provided by another tour operator, they will need to contact the tour operator who should be able to confirm that their booking will go ahead as normal.

“Further information for customers affected can be found at abta.com/ statravel.”

Andrew McConnell, spokesman for 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 STA Travel Ltd ceases trading, especially one that many may be used to seeing in their towns and on their high streets.

“However, the ATOL scheme exists for exactly this kind of situation and we are making arrangements so that all ATOL protected customers can either continue their holiday and return home as normal, or make a claim if they are due to travel.”

ABTAmag.com

Continued from page 8 are underway to ease the travel restrictions for travellers from the UK. Several marketing initiatives are underway to promote the destination and to strengthen the destination presence and one of the main objectives will be to regain the confidence of travellers in the destination. We hope the Maldives will soon see an easing of the UK’s travel and border measures and look forward to welcoming back UK holidaymakers to our beautiful islands.

When the advice does change, why should Brits visit? What makes the Maldives perfect for a post-Covid world?

Along with the Maldives’ one-island-oneresort concept and abundant choice of private villa facilities, the geography of the country means the Maldives is the ideal

ABTAmag.com

destination for guests who are keen to avoid crowds during their holiday this year. In line with the comprehensive Covid-19 safe tourism guidelines and hygiene certification programme issued by the Maldivian Ministry of Tourism in June 2020, all 166 resorts situated in the island nation will be required to take protective measures, ensuring the safety of tourists and also staff working in the industry.

We want to assure visitors that the Maldives is a ‘safe haven’ as it is one of the most ideal destinations for tourists during a pandemic environment due to the unique geography and the one-island-one-resort concept that fits the requirements of today’s travel needs. It is no question that the Maldives is a world-class holiday destination well-known for its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.

How can travel agents find out more about the Maldives?

Travel agents can visit visitmaldives.com and corporate.visitmaldives.com to find out more about what the destination can offer their clients, as well as for the latest updates on upcoming events and fairs, and to download useful information such as resort hotel guide, maps and videos. ABTAmag.com

September 2020

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News

HEATHROW

Airport testing centre ready to end ‘quarantine roulette’

By ABTA Magazine staff Heathrow Airport has set up the first coronavirus testing centre for arrivals – but tests will cost passengers £150 a time. The unit is now available, but no passengers will be able to use it until the government permits a trial.

The testing centre is in Terminal 2, with a second in Terminal 5 set to open in September.

The facility has been developed by logistics firms Swissport and Collinson. It includes 24 booths for swab tests, each staffed by a nurse.

If given the go-ahead, passengers from countries not on the travel corridors list – such as the US, Spain and France – will be able to avoid two weeks of quarantine.

After Spain was removed from the travel corridors list, Heathrow’s CEO called for a new testing regime. Yesterday, he told prime minister Boris Johnson to “get a grip of our border policy” or risk mass redundancies in the travel industry.

He said: “Testing will not only avoid the ‘quarantine roulette’ that so many passengers faced in Spain and France, it will also open up flights to key trading partners such as the US, Canada and Singapore.

“The government’s own research shows that a double test has a high level of accuracy in screening for Covid. This facility is an oven-ready opportunity to see how Britain can safely reopen for business, as other countries are doing.”

Writing in the Daily Mail, John Holland-Kaye said: “For months, Heathrow has been calling for the government to introduce testing as an alternative to quarantine. A single test is not considered accurate enough, so initially at least a double test would be required.

“Heathrow is ready to support this, provided the government sets clear guidelines for a second test and changes regulations to allow passengers who provide two negative tests to leave quarantine early. We have worked closely with aviation services company Collinson and logistics firm Swissport to ensure such a testing procedure can be in place. If the government is serious about protecting the economy, this is exactly what should be done.

“Had the government done so after the Spanish crisis, a plan could have been in place for those caught up in the French problems last weekend. It is not too late to save people returning from Greece, Croatia or Italy the inconvenience of 14 days at home.”

On Twitter, Derek Jones, the CEO of Kuoni parent Der Touristik UK, said the government, not holidaymakers should be footing the bill. “£150 per test is ridiculous,” he wrote. “We need affordable (preferably free at the point of arrival) testing to kick start the travel industry.

A government prepared to spend millions of pounds on half price restaurant meals should see this as sensible economic stimulus.”

Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO at Advantage Travel Partnership, called it a positive step “towards redressing the damage done to the travel industry by blanket quarantine procedures”. She said: “Scientific advice supports the process of double testing, one on arrival and one at the travellers home two days later. This could be a very real opportunity to significantly cut down the quarantine time and at the same time help prevent transmission of the virus.

“Since a number of key destinations have been removed from the government’s safe list, consumer confidence to book a holiday is at an all-time low. We urge the government to consider this potential compromise as a priority. A solution such as this would surely boost confidence for many Britons who simply cannot afford to take 14-days additional leave after their holiday as a result of the quarantine rules.

“We’re hoping the plan will move forward quickly, be endorsed and supported by government and rolled-out by other airports. For leisure travellers it would help ease the panic caused by sudden quarantine announcements and make people less fearful to book future holidays. For business travellers it would be a real boost and provide kick-start needed to get the sector operating again.” ABTAmag.com

10 minutes with…

Jeanette Harper, director travel & partnerships at Avis Budget EMEA Are you seeing an increase in car rentals?

Since early April, as lockdown measures eased globally, we have seen sequential week-over-week rental volume increases due to increased leisure activity, which is really encouraging to see. In general, we are seeing more leisure compared to corporate customers, with people collecting a car at their local rental station rather than coming from out of town or renting from airports.

10 September 2020

Is this a trend you expected to see in the post-lockdown world?

As we have experienced when countries reopen and quarantine measures ease, vehicle rental activity does tend to accelerate as people are keen to get out and travel again after a prolonged period of being inside. However, we continue to believe a full recovery is contingent upon the number of Covid-19 cases remaining low and a vaccine being found.

ABTAmag.com

CUNARD

Line pushes cruises back

By ABTA Magazine staff Cunard has cancelled all sailings until at least March 25, 2021 as a result of the global pandemic. The first ship to sail again will be the Queen Elizabeth on March 25, followed by the Queen Mary 2 on April 18 and the Queen Victoria on May 16.

Cunard president Simon Palethorpe said: “We are so sorry to all those guests who were due to sail on any of the cancelled voyages and for the disappointment this news will cause. After very careful consideration and reviewing the latest guidance, we simply do not feel it would be sensible to start sailing again with our current schedule so we have reviewed future itineraries.

“Queen Elizabeth has returned to the UK and, with ongoing uncertainty over the reopening of many ports and countries, it is sadly not practical to continue her planned itineraries for 2021.

“Therefore, in addition to the pause in operations, all of Queen Elizabeth’s sailings due to depart between March 26, 2021 and December 13, 2021, in and around Australia, Japan and Alaska, will be cancelled.

“These voyages will be replaced with a programme of shorter duration European holidays ranging from three to 14 nights, departing from Southampton. These will start at the end of March 2021, with a series of scenic voyages around the coast of Cornwall, the west coast of Ireland and the Scottish Isles. There will also be short breaks to Amsterdam, which will include an overnight in the city, as well as voyages to northern and southern European destinations including Norway and the Iberian coast, with several of these itineraries featuring overnight city stays.

“Queen Elizabeth’s new programme will be completed with a series of seven and 14-night voyages in the Mediterranean, sailing from

Barcelona. It is an exciting new programme which I am sure will have great appeal.”

All new itineraries on board Queen Elizabeth will be available to book from September 29, 2020. Palethorpe continued “Additionally, recognising the immense disappointment of those on board Queen Mary 2’s curtailed World Voyage this year, and the cancellation of her World Voyage in 2021, we are delighted that Queen Mary 2 will sail a classic World Voyage in 2022. This will replace her scheduled sailings departing January 3, 2022 to April 3, 2022, including the voyage to South America.”

The new 104-night adventure will depart from Southampton on January 10, 2022 will be bookable, either as a full world voyage or as one of six sectors, from September 8, 2020.

“Our international mix of guests visiting many countries and continents, each with its own evolving travel regulations was a very real factor in our decision making,” said Palethorpe.

All guests who have had their voyage cancelled will automatically receive an enhanced 125 per cent Future Cruise Credit or can fill in a website form for a full refund. ABTAmag.com

Continued from page 10 Can you talk us through your safety protocols?

