Consumers 'taking a chance' by booking now, says transport sec

Government

James Chapple

13 May 2020

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has warned holidaymakers they are "taking a chance" by booking for summer 2020 and gambling on a change in the Foreign Office’s advice against all non-essential travel worldwide.

The new campaign will feature discounts for accommodation and activities in Saint Lucia for those returning to visit

Shapps comments came during a BBC Breakfast interview on Wednesday (13 May), and appeared to support health secretary Matt Hancock’s stance, set out in a This Morning interview on Tuesday (12 May), that overseas holidays were "unlikely" this summer.

Register for free to continue reading

Get unlimited access to the latest travel industry news and analysis, comment on articles and sign up to newsletters.
Register for free

Already registered? Login here or below.

Having difficulty logging in? Try these tips, or contact support@ttgmedia.com

Top sales tips from our partners

The Holiday Village

The Holiday Village: 'The future of homeworking is bigger than simply working from home'

How to unlock premium sales opportunities with Lufthansa Group’s new cabins

From festive breaks to river cruises: how to sell Newmarket Holidays with confidence

Coming soon: the new tool letting you book some of the world's biggest live sport and music events

Motorhome Holidays

7 reasons why a motorhome adventure could be the easiest holiday you’ve ever sold to Australia or New Zealand

Top business stories this week

1.

'The way we promote homeworking and franchising risks creating the impression making money selling holidays is easy'

6.

The £10 million-a-year agent planning to retire at 45: 'My knowledge sets me apart'

2.

Expedition cruise

Shedding old mindsets, embracing AI and 'Alaska Syndrome': How the expedition cruise sector is evolving

7.

Five things I learned from my fam trip to Antarctica’s deep interior

3.

Business advice

Expedition cruise chiefs insist the Arctic isn’t the ‘tricky sell’ agents fear

8.

Business advice

Travel agent lands £80,000 in bookings for luxury cruise line he had never previously sold

4.

'Specialise to survive', and 4 other key agent takeaways from the 2026 InteleTravel conference

9.

Business advice

Travel Counsellor reveals the marriage pact that’s led to ‘100% more conversions’

5.

'With more people self-identifying as travel agents, perhaps reputation and customer approval is the new accreditation'

10.

Are you a truly inclusive travel agent? Or do you just think you are?

All business advice

Competitions

Win a £200 Fortnum & Mason hamper with Newmarket Holidays

Win a 10-day motorhome adventure in Australia or New Zealand with thl

Win a luxury Cunard hamper including a bathrobe and bottle of Laurent-Perrier

Win a £100 Amazon voucher with Tui

All competitions

Events

23 April | Victoria Warehouse, Manchester

30 June | The Minster Building London

23 September | The Roundhouse, Camden

Handpicked just for you

Travel trailblazer Jo Rzymowska shares 'deeply personal' story in first book

Hurlingham Collective launches agent app to end ‘faff’ of booking hotels

EasyJet cuts more capacity as sky high fuel costs continue to bite into airlines' profits

Spring Hotels to unveil Cleopatra Palace makeover and family developments at WTM

Riviera Travel elevates agent support with launch of new 'Riv Rewards' programme

All handpicked stories