https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=uOIJJgRtWyI&app=desktop

TravelTime World boss Jackie Steadman featured in a BBC London report on Friday (13 November) around the challenges facing the travel sector as the Covid pandemic continues.

Steadman stressed how unlike companies in other sectors, her Berkhamsted-based agency could not shut up shop and utilise furlough back in March as it had customers to repatriate and future bookings to take care of.

“Our business stopped operating in March with the lockdown, however we couldn’t furlough our staff or mothball our business,” she told BBC London’s transport correspondent Tom Edwards.

“We’re in a position where this is ongoing. Our next bookings are coming through for the ski season – so we can’t stop operating.”

Also appearing in the report was Abta spokesperson Emma Brennan, who repeated the association’s long-held plea for government to “make furlough more flexible” and allow travel firms access to support while also being able to properly manage their businesses.