We launched the Avis Safety Pledge and the Budget Worry-Free Promise in May, both of which demonstrates our commitment to providing a safe, clean, and convenient transport solution for our customers and staff. We have enhanced our cleaning protocols, including utilising disinfectant that protects against pathogens. All of our vehicles are cleaned before every rental, paying special attention to high touch point surfaces such as the steering wheel, indicators, dashboard, hand grips, in-car entertainment controls, cup holders, centre consoles, and all door handles, both inside and out. We are following social distancing measures and employees are supplied with personal protective equipment and we have installed counter shields across most of our network.

How are you working with the trade?

As ever, travel agents who make a booking can make commissionable earnings by registering their booking on our agent platform, Beep. We will also be launching new, exciting partnerships which will be available to book through the trade – watch

ABTAmag.com

this space. We also fully understand and appreciate the difficulties that travel agents have encountered over the past few months and how the disruption to travel has had a huge effect on their businesses. We have been working to provide further flexibility by waiving cancellation fees until December 15, 2020.

Can you tell us more about Avis’ partnership with RB and Columbia University?

We have launched a forward-thinking coalition with RB (Reckitt Benckiser), and a team of medical professionals from leading institutions, including Columbia University, with expertise in public health, Covid-19, and other infectious diseases.

This partnership has been designed to enhance the cleanliness and disinfection of our rental facilities and vehicles, where we will also be using RB cleaning products. The group of medical professionals will form the ABG Medical Advisory Council and will review and provide Avis Budget Group guidance on the latest science and best practices to optimise our cleaning protocols and to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect our customers and staff.

Can you tell us about any other innovation in the pipeline?

Safety has always been of paramount importance to us, but since the outbreak of Covid-19, like many other businesses we have had to adapt to how we operate and innovate to ensure the health and safety of our customers. We are currently looking into technology to keep both our colleagues and our customers safe, such as speeding up the time it takes to collect your car, through methods like a digital check-in. We’re also working on an all-inclusive rental, Avis Inclusive, that will remove the worry customers might have when travelling. It will include unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver and theft protection included in the rental cost. ABTAmag.com

September 2020 11

News

MSC CRUISES

ADVANTAGE

Grandiosa sails again – but Homework only for Schengen countries group added

By ABTA Magazine staff MSC Grandiosa has become the first ship from the MSC Cruises fleet to welcome guests back on board as the line resumed sailings.

The line said that guests began embarking MSC Cruises’ flagship in the port of Genoa, Italy arriving at the cruise terminal according to their allocated time slots and followed the new universal screening procedures according to the company’s health and safety protocol.

This includes a temperature check, medical review of a health questionnaire and an antigen Covid-19 swab test for every guest prior to boarding. After completing these steps and having received the results of the test while in the terminal, guests who were fit to travel then embarked the ship according to the new health and safety procedures, which includes sanitation of both hand and hold luggage.

All guests receive a MSC for Me wristband, which provides them with contactless options while on board, such as opening the cabin or making payments. MSC Cruises said it will also help to facilitate proximity and contact tracing, if needed. All crew members have gone through similar health screening measures, which included three Covid-19 tests in various phases, as well as a period of isolation, before commencing their duties.

Each crew member will then be regularly tested and their health monitored.

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Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO, said: “It is a real pleasure for me to be here and sail on board the first of our ships to return to service and to be able to welcome back our guests. Our main goal during these last months has been to put in place the right measures that will protect the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we visit. But at the same time, we have worked to ensure that we are able to provide our guests with a cruise holiday that they can enjoy and still experience all of the elements that they know and love from entertainment and activities on board through to protected ashore visits.”

New guests will embark in Civitavecchia, Naples and Palermo and the ship will call at Valetta in Malta, before returning to Genoa.

For this initial phase of the restart of operations, the two MSC Cruises ships operating in the Mediterranean – the second being MSC Magnifica in the East Mediterranean – for the current summer season will initially only welcome guests who are residents in Schengen countries, meaning Britons will have to wait.

However, the line has postponed the restart of sailings on MSC Magnifica until September 26.

The move was made after the Italian government introduced additional testing measures for those who have visited Greece. The company said that it had seen “cancellations and a softening in demand” since the itinerary included up to three ports in the country. ABTAmag.com

Advantage, the UK’s largest independent consortia, has announced that it will be launching a homeworking division called Travel Specialists by Advantage.

The new framework and fee structure is based on two per cent of turnover, with Advantage saying that the model is a hybrid between traditional homeworking organisation and a managed services model.

In a statement the company said: “Travel Specialists by Advantage is aimed at existing homeworkers looking for less support and a higher share of commission, and experienced travel agents considering starting their own business.”

Kelly Cookes, leisure director at Advantage Travel Partnership, added: “We’re really excited to be launching Travel Specialists by Advantage as it was a natural progression for us to add this to our portfolio. As a result of the pandemic, unfortunately many talented agents have lost jobs, and we hope this will help those looking for new opportunities during this time.

With a competitive commission structure and a host of benefits and support from our expert team, this model is a great option for travel agents looking for the security that comes with being part of a consortium with the flexibility of homeworking.” ABTAmag.com

For more travel industry news, see ABTAmag.com

ABTAmag.com

– VIPAVA VALLEY, SLOVENIA –

Fascinating landscape

Diverse terrain and Mediterranean flora, charming stone houses and bell towers paint a dream rustic imagery.

Reminiscent of Tuscany perhaps, though the steep slopes and many clear water springs give it a special vibe. The climate, too is distinctive and gentle. All year round.

Wine and cuisine for the gods

The wine region impresses with its indigenous old varieties and award-winning natural wines. The tables of its restaurants and agritourism farms are filled with seasonal dishes based on home produce. Likewise, local haute cuisine with its modern interpretations of tradition has been winning over some of the world's most prestigious publications. A heaven for foodies and wine lovers!

Thrilling outdoor adventures

There's plenty of hiking and cycling trails, great conditions for hang gliding and paragliding, climbing, paddling the river, horse riding, fishing and more, countless activities to please the hearts and minds of nature lovers. True adventures are provided by the local guides, spicing up your perfect day outdoors with hidden treats and surprises.

#ifeelsLOVEnia #vipavavalley

www.vipavskadolina.si

News UK holidays

SMALL SHIPS

STAYCATIONS

Majestic and European Waterways set sail again

UK breaks on the up

By ABTA Magazine staff

By ABTA Magazine staff Scottish cruise company The Majestic Line has returned to the waters, joining other ship operators in running small-ship cruises.

The company will only cruise with two of their four-vessel fleet and will be operating six-night cruises with a reduced number of guests onboard.

The company will be running two of its most popular cruises: Mull and Her Inlets and Islands and Skye and the Inner Hebrides, plus one-off cruises Captain’s Choice and Isles of the Clyde and the Southern Hebrides itineraries.

The Majestic Line managing director Ken Grant said: “We have many guests who are very keen to cruise with us this year, and having looked long and hard at the options and how best we can confidently offer a cruise experience that is enjoyable and safe we feel that we are now in a position to cruise safely once again.”

The Majestic Line said its ability to cruise at the time will be subject to Scottish government guidance. The FCO currently advises against ocean-going cruises – including British Isles cruises – but has given the green light to river and inland ship travel.

British luxury hotel barge company European Waterways is also taking bookings for the remainder of the 2020 cruise season with holidays on the canals and waterways of England, Scotland and Ireland.

European Waterways’ four hotel barges

14 September 2020

cruising in England, Scotland and Ireland: Magna Carta (eight passengers) on the River Thames; Scottish Highlander (eight passengers) and Spirit of Scotland (12 passengers) on the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness; and Shannon Princess (10 passengers) on the River Shannon.

“These luxury barges accommodate just eight to 12 passengers, so our guests are travelling in the safety of small numbers. With these capacities, they are ideal for families and small groups of friends in search of a private escape on a whole barge charter, or those seeking a small-group experience with like-minded travellers when booking individual cabins,” said Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways.

