This month’s opening news analysis looks at how Travel Day of Action (23 June) gave rise to hopes that travel’s pleas are being heard in Westminster, and by the devolved administrations in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast.
It also explores agents’ attitudes towards the prospect of an August restart, with quarantine set to be eased for fully vaccinated amber list arrivals at some stage over the coming weeks. The features an exclusive take from Barrhead Travel president Jacqueline Dobson too on the particular challenges facing agents in Scotland.
This theme of industry pressure in government continues with a report from a Westminster Hall debate held the day after Travel Day of Action during which a number of ministers spoke up in support of the travel industry and the trade, highlighting the urgent need for sector-specific support across the country.
We also have a full report from Travel Day of Action itself which saw dozens of MPs turnout to meet the 800 or so industry figures who descended on College Green to make their voices heard, while TTG also this month carried a special letter from the editor – and everyone at TTG on behalf of the industry – to prime minister Boris Johnson, questioning his government’s commitment to supporting travel when compared to the support received by other sectors.
Away from the challenges facing agents and the outbound sector, TTG senior contributor and analyst Gary Noakes brings us a special report on the impact of the delay in easing Covid restrictions on the domestic holiday sector – both positive and negative.
July’s lead interview is with Sandals executive chair Adam Stewart, who reflects candidly on those decisive few weeks at the start of the pandemic and how the business’s hard work then has paid off in droves come efforts to restart international travel. Stewart also paid warm and loving tribute to his late father, Butch Stewart, founder of the Sandals empire.
Mental health is the focus of this month’s opinions page, with thoughts from Abta LifeLine director Trudi Clements and Elizabeth Roscoe from aviation support charity, Aviation Action, while July’s product page leads on a new venture by well-known industry duo Phil Turner and Craig Vickers, both formerly of Beds with Ease and Broadway Travel.
Judging for The Travel Industry Awards by TTG gets under way this month, and we explore the three special trophies we will be presenting at the ceremony at Magazine London on 30 September. The July edition also brings you the shortlist in full and details of how to get tickets for the event.
Regenerative travel is the theme of this month’s TTG Luxury page, specifically September’s three-day Regenerative Travel Summit. This is also news of Greece’s second One&Only hotel.
Meanwhile, June’s Travel Agent Tracker data highlights the issues the constrained green list is creating for agents, particularly the effect of removing Portugal from the last last month.
Finally, TTG Florida Fest is back for 2021 and will be held over the week of 12-16 July, with the event set to give agents plenty of opportunities to build or refresh their knowledge of the destination – and win some great prizes.
Our monthly One Last Thing column comes from Holidaysplease director Richard Dixon, who urges everyone in travel to maintain the hope that has so far carried the industry through the greatest crisis in its history.
Cruise
Acting deputy news editor Tom Parry takes you through the latest cruise headlines, including a look at Hurtigruten’s plans to offer Galapagos exhibition sailings – starting next year.
This month’s cruise interviews, meanwhile, are with new Clia chair UK and Ireland – Royal Caribbean’s Ben Bouldin – and Clia director UK and Ireland Andy Harmer, as well as Christian Verhounig, chief executive of new line Ambassador.
Features
In the features section, we highlight new shows and attractions in theme parks; take a tour of London’s Great Scotland Yard Hotel and its surrounds with Travel Curious; and speak to Alexis Peppis of Tiqets about new product and the company’s USPs.
We also head to Madeira with Tui for an all-inclusive break at the Riu Palace and try out some of the hotel’s excursions; and round up the latest updates from all-inclusive properties around the world.
For our Central and Eastern Europe feature, we shine a spotlight on some of the region’s lesser-visited cities; and reveal what to see, do and experience in Romania.
In the Business Advice section we ask Mel White of White’s Travel to reflect on the highs and lows of June; reveal how to become a male ally in travel; and catch up with Barrhead Travel’s Karen Musgrave, part of TTG’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2020/21.