He added: “We cruise through peaceful countryside where our guests can savour clean, fresh air and unspoiled views. Our daily shore excursions are often exclusive and away from crowds and tourist hotspots, and in most cases, you can start your journey by car or train to our departure points and avoid air travel. Most importantly to ensure the health and safety of our guests and crew, we have enhanced our already strict hygiene routines, including temperature checks, complete deep cleaning and disinfecting of all cabins and public areas on the barges, as well as shared items such as bicycles. All of this will be conducted with minimal impact to guests and without spoiling the relaxed ambience of an intimate hotel barge cruise.” ABTAmag.com

Almost a third of Britons will enjoy a UK break this year, according to new research that considers the impact of Covid-19 on holiday habits. Forty-four per cent of Britons have abandoned the idea of a holiday in 2020 altogether, according to the latest Spending Report from Nationwide Building Society The impact of Covid-19 on travel plans and consumer confidence has led to a 46 per cent drop in holiday spend in 2020 compared to last year, with the number of transactions down by 64 per cent, it found.

The figures were combined with a survey of more than 2,000 people, which shows that the UK is set to see a rise in domestic tourism.

Some 32 per cent plan to stay in the UK this year to enjoy a staycation, with a further 14 per cent preferring day trips with their family and friends. More than four in ten (44 per cent) are not planning to go on any holiday in 2020.

For nearly three quarters (72 per cent) of those choosing to remain in the UK, concerns around Covid-19 are playing a part in their decision making, with those aged 25 to 34 far more likely to think this compared to those aged 55 and above – at 81 per cent compared to 64 per cent.

According to the survey, one in five (20 per cent) plan to use money saved during lockdown to treat themselves to a break. This is particularly prevalent among younger people, with three in ten (30 per cent) of those aged 16-34 planning to use money saved on a holiday compared to 14 per cent of 45-54s and 17 per cent of those aged 55 and above.

Nationwide analysed its own customer spending data and found that some of the biggest increases in transactions since lockdown eased have been on holiday camps, hotels, vehicle rentals and flights.

Mark Nalder, Nationwide’s head of payments, said: “Although it’s clear that there remains some trepidation about taking a holiday this year, our data clearly shows that a large number of people are ready to escape their homes. And, even though it’s a month on from the opening of the air bridges, Brits are choosing to stay at home to explore what’s on their own doorstep.” ABTAmag.com

ABTAmag.com

GLOBETRENDER THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL

Travel in the Age of Covid-19 – read the new report now

News on trend

On trend The contribution of outbound travel to the UK economy Nicola Sturgeon has said she doesn’t have time for a holiday, but if she did, she would stay in Scotland and support the Scottish economy instead. She isn’t the first politician – and sadly won’t be the last – to promote domestic tourism over holidays aboard, ignoring the contribution of outbound travel to the UK economy.

In fact, travellers now spend more in the UK before they travel than

£27.1bn 2014

Every issue we reveal the numbers behind the biggest stories in travel

they do while abroad, according to findings by ABTA, which we have republished here. The Gross Value Added (GVA) of the travel industry, which takes account of direct spend on travel services and holidays, as well as a range of associated products and services such as duty free, cameras and sun tan lotion, has increased by a third since 2014. The findings are from ABTA’s 2019 report Driving Growth – The Economic Value of Outbound Travel, which is an analysis of the economic contribution of the UK’s outbound travel industry.

£37.1bn 1.8% of GDP (up 36%) 2018

Since the 2008 financial crash, the UK economy has grown 9% The tourism sector has grown 40%, according to ABTA

16 September 2020

ABTAmag.com

£10bn increase in spend

The outbound industry supports 526,000 jobs in the wider economy including retail staff and manufacturers. Both have increased since 2014 – from 214,000 and 435,000 respectively.

In 2017, UK travellers spent £45.7 billion on outbound travel in the UK before departure, compared to £44.8 billion while overseas, an increase of almost £10 billion since 2014. This is the third report from ABTA of this nature and not only demonstrates the significant contribution the sector makes to the UK, but also highlights its strength, resilience and ability to grow amid global challenges and uncertainty.

The cost of the continued uncertainty The UK is likely to lose $186 billion from the travel and tourism sector’s contribution to GDP, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

This would represent a 73 per cent drop compared with 2019, and put millions of jobs at risk, the organisation has said – warning that its “worst-case scenario” was likely to come true.

In June, the organisation said that about three million UK travel and tourism jobs could be lost if stringent measures such as quarantine remain in place.

It now says that “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”.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and chief executive, said: “It’s heartbreaking to see our worst fears for the UK and global travel and 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.”

She added: “While we acknowledge the UK government’s efforts to support travel and tourism during this crisis,

the UK alone looks set to lose three million jobs in the sector, creating an economic black hole of $186 billion in the country’s finances.”

WTTC analysis shows that the travel and tourism sector contributes 9 per cent of the UK’s GDP and supports 11 per cent of total UK employment.

ABTA, meanwhile, has revealed that 90,000 jobs have either been lost, or are at risk, in the travel industry and its supply chain since the global pandemic began.

ABTA has called on the chancellor to offer tailored support for the travel industry. While the Job Retention Scheme has been used by 90 per cent of travel businesses, 65 per cent of companies have either made redundancies or have started consultations.

$186bn 90,000

The amount the UK The number of jobs that may be lost is likely to lose

ABTAmag.com

September 2020 17

ABTA The Travel Convention

News

Into the virtual future What to expect at The Travel Convention, ABTA’s flagship annual conference, which this year takes place virtually

By ABTA Magazine staff The Travel Convention, ABTA’s flagship annual conference, will be delivered to you virtually this year. The one-day event takes place on Wednesday, October 14 and it will bring the travel industry together at this critical time. Many people will never have attended a virtual conference before,

18 September 2020

so here is what to expect from ABTA’s first online Travel Convention.

The virtual studio

Thought-provoking content around the future of travel and tourism, with keynote speakers, business sessions and panel debates will delivered from an impressive virtual Convention studio in Kings Cross.

All the latest ABTA updates amid the Covid-19 pandemic

Expect a Convention stage set, virtual 3D images and professional editing and broadcasting. The sessions will be moderated by experienced TV presenter and Royal Editor at ITV News, Chris Ship, who is returning to moderate the Convention for the fifth time.

The virtual portal

The business sessions, specialist workshops and networking opportunities will be delivered to delegates via a virtual event portal. The portal will allow delegates to access the business sessions and specialist workshops, either live or on demand for up to a month after the event. Attendees can also network,

ABTAmag.com

meet exhibitors and request one-to-one meetings with other attendees. Attendees will receive live technical assistance throughout the day.

Engagement and interaction

Engage via social media, online chat, polls and video meetings. Some companies will be gathering together to watch the Convention and to discuss key themes. Give ABTA your feedback, ask your burning questions to speakers, meet your colleagues online and participate throughout the day.

Theme

2020 has been a year like no other – lockdown, FCO advice against all but essential travel, repatriations, cancellations, refunds, quarantine and exemptions.

As we start to recover, The Travel Convention will bring senior travel and tourism leaders together to explore a key theme – Rebuilding Confidence in Travel. How can we rebuild consumer confidence, operate and restart travel, sustainably, in a world with Covid-19? How are consumer expectations and spending habits changing as a result of the pandemic?

Business leaders will discuss how they have embraced sustainability, diversity and inclusion, digital transformation and new ways of working to build better and fairer organisations, from the inside out.

Interviews and panel discussions with industry leaders will focus on the

different ways in which travel businesses have adapted to the new climate created by the coronavirus crisis and how they are promoting confidence to their customers to start travelling again.

Keynote speakers

This year, you can expect to hear from a senior Government representative, ABTA’s CEO Mark Tanzer, WTTC’s President and CEO Gloria Guevara and a panel of Chief Economists including KPMG’s Yael Selfin.

You’ll hear from industry speakers including John Bevan, CEO, dnata Travel Group, Giles Hawke, CEO, Cosmos and Jo Rzymowska, Vice President & Managing Director, EMEA, Celebrity Cruises and more.

Raoul Ruparel OBE, a former Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on Europe, now based in Deloitte’s Global Brexit Insights team, will discuss trade policy and what the UK’s exit from the EU means for travel businesses.

Hear about diversity and inclusion from authoritative voices, including Jamie-Lee Abtar, Executive Director of BAME Women in Travel and Uwern Jong, editor-in-chief, Out There magazine.

Guest speakers this year include Dr Paul Redmond, author of The Graduate Jobs Formula, who will share an amusing take on the workforce of the future and Jo Fairley, who co-founded Green & Black’s chocolate and who has helped to pioneer the idea of sustainable, ethical business as we know it today. Don’t miss actor,

comedian, writer and television presenter Richard Ayoade as he spends 15 minutes in conversation with destinations in the style of the popular Channel 4 programme, Travel Man. Stay tuned for details of the familiar faces who will be joining Richard for this comedic and witty session.

Specialist workshops

You will be able to choose to attend two interactive specialist workshops, run by ABTA and ABTA partners, and watch the rest on demand.

Workshops include: • Tourism for good – sustainable practices in tourism • Future pandemic planning • Employment strategies • Diversity and equality in practice • Long term recovery and restructuring • Health and safety operations and recovery in destinations • Brexit planning • Rebuilding consumer confidence and the role of technology Delegates can register via The Travel Convention website. Discounted member and partner rates apply.

Register at thetravelconvention. com/registration. For more, email: convention@abta.co.uk

Pictured (L-R): JamieLee Abtar, BAME Women in Travel; John Bevan, dnata Travel Group; Gloria Guevara, WTTC

September 2020 19

ABTA Advice

Ask the expert Have a burning question you can’t find the answer to? Be it travel trends, a regulatory riddle or destination dilemmas, send us your query for an expert response

Q:

I have a number of customers travelling out to Greece, so I was concerned to hear reports in the media about customers being refused boarding by their airlines due to incorrect documentation, could you please let me know what I should be advising my customers? Anon

A:

You are right in that there have been instances where some customers were denied boarding on flights to Greece.

As part of their measures to safeguard holidaymakers and local people against the spread of Covid-19, the Greek authorities require anyone travelling to Greece to fill in a Passenger Locator Form (PLF). This should be completed online and must be done at least 24 hours before departure. Every traveller, including children, must have their details included on the PLF. If travelling with others outside of the household, each household should complete their own form. If travelling together as a household, one form should be completed with all adults and children included.

After the form has been completed, the customer should receive an email acknowledgement. A separate email will follow with a QR code. This code is usually sent up to 24 hours before travel, regardless of how early the form is submitted. The code should either be printed off or can be shown on a mobile phone upon arrival in Greece. Just like with visas and other documentation required by destinations, airlines are required to check that passengers have followed entry requirements as well as completed documentation correctly and are within their rights to refuse boarding if they have concerns. They are often liable to substantial fines if they allow customers to travel without the right documentation. The Greek authorities have made it clear that customers who arrive without a PLF or an incorrectly completed one, could be liable to a €500 fine per passenger and/or refused entry.

There was initially confusion for some customers, who if travelling as part of a family group, thought that they did not have to include the names of their children on the form. In addition, the Greek authorities required everyone over the age of 18, even if travelling as part of a family group in one household, to fill in their own form. They have since revised the requirements so that a family group in one household can all be submitted on one form.

However, some airlines may still insist on everyone over the age of 18 having their own form. It is worth checking directly with the airline what is required in advance of completing the PLF process, to avoid any confusion and to be allowed boarding.

Those travelling by ferry will also be asked to compete an additional ‘Pre Boarding Information’ form alongside the PLF which will be provided by the ferry operator.

Travellers should ensure they pack sufficient face coverings for their trip, as it is currently mandatory to wear them on public transport (including flights and ferries), as well as at airports and in taxis.

As always, the most accurate and up to date advice on entry requirements can be found in the FCO travel advice. The FCO will also always steer customers towards the official government page making life considerably easier for your customers.

The forms are in English and appear to be straightforward to fill in.

Donna Boucher, senior destinations executive – health, safety, crisis and operations, ABTA

20 September 2020

ABTAmag.com

Meet the team Each issue we speak to an ABTA employee about their work.

This time: Den Ashby, member engagement manager I joined ABTA as a fresh-faced 25-year-old in 1988, when I was employed to set up a team to deal with the increasing amounts of calls the Association was receiving from members, the public, outside bodies and students, all of whom were looking for expert assistance or advice.

Some 32 years later and I still loving talking to members.

Other enquiries have moved to other teams as we have grown, but my priority remains our Members, offering them help and assistance wherever I can.

The role has changed over the years and has always offered a wide range of challenges. Ours is an ever-changing industry, it is part of what makes it so rewarding and interesting, but it also means that members both old and new often need our help and assistance.

Modern technology offers so many new ways to engage with our members and I have developed, with expert input from other ABTA staff, a full social media presence on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and of course Facebook. The ABTA Member Community group on Facebook allows me to develop new exclusive and innovative content, keeping members up to date with what is going on. Direct contact takes place in Park Street or at regional meetings and, of course, there is phone and email and increasingly in the current environment, virtual platforms too.

One of my main roles is to deliver a programme of Member Engagement activities, reminding members of the wide range of benefits available to them. Members are not always fully aware of these, so it is my job to bring them to all members’ attention.

In these difficult times many members are feeling vulnerable and need reassurance that their Association is there for them and behind them. I think that fostering direct relationships is a vital part of providing that support and reassurance.

ABTAmag.com

I also manage ABTA’s dealings with the Council of Regions Committee.

For those who do not know the Committee, we split the country into 11 regions, and each has its own chairperson and committee, who are our eyes and ears throughout the UK. We meet up three times a year in Park Street for industry updates and to share members’ concerns and thoughts.

I manage two sets of regional meetings, running in the spring and in the autumn. Various members of the ABTA Team, including myself, will travel around the country to present, alongside the COR chair to members and partners.

The meetings help to keep everybody on top of the latest key industry developments, policy updates and industry trends.

They are also a great opportunity to socialise and develop useful business contacts.

Of course, at present, meeting up in person is not advisable, so we will be holding Virtual Business Regional Meetings via Zoom. It will be a challenge for an old fella like me, but it’s one I am looking forward to.

Most years I get the opportunity to represent ABTA overseas at various conferences and conventions, and domestically at travel shows around the country, some of these are run by ABTA members themselves. Spending time with members is a vital part of the job, they appreciate us coming out and being there.

I look forward once we can get out again, to seeing you all.

September 2020 21

ABTA Events

Events

F

ABTA is holding a series of webinars and virtual events to provide practical guidance for the travel industry during the global coronavirus crisis

ocusing on business resilience, the webinars will be delivered in collaboration with trusted ABTA partners and will offer business support and advice during this time. The webinars are free-of-charge for ABTA members and partners. Non-members are welcome to pay to attend. ABTA’s live webinars are launched on abta.com/webinars at least one week before the event takes place. You can view on-demand recordings of previous webinars on abta.com/webinarsondemand. To see our upcoming virtual events visit abta.com/abtaevents.

Webinar: Consumer Sentiment Towards Travel

September 9, 10:30-12:00 This second edition of this 90-minute webinar provides the latest insights on consumer attitudes towards travel brands and services in a world with Covid-19. Explore how customer expectations have changed in response to the Coronavirus crisis and what this means for your travel business.

Webinar: Reducing the Impact of Covid-19 on Sustainable Travel Accommodation

October 21, 10:30-12:00 Led by Travelife, this webinar will take a look at the impact of Covid-19 prevention measures on hotel sustainability work. Hear the results of Travelife’s recent member survey into the impact of Covid-19 and learn how you, as travel businesses, can help accommodation suppliers mitigate the environmental impacts and protect staff and communities in destination.

Webinar: Managing Travel FX Risk in Uncertain Times

September 30, 10:30-11:30 This one-hour webinar will provide practical guidance on how travel companies can manage FX risk to protect their businesses through unprecedented uncertainty. Get an overview of the UK’s economic outlook and a travel market update. Hear currency forecasts and receive practical guidance on FX risk management strategies.

Virtual event: The Travel Convention

October 14, 09:00-17:00 The Travel Convention is ABTA’s flagship annual conference and a leading event in the travel calendar. In October 2020, for the first time, ABTA will bring The Travel Convention to you virtually, enabling the travel industry to come together at this crucial moment. See page 18 for more information and to register visit thetravelconvention.com

Virtual event: The Travel Law Seminar September 23, 09:30-17:00

ABTA’s Travel Law seminar is coming to you virtually this year on September 23, 2020. This major event is the industry’s biggest legal update, designed to guide travel businesses through their legal responsibilities. Bringing the industry together to discuss how the law has worked in practice during Covid-19, you will hear from the leading experts in travel law as they examine the current legal considerations for travel businesses and look ahead to developments in 2021. Receive trusted advice and guidance on a range of topics including the Package Travel Regulations during Covid-19; consumer rights, obligations and managing changes; airlines and passenger rights; supplier contracts and litigation; an update from the CMA; consumer claims, employment law and the latest on Brexit in preparation for the end of the transition period.

Visit abta.com/abtaevents to find out more and register your place 22 September 2020

ABTAmag.com

Comment Sustainability

Better travel Brian Young, managing director, EMEA, of G Adventures, on how a new found appreciation of travel, post-pandemic, could be good for sustainability

D

uring lockdown, with factories closed and less transportation in motion, we have seen a surprisingly quick improvement in natural and environmental issues such as carbon emissions, air quality and wildlife.

This has become a talking point for many who question how we can continue to maintain this positive environmental shift and emerge from the pandemic with more sustainable practices as the world begins to open up again.

Humans, by their very nature, are inquisitive creatures. We have a thirst for

ABTAmag.com

exploration, whether it’s putting a man on the moon, travelling to far flung places through international travel or even just exploring our local area, as so many of us have been doing in recent weeks and months. Our adventurous natures will not change and, as countries open up once again, our desire to travel will begin to build. So what does responsible travel look like now?

First of all, we must dismiss the idea of getting back to normal completely. Before the pandemic, the travel industry had developed many bad habits and travel was

viewed by many as a right, rather than a privilege. Lockdown has shown us how quickly travel can be taken away, which has caused many people’s perceptions of travel to shift, with a new found appreciation and motivation to travel better emerging.

Travelling better starts far before you set foot in an airport. It starts with the most obvious element of a holiday – the destination. In recent years, destinations have played less and less of a role in travellers’ purchasing decisions. They have been driven by the best amenities and lowest rates. Making travel choices

September 2020 23

Comment Sustainability

based on a destination and what the local areas and communities have to offer will not only benefit the local economy and communities, but will also massively enhance the traveller experience.

Next we must address the issue of flying. What we’re seeing at G Adventures is a shift in travellers’ booking habits and a shift towards longer duration adventures.

By avoiding short weekend breaks and opting for longer trips with direct routes or train connections, travellers can significantly reduce their flight footprint and also have the opportunity to really immerse themselves in a destination and get beyond the tourist hotspots.

While the environment has benefitted from the flight halt, local communities around the world who rely on tourism as their sole source of income have been devastated by the tourism drought. When travel resumes and travellers begin to

24 September 2020

fly again, having a positive impact when on the ground is essential. Justifying an international holiday to an all-inclusive hotel where leakage is high, meaning minimal money makes its way into the hands of local people and the local economy, is impossible to justify now.

Asking questions is key. Agents and travellers have a responsibility to challenge operators about where money is going, how the holiday is benefitting local people and what positive impact the trip has on the destination.

The environmental impact on the ground is also an important factor when travelling more responsibly. Minimising single-use plastic and opting for operators who support environmental projects is important. Earlier this year, we worked with our non profit partner, Planeterra, to support a number of new community tourism projects focused on protecting

the environment, which our travellers have the opportunity to visit. Many of these offer hands-on experiences, such as tree planting in Madagascar and plastic pick-ups in the Maldives, which is a great way for travellers to learn more about the environmental challenges some of these destinations are facing.

While the pandemic has seen the travel industry presented with the biggest challenge it has ever faced, it has also offered an opportunity for us to all stop and rethink how and why we travel. It has shown us in such a short time how our planet can recover when we act more responsibly, but also the hardships many communities have faced without tourism. We are presented now with the challenge of finding a balance, where we can nurture our inner explorer, respecting the privilege that is travel and supporting and respecting destinations and local people along the way.

ABTAmag.com

GLOBETRENDER From a collective pause to getting back in the race Globetrender, the UK’s leading travel trend forecasting agency, is helping travel and tourism companies navigate what’s coming next through bespoke consultancy

If you would like individual guidance on how to future-proof your company, email editor and founder Jenny Southan at jenny@globetrender.com Download Globetrender’s latest trend reports at globetrender.com/downloads

Features City breaks

City breaks in the corona age With travellers turning to the remote and the rural, Anthony Pearce looks at some cities that remain sustainable and accessible

W

hat does the future hold for the city break? Travellers, we’re told, will embrace the rural retreat and the ‘bubble holiday’ – be it cabins in the forest or coastal family villas instead of hotels.

While this may be true in many ways, it ignores not only the ease and access of

26 September 2020

the city, but its enduring appeal. After months squirrelled away from the world, many travellers, particularly younger ones, will be pining for the bustle of the city, its culture, food and architecture.

The crowd is alluring – even if can we can only experience being part of it while two metres apart from each other.

ABTAmag.com

Of course, various destinations in Europe are experiencing spikes in cases, including some of those mentioned below.

This is inevitable as governments attempt to ‘negotiate’ with the virus – we know the restarting of economies will result in coronavirus spreading, but life must return to some normality eventually. Therefore, these aren’t necessarily suggestions for immediate travel – but rather a look at the type of cities that are suitable for travel in a post-Covid world. Broadly speaking, they are relatively small, have lots of green space or access to nature (or both) and good access from the UK, while a culture of al fresco dining, a good record on coronavirus and sustainable credentials are also viewed favourably. All are relatively short haul.

We’ve shared the current advice and restrictions for each but, as you know too well, things can change quickly.

Ljubljana

Slovenia was a late addition to the travel corridors list, but is generally seen to have

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handled the coronavirus crisis well. The country has also long been celebrated for its commitment to sustainable tourism through its innovative Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism, which encourages and celebrates green practices across the county. Its beautiful capital, Ljubljana, was named as the Green Capital of Europe in 2016 and took first place in the Best of Cities category at the Sustainable Destination Awards at ITB Berlin this year.

Because of its small size, one of the great joys of Slovenia is that you are always close to nature. Ljubljana, which has closed its city centre to motor traffic, has 542 square metres of public green space per capita – the largest of which, Tivoli Park, leads to two wooded hills, Rožnik and Šišenski hrib, plus a whole maze of hiking trails. A river ride in a kayak under the city’s picturesque bridges is a perfect Covid-compliant way to see the city.

Lake Bled, one of Europe’s most beautiful spots, is just 45 minutes away – a site that shouldn’t be missed.

September 2020 27

Features City breaks

Pictured

Previous page: Munich’s Englischer Garten and Ljubljana. This page: Salzburg, Reykjavík and the pretty azulejos of Lisbon

The crowd is alluring –even if we can only experience it while two metres apart Munich Germany remains on the travel corridors list and has, to this point, handled the pandemic better than most major European countries. Its third largest city, Munich is underrated. As our writer Chris Leadbeater wrote in this magazine last year, “it is easy to expect Munich to be big, noisy and brash, [but] it is rarely any of these things.

It revels instead in the soft beauty of its buildings, the quiet pleasures of its parks, a history that stretches back far beyond the darkest hours of the 20th century, and a raft of art museums as impressive as those in London, Paris and New York.”

One of the city’s key selling points – and one of the reasons it is on this list – is the

28 September 2020

sheer number of the green spaces: the Englischer Garten is one of the world’s largest urban parks, replete with an enormous beer garden. Of course, wider Bavaria has a great deal to offer: the epic Romanesque Revival palace that is Neuschwanstein Castle sits within day-trip range, 100km to the south-west.

Reykjavík Iceland has taken innovative and bold steps to tackle the pandemic, while its testing regime may still provide the blueprint for a more sensible border policy. That said, cases have risen in the country recently and it is at risk of being removed from the travel corridors list. However, we fully expect the

country to get to grips with the rise very quickly given its track record.

Its capital Reykjavík offers unrivalled access to natural wonders – with spouting geysers and caving expeditions within day-trip reach. Its striking concrete Hallgrímskirkja church and the rotating Perlan glass dome, which offer views of the sea and nearby hills, are the most famous examples of its unique architecture.

Although it’s never going to be sunbathing weather, Reykjavík has nearly 411 square metres of green space per resident, making it a city enjoyed best outdoors.

Amman While Jordan’s borders are currently

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closed, the Middle Eastern country has handled pandemic better than many.

Although the city can be busy, there are plenty of outdoor spaces to enjoy: on top of Jabal al-Qala’a hill is the city’s historic Citadel, which includes the pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules and the eighth-century Umayyad Palace complex, while the Roman Theater, a 6,000-capacity, second-century stone amphitheatre, is as impressive as it sounds. Once again, the city offers incredible access to nature, while its café culture lends itself to al fresco dining. At four hours 45 minutes, the flight to Amman is the longest on our list, but, for those looking to go beyond Europe, it’s a great choice once borders open.

ABTAmag.com

Salzburg In August, Austria was removed from the travel corridors list after a spate of new cases. However, when numbers drop, its cities – including Vienna, which is awash with green space – offer great options for travellers hoping to marry a city break with an exploration of nature.

Salzburg has a lot going for it: the birthplace of Mozart (and the setting of The Sound of Music, of course), it’s also backdropped by the Austrian Alps. The city is celebrated for its baroque architecture, small-town charm, culture and beer.

Salzburg has long been a city of breweries – the oldest is the Stiegl Brewery, established in 1492, which offers tours as well as a cosy

pub to sample the product. Of course, there are any number of walks, hikes and other outdoor activities to enjoy.

Lisbon Portugal was kept off the travel corridors list for most of summer, but was finally added in late August. Although Lisbon has been the victim of overtourism in recent years, its climate and its abundance of green space, means it can be enjoyed outdoors: wandering down its grand avenues, admiring the pretty azulejosadorned buildings and eating sardines on the river front. The city, which provides great access to the Portuguese Riviera, was voted European Green capital of 2020.

September 2020 29

Promotion

Stay and Discover

A new holiday concept, Saga’s Stay and Discover tours are focused on culture and adventure for those seeking enriching travel experiences from the comfort of a single lodge or hotel. With an emphasis on local experiences – natural, cultural, gastronomic or social – these trips allow a deep exploration of the region they take part in. Here are four incredible seven-day European options – two in Greece and two in Portugal.

Classical Rhodes

The largest of the Dodecanese Islands, Rhodes is one of Greece’s most beloved destinations. Guests on this sevennight itinerary are based at the luxurious Electra Palace in Ialissos, which offers views of the crystal-clear Aegean Sea. After check-in and a day of leisure in sun-kissed Ialissos, guests head to Lindos, a quaint Greek village overlooked by its Acropolis, which dates back to the fourth century BC. From the hilltop there are outstanding views over the town’s narrow lanes and houses built by seafarers of centuries gone.

It’s then on to the cobbled streets of the island’s capital, Rhodes Town. The city is home to many architectural delights, from the imposing walls, built by the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John, to the Suleiman Mosque, a legacy of nearly four centuries of Ottoman rule.

After a tour of the island – on which guests visit the spa site of Kalithea and ancient sites such as the temple of Apollo and Roman Odium – there’s a chance to visit Petaloúdhes, the beautiful Valley of the Butterflies, where millions of Jersey tiger moths breed annually between June and September. From £779 per person for seven nights.

The Wonders of Crete

From the Venetian buildings of Chania’s pretty port to the stepped streets and tavernas of Sitia, Crete, Greece’s Megalonisi (big island), is a favourite with Greeks themselves – and it’s easy to see why. Home to incredible food, stunning beaches and world-class archaeological sites, there is a great deal to see and enjoy – making this tour with Saga a great option. Guests stay at the Imperial Belvedere hotel in Crete’s capital, Heraklion, a city which boasts imposing Venetian city walls, an old harbour, Lions Square and its majestic fountain, the 17th-century Loggia city hall and St Minas Cathedral. From there, the tour heads to Knossos Palace, home to the mythical Minotaur’s labyrinth. Allowing a deep-dive into the island’s culture, Saga takes guests on a tour of its beautiful countryside, taking in mountains, hillside groves and wild herbs, visiting a winery for a tasting and a local pottery.

One of the most fascinating stops on the itinerary is to the Spinalonga area, home to the now uninhabited island of the same name, which is known locally as ‘the Island of the Living Dead’ as it served as a leper colony until 1957. Guests will also visit the quaint coastal towns of Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, which is built around a natural salt lagoon. From £949 per person for seven nights.

Hidden Portugal

With much of British tourism to Portugal confined to Lisbon and the Algarve, the delights of north-west Portugal are often overlooked. This Saga tour readdresses this, taking guests from Porto to this corner, tucked between the Atlantic

and the Minho river that forms the border with Spain.

The tour takes in spa town of Monção and the Palacio da Brejoeira wine estate, where you can sample some Alvarinho, a crisp white wine for which the region is known, traditionally served with delicious shellfish dishes. Porto, the country’s second largest city, sits at the mouth of the Douro. Home to cobbled streets, pretty churches and tiled façades, it’s a place where you can eat very well for not very much money – tasty treats such as pastéis de nata (custard tarts) or bifana (traditional pork sandwich), can be picked up from little hole-in-the-wall type joints. Guests will also explore the vast Peneda-Gerês National Park, where wolves and boar roam, and discover its quaint working villages.

From £849 per person for seven nights.

Lisbon, the Alantejo and the Portugal Riviera Travellers on this seven-day Saga tour will stay at the four-star TRYP Lisboa Caparica Mar hotel in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, one of Europe’s sunniest (and most beautiful) cities.

It is famous for its pretty azulejos tiles – which adorn many of the buildings lining its steep hills – as well as its Moorish influence, old wooden trams and affordable food. A trip along the Portuguese Riviera takes in incredible Sintra, a Unescorecognised Cultural Landscape, and home to the Palácio da Vila – the only survivor of the country’s medieval Royal Halls; and the beautiful coastal resorts of Cascais and Estoril. From £829 per person for seven nights.

Covid-19 policy on travel insurance Saga has always included optional travel insurance for those travelling on its holiday. However, in light of recent events, the company has taken the groundbreaking step of including Covid-19 cover on its travel insurance from June 1, 2020.

Feature

Travel agents

Time to leave it to the experts With travel becoming more complicated as a result of conflicting and constantly changing coronavirus regulations, agents can be more valuable than ever, writes Anthony Pearce

I

n March, like many others, I was forced to cancel a trip to Spain after the Foreign Office issued a warning against all but essential travel to the holiday hotspot – advice it removed in early July then reinstated, amid huge controversy, about three weeks later.

Although I was keeping track of the dark clouds over travel; the world’s borders closing and the introduction of lockdowns across Europe (but not yet in the UK), my travel agent emailed as soon as the advice changed to notify me. He said I could rebook, but was honest about the prospect of things changing any time soon,

32 September 2020

recommending a refund. I was able to leave all arrangements with him and, although the airline took weeks to return the money, he kept chasing until it arrived. Later in the year, a travel industry friend, fatigued by a number of cancelled holiday plans, told me: “To be honest, I usually only book with agents when I’m going long-haul – from now on, I’ll book everything through them.”

Over the past few decades, much has been written about the decline of the travel agent, but relatively little about their changing roles, such as the move from holiday booker to travel expert, high-street agent to homeworker.

There remains a generational divide, with older holidaymakers more likely to book through an agent – demonstrated by the fact that sectors such as cruise, which mostly attracts a 50-plus market, are more reliant on the trade than other parts of the industry. However, younger holidaymakers are more likely to book through an agent when it comes to once-in-a-lifetime trips – holidays too important to get wrong.

“Special occasion trips such as honeymoons are in demand and that’s where agents really come into their own,” says Derek Jones, chief executive of Kuoni parent Der Touristik UK. “People don’t

ABTAmag.com

Agents can re-establish themselves as an indespensable cog in the booking process

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want to take a risk with this sort of trip, so travel experts bring an informed view to the conversation about where to go and what experiences are open to enjoy and what may still be restricted.”

In its 2019 Travel Trends Report, ABTA hailed the “return of the trusted travel expert”, with its research demonstrating that 45 per cent of ABTA’s 2,000 interviewees said they were more confident booking with a travel professional. When furlough ends and the dust settles, it is going to be an incredibly difficult time for travel agents, and the industry as a whole, but it does also represent an opportunity for travel agents to re-establish themselves as an indispensable cog in the booking process.

“Looking ahead to a post-Covid-19 world, I simply cannot imagine holidays without travel agents – whether that be high street agencies or remote advisors,” says Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel. “If the last few months has taught us anything, it’s demonstrated that the value of genuine relationships with your customers and that community should never be underestimated. During times of crisis, customers want to know that there is someone who they can speak directly with – a true expert – and that will be the

fundamental value that a reputable travel agent can offer moving forward.”

Agents have to offer a concierge-service – asking holidaymakers of all ages, ‘Why would you book it by yourself when you can get expert help for free?’

Knowledge and experience

“The world is now complicated and it’s easy to miss something that could be essential to the customer travelling,” says Sheena Whittle, head of The Personal Travel Agents at Co-operative Travel.

“Travel agents are on hand to help explain the new complexities of travelling and offer support to their customers. Agents have the benefit of years of experience and will always be on top of all the guidelines and any restrictions in place.

Travel agents are also getting valuable feedback from their customers and industry colleagues every day on what it is like in various destinations.”

The experience of navigating changing advice and chasing refunds will no doubt last long in the memory of holidaymakers, encouraging them to use an agent who can do all the hard work for them. “Customers booking through a travel agent haven’t been a number, they are a valued customer and have been cared fzor by their agent

September 2020 33

Feature

Travel agents

“Complementing the expert advice a travel agent can offer is financial protection”

34 September 2020

helping them change their plans or apply for a refund,” says Whittle.

“Each destination is likely to have different requirements about visas, health checks and isolation processes for tourists, so travel experts will be need to help customers navigate their way through any new travel requirements particularly for multi-centre itineraries,” adds Jones.

“We know that flexibility is right up there as one of the most important things right now. There’s a whole range of things connected to coronavirus which might impact on people’s trips – a destination has a second wave and has to lock down again, customers being contacted as part of the track and trace scheme to say they’ve been in contact with someone who is ill before they head off through to becoming ill while they’re away, so that’s something agents will need to help reassure customers about – that they are there to help manage the booking if anything changes,” he says.

Operators have been quick to adopt a culture of flexibility with holiday “promises” introduced by everyone from G Adventures to Tui. Travel agents are well-placed to decode these peace-ofmind policies, explain the implication of Foreign Office advice changes and travel corridors list, and if things change reschedule holidays or handle refunds.

Independent agents “won’t close the door or cut off the phones at 5pm when there’s an emergency; they will work through the

night if necessary to help their customers,” says Whittle.

Simone Clark, vice president of Global Supply at Planet Cruise, one of the UK’s major players in the cruise industry, says that pre-Covid “expertise and personalised service” were one of the main reasons customers opted to book through an agent.

“However, recent months have highlighted that it’s more important than ever to book with a reputable travel agent who offers ABTA and ATOL protection, as we offer financial security and a safety net if your travel plans change while you are abroad,” she says. “By booking with a travel agent, the money for all the elements of your holiday is protected and we, or the tour operator we have booked via, are obliged to cover any costs to bring you home should any part of your holiday be cancelled, changed or not be possible to fulfil.”

Dobson agrees: “Complementing the expert advice that a reputable travel agent can offer is something that the vast majority of customers will not compromise on for holidays in the future: financial protection. Many customers will realise that online bookings are not sufficiently covered by financial protection and this will only strengthen the resurgence of reputable travel agents.”

The continued uncertainty around travel means holidaymakers have more questions than ever. There are too many permutations, too many complications,

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too many changes and too much nebulous decision-making from the government and too much confusion in the media for a one-size-fits-all approach in the present time. Aside from the travel corridors list changing regularly, at first leaving the industry and media guessing about the criteria for inclusion and removal, it’s become clear that holidaymakers aren’t au fait with the idea of Foreign Office advice in general and its effects on insurance.

The worry is that people, overwhelmed by it all, will just decide not to travel at all.

Everyone has different questions that need to be answered individually.

“We’ve taken a personal approach throughout the crisis, calling everyone who had holidays booked with us so we could talk to them about their options and work with them to either re-book for later dates or cancel if there were no other options,” says Jones, noting that “customers will place a high value on expert advice from people and brands they trust”.

It’s difficult to know what the future holds for travel agents, overall, but those who can establish themselves as trusted travel experts can emerge well from this uncertain time. Since the easing of lockdown, operators and agents have been offering appointment-only advice in a bid to limit numbers in shops, as well as scheduled video calls. This could prove to be a significant change – after all, what other free expert advice is handing out without making an appointment?

The current situation may continue to change the perception around agents

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from someone you simply book your holiday with to someone who can provide inspiration, do all the heavy lifting, offer counsel and, crucially, reassurance. “I see a clear space for trusted agents, provided they are on top of their game and able to offer real expertise, destination insight and support for customers as we’re likely to be managing our lives around Covid-19 well into the New Year,” says Jones.

We’ll certainly see a rise in the number of homeworkers, but Dobson, meanwhile, is confident the brick-and-mortar agency will remain a fixture in towns. “I firmly believe that the high-street model will continue to thrive because of its position and importance to many local communities. Local people want to engage with local businesses and local employees – particularly when it comes to personal and emotive high-value purchases such as holidays.” She admits that the chaos that followed the lockdowns of March were a learning curve, and believes dealing with the fallout has only strengthened their position. “Like many other agencies, we had tens of thousands of customers to support and that meant that, sometimes, our customers felt frustration at having to wait longer than usual to speak with one of our team. But the over-riding sentiment that is shining through is that our customers were relieved to be able to speak to a real expert who could handle everything for them.”

In this uncertain age, when many are wary of travelling again, agents have a crucial role to play in saving the industry.

“Local people want to engage with local businesses and local employees”

September 2020 35

Promotion

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.

Cocos Island, Seychelles (Credit: Torsten Dickmann)

The Seychelles Islands… the safe island getaway Green, safe and unerringly beautiful, this island group in the Indian Ocean is the perfect long-haul escape to start planning for

T

he Seychelles Islands is not only one of the world’s most pristine destinations, but one of the safest. Among a handful of several small nations able to control the coronavirus pandemic, it is now welcoming international guests to enjoy its exceptional climate and sublime beauty.

An archipelago of 115 lush islands in the Indian Ocean, is it perfect for those looking to escape the stresses of life. With numerous white sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs and abundant nature reserves, as well as rare animals such as Aldabra

36 September 2020

giant tortoises, the picturesque islands offer visitors a piece of tropical paradise and a taste of history. It’s no surprise to learn that this region of the world has topped the bucket-list of lockdown Britons planning their next big holiday. Here’s everything you need to know.

How to get there

Three major airlines – Emirates, Etihad and Ethiopian – started flights to the Seychelles in August, with more airlines, including British Airways, adding the islands to their networks in September

and October. Flight take around 10 hours from London to Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on the island of Mahé.

British Airways provides the only direct flights to Seychelles from the UK capital and, prior to lockdown, offered two departures a week, with night flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Travel corridors

As lockdown continues to ease, the government has revealed a list of countries from which inbound tourist and returning travellers do not need to self-isolate. The

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Pictured

Left: Petite Anse Kerlan.

Above top: Grande soeur Above bottom: a giant tortoise of Curieuse Island (Credit: Torsten Dickmann)

Seychelles is exempt from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice against all non-essential international travel and is on the Department for Transport’s travel corridors list, meaning when returning to the UK, travellers will not need to self-isolate for 14 days. In the Seychelles, a traffic light system is in place, with visitors only from low (green) and medium risk (amber) countries allowed in. A negative Covid-19 PCR test taken a maximum of 72 hours before boarding the plane and a booking voucher at a Safe Tourism Certified establishment or liveaboard is the foremost requirement for entry. Currently the UK is marked as red, but the list is being reviewed weekly.

Francis added that the destination has implemented specific protocols and guidelines concerning travelling to the country and hygiene in places such as airports and hotels. She also urged visitors to maintain best practices during their travels and stay in Seychelles. Although visitors will have to minimise their interactions with the local community, they will be able to carry on with their holiday activities such as sightseeing and tours, island hopping and excursions.

Some 307 hotels on different islands have already been Safe Tourism Certified and received the stamp to start welcoming guests, as they meet the required health and safety checks.

Safety measures

Unrivalled beauty

The chief executive officer of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Sherin Francis, has sent a strong message to the world, telling travellers that “Seychelles has fared very well with the number of cases we had and the country was quick to react with bold and necessary measures”.

ABTAmag.com

With its exceptional climate – an average of 29 degrees all year round – the Seychelles is ideal for island-hopping: islands where magnificent granite boulders, among the oldest on Earth, flank powder-soft beaches among the most beautiful on the planet.

It is a token of the richness of its amazing ecosystems that Seychelles has not one, but two Unesco World Heritage sites: the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, unchanged since prehistoric times, and Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atoll. Guests can relax and take in the scenery, enjoy one its many exceptional spas, or head out on adventures, with many sports-orientated holidays on offer – including hiking, diving, sailing and fishing. The islands offer a wide range of accommodation from luxurious five-star hotels to beachside bungalows and self-caterings. It’s no surprise they are so popular for weddings, honeymoons and romantic getaways.

Contact

Seychelles Tourist Office 132 Buckingham Palace Road, Ground Floor, London, SW1W 9SA Seychelles@uksto.co.uk | seychelles.travel To become a Seychelles expert please visit seychellessuperstar.co.uk

September 2020 37

Features Solo travel

Solo navigating the new normal In recent years solo travel has grown quickly and diversified hugely, with more and more people choosing to holiday alone. But post-pandemic, does it still hold the same appeal?

O

ver the last few years, solo travel has not only grown quickly, but diversified hugely. Operators have tailored their offerings to a wide range of holidaymakers who come from all walks of life: these travellers are no longer confined to backpackers who book open-ended flights directly with the airline, or the over 60s on coaching holidays. In fact, solo travel now accounts for around 11 per cent of all trips taken by Britons.

Last year, at ABTA’s New Opportunities in the Solo Travel Market Event, we reported on how, more and more, these holidaymakers are travelling alone because

38 September 2020

they want to, not because they have to – taking ‘purpose-driven’ trips.

Will Sarson, head of specialist product at Riviera Travel, told delegates that solo travel can be “transformational” for first-time customers, with Radha Vyas, co-founder of Flash Pack, saying the company aims its marketing at those in their 30s and 40s who feel “slightly isolated when their friends start settling down”, but no longer want to go backpacking – targeting a different demographic to your traditional independent traveller.

According to research last year by Expedia, two-thirds of travellers said they

“prefer the freedom of travelling alone and meeting new people over the desire to have a vacation companion”, with the numbers higher among the young (see p40). But, in the age of Covid-19 – after months away from loved ones and in an increasingly complicated world – does solo travel hold the same appeal?

Rachel Coffey, business development director of Trafalgar, Costsaver, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold, admits that while “solo travel will always have an appeal, certainly in the short to medium term we are seeing increased interest in groups of families and friends wanting to

ABTAmag.com

travel together, perhaps in response to being separated from them for so long”.

While many solo travellers will tell you that their fears of travelling alone were totally allayed once they took the plunge, the new normal presents challenges and worries for even the most hardy traveller.

Navigating the travel corridors list and Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice is daunting – particularly with the knowledge the rug could be pulled out from under you at any time.

“Our message to all our agent partners and their clients is that we have taken all the stress out of it and taken care of every detail, so they can book and travel with us with confidence, whether they are travelling solo or as part of a couple or group,” Coffey says.

Brian Young of G Adventures agrees that solo travellers who would have normally managed their trip independently are now embracing organised trips. “Now, more than ever, travelling with an operator well set up for independent travellers will offer the flexibility, reassurance, expertise and community that contribute to a great adventure,” he says.

Holiday protection and flexible booking policies will be more important ever in this new landscape, a long with expert advice from travel agents, as we explore on p32,

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while booking with an operator offers an additional safety net – fellow solo travellers.

“The opportunity to meet new friends and like-minded people from around the world has been a big draw for many solo travellers when booking a small group tour,” Young says, noting that active adventures such as trekking Kilimanjaro and hiking the Inca Trail are performing particularly well.

The pandemic, he says, is driving travellers to commit to challenges they may have put off in previous years.

Donna Jeavons, Contiki’s director of sales and marketing for the UK and Europe, says the number of solo travellers booking with the company has been on the rise for a number of years – and their reasons for doing so won’t change in the age of Covid-19. “Our travellers come to us because they are seeking a shared, sociable travel experience with like-minded people, and because we take care of all the details; our trip managers, local guides and our 24/7 traveller support team are always on hand. I think that gives solo travellers a confidence that they wouldn’t get with other types of travel, especially in these uncertain times, so I hope we’ll see those numbers go from strength to strength in 2021.”

Like hotels, airlines and cruise ships, operators will need to be transparent

The pandemic is driving travellers to commit to challenges they might have put off

September 2020 39

Features Solo travel

When the FCO ban on cruise lifts, ship travel remains a great option for solos

with guests about the safety protocols in place. Coffey says that “as well as curating perfectly paced itineraries that combine showstopping sights with off the beaten track experiences, we have done all our due diligence with post-Covid protocols and will not compromise on our exemplary hygiene standards – nothing is more important than the health and wellbeing of our guests.”

One issue for solo travellers will be the already tricky world of single supplements.

Many operators will pair travellers with a similarly-minded companion, unless they pay to have the room themselves. It’s the reason why G Adventures, as well as launching a Travel with Confidence policy, which includes increased safety and hygiene processes across trips, has also created a Travel with Confidence Plus collection – offering additional social distancing and private rooms at a discount.

Saga, which has always served solo customers well, made sure its first purposebuilt ship, Spirit of Discovery, continued that legacy. There are 109 single cabins, all with a balcony, which are 85 per cent the

size of a standard twin or double cabin at 26 sq m, while Norwegian Cruise Line, with its dedicated solo-guest area, continues to lead the way for independent travel in cruise. When the FCO ban on cruise lifts, ship travel remains a great option for solos.

Before the pandemic, more than half of Intepid’s customers were solo travellers, says Zina Bencheikh, the operator’s EMEA managing director, who only expects that number to grow in future. “Companies who have relationships with the local communities they visit can provide reassurance and allow solo travellers to feel at ease while away from home during such uncertain time,” she says.

She adds that, because “clients will want to explore their backyards and travel small distances at first”, the operator has launched Intrepid Retreats – shorter getaways closer to home and focused on one location. It’s proof that for operators who can couple expert advice and agility – in terms of the itineraries and flexibility they offer – will be well placed to handle a new generation of solo travellers in the new normal.

Solo travel in numbers

1 in 6

According to new research by Expedia, two-thirds of travellers said they “prefer the freedom of travelling alone and meeting new people over the desire to have a vacation companion”

people chose to go on holiday by themselves in 2018 – up from 12 per cent in 2017 and almost three times as many as in 2011 (six per cent), according to ABTA’s 2018 Holiday Habits Report

52%

of solo travellers are interested in taking an escorted tour, according to the 2018 Solo Traveller Report from Mintel

40 September 2020

80% of millennial travellers agree

83% of Gen Z travellers agree

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1 edition. £2.3m in revenue A single issue of Explore, a publication created for Advantage Travel Partnership by Waterfront, generated more than 600 bookings*. Find out about creating your own loyalty magazine by emailing info@waterfront-publishing.com.

FEATURES | R O OM SERVICE MENU | SHORE EXCUR SIONS

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THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

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December 2016

M A R C H 2018

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

FJORD FOCUS A JOURNEY TO WEST NORWAY

*Source: Travel Weekly, November 2017

Jeannine Williamson joins CroisiEurope in the heart of Prague, before exploring the lesser-known Elbe en route to Berlin PLUS 10 OF THE BEST WILDLIFE CRUISES EXCLUSIVE RITZ-CARLTON INTERVIEW CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES IN AMSTERDAM

BRILLIANT BANGKOK INFOCUS: INTREPID COACH VS CRUISE HOW TO SELL: SOLO TRAVEL

WHY THE THAI CAPITAL IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A BACKPACKER HAVEN

CRUISE & MORE HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME

ON THE HORIZON THE LATEST CRUISE NEWS

EMERALD WATERWAYS AN IN-DEPTH LOOK

WONDERFUL WORLD FOUR BUCKET-LIST STOPS

SLOVENIA. MY WAY OF TAKING IT EASY. There are million ways to feel Slovenia. Everywhere and any time you go you’ll always run into something that reflects your unique taste and view of the world.

The only question that remains is: what’s going to be your way of feeling Slovenia?

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